November 2006 – Page 2 – ellen tordesillas

Xerox problems

Published by Ellen on November 23, 2006

The rebellion case against 49 persons in connection with the supposed coup plot last February was reduced last Monday to arguments over lack of photo-copying machines.

One has to give credit to state prosecutors Deana Perez and Geronimo Sy for trying to put order and sense in the preliminary investigation hearings. In the first place, the affidavit complaint signed by NBI deputy director Reynaldo O. Esmeralda and Jesus A, Verzosa of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group was neither here nor there.

One example was the stupid mistake in referring to Francisco “Dodong” Nemenzo, former president of the University of the Philippines as Prudencio Dodong Nemenzo.

Desperate GMA gives order for “final push”

Published by Ellen on November 23, 2006

Twice rebuffed by the Supreme Court in her bogus “People’s Intiative”, Arroyo has given the signal to violate again the Constitution: Constituent Assembly minus the…

“Libeled ones” take on Mike Arroyo

Published by Ellen on November 22, 2006

(The author of this article, Regina Bengco, is Malaya’s Malacañang reporter. She is one of the 43 journalists sued by Mike Arroyo for libel.)

Forty-two of the 43 media persons sued for libel by First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo yesterday agreed to file a suit against Atty. Arroyo for abusing his powers to file libel cases and for violating the rights of journalists.

Lawyer Harry Roque, the group’s counsel, briefed some of the media persons on the case at the Malcolm Hall at the University of the Philippines campus in Diliman. He said the suit is “an unprecedented social experiment but a worthwhile endeavor.”

Patong- patong na kasalanan

Published by Ellen on November 22, 2006

Hindi pa kaya ni AFP Chief Gen. Hermogenes Esperon naisip ngayon na ang kasalanan ay hindi maa-aring takpan ng isa pang kasalanan?

Hindi pa kaya nasabi sa kanya ng kanyang spiritual adviser na ang isang kasalanan ay maaring mabura lamang kung ito ay iyong i-kumpisal at pagsisihan?

Alam natin kung ano ang ugat ng demoralisasyon ng mga sundalo. Iyon ay ang paggamit sa kanila sa mga bagay na salungat sa kanilang panata bilang sundalo katulad na pagdaraya sa eleksyon at pangungurakot ng kaban ng pamahalaan.

Esperon furious over leak

Published by Ellen on November 21, 2006

Exposed to have overruled the recommendation of the panel that conducted pre-trial investigation on the failed February 2006 coup, AFP Chief Hermogenes Esperon wants to know who leaked a copy of the report to media.

“He is furious. He wants everybody investigated,” a Malaya source said.

We got an unsigned copy of the PTI report by Col. Al Perreras, Maj.Erwin Victoriano Machica and Maj. Agustin Matavia last Monday which we posted here.

Most unpopular, least trusted

Published by Ellen on November 21, 2006

Gloria Arroyo is the most unpopular and the least trusted of the country’s top five officials.

The latest Pulse Asia Survey showed that almost half (48%) of the Filipinos disapprove of Arroyo’s performance while 50 % distrust her.

Among the country’s top five officials, Arroyo is the only one with negative and plunging approval marks. Vice President Noli de Castro’s net rating rose from 28 in July to 34, that of Senate President Manuel Villar Jr. from 45 to 48, that of Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. from 1 to 6, and that of Chief Justice Artemio Panganiban from 5 to 16.

Journalists to sue Arroyo’s husband

Published by Ellen on November 21, 2006

The following article by Raissa Robles is in today’s issue of the Hongkong-based South China Morning Post.

Dozens of Philippines journalists are playing first gentleman Mike Arroyo at his own game, filing a class-action lawsuit against the president’s litigious husband.

University of the Philippines law professor Harry Roque, who prepared the petition, said all but one of the 43 journalists being sued for libel by Mr Arroyo had agreed to sign up to the lawsuit.

The suit claims Mr Arroyo breached their rights under the civil code, and will seek cash damages.

Esperon on PTI report: I will not confirm

Published by Ellen on November 20, 2006

AFP Chief of staff Hermogenes Esperon was asked by Philipppine Daily Inquirer about the unsigned recommendation of the Perreras panel dismissing the charge of mutiny against the 38 officers and recommended court martial only for Conduct Unbecoming of an Officer and Gentleman. His reply: “Whatever it is, it’s still my decision.”

Asked if the JAGO had recommended the dismissal of mutiny charges, Esperon said: “I will not confirm that.”

Sources said the original Oct. 25 findings of the panel headed by Col. Al Perreras was changed upon orders of Esperon.
Sources said the Esperon , upon seeing the original recommendations, expressed his displeasure and “suggested” that the panel take another look at the evidence.

Pangsariling interes lang

Published by Ellen on November 20, 2006

Sinabi ni Pangulong Manuel L. Quezon, “My loyalty to my party ends, where my loyalty to my country begins. (Ang aking katapatan sa aking partido ay nagtatapos kung saan nasisimula ang ang aking katapatan sa aking bayan.)”

Hindi na uso ang ganoong panindigan ngayon. Hindi na iniisip ang partido at bayan. Sariling interes lang.

Tingnan nyo ang nangyari sa Pampanga.

Pre-trial investigation report on Feb. 2006 incident

Published by Ellen on November 20, 2006

AFP Chief of Staff Hermogenes Esperon today ordered the court martial of 30 military officers led by Brig. Gen. Renato Miranda for the Mutiny and Conduct Unbecoming of an Officer and Gentleman in connection with the February 24, 2006 alleged planned withdrawal of support from Gloria Arroyo and the Fort Bonifacio standoff on Feb. 26, 2006.

We, however, obtained an unsigned report of the preliminary trial investigation conducted by the factfinding body headed by Col. Al Perreras of Office of the Judge Advocate General (Click here) which showed recommendations that the charge of “attempting to create or begin mutiny” be dismissed and the charge of “Conduct Unbecoming of an Officer and Gentleman) be referred to trial for court-martial.

Month: November 2006