NEWS UPDATE

May 28, 2012 (Monday)

The Final Phase

Corona Panel, Prosecution Set For Last Showdown At
Senate
By HANNAH L. TORREGOZA
The Manila Bulletin, page 1
MANILA, Philippines --- The Senate, convening as an impeachment court, braces for Monday's final
showdown between the prosecution and the defense panels as they wrap up their arguments for
and against the conviction of impeached Chief Justice Renato C. Corona.
This is what is in store for Day 43 of the impeachment trial as the 23 senator-judges prepare to
render their judgement on the embattled Chief Justice, ending nearly five months of impeachment
proceedings.
But Senate Majority Leader Vicente Sotto III said there is a high likelihood that their vote whether to
convict or acquit Corona on the charge of betrayal of public trust be deferred until tomorrow.
Sotto said this will give senator-judges time to digest the closing arguments that would be
exhorted by the lead counsels from both sides and the pieces evidence submitted before the court.
They might offer compelling statements or reasons that could be given by either side. Some of us
who have not made up fully their minds unless they have a complete review of the proceedings of
the trial may not be ready to vote, Sotto said over radio station Super Radyo DZBB yesterday.
So to be fair to everyone, kinabukasan ang pinaka maganda (the next day would be the best day to
vote), he said.
Sotto said it would also allow senator-judges some time to explain the reason why they would vote
for Coronas conviction or possible acquittal.
At least two-thirds of the Senate or 16 votes are needed to convict Corona and only eight votes are
needed to acquit him.
It would give us also time to explain our votes to write down what we want to explain if ever
some of us would like to explain their votes, Sotto said.
Senator-judges would be voting on Articles 2, 3, and 7 of the remaining impeachment articles that
were filed against Corona.
Under Article 3, Coronas accusers alleged he betrayed public trust by influencing Supreme Court
(SC) decisions which caused the flip-flopping of decisions in final and executory cases due to his
excessive entanglement with former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.
Article 7 of the impeachment articles accused Corona of betraying public trust for his issuance of a
temporary restraining order (TRO) in favor of President Arroyo and her husband former First
Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo presumably to help them escape prosecution.
Of the three, the most crucial, however, is Article 2 in which Corona allegedly failed to make a
truthful disclosure of all his assets in his Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN).
Corona, who remains confined at The Medical City since Tuesday, is still set to undergo a number of
medical tests.
An insider at The Medical City said the medical tests are for the 63-year-old Chief Justices heart and
kidneys as recommended by his attending physicians Drs. Michael L. Villa, endocrinologist, and Dr.
Mariann N. Almajar, cardiologist.
Earlier, Dr. Eugenio Jose F. Ramos, Senior Vice President of the Medical Services Group of The
Medical City said Corona has been diabetic for the past 20 years, on daily insulin, with complications
involving both kidneys and the heart.
Nurses are monitoring his condition and keep him on a soft diet.
The same source said Corona seems to be in good spirits after appearing before the Senate
impeachment court last Friday, but there has been no word about being discharged from the
hospital.
The number of visitors who wish to pay him a visit is also being limited to ensure that he gets

enough rest. Mrs. Cristina Corona and other members of the family are staying with him.
The Corporate Communications Department of The Medical City, meanwhile, said that doctors of
Chief Justice Corona, are expected to release a medical update on him today.
Confident of a conviction, members of the House prosecution panel said Corona cannot escape
liability by tendering his resignation letter before the Senate impeachment court renders its
judgement.
Not even his resignation will save his face from imminent conviction by the Senate Impeachment
Court, said Aurora Rep. Sonny Angara, panel spokesman.
He expressed confidence that with Coronas admissions that he owned $2.4 million deposits in four
banks and another P80 million in accounts, the senator judges would decide in favor of the
prosecution.
He should be meted with a punishment of perpetual disqualification from holding public office in
the future, he said.
Meanwhile, the fisherfolk alliance, Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas
(Pamalakaya), said the Chief Justice committed a blunder when he tagged presidential adviser,
Ronald Llamas, as a leftist during Fridays hearing.
Mr. Llamas a leftist? That is politically incorrect. The Presidents political adviser is more of a rightist
and a special agent of imperial America, along with key Akbayan leaders, Pamalakaya Vice
Chairperson Salvador France said.
It is politically correct to say that the Aquino government is being operated by a Washington puppet
and aided by special agents in the person of Mr. Llamas and the political operators of Akbayan party
list, he added.
Malacaang is expected to closely monitor todays proceedings at the Senate as it has when Corona
appeared on the witness stand last week and challenged his accusers in Congress to sign a waiver to
have their private bank accounts opened.
Yesterday, Deputy Presidential Spokeswoman Abigail Valte said President Aquino and his Cabinet
members should not be lumped alongside the Chief Justice in the challenge to sign a waiver opening
their bank accounts to scrutiny because they have always been transparent.
Valte said the President and his Cabinet regularly disclose to the public their SALNs, unlike Corona
who had to be compelled by the impeachment court to bare his true assets.
It is not right to lump them together because obviously they are in very different situations. One is
concealing the entirety of his assets and one has been completely transparent about his assets and
his net worth, she said.
Senate minority floor leader Alan Peter Cayetano earlier challenged all government officials to sign a
waiver allowing investigators to look into their bank deposits.
Cayetano particularly asked the President to urge his cabinet members to lead the signing of the
waivers as the next logical step in his straight path policy.
Last Friday, Corona signed a waiver allowing the court to look into his bank accounts even as he
disclosed having only $2.4 million accounts which he did not declare in his SALN due to the
provisions of the Foreign Currency Deposit Unit (FCDU) law.
The SC chief also defended his non-exclusion of some of his P80-million peso account which he said
are co-mingled funds in nature, with some of the funds entrusted to him by wifes family owned
corporation, the Basa-Guidote Enterprises Inc. (BGEI) and some which were funds of his children.
Sotto said each of the three articles of impeachment still remaining will be voted on in separate
voting rounds. But if a verdict of guilty is reached in the first round on Article 2, the court need not
proceed to Article 3 and Article 7. Likewise, when a guilty verdict is reached in Article 3, senatorjudges will no longer have to vote on Article 7.
The court, the senator said, would also strictly observe the 2-minute rule when senator-judges make
a manifestation of their vote. Corona is not required to be present during the voting.
The verdict will be relayed to the Chief Justice through a Senate resolution that would notify people
interested to know the result of his trial.
Should a guilty verdict be rendered, Sotto said the Senate may perhaps include in the resolution an
order stating the effectivity of the order of expulsion for Corona.
Coronas lawyers, meanwhile, said they would be focusing most of their arguments on Article 2 of
the impeachment articles.

We would discuss articles 2, 3 and 7 with emphasis on Article 2, Rico Paolo Quicho said in a text
message.
His lawyers earlier on said they are rooting for an acquittal of Chief Justice whom they said believe
has the FCDU law as one of his best defense against the accusations hurled against him.
He had been forthright and candid. So we are confident of an acquittal for the Chief Justice, his
lawyer Tranquil Salvador III said in a recent interview. (With reports from Francis T. Wakefield,
Genalyn D. Kabiling, Marvyn N. Benaning, and Charissa M. Luci)

Respect For Flag Waning

By INA HERNANDO-MALIPOT
The Manila Bulletin, page 1
MANILA, Philippines --- The countdown to Independence Day celebration on June 12 officially starts
today, May 28, with the observance of National Flag Daythe same date when the Philippine flag
was first hoisted in the Battle of Alapan 114 years ago.
Aside from commemorating the very first time the Philippine Flag was unfurled in Imus, Cavite, in
1928 that signified the first victory of the Philippine Revolutionary Army under General Emilio
Aguinaldo, National Flag Day also aims to promote the integrity and value of the national symbol by
encouraging all Filipinos to display the Philippine flag in all offices, agencies and instruments of
government, business establishments, schools and private homes throughout this period provided
that they abide the law governing its proper use and display, as mandated by Republic Act 8491 or
The Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines.
Still, many people remain unfamiliar not only with the date of the celebration but what the occasion
calls for: respect for the flag.
Nine out of 10 college students who were randomly asked about National Flag Day said they were
not familiar with the celebration. The studentsages 18 to 20are mostly from Metro Manila
schools and taking up various courses.
Carol Rogales, a Mass Communication student from Adamson University, said that she heard about
it but not familiar what is the celebration all about. Im not familiar about it because its not wellpromoted, she explained in Filipino. Erico Nico Lati of Mapua Institute of Technology, on the other
hand, said that he heard about the celebration because he lives in Imus, Cavite. I know that theres
celebration because its been declared holiday but not as National Flag Day, he said.
Lito Sanchez, a street vendor who sells small flags in Manila, said it is the first time he heard about
National Flag Day. Nagsisimula na talaga kami magbenta kapag malapit na mag-June kasi
Independence Day pero di ko alam yang Flag Day na yan, he said.
Asked where did he get the Philippine flags, he said gawa lang namin yan.
According to the official list from the National Historical Commission of the Philippines, (NHCP)Heraldry and Display Section, there are only nine accredited flag manufacturers in the country
five in Manila and one in Rizal, Leyte, Iloilo and Cebu respectively. The biggest and the oldest among
these accredited flag makers can be found in Rizal Avenue in Sta. Cruz, Manilathe Atlas Super
Flags.
The company has been making flags since the early 1900s. Its owner, Lu Tan Gatue, considers the
Philippine flag as the most important national symbol and how people treat it reflects who were
as a people but as a nation in general. Having a flag be torn or tattered flag is something that
nobody should allow to happen. If a flag is torn and we let it be, it reflects who we are as a people
and as countrysira-sira at wasak-wasak, she said
The 81-year-old Tan Gatue said the way Filipinos treat the flag is not the same as we used to.
Practically living all her life surrounded by Philippine flags, Gatue expressed her disappointment
whenever she sees flags that are not treated with respect. Yung pagbebenta pa lang sa kalye ng di
magandang klase ay di na yan pag-respeto sa bandila. Tapos makikita mo pa kung saan-saan
ginagamit at inilalagay, (The mere selling of low quality flags in the streets shows disrespect. Then,
some put and use it just anywhere and in any way they want to), she said. She also mentioned the
importance of bringing back out-of-school youth kasi karamihan sa kanila, wala ng galang sa bandila
dahil di naman naituturo sa kanila di kaparehas ng mga pumapasok sa eskwela.
The Tan Gatues have been making flags since 1910. Tan Gatue recalled that the biggest flag that they
have ever made is 50ft x 100ft banner which was used in Luneta Park five years ago. The other is 22ft

x 44ft flag used in Subic.

Gatue said that although they are not the only makers of flags in the country, they remain the most
trusted company because of quality. We show how we value the Philippine Flag by making sure that
it passes the test of strength and of course, only the quality materials are being used, she said. To
ensure strength, nylon is being used for each standard-sized flag which takes at least two hours to
make. If taken care of properly, Gatue said that one Atlas Super Flags flag could last up to lifetime.
The peak season for Philippine flags starts from May to June before the Independence Day
celebration. But for other flags like school flags and company flags, whole year naman, she said.
According to Gatues son Bong, the number of Philippine flags produced on an annual basis can
range from 10,000 to 100,000 depending on the size. We have more than 10 sizes and we also use
various types of cloth and other materials in our flags, he said.
Mother and son hope that the flag business would be continued by their familys future generations.
We have instilled in them the importance of the Philippine Flag not just because it is in line with our
business but its importance in keeping one nations people together, she said.
According to Department of Education (Deped) Property Division, the Central Office in Pasig, City
purchase flags from Atlas Super Flags while in other areas or regions, it depends on the nearest
accredited flag manufacturer available.
Despite the distractions brought by modern times and technology, Education Secretary Armin
Luistro stressed that patriotism is still alive among the students.
I have seen for myself on many unannounced visits to schools where I am able to attend flag
ceremonies that respect for the Philippines flag and patriotism is still alive, Luistro said when asked
to comment on students declining familiarity with national emblem
Luistro said that a good example of this is Janela and Edzel Lelis, a student from Bicol, who went out
of their way to save the flag during the onslaught of typhoon Juaning. I believe there are many
untold stories of students who continue to display a deep sense of citizenship, he added. s
For the 2012 National Flag Day, Luistro said DepEd Division of Cavite Superintendent Yolanda
Carpina will represent DepEd in the flag raising and wreath laying ceremonies. The Alapan
Elementary School Boy and Girl scouts will recite the Panunumpa and Imus National High School will
render a speech choir on the historic victory of the Battle of Alapan.
Luistro said that DepEd, in partnership with the NCHP, continues to train teachers and students on
the national flag and heraldic code. Also, part of the K to 12 curriculum reform is strengthening
national pride among our students, he said.

PH Urged To Woo More Russian Tourists

By ROY C. MABASA
The Manila Bulletin, page 1
MANILA, Philippines --- The Russian Federation is urging the Philippines to engage in a more
aggressive tourism campaign to call for more Russians to visit the "many other interesting and
unique sites" in the country.
"Definitely more exposure is needed," Russian Ambassador to Manila Nikolay Kudashev told Manila
Bulletin in a recent interview at his official residence in Forbes Park, Makati City, even as he noted
that bilateral tourism between the Philippines and Russia is growing. This was reflected from data
collected last year which showed that almost 20,000 Russians visited the Philippines.
Kudashev said tourist destinations that are exceptionally popular to Russians include Boracay and
Palawan.
Still, among other Southeast Asian countries, the Philippines lag behind Malaysia and Thailand which
plays host to a much sizable number of tourists coming from Russia.
"The government should increase the promotion of other Philippine tourism destinations in Russia,"
the Russian diplomat pointed out. "Russians should know more about the enchanting places in this
country."
"After all this is not just about Boracay or Palawan," he added. "There are many other interesting
and unique sites in your country."
Kudashev suggested that to increase the inflow of Russian tourists, first, the Philippines and Russia
need a "contact, a liaison in the respective tourism bodies, structures or agencies of the two
countries."

In particular, he said the tourism cooperation agreement between Russia and the Philippines which
was signed in 2006 should be developed.
"Priorities in tourism must be identified to support the general provisions of the agreement,"
Kudashev emphasized. "The agreement should not be just a piece of paper but a working tool to
promote tourism."
And although the current "More Fun in the Philippines" tourism campaign tries to address the
exposure side, Kudashev maintained that more attention should also be focused on better
infrastructure in the country and better treatment of foreigners who come here as tourists and
personal guests.
Having said this, Kudashev stressed that the balance of tourism still does not favor his country as
more Russians travel to the Philippines than there are Filipinos visiting Russia.
"Please bear in mind that (Filipinos) are always welcome to visit Russia anytime," said the Russian
ambassador.
At the same time, Kudashev expressed optimism that there are ample opportunities for a more
enhanced labor relations between the Philippines and Russia as labor migration sit high on the
agenda of the Russian foreign ministry.
According to Kudashev, traditional avenues of labor migration of Filipinos to Russia include health
care, accounting, office work.
Today, Filipinos are also actively involved in oil and gas fields in Sakhalin, Russia's largest island, and
in the construction activity associated with the 24th Summit of the Asia-Pacific Economic
Cooperation (APEC) forum to be held in Vladivostok this year.
However, Kudashev said what is currently needed for a more robust labor relations between Manila
and Moscow is some "legal basis."
"This aspect will hopefully be addressed during next month's meeting between the labor officials of
the two countries," Kudashev revealed.
He said expected to be discussed during the meeting include safe labor migration and social security
guarantees.
"Relevant Philippine agencies and labor suppliers are getting more and more familiar with Russians,
and OFWs (overseas Filipino workers) are getting more and more familiar with the labor conditions
in Russia," Kudashev declared. "This general promise could evolve to a more serious and prifitable
result oriented labor relations."

Rich and Famous To Fete Aquino in US

By ROY C. MABASA
The Manila Bulletin, page 1
MANILA, Philippines --- The rich and the famous in the United States and the Philippines will fete
President Benigno Aquino III when he arrives in Washington DC on June 7 to meet with US President
Barack Obama.
President Aquino will be honored during the US-Philippines Society inaugural dinner to be held at
the Mandarin Oriental Hotel on Maryland Avenue.
The event will be attended by the Society's founding co-chairs Filipino businessman Manuel V.
Pangilinan and former US Ambassador to the Philippines John D. Negroponte, and other successful
Filipino and American businessmen and politicans.
Pangilinan is the head of Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company, Associated Broadcasting
Company (TV5), mobile phone giant Smart Communications, Metro Pacific Investments Corporation,
Philex Mining Corporation, and a host of other business interests.
Negroponte served in the US Foreign Service from 1960 to 1997. He was assigned as US permanent
representative to the United Nations from 2001 to 2004 during the Bush administration, and was
ambassador to Iraq from June 2004 to April 2005. He also served as the US Deputy Secretary of State
and as the first ever Director of National Intelligence.
In the formal invitation for the event, US-Philippines Society president and retired ambassador John
F. Maisto said the Societys vision is to elevate the Philippines profile in the US, to promote trade
and investment, build shared strategic and political interests, and strengthen educational, cultural,
tourism, and people-to-people ties, with an emphasis on educational exchanges.
This vision was built on the rich historical ties between the Philippines and the United States to help

bring that unique relationship fully into the 21st century, at a time when U.S. policy interests are
increasingly focused on East Asia, said Maistro.
With offices in Washington DC the Society will seek to draw more attention to US-Philippines
relations through programs bringing together policy-makers, Congressional leaders, Think Tank
analysts, academics, and the media, said the former ambassador to the Organization of American
States (OAS), Venezuela and Nicaragua.
The White House earlier announced the upcoming visit of President Aquino to Washington DC and
his subsequent meeting with President Obama.
The Philippines is a long-standing friend and ally of the United States, and (President Obama) looks
forward to discussing with President Aquino the close strategic, economic and people-to-people ties
between our two countries, and our cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region, the White House Press
Secretary said in a statement.
The two leaders will also discuss ways to deepen bilateral cooperation.

Muslim Lawmaker Urges Aquino Govt To Hasten AFP

Modernization Program
By NONOY E. LACSON
The Manila Bulletin, page 2
SULU, Philippines --- A Muslim legislator from Sulu province has urged President Benigno S. Aquino
III to hasten the implementation of the Philippine military modernization program, and allocate the
needed funds to meet the financial requirement of the program partially or in full in order to
address external threat to the country.
In a privilege speech he delivered at the House of Representatives recently, Congressman Habib
Tupay Loong (1st District, Sulu) said that I stand today before this August Body, Mr. Speaker, on
matter of personal and collective privilege on the issue of threat to national security, which this
country is now facing.
Loong said that the Aquino administration must now hasten the implementation of the countrys
military modernization program to prepare the nation for any foreign encroachment to the
Philippine territory.
It is sad to note that this threat to national security does not come alone from internal instability,
but also from external forces, which might plunge this country into chaos and destruction, should it
happened, he lamented.
And today, China is threatening us with war as it sent its strong naval force to occupy and claim our
territory of Panatag (Bajo de Masinloc or Scarborough) shoal in the west Philippine Sea, he claimed.
Based on reports he received, he said that there were five Chinese government vessels, and 16
Chinese fishing boats, 10 of which were inside the lagoon, while six were outside on May 21.
In addition, he said there were 56 utility boats, 27 of which were inside the lagoon and 29 were
outside.
On Tuesday, there were still 16 Chinese fishing vessels and the number of utility boats went up to
76.
Loong added that the nation is now faced with another problem the problem of imminent danger
of external threat to our nation from China in regards to our claim to the Panatag Shoal in the West
Philippine Sea.
Loong said he hopes that no untoward incident will result out of this impasse, which may probably
bring us into armed confrontation with China, a confrontation which we surely do not want.
More so, Loong said we cannot afford to fight a war in many fronts, a war against the Bangsa Moro
rebels and extremists, a war against the Communist New Peoples Army, and a war against
superpower China.
As this developed, he urged the national government to sign in the soonest possible time a peace
accord with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in order for the military to limit its focus to the
countrys external threat.
With the resolution of our internal problems of rebellion, we should be able to focus on
strengthening our military capability through the immediate implementation of the AFP
modernization program, he said.

The move, Loong said, will also show to the world that the Philippines, even if it is a small nation, is
willing to face any foreign forces, big or small, to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) had earlier reported that there is an increasing number, and
pattern of Chinese government and fishing vessels in the disputed area.
China, on the other hand, has confirmed that it has sent government service ships to the disputed
Panatag (Bajo de Masinloc or Scarborough) Shoal to provide service and administration of Chinese
fishing boats, as well as perform guard, management, and control duties in the area.

Different Model For LRT Project

By KRIS BAYOS
The Manila Bulletin, page 3
MANILA, Philippines --- The design build-operate-maintain contract model that government is
applying to the P30-billion Light Rail Transit (LRT) line 1 extension project will not be used for the P8billion LRT line 2 extension project.
The Department of Transportation and Communications (DoTC) will employ a different model for
the project to extend the existing LRT 2 line up to Antipolo City. Two stations will be built on Emerald
Drive, in Cainta, Rizal and at Masinag Junction.
Secretary Manuel Roxas II said that the model for the LRT 2 project will be different considering
that it will only entail the construction of four kilometer extension worth P8 billion.
It will be a different model for the LRT 2 extension project because it will only cover four kilometers
and cost P8 unlike LRT 1s 12 kilometer worth P30 billion, Roxas said.
The LRT Authority will also retain the operation and maintenance of the LRT 2 line unless it bids an
operation and maintenance contract after the extension is constructed.
Meanwhile, the winning bidder for the LRT 1 extension project will operate and maintain the entire
LRT 1 line, which runs from Quezon City to Cavite province.
Either way, Roxas said, the DOTC will present the LRT 2 extension project for the approval of the
National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Board next week or before the President
leaves for his meeting with United States President Barack Obama.
The NEDA board's Investment Coordination Committee (ICC) has earlier approved the LRT 2
extension project, along with other projects worth P32.67 billion. (Kris Bayos)

P2.7-B Fishport Modernization Project Approved

By MARVYN N. BENANING
The Manila Bulletin, page 8
MANILA, Philippines --- Government will spend P2.7-billion to modernize the 35-year-old Navotas
Fish Port Complex (NFPC), Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala says.
Alcala adds that the upgrading of the 47.5-hectare NFPC would improve its capacity to handle a
higher volume of fish and reduce prices in the process.
Government is seeking a P2.56 billion from the China Export-Import Bank to finance the project even
as it would put up a counterpart of P137 million.
NFPCs upgrading is one of five big infrastructure projects recently endorsed and submitted by the
Investment Coordination Committee (ICC) of the National Economic and Development Authority
(NEDA) for approval by the NEDA Board, which President Aquino chairs.
The Philippine Fish Development Authority (PFDA) will oversee the project, Alcala said.
Newly ppointed PFDA general manager Eduardo M. Chu welcomed the approval of the project,
saying it would benefit directly more than 7,500 fisherfolk, 4,400 fishery-based enterprises and
2,335 fishing vessels.
It would also create new jobs for 30,900 individuals during the construction and operational phases.
Covered by the project is the upgrading of landing quay, market halls, piers, parking areas, drainage
system and breakwater.
Another component is the construction of wharf landing, dredging of harbor basin and provision of
an area for ship repair and other agri-fishery enterprises.
The project also calls for the provision of new facilities like a cold storage system, conveyors, fish
sorting areas and a waste water treatment plant.

Navotas fish port is considered the countrys biggest and oldest, having been established in 1977.
Alcala stressed the modernizing the NFPC would stabilize fish supply and prices in the National
Capital Region (NCR).
He explained that a modernized NFPC would allow fish unloading to increase by 60 percent to
210,806 metric tons (MT) by 2015 from the current annual average of 131,934 MT.
Postharvest losses would be reduced considerably once the project is completed as NFPC will allow
faster sorting, delivery, transport systems, and availability of cold storage facilities.
Chu said the NFPC project is a big challenge, and acknowledged the efforts of past DA and PFDA
administrations in preparing the projects groundwork.
He added NCR consumers will benefit from a modernized NFPC, stressing that 80 percent of the
regions fish supply comes from Navotas.
NFPC handles an average of 380 MT of fish daily.

Alleged Abuses Aired Before UN

By ROY C. MABASA
The Manila Bulletin, page 8
MANILA, Philippines --- Just a few days before the scheduled United Nations review of the
Philippines human rights record on May 29 in Switzerland, a Filipino-American poet, writer and
human rights activist recounted being allegedly subjected to torture and other forms of indignities
supposedly while being detained by the Philippine military.
Melissa Roxas, along with Ernan Baldomero, a municipal councilor in Aklan and son of Fernando
Baldomero, the first victim of extrajudicial killing under the Aquino regime in 2010, spoke at a sideevent at the United Nations in Geneva that was organized by the Philippine UPR Watch together
with other human rights advocates.
Roxas alleged that she was abducted in the La Paz, Tarlac along with two others in May 19, 2009
while conducting health care work. She claimed that she was brutally tortured over a period of six
days by members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
The most painful thing right now is not recounting our experiences but knowing that there is still no
justice after all this time," said Roxas. "Victims live with the pain of injustice every day."
For his part, Baldomero spoke of how his father was repeatedly tagged by the military as a
communist rebel before he was gunned down by two men riding on a motorcycle.
He broke down as he recounted how the military had even insisted that his father was killed by the
New Peoples Army in an alleged purge.
We came here to Geneva to tell the international community that impunity and injustice are
continuing in the Philippines," he said. "We have spoken to different country missions here in the UN
and hopefully they would ask the tough questions to the Philippine government."
The forum comes prior to the Philippine governments participation in the Second Cycle of the
Universal Periodic Review to be held in Geneva.
The Universal Periodic Review is a mechanism by which the human rights records of member
countries of the UN is reviewed by member states with the view to further promote and protect the
overall enjoyment of people's human rights.
Foremost among the concerns that the Philippine Delegation will address at the Human Rights
Council include the allegations of extrajudicial killings, disappearances, and torture.
The Philippines continues to undertake concrete measures in addressing these issues, such as
coordination between the States investigative, prosecutorial, and security agencies with civil society
organizations," said Department of Foreign Affairs.
The Philippine delegation, led by Justice Secretary Leila M. de Lima, will highlight to the international
community the strong human rights platform as well as progress and achievements of President
Aquino, two years into his six-year term of administration.
They will also highlight the Philippine government's commitment to further strengthening the
protection and promotion of human rights, most especially for the vulnerable sectors of society.
Prior to the departure of the Philippine delegation to Geneva, the Department of Foreign Affairs
(DFA) emphasized in a statement that the enhancement of the domestic, legal and institutional
capacities on these issues is one of the governments priorities

Battleground in Corona trial is Article 2

Prosecution, defense make final pleas Monday
By Marlon Ramos
Philippine Daily Inquirer, page 1
It all boils down to Article 2 of the impeachment complaintfailure of the Chief Justice to disclose
his statement of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN).
From the original eight articles of impeachment the 188 members of the House of Representatives
transmitted to the Senate for trial last December 12, the question now before the 23 senator-judges
is: Did Chief Justice Renato Corona comply honestly with the SALN law?
Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, the presiding officer, has in the last stages of the trial that began
on January 16 repeatedly distilled the issue in Article 2 to whether Corona had assets that he did not
disclose in his SALN.
Corona said on Friday he had accumulated $2.4 million since the 1960s before he joined government
service and did not declare this in his SALN because the law on foreign currency deposits guaranteed
their absolute confidentiality.
He also revealed he had P80 million in commingled funds, including savings from his wife and
children. The funds were commingled so they could earn higher interest. He said he was not a thief.
The other issues against CoronaArticle 3 on Coronas alleged failure to observe stringent standards
of competence, integrity, probity and independence, and Article 7 on his purported partiality in
granting a temporary restraining order to allow former President and now Pampanga Representative
Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to seek medical treatment abroadgenerated little interest among the
senator-judges. They would nonetheless be rendered moot on conviction on Article 2.
The five other articles of impeachment in support of the charges of culpable violation of the
Constitution and betrayal of public trust have earlier been scratched.
Corona remained at The Medical City in Pasig City Sunday, on the eve of the final oral arguments
between his lawyers and the prosecution panel. The 63-year-old Chief Justice was rushed there after
suffering a spell of dizziness during his three-hour appearance on Tuesday, but returned on Friday to
complete his testimony.
A vote of 16 senatorslikely to be announced on Tuesdaywould convict Corona.
Rico Paolo Quicho, one of the defense panels spokespersons, said the Chief Justice joined the
meeting of the defense panel on Saturday in his hospital room where he was still recovering from
the hypoglycemic episode on Tuesday.
Corona was transferred to a regular room after three days in the intensive care unit, he said.
Quicho said there was nothing extraordinary or unusual during their noontime meeting which
lasted for almost one and a half hours. He was very calm. He was quiet while he was listening to
what we were discussing. The Chief Justice was his usual self, Quicho said.
Keep on praying
Asked if Corona gave them any last-minute orders, he said: None. Just to keep on praying.
He has complete trust in the defense team. As to the senator-judges, he has submitted himself to
the process, he added. He said the defense lawyers, headed by former Supreme Court Justice
Serafin Cuevas, were in high spirits when they met on Saturday to decide how they would
approach their closing arguments.
We are all ready. Weve done our part and did everything possible. Whatever the outcome would
be, we will hold our heads up high. We have nothing to be ashamed of. We waged an honorable
fight, Quicho said.
The noninclusion of alleged properties in the SALN will be the focus of the oral arguments and
threshold issue and if the evidence presented are enough for conviction, he added.
What did the prosecution establish? They said the Chief Justice had 45 properties, but he only
owned five. They said he did not declare his dollar accounts, but that is covered by a law on the
confidentiality of foreign bank accounts, Cuevas said on Friday.
The Chief Justice has surrendered to Gods will, said Midas Marquez, Supreme Court
spokesperson. We continue to pray for his acquittal.
All about evidence

We have been saying always res ipsa loquitor or the thing speaks for itself. The pieces of
evidence do speak for themselves, Palace deputy spokesperson Abigail Valte told state radio dzRB
when asked if the Aquino administration was confident of a Corona conviction.
If you look at the pieces of evidence again, you go back to the basic charge. What was the basic
charge? What were the admissions in the trial? That is something that you have to consider, Valte
said.
On Sunday, on the Feast of the Pentecostthe 50th day after Easter Sunday when the Holy Spirit
descended to enlighten the apostlessome members of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the
Philippines (CBCP) said that they prayed the senator-judges would decide the impeachment on the
basis of evidence and their conscience and not on political considerations.
This has been a very expensive court case and in a very poor country at that. God help us, said Jaro
Archbishop Angel Lagdameo, a former CBCP president. With reports from Jerome Aning and
Christine O. Avendao

National Flag Day: Celebrating 2 battles, a patriots legacy

By Cielo R. Reyno
Philippine Daily Inquirer, page 1
The nation is celebrating National Flag Day today (Monday), May 28.
On this day in 1898, some of the 2,000 rifles and 200,000 rounds of ammunition that arrived at the
Cavite port two days earlier were delivered to a little known revolutionary enclave, a barrio named
Alapan, now part of Imus, Cavite.
The Spaniards learned about the delivery and sent an infantry force of about 270 soldiers to the
barrio to confiscate the weapons.
But the local revolutionists put up a fight, engaging the Spaniards from 10 in the morning until 3 in
the afternoon.
The gun battle ended in victory for the Filipinos, who took their Spanish prisoners to the
revolutionary headquarters in Cavite that same day.
As they approached the headquarters to the shouts and cheers of the locals, Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo,
leader of the Philippine Revolution, waved the Philippine flag that he had brought back with him
from exile in Hong Kong.
It was a moment of glory for the revolutionists and for the Filipino people. It was the eve of the birth
of a new nation.
Revolutions first combat
As a tribute to the Filipino victory at Alapan, General Aguinaldo cited the battle in his memoirs as
the first combat of the Filipino revolution of 1898, which we may call a continuation of the
campaign of 1896 to 1897.
Preempting even the general uprising Aguinaldo called for the 31st of May, the battle also presaged
the successive victories of the second phase of the Philippine Revolution.
The Battle of Alapan was memorialized as Flag Day under Proclamation No. 374 of 1965 and as the
start of National Flag Day under the Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines. These are the bases of
our celebration today.
But the road to the victory at Alapan had not been easy or bloodless or without tears. From the first
day of the Philippine Revolution, which broke out in August 1896, the Filipinos struggle was hard
and tragic.
Children lost their fathers, wives their husbands, families their daughters and sons. They suffocated
in the crowded prisons of Fort Santiago or were executed in Bagumbayan or perished in the battles
that took place within and outside Manila in the succeeding months and years.
The revolutionist
One such battle was the Battle of Zapote Bridge on Feb. 17, 1897. It was one of the bloodiest battles
of the revolution, and its hero was the noble Edilberto Evangelista.
A native of Manila, Evangelista saved money to finance his studies in Ghent. In that Belgian city, his
love of country was nurtured through his friendship with Jose Rizal and other Filipino expatriates
who were part of the reformist movement.
Evangelista was one of the few Filipino expatriates who shared with Rizal the same level of patriotic
zeal that pushed to the sidelines all other concerns of life, focusing all efforts and activities on one

10

goal: the attainment of freedom.

In 1892, Evangelista wrote to Rizal about the duty to die for country and people. He believed that
for a patriotic man, there is no sense in this stupid expression, What a waste of blood.
Even before the founding of the Katipunan, which espoused separation from Spain through armed
struggle, Evangelista had already been speaking of waging a revolution and organizing a
revolutionary club.
Evangelista returned to the Philippines in 1896 with a degree in engineering from the University of
Ghent. He had excelled in his studies and received an offer for a job in a Belgian company. But he
chose to return to his homeland to join the revolution.
Excellent defenses
Although initially rebuffed, he was later appointed by Aguinaldo as director general of the
engineering corps and given the rank of lieutenant general in the revolutionary army.
Under Evangelistas expert supervision, trenches and fortifications were built in the revolutionary
bastions of Aromahan, Zapote and Cavite Viejo (now Kawit). The excellent quality of these defenses
enabled the revolutionary troops to put up a fierce stand against the charge of the enemy, eliciting
admiration even from a Spanish writer, who described the defenses as fortifications of the future.
On the battlefield, Evangelista gained the praise of his peers for displaying an almost devil-may-care
attitude toward death. He once said that a fighter never knew anyway whether the next enemy
bullet would hit him.
Battle of Zapote Bridge
With that awesome courage, Evangelista faced the enemy in the Battle of Zapote Bridge.
The Spaniards were at the time in the midst of a campaign to recapture territories that had fallen
into Filipino hands in the early phase of the revolution in 1896. While a battle raged in Silang, enemy
forces suddenly appeared at Zapote, where Aguinaldo, Generals Mariano Noriel, Pio del Pilar and
Evangelista commanded the defense.
Led by Aguinaldo and armed only with spears, bolos and a smattering of pistols and rifles, the
Filipino army fought fiercely, successfully turning back wave after wave of enemy troops.
The Filipinos stubborn resistance delayed the enemy plan and caught the admiration of the
Spaniards commanding general for the revolutionists fortitude.
Died for his country
But the revolutionists tour de force was a pyrrhic one for Zapote River flowed red with the blood of
those who perished, one of them Evangelista. Shot on the forehead during one of the enemy
charges, Evangelista fulfilled his duty to die for his country.
The 1897 Battle of Zapote Bridgeinspired by uprisings, revolts and battles, whether triumphant for
the Filipinos or not, in the previous 300 yearswas a step in the right direction, to echo Salud
Algabre, a Sakdalista leader of the 1930s, for the Philippine Revolution. It was a step that eventually
led to the victory at Alapan in 1898 and ultimately to the glory of Philippine independence on June
12, 1898.

Dollar deposits of senators in spotlight

By Christian V. Esguerra, Marlon Ramos
Philippine Daily Inquirer, page 1
Senators are set to decide the fate of Chief Justice Renato Corona mainly on his failure to declare
$2.4 million in deposits and P80.7 million in commingled funds in his statements of assets, liabilities
and net worth (SALNs).
But as Corona supporters argue that he who comes to court must come with clean hands, did any
of the 23 senator-judges declare their dollar or other foreign currency deposits in their respective
SALNs for last year?
Hard to tell, according to Estrella Martinez, a former Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) director who
collected taxes for the government for 32 years.
The Philippine Daily Inquirer showed the 68-year-old Martinez, a CPA-lawyer still in active practice,
copies of the most recent SALNs filed by the senators.
Matinez noted that all declarations on cash assets were in pesos apparently in accordance with
Republic Act No. 8183 (An Act to Assure the Uniform Value of Philippine Coin and Currency).
Despite the absence of any clear dollar declaration, senatorslike the impeached Chief Justice and

11

other government employeeswere not required to disclose dollar deposits in their SALNs because
of the rule on absolute confidentiality under the Foreign Currency Deposit Act (RA 6426), Martinez
said.
If the dollar depositor takes a strong exception by consenting to the examination or much less
declaring *the amount+ in his SALN, that will be valid, she wrote in a paper she sent to senators over
the weekend.
But if the dollar depositor does not consent or does not declare it in his SALN, there is no flagrant
violation of the Constitution, the SALN law, or RA 6426, she said.
3 senators
In an informal survey by the Inquirer, three senators on Sunday said they had disclosed their dollar
deposits in their 2011 SALNs, which might not be a good idea according to Martinez.
Martinez said the move would expose the declarant to possible double taxation, noting that dollar
deposits had already been subjected to a final withholding tax of 20 percent according to the tax
code.
For those patriotic dollar depositors who declare their dollar deposits in their SALN, the acquisition
cost should be in pesos, which will be part of net worth and will be taxable at 32 percent under the
tax code, she said.
Martinez said there was no such thing as parenthetical declaration only of dollar deposits. It has to
undergo the regular process in the normal computation of net worth.
Drilon no response
Senator Franklin Drilon, who has been criticizing Corona for excluding his dollar deposits in the SALN,
did not respond to the Inquirer query.
He earlier rejected Coronas challenge that he, together with the 188 members of the House of
Representatives who affixed their signatures to the impeachment complaint, sign a waiver on his
bank deposits. Corona submitted his own waiver to the Senate impeachment court on Friday.
Drilon was among the richest senators in 2011 with a net worth of P44,937,599.85. He declared cash
assets worth P7,526,219.72 and investments worth P14,554,600.
Pangilinans $6,000
Senator Francis Pangilinan said he declared the peso equivalent of about $6,000 (more or less
P250,000) as part of cash and other investments in the SALN.
In the document, he had a net worth of P14,564,768.94, of which P2,752,368 was declared as cash
in banks.
Senator Aquilino Koko Pimentel III said he had around $20,000 in a time deposit account in The
Bank of Philippine Islands. I converted this to pesos in my head then added the amount to my peso
assets both on hand and in banks, he said in a text message.
In his 2011 SALN, Pimentel declared a total cash asset of P2.5 million. His net worth was
P17,078,225.
Osmeas $1,200
Senator Sergio Osmea III said he had also included his dollar deposits in his SALN where he declared
P49 million under cash and securities.
But he said he had only one very rarely utilized dollar savings deposit worth $1,200. He said the
account was used to pay for cancer drugs of my wife and some books not available locally.
The peso value is about P50,000 and included in my SALN, said Osmea, whose net worth was
P105,470,000.
Martinez said a government officials declaration of his assets and liabilities does not per se
recognize his honesty.
Correct tax
The ultimate question is, did the government official pay the correct income tax based on the
increase in his net worth and based on his honest declaration of his dollar deposits? she said. If
not, he is guilty of tax evasion always.
Martinez said the BIR could use the ongoing impeachment process to generate more taxes, noting
that the government could ferret out tax evasion simply by examining the SALNs, including those
of Corona.
If you want to collect a tsunami of taxes, go to the SALN, she said. If Corona did something wrong,
its the BIR that should run after him (for possible) tax evasion.

12

Cash assets
Among senators with the biggest declared cash assets was Ramon Bong Revilla Jr. with
P81,371,669.91 in cash and receivables on top of P8,168,679.25 in stock investments.
Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago declared P44,222,627.00 while Senator Panfilo Lacson had
P23,208,028.71.
Senator Pia Cayetano had P20,846,218.95 cash on hand and in bank, including P30,311,679.09 in
receivables, other investments, other assets.
Senator Manuel Villarthe richest senator with a net worth of P854,213,716declared no specific
cash on hand or in bank in his 2011 SALN. He had P219,228,941 in stock investments and
P630,396,156 under other real and personal properties.
Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile declared a total of P11,235,042 in cash on hand and in bank. He
had notes receivables worth P31,380,938 and marketable securities amounting to P1,206,096. He
also declared investments worth P68,048,903.
Explain to public
A defense lawyer said Drilon and the 188 members of the House who impeached Corona owed the
public an explanation for their refusal to follow the Chief Justices lead in signing a waiver for his
bank accounts.
Speaking with the Inquirer over the phone, lawyer Rico Paolo Quicho said Corona answered the
Aquino administrations challenge for public accountability when he voluntarily signed an
unconditional waiver to open his bank deposits for scrutiny.
Their decision not to submit a similar waiver would hound their political careers. Thats certain,
Quicho said, referring to Drilon et al.
Election issue
After everything is done and over with, this will be a political issue. Next elections, the people will
ask them, Why did they not sign a waiver and disclose their SALNs to the public? he added.
Thats the implication of what they did. What the Chief Justice did is now beyond the impeachment
trial, the defense lawyer said.
Quicho argued that Drilon and Iloilo Representative Niel Tupas Jr., the lead House prosecutor,
virtually admitted that they also owned dollar accounts when they declined Coronas call for unity
and transparency.
Quicho said the lawmakers apparently shared Coronas interpretation of the absolute confidentiality
clause of the Foreign Currency Deposits Act since they did not want to disclose their own dollar
accounts in their SALNs.
Tupas and Drilon said they are not on trial. But because of the Chief Justices voluntary submission
of his waiver, they are now on trial and the people demand no less because they are saying that
public office is a public trust, he said.
How can the people trust them if they dont want to open up their bank accounts? After the
impeachment of the Chief Justice, whether hes convicted or acquitted, the people deserve an
explanation from them.
Quicho also assailed the prosecution for saying that Coronas waiver would no longer help his case
and that it was just an afterthought on the part of the Chief Justice to open up his bank deposits.
They are just afraid of the truth. They are also afraid that they will be expected to do the same.
They are after self-preservation and politics is self-preservation, he said.

Despite poll pledge, Aquino not waiving secrecy right

By DJ Yap, Norman Bordadora
Philippine Daily Inquirer, page 2
Malacaang dismissed suggestions that President Benigno Aquino III fullfil a campaign promise to
waive his bank secrecy rights at this time the way impeached Chief Justice Renato Corona did last
week.
It is incumbent on all to recognize that it is Mr. Corona who is on trial, Palace spokesperson Edwin
Lacierda said over the weekend when asked to comment on reminders posted on online forums that
Mr. Aquino had pledged to waive his rights under the bank secrecy laws and open his bank accounts
to the public during the presidential campaign of 2010.
Lacierda said that asking Mr. Aquino to sign a waiver of his bank secrecy rights while the

13

impeachment trial against Corona is going on was like lumping law-abiding public servants together
with those who are being called to account for wrongdoing.
To seek a waiver from the President at this time is to absolve those being held to account while
those who comply are lumped together with those who are before the bar of justice, Lacierda told
the Philippine Daily Inquirer in a text message.
Neither will Mr. Aquino require his Cabinet to sign a waiver similar to that issued by Corona on
Friday.
Undersecretary Abigail Valte, the deputy presidential spokesperson, said over state-run radio dzRB
Sunday that waiving bank secrecy rights was a voluntary and personal decision.
This issue of signing a waiver has cropped up before and the Presidents reply was that it would be
up to the individual Cabinet members Theyre the ones who were given the right. Hes not going
to force them. That will be their personal decision, she said.
Asked about the campaign promise, Lacierda said Mr. Aquinos statement of assets, liabilities and
net worth (SALN) already includes the mandatory waiver for the Ombudsman to obtain documents
from the appropriate government agencies to verify the extent of his wealth.
To those who are asking if the President will sign a waiver, for the record the Presidents SALN has
always been made public and it includes the mandatory waiver for the Ombudsman, he said.

Impunity in human rights abuses persists under Aquino govtUS report

By Jerry E. Esplanada
Philippine Daily Inquirer, page 3
MANILA, PhilippinesImpunity in the area of human rights violations persists under the Aquino
administration, according to the US Department of State.
In a report posted on the website of the US Embassy in Manila, the State Department said the
Aquino administration faced more than 20 cases of major human-rights violations, including
extrajudicial killings, but investigated and prosecuted only a few of those cases.
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said her departments human rights reports chronicle the
stories defending human rights in almost 200 countries around the world, including the Philippines.
Our reports are founded on the simple truth at the heart of the Universal Declaration of Human
Rights, that all people are born free and equal in dignity and rights, Clinton said. Respect for
human rights is not a Western construct or a uniquely American ideal. It is the foundation for peace
and stability everywhere.
Clinton called the reports part of our broad commitment to promote human rights.
According to the State Department, the leading human rights problems in the Philippines are
continued arbitrary, unlawful and extrajudicial killings by national, provincial and local government
agents and by antigovernment insurgents; an under-resourced and understaffed justice system that
resulted in limited investigations, few prosecutions and lengthy trials of human rights abuse cases;
and widespread official corruption and abuse of power.
Other human-rights problems in the country include allegations of prisoner/detainee torture and
abuse by security forces; violence and harassment against leftist and human rights activists by local
security forces; disappearances; warrantless arrests; lengthy pretrial detentions; overcrowded and
inadequate prison conditions; killings and harassments of journalists; continued internal
displacement of [people]; violence against women; government restrictions on the provision of
birth-control supplies.
The State Department report also mentioned abuse and sexual exploitation of children; trafficking
in persons; limited access to facilities for persons with disabilities; lack of full integration of
indigenous peoples; absence of law and policy to protect persons from discrimination based on
sexual orientation and gender identity; suspected vigilante killings; child labor; and ineffective
enforcement of worker rights.
The report said the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) investigated 78 new complaints of
politically motivated killings involving 95 alleged victims (in 2011), a decrease from the 87 complaints
investigated in 2010.
According to the report, the CHR suspected police were involved in 11 of the complaints and soldiers
in seven others. Suspects in the remaining complaints were members of the terrorist *New Peoples
Army+, ordinary citizens or unidentified, the report said.

14

The State Department observed that reports by nongovernmental organizations on the number of
alleged extrajudicial killings and torture cases during the year varied.
It said *t+he NGO Karapatan recorded 39 victims of extrajudicial killings by government forces in
2011, compared with 46 victims in 2010. The credible Report on Philippine Extrajudicial Killings:
2001-2010 recorded 21 extrajudicial-killing victims from January to August 2011, compared with 19
victims in the comparable period in 2010. The Task Force Detainees of the Philippines counted five
victims of alleged summary executions by government forces during the year, compared with nine
cases involving 11 victims in 2010.
Last year, the CHR investigated seven new cases of enforced disappearances and kidnappings,
involving 30 victims, compared with 23 cases involving 107 victims in 2010, the report said.
The CHR investigators implicated four *police+ officials in one case and 10 unidentified members of
the military in another, the report said.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management
reported that authorities began proceedings against 393 (policemen) during the year for various
human rights violations and resolved 80 of the cases, the report said.
In the Philippines, the law provides for an independent judiciary and the government generally
respected judicial independence in practice, the report said.
But corruption, through personal connections and sometimes bribery, resulted in impunity for
some wealthy or influential offenders. Overall, the judicial system continued to suffer from a lack of
sufficient personnel, inefficient processes and long delays, the report also said.
The State Department said Filipino journalists continued to face harassment and threats of violence
from individuals critical of their reporting.
Human rights NGOs frequently criticized the government for failing to protect journalists, the
report said.
The National Union of Journalists continued to accuse police and local elected officials of subjecting
journalists to harassment and surveillance, as well as failing to investigate killings of journalists
Authorities used criminal defamation prosecutions, with the possibility of imprisonment and fines, to
harass and intimidate journalists.

Palace: Sonia Brady will sail through appointment process

By Christine O. Avendao
Philippine Daily Inquirer, page 4
Malacaang is confident that newly appointed Ambassador to China Sonia C. Brady, a career
diplomat, will not have a rough time in the Commission on Appointments (CA) unlike previous
nominee Domingo Lee.
We dont want to sound arrogant and say that they will have no problem with her, said deputy
presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte a day after President Aquino named Brady to the position.
But with her extensive experience in foreign affairs and foreign relations, we are confident that she
can ably answer the questions of the members of the CA.
Mr. Aquino appointed Brady to head the countrys top diplomatic outpost in China amid a tense
standoff over disputed territory in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea).
Valte told government radio dzRB that Brady was an old hand at foreign affairs who could hit the
ground running, someone who is already familiar with the culture of the host country, its politics and
its ways.
She noted that Brady had served as ambassador to Beijing from 2006 to 2010, making her highly
qualified for the post.
Given that we have a multifaceted relationship with China, its important for the ambassador to
already know the lay of the land, so to speak, she added.
The President appointed Brady after letting go of his earlier nominee Lee, a Filipino-Chinese
businessman, who asked that he no longer be considered for the post after the CA deferred his
appointment several times.
Mr. Aquino, however, still appointed Lee as special envoy to China with several specific assignments
to strengthen relations between that country and the Philippines.

DFA slams Chinese report on agreement on Unclos

15

By Jerry E. Esplanada
Philippine Daily Inquirer, page 6
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has disputed a report posted on the website of the Chinese
Embassy in Manila that claims that both the Philippines and China agree that the United Nations
Convention on the Law of the Sea (Unclos) cannot be utilized as a legal ground to claim territorial
sovereignty.
Therefore, the fact that Huangyan Island (Panatag or Scarborough Shoal) is within the 200 nautical
miles Exclusive Economic Zone or continental shelf of Luzon Island has no relevance in determining
sovereignty either, said the report titled The Standoff between Beijing and Manila around the
Huangyan Island: Who owns the shoal?
The report was written by Gao Jianjun, international law professor at China University of Political
Science and Law in Beijing.
The Philippines refers to the disputed rock formation as Bajo de Masinloc and Panatag Shoal.
In a text message to the Philippine Daily Inquirer, DFA spokesperson Raul Hernandez on Sunday
reiterated the Philippine position that under Unclos, the Philippines exercises exclusive sovereign
rights over its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and continental shelf.
Relaying inaccurate info
The Bajo de Masinloc is located 124 nautical miles west of Zambales, which is well within the 200nautical mile EEZ and continental shelf of the Philippines as provided under Unclos, Hernandez said.
Last month, the foreign office temporarily stopped diplomatic meetings with the Chinese embassy,
charging the Chinese diplomats with relaying inaccurate information to Beijing.
The DFA had accused Chinese Ambassador Ma Keqing of wrongfully conveying a nonexistent
agreement of a pullout of all vessels in the Panatag Shoal area.
Hernandez clarified that what was agreed upon in earlier meetings was for the Philippine and
Chinese sides to refrain from doing anything that would increase tensions in the disputed area.
Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario had said that the inaccuracy of information being relayed to
China could somehow trigger different protocols.
The DFA head recalled that during the third meeting with the Chinese side, Ma informed the foreign
office that Beijing was becoming more assertive because Manila had violated an agreement.
No agreement
I saidthere was no agreement. Thats why we are in a stalemate. They were harping that we didnt
honor an agreement. I felt I should clarify that with the Chinese government, it seems that report
was not accurate, Del Rosario told a recent DFA press briefing.
The Philippines only recently appointed an ambassador to Beijing.
In his report, Gao noted that since 1997, the Philippine side has disputed Chinas sovereignty over
Huangyan Island It is interesting to note that both sides agree that geographical proximity is not a
mode of acquiring territory under international law. Thus, the fact that Huangyan Island is closer to
the Philippines than China has no consequence for the settlement of the dispute.
First discovered by China
According to Beijing, the basis of its sovereignty over Huangyan Island is: It is China that first
discovered this island, gave it the name, incorporated it into its territory and exercises jurisdiction
over it, while Manila asserts that the Philippines has exercised both effective occupation and
effective jurisdiction over Bajo de Masinloc since its independence.
Thus, both sides take the occupation of terra nullius as the legal basis of their claim to the island in
question, he said.
Gao said Huangyan Island was discovered by China. He also pointed out that all the official maps
published by the Chinese governments of different periods marked Huangyan Island as Chinese
territory.
Scientific expeditions
Many scientific expedition activities, authorized or endorsed by Chinese authorities, were held on
the island, he added.
He recalled that a Philippine flag was put up on the island by two Philippine congressmen in 1997,
and the baseline around Huangyan Island was delineated in 2009.
However, these activities were undertaken after the Philippines had challenged Chinese

16

sovereignty over Huangyan Island and for the purpose of improving the legal position of Manila.
According to the relevant jurisprudence of the international tribunals, such activities should not be
taken into consideration in the determination of a territorial dispute, argued Gao.

Corona to accept verdict of Senate

By Christina Mendez and Edu Punay (The Philippine Star) page 1
MANILA, Philippines - With final arguments expected to be delivered today by the prosecution and
defense, the Senate impeachment court is expected to hand down its verdict on Chief Justice Renato
Corona by tomorrow.
Senate Majority Leader Vicente Sotto III said yesterday he would recommend to his colleagues that
they hand down the verdict tomorrow after studying the final arguments of both the defense and
prosecution panels today.
There might be a compelling statement or reason from either side. Some of us who have not fully
made up (our) minds, unless (with) a good picture of the proceedings, cannot immediately decide.
So to be fair to everyone, the day after would be the best option, Sotto said in a radio interview.
Supreme Court spokesman Midas Marquez said the Chief Justice is ready to accept the verdict of the
impeachment court.
The Chief Justice has surrendered to Gods will, Marquez said in a text message.
One of the senator-judges, Antonio Trillanes IV, hinted that he already had a decision on Corona.
If you are still undecided at this point, still awaiting the closing arguments coming from the lawyers
who are experts in arguing their case, then you cannot really decide for yourself for your life,
Trillanes said.
Trillanes expressed belief that at this point, even before the final arguments are made, some of the
senator-judges have already decided on their votes.
I believe most of our senator-judges have a position at this point, but the problem is we have to
vote after the closing arguments. But who knows? he said.
Sotto, on the other hand, said he would recommend to his fellow senators during the caucus today
to have the vote on the verdict for tomorrow.
He said most of the senators are agreeable to his recommendation.
Corona needs an acquittal vote on all of the three remaining Articles of Impeachment, but a guilty
vote on one of the three spells his expulsion from office and perpetual disqualification to run for
public office.
Sixteen votes are needed for Corona to be found guilty while it would only take eight votes for an
acquittal.
Sotto said the senators would cast their votes in alphabetical order, based on their surnames. Each
senator will be given two minutes each to explain his or her vote.
Some senators reportedly met over the weekend to discuss issues pertaining to Coronas case.
Sources neither confirmed nor denied reports that they have reached a majority of 16 votes for
conviction.
The situation remains fluid, except for three or four senators who are for acquittal, there are others
who are thinking hard before making the decision because they are also conscious on maintaining
Senates independence from the executive, a source said.
A number of senators are also reportedly aligning in preparation for their bids in next years 2013
midterm elections, sources added, to include their chances whether they stick with the
administration party or go to the formidable United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) led by former
President Joseph Estrada and Vice President Jejomar Binay.
In his interview with radio station dzBB yesterday, Sotto said each of the three Articles of
Impeachment, namely Articles 2, 3 and 7, will be voted on separately.
If a verdict of guilty is reached in the first round on Article 2, the court will no longer proceed to
Article 3. And if a guilty verdict is reached on Article 3, senator-judges will no longer have to vote
on Article 7.
Since the penalty is removal from office and the accused can only be removed once, there is no need
to ascertain the votes on other articles if a guilty verdict is reached in Article 2 or 3.
Article 2 deals with Coronas alleged failure to fully disclose all his assets in his statement of assets,
liabilities and net worth (SALN). There is widespread view that this Article 2 has emerged as the most

17

crucial of the three, with much of the courts focus having been devoted to it.
Article 3 questioned the competence, integrity, probity and independence of the Chief Justice
because he allegedly allowed the Supreme Court to act on mere letters filed by a counsel which
caused the issuance of flip-flopping decisions in final and executory cases, specifically the case
involving the Flight Attendants and Stewards Association of the Philippines and the management of
Philippine Airlines; and creating an excessive entanglement with former President Gloria MacapagalArroyo through her appointment of his wife to office.
Under Article 7, the Chief Justice was accused of betraying public trust through his partiality in
granting a temporary restraining order on the hold departure order against Arroyo and her husband
Jose Miguel Arroyo to allow them to escape prosecution.
Meanwhile, the Corona family and supporters are still optimistic of the outcome of the
impeachment trial, Marquez said.
We continue to pray for his acquittal, he said.
Marquez said Corona remained in the hospital yesterday recovering from the hypoglycemic episode
he had during the trial last Tuesday.
He is now able to rest and sleep better, while doctors continue to monitor his condition, he added.
With Edu Punay

The bottom line: Issues in Corona trial

By Andy Bautista (The Philippine Star) page 1
MANILA, Philippines - After 42 trial days and close to five months of legal debate, the impeachment
trial of Chief Justice Renato Corona is coming to an end. Final arguments were set by the presiding
officer today with a verdict by the impeachment court expected forthwith or, at the latest,
tomorrow. This brief legal commentary seeks to sift through the evidence adduced by both sides and
focus attention on the remaining bottom line issues.
With the admission last Friday of Chief Justice Corona regarding the existence of undisclosed dollar
deposits amounting to approximately $2.4 million and peso deposits of over P80 million, the work of
the Senate impeachment court has been simplified.
There are still three remaining Articles of Impeachment in play (Articles 2, 3 and 7) but the focus is
really on Article 2, which charges the respondent with culpable violation of the Constitution and
betrayal of public trust in failing to publicly disclose his assets, liabilities, and net worth. Given the
evidence presented by both the prosecution and defense, there appears to be two basic issues that
the court will need to pass judgment upon:
1. In rendering a judgment of conviction or acquittal, the senator-judges will need to satisfy
themselves regarding the veracity and bona fides of the explanations provided by the Chief Justice in
respect of his a) real properties; b) dollar deposits; and c) peso deposits.
a. Real properties
Allegation: The respondent violated the rule that a public officer must provide an updated good faith
fair market value estimate of each asset contained in the SALN.
Explanation: The values of these properties are allegedly those contained in the sale documents as
filed with the Register of Deeds. There is no obligation to disclose properties purchased on
installment before turnover of the same to the buyer.
Counter explanation: Being assets, properties bought on installment (together with the
corresponding installment payments already made) should be reported in the SALN when they are
actually purchased.
b. 2.4 million US dollar deposits
Allegation: The US dollar deposits (or its peso equivalent) were not reported in the SALN. The 1987
Constitution and Republic Act 6713 require a public officer to disclose all of his assets.
Explanation: The confidentiality clause in RA 6426 (Foreign Currency Deposit Act) exempts a public
officer from the need to disclose foreign currency assets in the SALN.
Counter explanation: The Constitution trumps any law passed by Congress. RA 6713 is a later statute
than RA 6426. The confidentiality clause in RA 6426 is directed to banks and does not apply to the
depositor. Such an interpretation will enable public officers to hide not only their foreign currency
deposits but their assets located abroad as well. Similarly, corrupt officials can escape accountability
by simply converting their peso accounts to foreign currency accounts.

18

c. 80 million peso deposits

Allegation: The peso deposits in the respondents SALN were grossly under reported.
Explanation: A substantial bulk of the funds (at least P77 million) belong to Basa-Guidote Enterprises
Inc (BGEI), his children, and his late mother; and were co-mingled with his own funds.
Counter explanation: The deposits were all in his name. Aside from his testimony and evidence of
payments received in connection with the BGEI property, there was no other documentary proof
presented to show that these funds belonged to someone else.
2. By voting to convict, can the senator-judges impose a penalty other than removal?
Article XI Section 3(7) of the 1987 Constitution provides that: Judgment in cases of impeachment
shall not extend further than removal from office and disqualification to hold any office
Literally, this provision can be interpreted to mean that while the penalty cannot go beyond removal
from office and disqualification, the impeachment court can impose a lesser penalty such as
reprimand or censure. However, the rules of the impeachment court (Senate Resolution No. 39)
provide that:
XXI. The trial of all the Articles of Impeachment shall be completed before the senators vote on the
final question on whether or not the impeachment is sustained. On the final question whether the
impeachment is sustained, the vote shall be taken on each Article of Impeachment separately; and if
the impeachment shall not, upon any of the articles presented, be sustained by the votes of twothirds of all the Members, a judgment of acquittal shall be entered; but if the person impeached in
such Articles of Impeachment shall be convicted upon any of said articles by the votes of two-thirds
of all the Members, the Senate shall proceed to pronounce judgment of conviction, and a certified
copy of such judgment shall be deposited in the Office of the Secretary of the Senate. A motion to
reconsider the vote by which any Article of Impeachment is sustained or rejected shall not be in
order.
Hence, a senator-judge who does not believe that removal and disqualification from office is
commensurate to the offenses committed should register a vote of acquittal.
Bottom line, in reaching its verdict, the impeachment court must take into account: 1) the
explanations proffered by the respondent in respect of the non-disclosed and under-disclosed
assets; 2) the materiality and extent of non-disclosure; 3) the proportionality of the offense charged
and the penalty to be imposed; and 4) the position of the respondent as Chief Justice of the
Supreme Court of the Philippines and his continuing credibility to lead the judiciary.

Prosecution: We have strong case

By Alexis Romero (The Philippine Star) page 1
MANILA, Philippines - Prosecutors in the impeachment trial of Chief Justice Renato Corona yesterday
said they had presented very strong evidence that would lead to his conviction.
We feel that we have presented a very strong case for the conviction of the Chief Justice. We
covered everything. We have done what we need to do, lead prosecutor Iloilo Rep. Niel Tupas Jr.
told ABS-CBN News Channel.
We are confident about the evidence we presented. Its very, very strong, he added.
Tupas believes some of the senator-judges have made up their mind, but declined to speculate as to
how the voting will go.
I dont want to venture into that, he said when asked by ABS-CBN anchor Stanley Palisada if he has
a prediction on how the senator-judges will vote.
Its hard to read the mind of the senators, he added.
Coronas lawyers earlier claimed that the prosecution has not proven anything and that the
allegations against the Chief Justice are baseless.
What have they (prosecution) established? They said (Corona has) 45 properties. He only has five.
They claimed that his dollar accounts were not declared but these are covered by law (that provides
that these are confidential), said lead defense counsel Serafin Cuevas in an interview last Friday.
Corona was impeached last December for his non-disclosure of his dollar accounts in his statements
of assets liabilities and net worth (SALNs).
The prosecution has dropped its allegations that Corona owns 45 properties and claimed instead
that he owns 21.

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Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales told the impeachment court early this month that Corona was
keeping 82 dollar accounts between 2003 and 2011.
Citing data from the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC), Morales said Coronas alleged dollar
deposits with transactional balance worth at least $10 million were spread in nine banks.
Corona has denied Morales claim, saying he only has three peso accounts and four dollar accounts.
He said the Ombudsmans testimony is unreliable and exaggerated.
The Chief Justice admitted that he did not declare such accounts since the law on foreign currency
deposits regard them as confidential.
Tupas said the impeachment trial, which lasted for more than four months, has been a long journey
for the prosecution.
Its been a difficult and long journey for all of us. Finally, we are here and we are looking forward to
it, he said, referring to the oral arguments by the defense and prosecution panels.
Tupas said he along with deputy lead prosecutor Ilocos Norte Rep. Rodolfo Farias and another
prosecutor will deliver the oral arguments today.
The prosecution had yet to decide who would serve as its third speaker as of press time yesterday.

Defense ready for final arguments

(The Philippine Star) page 1
MANILA, Philippines - Defense lawyers of Chief Justice Renato Corona are ready for their final
arguments before the Senate impeachment court today, and will focus on his admission that he had
maintained around $2.4 million and at least P80 million in bank accounts.
They argued the admission should not be considered a high crime and enough reason for his
conviction by the impeachment court.
Lead defense counsel Serafin Cuevas and senior counsel Eduardo de los Angeles will deliver before
the Senate impeachment court their final arguments on why Corona should be allowed to stay as
chief magistrate.
Coronas spokesman Rico Paolo Quicho said the defenses main argument will zero in on Article 2,
which is primarily the issue of Coronas supposed betrayal of public trust and violation of the
Constitution for excluding certain assets in his statements of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALNs).
Corona is also facing Article 3, which questions his competence, integrity, probity and independence,
as well as Article 7 on his alleged partiality to former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria
Macapagal-Arroyo.
When Corona testified that he had started investing in dollars since the 1970s, his lawyers deemed
to have the issue explained that the Chief Justice has no illegal wealth.
While Article 2.4 on the issue of illegal wealth was struck out during the early stages of the trial,
Quicho said Corona had to mention that his family was involved in investing in foreign currency
because it is more stable compared to other cash investments.
There was no allegation of illegal wealth, we deemed to discuss it to rise to the challenge of
transparency, Quicho said.
Corona had admitted he had $2.4 million and P80.7 million in bank accounts, but these are comingled with the family corporation of his wife, the Basa-Guidote Enterprises Inc. (BGEI), and that
of his children. The peso accounts also included funds from his mother.
These funds were at his disposal, not in his ownership; he is holding them only in trust, Quicho
said.
While the defense team expressed belief that they had provided Corona all the legal strategies he
needed and outlined them for his possible acquittal, Quicho admitted the impeachment issue is also
political in nature.
While the defense presented a strong legal argument, Quicho said there are other factors that
surround the proceedings like politics and public opinion.
If you talk about the legal side, we are very confident. But you have to take in the general picture,
he said.
We cannot really control that the political issue they have to confront now is their own
transparency and accountability in their own bank accounts, Quicho said.
Quicho said Coronas critics have resorted to rumors, intrigues and accusations to sway public
opinion against Corona.

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We are being overwhelmed not by evidence but insinuations and rumors raised by the
prosecution, he said.
Turn the tide
Coronas camp expressed belief that the Chief Justices signing of the waiver of his bank accounts
has turned the tide against the prosecutors because they have not risen up to the challenge of
transparency and accountability.
They even had the chance to check further on his testimony (on bank accounts) but they did not do
it, Quicho said, referring to the prosecution.
The truth is the accounts will bury their unfounded allegation (that Corona had 82 accounts), and
that they cannot face the clamor to open up their own bank accounts to the public, Quicho added.
Quicho said Corona gained moral high ground when he agreed to sign an unconditional waiver on
his bank accounts.
Because of his (Coronas) testimony and waiver, he has moral high ground, Quicho said in a phone
interview yesterday.
The Chief Justice called for transparency and accountability. He raised the bar for transparency, he
added.
Quicho noted though that many of Coronas critics did not follow Coronas example.
Quicho said he is eagerly waiting if lead prosecutor Iloilo Rep. Niel Tupas Jr. would be brave
enough to accept the challenge to issue a waiver on his bank accounts.
He debunked Tupas statement that he is not the one on trial but Corona.
After Tuesday, they (complainants) will be on trial whether they will be rising up to the clamor for
transparency and accountability, Quicho said. This is the issue that they have to confront.
While the prosecution believes Coronas appearance before the impeachment court harmed his
case, the defense panel thinks otherwise.
The direct communication of the Chief Justice and the signing of the waiver turned the tide (in favor
of the defense panel), Quicho said.
Last Tuesday, Corona brought out a prepared waiver and signed it before the impeachment court.
The waiver would allow banks to release information about Coronas accounts.
No obligation to declare
Corona said he was signing the waiver even if he was under no obligation to execute it since he was
protected by the Foreign Currency Deposit Act, which provides for absolute confidentiality of dollar
deposits.
He also allowed the Bureau of Internal Revenue, Anti-Money Laundering Council, Securities and
Exchange Commission, and the Land Registration Authority to disclose all information that may show
his SALN, business interests and financial connections.
Corona, however, asked all 188 complainants from the House of Representatives and Sen. Franklin
Drilon to also sign a waiver.
If you decline, then you will affirm to me and all who are watching that there is in fact no legal
obligation or duty to disclose foreign currency holdings and deposits, he added.
Upon his return to the witness stand last Friday, Corona submitted an unconditional waiver on his
bank accounts, saying he would no longer wait for the 189 lawmakers to do the same.
The prosecution panel, however, claimed that Coronas unconditional waiver was too little, too late.
We think its really too late in the day. I mean if he wanted to be transparent, he should have done
so when the prosecution was still presenting its evidence, Marikina Rep. Romero Quimbo said in a
press briefing last Friday.
Coronas prosecutors also believe that the move was intended to delay the proceedings.
Coronas lawyers, however, remained confident that the Chief Justice would get an acquittal once
the impeachment court hears the final arguments of the defense and prosecution panel today.
He (Corona) had admitted that he had accounts in both dollars and pesos, but this does not mean
that he is guilty (of the Articles of Impeachment). Under the law, he has no legal obligation to
declare the dollar accounts, Quicho said.
Echoing a senator-judges argument that Republic Act 6426 or the Foreign Currency Deposit Act is a
special law, Quicho said the law should be interpreted in harmony with the Constitution.
It need not be contradictory but it should amplify (the Constitution) if the Senate, sitting as an
impeachment court, and the prosecution thinks there is a problem, then (Congress) should amend

21

the law, not impeach it, Quicho said.

The specific provision of the foreign currency law prevails over the general law which is the
Constitution, he said.
That is how the Chief Justice interpreted the law, only the Supreme Court can decide on the
applicability of the laws, Quicho said.
According to Quicho, no less than the prosecutions witness, Supreme Court clerk of court Enriqueta
Vidal, testified that Corona had disclosed his SALNs from 2002 to 2010.
When Sen. Franklin Drilon asked Vidal if she had copies of Coronas SALN, the SC official reluctantly
turned over the copies of the chief magistrates SALN to the impeachment court.
So as to the issue of disclosure, the CJ (Chief Justice) disclosed them, Quicho said.
Vidal had argued that SALNs of court executives are covered by a department order that limits the
automatic revelation of SALNs to the public. Prior permission is needed through a resolution, Vidal
said.
Only five properties
As for Article 2.3, which deals with alleged properties and bank accounts not included in Coronas
SALNs, Quicho said the legal basis had been propounded as to why condominium units in The
Bellagio and Bonifacio Ridge were not declared outright in the year the Corona couple supposedly
started purchasing the properties.
There was no actual delivery at that time, therefore, there is no possession, and it is not incumbent
for the Chief Justice to declare them. But they were declared in subsequent years, Quicho said.
We strongly feel that the issue on the properties is a foregone conclusion, Quicho said.
He noted that Coronas relative, Demetrio Vicente, had debunked claims that Mrs. Corona still
owned a 3,400-square-meter property in Marikina City.
The defense panel had also destroyed the prosecutions claims that Corona had actually 45
properties. He only had five properties as correctly declared in his SALN as of 2010.
As for Coronas admission on P80 million in bank accounts, Quicho reiterated the chief magistrate
was holding it in trust.
He does not consider it as his property, so he need not declared it. He was holding it in trust for the
BGEI and his family members, he argued.
Christina Mendez, Alexis Romero

Party-list roster finalized this week

By Mayen Jaymalin (The Philippine Star) page 1
MANILA, Philippines - Whether drug addicts and alcoholics may be allowed to participate in next
years elections will be known this week.
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) yesterday said it will likely complete the registration process
for new party-list groups this week.
Commissioner Rene Sarmiento said after four weeks of marathon hearings, they expect to finish the
registration process for the 172 party-list groups seeking accreditation with the Comelec.
One group representing addicts and alcoholics is seeking accreditation to be allowed to take part in
the May 2013 polls.
Other groups seeking accreditation with the Comelec are the Ang Basura Movement or Ako Ba,
Ako Ang Pasahero or Ako Pa, the Association of Local Athletics Entrepreneurs and Hobbyists or
Ala Eh, Alagad ng Sining or Asin, the Asosasyon ng Mangangalakal or Askal, and the Partido ng
Bayan ng mga Bida or PBB.
Comelec Chairman Sixto Brillantes is hopeful they can wrap up the registration process of party-list
groups in time.
I believe we can meet our goal of finishing it up this May so we can move on with other matters,
Brillantes said.
The Comelec earlier had said it would limit the number of party-list groups running next year to only
150.
A total of 187 party-list organizations took part in the May 2010 polls.
Aside from the 172 new applicants for registration, there are 125 groups eligible to run in the May
2013 elections.
The Comelec has already delisted 62 party-list organizations for either failing to obtain sufficient

22

votes in the last two elections or have been denied registration by the poll body and the Supreme
Court.

Department of Agriculture to build 40 mini hydro power

plants
By Michael Punongbayan (The Philippine Star) page 15
MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Agriculture (DA) will put up 40 mini-hydroelectric power
plants in all irrigation systems in the country to help ease the power crisis, particularly in Mindanao,
which is now suffering from rotating blackouts.
According to Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala, over 100,000 houses are expected to benefit from
the electricity that will be generated from the power plants by December this year.
The National Irrigation Authority (NIA), a DA agency, said the irrigation system could produce at least
20 megawatts of electricity daily.
This is the contribution of the DA and NIA to ease the ongoing power crisis in the country, NIA
administrator Antonio Nangel said.
He said his office has identified at least 79 sites or irrigation systems nationwide, including 20 in
Luzon, 10 in the Visayas, and 10 in Mindanao.
Nangel said each hydropower plant would only cost P20 million and would be shouldered by local
investors.
The good thing here, we will be able to help the energy crisis and at the same time the government
will earn from it, he said.
By May next year, the DA and NIA are targeting that all the 79 power plants in the irrigation canals
will be able to supply electricity in the country.
Alcala said his department is not only serious in solving problems in agriculture, but is also willing to
help in the power problem.
Under President Aquinos administration, all government agencies are one in helping solve the
countrys problems, he said.

Singapore eyed for Philippine bananas

By Delon Porcalla (The Philippine Star) page 1
MANILA, Philippines - Malacaang is eyeing the export of bananas to Singapore to help local
banana farmers affected by the stricter entry requirements imposed by China, which allegedly
found pests in the fruits from the Philippines.
Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte yesterday said the Department of Agriculture is
looking at Singapore and other foreign markets for the bananas of Mindanao growers.
Manila had earlier encountered diplomatic and phytosanitary problems with Beijing over Philippine
banana exports.
Banana growers said they had lost at least P1.44 billion as a result of the Chinese restrictions.
Valte, however, said problems with Beijing had nothing to do with the territorial row over Panatag
(Scarborough) Shoal.
Its always been phytosanitary. If you track the progress of the story, we received one query even
before the issue in Bajo de Masinloc happened, she said.
The government had earlier said that it was working on an assistance package to help local banana
farmers affected by the trade row with China.
Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said President Aquino met with banana growers last
Thursday along with heads of concerned government agencies dealing with the banana issue.
The exports to China account for 30 percent of our market. Now, the long-term position is we have
to broaden our markets. The short-term is we are providing assistance to the banana growers, he
said.
We are going to identify who the banana growers are. We are still looking at ways to provide
assistance cash for work, financial assistance and assistance to the packaging houses of the
bananas, Lacierda added.
The President asked his economic team and concerned government agencies to come up with a

23

definitive package assistance plan for banana growers.

The Philippines is one of the worlds top banana exporters with much of the fruits being grown in
Mindanao. Its major markets include Japan, South Korea, China and New Zealand.
In 2010, the total export earnings for fresh Cavendish bananas amounted to $720 million.
China is the countrys second biggest export market for bananas next to Japan.
Records show that as of February this year, Philippine banana exports to China accounted for 19
percent of the total export during the first two months of this year.
Banana feeds?
The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) is now providing skills training to
turn the Philippine bananas rejected by China into agricultural feeds.
TESDA director general Joel Villanueva said bananas that failed to make it to Chinas market could
be easily manufactured as agricultural feeds.
Rotting bananas need not go to waste. We just have to tap the skills of our workers and the right
technology to create an opportunity out of this event, he said.
Tapping the manufacture of agricultural feeds, he said, is one option that banana producers can
venture into to guarantee that the fruit could be turned into profit.
Villanueva said workers would undergo training on the complete process of making feeds from
bananas, using available technology.
He said he has instructed TESDA offices in Mindanao to gather data needed to develop an
alternative market for the countrys banana growers amid the dispute with China.
The TESDA chief said banana feeds are processed through natural drying using multi-purpose
dryers.
TESDA is taking a proactive position and is now simultaneously gathering the relevant data needed
in preparation for introducing an alternative market for the countrys huge banana produce,
Villanueva said. With Mayen Jaymalin

'No need for waivers from Noy, Cabinet'

(The Philippine Star) page 1
MANILA, Philippines - President Aquino and members of the Cabinet no longer need to sign a
waiver for the public to know their assets, Malacaang said yesterday.
Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte issued the statement in reaction to a challenge
hurled by Chief Justice Renato Corona, who signed an unconditional waiver lifting the secrecy of his
bank deposits.
Obviously the President and the members of his Cabinet have been fully transparent and fully
compliant with the constitutional requirements on accountability and disclosure, Valte said.
So far, just like Corona, no incumbent Cabinet official declared their dollar accounts in the
statement of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN) that they have submitted.
Valte, however, qualified that it will be up to members of the official family in an individual
capacity to sign any waiver if they want to, either in their peso accounts or in foreign currency
deposits.
It will be the personal decision of the Cabinet members if they want to sign a waiver under the
Bank Secrecy Law and under the FCD (Foreign Currency Deposit) Law if applicable, Valte said in her
weekly interview over radio station dzRB.
Aquinos Liberal Party ally, Sen. Franklin Drilon, categorically refused signing any waiver despite the
challenge of Corona. Others, including the members of the House prosecution team, said it was not
them, but Corona who is on trial.
On the other hand, legal experts at the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) said
the Ombudsman should not pass up the opportunity given by Corona when he issued a waiver on
his bank deposits last Friday.
PCGG lawyers said the waiver issued by Corona does not limit them to just check the deposit
balance of his accounts but also allows them to scrutinize the history of his dollar and peso bank
deposits.
They have the opportunity to scrutinize the history of the accounts and check if there were
massive withdrawals in the past in the peso, and especially the dollar accounts, a PCGG lawyer

24

said.
Meanwhile, Valte refused to make any forecast whether a conviction awaits Corona this week, after
todays oral arguments between the prosecution team and the defense panel headed by former
Supreme Court justice Serafin Cuevas.
Res ipsa loquitur - the thing speaks for itself. The pieces of evidence that were presented do speak
for themselves. We will wait and see the developments, she said.
If you look at the pieces of evidence, again, you go back to the basic charge. What was the basic
charge? What were the admissions in the trial? That is something that you have to consider, Valte
said, referring to Coronas admission of his dollar and peso deposits.
She also downplayed the importance of votes among senators that would ensure a conviction for
Corona, but emphasized rather the evidence the House prosecutors provided and the admissions
made by the chief magistrate.
What is important and clear to us are the accusations and it was clear that there is the evidence to
support them.
Lets cross the bridge when we get there. We will stay away first from the fearless forecast, she
added. Delon Porcalla, Rainier Allan Ronda

Phl team off to Geneva for review of country's human

rights records
By Pia Lee-Brago (The Philippine Star) page 7
MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said yesterday the Philippine
delegation was scheduled to leave for Geneva, Switzerland over the weekend for the review of the
Philippines human rights records.
Justice Secretary Leila de Lima will lead the delegation composed of representatives from various
government agencies. Secretary De Lima is a human rights advocate and former chairperson of the
Commission on Human Rights.
The Universal Periodic Review (UPR) is a mechanism by which human rights records of member
countries of the United Nations is evaluated by member states to further promote and protect
human rights.
The Philippines underwent the first cycle of the UPR in 2008.
Foremost among the concerns that the Philippine delegation will address at the Human Rights
Council are allegations of extrajudicial killings, disappearances, and torture. The enhancement of the
domestic, legal and institutional capacities on these issues is one of the governments priorities, the
DFA said.
It said the Philippines continues to undertake concrete measures in addressing these issues such as
coordination between the states investigative, prosecutorial, and security agencies with civil society
organizations.
The Supreme Court has also directed all lower courts to prioritize the resolution of pending cases of
human rights violations.
The delegation will also highlight the strong human rights platform as well as progress and
achievements of President Aquino, two years into his six-year administration.
The DFA said the President has firmly committed the promotion and protection of human rights as a
pillar of his administration, while respecting the rule of law, justice and due process, and with
continuing engagement of civil society and all stakeholders.
Philippine human rights activists arrived in Geneva in time for the second cycle of the United
Nations Human Rights Council UPR and review of the state of human rights in the Philippines to
dispute the Aquino administrations claims.
The UPR will review the national report of the Philippine government and measure it against its
pledges and commitments during the 1st cycle of the UPR and when it applied for membership in
the UN Human Rights Council.
Fifteen civil society groups belonging to the Philippine UPR Watch are represented by leaders and
members of mass organizations in the Philippines while Filipino expatriates came from the United
Kingdom, United States and the Netherlands from the International Committee on the Campaign for

25

Human Rights in the Philippines.

The Philippine UPR Watch has continued to vigorously lobby with 71 countries that have signed up
to question the Philippine government with its compliance to implement the recommendations by
14 countries during the first cycle of the UPR in 2008.
The group has also been raising the governments other unfulfilled commitments and ignored
recommendations, particularly put forward by the former UN Special Rapporteur Philip Alston.
The Philippine UPR Watch said the various missions that the group spoke with have expressed keen
interest and serious concern on the continuous human rights violations committed by state security
forces and its paramilitary groups, including extrajudicial killings, forced disappearances, torture,
intense militarization in farmer and indigenous communities to pave way for mining operations,
migrant and childrens rights and the curtailment of other civil and political rights that are
perpetrated alongside violations of economic, social and cultural rights.
The delegation has received a receptive audience among various foreign missions on their visit to
the UN Human Rights Council 13th session of the UPR in Switzerland.
The Philippine UPR Watch, composed of 15 human rights and peace groups and church and mass
organizations from the Philippines and abroad, has been received positively by a diverse list of
foreign dignitaries who have commonly expressed their keen interest in knowing more about the
real state of human rights in the Philippines.
The Philippine UPR Watch said a significant number of foreign missions that have candidly discussed
issues and questions with the various teams of the delegation have signified their concern about the
compliance of the Philippine government with its commitment to the recommendations on the first
cycle of UPR in 2008 as well as other undertakings it should fulfill.
Seventy-one countries have listed up to make statements and recommendations and ask questions
to the Philippine government on a wide array of outstanding human rights issues when the latter
comes under scrutiny on Tuesday.
The foreign missions have assured the delegation that they will seriously consider all the concerns
raised by the Philippine UPR Watch and counterpost these with the official national report of the
Philippine government.

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