Update: The VERA Files site is back.
Note: The VERA Files website was hacked last night (Sept 1 ).We are still fixing the terrible damage done. Meanwhile, this site will carry the full articles on Quedancor. It’s also in Malaya, Manila Times,Business Mirror and GMA-Online.
by Yvonne T. Chua and Luz Rimban
VERA Files
(Second of three parts)
The Quedan and Rural Credit Guarantee Corp. (Quedancor) does not only give out loans to the poor. It also “lends” money to “needy” politicians, congressmen included.
Insiders say Quedancor is the one government corporation politicians know they can run to when they want cash—for political reasons or otherwise. The “loans” are known within Quedancor as “political accounts.”
Officially, these “political accounts” do not exist; there is no record of them in Quedancor’s books. A Quedancor official said these are either hidden in Quedancor’s local government account or distributed across various programs.
Please click here (VERA Files) for the rest of the story.
One suggestment lang, ilagay sa internet lahat na transaction na nabigyan ng loan galing sa Quedancor. That way we can trace the progress or failure of the borrowers. The transparency will also show the money dripping to the likes of Atty Nogralez, if any.
Valdemar,
It’s a good suggestion, but we’re not sure if it will be amenable to them. TRANSPARENCY ang word na kinatatakutan ng mga magnanakaw sa gobyerno.
Ellen,
For all it’s worth, pls check also the real owners of Starlite and Montenegro Shipping Lines cruising between Batangas and Mindoro… allegedly, they are dummies of the Arroyo’s and FG owns the two shipping lines…You might want to take a look also into the new port project in Roxas, Or. Mdo., shipping-related it is!
That she was able to do it all speak much of our character as a people and of our system of government. Maybe we can’t change our character nor Gloria, but maybe we can change the system to prevent her successors from doing the same thing. I move that we adopt Senator Pimentel’s formula: 20/80. Any objection? Remarks?
sad to know that the vera files website was hacked
02 September 2008
I’m sorry if this is a bit off-topic again, but I just can’t help it to give my comment/s on the remarks by the british bulldog, sorry, british ambassador.
Who the fuck is tony blair, I know him to be the former PM of england, but that’s it, nothing new came out of premiership, except to lick the ass of BUSHabos.
Anyhow, my point here is this:
The british in a way (big part actually), plays an important role in the problem in Mindanao.
Let’s go back to history, if you may recall during british eas india trading company, where the brits enslave hundreds of thousand indians and brought them to federation of malayan states, which is now popularly known as malaysia. If you will go back further to asian history, it is the british east india trading company who made the demarcation of the now malaysian territory including Borneo (Sabah).
After neglecting to consult with the sultan of sulu and forcibly annexing Borneo(Sabah), the brits left the federation of malayan states somwehere in 1965-1968, after singapore left the federation and Malaysia became to exist.
This british ambassador should know his history and tell his countrymen that they are real reason/s behind the problem between the Philippines and Malaysia in terms of claiming Sabah.
That my chap is a fact of history.
So that fucker off in our internal affairs, so much of you americans and brits, who doesn’t give a shit of what will happen to us FILIPINOS, except, as you both say in the interest of your country. STUPID IS, AS STUPID DOES, MORONS!!!!!
Leave us alone, we have to much of you already, and you are giving us too much trouble.
By the way, how long did you (brits) able solve (???) the problem in northern ireland, without too much bloods in your hands.
GET LOSS YOU MORONS!!!!!
prans
What else is new? It had been a practice that public funds are considered private funds whoever in power. Gloria Arroyo disperses and spent Executive department’s funds at her own will.
Where are the watchdogs of corruption (kuno)? If they were true to form, why can’t they bring these evil politicians to court? Ah, I forgot…hanggang hangin lang nga pala sila and watch only when the situations favor them.
Kawawa ang maging mahirap na pinoy, pinagsasamantalahan ng mga politikong dapat ay nangangalaga sa kanilang kagalingan.
ohhhh my god!!!! well how else do they pay for their mega mansions their gleaming pajeros their mistress mansions and sending their illegitimate children to overseas exclusive private schools.
These people are thieves and criminals. An American businessman once told me that The Philippines government is populated by crooks and bandits all the good people have run away to foreign places. You cant do legitimate business without having someone requesting a “donation”. who’s left in the country are the poor who cant leave and even the good hookers have now gone to europe
“The United States Court of Appeals, in an August 27 ruling, has denied the petition for asylum of former agriculture undersecretary Jocelyn Bolante, according to lawyer Harry Roque.”
Unfortunately, Bolante can still appeal to the Federal 9th Circuit and possibly US Supreme Court. With a good lawyer, the final decision could be delayed and so is his departure from the US/return to RP. By that time, it’s 2010 election when people are very busy.
Its amazing to read all these reports on anomalous deals in GMA’s government. And more amazing is the lack of public outrage. The saying – “the enemy is us” aptly applies.
Who says Neri is clean other than covering up his masters in Malacanang? The latest report is that he was involved in nursing racket while as CHED Chairman.
This is sad…such has happened so many times with different plots and setting but with thesamme strokes and outcome. I will not indulge with name calling but rather call on Miriam Densor-Santiago and his brothers to look into this matter and take on their own cronies who are responsible for this mess. Its about time they should follow their conscience and alleviate the welfare of the timawa.
Santiago can do it with the help of her very influential siblings…she has to keep in mind that a little bit of goodness and kindness can cover the comical stands she has done in the past. In the Philippine politics, the senators are elected nationally and therefore more powerful than the provincial governor….she can do a lot, if that will and courage are there. I know some of her close relatives and was a classmate of my elder sister in U.P…..because of this…I have a soft spot for her.
Why is Bolante not in the roster of inmates?
http://www.kccjs.org/jail/inmate_search/index.html?imageField.x=62&imageField.y=6
Bolante is better off in a US jail. If he goes home to the Philippines, nothing will happen. He will be a free man.
Coel, I have observed that Miriam Santiago is now taking a different direction. It could be partly her failure to get the International Justice Court position as promised by GMA. Or it could be she senses the inevitable downfall of GMA. Opportunists like her know when to move. 2010 is just around the corner. It would be easier for her to befriend the next leader if she shows her artificial independence from Malacanang now.
BitchEvil….sometimes a person is a combination of good and bad and whichever prevails on suchs traits is what we see… a good deed sometimes could be ughly to some and a bad decision and judgement could be beautiful to
the doer…..such is Santiago…however, she is not devoid of doing better for the people than where she is now.
Mine is only hoping, as if grasping the last banana stalk,
in the middle of the sea…praying these people of her like come to their senses that they are there to serve and not to exploit…….if she is worth her salt she should take on the corruptness in her midst.
The best way to lure them back is to challenge them…. to challenge the system for a change…to the better for all.
Name calling will make the issue more murky and muddier.
I agree, coel. Man is basically kind. Man is born sinless. That’s why I don’t believe in the so called “original sin”. A child must not pay for the sins of his parents.
Did you hear about Japan’s Prime Minister resigning because of the country’s very high inflation? Do you think Gloria would resign because of high prices and inflation? What a huge difference between the two!
“Why is Bolante not in the roster of inmates?”
Only those charged with a criminal offense (by the District Attorney) are registered.
The third line says “Please Note: Inmates housed for Federal Agencies (Immigration) do not appear on this website.”
Thank You Atty
Gloria Karlos,
If they got the NBN deal, for sure no one will read anymore of any ills of the govt on the internet.
The primary reason why the administration was trying to make a fast one on the MOA-AD it would be a sanctuary for the likes of Bolante that even the long crooked arm of the law can not reach out for them there anymore.
bitchevil,
something to ponder on your theory that man is born good, sinless. The word DONT do that is the common phrase said to a small kid.It must be doing something bad. And all teachings are for the kid to learn to be good. So where did we learn to be bad?
You got a point, Valdemar. What is good and bad? What is good and evil? Since when did we learn about the difference?
Believers believe it all started from the sin of Adam and Eve.
They disobeyed God’s command not to eat the fruit. So, it means disobeying is committing sin. But it depends on who we obey. Is it a sin to disobey Gloria Arroyo?
And the most important is the Freedom to choose…”Wherefore, men are free according to the flesh; and all things are given them which are expedient unto man. And they are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil; for he seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself”.
Tama, nasaan ang mga watchdogs? Sa gobyerno, ang alam ko lang watchdogs ay ang Commission on Audit. Itong sa Quedancor, may reports ang COA tungkol sa mga anomalya, pero ang hirap hanggang tahol lamang sila, hindi sila pwedeng kumagat. Hanggang recommendations lamang sila, mabuiti pa alisin na lamang iyang walang silbi. Sa dami dami ng mga anomalya, sino na ba ang nakasuhan, si JOey Marquez lamang dahil sa mga tambo.
Katulad din ng senado, kahit anong daming investigations walang nangyayari. Tapos na sa palagay ko ang ZTE-NBN deal issues, naging moot and academic dahil kinansel ang contract. Siguro ang saya saya na ni Abalos, nakalimutan na siya at ang kanyang ‘Sec may 200 ka dito’. Ngayon iboboto nyo ba si Joey De Venecia sa senado?
The difference between the poor countries and the rich ones is not the age of the country:
This can be shown by countries like India & Egypt that are more than 2000 years old, but are poor.
On the other hand, Canada, Australia & New Zealand, that 150 years ago were inexpressive, today are developed countries, and are rich.
The difference between poor & rich countries does not reside in the available natural resources.
Japan has a limited territory, 80% mountainous, inadequate for agriculture & cattle raising, but it is the second world economy. The country is like an immense floating factory, importing raw materials from the whole world and exporting
manufactured products.
Another example is Switzerland, which does not plant cocoa but has the best chocolate in the world. In its little territory they raise animals and plant the
soil during 4 months per year. Not enough, they produce dairy products of the best quality! It is a small country that transmits an image of security, order & labor, which made it the world’s strongest, safest place.
Executives from rich countries who communicate with their counterparts in poor countries show that there is no significant intellectual difference.
Race or skin color are also not important: immigrants labeled lazy in their countries of origin are the productive power in rich European countries.
What is the difference then? The difference is the attitude of the people, framed along the years by the education & the culture & flawed tradition.
On analyzing the behavior of the people in rich & developed countries, we find that the great majority follow the following principles in their lives:
1. Ethics, as a basic principle.
2. Integrity.
3. Responsibility.
4. Respect to the laws & rules.
5. Respect to the rights of other citizens.
6. Work loving.
7. Strive for savings & investment.
8. Will of super action.
9. Punctuality.
10. and of course…Discipline
In poor countries, only a minority follow these basic principles in their daily life.
The Philippines is not poor because we lack natural resources or because nature was cruel to us. In fact, we are supposedly rich in natural resources.
We are poor because we lack the correct attitude. We lack the will to comply with and teach these functional principles of rich & developed societies.
be:
it is a sin to obey Gloria Macapagal Arroyo..kaya lang hawak niya ang military, ilang justices, si Neri, at ang ilan sa mga pari at obispo..sama sama silang lahat and most likely will have a huge bonfire as they will have a lot of money to burn…
Sa dami dami ng mga anomalya, sino na ba ang nakasuhan, si JOey Marquez lamang dahil sa mga tambo.- nahnah
Ha!ha!ha! na-convicted ba?
chi,
convicted. On appeal na.
So what will happen to these politicians who dipped into this account? This is the trouble with the Philippines. News of corruption of politicians are well heralded and yet nothing happens to those who were alleged to have corrupted. Who are responsible for their investigations? If nothing happens to these politicians, the agency of the government that should follow up on these criminal charges should be reported to the public, their faces branded as derelicts and must be held responsible, fire from their jobs as prosecutors and investigators.
Cito Lorenzo is in the U.S. so afraid to come home because he will be facing charges.
The latest on Bolante is that his appeal was again dismissed. He should be coming back to the Philippines very soon. That’s what we should watch out.
Buenaflor is still with Quedancor. Others are still very much in business.
As to the mastermind- Gloria Arroyo and her husband, still lording it in Malacañang.
Editorial
‘Nakakahiya’
Philippine Daily Inquirer
That most of the local officials of Pampanga province, especially the mayors and board members, are suddenly beside themselves with their non-negotiable demand for credible and clean leadership is not at all surprising. But their brazenness is still breathtaking. Simply put, their “campaign” is both shameful and shameless. In Filipino, “nakakahiya, walang hiya!”
Now that Panlilio has raised lahar collections from P2.41 million a month in 2006 to more than P17.57 million a month since June 2007, and insists on weeding out the underground lottery “jueteng,” Pampanga’s traditional politicians are scrambling to get him out. For a jumble of fuzzy reasons: loss of confidence in his leadership, gross negligence, perjury, failure to unify local officials, lack of clear directions and programs of actions, failure to deliver basic services, even non-attendance in meetings with the President. Well, the first time he went to such a meeting, he came home with a paper bag containing P500,000 and fell out of grace with Malacañang because he chose to tell the public about it.
http://opinion.inquirer.net/inquireropinion/editorial/view/20080903-158311/Nakakahiya
Thanks, Tongue.
Natatawa ako talaga “dahil sa tambo” ay convicted si Joey Marquez ng corruption. Barya-barya ang magpapakulong kay Joey samantalang bilyunes ng Pidales gang ay hindi pinipitik ng mga watchdogs, ombudsman etc.
Si Joey bobo, ang Arroyo-Pidales mafia madulas sa kurakutan.
With Gloria, Pinas has no chance of a clean central as well as local governments.
Bawal ang maging malinis at martir sa Pinas politics!
To: YOU
Date: TODAY
From: GOD
Subject: YOURSELF
Reference: LIFE
This is God. Today I will be handling All of your problems for you. I do Not need your help. So, have a nice day.
I love you.
P.S. And, remember…
If life happens to deliver a situation to you that you cannot handle, do Not attempt to resolve it yourself! Kindly put it in the SFGTD (something for God to do) box. I will get to it in MY TIME. All situations will be resolved, but in My time, not yours.
Once the matter is placed into the box, do not hold onto it by worrying about it. Instead, focus on all the wonderful things that are present in your life now.
If you find yourself stuck in traffic, don’t despair. There are people in this world for whom driving is an unheard of privilege.
Should you have a bad day at work; think of the man who has been out of work for years.
Should you despair over a relationship gone bad; think of the person who has never known what it’s like to love and be loved in return.
Should you grieve the passing of another weekend; think of the woman in dire straits, working twelve hours a day, seven days a week to feed her children..
Should your car break down, leaving you miles away from assistance; think of the paraplegic who would love the opportunity to take that walk.
Should you notice a new gray hair in the mirror; think of the cancer patient in chemo who wishes she had hair to examine.
Should you find yourself at a loss and pondering what is life all about, asking what is my purpose? Be thankful. There are those who didn’t live long enough to get the opportunity.
Should you find yourself the victim of other people’s bitterness, ignorance, smallness or insecurities; remember, things could be worse. You could be one of them!
Should you decide to send this to a friend; Thank you. You may have touched their life in ways you will never know!
Now, you have a nice day.
God
Thank you God, I received your email from my yahoo box.
I just have one question for you. You said, “Should you find yourself at a loss and pondering what is life all about, asking what is my purpose?”. Your answer was,”Be thankful. There are those who didn’t live long enough to get the opportunity.” You just made me confuse on what you meant by that?
God can you tell us through your gospel written in the holy writ: Why are we created on this earth? What is our sole purpose on this earth?
Thank you,
Confused blogger
Be patient, etcetera. God shall answer your questions. If you don’t hear from Him, that means you’re not worthy of His response.
BE,
I like that! Its like what I heard of our friends at Luneta throwing the money to God up in heaven and they can have all those money God returned.
Are you referring to those who raise their umbrellas upside down?
Etcetera, in search for man’s raison de’etre or reason for being, we can see it through the eyes of King Solomon which he wrote in the Book of Ecclesiates.
What did King Solomon realize after he had acquired riches, wisdom, and greatness? This was his stark assessment:
(Today’s English Version: Eccles. 2:11, 22-23)
“Then I thought about all that I had done and how hard I had worked doing it, and I realized that it didn’t mean a thing. It was like chasing the wind — of no use at all. You work and worry your way through life, and what do you have to show for it? As long as you live, everything you do brings nothing but worry and heartache. Even at night your mind can’t rest. It is all useless.”
King Solomon is an epitome of success. Yet, King Solomon lamented that everything he accomplished was in vain, just like chasing the wind — meaningless. His labors brought nothing but worry and heartache.
What is the conclusion of King Solomon?
(New International Version: Eccles. 12:13-14)
“Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, FOR THIS IS THE WHOLE DUTY OF MAN. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.”
King Solomon taught that the whole duty of man — the very purpose and essence of his existence — is to fear his Creator and keep His commandments.