Aquino Asked to Stop Angat Dam Sale

The Freedom from Debt Coalition (FDC) yesterday asked Senator Noynoy Aquino to stop the ongoing sale of the Angat Dam as a hydro-electric power plant, saying that the privatization of the dam could compromise water supply and irrigation in Metro Manila and nearby provinces. FDC secretary-general Milo Tanchuling said about the dam:

"Angat Dam is the single-most important water source of Metro Manila, providing 97 percent of the water needs of at least 12 million residents of the country’s capital. The dam also irrigates some 31,000 hectares of farms across 20 towns and municipalities in Bulacan and Pampanga."

A component of the Angat Dam is the 218-megawatt hydro-electric power plant (HEPP); however, it also functions as the primary water supply for Metro Manila. Both electricity and water costs are expected by FDC to shoot up once the privatization is finalized.

The Korea Water Resources Development Corp. (K-Water) - owned and controlled by the Republic of Korea - submitted the highest bid last April 28 at $440.8 billion. Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corporation (PSALM), the agency handling the hydro-electric power plant's sale, is expected to announce the winning bid after verifying the accuracy, authenticity, and completeness of the bid documents submitted.

K-Water will operate and maintain the Angat Dam at no cost to the government as soon as it is declared the winning bidder. Parts of K-Water's obligations include keeping the dam compliant to international safety standards and addressing its structural weakness.

In addition, K-Water is also looking into the possibility of a greenfield hydro project in Northern Luzon, according to Department of Energy (DOE) assistant secretary Mario Marasigan.

Sources:

• PhilStar.com: Korea Water eyes new hydro plant in Luzon (Donnabelle L. Gatdula)
• Manila Bulletin Online: "Noynoy" asked: Stop sale of Angat Dam (Ellalyn B. De Vera)

New SC Chief Justice Might Stand in the Way of Aquino's Anti-Graft Vow

More on the controversial move by outgoing President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to appoint Renato Corona as the new Supreme Court Chief Justice, it is now seen as a move for Arroyo to retain some amount of influence and to protect herself from probes (over the alleged rigging of the 2004 elections and suspect government contracts) when she steps down from her government seat on June 30. These investigations were promised by Aquino Tuesday, saying he would ensure this happens by using the "enormous powers" of office.

Also, the Philippine Bar Association (PBA) warned Corona that he can be sanctioned for constitutional violation should he accept Arroyo's appointment as chief justice. PBA president and former Ombudsman Simeon Marcelo says:

"He should reject also because he’s tainted already. He follows what the incumbent President wants. There’s great doubt on his independence and [that he is] out to protect [the] President from suits."

Simply put, there is the issue of mistrust given the new administration's vows to lay justice to the controversies surrounding the outgoing President, the last-minute appointment made by Arroyo, and Corona's very close association with her. In addition, there is the issue of constitutional violation exempting the position of chief justice (which was allowed by SC decisions) from the ban on appointments by an incumbent president during an election period.

Jaro Archbishop Angel Lagdameo, a former Catholic Bishop's Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) president, reacted to the appointment as well, challenging Corona to defend the judiciary's integrity instead of showing loyalty to Arroyo, saying:

"I hope the incoming the chief justice will maintain the independence of the Supreme Court and not be influenced by 'utang na loob' to the President."

Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) chairman Elmer Labog, furthered opposition to the appointment in a statement:

"By appointing the justice who is most loyal to her to head the Supreme Court, Arroyo is passing a thorny crown to Sen. Aquino. She is leaving yet another ugly legacy to the next administration and to the Filipino people."

Labog pointed out that, as the high court's records indicated, Corona (who served as Arroyo's chief of staff during her term as Vice-President) usually voted in favor of the administration. He adds:

"Clearly, Arroyo’s appointment of Corona raises questions as to how a 'smooth transition' to the next administration will happen. It will test Aquino’s resolve to undo Arroyo’s last-minute deals and appointments and to prosecute Arroyo."

"A chief justice Corona would simply junk all cases against Arroyo to exonerate his master from prosecution. As for Sen. Aquino, his task is to not let that happen. He should make decisive moves against the appointment as soon as possible."

Future moves to prosecute the outgoing President also includes seizing control of the House of Representatives from Arroyo's allies; Aquino's Liberal Party's (LP) spokesman Congressman Lorenzo Tanada said that the LP will only have about 50 seats in the new House but will need at least 150 seats to control it.

LP is currently trying to secure power by getting in touch with some of Arroyo's allies, expecting them to defect now that Arroyo is about to end her term as President.

Sources:

• CBCPNews: Corona urged to uphold SC independence (Roy Lagarde)
• GMANews.TV: Corona warned vs accepting appointment as chief justice (KBK/JMA/JV)
• KilusangMayoUno.org: Corona appointment a "thorny crown" for Aquino
• Manila Bulletin Online: Tensions rise in Philippines over anti-graft vow (AFP)

Aquino-Roxas Tandem Tops Absentee Votes from HK and Singapore

Liberal Party bets Noynoy Aquino and Mar Roxas led overseas absentee tallies from Hong Kong and Singapore, reports the Department of Foreign Affairs yesterday.

Hong Kong voter turn-out was 39,383 out of 95,355 registered Filipino voters in 96 clustered precincts.

The presidential race's top three in Hong Kong are as follows:

1. Benigno Aquino III: 19,606 votes
2. Eddie Villanueva: 8,327 votes
3. Manny Villar: 5,622 votes

The vice-presidential race's top three are:

1. Mar Roxas: 19,837 votes
2. Loren Legarda: 6,885 votes
3. Perfecto Yasay: 6,353 votes

Singapore had 9,588 out of 31,851 registered voters casting their ballots in 32 clustered precincts.

Presidential top three in Singapore elections are:

1. Benigno Aquino III: 4,949 votes
2. Manny Villar: 1,314 votes
3. Dick Gordon: 1,105 votes

In the vice-presidential race, top three vote-getters are:

1. Mar Roxas: 5,017 votes
2. Loren Legarda: 1,617 votes
3. Bayani Fernando: 1,060 votes

The DFA-OAVS' (Department of Foreign Affairs - Overseas Absentee Voting Secretariat) Monitoring and Action Center is expected to receive all results from all the embassies and consulates general around the world within the week.

Source:

• Inquirer.net: Aquino, Roxas top overseas absentee votes (Cynthia Balana)

"Inappropriate," Aquino Calls GMA's New Supreme Court Justice Appointment

Senator Noynoy Aquino today called on President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to reconsider her appointment of a new Supreme Court Justice and to recognize the new (incoming) government's right to decide on such a matter. According to Malacanang, she has named Supreme Court Associate Justice Renato Corona to replace Chief Justice Reynato Puno who will be retiring on May 17.

On one hand, Raul Victorino, chief presidential legal counsel, said at a Malacanang news briefing:

"Considering that he has been nominated by the JBC, he happens to be the most senior. And nobody I think can question this announcement and his eventual appointment."

However, Aquino does not seem to agree with this. He asks:

"Is it too much to ask President Arroyo to not add another problem for the next administration to inherit?"

He further asks the current President to focus her attention on ensuring a smooth transition of duties to the new government. Latest tallies from the 2010 Presidential elections indicate that he is next in line for the presidency.

"Her appointment of a Chief Justice in waiting is at the very least inappropriate. Chief Justice [Reynato] Puno’s term has not ended. There is no vacancy to be filled," he adds.

Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel, Jr. noted on Wednesday an earlier Aquino statement about not honoring any midnight appointments made by Arroyo before June 30, the end of her term as President.

Pimentel, Senator Francis Pangilinan, and former Senate President Franklin Drilon all agreed with Aquino's statement that this decision should have been left to the incoming government.

Pangilinan said:

"Ms. Arroyo should have, out of delicadeza, allowed the next President to make the appointment. Sadly, it appears there is no such thing as a sense of propriety when it comes to her political survival."

Sources:

• Inquirer.net: Corona appointment as Puno's successor slammed (Christine O. Avedano)
• Inquirer.net: Aquino urge Arroyo to reconsider chief justice appointment (Maila Ager)
• Inquirer.net: Arroyo appoints Corona as new chief justice (Tetch Torres, TJ Burgonio)