Robbery at plain sight in US airports

It is more fun criticizing

DEA agents and policemen were alleged to be perpetrating  this modus.  They make unnaounced searches of carry on not at fixed station, but at boarding gates or at the tube., find out if youu have cash and leggally or illegally confiscate the cash that you are carrying (There are no limits to the amount of cash you can carry on domestic flight.  )  Billions were reported to hae been confiscated.   Triggerts were last minute ticket purchase and commissions to tipsters were paid.

Its either you surrender the cash, no case, or there is a case and warrant will be secured.    

I did not not know that such modus can happen in the land of the free (DEA and Homeland Security can conduct the search)

Americans should be glad that this practice has been stopped by DOJ

Ex President Du30 press conference

It is more fun criticizing

A subtle call to arms.    Mere statement that only military can stop PBBM and MTR. Will the military protect the constitution.   Theh current governance is fractured, he alleges.   The fomrer President called out the following (corruption allegations)

1.   The the transfer of the P90 b Philphealth funds;

2.   The PHP 1.3t flood control projects

3/   PBBM being an addict

  Subject of CIDG NBI DOJ probe? Is seditious?

Drug case vs Lt Col Ferdinand Marcelino dismissed anew? What is the relationship of this event to the de Lima case?

It is more fun criticizing

Rizal Philippines
May 20, 2017.

      From Inquirer - Col Marcelino drug case dismissed anew


It was flashed in the news at DZMM this morning that says Sen de LIma says Col Marcelino gave in to pressure.  The alleged drug case vs the former PDEA staff was again reversed for the nth time.

It was alleged that the good Colonel would be used to pin down the good senator in relation to a drug related case.  There is a lot of speculation going on and we do not know who to believe. And what is really going on

In the government bureaucracy, frat rules

It is more fun criticizing

Rizal Philippines
February 16, 2017

In one of my classes at business school, a senior executive resigned as a result of his conflict with his subordinates who belong to a different frat (although they are from the same school in Quezon City.  I thought of that as odd ie that the rule of frat prevails over the admin code and the vision and mission of the government. I also thought that the said exec was petty.

At the Senate hearing on BI scandal of bribery, the good chairman pointed out that most of the members of the agency are frat mates:  the underlings, and the commissioners being investigated.  Some are not frat members but are sons of frat members (brads).  The chairman of the committee thought that is rather dangerous (to have the department run under the rule of frats)  When that happens there is corruption  What is corruption anyway but a system being over run by a virus, or a system that does not work.

We can not come close to the meritocracy of Singapore where they get the best and the fittest.  We get only the brads and they could be not necessarily the best.

I thought that under the DU30 admin, there would be a change.  Sadly this would not come under his admin.  His cabinet is full of brads and mga taga Davao.   And they could not necessarily be the best.  Wala rin....

Sayang

Scandal at DOJ?

Even greater challenge than fighting illegal drugs - fighting corruption

It is more fun criticizing

Rizal Philippines
November 22, 2016

From inquirer - Du30 govt to fight corruption

ERC officials defy Duterte = will not resign

It appears that Pres. Duterte even faces the greater and more daunting challenge, far greater than illegal drugs that is fighting corruption.  All ready we signs of such challenges.  For the illegal drugs, at least we know who the enemies are and the boundaries (although the supporters of the drug trade could have infiltrated the govt within as is the case for narco politics.  However for corruption is from within and the laws, the due process, the security of tenure protect many of the culprits.

1.  The deputy customs commissioner investigating corruption in customs, Lachica was shot dead.

2.  There are alleged grumbling protests at DOJ wanting Sec Aguirre to be replaced because he is waging campaign vs corruption

3.  An RDO officer was gunned down, and he had with him P300,000 in cash (what a cash settlement for taxes in arrears?)

All ready we have passed the 100 days and we do not see much change in terms of eradication of corruption.  The syndicates are still there, the old connection are still there, many govt offices are still ineffficient.   At the barangay level, high level corruption continues.  Elected and appointive govt officials lord it over and still continue their old corrupt ways.  Not much has improved in the fight vs corruption.

As in the case, of  ERC when the Pres asked for resignation of the commissioners many did not comply and so the Pres. threatened to remove their budget.This stemmed from the suicide note of the chair of bids system Villa, who alleged in his suicide note that he was pressured to approve contracts without bidding?  Who has the greater will - the dewfenses of the corrupt ways and defenses or the fight for the right?

There were allegations in the past about rigging of price settings by energy companies

A woven tale of high corruption and deceit?

It is more fun criticizing

Rizal Philippines
September 20, 2016


NBP whistle blowers connecting lady personality to Drug Money from Interaksyon

                Police Major Rodolfo Magleo - a pangalatok
                           First witness

                        Former Chairman Herbert Colangco


Today, Congress conducted hearing on the witnesses who allegedly would tie connect a lady senator, former chief of the department in charge of the prisons.  There were six witnesses and were granted immunity from lawsuit by Congress as they testify without rewards.

I was able to watch only the testimonies  of Rodolfo Magleo, a retired police major, who was imprisoned because of kidnapping and Herbert Colangco, convicted gang leader for robbery and a concert king.

Magleo was spontaneous, very lucid about JB Sebastian, the new drug lord king after the 18 of the 19 were transferred to NBI.  Why were the 19 transferred?  Because of the 10 manok (PR payola) so that JB could have the drug business to himself.  Furthermore, he was visited by a lady incognito often at NBP.

Herbert Colangco was aghast over a tale of deceit of corruption.   He gave P1.2 manok to the Bucor Chief, 3 manok monthly to the boss of the boss and P1 million every time he had a concert., and yet when JB wanted the business to himself, HC was together with 18 others transferred to NBI because he did not agree to sell more.
HC mentioned a phone number which Cong. Gwendolyn Garcia turned out to be the number of the person being referred to by HC.  He mentioned a certain Usec (mentioned in the drug matrix)

The two stories corroborated and their goal was to support the senatorial ambition of the lady.

There are 28 other more witnesses.

Congress showed that they have better mastery of parliamentary procedures

1.  The witnesses were vetted and had affidavits prior to the hearing;  the members of the committee had copies

2.  The chair followed the rules, did not ask questions to the witness, nor even lawyered for them.   Sec. Aguirre clarified every points as a true court lawyer.

Congratulations to Cong. Umali

I doubt if the personality concerned can continue saying that these were fabricated or lies.    Unlike Matobatos testimony which no one can confirm or deny,  these were stories that were in writing and were corroborated.  They have preponderance and quality

Enforcement of laws vs looting is difficult in extraordinary times - Sec de Liman

Social and political criticisms

 
 Taking more than what they need?  Technically theft?

There have been news about looting in Tacloban, and talk about declaration of martial law in the affected areas to enforce law and order.  All ready, ABS CBN  is investigating rumors of armed men shooting evacuees (which was later found out to be false)  The mass burial was allegedly to have been disrupted by gunfire.   There were also allegations that armed men (NPA) are supporting the massive looting that is going on.

Strictly enforcing the law vs looting in extraordinary times is difficult - Sec de Lima of DOJ

Here is the transcript of the news.

Strictly enforcing the laws, including penal laws on looting (technically, theft or robbery) during extraordinary times such as in times of calamity is easier said than done,” De Lima said.
De Lima pointed out that application of laws should be tempered with "compassion, mercy or liberality," taking into account the situation of victims who have no food to eat.
"What is imperative is real and physical presence of authorities, both local and national, to maintain peace and order,” she said.
Theft committed during the occasion of fire, earthquake, typhoon, volcanic eruption or any other calamity, vehicular accident or civil disturbance is punishable under Article 310 of the Revised Penal Code.
Hundreds of policemen and soldiers have been deployed to restore peace and order in the city. Malacañang said on Sunday that the situation is now under control, thinning chances of declaration of martial law.
The Constitution only allows the President to impose martial law if there is an invasion or rebellion. These conditions do not exist in Tacloban, de Lima said.
De Lima said the declaration of both state of emergency and a state of calamity is enough to address the situation in affected areas including breakdown of law and order. (Sunnex)

Posts have been made at this site that looting per se is not to be considered theft, as alleged in US situation post Katrina;  it is a survival instinct in the face of breakdown of technology and delivery of basic services.  However, taking only items for survival are justified probably, but not taking more than you need, including taking plasma TV or appliances (we saw footages of this in the TV)



 
Do you need the machine to survive?


 
Survival instincts?


 
Will businessmen leave these areas?


Huli?!



Soldiers guarding the malls/stores this time.  But the pictures of looting are discomforting