Tag: graft

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Lacson: Sandiganbayan Denial of Jinggoy Motion Could Spare Impeachment Court from Potentially Interfering with Judicial Process

The Sandiganbayan’s denial of Sen. Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada’s motion to attend the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio could spare the Impeachment Court from acting on a pending motion that may imply interference with an ongoing judicial process, Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said Friday.

Lacson noted that Senator-Judge Alan Peter Cayetano had asked the Impeachment Court to communicate with the Sandiganbayan to allow Sens. Estrada and Rodante Marcoleta to attend the trial, even as both face plunder and graft charges before the anti-graft court.

“That would spare the Impeachment Court from acting on the pending motion of Senator-Judge Alan Cayetano for us to ‘ask the Sandiganbayan to allow Senators Estrada (and Marcoleta) to participate in the impeachment trial’, which may impliedly suggest that we are interfering with an ongoing judicial process,” he said.

“I believe we still have to discuss the matter among ourselves as it is just my humble opinion,” he added.

In Filipino: Lacson: Pagbasura ng Sandiganbayan sa Mosyon ni Jinggoy, Maaaring Makaiwas sa Impeachment Court sa Posibleng Panghihimasok sa Prosesong Panghukuman

Continue reading “Lacson: Sandiganbayan Denial of Jinggoy Motion Could Spare Impeachment Court from Potentially Interfering with Judicial Process”

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PingBills | Senate Bill 248, Whistleblower Act of 2019

“This proposed legislation seeks to encourage whistleblowers to come out in the open and put an end to the corrupt practices of some government officials or employees. At the same time, it aims to strengthen the present machinery in ensuring the full protection and security of these brave witnesses against any form of retaliation or ostracism, and establish a rewards-and-benefits system in order to ensure the livelihood and welfare of these whistleblowers.”

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On the possible culpability of former President Aquino over DAP

In 2012, I recall being the first one to question the issuance of DBM Circular 541 during the budget deliberations on general principles of the 2013 GAA. I argued then that savings cannot be declared in the middle of the year. That early, I already sensed something ominous with that move of the DBM.

As it turned out, the unused appropriations in the first semester of the 2013 national budget were pooled to constitute what was later known as funds for the DAP. Worse, these proclaimed savings were realigned to fund additional pork barrel allocations of several senators and congressmen, further aggravated by the ill-timed conviction of the late Chief Justice Renato Corona by the Senate acting as an impeachment court, and in direct contravention of Art. VI, Sec. 25, Paragraph 5 of the 1987 Constitution, which clearly proscribes cross-border realignment.

While I feel for the former president, the question on his possible culpability on the actions taken by his DBM secretary will largely depend on the documents and paper trail made available to the Ombudsman prosecutors to prove or disprove his direct or indirect participation.

What is clear, though, is that former President Aquino did not pocket any DAP money, hence the case filed is for usurpation of legislative powers and not violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

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Sloppy housing for calamity victims angers Lacson; Buwis natin pinagawa diyan! [Politiko]

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From Politiko: Lacson said prosecuting the jailing the contractors and officials concerned will be the only way to correct the situation.  Continue reading “Sloppy housing for calamity victims angers Lacson; Buwis natin pinagawa diyan! [Politiko]”

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Agri group backs raps filed by Ping vs BOC [Inquirer]

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From the Inquirer: An umbrella organization of agriculture industry groups has lauded the economic sabotage complaint filed against former Customs Commissioner Nicanor Faeldon and several others for their alleged involvement in rice smuggling. Continue reading “Agri group backs raps filed by Ping vs BOC [Inquirer]”