Malacañang has a standard retort to accusations of thievery: File a complaint with the Ombudsman. With Merceditas Gutierrez, the classmate of Mike Arroyo, at the helm of the anti-graft body, accusers rightly let the Palace challenge pass. A complaint is likely to sleep the sleep of the dead, unless, of course, the grafters in question are inconsequential clerks or minor officials without close links to the bigger thieves.
Now Malacañang has come up with a new line when it comes to constitutionally questionable actions: Bring the case before the Supreme Court.
At issue is the “Katas ng VAT” dole-outs. Former budget secretary Ben Diokno said President Arroyo is violating the Constitution because the spending should have authorization from Congress.
“Ang Constitution ay maliwanag. Ang presidente magpro-propose, ang Kongreso ang mag-a-approve,” Diokno said. The proper way to do it is to ask Congress to pass a supplemental budget.
That’s Diokno’s opinion, the Palace said. If he wants to press his case, then he should go to the highest tribunal.
The Palace has reason to be confident the Supreme Court would rule on its favor. It is on a roll. The Supreme Court the other day upheld Gloria Arroyo’s claim of executive privilege on the negotiations on the proposed Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement. This followed the earlier ruling of the Supreme Court upholding the claim of executive privilege by former planning secretary Romulo Neri on Arroyo’s role in the award of the $329 million national broadband deal to the Chinese electronic company ZTE.
On these cases, the votes ranged from 10-4 (with one abstaining) to 9-6 in favor of Malacañang, mostly on the strength of the votes of newly appointed Supreme Court members. There now appears to be a clear majority of members with a judicial philosophy congruent with that of the Palace.
That – congruence of judicial philosophy – is the charitable way of describing the newly emerged pro-Gloria leaning of the tribunal. Some, however, may say it is plain “bayad utang” on the part of the new appointees.
Sen. Rodolfo Biazon said Senate ratification of a treaty requires public discussion. There can be no debate where information is withheld from the public. The JPEPA ruling strains the Court’s credibility and impartiality.
There lies the danger. The Supreme Court cannot afford a loss of credibility and impartiality at this time when it is the only institution standing in the way of an Executive bent on accumulating more and more power at the expense of other co-equal branches.
God help this country if the time comes when the Supreme Court, in the eyes of the public, becomes as compliant to Malacañang’s wishes as Gutierrez’ Ombudsman.
Ever wonder why Malacanang is quick to dare and challenge any complainant to file complaint with the Ombudsman or Supreme Court? Because those are under the control of Malacanang.
It’s been happening right under the noses of the filipino people but yet they let it go.As long as they eat even just once a day, and GMA give them some dole out once in a blue moon. what do we expect to happen next.. God save the new & future generations. Only the people themselves can change the country.
“I promise a policy of non-interference with the Supreme Court in spite of the fact I have a majority of nine Gloria loyalists in the SC bench.I will allow the Great Dissenter,Chief Justice Reynato Puno to exercise the rightful independence of the highest court.”Gloria Pidal
To C.J. Puno,
Look what kind of monster you have created. You, together with Davide manipulated the constitution in order for this imp to become president. You are one with her. Dont fool us. Just because you go against her does not cleanse you. You are part of this scheme to trick the people.
Nagigising na naman ang Kabataan… Paikot na ang kasaysayan!
Sulong LFS, gising na Bayan…!!
http://www.lfs.ph/2008/07/17/walk-out-protests-aim-for-revolt/
Paano naman Ellen, Supreme Court brat and bastard iyang si Gloria Korap kaya ang linya niya ay “dalhin ninyo sa Supreme Court”.
Nakakahiya na meron tayong Supreme Court na de-susi ng isang magnanakaw, sinungaling, mandaraya at pekeng pangulo!
“God help this country if the time comes when the Supreme Court, in the eyes of the public, becomes as compliant to Malacañang’s wishes as Gutierrez’ Ombudsman.” -Biazon
Is it not yet?! E matagal nang ganyan ang tingin at pakiramdam ng kapinuyan!
Oopps… kay Ellen pala ang quoted lines ko.
“The Supreme Court cannot afford a loss of credibility and impartiality at this time when it is the only institution standing in the way of an Executive bent on accumulating more and more power at the expense of other co-equal branches.” – Ellen
Collectively, the Supreme court can. Bayad-balik utang! Gloria and her cabal of SC CONS are in the cycle of bayad-utang and tapalan!
July 28,2008(SONA 2008 hopefully)
Mga Kababayan (My Countrymen):
This will be my second to the last State Of The Nation Address before my term legally ends in 2010.
I have 710 days left in office.
Help me be a good president during the remainder of my term.
I am announcing my seven-point agenda in the remaining 710 days.
1) I am declaring a national policy of AUSTERITY.I will not go on expensive foreign trips during the remainder of my term. No more costly junkets! If ever I need to travel,I promise not to bring the retinue of 59 congressmen who accompanied me to the recent US trip.
2) I will appoint men and women of probity to important government positions.I am delighted that the general public welcomed the appointment of General Alexander Yano as AFP chief and Leila de Lima as Commission on Human Rights head.
3) I promise a policy of non-interference with the Supreme Court in spite of the fact I have a majority of nine Gloria loyalists in the SC bench.I will allow the Great Dissenter,Chief Justice Reynato Puno to exercise the rightful independence of the highest court.
4) I promise a more objective handling of our foreign affairs with China.There will be no more scandalous ZTE deals!
5)I promise not to inititate a hasty Charter Change move just to find a way to legally extend my
term beyond 2010.No more Cha-Chas! No More Con -Ass!
6)I will review the possiblity of reducing the VAT on oil .
7) I promise a a policy of national reconciliation with all my political enemies.I swear I have no more Presidential ambitions beyond 2010!
So help me God!
Gloria Arroyo
Ha!ha!ha! So help us God!
The Equalizer,
I liked your Gloria’s 2008 SONA. You made her human in the outer realm!
Chi,I did not write the above posted article. It’s Malaya’s editorial today.
Sorry, I failed to give credit to Malaya earlier.
Thanks, Ellen.
Ellenville is the only ‘balitaan’ I open/read when I’m home away, :).
Kawawang bansa. How can the judges of the Supreme Court be free from the dictate of the criminal they are now protecting when they have been selected and appointed there in fact exactly for that purpose. Ang gago naman ng gumawa ng batas ng Pilipinas na pinapayagan ang isang suspected kriminal na nag-a-appoint ng mga judges of the court! Diyos mahabagin! No wonder, hindi nga iyang mapapababa lalo na’t walanghiya. Iyong low rating niya should have been good reason enough for her to step down. Problema kasi makakasuhan siya for the many crimes she is suspected of committing like the plundering of the OWWA funds to fund her candidacy in 2004, the rigging of votes in 2004, and many more.
Mukhang hindi bababa ang kapalmuks by mere persuasion. Mukhang kailangang sabunutan ng buhok at kaladkarin palabas ng palasyo at barilin gaya noong ginawa doon sa dating President ng Romania at asawa niya.
Kawawang Pilipinas talaga!
The Philippine Supreme Court is an extension of the Office of the President. In 2001 EDSA Dos, the Davide led-Supreme Court had created a loose cannon- dwarf monster. It serves and protects Gloria Arroyo from harms way beyond 2010. She owns them, body and soul and their mind. Fart bomb them ‘til thy kingdom come!
The Supreme Court is there only to protect the interest of the Pidals and her cohorts and nothing is. That is how Justice is set up by this President and the Upper and Lower Houses. That is why they are all called CORRUPT in thoughts and in deeds. The 3 forms of government, Legislative, Administrative and Judicial bodies are all affected by Cancer that has spread all over the Government. Our only hope is for those students who are organizing a rally in Plaza Miranda and Mendiola if it amounts to anything. I’m sure the police will water cannon them. GOD, please help the students to prevail because they are working for the betterment of the lives of the Filipinos.
Bakit
Ako’y natutuwa at ang mga batang pag asa ng bayan ay activo na naman at gising na gising. Sige mga totoy ipaglaban ninyo ang inyong karapatan. Huwag kayo titigil hanggang hindi ninyo naangkin uli ang damdamin na maging tunay na Pilipino. Kailangan ninyong lipunin ang mga salot sa lipunan. Ulo ni Gloria, De Castro, Gonzales, Atienza, Razon, Gutierrez, Bunyi, Ermita, Puno, Nograles, Mikey Arroyo at Neri ang una ninyong tirahin at gayahin ninyo ang ginawa kay Nicolae Ceusescu para mamangha ang mundo.
Just to share..A Prayer for help Psalm 13
How much longer will you forget me, Lord? Forever?
How much longer will you hide yourself from me?
How long must I endure trouble?
How long will sorrow fill my heart day and night?
How long will my enemies triumph over me?
Rose,
God has not forgotten the Filipinos. It’s the other way around. Ang dami kong kakilalang mga pilipina dito sa Japan for instance, na nagdarasal doon sa mga questionable na diyos ng mga hapon para lang magkapera.
Wala kasi silang alam karamihan dahil hindi naman natuturuan ng tama lalo na ngayong mahilig sa politika ang mga pari nila. But ignorance will not actually save them. Sabi nga sa Bible, “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” (Galatian 6:7)
Grizzy: tama ka..many of us forget God..particularly sa ating mga leaders..they seem to forget that we have the 10 command..ments. Yesterday, we were having “merienda” sa Red Ribbon and a friend mentioned that..Marami ayaw kay Barack kasi Muslim daw..Ang sabi ko naman..the Muslims too believe in God..at sumusunod sa utos ng Dios..marami sa atin na mga catolico hindi..kahit na nga ang mga political leaders, kahit na nga ang mga pari, hindi ba pader? We were with a priest..Ang mga nangyayari ngayon..typhoon,earthquake? are not “gabas” but a wake up call..kaya gumising na tayo!
The Muslims too believe in God? Many believe in God? The Devil also believes in God and trembles…
BD:
The devil does not only believe but knows God. Kilala nga nila si Jesus Christ as a matter of fact. Remember what those legions said when Jesus exorcised them from a body they possessed?
Sinabi mo pa, Rose. Obama is Christian like his mother. The father is Moslem, I understand, and the mother remarried another Moslem when his parents divorced. The stepfather was an Indonesian Moslem, and reason why he lived in indonesia and had his formative years there.
Tama ka, the Moslems believe in the same God of Abraham that Christians, Jews and Moslems worship. Kaya lang nagkaroon ng prejudice dahil na rin sa maling doctrines na hinalong kalamay ng mga nag-reorganize ng simbahan ng mamatay ang lahat ng apostles ni Jesus Christ na kung tutuusin nga ay hinaluan pa ng paganong tradition ng Roma, thus the many statutes, etc. that they Catholics pray to na sa totoo lang ay labag sa 10 utos ng Diyos. The Second Commandment in fact is about the prohibition against the worship of images and other likeness of anything on earth or heaven above.
Prohibition against the worship of images?
In Rom. 1:21-22 “…people know about God, but they don’t honor Him or even thank Him. Their thoughts are useless, and their stupid minds are in the dark. They claim to be wise, but they are fools”.
These people, even though they are not atheists, were also called “fools”. “They don’t worship the glorious and eternal God. Instead, they worship idols that are made to look like humans who cannot live forever, and like birds, animals and reptiles….They gave up the truth about God for a lie, and they worshiped God’s creation instead of God, who will be praised forever. Amen” (Rom. 1:23, 25).
Personally I believe too much emphasis on religion is divisive in itself. People have gone to war and have been killing each other in the name of religion.
Its probably not whose religion is true or false but what is in our hearts…If “loving God” means killing others or persecuting those who do not, why don’t we just love God’s people?