By Joel Guinto
It was not Marine Captain Nicanor Faeldon talking in an interview that was aired on television on Tuesday evening, his lawyer said.
“That’s not him. That’s not his style,” said lawyer Trixie Cruz-Angeles, who represents the fugitive rebel officer in civilian and court martial cases.
At the same time, Angeles said the voice clip could be part of a ploy by the military to force Faeldon out of hiding.
Update on broken rice or binlid
The heart-rending scene of poor people, including children and the physically disabled, lining up for six hours every day for two kilos of rice is a warning of a simmering social volcano.
But the worst is yet to come, says Duncan Macintosh, spokesman of the International Rice Research Institute in a media interview shared with us by a friend.
Macintosh said, “Our concern is for October and November. Were very concerned that the rice production and supply situation in the Philippines may get worse in October and November. “
[UPDATE, 2 p.m.: The Supreme Court this afternoon ordered Commission on Higher Education chairman Romulo Neri to comment within 10 days on a Senate motion asking the tribunal to reconsider its March 25 ruling uploading executive privilege.]
BAGUIO CITY—The Supreme Court is expected to reach a decision this afternoon on the Senate’s motion for reconsideration on the high tribunal’s ruling upholding the executive privilege invoked by Commission on Higher Education chairman Romulo Neri.
Neri had refused to answer before a Senate inquiry three questions pertaining to the controversial national broadband network project.
Dahil sa kawalang kredibilidad ng administrasyong Arroyo, marami ang nagdududa kung meron talagang krisis sa bigas kahit na araw-araw maraming mahihirap ay anim na oras na pumipila para lamang makabili ng dalawang kilong bigas sa NFA.
Marami ang nagsu-suspetsa, kasama na si dating Pangulong Estrada at si Jun Lozada ang star witness sa imbestigasyon ng ZTE na gawa-gawa lang ni Gloria Arroyo ang kriris sa bigas para matabunan ang eskandalo ng NBN/ZTE kung saan maaring sabit si Arroyo.
Spare us, please, the lie that the guilty plea of Captains Gerardo Gambala and Milo Maestrocampo and seven other officers was not the beginning of the devious script that will end with Gloria Arroyo pardoning them.
Gambala and company were a pitiable sight in that presscon last Friday arranged by the military at the Philippine Army Officers Club. It was heartbreaking.
AFP Chief Hermogenes Esperon could have executed the script without subjecting the nine to further indignity with a public plea for pardon. The officers could have just written the fake president a letter. But no, Arroyo and Esperon get their high from torturing people.
Sabi ni Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap, “Wala tayong krisis sa pagkain. Ang krisis ay sa presyo”
Kaya mahirap talaga kapag masyado marunong ang isang tao katulad ni Gloria Arroyo at ng kanyang mga kampon dahil ang daming naiisip na anggulo. Sa ordinaryong Pilipino kasi, lalo na sa mahihirap, ang mahalaga ay may makain. Kapag walang makain, krisis yan.
‘Scripted clemency’ playing out?
by Victor Reyes
Nine junior officers who have been meted prison terms by a Makati court for the 2003 Oakwood mutiny yesterday asked for forgiveness for their misdeeds as they said they are seeking “mercy” from President Arroyo.
The nine, led by Capt. Gerardo Gambala, faced the media in a press conference in Fort Bonifacio for the first time since the promulgation of their sentence last Tuesday.
Update, Apr 12: Col. Querubin back in the hospital after he experienced chest pain again Friday.
It’s a blessing in disguise that his planned transfer to Camp Capinpin last Wednesday didn’t push through.
More details in comments section below.
Maj. Gen. Renato Miranda and Col. Ariel Querubin were brought back to Camp Capinpin in Tanay, Rizal last Wednesday (April 9) in what is seen as escalation of pressure by AFP Chief Hermogenes Esperon.
The rest of the officers will be brought back in batches to their former detention facility which was fortified while they were at the ISAFP compound in Camp Aguinaldo. While before the set up was barracks style, Esperon has individual cells built. Para ring nakabartolina.
Lady Justice is really blind under Gloria Arroyo’s rule
by Peter J. G. Tabingo
Malaya
Retired Major Gen. Carlos F. Garcia scored his second straight court victory against the government Thursday after the Sandiganbayan Second Division acquitted him of a perjury charge alleging misrepresentations in his 1998 statement of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN).
Remember my column last April 4 titled “The offers”? More details are coming out:
by Victor Reyes
Malaya
A lawyer of officers facing court martial for an alleged overthrow attempt in February 2006 yesterday said Armed Forces chief Gen. Hermogenes Esperon has sent a member of his staff to make “overtures” to the accused.
Trixie Angeles said Maj. Cristobal “CJ” Perez has approached the officers twice since last week, asking them what he could do for their pending cases, particularly those of the junior officers.