De Lima meets Napoles

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima met with Janet Lim-Napoles for five hours at the Ospital ng Makati last Monday night. Napoles signed a statement at the end of the interview. This gives some truth to De Lima’s statement that Napoles would make a better state witness than Gigi Reyes. Since Janet Napoles has decided to tell all, it is up to De Lima and Ombudsman Carpio Morales to accept her as a state witness. Will she tell all, including the congressional allies of President Aquino, or will she toe the De Lima line selecting only the opposition leaders to be charged? The final decision will be with the Sandiganbayan.

De Lima, in an ABS-CBN interview, revealed that Napoles has submitted a new affidavit naming other senators and congressmen besides Senators Enrile, Estrada, and Revilla as recipients of Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) kickbacks.

De Lima said that up to now there has been no indication shown by Gigi Reyes to turn state witness. On the other hand, Gigi submitted an 83-page affidavit saying that her signatures on ten letters to executive officials have been forged. She also said that Benhur Luy’s testimony is hearsay. Malacañang ruled out Gigi Reyes as a state witness. Napoles was assisted by her lawyer Atty. Bruce Rivera.

Estrada in Hong Kong

Mayor Joseph Estrada left for Hong Kong (HK) to deliver a written apology to the HK chief executive and to pay HK$20 million as compensation for the eight victims and other wounded Hong Kong nationals.

Accompanying Estrada is Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Alan Purisima and Cabinet Secretary Rene Almendras, which indicates that Estrada’s trip was authorized by President Aquino.  

Several Manila councilors were in the Estrada party, which was covered by ABS-CBN and Hong Kong media.

Self denial

In his Easter message, President Aquino said that the country is recovering from corruption and poverty.

That’s highly debatable, considering the new cases of corruption covering out in the Philippine National Police (PNP), National Irrigation Administration (NIA), Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC), Department of Agriculture (DA), and the local governments.

Social Weather Stations (SWS) reports that cronyism is a serious problem under the Aquino administration.

There have been consistent surveys reporting high poverty and hunger figures. Also, the consistent consensus of international agencies of the lack of inclusive growth. UP Professor Luz Briones reported that the number of unemployed Filipinos has reached 3.66 million.

Binay gets record of 87%

Vice President Jejomar Binay got an approval ratings of 87 percent in the March 2014 Pulse Asia Survey, up seven ticks from 80 percent in December 2013.

In contrast, President Aquino’s approval rating declined to 70 percent, down by three percentage points from 73 percent last December. His trust rating declined to 69 percent from 74 percent while Binay’s surged to 86 percent from 77 percent in December 2013. Binay’s record of approval and trust ratings puts him solidly in the lead for the presidential race in 2016.

Senate President Franklin Drilon’s approval rating went up to 58 percent from 43 percent last December. This makes him a dark horse for the Liberal Party (LP) presidential nomination if Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Mar Roxas’ ratings do not improve. Surveys have shown Roxas 20 points behind Binay. House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr.’s ratings declined.

Breakdowns

As we landed at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) and read the newspapers, we were greeted again with another MRT breakdown and a breakdown of air conditioning units at NAIA 1. Again, the simple question: Why they were not repaired the last four years?

We also read another bus accident in Camarines Sur, with 5 dead and 15 wounded; 31 people died, 129 wounded in accidents during the Holy Week.

Meanwhile, a water shortage has been felt in most parts of Metro Manila. A power shortage is also probable during May and June.

MILF rebels join Abu Sayyaf

AFP Chief of Staff Emmanuel Bautista announced that Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) rebels joined the Abu Sayyaf in a clash with government troops in Basilan.

Gadzali Jaafar, MILF vice chairman for political affairs, confirmed the 4 MILF casualties and asked for an investigation.

This is not the first time that MILF rebels joined Abu Sayyaf forces in Basilan. This is definitely a violation of the truce agreement with the MILF. The MILF should be held accountable

Meanwhile, chief negotiator Miriam Coronel Ferrer reported that there have been 23 kidnappings in Mindanao this year. She asked the MILF to help stop the kidnappings.

Tidbits: Movie columnist Ricky Lo reported that Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista has broken off his relationship with Presidential sister Kris Aquino.

Hooray! The Supreme Court issued a new temporary restraining order (TRO) on the proposed Meralco December rate hikes. Meanwhile, Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) is set to approve a .41 centavo rate hike.

Senator Bam Aquino revealed that the Philippines has the slowest internet speed in Asia, with only 3.52 Megabits per second (Mbps). Singapore is number one, with 65.6 Mbps. The Philippines also has the highest internet charges.

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) was unable to finish the EDSA road blocking project, which started during the Holy Week. DPWH is asking for an extension of time to complete the project. Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Francis Tolentino asked the contractors to explain the delay.

Seven more bodies were recovered in Tacloban, bringing the Yolanda death toll to 6,300.

Pope John Paul II and Pope John XXIII will be canonized at the Vatican on Sunday, April 27. A big Filipino delegation is expected to attend the canonization rites.