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By Nat Mariano and Rio N. Araja THE Communist Party of the Philippines’ criticism of President Rodrigo Duterte’s policy on the West Philippine Sea is “pathetic,” the Palace said Sunday. The Palace also urged CPP founding chairman Jose Maria Sison to return to the country and see for himself what it described as Duterte’s independent and pragmatic policy on dealing with contested waters. “We find it lamentable and pathetic that CPP founding chairperson Jose Maria Sison resorted to ad hominem attacks in criticizing the President’s policy on the West Philippine Sea,” Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said in a statement. But the Makabayan Bloc in Congress on Sunday slammed the government over the arrest of National Democratic Front of the Philippines consultant Rey Casambre and his wife, Patricia, as well as eight other people for murder and attempted murder raps filed in a lower court in Davao Oriental. The arrest was “highly preposterous,” the group said and added that four of the accused were staying and working in Manila. The group challenged the arrest and said many of the accused were elders and even suffering from ailments. The arrest was “utterly absurd,” the group said. Panelo said Sison based his attacks on a two-year-old article by an international political risk analyst who has worked for several projects with an institution that the communists strongly denounce, the United States military. He was reacting to an article published on July 15, 2016, or two weeks into the Duterte presidency. “[This] clearly proves that he [Sison] is out-of-touch of the realities in the Philippines as a result of more than three decades of high living in Europe,” Panelo said. “We urge Mr. Sison to stop his propaganda war by long distance and to return to the Philippines and see for himself the independent foreign policy course that the President has charted, including a cautious, pragmatic and diplomatic stance on how to deal with the favorable arbitral ruling.” Panelo then defended Duterte’s action in terms of dealing in international matters that concern the disputed waterways. He said Duterte was in the best position to decide on the issues on the West Philippine Sea as he had a wealth of information at his disposal. He said Sison should accept the reality that the CPP’s dream of wresting political power from the government had come to an end, stressing that the 50 years of believing in the CPP’s ideal had “only resulted in meaningless deaths and destruction to property.” “Truly, the revolution that he has commenced half a century ago has devoured its own children,” Panelo said. In his remarks, Sison called the President a “traitor and a dopehead” for failing to make diplomatic protests and to sue China in the courts of the US and other countries for violating Philippine sovereign rights.
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administratively liable for dishonesty, grave misconduct and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service and imposed upon them the penalty of dismissal. In ruling against the petitioner, the appellate court held that Villacorte conspired with retired coast guard chief Vice Admiral Rodolfo Isorena, Capt. Joeven Fabul and PCG Accounting Head Rogelio Caguioa in deliberately disregarding the conduct of competitive bidding as mandated by law by signing documents that were necessary to ensure the special cash advances. “Here, it is evidence that there is a flagrant disregard of law. Thus, grave misconduct is present in this case,” the CA said. The appellate court also agreed with the findings of the Ombudsman that Villacorte is guilty of serious dishonesty and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service. It noted that the petitioner, as a special
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The Department of Energy said this week’s oil price movement was influenced by several factors. DOE said in its latest monitoring report that US oil prices stabilized on Friday, buoyed by a fall in US crude oil inventories. The producer group Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, however, agreed to cut production by 1.2 million barrels a day by Jan. 1 in a bid to reverse falls in prices in recent months.
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ATIONAL Capital Region Police Office Chief Guillermo Eleazar said Sunday they had received a copy of the warrant of arrest against Senator Antonio Trillanes IV over the libel case filed against him by former Davao City Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte. “Yes, we already have a copy of the warrant of arrest against Senator Trillanes, which was issued by a court in Davao City,” Eleazar told Super Radyo dzBB. He said the document was issued last Friday. Eleazar made his statement even as one of Trillanes’ lawyers said Trillanes
may not be arrested while Congress was in session, and even if a court had issued a warrant against him. Trillanes “cannot be arrested” until the session was adjourned, Pacifico Agabin, former dean of the UP College of Law, told Super Radyo dzBB on Sunday. In a statement issued later in the day, Eleazar said the NCRPO, on its own ini-
tiative, “secured copies of the four warrants of arrest for Trillanes over the four counts of libel against him in Regional Trial Court Branch 54 in Davao City.” Duterte filed the libel complaints against Trillanes over the senator’s claims linking him to the smuggling of billions of pesos worth of shabu and to the extortion of ridesharing firm Uber and other firms. Branch 54 Judge Melinda AlconcelDayanghirang set the bail for Trillanes’ temporary liberty at P24,000, which the senator said he would process on Monday. Eleazar said they had already coordinated with the office of the Sergeantat-Arms of the Senate with regard to Trillanes’ case.
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But Gordon also wanted limitations put in because he didn’t want the government to turn to martial law every time there was a problem. Duterte placed the entire Mindanao under martial law on May 23, 2017 after the Islamic State-inspired Maute Group overran Marawi City. Congress, responding to requests from the President, has already extended martial law twice. Gordon said he expected to see some evidence justifying the extension of martial law again, and to determine if there were really an imminent threat when military and police officials brief both chambers of Congress on Wednesday. House Minority Leader and Quezon Rep. Danilo Suarez, however, said the approval
of the extension was a mere formality. “We’ve seen no shooting. But it does not mean that Mindanao is safe from the recurrence of terrorism similar of that Marawi crisis. The police and military analyze and understand the situation. And let’s give that option to them. I urge my colleagues to adhere to their request,” he said. Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo gave President Rodrigo Duterte the assurance that Congress would likely grant the extension. “If it comes to our chamber, I will recommend that we pass it,” she said. House Majority Floor Leader and Camarines Sur Rep. Rolando Andaya Jr. added: “If the President will ask for it, then chances are it shall be given.” Rio N. Araja
While Fajardo agreed with the position of Ombudsman Samuel Martires that the acquittal of Revilla on the criminal aspect can no longer be appealed and brought to a higher court due to the rule on double jeopardy, he argued that the civil liability of the former senator could still be appealed. Martires earlier said the prosecutors would no longer appeal the decision. The Sandiganbayan found Revilla liable in the civil aspect when it ordered him and two other accused, his former chief of staff Richard Cambe and pork barrel scam queen Janet Lim Napoles, to return the P124.5 million to the national treasury. But Fajardo, after reading the decision, said the amount should be P60 million higher, or P184.5 million. “The prosecution may move for a partial reconsideration of the decision, and insist that it was able to adduce evidence showing that the accused are liable to pay P185 million as discussed in the dissenting opinion,” Fajardo said. “Recovery of P60 million more is certainly a worthy cause that the prosecution may opt to bring this up to the Supreme Court [if the] reconsideration is denied in the Sandiganbayan,” he said. He said that while Revilla was acquitted in the criminal charge, it does not necessarily follow that he was likewise absolved of civil liability. He said conviction on the criminal charge requires proof beyond reasonable doubt, while a judgment of liability on the
civil charge requires only a preponderance of evidence. “In the Revilla case, the majority acquitted Senator Revilla on the ground that the prosecution was unable to prove his guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. But while the Court entertained reasonable doubt, it would seem that it was convinced that the prosecution was able to submit a preponderance of evidence that Senator Revilla must be held as equally accountable to the People of the Philippines with respect to the return of the money lost by virtue of the PDAF scam,” the IBP national president said, referring to the priority development assistance fund or pork barrel. “The confusion of the public is most likely because the civil aspect of the judgment was not discussed with more detail in the majority decision,” Fajardo said. Fajardo’s predecessor, former IBP national president Vicente Joyas, however, disagreed. “He is not liable civilly because there are no findings by the Sandiganbayan that his liability is only civil and not criminal,” he said. “The dispositive portion refers to the accused, meaning the two who were convicted [Cambe and Napoles]. It does not refer to Bong [Revilla] because of the acquittal,” he added. Voting 3-2, the Sandiganbayan ruled that “not a single [piece of] evidence” was presented by the Office of the Ombudsman’s prosecution panel to prove that Revilla received rebates, commissions or kickbacks from the allocation of his PDAF or pork barrel to bogus non-gov-
ernment organizations set up by Napoles. The magistrates who voted to acquit Revilla also gave weight to the recantation of whistle-blowers Marina Sula and Mary Arlene Baltazar. The two testified early this year that Revilla was not aware of the forging of his signatures on various endorsement letters for the release of his PDAF to the Napoles-linked NGOs. Sula added that it was pork scam star witness Benhur Luy who forged Revilla’s signature. The Palace said it would not interfere with the functions of the judiciary. “Detractors and critics of the President are quick to malign the administration thinking that it has a role in decisions deliberated upon and pronounced by courts of law. For their information, we do not,” said Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo. “As we have said, we respect the independence of the other branches, he said. The Palace statement came after Senator Antonio Trillanes IV lambasted the Duterte administration for hailing its critics to court on trumped-charges and setting free the accused plunderers of the country. “The justice system in the country is in reverse. The plunderers have been set free. The critics will then be given a case to put them behind bars,” Trillanes said on Friday. The lawmaker has been ordered arrested by a Regional Trial Court in Davao City in connection with the libel complaint filed against him by Duterte’s son, former Davao Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte. His bail was set to P24,000.
disbursing officer, signed documents that were necessary before the special cash advances were effected. He also certified that these cash advances were necessary and lawful. “Consequently, these caused serious damage and grave prejudice to the government since the latter was not able to procure the needed properties at the lowest price possible through a competitive bidding. Thus, serious dishonesty and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service is present in this case,” the appellate court said. The case stemmed from an anonymous complaint received by the Ombudsman about the supposed anomalies in the use of PCG funds, particularly with respect to the liquidation of cash advances and the reimbursements of expenses for the year 2014 based on the Audit Observation Memorandum issued by the COA on April 15, 2015. As indicated in the COA report, PCG’s general ledger showed that cash advances granted to 21 special disbursing officers totaled P689,640,806 as of Dec. 31, 2014,
with total liquidations of P633,612,786. The cash advances were authorized and recommended by Isorena, Fabul, and Caguioa, in their respective capacities as commandant, deputy chief for comptrollership and accounting head. Based on COA’s report, the disbursement vouchers showed that they lacked the required office orders duly designating the respective recipients as SDOs. Aside from some business establishments not being in the addresses indicated in the sales invoices, cash invoices or officials receipts, COA’s validation of liquidation documents also yielded denials from some of the establishments they located, particularly with respect to the issuances of receipts and invoices. Villacorte admitted that he was designated as SDO for Coast Guard Education Training with an accountability of P2 million. He insisted that he complied with rules and regulations on case advances. He said among the expenses charged to the special cash advance were the training of personnel for West Philippine Sea deployment, exercises with visiting foreign
naval and coast guard force and special trainings under the US-Philippine Mutual Defense Treaty. “The contention of the petitioner is bereft of merit, the training programs are not within the extraordinary circumstances that will justify a resort to the alternative methods of bidding…Furthermore, it must be noted that there is no imminent danger to life or property nor other causes where immediate action is necessary,” the CA said. Associate Justices Mario Lopez and Gabriel Robeniol concurred with the ruling. In September, the CA also found coast guard internal auditor Cdr. John B. Esplana liable for serious dishonesty, grave misconduct, and conduct prejudicial to the interest of the service and imposing upon him the penalty of dismissal from the service for his involvement in the same anomaly. The CA also affirmed the ruling issued by Ombudsman last year, which found PCG Rear Admiral Cecil Chen, now retired, administratively liable for the same anomaly. Rey E. Requejo
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He added, however, that Congress would have the final say. “We are not here to implement the law or interpret policy. We just have to provide the necessary input and allow our leaders and politicians in Congress to decide if there really is a need to extend… martial law for another year,” he said. In a separate interview also on radio dzBB, Senator Richard Gordon said rebel groups such as the Abu Sayyaf Group and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters were still terrorizing parts of Mindanao, which could be a basis for extending martial law.
Lawyers’ group... From A1
DOE said oil producers have been hit by a 30-percent plunge in crude prices since October due to oversupply but demand outlook has weakened amid a global economic slowdown. Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi said last week that Qatar’s decision to leave OPEC will also have an impact on oil prices globally. “Qatar will be acting more independently and hopefully that would increase their production and increase the supply in the world market. If there will be more supply, then the price would go down,” Cusi said.
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Wyoming, while the other has been in an American base in South Korea called Camp Red Cloud. Panelo said President Rodrigo Duterte, who demanded the return of the Balangiga bells, will lead the handover ceremony at the Villamor Air Base in Pasay City. Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, who is expected to sign a document to formally accept the bells, said he was not sure if Duterte would give a speech. “Initially, they said the President will not speak, but he said he will be there,” Lorenza-
na said. He said US Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim will give a speech and read a message from US Defense Secretary James Mattis. Lorenzana said the bells will be turned over by the US after spending over a century on foreign soil. “The aircraft that will be bringing the three bells will arrive before lunch at Villamor Airbase,” he said. “They are going to unload the bells, they are going to remove it from the crate and put it on display.” The US promised to return the bells three months ago after Duterte said no further discussions would be held between the US and the Philippines unless the bells were returned.
“Nakipag-ugnayan tayo sa Sergeant-atArms. Wala siya doon sa Senado nu’ng last Friday,” Eleazar said. “Wala rin siya doon [sa bahay].” Nevertheless, Eleazar said, Trillanes would promptly process his posting of bail. He also said they would abide by the constitutional provision saying a member of Congress may not be arrested while Congress is in session. Trillanes has said he is willing to turn himself in on Monday so he can post bail. Trillanes also recently faced arrest over the rebellion charges against him after President Rodrigo Duterte last month “revoked” the amnesty given to him in 2011.
Budget chief faces Congress’ Question Hour CONGRESS has summoned Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno to take part in its Question Hour tomorrow afternoon to shed light on the questions related to the deliberations on the P3.757-trillion proposed national budget for 2019. On Dec. 4, the House of Representatives adopted House Resolution 2307 as Resolution HR00158, which was filed by House Minority Leader and Quezon Rep. Danilo Suarez. The resolution required the “appearance and participation of Department of Budget and Management Secretary Benjamin Diokno in the Question Hour regarding the 2019 election budget.” Majority Leader and Camarines Sur Rep. Rolando Andaya Jr. required Diokno to appear at the Plenary Session Hall on Dec. 11 to answer questions from House members. He also sent Diokno the proposed questions to be discussed during the question hour. “Further, you are also required to bring all pertinent documents such as disbursements, releases and office memos addressed to all government offices, among others,” the communication read. Suarez filed the measure originally as HR 2307 on Nov. 11. The summons to Diokno is part of the congressional “powers to conduct legislative inquiries and exercise oversight functions.” Suarez said cited the importance of Diokno’s appearance in the Question Hour, saying “issues regarding the budget insertions arise, thereby raising the possibility of having a reenacted budget for 2019.” Rio N. Araja
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When asked about the absence of a provision against political dynasties, Arroyo said she had nothing to do with it. “You ask the chairman [of the House committee on constitutional amendments, Leyte Rep. Vicente Veloso]. I did not participate in the debate because as I said, my only contribution there is the mechanism for setting up the federal states. The others are contributions of the other congressmen. They should answer for themselves,” she said. Under the House version of the charter, the president and vice president will be elected with each other to serve a four-year term and be subject to one reelection. The first election will be held on the second Monday of May 2022.
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The covenant covers the conservation, protection, management, and preservation of the bird species’ known nesting and foraging grounds in 10 barangays in Puerto Princesa City. “Perhaps, unknown to our knowledge, the lowland forest of Iwahig is the third most important habitat of the katala,” said Indira Dayang LacernaWidmann, chief operations officer of the Katala Foundation Inc. The first important dwelling ground is Rasa Island in the southern Palawan town of Narra, followed by Balabac municipality, and the IPPF in the city in Barangay Iwahig, Lacerna-Widmann said. She said about 60 to 70 of the critically endangered bird, which is also known as the red-vented cockatoo, are dwelling in the IPPF’s lowland forests. “We might think that’s a small number and not important, but in the whole world, there are only now more or less 1,200 katala. They are only found in the Philippines and this is why Palawan is very important in cockatoo conservation,” she said. PNA