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‘Talk to Mayor’

February 29, 2016February 29, 2016 Ellen

Mayor appropriates parking slot for PWD. Photo from ASTIG.PH

Going the rounds in Facebook is a post by Candy Chan in Astig.Ph about a vehicle by a mayor that was parked in a slot reserved for Persons with Disabilities at Bay 4 of NAIA3. When the security guard called the attention of the man who came out of the driver seat, he insolently replied, “Kausapin mo si Mayor (Talk to the Mayor.)

The incident happened more than two months ago, Dec. 19. We are re-telling the incident because we have not seen any report who was the mayor who violated the law, Republic Act No. 7277 known as the Magna Carta for Persons with Disabilities, and if he and his driver were made accountable for their misdeed.

As related by ASTIG.PH complete with pictures, a certain HJ was waiting at MIAA Bay 5 when a black Toyota Fortuner with plate number VRB 202 marked Mayor parked right next to the sign that indicated the space was reserved for PWDs.

“After 3-5 minutes, a man from the driver side of the vehicle went out, moved the PWD signage to the side, and then proceeded to light a cigarette stick,” Chan related.

The security guard approached the man, presumed to be the driver and following was the exchange:

Security Guard: Sir, sa inyo po ba itong kotse? Bawal po kasi waiting dito. Doon nalang po sa unahan.

Driver: May sakit sa tuhod si mayor.

SG: Sir, sa VIP parking nalang po sana kayo, Sir. I-coordinate natin.

Driver (puffing a cigarette and frowning): Kausapin mo si mayor.

SG: Sir,pasensya na po ginagawa ko lang po trabaho ko. Bawal po talaga waiting dito.

Driver: Kausapin mo nga si mayor! (Turned his back ignoring the guard as he continued puffing his cigarette).

The Mayor’s driver ignores request of Security Guard not to park in hte slot for PWDs. Photo from ASTIG.PH

R.A. 7277, an Act providing for the rehabilitation, self-development and self-reliance of disabled person and their integration into the mainstream of society, provides that “ The State shall ensure the attainment of a barrier-free environment that will enable disabled persons to have access in public and private buildings and establishments and such other places mentioned in Batas Pambansa Bilang 344, otherwise known as the Accessibility Law.”

It further states that “The national and local government shall allocate funds for the provision of architectural or structural features for disabled persons in government buildings and facilities.”

The PWD parking slot in airports is in compliance with the implementing rules and regulations of the Accessibility Law which states “Accessible slots in parking areas shall be located as near as possible to ingress/egress spaces of the building or structure.”

Those found to have violated R.A No. 7277 for the first time shall be fined not less than pesos (P 50,000.00 but not exceeding P 100,000.00 or imprisonment of not less than six months but not more than two years, or both at the discretion of the court.

For subsequent violations, the law states that the offender should be fined of not less than P 100,000.00 but P 200,000.00 or imprisonment for less than two years but not more than six years, or both at the discretion of the court.

The law further provides that “Any person who abuses the privileges granted herein shall be punished with imprisonment of not less than six months or a fine of not less than P5,000.00 but not more than P 50,000.00, or both, at the discretion of the court.

Have “Mayor” and his driver been made accountable for their illegal act?

Thank you, Sen. Joker Arroyo

October 13, 2015October 13, 2015 Ellen Leave a comment

Sen. Joker Arroyo

I owe Joker Arroyo big time.

As a legislator, Joker Arroyo had millions of pesos at his disposal under the Priority Development Assistance Fund. Some of his colleagues disposed of their PDAF into their pockets with gusto.

Arroyo earned the reputation as “Scrooge” because of his low office expenditure. He maintained a very small staff.

I had been a recipient, however, of the generosity of the Congress’ “Scrooge.”

In 2003, I underwent chemotherapy for my ovarian cancer. Chemotherapy is a very expensive treatment. I had mine at the Philippine General Hospital.

When Joker learned that I needed financial assistance for my chemotherapy, he instructed his media officer, Delfin Espiritu, to facilitate release of his PDAF to PGH for one cycle of my chemo.

I thanked him for it through Delfin and he replied to let him know if I needed more help.

I did for another cycle of chemo.

In 1983, during Malaya’s “guerilla” days, we (Malaya’s reporters) had Joker’s phone number, together with that of Attorneys Rene Saguisag and Jojo Binay, in our wallet, in case we get arrested by Marcos minions.

In those uncertain days, having his number enabled us to pursue our job of reporting on Marcos’ crumbling dictatorship because it gave us assurance that there would be somebody who would make noise and make life difficult for those who would prevent us from doing our job.

During the May 2007 senatorial elections, I wrote a critical article about Gloria and Mike Arroyo’s candidates. Joker was mentioned not in a flattering way and I was informed he was not happy about it.

It was therefore with some apprehension that I greeted him during the Senate hearing of the November 2007 Manila Peninsula siege (where together with more than 20 journalists we were arrested for covering Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV and his fellow rebel soldiers call for Gloria Arroyo’s ouster despite orders by the authorities to leave before they assaulted the hotel).

As always,he was kind to me.

Thank you, Joker.

Harry Roque aims for a congressional seat through partylist

August 27, 2015August 27, 2015 Ellen Leave a comment

Harry Roque with Rep. Gina de Venecia and Precy Lopez-Psinakis in a rally against Gloria Arroyo’s attempt to change Constitution in 2009.

I’m so glad that lawyer Harry Roque has decided to go via the party list in his entry into politics. He is no longer joining Vice President Jejomar Binay’s United Nationalist Alliance ticket.

In his meeting with members of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines in Bacolod yesterday, Roque announced that he will be the first nominee of the party list Kalusugan, Pabahay, Kabuhayan or Kabayan which describes itself as “ a multi-sector party that represents Filipinos in various marginalized but highly important sectors in Philippine society” in the 2016 elections.

Roque said being with Kabayan “is more consistent with my human rights advocacy.”

I heaved a sigh of relief.

Harry is a good friend. He and his law firm, Roque and Butuyan law office, supported us in our fight against attempts by Gloria Arroyo and her husband Mike Arroyo to intimidate media by filing libel suits left and right.
Harry also was with us when took the Arroyo officials to court for arresting us after the Manila Peninsula siege involving Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV in November 2009.

Harry Roque and familes of victims of Maguindanao massacre. GMA News photo.

It’s not only I whom Harry has helped. He took on, pro bono, the case of then Marine first Lieutenant (now Major) Artemio Raymundo,who was subjected to a court martial for having shared with fellow soldiers the CDs “Ang Mabuhay Para sa Masa,” a bio-pic of former President and now Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada.

Raymundo was acquitted. He has resumed his military career and is now assigned at the Marine Brigade in Palawan.

Harry has always wanted to try to be part of government. Although he was in the forefront in the fight against Gloria Arroyo’s fraudulent presidency and campaigned actively for Benigno Aquino III in 2010, he was not part of any favored group in the Aquino administration.

He thought that he could pursue his political plans through UNA’s senatorial ticket.

It was very hard to reconcile Harry Roque with Binay given the anomalies that have been exposed by the Senate Blue Ribbon subcommittee that started with the investigation of the allegedly overpriced Makati City Hall Parking Building2.

The entourage of Binay in his provincial sorties include characters like Ilocos Sur Governor Chavit Singson.
Harry said there were two recent incidents that made him decide not to be part of Binay’s 2016 ticket.

VP Jojo Binay meets Gloria Arroyo at the wake of the latter’s brother, Arturo Macapagal, at heritage Park.

When Binay decided to go to the wake of Arturo Macapagal, brother of Gloria Arroyo, at the Heritage Park two weeks ago, where the former vice-president was also reported to be going, the usual entourage was also expected to accompany him.

Harry’s daughter expressed her disgust which he himself shared.

Then they were notified that Binay was going to Maguindanao and their host would be an Ampatuan.
That was IT for Harry, who is counsel for 15 of the 58 victims of the November 2009 massacre perpetrated by the family of the late Andal Ampatuan Sr.

The past two weeks, Roque has been going around solo and he said he feels good about the reactions of the people he has met.
***
If you can’t counter the truth, spread lies.

That’s this issue or non-issue about the consultants of Sen. Antonio Trillanes III.

Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV at Senate hearing.

Here’s Trillanes’ statement:

“I categorically deny that I am using Senate funds for my household and personal expenses.

“The names mentioned in a newspaper article published today are legitimate consultants. Some were employed as confidential agents in relation to the ongoing Senate investigation regarding Binay anomalies; while others are doing field research, staff work, and other auxiliary services assigned to them.

“This consultancy issue was already cleared by the Commission on Audit, and up to this day, it has not issued any notice of disallowance regarding the same. In fact, the Senate has already met with COA, and it was concluded that there is nothing illegal with the Senators’ consultancy services expenses.

“I believe that this trivial issue is basically just a hatchet job to tarnish my anti-corruption efforts. I have been imprisoned for more than 7 years fighting for this advocacy and I’m not about to stop now. Just the same, be assured that not a single centavo of the funds entrusted to my office was pocketed.”

One report noted that most of Trillanes’ consultants are members of the Magdalo, a group of military officers who rebelled against Gloria Arroyo in July 2003.

So? You expect Trillanes to hire for his Senate staff members of UNA?

The dirty-trick operator should be told that aside from being graduates of the Philippine Miltiary Academy, most of those officers were able to obtain their Master’s degree in Public Administration during their 7 years in detention.

Harry Roque aims for a congressional seat through partylist

August 27, 2015August 27, 2015 Ellen Leave a comment

Harry Roque with Rep. Gina de Venecia and Precy Lopez-Psinakis in a rally against Gloria Arroyo’s attempt to change Constitution in 2009.

I’m so glad that lawyer Harry Roque has decided to go via the party list in his entry into politics. He is no longer joining Vice President Jejomar Binay’s United Nationalist Alliance ticket.

Roque said being with Kabayan “is more consistent with my human rights advocacy.”

I heaved a sigh of relief.

Harry Roque and familes of victims of Maguindanao massacre. GMA News photo.

Raymundo was acquitted. He has resumed his military career and is now assigned at the Marine Brigade in Palawan.

He thought that he could pursue his political plans through UNA’s senatorial ticket.

VP Jojo Binay meets Gloria Arroyo at the wake of the latter’s brother, Arturo Macapagal, at heritage Park.

Harry’s daughter expressed her disgust which he himself shared.

The past two weeks, Roque has been going around solo and he said he feels good about the reactions of the people he has met.
***
If you can’t counter the truth, spread lies.

That’s this issue or non-issue about the consultants of Sen. Antonio Trillanes III.

Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV at Senate hearing.

Here’s Trillanes’ statement:

“I categorically deny that I am using Senate funds for my household and personal expenses.

One report noted that most of Trillanes’ consultants are members of the Magdalo, a group of military officers who rebelled against Gloria Arroyo in July 2003.

So? You expect Trillanes to hire for his Senate staff members of UNA?

DENR, the Church and the nickel ore stockpile in Manicani

August 20, 2015August 20, 2015 Ellen Leave a comment

Environment Secretary Ramon Paje

Has the government relinquished its duty of regulating the mining industry to the Catholic Church?

That’s the question I asked Environment Secretary Ramon Paje when he said that Hinatuan Mining Corporation (HMC) has to get the approval of the church to their request to remove the 1.1 million metric tons nickel ore stockpile in Manicani which poses risk to the environment minerals pose this rainy season.

Way back 2003 (the Environment secretary then was Heherson Alvarez), the Mines and Geoscience Bureau and Environmental Management Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources investigated and evaluated the impacts of mining operations in Manicani and Homonhon islands in Guiuan, Eastern Samar and the recommendation on the stockpile was, “while the operations of Hinatuan remains suspended, all available ore materials stockpiled form shipment must be disposed of immediately as these materials may cause siltation and water pollution along the seashore subject, however, to compliance with the other requirements of the DENR, MGB and EMB, as well as with the pertinent laws, rules and regulations.”

Does the Catholic Church have the veto power on decisions and recommendations by the DENR?

Paje clarified that it’s not that they have relinquished their job to the church but it would be good for everyone especially to the mining company to have the cooperation of the community including the Church.

Majority of the community, according to a joint resolution by the officials Manicani’s four barangays (Buenavista, Hamorawon, San Jose and Banaag) are for the disposal of the stockpile.

Manicani residents Nemesio and Adela Abucejo in their new house built, with assistance from Nickel Asia Corp. after Yolanda destroyed their old house house.

“With authoritative basis (survey results vis-à-vis those who like the disposal of the stockpiles and to those who don’t like) let it be set for record purposes in this joint resolution that all throughout the island of Manicani there are 87% of the constituents who ardently desire to have the stockpiles removed by Hinatuan Mining Corporation and 13 % don’t want that the same be removed,” the barangay officials said in a resolution sent to Bishop Crispin B. Varquez, bishop of the diocese of Borongan; DENR Secretary Ramon J.P. Paje; MGB Director Leo L. Jasareno; and Regional Director Alilo C. Ensomo, Jr. of MGB, Reg.8.

The joint resolution also cited the July 1, 2014 order of Jasareno to allow and have the loading of the nickel ore stockpile be expedited “so as this island will be free from the “hazards” posed by it during the rainy days.

Anti-mining protest in Manicani.

Manicani residents were lucky that when super typhoon Yolanda struck the island almost two years ago,the stockpile, which had been there since 1991, didn’t cause much harm to the island and its residents. But, Jose Bayani Baylon, vice president for Communications of Nickel Asia Corporation, HMC’s mother company, said Yolanda was mostly strong winds and not much rain. It’s a different case with the amihan.

Baylon said due to the huge volume of the stockpile which consists mostly of low-grade ore, it would take about two years to have it all transported for processing to another NAC subsidiary before it could be sold to the market. That would mean jobs for residents of Manicani.

“Sabi ko nga, we can wait until the next administration… We can wait for another year. But that would mean that the islanders would have no source of income,” Baylon said.

Baylon also stressed that what HMC is asking DENR is permission to remove the ore stockpile from the island, not to resume mining operations which was suspended in many years.

Employment opprtunities offered by HMC.

Baylon said Regional Director Alilo C. Ensomo, Jr. of MGB, Reg.8, who was earlier been instructed to “Act accordingly” on HMC’s request to remove the stockpile from the island was about to issue the permit but Paje told him to “hold it.”

There must be other reasons why Paje is withholding the permit. Using the bishop of Borongan’s opposition is a lame excuse. DENR is in a better position than the bishop to assess the real risks of that nickel ore stockpile as well as the benefits for the people of Manicani with its removal from the island.

The DENR as the regulator in the mining industry gives importance to consensus-building.
However, as articulated in the national Minerals Policy, “… in case of unreasonable/unjustifiable objections to impasse, an informed majority public acceptance and support shall be acceptable.”