by VERA Files
Legislators grilled Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, Justice Secretary Agnes Devanadera, Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno and Philippine National Police Chief Jesus Versoza on the basis for Proclamation 1959 signed by President Gloria Arroyo last week.
The joint session, which started shortly after 4 p.m., lasted six hours. Outside Congress, opponents of martial law held a rally urging the revocation of Proclamation 1959.
Click here for VERA Files photojournalist Mario Ignacio’s photos.
“Where is the President?”
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Lawmakers Wednesday cited the glaring absence of the commander in chief, who declared martial law in Maguindanao province, during the first joint session of Congress.
The session was delayed by almost an hour due to debates on the absence of the President, her defense secretary and the chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
“Why is she not here? This is history. Does she not have the courtesy at all to report in person? We thought that with the President declaring martial law, the President herself should be here to explain to us,” asked Maguindanao Rep. Didagen Dilangalen, his voice rising.
Together with fellow Maguindanao Rep. Simeon Datumanong, Dilangalen said that they were the only lawmakers who were personally affected by Presidential Proclamation No. 1959.
Ms Arroyo issued the proclamation on Friday night to suppress a “rebellion in the offing” of disparate armed groups loyal to the Ampatuan clan, accused of masterminding the Nov. 23 killing of 57 people in Maguindanao.
Since Friday’s proclamation read by Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, Ms Arroyo has not spoken one word about exercising her extraordinary martial law powers. She also has yet to face the press.
Congress may revoke or support the martial law proclamation by a simple majority vote (set at 147) of the joint session.
The first joint session was suspended at 10:50 Wednesday night and would resume at 2 p.m. Thursday.
Bayan Muna party-list Rep. Satur Ocampo was the sixth and last to ask questions on the first day. He said rebellion is hard to prove, and it takes long to do so as well. He knows, since he has been charged with it twice.
Sen. Aquilino Pimentel Jr. concurred with Dilangalen’s stand that Ms Arroyo should have given Congress the “courtesy” to face lawmakers.
But Speaker Prospero Nograles and Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile said the President was not compelled to attend the joint session.
Enrile and Nograles said the President had complied with the constitutional requirement with the submission of her report to Congress 48 hours after her declaration on Dec. 4 at 9 p.m.
Pimentel, however, pointed out that the issue was not the submission of the report but the President’s personal explanation of why she implemented it.
It was also pointed out that the report was not signed by Ms Arroyo but by Ermita.
Remedios Poblador
The President was not at the joint session but her most trusted girl Friday was there. Remedios Poblador, an undersecretary of the presidential legislative office, was seen on the main stage along with Trade Secretary Peter Favila.
Poblador entered and exited through the right access way across from the seats of Nograles and Enrile.
Things got heated initially when Makati Rep. Teodoro Locsin Jr. rose to chastise Dilangalen for “forum shopping.”
“The gentleman who was so insistent on the physical and personal presence of the President has filed a petition I suppose for the revocation of martial law in the Supreme Court.”
Several petitions are pending before the Supreme Court insisting that Ms Arroyo violated the Constitution when she declared martial law because there was no actual rebellion or invasion, the only grounds allowed under the Constitution.
After a 30-minute break, Locsin withdrew his remarks.
An Arroyo ally, Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman, grilled administration officials as he pointed out that the martial law proclamation may be standing on essentially nonexistent ground.
“If you review the report given to us by (Police) Director (Andres) Caro, there is no mention whatsoever that prior to Dec. 4 there was public uprising and armed uprising against the government. So that could negate the factual basis of the declaration of martial law, the suspension of the writ of habeas corpus,” Lagman said.
Lagman noted that the presence of armed groups could indicate lawless violence, but this was not equal to a rebellion.
Responding to Lagman, Ermita was forced to acknowledge that there was no actual rebellion, but maintained that all signs point to it.
“You may be correct there is no actual rebellion going on. However, all the indications that rebellion is being committed or happening in the ground is [in] the presence of armed groups that prevent authorities from carrying out [their] duty and effecting the arrest despite the testimonies of witnesses,” Ermita said.
Sedition, not rebellion
Lagman also pressed Justice Secretary Agnes Devanadera to cite her factual basis for saying there was an actual rebellion instead of a looming one.
Devanadera said she arrived at the conclusion based on information she received that heavily armed groups had taken strategic positions within Maguindanao and various camps controlled by the Ampatuans.
These actions, she added, prevented the implementation and enforcement of laws and threatened public safety.
But Lagman appeared unconvinced and pointed out that even the nonfunctioning of civil authorities in Maguindanao only indicated sedition and not rebellion.
Each chamber was given 10 hours for questioning of resource persons from the executive branch, and it is up to its members how to budget their time.
Besides Ermita and Devanadera, other ranking officials present were Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno, Defense Undersecretary Antonio Santos and Lt. Gen. Rodrigo Maclang, armed forces vice chief of staff.
Defense Secretary Norberto Gonzales and Gen. Victor Ibrado, armed forces chief of staff, were also invited but Gonzales was in Singapore. Ibrado arrived later in the evening.
At 6:31 p.m., the Senate and the House took turns asking questions.
Sen. Benigno Aquino III was the first one recognized to inquire. But his questioning was delayed for nearly 15 minutes because of various parliamentary inquiries.
Five reports
Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez said Congress had received five reports about martial law in Maguindanao, and wanted to know which of these would be the basis for the lawmakers’ interpellation.
Administration officials insisted that there was an “ongoing rebellion” in Maguindanao.
Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago urged Ms Arroyo to lift her proclamation “as soon as possible” because it was likely the Palace would lose its case before the Supreme Court.
Santiago said the high court was likely to decide on the legality of Proclamation No. 1959 even before the joint session of Congress could come up with a decision to either revoke or support it.
Santiago, designated to be the third senator who can ask questions, made the call through the media.
The senator, who is for the revocation of the proclamation, said Malacañang was likely to lose in the high court because the declaration had no legal basis.
She reiterated that there was no actual rebellion in Maguindanao to justify the imposition of martial law.
Kahit na hindi makuha ang boto to revoke martial law, ang joint session ay magpapamukha sa mga tao kung paano magsinungaling at magpalusot ang mga kampon ni GMA.
SAna, sana lang, itelevise ang joint session na yan, para makita natin ang kabuuan, hindi yung part part lang sa news program. Okay na sa akin na mag grandstand ang mga politiko sa tv at nasasala naman kung sino may alam at kampi kay GMA.
There were previous victims of murder prior to this gruesome massacre. The family of the victims must be assisted to file a criminal case against the clan. This murder cases is not relevant to the political case of rebellion. This should keep the Ampatuans to stay longer in jail but this must be investigated with evidences and witnesses. To build a solid case, the SC must consider the previous complain of terror way before the Massacre. Regardless of the result of the joint session, the Ampatuans must not be given an easy escape.
Before the revocation, the above case must be filed faster that the speed of light. nag x mas shopping pa kasi sila …
Where is the President? Habang nag joint session, nasa Pampanga ang GMA at nagkakampanya na!! May mga video sa pampanga meeting na tumatawa o ngumingisi si GMA na kita gilagid. Hindi lang ako marunong mag capture ng video at ibigay kay Ms. Ellen para dito. Very sinister looking to the max ang GMA.
So what will Inquirer, Manila Times, Malaya… what will Satur Ocampo, Walden Bello… what will civil society do so that musical chairs does not become the game and another warlord (best-candidate – Mangudadatu) does not simply replace what has proven evil?
GMA Talsik diyan won’t be enough in my opinion. NoyNoy into Malacanang isn’t enough either unless extra-pressure is put by civil society onto Malacanang to do more.
But of course, Christmas shopping muna. And then, elections-2010. GMA-Talsik Diyan!!! {But chances are that GMA is talsik into Congress 2nd-district Pampanga).
First things first.
“But Speaker Prospero Nograles and Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile said the President was not compelled to attend the joint session.
Enrile and Nograles said the President had complied with the constitutional requirement with the submission of her report to Congress 48 hours after her declaration on Dec. 4 at 9 p.m.”
Ano ka ba talaga, Lolo Johnny?
**********************************
“Devanadera said she arrived at the conclusion based on information she received that heavily armed groups had taken strategic positions within Maguindanao and various camps controlled by the Ampatuans”.
“Responding to Lagman, Ermita was forced to acknowledge that there was no actual rebellion, but maintained that all signs point to it.
“You may be correct there is no actual rebellion going on. However, all the indications that rebellion is being committed or happening in the ground is [in] the presence of armed groups that prevent authorities from carrying out [their] duty and effecting the arrest despite the testimonies of witnesses,” Ermita said.”
Mga manghuhula pala ang mga nag-udyok kay the goyang upang ideklara ang martial law sa Maguindanao. Baka nga pinapirmahan lamang sa kanya ang matagal nang nakahandang proklamasyon na mismong si Edong ang atat na ipatupad dahil takot na mawala sa poder ang kanyang swithart.
Bakit nandoon si Medy?
Hindi kaya nag-i-scout kung sino ang dapat bigyan ng malaking “padulas” upang huwag sumabit ang martial law ng kanyang boss?
Bakit doon mismo sa tapat nina Nograles at Enrile dumaan pagpasok at paglabas?
May gustong “ipahiwatig?”
O gustong maglandi?
From Ferdinand Pasion:
Rep. Didagen “Digs” Dilangalen is a relative of the Mangudadatus and a relative of “Digs” with the same surname of Dilangalen was also murdered in the massacre.
Being a bright lawyer, why is Dilangalen against Martial Law in Maguindanao?
This is precisely because he is bright! He knows that Martial Law, with its warrantless arrests, searches and seizures, will only help the Ampatuans escape criminal responsibility and relegate the massacre to the sidelines. He knows that the said Martial Law is just a moro-moro. He is trying to salvage the situation by at least shortening the length of Martial Law so that succeeding arrests, searches and seizures after the lifting of martial law in Maguindanao will be made with corresponding warrants and thus valid with evidence admissible in court!
Since Friday’s proclamation read by Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, Ms Arroyo has not spoken one word about exercising her extraordinary martial law powers. She also has yet to face the press.
Bakit daw nagtatago si Gloria?
She has the temerity to declare martial law but not the courage to personally stand by it, i.e., face the nation?
Either she knows she’s wrong — that she’s violating the Constitution (AGAIN!!!) or that she has contempt for the people, Congress, republican institutions, etc. and believe they are not worth the ground she works on.
Or worse still, she’s being an idiot by believing the advice of her entourage.
The least a leader can do is to face the nation, stand by his/her decision with conviction, tell it like it is if he/she believes that he/she has done the right thing.
I am simply gobsmacked that Congress is allowing itself to be neutered without as much as an “Aray!”
“You may be correct there is no actual rebellion going on. However, all the indications that rebellion is being committed or happening in the ground is [in] the presence of armed groups that prevent authorities from carrying out [their] duty and effecting the arrest despite the testimonies of witnesses,” Ermita said.”
Si Edong naman contradicting himself…As a former lt general, clear cut dapat ang sagot niya… So may rebellion ba o wala?
The senator, who is for the revocation of the proclamation, said Malacañang was likely to lose in the high court because the declaration had no legal basis.
She reiterated that there was no actual rebellion in Maguindanao to justify the imposition of martial law.
Perhaps that’s why Gloria is hiding… her martial law has been set in place to protect her friends and not quite to seek justice for the slain.
Gloria must face the nation… She cannot be duwag!
Why are our honorable congressmen so afraid to counter any proclamations of their president even they know these are against the constitution?
Why are cabinet members making themselves stooges in defending a president hated by the people?
Why are our generals who were idealistic during their junior years became so sheepishly submitting to the whims of a pimping commander-in-chief?
Why most of our justices so biased even they know that everything in the goyang’s presidency were only fruits of a power grab and election cheating and her existence was only written in every denomination of people’s money?
It was also pointed out that the report was not signed by Ms Arroyo but by Ermita.
Sanamagan! Naknampucha… Bakit iyong katulong ang pumirma at hindi iyong amo? Puwede ba yan?
Tapos, in her defence, Gloria will snicker: “Eh, hindi naman ako ang pumirma ng martial law proclamation, ah!”
Of course, this country being so immersed in legal gobbledygooks will say, “Oo nga naman…”
Putangina!
Eto na! 75 persons abducted in Agusan Del Sur! – News Flash
Martial Law na rin ba doon?
Bakit iyong katulong ang pumirma at hindi iyong amo? Puwede ba yan? – Anna
Ilang taon na ba sa Malakanyang si the goyang? Ilang taon na silang magkasalo ni Ermita sa pagpapaikot sa katangahan ng taong bayang naniniwala kay the goyang?
Anna, hindi naman siguro bagong gising ka, ah?
Kababayan mo ‘yun, di ba?
Tagal ko nang itinakwil ang ungas na ‘yun.
Ay, Anna.
Alam mu gang ako’y bihira nang magsalita na may puntong Batangas dahil aking ikinahihiya ang mga pinaggagagawa nina Perez Recto at Edong, ey. Ay, pati na si Mendoza nga pala, ey.
Ay dahil sa mga kapalpakan ng mga karahong iyan ay hindi ko na maamin sa aking sarileng ya’ang mga iyan ay kababayan ko, ey.
Ay, ikaw ga’y tanggap mo pa ang mga iyan?
Magno,
Kababayan pa rin pero dapat lang na itakwil (naks, ang deep ng tagalog term na yan, ah!)
I can promise you that if and when I see Edong again, I will tell him that he has been a big, big, big, disappointment — pero tatawa lang yan and will try his charm on me; pero alam mo ba ang sasabihin ko sa kanya? “Because ikaw ang pumirma ng martial law, bakit pa hindi mo na lang i-topple na si Gloria! Di puwedeng half-baked ang action!” (he will be tickled pink down to his toes…he thinks I’m flattering him) 🙂 🙂 🙂
Eto na! 75 persons abducted in Agusan Del Sur!
Who abducted them? The military?
Perez gang, the PNP said.
Teddy Boy Locsin clearly stated why he is in favor of the Martial Law declaration. Quevedo archbishop of cotabato also supports martial law declaration.
Gordon and Loren Legarda — “NO” to Maguindanao martial law.
Once they find what they are looking for, martial law will be lifted. Im sure they are looking for something else other than firearms. It is a kiss of death for some of those incumbents running in May to vote for martial law. Whats sad about maguindanao is it is being used both local and foreign power players to influence politics in the country.
Perez gang? Is this gang so powerful as the Ampatuans that the group can just kidnap 75 individuals at once?! Believe it or not! Basta sabi sa EK ay….Yes!
Sang-ayon ako sa sinabi ni Locsin. Kinailangan talaga ang martial law sa Maguindanao dahil ang lupit ng hawak ng mga Ampatuan sa civil-courts at sa mga baranggay. Tama ang desisyon ni GMA — kinailangan ang martial law para mabilis ma-aresto ang mga Ampatuan.
Hindi ako sang ayon sa sinabi ni Lacson. Sa dalawang bagay lamang, invasion and rebellion, papayagan ang martial law, iyan ang tinakda ng Constitution. Hindi martial law ang sagot para sugpuin ang lupit na hawak ng politiko sa isang lugar, lalo na kung ang pangulo mismo ang may kagagawan ng paglakas ng kapangyarihan ng politiko.
Tama ka Jake, may hinahanap pa sila. Humahanap pa ng paraan kung paano palulusutin ang mga Ampatuans para hindi sila kumanta laban kay GMA.
Nagpaliwanag na ang malacanang kung bakit wala si GMA sa joint session. Busy si GMA, ayon sa inquirer.net.
Busy si Goyang sa pagtatago dahil hindi niya kayang idepensa ang pinirmahan ni Ermita. Stupid!
Mga Igan … dadalhin na lahat ang mga Ampatuan’s sa Manila … kaya ingat lang kayo diyan. Ano ang ibig sabihin nito … para guguluhin ang Mmanila kunyari kagagawan ng mga tao ng mga Ampatuan’s … tapos i-declare ng Martial Law. Kunyari lang yong pagtakbo ni Glorya ng Tongressman sa Macapagal Province. Palagay ko Glorya pa din after 2010 … kung tutulog-tulog tayo.
Ang pagdedeklara ng martial law sa Maguindanao ay isa lamang patunay kung gaano kainutil ang administrasyong walang alam gawin kundi lokohin ang taong bayan. Gayundin ang mga namumuno sa ating Sandatahang Lakas at Pambansang Kapulisan. Isama na natin ang dalawang kapulungan ng konggreso at ang Korte Suprema.
Maliwanag na karumaldumal na krimen ang ginawang pagmasaker ng mga Ampatuan sa 57 walang laban kabilang na ang mga babae at taga media subalit kailangan pa nilang magtago sa likod ng labag sa Saligang Batas na pagpapatupad ng martial law sa Maguindanao subalit hindi kasama ang tunay na pinamumugaran ng mapanligalig na MILF. Kung talagang hangad ng pamunuang arroyo na ipataw ang hustisya at papanagutin ang maysala, kahit walang martial law ay tutugisin at ipagsasakdal ang mga kriminal. Subalit hindi. Sa halip na ‘yung kaukulang kasong batay sa krimeng ginawa ay umimbento pa ang kagalanggalang na kalihim ng Kagawaran ng Hustisya ng mas magaang na kasong mahirap mapatunayan upang iligtas sa kaparusahan ang mga pusakal na kaalyado ng namamahay sa Malakanyang.
Kung hanggang kailan patuloy na bababuyin ang ating Saligang Batas ay nasa atin na ring pagkunsinti at pagbubulagbulagan.
Pansinin natin. There’s a dearth of news or statement attributed to GMA about Proc 1959. She’s no show in the Congress joint session to tackle the ML which prompted the question, where’s GMA?
I would like to think that na iwas pusoy siya because she may not be able to answer to this very simple question: Have you actually read your justification for the Proclamation 1959?
Kapag sinabi niyang Yes, bakit wala siyang pirma sa ganung importanteng dokumento?
Hindi naman pwedeng sabihing hindi niya nabasa otherwise it will give affirmation to our previous topic here, si Arroyo pa ba ang nagpapatakbo ng pamahalaan?
Kung ano man ang hinahanap nila sa Maguindanao eh mukhang may nakita na nga. Kaso as usual, pinagtatanggol nanaman ng Comelec si Gloria, sh*t.!!!
Dug-up voters’ IDs in Maguindanao not meant for cheating?
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/regions/12/10/09/dug-voters-ids-maguindanao-not-meant-cheating
Is it true that 300 billion pesos were also found in Ampatuan’s place? If it is, wow, delikadong dumaan sa mga kamay ng taga Malakanyang yan at pihadong and next day press release nila ay ganito:
300 Billion cash found in Ampatuan house are Mickey Mouse money and has no value at all, so the president ordered it burned.
Mabuhay ang Ellenville! At last nakapag-comment din ako! These past two days parang may virus ang site galing sa sakit ni Gloria Ampatuwad, eh
Hay naku, puro kabobohan! Hanggang Third World lang talaga ang Pinas. The U.S. was under attack on September 11, 2001. More than 3,000 lives were lost, excluding those at the Pentagon. But did the U.S. government declare martial law? Bad precedent kasi ang martial law, dapat last resort lang ito at lalo hindi dapat ipagkatiwala sa mga magnanakaw ng boto at ng pera. Puro moro-moro lang ang nagyayari sa gobierno ni Gloria Ampatuwad.
On the question “Where’s the President?” sa opening ng Congress joint session re: Proc 1959, ito ang sinulat ni Armida Siguion Reyna sa kanyang column sa Tribine:
Where is the President? Well, mine died Dec. 14, 2004.
Two things I would have said if I were there: She is not president. She does not know what courtesy is. Seriously.
http://www.tribune.net.ph/commentary/20091211com5.html
noon nagtago kuno si Cory sa ilalim ng kama pinagtawanan siya..may putukan noon…ngayon nagtatago si putot at takot sa mga ratatat ng mga senators. bakit hindi na lang siya magtago sa NBI office kasama ng mga kaibigan niya..mga Ampatuans? protectado siya doon..pagpakulong siya.
Another interesting article regarding Proc 1959 and GMA’s no show at the Congress joint session coming from Tribune Columnist Herman Laurel Tiu:
Arroyo knows the illusory nature of her ML order; that’s why she’s not affixing her signature to any of the documents pertaining to it — not that this would absolve her but just to add to the obfuscation. She knows Congress needs to perform, so she put up another circus for the clowns to play. The law profession joins the comedy, too, with Bernas issuing his usual pontification. Miriam Santiago, this time, is more realistic. She says it’s just the numbers (read: the money).
Hindi kumpleto ang martial law kung walang ambush. Hayan, may ambush na sa maguindanao ayon sa inquirer.net, bandila at saksi.
Kung hindi ma revoke ng congress ang martial, tatanggapin na ang pag mass up ng supporters ng politiko, pag walk out sa opisinang pampubliko at hindi pagbubukas ng mga opisina, kahit na walang tahasang pag aaklas at madali na uling magdeklara sa martial law sa ibang lugar, kasama na ang Metro Manila.
Kaya kung sa tingin ng mga tuta ni GMA, nag mass up ang mga supporters ng mga Ampatuans sa Metro Manila, Martial Law na din. Pag nagkataon, ako ay isang Martial Law baby at Martial Law daddy sa isang lifetime. Salamat kay Makoy at GMA!
“Where is the President?”
Well, mine died Dec. 14, 2004. – Armida
Speaking of rebellion, may comparison itong nangyari sa Maguindanao at noong panahon ni Nur Misuari bilang ARMM governor.
Noong 2001, Nur Misuari was charged with rebellion after the attack was linked to the alleged attempt to stop the elections in the ARMM while he was then governor. Mahigit na 100 ang nasawi at marami pa ang nasugatan. Walang declaration ng martial law noon although malinaw na rebellion ang ginawa ng tropa ni Misuari. Nakatakas si Misuari at nagtago sa Sabah, Malaysia pero nahuli rin at ibinalik sa Pinas kung saan siya ikinulong sa Fort Sto. Domingo, Laguna. Tapos, nakapag bail for temporary freedom.
Sa paglilitis kay Misuari, the judge found that government prosecutors failed to prove beyond reasonable doubt the guilt of Misuari’s alleged involvement and having masterminded this bloody rebellion laban kay GMA na noon ay kauupo lang nang mapatalsik si Erap. Sinisi ng korte ang prosecution panel of failing to produce the necessary evidence, documentary and testimonial, to sustain the case. Absulto si Misuari, walang pagkakasala at ngayon, kandidato bilang gobernador sa Sulu.
Hindi kaya ito rin ang maging pattern para kung litisin ang Ampatuans sa kasong rebellion, the court will find that the martial law declaration dahil walang basehan, is null and void ab initio and therefore, not guilty rin ang mga nasasakdal?!
If the Ampatuan’s go scott free because of the bungling of the case by the gov’t. The Mangudadatu’s might resort to Rido (ubusan ng lahi) to exact revenge. Aba, magisip-isip ang Malakanyang niyan, baka pati sila isama idamay sa Rido at uubusin din nila ang mga lahi nila. They are protecting one clan but they forgot that the opposing clans has, most likely, capable of doing damage to those who have wronged them.
Read somewhere regarding comparison of what happened in Maguindanao and 9/11 in the USA. Thousands died in WTC and Pentagon was attacked. Bush did not declare martial law. In Maguindanao, it’s a fight between two warring clans (personal na away) both lusting for power and they call it rebellion. Tsk, tsk,,,,
Papano magiging rebels ang mga Ampatuan’s at ang kanilang bodyguards …. kung ang ating Gobyerno at military ay sinusuplayan ng mga ito ng mga armas?
Ganito ba ito … bigyan namin kayo ng mga armas at pagpapatayin ang mga sundalo at sibilyang mga mamayan? Iyan ba ang gusto ni Glorya?
Tirahin na kasi yang unggak na yan.
Wala na …. lahat na yata ng ating mga magiginoo’t mga nag-gagandahang mga mambabatas ay napapamangha na lang sa gilas ni Glorya at ang kanyang mga “Aso”.
Sa dinami dami na ang mga kabulastugan na ginawa sa atin …. ayan at namamayagpag pa. Gusto maging Tongressman naman. Ano ba yan ….. lahat na yata gusto niyang pasukan. Sabagay kahit magpalagay ng silicon sa kanyang susong ga-butil laang ay nagawa na niya. Baka naman pati keps niya pina-ayos din.
Pinagawang …. pahalang ….. bwahahahahahahaha
“Several petitions are pending before the Supreme Court insisting that Ms Arroyo violated the Constitution when she declared martial law because there was no actual rebellion or invasion, the only grounds allowed under the Constitution.”
Could we possibly name any provision(s) in the present constitution that Gloria has NOT violated since she decided to rule the Philippines for life ? Since impeachment is no longer possible, I’d say charge her with a blanket violation of everything un-constitutional she did once out of Malacanang and elected as representative of the second district of Pampanga and then throw her naked carcass in a through of boiling oil.
“Responding to Lagman, Ermita was forced to acknowledge that there was no actual rebellion, but maintained that all signs point to it.”
Gagong Ermita, if I would follow your own kind of logic, then you have condemned to the gallows your own fucking patroness. Meaning that gloria macapalpac arroyo y ladron CHEATED in the 2004 elections. Why ? Watch this (and I will follow your own line of thought, with a few modifications),………………………..” I acknowledge there was no actual cheating and manipulations at the polls, but all signs point to it”. Anong say mo, EDONG ? The only difference was that nobody in your cabal of thieves lifted a finger to crucify her.
There is too much reliance on Art 134 which states that:
But how exactly does one rise publicly and take arms against the government? Does the mere cradling of a rifle and the uttering of words, “Ayaw ko sa gobyerno” or some such phrase qualify as rebellion? Does the mere holding of a firearm in some remote barangay in some hicktown constitute rebellion? Note that Art. 134 does not prescribe a penalty. So this is a mere prefatory Article. It only introduces the concept of rebellion. The prohibited acts, the acts that constitute the offense are found in the Articles that provide a penalty. That is the teaching of the case of People v. Lava, where the Supreme Court held:
Article 135 punishes mere followers with reclusion temporal (12 to 20 years), and the leaders (Ampatuans) with reclusion perpetua (life).
So if war is not waged against the government, there is no rebellion. Resistance and disobedience to authority, as described by Ermita is punishable as a direct assault under Article 148 or Article 151.
People v. Lava is found here:
http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/juri1969/may1969/gr_l-4974_1969.html
Kung ma approved ito delikado ang pilipinas. They can create a scenario like coup from fake soldiers then Gloria will put the entire nation to martial-law since she can do it with her congress…
ANg yaman pala ng mga amputuan mga tax na binabayad ninyo diyan pinamimigay lang pala.
Who knew that President Diosdado Macapagal’s sperm would produce a bad seed in Gloria Ampatuwad? Dapat siyasatin ang history ni Gloria mula pagkabata, baka she was subjected to abuse. Kasi over-the-bakod na ang pinaggagawa niya. Masahol pa siya kay Marcos. Sabi nila, she inherited her coldness from her mother, who was a Muslim, by the way.
Grabe na ang paghahasik niya ng lagim! Naalala ko tuloy ang sinabi ni Imelda Marcos na kinilabutan daw siya ng may nagsabi sa kanyang psychic na may nakikita siyang babae na pupugutan daw ng ulo sa Malacanang. Si Gloria Ampatuwad kaya iyon? Abangan!
Ang yaman ng mga Ampatuan! Paano solo nila at kanila ang Internal Revenue allotment ng Maguindanao.
Napakabagal naman ng proceedings sa congress tungkol dyan sa ML. Masyado silang paulit ulit, at mga paulit ulit ng salitang your honor, your honor, for the record. Nasisikmura nilang magtawagan ng your honor eh puro naman sila mga hoodlums, well most of them.
At ganoon ba talaga sa tongresso, habang may nagsasalita sa floor, may makikita kang mga nakatayo, may nglalakad, may nasa cellphone, may mga nagkakawayan, may mga naguusap, parang palengke, wala nga lamang tinda, except ang tinda ni Ka Medy Poblador. Her envelope rules over there. Well, pauna lang ngayon, mas malaking envelope, pag nationwide ML na. I predict no later than Feb 2009.
Ay mali, Feb 2010 na nga pala!
si jojovelas2005 naman (at #35)… binasa mo ba iyong response ni Teddy Boy Locsin? Si Teddy Boy ba ay tuta ni GMA? Kung hindi, eh isa siya sa mga congressmen na dahil sa kanilang nakita at nabasa about Maguindanao, our congressmen will side with GMA regarding martial law.
Ang baling sabi ni Teddy Boy Locsin, hindi dahil desisyon ni GMA na mag-martial law ay mali kaagad.
Ang martial law ni Gloria ay mali dahil hindi ito sang-ayon sa Konstitusyon. Lahat ng gawin ni Gloria ay mali!
Ang political murder/massacre/carnage ay hindi qualified na rason para mag-martial law. Basahin ang mga pinagsasabi ni Mirriam Santiago na isang magaling na Constitutionalist, at mga exsperto.
Bakit hindi sumipot si Gloria? Hindi kasi niya alam ang kanyang pinirmahan kaya hindi maidepensa, e di mali nga!
Si punong Bonsai ay busy pag-TNT,dahil nawawalang limang 50 cal. snifer rifle ay hanggang ngayon di malaman kung saan nagbiyahe,dahil ang kapabildad ng rifle na iyon kahit bullet proof ang iyon mga wheels tatawanan lang ng armor piercing slug ang 3/8 steel plating within 1500-2000yards at para kang pakwan na inihulog mula sa bubongan ng 2story bldg.paginabot sa katawan.Takot ang bruha dahil doble crossing na ginawa.
Bakit pinababayaan na lang kay Devanadera ang legalidad ng Martial Law? Tignan ninyo, ni hindi na siya nakakapagmakeup!
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=3166414&id=651047933#/photo.php?pid=3166414&id=651047933&fbid=193467542933
A good interpretation of rebellion- perfect crime against the Ampatuans.
My favorite is : a fight between brothers, with a bitterness and a passion or ruthlessness seldom found in a contest between strangers. ( mangundadtu can be interpreted as his brother too)
second favorite: collection of taxes and contributions, restraint of liberty, damage to property, physical injuries and loss of life, and the hunger, illness and unhappiness that war leaves in its wake– a war within. is it not maguindanao one of the poorest and yet the ampatuans enjoyed many mansions and abuse of power ? almost 200 deads were linked to this type of rebellion.
what an absolute rebellion !!!
Locsin was one of the most vocal critic of the Marcos martial law. Wonder of wonders he is very much in favor now with gloria’s martial law. Why?
My take, Congress is just wasting time and peoples money in their joint session. Ang sabi nga ni Gloria, yon ang gusto niya, kaya legal or illegal yon pa rin ang gusto niyang mangyari.
Ellen,
I just read Quezon’s liveblogging of the Congress session — seems to me that the interpellators were being outgunned by the woman Davandera (ba ang pangalan?) — they couldn’t pin her down. They were turning around the issue like there was no tomorrow. Why can’t they ask pointblank questions instead of blah, blah, blah… so, what does the woman do? She gives one liners and gets away with them.
If these interpellators can’t effectively “cross examine” their “resource speakers”, they could at least go for the basic cross-examining procedures by, firstly, making that Davandera woman recite the provisions in the law pertaining to the powers given a president for proclaiming martial law and then ask her questions point by point in referrence to the provisions to obtain yes or no answers followed by demanding that she explain this or that.
Let the blasted “resource speaker” explain themselves; demand that they recite data, stastics, dates, places, events, people, etc., etc., to support their claim that there was rebellion hanggan magbuhol buhol ang dila — instead of spoon feeding them! What’s happening is it’s the members of Congress that are doing the boring useless hard work while their “resource speakers” are having a jolly good time twisting around these idiot members of Congress.
(Golez even PRAISED the AFP and the PNP … for what? But for what? Idiot!)
Make Davandera give a yes or no answer! Useless people! They should do a tit for tat instead of stupidly grandstanding and posing as Congress interpellators and not getting anything out of nobody. Ginagago lang sila.
I’ve watched Brtish and French parliamentarians interpellate prime ministers, members of cabinet, etc etc, and by gum — that was parliament in action. What I’ve been reading of what happened in this uselles session and what I saw on You Tube of Pangilian’s interpellation was like someone trying to recite Our Father in the middle of a fish market!
What the hell was that?
Gosh, if members of the British Parliament interpellated that way, nothing would ever pass through Parliament! Idiots!
Ermita, Davandera, the AFP, PNP officials were their “captives” — members of Congress should be having the time of their lives quizzing and frying these people.
Instead what I read and saw was the reverse! Davandera was making mincemeat of our so called “brilliant” senators.
Why, these so-called brilliant, US educated, UP-educated senators or whatever, wouldn’t even be able to join in my son’s high school debating team the way they were going.
Ermita, Davandera, the AFP, PNP officials were their “captives” — members of Congress should be having the time of their lives quizzing and frying these people. Just like what real parliamentarians do in real parliaments.
No wonder the Philippines is in a mess because their elected officials are fuzzy in the brain, nothing gets done and nothing gets resolved.
If that were the way Britain and French parliamentarians quizzed their “resource speakers”, there would be anarchy in those two countries (why they are called “resource speakers” speaks volumes of Congress irresponsibility!)
a review of GMA’s looming and brewing rebellion against her people (a bigger view and my modern view)
it’s a big war that all of us are fighting… when is this going to end? we cannot declare Martial Law against her looming and brewing rebellion. what are we going to do?
# 55. Ikaw talaga, Tongue.
Florry, re # 57. Ikaw ba naman, i-nominate na Supreme Court justice. Siyempre, kailangan, defend mo kahit baluktot.
tingog boss…kahit saan naman tignan mali talaga ang pag declare ng martial-law…wala naman akong pakialam kay Locsin dahil di na ako bilib diyan sa Garci tape nga kampi naman yan kay Gloria.
May martial-law ba ang presidente na sa Pampanga (pangiti-ngiti pa!) anong klaseng commander-in-chief yan. Sabi nga ni Pangilinan during time of Erap di naman nag declare ng martial law against MILF pero nakuha ang kampo ng kalaban, nang sunugod ni Misuari ang Jolo wala naman martial law na dismiss pa ang rebelyon. Isa pa itong session na ginagawa ng house parang practice na nila yan sa cha-cha at least alam nila kaya palang pag-isahin ang senate at congress.
Ellen,
No wonder!
Na-nominate pa lang may transaction na kaagad at nagbabayad na. Di lalo na kung naging member siya ng Supreme Court.
“Where is the President?”
Bush and Blair were able to face their respective House of Representatives to explain their position on why they should send troops to Iraq.
GMA could not face our Congress to explain a very serious order that she already gave. What a wimp!
#55, Tongue…walang pinag-iba.