As expected, denials and protestations of innocence were issued by the generals who were called out by President Rodrigo Duterte as alleged drug protectors during the 69th anniversary of the Philippine Air Force in Clark. This bold move by the president has earned both admiration and concern.
Admiration because it is unprecedented and bolsters long-held suspicions that high-ranked officials are on the take and are some of the reasons why the drug menace continues to spread across the country. Concern because the “announcement” could result in trial by publicity with the implicated officials as good as guilty, what with the chief himself saying these generals are involved in the business of illegal drugs.
Aside from the generals, their loved ones and families will now be subjected to scrutiny and gossip naturally. Many Filipinos after all thrive on this national pastime and relish the thought that the once mighty are now fallen.
Duterte fans, however, believe the tough talking former mayor, who was also a prosecutor, would not have dared to name names unless he had solid evidence to back up his accusations. Senator Ping Lacson, himself a former Philippine National Police Chief, says he has reason to believe the president must have strong evidence to substantiate his claims. Two of those named matched the information he has, the senator added.
While due process must be observed and that the accused be given the opportunity to defend themselves, this latest action of Duterte has convinced many that their votes were not wasted—because it takes a president with strong political will to do what he just did. While others were just content to whisper, sometimes even look the other way so as not to rock the boat, PDiggy said it loud and clear. And for those generals who are dirty and are in the list reportedly held by the president, it will soon be game over.
Philex takes up the Gina challenge
Reacting to Environment Secretary Gina Lopez’s call for an audit of mining companies to be ISO 14001-compliant or face suspension, Philex Mining Corp. and its wholly owned subsidiary Silangan Mindanao Mining Corp. declared, “We are compliant!”
In a press statement, Philex disclosed that it obtained IMS certification from TUV Rheinland in April 2015 while SMMC receivedISO 14001 certification just recently, in fact before President Duterte assumed office.
“With these certifications, we have emphasized our care for the environment and the safety of our people. Environmental awareness and looking after the safety of workers are the trademarks of a responsible miner,” said Philex president and chief executive Eulalio Austin Jr.
An IMS certification covers all company processes and the management requirements on environment as well as quality and labor protection.
SMMC’s ISO 14001: 2004 certification was awarded for its pre-mining development activities by Certification International Philippines – proof of “Silangan’s hard work in establishing the culture of responsible mining,” said SMMC president and chief executive Yulo Perez. “This certification is also a result of an actual audit done by an internationally accredited independent group. We are probably the first mining company who received an ISO:14001 certification prior to the actual mining operation,” Perez added.
According to MVP Media Bureau head and Philex senior vice president for public and regulatory affairs Atty. Mike Toledo, Philex and SMMCI have both set the benchmark and inspiration for other mining companies to follow as evidenced by the said IMS and ISO certifications, along with numerous awards on corporate governance and sustainability and active participation in government transparency initiatives. In their combined 60 years of operations, both companies have been living the tradition of responsible mining, Toledo stressed.
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