STICKY FINGERS: The continuing plunder of some companies sequestered by the Presidential Commission on Good Government is more than enough argument for abolishing the PCGG and cutting off the sticky fingers of some of its officials and nominees looting them.

Sequestration supposedly safeguards suspected Marcos corporate assets while their true ownership is being determined. It is unconscionable when PCGG's own officials steal instead of conserve properties entrusted to their care.

In a privilege speech last Tuesday, Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile blew the lid off what he said was plunder at the Philcomsat Holding Corp. -- reporting more than P481 million stolen in four years -- reminiscent, he said, of the tale of “Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves.”

Aggravating the large-scale thievery is that the PHC is not even sequestered and its shares are publicly traded.

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PR/MEDIA FUND: There was not enough space in my last Postscript to list the characters named in Enrile's expose. Having mentioned only 10 of them, we now continue the list as presented by the senator.

Media friends were asking me the identity of the public relations practitioners mentioned by Enrile as among those paid P56 million from PR (public relations) funds for special operations. With a heavy heart, I start off with them.

Citing corporate records, Enrile named: Gerry Zorilla, P17 million; Veronica Nepomuceno, P7 million; Resty Perez & Co., P3.1 million; and Melvyn Martin, P1.8 million.

Enrile also mentioned lawyers who he said were paid legal fees but did not do actual work: Quial Ginez Paraz & Beltran, P2.5 million; Valerio & Assocates, P2.1 million; RZ Francisco, P1.6 million; Flordeliza Cruz, P720,000; an “Atty. Madamba” said to be with the Solicitor General's office, P150,000.

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MORE NAMES: The others mentioned by Enrile in his privilege speech:

Ricardo M. Abcede, PCGG commissioner, received a total of P2.5 million. After blocking the 2006 stockholders' meeting, he reportedly went to Toyota Makati, chose a Camry and had it delivered to his house. Charged PHC with his cellphone bills amounting to P52,000, bodyguard services of P165,000, driver's salaries of P52,000, and lifetime IBP membership of P12,500.

Gener Reyes , PCGG comptroller and asset monitor, assigned to check POTC and Philcomsat disbursements but refuses to check questioned “advances” to affiliates POTC and Philcomsat. Received an additional P600,000 as honoraria and gasoline reimbursements.

J. Fermin Ernest “Jay” Miguel, PCGG director for legal, helped cancel the 2006 stockholders meeting and convene a special meeting to extend PHC corporate life. He filed the habeas corpus petition of PCGG chairman Camilo Sabio with the Supreme Court against the Senate. For his services, he was paid P230,000, which was booked as “liquidation of PR fund.”

Johnny R. Tan, asst. vice president/accountant, received P21.6 million as compensation, fees, allowances, reimbursements and cash advances, including a 2006 Toyota Hi-Lux and unliquidated cash advances of P10 million.

Roberto V. San Jose started the intra-corporate dispute in 2001 by refusing to recognize the new government nominees replacing Araneta and Salonga. As corporate secretary, he referred to the board (then controlled by Araneta and Salonga) the question of which Philcomsat proxy to honor, thereby allowing the Araneta-Salonga group (which later became the Locsin Group) to entrench themselves in PHC. He was given P1.2 million in directors' fees and his law office received P5.4 million in “legal fees.”

Vernette G. Umali Paco, SEC general counsel, issued SEC orders favorable to Locsin Group. Did not act on petitions for cease-and-desist orders against the Locsin Group or for appointment of receiver or management committee. Around the time her order was issued, PHC disbursed P250,000 in cash as “PR-SEC.”

Sikini C. Labastilla filed complaint with Sandiganbayan omitting material facts and containing misrepresentations for which he was censured. Claimed by Luis Lokin to have received a P2-million payoff to the Sandiganbayan. Received a total of P13.7 million from PHC.

Alma Kristina O. Alobba claims to be asst. CorSec of POTC and Philcomsat and a director and asst. CorSec of PHC. Filed petition for TRO on behalf of Manuel Nieto, which Nieto denied and subsequently withdrew because his signature was falsified. Despite the withdrawal, the CA granted Alobba's petition for TRO and injunction.

Pitero Reig, Locsin Group lawyer and outsourced lawyer of Luis Lokin, filed complaint for Concepcion Poblador with Sandiganbayan and secured a TRO against the PCGG and Undersecretary Enrique Perez directing them not to recognize the new appointees of President Arroyo in POTC and Philcomsat despite her “I desire” letters to replace the Locsin Group. His law office received P5 million in “legal fees.”

Rene Saguisag called for President Arroyo's resignation many times yet represents Locsin who claims to be a government representative and Arroyo appointee. Received P11.1 million in “legal fees” from PHC, he said “in trust.”

Roberto L. Abad, “independent PHC director,” is the first cousin of Enrique Locsin. Received P1 million in compensation, allowances and reimbursements from PHC, plus a 2004 vehicle, allegedly for doing nothing.

Amador Sinando is Bicol-based lawyer suspected as having been used by PHC to launder money. Billing letters found on Johnny Tan's computer allegedly suggest that Sinando's statements of account were made in PHC offices. He claims to have represented Manuel Andal in various cases in Manila for which he was paid P2.25 million. Verification with the courts in which Andal is a party showed that his counsel was Sikini Labastilla.

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