Hole of Justice
by Peter G. Jimenea
Overkill
I find no fault in the intrusion of some local media to the private life of Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog except, that others have gone too far by stepping over-the-line of pardonable behavior. For keen observers, this is an overkill.
The stake involved in this below-the-belt campaign against the mayor virtually shown the tawdry spectacle that followed - intimidate and destroy. Look, even the overpriced City Hall has become a recurring theme that riled the squatters who are once unmindful of the issue.
It creates a public impression that the adversaries of Mayor Mabilog are out to distract attention so the many things he could do will be set-aside and left undone. This too, is also widely believe done by critics in exchange for a fat commission off the top!
Take a look at the issues against the mayor. He became a respondent in a case filed by two media personalities at the Office of the Ombudsman for alleged encroachment in the Iloilo River. But it turned out that the lot involved is actually a property of the mayor's parents.
The complainants who had been scorching the earth on all sides to find an issue against Mayor Mabilog has finally become respondents in a P5M damage suit filed by the latter. Now the guys are badly beaten by their looks, the oppressed who prefer to accept money than apology!
Let's not forget that press freedom belongs to those who own one and understand it. Yet, there are media people emboldened to intrude into the private life of the mayor and wife including their marriage record that no journalist before had decided to do.
But before we go over the issue, let's ask ourselves on what is important in this desire to unearth records of a private life. Is it beneficial to the p;eople? Or is it harmful to public welfare? If there is none, then something bad is brewing against the subject-person.
Mayor Mabilog has wrote in his Certificate of Candidacy (COC) that he is married. But recently, a lady named Maria Victoria Griengo (widely known to be his wife) inquired from the National Statistics Office (NSO) if a certain Jed Patrick Mabilog is married, for a simple reason that this is needed for her loan application.
The NSO responded by writing Maria Victoria that from 1945 to 2010, no person of such name had a record of marriage in this office. This stirs the peace in the camp of the adversarial media who immediately feasted on the isue.
The letter from the NSO became a document to intimidate the mayor. But why call for another shot to effect a desire already done by former DOJ Secretary Raul Gonzalez? Well. let's give the public an idea if the game's prize is worth playing with for those people.
If the motive of overplaying rhetorics is the disqualification of the mayor, sorry, the time to file a disqualification case has already prescribed. Beside which, the last election victory of the mayor has already exonerated him from administrative charges so far.
The most compelling issue against the mayor is his being married in the COC under-oath which may constitute "perjury." But this marriage issue, as I see it, will eventually gain ground if filed in court. There is always a presumption of marriage between a man and a woman cohabiting under one roof.
This new subplot that resurfaced to discredit the mayor is another overkill. But the plan of Mayor Mabilog to remain silent until things are sorted out, earned for him the sympathy of the majority who are already tired of senseless haggling and blame-tossing!
I am also a staunch critic of Mayor Mabilog and Cong. Jerry Trenas. But prudence dictates, let's not go beyond their officials functions to bismirch the family's reputation. Let us always consider the prize at stake in every battle - if it is worthy of the war we are fighting for!
Press freedom anchor of democracy
Monday, July 25, 2011
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Hole of Justice: I am for the RH Bill
Hole of Justice: I am for the RH Bill: "Hole of Justice by Peter G. Jimenea Why I am for the RH Bill A lot of Christian organizations openly expressed support to the Reprod..."
Hole of Justice: I am for the RH Bill
Hole of Justice: I am for the RH Bill: "Hole of Justice by Peter G. Jimenea Why I am for the RH Bill A lot of Christian organizations openly expressed support to the Reprod..."
I am for the RH Bill
Hole of Justice
by Peter G. Jimenea
Why I am for the RH Bill
A lot of Christian organizations openly expressed support to the Reproductive Health Bill (RHB) and the issue that has long consumed the country is now an accepted fact to modern women of society. Unfortunately, this is opposed by the Catholic Bishop Conference of the Philippines or the CBCP.
As to what motivates them, they have yet to say. But if it is the dreamed income from birth to death of devotees in all Christian communities, then let it be. But sad to say, the CBCP failed to notice that the Iglesia ni Kristo, one of the Christian Churches with big followers now supports the Bill.
We were doctrined by Christendom with baptismal, confirmation, first communion and so forth. Then wedding of the grown-ups wanting to have a family. We were also told that dead members of our family can never go to heaven without the blessing of the Church but - for a fee.
See? There are no Muslims or Buddhists in this business, only two members of a Catholic family, the rich and the poor. The rich who rule the law and the majority poor with a little learning of the law that when offended, may prefer to accept money than apology!
The condom and oral contraceptives were already in used prior to the introduction of the RH Bill in Congress. On why the CBCP stood up only now to oppose their uses, we have yet to know. But they should know that it is only for them in their group that what they did was good!
They repeatedly sounded a call that life is sacred and no to RH Bill. But what about those mothers crying on TV screen begging for help from people with golden hearts to save their dying kids due to lack of money to buy medicines? Where are the CBCP members in this regard?
True, more parishioners, more collection. But what about the fast growing population and the lack of employment for the less-educated majority? The high cost of education, hospitalization plus lack of food on the table can drive a father of five in the brink of insanity!
Oral contraceptives and condoms are use not to abort life from a mother's womb but to stop the development of a man and a woman sperm into fetus. The stuffs are used to avoid unwanted pregnancy and to limit the number of children in a family, that's all.
It is not abortion as what the CBCP's earlier claim hinted at. There’s no murder here for how can you kill a lifeless matter? The CBCP nitpicks too much on the State's affair when their backyards are in shambles. Why interfere in government programs for the good of its citizens?
The country’s population growth is fast-getting closer to the pit of poverty. It widens the gap of economic disparity between the rich and the poor. The CBCP members are already in the pot but jump into the fire. They don't have the faintest idea that making these people hungry someday they will run amuck.
What is wrong with RH Bill that it must be stopped? The glitches of the program can be fixed and women who are the most concerned group of this issue should be given their freedom of choice. Why not allow them to decide on matters of their primary concern?
The CBCP and Church hollies resort to argumentum ad populum to sway popular support rather than facts and reason. No wonder why many of religious sects are now abandoning the Catholic Church and counting.
A big population is good for the CBCP inter se but it does not sit well for women who are risking their lives during pregnancy. The international community has reported that one in every three women in Asia dies during pregnancy or in-time of delivery.
Thus, I am supporting the RH Bill for the above reasons. I know the feelings of most women who support the RH Bill. Like them, I also understand that the prize at stake in this war is worthy of the battle they are fighting for!
by Peter G. Jimenea
Why I am for the RH Bill
A lot of Christian organizations openly expressed support to the Reproductive Health Bill (RHB) and the issue that has long consumed the country is now an accepted fact to modern women of society. Unfortunately, this is opposed by the Catholic Bishop Conference of the Philippines or the CBCP.
As to what motivates them, they have yet to say. But if it is the dreamed income from birth to death of devotees in all Christian communities, then let it be. But sad to say, the CBCP failed to notice that the Iglesia ni Kristo, one of the Christian Churches with big followers now supports the Bill.
We were doctrined by Christendom with baptismal, confirmation, first communion and so forth. Then wedding of the grown-ups wanting to have a family. We were also told that dead members of our family can never go to heaven without the blessing of the Church but - for a fee.
See? There are no Muslims or Buddhists in this business, only two members of a Catholic family, the rich and the poor. The rich who rule the law and the majority poor with a little learning of the law that when offended, may prefer to accept money than apology!
The condom and oral contraceptives were already in used prior to the introduction of the RH Bill in Congress. On why the CBCP stood up only now to oppose their uses, we have yet to know. But they should know that it is only for them in their group that what they did was good!
They repeatedly sounded a call that life is sacred and no to RH Bill. But what about those mothers crying on TV screen begging for help from people with golden hearts to save their dying kids due to lack of money to buy medicines? Where are the CBCP members in this regard?
True, more parishioners, more collection. But what about the fast growing population and the lack of employment for the less-educated majority? The high cost of education, hospitalization plus lack of food on the table can drive a father of five in the brink of insanity!
Oral contraceptives and condoms are use not to abort life from a mother's womb but to stop the development of a man and a woman sperm into fetus. The stuffs are used to avoid unwanted pregnancy and to limit the number of children in a family, that's all.
It is not abortion as what the CBCP's earlier claim hinted at. There’s no murder here for how can you kill a lifeless matter? The CBCP nitpicks too much on the State's affair when their backyards are in shambles. Why interfere in government programs for the good of its citizens?
The country’s population growth is fast-getting closer to the pit of poverty. It widens the gap of economic disparity between the rich and the poor. The CBCP members are already in the pot but jump into the fire. They don't have the faintest idea that making these people hungry someday they will run amuck.
What is wrong with RH Bill that it must be stopped? The glitches of the program can be fixed and women who are the most concerned group of this issue should be given their freedom of choice. Why not allow them to decide on matters of their primary concern?
The CBCP and Church hollies resort to argumentum ad populum to sway popular support rather than facts and reason. No wonder why many of religious sects are now abandoning the Catholic Church and counting.
A big population is good for the CBCP inter se but it does not sit well for women who are risking their lives during pregnancy. The international community has reported that one in every three women in Asia dies during pregnancy or in-time of delivery.
Thus, I am supporting the RH Bill for the above reasons. I know the feelings of most women who support the RH Bill. Like them, I also understand that the prize at stake in this war is worthy of the battle they are fighting for!
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
The Grandmaster
The Chess Player who beat the devil
Alex Vidal and Boy Espejo's pictures in Facebook concentrating on chess game has propelled me to write a fiction about the Chess Grandmaster who beat Lucifer - the devil. This Grandmaster has just returned home from a chess tournament in Sweden where he earned an award - First Asian Grandmaster. Let's name the guy - Alex.
One rainy night at about 11:45 in the evening, a foreign looking visitor clad in Abraham Lincoln's attire with attache case at hand, knocked on Alex apartment. The latter opened the door. After saying "good evening" in a modulated voice, the visitor asked Alex if he can come-in to play Chess-in-Millions with him.
Surprised, Alex murmured; "sino kaya ang disturbong eto?" But to his surprise the visitor retorted in Tagalog; "Ako ay pumunta rito para subukan lamang ang galing mo sa chess at pwedeng kitang gagawing pinaka-mayamang tao dito sa mundo kung matatalo mo ako."
Intrigued, Alex allowed the man to come in, offered a seat and again asks; "Bakit ako ang napili mo at napakaraming grandmasters dito sa mundo na pwede mong kalabanin?" The man replied; "Asian Grandmaster ang pangarap kong makalaban at ikaw ang una."
The visitor opened the attache case to Alex where bundles of US, European dollars and Sterling pounds are placed and said: " If you beat me, this will be yours and will be multiplied million of times for you and your family's lifetime pleasure."
Alex asked: "Ano ang kondisyon sa labang eto?" The man said; "Kapag tinalo kita, I will bring you with me, yon lang." Alex pondered for a while and thought that if he lost the game, this man will bring him as sidekick or a second in all chess tournaments his visitor will soon join.
They agreed and Alex asked once more; "Are you aware of all the game's rules to be followed?" The man replied; "Sure, alam ko." Alex; "Ok, gentlerman's agreement, susundin natin and lahat ng patakaran sa chess ha?" Bisita: "Aprob!" And so the game started.
After the 13th move, nakita ni Alex ang brilliancy ng kanyang kalaban dahil kahit anong move ang gagawin niya, ma-mate ng kalaban ang kanyang "king" sa anim na sulong lamang. Pero kung mag kamali eto, magiging tabla ang resulta. Matapos maisulong ni Alex ang kanyang huling piyesa ay humalakhak na ang kanyang kalaban; "Ha ha ha...talo ka na!"
Pero bago magalaw ng bisita ang piyesa nito para maisulong, nagtanong muna si Alex; "Pwedeng malaman kung sino ka ba talaga?" Sagot ng kalaban niya; "Ha ha ha ako ang demonyong si Lucifer pumunta lamang dito para hamunin at talunin ka at magiging akin ang kaluluwa mo, ha ha ha!"
Nagtanong ulit si Alex; "Kung toto-ong demonyo ka, pwedeng bang i-prove mo sa akin?" Lucifer: "Ha ha ha, ok, anong gusto miong gawin ko?" Alex; "Gawin mong pilak (silver) ang chess board natin." Bisita: "Da-da-diang... ayan nagiging pilak na, ha ha ha talo ka na!"
Alex; "As last evidence para maniniwala akong si Lucifer ka nga, gawin mong ginto (gold) na 24K ang iyong "king." Lucifer: "Ha ha ha... ok last request mo na yan ha? (biglang dinampot ang "King" at naging ginto kaagad) Ayan kagatin mo at malambot na 24K yan, ha ha ha... talo ka na!?
Alex: "Ha ha ha... tabla na, patas na ang laban...ha ha ha!" Lucifer: "Bakit magiging patas?" Alex: "Ha ha ha... TOUCH MOVE di ba? Kaya patas na...ha ha ha!" Lugo-lugong umalis si Lusifer dahil naisahan siya at si Alex lang pala ang katapat niya, he he he.
(Sa chess parlance, ang "touch move" ay isa sa mga patakaran na kapag ginalaw mo ang isang piyesa, isulong mo yan. At sa malas, ang "King" ang nagalaw ni Lucifer na paugod-ugod lamang at hindi pwedeng makahabol at maka "Mate" sa "King" ng kalaban).
Alex Vidal and Boy Espejo's pictures in Facebook concentrating on chess game has propelled me to write a fiction about the Chess Grandmaster who beat Lucifer - the devil. This Grandmaster has just returned home from a chess tournament in Sweden where he earned an award - First Asian Grandmaster. Let's name the guy - Alex.
One rainy night at about 11:45 in the evening, a foreign looking visitor clad in Abraham Lincoln's attire with attache case at hand, knocked on Alex apartment. The latter opened the door. After saying "good evening" in a modulated voice, the visitor asked Alex if he can come-in to play Chess-in-Millions with him.
Surprised, Alex murmured; "sino kaya ang disturbong eto?" But to his surprise the visitor retorted in Tagalog; "Ako ay pumunta rito para subukan lamang ang galing mo sa chess at pwedeng kitang gagawing pinaka-mayamang tao dito sa mundo kung matatalo mo ako."
Intrigued, Alex allowed the man to come in, offered a seat and again asks; "Bakit ako ang napili mo at napakaraming grandmasters dito sa mundo na pwede mong kalabanin?" The man replied; "Asian Grandmaster ang pangarap kong makalaban at ikaw ang una."
The visitor opened the attache case to Alex where bundles of US, European dollars and Sterling pounds are placed and said: " If you beat me, this will be yours and will be multiplied million of times for you and your family's lifetime pleasure."
Alex asked: "Ano ang kondisyon sa labang eto?" The man said; "Kapag tinalo kita, I will bring you with me, yon lang." Alex pondered for a while and thought that if he lost the game, this man will bring him as sidekick or a second in all chess tournaments his visitor will soon join.
They agreed and Alex asked once more; "Are you aware of all the game's rules to be followed?" The man replied; "Sure, alam ko." Alex; "Ok, gentlerman's agreement, susundin natin and lahat ng patakaran sa chess ha?" Bisita: "Aprob!" And so the game started.
After the 13th move, nakita ni Alex ang brilliancy ng kanyang kalaban dahil kahit anong move ang gagawin niya, ma-mate ng kalaban ang kanyang "king" sa anim na sulong lamang. Pero kung mag kamali eto, magiging tabla ang resulta. Matapos maisulong ni Alex ang kanyang huling piyesa ay humalakhak na ang kanyang kalaban; "Ha ha ha...talo ka na!"
Pero bago magalaw ng bisita ang piyesa nito para maisulong, nagtanong muna si Alex; "Pwedeng malaman kung sino ka ba talaga?" Sagot ng kalaban niya; "Ha ha ha ako ang demonyong si Lucifer pumunta lamang dito para hamunin at talunin ka at magiging akin ang kaluluwa mo, ha ha ha!"
Nagtanong ulit si Alex; "Kung toto-ong demonyo ka, pwedeng bang i-prove mo sa akin?" Lucifer: "Ha ha ha, ok, anong gusto miong gawin ko?" Alex; "Gawin mong pilak (silver) ang chess board natin." Bisita: "Da-da-diang... ayan nagiging pilak na, ha ha ha talo ka na!"
Alex; "As last evidence para maniniwala akong si Lucifer ka nga, gawin mong ginto (gold) na 24K ang iyong "king." Lucifer: "Ha ha ha... ok last request mo na yan ha? (biglang dinampot ang "King" at naging ginto kaagad) Ayan kagatin mo at malambot na 24K yan, ha ha ha... talo ka na!?
Alex: "Ha ha ha... tabla na, patas na ang laban...ha ha ha!" Lucifer: "Bakit magiging patas?" Alex: "Ha ha ha... TOUCH MOVE di ba? Kaya patas na...ha ha ha!" Lugo-lugong umalis si Lusifer dahil naisahan siya at si Alex lang pala ang katapat niya, he he he.
(Sa chess parlance, ang "touch move" ay isa sa mga patakaran na kapag ginalaw mo ang isang piyesa, isulong mo yan. At sa malas, ang "King" ang nagalaw ni Lucifer na paugod-ugod lamang at hindi pwedeng makahabol at maka "Mate" sa "King" ng kalaban).
Friday, July 15, 2011
Hole of Justice: A Nursing School Mess
Hole of Justice: A Nursing School Mess: "Hole of Justice by Peter G. Jimenea To die with dignity! Last semester, the UI-PHINMA nursing school was rocked by the fourth year graduat..."
A Nursing School Mess
Hole of Justice
by Peter G. Jimenea
To die with dignity!
Last semester, the UI-PHINMA nursing school was rocked by the fourth year graduating class numbering about 699. These students complained about the incorporation of their grades in Nursing Licensure Examination (NLE) to grades they obtained from legal school curriculum.
Some students have already learned about their grades from instructors and were happy to imagine they will soon be marching for graduation rites, never in mind there is still an impending problem.
It all started when one of the guardians noticed an insertion in the regular school curriculum "NLE Review" with a corresponding amount of P15,000 being charged other than the regular tuition fee.
She wrote to CHED if this is legal as the grades in "NLE Review" shall be incorporated to students grades in subjects under the regular school curriculum that will constitute 40% of the total passing grade for graduation. The CHED replied by citing Memorandum Ord. No. 13, Series of 2006, which states;
RE: “PROHIBITING HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS (HEIs) FROM
FORCING THEIR GRADUATES AND GRADUATING STUDENTS TO ENROLL IN THEIR OWN REVIEW CENTERS AND/OR REVIEW CENTERS OF THEIR PREFERENCE.”
Upon notice, nursing school coordinators fixed the glitches by changing the words NLE Review into – Comprehensive Enhancement Program, the same dog with different collars and the P15,000 stands. They also disclosed that the passing grade is 75% only and it will be handled by their review center of choice.
To avoid animosity with school officials, the students took the examination. But during the posting of results, nursing school coordinators increased the passing grade from 75% to 77% and this will constitute 40% of the total passing grades of the students.
School coordinators are already in the pot but jumped into the fire. They don't have the faintest idea on how much this unauthorized program cost to the students and parents involved.
Those who prepared for graduation rites exploded upon learning they failed. Many believed to have passed even on a poor score of 75 or 76 percent. Thus, the sudden increase in passing grade to 77% stirs the peace of the graduating class.
But mind you, the UI-PHINMA nursing school have made an easy money of P10,485,000 from the 699 graduating students who paid P15,000 each to their dog sporting two different collars, the NLE and CEP. But the program is yet unauthorized by CHED, so this is injustice to the students!
This is not what we think a school business is all about. The coordinators who incorporated the grades of CHED’s unrecognized program to grades of students under legal school curriculum made an impression they did it in exchange for…. you know what.
I don't know why CHED is so silent about this controversy. Thus, it creates an impression without affirming the perception that they also cannot resist the temptation of greed. I fear this silence will earn for their office a new name departamento de los ladrones- a department of crooks!
One of the graduating students told me lately they were compelled to take the comprehensive enhancement program on the promise by coordinators that they will pass, provided, they will no longer join the others who filed a case against the school.
Taking all the equities of the students' case into consideration, this writer believes that officials of CHED Regional Office 6 in Iloilo City, are people of a respectable entity who have no balls to impose office rulings and enforce penalty.
Out of the 699 graduating nursing students, I was informed that less than a dozen are left fighting for what they believed a just cause. I also salute these people who have still faith in justice that ubi jus ibi remedium - where there is right, there is remedy. (Gabita vs. Perez, 169 SCRA 517).
Yet, CHED officials have done nothing to protect the right of the students and to stop their taking of examination from school program unrecognized by their office. So maybe its true, que tacet concentire videtur - silence means consent! (346 SCRA 189).
This is yet to be proven. But if true, then God knows, what is somewhat missing in the empty lives of these people is...... see the title!
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
From one you may learn all
Hole of Justice
by Peter G. Jimenea
From one you may learn all
The Sarabia Manor Hotel, to date. has no cable tv program which is a normal attraction to coffee habituates. The Reklamo Publiko, a Sky Cable TV talk show of Mr. Danny Fajardo which for years had been in Sarabia Manor Hotel as venue, has transfered to Bali Hiotel owned by the Iloilo Press Club President Rommel Ynion.
On why the sudden change of venue by Reklamo Publiko, we have yet to know. But it creates an impression that Fajardo who is now closely identified with Mr. Ynion has lately been going awry with Cong. Jerry Trenas, whose wife Rosalie is one of the owners of the Hotel.
It is widely believe that the critical attitude of Mr. Ynion to the present administration of Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog due to alleged corruption, also led to his expose' of the anomalies during the incumbency of former Mayor Trenas which is even worse.
Sad to say, while Mayor Mabilog is still cooking, Trenas is already burping. This is where I decided to name Trenas, as the most studious mayor and the most despised local executive this highly urbanized city ever had!
In which case, Mr. Fajardo during his program Rekalmo Publiko at Sarabia Manor Hotel looks like a sharp-shooter who cannot pull the trigger of his gun against a very close target. For how could he shoot the owner of the house he is staying with?
In fact, Panay News, a local daily owned by Mr. Fajardo could only throw slight and limited tirade against Cong. Trenas due to the reason above-stated. Panay news have also records of the Pavia Housing Scam of then Mayor Trenas for the 413 houses without a unit done. And that costs P132M of the people's money!
Also the San Isidro, La Paz relocation site for displaced squatters that was bought at P63M plus or five times higher than the original price offered by lot seller to the city government which is still under the stewardship of Mayor Trenas. As to who shared the loot, only God knows.
The Commission on Audit (COA) also conducted an audit of the Property. Plant and Equipment of the city government in 2008. The result came out on 2009, only few months before Mayor Trenas step-down from office.
Of the General Fund, Trust Fund and Special Education Fund of the city government amounting to over P1.3 Billion, an P821 Million cannot be reconciled for lack of documents or no documents at all. But this is taxpayers' money suspected to have gone to the wrong pockets!
Another is the city government loan of P350M for the construction of the Iloilo City Hall building. It was processed about two years before he stepped down from office. Mayor Trenas pomposely claim over the different radio station that the P350M is suffice to complete the city hall building.
On what misfortune for the taxpayers, he applied for another P120M for the same reason, for use to the city hall construction using the previous authority granted to him by Sanggunian members, without another resolutiohn approving the new loan.
Here, liar he could only be, lying to his people and God when he is widely known as a respectable and the most studious city mayor this country ever had. Any man whose family is in the bondage of indebtedness could also be tempted to easily yield to temptation of greed.
This is not what we think a city mayor business is all about. We are just unlucky people in the city because COA the government watchdog for the people's money is only a barking dog, it doesn't bite when they are the first to discover the anomaly. After rendering their report, we heard from them no more.
Another royal mess of things is the Iloilo Graftwatch. After a rumored closed-door conference with the mayor which I have yet to confirm, I see these graftwatch people no longer walking tall but seem on bended knees and shame. Worse, by intently staring at them, they only bow as if badly beaten by their looks!
Its good that we have a press club president hell-bent to run after crooks in the city government. I hope Mr. Ynion makes good his threat as to-date we still have no guarantee that when Mabilog and Trenas stepped down all crooks will go with him.
As we noted, there is a deliberate injustice to the taxpayers money everytime the undesirable underlings are tapped by the two top officials of the city government. They should know that gross negligence is equivalent to malice or intentional wrong. (Balatbat vs. CA, 26 SCRA 128). See the title!
by Peter G. Jimenea
From one you may learn all
The Sarabia Manor Hotel, to date. has no cable tv program which is a normal attraction to coffee habituates. The Reklamo Publiko, a Sky Cable TV talk show of Mr. Danny Fajardo which for years had been in Sarabia Manor Hotel as venue, has transfered to Bali Hiotel owned by the Iloilo Press Club President Rommel Ynion.
On why the sudden change of venue by Reklamo Publiko, we have yet to know. But it creates an impression that Fajardo who is now closely identified with Mr. Ynion has lately been going awry with Cong. Jerry Trenas, whose wife Rosalie is one of the owners of the Hotel.
It is widely believe that the critical attitude of Mr. Ynion to the present administration of Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog due to alleged corruption, also led to his expose' of the anomalies during the incumbency of former Mayor Trenas which is even worse.
Sad to say, while Mayor Mabilog is still cooking, Trenas is already burping. This is where I decided to name Trenas, as the most studious mayor and the most despised local executive this highly urbanized city ever had!
In which case, Mr. Fajardo during his program Rekalmo Publiko at Sarabia Manor Hotel looks like a sharp-shooter who cannot pull the trigger of his gun against a very close target. For how could he shoot the owner of the house he is staying with?
In fact, Panay News, a local daily owned by Mr. Fajardo could only throw slight and limited tirade against Cong. Trenas due to the reason above-stated. Panay news have also records of the Pavia Housing Scam of then Mayor Trenas for the 413 houses without a unit done. And that costs P132M of the people's money!
Also the San Isidro, La Paz relocation site for displaced squatters that was bought at P63M plus or five times higher than the original price offered by lot seller to the city government which is still under the stewardship of Mayor Trenas. As to who shared the loot, only God knows.
The Commission on Audit (COA) also conducted an audit of the Property. Plant and Equipment of the city government in 2008. The result came out on 2009, only few months before Mayor Trenas step-down from office.
Of the General Fund, Trust Fund and Special Education Fund of the city government amounting to over P1.3 Billion, an P821 Million cannot be reconciled for lack of documents or no documents at all. But this is taxpayers' money suspected to have gone to the wrong pockets!
Another is the city government loan of P350M for the construction of the Iloilo City Hall building. It was processed about two years before he stepped down from office. Mayor Trenas pomposely claim over the different radio station that the P350M is suffice to complete the city hall building.
On what misfortune for the taxpayers, he applied for another P120M for the same reason, for use to the city hall construction using the previous authority granted to him by Sanggunian members, without another resolutiohn approving the new loan.
Here, liar he could only be, lying to his people and God when he is widely known as a respectable and the most studious city mayor this country ever had. Any man whose family is in the bondage of indebtedness could also be tempted to easily yield to temptation of greed.
This is not what we think a city mayor business is all about. We are just unlucky people in the city because COA the government watchdog for the people's money is only a barking dog, it doesn't bite when they are the first to discover the anomaly. After rendering their report, we heard from them no more.
Another royal mess of things is the Iloilo Graftwatch. After a rumored closed-door conference with the mayor which I have yet to confirm, I see these graftwatch people no longer walking tall but seem on bended knees and shame. Worse, by intently staring at them, they only bow as if badly beaten by their looks!
Its good that we have a press club president hell-bent to run after crooks in the city government. I hope Mr. Ynion makes good his threat as to-date we still have no guarantee that when Mabilog and Trenas stepped down all crooks will go with him.
As we noted, there is a deliberate injustice to the taxpayers money everytime the undesirable underlings are tapped by the two top officials of the city government. They should know that gross negligence is equivalent to malice or intentional wrong. (Balatbat vs. CA, 26 SCRA 128). See the title!
Sunday, July 3, 2011
Dancing Queen
Hole of Justice
by Peter G. Jimenea
The Dancing Queen
At a restaurant in City Proper area, I heard a school principal telling a companion her heartaches about the wastage of taxpayers' money by a Dancing Queen. It was only a misfortune that their satirical style of conversation did not escape from this writer on the next table.
As they continue talking about the issue, I eventually understand that their subject is Ms Erlinda Gentucaya, the Division Superintendent of City Schools, Iloilo City. The principal claims the City government has appropriated a P30M for repair of the many dilapidated school buildings in the city but a big portion was misappropriated by Ms. Gentucaya.
She also cannot understand why the dancing queen re-aligned a big slice of the appropriated budget for the purchase of reference materials than to repair the dilapidated school buildings to save the children from getting wet during heavy rains.
This writer believes that the reference materials they are talking about are books. Aaccording to them the materials will be ordered by the dancing queen from a supplier-of-choice in Manila. i refused to fully believe the story but I also agree that the principal's claim make sense.
It is a common knowledge among people doing business with the government that in the purchase of books, the approving school authority can become an overnight millionaire after the transaction is done. The principal further said that the amount slashed from the budget set for the repair of the dilapidated school buildings was P9M for books!
On why they are calling Ms. Gentucaya a dancing queen, we have yet to know. But the allegations of her spending in waste the taxpayers' money is what got me so interested about. A P9M is a nine million pesos of the people's money!
Yet, according to the school principal, they have no idea if the reference materials to be purchased could be really effective in the name of standardizing education. This creates an erroneus suspicion without affirming the public perception that the realignment of fund is done for - you know what!
Worse, the principal also said she suspects that the amount of "commission" from said purchase of reference materials will become the pocket money of the dancing queen in her going to Greece in company of the disabled children who will join a sports competition with kids from other countries.
A DepEd officials said that by Monday, July 3, Ms. Gentucaya will be back in Iloilo City. Perhaps she can tell us how our disabled kids fair compared to disabled kids from other competing countries. We also want to hear the reason in her realignment of budget for repair to the purchase of books.
True to the school principal's claim, we have a lot of dilapidated school buildings that need repair to date in order to spare our poor school children from getting wet as rainy season is already here. The purchase of books should only come as a second choice.
As to the purchase of said reference materials by the city school superintendent, we have yet to know whether it was done by bidding process or by direct acquisition. We hope she could shed light on this matter when she arrived from Greece.
There is a need for clarification of this matter as at present, top leaders in city government are now under fire due to alleged corruption. If possible, we don't want our education officials to be dragged in such mess by the "system" that seems to have overrun the government.
The story of top officials at CHED regional office in Iloilo City won't easily go away. Deliberately,they created a bad mark for their institution due to gross neglect in attending the complaint of graduating nursing students against the officials of UI- PHiNMA Nursing School.
Now the case of those poor students seems to disappear in the course of time. This is too extreme for a conclusion but we have a lot of school officials who easily yield to temptation of greed. Look at the CHED people, despite their Ministry Memorandum Ord. No. 13, S, 2006 citing the legal provisions as guidelines to be followed, they ignored it for a will to be done!
Going back to the dancing queen issue, the Iloilo City Teachers Cooperative anomaly is still stinking in the air. The secretary-treasurer of the cooperative ran away without securing a clearance from the Coop and can no longer be located. As to what happened to the members' money, that is history.
But if we look closely to the case, few officials at the Office of the Division Superintendent of City Schools has a lot of explaining to do. Like the CHED officials, we can say that everything happens for a reason, but in this case, it smacks of collusion!
Public officials should know we inclined to be corrective, not punitive. We become hostile only if they refused to heed to our messages despite the clear-understandable language and continue to commit acts contra bonos mores - contrary to sound established practice.
For honest public servants, it is better missed than damned. For the bad eggs, their office should be renamed departamento de los ladrones - department of thieves. And their tragedy is not to go but having no one to remember you!
by Peter G. Jimenea
The Dancing Queen
At a restaurant in City Proper area, I heard a school principal telling a companion her heartaches about the wastage of taxpayers' money by a Dancing Queen. It was only a misfortune that their satirical style of conversation did not escape from this writer on the next table.
As they continue talking about the issue, I eventually understand that their subject is Ms Erlinda Gentucaya, the Division Superintendent of City Schools, Iloilo City. The principal claims the City government has appropriated a P30M for repair of the many dilapidated school buildings in the city but a big portion was misappropriated by Ms. Gentucaya.
She also cannot understand why the dancing queen re-aligned a big slice of the appropriated budget for the purchase of reference materials than to repair the dilapidated school buildings to save the children from getting wet during heavy rains.
This writer believes that the reference materials they are talking about are books. Aaccording to them the materials will be ordered by the dancing queen from a supplier-of-choice in Manila. i refused to fully believe the story but I also agree that the principal's claim make sense.
It is a common knowledge among people doing business with the government that in the purchase of books, the approving school authority can become an overnight millionaire after the transaction is done. The principal further said that the amount slashed from the budget set for the repair of the dilapidated school buildings was P9M for books!
On why they are calling Ms. Gentucaya a dancing queen, we have yet to know. But the allegations of her spending in waste the taxpayers' money is what got me so interested about. A P9M is a nine million pesos of the people's money!
Yet, according to the school principal, they have no idea if the reference materials to be purchased could be really effective in the name of standardizing education. This creates an erroneus suspicion without affirming the public perception that the realignment of fund is done for - you know what!
Worse, the principal also said she suspects that the amount of "commission" from said purchase of reference materials will become the pocket money of the dancing queen in her going to Greece in company of the disabled children who will join a sports competition with kids from other countries.
A DepEd officials said that by Monday, July 3, Ms. Gentucaya will be back in Iloilo City. Perhaps she can tell us how our disabled kids fair compared to disabled kids from other competing countries. We also want to hear the reason in her realignment of budget for repair to the purchase of books.
True to the school principal's claim, we have a lot of dilapidated school buildings that need repair to date in order to spare our poor school children from getting wet as rainy season is already here. The purchase of books should only come as a second choice.
As to the purchase of said reference materials by the city school superintendent, we have yet to know whether it was done by bidding process or by direct acquisition. We hope she could shed light on this matter when she arrived from Greece.
There is a need for clarification of this matter as at present, top leaders in city government are now under fire due to alleged corruption. If possible, we don't want our education officials to be dragged in such mess by the "system" that seems to have overrun the government.
The story of top officials at CHED regional office in Iloilo City won't easily go away. Deliberately,they created a bad mark for their institution due to gross neglect in attending the complaint of graduating nursing students against the officials of UI- PHiNMA Nursing School.
Now the case of those poor students seems to disappear in the course of time. This is too extreme for a conclusion but we have a lot of school officials who easily yield to temptation of greed. Look at the CHED people, despite their Ministry Memorandum Ord. No. 13, S, 2006 citing the legal provisions as guidelines to be followed, they ignored it for a will to be done!
Going back to the dancing queen issue, the Iloilo City Teachers Cooperative anomaly is still stinking in the air. The secretary-treasurer of the cooperative ran away without securing a clearance from the Coop and can no longer be located. As to what happened to the members' money, that is history.
But if we look closely to the case, few officials at the Office of the Division Superintendent of City Schools has a lot of explaining to do. Like the CHED officials, we can say that everything happens for a reason, but in this case, it smacks of collusion!
Public officials should know we inclined to be corrective, not punitive. We become hostile only if they refused to heed to our messages despite the clear-understandable language and continue to commit acts contra bonos mores - contrary to sound established practice.
For honest public servants, it is better missed than damned. For the bad eggs, their office should be renamed departamento de los ladrones - department of thieves. And their tragedy is not to go but having no one to remember you!
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