MANILA, JANUARY 26, 2012
(STAR) SEARCH FOR THE TRUTH By Ernesto M. Maceda -
I went to the Senate Monday to Thursday last week and watched the 4 days of
trial. Except for a 2-hour recess for marking and photo copying SALNs, I
observed no unusual delay in the proceedings.
The slow pace was due to the prosecutors being unprepared and going
roundabout in their examination of 3 witnesses.
Prosecutor Mario Bautista spent 2 hours questioning Supreme Court Clerk of
Court Atty. Enriqueta Vidal without being able to convince her to produce
Corona's SALNs. It took Senator Frank Drilon only 5 minutes to get her to submit
the SALNs.
The prosecution is accusing the defense of delaying the trial. I didn't see
that.
The objections raised by Retired Justice Serafin Cuevas were elementary and
mostly sustained by Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile. Atty. Bautista was
advised by the Senate President to reform the question many times.
Enough was accomplished in 4 days. Cong. Niel Tupas Jr. said he has 8 more
witnesses for Article 2. He said it will take the prosecution 6 weeks to present
its case. The defense turn should take as long. The fastest estimate therefore,
is that the trial will last until mid March.
SIDELIGHTS. . . On the 4th day of the trial, there were no more demonstrators
outside the Senate and the gallery was no longer full. It seems that after only
one week, public interest has waned.
Senators Miriam D. Santiago and Loren Legarda were absent for 4 days. It
would be interesting to watch if they will be present this week. Continued
absence would mean lack of interest or an intention to abstain.
Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile said that the pace of trial is something
he cannot control.
It is also affected by several Senator Judges asking questions. In the case
of Clerk of Court Enriqueta Vidal, Senators Drilon, Alan Cayetano, Pia Cayetano,
Chiz Escudero, Joker Arroyo, Ping Lacson, TG Guingona, Francis Pangilinan, Koko
Pimentel and Jinggoy Estrada took the floor to ask questions or express their
views. There were also several recesses called.
* * *
WORRISOME . . . The discovery of two big shabu labs, one at Ayala Alabang and
another at Caloocan, both in operation for more than a year, underscore the very
serious problem of huge illegal drug trade in the country. It's happening all
over the country. It makes one wonder who is extending protection to the drug
lords.
* * *
BIG PROBLEM. . . The biggest problem of the country is water. It is lack of
water on one side and floods, rains and too much water on the other side.
About 20 percent of barangays, especially the far away sitios have no water.
There used to be many deep wells but, many of them have dried up. Even some
parts of Metro Manila have no regular water service. Then there is the question
of potability. Water from Manila Water and Maynilad Water is not safe for
drinking due to the presence of old rusty pipes.
Sale of bottled water has been a big business. But, it is largely unregulated
and there is no regular testing of water from water stores. The price is also
high and costs families more money daily than the daily rice requirement.
On the other hand, excess rain water has caused floods, landslides and death.
Release of water from the big dams has caused problem.
Japan is building a 6-mile water highway with reservoirs under it. Bangkok
has unveiled a master plan to prevent floods.
What do we have? Not even simple rain harvesting facilities. DPWH Sec.
Rogelio Singson was named Water Czar about a year ago to coordinate 18 agencies
that have to do with water. We haven't heard from him.
Smaller water impounding dams must be built to harvest rain water. DILG and
Department of Agriculture should implement these programs.
* * *
PERFECT MATCH . . . We were privileged to attend the wedding of Congressman
Roman Romulo and Councilor Shalani Soledad at the St. Benedict's Church at
Westgrove, Santa Rosa, Laguna.
Six hundred people filled the church to capacity for a wedding mass
solemnized by Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales and Bishop Mylo Vergara.
There were 11 pairs of sponsors. There were 21 flower girls. Five Congressmen
were in the wedding entourage, namely: Reps. Toby Tiangco, Rodolfo Fariñas,
Antonio Lagdameo Jr., Tom Apacible and Lucy Torres-Gomez.
Shalani was exquisitely lovely in her bridal gown designed by Inno Sotto.
Roman wore a tuxedo with a gray bow tie. His parents, Sec. Alberto Romulo and
wife Lovely Tecson were also radiant in their happiness. Sisters Lupe, Mons and
Berna took care of the preparations.
As usual, the bride came 30 minutes late but the wedding rites took about an
hour after which the reception was held at the new Nuvali Ayala dockside where
fireworks greeted the newlyweds.
It was revealed that DFA Sec. Albert del Rosario played matchmaker for the
couple. As sister Mons said it was a match made in heaven.
* * *
TIDBITS. . . DOE Sec. Jose Rene Almendras has begged off from being
transferred to the post of Executive Secretary.
Pagcor registered a 16 percent increase in income for 2011.
PDEA Director General Jose Gutierrez Jr. has raised the alarm of a zero
conviction rate in the province of Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Lanao del Sur and
Maguindanao. In many provinces it is only 5 percent conviction rate.
Fifty NPA rebels disrupted the Sto. Niño celebrations of Lapinig, Northern
Samar, killing one and wounding another and then looting several houses.
Greetings to our avid readers former Sec. Nonong Cruz, Cong. Victor Yu,
former Cong. Sandy Urro, former Usec Rosellar de la Peña, Solo de Venecia of
Dagupan, Elvie Abordo of Villasis, former Cong. Mark Cojuangco, Amb. Tony
Cabangon Chua and Ruel Manalo.
Chief News Editor: Sol Jose Vanzi
© Copyright, 2012 by PHILIPPINE
HEADLINE NEWS ONLINE
All rights reserved
PHILIPPINE HEADLINE NEWS
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