Mayor Binay to transform MAPSA

Newly seated Mayor Abigail Binay together with the City Council has provided funds to change the image of the MAPSA (Makati Public Safety Department). According to the Mayor, this budget will be prioritized to improve the inter-personal skills as well as provide all the enforcers with Lapel Cameras. The focus will be to improve work skills as well as people skills through intensive trainings.

The Mayor said in a statement:”Often, it is difficult to rely on the testimony of either the enforcer or the apprehended motorist. Thus, we are tapping technology so that incidents involving Mapsa personnel can be well-documented and be transparent!” She added that uniforms of what have been known in Makati as the “Yellow Crocodiles” (Buwayang Dilaw) will not be changed.

The MAPSA, by agreement with Ayala is limited to certain areas only within the Ayala owned areas. They are mostly found on the main roads and outskirts of the CBD while Ayala utilizes its own deputized enforcers in tandem with local barangay traffic enforcers/police.

MAPSA has been the focus of complaints by residents, workers and netizens for their perceived corrupt practices on motorists plying Makati City. In Barangay San Lorenzo alone, they allow Jeepneys to stop at the corner of Arnaiz Ave. (Don Bosco) and Pasong Tamo knowing that these PUV’s cause traffic most specially during rush hours. Upon close observation, the barkers pass on money or “lagay” for the PUV’s to be allowed to stop and park at the one lane road by the Don Bosco Institute. Barangay officials have been inept or powerless to stop this practice even when they post their own enforcers at the location.

In a viral video being shared, a MAPSA enforcer is accosted by a motorist he apprehended who was asking him legitimate questions which he could not answer. Apparently the MAPSA officer did not have any tickets and was forced to seek guidance from the MAPSA base which advised him to “give a warning or apprehend the motorist if arrogant”. Instead the MAPSA officer called for assistance from another officer to issue tickets. The motorist indicated the various violations that the MAPSA officer was committing to no avail. The probable reason for the officer to pursue ticketing the traffic offender is the commission that they earn from issued traffic tickets.

Makati envisions itself as a city that embraces technology in its pursuit of becoming a smart city. Hopefully, these lapel cameras would not have ON/OFF buttons or colored masking tapes covering their lenses. And with this big purchase, eyebrows have been raised on the possible corruption that may occur.

Barangay San Lorenzo recount set for DEC 6

December 6 has been set by the COMELEC as recount day for Barangay San Lorenzo after the fraudulent elections that were held which saw flying voters and threats being hurled at the electorate by the camp of Ernesto Moya. Election protests were filed by Joshua Santiago and other Kagawads who claimed the recent elections was marred with massive cheating.

Ernesto Moya is a close ally of losing Makati Mayoralty bet Mercado. Sources say that Moya and his slate received funds from the former vice mayor for their election expenses.

One resident said:”How can we trust Ernie Moya when he does not even know that he should put his signature in his certificate of candidacy?”

Congressman Locsin endorses Mar Roxas

Congressman Locsin a stalwart of the yellow army and EDSA hero has endorsed the vice presidential bid of Senator Mar Roxas in a video posted in his youtube site.

The TVC entitled “Kalyo ng Makati” is a direct response from the party hierarchy of the Liberal Party on the disunity being created by the camp of Binay within the LP. The title is also a pun on the quote of Senator Cheezy Escudero in an inquirer and abs-cbn interview where he said of Mar Roxas as being “kulang sa kalyo”.

Word has it that the video/TVC is being stopped from airing by the camp of Binay in most of the channels. However it has already appeared in abs-cbn as of this reporting.

Information gathered on this uncovered the involvement of several of the Mayor’s officers like Joey Salgado, Licauco and Lito Anzures who have been using Makati City premises/property like the office of the mayor conference rooms and the UMAK 6th floor (in the guise of GAWAD Kalinga). Sources who work at the UMAK refused to be named but confirmed that their group headed by Joey Montelibano, son of Noynoy campaign communications head Maria Montelibano, is behind the alternative media group that is pushing for the Noynoy -Binay tandem. A certain Gerry Limlingan is purportedly funding the operations in close cooperation with the office of Senator Cheeze Escudero as headed by Lynette Baldovino. All these in light of the scandal that exposed the philandering of Binay. Jun Jun Binay who is also running has recently been exposed in news reports for his 50 million peso mansion. Now is this payback for all the propaganda and lies that Joey Montelibano has been spreading via the internet and SMS against Mar Roxas and Ernie Mercado. We would not really know, but the Binay camp is currently in disarray over what to do with this continuous onslaught.

It would seem however that the campaign of Binay has backfired on him and is bound for an investigation should his opponents win – most specially on his continued use of Makati City property for his vice presidential bid. Reports have it that city hall tapes are already in the hands of opponents regarding the use of the facilities.

In the interest of the public, the San Lorenzo Village Monitor is sharing the video/TVC of Congressman Locsin’s endorsement.

Botched conspiracy!

EDITORIAL

It seems that the saga haunting Barangay San Lorenzo is not yet over with the reappearance of those who are really the people behind this political drama.

Once again, loosing barangay councilor candidate and former Jay Santiago ally, Marlene Po has reappeared together with her cabal of so called concerned citizens opposing the reinstatement of the suspended barangay chairman. Once again the 5 kagawads have reappeared, unable to fathom or accept the order from Executive Secretary Ermita no less. It would seem that the exhaustive study made in Malacanang on how this whole affair was handled at the local government unit of Makati City was not sufficient enough for these likewise citizens of the Barangay. They have now filed request upon request for the reversal of the order by the Executive Secretary, even using connections in the palace to lobby the Office of ES Ermita to change its position. How can they be so conniving and demeaning as to question the capabilities of the lawyers there. It seems that if it were still possible, they would take this all the way to the supreme court.

What does not appeal to them is already the conclusion that all the charges filed against the suspended barangay chairman were in fact clearly created to remove him from continuously opposing the re-zoning of the barangay. Malacanang found all the charges baseless except for the DSAP check which was after all a project introduced by Marlene Po and her cohorts.

Even the truth came to light from the palace itself as regards the “waiting shed” issue which was after all a project of Councilor Jocelyn Hernandez. So, in filing the case against the chairman that the waiting sheds were a ghost project, did the complainant councilor admit to any wrong doing herself or was it just as the chairman put it in his statement that some of these councilor complainants are themselves ghost officials in the barangay.

Malacanang likewise junked the position of the city council on the issue of the lightposts as the complainants themselves were party to approving process, most specially Norman Golez.

The conspiracy in barangay san lorenzo may have worked in re-zoning the barangay and removing the obstacle to it temporarily. But in the end, the conspiracy was unravelled and the truth revealed for its true objective, a simple power grab from the legitimate and chosen official of the community.

Now that the water is draining from the pond, all these little fishes are trying to jump out looking for political salvation. Looks like that would be far from happening before 16 October 2009.

And before the Liberal party comes to town to choose their candidates, it would be wise to look at the history of these 5 kagawads and how they perpetrated and participated in the San Lorenzo conspiracy.

Barangay Chair Joshua Santiago absolved and redeemed!

Malacanang has shortened the suspension of Barangay San Lorenzo Village Chairman Joshua Santiago from 18 months as passed by the Makati City Council to 6 months.

After the careful examination by the legal team in Malacanang, the decision of the Makati city council headed by Vice Mayor Mercado was modified. It absolved Citizen Joshua Santiago of responsibility and culpability for two of the three cases that were filed against him by his own treacherous barangay council (who were themselves participants in the same projects). The two projects that were deemed correct and valid were the Lightpost project and the Commuter Shed project. However, Malacanang affirmed the decision to suspend Santiago for withholding the check to the DSAP organization which meted him the six month suspension. The check to the DSAP should have been suspended and cancelled immediately after it was found that no one was collecting it, one of the lawyers stated in an interview.

The order for reinstatement has already been signed by Secretary Ermita and transmitted to the City Government for implementation. With time already served, Citizen Santiago will be set to resume his post as Barangay Chairman this coming October. It should be even earlier given that prior to the decision, he was already served a preventive suspension meted by the Mayor Binay.

Barangay Councilors led by Norman Golez (one of the 5 who filed the Resolution supporting the re-zoning) who are opposed to Joshua Santiago were said to be meeting with Makati City government officials to be able to plot their next move to oppose the order from the palace. But given the rules in the Local Government Code, the decision from Malacanang would be final.

Barangay employees who refused to be named for fear of their employment have stated that some of the Councilors opposed to Joshua Santiago have been threatening them since the suspension of the popular Barangay Chair.

According to lawyers and supporters of the suspended Chairman, they were just awaiting this decision from Malacanang as the cases were based on falsified documents and were meant to take out the only opponent of the re-zoning bill that had affected 3 barangays of Makati. “The re-zoning issue was a direct cause of his suspension and they did all they can to have him suspended. They went through all the motions with the connivance of city officials.” one SLVA resident stated.

The Makati City government has been mum on the issue so far and has not issued any official statement as to their position on the order from the palace.

Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita signed the 9 page decision.

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Willie Revillame should go, ABS-CBN should know!

Willie Revillame has taken an indefinite leave of absence from his popular noontime show.  Or at least that is what is being stated by the management of ABS-CBN instead of really stating a fact that he has been suspended.  Obviously his tirade during the funeral procession of Cory from Greenhills in San Juan to the Manila Cathedral live on air piqued some officials at ABS-CBN, when Willie shouted on air against showing segments of the funeral march during his show.  It took Gabby Lopez and some of his officials some time before they could react to the issue given that Wowowee is one of the highest rated and  grossing show on the network based on advertising receipts. It had to take 47,000 viewers (and still growing) from all over the world petitioning for the removal of the highest paid TV host to make ABS-CBN officials act on the insult that was first addressed to them but were seen by the Filipino viewing public as un-becoming and grossly inappropriate behavior given that the nation was in mourning.

Obviously Willie is not from a very well educated background, otherwise he would have known what was appropriate behavior at that time.  His antics have become worse in recent times as reported by other news outlets and blogs. Which now brings to question the stand of ABS-CBN network on how it should be part of morally up-lifting the nation.  Condoning Willie and his antics and insults on air would be tantamount to saying that the Kapamilya network has the same values.  In fact they should dis-associate themselves from this boob of a host and retain some self respect for the network and its owners.

It seems that success has gotten into the head of this show host.  Thinking that he is a money maker for the network and an endorser for Presidentiables, he can do anything on air without getting sanctioned or penalized for it. Nobody should be above the law, least of all someone who is on air everyday and whose actions are being emulated by the Filipino youth.  Willie is no longer a positive image for ABS-CBN and they should have known that long before when he was caught driving an illegally imported vehicle.  They should make him know that now.  Soon crocodile tears will come out from his eyes once again on air where he will make a plea of forgiveness to the public.  Should we believe him would be the question.  I’m sure Kris Aquino did (forgive him), but nobody takes her seriously anyway nor is she an expert on moral standards.

Consumer brands being endorsed by Willie should also know that the mere association with him at this moment is tantamount to being associated with a negative proposition- it is brand suicide.  Some crass creative directors may disagree, but that is the risk that they have to take when they sell their concepts to the Brand Managers and owners. PANA or the Philippine Association of National Advertisers have already individually and unofficially discussed the matter with ABS-CBN officials.  An official statement has yet to be stated however.

Even without Willie as a host on his noontime show (Willie is an owner), the show would probably survive given that it has already developed a following worldwide.  However if he stays on, advertising revenues would dry up.  It is still a wonder why Unilever is associating itself with the show given the antics and the insults that Willie dishes out during their segment when he says comments about the armpits of women.  We are sure that Unilever officials cringe at this when they view the segments.

Maybe it should be up the advertisers and viewers to make a decision for ABS-CBN to take out this arrogant show host.  The MTRCB is surely dragging its foot on this.  For ABS-CBN it is a business and when the ratings go down because no one is watching, the advertising revenue will surely dry up.

The San Lorenzo Village Monitor calls on all advertisers (PANA and NON-PANA members), advertising agencies and viewers who live in Barangay San Lorenzo and have their businesses here to boycott Wowowee until such time that ABS-CBN makes an official statement removing Willie Revillame from its network.  Petition for his removal at:  http://www.petitiononline.com/mod_perl/signed.cgi?badwilly

Willie should go, ABS-CBN should know!

Killer jurassic rock island along Buendia

It seems that the Makati City government has approved a project that has no consideration for motorist, most specially those on two wheels.  A new project along Buendia between EDSA and Paseo de Roxas caught the eye of the Monitor – the island between Buendia is currently being landscaped with Rocks of different sizes.  These are not small rocks that you find in gardens but big ones found in the Rivers of Ilocos and Roads along Baguio and Albay.  They are as big as human heads and are the hard type that are usually used to grind grain.

I could just imagine a car hitting the island.  Instead of saving the driver and passengers, it would obviously kill them.  What more for motorcycle riders who are mostly wearing fake chinese made helmets?  This project should be stopped and more thought be put into it.

Obviously someone will take offense and say that it is Art.  Well art has no place in the middle of the road, where the safety of the motorist and riding public are placed above anything else and should be paramount.  And if it is Art, it does not belong in Makati because it is ugly.

Mayor Binay should take a close look at this short sighted project before it affects his “Ganito kami sa makati” Presidential Ad campaign. When some drunk driver or motorcyclist dies because of this “jurassic bedrock” island, don’t tell us we did not warn you all.

Bgy. San Lorenzo residents No longer Angry! JUST ENRAGED!!!

In a meeting called by the San Lorenzo Village Board last January 24 Barangay OIC Ernie Moya and Norman Golez faced the residents of San Lorenzo Village Proper in order to answer the nagging questions behind the so-called re-zoning but more appropriately called gerrymandering ordinance 2008-001.

The meeting was brought about by the complaint of several residents on the impact of the Ordinance on the security of the village and its surrounding areas. Residents here value the privacy that we still have and we don’t want people to just decide on matters that will affect our properties – one resident decried.

Asked on Resolution 89 which was signed by the 5 Kagawads on November 11 (Birthday of Mayor Binay), Norman Golez, it’s primary author stated that it was merely a statement of opinion and done for reasons of social justice. Ernie Moya down-played it by saying that the Resolution is of no great value and was just done in order for the plebiscite to be held by the COMELEC on the ordinance would not encounter any stumbling blocks. These reasons together with the statement of Bridge Sibug admitting to several residents that the real target of the Ordinance was Botanical Gardens and “Nadamay lang Kayo” proves that it is a gerrymandering political move plus the statement of Jocelyn Hernandez that she did not know what she signed only ENRAGED the residents some more.

Ambassador Ona noted that the Kagawads should have consulted the affected residents, most specially since this is an important issue that should have undergone public hearings. He further challenged the 5 Kagawads to withdraw their signatures if Resolution 89, which they signed, is of doubtful validity as stated by Norman Golez during the same meeting. As elected public officials, they must at all times be true to their constituents and echo their sentiments. Otherwise, Resolution 89 and it’s signatories can be construed as a Betrayal of Public Trust!

A resident from Ecology Village in a comment on one of the SLV Monitors articles (How a Conspiracy was born) stated that as public officials, the 5 kagawads should know that they should always work for the interest of the community and act accordingly as prescribed by RA 6713 or the CIVIL SERVICE CODE, specifically section 4 as outlined, verbatim in items c, e and g:

(c) Justness and sincerity. – Public officials and employees shall remain true to the people at all times. They must act with justness and sincerity and shall not discriminate against anyone, especially the poor and the underprivileged. They shall at all times respect the rights of others, and shall refrain from doing acts contrary to law, good morals, good customs, public policy, public order, public safety and public interest. They shall not dispense or extend undue favors on account of their office to their relatives whether by consanguinity or affinity except with respect to appointments of such relatives to positions considered strictly confidential or as members of their personal staff whose terms are coterminous with theirs.

(e) Responsiveness to the public. – Public officials and employees shall extend prompt, courteous, and adequate service to the public. Unless otherwise provided by law or when required by the public interest, public officials and employees shall provide information of their policies and procedures in clear and understandable language, ensure openness of information, public consultations and hearings whenever appropriate, encourage suggestions, simplify and systematize policy, rules and procedures, avoid red tape and develop an understanding and appreciation of the socio-economic conditions prevailing in the country, especially in the depressed rural and urban areas.

(g) Commitment to democracy. – Public officials and employees shall commit themselves to the democratic way of life and values, maintain the principle of public accountability, and manifest by deeds the supremacy of civilian authority over the military. They shall at all times uphold the Constitution and put loyalty to country above loyalty to persons or party.

He also asked the following questions in relation to their Ecology Village Manifesto which was overwhelmingly signed by the majority of residents and property owners opposing the Ordinance: WHERE THE 5 KAGAWADS JUST AND SINCERE GIVEN OUR MANIFESTO DATED OCTOBER 15? WHOSE INTEREST WERE THEY WORKING FOR WHEN THEY CREATED RESOLUTION 89? IT WAS NOT OURS, THAT’S WHY WE ARE COMPLAINING!  CONSULTATIONS ARE INDEED A PART OF THE LAW MAKING PROCESS MOST SPECIALLY WHEN REQUIRED BY PUBLIC INTEREST! SO AGAIN, WERE WE CONSULTED BECAUSE WE BELIEVE IT IS APPROPRIATE? THE RESOLUTION THEY MADE WAS NOT EXPLAINED TO US OR WERE WE INFORMED ABOUT IT.  He ended by saying PUBLIC OFFICE IS A PUBLIC TRUST. (see the whole exchange of comments and ideas under the article How a Conspiracy was born.)

The same sentiments are now being echoed by the residents of San Lorenzo Village proper! This apart from the seething anger from other affected sectors within the barangay on the continued and apparent lack of concern  the 5 kagawads exhibit on the issue of the Ordinance, most specially on their making, signing and passing Resolution 89 on November 11 that embraced and approved the Ordinance.   First, they denied the Resolution even existed, then they downplay it as something of doubtful validity because it was unsigned by the Barangay Chairman,  now they blame the Mayor when push came to shove!

The issue that most touched the residents of SL Village was the concern of opening  Amorsolo street to public traffic.  Based on the original demarcation line attached to the Ordinance which according to Brigido Sibug already passed the 3rd and final reading by the city council, the boundary between all the concerned barangays involved will be the center of Amorsolo street from Ayala to EDSA.  This will make it a public street controlled by other barangays.  Barangay Pio will definitely allow traffic to go thru as admitted by a barangay official who did not want to be named.  It will reduce the volume of traffic in Gamboa street and Pasong tamo during the afternoon.  We will also open the gates at Don Bosco street to reduce the traffic congestion in the morning at City Motors and Pasong Tamo extension.

Norman Golez and Ernie Moya however assured residents that Amorsolo street will not be opened to the public.  Jay Santiago, the suspended Barangay Chairman who is also a resident of San Lorenzo Village, countered that Local Government Units have the power to open private roads most specially if it is in the interest of the general public.  He cited that the Makati City government has been pressuring all the villages to open their gates to public access with not much success, except for portions of Bel-Air and Forbes.  Amorsolo street has been an issue for the city and they really want it opened.  After more pressure from the residents who were composed of lawyers, civil servants, businessmen and property owners, they conceded that the City government has the power to open Amorsolo Street most specially if requested by Barangay Pio and Bangkal. Thereafter they walked out of the meeting.

Miss Universe and multi-awarded actress Gloria Diaz who is a long-time resident of San Lorenzo Village felt strongly about the issue that she attended the meeting of the SL Village Association and was dumb founded by the lack of sincerity and transparency of the two officials.  She concluded that these people had already betrayed the community and said “mga taksil” to the kagawads reminiscent of a movie line delivered with utmost fervor.  She further challenged Ernie Moya that if he is so confident that the sanctity of the village will not be violated by the city in opening Amorsolo street, he should bet his property on it.

A resident angrily said of  one of the kagawads – In his lilliputian mind, Norman Golez continuously states that the Resolution is a mere statement of opinion, already being contradicted by the document he himself crafted and submitted to the Barangay Secretary which states that it embraces and approves the gerrymandering ordinance. He further defends his stand with the notion that it is a Republican form of Government and that they were within their rights as representatives of  the people to create the resolution having forgotten the barangays  raison d’être.  He also states social justice for the people of Bangkal and Pio!  What about the social justice for the people of Botanical Gardens?  And then he says it is of “doubtful validity” because it was not signed by the Chairman.  For his information, a Resolution when signed by the majority, in a quorum  is considered passed even if unsigned by the Barangay Chairman. What a class act! Buyers and clients beware!  This guy is not even a property owner here in San Lorenzo Village.

Resolution 89 is such a damning evidence of self interest, betrayal and contempt that it is now an anchor that hangs heavily from the necks of the 5 kagawads.  It is not so much as the content per se on social justice which enrages the constituency but rather the way it was secretly conceived with apparent disregard for the opinions of the residents, the public, the sovereign people of Barangay San Lorenzo. Even Mayor Binay is not so sure of the demarcation line in the Ordinance or just feigns ignorance of it in front of Sanlo residents given the fact that barangay residents are not only up in arms, but now…ENRAGED!

Run forest run

Makati city – Barangay OIC Ernie Moya may have had an inkling that the circular they sent out the night before cancelling the public hearing on the Ordinance did not reach all the affected residents of Barangay San Lorenzo or his order to SLVA guards to block all entrants from entering the village and reaching the Barangay Hall may not be fail-safe.  At 10 AM he was waiting at the Barangay hall. Dressed in a casual green polo shirt and khaki pants, the OIC was surprised to see residents from Ecology Village, San Lorenzo Village and Botanical Garden arriving at the Barangay Hall along Amorsolo street. There were even some businessmen from Makati Cinema Square and Creekside who were there.

OIC Moya was accosted by the residents who were asking why he cancelled the public hearing and asking for explanations. After further questions and with some residents starting to vent their anger, the OIC invited the residents, about 60 in all, to the Barangay Convention Hall so he could explain the reasons. Ernie tried his best to answer the questions and began repeating that the Ordinance was city hall’s idea and that there would be a plebiscite on the issue. He however could not answer why he together with the other four kagawads created a resolution that supported the Ordinance. At the end, he denied ever creating and signing Resolution 89 last November 11. Only until he was shown a copy of the said Resolution 89 and his signature by a resident from Ecology village did he admit to its existence. Alone and without his four Kagawad cohorts, he said that the city hall had asked for the resolution.

A resident from the more militant Botanical Gardens told the OIC: “I voted for you because you promised that you will not let us down, that you will support us. You betrayed us”. At this instance, the OIC made a hasty retreat and abandoned the residents and the barangay hall with tail between his legs. OIC Moya was overheard saying while he was leaving: “Gigisahin lang ako dito!”

Residents and the businessmen present clamored for an explanation and asked the suspended barangay chairman who is also a resident of San Lorenzo Village to go to the stage and explain. Citizen Joshua Santiago agreed and provided the necessary information which calmed the residents. All points where answered resulting in an agreement between the residents and the business establishments for a petition to be created and submitted to the City Council stating their disagreement to Ordinance 2008-001.

 

San Lorenzo Village Resident Joshua Santiago explaining the effects of City Ordinance 2008-001 to residents and businessmen of Barangay San Lorenzo

 

 

Asked for a comment, the suspended barangay chairman said that someone called him at his residence and he proceeded there to calm everybody down. He added however that the residents needed to be heard and that their questions should be duly answered by all the officials concerned.

Members of the roving media in Makati began to arrive and were stopped by guards of SLVA whose manager is a close ally of Ernie Moya. The guards however could not stop the media from proceeding to the Barangay Hall. Police were present and upon interview stated that they were called by Norman Golez to disperse the peaceful crowd that had gathered outside the Barangay Hall. Upon seeing members of the 4th estate, the police relented and stood by to watch the residents carrying their placards and banners that stated their opposition to the Ordinance.

Kagawad Jocelyn Hernandez passed by the Barangay hall but did not stop, seeing that there were still residents around. Only when all the residents had left did all the 5 kagawads report to the barangay hall and closed and padlocked all its doors.

Inside, they accosted employees. Norman Golez was fuming and even accused barangay employees of complicity with the angry residents. He threatened one employee after another on their future employment in the Barangay.

One resident stated that the 5 kagawads had sealed their own coffins most specially in the coming elections because the residents will not vote for them. Their commitment to the community is now in doubt.

The question is why did they not face the citizens, their constituents? Why did they leave OIC Moya alone to face the wrath of the angry and venting residents? What are they hiding? These are questions that still remain among the bitter and betrayed residents of Barangay San Lorenzo.