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Oust JDV, we impeach GMA’

This is like watching a bizarre movie. Imagine, to save JDV’s political power, GMA is ousted. It’s really bizarre. But there’s no reason not to enjoy it. Sit back, watch and enjoy

By Jess Diaz
The Philippine Star

The opposition bloc in the House of Representatives will support the impeachment of President Arroyo if her allies succeed in unseating Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr., Minority Leader Ronaldo Zamora said Friday.

“We will not initiate an impeachment. But if Speaker De Venecia is ousted and his group starts an impeachment process, the minority will most likely support it,” Zamora said in a radio interview.

He said if the Speaker has 50 to 60 loyalists, it would be easy for their combined forces to get the required one-third of all House members to send an impeachment complaint directly to the Senate for trial.

Zamora said though the minority has only 24 members, he can convince six to seven more for a total of 31 to support an impeachment process against Mrs. Arroyo.

With the present membership of 239 of the House, it would require 80 members to transmit a complaint to the Senate.

Rep. Florencio Noel of the party-list group An Waray said if the President’s loyalists move against De Venecia “at this time, they would make him a Villar,” referring to then Speaker (now Senate President) Manuel Villar who, on Nov. 13, 2000, railroaded the referral to the Senate of the impeachment complaint against then President Joseph Estrada.

“They would make JDV (De Venecia), if he is ousted, the rallying point for a new impeachment process against the President,” Noel said.

For his part, Parañaque Rep. Roilo Golez, another minority member, urged the House “coup plotters” to rethink their De Venecia ouster plan.

“Its repercussions might go beyond the confines of the House,” he said.

Golez said the plan could also disrupt the legislative process and the administration’s legislative agenda.

Zamora, who served as executive secretary during the Estrada administration, said it would be wrong for Mrs. Arroyo’s allies to move against the Speaker just because his son Joey III made damaging accusations against First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo.

“Do they want Speaker de Venecia to stop his son from telling the truth about the controversial $329-million ZTE contract? Or do they want to punish him because his son told the truth? What are they hiding?” he asked.

Zamora said the opposition wants the truth behind the ZTE contract for the national broadband network (NBN) project to come out.

“That is why we asked for the appearance of (Trade) Secretary Peter Favila during the House Question Hour last Sept. 17, but Mrs. Arroyo prevented him from appearing. And yet, the entire Cabinet attended the Senate hearing yesterday (Thursday),” he said.

“That meant that Mrs. Arroyo and her Cabinet officials can afford to ignore the House but not the Senate. If I were Speaker de Venecia, I would feel insulted. Remember that it was (Nueva Vizcaya) Rep. Carlos Padilla who first called for a congressional investigation on the ZTE-NBN deal,” he stressed.

Zamora was referring to Padilla’s privilege speech three weeks ago linking Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman Benjamin Abalos to the ZTE contract.

In 2005 and 2006, the President’s allies led by De Venecia promptly threw out the opposition-backed impeachment complaints against her. Mrs. Arroyo’s political handlers feared she might suffer Estrada’s fate if the impeachment process moved beyond the committee level.

A small group of Arroyo loyalists led by Representatives Jose Solis of Sorsogon and Antonio Diaz of Zambales has announced plans to move for the unseating of De Venecia next week.

They sought Mrs. Arroyo’s go-signal during their late Wednesday night meeting with her, but the President reportedly kept her peace. They took her silence to mean that she approved of their plans.

Status quo

A group of congressmen belonging to the Northern Luzon alliance called for a status quo in the House leadership in an effort to avert the looming political crisis.

Ilocos Sur Rep. Eric Singson, the leader of the Northern Alliance, said they would initiate a campaign to keep the House away from the NBN controversy.

“We support President Arroyo and Speaker de Venecia, we want a status quo,” Singson declared.

He said the 32 members of the alliance met Thursday night and agreed to initiate moves against any attempt to reorganize the House leadership in the wake of the controversy created by the NBN deal.

Singson warned any move to reorganize the House leadership might break up the existing coalition among political parties and derail the legislative agenda.

“When the coalition will break up, then everybody will suffer, our people will suffer, as will as the stability of the government,” he said.

Singson stressed the need to separate the House from the NBN controversy.

According to Singson, their group will start a signature campaign calling for a status quo in the House leadership.

Davao City Rep. Prospero Nograles also wondered if such an attempt to oust De Venecia will prosper. “We majority allies will always avoid confrontation. We do not want to rock the boat at this time. We won’t cross the bridge unless we have to.”

Makati City Rep. Teodoro Locsin Jr. warned anyone attempting to unseat the Speaker over his son’s explosive testimony is in for political suicide.

“To try to challenge Joe now means you want to suppress the truth,” he stressed. “I don’t think anyone will have the face to challenge the Speaker on this issue.”

Locsin pointed out the younger De Venecia’s testimony before the Senate implicating senior administration officials and personalities over the NBN deal seemed to be “very credible.” He said such a declaration by the younger De Venecia was against his interest, being a businessman.

On the contrary, in concealing the truth, motivated by keeping the Speakership, it would have more disastrous effects on the De Venecia’s post, Locsin pointed out.

“If I was his father, and I know you’re telling the truth but I want to keep the Speakership, so can you please lie, not speak? If that’s the kind of Speaker he is. But obviously he’s not. That would be cause for removing him if he suppresses his son’s testimony,” Locsin said.

Quezon City Rep. Matt Defensor, chairman of the House justice committee, reiterated his support for De Venecia.

Defensor however defended President Arroyo, saying the younger De Venecia’s statement at the Senate does not mention the influence of the President over the deal.

“There is no direct testimony that implicated the President. I assure you that the coalition is loyal to the President and the Speaker,” Defensor said.

From the legal point of view, there is no direct evidence linking the President to the controversy, he said.

Some members of the opposition also supported the call for a status quo in the House leadership.

“I will support him (De Venecia) because he allowed his son to tell the truth, even if he knew that his position would be at stake. He is a very good and amiable father. I admire him for that,” declared Agusan del Sur Rep. Rodolfo “Ompong” Plaza.

Rep. Joel Villanueva of the Citizen’s Battle Against Corruption (CIBAC) said he will not support moves to oust De Venecia.

“I don’t think it will happen,” Villanueva said. “JDV is too important for them. They (administration allies) need him more than we in the opposition need him.”

Anakpawis Rep. Crispin Beltran said De Venecia “should remain steadfast, and so should his son JDV III.”

“The counter-attacks against the Speaker and his leadership in the House of Representatives will only backfire on Malacañang and its head occupant,” he said.

Iloilo Rep. Neil Tupas Jr., also an opposition member, said it is “still premature” to discuss ouster moves, but that “as of now, I think the Speaker still has substantial support among House members.”

Other opposition members refrained from making any comment, saying they will rather just watch the events unfold.

“I will just watch,” said Anak Mindanao Rep. Mujiv Hataman.

“That’s the problem of the majority coalition,” said Laguna Rep. Justin Chipeco.

Militant lawmakers led by Bayan Muna Rep. Teddy Casiño said they are “still in the process of discussing it.”

A member of the so-called Reform Bloc opposed to De Venecia’s leadership also assured the Speaker they have no intention to support moves for his ouster.

Manila Rep. Amado Bagatsing, a member of the Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino (Kampi), said they will not support any move that could endanger De Venecia’s post.

Bagatsing is a staunch ally of Cebu Rep. Pablo Garcia, the main contender in the House leadership battle against De Venecia.

Bagatsing said Kampi “will not add to the present confusion.”

“In the midst of the confusion, the party has no plan to further muddle the situation,” he said.

Trigger happy

Senate President Manuel Villar Jr. declared the ouster of De Venecia could also trigger President Arroyo’s impeachment.

Villar said Mrs. Arroyo will be the next to fall once the threat to oust De Venecia pushes through.

Villar advised administration congressmen against rushing to remove De Venecia since this will also result in the removal of the President.

“All I can say is that they (administration allies) should not be hasty in this matter,” he said.

Villar also denied earlier claims that the opposition funded the “demolition job” to pit De Venecia against Mrs. Arroyo.

“The opposition has no money to fund such a demolition job. I doubt that the opposition has such capability to fund De Venecia,” Villar said.

He said Mrs. Arroyo should implement a total revamp of her Cabinet following the NBN scandal.

Villar added the Senate will still have to see the involvement of Speaker De Venecia in the deal.

He said the younger De Venecia made a detailed testimony implicating senior administration officials and the First Gentleman in the NBN deal.

Villar noted the full-force attendance of Cabinet officials during the hearing at the Senate last Thursday.

He said the presence of Cabinet members who had nothing to do with the NBN deal was highly unusual.

“I think they simply signify their full support to the President. I just really don’t know why they have to be there and why their support of the President was so much,” Villar said. With Delon Porcalla, Perseus Echeminada, Jose Rodel Clapano, Leslee Montano

Published inPolitics

80 Comments

  1. JdV and Gloria are intertwined like Siamese twins. They deserve each other and it would do Pinas a world of good if they both implode together!

  2. From Rep.Roilo Golez:

    The minority is keenly observing the unfolding internecine war within the majority.

    We note however, that the situation is potentially explosive and it could disrupt, even derail, our legislative agenda.

    Those espousing a change in leadership should rethink their effort as its repercussions might go beyond the confines of the House.

  3. Hah! “Those espousing a change in leadership should rethink their effort as its repercussions might go beyond the confines of the House.”

    If the repercussions have something to do with ousting Gloria, I’m all for it! Heh! Bring it on Roy, bring it on!

  4. chi chi

    Please naman mga Tongressmen ni Gloria, unseat na ninyo si de Venecia, para na ninyong awa!

  5. Full support of the president daw sabi ni Villar. Oh yeah! O takot na mawala ang mga sagana nila ngayon pag nawala si unano? Golly, ang dami pang paganda. Halata namang sarili lang nila ang iniintindi nila, not even Gloria as a matter of fact. Sabi nga baka maging kahon pa!

  6. chi chi

    At nang masimulan na ni Joe ang paglabas ng mga baho ni Gloria sabay impeach sa bruha!

    It’s just like watching a black comedy with all characters acting as kontrabidas, walang bida!

  7. hawaiianguy hawaiianguy

    Am itching to see how the dominoes fall, one after the other. Itumba nila si JdV, tumba din si GMA.

  8. So am I Hawaiianguy – itching to see the dominoes fall – but of course, Villar doesn’t want that to happen because he is not fully prepared yet, i.e., he has presidential ambitions and to dump what’s his name? wait, the ‘vice president’, what’s his name again? oh yes, Castro (he’s so absent from the political scene, I’ve seriously forgotten his name for a second there) in Malacanang might pose a problem for him and his ambition if and when Gloria is ousted before 2010…

  9. Good point by Zamora: “Remember that it was (Nueva Vizcaya) Rep. Carlos Padilla who first called for a congressional investigation on the ZTE-NBN deal,”

    JdV is allowing the House to be an arm of Malacanang – The lower House is supposed to be independent branch, isn’t it?

    Very telling – gusto nilang dalawang lutuin ang ZTE-NBN deal between the two of them.

    I don’t believe that Gloria was not privy to the fixing of the ZTE-NBN deal, i.e., overpricing! NO WAY!

  10. Curioser and curioser provision in the contract: “Concession Buyer’s Credit of Chinese Government with a 10-year term, including 3-year grace period and 7-year repayment period).”

    That’s definitely not a soft loan. Such terms and conditions could be had with any private bank! And to think that the RP gov is presenting a sovereign guarantee! No way ZTE would lose out… so why such stiff terms?

  11. I posted this in a previous thread:

    In theory, when a major multi-billion peso project is decided for implementation in less than a year, there’s a call for rejoicing.

    How wonderful it would be for Pinas if only decisions were made for these projects to be implemented and if they weren’t tainted, i.e., costs bloated, corruption ridden, etc.!

    You described Gloria often to be a hands on micro management prone sort of leader, i.e., quizzing line by line of the budget proposal to Congress, etc.. Yet, this NBN deal smacks of half-baked scrutiny if ever it was scrutinized.

    Just look at this:

    On March 26, 2007: “special joint meeting” of the NEDA Investment Coordination Committee, Cabinet Committee and Technical Board,

    The ICC-Cabinet Committee and Technical Board of NEDA had serious doubts about the “economic viability” of the project. Too, they wanted to be further assured that it would be good for the government to have its own backbone, rather than use private sector services.

    On March 29, 2007, the NEDA board approved the project,

    On April 21, Transportation Secretary Leandro Mendoza signed in China the $329-million “provisional contract” with ZTE.

    On the same day, Trade and Industry Secretary Peter Favila signed, also in China, an agreement for a separate China government loan of $504-million (P22.77 billion) for the CEP.

    Also on April 21, Mrs Arroyo flew to China for a few hours to attend an economic forum in Hainan province…

  12. Sabi tuloy ni cvj,

    “Wow MBW, from the timeline you showed, it looks like the move-on crowd’s philosophy of “los[ing] our freedoms and our rights just to move this country forward” has really paid off. Such efficiency!”

  13. we-will-never-learn we-will-never-learn

    Nobody can deny that the rampant Lying, Cheating, Stealing, Corruption & Killing exists in this Arroyo government, the whole world acknowledges this by rating us as the worse and whilst these government officials stay in office the Lying, Cheating, Stealing, Corruption & Killing will continue as they have now become the un-disputed Filipino Mafia.

    If people want the chance to change their lives for the better and restore the respect of the world the only way is to change the faces of the people in this government – they have proved to everyone that due to their corrupt practices they are beyond hope, unable to govern properly and an insult to the average Filipino.

    Politicians should acknowledge the fact that the Filipino has awaken, due to the speed of electronic communication even the far flung islands are up to date with what other countries in this region are achieving.
    If there is a lack of rice the people know why, if there are a lack of classrooms the people know why, if people who are activist and are ‘disappearing’ the people know why and its because the people now know the Truth that they are no longer prepared to stay poor and hungry for no other reason than the sheer Greed of the so called elite.
    The Truth is that there are many Congressmen who should be ousted also and with a change of government faces, will be.

  14. Someone commented: “mbw, in that case, think of the project’s impact on the country’s employment, especially engineers and technicians. often, public spending is good for a country to stimulate and nourish the economy.”

    To that I said: I fully agree with you – no reservation there at all if that were the case but this is not the case at all.

    The cost for that portion of the project that generates employment locally is not a problem at all if only the bolts, the nails, and the rivets were not being charged 1,000 times their genuine costs abroad.

  15. rose rose

    Masaya ito..bakit nga pala no comment is Noli? Parang si Juan Tamad ano?..nag aantay na mahulog yong bunga ng bayabas..pag na impeach si GMA..kahit isang saglit lamang pangulo siya..Wise din ano? Parang si Col. Klink sa Hogan’s Heroes..”I see nothing, I hear nothing so I say nothing..

  16. Suffice it to say that if only the Lower House would do their job, this ZTE deal should make (again) or break Gloria… But as we speak, puro compromise lang ang alam nilang gawin to protect their vested interests, their seat in Congress and their priviliges (the means to be able to corrupt some more)…

    So, I say, we should push Congress to do its work and help Senate investigate. Ano yan? Parasites na lang sila?

  17. We have a problem of national proportions, it is the peoples representatives in the legislature to try to sort out that problem NOT BY HIDING things from the public but by asking those who hold the key to show proof that this problem is not at all a problem.

    But what do these people in the Lower House do? They hatch things behind the people’s backs, they try to divert attention, they hide things and they cook up solutions that are not solutions.

    Enough is enough! They either do their job or they resign!

  18. Even with the best will in the world, i.e., allegations of corruption against someone (like Abalos) must be backed by proof, it is difficult to abide by the principle that someone is innocent until proven guilty when you have a young puppy like Joey de Venecia taking on the Establishment, revealing that a corruption scheme was involved in the forging of this ZTE deal.

  19. I am furious that these people who are elected to represent the people, who are expected protect the interest of the people should be the first ones to hatch things against the people!

  20. This is sumpthin – hahahahah!

    Gloria’s lawyer finally put his big foot in his mouth (text taken from today’s Inquirer editorial):

    “That reduced the issue to one of credibility, and unfortunately for Mendoza it’s De Venecia that has the upper hand. So the question lingers, and it is the same one Arroyo’s lawyer asked rhetorically in his defense: “Why will Mr. Arroyo try to intimidate De Venecia if the First Gentleman has nothing to do at all with the project?”

    Why indeed? hahahaha! Gago talaga itong si Apostol, hahahaha!

  21. neonate neonate

    Cocoy, catch this boomerang: instead of calling for all the good guys to migrate, ask your fellow do-gooders to repatriate.

  22. cocoy cocoy

    Now, the wolves are fighting.Is these could be true or a moro-moro in the offing.Filipino is in the midst of an authentic constitutional crisis as the Punggok regime moves to reduce her highest paid allies in Congress.

    The Pangasinan Tongressman is now being Swift Boated by the Greedy First Gentleman.The Filipino Masses of poor will judge his valor, Not as presented in the last derailed impeachment, but as witnessed in real time,now his aiming his gun at her Boss in Malacanang. Polls are no doubt suggesting that voters want their Senatong and Tongressman to address the ZTE Scams,injustice and the deteriorating economy.People has no choice but to board the plane to seek employment where they can earn dollars.A political fight with Snow White reject over the balance of power in allies will look like a distraction,like politics as usual,like so much partisan squabbling.Now, it seems that JDV is doing a right thing and is overcoming his fear and preparing for the fight.He is moving in the right direction,Manong!

    We should applaud his actions,and thanks Junior for the revelation of his past drug addiction.The speaker can interrupt the narrative of his own ineptitude and restore the dignity of a people who have strong revulsion in Punggok’s regime.Or,it is his predicament and decide to save his own ASS. Whatever his motive in grinding his axe against the Midget in Malacanang by doing So, He can act fearlessly to save the country, and, despite what today’s Traditional Politician might tell him, He can earn the gratitude of voters who today might be wishing the nightmare will just come to an end. But the best way to end a nightmare is to wake up and kick the lazy and corrupt asses in the Palace where the whores indulge!Ano,Tongue payag ka ba?

  23. Totie Totie

    The Executive and the Lower House position in the ZTE again showed the weakness in our current political system.
    Observe the simple and yet clear state of our politics:

    a) Principle – Elected by the People and in return they Serve the People and the nation
    b) Practice – Elected by the People and in return they serve the President, Highest Bidder, and their family and friends businesses.

    Bring back the two party system, Liberal o Nacionalista, Republican or Democrat, Pangit or Maganda, Straight o Bakla, Corrupt or Not-corrupt any label will do as long as the choice is limited.

    Hopefully the whorehouse finally see the light that they have to serve the interest of the Philippine Nation not the Palace Notion.

  24. cocoy cocoy

    Neonate;
    I change my mind,I concede and stand side by side with you on this fight,Mon Ami.

  25. BLACK KNIGHT BLACK KNIGHT

    Ellen,

    It’s true! Everybody is watching a bizarre movie..Let us try to sit back and relax. Ellen, have you seen the movie, “The Brave One”? I suggest you find time to see this movie.

  26. chi chi

    Re: “Why will Mr. Arroyo try to intimidate De Venecia if the First Gentleman has nothing to do at all with the project?”

    Anna,

    Natutuliro ba pati si Apostol o sadyang tanga?!

    Ipinahamak ang sariling amo! Ang daling sindakin ni Apostol. Hahahahhah!

  27. Isaac H Isaac H

    Maghintay nalang kung ano ang mangyari dito sa OUST & IMPEACH moves ng Congress. Doon sa bayan ni Rose at hindi rin malayo sa provincia ni Ellen, maraming aeta or negrito. Nung dumating ang mga Datus galing sa Borneo, naguluhan yung mga aetas. Pinagsabihan yung mga bagong dating, “DAKIN-DAKIN SA KAYTO” ang ibig sabihin ng mga aeta “umalis kayo”. Pag ito ang gawin nang ating officials baka gumanda pa ang takbo ng pamumuhay sa Pinas. Mahirap pa yung Francie ni Anna & TDC, Rio Grande wet back Spanish ni Cocoy at Japanese Teriyaki & Sushi ni Yuko. Marami talaga ang fans ni Ellen. Ilang hits na ba ? Thank you and have a nice weekend.

  28. maarte maarte

    I was a bit surprised when Joker Arroyo said the ZTE case is a fight among fixers. I was expecting him to be solidly behind Mike Arroyo. Sana sinabi na lang niya: “Fight among thieves”. Si Miriam Santiago naman, she said it’s a turf war between US and China. From the two administration senators’ statement, we can conclude that even GMA’s allies believe Mike Arroyo is guilty.

  29. hawaiianguy hawaiianguy

    “Joker Arroyo said the ZTE case is a fight among fixers..” Kahit naman ordinaryong janitor lang, alam na ang takbo ng gawain ng mga garapal na officials natin, di ba?

  30. cocoy cocoy

    Neonate;
    Cocoy, catch this boomerang: instead of calling for all the good guys to migrate, ask your fellow do-gooders to repatriate.

    I concede and change my mind, I had always thought that my ideas had undergone radical revision in the course of the years. Perhaps something is wrong with my head. In any event, I am certainly pleased to go back in our country to consider it as my retirement home.

    I want to say to you that basically, I am an optimist. There have been dark periods before dark from the point of view of freedom and dark from the point of view of our country. I firmly believe in the limitless resources of the human spirit. I believe also in the elastic talents and capacities of the Filipino people. I believe passionately in democracy and freedom. And I believe in the basic strength of liberty as the bedrock of Philippine’s welfare and future.

    Perhaps the heyday of Dictatorship regime in our time occurred during Marcos up to present, when the theories of the thinkers of economist past became the action programs of massive corruption in the present.

    Philippines was peaceably transformed into a country which proved to be the envy and salvation of the neighboring Asian countries. But at the climax of its triumph, Our natural resources and treasures encountered problems for which it had no solution, and dangers from which it retreated in disorder and disarray. I refer to the reign of Gloria’s Pidalism from the effects of which we have not yet fully recovered. So far Senators and Congressman are concerned,the very present period is largely overshadowed by a pall of sterility, conformity, compromise and confusion. It is a dark period for Freedom, Justice, Prosperity for our people..I still firmly believe that we will emerge from the present twilight and the dark threshold of danger into the day — a new day, as bright or brighter than any we have known……….See you in my loving country my friend, perhaps drinking San Miguel Beer!

  31. hawaiianguy hawaiianguy

    neonate,
    your challenge to pareng cocoy rings a familiar bell to me. On the first thought, have many of our kababayans wondered why 1 out of 10 Filipinos are now out of the country, and more would like to leave?

  32. What everyone seems to forget is the provision of the law to avoid and prevent rampant graft and corrupt and even monopoly is that all government contracts should be done through and by public bidding.

    So even in this term and condition alone, it is very evident that the people involved in this transaction with the Chinese have already violated Philippine laws that the Chinese likewise should be well advised to abide by.

  33. Forgot to say that even in such bidding the government earns money as a matter of fact through sales of bidding kits and applications as when they USED to do in trying to dispose of government patrimonies in Japan.

    In fact, it was this kind of anomaly that the sale of a Philippine property on Stockton St. in SFO was questioned. Enrile was the one in fact who pursued this case. Why is he now privy to this similar scam, I wonder.

  34. Maarte: I was a bit surprised when Joker Arroyo said the ZTE case is a fight among fixers. I was expecting him to be solidly behind Mike Arroyo.

    *****

    Either nagkamali ng pang-intindi doon sa briefing niya from his cousin/relation/etc. o may dementia to remember what he is supposed to say as told kaya siguro ganyan ang sinabi niya. Nothing to do with loyalty or anything. Dahil kung hindi siya loyal sa mga Arroyo, nagpapatunay na wala siyang kuwentang tao talaga dahil kahit papaano may utang na loob siya sa mga kamag-anak niyang kaapelyido niya. Despite any denial, walang dudang magkakamag-anak iyan as they come from the same province maliban na lang kung nangabit sa iba ang nanay niya na hindi Arroyo!!! 😛

  35. Isaac H:

    Sorry, I don’t serve Sushi and Teriyaki. Wala akong lisensiyang gumawa niyan. Nimono baka pa, iyong mga laga-laga na non-fatty food ng Japan. Sabi ng mga kapatid ko masarap daw. My specialty actually is cooking Chinese, and English pies!

  36. Noong panahon ni Cory, bidding kits cost 2,500 dollars each for the bidding of the Roppongi property. 35 companies bidded for that but I think tinikwat na ang kinita doon. It did not push through because nakabantay ang mga pilipino sa Japan aside from an Act of God that one of the bidders forgot to fulfill a requirement and was disqualified.

    Noong panahon ni Ramos nilihim ang deal and one Japanese company was granted lease of the property for 50 years (another 40 years or less to bantay on our part as a matter of fact pero gusto na yatang idispatsa noong swapang na Mafiosa at asawa niyang ganid!) and presto you have an embassy there with a wide space for the ambassador to take his nap when he does not do anything, perhaps, but very small space in the building’s garage like area being used now as Consulate. Anyway, hindi naman daw halata ng mga pilipino kong itrato silang parang basura ng sarili nilang gobyerno!!! Nakakai-Yuck!!!

  37. rose rose

    Isaac H: Ellen and I are both from Antique.
    Neonate: If I remember right FVR had that program inviting Pilipinos to come home and share their talents particularly in the field of Science. I wonder what happened to it.
    Yuko: Is Joker Arroyo from the Western Visayas too? Serving the adm. of GMA ang alam kong from Western Visayas are Drillon, Miriam Santiago, Death of Justice Secretary.
    Sana ibagsak nila si JdV para ma impeach si GMA.
    Cocoy: Winter na naman kaya gusto ko nang umuwi sa Antique..sana bilisan nila ang “guera” at mapaalis na si GMA.

  38. Rose,

    I know Joker Arroyo is also from your island like the Pidals and Arroyo with connections likewise in Negros. Kaya magkakamag-anak ang mga iyan.

    I met in fact a woman in Las Vegas who has the same family as ours but she came from Negros. We traced relatives and boy, was she no stranger! Kamag-anak namin just by the same family name.

    Kahit nga iyong Japanese root ko na-trace ko. Na-meet ko ang isang “Waki” in SFO. Nag-trace ng ancestry, isa lang ang pinanggalingan. And so with my mother’s British roots as a matter of fact.

    Hopefully, hindi kadugo iyong mga Pidal! Ayokong maging kamag-anak ang mga magnanakaw na sinungaling pa!!! 😛

  39. Rose,

    Not now. Gago na talaga si Talanding Gloria if she tries to give the go-signal to drop Tengang Daga like some hot potato. Political suicide ang gagawin niya. Now, she’s playing tricks on the Filipinos. Trying hard talaga ang hinayupak na wala siyang kinalaman doon sa ZTE deal. Playing clean na naman iyan gaya noong kaso nila na binulgar ni Bing Rodrigo years ago.

    What she is forgetting and the Filipinos are allowing her to go scotfree kasi wala raw alam (Susmaryosep!) is that there is the principle of “Command Responsibility.” Medyo nakakalimutan yata iyan. If she cannot lead and cannot take full responsibility for what her husband, et al do, puede ba bumaba na lang siya. Mahirap ang paarte-arte at palandi-landi lang kasi buhay ng mga pilipino ang nakasalalay sa mga ginagawa niyang kawalanghiyaan, kahayupan, kabuktutan, etc.

  40. Diego K. Guerrero Diego K. Guerrero

    Kabayan VP Noli De Castro is the direct beneficiary in case Gloria is impeached and convicted by the Senate. Gloria Arroyo is safe under De Castro presidency. It’s better to impeach Gloria and De Castro. Both have no mandate.

  41. neonate neonate

    Hawaiianguy, maybe I have an inkling on your question “have many of our kababayans wondered why 1 out of 10 Filipinos are now out of the country, and more would like to leave? Take a peek at:
    http://orly28.blogspot.com/2007/03/overseas-filipino-workers-in-africa.html and
    http://orly28.blogspot.com/2005_12_01_archive.html ofws 11 dec 2005
    Two years ago I wrote : A columnist sardonically wrote in relation to the impeachment of Chief Justice Davide, “Why don’t we just close down the Philippines? Declare bankruptcy, hang the “Closed for Business” sign on our borders, and start shipping out of here.” Apparently, the writer has not perceived the possibility that the process might already BE in progress, the exodus having started with the overseas Filipino workers. Another indicator is the wish of one-fifth of Filipinos expressed in a survey to emigrate and work abroad. It merely needs a enough desperation and determination to goad the wish into action. Many of the émigrés will take up permanent residence abroad (illustrated by the lukewarm response to the OFW voting rights), and finally find means for their family to join them — the satire turned into self-fulfilling prophecy.

  42. OK lang next in line si Kabayan. E di tanggalin siyang susunod and then si Villar. I understand that in such cases, a snap election is the next option. Pero kailangan pag nag-snap election, nakakulong na iyong mga Pidal kasi baka may bayaran pa silang puppet nila na sila pa rin ang magpapagalaw! Golly, stocked ang mga pilipino sa mga walanghiya!

  43. neonate neonate

    Cocoy, I am pleased and proud to repeat your sentiments, word for word. “I am certainly pleased to go back in our country to consider it as my retirement home. I believe also in the elastic talents and capacities of the Filipino people. I believe passionately in democracy and freedom. And I believe in the basic strength of liberty as the bedrock of Philippine’s welfare and future. See you in my loving country my friend, perhaps drinking San Miguel Beer!
    Despite the despicable Pidals and Congressional Porkers, the country is still beautiful, and Pinoys the same gentle, respectful people that you knew.

  44. Taga de cebu Taga de cebu

    “I want to say to you that basically, I am an optimist. There have been dark periods before dark from the point of view of freedom and dark from the point of view of our country. I firmly believe in the limitless resources of the human spirit. I believe also in the elastic talents and capacities of the Filipino people. I believe passionately in democracy and freedom. And I believe in the basic strength of liberty as the bedrock of Philippine’s welfare and future.COCOY”

    Never,never give up!

  45. norpil norpil

    ok naman pala. two birds in one shut.pag nawala si jdv wala na rin si gma.

  46. Mrivera Mrivera

    cocoy and neonate says: “perhaps drinking San Miguel Beer!
    Despite the despicable Pidals and Congressional Porkers, the country is still beautiful, and Pinoys the same gentle, respectful people that you knew.”

    sige, payag ako. inuman lang, ha?

    puwede kayang gawing pulutan ang congressional porkers. siguro masarap silang i-barbikyu!

    pagsayawin natin si luli ng hip hop ng walang sapin sa paa para merong enterteynment. sa ibabaw ng baga!

  47. “ok naman pala. two birds in one shut.pag nawala si jdv wala na rin si gma.”

    norpil,

    I don’t think it’s a case of hitting two birds with one stone. The way events are turning out, it’s more of a “hitting two birds with each other” scenario, hehehe.

    Talking about rallying points, I don’t see JDV as a possible rallying point, at least, for those who mean well. Mas tama sigurong bantayan ngayon si Sec. Romy Neri. ‘Yung mga security aides niya, hindi kaya security risk? Mahirap kasi kung ang boss ng “nagbabantay” kay Neri ay mas interesadong itumba siya- then blame civil society or the communists later.

  48. Communists? No way, Ka Enchong. Alam ko wala nang pambili ng mga armas ang mga iyan. Cut ang supply even from the CIA! Hirap na ngayong manghingi kahit sa mga komunista dito sa Japan sabi ng isang kakilala ko. Kaya kung pagbibintangan sila, tiyak guni-guni ni Gloria Dorobo. Maski nga iyong sinasabing Al Qaeda cell sa Pilipinas, guni-guni din niya e. Gumawa ng Human Security Act ginaya pa sa America na mas maarte dahil para lang daw sa “humans” hindi pa sinabing laban sa mga tulisan na hindi inisip kung makakabuti nga sa bayan o hindi. Iyon mga ungas din sa Tongress at Senatong pirmahan din na hindi binabasa ang disadvantage ng ginawang batas daw na hindi naman i-implement kundi makikinabang si Dorobo.

    Kawawang bansa! Napailalim sa pambababoy ni Gloria Dorobo, et al!

  49. pechanco pechanco

    # hawaiianguy Says:

    September 22nd, 2007 at 10:39 am

    “Joker Arroyo said the ZTE case is a fight among fixers..” Kahit naman ordinaryong janitor lang, alam na ang takbo ng gawain ng mga garapal na officials natin, di ba?

    …My point was coming from a Malacanang ally, Joker’s comment
    reflects some kind of a position on his part. Di tulad nina Angara at Enrile, tahimik lang. Kung kakampi ka, mabuti na iyon walang comment di ba? Anyway, napakabigat ng kaso na kahit sinong tuta ng Palasyo ay nahihirapan ipagtanggol si Mike Arroyo.

  50. pechanco pechanco

    I’ve been trying to log in and send my posts in vain for days now. That’s why I need to use two usernames and e-mail to make sure my posts get sent. Kung napapansin niyo mga kasama, medyo pareho ang style ni Maarte sa Pechanco. But, it doesn’t take away the contents of all the messages I’ve sent. Parehong may halong pagkamuhi dito kay Impakta sa Palasyo. In the meantime, I shall be using Pechanco. If I’m unable to log in, I shall switch to Maarte. Please bear with me. Thanks for your understanding.

  51. Chi,

    Sa kadadaya ng mga ungas, and attempts to daya, nalito ang mga ungas, nagkandabobo ang mga nagdunung-dunungan! Mali-mali ang mga pinagsasabi. All the more reason na huwag nang tigilan hanggang maipit ang mga ungas. Kaya siguro nagpanic iyong E.T. na anak now blogging as brooding!!!

  52. pechanco pechanco

    Mr. Guerrero, legally and technically can we impeach both GMA and Noli on ZTE deal? Lahat ba ng alam ng presidente alam din ng Bise? You brought up a good point. If GMA is impeached an ousted, Noli de Castro would take over. Isa pa ding gago iyan. Wala na ngang alam eh kurakot din iyan from way back his broadcasting days. He and his second wife Arlene did not appear in the last hearing called by the court. May tinatago din mga milagro ang mga iyan. I should give Noli the credit for being quiet and walang ginagawa. Less activities and work, less publicity and exposure. Golf and pa-travel lang ang ginagawa ng gago.

  53. It’s really looking more like some lousy cheap KGB espionage story made in Barrio Siete. Tsk! Tsk! Tske!

    *penge ngang popcorn*

  54. chi chi

    Cocoy,

    Is that you?! Joking only. Go! Go! Go!

    Keep the spirit alive! Kick Gloria out of our sight forever! Impakta na ‘yan!

  55. chi chi

    For once, Mr. Neri, tell the whole truth and nothing but for our country’s sakes! Iwanan mo na ‘yang si Gloria, tuluyan kang lulubog sa putikan niyan, salba mo ang pangalan mo…pwedeng-pwede pa. Reach beyond your nervous self and think of your country! Hindi ka niyan basta itutumba, takot lang nila…all eyes are focused on them. Takbo ka kaagad sa LA, balik ka na lang pag wala na ang mga Arrovos!

  56. chi chi

    Re: Mahirap kasi kung ang boss ng “nagbabantay” kay Neri ay mas interesadong itumba siya- then blame civil society or the communists later.

    Not farfetched, Ka Enchong.

    As TDC said, mukhang nerbyos na nerbyos si Neri. Pero kung mas matimbang sa kanya ang bayan, siya talaga ang rallying point sa kasong ito.

  57. cocoy cocoy

    You know me, my mind is in many pieces, suffering from dual personality disorder, Hehehehehe! I let Benigno to gauge me before although, he have written a book, he forgot to judge the book by it’s cover. But, where is that person who called me “Dude”. I’ll write joc-joc if I am happy and I write a tedious recital if I’ve been to church. Way back during Marcos time, don’t underestimate an ice cream vendor, they might be an agent of N.B.I.

  58. cocoy cocoy

    OOOps Chi,I forgot to write your name.SOLI!

  59. hawaiianguy hawaiianguy

    Neonate, or shall I say, Orly?
    I visited the blog you suggested. Good points on the OFW issue! Have been working into this migration thing for sometime now, I see it as politically connected (or manipulated) especially under Gloria’s shrouded regime. Maybe we can exchange notes privately by email? Besides, this issue is somewhat out of tune with this current thread. I was just provoked by your question to Cocoy, who seems not bent on coming back home unless conditions there improve.
    Pechangco, yun na nga eh. Everybody spots or smells something fishy in this ZTE deal, as those pro-admin officials just keep silent (Enrile, Angara, maybe Miriam). Joker’s point is sensible, at least he concurs with the obvious. But this guy is quick to back out when real action is needed, except when it concerns his own demolition.

  60. pechanco pechanco

    In the journalism lingo, it’s “attack and collect”. Joker might be only sending a message to GMA to give him something or else he would join the fray. Sa isip niya kasi…aba bakit kayo lang ang kumita, eh ako? Di puwede iyan. As for Enrile and his company, busog na siguro ang mga iyan.

  61. neonate neonate

    hawaiianguy Says: September 23rd, 2007 at 2:31 am
    Maybe we can exchange notes privately by email? You bet.

  62. pechanco pechanco

    Hmmm…magpapalitan na naman ng nota. Nakakainggit naman kayo.

  63. Reyna,

    Ang layo mo naman kasi. Ang dami kong popcorn bili sa Costco dito. Iyong “chin” sa microwave.

  64. martilyo martilyo

    kelan ba magsasapukan sina Gloria at Joe de Tenga – nakakainip na para magkaubusa na ang mga ruling elite na nagpapahirap sa bayan.

  65. Isaac H Isaac H

    Yuko tama ka nalilitu na sa dami ng ina-atupag. Ang magandang example dyan yung mga Mexicano doon sa Southern Texas para makarating sa USA lalanguy sa Rio Grande, eh malapad or malaki ang ilog kaya ang tawag sa kanila “Wet Back”. Pag nakapasok sa US unang gawin kukuha ng SSS# para makatrabaho say ang pangalan Pedro Penduko. Nahuli ngayon ng INS police so deport or balik sa Mexico. Sunod na lingo tawid naman sa Rio Grande, then kuha ng bagong SSS# pero ibang pangalan, say Juan Tamad. After few years later may pinadalang check sa kay Pedro Penduko sa lumang address nakuha niya pero wala na siyang ID sa ganong pangalan at saka hindi na natandaan ang signature, huli pa rin deport ulit sa Mexico. So ganoon ang ZTE, ano man ang gawin huli pa rin yan dahil sa kalituhan. Kaya ang sabi ko kabilang topic: We are transient passenger.

  66. pechanco pechanco

    That was a nice analogy, Isaac. I agree that the ZTE deal has been exposed that any kind of cover up won’t work. Sabog na at ano man gawin lumabas na ang baho. The only thing Malacanang can do is to apply some “damage control” (as they always do) to lessen the impact. And of course making sure that the principal suspect Mike Arroyo doesn’t return to the Philippines…yet. Kung wala at hindi makita ang kriminal na pumatay, malabo ang kaso at walang ending di ba?

  67. “Wet back”—tagal ko nang di narinig ang salitang iyan a. Nang magpunta kami sa Tate, madalas itanong iyan sa amin. Nagtataka naman ako dahil hindi naman basa ang likod ko, iyon pala ibig sabihin TNT. Years later after Vietnam, tanong naman sa nanay ko na inis na inis, “Are you a refugee?” kasi mukha niya Eurasian dahil may lahi siyang intsik ang British!

    BTW, you think the Americans have outgrown racial discrimination, you’re wrong. It’s the worse thing I hated about the US. Mukhang may revival kung saan-saan. I wonder if it is a warning that the American white population are not ready to accept a black president even if he is far better than the one sitting at the White House at present na kasing ungas noong magnanakaw sa Malacanang!

  68. pechanco pechanco

    Speaking of racial discrimination in US, there’s a big problem going on in a town called Jena in Louisiana between the whites and blacks. What about Canada? I think our friend Vic is from Canada. I wonder if Canada’s racism is as rampant as the US. Pero ang dinig ko mas grabe daw sa Australia.

  69. Pechanco: “yet. Kung wala at hindi makita ang kriminal na pumatay, malabo ang kaso at walang ending di ba?”

    Nope, puede pa rin if they have a law that provides for criminals to be convicted in absentia. If they do not have such law in the Philippines, they should have one. And then ask the court of the country where the creep is suspected to be hiding to either implement the conviction or have the culprit extradited or expelled to force him to return to his country of origin. Maraming paraan kung gugustuhin nila. Problem is in the Philippines, especially with a president who is a criminal herself, anong maaasahan diyan? Wala!

    Only option is to have a peaceful or violent revolution to have this criminal kicked out by hook or by crook!

  70. pechanco pechanco

    Good point again, ystakei. Are you a lawyer or do you have legal background? I’m not sure if there’s a law in the Philippines that convicts a criminal in absentia. Kung meroon, matagal na dapat na-convict ang mga tulad ni Joc Joc Bolante. That’s the reason why many rich criminals escape jail and prison by going abroad. Ang iba alis agad after being granted bail. Ang hirap kasi, the “hold departure” only works for enemies of Malacanang while Malacanang’s men can leave freely at may escort pa sa airport.

  71. IsaacH,

    Hindi nalilito sa dami ng inaatupag, kundi nalilito sa dami ng mga kabulastugan at pagsisinungaling. Worse is matatanda na sinungaling pa. Ano kaya ang tinituro nila sa mga anak nila?

    Mahirap talaga ang sinungaling. I actually advise criminals I interpret for in courts and the police in Japan to tell “the truth and nothing but the truth.” Kasi kung totoo kahit pagbaligtarin mo ang mundo, hindi makakalimutan at iyon at iyon din ang sasabihin. Kung sinungaling, after a few days nakalimutan na, magkakanda buhol-buhol na ang sinabi. Sarap manghuli sa totoo lang!

    This I always tell them criminals, “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:32)

  72. pechanco pechanco

    Japan’s new PM is Fukuda. How’s this guy…compared to Abe?

  73. I work albeit for the police and court in Japan as an interpreter/translator. I have a credential as a paralegal, but practice only when my service is solicited.

    My expertise is Japanese jurisprudence but since a lot of our laws are patterned after that of other countries particularly US, Great Britain and Germany, I assume that they follow the same procedures followed over here, and since laws in the Philippines are mostly copied from US laws, then it should be safe to presume that such procedure as convicting a person in absentia is possible.

    Over in Japan, we also have managed now to have laws to convict in Japanese courts Japanese nationals who commit crimes overseas and get absolved because of graft and corruption there. It was actually what a group of lawyers here intended to do to a Japanese pedophile who was about to be freed in the Philippines some years back for sexually molesting and assaulting children ages 5-12 even with the consent of their parents.

    Fortunately, medyo napahiya iyong judge sa Pilipinas when the case was full blown in Philippine and Japanese media to convict the pedophile. Death sentence ang ungas, but with the removal of the capital punishment, the creep is now eligible for pardon. 🙁

  74. I don’t like Fukuda. I don’t vote LDP, you see.

  75. Speaking of telling the truth, I find the purely mentally ill to be more truthful than those who are not but are kind of sick themselves being possessed of the adversary. Medyo bako-bako nga lang ang mga statements. That’s why over in Japan, hindi masyadong pinapansin iyong mga unggoy na nagpre-pretend na loko-loko sila para hindi ma-convict. Mahusay ka lang magtagpi-tagpi ng sinasabi kuha mo na ang istorya na truthful, walang sinungaling.

    Iyong squatter ng Malacanang, may illusion of grandeur pero sinungaling. Sakit din iyon as a matter of fact gaya ng mga kleptomaniac. Observation ko sa mga magnanakaw in fact, may sakit din. Pero dito ang mga magnanakaw kinukulong to rehabilitate them. Ang problema, masyadong mahigpit ang society na paglabas nila damdam nilang hindi accepted kaya kundi nila kayang mag-suicide, balik na lang sila sa kulungan. Unfortunately, over here, you get the maximum penalty (death or life imprisonment) when you commit murder or double crime like theft and robbery leading to murder. Marami sa kanila, hindi na nag-a-appeal.

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