House set to launch probe on Ulysses floods
“As the death toll continues to rise, and the extent of damage is slowly being revealed, there is an urgent need to examine the actions that were taken during, before and after the onslaught of Typhoon Ulysses,” Velasco said......»»
House sets probe on flooding in Cagayan, Isabela
The House of Representatives’ committee on agriculture and food has scheduled a hearing next Tuesday to investigate the massive floods that submerged areas in Cagayan and Isabela at the height of Typhoon “Ulysses.”.....»»
Another disgraceful police scandal
With too many whys, a clear-cut and independent full-blown investigation is imperative into the now infamous alleged police cover-up and pilferage of illegal drugs worth billions. But by any yardstick, the police can’t be a party to such an investigation. Not only because the investigation involves top police officers but also — and more damningly — because the police brass hasn’t been exactly forthright about their own promised probe of the disgraceful incident. In fact, Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos said that as early as February, his department had raised concerns to police brass about the slow pace of the police investigation into the arrest of Police Master Sergeant Rodolfo Mayo Jr., the seizure of illegal drugs worth P6.7 billion, and what happened to the drug haul afterward. Apparently, the concerns were ignored, forcing Mr. Abalos to launch another inquiry, this time with the National Police Commission in the lead. It was only after Mr. Abalos publicly disclosed what he described as a “massive attempt to cover up” Mayo’s arrest did the police brass divulge its investigation report that found a coterie of 49 Drug Enforcement Group officers and men liable for criminal and administrative charges amid irregularities in the illegal drug seizure. At the same time, police also officially divulged that some DEG officers speciously stole from the drug haul at least 42 kg of illegal drugs, that was found in an abandoned car near Camp Crame. Mr. Abalos wasn’t alone in raising suspicions about the slow pace of the official police probe into Mayo’s arrest last October, however. Last month, an evidently peeved Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, chairperson of the House Committee on Dangerous Drugs, lashed out, saying that after six months the police special investigation task group looking into the incident still had nothing to show for it. “Why is it said that the PNP SITG is foot-dragging or dilly-dallying on their probe? Are they covering up for something we don’t know or are they still trying to make up a different script about his arrest and involvement in shabu stockpiling and possibly for recycling?” Mr. Barbers furiously asked then. Aside from these damning cover-up allegations, a flurry of other questions surfaced about Mayo’s arrest. CCTV footage, for instance, purportedly showed that instead of immediately spiriting away a handcuffed Mayo following his arrest in Tondo, Manila, police officers entered a nearby building with him and then suspiciously transferred bags and luggage into several vehicles. The building in question, which Mayo allegedly owned, was where the illegal drugs were stored. Even more puzzling, Abalos said, the police apparently already had Mayo in their custody even before the raid. A DEG report claimed he was arrested after a hot pursuit operation the following day. Worse, Mayo was even listed as an arresting officer in a different operation on the day of the raid. In the aftermath, other serious issues surfaced, including revelations of the disgusting practice of drug operatives setting aside 30 percent of seized illegal drugs to pay off informants. Nonetheless, the latest police scandal ricochets into broader issues like if the police organization can still restore integrity and professionalism in the ranks amid the temptations of lucrative criminal activities. Particularly so since the police brass haven’t so far demonstrated political will for serious reforms. Outgoing PNP chief Gen. Adolfo Azurin Jr., who is set to retire tomorrow (24 April), for instance, was reticent about the Abalos exposè until last week, only to issue a lame blanket denial that senior police officers had covered up the Mayo case. Yet, something must urgently be done about the increasing police involvement in mafia-life criminal undertakings. We can’t take such urgency lightly. A recent report by the Global Initiative Against Transnational Crime, for instance, predicts that emboldened Filipino mafia-style criminal groups, particularly state-embedded actors like the police, are going to step up their nefarious violent doings in the next few years. Not doing anything now therefore means we’ll end up paying a steep price later on. Email: nevqjr@yahoo.com.ph The post Another disgraceful police scandal appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
House sets probe into Cagayan, Isabela floods next week
The House of Representatives Committee on Agriculture and Food will be conducting next Tuesday its first hearing on the massive flooding in Cagayan and Isabela largely blamed by local government officials on the release of water from the Magat Dam......»»
House sets probe on Cagayan, Isabela floods next week
The House of Representatives Committee on Agriculture and Food will be conducting next Tuesday its first hearing on the massive flooding in Cagayan and Isabela largely blamed by local government officials on the release of water from the Magat Dam......»»
Not only Marikina and Rizal: Isabela submerged, too; appeals for aid
MANILA, Philippines — Residents of Sta. Maria town in Isabela province have called on the government for assistance as they also experienced massive floods due to Typhoon Ulysses. Photos sent to INQUIRER.net by Ronald Gatan, a resident of Barangay Quinagabian in Sta. Maria showed waters already reaching up to the second floor of their house, […] The post Not only Marikina and Rizal: Isabela submerged, too; appeals for aid appeared first on Cebu Daily News......»»
House to probe late distribution of cash doleout
The House of Representatives will launch an inquiry into the confusion and delays that marred the distribution of cash and other government assistance by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic......»»
Lawmakers seek probe on students rights violations in UST
Lawmakers at the House of Representatives filed a resolution urging an investigation into several reported instances of censorship and restrictions allegedly imposed on students at the University of Santo Tomas......»»
House probe on irregular sale of NFA rice set on March 7
The House agri committee will investigate on Thursday the disadvantageous sale of 75,000 sacks of deteriorating or aging rice by the NFA......»»
House probe on NAIA bed bugs sought
An investigation into bed bugs plaguing the Ninoy Aquino International Airport must be conducted by the House of Representatives, according to Rep. Marissa Magsino......»»
House probe sought on country’s forest fire fighting capabilities
A lawmaker is calling on the House of Representatives to probe the government’s capability in combatting forest fires following the series of forest fires in Benguet province and elsewhere......»»
Probe on online sale of smuggled onions sought
The rampant online selling of smuggled onions and other agricultural products must be investigated by the House of Representatives as it is detrimental to local farmers’ livelihood and consumers’ health, according to AGRI party-list Rep. Wilbert Lee......»»
Frasco seeks House probe on Metro Cebu traffic crisis
MANDAUE CITY, Cebu – On Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14, Deputy Speaker and Cebu 5th District Rep. Vincent Franco “Duke” Frasco filed House Resolution No. 1592 that directs the House Committees on Transportation and Good Government and Public Accountability to investigate the traffic crisis that is currently affecting Metro Cebu and identify possible solutions to said.....»»
TURNING POINT: The Sword of Damocles
NAAWAN, Misamis Oriental (MindaNews / 03 February) – Last November when the House of Representatives passed a resolution urging the palace to cooperate with the International Criminal Court (ICC) on its probe of the war on drugs in the country, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. declared to study the possibility of rejoining the Court. Yet, he […].....»»
Cong. Pulong Duterte got P51-B budget in three years
It was his own statement about having his district budget reduced this year that got House members to probe and discover that Davao City First District Representative Paolo ‘Pulong’ Duterte, son of former President Rodrigo Duterte, had received P51 billion in the past years......»»
UN rapporteur urged to investigate government s use of trolls
A House minority lawmaker has called on a visiting United Nations special rapporteur to probe the government’s alleged use of “trolls” or anonymous accounts for propaganda......»»
ACT solon moves to probe efforts to jumpstart Cha-cha
MANILA, Philippines — A resolution seeking to investigate the reported signature-buying and the alleged use of public funds to push for constitutional reform or Charter change (Cha-cha) through the “so-called” people’s initiative (PI), has been filed in the House of Representatives. Alliance of Concerned Teachers Rep. France Castro said on Sunday that she electronically filed.....»»
Makabayan bloc seeks probe into funding of charter change initiatives
In a resolution Reps. France Castro (ACT Teachers Party-list), Arlene Brosas (Gabriela Women’s Party) and Raoul Manuel (Kabataan Party-list) called for a probe by the House’s committee on public accounts, stressing the public deserves to know the source of funding for the renewed attempt to change the Constitution. .....»»
House sets probe of ‘corruption’ in PUVMP
Speaker Martin Romualdez has directed the House of Representatives’ transportation committee to investigate the public utility vehicle modernization program, saying he has received reports that it is fraught with corruption......»»
House probe sought on corruption allegations in PUV modernization plan
Romualdez said that he has directed the chairperson of the House transportation committee to conduct a probe into reports received by his office alleging current transport officials colluded with former officials to negotiate the imported modern jeepney units that will replace the traditional vehicles......»»
House probe sought over billions worth of undelivered DepEd learning equipment
Makabayan bloc lawmakers have urged the House of Representatives to investigate the billions worth of learning equipment that the Department of Education has failed to deliver to students due to an ongoing tussle with a previously contracted logistics firm......»»