As a legislator, Joker Arroyo had millions of pesos at his disposal under the Priority Development Assistance Fund. Some of his colleagues disposed of their PDAF into their pockets with gusto.
Arroyo earned the reputation as “Scrooge” because of his low office expenditure. He maintained a very small staff.
I had been a recipient, however, of the generosity of the Congress’ “Scrooge.”
In 2003, I underwent chemotherapy for my ovarian cancer. Chemotherapy is a very expensive treatment. I had mine at the Philippine General Hospital.
When Joker learned that I needed financial assistance for my chemotherapy, he instructed his media officer, Delfin Espiritu, to facilitate release of his PDAF to PGH for one cycle of my chemo.
I thanked him for it through Delfin and he replied to let him know if I needed more help.
I did for another cycle of chemo.
In 1983, during Malaya’s “guerilla” days, we (Malaya’s reporters) had Joker’s phone number, together with that of Attorneys Rene Saguisag and Jojo Binay, in our wallet, in case we get arrested by Marcos minions.
In those uncertain days, having his number enabled us to pursue our job of reporting on Marcos’ crumbling dictatorship because it gave us assurance that there would be somebody who would make noise and make life difficult for those who would prevent us from doing our job.
During the May 2007 senatorial elections, I wrote a critical article about Gloria and Mike Arroyo’s candidates. Joker was mentioned not in a flattering way and I was informed he was not happy about it.
It was therefore with some apprehension that I greeted him during the Senate hearing of the November 2007 Manila Peninsula siege (where together with more than 20 journalists we were arrested for covering Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV and his fellow rebel soldiers call for Gloria Arroyo’s ouster despite orders by the authorities to leave before they assaulted the hotel).
As always,he was kind to me.
Thank you, Joker.
ellen, tinulungan kang kusa dahil sa iyong katayuan bilang isang journalist na kabalintunaan ng mga katulad naming karaniwang tao na nagmamakaawa na ay sinusukat pa ang pagkatao.
i do not like joker eversince dahil itinuturing ko siyang isa sa mga dahilan kung bakit ang pilipinas ay nasa kaawaawang kalagayan niya ngayon.
katulad ng ibang naghangad na ibagsak ang sinasabing diktadurya, si joker ay naging bulag sa lahat ng mga katiwaliang naganap sa alinmang administrasyong kanyang pinaglingkuran mula sa pamahalaang cory lalong lalo na noong si gloria arroyo na ang umupo. mula sa mapanlinlang na pang-aagaw ng poder kay erap, pandaraya sa kalamangan ni FPJ at kabikabilang kurakutan lalo na ang ZTE broadband midnight deal, TULOG si joker!
magkanoon man, RIP, joker. diyan ka magtika sa kabilang buhay.
#1 MPRivera, tama ka…isa siya sa nagrunung runungan na akala mo siya lang ang may monopoly ng wisdom. Looking back, we were better off before the Yellow reigned. We got all the worst name in the world..wost traffic, worst airport, worst human right violations. We also lost some of our islands and if we’re not careful, we can lose Mindanao too…kawawa naman talaga ang Pilipinas. After Marcos, wala ng natayong infrastructures even if today’s budges is P3 Trillion. Ang presyo ng electricity at water ay highest in thw world, same is true with our taxes….kawawang Pilipinas…naloko ng mga Dilaw.
No to Bongbong!! Mahiya naman kayong mga revisionistang Marcos loyalist.