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Just when one thought that the NBN-ZTE issue was deservedly dead and
buried along comes Senate Blue Ribbon Committee chair Sen. Allan
Peter Cayetano who, rather than displaying the much needed political
withdrawal symptoms, appears determined to continue mainlining on
the issue.
Cayetano’s ZTE fixation caused one of our
concerned readers to write thus: “Executive Sec. Eduardo Ermita
has said that the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee’s failure to
directly link the First Couple to the NBN-ZTE deal was a vindication
for Malacañang. But Senator Cayetano must have a real logical
explanation for continuing to implicate President Arroyo in the
NBN-ZTE issue.
“The unsubstantiated testimonies of Jun Lozada,
Dante Madriaga, and the surprised witness Leo San Miguel [who was
surprised he was a witness] do not in substance and form have any
compelling evidence that will stand in any legal court linking the
President to the issue.
“Erstwhile NEDA Sec. Romulo Neri’s
testimony, or lack thereof because of the pending issue in the
Supreme Court, cannot be corroborated either. At this point there is
no telling whether the statement of Neri was credible. It is a
matter of record that after determining that there was an anomaly,
the President promptly cancelled the project without creating undue
harm to the country’s relations with its neighbor.
“Cayetano admits there was no direct testimony
leading to the President. If this is so, why hasn’t he presented
the same during the hearings which he chaired? What is his motive
for trying to pin the President and members of her family in an
issue that bears no evidence that will stand in any court of law?
“As a lawyer, Cayetano must know that the
strength of a case lies in the evidence presented in court—not
unsubstantiated claims. The Rule of Law should prevail otherwise any
Juan, Jose, or Jun can make outrageous claims that any public
official, including even Cayetano, has committed acts against the
State and its people.
“So back to our earlier query as to what
Cayetano’s logical explanation is for implicating the President.
Maybe he does have the goods, but if he did he would surely have
pulled the rabbit triumphantly out of the hat during the hearings!
“But since there does not appear to be any
logical explanation, we conclude that perhaps it’s more a case of
the good senator needing a refresher course in law.”
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With the farming community now reeling from the
regional crisis on the food wheat and grain front, farmers of the
4th district of Laguna were at least optimistic over recommendations
for sustainable agricultural programs that were outlined during a
rural development forum held in Magdalena, Laguna—the event being
one of the many initiatives of Congressman Egay San Luis for the
constituents of Laguna.
More than 75 farmer group leaders, municipal
agriculture officers, farmer cooperative members, and UP Los Baños
experts gathered to discuss measures that will improve the economic
performance of the district’s agricultural sector. Discussions
revolved around various areas of concern, including crop production,
agro-processing, and livestock raising.
The forum came up with several recommendations
which were presented to Congressman San Luis and special guest Sen.
Miguel Zubiri. The recommendations include income enhancement,
access to markets, investment in institution building, quality of
animal breeds, quality of planting materials, credit facilities, and
increased product value.
Senator Zubiri took the opportunity to announce
his plan to fund a biodiesel project that will include a jatropa
biodiesel plant within the district. He said that goal is to make
the 4th district of Laguna the biodiesel capital of the Philippines.
Furthermore, he said that this project will help widen sources of
income for local residents.
In welcoming the proposed biodiesel project, as
well as the active participation of farmers in finding ways to
improve the state of agriculture in the district, Congressman San
Luis said: “I fully support institutional partnerships, especially
if it means improving the socio-economic status of our people. This
forum has lived up to its objective of giving our farmers a voice
when it comes to making decisions that directly affect their
livelihood.”
Results of the forum will be studied further at
the office of Congressman San Luis, together with UP Los Baños
through the project management office of the technical assistance
project for the 4th District of Laguna.
rjottings@yahoo.com
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