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Esperon passes buck to Pimentel

Published by Ellen on June 19, 2007

In Strictly Politics (ANC) last night, AFP Chief of Staff Hermogenes Esperon showed a copy of a letter he was sending Judge Oscar Pimentel of the Makati Regional Trial Court today (Wednesday) asking the judge clarification on the custody of Senator-elect Antonio Trillanes.

He said if Pimentel, in whose court the coup d’etat charge against Trillanes and fellow Magdalo soldiers in connection with the July 2003 “Oakwood mutiny” is being tried says Trillanes should be released to civilian custody, he will release Trillanes from his confinement at the Marine Brig in Fort Bonifacio.

But, he said, if Pimentel says Trillanes stays under military custody, he (Esperon) will not allow him to attend sessions in the Senate.

The ghost of Hello Garci is back

Published by Ellen on June 19, 2007

The plan of the three Cavaliers in the new Senate – Senators Rodolfo Biazon, Panfilo Lacson and Antonio Trillanes IV, to re-open the investigation of the “Hello Garci” scandal must be giving some officials sleepless nights.

This investigation would render irrelevant the Mayuga report which Malacañang and the military leadership had tried so much to keep from the public. Retired Admiral Mateo Mayuga (now defense undersecretary) has been quoted to have said that he will bring the secrets of his report, which I presume would be the involvement of ranking military officials in the cheating for Gloria Arroyo in the 2004 elections, to his grave.

Well, he can bring his whole report to his grave, the people will have a way of uncovering the truth.

Iproklama na si Koko Pimentel

Published by Ellen on June 18, 2007

Itong sina Benjamin Abalos, kasama ng lahat na commissioners ng Comelec at pilit pinapahirapan ang sarili, pati na rin ang taumbayan.

Ang pinakahuli nilang pakulo ay pupunta raw sila sa Maguindanao para hanapin ang nawawalang municipal certificates of canvass.Kalokohan. Katangahan.

Ang boto kasi sa Maguindanao ang magpapasiya kung sino ang magiging pang number 12 na nanalo sa pagka-senador na pinagaagawan ngayon nina Koko Pimentel ng Genuine Opposition at Migs Zubiri ng Team Unity.

Army division hails Trillanes victory

Published by Ellen on June 18, 2007

by Gilbert Bayoran
Malaya

Bacolod City — The Army’s 3rd Infantry Division with troops stationed in Negros, Panay, Cebu and Bohol on Monday congratulated mutiny leader and Antonio Trillanes IV on his election as senator.

“The 3rd Infantry (Spearhead) Division, Philippine Army under the command of Maj. Gen. Jovenal D. Narcise pass on good wishes to Senator-elect Antonio Trillanes IV (for his) proclamation. We … are hopeful that the AFP bills unrealized in the 13th Congress will be studied for his and other senators’ consideration,” Lt. Col. David Tan, spokesman of the 3rd ID, said in a statement titled “3ID, cheerful for Trillanes victory.”

Tan said the statement reflected Narcise’s sentiment.

Ping and Joker show

Published by Ellen on June 18, 2007

Ping: Joker holds no title to Blue Ribbon committee

by JP Lopez
Malaya

Sen. Panfilo Lacson yesterday said nobody holds a “Torrens title” to the Senate Blue Ribbon committee as he assailed Sen. Joker Arroyo for saying he was lusting after the powerful panel.

Lacson said he was just stating his wish to head the committee in pursuit of his advocacy to stop corruption and promote public accountability.

“May I remind him that no one has a Torrens title over the chairmanship of any committee in the Senate and it is not up to him to decide to whom he shall pass his chairmanship,” Lacson said.

What will it be for Erap?

Published by Ellen on June 17, 2007

During the tiresome six-hour oral summation by both the prosecution and defense panels in the historic plunder trial of former President Estrada, the one who elicited a most telling reaction was Prosecutor Raymundo Julio Olaguer.

Olaguer opened his summation in the perjury case against Estrada with the famous quote, “Honesty is the best policy.” There was a hushed reaction from the audience. I saw raised eyebrows.

He went on to narrate once again the difference between the 1998 Statement of Assets and Liabilities of Estrada and the bank accounts that held hundreds of millions discovered by the prosecution.

AFP unlikely to let Trillanes attend sessions

Published by Ellen on June 17, 2007

by Victor Reyes

A military lawyer today said the Armed Forces might not allow newly proclaimed senator Antonio Trillanes IV, a former Navy officer who was among those who led the short-lived Oakwood mutiny, to attend sessions in the Senate.

Lt. Col. Jose Feliciano Loi said under the military justice system, detainees cannot leave their place of confinement.

Trillanes, who is detained at the Marines headquarters in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City for the mutiny, is charged under the Articles of War, specifically for violation of Article 96 or conduct unbecoming an officer.

Halatang panic sina Esperon

Published by Ellen on June 16, 2007

Pinipilit kong intindihin si AFP Chief Hermogenes Esperon sa kanyang pikon na pananaw sa pagkapanalo ni Lt(sg) Antonio Trillanes IV sa pagka-senador.

Napanood ko sa TV noong Biyernes ng gabin ang reaksyon niya sa pinakahihintay ng bayan na proklamasyon ni Trillanes bilang senador. Hindi maitago ni Esperon ang kanyang inis.

Sa halip na makinig sa boses ng 11 milyon na Pilipino na bumoto kay Trillanes, ang mga balakid pa rin ang kanyang pinagsasabi ni Esperon. Porke’t sinasabi raw ng Articles of War ito at ito.

Lawyers of accused officers walk out of court martial hearing

Published by Ellen on June 16, 2007

This one I missed last Friday because I was assigned to be at the Erap trial at the Sandiganbayan.But here’s the report of Christine Avendaño of the Inquirer.

In the report I noticed that Gen. Yano ignored the appeal of defense lawyers to suspend because it was past lunchtime. This is grossly inconsiderate of the court martial panel. They don’t have the provision to provide lunch at the court room and yet they don’t want to call for a lunchbreak. Or maybe that’s the reason they didn’t want to call for a lunch break. No food, no lunchbreak. What miserable state we are in!

But one good thing, the momentum is high to insist on justice.

Lawyers of accused rebel soldiers walk out of hearing

Estrada trial ends

Published by Ellen on June 15, 2007

Prosecution: We proved our case

Defense: Prosecution had no case

by Peter Tabingo

The six-year trial on perjury and plunder charges against President Joseph Estrada formally ended yesterday with the conclusion of the oral summation by the prosecution and the defense.

Presiding Justice and Special Division chair Teresita Leonardo-De Castro declared the cases submitted for resolution. The decision, under the law, must be promulgated within 90 days.

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