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Author: Ellen

House asked to open own ‘Spratly deal’ investigation

Published by Ellen on March 4, 2008

Related article: Cat is out of the bag

by Wendell Vigilia

Rep. Roilo Golez (Ind., Parañaque) has called for a House investigation into the “Spratly deal” between the Philippine and Chinese governments in exchange for what he called anomalous deals such as the $329 million national broadband network and the $500 million NorthRail project.

“Already, this issue has been swirling with dangerous implications in defense and security-related eGroups (e-mail groups) and must be clarified urgently in a formal forum such as a congressional inquiry,” Golez said.

Detained Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV has filed a resolution calling for an inquiry into the “Spratly deal” which he alleged was entered into by the Arroyo administration with China “in exchange for dirty loans.”

Continue readingHouse asked to open own ‘Spratly deal’ investigation

Flashback Spratlys deal

Published by Ellen on March 4, 2008

Following are two articles that I wrote four years ago about the super-secret agreement on the exploration in the South China Sea with China and Vietnam.

Why the secrecy?
Malaya, Sept. 10, 2004

ONE of the agreements signed during President Arroyo’s recent visit to China was on Joint Marine Seismic Undertaking in the South China Sea between the Philippine National Oil Company and the China National Offshore Oil Company.

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‘Treason’ probe pressed

Published by Ellen on March 3, 2008

Sellout of territory seen as ‘greed without moderation’

The United Opposition yesterday asked the Senate to act on a resolution filed by detained Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV calling for an inquiry into the “Spratly Deal” allegedly entered into by the Arroyo administration with China “in exchange for dirty loans.”

Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay, UNO president, said if Arroyo has indeed signed the deal allowing China to explore Philippine territorial waters, “she has given away our sovereignty to a foreign power in exchange for loans that are the source of multi-million-peso kickbacks and a campaign war chest for the 2010 elections.”

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Hindi nakakasiguro si Arroyo sa military

Published by Ellen on March 3, 2008

Tama si Jun Lozada. Huwag na tayong umasang mapilit natin si Gloria Arroyo mag-resign. Kailangan talaga tanggalin siya.

Sinabi sa amin ni Jun Lozada sa aming interview noong linggo sa La Salle Greenhills na kahit anong sigaw natin na “Gloria Resign”, hindi magre-resign yan. Nang pinag-uusapan raw ang mga protesta ng nagsisimula ang imbestigasyon ng NBN/ZTE, may isang cabinet member na nagsabi, “Hindi natin ibibigay ito ng walang patayan.”

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Noli standing by Gloria to allow her graceful exit?

Published by Ellen on March 3, 2008

Related article by JB Baylon: The unnoticed betrayal

As the political storm brought about by allegations of massive corruption continues to slam Gloria Arroyo, Vice President Noli de Castro stays by her side to provide her the option of a graceful exit by resignation, an adviser to De Castro told a member of the opposition.

The source said the expectation of De Castro, as relayed by his advisers who have started talking with different opposition groups like the United Opposition, Makati Business Club, and the Black and White Movement, the end of the Arroyo presidency is a matter of time and he (De Castro) expects to take over as the Constitution mandates.

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Esperon rejects Lozada’s call

Published by Ellen on March 3, 2008

Esperon refuses to be among the “upright” members of the military and police that Jun Lozada called on to make a stand for truth and justice.
by Victor Reyes
Malaya

CLARK FIELD, Pampanga. – Armed Forces chief Gen. Hermogenes Esperon Jr. and Army chief Lt. Gen. Alexander Yano on Monday rejected the call of NBN-ZTE witness Rodolfo Noel Lozada for the military and the PNP to make a stand on the issue of corruption in the Arroyo government.

The corruption allegations are fuelling calls for President Arroyo’s resignation or removal from office.

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Arroyo heckled in Laguna; cops nab protesters

Published by Ellen on March 3, 2008

Hecklers greeted President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo Monday when she attended the celebration of Women’s Month in Calamba City in Laguna province, radio dzBB reported.

The radio report said Mrs Arroyo, together with local city officials, were about to release pink balloons during the launch of the Women’s Month celebration when several in the audience shouted “Patalsikin si Gloria” a couple of times.

Members of the Calamba police immediately approached the hecklers. A separate radio report said that seven of the hecklers were arrested and brought to the police station.

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The story behind the AFP-PNP unity walk

Published by Ellen on March 3, 2008

Following is a column by Ramon Farolan, retired air force general,in the Philippine Daily Inquirer. The italicized portion are the most interesting part of the article:

But back to the story behind the AFP-PNP unity walk. In the early morning hours of Monday, February 25th, this conversation was recorded by wiretapping elements of an intelligence-gathering group.

Gen. Razon: Mistah, ano bang gagawin natin pagkatapos ng flag-raising sa Edsa?

Gen. Esperon: Hinahamon tayo ng class ’76. Dalhin mo ang golf set mo at mag-laro tayo sa Aguinaldo.

Gen. Razon: Eh, paano tayo makaka-alis sa Edsa? Nakakahiya naman kung basta mag-disappear tayo agad.

Gen. Esperon: Ganito, sabihin mo sa staff mo na magkapit-bisig tayo, kasama ang army, air force at navy commanders patungong Aguinaldo. Pag-dating natin doon, derecho sa clubhouse, bihis at tee-off agad!

Gen. Razon: Maganda ’yan, mistah. Pero baka tatawag si “4 by 4” (Palace codename).

Gen. Esperon: Akong bahala. Sasabihin ko na pinaguusapan natin ang anti-coup operations.(End of conversation)

Continue readingThe story behind the AFP-PNP unity walk