***TWO STORIES***
story no. 1
-----------
Camille P. Balagtas
People's TONIGHT
AUGUST 17, 2002
FORMER PRESIDENT RAMOS ASKED TO SUBSTANTIATE HIS CHARGE AGAINST
LEGISLATORS
============================================================================
ALARMED on the controversial issue for the passage of the
Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA), Senators belonging to
various political parties called on former President Fidel V.
Ramos yesterday to present witnesses and evidence to substantiate
his charges that several members of Congress received millions of
pesos on the alleged anomalous transaction.
Administration Senator Robert Barbers in an interview revealed
that the former President expressed willingness to present
himself before the investigating committee to clear his name,
once for all.
He also expressed belief that Ramos will not hesitate to stand
before the committee and before the public in order to clear his
reputation.
The former President finally broke his silence and pointed to
members of the Congress as the "real culprit" allegedly
because of P88 M lobby funds to allegedly to ensure the approval
of the project.
In his statement, Ramos said in too bring out the truth on the
IPP/PPA issues, " I now come out to help clarify
oft-repeated misconceptions, unfounded fabrications, propaganda
and outright lies from various sources."
" Vociferous critics, including former President Estrada and
some members of the Senate claimed the existence of a letter
written to me by the World Bank advising me to stop entering into
new IPP contracts at that time (November 1994). I challenge said
critics to show or prove the existence of such a letter or
document to this effect." Ramos was quoted as saying.
Opposition Sen. Sergio Osmeņa III asked the Senate leadership to
undertake an open inquiry to determine if there is any member of
the Senate linked to the bribery charge.
Osmena was apparently alluding to former speaker now Senator
Manuel Villar .
"I think Ramos is alluding to (Sen.) Manuel Villar. Villar
should answer the allegations of Ramos," Sen. Sergio Osmeņa
III said.
Sen. Villar, the House of Representatives speaker at the time of
the bribery allegation, said the former President should be
specific "because it is unfair to members of the 11th
Congress."
Last year, Rep. Etta Rosales revealed she was given P500,000 but
she rejected it.
Villar said the Rosales allegation was investigated by the House
ethics committee "pero walang nangyari because nothing was
proved since it is a lie."
He said he was no longer the speaker when the EPIRA act was
finally passed by Congress just before the conclusion of the 11th
Congress in June last year.
Opposition Sen. Aquilino Q. Pimentel Jr. said that 'unless
President Ramos supports that statement with evidence, that is a
totally irresponsible utterance from a former head of
government."
Administration Sen. Francis Pangilinan said the former President
should match his allegation with evidence because the accusation
is very grave.
Senate Minority Leader Vicente Sotto III said that "we
should try to find out who they were and they, together with the
bribers, should be charged."
Osmeņa said he would not press for the appearance of the former
President before the Senate Blue Ribbon committee ahead of
members of his Cabinet and other witnesses because senators want
to have clear picture of the PPA mess first before summoning him
to appear.
"Ramos must be desperate in his effort to extricate himself
from the biggest plunder case in Philippine political history.
Like the Korean general-turned-president, Ramos should be thrown
in jail," said Sen. John Osmeņa, who headed the Senate
energy committee when the EPIRA was passed.///Camille p. Balagtas
story no. 2
-----------
Camille P. Balagtas
People's TONIGHT
Aug. 17, 2002
BARBERS CALLS FOR NATIONAL CONFERENCE AMONG LAKAS MEMBERS
=========================================================
Senator Robert Z. Barbers today called on the national leadership
of the administration party Lakas-NUCD-UMDP to convene and
schedule a National Conference of all party members especially
those coming from Local Government Units (LGUs) nationwide.
Barbers said that due to the recent developments, "there is
an urgent need for all Lakas members to converge and discuss
significant matters relative the party's strategy in
strengthening local autonomy, addressing the peace and order
situation, solving our country's economic problems and to hear
specific concerns of the party members."
In one way, the former Interior and Local Government Secretary
added that his proposed National Conference will serve as a forum
in assuring local leaders that there is no truth to reports that
the administration party is in a state of disarray.
"The national leaders of Lakas-NUCD must show that the party
remains solid and strong as ever and continues to work for the
best interests of the nation," Barbers said.
Barbers pointed out that it cannot be denied that some members of
the Lakas-NUCD specifically those coming from remote provinces
are at a loss with regard to their supposed participation and
role in supporting the party's national agenda.
Meanwhile, the Mindanao solon stressed that in his capacity as
the new Chairman of the Senate Committee on Local Government, he
will work for the passage of legislative measures that will help
local leaders including barangay executives in ensuring peace and
order and progress in their respective localities.
Among others, Barbers has filed Senate Bill No. 883, which seeks
to grant a P500.00 monthly allowance for Barangay Tanods, SBN 890
which seeks to authorize barangay officials to execute and aid in
the execution of warrants of arrests and SBN 904, which seeks to
authorize barangays to enter into contralcts with National
Government Agencies and LGUs for the delivery of basic services
for the purpose of providing employment to local residents.
///Camille p. balagtas