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Author: Ellen

D-day

On the eve of the Sandiganbayan verdict on the plunder and perjury case against former President Estrada, here are some of the thoughts being shared around by text or email:

From a friend close to the Estrada family: “Be daring in your prayers. God still works miracles.”

Akbayan issued a statement that whatever the verdict is, it’s tainted due to the interference of Malacañang in a process that should remain credible and beyond reproach.

Magkakabit

Sabay-sabay ngayon pumuputok ang re-opening ng “Hello Garci” at ang anomalya sa P16 bilyon na ZTE broadband project.

Bilyon yan ha, siyam na zero.

Sa “Hello Garci” natutumbok na si Gloria Arroyo sa cover-up ng eskandalo. Sa ZTE broadband project, hanggang kay Comelec Chairman Benjamin Abalos pa lang.

At medyo mayroong mga tao na ang gusto ay hanggang kay Abalos lang. Ayaw nilang umakyat pa sa mas mataas, Di ba ang impeachment na i-file sa House of Representatives ay kay Abalos lang?

AFP rejects ex-Marine commandant’s appeal to free men

By Joel Guinto
Inquirer.net

The military has rejected ex-Marine commandant Major General Renato Miranda’s appeal to release eight of his men co-accused with him for mutiny and leave him to stand trial alone.

“That is not possible because the criminal and administrative liability of one person cannot be absorbed by just one person,” Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) public information officer Lieutenant Colonel Bartolome Bacarro said on Monday.

“They are charged with conspiracy, for violating the Articles of War. They have to face this,” told reporters in Camp Aguinaldo.

‘Hello Garci’ connection

Last Friday, while former military agent T/Sgt Vidal Doble at the Senate was recounting live before TV viewers efforts of persons close to Gloria Arroyo to hide the truth in “Hello Garci” scandal, Army Capt. Ruben Guinolbay was making a statement related also to the cheating in the 2004 elections, but under the most restrictive media coverage.

cpt1guinolbay2.jpgIt was Guinolbay’s turn to exercise his peremptory challenge on any member of the panel presiding in the special general court martial for the 28 military officers who had allegedly planned to withdraw support from a “bogus president” in February 2004.

But before exercising his right to peremptory challenge, Guinolbay asked and was granted two minutes to make a statement.

The young officer, known as the “hero of Lamitan” for his courageous battle against the Abu Sayyaf in June 2001, said it was the first time that he got near a microphone since the start of the trial almost a year ago.

Former Marine commandant seeks freedom for his men

By Joel Guinto
INQUIRER.net

genrenato-miranda.JPGEx-Marine Commandant Major General Renato Miranda has urged the military to release eight of his men, who are his co-accused for mutiny before a court-martial, for the “common good,” and that he alone be left to stand trial.

“My position is to release all those who are currently detained and allow them to either opt to leave the service or continue their service to God, country and people,” Miranda said in a statement released on Sunday.

“I strongly reiterate that in the dispensation of justice, my position is — I be found guilty first before my subordinates are even subjected to the process,” said Miranda, who is detained at Camp Capinpin in Tanay town, Rizal province with his men, and their co-accused from the Army Scout Rangers.

Apostol urges Esperon to sanction Jason Aquino

From the Tribune:

Chief presidential legal counsel Sergio Apostol,
during a telephone interview yesterday said the statement of Maj. Jason Aquino amounted to influencing the AFP and the PNP not to respect the rule of law and launch rebellion against their Commander-in-Chief.

j-aquino.JPGApostol urged AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon Jr. to impose sanctions on Aquino.

“Who is this Major Aquino? I don’t know him. The media should not entertain his call nor should the media allow themselves to be used by such erring individual,” he said.

According to Apostol, Esperon being the head of the AFP should know how to respond to such call coming from some “disgruntled” groups within the military.

“Esperon should know what to do to (Aquino). He knows how to discipline the AFP,” the Arroyo lawyer said.

“I’ll sue you” – Abalos, Esperon

Abalos is threatening Joey de Venecia for exposing his $10 million bribe try while AFP Chief Hermogenes Esperon is threatening to sue T/Sgt Vidal Doble for exposing how the military is being used to undermine democracy.

Abalos threatens to sue JDV’s son

Chairman Benjamin Abalos Sr. of the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) on Saturday said he will file charges against the son of Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. for accusing the embattled poll official of attempted bribery.

Sabit si Gloria

Sa pagkasangkot ni Medy Poblador sa Hello Garci scandal, tumitibay ang papel ni Gloria Arroyo hindi lamang sa pandaraya sa 2004 elections kung di na rin sa obstruction of justice o pagharang ng katotohanan at hustisya.

Sinabi ni T/sgt Vidal Doble nang dinala siya ni Bishop Socrates Villegas sa bahay mula sa San Carlos seminary sa bahay ni Chief of Staff Afren Abu, nakita niya doon kasama ng kanyang pamilya si Medy Poblador.

Sinabi rin ni Villegas sa kanyang pinadalang sulat sa Senado na ang tuamwag sa kanya para alisin sina Doble sa San Carlos seminary ay si Poblador.