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Nemenzo’s statement

Today, the Department of Justice will start the preliminary investigation on military officers and civilians accused of rebellion in connection with the February 24, 2006 activities.

The hearings will be at 10 a.m at the DOJ Multi-purpose building.

Among those accused are 21 military officers, two police officers, six retired military officers, 21 civilians and several John Does.

Included in the list are Brig. Gen. Renato Miranda; Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim; Col. Ariel Querubin; Col. Orlando de Leon; Col. Januario Caringal; Ct. Col. Armando Bañez; Lt. Col. Custodio Parcon; Lt. Col. Achilles Segumalian.

Also included amoing the accused are former Sen. Gregorio “Gringo” Honasan , and former UP President Franciso Nemenzo, whom they erroneously listed as “Prudencio ‘Dodong’ Nemenzo” apparently mixing him up with former president of the Polytechnic of the Philippines, Nemensio Prudente.

Nemenzo issued the following biting statement on today’s investigation:

If the attachments to the subpoena are all the evidence they can produce, the NBI and CIDG are wasting the time of the state prosecutors by including me in the rebellion case (NBI and CIDG vs. MGen. Renato Miranda, et al. IS No. 2006-1003). They did such a sloppy job that they could not even get my name right. In the subpoena I am listed as “Prudencio Dodong Nemenzo.” Everyone in UP knows my real name. A call to Diliman or a visit to UP Manila (the NBI’s next door neighbor) would have spared them from this embarrassing error.

I could have taken advantage of their carelessness to deny that I am one of the accused. But I do not want to get off the hook through technicality. I welcome this charge – no matter how silly and malicious – as an opportunity to reiterate the views that the Arroyo government seeks to suppress.

I choose to speak in my own voice instead of speaking through my lawyers to show that the opposition cannot be cowed. The mass movement will not be intimidated. We shall continue to call for the ouster of an illegitimate, corrupt,incompetent, and repressive regime that has inflicted so much damage to our country.

It is our patriotic duty to defend the area of freedom that people’s power had carved out in the struggle against the Marcos dictatorship. The best way to defend freedom is to exercise it. Responsible citizens cannot watch in silence as the minions of Mrs. Arroyo make a mockery of our democratic rights.

Bases for the allegations

Before I go further, let me answer the specific charges. In some 150 pages of documentation, I am mentioned only twice: in the affidavits of Lt. Lawrence San Juan and Lt. Patricio Bumidang. My name does not appear in the letter of transmittal, the Lopez report, or the affidavits and transcripts of oral testimonies.

San Juan claims that I met a group of junior officers to discuss the Blueprint for a Viable Philippines. This I do not deny. What is wrong with discussing with soldiers the problems of our country and the policy options available? They, too, are citizens who are worried about our country’s plunge to disaster.

I should emphasize, however, that I met San Juan before he escaped, before he became a fugitive. There was therefore nothing conspiratorial about the meeting. We also discussed the Blueprint with colleagues in academe, with journalists, religious communities, mass organizations, and even with Makati business executives. This document is published and widely circulated. In fact, it is posted in the Internet and can be downloaded by anybody who cares about the future of this country.

In a separate affidavit Bumidang alleges that I visited him and other fugitives in the house of Renato Constantino, Jr. It is not unusual for me to visit RC Constantino because we are old friends. I have been to his house countless times; but never did I find soldiers among his guests.

Mr. Bumidang’s story is inaccurate. In truth, I first saw Mr. Bumidang’s face on television, when he and companions were paraded for public humiliation after their capture.

I hold no rancor toward San Juan and Bumidang. They have been kept in isolation and probably subjected to physical and mental torture. Having experienced solitary confinement myself, I know how vulnerable they are to intrigues and disinformation. It is not improbable that their tormentors put words into their mouths.

For this investigation to be credible to the intelligent public, I challenge Gen. Esperon to allow media, in the presence of bishops and other religious leaders, to interview San Juan and Bumidang.

Release them from isolation and let them answer questions about their affidavits outside the intimidating atmosphere of an interrogation chamber. If indeed they are telling the truth, there is no reason to shield them from public grilling.

The legitimacy crisis

When citizens perceive the government as legitimate, they will obey even if they disagree with its policies; otherwise, they have to be forced to obey. The current political instability is rooted in this widespread perception that the president is a usurper who uses foul means to keep herself in power. All opinion surveys show that most people doubt the legitimacy of her accession in 2001 and her reelection in 2004.

When those who are supposed to protect her government and enforce her orders doubt her legitimacy as well, her position is precarious indeed. She is lucky that the protest movement has yet to reach the stage of rebellion.

Rebellion properly so called involves the use of arms. A peaceful demonstration, no matter how massive, does not constitute a rebellion. Wishing for a coup is not rebellion. But Mrs. Arroyo’s minions, by accusing us of what we have not done, provoke the angry multitude who may be less temperate to turn the fabricated scenario into a grim reality.

Dictators panic when they hear voices of dissent because when people gain the courage to defy, the effectiveness of state coercion is diminished. But a democratic government, confident of its own legitimacy, responds to such voices with equanimity.

I was never convinced of the legitimacy of Mrs. Arroyo’s accession to power. Yet, as head a state institution (as President of the University of the Philippines) I urged my constituents to accept her presidency as an accomplished fact and give her the benefit of the doubt. That was because I was painfully aware that a breakdown of civic order would prevent UP from catching up with the other premier universities in Asia.

It became increasingly clear, however, that Mrs. Arroyo does not deserve our qualified and tentative support. She continues to pursue the neo-liberal policies that have devastated the lives of the working people. She has incurred more public debts than her three predecessors put together.

While waving the banner of a “strong republic,” her government could not enforce the laws on influential malefactors. She blames external circumstances for our economic woes, but it is her policies that make the country vulnerable to the vagaries of the global market. In a sense, she is the No. 1 destabilizer.

She had a chance to legitimize her illegitimate regime by a convincing victory in the 2004 elections. But she squandered the chance. The indecent haste in her proclamation in the wee hours of the morning, and the stubborn refusal to open for scrutiny the certificates of canvass in contested provinces reinforced the suspicion of massive cheating. This worsened when her rabid supporters in the Lower House aborted the impeachment process, invoking flimsy arguments that could only persuade the blind and the brainless.

By depriving the Senate of the opportunity to evaluate and pass judgment on the authenticity and implications of the Garci tapes, they closed the last possibility of removing her through constitutional means. This prompted people, out of frustration, to explore of the extra-constitutional channels. As doubts of her legitimacy mount, Mrs. Arroyo and her minions are now resorting to systematic intimidation.

Since the much ballyhooed “all out war” miserably failed to crush the underground opposition, her minions have started running after the aboveground opposition. The special target of the latest drive is the open mass movement. Peaceful rallies are violently dispersed. Some 800 grassroots activists have perished in extra-judicial executions. Lately they are threatening to
replace elected opposition mayors with docile partisans.

Unrest in the armed services

This campaign of intimidation is the context of this and similar cases recently filed. Without being asked, I take up the cudgels for the active and retired military and police officers who are similarly accused, but who cannot speak freely because they are either detained or forced into hiding by a fabulous reward for their capture, dead or alive. Among them are the finest officers in the AFP and PNP.

These are not the stereotype soldiers who blindly follow orders from the chain of command. These are intelligent officers who dare to ask if the regime deserves the risk to their lives and the lives of the men under their command.

With RSBS sponged dry, they also worry about the survival of the families they might leave behind. In a brazen display of hypocrisy, their star-spangled superiors invoke the doctrine of “political neutrality” to whip them into line.

But these soldiers have come to realize that “political neutrality” is a fiction. Many times in Philippine history, the AFP and PNP played a political role. They have been used to protect the elite from the outraged masses.

They have also been used to thwart the people’s will in fraudulent elections. These soldiers who now stand accused for violating “political neutrality” are in fact trying to redeem their profession from ignominy, by aligning themselves with the people. They seek to transform the armed services from a tool of elite rule and an instrument of deceitful politicians into a force for genuine democracy and social reforms.

Extrapolating from survey results, a coup to evict GMA would be the most popular coup in Philippine history. But there was no danger of that last February 24th. It is evident in the Lopez report and the affidavits and testimonies appended to the complaint against us that Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim and Col. Ariel Querubin did not plan to stage a coup. They just wanted to march with
their troops to the EDSA shrine and join a civilian crowd in calling for withdrawal of support from an illegitimate and corrupt government. Real coup plotters do not ask permission from their superior officers, much less invite them to heed the clamor from below.

As a political science professor who specialized in the study of unconventional forms of political action, I have been a keen observer of military affairs. I therefore understand and sympathize with these disgruntled soldiers, but I vehemently disclaim the charge that we conspired against the Filipino people.

Francisco Nemenzo
Former President and Professor Emeritus,
University of the Philippines

Published inFeb '06GeneralMilitary

126 Comments

  1. We urge all decent Filipinos, especially UP alumni, to support and defend Prof. Nemenzo. Today at 9.00 am, friends of Ka Dodong et al will join them in solidarity as they march to DOJ where they will present themselves. Please come!

  2. chi chi

    This is another “palpak investigation” of this most palpak fake administration under palpak Glueria Pidal.
    Kung hindi magalit at masuka ay matawa ang mga bumabasa ng statement. The accusers has no knowledge of the person being accused of rebellion. Hindi alam na iba ang UP sa PUP, at ang Nemenzo na surname at Nemensio na given name. Kahit sa spelling ay malayo pa rin. Saan ba nag-aral o nag-aral ba ang mga imbestigador na ito? Palibaha ay pulos lang gawa-gawa ang charges, kaya nagkakaluko-luko na silang lahat.
    Ano na nga ang tawag sa sakit na ito? O, KATANGAHAN pala, hindi nagagamot!

  3. npongco npongco

    What we’re seeing is a war between the rightist and the leftist. This is the kind of game the government as taught by the US wants to play. UP has been identified with the left since the beginning. Many students are idealists, nationalists, militants. Today’s human rights advocates are mostly the products of UP. Unfortunately, the moderates are often the ones caught in the middle. Whichever side one is, let us all be reminded that we have only one nation, one people, one constitution, one flag…and one God.

  4. chi chi

    ooppps, hindi iyong statement ni Dr. Nemenzo ang nakakatawa, iyong mixed up ng pangalan.

  5. ocayvalle ocayvalle

    yes let us all support,mr nemenzo and all the men and women being persecuted by this evil administration of GMA and her evil minions for fighting for what is the truth and for the best of our country,let us all unite for we the people is the true goverment and we the people of the philippines decide what is best for our country..if we don`t act now and oust this evil GMA and her cabals of evil..they will do more harm for the country and the filipino people more than good..it is now the time..God bless us filipinos and God bless the philippines!!!

  6. Mr Nemenzo has honour and courage, two attributes not many people in his position in the Philippines possess!

  7. Ocayvalle,

    I agree with you.

    Allow me however to say Filipinos must make a decision – God will support their cause if they make a decision and have determined that for the greater good, Filipinos must stand up, unite and move.

  8. npongco npongco

    Anna, your call is the call of all the Filipinos. That call has been the voice of many for several years. But, the call still falls on deaf ears. Unless there’s genuine unity among the opposition groups, that shall remain a “call”. In the end, the ones to blame is them or including us. Even in this blog, it’s all noise and bla-bla…no action !

  9. Toney Cuevas Toney Cuevas

    Bogus Gloria is going to do whatever pleases her, and no one is going to stop her or have the courage to get in her way. The only way as I see it to help Nemenzo and others is to park one million human bodies in front of Malacanan for whatever how long it take, matter not.

  10. Ocavaylle,

    Re: “if we don`t act now and oust this evil GMA and her cabals of evil..”

    Agree!

  11. TonGuE-tWisTeD TonGuE-tWisTeD

    We’ll see you today at DOJ. Don’t forget your raincoats. It’s either the rain or water cannons. Not enough time to assemble a bigger group but we’ll be there.

  12. Thanks, TongueT. Kasama mo kami, leftists, rightists and in-between!!!

    Over here, we don’t march to the Philippine Embassy because it is useless. We march to the Diet! Nandiyan kasi ang pukpokan to stop the ODA to this Bansot government.

  13. Ocayvalle:

    Dagdagan mo ang dasal mo. Kahit wala kang gawin, if it is right God will listen! Tignan mo nga ang ginawa sa US bases before Ganyan din noon. May mga undecided, whiners, udyokero, et al, pero tignan mo kung papaano napaalis ang mga kano! Tinabunan ng lahar and volcanic ashes ang kanilang bases!

    Ganyan din ang nangyari sa protests namin noon laban sa sales of Philippine properties in Japan, particularly the now famous Roppongi property (my group in fact made this property famous). We were almost sure we would lose even when we had no intention to give up—patay kung patay attitude—but the bidding was stopped. The bidders were reduced to two and one of them forgot to submit a cheque as initial payment for the property being bidded, and the law did not permit just one bidder, and so it was declared NULL and VOID. If that is not Divince Providence, what is?

    Kaya, Ocayvalle, huwag kang makikinig na wala kang magagawa. Kahit dada mo nakakabingi pa rin iyan!!! Get mo! Hindi naman bingi ang Panginoon sa totoo lang!

    PATALSIKIN NA, NOW NA!

  14. chi chi

    Sa totoo lang, malaki ang nagagawa ng bloggers dito sa pakikilaban tungo sa katarungan. The thoughts and prayers are sent over to the Philippines through Anna’s “fair wind”.

  15. npongco npongco

    Yes Chi. Bloggers can do a lot to change this government and the fake leader. But, there are bloggers who just keep making bla-bla. If we challenge them to visit the Philippines and join the rallies, they won’t. Some have been away since 1969.

  16. hawaiianguy hawaiianguy

    Tongue, “We’ll see you today at DOJ. Don’t forget your raincoats. It’s either the rain or water cannons….” Hahahaha! You forgot, some people you sent this invitation are residents of cyberspace. And how do we join the rally? Of course, by virtual means, right?

    Anyway, count me in. I don’t care about the rain or water cannons, they are all cybers.

    Npongco, “If we challenge them to visit the Philippines and join the rallies, they won’t.”

    Some actually did. There was a conference by UGAT in Dumaguete City. But it was a different rally, a parade of ideas – some of which vociferously denounced the contestable regime one way or the other. I know, I was there.

  17. hawaiianguy hawaiianguy

    ooops, sorry! Mali yata ako ng pasok.

    Chi: “Sa totoo lang, malaki ang nagagawa ng bloggers dito sa pakikilaban tungo sa katarungan.”

    Agreed! It happened during the time of Erap. On December 13-17, 2006, a group of concerned Filipinos will talk about these bloggers and their role, no matter how modest, in effecting socio-political changes. Whether they will talk about ripples or waves or tsunamis, that would be interesting, I believe. If you happen to be one of those who want to know how people do it, let me know and leave your email addies here or to Ellen.

  18. chi chi

    hawaiianguy,

    That interests me but we’ll be in Wisconsin from Dec. 12-20, Hubby will present a paper. Sayang!

  19. chi chi

    npongco,

    There are many ways to fight the excesses of those in powers. Physical presence in rallies is only one.

    The Great Jose Rizal and his comrades did most of their battles against the enemy overseas using ink. Andres Bonifacio by tabak, others by prayers, etc. Most of us here are doing our shares via Ellen’s blog (cyber).

    Oy, mataas ang pasake sa eroplano ngayon, hindi ako rich. Hayaan mo at sasakay na lang ako sa walis-tingting :).

  20. Hawaiianguy:

    I’ll be in SFO on Dec. 11-29. Where is this forum going to be held?

  21. Chi:

    You bet! Iyong additional charges like fuel tax, etc. is half the price of my ticket to the USA. Nagulat ako! Talagang pahamak iyong lokokoko sa White House kasi.

    Will see what the democrats can do to pacify the fidgetty Muslims, and everything will be back to normal like travelling in style, no more plastic spoons, forks and knives and cheapie lunchbox style meals! I do miss the Chateaubriand, Filet Mignon, London Broils, T-bone, etc. steaks! They don’t serve meat on board the planes as they used to before 9/11.

  22. npongco npongco

    Yes Chi, there are many ways to fight the evil. You forgot to include prayers. I seldom pray. But, I now learn to pray if only to beg God to take this evil woman out of Malacanang and this planet.

  23. Hawaiianguy:

    I’m scheduled to go to the Hague next year together with some members of the PPT from Japan. Are you going?

  24. hawaiianguy hawaiianguy

    Ystakei, “Where is this forum going to be held?” Right here in Honolulu. It’s part of the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Filipinos in Hawaii. Topics go beyond Hawaii, some are on RP, others about Fil-Ams on the mainland and other places.

    Various Filipino groups are coming here, a delegation is from SFO. The group presenting on the cyber bloggers and political change is from Honolulu. There’s a couple of panels that will touch on OFWs and the govt. I will email you more on this if interested.

  25. hawaiianguy hawaiianguy

    “I’m scheduled to go to the Hague next year together with some members of the PPT from Japan. Are you going?” Don’t know what’s in that gathering. Email me about the particulars.

  26. chi chi

    npongco, balik ka sa post ko, meron by prayers. iyon pa ba ang mawawala? good, you are now praying, the tianak will be out of Malacanang in due time. Di ba wish mo na maging Manila mayor si Lacson? By May, Mayor Lacson na sya!

  27. npongco npongco

    You’re right Chi. By May, Lacson will be Mayor. “Or” can just be added to the month of May and it becomes May-or. That would be a good preparation for him to run again as President in 2010; that is, if his relationship with Erap improves by then. Those around Erap are the ones separating the two who were once the best of friends. Among these are Sotto and Oreta.

  28. Hawaiianguy:

    Please do. Para makakuha ako ng Domestic Plan Pass that will cost me only an additional 100 dollars for the flight anywhere in the USA. Matagal na rin akong hindi nakapunta sa Hawaii. Mabuti ring makapunta para makapunta sa temple ng church namin diyan, and see the show at the Polynesian Cultural Center run also by the LDS Church. What’s a few dollars for a cause? Chicken feed! No yabang, really!

  29. Hawaiianguy:

    There is already a web site for the PPT. We are planning to construct one for the PPT Japan Chapter after we have completed the list of personalities from Japan joining this historical attempt to bring back the rule of law in the Philippines. Will let you know when we do.

    Meanwhile please visit http://www.philippinetribunal.org for info on this PPT. There is also a ppt presentation there that you can download to add to your program for the forum in Honolulu in Dec.

    Abraso, unido para Pilipinas!!!

  30. Hawaiianguy:

    If you cannot hit the above URL, just wait. Kasi sa palagay hina-hack at the moment. Hindi rin ako makapasok sa totoo lang. Fortunately, the one we’ll put up from Japan will be protected, and cannot be easily hacked or removed by the Malacanang tenants and Internet Brigaders!

  31. Related Topic—

    Ellen, here’s the report on the visit of Satur Ocampo to Japan that I have talked about:

    Japanese, Dutch, Danish Lawmakers Press Arroyo to Act on Activist Slays

    by Bayan Muna
    12 November 2006

    Bayan Muna Representative Satur C. Ocampo returns from Tokyo tonight elated over a successful meeting with the Social Democratic Party (SDP), whose leader brought before the Japanese Parliament the issue of political killings under the Arroyo government and pressed their government to exert pressure on Manila.

    Elsewhere, Dutch and Danish parliamentarians sought answers from their foreign ministries on questions on the Philippine human rights situation, and expressed concern over the continued detention of an activist Philippine lawmaker.

    Ocampo’s travel to Japan was almost botched by President Arroyo’s justice secretary, but he was forced to abide by a court order allowing the Bayan Muna solon to leave for Japan.

    SDP leader and Senator Misuho Fukushima early this week asked Tokyo’s foreign ministry to press the Arroyo government to halt all killings. Fukushima said that at least one out of the more than 700 cases of extrajudicial killings is related to a project funded by Japanese official development assistance (ODA).

    Fukushima raised the issue before a meeting of the defense and diplomatic committee of the House of Councilors or Senate.

    Jose Doton, 62 years old, was gunned down by suspected state defense forces on May 16 in San Nicolas, Pangasinan. An opponent of the ODA-funded San Roque Multipurpose Dam Project, Doton was secretary-general of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan-Pangasinan chapter and concurrent leader of several peasant associations.

    Ocampo met with Fukushima in the first bilateral meeting between SDP and Bayan Muna. The SDP has members in the bicameral Japanese Parliament (Diet).

    Elsewhere, Member of Parliament (MP) Varina Tjon A. Ten of the Labor Party asked the Dutch foreign ministry in a series of parliamentary questions on political killings and enforced disappearances of Filipino activists and the persecution of the Batasan 6.

    The Dutch MP said the foreign ministry should provide the legislature of its assessment of the Philippine situation and share whatever bilateral and multilateral steps taken by the Dutch government.

    In Denmark, six MPs belonging to the Red-Green Alliance also asked the Danish foreign ministry to appraise parliament regarding the Philippine human rights situation and the continuing incarceration of Anakpawis Rep. Crispin Beltran.

    The six Red-Green Alliance MPs also said the foreign ministry must inform parliament of whatever initiative taken by the Danish government on the issues. ###

  32. Related topic FYI:

    PRESS STATEMENT

    13 November 2006

    KAAKBAY SEEKS PROBE ON ATTEMPT TO RIG MWSS-MAYNILAD BIDDING

    Proposal to allow bidders to submit a credit line of P6 billion instead of SBLC spurs big fight in MWSS Board

    A group of non-government organizations pushing for a review of the planned Maynilad Water Services, Inc. bidding yesterday called on Congress to investigate alleged attempts to rig the government-supervised auction.

    The consumers’ group, Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan All Filipino Democratic Movement (KAAKBAY), said it had received reports from very concerned employees of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) on a bidder’s attempt to change bidding rules to mask his lack of financial capability.

    The bidder, Kaakbay said, proposed that those vying for the MWSS’ 84-percent equity in Maynilad be allowed to submit a credit line of P6 billion instead of the required Stand By Letter of Credit (SBLC). A credit line can be voided at any time while an SBLC is considered as valid proof of cash, according to government officials who have supervised past biddings.

    Kaakbay said it will seek a formal reply from the MWSS board, adding that top officials had initially sought to lobby for approval of the bidder’s proposal. After much debate, the board disapproved the proposal, but Kaakbay warned that other attempts to make bidding rules more beneficial to one party could be in the works.

    “That is why we would like the House of Representatives to investigate this incident, and call the top MWSS officials who reportedly lobbied for this last-minute attempt to change bidding rules,” Kaakbay national workers representative Dave Diwa said.

    Kaakbay and other organizations like the Freedom from Debt Coalition (fdc) have called on the MWSS to put off the bidding, saying the government should first study how taxpayers can be spared the onerous burden of failed privatization excercises.

    Bankrupt firm

    In 2004, MWSS agreed to the Maynilad Rehabilitation Plan with the Debt and Capital Restructuring Agreement (DCRA). COA, in its 2005 Report, stated that the Plan is grossly disadvantageous to MWSS.

    The Report also stated “it would be more prudent on the part of the MWSS not to implement the subscription to the Maynilad shares” since such would redound to acquiring ownership of 83.97% on Maynilad’s Liabilities or Total Indebtedness of P22.8B; total assets of P20.1B; Stockholders Equity of negative P2.7B; and net loss of P2.2B in 2004 and loss of P1.4B in 2003.

    The COA said MWSS’ infusion into Maynilad of $31 million, sourced from a World Bank Loan guaranteed by the government, went beyond its mandate.

    On top of those concessions, MWSS also agreed to lowered performance commitments, a move believed to have triggered a rash of health problems in various communities serviced by Maynilad. It also agreed to a lowering of water pressure targets by more than half, from 16 pounds per square inch to only 7 psi, even as it approved a water rate hike of more than P10 per cubic meter.

    Even granting that there is a need to bid out MWSSâ’ equity in Maynilad, there should be a review of bidding rules and guidelines overseeing concessions, Kaakbay said. The government should address the need to make water, a basic need, affordable to citizens, while at the same time ensuring that standards of health and sanitation are met, it added. In the case of Maynilad, Kaakbay noted, the opposite has happened: higher rates, lower performance standards, which it equated as a betrayal of trust.

    Controversial bidder

    The MWSS has recently extended the bidding date as requested by the four pre-qualified bidders. These are DM Consunji, Inc. and Metro Pacific Group; Manila Water Co., Inc. (the current East Zone concessionaire); Noonday Asset Management Asia Pte., Ltd of Singapore; and Karunakaran Ramchand of India.

    Kaakbay has questioned the inclusion of business Caesar T. Quiambao in the consortium represented by Kauranakaran, saying he was skilled at packaging but fell short in delivery of promises. The group also questioned the businessman’s integrity, noting that his business partners almost always ended up filing criminal cases for alleged financial fraud.

    Quiambao’s company Stradcom, which holds the concession for the Land Transportation Office’s computerization program, has been hounded by controversy, Kaakbay said. There were allegations of overpricing a few years back, with the COA nullifying many charges. Recently, Kaakbay noted, congressmen had sought a probe on COA reports that computerization fees were being collected in regions not covered by the project. The audit agency listed many illegal payments worth some P332 million, Kaakbay said, citing COA reports on its website.

    Quiambao has described several estafa cases filed by Star Infrastructure Development Corp (SIDC), for alleged fraud worth P100 million, as “rehashed,” and has insisted that a long-running feud with Citra, the operator of the Skyway, is a purely “internal business dispute.”

    But Kaakbay said the P100-million STAR cases and the P244-million unauthorized advances in Citra should send alarm signals in the MWSS. “While these are private disputes, we know that these eventually affect the consumers, and there are just too many controversies, still unanswered, hounding him,” Kaakbay said. “Between hapless consumers and Quiambao, clearly the burden of proof is on him.”

    Kaakbay also questioned the inclusion of Manila Water, the concessionaire for the East Zone, as a qualified bidder. In case Manila Water wins, it will be a clear case of monopoly.

    “Let us conduct an honest to goodness review of the performance of Manila Water before allowing them to bid for the West Zone. Let us find out first if all the commitments in the concession agreement have been met by Manila Water,” Diwa said.

    For reference and inquiry:

    DAVE DIWA JOEL TAPIA

    National Workers Representative Metro Manila Convenor

    Mobile No. 0906-3041035 Mobile No. 0920-4016300

    KAAKBAY OFFICE

    5-F, 5th Floor, 20 Lansbergh Place

    Tomas Morato corner Scout Castor Streets, Quezon City

    Mobile No. 0918-6042654, Email Address: info@kaakbay.org

  33. Mrivera Mrivera

    We urge all decent Filipinos, especially UP alumni, to support and defend Prof. Nemenzo. Today at 9.00 am, friends of Ka Dodong et al will join them in solidarity as they march to DOJ where they will present themselves. Please come!

    ystakei, hindi mo mahihikayat lahat ng UP alumni dahil ‘yung iba ay nagtutulugtulugan. baka kung pumunta doon ay idiin pa si professor dodong.

  34. Kaya nga Mrivera, nakalagay naman ALL DECENT Filipinos, ESPECIALLY UP Alumni. Malinaw naman ang patutsada sa totoo lang.

  35. Forgot to mention, Ellen, that Miho Fukushima was the young Japanese lawyer who took up the issue of the Japayuki to heart and did not stop until the Japanese government could come up with the present Immigration Law that bars the deployment of these pseudo entertainers from the Philippines moonlighting as prostitutes.

    She is now the head of the Socialist Democratic Party in Japan, one of the major political parties in Japan.

    My group and I were part of her “STOP THE JAPAYUKI MOVEMENT.” Now, we are working with her again in the “STOP POLITICAL KILLINGS IN THE PHILIPPINES NOW!”

  36. npongco npongco

    More on Lacson: Chi, Lacson’s candidacy for mayor of Manila was also endorsed by Cong. Alan Cayetano. According to Lacson, his decision to run as mayor was upon the advice of a spiritual leader. I presume this person to be INC’s Manalo. Manalo initially promised to support Lacson last election as President. Manalo changed his mind when FPJ decided to run. Unable to pick between the two whom Manalo both liked, he gave the two an ultimatum to run as a team with one giving up and the other ran as Vice. But, the two never agreed so Manalo switched to GMA. This time, Manalo could have advised Lacson to run as Manila Mayor then President in 2010. Erap also took heed of Manalo’s advice when he changed his mind to run as President. He became Danding’s running mate. INC’s votes in cities like Manila especially in a tight race having too many candidates is very crucial. Often, INC’s votes become the swing vote. This has happened so many times in Quezon City where I heard the opponent of INC’s candidate got zero vote in one Barangay (could be Barangay New Era). INC votes also gave Belmonte the victory. With the Tsinoy Community and INC’s support in Manila, Lacson can easily win. Plus the fact that people of Manila also like Lacson. Remember the former Mayor Arsenio Lacson? If he didn’t die prematurely, he would have been the President.

  37. Mrivera Mrivera

    Seeing double

    SHE SAYS

    Dinah S. Ventura

    11/13/2006

    For some reason, some eerie similarities between Gloria and Dubya have been mentioned many times in the past.

    Both children of their respective county’s former presidents, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and George W. Bush also both had political careers before taking on the presidency themselves. Both stepped into power in 2001, both had controversial elections, and both have been the target of criticisms for many of their actions and decisions.

    We all know as well what positions Gloria and Dubya have on the issue of terrorism. They are one in the fight against it, in spite of the strong opposition they each have gotten in their respective countries.

    And during the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the signing of the US-Philippine Mutual Defense Treaty in 2001, both presidents reaffirmed that relations between the two countries remain strong, “based on shared history, common values, a commitment to freedom and democracy and vigorous economic ties.” This, they no doubt reaffirmed when Bush visited the country in ‘03.

    That Mrs. Arroyo is a loyal supporter of the Bush administration and, it seems, vice versa, is evident in the anti-terror and “rehabilitative” activities conducted in the Philippines, particularly in Mindanao, and the joint exercises still being conducted as a means to strengthen the military against forces of terror.

    Unfortunately for them, scandals and controversies have followed the two since 2004 as well – Gloria on the question of legitimacy and corruption and Bush for the Iraq war and other domestic issues.

    Both are also suffering from a rapidly dwindling popularity.

    This has been very obvious from recent developments on the political front. In local shores, Gloria’s trust ratings have not been very promising, to say the least, and with the administration-supported issues having been shot down one at a time in separate but no less highly controversial events, it seems administration bets for the upcoming elections are not too confident about their advantage over the opposition, in spite of what they say to the press.

    Meanwhile, in the United States, the Republicans suffered a defeat against the Democrats in the US congressional polls, reducing, as stated in this paper recently, “President George W. Bush to a lameduck Chief Executive.” This event has had Philippine opposition in throes of anticipation about their hoped for victory in the 2007 polls, clearly a sign that they, too, see the ties between the two presidents as a significant reflection of the way the winds will blow.

    But how far can we really take the comparisons? Is the political situation in the Philippines really a micro version of the US or is it vastly different, as Malacañang representatives say? But more important, can we truly expect clean and honest elections next year?

    This is hard to believe at this point, when many people still cannot feel all the good things that Malacañang says the Chief Executive and her administration have achieved thus far. Also, the prospect of a Charter change still remains out there, right along with all the other uncertainties facing Filipino citizens hoping to make a life for themselves in their own country, never mind the two million or so Fil-Ams who have chosen to become the “bridge between East and West” that Gloria is so proud of.

    What’s also uppermost in the people’s minds, aside from wishing they had as much money as all the BS they hear from their leaders, is that as long as certain important issues against the president remain unresolved, well, Santa can choose to stay in the States where he belongs.

  38. npongco npongco

    Mrivera, the posting of the above article was timely because I’ve been comparing Bush and GMA. They sure have many similarities. I expect comments from pro-Bush and Republicans bloggers like Toney; but these guys have become unusually quiet since the US election last week. They might not admit it, but they are mourning the defeat.

  39. Mrivera Mrivera

    ang pulitika sa pilipinas ay tulad ng isang larong pinakikilos at sumusunod sa bawat kumpas ng kamay ng nakaupo sa white house. matatapos lamang ito kung mawawala na sa poder ang mga laruang papel sa malakanyang. kasabay nang pagsambulat ng galit ng taong bayan, mangangalat silang gutay gutay at walang ng pakinabang. subalit bago mangyari ito, nararapat lamang na mabawi ang lahat ng kanilang kinulimbat mula sa kaban ng bayan.

  40. chi chi

    npongco,
    yes, i read about the tapang and goodness of arsenio lacson, here and there. sure, he’s a plus to his distant young nephew. elder voters would surely vote for ping. keep your fingers crossed.

  41. npongco npongco

    I just hope Ping doesn’t die in bed with a lovely woman like the late Arsenio. I don’t think Ping is a womanizer.

  42. Yuko,

    You remember a commenter in the yahoo cybergroup where we belonged and who called himself Jorge Balagtas? Wasn’t the guy a member of INC?

    Maybe the guy could tell us whether they’re behind Lacson for his Manila mayoralty bid.

  43. TonGuE-tWisTeD TonGuE-tWisTeD

    The assault against unfriendly media is in high gear!

    First, we saw the message threatening Ellen.

    Yesterday, another journalist, whom Mike Arroyo has also filed libel against, was almost arrested right inside Malacañang Press Room by plainclothes police who tried to mislead the reporters in the room by misrepresenting themselves. Thanks for the presence of mind of her colleagues, the attempt was foiled. I do not have the full details yet.

    Today, while opening The Daily Tribune’s site to get that news’ details, my McAfee Security Center popped up a message that the Tribune’s site was infected with a Visual Basic Script (VBS) worm/virus and had to close. The site has been temporariliy blocked.

    Todo na ‘to!

  44. Tongue,

    I had exactly the same experience when I tried to access The Daily Tribune.

    What a bunch of bloody scalawags the Arroyo spouses are.

    They’re so goddamn freaks!

  45. TonGuE-tWisTeD TonGuE-tWisTeD

    Right you are, General Anna!

    Ellen, can anyone inform Tribune about this imediately? I cannot send a feedback ‘cuz it requires using Outlook Express which is very vulnerable to such attacks. Can’t risk it. It’s gonna be very ugly if this virus spreads rapidly, especially if it reaches your blog which shares many common readers with Tribune’s.

    Thanks.

  46. TongueT,

    Send an email to the editor (nco@tribune.net.ph) or ask Ka Mentong to relay it to the editorial staff of Tribune at htlfam@pacific.net.ph.

    If you are in Manila, it is better for you to call them up directly.

  47. TongueT, All:

    I use Netscape, and I just tried opening Tribune. It came out right. No virus. I don’t access the other site. Only this
    http://www.tribune.net.ph

    Funny, why you guys are not allowed to access the site from Manila. Kasi ba takot si Pandak na malaman ng mga taga Pilipinas ang mga kabulastugan niya. OK lang iyon mga nasa overseas. Sabihin lang nilang fully booked ang mga flights sa Manila, wala nang mamakauwi. Utak kamote talaga ang mga walanghiya.

    Over here, authorities may try to put one on surveillance but never will they try to do exactly the same things people they suspect of criminal activities do. May delicadeza kasi sila. Mahirap na kasing mapagkamalan.

  48. chi chi

    ToungeT,

    Totoo yata ang sabi ni ystakei na pinahihirapan kayo sa Manila/Pinas to access Tribune.
    Smooth sailing ang daily access ko dito sa “merika”.

  49. artsee artsee

    Mga kabayan, kaya nahihirapan kayo pumasok sa Tribune online kasi pinalitan na ang pangalan. The Daily TRIBUTE na ngayon. Tribute daw ito kay Ate Ellen at sa mga bayani nating lumalaban kay tiyanak.

  50. Mrivera Mrivera

    umandar na naman ang kakenkoyan nitong si artsee, oo. tribute? okey na rin. huwag lang virus infected.

  51. Chi,

    Most internetters in Japan now are on fibros optics, and telephones here now are mostly Voice IP para mura ang bayad. Because of the fast hook-up, they are also making sure to protect the subscribers from getting those virus, bugs, and worms from infected sites. We are provided with free SPAM etc. filtering and firewalls.

    I get warnings when something wants to invade my PC. I have activated my virus buster and spyware for this purpose. Ingat doon sa mga newcomers in blogging. Magaling sa kalokohan itong Internet Brigade ni Pandak. Utos daw ni Dambuhalang Ganid!

  52. chi chi

    Some Pinoys are really geniuses for creating viruses. Remember the LOVE virus?
    Kaya ito, matinding virus ang dumadali sa mga pinoy, the Glue virus!

  53. Chi:

    When you check the virus libraries of Norton, MacAffee, Microtrend, etc., you will be surprised to see a lot of Filipino sounding love bugs, etc. Lamentably, marami yata ang mga tupak ang ulo sa Pilipinas. Kailangan nilang pagamot! Kamukha kasi nila iyong mga amo nila sa Malacanang! I was going to say “Kawawa naman” but since I don’t feel “awa” for them, I won’t. Manigas na lang sila!

    Gotta go to bed now. Oyasumi!

  54. artsee artsee

    Anna, kung may virus di bigyan ng anti-virus medication? Ang simple lang naman ang solution.

  55. apoy apoy

    hawaiianguy,
    my good pal is in hawaii..he is the geo-political officer based in hickam…whatever you guys are planning in hawaii, he might be able to help you.. if interested, let me know.. i’ll make the arrangements..i cant do it here for obvious security reasons, mahirap na.

  56. hawaiianguy hawaiianguy

    Apoy, thanks for the suggestion. Wondering if your friend from Hickam can arrange access to either an F-16 or F-15. Another problem, of course, is whether someone from our concerned AFP can fly it without crashing in the Pacific.

    Seriously, I take issue Dr. Nemenzo, who stated what I also believe is the most central issue in Philippine political life now – legitimacy crisis. Leaders have no authority to govern if they are illegitimate (or widely perceived as such) and untrustworthy. Arroyo should have redeemed herself by facing the charges head on, instead of parrying them through her abiding allies in Congress whose only claim to power is their canine devotion and ability to spin lies, steal, and deceive people. Their hideous acts only reinforced the suspicion that they are suppressing the truth. The sooner they go, the better for the country.

  57. You bet, Hawaiianguy, leaders who are suspected of cheating should not govern, that is why we call Mrs. Pidal as a bogus president. You bet, there is the question in the legitimacy of her administration. So, why worry about breaking its lousy rules that are not even based on sane and logical laws! Noted iyan ng marami in Philippine politics. Takot nga lang mawala ang pork barrel. Wasn’t that what Ruffy Biazon said as his excuse for absenting himself from the group pursuing the impeachment this year.

    Understandable but disappointing indeed. Nawalan ng mga yagba. Piniga ni Pidal!

  58. Hawaiianguy,

    What do you mean “access to an F15?” Enter its cockpit? Fly it? Take pictures?

  59. Hawaiianguy,

    One of the last officers of the AFP who was fighter aircraft polyvalent (almost all fighter aircrafts including a Harrier and the Tornado) was Brig General Samuel Mahimer, Vice Com, PAF.

    He trained others too.

    There’s also one PAF officer from Class 74 who can fly the F-16 well and another figther aircraft in Europe.

    So the answer is yes, there must be one or two who could fly the F-16!

  60. Sam Mahimer unfortunately retired years ago but once a fighter pilot always a fighter pilot…

  61. artsee artsee

    Ano ba ang PMA? Philippine Medical Association?

  62. apoy apoy

    oops may nagbura?
    ibig kong sabihin
    pidal,macapagal,arroyo
    PMA

  63. artsee artsee

    O baka Philippine Motor Association o Pidal Macapagal Arroyo?

  64. hawaiianguy hawaiianguy

    Anna, “What do you mean “access to an F15?” Enter its cockpit? Fly it? Take pictures?” I was just musing over that possibility if Apoy’s contact from Hickam can arrange for that thing. If so, maybe someone from RP can fly it.

    Apoy, you heard Anna. Someone can do it. Timbrehan mo na ang contact mo sa Hickam, pahiram kamo ng isa lang.

  65. Hawaiianguy,

    Unless you are a military pilot, I doubt they will lend you a fighter aircraft.

    An operational F-16 is about 25 million dollars!

  66. And Hawaiian guy, General Sam Mahimer from last time I heard should be living in Hawaii with his wife who is an American citizen!

  67. npongco npongco

    Anna, why are you so knowledgeble about military matters? Were you or are you part of the military?

  68. hawaiianguy hawaiianguy

    “General Sam Mahimer from last time I heard should be living in Hawaii ..” Good! Will look for him.

  69. Mrivera Mrivera

    npongco, anna is a very much traveled lady who also love books, kaya ganyan ‘yan. me duda tuloy ako na apo ‘yan ni winston churchill. sobrang talas ng memorya.

  70. Mrivera,

    Re: “me duda tuloy ako na apo ‘yan ni winston churchill.”

    Paano naman kaya nagka-apo si Winston sa Batangas? Heheh!

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