Malacañang assurance

The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported that 2.6 million Filipinos remain jobless, despite the fact that rates for underemployment and unemployment have gone down. Add to that figure, the estimated 800,000 new graduates joining the labor force the next six weeks.

But, once again, Malacañang gave assurance that it would continue to pursue initiatives to provide employment for Filipinos.

Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said among the main efforts of government is coordination among the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED). Another government effort is the continued attraction of new investments. The country’s foreign direct investments increased last year and more than doubled in the last two or three years, according to Valte.

The PSA figures do not include data from Region 8, due to the devastation caused by Typhoon Yolanda.

Malacañang did not announce a target employment figure. The latest National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) figures also show a 13 percent underspending in 2014, which translates to less employment figures.

With the first quarter of the year almost finished, it is doubtful that government spending can be increased over last year’s figure.

Napeñas challenges BOI report

Relieved Philippine National Police (PNP) Special Action Force (SAF) Director General Getulio Napeñas challenges parts of Board of Inquiry’s Mamasapano report which he branded as “limited” and “inconclusive.”

Furthermore, the former SAF chief found the fact-finding report fair but noted facts were found wanting in the absence of statements from other resource persons.

Also, contrary to the findings of the BOI, Napeñas said that Marwan’s death was a proof that Oplan Exodus was not defective.

He declared in no uncertain terms that while he admitted command responsibility, his superiors should also admit their responsibility, clearly referring to President Aquino and former PNP chief, General Alan Purisima. He pointed out that it was the President who authorized Purisima to be involved in the operation despite his suspension as chief of the PNP.

In public occasions, President Aquino had repeatedly laid the blame on Napeñas, whom he said “fooled” him about the Oplan Exodus, and showed weak leadership and judgement that resulted to the massacre of the 44 SAF commandos. Contrary to what the President was saying, critics are wondering how could he claim to have been “fooled” by Napeñas when he had said he dealt only with Purisima.

While the President has the prerogative to deal directly with any of his subordinates, the act of dealing directly with Napeñas instead of PNP Officer-In-Charge Leonardo Espina bypassed the PNP’s Chain of Command, the BOI report concluded.

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima disputed the BOI’s conclusion that President Aquino disrupted the police chain of command, saying the President cannot be considered commander-in-chief of the PNP, a civilian institution.

Moreover, Aquino could have ordered the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to send reinforcements because the peace pact the government signed with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) isn’t set in stone, Magdalo party-list Rep. Francisco Ashley Acedillo said.  

At the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) graduation in Baguio on Sunday, President Aquino did not say anything about the Mamasapano incident.

Instead, he praised Army 2nd Lt. Jerson Sanchez for engaging and defeating 30 NPA rebels in a firefight in Alabel, Sarangani.

BIR corruption

A defense department supplier of helicopters has asked the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Ombudsman to investigate a Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) official for extortion.

Rhodora Alvarez, an active BIR official has demanded 15 percent of the multibillion-peso contract for the purchase of 21 German helicopters.

Alvarez has represented herself as able to assist the day to day operations of supplier Rice Aircraft Services, Inc. during the pendency of the contract.

Senate to fill gaps

Senate President Pro-Tempore Ralph Recto said the yawning gaps in the BOI Mamasapano Report could be filled by the Senate report due this week.

Recto pointed out that the BOI report did not provide answers to such vital question as to what orders the President issued to the military to save the SAF commandos who were surrounded by MILF and Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighter (BIFF) rebels.  

Also, the BOI report did not answer the extent of the United States’ involvement in the operation.

Senator Grace Poe promised to release the Senate report yesterday. The Senate held five public hearings and five executive sessions in the Mamasapano operation.

Meanwhile, active and retired generals criticized Malacañang attacks on the BOI report. A ranking police official categorically stated that the President should be blamed for the Mamasapano massacre.

Seeing Blue in Cebu

The Ateneo Law Alumni Association, Inc. (ALAAI) is hosting a cocktails & fellowship event this Saturday, 5 to 9 pm, for all Ateneo lawyers attending the 15th IBP National Convention of Lawyers in Cebu. Venue is the Tingow room of the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel & Casino where the convention is being held. Alumni from all the Ateneo Law schools in the country — Ateneo de Manila, Ateneo de Davao and Xavier University-Ateneo de Cagayan are invited. 

Tidbits

The Court of Appeals (CA) has issued a temporary restraining order (TRO) for 60 days against the suspension order of Mayor Junjun Binay, issued by the Ombudsman.

Philippine Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) chairman Cristino Naguiat Jr. announced that they have raised P7 billion for their  “Matuwid na Daan sa Silid Aralan” project. The school beneficiaries include Ninoy Aquino Elementary School (NAES) in Malabon City; the Pampanga High School (PHS) in San Fernando, Pampanga; and the Bonifacio V. Romero Memorial High School (BVRMHS) in Angeles City. Thirty-two classrooms will be built in NAES while 33 classrooms each are being built in PHS and BVRMHS.

Mohammad Ali Tambako, chairman of the Justice for Islamic Movement (JIM) was arrested in General Santos City, together with five companions.