17 October 2022, from Gems:

To the Secretary of Sir Ben Ambalong: a few key questions.  1) May we know the names and contacts of his business associates who have seemingly expressed interest in our Ph 678 Chapter affairs? I’d like to be able to speak to some of them to clarify matters that are unclear to them. 2) Are they bona fide members of our Chapter? 3) If they are, how come they seem to be relatively unaware of what we have been doing since December 2021? If they are not, our Ph 678 process transparency and accountability related to those deeds of sale do not apply to them. And 4) May we know the identities of the “people who are ‘somewhat expert’ in manipulating people and office procedures?” Are they at or with AFPOVAI? With DENR? With DND/AFP? With other involved agencies? Or with some interest groups? We’d like to know. Your shared confidential info on their modus operandi will set us right from both ends.

Since January of this year, when we began resuming and expediting the administrative process of getting all lot applications all the way to the deeds of sale stage through the DENR-AFPOVAI Joint Task Force, we have been very focused, transparent and deliberate in getting all requirements complied with. DENR and AFPOVAI agreed on many things. Among others, we agreed that the processing will only be done through the JTF and that no third party representations would be allowed (to prevent any opportunity for undue influence on any paper). We agreed that lot applicants would not be charged any processing fees, except for the admin costs of mandatory certifications and notarizations (to ensure no one takes any unauthorized payment). We agreed that in the interest of time, the processing shall mainly proceed according to how the applicants (both awardees and allocatees) would promptly meet all the requirements (to ensure that the applicants themselves actively participated and fulfilled their obligations). And we agreed that we would coordinate every week to ensure we get those deeds of sale out to the members by the first or second quarter of this year (to ensure process transparency).

To the extent that your Board needed to inform everyone through this viber community about the due process followed by the JTF and all ensuing developments, and to the proper limits of asking for everyone’s participation and help, including our call for solidarity and teamwork, we have been transparent all these months. We have been transparent with facts and with our processes even as we observed the conditions and boundaries of the Data Privacy Act. I myself posted two Chairman’s reports right here in our e-community. (The first one, in fact, detailed our agreements with DENR.)

So based on the dates of applications and completion of requirements by the lot applicants themselves, all Phase 678 applications were systematically processed through a tedious 20-step course, attended to the best of our knowledge with due diligence by concerned offices and officers of DENR. The first-come, first served sequence was followed, but contingent, of course, on the satisfaction of documentary and other requirements.

Now given the way we have conducted ourselves as officers since last year, and boosted yet with the assumption of 678er Gen Gene Senga as the AFPOVAI Chairman for the next two years, the reference to the 1993 “anomaly,” let alone saying that today “the temptation to anomaly and corruption is very high” is, for us, rather uncalled for.

We understand where this could possibly be coming from, but  stretching the line that some members are “worried na another allege(d) anomaly might be investigated again, just like in 1993” to the disadvantage of some 2,382 bona fide members seems to be baselessly presumptive. Have those business associates seen telltale signs or indicators at AFPOVAI as far as the Ph 678 processing of applications is concerned? Do they know of some people who, unknown to us, are “manipulating” our transactions with DENR, which we strictly monitor every week?  Do they know of any AFPOVAI staff or officer who are on the take or scheming to profit from office? If there are, we would ask them to come forward and blow the whistle. We’re serious.

If it is true that their own deeds of sale got suspended for seven years, well, it’s been worse for us. For our Ph 678 applications, in fact, got suspended for seventeen (17) years without any DENR explanation – from 2005 to 2022. We only found it out December of last year, which eventually triggered the resumption of our applications this year as a consequence of our direct representations.

Thus, the insinuation about corruption that might be investigated again, which would likely throw our carefully developed processes and procedures out of whack, is something we personally and collectively take in all seriousness. This is the first note, the first whiff so far of a potential scandal to be brought to our attention this way, coming as it were from a represented group. And I do not take this lightly.  As Chairman of Phase 678 Chapter, I am compelled to respond immediately and be transparent in this regard.

Several years back, President Abadilla resigned from his position as AFPOVAI General Manager over a malpractice if only to defend his principles. One thing he cannot and does not tolerate to this day is graft and corruption. In active service and in positions post retirement, I myself crusaded against the same and became instrumental in many organizational changes. Your current BOD of Phase 678 Chapter equally hold ourselves to account on this highly sensitive matter. In fact, the observance of our individual and collective integrity is part of our article of faith.

The Phase 678 viber community, this communication platform we share, advocates freedom of expression. We do not exercise censorship, but only self-censorship based on self-evident standards of shared norms and ethics and published community guidelines. In return, we expect people  to be responsible, circumspect  and discerning between their desire to help and the damage they can do with the impact of their messages on the reputations of those who voluntarily serve, on the general membership and on the  interest of the AFPOVAI community as a whole.

We are open to constructive criticisms founded on facts and not on assumptions and allegations with the end in view of improving further the discharge of our sworn duties and responsibilities. But we have no room for gaslighters.

Yesterday, no less than AFPOVAI Chair Sir Gene Senga reminded us of the imperative of dispelling any doubts or suspicions about using our positions to our advantage. And we are happy to be guided from the top by such a strong and credible leader.

While I acknowledge the relayed “trust” of Sir Ben’s business associates and their acceptance of our posted explanation on the need to respect privacy rights as safeguarded by our laws, I want to make sure we are on the level.  Please answer my key questions at the top of this post. And do take time to provide me any information related to that group’s worries or fears of “hideous people” or their knowledge of any brewing or ongoing anomaly, like they said, “just like in 93.” I’ll be much obliged to listen and take decisive action through the BOD.

And, lastly, kindly identify yourself and give me your own contact details. We admire people who are forthright and sincere and come forward to help and take no refuge in channels.

My number is +639175043212. Should you choose to call anyone else you hold in greater confidence at either AFPOVAI Board or Ph 678 Chapter BOD, feel free to do so.

Thanks. God bless your heart.