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Ex-Ombudsman, reform group slam Garcia plea bargain

Published by Ellen on December 17, 2010

Ma. Gen. Carlos Garcia — The face of corruption in the military

Former Ombudsman Simeon Marcelo and a reform group criticized state prosecutors for entering into a plea bargaining agreement with ex-military comptroller Major Gen. Carlos Garcia who was facing plunder and money laundering charges worth P303 million.

Just in time for Christmas, the Sandiganbayan antigraft court on Friday ordered the release of former military comptroller Carlos Garcia, who had been detained for the past six years while on trial for amassing P303 million in ill-gotten assets.

The Sandiganbayan Second Division has granted Garcia’s petition for bail and ordered the Philippine National Police to release him from its custody.
. http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20101218-309627/Sandigan-frees-general-facing-plunder-charges

Marcelo said the plea bargaining agreement, which allowed Garcia to enter guilty pleas for the lesser and bailable offenses of direct bribery and violation of Section 4-B of the Anti-Money Laundering Act (AMLA), is illegal.

“Under the rules of court, a plea bargaining agreement may only be entered if the prosecution has not yet started the presentation of evidence. In this case, the prosecution has already completed it. Further, the court has already ruled that the prosecution has presented sufficient evidence to convict Garcia,” he said in a text message.

Promulgation on Oakwood ‘coup’ deferred indefinitely

Published by Ellen on December 16, 2010

after deferment of promulgation dec 16 '10 — Hopes to finally be able to perform duty in the Senate next year

Judge Oscar Pimentel of Makati Regional Trial Court Branch 148 today (Dec 16) deferred the promulgation on the 2003 Oakwood coup d’etat case against the Magdalo soldiers including Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV.

Pimentel said he is bowing to the wisdom of President Aquino’s amnesty proclamation for members of the military that rebelled against Gloria Arroyo. Amnesty Proclamation No. 75 has been concurred in by Congress.

Magdalo Spokesman Ashley Acedillo said, “We thank the Court not only for submitting to the grace of the State but more importantly, in keeping with the spirit of the season.”
From ABS-CBN:

The Makati City Regional Trial Court (RTC) on Thursday deferred the promulgation of the decision on the rebellion cases filed against Senator Antonio Trillanes IV and members of the so-called Magdalo Group involved in the 2003 Oakwood Mutiny.

SC acquits Webb et al

Published by Ellen on December 14, 2010

Eyewitness’ testimony found ‘unbelievable’

By Nikko Dizon
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Hubert Webb and six others were acquitted Tuesday of the grisly 1991 Vizconde massacre by the Supreme Court, which thrashed the testimony of the prosecution’s star witness Jessica Alfaro as “incredible and unbelievable.”

So, who did it? Who murdered Estrellita Vizconde and her daughters Jennifer, 7, and Carmela, 18, who was raped before being stabbed to death?

Voting 7-4, the high court acquitted Webb, Antonio Lejano, Michael Gatchalian, Hospicio Fernandez, Miguel Rodriguez, Peter Estrada and Gerardo Biong “for failure of the prosecution to prove their guilt beyond reasonable doubt.”

House approves amnesty proclamation for Trillanes et al

Published by Ellen on December 13, 2010

Judge Oscar Pimentel of Makati Regional Trial Court denied the petition of Trillanes to cancel promulgation of the coup d ‘etat case in the light of the amnesty proclamation. Promulgation today.

In a vote of 213 “Yes” and seven “No”, the House of Representatives concurred with Proclamation 75 which grants amnesty to military and police personnel who participated in the July 2003 Oakwood mutiny, the February 2006 attempted withdrawal of support and the November 2007 Manila Peninsula siege.

Some congressmen took time to explain their vote. Bayan Rep. Teddy Casiño said, “Patriots deserve freedom.”

While a number of them expressed the hope that it would be the last amnesty to military rebels they would have to concur with, Rep. Salvador Escudero said, “I pray that the present and future governments govern well” so as not to give reasons for members of the military to rebel.

Sanga-sangang problema dahil sa palpak na desisyon sa trahedya ng Agosto 23

Published by Ellen on December 12, 2010

Sinabi ni Pangulong Aquino sa Inquirer na kaya daw yumuko ang Pilipinas sa kagustuhan ng China na boykotin ang awarding ceremonies ng prestihoso na Nobel Peace Prize sa Intsik na aktibista na si Liu Xiaobo ay dahil daw sa limang Pilipino na nasa death row sa China.

Nilalakad kasi ng Pilipinas na salbahin ang limang Pilipino na yun sa kamatayan.

Dalawang rason pa ang sinabi niya: ang Agosto 23 na trahedya at ang girian ng South at North Korea dahil may 50,000 na Pilipino raw sa South Korea.

Hayaan na natin ang away ng South Korea at North Korea. Sobrang malayo na yun sa isyu na ito.

Is Aquino saying that protection of drug traffickers is national interest?

Published by Ellen on December 12, 2010

There is something wrong here.

President Aquino said the Philippine government boycotted the awarding of the Nobel peace prize to Chinese dissident Liu Xiaobo in exchange for the freedom of five Filipinos in the death row in China for drug trafficking.

Are we condoning drug trafficking?

What happens now to our own fight against illegal drugs? If we ask foreign governments to relax their laws against Filipinos involved in trafficking of illegal drugs, have we the right to be hard on other nationalities involved in drug trafficking in our own country?

Kaya naman pala eh

Published by Ellen on December 11, 2010

Ang pagpalaya sa mga Morong 43 ay nagpapatunay na kung gusto talaga, mahahanapan ng paraan. Kaya gawin.

Salamat naman at nagkaroon ng “political will” si Pangulong Aquino na pakawalan ang Morong 43, ang 43 na health workers na nakakulong ng sampung buwan mula pa nang sila ay inaresto noong Pebrero habang sila ay nasa outreach program.

Sa kanyang memorandum order na pinalabas noong Biyernes, sinabi ni Aquino sang-ayon siya na may pagkukulang sa batas ang pag-aresto ng 43. Ito ay nangyari ng malapit na matapos ang termino ni Gloria Arroyo na walang pakundangan nilalabag ang karapating pantao ng mamamayan..

Aquino orders dropping of charges vs jailed health workers

Published by Ellen on December 10, 2010

By Norman Bordadora
Philippine Daily Inquirer, Radyo Inquirer

President Aquino ordered the Department of Justice to withdraw the charges of illegal possession of firearms and explosives against 43 health workers arrested in Morong, Rizal, on suspicion of being members of the communist New People’s Army.

“The medical workers were arrested in the waning days of the Arroyo administration on the suspicion that they were aiding NPA insurgents. These are valid concerns. Nevertheless, we recognize that their right to due process was denied them,” President Aquino said in a brief televised speech on the occasion of International Human Rights Day.

“As a government that is committed to the rule of law and the rights of man, this cannot stand. Therefore, I have ordered the DOJ to withdraw the informations filed before the court,” Aquino added.

Thank China for the lighthouse

Published by Ellen on December 9, 2010

From Vietnamese website — Subi Reef in 2007, from Vietnamese website

We perfectly understand why the military has to deny VERA Files story about their discovery of a lighthouse that China has constructed on Subi Reef in the hotly-contested Spratly islands.

At this time, when the wound created by the Aug. 23 tragedy has not healed as shown by the rejection by Beijing three times of request of a meeting by President Aquino with either the Chinese premier or the president, the Philippines does not want to ruffle further Chinese feelings.

Just to regain China’s favor, the Philippines has joined the boycott tomorrow of the awarding ceremony for Nobel Peace Prize winner Liu Xiaobo in Oslo, Norway.

Philippines draws vs Myanmar, off to ASEAN semis

Published by Ellen on December 8, 2010

From ABS-CBN:

The Philippine national football team advanced to the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) Suzuki Cup semi-final for the first time by holding Myanmar to a goalless draw in Vietnam on Wednesday.

Myanmar dominated offensively in the first half, but the Azkals’ defense stayed solid throughout the match held at the Hien Truong Stadium in Nam Dinh.

Philippine coach Simon McMenemy’s squad, however, was dangerous after the half-time break, with at least 3 scoring attempts rattling the uprights and the crossbar.

The Myanmar goalkeeper was also kept busy by long-range strikes.

The Myanmar players were aggressive in the first half, but gradually lost steam.

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