Here’s Inquirer report on what happened in the courtmartial hearing of 28 officers involved in the alleged February 2006 coup plot.
Click here for the much-requested Pre-Trial Investigation Report.
A military court on Tuesday acceded to demands of 28 Army Scout Ranger and Marine officers facing mutiny charges that they be furnished copies of the pre-trial investigation (PTI) report, which was the basis used by the Armed Forces chief of staff to order them tried.
Newsbreak has a more detailed account of this morning’s hearing complete with background of the case. Click here.
Isinalang si Mike Arroyo kahapon sa witness stand sa kasong libel na kanyang isinampa laban kay Jake Macasaet, publisher ng Malaya at business editor Rosario Galang.
“Ang yabang ng dating,” sabi ng isang reporter na nandun sa hearing. Tatlo at kalahating oras sa witness stand si Arroyo.
Nagsisimula pa lang ang hearing, mainit na ang ulo ni Arroyo at may pagka-siga ang sagot sa mga tanong ng abogado ni Macasaet na si Atty. Paul Arias. Nakipagdebate sa abogado kaya sinabi sa kanya ni Arias, “Sagutin mo ang aking tanong. Hindi ka dapat nakiki-pagdebate sa counsel.”
Mike Arroyo took the witness stand this morning in the hearing of the libel case he filed against Malaya Publisher Jake Macasaet and business editor Rosario Galang.
A reporter who was in the courtroom said, Arroyo, in a white barong, was arrogant as ever. In the course of the cross examination, Arroyo challenged Macasaet’s lawyer, Paul Arias , “Let’s settle this outside.”
Arias replied, “I’m willing to oblige you.”
It was the most unexpected occasion by the most unexpected person to be reminded that 21 years ago, the nation stood united for freedom and democracy and ousted a well-entrenched dictator.
It was the first encore (he did three) of the brilliant Romanian violinist Alexandru Tomescu that reminded us of the exhilarating moment evening of Feb. 24, 1986 when it was announced that Ferdinand Marcos and his family had left Malacañang.
Tomescu played “Bayan Ko”, the anthem of Filipino freedom fighters. It was actually his tribute to the late conductor-violinist Redentor Romero, who introduced him to the Filipino audience in 1999.
By Reinir Padua and Jocelyn Montemayor
Malaya
THE United States has denied the petition for political asylum of former agriculture undersecretary Jocelyn “Joc Joc” Bolante, a UP law professor who has been monitoring the case said yesterday.
“My sources have said that was denied three or four days ago… Maybe on Wednesday,” Harry Roque said in a phone interview.
“It was denied because of insufficiency (of evidence his life was in danger)… He doesn’t qualify for an asylum… The judge (handling his case) is very strict,” he said.
And he says it is not electioneering which he forbids all soldiers to do. Victor Reyes’ report in Malaya.
Armed Forces chief Gen. Hermo-genes Esperon Jr. yesterday said he hopes retired Maj. Gen. Jovito Palparan, scourge of communists and alleged mastermind of a rash of extra-judicial killings, will win if and when he runs for congressman of Misamis Oriental.
“That is a matter of personal choice and an exercise of an individual freedom that is accorded to all Filipinos. So, if he wants to enter (politics), I will wish him luck and I hope that he will succeed in what he is doing,” said Esperon. He quickly clarified, however, that he was not speaking for the AFP.
Abs-cbn’s report of GO proclamation rally:
The proclamation rally of the Genuine Opposition at Plaza Miranda in Quiapo, Manila Saturday was dominated by anti-Arroyo speeches from its senatorial candidates as they brought back issues that have rocked President Arroyo’s six-year administration.
In its almost three-hour proclamation rally, the opposition candidates slammed President Arroyo for her policies such as the calibrated preemptive response, Proclamation 1017 and the Malacañang-backed Charter change.
They also assailed the President for alleged corruption such as the fertilizer scam, the reported electoral fraud that marred the 2004 presidential elections and the high incidence of extrajudicial killings in the country.
Ang kumakalat ngayon na text: “Sabi ni Kiko Pangilinan, hindi siya sasama sa proclamation rally ng GO. Sagot ng bayan, “Noted.”
Sana sa palabas ng kolum na ito natanggal na si Francis Pangilinan sa listahan ng Genuine Opposition.
Hindi naman talaga siya bagay dahil hindi naman siyang totoong oposisyon sa pandaraya ni Gloria Arroyo. Kasabwat pa nga siya.
There’s a famous political quote, “Can you defend it in Plaza Miranda?”
The Genuine Opposition is taking up that challenge as they will hold their proclamation at Plaza Miranda tomorrow at 5 p.m.
Meanwhile, Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan continues to act high and mighty. He issued a press statement that he will not be attending the Go proclamation rally.
Statement of senatorial candidate Antonio F. Trillanes IV
During the past several days, I’ve been the target of verbal attacks by some officials and candidates of this administration. While I expected this type of gutter politics from them, I was hoping that they were at least man enough to let me address their attacks squarely by not opposing my court motion to be allowed access to media. I want a fair fight.
For that matter, I hearby challenge candidate Joker Arroyo to a debate on resolutions to our country’s problems. I am not a debater myself, but I believe this is a way of “elevating the level of election campaigning” to where it ought to be. May the candidate with the better prescriptions win.
If you are up to the challenge then let us immediately make the necessary arrangements. If not, then keep your “trapo” ways to yourself because it is a disservice to the electorate.