What happened to one of Mike Arroyo’s best friends, former Agriculture Undersecretary Jocelyn “Joc Joc” Bolante, should worry other members of Gloria Arroyo’s crime syndicate.
It’s just a preview of things to come. When truth and justice finally catch up with them, Gloria and Mike Arroyo, even with all their stolen power and resources, would not be able to protect them.
Bolante has been in detention at the San Pedro Processing Center in California since July 7, when he arrived in Los Angeles from Seoul, Korea not knowing that his business and tourist visa had been cancelled.
He has asked for asylum and those knowledgeable with US processes on asylum say that could take years. Unless he is granted bail, he would be staying at the San Pedro detention center, not exactly a vacation paradise especially for one who has tasted power and luxury.
Take the example of Charlie “Atong” Ang, who fled the Philippines in January 2001 immediately after the downfall of his close friend, President Estrada. He was arrested at a Las Vegas strip hotel in November 2001 on a Philippine government warrant in connection with his plunder case before the Sandiganbayan.
Ang spent a year in US custody in a North Las Vegas jail before he was freed on $300,000 bail and placed under house arrest. His mobility is restricted and he wears an electronic monitoring device while US marshals guard his home. Ang has since applied for political asylum.
Sources said that before last week’s arrest, Bolante had complained to Mike Arroyo that he was tired of a fugitive’s life. He is wanted by the Senate committee on agriculture chaired by Sen. Ramon Magsaysay, Jr. in connection with its investigation of the diversion of some P3 billion agricultural funds to Gloria Arroyo’s 2004 election campaign.
Bolante has been identified as the architect behind the misuse of P728 million fertilizer fund for farmers for election purposes.
Plunder charges were filed before the Ombudsman against Bolante and Agriculture Secretary Luis “Cito” Lorenzo, Jr.
Caught between being pressured to tell Senate committee the truth and being harassed by Malacañang, Lorenzo fled to the United States with his family in October 2005 and has not come back ever since.
Bolante, on the other hand, had been going in and out of the Philippines, protected from media and the Senate by government authorities. Bolante has used his being a director of Rotary International as excuse for his frequent travels. He did not reckon that the US would take seriously the request of the Senate, coursed through the embassy in Manila, for assistance in compelling him to abide with the law.
Immediately after his arrest, sources said Bolante called up Mike Arroyo who was in Switzerland. Arroyo’s chief of staff, Juris Soliman, however said Arroyo was in Spain tracing his lineage to St. Theresa of Avila.
Bolante’s son , Anthony, also sought the help of Arroyo for his father, sources said. It cannot be ascertained if Bolante’s US lawyer was provided by Arroyo.
What has been verified is that, Bolante’s Manila lawyer, Antonio Zulueta, was also the lawyer of Mike’s brother, Rep. Ignacio Arroyo in the Jose Pidal case.
Bolante’s request for US asylum, which is granted to those who cannot return to their country for well-founded fears of persecution, has become a butt of jokes because as Parañaque Roilo Golez said, “He is not a victim of political persecution but a beneficiary of political protection here.”
There are those who believe that Bolante’s request for asylum is a strategy for him to stay in the US and avoid facing the Senate. Malacañang fears that intense grilling of Bolante in the Senate would uncover the connection of Gloria Arroyo to the fertilizer scam.
Since Bolante is undergoing immigration proceedings, his request would fall under the “defensive” asylum applications. In which case, he may be detained for being in the US illegally until an immigration judge rules on his asylum claim. Immigration experts say it could take months or years.
Surely being imprisoned for a long period of time is not the kind of reward that Bolante was thinking of for the service he did for the Arroyos. Worse, his request might even be rejected. Nobody can be sure if by that time, the Arroyos would still be in a position to protect him.
This is Anna de Brux’s comments posted in another entry. I think it should be here.
We’ve raised this scenarios in your previous post. Its highly plausible that they intend to keep Bolante in the U.S. to avoid him being pressured to testify. He will also not be a dead weight that could drag GMA down. He will definitely post bail or at least fight for his temporary liberty, with Pidal’s assistance of course. This the reason why there’s a total news blackout about the whole incident. The DFA hid his arrest for 6 days before finally announcing it. This had given ample time for the Pidal’s to formulate a plan and strategize.
You are right. Seeking asylum is a ploy to buy time while they plan for other strategy to avoid telling the truth.
These people are so wiley, they’re always two steps ahead of the opposition. Malacanang could have gotten wind of the visa cancellation and just let everything play out. To assure Bolante he’s not being dropped by Malacanang, Mike Arroyo had to fly to the U.S. too. His mere presence on American soil would calm Bolante down. These people are professionals, operating more like a syndicate than an administration. Cover-ups and technicalities are their expertise. They have a stranglehold on every institution in the country. They are not afraid of anything and anyone, this is the reason why they act with impunity and total arrogance.
One thing those who are not familiar with the US immigration laws should know is everyone has the right to apply or file for a relief available to him. And if the decision turns out to be negative, he can appeal. That’s due process. For the smart ones and moneyed ones especially upon the advice of experienced lawyers, a person could still stay in the US while the case is pending until a final decision is made. While the case is pending and on appeal, the person enjoys the same rights and privileges as that of any immigrant including work authorization to sustain his needs while in the US. This right and privilege have been so much abused. Political asylum in the US which is equivalent to refugee application in Canada is a lenghty process that takes years. It has been reported that this Bolante even owns a home property in the US. He might have purchased it while he was still in legal status with proper documentation. If he has bought the house years ago, his home equity could have been huge today especially if the house is located in California. If he has no money and funds, he can take out some money out of his equity by refinancing his home. There are lots of eager mortgage companies and loan officers in the US to help him. So, there’s nothing much we could do except to wait for further development. Look at Atong Ang who even opened up a food market in the US. Even that Mark Jimenez who served his sentence comfortably and now back in the Philippines with a different stature now…that of a spiritual leader. That’s life…
If and when Jocelyn Bolante is granted a hearing for his Political Asylum application, he has to justify his case to the Court. And in the U.S. court, perjury is taken seriously and will diminish any chance of favorable outcome. Maybe just maybe it may take a U.S. Court for us to find out the whole truth about the Fertilizer Scum and maybe more. I suggest to Mr. Bolante to come clean and redeem his self. Like someone says it’s never too late for anything, except for those who’s already dying and the last confession is of no help , especially given to the Bishop who is also part and parcel of the same baggage… So Joc Joc, are you listening??
From my readings of conditions on asylum in the U.S., there are two classifications:
One is the affirmative asylum applicants.This is maybe what Jorgie was referring to as “While the case is pending and on appeal, the person enjoys the same rights and privileges as that of any immigrant including work authorization to sustain his needs while in the US.”.
The primer on asylum says,
There is also those who have been placed in detention like Bolante. The primer says:
You mentioned Atong Ang. He spent more than a year in a Las Vegas prison before he was released. And even now he is restricted within a certain area. Chances are Bolante would be spending the next months at the San Pedro processing center. I don’t know if you can call life in a detention center a “normal.”
Schumey, Mike Arroyo’s San Francisco visit was really scheduled even before the Bolante arrest. If you check out my July 3 and July 14 entries, SF was really in the itinerary of Mike Arroyo even while he was in Europe.
This is my July 3 entry in the article”Another kind of pilgrimage”:
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Thanks Ellen,
But if this a ploy and they are way ahead of everybody. They could have floated an itenerary so the trip will be justified, therefore dispelling any rumors. That’s why I said they’re 2 steps ahead of the oppositon. Pasensya ka na, malikot ang isip ko. Baka magalit sa’kin si Tom Clancy.
Ellen, you’re right in that clarification about asylum. As for Big Mike’s trip to San Francisco, he really frequents that place even when the midget was still a senador. For one thing, they have properties like a mansion along Bush Street in downtown SF. Also, Mike and Vicky Toh’s dating place is either in California or Vancouver. It’s not tsismis ’cause it has become an open secret. Some of my friends saw them. Vicky has a mansion in Vancouver presumably from the scam she made in Manila. Now does the midget know this? Most probably but what can she do?
Vic: It’s hard to charge Bolante perjury. He could always claim he felt persecution and threat of his life. Maybe filing spurious or application can be thrown at him and hasten the denial of his application.
Ano nga kaya Schumey at magkaruon ng interest si Tom Clancy sa mga conspiracies na nangyayari sa ating gubyerno. Maraming materials siya ditong magagamit. Isama na rin niya ang Vatican, Middle East, Spain, and of course the USA connections. Maraming exposure ito para kay Dr. Jack Ryan. That will do a lot of service to the Filipino people.
Now, there is former solicitor general Francisco Chavez who claims that the US and RP are in cahoots. That this asylum business is an attempt to keep bolante from testifying in the Philippines.
This thing gets more confusing by the day.
Welcome back Isagani! How’s your trip to Japan? Gosh, I was attacked by a Kamikaze during your absence.
Indeed, there’s a great possibility that the US and RP cooked up this Bolante thing to keep the guy there in the US. That was my opinion in my previous posting. The US and her CIA have the reputation of doing strange things. It’s enough for us to know that Bush and the US still need Bansot. In exchange, the US continues to enjoy implementing their plans economically and militarily. It’s already an undisputed fact.
“EVEN A DEAD MAN DO TELL TALES”
Maliit lang ang mundo, kasing kitid ng utak ni Gloria Arrovo!!!! Dapat ibitin at balatan ng buhay itong si Joc Bolante!!!! ilan taon na lang nalalabi sa inyo sa mundo, ayaw kayong gumawa ng mabuti… anong gagawin nyo sa billiong perang nakurakot???? hayop kayo!!!
GRIM, indeed! But come to think of it, IIWANAN ba ni fatso at glue ang taong magbubulgar sa kanila?
In my heart, I hope that the truth prevail.
And like any other true-blue Pinoy, I want those involved in the scam[elections and other ploys] be prosecuted pronto!
Lahat naman ng bagay, may katapusan. Look at Marcos and his dual dictator: they were enjoying Pinas to the fullest when pfft! At a snap of a finger, biglang nawala sila sa power.
God isn’t sleeping, even if ate glue claims she is God’s anointed. Remember, “Vengeance is mine!” says the Lord.
There is no doubt hers would be a GRIM end, as well.
If Bolante wants his claim of political persecution in the Philippines to be true, he should tell the truth about what he knows about diverting funds for the 2004 election campaign of Ate Glue. Then, he will really be persecuted.
As the Malaya editorial said last week, he won’t be in danger only of persecution. “Execution” would be more it.
Thanks jorgie. kamikaze attack? That’s funny. 😉
Actually, we’re all on the same boat here. It’s just a little tiring, with all the bashing with no epek. I agree with the characterizations though. Gloria is indeed, something(*&^*#@). I believe she knows that better than any of us.
A few days ago it was the CBCP. Now this claim by Chavez. What the hell is going on? Everyone in power and influence seems to be against truth and justice.
We can’t never expect anything from this government, Isagani. What we get are lies, lies, and lies. Do you know what these Malacanang idiots say to those who ask about Bolante’s case and status? They say “We don’t know. If you want to know go to US and find out.” What a stupid answer isn’t it? I bet you this Bolante will be just another Garci.
Yes, a crazy Kamikaze pilot flying a Tora attacked me for advising him to limit and tone down his Banzai propaganda. I just seconded your opinion and I got the spanking while you were away (or you kept away?). Lest that I be accused of sowing intrigue, you’re free to scroll up the previous postings and read the exchanges.
Dapat diyan, iyong mismong mga pilipino sa US ay magprotesta tungkol sa special privilege na maaaring ibigay ng US kung sakaling mag-file si Bolate ng political asylum na sinabi naman ni Goilez na imposible dahil protected naman siya ng mga nakaupo!
Puede naman nilang gawin iyon mga katulad ng ginagawa ng mga latino sa pagpasok ng mga controversial na lider nila sa America para doon magtago, or as in the case of Noriega, doon mismo sa America pinatiklo para hindi na makaabuso sa bansa nila.
But we already have words from people in the Senate that it was them who asked for the cancellation of the visa of this Bolate for them to know at least where he is since he keeps on ignoring their summons due to the protection given him by the Malacanang squatters so that despite the attempt by the DFA to keep the information from the Senators involved in the investigation of this case, may nag-leak ng information na galing na rin mismo doon sa mga matitinong mga Amerikano tungkol sa paghuli sa kaniya.
There is no use cracking our heads for the what ifs. But as citizens and former citizens of the Philippines, we can try to do our part. It has precedence as a matter of fact.
This time, this person may not even qualify for any recognition as a political refugee since he is by law a fugitive even just from the Philippine Senate, because he is protected by the In-Justice Department of the Philippines on order from the Pandak, a suspect in fact in this scam!
There may even be a CIA operation involved in this case, but as usual, America moves only when it proves beneficial to Americans. To keep Bolate in the US has no benefit to the Americans as a matter of fact. But to say that the Pandak is being useful to them is an overstatement since many a time, they have proven themselves that this woman cannot be trusted because of a deficiency in “palabra de honor.”
Even now we see how the Bolate is being left to fend for himself and reason for his son to run to his rescue and plead with the No. 1 election scam operator to help him pay his bail. When the bail is paid, we know for sure it is an attempt to cover up tracks leading to the odd connection and connivance to steal funds from the Dept. of Agriculture to finance the presidential campaign of the Pandak against existing laws of the land.
The US Embassy in fact has given the hint by emphasizing that the US is not a haven for wannabe criminals and fugitives from the law in the Philippines. Thus, this is a good opportunity for lawyers like those belonging to some international organizations of lawyers to write to their fellow barristers in the USA to influence their government to turn in Bolate to the Philippine Senators, who can initiate legal proceedings against this person especially considering the “special” relationship between the USA and the Philippines.
It is time that the Filipinos insist on being treated as equals with the Americans even in this case that cannot be considered the same though similar with Atong Ang, who was not a government official but simply a suspected crony of the deposed president.
Groups like the B&W movement, which is not linked with the Communists in the Philippines, may, for one, start a signature campaign to submit to the US embassy in Manila to ask for the US government to NOT allow this crook from getting any political asylum in the US since he is not being politically persecuted in the Philippines but protected by his accomplices in the crime that Philippine Senators like Magsaysay, et al want him to be legally answerable for.
Let us not listen to some crazy people’s suggestion that this cannot be done, or to deliberately discourage anyone or any group to try all possible venues, and do what their consciences move them to do what is right, for the US, despite having a mad man in the White House presently, in principle, is still ruled by the majority.
One thing I am told is that the Pandak is running out of funds, and reason for the hopping around the world again to ask for the release of promised aids and acquisition of fresh ones to her government to continue to pay the tongressmen quacking about the impossibility of another impeachment try. It may also be the reason for the small “pakipkip” given to the bishops, who were probably expecting more!
I am told in fact that the lobby group in Tokyo for example is about to be closed soon. According to my source it is linked to the office in Manila said to be partly owned or wholly owned by Mike Pidal.
Since Bolante has sought for asylum, it’s clear that he doesn’t want to come home to face the Senate. It’s not farfetched that, that’s also what the Arroyos want. It’s easy to believe that he is the one providing Bolante the lawyer. That’s the least he could do fro a friend who diverted billions of pesos of funds for the poor farmers for his wife’s election campaign.
But, as I pointed, out above, Bolante would be in prison while the case is being sought. Frank Chavez said it could take three to five years. But, as I pointed out in the above article, he will remain in prison for at least year if we are to take other cases like that of Atong Ang as example.
If you were Bolante, would you like that?
Those of you who are in san Francisco might want to check this out. Mike Arroyo is not staying in his house. He is staying in Nikko Hotel. He is avoiding reporters who might stake out in his house.
Sources said even with the money for the lawyer,Bolante’s son, Anthony, had to plead to Mike for it.
If you are part of the crime syndicate,wouldn’t you be worried to be dropped like a “hot potato” as Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita now describes Bolante?
Ellen, Atong Ang was never in prison in US. Through the assistance of a lawyer, he was able to apply for investor’s visa; hence, now an owner and part owner of food market. With the business visa, he can stay in the US as long as the visa is valid which is renewable. Who knows? He may be in the process of adjusting his status to that of permanent resident. Bolante may use the same strategy. As long as you have the money and good lawyers around in the US, you’re safe.
Big Mike is a Mob boss. Bolante is lucky he was not terminated. If he goes back to the Philippines, his life might be in danger. That’s how crime syndicate operates. If I were him, I would execute an affidavit in the presence of media and Pilippine senators who are willing to go to US and get his side. This will be his chance to repent before he faces his creator. Life is so short…
Maybe Filipinos who live abroad and are concerned about the issues here in the country (?) can help us by also making their voices heard–that should threaten GMA because she relies on them for their remittances, and frankly, that is what is keeping the country really afloat…Does that sound “stupid?” That could be another avenue of hope for this country!
IF Bolante was “dropped like a hot potato” by the big potato himself, then isn’t it payback time? Better repent before he [bolante, that is」goes. Baka ma-salba pa siya.
Say it all NOW before it is too late.
Nakakatulog pa kaya sina fatso and glue? Aren’t they feeling like queasy someone might leak out on them and their plots?
Mahirap ding kumanta si Bolante dahil gagapangin ni Pandak ang pamilya niya sa Pilipinas. Kung ang CBCP at mga obispo at mga kongresista kayang gapangin ni Pandak, iyan pa kaya isang Bolate lang?
Wether bolante’s imprisonment is an agrement between bush and bansot, or between US and the Philippines senate, sooner or later the truth will come out. gloria and her cohorts days are numbered…….maybe a week or less
Either way wala nang magagawa pa si Bolante kung hindi magsalita. Ewan ko lang po, pero in my humble opinion,
maybe Bolante could go for a clean slate, clear[kung maki-clear pa!]his name … and tell all.
Can Bolante be a hero this time and tell all? Para sa Bayan? That, is the most intriguing Q of the times….
Taipan88,
Meron namang batas sa Pilipinas at USA ng tinatawag na plea bargaining. Magsalita siya at becomes a state witness at baka ma-reduce ang sentensiya niya. Ang kaso, kapag ibinalik iyan sa Pilipinas at hindi pa natatanggal si Pandak, back to Zero na naman sila.
Tama si Goldenlion na lutong makaw na naman ang kalalabasan nito kapag inuwi si Bolate sa Pilipinas, pero at least kung mapatalsik iyan mula sa Tate na walang political asylum, hindi na iyan makakabalik doon although he can try going back on false passport na kayang-kayang ibigay sa kaniyan ng DFA sa utos ni Pandal like using the passport of the Mike Pidal dahil magkamukha naman. Doon nga lang sa fingerprint mabibisto lalo na ngayong lahat ay dumadaan sa databasing machine ng INS sa airport.
Jorgie, I’m sure about Atong Ang having spent at least a year in prison. Click on the highlighted name of atong ang in my article. You’ll find the background of his imprisonment and the $300,000 bail he posted. He is now wearing an electronic device to monitor his movement.
Ellen:
Hopefully, hindi naman siguro siraulo ng mga kano na bigyan ng political refugee status si Bolate because of his high profile position and the Senators running after him especially with the Pandak still there rallying the bishops behind her to make her look holy and the suffering one!
Magaling lang na magbuhol-buhol ng salita si Pandak para ipalabas na siya ang may upperhand. At least, the senators running after Bolate verified that they were the ones who originally requested for the cancellation of the Bolate’s visa to the US, and the Pandak finding it even to her benefit to endorse in the end when Bolate started pestering her and Fatso to bail him out, thus, the US Embassy in Manila playing safe to him detained in a Los Angeles detention center!
Sa totoo lang, magaling talaga si Pandak na sumakay tapos siya na ang nagpapaandar! Diyan siya magaling sa paggawa ng mga trick!
Kaya dapat malaman ng mga Amerikano ang tunay na damdamin ng majority na pilipino tungkol sa kasong ito maliban na nga lang kung wala silang galang sa opinion ng mga pilipino dahil nga sa kulturang kurakot, naglalagay at nilalagyan.
Kapag alam nila na ang public opinion ay against sa pagbibigay ng political asylum sa taong ito ay malabong mangyari iyon at mapapadali ang pag-uwi ng taong ito sa Pilipinas na mas gugustuhin nitong umuwi kung sigurado siyang proprotektahan ni Pandak sa palagay ko.
Kung ako naman ang mga senador na humahabol sa kaniya, mas OK pang doon ko siya tanungin sa Amerika kesa itago na naman ito ni Pandak at ng mga galamay niya at ng asawa niya, at mag-request na ipalagay na incommunicado o nasa sa discretion ng korte na huwag payagang may makausap na iba maliban sa mga nag-iimbestigang senador si Bolate para hindi makatanggap ng dikta mula sa Malacanang.
BTW, ito palang pangalang “Jocelyn” ay popular pala iyan sa mga latino sa America. Pero sa Pilipinas, iyan lang si Bolate ang alam kong lalaking may pangalan niyan. Katulad din iyan ng “Socorro” na pangalang babae at lalaki pero sa Pilipinas mas marami ang babaing gumagamit niyan.
Kaya mas kilala sila sa JocJoc na hindi pa naging JotJot (pronounced as “hothot”)!
Ellen, you might have your own source about Atong Ang. If it’s true that he was imprisoned for one year, it could be something like house arrest or his movement restricted. No matter what, he’s a free bird in Las Vegas today. He’s into food business. I got to know this information through a third party who’s my compadre in L.A.
Ellen:
Parang kamukha noon ni Martha na may electronic bracelet. Nakakahiya iyan, pero wa effect iyan sa mga walanghiya. Bagay, ang purpose lang naman ay para alam kung saan siya nandoon.
Ito namang si Atong Ang pala kakabit din ni Chavit like the Yolly Ricaforte na I heard was the one receiving the jueteng money from Singson pero mukhang hindi na nakita mula nang makasuhan tungkol sa kasong ito ni Erap.
Kilala ko ang mag-asawang Ricaforte na iyan when the husband was working at the Philippine Embassy first with the trade office and then with the tourism office. Karamihan nga ng mga undersecretary noon ni Estrada galing sa Tokyo, people who used to wine and dine him during his visits to Japan before he became VP and President.
Iyong ngang isang controversial na recruiter naging ambassador to Iraq ni Erap dahil sa endorsement ni Blas Ople. Akala kasi ni Erap, kung galing sa Tokyo matino na. Ang hindi niya alam ay nakatira pa rin ang mga iyan sa loob ng Philippine territory, ang embassy and there is practically no contact with the Japanese world na off limits sa outsider as a matter of fact.
Still, ang kaso ni Ang ay baka pumutok pang malaki ang connection niya sa mag-asawang ganid kesa kay Erap through the Singson connection! Iyong kaso niya mas matatawag na bribery or suhol samantalang itong kay Bolate ay mismong act of plunder!
Sana pagbutihin nina Magsaysay ang pagkayod ng kasong ito. Meanwhile, ingat ka Ellen, pati na lahat ang mga katulad mong nakikipaglaban para sa katotohanan!
Will send you the DVD when I finish all my translations tungkol sa caregiver. Marami pa kasing dumadating na isasalin ko sa wikang hapon. Ipapadala ko rin sa iyo iyong special file ko tungkol sa Iraq.
RE: names…
I know a man who used worked at the Central Bank whose name was Racquel. Friends call him Rac/Rock.
Quite unusual sa atin, but there are men using girl’s names
and vice versa….
17 July 2006
Funny thing is, as I said before, why are we allowing this kind os things to happen, for example the joke’s case??? if he is asking for asylum, why are we letting him get away with it, this is the right moment for the Philippine government to ask for the return of the joke to the Philippines, if not, the US might study his case and we are all dead. What i meant about this is, the US will not easily give/repatriate the joke to the Philippines. If the senate is dead serious in getting to the bottom of the fertilizer scam, then they should act immediately and not wait for the US to conduct a study on the joke’s petition for asylum.
On the bishop’s acceptance of money – Isn’t it funny that malacanang gives “donations” to the bishops during or after dinner in an envelope??? we were not born yesterday not to know what form a bribe is???If they (malacanang)really want to donate to the archdiocese of these bishops, why do they have to give it in an envelope, I know when a politician give an envlope containing money, it is already bribery???Am I right on this??? another thing instead, why did’nt they give it to the bishops social services, better yet to some of the social services that needs funding, tsk, tsk, tsk, “stupid is, stupid does” sooooooooooooooo………….stupid. my question to the CBCP what are they going to do now, that malacanang is ginagawa silang parang gago. Folloow-up, what did Noli boy said regarding this matter, he is a I know is a very religious man???tsk, tsk, tsk, kung ganyan ng ganyan, mawawalan ng tiwala ang mga tao sa simbahan, dahil nagpapagamit sila sa ilehitomong gobyerno ni gloria macapal-arrovo.
jinx
Ellen,
Thanks, Ellen.
On the Bolante caper: I believe that the Senate should not be waylaid by this asylum seeking business and must keep the charge against this Bolante plunderer burning. They must not let loose.
(How fitting that name is… “volant” or “volante” in French, which when pronounced in Spanish could sound “bolante”, means FLIGHTY.)
If the members of the Senate have the moral and physical courage to right a wrong and expose the usurpers in Malacanang, they should not yield an inch.
Ellen,
Signs are becoming more obvious. Your title Grim Preview is not just about the Pidals its more of the things to come. The politization of the military, the emergence of Madyaas, Sigaw, bombings, curtailment of basic rights and now the persecution of prominent businessmen seems to point to one thing, Martial Law. We’ve all seen these signs before. The wheel has come full circle, another dictator has been born from the ashes. We have to be very vigilant now for ampathy could lead to more abuses by the current regime. Everything seems to be in place, I hope I’m reading the signs wrong.
Jinx:
I can understand your frustration, that everybody actually feels. Bakit ito pinapayagan, pero kahit nga sa mga bureaucracy ng Pilipinas alam mong takot ang mga tao na matanggal sa trabaho kaya hindi sila pumipiyak and through people like you and me are trying to let their feelings expressed and known, and this is the reason why I cannot and will not allow myself to be intimidated by some crooks for example posting in blogs like this to stop me from writing what I want to write.
Akala kasi kapareho sa Pilipinas na puede kang ipapatay for a price of less than 300 dollars. Kahit nga 1,000 peso nababayaran iyong mga gutom para pumatay e katulad noong mga hapon na ipinapapatay sa Pilipinas for some insurance scam.
Kung kaya nga lang ng mga walanghiya kahit saan ka man naroroon ay gagawin ang gusto nilang mangyari na patahimikin ang lahat na makakasagabal sa pagluklok ni Pandak sa trono bilang reyna engkangtada ng kaniyang Enchanted Kingdom. Abanga mo ang SONA nito sa ganitong tema!
Salamat na nga lang at efficient ang mga pulis dito lalo na kung may connection sa pulisya na katulad ko. Noong ngang nag-rally kami aba e nagpasikat pa nga ang mga guwardiya ng Philippine Embassy na nagsuot pa ng uniform militar para lang abutin ang aming petitisyon na pakawalan ang limang partylist Congressmen kasama na si Ka Beltran. Tawa kami ng tawa sa mga kabulastugang ipinakita ng hindi naman naming talagang mahusgahan na mga takot din namang matanggal. Mukhang kawawa naman sa totoo lang.
What Filipinos at home and abroad should be careful of is to allow the Philippines to be turned into something like Uganda under Amin, Germany under Hitler or Burma under SLORC na nakadepende sa foreign aids, etc. Marami ngang Burmese for example dito sa Japan ang nag-a-apply ng political asylum pero hindi mabigyan gawa nang wala naman sa listahan ng mga katulad ni Aung San Suu Kyi, at puro economic refugees lang.
Ewan ko kung iyan ang gustong mangyari ng maraming pilipino na umaasang makatawid ng ibang bansa ng hindi dadaan doon sa parasitic na POEA at OWWA ng DoLE na ginagatasan ng husto itong mga OFWs na hinuhubog na iyon na lang ang paraan nilang makaahon sa hirap nila at walang kuwentang manatili sila sa sariling bansa nila samantalang iyong mga dayuhan na may pera ay hinihikayat na doon mag-retire sa Pilipinas at doon nila gastusin ang mga pension nila!!!
Ang masagwa iyong mga inaasahan mong makakatulong na ituwid ang mga mali para tumino ang taumbayan ay kasabwat ng ungas na magaling magsuhol para hindi na rin sila kumibo. No wonder that in our church in Manila alone, I am told that they get no little than 30 baptisms a month, and these are people who are seeking spiritual truths.
We have in fact an American member in our church in Tokyo, whose son is now in Taiwan fulfilling a mission for our church. He has reported to his parents that he alone has had about 10 baptisms or more since he came proselyting among the Filipinos working there as domestic helpers.
Kawawang bansa! Nakakaiyak!
Yes, Schumey, you are right! All the signs are there!
Unfortunately, it is in fact the signs of the time as we realize that the Philippines is not alone in having an unrighteous leader. Still, we see the Philippines to be at its worst, turning into one of the worst regimes, even worst than the Marcos dictatorship I am told, and among the worst economies despite attempts by the Pandak’s propagandists paid exorbitantly to make her rule look rosy and enchanting!
On Sunday, we are actually having a lesson in our church on such unrighteous leadership for Sunday School. We are studying the Old Testament this year as a matter of fact, and though it touches only on the relationship of God with Israel, we know for a fact that the lessons learned there are applicable to us in this dispensation as well.
We are reading 1 Kings 12-14; 2 Chronicles 17, 20, and I would recommend that you and the others read these chapters in the Scriptures, too. So far, what I have learned through these readings are that (1) A good leader gives service. The kingdom of Israel was divided, primarily because of Rehoboam’s harsh leadership. (2) A good leader gives service and trusts and obeys the Lord. Jeroboam and Rehoboam led their kingdoms into idolatry similar to the idolatry of the Pandak and the bishops of CBCP, etc. (3) A good leader gives service, trusts and obeys the Lord, has faith in God, teaches from the scriptures, and follows the prophets as when Jehoshaphat led the kingdom of Judah to follow the Lord and His prophets.
In other words, leaders have power to guide people to wickedness or righteousness. Our responsibility is to lead in our Church callings, in our communities, at work, and at home. We need to be good leaders by giving service, trusting and obeying the Lord, having faith in him, teaching from the scriptures, and following the prophets.
We must allow the Spirit of God, even the Holy Ghost, to whisper in our ears of what we ought to do to fulfill our tasks, even this task of helping right the wrong in our governments that are basically disrupted by wrong policies of the people we trust with our votes, and reason why we ought to know the laws of our land, even memorize and recite the Constitution from our hearts, believing that the laws of the land are inspired of God, and I do not mean the EOs, etc. or even the Constitution drafted by the people the Pandak handpicked to serve her purpose.
Ang kailangan talaga, Schumey, ay tatag ng loob. I like what Ellen said about fighting to the end for what she believes to be right and true. Someone like her, who has been almost there, can feel this spirit stronger, and why she can have the courage to write the way she does.
I know God in His Infinite Wisdom guides her, and why God has preserved her.
Remember this wisdom from the Bible? “But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty” (1 Cor. 1: 27)
For all you know, detaining Bolante in the San Pedro Processing Center may prove a blessing in disguise for the Filipinos and not for the Pandak, who must have had a hand in having it done in a spark of the moment as she is prone to do most of the time! Sa kayabangan niya, maiipit siya ngayon!
Kaya dapat magmadali si Magsaysay, et al to interrogate him while in custody there since walang pag-asa na sa Pilipinas siya ma-imbestiga unless na palitan mo ang mga tao sa Department of Justice, Supreme Court at pulisya ng Pilipinas na under control ni Pandak na magagawa lamang kapag napatalsik na si Pandak.
Kung hindi kikilos ang taumbayan kahit na sa pangunguna ng mga barristers na pilipino na puede namang makialam sa kasong ito sa pamamagitan ng mga kakilala nilang mga barrister na Amerikanong may konsensiya at hindi iyong mukhang pera e baka maka-alpas ang ganitong pagkakataon.
Kung hadlangan naman ni Pandak ang pag-alis ng mga senador na mag-iimbestiga kay Bolante di lalong bistado siya. Sa totoo lang, hindi na puede iyong pa-cute-cute tactic nitong kumag na ito na sinasang-ayunan ng mga paring corrupt matapos na makatanggap ng 15,000 to 30,000 pesos na napakamura naman.
O mga bloggers na kasama ng mga grupong tulad ng B&W, ihanda na ninyo ang mga petition ninyo! Ilalagay ko sa blog ko ang mga petition from some groups kapag natanggap ko.
Off-topic announcement:
On July 1, 2006, Filipino organizations in the Netherlands like Kabalikat, Nederlands-Filipino Solidarity Movement, Liga ng Kabataang Pilipino, Migrante Europe, Migrante – Netherlands, Migrante Partylist and Pinay sa Holland-Gabriela came together and formed a campaign alliance called Rice and Rights, movement for the defense of civil liberties and human rights of the Filipino people or in short Rice and Rights.
Please go to:
http://www.arkibongbayan.org/2006-07July01-RiceAndRights/ricerights.htm
Educators for Civil Liberties held a picket at the Philippine Heart Center on June 30, 2006 to demand the release of Rep Crispin “Ka Bel” Beltran. The group, composed of public school teachers, university professors and academic and non-academic staff, was led by UP Professor Antonio Tinio, chair of the Alliance of Concerned Teachers. The group visited Ka Bel after the picket
Please go to:
http://www.arkibongbayan.org/2006-06June30-TeachersforFreeKaBel/ecl.htm
Arkibong Bayan Web Team
Bolante is a Rotarian. A very high official of Rotary International. Is he still a member of this organization?
I know the Rotary Club values its good name. It is vey selective in choosing its members. One does not apply for membership in Rotary. One is pre-screened and is invited by a Rotarian member. And there can only be one member per occupational category. For example, there can only be one “Fertilizer Distributor” in one club.
Rotarians are guided by very strict rules and guidelines to conduct themselves in their daily lives. They have a Motto and a 4 Way Test. They practically recite these in their sleep. It’s like a mantra. They plaster these guideposts all over as a reminder not only to all Rotarians but also to one and all who may pass by. Here’s that mantra:
ROTARY MOTTO:
Service Above Self
ROTARY 4 WAY TEST:
1. Is it the truth?
2. Is it fair to all concerned?
3. Will it build goodwill and better friendships?
4. Will it be beneficial to all concerned?
So, is Bolante still a Rotarian?
Regarding Atong Ang, it was his feud with Sabit Singson that caused the whole trouble for Erap. Naipit sa gitna si Erap. Ang hirap kasi kay Erap mapagbigay at sobrang makisama kahit na sa mga crooks. Walang iba kay Marcos na hinayaan ang mga cronies na magnakaw at yumaman. Iyan ang natutuhan ni Pandak. Ngayon, pagbibigyan ka lamang ni Pandak kung may kapalit at nauna kang nakatulong. Tulad ni Esperon at ibang mga na-promote niyang military and civilian officials. And of course like what she did to the CBCP bishops. May kapalit. Even to the appointment of Mel Robles to LRTA to pay back Bro. Mike of El Shaddai. Naku, marami pa. Mautak na ngayon si Pandak. Di na siya gagaya kina Marcos at Erap.
Phil, I doubt very much kung nasa Rotary pa si Bolate. Baka hindi na sa Rotary kundi Rosary na ang hawak niya ngayon…
By the way Phil, the Rotary is usually composed of businessmen and professionals. Like the many other civic groups and organizations, there are some crooks disguised as respected Rotarians. I think the Fat Guy Mike is also a Rotarian.
Totoo yan Jorgie!
Ellen,
On a separate note, someone from MLQ3’s blog had sarcastically commented the following (Hope you don’t mind my re-posting it here coz it’s somehow connected to this Chavit Singson crook mentioned in other comments here, and which, obviously, are tied to Gloria and her government of crooks, liars and thieves):
“got this idea from Antonio, good tandem for next presidential election – mr. know it all manuelbuencamino for president….and the ever self righteous anna de brux for vice president. but i heard manuel is not inclined to run for public office still there is an option for you special adviser ka nalang for the next president….for sure the filipino people can’t afford not to make use of your brilliant ideas on how to run this country…..So how you intend to run this country anyway?”
BKK said this on July 17th, 2006 at 12:31 am
“BKK,
“Asking me how I would run the country if I were president?
“I would have Gloria and her bunch of crooks lined up, caned and thrown in a dungeon!
“Next I would have Chavit Singson and his mafiosi-like breed of politicians hauled off to prison and shackled there till they rot.
“Tough on you if you ever are a part of the Arroyo brigage of plunderers coz you certainly are gonna get it too!
Unfortunately, I am not for death penalty so can’t very well obliterate life even from the worst of those scoundrels.”
anna de brux said this on July 17th, 2006 at 9:37 pm
Ellen,
The title of your column “Grim Preview” may as well concern the 30,000 OFWs caught in the Leabanon crisis. Most of them are domestic helpers.
What is absolutely gobsmacking is how Gloria who purports to be the leader of the Philippines is out galivanting with Libya’s strongman in Libya while 30,000 OFWs are caught in the middle of a crossfire in Lebanon, most of whom are domestic helpers. Are they to be left on their own?
General Cimatu alone does not have the clout to even BEG western nations to help the Philippine evacuate those hapless, terrorized OFWs.
What evacuation logistics have been put in place to save at least SOME of those domestic helpers?
To boot, the Mayon volcanoe is about to errupt… while the nation’s so-called president leaves to chit-chat with Gadafi.
European leaders, governments, from Presidents down to their cabinet staffs have been personally giving orders, sending men, equipment and organizing logistics for the immediate evacuation of their nationals from Lebanon and are absolutely on top of the situation while Gloria is out on a smiling, desert partying spree somewhere in Libya!
How extraordinary! This woman should have stayed home and show a bit of concern rather than frivolously galivanting the deserts of Libya.
This woman who styles herself as the nation’s president is a complete non-entity, isn’t she?
Many who are in favor of sending OFWs do not experience how it is to be far away from loved ones and home. I didn’t expect there are about 30,000 Filipino OFWs in Lebanon. Filipino workers are all scattered around the world. This tells us that the country under this fake leadership is in deep trouble that it cannot take care of their own people and let the foreigners take care of them. What a shame!
Speaking of the Mid-East crisis, Uncle Sam is at it again. Israel will never be in peace as long as Uncle Sam is behind her. The bible also speaks of this once God’s nation that it will always be at war and will not attain peace. It’s God’s curse to the ancient Israelites for turning their back on God.
Here, we see another application of double standard. Palestinian militants cannot bomb or make trouble in Israel but the latter can. When Israel accidentally bombed a Palestinian beach killling many civilians, all what the Israel Prime Minister could say was he was sorry for the mistake. And when one 19-year old Israel soldier was kidnapped, Israel used this as an excuse to bomb and destroy Palestinian government buildings and even that of Syrian government. Now, Israel is detroying the whole Lebanon just because of a couple of Israel soldiers taken by the enemies. Are the lives of these two soldiers a lot more important than hundreds of innocent civilians in Lebanon? Why bomb another country’s airport, bridges and other places that are important to civilians. Never mind if they bomb the military bases; but not places where there are civilians. Just what you think is behind all these Israel’s acts? Of course Uncle Sam. It would be very easy for Uncle Sam to tell her puppet Israel to at least make a ceasefire. No, it’s obviously America’s plan that this thing happens today. There’s a report that Israel has been planning for years to make this step of attacking Lebanon. And that one kidnapped soldier was just an excuse to accomplish this evil mission.
Email from schumey:
Hi! I can’t access my favourite blogs again. I will however be posting some of the points I’ve raised here when I find the time.
Anna raised the question of what the Madyaas is all about in Ellen’s blog yesterday. My take on this group is it will be a new political party come election time. I liken it to the Kilusang Bagong Lipunan of the Marcos era. For sure its not an advocacy group but more of GMA’s answer to the several coalitions now arrayed against her.
I have been observing the recent events and the actions taken by this administration. There seems to be a pattern unfolding. While the news of Bolante and the CBCP hugged the limelight, there are issues that have been relegated to the sidelines. There have been a succession of actions taken by the administration and its dogs in the recent past. After the fall of the six Magdalos and the turnabout of two more, the DoJ and its attack dogs has turned their ire on the different sectors who in one way or another caused humiliation on GMA. Gonzalez even pointed to members of the opposition, the church, advocacy groups and the business sector as conspiring to overthrow the current regime.
Personally, there seems to be a crackdown both physical and verbal on the opponents of the administration. I sense the administration has something up its sleeves. They have experimented and tested almost all constitutional and unconstitutional means to see how the people will react. The obvious apathy and disinterest the majority of the people led them to think the time is ripe. I too think the time is ripe for another dictator to rise.
So many signs have been exposed by the administration that one cannot discount the possibility of another martial law. As we all know, the administration has launched not only an armed action but also a psy-war on virtually every group that had opposed it. It has succeeded into making the people complacent of the goings on in the political arena. With their constant propaganda, they have succeeded in weakening if not totally destroying the opposition. Despite being so corrupt, the adminstration has been successful at painting the opposition more corrupt and opportunistic.
Now we see a surge in militarism. Retired military men supportive of GMA had landed jobs in the different agencies in government. With the appointment of Esperon, expect a more ruthless leadership in the AFP. She is now assured that any discontent in the military can be easily “fixed” by Esperon. One by one, she has appointed her minions in the different agencies in government. She is slowly consolidating her forces and in effect had tightened her grip on the nation.
Marcos did the same things before declaring martial law. He created a sense of impunity and apathy in society that anything he did was readily accepted by almost everyone. I hope I read these signs wrong, but the inability of those GMA tasked to saving her through Cha-Cha had not produced the results she wanted. Her allies had been trying everything to prevent any election from happening in 2007.
We first heard the faint shouts of Sigaw ng Bayan. The Abalos saying there is no approved funding for the elections. The curtailment of basic human rights, extrajudicial killings of the legitimate left and journalists, “discovery” of assassination plots, and small isolated bombings followed next. And now, the witch hunt that the “Inquisition” este, the DoJ has cooked up with the help of Lt. San Juan and Amb. Seneres pointing to several businessmen and advocacy groups in a plot to overthrow GMA before her SONA.
I may be wrong with my observations and some may even dismiss them as simply paranoia. But one is sure, we are in for a very rough ride.
Martial Law or any form close to this is soon to happen. Bansot was about to declare Martial Law last time in cahoot with her allies in Congress for approval if not for America’s disapproval. As a result, she only declared one level lower which was state of emergency. The similarities between that of Marcos and today are too close not to expect it to happen. To think that it’s the only way for bansot to remain in power and escape all her crimes make it more scary. Whether or not Martial Law would be declared is no longer the question but when. When is when the US gives her approval. Remember, no coup or any kind of action would succeed without Uncle Sam’s blessing.
“duduy”, are you saying now that the conflict in the middle east is the fault of the US and Israel? The “root” of the conflict between the Israelis and most Arab nations goes back even beyond the “age of modern history”. Biblical times pa ay magkalaban na ang mga Hudyo at mga Palestino…kaya marapat lamang “siguro” na maghinay-hinay” tayong LAHAT sa “pagtuturo” kung sino ang may “sala” sa KAGULUHANG IYON. Madaling “magdunung-dunungan” at sabihing “mali” ang isang “lahi” o “bansa” sa nangyayari sa ngayon, pero sana kung “magbibigay” TAYO ng “sarili” nating “blaming-opinion”, huwag naman sana na “para bagang tiyak-na-tiyak” mo ang “sarili mong opinyon”. Mahiya naman sana “TAYO”.
Sinong duduy? Tama ang sinabi mo na nasa bible ang kasaysayan ng Israel at Palestinian. Ang Israel ay unang bayan ng Diyos pero tumalikod sa Kanya. Nagalit ang Diyos nang sumamba ang mga Israelita sa Diyos-Diyosan. Nasa Biblia po iyan at hindi galing sa akin. Dahil sa mga kasalanan nila, isinumpa sila ng Panginoon. Kaya hanggang sa panahon ngayon ay hindi sila natatahimik at patuloy ang bakbakan. Ang nakakatakot ay ang mga hula hindi lang sa biblia kundi pati na mula kay Nostradamus na marami ang naniniwala. Ang ikatatlong digmaan ng mundo ay manggagaling sa Middle-East. Iyan ang senyales na malapit na tayo sa araw ng paghuhukom.
Sa palagay mo alin ang “mas malapit”, ang “pagkawala ni gloria sa puwesto” o ang “paghuhukom” na sinasabi mo? Kung saan-saan na “pumupunta” ang mga “isyu” na nabubuksan mo…pero ang “ISYU ni GLORIA” ang dapat nating “talakayin”.
Binanggit mo na rin lang ang “araw ng paghuhukom” o ang “Armageddon”…bakit parang “takot-na-takot” ka? Ayaw mo ba nuon, kapag nangyari o sumapit ang araw na iyon….kahit si PANDAK at ang kaniyang mga “alipores” ay tunaw rin…duon, makakamtan ng “pangkaraniwang tao” na “pantay” sila sa mga “elitista”. LOL….LOL 😀
Spartan: Akala ko ba nagbabasa ka ng biblia? Pabanggit-banggit ka pa ng biblia tapos pati ang “araw ng paghuhukom” you’re questioning! Connected iyan sa nangyayari sa Middle-East. Kung gusto mo ng usapang pang-religion, call ako. Hindi tayo lumalayo ng issue. Sa katunayan, ang daming blog dito ang tungkol sa CBCP at mga obispo. Kung iyan ang pag-uusapan di maaalis na banggitin ang nasa biblia pati na ang ilang aral ng Diyos na connected sa nangyayari sa kasalukuyan. Sa tanong mo naman na kung sino ang mauuna o malapit: Ang pagkawala ni Gloria o ang paghuhukom…Diyos lang ang nakakaalam. Pero ayon na din sa biblia, darating si Kristo na parang isang magnanakaw. Christ will return like a thief in a sudden. Iyan ang dahilan kung bakit dapat humanda ang lahat sa Kanyang pagparito. Eh kung kagaya mo na pilosopo at ihahambing pa ang pagkawala ni Gloria at paghuhukom (Christ’s Second Advent) aba diyan ka na lang at mag-Spartan ka ng mag-isa mo.
“talk to the hand” @ jorgie
jorgiena,
Makikisabat lang ako, gusto ko lang i-correct yun sinabi mong nag”sorry” ang Israel sa pagbomba sa Palestinian beach. Na-imbestigahan ng mabuti yan at nadiskubre na ang mismong mga militant Palestinian ang nagtanim ng landminds doon at nagkataon kapwa Palestino nila ang nabiktima. Tama sabi ni Spartan, mas magandang alamin muna ang kompletong istorya bago magbigay ng opinion!
Ewan ko lang, hindi pababayaan ng Diyos mawasak ang Israel, napapaligiran na yan ng mga kalaban bansang Arabs pero hindi parin nila matalo-talo ang Israel. Sigurado ikakatwrian na kinakampihan ng US na dapat lang dahil lahat ng Arabs country nagkakaisa laban sa Israel!
Nakuh, walang patutunguhan kung magdedebate pa about Israel and Palestine, doon lang kayo magconcentrate kung paano patatalsikin si GMA! 😉
I’m wondering why Sen. Magsaysay didn’t run after Cito Lorenzo. Under the principle of command responsibility, he should be made accountable for the P728 million fertilizer scam. He can’t just say that it was bolante who was behind it. He was the head of the agency then.
Lorenzo is also in the U.S.
Chiongo, alam kong ang Israel ang bumomba sa beach dahil nasa beach ako noon. Buti na lang nagtago ako sa buhangin. Kidding aside, thanks for the correction. Sa CNN ko lang napanood na nag-sorry ang Israel PM. Siguro mas credible kayo ni Spartan kesa sa CNN. Sinungaling pala ang CNN! Simula ngayon sa inyong dalawa na ako maniniwala.
‘Bolante asylum ploy to avoid RP prosecution’
A lawyer on Tuesday said former agriculture undersecretary Jocelyn “Joc-Joc” Bolante plans to seek asylum in the United States to avoid prosecution in the Philippines.
Harry Roque told DZMM that a person who faces charges in his country usually seeks asylum overseas.
Senators tagged Bolante the mastermind in the alleged P728-million fertilizer fund scam. The fund intended for farmers was allegedly channeled to the campaign kitty of President Arroyo in 2004.
The Senate issued a warrant of arrest against Bolante after snubbing hearings of the Committee on Agriculture about the fertilizer fund.
Roque said hearings for asylum grants take years. “So Bolante, to prevent being deported, applied for asylum,” he said.
In the interview, Roque also said that he and some impeachment complainants are planning to fly to the United States to uncover the mystery of Bolante’s arrest.
He said they will try to ask US authorities to give them access to Bolante. They will explain that Bolante is an important witness in the new impeachment complaint against Mrs. Arroyo, he added.
“Since Americans take impeachment very seriously, we are hoping that we will be granted access [to Bolante],” he said, adding that plans are in the preliminary stage.
Roque said he wants to talk to Bolante and learn directly from the former government official the reason for his detention.
Bolante was arrested at the Los Angeles airport on July 7 after his US tourist visa was cancelled. Reports, meanwhile, said Bolante was arrested for an immigration case and that the US embassy in Manila ordered the cancellation of his visa.
Roque, however, believes that Bolante was arrested for a bigger reason, noting the $100,000 bail being asked for the latter’s temporary release.
The lawyer said that based on experience, anyone who was arrested over a cancelled visa is immediately deported back to his country.
He said that in Bolante’s case, the former undersecretary was asked to pay a large amount for bail and he was able to seek asylum.
This was unusual for someone who has not been charged in his own country, Roque said.
Senator Rogue was just speculating on everything. A bail is determined on the person character and his or her tendency and capacity to disappear and not be available when court is ready to hear the indictment or charges against such person. Since Bolante is known to have a Houdini abilities may have been brought by the D.A. to the attention of the Court.
And also you don’t have to be charged of any felony or any political “wrongdoing” in your home country to apply for Political Asylum or Refugee as the case maybe. It is up for the Refugee Board ( in Canada) or any Proper Authority in the U.S, to determine the applicant’s status for consideration. And it is not as simple as telling the applicant, hey yo hoo turn around and go home, you can’t qualify. So I wish the good Senator may even have to gather some facts before even commenting. Let the speculations and opinions be left among us bloggers and commenters..
Sorry I misread Lawyer Roque as the senator, sorry for the mistake. Well, as a lawyer he should be able to intervene, only if granted that right by mr. Bolante himself. And the U.S. will still observe due process in Mr. Bolante case, whether the take Impeachment seriously or not. And caveat to Lawyer Roque, never, never ever play politics when dealing with U.S. Justice People.
I absolutely agree with you, Vic. In fact, I wrote the same opinion in my previous posting. The above article was just taken from a news clip.
In the US, Canada as well as many countries, an alien is allowed to apply for political asylum or refugee. Hearings would be conducted for the applicant to produce evidence why he should be granted such relief. So, once you set foot in that foreign land you’re not automatically deported if you apply for the above relief. In Floria, many Cubans who escaped from their country cross the sea and once they land or set foot on the Florida, USA soil they are at once granted permanent residence status. That’s a special law for Cuban refugees.
In other words, Bolante may be able to stay in the US for a few years. Political asylum even though has some restrictions now still takes years to get a final decision. The applicant has the right to appeal. Once a final decision is made most often when it reaches the 9th Circuit, then final order of deportation is given. The applicant must leave the US as ordered usually within 30 days after the order. Otherwise, he becomes an illegal alien and fugitive. They call this in “absconder”.
Pimentel blames gov’t news blackout on confusing Bolante reports
Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Q. Pimentel, Jr. Wednesday demanded an end to the news blackout being enforced by the government on the arrest and detention of former Agriculture Undersecretary Jocelyn Bolante in the United States in the face of conflicting and confusing reports about his situation.
Pimentel expressed dismay over the explanation of the Department of Foreign Affairs that it could not furnish the media with details of Bolante’s apprehension by US immigration and customs authorities supposedly in deference to the request of his family to keep this a private matter.
He said the information about the Bolante affair should not be concealed because he is facing a Senate/Ombudsman investigation on his lead role in the misuse of more than P1 billion fertilizer fund before the May, 2004 elections.
“When anyone gets his dirty hand into the public funds intended for the farmers of the country, that is not a private matter,” Pimentel said.
“Hence, Bolante cannot invoke his right to privacy here. Public interests demand that everything regarding the whereabouts of Bolante and the reasons why he is being detained in a criminal holding facility should be made public.”
The minority leader said it is the responsibility of the government to keep tab of the Bolante case in the US and to provide the public with accurate and factual information about situation.”
“Otherwise, the temptation to believe that a coverup is being made to shield Bolante who is wanted in the country, particularly by the Senate, is hard to resist,” he said.
Due to the apparent gag order imposed on the DFA, there has been a lot of speculation about the reasons for Bolante’s arrest.
Pimentel noted that even the US embassy in Manila has been very evasive in responding to media inquiries about the Bolante case despite reports that it was the embassy that recommended the cancellation of his US travel visa.
Here’s a more detailed explanation why Bolante was arrested and why $100,000 bail:
“Why was the bond for Bolante set at $100,000 when the standard for overstaying aliens in removal proceedings is $5,000?
The answer is simple but requires an understanding of U.S. immigration law. Before the Immigration Act of 1996, an alien apprehended after physically entering the U.S. would be placed in deportation proceedings while one apprehended at the border or at an airport would be placed in exclusion proceedings. In deportation proceedings, the U.S. government has the burden of proving in immigration court that the alien should be deported from the U.S. In exclusion proceedings, the burden of proof is on the alien to prove that he should be allowed to enter the U.S.
Although the 1996 law replaced the terms deportation and exclusion with a new term — “removal proceedings”, the distinction remained. In deportation proceedings, aliens are generally entitled to “bond” (not “bail”). In exclusion proceedings, however, aliens are not entitled to be released on bond. If one is allowed to bond out, the bond is usually set at a very high rate, like $100,000.
Bolante is likely to apply for political asylum in order to stay in the U.S. Although he may not qualify for it, the application for asylum will allow Bolante to stay in the U.S. for years, out of custody — if he can post the bond.”
jorgie:
As for Big Mike’s trip to San Francisco, he really frequents that place even when the midget was still a senador. For one thing, they have properties like a mansion along Bush Street in downtown SF. Also, Mike and Vicky Toh’s dating place is either in California or Vancouver. It’s not tsismis ’cause it has become an open secret. Some of my friends saw them. Vicky has a mansion in Vancouver presumably from the scam she made in Manila.
THIS IS A BIG SHIT!!! midget & bigman really workin for this ever since! they succesfully made it on top without public knowledge. bakit hindi sumingaw ito noong senador pa lang si midget? hindi nabatikos si midget dahil hindi naman lumalaban ng debate sa bulwagan ng senado. tahimik lang ang gaga! Sana! magliwanag na sa publiko kung anong kaso sa likod ni Bolante! so rare! never happen before in US immigration history, that’s according to some USimmigration source. 3-Phil.gov’t agencies tahimik simula pa. mabuti at gumalaw ang U.S.embassy. lihim na nginaratan ni bigman ang senado. if this Bolante’s case is rare, then this will be History in the making!!!!!
vendictimus, jorgie and All:
>never happen before in US immigration history
si Pavel Borodin, holder ng diplomatic passport pero inaresto upon arrival sa New York Airport noong 2001
for more info:
[http://emperors-clothes.com/articles/jared/borodin.htm]
Assuming for a moment that Gloria has nothhing to do with the Fertilizer Scam, her people should be all over the Federal Government to return Bolante to answer for where millions of tax pesos went.
Why is the accountability of a former goevernment official for the disappearance to tax pesos not part of the “priorities” of this administration?