Who is Teddy Casiño?

Teodoro “Teddy” Acevedo Casiño
Partylist Representative, Bayan Muna
13th and 14th Congress of the Philippines


Who is Teddy Casiño?

Social reformist and dynamic leader

Congressman Teddy Casiño is a genuine social reformist and one of the most dynamic young leaders in the country today. He was first swept into the politics of change when, as a high school student in La Salle Green Hills, he volunteered for the National Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL) and took part in the 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution. The experience changed him so that since then, his life has been characterized by a conscious choice for the road less traveled.

The EDSA experience moved Teddy to become an activist in his freshman year at the University of the Philippines at Los Baños (UPLB). He became editor-in-chief of the student paper, The UPLB Perspective, from 1989-1991 even as he consistently made it to the honor roll. In 1991, Teddy was elected national president of the College Editors Guild of the Philippines (CEGP), an alliance of over 700 student publications nationwide. He graduated from UPLB with a bachelor's degree in Sociology in 1993.

After his stint in the student movement, Teddy joined the labor movement as part of the Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU), where he deepened his commitment to serve the people, especially the working class. Teddy was elected secretary general of the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN), the largest alliance of progressive people’s organizations in the country in 1999 and was catapulted to national prominence in 2001 as one of the youngest leaders of EDSA 2. He was appointed commissioner of the EDSA People Power Commission from 2001-2002 and was accorded the UPLB Distinguished Alumnus Award in 2002. Teddy also served as a commissioner in the District Justice and Peace Commission of the De La Salle Schools in 2005-2006.

Teddy is an accomplished writer and journalist. After being a regular contributor to the Philippine Daily Inquirer’s Youngblood column, he became a regular columnist for BusinessWorld from 1995-2004. He also wrote columns for the tabloids and People’s Bagong TalibaFrontpage, the OFW weekly Pinoy Gazette and the online magazine Bulatlat.com. In 2002, he had a short stint in ABS-CBN’s Hoy Gising and The Correspondents.


Progressive legislator and advocate of new politics

As a Bayan Muna congressman since 2004, Teddy is proof that integrity, righteousness, competence, patriotism and compassion for the poor and oppressed still has a place in the political mainstream.

Teddy has proven his mettle as a progressive legislator, spearheading the fight against corruption and government abuse and pushing for fundamental reforms in the areas of good governance and people empowerment, justice and human rights, educational reform, economic nationalism, the protection of the national patrimony and the environment, and the appropriate use of information and communications technology. He has figured prominently in the impeachment complaints against Pres. Macapagal-Arroyo as well as in various House investigations on the anomalies hounding the present administration.

In 2008, he was accorded the distinction as “Most Outstanding Congressman” during the annual Congress Magazine awards.

For Teddy, public service is a public trust. In his six years in Congress, he has never figured in any scandal or anomaly. He has maintained his simple lifestyle and has never used his position to enrich himself, his relatives or his friends. He is, in fact, on record as being the second poorest member of the House.

Given the chance, Teddy vows to continue bringing the issues and concerns of the common tao into the halls of the Senate.


Dedicated family man

Teddy was born in Davao City on November 15, 1968 and is the third of five children of Atty. Amador C. Casiño of Lucena, Quezon and Lizabelle I. Acevedo of Kalibo, Aklan. He has four siblings: Fr. Peter OSA, Audie, Shana and Ria.

In November 2002, Teddy married Ruth Garcia Cervantes, herself a former CEGP president and human rights advocate now taking up law at the San Beda College. They have two sons, Elian (6) and Emilio (2).

Teddy's family is his main source of strength and inspiration. The future of his two sons is what keeps him striving for a better kind of politics and a truly just and democratic government and society.

National Campus Press Freedom Day

Bill to Mark ‘National Campus Press Freedom Day’ Filed

MANILA — Bayan Muna (People First) Rep. Teodoro Casiño filed on July 25 a bill that would recognize the observance of the said date as the National Campus Press Freedom Day.

Aside from marking July 25 as a special day for the campus press, House Bill No. 6611, or “An Act Recognizing the Observance of July 25 of Every Year as the National Campus Press Freedom Day, and for Other Purposes”, also aims to recognize the promotion and protection of the inviolable right of the campus press.

In his explanatory note, Casiño underscored the contribution of campus press during the dark days of martial law for exposing the true state of affairs of the country and how they continue to promote freedom of the press and defend the interest and the welfare of the Filipino people.

July 25 is a historical day for the College Editors Guild of the Philippines (CEGP), the largest, oldest existing and only student organization of its kind in the Asia-Pacific region. Founded on July 25, 1931, the Guild celebrates its 78th founding anniversary this year.

Casiño also recognized the number of student journalists and alumni who sacrifice their lives as they safeguard the ideals of campus press and strive for the fulfillment of its mission.

The proposed date of the National Press Freedom Day is also the birthday of Ernesto Rodriguez Jr., a former editor-in-chief of the official student publication of National University, The National, and founder of CEGP.

HB 6611 mandates elementary, secondary and tertiary levels to support and provide assistance to any events and activities organized by the students in recognition of the National Press Freedom Day. (Bulatlat.com)

Investigate, stop the Laiban Dam deal

News Release
July 22, 2009

Bayan Muna Partylist Representative Teddy Casiño warns that the shady deal between the Metropolitan Waterworks Sewerage System (MWSS) and the San Miguel Bulk Water Company, Incorporated (SMBWCI) to build the Laiban Dam in Tanay could wreak havoc on the lives of around 10,000 residents, Metro Manila consumers who will have to pay higher water rates, and the Filipino people in general as the deal adds to the long list of corruption cases under the Arroyo administration.

According to Casiño, "Its apparent that the negotiations between the MWSS and the SMBWCI were hastily done without the benefit of an open bidding, considering the project would involve more than P48-billion pesos of taxpayers money".

"There seems to be utter brazenness and lack of transparency in this deal, just like in other anomalous billion-peso projects under the Arroyo administration that we have consistently exposed and opposed," said Casiño.

To date, the Arroyo administration is host to controversial deals such as: the IMPSA deal (year 2001, involving $2 million), PIATCO (2003, $20 million), Northrail project (2004, $50 million), Mega Pacific deal (2004, P500 million), Diosdado Macapagal Blvd. (2004, P600 million), NBN-ZTE broadband deal (2007, $32.9 million), and World Bank road projects (2009, $33 million).

"These funds, had they been properly allocated under a pro-people government, could have provided for the health, education and other basic needs of the people," said Casiño. "But instead, under Arroyo's bankrupt regime, taxpayers' money easily go to the corrupt and greedy," he added.

Casiño said that the progressive partylist bloc had earlier filed House Resolution 510 in March 31, 2008 because the Laiban project threatened to displace thousands of indigenous peoples, destroy their ancestral lands and cultural heritage, and severely affect their very survival as a people.

"In addition, we are filing another resolution for an investigation of this bigger-than-the-NBN-ZTE deal involving MWSS and big businessmen allied with the Arroyos," said Casiño.

"If the deal contains nothing inimical to the people's interests, if there is nothing onerous or suspicious, if the parties involved here have nothing to hide, then the details surrounding this Laiban Dam project should be revealed. The public deserves to know these things," said Casiño.

Under the deal, the MWSS may be obliged to buy water from the SMBWCI and pay for unused water. This will result to higher water rates to be burdened by the consumers while both the MWSS and the SMBWCI are assured of huge profits. The Laiban Dam project could increase the cost of water in Metro Manila to P45 per cubic meter from the present P30 to P33 per cubic meter.

Casiño said "The present water shortage in some areas can be addressed by the Manila Water and Maynilad by repairing all leaking pipes, and by minimizing theft so that 4,000 MLD of raw water may be delivered".

"Even if the aim to build a new dam to provide for the needs of consumers were decades-old, rushing into a "sweetheart deal" only spells disaster for the people. The progressive partylist bloc aims to stop this Laiban deal not only to protect the people's rights to clean, safe and affordable water. We are opposing the project for the clear danger it brings," concludes Casiño.###

One-year freeze on housing rent

News from Manila Standard Today, July 15, 2009
By Joyce Pangco Pañares and Fel V. Maragay

..Families and individuals who live in rented dwellings will not have to worry about any rental increases for one year as President Arroyo has signed the Rent Control Act of 2009.

..The law imposes a one-year moratorium on rent increases and prohibits any rental hike for houses, apartments and other residential units including boarding houses, dormitories, rooms and bed spaces being offered for rent.

..The rent control law is also authored by Rodolfo Biazon in the Senate and House Speaker Prospero Nograles, Rep. Rodolfo Valencia, Rep. Teodoro Casiño and Rep. Amado Bagatsing in the House of Representatives.

..The measure covers all residential units in Metro Manila and other highly-urbanized cities where monthly rental does not exceed P10,000 and P5,000 for other areas.

..It also limits the advance payment to the equivalent of one-month rent and deposit to not more than two months worth of rent.

------

In relation to this, here's a news release from Bayan Muna, dated last February 12, 2009, regarding Rep. Teddy Casiño's initiative to push for a new rent control bill:

In response to economic crisis, Party list solons push for 2-year freeze on housing rent

CEBU CITY – Party list representatives today pushed for a new rent control law that would freeze any increases in rentals of low-end residential units for the next two years.

In a Congressional hearing held at the Cebu Provincial Capitol this afternoon, Bayan Muna Rep. Teddy Casiño sponsored House Bill No. 5849 entitled "An Act Establishing Reforms in the Regulation of Rent of Certain Residential Units, Providing the Mechanisms Therefore and for Other Purposes" providing for a two-year moratorium on any rent increases for residential units not exceeding P15,000 a month in Metro Manila and P8,000 a month in other parts of the country.

The bill also provides that after the two-year moratorium, rent for such residential units may not be increased by more than 10% for the succeeding three years.

The prohibition would apply to house and lot units, apartments and other dwelling places including boarding houses, dormitories, rooms and bedspaces offered for rent by their owners. It also includes residential units used for home industries, sari-sari stores or other business purposes which doubles as dwelling places for the business owner.

The proposed bill seeks to replace the Rent Control Act of 2005 which expired on Dec. 31, 2008. Rep. Casiño said the expiration of the old law would adversely affect 1.54 million families living in rented houses, thus a need for new legislation.

"The state has to act to protect these families from higher and unreasonable rental payments at this time when we are feeling the adverse effects of the global economic recession. Everyday, businesses are closing down, workers are being laid off, wages are being cut. Families will find it hard to pay their rent, much more any increases in rent," said Casiño.

He added that at this time, the State should intervene in the market in order to protect the interest of low income families and individuals who still opt to rent.

"This is more concrete than the Arroyo government's imagined P330 billion stimulus package that has proven to be nothing but a pack of empty promises," he added.

House Bill No. 5849 is co-authored by Bayan Muna representative Satur Ocampo, Gabriela representatives Liza Maza and Luzviminda Ilagan, and Anakpawis party representative Rafael Mariano.###

vigilance in face of poll automation failure, bombing, martial rule plot

Casiño calls for vigilance
in face of poll automation failure, bombing, martial rule plot

News Release
June 30, 2009

In view of the apparent collapse of the poll automation project, the recent bombing and the “Oplan August Moon” plot, Bayan Muna Rep. Teddy Casiño today warned the public to be extra vigilant in ensuring that President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo will not stay in power beyond June 2010.

"We should be on guard not only with con-ass but the other Palace-concocted scenarios. We must be extra vigilant for a no elections (no-el) scenario or a brewing coup plot that would prolong PGMA's powerhold beyond 2010," Casiño said, citing an earlier proposal by National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales for Arroyo to head a transitional revolutionary civilian-military junta.

"Due to irreconcilable differences between TIM and Smartmatic, the planned automated election has been jeopardized. We also suspect that the leak about 'Oplan August Moon' and the bomb incidents at the Department of Agriculture and the Office of the Ombudsman in Quezon City are all aimed at creating the conditions for giving Arroyo authoritarian powers or extending her term beyond 2010," Casiño said.

Regarding a possible declaration of military rule, Casiño said "Marcos did it before. Arroyo has all the cards, motives and tendencies to do it again. We should keep ourselves informed and prepared for such scenarios."

Casiño warned the Palace not to consider such repressive scenarios as PGMA might suffer the fate of ousted president Marcos in the 1980s and, just recently, of Honduran president Manuel Zelaya, if PGMA and her allies push through with term extension.

The plot dubbed “Oplan August Moon” was reported as favorable to Arroyo and to generals identified with Class ’78 of the Philippine Military Academy. PGMA is an adopted member of Class ’78.

Casiño, together with anti con-ass leaders, lawmakers, and ordinary citizens will be marching against con-ass and Charter change today at 3 p.m., June 30. Assembly points are: Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila - Intramuros, Adamson University - Taft Ave., and Welcome Rotonda in Manila. Students, professors and participants from schools such as DLSU, St. Scholastica's College, UP Manila, Adamson University, and PLM comprise the contingent to be joined by Casiño. The groups will converge at Plaza Salamanca along Taft Avenue and will proceed to Liwasang Bonifacio. ###

Three Things PGMA Should Say on Her SONA

News Release
June 29, 2009

Cong. Teddy Casiño of Bayan Muna today said there are only three things that President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo should declare on her State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 27 at the House of Representatives in Quezon City.

Casiño said, “Majority of Filipinos, as consistently verified in all opinion surveys in the country, are interested to hear only three things from PGMA when she delivers her SONA:

Number 1. ‘ I will abandon all efforts to convene Congress into a constituent assembly (con-ass) and therefore there will be no more Charter change (Cha-cha) before the 2010 national elections; ’
Number 2. ‘ I will step down in 2010, and; ’
Number 3. ‘ I’m not running for any position, be it for Congresswoman or even for municipal councilor, in the 2010 elections. ”

“That’s all that matters. That’s all we want to hear from PGMA,” affirmed Casiño, citing the nationwide disgust for President Arroyo and her administration.

“She should make her last SONA short and sweet. Enough of her lies. PGMA’s alter-egos in Malacañang do not need to fool us about a ‘resilient Philippine economy’, the ‘improved fight against corruption’ and her numerous achievements,” said Casiño.

“PGMA’s claims of economic development are obviously far from reality,” concluded Casiño.

on the DepEd noodles scam

Casiño fears Malacanang, DepEd intent on reviving P427 noodles scam

News Release
June 26, 2009

Bayan Muna Rep. Teddy Casiño welcomed yesterday's filing of formal charges against DepEd officials and others involved in the controversial P427 million noodle feeding program even as he expressed fears that efforts are underway to revive the anomalous contract.

The contract with Jeverps Manufacturing Corp. was earlier cancelled by the DepEd following an embarrassing investigation by the Senate which revealed an overprice of up to P15 for each of the 19,418,880 packs of 100g instant noodles. Yesterday's complaint filed in the Office of the Ombudsman included several DepEd officials led by Sec. Jesli Lapus as respondents.

Casiño said, however, that formal charges notwithstanding, efforts are apparently underway to revive the contract.

"Sec. Lapus' statements reveal that he still considers the P427 million contract with Jeverps regular and legal and that it was merely cancelled to avoid a possible temporary restraining order from the courts. In other words, it was just a tactical retreat," said Casiño, author of House Bill 1126 directing the House Committee on Good Government to investigate the anomaly.

Casiño said he was greatly bothered by paid advertisements that appeared in various newspapers last week showing Pres. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and Department of Health Secretary Francisco Duque III endorsing DepEd's noodle feeding program even after the contract had been cancelled. Titled "Noodles For A Healthy Start," the third paragraph of the ad states that "prolonging the noodle controversy will only compromise the health and nutrition of school children especially the malnourished." (Please see the ad from the June 21 issue of the Phil. Daily Inquirer.)

"I wonder why Malacanang and the DOH would bother to come out with paid ads endorsing a cancelled DepEd program. Are they preparing the public for a revival of the overpriced project? Are they also interested in the potential multi-million kickback the project offers? Is the apparent 'tongpats' part of their 2010 campaign kitty?" he asked.

"My informants tell me Jeverps is planning to sue DepEd for canceling the contract and DepEd is just waiting to enter into an amicable settlement with the company. This news is indeed distressing," he said.

Casiño's advise to DepEd Sec. Jesli Lapus: "If you truly believe that instant noodles are the solution to malnutrition among our school children, then immediately rebid the project and make sure the more reputable companies participate in the bidding."###

"No" vote to House Bill No. 4077

Rep. Teddy Casiño's Explanation of "No" vote
to the CARP Extension Bill (House Bill No. 4077)

June 03, 2009

Twenty years ago, our distinguished colleague in the 8th Congress, the late Rep. Bonifacio Gillego, the main author and staunchest proponent of agrarian reform at that time, declared the comprehensive agrarian reform program (CARP) a corpse.

"My task," he said in explaining his negative vote on Hose Bill No. 400, which eventually became Republic Act No. 6657 or the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law, "is to deliver a funeral oration on CARP." His point being that the 8th Congress had watered down and mangled agrarian reform beyond recognition and removed it of its heart and soul.

Mr. Speaker, my dear colleagues, by extending the life of the zombie of an agrarian reform program that is RA6657, even with token amendments which we did tonight, we are repeating the very same sin of the 8th Congress of crafting a defective and anti-farmer agrarian reform law.

How can I support such a program when the Honorable sponsor Edcel Lagman admitted during interpellation that HB 4077 will not correct what he called the "congenital defects" of RA 6657? These include the following major flaws: (1) the exclusion of vast tracts of CARP-able land due to technical classifications, land use conversions and retention limits; (2) the provisions for alternative modes of compliance which denies the farmer beneficiaries full ownership and control of the land; (3) a payment scheme that keeps farmers in a continued life of debt and servitude to the landlord or the Land Bank. In fact I learned from the Land Bank in a hearing this morning that 62% of the CARP beneficiaries can not pay the annual amortization; (4) a valuation and compensation scheme that provides vast opportunities for graft and corruption and the connivance of DAR officials and landlords in milking billions of taxpayers' money; and (5) voluntary land sale and transfer schemes that is corruption-prone and gives landlords the upper hand over their erstwhile tenants.

Ang mga kahinaang ito na nasa batas mismo ang pangunahing dahilan kung bakit umabot na nang 20 taon ang CARP pero walang makabuluhang resulta. Ang hindi nagawa ng 20 taon hindi matatapos sa loob ng limang taon na extension ng CARP.

Kung kasumpa-sumpa ang ginawa ng 8th Congress sa pagpasa ng isang walang puso at walang kaluluwang agrarian reform law, mas kasumpa-sumpa ang ang ginagawa nating pagpapahaba ng programa na alam na nating palpak at hindi nagsilbi sa pagpapalaya at pagpapaunlad ng ating mga magsasaka sa loob ng 20 taon. Hindi matatanggap ng aking konsensya na sumuporta sa isang batas na magpapatuloy sa ganitong panlilinlang, pagsasamantala at pagpapahirap sa ating mga magsasaka.

Ang sabi ng iba, well meaning friends have told me: "Pagbigyan na natin ito. Ito lang ang maibibigay ng Kongreso, tanggapin na natin." I'm sorry, my dear colleagues, but as far as agrarian reform is concerned, I don't subscribe to the idea that something is better than nothing. Or that beggars can't be choosers. Our farmers are not beggars. They deserve more than the crumbs CARP and HB 4077 offers.

There are times when we have to draw the line. When we should reject compromise when it is already a sellout. I believe this is the time. I am here in Congress to protect the rights and interests of the farmers, and I will do so without compromise, especially if there is a sellout.

In any case, may pagkakataon pa tayong gumawa ng isang mas matino at maka-magsasakang batas para sa repormang agraryo. Isang batas na tunay na sasalamin sa interes ng karamihan ng ating mga kababayan - ang mga magsasakang nagpapakain sa ating bansa.

I am for a new and better agrarian reform law. Therefore I vote no to House Bill No. 4077.

Maraming salamat po.###

Bayan Muna's recently filed House Resolutions

House Resolution 1195: A Resolution Directing the House Committee on Agrarian Reform to Investigate the Failure of Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program in the Case of Hacienda Looc in Nasugbu, Batangas, with the End in View of Protecting the Farmer-Beneficiaries and Other Residents Whose Rights are Being Continously Violated by the Manila Southcoast Development Corporation Owned by Business Tycoon Henry Sy

House Resolution 1157: A Resolution Directing the House Committee on Ways and Means to Conduct an Inquiry, in Aid of Legislation, on the Basis of Department of Finance (DoF) Order No. 17-09, which Restricts the Entry or and Imposes Duties on Imported Books, as well as its Impact on the People's Access to Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Materials

House Resolution 1137: A Resolution to Conduct an Inquiry, in Aid of Legislation, On the Correct Manner of Singing the Philippine National Anthem Given the Controversy Surrounding the Rendition of Singer Martin Nievera During the Hatton-Pacman Fight on May 3,2009 and Whether There is a Need to Amend Republic Act No. 8491 or the 'Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines'

House Resolution 1126: A Resolution Directing the House Committee on Good Government to Investigate Alleged Overpricing and Other Irregularities in the Procurement of Instant Noodles in Line with the Feeding Program of the Department of Education

House Resolution 1067: Resolution Directing the Committee on Government Enterprises and Privatization and Committee on Civil Service to Conduct an Investigation, in Aid of Legislation, on the Alleged Failure of the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) to Effectively Perform its Mandate to Provide Social Security Benefits to its Members

House Resolution 1066: Resolution Directing the Committee on Transportation to Conduct an Investigation, in Aid of Legislation, on the Alleged Rigging of the Bidding Process on the Manila North Harbor Modernization Project That Imperils Informal Settlers, Dock Workers, Vendors and Other Port Users

House Resolution 1065: Resolution Directing the Committee on Transportation to Conduct an Immediate Inquiry, in Aid of Legislation, on the Impact of Department of Transportation and Communications Order Number 2008-39 that was Allegedly Hidden from the Transport Groups and the Public Since it Raises Fines and Penalties for Traffic and Administrative Violations Levied by the land Transportation Office Against Drivers, Conductors and Operators of Motor Vehicles

House Resolution 1064: Resolution Directing the Committee on Human Rights to Conduct an Investigation, in Aid of Legislation, on the Killing of Environmentalist and Anti-Mining Activist Eliezer “Boy” Billanes, Chairperson of the South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Saranggani, General Santos City, Davao Del Sur – Alliance for Genuine Development (SocCSkSarGenDS – AGENDA) Last March 9,2009 in Koronadal City Allegedly by Elements of the 27th Infantry Battalion Four Hours After Holding a Dialogue with the Military

House Resolution 1046: Resolution Directing the Committee on Human Rights to Conduct an Investigation, in Aid of Legislation, on the Condemnable Brutal Abduction, Torture and Extrajudicial Killing of Rebelyn Pitao, Allegedly Perpetrated by the 10th Infantry Division of the Armed Forces of the Philippines

House Resolution 1045: Resolution Expressing the Profound Condolences of the House of Representatives on the Demise of Mr. Francis Durango Magalona, Known as the “King of Filipino Rap Music” to Millions of Filipinos

House Resolution 1020: Resolution Directing the Committees on Foreign Affairs and National Defense and Security to Jointly or Separately Conduct an Inquiry, in Aid of Legislation, on the Impact of the RP-US Balikatan Joint Military Exercises to Our Nation’s Sovereignty and the Safety of the People in the Bicol Region

House Resolution 1019: Resolution Calling for the Termination of the RP-US Visiting Forces Agreement Because it Tramples on Philippine Sovereignty, it is an Unequal Agreement Considering the Continued Refusal of the U.S. Government to Surrender Custody of CPL. Daniel Smith, and its Unenforceable in the United States of America

House Resolution 1000: Resolution Directing the Committee on National Defense and Security to Conduct an Investigation, in Aid of Legislation, on the Alleged Misuse of Citizen’s Armed Forces Geographical Units (CAFGU) Funds

House Resolution 999: Resolution Strongly Opposing the Appointment of Retired Gen. Jovito Palparan Jr. to Any Post in Government Due to His Reprehensible Track Record of Extrajudicial Killings, Enforced Disappearances, Torture and Other Violations of Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law Committed Mostly Against Activists Allegedly by Troops and Agents of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Under His Command Especially in Southern tagalong, Eastern Visayas and Central Luzon and Who Remains Unaccountable for the Long Trail of Human Rights Violations Attributed to Him

House Resolution 997: Resolution Directing the Committee on Ecology to Conduct an Investigation, in Aid of Legislation, on the Effects of Large-Scale Mining Activities on the Environment and People’s Livelihood in Oriental Mindoro

House Resolution 961: A Resolution Directing the Committee on Banks and Financial Intermediaries to Conduct an Investigation, in Aid of Legislation, on the Health of the Philippine Pre-Need Industry in Light of the Global Financial Crisis

House Resolution 949: Resolution Directing the Committees on Overseas Workers Affairs and Foreign Affairs to Conduct an Inquiry, in Aid of Legislation, on the Unreasonably Huge Increase of Consular Service Fees Collected From Overseas Filipinos by Philippine Diplomatic Posts in the Eurozone

House Resolution 948: Resolution Directing the Committee on Ecology to Conduct an Inquiry, in Aid of Legislation, on the Ongoing Construction of a Dumpsite Project in Barangays Maly and Guinayang, San Mateo, Rizal that Appears to Endanger the Lives and Livelihood of the People of the Town and the Marikina Watershed Reservation

source: Bayan Muna

Makabayan Coalition for 2010 Elections

A new coalition has been formed to counter the dirty and traditional politics in the country. It has pledged to advance the politics of change and promote a ‘pro-people’ platform for the 2010 elections.

News report by Bulatlat.com Left Forms New Coalition for 2010 Elections

On the Potential Multi-Million Peso Anomaly in the Government's Purchase of Fire Trucks

by Rep. Teodoro A. Casiño
March 03, 2009

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, distinguished colleagues. I would like to bring to your attention a potential multi-million peso anomaly in our government's purchase of fire trucks.

Mr. Speaker, my distinguished colleagues, the month of March, aside from being Women’s Month, is also Fire Prevention Month. This is so because the month of March signals the start of the summer season in the country, and fire incidents are usually at their high rate during this month. Kahapon lamang po, ay ilang sunog ang inireport sa mga balita.

We, in Bayan Muna, recognize the exemplary efforts of the ordinary men and women of the Bureau of Fire Protection and of the many volunteer fire brigades, and salutes them in their continued dedication to make everyone feel safe and away from the hazards of fire.

Kaya lang, Mr. Speaker, sa kabila ng ating pagpupugay sa ating mga bumbero, mukhang may ibang klaseng sunog na kumakain sa Bureau of Fire Protection. Ito ay ang sunog ng korapsyon.

In 2007 and 2008, the Bureau of Fire Protection purchased a total of thirty-seven fire trucks amounting to more than P342 million. Seven fire trucks were purchased in 2007, while records show thirty units were procured in 2008.

There were more purchases, Mr. Speaker. What is significant is that the purchase of these thirty-seven units did not undergo any public bidding. All these purchases were done through the procurement mode of direct contracting.

Under Republic Act No. 9184 or the Government Procurement Act, direct contracting may be resorted to by the concerned procuring entities only under any of the following conditions:

1. Procurement of items of proprietary nature which can be obtained only from the proprietary source, when patents, trade secrets and copyrights prohibit others from manufacturing the same item;

2. When the procurement of critical plant components from a specific manufacturer, supplier or distributor is a condition precedent to hold a contractor to guarantee its project performance, in accordance with the provisions of its contract; and

3. Those sold by an exclusive dealer or manufacturer which does not have sub-dealers selling at lower prices and for which no suitable substitute can be obtained at more advantageous terms to the government.

Mr. Speaker, my dear colleagues, I don’t think procurement of fire trucks falls under any of the said instances when direct contracting may be resorted to by the Bureau of Fire Protection.

Pinag-uusapan po natin ang tatlumpu’t pitong trak ng bumbero na binili ng Bureau of Fire Protection sa nakaraang dalawang taon.

In 2007, there were two tranches of funds totaling P37 million.

The first was for three units of 1,000-gallon water capacity fire trucks amounting to almost P20 million.

Then, two months later, another two units of 1,000-gallon water costing P17.6 million. The price increased in two months by 25%.

And third, two units of 300-gallon water capacity amounting to P12 million.

In 2008, a whopping P292 million were spent on fire trucks.

There were three units of 1,000-gallon water capacity amounting to more than P28 million. Notice that the price already increased from the previous year. From around P7 million, it was now P9 million.

A few months later, three units of 1,000-gallon water capacity amounting to more than P29 million. So the price increased to more than P9.5 million per truck.

And then, fourteen units amounting to P135 million, two units of which with 600-gallon water capacity amounting to P18 million and twelve units with 1,000-gallon water capacity amounting to P117 million. So the price again, after a few months, increased to P9.75 million per unit.

And then the clincher, ten units with 1,000-gallon water capacity amounting to P100 million. Umabot na po ng P10 milyon ang bawat isang trak. Ang kataka-taka po, Mr. Speaker, lahat po itong pitumpu’t pitong trak ay nabili ng walang bidding. Ni isa sa mga trak ay hindi dumaan sa bidding.

Paano kaya ito nangyari? At saka bakit pare-parehong specifications pero nagkakaiba-iba ang presyo, pataas ng pataas ang presyo sa loob ng ilang buwan lamang?

Sigurado po ako, sa halagang P342 milyon, hindi lang thirty-seven trucks ang kayang bilhin ng Bureau of Fire Protection, ang patong dito ay mahigit doble o halos doble ng presyo. Ang sabi nila, kapag duman sa bidding o kung dumaan sa bidding ang pagbili ng trak, sa halip na sampung milyo, makukuha mo lang ng kulang-kulang limang milyon ang isang trak.

Madam Speaker, prominent in these direct contracting practices is a company called Anos Research Manufacturing located at 4 Apo St. corner Quezon Avenue., Sta. Mesa, Manila. Documents I have showed that they supplied at last thirteen of these thirty-seven trucks, probably even more, that they were overpriced and that did not undergo bidding.

Ayon po sa aking source, may mga key players sa ibat ibang departamento na nagpo-proces nitong pagbili ng fire truck at ang mga ito ay kumikita, mga opisyal sa Department of Budget and Management, mga opisyal sa Department of Interior and Local Government, mga opisyal ng Bureau of Fire Protection at syempre ang manufacturer katulad ng Anos Research Manufacturing.

Meron naman daw sistema ng pagkakahati-hati ng tongpats dito sa pagbili ng fire truck. Very interestingly, the documents on the September 2008 purchase of ten fire trucks would show how fast the purchases were. The bidding was award nap o ang kontrata; after four days, nainspect na, nadeliver na; after nine days, lumabas na po iyong tseke. How’s that for speed, Mr. Speaker? Kung ganoon ho sana kabilis an gating mga bumbero tuwing may sunog, siguro ho wala nang madidisgrasya sa sunog.

Indeed, Mr. Speaker, there is something wrong with the direct contracting practice made by the Bureau of Fire Protection with one supplier cornering almost half of the purchases. This is a possible violation of the Government Procurement Act, a wastage of public funds and possible plunder.

Ang tanong, hindi pa nga ho natin alam kung nagmimeet ng required standards ang mga trak na ito.

Mr. Speaker, my dear colleagues, fire safety is of utmost concern for everyone. If we are to be serious about this duty, everything from the procurement of fire trucks and equipment to the rendition of services, must be done with good governance and public safety as our primary interest. Napakarami na hong reklamo ng ating mga kababayan at pati an gating mga bumbero sa kanilang mga pasilidad. Firetrucks pa lang ho ang pinag-uusapan natin dito, how about their coats, how about their boots? Iyong kanilang mga helmets, iyong kanilang mga guwantes, iyong kanilang mga breathing apparatus? Do these equipments also undergo the irregular system of direct contracting rather than bidding? We have to know, Mr. Speaker, this is Fire Prevention Month. And if we have to improve the services of our firemen, we have to stamp out corruption. We have to put out the fires of corruption in the Bureau of Fire Protection.

Mr. Speaker, I respectfully request that this direct contracting practice – I request that an investigation on this irregular and highly anomalous practice of the Bureau of Fire Protection in the purchase of fire trucks and possibly other equipment and supplies be investigated by Congress, possibly by the Committee on Good Government.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, my dear colleagues.###