Manual polls 'a step backwards'

Senate President Franklin Drilon today allayed fears that the 2016 general elections would be manual rather than automated.

With the Supreme Court junking the deal between the Commission on Elections and Smartmatic on the diagnostic, repair and refurbishment of Precinct Count Optical Scan (PCOS) machines, some quarters had expressed apprehension that there would be no more time for the Comelec to conduct a public bidding, thus manual elections, or even no elections, could be a distinct possibility.

"There's no basis for that. I will not agree to manual elections, because that will again lead to cheating," Drilon explained.

          

"We already have a law that requires automated elections, and the return to manual elections is a step backwards and contrary to the law that says we should have automated elections," he added.

          

Asked whether Congress would give the Comelec additional funds to purchase new machines, Drilon said: "That’s hard to answer. At this point I don’t know how much they will ask us for. And why would they abandon the PCOS machines? They must justify that, because that will cost a lot of money."

          

Drilon said that even with the forthcoming 2016 elections, the Senate would return to work on May 4 to "finish all the reform measures still being deliberated upon."

          

"The best platform for anyone is to show that you do our job well," Drilon added. -end-

     OFWs urged to stay away from drug syndicates 

With the Indonesian government poised to execute by firing squad  OFW Mary Jane Veloso unless Indonesian President Jokowi Widodo heeds appeals to spare her life, Senate President Franklin M. Drilon has offered a piece of advice to OFWs: "Don't be fooled by the promises of drug traffickers."

Drilon pointed out that OFWs "should understand that they will face extreme difficulties if they are caught bringing illegal drugs to other countries. They represent our country abroad, they should not be involved in any illegal activities."

Drilon, a former Labor Secretary, said OFWs should realize that they are subject to the laws of other countries. "My message to OFWs is this: Do not  be fooled by the promises of drug syndicates." 

         

The Senate President said the government agencies concerned with OFWs, such as the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration should intensify efforts to educate those intending to leave for work abroad to comply with the laws of their host countries. 

          

"Our pre-departure orientation seminars (PDOS) should emphasize to the OFWs that they will have to face the consequences if they are involved in criminal activities, such as trafficking in illegal drugs," Drilon said. -end-

                        Lina as customs chief welcomed

Senate President Franklin M. Drilon today hailed the appointment of businessman Bert Lina as the new Customs Commissioner.  

"I know him. He is capable, he is competent. He has prior experience as Customs chief, having occupied that position before,” said Drilon.

However, Drilon said Lina should avoid any possible conflict of interest if any of his companies would have any dealings with the BOC.

"There should be an arrangement where his business and his responsibility as Customs commissioner will not clash."

          

As to whether Lina should divest himself of shares in his business, Drilon said Lina "knows what to do."   

          

At the same time, Drilon said he supports the plan of Sen. Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III to file a resolution calling for a Senate investigation on the recent resignation of John Phillip Sevilla as Customs Commissioner

"He (Sevilla) should name names. I personally believe that he was a good Customs Commissioner. I have known him for more than 10 years. I know him to be an honest bureaucrat, very professional," Drilon said.

"I am very sad that he resigned from his post due to what he said was political pressure. I agree that he should reveal who exerted pressure on him," Drilon added.

As to the allegation of Rep. Toby Tiangco, spokesman of the United Nationalist Alliance, that the Liberal Party exerted pressure on Sevilla to generate P3 billion campaign fund for the LP, Drilon said:

"I will not waste my time on such malicious lies. What I can say is that as we approach the election, then we will see more of this." -end-

                      Lina as customs chief welcomed

Senate President Franklin M. Drilon today hailed the appointment of businessman Bert Lina as the new Customs Commissioner.  

"I know him. He is capable, he is competent. He has prior experience as Customs chief, having occupied that position before,” said Drilon.

However, Drilon said Lina should avoid any possible conflict of interest if any of his companies would have any dealings with the BOC.

"There should be an arrangement where his business and his responsibility as Customs commissioner will not clash."

          

As to whether Lina should divest himself of shares in his business, Drilon said Lina "knows what to do."   

          

At the same time, Drilon said he supports the plan of Sen. Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III to file a resolution calling for a Senate investigation on the recent resignation of John Phillip Sevilla as Customs Commissioner

"He (Sevilla) should name names. I personally believe that he was a good Customs Commissioner. I have known him for more than 10 years. I know him to be an honest bureaucrat, very professional," Drilon said.

"I am very sad that he resigned from his post due to what he said was political pressure. I agree that he should reveal who exerted pressure on him," Drilon added.

As to the allegation of Rep. Toby Tiangco, spokesman of the United Nationalist Alliance, that the Liberal Party exerted pressure on Sevilla to generate P3 billion campaign fund for the LP, Drilon said:

"I will not waste my time on such malicious lies. What I can say is that as we approach the election, then we will see more of this." -end-

                        Lina as customs chief welcomed

Senate President Franklin M. Drilon today hailed the appointment of businessman Bert Lina as the new Customs Commissioner.  

"I know him. He is capable, he is competent. He has prior experience as Customs chief, having occupied that position before,” said Drilon.

However, Drilon said Lina should avoid any possible conflict of interest if any of his companies would have any dealings with the BOC.

"There should be an arrangement where his business and his responsibility as Customs commissioner will not clash."

          

As to whether Lina should divest himself of shares in his business, Drilon said Lina "knows what to do."   

          

At the same time, Drilon said he supports the plan of Sen. Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III to file a resolution calling for a Senate investigation on the recent resignation of John Phillip Sevilla as Customs Commissioner

"He (Sevilla) should name names. I personally believe that he was a good Customs Commissioner. I have known him for more than 10 years. I know him to be an honest bureaucrat, very professional," Drilon said.

"I am very sad that he resigned from his post due to what he said was political pressure. I agree that he should reveal who exerted pressure on him," Drilon added.

As to the allegation of Rep. Toby Tiangco, spokesman of the United Nationalist Alliance, that the Liberal Party exerted pressure on Sevilla to generate P3 billion campaign fund for the LP, Drilon said:

"I will not waste my time on such malicious lies. What I can say is that as we approach the election, then we will see more of this." -end-