September 2008 – Page 4 – ellen tordesillas

Ermita’s Sabah memo

Published by Ellen on September 11, 2008

When Gloria Arroyo’s “special envoys” to Malaysia, minus National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales, met with Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi in Kuala Lumpur yesterday, did they also discuss Sabah?

I’m curious because last Aug. 20, two weeks after the aborted signing of the Malaysian-brokered Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita issued Memorandum Circular 612 titled “Guidelines on Matters Pertaining to North Borneo (Sabah)”

The memo gives four instructions:

Pera-pera lang

Published by Ellen on September 10, 2008

Galit na galit si Sen. Rodolfo Biazon sa panukala ni Secretary Ronaldo Puno ng Interior and Local Government na magbibigay sila ng P25 milyon sa Moro Islamic Liberation Front kung isu-surender nila sina Ameril Ombra kato, Abdulla Macapaar alias Kumander Bravo at Aleem Sulaiman.

“Hindi ako papayag na pagsinurender yung dalawang commander binigyan pa natin ng P25 milyon yung MILF. Ibibili nila ng bala at baril yan,” sabi ni Biazon.

Ang P25 milyon at para sa talong kumander. Noong isang linggo kasi, dinoble ang patong sa ulo nina Kumander Ombra kato at Bravo ng tig-P10 milyon. P5 milyon naman ang patong sa ulo ni Kumander Sulaiman.

Tour of hope

Published by Ellen on September 9, 2008

As you are reading this, a Filipina is dying of cervi-cal cancer. And what a waste because cervical cancer can be prevented.

Biking enthusiasts will go on a tour for a cause from Vigan to Subic from Sept. 13 to Sept. 17 to raise awareness and funds for the prevention and control of cervical cancer in the Philippines.

At the launching of “Tour of Hope” last week, Dr. Cecilia Llave, head of the Philippine General Hospital Cancer Institute, gave an overview of the cervical cancer situation in the Philippines.

She said every eight minutes a Filipina dies of cancer.

CA justice dismissed; another suspended, 3 more censured

Published by Ellen on September 9, 2008

by Evangeline de Vera
Malaya

The Supreme Court yesterday dismissed Court of Appeals Justice Vicente Roxas and suspended Justice Jose Sabio Jr. for impropriety and irregularities in handling the Meralco board elections case, upon the recommendation of the three-man panel created by the tribunal.

In a 58-page per curiam decision, which takes effect immediately, the SC upheld the panel’s report finding Roxas guilty of multiple violations of the canons of the Code of Judicial Conduct, grave misconduct, dishonesty, undue interest and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service.

The Court also voted to forfeit all of Roxas’ benefits, except accrued leave credits if any, with prejudice to his re-employment in any branch or service of the government including government-owned and controlled corporations.

SC panel finds five CA justices violated ethics in Meralco-GSIS case

Published by Ellen on September 9, 2008

From:abs-cbnNEWS.com

The Supreme Court is set to tackle in its en banc session Tuesday the findings of the panel tasked to investigate the controversy at the Court of Appeals (CA) on the Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) – Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) case.

The panel’s findings reportedly showed irregularities and improprieties committed by five CA justices involved in the controversy.

In a 59-page report submitted by the panel to the SC, details of irregularities and improprieties by CA Justices Jose Sabio, Presiding Justice Conrado Vasquez, Vicente Roxas, Bienvenido Reyes and Myrna Vidal were all detailed.

Hindi naleksyon si Pacquiao

Published by Ellen on September 8, 2008

Noong nakaraang senatorial campaign, tinanong ko kay Mike Defensor, kandidato para senador ng Team Unity ng administrasyong Arroyo kung bakit nila ginuguyo si Manny Pacquiao pumasok sa politika samantalang alam naman nilang walang alam sa pagpatakbo ng isang organisasyon.

Hindi pa noon nakadesisyon si Pacquiao kung siya ay tatakbo na vice mayor ni Ali Atienza sa Manila o congressman sa first district ng South Cotabato laban sa incumbent na si Darlene Custodio. Alam na natin ang nangyari, hindi siya qualified sa Manila dahil hindi siya nakapag-establish ng kinakailangang panahon ng paninirahan kaya sa South Cotabato na lang. Na-knock out siya ni Darlene.

Balik tayo sa pag-uusap namin ni Defensor.

Preparing for a nasty exit

Published by Ellen on September 7, 2008

In her fake presidency, Gloria Arroyo has every right to appoint anybody- scoundrels and losers -in her cabinet.

If she thinks Chavit Singson, will help her stay in power, let her be. After all, if not for Singson, she would not be in Malacañang today.

In fact, she should not stop at Singson. When Joc-joc Bolante comes back, she should appoint him agriculture secretary so he could go back to his familiar ground and continue what he does best – diversion of funds for farmers to her campaign kitty. That way, he could invoke the all- season weapon against truth – executive privilege.

Chavit Singson named deputy national security adviser

Published by Ellen on September 6, 2008

Update from ABS-CBN news: Chavit hits back at critics. “They’re just jealous. If they want the position, then it’s theirs. If they can help, the job is theirs. But if they will only add up to the troubles of our nation, then they should get out of the country,” Singson told a radio dzMM interview, adding that those who are speaking against his appointment were just jealous of it.

By Michael Lim Ubac
Philippine Daily Inquirer

After a yearlong absence from the political scene, former Ilocos Sur Gov. Luis “Chavit” Singson is back in the corridors of power.

President Macapagal-Arroyo has tapped Singson as deputy National Security Adviser (NSA) under Secretary Norberto Gonzales, a Malacañang official told the Philippine Daily Inquirer Friday night.

The official, who asked not to be identified because he was not authorized to make the announcement, said the appointment of Singson was signed by Ms Arroyo this week and would be announced on Monday by Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita.

Dapat Biyernes ng hapon pa

Published by Ellen on September 6, 2008

Ini-imbistigahan daw ang limang miyembro ng Criminal Investigation and Detection Group na umaresto kay Jake Macasaet, publisher ng Ang Pahayagang Malaya m noong Huwebes habang siya ay kumakain ng tanghalian sa Century Park.

Ayan na naman. Palpak kasi ang dating kaya naghanap na naman ng sangkalan. Ang kawawa ang mga maliliit na sumusunog lang sa laro nitong mga nasa taas.

Walang natuwa sa pag-aresto kay Macasaet at nagdagdag ng impression na may masamang binabalak itong pamahalaang Arroyo para mapagtakpan ang kanilang malaking palpak na ang MOA-AD (Memorandum of Agreemenet – Ancestral Domain) sa Moro Islamic Liberation Front. Binatikos pa sila kaliwa’t -kanan ng mga organisasyon ng media.

Raymundo case update

Published by Ellen on September 4, 2008

I have received inquires on what has happened to 1Lt Artemio Raymundo who was charged and detained for giving away CDs at an LRT station in September 2006.

Well, he is still detained. He will mark his second year in prison on Sept. 25.

Not only that. He was arraigned for violations of Articles of War 96 (Conduct Unbecoming of an Officer and Gentleman) last August 18, the day Gloria Arroyo declared a holiday. Last Friday, without the assistance of his chosen counsel, Harry Roque, who had requested for a postponement because he would be in Malaysia, he was arraigned for violations of Articles of War 64 (Disrespect Toward a Superior Officer).

Month: September 2008