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Joc-joc offers to talk

This is good.

Jocelyn “Joc-Joc” Bolante, former agriculture under-secretary and once trusted operator of Mike Arroyo, is offering to talk on condition that his tourist and business (B1B2) visa to the United States is restored.

The problem is that he is offering the deal to the wrong person.

Harry Roque Jr. of the Roque & Butuyan Law Offices and Institute of International Legal Studies, who has filed an amicus brief with the Wisconsin District Court hearting the case of Bolante, said that shortly after he left Chicago last Thursday (Sept. 14), Bolante’s lawyer, Y. Judd Azulay, called up their correspondent lawyer in the US, Mary Carmen Madrid-Crost.

Madrid-Crost said this was Azulay’s message: “You tell whoever you paid off at the State Department to restore his (Bolante’s) B1B2 visa and he will talk.”

When Madrid-Cross asked him what will happen if they refuse Bolante’s offer, Azulay reportedly said, “If he is deported, he will disappear forever .”

Amusing, isn’t it.

Roque finds Azulay’s offer “preposterous.” For one, he said, “we have no influence on his B1B2 visa. That’s the State Department’s call.”

As to his threat “to disappear forever”, Roque gave Bolante an idea what kind of life he would have if he is deported and refuses to come back to the Philippines: “Wherever he goes, we will hunt him down until he tells us the truth who ordered him to spend the fertilizer fund in the manner that he did.”

Bolante’s offer betrays his desperation. He has finally come to realize that the scenario Mike Arroyo painted for him when he agreed to be arrested did not exactly work out.

Roque said under no circumstances will Bolante be granted bail as he petitioned because he was an arriving alien without a valid visa. In such cases, the subject is either detained or deported.

Roque desperately wants his B1B2 visa restored so he can stay in the US and evade coming home and facing the Senate inquiry on the diversion of P728 million fertilizer fund for the farmers which he used to fertilize the votes of Gloria Arroyo in the 2004 elections.

Bolante’s threat to “disappear forever” is a hint that if he is sent back, he would escape to other countries.

He could do that while Arroyo is still in power because it is certain that the Philippine government will not ask for his extradition. Like what happened to former Comelec Commissioner Virgilio Garcillano, whom the DFA never found, until he got tired of going around the world and decided to come home. (Now he wants to run for Congress in the next election.)

But as far as we know, persons detained in the US for visa violations are deported to their country (in handcuffs) escorted by an American marshal and turned over to local authorities.

But if Bolante, with the assistance of the Arroyos, wants to “disappear”, let him be. Let him live the life of a fugitive.

He can only do that, at the latest until 2010. If Arroyo does not fall before that. Once Arroyo is out of power, he would have to come back and join her in jail. He has to be reminded of the words of wisdom, “You can run but you can’t hide forever.”

Bolante’s offer to talk is laughable. Roque is right in treating that as a joke.

Never trust a liar. Even in his interview with US immigration officer Rene Arambulo, Bolante insisted that he was never informed about the cancellation of his visa. Also, in his petition for release from custody pending final determination of his case where he sued no less than Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice, it said, “Petitioner did not have prior notice of the revocation of his U.S. visa.”

He is lying. Karen Waltz Davis, Fraud Prevention Unit manager of the Consular Section of the US Embassy, notified Bolante of the revocation of his visa twice. The first letter was dated Feb. 15, 2006 (posted at www.pcij.org/blog) addressed to 320 Ma. Cristina st., Ayala Alabang, Muntinlupa. It’s the same address he used in his affidavit before the US immigration officer.

Davis’ first letter said: “The Consular Section of the US Embassy in Manila would like to inform you that the tourist visa B1B2 you currently hold is not valid for travel at this time.

“It is requested that you visit the office of Ms Waltz-Davis concerning this issue. Please feel free to contact us at telephone 528-6300X2340.”

Ms. Waltz-Davis’ second letter dated March 20, 2006 categorically said: “Acting pursuant to the authority, contained in the Department of State regulations, you are hereby informed that as of today, your non-immigrant visa has been revoked under INA Section 214 (b) and is not valid for travel.

“It is requested that if you have any questions, please contact Ms Waltz-Davis at 528-6300×2340.”

One Fil-American immigration lawyer theorized that Bolante knew that his visa was revoked and it was part of his and his patron’s strategy to enter the US and seek asylum, thinking that with a good lawyer, it won’t take a month before he is released on bail and allowed to stay in the US, while his case is being heard, which could take years.

He was arrested July 7. It has been more than two months that Bolante has been in jail and his petition for bail has been rejected.

Bolante’s predicament now simply proves that there is no such thing as a perfect crime.

Published inMalaya

109 Comments

  1. Malaya’s news item on Joc-joc’s offer:

    Joc Joc’ offers to sing
    if US visa is restored
    Otherwise, he will ‘disappear forever’

    FORMER agriculture undersecretary Jocelyn “Joc Joc” Bolante has offered to “talk” if his B1-B2 visa is restored by the US State department, his US lawyer told another US-based lawyer identified with the group of UP professor Harry Roque, which is pressing for his extradition.

    Judd Azulay of Azulay, Horn & Seiden LLC., made the “compromise offer” in a telephone conversation with Mary Carmen Madrid-Crost, the correspondent-lawyer of Roque’s group, a day after an immigration court in Illinois rejected Bolante’s bail petition.

    “You tell whoever you paid off at the State department to restore his (Bolante’s) B1-B2 visa and then he will talk,” Roque quoted Azulay as having told Madrid-Crost.

    If not, Azulay said, “he will disappear forever.”

    This is on the assumption that Bolante’s petition for asylum is rejected and he will be deported back to the Philippines.

    Roque said Azulay is, in effect, saying that Bolante will never return to the Philippines even if he is expelled from the US.

    Roque’s group has opposed all of Bolante’s petitions before the immigration court, including for bail, for habeas corpus and for asylum.

    It has filed an amicus brief to prove to the US court that he is facing graft cases in the Philippines and should therefore be sent back to face charges.

    Bolante has been in detention since July 7 upon arrival in Los Angeles.

    Roque called Azulay’s “compromise offer” preposterous.

    “We have no influence (on the State department),” he said.

    On Bolante’s threat to disappear, he said, “Wherever he goes, we will hunt him down until he tells the truth on how he used the P728 million.”

    The amount, earmarked for fertilizers and other farm inputs, was believed diverted by Bolante to buy votes for President Arroyo during the 2004 elections.

    On Bolante’s bail petition, Roque said the court had no choice but to reject it, because being an immigration court, it could only order his continued detention or deportation.

    The next hearing is set on Sept. 27.

    The case has been kept off the media upon the request of Bolante who invoked his right to privacy. It was on this ground that the Philippine government has also maintained an official policy of not intervening in the case.

    Bolante’s visa was cancelled by the US Embassy in Manila upon the representation of the Senate agriculture committee which had issued an arrest warrant against him for repeatedly snubbing the committee hearings on the fertilizer fund scam.

    The US Embassy’s action was widely believed to have been in keeping with President Bush’s Proclamation 212 which denies haven for kleptocrats.

    In the interrogation conducted by immigration officer Rene Arambulo, Bolante said he was advised by his lawyer not to attend the Senate hearings because the Senate is a biased body.

    He called the arrest warrant issued by the Senate as politically motivated.

  2. DESPERATE in Chicago, ei!?

    Roque“Wherever he goes, we will hunt him down until he tells us the truth who ordered him to spend the fertilizer fund in the manner that he did.”

    THIS should be the standard procedure FOR ALL who plundered the coffers.

    >>That includes, the marcoses & his cronies, arroyo and their tutas.

    WALANG PATAWAD! To the FULL extent of the Law, or beyond…
    nang hwag nang pamarisan! Masyadong soft ang Batas ng Pinoy eh… Madali ring makalimot! Mali! Dapat walang palalmpasin, kahit isa…LAHAT!

  3. chi chi

    Let Bolante suffer the torments of hell in the US jail. Kung ibabalik iyan sa Pilipinas, siguradong papatatakasin lang siya ng mga taning na Glue and Mike Pidal.

    Bolante was so dumb (taranta na kasi) for not doing his own research on US immigration policy. Ipinakain siya ng buhay ni Mike Pidal whose arrogance and bloated ego never imagined that there’s a chance his strategy will not work at all times. Events have started to work against them, and I’m feeling so good.

    Konting tiis na lang

  4. nelbar nelbar

    “That includes, the marcoses & his cronies, arroyo and their tutas.”

     
     
    Kaya ako walang kabib-bilid sa justice system dito sa Pilipinas. Pinapakita ni taipan88 na may pinipili.
    Eh papaano naman noong panahon ni Cory: Petroscam, Garchitorena Land Scam, Kamaganak Inc. atbp.
    FVR: PEA-Amari Scam, Centennial Expo scam, IPP deals.
    Erap: Jueteng Gate at JEE version of cronyism.

     

    Ilan buwan matapos ang EDSA Dos, madalas mong makikita sa mga balita sa TV at dyaryo o’ maririnig mo sa radyo ang Plunderwatch. Pero ngayon nasaan na?

  5. Diego K. Guerrero Diego K. Guerrero

    What deal? Thieves like Jose Pidal and Joc-Bolante have no honor. They cannot be trusted. There can be no compromise with plunderer.

  6. Msyado kang hot, nelbar…..
    I can’t write them all, y’know!
    Since I have posted in my blog, a sort of comparison between marcos and glue, my mind may have been processing those two only at the moment.

    It’s good you mentioned them…
    I know there are more!
    But let the owner of the blog to do it, ‘K?

  7. Diego,
    That’s the spirit, man!
    NO compromise with the magnanakaws!
    All of them!

  8. You bet. Agree ako sa pag-imbestiga sa hidden assets ni Imelda especially, for I know for sure that kaming mga kamag-anak ni Macoy (sa father side niya) walang napakinabang sa kaniya. Ang nakinabang alam ko ang mga kamag-anak ng nanay niya at mga kamag-anak ni Imelda. Ako nga mismo nasusuya doon sa mga bali-balita tungkol sa mga jewelries ni Imelda na mamamatay iyong ale kung hindi niya makuha ulit na sa ngayon ay me

    Iyong mga nakuha sa Swiss bank, nasaan na? Bakit pinakurakot ninyo?

    When the Marcoses were flown to Hawaii, I know that they were asked to sign some documents of properties and assets daw that they owned and were being sequestered. Imelda was telling us of boxes and boxes of cash money daw na nagulat nga sila that they did not remember packing up dahil nga kahit na lampin ng mga batang dala nila ay hindi nila nadala!

    When I heard that story, I knew that there was something fishy about these claims that are being pounded on them, may totoo pero marami ring mga kabulastugan para makapagnakaw ang mga uupo!!! Ngayon nasaan na iyong box and box na pera na hindi naman ibinigay sa kanila dahil nga confiscated daw!

    Let justice work in the Philippines, and let’s see how many indeed Marcos stole from the Filipino people, and please no touch iyong mga kinukumpiska and see which among them actually were in the name of the Filipino people dahil I bet you, Marcos did not put a stamp on them like the properties Japan paid to the Philippines for the blood of those who died and fought for the Philippines in WWII kasama na ang lolo ni Francis Escudero, my uncles at tatay ko, et al.

    Puede ba huwag nang magmalinis! But the way I see it is even Oliver Lozano, the lawyer of Imelda, has to play with the music now to win his case and favor for his client. One reason why I did not take up law was because I hated the graft and corruption in the Philippines. Ibang-iba sa mga lawyer dito sa Japan sa totoo lang! Mahigpit kasi pati na ang Federation of Japanese Bar Associations. Hindi puede ang mga kalokohan katulad ng mga ginagawa halimbawa ni De Vera na natanggal sa bar association ng California!

    Ang binabantayan namin ngayon ang pagbenta ng properties sa Japan na gustong kamkamin ng mag-asawang kurakot! May mga lawyers na kaming kinakausap tungkol sa bagay na ito. When the time comes, Ellen, kailangan namin ang mga pangalan ng mga pilipinong gustong maging petitioner sa motion na isasampa namin sa korte on behalf of ALL CITIZENS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES VERSUS THE PIDALS, ET AL. Dito sa Japan kahit na walang pera puedeng magsampa ng kaso basta nasa katwiran ka. Ipapabayad naman sa mga magnanakaw ang gastos ng korte kasi!

    PATALSIKIN NA, NOW NA!

  9. Phil Cruz Phil Cruz

    This multi-million fertilizer peddler initiated the proposed deal. And he threatens to disappear if there’s no deal?

    Why doesn’t he confess in writing first, then submit it to the Senate (to Jun Magsaysay). His American lawyer thinks we are idiots.

    Got to hand it to Senator Magsaysay, Atty Roque and the UP lawyers. They’re fighting a good fight. A big fish has been hooked and it’s thrashing about trying to get unhooked. Don’t let go, gentlemen. Play it smart and steady.

  10. This should read: You bet. Agree ako sa pag-imbestiga sa hidden assets ni Imelda especially, for I know for sure that kaming mga kamag-anak ni Macoy (sa father side niya) walang napakinabang sa kaniya. Ang nakinabang alam ko ang mga kamag-anak ng nanay niya at mga kamag-anak ni Imelda. Ako nga mismo nasusuya doon sa mga bali-balita tungkol sa mga jewelries ni Imelda na mamamatay iyong ale kung hindi niya makuha ulit na sa ngayon ay PINAGNANASAAN NG MGA PIDALS. IYON NGANG HIPAG NI CORY NAGNASA DOON SA MGA MALALAKING DIAMANTE NI IMELDA, AT IYONG KAPATID NI NINOY SA AMERICA BALITA NGA KASAMA DIN DOON SA ANOMALYA NG PAGBENTA NG PHILIPPINE PROPERTY SA STOCKTON ST. SA SFO. NANDOON AKO SA SFO NANG IBULGAR NI DE VERA ANG KASONG ITO KAYA AKALA KO NGA TUNAY NA MATINO SIYA. SOURGRAPE LANG PALA SIYA! KAYA NOON IBEBENTA ANG ROPPONGI PROPERTY ALAM NA NAMIN ANG GAGAWIN NAMIN. THANK GOD, HISTORY MAJOR AKO AND I DID PAPER ON THE RELATIONSHIP OF JAPAN AND THE PHILIPPINES KAYA ALAM NA ALAM KO ANG MGA DEALS TUNGKOL SA REPARATIONS PAYMENTS. IYONG MGA NALAMAN KONG KURAKUTAN NG MGA OPISYAL NA PILIPINO EVEN WAY BACK SA LATE 40’s UP TO THE 70’s TALAGANG NAKAKASUKA!

  11. Huwag papayagan makalusot si Bolate. Kailangang tulungan natin si Magsaysay diyan na magmatigas na ipitin si Bolate. No deal. My group and I over here will write to him a letter of encouragement.

  12. florry florry

    Deal or no deal, or will disappear forever! A threat or a bluff?
    The lawyers of Bolante are very well aware that they are cutti ng a deal with the wrong person. so what gives? It’s the State Dept’s call, and it’s not the Phil. Senate or Magsaysay. And in case visa is re-instated, how can you be so sure that bolante will do his part of the deal? A liar is a liar, is a liar and never trust a liar just like her patrons mr. & mrs. pidal.

  13. alitaptap alitaptap

    Dapat gatongan ang chair ni Cheding Gutierrez dahil natutulog yata. Napakarami ng anomalya ang nagaganap, pero wala namang nababalitang ginagawa niya sa paghabol sa nawawalang yaman ng bayan.
    For starters, you IMPSA deal na tinanggihan ni erap at biglang sinunggaban ni bansot.Bago mag-eleksion nawala ang P200 milyon sa DPWH at P230 milyon sa CALAMITY FUND. Nitong huli ay nagbigay ng $16 milyon ang UN environment fund para sa Guimaras oil spill, pero wala namang ginagawa sa Guimaras. Nasaan yong laundered money na binulgar ni Axxa Ramirez sa Land Bank?
    Ang masasabi ko lang ay hindi madadala ni Gloria sa ke San Pedro dahil sa bigat ng mga dalahin niya, hindi makaya ng kanyang golden chariot.

  14. npongco npongco

    Bulate wants to talk now? Why only now? Don’t trust this worm! It could be another trick cooked up by the Batsoy gang.

  15. prans prans

    18 September 2006

    Hmmmmmmm. let me think of the offer made by bolante……hmmmmm, never!!!!! IF he really wants to talk, he should talk without any (pre)conditions, how in the world he dictates on his spilling the beans with conditions??? he who has the power (with the help of gloira and big mike)is now afraid???I think the bolante knows that he is fighting a loss cause. If he reallt wants to cut clean he should now talk and go back here in the Philippines to clear everything. The question is why only now??? maybe, just maybe they thought that they could escape from the mess that they created. Bolante thought that he could get an asylum in the US. I think it is too late for him to dangle a compromise with the govt. If he wants to clear his name (if he could still clean it) then he should talk now without any conditions.

    Gloria and big mike maybe, again just maybe, is having sleepless nights, especially after coming from the US. I heard that gloria was a bit agitated after ermita wispered something to her upon her arrival??? whatever ermita wispered to gloria,is still a mystery. Imgaine, just after arriving hearing a bad news, somewhat can really piss-off anybody. Perhaps it is the news that bolante wants to talk now.

    Gloria is getting scared

    prans

  16. Mrivera Mrivera

    dapat lang na magsalita na si bolate para naman mabawasan ang kasalanan n’ya sa taong bayan. huwag siyang tumulad lalo na kay singson na ubod ng kawatan. tandaan lamang sana ng mga hindoropot na ‘yan – madali sa mga pilipino ang magpatawad pero ang lumimot sa mga kawalanghiyaan nila ay mahirap.

  17. vic vic

    For all we know, the lawyers for Mr. Bolante, (as published before is the second largest law firm in the U.S.), may have just testing the water if Mr. Roque group have really that power or influence that could tilt the outcome of their client’s case against his favor. What I’m speculating here, if the group is amicable to the offer then it shows that they are weak or if they can really intervene then it may uncover some evidence that they can use for their client’s benefits during the “actual hearing” of the case. Like saying those you ‘pay off at the state department’ is a kind of a bait. Oh..those Expensive American lawyers, never underestimate their bag of tricks, they can make you confuse seeing red is blue and before you knew, the jury already heard you.

  18. soleil soleil

    anong ‘or else, or else!’…paki sapok at sipa nga ang ungas na yan!!!! nahihibang na talaga sya at dahil sa kayabangan bg amo nyang mga ugaling ahas kaya yan may pa ‘or else-or else’ pa..pinapain lang nila yan para mag-delay tactic…mga pampa delay ploy yan…kesyo ‘may-sasabihin kaming kwento’..pero wag ka puro ka-eklatan lang yan ng mga switik na doroobo gang and the legion of doom…as Vic says here…they wagging the carrot to the rabbits..anther topic…as alitaptap mentioned, what and where are the funds for the people that were started by other administrations???!!!! wer is the pondo ng pinoy? already in the Pondo ng Pidal!?!?!!!!

  19. Elvira Sahara Elvira Sahara

    Makisali na nga sa inyong usapan, mga iho. Kaalmusal ko lang at nabilaokan pa nga ako ng maalaala ko ang offer ni Bolate. Naniniwala ako na smarter naman ang mga Pinoy lawyers lead by Roque NOT to give in to Bolate’s conditions. Di ba may kasabihan,” Never make a deal with Satan?” Eh, ano ba sa akala n’yo si Bolate, “SANTO?” If you ask me, “NO DEAL!”

  20. norpil norpil

    agree with vic again but it seems this is good news even for those who thinks the only good news is when gma disappears.for me it is still the wait and see attitude. just off topic. just read about the swedish election results where the social democrats lost to the conservatives.what made it interesting for me was an analyst’s comment that persson (the social democrat’s prime minister) seem more happy in relinquishing the govt after 12 years in power.wonder if gma will be happy when she do so or will she ever go voluntarily. another interesting comment was that the social democrats lost because the conservatives have a better programme for labor and the elder people, which means that the conservatives ran with a socialist programme.but there was also disenchantment with the socialists because persson had too many properties unbecoming of a socialist prime minister to be.

  21. Re Ellen’s “But as far as we know, persons detained in the US for visa violations are deported to their country (in handcuffs) escorted by an American marshal and turned over to local authorities.

    But if Bolante, with the assistance of the Arroyos, wants to “disappear”, let him be. Let him live the life of a fugitive.”

    Phil is absolutely dead on. Bolante’s US lawyer thinks Pinoys are idiots. Disappear? Well, Bolante can’t just disappear without first being deported to Pinas… The US lawyer is blackmailing Roque and company. Is the US lawyer insinuating that Bolante can do a disappearing act between the US airport and the Philippine airport because he’s got clout in the US?

    Even if for the sake of argument, Bolante decides to “disappear” if a deal isn’t made, he will have to be deported back to Pinas first, accompanied by US Marshalls on the flight back home, in handcuffs and dropped at the airport to be received by whoever is in authority to receive him.

    Now, that’s where the circus act will have to be organized because once Bolante reaches Pinas, things will be tricky (and I reckon, this is what the US lawyer is alluding to with regards Bolante’s disappearing blackmail shit.) Sure, if Bolante is received by the Gen Manager of the airport, who is a crony of the Fatso, obviously, he could be whisked away to some unknown hideout, out of reach of the Senate and their sergeants at arms. Obviously, the best thing is that he’s received by armed men who are not on the payroll of Fatso so he can’t escape and be detained by the Senate until he testifies and sings.

  22. But this is all very difficult and almost not doable because once he is in Pinas, he is in the territory of Fatso’s henchmen and no good men in the Philippines can take him to the Senate. (Besides, what can the Senate and their sergeant at arms do against Gloria’s PNP henchmen?)

    This is why I believe he should be kept in US prison and not deported right away until he sings in the US. A deal with US authorities (through the Phil Senate’s lawyers there) is the next best thing PROVIDED (as I said the caveat must be tight) Bolante reveals all! And I mean by that ALL, leaving no stone unturned! The deal could be coursed through the US witness SHOULD be ABSOLUTELY UTILE and relevant enough to indict and prosecute the Mr and Mrs Fatso.

    Now, how the US could use Bolante’s testimony to help indict Mr and Mrs Fatso in the US is HAZY and legally difficult – Mr and Mrs Fatso are Philippine citizens and are in the Philippines. Unless they’ve committed an act that violates US laws, the US cannot prosecute them. Perhaps, if Bolante can show that Mr Fatso, who is a regular traveller to the US has hidden wealth in the US and has accumulated wealth there through money laundering, then there’s a chance that Mr Fatso could be prosecuted in the US – but again, he’s got to be physically in the US for American authorities to put their hands on him and treat him like a common criminal!.

  23. As legal things stand today, only the Philippines can, at present, prosecute Mr and Mrs Fatso! And we all know that prosecuting them in Pinas today is NEXT TO IMPOSSIBLE because PNP, Ombudsman, DOJ, SC are all beholden financially and whatever to Mr and Mrs Fatso!

    Bolante is the key to opening the safe that will or might trigger the fall of Mr and Mrs Fatso with regards the plunder of the 750 million pesos or so. The US is wittingly cooperating with the good people of the Philippines. The good people of the Philippines, some of the brave men in the Philippine Senate must decide FAST! Time is of the essence – lest Ambassador Gaa receives specific instructions to use the Embassy diplomatic privileges to save Bolante from the clutches of those who want to arrest him in the Philippines!

  24. Oops, sorry, I meant:

    “The deal could be coursed through the US witness protection program but Bolante’s testimony SHOULD be ABSOLUTELY UTILE and relevant enough to indict and prosecute the Mr and Mrs Fatso.” (DOJ siRaulo Gonzales witness protection programme will be useless because siRaulo is one of the most active asslickers of Mr and Mrs Fatso!)

  25. Phil’s point must be taken: Bolante must be made to CONFESS in writing first… but he should stay in the US prison till this is all cleared up in the Philippine Senate.

    God, how I love the US when they are doing things right!

  26. Ellen,

    You said that Mr Fatso has been filing libel suits left right center, well, here’s a story that’s encouraging:

    “UN rights cases filed vs GMA, Palparan

    A leader of a militant group filed yesterday several complaints of human rights violations against President Arroyo, Armed Forces chief Gen. Hermogenes Esperon, and retired Maj. Gen. Jovito Palparan before the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland.”

    Kailangan supalpalan din ng maraming kaso si Mrs Fatso outside the country. So that when she’s indicted and up for prosecution, she will be arrested on foreign soil. Hah!

  27. And here’s another mind-boggling news:

    “NPAs beaten by 2010 — AFP”

    Oh yeah? When the poverty level is alleviated, perhaps, it might happen. But until then Esperon is speaking through his ass!

  28. Hello!

    Totoo ba ito, Ellen?

    “Statement of Secretary Ignacio R. Bunye Re Anti-Corruption Campaign

    “The World Bank apparently glosses over our steady gains in the anti-corruption campaign.

    “Under the Arroyo administration, grafters in high levels have been removed from office even as anti-graft cases continue to be filed.

    “President Arroyo has put up a billion pesos to match the $20 million anti-corruption fund set up by the U.S. Millennium Challenge Account.

    “In the meantime, surveys from the business sector indicate a declining incidence of graft in the local government level.”

  29. vic vic

    In an affidavit executed by Immigration Officer Rene Arambulo, he stated that Mr. Bolante had indicated his fear of going back to the Philippines after he was informed why his entry was denied. And the Immigration Officer clearly stated that since he intended to stay as immigrant without a valid Visa, he will be put under The Protective Custody of The Customs and Border Protection Services until his case is seen by an Immigration Judge to address his concern. Whatever the underlying xyz let’s all wait and see. There is more to it than what we know and only an all-singing, spill them all Joc-Joc can clear the matter if he wants to. The drama continues..

  30. Right on Vic! Meanwhile Phil Ambasador Gaa is BACK in Pinas for so many consecutive times in time for Gloria’s arrival from her round the world trip.

    If I were a gambling man, I would wager, he is about to receive INSTRUCTIONS pertaining to the BOLATE sing a song threat.

  31. nelbar nelbar

    Mula sa EDITORIAL ng Abante September 15,2006:
     
     

    Yuko pa rin sa Kano
     

    Ang alam natin sa kasaysayan ng Pilipinas ay matagal na tayong nagsarili bilang isang bansa. May sarili na tayong kasarinlan, may sariling bandila, sariling pamahalaan, may sariling sistema at dapat ay may sariling kapangyarihan na hindi hinihiram sa alinmang bansang minsang sumakop sa atin.
     
    Pero ano itong ginagawa ng iba nating kababayan at ng mismong gobyerno natin? Binibigyan nila ng pagkakataon ang Amerika na mapatunayang sila pa rin ang nakakapangyari sa ating buhay. Nakakahiya na nakakatuwa na medyo nakakatakot din.
     
    Ito ngang kaso ni dating Agriculture Undersec. Jocelyn ‘Joc Joc’ Bolante ay isang malinaw na halimbawa. Kahit makailang ulit nang kinalawit ng kamay ng Senado si Bolante para pagpaliwanagin sa P728 milyong fertilizer fund scam ay hindi ito madaklot ng Mataas na Kapulungan ng Kongreso.
     
    Sa halip namang pagsabihan ng Malacañang ang kanyang mga galamay sa ilalim ng executive branch na matutong rumespeto sa mga co-equal branches ng pamahalaan, aba’y sila pa ang nagsasabi sa kanilang mga opisyal na, “Sige, ‘wag n’yong siputin ‘yan, ako’ng bahala sa inyo!”
     
    Lantarang tinanggalan ng ngipin at pakpak ng Malacañang ang Senado sa ginawa nitong pagkunsinti at pagtulong pa nga sa mga miyembro ng gabinete na sumusuwag sa nasabing kapulungan.
     
    Pero heto nga’t ang mismong gobyerno ng Estados Unidos ang kumilala sa kapangyarihan ng Senado kaya nakakulong ngayon si Bolante matapos kanselahin ang kanyang B1/B2 visa. Hinarang ng immigration officials sa Los Angeles airport noong Hulyo at hindi na pinakawalan dahil sa inisyung warrant of arrest ng Philippine Senate.
     
    Ngayon ay natataranta ang mga opisyal ng pamahalaan. Lahat ay nangingilag sa Senado. Ang dahilan: US government ang kanilang makakalaban kapag binalewala nila ang Philippine Senate.
     
    Nakita n’yo na kung paano pangilagan ang Kano? Nakita n’yo na kung paano gumagana ang impluwensya at kapangyarihan nito sa bansa na akala nati’y matagal nang lumaya?
     
    Bakit? Dahil bukod sa takot na ma-ban sa Amerika, karamihan sa mga opisyal ay nagbuhos na ng kanilang yaman at investment sa US kaya gayun na lang ang takot nila na matulad kay Bolante.
     
    Magtataka ka dahil ilang beses na rin namang naghabol ang Pilipinas sa mga kuwestyunableng yaman ng mga government officials na dinala sa Estados Unidos pero hindi ito kinatakutan ninuman. Ibig sabihin, wala talagang takot sa sariling gobyerno ang marami sa atin at mas malaki ang takot natin sa mga Kano.
     
    Higit na makapangyarihan, higit na may kredibilidad at nasa ilalim mismo ng kontrol ng Amerika ang kanilang yaman doon. Intindido! Pero hindi maganda para sa ating sariling gobyerno.
     
     
     

    * * * * *

     

    Ilang araw matapos ang anibersaryo ng September 16,1991 , wala man lang akong nakitang pagpapahalaga sa media(broadcast & print) para sa kagitingan na ginawa ng mga Senador tungkol sa Abrogation of RP-US Military Bases Agreement. Marahil ay natatakot na makilala na sumisimpatiya sa mga nagpasimuno ng 9-11.

    Naalala ko tuloy noong 1991, 15 taon na ang nakalilipas ang imahe sa telebisyon ng mag-amang Senador Tañada at talaga namang nakaka-touch ang kanyang speech.

    Alam nyo sa totoo lang, nag celebrate na lang ako ng 15 anniversary sa harap ng TV noong Sabado sa panonood ng The Explainer tungkol sa ‘The Clash’ at ‘The End’ ni MLQ3.
    Sana dumami pa ang mga tulad o tema ng show ni MLQ3.

  32. Ah Nelbar, what you say is a sad reality – Pinas is still hawak sa batok ng Kano.

    The only way to take that hawak is for Pinoy leaders to be STRAIGHT, courageous, brave, not corrupt, won’t accept graft, bribes, etc.

    Then Pinas will have the respect of the US (even then the US will make sure they can always hawak Pinoy government on the batok – they need subservient, over-friendly government in place to make tuwad to them because without the tuwad-tuwads in Pinas, they run the risk of losing the use of the sea lanes of cimmunication that the US needs so badly in the south to reach the gulf via the Indian ocean when trouble arises over there in the gulf.)

    Ah geo-politics, so complicated yet so simple.

    But already, if Americans CAN respect Pinoys, that’s one step in the right direction – negotiations can be made on an even keel and won’t be lopsided.

  33. Toney Cuevas Toney Cuevas

    For whatever its worth, the tide is turning, illegitimate Gloria Arroyo and Miguel are perhap losing sleep on this Bolante’s case. I sure hope so. The noose is tightening on illegitimate Gloria’s neck. And for the time being my faith on the Senators headed by Senator Magsaysay with the assistance from Atty. Roque’s determination has somehow been restored. But, it’s yet remain to be seen, we can only be optimistic of the outcome that Bolante will sing that can finally put illegitimate Gloria away. We shall wait and see!

    Still Bolate is a snake that can’t be trusted. He’ll do anything not for the love of the country and justice, but only for the benefit of Bolate. However, we’ve to look everything in proper perspective, we already gain much more than before with the cooperation of the USA. We can only wish that this Bolate’s P728 million fertilizer capers will have happy an ending for the sake of justice and the country. It doesn’t matter where the help coming from as long as it’ll put an halt on the Arryos continues raping of the Philippines.

    As for Bolate itself and others like him are worthless traitors.

  34. Gosh, first glance after a day out in the field, I thought I misread Nelbar when he wrote: Yuko pa rin sa kano, and I misinterpreted to mean, “Yuko also for the Americans!” Buti na lang, I had the mind to read his whole message kundi “libel” na iyan because I don’t bow to anyone except that it is our custom her to bow instead of shaking hands!!! ;-P

    But, Nelbar, mali ka pa rin. Anna is right. The word is not “yuko” but more “tuwad”—prostituting what is uniquely Filipino for lousy American system tapos kuno try hard to look different by adopting for example non-collegiate, etc. from occupying meaty positions in the government even when the bogus government does not even have any program to provide free education up to college to ALL Filipinos, who all must have equal opportunity in a democracy which the crooks claim their government is! Tarantado din di ba?

    Yup, Anna is right. Filipinos have to learn how other people can respect like for example stopping the human trafficking of wannabe prostitutes overseas disguised as entertainers and/or wannabe caregivers!!!

  35. Anna,

    Bobo siguro si Bunye and trying hard to impress his master, but WB has given an ultimatum when it said that it would stop any financial aid to government proven to misuse funds it gives as aids.

    Ang daming gimmick ng mga walanghiya. Passing news releases to local and foreign media that are not even based on facts but on tampered and falsified documents. Utang being paid with another utang? Is that economic stride and improvement? Bayad-utang lang iyan! Baka iyong utang ang ibinayad pa nga iyong mga calamity funds donated by government and private organizations overseas like the funds from various organizations in Japan to the bogus government for the landslide victims in Leyte! Tangna, ilabas ang mga accounting dyan para makita kung saan ibinangko ni Kawatan iyan.

    PATALSIKIN NA, NOW NA!

  36. Anna, all those claims by Bunye are skewed. So what if Gloria put up the counterpart fund for the U.S. millenium challenge? it doesn’t mean she will not commit corruption nor will tolerate corruption by her minions just to survive.

  37. The majority says “NO DEAL”! I second the motion! Mabulok si Bolate!!! NO DEAL! NO DEAL! NO DEAL! NO DEAL! NO DEAL!

    Then, perhaps, the US may try to check on the properties, bank accounts and other assets of this Fatso and his fellow Fatsos overstaying at the palace by the murky river in the USA, and charge them with money laundering if they cannot explain how they have acquired those assets.

    But whether we like it or not, Bolate will have to be deported to the Philippines regardless of whether or not he is sent to jail in the USA. Remember Mark Jimenez, Cerpes or something? He who was a US citizen but stripped off of his US citizenship when he was proven to have committed a crime and declared himself Filipino again, even running for a position in the Philippine Tongress, and after serving a jail term in the USA for his crime, he was sent back to the Philippines. And now, look who his barkada is!—the great Ukininana, Chavit Singson!

    Ito pang si Bolate with only a B1/B2 visa! Bibigyan ng special privilege? No way! Manigas siya!

    PATALSIKIN NA, NOW NA!

  38. But Yuko, how sure are we that if and when Bolate is deported to Manila, he won’t run for office? If he does, he is likely to win, just like Iggy Pidal Arroyo, who enjoys Congress immunity?

    Being deported to Manila is not a guarantee that he would go to prison – I think the reverse is quite possible: he would be free as a lark because Mr and Mrs Fatso will be there to help him gain lost ground.

    The Philippine Senate, even with their muscles being flexed today are quite incapable of sending him to prison even if he’s found guilty somewhere.

    To me, unless he writes a written confession of his crimes, he should stay in prison in the US of A and must not be deported to Manila – also, what I’m saying is that a deal should only be entered into between him and whichever authority is allowed to deal, only if he confesses, otherwise, no deal.

  39. I am in favor of the US granting Bolate some kind of limited immunity from prosecution in the US provided he squeals and testifies agains the Fatso couple.

    Now, his prosecution in Pinas is another matter. (That shows you how low my confidence is in the Philippine judiciary.)

  40. Tedans Tedans

    So meron pala talaga siyang ikakanta. Totoo pala lahat ang kabulastugan na ginawa ng mag-asawang Arroyo na yan. Kaya pala lahat na ginagawa ng Pekeng yan ay puro taliwas sa ating batas. Lahat ng tama ay mali at yong mali ay tama. ANO PA ANG GINAGAWA NATIN MGA KABABAYAN KO???? HAYAAN NA LANG BA NATIN NA TAYO AY KANILANG LOLOKOHIN SAMPU NG KANYANG MGA ALIPORES???? Kung si Marcos na sabi nating strongman ay napa-alis natin … yan pa kayang tiyanak na yan!!! Gumalaw na tayo bago maubos ang salop.

  41. Amazing really! Bolante sounds like Volante which in French means “Flighty!”

    heheh!

    OVery significant meaning: Bolante is flighty, can’t be trusted. Ouch! Back to square 1!

    So, on second thought: He might back out of any deals after he’s accorded one. He might even declare he was coerced into signing a confession of sorts.

    So di bale na lang… mabulok na lang siya doon sa US Immigration prison center (first class jail iyon!)

  42. Toney Cuevas Toney Cuevas

    We’ve been dissapointed quite numerous time, e.g. Garci and others. But, we must have faith that justice will prevail someday. Illegitmate Gloria’s day is just around the corner and when it does, I hope she won’t be spending the remaining of her time like Imelda. Illegitimate Gloria’s must have consequences if we are going to have a true justice. There should be no negotiation but prosecution and ultimately prison time for the Arroyos. There are no other way, illegitimate Gloria must serve jail time to set an example. Marcoses shouldn’t be repeated, it was a grave error to let them out of the country. And still now we are being reminded of it.

    Illegitimate Gloria must go directly to jail! And for Bolate, justice is now being served. I’m sure Bolate has regretted being connected to the Arroyos. Imagine, Bolate was once a hot shot with power, and now is just literally like a Bolate that we can step on. At least, it give us little bit of satisfaction knowing Bolate is in jail, and doing everything to be free. Now he knows what’s like to lose a freedom.

  43. Toney Cuevas Toney Cuevas

    Jun:

    This message is directly for you just a reminder of how misplaced your loyalty to the country. I’m sure illegitimate Gloria didn’t pull the triger, but just as the same she’s responsible for not doing enough to stop the senseless killing. Illegitimate Gloria is guilty! Yes Jun, another political extra-judicial killing, this time it was a very closed friend of Mayor Binay, Mayor of Makati. His name is Pablito Glean, Chief of Makati City Business Permit and Licensing Office.

    Please, in you moment alone say a prayer for Mr Glean and his family. And if you’re keeping the score, one more dead added to Gloria’s illegal power.

    Ain’t over yet, ’till illegitimate Gloria is kicked out of the People’s House.

  44. nelbar nelbar

    ystakei,

    ayan talaga ang pamagat ng editoryal noong biyernes sa Abante. At sabado ko na lang nabasa. Saka pa lang pumasok sa isipan ko na, “aaahhh a-disi sais nga pala?”.

     
    Salamat Anna! Sana magkaroon dito sa Metro Manila ng European Union version ng mga katulad ng Alliance Française de Manille, British Council, Goethe-Institut, Instituto Cervantes.

    Ganon talaga ystakei, karamihan dito sa lugar ng pinagtatrabuhan ko ay hanggang Japanese restaurant lang ang alam.
     
     

    artsee, soleil & All:

    No offense dun sa iba gaya ng Xavier Sch/ Immaculate C.A at iba pang Chinese school.
    Sa palagay ko kasi, magiging hit ang mga chinese school at madrasah few years from now.
    Hindi naman sa malalaos na ang christian o parochial school, magbabago lang ang trend.

    Kaya naman ine-encourage ko si Anna na sana magkaroon ng mga E.U. based learning institution dito sa Metro Manila.

  45. Toney,

    Well said: “At least, it give us little bit of satisfaction knowing Bolate is in jail, and doing everything to be free. Now he knows what’s like to lose a freedom.”

  46. Chabeli Chabeli

    There is ONLY ONE DEAL: TELL THE TRUTH!

  47. Toney Cuevas Toney Cuevas

    If we’re looking for Bolate to come with the truth, it would the first time. I don’t know if any known cure for pathological liar, except that they must put be away so they can’t do any more harm, e.g. illegitimate Gloria and gangs of liars. Nevertheless, score one for the good guys, Bolate is sweating in jail. But, we still way behind as we all know, illegitimate Gloria is still way ahead, if we’re keeping the score like myself. We need to hit a homerun to get even and ultimately to bring sanity to the government.

    For the time being until it’s proven otherwise, I must disagree with you Ellen about a perfect crime. So far, illegitimate Gloria is a doing a good job of perfecting crime. I won’t be surprised if illegitimate Gloria write a book about Perfect Crime. Thus far, she’s making a believer of the many of her supporters, certainly its paying off for the Lower House of Congress and many others. I guess, it’s all depends who got the power. Anyway, I will hold a reservation about Perfect Crime, until the master is in jail. And what’s the odd of illegitimate Gloria going to jail, I wonder?

  48. Chabeli Chabeli

    Isn’t it strange that Philippine Ambassador to Washington Willy Gaa is flying back to the Philippines AGAIN? What comes to my mind is that it seems that Gloria et al are wracking their brains on how to “solve” this Bolante issue…he he he. They won’t be able to solve this without stepping on Big Brother’s shoes.

    I would be very skeptical about Bolante wanting to strike a deal. Bolante MUST BE MADE AWARE that he is NOT in a position of strength. LOSERS don’t have ANY RIGHT to strike ANY DEALS!

  49. Hahahah! How right you are, Chabeli, “LOSERS don’t have ANY RIGHT to strike ANY DEALS!”

    But if he sings the right tune, why not take accompany him a violin?

  50. Toney Cuevas Toney Cuevas

    Can we see illegitimate Gloria (immoral Bansot) in jail? Hard to believe! None of the Marcoses went to jail and still the PCGG (so they say) still going after Marcoses stolen wealth after 20 years. Imagine, quite such a long time and the Marcoses are pretty much part of the Philippines. Lots of water over the bridge! By the way, nothing good about Presidential Commission on Good Government. It’s all a lie and to deceive the people. Perhaps all the expenses they incurred and salaries all these years could probably amounted to the stolen wealth of the Marcoses, only my opinion of course. It seems like we are paying twice for the mistake of Marcos. That’s why are more adamant of Gloria’s being freed when the time come. There is no slightest doubt that Gloria must go to jail. It’s the only thing will justify justice.

    “Bolate will disappeard forever if he’s deported.” Such twisted mentality!

  51. Chabeli Chabeli

    Can someone explain to me what “PAID OFF” means in this context:
    “Madrid-Crost said this was Azulay’s message: “You tell whoever you paid off at the State Department to restore his (Bolante’s) B1B2 visa and he will talk.””

  52. nelbar nelbar

    Anna,

    ah, naunawaan ko na. Ayun din pala ang Delegation of the European Commission to the Philippines.
    http://www.delphl.cec.eu.int/
     

    Iyong mga binanggit ko kasi ay more on cultural affairs(parang library na 🙂 )

    Alam mo, magandang model ang BENELUX.

    At isapa, gusto ko rin malaman dito ang attitude ng media dyan sa inyo ilang araw bago ang ratification/rejection ng EU constitution, partikular na sa France.

     
    xencia na 😮 , React lang naman kasi ako noon sa posting mo tungkol sa recruitment ng mga pinoy for french foreign legion.
    Jose Rizal, G.Del Pilar, Plaridel, Luna Bros., Bonifacio Bros., Diego Silang, Sakay, Sultan Kudarat etal NEVER DREAMED OF BECOMING ‘GURKHAS’.

    Pero si Jose Rizal talaga ang pinaka da best! —RENAISSANCE MAN!
     

    For me, KL is a sacred place for Malay culture and not as recruitment place for mercenaries.
    Looking for (greater)Metro Manila as the center of Cosmopolitanism

  53. Chabeli Chabeli

    “When Madrid-Cross asked him what will happen if they refuse Bolante’s offer, Azulay reportedly said, “If he is deported, he will disappear forever.””

    Excuse me, but, WHO IS BOLANTE THREATENING?

    And how does this administration plan to use Atong Ang in their scheme of things?

  54. Toney Cuevas Toney Cuevas

    Chabeli:

    The reality is Bolate got what the Senators wants so badly and Bolate knows it. So. I imagine somewhat he’s in a position to make a deal. How bad, I guess yet remain to be answered. I don’t know if I’d go as far as Bolate a loser. I don’t know how long he has been in the position of managing the taxpayers funds? Nonetheless, I can only guess that Bolate is a winner if he even has to go to jail. We can never get any of those money that he stole from the treasury, it’s like hitting a lottery. Marcoses did it as the testimony to reality. I should say that Bolate still holding the trump cards and we can be sure he’ll use them in the proper opportunity. It’s how the liars and thieves minds work, I suppose.

  55. Toney Cuevas Toney Cuevas

    Charlie ‘Atong’ Ang of what I read is to go after President Estrada and not related to Bolate at all. It’s another assurance that President Estrada will not be out of detention for as long as Gloria remain in Malacanang. Right now, in my opinion, President Estrada should take major blame for giving up Malacanang to the power grabbers without much of a fight. I guess, President Estrada has given up. Sad!

  56. Nelbar,

    Re French media reaction to the defeated proposal by the EU to ratify a tabled European constitution:

    The reaction was nothing more nothing less than acceptance of the will of the French voters.

    I was one of those who voted AGAINST the proposed constitution not because I didn’t believe that we didn’t need one – I do think it is already de facto in operation because we lots of rules and regulations that govern Europe and its member nations – but mine was a PROTEST VOTE much like the others, I suppose for the simple reason that the EU did not consult its citizens for the enlargement of the EU.

    The defeat of the EU Constitution, the commission of which was headed by former French President Giscard d’Estaing, was a blow to the Eurocrats who thought they could ram in a document in our throats without so much as a protest.

    We wanted to call the Eurocrats to task, also for not giving sufficient time and ample room for discussion before putting the EU constitution to a vote.

    I believe the Eurocrats have learned their lesson and will be more careful.

    A plebiscite must be made, endorsed to the people of Europe regarding the accession of Turkey into the EU. The EU would very well be advised to consult with the citizens of Europe before plunging Europe into a fait accomplit.

    The European media captured the message of the Dutch and the French and published that message accordingly. Obviously, with the defeat of the proposed EU constitution in the referendum in the above countries, the UK decided not to put up the question to a vote among their citizenry. Their own media said that Blair would be hard put to push the Brits to even consider an EU constitution if the French, who were the founding fathers of the EU rejected it.

    But am pretty sure, in due time, it will be presented again for national plebsicite among EU member nations but I reckon it would be under another name and not necessarily branded as the EU CONSTITUTION.

  57. Chabeli Chabeli

    Thanks for your thoughts, Toney Cuevas.

  58. Chabeli Chabeli

    If Bolante is deported back to the Philippines, and he goes to the Senate and testifies on the Fertilizer Fund mess, doesn’t he have the option of not divulging any information under his rights so as not to incriminate himself?

    There is a possibility that Bolante is just entrapping the Senate.

  59. Toney Cuevas Toney Cuevas

    Yes, Bolate got all kind of options. Garci did it got away laughing and made the Congress (Senators) look foolish. I guess, credit all this to Philippines justice, as not a real justice in a sense as we would like. We can never be optimistic of this Bolate until it happened. It’s just when we think we got illegitimate Gloria, before you know it she got us instead. Lapse of judgement is a good example. I can recall when Garci were missing and finally appeared, we thought it would be the end for Gloria. Little did we know…

  60. npongco npongco

    Never trust Malacanang’s men. If the bogus leader cannot be trusted, why should her men be trusted. Gloria’s men will do everything to avoid investigations. Look at this Sabio who was just ordered released by Gordon for medical check up. Don’t expect him to be back at the Senate custody. Through his well paid lawyer (provided by the Palace), Sabio would claim illness and contineous check up to be able to stay in hospital in cahoot with the hospital doctor. Remember Gen. Garcia accused of plunder who also used this trick? Speaking of Gordon, it’s possible that he gave in to the powers in Malacanang. Gordon’s color is multiple. This guy can’t also be trusted.

  61. Chabeli Chabeli

    Great observation on Gordon, Npongco. You says that “…Gordon’s color is multiple. This guy can’t also be trusted.”

    Gordon is for Gordon.

  62. Toney Cuevas Toney Cuevas

    I agree, it’s how things work in the philippine political arena. Like a chameleon could change color any given time, inconstant people of the govt of the Philippines. Who could say, it would be better if it’s the other way around and the opposition governing the country instead of illegitimate Gloria. We just can’t be sure anymore. It happened in President Estrada’s govt, many were wrong, but little late now to say sorry the damaged has already been done. It really doesn’t matter who at the helm, but what’s important if the person is abiding by the rule of law. It’s the only that really matter.

  63. Toney Cuevas Toney Cuevas

    Sen. Gordon suspended the hearing until Sabio returns from his check-up. No time limit, just when Sabio decided to come back for questioning. Obviously, they kissed and made up after a yelling match in congress. Ain’t love grand? But, fool me once shame on you, but me twice shame on me, and fool me for the third time, stupid me. Sen. Richard Gordon wished Sabio, “I hoped your check-up will be alright. I remain your friend.” Sabio replied, ” I will remain your friend, your honor.” I think those two hit it each other. What the heck is this some type of schoolyard game, I’ll be your friend stuff? I thought this is criminal investigation, and how they can be friend if the intent is to catch the thieving Sabio. I guess, the moral of the story is, commit the crime and we still can be friend. When are those Senators are going to learn? Gloria’s people just has no concept of taking the high moral ground, they all just want to stick it to you and some.

  64. Hahah!

    “I think those two hit it each other. What the heck is this some type of schoolyard game, I’ll be your friend stuff? I thought this is criminal investigation”

    Politics my dear friend is the art of the possible!

  65. fencesitter fencesitter

    Toney Cuevas Says:
    “xxx xxx I thought this is criminal investigation, and how they can be friend if the intent is to catch the thieving Sabio.”

    toney with your kind indulgence, allow me to clarify some important points about legislative inquiry conducted by either house in congress.

    the philippine congress (senate and house of representatives) is not a police agency tasked to catch criminals. when the senate or the house of representatives or any of its committees conduct hearings, it is merely exercising an inherent power -its power of inquiry or oversight function. and to exercise it properly, it should first be shown that it is being done “in aid of legislation”. of course some of us call it in aid of election. controversial inquiries always attract hordes of media people and most of our politicians really enjoyed even a fleeting moment of glory in a spectacular proceedings beamed nationwide in most households’ television screen.

    to temper abuse and for the proper exercise of that power, the SC laid down some guidelines: (1) congress should specify in the invitation the proposed legislation being considered, the subject of the inquiry and the possible questions to be asked in furtherance thereof; (2) the inquiry must be done in accordance with the duly published rules of procedure of both houses; (3) the rights of legislative officers appearing before the body, or any invited guest for that matter, should be respected (sec. 21, article VI of the constitution); (4) congress cannot ask questions on matter involving executive privilege.

    that is the doctrine laid out in the most recent case, senate of the phils., et al vs. ermita, et al, challenging the validity of executive order 464. this controversial e.o. was declared partly unconstitutional only in so far as it bars officers of the executive department from appearing in congressional hearing without first securing clearance from malacañang. in other words, all congress has to do for a valid exercise its power of inquiry is to strictly follow the judicially prescribed procedure and requirements.

    while in the course of the proceedings evidences cropped up pointing to some anomalies in governmental transactions being inquired upon, the congress can only turn-over the documentary evidences or report out its recommendations to the proper agency, the ombudsman, or any investigative arm of the government to conduct further criminal investigation, gather additional evidences and to file appropriate cases once probable cause or prima facie case can be established.

    but we have a bigger problem after that. cases turned-over to the ombudsman is gathering dust inside their filing cabinets. it’s hard to tell, where lies the fault. thousand of reasons can be enumerated to justify the delay, lack of personnel, delaying tactics of lawyers, etc.,

    but since the ombudsman is a presidential appointee, it is always hard to remove suspicions in our minds that the body is there to go ONLY after grafters not aligned with malacañang. the suspicion is even reinforced whenever ombudsman’s decision tends to favor public officers identified with the administration.

    joc-joc bolante is a classic case in point. i understand atty frank chavez had already filed a case against bolante 2 years ago, and he had been filing one motion after another for the ombudsman to expedite the resolution of the case to no avail. the much abused constitutional right to due process, which most lawyers love to use to delay a proceedings and buy more time to devise the most effective legal strategy, may once again be the culprit.

  66. Anna:

    Your suggestion is OK if we are dealing with normal people, but we are dealing with hardened criminals calling themselves officials of the Republic of the Philippines, who are moving freely in a society that has gotten used to graft and corruption because they are now the accepted norms.

    Take the case of the Filipino woman raped by horny US soldiers. Where in the world have you heard of the accused getting better publicity and encouargement from those supposed to uphold the law and protect the welfare and interest of the victim, who is short of being told to just accept her sad fate and perhaps make entertaining and offering these horny US soldiers, who should be told in fact to behave the way we do in Japan as a matter of fact, her profession but in the Philippines?

    Worse is when a Catholic priest, who should be condemning this act of adultery, even side with the perpetrators of this crime and short of condemning the victim! Thank God, I am not a Catholic.

    Who says that I trust the judicial system in the Philippines? I don’t except on occasion when the case is handled by an upright judge, who is rare in the Philippines where committing perjury is even a profession. This I am told by an aunt, who was a hometown beauty queen promised a movie career but ended up acting in some court in Manila as a professional perjurer!

    Perjury over here is a crime, but not in the Philippines apparently with the No. 1 perjurers even being allowed to stay at the palace by the murky river and fooling everyone, even overseas lenders that the Philippine economy is improving even when the only means of salvation for not just the poor but even for those middle class doctors, et al is to get out of the country to find some green pasture overseas.

    See, I am no longer using the word “greener” because as Anna has pointed out, the pasture in the Philippines has never been green!

    Still, I would rather that they try a semblance of justice in the Senate and having this criminal get what he deserves even when we know that with the Pidals’ appointees dominating the Philippine Justice Department, justice in the Philippines can never be served.

    I’m glad to hear that Senator Magsaysay is not taking Bolate’s bait. Whether or not Magsaysay is grandstanding, it does not matter. What matters is that somewhere out there, the rule of law still prevails, and making it difficult for this crook to get out of the hook!

    NO DEAL! NO DEAL! NO DEAL! NO DEAL! NO DEAL! NO DEAL!

    I just pray that Magsaysay will not be a target of assassination now. Huwag na siyang maging anak ni Ramon Magsaysay kung matatakot pa siya ngayon!

  67. TongueInAnew TongueInAnew

    It has become a personal crusade for Atty. Harry Roque, who has been mocked,dishonored and ridiculed by Gloria’s Congressmen-puppets and blamed for his supposed “kapalpakan” in the preparation of the impeachment complaints against their patron saint of corruption, lying, thievery and murder, as he stands to show these beasts from the abyss that justice is universal, and no one can escape it. Sweet revenge, if you will.

    But much work is yet undone, more sacrifices needed. We should give our share in this crusade for truth and justice, not that Harry needs it, but to show the Americans that we are not lame idiots, indifferent or unpatriotic.

    I personally thank our brave journalists like you, Ellen, who continue to be victims persecution, even murder, and that, despite their having to endure discomfort from personal sufferings, are not tempted give up the fight.

    May the Good Lord bless you more.

  68. nelbar nelbar

    Anna,

    Nagtrabaho ako sa Singapore ng 11mos(April 2000-February 2001 to be exact).

    Doon ko natutunan at naramdaman ang tunay na kahulugan ng Multiculturalism.

    Doon ko rin na-witness ang perspective ng The Straits Times sa administrasyon ni Erap.

     
    Para sa akin ang Kuala Lumpur ay isang cultural mecca ng Malay race. Hindi pa ako nakakapunta roon. Hanggang Woodlands lang ako.

    Itong recent comments ni Wolfowitz sa Singpore ay isang pagpapatunay na naghahanap siya ng butas para i-destablize na naman ang South East Asia in the guise of “democracy”.

     
    Syangapala, nalaman ko rin duon na meron din palang Palawan Island sa Singapore.

  69. Toney Cuevas Toney Cuevas

    fencesitter:

    I can appreciate and respect the enlightening as to the function of the Senators as the legislative body, enacts laws as dictated by the constitution. I’m quite straight to the limitation of their responsibilities as I thought I’m so positive as to the Supreme Court responsibilities of intelligently interpreting the law. Yet, the SC legislated from the bench instead of interpreting the law as written which is the major reason we have illegitimate Gloria now. As for the role of the executive branch, illegitimate Gloria provocatively has been ignoring the constitution and in crusade to abolish the Senate so she can have a full control of every sections of govt without being question by the Senators. That having said, certainly the Senators can assist in catching the thieves, the law breakers by finding out the truths, which can lead to the apprehension to the like of Sabio. Of course, it’s just a wish. As we much aware, illegitimate Gloria is not going to do anything to apprehend the thievers the like of Sabio, it would be just a waste of even try to discuss the possibility. So, it beg a question, where that leave us? If the three branches of government won’t prosecute the like of Sabio, Garci, Bolate, and many others connected to illegitimate Gloria?

    As to my opinion, for the greater good, if only they are all united, the Senators has the power to help catch the thieves by creating the laws. Also assist other branches of govt in prosecuting the laws by bringing the known thieves for questioning especially when it has something to do with funds approved by the legislators. But, due to present atmosphere between the branches of govt. cooperation is non-existence.

    What branches of govt is exercising the high moral ground and executing the law to the letter? And if we are to wait for Gloria to put away Sabio, it will freeze in hell first before we see it happen. Damn if you do and damn if you don’t!

  70. npongco npongco

    Toney, Gordon and Sabio’s shouting match at the Senate hearing was just a show…a play acting. The director behind the scene could be Malacanang.

  71. nelbar nelbar

    korek npongco!

    Maybe Gordon is eyeing 2010. Malayo pa ang pangangampanya.
    Pwedeng campaign material ang pagiging “hospitable” nya kay Sabio. Iyung pagpapakita sa harap ng camera na nagbibigay pa kunyari ng tubig kay Sabio ay isang kaipokritahan.

    Baka magka-brod pa nga ito sa law fraternity.

    Tutal galing sya sa DOT alam nya ang kiliti ng tao para makakuha ng atensyon.

    Natatandaan nyo ba yung last year with Frank Chavez?

     
     
    Isa pa yang si Flavier, …seryosong debatehan biglang sisingit ng katatawanan?

     
    anong klaseng magiging founding fathers kayo? mga pwe!

  72. Mrivera Mrivera

    sus, ano ba naman ‘yang si gordon? di ba halik din sa kilikili ni glue?

  73. So what kung may ambition si Gordon na maging presidente sa 2010? Bakit sigurado ba kayong mananalo siya?

    Kaya pinagbubutihan niyang huwag pumasa ang ChaCha kasi siguradong hindi na sila makakatakbo kundi sa Parliament ni GAGA (Gloria Arroyo, Gloria Arroyo) na gustong maging reyna, and without the “royal patronage” hindi siya makakapuwesto!

    Kaya, to Senator Gordon, pagbutihin mo! Ipakita mong hindi ka rah-rah boy ni Pandak! Hari ka rin naman ng Subic, di ba?

  74. Phil Cruz Phil Cruz

    I guess everybody forgot all about this. I completely forgot all about it, too.

    Senator Gordon in an interview with Korina today mentioned that Sabio ran as President in the past. Huh?! But yes, I seem to recall a guy with that name. I simply dismissed him as a nuisance candidate. That’s why I couldn’t even remember the name or face of the guy.

    According to Gordon, this Sabio even had plans to hold the wedding of his daughter in Malacanang! Wow!

    I couldn’t quite put my finger on it but from the very first time I saw and heard him on TV I felt there was something not right with the mind of this man. Eccentric? Odd? Out of touch with the real world perhaps?

  75. Toney Cuevas Toney Cuevas

    As for the yelling match, I think it was for real as to my opinion…And now wait and see if Sabio will true to his word, he will return after the check-up. As for Gordon, he was duped.

  76. norpil norpil

    syanga naman npongco. engineering terms ito, ac ay alternating current na maaring sabihin na kabilaan, pero ang dc ay direct current.

  77. Phil Cruz Phil Cruz

    Jon, so Sabio did run. But as Vice-President pala. And as VP to Morato? Now that confirms it. Something is really odd with the guy. Running with Manoling?!

    And he doesn’t want to be set free from his detention despite Senator Gordon telling him he will be set free. He says only the courts can set him free. Duh…The guy apparently wants to be detained. So he can have his free media coverage? Any political plans perhaps? I still say the guy is out of this world a bit. But less so perhaps than his subordinate Abcede. How did guys like this end up in the top echelons of the PCGG?

  78. Phil,

    Perhaps, he’s kulang sa pansin at home kaya he wants to be detained… full media pansin kasi siya diyan.

  79. norpil norpil

    70 years old na daw iyang si sabio. di ba dapat retirado na yan. dito compulsory retirement na yan.

  80. npongco npongco

    This jerk talks a lot…non-stop. And it rains when he talks. His colleagues try to avoid being near him. These are no longer rumors but facts already known to the entire Senate and government agencies.

  81. soleil soleil

    if ever joke-joke bolate will be “deported”, u bet that they will only be playing mahjong with garci and chavit or the trend now that is poker with the other boylets of pandak bruha…something like the midnight deals of erap before(as some people alleged)…pandak bruha will be the entertainer hahahaha!!!! PWE! maybe mythy myak will recall his GROs like keanna PWE!!!PWE!!! while fatso goes for his rendezvous…this is Phil politics for you…ONLY IN DA PILIPINS!!!!!

  82. You bet, Sunny, onli in da pilipins! Only in the Philippines, where you have a bogus president who is shameless, and thinks she is the best even when she is proving to be the worst bogus president the Philippines has ever had. Bogus na worst pa!!!
    PATALSIKIN NA, NOW NA! DO A THAI OK!

  83. Mrivera Mrivera

    npongco, patawa ka! sa amin katuwaan lang, lalo na sa cocmbat areas. pang-alis ng lungkot.

  84. Mrivera Mrivera

    anna, nahawa na ako kay gordonita. ahahahayyyyyyyyyy!!!

  85. norpil norpil

    i just saw in the papers that gordon is entering the norwegian seas and getting stronger and stronger by the hour but fortunately it is a storm.

  86. npongco npongco

    I prefer calling him Gordon’s Dick than Dick Gordon.

  87. nelbar nelbar

    Mrivera,

    Katuwaan rin ba sa inyo at pampaalis ng lungkot ang pumatay ng kapwa Pilipino?

  88. nelbar nelbar

    Caught on tape: Infamous gaffes

     

    To someone constantly in the spotlight, there is a constant danger that one’s private opinions sneak into the public domain.

    The Hungarian prime minister’s candid admission that his government had accomplished “nothing” and had been lying for “the last year and a half to two years” has infuriated the public, sparking riots in the capital Budapest.

    Ferenc Gyurcsany’s opponents are calling for his resignation, but the PM is not the first public figure to find himself in trouble after his unguarded comments were broadcast, or to have regretted an embarrassing gaffe.

    The Republican Party leader in the United States Senate, Trent Lott, was forced to step down in 2002 after expressing the view that the US would have been better off if a candidate for president in 1948, running on a platform of racial segregation, had been elected.

    Vice-President Dan Quayle was widely regarded to have scuppered his presidential hopes when a series of gaffes culminated in a clanger watched by millions on TV news broadcasts.

    At a school spelling contest, Mr Quayle “corrected” a child’s spelling of the word potato by adding an “e” to the end.

    Jokes based on the mistake were to dog him for the rest of his public life.

    California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has got himself into trouble several times, most recently by speculating that a congresswoman’s hot temper was down to her mixture of black and Latino blood.

    He was forced to apologise for the comment, which was caught on tape.

    Italy’s ex-Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has made numerous comments considered beyond the pale by his critics – though many have been apparently misjudged public comments rather than private ones.

    In perhaps his most infamous, he told a German member of the European Parliament, with whom he disagreed: “I know that in Italy there is a man producing a film on Nazi concentration camps – I shall put you forward for the role of Kapo [guard chosen from among the prisoners] – you would be perfect.”
     

    Yo, gaffe!

    One of the most famous examples of a gaffe caught on tape was former US President Ronald Reagan‘s warm-up joke before a radio broadcast.

    During the sound check he announced: “My fellow Americans, I’m pleased to tell you today that I’ve signed legislation that will outlaw Russia forever. We begin bombing in five minutes.”

    The tape was running and the announcement was leaked to the press, sparking an international furore.

    Britain’s former Prime Minister John Major was caught on tape describing un-named members of his cabinet as “bastards”, in a comment that revealed how deep the splits in his Conservative Party ran.

    The ministers were rebelling against his attempts to introduce the Maastricht treaty, which led to the creation of the European Union.

    Mr Major was speaking casually after an interview with ITN, but was recorded by a BBC crew in the same room.

    A more recent example involved the current US and British leaders.

    Tony Blair and George W Bush were caught by a microphone during a break at the G8 conference in Russia.

    Mr Bush greeted his ally with the words “Yo, Blair”, and opined that they needed to get “Hezbollah to stop doing this shit”.
     

    Throwing spears

    Mr Blair’s deputy, John Prescott, is renowned as a straight-talker, and has been accused at various times of making ill-advised comments or gestures.

    At one point he compared a crab in a jar to his party rival Peter Mandelson, joking: “You know what his name is? He’s called Peter.”

    The Duke of Edinburgh, Queen Elizabeth’s husband, is notorious for making jokes that might offend the recipient and make bystanders cringe – many of them based on old-fashioned racial stereotypes.

    His comments have included: “It looks as if it was put in by an Indian,” when being shown an old-fashioned fuse box; “Still throwing spears?” to an Australian Aborigine; and, to a Scottish driving instructor, “How do you keep the natives off the booze long enough to get them through the test?”

    His son, Prince Charles, let some of his opinions of the press slip out at a press call in 2005.

    Asked a question by the BBC’s Nicholas Witchell, he whispered under his breath to his sons, who were standing next to him: “These bloody people. I can’t bear that man. I mean, he’s so awful, he really is.”

    It is not only politicians and royalty who have to watch their words, though.

    The US Marine Corps last year had to publicly upbraid Lt Gen James Mattis after he cheerfully admitted on a panel discussion that he enjoyed war.

    Caught on tape, he said: “Actually, it’s quite a lot of fun to fight; you know, it’s a hell of a hoot. I like brawling; it’s fun to shoot some people.”

     

     
    Ferenc Gyurcsany’s comments sparked riots in Budapest

    Berlusconi’s tongue has often got him into trouble

    John Prescott let his personal feelings out of the bag

    The Duke of Edinburgh’s gaffes are legendary in the UK
     

     
     
    From BBC News ®
    Last Updated: Tuesday, 19 September 2006, 15:44 GMT 16:44 UK

  89. Mrivera Mrivera

    nelbar? tao ako na may damdamin. hindi ako katulad ng mga walang puso’t kaluluwang sinasabi mo na katuwaan lamang para sa kanila ang pumatay ng kapwa pilipino kahit walang kalaban laban.

    para sa akin, noon, ang hawak kong armas ay para ipagsanggalang ang aking sarili sa sinumang magtatangka sa aking buhay at upang ipagtanggol ang inaapi at walang malay. sa maniwala ka’t sa hindi kapag nasa operation kami, ang una kong dasal – huwag sanang magkrus ang landas namin ng mga kalaban. kung magkakaputukan huwag akong makatama at huwag din akong tamaan dahil para sa akin napakahalaga ang bawat buhay. kaya eto ako, buhay.

  90. nelbar nelbar

    Hugo Chavez Speech at United Nations
    NewsMax.com Wires
    Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2006

     
     

    PRESIDENT CHAVEZ DELIVERS REMARKS AT THE U.N. GENERAL ASSEMBLY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2006
    SPEAKER: HUGO CHAVEZ, PRESIDENT OF VENEZUELA

     
     

    “Representatives of the governments of the world, good morning to all of you. First of all, I would like to invite you, very respectfully, to those who have not read this book, to read it.

     

    Noam Chomsky, one of the most prestigious American and world intellectuals, Noam Chomsky, and this is one of his most recent books, ‘Hegemony or Survival: The Imperialist Strategy of the United States.'” [Holds up book, waves it in front of General Assembly.] “It’s an excellent book to help us understand what has been happening in the world throughout the 20th century, and what’s happening now, and the greatest threat looming over our planet.
     

    The hegemonic pretensions of the American empire are placing at risk the very survival of the human species. We continue to warn you about this danger and we appeal to the people of the United States and the world to halt this threat, which is like a sword hanging over our heads. I had considered reading from this book, but, for the sake of time,” [flips through the pages, which are numerous] “I will just leave it as a recommendation.

     

    It reads easily, it is a very good book, I’m sure Madame [President] you are familiar with it. It appears in English, in Russian, in Arabic, in German. I think that the first people who should read this book are our brothers and sisters in the United States, because their threat is right in their own house.
     

    The devil is right at home. The devil, the devil himself, is right in the house.

     

    “And the devil came here yesterday. Yesterday the devil came here. Right here.” [crosses himself] “And it smells of sulfur still today.”

     

    Yesterday, ladies and gentlemen, from this rostrum, the president of the United States, the gentleman to whom I refer as the devil, came here, talking as if he owned the world. Truly. As the owner of the world.
     

    I think we could call a psychiatrist to analyze yesterday’s statement made by the president of the United States. As the spokesman of imperialism, he came to share his nostrums, to try to preserve the current pattern of domination, exploitation and pillage of the peoples of the world.
     

    An Alfred Hitchcock movie could use it as a scenario. I would even propose a title: “The Devil’s Recipe.”
     

    As Chomsky says here, clearly and in depth, the American empire is doing all it can to consolidate its system of domination. And we cannot allow them to do that. We cannot allow world dictatorship to be consolidated.

    CHAVEZ (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): The world parent’s statement — cynical, hypocritical, full of this imperial hypocrisy from the need they have to control everything.
     

    They say they want to impose a democratic model. But that’s their democratic model. It’s the false democracy of elites, and, I would say, a very original democracy that’s imposed by weapons and bombs and firing weapons.
     

    What a strange democracy. Aristotle might not recognize it or others who are at the root of democracy.
     

    What type of democracy do you impose with marines and bombs?
     

    The president of the United States, yesterday, said to us, right here, in this room, and I’m quoting, “Anywhere you look, you hear extremists telling you can escape from poverty and recover your dignity through violence, terror and martyrdom.”
     

    Wherever he looks, he sees extremists. And you, my brother — he looks at your color, and he says, oh, there’s an extremist. Evo Morales, the worthy president of Bolivia, looks like an extremist to him.
     

    The imperialists see extremists everywhere. It’s not that we are extremists. It’s that the world is waking up. It’s waking up all over. And people are standing up.
     

    I have the feeling, dear world dictator, that you are going to live the rest of your days as a nightmare because the rest of us are standing up, all those who are rising up against American imperialism, who are shouting for equality, for respect, for the sovereignty of nations.
     

    CHAVEZ (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): Yes, you can call us extremists, but we are rising up against the empire, against the model of domination.
     

    The president then — and this he said himself, he said: “I have come to speak directly to the populations in the Middle East, to tell them that my country wants peace.”
     

    That’s true. If we walk in the streets of the Bronx, if we walk around New York, Washington, San Diego, in any city, San Antonio, San Francisco, and we ask individuals, the citizens of the United States, what does this country want? Does it want peace? They’ll say yes.
     

    But the government doesn’t want peace. The government of the United States doesn’t want peace. It wants to exploit its system of exploitation, of pillage, of hegemony through war.
     

    It wants peace. But what’s happening in Iraq? What happened in Lebanon? In Palestine? What’s happening? What’s happened over the last 100 years in Latin America and in the world? And now threatening Venezuela — new threats against Venezuela, against Iran?
     

    He spoke to the people of Lebanon. Many of you, he said, have seen how your homes and communities were caught in the crossfire. How cynical can you get? What a capacity to lie shamefacedly. The bombs in Beirut with millimetric precision?
     
     
    CHAVEZ (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): This is crossfire? He’s thinking of a western, when people would shoot from the hip and somebody would be caught in the crossfire.
     

    This is imperialist, fascist, assassin, genocidal, the empire and Israel firing on the people of Palestine and Lebanon. That is what happened. And now we hear, “We’re suffering because we see homes destroyed.’
     

    The president of the United States came to talk to the peoples — to the peoples of the world. He came to say — I brought some documents with me, because this morning I was reading some statements, and I see that he talked to the people of Afghanistan, the people of Lebanon, the people of Iran. And he addressed all these peoples directly.
     

    And you can wonder, just as the president of the United States addresses those peoples of the world, what would those peoples of the world tell him if they were given the floor? What would they have to say?
     

    And I think I have some inkling of what the peoples of the south, the oppressed people think. They would say, “Yankee imperialist, go home.” I think that is what those people would say if they were given the microphone and if they could speak with one voice to the American imperialists.
     

    And that is why, Madam President, my colleagues, my friends, last year we came here to this same hall as we have been doing for the past eight years, and we said something that has now been confirmed — fully, fully confirmed.
     

    CHAVEZ (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): I don’t think anybody in this room could defend the system. Let’s accept — let’s be honest. The U.N. system, born after the Second World War, collapsed. It’s worthless.
     

    Oh, yes, it’s good to bring us together once a year, see each other, make statements and prepare all kinds of long documents, and listen to good speeches, like Abel’s (ph) yesterday, or President Mullah’s (ph). Yes, it’s good for that.
     

    And there are a lot of speeches, and we’ve heard lots from the president of Sri Lanka, for instance, and the president of Chile.
     

    But we, the assembly, have been turned into a merely deliberative organ. We have no power, no power to make any impact on the terrible situation in the world. And that is why Venezuela once again proposes, here, today, 20 September, that we re-establish the United Nations.
     

    Last year, Madam, we made four modest proposals that we felt to be crucially important. We have to assume the responsibility our heads of state, our ambassadors, our representatives, and we have to discuss it.
     

    The first is expansion, and Mullah (ph) talked about this yesterday right here. The Security Council, both as it has permanent and non-permanent categories, (inaudible) developing countries and LDCs must be given access as new permanent members. That’s step one.
     

    CHAVEZ (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): Second, effective methods to address and resolve world conflicts, transparent decisions.
     

    Point three, the immediate suppression – – and that is something everyone’s calling for – – of the anti-democratic mechanism known as the veto, the veto on decisions of the Security Council.
     

    Let me give you a recent example. The immoral veto of the United States allowed the Israelis, with impunity, to destroy Lebanon. Right in front of all of us as we stood there watching, a resolution in the council was prevented.
     

    Fourthly, we have to strengthen, as we’ve always said, the role and the powers of the secretary general of the United Nations.
     

    Yesterday, the secretary general practically gave us his speech of farewell. And he recognized that over the last 10 years, things have just gotten more complicated; hunger, poverty, violence, human rights violations have just worsened. That is the tremendous consequence of the collapse of the United Nations system and American hegemonistic pretensions.
     

    Madam, Venezuela a few years ago decided to wage this battle within the United Nations by recognizing the United Nations, as members of it that we are, and lending it our voice, our thinking.
     

    Our voice is an independent voice to represent the dignity and the search for peace and the reformulation of the international system; to denounce persecution and aggression of hegemonistic forces on the planet.
     

    CHAVEZ (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): This is how Venezuela has presented itself. Bolivar’s home has sought a nonpermanent seat on the Security Council.
     

    Let’s see. Well, there’s been an open attack by the U.S. government, an immoral attack, to try and prevent Venezuela from being freely elected to a post in the Security Council.
     

    The imperium is afraid of truth, is afraid of independent voices. It calls us extremists, but they are the extremists.
     

    And I would like to thank all the countries that have kindly announced their support for Venezuela, even though the ballot is a secret one and there’s no need to announce things.
     

    But since the imperium has attacked, openly, they strengthened the convictions of many countries. And their support strengthens us.
     

    Mercosur, as a bloc, has expressed its support, our brothers in Mercosur. Venezuela, with Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, is a full member of Mercosur.
     

    And many other Latin American countries, CARICOM, Bolivia have expressed their support for Venezuela. The Arab League, the full Arab League has voiced its support. And I am immensely grateful to the Arab world, to our Arab brothers, our Caribbean brothers, the African Union. Almost all of Africa has expressed its support for Venezuela and countries such as Russia or China and many others.
     

    CHAVEZ (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): I thank you all warmly on behalf of Venezuela, on behalf of our people, and on behalf of the truth, because Venezuela, with a seat on the Security Council, will be expressing not only Venezuela’s thoughts, but it will also be the voice of all the peoples of the world, and we will defend dignity and truth.
     

    Over and above all of this, Madam President, I think there are reasons to be optimistic. A poet would have said “helplessly optimistic,” because over and above the wars and the bombs and the aggressive and the preventive war and the destruction of entire peoples, one can see that a new era is dawning.
     

    As Sylvia Rodriguez (ph) says, the era is giving birth to a heart. There are alternative ways of thinking. There are young people who think differently. And this has already been seen within the space of a mere decade. It was shown that the end of history was a totally false assumption, and the same was shown about Pax Americana and the establishment of the capitalist neo-liberal world. It has been shown, this system, to generate mere poverty. Who believes in it now?
     

    What we now have to do is define the future of the world. Dawn is breaking out all over. You can see it in Africa and Europe and Latin America and Oceanea. I want to emphasize that optimistic vision.
     

    We have to strengthen ourselves, our will to do battle, our awareness. We have to build a new and better world.
     

    Venezuela joins that struggle, and that’s why we are threatened. The U.S. has already planned, financed and set in motion a coup in Venezuela, and it continues to support coup attempts in Venezuela and elsewhere.
     

    CHAVEZ (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): President Michelle Bachelet reminded us just a moment ago of the horrendous assassination of the former foreign minister, Orlando Letelier.
     

    And I would just add one thing: Those who perpetrated this crime are free. And that other event where an American citizen also died were American themselves. They were CIA killers, terrorists.
     

    And we must recall in this room that in just a few days there will be another anniversary. Thirty years will have passed from this other horrendous terrorist attack on the Cuban plane, where 73 innocents died, a Cubana de Aviacion airliner.
     

    And where is the biggest terrorist of this continent who took the responsibility for blowing up the plane? He spent a few years in jail in Venezuela. Thanks to CIA and then government officials, he was allowed to escape, and he lives here in this country, protected by the government.
     

    And he was convicted. He has confessed to his crime. But the U.S. government has double standards. It protects terrorism when it wants to.
     

    And this is to say that Venezuela is fully committed to combating terrorism and violence. And we are one of the people who are fighting for peace.
     

    Luis Posada Carriles is the name of that terrorist who is protected here. And other tremendously corrupt people who escaped from Venezuela are also living here under protection: a group that bombed various embassies, that assassinated people during the coup. They kidnapped me and they were going to kill me, but I think God reached down and our people came out into the streets and the army was too, and so I’m here today.
     

    But these people who led that coup are here today in this country protected by the American government. And I accuse the American government of protecting terrorists and of having a completely cynical discourse.
     

    CHAVEZ (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): We mentioned Cuba. Yes, we were just there a few days ago. We just came from there happily.
     

    And there you see another era born. The Summit of the 15, the Summit of the Nonaligned, adopted a historic resolution. This is the outcome document. Don’t worry, I’m not going to read it.
     

    But you have a whole set of resolutions here that were adopted after open debate in a transparent matter – – more than 50 heads of state. Havana was the capital of the south for a few weeks, and we have now launched, once again, the group of the nonaligned with new momentum.
     

    And if there is anything I could ask all of you here, my companions, my brothers and sisters, it is to please lend your good will to lend momentum to the Nonaligned Movement for the birth of the new era, to prevent hegemony and prevent further advances of imperialism.
     

    And as you know, Fidel Castro is the president of the nonaligned for the next three years, and we can trust him to lead the charge very efficiently.
     

    Unfortunately they thought, “Oh, Fidel was going to die.” But they’re going to be disappointed because he didn’t. And he’s not only alive, he’s back in his green fatigues, and he’s now presiding the nonaligned.
     

    So, my dear colleagues, Madam President, a new, strong movement has been born, a movement of the south. We are men and women of the south.
     

    With this document, with these ideas, with these criticisms, I’m now closing my file. I’m taking the book with me. And, don’t forget, I’m recommending it very warmly and very humbly to all of you.
     

    CHAVEZ (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): We want ideas to save our planet, to save the planet from the imperialist threat. And hopefully in this very century, in not too long a time, we will see this, we will see this new era, and for our children and our grandchildren a world of peace based on the fundamental principles of the United Nations, but a renewed United Nations.
     

    And maybe we have to change location. Maybe we have to put the United Nations somewhere else; maybe a city of the south. We’ve proposed Venezuela.
     

    You know that my personal doctor had to stay in the plane. The chief of security had to be left in a locked plane. Neither of these gentlemen was allowed to arrive and attend the U.N. meeting. This is another abuse and another abuse of power on the part of the Devil. It smells of sulfur here, but God is with us and I embrace you all.
     

    May God bless us all. Good day to you.

     
     
     
    courtesy of NewsMax.com

     
    http://www.newsmax.com/archives/articles/2006/9/20/123752.shtml

     
     
     
    © 2006 NewsMax.Com

  91. npongco npongco

    I’m afraid that if Chavez doesn’t stop making fun of Bush and the US, he might be another Noriega. Remember Panama’s Gen. Noriega who was kidnapped by the US Marines right in his own country?

  92. nelbar nelbar

    npongco,

    Iyan nga ang ipinagtataka ko sa mainstream American Media, kung sa Panama ay nagawa nila kay Noriega.
    Bakit sa Iraq, kailangan na mag suffer ang buong populasyon nito?Samantalang si Saddam lang naman ang problema duon.

    Lumabas na ang pinagsama samang covert operation sa Grenada, Panama, The Philippines at Vietnam ay patuloy na ginagawa ngayon sa Iraq.

  93. npongco npongco

    Nelbar, they could have eliminated Saddam anytime if the US wanted. It was not really Saddam they were after…but the oil and control of the region.

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