Punchline
The Non-Stop Train to corruption
By Ermin Garcia Jr.
THE closely guarded secret scams perpetrated by the Lim administration to milk the city are slowly but surely being fished out of the files.
The latest to be uncovered is the payroll-padding racket victimizing not only the city but hundreds of the emergency workers themselves. What appeared as a normal traditional recruitment of workers and consultants as payback for political support is turning out to be a P6.9 million monthly racket that a favored few pocketed.
The unexpected irregularity surfaced when Mayor Belen Fernandez began to audit manpower resources owing to the huge payable being demanded by supposed unpaid employees. A simple check of documents and procedures showed that Landbank ATM bank accounts were routinely opened by persons who have been promised jobs.
The PUNCH was shown one such document that bore the signature of “Pedro Philip S. Soria”, executive assistant III, attesting to the accomplishment report filed by one particular EW (emergency worker) who signed a contractual employment contract and was made to open an ATM account. But here’s the rub. She was never made to report to work. In fact, not even to report as a “15-30” employee (reporting to office only to collect pay every 15th and 30th of the month)… apparently for a criminal purpose. (Read story “Modern-day payroll padding racket unearthed).
Unknown to the “contracted EW,” salaries were deposited and withdrawn in her name regularly by a city hall gofer on the strength of the pro-forma accomplishment report signed by “Mr. Soria”. When shown the accomplishment report that bore her signature, the EW promptly denied it was her signature! Gosh, she was not only cheated out of her work contract but someone cheated the government using her name!
The issue about the cheated EW is settled. Someone will have to take responsibility for her and I surmise “Mr. Soria” will be first on the line. The next bigger issue and questions are: Who are behind the racket? Who among the department heads are involved? More importantly, who pocketed the millions that were meant for legit EWs? How much did former Mayor Benjie Lim and former City Administrator Vlad Mata know about this? Did they benefit from it? Answers please!
So let’s see how many more who joined the Lim Non-stop Train to corruption will land in jail. Hmmm…
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LEGACY MODE. Clearly the third term of the Espino provincial administration will be anything but a lame duck.
When Guv Spines declared war against the “Die Hard” drug lords operating in the province, I knew then that he will not rest on his earned legacy as the governor who made a difference in health, education and culture, sports, environmental protection, tourism, fiscal management, etc. He is out to earn that one most important legacy that only one or two governors in the country have so far laid claim to– to be the mean and feared drugbuster that cleaned and cleared a province of illegal drugs!
So, if there are those who think heydays are back for bigger kickbacks and bribes without any problem, think again because I have bad news for them. Guv Spines is on a legacy mode, so watch out!
It has taken Guv Spines 6 years to decide on this legacy so I am sure he has already carefully calculated his potential losses and gains in his most dangerous venture yet. I can only pray that he will outsmart, outdo and outlive the evil druglords, the conspiring unscrupulous town and barangay officials and the corrupt cops on the take.
I am sure millions of Pangasinenses will join me in this prayer once he starts raiding homes of suspected pushers and financiers. Godspeed, Guv Spines!
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SOME UNSOLICITED ADVICE.
To: PDRRMC Executive Director Fernando de Guzman: Constant training of volunteers on Water Search and Rescue (WASAR) training is the way to go to help ensure zero fatalities during flood calamities. But there is one more thing that he can do. He can help empower residents to help and save themselves as well. Organize swimming lessons especially for women and children in flood-prone areas. The lessons will come in handy not only during calamities but even during leisure times.
To: Dagupan City Hall Department Heads: Stop playing innocent about what went on in your offices under the watch of former Mayor Lim. It’s now a matter of record that a lot of hocus-pocus went on in your offices. The question is: Who were the active collaborators, and who were simply order-takers? The extent of your involvement in the plunder of the city will be known sooner or later. In fact, there will surely be others who will tell on you so if you want to mitigate your cases, show and guide Mayor Belen how to cut short her investigations so the city can move forward faster with all the problems. Chances are, only the most guilty will be sent standing before the Ombudsman, then the Sandiganbayan. The choice is yours: Start walking the tuwid na daan or stay on the pikewet ya dalan!
To: Marlou Chan: The continued operation of jai-alai off-front betting stations in the province remains a blot in your command. You, more than anyone, know that the documents served to justify the presence of the betting stations do not apply in Pangasinan but in the province of Cagayan only. Arresting “employees” appear to be selective yet the only proof you need to prove that it is a front for jueteng is that bets are being solicited outside the betting stations. So what gives?
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FACEBOOK FORUMS. If you need to know what your friends and others say about your communities and interests, there are FB sites that cater mostly to Pangasineses. Among them: Hug a Tree and Save Mother Earth, Dagupan City, Pangasinan, Philippines; 1984@DCNHS, Pangasinan Tour, I love Pangasinan, Pangasinan Historial and Cultural Commission, What’s up DMNHSAA?, Inmalog Mountain Bikers’ Group, Balitang villa sis, Advocacy for a Greener Pozorrubio, No to Nuclear Plant in Pangasinan, Save Mangatarem Forest;
Biogreen Enterprise Group Online, Feminism, Communicators League, Team Ballistics Unlimited, Funtastic Pangasinan, Kararaan ya kakiewan na Luyag Tan Bansa Tayo, Lyceum Northwestern University Dukes Basketball, Pangasinense Groups, Magnifico Pets & Breeders, Pangasinan Group, Pistoleros, Police Digest sa FB, Tambayang CCNHS, 2013 Board of Trustees (DMNHSAAI), Dagupan City National High School Alumni Association, D’Dagupan Dream;
Samahan ng mga kabataan sa probinsiya ng Pangasinan, Digital People Power, I am Global, I love Pangasinan (Dagupan City Chapter), Mang Aldan, Shooters Community Philippines and Abroad, Pangasinan Media, Pangalatokan and Tambayan ng BFF. Look them up!
Of course, there is The Sunday Punch FB page. We will appreciate a “Like” on our fanpage. Just click the FB icon found at the top of our website http://punch.dagupan.com)!
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