The DILG Secretary

Hole of Justice

by Peter G. Jimenea

Sec. Robredo vs. BAC Syndicate

Pres. Noy Aquino is said to ask Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo to explain why he disqualified Kolonwel Trading, the winning bidder in the P243 million contract to supply the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) with fire-fighting equipment.

One of the national dailies wrote that the secretary declared a failure of bidding upon the recommendation of the newly-designated BFP OIC, Fire/Chief Supt. Samuel Perez, an Ilonggo.  The reason probably why the media feasted on the issue. It is believed, however, that a syndicate is covertly working behind the ploy.

As the story goes, Perez’ recommendation and Robredo’s decision are suspicious as the winning bid was reviewed twice by two other bids and awards committees formed by the secretary. The two committees had found the public bidding won by Kolonwel Trading in order.

There is nothing wrong with the public bidding and the contract awarded by BAC to Kolonwel as their claim hinted at. Sad to say, it creates an imputation that Sec. Robredo and OIC Perez are into something bad. The misconception though, endangers integrity to become the last casualty!

I agree that the best way to curb corruption is to do away with the system that fosters it. But unless we have in hand the vital documents to judge them, Sec. Robredo and OIC Perez are still clean. As the saying goes; audi alteram partem – no man shall be condemned unheard.

What really matters in this story is the opposite in my mind, collusion of the suppliers with public officials who have the temerity to pounce on government coffers for every chance they get. Officials who always ask compensation for what they never lost. And I can see these people comfortably sitting in the Bids and Awards Committee or BAC.

A report has reached this writer the income tax return of that winning bidder is only P36,000. If this is true, how did it qualify to the P243M transaction? This is now what Sec. Robredo should look deeper into as a syndicated collusion stinks and this is what we feared most. It seems that BAC has been overrun by thieves!

We are now in the Information Technology (IT) era and moving on to the substantive merits of the issue, my question is - why did the bidder submit a handwritten documents for taxation purposes? Under the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) rules, it should be in Electronic Filing Payment System (EFPS). This is what got us so suspicious about!

The Income Tax Return (ITR) is already a vital document by which Sec. Robredo can easily glean that BAC is now a syndicate he has to deal with. If determined to get rid of crooks in government transactions, he can now start with the BAC and I believe ex uno disce omnes – from one he may learn all.

Beside which, this transaction has took effect still in 2010 and the new OIC-Officer of the BFP was only designated in his post during the last quarter of 2011. Meaning, the supplier has already entered into a lot of transactions with the government without the honest officials getting wind of it.

BAC members should know that it is only for them and their cohorts that what they did was good. They forgot that nobody is indispensable in government service. If the BAC people are comfortable and feeling glued to their seats, the most logical solution for Sec. Robredo to be drawn is - throw those chairs out of the window with them!

Hole of Justice: They don't learn

Hole of Justice: They don't learn: Hole of Justice By Peter G. Jimenea They don’t learn This writer got a copy of an Order from the Ombudsman-Visayas addressed to a baranga...

A Teary Tale of Success

Hole of Justice

By Peter G. Jimenea

A Teary Tale of Success

There is no doubt, Dinagyang 2012 is a success. It excelled all the past Dinagyang celebrations of the city aside from the noticeable excitements of too many local and foreign tourists that came over to watch the live performances of the different competing tribes.

I believe the income for this year surpasses that of 2011 where the Dinagyang Foundation generated a total of over P19M. The black color of the Ati warriors, however, incidentally tainted the trial balance of the Foundation when it also reported a P19M plus expenditur
But we can no longer question the income and expenditure of Dinagyang as it is now a converted entity away from being part of the city government. It has now a new name, Dinagyang Foundation, a private enterprise controlled and managed by few private individuals.

This year Dinagyang 2012 festival, however, had gathered an unprecedented number of both local and foreign spectators who opted to stand on the streets to have the clear view of the passing tribes, rather than stay in their hotels and watched the big show on television comfortably.

But the poor residents of the city have been deprived of live coverage on television they usually enjoy. There is no more live coverage provided by the big ABS-CBN and the GMA television network. On why, they have yet to disclose.

The sad part of their story for this year’s Dinagyang Festival, only residents with Cable Star TV or Sky Cable TV at home can witness the live performance of the different colorful tribes dancing their adopted style on the streets. So, there is something more out there for city residents to see but did not.

This creates a suspicion that the deprivation of live coverage on TV is a ploy by officials to compel local residents to go out on the streets to add more number to the already thousands of spectators watching the live performance. This would attract visiting foreign reporters to write that Dinagyang Festival is not a cheap shot but a Big Thing!

It could be one of the reasons why the fire that started at Timawa Zone II was not easily contained by the residents. Most of them were not in their homes during the fire as they were out there watching the excited crowd dancing on the streets while waiting for the announcement of winners. And we cannot blame the Bureau of Fire Protection due to congested streets.

The compounding problem is the sudden intrusion of robbers, not firemen into the fire scene. Despite the razing fire, vultures were unafraid to steal the saved-property of the victims. As policemen were scarce due to assignment in different areas of the festival, the victims are doubly beaten by their looks the next morning.

When I arrived at the fire-scene, it pains me to be greeted by the teary residents who are fire-victims. Thanks to the active Barangay captain Nene Odicta of Esperanza-Tanza (also a fire victim) who was busy listing the names of his constituents for the promised aid by his sister-in-law Meriam Odicta, the wife of his brother Melvin better known as “Boyet.”

It is really difficult to separate the chaff from the grain unless an unwanted event brings these people together for a common cause – to help. As I was leaving the place, I heard one of the fire-victims said; “they had been helping us his constituents since then, I’m sure this time they will help us more.” As to who are the people alluded to… just guest the rest!

Hole of Justice: They don't learn

Hole of Justice: They don't learn: Hole of Justice By Peter G. Jimenea They don’t learn This writer got a copy of an Order from the Ombudsman-Visayas addressed to a baranga...

Hole of Justice: They don't learn

Hole of Justice: They don't learn: Hole of Justice By Peter G. Jimenea They don’t learn This writer got a copy of an Order from the Ombudsman-Visayas addressed to a baranga...

Hole of Justice: They don't learn

Hole of Justice: They don't learn: Hole of Justice By Peter G. Jimenea They don’t learn This writer got a copy of an Order from the Ombudsman-Visayas addressed to a baranga...

They don't learn

Hole of Justice

By Peter G. Jimenea

They don’t learn

This writer got a copy of an Order from the Ombudsman-Visayas addressed to a barangay captain, his barangay secretary, barangay treasurer and five barangay kagawad. All are officials of Barangay Ingore, La Paz, Iloilo City, charged under OMB-V-C-11-0511-1 and OMB-V-A-11-0608-1 respectively.

It stemmed from the complaint of Charity Montelijao, also a barangay kagawad of Ingore, who claimed the barangay captain and all the other barangay officials approved the repair of their Barangay Hall for P320,000 without the proper bidding.

They are Brgy. Captain Jonathan Jalandoni, Brgy. Treasurer Evelyn Villegas and Brgy. Secretary Raylen Llego. The six barangay kagawad are Edelin Gargaceran, Rolando Montelijao, Edna Jacosalem, Rodrigo Jiz, Enrique Tayco and SK Milca Jaena.

The contract is said to have been prepared by the respondents in collusion with the contractor who have no Philgeps accreditation.  They produced a fake copy of the document to justify their action in spending the money. This, we have yet to know.

Jalandoni is a political ally of Cong. Jerry Trenas of the Lone District, Iloilo City.  If my memory serves me right, Jalandoni is the same person who was linked to unauthorized issuance of checks under bank account of the barangay. This is still pending at the Office of the Ombudsman.

As far as I can recall, the bailbond recommended by the Ombudsman for this criminal offense is P30,000 per case for each person involved.  Thirty-thousand pesos without the ready cash is not good for the heart. This procedure is used only to secure, not override substantial justice.

A mestiza- emissary (tibo) is said to have been tapped by the group to settle this case at the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas. But Deputy Ombudsman Pelagio Apostol is already in the pot, why jumps into the fire? Their office had history of judicial remedies subjected to “over-use”, “misuse” or “abuse.” Would he dare?

Besides, Apostol is now slowly becoming a marked-target of negative tirades by irate journalists in Iloilo City for his turtle-pace handling of the reinvestigation of Cong. Trenas’ involvement in the Pavia Housing Scam. The P137M for 413 units of houses without a unit completed is what got us all so excited about!

The respondents should take a cue from Cong. Trenas how he easily got-off the hook than former Mayor Mansueto Malabor does. The indictment of Malabor by Overall Deputy Ombudsman Orlando Casimiro last year, extended the time for the re-investigation of his’ involvement in the case.

But the ball is now in the hands of Deputy Ombudsman Pelagio Apostol. The documents at his office about the Pavia Housing Scam had already spoken injuria non praesumitur – a wrong is not presumed and what we feared most is his mora decidendi – the deliberate delay in deciding this case (370 SCRA 658).


Sad to say, but almost if not all of our barangay officials are already affected by the
most contagious virus that struck the Philippine government – corruption.  It is a system that if you stand up to go against will earn you more enemies among colleagues and friends.

Fighting this system will isolate you from the many and you’ll wake up the only poor in a room full of rich colleagues. Sad to say, the city DILG reprimanded the complainant-kagawad Montelijao as playing politics. The man must have been swallowed by the system too, and I know, this claim makes sense!

But as others don’t learn from mistakes, so, they finally get the spanking they deserved for being stupid. Well, I hope to have made your day in this column. You ask for it, unlike me and Dirty Harry who ask others to make our day!

Hole of Justice: Abulomania

Hole of Justice: Abulomania: Hole of Justice By Peter G. Jimenea Abulomania For a P60,860 shortage in cash accounts, a lady revenue collection officer 1 of the Provin...

Hole of Justice: Abulomania

Hole of Justice: Abulomania: Hole of Justice By Peter G. Jimenea Abulomania For a P60,860 shortage in cash accounts, a lady revenue collection officer 1 of the Provin...

Hole of Justice: Abulomania

Hole of Justice: Abulomania: Hole of Justice By Peter G. Jimenea Abulomania For a P60,860 shortage in cash accounts, a lady revenue collection officer 1 of the Provin...

Abulomania

Hole of Justice

By Peter G. Jimenea

Abulomania

For a P60,860 shortage in cash accounts, a lady revenue collection officer 1 of the Provincial Treasurer’s Office of Negros Occidental, Estrellita C. Chica was slapped with a three months suspension without pay by Deputy Ombudsman for the Visayas Pelagio Apostol.

Wow! The case filed in 2007, was decided in just four years, December 28, 2012. What a fast decision by Omb. Apostol. But the Pavia Housing Scam of the Iloilo City government with P137M cost filed in 2004 (eight years ago), was not yet resolved.

That project of graduating Mayor Mansueto Malabor for City Hall employees was bankrolled by a bond floatation of P120M. The bond was cornered by the Philippine National Bank (PNB) for a profit of P5M, binding the city government to an obligation of P125M.

After the turn-over of the project to newly elected mayor Jerry Trenas, a P17M was released in advance from the PNB. On why, they have yet to say. But as to who shared the loot being an illegal disbursement, only God knows.

The 413 units of low-cost houses were contracted by Ace Builders Enterprise (ABE) and started in 2001. But the contractor’s billing for work done is directed to PNB for payment. The process pains someone who has that large propensity to ask compensation for what he never lost!

So that’s it. The P125M city obligation to the PNB was suddenly transferred to Philippine Veterans Bank (PVB) incurring a cost of P12M for documentation (kuno). Worse, other than additional burden for taxpayers, the bank deposit became a savings account of crooks to pounce for every chance they get!

The problem starts when the contractor was discovered using substandard materials in the construction of houses. Alarmed, the city council passed a unanimous resolution urging the mayor to suspend the project and sue the contractor.

The mayor ignored it. Instead, he continued paying the bill of the contractor in millions. Mind you, despite the breach of contract, their will was done. Thus, councilors Raul Gonzalez, Jr. and Antonio Pesina filed a case against Trenas and Ace Builders at the Office of the Ombudsman in 2004.

But then Omb. Monalis… este Merceditas Gutierrez  just sat on that case on the enticing order of someone whose voice is her command. The subordinate who overtly professed what he covertly undertakes. This gives me enough reason to suspect that office is a house of ill refute.

True, we have no guarantee that when a crook steps down, all stooges go with her. Look, Overall Deputy Ombudsman Orlando Casimiro treated us with false impression of a speedy disposal of cases while actually resulting in more delay if not a miscarriage of justice.

He indicted only Mayor Malabor while giving Trenas a leeway to smile to the ears. It creates an impression without affirming the pereption the indefinite extension of time for further investigation of Trenas involvement is in exchange for - you know what!

The task on further probing of Cong. Trenas in the Housing Scam was already in the hands of Apostol since last year. But months passed, yet, we heard nothing from him about the result of that “further investigation.” He should know that injustice lies fairly in “delay” rather than in “erroneous” decision which can be appealed immediately.

Investigation-in-eternity is what we feared most. Apostol has proven himself in the case of Estrellita Chico with only P60,860.00 shortage. Now let see if this P137M for 413 houses without a unit completed can activate a working-brain to gauge whether this case is good or not for the Ombudsman!

We are slowly losing trust in the speedy disposition of cases at the Ombudsman Office. We can only pray that Apostol and his Iloilo Office staffers shall be freed from that form of insanity characterized by loss of will power better known in Latin as ..… see the title!

Hole of Justice: Probable Cause

Hole of Justice: Probable Cause: Hole of Justice by Peter G. Jimenea Probable Cause The construction of 413 houses for city employees was initiated by outgoing Iloilo C...

Probable Cause

Hole of Justice

by Peter G. Jimenea

Probable Cause

The construction of 413 houses for city employees was initiated by outgoing Iloilo City Mayor Mansueto Malabor in2001. A P120M bond floatation to bankroll the project was approved by city officials and the bond was course to the Philippine National Bank (PNB).

It was not implemented until Jerry Trenas became a new mayor on the same year. The project was turned over to him by Mayor Malabor for implementation. Ace Builders owned by Alex Trinidad undertook the construction of the 413 units of houses.

As the construction started, the obligation of the city government to PNB (P125M plus interest) was suddenly transferred to Philippine Veterans Bank (PVB). On why, we have yet to know. But it incurred a P12M expense for documentation alone!

OMG, this P12M travel cost of bank documents in so short a distance from the PNB to the PVB can put the right senses of an honest bank teller and a tax-paying street peddler in the brink of insanity!

This creates an impression without affirming the perception that the costly transfer of the city obligation from one bank to another was motivated by – you know what. A collusion of the highest order by officials who cannot resist the temptation of greed!

As to who shared the amount of loot, only God knows. But the P12M cost of transfer has increased the taxpayers’ burden from the P125M into a new P137M city government obligation to the PVB.

Worse, Ace Builders was found to have been using substandard materials in building the houses. Irked, the city councilors issued a unanimous resolution urging the city mayor to suspend the project and sue Alex Trinidad.

But the contractor abandoned the project. Despite the deliberate breach of contract, Mayor Trenas still paid the billings of Trinidad in millions. Thus, the construction that started in 2001, ended in 2009 without a house completed.

On what misfortune for the taxpayers, a case filed by councilors Raul Gonzalez, Jr. and Antonio Pesina against Mayor Trenas and Trinidad with the Office of the Ombudsman in 2004, was never acted upon by its derelict and irresolute office head, Omb Merceditas Gutierrez.

It was only in 2011, when the Overall Deputy Ombudsman Orlando Casimiro acted on it. But funny indeed, with all the documents at hand, Casimiro has not found any probable cause for Trenas and stooges to be indicted. Only Malabor and group were seen by him as the culprits in this housing mess!

Holy cow, probable cause needs only to rest on evidence showing that more likely than not, a crime has been committed. It demands more than suspicion; requires less than evidence that would justify conviction.

But as the law says there is no general formula or fixed rule for the determination of a probable cause, this depends to a large degree upon the finding or opinion of the one judging it. So, that’s it, in this case the blindfold of justice has a secret hole in one eye!

This scam that had consumed the city for years could lead a prudent and reasonably discreet man to believe that an offense had been committed by the person as the evidence of unauthorized payment is embraced on RA 3019!.

They say when money talks everybody listens. Meaning, so many judges yet, so little justice. Now they have to tolerate brave words to save face. God knows, what is somewhat missing in the empty lives of these people is to die with dignity!

Probable Cause

Hole of Justice

by Peter G. Jimenea

Probable Cause

The construction of 413 houses for city employees was initiated by outgoing Iloilo City Mayor Mansueto Malabor in2001. A P120M bond floatation to bankroll the project was approved by city officials and the bond was course to the Philippine National Bank (PNB).

It was not implemented until Jerry Trenas became a new mayor on the same year. The project was turned over to him by Mayor Malabor for implementation. Ace Builders owned by Alex Trinidad undertook the construction of the 413 units of houses.

As the construction started, the obligation of the city government to PNB (P125M plus interest) was suddenly transferred to Philippine Veterans Bank (PVB). On why, we have yet to know. But it incurred a P12M expense for documentation alone!

OMG, this P12M travel cost of bank documents in so short a distance from the PNB to the PVB can put the right senses of an honest bank teller and a tax-paying street peddler in the brink of insanity!

This creates an impression without affirming the perception that the costly transfer of the city obligation from one bank to another was motivated by – you know what. A collusion of the highest order by officials who cannot resist the temptation of greed!

As to who shared the amount of loot, only God knows. But the P12M cost of transfer has increased the taxpayers’ burden from the P125M into a new P137M city government obligation to the PVB.

Worse, Ace Builders was found to have been using substandard materials in building the houses. Irked, the city councilors issued a unanimous resolution urging the city mayor to suspend the project and sue Alex Trinidad.

But the contractor abandoned the project. Despite the deliberate breach of contract, Mayor Trenas still paid the billings of Trinidad in millions. Thus, the construction that started in 2001, ended in 2009 without a house completed.

On what misfortune for the taxpayers, a case filed by councilors Raul Gonzalez, Jr. and Antonio Pesina against Mayor Trenas and Trinidad with the Office of the Ombudsman in 2004, was never acted upon by its derelict and irresolute office head, Omb Merceditas Gutierrez.

It was only in 2011, when the Overall Deputy Ombudsman Orlando Casimiro acted on it. But funny indeed, with all the documents at hand, Casimiro has not found any probable cause for Trenas and stooges to be indicted. Only Malabor and group were seen by him as the culprits in this housing mess!

Holy cow, probable cause needs only to rest on evidence showing that more likely than not, a crime has been committed. It demands more than suspicion; requires less than evidence that would justify conviction.

But as the law says there is no general formula or fixed rule for the determination of a probable cause, this depends to a large degree upon the finding or opinion of the one judging it. So, that’s it, in this case the blindfold of justice has a secret hole in one eye!

This scam that had consumed the city for years could lead a prudent and reasonably discreet man to believe that an offense had been committed by the person as the evidence of unauthorized payment is embraced on RA 3019!.

They say when money talks everybody listens. Meaning, so many judges yet, so little justice. Now they have to tolerate brave words to save face. God knows, what is somewhat missing in the empty lives of these people is to die with dignity!

The TRO

Hole of Justice

By Peter G. Jimenea
 

The TRO

Due to paramount public interest, the Lower House prompted to elevate the impeachment of SC Chief Justice Renato Corona to the Senate. This transformed the issue into a crisis. The unwanted event is said to have emanated from the SC’s decision on the Hacienda Luisita case.

Thus, the impeachment and Pinoy saw to it that congressmen who cooperated are rewarded. But CJ Corona’s refusal to be intimidated by impeachment has contributed a lot to the mess. So did the courts and lawyers who fed on one another’s antagonistic ideas which helped stroke the intensity of the issue into a government crisis.

The media waded into areas of private behavior but it is more on enthusiasm than embarrassment. The Lower House of Congress, however, did not. The members’ aggressive tactics guaranteed a high level of hostility and Corona’s supporters are worried of Malacanang’s strategy.

That is argumentum ad populum- an argument aimed to sway popular support by appealing to public sentiment-weakness rather than facts and reasons. Thus, more supporters of Pres. Pinoy are coming out to shout impeachment rather than refrain and this is seen to snowball before the hearing.

True, because the Supreme Court kept on promising good future with bad records of the past. Former CJ Hilario Davide, Jr. was also implicated in corruption on overpriced purchase of the justices chairs worth P250,000 each. And almost all of the SC projects were cornered by his son and daughter.

Also former CJ Artemio Panganiban who pompously said after the ouster of Pres Joseph Estrada that GMA becomes a president due to will of the above. My God, whom is he kidding? Evil it can only be! From Davide to Panganiban down to Corona, we heard nothing about the accounting of the Judiciary Fund and they were the only rich in a room full of paupers!

What compounded the problem is protecting a SC Associate Justice known as the Plagiarist-in-Robe. It was exposed by professors from the University of the Philippines. But when the issue came out, they threatened those lawyers of disbarment. Now those Justices must tolerate brave words to save face!

And here’s the conditional TRO issued by the eight SC Justices. It is conditional as there are still other requirements which were not satisfied. Foremost is the undertaking that should have been signed by CGMA that she will return to face the charges after her medical treatment abroad.

Worse, when CJ Corona got hold of that TRO, he ordered it immediate and executory. But how could it be when all requirements were not complied with? Praesumtio juris – a presumption of law? This is one in which the law thru CJ Corona assumes the existence of something until it is disproved. Yes, the TRO is conditional - all the requirements were not satisfied!

Well, as he is the top magistrate of the Supreme Court, it seems that nobody can correct him. In which case, Congress decided to give him the spanking that he deserves for being stupid. So the Impeachment- not corrective but punitive!

The public should know this as the one thing we all abhor is not a cheap shot. Every time we hope for deliverance of dedicated services, we ended up badly disillusioned. So, we are giving readers more information as tools for them to separate the chaff from the grains in this government!

 Look, this SC spokesman Midas Marquez has also a Midas touch in reverse. What he touched turned not into gold but smack for the Supreme Court. Where is that list of many lawyers who wanted to defend your boss? If none, liar you could only be!

If CJ Corona is feeling glued to his seat, the most logical solution to be drawn is for the good justices to throw that chair out of the window with him. Well, I hope to have made your day in this column, you ask for it. Unlike Dirty Harry and me who ask others to make our day!

Lupanar

Hole of Justice

By Peter G. Jimenea

Lupanar – a house of ill-refute

The tract record of the Office of the Ombudsman speaks for itself. In one of our Sky Cable TV talk show,  Atty. Romeo Gerochi, an Ilonggo lawyer, called this office once headed by Merceditas Gutierrez as The Office of Monalisa.

For young people who knew nothing yet about Monalisa, she is a legendary painting, a beautiful woman obsessed by men that a beautiful song was composed in her behalf. In one of the lines dedicated to her it says; “Many dreams had been brought to your doorstep, they just lie there and they die there.”

So is the story of the Pavia Housing, a low-cost housing project of the Iloilo City government for lowly city hall employees. It was a hand-over project of the outgoing Mayor Mansueto Malabor to the newly elected Mayor Jerry Trenas for implementation in 2001.

On what misfortune, the P137 million for the construction of 413 houses which started in 2001 ended in the last term of Mayor Jerry Trenas in 2009 without a unit built. The contractor, Ace Builders Enterprise was found using substandard materials that the city council resolved to suspend the project and sue the contractor.

The contractor has no other recourse but to abandon the project. Yet, then Mayor Trenas ignored the city council and continued paying the contractor’s billings in millions.


Worse, the city was forced to pay a P17,000 daily bank interest due to the slippage. Another discovered mess is the transfer of the city loan obligation from the PNB to PVB which documentation alone cost the taxpayers P12M (kuno).

So in 2004, two city councilors filed a case against the mayor and the contractor for violation of RA 3019.  But the case brought to the office of Monalis… ehe, este Ombudsman Gutierrez only lie there and seems to die there until she resigned due to threat of impeachment by Congress.

Funny indeed, the superwoman who pledged to give a good fight against impeachment eventually left hurriedly as if a passenger catching the last plane out. Our tragedy is not her going away but leaving us no guarantee that when she steps down all crooks will go with her.

And curse of Maria Labo’, it was her Overall Deputy Ombudsman Orlando Casimiro who took over the investigation of the Pavia Housing Scam. What a surprise too, he indicted former Mayor Malabor and former subordinates while giving plenty of leeway for Mayor Trenas to roam around with smiles to the ears when evidence of his unauthorized payments is embraced on RA 3019!

The approval by Casimiro of this Pavia Hao Shiao case was done right after Monalisa, este Ombudsman Gutierrez stepped down from office. This gives us an impression without affirming the perception that his decision to go fast on Malabor not on Trenas was done in exchange for – you know what!

Lowly employees at the Office of the Ombudsman are most sorely tempted to accept bribe by slipping under the voluminous files the case folder of the giver to delay investigation but don’t.  Casimiro should know that it is easy for a discreet and prudent fish-vendor to believe that an offense charged has been committed by the persons named and sought to be indicted.   


On why Malabor failed to get out of the mess as Trenas does, we have yet to know. We do not question though, such demonic ehe, este Solomonic decision on cases like this. But natural moral law dictates that one’s discretion must be a sound one to be exercised in accordance with the tenets of justice and fair play!

I hope my temper would not go beyond calling this costly-house oficina de los ladrones – an office of thieves. Why? They are giving us false impression of a speedy disposal of cases while actually resulting in more delay - if not a miscarriage of justice!


Well,  let’s see now on how the honorable Orlando Casimiro deals with this new case filed at his office – the relocation site for displaced squatters which came out in a local newspaper to have been valued at P2.7M, yet purchased by the city government at P63.2 million pesos. God knows, SALUS POPULI EST SUPREMA LEX – “the welfare of the people is the supreme law!”