Category: Malaya

Malacañang frantic to stop Marcelino

Published by Ellen on January 8, 2009

Update: Zuño asks for relief of his illegal drugs task force saying they cannot anymore work under a cloud of doubt.

maj-marcelino The public should watch out for Malacañang’s attempts to smother the expose on the involvement of justice officials in illegal drugs.

Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez tried to do that during last Wednesday hearing at the House Committee on dangerous drugs when he attempted to turn the table on Marine Major Ferdinand Marcelino, head of the Special Enforcement Service of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency blaming him for not arresting on the spot the the one who offered PDEA bribe in exchange for dropping the case against Richard Brodett, Jorge Joseph, and Joseph Tecson, in their early ’20s and from well-to-do families.

It is in this context that we are wary about the statement of Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro to review the assignment of military personnel in civilian agencies in connection with the important role that Marcelino played in the expose of the rot in the Department of Justice.

The emerging power of blogs

Published by Ellen on January 4, 2009

Although not yet in the scale that blogs in the United States and South Korea influence national issues, the emerging power of blogs in the Philippines got affirmation in the appeal of Agrarian Reform Secretary Nasser Pangandaman to the public, “especially the bloggers” to stop vilifying his family over the Valley Golf Glub.

A blog, by the way, is short for “web log”. It’s a personal website. The owner of the blog can write anything that he wants to express in his cyber space.

Last December 26, golfer Bambee de la Paz wrote in her blog that earlier in the day, his 56-year old father, Delfin, and 14-year old brother,Bino were beaten “to a pulp” by Mayor Nasser Pangandaman,Jr and his bodyguards while the father, who was re-appointed by Gloria Arroyo three days earlier as member of the peace panel in the negotiation with Muslim rebels, looked on.

A cheerful, explosive affair

Published by Ellen on December 23, 2008

Update: Deedee Siytangco, spokesperson of former President Aquino said Cory’s apology to Erap was said in jest.

Erap’s reaction:

1. On the Statement that Cory Apology A Joke : If it was a joke, there was wisdom and truth in that joke

Even if it was said in jest, as some persons insist, the fact that it was said at all portrays the growing sentiment of regret about Edsa Dos and the realization that it was a mistake. In Mrs. Aquino’s own words, “I am one of those who feels guilty for the 2001 uprising.” Even if it is to be interpreted that former President Cory Aquino stated it lightly, it does not discount the fact that it was stated publicly and with sincerity. So we will take it for what it was worth: an admission by former President Aquino of regret over Edsa Dos and a gesture of reconciliation to former President Estrada for the bad judgment made at the time.

The statement was something that former President Estrada did not expect, much less ask for. Everyone in the audience was surprised by the line. And Mrs. Aquino’s statement to Congressman de Venecia, “Matagal ka na naming hinihintay na sumali sa amin” (we have long been waiting for you to join us) reflects the opposition and deep resentment of former President Aquino against the current administration.

2. On Richard Gordon Statement calling Mrs. Aquino “Sorry Aquino”

Mrs. Aquino is an internationally acknowledged icon of democracy and arguably the most revered citizen of the Philippines today because of her principled reputation. He need not share her sentiments but he should at the very least regard them – and her – with respect.

We can use the good senator’s own wisdom when he said, “When we are leaders, we must be called upon to teach our people.” As one of the most respected leaders of this country, Mrs. Aquino yesterday displayed and taught us humility, something a lot of politicians today need more of. She must be applauded for having displayed this, even if only in the light atmosphere of a book launch.

I have attended numerous gatherings hosted by former House Speaker Jose de Venecia and wife, Gina and I can say that last Monday’s launching of JDV’s book, “Global Filipino” was the most enjoyable.

The atmosphere was cheerful. Maybe it has something to do with Christmas. Definitely, it didn’t look like a gathering of those who are not in power.

Two trials and confused witnesses

Published by Ellen on December 18, 2008

Yesterday, the court martial trial of Lt. Artemio Raymundo was off to an amusing start with the witnesses testifying never having viewed the controversial video that has caused the incarceration of an outstanding officer for more than two years.

Raymundo is facing three charges of violations of Articles of War 96 (conduct unbecoming of an officer and gentleman), 97 (conduct prejudicial to public order and military discipline) and 64 (disrespect towards superior officer) for sharing with fellow soldiers copies of video he got for free at an LRT station.

Those video pieces happen to be former Joseph Estrada’s biopic “Ang mabuhay para sa masa” and documentaries on the 2004 election cheating “At All Cost” and “The Original Sin.”

The ultimate insult

Published by Ellen on December 16, 2008

Not a few wish that what happened to U.S. President George W. Bush in Baghdad last Monday would also happen to Gloria Arroyo.

What happened to Bush the other day in Baghdad is all over TV, newspapers, You Tube, blogs. He was holding a press conference with Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki as part of his farewell tour before he turns over the reins of the United States government to president-elect Barack Obama on Jan. 20, 2009, when a television journalist threw shoes at him.

The swiftness of the action stunned even Bush security team. The journalist, Muntadar al-Zeidi of an Iraqi-owned TV network based in Cairo, Egypt, was able to hurl at Bush his pair of shoes one after another as he shouted, “”This is a farewell kiss, you dog.”

‘Time to grip hands and act’

Published by Ellen on December 11, 2008

All 23 senators, including incarcerated Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV, signed resolution opposing charter change without concurrence of the Senate being pushed by allies of Gloria Arroyo in the House of Representatives.
Click here for full report.

Arroyo spokesperson: Let’s talk

In today’s anti- Gloria Arroyo, anti- charter change rally, two of the messages to be read are that of detained officers, Brig. Gen. Danny Lim of the Army Scout Rangers and Marine Col.Ariel Querubin.

Lim and Querubin, together with 26 other officials including Maj. Gen. Renato Miranda, have been in detention for almost three years. They have been charged with mutiny for allegedly planning to withdraw support from Gloria Arroyo following the “Hello Garci” expose that showed Arroyo masterminding the tampering of election results in her favor with the help of some military officials.

Lim’s message was released last Nov. 29 to mark the second anniversary of Manila Pen incident where he, Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV and other Magdalo officers made a stand against the unabated corruption in the Arroyo government.

‘Bring it on’

Published by Ellen on December 9, 2008

Although the 28 officers in detention in connection with the alleged plan to withdraw support from Gloria Arroyo in February 2006 were hoping that the junior officers would be home for Christmas, none of them were really surprised when the court martial decided to deny the motion of their lawyers to dismiss the mutiny case against them.

After two years of hearing “Denied, denied”, what’s another “denied”? They are in fact looking forward to the start of the trial on Dec. 16, with trial dates every Friday.

Vicente Verdadero, counsel for Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim and 14 other Scout Ranger and Special Forces officers, challenged the court to “Bring it on.”

‘Unhappy is the land that needs a hero’

Published by Ellen on December 7, 2008

I’d like Gloria Arroyo and her cabal in the House of Representatives to push charter change to the end.

So what if 64 per cent of Filipinos oppose charter change that would result in Gloria Arroyo staying in power forever? (Only 15 percent agree and 21 per cent are undecided, according to a September-October 2008 survey by the Social Weather Station)

What can those 64 percent, that roughly translates to almost 60 million Filipinos, do? Majority of Filipinos also believe that Gloria Arroyo cheated in the 2004 elections but did they do anything to punish the person who masterminded the thwarting of their will?

Military tribunal asked to drop mutiny charge

Published by Ellen on December 7, 2008

by Victor Reyes
Malaya

The military tribunal hearing the case against 28 Army and Marine officers linked to the alleged withdrawal of support from Gloria Arroyo in February 2006 will hear today the motion of the defense to mutiny charges for lack of evidence.

In a demurrer, lawyer Vicente Verdadero, counsel for 15 officers including Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim, said “assuming the facts alleged by the prosecution to be true, said facts do not in law sustain the charge of mutiny.”

Verdadero said seven of his clients – Lt. Cols. Nestor Flordeliza and Edmundo Malabanjot; Capts. Ruben Guinolbay, and Frederick Sales, and 1Lts. Ervin Divinagracia, Sandro Sereno, and Jacon Cordero – were not even mentioned in the evidence or exhibits of the prosecution panel.

Verdadero also wants dismissed the case against former Scout Ranger chief Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim; Maj. Leomar Jose Doctolero; Captains Isagani Criste, Joey Fontiveros, William Victorino Upano, Dante Langkit, and 1Lts. Homer Estolas and Richiemel Caballes.

A really messy case in Boracay

Published by Ellen on December 4, 2008

Greg Hutchinson reacts to this two-part article. Please see comments.

Part One:

While in Boracay last week for the anti-smoking seminar organized by the Women’s Media Circle, some journalists and I took time out to visit SandCastles resort, which was in the news recently because of a property dispute that ended up in what was claimed as “hostaging”.

I have stayed in SandCastles a number of times since it was built in 1989. It’s facilities, in Philippine ethnic style, is complemented by modern amenities. It’s beachfront location in the area of boat station One makes it a prime real estate property.

Australian Greg Hutchinson, president and chairman of Tribal Holdings Phils that owns SandCastles, was a journalist writing for foreign publications. He was my co-author of the book. “Hot Money, Warm Bodies – the downfall of President Joseph Estrada”.