September 2009 – Page 5 – ellen tordesillas

FBI asked to investigate Mikey Arroyo

Published by Ellen on September 8, 2009

After Vera Files released the story on the property of the Arroyo brothers, Mikey and Dato, congressman sons of Gloria and Mike Arroyo, I received a lot of letters giving additional information on the family’s alleged hidden wealth.

By the way, I am a trustee of Vera Files, a group of journalists that undertakes a deeper look at current issues. I am one of the four writers of the articles “Arroyo sons acquire U.S. homes, businesses after election to Congress” and “Following the Mikey trail: 2004, 2007 declarations show no campaign contributions”.

One of the letters I got came from an American who is in the finance business. He asked that his identity be withheld. I’ll call him “Jay”.

‘I should have let my lawyer do the talking’

Published by Ellen on September 8, 2009

by Wendell Vigilia
Malaya

REP. Mikey Arroyo (Lakas-Kampi, Pampanga) yesterday said no one is to blame but himself for his failure to credibly explain the issues surrounding his multimillion wealth, particularly his P63.7-million beach front property in the San Francisco Bay Area in California.

President Arroyo’s eldest son said he looked bad in front of the public because he could not cope with Solita “Winnie” Monsod’s style of questioning when she interviewed him on GMA-7’s “Unang Hirit” Tuesday last week.

In an interview with the Inquirer, Arroyo said his wife was the richer one but he quickly added in jest, “I’m not a gold digger.’’

“If my answers to those questions seem a little confused, ako lang po ang dapat sisihin. It’s my mistake alone. Sana po I passed on this issue to my accountant, to my lawyer, because they are the ones who actually prepare these documents,” he told dzRH.

SC okays poll automation

Published by Ellen on September 8, 2009

From ABS-CBN Online:

It’s full steam ahead to automate next year’s elections.

Voting 11-3-1, the Supreme Court junked the petition filed by University of the Philippines law professor Harry Roque to declare as invalid the P7.2 billion automation contract between the Commission on Elections (Comelec) and winning consortium Smartmatic and Total Information Management (TIM).

The ruling, penned by Justice Presbitero Velasco, is expected to be promulgated this week. Justices Antonio Carpio, Conchita Carpio-Morales, and Arturo Brion dissented. Justice Leonardo Quisumbing, who is on leave, took no part.

Chiz wants PCGG to start sequestration of Mikey’s property

Published by Ellen on September 7, 2009

Philippine Star: Senators want Mikey charged

by Wendell Vigilia
Malaya

“JUST talk to my lawyer.”

Rep. Juan Miguel “Mikey” Arroyo (Lakas-Kampi, Pampanga), the President’s eldest son, yesterday evaded questions on why he failed to declare with the Commission on Elections contributions which he said he received when he ran for Congress in 2004 and 2007.

“My lawyer arrived already. Siya na lang kausapin natin,” he said over the phone as he refused to entertain further inquiries on the issue.

Mikey was referring to an Attorney De Guzman, the same lawyer he earlier said would answer questions pertaining to his statements of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN).

Singson bucks Malacañang suggestion to go on leave

Published by Ellen on September 7, 2009

From GMA News TV: Singson backtracks, now claims he saved partner’s life

From Abs-Cbn online:

Denies using gov’t resources in his marital row

Refusing to heed advice from the Office of the President, Deputy National Security Adviser Luis Singson said he would not voluntarily go on leave and denied he used government resources in his marital conflict.

In a long distance telephone interview with ABS-CBN News and dzMM on Monday, Singson said he will not go on leave despite getting an advice from the Palace that he should do so out of delicadeza.

“Hindi ako magleleave dahil inosente ako diyan. Ako ang biktima rito. Hindi ako mag-leleave,” Singson told dzMM in an interview with Vic Lima and Karen Davila.

Following the Mikey trail: 2004, 2007 declarations show no campaign contributions

Published by Ellen on September 6, 2009

by VERA Files Presidential son Juan Miguel “Mikey” Arroyo has failed to declare to the Commission on Elections contributions that he said he received when…

Two hearings

Published by Ellen on September 6, 2009

Last Thursday, while former Armed Forces Chief Generoso Senga, now ambassador to Iran, was testifying at a court martial trial in Camp Aguinaldo on the stirrings in the military in February 2006, members of the Magdalo group were at the Commission on Election for a hearing on their application for accreditation of Magdalo Para sa Pagbabago as a regional political party in the National Capital Region.

Questions asked of Former Air Force Lieutenant Ashley Acedillo, secretary general and spokesman for the Magdalo group, revolved around whether they advocate violence as a means to introduce change. ( Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV had wanted to be present in the the Magdalo’s case at the Comelec but he was not granted permission by the Makati Regional trial Court.)

Acedillo told Comelec commissioners that their participation in the election process is proof of their advocacy for reform through peaceful means.

Protesters rally in front of Mikey Arroyo’s house

Published by Ellen on September 5, 2009

From ABS-CBN Online: Also on GMA-7 Online: Outraged Fil-Ams seek probe of Mikey’s “hidden” wealth in U.S. FOSTER CITY, CA—Philippine Congressman Mikey Arroyo’s house had…

Takot si Arroyo kay Chavit

Published by Ellen on September 5, 2009

Related stories in ABS-CBN online: Human Rights chief hits Chavit’s arrogance

Pacquiao supports Chavit

Palagi natin sinasabi na pagpasensyahan na lang si Gloria Arroyo hanggang Mayo ng 2010. Total, siyam na buwan na lang yan.

Ngunit sa araw-araw na nangyayari, makikita natin na delikado itong natitirang siyam na buwan dahil una, hindi pa talaga nawawala ang posibilidad na gagawa sila ng hakbang na manatili sa kapangyarihan. Dahil maigsi na ang panahon na natititira, lalo silang nagiging garapal.

Pangalawa, maraming pinagkaka-utangan si Arroyo sa kanyang nakaw na pagka-pangulo at lahat yun nag-iisip rin ng proteksyun para sa kanilang sarili. Sanay sila sa pagbastos o pagbaluktot ng batas. May magagawa ba si Arroyo?

Noynoy:enabler or suppressor of the new politics

Published by Ellen on September 5, 2009

by Nicanor Perlas

In the past few days, I have been bombarded with text messages from friends as well as interviews with the media on what I think of the Mar-Noynoy announcements. Will I, like Senator Mar Roxas, also renounce my intention to run as a presidential candidate in the 2010 national elections and support the presidential candidacy of Senator Noynoy Aquino?

The short answer is “No”. I will not renounce my intention to run as a presidential candidate. And “Yes”, I will encourage Noynoy to resign from the Liberal Party, run as an independent presidential candidate, and join the on-going conversation and unification efforts among non-traditional political parties and movements.

Noynoy can stifle the growth of new politics. Or he can enable the new politics that is emerging all throughout the country. Allow me to elaborate.

Month: September 2009