There’s a saying in Tagalog “umiikot ang puwit” which means jittery; feeling uneasy and nervous.
The decision of the Supreme Court allowing the House of Representatives to proceed with the impeachment proceeding against Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez should make not only Gutierrez nervous but her patrons, the former occupants of Malacañang.
The Supreme Court justices are supposed not to be influenced by public opinion but they would not be human not to be affected by the public outrage over the plea bargain agreement entered into by the Ombudsman with former military comptroller Maj. Gen. Carlos Garcia.
A cavalier, a term used for graduates of the Philippine Military Academy, forwarded to me a series of texts.The first one was this:”Let us not forget the uncavalier act of Antonio Trillanes that humiliated and shamed Cav Reyes to the public.
“When the proper time comes, let every cavalier judge Antonio Trillanes and put him where he rightfully belongs.The time of reckoning is about to come.”
It was followed by other Trillanes demolition texts which were circulated immediately after the 2003 Oakwood incident and revived during the 2007 senatorial campaign. It’s about the finances and rifts in Magdalo. Those misinformations have been answered by Trillanes.
One PMAer also texted me that in the forthcoming PMA alumni homecoming, there’s a plan by some to put up a streamer, “Let’s boycott Trillanes in the next national election. Be a wise voter!”
Former AFP Chief Hermogenes Esperon (Class ’74) has chimed in and said he was also hurt of the treatment by Trillanes (Class ’95) of Reyes (Class ’66). He said, “Sobrang yabang ng batang ‘yan” (That young man is so arrogant.)
Nagmumura ang aking mga kaibigan ng nanunuod siya ng necrological service para kay dating AFP Chief Angelo Reyes noong Sabado ng gabi sa na kinuber ng ANC ng live.
Sabi niya sa mga papuri ng mga matataas na opisyal ng military kay Reyes, na nagpakamatay noong Martes, lumalabas na despalinghado ang pagiisip nitong mga opisyal na sinuswelduhan ng taumbayan.
Sabi ko “huwag ka na kasi manood para huwag ka na ma-stress.” May pagkamasukista naman itong aking kaibigan, nanood pa rin pero text siya ng text sa akin na minumura ang mga nagsasalita.
Unlike other cultures, our Filipino culture does not accord suicides by public figures one clear and definitive meaning.
Thus the message of a Filipino dying in public by his own hand often ends up being contested, improvised and twisted by various interested parties. And so it is with the tragic death of General Angelo Reyes. Did he put a bullet through his heart in an ultimate admission of personal responsibility for whatever wrong he had committed? Or was his willful termination of his own life a sublime act of protest to assert his innocence against unfair yet unremitting persecution?
The death of someone like Gen. Reyes who served our country for most of his life deserves our respect, prayers and reflection. This is a tragedy to one person, to his family and to many who believed and admired him for his personal, professional and public life. For his fellow Filipinos that Gen. Reyes left behind, his chosen timing and manner of exiting the public stage and this mortal world challenges us to seek some meaning and purpose from such a tragic loss. We, former senior government officials, choose to see the death of Gen. Reyes in the light of the principle that public office is a public trust.
1. We find no honor in a death without meaning to the welfare of our nation.
by VERA Files News that former Defense Secretary and Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Angelo Reyes on Tuesday committed suicide shocked the…
Photo by Luis Liwanag for VERA FilesRetired Navy Commodore Rex Robles said in his talk with former AFP Chief Angelo Reyes the past weeks, the latter was very worried and felt the walls coming down on him.
His last conversation with Reyes was Monday noon. Reyes told him that Gloria Arroyo called him up recently to inquire about two things: One, she wanted to know who was the mistah of Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV who delivered his (Reyes) Jan. 14, 2011 letter to the senator asking him to reveal who was “powerful person” behind former military comptroller Carlos Garcia, and two, she wanted to know why Robles was attacking Paranaque Rep. Roilo Golez.
It must be noted that Reyes sent Trillanes the letter before former military budget officer, Lt. Col. George Rabusa with his expose on Reyes getting P50 million send-off gift and P10 million allowance every month on Jan. 27. At this time, the issue was limited to the plea bargain agreement between the Ombudsman and Garcia.Does this mean Reyes knew he would be dragged into the controversy?
On Arroyo’s second concern, Robles said he is suspicious of Golez’ motive in attacking Reyes and that it is diverting the issue from Garcia. He said that people protecting Garcia are doing it through Golez.
May you find your peace with the Lord.Former AFP Chief Angelo Reyes shot himself in front of his mother’s grave at the Loyola Memorial Park in Marikina.
He was brought to Quirino Memorial Hospital where he expired. It happened minutes past 7 a.m.
Retired Navy Commodore Rex Robles said he talked with Reyes yesterday noon. He sounded worried. He said Gloria Arroyo called him up recently.
1. She wanted to know who was the mistah of Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV who delivered his (Reyes) letter to the senator asking him to reveal who was behind former military comptroller Carlos Garcia.
2.Arroyo also wanted to know why Robles was attacking Paranaque Rep. Roilo Golez.
Robles said he was with Reyes two nights last week.
Related article by Glenda Gloria in the Comments section.
Health Secretary Enrique Ona who was at the hospital gave the official medical bulletin that Reyes was pronounced dead officially at 8:32 am.
A former budget officer of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Thursday accused former Defense chief Angelo Reyes of receiving not less than P50 million as “pabaon” (send-off money) when he retired as military chief of staff in 2001.
“Upon retirement we give some amount to the retiring chief of staff,” bared former Army Col. George Rabusa during the Senate hearing on the controversial plea bargain agreement entered into by former AFP comptroller Maj. General Carlos Garcia and the Office of the Ombudsman.
Other highlights of the hearing:
-Special Prosecutor Wendell said in the light of the Rabusa testimony they may re-open the probe on Garcia.
-“I’m not applying to become a state witness,” Garcia said when asked by Trillanes the possibility of changing his mind and cooperate with the government.
Rabusa said he and then AFP comptroller Lt. Gen. Jacinto Ligot, his superior, personally brought the money to Reyes at the AFP chief of staff quarters dubbed as the “White House.”
Parañaque Rep. Roilo Golez sees conflict of interest in the membership of Energy Secretary Angelo Reyes in 1-Utak (United Transport Koalisyun), a partylist group.
Golez said in the hearing of the House Energy Committee last Monday, Reyes admitted that he was offered a slot in the 1-Utak party list and in a TV interview, he said he is considering it.
His nomination indicates that he has been a member of the past three months because the law states that a nominee should be “A bona fide member of the party he seeks to represent for at least ninety (90) days preceding election day.”
