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Category: Politics

Nothing more to say on broadband – Neri

Published by Ellen on September 30, 2007

Senators who hope that Commission on Higher Education Chairman Romulo Neri could provide the missing piece in the story that would “directly link” President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to the controversial National Broadband Network (NBN) deal are in for a big disappointment.

Neri indicated on Sunday that he had nothing more to say to the Senate committees investigating the $329-million contract for the NBN project that was awarded to China’s ZTE Corp.

“The Senate grilled me for 12 hours. Did they miss on any significant question?’’ he said in a text message to the Philippine Daily Inquirer (parent company of INQUIRER.net) when asked if he had said everything he needed to say to the senators.

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Neri sore at media – Palace

Published by Ellen on September 30, 2007

By Jocelyn Montemayor

Higher Education Chairman Romulo Neri is sore with media for seeking to drive a wedge between him and President Arroyo, Cerge Remonde, presidential management staff chief, said yesterday.

Remonde said Neri called him up around 8 a.m. yesterday to complain about the reporting on his testimony last Wednesday before the Senate that Comelec chairman Benjamin Abalos offered him P200 million when he was director general of the National Economic and Development Authority to approve the $329 million national broadband contract with Chinese firm Zhong Xing Telecommunications Equipment (ZTE) Corp.

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The crime goes back to 2001

Published by Ellen on September 30, 2007

Malaya editorial: Scratch my back

Administration members of the House reportedly are wary of impeaching Election Chairman Benjamin Abalos because Senate trial on alleged graft in the $3290 million national broadband could show that the corruption trail leads all the way to Malacañang.

We are no long surprised by such a display of utter lack of principles. Gloria Arroyo’s allies, relying on sheer numbers, threw out the past impeachment complaints against Arroyo. They said impeachment is more a political process than a judicial determination on whether the impeachable official is indeed guilty of the complaint filed.

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Ang Ladlad slams Abalos, Neri

Published by Ellen on September 27, 2007

Ang Ladlad, the national organization of lesbian-gay-bisexual-transgender Filipinos, today supported the impeachment complaint filed by Iloilo Vice Governor Rolex Suplico against Commission on Elections chairman Benjamin abalos Sr. before the House of Representatives.

ben-abalos.JPGStatement of Ang Ladlad:”We support the impeachment complaint against Mr. Abalos for culpable violation of the Constitution, betrayal of public trust, graft and corruption, and bribery,” said Danton Remoto, Chairman of Ang Ladlad. “Mr. Abalos is already ripe for impeachment for his crimes against the Filipino voters and the Filipino people. The stench of his actions darken even the heavens. It began with the overpriced P1.3 billion Mega Pacific deal for computer automation, the 2004 and the 2007 elections anomalies, and now, the ZTE broadband deal.

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Protect Romy Neri; Arroyo wants to bring him to New York

Published by Ellen on September 24, 2007

romy-neri.jpgAs I write this, this message is going around:

Please join citizens and civil society groups in holding a vigil at his residence at No. 28 Palale St., Banawe, Quezon City to show our support and prevent the Palace from preventing Romy Neri from testifying on Wednesday.

God bless our nation.
Inquirer report: Neri inclined to go with President

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Arroyo suspends ZTE deal

Published by Ellen on September 22, 2007

Breaking news:

Gloria Arroyo has suspended the controversial national Broadband Network contract with China’s ZTE Corporation, Trade Secretary Peter Favila said just now.

Justice Acting Secretary Agnes Devanadera gave the questions and controversy that the deal has generated as reason for suspension. She also said Arroyo has ordered the formation of a technical group to review the contract with ZTE.

Ngayon pa after nabuking sila!

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Oust JDV, we impeach GMA’

Published by Ellen on September 21, 2007

This is like watching a bizarre movie. Imagine, to save JDV’s political power, GMA is ousted. It’s really bizarre. But there’s no reason not to enjoy it. Sit back, watch and enjoy

By Jess Diaz
The Philippine Star

The opposition bloc in the House of Representatives will support the impeachment of President Arroyo if her allies succeed in unseating Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr., Minority Leader Ronaldo Zamora said Friday.

“We will not initiate an impeachment. But if Speaker De Venecia is ousted and his group starts an impeachment process, the minority will most likely support it,” Zamora said in a radio interview.

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ZTE deal found inked in haste

Published by Ellen on September 20, 2007

by Dennis Gadil and JP Lopez

The government acted with undue haste in awarding the $329 million national broadband contract to ZTE Corp. by signing a supply agreement with a Chinese company without first entering into an executive agreement with the Chinese government.

This was the observation of senators yesterday after members of the Cabinet appeared before a Senate inquiry to justify the alleged overpriced project.

Sen. Panfilo Lacson said since there was no executive agreement yet, the contract for the national broadband project should have been subjected to public bidding.

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