Yesterday, at the start of the media presentation of Lintang Bedol at the Commission on Elections in Intramuros, Manila, Chairman Sixto Brillantes told the magician election supervisor of Maguindanao, ” O baka gusto mo mag-hello.”
Bedol, wearing dark glasses and a bullet-proof vest, looked so relaxed despite the charge of contempt that was slapped on him for his four-year disappearance when he was asked to produce some documents related to the 2007 elections.
Bedol, waving to the reporters, said, “Hello, kumusta kayo lahat.”
It was bizarre.
I don’t think he realized his crime when he tampered the results of the 2004 elections subverting the people’s choice of their leaders thereby allowing a fake president to remain in power for six more years.
In 2007, he did it again for the senatorial candidate of Gloria Arroyo’s husband, Juan Miguel Zubiri, to grab the 12th slot at the expense of Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III.
To him probably, pera-pera lang yan.
Brillantes said they will be assessing whatever information Bedol gives on electoral fraud.
The Comelec chair didn’t say this but it’s obvious that whatever information Bedol will give will be used to justify the deal the government has worked out with Zaldy Ampatuan, former governor of the Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao, to be removed from the list of primary suspects in the Maguindanao massacre, where 58 persons were killed, 32 of them journalists.
Zaldy is one of the 196 accused in the Nov 23, 2009 massacre, including his father, Andal Sr. (identified by witnesses as the mastermind), and his brother, Andal Jr. (Datu Unsay) as the one who led the killings.
Zaldy has offered to testify against his father and brother, something unbelievable on the surface. But a Muslim politician said the strategy has the approval of the elder Ampatuan. “It’s a matter of limiting the damage to their clan,” he said.
To make his request for leniency acceptable, Zaldy offered something that the Aquino government cannot refuse: information on the role of Arroyo in electoral fraud.
The Ampatuans’ cheating machinery in the ARMM includes Comelec personnel. “Zaldy is the handler of Bedol,” a Malacañang official said.
No doubt Bedol has plenty to reveal about election cheating but if the purpose is to get evidence on the role played by Arroyo, the person to get is Garci.
As heard in the “Hello Garci” tapes, Arroyo talked with Garci who dealt dwith Bedol. In the conversation of Arroyo and Garcillano on May 29, 9:45 a.m., Arroyo was heard expressing concern about her loss of 40,000 in Cotabato. At that time, Bedol was chairman of the Cotabao City Board of Canvassers.
Garcillano assured Arroyo, “More or less pero hindi ho susubra ng forty Ma’am. Nag-usap na kami ni Atty. Bedol.”
It looks like the script is being executed without too many hitches. Brillantes said they are looking for a secure place to house Bedol while he serves out his six-month punishment for contempt.
Bedol is now in Comelec’s custody after being turned over by agents of the Department of Interior and Local Government.
When Garcillano disappeared after the Hello Garci tapes were exposed in 2005, the information we got was he was protected by the Ampatuans.
There are talks now that Garci will soon surface and tell the “truth” about the 2004 elections.
Are we going to witness another , “Hello, kumusta na kayo diyan?”
It’s bizarre.
What happened to Francisco Gudani and Alexander Balutan? Why don’t we ask them to proceed with their suspended testimony in Congress?
my thoughts exactly ka enchong.
we finally have the enemy where we want them, on the defensive, and we have all the aces – so its a matter of how well the powers that be can take advantage of this opportunity, one that we can only dream of a just two years ago.
where are our heavy hitters, its clobbering time!
why we never got gloria with the “hello garci” earlier still escapes me, so she held some people by the balls then?
as i’ve always said before, “fix your eyes on the prize!” prioritize the high value targets, shake em and bake em.
“Hello kumusta na kayo dyan”, parang galing lang sa pamamasyal ang ani..l na eto ah,after the many years of suffering they inflicted to the country bec. of their manipulation of election results ngayon biglang lalabas na parang walang nangyari,dapat nilalatigo na yan in public para di na pamarisan…
May isang tao na kilala at dating may katungkulan ang nagsabi na baka mapuno ang kulungan ( Jail ). Tila nagkakatotoo na. Kasi ang dami nang nakademenda. Like plunder, malversation etc. Sana magkaroon ito ng closure at matuldukan. Gaya nga nang binitiwang salita ni Susan Roces sa TV. Upang hindi na maulit ang pang bababoy sa karapatan ng tao na bomoto. Aray ko Gloria.
And if I may add, tiba tiba na naman ang mga abogado like Rondain, Fortun, Lambino. Ito kayang mga abogadong ito ay nakakatulog nang mahimbing. Dapat alisto ang Pnoy admin sa pag issue ng HDO para hindi makatakbo. Dahil ang daming namumuro na. Bicutan here I come……..
Mukha talagang LINTA itong si LINTEK na BEDOL. This is now your chance for redemption, asshole !! You better get your stories/testimonies finely tuned. Otherwise, with 85% of your body exposed, your protective vest can only do so much.
Mukhang wala naman deal between the Palace and Zaldy Ampatuan. Sabi ni John Nery gawa-gawa lang daw ni Harry Roque yun kwento.
http://opinion.inquirer.net/8093/the-self-importance-of-being-harry
I did see toto magundadato and his lawyer, nena santos, on anc and they said that the president assured them and the victim’s families that he did not and will not cut a deal with Zaldy.
Kaya tatawa tawa si Bedol coz he may not realize that his participation in the 2007 in election rigging eh mas mabigat kesa sa 2004 parcitipation ni Garci sa 2004. I am not sure about this but SAx probably knows this better than anyone of us would. Mas mabigat ang parusa ng mga nandaya noong 2007 dahil sa bagong batas. Enlighten us on this one Sax. Kaya, hindi pa rin off the hook si Pandak if she really participated in this 2007 election rigging. She can a get a life imprisonment.
We would think that this pandak would have stayed away from the 2007 election coz she had already stolen the 2004 presidential position. But NO. She was able to get away with the 2004 crime coz of her EO decrees and paid all those she used to cheat by means of promotions and money, the generals like asspweron on top of the list. So she DID IT again in 2007. Humirit pa ang bruha! Ayan na ang karma niya. Nakalusot siya noong 2004, tignan natin kung makakalusot siya sa 2007 cheating for Zubiri.
Yung HOD ni pandak eh “MAY” pa lang naman sabi ni de Lima. Hindi pa definite. Sana i-hold na talaga si pandak sa pagalis. With all fingers pointing at her for engineering corruption in almost all agencies of the government, meron pa bang duda na itong pandak na ito eh talagang KRIMINAL to the highest degree?
Does the COMELEC have the power to jail its employees? Why is Brillantes acting like a warden? Something is fishy about Brillantes’ demeanor. At first he wasnt interested, now he is the jailer. Did Bedol give his testimony already? If not, why? The people should know. I have a feeling there is an effort to silence Bedol not only from the Arroyo camp but elsewhere.
The word “blackmail” is written all over Bedol’s face. The hidden sarcasm in the use of the word “hello” I’m sure makes someone, silicone boobs and all, squirm.
As if to say, “Ate Glue, Volume I pa lang ng Karaoke Chip yung kinakanta ko ngayon. Would you like them to hear my whole repertoire?”
I have nothing personal against Gloria, I just want her to suffer jail time. After seeing friends languish for four years, hearing upon hearing, postponement upon postponement, the hardships caused to their families and their careers just to maintain her fake position.
Of course, I would appreciate it if they can get back some of the stolen money, we need it badly.
Bibilhin naman kaya ni putot ang ‘whole repertoire’ ni Bedol? Baka paabangan na lang yan ng walang gastos.
MB, re #8 Side by side with Nery’s column that same day was teh column of Conrad de Quiroz: http://opinion.inquirer.net/8097/monstrosity
You should also read that.
You said:” I did see toto Magundadato and his lawyer, nena santos, on anc and they said that the president assured them and the victim’s families that he did not and will not cut a deal with Zaldy.”
The group of Maguindanao victims who met with PNoy didn’t include the families of the journalists, a number of them Harry represents.
You don’t have to believe all that Harry says. (You should also read the report carefully to distinguish the quotes from Harry and the conclusion of the writer. Harry did not mention the word “Balay”) But follow the unfolding events. Robredo has now confirmed his role in the surrender of Bedol.
But I want to stress that I’m not against the coming out of Bedol and maybe Garci later to help in making Gloria Arroyo be accountable for the biggest theft that she did against the Filipino people. But I share Harry’s sentiment, “Not at the expense of the victims of the Maguindanao massacre.”
Harry is not speaking from a vacuum. That’s as far as I can say now.
Clues that you may find helpful in making sense to what is happening in this zaldy-bedol coming out story.
In the video of the interview of Anthony Taberna with Bedol, the camera was able to catch Kristine Esguerra, the lawyer of Zaldy Ampatuan.
The private plane that took Anthony to Davao belonged to someone who worked actively with the “Balay” group.
But, I stress again, I support their efforts that could lead to finding out the truth about the 2004 and 2007 elections. We just have to make sure that it would not result in the injustice to the victims of the massacre.
Maybe all that the Ampatuans want is to be with GMA in reclusa perpetua for not protecting them. I hope that is all.
Ang take ko naman Ellen is, this is the Ampatuans’ way of hanging pandak for not supporting them in all their illegal activities which culminated in the mass murder. Paano, wala na sa poder si pandak.
I just hope that the forthcoming absolution (projected) of Zaldy Ampatuan will not be in exchange for Bedol’s and eventually Garci’s expose on the role of pandak in the election rigging. Mukhang gusto ng mga Ampatuans na kahit papaano magkakaroon pa rin ng isang Ampatuan na mananatiling nasa labas para ipagpatuloy and kanilang Mafia Operations. Gee, delikado ito. Once free, tuloy na naman ang criminal activities.
Let’s just pray that the truth about cheatings in the 2004 & 2007 elections will come out and just punishment be meted out to all those involved, especially the “brains” of these anomalies..God’s justice may be slow..but it will surely visit them…
#16 and #17. Yup I read de quiroz and he said he wanted to add his voice to harry’s.
OO nga Harry was not there. meron bang problema between him and the group of toto/nena santos?
Frankly, matagal na akong walang gana kay Roque To me he spends more time preparing for interviews and press releases than he does on actual legal work.
As a lawyer who was defending a pretty heavy case wistfully said, “Kung si Harry katapat ko I will lose in the publicity but I will win the case.”
I have a different impression of Harry Roque because he handled our case against Mike Arroyo.
As you know, Mike Arroyo withdrew his libel suits against us (46) journalists.
Harry handled (for free) and won the case for Lt. Artemio Raymundo, the officer who was charged in a court martial for sharing Erap CDs.
Many of the cases he handles are high-profile human rights violations. Many of those are libre.
I know the Black and White Movement hates Harry but I have seen his work for the oppressed. And I believe in his sincerity.
_http://www.gmanews.tv/story/226801/nation/comelec-sending-feelers-to-garci-over-poll-fraud
Comelec sending feelers to ‘Garci’ over ‘poll fraud’
“Si Garcillano ay hindi nagtatago, nariyan lang yan. We can invite him or if he’s willing he can come to give his side. Para makita natin baka gusto niya tumulong sa bayan para malaman natin ano nangyari noong 2004,” Brillantes said.
anak ng tokwa… alam nyo palang nariyan lang si Garci.. bakit hindi ipaaresto? wala bang warrant of arrest yan? Hello??!
Harry Roque is just doing what comes naturally, he’s looking after the welfare of his direct clients, its his job, but the welfare of a whole country is at stake and the future of the presidency. We need to once and for all make a statement that we jail even presidents – properly this time not through deceit like we did Erap.
The future of the Aquino presidency won’t rise and fall on the issue of the 2004 elections. Aquino has earned his mandate and he is secure with that.
To make Arroyo accountable for the crimes he committed against the Filipino can be done without sacrificing the victims of Gloria’s greed and ambition.(wouldn’t it be ironic if the victims of Arroyo would end up the victims again while Arroyo’s cohorts walk free?)
What is needed is competence, serious determination and hard work.
I meant the future of the Philippine presidency, not Aquino, but the ones who will follow. We must make the consequences serious enough to deter any future president or at least the ones who will attempt to cheat their way.
The Ampatuan massacre is dreadful but there is more at stake, we have several targets, the logical approach would be to rank according to value then manage them.
Besides, if its proven that Zaldy was nowhere in the massacre area at the time, its going to be a gray area.
Countries more developed than ours compromise everytime, its nothing unique, its a matter of looking atbthe greater good or greater benefit or value, not the stuff of telenovelas reality sucks, but someone has to make the hard decisions.
Besides, if the massacre didn’t include media personnel, it’ll just be treated like another massacre, forgotten.
Bottomline, if Arroyo’s cohorts like Zaldy and Bedol walk free, let them, see if they can really walk freely and safely? If rido won’t shorten their “walk” their former boss’ henchmen will.
Nobody walks free after this, unless they go abroad, ots too high profile a case.
Of course, thats just me, I normally look at the business end only.
The way I see it, Zaldy/Bedol walks free, but briefly. If we get Arroyo, we freeze her assets, bank accounts, recover millions, billions, hopefully, and make a good example, deterrent to future would be Arroyo clones.
The “sweeter” Hellos to hear will be coming from Neri and a
Abalos. Between these two, even the FG could be in really Big trouble.
Harry Roque may have had built a reputation earlier but he dropped balls with this one, for me he’s just out of his league, the Ampatuan lawyers are running circles around him and its just a matter of time before he loses everything.
Some time ago he had in “his” possession “Boy” one of the hired killers of the Ampatuans but he let him go because they were “running out of resources” WTF?! this is not a reason for a winning lawyer! Without any help, Roque will definitely lose this one so he better get down from his “self importance” high horse and get with the program at the same time realize that “there is no I in teamwork.”
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“By this time we were running out of resources, so he left,” Roque said, adding that he kept in touch with Upham while the latter was in Maguindanao.
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20100625-277396/Massacre-witness-killed
If I were the victims’ family I would have fired Roque a long time ago. “Five” thats “5” potential witnesses have been killed already? What is this guys doing? You’re right Ellen, we need competence, Roque apparently has none!
————————————-
RW says five potential witnesses against the Ampatuans have already been shot dead.
http://hir.harvard.edu/india-in-transition/justice-in-the-philippines
Harry Roque is “natutulog sa pansitan” baka maubos na yung witnesses wala pa rin siyang ginawa to secure them?
Harry Roque must focus on doing hard work more instead of blabbing it our on tv it seems.
I hope he hasn’t been seduced by the dark side of the force.
#25. Ellen. The future of the Aquino presidency won’t rise and fall on the issue of the 2004 elections. Aquino has earned his mandate and he is secure with that.
Mismo!
It is very difficult for the administration to put a closure on Gloria’s excesses without a deal-me-in deal-me-out scenario, but they must be very careful in doing so in order not to add more injustice to the victims. They must be very ‘crafty’ in dealing with Zaldy, Bedol at kung sino-sino pang hinayupaks!
I believe there is a deal going on, Bedol would not just pop out of nowhere without securing his miserable life first.
Hmmm… sunod sunod na ang pagkitaw ng mga dating galamay ni Gloria ah. Heto si Garci, lalabas na daw. Ano kaya ang kakantahin niya?
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/26727/palace-virgilio-garcillano-to-tell-all
typo: paglitaw not pagkitaw
Pag tutoong lumabas si Garci at nginuso si pandak sa pndaraya nung 2004 elections sino kaya ang kasunod? Si Mikey kaya? 😛
The way I understand it, mas malakas ang impact ng 2007 electioneering crime ni pandak kesa sa 2004 coz the more astringent election laws were made to take effect in 2007. Kaya lumabas man si Garci, all he can say is, yes he was the one on the phone with the pandak. Alam na ng lahat yun. Alam na rin ng lahat na nagpamudmod ng sangkaterbang pera na nakaw sa Fertilizer scam, Pagcor, Customs, AFP,PCSO at iba pang sangay ng gobierno. Gamit ang pera ng bayan, binili niya ang isang milyong boto sa Maguindanao at iba pang lunsod ng Mindanao. Siguro sasabihin din niya ang mga generals na sangkot sa dayaan, yung mga lininis ni Mayuga sa kanyang report. We all know these things. Garci has to come up with more evidences. Eh sanitized na ni pandak yan for 9 long years. Even that of Bedol, I doubt if they can produce evidences. Nalinis na lahat ni pandak yan dahil nagawa niya yan ng 2004, kaya sobrang dali na lang yung kay Zubiri. Someone with a scheming, killer instinct and criminal mind will always get away with the crime. But there is no such thing as a perfect crime. All we need is just one damning evidence and we can nail this pandak and her partners in crime.
Tanong d2 ay mag kusa kayang bumaba si Ms. Zubiri sa puwesto. Alam naman niya simula’t simula ay di siya ang nanalo eh. Hihintayin p aba niya na mag labasan ang mga ebedinsiya laban sa kanila. Mas lalong nakaka hiya. Mga naka upo na di naman nanalo sa election.
Mapapakulong kaya nila si Pandak…
Kung pagmasdan ang mga pangyayari na ito, “hello garci at Bedol ‘, isang patotoo na walang “baho na maitatago, sisingaw-at-sisingaw “, o do kaya, walang kremin, na di pinagbabayaran. Kung ikukumpara, sa kaliit-liitang (maliliit-bansot)’virus mahirap makita, matitindi at pamatay ang resulta, sa kata-uhan, o sa kumonidad. Makulong man o hindi, ang mga nag-lalabasang “baho o panluluko sa taong bayan ” ng taong 2004, 2007 ( at maaari ding edsa-2-conspiracy ) ay patunay na Salot-Ganid ang GMA admin sa kasaysayan ng Pilipinas, mahigit o katulad ng Marcos Regime.Sana gumawa na ng magandang-pagbabago at madaliang hustisya ang Pnoy admin, para magbagong puri, at ituwid na ang landas ng Bansa. Isa itong pagkakataon, ng tunay na pagbabago, at sa ikabubuti ng Imahin ng bansa, sa buong mundo. Huwag ng sayangin ang 5-taon natitira sa pagbabago, ng Pnoy admin, dahil nasa kamay nila ang pwersa-pulso ng taong bayan, para sa ikabubuti ng susunod na lahi ng bansa.
“itapon na ang mga bulok na kamatis sa buslo-gobyerno, at kumuha ng malilinis, di bulok na mga utak-selfish, sa lahat ng sulok ng pamunuan ng gobyerno ‘. Marami na ding politiko, ang may gustong maglinis at may hangaring baguhin ang takbuhin ng gobyerno ng bansa, apiktado lang sila ng “bulok” na sistema na ipinunla ng mga arroyo and company, nagpumilit na tumira sa palasyo, kahit na malabo ang kasaysayan nila. A comment for the country’s future stable generation.
Off topic:. De la Paz, one of the Euro generals and his wife have a warrant of arrest. Sige hulihin lahat ang mga magnanakaw!!! And put them all in jail para umunlad naman ang Pilipinas.
Sana psb, sana. Sana makulong na lahat ng nakinabang sa rehimen ni Arroyo para huwag tularan. Sana hindi masayang ang pinaglaban ng mga nakulong na sundalo.
Nagmamasid and mga kabataan, nasa kamay natin ang kinabukasan nila, isa sa mga ito ang magiging presidente sa panahon nila sana makita nila kung ano ang tama at mali para maiwasan nila.
Jug, you are talking from the point of view of ignorance. You are talking harshly about Atty. Roque but you don’t know the facts.
Why take it against Atty. Roque that five of the potential witnesses were killed. That simply shows the power of the Ampatuans even if they are in prison. Their evil machinery is still there. Maybe a little crippled but it is still working. And the fear is that Zaldy will rehabilitate that once he is out.
I can speak about Upham because I have interviewed him.Here are the links:http://www.ellentordesillas.com/?p=9827 and http://www.ellentordesillas.com/?p=11647
The WPP, under then Justice Alberto Agra of Gloria Arroyo dilly-dallied in deciding whether to accept him or not. Jesus, he was one of the triggermen!
I know the efforts that Atty Roque did,spending his own money to secure him. I know the NGOs and religious organizations that tried to help.
I also know the complications and difficulties of confining a person used to the wild, wild atmosphere of Maguindanao in an isolated place. That involves not only physical but also emotional, spiritual and biological matters.
I suggest that since you don’t know many things, you better go slow in making erroneous conclusions.
As far as fighting Arroyo’s illegal presidency, and helping Aquino win the presidency, no one can accuse Harry Roque of not doing his ample share.
Ellen,
The results speak for itself, the witness was in his possession but he still got killed no amount of excuses will erase that. Hawak mo na nawala pa, that for me is inconceivable.
The way I look at it, he’s lost his touch, the question would be “can he win this?”
Too mush is at stake here, trying is not enough, there is no substitute for victory.
The facts are there, its not rocket science.
On the eave of probably the biggest case of his entire career, he drops the ball big time. 🙁
Ellen,, that is exactly why the Ampatuans are working hard to make sure that Zaldy will not be in prison. Walang tatao sa kanilang mga illegal operations. Once Zaldy makes it out, lagot na naman ang Maguindanao. I said this earlier and I am saying it again, the Ampanuans want a continuity of their Mafia operations. Zaldy is not a meek lamb, on the contrary he looks like he is the smartest of the Ampatuans. His absence from the massacre site was probably a plot from the very beginning to isolate him from the gruesome murders. It does not mean though that he was not one of the architects of the massacre. All the Ampatuans who orchestrated the massacre should be locked up in prison forever-no possibility of parole whatsoever!
Sana nga ma-revive ang DEATH PENALTY just for the guilty Ampatuans.
Harry only handles 17 of the cases, another lady lawyer is handling 27, another one has three and other lawyers are handling one client each.
The fact that Harry is handling 17 pro bono cases speaks volumes. Some of the witnesses can also be faulted for going back to the scene of the crime. They should know better. These witnesses are probably even safer jailed. Although, being jailed is also not safe coz the mafia oprators can just pay one of the guards or one of the prisoners to kill anyone even inside the prison cells, a sad reality.
PSB, this article gives you an idea on the ruthlessness of the Ampatuans:
http://www.ellentordesillas.com/?p=9827
The Ampatuans can kill anyone, anytime they want. Kahit nakakulong sila sa dami ng galamay na utusan madali lang para sa kanila ang magligpit ng witnesses.
As Brillantes told media in the presscon yesterday, Bedol’s statements are mostly “Sabi ni Zaldy…” which are mere hearsay. These words would matter to the case only if Zaldy himself admits and corroborates Bedol.
Remember that at the time of the murders, Zaldy was in Malacañang, meeting with Putot in order to persuade her to convince Mangudadatu to stand down and let go of his gubernatorial ambitions – that was his alibi. The only conclusion that could be drawn therefore is that Zaldy gave the signal of approval for the massacre to commence since his meeting with Arroyo was unproductive.
Zaldy’s coming out to offer to pin down his own father and brother/s is his own death warrant. He cannot anymore share prison with those he is planning to tell on. He had to be rushed to the hospital to get all remaining facts and evidences before his life is eventually snuffed out.
Zaldy’s lawyer is the (formerly?) esteemed Howard Calleja, which we criticized in this blog for defending a monster. Brillantes now appears to be coordinating with Calleja via Zaldy, both being topnotch election lawyers, which btw includes Sec. De Lima who used to lawyer for Alan Peter Cayetano, one of Bedol’s vote-shaving victims.
This may also a chance for Calleja to redeem himself and provide Brillantes with enough ammunition to finally avenge his frustrating experiences with Abalos. Ditto De Lima’s.
psb,
you are right, the law on election sabotage took effect only in 2007, while that election of 2004 was covered by an earlier law which prescription period of the 2004 cheating that effectively expired in 2009 (five years). The cheats in 2004 could however still be charged of the lesser election offenses for which punishments are peanuts.
Since the election sabotage law of 2007 provides penalty of imprisonment of up to 20 years, the prescription period is longer.
Brillantes explains however that his own impression is that Putot does not belong to the part of the expired prescription period due to presidential immunity from suit. Hence, the five-year countdown, for Putot, started only on June 30, 2010, when Pandak stepped down. She is THE ONLY ONE covered by the old law as far as the cheating in 2004 is concerned.
There is a very thin line that separate two interest in play here – first, to make Gloria and her cabal answer for stealing the votes of the people in two previous elections, plunder charges notwithstanding. Second is the fight for justice of the Ampatuan Massacre victims. But both are intertwined, one cannot favor one over the other. Same set of criminals but two sets of victims.
It may be difficult to strike a balance 100% acceptable to both sides but this is where political wisdom – both artful and crafty but firm and decisive, is a must.
Do we have someone in this admin that fits the description?
Do we have someone in this admin that fits the description?-Tongue
That’s why public vigilance is important. To remind those in power the various public interests that they have to protect.
Tongue, you got it right except maybe on this:
Zaldy’s coming out to offer to pin down his own father and brother/s is his own death warrant. He cannot anymore share prison with those he is planning to tell on. He had to be rushed to the hospital to get all remaining facts and evidences before his life is eventually snuffed out.
What I know is that it his so-called turning against his father and brother has the blessings of the old man. If you analyze the statements of Sigfrid Fortun, he is all for it.
A pro-Aquino Muslim politician was telling me the same thing- that it is part of the long-term legal strategy of the Ampatuans. Which to me is understandable. What I cannot understand is why are some officials of the Aquino government going along at the expense of the victims?
tt,
Apart from panfilo lacson, i don’t see anybody else. the president i believe will conform to profile and act accordingly as the good boy brought up properly by mommy and will try to please everybody, unless he surprises me.
Personally I prefer we get both, justice for Arroyo and for the victims of the massacre, but real life doesn’t work that way.
What really puzzles me is the ” hello garci” thing, isn’t the tape and the subsequent apology enough? Why wait all this time to analyze the voice in the tape if its really Gloria’s? Isn’t the admission of lapse of judgment enough?
Why the need to dig up all the ballots, a separate fact finding commssion, etc? It seemed to me that she admitted it already?
Ellen,
What if Zaldy really kicks the bucket in the next few days, he looks like he’s ready to join the victims anytime soon.
I hope they get some sort of signed affidavit or something before he does.
The Ampatuans are only strong because they were supported by the government, they had a direct line to Arroyo and a seemingly limitless resource lifeline, just cut that off, isolate them, use the full force of the law, take away their capability to maintain a private army – money and we’ll see which is fact and urban legend. Most of the time its the myth surrounding powerful people that makes them appear invulnerable.
Reduce Zaldy into an ordinary citizen, slap him with tax evasion charges, etc, etc, freeze his assets, dismantle his private army and release him in Maguindanao, let him walk or commute all the way from the airport to his house, see if he can get home in one piece. He is just a man, he bleeds red blood, he breathes oxygen, he has the same 24 hours in one day, he eats, shits, sleeps under the same moon we all do.
Ellen, kinikilabutan ako sa article mo. Never read it before but somehow, from reading articles on the Ampatuans in the newspapers, I look at them as a bunch of criminals.
Jud, I would not like to see Zaldy out of prison in my lifetime nor the next generation. This man does not deserve to even strike a deal with anyone, kahit na kay Pnoy. He has to rot in jail!!! Walang kapalit ang buhay ng 58 pinatay ng mga Ampatuans.
Nobody in the administration fits the description, Tongue. But I am for de Lima to show what she got, if they could not bring in Lacson.
The way the Ampatuans operate, I believe Zaldy’s ‘breaking away’ has the blessings of the godfather.
Zaldy is suffering from acute coronary syndrome, according to Dr. Danilo Kuizon. Here is a curious fact:
Talagang ang sakit ng puso ay sakit ng mayayaman. Those who indulge excessively in the good life – either matatabang pagkain, or substance abuse.
Guess what caused Zaldy’s affliction? I bet it is both.
“Besides, if the massacre didn’t include media personnel, it’ll just be treated like another massacre, forgotten.” – Jug
Spot on Jug.
Just like the Mendiola and Luisita, right?
Bakit pinili nila ang Heart Center? Who is his doctor? Can someone background check on this doctor or doctors?
# 71
Psuo eh. Why not?
KUNG totoong may deal, napakaswerte talaga nitong si Zaldy & Bedol. Nagpakabusog sila at nagpasarap sa buhay sa buong panahon ni Gloria at tuloy-tuloy pa rin ang ligaya sa panahon ni Noynoy.
The downside in making deals, instead of preventing or discouraging future acts of would be criminals, it encourages, because the government makes so easy for anyone to plea and enter into a bargain by turning into as a state witness, which guarantees freedom and lifetime security.With that kind of arrangement, no criminal would ever think twice before accepting it.
In any case, which will emerge as winner in using the other devil to get the other group of devil?
If the prosecutor’s (government) goal and only aim is to get one party (perpetrators) in a crime, then they can claim victory. But the thing is there are two parties (perpetrators and executioners) in a crime and it is the rule of law, just and proper to let both parties answer for their crimes to serve justice to their victims. It is unconscionable to let the victims be victims again of injustices.
After all they are both responsible for their actions and besides there’s no lesser evil between them.
IF
there is a deal.
Let us ascertain the facts first.
It is possible, were I the one negotiating, that the deal would be:
A secure prison cell for the service of the sentence of plunder, while employing Zaldy as state witness in the murder
IF
his testimony is useful. I get him to serve a life sentence anyway. Para yang tax evasion ni Al Capone. Who cares if the charge is not sexy? Ganoon din, kulong din naman.
Again, before judging actions not yet made, let us gather the facts first. Is Zaldy indispensable in the presentation of evidence? Can there be a deal which achieves the purpose of the government, without sacrificing the duty to punish Zaldy?
My proposal above would serve both.
That hinges, of course, on the evidence in the case of plunder. Ask Heidi Mendoza and the COA. Mayroon bang paper trail?
Sax, do you think this Zaldy will give out any incriminating info to put the other criminals in jail until it is clear that Pnoy’s camp will make sure that he will be immune from all charges? Murder,plunder,electioneering and other crimes, a blanket immunity kung baga.
Unless Garci is offered millions to come out, I think he will just stay put. It’s obvious that getting nothing in return to come out, to “hang” and bite the hands that fed him is not in his book; for what?, to be a true patroit and a hero? Those are not in his vocabulary. His violation of election code has prescribed, so it’s pera-pera na lang ang usapan diyan.
So if one of these days he’s out there singing like a drunken sailor, bet your last dime that he got his prize despite denials by his “handlers”.
Florry, all those involved in the election rigging will eventually have to come out to defend themselves or as Sax says, will become state witnesses to be immune from suits. So, sooner or later, Garci will have to face the music. It is better that he comes out now or someone will knock on his door and just put handcuffs on him and drag him out of his hiding place.
Dapat talaga wag na makatakas si Gloria the Evil Bitch dito! This is the biggest crime!
I think Bedol, Zaldy Ampatuan and others involved should be credible witnesses because they were the operators. This should be enough to pin down the Evil Bitch!
Kung si Chavit nga na napaka walang hiya pinaniwalaan eh, mas paniniwalaan naman siguro sina Befol, Ampatuan, etc…
Bottomline is that people want to see Gloria in jail!
re: #60 11:04am
Remember that after the massacre was all over the news, Gloria’s candidate, Gibo, flew immediately to Maguindanao and played the big brother role to appease Toto Mangudadatu. This did not sit well with Ampatuans who felt betrayed by their allies.
Talks in the Muslim communities here have it that traitors like Gloria will feel the Ampatuans’ wrath when the time comes.
This is the view from the other side of the fence.
As I said earlier, Bedol’s sudden appearance has “Blackmail” written all over it. Notice his taunting use of the word “hello”. More cognac please, I can’t sleep.
Exactly Tongue!I read what Gibo did and I said lagot na si Midget! The Ampatuans want to drag the midget with them. Ang lagay sila lang ang makukulong samantalang nagpapasarap si midget sa Europe, sa Tongress at sa mga malapalasyo niyang mga bahay. NO WAY!
Nakakaloko nga yung “hello” ni Bedol. Tipong taunting!Heh,heh,heh…
florry@ #70
walanghiya, ginisa mo naman ako sa sarili kong mantika
andres,
Kung hindi pa napakulong itong si gloria sa dami ng mga pwedeng magtestify magwawala talaga ako, si erap nga kinulong base sa testimony ni chavit tapos hindi pa galing sa kaban ng bayan galing ang perang naging ” plunder!”
Of course zaldy will be concerned of his clan, which also consist of women and children not just henchmen. They have maintained this way of life “warlordism” as a means of protecting themselves against other clans.
The Mangundadatus, if unchecked could very well become another Ampatuan, unless we find a way to change things, like not using these clans to neutralize moslem insurgency. This is a US approach, coddling local dictators to protect our interests and apparently its not working.
Look at how China solved the Sri Lanka problem with the Tamil Tigers, no letup, wiped everything out, blocked all means of support from the outside, no negotiations.
Pichay and Gibo met with Mangundadatu before the massacre and warned him not to run because ” they were violent people.”
One time I asked a friend who is assiged in that area why there was no military escort knowing fully well and with all the warnings beforehand, there was a request for escort but it was not given.
http://mindoropost.com/2010/01/28/mangudadatu-gibo-warned-me-not-to-run-vs-ampatuan/
Kung nag-iisa na lang si Garci, lalabas din yan…makiki-uso. 🙂
Walang magagawa ngayon ang Ampatuans kundi makisama (via deal) sa gobyerno kasi nada na si Gloria. Sa Pinas, kung wala na sa poder ay non-existent na. Kahit na pa tongresswoman si Gloria, all alone na rin sya. Kaya itong si Zaldy, with the blessings, of the family ay sapilitang makikiisa sa administrasyon.
Hindi pababayaan ni Gloria ang used-to-be bffs na Ampatuans kund meron syang magagawa, but reality bites. Kanya-kanya na silang depensahan sa sarili. Magtuturuan at mag-aasahan ang dating mag-bffs,malapit na.
Agree ako kay PSB, what is good about Pnoy is he lets the facts and evidences roll out right before the eyes of the public. For now, that is his best achievement for his first SONA. 🙂
off topic,
After Sara Duterte, there’s Wendi Deng
http://youtu.be/P7vhgw2s6tA
More and more rich European men are marrying more orientals specially the Chinese. Murdock’s wife is very young. Must be super smart though and gutsy!