1. POLICE PROMISE REGULAR RELEASE OF NAPOLES PHOTOS
The Philippine National Police says it will regularly release photos of Janet Lim-Napoles, the suspect connected to non-governmental organizations allegedly involved in the anomalous use of Pork Barrel funds. PNP spokesperson Senior Superintendent Reuben Theodore Sindac said the photos are meant to show that Napoles, who surrendered to the President last week over a Serious Illegal Detention charge and was transferred to Fort Sto. Domingo in Laguna, is not getting special treatment. Napoles was supposed to be held at Makati City Jail but was transferred for her security.
2. PLOT THICKENS: THREE SENATORS GAVE PHP38 MILLION TO A FAKE NGO IN 2012
A new Commission on Audit report suggests Senators Juan Ponce Enrile, Jinggoy Estrada, and Loren Legarda gave part of their Priority Developmen Assistance Fund last year to a non-governmental organization that failed to submit documents that implemented a farmer assistance program in Bataan province. Enrile reportedly released PHP10million, Estrada reportedly gave PHP23million, and Legarda reportedly gave PHP5million to People’s Organization for Progress and Development Foundation Inc. in 2012. The project was supposed to distribute “1,744 packages of agrarian implements, high value yield enhancements, and farm inputs and implements, ranging from PHP20,500 to PHP36,450 per package.” COA said the NGO did not submit documents proving the project was implemented.
3. PHILIPPINES REMOVED FROM ‘TAX HAVEN’ BLACKLIST
The Philippines has been removed from France’s list of countries it considers tax havens, or where tax evasion is rampant. According to the Department of Foreign Affairs, a new Non-Cooperative Countries and Territories list includes Bermuda, Botswana, the British Virgin Islands, Brunei, Guatemala, Jersey, Marshall Islands, Montserrat, Nauru and Niue, but not the Philippines.
4. COURT OF APPEALS CLEARS FORMER POLICE COMMANDER OVER HELICOPTER ‘SCAM’
The Court of Appeals has cleared Leocadio Santiago, former chief of the elite Special Action Force, of involvement in the allegedly anomalous purchase of secondhand helicopters that the Philippine National Police bought as new in 2009. The Ombudsman had earlier ordered Santiago and others dismissed from the service. The Court of Appeals ruled, though, that “there was no substantial evidence to show that Santiago was guilty of serious dishonesty and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service.” The helicopters, which the PNP bought brand new, had allegedly been in private use since 2004. Earlier this year, the PNP’s last airworthy helicopter crashed in Kalinga province.
5. TAIWANESE FISHERMEN SUMMONED FOR PROBE OF COAST GUARD MEN
The Department of Justice has summoned shipmates of a Taiwanese fisherman killed in a shooting incident in May between the Philippine Coast Guard and suspected poachers within the country’s Exclusive Economic Zone. Commander Arnold de la Cruz, Petty Officer 2 Richard Corpuz, Seaman 2nd Class Nicky Reynold Aurelio, and Seamen 1st Class Edrando Aguila, Mhelvin Bendo, Andy Gibb Golfo, Sunny Masangcay, and Henry Solomon face homicide charges over the incident. The DOJ said Hong Yu Zhi, Hong Jie Zhang, and Imam Buchaeri, “offended parties and witnesses” and have to submit and swear to affidavits that will be used in the NBI complaint.
