‘WITNESS NOT COERCED’ De Lima told DOJ staff to put millions in Dayan’s bank account —Aguirre

Senator Leila De Lima had ordered an employee of the Department of Justice to deposit millions of pesos into the bank account of Ronnie Dayan, her former driver who President Rodrigo Duterte said collected money for her from convicted drug lords inside the New Bilibid Prison.

Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre III made the allegation after some newspapers reported that two DOJ receiving clerks, identified as Jonathan “Jong” Caranto and Edna “Bogs” Obuyes, executed affidavits stating that De Lima asked them to deposit millions of pesos into a bank account.

Aguirre said Dayan owned the bank account.

“Binibigyan daw siya ng pera ni De Lima para i-deposit sa account ni Dayan,” Aguirre told reporters in an ambush interview.

Aguirre denied De Lima's claims that the two employees were forced to execute the sworn statements.

“Mayroong affidavit at tsaka walang pumilit sa kanila...As a matter of fact, pumayag pa mag lie detector test ang dalawa,” Aguirre said.

President Rodrigo Duterte earlier accused De Lima of having an affair with Dayan, who also allegedly collected money from drug lords inside the NBP in Muntinlupa.

Both De Lima and Dayan figured in Duterte's drug matrix that supposedly detailed the network of government officials and suspected drug lords.

De Lima has repeatedly denied being involved in protecting drug dealers detained at the NBP.

Asked if the amount of deposits would commensurate the employees’ salaries, Aguirre said: “Hindi. Maliit lang ang sahod sa kanilang dalawa.”

The DOJ chief said the department was still looking into how the bank account, which was not under De Lima’s name,  could be linked to the senator.

De Lima had admitted that the two mentioned individuals were her former staff but claimed that they were coerced to executive affidavits in a bid to pin her down.

“The alleged existence of accounts, that is a fabrication. I don’t think those two would have those accounts, instant millionaires nga sila,” De Lima said.

The senator suspected that the move was connected to the pending investigation of the House of Representatives on the alleged proliferation of drugs inside the NBP during De Lima’s term as DOJ chief.

“Ano ba yan? Dahil sa House inquiry, siguro nagpa-panic na sila. They have nothing. So ngayon, binibilisan na nila yung pag-fabricate, pag manufacture ng evidence na ‘yan,” De Lima said.

- See more at: http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/579796/news/nation/de-lima-told-doj-staff-to-put-millions-in-dayan-s-bank-account-aguirre#sthash.Eb4v6UkF.dpuf

WATCH: Australian News Program Reported Badly About PH's Killings; Called Duterte 'Dirty Harry'.

Due to the increasing number on death toll of criminals killed in buy-bust operations, some people can't help but batt an eye to what's happening. This compelled a senate hearing regarding the alleged extrajudicial killings which greatly hurt the credibility of the new administration. Despite overwhelming support of the masses and Duterte himself defending the anti-drug campaign, it still caught the attention of the international media. Following the recent issue of Duterte with the United Nations, an Australian News Media also reported about the killings in the Philippines.

A known news program called 60 Minutes Australia apparently made a mini-documentary regarding what's happening in the Philippines which was a little lop-sided. The host, Liam Bartlett called the 16th President of the Philippines, "dirty harry" and compared him to Donald Trump. 

Videos of murder spots were also included. Although the country's senate have been concerned with what's happening, it seems a little bit unfair to document one side of the story without even having to know the whole setup of the story.

Why Supreme Court frees Gloria Arroyo?

Former president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo can finally leave detention after the Supreme Court (SC) voted 11-4 favoring her petition seeking the junking of her plunder case, her lawyer said Tuesday.The plunder case against Arroyo and several others involves the release of over P366 million in Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) intelligence funds from 2008 up to 2010.

Arroyo's lawyer Raul Lambino claims he got information past noon Tuesday that the SC justices voted 11-4 favoring Arroyo's demurrer to evidence, a plea raised when a defendant believes the evidence against him or her is weak. ''Kasama ko nga po si Pang. Arroyo rito at lubos po yung ating kagalakan ngayon dito sa naging botohan o info na dumating sa amin. Naiyak po siya siyempre. Lahat ng mga kasama namin rito sa magandang balitang dumating sa atin,'' Lambino told dzMM. "Para sa akin, malaya na ang dating Pangulo," he added.

 Lambino said the Philippine National Police would process Arroyo's release after the SC promulgates its decision. He also said Mrs. Arroyo is obligated to attend President Rodrigo Duterte's State of the Nation Address next Monday. Except for Arroyo, all the other accused in the plunder case have been granted bail. Arroyo is currently under detention at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center. ''Iyung mga ganyang klaseng desisyon ng Korte, final and executory kaagad po yan eh.

Hindi naman pwede magkaroon ng MR at appeal. Immediately, promulgate na po iyan. Hintayin lang natin yung formal written desision para may basehang dokumento ang PNP at maiproseso yung kaukulang release papers bago mabigyan ng tuluyang kalayaan ang dating pangulo,'' Lambino said. Arroyo was allowed to post bail in 2012 for an electoral sabotage case involving the alleged rigging of the 2007 senatorial polls. However, she remained in detention as she faced the PCSO plunder case. ARROYO RUNS TO SC In her petition with the SC, Arroyo sought a reversal of two Sandiganbayan resolutions, dated April 6, 2015 and September 10, 2015, that junked her demurrer. Arroyo no longer presented her defense before the Sandiganbayan after the Office of the Ombudsman completed the presentation of its case against her, and instead filed her petition with the SC.

"[N]ot a single exhibit of the 637 exhibits offered by the prosecution nor a single testimony of the 21 witnesses of the prosecution was offered by the prosecution to prove that [Arroyo] amassed, accumulated, or acquired even a single peso of the alleged ill-gotten wealth amounting to P365,997,915.00 or any part of that amount alleged in the Information," Arroyo argued. 'GREAT POSITIVE CHANGE' In a statement, Atty. Ferdinand Topacio, the legal counsel of Arroyo's husband Miguel Arroyo, lauded the high court's ruling. He also lambasted the Aquino administration for supposedly persecuting the former leader and hailed the Duterte administration for bringing ''new hope for great positive change."

"The Supreme Court has once again proven itself to be the final bastion of justice and the rule of law. Its ruling today has validated what we have been saying for six years now: that the charges against former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo are nothing more than disingenuous attempts at political persecution by a corrupt and inept Aquino Administration intent on covering up its gross lack of accomplishments by harassing its political opponents,''

Topacio said. "The dawn of a new administration has brought about new hope for great positive change, which includes freedom from false and malicious accusations and unceasing lies and disinformation. We all join the new government in its fight against criminality, corruption and its economic and political reforms that will surely usher in a new golden age for our country and people."

Freddie Aguilar Accepted Duterte's Offer to be NCCA Chief

Freddie Aguilar revealed he has accepted the offer of President Rodrigo Duterte to become the head of the National Commission for the Culture and the Arts (NCAA). The veteran singer-songwriter said he requested President Duterte to create a department of culture and the arts, but he was asked by the latter to head the NCCA instead until his requested department is created. In an interview with ABS-CBN News’ Mario Dumaual, Ka Freddie disclosed that the president’s assistant, Bong Go, asked him as instructed by President Duterte: “Sir Freddie, hangga’t wala pa po iyong department of culture and the arts na hinihingi po ninyo sa presidente ay puwede po bang kayo po muna ang mamahala sa NCCA?”

[Sir Freddie, until the department of culture and the arts that you requested is created, the president is asking if you can lead the NCCA?] Without hesitation, Ka Freddie accepted the offer and said: “Sabi ko, ‘Sige, kung iyong ang ia-assign sa akin ng presidente, gagawin ko iyon muna.” [Okay. If that’s what the president wants to assign to me, I’ll do it.] According to an article published by Coconuts Manila, Ka Freddie said that despite the NCCA being a huge department, we haven’t heard of it having a project that made a huge impact on our culture. 

 He said: “Napakalaking departamento pala noon, pero wala tayong nababalitaang major na ginawa nila para sa kultura at sining natin. Mula noong panahon ni Marcos, hanggang ngayon.” [“It’s such a huge department, but we haven’t heard that it had a major project that made an impact on our culture, from the time of Marcos until now.] An official announcement for the post has yet to be made. The current NCCA chairperson is Felipe de Leon Jr. Aguilar is the third person from the local music industry that was given a government post by President Duterte. The president previously appointed Jimmy Bondoc as AVP for Entertainment for Community Relations and Service Department of Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) and RJ Jacinto as Presidential Adviser on Economic Affairs and Information Technology Communication.

Philippines Wins Against China- WestPH Sea News

It has finally been decided that the West Philippines Sea (South China Sea) rightfully belongs to the Philippines and not to China, according to the decision of the United Nations (UN) Arbitral Tribunal. The Tribunal issued its Award Tuesday, July 12, 2016 after several months of hearings and submission of documents. China was absent throughout the proceedings, refusing to recognize the case. “The Tribunal concluded that there was no legal basis for China to claim historic rights to resources within the sea areas falling within the ‘nine-dash line.’” the statement said. “Having found that none of the features claimed by China was capable of generating an exclusive economic zone, the Tribunal found that it could—without delimiting a boundary—declare that certain sea areas are within the exclusive economic zone of the Philippines, because those areas are not overlapped by any possible entitlement of China,” it added. BACKSTORY: The heart of the dispute over the West PH Sea The Tribunal also said that China has violated Philippine sovereign rights. “Having found that certain areas are within the exclusive economic zone of the Philippines, the Tribunal found that China had violated the Philippines’ sovereign rights in its exclusive economic zone by (a) interfering with Philippine fishing and petroleum exploration, (b) constructing artificial islands and (c) failing to prevent Chinese fishermen from fishing in the zone,” the tribunal statement said. “The Tribunal further held that Chinese law enforcement vessels had unlawfully created a serious risk of collision when they physically obstructed Philippine vessels,” it said. The Spratly Islands and its many reefs are being claimed by China under its “nine-dash line” claim that covers nearly the entire South China Sea including parts of the Philippines’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). China insists it has “historic rights” in asserting its ownership of the region believed to be rich in natural gas resources and also a vital trade route for international cargo ships. READ: China: We are the victims in dispute; won’t heed UN decision Philippines filed its case in January 2013 following the tense standoff between Chinese and Philippines ships at Scarborough shoal in April 2012. Since the initiation of the arbitration case, China has conducted several massive reclamation projects to turn submerged reefs into artificial islands capable of hosting military structures and equipment. China’s reclamation activities have alarmed other Southeast Asian nations, particularly Vietnam, that also have competing claims in the South China Sea. 

Source: Inquirer

Duterte Style: Barong with Maong Pants for Phil. Air Force Anniversary

President Duterte is really different from all other. He says what he does and he does what he says. He's made plaid shirts even more popular among Pinoys, 

but it remains to be seen whether people will be copying the new look sported by the country's new Commander in Chief on Tuesday. 

 Duterte attended the 69th anniversary of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) in a barong tagalog and jeans. There's no specified dress code for the event held at the Clark Air Base in Pampanga, but guests were advised to wear something "smart casual." Duterte's visit to the PAF event was his first as President. He arrived 30 minutes later than expected, but made the wait worth it when he accused five generals of being involved in the drug trade in his speech.

AMLC Found P250M Wealth Passed in VP Binay's Bank Accounts

Former Vice President Jejomar Binay had total deposits of P263.4 million in his bank accounts between 2009 and 2014, The Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) has said, much more than the P13 million that he earned as Makati mayor and as vice president during those years. 

 The AMLC looked into Binay's banking activities over the years when the Makati City Hall Building II was being built. Critics have alleged that the building was overpriced, with Binay receiving kickbacks from the project. The council found that Binay owned joint accounts with his financial adviser and alleged dummy Gerry Limlingan. The AMLC also found that several hundred thousand dollars were sent to Canada from these accounts. In a text message to reporters, Joey Salgado, 

Binay's spokesperson, denied the claim of AMLC that money transfers to Synnovate Ltd. and David Rink Consultancies in Canada were illegal. "Had AMLC bothered to do a simple Google check, they would have known that these companies are legitimate market research companies," he said. "They were paid for services rendered," he added. Salgado said the consultancy firms provided market research for Binay. "For market research and surveys starting 2008 when Binay started his bid for the vice presidential post. 

They have been conducting and providing market research for VP Binay since 2008, tinuloy-tuloy na," he told reporters at the sidelines of the conference of the Employers' Confederation of the Philippines. The AMLC also looked into accounts held by Makati Mayor Junjun Binay and found that he made transactions in the millions of pesos between 2007 and 2014. 

Around P26.8 million was deposited in the accounts and P12.5 million was withdrawn during those years, the AMLC said. This, despite Mayor Binay only getting a little more than P8 million from his salary as mayor. The AMLC said this indicated illegal and undeclared activities. The Vice President had earlier said that he only had five bank accounts. "'Yong perang 'yon, sa limang 'yon, karamihan doon ay kita ko bilang abogado bago pa ako mapunta sa gobyerno. Kinita ng misis ko na doktora. Kinita namin sa dating negosyo namin. 

At kasama na doon yung mga inipon kong pera," said the elder Binay. The Vice President has repeatedly said that the allegations are part of a demolition job by the Liberal Party against him. Mayor Binay has not yet issued a statement on the matter.

Bohol Participates Oplan Tukhang

Photos: Jeryl Lacang-Fuentes

CANDIJAY. BOHOL, Four hundred thirty one (431) drug personalities surrendered today. They were ushered to St. Joseph Parish Church and were received by church and state leaders headed by Hon. Mayor Christopher B. Tutor and Rev. Fr. Ondoy Amplayo. Out of the total number of drug personalities who surrendered, six (6) of whom are pushers and the rest (425) are ushers. Based on the affidavits the surrenderees signed, the following data where extracted:

49 stopped using drugs since 2012
58 stopped using drugs since 2013
79 stopped using drugs since 2014
103 stopped using drugs since 2015
136 active users who promised to stop using drugs

Number of drug personalities who surrendered per barangay:

Poblacion: 53
Mahangin: 25
Tawid: 9
La Union: 25
Tubod: 6
Canawa: 11
Tugas: 30
Anoling: 13
Boyoan 39
Abihilan 15
Tambongan 16
Can Olin 42
Panas 35
Panadtaran 2
Lungsodaan 34
Cogtong 76

P/Inspector Gerald A. Luna, Candijay Chief of Police, stated that he and his men will seriously implement OPLAN TOKHANG specially that in addition to the Local Chief Executive, Hon. Christopher B. Tutor, the president is there to protect them. Execution if not imprisonment of the hesitant identified culprits is to be expected then during the entire course of said operation, he added. 

Hon. Christopher B. Tutor, reiterated that Penitence must be seriously kept at heart by those drug-linked fellows or else judgment day will come to them early. 

Oplan Tokhang was launched last Monday, July 4, 2016.

Reach Out Candijay Chris Lex Tutor

Public Humiliation is not Duterte's Style, But why did he did it to the generals?

PNP Chief Superintendent Edgardo Tinio on Wednesday said he was publicly humiliated when President Duterte dropped his name as one of the police officials allegedly involved in the illegal drug trade.

Interviewed on GMA News' Unang Balita, Tinio said Duterte’s claims has put him in public humiliation. 

“Alam ninyo naman po, nakakahiya ‘yang nangyari na ‘yan. Ang nangyari po ay public humiliation at trial by publicity,” Tinio said. 

Tinio stressed that the information Duterte might have gotten from his sources and other police officials should have been verified first before calling out their names in public.

“Sana bago po niya tinuran ‘yung mga salita na yun, bago po kami binilad sa kahihiyan, dapat po sana vinalidate maigi ‘yung kaniyang impormasyon. Kaya willing po ako humarap sa kahit sino mang impormante ng Presidente, kung sino mang opisyal ang nagsabing ako ay involved sa illegal drugs,” he said.

During his speech at the 69th anniversary of the Philippine Air Force on Tuesday, Duterte drop the names of 5 police generals allegedly invovled in illegal drug operations including Tinio, Vicente Loot, Bernardo Diaz, Marcelo Garbo Jr., and Joel Pagdilao. 

Challenge to PNP chief

In the same television interview, Tinio challenged PNP chief Director General Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa to investigate the matter immediately, as he expressed willingness to cooperate with the proceedings to clear his name. 

“Ako po kaya kong humarap mata-mata, tumingin kahit kanino na malinis ang konsensya. I have never been involved in illegal drugs, in any shenanigans,” he said.

“Imestigahan po ang dapat imbestigahan. Malaman po sana, and we get to the bottom of these cases. And linisin po ang pangalan ng mga hindi talaga sangkot sa illegal drugs,” he added. 

At the same time, Tinio stressed that he was never involved in any illegal drug operations even when he was only a low-ranked police officer.

“Yung aking maybahay, alam niya ang pagkatao ko. Hindi ko sila pinakain ng galing sa illegal drugs. I never dipped my fingers sa illegal drugs. Mula noong ako po ay 2nd lieutenant pinangalagaan ko po ang pangalan ko,” he said.  — Kiersnerr Gerwin Tacadena

5 Generals linked to drugs connected to Roxas?

Duterte, prior on Tuesday, distinguished the 5 PNP generals as connected to drugs: resigned Deputy Director General Marcelo Garbo Jr, previous National Capital Region Police Office executive Chief Superintendent Joel Pagdilao, previous Quezon City Police District Office executive Chief Superintendent Edgardo Tinio, previous Western Visayas police boss Chief Superintendent Bernardo Diaz, and Vic Loot, who is currently leader of Daanbantayan, Cebu. Pagdilao, Tinio and Diaz denied the affirmations. PNP chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa said he will investigate the 3 who are in active service: Pagdilao, Tinio and Diaz. The resigned, Garbo and Loot, can be attempted in non military personnel courts, he included. Garbo and Diaz were among the police commanders found in a hotel at the stature of the May elections, the same inn where Mar Roxas' campaign staff were seen meeting. Diaz was at the time police head of Western Visayas, a bailiwick of Roxas.

Teacher's Salary Increased By This Year by President Duterte

The Newly sworn President Rodrigo Duterte declared his plan to add a P10,000.00 salary increase to all public school teachers as he talked to journalists lately together with his Senator Alan Peter Cayetano. 

 Within an noticeable observe to Malacanang where the Christmas bonus for the teachers this coming year was taken out, Mayor Duterte stated that the teachers under his Presidency have a ‘merry Christmas’ simply because they will love more positive aspects and Christmas bonuses in spite of a salary increase. 

The President cleared up this really is over the marked by controversy Salary Standardization Law glided by Congress lately. Let us end the sad Christmases of teachers. The teachers are not supposed to get the short end of the stick and get neglected. The teachers could expect a courageous solution and speedy action to raise their salary and other pertinent benefits. On top of that, 

Senator Cayetano criticizes the Aquino government for the little salary increase for basic level position. In addition, from the new SLS (Salary Standardization Law) approved lately, entry level teachers can expect to have a 12 % increase of their salary, staggered in 4 years. This implies, the new teacher could assume approximately 500 peso raise annually. MUST READ: Senior Citizens Will Be Given Additional Money This Year. Find It How Much? 

 Cayetano added the fact that government needs to have resolved the compensation program for the teachers. Rather the government aimed their efforts in using the bad compensation program. Senator Cayetano happens to be talking about the performance-based bonus system applied by the DepEd which offers incentive to teachers based upon their overall performance. Senator Peter Cayetano has been quoted by the PhilStar media reporter and stated, 

 This what Mayor Duterte and I want to end. We will restore the dignity of the teaching profession. No more cheapskate wage increases which do not address burdensome taxes, cost of living and living conditions in gene­ral. At this time, there will be no exact date when the additional salary take effect.

Telstra Opration in the Philippines, Approved!

The long suffering of Filipino People because of slow internet connection will end as Telstra confirms that they will invest at the Philippines to provide the best internet connection that they could. Last May 31, 2016, 

Presumptive President-elect Rodrigo Duterte said that he is ready to allow Telstra's investment at country if Globe and PLDT did not improve the internet speed. The company aims to give wider access to give wider access Despite that, Philippine Long Distance 

Telephone (PLDT) and Globe Telecom claims that they are ready to compete with Telstra.to 4G Internet Connection across the country. However, there are no exact dates on when the operation push through. 

 The Netizens claim that they are completely thrilled and excited for the plan that is happening to make the internet connection in the Philippines much better.

Davao City Cops yeild zero in ramdon drug test

In the series of ramdom drug tests started by the Philippine National Police Director General Ronald "BATO" dela Rosa, PRO Davao Regeion has started with their " yearly cleansing". Tuesday PRO Davao Region spokesperson CI Andrea dela Cerna said that the 61 top rank officers who joined the command conference with the Regional Director Manuel Gaerlan Tuesday were the first to undergo the test.

DAVAO. Policemen watch as a personnel of the Philippine National Police laboratory test urine samples during a random drug test conducted on police officers at the Police Regional Office 11 in Catitipan, Davao City, yesterday. (Darryl S. Postrano) NOT one personnel of the Police Regional Office (PRO) in Davao Region tested positive during the random drug test conducted Tuesday, July 5. 

"All of them tested negative on methampetamine hydrochloride and we are very happy about it," dela Cerna shared. Another round of tests was also conducted among the lower ranks but dela Cerna has yet to disclose the results. There are 103 more individuals from Barangays Marapangi, Lubogan, and Lizada in Toril District, Davao City, who confessed their involvement with illegal drug activities late afternoon Tuesday. Toril Police Station Commander Chief Superintendent Jed Clamor said in an interview Tuesday, "This is a good start towards turning away from drugs." source:

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