By Robert B. Roque, Jr.
Suspended Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) Director-General Gerald Bantag and five of his subordinates are facing a new set of charges before the Department of Justice (DOJ) — plunder, malversation of public funds, and graft, apart from violating the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees over an alleged conspiracy to net P273 million in public funds intended for the construction of three prison facilities.
This is the fourth time criminal raps have been filed against Bantag and his associates since his suspension from the BuCor. He faces two separate charges of torture and physical injuries against persons deprived of liberty (PDL) on top of the most heinous crime one can imagine — the murders of radio commentator Percy Lapid and an inmate involved in the contract to kill the former.
Despite all these charges, Bantag officially remains a suspended government official. The patience of this administration is an unbelievably misplaced virtue. We must ask: Is this tolerance exemplified by the President and his Secretary of Justice reflective of their moral disposition towards graft, corruption, and murder?
Altai denies anything illegal
Altai Philippines Mining Corp. (APMC) has issued an official statement to parry attacks on its operations on Sibuyan Island, San Fernando, Romblon. The mining firm insists it has the necessary permits to conduct the initial phase of activities toward mining the area of a projected 50,000 metric tons of nickel ore.
Yet, Altai has agreed to stop its activities after authorities slapped it with three violations — cutting trees without a permit, constructing a causeway without an environmental compliance certificate, and dumping gravel into the water by the docking port.
Even the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) is raising the red flag, calling on Altai to pay penalties for having constructed its own docking port in Romblon when it only applied for a permit to do so last Jan. 25.
APMC’s activities and manner of circumventing the law and lying about it are reasons why residents and environmental groups are incensed for no small reason and reflect badly on mining as a legitimate industry.
Protecting who?
Senators Bong Go, Bato” dela Rosa, Francis Tolentino, and Mark Villar have co-authored a bill proposing that past presidents get more benefits and privileges from the government, especially regarding security.
As stated in Senate Bill 1784, continued protection provided by the Presidential Security Group for past presidents and their families is premised on their need to “perform post-presidential duties” owing to what they stand for in Philippine society.
I’ve got no arguments against that, except that these four senators — all of whom served in the Duterte administration — perhaps, could have been more forthright and accurate in arguing their measure if they enumerated all the bad things their president did that now put him in the line of fire as a civilian.
* * *
SHORT BURSTS. For comments or reactions, email firingline@ymail.com or tweet @Side_View. Read current and past issues of this column at https://www.thephilbiznews.com