The Ombudsman and PNoy

Now that the Ombudsman has resigned, what is next for the Aquino administration?



As Neil Tupas said, the impeachment trial would now be moot and academic. But if the administration allies really want to prosecute Merci because of her alleged inaction, then they should proceed with the impeachment trial. Otherwise, the other penalty of disqualification to hold public office would not be imposed - that is if the impeachment court finds her guilty. By the way, compared to Tupas who had a number of graft and corruption charges before the Ombudsman, Merci has no record of pocketing a single centavo in her entire tenure in the government service.

Tupas as head of the prosecution panel seems to have relaxed and is content with the resignation. That means he was probably instructed by Aquino to initiate the impeachment complaint for the sake of pressuring the Ombudsman to resign so that he (Aquino) can appoint his own Ombudsman. It must be noted that there is no need for the Commission on Appointments to confirm the appointed Ombudsman. President Aquino has a free hand in this future appointment.

In the first place, the present administration was in a hurry to proceed with the impeachment only to cover up President Aquino's obvious inaction to the more important complaints of the public, especially the poor - rising oil prices followed by rising prices of commodities. Poverty issues are not co-equal with corruption issues. The former is a more important concern for majority of the Filipinos.

This current development in the Philippine government is a lesser concern for Aquino. Ang mas mahalaga ay ang nagugutom at nahihirapan na mga Pilipino. Nasaan si Benigno Simeon Aquino III para tumulong?

PNoy and his trivial deeds

During the Holy Week, PNoy spent some time inspecting bus terminals and airports to "ensure" the safety of the public as they leave for the provinces. A radio commentator and a former president said, and I agree with them, that what PNoy did was too shallow of an activity for a head of state. It was simple police work which he should have left with his PNP chief. Once again, he has downgraded the office of the chief executive by doing stuff suited for a subordinate. Whoever advised him to go around the bus terminals is clearly a mediocre person. It's the President for chrissakes!

Yesterday, PNoy made news again, another showbiz news for that matter. He visited the wake of teen idol AJ Perez (RIP) as it was said he was a friend of the family. Again, another "state" event which caused the media to make a full story out of it. Well he may have just condoled with the family of the deceased so this is quite forgiveable. But then again, his the President! Now I expect him to visit the wakes of every deceased poor Filipino. Diba boss niya tayo?

Then there's his easter message for the former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. Like his palengkera sister Kris, he has this penchant for talking around as if he/she is a saint. Pareho silang sumusuka ng mapagpanggap na mga salita.

These are just some of what PNoy did lately which makes me think of him as "unpresidential." As regards the rising oil price, he has nothing concrete to say. As regards impending food security issues, he has nothing to say.

Oil Price Hike and PNoy

What does President Benigno Aquino III have to say about the rapidly increasing oil prices and the sudden backtracking of oil companies on their posted price hikes? He says his people will study and investigate the incident. As always, his student-council type of leadership is irritating. In the middle of all this he would just engage in investigations instead of taking positive actions to help the poor Juan dela Cruz from the ill effects of the selfishness of these oil companies.

During the Holy Week, gasing up was a pain in the ass. Tanks don't get filled up much with just P500 pesos. Yet Noynoy Aquino says he'll ask his Energy people to find out what happened.

Oh my bigas!

Sabi ng Agriculture Secretary mayroon daw sapat na imbak ng bigas para sa bansa at hindi dapat mangamba sa rice crisis. Sabi naman ng NFA maaari daw kailanganin na mag-import tayo ng bigas.

Ano ba talaga mga ser? Niloloko niyo ba kami o pinapaasa lang?

Baka naman hirap lang sa pag-amin si Pnoy dahil binabatikos niya noon ang rice importation ng nakaraang administrasyon. Hindi niya kasi naunawaan noon na nag-import bilang paghahanda sa maaaring maging kakulangan ng supply sa world market.

Napakaimportante ng bigas sa ating mga Pilipino. Mabigat na pasakit sa ating mga ordinaryong Pinoy ang pagmahal ng presyo ng bigas sa gitna ng patuloy na pagbulusok ng presyo ng iba pang mga pangunahing bilihin. Kailangang maging tiyak at maingat ang ating pamahalaan sa pag-monitor ng supply nito, at hindi makakatulong ang mga magkakasalungat na pahayag tungkol dito.

Corruption in the Philippines.

Here's a copy of PERC's letter on the Philippines' corruption record.






Here's a copy of PERC's report on the Philippines' corruption record.