THE resignation of Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Alan Purisima in the aftermath of the tragic Mamasapano mission of the Special Action Forces (SAF) on January 25 underscores the ups and downs of the institution in recent years. Purisima had been placed on a six-month preventive suspension last December by the Office of the Ombudsman on graft charges arising from alleged unexplained wealth.
There’re more lows in the history of the institution. A former PNP chief and another top general are now detained at the PNP Custodial Center in Camp Crame for the alleged anomalous contract for the repair of V-150 armored vehicles. No such repairs were found to have taken place.
Not too long ago, the PNP sustained a black eye when several top generals were tagged for bringing out of Saint Petersburg airport no less than €100,000 without declaring the money after an Interpol conference in the Russian city.
If the lows overshadow the highs, it’s probably because the media gives more prominence to the bad news.
In the case of the recent hulidap involving policemen from Quezon City, the case was solved in no time at all with the help of social media. A concerned citizen took a photo of the incident along Edsa, which quickly went viral via Twitter and Facebook and allowed Camp Crame to identify the rogue policemen and put them behind bars.
And, of course, the public extols the bravery of the 44 SAF who died in a hail of bullets from Moro rebels after successfully neutralizing most-wanted terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir, alias Marwan.
The gallantry of the SAF in Mamasapano is now part and parcel of Philippine National Police (PNP) history. It offers proof that the police force can redeem itself even if some of its members have strayed from the straight and narrow path.
Regaining the trust and confidence of the people in their police force was what prompted then-PNP chief Panfilo Lacson, who would later on be elected senator, to effect needed changes in the institution.
First, he improved police efficiency by implementing the 85 to 15 rule: downloading 85 percent of PNP’s logistics to town and city police stations, while the remaining 15 percent was retained at headquarters.
Lacson also bore down hard on the so-called kotong cops who extorted money from jeepney, taxi, bus and delivery truck drivers for nonexistent traffic violations, and instilling discipline in the police force by getting rid of what he called the “ICU”: the inept, corrupt and undisciplined cops.
Apart from stopping policemen’s use of recovered stolen vehicles for themselves, Lacson initiated efforts to enhance the capability of the PNP and the Asian regional police network to combat drug trafficking in the country and in the region.
Under his watch, the PNP achieved a 58-percent public approval rating, the highest in its history, and 78-percent approval rating for himself.
The PNP has more than 150,000 personnel throughout the country at present, but this number is inadequate to protect our current population of more than 100 million.
Apart from this, the police force needs more resources as it cannot fight criminals and terrorists with one hand tied behind its back, which is what happens when it lacks even basic equipment, such as patrol cars and communications gear.
It is true that a good number of our people have lost faith and trust in the police force because of the involvement of some policemen in extortion, hulidap and other outright criminal activities, or because some cops are rude or discourteous toward the people they are supposed to serve and protect.
The PNP should not tolerate any wrongdoing or corruption on the part of law enforcers. It should impose the severest disciplinary action, including summary dismissal from the service, against those found to have abused their authority and engaged in criminal activity. The campaign to rid the police force of scalawags and misfits should be unrelenting, as what Lacson did during his time.
The challenge before the PNP leadership now is to continue to transform it into a competent, effective and credible police force.
BCDA bullying Camp John Hay locators?
LAST month the Philippine Dispute Resolution Center Inc. (PDRCI) came out with a decision on the dispute between the Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA) and the Camp John Hay Development Corp. (CJHDevCo). The PDRCI decided to rescind the original lease accord between the two, directed the BCDA to return the P1.42 billion in rentals thus far paid by CJHDevCo, and ordered the latter to return to BCDA its leased 247-hectare property at the former American military facility.
In the wake of the arbitration ruling, the BCDA, through its President Arnel Paciano Casanova, appears to have started bullying sublocators, concessionaires and lot owners who had in good faith acquired 50-year leases on properties at what has been transformed by its private developer into the No. 1 ecotourism destination in the North.
Recently, the BCDA said it would not honor the sublease agreements on the pretext that the agency was never privy to these transactions and telling the concerned sub-locators and other lease-contract holders to run after their lessor, the CJHDevCo, instead.
This is the latest act of bad faith on the part of BCDA at the expense of innocent third-party stakeholders at CJH, because the truth is, this state-run corporation has neither the power nor authority to bully the sublocators, concessionaires and lot owners, or cancel their legitimate sublease contracts with CJHDevCo.
In fact, the BCDA is not even in a position to order CJHDevCo to vacate its leased CJH property until 1) a writ of execution has been issued by the Regional Trial Court (RTC) in Baguio City affirming the rescission of the lease agreement as ordered on February 11 by the PDRCI; and 2) BCDA has refunded the money reward of P1.42 billion to CJHDevCo as ordered by the PDRCI.
Until such time that the RTC in Baguio affirms the PDRCI ruling and BCDA settles its P1.42-billion refund, CJHDevCo has stated that it would continue under the law to exercise possession, control and management of CJH to maintain peace and order, assure the safety of residents, and enable its sub-locators and sublessees to conduct their business as usual.
And even if both these conditions are met, the BCDA still cannot run after the sublocators, concessionaires and lot owners, according to CJHDevCo. The CJHDevCo cited a number of reasons for its stand.
For one thing, the BCDA simply cannot alter any part of the lease contracts for any and all properties leased by CJHDevCo to third parties.
Another thing is that BCDA consented to all subleases within CJH when it expressly gave CJHDevCo the right to sublease various areas and real-estate inventory. The sub-lease holders enjoy 50-year rights because from the very beginning, BCDA had committed to 25-year contracts renewable for another 25 years at CJHDevCo’s sole option. This makes third-party lease contracts good until October 2046.
E-mail: ernhil@yahoo.com
52 comments
Aside from harassing CJHDevCo, the BCDA President was also threaten the third parties. If may memory serves me right, BCDA throuh its president Arnel Casanova stated that they don’t have obligation to the locators and sub-leases because they are paying their rental to the developer and not to the government.
Now, what’s this big fuzz, Mr. Casanova demanded to them that they should all give copies all of their documents to the agency. If we will not comply, Casanova said that they will not acknowledge them. In other words, the locators and sub-leases should also vacate the camp.
This pure harassment to the highest level!
Casanova is simply ignoring the court’s order that third parties should not be involved if a case is under arbitration court.
you’re dam right papaleng. Casanova is bullying those investors inside Camp John Hay. I pity this man for he know not his Law 101. that is, honor a court decision. What an arrogant man , Casanova is corrupt and is receiving bribes from major corporations for demolition jobs
Nangyari na nga ang kinatatakutan ng bayan.. ang pahabaain pa ni Casanova ang kaso. Eto naman ang banat nya. ..hindi raw igagalang ng BCDA ang mga naunang contracts sa pagitan ng CJHDevco at ng mga locators.. Susmaryosep naman Mr. Casanova,.. Eh di ba may kinatawan kayo sa board ng CJHDevCo, so nangangahulugan lang alam ninyo ang mga nangyayari doon. Hindi ka lang sinungaling, isa ka pang ‘bully’. Ngayon tinatakot mo ang mga investors, sa palagay mo sino ang mawawalan, e di ang gobyerno at ang City of Baguio. Magbago ka na Sir.
Yes!!! angkop na angkop kay Mr. Arnel Casanova ang kanta ni mike Hanapol na “Laki sa Laway, Jeproks”. Hindi lang pala barumbado siya kundi big bully pa. Sa inalabas nilang bagong contract eh para bagang tinatakot nila ang mga investor sa Camp John Hay.
Hoy Casanova, tigilan mo na ang kabaliwan mo. Safe ang status ng mga investors ayon na rin sa korte kaya kahit anog png-harass pa ang gawin mo. Sa dulo ..ikaw pa rin ang talunan.
Mabuti pa, sundin mo na lang ang utos ng arbitration tribunal ng wala ng gulo.
Ikaw rin, baka magalit ang mga ka-date mong macho?
Kakaaliw namang basahin ang mga komento niyo Pilosopo Tasyo at Pepe smith. Kwela pero puno ng katotohanan.
Ang masasabi ko lang, Yang si Casanova ang tunay na cirrupt. Eh, dami nyang nabulsang pera sa BCDA, di nga nag-paambon sa AFP. Siguro naubos dahil sa maluho nyang lifestyle. Teka, ang alam ko rin tumatanggap siya ng suhol para siraan ang mga kalaban nya sa business. Bad ka talaga Casanova.
Stop this bullying tactics for once Arnel Casanova. Have you have not enough of Bob Sobrepena;s ass. You’ve been tailing and harassing this man since the SM Aura row. Is this a personal vendetta you are doing? The man was aquited by the court for the accusations you’ve made . It is you who is corrupt and the one receiving bribes from major corporations for demolition jobs.
And may I add. Arnel Casanova is the new rising lord of personal corruption and theft for immoral reasons. With his ongoing personal vendetta against the Sobrepena’s and it is you who stealing money from BCDA. Yet, with billions of revenue generated , you only gave the AFP just a meager part of it. Stop acting like a saint. You’re not good in doing one. you are just plain arrogant.
Ang lakas ng loob mo Mr. Casanova to harass and threatens the businessmen and owners inside Camp John Hay by presenting them a ‘new’ contract. Where did it came from. Baka sa mga manghuhula lang sa Quiapo. Don’t you understand what the arbitration tribunal’s decision. Let me remind you …
In fact, the BCDA is not even in a position to order CJHDevCo to vacate its leased CJH property until 1) a writ of execution has been issued by the Regional Trial Court (RTC) in Baguio City affirming the rescission of the lease agreement as ordered on February 11 by the PDRCI; and 2) BCDA has refunded the money reward of P1.42 billion to CJHDevCo as ordered by the PDRCI.
Kailangan pa bang i-translate sa Tagalog yan para ganap mong maintindihan.
Naapakan kasi ang ere mo so you are now resorting to harassing Gestapo -like tactics just to ensure mahawakan mo sa leeg ang mga investors and to get even with Sobrepena.
Bakit hindi lalakas ang loob nitong mamang ito eh, kung may padrino siya sa itaas.
sa dami ng ginawang kapalpakan ni Casanova eh bakit nasa puwesto pa siya. Dapat ipa-lifestyle check siya ng Senado ng malaman ang assets niya.
Sa punto naman sa kaso, ang say ko lang hangat hindi nababayaran ng 1.42 B ang Sobrepena group then ang control ng Camp John Hay ay mananatili pa rin sa CJHDevCo.
Dapat ang inaatupag nitong si Casanova eh kung saan makaka-oloan ng pambayad hindi itong puro pambu-bullly na lang sa ibang tao at ang mga dating out nya with male companions.
Mr. Casanova your actions merit more harm than good. Instead of boosting Baguio City’s tourism industry , you’re putting all the govt. hard work to drain. BCDA , through your leadership has than no good at Camp John Hay. Ever since, CJHDevCo, is the active proponent in developing the camp. They never stop looking for alternatives to improve the camp and at the same time, keeping the investors welfare foremost. With your latest Hitler-like action, I am so sure more strain between developer and investors will arise. No form of bullying will yield positive result. Just attend to your flashy lifestyle and take care of your ‘male celebrity’ friends acquaintances .
May ganon po bang issue about Mr. Casanova’s expensive lifetyle, including intimate outings with male celebrities. wow! Rich and Famous na pala itong mamang ito. di na natin ma-reach. One thing is sure here, may anomalyang ginagawa itong si Casanova sa BCDA. What is it that I’ve heard that ginawa mong gatasan ang BCDA. Kaya pala nagalit sa iyo ang AFP, yung share nila hindi mo ata naiabot o barya lang.
With a surprising twist of events arising from Arnel Casanova’s unusual statement; it is now safe to say that the BCDA vs. CJHDevCo war is far from over.
This Casanova is a rising lord of personal corruption and theft for immoral reasons. Why do I say this? He is no lover but a big fat bully. His arrogance is clearly seen in the way he handles (or perhaps) mishandles BCDA affairs and by defying the court’s order.
And his harassing tactics over the surprised investors will just go to waste.
Isn’t this intelligent man aware that these investors being third parties is not included whatsoever between BCDA and CJHDevCo feud. The arbitration tribunal had even penned a ruling about this.
tenants should also consider the Rule of Fairness which means “no man shall be affected by a proceeding in which he is a stranger (third party), and the issue of third party contracts were not even a point of contention of the Arbitration Tribunal.
Mr. Casanova, Where did you get your facts that you presented a ‘new’ contract to those surprised Camp John Hay investors?
May these genuine facts enlightens your dimming vision,:
CJHDevCo is still in control of Camp John Hay.
CJHDevCo protects the interests of the third parties (buyers, sub-locators, hotel unit owners and sub-lessees) since these third parties have made investments in CJH.
Rights of third parties should be recognized as the court mandated where you have the guts to argue about the ruling. shame on you Sir
Of course, Casanova has a reason why he is doing all those negative things. It is possible that he is pursuing the interest of other company which has also an interest in Camp John Hay. His critics are accusing him that he is accepting bribes and living an abundant life. There is also a rumor that the BCDA president is dating with young males. Well, I believed that these are true, not just an allegation. If he is a good government official, why the BCDA doesn’t give any important contribution to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP)? According to the law, 50% of their earnings should be allocated to the AFP. The BCDA had already earned billion pesos with their transactions and it is enough to use for the military modernization program. Casanova should undergo in a congressional inquiry as what one congressman said in a press conference. This is really important to castigate and grill him about the anomalous activities that he had been involved.
If what you’re saying is true. Then Casanova is not the person many of us know. A man of character who is honest and with dignity.
He is pala a grand corrupt, arrogant and damn foolish. Bakit tumagal pa sa pwesto yan, Is there a big fish in Malacanang coddling him?
The BCDA President cannot actually move on from being an arrogant person but his new propaganda for Camp John Hay really made all sub-lessees, sub-locators and buyers turned their heads in disappointments. A government leader that nothing to offer in the business world.
Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) has taking its wrath in inciting third parties into filing cases against them after having lost the arbitration case with the Makati-based Philippine Dispute Resolution Center, Inc. (PDRCI) over the long standing dispute on the lease of the former American military base. But now, their being coerced to follow them.
The uncertainties and losses, the primetime drama, the arrogant behavior of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) President Arnel Casanova against Camp John Hay Development Corporation (CJH Dev Co) formed indefinite solutions which cannot obtain in peaceful endorsement but creating another legal milestone to be created until the end.
The BCDA called up a meeting with Camp John Hay sub-lessees, sub-locators and buyers. It was
presented a five-page contact that they must conform or face certain termination
of their contracts and the rights to use their properties in Camp John Hay. This is just to show that BCDA wants to have legal battle with CJHDevCo continues?
BCDA had done more damage if. some points that these businessmen could not fathom
the essence of coercion and their rights in Camp John Hay. The most vital thing
was, if they do not turn over their contracts with CJHDevCo to the BCDA, then
the BCDA will simply take their properties away from them.
The Deed of Assignment constitutes the following: The tenants are dependent entirely on CJHDevCo. Hence, by virtue of the final award dated 11 February 2015, the tenants are also obliged to vacate their leased premises and deliver possession to BCDA. What a crap!
This BCDA’s style says, tenants causes of action arising from their
contract may only be raised against CJHDevCo. The tenant acknowledges that it
has no privity contract with and no cause of action against the BCDA. With this statement, Camp John Hay businessmen rights has been nullified.
The leadership of Arnel Casanova of BCDA caused unnecessary tension and uncertainty, which is bad for tourism and for business in general. It caused the negative element in pushing up the development of Baguio City and its people. Now it’s showing his arrogant behavior towards third party sub-leases.
The bad statement from Deed of Assignment that pinpoint CJHDevCo to the fullest; the
BCDA is willing to allow the tenants to continue occupying their properties for
the remaining period of their sublease, in consideration for the assignment to
BCDA of any and all rights and cause of action against CJHDevCo arising from
their contract.
These are irresponsible acts of governance by BCDA, that outright betray the true function and integrity of a government office. These actions are nothing more than abusive bullying tactics that are aimed at satisfying a ‘personal’ vendetta against individuals and corporations in the private sector.
Arnel Casanova had a negative effect on the Armed Forces of the Philippines Modernization Program, which gets 50 percent of BCDA’s lease revenues under existing laws and has not significantly contributed to the modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. The revenues seemed lost in space. His leadership-style is to damage businessmen than helping them uplift their revenues at Camp John Hay.
BCDA has claimed the Camp John Hay and beginning to start by way of checking the business contract for each investor. The process of finding defect of the contract must not be used as a weapon, but a positive action that needs to be ironed-out, but he did it. Arnel Casanova’s recent squabbling-style to prolong the legal case against CJHDevCo.
This is such a disgrace! Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) is obviously disrespecting the current contract between the sub-leasees, sub-locators and buyers of properties with Camp John Hay Development Corporation (CJHDevCo). Why is Casanova giving out another contract when there is an existing legal contract already?
According to BCDA president Arnel Paciano D. Casanova, these victims must seek legal counsel in order to avoid what has happened at the College Assurance Plan (CAP) case wherein Sobrepenas was involved. This is crap. Why is Casanova attacking CJHDevCo when they are the one that’s shady here.
The continuous battle between the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) versus Camp John Hay Development Corporation (CJHDevCo) proves at how corruption is winning against transparency.
This, together with a final resolution, stated that Bases Conversion and Development Authority must pay back at least Php 1.42 billion reimbursement for the lease payments that CJHDevCo has made. But it seems that BCDA is not willing to pay at all but instead claims that the tenants should claim the Php 1.42b from CJHDevCo to protect their assets. This is getting confusing!
We can infer that perhaps, Casanova and BCDA doesn’t want to pay back CJHDevCo so they just want the victims to claim the supposed payment in which PDRCI has ordered. Or maybe they don’t have the funds. Whatever it is, it’s clear that BCDA doesn’t want to pay back the Php 1.42 billion amount back to CJHDevCo
It’s harassment over and over again. From throwing random court cases against Camp John Hay Development Corporation (CJHDevCo)’s Chairman Robert John L. Sobrepena and now to releasing statements and even contracts that will greatly affect the sub-leasees, sub-locators and buyers of properties, Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) continues to attack CJHDevCo with false accusations and malicious statements.
In Paragraph 6 of the contract document entitled “DEED OF ASSIGNMENT”, the clause states that the tenants are dependent entirely on CJHDevCo. Hence, by virtue of the final award dated 11 February 2015, the tenants are also obliged to vacate their leased premises and deliver possession to BCDA.
this shows how corrupt of a politician Casanova is. The contract was made so that they could earn more money and treat tenants as milking cows. There’s an existing contract already and yet they created another one. Very disrespectful!
In his stay as the president of BCDA, Casanova did nothing but throw rocks at CJHDevCo’s chairman Robert L. Sobrepena. Now, Casanova states that the tenants of Camp John Hay should go after CJHDevCo and claim the Php 1.4 billion BCDA will be handling over to CJHDevCo
Now that BCDA has to pay a large amount back to CJHDevCo this means that the funds for the AFPMP will directly suffer all because of Casanova’s incompetence. BCDA even failed to comply with its obligation of setting up a One-Stop Action Center, which aims to facilitate development of the Camp John Hay Special Economic Zone.
He is attracted to same sex.
He steals money and spends it to his male celebrity prospects. He has no
administration experience at all. He has no right to take over Camp John Hay.
Unlikely Arnel Casanova keeps on stopping Camp John Hay progress,
Casanova is bothering the Camp John Hay Development Authority (CJHDevCo)
including locators and sub-leases of the base.
Arnel Casanova is serious corrupt and is accepting rewards from real companies for harrasing employments. He has costly lifestyle, incorporating cozy excursions with male superstars. With his activities, there are evidences to
accept that Casanova pockets money
He takes money from BCDA. This is his motivation behind why BCDA create billions (He’s taking all the cash for himself.) On the other hand, BCDA/Casanova takes over that every one of them must likewise abandon the rented premises. He is not a good manager and not an expert.
Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) continues to attack CJHDevCo with false accusations and malicious statements. Because of Casanova’s disrespecting the current contract between the sub-leasees, sub-locators and buyers of properties with Camp John Hay Nobody would want to enter into a partnership with the public sector.
Naku baka pakana lahat ito ni BCDA CEO Arnel Casanova. He is doing all weird things. He possibly has interest in the money of other company which has also an interest in Camp John Hay. Possibly true that he is accepting bribes and living a lavish life and that he is gay and pleasing young handsome males.
Casanova is misleading the residents and locators that they must turn over their investments in Camp John Hay. He possibly has interest in the money of other company which has also an interest in Camp John Hay.
Casanova and his lawyers believed that the tenants should also leave the camp when CJHDevCo vacates it in the future. They argued that the locators and sub-leases are paying their rental to the developer and not to the government.
Once the CJHDevCo leaves the camp, their contract will become void. It has to be under a legal process
A partnership between two different kinds of
companies can be a tricky business which often results to “unlikely yet also
likely” circumstances. In a recent dispute between the Bases Conversion
Development Authority (BCDA) and Camp John Hay Development Corporation
(CJHDevCo), as led by the government and Sobrepena respectively, money issues paired
with legality breaches has proved itself once again to be a powerful tool that forced
both companies into settling disputes under an arbitration case in court.
Until July 1, 1991, the 690-hectare estate was
developed for the recreation and a resting place of the Department of Defence
and US military employees. Since then, Camp John Hay was transferred to
Philippine Tourism Authority (PTA) as an initial administrator but eventually
handed over to BCDA, which, to this day still handles the said estate.
As a result of no contact between two parties, any
sort of development on the property is currently being put to a halt thereby posing
as an obstruction of growth and progress to what is considered to be a popular
spot among tourists in Baguio. At the middle of this problem is attributed to
no other than the BCDA CEO himself, Arnel Casanova.
In
another blow to CJHDevCo’s legacy of the place, Arnel Casanova is now also asking
for the total hand-over of existing properties in the place as well as any on-going
projects which may have been committed by its former handler.
However,
the issue between the private developers and BCDA did not just occur soon after
taking sole authority of the place again but rather has begun since Arnel
Casanova’s appointment of being a CEO of BCDA sometime in 2010. With Casanova’s
power, he is able to withhold permits and similarly delayful tactics which
cause private developers to have trouble making things done with the said
property since the CEO assumed his office.
BCDA assures a refund amounting to P1.42 billion
which CJHDevCo may have paid while in partnership with it.
What’s with all the fuss?
In light of it all, there still lies the question on why all these are happening between BCDA and
CJHDevCo.
The
simple answer is probably best explained by adding a third-party into the
picture with the embodiment of the Ayala group. Since holding the position of
CEO in BCDA, Arnel Casanova has been itching to kick CJHDevCo from Camp John
Hay, which, only of recent was put into fruition given the result on the
arbitration case.
Facts
are good that Arnel Casanova is in favor of the Ayala group over CJHDevCo since
both Casanova and Ayala were known partners in another successful project that
rivals that of Makati City (Bonifacio Global City at the Fort) whereas CJHDevCo
fails in project and payment. With CJHDevCo out of the Camp John Hay picture,
it will not come as a surprise when the Ayala group will be the ones to next administer
on Camp John Hay and continue on where CJHDevCo left off.