By Raïssa Robles
There is an e-mail going around, purportedly from University of the Philippines Professor Miriam Coronel asking for a loan.
Here it is below:
I really hope you get this fast. I could not inform anyone about our trip, because it was impromptu. we had to be in Kuala Lumpur(Malaysia) for Tour.. The program was successful, but our journey has turned sour. we misplaced our wallet and cell phone on our way back to the hotel we lodge in after we went for sight seeing. The wallet contained all the valuables we had. Now, our passport is in custody of the hotel management pending when we make payment.
I am sorry if i am inconveniencing you, but i have only very few people to run to now. i will be indeed very grateful if i can get a short term loan from you(2,550). this will enable me sort our hotel bills and get my sorry self back home. I will really appreciate whatever you can afford in assisting me with. I promise to refund it in full as soon as soon as I return. let me know if you can be of any assistance. Please, let me know soonest. Thanks so much.
Prof. Miriam Coronel Ferrer
Chairperson, GPH Negotiating Panel for Talks with the MILF
Department of Political Science, University of the Philippines
I just hope she did not put any confidential files in her e-mail account.
curveball says
another scam:
Notice From: Philippines Charity Foundation (PCF)
Congrat’s Ur Cell# Had Won (Php. 500,000) 2nd Category Winner Sponsored by SEN. GRACE POE to claim ur prize call me now I’m Sec. Rey M. Acosta. Thank you.
Ang swerte ko naman ng dahil lang sa cp# ko aya mananalo ako ng 500,000 pesos. Ang dami naman pera ni Sen Grace Poe at pinamimigay na lang ng ganito.
Sec. Rey Acosta, di ba dapat ibigay nyo ito sa mas nangangailangan o kaya ay sa mga charity institutions tulad ng Elsie Gatches, Home for the Aged o kaya sa Boy’s Town?
Mga tao nga naman bakit kailangan pang mangloko ng kapwa? Bakit di magtrabaho ng maayos. Yun bang lumaban ng parehas?
leona says
Banko sekreto law…the BIR Chief says “MANILA, Philippines – The country’s “restrictive, archaic” Bank Secrecy Law remains a major stumbling block in weeding out corruption and should therefore be amended, the head of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) said yesterday.
In an interview, BIR commissioner Kim Henares said a modified law is needed to give the state revenue collector greater access to accounts of suspected tax evaders to verify tax compliance.
Henares said the Bank Secrecy Law on peso and dollar deposits continues to hamper transparent governance and makes it more difficult for the agency to clamp down on tax evasion.
She added that the law has been a big hindrance to effective investigations into tax evasion as it has allowed tax cheats and money launderers to use banks to hide their ill-gotten wealth.
Under Republic Act 1405, also known as the Bank Secrecy Law of the Philippines, all deposits of whatever nature with banks or banking institutions, including investments in bonds issued by the government, are absolutely confidential in nature with the exception of a written consent of the depositor.
Currently, tax authorities can only gain access to bank accounts of a firm or individual through a court order.”
…as I sekretly say here…that law should be restructured: all public officials’ bank deposits should not be covered by any ‘secrets’ and should be ‘opened’ up for any investigations…the burden of proof is on them that it is legit money and not fishy kawat-kawat atbpa!
…the PEOPLE should insists that such ‘laws’ of this kind should be like that…OPENNESS! No SECRETS!
leona says
This not-good news says “InterAksyon.com
The online news portal of TV5
MANILA, Philippines — Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Sunday lauded the decision of a Makati Regional Trial Court trashing the petition to enforce the 18-year-old judgment of the United States District Court in Hawaii that awarded compensatory and exemplary damages to human rights victims during martial law.
In a statement issue on Sunday, the son and namesake of the former dictator said that their family felt vindicated by the decision.
“We feel vindicated because the judge (Pascua) recognized the arguments that we have been making for many years now,” Marcos said, referring to the 11-page decision dated June 25, 2013 penned by Judge Bonifacio S. Pascua of National Capital Judicial Region, Branch 56 of Makati City, dismissing the petition thus: “The final judgment in the case MDL No. 840 against the estate of the late Ferdinand R. Marcos et. al. is not conclusive yet, but presumptive evidence of a right of the petitioners against the Marcos estate.”
Marcos said the petition stemmed from a verdict on February 3, 1995 by the US District Court awarding plaintiffs Priscila C Mijares et. al. $2,260,000,000 as compensatory and exemplary damages after they won in the Class Action MDL 840. On May 21, 1997, the plaintiffs filed a petition for enforcement of the foreign judgment here in the Philippines.
“In his decision, Pascua said the plaintiffs have not presented any new evidence and that they anchored their cause of action in Hawaii upon the Torture of Victims Protection Act (TVPA), which was signed by President George H. W. Bush on March 12, 1992,” Marcos said in the statement.
Quoting the TVPA, Marcos said “a court shall decline to hear a claim…if the claimant has not exhausted adequate and available remedies in the place in which the conduct giving rise to the claim occurred.”
…next time, we have a people’s revo…and making a new constitution, the ‘Revo Gov’t’ should implace provisions in it to the effect that the ‘evidence’ in recovering looted wealth, killings by corrupt dictatorships, atbpa, should be the burden of the suspects or accused rather than prosecutors/complainants. BURDEN OF PROOF in such cases is on the accused/respondent/etc.
…why? Because looting/killings, atbpa, were all done without due process and by abuse. Why give such due process to such acts by such actors? Foolish!
…but this is water under the bridge already. Next time Next time na lang. Cory Revo gov’t missed that chance!
Due process in such app to corrupt and abusive officials are ‘undue process’…meaning never come to fruition for the poor victims, atbpa!
…why all the brainy people in that revo gov’t missed to think this way is unbelievable! Experts kuno! Now, see the ‘undue-ness’ of the whole thing. Sad sad…sadsad talaga!
leona says
News! Sen. Lacson says “Lacson eager to entrap corrupt govt officials
July 14, 2013 9:57 pm
by JEFFERSON ANTIPORDA
REPORTER
Former senator Panfilo Lacson wants to hit the ground running when he assumes his new post as head of an anti-corruption agency.
On Sunday, Lacson said he hopes to get the green light to launch entrapment operations against corrupt officials.
Lacson said the government needs a dedicated agency that will complement the Office of the Ombudsman, which files complaints against state officials or employees.
Lacson said that while the Ombudsman can investigate and prosecute illegal, unjust, improper or inefficient acts of a public officer or employee, office or agency, it would be better if there is an agency that will go after unscrupulous government officials and personnel.”
Not ‘teeth’ but FANGS should be in place with such AGENCY…bite, bite and bite, like a lion! A law or executor order? The latter will fizzle out later in time…easy to remove it.
Vibora says
Speaking of Scam and Gates.
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/444693/28-solons-linked-to-scam
Both Houses of Congress are the Gates of Corruption?
Among the Gatekeepers are’ Anak ni Agimat, Si Kahoy, Anak ng Huweteng, Anak ng Sapatos and the Bodyguard.
Pork barrel is really the Door to Corruption. Alisin na ang PDAF.
Rene-Ipil says
[email protected]
Hope Raissa will write about the 10 billion scam for the CPMers to comment exhaustively and provide the government some insights. At the same time the government will know that netizens are monitoring the steps it takes to resolve the issue. Further, the public’s pulse can be felt in regard to the propriety of maintaining the pork barrel system.
Rene-Ipil says
It appears that the senators involved in the scam belong to the same tribe and wear the same feathers.
Revilla – PHP1.017B
Enrile – PHP641.45M
Estrada – PHP505M
Marcos. – PHP100M
Honasan. – PHP15M
Rene-Ipil says
If these mind-boggling amounts were really funneled through the dummy NGO, Revilla, Enrile, Estrada and Marcos should resign right away. Considering the numerous instances that the scam happened, to wit:
Revilla. – 22
Enrile. – 21
Estrada. – 18
Marcos – 5
Said senators cannot hide under cover of stupidity, if ever they did not profit from the scam. But I am inclined to believe that at least “Gigi” as the COS benefitted from it, with or without tacit approval from Enrile.
Rene-Ipil says
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/444693/28-solons-linked-to-scam
Keanleogo says
I seconded the motion of Rene-ipil.
leona says
…if our lawmakers ‘enact’ items for sources of corruptions…by them…HECK! What’s this SCAMs? No consciences! They should be ‘back to basic’ about: sincerity, honesty, cleanliness, integrity, loyalty, patriotism, hard-working, love of country & People, the FLAG too!, and NO TRAITORS in that place.
…bringing down the country and it’s progress in that way is very very lamentable. What do we call them? Hoodlums in Barong Tagalogs & suits!
…22 lawmakers acc to the today’s NEWS are suspects in SCAMS! Phew! Is there some heavenly place ‘WE’ can move away from this spot we are in?
…’prove it’ …again, that’s what they’ll reply. DOJ & NBI should just do that…speedily of course.
Rene-Ipil says
Senator Miriam Santiago wants Enrile, Revilla, Estrada, Marcos and Honasan to take a leave of absence at least.
“Santiago said she prefers that the 5 senators resign out of delicadeza, but knowing they will not do that, she urged them to take a leave of absence instead.”
http://www.rappler.com/nation/33765-miriam-aquino-probe-pork-barrel-scam
emong says
Sometimes, I’m wondering how much would it cost to subsidize the cost of labor for industries that have potential worldwide but we’re showing poor growth. Maybe we can implement such program to help our informal settlers.Not full subsidy, basically maybe a fraction of the cost. Somewhat fool proof as some greed individual may just take advantage.
Pros
– Informal settlers can be productive.
– Hopefully, less burden for taxpayers in the long run. I’m hoping that this will serve as head start for them , they will learn new skills and some may end up as entrepreneurs.
– Keep informal settlers busy, will take them away from their vices, less children as they have less time in baby making.
– Government , will be able to track their progress properly. We can identify who wants to be helped against those who are just plain lazy.
I’m not sure though on which industry is applicable. Main criteria should be ,an industry where we are not earning a significant amount as of today but have global impact.
moonie says
kudos to your thoughts, emong. informal settlers need help. train them, skill them, make them employable and better able to hold down jobs. investing in them is money well spend. they will return that money once they started earning. if their income reach certain point, they will pay income tax and so return what they have received, their debt to society repaid.
I think, TESDA, have similar operations in place, skilling workers and training them, but then, large chunk of the operational money got waylaid, lost and no one knows where it got spent. it has got to be monitored better.
raissa says
I agree.
Johnny Lin says
Everyone has ideas on how to help poor people, including the lazy variety. And each one is a good idea!
Now, read an opinion on InterAksyon 5 News by Michaella Ortega, daughter of slain Palawan journalist Dr Gerry Ortega, “Poor Judgement: 3 reasons why the poor should not be babied”
Interesting view: satire or sarcasm? pragmatic or realistic?
Is it time to paint clear the dividing line?
Its more fun in the Philippines if our hearts are as hard as stones which might not be a callous wish when we wade in waist deep dirty flood waters or stuck in 5 hour Metro traffic after an hour of rainshowers?
pinay710 says
noong dekada 60 sa lugar naming mga squatters (informal settlers) meron noon ang pamahalaan NACIDA ( national cottage industry development authority/administration). may mga maybahay na habang nagaalaga ng mga anak ay gumagawa ng mga bags, baskets at mga bagay bagay na yari sa mga straw na gawa sa mga pinatuyong dahon ng niyog, yantok at mga iba ibang material na galling sa halaman. kumikita kami pantulong sa aming mga kabiyak at hindi pa naming napapabyaan ang aming mga anak. sanay mayroon pa maisip ang pamahalaan na ganitong pagkakakitaan ng mga informal settlers na nirelocate sa iba’t ibang bahagi ng bansa.
ang TESDA ay hindi naman nagbibigay ng libre sa mga gustong magaral ditto. meron din silang binabayaran.
moonie says
there were poor schoolars daw sponsored by the previous govt. that got sent to TESDA to study. the money for the schoolarship ay hindi raw natanggap ng TESDA at hindi sila nabayaran. last I heard TESDA has refused to accept govt. sponsored schoolars. I hope iba na ngayon under Pres Noy.