by Peter Tabingo
Jose Miguel “Mike” Arroyo yesterday asked the Office of the Ombudsman to junk criminal complaints against him, saying allegations that he is involved in anomalies in the $329 million ZTE broadband project were fabricated.
In his first-ever appearance in the Ombudsman probe on the ZTE deal, the First Gentleman claimed ignorance of the details of the contract and denied allegations he offered a bribe and that he told ZTE whistleblower Jose “Joey” de Venecia III to “back off” from the project.
“I do not meddle in governmental affairs. I do not know all the antecedent, contemporaneous and subsequent events surrounding the NBN project. I cannot be indicted for bribery simply because I am not a public officer. I can neither be indicted for corruption because there is not even an allegation, much less proof, that I ever offered any public officer any gift by reason of his or her office,” Arroyo said in his 20-page counter-affidavit submitted through lawyer Ruy Alberto S. Rondain.
He said De Venecia’s version of the incident “never happened.”
“I never pointed a finger at De Venecia, and never told him to ‘back off!’ I would not have. First, that may have been the first time I met him. I am not so uncouth as to pick a fight with someone I had just met. Second, the term ‘back off!’ is not in my vocabulary (as) I am not accustomed to American colloquialisms,” he said.
While admitting he was introduced to De Venecia at the Wack-Wack Golf and Country Club in Mandaluyong City “in early 2007,” Arroyo said that was the first time they met.
Arroyo said what he remembers was that he cautioned De Venecia that he might be violating the Anti-Graft Law in pursuing a government project owing to the position of his father then as House speaker.
“(Transportation) Secretary Mendoza said that De Venecia was the son of the Speaker of the House, and that he was somehow involved in the NBN project. This struck me as a lawyer because I intuitively knew that that was in some way or another prohibited under the anti-graft laws. I then casually said that De Venecia might have a conflict since I did not think the Speaker’s son could be involved in any government contract. De Venecia did not respond to my comment, and I did not pursue the matter,” Arroyo said.
Arroyo was the only one among the respondents in the nine complaints who attended the public hearing.
ABALOS A NO-SHOW
Former Elections chair Benjamin Abalos Jr., a respondent in seven of the complaints, failed to show up and failed to submit his counter-affidavit despite the lapse of the deadline last February 29.
Despite objections from the complainants, the special investigation panel gave Abalos a non-extendible period of five days to answer the charges.
Ibarra Gutierrez III, counsel for Rep. Ana Teresa Hontiveros-Baraquel (Akbayan), one of the complainants, pointed out that Abalos did not cite any basis for seeking an extension and that the committee set aside its own rules by allowing an extension.
UP law professor Harry Roque said the panel should have declared Abalos as having waived his right to file his counter-affidavit.
Roque is counsel for the group of former Vice President Teofisto Guingona who is a complainant against Abalos and Arroyo.
Deputy special prosecutor Robert Kallos, a panel member, clarified the extension was granted to Abalos solely “for the purpose of serving the highest interest of justice.”
NOT ABOVE THE LAW
Roque moved that President Arroyo be compelled to attend the public hearing to explain or deny her involvement in the ZTE-NBN deal.
“In the case of Estrada vs. Desierto, the Supreme Court declared that there was no absolute immunity for the President. The commission of a crime is not covered by such immunity because it is not an official act. GMA is not immune from investigation by the Office of the Ombudsman. She should be made to explain. She may be president but she is not above the law,” Roque said.
Roque said he was surprised when he was required by the panel to submit his motion in writing.
“They are delaying matters. This proceeding is a litmus test for the public to see if there is still hope that the Ombudsman can be impartial. The people are waiting to see if anything good can come out of these hearings,” he said.
MOTION DENIED
At yesterday’s second preliminary investigation, the panel again denied a motion raised by lawyer Ernesto Francisco, another complainant, that proceedings be suspended until after the termination of a parallel Senate probe.
Francisco said he intends to file a motion for reconsideration.
Kallos explained that the Senate inquiry is in aid of legislation while the hearing of the Ombudsman panel is to determine if there has been a criminal offense committed relative to the ZTE deal and if anyone can be held liable for it.
Bakit pera ng publiko ang ginagastos mo, tauhan ng gobyerno ang staff mo, at ang kamay mo ay nasa lahat ng corruption sa gobyerno kung hindi ka public official?! You’re an arrogant HOB!
He should be burn alive!!!! Anyway GMA was in AC San Lorenzo Yesterday . I’m not sure what she was doing there. Maybe she needs to be with her ALLIES!!!NAKAKAHIYA ang sisters ng Assumption!!!
When anybody has the time, please upload the affidavit of El Cerdo. I want to read the obra maestra of Ruy Rondain.
I remember this guy as some law school dandy – magara ang threads, magara ang sapatos, magara ang kotse.
Brains, I don’t know; kaya nga gusto kong makita ang affidavit.
In the old days, the high class lawyers were called abogado de campanilla. Dahil sa cliente ni Rondain, he can be called the abogado de cochinillo.
When it comes to the use of money, resources and kickbacks, he acts like he is a government official. But if he erred, he is NOT! Double standard talaga!
What then can he be indicted for?
He can only be indicted when he will be tried thru
“KANGAROO COURT”. Sana bitay pabaligtad ang sentensya.
How about influence peddling? Miguel Arroyo exploited the Office of the President in anomalous transactions with China’s ZTE Corp. Senate witnesses Jun Lozada Joey De Venecia and Madriaga accused Jose Pidal Arroyo as broker or influence peddler.
Parang nabuhay ang Pidal account issue dahil sa palaging “wala akong alam” ang linya ng porky shit husband of the bitch!
Ombudsman probe lang pala e! Lusot nga ang animal dahil kanyang property ‘yan!
assuming, without conceding, that pidal is not to be considered a public official, he may still be indicted for bribery if he is part of a conspiracy or arrangement that compels or encourages a public official to act in a corrupt manner. Bribery has at least 2 parties, the corrupted official, and the bribe giver. under the ZTE context, it would seem abalos is the public official. whoever will give him the millions would be the bribe giver. but if there are personalities around who cause the accomodation of abalos’ actions, or who facilitate the giving of the milions, they would still be party to the bribery by peddling their influence or giving non-monetary consideration. so, pidal is wrong. being a non-public official is not essential for his indictment. so long as there is another public official and pidal is part of the network of influence peddlers, there should be a case for bribery.
The porky will eventually FALL! Once we have the Evil Bitch removed, sa kankungan ang lagpak nilang lahat! O baka sa baboyan when they belong!
Haji,
Parang hindi yata tamang yung baboy ay litisin sa Kangaroo Court. Lalong hindi bagay ang baboy sa korte, mas okey sa koral toh.
Pero ang pinakabagay, yung Victoria Court! Atin-atin lang yan, ha? Victoria’s Secret yan.
Iyan ang sabi ni Mike Arroyo, but the law says otherwise, for bribery is an act committed by a civilian like him and it is considered a crime that can be prosecuted in a criminal court and the perpetrator punished regardless of whom he knows. His being a lawyer likewise does not exempt him from being prosecuted for crimes he has been reportedly perpetrating sans documentation. If done by a government official, it is called “influence peddling,” which he likewise tries to do according to a governor in the Mt. Province who was told to invent some projects that the greedy Pidals could push for fundings through some foreign ODAs.
What a gall! He can have the nerve to deny culpability for all the wrongdoings and misdeeds attributed to him because he and his wife have succeeded in putting their friends and protectors (bribed with funds stolen from the national treasury, etc.) in positions in the police, court, military, etc. agencies responsible for putting criminas like them locked up in jail.
Time to end these abuses and pulling this idiot from his high horse!
Miguel “Pig” Arroyo is quite correct, he’ll not be indicted, not because he’s not a gov’t official, but the godfather of brown bags. No one in their right mind will indict him of any wrong doing, not while the bitch is at stinking pasig river. And, no legal court in the land will dare touch Miguel the pig. Since, the pigs Gloria and Miguel could make any one dissapear without a trace, including judges. We all know Miguel the pig lied of not having any knowledge of the ZTE-NBN, his fingers was deep into it. I’m sure Miguel the pig on his dying bed sent evil bitch Gloria to China to witness the signing of the contract agreement to make sure they collect the $130 million kickback. Evil bitch Gloria is too stupid to know any better, has no imagination to think of doing it herself. We can be sure Miguel and Abalos coached her of what need to be done. In fact, everyone has been coaching the bitch all along.
Haji,
Iyong Kangaroo Court nga ang magliligtas sa kaniya sa totoo lang. Baboy court pa yata. Kaya kailangan nang tumino ang mga korte sa Pilipinas para wala ang baboy na mambababoy sa korteng matino ng Pilipinas.
Golly, ano ba iyan? Pirmi na lang kailangan nating linawin kung matino o hindi gaya noong panawagan ni Lozada sa mga matitinong pulis at sundalo pero sinagot naman siya noong general na hindi matino! Yuck!
Kaya pala ang lakas nyang kumurakot dahil hindi sya public official. WTF!!! Sira ulo ang baboy, parang sinabi nya rin na hindi sya pwedeng ikulong dahil hindi sya baboy. Ang sarap tuhugin ng kawayan tapos isalang sa nag babagang uling.
No, ang ibig sabihin ni Mike Dorobo ay ito: “No, you cannot prosecute me and make me responsible for crimes that I have made sure cannot be traced to me! Anong prueba ninyo? Kahit nga si Abalos hindi magsasalita dahil siguradong sa kaniya lahat pupunta ang sisi! Walang magsasalita! Case close! Tarantado nga lang iyan si Lozada dahil ang ingay-ingay. Baka gusto niya ipaligpit ko na siya e!”
Ever heard of citizen’s arrest of anyone violating the laws of the land? In a democracy, they say, “No one is above the law.” So, in principle, even Gloria Dorobo is subject to the law, and can be arrested by the people. Puedeng kaladkarin palabas sa Malacanang. Kaya anong sinasabi ni Fatso na hindi siya puedeng kasuhan? Lahat ng inaaresto in fact ay suspect at puedeng kasuhan.
Baka ibig niyang sabihin, hindi siya puedeng kasuhan kasi walang ebidensiya dahil walang papel na nakasulat ang pangalan niya. In fact, I understand that any money going to their funds is written off as contribution to some bogus GMA funds. Besides, sinong mag-aaresto at mag-iimbestiga sa kaniya? Iyong mga kasabwat nila sa pulis at militar?
Kaya the only recourse is a citizens’ arrest and if there is no reliable court to prosecute them, puede na siguro ang lynching, di ba?! 😛
Bawal daw hulihin. Anong law book ang binabasa nyang si Atty. JABBA The HUT? Laws For Stupid Idiot o baka naman Encylopedia ni kamote, pinagawa nya ata yong diploma sa Quiapo. Lakas nyang magpunta sa Ombudsman dahil alam naman natin na ang lahat ay nakapanig sa kanya. Pero pag tinawag sa senado di pwede dahil may sakit sa puso. Aba mananalo si Jabba The Hut ng Best Actor sa Famas Award. Mga tiga darkside nga talaga, akala nila yong mga pilipino ay di marunong umintindi tungkol sa law.
‘I cannot be indicted for bribery because I’m not a public official’ – Mike Arroyo
Okay, agreed. If we cannot indict you for bribery, we will indict you for…PIGGERY!
Oink, oink! Lechonin na!!!!
ang baboy ay hindi sinasampahan ng kaso kundi hinuhuli at kinakatay. subalit sa katulad ng hudas na ‘yan ang dapat diyan ay tadtarin ng pinong pino at ipakain sa mga piranha!
mas nararapat lamang din na isama siya sa kulungan ng mga kauri niyang nabubuhay sa pagkain ng mga bulok na bagay.
hhhiiiiiiiittttttsaaaaaaannnnnnnggggggg!
ano ba namang baboy na ‘yan? pagkatapos mabusog sa pagsabsab ay kung saan saan lumalaboy at nagkakalat ng kababuyan?
So kaya pala malakas ang loob ni Pidal na MAGNAKAW eh yun ang alibi niya sa korte. SOBRANG KAPAL NG PAMILYA MAGNANAKAW na ARROYO na iyan! Kaya pala ang malditang anak na si LULI eh sanay kumain ng galing sa nakaw.
DKG,
Si Mike Pidal ay hindi lang influence peddler. Siya talaga mismo ay kasama sa mga NAGNANAKAW sa kaban ng bayan!
Tongue’s: Okay, agreed. If we cannot indict you for bribery, we will indict you for…PIGGERY!
Ha! Ha! ha! This makes my day.
There’s only one thing I want to say, ang Kapaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaalllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll-KKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaapppppppppppppaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaalllllllllllllllll!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!ng mga mukha ng mga hinayupak na yan,(aatakihin yata ako sa puso dahil sa ngitngit!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
Maghunos dili kayo baka masira ang mga keyboards ninyo!
hahahahha. kaya ako tuwang-tuwa mag log in dito sa ellenville. ang gagaling ng mga opinions.
tama nga, hindi pwedeng bribery, kundi…piggery. ayan, kumpleto na, may poultry si gaite, napasok sa piggery!
Atorni, arotni, LAWYER ka ba?
Nang mapanuod ko itong si kingpin tabang-lamig arroyo kagabi sa balita habang umaarte ng mala-anghel na mukha sa harapn ng mga news camera, aba’y muntik ko na naman mabasag ang telebisyon namin sa sobrang poot. Kung pakapalan talaga ng pagmumukha ay wala nang tatalo sa mag-asawang ito na isang baboy at duwende, ang kakapal talaga dahil isinusuka, kinamumuhian, at isinusumpa na sila ng halos lahat nating mga kababayan pero ayun at mga taas noo pa rin sila sa tuwing haharap sa mga reporters. Kaya hindi natin masisisi iyong isang matandang empleyado sa PGH kung saan pumunta si Jun Lozada kahapon, sa pagbulalas nito na ubusin dapat ang lahi niyan, obviously pertaining to the duwende with a giant mole on her face.
There is a provision in the Anti-Graft Law which punishes a private person who has close personal relation with any public official to capitalize on the same by intervening in government transactions. A private person can also be held liable if he induces a public official to commit a corrupt act (Sec. 4, RA 3019). The FG can be indicted under this provision.