Two Commissions Under the Office of the Previous President Decommissioned

The Presidential Anti-Smuggling Group (PASG) as well as the Presidential Anti-Graft Commission (PAGC) received no allocation from the 2011 National Expenditure Program, effectively decommissioning them. [See Other Departments and Commissions for details.]

BIR: Macario Gaw Jr. Charged of Willful Tax Evasion

The Bureau of Internal Revenue filed willful tax evasion cases against billionaire Macario Lim Gaw Jr. of Corinthian Gardens Subdivision in Quezon City for attempting to hide and failure to pay income tax amounting to P5.5 billion on sold 10 lots in 2007 and 2008. [See Internal Revenue page for details.]

DepEd: Noodle Scam Under Investigation

The Office of the Ombudsman started reviewing the liability of DepEd officials of the previous administration on the renowned "Noodles Scam" in connection with two feeding programs of the Department--The Food For School Program and the Low Performing Schools Breakfast Feeding Program. Six DepEd former officials are under investigation together with six employees of Jeverps Manufacturing Corporation. [See Other Departments page for more details.]

No Gag Order for Aquino Cabinet and non-Cabinet officials

Communications and Strategic Planning Secretary Ricky Carandang assured lawmakers that no gag order will ever be given to Aquino Cabinet and non-Cabinet rank officials. [See Dismantling Traditional Politics page.]

P10.6 Billion 'Pork' Releases in DPWH Recalled

DPWH Secretary Rogelio Singson ordered his people to recally the funds for congressmen-recipients' projects. Despite not having new revenue support, the P10.6 billion 'pork' insertion for allies in the 2010 budget had been released before PGMA step down from office on June 30. This amount was part of the 'pork' augmentation (that is, beyond the lawmakers' regular annual allotment) that had been inserted in the 2010 budget, coming from the allotment for debt payment but divertied into congressional 'pork barrels." The total diverted amount reached P64.6 billion. [See Executive Abuses page]

"Double Compensation" in LWUA

An employee of LWUA reveals that chairman Prospero Pichay receives around P 450,000 in monthly perks alone, plus P 2.5 million in intelligence funds. [See GOC Corporations page]

First Plunder Case vs. Arroyo: Unremitted CGT on Government Airport Sale

An Ombudsman accredited revenue informer senior investigator filed a plunder complaint against former President GMA for failing to remit CGT to the government on the sale of government-owned airport land in Mandurriao, Iloilo in 2007. [See Executive Abuses page.]

ICTJ Affirms Constitutional Basis for EO1

A senior associate from the New York-based International Center for Transitional Justice (ICTJ) confirmed that there is constituional basis for creating the Truth Commission headed by former SC Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr. through Executive Order No. 1. [See Worldwide Recognitions page.]

Senator Santiago Lauds Appointment of Sereno to SC

Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago lauded President Aquino in his appointment of Ma. Lourdes Aranal-Sereno as the newest member of the Supreme Court, replacing retired chief justice Renato Corona as an SC justice. [See Praises from Critics page.]

DPWH Dismantled Billboards with Politicians' Names

DPWH Secretary Rogelio Singson started imposing the ban on the practice of putting the names or pictures of politicians on DPWH project signages. [See Dismantling Traditional Politics page.]

MWSS Ordered Return of P8.7-Million Illegal Perks

The Commission on Audit ordered MWSS to return to government a total of P 8,762,948.31 in financial benefits that the MWSS board of trustees approved in 2000 because of lack of approval from the Office of the President. [See GOC Corporations page.]

Corruption-Ridden CAS Purged

Customs Commissioner Angelito Alvarez abolished the corruption-ridden Customs Accreditation Secretariat (CAS), and replaced it with the Interim Customs Accreditation and Registration (ICARE) to clean up the registry list and ensure that new registrants qualify from the fundamental requirements. [See Customs page.]

Grand C Graphics Charged for Not Paying 90 Returns Filed Electronically

The BIR charged Grand C Graphics president Gloria dela Cruz and treasurer Deborah Cing for not paying 90 withheld taxes filed electronically. [See Internal Revenue page.]

China Philippines Charged for Using Parent Tax Credit

The BIR charged officials of the China State Philippines Construction Engineering Corp. for not paying P712.74 million in taxes from 2003 and 2006 when it used the tax credit certificate issued to its parent China State Construction Corporation Limited. [See Internal Revenue page.]

DILG Orders Policitians' Names Removed

DILG Secretary Jesse Robredo ordered the removal of the names of politicians, including his and that of the President, from government projects and billboards, including vehicles. [See Dismantling Traditional Politics page.]

VAT on SLEX Tool Fee, Arroyo Law

Malacañang affirmed that the bases for their enforcement of VAT on SLEX Tool Fee came from two Revenue Memorandum Circulars seeking the imposition of consumption tax, passed and signed by former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. These laws however did not see implementation in the previous administration for political expediency, in order not to worsen her popularity among Filipinos. [See Executive Abuses page.]

Smuggling Cases Filed Against Plum Blossom and Full Story

Customs Commissioner Alvarez filed smuggling cases against the board of directors of Plum Blossom and the proprietor of Full Story for the import of white rice claimed as mung beans. This is the second case the Bureau filed on smuggling after it filed in July 22 complaints against Gold Mind and Quick Flo proprietors. (Please check the Customs page.)

MCC Affirmation with $434 Million Grant

Millenium Challenge Corporation (MCC) CEO Daniel Yohannes confirmed that the MCC Board headed by State Secretary Hillary Clinton agreed to unlock the $434 million grant to help the Philippines fight poverty and corrption. (Please check the Worldwide Recognition page.)

Midnight Appointments

EO 2 nullified at least 977 midnight appointments from the Arroyo presidency. Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Eduardo de Mesa said that Arroyo cannot be held liable because of presidential immunity at the time of making those appointments. (Check Executive Abuse page)

Two Tax Evasion Cases Filed

The BIR under Kim Jacinto-Henares has filed two cases of tax evasion against DSM Construction and Development Corporation and Villarica Pawnshop. (Visit Internal Revenue page for details.)

P17B in Excess Funds Taken Off DPWH

DPWH Secretary had P17B in excess funds from unnecessary projects returned to the Philippine coffers. (Visit Public Works & Highways page for details.)