BY ALEX ALAGON
SENATOR Francis “Chiz” Escudero commended on Tuesday President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for pursuing evidence-based investigations into the flood control budget irregularities that have led to the filing of corruption and malversation cases, stressing the importance of accountability and cautioning against diversions that only protect the guilty and harm the innocent.
During the Senate plenary deliberations on the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) budget, Escudero said the administration, as stated by Secretary Vince Dizon, has indeed chosen to follow the evidence wherever it leads, even when politically sensitive.
“Binabati ko po ang administrasyon dahil hindi sila sumunod at nagpadala sa anumang script o sarswela para ilihis ang mga tunay na salarin tulad ng sinabi ko nung ako ay huling tumayo at nagsalita dito sa Senado,” he said. “Ayon mismo kay Secretary Dizon, ang sinusundan lamang nila, base sa kautusan ng Pangulong Marcos, ay kung saan sila dinala ng ebidensya.”
The Ombudsman has already filed corruption and malversation charges before the Sandiganbayan against former Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co, former DPWH Undersecretary Wilfredo Bernardo, former DPWH Bulacan 1st District Engineer Henry Alcantara, former DPWH Bulacan 1st District Assistant Engineer Brice Hernandez, and directors of Sunwest Corporation in connection with flood control project anomalies.
The Independent Commission for Infrastructure, which has been tasked by the President to lead the investigations, has turned over documents to the Office of the Ombudsman in relation to the role of former House Speaker and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez in the anomalies to determine possible administrative or criminal accountability under the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards, and other applicable laws.
The Bicolano senator praised the administration for its determination to uphold justice, even when investigations touch close to home. He noted that the President’s directive to “follow the evidence” has ensured that accountability is pursued consistently and without diversion.
“Alam kong hindi naging madali ang desisyong ito para kay Pangulong Marcos nang malaman niya na posibleng sangkot ang kaniyang pinsan. Kaya, binabati ko ang kaniyang sigasig na panagutin ang mga tunay at dapat managot, at ang pagtutol niya sa anumang dibersyon dahil marami nang mga inosenteng tao ang nadamay sa tangkang paglilihis na ito,” he stressed.
Escudero reminded the public that while anger against corruption is justified, judgment must be based on facts and evidence, and not on speculation or intrigue.
“Dapat lang tayong magalit sa korupsyon at anumang uri ng pag-abuso sa kapangyarihan. Subalit, huwag tayo maging padalos-dalos sa paghusga. Maging mapanuri din tayo sa mga mema na nais lamang magpunla ng pagkakawatak-watak natin di lamang dito sa Senado kundi sa buong bansa,” he concluded.
IN THE case of Davao City, who really issued the suspension of classes as a consequence of the series of earthquakes that hit the Davao Region recently?
Was it the local government, or was it the Department of Education? We are asking the question after we read on a social media a post apparently from the DepEd saying the agency acknowledges the authority of the LGUs to order the suspension of classes if it deems the prevailing situation demands it.
Nonetheless, the agency also requested the LGUs to balance safety of students and their learning in classes. While DepEd acknowledges the importance of caution, it also believes that an “extended suspension of classes can disrupt learning and might affect the students’ development.”
So, we find no need to reiterate our question on who really issued the suspension of classes in Davao City. It is now clear that the local government issued the order of class suspension. After all, the LGU is more knowledgeable of the actual situation after the earthquake hit the area.
But we agree with DepEd that the LGU must find a balance between safety of the students and the need to not disrupt their learning process.
In short the DepEd sees the need for the LGU of Davao City to hasten its assessment of the integrity of the school buildings so that classes can resume without the parents and school authorities fearing for the lives of the students.
And by the way, what is the status of the inspection of the various school buildings in the city as of yesterday? Has the teams organized by the city government to conduct the inspection and assessment completed more than 50% of school edifices? If not, then there might be a need to organize more inspector teams to hasten the job.
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Broadcaster and print media columnist Ramon Tulfo who claimed to have lived in Manay, Davao Oriental, called residents disrespectful after chanting the name of Vice President Sara Duterte while President Marcos was in town for a personal assessment of the damage as result of the earthquake.
We strongly agreed with him. We too, believe that if one’s partisan position in politics does away his or her respect to a person he or she at least respect the position the said person holds. Moreso if that person is the President of the Republic.
In other words, it is also our take that the crowd shouting the VP’s name right at hearing distance of the President should have shown their disdain for the Chief Executive in more appropriate venues.
There is, however, one thing that we would strongly disagree with Mon Tulfo’s actuation. That is, his calling in general terms the people of Manay as “Pusaka, living in the mountains far from civilization…”
Personally, we think it is too much of a disrespect to citizens of this country who just happen to live in a rural town of a distant Mindanao province.
Yet, Tulfo seems to pride himself as once having resided in Manay during the assignment of his father in that Eastern Davao Province.
Perhaps it is worth reminding the infamous media personality that most residents of Manay, especially those lording over the politics in that town, are of Luzon descent.
For now, we have no idea how the provincial officials, as well as the congressman of that district where Manay is part, are taking the description of Tulfo on the Manayanons. The Dayanghirangs are from that earthquake-stricken municipality.
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Why are some people in the National Capital Region talking of possibly putting former House Speaker Martin Romualdez under the government’s Witness Protection Program? Is not Romualdez the prime suspect in the massive corruption in government, especially on infrastructure project implementation by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)?
And here come reports of him possibly becoming a protected witness! Against whom, against himself? Whoever bankrolled that crazy idea could have presented to the former speaker a better way out of his bind.
And even if it is assumed that he can meet the requirements of becoming a protected state witness, there must be someone higher than the former speaker that should make him fear for his life.
Meaning, it could not be any one except his cousin President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.
Unfortunately, the protests held every now and then supposedly intended to denounce corruption and make those involved accountable for their misdeed, to us, are not helping the efforts to stamp out corruption. Instead, it is muddling the issue with the suspects pointing at each other as the main culprit.
All these allow those who are really involved to find ways to downplay their participation in the massive heist of government money. In fact, one major suspect has even claimed to have done a huge sacrifice for the people with his resignation as congressman after being identified as second biggest taker of the demanded bribes.
