JPE’s notes; Abalos’ point C.R.O.S.S.R.O.A.D.S Jonathan De la Cruz 06/23/2010

JPE’s notes; Abalos’ point

C.R.O.S.S.R.O.A.D.S Jonathan De la Cruz 06/23/2010 It is well that Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile has vowed to look into the “inordinate increase” in toll fees to be collected by the new operators of the South Luzon Expressway beginning next month. The new toll rates imposed by the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) in response to an earlier petition by the operator South Luzon Tollway Corp., a Malaysian controlled joint venture company, is one of a number of “legacies” which the Arroyo administration is leaving to President Aquino and his team. But it may well be the bellwether of how the new group handles what may well be called “highly sensitive and combustible issues.” Quite apart from the fact that the toll rates are being imposed prior to actual and responsible consultations with all stakeholders as provided for under the law its imposition at this point may wreak havoc on the commuting public and a wide range of economically sensitive sectors. As the Cagayan solon correctly noted “there is no question that there should be an increase to give the operator the opportunity to recoup its investments this being a modified BOT project but why so much?” Indeed, why the rush to such a steep, 250 percent increase across the board? That should be the first question to be answered by the TRB and the joint venture company. *** Still on JPE, as the Senate President is called, his take on the proposed “independent commission” to handle possible cases against President Arroyo and her family to be attached to the Department of Justice (DoJ) much like the PCGG during President Cory Aquino’s time should be seriously considered by the incoming President. Said JPE: “Independent commission? For what? We always have these commissions but nothing happens to them. You give that to a commission, the members would not know what to do, years will pass and they will have no case. Let the DoJ and the courts handle the job. The entire prosecution service of the government is there. They will be in control of the government, if there were those who committed wrongdoings, including me, they should use that..” Even the fear of some Aquino supporters that those in the DoJ and even the courts and the Ombudsman are so indebted to the Arroyos does not sit well with JPE. He noted that the new administration and its allies can always impeach the Ombudsman and put a new one. ... MORE Source:  The Daily Tribune URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20100623com5.html

COMMENTARY EDITORIAL Different strokes for different presidents FRONTLINE Senate politics FEATURE Sex education debate heats up in Philippines MR. EXPOSE Carry on, V-nay C.R.O.S.S.R.O.A.D.S JPE’s notes; Abalos’ point HE SAYS The spare tire SHE SAYS Swearing in