MikeLigalig.com

P54M for wheelchairs of PWDs
By Rose Palacio
Davao City (28 June 2005) -- The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has funded some US$975,000 or P 54.6 million Philippine pesos for the wheelchair project of persons with disabilities (PWDs) in Mindanao.

Davao Jubilee Center (DJC) project manager Evelyn Cabigon said the objective is to produce wheelchairs affordable for PWDs.

Gracing the radio forum "ARENA-XI" aired over DXRP Radyo ng Bayan hosted by Josette Olivera of DXRP and Rose Palacio of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA), Cabigon explained that the wheelchair project for Mindanao is a four-year program aimed at making PWDs more effective and productive sector of the society.

Based on studies, wheelchair is one of the devices most needed by PWDs. Because of the country's lack of capacity to manufacture wheelchairs, DJC entered into a joint venture with the USAID to attend to the increasing demand for wheelchairs needed by PWDs, most of whom cannot afford to buy for their own use, Ms. Cabigon said.

DJC has a production unit manned by eight ( technicians in Sitio Escuela, Catalunan Grande. People can place orders or know more about the project through telephone number 297-1398.

The wheelchairs, which will be made out of local materials, can be custom-made according to the special needs of PWD patients upon the instruction of an ergonomist or occupational therapist.

Other orthopedic wheelchair workshops in Mindanao are located in Cagayan de Oro City in region ten; in Bislig, Caraga region; Cotabato City; Autonomous Region for Mindanao (ARMM); and Zamboanga City in region nine. (PIA-RPalacio)

Miami, FL, September 03, 2017 --(PR.com)-- HMiners is delighted to announce the mega launch of an attractive sales promotion to maximize the benefits of the buyers of their cryptocurrency mining rigs. This limited-period promotion is valid for all three products from the company, and offers a free mining rig to all buyers purchasing three units of any of their three products. More details related to this promotional campaign are now available in the company’s website: https://hminers.com/

Though a relatively new name in the global cryptocurrency market, HMiners is owned and managed by a team of experts with an excellent track record in the industry. This team first came into prominence by creating the industry’s first ever 10 nm ASIC Chip. The company has recently hit the headlines once again by coming up with three extremely powerful mining rigs capable of mining Bitcoin, Litecoin, Ethereum, and Dash.

With the rapidly increasing popularity and acceptance of cryptocurrencies across the globe, cryptocurrency mining has emerged as a promising profit-making alternative for many individuals. However, at the same time, most of the available cryptocurrency miners have failed to deliver up to the expectation of the users in terms of their profitability. H2U Miner, H4U Miner, and Rack Equipped with 5 x H4U, the three mining rigs from HMiners, were designed to address some of the most glaring issues reported by the miners.

The best part about the three mining rigs from HMiners is their extremely high hash rates, making them more powerful compared to most other available options. These miners can run on SHA-256, Scrypt, Etehash, and X11 mining algorithms. Most importantly, in spite of their high hash power rate, these mining rigs offer extraordinary energy efficiency. Depending on their need, the users can switch to any coin of their preference for a better profitability. Till now, all users of these mining rigs have reported a complete return on their investment within just one month.

Some of the top features of the HMiners mining rigs include:

- Multi-algorithm mining rigs capable of mining Bitcoin, Litecoin, Ethereum, and Dash
- High hash power with low power consumption
- Low noise and heat generation
- Operating Temperature between 0°C and 40°C
- Guaranteed return on investment within a month
- Two year warranty

Announcing the launch of the sales promotion, the company’s Marketing Director Ivan Claes said, “We are extremely pleased to offer one mining rig absolutely free of cost to anyone purchasing three units of the same product. This is an excellent opportunity for all cryptocurrency enthusiasts to maximize their profit. Please visit our website for more details.”

To find out more about the new HMiners Mining Rigs, please visit https://hminers.com/products/

About HMiners: HMinersis the most recognizable companies in the cryptocurrency industry and the proud creators of the world’s first 10 nm ASIC Chip. The core team of this organization comprises of top level specialists from globally renowned organizations such as IBM, Microsoft, and Samsung.

Manila, Philippines, August 06, 2006 --(PR.com)-- With issue 8, Offshore Business Magazine continues to provide essential reading for business-people, investors, expatriates and professional service providers all over the world, thanks to its premium editorial content written by experts with detailed knowledge of the offshore financial industry.

Here are some of the highlights in Offshore Business Magazine No. 8:

How to Set Up Your Own Hedge Fund: Traders and money managers often dream about one day running their own hedge fund, managing large sums of money, and competing head to head with the world’s top traders. For many, though, this dream remains unfulfilled, because they do not know where to begin and do not want to squander their resources “reinventing the wheel.”

The word “offshore” has a certain mystique to many. Offshore hedge funds are investment vehicles organized in offshore financial centers (“OFC”). OFCs are countries that cater to the establishment and administration of mutual and hedge funds (“funds”). Offshore funds offer securities primarily to non-U.S. investors and to tax-exempt investors (e.g. retirement plans, pension plans, universities, hospitals, etc.).

Asset protection with solid foundations: Trusts can be used to protect your assets and protect your loved ones. Trusts are a popular asset protection tool but they do have limitations, meaning they are not the best asset protection solution for all investors. Using a foundation as part of your wealth management strategy can provide additional protection and peace of mind not available with trusts.

Anonymous US Companies Undermine OECD Transparency Drive: US states are undermining a controversial initiative by the Organisation for Cooperation and Development (OECD) to track global financial data. By continuing to incorporate anonymously-owned companies for foreigners, the states are ignoring new international "transparency" standards even while their government demands that other countries adopt them.

Financial Centre - A Year in Review: Over the period since the Qatar Financial Centre officially opened for business, on 1 May 2005, a full programme of business development, marketing, recruitment of key staff and licensing of firms has been carried out. In the space of a year the Qatar Financial Centre Authority (QFCA) has moved from an ambitious concept into a fully operational and goal oriented organization. It is setting itself stretching targets and standards which are the equal to those of any world class financial centre, and has already gained a record of (and a reputation for) achievement well ahead of expectations.

Offshore Business Magazine was media sponsor of Cayman Islands Bankers’ Association Conference 2006 (www.caymanbankersconference.ky). The conference attracted over 120 senior-level executives from leading banks, financial services firms and industry leaders both from the Cayman Islands and internationally. This year’s theme, The changing face of banking, captures the dynamic development of the international banking sector over the past decade. Consolidation of many of the world’s largest banks, further synergies between banking and other key sectors such as mutual funds and insurance, among others and technological and regulatory developments have all resulted in changes in the international banking environment. In addition to its position in the international banking arena, the Cayman Islands position as the worlds’ top hedge funds domicile and as the second largest captive insurance centre in the world made it the ideal jurisdiction to reflect on the changing face of banking.
Note to editors: 

About Offshore Business Magazine: Offshore Business Magazine is a leading FREE digital publication that provides an end-to-end perspective on the offshore financial industry with unique in-depth content and market coverage.

The magazine covers a wide range of topics within offshore business sectors like: Law, Tax, Incorporation, Trust, Banking, Insurance, Funds, Wealth Management and Licensing across many offshore jurisdictions.

Every issue brings essential reading to business-people, investors, expatriates and professional service providers all over the world, largely thanks to its premium editorial content written by experts with detailed knowledge of the offshore industry. Every story in the magazine provides some element of utility, some lesson, example, insight, or bit of information you can gain from.
(www.magverlag.com)

Publisher: Offshore Business Magazine is published by Strong Media Corp. (www.strongmediacorp.com), a Manila-based media company, owned by John Enar Karlsson and Cecilia Hernandez. The very first issue of Offshore Business Magazine was published in May 2005 and is now published bi-monthly, in English and distributed online (www.magverlag.com) free of charge to more than 10 00 readers . (www.strongmediacorp.com)

Makati, Philippines, December 07, 2005 --(PR.com)-- Korean-Filipino joint venture company, Neugent Technologies, pursues developing Linux-based digital video recording solutions. Last October, Neugent launched the Hawkeye LX DVR Series -- a set of 16-channel and 8-channel PC-based digital video recorders running on the Linux platform, targeted for the enterprise market.  Hawkeye LX DVRs feature MPEG-4 video compression at 30fps/channel (recording resolution up to 704x480 NTSC), G.723 audio compression, sensor & relay integration, digital watermark, motion detection and PTZ (pan/tilt/zoom) functions to name a few.

Neugent is set to launch a new version of the LX DVR Series by end of 2005, which feature hardware MPEG-4 video compression, hardware G.723.1 audio compression, hardware motion detection and hardware watermark. The trend towards Linux is not just a tiny phenomenon. In fact, it has already penetrated the consumer market â€" LG Electronics, Panasonic, Philips and Samsung, to name a few.  Why is Linux the choice for the operating system, then?

Linux, which was first developed by Finnish computer programmer Linus Torvalds, has some key advantages when used as the operating system for DVRs.

First, since Linux is an open-source and the best operating system for programmers, it makes it easier to customize to only include functions and services which the end-users need.  When you boot a Hawkeye LX DVR, it automatically launches the surveillance application and you won’t see e-mail nor spreadsheet programs on the interface.  All unnecessary applications are removed.  Moreover, some services are fine-tuned to deliver an optimized system.

Second, since Linux can be customized, it means that the operating system can be tweaked to remove unnecessary services or prevent operation of certain application codes.  This increases system reliability.  Moreover, most active viruses cannot do your system any harm because they have nothing to attack as the services which are usually hit by such viruses are not running.  In the end, we provide a much more stable and secure DVR system.

Third, an optimized Linux-based DVR will require less memory or RAM and provides a bigger hard drive space for faster viewing, recording and playback.

Neugent believes than Linux will become the viable and global operating system for DVRs, replacing Microsoft Windows.

Currently, Neugent has around 20 engineers who are in charge of developing its line of DVR solutions.  It has also begun with the development of a DVR with embedded Linux O/S, which is scheduled for release by first quarter of 2006.

Makati City, Philippines, July 14, 2005 --(PR.com)-- Mobile entertainment products developer MRM Studios today launched its latest website, MyFoneThemes.com. The site, which can be found on the URL http://www.myfonethemes.com, offers professionally designed ready made mobile phone themes that can be easily installed and used on theme-compatible mobile phones, such as Nokia Series 40 and Series 60 handsets, Sony Ericsson, Motorola and Panasonic cell phones. It also offers Customized Phone Themes â€" themes in which clients can submit photos and graphics of their own to be converted into phone temes.

Phone Themes are small graphic files that are downloaded and installed on a colored and theme- capable mobile phone. Using themes will allow users to change the interface of their phones.

The library of MyFoneThemes.com currently holds themes of different categories ranging from Anime to Abstract, Sporty to Sexy. Their phone theme collections are compatible with the widest range of mobile phone models made by different manufacturers. MyFoneTheme.com's phone theme library is slated to hold the largest collection of all-original themes on the web.

Strategically priced, possessing an impressive catalog, and loaded with promos â€" MyFoneThemes.com is expected to corner a significant piece of the mobile phone theme pie. Please visit http://www.myfonethemes.com or send an email to info@myfonethemes.com for more information on MyFoneThemes.com and their products.
About MRM Studios

MRM Studios, developer of MyFoneThemes.com, is a total mobile entertainment company. It acts as an outsourced production outfit for other companies and also as a publisher and distributor of its own creative content. Its current focus is ring tones, graphics, and phone themes, but it is working to extend the possibilities of mobile media into other forms of information, education, entertainment, and advertising.

Makati City, Philippines, May 20, 2005 --(PR.com)-- Looking to gain a competitive stand on the growing enterprise instant messaging business, Neugent Technologies, Inc. has launched this Monday its custom-made and very powerful communication platform.

The Grapevine Enterprise Instant Messenger is a turn-key communications tool that lets you conduct simple text messaging, multiple file transfer, multimedia video conference, remote control, and PC-to-PC voice calls, to name a few. It’s packed with all the essential communications equipment to help your business efficiently manage information and processes in real-time, thereby encouraging rapid decision-making at all levels of the business. Another key benefit of Grapevine is that it can remarkably reduce your company’s travel and communication expenses.

What’s excellent about this application is that it has a huge capacity user control â€" a maximum of 20,000 users, running a Pentium III workstation, can simultaneously utilize Grapevine. Grapevine can be integrated with the company’s system or network. For instance, it can be integrated into a CRM system. Grapevine also offers the fastest and highly-secured connection.

Further, Grapevine offers plug-ins to assist every single entity in the company, from rank-and-file employees to managers. These plug-ins are basically office tools such as bulletin board, scheduler and project manager, to name a few. Grapevine also runs on a light server and employs a load balancing system to provide companies a faster, more predictable network performance.

Neugent is targeting enterprises that are willing to invest on their future for this application. Globally, the enterprise buying motivation is seen to move beyond the obvious reasons of security, which are in fact related to consumer-based IMs, to more meaningful issues, such as strategic use of an Enterprise Instant Messenger. This is what Neugent hopes to bring to the Philippines.

Meanwhile, the use of public IMs such as Yahoo and MSN in the corporate world is as widespread as the use of SMS or wireless instant messaging (IM) as the messaging service of choice. Convergence of the two technologies has begun already but its success has not yet been announced.

For more info, please visit http://www.gearbest.com

Philippine-based online merchants can now tap onto the fast-growing Chinese economy through Mozcom PayEasy Online Payment System ("PayEasy"). PayEasy now accepts China UnionPay (CUP) ATM Debit Cards as a mode of online payment to any PayEasy-affiliated merchant. CUP is the official and only domestic inter-bank network in the People’s Republic of China. It is an association of China's banking card industry founded in 2002, and operates under the approval of the People's Bank of China.

CUP domestic member banks have issued more than 1.5 billion ATM cards in China. There are more than 740,000 merchants, more than 1 million POS terminals, and more than 120,000 ATM's accepting CUP cards. CUP has more than 200 domestic and overseas members serving China and other parts of Asia, Europe, America, Africa and Oceania.

"With China UnionPay as one of the payment modes available in PayEasy, we are enabling local online merchants to access 95% of Chinese consumers with a bank account and receive money from them faster and securely," said Dick Chiang, Mozcom COO/CTO. "The Chinese online customer (CUP user) will pay the merchant in Renminbi (RMB) and our system will apply the necessary currency conversion in real-time."

In the Philippines, some networks, such as BancNet, are already accepting UnionPay cards at the ATM level. Retailing giant, SM Prime Holdings Inc.'s Department Store, Supermarket, Hypermarket, Super Sale, Watson's, Sports Central, Appliance and Toy Kingdom also accept UnionPay at the POS level.

"The growing affluence of Chinese consumers is evident with the growing influx of vacationers and business people from mainland China. Local resorts and medical tourism facilities can tap on this huge market through online payments," Chiang added.

Mozcom PayEasy is the most comprehensive online payment system in the country today supporting all major credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, JCB, Diners Club), BancNet and MegaLink ATM cards, PayPal, Globe G-Cash, Smart Money, UCPB my1Time, Western Union, over-the-counter bank deposits, and Malaysia's iPay88. For more information, visit http://www.payeasy.ph or call (02)848-2606.

KABAYAN PARTY-LIST
(Kabalikat ng Mamamayan)
For more information contact:
Rep. Ron P. Salo  09178917755
Atty. Ciriaco S. Calalang  09202940156

Twitter: @Kabayan_Ron
KABAYAN PARTY-LIST FETES ORDINARY FILIPINA DR. CHARLIE JANDIC, THE ANGEL OF MRT-3

KABAYAN Party-list feted the post-graduate medical intern who administered first aid to the woman whose right arm was severed in a Metro Rail Transit Line 3 incident last week.

KABAYAN awarded the “Kabayan Bayani Award" to medical intern Charleanne “Charlie” Jandic in a special ceremony at Ayala Southpark, Alabang, Muntinlupa on Sunday afternoon.

The “KABAYAN Bayani Award is a recognition and celebration of heroic and deed of ordinary Filipinos.

KABAYAN Party-list Representative Ron Salo said he shall rename his bill on a national Emergency Medical Services System, House Bill 4955, and name it after Dr. Charlie Jandic, because we  want that system and all Filipinos to follow her example of swift, decisive, appropriate and effective response to emergency medical situations.

“Heroism is all around us performed by ordinary people from all walks of life, yet it is oftentimes unrecognized and unacknowledged. Today, we seize the opportunity to celebrate and recognize heroism where it is due in order that we may inspire and encourage all Filipinos to also perform their heroic acts or deeds. Indeed, not all heroes are dead. Some are alive, like Dr. Jandic. She was at the right time, right place, and she did the right thing. She is KABAYAN Partylist’s first  recipient of KABAYAN Bayani Award, which recognizes extraordinary act and deed of ordinary Filipinos,” Salo said during the conferment ceremony.

“What Dr. Charlie Jandic did was extraordinary because it happened outside of her usual hospital environment, in a very public place, and seen by the whole world through social media,” said KABAYAN 3rd nominee and soon to take oath as Member of the House of Representatives, Atty. Ciriaco Calalang.

“What Dr. Jandic did happens everyday in our hospitals, at the emergency rooms and trauma care facilities. What Dr. Jandic did was commonplace in a real war battlefield as many of our war veterans and soldiers know, especially those who were deployed to Marawi City. We honor her and the example she set so that Filipinos of today will realize that even in their ordinariness, they can be extraordinary and heroic,” Calalang added.

“Dr. Jandic trusted her values, instincts, and medical training. She was decisive. She assumed command of the crisis situation and saved the life of a stranger,” KABAYAN Secretary General Joshua Sebastian said.

Dr. Jandic accepted the award and a gift card and thanked the party-list group for the recognition.

“Maraming salamat sa parangal na bigay sa akin ng KABAYAN Partylist. Pero sa totoo lang po, hindi ko naman po inisip na mabigyan ng parangal o atensyon. Ginawa ko lang naman po ang hinihingi ng pagkakataon - ang tumulong sa nangangailangan gamit ang aking kaalaman at training bilang doktor,” Jandic said. (END)

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TAGBILARAN CITY, Nov. 11 (PIA-Bohol)--The province of Bohol and five local government units in the province earned the Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG) by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).

Of the 81 provinces across the country, only 28 including Bohol will be honored with the SGLG.

Aside from the province, those who will be conferred on November 27 in Manila Hotel are the municipalities of Alicia, Bien Unido, Duero, Tubigon, and the City of Tagbilaran.

DILG Provincial Director Ma. Lousella Lucino in a radio interview said the awardees will be honored with an SGLG glass marker from the DILG while various amounts of monetary rewards will also be given to the different localities.

Bohol is set to receive P7 million while Tagbilaran City will get P5 million.

The four LGUs will receive P3 million each through the DILG Performance Challenge Fund, Lucino added.

This will be the third time that the province and Alicia town will be awarded with the SGLG since 2015, while it will be the first time that the Tagbilaran City will be conferred with the distinction.

In 2016, the towns of Corella, Duero, Maribojoc, Talibon, Tubigon, and Trinidad were also awarded with the SGLG.

The LGUs of Danao, Loboc, Loon, Maribojoc, Panglao, San Miguel, Sierra-Bullones, and Talibon earned the same award in 2015.

The SGLG is a progressive assessment system adopted by DILG to give distinction to remarkable local government performance across several areas.

To win the award, LGUs must pass the several key elements including financial administration, disaster preparedness, social protection and tourism, culture and arts.

For this year, the DILG raised its overall assessment criteria by including peace and order to its list of core areas. (ecb/PIA7-Bohol)

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STATEMENT BY THE HONORABLE RON P. SALO, KABAYAN Party-list
Assistant Majority Leader
Twitter: @Kabayan_Ron

HOUSE APPROVED MENTAL HEALTH BILL ON 3RD READING; NEW LAW LIKELY BY 1ST QUARTER OF 2018

With a vote of resounding 223-0-0, the House of Representatives approved this afternoon (November 20, 2017) its Comprehensive Mental Health Bill on third and final reading.

HB 6452 is a consolidation of 10 bills on mental health, including HB 1040, which I filed. HB 6452 seeks to address the lack of a law to specifically address the mental health of Filipinos through a comprehensive mental health program. https://goo.gl/FfpQbM

The Senate already has a proposed Mental Health Act (SB 1354) (http://www.senate.gov.ph/lisdata/2543921948!.pdf), which passed third and final reading. http://today.mims.com/the-4-most-common-mental-health-illnesses-among-filipinos.

I hope a bicam conference can convene this December and February. If both chambers move fast enough, we could have the law on mental health by March next year.

The Department of Health estimate on fatal suicide in the country is at five Filipinos everyday but that figure is considered low because of under-reporting due to social stigma attached to suicide and mental health problems.

More Filipinos can come out of the shadows of social stigma if only they knew that some mental health problems are covered by PhilHealth. Yes, there is PhilHealth coverage for mental health issues: https://www.philhealth.gov.ph/circulars/2010/circ09_2010.pdf

One study, https://goo.gl/E12Zpw using data spanning 1974 to 2005, observed that “there was a decrease in the incidence of suicide in the 1970s and early 1980s, but since then rates have been steadily increasing in both sexes; rates rose from 0.23 to 3.59 per 100,000 between 1984 and 2005 in males and from 0.12 to 1.09 per 100,000 in females.”

Noting that suicide is quite high among teenagers and young adults, I am calling on the Commission on Higher Education, Department of Education, and Department of Interior and Local Government to design and roll out intervention measures the youth can connect with when they are in emotional trouble. The CHED can use the Higher Education Development Fund or their funds for research. DILG involvement in this effort is needed for the out-of-school youth. https://www.rappler.com/move-ph/137967-up-students-create-mobile-app-mental-health-first-aid. (END)

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THE HONORABLE SALVADOR B. BELARO, JR.
1-Ang Edukasyon Party-list
Assistant Majority Leader

facebook.com/edukasyonparty

(02) 931-5001 local 7436 and 0917-536-3718

Despite FDA list of non-abortifacient
RANKING SOLON CAUTIOUSLY OPTIMISTIC ABOUT RH LAW FULL IMPLEMENTATION

Finally, the Food and Drug Administration has issued its resolution determining that 51 specific contraceptives, including two highlighted in a TRO challenge before the Supreme Court, are non-abortifacient.

Going by the April 26, 2017 SC ruling, it is our hope that the FDA resolution means the TRO on the full implementation of the RH Law is automatically lifted.

However, I am cautiously optimistic. This fight to stop those who want to derail advances in the reproductive health of Filipino via the RH Law may not yet be over.

I wish the DOH has fully complied with all the stipulations and directives of the Supreme Court in that April 2017 ruling. I also wish the DOH is ready to fight any appeal.

While the SC did say, “the TRO would be deemed lifted if the questioned drugs and devices are found not abortifacients,” the High Court also said an administrative appeal and challenge the FDA resolution could still be lodged before the Office of the President.

There is also a worrisome condition of “after compliance with due process” also in the same SC ruling.

Those against the RH Law might use this dependent clause to continue fighting the RH Law before the Supreme Court if they see their chances of appeal to Malacanang as not promising.

As one of the House Leaders, I urge the TRO proponents to finally admit defeat. The science and real facts of RH have always been against their harsh campaign adversely affecting women’s health and the health of our nation. It is time to move on and let the Department of Health fully implement the RH Law. (END)

REFERENCES:

http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/pdf/web/viewer.html?file=/jurisprudence/2017/april2017/217872.pdf

http://news.abs-cbn.com/news/11/13/17/doh-vows-full-implementation-of-rh-law-after-re-certification-of-contraceptives

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/lifestyle/healthandwellness/632931/fda-issues-resolution-clearing-51-contraceptives-as-non-abortifacient/story/

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CabSec Evasco, Aris to TIEZA: Study new Bohol tourism loops

By JUNE S. BLANCO

DEVELOP more tourism destinations, create more activities in those destinations to make tourists extend their stay for one more night or two!

Rep. Erico Aristotle Aumentado (Bohol, 2nd District), a vice chair of the House Committee on Tourism, heard this statement often during his visit to London as part of the Philippine contingent, along with representatives of the Department of Tourism (DOT), to the World Travel Market WTM).

Aumentado emphasized that “while we do not need to re-invent the wheel, we need to inject nuances, variations, more sights. adventures and activities so that tourists can say ‘We need to go back to Bohol because we have not tried this or experienced that!’”

Aumentado’s eye-opener in London came just in time for the visit to Bohol of concept groups from the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) tasked to create concepts on the development of the Abatan River-San Vicente Ferrer pilgrimage site-Punta Cruz Watchtower loop in Maribojoc town, the Ubay Stock Farm in Ubay and all possible activities on top of rodeos that can be done there, and more exciting and titillating activities at the Danao Adventure Park in Danao.

The coming over of the TIEZA concept groups was at the instance of Cabinet Secretary Leoncio Evasco and Aumentado as part of his responsibilities as Tourism vice chair.
Bohol should offer more than the Chocolate Hills and the tarsier to keep its niche in the highly competitive tourism industry â€" at a reasonable price range.

The entry of more airlines to the province is a step in the right direction. Competition augurs well for each company trying to outdo each other in terms of rates and services, he said.
This should also be the case for the resorts and hotels in Alona Beach in Panglao and all other beach strips here.

To note, he warned, other provinces are starting to develop their respective beaches and are now offering river cruises as well.
“Sooner or later, beach tourism â€" a maturing industry in Bohol â€" will reach a plateau. Pairing it with the tarsier and the Chocolate Hills might become too bland already for adventure seekers hence, the need to innovate, improve existing and add more facilities”, he explained.

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DOE: All Systems Go for 13th Fuel Economy Run

(Taguig City). The Department of Energy (DOE) in cooperation with Petron Corporation is all revved up for the 2017 DOE Fuel Economy Run to be held on November 20-21 at Clark, Pampanga.

Already on its 13th run since its inception in 2002, the Fuel Economy Run serves as a platform for the DOE as well as the consumers in determining the fuel consumption rating of different brand-new vehicles available in the market based on actual highway driving conditions.

This annual event invites participants to test the fuel efficiency of sedans, SUV’s, MPV’s and pickups of the different car manufacturing companies, brands and models.

Participating entries will be divided into two categories: those vehicles running on diesel and those running on gas. Each vehicle will have a driver, a navigator, and an auditor who makes sure that the performance and settings of the car strictly follow the activity’s guidelines throughout the whole run.

This year, participants will take a route with a standard distance of 216.6 kilometers. The flag-off will start at the Petron Service Station Clark, pass through SCTEX and TPLEX Binalonan, then make a U-turn to get back to the Petron Service Station Clark.

Announcement of results will immediately follow to determine which vehicle from each category is the most fuel-efficient. Each participating vehicle’s fuel economy rating will be recorded in kilometers per liter.

The 2017 Fuel Economy Run is in line with the DOE’s “E-Power Mo” Campaign which gives consumers the power of choice in putting premium on energy efficiency when it comes to purchasing vehicles.

Over the years, the Fuel Economy Run has gained a bigger following which shows that car companies realize the positive impact fuel efficiency has on their vehicles and how consumers start to consider this as one of the main criteria in choosing their ride.

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RAPID FIRST AID SAVED MS. ANGELINE FERNANDO

Rep. Salo to rename his Emergency Medical Services System bill after Dr. Charlie Jandic

Swift emergency medical response saved the arm of Ms. Angeline Fernando, the woman who got run over by light rail at the MRT 3 yesterday.

I hope the MRT 3 management or DOTR officials will identify AL the individuals who directly aided Ms. Fernando so they could be properly commended for their quick thinking to stop the bleeding and to recover her arm and preserve it for later surgery reattachment, which was successfully done at the Makati Medical Center. Their swift, calm and proper response saved Ms. Fernando.

We join the public in commending Dr. Charlie Jandic of the Chinese General Hospital for taking charge of the trauma situation before her. Her quick thinking and focus saved Ms. Fernando's life.

CCTV footage of the incident shows a security guard at the scene. There were also others attending to Ms. Fernando.

Security guards should be able to administer first aid. Commuters who are health professionals or students taking medicine or nursing should also be able to give first aid.

As Member of the House Committee on Health, I also believe there must be a first aider in every household and a national system for first aid.

I filed House Bill 4955 (http://www.congress.gov.ph/legisdocs/basic_17/HB04955.pdf) which provides for a national Emergency Medical Services System.

When the committee tackles the bill, I will move that its short title be changed to, "THE DR. CHARLIE JANDIC EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES SYSTEM ACT OF 2017" to make her the model of the kind of compassionate and swift response the EMSS must deliver to the Filipino people.

HB 4955 proposes the creation of a National Emergency Medical Services System for "effective, coordinated, and timely delivery of health and safety services to victims of sudden illness or injury in the pre-hospital setting."

The system proposed would have five components and core services: emergency medical dispatch, emergency response and care, emergency transport, inter-agency referral and transport, and command and control.

The emphasis of this bill is on pre-hospital emergency services. Many victims of disasters, accidents, and mishap are dead on arrival. Some of them could be saved if only we have effective EMS in place particularly in Local Government units (LGUs) with high-risk disaster zones and at the barangay level.

When the bill becomes a law, all LGUs shall be mandated to establish a dispatch center where constituents can call for all cases of emergencies, with qualified personnel. The dispatch centers shall follow the prescribed guidelines on dispatch protocol as determined by the Department of Health and the EMSS council.

Also when the bill becomes a law, a single national universal emergency number will be in effect to enable the public to have access to emergency medical services. All LGUs shall ensure availability of emergency transport vehicles with qualified EMS staff.

Currently, we already have a 9-1-1 national emergency line; however, it can be scrapped anytime or be replaced by the next administration since there is no law backing it up. House Bill 4955 seeks to have the single national emergency number a basis in law so its implementation can be assured of annual funding. (END)

References: http://www.interaksyon.com/meet-the-medical-intern-hailed-as-hero-for-helping-mrt-passenger-with-severed-arm/ and http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/metro/633320/good-timing-intern-who-saved-woman-s-life-in-mrt-accident-was-on-her-way-to-visit-aunt/story/

STATEMENT BY THE HONORABLE NEIL J. ABAYON
AANGAT TAYO Party-list
Assistant Minority Leader
           
NURSE-SOLON CALLS ON CHED, SUCs TO PROVIDE AFFORDABLE CPD TRAINING TO REGISTERED PROFESSIONALS

As a registered professional, I am concerned about and affected by the Continuing Professional Development Act and its updating training requirements for the renewal of license.

While I agree that the updating training is necessary, the cost of training can be prohibitive to many who can barely make ends meet. The training cost is often expensive because CPD providers are nearly all private firms or private associations.

Only a few are government institutions and state universities and colleges (SUCs). The PRC IRR on RA 10912 allows government agencies to provide CPD.

To address the concerns of registered nurses and other registered professionals, the solution I see is for the Commission on Higher Education to task or work with the SUCs for the provision of CPD at minimal and comparatively lower cost compared to the private sector counterparts.

Some SUCs have training institutes and extension centers. A CHED memorandum or a Board Resolution by some SUCs would suffice for the provision of CPD training.

Some SUCs have Open University units or modes. OU can also be one way to deliver or provide CPD training.

I implore the CHED and the SUCs to act swiftly on this matter. (END)

REFERENCES:
http://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/downloads/2016/07jul/20160721-RA-10912-BSA.pdf 
http://www.prc.gov.ph/uploaded/documents/CPDprovider_NURSE_102617.pdf
http://web.ched.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Republic-Act-No.-8292-The-Higher-Education-Modernization-Act-of-1997.pdf   

Sitting at Jesus' Feet

(But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, "Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me." Luke 10:40)

Martha loved Jesus dearly and would have done anything for Him. Her struggle came in being still! Martha spent so much time serving Jesus that she had no time to enjoy His company or to get to know Him better. The harder Martha worked, the more frustrated she became with her sister Mary. Mary was sitting at Jesus’ feet while Martha scurried around the house to make sure everything was in perfect order for Jesus. Martha’s service, though it started out with gladness, deteriorated into resentment and envy. It is good to want to serve Christ as an expression of love for what He has done for you. Yet when your activity consumes your time and energies so that you have no time for Him, you have become too busy! You may think, as Martha did, that if you don’t do the work, it won’t get done. That may be true, but Jesus taught that your highest priority must be your relationship with Him. If anything detracts you from that relationship, that activity is not from God.

God will not ask you to do something that hinders your relationship with Christ. At times, serving God and carrying out His mission is the best way to know and experience God. At other times, it is more important to sit quietly at His feet and listen to what He is saying. We are not called to continually sit at the feet of Jesus, otherwise our service for Him would cease. Neither are we called to serve Him incessantly, without taking time to find restoration in His presence. Have you been serving God so diligently that you have not had time to spend with Him?  Henry and Richard Blackaby

DOE Sets Guidelines for Safer LPG Use

REFILLING LPG SAFELY: The Department of Energy through its Oil Industry Management Bureau (OIMB) together with oil industry stakeholders has developed a Code of Safety Practices in LPG Refilling Plants to guide officers, personnel and other staff on appropriate and safe processes in an LPG refilling plant. Director Rino E. Abad (center), OIC for OIMB, together with technical staff and industry stakeholders, led the signing ceremony for the safety code last 9 November at the DOE-AVR in Taguig City.

(Taguig City). “Safety First” is the resounding directive of Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi in dealing with energy use, particularly in addressing liquefied petroleum gas (LPG)-related accidents.

Cusi underscored this as the Department of Energy (DOE) released a unified Code of Safety Practices in LPG Refilling Plants as part of its aggressive campaign for safer use of LPG.

“The Code of Safety supports the DOE’s E-Safety Mo Campaign as we commit to strengthen consumer protection against illegal peddling and use of petroleum products, including LPG,” Cusi said.

With the substantial contributions from industry stakeholders, the Code of Safety Practices in LPG Refilling Plants outlines the safety standard operating procedures as follows:

1. Tank Truck & Lorry Entry Procedure: a) Vehicle Safety Entry Check (Minimum Requirements) â€" Tank Truck Operation and b) Vehicle Safety Entry Check (Minimum Requirements) â€" Lorry Operation. Requirements include tasks of the the officers, personnel and drivers as well as specifications for vehicles transporting and distributing LPG in cylinders.

2. Cylinder Refilling Procedure: This includes requirements for: a) counting check of empty cylinders; b) segregating of cylinders for repair, repaint, requalification, scrap or non-conforming, good and others; c) unloading of brand-new and requalified-repair cylinders from supplier/vendor; and d) filling of cylinders using electronic manual filling machines.

3. LPG Cylinders Housekeeping and Preventive Maintenance: This covers specific requirements for: a) LPG Cylinders Housekeeping and b) General Preventive Maintenance.

4. Fire Drill and Fire Marshall, which includes conduct of activities concerning: a) Fire and Evacuation Drill; b) Procedures Before and During Fire Drill; c) Fire Tetrahedron Theory; d) Basic Fire Safety; and e) Fire Extinguisher.

5. Personnel Training Requirements: This includes needs for: a) Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) Product Knowledge; b) Basic Fire Fighting Seminar (BFFS); c) First Aid Training Seminar (FATS); and d) Basic Occupational Safety and Health Seminar (BOSH).

Last 9 November, the DOE-Oil Industry Management Bureau (OIMB) together with oil industry stakeholders led the signing ceremony of the safety guidelines for LPG Refilling Plant participants.

The event was attended and witnessed by the Philippine Liquefied Petroleum Gas Association (PLPGA), Liquefied Petroleum Gas Refillers Association (LPGRA), Liquefied Petroleum Gas Industry Association (LPGIA) and Liquefied Petroleum Gas Marketers Association (LPGMA), Department of the Interior and Local Government- Bureau of Fire Protection, and the Department of Labor and Employment-Bureau of Working Conditions and Occupational Safety and Health Center.

STATEMENT BY THE HONORABLE
BERNADETTE “BH” HERRERA-DY
Bagong Henerasyon Party-list
Chair, Committee on Public Information

Fed up with slow internet

HOUSE PUBLIC INFO CHAIR SUGGESTS CREATION OF TASK FORCE JUPITER TO ENSURE ZERO RED TAPE, ZERO CORRUPTION IN PHL COMPONENT OF TRANSPACIFIC SUBMARINE CABLE

The usual, knee-jerk reaction to a proposed investment project like the JUPITER Trans-Pacific submarine cable system is the offering of investment incentives. However, whenever we offer incentives that means we lose funds that we could have spent on education, health, social services, and infrastructure.

As Chair of the House Committee on Public Information, I believe the better way for our government and country to support the JUPITER investment is to make sure there is zero red tape in its path and that the proponents will not encounter any bureaucratic nonsense and corruption at the national, regional, provincial, and local levels. [Photo from https://goo.gl/sxG37M]

Any government official or employee who stands in the way of the JUPITER system must be considered an enemy of the Filipino people, removed from office, arrested, thrown in jail, and permanently barred from voting and from serving in government.

Any collaborator of such corrupt official or personnel should also be arrested, prosecuted, stripped of the right to vote, and banned from public service, blacklisted from any government project, and barred from getting any business permit.

Delays and corruption cost time which the investors cannot afford to lose because they are running on a tight schedule and more importantly, the Filipino people have endured super slow internet for far too long.

I recommend to President Rodrigo Duterte the creation, via executive order, of a Task Force Jupiter that will ensure the full cooperation, zero red tape, and zero corruption commitment of the Philippines is delivered.

My other concern is that the submarine cable could run through the Benham Rise and other marine territories of the Philippines. Three issues are involved here: 1) marine environment and resources protection; 2) provision of maritime security by the Philippine Navy and the Philippine Coast Guard; and 3) safety of the Jupiter crews particularly from the typhoons that come from the Pacific. Task Force Jupiter must address these issues as well.  (END)

References: https://goo.gl/sxG37M  and http://fortune.com/2017/10/30/facebook-amazon-softbank-subsea-internet-cable/

STATEMENT BY THE HONORABLE
BERNADETTE “BH” HERRERA-DY
Bagong Henerasyon Party-list
Chair, Committee on Public Information

GOOD NEWS ON PHL ECONOMY MUST BE SPREAD FAR AND WIDE

As one of the House Leaders and Chair of the House Committee on Public Information, I express elation over the positive developments in our country’s economy as revealed in the latest Gross National Income (GNI) and Gross Domestic Product (GDP) data disclosed recently by the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) and Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

According to NEDA-PSA report for 3rd Quarter of 2017, our GDP grew by 6.9% while our GNI grew by 6.7%. This is good news that must be spread and shared far and wide.

These stats prove President Duterte’s policies and his economic team are working well and are poised to even produce more positive results in the years ahead.

I will post the NEDA-PSA report on my Facebook, Twitter, and other social media accounts to set the example.

I urge the Department of Education to regularly disseminate the NEDA-PSA GNI GDP reports to students and teachers nationwide. Teachers must make sure every youth understands economic concepts like GDP and GNI.

The Department of Interior and Local Government should also send out the NEDA reports to provinces, cities, towns and barangays. (END)

Reference: http://psa.gov.ph/system/files/Q3%202017%20NAP%20Press%20Release.pdf

REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8989 - December 31, 2000

AN ACT STREAMLINING THE ORGANIZATION OF THE PARTIDO DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7820, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE "PARTIDO DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION ACT OF 1994"

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

Section 1. Section 7 of Republic Act No. 7820 is hereby amended to read as follows:

"SEC. 7. The Board of Directors. - The affairs and business of the Administration shall be directed and its properties managed and preserved unless otherwise provided by this Act by a Board of Directors hereinafter referred to as the 'Board'.

(a) Composition of the Board. -

The Board shall have twenty-two (22) members:

(1) The ten (10) mayors of the member-municipalities, as ex officio members;

(2) One (1) private sector representative from each of the member-municipalities selected from among duly organized nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and sectoral associations, such as, but not limited to farmers, fishermen, businessmen, youth, women, etc., whose terms of office shall be two (2) years; and

(3) The incumbent member of the House of Representatives representing the third congressional district of the Province of Camarines Sur, and the Administrator as ex officio members.

(b) Quorum and voting. -

The chairman of the Board who shall have a term of two (2) years shall be elected by the Board from among themselves. The members of the Board shall have one (1) vote each. A majority of the members shall constitute a quorum. A decision shall, as far as practicable, be reached by consensus. If no consensus is reached, a decision shall be arrived at upon a vote of the majority of all members of the Board constituting the quorum.

(c) Powers and functions of the Board. -

The Board shall:

(1) Formulate policies, develop programs, and promulgate rules and regulations to carry out the powers and functions of the Administration;

(2) Approve each year a budget to cover the operations of the Administration based upon the:

(i) Income from the Administration's investments and projects in member-municipalities; and

(ii) Paid-up capital and additional paid-up subscriptions.

(3) Fix compensations, emoluments and allowances of the Administrator and other officers and personnel of the Administration;

(4) Approve appointment of all heads of departments and divisions of the Administration, upon the recommendation of the Administrator subject to existing Civil Service Law, rules and regulations; and

(5) Perform such other functions as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this Act or as may be provided in other sections of this Act."

Section 2. Section 8 of Republic Act No. 7820 is hereby amended to read as follows:

"SEC. 8. Duties and Functions of the Chairman of the Board. - The chairman shall:

(a) Call and preside at the meetings of the Board and shall see to it that the policies, programs, and rules and regulations developed and promulgated by it are implemented properly;

(b) Present for approval by the Board:

(1) The annual budget of the Administration;

(2) The rules and regulations needed to carry out the provisions of this Act and the amendments thereto;

(3) Other matters which he deems necessary or proper for the effective implementation of this Act; and

(4) The annual report on the activities and finances of the Administration, copies of which upon approval by the Board, shall be furnished the office of the Director-General of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) and the NEDA Regional Director of Regional Office No. V, and such other agencies as the Board may deem necessary.

(c) Perform such other functions which the Board may direct to carry out the provisions of this Act."

Section 3. Section 10 of Republic Act No. 7820 is hereby amended to read as follows:

"SEC. 10. The Administration. - The Administration shall have an administrator who shall be appointed by the Board. He shall be the chief executive officer of the Administration and automatically vice chairman of the Board.

The Administrator shall have the following powers, duties and responsibilities:

(a) To submit to the Board, through the chairman, policies and measures which, in his judgment, are necessary to carry out the purposes and provisions of this Act;

(b) To prepare the budget of the Administration for approval by the Board;

(c) To execute and administer policies and measures approved by the Board;

(d) To direct and supervise the operations and internal administration of the Administration. He may delegate certain administrative responsibilities to other officers of the Administration subject to the rules and regulations of the Board;

(e) To appoint all employees of the Administration except the heads of departments and divisions whose appointment shall be made by the Board upon his recommendation; and to remove, dismiss or otherwise discipline for cause, such employees in accordance with Civil Service Law, rules and regulations;

(f) To represent the Administration in all its dealings with other officers, agencies, and instrumentalities of the government and with other persons and entities, public or private;

(g) Subject to the approval of the Board, to determine the rates of compensation, allowances, honoraria and such other additional compensation which the Administration is hereby authorized to grant its officers, technical staff and consultants including the necessary detailed personnel; and

(h) To exercise such other powers as may be granted to him by the Board.

The Administrator shall have the following qualifications:

(1) He must at least possess a master's degree in management or other such equivalent educational qualification;

(2) He must have had at least three (3) years management experience involving not less than fifty (50) subordinates;

(3) He must have had at least (3) years experience in development planning; and

(4) He must not have been convicted of any crime in any court of law.

Section 4. Section 15 of Republic Act No. 7820 is hereby deleted and the subsequent sections are hereby renumbered accordingly.

Section 5. Separability Clause. - Should any provision of this Act be declared invalid or unconstitutional, any provision not affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect.

Section 6. Repealing Clause. - All other laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations, and other issuances or parts thereof inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.

Section 7. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect upon the completion of its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation in the Bicol Region and the entire country.

Approved: December 31, 2000

(SGD.) JOSEPH E. ESTRADA
President of the Philippines

REPUBLIC ACT No. 3019: ANTI-GRAFT AND CORRUPT PRACTICES ACT

Section 1. Statement of policy. It is the policy of the Philippine Government, in line with the principle that a public office is a public trust, to repress certain acts of public officers and private persons alike which constitute graft or corrupt practices or which may lead thereto.

Section 2. Definition of terms. As used in this Act, that term

(a) "Government" includes the national government, the local governments, the government-owned and government-controlled corporations, and all other instrumentalities or agencies of the Republic of the Philippines and their branches.

(b) "Public officer" includes elective and appointive officials and employees, permanent or temporary, whether in the classified or unclassified or exempt service receiving compensation, even nominal, from the government as defined in the preceding subparagraph.

(c) "Receiving any gift" includes the act of accepting directly or indirectly a gift from a person other than a member of the public officer's immediate family, in behalf of himself or of any member of his family or relative within the fourth civil degree, either by consanguinity or affinity, even on the occasion of a family celebration or national festivity like Christmas, if the value of the gift is under the circumstances manifestly excessive.

(d) "Person" includes natural and juridical persons, unless the context indicates otherwise.

Section 3. Corrupt practices of public officers. In addition to acts or omissions of public officers already penalized by existing law, the following shall constitute corrupt practices of any public officer and are hereby declared to be unlawful:

(a) Persuading, inducing or influencing another public officer to perform an act constituting a violation of rules and regulations duly promulgated by competent authority or an offense in connection with the official duties of the latter, or allowing himself to be persuaded, induced, or influenced to commit such violation or offense.

(b) Directly or indirectly requesting or receiving any gift, present, share, percentage, or benefit, for himself or for any other person, in connection with any contract or transaction between the Government and any other part, wherein the public officer in his official capacity has to intervene under the law.

(c) Directly or indirectly requesting or receiving any gift, present or other pecuniary or material benefit, for himself or for another, from any person for whom the public officer, in any manner or capacity, has secured or obtained, or will secure or obtain, any Government permit or license, in consideration for the help given or to be given, without prejudice to Section thirteen of this Act.

(d) Accepting or having any member of his family accept employment in a private enterprise which has pending official business with him during the pendency thereof or within one year after its termination.

(e) Causing any undue injury to any party, including the Government, or giving any private party any unwarranted benefits, advantage or preference in the discharge of his official administrative or judicial functions through manifest partiality, evident bad faith or gross inexcusable negligence. This provision shall apply to officers and employees of offices or government corporations charged with the grant of licenses or permits or other concessions.

(f) Neglecting or refusing, after due demand or request, without sufficient justification, to act within a reasonable time on any matter pending before him for the purpose of obtaining, directly or indirectly, from any person interested in the matter some pecuniary or material benefit or advantage, or for the purpose of favoring his own interest or giving undue advantage in favor of or discriminating against any other interested party.

(g) Entering, on behalf of the Government, into any contract or transaction manifestly and grossly disadvantageous to the same, whether or not the public officer profited or will profit thereby.

(h) Director or indirectly having financing or pecuniary interest in any business, contract or transaction in connection with which he intervenes or takes part in his official capacity, or in which he is prohibited by the Constitution or by any law from having any interest.

(i) Directly or indirectly becoming interested, for personal gain, or having a material interest in any transaction or act requiring the approval of a board, panel or group of which he is a member, and which exercises discretion in such approval, even if he votes against the same or does not participate in the action of the board, committee, panel or group.

Interest for personal gain shall be presumed against those public officers responsible for the approval of manifestly unlawful, inequitable, or irregular transaction or acts by the board, panel or group to which they belong.

(j) Knowingly approving or granting any license, permit, privilege or benefit in favor of any person not qualified for or not legally entitled to such license, permit, privilege or advantage, or of a mere representative or dummy of one who is not so qualified or entitled.

(k) Divulging valuable information of a confidential character, acquired by his office or by him on account of his official position to unauthorized persons, or releasing such information in advance of its authorized release date.

The person giving the gift, present, share, percentage or benefit referred to in subparagraphs (b) and (c); or offering or giving to the public officer the employment mentioned in subparagraph (d); or urging the divulging or untimely release of the confidential information referred to in subparagraph (k) of this section shall, together with the offending public officer, be punished under Section nine of this Act and shall be permanently or temporarily disqualified in the discretion of the Court, from transacting business in any form with the Government.

Section 4. Prohibition on private individuals. (a) It shall be unlawful for any person having family or close personal relation with any public official to capitalize or exploit or take advantage of such family or close personal relation by directly or indirectly requesting or receiving any present, gift or material or pecuniary advantage from any other person having some business, transaction, application, request or contract with the government, in which such public official has to intervene. Family relation shall include the spouse or relatives by consanguinity or affinity in the third civil degree. The word "close personal relation" shall include close personal friendship, social and fraternal connections, and professional employment all giving rise to intimacy which assures free access to such public officer.

(b) It shall be unlawful for any person knowingly to induce or cause any public official to commit any of the offenses defined in Section 3 hereof.

Section 5. Prohibition on certain relatives. It shall be unlawful for the spouse or for any relative, by consanguinity or affinity, within the third civil degree, of the President of the Philippines, the Vice-President of the Philippines, the President of the Senate, or the Speaker of the House of Representatives, to intervene, directly or indirectly, in any business, transaction, contract or application with the Government: Provided, That this section shall not apply to any person who, prior to the assumption of office of any of the above officials to whom he is related, has been already dealing with the Government along the same line of business, nor to any transaction, contract or application already existing or pending at the time of such assumption of public office, nor to any application filed by him the approval of which is not discretionary on the part of the official or officials concerned but depends upon compliance with requisites provided by law, or rules or regulations issued pursuant to law, nor to any act lawfully performed in an official capacity or in the exercise of a profession.

Section 6. Prohibition on Members of Congress. It shall be unlawful hereafter for any Member of the Congress during the term for which he has been elected, to acquire or receive any personal pecuniary interest in any specific business enterprise which will be directly and particularly favored or benefited by any law or resolution authored by him previously approved or adopted by the Congress during the same term.

The provision of this section shall apply to any other public officer who recommended the initiation in Congress of the enactment or adoption of any law or resolution, and acquires or receives any such interest during his incumbency.

It shall likewise be unlawful for such member of Congress or other public officer, who, having such interest prior to the approval of such law or resolution authored or recommended by him, continues for thirty days after such approval to retain such interest.

Section 7. Statement of assets and liabilities. Every public officer, within thirty days after the approval of this Act or after assuming office, and within the month of January of every other year thereafter, as well as upon the expiration of his term of office, or upon his resignation or separation from office, shall prepare and file with the office of the corresponding Department Head, or in the case of a Head of Department or chief of an independent office, with the Office of the President, or in the case of members of the Congress and the officials and employees thereof, with the Office of the Secretary of the corresponding House, a true detailed and sworn statement of assets and liabilities, including a statement of the amounts and sources of his income, the amounts of his personal and family expenses and the amount of income taxes paid for the next preceding calendar year: Provided, That public officers assuming office less than two months before the end of the calendar year, may file their statements in the following months of January.

Section 8. Dismissal due to unexplained wealth. If in accordance with the provisions of Republic Act Numbered One thousand three hundred seventy-nine, a public official has been found to have acquired during his incumbency, whether in his name or in the name of other persons, an amount of property and/or money manifestly out of proportion to his salary and to his other lawful income, that fact shall be a ground for dismissal or removal. Properties in the name of the spouse and unmarried children of such public official may be taken into consideration, when their acquisition through legitimate means cannot be satisfactorily shown. Bank deposits shall be taken into consideration in the enforcement of this section, notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary.

Section 9. Penalties for violations. (a) Any public officer or private person committing any of the unlawful acts or omissions enumerated in Sections 3, 4, 5 and 6 of this Act shall be punished with imprisonment for not less than one year nor more than ten years, perpetual disqualification from public office, and confiscation or forfeiture in favor of the Government of any prohibited interest and unexplained wealth manifestly out of proportion to his salary and other lawful income.

Any complaining party at whose complaint the criminal prosecution was initiated shall, in case of conviction of the accused, be entitled to recover in the criminal action with priority over the forfeiture in favor of the Government, the amount of money or the thing he may have given to the accused, or the value of such thing.

(b) Any public officer violation any of the provisions of Section 7 of this Act shall be punished by a fine of not less than one hundred pesos nor more than one thousand pesos, or by imprisonment not exceeding one year, or by both such fine and imprisonment, at the discretion of the Court.

The violation of said section proven in a proper administrative proceeding shall be sufficient cause for removal or dismissal of a public officer, even if no criminal prosecution is instituted against him.

Section 10. Competent court. Until otherwise provided by law, all prosecutions under this Act shall be within the original jurisdiction of the proper Court of First Instance.

Section 11. Prescription of offenses. All offenses punishable under this Act shall prescribe in ten years.

Section 12. Termination of office. No public officer shall be allowed to resign or retire pending an investigation, criminal or administrative, or pending a prosecution against him, for any offense under this Act or under the provisions of the Revised Penal Code on bribery.

Section 13. Suspension and loss of benefits. Any public officer against whom any criminal prosecution under a valid information under this Act or under the provisions of the Revised Penal Code on bribery is pending in court, shall be suspended from office. Should he be convicted by final judgment, he shall lose all retirement or gratuity benefits under any law, but if he is acquitted, he shall be entitled to reinstatement and to the salaries and benefits which he failed to receive during suspension, unless in the meantime administrative proceedings have been filed against him.

Section 14. Exception. Unsolicited gifts or presents of small or insignificant value offered or given as a mere ordinary token of gratitude or friendship according to local customs or usage, shall be excepted from the provisions of this Act.

Nothing in this Act shall be interpreted to prejudice or prohibit the practice of any profession, lawful trade or occupation by any private person or by any public officer who under the law may legitimately practice his profession, trade or occupation, during his incumbency, except where the practice of such profession, trade or occupation involves conspiracy with any other person or public official to commit any of the violations penalized in this Act.

Section 15. Separability clause. If any provision of this Act or the application of such provision to any person or circumstances is declared invalid, the remainder of the Act or the application of such provision to other persons or circumstances shall not be affected by such declaration.

Section 16. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect on its approval, but for the purpose of determining unexplained wealth, all property acquired by a public officer since he assumed office shall be taken into consideration.

Approved: August 17, 1960

DOE Highlights Energy Safety and the Transition to Smart Grid Technology

E-SAFETY NATIN: DOE Undersecretary Felix William B. Fuentebella delivers his Keynote Address calling for a safer energy sector and wiser energy consumers during MERALCO’s K-Ligtas Awards on 17 November 2017 at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City.

(Taguig City). The Department of Energy (DOE) underscored the importance of electrical safety in the workplace and the transition towards a smart grid regime by promoting the E-Safety Mo Campaign.

The DOE emphasized this during the K-Ligtas Awards of Manila Electric Company (MERALCO) held last Friday (17 November) at the SMX Convention Center, Pasay City.

The DOE said it shared the same ideals of MERALCO in giving recognition to organizations and businesses that promote electrical safety in the workplace.

“The delivery of electricity is vital, but the safety of our people is more important. Giving attention to safety and the energy sector’s move towards the adoption of smart grid technologies will benefit both the industry participants and the consumers,” DOE Undersecretary Felix William B. Fuentebella pointed out in his keynote speech.

The DOE sees K-Ligtas as a venue for industry players to showcase their best practices, especially since the government is currently formulating the policy on the performance assessment and audit of power generation, transmission and distribution systems and facilities.

“We want not only to make our energy facilities more efficient through the use of emerging technologies, but also safer for our people,” Fuentebella said

“When we talk of safety, it means both private utilities and electric cooperatives should be updated in terms of knowledge, capabilities and skills,” he added.

Fuentebella said there is also a need to tap the academe by incorporating energy safety in the curriculum, especially in engineering courses.

The energy official also underlined that new and emerging technologies should be safe to use thru higher standards, proper regulations and multi-party cooperation.

The DOE’s E-Safety Mo campaign seeks to promote safe energy practices across the whole energy sector, including educating stakeholders and consumers of their options for a safer, wiser and more intelligent utilization of energy resources.

"The DOE's E-Safety Mo campaign is part and parcel of our mission to expand knowledge and enhance capabilities in the industry as we work for all power sector participants to set higher safety standards," Fuentebella stressed.

"The DOE will continue to collaborate with both the public and private sectors to provide safe and secure energy for the public as a contribution to President Duterte’s vision of a globally competitive and inclusive economy," he said.

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DOE Sets New Standard for Diesel

QUALITY DIESEL FOR CONSUMERS: Spearheaded by the DOE-Oil Industry Management Bureau (OIMB), oil industry stakeholders held the signing ceremony of the Philippine National Standard (PNS)/DOE Quality Standard (QS):004:2017 on coco-methyl ester (CME)-blended automotive diesel oil specification last 7 November at the Energy Center in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig. In photo are the DOE-OIMB team, Technical Committee on Petroleum Products & Additives (TCPPA) members from petroleum manufacturers and marketers, car and motorcycle manufacturers, NGOs, consumers, academe, government agencies and invited technical experts.

(Taguig City.) Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi announced Friday (17 November) that the Department of Energy (DOE) has established an upgraded standard for automotive diesel oil to further improve fuel quality and lessen its impact on the environment.

“The new Philippine standards for automotive diesel oil is in line with our mandate to implement programs and policies that will complement and comply with existing international and environmental standards for fuel,” Cusi said.

He stressed that the task of ensuring fuel quality is equally important alongside the government’s mission of maintaining stable supply of oil in the country.

Although spearheaded by the DOE-Oil Industry Management Bureau (OIMB), oil industry stakeholders contributed in the effort by reviewing and approving the Philippine National Standard (PNS)/DOE Quality Standard (QS):004:2017 on coco-methyl ester (CME)-blended automotive diesel oil specification.

To formally signify the adoption of the new fuel quality standards, a signing ceremony was held last 7 November at the Energy Center in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.

The DOE-OIMB team, Technical Committee on Petroleum Products & Additives (TCPPA) members from petroleum manufacturers and marketers, car and motorcycle manufacturers, NGO’s, consumers, academe, government agencies and invited technical experts participated in the event.

The new PNS for automotive diesel oil contains revised technical provisions to upgrade fuel quality requirement, such as reduced sulfur content limit in compliance with Euro-4 emission standard, and test methods for more accurate evaluation of fuel quality.

It is separate and distinct from the standards of the Industrial Diesel Oils, which has distinct standard designation, specifically PNS/DOE QS 013:2017.

“The primary impact of the new PNS for diesel strengthens the government’s consistent and continuing program towards the use of cleaner fuels and promotion of indigenous and sustainable energy resources with the end view of reducing dependence on imported oil,” Cusi said.

The new PNS for automotive diesel oil also supports the country’s commitment in the international community to reduce carbon emissions through smarter and more efficient use of automotive fuel for transport.

Ex-governor Loong, ordered charged before the Sandiganbayan
02 June 2011, source: Ombudsman Website
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Acting Ombudsman Orlando C. Casimiro ordered the filing of criminal charges before the Sandiganbayan against former Sulu Governor Benjamin Loong and a private individual for irregularities involving certain livelihood and infrastructure projects in 2007.
          In a 25-page Resolution, Acting Ombudsman Casimiro ordered the filing of Informations for Violation of Secs. 3(a), (e) and (h) of RA 3019 (Anti-graft and Corrupt Practices Act) against Loong.
          Kanoh Hajib, Chairman of the Bawisan Multi-Purpose Cooperative was also ordered charged with Violation of Sec. 3(e) of RA 3019 while the BJ Construction and Material Supply, Inc. and BJ Coco Oil Mill, Inc. were also ordered charged for Violation of Sec. 3(h) of the same law.
          Records reveal that in 2006, the Dept. of Agriculture Regional Field Unit IX and the Provincial Government of Sulu agreed to undertake the construction of an ice plant with cold storage and a cassava production/post harvest facility, with project cost amounting to P8.2M and P4.2M, respectively.
          Under a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), the ice plant and the cassava production facility are to be managed by the said cooperative. However, it turned out that the said cooperative is already inexistent and that it is BJ Coco Oil Mill, of which Loong is President and a member of the Board of Directors, which manages the two facilities. The ice plant and cassava production facility were also constructed inside the BJ Coco Oil Mill, which is owned and registered under the name of Loong.
          The Resolution stated that  “it is clearly made known that Benjamin Loong, through evident bad faith, caused undue injury to the Provincial Government of Sulu” when he conferred to BJ Coco Oil Mill, Inc. instead of the cooperative the management of the two facilities.
          In an affidavit, Jesus Cabelin, Sulu Provincial Treasurer, stated that Loong “had ordered and instructed him on different occasions to cause the disbursement of cash advance of funds intended for the ice plant with cold storage with 5 tons capacity and the cassava production facility and of funds for the construction in Maimbung, Sulu of several cold storage facilities.”
          Investigation showed that there were no documents to prove that said cash advances in the total amount of more than P41.3M were actually deposited in the account of the Muncipality of Maimbung, Sulu.
          The Resolution stated that the said disbursement of public funds violates Sec. 174 (g) Volume 1 of the Government Accounting and Auditing Manual (GAAM) which reads: “No cash advance shall be granted on account of infrastructure or other undertakings on a project basis.”
          It was also alleged that several road-concrete paving projects for the said province were funded by the Dept. of Public Works and Highways Regional Office IX (DPWH-RO IX) without the conduct of public bidding. Records showed that the projects were awarded to BJ Construction and Material Supply, inc., “ a corporation owned and controlled by Benjamin Loong”.
          It was further revealed that a Land Bank of the Phils. (LBP) Check in the amount of P4.9M issued by Loong in his capacity as provincial governor payable to the said construction company was encashed by Loong himself.
          Acting Ombudsman Casimiro also ordered the conduct of further fact-finding investigation to determine the liability of other personalities involved in the said projects as well as other laws that may have been violated by the respondents.

Former OGCC Chief Devanadera, 3 others, ordered dismissed from the service with all accessory penalties - 02 June 2011, source: Ombudsman Website
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Acting Ombudsman Orlando C. Casimiro dismissed from the service former Chief Government Corporate Counsel Agnes VST Devanadera, and three others in connection with unlawful grant of allowances for herself and her staff in 2007.
          In a 23-page Decision, Devanadera, her former Head Executive Assistant (HEA) Rolando Faller, Asst. Government Corporate Counsel Jose Marie Capili and Accountant Divina Gracia Cruz were all found guilty of Grave Misconduct, Dishonest, and Conduct Prejudicial to the Best Interest of the Service.
          They were meted the supreme penalty of dismissal from the service including accessory penalties of cancellation of eligibility, forfeiture of retirement benefits, and perpetual disqualification for reemployment in the government service.
          They were likewise ordered jointly and solidarily to restitute to the OGCC Trust Liablity Account the total amount of P760,000.
          Records of the case revealed that the OGCC and the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) entered into an agreement for the conduct of extrajudicial foreclosure of delinquent real estate loan accounts of the GSIS. Under the said agreement, the GSIS shall pay for the actual cost to be incurred, and special assessment fees for the services rendered.
          Under the said project, Devanadera was paid the amount of P500,000 and Faller, P200,000 as attorney’s fees supposedly as their partial share in the special assessment fees.
          However, the Decision stated that while the Administrative Code of 1987 authorizes the OGCC to receive attorney’s fees, “clearly, what is contemplated here are attorney’s fees awarded by the courts in connection with a litigated case xxx”. On the other hand, the foreclosure of real properties does not entail litigation as it is extrajudicial in nature.
          Hence, it said the payment of said amount is contrary to OGCC Office Order No. 006, s. 2004 which allows the payment of attorney’s fees to be distributed to handling lawyers of litigated cases as incentives, taking into account “the effort and skill required in litigating the same”. It is likewise contrary to OGCC Office No. 078, s. 2005 which defined attorney’s fees as “those attorney’s fees ‘adjudged’ or awarded as part of damages in litigated cases”.
          It was also discovered that Devanadera was paid P100,000, and Faller P30,000 “supposedly for the purchase of reading materials to aid them in the discharge of their functions”, also charged against the fees received under the same project.
          But the Decision explained that “there is no evidence adduced by respondents Devanadera and Faller that they actually purchased reading materials and that said reading materials exist in OGCC premises”.
          Aside from the administrative sanction, Devanadera, CApili, and Cruz were charged for four counts of  Violation of Sec. 3(e) of RA 3019 (Anti-graft and Corrupt Practices Act); and Faller, two counts for Violation of the same law before the Sandiganbayan.
          Charges for four counts of Malversation against Devanadera, Capili and Cruz; and two counts for the same offense against Faller have also been filed before the anti-graft court.

Sandiganbayan convicts former mayor for overpriced medicines
26 May 2011, source: Ombudsman Website
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The Office of the Ombudsman has won another case after the Sandiganbayan sentenced a former mayor in Southern Philippines to suffer the penalty of six to ten years of imprisonment for each violation, stemming from overpriced medicines in 2004.

          Found guilty for violations of Section 3 (e) and (g) of the Republic Act 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act) was Salvador S. Jauod, Sr., past municipal mayor of Montevista, Compostella Valley.

          In a 40-page decision penned by Associate Justice Jose R. Hernandez, the Sandiganbayan’s Fourth Division ruled that Jauod also has to suffer perpetual disqualification from holding any public office.

          Associate Justices Gregory S. Ong and Maria Cristina J. Cornejo concurred with Hernandez’s ponencia.

          Jauod was likewise directed to pay the local government of Montevista the amount of P6,356,763.44.

          The case stemmed from a complaint which revealed that Jauod gave unwarranted benefit to DMI Medical Supply, owned by one Gina Marie Mendoza-Espejo, by procuring medicines worth P9,999,973.40.

          The complaint revealed that the medicines were overpriced by P6,356,763.44 after considering a price variance of 10% which caused too much damage and prejudiced to the local government.

          Records showed that from October 2003 to March 2004, two purchases were made and the money used in the acquisitions was taken from the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) of Senator Ramon Revilla for the town’s ‘Botika ng Barangay’ project.

          It was noted in the complaint that both purchases was made through direct contract because the members of the Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) did not conduct any public bidding for the said procurement.

          Witnesses presented by the Office of the Ombudsman’s prosecution panel led by Dir. Ireneo M. Paldeng testified that the first batch of medicines include two boxes containing 144 bottles of vitamins which were already expired upon delivery, while the second batch includes medicines which were to expire within six months from the time of delivery.

          It was further revealed that some medicines had expiry dates of less than 2 years from the time of distribution, in violation of the Revised Manual on Inspection under Commission on Audit (COA) Memo No. 98-023 which mandates that “the expiry date of medicines should not be earlier than two years from the date of delivery.”

          A price comparison also showed that the prices offered by the DMI to the Montevista town were much higher than the prices of medicines submitted to the Philippine International Trading Corporation (PITC).

          The ruling said that Jauod “should have acted immediately when he was informed of the medicines that have expired and those that were about to expire upon delivery.”

          “Judging from the manner he discharged his duties, he omitted to act in a situation where there is duty to act, not inadvertently, but willfully and intentionally with a conscious indifference to the consequences,” the decision held.

          It also stressed that Jauod’s repeated failure to exercise his functions as required from public officers amounted to gross inexcusable negligence.

Acting Ombudsman Casimiro orders the filing of criminal charges against a former prosecutor, 7 others for different offenses
31 May 2011, source: Ombudsman Website

The Office of the Ombudsman ordered the filing of graft charges against a former prosecutor and seven others for separate criminal offenses.
          In a resolution, Gaudioso Gilera, former 4th Assistant City Prosecutor of Malolos City Prosecutor’s Office was ordered charged for violation of RA 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act).
          Records showed that Gilera allegedly demanded for his benefit the repainting of his white Mitsubishi Lancer from one Macario Pagdanganan sometime in December 2004.
          Pagdanganan is a party in certain cases pending before Gilera.
          It was alleged that the repainting was demanded in exchange for a favorable resolution of his complaints.
          The Resolution said that, “The latter (Gilera) who is supposed to be the administrator of justice is now accused of causing injustice to the complainant. The condemnable acts of the respondent should not be tolerated as the public would lose trust and confidence in our justice system.”
          In a separate case, Acting Ombudsman Orlando Casimiro ordered the filing of graft charges against General Manager Godofredo Vicmudo, board chairman Gene Naval, and board of directors members Federico Fontanilla, Evangeline Javonillo, Rodrigo Gaun and Efren De Vera, all of Cordon Water District in Cordon, Isabela.
          The case stemmed from the officials’ non-payment of backwages to its two employees, namely: Felix Camangeg, bookkeeper and Mary Jane Aguinaldo, cashier.
          As of December 4, 2008, the said employees alleged that their accumulated salaries and benefits wereâ€"P273, 621.00 for Camangeg; and P244, 304.00 for Aguinaldo.
          Records revealed that the said amount comprised of salaries (for the period February 2007 to November 2008 and 78 days suspension), cash gift and 13th month pay.
          The Acting Ombudsman stated that, “It is indubitable that the award of backwages to the complainants was justified and their failure to receive the same is without legal basis.”
          Meanwhile, in another case, Danilo Collantes, former Provincial Engineer for the province of Rizal, was ordered charged for two counts of violation of Sec. 8 of RA 6713 (Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees).
          In a resolution approved by Acting Ombudsman Casimiro, it found enough evidence to pursue the case in the proper court against Collantes for his failure to file his statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN) for the Calendar Years 2001 and 2002.

Acting Ombudsman Casimiro orders the filing of criminal charges against Tuguegarao City Mayor Ting and four other ex-mayors before the Sandiganbayan
27 May 2011, source: Ombudsman Website
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Acting Ombudsman Orlando C. Casimiro ordered the filing of criminal charges against an incumbent mayor, four former mayors and four others before the Sandiganbayan for various offenses.
           In separate Resolutions, Acting Ombudsman Casimiro ordered the filing of charges for Violation of Sec. 3(e) of RA 3019 (Anti-graft and Corrupt Practices Act) against Mayor Delfin Ting of Tuguegarao City.
          Charges for violation of RA 3019 were also ordered filed against former Lucena City Mayor Ramon Talaga, Jr., Zoning Administrator Peter Palamiano, and Managing Head, Bingo Dept., PAGCOR, Marizmelda Dugayo. Meanwhile, an information for Violation of Sec. 52 (g) in relation to Sec. 6 9b) of RA 8291 (The Government Service Insurance System Act of 1997) was ordered filed against former Mayor Antonio Talaue, Municipal Treasurer Efren Guiyab and Municipal Accountant Florante Galasinao, all of Sto. Tomas, Isabela. On the other hand, former Calauag Mayor Eric Entienza was ordered charged with violating Article 171, of the Revised Penal Code (Falsification of Public Document). Finally, an information for violation of Article 237 of the RPC, (Prolonging Performance of Duties and Powers) was ordered filed against former Mayor Jorge Bernardo of Morong, Rizal before the Sandiganbayan.
           The complaint against Ting stemmed from the unlawful demolition of the Tuguegarao City Central Public Market, “even though what he was only authorized to do under Resolution No. 053-2008, the resolution approving CDC (City Development Council) No. 04-2008, was to upgrade" the facility.
           The complainant said this caused undue injury to the government and the public because the cost of demolished portion is only more than P16M while the book value of the property before its demolition is almost P24M.
           Talaga, Palamiano and Dugayo were ordered charged for having allowed BCQ Enterprises to operate traditional bingo games despite the fact that it did not have the necessary Mayor’s Business Permit and despite BCQ being delinquent in the payment of business and tax dues. Likewise, the accused were found to have issued a belated Mayor's permit to BCQ ignoring the fact that it violated the regulation that no such establishment should be operating within 200 meters of any school or church.
           Records showed that from January 1, 2005 to Sept. 28, 2005 or for nine months, BCQ has been operating Bingo games without the necessary Mayor’s Business Permit “yet, the respondents PAGCOR officials did not suspend/cancel BCQ’s GOA (Grant of Authority)”.BCQ was later issued a Mayor’s permit on Sept. 29, 2005 even though it “is located within the prohibited 200 meter radius from educational and religious institution” in violation of Sec. 29 of the Codified Ordinance of Lucena City.
           On the other hand, GSIS filed  a complaint against Talaue, Guiyab and Galasinao for failure, depite repeated demands, to pay, remit and deliver the GSIS compulsory premium arrearages, for the years 1997 to 2004, in the aggregate amount of  more than P22M as of July 2004.
           In another case, Entienza was charged with Falsification for issuing a certification dated 11 February 2009 certifying that Annaliza de Torres Prudente, his former live-in partner, was employed as a Property Custodian of the Municipality of Calauag from 15 Aug. 2008 up to the issuance of certification, when Prudente has never been employed in the said municipality. The certification was issued as supporting document of Prudente’s visa application.
           Bernardo was charged with Violation of Art 237 of the RPC for continuing to sign/approve disbursement vouchers releasing government funds in his capacity as Local Chief Executive from 20 April 2004 to 24 May 2004 totaling more than P5.4M despite his assumption as Member of the Commission on Settlement of Land Problems (COSLAP) effective 19 April 2004.Upon the assumption of duties with COSLAP, Bernardo no longer had the authority to act on these official documents.

Sandiganbayan convicts two ranking Air Force officials for unlawful sale of caterpillar generators
23 May 2011, source: Ombudsman Website
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The Sandiganbayan convicted two ranking Air Force officials of graft charges for the unlawful sale of four caterpillar generators for P800,000 in 2002.

          In a 47-page Decision, the 3rd Division of the Sandiganbayan found B/Gen. Vladimir Binondo delos Trino, Wing Commander, 2nd Tactical Operations Wing (TOW), Phil. Air Force (PAF); and Major Antonio Jason Garcia, PAF Squadron Commander, 564th Supply Squadron, 2nd TOW, PAF; guilty beyond reasonable doubt of Violation of Sec. 3(e) of RA 3019 (Anti-graft and Corrupt Practices Act) and Art. 217 of the Revised Penal Code (Malversation of Public Funds).

          The two PAF officials were each sentenced from 18 â€" 27 years imprisonment and a fine of P1.2M. They were also sentenced to suffer the penalty of perpetual disqualification from public office, and were ordered to pay and indemnify, jointly and severally, the government the amount of P1.2M.

           Records showed that the four unserviceable units of Generator Caterpillar Backup Power were turned over to the 2nd TOW, PAF of the Mactan Air Base in Lapu-lapu City sometine in 1995 or 2000.

           However, on December 14, 2002, following B/Gen. Delos TRino’s instructions, Major Garcia gave orders for the preparation of  a “Tally Out Sheet for the backup generators”. The said equipments were taken of the Mactan Air Base on the same day, and were later sold to a certain Antonio Ularte for “the consideration of P800,000.00 when there had been an offer of P1,200,000.00 for the same”.

           During trial, prosecutors led by Prosecutor Gay Lubigan-Rafael presented documents which showed that that the taking was done without authority and public bidding as required under National Budget Circular No. 425 which states that “ as a general rule, the disposal of government property shall be done by public bidding.” PAF  Material Directive No. 4S-14 dated August 30, 1993 (Disposal of Republic and Non-Republic Property and Utilization of the Income Derived Therefrom) also contains the same provision.

           In its Decision, the anti-graft court noted that “the sale took place in B.Gen. Delos Trino’s office right after Ularte and his companions had inspected the generator sets”. It said since Delos Trino has no authority to dispose of such generators, he should have obtained “an authorization from the official concerned, such as the Secretary of National Defense of from the unit accountable for the generators, which would be the Military Supply Unit VII.”

           It further stated that through the illegal sale of the four generators, the government lost P1.2M.

ODO Casimiro: The Office of the Ombudsman is functioning while the JBC chooses next Ombudsman
20 May 2011, source: Ombudsman Website
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Acting Ombudsman Orlando C. Casimiro yesterday committed to ensure that the Office of the Ombudsman is able to perform its mandate effectively during the transition period.

            In a statement, Acting Ombudsman Casimiro said “I want to inform the public that right now, the Office of the Ombudsman is functioning and it is performing its mandate even as the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) is screening candidates for the Ombudsman post.”

            He said the Office of the Ombudsman continues to receive complaints, and its officials  promptly act on them, and investigators continue probing cases which he will immediately act on once they reach his Office.

            The JBC has started accepted nominations for the top Ombudsman post. The JBC is tasked to screen candidates and will submit a list of three nominees to the President.

            Under RA 6770 (Ombudsman Act of 1989), the President has to appoint an Ombudsman within three months after the vacancy to the post occurred. Former Ombudsman Ma. Merceditas N. Gutierrez resigned effective on the close of office hours of May 6.

            The said law mandates that that “the Overall Deputy Ombudsman shall serve as Acting Ombudsman in a concurrent capacity until a new Ombudsman shall have been appointed for a full term.”

            However, with the resignation of former Deputy Ombudsman for Luzon Mark E. Jalandoni and the implementation of Malacanang’s dismissal order against Deputy Ombudsman for the Military and Other Law Enforcement Offices (MOLEO) Emilio Gonzalez III, ODO Casimiro also acts on cases pending before the said sectoral offices.

            Acting Ombudsman Casimiro has been with the Office of the Ombudsman since 1991, having been appointed as Graft Investigation Officer II. He was later promoted to Director, then Assistant Ombudsman to Deputy Ombudsman for the MOLEO, thereafter, he was designated as Officer-in-charge of the Office of the Overall Deputy Ombudsman until he reached his present post.

            ODO Casimiro said he will perform the duties entrusted to him during his short stint as Acting Ombudsman until a new Ombudsman is appointed by the President.

Acting Ombudsman Casimiro places LWUA Chair Pichay under preventive suspension
20 May 2011, source: Ombudsman Website
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Acting Ombudsman Orlando C. Casimiro ordered the preventive suspension of Prospero Pichay Jr., Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA).

          In a 10-page Order, Acting Ombudsman Casimiro placed Pichay under a 6-month preventive suspension without pay for the alleged unlawful investment of LWUA funds in the total amount of P780M in the Express Savings Bank, Inc.  (ESBI) a private banking institution.

          The Order stemmed from a complaint filed by several LWUA officials.

          In their complaint, they alleged that Pichay and the other respondents “violated the provisions of the General Appropriations Act (GAA) for Fiscal Year 2009, when they unlawfully disbursed LWUA funds by investing the total amount of P780,000,000.00 in the Express Savings Bank, Inc., a private thrift bank under the administered rehabilitation by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP)”.

          They also alleged that the LWUA Board of Trustees unlawfully authorized the payment in favor of ESBI of the amount of P4M “for subscription to the increase in the authorized capital stock of said bank.”

          The complainants also averred that the respondents violated BSP Circular No, 309 when they failed to secure prior approval of the Monetary Board on the sale or transfer of shares before the disbursement of a total amount of P480M funds which resulted in the ownership or control by LWUA of 20% of ESBI’s voting stock.

          In his Order, Acting Ombudsman Casimiro said since the evidence of guilt against Pichay is strong, it is “imperative on the part of the Office of the Ombudsman to immediately place him under preventive suspension, as the need for precautionary measures against possible abuse of the prerogatives of his office may escalate under the circumstances.”

          The prayer for the preventive suspension of the other respondents was however denied there being no proof of their participation in the disputed LWUA Board Resolutions.

          The Office of Executive Sec. Paquito Ochoa has been furnished a copy of the said Order.

Acting Ombudsman Casimiro orders DO Gonzalez III from performing function as DO for MOLEO
13 May 2011, source: Ombudsman Website

Acting Ombudsman Orlando C. Casimiro yesterday directed Deputy Ombudsman Emilio A. Gonzalez III to “cease and desist from performing official and administrative functions at the Office of the Deputy Ombudsman for the Military and Other law Enforcement Offices.”

          This is contained in the Implementation Order dated 12 May 2011 sent by Acting Ombudsman Casimiro to Deputy Gonzalez yesterday. A copy of the same Order was transmitted to the Office of the President (OP) this morning (13 May 2011).

          The Order was sent by Acting Ombudsman Casimiro following receipt yesterday of a Memorandum issued by Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa, Jr., directing the former to immediately implement the OP decision dismissing Deputy Gonzalez from the service in connection with the Rizal Park hostage-taking incident.

          Acting Ombudsman Casimiro was also directed to inform the OP within twenty-four (24) hours of the actions undertaken on the said case.

Reinstatement of Customs police chief, not a "midnight deal"
12 May 2011
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PRESS STATEMENT 12 May 2011 The Office of the Ombudsman’s order reinstating Jose Brigido Nicomedes Yuchongco to his position as Senior Police Chief, Customs Police Division-Enforcement and Security Service at the Bureau of Customs was not a “midnight deal”. The statement was issued by Atty. Mary Rawnsle Lopez, of the Office of Acting Ombudsman Orlando C. Casimiro, in reaction to reports that the said order was a “midnight deal” as it was signed by former Ombudsman Ma. Merceditas N. Gutierrez on May 4, 2011, or 2 days before she was to step down from office. Atty. Lopez mentioned that the Ombudsman’s resignation, as submitted to the Office of the President, is effective up to the close of office hours of May 6, 2011. As such, she was authorized to exercise her official functions until May 6, 2011. Hence, she can still act on cases pending before her office.

Former Pasay City Mayor Wenceslao Trinidad, 3 others, ordered charged for anomalous bidding of Pasay City Market
15 June 2011, source: Ombudsman Website
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Acting Ombudsman Orlando C. Casimiro ordered the filing of criminal charges against former Pasay City Mayor Wenceslao Trinidad and three others for the anomalous bidding procedure for the construction of the Pasay City Mall and Market in 2003.
          In a 33-page Resolution, Trinidad, former City Councilor Jose Antonio Roxas, and Non-Government Organization â€" Bids and Awards Committee (NGO-BAC) Representatives Joselito Manabat and Alexander Ramos were ordered indicted for Violation of Sec. 3(e) or RA 3019 ( Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act) in relation to  RA 9184 (Government Procurement Reform Act); and Art 237 of the Revised Penal Code (Prolonging Performance of Duties and Powers).
          Records showed that on 03 Oct. 2003, Trinidad issued an Invitation to Pre-Qualify/Apply for Eligibility and to Bid for the construction of the said building which has an approved budget of P500M to be funded through the issuance of Pasay City Kaunlaran Bonds.
          However, on 06 Oct,. 2003, Trinidad requested the newspaper to hold the publication of the Invitation pending approval by the City Council of an ordinance providing the budget for the said project.
          Thereafter, on 21 Oct. 2003, City Ordinance No. 2864. S. of 2003 was enacted authorizing the Bond Floatation by the City Government in the amount not exceeding P500M to fund the construction of the said complex and authorizing the City Mayor to negotiate, sign and execute contracts pertinent thereto.
          On 23 Oct. 2003, a Second Invitation to Pre-Qualify/Apply for Eligibility and Bid was subsequently issued by Trinidad. This was published in the Examiner News and in the Weekly Views.
          On 30 January 2004, Trinidad as PBAC Chairman called for a meeting of the Pasay City BAC (PBAC) and the “old” PBAC members attended.
          The project was awarded to Izumo Contractors, Inc. being the lowest bidder and a Memorandum of Agreement was signed between Cedric Lee, President of Izumo Contractors, Inc. and the City Government of Pasay through Trinidad.
          The Resolution said that the said IRR-A took effect on 08 Oct. 2003, while City Ordinance No. 2864, s of 2003 was enacted and approved only on 21 Oct. 2003, and the second Invitation to Bid was issued only on 23 Oct. 2003. Hence, “it cannot be denied that when the second invitation to bid was issued , the IRR-A of RA 9184 had already took effect.”
          The Resolution also stated that “the manner in which the ‘old’ PBAC was ordered constituted and conducted itself as such by respondent Mayor Trinidad vis-avis the bidding of the assailed construction project is highly irregular.”
          It said as early as 29 Dec. 2003, Trinidad has issued Executive Order No. 10, s. 2003, constituting the new PBAC and made it effective on January 2004. It said, “simply put, the new PBAC under RA 9184 is the legitimate body who should have conducted the bidding process no more no less.”
          The Resolution also pointed out that under RA 9184, the head of the procuring agency is not allowed to sit as member of the BAC.

Acting Ombudsman Casimiro implements the 90-day preventive suspension against SP Sulit effective 15 June 2011
PRESS STATEMENT

Acting Ombudsman Orlando C. Casimiro implemented effective today (15 June 2011) the 90-day preventive suspension imposed by the Office of the President (OP) against Special Prosecutor Wendell Sulit.
          Malacanang earlier placed SP Sulit under preventive suspension for a period of 90 days in connection with the case filed before the OP regarding the Garcia plea bargain deal.
          The Implementation Order also directed SP Sulit to “cease and desist from performing official and administrative functions at the Office of the Special Prosecutor.”
          15 June 2011. Quezon City, Philippines.

Sorsogon mayor, ex-provincial assessor, ordered charged for various offenses
16 June 2011, source: Ombudsman Website
visit https://goo.gl/zf9rLb

Acting Ombudsman Orlando C. Casimiro ordered the filing of criminal charges against an incumbent municipal mayor in Sorsogon and a former provincial assessor in Bataan for separate cases.
          Mayor Jerome Alcantara of Donsol, Sorsogon and his security aide Jerry Pedragoza were ordered charged for malicious mischief (Article 327, in relation to Article 329, Revised Penal Code).
          Records showed that on October 20, 2008, Alcantara caused damage to the vehicle belonging to a certain Lalaine Cadag.
          Alcantara allegedly shot the tires and body of the van owned by Cadag with plate number EVN 514 resulting in damage worth P12,000.
          His aide reportedly acted as an accomplice by cooperating in the execution of the offense by handing over the firearm in the shooting of Cadag’s car.
          It was alleged that Alcantara’s blood pressure rose when he discovered that the owner of the vehicle violated the town’s ordinance which prohibits operators to use San Jose Street at Barangay Poso, Donsol, as their terminal to wait for passengers.
          In its resolution, the anti-graft office stated that, “Consequently, he (Alcantara) took matters into his own hands, instead of seeking the assistance of the police.”
          Meanwhile, in a separate case, Acting Ombudsman Casimiro ordered the filing of 39 counts of violation of Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act (Sec. 3(e) of RA 3019) against former Provincial Assessor Hermenegildo Pilapil of Balanga City, Bataan.
          The Bataan Revenue Code of 1997 and Ordinance No. 6-A of 1997 provide the imposition of tax on the transfer of ownership of real property.
          However, Bataan Governor Enrique Garcia, Jr., in his complaint, stated that for several occasions in the years 2002, 2003 and 2004, Pilapil neglected and refused to require the presentation of the proofs of payment of transfer taxes as mandated by law before the transfer of ownership of Real Property Tax Declaration.
          Garcia said Pilapil caused the transfer of ownership of said Tax Declarations without payment of transfer taxes due to the province, triggering undue injury to the government.
          Such transfers, according to the complaint, are not exempt from transfer taxes and because the transactions transpired between two private parties.
          The resolution stated that, “Clearly, the failure of respondent (Pilapil), in numerous occasions, to perform this mandated duty…constitutes a corrupt practice that makes him liable under Sec. 3(e) of RA 3019.)

Cotabato Rep. Jesus Sacdalan ordered charged for misappropriating government funds
17 June 2011, source: Ombudsman Website

Acting Ombudsman Orlando C. Casimiro ordered the filing of a barrage of malversation and graft charges against Cotabato lone district Representative Jesus Sacdalan for misappropriating P18.6-M worth of government funds in 2008.
        Sacdalan is facing twelve counts of Malversation (Article 217 of the Revised Penal Code) and twelve counts of Violation of Sec. 3(a) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act (RA 3019) before the Sandiganbayan.
        Records showed that Sacdalan, then provincial governor, approved the release of the government’s 2008 Calamity Fund and purchased fuel from a Shell Station in Midsayap town and Double V Petron in Kidapawan City used in the rehabilitation of San Vicente-Bulcanon Road in Makilala and Nicaan-Banisilan Road in Alamada.
        Complainant Milagros Casis alleged that the amount released was far and beyond what was necessary to finish the projects indicated in the 2008 “Programs of Work for Road Projects” in the province.
        She said Sacdalan used his authority as governor when he ordered her to falsify the release of the amount.
        Casis, former district engineer of the province’s first district, said she was repeatedly ordered by the governor to revise the program of works covering the road project in order to hide irregularities in fuel purchases.
        One such transaction was made on May 26, 2008, when 134,438.72 liters of fuel was purchased from a gas station in Midsayap town capable of storing only 16,000 liters.
        The complainant alleged that when she refused to be complicit in Sacdalan’s scheme, the latter transferred her elsewhere within the provincial government of Cotabato and successfully managed to direct her replacement to finish such liquidation, reflecting figures as dictated by the former governor.
        She said Sacdalan approved the release of P12-M for the Double V and P6.6-M for the Shell station.
        In sum, Casis alleged that Sacdalan committed the crime of Malversation for having satisfied the requisites because he had control over the calamity fund for 2008 which should have been spent for “aid, relief, and rehabilitation services to communities or areas affected by man-made and natural calamities, repair and reconstruction of permanent structures, including other capital expenditures for pre-disaster operation, and rehabilitation activities, and calamity assistance and rehabilitation efforts for typhoon victims.”
        Casis further claimed that Sacdalan paid for fuels not yet received by the provincial government, contrary to Section 338 of the Local Government Code which “prohibits payment of money on account of any contract under which no goods have been received.”
        In its resolution, the anti-graft office stated that, “Since respondent Sacdalan admits that he paid for the diesel fuel on account of a contract for which no fuel had actually been delivered, any amount paid…represents the actual damage inflicted upon the province of Cotabato.”#

Ex-Ambassador ordered charged for fund misuse
21 June 2011, source: Ombudsman Website
visit: https://goo.gl/zf9rLb

Acting Ombudsman Orlando C. Casimiro ordered the filing of criminal charges against former Ambassador to Nigeria Masaranga Umpa for misusing Assistance to National (ATN) Standby Funds in the total amount of US$95,856 for the repatriation of abducted Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in 2007.
         In a 24-page resolution, the anti-graft office found probable cause to indict Umpa before the Sandiganbayan for four counts of malversation of public funds (Article 217, Revised Penal Code).
         Records revealed that Umpa was appointed as Philippine Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Federal Republic of Nigeria by then President Joseph Estrada and was retained in a hold-over capacity by former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
          The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) alleged that of the amount US$174,000 sent on February 7, 2007 for the safe release  and repatriation of 24 Filipino seamen and crewmembers of Baco Liner II and one OFW, a total of US$95,856.08 were paid to non-existing or highly irregular transactions as evidenced by fabricated documents.
          According to the complaint, one transaction was made to appear as being paid to Wellington Hotel Limited in Warri Delta State, Nigeria covering the cost of 6 hotel rooms and meals of 11 police escorts, but the transaction was supported by fabricated documents.
          The Filipino seamen were turned-over by the Nigerian authorities to former Amb. Umpa and then DFA Secretary Esteban Cornejos, Jr in the afternoon of February 13, 2007 but the hotel bills indicated breakfast and lunch charges amounting to US$1,565 which could have not been incurred because the seamen were turned-over in the afternoon.
          Upon verification, the Nigerian hotel accountant Adeleke Osinuga cited that the documents presented to them for certification were not issued by them and therefore, forged.
          Documents gathered further show that hotel bills were not stamped “paid” and charges were billed on the alleged date of departure; cash vouchers were not signed by the regular administrative officer; and the post exceeded its authority to engage the services of 11 escorts when only six escorts were allowed.
          It was also learned that the embassy did not rent any room at Hotel Presidential (HP) on February 18-28, 2007 for the accommodation of the police escorts; the six police escorts stayed at a hotel other than HP; and that no escorts were left behind at Port Harcourt. But these expenses amounting to US$20,944 were presented using bogus documents.
          The complaint also claimed that the supposed “package deal” with HP for the room accommodation of the police escorts on March 1-12, 2007 never took place; all documents have been fabricated; the hotel never received any payment from the Philippine Embassy since the hotel never billeted such group, and that there were no guests registered as representatives of the embassy. Umpa also presented documents to show that a helicopter and van were chartered to ferry the OFWs to pad his claims for use of the ATN funds. No such transportation was used.
          The resolution stated that, “In the instant case, it is very clear that the respondent (Umpa) had been very negligent in his duty of counter-checking the supporting documents for the cash advances for several transactions which he, himself, was involved in.”
          “He (Umpa) committed the acts of malversation through abandonment or negligence, by approving ‘for payment’ for the non-existing transactions…” the ruling averred.

Sandiganbayan convicts Leyte mayor and an ex-mayor of Nueva Vizcaya of graft charges
22 June 2011, source: Ombudsman Website
visit - https://goo.gl/zf9rLb

The Sandiganbayan convicted Leyte, Leyte Mayor Arnold James Ysidoro and a former mayor of Nueva Vizcaya of graft charges.
          In a 26-page Decision, the Second Division of the Sandiganbayan found Ysidoro guilty of Illegal Use of Public Property penalized under Art 220 of the Revised Penal Code (RPC).
          During the trial, Prosecutor Generoso Plazo proved to the court that Ysidoro utilized four sacks of rice worth P3,280 and 16 kilos of mongo worth P616 or a total value of P3896 for a food for work program in 2001. The said items were intended for the Supplemental Feeding Program of the municipality.
          The First Division of the Sandiganbayan also convicted former Kayapa, Nueva Vizcaya Mayor Tony Dupiano of three counts of graft for different offenses.
          In a 69-page Decision, the Anti-Graft Court declared Dupiano; municipal accountant Angeline Tulas; SPO2 Bernabe Flores, Jr.; and driver Danny Leoncio; all of  Kayapa, Nueva Vizcaya, guilty beyond reasonable doubt of violating Sec. 3 (e) of RA 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act).
          During the trial, Prosecutor Ma. Hazelina Militante proved that the respondents were guilty of the offense charged when they acted in concert with evident bad faith and/or gross negligence to approve the reimbursement for the repairs of a Land Cruiser (SBL-666), a private vehicle owned by Dupiano, worth P27,055 in 1999.
          They were sentenced to suffer the penalty of imprisonment of six years and one month to seven years, with perpetual disqualification from public office; and to jointly and severally reimburse the Municipality of Kayapa the amount of P27,055 as civil liability.
          Dupiano, and  Property Custodian Designate Lunes Latabeng were also found guilty beyond reasonable doubt of Violation of the same law for the ghost delivery of construction materials worth P152,949.19 in 1999.
          They were meted the penalty of imprisonment of six years and one month to seven years, with perpetual disqualification from public office. They were also ordered to jointly and severally reimburse the Municipality of Kayapa the amount of P152,949.19 as civil liability.
          Dupiano was also found guilty of the same offense for diverting for his own personal use three truckloads of sand and gravel intended for the road concreting project of the Salinas-Mapayao Road in 1999.
          He was sentenced to suffer the penalty of imprisonment of from six years and one month to seven years, with perpetual disqualification from public office.
          In another case, the Second Division of the Anti-Graft Court found Trinidad Sibug, former Executive Director of the Office of the Southern Cultural Communities guilty beyond reasonable doubt of the crime of Failure to Render Accounts (Art. 218 of the RPC).
          A total of 12 Informations had been filed against Sibug for incurring a total of P1,256,994 in unliquidated cash advances from 1991 to 1997.
          Commission on Audit (COA) Circular No. 90-331 provides that cash advances should be liquidated within two months following the end of the year.
          However, the same was only liquidated in 2002 through deduction from her salary.

Acting Ombudsman Casimiro denies MR of Bolante, et al; orders the filing of criminal charges before the Sandiganbayan
30 June 2011, source: Ombudsman Website

Acting Ombudsman Orlando C. Casimiro ordered the filing of plunder charges against former Agriculture Secretary  Luis Ramon “Cito” P. Lorenzo, Undersecretary Jocelyn “Joc-Joc” Bolante, Assistant Secretary Ibarra T. Poliquit and other high ranking officials of the DA in connection with the P728M Fertilizer Fund Scam.

The Acting Ombudsman earlier found probable cause to indict Lorenzo and Bolante, in conspiracy with other high ranking DA officials for plunder. The respondents however filed their separate Motions for reconsideration. These were denied by Acting Ombudsman Casimiro.

The Motions for Reconsideration filed by former Congresswoman Nanette Castelo-Daza, former Marinduque Governor Carmencita Reyes and former Governor Leandro B. Verceles, Jr. were likewise denied. Charges for violation of Ra 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act) were ordered filed against them.

Additionally, criminal charges for Malversation were filed against DA Regional Directors Cesar D. Rodriguez, Dennis B. Araullo, Ricardo D. Oblena, Leo P. Caneda, Oscar O. Parawan, Roger C. Chio, Sumail K. Sekak and Eduardo B. Lecciones, Jr.

Acting Ombudsman Casimiro also ordered the dismissal from the service of Poliquit, Oblena, Araullo, Caneda, Parawan, Rodolfo M. Guieb, Balagtas K. Torres, Abelardo Bragas, Felix Ramos, Ofelia Montilla and Gregorio Sangalang, all of the DA; and Rodolfo G. Malinana, Ireneo C. Del Rosario, Roger M. Pitajen, and Herbert DLS Evangelista, Sr., all local officials of the Provincial Government of Catanduanes.

Press Statement of Acting Ombudsman Orlando Casimiro on the charges filed against former Deputy Ombudsman Mark Jalandoni and five others
29 June 2011, source: Ombudsman Website

Acting Ombudsman Orlando C. Casimiro has filed charges for falsification of official documents against former Deputy Ombudsman Mark E. Jalandoni. The charges stemmed from the discovery of the superimposition by the former Deputy in the portion of decisions and resolutions issued by the Office to make it appear that he is the final approving authority thereof.The truth of the matter is that the cases have already been approved by Overall Deputy Ombudsman Orlando C. Casimiro on previous occasions. An additional criminal complaint for Violation of Article 226 of the Revised Penal Code (RPC) has been filed by Acting Ombudsman Casimiro. Article 226 penalizes the “Removal, Concealment or Destruction of Documents. It penalizes a public officer who shall remove, destroy or conceal documents or papers officially entrusted to him.”

Doubts have thus been raised as to the authenticity of the decisions issued by the Office in view of these obvious alterations in official documents.

Administrative charges have likewise been filed against the former Deputy Ombudsman for Grave Misconduct and Conduct Prejudicial to the Best Interest of the Service. Included in the charges are the staff of Jalandoni, including, former Assistant Ombudsman Nenette Morales-De Padua, Rosalyn D. Martinez, Grace Anne S. Arnan, Ruby Anne B. Medallada and Amie Lou M. Fernandez.

Aside from the foregoing criminal and administrative complaints, the Acting Ombudsman has filed a disbarment complaint against former Deputy Jalandoni and former Assistant Ombudsman De Padua.

Acting Ombudsman Casimiro himself filed the said charges being the acting head of the Office of the Ombudsman. The Acting Ombudsman feels that it is his duty to call for the investigation of the said matters believing that serious doubts have been raised in the integrity of the institution and that this measure is meant to restore the same.

Acting Ombudsman Orlando Casimiro forms Team Aksyon Agad for prompt delivery of basic services
29 June 2011 - source: Ombudsman Website
visit: https://goo.gl/zf9rLb
The Office of the Ombudsman has formed a composite quick response group dubbed as “Team Aksyon Agad.”
          Acting Ombudsman Orlando C. Casimiro said he established the team composed of Director Marifi Chua (OMB-MOLEO) , chairperson; Director Wilbert Candelaria (OMB-Luzon) , co-chairman; and several OMB investigators to help fast-track the government's delivery of basic services.
          “Pursuant to the mandate of the Office of the Ombudsman as mobilizer in the fight against corruption…Team Aksyon Agad is hereby established,” Acting Ombudsman Casimiro stated in his Office Order No. 261.
          According to the Acting Ombudsman, the objective of the Team Aksyon Agad is “to provide quick response to the request for delivery of basic government services and prompt action on projects or front-line services of the government.”
          He further said in his Order that, “the team may likewise accept and investigate complaints, if so warranted...”
          Acting Ombudsman Casimiro stated that the Team Aksyon Agad will be coordinating with agencies such as the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the local government units concerned.
          “The Team Aksyon Agad’s initial area of operation will be in Quezon City” Acting Ombudsman Casimiro said.
          Directors Chua and Candelaria were likewise directed to submit or provide him a copy of periodic reports and status of action they have taken.

Top local officials of Silay City, Negros Occidental face graft charges in connection with P18M IT project
08 June 2011, source: Ombudsman Website
visit: https://goo.gl/zf9rLb

Top local officials of Silay City, Negros Occidental are facing graft charges in connection with an P18M Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Project procured in January 2008.
          In a 39-page Resolution, Acting Ombudsman Orlando C. Casimiro ordered the filing of graft charges before the SAndiganbayan against Mayor Jose Montelibano, Vice-Mayor Mark Andrew Arthur Golez, Councilors Jose Raymundo Locsin and Joedith Gallego and former Councilors Michael Maravilla, Mario Torres, Ramon Jison, Warlito Go, Salvador Segovia, and April Grace delos Reyes.
          Also named in the Resolution were City Administrator Ignacio Salmingo, OIC-City Treasurer Elsie Jimenea, OIC-City Accountant Emmanuel Arsenal, City Legal Officer and Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) Chair Atty. Kara Aimee Quevenco; BAC Members Pepito Hechanova, Jr., Alma dela Cruz, Ricardo Ledesma, Jr., and Engr. Sonia Cordero; BAC Secretariat  Head Macarse Tionko and BAC Secretariat Members Armin Paredes, Alore Golez, and Vilma Dooma; BAC-Technical Working Group (BAC-TWG) Head Engr. Rene Roy Pahilanga, and BAC-TWG Members Giovanni Guzon, Jesus Oppus, Arnier Trajera and Jose Genaro Estrañero ; and Engr. Julieta Cunanan of the Systems and Plan Integrator Development Corporation (SPIDC).
          Records of the case showed that the local government of Silay, Negros Occidental entered into a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the SPIDC in January 2008 for the ICT Project.
          The said project aims to computerize the city’s major revenue generating operation, to be financed through a loan agreement with the Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP).
          However, complainants questioned the immediate resort to alternative mode of procurement by direct contracting, in violation of RA 9184 (Government Procurement Reform Act).
          Sec. 50, RA 9184 provides: “Direct contracting â€" Direct contracting may be resorted to only in any of the following conditions:
a.    Xxx
b.    Xxx
c.    Those sold by an exclusive dealer or manufacturer, which does not have sub-dealers selling at lower prices and for which no suitable substitute can be obtained at more advantageous terms to the government.”
          The Resolution stated that “in the instant case, the evidence presented would show that there other Information and Communication Technology companies offering the same line of goods and services.”
          Hence, the Office found probable cause to indict respondents for Violation of Sec. 3 (e) of RA 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act).
          At the same time, the public respondents were meted the penalty of suspension for eight months and one day after being adjudged guilty of conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service. The Office however took note of the re-election and the fact that some local officials are no longer in public service. Nevertheless, the Office stated that “let this Decision be a warning and reminder to public officials to always act on their respective duties with much circumspect so as not hinder and prejudice public service”.

Caloocan City Mayor Echiverri faces charges for unlawful arrest
02 July 2011, source: Ombudsman Website

PRESS RELEASE
02 July 2011

Caloocan City Mayor Enrico R. Echiverri is facing criminal charges before the Sandiganbayan for the unlawful arrest of parking attendants of Jadewell Parking Systems Corporation.
          In a complainant filed before the Office of the Ombudsman, Jadewell alleged that in a letter issued on July 2004, Mayor Echiverri unjustifiably suspended the on-street pay parking system in Caloocan City managed and operated by complainant. The said parking system was entered into by the City and Jadewell through a Memorandum of Agreement dated January 2005.
          Jadewell further alleged that on 22 July 2004,  Mayor Echiverri physically prevented three of Jadewell’s parking attendants from proceeding with the operation of the pay parking system and arrested them without warrant. Moreover, Echiverri confiscated their motorcycles and other equipment and forcibly took them to the Mayor’s Office. When they were brought to the Mayor’s Office, photographs of Jadewell employees were taken and subsequently published in a newspaper to show that they had been arrested.
          In a Resolution, Acting Ombudsman Orlando C. Casimiro said the Office found probable cause for unlawful arrest had been committed by Echiverri.
          He thus ordered that an Information be filed against Echiverri before the Sandiganbayan.

Acting Ombudsman Casimiro orders the filing of charges against Napocor officials
03 July 2011, source: Ombudsman Website

          ACTING OMBUDSMAN Orlando C. Casimiro has disapproved the findings of the Prosecutors Office of Puerto Princesa that dismissed the criminal complaint filed by Mayor Edward S. Hagedorn against officials of the National Power Corporation (NAPOCOR).
          Stand charged with violation of Section 94 of Republic Act 8550 (Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998) are NAPOCOR Palawan Projects represented by the President Cyril C. Del Callar and Project Manager Romualdo Consigna along with private respondents Harold Laureta, Francisco Madera and Russel Ferrer of S.L. Development Construction Corporation.
           In the Review issued by the Preliminary Investigation and Administrative Adjudication Bureau (PARB), complainant was able to establish that the testimonies of DENR-CENRO employees are sufficient to prove the cutting of 12,000 square meters of mangrove area at Brgy. Lucbuan, Puerto Princesa. The cutting on May 2008 of mangrove trees by the NAPOCOR was for the purpose of installing transmission lines and towers.
           Acting Ombudsman stated that the testimony is sufficient basis to proceed against the respondents for violation of Section 94 Chapter VI of RA 8550 which penalizes the conversion of mangroves into fishponds or for any other purpose.
           Moreover, it was established that Laureta, Madera and Ferrer were identified as those who caused the cutting of mangrove trees and who were present during the seizure of 1,102 pieces of Bakawan timber. This is coupled by the fact that Del Callar and Consigna in their capacity as officials of NAPOCOR did not oppose nor reject such illegal cutting and conversion.
           They should thus be held for trial before the Sandiganbayan.

Acting Ombudsman Casimiro orders the filing of criminal charges against ex-Rizal mayor, engineer for illegally cut timber
07 June 2011, source: Ombudsman Website

Acting Ombudsman Orlando C. Casimiro ordered the filing of criminal charges against a former mayor and an engineer in Rizal province for illegal possession of forest products worth more than P9-M.

Ordered charged for violation of Section 77 of P.D. 705, as amended by Executive Order No. 277 and Republic Act 7161, otherwise known as the Revised Forestry Code of the Philippines, were past Rodriguez municipal mayor Pedro Cuerpo and Engr. Aristotle Cruz, OIC, Rodriguez Municipal Motor Pool.

The case stemmed from the complaint filed by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ Community Environment and Natural Resources Officer (DENR-CENRO) on October 19, 2005.

DENR-CENRO alleged that on June 20, 2005, it received a memorandum from CENRO informing the officer-in-charge of Montalban Multi-Purpose Center and Team Leader of Patrol Sector No.1 regarding the presence of illegally cut timber products stockpiled inside the Rodriguez slaughterhouse in Barangay San Jose.

They conducted a surveillance/ verification of the report and eventually secured a search warrant from San Mateo Regional Trial Court Executive Judge Elizabeth Balquin-Reyes.

In the course of the implementation of the search warrant, fresh cut manufactured timber products (tanguile and lauan) consisting of 4,066 pieces with a volume of 28,050 broad feet amounting to more than P9-M were seized under the possession of Cruz inside the Motor Pool and not inside the slaughterhouse.

Cruz admitted that the said products were brought from the mountain of Barangay Rodriguez which was delivered in June 2005 to the Motor Pool.

According to the complaint, the DENR was not able to haul the timber products due to the intervention of Cuerpo.

The complaint likewise claimed that the seized sawn logs, accessories such as tools and equipment including showa bandsaw 30” diameter, cutter plainer, electric motor, compressor and drill press were used in manufacturing school armchairs without the permit, license or legal documents from the DENR.

In its 17-page resolution, the Ombudsman stated that “case records readily show that there was irregularity in the act of the respondents in using illegally cut timber in manufacturing school armchairs.”

The anti-graft office said that only the DENR has the exclusive authority to confiscate illegally cut logs.

It averred that the forestry laws dictates that, “All seized/ confiscated conveyances shall be declared forfeited in favor of the government…which can be used at the disposition of the DENR in forest protection and development activities or be disposed through public bidding by the Secretary of the Regional Offices as the case may be…”

Governor, Luzon mayors ordered charged before the Sandiganbayan
09 June 2011, source: Ombudsman Website

The Office of the Ombudsman ordered the filing of criminal charges before the Sandiganbayan against two incumbent mayors and several others for separate cases.

In a resolution approved by Acting Ombudsman Orlando C. Casimiro, incumbent municipal mayor Tomas P. Bongalonta, Jr. of Pili, Camarines Sur was ordered charged for Violation of Section 3(e) of Republic Act No. 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act).

The case stemmed from the complaint of Municipal Accountant Eileen D. Ceron when Bangolonta imposed a penalty of dismissal from service against her without legal basis sometime in October 2005 which caused undue injury upon the complainant.

The Office of the Ombudsman had earlier imposed a penalty of suspension from office for six months against Ceron for Grave Misconduct arising from six counts of Estafa thru Falsification filed against her.

However, after Ceron has served the penalty, instead of reinstating the complainant to her original position, Bongalonta slapped her with dismissal from the service.

“Clearly, the respondent’s act caused undue injury to the complainant because the latter was deprived of her office, salaries and other monetary benefits attached to it during those years that she was arbitrarily dismissed from the service,” the resolution stated.

Meanwhile, present Municipal Mayor Teodorico Dp. Padilla, Jr. of Sta. Fe, Nueva Vizcaya was ordered charged for two counts of Violation of Article 218 of the Revised Penal Code (Failure of an Accountable Officer to Render Accounts).

The complaint was filed as Padilla failed to liquidate his cash advances amounting to more than P130,000 which he received from January to June 2004 for his travel expenses.

Despite repeated demands by the Commission on Audit (COA), Padilla failed and refused to liquidate the amount of the fuel and miscellaneous items issued to his privately owned vehicles.

In a separate case, the Ombudsman ordered the indictment before the Sandiganbayan of former Municipal Mayor Pepito C. Reyes of Perez, Quezon for violation of the anti-graft law (Section 3(e) of RA 3019) when he allowed a new cockpit to operate despite the existence of an old one.

The complaint arose when the Sangguniang Bayan (SB) through Kapasiyahan Bilang 2009-31 granted a franchise for the mayor’s brother, Nestor C. Reyes, to operate a cockpit in the municipality of Perez.

According to the complaint, Presidential Decree No.449 specifically prohibits the operation of two cockpits in small towns like Perez in which there is already an existing cockpit.

In its ruling, the anti-graft office stated that, “In the present case, in the discharge of the functions of respondent Reyes…he gave unwarranted advantage or preference through manifest partiality to his brother…in the operation of the cockpit in their municipality instead of renewing the permit of the previous operator…”

In another case, incumbent Agusan del Norte provincial governor Erlpe John M. Amante was slapped with graft charges before the Sandiganbayan.

          Amante was ordered charged for 13 counts of Violations of Sec. 3(e) and 13 counts for Sec. 3(j) of RA 3019.

Records revealed that Amante allegedly favored small-scale mining operator SR Metals Inc. (SRMI).

Acting Ombudsman Casimiro has recommended that further fact-finding investigation be conducted against Gov. Amante, Caloocan City Vice-Mayor Edgar “Egay” Erice of SRMI mining firm and several private individuals “to determine their liability for plunder and other crimes or offenses punishable under the law.”

The complaint alleged that SRMI managed to transport 672,163 metric tons of nickel ores worth $23,818,715 from August 2006 to April 2007.

Among the respondents in the barrage of graft cases filed before the Sandiganbayan are Provincial Engineering Office employees Apolinario L. Yee, 13 counts for Violations of Sec. 3(e) and 13 counts for Violations of Sec. 3(j) of RA 3019; Celso J. Perez, 2 counts for Sec.3(e) and 2 counts for Sec.3(j), and SRMI head Jimwell M. Orpilla, 13 counts for Violations of Sec. 3(e) and 13 counts for Sec. 3(j) of the anti-graft law.

Section 3, paragraph (e) of R.A. 3019 refers to the causing of “any undue injury to any party including the Government or giving any private party any unwarranted benefits, advantage or preference in the discharge of his official administrative or judicial functions through manifest partiality, evident bad faith or gross inexcusable negligence.”

On the other hand, Section 3, paragraph (j) of R.A. 3019 reads: “Knowingly, approving or granting any license, permit, privilege or benefit in favor of any person not qualified for or not legally entitled to such license, permit, privilege, or advantage, or of a mere representative or dummy of one who is not so qualified or entitled.”

In its resolution, the anti-graft body averred that Amante gave unwarranted advantage to SRMI when it constantly issued transport permits in its favor.

BIR Asst Commissioner, 8 others ordered charged in connection with the Tax Credit Scam
01 July 2011, source: Ombudsman Website

Acting Ombudsman Orlando C. Casimiro ordered the filing of criminal Informations before the Sandiganbayan against Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Assistant Commissioner Lirio A. Cabsaba and eight others for fraudulent issuances and sale of Tax Credit Certificates (TCC).
          Aside from Cabsaba, also ordered charged were Head Revenue Executive Assistant Carolina P. Pineda, Collection Service, Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR); Angelina L. Gatchalian of the Collection Programs Division, BIR; Executive Director Ernesto Q. Hiansen; Tax Credit Certificate Issuance and Application Division (TCCIAD) Chief Grace Flaminiano; Tax Specialist Imelda Ribas and Clerk III Emelita Tizon from the One Stop Processing Center of the Department of Finance (DOF). Likewise included are private individuals May B. Reyes and Fidel Najera.
          The case was filed before the Office of the Ombudsman by the National Bureau of Investigation represented by former NBI Dir. Nestor M. Mantaring.
          In a 50-page Resolution, probable cause was established against the respondents for three counts of Estafa thru Falsification against Pineda, Reyes and Najera. On the other hand, two counts for Violation of Section 3 (e) of RA 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act) were ordered filed against Cabsaba, Pineda, Reyes and Najera. Pineda was likewise ordered charged with additional two counts for violation of Section 3 (h) of RA 3019. On the other hand, Pineda and Gatchalian were charged with two counts of Violation of Section 3 (a) of RA 3019. Finally, two counts for violation of Section 3(e) of RA 3019 were filed against Hiansen, Flaminiano, Ribas and Tizon.
          Records show that the documents which were used to process the issuances of the TCCs were all falsified. The falsification of the documents was primarily intended to consummate the sale of the similarly falsified TCCs to private corporations.  The falsification was used as an instrument to dupe the buyers of the TCCs to part with their money. Thus, the complex crime of Estafa thru Falsification of public documents was clearly committed.
          The Resolution also stated that the fraudulent sale of the TCCs definitely caused undue injury to the government since the supposed revenue that would have been generated by the tax liabilities of the private corporations, were for some time, denied to the government coffers.
          It said the perpetration of this injurious act was made possible thru the separate but concerted efforts of Pineda, Reyes, Najera and Cabsaba. As to  Cabsaba, it was her approval of the transfer application of the TCCs that was the final act that enabled the perfection of the fraudulent transaction. Her hasty approval on the same day, in itself, manifested a semblance of irregularity. Likewise, it was Pineda who personally and actively followed-up the processing of the transfer application.  The injury sustained by the government could likewise be traced through the gross negligence of OSS DOF officials, Hiansen, Flaminiano, Ribas and Tizon for they certified that the fake TCCs were authentic and recommended the approval of their transfer application.

Sandiganbayan convicts ex-Misamis Oriental Mayor for failure to liquidate cash advances
07 June 2011, source: Ombudsman Website

The Sandiganbayan convicted a former mayor in Misamis Oriental for his failure to liquidate cash advances (CAs) in 2003.

Found guilty for violation of Article 218 of the Revised Penal Code (Failure of Accountable Officer to Render Accounts) was Edgar Santos, past municipal mayor of Balingoan town.
     
Santos was sentenced to suffer a penalty of four months to one year imprisonment with all appropriate accessory penalties.

He was also ordered to pay a fine of P6, 000 and to pay the local government the amount of P20, 000.

Associate Justices Samuel R. Martires and Alex L. Quiroz both concurred with the 27-page decision penned by Third Division chairman Justice Francisco H. Villaruz, Jr.

Records revealed that Santos was granted a cash advance as mayor of the municipality of Balingoan for his travel expenses to Manila sometime in 2003 in the amount of P20, 000 but refused to render accounts in violation of Commission on Audit (COA) Circular No. 97-002 which requires “that all cash advances used for local official travels must be duly liquidated within 30 days after return to permanent official station.”

Despite demand made by the COA for such liquidation, Santos failed to render accounts for a period of two months from September 18, 2003 when he was required by law to account for the said public funds.
     
It was revealed that the liquidation statements submitted by Santos for the August 18, 2003 cash advance was for the CA of P50,000 as reflected in the disbursement voucher and not for the P20,000 cash advance.
     
The Sandiganbayan gave weight to the evidence and testimony of witnesses of the Office of the Ombudsman’s prosecution team led by Prosecutor Agnes Daquis.
     
The anti-graft court likewise stated that Santos presented an evidence that in fact bolstered the prosecution’s position that there was no liquidation for the P20,000 cash advance for his travelling expenses to Manila.
     
“Accused’s denials do not overcome the overwhelming testimonial and documentary evidence of the prosecution, which established his criminal liability. Well settled is the rule of evidence that denial of the offense is an inherently weak defense,” the ruling likewise pointed out.

Acting Ombudsman Casimiro orders the dismissal from the service of LWUA Chair Prospero Pichay; conduct further fact-finding investigation against GMA
04 July 2011, source: Ombudsman Website

Acting Ombudsman Orlando Casimiro signed the Decision in the case entitled Rustico Tutol et al. versus Chairman Prospero Pichay, Acting Administrator Daniel L. Landingin, Acting Deputy Administrator Wilfredo M. Feleo and Corporate Legal Officer Atty. Arnaldo Espinas. All officials from the Local Water Utlities Administration (LWUA).
          In the said decision, Acting Ombudsman Casimiro found substantial evidence to hold Prospero Pichay Jr, Daniel Landingin and Wilfredo Feleo of grave misconduct. As such, the penalty dismissal from the service with the accessory penalties of perpetual disqualification from public office and forfeiture of all benefits is imposed upon them. The said Order is immediately executory.
          The case stemmed from the unlawful disbursement sanctioned by Pichay in the investment made by the LWUA into the Express Savings Bank without any Memorandum of Agreement and without any previous authority from the Monetary Board of the Bangko Sentral. The OGCC on the other hand, stated that the investment required prior review of the DOF. Express Savings Bank was bought for 780 million pesos. Likewise, the DOF in its 4 December 2009 letter addressed to BSP Deputy Governor Nestor Espenilla stated that it found such investment inconsistent with the thrusts and policies of the government. The approval of the acquisition by the Office of the President (14 October 2009) was obtained four months after LWUA had already acquired the Bank.
          On another issue, Acting Ombudsman has issued an Order relative to the complaints filed against former President Gloria Arroyo relative to the fertilizer Fund Scam. In the  said Order, Acting Ombudsman approved the conduct of fact-finding investigation against former President Arroyo. These are based on complaints filed by Atty. Francisco Chavez and the KIlusang Magbubukid ng Pilipanas. In effect, the Acting Ombudsman has disapproved the previous recommendation that the case against former President Arroyo be dismissed for lack of evidence. It is an elementary principle that a Secretary is an alter ego of the President who has direct control and supervision over cabinet Secretaries.
          There is thus a need to conduct investigation as to the complicity or liability of the former President with respect to the allocation, release and expenditure of the Fertilizer funds.
          With the foregoing, the Acting Ombudsman has reiterated the need to establish a special team to look into and take a proactive stance in bidding activities conducted by local agencies. The Special Team created, will work hand in hand with the Resident Ombudsmen deployed in agencies to ensure compliance with the requirements of the Government Reform and Procurement Act thereby ensuring sound fiscal disbursement of public funds.
          As conviction rates before the Sandiganbayan is one of the performance indicators by which, the punitive aspect of the fight against corruption is measured, the Acting Ombudsman has ordered the hiring of more prosecutors for the Office of the Special Prosecutor. Aware of the current situation wherein there is a total of only 59 fulltime prosecutors handling trial, Acting Ombudsman Casimiro will address the imperative need of beefing up the complement  of prosecutors of the Ombudsman with the infusion of more lawyers  to handle the trial of graft cases. As the prosecutorial arm of the Ombudsman, it is critical to increase the complement as this would allow manageable case loads for the prosecutors towards the end view of improving and increasing the conviction rate of the Ombudsman. Acting Ombudsman Casimiro is of the view that the conviction of corrupt officials is a punitive measure needed to drastically eliminate grand corruption.

Sara, Iloilo mayor, 7 others, ordered charged before the Sandiganbayan
06 June 2011, source: Ombudsman Website

Acting Ombudsman Orlando C. Casimiro ordered the filing of criminal charges against Sara, Iloilo Mayor Neptali Salcedo and and seven other local officials before the Sandiganbayan.
          In a Resolution, Acting Ombudsman Casimiro ordered the filing of charges for 30 counts of Malversation of Public Funds through Falsification of Public Document against Neptali, Municipal Treasurer Edna Pacrim and Municipal Engineer Roel Salcedo, all of the Municipality of Sara in Iloilo province.
          The case stemmed from a complaint filed by Iloilo Congressman Niel Tupas, Jr., before the Office of the Ombudsman- Visayas (OMB-Visayas), alleging that labor payrolls amounting to a total of P1,834,400 were deemed to be of doubtful validity.
          Investigation conducted by OMB-Visayas revealed the “evident similarity in some of the signatures on the affidavits of the supposed payees”. It said the signature above names of different persons appear to have been “affixed by one person”.
          Aside from the filing of criminal charges, Pacrim, and Roel were also meted the penalty of dismissal with all inherent penalties.
          In another case, Acting Ombudsman Casimiro ordered that Neptali; Pacrim; Roel; Gregorio Golingay, Municipal Budget Officer; Calixto Oliveros, Municipal Planning and Development Coordinator and Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) Chairman; Marcelino Abellar, Municipal General Services; Marilou Balasabas, Executive Assistant III and BAC member; and Elizabeth Tan, Statistical Aide and BAC Secretariat Head be charged for Violation of RA 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act).
          The case pertains to a complaint by Tupas based from an audit finding that contracts and/or Purchase Orders totaling P1,249,050 were awarded by the BAC to Porquez Farm and General Merchant.
          However, it was found out that the said company was not a bona fide supplier.
          The Resolution stated that “it was irregular for the BAC to award contracts to Porquez Farm and General Merchant wehen the latter could not be considered a bona fide supplier. Moreover, the corresponding disbursement vouchers for the payments made to Porquez Farm and General Merchant were not supported by the required documents, and the vouchers lacked several of the required signatures.”
          The Office also found Oliveros, Pacrim, Roel, Golingay, Abellar, Balasabas and Tan guilty of the offense of Inefficiency and Incompetence in the Performance of Official Duties, and were each meted the penalty of nine-month suspension without pay and benefits.

          In a separate resolution, Acting Ombudsman Casimiro ordered the filing of criminal charges for two counts each of violation of RA 3019 against Neptali, Pacrim and Roel.

           The case stemmed from a complaint also filed by Tupas which alleged that sometime in May 2006, Neptali, Pacrim and Roel connived with each other when they caused the payment of the amount P200,000 for the construction of a farm-to-market road from Barangay Domingo to Barangay Muyco, Sara, Iloilo and also the amount of P100,000 for the construction of another farm-to-market road from Sitio Kapinayan, Domingo to Sitio Sincua, Lemery, Sara, Iloilo.

           However, the complainant stated that the said project merely entailed repair works of an existing road and not construction of a new one.

           It was revealed that for the Kapinayan, Domingo-to-Sincua, Lemery project, the municipality of Sara paid an overpriced amount of P48,256 because repair works for the same was valued to be only P51,744.

           According to the Commission on Audit (COA), the local government of Sara also paid an excess amount of P96, 512 for the Domingo-to-Muyco project because it was valued to be only P103,488 which caused undue injury upon the municipality.

           The Office also found Pacrim and Roel guilty of the offense of Inefficiency and Incompetence in the Performance of Official Duties and meted the penalty of suspension for a period of nine months without pay and benefits for the ghost road project.

           In a separate case, Neptali; Pacrim; Roel; accountant Edgar Beatingo; and Luis Ybiernas, private individual; were ordered charged for one count each for Violation of the Anti-Graft law.

           In his complaint, Tupas alleged that the said respondents caused the payment of the amount of P1-M to Sara Caltex Station in Sara, Iloilo for fuel and lubricant used in several road repair and expansion.

           However, the COA discovered that there was an excess payment of P153,721 because the actual cost of the fuel was only P846, 279 for the ten projects.

           Pacrim, Roel and Beatingo were also slapped with a separate nine-month suspension without pay and benefits for the overpriced fuel.

Acting Ombudsman Casimiro orders new forfeiture proceedings against Ligots
03 June 2011, source: Ombudsman Website

Acting Ombudsman Orlando C. Casimiro ordered the initiation of forfeiture proceedings for the repossession of the alleged unexplained wealth of former Lt. Gen. Jacinto C. Ligot and his family in the amount of more than P55-M.
          In an 18-page resolution, Acting Ombudsman Casimiro recommended that a Supplemental Petition for Forfeiture be filed before the Sandiganbayan against Ligot, his wife Erlinda Yambao-Ligot, daughter Riza Ligot and sons Paulo Ligot and Miguel Ligot, along with Edgardo T. Yambao and Gilda Y. Alfonso-Velasquez.
          The case stemmed from the complaint filed by the Office of the Ombudsman’s Field Investigation Office (OMB-FIO) which revealed that Gen. Ligot has acquired other assets/ properties in the form of bank deposits and investment accounts, which were not included in the previous case filed against him and his family before the anti-graft court.
          According to the anti-graft office, these numerous bank deposits and investments accounts which allegedly part of Ligot’s unexplained wealth are as follows:
Financial Institutions

Account Name
Amount in the Phil. Peso
Armed Forces and Police Savings and Loan Association, Inc. (AFSLAI)

Jacinto Ligot

184,760.25

AFPSLAI

Erlinda Yambao-Ligot

135,983.46

AFPSLAI

Riza Ligot

419,323.60

AFPSLAI

Paulo Ligot

194,073.29

AFPSLAI

Miguel Ligot

209,000.00

AFPSLAI

Erlinda Ligot

56,529.32

AFPSLAI

Miguel Ligot

1,006.57

Equitable PCI Bank

Jacinto Ligot

10,109.81

BPI

Parmil Farms Inc.

24,210.96

LandBank

Jacinto Ligot

92,943.87

United Overseas Bank Phils. (UOBP)

Edgardo Yambao

346,190.43

Metrobank

Edgardo Yambao

1,397,562.70

Citicorp Financial Services and Insurance Brokerage Philippines, Inc. (CFSI)

Gilda Velasquez

52,525,000.00

TOTAL
Php 55,596,694.26

The resolution averred that since these accounts are considered “web of accounts” of Gen. Ligot and his family, these are deemed and should be accounted for as forming part of their unexplained wealth.

          Meanwhile, Acting Ombudsman Casimiro ordered the filing of eight counts of violation of Sec. 8 in relation to Section 11 of RA 6713 before the Sandiganbayan against Retired Police General Eduardo S. Matillano for non-filing of Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN).

Matillano was also fined an amount equal to one month salary.

The Ombudsman’s Fact-Finding Investigation Bureau (FFIB) learned from the records and Management Division of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Camp Crame that Matillano has no available record of SALN for calendar years 1994 to 2000 and 2004.

“As correctly alleged in the complaint, the respondent failed to file his SALN for calendar years 1994-2000 and 2004.        Hence, the indictment of the respondent for violation of Section 8, RA 6713 is warranted,” the resolution stated.

In a separate case, Casimiro ordered the filing of an information for violation of RA 7877 (Anti-Sexual Harassment Act of 1995) before the proper court against P/Supt. Cesario Darantinao, Jr., of Davao del Sur Provincial Police Office, Digos City.
          Darantinao was ordered charged for requesting sexual favors from a female police subordinate, hugging her tightly against her will and threatening her that she will be relieved from her assignment if she disobeyed his requests for the latter to report to his quarters again which occurred sometime in November 2008.
          “The sexual advances of the respondent were made a condition to the continued employment of the complainant. The complained acts of respondent also resulted in an intimidating, hostile and offensive environment for the complainant,” the resolution averred.

Office of the Ombudsman prepares for transition; welcomes and fully supports the next Ombudsman
05 July 2011, source: Ombudsman Website

ACTING OMBUDSMAN Casimiro took note of the Petition for Certiorari with Prayer for Issuance of Preventive Suspension filed by former DA officials Jocelyn Bolante et. al. in connection with the criminal indictment for plunder relative to the Fertilizer Fund Scam. The Acting Ombudsman reiterates that the Office adheres to the principle laid down by the Supreme Court in the case entitled "Office of the Ombudsman versus Samaniego" (GR No. 175573, 5 October 2010) that states:

"Section 7, Rule III of the Rules of Procedure of the Office of the Ombudsman, as amended, is categorical, an appeal shall not stop the decision from being executory."
            Moreover, with the filing of the Information/s before the Sandiganbayan, the case is now under the direct control and supervision of the Anti-Graft court.
            On the issue regarding the disbarment case to be filed by respondent Prospero Pichay, Jr. in connection with the finding of guilt for grave misconduct, the Acting Ombudsman respects the legal remedies that will be availed of by Pichay. On record, however, the administrative case was filed against him after a thorough and painstaking review by the lawyers from the Office of the Ombudsman and the law was applied on the basis of established facts as borne by the records.
            With the recent publication of the shortlist for the Office of the Ombudsman, the institution is preparing for the transition to welcome and fully support the next Ombudsman to be appointed by the President. In the meantime, the Office continues to function and dispense with its mandate as the Republic’s chief graft buster.
            Thus, in a case approved by the Acting Ombudsman, Anesia Buenafe-Dionisio and Virginia Diolola-Madeja were both found guilty of grave misconduct and were meted with the penalty of dismissal from the service. Both are members of the Board of Nurses of the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC).
            The complaint was filed by the National Bureau of Investigation in connection with the nursing board exam leakage scam in 2006.
            In the 32-page Decision, the Office established that majority of Dionisio’s test questions were shown to have reached the reviewees of the RA Gapuz Review Center and INRESS. The Office stated that Dionisio’s defense of loss of her manuscript is self-serving and inconceivable. Moreover, upon learning of the loss of her copy of test questionnaires, she failed to relay the fact to the appropriate authorities. The Office also found that Madeja was liable for gross inexcusable neglect in causing the premature and unauthorized disclosure of her proposed questions. The test questions were leaked by the examiners despite being highly confidential.

Sandiganbayan convicts former Zamboanga del Norte councilor for faking drug busts
13 June 2011, source: Ombudsman Website

The Sandiganbayan Second Division sentenced a former councilor in Zamboanga del Norte to 6-10 years in prison for faking drug busts to claim money from the coffers of the local government.
          In a 9-page decision penned by Presiding Justice Edilberto Sandoval, the anti-graft court handed down a guilty verdict against Ricardo Inding, former councilor of Dapitan City, for violation of Section 3(e) of Republic Act No. 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act).
          Associate Justices Teresita Diaz-Baldos and Samuel Martires both concurred with the decision.
            Section 3, paragraph (e) of RA 3019 refers to the causing of “any undue injury to any party including the Government or giving any private party any unwarranted benefits, advantage or preference in the discharge of his official administrative or judicial functions through manifest partiality, evident bad faith or gross inexcusable negligence.”
          Inding was also meted the penalty of perpetual disqualification from ever holding public office when he scammed the city government worth P30,500 and was ordered to reimburse the city the amount he pocketed.
          Records showed that Inding faked drug busts against alleged drug pushers and users in 1997 and falsified documents for the reimbursement of the cost.
          The complaint stated that Inding made it appear that he headed the committee on illegal drugs of the city’s Sangguniang Panglunsod (SP).
          However, it was discovered that no such committee subsisted nor has been officially created.
          According to the records, Inding chaired the committee on tourism and was also a member of the committees on youth and sports development, and on health and sanitation.
          It was revealed that Inding made it appear that there were surveillance, test-buys and buy-busts done from January-August 1997 as reflected in his false confidential report.
          Police records however disclosed that only two arrests were made during the said period but did not mention him or credit the arrests they made to Inding’s so-called anti-drug drive.
          The Sandiganbayan said it got the impression that the members of the team were fictitious because Inding submitted community tax certificates whose dates of issuance did not tally with official records in order to support his reimbursement claims which was issued by his cousin, barangay treasurer Efrina Inding.
          The anti-graft court stated that the prosecution led by Prosecutor Alma Azanza, “has proved more prosaic language of the law, the guilt of the accused (Inding) beyond reasonable doubt.”

Bataan Governor Enrique Garcia, Cabangan, Zambales Mayor Ronaldo Apostol ordered charged
30 June 2011, source: Ombudsman Website
visit: https://goo.gl/zf9rLb
The Office of the Ombudsman ordered the filing of criminal charges against Bataan Governor Enrique T. Garcia Jr., Cabangan, Zambales Mayor Ronaldo Apostol and several others for separate offenses.
          In a Resolution, Acting Ombudsman Orlando C. Casimiro ordered that an information for violation of Section 3(e) of RA 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act) be filed before the Sandiganbayan against Garcia stemming from the anomalous purchase of a patrol boat.
          Along with Garcia, also ordered charged with graft were Rodolfo De Mesa, Provincial Administrator; Imelda Inieto, Agriculturist; Alicia Magpantay, Accountant; Emerlinda Talento, Treasurer; Ludivina Banzon, Government Assistant Department Head; Godofredo De Guzman, OIC Department Head, Environment and Natural Resources; Pedro Baluyot, Supply Officer III; Angelina Villanueva, Management and Audit Analyst IV (resigned); Francisco Caparas, Local Treasury Operations Officer I; Enrico Yuson, Department Head, Provincial General Services Office; Evangeline Diaz, Department Head, Provincial General Services Office (retired); Danilo Abrera, Agriculturist II and private individual Ernesto Asistin, Jr.
          De Mesa, Inieto, Magpantay, Talento, Banzon, Yuzon, Diaz, De Guzman, Baluyot, Caparas and Abrera were also found guilty of Grave Misconduct and Dishonesty and were meted the penalty of dismissal from the government service.
          Records showed that on June 8, 2005, a patrol boat equipped with six cylinder gas engine was requested by agriculturist Inieto for the Bataan Provincial Anti-Illegal Fishing Task Force (BPAIFTF).
          Complainants Nestor Palomania and Alexander Caturao and the Ombudsman’s Field Investigation Office (FIO) alleged that respondents conspired with one another and with Asistin for the unlawful purchase of the patrol boat worth P142,500.
          The complaint alleged that Garcia et al awarded the bid contract to Asistin who was a non-qualified supplier and tendered the payment for the boat which caused undue injury to the government.
          It added that the documentary evidence revealed that a handwritten alteration was made in the Contract Agreement, Notice of Award and Notice of Proceed to change the specification from a six-cylinder gas engine patrol boat to a four-cylinder gas engine patrol boat.
         Evidence on record also revealed that the patrol boat was not delivered.
          “We are convinced that the subject transaction with Asistin who is not a bonafide supplier was carried out by the respondents with working knowledge of the ensuing irregularities and the consequences that would necessary follow. This is a demonstration of bad faith at its most evident, a clear display of gross inexcusable negligence,” the Ombudsman ruling said.
          In a separate Resolution, Acting Ombudsman Casimiro ordered the indictment of Municipal Mayor Apostol for Usurpation of Authority or Official Functions before the Sandiganbayan when he acted as the Presiding Officer of the Executive Session of the Sangguniang Bayan (SB) of Cabangan on December 23, 2008.
          Then Vice-Mayor Julius Bada stated in his complaint that Apostol usurped his powers and duties as municipal vice-mayor and presiding officer of the Sangguniang Bayan.
          The complainant claimed that Apostol presided in the session of the SB of Cabangan, which was surreptitiously held to prevent its detection by him and eventually passed a resolution authorizing the purchase of firearms for use of SB members.
          The Resolution stated that Sec. 49 and 445(a) of RA No.7160 (Local Government Code) designates the Vice-Mayor as the Presiding Officer of the SB.
          The anti-graft office said that, “In this case, respondent (Apostol) pretended that it is within his official function to preside over the sessions of the SB.” The meeting “was not a mere consultative meeting” as what Apostol claims. Rather, the session “authorizes a transaction with pecuniary implications”. Under the Local Government Code, it is specific in its mandate, that it is the Vice-Mayor who is specifically designated as the Sangunniang Bayan Presiding Officer.
          “This is demonstrated by his (Apostol) act of presiding over the 23 December 2008 session, as shown by its minutes,” the ruling said.

ex-PCGG Chair Camilo Sabio ordered charged before the Sandiganbayan
01 July 2011

Acting Ombudsman Orlando C. Casimiro ordered the filing of criminal Informations before the Sandiganbayan against PCGG Chairman Camilo S. Sabio

for misappropriating PCGG funds amounting to a total of about  P12M.
          In a 20-page Resolution Acting Ombudsman Casimiro ordered the filing of charges for Violation of Section 3(e) RA 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act) and two Informations for Malversation.
          Investigation showed that Sabio embezzled and converted to his personal use the cash advances amounting to P 1,555,862.03 he received as Chairman  of the PCGG. The cash advances consisted of accommodation, contingency funds, litigation fees and other related expenses in connection with his trip to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
          Probable cause was found against Sabio for embezzling and converting to his own personal use the amount of P10,350,000. The said amount was received by the PCGG as remittances by sequestered companies, Mid-Pasig Land Development Corporation and from the sale of A. Soriano Corporation shares which form part of the ill-gotten wealth of the former President Ferdinand Marcos.
          In issuing the Resolution, Acting Ombudsman Casimiro emphasized the need to advance a pro-active approach to fighting graft and corruption. He directed all Resident Ombudsmen (RO) deployed to the various government agencies to be vigilant in addressing corruption vulnerabilities of public officials especially on issues concerning timely and proper liquidation of cash advances. The said directive is in line with the administration’s flagship program of eradicating graft and corruption towards the “Tuwid na Daan”.
          He likewise formed a special team of investigators from the Office of the Ombudsman to be deployed in local agencies. The objective of the Task Force is to ensure compliance with the requirements of RA 9184 (Government Procurement Reform Act) knowing fully-well the corruption vulnerabilities in the procurement service. With this, the government is assured that procurement activities are above-board thereby resulting into sound fiscal spending for national government agencies, GOCCs and GFIs.

Acting Ombudsman orders the hiring of more OSP prosecutors
30 June 2011, source: Ombudsman Website

          Acting Ombudsman Orlando C. Casimiro ordered the hiring of more prosecutors for the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP).

           The OSP which prosecutes criminal cases of high ranking officials before the Sandiganbayan is under the Office of the Ombudsman.

            “Presently, the OSP has a complement of 171 personnel, 71 of which are lawyers,” according to Acting Ombudsman Casimiro.

He said that out of the seventy-one (71) lawyers, there are only 59 available prosecutors who handle cases pending before the anti-graft court.

“As Acting Ombudsman, I understand the imperative need to beef up the number of prosecutors in order to strengthen the performance of the Office,” Casimiro stated in a statement.

This will likewise allow the prosecutors, according to Acting Ombudsman Casimiro, to have a manageable workload of cases.

“The increase in the number will likewise have a positive impact on the performance of the office insofar as conviction rates are concerned,” he said.

          Having been in the Office for 20 years, Acting Ombudsman Casimiro is aware of the problems besetting the anti-graft body. Among them is the need to beef up the present number of lawyers at the OSP.
          Acting Ombudsman Casimiro started his career in the government service in 1991, when he was appointed Graft Investigation Officer II. He assumed his present post on May 9, 2011.

          As of June 15, Acting Ombudsman Casimiro has already disposed of 4,500 cases.

          Acting Ombudsman Casimiro earlier established “Team Aksyon Agad” , a quick response group.      The objective of the Team Aksyon Agad is “to provide quick response to the request for delivery of basic government services and prompt action on projects or front-line services of the government,” Acting Ombudsman Casimiro said.

          It is  composed of Director Marifi Chua, chairperson; Director Wilbert Candelaria, co-chairman and several OMB investigators as members.

Former SBMA official convicted for non-existent MOA
14 June 2011, source: Ombudsman Website

A former corporate secretary of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) was meted six â€" eight years imprisonment for certifying that a Memorandum of Agreement providing for the transfer of about P40M equipment had been ratified and approved. No such MOA however exists.

          In a nine-page Decision, the Olongapo City Regional Trial Court found Atty. Hedy Esmade-Diaz guilty beyond reasonable doubt for Falsification of Document defined and penalized under Art. 141, par. 4 of the Revised Penal Code.

          Records of the case revealed that during an inventory of the properties of the SBMA, it was discovered that certain numbers of equipment and vehicles were missing, and were later traced to be transferred to the City Government of Olongapo, on the basis of a purported Joint Redevelopment and Administration Agreement (JRAA) and “Memorandum of Agreement” (MOA).

          In her Secretary’s Certificate dated 16 July 1998, Diaz stated:

          “x x x

1.    During the One Hundred Ninetieth Regular Meeting of the Board of Directors of the SBMA held last 06 May 1998 at which a quorum was present, the following resolution was unanimously approved:

RESOLVED, AS IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED, that the Memorandum of Agreement between the City of Olongapo and Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) for SBMA to provide the City of Olongapo hospital equipment, public utilities and vehicle is hereby ratified, confirmed and approved.”

          During trial however, Prosecution Bureau Director Rodrigo Coquia of the Office of the Ombudsman’s Office of the Special Prosecutor (OMB-OSP) presented evidence to prove that the said MOA was not included in the Agenda in the Notice of the 190th Meeting of the Board of Directors of the SBMA.

          On the other hand, the purported JRAA was signed by only two of the 15-member board.

          The Decision stated that the certification issued by Diaz caused SBMA to be deprived “of the properties, equipment and vehicles which were transferred in favor of the City government of Olongapo.”

          She was thus sentenced to serve an indeterminate penalty of imprisonment of from six (6) years and one (1) day to eight ( years both of prision mayor.  The decision was penned by the Hon. Presiding Judge, Richard A. Paradeza.

Retired PNP Police Director for Comptrollership ELISEO D. DELA PAZ and his wife ordered charged in connection to the "Eurogen case"
07 July 2011, source: Ombudsman Website

ACTING OMBUDSMAN Orlando C. Casimiro ordered the filing of criminal charges against former PNP Police Director for Comptrollership ELISEO D. DELA PAZ and his wife in connection to the so-called “Euro-generals Case”.

In a Resolution approved by the Acting Ombudsman,dela Paz and his wife  , MARIA FE were charged with violating Circular No. 507 of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).

The said Circular penalizes any person who brings into or takes out of the Philippines foreign currency in excess of $10,000 and fails to declare the same in writing. Failure to disclose in writing is penalized under the BSP Circular in relation to Section 36 of Republic Act 7653 (New Central Bank Act).

During investigation it was established that respondents Dela Paz did not declare the $EU 105,000.00 in their possession at the time they left the Philippines to join the PNP Delegation to the 77th INTERPOL General Assembly in 7-11 October 2008 at St. Petersburg, Russian Federation.
          Additionally, Eliseo Dela Paz was charged with violating Article 237 of the Revised Penal Code for Prolonging the Performance of Duties and Powers.
          The special panel of lawyers of the Ombudsman declared that “Dela Paz willfully and unlawfully continued to exercise the powers and duties of his office as Police Director for Comptrollership by attending the said General Assembly in St. Petersburg despite knowing fully well that he reached the compulsory age of retirement of 56 on 9 October 2008”.
          Further, despite the fact of reaching the age of mandatory retirement, Dela Paz still accepted the designation as Special Disbursing Officer (SDO) of the PNP Delegation as per Office Order No. 17-2008 dated 30 September 2008.
          Both criminal indictments were filed before the Sandiganbayan.

Government, Private Sector Sign Anti-Corruption Covenant
09 December 2011, source: Ombudsman Website

      The Philippines joins other United Nations-member countries in celebrating International Anti-Corruption Day today (09 December 2011) through the signing of a covenant among all branches of government and the private sector for a unified and vigorous effort against corruption.

          The event shall be held at the Garden Ballroom of the EDSA Shangri-La Manila in Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong City.

          Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales leads the signing of the covenant together with the heads of the different branches of government: Executive Secretary Paquito ‘Jojo’ N. Ochoa for the Executive department; Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile for the Senate; Speaker Feliciano ‘Sonny’ R. Belmonte for the House of Representatives; Court Administrator Jose Midas P. Marquez and Sandiganbayan Presiding Justice Francisco H,. Villaruz, Jr. for the Judiciary; and Mr. Tan Ching , President of the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (FFCCCII) for the private sector and Pura Sumangil, Chairperson of the Concerned Citizens of Abra for Good Government (CCAGG) and the  Northern Luzon Coalition For Good Governance (NLCGG)  for the civil society.

          Under the Covenant to Support the National Anti-Corruption Program of Action (NACPA), the parties will commit to “come together and join hands in supporting an anti-corruption convergence process that will promote wide, continuing, and effective participatory consultations among the various stakeholders against corruption and align all anti-corruption initiatives undertaken by government, civil society, and the private sector under a unified comprehensive strategic framework”.

      Ombudsman Morales will also lead the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on the establishment of a Steering Committee to implement the Project on the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Code of Conduct for Business with representatives from the government: Depts. Of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Industry and Securities and Exchange Commission, and from the private sector: National Competitiveness Council, Women’s Business Council of the Philippines and the Asian Institute of Management.

          Under the said MOU, the parties “have agreed to join hands as a multi-sectoral Steering Committee to develop and implement the Philippine-proposed Seminar-Workshop for the Implementation of APEC Code of Conduct for Business and to oversee the implementation of the Operationalization Programme”.

       The two-day seminar-workshop which aims to increase awareness among micro, small and medium enterprises “that corruption is an unacceptable practice according to law”  is set to be held in the first quarter of next year.

       The annual assembly of the Multi-Sectoral Anti-Corruption Council (MSACC) shall also be held on the same day. MSACC serves as the advisory and consultative body of the NACPA.

Caloocan City Mayor Echiverri, 3 others, preventively suspended for 6 months
18 July 2011, source: Ombudsman Website

ACTING OMBUDSMAN Orlando Casimiro placed Caloocan Mayor Enrico R. Echiverri and three others under a six-month preventive suspension for the alleged non-remittance of more  than P38M representing Caloocan City employees’ contributions to the GSIS.

          Aside from Echiverrri, also ordered placed under preventive suspension were City Treasurer Evelina M. Garma, City Budget Officer Jesusa Garcia, and City Accountant Edna Centeno.

The preventive suspension stemmed from the complaint filed by Caloocan Vice-Mayor Edgar R. Erice who alleged that from July 1997 to December 2002 and from January 2007 until 31 December 2010, the premium contributions comprising the personal shares of the employees and Caloocan government shares were not remitted to the GSIS and remained unpaid as of 31 December 2010. Additionally, the employees’ compensation shares from July 1997 to December 2004 and from January 2007 to December 2010 were not remitted to the GSIS. These allegations were confirmed by Robert G. Vergara, President and General Manager of the GSIS.
          GSIS records show that the total obligation of Caloocan City as of 31 December 2010 amounted to PHP 343,814,739.85 representing principal and interest for the unpaid compulsory premiums.
          Allegations were also raised that despite being informed of the unpaid GSIS obligations, Echiverri, together with Garma and Garcia, refused to take action on the matter.  Due to this inaction, Erice made a formal demand to Echiverri, Garma and Centeno for the remittance of the personal shares of the employees amounting to PhP 38,042,916.12, the same already deducted from the salaries of the employees of Caloocan City.
          Acting Ombudsman Casimiro stated that considering that Echiverri, Garma, Garcia and Centeno are all high ranking officials of the local government of Caloocan, their continued presence or stay in the office will be prejudicial in the conduct of the investigation. “The continued discharge of their functions of the respondents may likely influence potential witnesses or tamper with records which may be vital in the prosecution of the case against them’, he said.
          Acting Ombudsman Casimiro directed DILG Sec. Jessie Robredo to immediately implement the order.

DPWH-NCR Director ordered dismissed from the service for untruthful statements in his SALN
22 July 2011, source: Ombudsman Website

ACTING OMBUDSMAN ORLANDO CASIMIRO dismissed from the service a Regional Director of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) for making untruthful statements in his Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Networth (SALN).
          Ordered dismissed from the service was Josefino N. Rigor, Director of the DPWH - National Capital Region (DPWH-NCR), after he was adjudged administratively liable for SERIOUS DISHONESTY and FALSIFICATION OF OFFICIAL DOCUMETNS.
          The Acting Ombudsman acted on the Motion for Reconsideration filed by intervenor Sec. Rogelio L. Singson representing the DPWH, thru the Office of the Solicitor General.
          It will be recalled that in an Order dated 29 April 2011, Rigor was adjudged guilty of simple negligence and fined P1,000 stemming from misrepresentations in the declarations contained in his SALN.
          The Ombudsman resolved that the DPWH has the legal interest in the matter anchored on the right of the Department to select honest and trustworthy employees in order to preserve its integrity.  The DPWH is entitled to intervene as the subject matter is of such direct and immediate character that the intervenor will either gain or lose by the direct legal operation and effect of the judgment.
          The Acting Ombudsman found Rigor to have committed dishonesty for his deliberate and willful non-disclosure of properties registered in the name of his wife, Anastacia Corpus.  Rigor indeed failed to disclose in his SALNs for 1999-2002, the properties of Anastacia including his business interests in two corporations: Kontrata Construction and Development Corporation and Disneyland Bus Line, Inc.
           Additionally, it was ascertained in the investigation that the SALNs submitted by Rigor for 1972-1998 were reconstituted by Rigor and made it appear that these were the same SALNs that he executed from 1972 to 1998 when the truth is there are two different versions of the 29 SALNs. Moreover, these SALNs for 1972-1998 do not bear markings that they were officially received by the Department. The 1981-1998 SALNs are likewise not subscribed as required by law.
          Acting Ombudsman Casimiro said, “From the foregoing, it can be deduced that there was malice or willful intention on the part of Josefino Rigor to commit a dishonest act when he surreptitiously reconstructed his old SALNs and misrepresented these reconstructed documents as copies of then existing in the DPWH official records.”
          The Office of the Ombudsman directed the DPWH to immediately implement the decision.

18 counts of Usurpation of Authority ordered filed against a former Councilor of Pili, Camarines Sur
25 July 2011, source: Ombudsman Website

ACTING OMBUDSMAN ORLANDO CASIMIRO ordered the filing of criminal charges against former Sangguniang Panlalawigan Councilor Carlomagno M. Batalla of Pili, Camarines Sur before the Sandiganbayan.
          Batalla was ordered charged with 18 counts of Usurpation of Authority or Official Function as defined and penalized under Article 177 of the Revised Penal Code (RPC).
          The charges stemmed from Batalla’s acts committed in January-June 2008 wherein he feloniously performed an act pertaining to the Provincial Governor of Camarines Sur, or his authorized representative. Batalla signed and verified as to the prescribed office hours for the Daily Time Record (DTR) of Xandrex M. Batalla,  Julian B. Dela Cruz, and Henry M. Perez, who are job order workers assigned at the Provincial Governor’s Office. The Province uses a computerized biometric machine and video camera to capture the attendance of its employees.
          During investigation, it was established that the three employees were not under Batalla’s direct supervision and control, thus he was clearly unauthorized to sign and verify as to the truth and correctness of the entries made in the DTRs of the three employees.  It was the Office of the Provincial Governor or the Executive Assistant, being the overall administrator of the office that was authorized to do the same under the circumstance.
          Bail recommended is P10,000 for each information.

Ombudsman files graft charges against Bedol
21 July 2011, source: Ombudsman Website

THE Office of the Ombudsman ordered the filing of graft charges against COMELEC Provincial Election Supervisor LINTANG HASIM BEDOL for irregularities committed during the May 2007 elections.
          Deputy Ombudsman for Mindanao Humphrey Monteroso ordered the filing of charges against Bedol for violating Section 3(e) of RA 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act).
          The case stemmed from a complaint filed by Atty. Ferdinand T. Rafanan, Chief of the COMELEC Law Department.
          Bedol was accused of unlawfully and illegally directing the submission to him of all copies of the Municipal Certificate of Canvass (MCOC), Election Returns (ER), Statement of Votes (SOV) and Summary Statement of Votes (SSOV) generated by all precincts in the municipality of Maguindanao. The election documents contained the results for the local and national positions during the 14 May 2007 elections.
          Thereafter however, the said documents they could no longer be located by COMELEC officials despite stringent measures adopted for its safekeeping. As a result, the votes for the province of Maguindanao were not transmitted to the COMELEC, thereby causing undue injury to the government as the canvassing of votes for Senatorial and party-list were unnecessarily delayed and the loss of these documents tainted the image and credibility of the COMELEC as a constitutional and independent body.
          The charges is set to be filed before the Regional Trial Court of Cotobato City. Bail recommended is P30,000.
          Bedol is presently detained at the PNP Custodial Center, Camp Crame, Quezon City following the issuance of an alias warrant of arrest by the COMELEC which found him guilty of contempt.

OMB investigates PCSO fund scam; orders the filing of charges against former Rep. Clavel Martinez and former Mayor Celestino Martines
08 July 2011, source: Ombudsman Website

The Office of the Ombudsman has started looking into the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) Fund Scam.
          Acting Ombudsman Orlando Casimiro has created a special panel tasked to conduct fact-finding investigation into allegations that the PCSO misused its intelligence funds.
          Acting Ombudsman Casimiro said the inquiry will focus on the manner by which PCSO funds were disbursed.
          The Order was issued following revelations made during the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on the disbursements said funds.
          At the same time, the Acting Ombudsman has ordered the conduct of a fact-finding investigation on the complaint filed by two advertising agencies against PCSO Public Relations and Publicity Department Manager Manuel Garcia.
          Garcia was accused of demanding a total of nearly P29M in exchange for the payment of advertising placements and commercial sports of the charitable agency.
          Meanwhile, Acting Ombudsman Casimiro has approved the recommendation charging former Cebu Rep. Clavel Asas Martinez, former Bogo, Cebu Mayor Celestino A. Martinez III  and four other officials of Malversation before the Sandiganbayan.
          Also included in the indictment were Municipal Treasurer Rhett E. Minguez, Municipal Accountant Cresencio P. Verdida, Bookkeeper Rhodariza V. Kilantang, GSP Cebu Council Cashier Julieta G. Quino and former GSP Treasurer Maria Cielo A. Martinez.

          The said officials were likewise charged with violating Section 3 (e) of RA 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act).

The charges stem from the complaint filed by the Office of the Ombudsman’s Field Investigation Office (OMB-FIO) alleging that from September to October 2003, the respondents conspired in misappropriating the amount of P10,000,000 for the personal use and benefit of Congresswoman Martinez. The said amount was taken from the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) for 2003 intended for donation to the GSP Cebu City. The said amount was deposited to the personal account of Clavel Martinez with the BPI.

The Ombudsman was able to establish that a total of P11.5 million PDAF was released thru a check with the GSP/Treasurer as payee of the 17 September 2003 Land Bank check. Later, accused Quino applied for a Manager’s check in the same amount at LBP Bogo, Cebu. In the said application, the payee for the manager’s check shall be GSP or Ma. Cielo A. Martinez.

On 20 October 2003, the amount of P11.5M was deposited at the BPI account of GSP. On 27 October 2003, the amount was withdrawn by Ma. Cielo and was deposited to the BPI account of Clavel Martinez. However, it was established that out of the said amount, P1.5M was erroneously released as part of the PDAF of Martinez, when it was actually a fund for the Bayan Muna Party List. Hence, the same was returned by GSP to the Municipality of Bogo. The municipality then remitted the P1.5M to the proper government coffers. Thus, only P10M remain unaccounted for.

The resolution also emphasized that the said transaction is the same subject matter that was disallowed by the Commission on Audit. Although respondent raised the defense that the amount of P10M was returned to government coffers in 2005, or two years later, it still does not discount the fact that public funds were embezzled and appropriated for personal use.

Congresswoman Martinez was the President of the Girl Scouts of the Philippines Cebu City from 1995-2003.

Acting Ombudsman Orlando Casimiro orders the filing of charges against Pasay City Mayor Antonio Calixto, former Mayor Wenceslao Trinidad and several others
19 July 2011, source: Ombudsman Website

ACTING OMBUDSMAN ORLANDO CASIMIRO ordered the filing of criminal charges against Pasay City Mayor Antonio G. Calixto, former Pasay City Mayor Wenceslao B. Trinidad, along with other high ranking officials of Pasay City in connection with the solid waste management contracts entered into in 2004-2006.
          During the investigation, it was established that Pasay City appropriated P232,320,000 in public funds for garbage disposal and awarded the same to several contractors, namely, Solid Waste Alternative Tech (SWAT), Excellent Transport Services, Inc. (ETSI), RM Maintenance Services, LEG Hauling Services Corporation, Greenline Envirotech Philippines, Inc..
          The contracts for garbage services were awarded without any public bidding conducted for two years. It was also established that the Sangunniang Panglungsod had earlier passed a resolution on 20 January 2004 that declared as void the garbage collection and disposal contracts on the ground that they were entered into without the approved budget for the contract and for being overpriced and prejudicial to the government. One month later, the Sanggunian passed a resolution authorizing Trinidad to extend the contract for a period not exceeding ninety days.
          On 13 February 2004, Trinidad, in the guise of restoring vital services pursuant to RA 9184 (Government Procurement Reform Act), entered into contracts for a period of six months, instead of the authorized 90 day extension.
          Likewise, the testimony provided by Councilor Antonia Cuneta and Generoso Cuneta categorically stated that then Mayor Wenceslao Trinidad, then Vice Mayor Calixto and each of the councilors received monthly kickbacks from the private contractors: Trinidad, P520,000; Calixto, P260,000 and the councilors, P130,000. The Acting Ombudsman found the same to be sufficient to establish probable cause against the respondents for bribery.
          In the investigation, it was established that four sets of contracts were entered into during the two year period wherein a total of P278,455,368 was actually disbursed by the City of Pasay to pay the contractors.
          The respondents did not proffer sufficient explanation as to why they disregarded the rules provided in RA 9184 especially on the requirement of public bidding.
          The Resolution stated that “to stress, the contracts involved millions of pesos. Respondent Trinidad would always ask for contract extensions and the Sanggunian would willingly give it in exchange for the monthly kickbacks.”         It further stated that despite these facts, Calixto did not do anything to protect the interest and welfare of his constituents.It said, “Calixto’s inaction could be easily explained by the glaring truth that he was part of the grand scheme of the public officers and private respondents, in order that they would be assured that they would be awarded contracts, and the latter making sure that they would continue receiving monthly salaries.”
          Acting Ombudsman Casimiro ordered the filing of one count for violation of Section 3 (e) of RA 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act) before the Sandiganbayan against Trinidad; Calixto; City Councilors Richard M. Advincula, Lexter N. Ibay, Jose Antonio F. Roxas, Noel C. Bayona, Arnel Regino T. Arceo, Editha V. Vergel De Dios, Marie Irish P. Pineda, and Greg Paolo N. Alcera; private contractors Ernesto V. Salvador (owner of LEG Hauling Services), Joel C. Ycasas (President, Excellent Transport Services, Inc.), Jeremy R. Paguia (Owner, Solid Waste Alternative Tech), Ma. Marilou E. Baltazar (Owner, RM Maintenance Services) and Alexander K. Tantoco (President, Greenline Envirotech Philippines).
          Additionally, two Informations for violation for Section 3(e) of RA 3019 were filed against Trinidad, Salvador, Ycasas, Paguia, Baltazar, Tantoco.
          Finally, three Informations for Direct Bribery were filed against Trinidad. On the other hand, two Informations for Direct Bribery were filed against Calixto, Advincula, Ibay, Roxas, Bayona, Arceo, Vergel De Dios, Pineda and Alcera.

Acting Ombudsman Casimiro forms SMART!
19 July 2011, source: Ombudsman Website

Acting Ombudsman Orlando Casimiro has spearheaded the creation of a “superbody” which will examine and investigate contracts and transactions entered into by government agencies.
          Dubbed the Special Multi-Agency Reform Team (SMART), the group shall be composed of representatives from the Office of the Ombudsman, the Commission on Audit (COA), the Department of Justice (DOJ), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) and the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR).
          The objective of the Team is to examine and investigate contracts and transactions entered into by government agencies through their respective officials and employees with the end view of expediting the prosecution of all perpetrators of corrupt activities, should the evidence so warrant.
          Its creation is aimed towards the realization of the Ombudsman’s mandate to take effective measures against graft and corruption, and in the exercise of its powers, functions and duties, thus giving life to the President’s mandate of Daang Matuwid. 
            Sec. 15 (4) of RA 6770 (Ombudsman Act of 1989) mandates the Office of the Ombudsman to “direct the officer concerned, in any appropriate case, and subject to such limitations as it may provide in its rules and procedure, to furnish it with copies of documents relating to contracts or transactions entered into by his office involving the disbursement or use of public funds or properties, and report any irregularity to the Commission on Audit for appropriate action”.
          Likewise, Sec. 15 (5) of the said law provides that the Office has the power to request any government agency for assistance and information and to examine pertinent records and documents in the discharge of its functions.
          In a Memorandum Circular, Acting Ombudsman Casimiro has requested the institutional participation, assistance and cooperation of the five agencies in the undertaking of this “superbody”.
          He also directed the Team to meet at the soonest possible time to discuss its plan of action and to immediately implement the same.

Youth Group, Ombudsman Commemorate International Anti-Corruption Day
08 December 2011, source: Ombudsman Website
visit: https://goo.gl/zf9rLb

            The Office of the Ombudsman in partnership with the Department of Education (DepEd) and universities and colleges celebrates today (December 8, 2011) the 15th Anniversary of the Junior Graftwatch Units (JGUs) with its theme, “Strengthening JGU Volunteerism: Youth In Action Against Corruption.”
          The occasion is a prelude to the commemoration of the International Anti-Corruption Day on December 9, 2011.
          The whole day event will be held from 6:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M.
          The celebration starts with “We Walk Our Talk: Alay Lakad Kontra Korupsiyon” at 7:00 A.M.
          OMB officials and employees together with JGUs officers and advisers from the National Capital Region (NCR) with their slogans will march around the Quezon City Circle Bikers Lane.
          This will be followed by the program-proper at 9:00 A.M. and the multi-event competitions from 1:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M., both to be held at the OMB’s Covered Court, Agham Road, Diliman, Quezon City.
          Expected to address the event are Assistant Ombudsman Evelyn A. Baliton, Public Assistance and Corruption Prevention Office (PACPO) and Deputy Ombudsman for Luzon Francis H. Jardeleza.
          The program, part of the OMB’s multi-sectoral strategy, will enjoin and empower the youth sector in graft prevention and control by encouraging them to establish JGUs in schools and communities.
More than 500 high school and collegiate JGU members are expected to participate in several competitions.
          Atty. Rhodora N. Fenix-Galicia, officer-in-charge of the Community Coordination Bureau (CCB) will lead the awarding ceremonies.
            “These contests encourage young and amateur students to express concern, through humor and art, the impact of corruption and its effects in their lives,” Atty. Galicia said.
          She added that “the activity also aims to reaffirm and emphasize the role of the JGU in empowering and developing the young to be productive citizens of the country and responsive to the needs of the times.”

PNP Officials Convicted of Graft
09 November 2011, source: Ombudsman Website
Visit: https://goo.gl/zf9rLb

The Sandiganbayan convicted two retired and seven active police officials for graft in connection with the P38 million worth of ghost purchases in 1992.     

       In a 44-page decision penned by Associate Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo, the Anti- Graft Court’s Fifth Division meted out a penalty of 6 years and 1 month to ten years imprisonment against Chief Supt. (ret.) Everlino  Nartatez;  Sr. Supt. (ret.) Alejandro A. Camello; Supts. Obedio Espeña and Alejandro Camello; Chief Inspectors Jose de Vera and Adolfo Pamplona Sr.; Sr. Insps. Lloyd Cawan and Leo Marzan; and PO3 Ramon Lihay-lihay for violation of Section 3 (e) of Republic Act No. 3019 (Anti- Graft  and Corrupt Practices Act).

      The Court ordered them to pay the government jointly and severally the amount of P 38,275,573.50 that was paid for by the Philippine National Police (PNP) for the Combat Clothing and Individual Equipment (CCIE) but were never delivered.

      They were also perpetually disqualified from holding any government position.

      Records of the case showed that to avoid scrutiny by higher authorities, the multi-million peso deal was maliciously divided into 29 purchases orders from February to June 1992.

      Then Director of the PNP Logistics and Support Command Nartatez, was the one who approved the purchase orders (POs) where the splitting of contracts occurred.

      Marzan acted as the purchasing officer while Espeña, then chief of the PNP Procurement Center, was the one who requested the purchases of the equipment.

     The one who recommended approval of the POs and certified that the expenses were necessary and lawful was Camello, according to the records.

     The rest, meanwhile, were found guilty of conspiring with the higher  ranking officials when they signed the inspection and acceptance report to make it appear that there was actual delivery of the CCIE.

     The Prosecution Team led by Deputy Special Prosecution John I. C. Turalba of the Office of the Special Prosecutor was able to prove that there were no deliveries made of the said equipment.

      In its ruling, the Court noted that there was “a pattern of splitting the POs and checks so the[se] may fall within the signing authority of accused Nartatez. This casts serious doubt on the regularity of the issuance of the POs, DVs (disbursement Voucher), and checks payments.”

      Concurring with the ruling were Associate Justices Alex L. Quiroz and Roland B. Jurado.

Ombudsman Leads Philippine Celebration of International Anti-Corruption Day
06 December 2011, Ombudsman Website

          The Office of the Ombudsman (OMB) leads this year’s weeklong celebration of the International Anti-Corruption Day.
          Highlight of the event will be the signing of a Covenant to Support the National Anti-Corruption Program of Action (NACPA) on December 9, 2011 at the EDSA Shangri-La Hotel in Mandaluyong City.
          Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales leads Executive, Legislative and Judiciary leaders in the signing of the said covenant.
          Expected to grace the event are Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, House Speaker Feliciano ‘Sonny’ Belmonte, Chief Justice Renato Corona and Executive Sec. Pacquito ‘Jojo’ Ochoa.
          The Anti-Graft Office in partnership with the Department of Education (DepEd) will also be celebrating the 15th Anniversary of the Junior Graftwatch Units (JGUs) with this year’s theme, “Strengthening JGU Volunteerism: Youth In Action Against Corruption.”
          The whole day event will be held on December 8 from 6:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M, starting with the “We Walk Our Talk: Alay Lakad Kontra Korupsiyon” around the Quezon City Circle Bikers Lane.
          Multi-Sectoral Anti-Corruption Council (MSACC) and OMB officials and employees together with JGUs officers and advisers from the National Capital Region (NCR) will join the said march.
          The JGU program is part of the OMB’s multi-sectoral strategy to enjoin and empower the youth sector in graft prevention and control by encouraging them to establish JGUs in schools and communities.
          Through a resolution on December 4, 2000, the United Nations General Assembly recognized that an effective international legal instrument against corruption, independent of the United Nations Convention Against Transnational Organized Crime was desirable and decided to establish an ad hoc committee for the negotiation of such an instrument in Vienna at the headquarters of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
          Thus, on October 31, 2003, the UN General Assembly adopted the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) and designated December 9 as International Anti-Corruption Day.
          The Philippine Senate ratified the UNCAC in November, 2006.

Two Manila City Hall employees ordered charged for counterfeiting of subpoenas
23 July 2011, Ombudsman Website

Acting Ombudsman Orlando C. Casimiro ordered the filing of criminal and administrative charges against two employees of the local government of Manila who were arrested for counterfeiting of subpoenas.
          Engr. Edwin Macadangdang and Antonio Gapasin, both employees of the Manila City Hall, were caught in an entrapment operation by the combined elements of the Office of the Ombudsman’ Field Investigation Office (OMB-FIO) and the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-National Capital Region (PNP-CIDG-NCR).
          They are facing an administrative case for grave misconduct (Section 52 (a) (3) Rule IV, of the CSC Resolution No. 99-1936), usurpation of authority or official function (Article 177 of the Revised Penal Code) and falsification by public officer (Article 171 of the RPC).
          Records show that the modus operandi of the respondents involves the issuing of bogus subpoenas which they direct to numerous government agencies requiring them to submit written documents to a specified Post Office (PO) Box.
          It was learned that Gapasin and Macadangdang maintained a PO Box No. 1180 in the Quezon City Central Post Office which was suspiciously registered under the name of one “Orlando C. Casimiro” (the Acting Ombudsman).
          In coordination with the PNP-CIDG, the FIO’s Intelligence Bureau conducted a surveillance operation relative to the illegal activity of the duo which comprises of forging of subpoenas from July 14-18, 2011.
          The authorities then conducted entrapments which led to the separate arrests of Gapasin and Macadangdang, who were using Acting Ombudsman Casimiro’s name.
          Gapasin was caught at the Quezon City Post Office, while Macadangdang was arrested at the City Engineer’s Office of the Manila City Hall.
          Dir. Beda Epres of the Office of the Ombudsman’s Intelligence Bureau said the Office discovered the illegal doings of the two when one of the victims transmitted his response to the Office of the Ombudsman relative to the subpoena instead of sending it to their bogus PO Box.
          Accused are currently detained at the CIDG, PNP at Camp Crame, Quezon City.

Ombudsman Carpio Morales bares 8-point agenda
17 October 2011

Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales laid down the seven-year roadmap of the Office of the Ombudsman, in her first press conference since she assumed office more than two months ago. 

In the presscon held on October 14, 2011 at the Ombudsman Hearing Room, Ombudsman Morales expounded on the Office’s policy thrust and 8-point priorities for 2011 to 2018.  The strategic plan came after a month-long consultation with the various units and bureaus and a week-long pre-planning workshop and executive planning session by Ombudsman officials and employees.

As a policy thrust, Ombudsman Carpio Morales vowed to “enhance the efficiency, effectiveness, transparency, accountability, credibility and responsiveness” of the Office of the Ombudsman towards the “improvement of corruption prevention and control.”  As part of her reform programs, she is vigorously pursuing and prioritizing eight identified agenda:

Disposition of high-profile cases

Ombudsman Carpio Morales vowed to zero in on high-profile cases by prioritizing the disposition of complaints and cases involving high-ranking officials, large sums of money, grand corruption cases, and celebrated or high-profile cases.

Ombudsman Carpio Morales stated that the Office of the Ombudsman “should not be satisfied in catching the ‘small fish,’ as it must go after the school of ‘big fish’ lurking in government offices.”

She explained that the Office of the Ombudsman shall effectively reduce the volume of non-priority complaints and cases â€" i.e., non-corruption cases, frivolous cases, and cases involving offenses committed not in relation to office â€" which may be coordinated with or referred to other forums or agencies upon the forging or renewal of Memoranda of Agreement/Understanding (MOAs/MOUs) with government agencies like the Civil Service Commission and the Department of Justice.             

Zero Backlog

To remedy the heavy caseload of more than 11,000 pending criminal and administrative cases.  Ombudsman Carpio Morales undertook to monitor the strict enforcement of the prescribed time frames under existing rules, which monitoring will be easily facilitated upon the full operation of the computerized and centralized Uniform Case Monitoring System early next year.  She added that cases involving retiring public officials and employees shall also be resolved with dispatch.

“Given the enormity of the workload, it seems like an impossible dream to set a goal of zero backlog, but a seven-year period is ahead of us.  A good start is to gain ground in achieving it and, eventually, sustain that momentum,” she remarked.   She added that zero backlog will depend on the collective efficiency of the entire human resources and the effectiveness of the internal processes.

Ombudsman Carpio Morales revealed the plan of creating a Committee on Rules which will consolidate the Internal Rules and revise the Rules of Procedure of the Office of the Ombudsman.  The Committee â€" to be comprised of Ombudsman officials, senior legal experts, and a member of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines â€" shall revisit and fill in any gap in the systems and processes of the Office.       

Improved “survival” rate of fact-finding
          Under its third priority, the Office of the Ombudsman aims to enhance the quality of the initial stage of fact-finding investigation or evidence-gathering should be enhanced, following the standards of a fair, impartial and expeditious case build-up.  Ombudsman Carpio Morales intends to train field investigators in specialized techniques like forensic engineering and forensic auditing. 

          One specific measure that the Office of the Ombudsman is looking at is the gradual integration of prosecutorial functions, where trial prosecutors at the Office of the Special Prosecutor shall be involved in the preliminary investigation as members of investigating prosecution panels, while graft investigation officers at the Central Office shall be involved in the trial of cases before the Sandiganbayan as members of trial prosecution teams.

Enforced monitoring of referred cases
The Ombudsman also plans to institute a system of monitoring “referred complaints and cases” under Section 23(2) of the Ombudsman Act to ensure no unreasonable delay in the termination of the administrative proceedings.

          She cites as instances the criminal cases referred by the Office of the Ombudsman to the Department of Justice for prosecution in the regular trial courts, which shall be monitored until their final disposition in court; and Ombudsman decisions in administrative cases that are eventually indorsed to the heads of concerned agencies for implementation of the administrative penalty, which shall be strictly monitored to ensure compliance therewith.

Improved responsiveness of public assistance
          She also enjoined Ombudsman officials and employees to render meaningful, responsive, and relevant public assistance.  According to Ombudsman Carpio Morales, a system for active handling of public feedback and redress of grievance  shall be established to ensure compliance with this standard of public service delivery.  She directed the concerned action officer to take sufficient actions under existing rules to address the requests for assistance and cases referred to mediation.

Improved anti-corruption policy and program coordination among sectors
          The Ombudsman maintained a three-pronged approach in the war against corruption:  enforcement, prevention, and anti-corruption promotion.      In devising a multi-sectoral strategy to mobilize the support of stakeholders, Ombudsman specifies that a review of guidelines in the accreditation of private entities as partners/units shall be made.

Rationalization of the functional structure
          Ombudsman Carpio Morales reported that the selection process in the hiring of more than 100 lawyers â€" one of her first pronouncements during her first few days in office â€" is in full swing.     
          Under this seventh priority, the Ombudsman stated that the review of the existing functional structure of the Office is aimed at identifying gaps and overlaps in the discharge of various functions, rationalizing task assignment and division of work processes, and arriving at an accounting of personnel and other resources.  She committed to adopt such structure, staffing pattern, systems, and procedures that are uniform in its central and area/sectoral offices.
          Her initial assessments show that there are units or bureaus that are undermanned while some are over-manned, and the existing staffing pattern shows a drift towards the “career plateauing” at the middle management level.  She warned that appropriate management action shall be taken against all non-performing officials and personnel.

Enhanced transparency and credibility
          The Ombudsman vowed to observe transparency in all its dealings with the public.  She intends to review the existing policy on access to information regarding cases being investigated or prosecuted, and policies regulating personnel action and procurement activities.  According to the Ombudsman, a comprehensive Communication Plan shall be adopted.
          “In improving public perception, however, there is still no substitute to doing one’s job well,” she said.
          Ombudsman Carpio Morales, a retired Justice of the Supreme Court, assumed office a day after President Benigno Aquino III announced her appointment during his State of the Nation Address on July 25, 2011. 

Mexico, Pampanga Mayor, 2 others, ordered charged before the Sandiganbayan
14 July 2011, Ombudsman Website

ACTING OMBUDSMAN Orlando Casimiro ordered the filing of graft charges before the Sandiganbayan against Mexico, Pampanga Mayor Teddy C. Tumang and two others for allowing the conduct of illegal quarrying activities in a private property in 2005.
          Aside from Tumang, also ordered charged for violation of Section 3 (e) of RA 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act) were Barangay Captain Rafael P. Yabut and one Pantaleon C. Martin.
          The Acting Ombudsman found probable cause against the local officials for conducting quarry activities in the property belonging to Eduardo T. Batac. On June 2005, Batac personally saw the damage sustained by the property due to the illegal quarrying as a result of which, the land was reduced to below ground level and became unevenly leveled.  On July 2005, he wrote a letter to Mayor Tumang requesting for the stoppage of illegal quarrying. The Mayor claimed that respondent Martin was a tenant of the said property and that the authority to conduct quarrying was given by the said tenant.
          The Acting Ombudsman likewise adjudged Tumang and Yabut as having committed gross inexcusable negligence in immediately acceding to the request for the removal of lahar deposit in a private property.
          Thus, aside from the filing of criminal charges, Tumang and Yabut were found guilty of Misconduct and for violating RA 6713 (Code of Conduct for Public Officials and Employees) and were meted the penalty of three months suspension without pay.

Ombudsman Carpio Morales Approves Panel’s Report on ‘Chopper’ Case
23 November 2011, sourced from Ombudsman Website

Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales approved yesterday the Investigation Report recommending the conduct of preliminary investigation and administrative adjudication on the alleged anomalous acquisition by the Philippine National Police (PNP) of two Light Operational Police Helicopters (Chopper Case).
          The Special Panel of Investigators, composed of Deputy Special Prosecutor John Turralba and Assistant Ombudsman Joselito Fangon as chairpersons, and Director Maria Olivia Elena Roxas, Graft Investigation and Prosecution Officer Dennis Mendoza, and Graft Investigation and Prosecution Officer John Zernan Sambajon as members, submitted the Investigation Report on time on November 21, 2011.
          The panel acted in compliance with the Ombudsman’s directive dated October 13, 2011 and that issued on October 21, 2011 granting it a 30-day additional period within which to conclude the fact-finding investigation on the Report submitted by the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee and the Complaint filed by the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group.
          In its 98-page Investigation Report, the fact-finding panel found enough evidence to file criminal and/or administrative charges of (i) Violation of Section 3 (e) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act against Jose Miguel “Mike” Arroyo, former DILG Secretary Ronaldo Puno, former PNP Director General Jesus VErzosa, Hilario de Vera, Napolcom Commissioners AVelino Razon Jr., Miguel Coronel, Celia SAnidad-Leones, Director Conrado Sumanga,Jr., and 28 other PNP officers and personnel; (ii) Falsification by Public Officers under Article 171 of the Revised Penal Code against 16 PNP officers and personnel; and (iii) Gross Neglect of Duty and Conduct Prejudicial to the Best Interest of Service against 21 PNP Officers and personnel.
          The fact-finding investigators, as nominal complainants, are filing the formal Complaint/s before a Special Panel of Investigating Prosecutors, created today by Ombudsman Carpio Morales, composed of Director Manuel Soriano,Jr., Director Omar Sagadal, and Director Dennis Garcia, which was given a period of 60 days from the filing of the complaint/s within which to conduct the preliminary investigation and administrative adjudication, and submit its report and recommendation.

Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales suspends two Fire Officials
11 November 2011, For record purposes: sourced from Ombudsman Website

The Office of the Ombudsman suspended two officials of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) for nine months for defrauding a fire victim of her just monetary claims against an insurance company in 2008.
                In a 12-page decision approved by Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales, the Office of the Deputy Ombudsman for the Military and Other Law Enforcement Offices (MOLEO) found F/CSUPT Rolando M. Bandilla, Jr., Acting Chief, Intelligence Division and F/CINSP Jhufel M. Brañanola, Chief, Investigation Division, both of the BFP,   guilty of Conduct Prejudicial to the Best Interest of the Service.
                The case stemmed from a complaint filed by one Emma C. L. Lin, owner of a property located at Cabyawan, Plaridel, Bulacan which was leased to three different companies and was insured under two Fire Policies in the amount of P56M and P20M with the  Malayan Insurance Company Incorporated.
                In her complaint, Lin alleged that Brañanola offered substantial amounts of money to three other Fire Officers “to create a doubt as to their earlier findings that the cause of the fire was accidental in nature” and that Bandilla “used his official position to whimsically and arbitrarily accede to the request of Malayan for the reevaluation of the 2nd Report despite strong opposition on the part of the complainant.”
                Records of the case revealed that on February 24, 2008 at around 3:00 A.M, a fire broke out within complainant’s  property. The fire incident, which reached 4th alarm fire status, was declared officially “fire-out” at around 7:00 A.M. As such, the property was destroyed by fire, including all other properties found therein.
                In the first findings of the BFP, it was reported that the “fire incident was accidental in nature,” and that “the cause of the fire can attributed to electrical ignition primarily due to grounding.”
                After receiving a Fire Clearance Certification, Lin filed her claim before Malayan  but her claim was denied by the insurance company, prompting her to elevate the matter before the Insurance Commission.
                 On April 20, 2009, Bandilla issued an order for the composition of the Panel of Arson Investigators to re-investigate the fire incident.
                Subsequently, on June 11, 2009, Insurance Commissioner Eduardo Malinis recommended that the company should reconsider its denial of the insurance claim of the complaint.
                This prompted Malayan to request for reconsideration from BFFP of its 2nd report.
A second Panel led by Brañanola was created through a memorandum issued by Bandilla.
The panel recommended to the Acting Chief, BFP to consider and declare [the] fire incident that gutted the [subject property] to be “undetermined” due to the alleged contradicting findings of the BFP and the forensic report conducted by Malayan. The said report was approved and signed by Bandilla.
         In her letter-request to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Lin asked the bureau to probe the alleged irregularities in the issuance of the BFP’s third findings.
         On the basis of its own investigation, the Anti-Fraud and Computer Crimes Division of the NBI found that “by their collective acts of defrauding the fire victims, an inference can be drawn that Bandilla…and Brañanola acted in conspiracy with each other in order to create doubt in the findings of the BFP.”
          Based on her complaint before the Anti-Graft Office, Lin stated that she was defrauded of her just monetary insurance claims against Malayan through the said respondents’ sinister acts.
          In its ruling, the Office said that “ with all the foregoing elucidations, this Office finds sufficient substantial evidence against respondents for the administrative transgression of conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service for they acted in conspiracy in the discharge of their respective official administrative functions, so as to create doubts as to its previous findings and with the end view of having complainant’s legitimate insurance claim denied, through manifest partiality and evident bad faith xxx” .
          Justice Morales ordered Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo to immediately implement the suspension.
          At the same time, charges of Violation of Sec. 3(e) of RA 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act) were filed against the two Fire Officers before the Sandiganbayan.

Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales orders the hiring of new lawyers
15 August 2011

In a bid to ensure the speedy disposition of cases at the Office of the Ombudsman, Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales has ordered the hiring of more than a hundred lawyers for the Office.
          This is one of the first steps taken by the newly-appointed Ombudsman upon her assumption to said office.
          Ombudsman Morales said the Office “intends to hire more than a hundred lawyers as Graft Investigation and Prosecution Officers and Assistant Special Prosecutors.”
          She said the Office is looking for competent lawyers with unquestionable integrity, who have at least three years of relevant experience in the practice of law. Interested parties are advised to await the vacancy announcement and bulletin updates to be published at the OMB website (www.ombudsman.gov.ph) for other qualification standards and further details.
          At present, Ombudsman Morales is conducting and overseeing an intensive assessment and review of the existing systems and programs of the Office through a series of consultations and strategic planning during the transition phase.
          This is the reason the Ombudsman has not granted interviews with the Office’ media partners. She thus begs the “indulgence of our partners in the media industry”. She said however that the Office is committed to transparency in informing the public of its immediate program of action and concrete plans once they are finalized after a series of consultations and strategic planning.

Rep. Radaza, 19 Others, Ordered Charged for Overpriced Computers
02 December 2011, source: Ombudsman Website

            Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales ordered the filing of graft charges against former Lapu-lapu City Mayor now Rep. Arturo O. Radaza and other local officials of Lapu-lapu City, Cebu for the irregular purchase of personal computers in 2005.

            In the Information approved by Ombudsman Morales, named respondents were then Lapu-lapu City Mayor Radaza, City Schools Superintendent Serena Uy, former Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) Chairman Vincent Joseph Lim, current BAC Chairman Teodulo Ybanez, BAC Vice-Chairman Fernando Tagaan, Jr., and BAC members Michael Dignos, Victoria Andoy, and Elena Pacaldo.

            Also impleaded were Technical Working Group (TWG) Head Rogelio Veloso and TWG members Cipirano Flores, Sharon Baguio, Buenaventura Igot, Jerico Mercado and Maribeth Sorono, Administrative Aide III Marita Guiao of the Procurement Section, and Inspection Committee members Cleofe Solis, Leandro Dante, Ernesto Imbong, and Rogaciano Tampus, and private individual Jennet Valencia, Manager and Proprietor of Kein Enterprises (KE).

            The case arose from a complaint filed by the Coralpoint Educational Foundation, Inc. in Lapu-lapu City against the said officials for allegedly conspiring with each other in causing the overpriced purchase of 470 computer units for the national and public high schools of Lapu-lapu City.

            The complaint alleged that then Mayor Radaza approved a Purchase Request by the Dept. of Education , Lapu-lapu City Division for the acquisition of the said computers, estimated at P50,000 each for a total of P23.5M.

            During the bidding process, only KE qualified. KE offered and was subsequently awarded the contract to supply 470 computer units at P49,950 each, for a total price of P23,476,500.

            Investigation conducted by OMB-Visayas revealed that KE delivered items which were of inferior quality hence , was not in compliance with that specified in the Purchase Order. It was also revealed prevailing market price for the computers with the same specifications was only P23,100 per unit or a total amount of only P10,857,000 or a difference of P12,619,500.

            OMB-Visayas investigators stated that the “disparity of P26,850 (P49,950 less P23,100) or a mark-up of 116% from P23,100” is far beyond the 10% which is allowed under Sec.3.1 of Commission on Audit (COA) Memorandum No. 97-012 s. 1997.

            They added that “it is clear that respondents acted with manifest partiality for Ken Enterprises and with evident bad faith against the government.”

            Hence, each of the above-stated respondents was ordered charged with Violation of Sec. 3(e) of RA 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act) before the Sandiganbayan.

            Bail recommended was P30,000 each.

Statement of Assistant Ombudsman Asryman T. Rafanan on the "Chopper Case"
21 October 2011
          In compliance with the Ombudsman’s directive dated October 13, 2011, the Panel of Investigators submitted today an Initial Evaluation Report which recommends a period of thirty (30) days for it to validate the voluminous documents, in coordination with the concerned government agencies, and submit a Final Investigation Report.

Sandiganbayan convicts officials of Batuan, Bohol
14 December 2011

source: Ombudsman Website - The Office of the Ombudsman secured the conviction of two ranking local officials of the municipality of Batuan, Bohol who unlawfully disbursed public funds in the amount of more than P250,000 from 1993 to 1997.
          In a 56-page decision, the Sandiganbayan sentenced Necitas Dumagan Jr., former mayor of Batuan, Bohol and his co-accused, former municipal treasurer Primitivo Digamon from six years and one month to 10 years imprisonment and six months for each of the nine counts of Violation of RA 3019 ( Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act)  and an indeterminate sentence of 12 years to 20 years imprisonment for two counts of Malversation of Public Funds (Art. 217 of the Revised Penal Code).
          They were also ordered to pay jointly and severally a total of P256,823 in actual damages, fine of P34,612.95 with perpetual special disqualification.
          In addition, Digamon  was sentenced from six years and one month to 10 years imprisonment and six months for another count of Violation of RA 3019 due to a check he fraudulently released where he was the single signatory. He was also ordered to jointly and severally pay the amount of P50,000 as actual damages.
          A letter-complaint was earlier filed before the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas requesting for an “immediate investigation of check disbursements” which were allegedly issued without vouchers for the said period.         
         During investigation, the municipal treasurer did not submit vouchers or payrolls to support the fund releases despite demand letters forwarded to him in 2001.         
          He also failed to account for why none of the released checks were recorded in the General Fund ledger.
          In the decision penned by Associate Justice Alexander Gesmundo, the Anti-Graft Court’s Fifth Division said “being public officers, they are aware that their signatures in the said checks were indispensable before any disbursement and release of public funds.”
          The Court said that instead of presenting supporting evidence, “Digamon simply resorted to general statements that the checks were drawn to defray salaries of employees, supplies and materials and various projects of the municipality while Dumagan plainly maintained that the checks were properly supported by vouchers when they were presented for his signature.”
          Thus, according to the Anti-Graft Court, the Office of the Ombudsman’s Prosecution Team led by Assistant Special Prosecutor III Froilan Dayco “has established a valid inference of misappropriation for the failure of [the two] accused to account for the disbursement of said checks.”
          Concurring with the decision were Associate Justices Roland Jurado and Napoleon Inoturan.

Ombudsman files graft cases re: NBN ZTE deal
29 December 2011 - source, Ombudsman Website

The Office of the Ombudsman filed with the Sandiganbayan yesterday afternoon three Informations against former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo (GMA) in connection with the NBN-ZTE deal.

Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales approved yesterday the 43-page Resolution submitted on December 23, 2011 by the Investigating Panel that recommended the filing of the Informations, after the panel conducted preliminary investigation on the Complaint filed by Bayan Muna Rep. Teddy Casiño, former Gabriela Representative Liza Maza, and BAYAN Chairperson Maria Carolina Pagaduan-Araullo.

GMA was charged with violating (i) Section 3(g) of Republic Act (RA) No. 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, (ii) Section 3(i) of RA 3019, and (iii) Section 7(d) of RA No. 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.

Likewise charged in the first Information of having conspired with GMA were former First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo, former Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) Secretary Leandro Mendoza, and former Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman Benjamin Abalos, Sr.

The five-person Investigating Panel, composed of Assistant Ombudsman Marilou Ancheta-Mejica, Director Nellie Boguen-Golez, Assistant Special Prosecutor III Roland Galvan, Graft Investigation and Prosecution Officer II (GIPO II) Leilani Tagulao-Marquez, and GIPO II Richard Buban, was given thirty (30) days, in an Office Order dated November 23, 2011, within which to complete the preliminary investigation and submit its report and recommendations.

Under RA 3019, Section 3(g) penalizes the act of “[e]ntering, on behalf of the government, into any contract or transaction manifestly and grossly disadvantageous to same, whether or not the public officer profited or will profit thereby;” while Section 3(i) penalizes that of “[d]irectly or indirectly becoming interested, for personal gain, or having a material interest in any transaction or act requiring the approval of a board, panel or group of which he is a member, and which exercises discretion in such approval, even if he votes against the same or does not participate in the action of the board, committee, panel or group” wherein “nterest for personal gain shall be presumed against those public officers responsible for the approval of manifestly unlawful, inequitable, or irregular transactions or acts by the board, panel, group to which they belong.”

Under RA 6713, Section 7(d) prohibits public officials and employees from “solicit[ing] or accept[ing], directly or indirectly, any gift, gratuity, favor, entertainment, loan or anything of monetary value from any person in the course of their official duties or in connection with any operation being regulated by, or any transaction which may be affected by the functions of their office.”

In the same Resolution, the Office of the Ombudsman dismissed for insufficiency of evidence the criminal charge of plunder as against the four respondents, the criminal charges of violations of Section 3 (b) and (e) of RA 3019 as against GMA, Mr. Arroyo and Mr. Mendoza; and the criminal charge of Section 7 (d) of RA 6713 as against Mr. Arroyo and Mr. Mendoza. The criminal charge of violations of Sections 4 and 5 of RA 3019 against Mr. Arroyo was also dismissed for lack of jurisdiction. Moreover, the panel recommended the conduct of fact-finding investigation against Emmanuel Ang, Philippine Commercial Attaché, for Infidelity in the Custody of Documents.

DOE, EU to Support Sustainable Energy in Rural Areas

ADDRESSING ACCESS TO SUSTAINABLE POWER AND ENERGY EFFICIENCY: The 3rd ASEP Steering Committee Meeting was held last 15 November at the DOE-Audio Visual Room in Taguig City.  Representing the DOE were (seated L-R) Dir. Angelina Manga-Administrative Services, Dir. Araceli Soluta-Financial Services, Usec. Felix William Fuentebella, (standing L-R) Dir. Mylene Capongcol-Renewable Energy Management Bureau (REMB), Arthus Tenazas-Legal Services, Dir. Mario Marasigan-Electric Power Industry Management Bureau (EPIMB), Dir. Jesus Tamang-Energy Utilization and Management Bureau and DOF officials, together with counterpart representatives of the EU Delegation were (seated R-L) Dir. Danielle Marie Rieza Culangen-Legal Services, Josephine Tioseco-Non-Key Expert Energy Efficiency, Mr. Enrico Strampelli-Head Development Section, discussed the synchronization of work plans towards the total rural electrification vision of the government using sustainable energy and energy efficiency to empower the Filipinos.

(Taguig City). The government will exert greater efforts to provide sustainable energy to rural communities through its ongoing partnership with the European Union's Access to Sustainable Energy Programme (ASEP), the Department of Energy (DOE) said today.

During the 3rd ASEP Steering Committee Meeting held at the DOE AVR room last 15 November, Energy Undersecretary Felix William B. Fuentebella said “Energy Sec. Alfonso G. Cusi requires that ASEP work plans should be synchronized with the Philippine Energy Plan and the sectoral roadmaps.”

“We have to focus on energy efficiency and capacity building to further empower our people, especially those living in the rural communities,” Fuentebella emphasized.

A 6-month progress report covering April-September 2017 submitted to the DOE enumerated work programs already met under the subcomponents of rural electrification, energy efficiency and capacity development programs.

As to rural electrification, completed and undergoing final review by the DOE were: the policies for Missionary Electrification Subsidy Rationalization, Streamlining and Harmonizing Power Contracting Process for Off-Grid and its Implementing Rules and Regulations together with the Enhancing Policy and Regulations to Attract Off-Grid Investments,

For energy efficiency, completed while the preparation of recommendations on Product Particular Requirements (PPRs) for TVs, washing machines and electric fans will continue were: the program for appliance standards and labeling, including the development of PPRs for LED lamps.

Fuentebella said “The DOE-ASEP cooperation initiated a market survey for LED lamps and the design of energy labels for LED, aircon and refrigerators.”

“We are also working with EU-ASEP in drafting a national strategy for energy efficiency in the power sector, strengthening the Government Energy Management Program through building energy performance standards and benchmarking, including reviewing the Energy Efficiency Bill for finalization,” the Energy Official added.

On the capacity development subcomponent, Fuentebella clarified that there will be workshops for the implementation in 2017 until mid-2018 with high-level study abroad, among others.

All of these efforts according to Fuentebella will contribute to fulfilling the three key results areas for the program:
       
1. Strengthening the capacity of energy sector stakeholders to pursue a pro-poor sustainable energy policy and institutional reforms;
2. Facilitating investments aimed at increasing access to renewable energy in rural, remote and high-poverty areas, especially in Mindanao; and
3. Promoting pro-poor and disaster-resilient innovative energy solutions for job creation and wider access, such as solar or hydropower pumps, solar lanterns and solar dyers.

The ASEP is a joint undertaking of the DOE and the EU to promote total electrification, energy security, efficiency and sustainability in the Philippines.

“The DOE remains committed to empowering all Filipinos, especially those who are marginalized and underprivileged, through sustainable and affordable energy options,” Fuentebella concluded.

By Mike Frialde, Philippine Star, March 24, 2000

The Philippine National Police (PNP) is beefing up its intelligence gathering
in Central Visayas following Thursday's ambush by the New People's Army (NPA)
on an Army unit in Sagbayan, Bohol, killing seven soldiers and five
militiamen.

PNP chief Deputy Director General Panfilo Lacson said he has ordered police
units in the Central Visayas "to remain vigilant," adding, "There is a
possibility that the rebels will be attacking police stations next."

Lacson admitted that the Central Visayas police, headed by Chief Superintendent
Tiburcio Fusillero, his classmate in the Philippine Military Academy, received
no prior intelligence information about the Bohol ambush.

"Bohol has always been a hotbed of communist rebel activities. They used to
attack detachments of the military's regional mobile group. Now they are
targeting police detachments," he said.

Last year, the NPA raided a police detachment in Batuan, Bohol and carted away
high-powered firearms.

Headlines ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1

Police and military forces are bracing for more rebel attacks as the NPA marks
its anniversary on March 26.

The NPA ambushed in Barangay Sta. Catalina, Sagba-yan, Bohol government
reinforcements trying to intercept rebels who attacked an Army detachment in
nearby Balilihan six hours earlier.

Among the dead was Army 2nd Lt. Socrates Kue, team leader of a unit of the 7th
Special Forces Company that was trying to intercept the fleeing Balilihan
attackers.

Two other Army troopers, Sgt. Ricky Pacullo and Cpl. Sixto Roncale, and a
militiaman, Allan Avila, were wounded and taken to the Governor Vicente
Gallares Memorial Hospital in Tagbi-laran, 76 kilometers away.

Pacullo said his unit was aboard an Army truck when about 40 rebels opened fire
on them from both sides of the road.

Maj. Michael Manquiquis, public information officer of the Armed Forces'
Visayas Command (Viscom), said only 10 bodies have been recovered in
Sagbayan.

Manquiquis said the ambushers were not the same rebel group that attempted to
overrun the detachment in Balilihan.

Diversionary tactic

Gen. Santos Gabison, Viscom commander, said the attack in Balilihan was just a
diversionary tactic and that the rebels' real intention was to ambush the
reinforcing troops.

Another rebel group was also sighted in nearby Catigbian, apparently also
positioned for an ambush in case the Army reinforcements pass through
Sagbayan.

There are suspicions the rebel group was led by Domingo Compoc, a leader of
Front 1 of the NPA's Central Visayas Regional Party Committee.

Communist rebels were also being blamed for attacks on the Department of
Energy's head offices in Makati City and on two petroleum depots in Negros
Oriental.

The attacks on the depots of Pilipinas Shell and Petron in Barangay Tampi,
Amlan, Negros Oriental were carried out within six hours of each other.

Seven men aboard a jeep fired two rifle-launched grenades and sprayed about 100
rounds of ammunition at the Shell and Petron depots in Amlan at 9:45 p.m. last
Wednesday.

Negros Oriental police director Voltaire Calzado said the rebels did not
attempt to enter the depots and the attack, despite its intensity, caused only
minor damage.

He said the police have not identified any suspects, but Negros is a stronghold
of the Revolutionary Proletarian Army-Alex Boncayao Brigade (RPA-ABB), a
breakaway faction of the pro-Sison communist group.

Last month, the RPA-ABB threatened to target oil depots if another oil price
increase was imposed.

Checkpoints were immediately established in the Negros Oriental towns of San
Jose, Sibulan and Pamplona.- With Freeman News Service

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Christian Anger

("Be angry, and do not sin": do not let the sun go down on your wrath. Ephesians 4:26)

Few things are more destructive to Christians than anger. Anger causes us to lose our self-control and to say and do things we would otherwise never consider. Anger, if allowed to remain, turns into bitterness that eats away at our hearts. Scripture consistently commands believers to put away anger and lists it as one of the sins of the flesh (Eph. 4:31). At times, we try to defend our anger by citing Ephesians 4:26. As additional proof we argue that Jesus cleansed the temple in “righteous indignation.” Ephesians refers to anger that does not lead to sin. Jesus was capable of being angry without sinning. When Jesus cleared the temple, Scripture does not indicate that He was angry (Matt. 21:12-14; Mark 11:15-18; Luke 19:45-46). We must be careful not to justify our anger with Scripture. Ephesians 4:31 commands us to put away all anger. That does not mean that we cease to have strong convictions or lose our desire for justice. It does mean we refuse to allow the sins of others to cause us to sin. Anger does not bring about God’s redemptive work; far more often it hinders what God is working to accomplish. If you feel that you have a righteous anger because of something that has happened, see if you are holding anger in your heart without sin. Is your anger turning into bitterness? Is your anger causing you to speak in an unchristian manner to someone or to gossip about them? Is your anger causing you to make excuses for your own ungodly behavior? Is your anger preventing you from acting in a loving, redemptive, and Christlike way toward someone? You must examine any anger within you and allow God to remove any sinful attitudes that your anger may have produced. - Henry and Richard Blackaby

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Here are what we have learned from our look at the research:

Instagram’s young audience likes current, creative, and useful content
Posting frequency is not as important as posting consistency
There isn’t a universal best time to post on Instagram
Businesses cannot ignore Instagram Stories
Using both hashtags and location tag drives the most engagement
Videos might overtake images as the most engaging type of content
User-generated content drives growth and convers

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THE HONORABLE FREDERICK W. SIAO
Lone District of Iligan City
Vice Chair, Committee on Tourism
Member, Committees on Appropriations, Mindanao Affairs,
Economic Affairs, and 7 other committees
Facebook: /congressmansiao
Twitter: @freddiesiao

MINDANAO SOLON: DISKARTENG WIN-WIN SOLUTION NI DIGONG SA SOUTH CHINA SEA DAPAT SUPORTAHAN

Nagpahayag ng suporta si Iligan Lone District Congressman Frederick Siao sa “non-confrontational strategy” ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte para makakuha ng pagkakasundo sa ASEAN Code of Conduct sa isyu ng sigalot sa South China Sea.

“Di gaya ng mga kritiko na puro batikos at haka-haka lamang ngunit walang namang access sa mga classified intelligence hinggil sa mga tunay na taya sa South China Sea at sa galaw ng China at ng iba pang claimants, batid ni Pangulong Duterte ang tunay na sitwasyon sa ASEAN region,” paliwanag ni Siao.

“Bilib ako sa political skills, negotiation abilities, at personal rapport ni Pangulo Duterte sa mga heads of state ng ASEAN kabilang na sa lider ng China,” pagtatanggol ni Siao sa Pangulo.

Sa pananaw ni Siao, “layunin ng Pangulong Duterte na makamit ang diplomatikong win-win solution sa pag-ayos ng gusot sa South China Sea, imbes na winner-takes-all na tindig na gustong mangyari ng mga kritiko.”

“Ang pagkuha ng loob at tiwala ng mga bansa ang tunay na pangmatagalang solusyon sa South China Sea dispute. Di ito nangyayari nang agaran. It takes time,” wika ni Siao.

Si Siao ay kasapi ng Committee on the East ASEAN Growth Area, Committee on Economic Affairs, at Committee on Mindanao Affairs sa Kamara. (WAKAS)

REFERENCES:
https://www.rappler.com/nation/187962-duterte-xi-code-conduct-south-china-sea-militarization
https://news.mb.com.ph/2017/11/13/ph-china-coast-guards-agree-to-communicate-coordinate-better/

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THE HONORABLE HENRY C. ONG
2nd District of Leyte

Vice Chair, Committee on Banks & Financial Intermediaries

Member, Committees on Transportation, Visayas Development, Economic Affairs, and 8 other committees
MGA BANGKO HINIMOK PADALIIN PARA SA OVERSEAS PINOYS ANG PAGPAPADALA NG REMITTANCE

Hinimok ni Leyte 2nd District Congressman Henry Ong ang banking and remittance sector sa bansa na padaliin para sa mga Pilipinong nasa abroad na magpadala ng remittance papasok dito sa Pilipinas.

Ginawa ni Ong ang panawagan sa gitna ng ulat ng Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas na bumaba nitong buwan ng Setyembre nang mahigit walang porsiyento ang cash remittance galing sa mga land-based overseas pinoy dulot ng desisyon ng ilang bangko sa abroad na magtuon sa kani-kanilang home market.

Saudi Arabia, na sinundan ng Kuwait, Qatar, at Australia ang mga bansa na nagtala ng pinakamalaking pagbaba sa halaga ng remittance, ayon sa BSP.

Sa ulat ng BSP, pumalo lamang sa $2.2 billion ang cash remittances ng mga land-based overseas Filipinos nitong Setyembre kumpara sa $2.8 billion noong Agosto 2017.

Suhestiyon ni Ong sa banking and remittance sector, magbukas ng mga bagong service facilities, pahabain ang banking hours, paghusayin ang online services, at makipag-tie-up sa mga money transfer agency sa bansa para di maaapektuhan ang mga kaanak sa Pilpinas na naghihintay ng padala mula sa abroad dahil may hagupit din ito sa ekonomiya ng Pilipinas.

Ang $360 million na ibinaba ng remittances kasi (katumbas ng P18 billion) ay malaking halagang hindi natanggap ng mga pamilya dito sa Pilipnas na maaari sanang nakatugon sa kanilang pang-araw-araw na pangangailangan.

“Nananawagan ako sa Land Bank of the Philippines, ang opisyal na depository bank ng gobyerno, na manguna sa inisyatibong padaliin ang pagpapadala ng remittance papasok sa Pilipinas at unahin ang mga overseas pinoy sa Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, and Australia,” wika ni Ong na Vice Chair ng House Committee on Banks and Financial Intermediaries.

“Kailangang kumilos agad ang Landbank dahil inaaasahang dadagsa ang remittance pagpasok ng Pilipinas sa darating na Nobyembre hanggang Enero sa susunod na taon,” paalala ni Ong.

REFERENCES:
http://www.bsp.gov.ph/publications/media.asp?id=4534 
http://business.inquirer.net/235569/landbank-remittance-postbank-acquisition-2022-share-overseas-filipino-bank  https://www.landbank.com/iEasy-Padala

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STATEMENT BY THE HONORABLE
BERNADETTE “BH” HERRERA-DY
Bagong Henerasyon Party-list
Chair, Committee on Public Information


LADY SOLON LAUDS MAKATI MED FOR RECONNECTING SEVERED ARM OF MRT 3 ACCIDENT VICTIM

I congratulate the doctors and management of the Makati Medical Center for saving the arm of Ms. Angeline Fernando after it got severed in an accident yesterday at the MRT 3.

However, the obligations of MRT 3 to Miss Fernando are not yet over. MRT 3 must continue to address all her medical and recovery needs, including helping finding a solution to her apparent aversion to crowded public places.

Ms. Fernando will be absent from work while she recovers. I hope she will still have work to return to. MRT 3, representing the government, must stand by her during this difficult time. PhilHealth and DOH and DSWD should also extend assistance.

As Chair of the House Committee on Public Information and Member of the House Committee on Metro-Manila Development, I call on MRT 3 and the DOTR to submit a written report to Congress detailing how the accident involving Ms. Fernando happened and their response measures and changes to security and safety protocols.

I also ask MRT 3 to submit to Congress a copy of the raw footage of the incident. (END)

REFERENCES:
http://cnnphilippines.com/transportation/2017/11/15/mrt-arm-accident.html 
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/945341/transportation-accident-mrt-3-angeline-fernando

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THE HONORABLE SALVADOR B. BELARO, JR.
1-Ang Edukasyon Party-list
Assistant Majority Leader

A PRAGMATIC VIEW OF THE ASEAN CONSENSUS ON MIGRANT WORKERS’ RIGHTS

While the ASEAN Consensus on the Protection and Promotion of the Rights of Migrant Workers is hailed as a step forward, I note that the document is not legally binding and an action plan has yet to be worked out. I note also how it took 10 years for the consensus to be forged and evolve since the Cebu Declaration.

“The ASEAN Consensus stipulates the general principles, fundamental rights of migrant workers and members of their families, specific rights of migrant workers, obligations and commitments of ASEAN Member States. It aims to establish a framework for closer cooperation among member states on addressing migrant workers’ issues in the region. While it is non-legally binding, the ASEAN Consensus is considered a living and evolving document.” (ASEAN website).

Add to these concerns the fact that among the ASEAN Member-Countries, only the Philippines and Indonesia have ratified the UN Convention on Migrant Workers. Cambodia is a signatory but has not yet ratified the convention. The other ASEAN Members did not sign on to the UN convention. Timor-Leste, which applied to join ASEAN in 2011 and is a dialogue partner of the regional grouping for now, ratified the convention in January 2004.

If the other ASEAN countries ratify the UN convention, that would be more reassuring to the migrant workers across the region.

There are about 212 thousand Filipino migrant workers in Southeast Asia. It would surely be better for their welfare if their host countries have migrant protection laws like the ones the Philippines has: RA 8042 (Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995) and RA 10022 which amended and improved RA 8042.

“The ASEAN Consensus is the result of extensive discussions, information sharing, and constructive negotiations since 2009 under the leadership of the ASEAN Labor Ministers,” according to the ASEAN website.

Sounds like it would take probably take at least another 10 years for the other ASEAN countries to enact migrant worker laws similar to those of the Philippines.

In the meantime, As Member of the House Committee on East ASEAN Growth Area, I urge the Department of Labor and Employment to further enhance its protection measures and procedures for the protection of Filipino migrant workers wherever they may be deployed.

Congress can, for its part, network with legislators of ASEAN and present the Philippines’ migrant worker laws as a model piece of national legislation. (END)

REFERENCES:

http://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/2010/03/10/republic-act-no-10022-s-2010/
http://www.poea.gov.ph/laws&rules/files/Migrant%20Workers%20Act%20of%201995%20(RA%208042).html
http://asean.org/asean-leaders-commit-safeguard-rights-migrant-workers/
http://asean.org/?static_post=asean-declaration-on-the-protection-and-promotion-of-the-rights-of-migrant-workers
https://www.rappler.com/world/regions/asia-pacific/161239-philippines-asean-treaty-migrant-workers
https://reliefweb.int/report/world/asean-mps-call-stronger-protections-migrants-and-refugees
http://globalnation.inquirer.net/162455/asean-leaders-forge-accord-protect-regions-migrant-workers
http://www.unesco.org/new/en/social-and-human-sciences/themes/international-migration/international-migration-convention/
https://treaties.un.org/Pages/showDetails.aspx?objid=080000028004b0a9&clang=_en
http://www.ohchr.org/EN/ProfessionalInterest/Pages/CMW.aspx
https://treaties.un.org/Pages/ViewDetails.aspx?src=IND&mtdsg_no=IV-13&chapter=4&clang=_en
https://treaties.un.org/doc/source/docs/A_RES_45_158-E.pdf

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SAN FRANCISCO (AP) â€" Ramon Regalado was starving and sick with malaria when he slipped away from his Japanese captors during the infamous 1942 Bataan Death March in the Philippines, escaping a brutal trudge through steamy jungle that killed hundreds of Americans and thousands of Filipinos who fought for the U.S. during World War II.

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THE HONORABLE HENRY C. ONG
2nd District of Leyte
Vice Chair, Committee on Banks & Financial Intermediaries
Member, Committees on Transportation, Visayas Development, Economic Affairs, and 8 other committees

SOLON URGES PHL BANKS TO MAKE IT EASIER FOR OVERSEAS FILIPINOS TO REMIT THEIR EARNINGS

Landbank, other banks asked to prioritize OFWs in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Australia

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said today in a news release the 8.3 percent drop to $2.2 billion in cash remittances from land-based overseas Filipinos last September may have been affected by the decision of some banks to shut down “their service facilities on money service business, reflective of the increasing global trend to reduce correspondent banking relationships and focus more on home market.”

Statistically, I do note that the August 2017 total personal remittances level was a high $2.8 billion, so the $2.44 billion figure of September was a drop of about $360 million and explains some of the 8.3 percent drop, but $2.44 billion still sustains the above-$2 billion trend line that began in March 2014.

“The countries that registered the biggest declines in cash remittances in September were Saudi Arabia, followed by Kuwait, Qatar, and Australia,” the BSP said.

However, the BSP observed that for Saudi Arabia, “the decline in remittances could partly be the result of the continued repatriation of overseas Filipino workers under the Saudi Arabian Amnesty Program which started last March 2017.”

“On 26 September 2017, the Saudi government extended the amnesty program anew and a total of 8,467 undocumented Filipinos already availed of the initial offer, according to the DFA,” the BSP also said.

I am concerned about the BSP observation on some bank service facilities shutting down their money service business abroad and making it difficult for overseas Filipinos to send their earnings to Filipinos here at home.

As Vice Chair of the House Committee on Banks and Financial Intermediaries and Member of the House Committee on Economic Affairs, I am therefore urging the Philippine banking and remittances sectors to step up and step forward to address this gap. Open more service facilities, extend banking hours, improve your online remittance services, and forge new remittance relationships with money transfer agencies overseas.

I also call upon the Land Bank of the Philippines, the government’s official depositary bank and proponent of the Overseas Filipino Bank, to lead the way in serving Filipinos abroad. Prioritize Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, and Australia.

The $360 million drop in remittances last September translates to at least P18 billion when converted into pesos. That is a whole lot of cash Filipino families did not receive and could have addressed pressing household needs.

Land Bank and the other banks must act fast. More remittances are coming this November, December, and until January next year which are peak months for remittances.  (END)

REFERENCES:
http://www.bsp.gov.ph/publications/media.asp?id=4534 
http://business.inquirer.net/235569/landbank-remittance-postbank-acquisition-2022-share-overseas-filipino-bank  https://www.landbank.com/iEasy-Padala

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STATEMENT BY THE HONORABLE RON P. SALO, KABAYAN Party-list
Assistant Majority Leader

RAPID FIRST AID SAVED MS. ANGELINE FERNANDO

Rep. Salo to rename his Emergency Medical Services System bill after Dr. Charlie Jandic

Swift emergency medical response saved the arm of Ms. Angeline Fernando, the woman who got run over by light rail at the MRT 3 yesterday.

I hope the MRT 3 management or DOTR officials will identify ALL the individuals who directly aided Ms. Fernando so they could be properly commended for their quick thinking to stop the bleeding and to recover her arm and preserve it for later surgery reattachment, which was successfully done at the Makati Medical Center. Their swift, calm and proper response saved Ms. Fernando.

We join the public in commending Dr. Charlie Jandic of the Chinese General Hospital for taking charge of the trauma situation before her. Her quick thinking and focus saved Ms. Fernando's life.

CCTV footage of the incident shows a security guard at the scene. There were also others attending to Ms. Fernando.

Security guards should be able to administer first aid. Commuters who are health professionals or students taking medicine or nursing should also be able to give first aid.

As Member of the House Committee on Health, I also believe there must be a first aider in every household and a national system for first aid.

I filed House Bill 4955 (http://www.congress.gov.ph/legisdocs/basic_17/HB04955.pdf) which provides for a national Emergency Medical Services System.

When the committee tackles the bill, I will move that its short title be changed to, "THE DR. CHARLIE JANDIC EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES SYSTEM ACT OF 2017" to make her the model of the kind of compassionate and swift response the EMSS must deliver to the Filipino people.

HB 4955 proposes the creation of a National Emergency Medical Services System for "effective, coordinated, and timely delivery of health and safety services to victims of sudden illness or injury in the pre-hospital setting."

The system proposed would have five components and core services: emergency medical dispatch, emergency response and care, emergency transport, inter-agency referral and transport, and command and control.

The emphasis of this bill is on pre-hospital emergency services. Many victims of disasters, accidents, and mishap are dead on arrival. Some of them could be saved if only we have effective EMS in place particularly in Local Government units (LGUs) with high-risk disaster zones and at the barangay level.

When the bill becomes a law, all LGUs shall be mandated to establish a dispatch center where constituents can call for all cases of emergencies, with qualified personnel. The dispatch centers shall follow the prescribed guidelines on dispatch protocol as determined by the Department of Health and the EMSS council.

Also when the bill becomes a law, a single national universal emergency number will be in effect to enable the public to have access to emergency medical services. All LGUs shall ensure availability of emergency transport vehicles with qualified EMS staff.

Currently, we already have a 9-1-1 national emergency line; however, it can be scrapped anytime or be replaced by the next administration since there is no law backing it up. House Bill 4955 seeks to have the single national emergency number a basis in law so its implementation can be assured of annual funding. (END)

References: http://www.interaksyon.com/meet-the-medical-intern-hailed-as-hero-for-helping-mrt-passenger-with-severed-arm/ and http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/metro/633320/good-timing-intern-who-saved-woman-s-life-in-mrt-accident-was-on-her-way-to-visit-aunt/story/

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PH, NZ Sign Amendment on Geothermal Energy Cooperation

Geothermal leaders - NZ and PH - Extend Energy Cooperation

The Philippines and New Zealand signed an amendment on their arrangement on geothermal energy cooperation.

Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi and New Zealand Ambassador to the Philippines David Strachan signed the amendment on Tuesday (November 14, 2017) at the New World Hotel in the presence of New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern as witness.

The signing of the amendment extended the arrangement signed on October 2012 until October 2020.

The amendment aims to further strengthen and enhance the cooperation between the two countries on geothermal energy cooperation through government-level collaboration and the facilitation of private sector activities.

The amendment also provides for the continuous exchange of experiences and technical assistance in the field of geothermal energy exploration, development and utilization through capacity building and share of information, knowledge and current trends on geothermal energy.

The signing ceremony is part of the ASEAN Summit hosted by the Philippines.

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BEIRUT (AP) â€" Syrian Kurdish-led forces were closing in Saturday on the de-facto capital of the Islamic State group in Syria, seizing a cotton factory only a couple of miles north of the city, activists and Kurdish media reported.

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Judge Not

(Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Luke 6:37)

There is a significant difference between judgment and discernment. God sees people’s hearts and knows their motives (Prov. 16:2). Only God can accurately judge those who deserve punishment. Ultimately, Christ will sit in judgment upon us all in the day of judgment (2 Cor. 5:10). Our problem is that we like to sit in the judgment seat and pronounce condemnation upon those whom we think have sinned! Scripture commands us not to judge or condemn others, for we cannot be judgmental and redemptive at the same time. It is difficult to pray sincerely for someone while we are judging them. At times our judgmental attitude can seem to provide us an excuse not to become involved in God’s redemptive work in someone’s life. Scripture reminds us that God will treat us with the same grace or severity with which we treat others (Luke 6:38). God commands us not to judge others, but He does want us to be discerning. Jesus said we would know people’s spiritual condition by the fruit of their lives (Matt. 7:16). He said grapes are not produced by thorn bushes. If a person’s life produces thorns, we can assume that person is not a grapevine! Are we being judgmental? No, we are being discerning. Scripture commands us to avoid associating with scoffers or fools (Prov. 22:10; 17:12). Unless we are able to identify scoffers and fools, we cannot obey God’s command. That is not being judgmental, it is being discerning. As Christians, we have been instructed to observe the lives of others so that we can help them while avoiding any sinful influence. You will be helpful to others only if you see them as God does. If you have been judgmental of others, ask forgiveness and pledge yourself to let God use you as His minister of reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:18). - Henry and Richard Blackaby

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DepEd releases fund to replace damaged school supplies in Region 11 and CARAGA
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January 8, 2013

The Department of Education has released some 2 Million pesos to buy school supplies for students affected by Typhoon Pablo in Region 11 and CARAGA Region as school activities continue to normalize after the onslaught of the powerful storm.

“We have received some P2.7 million in cash given by donors from within and outside DepEd to help the survivors -- specially our school children -- pick up the pieces, so to speak,” said Education Secretary Br. Armin A. Luistro FSC.

DepEd reported that in places where schools are still being used as evacuation centers, school personnel and government officials along with donors from private and international communities set up tents to conduct psycho-social intervention for the typhoon survivors.

“It is important that children and adults go through this debriefing process for them to begin to understand and accept what had happened. Ang pagbabalik eskwela, simula ito. Di natin dapat hayaan na si Pablo ang manalo. Kahit maliit nalang ang natitirang pag-asa, positibo tayo na makakabangon tayo at kaya natin maibalik sa normal ang kanilang buhay,” Luistro explained.

Meanwhile, other donations in cash and in kind are being readied in the DepEd Central Office for shipment in the affected Mindanao regions.

DepEd thanks its partners and donors which include Globe Telecoms, Plan International, Save the Children, UNICEF, World Vision and Red Cross. Major school supplies donors include National Book Store Foundation Inc. (NBSFI), Centurian International Corporation, Bio-Strata Pharmaceuticals, Inc., and Papermate Stationery and Office Supplies.

The Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (FFCCCII) donated educational toys while Lamoiyan Corporation gave packs of shampoo and toothpaste. All these will be given to affected kids in the two regions.

The Department continues to appeal for more donations in order to provide for learning kits for over 200,000 student victims.

PAASCU CHARGES AGAINST CHED, BASELESS AND INACCURATE

In December 2014, two broadsheets published a news article about the criminal and
administrative case filed in the Ombudsman by Joel E. Tabora S.J., President of the
Philippine Accrediting Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities (PAASCU) against
Patricia B. Licuanan, Chairperson of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and Leo
Y. Querubin, President of the Philippine Computer Society (PCS). The case, according to
the newspapers, is “based on a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) dated April 21, 2014,
where the CHED allocated to the PCS the amount of P10M as mobilization fund for the
creation of an accrediting body known as the PCS-Information Computing Accreditation
Board (PICAB).” Accordingly, PAASCU charged that the accused violated the Anti-Graft
and Corrupt Practices Act by not complying with the procurement law and that “PCS is not
qualified to render the services provided for under the MOA because it is not an accrediting
agency.”
Both newspapers mentioned PAASCU’s claim that “Licuanan deliberately ignored existing
accrediting bodies under the Federation of Accrediting Agencies of the Philippines because
the agreement that has been entered into was utterly disadvantageous to the government.”
By giving PCS “unwarranted benefits, advantage and preference,” Licuanan allegedly
“exceeded her and CHED’s powers when she entered into the questioned MOA” and thus
“caused undue injury to the complainant PAASCU.”
Responding to the newspaper articles and the queries of stakeholders in the absence of a
copy of the charge, CHED categorically states that the PAASCU criminal and administrative
case against CHED Chair Patricia Licuanan and PCS Chair Leo Querubin has no basis.
The Commission’s provision of mobilization funds for the creation of the PICAB and its
application to the Seoul Accord for provisional membership is neither a criminal act of graft
and corruption nor a breach of government auditing and accounting rules and procedures.
The arrangement under this official partnership was undertaken pursuant to the mandate
and authority of the Commission under its Charter, specifically Sections 8 and 10 of
Republic Act No. 7722 which stipulate the powers and functions of the Commission, which
include the following:
❏ To formulate and recommend development plans, policies, priorities and programs
on higher education and research;
2
❏ Performs such other functions as may be necessary for its effective operations and
for the continued enhancement, growth and development of higher education;
❏ Administer the Higher Education Development Fund as described in Section 10
hereunder, which will promote the purposes of higher education
The Higher Education Development Fund referred to as the Fund in RA 7722 was
“established exclusively for the strengthening of higher education in the entire country.”
Pursuant to a similar official arrangement, the Commission in 2012 provided funds in
support of the Philippine Technological Council (PTC)â€"the umbrella organization of all the
societies of engineering professionals in the countryâ€"particularly in its effort to establish an
accreditation body that is compliant with the eligibility requirements of the Washington
Accord, i.e., that the accreditation body “must be independent of the educational providers
delivering accredited programmes.” This independence from educational providers is
common to the accreditation bodies in the Washington as well as the Seoul Accord. In the
case of the Washington Accord, the members are either agencies created by law but
independent of government, or are professional associations with an engineering
accreditation body.
As regards the Washington Accord, an accreditation agency in each of the following
jurisdictionsâ€"Australia, Canada, Taiwan, Hong Kong, India, Ireland, Japan, Korea,
Malaysia, New Zealand, Russia, Singapore, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Turkey, the United
Kingdom and the United Statesâ€"constitutes the signatories of the Washington Accord. On
the other hand, the signatories of the Seoul Accord, consist of an accreditation agency in
each of the following jurisdictionsâ€"Australia, Canada, Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong, Japan,
Korea, United Kingdom, and the United States. In each of these countries, the accreditation
bodies are independent from educational providers.
The Seoul Accord is an international mutual-recognition agreement among agencies
responsible for the accreditation of tertiary-level computing and Information Technology
(IT)-related qualifications. The Washington Accord also operates as a similar agreement
among accreditation agencies responsible for the engineering disciplines in member
jurisdictions.
CHED’s decision to support the PTC in 2010, rather than the existing accreditation bodies
with much longer track records, was premised mainly on the eligibility requirement of the
Washington Accord. Upon the advice of Filipino experts on the Washington Accord, CHED
interpreted the provision cited earlier to mean that none of the existing accreditation bodies
under the Federation of Accrediting Agencies of the Philippines (FAAP) and the National
Network of Accreditation Agencies, Inc. (NNQAA)â€"the two umbrella organizations of
accreditation agencies recognized by CHEDâ€"were eligible for membership in the
Washington Accord in view of the fact that schools, colleges and universities, including
those with engineering programs, constitute the membership of these bodies. It has also
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been the practice that most accreditors under these umbrella organizations come from
member schools.
Reinforcing this decision is CHED’s recent thrust towards the development of learner
outcomes-based accreditation standards: standards that align with that of the Washington
Accord but appear to be a matter still in contention with existing recognized accreditation
bodies. Such standards aim to ensure that institutions with accredited programs
demonstrate the following:
1. Their engineering graduates have met the acceptable knowledge, proficiencies and
attitudes demanded by their different fields of practice;
2. Their program outcomes are aligned with their respective mission and educational
objective; and
3. Their outcomes-based education system is supported by a continuous quality
improvement system.
Since the Philippine higher education system was still heavily inputs-based and instructor-
centered in 2010â€"despite CHED’s goal to develop a learning competency based
educationâ€"the Commission issued CHED Memorandum Order (CMO) 37, series of 2012
entitled Policies, Standards and Guidelines for the Establishment of an Outcomes-based
Education System in Higher Education Institutions Offering Engineering Programs to align
the teaching of the engineering disciplines with increasingly international standards, thus
facilitating membership in international agreements like the Washington Accord.
It is important to note that CHED explained to PAASCU and the other accreditation bodies
its decision to provide mobilization funds to PTC. CHED Chair Licuanan appealed at the
time for cooperation among PTC and existing accreditation bodies, assuring the latter that
the Commission’s mobilization support to PTC is not intended to affect the local
accreditation of engineering programs by PAASCU and other agencies under the FAAP and
NNQAA.
Even then, it was clear to CHED that support to PTC in the form of mobilization funds would
not make it a government institution nor subject its policies, procedures and evaluations to
government influence or intervention. CHED’s mobilization support to PTC is merely
consistent with its provision of development funds to recognized accreditation bodies under
FAAP and NNQAA, and the higher education institutions seeking program accreditation
from them. In the case of PTC, the raison d’etre for CHED’s support is to ensure that the
Philippines has an accreditation body composed of engineering professionals who will be
eligible for full membership in the Washington Accord. To date, PTC has been nominated
by Australia and Taiwan, and after exerting much effort with CHED assistance, has
successfully attained provisional membership in 2013. It is now preparing to make a bid for
the coveted regular membership.
4
Membership in both the Washington and Seoul Accords for the Philippines would result in
the international recognition in member jurisdictions of the qualifications of Filipino IT
professionals and engineers who are educated in higher education institutions accredited by
the signatory accreditation agency. It promises to give such Filipino professionals a better
chance in the global labor market, and reduce their vulnerability to exploitation in the form of
lower compensation than their counterparts as manifested in some of the countries Filipino
professionals currently work in. More importantly, membership in both Accords is expected
to contribute to raising the quality of engineering and IT education so as to build a critical
mass of competent professionals committed to staying in the country and developing
potential niches for the Philippine economy.
In the proper exercise, therefore, of both its regulatory authority and developmental
mandate over all higher education institutions and academic programs, CHED came to the
inevitable consensus that membership in both Accords and in other international
Agreements in the future is deemed crucial for the positioning of the country in the ASEAN
Economic Community.
The decision to help the Philippines achieve international recognition for its professionals
through applications to international registers like the APEC Register and support for the bid
of eligible bodies for membership in mutual recognition agreements started initially with the
Washington Accord for engineering followed by the Seoul Accord for computing and IT-
related disciplines. This decision was not CHED’s alone but is traceable to the strategy
crafted by the bicameral Congressional Commission on Science, Technology and
Engineering (COMSTE).
Established through the passage of a joint resolution in the 13th Congress (July 2004-June
2007), COMSTE’s mandate was extended to the 14th Congress (July 2007-June 2010) and
to the 15th Congress (July 2010-June 2013) by joint resolutions. The 13th Congress defined
the composition of COMSTE as five members of the Senate, five members of the House of
Representatives and a Technical Secretariat headed by an Executive Director. Further,
COMSTE was organized with six Panels overseen by a Technical Advisory Council (TAC)
under the management of its chair, then Senator Edgardo Angara. The TAC and the Panels
consisted of highly respected and widely recognized Filipino experts.
Apart from striving for international recognition for Filipino professionals, COMSTE also
pushed simultaneously for another strategyâ€"i.e., the significant government investment in
academic research that would translate into technological innovations and create new spin-
off opportunities through the Engineering, Research and Development for Technology
(ERDT) program, among other strategies covering the areas of food and agriculture; energy
and environment; the health sciences (including Telehealth); industrial research and
development; and renewable energy. The motivation behind the COMSTE-crafted
strategies as similarly shared by CHED is to leverage the country’s human resources for
national development and global competitiveness.
5
Building on previous reform policy recommendations and initiatives, and influenced
significantly by the foregoing COMSTE-crafted strategies, CHED’s 2010-2016 Higher
Education Reform Agenda (HERA) therefore incorporated both capacity development in
Science, Technology, Engineering, Agriculture and Mathematics (STEAM) as well as
compliance with international conventions and the provision of initial mobilization support for
the bid for membership in international Accords. These strategies straddle two of HERA’s
four clusters of reform intervention:
1. Capacity-Building and the honing of competencies of Filipino students for the 21st
century especially in priority areas for the country’s development; and
2. Programs to achieve Excellence (e.g. support for Centers of Excellence, Centers of
Development; Networks of Research Institutions; and collaborative research for
technological innovations, among others).
The provision of Access to higher education especially for poor but deserving students and
Reforms in CHED’s internal bureaucracy towards greater transparency and accountability,
make up the other two Clusters under CHED’s Higher Education Reform Agenda.
When it was time to support the bid of an IT accreditation body for provisional membership
in the Seoul Accord, CHED applied the same interpretation of the relevant definitions in
Section B of the Seoul Accord documents on Rules and Procedures, which are akin to
those of the Washington Accord:
B.1 Definitions:
Applicant: “An organization that has applied for provisional status in the Accord.
Any such authority, agency or institution must be independent of the academic
institutions delivering programs that may be accredited by the organization”; and
Signatory: “An organisation entitled to fully participate in the Accord….must be
independent of the academic institutions delivering the programs that they may
accredit or recognize. They are typically authorities, agencies, or institutions which
are representative of the computing and IT-related professions and which have
statutory powers to recognize professional authority for accrediting programs
designed to satisfy the academic requirements for entry into the professional
computing and IT-related community.”
In the field of IT, the equivalent of the Engineering Accreditation Commission under the
Accrediting and Certification Board for Engineering and Technology (ACBET) of the PTC is
the PICAB. Like PTC’s accreditation body in 2012, PICAB is newly established by the four
existing Philippine associations of professionals in the computing or IT-related fields led by
the Philippine Computer Society. The other associations are the Philippine Software
Industry Association (PSIA); the Philippine Society of Information Technology Educators
(PSITE) and the Computing Society of the Philippines (CSP). While they were newly
6
established accreditation bodies at the time of application to their respective Accords, the
accreditation/recognition system approach and procedures (e.g. outcomes-based
accreditation criteria) of both PTC and PICAB were developed for compatibility with those of
the Signatories or full members of the Accords.
As of November 2014, PICAB, pursuant to the authority under the agreement forged with
CHED has since accredited the programs in two campuses of a higher education institution,
with representatives of four member jurisdictions in the Seoul Accordâ€"the Vice President of
the Accreditation Board for Engineering Education of Korea (ABEEK); the current Chair of
the American Board for Engineers and Technology Inc.’s (ABET) Computing Accreditation
Commission (CAC); a Board Director, Professional Standards, Australian Computer Society
(ACS); and the Chair for the Seoul Accord of the Japan Accreditation Board for Engineering
Education (JABEE)â€"observing the accreditation process.

Unlike engineering for which CHED had to issue a separate Memorandum Order in 2012 on
the policies, standards and guidelines for the shift to outcomes-based education that would
align the standards with those of full members of the Washington Accord, there was no
need for such an order during the time it considered the same for IT. When the PCS
proposal reached CHED, the agency was already implementing CMO 46, series of 2012
entitled, Policy Standard to Enhance Quality Assurance (QA) in Philippine Higher Education
through an Outcomes-Based and Typology-Based QA. This CMO called for a paradigm
shift to learning competency-based standards in higher education and an outcomes-based
quality assurance that nevertheless gives due importance to the role of inputs and
processes. A subsequent CHED Administrative Order (No. 1, series of 2014) further
substantiated the provision of CMO 46, series of 2012 regarding the shift to learning
competency-based education within a lifelong learning framework for disciplinal programs.
At the time CHED resolved to support PICAB as it had earlier done with PTC, it had no
information whatsoever of PAASCU’s interest to apply to the Seoul Accord. It only learned
of the Association’s intention during the 2014 Seoul Accord meeting in New Zealand where
PAASCU participated for the first time as observer and where the CHED supported
delegation also served as observers for the second time. Some members of this delegation
had already participated in the June 2013 Seoul Meeting, a year before the June 2014 New
Zealand meeting but without CHED support. It is important to note that apart from the
Commission’s interpretation of the eligibility criteriaâ€"i.e., the definition of “Applicant” and
“Signatory” and the outcomes-based approach to accreditation of the full members of the
Washington and Seoul Accordâ€"the PAASCU intention came as a surprise to CHED
because of the Association’s much publicized objections, along with the Catholic Education
Association of the Philippines (CEAP), to CMO 46, series of 2012 in general and to
outcomes-based education and accreditation in particular.

By way of a background, the idea to form PICAB emerged in the discussions of some
leaders of the IT professional community earlier than its request for support from CHED in
2014. On 4 December 2012, some of these leaders met with the incumbent Chair of the
7
Seoul Accord to explore the possibility of provisional membership for a Philippine
accrediting agency. During this meeting, the group was informed that the Seoul Accord
actually built on the experience of the American Board for Engineering and Technology
(ABET) and is thus compatible with the latter. The group also learned that an applicant to
the Seoul Accord must be able to show how its criteria, process and facilities are compatible
with those of member accreditation bodies. The Chair subsequently invited the group to
attend the 20-21 June 2013 meeting in Seoul, South Korea as observers.
By the first quarter of 2014, the Philippine Computer Society (PCS)â€"which by then already
had serious discussions with the other IT-related professional associations regarding a
collective bid for membership in the Seoul Accordâ€"approached CHED for mobilization
support similar to what the Commission provided PTC in its application to the Washington
Accord. The first PCS proposal submitted to CHED went through the CHED Technical
Panel composed of experts in the IT discipline, as required under Section 12 of RA 7722.
As part of their engagement with CHED, the Technical Panel set stringent conditions for
funding of the proposal in line with government rules and procedures. PCS subsequently
revised its proposal along the comments of the Technical Panel, which in turn
recommended, after extensive deliberation, the revised proposal to the CHED Management
Committee (MANCOM) and Commission en Banc (CEB). The CHED MANCOM and CEB
initially deferred their decision and approved the proposal only after it was revised and
presented in a subsequent meeting.
In handing down its decision, the Commission was deeply concerned about the fact that
PICAB’s inability to apply for membership in the Seoul Accord in February 2015 would
mean that the next application to the Accord of an eligible Philippine accreditation body, can
only be made in 2017â€"or two years after the implementation of the ASEAN Economic
Community. The CEB deemed it too late for a Filipino accrediting body to apply in 2017 for
in truth, the Philippines possesses a feasible potential niche in the Information Technology
sector. As far as the higher value-added Philippine software industry is concerned, for
instance, the country had 300 software start-ups in October 2013. However, many more are
needed to reach a target of about US$5B in revenue by 2016. Meeting this and other IT-
related targets entail the continuing production of competent IT program graduates. But this
is not sufficient. It is also imperative that Filipino competence in IT beyond the country’s
shores be recognized to attract investors.
In this regard, membership in the Seoul Accord, as in the Washington Accord, promises to
be the most feasible way of helping achieve recognition of its human resource capacity in
this area, and directly or indirectly, stimulating critical improvements in the country’s IT
education. Among other indicators, the Philippines’ position as the sixth largest country
source of the Silicon Valley work force suggests the very real possibility of making IT a
potential niche that may give the country a competitive edge in the ASEAN Economic
Community. CHED would be in dereliction of its primordial duty to seize the singular
opportunity provided by membership to the Seoul Accord at the time it did, by not
supporting the most viable and eligible group of IT professionals that could make a big
8
difference for the IT sector, including higher education institutions with quality recognized IT
programs.
Contrary to PAASCU’s claim, the resulting Memorandum of Agreement between CHED and
PCS does not allocate the sum of P10 million directly to PCS or PICAB, since, as
determined by the CHED Bids and Awards Committee, it is not eligible under the
Procurement Law to handle funds directly as an outsourced entity of CHED. Instead, CHED
approved the allocation of P10M to reimburse the mobilization activities of PICAB that may
be funded by government, because this arrangement is, in effect, a tie up with PCS
primarily for its technical expertise as Convenor of the country’s IT associations/experts. In
collaboration with one another, these IT professionals would enable the application to the
Seoul Accord of PICAB as an accreditation body that would meet the Seoul Accord criteria.
This MOA and the MOA forged with PTC that precedes it, are therefore considered to be
the mechanisms that implement the strategic decision of COMSTE to proactively enhance
the position of the Philippines and that of Filipino professionals in the ASEAN region and the
world. These partnerships decided upon by CHED in accordance with its statutory mandate
for the noble purpose of strengthening both public and private higher education institutions,
were thus entered into in the national interest as fully explained above, and not at all in the
pursuit of any conjured vested interests of Licuanan, Querubin and the entities they
respectively represent.
Against this backdrop, the PAASCU criminal and administrative charge against CHED Chair
Patricia Licuanan and PCS Chair Leo Querubin is baseless, inaccurate and has no factual
or legal leg to stand on. Not only was the decision arrived at collegially by the Commission
en Banc upon the recommendation of the Technical Panel and endorsement of the
MANCOM and not by Licuanan alone, it was made judiciously following the CHED vetting
process; the eligibility requirement of the Seoul Accord as articulated in its definition of
“Applicant” and “Signatory” to the Accord and interpreted by expert CHED advisers on
ABET, the Washington Accord and the Seoul Accord; CHED’s precedent support to and
experience with PTC vis-à-vis the accreditation criteria/system approach required for
provisional membership; and government auditing and accounting procedures.
The foregoing statement is being issued so the public may know the clear facts and
unvarnished truth behind PAASCU’s complaint.
Issued this 20th day of January 2015 at the Higher Education Development Center Building,
C.P. Garcia Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City.

FOR THE COMMISSION:
Patricia B. Licuanan, Ph.D.

PBEd to conduct Parallel Reviews of Policies, Standards and Guidelines in Priority Disciplines with CHED
               
2013 CHED website as source:
Over the past few months, Philippine Business for Education (PBEd), with support from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Philippines, has been implementing the Higher Education and Productivity Project (HEPP). A project that aims to solve the skills gap and mismatch problem through the creation of industry-academe linkages at the national and regional levels. PBEd’s   current   national   policy   efforts   have   been   to   push   for   increased   industry   involvement   in   the areas of curriculum design, faculty development, and quality assurance. The recent passing of the K-12   Law,   the   upcoming   ASEAN   Integration   in   2015,   and   the  Commission   on   Higher   Education’s (CHED) move towards an outcomes-based education have only made these initiatives all the more important and urgent. To capitalize on this opportunity, we have been organizing industry groups in the sectors of management, IT, tourism, semi-conductors, and manufacturing to a do parallel review of the CHED’s suggested curriculum, or what they call Policies, Standards and Guidelines (PSGs) for BS Management, Information Technology (IT), Hotel and Restaurant Management (HRM), and Electronics Engineering. The ultimate goal of this effort is for industry to define relevant competencies which will be presented to the CHED. Realizing   that   the   government’s   support   and   commitment to this project was important, we have sought to formalize an agreement with the CHED. This agreement ensures the CHED’s recognition and support of the proposed parallel review process of the PSGs.

Court of Appeals nullifies injunction issued on CHED closure order for deficient PMI Maritime Courses: source - CHED website

On 24 May 2013, the Special 13th Division of the Court of Appeals (CA) granted the petition of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) to nullify the Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) and Writ of Preliminary Injunction (WPI) that Judge Rosa Samson of Branch 105, RTC, Quezon City issued on 20 January 2012. This Order allowed the Philippine Maritime Institute (PMI) Colleges to continue accepting enrollees despite CHED’s order to close its non-compliant BS Marine Transportation (BSMT) and BS Marine Engineering (BSMarE) courses. CHED Chairperson Patricia B. Licuanan “welcomes the Court of Appeals Decision. It affirms the necessary and valuable support of the judicial system to the legitimate reforms pursued by CHED, particularly in Maritime Education, which have very serious implications for the employment of our Filipino seafarers in the international maritime industry.” By way of background, several rounds of inspection from 2006 to 2010 revealed that the PMI programs were consistently non-compliant with the standards of CHED and the Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers. In 2010, the European Maritime Safety Agency conducted an independent audit of maritime schools in the country, and found PMI to be grossly deficient. The Injunction Judge Samson issued in 2012 in favor of PMI effectively prevented CHED from implementing its Final Closure Order of the Institute’s deficient maritime programs.

The CA nullified the TRO and WPI because it considered the issuance of Judge Samson’s Order a grave abuse of discretion since it did not satisfy the three requirements under the law for its issuance. First, PMI does not have a clear legal right since CHED had revoked government recognition of PMI’s programs due to several uncorrected deficiencies over the years. Second, CHED is authorized by law to impose sanctions on educational institutions which fail to comply with its requirements. Third, as to the need for the Injunction, the CA found no urgent and paramount need since the closure orders had been issued and fully implemented before Judge Samson issued the Order. This CA decision prompted the Commission to issue the clarification that the CHED Final Closure Orders on PMI’s BSMT and BSMarE programs in its Manila and Quezon City campuses remain valid. The public is hereby forewarned that students who desire to enroll in BSMT and BSMarE programs should enroll only in schools with programs that are officially recognized by CHED.

Issued this 7th day of June, 2013 at the Higher Education Development Center, C.P. Garcia Avenue, U.P. Diliman, Quezon City.

CHED clarifies conditions on state college conversions

President Benigno S. Aquino III has signed laws on the conversions of 12 public higher education institutions, majority of them existing State Colleges. Under these new laws, the conversions will not take effect until CHED has verified their full compliance with the standard requirements imposed on other schools granted University status under CHED policies, and is declared by CHED to be qualified for conversion. CHED Chairperson Patricia B. Licuanan clarified that in an effort to rationalize the conversions and align these to the current mandatory requirements of establishing a University, an Omnibus Amendment is included in all these bills which states:

“THE ESTABLISHMENT OR CONVERSION OF THE INSTITUTION INTO A STATE COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY, RESPECTIVELY, SHALL BECOME EFFECTIVE ONLY UPON DETERMINATION AND DECLARATION BY THE COMMISSION ON HIGHER EDUCATION, BASED ON THE RECOMMENDATION OF A PANEL OF EXPERTS, THAT THE INSTITUTION HAS COMPLIED WITH THE REQUIREMENTS FOR A UNIVERSITY STATUS. THE CHED, THROUGH ITS REGIONAL OFFICE, SHALL REGULARLY PROVIDE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO THE INSTITUTION AND MONITOR COMPLIANCE WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE COMMISSION. THE CHED SHALL DESIGNATE A PANEL OF EXPERTS WHO SHALL PREPARE A RECOMMENDATION TO THE CHAIRPERSON OF CHED, ON WHETHER THE INSTITUTION HAS SUBSTANTIALLY COMPLIED WITH THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE GRANT OF UNIVERSITY STATUS. THE FOLLOWING ARE THE OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR A UNIVERSITY:

1. LEVEL III ACCREDITATION OR EQUIVALENT UNDER CHED POLICIES FOR AT LEAST FOUR (4) OF ITS UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMS, ONE IN LIBERAL ARTS AND ONE IN THE SCIENCES, AND TWO (2) OF ITS GRADUATE PROGRAMS;
2. RATIO OF QUALIFIED FULL-TIME FACULTY WITH REQUISITE DEGREES TO NUMBER OF STUDENTS;

3. ADEQUATE LIBRARY AND LABORATORIES;

4. RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT OUTPUT OF PRACTICAL AND COMMERCIAL APPLICATION TO THE COMMUNITY;

5. RELEVANT LINKAGES AND OUTREACH PROGRAMS THAT ARE MINDFUL OF SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY; AND 6. RELEVANT ACADEMIC POLICIES, SYSTEMS AND PROCESSES.

THE INSTITUTION SHALL RETAIN ITS STATUS PRIOR TO THE EFFECTIVITY OF THIS ACT, UNLESS IN THE MEANTIME IT IS ABLE TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS PROVIDED HEREIN WITHIN A PERIOD NOT EXCEEDING JANUARY 1, 2016.”

The Commission on Higher Education through the CHED Chairperson heads all the Governing Boards of State Universities and Colleges under R.A. 8292 and its Implementing Rules. The new laws give all identified public higher education institutions until January 1, 2016 within which to comply with the requirements spelled out in the Omnibus Amendment. A panel of experts designated by the Commission shall review and evaluate the status of compliances of the identified public higher education institutions. Only upon declaration by CHED that all the requirements are met as verified by the panel will the institution enjoy the status as University. They are therefore discouraged to enter into premature institutional activities such as name-change, investitures, and the like. The Commission is currently preparing the draft implementing guidelines that will guide the institutions in attaining the objective of the Omnibus Amendment. Those among the 12 concerned institutions that have exhibited compliance with the requirements will be immediately assisted by the Commission in attaining University status in order to immediately enjoy the full benefits of such converted status.

Issued this 20th day of June 2013 at the Higher Education Development Center Building, C.P. Garcia Avenue, U.P. Campus, Diliman, Q.C.

CHED approves 354 applications for tuition increase

CHED approves 354 applications for tuition increase. Out of the 1,683 private higher education institutions (HEIs), 451 or 27% applied for tuition and other school fees increase this year. Of them, 354 or 21% have been approved by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED). The 413th Regular Commission En Banc Meeting approved the final figures verified and presented by the Office of Student Services after a month of careful scrutiny of the submissions. The final figures are based on consolidated reports of the 16 CHED Regional Offices (excluding ARMM). Regions NCR, IV-A and III have the most number of HEIs i.e. 308, 230 and 202 in that order. Out of the 95 HEIs that applied for tuition increase in NCR, 72 have been given the go signal, while IV-A and III with 64 and 55 applications had 52 and 37 approvals respectively. The average tuition fee increase per unit for school year 2013-2014 is PhP37.45 or 8.5% nationwide. This is the lowest percentage increase in the past ten years. Increase in the three largest regions, were as follows: NCR had a per unit tuition fee increase of PhP64.04 or 6.79%, IV-A, PhP48.81 or 7.86% and III, PhP44.48 or 8.86%. The highest increases were in regions II, PhP31.26 or 12.25%, V, PhP44.77 or 11.83 % and I, PhP34.10 or 11.12%. The average increase in other school fees nationwide is PhP194.62 or 7.58%.

Section 42 of Batas Pambansa Blg. 232 or the Education Act of 1982 stipulates that “Each private school shall determine its rate of tuition and other school fees or charges... subject to rules and regulations promulgated by the Ministry of Education, Culture and Sports” (now DEPED, TESDA and CHED). The other legal provisions designed to regulate tuition and other fees lie in RA 6728 or the Government Assistance to Students and Teachers in Private Education Act and regulations such as CHED Memorandum Order (CMO) 13, s. 1998 and CMO 3, s. 2012, which require HEIs, for every incremental tuition increase, to allocate 70% of the increase for the payment of salaries, wages, allowances and other benefits of teaching and non-teaching personnel; 20% for the improvement and/or acquisition of facilities, or modernization of buildings, equipment, libraries, laboratories and other similar facilities and the payment of other costs of operation; and 10% for the return on investment for the HEIs if they are stock corporations, otherwise, the remainder is to be utilized for the operations of the HEI. The 1987 Constitution also recognizes the complementary roles of public and private sectors and the need to provide quality education and access of students to this. CHED’s approach to the issue of tuition is wholistic. In light of contending concerns and interests in society, there is a need to balance access issues with sustainability of educational institutions.

CHED will ensure that HEIs meet the guidelines provided by law, especially the requirement of consultation, the allocation of tuition fees, and the strict adherence with the processes that seek to make tuition fee increases transparent, reasonable and affordable. On April 5, 2013, a resolution was passed by the Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges (PASUC) approving a moratorium on undergraduate tuition andmiscellaneous fee increases in all public HEIs. In order to address the issues of higher education financing, access to affordable education, and viability of HEIs, CHED believes there is a need to adopt a financing framework that balances the tuition fee policy imposed on HEIs, accessibility concerns, student financial assistance and the greater concern for quality outcomes. In coordination with government and non-government agencies, CHED has crafted CMO 9, series of 2013 or the Enhanced Policies and Guidelines on Student Affairs and Services which seeks to improve the delivery of student welfare services and activities for students. For school year 2013-2014, CHED has programmed 52,517 Student Financial Assistance Programs’ (StuFAPs) beneficiaries amounting to more than PhP706-million. This is 10% more than the slots provided for last year. The StuFAPs support deserving students enrolled in public and private HEIs. In addition, it has provided financial assistance to 4,041 students enrolled in 35 selected State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) under the “Students Grants-in-Aid Program for Poverty Alleviation (SGP-PA) with a budget of PhP500-million. These students belong to the poorest of the poor families identified by the DSWD under its Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program. Further, CHED provides four-year college education to former rebels and amnesty grantees through the Bangsamoro and PAMANA Special Grants-In-Aid Programs which have already benefited over 800 beneficiaries. These programs are in coordination with the Office of Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP). Come school year 2014-2015, CHED is proposing to increase its support to private higher education under the Expanded Private Education Student Financial Assistance (PESFA) Program in the amount of PhP1-Billion or more than 32,000 slots. This allocation is over and above the requested PhP1-Billion or approximately 26,000 slots for SGP-PA beneficiaries and students in SUCs. Finally, CHED strongly supports the passage of the proposed Unified Student Financial Assistance System for Higher and Technical Education or UniFAST Bill now pending in Congress, which seeks to harmonize and unify government scholarship and grants-in-aid programs to promote equity and rationalized access to quality higher and technical education among those in need. Issued this 27th day of May, 2013 at the HEDC Bldg, C.P. Garcia Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City.