I think I will not live up to 2030 to witness the full fruits of the ambitious infrastructure projects that the present administration of the former city mayor of Davao envision to start up under the Duterteconomics “ build, build, build” goals.

Funding of these flagship public works program will come from foreign lenders such as Japan and China, after the economic managers of DU30 dropped the PNoy’s PPP formula which enlisted private sector participations and management expertise. What I am talking are the multi-billion projects sired by Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), the government owned agency tasked to develop and ensure the profitable activities of former US and local military facilities.

BCDA unknown to the general public is now headed by political associates of DFA Secretary Allan Peter Cayetano, Digong vice presidential running mate and now the chieftain of the foreign affairs office, they are Vivencio Dizon, president and Greg Garcia, as chairman of the board. Garcia took charge of the advertising and public relations support to the Duterte-Cayetano tandem during the May 2016 election. Moreover, Garcia’s wife was the partner of Allan’s mother in a private school at BF Homes Paranaque.

While both Garcia and Dizon are professionally capable, I hope they do fall to the same alleged extra income from feasibility study contract that the former agency president was notorious. The three major development and economic projects that will be undertaken under the build build and build scheme are the construction of P300 billion Manila to Clark Railway aimed to provide easy travel to passengers using the Clark International Airport; the New Clark City, billed as the next site for government center , which offers 9,500 hectares of space to accommodate the anticipated exodus of urban dwellers of Metro Manila by the year 2020.

Moreover BCDA also eye the building of Clark-Subic Cargo Train Service to spur further manufacturing and export growth between the two former US military bases fully utilizing the Clark Airport and the Subic seaport. The Cargo trail system to be built by China will cost P32.5 billion and expected to be completed in two years using the road right of way of the Subic-Clark -Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX).

Former BCDA and SBMA chairman Felicito C. Payumo has earlier expressed his misgiven on the Cargo train service which is still unnecessary at this time due to limited volume, but his position was contested by SBMA administrator Amy Eisma who told this corner that she fully support the project. “When will the government act when it’s too late? Better this early although we do not have the volume yet. It’s still cheaper to undertake the project. Moreover, SBMA will share any centavo for the project because it is one of the major flagship of the Duterte government,” Eisma pointed out

As I mentioned at the start of this piece, I foresee that the full completion of the series of project and economic development plans to fuel the growth and expansion of Central Luzon to be bestowed as the next grand urban destination in line with the campaign to help in decongesting the national capital region.

The government of Pampanga in close collaboration between Gov. Lilia Pineda and former President Gloria M. Arroyo and incumbent 2nd district Representative retained the service of urban planner Felino Palafox to adopt a master plan for Pampanga and its environs like Subic and Clark to line-up activities to be offered to locators looking at new area to transfer their business and workers. The completed master plan done in four phases covering the four districts of the province, East, South, West and North sides, identifying business activities, transport, housing sites and schools.

Subic town pushes for its cityhood

A collateral beneficiary of the Central Luzon growth triangle is the fishing town of Subic, the mother cell of Olongapo City , which was eclipse when the former US Naval reservation converted into another municipality on December 7, 1959 and eventually into a highly urbanized community. But after living the shadow of its former barrio, Subic now, the home to the country’s biggest shipbuilding site and 4th world largest shipbuilder is gearing to become a metropolis , with increased population and income.

Last termer mayor Jay Khonghun, said the bill elevating the town is just awaiting for the completion of LGU requirements such as putting up a 50-bed hospital. In a recent visit to him, we learned that existing municipal hall will converted into the required medical facilities while the new government center will moved to a new site with ample parking and open spaces.

Meanwhile, Mayor Khonghun inform us that in spite of political pressures from people with strong connection to the provincial capitol , he will not allow “jade mining” in one of the seaside village in Subic He said he and the town council will not be pressured by name dropping and willing to face legal action against the mining disapproval.

Source: subicsun.com

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Senator Antonio Trillanes IV is not ashamed of his 0-2 record in mounting coup d’etat which Senator Dick Gordon pointed out in an ugly tit-for-tat in the Senate Thursday.

The exchange between the two started when Trillanes chastised Gordon for his “irrational ruling and behavior” as chair of the blue ribbon committee.

Trillanes dissed Gordon for making the committee a “one man show” and mocked him for his non-stop monologues which he called “not normal.”

Trillanes claimed that this was part of Gordon’s efforts to stonewall him from pursuing the connection of presidential son, vice Mayor Paolo Duterte, and presidential son-in-law, abogado Mans Carpio, to the “Davao Group” which allegedly facilitated the smuggling of P6.4 billion worth of shabu into the country.

But Gordon was not one to let Trillanes’ name calling go unanswered.

Gordon fired back with this zinger: “The trouble with this gentleman (Trillanes) is that if he doesn’t like this thing, he will conduct a coup. And then he will be forgiven and go to the Senate. And conduct another coup and he will be forgiven again.”

But Trillanes there were more things worse than having a winless record in mutinies, specifically Gordon’s refusal to vacate his post as chair of Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority as ordered by then newly-elected President Joseph Estrada.

“E dito nagbarricade ka sa Subic just to hold on to your position that is more pathetic,” said Trillanes.

This is Asiaweek’s Tony Lopez account of Gordon’s “last stand”:

“At dawn on July 26, commandos stormed Subic’s Administration Building 229 to ferret out Gordon’s supporters who had been keeping vigil there. Within 30 minutes, this symbol of Gordon’s authority was in government hands. But the volunteers launched a counterattack, with sticks, stones, broken bottles and molotov cocktails. At the end of the melee, two firetrucks were in flames, the police had sustained 22 casualties, and 73 of Gordon’s backers had been hurt. Gordon was finally ejected from the offices, and he and his supporters withdrew to the nearby Building 255.”

Source: politics.com.ph

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Senator Antonio Trillanes IV accuses Senator Richard Gordon of ‘lawyering’ for Davao City Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte and presidential son-in-law Manases Carpio. Gordon threatens to file an ethics complaint against his fellow senator.

MANILA, Philippines – Administration ally Senator Richard Gordon and opposition Senator Antonio Trillanes IV got into a heated argument during the 6th Senate hearing on the P6.4-billion shabu shipment smuggled from China.

FIGHT. Senators Antonio Trillanes IV and Richard Gordon bicker over the need to invite Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte and Manases Carpio, son and son-in-law of President Rodrigo Duterte respectively. Photo by Camille Elemia/Rappler

The two senators traded barbs on Thursday, August 31, after Trillanes motioned that the Senate blue ribbon committee invite presidential son, Davao City Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte, and presidential son-in-law Manases “Mans” Carpio to the investigation. (LIVE: Senate hearing on the P6.4B worth of shabu shipment from China)

Duterte and Carpio were implicated in smuggling after Customs broker and “fixer” Mark Ruben Taguba read text messages mentioning the two names as part of the supposed Davao Group, which has strong ties inside the Bureau of Customs (BOC). (READ: Here’s what else was in Taguba’s text messages on Customs)

It was also revealed in a previous hearing that Carpio was spotted visiting the office of former BOC Commissioner Nicanor Faeldon, which the lawyer earlier said was not related to smuggling. (READ: Trillanes tags presidential son-in-law in smuggling)

“We have enough information that would warrant the invitaton for both Mans and Paolo Duterte to this committee hearing. Hindi ito (This is not) – I heard the Majoriry Floor Leader say, hearsay – this is not a court; this is an investigation. We’re just establishing the truth, ferret out the truth. ‘Wag muna tayong mag-abogado sa kanila (Let’s not lawyer for them first),” Trillanes said.

“Itong mga resource persons na ito, invited quietly…. Bakit suddenly masyadong jittery or binabadger na ‘yung nagsasabi (These resource persons were invited quietly. Why are you suddenly jittery or badgering the witness?” the senator added.

Gordon, chair of the Senate panel, asked if Trillanes was referring to him or to Majority Leader Vicente Sotto III.

Trillanes answered, “Well, if you feel alluded to that’s not my problem.”

At this point, Gordon and Trillanes tried to outtalk each other.

Gordon said: “You know, you’re so fond of making names here. If you’re making general statements, you better prove it. This is not a cockpit of tsismis (gossip). ‘Wag ka nagdadadaldal (Don’t blabber).”

Trillanes was still speaking when Gordon said: “You’re out of order. Session suspended.”

While session was suspended – though still aired – Trillanes went on to say that the committee was being used to clear President Rodrigo Duterte and his family of charges.

“Nagiging committee de absuwelto ang blue ribbon committee (The blue ribbon committee is turning into a committee of acquittal),” he said.

Gordon then warned Trillanes of being cited in contempt but the latter objected.

Gordon resumed the session, ignoring Trillanes’ remark, but the latter raised it again. “I made the objection,” he said.

“No, no no,” Gordon said in response.

Trillanes then slammed Gordon for acting unilaterally and reminded him he is not a “one-man committee.” He then reiterated his claim that the committee was being used to absolve the President and his family of allegations

Gordon reminded Trillanes that his statement was on record but the latter said the session was suspended.

“This gentleman has been accusing everyone in the Senate with everything,” Gordon said.

But Trillanes interjected, “Only you.”

Protecting the President?

Gordon said he would file an ethics complaint against Trillanes and told Trillanes to behave accordingly.

“I am asking the Senate Majority Leader to convoke the ethics committee. I will file an ethics complaint against the gentleman from Bicol. I will ask the gentleman from Bicol to…behave himself; otherwise I will put sergeant-at-arms before him,” Gordon warned.

Trillanes tried to speak but Gordon said he had already ruled and declared Trillanes out of order.

Trillanes again tried to speak but this time, Sotto turned off the opposition senator’s microphone – the same thing Trillanes did to former senator Alan Peter Cayetano during the hearing on extrajudicial killings.

Trillanes then got the chance to use the mic again and lamented the “irrational ruling” and “behavior” of Gordon as blue ribbon committee chair.

But Gordon refuted this and said he “always acted rationally.”

“I will not answer you. You’re out of order. I will not dignify your one-man statements. The trouble with this gentlemen, if he doesn’t like it he will conduct a coup, then he will be forgiven. Then he will again conduct a coup, then forgiven again,” Gordon said.

Trillanes retorted that Gordon was all the more “pathetic” because he barricaded Subic in Olongapo just to cling to power, referring to the time Gordon refused to vacate the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority during the Estrada administration.

“Ikaw nag-barricade ka sa Subic (You barricaded Subic), just to hold on to your position. That’s more pathetic,” Trillanes said.

At this point, Sotto tried to control the two bickering senators. He placed himself between the two and asked them to stop.

Sotto was heard saying while the microphones were off: “Napaka-unparliamentary ng nangyayari…Tigilan ‘nyo na ‘yan. Committee niya ito. Gumawa ka ng iba mong committee na lang (This is so unparliamentary….Stop it. This is his committee. Just create your own committee.)”

Trillanes, in an interview after the spat, said Gordon was clearly trying to protect Duterte and Carpio. He earlier called to replace Gordon as chair of the blue ribbon panel.

“Well, nakita ‘nyo naman nag-motion ako para ipa-invite itong si Mans Carpio and Paolo Duterte ay eto na, nakita ‘nyo na, nag-abogado na siya. Di ganyan ang demeanor ng chairman ng isang blue ribbon committee,” Trillanes said.

(You saw that I made a motion to invite Mans Carpio and Paolo Duterte and then here he comes, he started lawyering (for them). That is not the demeanor of the chairman of the blue ribbon committee.)

He said it was plain to see “who was being irrational; who suddenly had a change in demeanor.”

Trillaned maintained there was enough information that “warrants” the invitation of Duterte and Carpio. (READ: Customs broker: Paolo Duterte’s ‘friend, handler’ got bribe money)

“That’s very obvious. Maliwanag ‘yung mga prinesenta kong information that warrants maimbitahan sila. Wala namang ano ‘yun e….They can easily clear their names kung di sila involved,” Trillanes said.

(That’s very obvious. The information I presented clearly warrants their invitation. There’s nothing to it….They can easily clear their names if they’re not involved.)

He said he was ready to face the ethics complaint should Gordon file it.

Gordon, for his part, later apologized for the incident. “I’d like to apologize for what happened earlier. It’s not usual….We try to make sure that the dignity of the Senate is upheld,” he said.

Source: rappler.com

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SUBIC BAY FREEPORT: A P3.6-billion golf course, hotel and leisure complex will soon rise here as the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) on Tuesday approved a proposal by a Korean-led company.

SBMA Administrator and CEO Wilma Eisma and DMLeisure Corp. President Suyong Kim signed a 20-page lease and development agreement covering the project.

To be built in a 200-hectare portion of the Tipo area, the hotel and leisure complex is expected to boost eco-tourism and increase livelihood opportunities in Subic.

“We expect it to be another grand tourist destination in the region, another magnet for more down-line businesses and employment, as well as another distinctive landmark for the evolving Subic Freeport Zone,” Eisma said after the signing ceremony.

Located near the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEx), the site is about a two-hour drive from Manila via North Luzon Expressway, and about 45 minutes from the Clark Freeport via the SCTEx.

DMLeisure Corp. will infuse a minimum of P3.6 billion. The project is scheduled to be completed in three phases within eight years or by 2025.

DMLeisure’s commitment will generate a significant number of jobs for local residents, Eisma noted. The company will need up to 1,000 workers during the construction phase and at least another 1,000 employees once the complex is fully operational, she said.

“DMLeisure is among the positive results of our intensified marketing and promotion campaign to convince investors and business communities from our neighbor countries to invest in Subic,” Eisma said.

She said the SBMA would be working with local government units to start developing light industrial parks and tourism and commercial areas as the demand for wider spaces would rise with the influx of new investments.

The SBMA official said new investment areas in nearby communities would become an extension of Subic Bay Freeport as stipulated under Executive Order 675, which took effect in November 2007.

LGUs, with the approval of the local council, will be able to declare any part of their jurisdiction as additional secured area of the Subic Bay Freeport and Special Economic Zone which will be organized, administered, managed and operated by the SBMA.

Source: manilatimes.net

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Senator Richard Gordon maintained that he does not owe President Duterte anything for him to protect the latter’s son Davao City Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte and son-in-law Mans Carpio from being investigated over their alleged involvement in corrupt activities within the Bureau of Customs (BOC).

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