Pre-launch publicity for the book “Fight for the Filipino” by former vice-president Teofisto Guingona has underscored the portion about IMPSA, the Argentine power firm that acquired a sovereign guarantee by the Philippine government of the loan it was obtaining to rehabilitate and operate the 750-megawatt Caliraya-Botocan-Kalayaan (CBK) power complex in Laguna.
The sovereign guarantee for the $470 million project, embodied in an opinion issued by then Justice Secretary Hernani Perez, was granted on Gloria Arroyo’s fourth day in Malacañang. It was only the second day of Perez as justice secretary.
Guingona revealed in his book that will be launched today at 6 p.m. at the Manila Hotel that in a cabinet meeting, Perez whispered to him,”Alam mo tinawagan ako niyan sa hatinggabi (referring to Arroyo) at inutusan ako aprubahan yung Impsa.,”
Guingona wrote, “I sat immobile, then looked at him as if for confirmation. He gazed back and nodded his head.”
This is a good time to recall the IMPSA deal. A paper trail provided by international anti-money laundering agencies traced $2 million dollars in Perez’ bank account in Switzerland. Former President Estrada alleged that the $2 million could be part of the $14 million that was also offered to him through businessman Mark Jimenez who helped broker the IMPSA deal.
Rumors about how the $14 million was divided say that a few million dollars was given “to the boys” and a hefty portion was given to the “Big Boy”.
The minimum amount involved for a person to be charged with plunder is P50 million. The $2 million is almost P100 million. Yet Perez, rumored then as Arroyo’s favorite cabinet member, was charged only with extortion.
In 2001, Luz Rimban, in an article she wrote for the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism, exposed how IMPSA got the sovereign guarantee which it failed to get from the Estrada administration, which adopted a policy not to guarantee loans by private companies. That policy was reversed with Arroyo’s favor to IMPSA.
Here’s a portion of Rimban’s article:
“Four days after it assumed office, the government of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo gave the final approval to the most controversial power project in the country: a $470-million hydroelectric power contract that was awarded to the Argentine firm IMPSA (Industrias Metalurgicas Pescarmona Sociedad Anonima).
For eight years, the project to rehabilitate and operate the 750-megawatt Caliraya-Botocan-Kalayaan (CBK) power complex in Laguna was in limbo because various state agencies and rival private companies objected to what they said was the favorable treatment IMPSA was seeking from the government.
But in an opinion dated January 24, Justice Secretary Hernando Perez, who was then just two days in his post, set aside these objections and removed the legal obstacles to the turnover of the CBK complex to the Argentine firm. Two weeks later, on February 7, the government-owned National Power Corporation (NPC) formally handed to IMPSA the most strategic power facility in Luzon….
What Perez signed soon after he became justice secretary was the document IMPSA had been waiting for. That opinion deviated from the norm: It is not numbered unlike other justice department rulings, and has not yet been published, reflecting the lack of transparency surrounding its release.
After it was issued, 19 banks led by BNP Paribas, the Dai-ichi Kangyo Bank, the Industrial Bank of Japan and Societe Generale agreed to put their money into the CBK project.
What could have convinced lenders to invest in the project was a line in the Perez ruling that said “the Republic of the Philippines has validly and effectively consented to the transfer and assignment to the Lenders of all of CBK’s rights under the Government Undertaking.”
Former finance department officials said the statement commits the government to agreements entered into by IMPSA and its creditors. “It’s a dangerous statement to make,” said a former finance assistant secretary. “It’s an additional defense for IMPSA against the NPC. It could put the Republic in a very precarious situation.”
Perez defended his decision. “There is nothing illegal in the contract,” he said, adding that the IMPSA opinion was just one of the standard rulings justice secretaries are made to sign. “To begin with, I didn’t know it was controversial… My staff looked into it and if there’s any impropriety, it should have been discussed at other levels.”
(For the complete article, check out http://www.pcij.org/stories/2001/power.html )
Why didn’t Guingona reveal it much earlier? The problem with many of GMA’s former allies is that they were silent in the beginning and are revealing what they know only now when GMA’s term is about to finish. There are many more anomalies that these people know that we don’t know from GMA’s day one in office.
The media is silent on ZTE deal as well as Ces’ kidnapping and ransom. That’s another problem with all these issues that start with a bang and vanishes in the air. It’s a cycle…
I have been advocating for reforms in the maritime industry since my retirement in 1998. Now, I find myself involved with issues on power, not because I am an electrical engineer, but because of my experience in dealing with the quasi-judicial bodies regulating the maritime industry.
The charges of collusion arising from “regulatory capture” holds true in varying degrees in all our regulatory bodies. This has been observed by Romy Neri.
I would like to invite comments and inputs into the current Class Suit filed against MERALCO, ERC, & NPC for the current unconscionable rates for electricity. The affidavits that I have prepared as a witness in this case may be downloaded at http://www.meralco.reklamo.ph/MERALCO%20.rar
I will be posting updates on the Class Suit over at http://among.reklamo.ph
Ellen, thank you for allowing to post this item here.
MRG, who is in charge of http://among.reklamo.ph ?
please add verafiles (www.verafiles.org) in your links.
Thanks.
BD: The media is silent on ZTE deal as well as Ces’ kidnapping and ransom. That’s another problem with all these issues that start with a bang and vanishes in the air.
*****
That’s why it is imperative that bloggers here and everywhere these issues are discussed should not stop hammer on them. Siguro sabi naman ng mga independent publishers (meron bang ganyan sa Pilipinas?) puede naman nang pag-usapan sa mga blogs except that if the people will not really do something about it, iiral pa rin ang kalokohan ng mga tuta ni Dorobo sa pulis, militar, etc. Nevertheless, baka naman may mangyari rin in the long run.
Kaya arya na lang ng arya sa batikos.
Malacanang Palace and Gloria Arroyo may need exorcism to drive out evil spirits-demons. The GMA bogus government is infested with demons and hybrid kurakots. Furthermore, there are other evil spirits hovering around stinky Malalcanang Palace. The ghost of EDSA Dos Coup d’etat
The ghost of Jose Pidal money laundering schemes
The ghost of P729 M Joc-joc Bolante’s fertilizer scam
The ghost of Hello Garci political scams
The ghost of $503 M Northrail project scams
The ghost of $329 M NBN-ZTE broadband scams
The ghost of Southrail project scams
The ghost of Tipo-Tipo fiasco
The ghost of GMA government-sanctioned political killings and iba pa.
i hope gma will soon be a ghost if she ever has a soul.
http://www.politicaljunkie.blogspot.com/2008/07/alam-mo-tinawagan-ako-niyan-sa.html
here’s what mark jimenez said in his privilege speech in 2003
$14 mil in kickbacks released to get IMPSA approved which was divided into:
-$2 mil for nani perez
-$1 mil “for the boys”
-$4 mil for Malacanang “residents” (wonder who?)
-$7 mil remain “unaccounted for”
Sa column ni Tulfo ay may nasabi siya na may isang politiko na mayroong $150 million worth of building sa Sanfo, California, pero ipinangalan sa parents in law ng anak (balae), na hindi nman kilalng mayaman sa Pinas. Ano naman na ang nangyari duon sa hindi pwedeng dalhin sa america ang mga nakaw ng mga politikos, na sinasabing gustong ipagbawal ni Bush? Kilala nating lahat kung sino itong politiko na ito.
Kahapon na balita na frozen na ang bank accounts ni JOcjoc. Mabuti kung may laman pa ang mga iyon, baka na withdraw na lahat.
martina, the money laundering law is not effective. With today’s technology, funds can be transferred online. There are many ways to transfer and divert funds. The US is quite strict on this but it’s a less priority for them. Because the money gets there in the US anyway benefiting their country.
Also, you can always report them to the IRS. If they cannot explain their wealth, they shall be in trouble. You could just be anonymous by reporting them to the IRS and the IRS would send their agents to investigate. Many are convicted this way.
This was passed on to me. Bloggers who are based in Canada could help our kababayan:
Please sign petition to save Juana Tejada, a cancer-stricken Filipino care-giver, from being sent back to the Philippines to die.
Here are excerpts from an open letter to PM Harper:
Dear Prime Minister Harper:
We, the undersigned, respectfully file this petition on behalf of cancer-stricken Juana Tejada, a Filipina care-giver, who has been ordered to leave the country by August 8 and whose application for permanent residency has been refused on the ground that her illness might pose excessive burden on the health care system.
We regard the deportation order against Tejada as no less than a death sentence, and a cruel and inhumane decision. It tarnishes Canada’s excellent international reputation as a humane and compassionate nation…
Like the thousands who hope for a better life in Canada … Tejada answered Canada’s call for care-givers and has served in Canada since 2003, separated from her husband and six siblings. She worked hard in a low-paying job that demanded more than the usual number of working hours that other working Canadians enjoy, to earn her right to become a permanent resident. But for her medical condition, she would have been assured of permanent residency, able to sponsor her family, after the required three years of service as a care-giver under Canada’s Live-In Care-giver Program.
Her cancer is a disease she did not choose to have. She might even have contracted the disease in this country. During all the three years when she was able, Tejada, in her small way, had supported the health-care system that she now desperately needs to care for her.
She is no burden to the health care system. She is being looked after by generous and compassionate doctors who are providing their services for free. She is buying her medications with the financial support of friends, neighbors, and members of her community.
Even granting that there is a cost to the system, surely, it cannot be said that in order to save a few thousand dollars in health care costs in this isolated case, Canada is prepared to suffer the ignominy of sending Tejada back to her homeland, the Philippines, a country with no socialized health care system, to die.
Care-givers like Tejada provide valuable home care services to thousands of Canadian families. They enable Canadians who use their services to lead productive lives, and to maximize their contributions to society. Unlike the thousands of refugees Canada is known to accept and protect from potential harm or death, Tejada has served this country and paid her taxes dutifully. She has more reasons to seek humanitarian protection and care from Canada than most refugees…
Canada’s greatness as a country rests, not on the stone-cold and literal application of its laws, but on the humane application of such laws and the wisdom of its national leaders in doing what is morally right….
http://www.juana-tejada.info/
Other links:
http://globalnation.inquirer.net/mindfeeds/mindfeeds/view_article.php?article_id=143819
http://www.thestar.com/comment/columnists/article/440897
http://www.thestar.com/News/GTA/article/439665
John, thanks for remembering the details of how the loot was distributed.
Additional kwento:
Ping Lacson asked Mark Jimenez on the details of the $7 million unaccounted for. Jimenez said, “Huwag mo nang tanungin yan.”
Understood. Ang tinik talaga si Jimenez pagdating sa “tongpats”.
Manny former important witnesses have become the Evil Bitch’s allies today. Jimenez and Atong Ang are two examples. The report is that Atong is back in his gambling business in the provinces.
Sorry…”Many” not “Manny”. Regarding Jimenez, it’s quite difficult to pin down Nani Perez without the former’s testimony in court.
-$4 mil for Malacanang “residents” (wonder who?)
Para tayong nagtatanong sa buwang nito, heheh!
-$7 mil remain “unaccounted for”
Kaya pala “friends’ pa rin sila ng mga “residents”.
MrG,
I see that in among.reklamo.ph, you linked to two entries in my blog. Notice however, that after it has been referred to in other blogs, VECO removed their site from the web. But you can still see and download a cached version into your archives by using Google and clicking on the “cached link”. It’s still there, “VECO is owned and managed by the Aboitiz and Garcia families of Cebu”.
Remember, there was a picture of Gloria embracing Nani Perez under Malacanang’s chandelier, complete pa with twinkling eyes, when this IMPSA tongpats was in the news?
Mabuti hindi bumagsak ang chandelier.
What did Nani Perez have that Mike Arroyo did not have for GMA
to get romantically involved with Nani if that was true?
Kaya pala nanggugulo noon sa impeachment trial ni Erap iyong babaing Aboitiz. Vested interest din pala. Kung makaupo nga naman iyong isinusulong nila, di no touch pa ang mga operations nila gaya pag lumubog iyong bapor nila, puedeng walang bayaran dahil protected noong mga squatter ng Malacanang.
I heard iyan ang namamahala ng mga fundraising para kay Pandack Omama. Meron pa ngang communication center sa Cebu balita ko. Anyway, may araw din ang mga iyan sa totoo lang! Kahit magsimba ang mga iyan, punta din nila sa impiyerno, I think.
Dinidiligan pa sigurado ni Nani ang kanyang Orchidya de Gloria.
============================
“Footnote on Guingona”: – Recall, he was the very first member of the Congress who “tried” (unsuccessfully) to expose Erap for his graft and corruption…
I really doubt if his “memoirs” or recollections published into a book would make any dent in Philippine history. Here are some reasons.
—————————-
Here is a Phil News article describing in more details the “deteriorating statesmanship (one upmanship) of the former DOJ Secretary.”
http://www.philnews.com/2007/026a.htm
>Former Veep Guingona: “Sleepwalking thru a coup d’etat”
>It was a bit disappointing to listen to former Vice President Teofisto Guingona’s feeble attempt to explain away his involvement with last month’s attempted coup d’état by Trillanes and company. Filipinos here in the United States and Canada well remember the numerous
involvement with last month’s attempted coup d’état by Trillanes and company. Filipinos here in the United States and Canada well remember the numerous accomplishments of this once noble statesman. His daring exposés in the Senate ultimately led to President Joseph Estrada’s downfall.
>Of late however, the former Vice President has cozied-up to leftists, government “destabilizers,” Communist sympathizers and even the Estrada camp that he helped remove from power. Late last November, Guingona along with a Senator Trillanes, Gen. Lim and a handful of armed Magdalo soldiers and clergy walked to the Peninsula Hotel in broad daylight under the glare of media cameras, skycams and pedestrians all along the way.
>Guingona was seated alongside Gen. Lim when the latter read his manifesto to step down, and stayed with the group to the bitter end when the group surrendered to authorities after being teargassed.
>Like his co-accused, he is being charged with rebellion and he should face the consequences of his actions like the man we all once considered him to be. This feeble argument that he was simply an unwitting participant in what, for all intents and purposes, was an attempted coup d’état , is laughable we it not so distressing.
>In fact Guingona’s “unwitting participant” argument actually does more damage to the former VP as it portrays him as dim-witted and possibly senile. It could be a good defense strategy though! His lawyer could argue that he is no longer in full control of his mental faculties.
==========o0o===========
On October 4, 2000. Ilocos Sur Governor Luis “Chavit” Singson, a longtime friend of President Joseph Estrada, went public with accusations that Estrada, his family and friends received millions of pesos from operations of the illegal numbers game, jueteng.
The exposé (though initially based on “mere allegations” from a witness of dubious character (Sabit), and a politician (Gungona), who wannabee POP (Pres of the Philippines), immediately ignited reactions of rage.
The next day, Senate Minority Leader Teofisto Guingona Jr. delivered a fiery privilege speech accusing Estrada of receiving P220 million in jueteng money from Governor Singson from November 1998 to August 2000, as well as taking P70 million on excise tax on cigarettes intended for Ilocos Sur.
Where are the proofs? No need. Because ano lang naman ang sabi ni Gungona, “It appears” and/or “I accuse, as I allege the facts…” Lusot! Pa hero. Pa pogi points.
==========o0o==============
As a rule-of-thumb, “news scoops” or daily reporting of news constitutes the “first draft of history.” At this point, strictly speaking, most “news scoops” are “noise scoops”.
These noies scoops, may be followed up by the “second draft” {analysis-paralysis) of what OP-ED political journalists/pundits hope to be part of history. But unless, there are provable facts unearthed at this point, this phase in journalism, serves no other purpose than to expand the “noise”.
The “final draft of history” is the intractable (not easily manipulated, governed, managed, reported)version of the event/s…what really happened, and how it happened; embellished with all kinds of interpretative OP-EDs. This is the province best left in the hands of qualified historians committed to the highest code of ethics in their profession.
=========================
Based on his political horse jockeying throughout his political career, Guingona, I predict, will be best remembered as a “flip-flopper”. He might qualify and rightfully belong to the first drafters of history – “the noisemaker.” That’s about it. For sure, he is no historian. He is just old.
I don’t believe nor consider seriously anything this “loyalistang balimbing” announces, pronounces, or hems-and-haws about. I am curious to learn what his stand is regarding the (still raging unresolved) Meralco controversy.
====================
2. Bitchevil brought up another capital point when she posted: On July 4th, 2008 at 1:25 am –
“The media is silent on ZTE deal as well as Ces’ kidnapping and ransom. That’s another problem with all these issues that start with a bang and vanishes in the air. It’s a cycle”
===================
Pepeton qualifies: Indeed it is…Bitchevil. A vicious and regurgitating cycle. I will grant, however, media has not exactly been (completely) silent throughout all controversies that it has exposed, initially. Paminsan-minsan, meron silang “konting follow-up”. But, you are absollutely accurate about media’s failure to “follow-through” and put a closure to their exposes.
Hanggang “paputok” lang. Bara-bim. Bara-boom. Boom tarat-tarat…boom, boom, boom, boom.
=============================
Whenever I read “sensational flash news”…about…another expose’, another incident of graft and corruption in the GMA administration, I am reminded of that famous repartee of the Great Communicator and former president of the USA, who said in response to the kvetching of Jimmy Carter, his rival at that time: “There you go again…” (“Ayan ka na naman…allege ka na naman ng allege…wala ka namang patutunguhan…tigilan mo na nga ang mga paputok mong, panay mitsa, wala namang bomba (gunpowder).”
===================
PEPETON
So?
Pepeton,
Just because reporters did not follow up doesn’t mean the report is not true.
======================
Gabriela says:
July 7th, 2008 at 7:06 am
Pepeton,
Just because reporters did not follow up doesn’t mean the report is not true.
==================================
Pepeton replies: (forthwith and forthright). “Korektamundo. That is correct. And I agree. But the antecedentd proposition or premise of that (your) analytical insight is – … (in the first place)just because the reporters reported and the newspaper published it does not make it true (or even accurate), to begin with.
Specifically, regarding the IMPSA scheme, scam, and shenanigan that have been blown out into a full blown scandal, here are some questions:
1. Which president started the IMPSA “deal”? What was the stated purpose? What reason/s were given by each president why the deal could not be closed during their term of office? Did it have anything to do with the alleged amount of “bribery” exposed by Mark Jimenez, and controverted somewhat by Lacson?
2. What was the “deal” all about? Just a summary please.
3. Who was the Philippine Ambassador to Argentina involved in the “closing of the IMPSA deal”? Who was the Secretary of Finance who approved and endorsed the Impsa Deal? What reason or justification did he submit officially for doing so?
4. Can anybody here post a summary of the chronology of events that led to the “approval” of the IMPSA deal?
5. What protocols were ignored or violated in the deliberation, adjudication and approval process?
6. How much was the “alleged amount of the bribery”?
7. Who got the money from whom? How was it remitted-transmitted: From who to whom? From what bank to whose account? Or was it “handed under the table, in cash?”
8. Who is the news reporter who first broke out this “expose”? Who were his primary informants?
9. What evidences have been offered? What were the (varying) roles of Ping Lacson, Mark Jimenez, Erap…FVR,
Kory, and Muck U Farcos?
10. What is the current status of the IMPSA DEAL? Where is the bribe money?
Continuation of Pepeton’s remarks:
While searching for answers to these questions, I came across Dan Mariano’s “BIG DEAL Column @ The Manila Times (“Filthy deal tainted many, not just Nani!” Dated Friday, January 12, 2007: Please click here: http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2007/jan/12/yehey/opinion/20070112opi2.html
Others linked to Impsa deal
An article posted by Alecks Pabico on the Inside PCIJ blog reminds us that Perez is not the only one responsible for the controversial Impsa contract.
The Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism was the first to expose how Perez issued the DOJ opinion, which removed “all legal obstacles to the contract and committed the Philippine government to secure whatever financial obligations will be incurred by the project.”
Pabico’s article mentions the names of other individuals who played pivotal roles in the Impsa deal. They include former National Power Corp. president Federico Puno, former finance secretary Edgardo Espiritu, another former finance secretary Jose Pardo, former Philippine ambassador to Argentina Carlos Villa Abrille, former justice secretary Artemio Tuquero and Impsa executive Francisco Ruben Valenti.
Readers with access to the Internet who wish to read Pabico’s article in full can log on to http://www.pcij.org/blog.
Newsmen not spared
Some journalists, too, were rumored to have profited from the Impsa deal.
According to the grapevine, several batches of newspaper editors, network managers, opinion writers, commentators and reporters were brought to Argentina purportedly to see for themselves that Impsa is a reputable company.
Instead, the Filipino newsmen were wined and dined and … in Buenos Aires in exchange for favorable coverage of the CBK deal. They had been preceded by similar junketeers from two administrations.
Other newsmen who could not join the junket reportedly received hefty retainers from the local lobbyists for the deal. Ironically, some of them continue to pass themselves off as guardians of the nation’s morals.
All this, of course, is hearsay and won’t stand up in court. But a review of how some sectors of the Philippine media reported and commented on the Impsa contract tends to validate the old adage, where there’s smoke there’s fire.
The Impsa contract was one filthy deal that tainted practically every institution of our society.
==========================
Gabriela, shall we continue the discussion from here?
Pepeton
First of all, I wonder why Ellen allows this Pepeton to post such lengthy comments. But let me share my view on the local media. How corrupt and biased is our media? I’d like to cite the Edsa 2 as an example. The giant media networks (that included ABS-CBN) conspired with the other groups in ousting Erap. That was one reason why the Erap supporters turned against the media (except Net-25 and DZEC) in that tragic May 1st riots that resulted in thousands of injuries and death. The ABS-CBN van was even burned by the angry protesters. During Erap’s impeachment, the media ganged up on the poor Erap. Erap did not lift a finger to stop the media from demonizing him unlike this Evil Bitch.
Pepeton, Kilometric comments are a turnoff.
I broke your comments into several parts to make it less intimidating to read. Next time, you may pour out your thoughts but break it into several parts.
If you want to refer to an article that appeared in other publications, please just link it. Too lengthy articles ruin the momentum of the discussion.
Ellen Says:
July 8th, 2008 at 7:14 am
Pepeton, Kilometric comments are a turnoff.
I broke your comments into several parts to make it less intimidating to read. Next time, you may pour out your thoughts but break it into several parts.
==============================
Pepeton responds: Your comments noted. Will comply. Now back to you Bitchevil:
If you want to refer to an article that appeared in other publications, please just link it. Too lengthy articles ruin the momentum of the discussion.
===========================
bitchevil Says:
July 8th, 2008 at 1:59 am…
<How corrupt and biased is our media?
I’d like to cite the Edsa 2 as an example. The giant media networks (that included ABS-CBN) conspired with the other groups in ousting Erap.<
==================
Pepeton challenges: This is your finding and conclusion based on what? Can you cite specific instances where you caught, spied upon, or discovered the “conspiracy” among the big networks to oust Erap? Or at the very least some OP-ED from respectable journalists supporting this “allegation” of yours?
======================
Bitchevil continues:
That was one reason why the Erap supporters turned against the media (except Net-25 and DZEC) in that tragic May 1st riots that resulted in thousands of injuries and death. The ABS-CBN van was even burned by the angry protesters.
===================
Pepeton rejects: How do you come out with these outlandish conclusions? Now you are concluding that the Mayo Uno demonstrates the “anger of Erap’s supporters against the mainstream media who conspired to oust him?”
In threads throughout this website, the popular view is held that Mayo Uno was a demonstration against GMA. Ngayon, sinasabi mo naman, Mayo Uno demonstrates ang galit ng mga “diehard kay Erap” against media? Are you familiar with “mob rule”?
Question: What is DZEC and Net 25? What is special about them that the “angry mob” that demonstrated during Mayo Uno did not turn against them, or consider them “POP-COE” (Part of the Plot-Conspiracy Oust Erap).
=====================
Bitchevil concludes:
During Erap’s impeachment, the media ganged up on the poor Erap. Erap did not lift a finger to stop the media from demonizing him unlike this Evil Bitch.
Pepeton slam dunks: Hogwash! You have completely mischaraterized your alcoholic-gambling-philandering ousted president found guilty of plundering! Ano siya, in your perception – HERO???
You have conveniently forgotten, ignored, or are in self-denial. Ask Phil Daily Inquirer how they were threatened and persecuted by Erap…with a well-publicized “use of presidential power” when he put the full force and influence of his presidential office, on the advertisers of PDI to cease and desist supporting PDI with their advertisements.
Pepeton
P.S. At least we are having a discussion, instead of the usual short nga, pero panay “argumentum ad hominem” and name calling and diatribes” that dominate this forum!
Ellen,
Your comments noted. Will comply. Basta derecho ang usapan, okey lang.
I just need to stress: “…just because Bitchevil or others find the post lengthy, does not make the points raised by Dan Mariano, irrelevant.”
But I will observe your rule on posting.
——————
Point of clarification, re your post:
>Ellen Says:
>July 5th, 2008 at 10:24 pm
>Additional kwento:
Ping Lacson asked Mark Jimenez on the details of the $7 million unaccounted for. Jimenez said, “Huwag mo nang tanungin yan.”
>Understood. Ang tinik talaga si Jimenez pagdating sa “tongpats”.>
============
Pepeton recalls differently:
It was Mark Jimenez who maintained from the start. To the very end. That the amount of the bribe he offered then Secretary of Justice Nani Perez was $2Million…nothing more. Nothing less. In fact, Mark J was ADAMANT about this amount. This is well publicized in broadsheet Philippine papers.
When media gave MJ’s expose his alleged bribery of the Sec of Justice, Nani Perez, umingit bigla, at na naman, si Ping Lacson. He declared in a privileged speech in the Senate or in another interview arranged by his own PR-handlers, that the amount involved was $14M. This Lacson allegation is also recorded in newspaper accounts and the records of the Senate session.
When media questioned Mark J…”Where did the rest of the $12M go?” Mark J was succinct and (angry with Lacson) : “Aba, ewan ko, bakit hindi ninyo tanunging si Ping, siya ang nagsasabi na $14M, hindi naman ako. Baka meron din siyang “deal”. Ewan ko. Wala akong pakialam sa mga allegations ni Ping. Why don’t you ask him where he got the $14M.”
Then Mark J continued with this (paraphrased) statement (addressed to or intended for Ping Lacson): “He should stop riding at sumabit on my expose. If he wants to expose anybody and anything, he should do his own research.” Words to that effect.
So, I don’t understand this “confusion” about how much money Mark J offered as a bribe to Nani Perez. Or the reliability of the source for all these different amounts.
To reiterate: Mark J admitted and insisted $2M ang suhol niya. Lacson claimed the amount involved in the payoff for expediting the approval of the IMPSA contract was more…more like $14M. But like all of his expose, wala namang evidence na napresenta. So?
Where and how did the “tongpats” and “galing ni MJ” (in tongpatsing) come into the picture? I did not follow this point.
================
REQUEST FOR CLARIFICATION – PURPOSE OF YOUR BLOG
Ellen ano ba ang discussion dito sa Forum (mo)…kwentutan lang talaga? Pampalipas oras? Pampatawa? Pampainis? Or to give vent to frustrations based on preconceive mindsets? A watering hole for bigotry? I am getting very mixed signals from the thoughts and messages being posted here.
It is beginning to look like, anything but any serious attempt at expanding, (i.e., enlightening, or correcting) our public knowledge (perceptions or misimpressions)of political current events… because Philippine media has not been doing its job?
Because if the purpose of your blog is just to promote the I HATE GMA and FIGARO and accomodate the emotional outbursts and livid banterings of those who have been brainwashed by bigoted (one-track minded) media …then I have completely misunderstood your purpose in creating the Ellen Tordesillas blog.
I do apologize for the “kilometric” postings. I was posting (again)here, with the conviction that serious ang intentions and purpose of the discussions here.
As I said earlier, not to be distracted, Dan Mariano’s article answers most of the unadressed (or purposely avoided) questions in this particular thread.
Unfortunately, in stead of addressing the points raised by Dan Mariano, to review how his OP-ED differs from what you posted and those shared by others here, Bitchevil complained about the length of the posting.
On that note, I would like to bring to your attention the need for cautioning the other posters here about observing proper etiquette in posting in the internet. Name calling, personal attacks, argumentum ad hominem, strictly speaking, has no place in a SERIOUS and INTELLIGENT DISCUSSIONS OF ISSUES. And there is quite a bit of that going on in this Forum. Those kinds of postings cheapen the quality of your blog. And is a monumental turn off to serious discussants.
I suggest that you impose a stricter and clearer rule about “proper decorum and etiquette” in posting messages. Otherwise, this forum, and your blog will become nothing more, nothing better than a watering hole for those who just want to vent their inner rages, and to incite trolling and flaming, conduct personal attacks (argumentum ad hominems, ad infinitum).
I have seen a few internet discussion groups from their jumpstart, prosper, expand and become a veritable source of “free and productive thoughts”, through healthy cross pollenation of diverse thoughts and disciplines, among serious and well-intentioned posters.
I have seen more, that took off like a jackrabbit, but did not last. When a forum becomes nothing more than anamalgamation of “incestuous inbreeding thoughts” (i.e., bigotry and prejudices, name calling and diatribes, galore…etc), it has reached its level of ineffectiveness, unproductiveness, and could very well be headed for its decline…towards extinction, muerte natural.” Cuidate.
I pray and hope this Forum will outlast the term of GMA in 2010. For, what will be discussed in this Forum, once GMA’s term expires? And a new president is elected?
Pepeton
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“I complained my shoes were tight. Until I saw a man without any toes.”
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Pepeton
Thanks for understanding. points well taken.
Pepeton, please be informed that you don’t have the monopoly of serious and intelligent discussion. Others are as good if not better than you. Until now, some of us don’t know what your point is. This forum is for everyone regardless of one’s political preference. But as you can see, most of us here are no fans of this Evil Bitch. If you’re on her side disguised as a blogger trying to share information and exchange views; then
I assure you…you will not succeed. This nation has suffered so much in the hands of this Evil Bitch that even her best defenders would find it extremely difficult to represent her.
Pepeton, it’s really up to you if between Mark Jimenez and Ping Lacson, you believe Mark Jimenez.
What are you trying to drive at, in the first place, that there was no irregularity, no huge commissions in the IMPSA deal?
Pepeton, if you think you impress us with your kilometric comments (in Ellen’s words) that are neither here nor there, sorry, we are not impressed.
As bitchevil said, you don’t have the monopoly of serious intelligent discussion. And others can do it in just four or five paragraphs. That’s real intelligence.
Read Tongue, Anna, CVJ. bitchevil and many more.
Pepeton, if you think you impress us with your kilometric comments (in the words of Ellen) that are neither here nor there, sorry, you are mistaken.
As bitchevil said, you don’t have the monopoly of serious and intelligent discussion. Others, in fact, do it in just four or five paragraphs. That’s real intelligence.
Read Tongue, Anna, Juggernaut, bitchevil, CVJ, and many more.
Sorry, it said “error”. Then it appeared. Ano ba yan?
Gabriela, I have nothing against Pepeton. He’s welcome here like everyone. I was just concurring with Ellen that lengthy or kilometric posts are discrouraged here in this forum. He’s good at rebuttal which makes me suspect that he’s another one sent by the Palace to defend the Evil Bitch…
Ellen Says:
July 8th, 2008 at 11:08 pm
Pepeton, it’s really up to you if between Mark Jimenez and Ping Lacson, you believe Mark Jimenez.
What are you trying to drive at, in the first place, that there was no irregularity, no huge commissions in the IMPSA deal?
==============
Ellen,
I don’t know that there was. And I don’t know that there wasn’t. Based on evidences known, thus far, your guess is as good as anybody else’s. At best, a guess pa din.
Conventional wisdom would suggest, however, it is safe to presume, that bribery, patong, commission is pretty standard in government contracts. But beyond that, who is to say…how much? And really, the more important consideration is…sino sino pa ang kasabwat??? Bakit si Nani lang ang kinasuhan?
Meanwhile Dan Mariano brought out critical facts. Hindi lang administration ni GMA ang involved diyan. So if there are irregularities to be exposed…there must be total disclosure. Why not go back into the history of the IMPSA deal and verify what was the original deal all about, when first presented/concocted during Kory’s administration? Did Peping Cojuangco have any involvement? Boy Saycon? Or FVR and his henchmen? or Kabuki? We know that Erap and Mark, by their own braggadocio are involved…pero hindi natapos…The point is…there have been at least four administrations involved in this IMPSA deal.
Of course, dahil sumabog ang deal sa media, everybody is claiming – “kaya hindi namin pinirmahan, is because the proposed contract/s contained onerous terms and conditions against the government.” Anybody can say that after a deal goes south.
As far as I am concerned, Ping’s credibility about exposes is zero. Wala pang expose’ yan na nagkaroon ng closure. I can understand why, though. By professional training Ping, basically is a policeman. From 1971 (when he was graduated from PMA, thru 1986, he was a PULIS)…under martial law. When Kory took over, Ping switched camp…(and loyalty?), joined Kory’s administration and continued with his “police work”…under FVR’s term (as right hand man of Erap, who was VP). And under Erap he gained prominence by heading the PAOCTF and serve concurrently as Chief PNP, 1999. Let’s count that. 1971 thru 1999 – for the first 28 years of his professional career, he was basically doing police work. And we all know how policemen are looked down upon in the Philippine society.
Then in 2001 he decided he wanted to be a “legislator”, and was, ironically, elected Senator. Now he wants to be POP (President of the Philippines). What is his credibility?
All his exposes are plain knee jerks. Panay palpak. He shoots from the hips. That’s about it. As a senator, hanggang ngayon wala pang significant contribution as legislator. Palagi na lang “in aid of legislation…” he purports to expose graft and corruption. Pero wala namang napapakitang resulta. I have a suspicion si Ping is suffering from KSP-SAD…Kulang Sa Pansin – Sali Ako Diyan. Which seems rather common sa batch nila…Look at Gringo…panay attempt to overthrow…hanggang doon na lang. Magkaklasa nga ang dalawang ito.
As I mentioned earlier, sumingit lang si Ping sa expose ni Mark Jimenez, especially when media sensationalized it.
The issue I posted is: Sabi ni Ping $14M ang bribe. Sabi ni Mark hindi daw. $2M lang daw ang offer niya, directly to Nani Perez. So, before we get sidetracked about whether I believe if there was bribery or not, or as you put it, “irregularity”, I want to know…sino at ano talaga ang pinagtatalunan dito? $2M or $14M? Sabi ni Mark, galing daw sa kanya ang pera…asan ang cancelled check? Anong bangko? Kaninong account dineposito? After that is verified…okey, let’s look into the “missing $12M”. And for this, Ping should be the object of the investigation. Siya ang pumiyak. Dapat siya ang mangitlog.
That does not mean, I find Mark Jimenez more credible. Both of them are known “anti-GMA” from the get go. And in addition, Mark J, like Erap are both ex-felons. And in a court of law…the testimonies of people with dubious character and reputation, must be considered suspect.
Madaling masalita. Manumbat. Magakusa. At napakadali magimbento ng conspiracy theory. Proving it is altogether another matter. Absent any provable proof, I will settle for an intelligent story that can stand the test of “logical consistency” and rebuttal.
The case of Nani Perez is, as lawyers call it, “sub judice”…under consideration by the court, or is now in the hands of the Sandiganbayan, for adjudication.
Yung mga punto de vista naman ng karamihan dito ay panay…hula-hula, haka-haka…”sabi ni ano, ganoon daw ang nangyari;” “sabi ko naman, hindi yata…” and for the most part are really irrelevant, immaterial, inconsistent and flawed.
Until such time that the quality of participation in this discussion group improves and climbs to a higher level of discussion, I am afraid that your blog will run out of topics and issues to groan and agitate about, after 2010, when GMA’s term as president expires.
As for those na umaasa pa, hanggang ngayon, that if they remain relentless in bloviating and spinning all kinds of kwentutan-telenovela-lying to demonize and destabilize GMA, so that she will be ousted or forced to resign before her constitutional term is over…they might find more luck buying a lotto ticket.
Pepeton
Ellen,
You say, “Pepeton, it’s really up to you if between Mark Jimenez and Ping Lacson, you believe Mark Jimenez.”
Pepeton redirects: But this should not be the case, Ellen. It should not be a matter of who or what I believe. We are discussing here an on-going criminal case (sub judice).
To make any intelligent sense, we need to agree on what are the known and established facts about the case.
Let me reiterate. Sabi ni Mark, binayaran daw niya si Nani ng $2M, from his own money. That has been his consistent testimony, from the start.
Sumingit si Lacson, $14M daw. But that’s all he could say. He offered no other evidence, except his own, conjecture.
Mark was adamant when media asked him…saan napunta ang $12M? “Tanunging ninyo si Lacson. He is the one who claimed there was a $14M suhol…I don’t know anything about it.” (as an aside intended for Lacson – he was quoted as saying – “Dapat mag research siya on his own, kung gusto niyang mag-expose…huwag niya akong pakialaman…” (words to that effect).
That’s all I know, based on published facts. Everybody else in this forum seem to KNOW CONCLUSIVELY…otherwise. But except for their CONCLUSION…I have seen no proof, or even an anecdotal account even based on pure chism, that makes sense and can withstand the test of interpellation.
$2M is a lot of money. More so $14M. Alam mo, Ellen, it is about time that claims like this are subjected to litmus tests for “realism”. Hindi dahil alam natin na talagang merong “abutan under the table” or “patungan on top”, we automatically hold these “bulung-bulungan” as “totoo”…
Ano ba ang bayaran dito, before or after the signing of the contract? How was the “suhol” (of $12M or $14M) that Ping claims, paid? Cash ba? Check like Mark J claims he paid his suhol? Even if it was paid in cash, there would be an “audit trail”…somewhere, somehow, simple audit and investigation will reveal the original source of the suhol…WHY DOESN’T MEDIA EVER PROCEED TO TEST THE VALIDITY OF ALLEGATIONS, FIRST,BY PURSUING THIS LINE OF INVESTIGATIONS?
And the only answer I can plausibly come up with is…”Ang suhulan sa Pilipinas, since time immemorial, ay NEGOSYO AND A VERITABLE SOURCE OF dilihensya…” And for this reason, politicians, police authorities, and even some members of the media, don’t really want to see these crimes of malfeasances, SOLVED. Kasi, madaming involved. Kasi, madaming mawawalan ng negosyo!
That is my point. Naglilinis linisan, kunyari ang iba diya. In pursuit of morality in governance, kunyari. Mga hypocrite pala. Sabit naman ang “mga victims of brainwashing by media”…”naglilinis-linisan din..or napapapatriotic or nationalistic kunyari…” (kawawa naman ang mga mahihirap, etc…) hypocrite din pala.
There is another on-going thread here about TAXES…about EVAT. Interesting. Yung mga satsat ng satsat about, dapat tangalin ang EVAT, kasi kawawa ang mga mahihirap…I have one question…”Are you a taxpayer? Do you pay your taxes?”
And here is the reality check. How many taxpayers do you think pay their taxes regularly in the Philippines?
About as many as the installed telephone landlines, we are told. So now, go do the math.
——————-
Ellen continues:
What are you trying to drive at, in the first place, that there was no irregularity, no huge commissions in the IMPSA deal?
Pepeton’s summation: Conventional knowledge tells us or has convinced us that “patung” and over pricing in government contracts in the Philippines is part of the protocol. By how much? Nobody really knows, except those involved in the commission of malfeasances. I cannot prove that there was a “big commission” paid out. As I don’t know either who was paid. When. The wherewithal. And the Lacson speculation is not acceptable.
The really important question is – SINO SINO ANG TUMANGGAP, KUNG MAYROON TALAGA??? (Titoy Pardo was the Secretary of Finance who gave the “go signal” to Nani Perez that everything in the contract was in order…) Let’s continue rom there…after we verify, why the deal was not completed during Cory’s and FVR’s term. We know why it was “aborted” during Eraps…so, there.
Pepeton
Ellen,
My sincerest apologies…I am having duplicity problems posting here. After I tried to post earlier my response to your posting, I got an “error message or feedback” from AOL saying “error”.
And by that time I had not saved my response (initial), so I rewrote it and posted, again. This time, what showed up is the first and the revised or rewritten.
My apologies for the duplication.
Pepeton
Pepeton, you should not apologize for the duplication but your repeated kilometric posting that Ellen has already requested you not to do. This time, are you trying to argue with Ellen?
Your entire post was a point by point rebuttal of what she earlier said. We don’t know your real background. But as for Ellen, she’s among the most credible journalists. She writes not only out of her profession but most especially out of her love for the country. She doesn’t play the guessing game as you insinuated. She has her sources and these sources are reliable. Don’t be a Perfecton!
Ang batis, pag maingay, mababaw.
Q:Ano’ng gamot sa verbal diarrhea?
A:Put tongue in, anew.
The Ombudsman has the evidences. It was forwarded by the Swiss government and even provided the account numbers and the details of the account opening in the names of Arceo, Mrs. Perez and private banker Ernest Escaler.
There are many things many people do not know. But it seems there are also many things many people know…except you. And to bolster one’s “expert” argument by his awful ignorance is absolutely unforgivable.
In the battle of wits, I like playing with the unarmed man.