Heneral Luna’s ‘Artikulo Uno‘ today

THE war vs. illegal drugs in Pangasinan may have found a lethal weapon that will bring the war to the barangay level. Specifically, to compel our barangays kapitans who head the Barangay Anti Drug Advisory Council to act decisively in the interest of their communities.

Senator Alan Peter Cayetano together with other complainants cited the violation of Executive Order No. 226, as basis for their complaints filed with the Ombudsman in connection with the failure of accountable DOTC and NAIA officials to stop “tanim-bala” that victimized OFWs and other unsuspecting travelers.

The E.O., entitled ‘Institutionalization of the Doctrine of Command Responsibility in all Government Offices, Particularly at all Levels of Command in the Philippine National Police and all Government Agencies,’ states that “government official(s) or supervisor(s)… of any law enforcement agency shall be held accountable for ‘Neglect of Duty’ under the doctrine of “command responsibility” if (they) have knowledge (of an) offense… committed by their subordinates… and, despite such knowledge, did not take preventive or corrective action either before, during, or immediately after its commission.”

The EO also states that a government official is presumed to have knowledge of the commission of irregularities “when the irregularities or illegal acts have been repeatedly or regularly committed within his area of responsibility.

Such is the case in the proliferation of illegal drugs in the barangays in the province, particularly in Dagupan City, already considered a hotbed in the region. Similar complaints can be filed by any Pangasinense with the Ombudsman against barangay officials whose jurisdictions are known to be the sources of illegal drugs.

E.O. No. 226 should be invoked to make our barangay officials accountable for their inaction or support for illegal drugs. It is the modern version of Heneral Luna’s Artikulo Uno.

 

Poe’s predicament

PRESIDENTIABLE Grace Poe suffered an initial setback when DNA tests taken from two potential relatives proved negative.  As a foundling, Ms. Poe’s parents are unknown. The DNA could have established her biological parents to make her a natural-born Filipino and qualify her to run for President.  Ms. Poe also faces another disqualification case on her alleged lack of residency of four months to the mandated 10-year domicile.  Poe, who renounced her American citizenship before she became the country’s Censors chief in 2010, is also being accused of having stayed in the country only nine years and eight months.  If she loses either one of the two raps, Poe could be disqualified in the 2016 presidential derby and might be unseated as senator before her term ends in 2019.

Such is Poe’s predicament.  Potentially perilous.

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