Malaya – Page 49 – ellen tordesillas

Testing Martir’s credibility

Published by Ellen on June 7, 2009

Maj. Gen. John Martir, whose two -star rank remains unconfirmed by the Commission on Appointments, finally showed up at last Friday’s court martial hearing of the mutiny case against 28 officers in connection with something that did not happen in February 2006.

This was the time when the people, including men in uniform, were restive about the revelations of massive cheating in the 2004 elections in favor of Gloria Arroyo using military and police officers and personnel.

It was the start of his cross examination which should have been last May 26 but Martir was a no-show giving the excuse that he was on a “confidential mission.”

Boiling a frog

Published by Ellen on June 2, 2009

Gloria Arroyo is using the frog formula on the Filipino people in pushing for Charter Change and it looks like it is working.

What’s the frog formula?

It is said that if you put a frog into a pot of boiling water, it will leap out right away to escape the danger because it’s survival instincts are geared towards detecting sudden changes.

But if you put a frog in a kettle that is filled with water that is cool and pleasant, and then you gradually heat the kettle, it will relish the warmth. It’s tolerance level is high as long as it’s gradual. By the time it would realize the danger, it would be too late to jump out of the boiling water.

The big set-up

Published by Ellen on May 31, 2009

Hardly had the croaking of the the congressmen who were at the Manila Hotel for the launching of what pundits call Palaka (Partido Lakas at Kampi) died down last Thursday when they were summoned by Gloria Arroyo to a room where she gave her marching orders: pass the resolution amending the Constitution.

Arroyo, the source said, offered the congressmen a hefty incentive: over and above their pork barrel, they will be given P20 million each.

There are two resolutions calling for the amendment of the Constitution pending at the Lower House. HR 737, authored by House Speaker Prospero Nograles, treats amendment of the Constitution as an ordinary legislation to be approved by three fourths of members of Congress, voting separately.

Taxing the future

Published by Ellen on May 24, 2009

Update: DOF suspends Order 17-09.

In my appearance in Boy Abunda’s “Private Conversations” many years ago, I was asked what’s my idea of being rich, and I replied, “just to have enough money in my wallet to be able to buy a good book I want when I see one.”

I said that because in my struggling days, I would have to save to be able to buy a book I want and by the time I have enough money for it, the book is gone. It was so frustrating.

With credit cards, half of my problem is solved. But there is still the problem of cost. Prices of bookpaper-bound books usually cost about P500. Much higher, up to P1,000 plus, if its hardbound.

Wanted: sanctuary for Gadian

Published by Ellen on May 21, 2009

The Supreme Court yesterday granted the petition of the sister of Navy Lt. Nancy Gadian for a writ of amparo. What now?

Upon receipt of the order, Harry Roque, counsel for Nedia Diamante, sister of Lt. Gadian who filed the petition last Tuesday before the Supreme Court, informed the High Court that he has advised Gadian to seek temporary sanctuary at the Supreme Court in the absence of an accredited sanctuary.” (Download urgent-motion-for-sanctuary)

“She should find her way to the Supreme Court, introduce herself and seek sanctuary there,” Roque said.

In a statement, the Philippine Navy said with the Supreme Court order, “we hope Lt. Gadian will finally face the Investigation Committee formed by the Secretary of the Department of National Defense to substantiate her serious allegation of corruption of Balikatan ‘07 fund that has dragged the AFP into a controversy.”

Lessons from the past

Published by Ellen on May 19, 2009

ANC viewers watching the interview of Metropolitan Trial Court Judge Jorge Emmanuel Lorredo by Willard Cheng aired live on the lunchtime news “Dateline” Wednesday last week were puzzled why it was abruptly cut.

It was the part when Lorredo was warning about the return of martial law. Lorredo, by the way, is the judge that stirred public attention with his unusual May 4 order for the arraignment of Rodolfo “Jun” Lozada on the perjury case filed by Mike Defensor, former presidential chief of staff.

I asked a friend close to Lorredo and she shared with me Lorredo’s ruminations about the topic that is being mentioned when talking about the direction of the Arroyo administration but is not quite taken seriously because people can’t seem to imagine the depth of her obsession to stay in power.

Arroyo’s dream team

Published by Ellen on May 17, 2009

A well-placed source in the Arroyo administration told us there would be movements in the next few weeks in the mid-level of the military that would compel a three-star general to move out of his area command a month before his retirement.

The source said the movement is apparently towards putting in place Arroyo’s dream team that would help her implement her no-exit plan in 2010.

The information we got is that Lt. Gen. Nelson Allaga will be turning over the Western Mindanao Command to Lt. Gen. Ben Dolorfino, currently the Marines commandant, sooner than his (Allaga) July 16, 2009 retirement.

Trial for an unknown crime

Published by Ellen on May 17, 2009

Breaktime, May 5, 2009 hearing

Update: The hearing for May 19 has been reset to May 26.

I never harbored the illusion that the 28 officers accused of mutiny in connection with something that did not happen in February 2006 will get justice as long as Gloria Arroyo is in power.

That view is becoming a disturbing concern by the decisions of the panel presiding in the court martial led by Maj. Gen. Jogy Fojas.

On Tuesday, the defense lawyers will start the cross-examination of Maj. Gen. John Martir.

Pacquiao, Agent 0210

Published by Ellen on May 13, 2009

I posted in my blog the news item that a few hours after boxing great Manny Pacquiao was named ambassador of peace and understanding by Gloria Arroyo, Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez appointed him “special assistant to the Secretary of Justice on intelligence matters.”

Gonzalez’ order said Pacquiao, who holds the rank of master sergeant in the Armed Forces of the Philippines, “may coordinate with the National Bureau of Investigation in the enforcement of this mandate.”

In a matter of minutes, my blog, which is classified as political, turned hilarious.

No urgency in foreign service for Yano and Luna

Published by Ellen on May 3, 2009

The more General Alexander Yano and Lt. Gen. Cardozo Luna justified their acceptance of ambassadorial assignment in exchange for early retirement from the Armed Forces, the more that they are unmasked as no better than the other amply-rewarded Gloria Arroyo generals.

Until last Friday , Yano and Luna were the two highest officials of the AFP. Yano agreed to cut short his term as AFP chief for 44 days and turned over the reins of the AFP to Gen. Victor Ibrado. Arroyo announced that she has named him ambassador to Brunei.

Luna, who is still due tor retire in September, also agreed for an early retirement and was named ambassador to Netherlands.

Category: Malaya