Faithful to the scenario written by Malacañang (see preceding post), the Court of Appeals today considered the issue on Daniel Smith’s detention at the Makati City jail “moot”.
Malaya’s updated report:
CA trashes Smith petition, but bows to Palace stand
Upholds judge on detention in Makati
By Evangeline de Vera
THE Court of Appeals yesterday dismissed the petition of convicted rapist Lance Cpl. Daniel Smith to be transferred to the custody of the United States, but the court deemed the matter mooted because Philippine officials have already turned Smith over to the US Embassy.
In mooting Smith’s petition, the CA Special 16th Division took cognizance of the “imperious” intervention of the Office of the Solicitor General on behalf of the Department of Foreign Affairs.
Smith was transferred from the Makati city jail to the US Embassy last Friday based on an agreement signed by Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo and US Ambassador Kristie Kenney on Dec. 19, which states that the US and the Philippine governments, in accordance with the Visiting Forces Agreement that governs US servicemen, agree that Smith be returned to US custody.
Another agreement was signed on Dec. 22 by Romulo and Kenney specifying Smith’s detention cell at the US Embassy compound on Roxas boulevard.
Makati Judge Benjamin Pozon, who on Dec. 4 found Smith guilty of raping Filipina “Nicole” in November last year, ordered the US serviceman detained at the Makati city jail.
On Tuesday, Nicole filed a petition with the CA questioning government’s “smuggling out” of Smith without a court order.
In a 38-page decision penned by Associate Justice Apolinario Bruselas Jr., the CA Special 16th Division said Smith may not remain under custody of US authorities after completion of all trial proceedings because there is no longer any further obligation to hold and produce him for any other investigative or judicial proceedings.
“His remaining in the US custody will keep him beyond the jurisdiction of Philippine authorities who have exclusive jurisdiction over him with respect to the offense that he has committed and primary right to try him. It may have been in this light that the order of respondent judge to temporarily commit the petitioner to the MCJ (Makati city jail) was issued,” the CA said.
The appellate court affirmed Pozon’s ruling that a provision of the RP-US Visiting Forces which allows the US Embassy to keep custody of offenders in all judicial proceedings covers only proceedings before a lower court and not when the case is already on appeal.
“All judicial proceedings” meant all proceedings at the trial court, the CA said, because “under Philippine law, it is the judicial proceedings at the trial court level that are held in open court.”
“Appellate procedure under Philippine law does not require the presence of the accused nor of witnesses,” it said.
Associate Justices Josefina Guevarra-Salonga, chair of the division, and Fernanda Lampas-Peralta concurred with the decision insofar as the result, but not necessarily with the grounds cited by the ponencia.
“Conformably, with the wise observation that the other branches of government are equally the ultimate guardians of the liberties and welfare of the people, we resolve to consider the matter treated in the petition moot,” the CA said, quoting US Supreme Court Chief Justice Wendell Holmes.
As it sees fit
Solicitor General Antonio Eduardo Nachura has said the Dec. 22 Romulo-Kenney agreement constituted a supervening event that warranted the immediate removal of Smith from the Makati jail.
The court said: “If it is the position of government that the language of the VFA is clear as seen by petitioner and as also seen by the US Embassy, despite the strong and palpable indications that it is not so, then let it do as it sees fit and deal with such latest agreement as sound judgment permits…”
It added: “Courts may not directly intervene in the exercise of diplomacy no matter how proudly or meekly, strongly or weakly, such exercise may be conducted by the appropriate political organ of government. Courts may only say what the facts are and what the law may be in a given case or controversy and rule accordingly.”
The CA said that the agreed upon facility in which Smith may be detained may well be inside the US Embassy, or in any other place within Philippine territory.
It said that custody does not necessarily refer to the physical layout of the agreed-upon requirement or detention facility, or the stringency of security. Only the fact that it be run by Philippine authorities makes any such agreement fully compliant with the VFA and with the national law.
“For as long as it is a confinement or detention by Philippine authorities, such an agreement shall be ‘in apt compliance’ with the letter and spirit of the VFA,” the CA said.
No abuse of authority
The appellate court said Pozon did not abuse his authority in committing Smith to the Makati jail because at that time, the VFA has not defined the issue of custody.
This was remedied only after Romulo signed an agreement with Kenney stating that the Philippine government has no objection to the transfer of custody to US authorities, the CA said, referring to the Dec. 19 agreement.
“He (Pozon) was well within his sphere of competence when he performed his duty of hearing out all sides and in reading and understanding the provisions of the VFA, which we must emphasize are not at all that crystal clear contrary to the opinions of many who may not even have had the opportunity to get hold of a copy of the VFA,” the court said.
It said that under criminal law and procedures, a judgment of conviction that imposes the penalty of imprisonment above six years is immediately followed by an order of commitment to the appropriate detention facility.
“Given the foregoing behavior of the respondent judge, we cannot say easily that the issuance of the questioned orders had been attended by whim, caprice or arbitrariness,” the CA said.
Smith was sentenced to reclusion perpetua, which carries a maximum of 40 years imprisonment.
Jurisdiction waived
Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez said the government waived its jurisdiction over Smith in exchange for the commitment of the US Embassy to allow Philippine authorities to have visiting rights.
“Let’s not split hairs over the CA decision. We have jurisdiction but we waived it when they allowed to give visiting rights by appointment. We rely in good faith that they will not give preferential treatment to Smith,” he said.
He also said that while the petition on custody has been dismissed, the appeal on the issue of guilt or innocence is still pending before the CA. He said the decision on the custody could still be appealed to the Supreme Court.
He brushed aside as “a figment of some imagination” reports of a possible constitutional crisis, adding that he does not see the culpable violation of the Constitution that administration critics are alleging.
The US said while relations between the US and the Philippines remain “strong,” these were endangered “in some aspects” by Smith’s detention at the Makati jail.
“We were worried in particular about some aspects of joint military cooperation. The Visiting Forces Agreement is an agreement that oversees the legal status of visiting US members. When that agreement was in doubt, it makes that kind of cooperation difficult,” said US Embassy spokesman Matthew Lussenhop.
Only about custody
Lussenhop maintained Smith’s transfer was in accordance with the VFA.
“What we are doing is according to the bilateral treaty which was signed by both countries. This has nothing to do with the verdict,” he said.
“This is really only about the custody issue. There’s no issue at all on the verdict in the case. But the VFA is a binding agreement between our two countries,” he added.
Lussenhop said the US is still the Philippines’ top investor, donor of grant aid, and trading partner.
He also said that the two countries have a “very active cooperation in military and security matters and in political matters,” and relations based on “decades and decades of cooperation.”
Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo said Smith’s transfer was carried out based on a legal opinion of the justice department and the agreements he signed with Kenney.
He said the US Embassy was chosen as the place of detention “in compliance with our VFA obligation to recognize US custody over Lance Cpl. Smith until the completion of all judicial proceedings.”
He said the US also recognized its obligation to turn over Smith to the Philippine government “in case of final conviction, once all judicial remedies are exhausted.”
Lame excuse
Nicole’s private lawyer, Evalyn Ursua, decried Smith’s transfer. She said the need to preserve RP-US ties is a “lame excuse” that cannot justify the sudden the transfer without the court’s approval.
She said by doing away with the court’s approval, government effectively sidelined the court as the final arbiter in conflicting interpretations of the law.
“At the end of the day, who will act as the final referee over the conflicting interpretations of the law? Isn’t it the court? Otherwise, we might as well engage in a boxing match wherein the more skilled fighter wins,” she said.
Smith’s lawyers said they can now prepare for the bigger battle of reversing Pozon’s conviction of Smith.
“With his transfer we can now focus our time and efforts on the battle to reverse the conviction since we have been able to achieve one of our objective which is to seek his transfer,” said Jose Justiniano, one of Smith’s lawyers.
Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said the CA decision vindicated government’s move to transfer custody of Smith to the US Embassy.
“We are glad that the action of the CA is in the manner that it came out and declared that since the custody issue had been resolved by the action taken by the executive, especially the DILG, then the very issue before it is already resolved. So they say it is already moot and academic. And so it is a vindication, if you may say that, of the action of the executive branch,” Ermita said.
“I think we have been vindicated. Kita naman ninyo, within 48 hours, the Americans made the announcement na tuloy na (ang Balikatan). Ganoon lang yan,” he said.
The US cancelled the Balikatan exercises on Dec. 22. On Tuesday, the US Embassy announced its resumption.
Tools
Ermita said cancellation of the Balikatan and possible cutting off of aid are “tools of international relations” and that “nagkataon ang America pa naman ay very powerful country.”
Ermita said Malacañang is prepared to face criticisms that its detractors would hurl against the administration, especially during the election period.
He said the Philippines gained self-respect for transferring custody of Smith and restored the confidence of the international community in the country’s ability to live up to its commitments.
He said the Balikatan exercises are valuable to the Philippines because it improves the fighting capability of the Armed Forces. – With Czeriza Valencia, Ashzel Hachero, Regina Bengco and Reinir Padua
Related story: AFP says they can do without Balikatan
Senators tell Malacañang to take back Smith
Click here for Fr. Joaquin Bernas’ commentary.
MOOT! So CA ratifies the illegal act of Malacanang. Why cant it rule that Smith’s surreptitious transfer is contrary to law?
The decision of the CA is disgusting. Another Pontius Pilate act. Reminds me of Marcos SC which is so subservient to the Executive. Parang “political question” thing.
Pati korte bulag!
Glue has prostituted the court system and licked the boots of uncle sam like swallowing two mice in one gulp – how much lower can she stoop?
All the more reason now Ellen for a public outrage!
“No wonder Filipinos are ashamed to be recognized as Filipinos,” says Anna. In my case, I say, “Thank God, I’m Japanese!” At least, I know our government will protect me against any criminal, local or foreign, who will try to do me harm. Over here, even just the intent can merit a conviction.
My condolence to the people of the Republic of the Philippines! Ginago na ng husto!
It’s January, the season of transition. I hope we’re nearing the climax.
LVII, the CA’s decision is ambivalent. It said that Judge Pozon’s order is not contrary to law but at the same time it said the Smith custody issue is now “moot”.
Ellen,
Iyan ang double standard, and to copy the description of one of your bloggers, no moral consistency!!! 😛
Playing safe ang mga bobo! That is what this CA is doing. Palagi lang nagpapalusot!
Ellen,
Buti na lang nandito kami sa ibang bansa…kundi kung sa amin mangyari yan wala na palang gobyerno ang magtatanggol sa amin???? Sabagay paano nga pala ako mare-rape LALAKI ako….he he he
But what I can say…even our Court is being influenced by Malacanang kaya ayan lumalabas din ang kulay….puro ITIM!!!! ang ITIM ng mga budhi ninyo…MAAWA naman kayo kay Nicole…binigyan ng hustisya pero binawi ninyo naman…nasaan ang inyong pagiging Pilipino???
MAbuti pa panoorin ninyo ito http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=brBKyRXqBz8
Naku Roljen, maraming mga lalaking na-rape. lalo pa sa Middle east.That also a common occurences in prison.
Ellen,
Does “moot” now means the Americans are free to smuggle out Smith to Okinawa? Pakiabang nga kung kailan? Gotta warn our Japanese friends about it, you see. We do not want a possible menace to come back to Japan, a horny one at that!
Kaya nga Ellen maging lalaki o babae man dapat ipagtanggol nitong si GMA ang problema..kapit itong si GLUE sa posisyon kesa sa kapakanan ng ating mga kababayan….Ang tanong ilang Pinoy na ang pinatay sa ibang bansa??? Ni rape??? Inabuso??? May nagawa ba ang ating Embahada????? WALA!!!!!!
Tapos eto si GMA….nagpapaliwanag na naman…para sa ikabubuti daw ng ating bayan…..ng bayan ba o sa KANYANG kapakanan??????
God said….REPENT!!!! para magkaroon na tayo ng magandang kinabukasan……
GOD loves you
kapag gumapang ang mga galamay ng salot, bawat sulok ay makakapitan ng kabulukan!!
para sa kapakanan ng bansa? nakakasukang katwirang hindi kayang ipagtanggol ang sariling mamamayan!
Yuko,
You’ve raised a very valid concern.
Yes, what indeed will happen if and when the US Embassy springs Smith out of the Philippines and into one of their foreign bases?
Will any appeal for his return to “prison” on Philippine soil be rendered MOOT & ACADEMIC too?
I guess, it will…
hindi nakakahiyang amining isang pilipino. ang nakakahiyang aminin ay kung sino at anong uri ang mga namumunong pilipino.
ang susunod na mangyayari: reversal of judge pozon’s decision establishing smith’s innocence and acquittal!
imposible ba? si gloria ‘ata ang presidente!
hindi mangyayaring itatakas nila si smith kundi they will exhaust all illegal legal means to exonerate him, para malinis ang lahat bago siya palabasin sa pilipinas. at, dahil “matulungin” si gloria, matalino si gonzalez, iginagalang ng DFA ang diplomatic relations between US and RP at nasa likod ng “marangal” na pangulo (pwe!!) ang lahat niyang gabinete, maisasalba nila ang kapakanan ng ating bansa.
Anna:
I will ask some lawyers here to see what they can do to prosecute the horny US soldier when he is smuggled back to Japan, and if a ruling regarding courts in Japan now able to prosecute Japanese nationals and/or foreign long-term resident in Japan for crimes committed overseas is applicable also to a US serviceman based in Japan who has committed a crime against a civilian on a furlough and not in uniform at the time the crime was committed as in the case of horny Smith.
Together with my group and Japanese friends, I will write also to our Minister of Foreign Affairs, Justice and Military to refuse the entry of a possible menace to Japan so this Smith cannot be returned here in case of another breach of Philippine law by Philippine officials themselves.
PATALSIKIN NA, NOW NA!
This should read, “Together with my group and Japanese friends, I will write also to our MINISTERS of Foreign Affairs, Justice and Military….”
Sinabi mo pa, Ellen. Even Americans in fact do it in Iraq! Teen-age boys and men are being raped by US soldiers according to my contacts in Basra.
I first heard of the “plague” (a term used by the US military) in the late 70’s and early 80’s from some US servicemen in Yokosuka. Apparently, a lot many of them experimented on same sex relationship being marooned at sea during the Middle Eastern crisis in Iraq and Iran, and caused a lot many of them to develop HIV.
Ellen,
Of course “moot and academic” already… why? because the chicken has come home to roost (in its nest in the US embassy) so which appeal concerning convicted American rapist is there to render judgement on? Nobody!
Anna:
From the report posted by Ellen, I understand the horny US soldier appealed to be transferred to the US embassy for custody, not his case for commutation of his sentence. If the CA means that his appeal for transfer to US embassy is moot, then, it is still valid for the Philippine court to demand his return to its custody for what is moot is the transfer to the US embassy.
Ang problema, hindi yata naiintindihan iyong English.
Over in Japan, when a convicted felon does not appeal his case within 14 days from the time the verdict is given, any appeal after that will be considered moot and academic, and the felon is immediately transferred to the national prison to serve his sentence with forced labor! I guess, it is the same in the Philippines except that over in Japan, the PM is not allowed to meddle in the affairs of the court the way the bogus president infringes in court procedures as in the case of this horny rapist.
Over here, if the judge says “No!” the PM and his minister of justice are duty bound to abide by his decision with or without threat from some meddling foreign power. they will not try to embarrass a fellow Japanese, who is simply doing the duties and responsibilities he has taken an oath to tackle and perform.
I would feel insulted if I were Judge Pozon especially by this creepy claiming to be president even when she is bogus.
Yuko,
I’d go further than “I would feel insulted if I were Judge Pozon ” – it’s the entire Philippine legal and judicial systems that are insulted and by extension, the Filipino people as a whole!
In short, Anna, bastos at stupid talaga itong si Great Switik. Bastos din iyong ambassador ng US. She should have advised the lawyer of the embassy to check if the horny soldier had submitted a proper appeal re his case, not his cell, and his lawyer could have submitted a simple notification that his client is appealing his case within the limit of submission of such appeal. In Japan, it is 14 days. I suppose it is the same in the Philippines.
If he fails to do so, then, the horny soldier needs to start his serving his sentence regardless of whether or not there is a decent room for him in the National Penitentiary or wherever there is vacancy for I understand Muntinlupa is now very crowded. In fact, they can put him even while he is appealing his case at Tanay with Erap! No need to remove those records at the city jail in Makati so they can renovate the record room according to US demand and specification. Delikado pa iyon sa totoo lang.
Bakit kailangang mag-worry sila kung comfortable iyong criminal na kano o hindi? Dito nga hindi sila makareklamo. Wala kasing favoritism dito. Pare-pareho ang trato. Magrereklamo kasi ang iba pang preso. Pinoy kasi takot na baka lalo silang pahirapan!
Colonial mentality? You bet, it is!
Tama ka diyan, Magno:
“hindi mangyayaring itatakas nila si smith kundi they will exhaust all illegal legal means to exonerate him, para malinis ang lahat bago siya palabasin sa pilipinas. at, dahil “matulungin” si gloria, matalino si gonzalez, iginagalang ng DFA ang diplomatic relations between US and RP at nasa likod ng “marangal” na pangulo (pwe!!) ang lahat niyang gabinete, maisasalba nila ang kapakanan ng ating bansa. “
Although I am a Canadian for the last 3 decades of my life and very proud of it, am not ashamed to tell everyone that I am of Filipino descent, Gloria, Marcos, Erap, and all the “Salamagans” that are going on and all bad image. There are still a lot to be proud for being Filipino, whatever our citizenships might be. We have a very positive image to which country we choose to live and work. Most understand the kind of Governance going on our native country, but it does not reflect on its nationals. So many times new acquintances and strangers would ask me if I’m Chinese Or Japanese or Malaysian (I look like anyone of them) and I always made sure to let them know that I am a Filipino, then we can talk about Gloria.
I myself, won’t believe that Ambassador Kenny would allow anything to go beyond the issue of having Convicted Rapist Smith Custody at the U.S. jurisdiction. The issue now to be resolved is in the Philippines Side. And the question to be addresed is simply: Was the process of Transfer of Custody Justifiable Under the Circumstances?
And I would prefer the ever wise Supreme Court Justices to Decide on this one. Yes or No..
Ang labo naman ng CA! Does this mean this case can’t be brought up to the Supreme Court, or that the SC can’t even touch it? What’s the use of the Philippine courts then if Glueria’s decision is superior to the rulings of this so called last bastion of democracy? Oopps undeclared martial nga pala!
Pinitik lang ang kalingkitan ni Glueria, bumigay na pati ang korte. Shall we say, everyone has a price? O baka death threats na naman ang pinakawalan ng pekeng pangulo.
In a blink of an eye, Smith will be totally freed and out of Pinas! Ganyan kabilis magdesisyon ang reyna engkantada!
Vic,
Because of Glueria, the Big Brother was forced to show the world that he is NOT FAIR!
Glueria’s hanky-pankies caused the Big Bro to flex his beefs. The bogus president is now all naked for the world to see. The Philippines has become even more vulnerable to pressures, sooo easy to take advantage of kawawang pinas!
What a perceptive remark Chi.
I agree with you entirely, “Glueria’s hanky-pankies caused the Big Bro to flex his beefs. The bogus president is now all naked for the world to see. The Philippines has become even more vulnerable to pressures, sooo easy to take advantage of kawawang pinas!”
anna, chi,
ang kawawang mga sisiw (mamamayang pilipino) ay wala nang kalaban laban sa matatalim kuko ng mga mapanilang agila dahil pinabayaan na ng inang (gloria) masahol pa sa puta!!!
Ay naku, Magno, totoo iyang sinabi mo.
Maski iyong wild life kuno sa Africa, mas marunong magtangol ng kanilang mga anak gaya ng lions, giraffes, elephants, kahit na mamatay sila….mas may dignidad pa ang mga nanay hyenas kaysa itong si Gloria…
Vic,
This case has not been reviewed by the high court yet. It cannot be automatically brought to the Supreme Court for a final decision.
It has to go through first the High Court after the lower court, and reason why he has to be in a detention house, not a prison yet. It is not for the Great Switik to decide on what to do with this horny soldier.
As for the SC being better than any of the courts in the Philippines, I doubt. Majority of those sitting there now are appointees of the Switik and her husband, who expect them to do as the creepy couple bid.
anna, natabunan na ang bastusan republic. ngayon ay maliwanag na BALASUBASAN republic na ang pilipinas, courtesy of baliw na babaeng mukhang daga sa malakanyang na ayaw umalis sa kanyang lungga.
ang dignidad ng ating mararangal na pinuno ay natuyot na at umabot na sa kawalang pag-asa ng muling pananariwa!
Mrivera’s BALASUBASAN republic: Hihihihi!
Ang haba naman, gawin na lang natin na BALASUBAS Republic para mas madaling ma-pronounce!
As I said in previous posts a week after the Luneta Prayer Rally…that indeed the public outrage was dissipated when Malacanang and De Venecia backpedalled on Con-Ass…but I said I was also quite sure that the desperation and the arrogance of this administration will lead them into more blunders which could again spark public outrage.
And sure enough that outrage is boiling again. And we have not even gone past the first week of the new year. I certainly hope the Woman and her Wild Bunch continue with their arrogant disrespectful ways. They will fall sooner than they expect.
And I have to take my hat off to the brave and courageous people who continue to slug it out with this Malacanang Marauders. The opposition, the NGO’s, the clergy, the students, the left, the good upright men of the military and the legal eagles who won’t give an inch and continue to question Malacanang’s shameless disrespect for our laws, our rights and our Constitution. 2006 was a full court press. It kept the Marauders busy and cornered. Now they’re being cornered at every turn.
And elections is just around the corner. They’ll get cornered further. And the more blunders they’ll commit. Fall hard, they will. Let’s carry on the fight. Let them not dictate the direction of this battle, but if they do, we will be there to block them every step of the way.
There’s still a lot of heroes out there, mga kababayan!
And I must add, hat’s off to the fearless fighters in media and to the fightingest bloggers of Ellen and the blogosphere!
I would like to say, instead of MOOT, it’s POOT!
POOT in English: Anger, strong feeling of displeasure, wrath, ire, rage, outrage, fury, indignation, poot, puut…..na!
Poot ang naghahari sa kalooban ng sambayanan!!!
What these idiots are trying to do is condition the minds of Filipinos that with VFA, Filipinos can do nothing because they agree to be under US rule and dictate again that whatever the mad man at the White House dictates, the Creepy Switik should follow. Otherwise, she goes that of course she would not want to do, and their assets in the USA investigated and confiscated the way the US did on Marcos assets in the USA. Pati properties that belonged to the Philippine government, ibinenta ng mga ungas on pretext that they were sequestered properties from Marcos.
Ganyan din ang ginagawa ng mga ungas sa mga properties sa Japan. Buti na lang intact ang mga papeles sa archive ng Japan kaya hindi sila masyadong makahirit. Thanks also to the wiser Japanese negotiators for the RP-Japan peace treaty, puedeng idemanda ng mga pilipino ang kanilang bogus government kapag nagpumilit iyong ganid na ibenta ang lahat ng properties acquired through reparations para manakaw niya.
Kung tatanga-tanga ang mga pilipino, wala talagang mangyayari. Iyong protesta laban sa US Embassy dapat ma-intensify. Dapat sumama ang mga Senador diyan lalo na iyong mga pumirma sa anti-US bases law.
Hanggang ngayon pa ba nagpapaloko pa ang mga pilipino sa mga kano. Dito nga iyong mga lokong sundalong kano nabubogbog ng mga loko ding hapones. Hindi sila puedeng maghari-harian sa Japan sa totoo lang.
Dapat sa mga nagsauli kay horny Smith sa US Embassy, kasuhan ng treason, violation of the Law on Criminal Procedures, at Contempt of Court with or without the consent of the idiot calling herself president even when everyone knows she cheated and should have been disqualified as provided by the Election Code of the Philippines.
I suggest that members of this blog opposed to the transfer of horny Smith to the US Embassy to write to the:
Ambassador of the US Embassy in Manila
Condolezza Rice
Philippine and US Senators
Philippine and US Congressmen especially where you are constituent of
At least, in the US marami pa rin ang matitinong opisyal maliban na lang kung contaminated ni Dubya.
There are lots of things we, who are overseas, can do to help those marching to the US Embassy to protest this blatant disregard and disrespect for Philippine laws and authorities both by Philippine and US officials. Di bale sana kung legitimate. Kaya lang naman nakakatagal dahil sa lagay, pagnanakaw at iba pang mga kurakot!
Tira lang ng tira. Huwag hayaan makasingit ang mga tuta ni Great Switik at mga balimbing!
Yakkity, yakkity, yak OK din basta tunay! Yakkity,yakkity, yak para lang mang-inis dito, huwag na!
That’s an excellent idea, Yuko!
Know what? I’ll write to the US Ambassador to NATO whom I reckon will be ‘inis’ but will have no option but to forward the letter to the State Dept (since he technically has no direct bearing on the case), it will signal that there are people outside Pinas that care!
Heh, I know how they work… so let’s just do it and good luck to everyone!
When writing to American politicians and leaders, make sure they are friendly to the people and not serving the interest of Bush and the Republicans. Hindi lang baka ibasura nila ang mga sulat niyo, baka gumawa pa ng paraan para tulungan si Arroyo at si Smith.
Yuko,
Gloria’s “appeal” makes me want to throw up in her face particularly after these hideous portions:
“I wish to appeal for understanding from the people that this action will not affect the substantive issues at bar, nor impede justice and the rule of law.
“The government had to take this action in order to forestall the further deterioration in our strategic relationship with the United States, which was being rapidly eroded by our non-compliance with the Visiting Forces Agreement.”
RUBBISH! OUTRIGHT, DISGUSTING RUBBISH!
Amen, Anna. Tulog muna ako. Gotta go to the TV network today. Will pulse US reaction here on the horny soldier fiasco, and report later.
Me too, beddy bye time… good night folks, see you tomorrow for the next call of battle (even if only in cyberspace.)
Sleep tight, dear amazons. Gloria will see you in your nightmares, haha! Will take it from here.
For your first nightmare, Inquirer: “MALACAñANG officials insist that they did the “right thing” in not letting convicted rapist Lance Cpl. Daniel Smith stay a day longer at the Makati City Jail, saying the alternative would have been to pardon him.
Pardon Smith? Try.
Morning Tongue T:
“Pardon horny Smith,” you say? Mahiya si Pandak! It’s the ultimate insult this idiot can do to her people.
Frankly, this kind of breach (a convicted US felon being cuddled by the US Embassy in Japan that can even be a cause of some international diplomatic rift) has no precedent in Japan, and even if this kind of thing is inadvertently committed, I doubt if the Japanese people will let this out without a fuss and an uproar, and a lot many of our officials being forced to do the right thing—hang themselves by some bathroom curtain rail or jump from a tall building.
Whew! Damdam ko nag-iinit na ang ilong ko na parang toro! Balik ulit ako later. Gotta go to work! First day of work, you see!
Banatan na ng banatan ang inutil na ito. Please include the US ambassador sa banat to remind her that the Philippines is no longer a US territory, not even a semi-colony even when there are a lot of idiotic Filipinos imagining themselves as native Americans! Parang katulad noong pamangkin ko na hibang. Hindi nagpakita sa akin dahil hindi ko siya sinasagot sa ingles. Stupid talaga! Kausapin ko nga ng Pranses. Lalong nagalit!
joeseg: Hi,
I’m puzzeled by the word ‘poot’ its the first time I’ve heard this word and when I checked with all the English Cambridge dictionary they don’t record such a word. Can you tell me what dictionary are you refering to. Thanks WWNL
Yuko, the big question is, now that Smith is back to American soil, inside the Embassy, that is, will the rapist’s government be morally consistent and hand him back should any new court order is issued that he be returned to Phil. jurisdiction as provided in both Pozon’s and the CA’s decision?
The nincompoops in the pigsty think they can still cut a fair deal now that they’ve surrendered their last marble to the other side. Kindergarten logic, diba?
Eto ngayon, yung kriminal, dahil puti, itinatakas pa sa kulungan. Pero yung isas, kahit pa tunay na halal na pangulo, anim na taon nang nakakulong kahit ilang buwan nang tapos ang mga presentasyon ng magkabilang panig, wala namang napatunayang kasalanan. Iyan, palagay ko, kung isisiksik sa isip ng masa, ang gigising sa kanila sa himbing na pagpapabaya sa mga demonyong patuloy na gumagahasa sa kanila sa dilim ng gabi.
Gising Pinoy! Maawa ka sa sarili mo! Ipagtanggol mo sa malilibog na gumagahasa sa iyong dangal. Laban sa isang puting libog habang nasa impluwensiya ng alak. At mga pinunong libog sa kapngyarihan at kuwartang pinagpawisan ng iba!
No, I am not an ululating communist.
WWNL: Poot is a Pilipino word. Definitions as listed by Joeseg.
Slip of the Tongue:
Yuko, the big question is, now that Smith is back to American soil, inside the Embassy, that is, will the rapist’s government be morally consistent and hand him back if any new court order is issued that he be returned to Phil. jurisdiction as provided in both Pozon’s and the CA’s decision?
WWNL says:
joeseg: Hi,
I’m puzzled by the word ‘poot’ its the first time I’ve heard this word and when I checked with all the English Cambridge dictionary they don’t record such a word. Can you tell me what dictionary are you refering to. Thanks WWNL
WWNL: Poot is a Tagalog word.
This is how I posted it:
I would like to say, instead of MOOT, it’s POOT!
POOT in English: Anger, strong feeling of displeasure, wrath, ire, rage, outrage, fury, indignation, poot, puut…..na!
Poot ang naghahari sa kalooban ng sambayanan!!!
==
My mistake is I included poot, puu…na! in the latter part of its English equvalent which could have confused you. Sorry, But look how I used it in a sentence.
TonGuE-tWisTeD& joeseg,
Thanks for the explanation, I took it that you were saying that its origin was English, I’ve been going crazy trying find it in the Cambridge Enlish Dictionary (smile) but I didn’t get Poot haha – Thanks
Hello guys,
Re POOT!
Unknowingly, Joeseg actually discovered Pres Bush’s pet name for Pres Putin – it may interest you guys to know that “Poot” has become a familiar Bush word now…
“Poot” according to an issue of Time magazine, is the president’s nickname for the Russian president, Vladimir Putin. At times of tension between the two countries, we are told, Mr Bush is known to tell his staff: “Get me Pootie-Poot on the phone.” From a news report titled “Poot-Putin” in The Guardian on Monday May 20, 2002
TonGuE-tWisTeD& joeseg,
I was thinking that maybe it was thr wrong use of a word we have such as of Salvage which really has the opposite meaning as “save something from destruction” that being the true definition.
Anyways guys, I’m really gonna be zonked out for good for the next 8 hours or so but not because I’m poot the joeseg way, just plain drowsy now after a late New Year drinking bout with the folks next door… cheerios! Hic…hic… (nah, just joking about the hic… hic…)
Anna Hi,
Thats very funny because in my trying to solve this word poot I came across an explanation that it was ‘flatulence” and I thought Na! I made a mistake but maybe Bush knows it means flatulence haha.
Medyo nawala ako ng ilang oras, pinaguusapan pala rito yong POOT, galit. I’m amused to know, it’s Bush’s pet name for Putin. Tingnan mo nga naman, maraming nangyayari sa blog ni Ate Ellen.
But certainly, it’s now anger that’s prevailing. At dahil the cutody issue is MOOT already, si Gloria na ang Isyu. And the pouring of outrage (POOT)is going unabated.
o sige na, ibahin naman! pot pot pot! he he he!
siguro may mga members ng CA ang naging ngongo dahil sa galit sa ginawa ng mga supot na naglipat kay smith sa US embassy kaya sila moot na moot sa kanila. he he he heh!
WHY the Senate ratified the Visiting Forces Agreement if the *custody provision* is defective? The Subic rape case will be an issue in May 2007. Some former senators are in the possible opposition senatorial candidates. The Philippine Senate, particularly the Eleventh Congress can be partly blamed for the Subic rape case custody controversy.
The Philippine Senate, the Eleventh Congress ratified VFA on May 27, 1999 in 18-5 vote, 2/3 vote.
The following voted for concurrence:
(1) Senate President Marcelo Fernan
(2) Senate President Pro Tempore Blas Ople
(3) Senator Franklin Drilon
(4) Senator Rodolfo Biazon
(5) Senator Francisco Tatad
(6) Senator Renato Cayetano
(7) Senator Teresa Aquino-Oreta
(8) Senator Robert Barbers
(9) Senator Robert Jaworski
(10) Senator Ramon Magsaysay, Jr.
(11) Senator John Osmeña
(12) Senator Juan Flavier
(13) Senator Mirriam Defensor-Santiago
(14) Senator Juan Ponce-Enrile
(15) Senator Vicente Sotto III
(16) Senator Ramon Revilla
(17) Senator Anna Dominique Coseteng
(18) Senator Gregorio Honasan
The following voted to reject the ratification of the VFA:
*(1) Senator Teofisto Guingona, Jr.
*(2) Senator Raul Roco
*(3) Senator Sergio Osmena III
*(4) Senator Aquilino Pimentel, Jr.
*(5) Senator Loren Legarda-Leviste.
Anna:
I plan to go to the police tomorrow to get a permit. I am conducting my own street protest near the Philippine and US Embassy, kind of solicit signatures from sympathetic Japanese to condemn US meddling in court criminal procedure in the Philippines, rape of a Filipino woman by a horny US soldier based in Japan, and the bogus president of the Philippines who have surrendered Philippine sovereignty to the US once again.
Then, with those joining me, I plan to submit our petition to the US Ambassador in Japan, the head of US military installations in Japan, Ministers of Foreign Affairs. Justice and Defense of Japan. Hopefully, we can generate publicity on this issue of the bogus president, continuous US imperialism and crimes committed by horny and idiotic US soldiers not just in the Philippines, Japan but around the world especially in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Tongue T,
I’m taking a break till 6 pm now. I’ve thought of what you wrote, and felt really sentimental about it. Thanks for making me feel strongly that special affection I still have for the Philippines, the land of my birth.
I am not a commie, too. I have never voted for the any of the candidates of the Communist Party of Japan. I support the Socialist Party because they have been the ones who have helped my friends and me in our advocacy for Filipino women pimped by their own government and country to brothels in Japan. I also support the Minshuto, a combination of both the Socialist and the LDP, the ruling party formed by members who have separated from the said parties.
This commie allegation in fact is now obsolete. Even in the US, they have a different McArthyism there now. It is not against the commies but against the Moslems and Al Qaeda! Diyan mo makikita ang pagkatuta ng mga gunggong na katulad ni Great Switik at SiRaulo Gunggonzales, including those paid employees of these idiots who have threatened Atty. Harry Roque. Iniwan na ng mga kano in short, tatanga-tanga pa rin at akala sa mga sarili, paborito pa rin sila ng mga kano!
BTW, totoo bang walang approval ng US Senate and Congress and VFA? Papaanong naging treaty iyan na one-sided pala? At saka papaanong pumasa iyan sa Philippine Congress at Senate? Hindi iyan moral inconsistency! It’s plain and simple stupidity (idiocy).
Gising mga pilipino! Huwag magpagago lalo na sa mga bogus na opisyal na ibinebenta ang bayan pati na mga pilipino! Ibalik ang malibog na rapist sa kulungan! PATALSIKIN NA, NOW NA ANG SUPER ATSAY NI UNCLE SAM! BUGAW NA ASTA PROSTITUTA PA! NAGDUDUNUNG-DUNUNGAN, WALA NAMAN PALANG ALAM
Salamat Diego K. Guerrero for the information above. Senator Pimentel, BTW, is on his last term as Senator till 2010. Guingona is for a comeback. Roco is dead. Pag-asa na lang isa pa si Loren Legarda. Otherwise, ipasok na iyong mga matatapang gaya ni Alan Cayetano but he will be good at the Congress. May kapatid naman siya sa Senate. Personally, I would encourage Harry Roque to run. He’ll be a nice improvement either in Congress or the Senate. Kailangan ang mga katulad niya matalino doon. Maraming bugok na dapat nang sipain as a matter of fact. Sarili nilang batas hindi kasi alam.
Problem is will there really be an election? Mukhang desidido iyong pandak na hindi ituloy!
PATALSIKIN NA, NOW NA!
Tongue T:
Ang dapat pukpokin ngayon ay si Romulo kasi siya ang Forsec. Siya ang dapat na magbalik kay horny Smith sa custody ng Philippine court.
Baka kasi i-insist ng ambassador ng US na kailangang sundin ang protocol, which is actually right because the US Embass is a foreign territory in the Philippines, and under the jurisdiction/supervision in fact of the Department of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines. Some knowledge and common sense lang naman.
Tignan natin ngayon ang belesa ng isa pang gunggong na ito! Kakahiya ito sa lahi ng mga Romulo! Sinira ang reputation ni CPR!
Dito kasi, hindi puedeng mag-short cut ang ibang ministry ng government ng Japan sa Philippine Embassy. May request ang police for cooperation in an investigation for example, idinadaan through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, pero itong mga pilipino mismo ang madalas na mag-break ng protocol. Napapakamot na lang ang mga masunurin sa rules na mga hapon. Dito kasi black is black, white is white, never gray!
Oops, gotta go! Bukas na ulit ang blogging!
I think Sen. Nene Pimentel’s term expires next year. Teofisto Guingona, Jr. and Loren Legarda have big chance winning. We need new breed of senators not from known political clans.
Malacanang and lapdogs may be cooking NO-EL plan. There is a gridlock in the next year budget between the two houses. Until now Comelec has no budget for 2007 elections. Malapit na ang katapusan ni Pandak.
No, Diego, he ran for reelection in 2004. He still has 4 years to serve of his term. Iyong 3years-3years ay sa Congress. Tama ka, time to choose new breeds. Hindi na puede ang mga anak-anak ng mga kurakot before.
No-EL ang balak ng mga Pidals that is why you do not hear them talk about the election as vigorously as they did in 2003-2004. June pa lang nga nagkakampanya na si Fatso noon. Remember iyong balitang nag-distribute siya ng insurance policy, pagkatapos sinundan ng false teeth para sa mga bungi? Kasama iyon sa election gimmick nila. Ngayon, tignan mo tahimik kahit na nagdistribute na naman ng mga false teeth paid with public funds! Switik talaga!
PATALSIKIN NA, NOW NA! SUPER BUGAW ALIS DIYAN!
We should emulate kabayang Ystakei for initiating street protest in her based country. Sana lahat ng mga kababayan natin ganoon ang gawin sa ibang bansa. Noon panahon ni Marcos at kahit na kay Erap, masigla ang mga grupo sa pagpapatalsik sa kanila. Bakit ngayon hindi? Arroy could have injected lots of funds to shut these people’s mouth. Isa pa ang napansin ko, whenever there are issues as hot as the threat on Harry Roque’s life, this government immediately blames this on the NPA and destabilizers. Si Arroyo at kanyang kampon kahit minsan hindi umaamin sa kanilang kapalpakan. Basta sila tama at ang iba mali.
Yuko,
You are a formidable Pinay! Good luck!
Yuko,
May Noel campaign na naman, COMELEC pa ang nagsisimula! Mau-ULAPan na naman ang Pinas. Sige lang at ng madaling mapatalsik ang taksil na Glueria!
This Abalos must be kicked out soon and even NOW. Hanggang nasa Comelec siya, walang mangyayari. He has no shame at all. A decent official would have long resigned due to so much scandals; but this man still wants to stay.
Yuko, you asked, “totoo bang walang approval ng US Senate and Congress and VFA? Papaanong naging treaty iyan na one-sided pala? At saka papaanong pumasa iyan sa Philippine Congress at Senate?”
The U.S. considers it an executive agreement so it did not require the ratificaton of U.S. Congress. On our part, Ramos, under whose term the treaty was negotiated and signed, wanted the Senate to be a participant to the accord (I suspect so that the blame would not be his alone if somehing goes wrong like this Smith case) so he wanteed it to be a treaty.
The probem was, it was signed towards the end of his term and he was not sure if he would have the cout to muster 2/3 of the Senate so it was not submitted for ratification.
It was during Estrada’s term that it was ratified. So popular Estrada during the first year of his presidency that he was able to push its ratification.
DFA people say international practice accepts executive agreement as binding as a treaty.
Kumusta na kayo Ate Ellen? Natanggap mo ba ang ipinadala kong siopao at siomai noong Pasko? Kung hindi sa Pasko ng Intsik padadalhan kita ng isang dosenang Peking Duck para lumakas ang katawan mo. Balik na pala si Ate Anna. Ang tagal din nagbakasyon ang ninang ko. At ganoon pa rin sila ni Japayuko…nagbobolahan pa rin. Si Hawaiyanguy nahawa na din sa kanila. Na-miss niyo ba ako?
Ellen:
I was talking to some friends in the media this afternoon, and I mentioned this issue of the VFA. Ngumiti sila. Sabi naisahan ng Japan ang US at Pilipinas diyan.
Ang totoo kasi, binawal ang pagmi-military exercise ng mga kano sa loob ng mga isla ng Japan na may mga civilian.
Doon ngayon sila nirekomendang mag-practice sa isang no-man’s island off the Japan Sea. Mabato, ayaw ng mga kanong balat sibuyas daw. Hindi naman magawan ng paraan ng gobyerno ng Hapon na pagbigyan ang mga maluhong kano dahil magagalit ang mga taumbayan. Besides, majority ng lawmakers namin in fact ayaw pauuto sa mga kano kahit na umarte silang parang mga tongo.
Kinausap ang Pilipinas. Pumayag si Tuko. Dinaya pa pala ang mga kababayan niya. Wham, palpak na treaty na hindi naman treaty! Kaya bakit matatakot na ipairal ang batas ng Pilipinas laban sa half-baked treaty na ito! Bobo din ano?
Anyway, thanks for the clarification. All the more reason why we should do something to discredit this peace of paper the way the Bugaw has discredit her own country’s Constitution and other pertinent laws!
Over here, Ellen, when they find out that a law is useless, binabasura at pinapalitan lalo na kung maraming reklamo ang taumbayan. Bakit hindi iyan magaya ng mga pilipino?
Anna,
It’s more than formidability. It’s a matter of will and perseverance. Sabi nga, “daig ng matiyaga ang masipag!”
In my case, I have both—sipag and tiyaga! No buhat ng bangko. Just stating facts.
I learned well from my Japanese uncle, husband and in-laws. My father called it “guts”! Iyan ang dahilan, and other factors, kung bakit successful ang Japan. Walang dayaan, hocus-pocus at kalamay na gawain noong Bugaw na asta Prostituta pa!
PATALSIKIN NA, NOW NA! FILIPINOS SHOULD ALSO DEMAND FOR THE REMOVAL OF THE PRESENT AMBASSADOR OF THE US TO THE PHILIPPINES REGARDLESS OF WHETHER OR NOT WHAT SHE DID IS FOR US INTEREST! PAMBABASTOS NAMAN ANG GINAWA NIYA SA PILIPINAS!
Sa Japan, di puede iyan kaya mautak itong mga kano na ang ipinapadala ditong mga ambassador ay mga high class and higly respected Americans. Saan ka nakakitang former VP nila, naging ambassador sa Japan? Bakit hindi iyan magaya ng mga pilipino? But then of course, ang mga ganyan ay hindi na dapat pang itinatanong!
Over here, bakit hindi na lang over in Japan? Nahiya pa si Japayuko ng pagbanggit na mahal niyang bansa dahil nandito ako. Si Ate Anna puro over in Europe na din. Ako, may naririnig ba kayo ng over in China kahit na ako ang bida dito? Gawin na lang kaya natin ang slogan na “Over here”. Puwedeng Over in Hawaii, Over in Canada, Over in San Francisco, Over the Bakod.
“Si Ate Anna puro over in Europe na din.”
heheheh! Hoy Artsee, happy new year sa yo!
Ellen:
What international practice is this idiot talking about? On the contrary, in a real democracy, it is not the executive order that prevails but the WILL of the people!!! And any nation, even the US, when an executive order is generally unacceptable as this lousy deal to free a convicted horny US soldier in the wee hours of the night because they knew it was illegal!!!
Come to think of it, over in Japan, I’ve never heard of anyone saying “will of the majority” but more of “unity” that is easy to achieve over here for fear of being hammered in when one sticks out. Kahit na ayaw mo sumama, mapapasama ka dahil mapupokpok ka.
No such thing as the silly statement of the spineless, ball-less Forsec of the Philippines! Halatang-halatang walang alam.
Papaanong nakakalusot ang mga inutil na iyan?
Yuko,it was not only Romulo who said that but that’s the opinion of the DFA.
For everybody’s info: One of the partners in the law firm that handles Smith is former ambassador to the U.S. Raul Rabe.
Rabe was the ambassador to the U.S. when the VFA was being negotiated.
Rabe was also part of the Philippine panel that negotated the RP-US military bases agremment that was junked by the Senate in 1991.
kelan ba kumilos ang US government na walang mas malaking kapalit o pakinabang para sa kanila? sige nga, bumanggit kayo ng alinmang bansang dinapuan ng agilang lasing na hindi naabuso?
I agree with the DFA.
An agreement signed between RP govt and a foreign govt should be considered a treaty in that it is a a bilateral agreement signed between two states.
I’ve always considered the FVA even when the draft was being bandied about in 1993-1994 as lopsided – because of the custody thinggy. As I’ve said in previous threads, I personally was aware that Gen Boy Abadia, Admiral Billy Marcelo and a host of military leaders were not quite enthusiastic (particularly Marcelo) about it but what could they do? Civilian authority rules supreme and had to accept knowing pertinently well that there were loopholes or provisions that were disadvantageous to RP.
When the Nicole rape case came out, first thing I said in a blog and even wrote to Ducky about it, whatever the outcome, Filipinos wouldn’t be happy coz I knew that America would fight for custody of the accused.
I even went as far as to suggest that Nicole would have greater chance of achieving justice if US JAGO were allowed to handle the case and for a court martial to be held on a US Ship but on RP waters.
Don’t know if I was wrong to have said that but it seems technically speaking, Nicole got some kind of justice even if it may be considered half-baked (ugh!) at this stage.
Smith, on the other hand has been made the lone, lonely scapegoat. His chief was as guilty if not more guilty of a more heinours crime for having prodded the half-educated, poor, young, very young, impressionable Marine to do such a sordid thing that has caused so much embarassment to EVERY ONE including to his country, the US Marines and the American people!
Ellen:
Conflict of interest ang tawag diyan. Bakit iyan pinayagan sa Pilipinas? I mean, iyong appointment ng lawyer na galing sa opisina ng taong responsible sa VFA? Aba, e paiikotin nga iyan ng husto and justice cannot be served! Hopeless case!
Kawawang bansa! Lahat na lang ba ginagawa na lang sa palusot. I bet you, these crooks must have even assured the US Embassy that they would try to delay the prosecution of the case so that it could be considered null and void when it could not be tried and finished within a year.
Thanks to Judge Pozon that he handed down his decision before the deadline, and there was a conviction. The appeal does not make Smith any less guilty by that judgment that fortunately is not moot and academic, only rendered useless because of the escape of the horny soldier with the aide of Philippine authority!
Ang masama, mismong supposed guardian of the law ang mismong bumastos sa decision ng lower court, and I mean the CA na nagpapalusot din.
No wonder, Ellen, that the Philippines has become a haven for fugitives from the law in Japan. When you go to police stations here, you will find posters of wanted criminal suspects, and a lot of them are believed to be hiding in the Philippines!
Kawawang bansa! Baboy na baboy na!
Thank God I’m Chinese! Sa tutoo lang, dapat ipagmalaki natin ang dugong Pinoy o saan tayo nanggaling imbes na ang bansang tinutuluyan natin. Ako kahit na parang Hari dito sa Tsina ang tawag ko sa sarili ko Pinoy o Tsinoy. Alam niyo ba ang ibig sabihin ng Tsinoy? Ang Tsi ay Tsinelas at ang Noy ay Pinoy. Kaya Tsinoy, Pinoy na naka tsinelas. Puwede ding Chinoy. Itanong niyo kay Ate Chi.
artsee,
actually kung minsan na inis na inis na ako sa babaeng munting sinungaling, hinahanap-hanap ko ang iyong kakornihan, kasi napapahalakhak mo ako minsan. Oo, naka Chi-nelas ako!
Pu yaw Siao ! Huwag kang tawa ng tawa baka mahanginan ka. Handa ka na ba sa Sin Nian (New Year)? Hinahanda ko na ang mga angpao ngayon. Tig-dadalawang libong dolyar lang naman kasi medyo gipit ako ngayong taon.
Yuko, Rabe is now retired from the DFA. I’m not so sure if he has been appointed to a position in the Manila Economic Cultural and Cooperation Office, the office that takes care of our relations with Taiwan. I have not had time to verify this info.
Ellen:
I don’t know with the Philippines, but over in Japan, even when an official has retired and has become a civilian, he or his staff can never be involved in something that he has had a hand in. It’s called “conflict of interest.” Malinaw naman ang intention. Kitang-kita!
Bastusan na, so why should we not give them the same dose of their own medicine?
Poor, poor Nicole! But she should not despair. Itayo niya ang bandila ng mga pinay! Mabuhay siya at ang nanay niya!
Over in China, hindi pulitika ang interest ng mga Chinese. Mas binibigyan pansin nila ang negosyo at pagpapaunlad. Kaya tingnan niyo ngayon ang Tsina. Hindi niyo pala naitatanong. Kasosyo ko dito sina Henry Sy at Lucio Tan. Iisa ang pinagmulan naming probinsiya (Fukian). Galing Amoy, China ang mga tatay namin at galing Fukien naman ang mga nanay. Kaya pareho kaming Amoy Fukien.