Inside Philippine politics & beyond

I asked President Aquino today – who masterminded your father’s murder?

Share:
LinkedIn0
Pinterest0

FOCAP logoBefore asking this set of questions on the 1983 assassination of Senator Benigno Aquino Jr., I asked his president-son about a new Securities and Exchange Commission decision to ban journalists and researchers from using the “reverse search” function of the SEC database. Here is my question, which Aquino said he would still look into.

I forgot to tell the President that this “reverse search” function has been used by journalists and researchers without abuse and question for over a decade now.  One had to go through the hoops to use it. The SEC did  not allow just anybody to use it.

My apologies to SEC Chairperson Teresita Herbosa. She was very kind to meet me on this matter. I raised it today at the forum with the president because I felt that this matter had to be settled before the election season. And so I asked PNoy:

Sir, in 2012 you signed into law the Data Privacy Act.

Last month, I was shocked to find out that I could no longer research at the Securities and Exchange Commission using the “reverse search function” of the SEC database in order to verify the corporations of a certain politician in office. This simply means, if I type someone’s name, a list of corporations where that name has shares shows up, but it’s still up to me to verify if that’s the person I’m looking for. It’s quite tedious.

I was told I could no longer do it since this violated the Data Privacy Act.

SEC Chair Herbosa kindly met with me, together with the SEC legal counsel, so I could request in behalf of journalists and researchers for this function to be available to us. This was the method I used to verify the corporations of Chief Justice Renato Corona. The Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism also used the reverse function to look at President Joseph Estrada’s various companies.

I told SEC Chair Herbosa and the legal counsel that the Data Privacy Act made a specific exception for journalists and researchers. This is Section 4 (d) which states that “This Act does not apply to…

(d) Personal information processed for journalistic, artistic, literary or research purposes;

Chairperson Herbosa also indicated to me that they do not know how long they could continue allowing the public to access the incorporation papers of companies because this,too, might be in violation of the Data Privacy Act since the computer data provided have been processed.

This means potential investors would not even be able to scrutinize a company asking for their money if it does not have prior consent.

Chairperson Herbosa and the legal counsel told me they would seek a legal opinion from the Office of the President. It is for this reason I am raising these questions:

Don’t you think it would be embarrassing for your administration to end on a note where it is going to effectively deny information to the public, information that would make it possible to expose corrupt officials?

Does the reverse search violate the Data Privacy Act and does looking at corporate disclosures of corporations violate the Data Privacy Act?

My thanks to ABS-CBN for providing this video clip of the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines (FOCAP) forum, where he answered my questions regarding the Marcos dictatorship. Thank you, too, Barnaby Lo of CCTV for asking that follow-up question on whether the Marcoses should apologize. The clip below begins with the last portion of his answer to my SEC question:

Comments

  1. Nagngangawa na naman pala si lawyer na ‘hurry rookie’ claiming that the administration is resorting to a “legal coup d’etat” to eliminate rivals in the 2016 elections. (newsinfodotinquirerdotnet 4 November)

    Kung may proof ka ipakita mo, lawyer ka pa naman. Or else publicity seeking ka lang.

    Dati kasama-sama ka ni una beeneigh sa sortie dahil gusto mo magsenador. Nung hindi ka umaangat sa survey, nag partylist first nominee ka na lang under Kabayan.

    • so true, lawyer pa naman si hurry rookie at dapat hindi magtampo. legal coup d etat, if there is such thing, he ought to join in the fun and become legal coup de etat-er himself, a winner as well. not a whiner forever whining, tumataba tuloy ang mga labi ng pobreng ito, over work yong labi, na hyper.

      much harried hurry rookie ought to adapt and turn new leaf. he cannot even climb the pader of camp crame, and got beaten at fine art of climbing the pader by the german boyfriend of a transgender client. had rookie made effort and climb over the pader, his feet totally off the ground, it would have signaled how gutsy a ram raider he truly is. as of now, rookie is hanggang sa pagtuturo na lang, not a legal coup d etat-er, passive and defensive ang action niya. he’s directing attention to the administration when he ought to direct attention to himself, convince people he is the solution. not the identifier of problems a role many of us have already taken.

    • Nakatagpo ng katapat si hurry rookie;
      “Lawyer debunks claim of Palace legal coup d’etat” (newsinfodotinquirerdotnet) by Jerome Aning, Nov. 6

      Election lawyer Romulo Macalintal on Thursday scored candidates and politicL parties claiming that a “legal coup d’etat” is being planned by the administration to ensure that its standard bearer would win in nect year’s presidential elections.

      “It is totally unfair and uncalled for, if not very childish, for any candidate or political party to accuse the Comelec, Senate Electoral Tribunal (SET), Supreme Court or any agency charged with electoral processes of bias or partisanship just because some of the appointed by the present administration,” Macalinta said in a statement.

      He was referring to claims by another lawyer, Harry Roque ……..

      He he he, si hurry rookie childish, bondying!!!!!

  2. NASA is looking for astronauts for Mars..maybe Grace could apply, it’s a ”higher” position than President..

    :-)

    • “Grace Poe, hiniling sa SET na desisyunan na ang disqualification case laban sa kaniya” SET bilisan nyo as in ASAP ang inyong desisyon para makaapply sya kaagad sa NASA dahil walang extension ang application deadline

      • hahaha!
        it’s really fun in here.
        ang iniisip ko lang ay nadiskubre na ang isa sa mga laman ng ufo.
        sa jaro inilapag.
        pero tingin ko mas maganda siguro kung sa may 15 na ilabas ang desisyon?
        hehehe..

    • “her DNA did not match with several persons” whoe these several persons? edgardo militar? ok fine the children cleared the good name of their father. just proved that their father is loyal to their mother. good news as i always believe the good name of the militars.

      did not match with whom, with the marcoses? with the sonoras? (just asking correct me if i’am wrong) show us evidence that the marcoses had their samples extracted for that DNA testing. this is a good/opportune time to prove the decades of hakahaka.

      does this mean that she is only naturalized filipino citizen? can she still continue her presidential candidacy? but wait… what does she mean about these statements published in PDI: 1. “Nag-usap na kami ng aking asawa bagamat by birth siya naging citizen, para mawala na ang lahat ng pagdududa na ’yan at para ipakita niya ang kompyansa sa aking administrasyon, siya ay talaga namang magre-renounce,” she said in an interview over dzMM on Wednesday.
      “Huwag kayong mag-alala, hindi kayo magkakaroon ng American boy sa Malacañang,” she said.

      based on her interview naguguluhan ako. very sure na sya ang mananalo or tapos na ba ang election at sya ang nanalo? or simply put ARROGANCE is simply working at the highest level. pakipaliwanag naman poe hirap na po ako mag understand.

        • Imelda Militar-Hofileña, a daughter of Edgardo Militar, admitted that she was one of the two sources of DNA samples taken in Guam. Imelda lives in Canada while a sister, Zilda, lives in Guam.

          http://mobile.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/11/05/15/woman-who-had-dna-compared-to-poe-opens-up/

          I guess the other DNA sample came from Rose Contreras Militar-Cordova, a daughter of Sayong Contreras and Emiliano Militar. Rose lives in Las Vegas. Of course, the DNA test became negative like that of Imelda.

        • the militar brothers can both rest in peace now. napagbintangan pa naman silang nagtaboy ng bagong silang sa jaro, endangering the life of a newborn. I’m expecting grace to apologize publicly to what she has put the militars through, their name smeared with her accusation made on national t.v: baka tatay daw niya ang isa sa militar.

        • You are right, Moonie. Under GPL’s theory, Edgardo Militar could be so unscrupulous to endanger his own daughter by exposing her to harsh climate as an infant merely to hide his supposed infidelity. With the negative DNA results Imelda Militar proved GPL wrong and vindicated his father’s name from GPL’s implied accusations.

          Having said the above I maintain my belief that Edgardo was an actor employed by one or both of GPL’s biological parents to perform IAW a scripted scheme.

        • Kong malusutan man ni grace poe ang DQ sa natural born pilipino citizen niya pero sa 10 years residency period ito ma DQ…dahil kulang siya dito saka ang pagiging dual citizen nito ay problema din dahil minsan na pala tinalikuran pagiging pilipino citizen nito at maging ang asawa at anak ay Amerikano pa rin…

        • You are correct.

          GPL’s earliest evidence of Philippine legal residency is her registration as voter of Barangay Sta. Lucia, San Juan City on August 31, 2006. Yet GPL claimed that she established her legal residence in the Philippines in May 2005 to enroll her kids.

          In October 2005 there was the scheduled Barangay elections, but it was postponed to 2007 by RA 9340 in July 25, 2005. So it was logical that she should have registered as a voter as early as May to June 2005 to enable her to vote supposedly in October 2005. Yet, GPL registered as voter only in August of 2006 after becoming a dual citizen in July 2006. Meaning that GPL knew then and there that she could only become a Philipine legal resident starting July 2006 – NOT May 2005. Because a foreigner could never register as a voter in the Philippines even if he or she has been living in the country for 30 years before like Peter Wallace.

        • Correction: RA 9340 was enacted on September 22, 2005. So, GPL could have registered as voter from May to September 2005 if she were already a legal resident of the Philippines.

      • Baka ang gustong sabihin ni GPL na KUNG MANALO sya sa pagka Presidente, and asawa nya ay mag re-renounce ng US citizenship. Pero kung ma-disqualify sya o matalo, HINDI.

        • tama po kayo siguro nakalimutan nyang bigkasin ang mga katagang “kung palarin o kung mananalo po ako” or maybe because of confidence na mananalo po sya.

        • ganon si grace, she cannot see she that she is the main problem, her husband is just add on problem to a lesser degree. grace herself is the main problem. she is the one running for president, not her husband.

          hindi nag-match ang dna, she must have been going after the wrong persons. we just have to take her word for it dahil, there is really no tangible evidence dna samples did not match. how truthful is she? not very to my knowledge. I dont need more of her words, I need evidence I can check, to see is to believe, show proof dna testing has indeed taken place.

    • If the GPL’s statement was — aside from the people who so generously provided samples for DNA testing, I have, among others through various suggestions, personally asked and received sample from Rosemarie Sonora; unfortunately none of the DNA’s from these many samples matched mine — then I can believe she is REALLY SERIOUS in finding out her natural-born citizenship through DNA testing.

      Let us wait for the result of the next hearing — after SET gave GPL time extension for the next meeting.

    • There must be complete transparency with regard to the GML DNA results. The public is entitled to know who are the persons who were tested. Otherwise the belief will be that she just went to Tom, Dick and Harry knowing full well that there would be a negative results from all three.
      She and her smooth (and continuous) talking spokesman must not be allowed to pull the wool over our eyes.

      • ano ang susunod sa na D iskarel N yang A mbisyon? ito ba ang ibig sabihin kung bakit tahimik sila sa mga statement ni sheryl at biglang tumahik din si sheryl?

        • Grace’s woes continue –

          “Sen. Grace Poe, being a foundling, is not a natural-born but a naturalized citizen and not qualified for an electoral post, unless she proves her biological parents are Filipinos. the Chairman of the SET said yesterday.

          “To be natural-born, you must show blood relation.” Carpio said.

          “He said international conventions of which the Philippines is a signatory allowed foundlings in the country to be Filipino citizens, which is considered naturalization of citizenship

          “That’s when you grant passport to foundling. That gives a foundling citizenship, which is naturalized citizenship – not natural-born. Sen. Poe is at least a citizen of the Philippines,” Carpio said (Philstar 9/22/15)

          Link://m.philstar.com/314191/show/47a7617f9c1a6a0b6307e5a2ecf8d4e7/?

        • The likelihood of the SET ruling that gpl is only a naturalized citizen means her unseating from her present position as a senator and cancellation of her COC as a presidential candidate next year.

          The 1987 Constitution is explicit on this matter that only natural-born Filipino citizen can qualify to run for president , or any electoral post as argued by AJ Antonio Carpio.

          Para yatang guguho ang kastilyong buhangin ni grace

      • Hindi kasi maganda yung pagkagawa ng DNA sa Recto, meron daw sa tabi nito, sa harap ng FEU across underpass. Kaya 10 more days extention pa…he he he.

        • fake dna, gaya ng fake medals, he, he, he. grace tops tuwing survey and is feted anywhere she goes, I think, people are more than happy to be identified with her and willing to end her dna debacle, ampon the foundling ika nga. she would be like ultimate trophy to many at ipaglaban siya, pero, kung patago-tago lang naman sila at give dna sample on the sly, I’m starting to think people are not really that supportive of her. her topping the survery is just myth.

    • DeNiedAko . . . sa Test. ‘Grace Poe-Llamanzares remark’.

      Walang ng PagAsa sa legal argument nya. Malabo na. Madilim. Malamang DISQUALIFIED sya.

      ‘Ngayon nakakalungkot. . . ‘I am sad.’

      ‘aking pamilya na kadugo. . . ‘my blood-family’ (the DNA samples must have been her ‘nearest possible’ DNA match available: Mom-Susan, Mom-Rosamarie, Brod-BB, atbpa. Eh, wala.

      ang aming tinatayuang legal na basehan ay hindi lang naman sa DNA nakasalalay. . . ‘DNA is not only our source of proof’. . .’says she’.

      ‘ “Nakasalalaly po ito sa karapatan ng mga bata bilang mga pinanganak dito sa ating bansa,” she added.’. . . ‘the right of a child born in this country’. . . is her other proof.

      If those ‘person’s’ who gave DNA possible matches were the ‘nearest possible’ as surmised/guessed, came out ‘nakakalungkot,’ wala ng iba na pag kukunan pa ng DNA possible matches. Tapos na (siguro).

      So? Sa UN Treaty as previously argued, the claim will be battled on. Yes, she believes she is a Filipino, thinks like a Filipino, grew up a Filipino, my parents (adopted parents) Filipinos, serving the Filipinos as a public servant, no doubt about all these, in mind (and heart). Filipino Ako.

      Natural-born Filipino ka ba? ‘Yan, nakakalungkot. HIndi ko masagot.’ . . . (she hasn’t said this yet)

      I too am sad. Kakalungkot. But Grace, you are a Filipino no doubt about it. Pray you can take it in good strides.

      • “Ngayon nakakalungkot din sapagkat matagal ko na rin inaasam na malaman na rin ang katotohanan tungkol sa mga mismong pagkatao ng aking pamilya na kadugo. Gayunpaman hindi naman ako nawawalan din nag lakas-loob dito sapagkat ang aming tinatayuang legal na basehan ay hindi lang naman sa DNA nakasalalay. Nakasalalaly po ito sa karapatan ng mga bata bilang mga pinanganak dito sa ating bansa.”

        Rene-Ipil’s LINK.

        • Tanong ko lang. Kung hindi siya makapag silbi na Presidente magugunaw naba ang Pilipinas? Makakapag silbi naman sya sa Pilipinas maski naturalized Filipina lang sya. Pagka hindi sya ang Presidente mamamatay na ba tayo sa Pilipinas?

          Sabi nga ng iba — Let it go. Move on.

        • our country will probably do better without grace llamanzares as president. we can go on with our lives and not spend much of it under the yoke of her father’s legacy, inside cinemas, dreaming and watching movies; working and studying and holding down jobs, work before pleasure. not all of us can work in the make believe world of the movie industry. we have got to have lawyers, doctors, teachers, engineers, mga tindera sa palengke, policemen and women, soldiers, pilots, customs officers, restaurant staff, salespersons, etc.

          so many in the movie industry end up disillusioned in life and commit suicides, dead before their time.

        • @nherrera,
          imo, alam na ang katotohanan.
          at ang tunay na nakalulungkot ay ayaw pa nilang malaman ng bayan.
          “ang tamang panahon” ay pag siya na ang P. lol. gagaguhin pa ang bayan.
          ang nakikita kong dahilan ay “duda silang ang kanilang telling-a-lie ay mabisto at hindi na siya iboto sa may 2016.
          parang sa movies ang sinasabi niya. lol.
          ung legacy ng kanyang sikat na ama, si efpije.
          may sinusulat silang script.
          tinetesting kung hanggang saan pa nila mauuto ang mga tagahanga.
          lip service is their expertise.
          sabagay ganoon talaga siguro ang panuntunan ng mga ambisyoso,
          na ang pamumuno ay 99% inspirational blahblah at 1% public service.

        • grace is mistress of procrastination. she will do tomorrow, next week, next month, next year what she can do today, or maybe, never.

        • In short, we are all saying that the Philippines was not built on a ‘foundling,’ by a ‘foundling,’ for a ‘foundling,’ and ‘of a foundling.’

          Do not worry or think even that Grace Poe Llamanzares will be ‘President,’ even if mistakenly ELECTED. As long as she has failed to prove she is a natural-born Filipino citizen, it is not the Supreme Court that will tell her ‘You cannot be a President’ but the CONSTITUTION says so.

          The President of the Philippines as a Republic is built under and in that CONSTITUTION and not otherwise.

          :-)

    • Of course it don’t match…look in het Buro immigration docruments of Grace…….it will say ”Alien”……….hahahahahahaha……….Nano nano (Mork & Mindy) …. :-)

    • Pinangatawanan na ng Senadora ang maging MAPAGKUNWARI. Nagmamaang-maangan na di alam

      kung saan siya nagmula. Balatkayong Talipandas, akala n’ya lahat ng botanteng Pilipino ay bobo at

      boba, tonto at tonta. HELLO!!! MAY ISIP AT UTAK DIN KAMI…

      Akala mo totoong naghahanap ng DNA, puro extension pa at nambibitin, iyon pala wala din DNA

      Hay NAKO!!! MANANG- MANA KA SA PINAGMANAHAN MO. Kung naging lalake ka HARI KA NG

      SINUNGALING. May dugong Scammer di ka dapat maging presidente..Kawawa ang Pilipinas.

    • fr. inquirer: Bongbong willing to undergo DNA test to help Grace Poe

      no thanks poe. matunog din noon ang balita na he is the living work of madame tussauds. magandang balita ito kung silang 4( irene araneta, mgl, bbm at sheryl cruz) ang magpakuha. time extension ulit?

      • aha! better to take dna sample from apo bangkay, not from bongbong kung dubious lang naman ang pagkatao ni bong. kaya pala sinabi ni apo na bong has good muscle coordination dahil hindi gaano kakilala si bong. hindi close ang mag-ama, for a very good reason na hindi sila tunay na kadugo.

        apo would be thrilled! his help is needed kahit patay na, relevant pa rin siya, his dna needed.

        at saka, charity begins at home, not in susan’s home though. susan is not volunteering to give dna sample for testing, and so, alleviate the suffering of her beloved daughter. pusong bato yata si susan, her daughter is not beloved, rebel kasi at pinabayaan ng ina. tahimik si susan at away tumulong kay grace, ayaw mamigay ng dna.

  4. from PDI SC justice opts for optional retirement.

    “Justice Supreme Court Associate Justice Martin Villarama has asked the Supreme Court to allow him to optionally retire effective Jan. 16, 2016 due to deteriorating health.”

    what is his record as SCA? derecho ba o liko liko ang kanyang pagkatao sa kanyang sinumpaang trabaho? why optional retirement effective 16 jan. kung puede naman maghintay ng at leat 3 months for mandatory retirement at the age of 70?

    april is only 3 months before his mandatory retirement ito ang pinagtataka ko.

  5. The “tanim-bala” scheme could be pre-empted legally by simple procedural means of eliminating any intent to possess (animus possidendi) ammunition on the part of the passenger.

    Section 28 (vii) of the IRR for RA 10591 or Firearms Law provides that:

    “The penalty of prision mayor in its minimum period shall be imposed upon any person who shall unlawfully acquire or possess ammunition for a small arm.”

    The elements of the crime of unlawful possession of ammunition are:

    1. The person possesses an ammunition.
    2. The person has no authority or license to possess the ammo.

    The person in whose possession the ammunition is found must show his license to possess same article. Otherwise, it is assumed that said person has the intent to possess the ammo which intent must be proved to convict the suspect.

    How does the intent to possess the ammo is debunked by the person or suspected offender particularly a plane passenger? It is by showing or declaring in unequivocal terms before discovery that he does not possess any ammo in his person or baggage. That he is requesting any police or airport authority to help him detect and remove any ammo that may have been inserted in his person or baggage against his will.

    Due to such legitimate request for assistance by a bonafide plane passenger, the police or airport authority has the duty to inspect his person and baggage thoroughly to protect himself and other passengers.

    How does the government help the victims of the “tanim-bala” scheme? The airport authority must require ALL passengers, whether incoming or outgoing – to sign a form requesting the thorough inspection of his person and baggage BEFORE X-Ray screening or personal search.

    Needless to say, all ammo discovered in his person or baggage are presumed “planted” or not in his possession and must be immediately removed for safety purposes.

    • Rene-Ipil. . . this is a good size up of countering alleged ‘possession’ of one (1) BALA in one’s luggage. But, honestly, can OTS and inspectors (who may be corrupt already, or not) grasp your explication? I dunno. But from apparent statements of even Mr. Abaya, et. al., they are even insisting, travelers are possessing the one (1) Bala.

      Look, Mr. Abaya as ordered to investigate already says his BIASED initial attitude to the matter:

      “Abaya said the DOTC would continue its investigation into the incidents.
      “We continue our investigation and information gathering to ensure any operation of tanim bala, if ever there is any, is addressed and halted,” he said.”

      Do we see it? ‘If Ever There Is Any’ . . . clause of his statement. He does not at all see, have seen, nor will ever see ANY planting of BALA.

      Mr. Abaya’s ‘if ever there is any’ is a already a biased attitude in favor of his people of investigating over the subject matter. A different agency should do the investigation.

      Edwin Lacierda says “the DOTC – which supervises the airports – has “refined the efforts that are being undertaken.” Refined. In what way? Why refine it if Mr. Abaya says ‘if ever there is any’ statement? He hasn’t made any findings nor will he find something to do a refining of it?

      The Media may be adding to something to this, but definitely, there is something going on. The incident of LAG-LAG BALA are already NUMEROUS. Not isolated as claimed by the Malacanang people.

      The one case of Jose Marie Paz Trias is very interesting. See Link. Has Mr. Abaya talked to Mr. Trias’ case? Wala pa siguro. When will Mr. Abaya do talk to Mr. Trias? If ever there is any. . . na lang.

      Can Mr. Abaya go back to ASK why the CCTVs were not installed or FIXED at the NAIA for quite sometime until last MONDAY? The reason for not having that gadget working or unfixed for a long time? Why? Why?

      Is it true passengers are forced to shell out P150,000.00 after being charged for illegal possession of ammo at the NAIA? (per F. Escudero’s remarks).

      Dept. of Tourism say “No Effect on tourism” this lag-lag Bala. Lamentable statement indeed. Instead of saying probably “That’s a serious matter on our tourism. We’ll join the efforts to find out.” Bla bla bla.

      Again, travelers into and out of the country is a very serious matter. Each spends time, efforts and money just to travel for whatever reason or reasons. But this lag-lag BALA is destroying the RIGHT TO TRAVEL under our Constitution. SERIOUS is it.

      Election Year next Year 2016. Is there really a sydicate or syndicates behind this cruel scam at the NAIA? Contending syndicates?

      An independent body, neutral and unbiased, should do the investigation ASAP and finished it before end of December 2015 if there is ever that can be to it.

      • Some lawmakers suggest that one or two bullets found by OTS inspectors in passengers’ baggage should be merely confiscated and let the passenger go. But the law does not allow that unless there is legitimate reason.

        Scenario 1: I called the police and told them to search my residence because I suspect that a gun has been thrown in the bush in my backyard by an unknown person as reported to me by my neighbor. If the police found the gun after search, could I be charged for illegal possession of firearm?

        Of course, NOT. Because I did not have the intent to possess the said gun.

        Scenario 2: I found a box of bullets in the street and brought it to the police station. I possessed the bullets for a period of time but I did not have the intention to possess the same. No case.

        • I am not familiar with the law but I will use my common sense here. Which items are more dangerous/worrisome to be found inside the hand carries of traveling passengers. Box cutters, blades, a quart of vodkas, and one bullet?, my commons sense tells me the first 3 items are more dangerous/worrisome and I am sure after being found/detected the inspector will just confiscate the items found and will ask some few questions and let the passengers go, but for one bullet which is less dangerous/worrisome? It’s either hypocrisy, somebody wants to make easy money or a conspiracy to make somebody looks bad. Your guess is as good as mine :)

        • I think, there is limit of how much volume of vodkas one can take, go over the limit and you could end up being fined. you’ll only be allowed to take the quota of alcohol and vodka, anything over can be confiscated.

          blades, if they are not museum materials like old swords and daggers and carry the correct paper work, they have got to be declared. there are many prohibited materials that can and cannot be taken in or out the country. passengers are best advice to check before attempting journey, or else.

        • . . . found in the ”backyard” not inside your bedroom. No. 1.

          No. 2. ‘time’ of possession NOT ENOUGH under the law..

          In both cases not only no intent but there is NO POSSESSION ‘under the law.’

          :-)

      • My suggestion is for Pnoy, Abaya and their legal staff to digest. The OTS inspector would be in place to ASSIST and ACT as requested by the passengers IAW the directive of Pnoy down the line.

        Printed forms with the size of immigration or customs card, duly filled up and signed, would be sufficient to contain the passenger’s request for assistance. These cards would be distributed to the outgoing passengers at the arrival area and to the incoming passengers in the airplane.

        The filling up of the cards would be a lot easier than wrapping all the bags in plastic and would be without any cost at all to the passenger.

        • Now, is there ‘time enough’ to possess a subject BALA found in one’s luggage? This is crucial for in a case of a traveler upon arrival or departure.

          Also, is there ‘possession’ whether with intent or not, when it is a subject of dispute as maintained by owner of luggage or box? This is legally discussing or explaining it. The courts have to look into it. Jurisprudence on ‘possession’ of guns and ammo have to be re-studied under LAG-LAG BALA situations.