MANILA, Philippines — Environment and religious groups on Friday slammed Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim’s decision to sign an ordinance allowing the country's largest oil distributors to stay put in the Pandacan oil depot.
In a statement, Kalikasan- People’s Network for the Environment (Kalikasan-PNE) said Lim’s decision “was an act of selling out the residents of Manila and organizations who lobbied for the relocation of the Pandacan oil depot."
“After all the claims of having sleepless nights and thinking of what's best for the people, Lim still sided with the companies. Now, it's the people who will have to lose sleep over their safety and security," said Clemente Bautista, national coordinator of Kalikasan-PNE.
Lim signed on Thursday Ordinance 7177, an ordinance allowing oil depots to stay in the city’s Pandacan district, despite oppositions from religious and environment groups.
Bautista said the enactment of the ordinance deprives the citizens of their “fundamental human rights such as the right to livelihood, to basic social services and to a safe and healthy environment should not be mutually exclusive."
“The people of Manila, as with any other human being, deserve to receive the full range of their rights. It is a task of the leaders who are elected by the people to uphold these rights and represent the welfare of their constituents no matter how difficult," said Bautista.
Bautista added that by extension, it is not only Mayor Lim who has failed the people but also the other politicians who have the power to influence the decision, but did not.
The national government and its agencies could have been more persistent in asserting the rights of the residents but instead left the decision in Mayor Lim's hands, the group said.
Clean Air Act
Meanwhile, Manila Auxiliary Bishop Bernardino Cortez, one of the signatories of the appeal letter against the staying of the three big oil companies in the Pandacan oil depot, said on Friday the enacted ordinance is illegal as it is contrary to the Clean Air Act.
“Maliwanag sa Clean Air [Act] na ito ay labag sa batas … national ito, kaya dapat ipatupad ito .[It’s very clear in the Clean Air Act that this ordinance is illegal. This Clean Air Act is a national statute and it should be enforced]," Cortez said.
He added they are mobilizing support to counter the moves of the Manila City Council.
Cortrez is part of the Social Justice System (SJS) movement, which has earlier threatened to go to court should Lim sign the ordinance.
Lim, in a speech before his constituents early on Friday, explained that transferring the oil depots elsewhere “would send the wrong signal to investors," besides resulting in 10,000 job losses.
Ordering the relocation might bring the capital’s “economic death," he said.
The SJS earlier contended that the proposed ordinance 7177 is hazardous to residents because of the pollution from the oil depot and also poses danger should any untoward incident occur in the Pandacan terminal.
“The proposed ordinance would admit the presence of highly pollutive and extremely hazardous industries in the City of Manila, under which the oil depot, among others, is classified, endangering the people’s right to a balanced and healthful ecology."
SJS also said the enactment of the ordinance counters Ordinance 8027, which was passed during the time of Mayor Lito Atienza and upheld by the Supreme Court last April.
Ordinance 8027 declared the districts of Pandacan and Sta. Ana in Manila as commercial areas and ordered the relocation of the oil companies’ facilities.
The oil companies — Petron Corp., Pilipinas Shell and Chevron Philippines — have been asking for more time to relocate.
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Friday, January 29, 2010
Anak ni Mayor Lim kinasuhan ng pagbebenta ng shabu
MANILA – Sinampahan nitong Martes ng kasong pagbebenta ng methamphetamine hydrochloride o shabu si Manny Santos Lim, anak ni Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim na mahigpit na lumalaban sa ipinagbabawal na gamot.
Ayon kay Chief State Prosecutor Jovencito Zuno, malakas ang katibayan laban kay Lim, 44-anyos, at mga kapwa akusado na sina Joel Sabado at Ronald Pascual, dahil sa paglabag sa Section 5 at 15 ng Article 2 ng RA 9165 o Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, dahil sa pagbebenta ng ilegal na droga.
"It's up to the court if it will approve a plea-bargain, but as far as the DOJ is concerned, there is enough evidence to prove that they weren't in the act of buying. The quantity of shabu found in their possession and the marked money used during the entrapment operation is enough evidence," pahayag ni Zuno.
Walang piyansang inirekomenda ang Manila Regional Trial court sa mga akusado na nahaharap sa habambuhay na pagkakakulong kapag napatunayang nagkasala sa kaso.
Ang grupo ni Lim ay nadakip sa buy-bust operation ng Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA noong Marso 14 sa Espeleta Street sa Sta. Cruz, Manila. Nakuha umano sa mga akusado ang 98.7821 gramo ng shabu na tinatayang nagkakahalaga ng P340,000.
Ibinasura ng DOJ ang depensa ng kampo ni Lim na biktima ito ng frame up at bumili lang siya ng shabu sa isang pulis.
"The familiar rule on evidence is that an affirmative testimony is far weightier than a negative one, especially when the former comes from a credible witness. Categorical and positive identification of an accused, without any showing of ill-motive on the part of the eyewitness testifying on the matter, prevails over alibi and denial, which are negative, self-serving and undeserving of real weight in law unless substantiated by clear and convincing evidence," paliwanag ng DOJ.
Ayon kay Chief State Prosecutor Jovencito Zuno, malakas ang katibayan laban kay Lim, 44-anyos, at mga kapwa akusado na sina Joel Sabado at Ronald Pascual, dahil sa paglabag sa Section 5 at 15 ng Article 2 ng RA 9165 o Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, dahil sa pagbebenta ng ilegal na droga.
"It's up to the court if it will approve a plea-bargain, but as far as the DOJ is concerned, there is enough evidence to prove that they weren't in the act of buying. The quantity of shabu found in their possession and the marked money used during the entrapment operation is enough evidence," pahayag ni Zuno.
Walang piyansang inirekomenda ang Manila Regional Trial court sa mga akusado na nahaharap sa habambuhay na pagkakakulong kapag napatunayang nagkasala sa kaso.
Ang grupo ni Lim ay nadakip sa buy-bust operation ng Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA noong Marso 14 sa Espeleta Street sa Sta. Cruz, Manila. Nakuha umano sa mga akusado ang 98.7821 gramo ng shabu na tinatayang nagkakahalaga ng P340,000.
Ibinasura ng DOJ ang depensa ng kampo ni Lim na biktima ito ng frame up at bumili lang siya ng shabu sa isang pulis.
"The familiar rule on evidence is that an affirmative testimony is far weightier than a negative one, especially when the former comes from a credible witness. Categorical and positive identification of an accused, without any showing of ill-motive on the part of the eyewitness testifying on the matter, prevails over alibi and denial, which are negative, self-serving and undeserving of real weight in law unless substantiated by clear and convincing evidence," paliwanag ng DOJ.
Atienza to Lim: What bankruptcy?
Environment Secretary Lito Atienza yesterday denounced allegations that the City of Manila was “bankrupt” after his third term as mayor of the country’s capital.
“Records clearly show that Manila had a P2.6-billion fund after my term officially expired in 2007,” he said, standing on his track record as the only Manila mayor elected for three consecutive terms.
Atienza said his nine-year administration gave the city “a very healthy economy” that efficiently collected taxes which were returned to residents through the Buhayin ang Maynila urban renewal and development program.
“Inheriting a poor annual revenue collection of only P2 billion from my predecessor in 1998, my administration, through innovative reforms, overwhelmingly raised it up to P8 billion. Our income-generating efforts were evidenced by topping the ranks in a centerspread published 2006 financial report of no less than the Commission on Audit and Department of Finance,” he said, referring the incumbent.
He said hospitals and health centers had adequate equipment and medicine stocks while nutrition programs were in place.
Atienza noted that young Manilans, especially from poor families, obtained quality education even as businesses thrived, generating jobs and livelihood.
He said transactions were streamlined to do away with red tape and corruption.
Manila was safe, he added, because law violators were arrested and punished.
With garbage regularly collected and roads well maintained, the city enjoyed a clean and healthy environment.
“We had a vision pursued and delivered. My performance as Manila’s father is proof of genuine public service. Lies being peddled must be corrected.”
Atienza said the present administration had no one else to blame for its bankruptcy.
“Records clearly show that Manila had a P2.6-billion fund after my term officially expired in 2007,” he said, standing on his track record as the only Manila mayor elected for three consecutive terms.
Atienza said his nine-year administration gave the city “a very healthy economy” that efficiently collected taxes which were returned to residents through the Buhayin ang Maynila urban renewal and development program.
“Inheriting a poor annual revenue collection of only P2 billion from my predecessor in 1998, my administration, through innovative reforms, overwhelmingly raised it up to P8 billion. Our income-generating efforts were evidenced by topping the ranks in a centerspread published 2006 financial report of no less than the Commission on Audit and Department of Finance,” he said, referring the incumbent.
He said hospitals and health centers had adequate equipment and medicine stocks while nutrition programs were in place.
Atienza noted that young Manilans, especially from poor families, obtained quality education even as businesses thrived, generating jobs and livelihood.
He said transactions were streamlined to do away with red tape and corruption.
Manila was safe, he added, because law violators were arrested and punished.
With garbage regularly collected and roads well maintained, the city enjoyed a clean and healthy environment.
“We had a vision pursued and delivered. My performance as Manila’s father is proof of genuine public service. Lies being peddled must be corrected.”
Atienza said the present administration had no one else to blame for its bankruptcy.
Maynila: Noon at Ngayon
Makikita ang napakalaking pagkakaiba ng lungsod ng Maynila noon at ngayon. Noon, makikita natin na napakasigla ng Baywalk dahil sa makatawag pansing tanawin at mga pasyalan, maaliwalas na tanawin ng Manila Bay, mga masiglang negosyo, maraming trabaho at marami pang iba sa pangunguna ng dating Mayor Lito Atienza. Ngunit ngayon, ang dating masiglang Baywalk ay naging ordinaryo na lamang. Lahat ito ay dahil sa utos ni Mayor Fred Lim na tanggalin ang sigla sa Baywalk. Kung mapapansin natin ang Baywalk ngayon, nagmistula na itong isang simpleng daanan na hindi ka man lamang mamamangha.
Noon, makikita mo ang Baywalk ang isa sa sentro ng negosyo at mga turista. Isang buhay na katotohonan upang ito’y dinarayo ng mga banyaga at iisa lamang ang kanilang sagot kung tatanungin mo kung gaano kaganda ang mga tanawin. Kahit hindi natin sabihin o hikayatin ang mga ito ay sila pa mismo ang magpupumilit na puntahan ito. Ano kaya ang magandang dahilan ni Mayor Lim kung bakit niya ipinatanggal ang mga istablisyemento dito? Pinatanggal nya ba ito dahil si Mayor Atienza ang nanguna upang mapaganda ng Baywalk?
Pangalawa, noon nakita natin kung paano namintina nang administrasyong Atienza ang kalinisan ng Manila Bay at napanatili ang kaayusan nito. Ngunit ngayon kung mapapansin natin, nakakaawang pagmasdan ang Manila Bay, nagkalat ang basura sa pampang at may masangsang na amoy. Ano nga kaya ang ginagawang aksyon ng tinaguriang Dirty Harry ng Maynila? May ginagawa ba sya upang mabigyan ng pansin ang unti-unting nasisirang Manila Bay?
Maliban pa sa mga ito, maraming mga proyekto ni Mayor Atienza ang hindi pinagpatuloy at minintina ng kasulukuyang administrasyon. Huwag sana nating personalin at gawing dahilan ang mga naging hidwaan sa pulitika upang hindi ipagpatuloy ang mga magandang nasimulan ng naunang administrasyon. Napakasit nga lang isipin na ganoon ang ginawa ni Mayor Lim.
Kayo na lamang ang maghusga kung ano at sino ang ating paniniwalaan, ang subok sa pangangalaga sa kalikasan o sa sumisira nito?
Maliwag na ang sagot, huwag na sana tayong magpatakot sa mga gumagamit ng kamay na bakal upang gawing tama ang mali.
‘Yun lang!
Noon, makikita mo ang Baywalk ang isa sa sentro ng negosyo at mga turista. Isang buhay na katotohonan upang ito’y dinarayo ng mga banyaga at iisa lamang ang kanilang sagot kung tatanungin mo kung gaano kaganda ang mga tanawin. Kahit hindi natin sabihin o hikayatin ang mga ito ay sila pa mismo ang magpupumilit na puntahan ito. Ano kaya ang magandang dahilan ni Mayor Lim kung bakit niya ipinatanggal ang mga istablisyemento dito? Pinatanggal nya ba ito dahil si Mayor Atienza ang nanguna upang mapaganda ng Baywalk?
Pangalawa, noon nakita natin kung paano namintina nang administrasyong Atienza ang kalinisan ng Manila Bay at napanatili ang kaayusan nito. Ngunit ngayon kung mapapansin natin, nakakaawang pagmasdan ang Manila Bay, nagkalat ang basura sa pampang at may masangsang na amoy. Ano nga kaya ang ginagawang aksyon ng tinaguriang Dirty Harry ng Maynila? May ginagawa ba sya upang mabigyan ng pansin ang unti-unting nasisirang Manila Bay?
Maliban pa sa mga ito, maraming mga proyekto ni Mayor Atienza ang hindi pinagpatuloy at minintina ng kasulukuyang administrasyon. Huwag sana nating personalin at gawing dahilan ang mga naging hidwaan sa pulitika upang hindi ipagpatuloy ang mga magandang nasimulan ng naunang administrasyon. Napakasit nga lang isipin na ganoon ang ginawa ni Mayor Lim.
Kayo na lamang ang maghusga kung ano at sino ang ating paniniwalaan, ang subok sa pangangalaga sa kalikasan o sa sumisira nito?
Maliwag na ang sagot, huwag na sana tayong magpatakot sa mga gumagamit ng kamay na bakal upang gawing tama ang mali.
‘Yun lang!
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Desisyon ng SC na ibalik ang ‘short-time’ sa motel pinalagan
MANILA – Nagbabala ang isang kongresista nitong Biyernes na tataas ang kaso ng prostitusyon, bawal na relasyon at paggamit ng ilegal na droga sa Maynila kasunod ng desisyon ng Korte Suprema na ibalik ang “short-time" o sandaling pananatili sa mga motel sa lungsod.
Hindi umano makapaniwala si Manila Rep. Bienvenido Abante sa naging pasya ng mga mahistrado ng SC na ideklarang ilegal at labag sa Saligang Batas ang ordinang ipinasa ng Kongreso ng Maynila 17-taon na ang nakararaan.
“The only intention of the city council of Manila is to protect the welfare of its constituents as provided for by the local government code. That ordinance does not in any violate the rights of individuals, to declare it unconstitutional is confusing and mind boggling. A motion for reconsideration is ought to be filed," ayon kay Abante, isang pastor.
Iginiit ni Abante na dapat maghain ng mosyon si Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim upang hindi maalis ang ordinansa.
Una rito, sinabi sa desisyon ng SC na nilalabag ng ordinansa ang constitutional right ng mga taong nais pumasok sa mga motel at maging ang karapatan ng mga may-ari ng motel.
Kinatigan din ni Citizens Battle Against Corruption party-list Rep. Joel Villanueva, anak ng evangelist leader na si Eduardo “Bro. Eddie" Villanueva ng Jesus is Lord Movement (JIL), ang posisyon ni Abante.
“According to them, there is no direct study about it (prostitution at illicit affair), but it’s very obvious that this would encourage it if not promote illicit sex," ayon kay Villanueva.
Naniniwala naman si Zambales Rep. Maria Milagros Magsaysay na hindi kayang pigilan ng naturang ordinansa ang mga bawal relasyon dahil maaari pa rin itong mangyari kahit sa mga malalaking hotel.
“Whether short or long (stay), it will not stop couples from availing of its services. Illicit affairs or drugs can occur anywhere even in five star hotels and the likes," paliwanag niya.
Suportado naman ni Gabriela party-list Rep. Liza Maza ang desisyon ng SC at binatikos pa si Mayor Lim na kilala umano sa paglabag sa mga karapatang pantao.
“I agree with the SC decision. Lim’s ban in 1992 is violative of basic private rights. SC decision is a clear message to government officials not to abuse their power and encroach on private rights. Prostitution and illegal drugs can be addressed thru effective law enforcement and solving roots of their proliferation," ayon sa kongresista.
Hindi umano makapaniwala si Manila Rep. Bienvenido Abante sa naging pasya ng mga mahistrado ng SC na ideklarang ilegal at labag sa Saligang Batas ang ordinang ipinasa ng Kongreso ng Maynila 17-taon na ang nakararaan.
“The only intention of the city council of Manila is to protect the welfare of its constituents as provided for by the local government code. That ordinance does not in any violate the rights of individuals, to declare it unconstitutional is confusing and mind boggling. A motion for reconsideration is ought to be filed," ayon kay Abante, isang pastor.
Iginiit ni Abante na dapat maghain ng mosyon si Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim upang hindi maalis ang ordinansa.
Una rito, sinabi sa desisyon ng SC na nilalabag ng ordinansa ang constitutional right ng mga taong nais pumasok sa mga motel at maging ang karapatan ng mga may-ari ng motel.
Kinatigan din ni Citizens Battle Against Corruption party-list Rep. Joel Villanueva, anak ng evangelist leader na si Eduardo “Bro. Eddie" Villanueva ng Jesus is Lord Movement (JIL), ang posisyon ni Abante.
“According to them, there is no direct study about it (prostitution at illicit affair), but it’s very obvious that this would encourage it if not promote illicit sex," ayon kay Villanueva.
Naniniwala naman si Zambales Rep. Maria Milagros Magsaysay na hindi kayang pigilan ng naturang ordinansa ang mga bawal relasyon dahil maaari pa rin itong mangyari kahit sa mga malalaking hotel.
“Whether short or long (stay), it will not stop couples from availing of its services. Illicit affairs or drugs can occur anywhere even in five star hotels and the likes," paliwanag niya.
Suportado naman ni Gabriela party-list Rep. Liza Maza ang desisyon ng SC at binatikos pa si Mayor Lim na kilala umano sa paglabag sa mga karapatang pantao.
“I agree with the SC decision. Lim’s ban in 1992 is violative of basic private rights. SC decision is a clear message to government officials not to abuse their power and encroach on private rights. Prostitution and illegal drugs can be addressed thru effective law enforcement and solving roots of their proliferation," ayon sa kongresista.
Case vs Lim on China travel planned
MANILA, Philippines—A lawyer plans to file a complaint with the Office of the Ombudsman against Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim over the recent China trip undertaken by some 700 village heads using public funds.
Apart from Lim, officials of the city’s Liga ng mga Barangay (League of Villages), which organized the trip, could also be held liable, said lawyer Vladimir Cabigao.
Cabigao criticized the local executives’ “excessive spending,” saying it was a clear misuse of public funds.
He cited the city government’s policy against the holding of seminars outside Manila which Lim reportedly issued last year.
“According to the policy instruction, the holding of seminars and lectures in far-flung areas are discouraged due to shortfall in revenue collection and budgetary constraint,” Cabigao said. “But this was utterly disregarded by Mayor Lim when he allowed the foreign travel of the barangay captains.”
He said Lim and the leadership of the Liga ng mga Barangay have exposed themselves to possible criminal and administrative suit before the Office of the Ombudsman for violation of the policy instruction.
“It must be satisfactorily explained to the public the purpose of such trip because public funds were used,” he said.
Lim has already issued a statement saying he saw nothing wrong with the trip. He stressed that no city fund was used for it.
But Joel Par, director of Liga and chairman of Barangay 859 Zone 93 in Pandacan, admitted that the money used for the trip came from the villages’ annual contribution to the league.
“After having been apprised that no city funds will be touched and the chairmen will be rendering service while on leave of absence, I interposed no objection and signed the recommendation (for the issuance of travel authority),” Lim said.
Lim also clarified that his role was merely recommendatory while the final approval rested with the Department of Interior and Local Government, which ultimately allowed the chairmen to travel.
“But just the same, I will be asking the officials of the league if the trip was worthwhile by means of a report on what they have learned from that activity,” he said, adding that the trip was intended for the chairmen to learn and share experiences and insights with their counterparts in other countries.
“Seeing personally the fruits of the development in Shenzhen in eco-tourism, social infrastructures, environmental management, and the improvement in the lives of their people will give our local officials the insights on how they can manage the same development in their respective jurisdiction,” Lim said.
Apart from Lim, officials of the city’s Liga ng mga Barangay (League of Villages), which organized the trip, could also be held liable, said lawyer Vladimir Cabigao.
Cabigao criticized the local executives’ “excessive spending,” saying it was a clear misuse of public funds.
He cited the city government’s policy against the holding of seminars outside Manila which Lim reportedly issued last year.
“According to the policy instruction, the holding of seminars and lectures in far-flung areas are discouraged due to shortfall in revenue collection and budgetary constraint,” Cabigao said. “But this was utterly disregarded by Mayor Lim when he allowed the foreign travel of the barangay captains.”
He said Lim and the leadership of the Liga ng mga Barangay have exposed themselves to possible criminal and administrative suit before the Office of the Ombudsman for violation of the policy instruction.
“It must be satisfactorily explained to the public the purpose of such trip because public funds were used,” he said.
Lim has already issued a statement saying he saw nothing wrong with the trip. He stressed that no city fund was used for it.
But Joel Par, director of Liga and chairman of Barangay 859 Zone 93 in Pandacan, admitted that the money used for the trip came from the villages’ annual contribution to the league.
“After having been apprised that no city funds will be touched and the chairmen will be rendering service while on leave of absence, I interposed no objection and signed the recommendation (for the issuance of travel authority),” Lim said.
Lim also clarified that his role was merely recommendatory while the final approval rested with the Department of Interior and Local Government, which ultimately allowed the chairmen to travel.
“But just the same, I will be asking the officials of the league if the trip was worthwhile by means of a report on what they have learned from that activity,” he said, adding that the trip was intended for the chairmen to learn and share experiences and insights with their counterparts in other countries.
“Seeing personally the fruits of the development in Shenzhen in eco-tourism, social infrastructures, environmental management, and the improvement in the lives of their people will give our local officials the insights on how they can manage the same development in their respective jurisdiction,” Lim said.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Manila is the Toxic Capital of the Philippines
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Lito Atienza said those words at the height of the Pandacan Oil Depot issue.
In that issue, Atienza’s rival, Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim, upheld the decision of the city council to keep the oil depot within the city after citing the economic benefits that the depot brings. Lim’s detractors, however, cited environmental concerns as the reasons why the oil depot should be shut down.
Atienza’s words are true. Manila is indeed the toxic capital of the country, not only because of the oil depot but also because the filth and trash that are present all throughout the city.
It is a shame that the capital of the Philippines is in this condition. The esteros and rivers are teeming with garbage and all of them stinks. The side streets are so filthy that it is disgusting to walk barefoot on it. The major highways are always congested with traffic so that the air quality in the city is poor.
Manila is a toxic city and for many years, the people are suffering from its filthy condition. Atienza’s words are correct and during his term, he tried his best to lessen up this problem when he was then the Mayor of Manila unlike Incumbent Manila Mayor Lim. Lim is at fault in letting Manila’s condition stay this way.
In that issue, Atienza’s rival, Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim, upheld the decision of the city council to keep the oil depot within the city after citing the economic benefits that the depot brings. Lim’s detractors, however, cited environmental concerns as the reasons why the oil depot should be shut down.
Atienza’s words are true. Manila is indeed the toxic capital of the country, not only because of the oil depot but also because the filth and trash that are present all throughout the city.
It is a shame that the capital of the Philippines is in this condition. The esteros and rivers are teeming with garbage and all of them stinks. The side streets are so filthy that it is disgusting to walk barefoot on it. The major highways are always congested with traffic so that the air quality in the city is poor.
Manila is a toxic city and for many years, the people are suffering from its filthy condition. Atienza’s words are correct and during his term, he tried his best to lessen up this problem when he was then the Mayor of Manila unlike Incumbent Manila Mayor Lim. Lim is at fault in letting Manila’s condition stay this way.
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