Sorry Sen Cayetano but there was overpricing
November 18th, 2009 by Manuel Buencamino
12 senators signed a resolution clearing Manny Villar of the ethics complaints against him.
Here is what former graft-buster now Villar spokesman Alan Peter Cayetano had to say.
“The accusation was simple – the road was diverted, there’s double insertion, and there was overprice. If you look at all the witnesses, all called by (Sen. Jamby) Madrigal, the BIR said there was no overprice; the DPWH said there were 2 roads, not 1 road; Enrile said there was no double insertion.”
This is the statement of Carmelita Bacod, former revenue district officer in Parañaque, who overpriced Villar’s land.
“There are properties [classified as] commercial regular with values at P20,000 and P10,000 but I chose the P30, 000 because it will mean more collection of capital gains tax for [the government].”
More capital gains tax for the government. Good. More capital gains for Villar. Better. 12 senators clearing Villar of all charges including overpricing. Best.
And Alan Peter Cayetano said there was no overprice.
Why did the 12 senators clear Villar without waiting for the committee report to come out first?
Here is what another former graft-buster by the name of Nene Pimentel said,
“Di naman kailangan ang committee report (We don’t need the committee report). After all, we had the votes so we decided.”
That’s Nene Pimentel talking, not one of those Batasan members whose justification for throwing out impeachment complaints against Gloria is “It’s a numbers game.”
Enrile was pissed. Justifiably so.
“I would like to state and put into the record the true state of things. This resolution, by its own very title although it says it expresses its sense, the sense of the Senate, not the sense of the people who signed this, you are talking of the Senate of the Republic, not the sense of the 12 who signed this resolution and it says you want to dismiss the case against the respondent.”
He added,
“You want to clear him of the charges, without asking the committee to convene and perform its function. We are not rushing to condemn or exculpate the respondent, we are exercising utmost care and responsibility to do justice to a colleague, but here is a resolution which in effect discharges the committee that you created in this house.
He challenged the 12,
“Now as chairman of that committee, I want an explanation why the committee is being discharged.
“Now I would like to look whether there was committee session that assessed the evidence that was assembled by the committee of the whole. Why was not the documentary evidence not cited in this resolution if you really assessed the evidence?”
To which the unflappably corrupt Alan Peter replied,
“It is just a matter of style whether it’s a committee report or a resolution. We do know that there is politics in all of this and that there are certain people who do not want Senator Villar to be cleared. You cannot just take the word of Lacson and Madrigal. When we realized that there was no inkling to clear him, we decided to put together a resolution. I am happy that this is over.”
“When we realized that there was no inkling to clear him, we decided to put together a resolution.”
Eh papaano yung ebidensiya? Di bale na lang kasi kandidato si Manny?
Alan Peter, so young yet so corrupt.
November 18, 2009 at 4:39 pm
Quote of the day:
“What’s so wrong was even the respondent cleared himself.”–Sen. Lacson.
Only in da Pilipins!
Sen. Villar was the 12th senator to sign the resolution. And yet, he had been claiming that he did not want to appear in the hearings because it’s all a political circus.
Given a chance of course, everyone would take their way out of trouble. But Villar’s seemingly principled stand against dirty politics and legislative grandstanding turned out to be nothing more than mere pretense in the end.
He railed against his colleagues for ganging up on him because of their political ambitions. The lynch mob however is gone and Sen. Villar is now good friends again with Sen. Legarda et al. Surveys and money work magic, don’t they?
The Truth, meanwhile, lies forlorn and forgotten.
November 18, 2009 at 9:10 pm
Had Manny Villar not signed the resolution, Sen Lacson would have been first to say “Hah!!! Even Manny Villar did not believe it. He did not even sign the resolution!”
November 18, 2009 at 9:34 pm
It was not a damned if you do damned if you don’t situation for Villar.
It was damned if you do because he smubbed the investigation to begin with.
His signing a resolution clearing himself and which several senators said he personally lobbied is the best proof that the man is indeed ethically challenged.
November 18, 2009 at 6:56 pm
This would be a good precedent.
The Supreme Court can start dispensing sentences by doing a vote prior to convening to determine of it’s worthwhile to hear a case.
If there is a majority vote, the documentary evidence can go fuck itself.
Brilliant Nene and Alan Peter!
November 18, 2009 at 8:14 pm
Surreal.
November 18, 2009 at 9:55 pm
Here is another NoyNoy versus Villar issue.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091118/ap_on_sc/climate_population_growth
Villar has categorically stated he is against the RH-bill.
I’m working with NoyNoy statements of 2 months ago that he is pro-RH (though this may have changed given that a couple of CBCP bishops has warned him about block voting).
November 18, 2009 at 10:01 pm
sino sino yung 12 na nakapirma sa resolution? other than the cayetanos. talaga naman, so young so corrupt. what happened to him?
November 18, 2009 at 10:19 pm
Legarda, Pangilinan, Joker, Honasan, Pimentel, Jinggoy, Lapid, Brenda, dalawang cayetano, Revilla and Villar himself!
Sabi ni Jinggoy at ni pangilinan na villar lobbied them personally. Sabi ni trillanes kinontak siya ni villar pero tinangggihan nya.
November 19, 2009 at 8:08 pm
napahiya sila dito, no? si villar most of all. buti nga.
November 18, 2009 at 10:27 pm
This is the low level backdoor “compadre” system of Philippine
politics. Scrath my ass, and I will scratch your damn ass. Villar
did not clear himself by BUYING the votes of 12 Senators. We, the
Filipino people are his judge.
In truth, this is an act of ARROGANCE on his part. And on the part
of those SENATORS WHO AFFIX their Signatures. Who do they think
they are? They are the Jury and the Judges? Remember the NAMES of
the culprit Senators on election day. They sold us down the river. Villar showed , he can go around the Philippine Judicial system. How much more, if this DAMN FOOL is elected President?
November 19, 2009 at 1:05 am
The Filipino voters will judge Villar re c5 and can-one-really-get-that-rich-without-being-Chinese?, NoyNoy re SLEX and can-he-get-laws-passed?, Gibo re Disaster-Preparedness and GMA, Erap re Jueteng-and-Was-he-a-good-actor-or-what? Oh, yeah, Bayani and can he be a good senator?
November 19, 2009 at 2:11 am
Bayani Fernando messed up Metro Manila and Marikina.
He is sleeping on the job. While we all drown!
November 19, 2009 at 2:26 am
‘“There are properties [classified as] commercial regular with values at P20,000 and P10,000 but I chose the P30, 000 because it will mean more collection of capital gains tax for [the government’
Saan ba nag-aral ng mathematics itong si Carmelita Bacod? Unless 100% ang capital gains tax sa Pilipinas hindi mo mababawi lahat ng binayad ng government na sobra sa dating presyo. Bwisit!
November 20, 2009 at 1:01 am
Ano?
Ang sinabi ni Bacod mas malaki ang capital gains tax sa 30K kaysa sa 20K or 10K.
Mahirap bang intindihin yun?
November 23, 2009 at 11:53 am
Naintindihan ko MB na mas mataas nga ang capital gains tax ng 30k sa 20k o 10k. Pero ang makokolekta na tax ay kulang pa na pambayad sa lupain na binili.
November 23, 2009 at 12:33 pm
supremo,
siempre mas maliit kasi yun tax ay sa ganansya ng may-ari ng lupa. Kung yun tax ay kasing laki ng binayad sa lupa eh confiscation of property ang tawag dyan kasi walang napala yun may ari ng lupa.
November 24, 2009 at 3:15 am
MB,
Kaya nga dapat mas mababa na valuation ang ginamit para kahit maliit ang tax maliit din ang presyo na babayaran ng gobyerno.
November 24, 2009 at 2:48 pm
supremo
Tama ka “Kaya nga dapat mas mababa na valuation ang ginamit para kahit maliit ang tax maliit din ang presyo na babayaran ng gobyerno”
Kasi baliktad ang mundo pag nandyan si Villar. C5 at Taga nga
November 19, 2009 at 12:05 pm
There was no overpricing. Manuel Buencamino, you only hear what you want to hear. http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20090923-226501/No-C-5-Road-overprice-says-BIR-exec
November 20, 2009 at 12:58 am
Riza,
The article you cited was datelined Oct.23. And I almost believed it until Bacod’s subsequent testimony dated Oct 29.
Read this and weep.
Ex-BIR exec sorry over high value on Villar property
Consultant threatened with contempt by Senate
By Maila Ager
INQUIRER.net
First Posted 12:47:00 09/29/2009
MANILA, Philippines – (UPDATE) A former Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) official has apologized to the Senate for certifying a high zonal valuation to properties owned by Senator Manny Villar, who has been accused of allegedly using his position to profit from the controversial C-5 road extension project.
Carmelita Bacod, former revenue district officer in Parañaque, issued the apology during Tuesday’s hearing in the Senate committee of the whole into the ethics case filed against Villar.
It was Bacod, who certified that a portion of the Masaito properties or 1,600 square meters sold to Villar’s Adelfa Properties Inc., was classified as commercial regular with the zonal values of P30,000 per square meter.
The lots were later sold to the government to pave the way for the construction of the C-5 road in Parañaque.
Bacod admitted that there were other similar properties classified as commercial regular with lesser values but she chose the P30,000 valuation for the Masaito/Adelfa properties to raise more revenues for the government.
“There are properties [classified as] commercial regular with values at P20,000 and P10,000 but I chose the P30, 000 because it will mean more collection of capital gains tax for [the government],” he told the committee.
“Why did you choose that valuation? I appreciate your loyalty [to the government] but since there are lands classified as commercial regular within the vicinity of that property, P10,000 to P20,00 as an inequitable consideration for the owner, why did you not use those valuation?” an irked Senate President Juan Ponce-Enrile asked.
“You knew that the property was going to be taken by the government for the road right of way and it’s going to be sold to your government that you wanted to protect, why did you…your excuse is you want to increase the capital gains but at the same time you are increasing the value of property that the government will buy,” he said.
Enrile did not buy Bacod’s explanation that she made the zonal valuation becasue she simply wanted to raise more revenues for the government.
The Senate leader reminded the former BIR officer that the principle of taxation “must be fair and equitable.”
“You are telling me that you want to be arbitrary simply because you want to squeeze the highest amount of money from the people even if it’s unjust? No way, that’s not what taxation, is,” he said.
Bacod later on conceded and apologized to the Senate.
“”I’ve already cited my reason, that’s to increase our collection so if I made some poor judgment, I’m very sorry,” she said.
“Don’t be sorry. this is not a place to be sorry about,” Enrile answered.
“We’re testing your credibility, my dear. Your are an intelligent person , I’m sure you’re an accountant, a lawyer, that’s why you are entrusted with the collection of taxes but I’m quite surprised that you are not taught how to be fair and equitable in collecting taxes for the government,” he added.
Under questioning by lawyer Ernesto Francisco, Bacod also admitted that she could no longer remember why she certified the zonal valuation for Villar’s properties.
Earlier in the hearing Francisco, lawyer of Senator Ana Consuelo “Jamby” Madrigal, moved to have Anastacio Adriano Jr., a Villar consultant, cited for contempt “for lying to the honorable committee when he said that what Masaito ceded or transferred to Adelfa properties were lots and cash.”
“We’re also moving to have this witness cited for contempt for lying to the honorable committee for stating that the 1, 600 square lots is owned by Masaito,’ he said.
“We’re again moving to have this witness cited for contempt for stating in his affidavit that Senator Manny Villar had nothing to do with the project as stated,” he further said.
But Enrile deferred action on Francisco’s motion for lack of quorum.
Enrile himself, however, gave Adriano until 12 midnight Wednesday to submit a summary of his submissions to the committee or be cited for contempt by the Senate and detained.
“Otherwise, there’s a basis to cite you for contempt and held you in this Senate until you comply,” Enrile said.
It was Adriano, who assisted Villar, then Senate president, in endorsing an additional P200 million budget for the construction of the road project.
November 21, 2009 at 3:52 pm
The valuation is BIR’s decision, not Villar’s. He couldn’t have ordered that.
November 23, 2009 at 12:37 pm
Riza,
Ganun? Hahaha.
And I guess the municipal CARP officer who converted CARP lands that Villar turned into subdivisions was also acting without any prompting from Villar.
November 19, 2009 at 2:57 pm
Apanfilo: In the same way that Sen. Villar’s “accuser” is at the same time a prosecutor and judge in the investigation of the charges against him.
November 20, 2009 at 1:05 am
A Kalaw,
If Jamby does not sign then it means she did not believe that her charfes against Villar were true.
That;s different from Villar sitting in judgment of himself and absolving himself.
November 20, 2009 at 10:08 am
Alex,
My point is that Villar should have stood his ground as he originally did when he disinhibited himself from the investigation. When you honestly believe that you are being tried by a kangaroo court, it’s the height of disingenuousness to sign a resolution that anticipates the judgment of a court which you do not believe yourself.
And really, it’s not a court of law but a trial by his peers who are trying to find out if he is still ethically fit to be in the August chamber. Fact is, they’ve already found him ethically unfit to be Senate president.
And you have to wonder: in a body infamous for having a bar of ethical behavior so low it looks like a limbo rock routine, Villar’s churlishness in doing the routine makes you wonder if all his “enterprising” activities have fatally compromised his ethical backbone.
November 19, 2009 at 3:03 pm
Yeah, I agree with Mr. Kalaw. As the supposed “complainant”, Senator Madrigal should have abstained from voting on the issues put to vote by the Committee of the Whole, such as the approval of the Preliminary Report, but she did vote
November 20, 2009 at 1:08 am
Rose,
You were confused by A Kalaw.
Siempre she has to vote. If Jamby did not vote then it means she did not believe that her charges against Villar were true.
That’s entirely different from Villar sitting in judgment of himself and absolving himself.
November 19, 2009 at 3:06 pm
It is beyond doubt UNFAIR that those who have announced themselves as presidential candidates in the 2010 presidential race sited in judgment over the Madrigal charges against Senator Villar. Admittedly, Senator Villar is one of the leading presidential contender, a rival of theirs who looms large in the horizon of the forthcoming elections.
November 20, 2009 at 12:04 am
Villar should explain to us. Why he used his position as a
Senator to put roads/highways near his properties/subdivisions.
The money that financed those roads/highways came from our
taxes. So, HE SPONSORED FUNDS AS A SENATOR TO PUT ROADS
TO APPRECIATE OR INCREASE THE VALUES OF HIS PROPERTIES/SUBDIVISIONS.
These are not nuisance charges. It is a serious ethical
issue. If I use your money without your knowledge to build
road near my property. In the hope (speculation) of making
my property increase its value. What do you call that?
We call that SPECULATION in real estate term.
No wonder, he became a Billionaire, at our expense. He used
our money to become rich!
November 21, 2009 at 10:46 am
“No wonder, he became a Billionaire, at our expense. He used
our money to become rich!”
Hahahahahahahahha!
I just have to say congratulations for you to finally realize this. I can liken this to a child who discovers the mirrors in a magician’s trick. But in this case, it’s not THAT big a secret anymore so, yeah, good for you.
PROTIP: We use our money EVERY SINGLE DAY to make other people “rich”.
November 20, 2009 at 12:47 am
It is beyond doubt INCREDIBLE that Villar will sign a resolution absolving himself of charges against him
November 23, 2009 at 6:02 am
There is a great difference in using other people’s
money to become rich with their consents. And using
other people’s money (tax money) without their consent to become a Billionaire. Then, using the earned money to become their President. “Gigisahin tayo sa ating sariling mantika”! What a lousy way to deceive people!
November 20, 2009 at 11:21 am
always a numbers game.
parang katulad lang noong impeachment ni erap when there was a votation to open the second envelople.
November 21, 2009 at 11:11 am
“Eh papaano yung ebidensiya? Di bale na lang kasi kandidato si Manny?”
- I’m not sure but I think this fallacy is “begging the question”? You are begging the question: “Do we disregard the evidence because Manny V is a presidential candidate?” Which I think is not the case. But I may be wrong.
Anyway, am I wrong in understanding that this article states:
1. ASSUMPTION: Villar is guilty.
2. Also unethical because he positioned the roads to his estate?
– I may have to agree with you here since there is a question of ethics, if and only if, Villar as a senator knew and has the power to influence directly and actively, the creation of these roads. (But after I check and analyze the sources and proven that what you say are not bullshit of course.)
3. ASSUMPTION: Carmelita Bacod is Villar’s accomplice. Via her statement of choosing greater value so greater gains for government with the single objective TO benefit Villar.
– also assumes that she’s an idiot who doesn’t know how to do her job
– but also assumes, this is somehow Villar’s fault and his rich bling and not the poor judgment of the witness. Of course, this point would be moot if and only if it is established that Villar has active participation in this.
4. That the main “target” here is Cayetano?
– for being a corrupt legislator making stupid resolutions. I may agree that in the first place, the resolution is stupid, that is all. But even on my standards, its unfair to call him corrupt. Of course, correct me if I am wrong here: you label him (and Pimentel) as corrupt on the assumption that they are covering up (the assumed corrupt) Manny V., Right?
Of course, I am coming from this thought that the evidence is actually in Villar’s favor, clearing his name. And if not for the stupid resolution by Cayetano, the report would clear him anyway.
Thanks in advance for correcting me. :D
November 23, 2009 at 12:43 pm
The fact that Vilaar has not divested himself of the properties is not only a violations of ethics rules it is also a criminal offense against laws prohibiting such practices
December 2, 2009 at 11:24 pm
so, the brain in your head tells you that possessing properties is a violation of ethics AND a criminal offense? (How do you define possession anyway? If it’s in a company, well theres nothing really criminal about that. Did I need to clear that up?)
Why would anyone in their right mind divest their properties if in the first place, they obtained it fair and square?
Even in referencing “ethics rules”, you are coming from a subjective interpretation of a loosely established concept of “ethics” or “ethics rules”. It seems you don’t even know what those are. In fact, it seems you’re just calling out terms out of nowhere for convenience.
Because if there is anything ethical or criminal about it, they won’t be fussing over C-5 insertions and whatnot but the mere possession of the whole of Villar’s properties. Hell, he might not be able to take a seat in the Senate nor become Senate president previously if those were tackled.
And I won’t even ask about the “laws” you are talking about.
I have to ask you this because people would think you are spewing out absolute, authentic, facts and not some random half-truths and/or downright lies just to gain favor. I respect your contribution but I find it hard to tolerate lies and false information.
I may be wrong but I will have to apologize later. I am seeking the truth myself.
November 21, 2009 at 11:34 am
Nakaka-disappoint sa lahat si Nene PImental. What a sellout. Kung kelan tumanda…
November 24, 2009 at 12:11 am
What gets me is that at the end of the day, after wasting time(is it really wasting time, though, if these politicians just run around looking at what benefits them anyway?) investigating this whole political morass, no one will be found truly guilty and punished. The issues will be muddled so much and so that nothing will come out of it. Folks who will lose political capital this time around will come back next election and will be able to worm their way back into office like nothing happened at all.
Clearly, Bacod did something wrong. She had to have acted with malice because no accountant or lawyer would have been so DUMB and STUPID.