Kontra Katiwalian Blag

Fighting corruption in 2011

2010-12-26T04:20:00.002+08:00

It has been a long time but I resolve to reactivate this blog in 2011. The year should be "exciting" considering the P-Noy's anti-corruption thrust.

Transferred Cabinet man faces graft raps

2007-08-28T22:54:00.000+08:00

The Manila Standard Today reports:

“A FORMER Cabinet secretary is being investigated by the Presidential Anti-Graft Commission for unjustly enriching” himself by leasing his property in Bataan out to the agency he headed.
Presidential Management Staff head Cerge Remonde said the former Cabinet secretary, who has been transferred to another government post, faces two graft cases for conflict of interest and would be further investigated.
At the same time, Remonde said President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has yet to rule on three other Cabinet secretaries that the anti-graft commission has recommended for suspension.

From: http://www.manilastandardtoday.com...

Palace hit for refusing to suspend Cabinet men for graft

2007-08-28T22:51:00.000+08:00

The Philippine Daily Inquirer reports:

Malacañang has been criticized by a militant group for rejecting a recommendation by the Presidential Anti-Graft Commission to suspend three Cabinet secretaries for alleged graft and corruption.
"Malacañang has been treating Cabinet officials accused of committing high crimes of corruption like endangered species. That's the kind of protection and immunity they get from key Palace officials for their all-out loyalty and puppetry to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo," said the Pambasang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) through its chairman Fernando Hicap.

From: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews...

Palace affirms sacking of presidential appointees

2007-08-28T22:49:00.000+08:00

The Philippine Daily Inquirer reports:

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has affirmed the decision of the Presidential Anti-Graft Commission to dismiss two presidential appointees for graft and corruption, the anti graft body said.
Signing on behalf of the President, Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita approved the removal from office of Intramuros Administrator Dominador C. Ferrer and Commissioner Victoriano Calaycay of the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC).

From: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews...

4 Cabinet men on graft list

2007-08-28T22:39:00.000+08:00

The Philippine Daily Inquirer reports:

Four Cabinet officials have been recommended for punitive action by the Presidential Anti-Graft Commission for graft-related offenses, Malacañang said Friday.
Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita did not identify the four officials but said they were on the list of 35 cases--not 90--recommended for sanctions by the PAGC and pending review in Malacañang.
He did not identify the others or say how high up they were in the official hierarchy.

From: http://services.inquirer.net/print...

Graft cases vs 15 top execs stuck in Office of the President

2007-08-25T06:00:00.000+08:00

The Philippine Daily Inquirer reports:

Top officials of the Presidential Anti-Graft Commission (PAGC) are frustrated by the slow pace with which cases against high-ranking government officials are moving at the Office of the President (OP).

As of the latest count, at least 92 cases forwarded to the OP have recommended either the suspension or dismissal of presidential appointees. The PAGC has no jurisdiction over career government officials.

Fifteen of these cases involved officials with the rank of Cabinet members, according to PAGC Director Charito Alvarado.

From: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews...

Intramuros exec axed for graft

2007-08-24T14:00:00.000+08:00

The Philippine Star reports:

Malacañang has ordered the dismissal of Intramuros Administration (IA) chief Dominador Ferrer Jr. for irregularities over the relocation of squatters and the pay parking scheme inside the Walled City.

Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, acting on the authority of President Arroyo, approved the recommendation of the Presidential Anti-Graft Commission (PAGC) to dismiss Ferrer.
In a 12-page decision, the PAGC declared Ferrer guilty of violating the Code of Conduct of Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees and the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act for illegally collecting P3 million in cash advances.

From: http://www.philstar.com/index.php...

NLRC exec, POEA lawyer dismissed from service for graft

2007-08-23T21:39:00.000+08:00

The Philippine Daily Inquirer reports:

A commissioner of the National Labor Relations Commission and a lawyer of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration have been dismissed from government service after the Office of the President upheld findings of the Presidential Anti-Graft Commission that they conspired to commit graft.

Last June, the PAGC found NLRC commissioner Victoriano Calaycay, POEA lawyer Augustus Hidalgo, and Dennis Gabionza, a private citizen, of conspiring to allegedly extort P400,000 from Jocelyn Enriquez for the alleged processing of a POEA license to operate a recruitment agency in the Philippines in violation of Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

From: http://services.inquirer.net/express...

Welfare exec in karaoke bar scandal suspended

2007-08-21T11:44:00.000+08:00

The Manila Standard Today reports:

MALACAÑANG has suspended an official for three months for going to a karaoke bar using a car with government plates, getting drunk and rowdy and then refusing to pay his bill.
Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita upheld the recommendation of the Presidential Anti-Graft Commission to suspend Wayne Belizar, director III and officer in charge of the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s Management Information Systems Service.
“We cannot tolerate this kind of irresponsibility,” commission chairman Constancia de Guzman had said in her recommendation.

From: http://www.manilastandardtoday.com...

Tax official gets the axe

2007-07-24T00:53:00.000+08:00

The Manila Standard Today reports:

Malacañang has dismissed a regional director of the Bureau of Internal Revenue in Mindanao for failing to declare eight pieces of real estate property in her statement of assets, liabilities and net worth.
Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita has upheld the recommendation of the Presidential Anti-Graft Commission for the ouster of Internal Revenue director Mama Bae Marzoc.
“Marzoc’s dismissal carried the accessory penalties of cancelation of her eligibility, forfeiture of her leave credits and retirement benefits, and disqualification for re-employment in the government service,” PAGC director Chat Alvarado said.

From: http://www.manilastandardtoday.com...

5 government execs facing dismissal

2007-07-24T00:50:00.000+08:00

The Philippine Daily Inquire reports:

The Presidential Anti-Graft Commission (PAGC) has recommended the dismissal of five ranking government officials and a three-month suspension for another on graft charges.

PAGC Chair Constancia de Guzman said the Commission’s “punitive” endorsements against the five government appointees -- who included an undersecretary, an assistant secretary and a regional director -- had been affirmed by the Office of the President. The suspension of another official was also upheld.

But De Guzman declined to identify the officials facing dismissal and suspension and their agencies, saying their identities would only be disclosed once the Office of the President had ruled on their finality.

From: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation...

Palace sacks Presidential appointee for corruption

2007-07-24T00:46:00.000+08:00

The Philippine Daily Inquirer reports:

Malacañang on Friday dismissed a presidential appointee over corruption charges and suspended another for failure to fully disclose his assets and liabilities.

On the recommendation of the Presidential Anti-Graft Commission (PAGC), Augusto Capio, regional director of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) in the Cordillera, was discharged for allegedly soliciting P20,000 to P50,000 from TESDA regional directors.

Investigation showed Capio instructed the regional directors to remit the money to Skills Philippine Foundation Inc. (SPFI), a private corporation not registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

From: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation...

National Printing Office chief axed

2007-07-24T00:43:00.000+08:00

The ABS-CBN Interactive reported:

Malacañang replaced Wednesday National Printing Office director Felipe Evardone following recommendations from the Presidential Anti-Graft Commission (PAGC) for his dismissal from service.
"Felipe Evardone has ceased to be in control of the NPO after I approved his application for leave of absence. In fairness to Director Evardone, he filed his application for leave on March 1 following the designation of (his brother, Eastern Samar Governor) Ben Evardone as media coordinator of Team Unity," Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye said in a statement.

He said Marietta de Guzman will replace Evardone as officer-in-charge of the NPO until May 17, 2007, unless her appointment is revoked, amended or suspended.

From: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/topofthehour...

Banker gets 40 years for misuse of bank funds

2007-04-10T06:27:00.000+08:00

The Philippine Star reports:

"A former banker was convicted of four counts of estafa and sentenced to over 40 years in prison for misusing bank funds, including a P12.6-million emergency loan from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).

Found guilty was Hilario Soriano, former president of the defunct Rural Bank of San Miguel (RBSM) who was caught siphoning off bank funds to his personal company, Soriano Holdings Corp.

Court records showed that Soriano misappropriated P21 million in RBSM funds, making unauthorized transfers to his holding company, supposedly for investment purposes."

From: http://www.philstar.com/philstar/New...

Tax in receipt gave Pag-Ibig exec away

2007-04-10T06:01:00.000+08:00

The Philippine Daily Inquirer reports:

"A small detail on one restaurant bill -- the sales tax computation -- gave him away.
Lucena-based Pag-Ibig Fund official Cesar Almendras almost escaped a graft charge filed 14 years ago because the prosecution could not prove the authenticity of several allegedly padded bills presented as evidence against him, save for one, which, according to the Sandiganbayan First Division “speaks for itself.”

The receipt showed the total cost of Almendras’ meal at the Ding Hao restaurant was P1,515. However, unlike other bills that Almendras submitted for reimbursement of meals in various restaurants where he entertained official visitors between July 1993 and April 1994 which showed only the total amount paid, this receipt also indicated a 4-percent tax of P20.60.

For a sharp-eyed financial sleuth it’s simple arithmetic. The 4-percent tax entry could only be derived if the total bill was P515, not P1,515."

From: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews...

Ombudsman suspends Ouano, Radaza over lampposts mess

2007-04-10T05:47:00.000+08:00

The Sun Star reports:

"Ombudsman Merceditas N. Gutierrez ordered on Thursday the suspension of Mandaue City Mayor Thadeo Ouano, Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Arturo Radaza, and 17 other local and Public Works officials for the Asean lampposts controversy.

Gutierrez ordered the preventive suspension for six months of Ouano, Radaza, OIC-City Engineer Hidelisa Latonio, Assistant City Engineer Gregorio Omo, and Engineers Mario Gerolaga, Alfredo Sanchez Sr., and Rosalina Denque, all of Mandaue City; City Engineer Julito Cuizon, Asst. City Engineer Fernando Tagaan Jr. and Engineer Rogelio Veloso, all of Lapu-Lapu City.

Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Regional Director for Central Visayas Robert Lala, former Assistant Regional Director Gloria Dindin, Assistant Regional Director Marlina Alvizo, OIC-Chief Maintenance Division Pureza Fernandez, OIC-Assistant Chief Maintenance Division Cresencio Bagolor, Regional Legal Officer Agustinito Hermoso, Planning and Design Division Chief Luis Galang, Administrative Division Chief Restitutio Diano, and Construction Division Chief Buenaventura Pajo were also ordered suspended."

From: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/net/2007/03/29...

Health exec dismissed for negligence--anti-graft body

2007-03-27T23:00:00.000+08:00

The Philippine Daily Inquirer reports:

"An official of the Department of Health has been dismissed from service for gross negligence of duty, which resulted in the spoilage of some P6.5 million worth of Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV), according to a statement issued by an anti-graft body.
By the authority of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita approved the recommendation of the Presidential Anti-Graft Commission (PAGC) to dismiss Carolina P. Heradura, director for procurement and logistics service of the DoH, PAGC said."

From: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews...

No takeover of lamp probe

2007-03-27T22:53:00.000+08:00

The Cebu Daily News reported:

"Contrary to fears of some quarters, the Presidential Anti-Graft Commission (PAGC) will not take over the Ombudsman’s investigation of the purchase of street lamps in Cebu whose total cost reaches over P200 million.

Both groups will coordinate to some degree, but the Ombudsman’s Office, being an independent and constitutional body, will proceed with its own work.

Three PAGC investigators met on Tuesday with OIC Deputy Ombudsman for the Visayas Virginia Santiago, who clarified their roles."

From: http://archive.inquirer.net/view...

'Overpriced' decorative lampposts: Whistleblower doubts PAGC

2007-03-27T22:41:00.000+08:00

The Freeman made the following report. For the record, the investigating team of PAGC did not tell Mr. Saavedra to withdraw his case from the Office of the Ombudsman.

"The whistleblower in the alleged anomalous procurement of decorative lampposts aired serious doubts about the ability of the Presidential Anti-Graft Commission (PAGC) to do an impartial investigation as ordered by President Arroyo.

Crisologo Saavedra, who was the first to expose what could be anomalous transactions involving the installation of decorative lampposts, said that prior to the announcement that the president wants the PAGC to look into the matter, he was already contacted. Saavedra said that a team from the PAGC asked him to withdraw the case that he filed before the Ombudsman.

Saavedra has filed a complaint against officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways, officials of the company supplying the lampposts, a bank manager, and local officials of Mandaue City."

From: http://www.philstar.com/philstar/freeman...

Palace rejects Ligot's offer

2007-03-23T01:10:00.000+08:00

The Philippine Star reports:

"The government rejected yesterday the offer of retired Armed Forces comptroller Lt. Gen. Jacinto Ligot and his family to return P21 million of the alleged P135 million in ill-gotten wealth in exchange for the dropping of the criminal case against them.

"We would like to state up front there are no negotiations taking place involving the government on this matter, and we shall let the law take its course,’’ Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye said at Malacañang.

"We owe it to our soldiery and the people to act in their supreme interest, and there can be no bargains in this regard,’’ he said."

Palace reverses order dismissing gov't exec for graft

2007-03-23T01:08:00.000+08:00

The Philippine Star reports:

"Malacañang withdrew yesterday its order to dismiss for graft an executive of a Land Bank of the Philippines subsidiary, saying removing the official from service would be "too excessive and harsh a penalty."

In a resolution dated March 19 furnished to The STAR, Malacañang downgraded the penalty for Edward Fereira, general manager of the Land Bank Realty Development Corp., from dismissal to reprimand.

"After a second hard look, we are swayed to consider that the penalty of dismissal from government service together with its accessory penalties too excessive considering the violations committed by Fereira," the resolution said."

RP most corrupt economy in Asia

2007-03-15T13:20:00.000+08:00

The Philippine Star reports:

"The Philippines is perceived by foreign businessmen as Asia's most corrupt economy, according to a survey that polled 1,476 expatriate business executives in 13 countries and territories across the region.

Singapore and Hong Kong were seen as the cleanest economies, while China, Indonesia and Vietnam posted improvements, the Hong Kong-based Political and Economic Risk Consultancy (PERC) said in a summary made available to Agence France Presse.

"The Philippines has the distinction of being perceived in the worst light this year," PERC said after polling expatriate business executives in January and February."

From: http://www.philstar.com/philstar...

Malacañang fires head of RP aerospace development for graft

2007-03-13T22:50:00.000+08:00

The Philippine Star reports:

"Malacañang has fired Philippine Aerospace Development Corp. (PADC) president Roberto Navida for committing what officials said were several irregularities including falsification of public documents, malversation of public funds and unlawful appointments.

Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, by authority of President Arroyo, approved the recommendation of Presidential Anti-Graft Commission (PAGC) chairwoman Constancia de Guzman on March 1.

"Every public servant must always think of the general welfare and the integrity of the organization he represents first and foremost – over and above his personal interests," De Guzman said in a statement."

From: http://www.philstar.com/philstar...

PAGC dismisses own official

2007-02-21T14:19:00.000+08:00

The Philippine Star reports:

"Presidential Anti-Graft Commission (PAGC) chairwoman Dr. Constancia de Guzman has dismissed one of her own officials for dishonesty and falsification of public documents to "send a strong message that the commission means business."

Ma. Arianette Salanga, who held the position of Graft Prevention and Control Officer III, was dismissed when the PAGC administrative discipline committee found her guilty of entering false information in her daily time records (DTRs) on Nov. 21 and Dec. 20, 2006.

It was very ironic, De Guzman said, that at the time Salanga had made false entries in her DTRs she was attending a graduate certificate course at the Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP) focusing on corruption prevention."

From: http://www.philstar.com/philstar...

Palace affirms dismissal of NBI, Land Bank execs for gross negligence

2007-02-21T13:03:00.001+08:00

The Philippine Star reports:

"Malacañang has affirmed a recommendation by the Presidential Anti-Graft Commission (PAGC) to dismiss a regional director of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and a top executive of the Land Bank of the Philippines for graft.

Ordered dismissed based on the PAGC’s recommendations were NBI regional director Carlos Saunar and Land Bank Realty Development Corp. president and general manager Edward Fereira.

In a press statement, PAGC Commissioner Jaime Jacob said Saunar and Fereira were dismissed for having acted in gross negligence of their duties as public officers, resulting in undue injury against the government."

From: http://www.philstar.com/philstar/show...

Urban Poor exec sacked

2007-02-21T13:01:00.002+08:00

The Journal Online reports:

"THE Office of the President has dismissed from service a commissioner of the Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor (PCUP) after the Presidential Anti-Graft Commission (PAGC) found him guilty of soliciting certain amounts for an unofficial fund-raising project.

On recommendation of PAGC chair Constancia P. De Guzman, Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita approved by authority of the President the dismissal from government service of Commissioner Mohammad Isa Perfecto C. Vergel De Dios, Jr. last January 10, 2007. De Dios’ civil service eligibility was also cancelled and his financial benefits forfeited."

From: http://www.journal.com.ph/index.php...

PAGC, AMLC join forces vs corruption

2007-02-21T13:01:00.001+08:00

The Journal Online reports:

"STEPPING up its campaign against corrupt government officials and employees, the Presidential Anti-Graft Commission has teamed up with the Anti-Money Laundering Council in the detection and investigation of money-laundering activities and related unlawful activities.

The memorandum of agreement (MOA) was signed by PAGC chairperson Constancia de Guzman and Vicente Aquino of AMLC.

Under the MOA, both parties can seek assistance from each other should either of them receive reports of financial transactions involving money laundering or other questionable activities."

From: http://www.journal.com.ph/index.php...

Palace approves arbiter’s suspension

2007-02-21T12:59:00.000+08:00

The Manila Times reported:

"MALACAÑANG on Thursda approved the recommendation by the Presidential Antigraft Commission to suspend a labor arbiter for one month.
The PAGC moved for the suspension of Henry D. Isorena, the National Labor Relations Commission’s arbiter for Central Luzon, after he failed to submit his statement of assets, liabilities and networth in 2002."

From: http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2007...

DOH, DSWD, DOST lead 10 government agencies cited for fight vs corruption

2007-01-29T17:28:00.000+08:00

The Philippine Star reports:

"Malacañang has cited 10 government agencies that took the initiative in fighting graft and corruption resulting in the imposition of administrative and criminal sanctions against erring personnel.

Presidential Anti-Graft Commission (PAGC) chairwoman Constancia de Guzman has conferred Certificates of Recognition to the top 10 "Most Compliant Agencies for 2006" during an awarding ceremony on Jan. 24 at the Social Hall in Malacañang."

From: http://www.philstar.com/philstar...

Finance dept to audit BIR, Customs collection data

2007-01-19T14:32:00.000+08:00

The Philippine Daily Inquirer reports:

"THE Department of Finance will form an audit team to check the accuracy of revenue-collection reports of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) and the Bureau of Customs, Finance Secretary Margarito Teves said.
Teves issued the statement amid allegations that the customs bureau, which said it had met its P197-billion revenue collection goal for 2006, was window-dressing its monthly collection reports."

From: http://business.inquirer.net/money/topstories...

Indon exec in ASEAN summit accused of graft

2007-01-19T12:59:00.000+08:00

The Philippine Daily Inquirer reports:

"AN OFFICIAL, who accompanied Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to the 12th ASEAN summit in Cebu last week, allegedly tried to get hotel managers to mark up their expenses and split the profits, The Jakarta Post reported yesterday.
The state secretariat staffer allegedly approached the management of the Shangri-La’s Mactan Island Resort to increase the listed price charged to the Indonesian presidential party and offered to split the profit with the hotel’s employees, the newspaper said, quoting hotel sources."

From: http://archive.inquirer.net/view...

Southeast Asian lawmakers form united front vs corruption

2007-01-19T12:55:00.000+08:00

The Philippine Daily Inquirer reports:

"LEGISLATORS from Southeast Asia have firmed up a united front to fight official corruption in the region to ensure the efficient use of public funds, stimulate investments and put in place an effective legal infrastructure that would provide the antidote to official indiscretion, Sen. Edgardo J. Angara said Wednesday.
Angara said in a press statement that the Southeast Asian Parliamentarians Against Corruption (SEAPAC) was formed to banner the anticorruption effort from the region’s parliaments and congresses on a coordinated and institutional basis. The 26 founding members of the SEAPAC came from Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and the Philippines."

From: http://archive.inquirer.net/view...

Batangas governor suspended over computer scam

2007-01-14T22:59:00.000+08:00

The Philippine Daily Inquirer reports:

"The Ombudsman has suspended Batangas Gov. Armand Sanchez, who sent his supporters barricading the provincial capitol in a bid to prevent the serving of the suspension order.
Tension engulfed this city yesterday as 500 supporters of Sanchez trooped to the provincial capitol.

The suspension order for six months was signed Friday afternoon by Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez, almost 18 months after Batangas Vice Gov. Ricky Recto filed a corruption case against Sanchez for allegedly rigging a P350-million computerization project of the province."

From: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines...

5 erring immigration execs face suspension -- DoJ chief

2007-01-12T06:47:00.000+08:00

The Philippine Daily Inquirer reports:

"FIVE of 10 immigration officials allegedly involved in the illegal release of an international terrorist will be suspended, Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez said Thursday, following a recommendation by a panel from the Department of Justice that had investigated the case.

Gonzalez issued the statement shortly after a DoJ official who requested anonymity told INQUIRER.net earlier in the day that Gonzalez had acceded to a request by some of the officials linked to the irregularity to defer the implementation of the recommendation until after the May elections."

From: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews...

2007-01-09T06:09:00.000+08:00

Ex-DOJ chief Perez faces extortion raps

Headline of the Philippine Daily Inquirer today:

"THE OFFICE of the Ombudsman is set to press graft and extortion charges against former justice secretary Hernando Perez in connection with the $2-million bribery complaint lodged against him by former Manila Rep. Mark Jimenez.

Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez, who was a justice undersecretary under Perez, recommended the filing of charges against her former boss after a panel of prosecutors found probable cause to indict Perez.

Joining Perez as respondents in the complaint for graft, extortion and falsification of public documents are his wife Rosario, brother-in-law Ramon Arceo and business associate Ernest Escaler."

From:
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines...

2007-01-08T00:27:00.000+08:00

141 cases vs tax cheats filed in 2006, says finance dep't

The Philippine Daily Inquirer reports:

"THE DEPARTMENT of Finance (DoF) has reported that the government has filed 141 cases on tax evasion, smuggling and corruption in 2006 as it aims to plug revenue leakages arising from these illegal activities.

Of the cases, 70 were tax evasion and filed under the Run After Tax Evaders (RATE) program of the Bureau of Internal Revenue. There were 28 anti-smuggling cases filed by the Bureau of Customs under its Run After the Smugglers (RATS) program and 43 cases of corruption filed by the DOF's Revenue Integrity Protection Service (RIPS).

x x x

"The DoF said the Arroyo administration received $21 million worth of grants from the US government's Millennium Challenge Corp. (MCC) to help address problems of corruption. Finance Secretary Margarito Teves said the money was used to help fund the operations of RATE, RATS and RIPS.

Teves said the Philippines could get as much as $300 million worth of grants if the government could show improvements in its fight against corruption. To get a much higher grant, Teves said, the Philippines should graduate from the "threshold" to "compact" level in terms of implementing its anti-corruption drive.

He cited Ghana, which recently was placed under the "compact" level and got $300 million in grant from MCC."

From:
http://business.inquirer.net/money/topstories...

2007-01-06T08:36:00.000+08:00

Valera to face lifestyle check, but not over Bersamin slay

The Philippine Star reports:

"The suspected mastermind in the killing of Abra Rep. Luis Bersamin Jr. will face a lifestyle check to give the government details on his reported unexplained wealth, the chief police investigator said yesterday.

However, Senior Superintendent Benjamin delos Santos, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group high-profile crime division chief, said the lifestyle check on Abra Gov. Vicente Valera was not connected with the killing of Bersamin in Quezon City last Dec. 16."

From:
http://www.philstar.com/philstar/NEWS...

2007-01-01T22:03:00.000+08:00

President suspends labor official in bribery case

The Philippine Daily Inquirer reported:

"PRESIDENT Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has suspended for three months a top executive of the National Labor Relations Commission caught allegedly accepting bribe money from a labor recruiter in a sting operation by the National Bureau of Investigation.

Philippine Anti-Graft Commission chief Constancia De Guzman said the Office of the President approved the 90-day preventive suspension of NLRC Commissioner Victoriano Calaycay for alleged extortion."

From:
http://globalnation.inquirer.net...

2006-12-15T14:21:00.000+08:00

Suspension of NLRC exec in extortion raps recommended

The Philippine Daily Inquirer reports:

"THE Presidential Anti-Graft Commission (PAGC) has recommended to the Office of the President the suspension of an executive of the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC) who has been accused of extortion.

Victoriano Calaylay, a commissioner of the NLRC, lawyers Zomer Ochavillo and Augusto Hidalgo of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), and businessman Dennis Gabionza were arrested following an entrapment operation set up by the National Bureau of Investigation."

From:
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews...

2006-12-14T15:27:00.000+08:00

Ombudsman downplays RP ranking in ‘corruption survey’

The Philippine Daily Inquirer reports:

"THE OFFICE of the Ombudsman has downplayed results of a survey by an international watchdog that placed the Philippines as the second most corrupt country in the Asia-Pacific region.

Assistant Ombudsman Mark E. Jalandoni said, "The Transparency International's Global Corruption Barometer 2006 is only based on perception."

From:
http://www.inq7.net/breakingnews...

2006-12-08T08:14:00.000+08:00

Transparency Int’l threatens to end Siemens' membership

The Philippine Daily Inquirer reports:

"FRANKFURT-- Transparency International, the anti-corruption watchdog, is threatening to exclude Siemens from membership in the wake of the unfolding bribery scandal at the German engineering giant, a top TI official said in a newspaper interview Thursday.

If Siemens fails to respond to TI's request for information later this month, then there would be consequences, the head of the watchdog's German operations Peter von Blomberg told the business daily Handelsblatt."

From:
http://business.inq7.net/money/breakingnews...

2006-12-08T08:09:00.000+08:00

Ombudsman files raps vs NLRC, POEA execs in extort try

The Philippine Daily Inquirer reports:

"THE Office of the Ombudsman filed graft charges before the Sandiganbayan against officials of the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC) and the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) who allegedly tried to extort P200,000 from a Fil-Canadian citizen.

The information signed by Ombudsman Ma. Merceditas N. Gutierrez alleged that NLRC second division Commissioner Victoriano Calaycay, POEA lawyers Augustus Hidalgo and Zomer Ochavillo, and a certain Dennis Gabionza demanded a P200,000 down payment from Jocelyn Enriquez to speed up the processing of her license to operate a recruitment agency in the Philippines."

From:http://globalnation.inq7.net/news...

2006-11-17T14:50:00.000+08:00

PAGC chair cries foul over Transparency International survey

Report from Gov.Ph:

"Presidential Anti-Graft Commission (PAGC) Chair Constancia de Guzman cried foul today over the report of Transparency International (TI) placing the Philippines as the 121st most corrupt country in the world.

"As a Filipino, I refuse to accept the 2.5 grade and the 121st ranking (of the Philippines) in the survey," De Guzman told a press briefing in Malacanang."

From:
http://www.gov.ph/news...

2006-11-17T13:14:00.000+08:00

Graft wastes ODA funds

The Manila Times reports:

"FOREIGN assistance funds in the Philippines and Indonesia are wasted because of corruption and careless spending, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) report said.

“Many opinion leaders think that corruption eats into foreign assistance funds and produces substantial waste,” the “ADB Perceptions Survey: Multinational Survey of Opinion Leaders 2006,” said."

From:
http://www.manilatimes.net/national...

2006-11-14T15:39:00.000+08:00

Army colonel sacked for alleged gambling

The Philippine Daily Inquirer reports:

"AN ARMY Colonel has been relieved from his post in Mindanao and placed under investigation in preparation for possible court martial after he was allegedly caught betting in a cockfight, officials said.

Army chief Lieutenant General Romeo Tolentino confirmed in a phone interview that Colonel Felipe Tabas has been sacked as commander of the 604th Brigade and submitted to an Army Provost Marshal inquiry but refused to elaborate."

From:
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews...

2006-11-13T15:18:00.000+08:00

Senate ratifies UNCAC

Press release from the Office of the Ombudsman:

"Ombudsman Ma. Merceditas N. Gutierrez today expressed confidence that the Phil. government will be able to recover suspected “dirty money” stashed away in foreign countries more easily with the Senate’s ratification of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC).

The Senate, voting 17-0 had ratified UNCAC which introduces a comprehensive set of standards, measures and rules that all countries can apply to strengthen their legal and regulatory regimes to fight corruption."

From:
http://www.ombudsman.gov.ph...

2006-10-22T12:21:00.000+08:00

Palace suspends ATO chief over unliquidated advances

The Philippine Daily Inquirer reports:

"FOR failing to liquidate P1.2 million in cash advances within the prescribed period, an assistant secretary at the Air Transportation Office was suspended for three months without pay by Malacañang.

The Presidential Anti-Graft Commission actually recommended the dismissal of Assistant Secretary Nilo Jatico but Malacañang downgraded it to a suspension because it said Jatico did liquidate his advances, if belatedly."

From:
http://news.inq7.net/archive_article...

2006-10-16T12:13:00.000+08:00

Cult leader Ecleo gets 31 years in jail for graft

GMA News TV reports:

"The Sandiganbayan on Friday sentenced cult leader Ruben Ecleo Jr. to 31 and a half years in prison over allegedly anomalous construction deals he entered into when he was town mayor of San Jose, Surigao del Norte between 1991-94.

The antigraft court, in a 28-page decision penned by Associate Justice Diosdado Peralta, junked Ecleo’s claim of good faith when he approved fund releases totaling nearly P8 million for three construction projects that were declared anomalous by a team of government auditors."

From:
http://www.gmanews.tv/nation...

2006-10-13T08:39:00.000+08:00

PAGC axes three more

The Philippine Daily Inquirer reports:

"MALACAÑANG yesterday released the names of three more presidential appointees dismissed for irregularities and another one suspended for abuse of authority in line with the stepped up “shame campaign” of the Presidential Anti-Graft Commission.

The latest Palace dismissals were identified as Antonio Puruganan, former Cordillera Autonomous Region director of the Department of Public Works and Highways; Edilberto Carabbacan, his assistant regional director; and Kunesa Sekak, field office regional director of the Department of Social Welfare and Development."

From:
http://newsinfo.inq7.net/inquirerheadlines...

2006-10-10T09:01:00.000+08:00

AMLC probe of Piatco exec’s wife resumed

The Malaya reports:

"THE Supreme Court last Friday issued a temporary restraining order that in effect allows the Anti-Money Laundering Council to continue looking into the bank accounts of officials of Piatco for possible violations of the anti-money laundering law.

The tribunal set aside orders of the Manila Regional Trial Court and the Court of Appeals which had told the AMLC to stop looking into the accounts."

From:
http://www.malaya.com.ph/oct10/news1.htm

2006-10-06T16:19:00.000+08:00

CA stops Palace from dismissing DPWH exec

The Philippine Daily Inquirer reports:

"THE Court of Appeals ordered Malacañang to put on hold the dismissal of Public Works and Highways Undersecretary Salvador Pleyto, who failed government’s lifestyle check in 2004.
In a resolution, the appellate court’s first division issued a 60-day restraining order against the dismissal order issued by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Court conviction was needed before Pleyto could be discharged from government services, said the Court of Appeals."

From:
http://news.inq7.net/archive_article...

2006-10-06T16:12:00.000+08:00

Special Prosecutor defends Ombudsman decision on Comelec

The Manila Bulletin reports:

"Special Prosecutor Dennis Villa-Ignacio yesterday defended the decision of the Office of the Ombudsman (OMB) investigating panel to clear officials of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) of any criminal liability in the nullified P1.3-billion poll automation contract with Mega Pacific Consortium.

In a press conference, Villa-Ignacio answered point by point the criticisms leveled at the OMB following the release of the controversial resolution last Monday.

Villa-Ignacio, vice chairman of the Ombudsman investigating panel, said they did not go against previous Supreme Court resolutions that declared as anomalous the election computerization deal and ordered the anti-graft body to determine the criminal liability of those involved in the transaction."

From:
http://www.mb.com.ph/MAIN...

2006-10-06T16:07:00.000+08:00

Journalist Esperat’s killers get life

The Philippine Daily Inquirer reports:

"THE Cebu City Regional Trial Court has meted the penalty of life imprisonment on three men for the murder of journalist Marlene Garcia-Esperat.

Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez ordered government prosecutors to immediately reinstate charges against ranking officials of the Department of Agriculture (DA) and seek arrest warrants for them after they were tagged as the masterminds of the crime in the course of the trial."

From:
http://newsinfo.inq7.net/breakingnews...

2006-10-06T16:03:00.000+08:00

Military pursuing graft cases vs ex-RSBS execs

The Philippine Daily Inquirer reports:

"THE MILITARY intends to pursue 91 graft cases against former officials, among them retired generals, of the Retirement and Separation Benefits System (RSBS) who allegedly caused the pension fund to sink into financial ruin, a spokesman said Friday.

Lieutenant Colonel Bartolome Bacarro said the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) leadership would "exert some effort to expedite" the cases pending before the Sandiganbayan anti-graft court."

From:
http://newsinfo.inq7.net/breakingnews...

2006-10-06T16:01:00.000+08:00

Ombudsman prober recommended charges vs Comelec, MegaPacific

The Philippine Daily Inquirer reports:

"THE Field Investigation Office of the Ombudsman (FIO) recommended that all respondents in the graft complaint involving the Commission on Elections' botched P1.3-billion poll automation deal be charged "criminally, administratively and civilly" for the anomalous contract.

In a 20-page comment submitted on September 4, lawyer Ma. Olivia Elena Roxas recommended that graft charges be filed against all the respondents, including Comelec chairman Benjamin Abalos Sr., the incumbent commissioners at the time the deal was consummated, the members of the Comelec’s bids and awards committee and the executives of the MegaPacific Consortium."

From:
http://news.inq7.net/archive_article...

2006-10-06T15:57:00.000+08:00

Full text of Ombudsman findings on poll automation deal

The Philippine Daily Inquirer reports:

"THE Office of the Ombudsman’s findings absolving of any liability all officers of the Commission on Elections and MegaPacific involved in the P1.3-billion poll automation contract that the Supreme Court had voided last year has stirred controversy.

To help our readers understand the issue more fully, we are providing a link to the full text of the Ombudsman’s report OMB Supplemental Resolution on the Mega-Pacific Case September 27, 2006” on the website of the Office of the Ombudsman."

From:http://news.inq7.net/archive_article...

2006-10-06T15:49:00.000+08:00

Ombudsman submitting computerized poll probe results to SC

The Philippine Daily Inquirer reports:

"THE Office of the Ombudsman will submit to the Supreme Court today the final result of its inquiry into the liability of officials of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) and other individuals involved in the voided P1.3-billion contract to automate the 2004 elections.
Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez had been given until September 30 to complete her office’s investigation into the contract, which was voided on January 13, 2004.

Prior to this, the high court had threatened to cite Gutierrez for contempt for failing to meet earlier deadlines to complete the probe."

From:http://news.inq7.net/archive_article...

2006-09-26T14:36:00.000+08:00

Never-in-RP news?

The Manila Times reports:

"The second never in the Philippines news from China happened in Shanghai.

That city’s top Communist party leader, Chen Liangyu, has been sacked over a major corruption scandal involving the city’s pension fund, Xinhua news agency reported Monday.

x x x

This is something that never happens in the Philippines, not just because there is no communist party ruling over our most successful business and financial city. (Shanghai has overtaken Hong Kong, some analysts say). Also, it is unheard of in the country for anyone—whether party bosses or party janitors—to be fired and punished for corruption."

(I am posting this if only to show that this is not quite correct. Check out the previous post/s to see for yourselves. - Gibo)

From:
http://www.manilatimes.net/national...

2006-09-26T14:22:00.000+08:00

Defense exec dismissed for alleged corruption

The Philippine Daily Inquirer reports:

"AN ASSISTANT secretary of the Department of National Defense (DND) has been dismissed from office for alleged violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, the head of the Presidential Anti-graft Commission (PAGC) said Tuesday.

The dismissal of Ricardo San Andres was based on the recommendations by PAGC and which President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo affirmed, said Constancia de Guzman in a news conference in Malacañang.

San Andres is the second ranking official who was dismissed from service in a month. Two weeks ago, Salvador Pleyto, public works undersecretary, was also dismissed for allegedly misdeclaring his statement of assets and liabilities."

From:
http://newsinfo.inq7.net/breakingnews...

2006-09-26T14:20:00.000+08:00

Arroyo commends top 10 agencies in fight vs corruption

The Philippine Daily Inquirer reports:

"PRESIDENT Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo recognized on Tuesday the top 10 government agencies that have instituted measures to curb corruption.

In her opening statement before a Cabinet meeting in Malacañang, the President commended the Department of Health (DoH), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Science and Technology (DoST), Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Office of the President (OP), Department of Education (DepEd), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), the Philippine National Police (PNP), and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA).

They were recognized for their efforts in putting in place anti-corruption measures through the Integrity Development Action Plan (IDAP) of the Presidential Anti-Graft Commission (PAGC), the President said."

From:
http://newsinfo.inq7.net/breakingnews...

2006-09-26T14:18:00.000+08:00

P17.1B in unliquidated cash advances by gov’t bared

The Philippine Daily Inquirer reports:

"THE GOVERNMENT has acquired 17.124 billion pesos in total unliquidated cash advances as of 2005, Senator Franklin Drilon disclosed Tuesday, quoting from a report by the Commission on Audit (COA).

Drilon, head of the finance committee, made the disclosure during its hearing on the proposed 2007 budget by Malacañang.

As of December 31, 2005, Drilon said the national government had unliquidated cash advances amounting to 9,379,342,609 billion pesos; government corporations, 2,664,651,632 billion pesos; and an estimated 5 billion pesos from local government units."

From:
http://newsinfo.inq7.net/breakingnews...

2006-09-26T08:05:00.000+08:00

Palace reiterates firm stand vs corruption

The Philippine Star reports:

"Malacañang reiterated Monday its unswerving stand against corruption and assured international institutions like the World Bank and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) of its determination to get rid of the menace.

In a statement, Press Secretary Ignacio R. Bunye said the administration of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo acknowledges the fact that the WB and the UNDP are focusing on corruption as a threat to anti-poverty programs."

From:
http://www.philstar.com/philstar...

2006-09-25T12:49:00.000+08:00

‘Estrada term may be behind dark RP image’ -- PAGC

The Philippine Daily Inquirer reports:

"THE Presidential Anti-Graft Commission (PAGC) claimed on Monday that the perception of official corruption during the three years in office of deposed president Joseph Estrada may have affected the outcome of the World Bank report that pictures the Philippines as performing badly in addressing the problem.

PAGC chairperson Constancia de Guzman said they would ask the World Bank for a copy of the report to see the parameters used to come up with the ranking.

The World Bank report showed a sharp decline in the ranking of the Philippines, from 50.5 percent in 1998 to 37.4 percent in 2005, using control of corruption as a benchmark."

From:
http://services.inq7.net/express...

2006-09-25T12:45:00.000+08:00

WB report shows RP 'corruption control' continues to decline

The Manila Bulletin reports:

"The declining rank of the Philippines in a recent World Bank (WB) report on governance indicates that the ability of the country to improve governance and curb corruption has gone down, independent research organization Ibon Foundation said.

This should serve as an occasion to deepen the debate on the issue on corruption and how to address it, the group said.

Based on its report titled "Governance Matters," the World Bank gave the country a ranking of 37.4 percent in 2005 in its control of corruption benchmark from its 50.5 percent ranking in 1998."

From:
http://www.mb.com.ph/MAIN...

2006-09-15T12:16:00.000+08:00

NBI recommends Ombudsman probe of 2 nursing board examiners

The Philippine Star reports:

"The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Wednesday has recommended to Malacañang that the Office of the Ombudsman conduct a preliminary investigation of two members of the board of nursing examiners who have been linked to the scandal-rocked 2006 nursing licensure examination.

In his regular weekly press conference yesterday afternoon in Malacañang, Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita identified the two nursing board examiners as Virginia Madeja and Anesia Dionisio."

From:
http://www.philstar.com/philstar...

2006-09-15T08:36:00.000+08:00

Police officer, 7 men sacked for extortion

The Philippine Daily Inquirer reports:

"THE head of the Southern Police District (SPD) antidrug unit, his assistant and six of his men have been relieved of their posts for allegedly extorting money from a Japanese businessman suspected of involvement in the drug trade.

Chief Insp. Vicente Raquion, team leader of the District Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Force (DAID-SOTF), his assistant SPO1 Delfin Macario and team members P03 Rodolfo Garcia, P03 Felix Mayuga, P03 Cirilo Zamora, P02 Dionisio Gastanes Jr., P02 Roberto Jovenir and P02 Bernardo Cobero were subsequently reassigned to the District Inspectorate Unit (DIU)."

From:
http://newsinfo.inq7.net/inquirerheadlines...

2006-09-14T08:59:00.000+08:00

New anti-corruption watchdog?

Editorial from the Malaya:

"A visiting World Bank official has expressed puzzlement why the Philippines is lagging behind its neighbors in economic growth and poverty reduction. The official, managing director Juan Jose Daboub, gave the obligatory nod to his host country’s success in stabilizing government finances through recent revenue-enhancing measures and to the strong growth during the first semester at the opening of his speech before the Makati Business Club the other day.

But he said there is a real urgency in the Philippines gaining a larger share of the investments pouring into Asean which stood at $24 billion last year. He said Asia is rapidly developing, with India undertaking major reforms, Vietnam halving the number of the poor and China becoming the world’s third largest economy. He said the economic gains have lifted 400 million out of poverty in 20 years."

From:
http://www.malaya.com.ph/sep14/edit.htm

2006-09-13T09:57:00.000+08:00

Anti-corruption drive lagging - World Bank

The Business World reports:

"The Philippines needs to step up its anti-corruption campaign if it intends to keep sourcing financial assistance from international lending organizations, the World Bank’s managing director yesterday warned.

The bank’s managing director, Juan Jose Daboub, told a conference on governance yesterday that while no Philippine firm has been included in a current blacklist of 300 corrupt firms, the country needs to ensure that measures are taken to minimize corruption."

From:
http://www.bworldonline.com/BW091306...

2006-09-13T09:52:00.000+08:00

Ramirez: I will defend my honor

The Malaya reports:

"PHILIPPINE Sports Commission chairman William "Butch" Ramirez is ready to face charges filed with the Ombudsman last Friday by a group calling itself "concerned citizens and athletes" regarding an alleged anomalous transaction he entered into with Brent International School last year.

In its 28-page complaint, the group accused Ramirez of "grave abuse of discretion" when he forged a deal with Brent that called for the advance payment of rentals at the Philsports Complex in Pasig amounting to P10,299,386.08."

From:
http://www.malaya.com.ph/sep13/spor1.htm

2006-09-13T08:21:00.000+08:00

World Bank wants sharing of corruption blacklists

The Philippine Daily Inquirer reports:

"The World Bank will propose the sharing of corruption blacklists and a rackdown on erring governments in an anti-graft strategy to be presented at meetings this week, its managing director said Tuesday.

World Bank managing director Juan Jose Daboub told a news conference in Manila that the World Bank was looking at a range of punishments, including suspension, for governments and institutions found to have misused their loans from the development agency."

From:
http://business.inq7.net/money/topstories...

2006-09-12T19:50:00.000+08:00

Philippines being left behind by rest of Asia--World Bank

The Philippine Daily Inquirer reports:

"THE PHILIPPINES runs the risk of being left further behind its Asian neighbors unless it pushes ahead with dramatic economic reforms, the World Bank managing director warned Tuesday.

"The Philippines is not reaching its full potential and may be facing the risk of falling further behind the rest of its Asian neighbors," warned managing director Juan Jose Daboub at a forum on governance in Manila."

From:
http://globalnation.inq7.net/news...

2006-09-12T14:53:00.000+08:00

Ombudsman suspends AFP accountant

The Philippine Daily Inquirer reports:

"THE chief accountant of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has been slapped a six-month preventive suspension by the Office of the Ombudsman while he is being investigated for alleged dishonesty, grave misconduct and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service.

The 15-page order by Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez affirmed the recommendation of director Elvira Chua to suspend Generoso Reyes Del Castillo Jr. after initial investigations indicated he allegedly lived beyond his means."

From:
http://newsinfo.inq7.net/breakingnews/nation...

2006-09-09T10:11:00.000+08:00

Sandigan dismisses graft case vs ex-DoTC, PIATCO officials

The Manila Bulletin reports:

"The Sandiganbayan First Division dismissed yesterday the graft case filed against former Undersecretary Wilfredo Trinidad of the Department of Transportation and Communications (DoTC) and four officials of the Philippine International Air Terminals Co., Inc. (PIATCO) over alleged irregularities in the Ninoy Aquino International Airport-Terminal 3 (NAIA-3) project.

The four were then PIATCO President Cheng Yong, consultant Alfredo Liongson, and German nationals Hans Arthur Vogel and Bernd Struck, representatives of German construction giant Fraport A.G. in PIATCO."

From:
http://www.mb.com.ph/MAIN2006090973919.html

2006-09-08T13:16:00.000+08:00

2 DOTC officials nanuhol ng P2M

Ayon sa Philippine Star:

"Nanawagan kahapon ang Department of Transportation and Communications Employees Association sa Office of the Ombudsman na huwag i-whitewash ang kaso laban sa 2 opisyal ng DOTC na dawit umano sa kaso ng katiwalian. Sa nakuhang impormasyon ng mga kawani, sinuhulan umano nina DOTC Head Executive Assistant Romeo German at Assistant Secretary Emmanuel Noel Cruz ang ilang Ombudsman investigators para maibasura ang kaso laban sa mga ito na may kaugnayan sa pagpapalabas ng mga pekeng dokumento para makakuha ng US visa ang isang Waneza Dy na hindi naman taga-DOTC."

Galing sa:
http://www.philstar.com/philstar...

2006-09-08T13:11:00.000+08:00

DPWH Usec sinibak!

Ayon sa Philippine Star:

"Nagsimula na ang malawakang paglilinis sa Gabinete ni Pangulong Arroyo matapos sibakin sa tungkulin ang isang undersecretary habang siyam pang opisyal ang inaaasahang susunod.

Inalis sa puwesto si Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Usec. Salvador Pleyto matapos mapatunayan ng Presidential Anti-Graft Commission (PAGC) na nagsinungaling ito sa kanyang Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Networth (SALN) nang hindi nito isama sa nakalipas na 10 taon ang kita ng kanyang misis sa negosyo nitong laundry and dry cleaning, pawnshop, piggery at poultry farm."

Galing sa:
http://www.philstar.com/philstar...

2006-09-08T10:12:00.000+08:00

Ombudsman files graft raps vs Samar gov

The Philippine Daily Inquirer reports:

"THE Ombudsman yesterday filed graft charges against Western Samar Gov. Milagrosa Tee Tan and six other provincial officials for the alleged anomalous purchase of more than P16 million worth of medicines and other goods from December 2001 until December 2002.

Tan and her alleged conspirators in the provincial government were also found guilty by the Ombudsman of grave misconduct, dishonesty and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service and were meted the penalty of dismissal from service."

From:
http://newsinfo.inq7.net/inquirerheadlines/regions...

2006-09-08T10:09:00.000+08:00

Palace sacks public works exec for graft

The Philippine Daily Inquirer reports:

"MALACAÑANG has sacked Public Works Undersecretary Salvador Pleyto for falsifying his Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN), particularly for not disclosing the business interests of his wife for 10 years.

Presidential Anti-Graft Commission Chair Constancia de Guzman yesterday announced Pleyto’s dismissal, which came after the Palace on Aug. 29 affirmed the PAGC’s recommendation to fire Pleyto. It was the second time Malacañang had affirmed the recommendation of the PAGC."

From:
http://newsinfo.inq7.net/inquirerheadlines/nation...

2006-09-07T12:55:00.000+08:00

Red tape still a major investment constraint

BusinessWorld reports:

"Doing business in the Philippines remains difficult as there have been no marked improvements in terms of reducing red tape, the World Bank-International Finance Corp. (WB-IFC) yesterday said.

In its annual Doing Business Survey 2007, the WB-IFC ranked the Philippines 126th out of 175 economies, down from 121st in 2006, mainly due to a failure to institute bureaucratic reforms."

From:
http://www.bworldonline.com...

2006-09-07T12:51:00.000+08:00

Convention of corruption

Adrian Cristobal writes about the UN Convention:

"In his inaugural speech President Joseph Estrada put it in plain language when he said that his administration would have no relatives and friends: Walang kamaganak, walang kaibigan, huwag ninyo akong subukan (Don’t try me!). His predecessors and successors had "cronies" and "Kamaganak, Inc."

Experience showed that this was easier said than done. The UN Convention Against Corruption is an eloquent document. It’s the product of brilliant minds offered for the delectation of other brilliant minds.

But character is stronger than intellect; it’s hardly susceptible to elocution."

From:
http://www.mb.com.ph/OPED2006090773736.html

2006-09-07T12:42:00.000+08:00

Philippines slips in competitiveness rank to 126 from 121

The Philippine Daily Inquirer reports:

"The Philippines slipped in global competitiveness ranking to 126th this year from 121st in 2005, according to a survey of 175 countries by the World Bank.

The country failed to implement enough reforms to enhance its business climate since last year up to April 2006, and fell way behind Southeast Asian neighbors Thailand (18th), Malaysia (25th), Taiwan (47th) and Vietnam (104th). Only Indonesia got a worse rating of 135th, according to "Doing Business 2007: How to Reform," a joint research project of the World Bank and its private sector lending arm, International Finance Corp."

From:
http://business.inq7.net/money/topstories...

2006-09-05T08:06:00.000+08:00

32 gov’t execs face malversation raps

The Philippine Daily Inquirer reports:

"THIRTY-TWO government officials allegedly using government vehicles for private purposes were charged with malversation yesterday in the Office of the Ombudsman.

Among those included in the charge sheet were director Elizabeth Navalta of the energy policy and planning bureau of the Department of Energy, Bureau of Internal Revenue Assistant Commissioner Aida Simborio, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. treasurer Silvano Uy, Assistant Secretary Corazon Ginete of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process, director Blandino Maceda of the interior department in Albay, director Ramon Tionloc of the Overseas Workers’ Welfare Administration and public works director Anastacia Santiago."

From:
http://newsinfo.inq7.net/inquirerheadlines...

2006-09-04T10:27:00.000+08:00

Pasay mayor, vice mayor, councilors suspended for 6 months

The Philippine Daily Inquirer reports:

"PASAY City local officials, led by its Mayor Wenceslao Trinidad, has been suspended for six months by the Office of the Ombudsman over alleged irregularities in garbage collection and disposal for 2004 and 2005.

Also suspended were Vice Mayor Antonio Calixto; and Councilors Richard Advincula, Lexter Ibay, Jose Antonio Roxas, Ma. Antonia Cuneta, Noel Bayona, Arnel Regino Arceo, Editha Vergel de Dios, Marie Irish Pineda, Generoso Cuneta, and Greg Paolo Alcera."

From:
http://services.inq7.net/express...

2006-08-30T08:19:00.000+08:00

‘Commission’ racket at BCDA bared

The Philippine Daily Inquirer reports:

"CLARK SPECIAL ECONOMIC ZONE—A group of contractors claimed a Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA) official had required them to pay between P1 million and P5 million each but had failed to secure for them subcontracts in the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway Project.

The group wrote to the Inquirer that the BCDA official introduced most of them to the project’s Japanese contractors to “show faithfulness to his promises, so to speak.” The entire project costs P21 billion."

From:
http://newsinfo.inq7.net/inquirerheadlines...

2006-08-24T08:49:00.000+08:00

Justice Sec. investigates raps vs. BI-7

The Freeman reports:

"Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez had sent a team of investigators to Cebu to conduct an investigation on the alleged involvement of the Bureau of Immigration (BI) Central Visayas officials in human smuggling and other money-making activities.

Gonzalez in an interview over radio station DYLA yesterday said that the intelligence team from his office conducted the investigation after he got several written complaints from identified and anonymous individuals about the alleged money-making activities of the BI-7 officials."

From:
http://www.philstar.com/philstar/Freeman...

2006-08-23T08:39:00.000+08:00

Group pursues 'No Safe Haven' policy

Breaking news from the Philippine Daily Inquirer:

"A group of Filipinos in Los Angeles has organized the Philippine Anticorruption Movement USA Inc. -- PAMUSA for short, pronounced PAM U.S.A. -- with Federal Tax ID or EIN 20-5362418, as a nonprofit organization for public service, to heed a call of President George W. Bush for NGOs and the business community to help fight corruption wherever it exists. Its focus naturally is the Philippines. Its organizers see PAMUSA as providential ("hulog ng langit")."

From:
http://newsinfo.inq7.net/breakingnews/nation...

2006-08-22T11:22:00.000+08:00

2 regional directors dismissed

The Manila Standard reports:

"Malacañang has ordered the dismissal of two presidential appointees holding ranks of regional director, the Presidential Anti-Graft Commission announced yesterday.

Constancia de Guzman, commission chairman, identified the dismissed officials as Kunesa Sekak, director of the Department of Social Welfare and Development in Region 9, and Perfecto Yap, assistant regional director of the Department of Trade and Industry in Region 6."

From:
http://www.manilastandardtoday.com...

2006-08-22T11:17:00.000+08:00

More heads to roll -- PAGC

The Philippine Daily Inquirer reports:

"SEVEN MORE government executives found by the Presidential Anti-Graft Commission to be liable for corrupt practices are expected to get the boot after President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo upheld the agency’s recommendation that they be dismissed.

This was disclosed yesterday by PAGC chair Constancia P. de Guzman after she announced the dismissal of two government executives -- Philippine Racing Commission (Philracom) chair Jaime A. Dilag and National Dairy Authority (NDA) administrator Salvacion M. Bulatao -- and the suspension of Toledo City Schools division superintendent Jose C. Cabantan."

From:
http://news.inq7.net/nation/index.php...

2006-08-22T11:11:00.000+08:00

Top official of indigenous people's agency dismissed

The Philippine Daily Inquirer reports:

"A REGIONAL director of the National Commission on Indigenous People (NCIP) was dismissed from government service for faking his school records to make it appear that he was a college graduate.

Dismissed was Ulysses A. Brito, NCIP officer in charge (OIC) director for Bicol, according to Presidential Anti-Graft Commission chair Constancia de Guzman.

Brito, 45, was also given "accessory penalties" that included the cancellation of eligibility, forfeiture of leave credits and retirement benefits, and disqualification for reemployment in the government service."

From:
http://beta.inq7.net/nation/index.php...