Finally, the DENR got its mandate right

It seems that the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in Central Visayas has introduced the “pilot river systems” ordering all regional directors to conduct a cleanup on river systems within their localities within the region. There have been 12 pilot river systems of which six were identified in Cebu Province! DENR-7 Regional Director Gilbert Gonzales said that he already ordered all the Provincial Environmental and Natural Resources (PENROS) officers to finalize the profiling of river systems within their areas.

These rivers are the Guadalupe and Sapangdaku rivers and their respective tributaries including Bulacao River, Talisay River, Guindaruhan River in Minglanilla town, and Luyang River in Carmen town. The famous rivers of Bohol included the Abatan River in Cortes, and the Inabanga and Manaba rivers in Garcia Hernandez. Negros Oriental has the Banica River in Dumaguete the Panmangan River in Bais City, and the Sicopong River in Bayawan City.

While the end of 2018 is just a couple of weeks away, at least the DENR has already started its pilot river project. I hope that by next year, this pilot river projects will already produce results. For instance, the Guadalupe River is one that I have been checking with my drone and so many parts of this river are already shallow. The only areas that are high are the ones located along the major roads of M. Velez Street and B. Rodriquez Street. Most of the riverbed of the Guadalupe River is shallow except where there are major roadways.

While it is still starting to be implemented, I would like to see the reports presented to the DENR as far as compliance is concerned. Like I said, this will be one project that we shall show a keen interest in next year.

***

We learned that Associate Justice Geraldine Econg was one of the five Sandiganbayan Associate Justices who literally freed, former senator Ramon Revilla for the crime of plunder, yet the same justices who freed Revilla ordered him to pay P124.5 million of the money that he was supposed to use. Accordingly, the prosecution failed to establish beyond reasonable doubt that Revilla had received the amount from Janet Lim Napoles. So the disturbing question swirling in our heads is why were the justices so convinced that Revilla had the P124.5 million in his custody? Surely, Revilla knew the original amount of P224 million given to him which the justices said that he had the amount in his possession?

At this point, this is the favorite topic of coffeehouses today. But better believe that issues of corruption are now being thrown against the Sandiganbayan associate justices, but in fairness to them, this is without any evidence, but rather it is a suspicion that they cannot get rid of. At this point, we don’t know whether their decision is final or whether or not this can still be reviewed. For sure, too many people feel that justice has been denied and it is high time that the Supreme Court enter into this tragedy! After all, elective officials should be held in higher risk especially when it comes to public funds.

***

The headlines of The Philippine STAR yesterday screamed: “Trillions lost each year to bribes, corruption.” This was revealed by the United Nations during the International Anti-Corruption Day yesterday. According to the UN report, US$2.6 trillion dollars is lost annually to corruption. Every year, trillions of dollars, equivalent to more than five percent of global gross domestic production, are paid in bribes or stolen through corruption worldwide.

The UN noted: “Corruption harms societies in multiple ways. It undermines democracy and rule of law, erodes quality of life, slows economic development, and enables organized crime and terrorism.” This year marks the 15th anniversary of the landmark United Nations Convention Against Corruption. In the 15 years since its adoption, the Convention Against Corruption has achieved near-universal status, with 186 signatory states. The Philippines joined the convention in November 2006. This is why in my book the Sandiganbayan decision to free Revilla while demanding his return of P124.5 million is a shame for Philippine justice and jurisprudence. That Napoles has been convicted should have meant that the other congressmen with her are equally as guilty as her!

***

For email responses to this article, write to vsbobita@gmail. com. His columns can be accessed through www.philstar.com.