Category: Politics

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.

by Dennis Gadil

Jose de Venecia III yesterday said Miguel “Mike” Arroyo tried to bully him into backing out from the controversial national broadband network project in favor of Zhong Xing Telecommunications Equipment Corp. (ZTE), the Chinese company allegedly sponsored by Elections chairman Benjamin Abalos Sr.

“It is with a heavy heart that I cannot deny that it was First Gentleman Mike Arroyo at the reconciliatory meeting,” De Venecia said at the first hearing by the Senate blue ribbon into the allegedly overpriced $329 million contract.

De Venecia, son of Speaker Jose de Venecia, earlier said there was a “powerful” man who joined Abalos in asking him to drop the bid of his company, Amsterdam Holdings Inc., during a meeting at Wack Wack Golf Club also attended by Transport Secretary Leandro Mendoza.

On the eve of the Senate investigation on the controversial project where Joey de Venecia is supposed to name the Mystery Man that ordered him to back out of the project in favor of ZTE Corp, Gloria Arroyo’s husband, Mike Arroyo, left for Hongkong.

Malaya’s story:

Mike takes a long trip
JOSE Miguel Arroyo quietly left late yesterday afternoon on a Cathay Pacific flight for Spain via Hong Kong.

He was accompanied by Rey David, president of the Development Bank of the Philippines.

Joey de Venecia’s affidavit, click here.

Joey de Venecia, son and namesake of Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. vowed to identify in a proper forum the “mystery man” who was with Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman Benjamin Abalos when the latter allegedly tried to bribe him with $10 million.

He said Abalos brought the “influential person” with him apparently to make him accept the $10 million bribe offer.

The quessing game now is: Is it Mike Arroyo, husband of Gloria Arroyo? Or is it Buboy Macapagal, brother of Gloria Arroyo?

When I got home late last night, my sister-in-law told me that my blog was mentioned in TV Patrol. It was in relation to this photo of Medy Poblador, presidential-legislative liaison officer.

By Raul Pangalangan
Inquirer

The public response to the conviction of former president Joseph Estrada has been mixed because the issue that was decided by a court of law–namely, whether Erap was guilty or innocent–is inextricably bound up with an issue that can only be decided in the court of public opinion: whether we have treated the man fairly by prosecuting him while letting innumerable malevolent Malacañang allies get away scot free.

These are two separate and distinct discourses, each guided by a different set of rules. We confuse ourselves when we shuttle back and forth unconsciously, using the same term–justice–as if it meant the same thing in both contexts.

Are you going to heed her appeal for support?

by Jocelyn Montemayor

In the light of an expected backlash from the conviction of President Joseph Estrada for plunder, President Arroyo Wednesday night called on public and private leaders in positions of responsibility to stand by her.

“I am bound and determined to captain a steady ship,” she said at the launch of the forum for peace attended by Christian bishops, Muslim ulamas (preachers) and military and police officials in Malacañang.

While everybody’s blood pressure was shooting up over the Sandiganbayan decision finding Erap guilty of plunder while Gloria Arroyo, the biggest crook of them all, continues to be in Malacañang enjoying her stolen power, I went on a leisurely stroll at Greenbelt in Makati. I discovered something fascinating.

The first cubicle in the women’s restroom in Greenbelt 3 has a bidet. I have seen this gadget in hotels in Japan but this is the first time I saw one installed in a public toilet.

On the right wall next to the toilet bowl are several buttons. I pressed the button that says “Anal wide nozzle” and I felt l that part of my body being cleaned while I just sat and relaxed.

by Ashzel Hachero

THE United Opposition (UNO) yesterday said the guilty verdict handed down by the Sandiganbayan on former President Joseph was the last piece in the Arroyo administration’s “illegitimacy puzzle.”

“We knew that Erap was bound to be convicted regardless of the facts of the case, or else GMA’s ascension to the presidency in 2001 cannot be deemed anything else but illegal and contrary to proper procedure. Within that context, they had to find him guilty,” said Makati Mayor and UNO president Jejomar Binay.

He said if this was the “closure” sought and achieved in the Estrada case, it follows that similar closure would have to be attained in the many cases of fraud and corruption under the Arroyo administration.

It’s guilty for plunder for Estrada.

Not guilty for perjury.

Jinggoy and Edward Serapio, not guilty.