Politics – Page 6 – ellen tordesillas

Luzon also heavily damaged by Frank?

Published by Ellen on July 16, 2008

The agriculture department has announced that it will soon launch a P70 million piglet dispersal and feed subsidy program for backyard hog growers hit by typhoon Frank. The program, DA said, is part of its efforts to rehabilitate farms and fishponds hit by the typhoon.

That’s the kind of short-gestating projects that the typhoon ravaged areas need to get back on their feet. After 90 days, a piglet reaches marketable size. The grower gets additional income. There’s more food to go around, easing the pressure of demand running after commodities in short supply.

Illusion of U.S support

Published by Ellen on July 13, 2008

Gloria Arroyo’s issuance of Executive Order 731 two weeks before her trip to the United States last month gives credence to talks that she was anticipating trouble that would be caused by soaring gas prices and she sought the support of U.S. President Bush in case she would have to resort to measures akin to martial law..

E.O. 731, issued June 7, 2008 but made public only last week is titled “Activating and Reorganizing the Energy Operations Board into the Energy Contingency Task Force Under the National Food and Energy Council”. It is based on the premise that “global clouds on the horizon are driving the cost of oil and food.”

Salivating over SSS P234 billion funds

Published by Ellen on July 11, 2008

To ensure the silence of Romy Neri on her role on the NBN-ZTE deal, Gloria Arroyo had to give him a cabinet rank so he would be covered by executive privilege. Since being SSS chair is not a cabinet rank, she formed a National Welfare Council headed by an SSS administrator to be vested with cabinet rank. Randy David said Arroyo is able to get away with it “Because we allow it”. Click on the highlighted title to read his column.

Malaya editorial:

Romulo Neri was quick to bristle at accusations that his appointment as
president/administrator of the Social Security System was a “gift” from Gloria Arroyo. Indeed it was not gift, defined as something voluntarily given without compensation. His appointment is payment for keeping his mouth shut on the role of Arroyo in the aborted $329 million raid on the treasury via the national broadband deal.

It’s strictly an exchange of things of value between the two. Neri gets a sinecure; Gloria gets to sleep soundly at night, free from fears she would be fingered as the real mastermind of the NBN deal with Chinas ZTE corporation.

‘Huge bribes’ delayed $503-M Northrail project, says lawyer

Published by Ellen on July 5, 2008

by Jess Diaz
The Philippine Star

The Chinese contractor of the $503-million North Rail project wants out because of the “huge bribe” paid to Filipino officials, causing a five-year delay in the project, according to a lawyer familiar with the case.

Speaking at the Serye Café news forum in Quezon City, lawyer Harry Roque said China National Machinery and Equipment Group (CNMEG), a state-owned corporation, spent most of the $150 million advanced by the government under its contract paying bribes.

‘This Senator will continue to serve’-Trillanes

Published by Ellen on June 30, 2008

Press statement from the office of Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV on the dismissal of the Supreme Court of his petitition to be allowed to perform his job as senator:

Regardless of the circumstances, be assured that this Senator will continue to serve you.” These were the fighting words from detained Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, upon the announcement of a Supreme Court decision barring his attendance of Senate hearings.

The 16-page unanimous ruling affirmed the decision of Makati Trial Court Branch 148 Judge Oscar Pimentel Sr. against Trillanes’ petition to be allowed to attend all Senate functions, to have an office in his detention cell, and to receive members of his staff in his detention office.

Two dismaying court decisions

Published by Ellen on June 27, 2008

This is another sad day for democracy.

The Supreme Court junked the petition of Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV to be allowed to perform his duties as senator.

A Makati Regional Trial Court, meanwhile, dismissed the class suit filed by members of media and concerned citizens against government offficials responsible for the former’s arbitrary arrest and handcuffing duringthe Nov. 29, 2007 Manila Peninsula incident.

Following are the news reports:

Natablan na rin ang iba

Published by Ellen on June 25, 2008

Ayon sa balita, uuwi na raw ngayong araw si Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap at si Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro naman ay susunod bukas.

Inigsi-an ni Yap at Teodoro ang kanilang pagsama kay Arroyo dahil sa batikos sa kay Arroyo at ng mga kasama niya sa kanilang pagliliwaliw sa Amerika habang dumaranas ng paghihirap ang maraming Filipino na nasalanta ng bagyong “Frank.”

Ngunit ang kapal talaga ng magpamilyang Arroyo at ng mga kongresista.

The US junket

Published by Ellen on June 24, 2008

Correction: Iloilo Rep. Arthur Defensor is not with Arroyo in the U.S.

The Inquirer reported that Defensor cancelled his trip to Europe to attend to oversee the rehabilitation of his district (3rd) which was badly hit by typhoon “Frank”. My apologies.

While thousands of our countrymen are pre-occupied with coping with deaths and devastation left by typhoon “Frank,” members of Gloria Arroyo’s entourage are busy posing for souvenir photos with American officials.

A member of Arroyo’s delegation relates a comical incident at the photo session after the meeting of Arroyo with Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte. Other officials in that meeting were Ambassador Kristie Kenny, Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo and Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro.

Perfect timing si Arroyo

Published by Ellen on June 23, 2008

Ang galing ng timing ni Gloria Arroyo.

Kaya ayan, habang nakikipag-bolahan siya doon sa Amerika kay George Bush at kung sino pang grupong mabobola niya, ang headlines sa buong mundo ay ang paglubog ng MV Princess of Stars na sobra 800 katao ang sakay.

“Frank” batters RP while Gloria Arroyo junkets in the U.S.

Published by Ellen on June 22, 2008

Dead bodies were found floating in the waters of Sibuyan island in Romblon. They were believed to be passengers of “MV Princess of Stars” that sank at the height of typhoon Frank’s onslaught. The ship was carrying more than 700 passengers and 120 crew members.

Click here for the AP report in GMA-7 online.

Category: Politics