1. EXECUTIVE SECRETARY OCHOA’S BROTHER-IN-LAW IMPLICATED IN PHILFOREST ROW
Whistleblower Rodolfo “Jun” Lozada is naming names again. This time he’s claiming that a real estate firm Executive Secretary Paquito “Jojo” Ochoa’s brother-in-law scored big time in a land deal with the previous administration. The firm was allegedly authorized to develop 2,000 hectares of forest land and beach-front property in Busuanga, Palawan. The area is covered by the Busuanga Pasture Reserve, which is mostly pasture and grazing land. Former President Gloria Macapagal- Arroyo signed presidential proclamation No. 2057 on May 7, 2010, a mere three days before the general elections.
2. HURT BY PRESIDENT AQUINO’S COMMENTS, NBI CHIEF RESIGNS
National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Nonnatus Rojas tendered his resignation on Monday after President Aquino reportedly said that the bureau had “less trustworthy”officials. The President made the comments when asked why businesswoman Janet Lim-Napoles surrendered to him and not the NBI. Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said Rojas’ resignation was irrevocable and that the NBI Chief resigned out of “delicadeza”. She was quick to note that the resignation is not final until President Aquino accepts it. De Lima adds that she has sent the President a letter asking him to “wholeheartedly, firmly and unequivocally” reject Rojas’ resignation. The Justice Secretary said she did not want to lose a good man.
3.FORT STO DOMINGO TRIAL FOR JANET NAPOLES BEING WORKED OUT
Senate President Franklin Drilon has proposed that the arraignment and trial of businesswoman Janet Lim-Napoles be conducted inside her detention facility at Fort Sto. Domingo in Sta. Rosa, Laguna. Drilon said they can petition the Supreme Court so the Makati Regional Trial Court can conduct the proceedings there instead of transporting Napoles to Makati for the trial. This he said, will cut costs and ensure Napoles’ security. The Senate President added that this had been done before with other prisoners at the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City. “If we are concerned about security and expense, that is a better arrangement than transporting Napoles back and forth to Makati,” he added.
4. NAPOLES CLAUSTROPHOBIC INSIDE TINY BUNGALOW
The mere idea of being detained is causing businesswoman Janet Lim-Napoles to lose sleep. According to her doctors, she has been suffering from anxiety attacks brought about by her being clasutrophobic.Napoles, the alleged mastermind of the PHP10 billion pork barrel scam, is being held at a 82.4-square meter bungalow-type structure. This is considered a mansion compared to regular jail cells and is bigger than average Filipino houses. Of course, this must have been only a shoe closet in any one of the Napoles’ massive houses or plush condo units.Philippine National Police-Public Information Office (PNP-PIO) chief Senior Superintendent Reuben Theodore Sindac said that besides the anxiety attack, Napoles’ blood pressure also shot to 180/150 and her blood sugar level dipped to 40 mg/dl. The readings returned to normal a few hours later.
5. PRESIDENTIAL FUNDS ARE DIFFERENT FROM PORK BARREL
Malacañang insisted that the President’s special funds is a totally different entity from the controversial pork barrel. “Let me be clear, pork barrel is in the context of using it as a means of re-election,” Lacierda said. The PSF on the other hand is solely under the discretion of the President. He added that in the last three years, there have been no reports of PSF misuse as the reports are subject to COA audit.
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Photo from the Philippine National Police
