President Duterte said the ban on the deployment of workers to Kuwait was permanent. What he really meant was that it would stay until the Philippines and Kuwait came to an agreement on what to do with the 255,000 OFWs working there. A fourth of this number are domestic helpers who need protection.
How many times has the President said one thing, only to “clarify” it later on?
I am afraid, however, that the frequency of these clarifications tells the people that he does not mean what he says, or does not say what he means.
The President must be reminded that whatever comes out of his mouth is a political or a policy statement. He must weigh what he says in public!
Once the people stop believing what the President says, then his credibility is at stake.
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Even before he has warmed his seat, newly installed Philippine National Police Chief Oscar Albayalde finds himself confronted with money issues.
One involves complaints from police retirees that the PNP has been making substantial deductions from their retirement pensions. Supposedly, these are in payment for loans they incurred after retirement.
In fact, the complaints came out in several newspapers last week. The deductions are effected through the PNP Automatic Pension Deduction Scheme, allegedly being exploited for the benefit of certain savings and loan entities.
The reports said that the PNP retirees are appealing to Albayalde that the deduction should be stopped. The practice has resulted in great financial distress for them and their families.
They claimed that the amount left after deduction was insufficient to meet their basic living expenses.
The pensioners say the deductions have been deemed illegal by the Department of Justice and that former PNP Chief Ronald dela Rosa has ordered a stop to this practice. They also point to PNP Memorandum Circular 2013-009 which provides that automatic deductions shall be allowed only for payment of loans contracted by the PNP personnel while in the active service and not for loans contracted after retirement or separation.
But,my gulay, the much bigger issue facing Albayalde is the possibly criminal misuse of P59.8 million intended as subsistence and hazard pay allowance for the Special Action Force.
SAF members have complained that they have not been receiving their allowances. Senator Panfilo Lacson has sought a probe into the issue.
While P37 million of the fund has been reportedly returned by Senior Supt Andre Dizon, former SAF budget and fiscal officer, no explanation has been given for the rest of the money.
It must be of little consolation to SAF members that charges of plunder and malversation have been filed before the Office of the Ombudsman against Dizon, former SAF chief Benjamin Lusad and two others from the Finance Office.
Albayalde, being a former SAF commando himself, is outraged at the blatant disregard for the welfare of the SAF personnel given the dangers they face.
Albayalde has also vowed internal cleansing of the PNP as part of his priority list.
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From the looks of it, PTV4 officials are as much to blame for the mess created by the ad placements, amounting to P60 million, of the Department of Tourism to a blocktimer. The media company happens to be owned by the brothers of Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo.
Martin Andanar, secretary of the communications office which oversees the government television network, has a lot of explaining to do.
I think it’s just the tip of the iceberg.Malacañang should investigate the ad placements with PTV4 and elsewhere.
I smell a rat here.
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The action taken by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in divulging the names of barangay officials linked to illegal drugs raises a fundamental question.
The disclosure of the names demonizes the officials and pronounces them guilty without trial.
I am not saying the list is not authentic. But isn’t there a presumption of innocence guaranteed by the Constitution?
I am surprised that spokesman Harry Roque said the list was released to help voters choose wisely.
Sure, voters need to decide wisely. But the release of the names sets a dangerous precedent.
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If you are wondering why Roberto Ongpin has been included by Forbes Magazine as one of the Filipino billionaires, it is because at his ripe age of 81 he continues to think out of the box. He never runs out of ideas for developments under the banner of Alphaland.
He is behind Balesin, City Club, Aegle Wellness Center, Baguio Mountain Lodges and Alpha Suites.
Last but not least, he is putting up the Top of the Alpha at the top of Alpha Suites at the penthouse of the third tower of Alphaland.
There will be world-class performers, including jazz singers and exceptional bands performing each night. The main feature is a 360-view of the entire city of Makati.
Bobby, who was my student at Ateneo in the 50s, said he looks forward to hanging out in his new magnum opus. That’s Bobby for you.