Breaking news:
Defense Secretary Avelino “Nonong” Cruz, Jr. tendered his “irrevocable” resignation today effective Nov. 30, 2006.
His two- sentence resignation letter:
“I hereby tender my irrevocable resignation effective Nov. 30, 2006.
“Thank you for the opportunity to be of service to the nation.”
Cruz personally handed his resignation letter to Arroyo in a one-on-one meeting with her this morning.
Cruz’s resignation bolsters talks about the rift between Arroyo and The Firm, referring to the law firm, Villaraza & Angangco, which nurtured her political career ever since 1998.
The Firm was orginally Carpio, Villaraza & Cruz. Carpio is Supreme Court Justice Antonio Carpio, who wrote the majority decision dismissing the Malacañang-initiated People’s Initiative of Singgaw ng Bayan and Ulap (Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines).
Sources said Cruz has told Arroyo and her advisers about his opposition to Cha-Cha now and No-Election in 2007 that are being pushed by her and her advisers to save Arroyo’s tainted and unstable presidency.
From Rep. Roilo Golez:
Last week, when reports came out about Arroyo’s allies pushing for ChaCha and No-El, wanting to ease out Cruz, Senator Rodolfo Biazon issued the following statement:
When you appoint an individual to lead a Government Department or Agency or Ministry as the case maybe, you rely on such individual to developed programs of implementing the general direction of the Government vision and also to advise the Head of the Government for a quick “detour” if such projects or programs have a negative effect on the Economy or General Welfare of the Nation. Secretary Cruz exemplify such an individual. He clearly saw that the proposed mode of amending or revising the constitution is Unconstitutional and designed for the interest of the proponents. He clearly envisioned that the N0-EL is to defeat the process of democratic rights that are invested on the people to replace or vote for their representatives at appointed time. He clearly see on every turns that the government he is serving is influencing all the major decisions, covering up the dirty deeds of its cronies or the very people at the Top themselves all for their own selfish interests.
Last Federal Election, the Conservative Party made a promise not to impose tax on income from trust funds. A very contentious issue, since a lot of income are not taxed and the tax bases are slowly disappearing. Upon appointing MP Jim Flaherty to the Ministry of Finance and barely half a year in the Minority Govt. , the Minister took a quick detour by declaring that all income from Trust funds are subject to tax. A very unpopular move and a broken election promise. This was decision was made in a hurry, upon the decision by Two Giant Telecoms, Bell Canada and Telus Telecom to convert their share into Trust Funds, meaning both have only to pay taxes either on profit on the company or profits distributed to shareholders. And a lot of non-trust companies are following suit. Plug the Dam before it burst. After the initial shock of the market, next day everything back to normal. For the retiree who are receiving income from Trust Funds, we know who their votes are going to the next election, and a few corporate biggies who are supposed to be the friends of the Conservatives. I myself, being a Party Member, support fully the move by Minister Flaherty. It is unpopular, we might get a thrashing the next election, or the voters will realized that we need the tax base for a long sustainable stable economy and social order. Imagine if half the Giant Corporations, (some maybe owned or controled by Politicians and their families)convert its share into Trust Funds?
As for Secretary Cruz, sometimes you have to slap your boss in the face to make her return to her senses and then resign. As for Minister Flaherty, the PM support his move and the so the Party. As for the People, we will hear and wait their decisions on the next Election anytime since this a Minority Government.
aha…nagsimula na ba ng self-destruct mode ang mga luko-loko?
tingin ko dito, sacrifice move ito to appease PIRMA syndicate-advocates na kunwari siya ang responsable sa pagkatalo ng Cha-cha sa SC.
sige, ituloy na ninyo iyan mga labanan sa loob ng Palasyo na kilala bilang snake pit.
Not knowing this man personally, I would not like to comment on his worth, but I’m glad to know that he has come to his senses, and that he resigned on his own volition, and not because he has learned of how the Bansot had planned to sack him.
The opportunity to serve his country is not something that the Bansot will be willing to let anyone in her cabinet or in public office do. What she definitely wants is someone who can serve her and her only!
It’s the same feeling that must have been shared by the famous Hyatt 10 who had given up in the end after realizing that serving the Bansot government is not to serve the country. Hopefully, more appointees will come to their senses, too, before the country is pushed deeper in the mire.
Filipinos definitely cannot live on lies and deceit. The Bansot should be removed now. The country is definitely sinking. It should be saved now.
PATALSIKIN NA, NOW NA!
Ellen,
N. Cruz’ irrevocable resignation was not a surprise at all, given the circumstances that surrounded it. The county’s gain? I, for one, will be waiting for his next moves now that he’s “physically” out of that snake pit.
siguro nasusulasok na rin si avelino cruz sa mga pressures na ibinibigay sa kanya ni glutonia at mga tsuwawa lalo na sa mga kapalpakan ng kuwadro de hudas (termita, bunge, depindot at siraulo gunggongzales) at naisip niyang oras na upang ipadama ang kanyang pagkadismaya. nakalaya na siya sa mala-impiyernong bangungot sa kanyang pagkakasadlak sa lungga ng mga ahas!
hinde na bago yan sa sestema ng gobyerno natin na syempre kapag “malapit ng malunod ang bangka kailangan na tumalon ka na!”–SOS–(SAVE OUR SELF) kung hinde sasama kang malunod sa kanila!; na lunod sa kapangyarihan, sa nanalapit na halalan marami pang tatalon sa bangka ng kasalukuyang administrasyon.Isa lng si cruz sa nakahalata ng unti-unting paglubog ni Arrovo. marami pangtatalon at lilipat sa ibang bangka gaya ng ginawa nina sen. pangilinan etc. na nasa line-up na ni ERAP para sa 2007 election. di ba nahalata ni arrovo yan? KAPAL NAMAN!!
Oo nga,jumping ships time na naman,JJ.
signs of the forthcoming downfall of this inconsequential midget.
How many decent cabinet members there are left in Gloria’s cabinet to date? With Nonong Cruz gone, the decent group has only thinned out; so much so that they have become unnoticeable! The majority of cabinet members are an ill-mannered breed who are now running governement beginning with the leaders of the pack, namely, the Midget and the Pig. Even a a kid can figure out where we are headed with these illegal crew! Only a DESPERADO would join this administration.
There is a consequence to this resignation. Abangan…
These Malacanang crooks kept denying nothing was wrong with Cruz and some cabinet members. Now, such rumor or news has been confirmed to be true. An in-fighting and internal war has been going on lately. I’ve the feeling this Mike Defensor also now feels uncomfortable in Malacanang. Notice his silence. This talkative idol of the GROs in QC used to talk everyday. He was one of the most talkative cabinet members. Why so quiet now? Expect worse to come. GMA’s ouster is soon coming.
Off topic: Saddam’s death sentence verdict didn’t come as a surprise to many. What was surprising was why it was decided a couple of days before the US election. Since the current Iraqi leaders were appointed by Bush and the US (election was just a formality to make it legitimate), the Iraqi Court of course could not be considered independent. How could it be when it was under the Iraqi government and US’s scrutiny since the trials began. If Saddam was acquitted, it would have given Bush and his party the final blow to their death at the election arena. Amidst the scandals and people’s protest against Bush-US’s foreign/war policies, this death sentence of Saddam has given them some hope to give the Democrats a good fight. The inevitable defeat of the Republicans could also be a prelude to the defeat of Arryo’s candidates next election. Here goes another similarity between the two, Bush and GMA.
npongco,
baka “binusulan” na rin si little mike, hence his silence.
Chi,
Sino ba si Little Mike at sino itong si Mikey. Kasi doon sa speech ni Bansot equating the Batsoy with Rizal, sabi niya Mikey na alam ko tawag doon sa mataba ding anak na mukhang kabayo. Kakalito naman.
Hehe, si little mike ay si Mike Defensor na mouthpiece ni bansot. Si Mikey ay ang artista na anak ni bansot, current governor ng pampanga, and known as ‘the lion king’ dahil sa jueteng.
Npongco,
Good obeservation on Mike D. I didn’t notice that until you mentioned it. Oo nga no, haven’t heard “This talkative idol of the GROs in QC…” talk lately! I wonder why…
wish that this christmas everybody in this evil regime of GMA will out,especially GMA and FG,now may we ask the influential and very political religious group of ka ernie manalo the iglesia ni cristo to cut ties with evil GMA!! this is now the time for us to unite and oust this evil GMA and her evil minions,let us all pray hard that this nightmare will be over..thanks Lord you are now giving us the light at the end of the tunnel!!
My suspicion of MD grew after he visited Erap for the latter’s endorsement to his senatorial candidacy. Perhaps GMA was not aware of such visit. The politicians especially from the administration side are on a panic mood. It would be very hard for them not to woe the opposition leaders; and currently there’s no other better leader but Erap. If you have his blessings, your chance is better. As for the confucion between the two Mikeys, Little Mike refers to Mike Defensor while Mickey refers to the drunkard, arrogant, horse smuggler presidential son.
Npongco,
Your suspicion on MD is interesting. I also think that the senatorial line-up of the Midget is pretty bad and I do not think most of them stand a chance to win-provided, of course, that all things being equal, the Midget and the Pig don’t cheat. But, that is asking for the moon to turn purple no?
The only way GMA’s team would win is to cheat. If there’s no rampant cheating, the opposition would win by a mile. This is one way of people showing their anger with this evil administration. My fear is that GMA’s political operators have already started. That’s the reason for DILG Sec. Puno’s appointment. He’s a very effective operator. Then, she has the entire PNP and AFP around her. And as long as Abalos remains as Comelec Chair, my fear becomes stronger. Finally, if Miriam becomes the SC Chief, that would put icing to the whole cake in favor of GMA in the next election. It’s all written on tne wall. We must not wait for this thing to happen. GMA must be ousted NOW !
Someone passed this to me and I wonder if it’s really true Cory was worse than Marcos. Or this DOJ’s Secretary’s opinion could have been passed to him by his fake boss due to the souring relationship between the two women. But upon careful analysis, I also believe Cory was much worse. What has she done during her term except to run after her enemies just like what this Gloria has been doing from day one? So, Cory has no moral authority to even go against GMA. That explains why the opposition is divided. Even within Cory’s inner group, no one believes her anymore. Oh yes, it would be different if her former spiritual mentor Cardinal Sin is still around. Since Ellen used to be anti-Marcos and identified with Cory, I would like her to translate the article below or at least share us her opinion:
MASAHOL PA KAY FM! — RAUL
Mas masahol pang diktador si dating Pangulong Corazon Aquino kumpara kay yumaong Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos.
Ito ang walang gatol na sinabi kahapon ni Justice Sec. Raul Gonzalez sa kanyang programang “Hustisya para sa Lahat” sa himpilang dwIZ kung saan sinabi pa nitong mas epektibong diktador
ang biyuda kaysa tinaguriang ‘strongman’ na si Marcos.
Bagama’t sa kasaysayan ng Pilipinas ay itinuturing na pinakamaraming human rights violations na naitala sa rehimen ni Marcos, para kay Gonzalez ay sinira ni Aquino ang rekord ng namayapang diktador.
Ibinatay ng kalihim ang opinyon sa mga radikal na pagbabagong ginawa ng dalawang nagdaang pangulo kung saan higit umanong maraming naging pagbabago sa ilalim ng maiksing panunungkulan ni Aquino sa pagkakatayo nito ng isang rebolusyunaryong gobyerno.
Sinabi ni Gonzalez na nagawa umano ng biyuda ni slain Sen. Benigno ‘Ninoy’ Aquino na baguhin ang Saligang Batas ni Marcos kaya’t isinilang ang 1987 Constitution. Ginalaw din umano nito ang Kongreso at maging ang Korte Suprema ay hindi pinaligtas ni Arroyo.
“She (Aquino) is the most effective dictator. She abolished Constitution, abolished Congress including the Supreme Court. She ordered the resignation of justices and judges. Siya lang ang nakagawa niyan,” ani Gonzalez.
Ipinaalala pa ng kalihim na inatasan din noon ni Aquino ang mga nakaupong local officials na magsipagbitiw sa kanilang posisyon at nagawa umano niya ang lahat ng ito nang walang pagtutol ng sambayanang Filipino.
Inilatag ni Gonzalez ang negatibong komento laban kay Aquino sa isyu ng isinusulong ngayong Charter change (ChaCha) ni Pangulong Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo na dumadaan sa tama at legal na proseso kumpara sa ChaCha noon ng byuda.
Hi Npongco,
Siguro maniniwala ako kung ang nagsabi nito ay iba, …pero si Ilonggong Gonzalez? Forgive me….NEVER! NEVER! NEVER!!! Tikalon na kaayo! (Napakasinungaling niyan!) Tulad ng kanyang Boss Bansot!
To Vic,
“sometimes you have to slap your boss in the face to make her return to her senses and then resign.” I like your statement!And even if his boss” won’t feel the pain (kasi kapal muks nga), kung sa German pa nga sasabihin nila, “Macht nichts!” (It doesn’t matter!)..ang importante…Natamaan siya! And I love Sec. Cruz for being bold enough to voice what he knew was WRONG all along! Tama ang sinabi ni Rep. Golez” Uncompromising. Hindi sipsip. Hindi YES man. Sa ibang salita, hindi siya tulad ni DOJ Gonzalez! Abaw gainit gid ulo ko sa tawo nga ini, ah!
Npongco,
Cory did all what SiRaul Goonzales said, but, I don’t know if he mentioned that Cory was the head of a revolutionary government at that time. Being the head of a revolutionary government, she has all the power to overhaul the entire structure, unfortunately, she was too weak and depended on politicians who have nothing but self-interest, so the Philippines is still lingering at the doghouse today.
I don’t know anything about Sec Cruz. All I know is he is a part of the corrupt cheating and controversial gov’t. of the Glue. The military and the police are under his department and what did he do about those illegal actions (during elections, killings, etc) of the military and police generals under his jurisdiction? Conscience must have caught up with him and make him change direction. I’d say better late than never.
Elvira Sahara Says:
“Tama ang sinabi ni Rep. Golez” Uncompromising. Hindi sipsip. Hindi YES man. Sa ibang salita, hindi siya tulad ni DOJ Gonzalez! Abaw gainit gid ulo ko sa tawo nga ini, ah!”
elvira sahara eksakto na untani ang first and second sentence eh. it has gone awry when you compared Sec. Cruz with Sec. Gonzales. important government policies and directions are normally a product of consensus arrived at at the cabinet level before the president adopt it as her own. we don’t know if they vote on it based on simple majority, majority of all or 3/4 votes of the cabinet. of course the final decision is with the president. the only problem of the president is when she adopt and implement policies not supported by her cabinet, then she will be in deep trouble.
tulad ng ginsiling ko na kasadto, ang cabinet meeting indi na sya pareho sa blog nga ang parepareho ang dalagan sang pag iisip lang ang nagaulopod. the more divergent the opinions voiced there are in the cabinet, the better. i think wiser is the president if he or she keeps a “devil’s advocate” in her stable. he or she can listen and take a closer look at contrary opinion put forward during deliberations. because contrary opinions are normally that adopted by political opposition, that way the president can better prepare in advance the defense on the stand taken and adopted by the government.
i heard from reliable sources that sec. gonzales and other cabinet members are the proponents of cha-cha. so that does not make him a “sip-sip” rather the chief architect. when GMA adopted it, probably it was only because the cha-cha fits exactly her own hidden political agenda.
sec. gonzales is a controversial persona through and through. a retired CA justice who was then a judge in bulacan wrote in his broadsheet column that gonzales, even as a young practicing lawyer is brusque and disrespectful in court even in the presence of the judge. he got the ire of the SC when he was stripped of his privilege as a lawyer for many years because of the same discourteous or contemptuous attitude he has no qualm displaying about.
it is sec. cruz’s personal prerogative to leave the cabinet because he finds his position on the cha-cha issue very important to him because of the nature of his “irrevocable resignation”. besides, he fully realized that his position had already caused some cracked which could lead to more intrigues both within and without malacañang. that could possibly marginalized his own power and make him less effective leader in his own department. and he probably realized there is no other way much better than GO. if a divided house crumbles later, it will serve him well if he is no longer around. we would really never know if there are other important issues where he hold contrary opinion against the majority in the cabinet. even if one serves at the pleasure of the president, if his or her heart is for the welfare of the greater majority, he or she would not hesitate to depart from the rest by taking different opinion. that is healthy for the country.
Fencesitter:
Salamat gid! But I’m referring to DOJ Gonzalez, the Ilongo, and not to Sec. Gonzales.
tama ang ginawa ni sec. cruz bago paman sya matama-an ng kidlat at madamay kakalas na sya! hanggat maaga pa nakapg-isip na sya, He don’t care his position ang importante malinis ang konsensya nya! hinde kagaya ni DOJ sec. gonsalez halata ang paninipsip sa amo nya tinaguri-an pa namang DOJ SEC. pero magdesisyon hinde balanse, ang sabi nila ang mga ilonggo malambing pero itong si sec. gonsalez masyadong matalas ang dila at garapal kung magsalita, uugod-ugod na TIKALON MAN GUIHAPON! AMO NA NGA WAAY GUID SA IYA SANG NAGAPALANGGA DIRE SA ILOILO ahh! HAMBOG PA!!!
Tsk, tsk, tsk – Pandak’s administration is starting to implode. It appears to be in a self-destruct mode. And sooner than later she’s history. The worst in Philippines’ history.
We have a baboon in the Justice Department who is a loose cannon who needs a psycho-analyst for the examination of his head.
Wondering why Mighty Mimiyak Defensor is sooooo quite these days?
Tama ang timbre sa akin, diba, Ellen? Ay dahil unang natigok si Nonong Cruz, malinaw na ang namayani yung grupong gustong kumopo sa pwesto niya, at sa pag-aabugado sa pamilya ng Donya. Ang alam ko pinsan pa naman ni Pandak si Pancho dahil Villaraza ang nanay niya.
Dito naman natin malinaw na makikita kung kanino ang interes na napanatili sa labanang ito, sa ipapalit kay Cruz at sa “the Firm”. Giyera na ‘to.
Lalo nang wala silang maaasahan kay SCJ Carpio niyan.
just want to echo the common response that tis satisfying to be at the sidelines watching this corrupt , fake , immoral , greedy government implode and self-destruct.
ohhh and also that is it even more amusing to read the word ” tikalon ” …
Well, what can I say about this Nonong Cruz is at least “nakonsensiya siya.” The reason is that I saw an unedited version of his interview with the Pandak transmitted to a Japanese TV that I was asked to transcribe for a news flash on TV during the landslide in Leyte, and I was not impressed. I could not understand how people like him and the other members of the Bansot’s could bear being treated like stupid kids by the Bansot who was definitely trying to show off even when it was obvious that there was nothing in that brain of hers.
I felt disgust in fact more than pity for these supposedly fine gentlemen being made to look really stupid. The word “gunggong” in fact was most fitting. It was obvious that he was more like a tsimoy than one who is put there because he could do a good job. At least, natauhan din siya sa wakas! Dapat lang, sa totoo lang! You bet, tarantado lang talaga ang magtitiyagang kumapit kay Bansot and husband. Talk of “Birds of the same feather flock together!”
juan jr.,
kung ikaw kaya ang piliting pakakainin ng apdo, nakangiti ka bang isusubo ito? ganyan marahil ang nangyari kay avelino cruz. at tama ka, dapat SOS (save one’s self) para huwag malunod bago pa lumubog ang inaanay na glutonia’s arc.
kasing kapal ba naman ng balat ng rhinoceros, may pakiramdam pa ba ‘yang ina ng lamang lupa na ‘yan?.
Sa ibang salita, hindi siya tulad ni DOJ Gonzalez! Abaw gainit gid ulo ko sa tawo nga ini, ah!
elvie, pansinin mo ang mga antics nitong si raulo gungongzalez, parang lasing ang hitsura at high sa drugs.
this resignation is like a slap on the face of gma. normally one state the reason for resigning out of courtesy, but i suppose at this point they are beyond this.
Statement of Black and White Movement:
Implosion
Communist Party of the Philippines:
Cruz resignation causing imminent implosion of Arroyo regime”
this resignation is like a slap on the face of gma. normally one state the reason for resigning out of courtesy, but i suppose at this point they are beyond this.
norpil, di ba may kasabihang one word is enough for a wise man to understand? ang ginawa ni cruz, a line is enough for a sensible person to feel the weight of the load.
Clash with FG caused Cruz’s quitting—senator
By Angie M. Rosales
11/07/2006
It was a clash with a “powerful figure” in Malacañang, First Gentleman Jose Miguel “ Mike” Arroyo, that proved to be the last straw for resigned Defense Secretary Avelino “Nonong” Cruz Jr., who, like his former partner in the law firm, Justice Antonio Carpio, has been the recipient of praises for their positions—and coming from the opposition forces.
A senator yesterday disclosed to reporters that if it had not been for Cruz’s sound legal advice from Cruz, President Arroyo, supported by her ultra-right Cabinet members, would have imposed martial rule early this year.
Sen. Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada revealed as well that apart from the squabble with some influential Cabinet members, Cruz allegedly clashed with the “powerful” presidential spouse.
Citing what he described as highly-reliable Palace sources, the opposition senator told reporters during an interview that Cruz’s tiff with the presidential
spouse had something do with the people’s initiative issue that failed to take off.
“I think the row between him and the Cabinet is really serious and I was told that it is not only with the Cabinet of Mrs. Arroyo that he (Cruz) had problems with but also with the husband of Mrs. Arroyo.
“I don’t know (over what issue their squabble was all about)..I don’t want to (speculate). It (the information) was based on a very, very reliable source. (His spat with Mr. Arroyo) started, I was told, during the time when they were pushing the people’s initiative issue.
“Maybe Cruz caved in because of intense pressure,” he said.
Estrada reiterated the same in a privilege speech he delivered also yesterday, admitting he was proven wrong by Cruz whose confirmation he had initially opposed. But Estrada also challenged other Cabinet members to follow suit and tender their resignations.
Presidential chief of staff Michael Defensor confirmed the existence of the rift in the Cabinet, saying this was the real reason Cruz left.
Defensor claimed Cruz could no longer bear the tension in the Cabinet and to prevent further intrigues, Cruz opted to resign irrevocably.
“It’s really personal. He mentioned personal reasons, he could not bear the situation anymore. He has been in the Cabinet for a long time. It’s really like that sometimes.,” Defensor said.
The Malacañang grapevine was replete with talk that Gonzalez asked Mrs. Arroyo to chose between him and Cruz.
Defensor, however, refused to identify the three Cabinet members whom Cruz said, lobbied for his ouster but sources said these three are Justice chief Raul Gonzalez, National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales and Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita.
A livid Raul Gonzalez denied he had a hand in prompting the resignation of the defense chief.
Speaking with newsmen, the DoJ chief said the President should immediately fill the void and appoint a replacement for Cruz as he assailed Defensor for “rumor-mongering” after the chief of staff pointed to him as one of the three secretaries who wanted Cruz out.
“I heard Mike Defensor say I was one of the plotters. I want to know who the others are. If I am plotting I should have co-coup plotters. He should name who are the others so that I could confront the others,” he said, adding: “You just tell Mike Defensor that he is just rumor mongering.”
He explained that he did have a disagreement with Cruz when he kept on telling us (Cabinet) that we only have three votes in the Supreme Court. He was wrong because we got seven votes,” the DoJ chief said, who insisted on having someone to take the place of Cruz.
Officials of the Department of National Defense (DND) meanwhile yesterday assured a smooth leadership transition in the defense establishment.
Defense Undersecretary Rodel Cruz said in an interview that Cruz has been assuming his official functions despite his resignation from the Cabinet of Mrs. Arroyo.
Cruz, 53, did not report to his office at the DND building in Camp Aguinaldo , Quezon City the whole day yesterday but Undersecretary Cruz was quick to say that he attended meetings outside the DND building as part of his official duty.
According to military sources, Cruz has been calling up officials of the AFP giving them instructions with regard to the leadership transition in the DND in view of his bowing out from the DND.
Sources added that Cruz has kept reminding his colleagues in the DND and the AFP to pursue the Philippine Defense Reform (PDR) that has brought significant changes in terms of financial management, manpower skills upgrading and professionalism in the defense and military organizations. “He (Secretary Cruz) doesn’t want to create ripples when he leaves the Defense Department,” a senior military official said.
Officials of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) refused to issue an official statement on the resignation of Cruz.
Maj. Gen. Jose Angel Honrado, AFP spokesman, refused to issue any comment on Cruz resignation until the President makes an official announcement with regard to his decision.
However, several senior officers — who spoke on condition of anonymity — considered the resignation of Cruz as a big loss to the defense and military establishment after he initiated the reform program since he assumed the defense portfolio.
For his part, Senator Estrada made special special mention of Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez whom he called a “Palace stooge”, unlike the Supreme Court justices who proved that they can stand up against the constitutional mockery foisted upon the people.
“The same accolade and congratulations that this humble representation has just poured and conveyed to the magnificent members of the judiciary cannot be extended to the Office of the Ombudsman,” Estrada said on the floor.
“Is it because Malacañang has already succeeded in desecrating and some people would even venture to say, prostituting the once sacred and independent institution known as the Office of the Ombudsman?” he asked.
He alleged that the Ombudsman is more than willing to do whatever the Palace wanted her to do.
“Probably this is something that former Ombudsman Simeon Marcelo, a former partner in the law office of Cruz, could no longer take, the reason they both opted to resign,” he said.
Gutierrez was present in the plenary hall when Estrada was delivering his speech, to lend support to the sponsorship of Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago on the United Nation’s Convention Against Corruption.
Estrada openly relayed his plaudits to Cruz who he said turned out to be a revelation in the defense establishment with his laser focus on the modernization and plan to professionalize the military and insulate the Armed Forces from future election anomalies and partisan politics.
“Palace insiders have reportedly said that he (Cruz) averted a major disaster for the country early this year when he vigorously opposed the proposal of other Cabinet secretaries to have Mrs. Arroyo declare martial law.
“Many have confirmed that the soft-spoken and low-profile secretary is no sycophant and he is reportedly one of the few Cabinet members, if not the only one who could say ‘no’ to the personal and political agendas of (Mrs.) Gloria Arroyo and (Mr.) Mike Arroyo.
“Cruz has proven his mettle as a top-notch lawyer who adheres to the rule of law and for valuing his good name and reputation over and above partisan politics and personal ambitions.
“We need a few good men, the likes of Cruz who has a sense of decency even though he has been closely identified with long-time clients in the person of Mrs. Arroyo and Mr. Mike ‘Jose Pidal’ Arroyo who apparently have no delicadeza and sense of decency whatsoever.
“I call on all the few good men and women in the Arroyo administration to follow the example of Cruz and those before him to tender your resignation and withdraw your support from the illegal, unpopular and oppressive and morally bankrupt regime of Mrs. Arroyo,” he said.
Estrada was joined by other colleagues, with fellow opposition lawmakers saying Mrs. Arroyo herself was to blame for the departure from the Cabinet of Cruz, which has spawned speculations as to whether he voluntarily resigned or was made to resign.
“We know that no Cabinet member will resign without a presidential order,” Senator Panfilo Lacson said, adding that Cruz’s decision is another reason the public should no longer believe in what Malacañang says.
Administration senators also expressed regret over the Cruz’ resignation from the Cabinet.
Senate President Manuel Villar Jr. said Cruz’ move to sever ties with President Arroyo’s official family is a big loss to the administration, taking into account the good secretary’s caliber and sterling track record as a legal luminary and a dedicated public servant. With Benjamin B. Pulta, Gina Peralta Elorde, Dona Policar, Sherwin C. Olaes and Gerry Baldo
Now that talks are circulating on the possible replacements of Nonong Cruz, it’s “very Gloria” that one other secretary is leaving his department for Defense. DPWH’s square-peg-in-a-round-hole, ex-cop Ebdane’s name has been floated both by padrinos and politicos in Pandak’s own circles who never got enough public work projects from him.
It only proves how shallow her bench of reserves is. She can’t get anyone from the private sector who’s decent enough or willing to lend their good reputation to an administration that cannot extricate itself from its own web of deception which all stems from, and always returns to, questions about its legitimacy.
When all else fails, there’s always Congress where she can recruit from. It’s her most prized source of dummies, supply guaranteed to last.
I don’t buy the crap that both Nonong Cruz and Ed Mañalac resigned on their own initiative. Both were pressured, by the Doña no less. No secretary will give up his position unless told to do so by either Sow or Swine.
Sir Raul O. Gonzales would not have been heard saying a mouthful were it not the schlurping ventriloquist herself speaking through the dummy on her lap who looks like an old junkie hooked on Valium.
Ed Mañalac was also pressured into resigning by the PNOC board who got their orders from who else but the Mafia Queen who acted on complaints from her dear cronies who wanted to get exploration contracts in Malampaya and Sulu when the only previous petroleum pumping experience these guys ever had was in a gas station.
As I’ve discussed lengthily in an earlier thread in this blog, this nondescript company, whose business was in fund management, and I suspect, boiler room scamming, pulled the right strings and was awarded 2 exploration contracts with possibility of future extraction contracts after Gloria issued an EO on awarding exploration contracts which purpose was aimed at getting back at Mañalac for not getting “clearance” from the Palace before awarding one contract to a Malaysian firm, Ang Mitra.
Burgundy Fund Management successfully nailed the 2 contracts after the EO despite Mañalac’s strong opposition as Burgundy lacked technical and financial capability and might just screw the whole exploration site and jeopardize Shell’s natural gas extraction which lies right on top of the petroleum reserve. The project cost runs up to billions and just like many bigtime ripoffs, the investors funds will soon vaporize with the oil, unless Burgundy is able to sell the contract to a third party or assemble a consortium with REAL oil companies doing the dirty work. It’s an upcoming scam so big and complete with all the trimmings collected from bits and pieces from experiences in the botched PSALM privatization deal, Comelec-Mega Pacific Counting Machines, and the vaporizing fertilizer scam.
I’ve spoken to some people involved who said Mañalac was afterwards subjected to constant pressure by PNOC’s Board of Directors who were Malacañang-appointed dummies, and Fatguy’s proxies. The natural decent thing for Mañalac to do was to resign.
Magandang preliminary bouts ito sa Pacquiao vs. Morales :
– Mañalac vs. Mañac na Manang na Amoy-Alac sa Malacañang
– Da Pirm vs. Pirma,
– Krus vs. Bruha!
That’s cute, Tongue.
Tongue,
Re: “DPWH’s square-peg-in-a-round-hole, ex-cop Ebdane’s name ”
You serious? Omigosh!
Here we go again…
And I won’t be surprised if Max Soliven pushes for him.
Goodbye rule of law altogether…
Gaya ng sinabi ko na, pakulo lang iyan ng Malacanang. Pinag-usapan na iyan. Ang ilalagay sa National Defense iyong pinangakuan ni tiyanak. Baga si Pichay na mahilig kumain ng petsay. Huwag tayong padadala sa mga galaw sa loob ng Malacanang. Una, kung matino ba naman ang isang tao kahit na madunong eh bakit sasama sa kabinete ni tiyanak? Kung may karangalan ka at prinsipyo, sasama ka ba sa isang manlokoko at magnanakaw? Simple lang naman di ba? Ano man ang nag-udyok para tanggapin ang puwesto sa kabinete ni tiyanak, tiyak na hindi para sa bayan kundi sa sariling interest at ng kanyang grupo. Cruz? Sino ba siya? Mabuti pang mag-Cara y Cruz na lang ako!
anna, mas credible kung si max surban ang mag-i-endorse ng kapalit ni nonong cruz.
artsee, naghahamon ka na naman ng cara y cruz, yung utang mo sa tsantsing natin hindi mo pa nabayaran? anlaki pa naman ‘nun. isang bagol.
Ellen, why didn’t you delete the above porn site sent by one prankster? You choose porn site over my critical comments?