Category: Malaya

Versoza’s DILG chief dream dashed?

Published by Ellen on September 7, 2010

Despite the Euro-generals scandal at the beginning of his term as chief of the Philippine National Police two years ago, Police Chief Jesus Versoza has been lucky and even re-invented himself from a Mike Arroyo man to Noynoy Aquino ally in the last May election.

Aquino confirms VERA Files story that he had differences with Robredo.

“There are various reasons kung bakit acting. In the case of Jesse, we had some differences during the campaign as to style. We want to make sure we can really work with each other well. It does no good to get him through the whole process of the CA only at the end of the day to find out that there might be difficulties in our working style, among others, our core philosophy, so we did agree na acting na muna,” Aquino said.

“May evaluation period, siguro check ang working style, after two months sigurado na tayo, we still have certain things discussed,” he added. “Dadalawang buwan pa lang kami nagkakasubukan kung talaga nga bang kaya naming mag-mesh.”

Click here: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/09/07/10/aquino-admits-differences-robredo

Talk in the power circles even said Versoza was slated to be the next secretary of interior and local government after Jesse Robredo has been eased out of the politically strategic department. That’s the reason why as early as last month he was sharing to media his thoughts about going to civilian life earlier than his December official retirement date.

Interesting appointments

Published by Ellen on September 5, 2010

There is something amusing in the latest batch of appointments of President Aquino.

alex magno Ronald Llamas — Alex Magno; Ronald Llamas

Like in the high-paying positions of Board of Directors of the Development Bank of the Philippines. Gloria Arroyo defender and Philippine Star columnist Alex Magno is out. Ronald Llamas of Akbayan is in.

I don’t know if Llamas specifically asked for DBP because of Magno but the mere mention of the names of the two reminds me of their verbal wrestling many years ago.

Magno greeted Llamas: “Hello, the last of the socialist.”
Llamas replied: “Hello, the first of the opportunist.”

Making up to Hongkong (subtitle:Donald Tsang who?)

Published by Ellen on August 24, 2010

President Aquino yesterday called up Donald Tsang, chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China, to personally express his condolences to the families of eight Hongkong residents who died last Monday in Manila after they were held hostage by a dismissed policeman while on a sightseeing tour.

Malacañang also said they will be sending a high-level delegation to Hongkong to meet with Tsang, who had demanded a “full account” of last Monday tragedy.

Hongkong newspapers carried Tsang’s statement saying Monday, he had been trying to contact Aquino “since 4pm ..but all efforts failed.” He said the way the Aquino government handled the hostage situation was “regrettable” and “disappointing.”

Told about Tsang’s statement, Aquino said he did not know about Tsang’s call and that nobody told him about it.

Inquiries about the incident revealed that while the hostage situation was going on, Aquino was closely monitoring it, and he was talking with police authorities constantly. He told his staff that he won’t be taking any calls unless it’s extremely important.

Remembering Capt Rene Jarque

Published by Ellen on August 22, 2010

Last Thursday, Aug. 19, was the fifth death anniversary of Capt. Rene Jarque, an officer I have always held in awe for his superior intellect and unblemished integrity.

Rene died of a heart attack at the young age of 40 in Jakarta, where he was an executive of a multinational corporation. A graduate of the United States Military Academy (Class 1986), Rene served the country with courage and honor as a member of the elite Scout Rangers of the Philippine Army.

A reformist at heart and in deed, Rene left military service in frustration. He wrote, “ As a young officer, I used the power of the pen to question things that were not right in the Armed Forces of the Philippines–incompetence, corruption, lack of strategic direction, and unprofessionalism. My writings were a voice in the wilderness, but the criticisms earned me a reputation as a rebel officer–too honest and too frank for my own good. I really thought reforms could be achieved through intellectual honesty and awareness. “

Rene further said, “I realized that the prevailing environment in the AFP was no longer acceptable to my sense of duty and honor, that there was more to life than being a soldier in serving the country and people. To fulfill that, I needed to live outside of the uniform.”

He is the son of Gen (ret) Raymundo Jarque, known for having joined the New People’s Army, when justice was perverted against him. The elder Jarque has long left the underground movement and is now working with a government corporation.

The incredible and talented Boy Gee

Published by Ellen on August 19, 2010

There were two significant things that Rear Admiral Feliciano Angue mentioned in his marathon griping with media the past few days.

One is the continued thriving career of Maj. Gen. Gaudencio “Boy Gee” Pangilinan, one of Gloria Arroyo’s dependable generals, under Aquino’s supposedly reformist administration.

Angue identified Pangilinan as one of the Class ’79 officers close to Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin. He said Pangilinan served as intelligence officer and comptroller of Gazmin when the latter was still in the active military service.

Proof of Pangilinan’s clout with Gazmin is his inclusion in the first batch of officers who moved up under this new administration. Last month, he was named commander of Northern Luzon Command vice Lt. Gen. Ricardo David who was named AFP chief of staff.

The Nolcom chief position requires a three-star general. Pangilinan is a two-star general. His third star is still awaiting the signature of President Aquino.

Tenor Arthur Espiritu captures Manila

Published by Ellen on August 15, 2010

Video produced by elementary school classmates of Arthur:

Arthur E with girlfriend Candy — Arthur Espiritu with girlfriend, Christine

My writer friend Nelson Navarro said he was glad he went to watch tenor Arthur Espiritu last Saturday despite his restricted mobility, walking with the aid of a cane due to a recent stroke.

I went with Charmaine Deogracias of NHK TV and we were so happy to experience a great performance by Filipino artists. (The 34-year old Espiritu is now Filipino-American, having migrated to the United States when he was 14 years old.)

It was a joy to watch Espiritu, the second Filipino to perform before a passionate and demanding audience at the hallowed halls of La Scala di Milan. His voice has a pristine quality and he moves with aplomb.

Soprano Rachelle Gerodias and pianist Najib Ismael completed the trio that gave the unusually big crowd at Philamlife Theater a memorable evening of fine music. Showing their appreciation, the crowd gave them a rapturous, standing ovation.

What’s with Joker?

Published by Ellen on August 12, 2010

Sen. Joker Arroyo just won’t give up even if he had been reduced to stammering after he was proven wrong about his opposition to Senate Resolution 84 that seeks custody of detained Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV so could perform his duties as elected legislator.

Yesterday, Arroyo tried to block the implementation of the Senate resolution expressing the sense of the Senate “to rectify the apparent injustice” to the former military officer who dared stood up to Gloria Arroyo, by questioning the third and fourth “whereasses” in the resolution.

The third “whereas” referred to Senate Resolution No. 3 adopted on July 25, 2007 “Expressing the Sense of the Senate that Senator Trillanes IV be allowed to participate in the sessions and other functions of the Senate in accordance with the Rule of Law.”

Arroyo was adamant in his assertion that there was no 2007 Senate Resolution No. 3.

Beautiful singing

Published by Ellen on August 10, 2010

Update, Aug. 15: Arthur Espiritu was fantastic last night at the Viva Bel Canto concert. His voice has a pristine quality and he moves with certain savvy. It’s such a joy listening and watching him on stage.

One of the rare times that the Philamlife theater was full. Thanks to Klassikal Music Foundation (Donald Yang), ROS Music Center (Rey Sison) and Pablo Tariman for an evening of fine music.

Lovers of classical music should not miss “Viva Bel Canto” on Aug. 14, 8 pm at the Philamlife Auditorium on U.N. Avenue, Manila.

It features Arthur Espiritu, the first Filipino tenor to perform at La Scala di Milan since 1928. Before him in 1928, Filipino bass baritone Jose Mossessgeld- Santiago performed at the hallowed La Scala the role of Sparafucile in Mefistofele.

Espiritu is visiting the Philippines and it would be a rare opportunity for Filipino music lovers to enjoy his performance.

At a pre-concert press conference at the Mandarin Hotel, Arthur mesmerized newsmen with a few numbers together with soprano Rochelle Gerodias and pianist Najib Ismail, who will be performing with him in this Saturday’s Philippine debut.

The expected question was “How was it performing in La Scala?” where even musical greats experienced being booed (Maria Callas and Luciano Pavarotti) by a demanding audience.

Justice for Phillip Pestaño

Published by Ellen on August 3, 2010

This was one time when I remarked,”Multuhin ka sana.”

Even if one wants to give Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez the benefit of the doubt, it’s really difficult not to join the call for her ouster with the recent decision of her office to dismiss the murder charges filed by the family of Ensign Phillip Pestaño against Philippine Navy officials.

It didn’t even take into consideration the findings of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights released six days before it finalized its own that said, “It now appears undisputed that the death of the author’s son was a violent one, resulting from homicide.”

Homicide is murder. It’s not suicide as Navy officials claim.

The Ombudsman’s ruling reflects indifference and incompetence. Trabahong tamad. It said that there was no evidence who had killed Pestaño, or if a crime had been committed at all.

They were not sure that a crime had been committed?

This is the story of Phillip as narrated by Fr. James Reuter, S.J:

Humaneness in the age of technology

Published by Ellen on August 1, 2010

Stirring journalism and security worlds are WikiLeaks releases of classified military documents on the war in Afghanistan filched by a 22-year old American intelligence analyst from State department online files.

The leaked documents are unprecedented in terms of volume – 91,000 diplomatic cables out of the 260,000 that Bradley Manning, the intelligence analyst, said he downloaded covering the years from 2004 to 2010. The leaks underscored the game-changing role of the internet in information dissemination.

The leaks, which have been condemned by the White House, Pentagon and State Department, raises anew the endless debate on press freedom and the public’s right to know versus national security.

There is also the aspect of humaneness , of not putting innocent people at in harm’s way, that every journalist should value.