This week’s trial was not a good one for the prosecution. Their witness Enrique Javier, Vice President of PAL, was not allowed to testify causing them to forego Article 3.
After a searing cross examination by 83- year- old Justice Serafin Cuevas on Sec. Leila de Lima, Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile ruled the major portion of her testimony as hearsay.
The prosecution panel announced they were dropping 3 charges, 3.4; 3.5 and 3.6 against Corona.
In the questioning of Senator-judges, prosecutor Raul Daza could not explain what “partiality” of the Chief Justice meant. Sec. de Lima also could not say how Chief Justice Corona controlled or influenced the votes of 8 Justices of the Supreme Court. It was obvious that unless they have better witnesses to prove “partiality,” the charge under Article 7 will not stand up.
The prosecution has requested Supreme Court Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno to volunteer to testify next week. Will she break the Supreme Court’s confidentiality rule and testify on what happened at their en banc sessions?
The latest survey released showed that 54% of respondents did not care about what the impeachment court will decide. The President’s efforts to whip up public opinion to support his campaign to oust Chief Justice Renato Corona have apparently not succeeded.
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MINING CONTROVERSY... Executive Secretary Jojo Ochoa is finalizing an Executive Order on the mining industry which has stirred a heated debate between environmental leaders and mining executives.
The present draft seeks to impose stricter rules on application for mining claims and providing for public bidding to get awarded one. Mining company CEOS say it will discourage foreign investors and insist that the Mining Act should be amended by Congress and not thru an Executive Order.
Leading the push for the Executive Order are Gina Lopez, Neric Acosta, Ramon Paje and Elisa Gozon.
On the mining side is the Chamber of Mines led by President Philip Romualdez and other business executives.
While the matter is pending final decision by President Aquino, mining companies have put new expansion plans on hold. Even stock prices of listed mining companies are affected.
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COMPLICATED SALN FORM...THE Senate is passing a resolution to junk the new SALN form approved by the Civil Service Commission.
Majority Leader Tito Sotto said the new form is too detailed and complicated and instead should be simplified so ordinary employees will understand.
Under the new SALN form even toiletries and all household expenses are to be declared. It will open employees to harassment and charges of perjury. It’s pure red tape.
Majority and Minority Congressmen also rejected the new SALN form.
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EVERYONE INVITED... The Iglesia Ni Cristo has invited Catholics and other religious denominations to attend its Feb. 28 rallies at the Luneta and 17 other cities.
President Aquino and Vice President Binay will not be attending the event. VP Binay will be in Cebu City to sign an agreement for a major housing project with Gov. Gwen Garcia.
This INC big rally is a major political event as recent reports say the INC is unhappy with the policies of the Aquino Administration.
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UNEMPPLOYMENT UP. . . The 4th quarter SWS survey reports that the country’s unemployment rate grew from 20.2 percent to 24% with 9.7 million Filipinos unemployed.
This is not surprising considering the low 3.7 GDP growth rate for 2011. Survey also showed that Metro Manila firms were not hiring and many businesses report a 30-50% decrease in sales.
The survey shows that 10% of the unemployed were retrenched or laid off, 7% did not have their contracts renewed, and 2% closed shop.
This is definitely one area the Aquino Administration has not delivered on its campaign promise to create new jobs. On the contrary, its policy of underspending plus the inefficiency of several departments have resulted in the high unemployment rate.
Observers have pointed out that President Aquino has concentrated most of his attention on charging former Pres. Gloria M. Arroyo and Chief Justice Renato Corona. * * * In a replay of the situation during President Cory Aquino’s term, massive brownouts have hit Mindanao.
The Association of Mindanao Rural Electric Cooperatives (Amreco) and various business organizations were urged to seriously look into the status of hydroelectric power plants in Pulange and Agus in Bukidnon and Lanao.
As the President is approaching the two years mark of his 6-year term, it certainly looks like he has not attended to so many serious problems. Up to now, the PPP flagship program has not taken off.
And certainly, he has not stopped corruption in the bureaucracy. * * * The body of Amb. Kokoy Romualdez was flown to Leyte yesterday accompanied by sister, Rep.. Imelda R. Marcos and his four children.
Rafael Rodriguez, Cavite Liberal Party Chairman, has resigned as LRTA Administrator.
A big Thank You to Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, President Fidel V. Ramos and Sen. Gringo Honasan for restoring Philippine democracy as we celebrate the 26th anniversary of EDSA I.
Four persons were hacked to death in their house in Lopez, Quezon. Killed were Teresita Osana, 60, Victoria Osana, 40, Kim Cheryll Osana, 11 and Jerick 4. Another massacre happened in Zamboanga del Sur.
Rep. Dong Gonzales has filed a resolution asking movie and TV shows to stop portraying Congressmen as villains or .
Greetings to Rep. Luz Ilagan, Mayor Brod Soc Fernandez and Vice Mayor Alan Bucao of Talisay, Cebu, Kagawad Mary Ann de los Santos of Lahug, Cebu City, Tony Avila of Station DXRF, Cebu, Ricky Poca, Cornelio Casido, chairman of the Board of Mining Engineers, Vicente de Lima of Iriga, Raffy Tan of Marikina, Louie Achacoso, Samson Lim and Jinx Dy.