I wish to appeal for understanding from the people that this action will not affect the substantive issues at bar, nor impede justice and the rule of law.
The government had to take this action in order to forestall the further deterioration in our strategic relationship with the United States, which was being rapidly eroded by our non-compliance with the Visiting Forces Agreement.
Evalyn Ursua filed contempt charges against those involved in spiriting Daniel Smith out of Makati City Jail and bringing him to the US Embassy.
The U.S. couldn’t wait to reward Gloria Arroyo for putting American interests over that of her countrymen, they immediately announced that the Balikatan exercises in February will push through. Click here.
Malaya’s update on Smith custody:
Advisers of Sen. Panfilo Lacson have been telling him not to pursue his mayoralty plans because of questions of residency. Although he had registered in Manila as voter and has bought a house there, there are questions of actual residency. There have been legal jurisprudence that could be cited against him. Even if he won, the risk of disqualification is high.
This now paves the way for Sen. Alfredo Lim’s return to Manila as mayor.
Here’s the report of TJ Burgonio in the Philippine Daily Inquirer.
MANILA — Sen. Panfilo “Ping” Lacson is seeking reelection after all. Because of a possible disqualification over questions about his residency, the opposition senator has abandoned his much-talked about plan to run for mayor of Manila in next May’s elections.
Sabi ni Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, hindi raw alam ni Gloria Arroyo ang patagong paglipat kay Lance Corporal Daniel Smith sa U.S. Embassy noong Biyernes nang magha-hating gabi.
Sabi ni Ermita ang nagdesisyon raw ay ang National Security Council na pinamumunuan ni Norberto Gonzales. Nasa Baguio raw kasi si Arroyo kaya minabuti na raw nila na hindi na sasabihin.
Kung totoo ang sinasabi ni Ermita (panay sinungaling kasi sila kaya hindi mo malaman kung alin sa sinasabi ang totoo), ang lumalabas nito ay tau-tauhan na lamang nila pala si Arroyo.
By William M. Esposo
The Philippine Star 12/31/2006
Going into the New Year, the political scenario promises to be as exciting as the past two years – ever since Virgilio Garcillano came into vogue. I have been asked the following questions which I now endeavor to answer to the best of my ability to monitor and forecast political trends and events.
2007 Political Risks Q and A
Q: Will there still be restiveness in the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) after the post-February 24, 2006 clampdown and the arrest of the escaped Magdalo soldiers before the SONA (State of the Nation Address) in July of 2007?
May 2007 be a better year for all of us.
This picture was taken during the “Long Live the Emperor” Christmas party of the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippinees where ISAFP Chief Delfin Bangit gave out gifts (cash and appliances) furiously as if money would be abolished tomorrow.
Military sources said the funding for that party came from “the top”.
Click here for the story of Fe Zamora in the Philippine Daily Inquirer.
Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno thinks we are all stupid. Ginagago tayo.
Read this story by Norman Bordadora from the Philippine Daily Inquirer.
Tarra Quismundo said the operation was done in 30 minutes. Really well- planned.Click here.
Update: Gloria Arroyo didn’t know of Smith’s transfer to US Embassy- Ermita. Click here.
INTERIOR Secretary Ronaldo Puno yesterday said it was his office that decided to hand over American Marine Daniel Smith to US custody and this was in line with a Malacañang decision to comply with treaty obligations, to which President Macapagal-Arroyo agreed “in principle.”
Puno and Interior Undersecretary for Public Safety Marius Corpus said that the transfer pushed through late in the night to avoid security complications in case the convoy bearing Smith had to go through heavy traffic between the central business district in Makati and the US Embassy compound in Manila.
Talagang mahilig itong si Gloria Arroyo at ang kanyang mga alagad gumawa ng kababalaghan habang tulog ang sambayanang Pilipino.
Nagulat ako kahapon ng mabasa ko sa internet na nilipat pala noong Biyernes ng magha- hatinggabi si Lance Corporal Daniel Smith sa US embassy kahit na ang desisyon ng Makati Regional Trial Court at Court of Appeals ay dapat manatitli siya sa Makati jail.
Maala-ala natin noong 2004 nang ipinuklama ng mga congressman at senador si Gloria Arroyo na winner ng 2004 election madaling araw, habang tulog ang lahat na tao. Ginawa nila ito kahit maraming kaso ng dayaan ang inirereklamo ng oposisyon na sina Sen. Tessie Aquino-Oreta, Sen. Nene Pimentel, Sen. Serge Osmeña at Rep. Dilanggalen.
BAGHDAD, Iraq – Three years after he was hauled from a hole in the ground by pursuing U.S. forces, Saddam Hussein was hanged Saturday under…