By Bobby M. Reyes

“Unsolicited Advice” Columnist

How NGOs Can Profit from Rewards Given to Whistleblowers

T his columnist has already sent to President-elect Benigno Simeon “Noynoy” Cojuangco-Aquino, III, a proposal to investigate and indict current First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo for overpricing to the tune of $70-million, minimum, for the purchase of ten units of cargo-screening devices by the Philippine Ports Authority. If convicted, Atty. Arroyo would also be guilty of tax evasion, as like the taxation laws of the United States, Filipino taxpayers are supposed to report also income even if it comes from illicit transactions.

Readers may read again what this author sent to President-elect Aquino in this hyperlink, First Love Letter for President-elect Aquino: Please Order the Prosecution of Mike Arroyo on the Anomalous Purchase of Cargo-screening Devices

President-elect Aquino must remember that First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo does not enjoy any congressional or constitutional and/or diplomatic immunity. Hence, Mr. Arroyo can easily be sued as an ordinary Filipino citizen and taxpayer.

If President-elect Aquino will instruct his Secretary of Justice-designate to coordinate with this columnist, it is possible that by July 1, 2010, the first day of office of the new President, a formal case can be filed against Jose Miguel Arroyo and Does 1-100 for fraud and/or economic plunder. The assets of Mike Arroyo, along with all of his bank accounts in the Philippines and abroad can be frozen (or garnished), so that the Philippine government can be able to recover any actual and/or punitive (or moral) damages that may be awarded by the criminal court. With the dossier that this writer can deliver to the Department of Justice (DoJ) of the Philippines, Mr. Arroyo, et al, can be convicted in due time – perhaps in six months or less.

To facilitate the prosecution of more illicit acts committed by the Arroyo Family and its clique of cronies and collaborators and other Filipino crooks, it is suggested further that President Aquino should sign on July 1, 2010, an Executive Order that will grant the so-called “whistleblowers financial reward (WFR)” equal to 15% to 30% of the amounts, penalties and/or fines recovered from the accused crooks, as done in the United States and other developed countries.

This columnist for instance should reap a WFR of at least $10.5-million based on the minimum of 15% of the $70-million (or more) that the Philippine government will be able to recover from Jose Miguel Arroyo or his estate, if – heaven forbid – he suffers a fatal heart attack during the sentencing, as he has already undergone a heart-bypass surgery. More penalties can be assessed by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) of the Philippines for tax evasion (plus additional years of imprisonment).

Sharing the Bounty with NGOs

N ow, this columnist will share with nine non-governmental organizations (NGOs) at least $9-million of the bounty from the assets (or estate) of Mike Arroyo, et al, that will be seized after the sentencing (but garnished at the start of the criminal prosecution).

Here are the nine NGOs (in alphabetical order) that are currently registered or which are about to be registered:

1.                American-Filipino Public Affairs Council (as being organized by Ernesto Gange of Philadelphia, PA).

2.                Cebu Brotherhood, Inc., of Los Angeles, CA.

3.                Ilocano National Association, Inc., of Los Angeles, CA.

4.                Katipunan USA, Inc., of Orange County, CA. (the advocacy led by Rotarian Ernie Delfin of Fountain Valley, CA.).

5.                Leyte-Samar Association, Inc., of Los Angeles, CA.

6.                National Alliance to Nurture the Aged and the Youth, Inc. (NANAY).

7.                National Federation of Filipino-American Associations, Inc. (NaFFAA).

8.                Overseas Relief and Assistance to Non-governmental Entities (ORANGE), which is now being organized. And the

9.                Partidong Pandaigdigang Pilipino, as organized by Overseas-Filipino workers in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, http://www.partidongpandaigdigangpilipino.org/

This author will just keep $1.5-million (and pay Philippine taxes on it) of the WFR and which would generate more funded activities for his “ReVOTElution of Hope” programs geared to be started in Sorsogon, as the pilot province.

Now, perhaps President-elect Noynoy Aquino may set into motion the prosecution of Mike Arroyo, et al, so that the assets plundered by him and his cronies, colleagues and clique members can be put into good use by NGOs. By July 1, 2010, period.

What say you, President-elect Aquino? # # #