WHAT MAKES JUETENG SOOOOO UNTOUCHABLE/

Despite the assorted vows or promises of all-out war versus criminality, one crime remains UNTOUCHED.

The numbers game of JUETENG.

Anything illegal is a crime. But if you will notice, guys, there has been no news whatsoever of any government move against jueteng for the past several months.

More specifically, after Interior and Local Government Undersecretary Rico Puno was accused of receiving jueteng bribes, but was NEVER INVESTIGATED FOR.

I’m raising this issue because just like illegal drug traffickers, jueteng lords earn BILLIONS OF PESOS yearly as acknowledged by various government studies.

They can make or destroy politicians. They can buy guns and goons and power. They can dictate on the politicians and police in their payroll. They can get away with anything.

But  take note, no new crackdown against jueteng has been reported by the Government or the Philippine National Police (PNP).

There has been no new raids on jueteng dens, no new arrests of collectors or their bosses, no bets and other evidence confiscated, no investigation of alleged juteng lords, no nothing.

As in NONE, as if jueteng does not exist.

What makes jueteng SOOO UNTOUCHABLE? What, or who, is the PNP or the Government afraid of?

I won’t speculate, for now. But if you will recall, guys, there was talk several months ago that a man with VERY CLOSE ties to Malacanang is the new jueteng don in the country.

If you will recall, boys and girls. President Noynoy himself had said jueteng IS NOT HIS PRIORITY..

When Puno was accused of receiving jueteng bribes, Noynoy did not even order an investigation and IMMEDIATELY CLEARED him,  even though netired Archbishop Oscar Cruz publicly made the accusation against Puno. 

Even the Senate conducted only one or two hearings on the bribery accusation against Puno.

Whatever is behind the UNDISTURBED operation of jueteng is something VERY VERY BIG. Just like oil and power companies, jueteng lords will continue to dominate our lives unless we do something about it. 30

A FASTER SOLUTION TO CARJACKING!

There is another way to prevent car thefts apart from increased police checkpoints and tips on how to avoid being a victim.

An equally-important and MORE DIRECT solution.

PIUBLISH THE PHOTOS of wanted carjack gang bosses and their henchmen in ALL newspapers, leading or not, and in the PNP website  EVERYDAY.

Daily for three months, for retention and recall in the public mind.

Paste or nail posters of their pictures in all STRATEGIC and BUSY areas and establishments like town or city halls; LRT and MRT stations and trains; malls and supermarkets especially in their parking lots; schools, especially universities and on walls and electric posts of main thoroughfares like Taft Ave. in Manila.

So that not only drivers and vehicle owners but the general public would know who the carjackers are once they encounter them, even by accident.

Law enforcement agencies are appealing for the public’s help anyway in finding and capturing criminals. We, the people, know that our lawmen have VERY LIMITED resources and personnel to capture the scores of hoodlums at large.

So the MILLIONS OF EXTRA PAIRS OF EYES from the public would be an immeasurable help.

And when motorists and the general public chance upon these criminals, not only can they avoid them they can call the police or other law-enforcement agencies.

Let’s not forget, boys and girls, that car dealers Emerson Lozano and Venson Evangelista wre both killed after they went with purported buyers of their merchandise in a test drive.

I’M NOT downplaying the importance of police checkpoints.

It’s just that there are only a few pairs of eyes at police checkpoints and sometimes, they don’t get to check all the passing vehicles and the passengers.

One mre thing, do all police checkpoints have copies of carjackers, and other wanted criminals? If not, how can they be expected to recognize and capture  somebody they don’t know?

                                                                        ***

Seven of our friends on “Prove no one’s untouchable, Ms. Henares”:.

JULIAN RABAGO of Cavite  City

I agree with you, Boyet. Ttama na ang pagsamba sa mga banal na baka.

PATRICIA LAUREL

Owwwwsss...you are pulllng our leg. The Lucio Tan's tax evasion case, sige nga upakan mo nga !!

NOIEMI MONTENEGRO

The BIR allowed high-profile tax evaders to get away with their wrongdoings for years. The BIR only intimidated small businesses and middle-class taxpayers.

DELI FRANCE

Baka hanggang sa umpisa lang yan.  Prove it by action. Send big fish to jail.

RONALD NEMITZ of London, United Kingdom

The jails in the Philippines are already crowded and small. How will you be able to jail big fishes? That is impossible. They won't fit.

EFREN CORDERO PIMENTEL of Silang, Cavite

Well said, Boyet. Investigate others, especially the Chinese. I am very sure many of them are not faithful and honest in paying their taxes. Go deeper by checking  their lifestyles and sources of their wealth.

RICHARD JAMES MENDOZA of Quezon City

Small fry lang ang hinuhuli ni Henares.

Two of our friends on “Investigate Banayo for rice import” :

JOJO ESTRADA OF Quezon City

When Lito Banayo assumed office as NFA Administrator, he said the agency has excess stocks of rice. After two months, he said the NFA will import  because the agency lacks rice. BALONEY.

ESTER  UY-OCO of Oceanside, California, USA

Sobra-sobra na yang mga nasa Gobyerno natin. Paano pa kaya natin kakayanin ang pahirap nila? Sagot ko, huwag na magbayad ng buwis. Ibubulsa lang nila yan.  30

WILLIE REVILLAME HAS WON!

Willie Revillame has WON the fight.

Channel 5 has declared that whatever happens to accusations of child abuse he is facing, they will keep Revillame and his show “Willing Willie.”

That means Channel 5 is TOTALLY IGNORING calls by some sectors to kick out Revillame and cancel the show, the main objective of those claiming that Willie had committed child abuse for allowing Jan-Jan’s macho dance.

Sectors which have yet to prove that they represent the MAJORITY in audience share in the television industry.

With Channel 5’s CONTINUED SUPPORT of Willie, everybody should now stick to the issues to settle the controversy ONCE AND FOR ALL. NO MIND-CONDITIONING efforts, no bashing or CHARACTER ASSASSINATION.

Have Jan-Jan examined NOW by a VERIFIED NEUTRAL psychologist, one with NO CONNECTIONS OR LINKS to any other TV show or station, to find out if he had indeed been abused.

Ask the boy DIRECTLY why he was crying and if he had been only forced to do the macho dance.  Allow full media coverage for the entire proceedings.

In the interest of fair play, the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) SHOULD SUMMON Willie and listen to his side.

As I’ve written in an earlier blog, Willie is not an employee of the program, in contrast to the MTRCB excuse that rules prohibit them from sanctioning workers. He is co-producer, part owner of “Willing Willie” and therefore represents it.

The psychologist who triggered the controversy by writing the MTRCB and accusing Willie of child abuse must be asked to JUSTIFY her claims IN WRITING for public scrutiny.

Jan-Jan’s parents said the psychologist was not their doctor and had NEVER EXAMINED NOR EVEN SEEN the boy before making the accusation.In other words, WHAT WAS HER BASIS?

                                                                        ***

Four of our friends on “Include Kris, Aquino, ABS-CBN in Jan-Jan probe” :

LISA ARANETA

I have to say, Willy muna. Step by step. Anyway, this incident has triggered a review of the whole television industry. Am suggesting we do not set prerequisites called "moral obligations" so we can focus better.

MALOU MARIANO

A review of all television shows is needed to prevent exploitation of women, children and other individuals.

EDNA MEYER

I agree. All shows having children as participants must also be questioned. They must have fair treatment.

LOUISE DEL CARMEN of Canlaon, Negros Occidental

Must have fair treatment, I guess.

JOFFRE BALCE of Sydney, Australia on “Public being deceived in Willing Willie controversy” :

I don't like Willie Revillame, I don't like his show and I'm not even remotely interested in watching it. But I do want to get to the bottom of things and see reality for what it really is so we can change it into what it ought to be.

Four of our friends on “Jan-Jan probe has no credibility whatsoever”:

CHEECHA FERRER

How come people are so easy to judge? It is very clear those on the other side of the fence were only after the "host" of the show. They want to ruin and tear him apart for the sole reason that he is a great threat to their own primetime show.

AILEEN OCTAVIANO

Overkill!

MARIA CRISOSTOMO IBARRA

When you see kids crying in front of the public, that only hints he felt deprived.

JULIAN MAKABAYAN

Ang dapat tutukan dito ay yung angulo na ginagamit ng isang himpilan ang impluwensiya nito sa gobyrno para sa TV ratings.  30

JAN-JAN PROBE HAS NO CREDIBILITY WHATSOEVER!

Even though I had earlier asked everyone to move on from Jan-Jan and “Willing Willie,” 10 personal friends of mine asked me to comment on what appears to be the TOTAL ABSENCE of credibility of  the investigation into the controversy.

I emphasize TOTAL ABSENCE of credibility for two reasons.

First, the child psychologist who wrote the letter that triggered the probe of Jan-Jan’s tearful macho dance was the mother of former ABS-CBN news anchor Ricky Carandang.

It’s public knowledge that ABS-CBN and Willie Revillame are in the midst of a court battle.

And Willie’s lawyer says the psychologist, Ma. Lourdes “Honey” Carandang, “did not disclose to the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) that she's a paid consultant and lecturer of ABS-CBN.”

COMMON SENSE will tell anyone that Carandang WILL NEVER give a FAIR analysis on the issue.

We’re all entitled to the freedom of expression, yes.

But Jan-Jan’s parents, in suing Carandang, categorically declared that she was not their doctor and they don’t even know her.  They added that Carandang did not consult the psychologist helping them and has not even talked to or examined Jan-Jan.

So WHAT CREDIBILITY can be extracted from Carandang’s immediate conclusion that Jan-Jan was abused by Willie?

Second, it’s Willie who is being PRINCIPALLY BLAMED for the purported abuse or exploitation of Jan-Jan. But the MTRCB would not listen to him because it says it could only sanction a program.

Anybody correct me if I’m wrong but Willie is not just an employee but a CO-PRODUCER together with TV-5. He’s CO-OWNER of “Willing Willie” and is therefore the show personified.

More importantly, it’s only Willie who can tell what’s on his mind when he allowed Jan-Jan to do, and go on with, the sexy dance despite being in tears. Not TV-5 executives.

If Carandang is entitled to the freedom of expression, SO IS WILLIE.

Unless the MTRCB conducts a TRULY THOROUGH, CREDIBLE and IMPARTIAL probe, the Jan-Jan CONTROVERSY will never fade away.  

The MTRCB will be nothing less than a PUPPET of those who want to throw Willie Revilame into oblivion.  30

INVESTIGATE BANAYO FOR RICE IMPORT!

National Food Authority (NFA) head Lito Banayo should be investigated for his PERSISTENCE in importing an additional 300,000 metric tons (MT) of rice.

First and foremost, no less than Agriculture Sec. Proceso Alcala himself CATEGORICALLY DECLARED that it was UNNECESSARY TO IMPORT more rice to boost the 860,000 metric tons buffer stock requirement for this year.

Alcala even called for a REVIEW of Banayo’s proposed importation when the NFA Council meets next week, stressing that it was NOT the Government’s stands on the issue.  

Meaning, Banayo’s planned importation is ONLY OF HIS OWN VOLITION.

Alcala emphasized that the first semester harvest could hit 7.6 million metric tons, a 15-percent increase from the palay production in the same period last year.

So the million-dollar question now is WHY is Banayo INSISTING ON IMPORTING an additional 300,000 MT of rice? As Agriculture secretary, Alcala is THE AUTHORITY, THE OFFICER-IN-CHARGE, for rice production, NOT BANAYO.

Banayo says the 300,000 MT of rice will boost buffer stocks when the typhoons and the lean months kick in starting July.

But he COULD NOT EXPLAIN this IN DETAIL, or reconcile this with Alcala’s assurance that THERE IS NO NEED for additional rice importations.

In effect, Banayo is saying that the higher-than-expected harvest and pre-set buffer stocks ARE NOT ENOUGH. But he COULD NOT CITE OR PRODUCE any PROOF, like statistics and studies.

Banayo says  the price of commercial rice could increase by as much as P2 this year. But HE COULD NOT CITE any computation or study on how he arrived at the amount.

Banayo says rice traders who participated in the NFA’s private sector-importation program were spending more due to higher service fees.

But he could not say how much more, and how or why will this trigger price increases considering the SUFFICIENCY in HARVEST and BUFFER STOCKS declared by Alcala FOR THE REST OF THE YEAR.

If all these do not still warrant a probe of Banayo, something’s SERIOIUSLY WRONG with the Government.

                                                                        ***

Three of our friends on “Public being deceived in ‘Willing Willie’ controversy”:

LAOVENDIL JOMA

The public is deceived on all issues, and they enjoy it, especially if it’s about showbiz and politics. It’s smokescreen after smokescreen to cover up for new scandals, stupidities etc.

CESAR ARELLANO of Chicago, Illinois, USA

There is such a thing as child abuse and also lewd impersonation by an  underage. Willie was in all categories, being the host.

AGUSTIN 'JUN' PANTI of Majuro, the Marshal Islands in the Pacific Ocean

It’s not about Willie but the laughing crowd, clapping and shouting while egging on the small boy to do something inappropriate...doon lang po ako kinilabutan. That made me think hard.

VICKY BINTOR SALIBAD of London, United Kingdom on Tita Cacayan

God says, "Be sure your sin will find you out." The sins you commit will come back to haunt you one day...for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. The sins you commit will come back to haunt you one day.

MANNY SD LOPEZ of Los Angeles, California, USA on Meralco

Comparatively, Meralco distribution rates are among the highest in the world.

Three of our friends on “Include Kris, ABS-CBN in Jan-Jan probe”:

MERIT SALUD of Bloomfield, New Jersey, USA

Bakit hinde? Otherwise, selective ang application ng law sa term ni Pnoy. In that case, it is oppressive.

SUSAN CANO  of Dammam, Saudi Arabia

Tama mga kapatid dahil nga sa show ni Willie nawiwili ang mga tao lalo na ang mga mahihirap so hindi na mapupuna ang mga malalaking issue sa lipunan.

REBECCA KOOMANS of  Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

Korek  30

SOMEONE'S RAKING IN MONEY FROM ENDLESS OIL PRICE HIKES!

Apart from the companies, I wonder who has been RAKING IN MONEY NON-STOP with the endless increases in oil prices. 

Amassing riches LEGALLY or ILLEGALLY.

The oil companies are SLOWOLY KILLING US by BLEEDING OUR POCKETS DRY to a crisp and NOBODY in Government or among our lawmakers GIVES A DAMN!

NO SENATOR OR CONGRESSMAN has ever led an ACTUAL and LONG-TERM probe of the non-stop increases in oil prices.  Countless senators and congressmen have called for an audit or an investigation, yes. But was EVEN ONE EVER CONDUCTED?

One as lengthy and in-depth as the ongoing Senate investigation into anomalies in the military. I don’t recall one, IN ANY ADMINISTRATION. I will gladly correct myself if I’m wrong.

For the Government, no president has ever consistently called for, or expressed SERIOUS CONSIDERATION, for the REPEAL of the Oil Deregulation Law.

The Department of Energy (DOE), in any Administration since its creation, has NEVER conducted even A SINGLE PUBLIC hearing or investigation into the reasons being given by oil firms to raise prices.

If it ever did, surely it was a zarzuela of sorts that no one can even recall now.

Neither did the DOE make a consistent demand to the oil firms to open their books to justify their INSATIABLE LUST FOR MONEY, nor conducted any serious move to achieve this.

There have been instances in the past wherein the DOE  blamed the Oil Deregulation Law for its helplessness in controlling oil prices. But never did it call for the repeal, or review, of the law.

What the DOE has CONSISTENTLY DONE, with FLYING COLORS, is to be the DEFENDER of the oil firms by pointing to rising prices in the world market as the culprit.

As I‘ve written before, oil firms can raise prices anytime and no one in Government, the Senate or the House of Representatives would mind.

Bottom line, the oil firms' profits MUST NOT BE REDUCED EVEN BY A PESO. But if it’s the masa who will ask for means to survive the OBSESSION for money of the oil firms, a thousand and one  hearings or processes have to be conducted before it’s considered for action.

Don’t tell me guys that let’s wait for the oil companies to starve us and our families first before we GET TOGETHER, and act as one.  

NFA RICE IMPORT: FROM QUESTIONABLE TO SUSPICIOUS!

I earlier wrote that the NFA’s plan to import 300.000 metric tons (MT) of rice is highly questionable.

From highly questionable, I now describe it as SUSPICIOUS!

Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala categorically declared that there will be no shortage of rice since harvest has been good across the country.

He said production is even expected to EXCEED the projected 7.6 million metric tons for the DRY CROPPING SEASON, the most CRITICAL period when the volume usually falls.

So why the hell still import?

The ONLY justification Alcala can give is just to be safe. Take note, guys, the 300,000 MT is on top of 860,000 MT set for importation.

Reports say the 300,000 MT costs some P4 billion. Even one percent of that is a cool P40 million. And while Alcala says there will be no shortage, the Government claims that the country has a PRODUCYION SHORTFALLl of 1.3 MT.

But media reports DID NOT CITE ANY BASIS or explanation on how the 1.3 million was arrived at. No validation or certification from even one organization of farmers or rice land owners. No DETAILED BREAKDOWN of the available stocks and where to find these.

No MAJOR REASON was given for the supposed production shortfall. Neither was anything cited on what the NFA and the Department of Agriculture (DA) has done, or are doing, to address the problem

Recent floods in the Visayas and Mindanao were blamed for reduced rice production. But an intelligence report also clarified that the floods did NOT SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCE potential harvests.

The production shortfall because of the Visayas and Mindanao floods was not also specified in the report. And take note, Visayas and Mindanao are NOT THE BIGEST rice producers of the country.

It’s Central Luzon, and farmers there HAVE NOT YET RAISED the alarm of a production shortfall. Nor has there been any occurrence, like FLOODS or DROUGH, that can drastically reduce rice harvests

Lastly, whatever happened to the supposed over-importation of rice during the previous administration? Where are the stocks? Who’s the custodian and how have these been disposed? Where’s the breakdown, and the money from the stocks sold?

Join me in asking these questions, ladies and gentlemen. It’s US WHO WILL PAY for the planned importation WITH OUR TAXES, NOT THE NFA. The NFA will just represent us in this SUSPICIOUS DEAL. 30

NFA RICE IMPORTATION HIGHLY QUESTIONABLE!

The planned importation of 300,000 metric tons of rice by the National Food Authority (NFA) is HIGHLY QUESTIONABLE.

First, the Government claims in media that the country has a production shortfall of 1.3 million metric tons (MT) of rice. But media reports DID NOT CITE ANY BASIS for this.

There was NO EXPLANATION on how the 1.3 million was arrived at.

No validation or certification on the accuracy of the figure from even one organization of farmers or rice land owners. No DETAILED BREAKDOWN of the available stocks and where to find these.

No MAJOR REASON was given for the supposed production shortfall. Neither was anything cited on what the NFA and the Department of Agriculture (DA) has done, or are doing, to address the problem

Recent floods in the Visayas and Mindanao were blamed for reduced rice production. But an intelligence report also clarified that the floods did NOT SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCE potential harvests.

The production shortfall because of the Visayas and Mindanao floods was not also specified in the report. And take note, Visayas and Mindanao are NOT THE BIGEST rice producers of the country.

It’s Central Luzon, and farmers there HAVE NOT YET RAISED the alarm of a production shortfall. Nor has there been any occurrence, like FLOODS or DROUGHT, that can drastically reduce rice harvests

Last April 7, Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala was quoted as saying that “We will not be importing additional rice for 2011. Harvest is good.

But in another statement, Alcala was also quoted as saying that the Philippines may need to import up to 800,000 MT to fill the gap in local production.

Lastly, whatever happened to the supposed over-importation of rice during the previous administration? Where are the stocks? Who’s the custodian and how have these been disposed? Where’s the breakdown, and the money from the stocks sold?

Join me in asking these questions, ladies and gentlemen. It’s US WHO WILL PAY for the planned importation WITH OUR TAXES, NOT THE NFA. The NFA is just another outlet for our money.

                                                                        **

Six of our friends on “Time to leave Jan-Jan and Willing Willie behind”:

PERRY DIAZ

I agree, Boyet.  It's getting to be too complicated. There are bigger issues than this.

TERESITA WOODARD of Gapan, Nueva Ecija

Oo nga, pinalala ng mga malisyosong isip. Nagmamalinis, puro dumi din sila. Nagpapasaya nga ng mga tao si Willy. Sila ba, ano ginagawa nila?

ESPERLITA GARCIA of Gonzaga, Cagayan

We do not leave them behind. Instesd, we help them fight for their rights. Willy had done nothing wrong towards Janjan,  and as a host in “WIilling Willie.”  Janjan is a DISCIPLINED BOY and has SELF CONFIDENCE. His parents should not be treated as if they don’t deserve to be parents.

JOCSON ANG of Caloocan City

The truth will prevail to set you free.

SOPHIA BANAGUDOS of Zamboanga City Check. It’s not a big issue, that of Willie and Jan-Jan. There are big issues to focus on.

AILEEN SARMIENTO OCTAVIANO

Correct! It's really getting me sick.

Four of our friends on “Include Kris Aquino and ABS-CBN in Jan-Jan probe”:

MARLENE DAMOLO HOWE of Tacoma,Washington, USA include kris

I have to disagree with the article, Boyet! Kris Aquino, like other parents of child stars and models, has a working contract. What I saw Kris did with her son was a wholesome commercial. The Jan-Jan incident was different as he was made a spectacle for a measly sum and was egged on by the host

EPOY ENRIQUEZ of Las Pinas

It makes sense . . . Does KA make sense?

JUAN DELA CRUZ

Correct.. They should look at it fairly. Walang sasantuhin.

LISA ARANETA

I  have to say, Willy muna. Step by step. This incident has triggered a review of the whole television industry. Am suggesting we do not set prerequisites called "moral obligations" so we can focus better. 30