‘DOUBLE-CROSS’ ANGLE HINTED IN SLAY TRY VS. LIM AIDE

By Marlon Ramos, Allison Lopez
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Filed Under: Crime, Law & Justice,Local authorities

MANILA, Philippines – The attempt last week on the life of Rafaelito Garayblas, Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim’s executive secretary, could be the handiwork of people whom the former allegedly “double-crossed.”

Lawyer Ferdinand Topacio, Chinatown Development Authority of Manila (MCDA) secretary general, said in an interview earlier this week that the slay try could be an offshoot of “under the table deals” at the Manila City Hall between Garayblas and some businessmen.

MCDA, an agency created by Lim, is made up of some of the most influential Chinese-Filipino businessmen in the city, with Dante Ang, head of Commission on Overseas Filipinos, as chair.

Topacio, who said he was appointed to his post by Lim, said he learned about the supposed irregularities at City Hall when some Chinese-Filipino traders came to his office to air their concerns.

These included Garayblas’ alleged involvement in the city government’s controversial P400 million-garbage collection project.

The businessmen also claimed that Garayblas influenced the conduct of the bidding for metal plates used in making business permits, Topacio added.

“As executive secretary of the mayor, the documents about these projects go directly to Garayblas. Projects will not start unless he gives his blessing,” he told the Inquirer.

Asked if Lim knew about the supposed corruption in his administration, Topacio replied, “Maybe he doesn’t. But now he should.”

Topacio, who said he was appointed as assistant secretary when Lim took over as interior secretary, said he had even written the mayor about the purported irregularities at City Hall although he did not receive any reply.

“I respect Mayor Lim. He is a good and incorruptible public servant. But I suggest that he use his skills as a former police general to investigate the dealings of some of his trusted men,” he said.

Lim, however, stood by Garayblas in the face of Topacio’s allegations.

Sought for comment, he dismissed the reports as “conjectures” and said the city government would let the police do its job of probing the attempt on Garayblas’ life.

“We cannot indulge in these speculations. We will let the Quezon City police do their work because they are the principal investigators of this ambush. We will just play a supporting role because we are also interested in finding out who are the masterminds who commissioned these people to kill Secretary Garayblas,” he told the Inquirer Wednesday.

On June 12, motorcycle-riding men opened fire on Garayblas’ car as it was traveling on Quezon Avenue at around 7:30 p.m.

His companions, among them his 27-year-old son Paulo, managed to return fire and kill one of the gunmen.

Five other people were wounded in the attack while one of the gunmen, later identified as Christopher Abasula, was killed by the official’s bodyguards.

Lim defended his longtime lawyer-friend for his “integrity and character” and said Garayblas could not be involved in irregularities.

“He is a stickler for what the law is and for complying with existing regulations. You cannot make him change his mind once he has decided, because he will stand by what is the rule of law,” he added.

Lim, however, stressed that anyone who has knowledge about questionable transactions should come out in the open and back it up with evidence.

“My policy there is I will not make any comment unless it is supported by facts. If someone knows something, we will pursue it,” he said.

Meanwhile, in an open letter posted at the City Hall website, Garayblas’ son and assistant secretary to the mayor, Pio, said the rumors about his father were “not true.”

“Instead of emulating and honoring the dedication, integrity and sacrifices of people like my father, these people are trying to destroy him. My father will not back down and I hope the people who believe in him will not lose faith in him,” Pio said.

He thanked those who have expressed support for his father, even the people behind the slay attempt, saying the incident has given them a “stronger resolve.”

Referendum vs oil depot ordinance filed

Referendum vs oil depot ordinance filed
Terms of reference for risk assessor to be finalized
BY LOUELLA D. DESIDERIO and JOSE BIMBO F. SANTOS, Business World

A PEOPLE’S INITIATIVE was filed with the Commission on Elections (Comelec) yesterday that seeks to repeal an ordinance allowing the continued operation of the Pandacan oil depot as well as other medium and heavy industries in Manila.

Councilor Lourdes Isip-Garcia told reporters at the Liwasang Bonifacio Shrine yesterday that the group, led by the organizations Manileño Kontra Abuso and Tanggulan ng mga Barangay Kagawad sa Tondo Foreshore (TABAK-TF), filed the petition due to the inaction of the Manila city council on the petition against the ordinance signed by over 2,000 residents and filed on June 23.

“The deadline for the city council was to act on it until July 23 but it was never included in the agenda [nor was it] referred to a committee,” she told reporters.

The petition seeks to repeal Ordinance 8187 which mainly allowed the continued operation of the oil depot in Pandacan by Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp., Caltex Philippines (renamed Chevron Philippines, Inc.) and Petron Corp.

“Our aim is very clear. We are fighting for the relocation of the Pandacan oil depot to the countryside where it will not pose any danger or harm to people, or cause any potential destruction to property,” TABAK-TF President Danilo C. Isiderio said yesterday.

He noted that the filing of the petition with Comelec is a form of redress provided for under Republic Act 6735 or the Initiative and Referendum Act, which allows registered voters to propose, enact, amend or repeal an ordinance through a petition with at least 1,000 signatures.

With their petition filed before the Comelec, Mr. Isiderio said the commission is expected to set up signature stations to determine the holding of a plebiscite.

Manila has a total of 1,020,144 registered voters. A plebiscite will only be held if the number of collected signatures reaches 10% of the registered voters or 102,014, including at least 3% of the registered voters per district.

Ordinance 8187 was signed into law by Mayor Alfredo S. Lim on May 28. It overturned Ordinances 8027 and 8119. Ordinance 8027, enacted in 2001, reclassified Sta. Ana and Pandacan as commercial from industrial areas and ordered the removal of the oil depot.

Passed by the council in 2006, Ordinance 8119 imposed a ban on medium and heavy industries and gave affected businesses seven years to vacate the city.

Sought for comment, Councilor Arlene W. Koa, author of Ordinance 8187, said that the people’s initiative would allow residents to speak for themselves on the local law.

“Let us just wait for the outcome of the people’s initiative. From the way I see it, the people of Manila are happy with the ordinance,” she said in a text message yesterday.

For his part, Chevron Communication Manager Antonio V. Nebrida said in a separate text message yesterday that they would have to first read and study the petition before giving a comment.

Roberto S. Kanapi, Shell vice-president for communications, also said yesterday they would defer comment pending receipt of a copy of the petition.

Risk assessor

Meanwhile, the panel that will draft the terms of reference for the commissioning of a third-party risk assessor for the Pandacan oil terminal in Manila will convene next week.

“We really plan to finish this as soon as possible so by the first week of September the panel will already meet for the terms of reference of the project,” Mr. Kanapi, said in a separate interview.

The panel will have representatives from the Church, the local government of Manila, Department of Energy, Department of Interior and Local Government and from the academe, namely, the University of the Philippines and the University of the Asia and the Pacific.

The panel will also have a representative from the Social Justice Society, which earlier filed a petition that seeks to stop the implementation of an ordinance allowing the operations of the three oil companies in Pandacan.

Mr. Kanapi said they have yet to receive confirmation from the Church after sending out a request to Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal B. Rosales.

The group is also studying which entity to tap as third-party risk assessor.

“We now have short-listed four, but we plan to get at least 10 names. These are mostly foreign companies who are experts in safety and risk assessments,” Mr. Kanapi said.

“We have no estimates yet on the budget and also the time lines, but we plan to finish this as soon as possible,” he added.

Chevron, Petron and Shell announced in June the formation of a third-party risk assessor in the hopes of finally settling fears regarding the safety and pollution measures at the oil depot.

The oil companies have repeatedly stressed that the depot meets international and Philippine standards on safety and pollution controls.

Atienza to Lim: What bankruptcy?

Environment Secretary Lito Atienza yesterday denounced allegations that the City of Manila was “bankrupt” after his third term as mayor of the country’s capital.

“Records clearly show that Manila had a P2.6-billion fund after my term officially expired in 2007,” he said, standing on his track record as the only Manila mayor elected for three consecutive terms.

Atienza said his nine-year administration gave the city “a very healthy economy” that efficiently collected taxes which were returned to residents through the Buhayin ang Maynila urban renewal and development program.

“Inheriting a poor annual revenue collection of only P2 billion from my predecessor in 1998, my administration, through innovative reforms, overwhelmingly raised it up to P8 billion. Our income-generating efforts were evidenced by topping the ranks in a centerspread published 2006 financial report of no less than the Commission on Audit and Department of Finance,” he said, referring the incumbent.

He said hospitals and health centers had adequate equipment and medicine stocks while nutrition programs were in place.

Atienza noted that young Manilans, especially from poor families, obtained quality education even as businesses thrived, generating jobs and livelihood.

He said transactions were streamlined to do away with red tape and corruption.

Manila was safe, he added, because law violators were arrested and punished.

With garbage regularly collected and roads well maintained, the city enjoyed a clean and healthy environment.

“We had a vision pursued and delivered. My performance as Manila’s father is proof of genuine public service. Lies being peddled must be corrected.”

Atienza said the present administration had no one else to blame for its bankruptcy.
METRO SECTION-MANILA STANDARD AUGUST 3,2009

Mayor Lim cannot be compared to Among Ed

Philippine Daily Inquirer
Letter to the Editor

I am writing in reaction to Neal H. Cruz’s Aug. 27 column.

Cruz described Gov. Ed Panlilio of Pampanga province as “incorruptible” and then likened Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim to him. With due respect, I say the parallelism is tenuous and unfair. I hold Among Ed, together with Gov. Grace Padaca of Isabela province and Mayor Jesse Robredo of Naga City, in the highest regard for his example of moral governance.

It is clear that Cruz was referring to the controversial takeover by the Lim administration of the city’s slaughterhouse facilities operated by Dealco. It is unfortunate that the column only presented “information,” not facts, released by the PR team of Lim. He mentioned that “the operator of the city slaughterhouse… does not want to pay the City of Manila for the lease….” Dealco’s official receipts, among other documents, show that this is a blatant lie desperately woven to hide the true motives of the mayor in ordering the extrajudicial takeover of the facility. Lim’s abuse of authority is now the subject of an ongoing investigation being conducted by the Ombudsman, and so I will refrain from commenting further on it. I am confident that an impartial inquiry will ultimately reveal the truth.

With respect to the issue of conflict of interest, the contract between Dealco and the previous administration was signed in 1999. I entered politics only in 2007. As for the allegation that the slaughterhouse has “deteriorated into a pigsty,” the media coverage of the July 11 incident revealed a clean and orderly facility. Records clearly show that Dealco infused millions of pesos to rehabilitate and modernize the facility.

Cruz writes: “The councilor egged his fellow councilors to resign from their positions in the council but continue to collect their salaries.” The claim that a neophyte like me instigated them is an insult to their intelligence. I would like to clarify that my fellow councilors joined me in my cause without any instigation on my part. Councilors act on their conscience. Moreover, the Philippine Councilors’ League and other groups have also condemned the act done to me by Lim.

Dealco may one day recover the P70-P100 million in losses that it has incurred and continues to incur because of the takeover. But my name and reputation are worth much more. Any damage done here is irreparable.

I respect Cruz as a writer, but I feel that he may have allowed himself to be misled in this particular issue. I hope that Inquirer’s reporters and columnists will look into the issues of this case with more diligence next time, in the interest of truth and fairness.

DENNIS B. ALCOREZA, councilor, First District of Manila

Razon confirms bid for Manila mayor

Razon confirms bid for Manila mayor
By Nestor Etolle, The Philippine Star

MANILA, Philippines – It will be a battle of former police chiefs for Manila’s mayoral post in the May 2010 elections.

Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Avelino Razon Jr., who became chief of the Manila Police District twice in 1997 and 2000, announced his bid for the mayoral post of Manila when he attended the blessing and inauguration of the MPD branch of the Philippine National Police Services Stores System yesterday morning.

“I will definitely run for mayor of Manila in the May 2010 elections. Manila residents are calling for alternative and change (in leadership) and I will offer my humble self to them,” Razon told The STAR.

Razon, fondly called “Kuya Sonny” by Manilans, said he came to know of the concerns of city residents in several consultation meetings he had attended, especially in depressed areas.

“Health care, job opportunities and respect and protection of their basic human rights are the prime concerns of Manila residents, and they are looking for a leader who can deliver them justly and equitably,” Razon said, adding that he would seek the highest post in the city under a platform of change.

Razon, who became PNP chief in 2008, is the author of the PNP Transformation Program, which seeks to change the tarnished image of policemen.

He was popularly known among the masses as “Mamang Pulis” during his police career.

He said he has no political party at the moment, but might join the Asenso Manileño of Vice Mayor Isko Moreno whom he may tap as running mate.

Political watchers said it would be a battle of two former Manila police chiefs if Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim decides to seek re-election. Lim also once headed the MPD.

Former three-time Manila mayor Lito Atienza, now environment and natural resources secretary, is also reportedly thinking of a comeback as the city’s chief executive.

OMBUDSMAN ASKED ‘Suspend Manila mayor, his vice over depot’

OMBUDSMAN ASKED
‘Suspend Manila mayor, his vice over depot’

By Edson C. Tandoc Jr.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

MANILA, Philippines—A militant group on Monday asked the Office of the Ombudsman to suspend Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim and Vice Mayor Isko Moreno for allowing the continued operation of the Pandacan oil depot.

In a seven-page complaint filed with the Office of the Ombudsman, lawyer Virgilio Cabigao and eight other members of the Advocates for Environmental and Social Justice (AESJ) said Lim and Moreno violated their oath of office and that their decision was prejudicial to public interest.

The AESJ is opposing the ordinance recently passed by the city government which reclassified the area where the oil depot is located as an industrial area. The move, according to the group, is contrary to the ruling of the Supreme Court which upheld the area’s classification as a commercial zone, thus banning the operations of the oil facility.

The AESJ said in its complaint that the passage of the city ordinance “is mind-boggling” because it places “in danger the safety and general welfare of the city and its inhabitants.”

The group asked that Lim and Moreno not only be placed under preventive suspension, but also be dismissed from public office.

Lim at Atienza, insecure kay General Razon

Lim at Atienza, insecure kay General Razon
BANAT NI BATUIGAS Ni Bening Batuigas Updated April 14, 2009 12:00 AM
Pilipino Star Ngayon
(Part 1)

HINDI mapakali ang kampo nina Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim at DENR Sec. Lito Atienza habang nag-iikot si dating PNP chief Avelino Razon sa Kamaynilaan para ipaliwanag ang proseso ng peace process. Si Razon kasi mga suki ang presidential adviser ng peace process kaya minabuti niyang ipaliwanag sa mga urban poor ang trabaho niya. Kaya lang, habang nag-iikot si Razon sa Tondo at iba pang lugar sa Maynila, aba mukhang nai-insecure na ang kampo nina Lim at Atienza. Bakit kaya? Alam kong ibinabando na ng kampo nina Lim at Atienza na magsasagupa sila sa labanan ng pagka-mayor ng Maynila sa 2010 national elections. At bakit nai-insecure sila ke Razon na pilit na pinapa-intinde sa urban poor ang trabaho niya? Ahhh! Sina Lim lang at Atienza ang nakakaalam ng dahilan, di ba mga suki?

Kung sabagay si Razon ay naging hepe ng MPD, ng NCRPO at ng PNP. Sa mahigit 30 taon niyang panunung­kulan sa gobyerno, makikita naman na ang sinasabing public service ang inuna niya. Kaya naman napremyuhan siya ni President Arroyo bilang kalihim nga at sa peace process kung saan angkop sa experience niya. Kailan lang kasi nagretiro sa PNP si Razon at ilang araw lang ang pahinga niya at nabigyan uli ng puwesto. Kung me tiwala si GMA ke Razon, ibig sabihin niyan pati ang sambayanan eh meron din, di ba mga suki? Kaya hindi dapat pasukan ng pulitika ang pag-iiikot ni Razon hindi lang sa Maynila kundi sa ibang lugar ng Pilipinas dahil saklaw ito ng trabaho niya. Hehehe! Basta ako hindi insecure sa ginagawa ni Razon, di ba mga suki?

Kaya ko naisulat si Razon mga suki dahil kalat na sa MPD na ginigipit siya ng kampo nina Lim at Atienza sa pag-iikot niya sa Maynila. Tulad na lang noong nakaraang Sabado kung saan dapat 200 barangay chairman ng District 2 ang nais makipagpulong ke Razon subalit 50 lang ang dumating. Ang balitang kumakalat sa MPD kaya hindi dumating ang ibang chairman sa meeting ni Razon ay dahil sa hinarass sila ng kampo nina Lim at Atienza. Kaya tuloy iilan lang ang nakarinig ng paliwanag ni Razon ukol sa ginagawang peace process ng gobyerno. Hindi lang naman kasi sa mga MILF nakipag-negosasyon ang gobyerno para sa lasting peace sa bansa kundi maging sa komunista at iba pa. Kaya habang panay suspetsa ang kampo nina Lim at Atienza sa adhikain ni Razon, ang natatalo ay ang gobyerno natin. Hehehe! Mukhang hindi na nakakatulog ang kampo ni Lim at Atienza sa insecurities nila ke Razon ah, di ba mga suki?

May balita pa na matapos magpaliwanag din ang kabuluhan ng peace process ng gobyerno sa Muslim Center sa Quiapo, aba nagplano na ang kampo ni Mayor Lim na ipa-demolish ang mga bahay doon na sa tingin niya ay mga squatters. Di ba ang tawag diyan ay benggansa? Abangan!

MANILA MAYOR ALFREDO LIM AND JUETENG

Jueteng makes comeback in Manila?
By Nestor Etolle July 05, 2009, The Philippine Star

MANILA, Philippines – Intelligence officers of the Manila Police District (MPD) are verifying reports that operators of jueteng, an illegal numbers game, are slowly resuming their activities in the city.

Anti-crime operatives of Meisic police station, led by Senior Police Officer 4 Ver Navarro, nabbed last Tuesday Angelina Nepomuceno, alias “Angge,” 52, while allegedly collecting jueteng bets in Binondo. Recovered from Nepomuceno were more than P200, a ballpen and a list of number bets.

During interrogation, Nepomuceno named the jueteng “cabo” or maintainer as a certain “Gorie,” while the financier is one “Edmund.” She said they have been in operation since May and the drawing of the winning bets is mostly done in the Sta. Cruz area, with operators hopping from one place to another to escape arrest.

Meisic police station chief Superintendent Nelson Yabut directed his men to intensify the city’s crackdown on jueteng following reports that the illegal numbers game has resurfaced in the city with the blessing of unscrupulous police and city hall officials.

“Our investigation showed jueteng lords in the city operate ‘kangaroo’ style or transfer from one place to another to escape detection. Jueteng bet collectors hide their operation through EZ-2 lotto of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office,” Yabut told The STAR.

Jueteng collectors pretend they are soliciting bets for the government-sponsored EZ-2 lotto to escape arrest. EZ-2 and jueteng both involve placing bets on a winning two-number combination. While the former is legal and drawn live on television, the winning jueteng combination is reportedly picked by operators, who choose combinations with fewer bets.

Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim and MPD director Chief Superintendent Rodolfo Magtibay have repeatedly announced that they will not allow jueteng in the city.

Manila Archishop Cardinal Gaudencio Rosales Vows To Continue The Fight Against Ordinance 8187

Manila archbishop declares ‘Ecology Sunday’ every month
By Evelyn Macairan, July 5, 2009, The Philippine Star

MANILA, Philippines – To further demonstrate its officials’ objection to the continued operation of the Pandacan oil depot, the Archdiocese of Manila has declared every third Sunday of every month as Ecology Sunday.

The CBCPNews, the official news service provider of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), reported yesterday that Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales dedicated the third Sunday of every month to promoting the cause of ecology.

The archdiocese’s Ecology Desk released guidelines on observing Ecology Sundays in the parishes.

Rosales said the archdiocese should implement activities to educate the people on the current environmental issues, particularly those surrounding a city ordinance allowing the oil depot’s stay.

“Let us engage in a catechesis of the integrity of creation by ‘circles of discernment’ in our parishes and school’s ministry,” Rosales said.

The archdiocese strongly objected to the passage and implementation of Ordinance 7177 that allowed the continued operation of the Pandacan oil depot and other establishments that are believed to be pollutive industries.

In a letter earlier sent to Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim, Rosales and three other bishops explained that “the poison these industries emit and produce will affect not only our city, but will have greater impact on the lives and well-being of people in other areas. Air and water pollution travel fast, and the effects could be more catastrophic for people along the slopes of Antipolo City or the banks of the Pasig River.”

Ordinance 7177 is also against the laws on Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act, Rosales said.

Last month, the archdiocese issued a pastoral letter urging every parish and school under his archdiocese to start a signature campaign against the oil facility.

Rosales also appealed to the people to pray for the abolition of the city ordinance. “Our political leaders should be reminded of their role to ensure the safety and security of our people,” he said.

Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim’s Son Tests Positive for Shabu