MANILA: Customs Commissioner Rufino Biazon yesterday made no comment on calls for him to go on leave or resign from his post pending preliminary investigation by the Ombudsman on the charges of graft and corruption over the misuse of his pork barrel funds during his term as representative of Muntinlupa City.
Biazon said he would first discuss the matter with President Aquino before issuing further statements.
Biazon earlier vowed to face the allegations and denied the charges, saying he had exercised “prudence and fidelity” in implementing projects for his district from 2001 to 2010.
Biazon, however, lamented that “in some instances, the processes involved have been vulnerable to abuse by certain parties.” Malacañang has reportedly said President Aquino still has trust and confidence in Biazon.
Press Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr said it is up to Biazon if he wants to stay or leave while the probe is ongoing.
Romania, US pledge aid for survivors
MANILA: Aid from foreign countries and international organisations continues to arrive, almost a month after Super Typhoon Haiyan devastated central Philippines.
The Romanian government joined the international community in offering aid to the Philippine government through a cash donation of ¤150,000 (P8.8m). The Catholic Relief Services, the humanitarian arm of the Catholic Church in the US, also committed to help the Philippine government in restoring livelihood to the thousands affected by Yolanda.
Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Cuisia Jr said the CRS and its partners are planning to help in the country’s recovery efforts.
Cuisia said Archbishop of Washington Cardinal Donald Wuerl last week announced $100,000 had been turned over to the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines to assist in the relief efforts.
The US Conference of Catholic Bishops president Cardinal Timothy Dolan of the Archdiocese of New York urged the American clergy to take a special collection to help in the typhoon relief efforts.
Manila to raise oil prices this week
MANILA: Oil prices are expected to go up again this week as local petroleum players track movements in the global crude market, industry sources said yesterday.
The price of diesel is expected to increase by P1.10 per litre. Petrol prices are projected to go up by 30 to 50 centavos per litre. Oil companies are likely to announce their respective adjustments today, marking the first price hike for the month of December.
Liquigaz yesterday raised the prices of liquefied petroleum gas by P13 per kilogramme, or P143 for every tank of LPG.
If the expected oil price hike pushes through, the price of petrol will climb to P55.05 per liter while diesel prices will go up to P45.75 per litre.
The Philippine Star
