Malaya – Page 46 – ellen tordesillas

Arroyo tries another tack to stay longer

Published by Ellen on September 20, 2009

I’m glad that Comelec Chairman Jose Melo accepts the possibility that automated elections may not take place in many parts of the country on election day.

Last Wednesday, a week after the Supreme Court upheld Comelec’s claim that they are fully capable of a nationwide automated elections despite questions raised by the Concerned Citizens Movement on the legality their having skipped the required testing of the contracted system, Melo said, “Aside from preparations for poll automation, Comelec is also preparing for manual elections sa mga liblib na lugar (in remote areas), provinces with no electricity, and would have issues in electronic transmission. We are ready for manual polls in at least 30 percent or 50 percent of the country as a last contingency measure in case the contingency plans for automation are difficult to implement.”

I don’t know if Melo’s admission of lack of electricity in many areas of the country has something to do with the warning of Energy Secretary Angelo Reyes of a power shortage next year, during election period.

2010 election trends

Published by Ellen on September 17, 2009

It’s heartening to know interest among young people to participate in the 2010 elections is growing.

Political consultant Malou Tiquia, in her presentation on “Developments in the 2010 election campaign” in a recent forum sponsored by the Ateneo School of Government, said of the 45,029,443 registered voters as of March 2009, nine million belong to age 18-35 years old. Election observers expect 22 per cent of voters would come from the youth sector.

If these young people would identify with someone in their age range, they would have three to choose from: Chiz Escudero of the National People’s Coalition, who will be turning 40 (the minimum age requirement to be president) on October 10; Gilbert Teodoro of the administration’s Lakas-Kampi-CMD; and the Liberal Party’s Noynoy Aquino.

Bias for crooks

Published by Ellen on September 13, 2009

I beg to disagree with Ombudsman Merceditas Guttierrez that the “independence and objectivity” of the Ombudsman would be “endangered, diminished or destroyed” if they would not impose more restrictions on the public to secure the Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Networth of government officials and employees.

In fact, by making it difficult for taxpayers to get those documents that are important in anti-corruption investigation, the Ombudsman is showing her bias for crooks in the government.

Enshrined in the Constitution’s Bill of Rights is the provision that “The right of the people to information on matters of public concern shall be recognized. Access to official records, and to documents, and papers pertaining to official acts, transactions, or decisions, as well as to government research data used as basis for policy development, shall be afforded the citizen, subject to such limitations as may be provided by the law.”

Noynoy Aquino sets the pace

Published by Ellen on September 10, 2009

No doubt about it. With his declaration of his presidential bid in the 2010 elections, Sen. Noynoy Aquino, is dictating the agenda and pace of the campaign.

The issue has become character versus competence. This simplification, unfair it may be, reflects the people’s frustration with Gloria Arroyo. People are willing to take the risk with someone without a track record of leadership as long as he is not corrupt.

It was the death of former President Cory Aquino which triggered the interest for Noynoy and advanced the timetable of the campaign.

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”.

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).

Two hearings

Published by Ellen on September 6, 2009

Last Thursday, while former Armed Forces Chief Generoso Senga, now ambassador to Iran, was testifying at a court martial trial in Camp Aguinaldo on the stirrings in the military in February 2006, members of the Magdalo group were at the Commission on Election for a hearing on their application for accreditation of Magdalo Para sa Pagbabago as a regional political party in the National Capital Region.

Questions asked of Former Air Force Lieutenant Ashley Acedillo, secretary general and spokesman for the Magdalo group, revolved around whether they advocate violence as a means to introduce change. ( Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV had wanted to be present in the the Magdalo’s case at the Comelec but he was not granted permission by the Makati Regional trial Court.)

Acedillo told Comelec commissioners that their participation in the election process is proof of their advocacy for reform through peaceful means.

No malice, just the truth

Published by Ellen on September 1, 2009

Click on photo to enlarge

Downloaded by Tongue-Twisted from Google Earth :Look, 5 nice cars, one that looks like a Mercedes Benz Kompressor is in the garage!

In all the interviews with Rep. Juan Miguel “Mikey” Arroyo on his property in San Francisco in the United States which is not included in his 2007 and 2008 Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Networth, he claimed that VERA Files that did the story, never asked for his side.

He also said, “Unfortunately, either the writer or writers deliberately imposed a malicious twist on the story or they lack knowledge on the legal aspects regarding corporations.”

I’m a trustee of VERA Files, a group that undertakes in depth reporting on current issues. I’m one of the writers of the article, “Arroyo’s sons acquire U.S. Homes, businesses after election to Congress.”

Shaming the shameless

Published by Ellen on August 30, 2009

Aren’t you glad that there is a Miriam Santiago to say that the things we want to say but could not?

Who can say to Augusto Syjuco that what a fool he has made of himself “pasayaw-sayaw pa, kalbo na nga” using taxpayers money?

Sen. Edward Kennedy and Philippine democracy

Published by Ellen on August 27, 2009

The passing away of President Cory three weeks ago and last Friday’s 26th death anniversary of her husband, Senator Benigno Aquino Jr., brought back to mind the events of February 1986 when the world stood in awe as Filipinos linked arms, armed only with prayers and faith, to restore democracy in the country.

Yesterday, we were yet reminded of that glorious February with the news of the death of Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, the last surviving son of America’s political royalty.

Precious L. Javier, widow of the late Evelio Javier, the former Antique governor whose murder helped spark the outrage that led to the 1986 People Power, sent me the U.S. Congressional record of February 19, 1986 when American senators passed a resolution expressing their deep concern over the massive fraud that attended the Feb. 7, 1986 snap presidential elections.

Category: Malaya