Governance – Page 22 – ellen tordesillas

Graft charges filed vs Mikey Arroyo; Ombudsman tightens rules on access to officials’ SALN

Published by Ellen on September 10, 2009

By Michael Punongbayan
The Philippine Star

Following a series of negative reports on the First Family’s wealth based partly on their Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth, the Office of the Ombudsman has tightened rules in giving out copies of government officials’ SALN “to protect the integrity of the document.”

Graft rap filed vs Mikey Arroyo

By Philip Tubeza
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Militant government workers have filed with the Ombudsman a graft complaint against Pampanga Representative Juan Miguel “Mikey” Arroyo for not declaring his P63.7-million property in California in his statement of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN).

“With the small salary he gets, it is unacceptable that his assets more than tripled,” said Ferdinand Gaite, president of the Confederation for Unity, Recognition and Advancement of Government Employees (Courage), which filed the complaint at 12 noon Thursday

Assistant Ombudsman Mark Jalandoni said the Ombudsman field investigation unit has already been looking into Arroyo’s assets after receiving an anonymous online complaint against him weeks ago.

Instead of a simple letter-request, requirements now include a sworn statement before a prosecutor of the anti-graft body stating the reasons for the request.

Nonoy declares presidential bid

Published by Ellen on September 9, 2009

Tinatanggap ko ang hiling ng sambayanan.
Tinatanggap ko rin po ang tagubilin ng aking mga magulang.
Tinatanggap ko ang responsibilidad na ituloy ang laban para sa bayan.
Tinatanggap ko ang hamon na mamuno sa laban na ito.
Bayang Pilipinas, tatakbo ako sa pagka-pangulo sa darating na halalan.
Tutuloy po natin ang laban. Mabuhay ang Pilipinas!

With those words, Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III, declared his presidential bid for the 2010 elections in an morning press conference on the 40th day of the passing of his mother, President Corazon Aquino, at Club Filipino, the same venue where she took her historic oath on Feb. 25, 1986 after the ouster of President Ferdinand Marcos.

FBI asked to investigate Mikey Arroyo

Published by Ellen on September 8, 2009

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

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

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

‘I should have let my lawyer do the talking’

Published by Ellen on September 8, 2009

by Wendell Vigilia
Malaya

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

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

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

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

Chiz wants PCGG to start sequestration of Mikey’s property

Published by Ellen on September 7, 2009

Philippine Star: Senators want Mikey charged

by Wendell Vigilia
Malaya

“JUST talk to my lawyer.”

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

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

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

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

Published by Ellen on September 6, 2009

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

Protesters rally in front of Mikey Arroyo’s house

Published by Ellen on September 5, 2009

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

Takot si Arroyo kay Chavit

Published by Ellen on September 5, 2009

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

Pacquiao supports Chavit

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

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

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

Noynoy:enabler or suppressor of the new politics

Published by Ellen on September 5, 2009

by Nicanor Perlas

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

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

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

Malacañang to Chavit: behave

Published by Ellen on September 4, 2009

Gloria Arroyo’s deputy national security adviser beat his common-law wife and her boyfriend and all she could say is “Behave.”

From ABS-CBN Online

The Office of the President on Friday advised deputy National Security Adviser Luis Singson to “behave” and submit himself to due process after his common-law wife, Rachel ‘Che’ Tiongson, disclosed on Thursday the physical abuse she suffered at the hands of Singson.

Click here http://abs-cbnnews.com/nation/09/03/09/chavits-wife-reveals-physical-abuse for photos of Che Tiongson, Singson’s common law wife.

“Our advise to Singson is to behave accordingly as an upright citizen and submit himself to due process of the law,” said Press Secretary Cerge Remonde.

Remonde said he was not aware if President Arroyo’s deputy national security adviser used government resources to spy on Tiongson.

Category: Governance