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No executive privilege to hide crime

This part of Associate Justice Antonio Carpio’s dissenting opinion is the whole point of the issue whether Romulo Neri’s invocation of executive privilege upholds or hampers the search for truth and rule of law:

“Executive privilege must be exercised by the President in pursuance of official powers and functions. Executive privilege cannot be invoked to hide a crime because the President is neither empowered nor tasked to conceal a crime. On the contrary, the President has the constitutional duty to enforce criminal laws and cause the prosecution of crimes.

“Petitioner categorically admits that his discussions with the President “dwelt on the impact of bribery scandal involving high Government officials.” Petitioner’s discussions with the President dealt not on simple bribery, but on scandalous bribery involving high Government officials of the Philippines.

“In a letter dated 29 November 2007 to the Chairs of the Committees, petitioner’s counsel declared: ‘ His conversations with the President dealt with delicate and sensitive national security and diplomatic matters relating to the impact of bribery scandal involving high Government officials and the possible loss of confidence of foreign investors and lenders in the Philippines. x x x ‘

“Petitioner admits, and there can be no dispute about this admission, that his discussions with the President dwelt on a bribery scandal involving high Government officials of the Philippines.

“Executive privilege can never be used to hide a crime or wrongdoing, even if committed by high government officials. Executive privilege applies only to protect official acts and functions of the President, never to conceal illegal acts by anyone, not even those of the President. “

“Petitioner admits in his Petition, and through his counsel in the 15 November 2007 letter to the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee and during the oral arguments, that he discussed with the President a “bribery scandal involving high government officials.” This particular discussion of petitioner with the President is not covered by executive privilege. The invocation of executive privilege on the three questions dwelling on a bribery scandal is clearly unjustified and void. Public office is a public trust and not a shield to cover up wrongdoing. Petitioner must answer the three questions asked by the Senate Committees.”

My blog rained with expletives from people who are outraged by the Supreme Court decision penned by Associate Justice Teresita de Castro favoring Neri not answering questions on his conversation with Gloria Arroyo on the NBN/ZTE deal. Here are some of the milder comments:

Parasamasarap (in his 20’s working in the broadcast industry): We’ve been f…! I spit on the faces of these nine crony justices! (Eduardo Nachura,Dante Tinga,Renato Corona,Presbiterio Velasco, Minita Chico Nazario, Teresita Leonardo de Castro, Ruben Reyes, Leonardo Quisumbing, Arturo Brion) Shame on you and shame on the robes you’re wearing! F…Y.. To the streets!

Tongue—Twisted (a businessman): “Unbelievable. The shock almost paralyzed my system I didn’t want to open the blogs yesterday and the day before. Fucking justices had just upheld a tyrant’s right to steal from the people and be allowed to avoid any investigative body. If that is our justice system working right there, or pretending to be, the can take their justice and shove it where the sun don’t shine!

“Nine more people just made the list. These lowlife scums do not deserve any modicum of respect. S… their kind belong in the dumps. That is where we will take them when this is all over.

Reporters got this text yesterday from a number unfamiliar to us. It was not from the usual “rebel” groups: “In the light of the Supreme Court on Neri’s case, We, the Junior Officers of the AFP and PNP hereby declare a Constitutional crisis. Truth will never come out under GMA’s corrupt, abusive and immoral regime.

“We are enjoining all patriotic Filipinos to join us in settling this matter in the People’s Court!”

Published inNBN/ZTEPolitics

97 Comments

  1. d0d0ng d0d0ng

    “Executive privilege applies only to protect official acts and functions of the President, never to conceal illegal acts by anyone, not even those of the President.”

    This truth is completely lost on the 9 inJUSTICES. Neri’s own admission of discussion with the president is the focal point – BRIBERY. How can discussion of BRIBERY be covered by executive privilege? Only the 9 monkeys can, including the new appointee who did not have the delicadeza to inhibit himself.

    THIS IS THE DAY THE SUPREME COURT LOST THE RESPECT AND FAITH OF THE FILIPINOS UPON THE INSTITUTION.

    SUPREME COURT BY ITS DECISION INSTITUTIONALIZES PRESIDENT DISCUSSION OF BRIBERY AS PRIVILEGE COMMUNICATION COVERED BY EXECUTIVE PRIVILEGE.

    PWE!

  2. ohhhh…crime…magtago ka under ex-privilege.. this only in the philippines…

  3. Isaac H Isaac H

    Dodong, tama ka. Pero hindi yon ang interpretation ng 9 justices of the Supreme Court. Antayin mo ang motion for reconsideration, baka mali ka pa rin. According to wim- bam “only in the Philippines”.

  4. Public office is a public trust and not a shield to cover up wrongdoing.

    Ito namang si Noli De Castro ay gusto daw niyang malaman ang buong katotohan ng ZTE scams.Tapos sasabihin niya na nagbotohan na raw ang mga mahistrado at dapat galangin ang boto ng majority.

    Para sa majority ng mamamayan Neri could not invoke executive privilege to cover up the alleged crime.

  5. We see a President who can’t seem or refuse to see her evil deeds, a husband who refuses to hear the damning revelation of institutionalized corruption, a lackey whose lips are glued shut, top that with unfathomable SC decision and what do we have but truly a crooks paradise.

    The evil trio unleashed…. Gloria See no Evil, Mike Hears no Evil, Neri refuses to talk of their evil deed and the cycle is complete.

  6. jePRoCKs jePRoCKs

    Be very scared from now on. The final bastion of the philippine democracy has just been bought by the evil bitch. Is there a way for an SC justice to be booted out of office? wishful thinking here. What’s next? overturning the cha-cha ruling?

  7. hawaiianguy hawaiianguy

    dodong,

    You’re right! no way can the 9 justices expect go off the hook without being suspected as condoning a crime (corruption). Neri’s admission of bribery is a crime.

    I don’t buy the explanation of those “yes” justices. They make themselves foolish, trying to justify their bad, illogical and irrational decision. Nixon couldn’t do anything but resign because the US SC was acting judiciously.

    Putting some legal touches won’t strike away the stench they are trying to cover up. It still stinks!

    Hope SC will reconsider its decision. Justice Puno and Carpio are absolutely right.

  8. Toney Cuevas Toney Cuevas

    None whatsoever, the benefit of the doubt, those nine judges knew fully well that “Executive privilege cannot be invoked to hide a crime because the President is neither empowered nor tasked to conceal a crime.” However, in the Philippines where lifestyle is gauge by how many brown bags ones received, words could easily be twisted. You’re not dealing with just ordinary judges, but judges with criminal minds. In their world, there is no such thing as honor and integrity. They’re the riffraff of the land.

  9. Toney Cuevas Toney Cuevas

    The only way to deal with evil bitch Gloria and her pigs of judges is to have a showdown, mano – mano. Let the majority of the Senators to issue an warrant of arrest to Neri, keep him till hell freezes over. Then, wait and see who the people will support. But, those Senators are also afraid of repercussion from evil bitch Gloria. So, there you have it.

  10. Diego K. Guerrero Diego K. Guerrero

    Aksyon Na! Kilos Na! The people’s court verdict: Patalsikin ang mga Judas sa bayan!
    —————————————————–
    We, the Junior Officers of the AFP and PNP hereby declare a Constitutional crisis. Truth will never come out under GMA’s corrupt, abusive and immoral regime. We are enjoining all patriotic Filipinos to join us in settling this matter in the People’s Court!
    ——————————————————

  11. J. Cruz J. Cruz

    If the sole intent of the nine stooges of the Supreme Court was to infuriate WE, The Filipino People, I will concede, they had succeeded in converting me.

    Now that our last remaining bastion of HOPE — The Supreme Court is “officially” part & parcel of the criminal enterprises…. In moving forward ….

    Where do WE, The Filipino People go and who do WE, The Filipino People turn to when we need to seek redress on travesty of justice with many more forthcoming?

    Do we stage more rallies protesting the nine delicadeza-less & intellectually dishonest stooges of the Supreme Court?

    Are they independently endowed able to withstand pressures and temptations? Or are the “for sale” signs posted 24/7/365 on their foreheads to the highest bidder? Or are they beyond redemption?

    Are we REALLY going to allow undeterminable amount of lying, cheating, stealing, kidnapping and killing to be inflicted on WE, The Filipino People to possibly extend beyond 2010? Are we?

    Why do WE, The Filipino People allow ourselves to be lorded over by a group of pinheads disguised as public officials especially when the legitimacy of the very top remains unresolved? But why?

    I am beyond anger…. I am going beyond prayers….

    Our Way Out….

    I believe the time has come for all cause-oriented forces to join hands in taking back our country which rightfully belongs to WE, The Filipino People in the first place.

    Ladies & Gentlemen — THIS MADNESS HAS TO END!

    We will remain helpless & hopeless “only” if we chose to…..

  12. Valdemar Valdemar

    J. Cruz,
    We will remain helpless & hopeless “only” if we chose to…..
    have the calibre of lawyers now in our midst. Is that what is meant?

  13. luzviminda luzviminda

    “This particular discussion of petitioner with the President is not covered by executive privilege. The invocation of executive privilege on the three questions dwelling on a bribery scandal is clearly unjustified and void. Public office is a public trust and not a shield to cover up wrongdoing. Petitioner must answer the three questions asked by the Senate Committees.”

    Judge Antonio Carpio shows that he can be a Good Man of Justice. Di katulad nuong 9 na BULOK na justices na bumoto ng pabor kay Neri. Kumbaga parang mga bulok na kamatis sa basket na magiging KABULUKAN ng lahat. Kailangan itapon ang mga bulok! NABULOK NA AT NABABOY ANG SUPREME COURT!!!!

  14. Valdemar Valdemar

    Or we have a healthy politics, each side using up every trick and counter trick. We should realize though that we are no longer an INDEPENDENT country if ever we gained it sometime in our colorful history. We are dependent on everything. But dependence is not the end of the world. Progressive countries are dependent on someone else’s independence. More to follow later…

  15. andres andres

    Dito sa ating bansa, ang mga opisyales namagsabi ng totoo gaya nina Lim, Gudani, Querubin, Trillanes,etc… ay pinarurusahan.

    Nguni’t ang kasabwat ng rehimen ni Arroyo gaya nina Esperon, Razon, Barias, Ebdane, Mendoza Angie Reyes, etc… ay pinararangalan at ginagantimapalaan!!!

    Baluktot na talaga ang moralidad sa pamahalaan dahil kay Gloria the Evil Bitch!!!

  16. Ellenville old-timers are aware of my credentials critical of Ate Glue’s governance, and I use this stance to voice a dissent. Esoteric texters allegedly from the uniformed services are “enjoining all patriotic Filipinos to join us in settling this matter in the People’s Court!”
    I assert that such a move will not prosper; too many patriotic Filipinos have publicly declared their distrust of Gloria, people of probity from the academe, civil society, the clergy and plain citizens, and she merely hugged the throne even tighter. Civil disturbance, aka people power, can only provoke fierce response (as cornered animals do) and prolong mass agony and even her rule.
    My distress on the Supreme Court 9-3 decision on Neri’s petition rivals any rabid Gloriaphobe, but I propose a prudent approach: let the Senate and 2010 do the dismantling and heed these adages:

    The people’s safety is the highest law. Corruption looms as a huge threat to society’s survival.

    Necessity knows no law. The public’s right to know is a fundamental need. Is this fruit or that grain or that pill safe to swallow?

    Self-preservation is nature’s first law. It is natural for the public to take communal action against a corrupt leader.

    Unkindness has no remedy at law. Dissembly, also known as executive privilege, is unkind to truthfulness and all attributes of honesty.

  17. Eggplant Eggplant

    “Public office is a public trust and not a shield to cover up wrongdoing.”
    Absolutely correct Mr. Cocoy. I myself want Neri to tell everyting he knows about his conversation with GMA. In fact the entire nation wants to know the truth. If only Neri has enough guts and patriotism to defy his master in favor of the clamor of millions of Filipinos justice and truth, the SC should have been spared from public perception as clowns and puppets of this administration. I am just interested to know, in the same manner other Filipinos who love this country want it too, what “really” made these honorable judges voted for “yes” at the jubilation of Malacanang but lamentation of the frustrated people. These (yes hukoms) are reasonable people whose creditials boast of their expertise on the canons of the land. While many of us perceive their acts as motivated by fear, monetary considerations, payment of gratitude to maam, etc.; on the contrary they may have voted yes for simply following their conscience, what is in the law, nothing but the law. They may have frustrated us because of their yes votes and its implication on the strengthening of corruption in this country, but is unfair for us Christians to judge them as collaborators of the “evil one” without solid proof. “Judge not that ye may not be judged.” If it is possible to these men and women of honor to explain their judgement based on their appreciation of the law that would even be better. Sa tagalog, kung pinaboran man ng mga kagalang-galang na hukom ang pitisyon ni Neri (na sa paniningin ng publiko ay may pagkabakla and kanyang paninindigan) huwag naman sana ninyong gamitin ito–kayong mga halimaw na mandurugas sa gobierno at bayan–na gawing lagusan ang disisyon na ito upang isakatuparan ang mga makahayok ninyong pagnanasa sa yaman ng bayan.

  18. Eggplant, you are one confused soul. Or one deliberately trying to confuse others. The explanations of the decisions have been published for days. Read them!

    Moronic suggestions to provide proofs that they are collaborators, wtf?

    Laws were built upon the basics of human dignity and decency. If you find covering-up for a crime dignified and decent, suit yourself.

    It doesn’t need a lawyer to figure that out, does it?

  19. As for real reforms happening, the reverse had been more successful. The job just got more difficult, I don’t believe it is now achievable within my lifetime, if we still go by the old route.

    I wouldn’t have advocated it in any other situation or period in recent history but the present times now call for it. Taking the shortcut has become imperative lest we want to slide further backwards making any change inobtainium.

  20. ebvmart ebvmart

    Eggplant dont plant your eggs in one basket,When the supreme court make a ruling it becomes a law and that will be the basis of our lawyers in practice of their trade.If the conversation with the president and his/her ministers are to be made public.The office of the president now and in the future will be rendered powerless or inutile.I understand you’re anger, the SC ruling was in a time where everyone are seeking the truth about the ZTE-NBN scandal,But the ruling itself was not out protect GMAs dignity but also to our next presidents.The saying goes what happen in vegas remain in vegas,that is what the ruling meant to be.

  21. orly, if anyone could only guarrantee that the townsfolk will reject the scumbags in Batasan in 2010, then by all means, I will go with a 2010 option.

    We can then change the constitution for genuine reasons, hell even change the form of gov’t. But not with all these sickos still well-entrenched in their golden eggnests.

    A total stripdown could be the inevitable cure-all. All three branches. If we can achieve that without resorting to arms, good. But I have not heard one soul that could convince me that the 2010 elections could achieve that.

    Fuck Gloria and her ilk. Look what they did to my country. Our country.

  22. From Pete and Cel:

    Blatant Cover Up

    The recent decision of the Supreme Court on the matter of executive privileges is a blatant cover up for the crimes committed by the Arroyos and their cohorts.

    This will be the judgment of most Filipinos including the layman and children who reached the third grade. At least we know now who among the justices in the highest court are mere trapos or puppets of the Arroyo administration.

    Anyway, there are many ways to skin a cat, specially the evil bitch at that. All that the senators need to do is put Neri on the stand and under a well planned tactical interrogation by the brilliant senators there is no way that Neri could evade the trap and eventually spill all the beans.

    I dont think Neri is smart judging from his choice of who to side with. It may also be a blessing that, because of the palace’s blatant cover up on the broadband deal, the senators will now be even more resolved and decisive to discover all anomalous dealings of the administration since Mrs. Arroyo became President.

    On the basis of such discoveries they can then legislate the appropriate laws that would preclude future presidents and high government officials from committing similar unlawful acts. I am still confident that the senators, or the senate as a whole, will have the last laugh because they are on the side of the Filipino people who are all behind them in their quest for truth and justice.

  23. ebvmart,
    The rule is not all-encompassing. The ponente had it that it is applicable in terms of diplomatic and national security issues. Of course it is not invocable on criminal issues. But the slick douchebags twisted the arguments to suit their queen.

    Executive privilege is a valid constitutional prerogative if and only if applied to legal, lawful situations.

    Law 101.

    This Supreme Court now also allows it for illegal and unlawful acts.

    Law 666.

  24. Enteng Butete Enteng Butete

    only in the Philippines: “CRIME DOES PAY” specially if you own majority of the SC.

  25. Golberg Golberg

    To the 9 justices who voted in favor of the bading:

    “WHY DON’T YOU, TAKE YOUR ROBES OFF AND SHOVE IT IN YOUR ASS”

  26. Gabriela Gabriela

    Tongue, J, MRivera and many others, thanks for all those if-only words-could kill reactions to the Teresita de Castro’s decision supported by 8 more of Gloria Arroyo’s tutas in the Supreme Court.

    They expressed my sentiments.

    Sabi ko nga tama talaga sina Trillanes. Gloria and her cohorts perverts the law. She must be ousted.

  27. Gabriela Gabriela

    Golberg, okay yung suggestion mo.

  28. Gabriela Gabriela

    Nabalitaan nyo ba, yung Renato Corona na winner of a P1 million prize in the march 3 raffle of Philippine savings Bank is Gloria Arroyo’s bulldog in the Supreme Court: Renato C. Corona.

    Ang swerte naman nitong mga bata ni Arroyo!

  29. Gabriela Gabriela

    Yung asawa nun nag-sign in a pro-GMA paid ad but Corona refused to abstain from voting.

  30. ebvmart ebvmart

    Tongue twister, it “appears” that the supreme court allows the president’s privilege to use it in illegal and unlawful acts,But as I said the ruling is out to protect the right and dignity of the president now and in the future.The SC will not just let any senator to just conduct an investigation whenever he wants, and ask Presidents subordinate to reveal private conversations in malacanang under oath and televised nationwide. This is not what we want the Philippines to be govern,Do you?Like Ellen said there are many ways to skin a cat and sadly this is not the way.

  31. Diego K. Guerrero Diego K. Guerrero

    What? Corona is a winner of a P1 million prize PSB raffle. Lutong makaw siguro. Walang delicadeza itong si Renato Corona. Kahit ano pa ang ating batikos at sabihin ay wa-epek dahil may downpaymnet na.

  32. Mrivera Mrivera

    hindi ba’t ang executive privilege ay ginagamit lamang ng namumuno upang mabigyang daan at mkanamit ang mga bagay na magiging kapakipakinabang para sa bayan subalit tintutulan at hinaharang ng mga kumokontra mula sa kapantay na sangay ng pamahalaan at hindi itong ginagawa nilang pagtatakip sa mga ibinubulgar na katiwaliang sa halip na harapin, tutukan at puksain ay ipinagkikibit balikat lamang?

  33. Mrivera Mrivera

    “……..upang mabigyang daan at MAKAMIT…….”

  34. Mrivera Mrivera

    mga kasama,

    sa aking palagay ay iniisahan na naman tayo ni panda queen upang malihis muli ang ating atensiyon sa pagtutok sa shelved ZTE broad band deal at territorial claim natin sa spratly group of islands.

    sa gitna ng sabay sabay na namang labolabo ay biglang bigla ay may pinalabas (na naman) ang NEDA, balita kaninang umaga sa morning is da byutipul nina edu mansanitas, na 2 trilyong pisong halaga ng impaktastraktyur prodyeks ni gloria na isang katakatakatakatak na namang debelopment insayd da kitsen op da debil.

    unang tanong – saan na naman kumuha ng pondo para dito?

    pangalawa – dumaan ba ang (mga) impaktastraktyur prodyeks na ito sa tama at isinapublikong biding?

    pangatlo – sino ang magpapatupad o gagawa ng (mga) impaktastraktyur prodyeks na ito?

    pang-apat – malinis kaya ang kamay ng hindi mapagtitiwalaang mga katiwala ni panda queen?

    panglima – ano kaya ito, gatasang baka o maputlang elepante?

  35. Mrivera Mrivera

    bago ko makalimutan, si misster neri ay meron ng bagong raket at saydlayn sa loob ng malakanyang.

    siya ngayon ang ginagawang model ng alinmang kosmetik at mga damit na susouten este susuutin ni panda queen. titingnan kung bagay sa kanya at kung okey ang apir niya ay okey na rin kay panda queen.

    ‘yan daw ang isa sa kanyang eksekyutib pribileyds.

  36. Mrivera Mrivera

    pati yata hair do ay kasama sa package niyang ito.

    blooming ang hitad!

  37. norpil norpil

    i believe the peoples court’s verdict was reached even before the verdict of the supreme court. what is left is action on the verdict.

  38. sgtmajor sgtmajor

    Reporters got this text yesterday from a number unfamiliar to us. It was not from the usual “rebel” groups: “In the light of the Supreme Court on Neri’s case, We, the Junior Officers of the AFP and PNP hereby declare a Constitutional crisis. Truth will never come out under GMA’s corrupt, abusive and immoral regime.

    “We are enjoining all patriotic Filipinos to join us in settling this matter in the People’s Court!”

    I AM QUITE AFRAID ON THIS CALL BY UNKNOWN AND UNVERIFIED TEXT MESSAGE FROM JUNIOR OFFICERS OF THE UNIFORMED SERVICE. I JUST HOPE WE EXERCISE OUR SOBRIETY AND CALM. WAG SANA TAYO MAGPADALOS-DALOS COZ THIS MIGHT BE A TRAP AND A PRELUDE TO A MARTIAL RULE.

    LETS ALL KEEP IN MIND NA MAGALING ANG PLANNING PERSONNEL NI GMA AND THEY WILL NOT MAKE A SINGLE MOVE NA HINDI PLANADO AT PLANTSADO. THEY ALWAYS HAVE PLANS A TO Z AND THEY ARE PRETTY GOOD AT THIS, ACCEPT IT OR NOT.

  39. sgtmajor sgtmajor

    Reporters got this text yesterday from a number unfamiliar to us. It was not from the usual “rebel” groups: “In the light of the Supreme Court on Neri’s case, We, the Junior Officers of the AFP and PNP hereby declare a Constitutional crisis. Truth will never come out under GMA’s corrupt, abusive and immoral regime.

    “We are enjoining all patriotic Filipinos to join us in settling this matter in the People’s Court!”

    I AM QUITE AFRAID ON THIS CALL BY UNKNOWN AND UNVERIFIED TEXT MESSAGE FROM JUNIOR OFFICERS OF THE UNIFORMED SERVICE. I JUST HOPE WE EXERCISE OUR SOBRIETY AND CALM. WAG SANA TAYO MAGPADALOS-DALOS COZ THIS MIGHT BE A TRAP AND A PRELUDE TO A MARTIAL RULE.

    LETS ALL KEEP IN MIND NA MAGALING ANG PLANNING PERSONNEL NI GMA AND THEY WILL NOT MAKE A SINGLE MOVE NA HINDI PLANADO AT PLANTSADO. THEY ALWAYS HAVE PLANS A TO Z AND THEY ARE PRETTY GOOD AT THIS, ACCEPT IT OR NOT.

    GOD BLESS THE FILIPINOS!

    GOD BLESS THE PHILIPPINES!

  40. atty36252 atty36252

    Dalawang justice ang nag-concur ONLY in the result. That means they agree that Neri should not be forced, but they do not agree with what freshman law students call the ratio decidendi (reason for the decision).

    This was typical of CJ Ramon Aquino of Macoy, who, in most Constitutional cases only concurred in the result. Pinagbigyan lang ang classmate, but did not want to agree with the principle of law laid down by the decision.

    So the principle that executive privilege covers all discussions of the president with subordinates garnered only seven votes.

  41. atty36252 atty36252

    Quisumbing was my teacher in a Constitutional law elective called Constitutional trends and issues, or some such thing. It was after basic Consti law, and was supposed to look at emerging Constitutional law issues, both in the US and the Philippines.

    He styled himself as some erudite scholar, and started the class by asking us to fish out our ten peso bills, examine it, and look at the signature of Jacobo Clave, a presidential assistant. He asked, why is the legal tender signed by a mere presidential assistant, not the Governor of the Central Bank or the Secretary of the Treasury, like the US? Then he would go into the relationship of the central bank and the President, and international loans. That was the time that the law on the Bangko Sentral was being discussed in the Senate.

    He considered himself an expert on Constitutional law along with Perfecto Fernandez and V V Mendoza. Why he did not write an opinion on this case, his turf, is a mystery.

  42. Sgtmajor:

    Tama ka. Filipinos should not be just discreet but be morally right to know when something evil is being passed for good! Over in our church, we have a word for it called “the prompting of the Holy Ghost.” This is a good time indeed to use whatever spirituality based on a faith on the One True God (not the CBCP cardinals, et al) Filiios are said to possess.

    “It is joy to the just to do judgment: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.” (Prov. 21:15)

  43. BTW, someone here wrote about that chapter in Isaiah. I just want to let him know that the Books of Isaiah was written by the prophet himself. David on the other hand is said to have written the Book of Psalms as a mea culpa for his sins.

    Isaiah, the son of Amoz, was a prophet in Jerusalem during 40 years, 740-701 B.C. He had great religious and political influence during the reign of Hezekiah, whose chief advisor he was. He is the most quoted of all the prophets, being more frequently quoted by Jesus, Paul, Peter, and John (in his Revelation) than any other O.T. prophet.

    A major theme of Isaiah’s writings is that God requires righteousness of his people, and until they obey him they will be smitten and scattered by their enemies. But in the end, Israel will be restored; the barren land will be made fruitful and able to support a large population; and the Lord, the Holy One of Israel, will dwell in the midst of his people, who will be called Zion.

    Just sharing.

  44. baztakaya baztakaya

    i am so sorry to see what’s happening in our supreme court. the re-birth of cj puno during his reign seems to be going to naught what with the appointments of sycophants, the new boot-and-ass-lickers that are clearly meant to dilute the legal supremacy of the justices who preceded the present crop of nobodys who seem to be the pitbulls of the administration.

  45. rose rose

    Tiyaga sa ating pagdasal..at Sipain si Macapagal!

  46. d0d0ng d0d0ng

    Atty36252 on, “Why he did not write an opinion on this case, his turf, is a mystery.”

    Because Leonardo Quisumbing knew that a brilliant mind sometimes has to stop just for common sense. Beyond that there is no sense at all regardless how articulate the reasonings of the majority opinion. A prudent person would not just buy it.

  47. ebvmart: “…The SC will not just let any senator to just conduct an investigation whenever he wants, and ask Presidents subordinate to reveal private conversations in malacanang under oath and televised nationwide. This is not what we want the Philippines to be govern,Do you?

    Speak for yourself. What we want to hear are not simple private conversations like the color of the zit growing out of Gloria pussy or the size of Neri’s hemorrhoids.

    Your childish interpretation of presidential dignity is a simpleton’s definition. What everyone wants to hear or know is the possibility of a crime committed with Gloria’s knowledge or her failure to stop a big time scam; or if it was Gloria herself who masterminded it.

    The supreme court should have anchored its decision on the principle of benefiting the greater good. Not benefiting an individual who wants to be a criminal. I can understand your sorry attempt at sophistication when you suggest some shielding of the executive from investigations. The presidency only deserves respect if the holder of the position respects it.

    You now want the Senate, never mind if its the Blue Ribbon Committee, to exempt Gloria from all investigations. Now Gloria can steal all she wants. She can lie to her bucked tooth 24/7. And she can cheat you blind, like ALL FUTURE LIARS, THIEVES, AND CHEATS to come after her because ebvmart here says so.

    Jocjoc Bolante who is a prisoner in the States can come home without having to answer the Senate by invoking executive privilege by saying all that happened were part of his conversations with Gloria.

    And that is what ebvmart here wants.

  48. Si sgtmajor naman, psywar style mo, very civilian ang dating.

    Ikaw lang ang nagpakilalang sgtmajor na “quite afraid” sa mga unverified text, hahaha!

    Ngayon pa lang parang nagbabalak ka nang huwag sundin ang junior officers sa taas mo, tinatakot mo pa sila ng martial rule. Hehehe.

  49. Agree Neonate!

    The public’s right to know is a fundamental need.

    Cover ups for wrongdoing provokes instability and instability engenders dissatisfaction and unrest.

  50. hKofw hKofw

    Gloria is playing god. All people she choosen to come and join in her enchanted kingdom and follow her will are being blessed richly and in return they blessed her too. These include men of robes – bishops and judges. Ang Pilipinas ngayon ay parang impyerno na. Halos lahat ng nakaupo sa puwesto ay mga demonyo.

  51. Randy David concludes his column today in the Inquirer with this line:

    That is why the question that bugs us is whether we can wait until 2010 to resolve the impasse, and watch helplessly while the regime pushes the limits of presidential power and destroys every standing institution; or we must do something now to bring the stalemate to an end. God help us either way.

    Click here for the whole article.

  52. Valdemar Valdemar

    The Philippines is in the brink of war, The People of the Philippines vs. The People of the Philippines. War is needed really to level the political grounds and heck to the exec privelege for once and save us from the imminent hunger. Even the Sgt Major does not want to fight his own war. Lets try it out with the Malaysians to get Sabah, the land of promise for the hungry. Lets see who are the patriots to go into that war. Its a war to get back what we own. Lets separate the boys from the pseudo patriots. And lets give the soldiers some work rather than sleeping around the palace on the all year round alerts.

  53. hKofw hKofw

    “WAG SANA TAYO MAGPADALOS-DALOS COZ THIS MIGHT BE A TRAP AND A PRELUDE TO A MARTIAL RULE.” – sgtmajor.

    Hindi ba nasa martial rule na tayo ngayon? Maraming tao ang kinukulong ng walang kaso kasama ang magiting na senador natin na si Trillantes, maraming biktima ng extra-judicial killings na gawa ng uto-utong militar at pulis, tinatakot, kinikidnap at pinapatay ang mga witnesses at mga kumakalaban sa gobyerno, hina-harass nila ang ang mga jounalists at hinaharang, hinuhuli, pinapalo at binobomba ng tubig-kanal ang mga nagra-rally. Ano ang pagkakaiba? Aanhin pa ang damo kung patay na ang kabayo?

  54. chi chi

    Gloria has nine butlers in the Supreme Court. What a let down! Nine SC justices with no brains of their own.

    Buwagin na lang ang Supreme Court. Aanhin natin ang SC kung dinuduraan lang si Lady Justice?!

  55. Hey Chi, long time no read…

    Randy David knows his history — he may well be warning about a potential upheaval that will engulf the nation.

  56. bitchevil bitchevil

    Is there any of those working for Arroyo in Malacanang like this one?

    WASHINGTON – An aide to President Bush has resigned because of his alleged misuse of grant money from the U.S. Agency for International Development when he worked for a Cuban democracy organization.

    Felipe Sixto was promoted on March 1 as a special assistant to the president for intergovernmental affairs and stepped forward on March 20 to reveal his alleged wrongdoing and to resign, White House spokesman Scott Stanzel said on Friday. He said Sixto took that step after learning that his former employer, the Center for a Free Cuba, was prepared to initiate legal action against him.

  57. florry florry

    March 25, 2008
    “It’s 9 vs 6: SC favors Neri’s plea”.
    Oh, what a day the devil has made!

  58. Gabriela Gabriela

    Diego, about a Renato Corona who won the P1 million in the PSB raffle,

    Click here for the PSM promo background and here for announcement of winners.

    My friend in the PSB bank said the wining account is in PSB Katipunan branch. Corona lives in that area.

  59. Gabriela Gabriela

    Actually, there’s nothing wrong naman in winning in a raffle contest. Inggit lang ako sa swerte niya.

  60. parasabayan parasabayan

    With the two justices who just concurred possibly changing their votes, we may have a different verdict the second time around. But of course the evil bitch will rally harder and this time maybe pay millions to these two justices so as not to change the 9-6 decision. Magaling si evil bitch diyan sa bayaran and she is able to get what she wants at all cost!

    If we allow the evil bitch to stay in power up to 2010 with a prostrituted lower house and supreme court, we may find ourselves in the PIDAL REPUBLIC instead of the Philippines! This evil bitch really know how to sing and dance to deceive the Filipino people. Pati nga yung mga preso sa Cebu eh napapasunod niya. Ngayon ang mga presong ito ay sumayaw na against Lozada! WOW naman talaga!

  61. parasabayan parasabayan

    Baka binilhan ni evil bitch ng isang milyong raffle tickets si Corona kaya mananalo nga talaga! Heh,heh,heh…

  62. rose rose

    Ano kaya ang deal niya sa mga preso sa Cebu? Did they dance to the music of Please release us and let us go?

  63. hk_ofw hk_ofw

    Just wondeing whats’ the effect of our discussion here in the general public.

  64. bitchevil bitchevil

    What effect to the general public?

  65. bitchevil, I edited out your offensive comment. It’s a legitimate question that was asked. If you don’t like the question of another blogger, as long as it’s not a personal insult to you, I suggest you let it pass.

    Thank you.

  66. hKofw hKofw

    Malakas ang ‘Black and White Movement’ ni Gloria:
    The Blacks – Wicked judges in Black robes
    The Whites – Hypocrite bishops in White robes

  67. chi chi

    Hey there Anna. Had to recharge my batteries after the series of news that the tianak Gloria has been secretly chop-chopping Pinas and giving it away island by island to China to sustain her corruption. I felt so sad and dismayed that this is happening right under the noses of Pinas leaders/politicians who are supposed to protect our territory. What could be sicker than this?

    Anyway, it was reported that Neri was happy with the decision of the 9 Gloria SC puppets. I wish that the well-meaning Senators would just squeeze Romy’s balls if they believed that this faggot has yet to sing.

    Sorry to disappoint Lozada but Romy will never abandon Gloria for Tom’s sake! And the 9 Gloria SC butlers are there to make sure that Gloria and Romy are both happy even if it means death of justice in Pinas.

  68. irene irene

    Like “tongue-twisted”, i didn’t even want to open the blogs anymore since 3days. But as i hear & watch the news everyday, i can’t help but,,, o well,,,mag comment na nga lang ako ksi baka magkaroon pa ako ng heart attack kung kikimkimin ko lang ang galit ko na hindi ko mailabas….
    Wala na talaga pag asa pa ang bayan natin. Kasi sa survey ng Pulse Asia kamakailan lang, si de Castro daw ang mananalo kung magkakaron ng election sa mga panahon ngayon…TOTOO BA ITO????? Mga tao gusto rin pala nila maging presidente ang isang POLPOL na kagaya ni Noli de Castro????? Sabi nya, gusti din daw nya malaman ang katotohan tungkol sa NBN/ZTE, & yet nirerespeto daw nya ang desisiyon ng korte? Wala na talaga tyo magagawa pa ksi c Noli de Castro dalawa ang mukha nyan!!!!Narinig lang nya na nangunguna sya sa survey, lalo cyang yumayabang!!!! dapat si Justice Puno nalang ang ilagay sa posisyon at patalsikin na si Arroyo para hindi makinabang si Noli! Kpag nanalo si Noli bilang presidente, bibigyan nya ng parol si Gloria Dorobo at ang pamilya at katiwalian nya sa mga ginawa nilang kawalang hiyaan sa mamamayang pilipino!!!!

  69. xman xman

    TonGuE-tWisTeD Says:

    “Jocjoc Bolante who is a prisoner in the States can come home without having to answer the Senate by invoking executive privilege by saying all that happened were part of his conversations with Gloria.”

    You nailed it Tongue. Jocjoc must be jumping up and down in his cell when he heard the 9-6 decision by SC prostitutes. Jocjoc in my opinion will be back within 6 months and just invoke executive privilege.

  70. irene irene

    Palagay nyo ba totoo na my rice shortage sa pilipinas?
    Ginagawa lang ito na issue ng malacanang para matabonan ang issue tungkol sa NBN/ZTE at Spratleys! Eto nga wala na issue tungkol d2 at naka focus nalang ang tao sa rice shortage daw!!!! Again nililinlang lang tyo ng gobyerno ni arroyo!!!!

  71. stycch stycch

    Revive KKK, all Katipuneros, TO THE STREETS!

  72. bitchevil bitchevil

    Therefore, Jocjoc is returning to the country soon. But would the US allow him? Jocjoc is part of the package deal why Arroyo still remains in power. And Jocjoc was mainly responsible for the current rice crisis due to the fertilizer scam. With so many Fil-Ams in the US and different Fil-Am groups, why is there no one following up the case and status of Jocjoc? No one over there shares any info about him with us here. Or are most of the leaders of Fil-Am groups and Fil-Am media under the payroll of Malacanang? Take this prominent lawyer and columnist Rodel Rodis of San Francisco. He used to praise and adore Arroyo in the past. With the scandals these days, he has not written anything about Arroyo and Malacanang. Rodis was quick to defend Malacanang and is mum when it comes to its scandals.

  73. Zardux Zardux

    “Executive privilege must be exercised by the President in pursuance of official powers and functions. Executive privilege cannot be invoked to hide a crime because the President is neither empowered nor tasked to conceal a crime. On the contrary, the President has the constitutional duty to enforce criminal laws and cause the prosecution of crimes.”

    Bakit kaya iba ang rason ng 9 justices, hane? maski ordinaryong tao naman naiintindihan na di dapat itago ng mga nagpapatupad ng batas ang isang crimen.

    Siguro ang favorite song ng nasabing 9 justices ay
    “I started a joke” ng Beegees”

  74. hKofw hKofw

    “…si de Castro daw ang mananalo kung magkakaron ng election sa mga panahon ngayon…TOTOO BA ITO????? Mga tao gusto rin pala nila maging presidente ang isang POLPOL” – Irene

    It hurts but it seems true. Ang dahilan ay:
    IGNORANCE – na dulot ng kawalan ng edukasyon na dulot ng kahirapan na dulot ng kultura ng malawakang korupsyon (Sinimulan ni Marcos and is being continued and perfected by Gloria) sa lahat ng sangay ng gobyerno kasama na ang mga wicked magistrates at mga pari ng Simbahang Katoliko na laging tinuturo na mga tao na “humayo kayo at magparami”.

    Ignoramus na ang mga tao kaya walang alam sa mga kalidad ng mga kandidato. Kaya pagdating sa eleksiyon pipiliin nila yong maganda ang dating ng pangalan at laging nakikita sa TV at naririnig sa radyo gaya ni Noli. Hindi nila alam tunay na kulay ni Noli.

    Kawawa ang Pilipinas…

    “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.” (Hosea 4:6)

  75. Kaya nga nandito tayo to “help inform” so that people can made informed choices. Makadesisyon tayo base sa ating kaalaman at nalalaman.

  76. Mrivera Mrivera

    nanahimik na naman ang mga kapatid nating “nabulag” ng karisma ni panda queen.

    ano naman kaya ang niluluto ng mga ‘yun?

    hindi kaya nagkakasayahan o nagliliwaliw sa kagandahang loob ng malignong bugaw?

    sana’y magising na sila at mamulat na kasama sila sa nililinlang ni glorilya.

  77. ebvmart ebvmart

    Tongue twister, Like I said the supreme court only intention is to preserve the dignity of the office,And it so happen that the call for SC to rule on this matter is in time where the present president was under scrutiny.But this is not a short sighted ruling that tailored to suit GMA.Lets think of the future after GMA is long gone.This ruling is not free lunch ticket to GMA.The court still weighs on evidences and reliable witnesses to convict a person and that includes Bolante.

  78. Mrivera Mrivera

    “The court still weighs on evidences and reliable witnesses to convict a person and that includes Bolante.”

    ebvmart,

    evidence? witness? to convict bolante?

    HOW MUCH?

  79. bitchevil bitchevil

    No delicadeza! That’s former SC Cheap Justice Davide. Sitting comfortably in his UN chair as a reward from Malacanang, this guy has the balls to even issue statement regarding the recent SC ruling on Neri’s petition telling people to respect the law. Shut up Davide! You’re doing more harm and causing more hatred with your noise. Stay put in UN and die and painful death like Cardinal Sin. If you were the current SC Chief, it’s certain you would have voted in favor. You’re not on the level of Puno. Shame on you Davide!

  80. andres andres

    Isn’t it funny? The prisoners in Cebu even dedicated a dance for GMA to the tune of “Gloria” at the same time lambasting Jun Lozada.

    Talagang bagay na bagay na si GMA at pamilya ang gawing Philippine Prisoners’ Idol. Bakit nga hindi, she is the ideal criminal, she stole power, she commits crimes, she rakes in billions in taxpayers’ money, and gets away scot-free all the time!!!

    GMA and Mike Arroyo idolo kayo ng mga kriminal!!!

  81. bitchevil bitchevil

    What choice do those prisoners have but to follow orders from the Jail Warden who are under the control of BJM and BJM is under DOJ and DOJ is under Malacanang. I’m sure majority of the inmates were reluctant but had to follow. After the dance, they could have been given free meals or their sentence cut.

  82. bitchevil bitchevil

    Did you hear that the Malacanang cabinet is now skipping all Senate hearings? That’s the big damage Supreme Court has done to the nation.

  83. luzviminda luzviminda

    Ewan ko nga ba kung bakit iba yung naging decision ng other 9 Supreme Court Justiisces headed by Bobita Bootlicker ASSOciate Justice Teresita de Castro. Eh given the facts and circumstances, kahit pangkaraniwang mamamayan eh makakapag-render ng MORALLY UPRIGHT decision at pihadong hindi papaboran ang petition ni Neri na maituturing na rin na COVER-UP. Haaaay, bakit di kaya itong ganitong mga kalseng tao na lang ang tamaan ng bala tutal pahirap sa taong-bayan.

  84. luzviminda luzviminda

    andres,

    Magkakasangga sila! Malay natin baka in the near future eh makasama nung mga dancing prisoners sila Gloria at Mike sa Cebu Jail tutal duon naman gusto ilipat ni Gloria ang opisina (Malakanyang Cebu daw) niya eh. Magiging magkakaKOSA!

  85. ebvmart,
    Your problem is you don’t read enough. Read my reply to you and with just an IQ of a four-year-old it is very clear that a decision based on the wrong premise will do more damage whether now or in the future. It helped a crook like Gloria Arroyo today, that decision will help a crook Noli De Castro of a crook Manny Villar, or whomever, in the future. We, the ordinary citizens will be the victims ad infinitum.

    There is no debate whether this decision will outlive Gloria, it will. And that’s the reason it should not have been made in the first place. We will suffer the consequences of this flawed ruling for all eternity, or until it is reversed by the SC itself.

    Bottom line, a wrong decision can never achieve the right results! Basic logic.

    C’mon, try make sense for a change!

  86. bitchevil bitchevil

    I’m with you on that, Tongue Twisted. On the other hand, what could we do if a wrong decision becomes a law?

  87. Btw, I’m am awed you have this amazing power to determine the “only intention” of the Supreme Court. Can you prove it?

    Further, the Supreme Court is not a trier of facts. The evidence and witnesses that convict or absolve an accused is scrutinized by the lower courts, not them. You have a lot of reading to do.

    Start now and come back when you’re ready.

  88. bitchevil,

    I’m not sure I have the proper solution. Two choices though. Fight from within the system or fight from without.

    The first one means exhausting all legal remedies beginning with filing a motion for recon and all through the steps of the legal checklist and risk being disbarred like Erap’s lawyer.

    Or just get a loaded semi-auto with 9 bullets in the mag. We’ll just show people how assholes would look when they have their anus between the eyes.

  89. bitchevil bitchevil

    I think in matters involving laws on Constitution, any individual could directly petition the Supreme Court. It’s very sad that the Final Arbiter takes its order from the culprit in Malacanang. Since 2001 when Davide sold SC to the evil forces, every decision the SC renders is viewed with doubt and suspicion. We can’t blame the people, can we?

  90. But this is not a short sighted ruling that tailored to suit GMA.Lets think of the future after GMA is long gone.This ruling is not free lunch ticket to GMA.The court still weighs on evidences and reliable witnesses to convict a person and that includes Bolante.
    – evbmart

    You’ve got to be kidding me? Please review the 3 questions. Do you mean to say that the President can do anything she pleases without being held accountable for it? Come on, she could have been held responsible at the “Hello Garci” incident already? That “lapse of judgment” coming fromthe highest position in the land warranted her ouster already. What standard of “rule of law” are you guys looking at?
    If Gloria and her minions want to call for “rule of law” let them set the example.

  91. bitchevil bitchevil

    Jug, as long as the evil woman is the President and in power, she’s covered by immunity. All your arguments would work once she’s out of office. And that’s why she doesn’t want to be out of office. If she has to go after 2010, she will make sure the next President is her ally and puppet. Right?

  92. Zardux Zardux

    Public accountability was not taught when gloria took her econ class. What she learned and mastered is Countability – counting and pocketing public money.

  93. Mrivera Mrivera

    gloria said:” i am the sitting president of this country and nobody can question my decisions because what i am doing is for the good of the people whom i vowed to serve and make lives prosperous.

    look at our economy, it is soaring high. the figures speak for itself. the philippines will attain the first world title under my stewardship.

    mabuhay ako, ang pinakamatalinong doktoradong pangulo ng pilipinas!

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