20170601 Thursday NEWS

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE. Members of the House of Representatives (lower, right) today assembled as a Committee of the Whole, with Majority Leader Rodolfo C. Fariñas (upper left photo) as chairman, for the official briefing by Cabinet members and security officials on President Rodrigo Duterte's martial law declaration in Mindanao last May 23 through Proclamation No. 216. Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea and Deputy Executive Secretary Menardo Guevarra separately narrated that copies of the President's report were received by the Senate President and the Speaker of the House at 9:55PM, May 25th, within the 24-hour period provided under Section 18, Article VII of the 1987 Constitution. The briefing by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) was conducted in executive session, at the request of ES Medialdea. Speaker Pantaleon D. Alvarez (upper, right photo) earlier called on his colleagues to extend full support to the President and to legislate lasting solutions to the country's problems. The Speaker said the House decision on the martial law declaration would determine the trajectory of its response to the grave threats posed by terror groups that have rampaged through the peaceful City of Marawi and the people of Mindanao.

Alvarez-Farinas “Riding in Tandem”

WHEN MONEY AND LUST RULE, THE PUBLIC WELFARE SUFFER

On December 13, 2016, the House of Representatives dropped a bombshell:

By a landslide vote of 176-30, it approved on third and final reading, House Bill 4144 which seeks to retain the two tax rates for tobacco – P32 per pack for cheaper brands and P36 for name brands.

The congress power block, Northern Alliance of Rodolfo Farinas and sponsors, pushed and defended the approval of the bill in a bid “to protect the local tobacco industry and the right of consumers to buy according to the level of their income.”

Apparently, the bill was an attempt to derail the implementation this year of RA 10351 or Sin Tax Reform Law which pegs uniform tax for all brands of cigarettes at P30 per pack.

Why? What explains congress swift move to amend Sin Tax Reform Law?

Who really gains from it?

The Sin Tax Reform Bill was enacted in 2012.

But three months prior to its implementation this year, an amendment to sin tax reform law was filed under HB 4144 only in October 2016, with only two hearings at the committee level, the first of which was conducted on Nov 28, 2016. It was approved by the House Committee on Ways and Means without changes on Dec 5 and deliberated in the plenary the next day.  

Strangely though, House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez freely allowed the passage of the bill unchallenged for a whopping P2B in lobby money poured by Mighty Corporation he shared with Farinas..

Fast and dubious

Behind the Northern Alliance is Mighty Corporation owned by Alex Wongchuking who vigourously pushed for the approval of HB 4144.

Mighty Corporation is the only Filipino tobacco firm in the industry which claims it cares for local farmers, one argument that congressmen asserted. Economists, media and academe hailed HB 4144 in chorus line as pro-Filipino.

Mighty Misfortune

But in March this year, Mighty Corporation suffered major blows that reduced it to anything but mighty and exposed its huge tax cheats of more than a billion pesos

Raids after raids by Bureau of Customs hauled Mighty cigarettes with fake stamps valued at P1.3B in Gen San and Pampanga and seized three more containers of Mighty cigarettes in the Port of Cebu and in Tacloban

President Duterte even ordered the arrest of Mighty owners and hale them in court as if serious in punishing the corporate tax evader.

The (big) catch

But in a twist of fate, Duterte said he is willing to enter into a compromise with Mighty Corp. if will double the amount of its excise tax liabilities.

In a well-written script, Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre consequently announced that Mighty Corp agreed to pay some P3 billion as settlement and P50M for-the-boys.

Money rules.

Political operators and analysts agree that compromises come with the highest price

While the mess gets from bad to worse, the two most crooked house leaders, Alvarez and Farinas, went along well in their normal lives, as if the masses living in grinding poverty do not exist.

Both have the gall to leave their colleagues empty-handed (binukulan) after promising them P5M each in the Mighty loot to the crime partners’ chagrin.

 Priority Bills vs Peso Bills, and the winner is….

How fare the policy-making function of congress?

In less than two months’ time, President Duterte will report his first State of the Nation, yet, 87  of bills are pending (Inquirer.net March 22, 2017).

The executive and legislative branches have agreed on 10 common priority bills which, among others, include Occupational Safety and Health Hazards Act, Use of Coconut Levy Fund, Emergency Powers to solve traffic problem, National ID System, and Tax Reform Bill (Inquirer.net March 22, 2017). Unfortunately, none have been enacted into law.

The fact that most of these are pro-people priority bills and the

house railroaded the approval of HB 4144, makes it obscene, figuratively speaking

Grandstanding chauvinist pigs and addicts

But what makes this state of legislative leadership under Alvarez revolting, grossly disgusting and literally obscene, is that, aside from the fact that it is consumed by power battles and money-making grind, it lusts for mistresses and flaunt them in national television, debasing the august halls and insulting women like cheap commodity.

Alvarez admitted having a paramour named Jennifer Maliwanag Vicencio, She was identified by live-in partner of  Davao Congressman Antonio  “Tonyboy” Floreindo.  To get back at Floreindo, Alvarez removed Tonyboy from powerful Commission on Appointments as representative of PDP Laban, filed graft case vs Floreindo at the Ombudsman and probed Floreindo’s Tagum Agricultural Development  Company (TADECO) Joint Lease Agreement with DOJ/s Bureau of Corrections on the use of Davao Penal Colony as disadvantageous to the government.

Like Alvarez, Floreindo is one of the strongest supporters of President – and biggest campaign financiers with P75M or 20 % of total donations as per COMELEC

The best friends Alvarez and Floreindo traded barbs that reached peak hits in social media about their immoralities.

Gabriela and the IBP lambasted Alvarez on the illicit affair and arrogance in even daring the normalcy of lawmakers having mistresses.

Operation tokhang in Congress.

Farinas, when he was high on use of cocaine, put his five employees in a vault in the capitol when he was still governor.

And now, he wants all members of the House of Representatives locked inside the session hall and force them to railroad the passage of the bill.  Terrible! Anyway, what would you expect from a congressman whose mind had been influenced by years of using illegal drugs?

It is open secret that many other congressmen are drug lords, protectors and users justifying calls for operation tokhang in the lower house.  But who is brave enough to initiate that? PDEA? PNP? Alvarez? Ho ho ho!

Senatorial delusions

Early on, Alvarez and Farinas are raising funds for their senatorial ambitions and colleagues are just as pleased to be used by these national icons of dirty congress – and share the spoils too.

Imagine senators wannabe Pantaleon Alvarez and Rodolfo Farinas, both Duterte lapdogs, womanizer and drug addict, hugging limelight from showbiz , drafting policies and charting the destiny of this nation.

But both are doomed by their own frailties driven by hunger for power.

At the expense of the public welfare, Alvarez and the rest of the house leadership will fight tooth-and-nail to use their powers to plunder the economy and ignoring priority bills that will help uplift the conditions of their constituents.

Speech of Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez before sine die adjournment of First Regular Session of 17th Congress

Ladies and gentlemen, distinguished colleagues here in the House of Representatives, good evening.

By the end of today, we will adjourn the first session of the House of Representatives of the 17th Congress. As we prepare for our adjournment, let us look back at how it all started, the odds we faced, and the resolve that we demonstrated. Hopefully, our collective experiences will give us guidance and shed light on the difficult roads ahead.

Here in this chamber, we were tasked to legislate and address what may be called the “pain points of ordinary life.” As we gather here today, we can proudly say to the Filipino people that the laws we passed will address these problems they face every day.

To start off, we have ratified the amendment to the Passport Act which now extends the validity of our passports to ten (10) years. We are also on track with extending the validity of the driver’s license, by law, to five (5) years.

We have also passed on third reading, and the same is on track for ratification, an Act strengthening the protection for Filipinos who are in need of emergency health care service. The weak points of the law have been remedied to protect the weakest of our society at a time when they are most vulnerable. Mothers who are about to give birth and patients who are rushed to the emergency room will be administered the required medical care and attention. PhilHealth shall shoulder all the expenses advanced by hospitals for emergency care given to poor and indigent patients.

We have also reviewed and updated our Revised Penal Code, giving new life to its pursuit for justice. The imposed fines and valuations from which penalties are based were crafted in 1930. That was 87 years ago. The amounts are grossly disproportionate to the existing realities of our time. For example, the act of treason, under the old Revised Penal Code, imposes a fine not exceeding One hundred thousand pesos. We have raised this to a more proportionate fine not exceeding Four million pesos (Php 4,000,000).

Moreover, we have revised the Anti-Money Laundering Act (AMLA) to include the casino sector under its coverage. By mandating casinos to report suspicious transactions to the Anti-Money Laundering Council, imposing stringent customer identification requirements and record keeping systems, and prohibiting the conversion of money not used for gaming, this bill can effectively curb the use of casinos as avenues for anomalous transactions. 

We have also made possible access to free internet in public spaces. This bill has been ratified and is awaiting the signature of the President of the Philippines. When it becomes law, it will further empower the Filipino people in using Information and Communications Technology as they go about with their daily lives. This ensures the success of Filipinos in a data-driven world.

Taking heed of the timeless lesson that education is key for a nation to prosper and progress, higher education provided by our State Universities and Colleges will now be more affordable for all. This bill has been ratified. All that it requires is the signature of the President.

Further, just this afternoon, we have successfully passed, on third reading the tax reform package of the present administration. This legislative measure will correct the outdated system of the 1997 National Internal Revenue Code.

Lastly, there are several bills of equal or greater importance that are at the doorstep of being passed and ratified. While it is likely that these might not be enrolled before we adjourn, let us commit that when Congress resumes in July, we give these bills the final push as we bring them to legal life.

Within just one (1) year from being convened last July 2016, and despite one of the most divisive and partisan elections to date, we can proudly tell the Filipino people that we have delivered legislation that will affect their daily lives in a positive way. Let what we have accomplished remind us that we have the power to determine the frontiers of what is possible, that we can exercise the virtue of resilience and embody the value of hard work, as we forge forward.

While these are good news, let us not yet celebrate. To do so would be premature for there are still many more tasks ahead for us. Together, let us commit to facing these challenges. It is our sacred duty as public servants. 

On a final note, let us take a somber moment to remember the events presently unfolding in the main island of Mindanao. Thousands have been displaced and the fire fight has resulted to casualties on the part of our valiant soldiers and innocent civilians. Likewise, many of those who seek to realize a horrible vision incompatible with the values of a civilized world, through the use of terror, have been neutralized.

We have to do our part in sharing the heavy burden of what happened in Marawi City. To this end, may I inform you that the House of Representatives has taken the initiative to create a trust fund to aid in this mission.

This will be our concerted answer to the challenge that extremists present. They seek to sow terror, but we will show them our courageous resolve. They seek to destroy, but we shall defend and rebuild. With our unified efforts, they will never win. Let us reiterate the timeless truth that hope will always prevail over hate.

Thank you. Good evening. And may god bless the Philippines.

Mindanawons support Duterte’s martial law declaration

Lawmakers from Mindanao have expressed full support for President Rodrigo Durerte’s declaration of martial law in Mindanao, saying it is a “necessary measure to ensure the safety and security of every Filipino from extremist groups seeking to inflict violence, disorder, and terrorism.”

In a statement, the 62-member “Mindanao Bloc” explained that martial law was declared to suppress and prevent the rebellious acts of the Abu Sayyaf and the Maute Group in order to ensure the safety and security of their fellow Mindanaonons.

Led by Speaker Pantaleon D. Alvarez of the First District of Davao del Norte, the Mindanao Bloc stressed that the violent activities of the Maute Group had caused severe damage to the economy and social fabric not only of Marawi City but the whole of Mindanao.

The lawmakers said the extremist group may have been under the influence of the terrorist groups Abu Sayyaf and ISIS.

Citing Section 18, Article VII of the 1987 Constitution, they pointed out the President’s power to declare martial law.

However, they emphasized that despite the state of martial law in Mindanao, the Constitution, especially the Bill of Rights, is still in full force and effect, noting “there is no military takeover and civilian authority remains supreme.”

They said the suspension of the writ of habeas corpus will apply only to those judicially charged for rebellion or offenses directly connected with invasion.

Deputy Speaker Ferdinand Hernandez (2nd District, South Cotabato) revealed that although the members of  the Mindanao Bloc have issued the manifesto of support only today, it was already prepared and signed by them the day after President Duterte declared martial law in Mindanao.

Hernandez said the Mindanao lawmakers held a meeting the day after the martial law declaration and decided to unite behind the President.

Hernandez, however, stressed that while they support the martial law in Mindanao, they wanted to ensure that the Constitution will continue to function and that the civil courts and the rights of the people, especially due process, will be respected.

Rep. Maximo Rodriguez (2nd District, Cagayan de Oro City), chairman of the Mindanao Bloc explained that although the manifesto of support was signed earlier, they still wanted to listen to the report of the President relative to the martial law declaration.

He emphasized that their statement is an affirmation of their full support for the President’s decision.

Rodriguez pointed out that the declaration of martial law is not tantamount to military rule, saying that civilian authority still reigns supreme over the military.

Rep. Mercedes Cagas (Lone District, Davao del Sur) said the President should be given support in carrying out his sworn duty to protect the country and the people against the enemies of the state.

She pointed out that even before the declaration of martial law, war was already prevailing in Mindanao

The Mindanao lawmakers urged the Filipino people, especially the people of Mindanao, to remain calm and vigilant.

They also vowed to protect the rights of the citizens, especially against possible abuse of power by the military.

House adopts resolution supporting martial law

The House of Representatives, constituting itself as a Committee of the Whole, overwhelmingly approved today House Resolution 1050, expressing full support of the chamber to President Rodrigo Duterte as it finds no reason to revoke Proclamation No. 216 which declared a state of martial law and suspended the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus in the whole of Mindanao last May 23, 2017.

The resolution authored by Speaker Pantaleon D. Alvarez, Majority Floor Leader Rodolfo C. Fariñas and Minority Leader Danilo E. Suarez said the House constituted itself into a Committee of the Whole to consider the Report of the President relative to Proclamation No. 216, and to hear the briefing by the heads of departments of the Executive Department.

The Committee of the Whole was chaired by Majority Leader Rodolfo C. Fariñas and was given a briefing by Cabinet members and security officials on said proclamation.

The resolution stated that during the said briefing and after interpellation, the House Members determined the sufficiency of the factual basis for the issuance of Proclamation No. 216.

The resolution cited that Section 18, Article VII (Executive Department) of the 1987 Constitution provides: "The President shall be the Commander-in-Chief of all armed forces of the Philippines and whenever it becomes necessary, he may call out such armed forces to prevent or suppress lawless violence, invasion or rebellion. In case of invasion or rebellion, when the public safety requires it, he may, for a period not exceeding sixty days, suspend the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus or place the Philippines or any part thereof under martial law. Within forty-eight hours from the proclamation of martial law or the suspension of the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus, the President shall submit a Report in person or in writing to the Congress.”

The resolution said on May 23, 2017, President Duterte issued Proclamation No. 216, "Declaring a State of Martial Law and Suspending the Privilege of the Writ of Habeas Corpus in the Whole of Mindanao.”

Then on May 25, 2017, the President submitted a Report to the House relative to the proclamation.

 The resolution stated among others " xxx, after finding that lawless armed groups have taken up arms and committed public uprising against the duly constituted government and against the people of Mindanao, for the purpose of removing Mindanao--starting with the City of Marawi, Lanao del Sur — from its allegiance to the Government and its laws and depriving the Chief Executive of its powers and prerogatives to enforce the laws of the land and to maintain public order and safety in Mindanao, to the great damage, prejudice, and detriment of the people therein and the nation as a whole. xxx"

Earlier in the briefing, Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea and Deputy Executive Secretary Menardo Gueverra narrated that copies of the President's report were received by the Senate President and the Speaker of the House at 9:55 in the evening of May 25 within the 24 hour limitation provided under Section 18 Article 7 of the 1987 Constitution.

Thereafter, the House members were requested to go on executive session for the briefing by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and other government officials.

Speaker Pantaleon D. Alvarez in his remarks called on his colleagues to extend to the President the aid which he needs and to legislate lasting solutions to the problems the country faces. Alvarez said the House decision will determine the trajectory of its response to the grave threats posed by terror groups -- the Mautes included -- that have rampaged through the peaceful City of Marawi and displaced thousands of residents from their homes.

Sato bats for enhanced protection measure, funding for Protected Area management under consolidated E-NIPAS bill

A consolidated bill seeking to expand the coverage of the National Integrated Protected Areas (NIPAS) Act will ensure stronger protection measures, increase and institutionalize funding for Protected Areas (PAs), Occidental Mindoro Rep. Josephine Ramirez Y. Sato said on Thursday.

Sato, a principal author of one of two Expanded-NIPAS bills filed in the House of Representatives is the designated chairperson of the Technical Working Group (TWG) tasked to consolidate House Bill 177, which she authored, and House Bill 133 of AKO BIKOL Party List Rep. Rodel Batocabe.

“I am grateful for the support, the trust and confidence given to the TWG by LPGMA Party-List Rep. Arnel Ty,” Sato said.  Ty is the chairman of the natural resources committee of the House of Representatives.

Sato underscored the urgency of passing the E-NIPAS in the House of Representatives, noting that a counterpart measure has already been passed in third and final reading in the Philippine Senate.

“For 25 years since the NIPAS Act was passed in 1992, there are only 13 Protected Areas covered by law.  We have a total of 240 Protected Areas under NIPAS,” she said.

The lady solon said the TWG agreed to tighten the composition of the Protected Area Management Board (PAMB), the highest policy and decision making body in the management of a declared Protected Area under NIPAS.

“Under the consolidated E-NIPAS bill, a Protected Area Superintendent (PASU) shall be designated to head the Protected Area Management Office (PAMO).  The PASU shall now be a permanent plantilla position in the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), and shall be complemented by sufficient staff from the DENR,” Sato said.

Sato said the bill, which will expand the coverage to include 94 Protected Areas in the existing 13 PAs with legislative backing, also respects the right of Indigenous Peoples.

“Indigenous Communities Conserved Areas (ICCAs) that overlap with PAs shall be recognized and respected. The PA Management Plan must be harmonized with the Ancestral Domain Sustainable Development and Protection Plan (ADSDPP),” Sato said.

Meanwhile, Sato said all fees, charges and incomes generated from the PA shall be deposited in the Integrated Protected Area Fund (IPAF), which may also be augmented by grants, donations, contributions and endowments from both domestic and foreign sources.

Under the proposed consolidated bill, the PAMB in coordination with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Biodiversity Management Bureau (BMB) may actively mobilize resources for grants, donations and contributions.

A former Governor of Occidental Mindoro, Sato added that local government units (LGUs) may also contribute or allocate resources for the PA.

She said the PAMB shall retain 75% of the IPAF while the remaining 25% shall be the PAMBs contribution to the general NIPAS fund.

Apart from the IPAF, all PAs included in the NIPAS shall have annual allocations from the GAA, Sato said.

Meanwhile, the E-NIPAS Act lists down a total of 22 prohibited acts as against the 9 listed under NIPAS, including mining and quarrying, bioprospecting and illegal and destructive fishing methods within a Protected Area.

Under the E-NIPAS, there will also be stiffer penalties, Sato said. 

Fines ranging from P50,000 to P5 Million and imprisonment of 1 year to 12 years will be the updated penalties as opposed to the old law that only prescribes fines of 5,000 to 500,000 and imprisonment of 1 year to 6 years.

“By June, the committee secretariat will draft the consolidated bill.  Upon resumption in July, the TWG will present the consolidated bill and report to the members of the natural resources committee for approval and adoption as Committee Report and for referral to Ways and Means and Appropriations Committees,” she said.

Solons laud Congress ok of free college bill, urge immediate signing by President

ACT Teachers Party-List Rep. Antonio L. Tinio and Rep. France Castro lauded the ratification of the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education in the plenary sessions of the Lower House and the Senate Monday and Tuesday.  They urged President Duterte to immediately sign the bill into law so the youth can avail of free college as soon as possible.

The ratified bill exempts from tuition and miscellaneous and other school fees students in bachelor degree and undergraduate courses in state universities and colleges (SUCs) and local universities and colleges (LUCs) and students in post-secondary technical-vocational education training leading to non-degree and diploma programs of state technical vocational institutions (TVIs).  It also provides for tertiary education subsidy (TES) to students in undergraduate post-secondary courses in SUCs, LUCs, private higher education institutions, and TVIs.  The TES covers allowances for books, supplies, transportation, and other personal expenses related to education aside from tuition and other school fees.

Tinio, a member of the bicameral panel that finalized the bill prior to ratification, said that the bill is a product of the long-standing campaign for free higher education and a greater budget for education.

"We credit this victory to the collective action of the youth, teachers and other sectors of society who pushed for government to fulfil its mandate to provide accessible and quality education at all levels including tertiary education,” he said.  “We maintain our vigilance to ensure that, once enacted, free college will be properly implemented and sufficiently funded.”

“We now urge President Duterte to make the signing of this bill his top priority and to provide more funds to SUCs and other HEIs starting with the 2018 budget.  We call on his administration to include the funds necessary to implement free higher education in the proposed 2018 budgets of our SUCs, the Commission on Higher and Education, and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority,” stressed Castro, noting that the Executive branch is now finalizing its proposal for next year’s budget.  “Let us send more youth to college, Mr. President.”

"We hope that the Duterte administration will also prioritize attaining a nationalist, scientific, and mass-oriented education," Castro added.  "Free higher education is only the first step, but government has to also establish an education system that is democratized and serves national sovereignty, industrial modernization, and economic redistribution.  It should espouse among the youth a critical culture to fight dogma and discourses that legitimize social injustice."

MRT 3 maintenance contractor is the world's most expensive car wash service provider-  Nograles

The maintenance service provider of MRT 3, the Busan Universal Rail Inc (BURI) is perhaps the world's most expensive car wash service provider after it was discovered that it is charging MRT 3 a whopping P80.049 Million for three years just for the water supply needed to wash MRT 3 Light Rail Vehicles (LRV), Puwersa ng Bayaning Atleta Partylist Rep. Jericho Nograles today revealed.

This means that BURI is charging MRT 3 at least P74,000 daily or at least P2.22 Million per month  just for the job of washing LRVs. This is comparable to a car wash service provider rendering services to at least 500 cars every day, including holidays.

Nograles made this revelation as he stressed that the service contract entered into by the government for the maintenance of the MRT 3 is patently anomalous and invalid and therefore should already be abrogated by the Department Transportation (DOTr) under Secretary Arthur Tugade.

"Secretary Tugade should already terminate this very anomalous contract. The government should stop all payments for BURI due to non-compliance of the terms of their contract. The Duterte government should not be carrying this burden of getting the flak for the malfeasance and misfeasance of the past administration," Nograles said.

Citing a signed report prepared by the Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) that handled the negotiated contract entered into by BURI and the defunct Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) then headed by former Secretary Emilio "Jun" Abaya,  it showed that part of the P3.8 Billion maintenance service contract is an P80.049 Million allocation for the water needed for "LRV maintenance" for a period of three years.

This item immediately drew  a red flag on the part of the BAC panel then led by DOTC Undersecretary for Planning Rene Limcaoco as they pointed that the previous service provider, the Sumitomo Corporation, was only charging MRT 3 P350,000 per month or P12.6 Million for three years.

"The offer of Busan Joint Venture for this item is high and the same is required to be clarified," the panel noted.

Instead of providing a detailed breakdown on how BURI arrived with the P80.049 Million in relation to its water requirement for cleaning LRVs,  BURI simply explained that  "any savings generated from this will be re-allocated as a contingency fund which shall be utilized to fund other requirements for the Contract."

This provision for the supposed re-allocation of all saving to the contingency fund has been the standard response to all of the BAC panel's observations on the excessive maintenance cost being charged by BURI.

Nograles added that the BAC panel also observed excessive cost on BURI's Common Service Waste Management (CSWM) service amounting to P15.696 Million for three years as it noted that Sumitomo only charged P720,000 for three years or P20,000 per month, thereby jacking up the amount by as much as 46 percent. The CSWM simply involves the collection of all wastes inside MRT 3 facilities.

"BURI did not even spend time making a detailed explanation on the derogatory observations made by the panel. They simply cut and paste a packaged response that all savings derived from their excessive fees will be re-allocated to the contingency fund. Now the big questions is, where is the contingency fund and who is administering the contingency fund?" Nograles said as he urged the Commission on Audit to look into the contingency fund being cited by BURI.

Apart from overpricing, Nograles said that BURI's contract is also invalid because the contract itself is anomalous,  defective and not compliant with pertinent laws on the government procurement  of goods and services.

CONG.  RUFFY BIAZON

It is very unfortunate that air strikes have killed government troops. Under the existing conditions, it was bound to happen due to the prevailing conditions...the pace of the air strikes, the battlefield conditions such as urban close quarters combat, the Means of delivery of the ordnance which is conventional (meaning not if the latest precision technology) and the level of proficiency based on the training of the Air Force, the coordination between ground and air forces. The investigation by the AFP should first and foremost be done to determine any adjustment in tactics and later on for accountability and appropriate penalty if warranted.