September 2007 – Page 6 – ellen tordesillas

AFP rejects ex-Marine commandant’s appeal to free men

Published by Ellen on September 10, 2007

By Joel Guinto
Inquirer.net

The military has rejected ex-Marine commandant Major General Renato Miranda’s appeal to release eight of his men co-accused with him for mutiny and leave him to stand trial alone.

“That is not possible because the criminal and administrative liability of one person cannot be absorbed by just one person,” Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) public information officer Lieutenant Colonel Bartolome Bacarro said on Monday.

“They are charged with conspiracy, for violating the Articles of War. They have to face this,” told reporters in Camp Aguinaldo.

Medy Poblador

Published by Ellen on September 10, 2007

Wonder how Medy Poblador looks? She’s the woman beside former GMA political adviser Gabriel Claudio. Photo, sent by a friend, was taken during the failed…

‘Hello Garci’ connection

Published by Ellen on September 9, 2007

Last Friday, while former military agent T/Sgt Vidal Doble at the Senate was recounting live before TV viewers efforts of persons close to Gloria Arroyo to hide the truth in “Hello Garci” scandal, Army Capt. Ruben Guinolbay was making a statement related also to the cheating in the 2004 elections, but under the most restrictive media coverage.

It was Guinolbay’s turn to exercise his peremptory challenge on any member of the panel presiding in the special general court martial for the 28 military officers who had allegedly planned to withdraw support from a “bogus president” in February 2004.

But before exercising his right to peremptory challenge, Guinolbay asked and was granted two minutes to make a statement.

The young officer, known as the “hero of Lamitan” for his courageous battle against the Abu Sayyaf in June 2001, said it was the first time that he got near a microphone since the start of the trial almost a year ago.

Former Marine commandant seeks freedom for his men

Published by Ellen on September 9, 2007

By Joel Guinto
INQUIRER.net

Ex-Marine Commandant Major General Renato Miranda has urged the military to release eight of his men, who are his co-accused for mutiny before a court-martial, for the “common good,” and that he alone be left to stand trial.

“My position is to release all those who are currently detained and allow them to either opt to leave the service or continue their service to God, country and people,” Miranda said in a statement released on Sunday.

“I strongly reiterate that in the dispensation of justice, my position is — I be found guilty first before my subordinates are even subjected to the process,” said Miranda, who is detained at Camp Capinpin in Tanay town, Rizal province with his men, and their co-accused from the Army Scout Rangers.

Apostol urges Esperon to sanction Jason Aquino

Published by Ellen on September 9, 2007

From the Tribune:

Chief presidential legal counsel Sergio Apostol, during a telephone interview yesterday said the statement of Maj. Jason Aquino amounted to influencing the AFP and the PNP not to respect the rule of law and launch rebellion against their Commander-in-Chief.

Apostol urged AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon Jr. to impose sanctions on Aquino.

“Who is this Major Aquino? I don’t know him. The media should not entertain his call nor should the media allow themselves to be used by such erring individual,” he said.

According to Apostol, Esperon being the head of the AFP should know how to respond to such call coming from some “disgruntled” groups within the military.

“Esperon should know what to do to (Aquino). He knows how to discipline the AFP,” the Arroyo lawyer said.

“I’ll sue you” – Abalos, Esperon

Published by Ellen on September 8, 2007

Abalos is threatening Joey de Venecia for exposing his $10 million bribe try while AFP Chief Hermogenes Esperon is threatening to sue T/Sgt Vidal Doble for exposing how the military is being used to undermine democracy.

Abalos threatens to sue JDV’s son

Chairman Benjamin Abalos Sr. of the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) on Saturday said he will file charges against the son of Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. for accusing the embattled poll official of attempted bribery.

Sabit si Gloria

Published by Ellen on September 8, 2007

Sa pagkasangkot ni Medy Poblador sa Hello Garci scandal, tumitibay ang papel ni Gloria Arroyo hindi lamang sa pandaraya sa 2004 elections kung di na rin sa obstruction of justice o pagharang ng katotohanan at hustisya.

Sinabi ni T/sgt Vidal Doble nang dinala siya ni Bishop Socrates Villegas sa bahay mula sa San Carlos seminary sa bahay ni Chief of Staff Afren Abu, nakita niya doon kasama ng kanyang pamilya si Medy Poblador.

Sinabi rin ni Villegas sa kanyang pinadalang sulat sa Senado na ang tuamwag sa kanya para alisin sina Doble sa San Carlos seminary ay si Poblador.

Hacked again!

Published by Ellen on September 8, 2007

This blog was hacked again. An unauthorized post was posted just now by a certain “onetalk”. I erased it but have kept it for the…

Pulutan featured by Reuters

Published by Ellen on September 8, 2007

Pulutan- from the Soldiers’ Kitchen is going worldwide! Reuters, an international news agency featured it. It was carried in Star (malaysia), yahoo asia news, yahoo philippines and Malaysia Sun, among others.

Here’s the Reuters’ article.

Coup accused cook up a tasty plot in the Philippines

by Carmel Crimmins

MANILA (Reuters Life!) – Two Philippine navy officers in detention for their role in a failed 2003 coup have taken a novel approach to dealing with jail: they’ve written a cook book.

A Growing Culture of Impunity

Published by Ellen on September 8, 2007

(Joint statement of Makati Business Club,Management Association of the Philippines,
Financial Executives Institute of the Philippines,Foundation for Economic Freedom, Inc.,
Action for Economic Reforms)

We are appalled that the culture of impunity among certain government officials appears to have spread to an extent exceeding that of all past administrations. This impunity seems also increasingly evident in many agencies of government.

A glaring example is that of COMELEC Chairman Benjamin Abalos who had no business in allowing himself to be entertained by officials of ZTE Corporation, a potential contractor of the Republic, particularly considering he had an important electoral exercise to administer. His indiscreet conduct and absence from his official duties could only have happened if he believed he was immune from sanctions. We therefore reiterate our call for Chairman Abalos to resign.

Month: September 2007