Malaya – Page 64 – ellen tordesillas

What could spark military outrage

Published by Ellen on February 24, 2008

Immediately after last Friday’s 8-hour court martial hearing of the mutiny case against Maj. Gen. Renato Miranda and 27 other officers allegedly involved in the plan to withdraw support from Gloria Arroyo in February 2006, the members of the panel met with AFP Chief of Staff Hermogenes Esperon.

Esperon, the source said, was upset that no arraignment of the 28 officers took place. A member of the panel, the source said, told the AFP chief that much as they want to follow his timetable, it’s difficult for them to railroad the process. That would open them later to charges of violations of the law. They risk being subjected to court martial themselves for rendering unlawful judgment.

Part of a grand cover-up

Published by Ellen on February 19, 2008

Asked in a press conference about the P500,000 that his deputy for legal affairs, Manuel Gaite, gave Rodolfo Noel “Jun” Lozada for shopping money in Hongkong, Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said he can’t say anything about it since it is connected to the NBN/ZTE issue, which is now subjudice because the Ombudsman has started its investigation on the matter.

That gave away the real purpose of the Ombudsman investigation: To stop public discussion of the matter. That will also save Malacañang officials from explaining the unexplainable. It’s part of a grand cover-up

Prayers and lessons in English in court martial

Published by Ellen on February 17, 2008

It is clear to those who have closely followed the court martial of 28 officers allegedly involved in the February 2006 alleged withdrawal of support from Gloria Arroyo that the panel headed by Maj. Gen. Jogy Fojas is following the prosecution’s script that Maj. Gen. Renato Miranda and his fellow accused officers be arraigned, by hook or by crook, before Feb. 26, 2008.

That’s because if the accused are not arraigned by Tuesday next week, two years from the commission of the alleged offense, the charge of “Conduct Unbecoming of an Officer and Gentleman” (violation of Articles of War 96) would prescribe and the case would be automatically dropped.

The remaining major charge would be mutiny which was recommended to be dismissed by the team from the Judge Advocate Office the investigated the February 26 incident “for lack of factual and legal bases.”

Make a stand today

Published by Ellen on February 14, 2008

Updates from ABS-CBN online:

Government ups security in Manila for rally

From a friend: Just passed by Villamor Air Base, helicopters unloading sacks on two planes ready to seed clouds for rain to stop rally.

Mga kapatid, magpakabasa tayo!

Patriots who are detained in Camp Crame led by Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim and Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV are sending their greetings to those who are making a stand against the immoral Arroyo administration in today’s ‘communal action’ in Makati.

Joining them in their message are Capt. Gary Alejano (PN-M), Capt. Segundino Orfiano (PAF), LTSG Manuel G. Cabochan (PN), LTSG Eugene Louie Gonzales (PN), LTSG James Layug, LTSG Andy Torrato (PN), Ltjg Arturo Pascua, Jr. (PN), 1Lt Billy Pascua, 2ndLT Jonnell Sangalang (PN), and Ens Armand Pontejos (PN).

They said even if they cannot be physically with the people today, “we are with you in spirit and sentiments.”

Tama na! Sobra! Alis na!

Published by Ellen on February 10, 2008

I grant that when Gloria Arroyo was directing the manipulation of the results of the 2004 elections, her primary desire was to get an electoral mandate to legitimize her unelected presidency.

She was thinking perhaps that with an electoral mandate, even if acquired by cheating, she could proceed with her “Strong Republic” program.

I am saying this because while reflecting on what the investigation of the grossly overpriced NBN/ZTE deal exposed, there are persons who say that even if Gloria Arroyo cheated in the 2004 elections, people would have tolerated it as long she gave good governance. With good governance, we mean honesty and competence are given premium.

The Madriaga files on NBN/ZTE

Published by Ellen on February 5, 2008

The following document landed in my mailbox. It’s supposed to have been written by a certain Dante Madriaga. Read on for what it’s worth:

I am an electronic/electrical engineer by profession.I attended the University of the Philippines and Texas A&M University.I have been in the communications industry for over 30 years.

I was a part owner of a company in the LISP in Cabuyao, Laguna that exported microwave radio transmitters.I was involved in the original design of the ARESCOM proposal using a concept similar to what Joey De Venecia thought about .I have been involved in the preparation and design of the NBN ZTE proposal since the beginning.

Romy and Tom

Published by Ellen on February 3, 2008

Malacañang has Romy Neri by the balls and that’s why the former economic planning secretary is so afraid to face the Senate where he could be compelled to reveal the role of Gloria Arroyo in the scandalously overpriced telecommunications deal with China’s Zhong Xing Telecommunication Equipment Company Ltd. (ZTE).

A source said before Neri appeared in the Senate, Malacañang emissaries told him that he could talk about the deal up to the level of former Comelec Chairman Benjamin Abalos, but he could not implicate Gloria Arroyo and her husband Mike. If he did, details about his “Brokeback Mountain” affair would find their way to media.

The source said the main character in Malacañang’s “Brokeback Mountain” blackmail on Neri is named “Tom.” Some have started talking about a government official’s “La Loma” lover, referring to a district in Manila notorious for its gay bars.

Launching a bestseller

Published by Ellen on January 29, 2008

Elmer and Emerson have decided to give 15 per cent of their royalty from the sales of “Pulutan” to Philippine Military Academy Development Fund Inc. (PDFI) and 10 per cent to PMA Class 2000, where they belong.

“Pulutan” in China, courtesy of Jug

If you happen to be in the area of Makati Commercial Center tomorrow early afternoon, drop by at Powerbooks in Greenbelt4. The authors of “Pulutan: from the Soldiers’ Kitchen”, Elmer Cruz and Emerson Rosales, will be meeting editors and columnists and will be available for book signing.

Why Esperon has to stay

Published by Ellen on January 27, 2008

Gloria Arroyo’s justification for the extension of the service of her favorite AFP Chief Hermogenes Esperon won’t pass even with those with brains filled with gunpowder.

According to Malacañang’s press release, Arroyo extended Esperon’s term for three months (up to May 9) to “sustain the government’s ongoing campaign to finally end rebel insurgency in the country.”

“Because there is a momentum in the campaign against the NPA (New People’s Army) and they are expecting a snowball in the next several months,” Arroyo said.

Stop the witch hunt

Published by Ellen on January 24, 2008

Update:PNP now in search of ‘Makapili’ among reporters

PNP admits it has no goods against lady reporter

Since when has a journalist interviewing a person involved in a situation a crime?

The RPN-9 video that was supposedly the PNP “smoking gun” to discredit media in connection with the Nov. 29 Manila Pen incident just showed Dana Batnag, reporter of Jiji Press, a Japanese news agency, talking with Marine Capt. Nicanor Faeldon, who was one of the Magdalo officers who walked out of their hearing at the Makati Regional Trial Court, proceeded to the Manila Pen and called for the ouster of Gloria Arroyo’s illegitimate government.

There was nothing in the picture as described by no less than the justice secretary and the PNP chief that showed a “female reporter helping Capt Nicanor Faeldon escape by giving him a press ID.”

Category: Malaya