SB: P1,000 pension increase doable

By Paolo Romero (The Philippine Star) | Updated January 19, 2016 - 12:00am
A woman holds a placard to protest President Aquinos veto of a bill for a P2,000
pension hike during a march to Malacaang. Inset shows Social Security System
president and CEO Emilio de Quiros Jr. who defended the veto during a press
conference yesterday. Ernie Pearedondo / Michael Varcas
MANILA, Philippines An increase of P1,000 in the monthly Social Security System
(SSS) pension for retirees is doable, but may require giving the pension fund powers
to hike contributions.
Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. said this as he and his colleagues in the legislature
groped for an alternative to the proposed P2,000 pension hike that was vetoed last
week by President Aquino.
Belmonte said he would formally write the President, the SSS Board as well as the
Senate about his proposal to grant retirees a pension increase of P1,000. He said his
proposal includes a commitment that Congress would also pass a pending bill that
allows the pension fund to increase members contributions.
The Speaker said he informed Aquino and Drilon of his plan during their lunch
yesterday at Malacaang after consulting with top SSS officials.
They (SSS) are actually willing to give P500 which could reduce the fund life from
three to five years but they will find ways to address this, Belmonte said.
He said the SSS reluctantly agreed to his proposal for a P1,000 increase but as long
as the board would be given powers to increase members contributions.
My formula is to give a P1,000 minimum but with the SSS being given the same
powers as the GSIS, he said, referring to the Government Service Insurance
System.
He said the GSIS has been active in the legislative proceedings allowing it over the
years to be given more leeway in managing the fund.
He said SSS executives, however, were not as enthusiastic, especially during the
deliberations on House Bill 6112, which seeks to rationalize the powers, duties and
accountabilities of the Social Security Commission and amend the Social Security
Act of 1997.
The House in November last year approved the measure shortly after the chamber
passed the P2,000 pension increase.
The Senate, however, failed to the pass the counterpart measure, which prompted
Aquino to veto the pension increase.

An infographic released by Malacaang warned that allowing the proposed P2,000

increase in retirees pension would compel the government to impose additional
taxes as well as raise SSS contributions.
The budget for other projects will be reduced or taxes will be increased to cover for
the losses of the SSS, read a portion of the infographic on the government portal
gov.ph.
Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda defended Aquinos veto, saying the
government has consistently worked toward providing better services for the
elderly over the past five and a half years.
Senate to blame
House Majority Leader Neptali Gonzales II said senators were to blame for President
Aquinos veto of the bill raising the monthly pension for retirees.
He said that while the Senate adopted the pension hike bill approved by
congressmen, it did not pass an accompanying measure that would have mandated
an increase in the monthly contribution of SSS members.
Had senators approved the increase in contribution, the President might have
agreed with Congress on the need to adjust the SSS pension, he said.
He said there is still time for senators to act on the bill mandating an increase in
contribution from members to fund a pension adjustment.
The proposal in the House was to increase members contribution to about five
percent from the current rate of less than four percent. The employers share would
be correspondingly adjusted.
In his veto message to the House, where the pension hike measure originated,
Aquino said it would result in the collapse of the SSS as it did not have funding
support.
More congressmen are supporting the Presidents veto.
Cavite Rep. Elpidio Barzaga Jr. lamented yesterday that Aquino is being unfairly
criticized for making a tough but right decision, which saved the SSS from potential
bankruptcy.
A great leader makes hard decisions and sticks with it. Thats what our President
does. P-Noy has never been a shirker when faced with difficult decisions, regardless
of their political repercussions, he said.
He said Aquino should be commended for showing resolve in going against popular
but unsound pieces of legislation, something that takes a lot of courage to do.

P-Noy has been drawing heavy flak again for making an unpopular but right
decision. Such a Solomonic act should be appreciated because the country will be
the one to benefit in the long run, he said.
Senate President Franklin Drilon said a congressional override of the Presidents
veto of the bill on pension hike would have to be approved first by the House of
Representatives before the Senate could do anything about this. With Delon
Porcalla, Alexis Romero, Marvin Sy, Mayen Jaymalin, Jess Diaz, Danny Dangcalan

Enrile: Noy allowed slaughter of SAF 44

By Christina Mendez (The Philippine Star) | Updated January 19, 2016 - 12:00am
President Aquino offers prayers for the slain SAF commandos at Camp Bagong Diwa
in Bicutan in January last year. STAR file photo
MANILA, Philippines President Aquino was directly involved and allowed 44
Special Action Force (SAF) commandos to be slaughtered in Mamasapano last year.
And the accuser claims to have evidence to prove it.
Senate Minority Leader Juan Ponce Enrile made the allegations in open plenary
session at the Senate yesterday.
While the operation was going on, and SAF units were being slaughtered, (Aquino)
did not do anything at all to save them, Enrile said.
He took the floor to put on record that he has evidence to pin down Aquino and end
debates on the reason for reopening the probe into the deaths of the so-called SAF
44 in Maguindanao on Jan. 25, 2015.
Enrile claimed that Aquino knew from day one about the operation to neutralize
three foreign terrorists led by Malaysian Zulkifli bin Hir, alias Marwan.
So that there would be no more questions about whether we should reopen the
Mamasapano hearing or not, I would like to make it of record that I have evidence,
Enrile said. First, that the President of the Philippines, Benigno S. Aquino III,
actively and directly involved himself in the planning, preparation of Oplan Exodus.
The President knew about the fighting in Mamasapano as he had flown to
Zamboanga City, Enrile said.
He continued: Second, that on the day of the actual operation, (Aquino) was
monitoring the operations while he was in his plane going to Zamboanga City and
I am going to prove these with evidence in that hearing.
Initially, Senate President Franklin Drilon said he wanted to clarify the definition of
new matters after Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano interpellated Sen.

Grace Poe on the ruling of the committee on rules that allowed the reopening of
inquiry.
Sen. Vicente Sotto III seconded the motion when Enrile reiterated his motion in the
plenary that the Mamasapano hearing should be reopened and be brought back to
the committees.
so that I can present the evidence with respect to the participation of the
President actively, extensively, directly in the planning of this particular Oplan
Exodus and the fact that he knew it from the very beginning that there was going to
be an operation on that day, Sunday, January 25, 2015, Enrile said.
that he was onboard plane when they were monitoring the operation and third,
he did not do anything to rescue the beleaguered Mamasapano assault group of the
SAF.
Enrile said he had studied the evidence presented in the committee, and he
believes that some Cabinet members were not telling the truth.
Mr. President, I will show that some members of the Cabinet who appeared in these
hearings did not disclose the true facts, even though they knew it and yet they
testified under oath and they did not disclose the facts properly and truthfully, he
said.
During session, Drilon put on record his abstention on the decision to reopen the
inquiry, following his call to clarify the definition of new matters.
Drilons move came amid the interpretation of Section 32 of the Senate rules, which
provides that when a report is returned to a committee or is transmitted to
another, unless it is returned for purposes of conducting further public hearings on
new matters arising after the report, all previous proceedings in connection
therewith shall be deemed to be void and that matter in question shall revert to its
original status.
Senators eventually agreed that Enrile should be considered to be in good faith
when he claimed that he has new matters to discuss.
Senate committee on public order and dangerous drugs chairman Poe had set the
resumption of the Mamasapano inquiry on Jan. 27.
Enrile also debunked the existence of a national security concern about the inquiry
since Mamasapano was a pure police operation.
My question is, was there a national security matter involved in Mamasapano? Mr.
President, there was none, he said.

This was a police operation involving the enforcement of our criminal laws.
According to the basis of that operation, they were supposed to be enforcing a
warrant of arrest. What is national security in that? The life of the nation is not
involved. The question is, was there a criminal case filed? That is the question.
Enrile said he had read the report.
It was cited there a criminal number, he said. A case number. But there was no
mention of the court, the judge, the corpus delicti or where and when a criminal
case was filed.
So what are we talking about national security here? Ive been handling national
security of this country for 17 years.
Before the session started, Drilon criticized Presidential Communications Operations
Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. over his statement that the executive can ask
advance questions before allowing officials to attend Senate hearings.
This is a committee hearing, the advance written questions will be available during
the question hour. This is not the question hour, he said.
Continuing cry for justice
Meanwhile, vice presidential aspirant Ferdinand Marcos Jr. sees the governments
unfulfilled promises and the continuing cries for justice of families of the 44 slain
SAF commandos as justifying the reopening of the Senate investigation into the
Mamasapano massacre.
Almost a year has passed after the Mamasapano massacre and yet we continue to
hear complaints from some of the kin of the SAF 44 that they have yet to receive
the assistance the government promised to them, he said.
Marcos said widows Virgie Viernes and Merlyn Gamutan are complaining that they
have not received the aid that the government had promised.
Their complaints run counter to the statement of the Philippine National Police last
July that the families of the slain commandos have been given about P80 million in
cash, as well as scholarships for their children, he added.
Marcos said the families of the SAF 44 are asking for justice for their loved ones.
Yet until now no case has been filed in court to prosecute those responsible, he
said.
We owe it to the families of the SAF heroes to resolve these issues and the Senate
investigation will allow us the opportunity to do that.

Marcos has consistently prodded the Department of Justice to speed up its

preliminary investigation on the Mamasapano massacre and to file appropriate
charges in court to begin the process of giving justice to the victims.
Malacaang will not stop the Senate from reopening the investigation, Coloma said.
We will address these... if and when these are raised or asked at the proper
forum, he said.
The Senate is at liberty to determine how it wants to conduct the planned
reopening of the inquiry. Records will show that the executive branch had always
been open and forthcoming in addressing all questions pertaining to the
Mamasapano incident.
Enrile vowed to establish the role of Aquino in the incident and what he was doing
while the encounter between the SAF and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front,
Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters and vigilantes was going on.
Poe said Enrile must be given the chance to ask questions about Aquino related to
the Mamasapano massacre.
Philippine National Police chief Director General Ricardo Marquez sees the slaughter
of the 44 police commandos in Mamasapano last year as a game changer for the
Special Action Force.
He hopes that all the citations and awards will be given to them.
Marquez said SAF chief Director Moro Virgilio Lazo believes his men have recovered
from the tragedy.
So the feeling of General Lazo is we have recovered from that incident, he said.
We have talked about this when I brought some people with the President. I guess
that was a turnaround. Its a game changer for the SAF.
Marquez said the PNP has been planning to hold an awarding ceremony for the slain
commandos and the survivors.
We are inviting of course the families of our Gallant 44, he said.
I felt that its a fitting moment for our troops to finally be awarded appropriately.
The will be given the second highest award, distinguished conduct medal.
Marquez said they are awaiting the final phase of the awards the Medal of Valor
which remains pending at the Office of the President.

On the benefits, we have not left anybody. All of them received benefits due them,
he said. With Perseus Echeminada, Cecille Suerte Felipe, Aurea Calica
Ombudsman urged to act on P486-M bidding anomaly at NAIA
By Ding Cervantes (The Philippine Star) | Updated January 19, 2016 - 12:00am
In a complaint-affidavit submitted to the ombudsman, Gilzael Vida of the joint
venture of Annex Digital Inc. and Geutebruck Pty. Ltd. alleged that the respondents
are hell-bent on fast-tracking the negotiated procurement of closed-circuit
television (CCTV) system before President Aquinos term ends. Philstar.com/File
CLARK FREEPORT, Pampanga, Philippines The Office of the Ombudsman was urged
yesterday to act on a graft case against Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA)
general manager Jose Angel Honrado in connection with the alleged anomalous
bidding for the P486-million communications and surveillance project.
Aside from Honrado, members of the bids and awards committee of the Manila
International Airport Authority were also charged with grave misconduct.
Other respondents were BAC chairman Vicente Guerzon; vice chairman Carlos
Lozada; members Octavio Lina, Ma. Perla Dumo and Leonides Cruz; BAC technical
working group members Manuel Ochoa, Pastor Dalmacion Jr. and Jose Rossano
Llobrera;
BAC technical evaluation committee chairman Jesus Gordon Descanzo, vice
chairman Enrico Francisco Gonzales and members Llobrera, Edgardo Jose Manisic
and consultant Rizaldy Reblora.
The STAR tried to get Honrados side but failed.
In a complaint-affidavit submitted to the ombudsman, Gilzael Vida of the joint
venture of Annex Digital Inc. and Geutebruck Pty. Ltd. alleged that the respondents
are hell-bent on fast-tracking the negotiated procurement of closed-circuit
television (CCTV) system before President Aquinos term ends.
Rea Lactao, a representative of the joint venture, initially filed the graft complaint.
Lactao claimed that the terms of reference for the CCTV project were altered last
year to accommodate a favored bidder. The joint venture was among the companies
that qualified for the bidding, she said.
The firm has filed a motion before the Pasay City Regional Trial Court seeking to stop
the bidding for the project.
Vida said Honrado and the BAC officials issued invitations to bid last month despite
a pending petition before the Pasay court.

Rico Quiambao, lawyer for the joint venture, said under the law, no negotiated
bidding for a government project can be done unless two biddings failed.
He maintained that only one bidding has so far been held because the project was
altered in time for the supposed second bidding last year.
Vida noted that the first bidding for the project, titled Design, Supply, Installation
and Commissioning of CCTV Cameras and Surveillance System at NAIA, was held
on Aug. 29, 2014.
In the second bidding held on Feb. 24, 2015, BAC officials removed the word
design in the title allegedly to accommodate a favored bidder.
This bidding could not be considered a second bidding, Vida said.
CAAP deputy director for operations Rodante Joya said Kalayaan Mayor Eugenio
Bito-onon Jr. agreed to lease a parcel of land for the installation of the ADS-B
equipment.
The equipment allows pilots to monitor in their cockpit flight display other aircraft
operating in the airspace. With Rudy Santos
DOTC to test MRT coaches from China this month
By Louella Desiderio (The Philippine Star) | Updated January 19, 2016 - 12:00am
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The LRV is the second of 48 train cars acquired from Dalian Locomotive and Rolling
Stock Co. of China under the DOTC-MRT 3 capacity expansion project. DOTC PID
MANILA, Philippines The Department of Transportation and Communications
(DOTC) will test this month the newly assembled second light rail vehicle (LRV) of
the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT 3), as it continues looking for ways to provide new
train cars and shorten passengers waiting time in every station.
Transportation Secretary Joseph Abaya said the LRV is equipped with an engine and
its electrical components would be checked.
When the checkup is completed this week, the LRV will be subjected to dynamic
testing to ensure its parts are reliable.
The testing includes the required 5,000-kilometer run to be conducted along the
main line during non-revenue hours.
Commuters will experience increased convenience and service reliability with the
arrival of more new LRVs. If the evaluation of the first set is satisfactory, we are
expecting one new train to be operational by the end of this quarter, Abaya said.

The LRV is the second of 48 train cars acquired from Dalian Locomotive and Rolling
Stock Co. of China under the DOTC-MRT 3 capacity expansion project.
Headlines ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1
The first of 48 new LRVs was assembled in August last year. Two more are to be
delivered by next month.
Beginning March, four new LRVs would be shipped to the country every month until
January next year.
The MRT 3 capacity expansion project is expected to ease congestion and suffering
of passengers of the train system that runs from North Avenue in Quezon City to
Taft Avenue in Pasay.
Through the project, the DOTC expects to boost the trains capacity to over 800,000
passengers from 350,000 per day.
With mobility a priority to the DOTC, we are hoping to provide more available trains
to the riding public through the 48 additional LRVs an improvement that should
have been done by the systems private owner, Metro Rail Transit Corp. (MRTC), in
the mid-2000s in addition to system upgrades and better maintenance works,
Abaya said.