Bayanihan para sa Tacloban

Prayers and aid for those affected by Haiyan.

Dear Father, clear a path for teams to provide immediate relief for affected families. Now that the storm has passed over the country, put Your hand on the people of the Philippines and everyone involved in the relief effort, so that aid may reach those in need speedily.

Caritas Manila Damayan BPI 3063-5357-01; BDO 5600-45905; Metrobank 175-3-17506954-3; Unionbank 00-030-001227-5; for US$ donations: BPI 3064-0033-55 (Swift Code: BOPIPHMM) or PNB 10-856-660002-5 (Swift Code: PNBMPHMM); email donorcare@caritasmanila.org.ph or call (632) 564-6678

Just to share a thought: the initial reaction of giving leads to an outpouring of aid in the first weeks after an incident.  However, as a staff of another charitable institution I interviewed before said, the aid tends to trickle down in the ensuing weeks or months when aid is still very much needed.  I just noticed some posts in the social media networks regarding worries that December might be a bit late in raising more funds.  As I've written earlier, every little bit helps and no aid is too late -- be it money, food, clothes, and of course, prayers.  While we may never understand why our country has been visited by one calamity after another especially in the light of the earthquake in Bohol just weeks ago, all I know is that each one becomes an opportunity to rise above the occasion and help each other.

Lord, You consistently tell us in Your Word to care for the poor and needy among us. So we ask You to touch people's hearts to care for and give to help this very needy region. Help donations to be used efficiently and effectively to help those who need them most.

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Ombudsman asks Edpam for counter-affidavit on graft case

Deputy Ombudsman for Luzon Adoracion Agbada, in an order dated December 5, 2012, asked Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan to submit a counter-affidavit for the graft and corruption charges filed against him by local mediaman Robledo Sanchez.

Pamintuan and company are being charged with two administrative cases, conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service and grave misconduct, and two criminal cases, violation of section 3(e) and 3(g) of Republic Act 3019, otherwise known as Anti Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, and Violation of Article 217 (Malversation of public funds or property; Presumption of malversation) of the Revised Penal Code.

The letter, addressed to the respondents -- Pamintuan, City Accountant Wilfredo Tiotuico, City Budget Officer Fe Corpuz, City Treasurer Juliet Quinsaat, and all Department Heads -- ordered Pamintuan and company to submit three copies of their respective counter-affidavits and any relevant evidence refuting the case filed against them.

Pamintuan and company were asked to submit their counter-affidavits within 10 days upon the receipt of the letter.

Failure to comply with the said order will be considered a waiver on the part of the respondents to submit any counter-affidavit and refuting evidence and will result in the case being considered submitted for resolution.

On October 19, 2012, Sanchez filed the graft and corruption charges against Pamintuan and company before the Office of the Ombudsman regarding the 2,506 job order appointments of the City Government under the Pamintuan administration.

It was recently revealed in a local radio program that some 40 names included in the list of job order employees are actually relatives of barangay officials.

Several of the concerned barangay officials have aired their statements denying any knowledge about the inclusion of their relatives in the job order list.

The barangay officials also clarified that although the names of their relatives were included in the job order list, they are neither working for nor receiving salary from the City Government.

These officials include Councilmen’s League of Angeles City (CLAC) Vice President and Barangay Cutcut Kagawad Roy Ogurida, CLAC Vice President for External Affairs and Barangay Lourdes Northwest Kagawad William David, Barangay Salapungan Kagawad Renato Coronel, and Barangay Margot Kagawad Nenita Ferrer.

by Rey Navales

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