The reign of Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile could be coming to an end. If 2012 saw him lauded by the public for what they thought was his “greatest” performance during the impeachment trial of former Chief Justice Renato Corona, 2013 is starting out to be “scandalous” for the octogenarian politician.
Concerned Filipinos were shocked to read reports that Enrile gave a whopping bonus of 1.6 million pesos each to 18 senators last Christmas. In one report, it was said that the funds for the alleged bonuses came from “the funds allotted for the Senate post vacated by President Aquino when he won the presidential election in 2010.”
It is interesting to note that rather than hand over unused funds back to the treasury, Enrile saw it fit to distribute the so-called “savings” to Senate employees as a personal gift. According to the same report, even drivers and security personnel in the senate got bonuses ranging from 50,000.00 to 120,000.00 pesos.
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It is simply outrageous that Enrile seems to think that running the Senate is like running a company — that they are entitled to bonuses when the company makes a profit. But the funds of the Senate are not profits. They came from hardworking citizens.
What’s even more shocking is that some senators didn’t see anything wrong with what Enrile did because it turns out that senators received bonuses every year coming from the same “savings”. No wonder most people, particularly relatives of those already in Congress are desperate to be a member of Congress. They already know what they are entitled to get once there. No wonder the Senate President is pushing his son, Jack Enrile to run for the senate especially since the former could be retiring soon and won’t be getting any more “bonuses”.
Some senators even justified receiving the bonuses by saying that “under the Constitution, the heads of constitutional offices like the Senate President are given the power to realign and utilize appropriations in the budget to other existing items.” The question is, how do the senators define “existing items”? Does it include personal use of the funds or pocketing it? Of course not. Who is monitoring how the Senators spend the funds though? Apparently, no one is doing an accounting at the moment because it is only now that Senator Miriam Santiago was compelled to call on the Commission on Audit to audit the so-called “savings” or “secret funds”:
“The so-called savings of each public office has turned into a national scandal, the grandmama of all scandals. The Constitution allows savings to be used by the office at the end of the year. But in reality, the head of office manipulates the books and creates so-called savings, by refusing to fill up vacancies, or refusing to buy essential office supplies or services, or capital equipment,” Santiago said.
“These so-called “˜enforced savings’ are then distributed among the highest officials, in the guise of Christmas bonuses,” Santiago added.
Santiago’s request seems like an afterthought considering they say that this has been the practice for years. Did Senator Santiago not know this? Since the “realigning” of the unused funds by giving these to Senators as Christmas bonuses is done every year, why is it only now that this information has been publicized? Why are there senators who are making some noise about it only now? Could it have something to do with another allegation that some of the senators like Santiago, Antonio Trillanes, Allan and Peter Cayetano received less than the rest? Some people cannot help but think that these senators received less because they got under Enrile’s skin at one point or another in 2012 while most seem to just suck up to him.
It’s funny how our politicians especially old-timers like Enrile think that they can use public funds for things that will not even benefit the majority. It’s pathetic. On one hand, Congress can appropriate so much funds for their branch while on the other, there are also reports saying the governor of Albay, Joey Salceda is asking for more aid from the international community for the victims of super typhoon Pablo that devastated some parts of Mindanao. To be specific, he is seeking $65 billion in aid for the victims and damage to infrastructure. It is estimated that there are 6.2 million people in need of assistance particularly needing food supply as a result of the devastation in the region.
Instead of blaming the lack of response from the international community who are probably getting desensitized to the natural and man-made disasters occurring ever more frequently in the Philippines, Governor Salceda should look locally and ask Senators like Enrile for assistance. If members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) who receive less income than our “distinguished” senators can sacrifice their Christmas bonuses and give it to typhoon Pablo victims, surely the senators can do the same thing with the money they received, money that is not even meant for personal use.
One can’t help but wonder if Senator Enrile even thought about helping out the victims of the typhoon or any of our kababayans in need while he was “realigning” the “savings” in the senate budget. They could be far from his mind considering he is too preoccupied with the thought that someone could be plotting his ouster as Senate President. Some are thinking that by giving monetary gifts courtesy of the people’s money to the Senators, he is ensuring that he can stay as the presiding officer at least until the senatorial election is over. It appears he really does want to stick around as long as possible or until his son is voted in the senate.
Senator Enrile has been the Presiding Officer since 2008. It’s really quite annoying to think that he still gets insecure about being ousted. Come to think of it, Enrile could be one of the reasons why the Philippines remain a basketcase. He has been in politics for so long but the country hasn’t changed. Yes, the seasoned politician has not made a difference to the country at all. He’s just there going with the flow wherever the wind blows while holding on tightly to his seat. Somebody ought to knock him down to shake things up a bit.
In life, things are not always what they seem.
He, in my own point of view, despite the fact that this may seem so harsh, deserves a brutal cessation of life.
CASE CLOSED… =D
I agree. That stupid, dumbfuck, old timer deserves a rest in PIECES.
I still remember student activists being picked up from their houses never to be seen again during martial law. Enrile authorized all that. He even staged an ambush. But when Mayor Lim arrested him for siding with the coup d’etat during the Cory administration, he cried ! LOL
in time, guys like him will phase out and hopefully the new ones would bring the change we needed for a better Philippines.
Hopefully, new, *better* ones.
Forget hope. Sons or daughters of old farts will be elected, and the very few promising roses in a jungle of thorns will be ignored by the public. So what else is new?
I’d be really surprised if Enrile’s son doesn’t get elected. His “fate” is already laid out for him.
But Jack Enrile is a murderer too, a notorious one operating in open public. The witnesses are still alive.
e@Henry Walowitz
The Filipino people shouldn’t have to wait for a politician to die before real change can happen. They should get rid of dodgy ones as soon as possible. If impeaching them is too much work, they should simply stop electing them back.
Enrile and his ilk represent all that is wrong with the political system and why the country has not progressed, but actually fallen behind all other countries.
Corrupt, self-serving, and a barrier to change. His longevity only reflects his lack of principles and readiness to bend to anyone in power.
He will certainly not be missed, and lets hope his workshy thug of a son is not elected. We need to raise standards not lower them.
We also need to stop senators getting 40 million pesos a year for nothing. Lito lapid and others are not worth 40 pesos.
2.2 million pesos a month each for office staff. Just how many do they employ. I suspect 2-3, (or none in lapids case since he is never there), leaving 2 million each to pocket. Thats 24 million before the kickbacks and commissions and scams.
The highest paid politicians in the world in one of the poorest countries in the world. amazing.
No wonder saln’s aren’t published and FoI will be ‘conveniently’ derailed again by lack of quorum.
US senators are viewed as less popular than cockroaches. filipino politicians cannot even reach that level.
“Lack of quorum”. The trump card of corrupt politicians.
We should have put a somehow Draconian rule on politicians. Politicians misconducting public funds will be regarded as a traitor of the country and is hence to stripped of citizenship as well as imprisonment for life without parole.(if death penalty is NOT YET acceptable)
All of his/her assets will be confiscated for public use and he/she will be barred to leave the country or petition political asylum to other countries.
And lets put this Draconian law to the test on such people.(given that he indeed made a misconduct of public funds)
“A position with great power and responsibility should be punished with such great degree considering that person’s liability to the public which he was meant to serve.”
– O.B. Daley
I just can’t believe he had the nerve to convict Corona for not divulging his personal dollar account considering Senators are the ones who allegedly pocket public funds.
You said:“a brilliant lawyer†maybe, but not a brilliant politician, and that is why her achievements are quite limited, given her ability.
quips and sound bites seem to be her stock in trade, although i would say she is one of the better senators, but still wasted/unfulfilled potential.
excellence is the only standard to measure by”…beg your pardon?! You are very misinformed.. to name a few of her achievements…Given the Magsaysay Award; voted number one ASIAN to the ICC; despite no bigwigs, guns, goons & gold, only relying on the youth & volunteers, Miriam would have been president in 1992 but Cory, FVR & their cohorts thwarted the will of the majority… And for the rest of her achievements…all you need is to google it…none can compare!!!…And mind you, she’s an academician & not a politician!…the that’s why she’s a maverick!
“And mind you, she’s an academician & not a
politician!”
hoisted by your own petard.
r u the president of mds fan club?
@Libertas…no am not but I am a fan of MDS…so???!…Are you an intellectual?…try harder ok?! was just giving you facts to dispute your allegation that her “achievements are quite limited”…
Dog bites man; that’s not news.
Man bites dog; that’s news.
Hey, Dude and Dudettes. It is not Enrile’s personal money. It is fun to give other people’s money away. His money is safe in foreign bank accounts. Enrile is a political opportunist.
It is fun to give someone else’s money away, indeed.
Enrile gave your tax money away. Enrile is tired of stealing them….too old, no energy anymore to steal more of your tax money…
Ilda the seasoned politician(and lawyer) did make a difference to the country after all. Did’nt he make the senate a kangaroo court so that the public can never ever again believe in any decision of the senatongs(except for a few) as long as Enrile presides over that once respected group?
@RF
Yes, he did make a mockery out of the senate court. If only the public records could stress that enough. Unfortunately, the winners paint him as a hero after they successfully impeached Corona.
Why should a killer be presiding officer ?
He hasnt been charged for the thousands he authorized to be killed during martial law.
He hasnt been charged for plunder being one of the countrys richest men despite being a former kaminero.
Why is he presiding officer of the Chief Justice’s impeachment ?
Only in the Philippines .
Allegedly. Too bad Cuevas helped him get away with his alleged crimes.
Where is the Department of Audit on all of this? Talk about a useless bunch of do-nothing bureaucrats.
This is not the first time Santiago has shown herself to be a hypocrite. She has the audacity to complain about practices that have been in place for years but she herself has done nothing to deter them. And what did she do with the PhP 250,000 she received? Will she turn it over to the Treasury?
Enrile’s response to criticism is a deflection. Rather than address the accusation head on he turns it back on his accusers by stating, “I can look at anyone straight in the eye in saying that I did not buy this position”.
That doesn’t explain his misappropriation of public funds. MOOE? What the #*&! is that? Please explain how these “bonuses” are for “maintenance and other operating expenses”.
It reminds me of his response to criticism over his handling of the Corona impeachment. Essentially he said, “If you don’t like the way I’m doing things I’ll quit”. Too bad he didn’t.
At the end though, you have to ask, “Who keeps electing these criminals”?
Apparently, my harsh criticism of Sen. Santiago was, in part, unfounded.
From Business World Online: For her part, Ms. Santiago, in a statement, said she returned the amount to Mr. Enrile.
“He returned my biscuits, so I returned his cash,†she said in a radio interview yesterday, referring to a Christmas gift given to Mr. Enrile.
I don’t know T4Man. She’s been in the senate for while as well. How come she’s only speaking out about this practice now?
Ilda, in the past the Christmas bonuses given by other Senate presidents including JPE were not big as what he has given out this time…it’s election year & Jack Jr. is running i surmise… sabi ni tanda..”Regarding the P250,000 checks from my Office which I gave to all the Senators, that was a result of the “lambing†of some Senators who I will no longer name, if I had some “pamasko†for them. I decided to give to ALL, not only to those who were teasing me about “pamaskoâ€, OUT OF MY OWN OFFICE’S SAVINGS, AND NOT FROM THE SENATE PRESIDENT’S DISCRETIONARY FUNDS.”….ang TANONG..ang office savings mo ba ay sarili mong pera o pera ng bayan??? …Nilambing ka ng ibang senador kaya pinamigay mo ang pera namin?? Ang KSP mo naman!!! Enrile has never won as senator but has always succeeded in buying millions of votes to make it appear that he won..Enrile is very arrogant and conceited. When any other senator is praised by the media, he immediately becomes jealous and mobilizes his paid media to imply scandalous things against that person! He is already suffering from old-age dementia. His dementia is so obvious because he merely calls the Senate session to order and then hands the gavel to Jinggoy Estrada!!!!… RETIRE old man…your stem-cell treatments are not working!!! Just because marami kang naging babae does not mean you know a lot about women, Manong Johnny; Enrile is such a hypocrite! His private life consists of unbridled womanizing, yet he has a chapel in his compound! Engrandeng bday party ng kanyang Chief of Staff. Katabi pa si PNoy at Binay…COS lang ba siya talaga???!! AT ANG PINKA IMPORTANTE… Kaya bumoto against CJ Corona si Enrile kasi tinakot siya ng AMLA. Sinabihan siya na ilalabas ang bank statements niya kung hindi siya against CJ Corona!!!!!!!
That’s why I said, “in part”.
Ilda…Sen. Santiago has spoken out many times in the past against all the monies that are given away uselessly but this time JPE has really gone overboard! …matter of fact, she even filed resolutions/bills to scrap the CDF, PDAF (which i have to research on as these were archived of course)… And more recently, wasn’t she the one who said why many want to be senators?…”Senator Miriam-Defensor Santiago has delivered her one of most-scathing criticisms yet on her fellow lawmakers, as she accused some senators of just trying to line their pockets with cash.” http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/-depth/12/14/12/miriam-some-senators-only-want-make-money
@Mary Grace
That’s good to know. I guess it is difficult to be the be only one vocal enough to speak out against the powerful in government. It doesn’t help that Enrile was her wedding sponsor. I guess the conflict of interest must have had something to do with her reluctance to divulge his shenanigans earlier.
I found one…RESOLUTION CALLING FOR A STUDY ON THE ABOLITION OR REDUCTION OF ALL “PORK BARREL” FOR ALL THREE BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT;
AND A STUDY ON OVERSIGHT OF INTELLIGENCE FUNDS by Sen. MDS filed in 2004 http://www.senate.gov.ph/lisdata/22592666!.pdf
@Mary Grace
Thanks for the link!
Ilda, your question is logical, but the impression needs to be corrected.
The amounts of the bonuses are unconscionable this time, because SALARIES HAD ALREADY BEEN PAID AND CHRISTMAS BONUSES HAD ALREADY BEEN GIVEN TO EMPLOYEES.
According to Enrile in DZMM, the huge bonuses of HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS before the campaign period is to enable the senators to buy aircons. WHAT ?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
@Rita
Hmmm…interesting. Thanks for the info.
“In a statement released Wednesday, Santiago called on COA chair Ma. Gracia Pulido-Tan to instruct COA auditors of the Senate and House of Representatives to examine and audit the so-called “savings†or “secret funds†available to the Senate President, House Speaker, and other heads of offices, to ensure transparency.”http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/289431/news/nation/miriam-wants-coa-to-audit-savings-of-senate-other-govt-offices
but she could be far more specific rather than pushing it to coa, who she knows will do nothing.
she should be the whistle blower and provide facts, affidavit etc.
a job half done is no better than not done at all
Libertas, a case in court is not yet ripe because the COA Chief needs to be called as witness. Hence, one must know the official position of the COA CHief in this.
“To ensure transparency, Santiago then called on the Commission on Audit to examine and audit the so-called “savings†or “secret funds†available to the Senate President, to the Speaker, and other heads of offices.
“The so-called savings of each public office has turned into a national scandal, the grandmamma of all scandals. The Constitution allows savings to be used by the office at the end of the year. But in reality, the head of office manipulates the books and creates so-called savings, by refusing to fill up vacancies, or refusing to buy essential office supplies or services, or capital equipment. These so-called ‘enforced savings’ are then distributed among the highest officials, in the guise of Christmas bonuses,†she said.”…http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/337945/enrile-admits-giving-18-senators-p2-2m-each-last-year
@T4Man
I’m still waiting for the majority of the taxpayers to express their outraged. I think Enrile will charm and distract them again. What a bunch of losers.
@T4man….she is a legislator primarily not a whistleblower; & not the chair of Blue Ribbon & Ethics Committee. If these committees investigate, am sure she will be to be a primary resource person ..besides she has many more things to do & is also preparing for the ICC.. why can’t you just appreciate the fact that she made these things public?!
pardon me T4Man… but that last reply reply was meant for Libertas… & here you might wanna read this too Libertas…http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/338191/santiago-its-more-fun-to-be-a-senator
thanks
as i said in reply – furtger down
one up to miriam
but talk and filing bills is not achievement.
only success is to be applauded.
thats what they signed up for/part of tge challenge.
you cant get away with good intentions alone in industry/business, only results
Libertas, you seem to know more than the brilliant lawyer Senator Santiago. What can a senator do under the circumstances that the Senate President cannot veto ?
Dear Mr. T4man,
I think you forgot that Senator Santiago gives ALL OF HER PORK BARREL TO THE PHILIPPINE GENERAL HOSPITAL. A wing in that hospital has been named after her because her pork barrel goes to buying MRI, scans, and ultrasounds and cancer detection machines.
I think Senator Santiago was the first among the present batch of senators to introduce in 2004 a Senate Resolution cancelling all pork barrel funds. But when the REsolution was not passed, she gave all of hers to the PGH. Whats wrong with that ?
“…Senator Santiago gives ALL OF HER PORK BARREL TO THE PHILIPPINE GENERAL HOSPITAL”
I’m sorry, I don’t understand this statement. “Pork barrel” (terrible descriptor btw) are the distributed funds for projects. Are you referring to “surplus” funds?
“a brilliant lawyer” maybe, but not a brilliant politician, and that is why her achievements are quite limited, given her ability.
quips and sound bites seem to be her stock in trade, although i would say she is one of the better senators, but still wasted/unfulfilled potential.
excellence is the only standard to measure by
I am glad the Commission on Audit is mentioned. Discretionary funds are not subject to strict auditing procedures like other government funds. Thats why they are plain bribes before the campaign period.
What is appalling is that SEnate employees salaries and Christmas bonuses had already been given/provided for by senators AND THEN ENRILE gives the SENATORS hundreds of millions for their own pocket before campaign period so he wont be ousted as Senate President. He is 3rd most powerful official under the Constitution. Guess whose son is running during the campaign period and who needs more votes. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
A new way to spell: SCUMBAG/THIEVING/LYING/WEASEL/RAT…
fill in the blank,here:_______________________.
LIAR also.
Didnt he previously admit, as stated in the Inquirer article on the fake ambush that he staged the ambush ? Then in his Memoirs he denies that again. How many times does he have to lie to the Filipino people ? Terrible.
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/284836/true-or-false-was-1972-enrile-ambush-faked
Philippine politics is a small and incestuous society where gossip rules and everybody knows everything, including the political media – so those promoting transparency and accountability in public but not exposing the reality are also guilty.
Even santiago knows where the bodies are buried but had said nothing until now about the national scandal of senator/congress pay and perks, offshore accounts etc.
Its time this secret society of criminals were exposed for what they are and the scale of their theft of taxpayers money highlighted. Maybe that would stir the voters to think beyond electing personalities and trapos who do nothing for the people except steal their money.
@Libertas
Where is Harvey Keh when you need him? I thought it is his advocacy to expose corruption. He should file a complaint with the ombudsman just like when he filed a complaint against Corona last year.
oo nga! …and the little lady and mr. anonymous. hahaha!
i thought enrile could redeem himself in the impeachment trial, but as it turns out, once a scumbag, always a scumbag. pity. such a waste of a brilliant mind.
glad he fought the rh bill though…but still…too little too late for me.
Kung kelan lumalabas na ang tunay na corruption, nawawala ang mga so called anti-corruption na tuta ni aquino. Tingin ko ito ay isa sa mga makakapagpabagsak kay aquino kung hindi siya maingat.
When aquino falls, I doubt that the usual malacanang troll force won’t be able to show their faces here anymore.
If I recall, I once read a comment on FB on a friend who works at the Senate, that apart from the usual bonuses they receive (the 5k from PNoy, the 25k CNA), they are to receive 97k from the Senate’s Fund, just because Enrile is very galante.
@Artemis
I’m also waiting for PNoy and his spokesman to say something about this. He probably received bonuses when he was a senator as well.
Its not rocket science to work out an average income of 40 million pesos a year for senators (as a benchmark, i get 15 mill/p.a – legally – but am a pauper in comparison judging by their number of houses, luxury cars, children in US schools etc, which i cannot afford)
If average sal in PH is 250,000 per annum there is a ratio of 160:1
Average salary in US is 40,000 $ times 160 = 6,400,000 $.
America would be up in arms if there was that size of differential. Here nobody says or does anything at such blatant corruption and that includes the biggest hypocrite, p-noy aquino
senators are the ones who give bonuses to employees every Christmas. The senators were not asking for a bonus. If there is surplus money, the Senate president can return it to the National treasury! Why bribe senators except for his strong desire not to be ousted by coup d’etat?!!
what we should do is to strongly voice out our disgust in the same manner when we were protesting erap’s corrupt presidency. we were all united then – the academe, the civil society, and the church. remember there were several schools which voiced out their respective disgust through the pages of major dailies? it’s time again to voice out our outrage!
sinuswerte na ang mga lawmakers/politicos dito. there’s a constitutional provision calling for congress to enact an anti-dynasty law pero hindi naman ginagawa! yung FOI bill binabale wala! they call themselves people’s representatives but they ignore our clamor. it’s now time to be united again and voice out our outrage!
i meant “opposition” not “outrage”. they might accuse me on inciting to sedition. hehe…
Bill passed today for government funds(taxpayers money) to subsidise political parties!!
No time for FoI etc but this new scam is incredible, and without any media comment or public debate.
Wake up philippines
Politicians have been finding ways to fund their campaigns from taxpayer monies for a long time. Apparently they now believe the Pinoy voter will fall for anything so they may as well be up front about it.
true.
now it just means they will take more taxpayers money.
no wonder 1.4 million (1.7 million) professionals pay no tax.
justification – govt corruption
same as greece and look what is happening there
I’m wondering who’s behind of this exposé? and its obvious another exposure to Enrile’s son senatorial campaign 🙂 whether its good or not, exposure is exposure and it will give credit to his son…
Voters vigorously campaign against Jack Enrile because as Cagayan representative he did not attend sessions and did not do anything for the welfare of his district! What then could he do for this country?
Jack Enrile is a complete zero! But Enrile Sr. will try to buy Enrile Jr. a victory!
Jack Enrile was involved in four murders: at 17, he was involved in the death of the son of an ex-military officer, Ernest Robert Lucas, during a soirée in Bel-Air, Makati. The second victim, Ricardo Manalad, Jr., president and general manager of Manalad Trucking Co., was killed at the Stargazer Disco in Silahis Hotel one night in June of 1981. The third, and the least known, incident took place in 1980. It involved the shooting of a certain Santillan, who refused to move his jeep that was blocking the young Enrile’s car. The fourth is Jack’s entanglement in the Alfie Anido suicide case in 1982. Jack was in Alfie’s house when Alfie allegedly commited suicide.
Well, according to rappler[1], “[h]e prefers working in the field to talk to people”. Gee, why be a congressman? :-S
[1] http://www.rappler.com/nation/politics/elections-2013/19267-can-jack-enrile-bury-the-past
Also, why are killers in Congress ?
one up to miriam.
unfortunately she ploughs a lone path so gains no support and her bills get no traction/support – for obvious reasons.
i dont think UNA would make this one of their battle cries – enrile, estrada, binay. corrupt, corrupter, and corruptest.
and therein lies the rub.
the alternative is actually more of the same
@Libertas…well at least she’s doing her bit to correct the system.. and she’s one of the very few government officials who have the chutzpah to do that… am sure she aims for good results…still, i applaud her for her uprightness & courage to go against a “seasoned” corruptor!
As she used to say, she has no more future in Philippine politics.
Because she will be in the International criminal Court soon…
” He’s just there going with the flow wherever the wind blows while holding on tightly to his seat. Somebody ought to knock him down to shake things up a bit.” Exactly, Ilda.
Enrile, the archetypal Filipino TRAPO, should be put to pasture already. What has Cagayan, his province, to show for all the decades he has been in government? Port Irene?? LOL! As for Enrile fils, the “ghosts” of miscues past will surely haunt him.
Quick, someone call Juan “the lucky punch” Marquez!
Agree… he is old and senile….he bangs the gavel to start a Senate session then passes it on to Jinggoy Estrada to continue the session. Useless old fart. His acting in the impeachment court was to appear fair at first and then to convict Corona because he has negotiated with Malacanang for administration support for his son’s campaign. SOB
I think we are already seeing the effects of their poor judgement in the impeachment trial. The senators are already starting to show their true nature to the public especially enrile.
They’ve showed their true colours a long time ago.
To think they betrayed corona just so they can save their useless hides. The impeachment trial was clearly a mockery of a proper trial.
enrile likes to try and show his arrogance and superiority.
as one of his superiors – intellectually, financially, and morally – then he should both bow down and bow out.
we do not need such low-life.
fortunately his time on this earth is very limited so let the old man live in his deluded state. his betters also know better.
sad and pathetic end to a life of self-interest and intrigue, rather than serving the country.
no tears will be shed as another obstacle to progress disappears into oblivion, leaving behind a legacy of corruption and human rights abuses and 3rd world thinking.
definitely not todays harvard quality, and certainly would never have got into my alma mater – oxford. we despise such people. a low class family in every respect, and it shows particularly in thug jack enrile. bad genes – bad attitude – bad person
I think this matter show the progress of corruption in the senate.
I will say it again… corruption is still systemic in the Republic of the Philippines and the worst is yet to come.
We’re seeing it in the face ! Just look at the unwarranted bonuses of the senators. Budget Secretary Abad today said Senate “bonus” is illegal, but savings given away is not. But Enrile was caught saying bonus, in fact he said it many times.
Yes, corruption in one form or another exists at all levels of Filipino society so I will say again, the government you have is the government you deserve.
Until the majority of citizens believe in fairness and playing by the rules nothing will change.
CHIZ ESCODERO, based on recent polls, would most likely be re-elected. He should be monitored closely (translation: don’t vote for him!). He is the most vocal senator in defending Enrile. He is saying that what Enrile did is completely legal.
It is beyond me, how the electorate can vote for someone who condones corruption in the government
escudero in 2011 saln only puts his total wealth and assets at 8 million pesos – he should be audited and investigated by AMLAC. his house is worth more than that. and do you think heart evangelista would entertain such a pauper.
it really is a scandal – all the more so because tgese people actually do very little and achieve even less.
even those that turn up usually disappear straight after roll call. – pressing business – with the mistress!
maybe alcoholic escudero has spent all his money on wine and women. he is not the sharpest tool in the box.
@Libertas
I saw a picture of Chiz and his young girlfriend recently. Gees, it was cringeworthy. He looks so old and unattractive next to his girlfriend. I think they leaked it to the media on purpose as a publicity stunt for the coming election.
You’re right. His money and power attract women who don’t have a lot going for them except their looks.
unless they were brought up on Noddy, and have a Big Ears fetish!
This is really sad… My wife is a teacher and she only received 5000 PHP as pampalubag loob for working so hard same to all TEACHERS nationwide. This SENATORS received HUNDRED of THOUSAND of PESOS and some received MILLIONS as BONUS and yet they are not happy with what they have and still voicing out their frustrations. HOW MUCH DO THEY NEED OR THINK THEY DESERVED?!!!
@Gerl
You should ask your wife and her fellow teachers to make some noise about this shocking news. Enrile hasn’t explained himself properly. He just kept saying that it has been a practice in the past to give the excess money to senators and that it is his discretion to do so. I don’t think it is written in the constitution for them to pocket it.
you know what… They usually receiving 10K PHP every december as performance bonus but for this year they’ve been told that they will only receive 5K PHP to donate the other half to Typhoon Pablo’s victim. I am wondering how this Senators able to save this huge amount of money. This funds came from Tax Payer’s money and this savings should be back to everyone of the Filipino People not only SENATORS!!!
Guys, all senators are entitled to received bonus equally because all of them do their job and I am very disappoint to Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile what he had done to the 4 senators. Why it just 4 senators only just received 250K? This must be audit or he is manipulating senate for his own interest.
People of the PHILIPPINES. VOTE WISELY.
Sen. MDS said the amount of the bonus this year is “unconscionable” compared sa mga nakalipas na taon.
Kahit sinasabi ng COA na legal ang ginawa ni Enrile, hindi pa rin makatarungan na ipamigay ang P1.6M sa iilang mga Senador at sabihing pang MOOE nila iyon. Pera iyon ng bayan! Parang ginawa nilang pork barrel ang savings ng senado! Dapat isoli ng mga senador ang P1.6milyon na binigay ni tandang Johnny! Gagamitin lang ng iba iyon para sa pangangampanya nila e!
Ang swerte naman ng mga nakakuha ng P1.6 milyon! Ililiquidate ba nila yun? E diba linista iyon as MOOE? E di puwedeng mapunta lang yung pera sa mga ghost employees nila!
These Senators should return that money because it is from the peoples tax. This form of gift is the same as gloria give money to tongressman, and only among ed panlilio returned the money.
since the issue is taxpayers money.
there is a question – how many senators/congressmen even pay tax, and should their tax info not be public/part of saln.
i suspect they pay a miniscule amount based on their official salary of 75,000 pesos/month, and all the rest is not even declared.
(the mechanism came up in corona trial for sc justices).
it adds insult to injury and explains why 1.4 million professionals (ex 1.7 mill) pay no tax at all and do not even submit a form – they know it simply goes into politicians pockets.
kim henares needs to get her act and systems together rather than crowing over 1 or 2 small fish.
even pacquaio has now got away with avoiding tax – a good reason to be a congressman – albeit an absentee one.
Rumors have it that Chiz Escodero is aiming for the position of senate president once he gets re-elected. This would be a sad day for the country once this hnppens. He would be worse than Enrile as he is still young and has all the energy to promulgate corruption. He will do anything
Rumors have it that Chiz Escodero is aiming for the position of senate president once he gets re-elected. This would be a sad day for the country. He would be worse than Enrile as he is still young and has all the energy to aggressively promulgate corruption.
Escodero will do anything to get re-elected:
1. Use Heart Evangelista to gain celebrity status
2. Appear as regular host in the Kris Aquino talk show and give people the impression that Kris and himself are bestfriends.
3. Plaster his “pleasant†face on posters endorsing (of all things) an unknown brand of processed meat products and some questionable brand of medicines
4. Being in both senatorial slate of two opposing parties (UNA and Liberal) in the guise of being independent. I call this a man of no principle. He can’t make a stand.
5. And most recently, staunchly defending Enrile’s latest fiasco. He thinks Enrile can help him further his political ambitions.
PLEASE DON’T VOTE FOR ESCODERO. HE IS A USER. HE IS NOT GOOD FOR OUR CONTRY
expect escudero to give weekly updates on his love life and avoid anything serious for discussion.
if only his brain was as big as his ears.
escudero’s greed and self interest far exceeds his abilities and achievements,
a self-promoting waster without principles.
Corruption under BS Aquino’s watch did not even suffer a dent.
http://www.tribune.net.ph/index.php/commentary/editorial/item/9043-no-change-under-noy
…on the upside, i was told enrile was suing yolly villanueva-ong of campaign and grey (?), major yellow zombie, for libel. hehe…