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Unable to defend The Hague junket, Lacierda turns catty

Harry Roque
Harry Roque
Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda was being catty when he dismissed as “KSP” lawyer Harry Roque’s criticism of the huge Philippine delegation to the hearing of the U.N. Arbitral Tribunal of the case filed by the Philippines against China in The Hague, Netherlands.

Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda
Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda
Roque raised a valid issue.

He said: “With only three oralists scheduled to make submissions before the Tribunal, why is it that we have a delegation of at least 35? I say at least because the number does not include our foreign counsels and their staff. I believe the correct number of our delegation should be at least 50. That’s 50 business class tickets and 50 de luxe rooms at five-star hotels in very expensive The Hague!”

Lacierda did not refute Roque’s numbers so I suppose the latter’s information was correct. From news reports from The Hague I have only the following names:

1. Solicitor General Florin Hilbay
2. Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert F. del Rosario
3. Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio
4. Associate Justice Francis Jardeleza
5. Speaker Feliciano “Sonny” Belmonte, Jr.
6. Executive Secretary Pacquito Ochoa, Jr.
7. Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin
8. Justice Secretary Leila de Lima
9. Sandiganbayan Justice Sarah Jane Fernandez.
10. Presidential Adviser on Political Affairs Secretary Ronald Llamas,
11. Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Benjamin Caguioa
12. Undersecretary Emmanuel Bautista, executive director of the Cabinet cluster on security, justice and peace
13. Deputy Executive Secretary for Legal Affairs Menardo Guevarra,
14. Consul General Henry Bensurto
15. Paul S. Reichler and Lawrence H. Martin (Foley Hoag LLP, Washington DC, United States of America);
16. Professor Bernard H. Oxman (University of Miami School of Law, Miami, United States of America);
17. Professor Philippe Sands QC (Matrix Chambers, London, United Kingdom); and
18. Professor Alan Boyle (Essex Court Chambers, London, United Kingdom Paul Reichler, head of the Legal team
19. Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte

Philippine delegation fill the hearing room at the Peace Palace, The Hague, Netherlands. Photo by Abigail Valte.
Philippine delegation fill the hearing room at the Peace Palace, The Hague, Netherlands. Photo by Abigail Valte.

Valte defended the size of the delegation saying people should not “compute the support of a government united to fight for the country.”

We will never probably never know the true amount spent for this big delegation but I estimate it to be not less than P25 million.

Roque wrote in his blog: “I am currently in Pangasinan documenting how fishermen have been deprived of livelihood by the Chinese who have taken over their traditional fishing grounds in Panatag shoal. You don’t need a degree from the Kennedy School of Government to conclude that the money spent for the mirons in The Hague should have been used to assist the displaced fisher folks of Panatag instead. Oh well, only in this administration do you have policy makers fleecing off the people’s misery! Talk of the ultimate junket at The Hague! “

Roque further said, “All told, our delegation should not have exceeded 10 given that we have a full-fledged diplomatic mission there headed by our very capable Ambassador Jet Ledda and ably assisted by Atty Peachy Defensor, youngest sister of Inday Miriam. I would understand why the Office of the Solicitor General, the Supreme Court Justices and the Department of Foreign Affairs should be there. But 35 in addition to our foreign counsels? Come on!”

A lawyer who goes by the blog name “Saxnviolins” said it’s Lacierda who is KSP: Kulang sa paliwanag (short in explanation.)

Saxnviolins stressed that the The Hague occasion is “Legal arguments – hearing on jurisdiction.”

He asked: “Ano naman ang contribution ni Gazmin diyan? Is he going to testify on the military installations as proof of China’s aggressiveness? Eh hindi naman niya nakita, he is not a pilot. Besides, kung yun lang, you can introduce photos as evidence. In the words of Inday Badiday, careful, careful. Military matters are not within the jurisdiction of the ITLOS. because military action is the quintessential sovereign act, and therefore, the province of the ICJ.

“Si Belmonte? Ano naman ang silbi? What about Ochoa?”

His most scathing remark was reserved for Llamas: “At ang pinakamalaking ano ang silbi, yung pirated-DVD-purchaser, Ronald Llamas. Ano ang silbi niyan?”

Saxnviolins also wondered what has a justice in a graft court got to do with the PH case versus China?

“They brought along Sandiganbayan Justice Sarah Fernandez. What? May Philippine graft and corruption angle ba yan? The only graft and corruption I see is the waste of tax money on a junket,” he said.

He said it’s true Fernandez was once with the Office of the Solicitor General. “So what? Isang katerba na nga ang foreign counsel. I doubt there is anything they can contribute that Paul Reichler does not already know.”
Another blogger , MP Rivera,surmised what Llamas is doing in the hearing in The Hague: “Baka kukuha ng record si Llamas sa mga hearing at ibebenta sa Recto. Sideline nga naman!”

Are you sure it’s the hearing that he would be making a video recording? Don’t forget The Hague is just a short train ride to Amsterdam – where window shopping is of the lusty kind.

Published inForeign AffairsMalaya

63 Comments

  1. Ana Duran Ana Duran

    What do you epect from this very incompetent administration? This government has not shown any empathy to the poor Filipinos. They always look for what they can get rather what they can give. Having a clueless President at the helm is a recipe for disaster.

  2. jcj2013 jcj2013

    Pinagtuunan pa ng pansin ang kaliit na bagay. Barya lang iyang P25M sa bilyon-bilyong kinurakot ni Binay. Mas maigi na yung nagpapakita ang pambansang liderato ng todo-todong suporta sa labang ito kontra Tsina.

    Bakit hindi na lang natin suportahan ang ating mga lider sa usaping ito? Bakit doon pa itutuon sa kung ilang delegado ang lumahok? Kailangan talagang hanapan ng masamang anggulo para lamang mahambalos ang administrasyon? Hay buhay..

    May narinig ba kayong ni katiting na kondemnasyon mula kay Harry Roque tungkol sa pangungurakot ni Binay?

    Tatakbo si Professor sa pagka-senador kaya siguro kailangan bigyang daan ang kanyang mga pagtatalak.

  3. JCJ #2: Is the issue raised by Atty Roque valid or not? Yun ang issue.

    If you don’t think it’s an issue, there is something wrong with how you regard the use of taxpayers money.

  4. LCsiao LCsiao

    It is quite obvious for hopeless Noytards that sauce for the goose isn’t sauce for the gander.

  5. Joe America Joe America

    As a hopeless Noytard who is proud of the Philippines and her quality President, I’d say that when Prof. Roque becomes President, he can do what he wants. But from someone who got a disbarment complaint for egging the German over the jailhouse to proclaim a man guilty of murder, and who advocates Binay for President, I’d go with Lacierda’s conclusion any day . . .

  6. saxnviolins saxnviolins

    The article is about government expenditures. There is no mention of Noy nor Binay in the article.

    But credit the ever-partisan Pinoy to turn a discussion from one about specific actions and issues about the actions, to one of your-bad-guy-versus-my-good-guy. This is about as inane as the fights between the Noranians and the Vilmanians (Yes. I am that old).

    To the partisan, everything about his guy or gal is good. So Noranians actually believe Nora Aunor is pretty; and the Piolo Pascual fans actually believe the nitwit can carry a tune.

    Similarly, political fans believe their guy or gal can govern – whether that guy is Mar Roxas, Jejomar Binay, or Antonio Trillanes IV (Sorry Ellen. I am not with you on this guy.).

    But please, let us talk about the article’s point, not people who were not mentioned in the article.

  7. saxnviolins saxnviolins

    Going back to the article. It seems, Del Rosario traveled all the way to the Hague, merely to give an introductory speech, and introduce Paul Reichler – a useless endeavor. Paul Reichler could have done the oral argument alone. He won the Nicaragua v US case didn’t he?

    Below is the transcript of the speech.

    cnnphilippines.com/news/2015/07/08/full-text-the-hague-arbitral-tribunal-plea-dfa-secretary-albert-del-rosario.html

    Meanwhile, the Manila Standard Today quotes Belmonte as follows:

    HOUSE Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. said Thursday the 35-man entourage to The Hague was a “show of force” to “impress the arbiters” that the nation is united behind the Philippines’ case against China

    Oy vey. This is a hearing on jurisdiction. The judges are hearing legal arguments to determine whether they have jurisdiction. Jurisdiction is an interpretation of the law. No amount of unity nor show of force can change the legal conclusion of whether there is jurisdiction or not.

    To say that the arbiters can be impressed, is to say that Lady Justice in the International Scene is not blindfolded. That, to a true jurist, is insulting.

  8. Ana Duran Ana Duran

    This government has no regards to taxpayer’s money. They spend to their heart’s content like it’s an entitlement. China will just ignore Hague’s decision as most countries are drooling to get the chinese market for their good. China owns majority of US bonds so US will not do anything detriemental to their interest. Bottom line, Philippines is better off with diplomatic talk with China…

  9. olan olan

    I think the issue raised by Atty H. Roque is valid. Problem is this is not new but a practice in our government at any level. They take advantage of what they can get and their leader approved this even though it is not their money. Anyway why will they care. Their bosses term of office is almost over. I compare this activities to some of our “kababayans” who go on vacation staying in a nice hotel somewhere outside the country where they bag everything that they can find in the hotel room that they temporary stay in as guests. They think its free. They bag including towels used by other guest in the past. Many in our national government past and present have done this many times over. They always thought that they have done something even though they have done nothing and thinks they deserve to be compensated in this case “free working vacation in the Hague”. They squandered and yet they tax you to death. I guess DAP, pork barrel, allocations, bonuses, special privileges is not enough for these people.

  10. Para namang may katotohanan yung sinasabi ni Roque:

    “I am currently in Pangasinan documenting how fishermen have been deprived of livelihood by the Chinese who have taken over their traditional fishing grounds in Panatag shoal….”

    In fact, he is Pangasinan as part of Binay’s early campaign sortie. Pakitanong nga kung magkano inabot yung mga pledges nila para sa 2016 election? Magmumukhang barya yung P25Million na iniiyak niya sa blog niya. Kahit pa 20 ang kukuning senador, hindi pa rin siya kasama sa mananalo.

    Kung anu-ano iniintindi kaya yung kaso ng mga Ampatuan natutulog na.

  11. Harry and nitpickers, why are you second guessing the team’s motive/strategy? More than a show of force, the team’s composition gives the members the experience of slugging it out there. The other members could be tasked later to finish the job. If you have not been with Binay, I could have afforded you the benefit of the doubt as to your intentions.

  12. pinoysurgeon pinoysurgeon

    Harry roque, may i ask after documenting how fishermen have been deprived of the traditional livelihood. What have you done next to do lasting help for them? Or are you just commenting for media mileage because you are running for senator? You are no different from the left wing groups that keep on complaining but what concrete solutions have you done? Once you have done something worthwhile that would benefit people at the grassroots then you can complain. Till then shut up.

  13. Joe America Joe America

    @saxnviolins #6, I’m not pinoy, but the point of the article questions the integrity of the President’s spokesman, who is tasked to represent the President as well as he can. Therefore, the matter of Roque’s character and motivation, who issued the complaint, has DIRECT bearing on the issue. The ITLOS is a big deal to the Philippines. It cust right to sovereignty. The choice could be sending a few dozen high ranking diplomats to the Hague to argue, or thousands of young men to the battlefield to die defending that sovereignty. And we want to quibble about this delegation? It is a law abiding process, the Philippines is leading Asia in the approach and has China in apoplexy without firing a shot. Surely we can find a way to praise our nation rather than nitpick her every move because of . . . what, envy or spite?

  14. MPRivera MPRivera

    the integrity of a leader does not lie only on the kind of person he is; the degree of education he attained; the vision he projects in leading the country nor the non-stop maligning of a predecessor whose unpopular programs he clearly continues BUT the sense of accountability he displays in owning any responsibility as well as the kind of people he chooses to run his cabinet and the way he handles anyone amongh these selected few whenever caught in the center of different controversies.

    since the first one hundred days of this government it was noticeable that there were cabinet members who committed grave misconduct BUT this president never lifted a finger nor utter a word castigating anyone of them. whenever an incident happens that leaves a blackeye in his administration it is easy for this president to point fingers at blank wall and not own his shortcoming and inability to find and implement any solution. he only listens to people around him and never accepts sound unsolicited advise from outside his circle which clearly shows his BOSS are his KKK and not the ordinary people he always calls they are.

  15. jcj2013 jcj2013

    P25m is a small price to pay in making a point that the Filipino people and their government are one and united against Chinese imperialism. Roque is a kunsintidor of binay, who stole billions. Why pay attention to this guy’s partisan ululations? Halata masyado.

  16. MPRivera MPRivera

    gusto nilang impluwensiyahan ang magiging hatol ng arbitration court by show of force? takutan?

    what would they do sakaling umabot sa sukdulan ang pagiging aggressive ng china upang sakupin ang territories ng pilipinas? can we expect these officials to group themselves and lead a confrontation, say armed confrontation against the invading forces? manguna kaya ang mga ‘yan sa paghawak ng armas at ipain ang kanilang buhay upang labanan ang mga intsik? wala silang kikitain sakaling mangyari ‘yun at lalong wala silang hihigaang malambot na kutson at masasarap na pagkaing lalantakan kapag umabot sa giyera ang pag-aagawan ng mga isla sa west philippine sea.

  17. MPRivera MPRivera

    P25m lang para sa 19 na tagapalakpak?

    kung kaya nilang tangahin ang karaniwang pinoy ay huwag nilang pahawakin ng calculator upang kuwentahin kung magkano ang gastos sa delegasyong ‘yan na maliwanag na hindi matutulog sa bangketa at kakain sa turuturo o merong sarisariling baong soda cracker!

    tsk. tsk. tsk.

  18. MPRivera MPRivera

    hindi ba’t matagal nilang kinumpleto ang mga dokumentong kailangan para sa kasong ito?

    ano pa’ng silbi ng sanrekwang opisyales upang humarap sa korte? tatanungin ba sila nang isa isa? meron ba silang pipirmahang testimonya?

    kung hindi gustong mapuna, KUMILOS nang TAMA!

  19. MPRivera MPRivera

    kaya pala hindi na nagpdala ng kinatawan ang china ay DAHIL wala na silang lulugaran pa!

    sa philippine delegations la’ang punong puno na ang sala.

    tsk. tsk. tsk.

  20. MPRivera MPRivera

    may dala pa ‘atang AK47 si llamas kaya umatras ang chinese delegation. delikado nga naman. mahirap na, baka magkainitan. eh, trigger happy pa naman ang mamang ito, sharpshooter pa.

  21. MPRivera MPRivera

    ano ano na nga at kailan ‘yung huling kabalbalan nitong si llamas?

    akala ko SLN at RIP na ‘yung kanyang trabaho sa gabinete ni BFF penoy ‘yun pala, kicking alive and progre$$ive pa!

  22. jcj2013 jcj2013

    Ask roque first what’s his opinion of binay stealing billions of taxpayers money.

  23. SnV, just a clarification:

    It’s not with ITLOS that the Philippines filed the case vs China. It’s with the UNCLOS Arbitral Tribunal (c).

    Article XV Settlement of Disputes

    Article 287

    Choice of procedure

    1. When signing, ratifying or acceding to this Convention or at any time thereafter, a State shall be free to choose, by means of a written declaration, one or more of the following means for the settlement of disputes concerning the interpretation or application of this Convention:

    (a) the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea established in accordance with Annex VI;

    (b) the International Court of Justice;

    (c) an arbitral tribunal constituted in accordance with Annex VII;

    (d) a special arbitral tribunal constituted in accordance with Annex VIII for one or more of the categories of disputes specified therein.

  24. jcj2013 jcj2013

    Naiskandalo masyado si propesor sa “junket” sa the Hague, pero puring puri nya so jejomar na bilyones ang ibinulsa. Yan ang may diperensya sa kukute na gusto nyo yata ibotong senador.

  25. Mikey20 Mikey20

    Si Atty. Pulpol Taba na Baklang CHUPPA, nagpuputak-putak na naman sa dami ng delegasyon sa Hague para depensahan ang territoryo ng bansa. Na-iinggit si Baklang Chuppa dahil hindi naka sama, kagaya ng inggit na hindi siya na sama sa mga atty na magsalita sa arbitration court. Samantalang sa amo niyang Gorilla na si Binay tahimik sa Billiones na ninanakaw hanggang ngayon, siguro nakasumpal sa ngala-ngala niya ang maliit at maitim na titi ni Binay!

  26. olan olan

    @24.. I concur because it really is a junket. I don’t even know prof is running for office and if he is, why do you care? If I may make a point, If you are referring about the 2016 elections there are many who don’t like the idea of binay, or poe, or roxas winning the presidency. It is not because they are all bad, base on the standard of level of character of many in our government, but because many thinks that they don’t have the level of real understanding of what the presidency is all about other than what their sponsors tells them what it is in exchange of election funds. Sabi nga ni erap nuon me sukli ka pa. If I can share another opinion, those senators in jail are not there because they are corrupt, They were there because they are corrupt and they can win. Else if it is because of corruption, then most in national government and their minions should be in jail. The numbers last elections speak for itself. Maybe not for tanda. He is there for other obvious reasons. Understand, the same families fund everyone elections cost. They are the ones who will be affected with another failed presidency like erap’s or goyang. With nognog, they are not confident that whys he is in where he is now, like a goyang. Matitigas ang ulo or they are not aligned with the wishes of their sponsors. Poe is being courted with Chiz around the corner as a friend because she can also win and they need to control her. Roxas is part of the family they are confident with him but he don’t have the numbers. They need to control the government because they wanted to continue the good things for them..stability and wealth not about governance and the people as a whole. Weve been to many elections and the same story comes out of it. Now you know why its all about toll roads instead of just roads as an example. With the good economic growth rate, 12.5% VAT, all the indirect taxation from airport fees, etc. and balikbayan or OFW’s the government can fund roads easily or anything the country wishes? but where is the money? why is it theres no real meaningful employment, why hold projects?, etc. Junket is the reward for being loyal and cooperative and its the peoples money not theirs.

  27. jcj2013 jcj2013

    Kahit isang dosenang beses pa bumalik sa the Hague ang sinadabing “tagapalakpak” at tiwasay ang loob ko bilang taxpayer. Kesa naman sa isang law professor na puring puri ang isang mandarambong. Magdududa ka talaga sa ganyang klaseng propesor daw.

  28. vic vic

    AS long as the money for the “junket” is all authorized and accounted for and were all officially spent for what they are intended for…there is no Big issue to it…some of the members of the delegation could be just an extra baggage, but what are we or who are we to know?

    They might have something very useful to contribute to win the judgement against the Chinese, which the Chinese will ignore anyways…the idea here is to win a Moral Victory against the Aggressor…since winning by force is just next to impossible…

  29. Too close to the face for a selfie. Baka makita pati utak niya mula sa butas ng ilong. I think nanonood siya ng online cinema (pirated) version ng Minions sa g2g.fm

  30. May katwiran si Vic. Sabi siguro ng iba junket lang ang pakay ng iba gaya ng mga Congressman. Sabi ng barkada ko na based sa Utrecht, nakita niya raw si Neptali Gonzalez and Speaker Belmonte ka-meeting sa isang hotel sina Joma Sison and Luis Jalandoni.

    Wala akong narinig na ganyan sa news, wala rin sa Google but I trust my barkada.

    Kung simula yan ng peace talks sa CPP-NPA, it’s worth more than the whole cost of this Netherlands trip.

  31. olan olan

    may katwiran din si sax. The trip is about legal arguments! you don’t go there to try to influence the jurist. It will be decided based on the merit of the case. Also, what tongue-twisted had said above make sense, if true. I guess people have to just trust tongue’s opinion as stated above. Show of force? tsk tsk hehe

  32. Natawa lang ako sa meeting ng Congressmen at CPP honchos. In the group photo, they were about to be served, of all kinds of food, Chinese! Look at the chopsticks and the cat-with-waving-hand figurines all over the place.

  33. Ana Duran Ana Duran

    The arbitration is all about legality and show of force has no place in this process. Belmonte should be leading the house to craft laws and not be a passive observer.

    Joma Sison might very well return to the government fold since Noynoy’s father was the one who that started CPP/NPA as well as MNLF.

  34. Ana Duran Ana Duran

    Tongue, taxpayer’s money should not be splurged for Belmonte’s vacation nor to keep him entertained…masaya naman talaga itong nasa gov’t…pasimple pang TUWID na daan yun pala TUWAD na daan….dami daming naghihirap tapos panay pasarap ang mga taong ito…kakapal ng mga mukha…Malapit na SONA ni Noynoy…wala siyang maipagyayabang kundi ang paglustay ng salapi ng bayan….kaya pala 3 Trillion ang budget kasi HIGH maintenance si noynoy at KKK.

  35. Al Al

    Those who prefer to close their eyes to the misuse of funds in this occasion, di ba noong panahon ni Arroyo, mainit kayo sa mga bagay na ganito? Which was good.

    Bakit ngayon nagbubulagan at nagbibingihan kayo just because kakampi nyo ang gumagawa ng hindi maayos?

  36. Al Al

    Tama naman ang sinabi ni Atty. Roque. O ano ngayon kung kakandidato siya? What is important is the substance of his criticism.

  37. Ana Duran Ana Duran

    Joe Am, I know in US they will not allow junket like this but why it’s ok if Noynoy government? Must be a hard to make a living in the US and a easier in Phils.

  38. Ana Duran Ana Duran

    This is a case of don’t shoot the messenger. Roque is a taxpayer and has every right to question this callous display of power. Too many Filipinos are living in abject poverty and these politicians have the nerve to spend money that can be used to help these people.

  39. Al Al

    This article criticizes the inappropriate (I find it childish) response of Presidential Spokesperson Lacierda to a valid issue by Atty. Roque.

    I agree.

    If Roque’s facts are wrong why didn’t Lacierda give out the correct figures? As a taxpayer,I would like to hear Lacierda spell out the duties and responsiblities of each member of the delegation for the benefit of the taxpayers.

  40. Tongue, #33. Llamas has nothing to do with the Belmonte-Sison meeting.

    From Inquirer report on Belmonte-Sison meeting:”Asked if members of the Executive branch were able to speak to Sison, Lacierda said he was not sure if Presidential Adviser on Political Affairs Ronald Llamas, who is with the Philippine delegation in the Netherlands, was present at the meeting.”

    Llamas would not be welcomed by Joma. Llamas belongs to Akbayan (Socdem). Joma is Natdem. The two groups are not friends. Matindi ang hidwaan ng dalawang grupong yan.

    The picture accompanying the article showed there was no Llamas in the meeting.

    Belmonte meeting with Joma Sison

  41. MPRivera MPRivera

    #42. expecting lacierda to be specific and responsive?

    malabo. paiikut ikutin ka la’ang. pipiliting ilayo ang mga sagot niya sa usapan at maiiwan ka sa gitna ng laot na wala kang anumang makakapitan upang hindi tangayin ng daluyong ng tuluyang pagkabaliw dahil walang laman ang utak mo kundi puro ?!?!?!??????????????.

    kung hindi katanggap tangap na kuwestiyunin KUNG bakit kailangan pang napakaraming tagapalakpak ang gastusan ng perang mula sa buwis na maliwanag na galing sa pawis ng mga isang kahig, isang tuka aba’y siguro mas maige pang lahat sila sa kongreso, sa senado, sa supreme court at gabinete ay ipinadala sa da heg, neverland.

    akala ko, ‘yung mga tangapagsalita la’ang ni noynoy ang akala ay puwede tayong gawing tanga, pati pala ‘yung mga tangapagtanggol na pilit ipinipikit ang mata sa katotohanang ginagago na ang kanilang kapwa tao.

  42. MPRivera MPRivera

    bakit kailangang bigyan pa ng importansiya itong joma sison kung gusto niyang makipag-ayos sa gobyerno? para que pa? meron pa ba siyang papel sa CPP?

    ‘yan naman kasi ang sobrang kagalingan sa sino mang namumuno sa gobyerno, eh.

    ang mga katulad na nga ni joma sison ang nagpapagulo sa bansa, nagre-recruit ng mga kayang lokohin upang labanan ang gobyerno, manira ng mga ariarian, pumatay ng mga walang kasalanan at kinalaman sa kanilang kabaliwan, siya pang susuyuin, pagbubuhusan ng panahon at aamu-amuing parang batang matampuhin na mahirap patulugin at upang mapanatag ay papangakuan ng kung ano ano o kaya ay bibigyan ng makapagpapasaya o susundin ang gusto?

  43. BTW, MR, DFA called me up answering your concerns about absentee voting. I told them to put their answer in writing so I can publish it and forward it to you.

  44. Asked if members of the Executive branch were able to speak to Sison, Lacierda said he was not sure if Presidential Adviser on Political Affairs Ronald Llamas, who is with the Philippine delegation in the Netherlands, was present at the meeting…Lacierda said Malacañang will just await the feedback of Llamas or Belmonte.

    Nasaan na sense of humor ng mga tao dito? Wala bang nakakaintindi ng sarcasm? Sobrang desperado na ba at kailangang umayon lahat sa sinasabi ng isang teka-teka na kandidato? Tinanong ko si Harry nung 2007 kung gusto niyang tumakbo sa Kongreso isisingit namin siya sa grupo ni Peewee, kaso bantite siya, mukhang naghahanap lang ng isponsor para makalibre sa gastusin sa eleksiyon. Ayun, napilitan si Peewee na ampunin si Lito Roxas kahit pa NP si Peewee at LP si Lito. Nanalong congressman si Lito Roxas. Mayor uli si Peewee.

    Ngayon pa’ng senador ang labanan? Saan kukuha ng sponsor si Harry? Freeloader sa ninakaw ni Binay?

    Again, any fool has the right to believe Harry’s claim that his purpose in Pangasinan is to document the displaced fishermen. Sorry, but I’m not fluent in stupid.

    ****************

    Wala akong pakialam kung show of force, junket, lamyerda o Lacierda ang isyu diyan. As a businessman, I was trained to look at the results, the bottom line. If the cost far outweigh the benefits, then the project is a failure before it even started. If the benefits are big enough to gamble the expense, which it is, then I’m all for it. As a manager, you ought to take the risk when the times call for it. You cannot just twiddle your fingers and scratch your balls and wait for that opportunity to expire, you stand up for your goals and be prepared to be held accountable in case of failure. If my decision requires me to spend an indecent amount, I’ll put my neck on the line and decide what’s best IMMEDIATELY, not LATER.

    In this case, if it needs the whole machinery to be present in The Hague to ensure legal victory against China, then by all means, please do so. A chartered 767 and hotel bookings to accommodate Pacquiao’s friends to Las Vegas didn’t win him the match but it costs much, much more than P25M. But hey, he made over a hundred million dollars.

  45. MPRivera MPRivera

    tongue, ‘yung kay manny ay merong siguradong premyo. gumastos man siya ng P200M, malaki pa rin ang matitira sa kanya. eh, itong lakad nila sa the hague where llamas is to meet joma sison as supposed by lacierda at ipinanloloko pa nila kung magkano talaga ang pondo para sa biyahe, accommodation, at lahat lahat na, meron bang kasiguraduhan kung magiging successful sila sa negosaysyon kay joma? nand’yan ang litrato, nariyan ba si llamas? wala, di ba?

    kaya nga sa halip na i-entertain nila si sison sa usaping peace talk, hayaan nilang bumiyahe sa pilipinas at doon sila mag-usap, hindi ‘yung gagastusan pa nila upang suyuin lamang.

    yung ibang sinasabi mo, bumabalandra lahat sa mukha ni noynoy. nakalimutan mo na ba kung paano siya nabulol sa lahat ng kanyang mga sinabi tungkol sa mamasapano incident na ikinamatay ng 44 SAF commandos? iba ngayon. iba bukas. at, lalong nag-iba pagkalipas ng ilang araw.

    saka, negosyo ‘yang sa iyo. hindi kakagatin ‘yan ng masisiba sa gobyerno, eh.

    mabuti pa ikalma mo na la’ang ‘yang puso mo. de medyang pako na la’ang ‘ata ang nagkakabit niyan sa dibdib mo eh baka malaglag pa iyan.

  46. MPRivera MPRivera

    #46. tengkyu beri mats.

    malaking tulong ‘yun sa aming mga OFW’s na nawawalan ng saysay ang karapatan kapag hindi nakakaboto at ang ipinag-aalala nga namin ay baka hindi na nga nakaboto, GINAGAMIT pa ang pangalan ng sino man sa amin upang pagkakitaan ng masisiba diyan sa comolect.

    salamat ng very many.

  47. chi chi

    #47. tongue, you are so on fire my fren! I find your “fluent in stupidity” very sexy…hahaha!

    I like very much that the government brings this China issue to
    The Hague. But this would have been better if the Pinas delegation was composed of Justice Carpio as head, and learned and knowledgable people on the issue as members. I got no problem on the size of the delegation, my concern is kung sino-sino lang ang nakakarami that made it less effective. Matatakot ba nila ang China kung ganito lang ang kalidad ng delegation eh China’s population is 1.5 billion, majority is also fluent in stupidity. 🙂

  48. saxnviolins saxnviolins

    In litigations before the US Supreme Court, people usually look to previous opinions of the justices (whether majority or dissent) to try to divine how a justice will vote.

    That is why people predicted Justice Anthony Kennedy would side with the LGBT, because his earlier opinions pointed that way.

    On the ITLOS page, there is a separate opinion by Judge Wolfrum on the provisional remedies sought by the Netherlands in the Netherlands v Russia case. The opinion starts out as an expansive interpretation of the jurisdiction of the ITLOS, or any arbitral tribunal convened under the UNCLOS. But the last two pages are quite troubling.

    Judge Mensah, also has a separate opinion in the provisional remedy application of Cote d’Ivoire in the case of Cote d’Ivoire v. Ghana.

    There is also a separate opinion by Judge Wolfrum and Judge Cot in the “ARA Libertad” case (Argentina v. Ghana). The statements on page 6 are perturbing as well. There is a pronounced deference to the jurisdiction of the ICJ.

    Those are three crystals balls that the Philippine side may read, to divine how three judges (majority) will vote.

  49. saxnviolins saxnviolins

    Sabi ni Delay Lah De Lima, parang crash course in international law daw. There is a picture of her shaking hands, being introduced to Paul Reichler.

    Proof that wala siyang silbi. Pinakikilala pa lang, so walang contribution, or feigned contribution to research for Paul Reichler.

    I think what happened was: Uy, may oral arguments daw. Tara. Punta tayo. Tapos, parang barkadahan, nag-angkasan lahat.

    Del Rosario introduced the case, and introduced Paul Reichler. As if the international law community needed Reichler to be introduced.

    Valte was there to introduce Delay Lah to Reichler.

    Wonder who introduced the guys to the current occupant of the window that Vilma Santos occupied in Miss X.

    Hoy. Stop snickering. Historical yan – a classic Vilma Santos film.

  50. LCsiao LCsiao

    At ang bottom line diyan, mas masarap dahil libre.

  51. chi chi

    #52. Bwahahahaha, klasik na klasik atty SnV!

  52. MPRivera MPRivera

    sarcasm as its simplest.

    hindi nga halata na makakapal talaga ang kanilang mga mukha!
    mga pahirap sa taxpayers, magnanakaw ng para sa dukha
    kahit mga walang silbi’t hindi dapat makisalamuha
    sila pa ‘yung nangunguna sa pagpapasarap nang walang sawa.

    sila ang mga alagad na gumuguhit ng tuwid na daan
    na siyang laging nililitanya ng may ari ng malakanyang
    sa bawat paghaharap, sa alin mang tipanan
    hindi nawawala ang mga banat sa lupasay nang kalaban.

    subalit pansinin, suriin n’yo nang maige,
    pikit mata sa anumang kabulastugan ng KKK
    may takip ang mga mata, ang tenga niya’y parang bingi
    bunganga niya ay may busal, mga kamay ay nakatali.

    tuwid na daan ang parating ibinabando’t sinisigaw
    pagganda ng eknomiyang hindi natin maramdaman
    patunay ang naglipanang gutom at walang bahay
    mga nagdarahop na sa basuraha’y nagbubungkal!

  53. Nung nabasa ko yung pangalan nung Mensah sa list of judges, hinanap ko sa baul ko yung mga contacts ko sa Ghana, (Mensah is a familiar surname in Ghana). My former client when I worked in a NYSE brokerage was a top lawyer and son of a politician who used to work under the dictator Jerry Rawlings. Mensah wanted me to send them an invitation to come over to New York so that he can invest what he claims was around $25M (probably dirty money)and it was his son, Thomas, a lawyer who was talking to us. We called off the deal which could have earned me at least half a million green.

    The ITLOS judge’s name is Thomas Mensah but I’m not sure they’re one and the same.

  54. saxnviolins saxnviolins

    Judge Mensah worked as an academic in the University of Ghana. After that, he worked in the international bodies.

    He was born in 1932. So his father were the politician, the father would have been in his nineties when you were here.

    Born: Kumasi, Ghana, 12 May 1932.

    Education: B.A., University of Ghana (1956); LL.B., University of London (1959); LL.M., Yale University Law School (1962); J.S.D., Yale University Law School (1964).

    Professional Experience: Lecturer in Law (1963-1968), Dean of the Faculty (1966-1968), University of Ghana; Associate Legal Officer, International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna (1965-1966); Assistant Secretary-General and Legal Counsel, International Maritime Organization, London (1968-1990); Special Advisor on Environmental Law and Institutions, UN Environment Programme (UNEP), Nairobi (1991-1992); Visiting Professor, World Maritime University, Malmö, Sweden (1981-1990); Cleveringa Professor of Law, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands (1993-1994); Professor and Director, Law of the Sea Institute, University of Hawaii, USA (1993-1995); High Commissioner of Ghana to the Republic of South Africa (1995-1996).

    iflos.org/en/summer-academy/faculty/bio-mensah.aspx

    The judge himself would have been in his 60s in the 90s.

  55. saxnviolins saxnviolins

    Mayroon daw questions na tinanong ang Arbitral Tribunal sa Philippine delegation. The Philippines will amplify its answers in a written submission later this month.

    Can you get those questions Ellen?

    Parang napaka-secreto. Even the usually talkative Valte is silent on the questions. I miss Valte’s ASS (artificially succinct statements).

    Maybe Senator Santiago’s sister has some inside info. Or maybe you can ask Ronald Llamas. He may have a video of the hearings.

    Unless he was too busy buying DVDs from the window occupants of Amsterdam. Siya naman ang magbebenta sa Greenhills.

  56. Here’s a comment in my FB from a Netherlands-based Filipino:

    Marlon Toledo Lacsamana: Why take a short train ride (which is kinda 40 minutes away) to Amsterdam? When The Hague’s red light district is just walking distance (if they are lazy, one tram or bus ride away) from the Hilton’s Hotel where the Philippine delegation is staying.

    Pwede naman pala mag-window shopping sina Llamas and company right there in The Hague.

  57. I learned that Llamas sent the photo he took to friends in Manila: it was the empty seats reserved for the Chinese delegation.

    Siyempre naman empty. China is not participating in the suit.

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