Juan Country » Miriam Santiago

Sen. Miriam Santiago to Reyes: “one celled amoeba!”

Carlo Ople — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 08:39:57 +0000

“It is contemptuous, a revelation of utmost ignorance. That kind of ignorance can only come from a one-celled amoeba. Wag akong ginaganyan ha.” – Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago (Source)

Sen. Miriam Santiago on Military Corruption

Carlo Ople — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 15:40:11 +0000

“Kung alam ko lang na ganito pala ang lakas at an lawak ng pagnanakaw sa ating bansa, nagsuicide na ako nang ipanganak ako ng nanay ko. Oras na lumitaw ako sa nanay ko dapat diyan hinugot ko na ang umbilical cord at itinali ko sa leeg ko at nagpakamatay na lang ako. Ganito pala kalaki ang ninanakaw nila.” – Senator Miriam Santiago

Senator Miriam Santiago’s Speech at the Joint Session

Carlo Ople — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 11:43:22 +0000

“If we in the Senate fail to convince our colleagues in the House, then we are a sinking ship and we will go down with this political Titanic.” – Senator Miram Defensor Santiago

There were two solons who stood out the most in the joint session who showed passion, intelligence, and the moral zest for justice. The first was Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago who delivered one hell of a rebuttal to Martial Law. I have to say that she was pretty much flawless in her delivery and I pray that she wins for re-election because she is definitely a gem in the Senate. Here’s her full speech for everyone’s perusal:

Miriam Santiago vs Martial Law

Remove Tax on Cash Donations (Facepalms BIR)

Carlo Ople — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 17:26:57 +0000

I just found out that the government is actually making a killing out of the cash donations that are pouring in for the Ondoy relief operations. In a Senate hearing spearheaded by veteran lawmaker and fiery Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago, BIR Commissioner Sixto Esquivias IV explained that donations made to the private sector are subject to tax based on the Tariffs and Customs Code. The commissioner didn’t say how much percentage the government actually gets from the cash donations. Even if we assume that it’s just around 5%, the government stands to make a a lot of moolah just on the cash aid given by other countries.

On a regular day, I don’t have a problem with tax on donations because it might be prone to abuse. However in times of crisis we should give allowances so that the full benefit of the donations will be felt by the victims. This is for the sake of both the giver and the receiver. Why the giver? Because personally I’d be pissed if part of the money I give for charity is just pocketed by corrupt government officials (which is probably what will happen).

In the hearing, Santiago even stressed that several multinationals and wealthy individuals are holding back their help because they’re hesitant due to the donor’s tax. I would agree with her 100%. If I had more cash to give, I’d really think twice because I know deep in my heart that part of the money I’m giving will go to corruption. It will probably pay for a house in the US or maybe a 1M dinner in New York (*whistles innocently*).

Here’s the article from GMA NEWS:

MANILA – Sa kabila ng kalamidad na dulot ng bagyong “Ondoy,” hindi pa rin libre sa buwis ang mga perang donasyon na idadaan sa mga pribadong organisasyon, ayon sa opisyal ng Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR).

Sa pagdinig nitong Huwebes ng Senate sub-finance committee na pinamunuan ni Sen Miriam Defensor Santiago, sinabi ni BIR Commissioner Sixto Esquivias IV, ang pagkuha ng buwis sa donasyon sa pribadong sektor ay nakapaloob sa Tariffs and Customs Code.

“Donations done straight to private individuals are subject to donor’s tax,” paliwanag ni Esquivias sabay paglilinaw na libre sa buwis ang mga donasyon na ipadadaan sa gobyerno.

Hindi sinabi ni Esquivias kung ilang porsiyento ang kukuning buwis sa halaga ng donasyon na ipagkakaloob sa pribadong sektor na ibibigay naman sa mga biktima ng kalamidad.

Isinagawa ang pagdinig dahil sa mungkahi ni Santiago na alisin na muna ang buwis na nakapataw sa mga donasyon na ipadadaan sa pribadong sektor.

Sa resolusyon na An Act Providing for Tax Relief in Times of Calamity, sinabi ni Santiago na sakop nito ang libreng pagbabayad sa real property tax sa loob ng dalawang taon sa mga gusali na nasira ng kalamidad.

“The real property tax in the affected area shall not be assessed and collected for two fiscal years, starting from the date of the declaration of a state of calamity,” nakasaad sa resolusyon.

Idinagdag niya na dapat malibre rin sa buwis ang donasyon na ipinapadaan sa pribadong sektor katulad ng mga foundations dahil mayroon mga nagdududa kung sa gobyerno ipadaaan ang tulong na kanilang ibibigay.

“There many many organizations that wants to make donations for the victims of the last typhoon. What is deterring them is the prospect of having to pay donor’s tax. They are afraid that the tax will eat into the donations so in effect they will be just giving money to the public treasury which might be stolen by corrupt public officials,” paliwanag ni Santiago.

Umaasa si Santiago na maipapasa ng Senado sa Lunes ang naturang resolusyon upang ipaabot ang saloobin ng mga mambabatas para pansamantalang huwag ipatupad ang probisyon sa batas sa pagkuha ng buwis sa mga donasyon.

“Multinationals and some individuals wanted to give huge sums to organization to help aid the calamity victims. But they would have to face paying a hefty sum for donor’s tax,” pahabol niya. – GMANews.TV

I fully support Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago on this resolution. Regardless of whatever party you’re running for in reelection Madame Senator, you have my vote.

Senator Miriam Santiago Goes Berserk Against Infomercials

Carlo Ople — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 15:21:38 +0000

I remember long ago my late grandfather, Senator Blas F. Ople, told me that one of his favorite senators is Miriam Santiago. When I asked him why, he told me that Miriam “spiced” up the floor. This was echoed as well by Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero in our blogger coffee session event. Well… it looks like they hit the mark on that one. In her speech this afternoon about the informercials of cabinet members and senators, she literally unleashed the fury of hell, even calling them “thick-skinned, dimwitted rhinoceros”.

Her first victim was TESDA Secretary Augusto Syjuco. Here’s his infomercial for your viewing pleasure:

And here is Senator Santiago’s fiery comment:

“Pasayaw-sayaw pa, ang puti na ng buhok niya! Hindi ba nakakahiya ‘yan, nakakawala ng respeto sa ganoong uri ng opisyal sa publiko?”

Next up we have one of her favorite nemesis ever – DILG Secretary Ronaldo Puno. Here’s his infomercial:

To which Senator Santiago says:

“Sobra pang kapal ng make-up. Tapos pina-bira niya ako sa kolumnista niya na hinahabol ko lang daw siya. Sino ba siya para habulin ko nang mag-isa? My goodness. I married one of the most handsome men in the entire country, and sasabihin niya hinahabol ko siya?”

A lot of people might find her a bit crazy but I agree with her 100%. I fully support her crusade against early electioneering, especially when the funds being used are from government agencies. If politicians want to campaign as early as now, then they should use their own money. The only people who would actually believe them that these are really for the benefit of the people and that there’s no politics involved are probably the stupidest persons on this planet.

Here’s the full article posted on ABS-CBN Interactive:

MANILA – Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago on Monday again slammed government officials’ infomercials in a fiery speech at the Senate, calling them a herd of “thick-skinned, dimwitted rhinoceros.”

Even before delivering her privilege speech, Santiago was already hitting government officials for their infomercials, which she said was a form of electioneering.

One of the officials she vented her ire on was Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) chairman Augusto Syjuco.

“Pasayaw-sayaw pa, ang puti na ng buhok niya! Hindi ba nakakahiya ‘yan, nakakawala ng respeto sa ganoong uri ng opisyal sa publiko?” Santiago said.

Santiago cited a report by the Commission on Audit (COA) that said Syjuco’s ad cost P28.3 million.

The senator also had words for Interior and Local Government secretary Ronaldo Puno.

“Sobra pang kapal ng make-up,” she said.

Puno’s infomercials from 2008 to 2009 reportedly cost nearly a million pesos.

“Tapos pina-bira niya ako sa kolumnista niya na hinahabol ko lang daw siya. Sino ba siya para habulin ko nang mag-isa? My goodness. I married one of the most handsome men in the entire country, and sasabihin niya hinahabol ko siya?,” Santiago said.

Santiago said that since last year, Cabinet officials have already spent P118 million for their ads.

“Walang hiya na talaga ito. We have been invaded by a herd of rhinoceros that are not only thick-skinned, but also dimwitted,” she said.

While delivering her speech, the senator was sidetracked by some people at the gallery.

“To those two girls there… will you please stop smiling and looking at your cellphones? If you’re not listening to my speech, please step out, now!” Santiago shouted towards two women at the gallery.

Upon resuming her speech, Santiago insisted government agencies should not be given advertising funds.

She also called on television networks and non-government organizations to file a complaint before the Commission on Elections.

Santiago found an ally in her colleague, Richard Gordon, who questioned other senators who have their own infomercials.

Leading that list are Senators Manny Villar and Mar Roxas, who have both declared their intention to run for president in 2010. Maricar Bautista, ABS-CBN News

Lastly, here’s the video of her delivering her speech. This is simply a MUST WATCH.

Panalo talanga ‘tong si Miriam! Haha!

To those who can’t view the video, here’s the direct link.