News Roundup 10 July 2023
Jul 10, 2023 • 4 min Read
COA calls out PCG for acquiring luxury SUV without DBM nod | INQUIRER.NET – MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Audit (COA) has found lapses in the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) consumption of fuel, oil, and lubricants as rebates obtained by the agency were used to purchase a luxury vehicle without getting the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) approval.
COA’s audit report of PCG for 2022 showed that there were lapses in the P1.451 billion fund allocated to the consumption of the said motor vehicle fluids, particularly in the rebate system — or rewards earned by the agency for picking a supplier.
The Commission highlighted that the PCG, under the Additional Terms and Conditions for the Purchase Orders (POs) of fuel, oil, and lubricants (FOL) in 2022, can request to utilize the rebates by either constructing, repair, maintenance of their FOL facilities, or supply and delivery of FOL-related equipment.
In 2022, the PCG had a total of P14.97 million worth of unclaimed rebates — which was eventually used to buy a Toyota Land Cruiser Prado, a sports utility vehicle (SUV) that qualifies as a luxury car under Malacañang Administrative Order (AO) No. 14.
Under the said administrative order, SUVs which have an engine displacement of 2,700 cubic centimeters (cc) for gasoline-fed engines or 3,000 cc for diesel-fed engines, and those whose engines have more than four cylinders, are classified as luxury vehicles.
The Land Cruiser purchased by the PCG has a V6 engine configuration — or six cylinders in a V-shape format — and has a displacement of 3,956 cc.
“Review of the Sales Invoices of the properties acquired through rebates disclosed that the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado costing P4,999,000.00 (net of discount of P201,000.00), with engine displacement of 3956 CC and engine of six (6) cylinders is considered a ‘luxury vehicle’ in reference to Malacañang AO No. 14,” COA said.
COA also noted that the said vehicle was subjected to bulletproofing which cost around P2.8 million.
Full Story at: COA calls out PCG for acquiring luxury SUV without DBM nod | Inquirer News
NBI exec who hired sexy dancers during formal event to explain side in probe | INQUIRER.NET – MANILA, Philippines – Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla on Monday said he already knew the person from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) responsible for bringing in sexy dancers to perform in its recent command conference.
At a press conference, Remulla said there was an attempt to approach him.
“I want an explanation to be in writing. When there is a disciplinary matter, you allow the internal rules to pave the way so that they will police themselves,” Remulla said.
Remulla said an internal investigation is already being conducted. He said there were already facts given to him, such as who offered to bring the performers, how it happened, and who were present.
“At least, you are talking about the whole NBI leadership there,” he said. For now, what the DOJ can do, he said, is to look at the NBI’s disciplinary procedures.
“We will not preempt them from coming up with their own findings…I cannot say how far we will go, but definitely, this will not slip by,” he assured.
Full Story at: NBI exec who hired sexy dancers during formal event to explain side in probe | Inquirer News
Manila court denies habeas corpus petition of Degamo slay suspect | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — The Manila Trial Court on Monday, July 10 rejected the writ of habeas corpus petition of a suspect in the assassination of Negros Oriental governor Roel Degamo.
Suspect Joven Javier filed a plea writ of habeas corpus plea against Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla and National Bureau of Investigation Director Medardo De Lamos.
Javier, one of the alleged gunmen in the killing of Degamo at his residence in Pamplona town, claimed in his petition that he was being unlawfully detained and deprived of his liberty without any formal charge or judicial warrant.
Habeas corpus is Latin for “produce the body.” It is an order to present a person before the court to determine if the arrest or imprisonment is legal or if a person must be released from custody.
But in a decision dated July 5 and released Monday, July 10, Branch 16 Presiding Judge Janice Yulo-Antero wrote that the remedy is not available when the deprivation of liberty is lawful.
Full story at: Manila court denies habeas corpus petition of Degamo slay suspect | Philstar.com
Senators want Freedom of Information policy free of red tape | PHILSTAR.COM – MANILA, Philippines — Senators on Monday expressed support for the enactment of a Freedom of Information law that would compel government agencies to provide readily available information on their websites, removing bureaucratic layers in the process of records requests.
Sen. Robinhood Padilla, chairperson of the public information and mass media committee, and Sen. Raffy Tulfo both stressed the need to free the public from having to fill out multiple forms to access government information.
“That should be automatic. Once they press (a button), the information should be there,” Padilla said in Filipino during the revived discussions of Senate bills proposing the long-sought-after FOI Act.
The FOI has been pending in Congress for more than three decades and previously passed final reading at the Senate during the 16th Congress. However, its counterpart measure stalled in the House of Representatives and failed to make it to plenary.
Full Story at: Senators want Freedom of Information policy free of red tape | Philstar.com
