Look: Marinduque Cultural Showcase opens MIMAROPA Naturally Agri-Trade and Tourism Fair at Megamall, Oct. 16

Marinduque Governor Presby Velasco
Photo: Peter Magturo

DTI MIMAROPA Is ready for this week’s biggest event in the Metro. In partnership with DA, DOT, DAR, the Provincial Government of Marinduque, Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Palawan, Romblon, and City Government of Calapan and Puerto Princesa the fifth run of “MIMAROPA Naturally: Agri Trade and Tourism Fair 2019” goes from October 16-20, 2019 at Megatrade Halls 1 & 2, 5th Floor SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City.

What’s in it for us Marinduqueños? This regional trade fair will showcase the diverse products and tourist destinations of our island and the region. Then some of Marinduque’s best artistic talents will be featured exclusively during the opening on Wednesday, October 16th. 

All set to perform are ‘The Baritone’, multi-award winner Joseleo Logdat, soprano Jasmine Salvo and I Baritoni, a trio of male voices and others.

The Baritone, Joseleo Logdat

Soprano Jasmine Salvo

Marinduque Congressman Lord Allan Velasco has been invited to grace the fair, and Marinduque Governor Presbitero Velasco, Jr., President of the League of Provinces of the Philippines (LPP), is Keynote Speaker alongside Secretary Ramon Lopez of the Department of Trade and Industry.

Lending support to the Marinduque Day opening at the trade fair are all the good members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Marinduque led by Vice-Governor Romulo Bacorro, Jr.

For this event, selected young artists from Marinduque National High School (MNHS) and Marinduque State College (MSC) are performing their own version of the Putong traditional ritual to welcome the fair's special guests. 

Other surprise numbers have been prepared by the MNHS-MSC group. The Marinduque Show starts at 4:00 pm after a brief performance at 2:00 pm for the opening program and the ribbon cutting. There will be a second Marinduque show for MIMAROPA Naturally visitors at 7:00 pm.

Marinduque Team preparing for the trip to Megamall
Photo: Joven Lilles

You are all invited to this much-awaited event. Consider this as the most opportune time to show support to our farmers, manufacturers, and support to tourism establishments now rising on the island-province.

About 150 MSME-exhibitors from the region are targeted to participate this year, and that’s more than 100% increase from the 73 MSME-exhibitors who joined in 2015. DTI MIMAROPA is optimistic to reach a milestone P100-million sales generated this year. That’s twenty-fold higher than the P4.5 million sales in 2015, according to DTI.

Some 100 new/improved products and designs this time will also be launched.

Visit the Marinduque Island Pavilion at the fair. Don’t miss this very special day as it also kicks-off the celebration of Marinduque Centennial Year 2020!

Gov. Bacorro to conduct formal investigation; LGBT Marinduque slams fake accounts, fake news

The new governor inside the late governor's office

“We have to conduct a formal investigation as no records, documents, properties, equipments were turned over to the new governor”, said Jojo Alvarez, Marinduque Governor Romulo Bacorro’s personal consultant and spokesperson in an interview aired over local CableTV.

A preliminary investigation shall be conducted, Alvarez added, to determine the criminal and civil aspects so that the “interest of justice will be served” and those responsible are made to face the consequences of their action.

Alvarez was referring to the unauthorized removal of government-owned equipment such as official records, computers, tables and other equipment from the governor’s office the day after the demise of the former governor.

Governor Romulo Bacorro, Jr. inspects the late governor's office accompanied by local media practitioners. No plans of using this office.

It will be recalled that newly-installed Gov. Bacorro became a target of attacks emanating from a certain FB page identified with the previous administration. Alvarez said one FB post made it appear that Bacorro ordered that the offices occupied by the late governor be vacated unceremoniously.

The post, he said, was accompanied by photos showing boxes apparently filled with documents ready to be removed from said office.

During the first flag-ceremony attended by the new chief executive of Marinduque, Bacorro speaking before capitol employees ordered those concerned to return what they have taken from the capitol “within three days” or face an investigation.

The governor's spokesperson also added that "we have no plans of using the old governor's office and just use same office".

LGBT Marinduque reputes social media 'fake news'

In a related development, LGBT Marinduque issued a strongly worded statement in connection with “malicious remarks against Dr. Romulo A. Bacorro, Jr. 

The group said in the statement signed by its president, Alwin Nacawili that the group “collectively refutes the malevolent statement” aimed to discredit the governor (Bacorro). The statement said that it did not originate from their organization as apparently claimed by a fake account, putting them in a bad light.

“LGBT Marinduque further condemns individuals and organizations, disguising themselves through various fake accounts and mimicking/copying legitimate organizations in order to advance their own agenda and to bend the public’s understanding and appreciation of different issues by twisting facts and spreading fake news”, the statement said.

LGBT Marinduque's Official Statement

“We shall remain supportive of the projects or activities by the government, private organizations or individuals where our talents and potentials can be channeled to be of greater service to the community”, the group added.

Marinduque political matriarch Carmencita Reyes dies; Romulo Bacorro sworn in as governor

Carmencita O. Reyes. From FB of  Lorenzo Vega

Marinduque governor and former representative Carmencita Ongsiako Reyes passed away, her relatives confirmed.

She was 87.

Reyes’ son-in-law and Batangas governor Hermilando Mandanas said Reyes died Monday.

In a text message, Mandanas said Reyes suffered from “an aneurysm in the stomach.” The family provided no other details regarding the governor’s prior condition.

Reyes’ grandson Lorenzo Vega, in a Facebook post, said: “Nanay Carmencita will always be remembered for her dedicated and untiring service to the people of Marinduque.”

Reyes served twice as Marinduque’s lone representative from 1987 to 1998 and from 2007 to 2010. She was governor from 1998 to 2007 and from 2010 to 2019.

Her late husband, Edmundo Reyes Sr., was a former Immigration Commissioner.

Her remains lie in state at the Heritage Park in Taguig City until January 9 and would be flown to Marinduque on January 10.

The funeral mass is set on January 11 at the Sanctuario de San Antonio Church in Makati City. - Inquirer.Net

Carmencita O. Reyes, Photo from Lorenzo Vega's FB

Romulo Bacorro, Jr. sworn in as Marinduque governor

Meanwhile, DILG Marinduque program manager, Joyce S. Ulpo posted in her FB that Vice-Governor Romulo Bacorro, Jr. took his oath of office today, January 8 as Governor of Marinduque due to the permanent vacancy resulting from Gov. Reyes' demise.

By virtue of succession under Section 44 of the Local Government Code of 1991, Bacorro will serve only the unexpired term of his predecessor.

Romulo Bacorro takes oath as Governor. From left Ret. Associate Justice Presbitero Velasco, Jr., Gov. Bacorro, Cong. Lord Allan Velasco and Boac Bishop Marcelino Antonio Maralit, Jr.

The said oath was administered by Congressman Lord Allan Velasco and witnessed by the Department Heads, Board Members, Ret. AJ Presbitero Velasco, Bishop Junie Maralit, PNP PD Landicho, Dir.Jacinto Mateo of CSC, DILG PD Frederick Gumabol, Outcome Manager Zali Z. Semilla, OIC Program Manager Joyce Semilla Ulpo and other officials and employees of the Provincial Government.

Di matapos-tapos na Kagilagilalas na Epiko ng Marinduque: Ano ang latest tungkol sa usap-Marcopper

Napaurong ang SP sa pag-ratify ng panibagong kontrata na pirmado na ni Gov. Carmencita O. Reyes

Aerial view ng dredge channel sa bunganga ng Boac river na dinaanan ng tailings papuntang dagat taong 1996. Larawan mula sa Newsbreak/ Marcopper Mine Post-Spill Impact Assessment December 2001 report

Sa kasagsagan ng kampanyahan para sa Barangay at SK Elections sa Marinduque, nagulantang ang maituturing na pinaka-aktibong organisasyon sa islang-lalawigan. Ito ang Marinduque Council for Environmental Concerns (MaCEC).

Biyernes, Mayo 11, 2018, 2:00 n.h. sa Sangguniang Panlalawigan ng Marinduque.

Naka-agenda na ang opisyal na hiling ng Governor Carmencita O. Reyes na iratipika ang isang kontrata, Restated and Amended Contract of Diamond McCarthy na pirmado na ng Gobernador.

Di naputol kahit kailan kayat tuloy-tuloy, sa loob ng maraming taon, ang pagtutol ng MaCEC bilang isa sa pangunahing stakeholders at ng Simbahan, pagtutol na bigyan ng authority ang Gobernador na pumasok sa isang kontrata sa Diamond McCarthy. Ito ay hinggil pa rin sa kaso laban sa Marcopper/Placer Dome, Inc./Barrick Gold na napagkasunduang isasampa sa Canada.

‘Onerous and unacceptable’, ('Nakagagambala at hindi katanggap-tanggap', ang ginamit na mga salita patungkol sa nasabing kontrata sa isang position paper ng MaCEC.

Nagsimulang dumating ang mga miyembro ng MaCEC para makinig sa labas ng session hall.

Sa pagkakataong ito ay dumalo ang blogger na ito sa Sanggunian para manood at makinig ng opisyal na pag-uusap tungkol dito. Nadatnan ko sa labas ng session hall ang may mga 50-katao na mga miyembro ng MaCEC na nakahanda ring makinig. Naroon din ang Obispo ng Diocese of Boac, ang Most Rev. Marcelino Antonio M. Maralit, si Rev. Fr, Arvin Madla, Chairperon ng MaCEC, si Ms. Beth Manggol bilang Secretariat Head at iba pa nilang mga kasamahan.

Most Rev. Bishop Marcelino Maralit at ang blogger na ito

Pagkakita sa akin ng isang nakangiting bokal na babae ay kaagad akong pinapasok sa loob ng session hall, kasabay ng Mahal na Obispo na sa unang pagkakataon ay nakadaupang palad ko. Isa-isang dumating ang mga opisyales, sina BM Tet Caballes, BM John Fernandez, BM Mark Seno, BM Primo Pamintuan, BM Harold Red, BM Alan Nepomuceno, BM Mely Aguirre at Vice-Governor Romulo Bacorro, Jr.

Nang sinimulang talakayin ang hinggil sa ratification ng kontrata ay tinawag ang Obispo para hingan ng kanyang mensahe. Binanggit ng Obispo na umaga pa lamang ay naisumite na niya ang position paper ng MaCEC na kanya ring pinirmahan, kaya’t ito na lamang aniya ang kanyang babasahin para sa kaalaman ng lahat.

Panalangin para sa kaliwanagan sa simula ng SP session.

Sa nasabing position paper ay nakahayag ang salitang ‘vehemently’ o  mainit na pagtutol ng MaCEC bilang pangunahing organisasyon at ng Simbahan na nagsusulong ng environmental protection at social justice, pagtutol sa Ratipikasyon ng pirmado nang kontrata.

Bahagi lamang ng nasabing dokumento ay ang mga sumusunod:

“Whereas, the organization and the local church for several times have strongly expressed its objection as articulated in the previous position papers submitted to the Provincial Governor and the Sangguniang Panlalawigan in relation with the continuous engagement of PGM with Atty. Skip Scott/Diamong McCarthy Law Firm, specifically the granting of authority to the Governor, Hon. Carmencita O. Reyes, to enter into contract with the said law firm on their Restated and Amended Contract for the filing of case in Canada.

“Whereas, several comments and recommendations have been clearly expressed by the organization and other stakeholders but none of these was acted upon by the PGM and or said law firm thus, for every new contract presented before the stakeholders and Marinduquenos in general have been onerous and unacceptable.

“Whereas, all previous contract between the PGM and Atty. Skip/DM has been expired since the Nevada Court Decision dismissing the case due to lack of proper jurisdiction. All obligation was due only with the case in Nevada, since there is no recovery, Atty. Skip/DM could not demand litigation cost, under the contingency clause. Therefore, services rendered terminated.

Kopya ng position paper ng MaCEC na isinumite sa SP 'vehemently expressing opposition to the ratification of the signed restated and amended contract of the PGM with Diamond McCarthy law firm.

“Whereas, the organization is in receipt of the invitation from the Sangguniang Panlalawigan Committee on Environmental Protection, Human Ecology & Disaster Preparedness on the committee hearing scheduled on May 10, 2018 to discuss the letter of Governor Carmencita O. Reyes requesting ratification of the Restated and Amended Contract of Diamond McCarthy as already signed by her.

“Whereas, it is the power of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan to give authority to the Local Chief Executive to enter into contract with any program and/or projects to be implemented by the province, thereby in relation with the the above-mentioned request of the Hon. Governor, it is now in the powerful hands of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan to properly scrutinize the said request before rendering its decision, to avoid putting themselves and the people they represent at risk. This, always in accordance to the conditions of the law under Republic Act. 9184, to which all civil servants are to be held accountable for any contract or project that are considered not in accordance to the same principles as provided for by the same Republic Act.

“Consistently, we oppose the granting of authority to the Governor to enter into contract with DM for the case against Marcopper/Placer Dome, Inc./Barrick Gold in Canada. Unless the proper process is followed and an objective manner of procuring our legal representation in this case is done, this is onerous and unacceptable. In this particular request, we vehemently express opposition and call the attention of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan not to ratify the signed Restated and Amended Contract of the Provincial Government of Marinduque and Diamond McCarthy Law Firm…"

The said document was signed by Rev. Fr. Arvin Anthony J. Madla, J.C.L. as Chairperson of MACEC and noted by Most. Rev. Marcelino Antonio M. Maralit, Jr., D.D., Bishop, Diocese of Boac.

'The calm... before the storm' ang pinost ni Fr. Arvin Madla at larawang ito, kuha sa harapan ng Kapitolyo. Facebook page ng MaCEC

Bilang tugon sa matinding pagtutol ng MaCEC, pagtutol na inihayag ng Obispo ng Boac sa mga kinauukulan, walang Ratification na naganap sa Sangguniang Panlalawigan. 

Sa halip ay inirekomenda na lamang ng Sanggunian na isumite ang lahat ng kaukulang dokumento sa bagong itinalagang Provincial Legal Officer at iba pang mga kinauukulan na dapat makaalam para sa kanilang makabuluhang pag-aaral sa bagay na ito - ang di matapos-tapos na kagilagilalas na Epiko ng Marinduque. Ngayon ay ika-22 taon na mula ng maganap ang makasaysayang kadustahang ito, tinaguriang isang 'significant historical infamy'.

Sa P300-M: Liham ng Marinduque vice-gov sa gov

Vice-Governor Romulo Bacorro Jr.

Pormal na nagpadala ng liham ang Bise-Gobernador ng Marinduque, Romulo Bacorro, Jr. sa Punong-Lalawigan Carmencita O. Reyes hinggil sa kanyang mga reserbasyon sa usaping may kinalaman sa Php 300-million na pondong utang sa DBP. Sa kadahilanang patong-patong na ang mga usaping 'teknikal, administratibo at legal status' ng naipasang Supplemental Budget No. 2 ng Sangguniang Panlalawigan tungkol dito, inihayag ni Bacorro ang kanyang panalangin na kilalanin naman ni Reyes ang mga findings at observations hinggil sa nabanggit na usapin. 

Ayon sa nasabing opisyal na liham na ang kopya ay ipinadala sa mga kinauukulan, ang mga ito ay ang sumusunod (salin sa Tagalog; ang orihinal na kabuuhan sa Ingles ay makikita sa ibaba):

1) Ang mga kinakailangang boto ayon sa Article 107 (g) IRR ng Local Government Code of 1991 ay hindi naman nakamit kaya't ang nasabing Budget ay hindi rin mapapakinabangan (inoperative).

2) Kung ipagpapalagay halimbawa na nagamot na at naratipika na ang mga diumano'y depekto, discrepancies at deficiencies, sa mga aspetong teknikal, procedural at legal na may kinalaman sa bagay na ito, ang marupok na interpretasyong ito ay magdudulot naman ng epekto ng pagbabalewala sa mga naunang ginawang hakbang na inasahang maayos na isinagawa tulad ng, at hindi limitado sa, public bidding na naganap na at ang pag-gawad ng mga kinauukulang kontrata, sapagkat ang paiiralin na petsa ng ABC (Section 7, RA 9184), ay kung kailan talaga naipasa ang Budget.

3) Ang Komisyon sa Audit ay walang pasubaling naglahad na ang pangungutang ay "hindi kailangan at hindi nirerekomenda" at ito ay naipaliwanag ng may kahabaan sa nilalaman ng PGM AOM No. 16-08 na may petsang April 11, 2016. (kalakip ang kopya)

4) Ang proseso ng procurement ay hindi naaayon sa ibat-ibang standard requirements na kailangang sundin ayon sa mga probisyon ng IRR ng RA 9185 tulad ng napakahabang paliwanag na mababasa naman sa PGM AOM No. 16-05 na may petsang March 28, 2016. (kalakip ang kopya)

Kopya ng liham (page 1)

5) Hindi kailanman, sa usaping may kinalaman sa utang, nabigyan ang mandato ng Provincial Development Council na bigyang halaga ang mga aspetong teknikal, administratibo, legal at procedural, bagamat mandatory ang partisipasyon ng institusyong ito sa pagbalangkas ng long term, medium term at annual Socio-Economic Development policies, mga plano, mga programa at mga proyekto, kasama na ang taunang public investment programs (Section 106 at 109, RA 7160).

6) Ang mga proposed projects na may kinalaman dito ay pawang nangangailangan ng prior assessment ng ecological impact. Ang kahandaan at mitigation aspects sa panahon ng pagpapatupad ng mga ito ay lumalabas na hindi binigyan ng kaukulang pansin. Ang mandatory consultation requirement naman ng batas ay higit na mahalagang ipinaparating sa mga apektadong sektor. (Section 2, 26, 27 at 16, RA 7160)

7) Ang kahalintulad na mga usapin na inihayag ng mga concerned Marinduquenos at nasasaad sa kasong isinampa ni Mr. Eliseo Obligacion et. al. na nakabinbin sa korte ay dapat na maresolba.

Sa link na ito mula sa isang Inquirer article mababasa ang tungkol sa kasong nabanggit.

Tila malalim naman ang isang bahagi pa rin ng nasabing opisyal na liham ng Bise-Gobernador sa pagbanggit niyang, ang kasaysayan ay palaging magiging mabait sa sinumang maglakas-loob na higit na unawain, malampasan at mapaglabanan ang tinagurian niyang 'primordial complexities' at mga conflict sa simula pa lamang na pumapailalim aniya, sa isang payak na katotohanan. ("History will always be kind to those who dare to decipher, transcend and overcome the primordial complexities and conflicts underlying a simple truth.")

(Page 2)

Babala ng COA, tanong

Matatandang nauna nang nagbabala ang Komisyon ng Audit tungkol sa mga iregularidad na may kinalaman sa usaping ito na ayon sa kanila ay maaaring mapansin ng media at ng publiko. Magdudulot lamang anila ito ng masamang imahe sa paglilingkod bayan. ("The irregularity could also draw the attention of the media and the public, casting a bad image on public service.") 

Tanong: May posibilidad kaya na magkaroon ng katuparan ang mga dinadalangin hindi lamang ni G. Bacorro, kundi pati na ng ilan sa kanyang mga dati at mga bagong kasamahan sa Sangguniang Panlalawigan? Ng mga kinauukulang ahensya ng pamahalaan? Ng mga kaparian at obispo? Ng mga nababahalang Marinduqueno at publiko?

Maituturing marahil na kapuri-puri ang hakbang na ito na ginawa ng Bise-Gobernador. Sa panahong kasalukuyan na isinisigaw ng mas malakas ng bagong Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte sa kanyang mga ipinahayag sa ibat-ibang sulok ng Pilipinas, maging sa kanyang unang SONA kahapon lamang,  na ang korapsyon sa gobyerno ay dapat itigil ng mga kinauukulan ('This, must, stop!'; 'Pagbabago!'),  marapat lamang na ang ganitong panawagan ay pakinggan, sundin, hindi dalhin sa palusot o pagmamaang-maangan tulad ng nakagawian.

Ano naman po sa inyong palagay?

Also read:

Kasong pang-Ombudsman laban sa mga tiwali sa Marinduque (again!)

New! Kapitolyo de Marinduque: Pagkagumon sa katiwalian hindi na masawata?

"Absence of thorough assessment, work designs and study of one particular project may lead to its ambiguous implementation that could further result to delayed completion, and consequently, the use thereof by the public coupled with dubious assumptions from various stakeholders. The irregularity could also draw the attention of the media and the public, casting a bad image on public service." - COA

Naging kaugalian na pala talaga ng mga kinauukulan sa pamahalaang panlalawigan ng Marinduque ang hindi pagsunod sa mga patakarang nakasaad sa Section 17.6, Rule VI ng Revised TRR ng RA 9184 - Detailed Engineering para sa Procurement sa Infrastructure Projects. Lumalabas na ang tahasang pagsuway sa mga hakbangin na dapat munang isagawa hinggil sa bidding o kontrata para sa mga infrastucture projects ay nakaugalian na at bale wala ang batas para sa mga kinauukulan. 

Hindi maikubling ehemplo lamang ng iregularidad. Hindi nagkamali ang COA.
 Isang post mula sa FB ng Bagong Marinduque.

Ito ang suma-total ng karagdagang obserbasyon ng Komisyon ng Audit hinggil sa sistemang umiiral sa kapitolyo ng Marinduque. Tungkol pa rin ito sa P300-M loan ng lalawigan sa Development Bank of the Philippines na nilagdaan ng magkabilang panig noong October 20, 2015. Para diumano ito sa mga infrastructure projects tulad ng pagsesemento/rehabilitasyon/pagsasaayos ng Farm to Market Roads at pagtatayo/pagkompleto/rehabilitasyon/pagpapaayos ng mga multi-purpose buildings na dahil dito ay nagsagawa ng public bidding noong Marso 9, 2016.

Sa isinagawang pagsusuri ng nasabing ahensya sa mga dokumentong may kinalaman sa mga nasabong proyekto, napag-alaman na wala naman palang detalyadong engineering na mandatory ayon sa batas, matapos dapat gawan ng feasibility o preliminary engineering study at iba pang patakaran na dapat sinusunod at wala rin pala dahil hindi isinagawa ang mga ito sa usaping milyon-milyong salapi ng bayan ang gagamitin at babayaran sa higit sampung taon.

Ayon sa COA, inamin ng Provincial Engineer sa pamamagitan ng isang liham na wala ngang detailed engineering na isinagawa para sa lahat ng mga proyekto na popondohan mula sa inutang. Nagawan daw naman nila ito ng Program of Works (POWs), ayon pa rin sa Provincial Engineer. Inilahad naman ng COA na walang POW na dapat aprubahan kung walang detailed engineering.

Bukod sa rito, sa isinagawang physical inspection ng Audit Team sa mga diumano ay project sites, lalo na iyung may mga panaka-nakang sementadong daan, napag-alaman na ang mga hangganan o haba ng bawat proyekto ay hindi agarang matantiya dahil ang mga boundaries sa mga dati ng nakumpleto/sementado na at sa kung alin ang isasagawa ay hindi naman naka-specify at hindi matiyak kung saan.

Bahagi ng Audit Observation Memo No. 16-05 ng COA, March 28, 2016

Tungkol naman sa ibat-ibang diumano ay multi-purpose buildings, wala rin namang isinagawang pre-repair o pre-improvement inspection reports. Province-wide daw ang gustong ipatayo, ipakumpleto, ipaayos, ipa-rehabilitate, isaayos na multi-purpose buildings. 

Subalit dahil sa kawalan ng mga nasabing report, ipinaalam ng COA na katakatakang makakagawa ng POW dahil wala namang pre-determined individual scope of work at mga disenyo. Maaring ihambing sa pagpapagawa ng mga gusali na wala namang disenyo.

Ang mga report na ganito anang COA na maaari ding in narrative form ay dapat anyang kasama sa feasibility study na maari namang gamitin bilang basehan sa pag-gawa ng detailed engineering.

Napag-alaman din ng COA na ang mga gusali na hinati sa apat na packages bagama't nasa ibat-ibang lugar sa buong lalawigan ay pinagsama-sama sa iisang Program of Work package (lumped into one Program of Work package). Dahil dito ang pag-evaluate ng kakayahan ng magiging contractors ay masalimuot sa usapin na pang-ekwipo at paggamit ng manpower, ayon sa Komisyon.

Dahil sa kawalan aniya ng mga assessment, work designs at pag-aaral ng alinmang partikular na proyekto ay maaring humantong lamang sa may kalabuang implementasyon, na tiyak na hahantong lamang sa nabalam na pagkukumpleto ng proyekto, paggamit dito ng publiko at kasama na rito ang hindi kaaya-ayang palagay ng mga nasasakupan.

Bahagi pa rin ng kaukulang AOM ng COA. Ina-dedma talaga?

Dinagdag pa ng COA na ang iregularidad na ito ay maaaring makahatak ng pansin ng media at publiko, na magdudulot ng masamang imahe sa serbisyong pampubliko.

Sa lalong madaling panahon aniya ay dapat pawalang bisa ang naganap na public bidding dahil sa hindi pagsusod sa mga kailangan munang isagawa na naaayon sa Annex A ng Revised IRR ng RA 9184, at ipag-utos kaagad ang kanselasyon ng mga naigawad na mga kontrata sa mga nanalong bidders.

Binigyan din ng COA ang mga kinauukulan ng taning para sa kanilang masasabi subalit lumalabas na binabale-wala ng mga kinauukulan ang lahat ng detalyadong pagsusuring isinagawa ng ahensa.

Dahil nga kaya sa pagkagumon na ng kinauukulan sa katiwalian na hindi na kayang masawata?

Ano kaya talagang uri ng "Change is Coming" ang madating, kung mayroon man, sa lalawigan ng Marinduque? Ga-nood ka na lamang baga?

Governor's suspension drama sabi da

Sabi pala ni BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, American statesman, scientist and philosopher:
"TRICKS AND TREACHERY ARE THE PRACTICE OF FOOLS, THAT DON'T HAVE BRAINS ENOUGH TO BE HONEST."

SUSPENSION DRAMA SABI DA

Ano kayang drama ito? Base sa mga 'praise release' ng Reyes camp sa mainstream media unang linggo ng Nobyembre (Nov. 5),  ay "nagboluntaryo" daw kuno na magpasuspinde si Carmencita Reyes bilang governor ng Marinduque.

Pero ang totoo ay halos dalawang taon na mula ng arraignment, puro hadlang, at kailan lamang nagpataw ng kaukulang suspension order ang Sandiganbayan, na inantala pa rin sa pamamagitan ng bagong motion for reconsideration.

Matatandaang naglabas ang Sandigan ng suspension order for 60 days kay Reyes dahil nga sa Graft and Technical Malversation case na isinampa laban sa kanya na may kinalaman sa Fertilizer Scam.

Ang Order ay epektibo October 8, 2015. Iniutos naman ng Sandiganbayan sa DILG na ipatupad ang suspension sa loob ng 10 araw at ipaalam sa Sandigan ayon sa kautusan, kung ano ang pagkilos na ginawa ng DILG.

Naging tahimik naman ang DILG central. Sobrang tahimik. Tahimik pa rin hanggang ngayon.

DILG certification that Vice-Gov. Bacorro assumed the position as Acting Governor of the Province of Marinduque on Nov. 16, 2015.

Dahil yata sa sobrang katahimikan o marahil ay dala ng pagkalito mula sa mga apektadong tanggapan ay nagpalabas na ang DILG Marinduque ng CERTIFICATE na may petsang November 19, 2015, na si Vice-Governor Bacorro na raw ang ACTING GOVERNOR mula noong NOVEMBER 16, 2015.

May hiwalay ding CERTIFICATION pala ang DILG Marinduque na may petsang Nov. 19, 2015, na nagsasabing ayon sa Local Government Code ang highest ranking member ng SANGGUNIANG PANLALAWIGAN ang awtomatikong uupo bilang Vice-Governor sa petsang mabakante ng incumbent Vice-Gov ang kanyang pwesto.

KINABUKASAN, Nov. 20, 2015, biglang nagpalabas naman ang Office of the Provincial Administrator ng sulat na nakadirekta sa REGIONAL DIRECTOR ng DILG na nagsasabing nagboluntaryo aniya na bakantehin ng Governor ang kanyang pwesto mula noong NOVEMBER 12, 2015.

May mga hiwalay na deklarasyon din bigla na nanggaling sa Governor at Vice-Governor pero unang inilabas at nabasa ng mga kinauukulang ahensya ng lokal na pamahalaan noong NOV. 20, 2015, bagamat halatang BACKDATED sa NOV. 12, 2015, ang ipinakalat na dokumento. (Iyon ang petsang napabalitang nasa MAYNILA ang Governor upang personal na tanggapin diumano ang SUSPENSION ORDER mula sa DILG Central).

Assuming the "functions and responsibilities of the Office of the Governor".

After DILG issuance of a certification on Nov. 19, newly appointed provincial administrator, Baron Jose L. Lagran informs DILG Regional Office on Nov. 20 the date the said letter was received by DILG Marinduque that Bacorro "has assumed the functions and responsibilities as Chief Executive". 

Wala namang ipinaalam pagkaraka sa alin mang lokal na ahensya o departments, kasama na ang tanggapan ng Vice-Governor. Dahil dito, may mga dokumentong pinirmahan ang Vice-Gov na naayon pa sa dating puwesto niya na may petsa pang Nov. 13, 2015 - dahilan para maligayang nakatanggap naman ng kanilang sahod ang mga SP employees ng petsang iyon bilang pruweba. Gayun din ang iba pang empleyado ng kapitolyo na nasa ilalim naman ng incumbent governor na pumirma rin diumano sa kaukulang mga transaksiyon.

Suspended governor and incumbent vice governor publicly receiving prize
for the provincial entry to the MIMAROPA Festival in Or. Mindoro, Nov. 14.

Nagpunta pa ang Gov at Vice-Gov sa Oriental Mindoro para irepresenta ang mga sarili nila bilang mga opisyal ng Lalawigan ng Marinduque noong MIMAROPA FESTIVAL, November 14, 2015. (tingnan ang larawan)

November 18 naman ay dumalo ang mga pangunahing opisyales ng pamahalaan sa Provincial Sports Meet sa Torrijos, at si Dr. Romulo Bacorro Jr. ay ipinaklilala bilang Vice-Governor pa rin ayon sa mga nakadalo. (tingnan ang larawan)

Sabi pala ni BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, American statesman, scientist and philosopher:

"TRICKS AND TREACHERY ARE THE PRACTICE OF FOOLS, THAT DON'T HAVE BRAINS ENOUGH TO BE HONEST."

Sa kabanatang ito mga sino-sino kaya ang hindi naging honest at patuloy na hindi nagiging honest sa kanilang nasasakupan, at higit sa lahat, BAKIT?

Marinduque officials at the provincial sports meet in Torrijos, Nov. 18.
With nobody certain as to who has succeeded whom, Bacorro was not introduced as Acting Governor. He would later issue a curiously worded certification, circulated Nov. 20, that he has "assumed the functions and responsibilities of the Office of the Governor" effective November 12. 

Marinduque government's midnight loan deal with DBP shocking, shonky

Oct. 20, 2015 Marinduque-DBP loan signing. VP/head for Southern Tagalog  Abelardo Monarquia, DBP branch head Joel Jalbuena, Gov. Carmencita Reyes, Vice-Gov. Romulo Bacorro, Jr. Photo: Fimpco Marinduque

It is not very often that government entities enter into shocking, questionable deals, but people cry out in protest when they do. 

In the case of the Provincial Government of Marinduque's Oct. 20 loan contract with DBP, the misdeed was so horrific that it may only be called a deal that grossly and willfully deviated from all that's straight, honest and correct.

First, it's common knowledge that Governor Carmencita Reyes has been suspended for 60 days by the Sandiganbayan as she faces graft and technical malversation charges over misuse of fertilizer funds. This is nationally known as the 2004 fertilizer fund scam, Pres. Aquino's battle cry with a promise to go after the culprits.

The Sandiganbayan suspension order was promulgated on October 8, 2015, broadcast on radio DZMM, carried by mainstream media like GMA-7, Inquirer, Philippine Star, Manila Bulletin, Manila Times, Sun Star, and even picked up by Yahoo! News and numerous online news sites including this blog.

Yet, it appears that in a huff, Gov. Reyes decided to resurrect a loan proposal that has been allowed by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan to sleep in the floorboards for over a year now as all the provincial officials are fully aware that many are up in arms against it, a P 300-M loan with DBP.

One civil-society group describes it as follows:

"The timing of the past and present proposed loans, being always nearing an election, has always become a suspect. It is one of the reasons why we initiated a people’s initiative in opposing the (previous) proposed loan and that there is a possibility that we will do the same if they insist on pursuing this loan." (Pedrito Nepomuceno, Marinduque Movers)

So the SP appears to have adopted, the whole time, a lackadaisical attitude toward the loan proposed, just allowing the governor to negotiate with government banks, nevertheless, issuing just that - an authority to 'negotiate'. A draft resolution was presented before the provincial board members, but they maintained that their decision was for an authority to negotiate - which did not include the authority to enter into contract with any bank yet. 

In writing they reiterated this, "authority to negotiate" only, it says, also requiring the submission of documents such as feasibility study, provincial road network plan, provincial tourism plan, etc. etc. 

Even as the governor decided to reduce the original loan proposal from P 500-M to P-300-M by October 2014, and even as she, the governor, also requested for the adoption of the two authorizations that would enable her to negotiate and sign a contract with the relevant bank, to this day it is a puzzle. 

All of a sudden the deal was signed last Tuesday (Oct 20), sans certain important requirements to be submitted to the SP before signing of contract, and while related issues were still being discussed just days before the signing, like inclusion of bank-approved projects that were not included in the documents. Not included because over at the SP, it was agreed to not pursue them anymore, yet they were inserted in the bank documents, something beyond the scope of authority given. 

That's just a start, eh?

Another glaring question was the inclusion of ongoing farm-to-market road projects being currently implemented by the national government. Already ongoing road projects. Talk about overlapping projects. By this time we are all too familiar with this 'magical method'.

So where will the unused loan funds go? 

Lord Allan Velasco, posted the following on his Facebook account, one that may provide an answer: 

"Ang masaklap pa po nito ay sa mga tinutukoy nilang mga gagawin na mga daan sa iba't ibang barangay ay meron ng ginagawa sa specific location na yun dahil may naibigay na ang Department of Agriculture, Philippine Coconut Authority at iba pang ahensya. Ang tanong po ay bakit nagkakaroon ng overlap ng mga projects? Pangalawa, ay may surplus po na 105M na hindi ginagamit ng probinsya.. bakit hindi na lang yun ang gamitin kesa umutang pa? Alam na po natin kung ano ang sagot dito."

Under the foregoing situation, the governor and her vice-governor went to town for election-related political meetings. What better way to ensure their support and capture votes than to promise, endlessly promise, the farming out of barangay road projects?

Starkly aware that the signing of the loan contract could be questioned in view of her suspension, the DILG provincial office was apparently pressed to issue a certification, that no suspension order has been served to Gov. Reyes. The provincial DILG gave in.

But now, the governor's office has found another clever use for the DILG issuance, copies of which have circulated online now. As could be deduced from the posts, it is now claimed that the Sandiganbayan's suspension order is fiction with the DILG letter as proof!

The DILG Marinduque certification that no suspension order has been served.

But it's another wonder of wonders why the DILG, formerly headed by Mar Roxas now presidential candidate, is taking its time to serve the order.

One comment: "Ay naku, tuwid nga daan, natatraffic naman! O kaya kalesa ang dumadaan kaya di nakakarating!"

Another one: "Horrorific!"

CALLING DILG SEC. SARMIENTO!

Calling the new DILG Sec. Mel Senen Sarmiento! Could you, Secretary, please forget about political party affiliations first and do your job in this instance in the spirit of "tuwid na daan"?

Meanwhile, the now-controlled, hoodwinked provincial board is set to ratify the P300-M loan contract tomorrow. 

I just suppose many Marinduquenos would be very curious to see first hand, come face-to-face with the Marinduque bokales. To watch how they, the Honorables, would handle it. What things they would say to justify their deed in the light of all the foregoing. 

The provincial board session starts at 10:00 AM, Friday, October 23, 2015

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shonky: A compound word from the two terms 'shocking' and 'wonky' meaning that something is so bad or precarious that it is actually shocking.

Also read:

Two years in a row: COA blasts Marinduque provincial officials; Suspended governor in P300M midnight loan today