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DFA skips issue on cancellation of China visit

Published by Ellen on September 2, 2013

By Ellen Tordesillas, VERA Files

The Department of Foreign Affairs issued Monday a media briefer on the China-Asean Expo (CAEXPO) but skipped the issue that President Aquino was not informed that China had canceled as early as Aug. 23 his planned attendance at the event on Sept. 3.

DFA’s failure to relay China’s message to Malacañang that Aquino visit “at a more conducive time” and send instead Trade Secretary Gregory Domingo had put the President in an embarrassing situation as he announced on Aug. 28 his trip to Nanning, Guangxi, site of this year’s Expo.

In a media briefing, Foreign Affairs Spokesman Raul Hernandez read a five-point Question and Answer and did not entertain questions.

The Q &A insisted that Aquino was invited by China, belying a statement by the Chinese Foreign Ministry that “China never extended an invitation to the Philippine president.”

Hernandez referred reporters to China’s note verbale to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations sent through this year’s coordinator, Thailand, saying “it is our sincere hope that the leaders of the 10 ASEAN members states would make their presence at the 10th CAEXPO.”

Aquino last to know about canceled China trip

Published by Ellen on September 1, 2013

By Ellen Tordesillas,VERA Files

President Benigno S. Aquino III at the 27th Apolinario Mabini Awardees on Aug. 28 during which he said he was visiting China on Sept. 3.

Early last week, President Aquino was telling everybody—from the Vietnamese defense minister to guests at the 2013 Apolinario Mabini Awards in Malacanang—that he was pushing through with his Sept. 3 visit to China.

The media reported the trip on Wednesday, and quoted the President saying, “Bibiyahe ho tayo next week. Mahaba hong biyahe sa China. Alis akong ala-singko ng umaga; balik ho nang ala-singko ng hapon. Ayaw nating ma-overstay ang welcome natin doon (We are traveling next week. It will be a long trip to China. I will leave 5 a.m., back 5 p.m. We don’t want to wear out their welcome).”

What Aquino did not know then that he was really not welcome at this time in China, which had already canceled the visit the previous week.

Sources say the President could have been spared the diplomatic embarrassment—or “loss of face,” as the Chinese would say—had officials in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Malacañang only acted fast enough and followed up Chinese efforts to arrange the visit, plans for which began more than a month ago.

Carpio:MDT does not cover islands, reefs,rocks; update on UN case vs China

Published by Ellen on September 1, 2013

PH can learn lesson how U.S. handling Syrian crisis

The decision of U.S President Barack Obama to get the approval of Congress before he orders a missile attack on Syria should shatter the illusion of those who believe that America will immediately come to the rescue of the Philippines in the unlikely event of an armed conflict between the Philippines and China in the Scarborough Shoal and in the Spratlys.

Obama’s decision to involve Congress in the planned retribution against Syria for it’s unleashing of chemical weapons last week that allegedly killed 1,429 people will delay the airstrikes because Congress is on recess and the senators and congressmen will resume session on Sept. 9 yet.

There is no assurance that Congress will come on board just like what happened with British Prime David Cameron who was rebuffed by the British Parliament in his decision to get involved in the Syrian turmoil.

Bounty hunters, despair not over Napoles surrender. Meron pa

Published by Ellen on August 29, 2013

From the FB wall of Direk Joey Reyes who thanked Maria Jovita Zarate for it.

I told her not to despair because Napoles brother, Reynald, is still out there. The reward for his capture may not be P10 million but it would still be substantial. I told her to act fast or Pnoy might beat her to Napoles kin.

Aside from Reynald Lim, there’s former Palawan Governor Joel Reyes and his brother, former Coron Mayor Mario Reyes, suspects in the murder of broadcaster doctor Gerry Ortega. Their capture is worth P2 million each.

There’s also retired Army Maj. Gen. Jovito Palparan, wanted for the disappearance of two University of the Philippines students Sherlyn Cadapan and Karen Empeño in Bulacan in 2006. Information about his whereabouts is worth P1 million.

Communications executive JB baylon, who is also chief fundraiser for the Philippine General Hospital said there’s also a P1,500 reward for “alias Berting”, a pickpocket victimizing students along Taft Avenue.

The way President Aquino welcomed Napoles, who is being investigated for allegedly diverting P10 billion worth of government funds to her and other politicians personal funds, even accompanying her to Camp Crame and making sure that she is given a room of her own while in detention for illegal detention of business associate,Benhur Luy, should be an incentive to the Reyes brothers and Palparan to also surface. With the right connection (get a lawyer who is close to Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda) you will also get a presidential welcome.

Napoles surrenders to Pres. Aquino

Published by Ellen on August 28, 2013

At 9:37 p.m on August 28, Janet Napoles surrendered to President Aquino. Napoles is wanted on charges of serious illegal detention arising from the alleged…

“Janet, here na me…where na u?”

Published by Ellen on August 27, 2013

My favorite placard in last Monday’s Million People march in Luneta was the one held by a young man which said, “Janet, here na me…where na u?”

The placard showed several aspects of the inspiring event which gathered some 400,000 to 500,000 bound by outrage over corruption in government.

The simple message, written on a cartolina was in a text lingo: “where na u? “edsa na me.” “w8 lang.” Many of us, schooled in the importance and propriety of staying and writing complete sentences and correct spelling are aghast by the text language but that’s how the cellphone generation speaks.

Aquino fires Palace consultant linked to Napoles

Published by Ellen on August 25, 2013

By Ellen Tordesillas,VERA Files

Brian Yamsuan (in white) , then DILG assistant secretary, with his boss, Secretary Ronaldo Puno.

Alleged big-time pork barrel operator Janet Lim-Napoles has close ties with a Malacañang consultant whom President Benigno Aquino III ordered fired as soon as he discovered the connection two weeks ago.

Brian Raymund Yamsuan, consultant to Executive Secretary Paquito “Jojo” Ochoa, was ordered dismissed after he was mentioned as having brokered Napoles’ meeting with editors of the Philippine Daily Inquirer. The transcript of that meeting was published in a series from Aug. 11 to 14. Yamsuan’s name was mentioned twice.

Palace officials were also concerned over Yamsuan’s behavior, including receiving several millions of pesos from Napoles through a senator, sources said.

Kitakits sa Luneta

Published by Ellen on August 25, 2013

See you all at Luneta tomorrow.

Wear comfortable shoes and clothes. Some are enjoining everybody to wear white to symbolize cleansing of the corrupt system. But actually any color will do.

Bring umbrella just in case it rains. It is a long struggle to assert our right to good governance and we need to be fit and healthy. We can’t afford to get sick.

Bring water. It’s important to hydrate yourself when you are out there in the sun.

Bring something to sit on on the ground like newspaper or cloth.

Understand the issues you are fighting for, why you are there.

Anong ipalit sa PDAF? BDAF

Published by Ellen on August 24, 2013

Kunyari lang "abolish." — Kunyari lang “abolish.”

Akala ng Malacañang naloko na nila ang mga tao, ano.

Noong Biyernes, kasama pa niya si Senate President Franklin Drilon at House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte, inanunsyo ni Pangulong Aquino . Sabi niya “Panahon na po upang i-abolish ang PDAF.”

May ilan na pumalakpak kaagad.

Ngunit kung babasahin o pakinggan mo ng masinsinan ang sinabi ng Presidente, hindi niya aalis ang sistema ng pork barrel na ang paggastos sa isang proyekto at pagpalabas ng pera ay hindi sa paraan na ayon sa nasyunal na plano. Ang pork barrel ay depende sa mga senador o congressman at presidente.

Hahanap daw sila ng bagong paraan. Sabi ni Aquino:“Maghanap ng mas mainam na paraan upang siguruhing ang pera ng taumbayan ay mapunta sa taumbayan lamang.”

Ito pa ang sabi ng Pangulo:

Aquino’s doublespeak on PDAF and ‘pork’

Published by Ellen on August 24, 2013

By Yvonne T. Chua, VERA Files President Benigno S. Aquino III announced Friday his administration is set to “abolish” the infamous Priority Development Assistance Fund,…

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