Noted constitutionalist and former president of the Ateneo de Manila University Fr Joaquin Bernas lauded the Supreme Court decision to ban pork which, he wrote, “restores the normal constitutional order of handling public money”. He cited the specific clause in the Constitution that clearly defines the limits of the power of any one government official to control public funds; “No money shall be paid out of the Treasury except in pursuance of an appropriation made by law,” a stipulation that “prevents members of Congress, and the President, from indiscriminately spending unappropriated money.”
The landmark Supreme Court ruling comes at an interesting time, when the ability of the government to rapidly respond to crisis situations — such as the pressing need to manage the relief and rebuilding operations following the devastation wrought by Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) — is under the spotlight…
Does [the President] have the resources needed to deal with the effects of the October earthquake in Bohol and now also with the ravages caused by Supertyphoon “Yolanda?” At the rate the President is reassuring the survivors of the ravages caused by nature, he probably is confident that he has the resources. If needed, he can call Congress to a special session to appropriate what more is required.
The Philippines’ almost complete reliance on foreign aid in times of crisis is starting to wear thin.
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“I caution the inclusion of pre-disaster activities such as preparation of relocation sites/facilities, and training of personnel engaged in direct disaster in the use of the Calamity Fund. While said purpose is laudable, the same must be weighed against the imperious need of maintaining sufficient provision under the Calamity Fund for actual calamities and prevent its full utilization for pre-disaster activities…”
The rationale behind President BS Aquino’s reluctance, it seems, was that “pre-disaster activities are embedded in the services of various agencies like the DPWH, DSWD, and DND.” Unfortunately, the quality and speed with which the government had responded to the massive destruction wrought by Typhoon Yolanda has proven that this delegated and woefully fragmented approach to managing “pre-disaster activities” is a failure.
That the government had failed to implement an effective disaster preparedness framework — something that is mission-critical in a disaster-prone country like the Philippines — is possibly criminal in nature. According to Section 22 of Republic Act 10121, also known as the “Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010” currently in effect, a National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund (NDRRM Fund) which encompasses the Calamity Fund in the national budget…
…shall be used for disaster risk reduction or mitigation, prevention and preparedness activities such as, but not limited to, training of personnel, procurement of equipment, and capital expenditures. It can also be utilized for relief, recovery, reconstruction and other work or services in connection with natural or human-induced calamities which may occur during the budget year or those that occurred in the past two (2) years from the budget year.
Criminal negligence? President BS Aquino
Any individual, corporation, partnership, association, or other juridical entity that commits any of the prohibited acts provided for in Section 19 of this Act shall be prosecuted and upon conviction shall suffer a fine of not less than Fifty thousand pesos (Php 50,000.00) or any amount not to exceed Five hundred thousand pesos (Php 500,000.00) or imprisonment of not less than six (6) years and one (1) day or more than twelve (12) years, or both, at the discretion of the court, including perpetual disqualification from public office if the offender is a public officer, and confiscation or forfeiture in favor of the government of the objects and the instrumentalities used in committing any of herein prohibIted acts.
Initial observations coming from CNN reporter Anderson Cooper reporting from the ground in flattened Tacloban City in the first few days following the departure of Yolanda confirmed the sad state of the Philippine government’s level of disaster preparedness when he found “no real evidence of organized recovery or relief” there.
From Cooper’s vantage point, there were hundreds of people sleeping at the airport because there was nowhere for them to go and if one would just walk three blocks away from the airport, there were also people sleeping in makeshift huts or out exposed to rains even lying next to the bodies of their loved ones because these had yet to be picked up. He said there was also very little water and food supply because there was no feeding station, which according to him, was what one would expect after five days. The journalist added that he only heard of talks about the airport being opened again by the US marines but it hadn’t happened yet. He warned that the situation is getting desperate and that sooner or later something is bound to give.
For some time, the tragic posterboy of the Philippine Government response to the crisis was Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Mar Roxas who, instead of stepping up to the occasion, busied himself with making schoolboy excuses for the state’s flaccid performance…
At one point during the interview [with another CNN reporter Andrew Stevens], Roxas was arguing over the treatment of dead bodies left rotting on the roads. Stevens pointed out that every day, he sees the same decomposing bodies when he passes by the same road on the way to the city. But Roxas vehemently denied they were the same bodies, stopping short of calling Stevens a liar.
Get him out of there! screams Inquirer.net columnist Conrado de Quiros. “Frankly, I don’t know what Mar Roxas is doing in Tacloban. He isn’t helping, he is hindering. He is an abrasive, polarizing, divisive presence. He does not unite, he foments rifts. He does not inspire, he breeds enmity. Without him, Tacloban will be back on its feet in no time at all,” the elderly columnist adds.
Recent events are but a small recurring cross-section of Philippine history. Just about every single lesson that should have been learned following every instance of horrendous death numbers from the multitude of “natural” disasters that hit every year gets filed in Philippine society’s Mamaya Na folder. So with regard to Fr Bernas’s recommendation that the government, “devise something constitutional to fill the vacuum left by the Supreme Court’s decision declaring pork barrel unconstitutional,” we can only take the usual next step recommended by Filipinos’ kapamilyas in the monolithic ABS-CBN Network:
Abangan ang susunod na kabanata…
benign0 is the Webmaster of GetRealPhilippines.com.
Thank goodness there is one branch of the govt. (Supreme Court) that is not raiding the Treasury for personal gain. How does the world see what is going on in the Philippines? See article in Yahoo Finance titled “Philippine Corruption Magnifies Effects of Typhoon.”
we have to remember that sc was cleaned (corona was convicted) , and we now feel the effects of it
Lies!!!
BS thought he had the SC in the bag when he installed Sereno. And look how the other judges reacted to this? Get your facts straight, people and not listen to this ijet, kathniel. What you are spewing here, kathniel, is pure propaganda, a direct insult to the filipino people.
what is wrong with the decision? this is what the people and pnoy wanted, to abolish pork.
Persistent idiot. Your propaganda shit won’t work here.
People want that? Did he ask me? No idiot, he did that for his self serving purposes that is HLI. Speaking of which, whatever happened that case? Oh yeah, it will not be given to the poor farmers……. and you, kathniel, better change your mind about working for the miscommunication group, because clearly, you are one of the responsible people why the Philippines is filled with crap politicos like BS.
“what is wrong with the decision? this is what the people and pnoy wanted, to abolish pork.”
LAWL if that is what PNoy wanted then why he immediately left Tacloban and go back to Manila? What’s the haste?
Of course, you won’t answer because you’re a paid Yellow Zombie. It’s 100% TRUE. 😀
Corona was convicted because he was a GMA stooge. His actual crimes were not serious enough to warrant an impeachment. Looking back at the hypocritical pompous posturing during the trial by the “Robber Baron” senators; one could only wonder at their amazing arrogance and greed.
misleading the public by not declaring some properties in his saln? that is betrayal of public trust.
I agree with you @Sea Bee… look at the Billion peso PORK BARREL SCAM courtesy of Senators and Congressmen the very Senator Judges and Prosecutors that convicted and accused Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona. CJ Corona was not guilty as judged but because of the P50M bribed by PNOY to the Senator Judges confirmed by Senator Jinggoy Estrada in his previlege speech.
“misleading the public by not declaring some properties in his saln? that is betrayal of public trust.”
But it’s not a criminal offense. You’re just twisting the law to suit your needs and propaganda. 😛
Its not a criminal offense but bribing the senators to convict CJ Corona is.
Don’t you ever learn from your mistakes, troll?
You don’t have what it takes to “kill” us with your pathetic propaganda.
Looks like no one believes you, kathniel.
Better throw in the towel since your propaganda has officially lost against the truth.
You wanna know why we don’t fall for your propaganda?
Because we’re not STUPID like YOU.
Turns out, Corona is a victim of AbNoy’s criminal schemes.
kathniel is not only a troll, but a supporter of AbNoy’s criminal circle.
The only thing worse than a coward is a LIAR and you,kathniel are both a coward and a liar. If you really want to save your precious president, ask him to resign since he is now vulnerable to being impeached.
Fact: Your post is a TROLL post.
Accept it or go home. 😀
Here’s a touching story about you kathniel because you believe too much on your precious pwesident’s hallelujah: you’re not just a regular moron. You were born to be a moron.
Remember that SC is not clean but may be more corrupted, since Sereno appointed by BS Aquino is there.
you might want to check what happened in 2012. I wanted to post that 2011 article on my fb page but was reluctant… I think budget was allocated for disaster preparedness for 2012. Don’t know the “disaster fund” status for 2013.
It’s not in the news, and if there was any such allocation, shouldn’t the government talk about it? I believe once it was struck off in 2011, it stays struck off until returned in a later date. But even if returned, striking it off in 2011 still retains some sense of negligence.
http://www.gov.ph/2012/02/16/philippines-to-gear-up-for-disasters-and-climate-change-with-robust-environmental-funds/
http://kabataanpartylist.com/blog/p21-7-b-calamity-budget-for-2012-questioned-for-lack-of-clear-disaster-plan/
here you go. I think there was an “improvement” over the 2011 budget. albeit, not enough. Mr. Palatino has been criticizing the government (and rightly so) on the incomplete understanding and preparedness for any disaster.
i am very happy that pork is declared unconstitutional. we must thank pnoy for that because he is against pork. without Him, this glorious moment would never happen.
He is against pork you say? LIES
Why should we believe an aquino asslicker like you?
You really are so delusional, you really think that your propaganda is working,TROLL?
Believe it or not, your president is now a lame duck because he has lost the only way that he can control congress.
Tell us what did he do when he was a congressman and senator,oh wait, he hasn’t done anything so why on earth should we believe YOU and your president?
How could Pnoy be against pork? Didn’t he use pork leverage to buy Corona’s impeachment from the Senate?
Thank Pnoy for what? He was never against pork. You lie. That is what they will want gullible filipinos to believe. Another spin, let us enlighten our fellow citizens that such is not the case. Kathniel, you and your kind do not deserve to be called filipinos, you are the ones keeping the rest of the country dumb, ignorant and poor.
please enlighten me. when did he say that he is never against pork?
“please enlighten me. when did he say that he is never against pork?”
Here is an excerpt from Manila Bulletin:
Saying “reforms are already underway,” President Benigno Aquino III and fellow respondents have asked the Supreme Court to junk petitions seeking to have the pork barrel system declared as unconstitutional.
In a 23-page comment filed Monday, the Office of the Solicitor General also urged the high tribunal to lift the temporary restraining order on the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) in 2013.
The respondents argued that the TRO would “work to the damage of innocent citizens who rely on the operations of the PDAF for educational and medical assistance purposes.”
The mere fact that he himself asked the supreme court to lift the TRO on the PDAF certainly says A LOT about his love of pork.
TROLL HARDER FAGGOT
you, kathneil cannot be enlightened, getting paid with taxpayers’ money just to muddle the truth, and you are feeding that to your family….. shame on you, unprincipled, narrow minded, dumb ass, good for nothing, ninkompoop.
@kathniel Here’s some fact for you
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/472945/statement-of-president-benigno-aquino-on-pdaf-abolition-and-budgetary-reforms
the President, wanted to cancel PDAF, and install “budgetary reforms”. As I see it, it’s simply pork barrel with a new wrapper.
You must have convieniently forgotten that your president used Pork barrel to bribe congress AND the senate to impeach and convict CJ Corona so how is he against pork barrel again?
Your logic is pathetically weak.
TROLL.
That’s a FACT.
Anlabo mo. You said he hates pork barrel and yet he enjoys his trillion peso DAP from taxpayer’s money only for himself and not for the country. But now that your precious pwesident and his lackeys will not gonna have pork barrel once again, that will make their morale go down and quit being a public servant.
some of the president’s allies have said they accepted the court’s decision. so your theory that their morale will go down will not happen. maybe the corrupt people will. and that is what pnoy wanted all along, that the corrupt resign.
My reaction to your stupid post:
If it doesn’t play:
Source for the record or it’s all nothing but PROPAGANDA, idiot. 😀
@kathniel
We all know that you are giving out maliciously deceptive and false information. BS Aquino does NOT want to let go of pork barrel, since he uses it to bribe gov’t officials.
Not only is he immoral but also criminal.
thank pnoy daw! huwat?!! wag kang magbibiro ng ganyan!
And Aquino broke his promise to stay in Tacloban once he heard the SC decision. It may mean he values his pork money more than human lives.
That indeed proves that he loves pork barrel.
Looks like that’s another yellow propaganda completely obliterated by the GRP peeps.
i was looking for a GRP commentary on that one 😛
he will attend a special meeting to read the court’s decision. he could return to tacloban anytime after it is held.
TROLL. 😀
And how do you know that?
And then what? Impeach the CJ only because of calling pdaf as unconstitutional?
He’ll lose means to control the legislature. Poor President 🙂
He is too concern of his wallet.
PNoy is criminally liable – SO WHAT NOW? Will the Filipinos do something about it?
he is immune to all convictions so you do not need to worry.
Immune? Get this idiot, he should start fearing the people. Many are now enlightened by how corrupt BS Aquino is, and they realize what a sham the rest of the Aquinos are. Sila at ang mga kagaya mo, ang pahirap sa Pilipinas.
Typical Pinoys are know for just taking it in the ass and doesn’t complain. On how local companies have been treating Pinoys with over price product + bad service the likes of PLDT, BDO, CebuPac, & etc. This is but just another case of taking it in the ass and shut-up.
IDIOT! Do I really need to state the obvious? So what will the Filipinos do now that their beloved retarded president is criminally liable? Will the Filipinos just take it in the ass again & shut-up?
he is immune to all convictions so you do not need to worry.
Can you explain how is he immune? Of course, he has his own allies that back him up. To spread LIES and PROPAGANDA. Just like what you did.
Don’t worry, your TROLLING days are over. Enjoy your last and only PAYCHECK. 😛
@kathniel
Hey you dumb yellow zombie… correct me if I am wrong! Why don’t you read the Philippine Constitution of 1987? Your dictator BS Aquino is not liable for civil suit. This is the truth… He is liable for criminal offenses. Which means he could be liable for any criminal offenses mentioned in the Revised Penal Code and other special penal laws.
he will attend a special meeting to read the court’s decision. he could return to tacloban anytime after it is held.
Naaaah.. Nice try. But could you try something better? Surprise me! I do feed the troll but you must UP THE GAME!
Um, kathniel, your beloved President said he would NOT LEAVE TACLOBAN until things got SIGNIFICANTLY better.
Apparently he couldn’t even keep the simplest of promises in check. What more of his principles if so?
Looks like “kathniel” is really that desperate to convince us that his president is against pork barrel.
Nice try, troll but everyone already knows that he isn’t against pork barrel. So tell us, why should we believe you when all you every do here is post stupid propaganda?
The evidence against your president is already unimpeachable yet you insist otherwise.
What the F**k is wrong with you?
Notice that he posted the same comment twice. Try searching this
“he is immune to all convictions so you do not need to worry.”
He’s simply littering the comment section. Tsk tsk tsk
Too bad for him that it’s only making it worse for him since his propaganda is really full of holes.
One of these days, he’s gonna regret supporting Aquino.
She and her gang – same in all posts. Who knows lol
@ kathniel
Either you are dumb, getting paid to defend this asshole, or you are sucking his dick! Even I from halfway around the world can see that this scumbag is corrupted. Get your head outof his ass! Stop being such an ignorant ass kissing brown nose, you idiot. You want attention, well you got mine. You fucken moron cocksucker!
Really, this troll is not even trying hard to be convincing in his arguments. Then again he can’t convince us sane-thinking folks to the “merit” of his words. Somebody get a troll-slayer and rid us of this idiot!
FOCAP back in October 2012
“Another example of righting the wrongs is building up our capabilities: When once our people were at the mercy of natural calamities, now we have proven our capacity to foresee and respond appropriately at times of disaster. Our weather bureau, once the butt of jokes, is now earning accolades in its trailblazing use of the internet to disseminate information. It is saving lives by getting timely and accurate forecasts to our people. Now, our weather bureau, PAGASA, is living up to its name: it is finally engendering hope.”
http://www.gov.ph/2012/10/17/speech-of-president-aquino-at-the-annual-presidential-forum-of-the-focap-october-17-2012/
Jajajajaja!
Aquino’s speech…. yeah right. Usually what comes out of his mouth are all BS designed to fool idiots like you into believing he is doing his job well. And you swallowed, hahaha.
Half million pesos fine, is just a drop in the bucket. If these thieves steal millions of pesos. They profited from their thievery. Imprisonment is light. It is just a slap on the arms.
Mr. Aquino maybe clueless again on the law. The task of being a President, is too much for him. So, he should resign. Before, he is stressed, too much.
Mar Roxas is stressed also. It is good, he has his wife, Corina Sanchez Roxas, to solace him at the end of the day. And to defend him, from ubiquitous bloggers.
The Failure of Leadership of these two dudes; Mr. Aquino and Mr. Roxas, was: they never have any working plans to use in situations, like this one. Typhoon Ondoy came. No plan. Bohol earthquake. No plan. Typhoon Yolanda. No plan. I am sure our “ningas cogon” character will come up again, after a few months. Back to political games…
One like for this comment.
The only plan is how to spend the pork. Now that the pork is gone. The plan is to think of another name for it.
While they are busy thinking about the pork, calling in americans, europeans, japanese, canadians and australians – go fix their shit in tacloban.
let kathniel be. that troll is just giving us avenues to show the impertinence BSAquino. maybe he was not really the ass-licking idiot we think he is, but just reflecting the minds of the true dumbass supporters of our wretched president so that in case they come across this blog, they can argue no more. well, i’m just giving this as a fourth option to proud american ii’s. hehe.
She is probably one of the sisters of BS.
Read this yellow zombie and weep… From the Manila Times:
http://www.manilatimes.net/aquino-failed-to-implement-and-fund-p1-b-civil-defense-law/54289/
Two years later, there’s still no rebuttal coming from that idiot named “Kathniel”
Looks like his yellow zombie kin have gave up on defending their boss if they still can’t think up of any rebuttal till now for this article.