Ombudsman didn’t file graft case vs. Ligot despite money launder evidence – Drilon
Feb 18th
The Office of the Ombudsman is now hard put to explain why it failed to file a graft case against former AFP comptroller, retired Major General Jacinto Ligot, despite the clear evidence submitted by the Anti Money Laundering Council (AMLC) showing he and his family had amassed P740 million in bank deposits over a four-year period.
Upon questioning by Senator Franklin M. Drilon during the Blue Ribbon committee hearing on the Garcia plea bargain agreement on Friday, Special Prosecutor Wendell Barreras-Sulit it was the first time she came to know about the existence of these deposits which is why no graft More >
Group urges Palace to certify gun control bills
Feb 12th
By Alcuin Papa
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 08:40:00 02/12/2011
Filed Under: Legislation, Benigno Aquino III, comelec, RP peace process
MANILA, Philippines—Civic and religious groups led by three former senators and bishops are urging the President to certify as urgent a gun control bill to stem the rising incidence of crimes in the streets.
In a signed statement, the group calling itself Mga Tagatulak ng Kapayapaan (Peace Movers) called on President Aquino to consolidate two gun control bills pending in the House of Representatives and the Senate into one measure and certify it as urgent. The group sent a letter through Presidential Communications Operations Office More >
GRANT OF AUTHORITY TO CESB OVER CAREER SERVICE ‘UNCONSTITUTIONAL’—DRILON
Feb 11th
The Career Executive Service Board (CESB), whose rulings and policies have caused the removal of government executives allegedly for lack of eligibility, has no authority to do so and only the Civil Service Commission (CSC) has that authority, according to Senator Franklin Drilon, a former justice secretary.
Granting the CESB autonomy to control and supervise third-level career executive service cannot be provided by law and the legislature cannot pass a law that would diminish the powers of the Civil Service Commission (CSC) which has proper jurisdiction over career service, Drilon said.
The grant of authority to CESB, which was created by Presidential More >
Drilon gets gov’t agencies to work on river clean-up
Feb 6th
He walked, he saw, and he swung into action.
Senator Franklin M. Drilon spent a busy weekend talking with officials of various government agencies to discuss how to speed up the clean-up of the Iloilo River after he saw that this waterway had become heavily silted during an early morning brisk walk on Trenas Blvd. , or better known as “Boardwalk”, last Saturday.
“I was surprised to see fishermen stand just waist-deep in the middle of the river tending to their nets,” he said. “It dawned upon me the river had become so shallow because of siltation.”
After his walk, Drilon sat down More >
ESTABLISHING THE FRAMEWORK FOR REFORMS IN THE GOCCs
Jan 27th
Sponsorship Speech on GOCC Governance Act of 2011
(S.B. No. 2640, An Act To Promote Financial Viability And Fiscal Discipline In Government-Owned Or Controlled Corporations And To Strengthen The Role Of The State In Its Governance And Management To Make Them More Responsive To The Needs Of Public Interest And For Other Purposes)
Mr. President, Distinguished Colleagues:
INTRODUCTION Since the 1970s, the Philippine Government has been establishing Government Owned and Controlled Corporations, or GOCCs, to accomplish development objectives, particularly economic and social services, and infrastructure development. Many of these GOCCs took on a life of their own, and pursued objectives independently of any More >
Dinagyang showcases Iloilo’s finest
Jan 24th
I spent my Sunday (Jan. 23) in my hometown, Iloilo City, to join my “kasimanwas” in celebrating the Dinagyang Festival in honor of Sr. Sto. Nino along with my wife, Mila.
I was pleasantly surprised at how the Dinagyang has achieved world-class level performances for its tribes. Each edition of Dinagyang is a unique experience, a wonderful spectator event.
The visit became more meaningful because I witnessed the conferment of the President’s sister, Ms. Ma. Elena “Ballsy” Aquino-Cruz, as an “Adopted Daughter” of Iloilo City. I’ve always felt proud about Iloilo’s heritage, and I am happy to share it with Ballsy.
Although it More >
