LIE DETECTOR TESTS FOR REYES, RABUSA

Subject Angelo Reyes, George Rabusa and everybody else being  linked to the P50-mliion ‘pabaon’ controversy to lie detector tests.

If anybody refuses, then he’s the one investigators should focus on and grill from head to foot, night and day seven days a week until he reveals the truth as far as he knows it.

In today’s issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer, Rabusa was quoted  as saying “kailangan pa ba iyon” when asked if he had evidence to prove the P50-million ‘’pabaon’ to Reyes which he had exposed.

Aba teka, hindi naman tamang salita niya lang ay puwede na. Nagkaila na si Reyes kaya ano ang mangyayari, PURO DALDALAN NA LAMANG?

Lie detector tests are not 100 percent conclusive, that’s true.

Pero makikita sa resulta kung sino ang NAGSISINUNGALING, o hindi nagsasabi ng tutoo sa mga itinatanong. At kapag BISTADO  nang sinungaling ang isang tao, mas madali na itong mapapaamin kung ano ang katotohanan.

The lie detector tests should be done IN PUBLIC, in neutral territory.

There should be FULL and UNRESTRICTED TRI-MEDIA (radio, TV, print) coverage from start to finish.

From an examination of the lie detector machine, how it works, the actual tests and explanation of the results and reaction of the subjects.

The tests should be conducted by certified experts from the PRIVATE SECTOR. It must be verified that they are NOT RELATED OR CONNECTED in any way whatsoever to anyone of the subjects.

The experts must not be informed of who the subjects will be until the day of the tests to avoid any leaks and preemptive measures by anyone.

Likewise, their identities should not be revealed to anybody until they, along with their credentials, are presented on the day of the tests.

To further help ensure IMPARTIALITY, it would be better if the tests will be paid for by concerned individuals from the PRIVATE SECTOR who are not associated in any way with Reyes, Rabusa, et al.

And most of all, the tests should be conducted AS SOON AS POSSIBLE in the interest of truth and fair play.

Kung talagang katotohanan ang habol ng kinauukulan at hindi PUBLISIDAD LAMANG, walang dahilan para pagtagalin ang imbestigasyon sa mga aleasyon ni Rabusa. 30

AUDIT NAPOCOR, NOW!

Somebody had better initiate an EXTENSIVE AUDIT of the National Power Corp. (Napocor).

For those who don’t know, Napocor has been allowed by the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) to raise its rates by 50 centavos per kilowatt hour starting this month.

That means more earnings for them, and HIGHER POWER COSTS for us ordinary mortals.

ILAMPUNG TAON nang LUGI kuno ang Napocor. BILYUN-BILYON ang utang. Utang na TAYONG SAMBAYANAN ang magbabayad sa pamamagitan ng ating buwis.

SAAN ba napupunta ang KITA ng Napocor?

For years, I have not heard of or seen any audit on Napocor.  Nothing whatsoever on where and how do they spend their income. No details of the company’s dealings or transactions with anybody.

In other words, we taxpayers have no means to check or find out if all of Napocor’s monies are FULLY ACCOUNTED FOR. There’s no way for us to determine if the company is being run judiciously or at a loss to the Government, and to us taxpayers.

I dare say this because if you’ recall several years ago, it was revealed that Napocor executives get millions and millions of pesos in salaries and other perks.

Kahit na BILYUN-BILYONG PISO na ang pagkalugi o pagkakautang noon ng kumpanya.

Pero KATAKA-TAKA na sa kabila ng lahat ng ito, kahit ISANG SENADOR o CONGRESSMAN ay walang masigasig na nanawagan, o nagsimula ng anumang proseso, pata maaudit ang Napocor.

Even if it’s us taxpayers who PAY for al\ of Napocor’s debts.

Every rate increase by Napocor translates to higher power costs for us consumers. With no immediate end in sight to the financial burdens we now carry, we can’t afford increased electric bills.

As I’ve asked in an earlier blog, the Government had better start telling us how we will survive this unending depletion of our meager resources.  

                                                                       

***

From our blogmates:

My former People’s Journal colleague ROMY MORALES of Los Angeles, California, USA on “No basis to investigate GMA over ‘pabaon’:

I wonder why you are very much against the proposal of Biazon to include GMA. Yes, the facts that you have presented do not implicate GMA so ano ang kinatatakutan natin? If we are going to have an investigation, why do we have to be selective? Why don't we allow anybody to be tapped in the course of the investigation so we can dig deeper into the case? If GMA is not connected, has nothing to do with it or has not been implicated, what is there to fear? if we are clean, we have nothing to fear.  30

NO BASIS TO INVESTIGATE GMA OVER 'PABAON'

Muntinlupa Rep. Rodolfo Biazon’s call to include former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (GMA) in the probe of the alleged P50-million ‘pabaon’ to then retiring Armed Forces chief Angelo Reyes is BASELESS and a waste of time.

Unless he gets hard evidence, Biazon had better not pursue this plan to prevent being branded as a ‘publcity hound.’

This is NOT IN DEFENSE of GMA. If there will be solid evidence, then by all means investigate her all the way to high heavens.

Pero habang WALANG EBIDENSIYA, huwag namang isangkot agad,  kahit hindi derechahan, iyong ale o ilagay sa alanganin ang kanyang reputasyon.

For the simple reason that the whistleblower, retired Lt. Col. George Rabusa DID NOT IMPLCATE GMA in any way whatsoever in his revelations in the Senate.

Rabusa pinpointed the source of the alleged ‘pabaon’ as the Provisions for Command Directed Activity (PCDA) fund.

He specifically said the money came from the budgets of the Army, Navy and Air Force. If the amount can’t be raised, he said funds are generated from other units like the V. Luna Hospital.

He DID NOT POINT to GMA as the source of PCDA funds.

Rabusa identified the other beneficiaries of the PCDA aside from the chief of staff. He said they included GMA’s senior military aide, deputy chief of staff and systems secretary for plans and programs. But not GMA.

Most of all, Rabusa categorically stated that it was former military comptroller Carlos Garcia who directly gave him the orders on where to get the PCDA and how much is to be given to whom.

Garcia, NOT GMA.

Kaya ano pa ang basehan na pati si GMA ay dapat imbestigahan, samantalang ang testigo mismo ay HINDI SIYA ISINANGKOT?

Biazon said it was impossible that GMA, as Armed Forces commander-in-chief, did not know about the ‘pabaon’.

Biazon is also a former Armed Forces chief of staff.

Ibig bang sabihin ni Biazon ay ALAM NIYA LAHAT, as in lahat, ang mga nangyayari sa buong military nang siya ang boss nito?Na walang anumang nakalusot sa kaniya?

Iyong tutoo lang, congressman. 30

NO BASIS TO PROBE GMA OVER ''PABAON'

Muntinlupa Rep. Rodolfo Biazon’s call to include former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (GMA) in the probe of the alleged P50-million ‘pabaon’ to then retiring Armed Forces chief Angelo Reyes is BASELESS and a waste of time.

Unless he gets hard evidence, Biazon had better not pursue this plan to prevent being branded as a ‘publcity hound.’

This is NOT IN DEFENSE of GMA. If there will be solid evidence, then by all means investigate her all the way to high heavens.

Pero habang WALANG EBIDENSIYA, huwag namang isangkot agad,  kahit hindi derechahan, iyong ale o ilagay sa alanganin ang kanyang reputasyon.

For the simple reason that the whistleblower, retired Lt. Col. George Rabusa, DID NOT IMPLICATE GMA in any way whatsoever in his revelations in the Senate.

Rabusa pinpointed the source of the alleged ‘pabaon’ as the Provisions for Command Directed Activity (PCDA) fund.

He specifically said the money came from the budgets of the Army, Navy and Air Force. If the amount can’t be raised, he said funds are generated from other units like the V. Luna Hospital.

He DID NOT POINT to GMA as the source of  the PCDA fund.

Rabusa identified the other beneficiaries of the PCDA aside from the chief of staff. He said they included GMA’s senior military aide, deputy chief of staff and systems secretary for plans and programs. But not GMA.

Most of all, Rabusa categorically stated that it was former military comptroller Carlos Garcia who directly gave him the orders on where to get the PCDA and how much is to be given to whom. NOT GMA.

Kaya ano pa ang basehan na pati si GMA ay dapat imbestigahan, samantalang ang testigo mismo ay HINDI SIYA ISINANGKOT?

Biazon said it was impossible that GMA, as Armed Forces commander-in-chief, did not know about the ‘pabaon’.

Biazon is also a former Armed Forces chief of staff.

Ibig bang sabihin ni Biazon ay ALAM NIYA LAHAT, as in lahat, ang mga nangyayari sa buong military nang siya ang boss nito?Na walang anumang nakalusot sa kaniya?

Iyong tutoo lang, congressman. 30

PROBE ALL FORMER AFP CHIEFS, NOT JUST REYES 2

The credibility of ‘pabaon’ whistleblower retired Lt. Col. George Rabusa should be THOROUGHLY checked by the Senate before they believe everything he says, and will say, 100 percent.

Rabusa ADMITTED he got P500,000 monthly from the Provisions for Command Directed Activities (PCDA) fund, the source of the ‘pabaon’ and other questionable disbursements he had started to reveal.

Bakit ngayon lang siya nagsalita? Ano ang motibo niya, bukod pa sa kagustuhan niyang maging testigo laban kay Garcia? Tinangka na ba niyang magbulgar noon kahit minsan?

Rabusa’s claim of delivering the P50-million ‘pabaon’ in cash to Reyes’ quarters then at Camp Aguinaldo has room for doubt.

No crook would accept P50 million in cash personally because one way or another, the money would attract attention and risk leaks, from the preparation to the delivery.

Reyes definitely is not stupid. Questionable amounts as big as PP50 million would have been coursed through the recipient’s bank account and those of his dummies.

Mas maganda kung papangalanan ni Rabusa kung sino-sino ang naghanda ng P50 milyon na cash bago umano dinala nila ito ni dating Armed Forces comptroller Jacinto Ligot kay Reyes.

And since Rabusa mentioned a lot of other details, the Senate should  IMMEDIATELY conduct a SEPARATE probe of his allegations.  

The Senate should summon ALL the supposed beneficiaries of the PCDA fund which Rabusa identified, as well as Department of Budget and Management (DBM) personnel assigned to military requests.

Rabusa claimed that the DBM released funds for 120,000 troops even though the Armed Forces only had 100,000.

Kung tutoo ang sinasabi ni Rabusa, HINDI PAPAYAG ang mga kasabwat  sa DBM na wala silang parte sa sobrang pondo na binigay nila.

Records related to the PCDA and its disbursements must likewise be subpoenaed as soon as possible before these DISAPPEAR.

Let’s not blink our eyes or be distracted from this controversy, guys. Rabusa said the PCDA was P40 MILLION MONTHLY. That’s P480 MILLION of our taxes, OUR MONEY.

                                                                        ***

From our blogmates:

SUSAN CUNANAN on “Makati bus bombing was a message:”

Mr. A, you're so right again. These people are not terrorists. It's not material gain they want. They just want to portray the present government as inept, helpless and inutile versus the escalating criminality. Nagamit na kasi yung targeting the prominent, eh. Gasgas na. So why not the masa, the working class, the ordinary people, this time?  For me mas nakakagalit ito, and more effective. And why in Makati ( (Binay country)? 30

PROBE ALL FORMER AFP CHIEFS, NOT JUST REYES!

The Senate should investigate ALL former Armed Forces chiefs of staff immediately for the alleged multi-million peso ‘pabaon’ and ‘pasalubong’ tradition for military bosses which was revealed yesterday by a whistleblower.

If they don’t, their probe of corruption in the military would be NOTHING LESS than political gimmickry and vendetta by Sen. Jinggoy Estrada against former Armed Forces chief Angelo Reyes.

Reyes allegedly received a P50-million ‘pabaon’ when he retired in 2001 as Armed Forces chief.  If the ‘pabaon’ is true, then Reyes’ predecessors also received the same.

Kaya bakit si Reyes lang ang isasalang? Dapat, lahat ng nauna kay Reyes ay kwestiyunin din para PAREHAS ang laban.

Don’t forget guys, Reyes was chief of staff when the military withdrew its support to Sen. Jinggoy’s dad, former President Erap Estrada, during EDSA 2.  That’ s a very sharp axe to grind for the senator.

Besides, the whistleblower also alleged in the Senate that former Armed Forces chiefs Diomedio Villanueva and Roy Cimatu received P10 million each in ‘pasalubong’ when they assumed office.

That’s two more guys who should explain, apart from Reyes.

Hindi ko kinakampihan s Reyes, magkaliwanagan tayo agad. Ang sa akin lang, imbestigahan ang dapat imbestigahan, hindi iyong kung sino lang ang gusto. Lahat ng tao, may karapatan sa patas na laban kaya dapat, walang personalam.

And before any senator goes anywhere, the Senate must first find out for us taxpayers the following:

Is the ‘pabaon’ and the ‘pasalubong’ LEGAL? What law says so if yes? Since when have these practices been ongoing?

How much has been spent on the ‘pabaon’ and ‘pasalubong’? Who are the beneficiaries? Considering that budgetary constraints have always been the problem of the military,  what services or logistics have been sacrificed so far just to keep the ‘pabaon’ and ‘pasalubong?’

It’s a fact that our soldiers remain as one of the most poorly equipped fighting force in the world.

LIBU-LIBO NG bala at baril, granada o bala ng kanyon, combat boots, helmet, at iba pang kagamitang pang-giyera  ang mabibili na ng bale P70 million – P50 milyon kuno kay Reyes at P20 milyon umano kina Cimatu at Villanueva.

And most of all, what is the purpose of the Provisions for Command Directed Activities (PCDA) fund? Who started it and when? What law authorizes it?  If none, who tolerated it and how much has been amassed and disbursed from it?

I’ll have more questions and observations on this issue in my second blog at 1 p.m. today.

                                                                        ***

Three of our blogmates commented on “How to detect bus bombers:”

RAFAEL GOMEZ of Makati City:

All of us should be aware wherever we are, especially in public places. I'm sure if they will bomb another target, it will not be another bus. I agree with you, Mr. Antonio, wherever we are we should be aware of unattended things but bombs can come in any casing. So when in crowded places like malls, churches, schools and restaurants, we should avoid trash bins, garbage, filthy toilets and other unsuspicious areas. By the way, I heard that this unfortunate incident is being blamed on PNoy coz he ignored the warnings from other countries of the impending terrorist attacks in our country.

LOUIE BALBAGO of Manila:

Keep up the good work, bro! Mabuhay ka!  Nawa’y Diyos ang sumaiyo.  

A lady who asked to be called only as BERNADETTE:

Thanks for the information and suggestions Mr. Antonio and for reminding everyone to be aware whenever and wherever we are in public. Keep up the good work, sir! God Bless!  30

HOIW TO DETECT BUS BOMBERS!

Allow me to give my own tips and suggestions on how to detect and avoid bus bombers.

Right after you step into the bus, be on the lookout for bags which had been left behind under a seat or behind the last row of seats. Notify the conductor and the driver immediately when you see one.

If the bus is already moving before you see the abandoned bag, get off at once at the very next stop.

Watch out for passengers who stuff their bag under their seat even if it’s small enough to be carried or placed on the lap. Point this out to the conductor immediately.

Habang tumatakbo ang bus, pagmasdan mabuti ang ibang pasahero.

Kung mayroong PAIKOT-IKOT ang mga mata, naka-shades kahit araw na araw, nanginginig ang katawan kahit mainit ang bus, nagtatakip ng mukha kahit hindi nasisilaw o walang nangangamoy, hindi mapalagay at panay ang tingin sa bag kahit wala namang dumi ito o sira,  ituro agad sa konduktor.

Inform the conductor and the driver pronto if you see a passenger who suddenly places his or her bag at another spot in the bus for no clear reason.

Especially if the passenger hurriedly gets off the bus after that and leaves his or her bag behind. Rush out of the bus, too, when that happens.

If you suddenly smell gunpowder or any other strange odor, inform the conductor and the other passengers and jointly trace where it’s coming from.

And to make it easier for you to escape in case of bombing,  choose a window seat or one that is nearest to the door.

I would also like to reiterate my call in one of my earlier blogs to the  authorities to distribute photos and posters of wanted criminals especially terrorists, in busy  and strategic areas and spots.

MAKAKATULONG ang Sambayanan sa paghanap at paghuli ng mga kriminal. Pero magagawa lang nila ito kung MAKIKITA nila ang ITSURA ng hinahanap.

                                                                        ***

From our blogmates:

VENUS AMORANTO of Binan, Laguna on the Makati bus bombing:

Walang gagawa nito kung walang nag-utos. 30

GUTIERREZ'S BIGGEST MISTAKE IN GARCIA CASE 2

Since Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez junked the opportunity to clear the air on the Carlos Garcia case, It’s now the Armed Forces’ turn TO COME OUT with the story behind the issue.

As I’ve written in an earlier blog, the military should start coming out with the details of ALL  the transactions entered into and paid for by Garcia when he was the comptroller for PUBLIC SCRUTINY.

Without or without an order from the court, President Noynoy who is their commander-in-chief or the Defense secretary who’s their immediate boss.

And I mean all the details – the merchandise and its purpose, including a written justification (s); transaction proponent (s) and the recommending authority; the supplier (s) and sub-crontractors, if any; price of the merchandise and proof that it’s the cheapest compared to other possible suppliers; terms and conditions, mode and date of payments, disbursing officers, other check signatories, if any, apart from Garcia.

Tutal, nangako ang militar na tuttulong sila laban kay Garcia kaya MAGANDANG PAGKAKATAON na ito para patunayan nila ang sinseridad nila.

If nobody among the suppliers or contractors will talk or cooperate, no problem!

They can always be summoned, and compelled if they decline, to appear in congressional hearings and other venues proibing Garcia’s plea bargain agreement with Ombudsman prosecutors.

The records of Garcia’s transactions can always be subpoenaed and the details, especially the price and quality of the merchandise,  DOUBLE-CHECKED with other suppliers and independent experts.

Tandaan natin, ang asawa mismo ni Garcia ay UMAMIN na ang pera nila ay GALING sa mga supplier o contractor na nakakuha ng kontrata sa military noong comptroller pa ang kaniyang mister.

Garcia’s contractors and suppliers are JUST AS IMPORTANT as him in finding out the TRUTH.

Anyone who believes Garcia will eventually reveal everything is INSANE and must be brought to the National Center for Mental Health in Mandaluyong as soon as possible.

Why? Garcia agreed to plead guilty to an offense lighter than plunder. and to return to the Government almost half of his KNOWN riches.

Pero HINDI SIYA UMAMIN na nagnakaw o NANGURAKOT SIYA. Hindi ko lang inabot ang buong detalye pero sa balita sa TV kagabi, sinasabi daw ni Garcia ngayon na dati na siyang mayaman.

No more daydream believers, please. Instead, let’s all join forces in  keeping an eye round-the-clock on Garcia, the Office of the Ombudsman and everybody else concerned in this P300-MILLION ‘miracle.’ 30

GUTIERREZ'S BIGGEST MISTAKE IN GARCIA CASE1

Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez has just committed the BIGGEST MISTAKE in the Carlos Garcia ‘miracle.’

With her refusal to appear in yesterday’s House of Representatives hearing on Garcia’s plea bargain agreement, Gutierrez has STRENGTHENED suspicions that there’s something ANOMALOUS in the deal.

And that VERY POWERFUL people were behind Garcia, then and UNTIL NOW.

Gutierrez approved the plea bargain agreement.

Sa galit ngayon ng tao sa Ombudman prosecutors na pasimuno nung plea bargain, sinamantala dapat ni Gutierrez ang hearing upang ipagtanggol ang kaniyang tanggapan.

Kung talagang wala silang nagawang mali  o kasalanan.

But not only did Gutierrez snub the hearing, she even MOCKED the congressmen in a letter by saying that she does not believe the inquiry is in aid of legislation.

Not content, Gutierrez even HUMILIATED the congressmen by telling them the Office of the Ombudsman cannot be compelled to attend since it is a constitutional body.

As if the congressmen didn’t know what they were doing.

Kapag REPUTASYON at KARANGALAN na ang pinagdududahan, kahit na sino susunggaban ang anumang pagkakataon para MAGBANGONG-PURI at maitama ang maling akala.

But if you choose to skip the opportunity, you can’t blame anyone who will suspect that you’re not as clean as you say you are.

Gutierrez should also keep cool if she’ll be asked was it her own decision to ignore the hearing or was she ordered by somebody else to do so.

Remember, guys, a Commission on Audit auditor had earlier claimed that she was ordered to go slow on Garcia by her boss, purportedly after a call by Malacanang to their office.

So if ever the public doubts everything she does from now on, even if not about the Garcia case, Gutierrez will have no one else to blame but herself.

She had dug her own GRAVE OF SUSPICION.  30

Makati bus bombing was a message!

The Makati bus bombing was a message.

I won’t speculate, for now, on what the message is except that it’s POLITICALLY COLORED. As to who sent it, I have my suspicions but let me gather more facts from my own sources.

But I will dare say that it’s NOT A TERRORIST ACT.  

Kung terrorist act iyon, RUSH HOUR dapat titira ang mga killer at hindi PATAY NA ORAS tulad ng nangyari.

Terrorists strike only in CROWDED and PACKED places where the most number of casualties, both the dead and the wounded, can be counted or inflicted.

Like the LRT Rizal day bombing several years ago.

The explosive would have been placed in a spot in the bus where it could have caused the most serious damage.

Pero tulad ng nabalita na, HINDI NASAKTAN ang driver at hindi lahat ng pasahero ay grabe ang pagkakasugat. HINDI rin nasunog o nawasak ang bandang harapan ng bus.  

The direction of the blast was more to the side of the bus.

Terrorists use the MOST DEADLY explosive available in their bombing attacks.

But I saw a wounded female victim saying in front of television cameras that “hindi ganong kalakas ang pagsabog.”  Obviously, the bombers DID NOT INTEND to kill a lot of people.

I also don’t agree that the bombing was part of a destabilization plot.

Una, mataas pa rin, kahit na bumababa paminsan-paminsan, ang popularity ratings ni Pangulong Noynoy. Hindi pa kayang ugain ng basta-basta.

Second, there would have been an earlier series of bombings and other diabolic or criminal acts if it was a part of a power-grab plot.

Third, when you try to rock a government, you use somebody prominent as victim (s) in your gimmick for maximum impact.

Like the pre-martial law Plaza Miranda bombing, and not just ordinary and innocent bus passengers.

Let me suggest something – think of who has the capacity, and the money, to mastermind the bombing and what will that person get out of it.

And I don’t mean MATERIAL GAIN. Also, don’t focus or limit your sights to just one person. 30

  

A VERY ALARMING SIGN IN GARCIA CASE!

True or not, the claim by a Commission on Audit (COA) auditor that she was ordered to go slow on suspected plunderer Carlos Garcia as early as 2008 is a VERY ALARMING SIGN.

If true, the possible layers of PLUNDER AND CORRUPTION is not just one but THREE -- the COA, the Armed Forces hierarchy and Mlalacanang.

And the amount involved will DEFINITELY be A LOT MORE than the P300 million Garcia amassed without any legal source while he was still the military’s comptroller.

The auditor claimed she got her orders from her COA boss, who alleged to her that it was the wishes of Malacanang.

But remember, guys, copies of COA reports are furnished to the parties audited as a matter of procedure. So in this care, it’s the Armed Forces.

Kaya BAKIT HINDI agad nakasuhan o natanggal bilang comptroller si Garcia noong mga panahong iyon? Bakit noong nakaraang taaon na lamang umingay ng husto ang mga milagro ni Garcia?

As comptroller, Garcia is answerable only to, and can only be relieved by, the TOP hierarchy of the military.

Assuming that Malacanang indeed called COA and ordered it to go slow Garcia, only someone from the very TOP can do that, or authorize anybody to make the call.

When you talk of fraud in the topmost levels in three government offices, I’ll bet you the amount involved is not just P100, P200 or even P500 million.

Kung si Garcia pa lang ay nakaipon na ng P300 million, MAGKANO pa kaya lalo ang naipundar ng mga KUMUNSUNTI sa kaniya? Na BUWIS nating lahat?

Now, if the COA auditor is LYING, what is her purpose?

If the auditor is just acting out a fairly tale, a hundred to one she’s not doing it on her own.

So who’s with her? Did somebody order her? For what? What will she and her accomplices gain in messing up the Garcia case with their lies? What, or who, is the real target?

Bottom line, guys, the Garcia case is not just as simple as P300 million in HIGHLY QUESTIONABLE riches.

Super lalim ito, mga kababayan. Huwag nating lubayan.

                                                                       

***

From our blogmates:

VENUS AMORANTO of Binan, Laguna on our blog “Investigate the MRT:”

You are correct, Mr. Antonio!

                                                                         ***

This is my daily blog of my opinions and views on current major issues. I post blogs at least twice a day, seven days a week. Everybody is welcome to share their comments or other information, including our kababayans overseas. 30

INVESTIGATE THE MRT !

The revelation by Palawan Rep. Antonio Alvarez that the Government is spending almost TWICE AS MUCH monthly for maintenance of the MRT than the LRT 1 and 2 combined warrants an IMMEDIATE INVESTIGATION.

Not just by the House of Representatives but also by the Senate and every other government agency involved in transportation and technology.

The MONSTROUS disparity, P90 million for the MRT and P52 million for LRT 1 and 2 combined, is outright SUSPICIOUS to put it mildly.

First, the 34-kilometer combined stretch of LRT 1 and 2 is more than DOUBLE the 16-kilometer span of the MRT. COMMON SENSE alone will tell anyone that the LRT consumes more power and any other need to run its trains than the MRT.

Kaya bakit DOBLE ang kailangang GASTUSIN para sa MAS MAIGSING MRT?

I’m not an engineer but remember, guys, both the MRT and the LRT cruise OVERHEAD, not on the road. Except for mechanical failures or unforeseen trouble and tragedies like the Rizal Day bombings years, ago, there is NO TRAFFIC on the tracks.

Somebody correct me if I’m wrong but LRT and MRT trains are run by the same technology or technological principles.

And most of all, the LRT is DECADES OLDER than the MRT.

Kotse man, computer, applance o kahit anong bagay, ang MAS LUMA ang dapat MAS MAGASTOS imaintain.  Pero KABALIGTARAN sa kaso ng MRT.

Don’t forget, guys, the difference that we’re talking about is P48 million MONTHLY. Rep. Alvarez did not specify how long has the arrangement been but at 12 month alone, the tab would be P576 million.

A cool P576 million of OUR TAXES, guys.

That’s why we have a right to know ASAP what makes the MRT SO SPECIAL.  The Japanese firm  being paid the P90 million by the MRT should be asked to explain, pronto.

Independent and recognized experts from the private sector must be tapped at once to find out if the extra P48 million is TECHNICALLY and LEGALLY justified.

Mayroon palang ganitong KALAKI AT KADUDA-DUDANG sistema, hindi man lang muna alamin ng Gobyerno kung bakit. Sa halip, NAGPUPUMILIT pang PASANIN na lang natin ang KRUS ng DAGDAG-PASAHE!

Any TRULY PRO-POOR congressman or senator out there? 30

Government had better tell us how we will survive

The Government had better start telling us, FAST, how we will SURVIVE from the UNENDING string of increases in oil prices, and public transport fares, in the coming days.

As well as the LONGER STRING of added costs in other items that these increases will surely entail once ALL of them are in effect.

I emphasize SURVIVAL because naturally, higher oil prices and transport fares further DECREASE the already meager budget for food and our other basic needs for our daily existence.

While manufacturers are forced to raise the prices of their products due to additional production costs like transport or delivery expenses.

Tuloy-tuloy ang pagtaas ng presyo ng gasoline o krudo at pamasahe, pero HINDI naman NADADAGDAGAN ang suweldo.

No extra source (s) of income or financial assistance either from the Government. No mass hirings by any firm local or foreign, no wide-scale livelihood programs or projects which can immediately generate extra earnings for the masses, nothing as in NONE.

Neither is there any SERIOUS move, legislative or otherwise, by the Government, as well as our senators and congressmen, to CONTROL oil firms from raising prices WHENEVER THEY FELL like it.

Kaya PALUWAG na ng paluwag ang mga basket o plastic bags ng mga kagagaling lamang sa palengke. PARAMI na ng parami ang  mga NAGLALAKAD papunta o pauwi mula sa iskuwela o trabaho, o mga hindi na nagmemeryenda dahil kukulangin ang PAMASAHE nila.

And as we less-privileged mortals start agonizing with these burdens, we have to brace ourselves for more expensive milk products, bread, electricity and other items we can’t live DECENTLY without.

For those who missed it in the news, Alaska has announced it will be increasing prices soon.

So what must we ordinary mortals do before we and our families are forced into a PAUPER’S EXISTENCE before we know it?

Sino ang mananagot kapag dumami ng dumami ang mga mapipilitang MAGNAKAW o gumawa ng iba pang krimen MAKAKAIN lang SA ORAS, at SAPAT, ang pamilya?

Who will be RESPONSIBLE if the number of kids who will be forced out of school due to parents who can no longer afford it BALLOON to uncontrollable proportions?

I’m not saying that oil firms and manufacturers have no right to increase the prices of their goods.

Pero hindi lang sila ang may karapatang mabuhay. TAYO RING MALILIIT. Ito ang hindi dapat KALIMUTAN, o BALE-WALAIN, ng Gobyerno. 30