Treason
Allow me to expound a little on a story I did for The Correspondents on February 19th.
Seven countries claim ownership of the disputed Spratly Islands, just off of Palawan. China, Vietnam, Taiwan, Malsysia, Indonesia, Brunei, and the Philippines all claim to own part or all of the Spratlys. These overlapping claims have been a source of tension over the years since the Spratlys (we Filipinos call them the Kalayaan Islands) are believed to contain significant reserves of oil and natural gas. China was the most aggressive in pursuiung its claim. In 1999, the Philippines–under President Joseph Estrada– led an effort to prevent tensions by getting all the claimants to agree not to take actions to provoke other claimants.
But in 2003, the Philippines–now under Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo– rocked the boat that it previously steadied when it signed an agreement with China to jointly undertake seismic studies of the Spratlys and explore for oil and natural gas. Naturally, the other claimants were angry. After getting them to agree not to rock the boat, the Philippines sucker-punched them with the China deal. China’s traditional ally, Vietnam was so angry they it had to be let in to the deal to appease them.
Aside from angering our neighbors and potentially undermining regional stability, Arroyo’s action may also be illegal. Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez–who was then acting justice secretary–told former Senator Frank Drilon, who was then allied with the administration, that she believed that the deal violated the constitution, because while it was a deal between the state owned oil firms (PNOC of the Philippines and CNOOC of China) of the two countries, it implicitly gave China access to our oil reserves. Officers of the Foreign Affairs Department were also upset because the deal effectively strengthened China and Vietnam’s claim to the Spratlys.
What would compel Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to sign a deal that potentially undermines regional stability, possibly grants China parity rights to oil reserves in the Spratlys that we claim to be ours, and likely violates our constitution?
How about $2 billion a year? After the Spratly deal was signed, the Chinese government committed $2 billion in official development assistance a year to the Philippines until 2010, when Arroyo is supposed to step down from office. My sources tell me that the Spratly deal was an explicit precondition to the loans.
A sizable amount to be sure, but for the Arroyo administration the China loans are particularly appealing. Not so much because the interest rates are so low and the repayment terms so lenient, but because Chinese loans do not have the cumbersome requirements that loans from the US, Japan, the EU, and big multilateral lenders have. Requirements for documentation, bidding, transparency and other details that make it very difficult for corrupt public officials to commit graft. In fact, in November of last year, those cumbersome requirements made it impossible for some government officials and private individuals with sticky fingers to avail themselves of the World Bank’s generosity.
It had gotten to the point where a corrupt government could no longer make a dishonest buck. That is until China’s generous offer came along. Given China’s laxity with certain conditions, its no wonder why almost every big ticket government project funded by Chinese ODA has been the subject of allegations of graft and corruption. There’s Northrail, Cyber Education, the Fuhua agricultural projects, Southrail, and of course the ZTE National Broadband project.
Until the ZTE National Broadband scandal, the Chinese government has had little official reaction to any of these allegations. Why should they? The $8 billion is a loan, not a grant. It enhances their influence in the region, strengthens their claim to the Spratlys, and expands their influence in the Philippines. The best part is, regardless of what Philippine officials do with the money–whether they put it to good use or steal it–it still has to be paid back. Its no wonder that anytime some midlevel Chinese official comes to the country, congressmen and adminstration officials literally trip over themselves to roll out the red carpet.
For corrupt Adminstration officials and their cronies, $8 billion represents unprecedented opportunities for graft on a scale that would shock ordinary Filipinos.
And at the end of the day, that $8 billion is going to be paid back. Not by the grafters in and out of government; not by the Chinese citizens; but by the millions of ordinary middle class Filipinos who go to work everyday, pay their taxes, struggle and to keep their small and medium businesses afloat. The price will also be paid indirectly by tens of millions of poor Filipinos who will not have access to health care, quality education, and a functioning court system because those resources are not going where they should be going.
There’s a word for that. Its called Treason.
February 27th, 2008 19:57
This is extremely disturbing. I missed that episode of the correspondents.My husband said the episode is on you tube. Turns out the ZTE NBN project is just a small part of the big picture. Is there enough documented evidence re this treachery ?
February 27th, 2008 20:06
By the way, you patiently covered the Bishops yesterday than when it was over you were not the one who reported. You got disappointed as well ? She will really get away again ? I do hope this Spratly issue will nail her down. She seems to be either extremely lucky or very much in control of key people in the country.
February 27th, 2008 20:27
The ZTE Scandal is the end-result of a very dangerous game of Gloria.She played the China card too far this time.
She even called China the “BIG BROTHER” of the Philippines. The Americans were raising the red flag on this issue for a long time.
Every contract with a Chinese company was presented almost as if it were “manna from Heaven”.
Look at the government spin on the ZTE contract: “Nearly a billion dollars worth of new investments in 12 hours.That’s the way things looked like for President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in her brief stay in this picturesque coastal town Saturday as she “came and went like a thief in the night,” bringing with her an avalanche of Chinese investments to the tune of $904.38 million.”
Why did she play the China card too far? I see two obvious reasons:
1)To attract the attention of the Americans-Gloria had fallen from the good graces of Americans after the “Angelo De La Cruz” episode.She therefore wanted to use the “China Card” as a leverage with them.
2)To generate income for the Pidal Dynasty-This was the more important reason.In addition to the ZTE deal,how many other BIG-TIME contracts have been concluded with Chinese firms by the GMA administration?
ONE GLARING EXAMPLE:The government decided to lease to China’s Jilin Fuhua Agricultural Science and Technology Development Co., Ltd. (Fuhua Co.) some one million hectares of Philippine land under vague terms. The area covers about a tenth of all Philippine agricultural land!!!
February 27th, 2008 21:27
very disturbing indeed.
how will history judge us, if she gets away for the nth time?… what were the bishops thinking, when they asked GMA to take the lead in combating corruption? she is synonymous to corruption!… i wonder how many lifetimes will be spent in paying for the $8 billion? …
how will this end? what if, beyond 2010, she’s is still the president or the prime minister? can we forgive ourselves?
February 27th, 2008 21:37
Gloria Arroyo’s:WORST DEAL with CHINA!Sell-out on Spratlys!!!
Salient Points:
*Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s hurried trip to China in late 2004 produced a major surprise.
*Manila has given a certain legitimacy to China’s legally spurious “historic claim” to most of the South China Sea.
*The Philippines has made breathtaking concessions in agreeing to the area for study, including parts of its own continental shelf not even claimed by China and Vietnam.
*Some would say it was a sell-out on the part of the Philippines!
*President Arroyo’s agreement with China for a joint seismic study was controversial in several respects. By not consulting other Asean members beforehand, the Philippines abandoned the collective stance that was key to the group’s success with China over the South China Sea.
February 27th, 2008 21:53
This is really alarming. Well at least GMA is doing a good job of distancing herself from the US. The sad part here is she’s really selling us out to China. Treason is an understatement.
February 27th, 2008 22:01
. . . wow, that was quite an education, ricky. must’ve taken quite a research to piece it all together, thanks =).
i agree, with jayjay on both accounts:
(1) deeply disturbing (watched a bit on the spratlys docu–i think it was a rerun already; was on a weekend… ‘m really interested on seeing that again. please post advise should there be another rerun–imperative, i think. (people should know);
(2) yes, i noticed, too, your morning coverage of the CBCP’s plenary meeting… was surprised, as well, that came primetime, you weren’t the one reporting–i.e., considering your interest on the issue, having woken up way (wee) ;). too early (’that true? did tj get that right?); and
… i noticed you’re not yourself this morning. even noontime… you look tired (understandable)–or maybe you’re disappointed? or both. we all are–with all these happening.
i hope in the coming days, you’ll be recharged. we miss the ricky we know–or at least the one we usually see on tv :).
you’re doing a great job, ricky. news is a great watch since you came along… and now ‘m sounding like a fan ;). hahaha! kudos to yoÜ!
February 27th, 2008 22:01
no wonder she can’t can’t let go of her position. she already sold the Philippines, the filipino people and her evil of a soul to devil. ALL FOR GREED!!!!
February 27th, 2008 22:41
. . . of course, i was so taken with whatever, i so forgot about what i was about to say…
well, as i’ve mentioned on my previous post: this–what’s unfolding–is appalling. this is unacceptable. people must pay attention. this involves not only us in the here and now… but with that big a loan, several generations down the line.
‘m sure, outside of this, we will be facing a lot more challenges in the years to come (actually, at this time, it’s already on our doorsteps): talk of environmental change and what it will bring; the consequences of the seeming neglect/lack of adequate intervention of the government on some basic social issues and their derivatives: poverty, drugs, population, etc.; agriculture, considering the more and more limited land that can be cultivated as a result of commercialization–as a possible outcome, food shortage (i hope we don’t augment supply from China–with recent scandals here & worldwide, we’re just about fed up with quality of exports of that country)… and we need a sound plan on these…
i dread just wondering how we would survive this imminent future… the government should be doing a lot more in providing solutions…instead of leading the catastrophe line up and being our major source of headache: the China connection on the corruption allegation while unacceptable is understandable to an extent, however crooked: they are protecting their interest as a nation… but what our own officials are doing to us compatriots and getting us in, in cahoots with foreigners… man, i have no words… this i cannot take! despicable!
i know, for the rest of my life, my productivity will pay for debt servicing… i just hope my service would’ve been worth it–the debt it appears is just too much.
February 27th, 2008 22:43
This is explosive stuff Ricky. My hat’s off to you! Ever since the retreat from Iraq GMA has flown into the arms of the Chinese. Great post! BTW I was checking out the latest Google Earth Imagery. Don’t know if you included those Chinese warhips at Mischief Reef on the show! I’ve posted some screen snaps.
Treason has reasons only the greedy heart knows!
February 27th, 2008 22:54
Well, we have a lot of reasons not to let Gloria stay on…
1. Treason
2. Graft and Corruption
3. Electoral Fraud
4. Culpable Violation of the Constitution
5. Betrayal of Public Trust
6. Obstruction of Justice
7. Bribery
Need I say more?
Tama na! Sobra na! Alisin na!
February 27th, 2008 22:59
Jayjay, Marcia,
Thanks for your comments. As for my disappearing act at the CBCP, I just had a 7:30PM meeting with a source for a story I’m working on.
But regarding the bishops, I’m not sure how important their statement was. If it was meant to slow down the momentum of the protest movement, it doesn’t seem to have worked. If it was meant to convince Gloria to stop corruption, I don’t think that worked either, so in the end what value did the statement have? Aside from giving the Palace some momentary comfort, not much.
February 27th, 2008 23:13
yeah, i agree… we just cannot let this pass regardless. all the more are we vigilant now… the passion/patriotic zeal right now is mounting/skyhigh… ‘m so proud that everybody tries to give out their bit. we should care.
thank you. great reportage! :). good evening, sir.
February 27th, 2008 23:49
Ricky: I honestly think we have become hopeless pawns in this deadly game of Gloria in playing the China card versus the Americans.
February 28th, 2008 00:18
. . . browsed underscored links… oh, my god! oooh, our god!!! our government practically sold us out! this is waaay more outrageous than i initially thought . . .
we should start praying more fervently… after all, neri was right: she is… all of them are.
how do we solve a problem like gloria?
February 28th, 2008 00:30
Sir Ricky, I hope that copies of this blog post of yours will be translated into Filipino/Tagalog and distributed to a vast majority of Filipinos. It is time for the Filipino people to know the truth as to how Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo sold us to the Communist Chinese.
Also, can someone please send this to people in Washington? I guess the Americans should start re-thinking about their “trust” of that evil but lucky b!tch named Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
February 28th, 2008 00:33
. . . now, i just might know why you were as you were earlier–this sure zaps the life out of anyone in the know…
February 28th, 2008 01:22
this is crime of the highest order…
U N F O R G I V A B L E !!!
['m sorry for peppering this blog. this really got my ire... i rest my case (for now). i need to sleep. good night.]
February 28th, 2008 03:41
What is the recourse of the Filipino people against a leadership that commits treason?
February 28th, 2008 03:50
I think we all shall look to Svalbard the stability there is unique. To have a stable South East Asia will not just gain Asia it will gain every country in the world. If the 7 countries set up a board which control the Spratly Islands and make a treaty which all of the member states have equal rights. The Svalbard Treaty of February 9, 1920 implies that “If you’re able to find a job, you have the right according to the treaty to come here”. This should be a huge possibility for many Pinoys and create lot of new jobs. To sell/rent out seems strange when it could be lot of natural resources around and in the islands. The fishing industry could have almost same or bigger impact as a potential oil industry. Tourism could also be big if Spratly Islands use the same environmental rules as Palawan and Apo.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Svalbard
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Svalbard_Treaty
February 28th, 2008 04:16
cvj
Death.
I may look the other way while people steal my tax money. Its called stealing. But if they sell my country to another country, its treason and they should be put to death.
This is worse than committing wholesale genocide. Its easier dying than serving a whole lifetime repaying the debt due to treason.
I hope somebody step up for this. I dont care if we go to war with china just to rectify the mess our leader made. We can always turn to the real brother we have which is the US. Our ancestors shed blood with americans before, that ought to amount to something.
I’d rather be cleaning toilet in New York than cleaning toilets in Beijing.
February 28th, 2008 04:52
WE, The People tolerated massive LYING, CHEATING, STEALING and foiled KIDNAPPING.
TREASON? Ibang usapan na iyan….
If we allowed this evil bitch to get away with this high act of “betrayal” in exchange for her self-greed, she deserves to be the President for life….
I am angered! I am not going to take this non-chalantly!
Ladies and Gentlemen, let us all chip in! Enough is enough!
February 28th, 2008 05:05
Can the Philippine Government void the contract, where the intention is malicious
and personal.
February 28th, 2008 05:24
Ricky,
that maybe a hasty article on your part. In fact the exploration was in the vietnam side of spratley. There are 3 major claimants to the islands namely China, Vietnam, Philippines and some others with far fetched reason. In any case, you need to catch up on the exploration http://www.upstreamonline.com/live/article147005.ece
It is actually Australia who has succeeded in the exploration with the NIDO dig. The more I think of it we really need broadband all over the Philippines to know exactly what is going on. Allusion to such “treason” is not true at all. Its sad that everyone just jump without proof. Kindly google that we may know more.
February 28th, 2008 05:52
Normally I stick to the topic of the post but since you did not write about CBCP, Ricky, despite waiting the whole day for their statement (which you now say has dubious value), I would like to take this opportunity to react to the latest CBCP statement.
The bishops never learned. They hope as ever that Gloria will change. Haven’t they realized that everytime she’s cornered, she would promise the bishops reform. She then would take one step forward. But as soon as the bishops patted themselves in the back (and perhaps patted their pockets too), Gloria would take five steps backward. Classic recidivist.
In the next few days, we will see the birth of one or two commissions and a big show of an investigation. There will be a flurry of consultations. There will be a token resignation, much like that of Yap during the last Arroyo crisis (but, surprise! he’s back). EO 464 will be amended but Raul Gonzales and Sergio Apostol as usual will have their own weird stifling interpretation. Then, after all the sound and fury signifying nothing, it will be business as usual, or with even more impunity because they got away one more time, for Gloria and her handlers.
Come the next CBCP gathering in June, our poor bishops will be wringing their hands again, beating their breasts, gnashing their false teeth, and pulling at the remnants of their hair. Their only consolation will be that Mike Arroyo will feel a little bit the same because he will be recalled by Gloria from “exile”.
February 28th, 2008 05:57
Oh my Allah/God/Vishnu/Anito/Zeus!
hasty? Can anyone refute ricky’s post?
Vietnam side? There are no China, Vietnam or other country side of spratly except our side. We are the nearest country to the islands for bathala’s sake. Conceding it to other countries is treason. We own it, My children owns it, my grand children owns it and so does yours.
I never pointed the finger to anyone before baka manuno ako sa punso.
Louie magkano po ang sahod nyo bilang arroyo internet brigade?
Im am really angry about this. This is an insult to my being as a filipino. I maybe just an spectator to the scandals and travesties that are being committed in front of me but this time Im not going to be just a keyboard cowboy anymore, Im gonna take action.
Pardon the rant though. I am seriously pissed after reading ricky’s post. I have turned down 15 job offer overseas this early of the year alone and I found out that my country is for sale?
February 28th, 2008 06:18
kamote,
google google my friend. Welcome to Global world. We may have the right to the spratley island historically. But our army and navy is so dismal that we cannot send forces or cruise those islands.It is unfair if you look at it myopically but I guess we can also kick out Australia who is now able to dig out the oil North of Palawan. We can raised heaven and hell but learn from the President of Valenzuela. He let all the western world dig the oils and develop the infrastructure. Once its done then he says bye bye to them.
Unless you want to fight moro moro with Vietnam, China, Brunei,etc. If we want a big fleet of vessels to patrol those islands then lets go buy them. Unfortunately we dont have the money to buy them. We cannot even tax the people because there is no work. So what shall we do. So my only request lets look at the big picture not only the CHINA picture. There is interdependency. Nationalism is dead in the water in the Global world. Let us not be angry the world is flat as Thomas Friedmann said. It maybe an interesting read for the issues today.
February 28th, 2008 06:26
Louie,
The Petrochina exploration is a different matter altogether. The deal I’m talking about is the China National Offshore venture with PNOC. Its all in the links contained in my post.
February 28th, 2008 06:32
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spratly_Islands
check this site and you will be able to see which countries have now planted their flag on those island. So that is what is treason we are talking about. You can twist it in many ways. The UN has already resolved those issue. 200 nautical miles are the dividing line. And by the way De venecia’s major investmet was in those Palawan oil exploration that made him not only one time President of the PetroChemical Assoociation of the Philippines. So you will see what Ricky is bringing out has developed long before connecting the dots with the ZTE deal.
February 28th, 2008 07:18
Ricky,
Tks for the correction on Petro China vs. CNOOC. The CNOCC deal with the Philippines was a bilateral deal not only with China but a also Vietnam. There are 3 countries involved in the seismic survey. By connecting the dot with 8bil loan, I am afraid we are getting paranoid about a bad deal again.One can always see evil when good is done. Each project need to be gauge on its own merit otherwise we ended up with nothing to gain. Its a given China is hungry for oil. I have been to China a few months ago, and I went inland to the factory area. They have to turn off the aircondition in the conference room because by law they can only run it three days of a given week. That is how hungry they are for oil to sustain their economic empire. So if they do a seismic study on a condition they will provide the Philippines a copy what is wrong with that. To connect it with the 8 billion deal, so much the better.Its like if you have a good credit, then you can borrow money. The other alternative is dont allow them to do a seismic study, can we do it ourselves. Oil is now a premium. The western world is heavily invested in the middle east and now is wary of their investment in South America because of the political instability. This I think were we have to be realistic. Its a give and take. I think there is a sense of good faith for China to do it although you can read its because of the oil. The good thing is they are doing it diplomatically. I am not sure how you want to do it the other way.They can invade those islands but that will cause uproar in the Global world. Specially with the Olympic coming. As to the dot of the 3bil loan. Can we really survive without a loan. To develop the infrastructure in the Philippines we need to borrow. Its just part of economics. I am afraid we are being too puritanical with economic decisions. If there are any socialist countries if any; simply have not succeeded to make it a reality to live without a loan. We cannot isolate ourselves from the world at large.
February 28th, 2008 07:34
To the naysayers:
Ricky does his due-diligence, OK? He is a responsible reporter. Quite thorough!
Don’t you wish your President has some of his demeanor?
In my book, anything to do with the evil bitch is GARBAGE IN, GARBAGE OUT if I couldn’t avoid it!
An illegitimate leader with no shame, no moral!
February 28th, 2008 07:54
Could it be that PGMA’s dealings with China is but part of the process to strategically shift the Philippines away from too much dependence on the United States, now seen as a superpower that has seen its heyday.
China is playing the Philippines. But isn’t the Philippines also playing China? Isn’t that the way countries in the world play the political game? China thinks it can gain from playing the game. But you also have to look at how the Philippines can gain from this game.
China is currently the fastest-growing power in the world and when you look at the picture from a realpolitical standpoint, what PGMA has done is to actually build the Philippines’ relationship with the Great Big Dragon so that it provides counterpoint to the U.S. influence in the Philippines.
The allegations of corruption should be proven through a credible paper trail, one that’s not manufactured by such interested parties as the administration or the opposition.
But looking at the big picture, the Philippines’ blossoming relationship with China, whose seeds have been planted and nurtured under PGMA, will have positive repercussions down the line.
And the succeeding Presidents, whether it be Noli, Manny, Loren, Jinggoy and, yes Ricky, your favorite Mar, will have better and more flexible alternatives in conducting our country’s foreign policy, because of our close relationships with both China and the United States.
February 28th, 2008 08:59
[...] Read Ricky Carandang’s entry, Treason: [...]
February 28th, 2008 09:16
this is the kind of truth we need to bring out to the Filipino People.
February 28th, 2008 10:09
Philippines has been in debt since World War 2. We declared independence at the wrong time. We had to borrow money to rebuild our country after the war. It was not as bad because we were not over populated. We were doing just fine but money borrowed were not enough to catch up with our needs. The history of debt financing continued. We borrowed money from the US then now China or who knows?
Today, Philippines is leveraging its assets to borrow more money. Borrowing money from another country at lower interest rates to pay off debt of higher interest rates is a common business financing strategy. It is also common practice to borrow and use other people’s money ( OPM) to fund projects for infrastructure and other needs for our country if we don’t have enough cash flow or liquidity of funds.
The problem is we don’t know where the money goes. Which department is responsible for accounting of all funds. What is the role of each department. Please review our political structure.
Political structure
Jul 11th 2007
From the Economist Intelligence Unit
Source: Country Report
Official name
Republic of the Philippines
Form of state
Under the 1987 constitution, the government is based on a separation of powers between the executive presidency, a bicameral legislature and an independent judiciary
The executive
The president is chief executive, head of state and commander-in-chief, serves no more than one six-year term, and may approve bills passed by Congress or exercise a veto, which can be overridden only by a two-thirds majority of Congress. Cabinet appointments are subject to approval by the Congressional Commission on Appointments
Legislature
The Congress of the Philippines consists of the Senate (the upper house, with 24 members) and the House of Representatives (the lower house, with 212 directly elected members and, up to 52 members selected by party list). Senators are elected for six-year terms and representatives for three-year terms
Legal system
Based on US common law; the 1987 constitution contains a Bill of Rights and provides for a judiciary with the Supreme Court at its apex
National elections
May 14th 2007 (for the House of Representatives and one-half of the Senate); the next elections are due in May 2010 (for the president and vice-president, the House of Representatives and one-half of the Senate)
National government
Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, who became president on January 20th 2001, replacing Joseph Estrada in the middle of his term, won re-election in her own right on May 10th 2004 for a six-year term
Main political organizations
The pro-government coalition, including Lakas (Lakas ng Edsa, National Union of Christian Muslim Democrats), Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino (Kampi, Ally of the Free Filipino), a faction of the Liberal Party (LP) and the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC); Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino (Laban); Puwersa ng Masa (PnM); the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP); Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF); Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF)
President: Gloria Macapagal Arroyo
Vice-president: Noli de Castro
Key ministers
Agriculture: Arthur Yap
Budget & management: Rolando Andaya
Defence: Hermogenes Ebdane
Economic planning: Romulo Neri
Energy: Raphael Lotilla
Environment: Angelo Reyes
Finance: Margarito Teves
Foreign affairs: Alberto Romulo
Justice: Raul Gonzalez
Labour & employment: Arturo Brion
Public works & highways: Manuel Bonvan (acting)
Trade & industry: Peter Favila
Transport & communications: Leandro Mendoza
Central bank governor:Amando Tetangco
February 28th, 2008 10:17
I would advise everyone to read Ricky’s blog and watch his Correspondents story with an open mind.
It is eventually up to each one of us to use our personal discernment whether to accept the contents of those reports as ‘bible’ truth, or simply opinions based on his observations.
February 28th, 2008 10:24
don’t you think these people need to meet and discussed the needs of our country. which depertment will keep the records , which department will police the records…i don’t think the president alone can hide everything.. i think this is a conspiracy. i bet someone in office is scared to leak insiders information.
February 28th, 2008 10:34
Dear Mr. Carandang,
I hope you will not get tired of giving us information regarding anomalies in government. Continue what you are doing I salute you sir!
Hopefully GMA will step down ASAP to prevent the furtherdivision of our nation.
Dr. Edric O. Castillo
February 28th, 2008 10:41
THE EQ POLLS:What People Are Telling Us!
1)80% of EQ readers who have participated in the poll think that Jun Lozada is a “very credible witness”(base: 146)
2)63% of EQ readers who participated in the poll think that Gloria Arroyo’s legacy is a
“disaster”(base:201)
3)74% of EQ readers who have participated so far that there is a “simmering outrage”( poll base:105).
4)60% of EQ readers who have participated so far think we may have reached the “tipping point” in this political crisis(poll base:80).
5)69% of EQ readers who have participated so far in the poll think that the role of Ex-Comelec Chairman Abalos was that of a “big-time broker” in the ZTE deal(base: 136)
6)72% of EQ readers who have participated in the poll think that Gloria Arroyo should resign in the face of the ZTE mega scandal(base:136)
7)93% of EQ readers who have participated in the poll are against CHA-CHA (base:92)
8)EQ Readers are divided on whether Noli De Castro should succeed GMA if and when she resigns:
YES:27%
NO:26%
“It’s like choosing between the devil and the deep blue sea”:37%
base:(104)
9)75% of EQ readers think that Gloria should go exile together with Mike Arroyo (base:97).
10)81% of EQ readers who participated in the poll think that Gloria will not peacefully leave Malacanang in 2010 (base:117)
11)”Pagkaraan ng pitong taon ramdam nila ang pag asenso!” Sabi ng mga TV ads ng GMA administration ay ramdam na ramdam daw ang pag-asenso ng ating mga kababayan. Agree or disagree? Kayo - ramdam ba ninyo ang pag-asenso?
OO naman! :6%
Ano ‘yun?:13%
Pwede ‘yan sa joke of the day!:77%
Base:(139)
February 28th, 2008 10:50
cjoven,
People inside are leaking information already.
February 28th, 2008 11:00
all ministers are over paid and useless. they should all resign together with GMA. nakakahiya…..
regarding our debts. Philippines is not alone even the US have big debts and they call it budget deficits..
china cannot sustain if they continue to manufacture products of poor quality standards. bad reputation of services and products are recipes for economic disaster…
February 28th, 2008 11:00
[...] enjoin you to read Ricky Carandang’s report on Treason and Spratly Islands and Manolo’s Today the Spratlys, tomorrow [...]
February 28th, 2008 11:07
hi ricky,
great.. insiders info should continue to leak. keep blogging and thank you
February 28th, 2008 11:19
Yes, everything should leak out! Dapat walang itatago!
Pero even if the details leak out, why is there still huge debate on whether a project is overpriced or not?
Critics of the administration say that these projects are grossly overpriced.
Defenders of the administration say that these projects are above-board and are reasonably priced.
Obviously, we the people cannot count on those opinions.
So we should rely on uninvolved outsiders to evaluate whether a rail project or a road project or a telecommunications project is overpriced or not.
But I bet you, even uninvolved outsiders will also have a field day debating amongst themselves whether a project is indeed overpriced or not!
So to get to the bottom of things, there should be HARD EVIDENCE, not hearsay nor “eyewitness accounts” from partisan people, to really PROVE BEYOND REASONABLE DOUBT that corruption did indeed occur.
February 28th, 2008 11:36
Vietnam invests $1 billion in its own National Broadband Network infrastructure!
Read it here: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/fn/5566972.html
Wow! Compared to Vietnam’s cost, our ZTE-NBN of $329 million is peanuts pala!
So while we’re kicking mud into each other’s faces, Vietnam is powering ahead with its own state-of-the-art National Broadband Network!
February 28th, 2008 11:38
^^Again, this gets us back to the question: What is overpriced and what is not?
February 28th, 2008 11:47
[...] in the government. The media has been covering the political events carefully and are trying to expose different angles that relate to it. There has been increased calls for the ouster of the president through rallies and even blogs (see [...]
February 28th, 2008 12:05
[...] broadcast journalist and blogger Ricky Carandang has made a recent post that should give us real cause for alarm, as it involves (surprise!) [...]
February 28th, 2008 12:09
Hi Ricky,
If Drillon new about this deal, how come he is not talking now. He is now with the opposition.
Could it be that there is really nothing wrong with it?
Dan Pena
February 28th, 2008 12:12
Dan,
He is talking now. He has been talking about this since 2005.
February 28th, 2008 12:34
oh please :)…
while it is true we gain (of course, we should. otherwise, what the heck is the government doing transacting with them–gross incompetence?) from these agreements, the problem is it looks as if we lose waaay far more than we benefit…
it is the duty of the government to serve and protect its people (man, this is basic)… from info available–or at least that which they are willing to divulge– this is not what is happening… corruption in full knowledge of the president (she herself acknowledeged she knew) and yet transpiring?–what kind of president do we have (incompetent? or corrupt?)… this is unacceptable. unforgiveable even (with that large amount of money and how much we make annually, we’ve been dug in alive in debt for decades and even century to come)–it’s not rocket science to see this forthcoming… and by this, ‘m not even an anti-GMA…
…what is happening?… yes, what is? involved officials should know, no contest–they pretty well have been the ones who’ve pieced this all together… but they wouldn’t tell and we should wonder why… as for us, lay people, we could only connect the dots trickling down from frayed ends of the conspiracy weave, so to speak… we are mighty trying to understand what the hell is happening?! we are after all the ones affected.
i agree with the government saying we must move forward… but please, stop causing scandals in the first place–and if there were/are, explain (that too difficult?)…so we don’t have these investigations that’re disrupting our move to progress… if they’ve done this transparently and in good faith at that time, in the first place, there would’ve been no need for investigations… and poor we wouldn’t be wondering and taking our time looking for info and trying to understand…
… this is precisely why we are here in this blogdite… we appreciate the likes of mr. carandang who provides sound insights on the issues that matter… issues that nobody concerned in our very own government cares to shed a light on.
February 28th, 2008 12:35
According to Drilon, the Northrail is overpriced.
Again, who decides that?
February 28th, 2008 12:43
We the people lose waaaay more than we benefit from these projects?
Who decides that?
Is the Philippines without a Northrail better off than a Philippines with a Northrail?
Is the Philippines without a Southrail better off than a Philippines with a Southrail?
Is the Philippines without an NBN better off than a Philippines with an NBN?
I think that’s how many administration critics want the picture to be seen.
But the fact of the matter is, we need to pay money in order to have these modern pieces of infrastructure to power our economy now and in the succeeding years.
These things don’t come cheap. Meron bang libre sa mga ito?
May nakinabang ba sa mga transactions na ito? We should investigate and get to the bottom of things.
But should we cancel important infrastructure projects because of mere SUSPICION that somebody made money out of it?
May consequences ang decision na ito. And that is the Philippines falling further behind in our economic competitiveness that would cause foreign investors to go to other countries like Vietnam (which is building a massive and ambitious NBN infrastructure).
February 28th, 2008 12:48
yes… no contest. definitely better. we all want development projects, who wouldn’t?…
but without corruption. GMA herself has acknowledged this–sir, haven’t you heard?…
it is our duty to find out the answers…
February 28th, 2008 12:50
. . . sorry, ricky. i shouldn’t've engaged. it’s not for me to say . . .
February 28th, 2008 12:51
Ricky
This is by far the most important issue you have reported on to date. But it will need to be fully substantiated by hard evidence if those responsible for this alleged act of treason are ever to be brought to justice.
This will not be easy. The gang of 4+2 are most unlikely to corroborate the allegations on ZTE raised in the Senate, because that would amount to self-incrimination. Fan Yang and her colleagues will never dare to testify at a corruption trial in the Philippines, because, as you know, the penalty for corruption in China is a swift trial and a bullet in the back of the head. Chinese Government officials are not immune from this type of harsh justice, and it is likely that they will be watching events in the Philippines with some trepidation.
February 28th, 2008 12:55
Marc1a:
Nothing to be sorry for. Everyone gets their say here.
Alberto:
I say this with all sincerity: I admire your tenacity. Your faith in this government is almost religious in its fervor. As Muhammad Ali once said, “What’s important is what you believe, not what everybody else says.”
February 28th, 2008 12:59
Many of these scandals are driven by the MERE SUSPICION that some people made money out of it.
MERE SUSPICION….NO HARD EVIDENCE!
In the case of the ZTE-NBN, maraming hearsays, maraming “he said, he said”. And I agree we must dig deeper into this deal.
The crux of the matter in the ZTE-NBN is that masyadong overpriced ang $329 million for the NBN deal.
But when we see Vietnam spending $ 1 billion for its own NBN project, one wonders…is that the real cost of putting together a nationwide Internet backbone? Or baka overpriced din ang sa Vietnam? I don’t know!
February 28th, 2008 13:03
[...] expounded a little on the story in his blog too. Go check it out here. Share and Enjoy: These icons link to social bookmarking sites where readers can share and [...]
February 28th, 2008 13:25
Overpriced or not? It doesn’t matter. This will not change the real issue that our country is highly leveraged thru debt financing…
Our government should focus on increasing employment by re-structuring our trade agreement with foreign investors. Anybody familiar with the Bahamian government?
The system is based upon a free trade agreement. This system could pose a threat to rich Filipino entities because of competition. But competition is good for the consumers. It will push prices down thus will benefit the many. The Bahamian system is a long term agreement but Philippines can implement some kind of tax relief or temporary tax incentives to attract foreign entities to invest and create more employment inside our country. Employment must be spread all thoughout to aid chronic city traffic. Once majority of our people will be employed at least 90% including the provinces of the Philippines then people in our country will have a sense of self worth. Once employed, they will no longer tolerate “buying of votes” and they will learn to demand good governance of our system as well as choosing the right person in office. Remember if a person is employed and is paying 25% of taxes to the government, he/ she will want to know where his or her tax payment will go.
Just like Mr. Ricky here. I have read somewhere that you are paying 30% of your salary to taxes. That is the reason why you want change. You have a sense of self worth.
The poor and the unemployed comprise to be the majority in our country, therefore during elections; these are the people who are target to be bought. The result… another GMA will emerge. More debts are to be acquired… This is not new. An old problem since World War 2.
I do believe that Philippines will continue to prosper. Many people can now express thru the internet . A good resource for the whistle blowers.
Yeah we do need the ZTE broadband deal.( smiling)
February 28th, 2008 13:39
Albert,
You forgot to mention Google with 5 other companies building a broadband cable between Japan and Los Angeles for 300million. Consortium are Japan, Malaysia, Singapore,etc
Because of our continuous doubt in our democratic government, we will definitely fall behind in the economic enterprise. We continue to upset China and Japan, guess what we will be in the coming years. Our current broadband gateway is link to Taiwan. Its a vestige of the Reagan SDI program. Thank to Al Gore those military investments had been privatize. Remember the incident when a ship damage the optical cable. All our internet capability went cuckoo. Ask yourself why the broadband hub was not placed in the Philippines being a strategically situated simply because of the instability of our government during the Marcos/Aquino regime. And this is where I object Ricky let us be sensible in all our accusation. It maybe true but it is still a conjecture. Its credible but it does not mean its 100 percent true. We need to be considerate of the consequences. The ramification are something we may be sorry. Its like bringing your car for an oil change in the dealer shop and he will find more problems in your car when in fact you only want to have an oil change.
February 28th, 2008 13:39
I apologize for saying this but i’ll say it anyway . i carefully choose the blogs i read depending on the blogger’s credibility. I do that even with the newspapers/ columns i read. No one is forced to believe what’s written in this blog. An article is posted and it is really up to us to digest what it means and react to it. Sometimes one can’t help but wonder why some people bother to read and react if they’re consistently defending the government’s side ? We may not agree with everything written here but really , judgement re one’s research abilities or being thorough is unfair considering that Mr. Carandang has proven himself to be a responsible journalist and broadcaster.
February 28th, 2008 13:49
I too respect and admire Ricky’s brand of journalism. He has shown himself to be extremely intelligent and thorough.
In many interviews, he has consistently shown his ability to let the viewers see both sides of the issue.
That’s why I also am thankful that he lets us see all sides of the issue through this blog.
Kasi it would also be to the readers’ best interest to see as many sides of an issue as possible.
That allows the readers to wisely use their gift of discernment instead of being part of a lynching mob that’s out for blood.
February 28th, 2008 13:53
Louie,
Why build a BROADBAND NETWORK IF YOU CANT EVEN PROVIDE BASIC INFRASTRUCTURE?
Why provide a broadband network if you cant even fix our health care first?
Why provide a broadband network if you can EVEN FIX THE PROCESS OF THE DEPARTMENTS OF THIS AND THAT?
And why the urge to have a broadband network IF YOU CANT EVEN GET TO POINT A TO B WITHOUT SEEING ANY POTHOLES OR WHAT NOT ON THE ROAD?
and why the heck are you proposing a national broadband network if you cant even get your driver’s license without any fuss at all.
February 28th, 2008 13:59
I think a National Broadband Network (NBN) infrastructure will increasingly be part of a nation’s competitive features from here on.
When foreign investors evaluate a location on which to put their companies, one of the factors that they will consider is the availability and speed of internet connection.
Vietnam is building an NBN infrastructure now.
The Philippines has just cancelled its NBN project.
Several years from now, we might realize the folly of that decision when foreign companies start bypassing our country in favor of those countries with a robust NBN infrastructure.
And when a President Villar, a President De Castro, a President Jinggoy, a President Legarda or a President Roxas finally comes to his/her senses and sees the need for an NBN infrastructure, we might be getting one for triple, quadruple or quintuple the price.
February 28th, 2008 15:19
Mr. Alberto
Remember the love bug? It came from the philippines. You are forgetting something when you said
I think a National Broadband Network (NBN) infrastructure will increasingly be part of a nation’s competitive features from here on.
When foreign investors evaluate a location on which to put their companies, one of the factors that they will consider is the availability and speed of internet connection.
Vietnam is building an NBN infrastructure now.
The Philippines has just cancelled its NBN project.
Several years from now, we might realize the folly of that decision when foreign companies start bypassing our country in favor of those countries with a robust NBN infrastructure.
And when a President Villar, a President De Castro, a President Jinggoy, a President Legarda or a President Roxas finally comes to his/her senses and sees the need for an NBN infrastructure, we might be getting one for triple, quadruple or quintuple the price.
Where do you think they will get the engineers and the technician to build the project? Oh that’s right! from the Philippines!
Remember the cost of your computer 2 years ago? It worth half the price now.
Now tell me, with this so called National Broadband Network, will it improve the process of all the government institution on providing the MOST BASIC NEEDS OF ITS STOCKHOLDERS? If they cant even provide me the simple pleasure of going to makati from cubao without any hassles then the NBN crap can go to hell for all I care.
February 28th, 2008 15:25
huh? whether or not the nbn and all the other infrastructures are beneficial is immaterial. it’s corruption we are talking about here, in case you haven’t noticed.
February 28th, 2008 16:49
Together with India, the Philippines is trying to become a worldwide leader in the Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) industry.
To be a big player in the BPO, a country must have a workforce that’s reasonably competent in the demands of the industry, as well as a robust and reliable internet infrastructure.
The Philippines is currently facing tough competition from the likes of Malaysia and Vietnam for these outsourcing and back office jobs.
Malaysia has its Multimedia Super Corridor that has a robust internet infrastructure.
Vietnam has seen the wisdom of building its own $1 billion NBN infrastructure.
And here we are, we have decided to withdraw our own NBN project because we suspect that some people made money.
Though I am also for going to the bottom of things, but when we look at the bigger scheme of things, who will end up the loser here?
February 28th, 2008 17:44
Article on GMANews.TV dated 2-27-08:
Detained senator Antonio Trillanes IV on Wednesday pushed for a Senate inquiry into a so-called “Spratly Deal” involving the alleged sellout of Philippine sovereignty to China in exchange for overpriced loans for “anomalous” projects.
Trillanes, in Senate Resolution 309, asked the Blue Ribbon, defense and environment committees to undertake the Senate investigation into the matter.
“If proven to be true, the same apparently amounts to betrayal of public trust and treason, for which Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and the other responsible members of her government should be held accountable,” he said.
Trillanes said the projects believed tainted with overpriced loans include the $329.48-million ZTE broadband network deal, the Cyber-Education project, and the Northrail and Southrail projects.
In seeking the investigation, Trillanes cited an article in the Far Eastern Economic Review where the Philippines “made breathtaking concessions in agreeing to the area for study, including parts of its own continental shelf not even claimed by China and Vietnam.”
On the other hand, he said President Arroyo caused the signing of the “Agreement for Seismic Undertaking for Certain Areas in the South China Sea by and Between China National Offshore Oil Corporation and Philippine National Oil Company” in 2004.
He said the deal prompted Vietnam, another claimant to the Spratly Islands, to voice concern and note the deal was done without consultation.
Vietnam eventually stopped its objections in 2005 when it joined China and the Philippines in turning the agreement into a tripartite undertaking, Trillanes said.
“It appears that the Arroyo government did not consult the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Philippine Navy when it negotiated and signed the subject agreement,” Trillanes said.
He added the agreement is tantamount to “effectively giving away the national patrimony as it actually concedes the exploration and exploitation of natural resources to foreigners which, under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Seas, clearly fall within the archipelagic waters, exclusive economic zone and continental shelf of the Philippines.”
On the other hand, Trillanes said the deal should have been considered a treaty instead of being considered a mere commercial contract as it involves national defense and security, national sovereignty, and the national patrimony.
“This action and actuation of the government of Mrs Arroyo apparently constitute yet another attempt to circumvent the Constitution and to undermine the powers vested by the Constitution upon the Senate,” he said. - GMANews.TV
Ricky, brace yourself for a possible future “guesting” at a Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing! God be with you always.
February 28th, 2008 18:22
“The well-adjusted make poor prophets. On the other hand, those who are at war with the present have an eye for the seeds of change and the potentialities for small beginnings.”Eric Hoffer
I am currently reading The True Believer: Thoughts on the Nature of Mass Movements by Eric Hoffer. It was written more than fifty years ago. But it is still very relevant. Eric writes from real-world experience, not from the confines of ivory-towers.
Hoffer revels in pointing out seemingly paradoxical situations and attitudes, such as “Discontent is likely to be highest when misery is bearable; when conditions have so improved that an ideal state seems almost within reach. A grievance is most poignant when almost redressed.”
His incisive comments cut to the nerve of his subject, treating in one stroke mass movements of every variety: “It is futile to judge the viability of a new movement by the truth of its doctrine and the feasibility of its promises. What has to be judged is its corporate organization for quick and total absorption of the frustrated.”
I needed to read Hoffer to understand the current Philippine situation.
We are witnessing the blooming of a leaderless but vibrant mass movement in Search of Truth and Accountability. This movement is growing by the day and has a momentum of its own. All sectors of society appear to be involved.
The movement is not only confined to Greater Manila as claimed by government propagandists. Even the Global Pinoys abroad are in this movement!
What a dramatic reversal of people’s attitudes in such a short span of time—from almost complete apathy last year to total involvement of the citizenry now.
The following is a short sample of the many aphorisms that can be found in Hoffer’s book. Because he believed in the virtue of brevity in the art of writing, nearly every sentence he wrote can stand alone as an individual idea, complete in itself. I selected the ones that have relevance to the current Philippine situation:
On An Evil Government: “The only index by which to judge a government or a way of life is by the quality of the people it acts upon. No matter how noble the objectives of a government, if it blurs decency and kindness, cheapens human life, and breeds ill will and suspicion- it is an evil government.”
On Evil: “Whoever originated the cliche that money is the root of all evil knew hardly anything about the nature of evil and very little about human beings.”
On Absolute Power:”Absolute power corrupts even when exercised for humane purposes. The benevolent despot who sees himself as a shepherd of the people still demands from others the submissiveness of sheep.”
On Freedom:”Freedom means freedom from forces and circumstances which would turn man into a thing, which would impose on man the passivity and predictability of matter. By this test, absolute power is the manifestation most inimical to human uniqueness. Absolute power wants to turn people into malleable clay.”
On the Unpleasant Truth:”To most of us nothing is so invisible as an unpleasant truth. Though it is held before our eyes, pushed under our noses, rammed down our throats- we know it not.”
Why People Unite:
“The aspiration toward freedom is the most essentially human of all human manifestations.”
“It is loneliness that makes the loudest noise. This is true of men as of dogs.”
“What are we when we are alone? Some, when they are alone, cease to exist.”
“It is not actual suffering but a taste of better things which excites people to revolt.”
“To be fully alive is to feel that everything is possible.”
On Leaderless Movements: “The ability to get along without an exceptional leader is the mark of social vigor.”
February 28th, 2008 18:54
Let me just say that I don’t not fault the Chinese government for their actions. In its dealings with any country China will try to extract the maximum benefit for their own self interest, just like any other country would, and rightly so. It is our government, and ours alone that has the obligation to act in our national interest. Some people will try to use this issue to play the US against China and they are free to do so but lets not expect the Americans to be our big brother and look out for what’s best for the Philippines. The US may choose to leverage this situation for their own national interest as is their right. We should expect no less than that.
The fault, my friends, is not in the stars but in ourselves.
February 28th, 2008 20:06
Ricky:
Not that We loved The Philippines less, but that We loved China more!
The Pidals
February 28th, 2008 20:31
Good work Ricky! We will keep you in our prayers.
February 28th, 2008 20:36
Ricky,
It is time that this story comes out of the open. It is time for the Filipino people to know how Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and her minions betrayed them by selling this country to the Communist Chinese. It is time for the Filipino people to take action and save ourselves before we get damned by the actions of a few- the same few we allowed to get away with their crimes not so long ago.
It is time for us not to accept sorries from an evil but lucky b!tch.
February 28th, 2008 21:49
What does Esperon and the two Gonzaleses who rant against communists now say about this?
February 28th, 2008 21:50
What do Esperon and the two Gonzaleses who rant against communists now say about this? Who is the communist-lover now?
February 28th, 2008 21:54
“There is nothing more powerful than an idea whose time has come:Victor Hugo
The Filipino People are crying “BRING FORTH THE TRUTH”! (ILABAS ANG KATOTOHANAN!)
We want to know the truth behind all the cover-ups in the seven long years of Gloria Pidal’s rule!
How could so many scandals of an elected (?) president and her cadre remain unexplained, unchallenged, and unpunished? When? Probably never.
We’re not talking mistakes, here. We’re not talking poor judgment or failed policies. We’re not talking politics as usual, with its underhanded array of pork and perks. But we are talking about very serious violations of the public trust, and very possibly the law, perpetrated by the elected (?) leader of this nation and her handlers.
Even more amazingly, we are talking about the shameful reality that not a single one of these offenses has been investigated by a truly independent, non-political, neutral commission, armed with subpoena powers and adequate funding, and answerable ONLY to the people of Philippines. Not a single one.
February 28th, 2008 22:37
I agree with Ricky.The fault is within us. As I have said, majority of our people lack the understanding and opportunity of employment. Majority lack the cash flow to sustain their daily needs just like Philippines as a whole.
JKF said: it is not what your country can do for you, it is what you can do for your country.
I do agree that majority of our leaders are not capable of leading or managing. Their work ethics remain so backward. They may be educated but their experiences may not be a good fit to the actual job descriptions. Sad to say, we voted for them.
On the positive side, If we were to compare the development of democracy in the Philippines to that of a person’s development, we could say that we are in the late stages of our adolescence, almost ready to become a young adult. Our nation is maturing, especially in the area of fiscal responsibility. More and more people are checking on how well our public officers are managing the people’s money. We are taking action against public officers who are involved in graft and corruption. We are here blogging and exchanging ideas…
thanks ricky for keeping the site. I have high respect for you. It takes time, money and effort to do what you’re doing. More power to to you…
February 29th, 2008 00:43
[...] the fragmentation of ASEAN - were due to “higher political purposes” coming into play. Ricky Carandang was less diplomatic. According to the anchorman, the joint seismic study was entered into without [...]
February 29th, 2008 01:33
the Filipino has been pwned by foreigners. Again.
February 29th, 2008 04:56
Dear Ricky,
in your opinion, …
The question here is the legality of the joint study, not whether or not the study is a good thing?
After all, its good to know whether there is in fact natural resources there that people can use. And its just a survey to determine what is available, not to trully access/ extract it.
Its a bad decision because it’s bad international relations. But learning about resources is generally not a bad thing, right?
February 29th, 2008 06:43
This is really sad. I can now understand why Sec. Neri used the adjective “EVIL”. The corruption in our country almost made me numb but this..this is another story. TREASON? Is she a MACAPAGAL, MAKAPAL or MAKAPILI?…I never thought she’d go GLOBAL with her EVIL deeds. My GOD, unbelievable. I’m no soldier but one thing I know.. I WILL DIE BEFORE I BETRAY OUR BELOVED COUNTRY.
WHERE ARE OUR SOLDIERS? ARE YOU JUST GONNA SIT THERE AND WATCH THEM RAPE OUR MOTHERLAND?
This is your defining moment “MAKE US BELIEVE AGAIN, MAKE A STAND AND MAKE US PROUD”
February 29th, 2008 06:53
I’d rather go for a mutineer..SERIOUSLY.
February 29th, 2008 06:55
^^ Since when have Filipinos not been owned by foreigners?
A lot of Filipinos opt to go to foreign lands to work as servants of Americans, Australians, Singaporeans, Chinese, Arabs, Canadians etc.
It’s not as if Filipinos didn’t want to be “owned” by foreigners, isn’t it?
February 29th, 2008 07:23
Doing something you believe “you need to do” does not necessarily mean “you want to do it”…and you should say “Is it” not “isn’t it”.
February 29th, 2008 07:28
Another excellent post from you Ricky!!
February 29th, 2008 09:01
Is anyone going to the anti-GMA, inter-faith rally in Makati later?
Some of the personalities expected to attend later are:
Former President Erap Estrada
Makati Mayor Jojo Binay
Former President Cory Aquino
Jun Lozada
Senator Jinggoy Estrada
Former Senator Ernesto Maceda
Satur Ocampo - Bayan Muna
Crispin Beltran - K.M.U.
Eddie Villanueva
Former VP Teofisto Guingona
Personalities from the Genuine Opposition (GO)
February 29th, 2008 09:10
I’ve been following this issue on the joint sesimic survey that later on evolved into a trilateral agreement between the 3 national oil companies of RP-Vietnam-PROC since its inception. RP was tasked with the last phase of three-phased seismic survey, which originally was an oil exploration concept but because of the legal underpinnings of the “exploration”, semantics rendered “seismic survey” more appropriate. My research is a continuing one even if after the completion of the last phase of the seismic survey (which is the interpretation of the data gathered which was done in the PNOC with CNOC experts collaborating) hit a snag. But the “problem” has been resolved, that in fact the 3 countries will continue the seismic survey expanding the earlier coverage.Without giving away another info let me stop short at hinting how the trilateral agreement gave impetus to ANOTHER tripartite undertaking in the disputed area in the SCS, talks are now underway. If you can also please check your dates, the chronology may just displace some facts or even give more weight to your story. RP-China agreed in principle to undertake a joint seismic survey in the SCS in Sept.2004, during the first state visit of PGMA after the 2004 elections. GMA’s visit was most significant as it was the first country she visited after she was elected(?) as president. But because Vietnam raised a howl on that bilateral arrangement, they took Vietnam on board and signed the actual agreement in March 2005. Check this link for the Sec.Romulo’s statement after the signing: http://www.dfa.gov.ph/news/pr/pr2005/mar/pr149.htm
February 29th, 2008 10:03
Nothing will happen out of all this. We Filipinos, as a people, do not have a backbone. Some of us may realize what is happening but will we care enough? What about for the rest of us? Will they care enough?
February 29th, 2008 11:42
GLORIA: POLITICS WITHOUT PRINCIPLE
You have been in power as President for seven years
Prior to EDSA 2,you have held other high government positions
You have been in the public spotlight for almost all of your adult years.
You have spent millions of pesos
From private and government funds
To create a “movie star” image to get votes and gain office.
That image has been superficial
No substance,no meaning
That’s why the people do not trust you at all.
Your speech writers are an excellent bunch
Their lofty words ,however,are followed by your feeble actions
That’s why your speeches are not credible at all.
Your basic problem is obvious to all
Except to you and your Palace gang
You have tried to build an image,that’s all.
No Principle
No True North
Nothing people can depend on.
According to Mahatma Gandhi
One of the seven deadly sins is Politics without Principle.
You have been guilty of this deadly sin.
Your value system has been distorted.
You will do almost anything for your political objectives
Your value system is no different from common criminals.
Moses told the Pharaoh
“We are to be governed by God’s law, not by you.”
We cannot be governed by a person unless that person embodies the law!
Natural laws and principles govern - that’s the Constitution
Even the top people must bow to the principle
No one,not even you,is above it!
February 29th, 2008 11:55
We might be the pawns of this deadly game, but pawns are very important during endgame. Put at the center and connected, pawns are very formidable force. Thus, PAWNS SHOULD STAY CONNECTED and position themselves at the CENTER.
February 29th, 2008 12:03
Let china do all the dirty work of digging. Let them spend their money to dig deeper into our deep blue sea. Let’s see who will get exhausted at the end.
If there’s oil, great… that’s good news. Meaning we can pay our debts back. But what if there’s no oil in our deep blue sea? Then we including China and Vietnam have just invested into something with zero return… what a joke.
My concerned is that Philippines may suffer from “brain drain” .More and more people are willing to find employment overseas and the rest will keep blaming the system.
Philippines is now considered an emerging country. It has lots of rooms for growth and new developments. The ZTE scandal is not as bad as we think. The financial damage has not fully occurred yet. The good thing about it - it was prevented.
But we do need to prepare our country for upgrades. We must compete and invest into something attractive for globalizations. One of it is broadband capabilities. This can supplement the problem of local employment and will even attract foreign direct investments. This is how we grow economically but we must be transparent in every aspect of financial dealings.
February 29th, 2008 12:59
Question: does a $2 billion deal (I’m not sure what the proper legal term is: contract, agreement?) like this need Monetary Board approval?
If yes, was it approved by the Monetary Board?
If it needs but does not have Monetary Board approval, how should a violation of The Constitution be addressed?
————————–
THE 1987 CONSTITUTION OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
Section 20. The President may contract or guarantee foreign loans on behalf of the Republic of the Philippines with the prior concurrence of the Monetary Board, and subject to such limitations as may be provided by law. The Monetary Board shall, within thirty days from the end of every quarter of the calendar year, submit to the Congress a complete report of its decision on applications for loans to be contracted or guaranteed by the Government or government-owned and controlled corporations which would have the effect of increasing the foreign debt, and containing other matters as may be provided by law.
February 29th, 2008 13:12
quote
But we do need to prepare our country for upgrades. We must compete and invest into something attractive for globalizations. One of it is broadband capabilities. This can supplement the problem of local employment and will even attract foreign direct investments. This is how we grow economically but we must be transparent in every aspect of financial dealings.
unquote
Something is seriously wrong with your notion of upgrading the country.
As I kept on telling people who are advocate for the big BS. What’s the need? IF THE GOVERNMENT CANT EVEN FIX A SIMPLE POTHOLE WITHOUT DELAY?
Fix that and the investors will surely come.
February 29th, 2008 14:36
kamote, that’s your opinion and so be it. you are right about fixing our healthcare problem but there’s already a budget for that. Make a complaint against your senator… he knows where to spend the so called “pork barrel”.
potholes? write a letter to the department of public works and highways, the department also have a yearly budget for that.
broadband is required for our call center industry. we all know that these call centers have created local employment opportunities. it has heped ou economy. this is only one advantage. Here’s another example …
Broadband is also necessary in the healthcare industry such as many baby boomers who have medicare ,medicaid and foreign insurance providers will be spending retirement in our country. Having a broadband will expedite billing process and automate business units.Communications are done in seconds. I am talking about corporate automation and centralization of data.
We will gain a competitive advantage.
February 29th, 2008 14:56
Subscribe to the existing providers. Last time I checked we have at least 100+ providers here in the philippines. and Oh yes I work on the technical side of the BPO ( designing infra for these call centers) and guess what we use? IPLC for network connection going to the states. So basically call centers (the big ones) dont care if you have a nationwide broadband connection used by the goverment because they are bound to our local telcos. a simple common sense will check that IT WONT BENEFIT THE BPO INDUSTRY AT ALL. and NBN ONLY CONNECTS THE GOVERNMENT OFFICES.
WE HAVE EXISTING TELCOS THAT YOU CAN CONTACT FOR FAST LEASED LINE. Plus having a fast network connection doesnt give you any benefits unless you have a streamlined process. ITS ONLY A CONNECTION! and Connection is not equals to EFFICIENT AND STREAMLINED OPERATION.
See as I was saying, we need to fix our process first before getting a fast connections. IF THE AGENCIES CANT EVEN GET THEIR ACT ALONE HOW MUCH MORE IF THEY ARE INTERCONNECTED?
It’s like giving a 45mbps DS3 internet connection to a 60 year’s old lady who uses a computer just to play solitaire all the time.
This is a good discussion! Hope to see more response.
February 29th, 2008 17:36
Uhm, I find Ricky’s tirade against China even more disturbing too. Are your masters in Washington pulling your chain hard this time to go after the gooks in Peking for the “anomalies”–still baseless, all hearsay at this point in time–of Ate Glo’s reign? Hasn’t anyone thought for awhile at this juncture in time when every political analyst is pointing to China as the next superpower. I bet Bush has ordered CIA’s bright boys to subtly sabotage China’s friendly moves on its neighboring countries.
And the statement about World Bank’s generosity ? Please.. Since when did those international money lending crooks become generous? We’re still in hock for more than $8 B–to the tune today of $30B yata– since the time of Makoy. That’s the kind of corrupt money the Filipino people are paying for RIGHT NOW! That statement only goes to show on whose payroll Mr. Carandang is selling his so-called credibility for.
February 29th, 2008 17:47
Alberto,
You said: “And here we are, we have decided to withdraw our own NBN project because we suspect that some people made money.”
Are you for real? It sounds as if you’re saying “so what if a few people made money on the deal. Overall it was good for the country.”
That attitude is exactly why Filipinos pay “facilitation fees” evey time they try to get a government service. And that attitude is exactly why you can’t even get a supervisor to bat an eye when you try to complain about it. It’s the standard “so what’s wrong with that?” attitude.
If that is the attitude we are passing to our children, were in for many many more years of the same old thing.
February 29th, 2008 20:16
Wait? When we say “The government…”, who is this “government”? Is it just the president? Who let the government become like we have today? Who supposedly guarded their right to suffrage? Did anyone asked in a survey: “Bomoto ka ba ng ayon sa iyong konsensiya at walang kapalit kahit anuman?” It all starts with how to choose leaders wisely.
Are we blaming the President only? the entire “governing body”? or we also? Are we just good at finding faults? Are there any offered long-term solutions for every fault found?
I believe that these “padulas” fees have been there quite a long time. But why is it still there? Why do we believe in all those who say against the other when any of them has the same color?
Paano mo pakakainin ang isang tambak ng mga Pilipinong gutom? Minsan nga, sa sobrang gutom ay pati ang kamay na pinapakain mo ay kinakagat. Ang malala pa, minsan mo pakainin, laging babalik para sa susunod. Turuan natin ang ating mga sarili na kumayod para sa kakanin.
February 29th, 2008 23:17
Expect the following:
1)Gloria and her “GloLiars mob” will argue that the “crowd was very small”(police estimates: 15,000,rally organizers:75,000 and Reuters :50,000).
2)GloLiars will also say that protest rally confined to “Imperial Manila”.The rest of the country remains very happy with her.
3)The majority of the rally crowd was composed of students and young people.Student power is truly on the rise!
4)The unthinkable happened.Ex-Presidents Cory and Erap on the same stage.We now have the two ex-presidents versus Gloria and FVR on the other side.It’s no brainer to guess which side has the popular appeal.
5)The people have drawn the line on the sand.The bishops will have to take a stand soon(”manindigan!)or become irrelevant.
6)The crowd remained cohesive even after Presidents Cory and Erap left the stage.This
is a growing movement that does not revolve around personalities.
7)Gloria sought refuge,literally and figuratively,in the military camp during the height of the rally.It shows her state of mind.
8)The Movement for Truth and Accountability is leaderless.”The ability to get along without an exceptional leader is the mark of social vigor.”Eric Hoffer
9)The big mistake of Gloria is her complete reliance on the military.In the end,will the military side with her or with people?
10)Gloria is acting like a wounded puppy.Senator Dick Gordon warns “I’ve always been a risk taker but we have to be careful because it could be a ‘coup me,’” referring to a scheme by which a coup would actually benefit the administration.
March 1st, 2008 00:30
good going, terra cota soldier. thanks :).
that was some peek… was part of the “resolution” the layoff of some alleged decent PNOC officials who have painstakingly worked their way up in the company surprisingly only to be replaced by newby/ies by virtue of affinity to the powers that be (which about caused a teeth chattering atmosphere in some offices)?… i dreamed something like that happened in the providential year 2007… ‘m trying to find a clairvoyant to explain some connect…
March 1st, 2008 00:40
;).
March 1st, 2008 03:50
hi kamote.. i think you are missing my point. here’s the difference.
Your concerns of healthcare, potholes, point A to B ? ( what do you mean by that ) are all existing problems. It could have been funded and assisted financially from the pork barrel budget that your governor and senator keep..
Broadband ZTE deal is totally a different story. The money that was supposed to finance the deal is not coming from our own money. China is the one investing and pouring their financial resources to us. The scandal was due to the advance fee or facilitation fee. This type of practice among Philippine officials is a big turned off for foreign investors. We have lost the opportunity of having more employment as a result of this bad deal. We again have proven to the world as a corrupt nation.
Let’s move on to another deal.
BTW…Telcos is not servicing the provinces of the Philippines. You are lucky you have a service provider… Please look on the Philippines as a whole. The more broadband providers ,the better… it will create competition and prevent monopoly. Internet access can be expanded to residential and small businesses including the provinces. The convenient access will result to a more centralized data of information which will facilitate prevention of graft and corruption thru people interaction “forum” just like what we are doing here. This can also facilitate economic growth. For every new business creation, there will be people to employ.
Lastly, can you find out from your senator where did he spend the pork barrel money? Ask his office if he can at least allocate budget for your regional healthcare needs. I will do the same in my province. more power
March 1st, 2008 07:19
The crowd in yesterday’s rally was not as small as 15,000. It could be more like 30,000.
A lot of the people who attended were school children from many Catholic schools.
But media must be careful in reporting about their reason in attending.
A huge bulk of the attendees from the Catholic schools were there to ferret out the truth. Para magsabi ng katotohanan ang mga taong hindi nagsasabi ng katotohanan.
But in line with the sentiment of the CBCP, many of the Catholic Groups in the rally were NOT ASKING for the President’s resignation.
That should be made clear!
March 1st, 2008 07:36
to ALBERTO,
anong sinasabi mo na ang mga Pinoy gusto magpaalila sa mga dayuhan?
kaya nagagawa ng mga Pinoy ang magpaalila sa mga dayuhan ay DAHIL HIRAP NA SILA DITO SA SARILI NILANG BANSA AT WALA NA SILA MAASAHAN SA MGA NAMUMUNO KAYA KAPIT PATALIM NA KAMI PARA LANG MABUHAY AT MAITAGUYOD NAMIN ANG PANGANGAILANGAN NG AMING MGA ANAK!!! KUNG ANG ISANG TAO AY NAGUGUTOM NA, MAGAGAWA NA NIYANG IPAGBILI ANG KARAPATAN NIYA KAHIT SA MGA WALANG HIYANG DAYUHAN MAITAWID LANG ANG GUTOM!
Sana ALBERTO hindi mo maranasan ang nararanasan ng karamihan sa ating kababayan!!!
Sa info na ito na binigay ni RICKY, pag sumiwalat ito sa mga mahihirap na katulad namin ay TIYAK YON, sasabog na galit at poot at sasama na ang lahat para mapatalsik na ang pamunuhan ng gobierno!!!
March 1st, 2008 08:39
^^That is your opinion.
Pero I think Filipinos will WILLINGLY go abroad at magpaalila sa dayuhan than stay and work in the Philippines.
Kahit hindi nagugutom, ABROAD pa rin ang gusto.
You think this is not true? Come on! You know what I’m saying is true!
March 1st, 2008 11:04
yong mga sobra na lang ang yaman siguro gaya ng mga Abalos, Reyes, de Venecia, Enrile, Villar, Arroyo, at marami pang iba ang ayaw magpaalila sa mga dayuhan dahil sagana na sila sa kayamanan na kahit sa mga kanilang kaapu-apuhan ay makakatikim ng kasaganaang yan.
WALA NG CHOICE ANG MGA KATULAD NAMIN kaya payag na kami na magpalila sa mga dayuhan. yan Mr. Alberto ang katutuhan. At sana ang katutuhanan lang at di kabaluktutan ang manguna sa ating bayan.
Mabuti na lang at may mga media people like Ricky who sacrifice their limbs & lives to out the truth. MABUHAY KAYO RICKY AT SA IYONG MGA KASAMAHAN!!!
March 1st, 2008 11:13
PARA SA AKIN MAS GUGUSTUHIN KO ANG MANATILI SANA SA ATING BANSA KUNG MAY KAUKULANG PAGKAKAKITAAN PERO WALA TALAGA. BAKIT GUSTO BA NAMIN NA MALAYO SA AMING MGA PAMILYA SAMANTALANG MARAMI NG PANGYAYARI NA NASISIRA ANG RELASYON NG PAMILYA DAHIL SA PAGKAKALAYO NILA SA ISA’T ISA. TAO RIN NAMAN KAMI NA GUSTONG MAPASAGANA AT MAPASAYA ANG AMING PAMILYA PERO TAO RIN KAMI NA PWEDENG MAHULOG SA BITAG NG TUKSO. HINDI NAMIN KAGUSTUHAN ITO Mr. ALBERTO PERO WAL KAMING MAGAGAWA DAHIL WALA NAMANG GINAGAWA ANG PAMUNUHAN NG ATING BANSA PARA MAAHON KAMI SA KAHIRAPAN.
ALAM NAMIN NA HINDI KAMI PABABAYAAN NG PANGINOON AT ALAM DIN NAMIN NA HINDI SIYA NATUTULOG BIBIGYAN DIN NIYA NG HANGGANAN NG KASAKIMAN NG MGA NAMUMUNO SA ATING BANSA.
SALAMAT Mr. ALBERTO AT NAWA PATNUBAYAN KA NG ATING PANGINOONG DIYOS AT BIGYAN NIYA NG LIWANAG ANG IYONG KAISIPAN!
March 1st, 2008 11:15
Mr. ALBERTO, SIGURO ISA KA SA MGA TAONG MAY KAPANGYARIHAN AT KAYAMANAN KAYA HINDI MO NARARAMDAMAN ANG TUNAY NA NARARAMDAMAN NG KARAMIHAN SA ATING MAMAMAYAN. PASENSIYA NA AT TINAMAAN MO ANG MALAMBOT KUNG PUSO. NASABI KO ANG LAMAN NG AKING DAMDAMIN.
March 1st, 2008 11:19
Hi Ricky, good job on the Spratlys. It opens up another perspective to the NBN issue.
On the NBN-ZTE contract it is clear the administration’s line of defence has been the lack of hard documentary evidence the senate has, and that the contract itself is fair and above board. Since the blue ribbon committee already possess the complete copy of the contract for some time, would’nt it be possible to conduct an impartial, 3rd party independent audit of the contract itself by a reputable audit-consulting firm (like one of the big 4). If there is indeed a massive overprice, the result of any formal audit will show this, this result will be close to undisputable, and this can serve as the strongest hard documentary evidence on the contract overprice. Testimonies from Joey and Jun would then simply further collaborate this hard evidence. Anyway it’s probably too late in the game for this.
March 1st, 2008 11:53
cjoven:
You said:
“Broadband ZTE deal is totally a different story. The money that was supposed to finance the deal is not coming from our own money. China is the one investing and pouring their financial resources to us. The scandal was due to the advance fee or facilitation fee.”
Just a correction- the broadband deal IS coming from our own money. The $329 million cost of the project would have been borrowed from the Chinese government and paid for by the Filipino taxpayer (all 3 million of us). Yes the scandal was largely due to the bribes, but it was also due to the overpricing that took place because of the bribes. It was also because the president reversed her original policy of having the private sector build the network (which would have cost the government nothing), into a loan that would have to be paid back by the government.
March 1st, 2008 12:24
Ricky,
Although I failed to see your interview of priests and nuns, a friend of mine said that you asked them what is the next step if GMA does step down, was my friend right that they couldn’t answer? Hmm… if it is true, I just find that sad, really. Again, my question to those who wholeheartedly believe and support Lozada, what will happen next if GMA does step down? I have yet to get an answer cause maybe iba iba ang gusto niyong mangyari. So how will our country be so much better?
Am taking a break from studying because I can’t take it anymore. Why o why are the people calling LOZADA a hero??!!! How can people believe every single word he says without any proof whatsoever? And I just find it disheartening that he would give speeches, going from school to school… he’s such a celebrity now, my goodness. He keeps reiterating his family is under a lot of heavy threat, there’s a bounty on his head and yet he is not afraid to speak anywhere he is invited and to put in harms way the people around him? What about his family? With all honestly people, if may threat ba sa buhay mo or pamilya mo, will you plaster yourself in every public forum? Why do people go the extra mile of changing their names, cutting ties from their loved ones when their under the witness protection program? Is it not to make sure that whoever is threatening them will not find them?
And about the recent Pulse Asia results? Jamby Madrigal has a 66% approval rating!!!! Dun pa lang duda na ko totoo talga yang survey eh. I don’t think the Filipinos are that dumb to applaud a person who threatens another person with blackmail and to accuse another with evidence she did not even have the audacity to verify for its authenticity. And still even confronted with proof na she was wrong with her conclusions, she further buries herself in more allegations without basis. Am sorry, pero please, what did she do right to get 66%? Who did they survey?
I was in Shangri la Edsa while the rally in Makati was going on. There were a lot of people there, doing what they did as if nothing was going on in Makati. I went home in the usual traffic on a Friday night. I saw the rally on TV, dami ngang tao but to conclude that that is the voice of the majority, please… And what happened after the rally ended? People went home and what now?
And ang kapal ni Erap ha? Sana talga bawiin young pardon. Actually dapat nga dun nagalit mga tao eh, I wonder why the opposition were quiet about that.
And please Cory naman, don’t put Lozada at par with your husband. Ninoy is a gazillion times more worthy of being called a hero than that guy.
And again, I agree with Sen. Joker, why is the hearing dragging on, what else do they want to know to make a legislation on the flawed deal? What else ba do they need? Ano ba!!! To think that 80% of their so called inquiries resulted in ZERO committee reports, ZERO laws with regards to those issues (this is based on what Sen. Joker said, Ricky is there a way of finding out if it’s true? I wanna get my facts straight and not just base it on hearsay). Sa totoo lang sana they make a law na para the next round of public officials will be very afraid to do anomalous deals. Kaso since the opposition all want to be around the next elections, baka walang legislation na gawin. And about the hearing, why can’t they question what Lozada and Lacson’s meetings were about? And why did Madriaga refuse to sign his own written account after his testimony last hearing? Lacson had to step in bigla… weird. Ano ba move on na from this issue paulit ulit na eh. Yung Spratlys na lang investigate nila.
March 1st, 2008 13:09
With all due respect, thanks Ricky for confirming that we would have to borrow money if the deal went thru. But again, we really don’t have our own money. Are we always borrowing at a 100% financing or someone is manipulating projected income statement and balance our balance sheet to almost convince the Chinese? Wow, its amazing how china entertained the deal on the first place. Must be the spratly’s. You might be right on treason. But there’s very minimal oil. What else could it be? Or it could simply be a good deal caught in the act?
Our current economic problem is an accumulation of mini problems in the past that has never been corrected. We can keep changing our leaders but the problems will remain the same such as:
1. Banking system and interest rates regulations (we have been borrowing and highly leveraged)
2. Non transparency of financial data (graft and corruption)
3. Political dynasty
4. Cultural beliefs.
We Filipinos are too nice. We are happy people with solid family foundation. Our culture is always forgiving and giving.
Thanks to you for allowing me to express my opinion.
March 1st, 2008 14:32
. . . i don’t know about you ricky but i think you are far more brilliant than you think (if you ever thought of that at all, i.e.. ;). haha!
man, people refer to you for answers… expect you to answer questions they have in mind(their own lookout) and at times go even beyond the issue you report/cover–the hassles you face for doing your job, tsk! tsk!…
but what’s wonderfÜl is… people do pay attention (more than they probably realize) to what you have to say–yes, from the looks of this message board–whether they like it or not. it seems people gravitate towards you/your work (why that is i wouldn’t bother to speculate on… it’s enough i know i wouldn’t bother reading/listening much less get involved by commenting on whatever if it’s not worth the time and attention.
. . . BUT, uhm, folks… :). of course, this is jÜst me.
March 1st, 2008 15:50
Mr. Alberto,
I beg to disagree na lahat ng pumupunta sa abroad eh nagpapa-alila lang! A lot of professionals here works for multinational firms and do have the opportunity they will never get in their entire life in the Philippines. Regardless we are alila or professionals here abroad let me reiterate and it is a fact that the Philippine economy is staying afloat not because of Arroyo’s policy nor how she had encouraged foreign investors BUT is is the OFW REMITTANCE that’s keeping the economy alive! Tama na yung pagpa-pa-intellectual natin kuno, but instead figure out the very obvious that the govenrment is CORRUPT just as your CORRUPT MIND!
March 1st, 2008 17:39
My family has never made money illegally, much less made money from government. My father has always steered clear of any action that might even cast doubt on my mother’s integrity.Luli Arroyo
Salients Points of The President’s Resignation Speech:
“I shall resign the Presidency effective at noon tomorrow. The Vice President will be sworn in as President at that hour in this office.”
“I shall continue to work for the great causes to which I have been dedicated throughout my years as a Senator, a Vice President, and President, the cause of peace not just for our country but among all nations, prosperity, justice, and opportunity for all of our people.”
“In all the decisions I have made in my public life, I have always tried to do what was best for the Nation. Throughout the long and difficult period of my political crisis, I have felt it was my duty to persevere, to make every possible effort to complete the term of office to which you elected me.”
“I would have preferred to carry through to the finish whatever the personal agony it would have involved, and my family unanimously urged me to do so. But the interest of the Nation must always come before any personal considerations.”
“I have never been a quitter. To leave office before my term is completed is abhorrent to every instinct in my body. But as President, I must put the interest of the Nation first. The country needs a full-time President and a full-time Congress, particularly at this time with problems we face at home and abroad.”
“I shall leave this office with regret at not completing my term, but with gratitude for the privilege of serving as your President for the past years. These years have been a momentous time in the history of our Nation and the world. They have been a time of achievement in which we can all be proud, achievements that represent the shared efforts of the Administration, the Congress, and the people.”Richard Nixon
March 1st, 2008 19:59
What Should Gloria Do With A Problem Called “Mike Arroyo”?
“My father has always steered clear of any action that might even cast doubt on my mother’s integrity.”Luli Arroyo
The Results To-date on the EQ Poll on “What Gloria should do with a Problem called Mike Arroyo”?:
Divorce Him:20%
Send Him On Exile Again:(18%)
Tell Him To Buck Off From Deals ((20%)
Go on Exile Together With Him (75%)
Tuloy ang Ligaya (3%)
BASE:101 EQ Readers
(Note:multiple answers allowed in poll)
March 1st, 2008 22:29
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Using common sense might help enlighten and resolve this contentious deliberation cum dilemma.
In the real business world, unless attended by unethical practices, if a deal looks too good to be true, chances are, it’s not!
Which brings us back to where we are….
Why is the Chinese Government being so generous with RP? Is it because they find Gloria Macapa__l Arroyo simply irresistable? Or a self-proclaimed “saintly” economist long on boiler-room “commercialism” but very short on “patriotism” bordering on non-existence?
Follow the trails…. Look at the parties to the deals…. Listen to collabolators in different disguises…. Taken together, you will find the answers even without the participation of the hopelessly inadequate government institutions!
There is no donor country, the Chinese Government included, who will do things out of the kindness of their hearts!
Just look at how the Chinese Government treats & compensates their labor forces. What’s their motivations? For global market dominance so _uck the lowly laborers!
Domestically, look at how our Taipans are treating their sales staff. These wizards made it to the Forbes’ list, didn’t they?
What is the President through the Labor Secretary doing about this decades-old social disparity?
For as long as “personally” endowed through her office so _uck the lowly laborers!
Did anybody see the similarity in modus operandi coming from the same group of people or is it just my poor eyesight?
Power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely! And we have the very best! Mabuhay!
Inside RP, all we have is a ceremonial President privately controlled by a state-of-the-art criminal enterprises and publicly acknowledged by her aides to be an evilish bitch or a bitchy evil. Take your pick!
Just follow the trails….. Look at how the funds were spent…. or disappeared like a ghost…..
Ricky, thanks for your sense of duty!
March 1st, 2008 23:09
i also disagree with alberto. Remittances of almost 6B dollars last year 2007 has helped our economy grow from 5% to almost 7%.
sources and links for everyone to consider:
1. http://www.theodora.com/wfbcurrent/philippines/philippines_economy.html
2.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economy_of_the_Philippines
3.http://philippineseconomy.blogspot.com/2008/01/philippine-gdp-q4-2007.html
please do your reseach and study data before you blah blah blah…
March 1st, 2008 23:42
Ang problema sa mga nagtatanggol ke Arroyo, inilalayo nila sa issue ang usapan, corruption at future natin ang nakataya dito. Tingin ko e mga alagad sila ng palasyo, o kaya e nakikinabang sa pagiging ‘presidente’ ni Arroyo. Sige, tamasahin nyo ngayon kung anumang sarap ang tinatamasa nyo, kung nde kayo mamumulat sa mga nangyayari ngayon at nde kikilos laban dito, darating ang panahon na pagdurusahan nyo rin ang mga bunga ng ngayon, kung nde man kayo e yung mga anak nyo at mga magiging anak nila.
Sabihin na natin na me mga trapo na sumasama sa mga rally at nagsasabi na magbitiw si Arroyo, wala tayong magagawa dun, ganun na talaga yun, pero magduda kayo kung sila lang ang gumagawa nun, kaso nde e, lahat ng sector ng lipunan, nde man lahat ng miyembro nito, pero nakararami ang gusto na magbitiw si Arroyo dahil sa mga katiwalian, at nde lang simpleng katiwalian, kundi yung katiwaliang maninindig ang mga balahibo mo.
Sinasabi ng iba, dalhin sa tamang forum, sa korte, pero sino ba ang me control sa mga forum na ito? Ang dami ng mga issue, na hinawakan ng mga korte, DOJ, ‘independent’ commission etc, pero ano ang nangyari, wala di ba?
Ang CBCP, they want to search for truth, nung hello garci, sinabi nila to, me nangyari ba? Ngayon, they ‘want to search fot truth again’? Yes, you should not meddle with politics, but asking a corrupt government to step down is not politics, it’s a matter of right and wrong, and patriotism. You can’t hide the truth that you’re part of Edsa 1 & 2. You can say that it’s wrong to always go to Edsa whenever we don’t want the current government, but it’s worst not to go to Edsa whenever we have a corrupt government. You can also say, ‘who will replace the current president, another trapo, possibly even worst?’. But it’s not a question of who will replace who, the isssue is that the government is very corrupt, and we have to replace them. We have to have hope that the next one will be better. It doesn’t matter how many Edsa we will have, as long as it’s our country and our future that is at stake.
We can apply changes to our government. One important example is for all the government projects or decisions, it should be not one person only to approve or to sign, but with other leaders or members of other sectors, including the church, to provide the moral guard, and all should be transparent/available to the public.
I appeal to my fellow Filipinos, to the church, to the PNP and AFP to replace the current government with the righteous ones. To Gen. Razon and Gen. Esperon, it’s not too late to redeem your selves and set aside your personal interests, it’s not only you and your families future that is at stake here, but all of the Filipinos and our country.
To Gloria Arroyo, that’s enough. It’s the staged Edsa 2 that put you there, with some people, and some businessmen. Let go while there’s still a little good and little conscience left in you.
March 2nd, 2008 01:09
Why don’t some of the other media organizations take this story up? Are they told not to! More power to RIcky for his patriotism!
March 2nd, 2008 01:19
In addition, overseas Filipino workers should be the one to worry to repay Filipino debts to China if the $8B figure is truly the case. I don’t think the middle income earner within the Philippines can afford to pay. There’s very few of you. Thanks to foreign direct investment such as the call center companies for providing employment to many Filipinos in Manila, Cebu and Davao. If our leaders continue to levy high taxation to these foreign investors, they might get turned off and move all the call center jobs to India. Please understand that this is very basic economics and financial management. If you don’t have the background then you will not understand that the basic determinant of growth of a country is to have a high employment ratio. High employment ratio means higher taxation revenue from Individual income tax and corporate income tax.
Philippines is growing at a minimum of 5% since 2001 and our inflation rate is less than that…we are doing just fine. So please don’t rock the boat. We are now considered an emerging country. Foreign investors are looking into our credibility and credentials. They are assessing our stability to manage. If we keep rallying and moving people out of office then it will reflect the country as a whole.
I do believe that our leaders are not competent and lack the educational credentials. Most of them are raised with graft and corruption exposures during their adulthood. Can we blame them? They have inherited the problems of the previous administration.
There are plenty of solutions to our problems. I have high hopes for our country so let’s have a positive attitude by understanding our history and accept our mistakes. It’s the only way we grow as an individual and as a country. Let’s vote for the right person with the right educational background. Let’s not put alarming words to people mouths. They might understand it differently and will continue to retaliate. It is not good for us.
Ricky Carandang can help educate the country positively thru the media. More power to you.
March 2nd, 2008 02:10
Apples do not fall far from the tree. True!
Birds of the same feathers flock together. So true!
Truth will set us free! Even truer!
Fiduciary in the Philippines…. Anyone?
March 2nd, 2008 03:44
yeah, who has fiduciary responsibilities for the ZTE deals and the agreement between china and philippines. Is it her for both?
A fiduciary is expected to be extremely loyal to the person to whom they owe the duty (the “principal” ): they must not put their personal interests before the duty, and must not profit from their position as a fiduciary, unless the principal consents. The fiduciary relationship is highlighted by good faith, loyalty and trust.
A fiduciary must not put themselves in a position where their interest and duty conflict.In other words, they must always serve the principal’s interests, subjugating their own preference for those of the principal. The fiduciary’s state of mind is irrelevant; that is, it does not matter whether the fiduciary had any ill-intent or dishonesty in mind.
hahaha. gloria is mentally ill? and it doesn’t matter. If we take her to court, then she can sit for a while by delaying judicial result. She is a victim. She is a puppet for being a president. Poor Gloria. Everybody puts the blame to the president. I love it.
The legislative branch of our country ( senators and congressman) who also received pork barrel money can be on her side. They probably don’t even care…because they are too busy calculating profits from the pork barrel.
Well,tough case to prove. During her term, our country has actually grown an average of 5%. So how can someone put her to jail and get her out of office. We can only take her out if her performance is below par. Our government might be liable to pay her alimony for life if we are wrong. remember,, we are growing 5%.It is not the right time. we don’t have documentation to show that she has failed.
As I said…don’t rock the boat.
March 2nd, 2008 05:23
cvjoven, the gdp growth statistics are suspect because the improvement in per capita GDP is not corroborated by a similar improvement in average family income as reflected in the Family Income and Expenditure Survey (FIES). It may all be smoke and mirrors, a confidence game on the part of the Admin.
March 2nd, 2008 06:21
If anyone can prove to me that the peso is actually more powerful today than what it is in erap’s time then I will stop asking gloria to resign.
Economy is higher? Thank Ramos. MRT 3 running? Thank Erap.
Tell me what good had she done to the country and don’t ever tell me about the call centers, they started their operation when gloria is still a vice president of the country,.
March 2nd, 2008 09:29
did i say i am in favor of Gloria? I am very independent and only speak for myself. I am basing all my replies according to statistics, history , data recorded and performance of our country.
I only like Ricky Carandang.. hahaha
to cvg.. GDP is not a suspect.. what do you mean by suspect? it’s your opinion.. if their’s smoke and mirror from admin then what would be your suggestions and solutions. say it here . should we continue on rocking the boat.. or we will wait for Ricky to post another blog..
am partying tonite.life’s too short. take care you’all…
March 2nd, 2008 09:44
http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/2794.htm
read economy then decide what you guys want to do..
March 2nd, 2008 10:38
Thank God for a Ricky Carandang and his courageous colleagues in tri-media.
I pray that your efforts will eventually bear fruit.
In the end, the Truth shall prevail; and it will set us free.
We have a good system. We also have adequate laws. What we lack is a set of leaders that will make our system and laws work for us, collectively, as a people.
Our system may not be perfect and may be subject to abuse by “intelligent” leaders. But we must learn from these sad experiences and make sure changes are made.
However, we must not forget Justice while instituting reforms.
I am for a “slow burn.” I believe, we, the people, should keep vigilant so that our youth will learn the right way and inherit a better Philippines.
I am afraid that if the current pressure results in the sudden end of the present regime, we will relax again and lose interest in mother Philippines again.
I hope that our Supreme Court will finally allow Congress unobstructed oversight functions, limiting revelations of state secrets, national security matters and diplomatic agreements to executive sessions only.
This will shorten the investigative time table and our senators and representatives will have more time to amend and plug the loopholes in some laws or craft better ones.
It is most unfortunate that we have too much politics. The Senate is doing the right thing. But theatrics by some is adding color to the proceedings and turning off many citizens. The rallies and masses are also good but they are better free of politicians.
I admire Jun Lozada for coming out. I feel that he was “enlightened” after being “fetched” at the airport. I admire him also for admitting that he is no saint and that he is ready to face the music. I hope that his campus tour and rally appearances will inspire the Filipino people, especially the youth, to change from within now, so that, collectively, we can effect a more meaningful change in the next election. Our Pampangueno brothers and sisters have shown us the way.
We need to renew and reform ourselves and re-invest in our only corporation called Philippines.
Yes, we can. We can effect a total change in 2010 and elect only well-meaning and courageous non-politicians who will not be “beholden” to govern us properly and to pass laws that are not possible with the present Congress. In this manner, we can also be sure that our policemen and soldiers will be our real “protectors.”
We can also open our hearts and minds to the wisdom of a possible change in our system for better governance and accountability. Maybe the new Filipino system will also minimize, if not eliminate, threats of violence from within.
Thank you, Ricky, for showing the bigger picture. We have had so many revelations. But we never got the complete stories. Let the Senate or other constituted bodies ferret out the whole truth. Let the chips fall where they may. And let Lady Justice rule.
God Bless You and your colleagues, Ricky.
March 2nd, 2008 11:52
cjoven, the past 3 NEDA Director Generals (Habito, Medalla and Monsode) are the ones who called attention to the divergence between the directions of per capita GDP (i.e. upward) and Average Family income (i.e. downward).
How can you have ten years of growing GDP (1997 to 2006) while at the same time, average family income is sinking back to late 1980 levels? This opens up the possibility that GDP growth is being overstated (though not necessarily intentionally).
My suggestion is to continue pressuring the Admin for the truth especially since the GMA admin officials have shown the tendency to resort to Enron-style reporting and disclosure in its secrecy and misdirection.
March 2nd, 2008 12:16
not one to suffer fools gladly ;)…
may i put it simply as i usually do: as a citizen, it is just right that everyone must take responsibility–regardless of the social standing each holds. everyone should speak for himself [as to how: as he sees fit>>> keep it succinct, or be technocratic about it, if one wants to drive a point that requires technical details (if it so required)...or simply if one wants to flaunt and flatter himself silly, in some cases] as he should–giving due respect for others without demeaning what others have to say. each of us comes from various walks of life and, therefore, has his own viewpoint. basic… but thanks to those who deem it necessary to lecture, nonetheless. pretty educational–says a whole lot about what they know (and about them, too :).
let’s jÜst cut the crap, walk the talk, and try to be the change we want to see–me inclÜded, i.e.,… sometimes i overstep my bounds and react impulsively (obvioÜsly)… sometimes it gets simply irresistable ;)…
March 2nd, 2008 12:37
we all can process info and decide for ourselves… only gullible individuals with no sense of self can let others “rock the(-ir) boat” and influence their thinking… i believe the average filipino is better than that… and this is why i am this passionate in reacting.
…again, this should’ve not been for me to say. by now, this we all should’ve known…
March 2nd, 2008 12:47
…in hindsight, my apologies… in the process of stating my humble views i might’ve offended someone else’s sensibility.
March 2nd, 2008 13:14
to cvj.
i understand what you mean and glad to know you. That’s why we are here exchanging ideas but it’s not for me to be on one side.
in my own understanding, our political structure is divided into 3 : executive, legislative and judicial. majority has to agree before she can sign any documents.
The consequence of removing her from office will require extra expense to train new sets of officers and assistants. We will probably pay her for the remaining of her terms and the rest of her bodyguards.hmmmnnn.. Foreign entities and corporate stockholders in the private sectors may lose confidence because of our consistent instability.Current negotiations for further economic growth with other countries might be delayed. What else?
March 2nd, 2008 13:30
. . . that may i qualify: “…might’ve NEEDLESSLY offended”. i let the chips fall where they may :).
March 2nd, 2008 14:37
cjoven, we’ll be in a better position for negotiations [for economic growth] with foreign countries if the ones who represent us do so on behalf of the entire Filipino people. As Ricky has described in this thread, the present batch seems to have sold us out for their private gain.
March 2nd, 2008 14:45
IS NOLI DE CASTRO AN EFFECTIVE “FIREWALL” FOR GLORIA ARROYO?
The Results To-date of the EQ POLL on:
“IN YOUR OPINION,IF GLORIA RESIGNS BEFORE 2010,ARE YOU WILING TO LET NOLI DE CASTRO SUCCEED AS PRESIDENT?”
YES!: 26%
NO!:26%
It’s like choosing between devil and the deep blue sea!:38%
No comment na lang! :8%
Votes so far:109 votes
The EQ Poll suggests that Noli De Castro is indeed an effective FIREWALL for Gloria Arroyo!
March 2nd, 2008 18:12
so what now? are we just going to watch gloria and her ‘alipores’ take all that money and let us ordinary filipinos pay? we should all do something. if not now, when? noli may not be the best replacement for gloria right now but i think that it’s better instead of having gloria finish her term…
i don’t know if you folks would agree but for me, gloria really is the devil in disguise. isn’t there enough proof to convince everyone that gloria indeed is involved in large scale graft and corruption. i heard over the radio an interview by ted failon to former sen. tito sotto. sotto kept saying that there is not enough proof/evidence that gloria is involved. then what the heck do we call this and everything else including the people that has been surfacing, pointing to her as the mastermind. people, i ask of you to please be invlolved… do this for yourselves, you children, grand children and future generations.
March 2nd, 2008 20:31
as expected, lots of people will give reaction about this report. It’s really disturbing indeed… Even students such as myself are willing to take part of what is going on
in fact tomorrow Mr. Jun Luzada will come to our school and im really exited to hear what he has to say…anyways thanks to Mr. Carandang for this report
March 2nd, 2008 21:53
to cvj,
for private gains? this is not new. it’s been like that for years since the marcoses. you mean to say, Noli can negotiate better than Gloria? hahahah. i don’t see that in his personality. he is too weak and too nice. a bitch is better. hahahah
March 2nd, 2008 23:23
I don’t know much about politics, economy and stuff but I CARE ABOUT MY COUNTRYMEN therefore I will do something about this! Unfortunately, I don’t have the time and the power to do something directly about this but I can do something within my sphere of influence. We can indirectly do something about these issues if we focus on what’s within our control.
“To put the WORLD right in order, we must first put the NATION in order; to put the nation in order, we must first put the FAMILY in order; to put the family in order, we must first cultivate our PERSONAL LIFE; we must first SET OUR HEARTS RIGHT”
-Confucius
“THE WORLD IS A DANGEROUS PLACE, not because of those who do evil, but BECAUSE OF THOSE WHO LOOK AND DO NOTHING”
-Albert Einstein
March 2nd, 2008 23:49
Survey says….
3 out of 4 Metro Manilans distrust GMA! Why?
Lying? Cheating? Stealing? Foiled Kidnapping?
And when you add, Treason as reported by Ricky Carandang….
What do you think the REMAINING 1 out of 4 Metro Manilans will say?
When it comes to TREASON - ibang usapan na iyan!
Piece by Piece…. Block by Block…. In Due Time!
March 2nd, 2008 23:56
You know, whenever I talk about this issue to people in the coffee shops, someone always says the same thing: “the president should resign” (or they say we should kick her out. Same thing). But then someone else always says something equally important: “and then?”
This debate has been raging for quite a while now, but I don’t see any discussion about what comes next. Everyone agrees that corruption is a big problem, but when are we going to start talking about how to fix it? Or do we just think that, once again, swapping out the head of government will trigger the change by itself.
It won’t.
I have a question for all of you: If you personally could do one thing to help fight corruption in your own little way, what would you do? Will you change the way you interact with a policeman the next time you get stopped for a traffic violation and he asks for money? Will you change the way you respond when, while trying to renew your car registration, you are asked to pay a fee you know is not authorized? Even if it doesn’t affect you personally, what will you do the next time you see someone else being asked to pay such a fee?
Just curious.
March 3rd, 2008 00:20
I once asked an older Japanese friend….
How did your country nearly devastated by World War II come back to become an Economic Power?
How your Parliament manages to transition smoothly from one dishonest or tainted leader to another?
We Japanese — LOVE OUR COUNTRY FIRST BEFORE ANYTHING ELSE!
It’s never to late for our pretentious leaders to give way to LOVE OF COUNTRY, First & foremost, before ORGASM-LIKE LOVE OF MONEY!
March 3rd, 2008 00:31
Ricky, kahit saang angulo ko man tingnan delikado lagay nating mga Pilipino sa kamay ni Gloria. THE FACT THAT NO CREDIBLE PUBLIC BIDDING ON THE CHINA FINANCE PROJECTS MAKES IT HIGHLY QUESTIONABLE.No amount of cosmetics and deodorants will cover the stinks. Ang akala ng
rehiming “EVIL BITCH” ay basta na lang maniniwala tayo sa mga ” maya’t mayang press conference ng ating mga MASISIBANG PUBLIC SERVANTS SA PALASYO.
Sabi nila “Sino ang ipapalit nyo kay Gloria?”
Such a stupid line, DOES IT MEAN IF GLORIA DIES WE DIE TOO? HELLO!!! Over 80 million HONEST Pilipinos are qualified to take her place.
The issue that we should be debating is which of the many CRIMES Gloria has committed should we first try and where should we detain her.
Also, let us not be deceived by the so called remarkable growth rate, because if we take away the billions of dollars OFW remittances,
what is the real score.
GOOD NEWS!!! Yong statue ni Mamang Pulis AVELINO RAZON sa LRT terminal sa Cubao ay pinalitan na. NAHIYA na siguro sa mga pinag-gagawa nyang kasinungalingan mapagtakpan lang si Gloria, Mamang Pulis, puede bang magtanong? SA MAGKANONG DAHILAN AT GANON NA LANG ANG PAGTATAKIP NYO KAY GLORIA? BAKIT NYO NAMANG PINAGPALIT ANG INYONG PAGKATAO, NABULAG NA BA KAYO? Di nyo na ba alam ang puti sa itim? Alam nyo po, bago nangyari ang KIDNAPPING kay Jun Lozada ay mataas ang pagtingin ko at napakaraming tao sa inyo, TOTOO PO YAN, Ngunit Mamang Pulis, may pag-asa pa, UMAASA KAMING MINGINGIBABAW PA RIN SA INYO ANG KABUTIHAN, UNLESS, UNLESS…. Di ba may larong “THE BOAT IS SINKING?” Better to abandon ship habang may makakapitan pa sa paligid !!!
To Neri naman po, Ako po ay isang hamak na BALUGANG GALA,matanong ko lang po, Do you sincerely believe that the people guarding you are there to protect you?!!! Paalala rin po, THE BOAT IS SINKING!!!
March 3rd, 2008 00:45
if ain’t broken ,don’t fix it. you will waste your time…
you can visit my fundraising campaign that I am currently managing for free ( it’s not easy)at http://www.macialumni.com. I am doing something together with my brother to rebuild my highschool.so what you guys doing? anything? or you all are just complaining. Help your own backyard first, your close family or the community you live in, before you bark at the big tree.
Again JFK said: It is not what your country can do for you, it is what you can do for your country.
Little things you do can make a big difference to the people around you. More power
BTW: please do not exclude the provinces from your own little world.. you might hurt some poor people’s feeling. Internet poll is not reliable… we have millions of people.
wow…i cannot believe the people i’m dealing with. I should go to the beach and relax… take care.
March 3rd, 2008 01:09
I agree with Michael, WHAT HAPPEN’S NEXT? NO ONE HAS YET TO GIVE AN ANSWER. And I think that is the reason why the majority of our nation has turned it’s back on people power kasi hello, twice na nangyari and yet wala pa rin nabago. Clearly changing presidents is not the solution. Am all for knowing the truth and bringing those who had wrongdoing to justice pero let’s be legal about it. Why can’t it be done? You accuse the president of losing her moral authority pero are you being moral to judge someone by mere accusations? Basta mag sabi ng kwento ang isa o dalawa o tatlo or even 1M without evidence, it’s the truth na? Let us be very discerning naman, don’t let your emotions get to you. Try to be objective people.
An article by Alex Magno a few days ago in Philippine Star explained that in order to find the WHOLE TRUTH about the flawed deal, the senators need to make sure that the stories of the 3 whistleblowers should go hand in hand. Bakit dun sa simpleng real cost ng project magkakaiba sila ng sinabi? Why didn’t the senators grill them on that? WHY?!
And why is Lozada going from school to school? What is his purpose really? To try and convince people to believe him? Clarissa Ocampo never did that. In fact all she did was tell what wrongdoing she witnessed and showed her evidence. Yun lang! Why do I get this weird feeling na Lozada plans to run in the next elections?
March 3rd, 2008 01:31
Advertisement or self-promotion? How shallow!
How could so few remain so blinded by the truth and knowingly participated in defrauding WE, The Filipino People?
I will always be on the side of whoever has manifested through words or deeds, first & foremost their LOVE OF COUNTRY!
Between the Probinsyanong Intsik or the Pinay who knew about the pre-extensive of anomaly and continues the betrayal….
A no-brainer!
March 3rd, 2008 01:33
Pre-existence in lieu of pre-extensive
March 3rd, 2008 01:54
The Philippines in uncharted waters
Anyone who has studied closely the turn of political events since 1972 when Martial Law was declared must realized that we have entered uncharted waters in our political history where the military role is concerned.
The events from August 21, 1983 that culminated in Feb. 25, 1986 galvanized a nation that for once, could be forgiven for believing that the future will be bright. So much has been lost and so much has suffered in the dark years of Marcosian rule that whoever followed would surely be a better option.
Cory tried but with many rocks strung around and weighing heavily on her neck, she could not do much. She did restore the mechanics of democracy, and more important, willingly step down from power at a time when many vested crooks within her administration were imploring her to stay. But she knew that she had given what she could and that if she stayed, she would be part of the problem and not the solution. So she stepped down. This is perhaps Cory’s greatest contribution during her term of office.
Cory’s coterie of advisers made matters bad for her by hitting back at the faceless military and police who hounded them during the Marcos years. This alienated many in the military who quickly fell victim to the allure and the swan songs of Enrile and Honasan. This made Cory ever more dependent on Ramos to defend her administration against Enrile and Honasan’s machinations. At the end of her term, a grateful Cory endorsed Ramos as her candidate.
Ramos barely squeaked into power despite the endorsement of Cory amidst the strong challenge by Miriam. With a cabal of followers whose beginnings started when he was still in the Phil. Constabulary, Ramos proceeded to aligned the various military factions to his side, including the many who bedeviled the past administration by mounting several coups.
Ramos acted in the only manner he knew and he could at that time. He bought off many of this cabal with positions of influence and with money. Marcos started the process of militarizing the civilian government apparatus; Ramos delivered the coup de grace to this process.
As the clock ticked closer to the end of his term, Ramos moved to amend the constitution so he could stay in power. But Cory and Cardinal Sin had by that time saw the true color of Ramos and moved to block the amendment of the Constitution. Ramos has no choice but to back down and appoint his puppet and crony, JDV, to carry on his mantle while he stay in the background, secure that his coterie of military officers in the background would maintain his sphere of power and influence.
Estrada came to power because Ramos vastly overestimated the power of his political machinery to bring his puppet to power. Beguiled and fooled into believing his promises, Filipinos in the millions voted Estrada into the Presidency.
Estrada continued his predecessor’s policy of accommodating the top ranks of the military with various perks and favors. He also allowed the military to do something what it had always wanted to do, go after the secessionist/bandits in the South with an iron fist. In this light, Estrada’s influence with the military grew even as Ramos’ influence wane as the generals he favored during his term gradually retired one after another.
The Chavit Singson caper however gave Ramos a chance to pull out his last ace among the remaining military officers. Believing that he could successfully control Arroyo, Ramos pulled his last trick on the hat by getting the generals pampered by Estrada to withdraw their support from Estrada.
What Ramos did not count on however was how wily and scheming Arroyo could be. At first slowly, then even more after Gloria declared herself as successfully beating FPJ, Gloria proceeded to dismantle Ramos’ hold in the military and proceeded to install her own proteges and moles within the military. Many of Ramos’ holdovers were identified and gradually relegated into the freezer or eased out from sensitive positions from which they were in no position to affect the outcome of any political upheaval.
But even GMA’s machinations had its own limitations. Even as she used her proteges to cheat win the election and to keep her in power, she finds herself hostage to these favored generals. She could not just let these generals go to pasture after their retirement for they knew where the loot and the bodies were hidden. They could as quickly turn on her as they did with Estrada. A quick reminder to her about how tightly she was beholden to them was the Hello Garci Scandal.
In the meantime, by keeping them longer in power, GMA alienated the next layer of officers who were chomping on their leash to get into the positions of power. Several layers below these were the younder officers whose idealism and patriotism still burns and who bear the brunt of daily combat devoid of the equipment and support that their superiors have blatantly stole from them - and got away with a mere slap on their hands awashed red with the blood of soldiers who died needlessly in combat.
Ramos’ fading influence with GMA is best seen in the fate of JDV. For the first time since she came to power through the intercession of Ramos’ military cabal, GMA faced down and swatted JDV from the Speakership of the House who was confident that Ramos’ skirt would protect him. Ramos acquiescence and public avowals of continued support for GMA highlights and confirms the little influence he holds over the military echelons of power.
GMA waged an unseen war against Ramos when she fired a salvo across Ramos’ bow by taking out JDV as Speaker of the House. Her political survival was st stake and she could not afford to let JDV go unpunished even as Joey de Venecia pummeled her family unrelentingly in the press. She could quickly find herself besieged by many others if she did not keep JDV in check.
Whether Ramos will respond or can still respond will depend on how much influence he still has on some sections of the military. It will also depend on whether he can marshal the forces who remains unaligned and uncommitted yet necessary if he must gain power through a proxy, Noli de Castro included.
What complicates Ramos’ move is that he has lost much of his influence over the military. 9 years have passed since he stepped down from power, and while it faded gradually at first, this faded at a faster rate as more and more years passed. Ramos’ waning grip in the military has opened the field and left a vacuum. It is partly due to this vacuum that there is such an uncertainty on the role that the military will play in the coming events.
Some members of the military has learned from its misadventures.
Discounting Trillanes whose immaturity and naked ambition calls his character to question, there are many in the military who truly seek meaningful change in the political processes in the country. Most of the idealistic officers are young and are the ones who fight in the front lines. They are the ones who see the blood and gore as their soldiers are sacrificed in vain in a political games of chess by the generals.
Some of these officers are also old enough to see how their upper classman were tricked and used as pawns by unseen hands who then left their upper classman to dangle and hang once their efforts failed. Who could be behind these coups? Some of the coup against Cory were truly led by Honasan. But could this have been foiled earlier by allowed to be launched if only to ingrate and position himself as her champion? Was he the same person behind the power play behind the coups against GMA?
Many of these officers have learned their lesson well and will not allow themselves to be used again. But neither will they sit idly by and let GMA get her way if they have anything to say or do about it. These officers have organized at many levels and in many cells. But recent events have shown that they have been penetrated by moles or well meaning soldiers who still believed in the chain of command. GMA’s absence in the annual PMA Reunion, her peremptorily holing herself up in Camp Crame last Feb. 29, are the breaking waves from this undercurrent that runs through the military. The military’s ability to breach this movement by eaves dropping on voice and text messages by phone is amply demonstrated by Hello Garci and the Abalos’ caper.
Is there a force that could bring these uncoordinated efforts by these military officers hostile to GMA to coordinate and bear down on a single weak point that would see these officers withhold support from GMA and thus bring her downfall?
For those with a deeper understanding of geopolitics, one need only to look at the continued presence of the US Military in the South to understand and see who has such a force.
The US has a clear knowledge and understanding of the long term strategic fault lines created by GMA playing footsies with China. All GMA may be interested is fattening her wallet as she is forced to retire from power. What GMA may not realize
is that her greed has now gotten her into the crosshairs of the US for threatening their strategic interest in this region.
For all its powers, the US is limited in its ways to unseat GMA. While deniability is critical, it is also important to the US that the efforts in toppling GMA be seen as a result of the democratic process. Absent such a process, the US can only twiddle its thumbs and wait until GMA’s term ends, then possibly influence her successor to reverse the damage she has done.
The ZTE Scandal presents the US with a golden opportunity to neutralize GMA and to rollback the damage that she has done to the strategic interest of the US. Make no mistake about it, the ZTE Scandal is being eyed and studied closely by the US. Through the resulting fallout from this scandal, the US is presented with a golden opportunity to roll up the network that China has managed to establish by collaborating with GMA and pandering to her greed.
The lack of a clear leader who can galvanize, organize and lead the opposition limits what the US can be do in the political front. But whatever political gambit is eventually played out in easing out GMA, the military will have a major role to play. And it is here that the US is able to play its trump card best.
The ZTE Scandal is a nexus that can bring the US to play a critical role in getting the hitherto disorganized and penetrated military groups to align against Arroyo. From its various military exercises, the US has direct contact with many of the forces in the front lines. While the US must always be able to deny being involved in this effort and can never directly aid these officers, it can prod and do just enough to get these officers to possibly intervene in a way not expected by GMA at a critical time just when GMA would need their support most.
What will possibly accelerate the alignment of the military forces unsympathetic to GMA is the public exposure of the secret agreements and arrangements that in essence constitutes treason to the Philippines. History has shown that the Philippine military may be prevailed to stay leashed while its political masters loot the country. But its altogether different when the leader is now seen as committing treasonous acts involving a foreign power it is not allied with.
The billion dollar question that remains is what role will the military play in the coming events. No efforts in removing GMA will succeed without the involvement of the military. Yet the military is itself divided despite all protestations and announcements that it is united. Unlike in the past years, there is now a vacuum with no clear leader in the foreground nor in the background with enough clout to orchestrate and ensure a bankable ending. The US has every reason to ease GMA out and roll back the damage that it has suffered. How will it wield its influence with the Filipino officers at a crucial time as to achieve its end yet prevent a denouement in the democratic process in this country?
Whatever the future has in store for us, one can only hope that whoever effectively pulls the strings behind the military group will know enough not to start a civil war that would pit one faction of the military against another. One also hopes that whoever controls the military that while it may be part of the solution to the current political process, the military need to go back to its barracks in the aftermath or the military will itself become the problem.
As an aside, China will surely exert all efforts to insulate itself from the fallout of the ZTE Scandal. This is why no one should expect China to shed light nor assist in investigating a scandal that sullies not only the taker but the giver as well.
China will also seek to preserve the short term gains it had won by turning a blind eye as GMA voraciously looted the loan it has extended. China extended a loan, not a grant, and it knew that this would have to be repaid regardless of the fact that most of it was looted by GMA and her minions. In this respect, China is correct. But on the matter of a long term strategic gain as a result of giving GMA the key to loot, China is in for a rude awakening. China will have a lot to learn in geopolitical power play from a master as the US help to gradually bag GMA and unravel the damage she has done.
March 3rd, 2008 02:09
cjoven (at March 2, 1:53), i don’t see it as a laughing matter that can be condoned.
March 3rd, 2008 03:24
only you can take care of yourself. you can not rely on your country. you just can’t. that’s reality. even if we vote for the best president,there’s no guarantee that your life will be much better.
March 3rd, 2008 07:17
Please give us proof to verfiy all your claims.
And then sue the responsibly party. Take action.
March 3rd, 2008 09:07
… and they will always say, there’s all the OFW monies flowing into the country to pay for all the sh_t that they’re doing! $8 billion deep sh_t!! blatant in your face corruption to the maximum level!
March 3rd, 2008 09:44
Ricky totoo pala talaga yong mga kasabihang MAHIRAP GISINGIN ANG TAONG NAGTUTULOGTULOGAN at “MAHIRAP MAKAKITA ANG NAGBUBULAGBULAGAN.
A few would say, “Of course I want the truth the whole truth about the ZTE/NBN deal, but first show us the evidence!!!!, bring them to court!!! HELLO !!!, KUTONG COPS and FIXERS do not issue receipts.
You know Ricky, at first I gave Gloria Arroyo, the benefit of the doubt regarding the ZTE/NBN issue BUT series of events that unfolded, convince me that the contract is questionable at the very least. The picture now is even clearer. How on earth do this gloria fanatics explain and depend the 1) cabinet gag order, 2) the EO 464, 3) the kidnapping of Lozada,4) the dismal and faulty, contradicting explanations of RAZON, ATIENZA, DEFENSOR, GAITE, ERMITA, ANTHONY GOLES, FORMOSO,ATUTUBO,MENDOZA,ahh never mind BUNYE.
Generally speaking, these people are supposed to be educated, brilliant and intelligent thinkers.Ahhh… what a waste!!!
Ricky,For me,the $8 billion ODA with the Chinese is “PRE-MEDITATED MURDER”. Although,the Chinese I presume is unaware of the hidden agenda of the Arroyo government. The BRAINS behind the deal must have spent hours, days and nights perfecting the scheme how to skip and avoid the procedural TRANSPARENCY, PUBLIC BIDDING and ACCOUNTABILITY, posibly even using public funds and resources.
GRAFTERS and CORRUPTS in high places of government will remain and prosper because they know they can get away with it. Some small fry are caught because they dont share the loot with the BIG ONES and THE POWERFUL(elected or not)
SHALL we allow these ILLEGAL, IMMORAL PRACTICES?
How far are we in fighting corruption?
Ricky, all of you in media have done the biggest and most difficult task in exposing the anomalies and malpractices in government.
Media has save one Jun Lozada, the noise media created save J-Lo. Continue the UPROAR so that the “EVIL BITHCES” COWER in FEAR not to repeat their ILLEGAL AND CORRUPT practices, again.
GOD HELP THE PHILIPPINES!!!!
March 3rd, 2008 11:29
Ricky,
I have a question about EO 464. As I understand the law, it prohibits certain government official from testifying before congress without permission from the President.
My question is, when someone (like Neri) receives a subpoena, does that person actually transmit a formal request to the president? And is there a formal response disapproving that person’s appearance?
Or are all these people just saying “I don’t have permission to appear”?
I don’t remember reading anywhere that the president specifically prohibited anyone from appearing. Just that “officials need permission”.
When a govenment official fails to appear before congress, are they required to present the letter of disapproval? Or does congress just take their word for it?
March 3rd, 2008 11:37
The “Congress of the Philippines” is the national legislature which is a bicameral body consisting of the Senate (upper chamber), and the House of Representatives (lower chamber).
The Senate is composed of 24 senators half of which are elected every three years. Each senator, therefore, serves a total of six years. The House of Representatives is composed of a maximum of 250 congressmen.
2/3 of them must take her to court. She’s not the only one. If she will voluntarily step down then others will get away again. If she has stolen money, am sure majority allowed her to take it. Our banking system will play a crucial role in terms of money matters. Documentation of debits and credits can be audited and must be ordered by the court. In order for our judicial system to work ,2/3 of the members of CONGRESS must agree ( senators and congressman)
The president is chief executive, head of state and commander-in-chief, serves no more than one six-year term, and may approve bills passed by Congress or exercise a veto, which can be OVERRIDDEN only by a TWO-THIRDS majority of Congress.
The Judicial branch is our Supreme Court. The members of the Supreme Court are appointed by the President from a list formed by the Judicial and Bar Council.
We can use our People’s Power to get rid of her but we are only taking one out of many. The other corrupts will be celebrating in silence.
March 3rd, 2008 12:41
cjoven,
And then?
What is the next step?
March 3rd, 2008 12:54
ricky,
can abs-cbn replay your Correspondents report on primetime? or at least, just re-air it? i just watched it on youtube.com. napaiyak ako sa galit dito.
March 3rd, 2008 13:10
Hi Michael..
Here’s my conservative approach to solve our problems.
Education is the key.
Our educational system must standardize basic courses about 1. our political structure and 2. ” Don’t sell your Votes” to start in elementary with an updated course in highschool and college. Our teachers can play an important role to educate our YOUTH.
The media and the film industries can use their influence to reach the provinces, the poor (who are the majority and easily get manipulated) and the adults.
Broadband can be utilized for the high tech users. Billboards advertising saying “Do Not sell your Votes”. Brochures and marketing materials can be useful in all offices. She can add a policy that all businesses must have have signs ” Do not sell Your Votes.
The Catholic Church can make a big difference. Plenty of them can be educated and be reminded that accepting money is a big SIN. Parents can teach their young children.
Instead of getting rid of her. We need to demand from her office to set aside budget towards new policy in our educational system.
Three to five years of implementing this policy will help our country decide who is appropriate for office. We don’t need to wait for the next legislative elections. She can do this NOW.
The Youth is our Hope and our Future. It’s not too late.
March 3rd, 2008 13:13
it is an insult that officials in government–the highest ones no less–are doing what they should not be doing at the expense of the country and its people.
it’s definitely more insulting, if not downright damning, to see the insulted taking it nonchalantly, turning a blind eye and looking the other way (if not, in the extreme case, supporting/defending); thereby, inadvertently giving a go and allowing the above the freehand to do as they mighty wish–to the detriment of the poor insulted.
. . . common sense is not at all that common.
may we not fall deeper into the trap that’s been dug for us courtesy of delinquent officials in government. each of us has the capacity to make a difference in our society–if we just choose to. let Üs dare exercise that power and, in our own unique capacity, BE the change we want to see.
March 3rd, 2008 13:32
We cannot rely from her legislative branch to implement such change. It’s only us, the people of the Philippines. We need to change our attitudes. We cannot use hate and retaliation to solve our problems.
But how are we going to communicate with her without going to EDSA? Who will represent us? there 2 means:
1. The church ( Bishop)
2. The Media ( Ricky and his colleagues)
March 3rd, 2008 17:21
Ricky and fellow pundits,
We have so gotten used to soldiers openly parading their weapons and appearing alongside the PnP to the point where civilian supremacy is no longer established principle. Just look at the way Esperon et al make statements on their own initiative. Where is the SecDef in all this?
By default the military (AFP not DND) is now the fourth branch of government. Don’t we have something like posse comitatus here?
This all harks bck to the genie that EDSA 1 unleashed. All we got was the genie and now wish fulfillment.
El Bucho
PS Gloria should not be ousted. There are worse things than for her to stay in power. I would say that thanks to JLozada the administration is effectively contained. Witness the disproportionate responses to innocuous demonstrations of public opinion. If that’s not paranoia what is? Oustng her is an open invitation to a junta.
Keeping her in power will demonstrate the meaning of “suffrage.” We choose under whom we wish to suffer. And suffer we do. Serves us right. Just like the Joker said, “what this town needs is an enema.” And that will only happen if GMA is purged out of the body politic by constitutional means. We should all have to pay for our collective idiocy in letting things go as they did. She is punishment from God who is now saying, “Merese di pa kayo nadadala.”
Heed the CBCP’s words - or lack of them. They are full of wisdom.
March 3rd, 2008 17:23
erratum:previous post
3d indent: I meant “all we got was the genie and NO wish fulfillment”
Mea culpa, mea culpa, robert culpa
March 3rd, 2008 18:00
[;)... hahaha! a very nice way to put it El Buncho, sir. a sensible statement that doubles as comic relief or comic relief that makes a lot of sense, whatever!--just what we need in these dire times :). witty...] Amen.
March 3rd, 2008 18:03
. . . perceptive ;).
March 3rd, 2008 18:22
Puan Marcia,
Maybe we can all guffaw our way to 2010. Was it Ricky or maybe it was Ping Lacson on teleradio who said national government was becoming irrelevant in the real economy. In sum we are turning into Italy. Governments come and go or they stumble along but the economy has learned to discount the grand poobahs in Malacanang. This state of affairs has a lot to do with devolution. Malacanang’s last hold on any sort of real power is at the DBM. Actual disbursement. Money is power and vice versa.
One source of largesse might have already run itself out. The sort that JLo exposed.
As for the sovereignty sellout GMA and the Chinese govt, (if the allegation is true) they will find that they got less than they bargained for and paid more than they should have.
My 6th sense tells me to look for the deft hand of Washington in the Madriaga testimonies. It’s been a while since the good old Zhong Guo Renmin Gonghe Guo or PRoC (I am a taga-ciudad na intsik) got its comeuppance here since GMA got cozy with Beijing.
Conspiracy theories abound. This one is juicy without being necessarily true.
The great game is afoot! And all the time the best borjers were to be had at Wack Wack. Brother’s and Hot Shot take note and review your own borjers.
El Bucho (el Chino impertinente!)
March 3rd, 2008 18:44
I, am like many of you, indignant. I could rant on but, thinking ahead, I want to know: What do we really want as a nation?
Me? I want a revolutionary government. For several good reasons which will just clutter this up, so tell me, in case we do throw Gloria out or she resigns,we have Noli de Castro. Can we trust him?
Trillanes volunteered for the job of interim caretaker. Maybe we should have supported him when he stepped up to the plate. Why not trust him?
Where do we go from here?
Viva
March 3rd, 2008 19:36
:). hahaha!… with you around posting, why not? ask ricky for permission if you’re going to be mainstay here–you’re creating a diversionary subthread
what you did a while ago… the statement of the day! man, you’re too fÜnny! a dose of you is what is needed by an ailing country like ours (or is it yours, too? ;)… sometimes (that i qÜalify)
…ok, serious (funny) business now… [not sure i do you jÜstice by this but here's as far as i can manage...]
PARAGRAPH 1 (P1: the rest of it, at least)
… hmmmn (not sure if we’re on the same page–if i understand you correctly, i.e.;) BÜT… not so much i think that the economy has learned to discount your poohbahs… but goes to show that the poohbahs it appears–for all the head poohbah is worth, if not, for all intents and purpose–don’t really have a lot at all to do with the economy ;)… ok. a little credit maybe–she scared the living daylights oÜt of our people with her unprecedented year-after-year scandals and what do we get?… hÜrrah, OFW phenom! keeps us “afloat” as most term it here (given the sinking boat scenario).
on your P2… definitely! ;). with your Jlo’s expose all eyes are right about open, if not mighty peering,–or at least those that are not nagtutulug-tÜlugan.
P3… ;). man, you’re crazy! bÜt i so agree. the migraine and scandal resulting from the kind of incompetent goons they’re in cahoots with are not worth it… on 2nd thought–but they’re used to it, are they not? so does it matter? [as you put it: serves them right! :).]
… and about your 6th sense, sir, you jÜst may be wrong….that hand in Washington that you are speculating on jÜst about landed on ricky’s lap ;).– as one so vehemently alleged days back :). [hint: browse] hahaha!
the REST: yeah, yeah… right on jÜicy, i agree… as juicy as Ben’s Burgers ;)…
March 3rd, 2008 19:39
. . . let me correct myself: ben’s BURJERS, i.e. ;).
March 3rd, 2008 19:43
OMG…everyone should read this. It make me want to fly home and suckerpunch GMA. Shit! Grabe, please do something! Somebody do something, before we become one hella crazy nation. I’m panicking! Panicking for my children who haven’t been born yet. For my grandchildren!
Ano ba. grabe. grabe grabe. Unbelievable. I hope I don’t get to watch us on the History Channel in 10 -20 years. (Whatever happened to the Philippines?) Gosh.
March 3rd, 2008 19:45
. . . do i spell it correct? i only hear it mentioned… well, whatever… to that effect, at least :).
March 3rd, 2008 21:27
The subject is TREASON! The ultimate Betrayal!
WE, The Filipino People tolerated massive LYING, CHEATING, STEALING, foiled KIDNAPPING, where’s Jonas Burgos & the likes-KILLING. And now TREASON, I repeat, TREASON with facts enumerated by Ricky Carandang….
The three branches of Government are decaying and dysfunctioning! Are we waiting for total chaos?
Ironic some would even used economic news & data to support their distortedoutlooks. I repeat, IT”S ALL ABOUT ACTS OF TREASON!
Yes! The economy is reaching an all-time high that is why the perimeter of the People-Owned Palace was converted into a container van DEPOT last Friday. Mabuhay!
Wake Up People! It’s TREASON, stupid!
March 3rd, 2008 22:19
J. Cruz, i agree which is why i wonder why cjoven still believes, despite Ricky’s exposition in this blog, that Gloria can ‘negotiate better’ on our behalf.
March 3rd, 2008 23:12
lying , cheating and stealing have been practiced not only from this administration but for many years. Treason is so alarming that most of us here are not happy. If it’s new, maybe NOT, we have been borrowing in the past using all kinds of collateral. Are we really using spratly’s as collateral? It could also be a lease or rent agreement.( just like US rented subic bay? )
If we are worried how to pay it back then you have to thank the overseas worker with $6B yearly remittances which is predicted to increase to $7B this year. The $8B we borrowed from China can be deferred and be paid at $ 2B a year if we want to be free and clearin 4 years. OFW will still help our country pay other debst with the remaining $5B.Income from other sectors will continue to supplement our economic plan for growth which is expected to grow at 6 to 7% this year. If Gloria should be credited, maybe.I really wish we all can replace majority of the corrupt senators and congressman. 2/3 of them voted for her to become who she is now.
Here’s an example: People in the US want US troops to be out of IRAQ and blame BUSH for going to war. People belive that money spent every year to rebuild IRAQ is hurting their economy.Might be true because the US is only growing less than 3% this year. (Philippines is better). Majority of the people have not realized that Congress comprise of Senators and Congressman signed the agreement to go to IRAQ and removed SADAM.
My point is …. she cannot do things unless approved by majority. Each senator is acting in a fiduciary manner to his/her principal ( the president). No one among them is capable of of telling the truth because most of them are like HER for a long long time.
Yes, jcruz, the three brances are decaying…we need to replace majority not only ONE.
March 3rd, 2008 23:17
cvj, some likes to pontificate — probably to exhibit encyclopedia-like superiority? Spare me!
I generally do not comment…. How could I not when it comes to TREASON?
March 3rd, 2008 23:36
[quote]Vietnam invests $1 billion in its own National Broadband Network infrastructure! [quote]
It doesn’t mean that we got a good deal in the NBN deal.
It could only mean that we are not the only corrupt country in Asia;)
March 4th, 2008 01:10
Maraming ganitong article na hindi na natin alam kung totoo nga.
Ang gusto ko sanang mangyari ay ituloy yung national broadband project pero ulitin ang specs at bidding.
Maliit na halaga yung $300m kung talagang mapagkabit-kabit nila ang 7000 islands thru hi-speed communications.
Internet, ip phone, audio and video. Lahat ng maliliit na magsasaka at common tao puedeng ng magkaroon ng access kahit na simpleng e-commerce.
Lalakas ang maliliit na producers by forming cooperatives at dahil sa tulong ng high-speed internet, di sila mabubulukan ng produkto. Maibebenta nila ang kanilang produkto bago mabulok.
Pati farm inputs nila, available sa internet. Napakaraming posibilidad.
Edukasyon at pamamahala sa ating local governments ay siguradong uunlad.
Nag-submit ako ng proposal nung 2005. Totoong hi-speed at wireless. Tatalunin ang india at china.
Hindi man lang naka-first base yung proposal ko na ito.
Walang backup ng politiko yung proposal ko. Nanggaling lahat sa akademiya ang suporta.
Sandali lang, bawi natin yang $300M na yan. Saan man tayo umutang hindi problema dahil sa benefits ng hi-speed nationwide broadband communications.
Ang problema, nakalimutan na ng senado na dapat ituloy ang project kahit na meron hearing.
Behind na tayo. Ito ang makapagiisa sa 7000 islands. Ayaw ng ating mga kapitbahay na bansa na umunlad tayo of course. Ayaw rin ng mga rebelde na magkaroon ng magandang livelihood ang maliliit na tao. Matututo ang mga tao at sasanib sa mainstream economy.
Nasilip ko yung ibang pages ng NBN contract. Hindi lahat. So far, mukhang band-aid yung solution. Hindi pang 21st century.
Ulitin sana ang bidding process. Sana ngayon na. Kung hindi ngayon, kulelat tayo.
March 4th, 2008 02:20
With the Chinese embassy and ZTE corporation insulting our senators and boycotting our investigative hearings in the Senate, I suggest we BOYCOTT CHINA GREED OLYMPICS! All our complaints against China will fall on dear ears because they have the money and power and we don’t. But if we BOYCOTT BEIJING 2008 Olympics, it will be a very dignified Filipino way of responding as in you have all the money, but I refuse to deal with you. And the Chinese care a lot about the Olympics now. Steven Spielberg and Prince Charles already followed their consciences and boycotted the Olympics. Lets follow our conscience and refuse to be a party to China’s model of bribing top government leaders around the world in order to extract natural resources without benefitting the people in those countries.
March 4th, 2008 04:06
First of all are you absolutely sure that there
is oil, natural gas in the spratly’s.
Economicallly feasible to exploit?
Deep ocean oil, not as easy as coastal or land
drilling.
Do we have the resources to exploit it without
china.
Do we even have the resources to defend it,the
damned vietcong stole southwest cay,without
firing a single shot,during the marcos era.
Not a fan of gloria, but we might be getting
a huge , low interst loan from china,(hopefully
not get stolen).
We just need more transparency on this deal.
Playing the the vietcong against the chi-coms
,not a totally dumb idea. They already fought
a drawn out border war and recently chinese
ships sank a number of vietcong pt boats
and killing 70 sailors at johnson reefs.
There is , no love between these 2 countries
like someone earlier summised. We should use
our heads and exploit this to the fullest.
March 4th, 2008 06:57
now that’s the word!
no wonder why GMA, despite anomalies on the deal (ZTE) still signed the project (and later on rebuke it!)!
we could always assume that she’s making China a big deal of project and making herself a huge sum kickback!
wlak the talk! this is one great story to tell!
March 4th, 2008 07:09
PM,
I just read your post.
But all in all there’s something missed about what you said on Ramos’s influence.
You forgot, Ramos is a west pointer. Which he sees an alternative to Gloria, who else will he call for support and have the world legitimize his move? his CIA connections.
Remember everytime Gloria is in trouble? Who’s her first line of defense? and now let’s count how many Executive Secretaries she have? I can name 2 and those are de villa and ermita. The 2 are known to be Ramos’s boys. He can sacrifice JDV and let Madam eat him alive but if Madam tries to mess with him, Ermita will just slash Madam’s throat.
He may look senile, but his moves are as beautiful as those soviet’s chess grandmasters plays.
March 4th, 2008 07:14
err let me correct the grammars konti. kasi 30 hours na akong gising eh.
PM,
I just read your post.
But all in all there’s something amissed about what you said on Ramos’s influence.
You forgot, Ramos is a west pointer. When he sees an alternative to Gloria, who else will he call for support and have the world legitimize his move? his CIA connections.
Remember everytime Gloria is in trouble? Who’s her first line of defense? and now let’s count how many Executive Secretaries she have? I can name 2 and those are de villa and ermita. The 2 are known to be Ramos’s boys. He can sacrifice JDV and let Madam eat him alive but if Madam tries to mess with him, Ermita will just slash Madam’s throat.
He may look senile, but his moves are as beautiful as those soviet’s chess grandmasters plays.
March 4th, 2008 07:19
This will definitely nail her down…
Unless!
If there’s a miracle in Congress, where administration solons would lead GMA to her impeachment.
GMA should be thankful that she did not live during the time of Aguinaldo. Indeed, she would suffer the same fate as Bonifacio did.
March 4th, 2008 08:53
it was pity that so much money can be made into good use and so little was spent ligitimately for the people.
March 4th, 2008 09:23
I believe that Jun Lozada is finally “enlightened” and he has resolved to do good from now on. I believe that he is telling the “truth” as he knows it. He seems to have corroborated what others said, and others seem to have corroborated what he said. That should be enough for now.
It is great for Jun to do the campus rounds to tell his story and inspire the youth. However, I sincerely hope that Jun will not shoot his own foot by uttering statements that may be misinterpreted as political. I sincerely hope that Jun will not allow himself to be used by politicians. I pray that Jun’s religious handlers and protectors will continue to guide him properly.
The alleged actions by agents of government, even in the highest place, have given Jun the credibility. The Filipino is peace-loving but he is not stupid. What government is allegedly doing is pushing us to act. While it is said that only less than 20% are willing to join rallies; if government does not act to quench the thirst of the Filipino for Truth, the number joining rallies will steadily rise until a critical mass is achieved. What can follow will give anyone goosebumps.
The Supreme Court’s expectedly ruling on the Neri petition may help in our call for transparency and truth; and, thus avoid a potentially violent situation. If the truth, later revealed, is as many believe it to be, then a peaceful end to this tragedy is still possible.
What next? If Gloria is forced to resign, let Noli take over as our Constitution provides. We will know how “ready” he is.
Remember, we are stable today mainly because of our estimated 10 million OFW brothers and sisters who together with their families have to pay the social cost of helping prop up our economy. We also have good professional civil servants who can take care of our economy during any interim. It will be so unfair to the OFWs if we fail in ferreting out the whole truth.
But knowing the truth about the ZTE-NBN Deal must not stop the constituted agencies from seeking the truth about other issues. Noli must make sure that this report about “Treason” will be looked into with even more zeal. The whole truth about these inter-related events may finally prick the Filipino to wake up, push him to reform from within thus demand and help effect reform in government in the next national elections.
Then and only then will we have the hope of getting a government of the people, by the people and for the people.
March 4th, 2008 10:46
the presence of oil is not the point, if somebody breaks into your house, it doesn’t matter if there is something to steal or not, the point is they broke in.
i think that Golez guy looks like Hyubbs (the comedian)
March 4th, 2008 10:55
Treason? Or
Competition between US and China military influence?
http://www.worldproutassembly.org/archives/2007/09/us_china_vie_fo.html
Sorry Ricky for posting this link.I just wanna share interesting story from another journalist that may help us understand what’s really going on in our country in a different perspective. I do respect your work and I fully understand where you coming from.
I am very open minded and will gather data before I can decide.
March 4th, 2008 11:03
cjoven,
No need to apologize. Post away.
This is a discussion, not a lecture.
March 4th, 2008 11:48
Marcia,
The hand of washington?
What was it doing on Ricky’s lap? This is a serious allegation.Where is the direct evidence? Is it merely figurative or was there a real hand (left or right)? Was the hand attached to a living person? Ricky don’t lose that number / digit. These are the days you live for ’til you start reeling in the years and stowing away the time.
Let’s not give GMA too much credit. We’re all as much to blame for the current state of affairs. Regime change of the sort that put Cory and GMA in power betrays laziness and lack of strategic insight. If there is a dustbin of history, there is also its comedy cafe and we are its longest running schtick. We keep getting bamboozled by the powers that wannabe to get rid of the powers that are. And after that the powers that were . . . well you know the rest. The succession of governments is a veritable turnstile of ruling elites!
Back to treason. It’s just a matter of date.
El Bucho
March 4th, 2008 12:05
Caught a glimpse of Gloria’s speech during the signing into law of of the Civil Aeronautics Bill this morning where she talked about the need for due process, the rule of law and respect for the constitution. Look who’s talking. We’re under a veritable martial rule! As usual, if she and her cohorts do it, it’s perfectly legal. But if it’s her detractors who do it, of course it’s illegal! (Apart from being tagged as destabilizers, assassination plotters, economic saboteurs, etc. etc.) Ay naku, tama na talaga! Sobra na talaga!
March 4th, 2008 12:46
Ricky, APOLOGISTs of Gloria Arroyo having known that Gloria has been caught many times with her pants down will resort to divertionay tactics. Resorting too much on technicalities, legalities, etc.
Oftentimes issuing lines of praises to their patron like she’s educated,capable, etc. at the same time skirting the MORAL ISSUES.
Sorry guys(APOLOGISTS), NO AMOUNT of Masters Degree and PHDs of anyone can divert the REAL issues on CHEATING, LYING, CORRUPTION under this DE DEFACTO President, a 5th grader knows that.
She was caught on tape talking to a COMELEC
commissioner, which she admitted having done so, she confirmed there’s anomally in the ZTE/NBN contract even prior to the signing on Joe Taruc’s radio program. (But nobody believes that she learned the anomaly only on the eve of the signing.(She lied again)
TREASON din ba ang mga ito, sorry Ricky hindi ako gsnon ka intelehente.
BASTA para sa akin,ang PANGULO ay dapat KATIWA-TIWALA hindi TIWALI, KAGALANG-GALANG hindi NANG-GUGULANG, KAPURI-PURI hindi KARIMA-RIMARIM, KAPANI-PANIWALA hindi SINUNGALING!!!!
March 4th, 2008 12:56
Has anyone checked if the Spratly Deal needs Monetary Board approval?
If yes, does it have Monetary Board approval?
March 4th, 2008 13:06
el bucho,
;). active imagination… figuratively, sir, of course… refer to comment #97 (insinuation)–just following suit on your jest.
on your second point… if ‘m not mistaken, i said on a second guess, “a li’l credit” (–pun intended)–that is for scaring the wits out of the people blah-blah-blah…
thanks to your post, that was some laugh in a long while… but i guess i better get my act together…
March 4th, 2008 13:20
and, seriously now, TO RICKY…
i guess i was the one who mentioned about “lecture” as an impulsive reaction to some high-handed comments whose contents fit the description (at least that was my take at the time) in one of my PMS moments.
in retrospect, as i thought aloud and posted, people might misinterpret… thus, the subsequent apologies… but still, if got affected since you took notice, i take full responsibility: thus, may i state again, sir, ‘m sorry–the was the last thing on my mind…
March 4th, 2008 13:29
Marc1a
No I wasn’t referring to you at all. I was just reiterating that this spece is open for anyone with an opinion. cjoven is more than welcome to post a link to that article.
As for you, I do value your participation here. No need to apooligize, was not at all offended. Lets keep the dialogue going. You all are smart enough to make up your own minds about the matters I’ve raised.
March 4th, 2008 13:37
. . . oh, you’re there… that was embarrassing… but thanks, that was a relief… i could breathe easy now.
lesson learned on my part… sometimes my juvenile impulsiveness gets the better of me…
thank you for responding. good day! =).
March 4th, 2008 15:40
Saan kaya tayo makakahanap ng mga matinong lider at opisyal ng pamahalaan? Yung nakaupo, masama daw. Yung mga nagpepresentang lider ng oposisyon, medyo kwestyonable din daw.
Mapapa-buntong hininga ka na lang at umasa na sana, magkaroon na ng katinuan.
March 4th, 2008 15:59
I agree that the “treason” angle is but one way to look at this picture. It’s not “bible fact”. It is very much open for debate!
Others might view it differently and can make their own observations.
I for one, see it merely as a Philippine move that aims to extract economic benefits by playing with geo-political realities in this region.
I don’t see it as treason but rather an executive move implementing foreign policy with the objective of getting maximum economic benefits for the country.
March 4th, 2008 17:50
It is the secrecy shrouding these deals that has made us doubt whether they are indeed above board. If our paranaoia is just a figment of our imagination, why did she impose EO464??!!
March 4th, 2008 18:16
Hi Ricky !
When Gloria Arroyo said that she takes corruption seriously - I puked ! But with this treasonous deal I believe her more than ever - that Gloria Arroyo takes corruption very very seriously and make it her serious business! She is not only the mother of all mandarambong, but also cuddler of mandarambong, mandurugas like TESDA Director General Boboy Syjuco who was cleared by Ermita by the authority of Gloria so Boboy can continue stealing and squandering resources of TESDA. Sa halip na bigyan ng proteksyon ang mga nagbubunyag at lumalaban sa katiwalian, kami pa ang ginigipit, at tinanggal sa trabaho. Wala talagang patawad kahit sariling bayan ipagbibili para sa sariling ganansiya.
March 4th, 2008 20:15
From Alberto Pempengco:
“But when we see Vietnam spending $ 1 billion for its own NBN project, one wonders…is that the real cost of putting together a nationwide Internet backbone? Or baka overpriced din ang sa Vietnam? I don’t know!”
Frankly speaking, I don’t give a rat’s ass if Vietnam’s NBN project costs $1 billion and ours is only $329 million. So long as every cent is spent accordingly, I wouldn’t mind if the project costs $1 billion or $10 billion. However, if the project costs only $329 million, but $200 or so million goes to corruption, that is a project not worthy of doing.
March 4th, 2008 21:56
An interesting insight like this deserves a video response. Thanks.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WQoPox-Gc5A
March 4th, 2008 22:50
thank you very much for this report.
gloria playing the Chinese card against the Americans really makes sense. after all, gloria’s administration did withdraw from Iraq, commit numerous human rights violations which US has condemned, and of course rule against an american soldier in the Subic rape case.
i think filipinos can understand the diplomatic alliance with China. what we cannot stomach are the kickbacks she and her cronies got (are still getting?).
dear Lord, help us.
March 4th, 2008 23:21
“I will be true to the Constitution and to myself who has been mandated to leave the post when my term ends in 2010,”Gloria Arroyo—Do you believe her?
March 4th, 2008 23:32
The economy of China is the second largest in the world after the US when measured on purchasing power parity. It is the fourth largest in the world after the US, Japan and Germany when measured in exchange rates. China has been the fastest-growing major nation for the past quarter of a century with an average annual GDP growth rate above 10% compared to the declining US estimated at 2.9% .
In connection to our economic situation and our concerned about treason, is it bad for us to align ourselves with China? Or our leaders are just going with the flow? With the dollar value continue to fall, how does our OFW catch up with peso? If a family requires 50,000 pesos a month for consumption, then today it will take $ 1200 for an OFW to maintain the needs of his/her family compared to $ 1000 two years ago. Will OFW remittances decrease in the near future and hurt our economy?
If we could no longer rely from OFW remittances as the weakening of US dollar continue, is our partnership with China a bad strategic move? If its’ not, then we might continue to grow economically.
I have come across a Chinese chat room the other day. Majority of the members understand that China is growing and experiencing surplus of cash. Most of them complained and wondered why their government cannot spend money to build more high schools and enhance their healthcare system. Is it only Philippines who have issues? The US is hurting badly too with consumers credit crunching, weak dollar and housing foreclosures on the rise.
Yes we are growing economically. We are experiencing surplus of cash. The problem in our country is the lack of transparency. How are we going to keep the cash in the bank? Is it our attitude to buy a Mercedes to replace our Honda’s? (old military equipment) Is it only HER who takes a big piece of the pie? What about our very own businessmen? Will our recorded economic growth motivates them to expand businesses to employ more people?
March 5th, 2008 01:15
Gloria will be killed in the crossfire between the US & China on Spratlys. NOBODY wants Gloria for dessert anyway, so they can just do away with her and throw her in the South China Sea. Heaven forbid the South China Sea will be changed to the Diosdado Macapagal Ocean !
March 5th, 2008 09:17
The Philippines has strategic and economic interests in the Spratlys.
In my view, the Government “played” with China in the Spratlys kasi this would benefit Philippine strategic interests in the long-term.
Lacking sufficient resources to “exploit” the Spratlys on its own, the Philippines and China agreed on Joint Exploration. I think this is also a good geo-political play on the Philippines’ part as it tries to wean away from too much reliance on Mother America.
Ricky (and the Opposition) might see this as “treason” and I respect their opinion.
But I wonder what Ricky thinks about the presence of American military forces in Sulu and areas in Mindanao for about 4 years now? Is it ‘treason’?
I just see the China deals as legitimate implementation of Philippine strategic interests in the Spratlys.
The Philippines is building ties with the emerging global superpower of this Century. If we have deep ties with the USA, why not build one with China?
I DON’T THINK this is such a bad move for our country!
March 5th, 2008 09:20
[...] According to Ricky Carandang mga kabisyo: In 1999, the Philippines–under President Joseph Estrada– led an effort to prevent tensions by getting all the claimants to agree not to take actions to provoke other claimants. Pero, in 2003 naging Darna ang Gloria at nakipag-tentahan sa mga Tsino to the tune of $2 billion a year na kesehodang magalet saten ang ating mga neighbors sa pang-iisang ginawa nang tiga Pasig. [...]
March 5th, 2008 09:55
People can think of these deals as selling-out to China.
Some people also see these deals as advancing our interests vis-a-vis China.
March 5th, 2008 10:04
A cheater will not resign. Will finish course at all costs and give the final smirk and sneer. Oust the usurper and her cabal of plunderers and apologists. Plans for boycott or civil disobedience must be in place by now and take effect tomorrow. Cheaters have no remorse. They can sport a remorseful face but will continue to maim and kill. Let’s roll.
March 5th, 2008 10:35
just imagine what J.Lo revealed, the Chinese ZTE businessmen asked GMA’s appearance during contract signing in exchange of a million dollar bribe. It is very much disturbing that the president appeared so as to make sure that the businessmen will release the money… What the hell was she thinking… they must be laughing behind her back.
March 5th, 2008 10:45
In addition…our economic growth is not constitutional.It is not because of her leadership.It is not because she knows what she’s doing. Our current economy is simply a ripple effect of what the others are doing. It’s globalization. Regarding spratly’s , She and her team should have not accepted the terms. Our neighboring Asian countries will still spend money in our country thru tourism. Philippines is the most beautiful country in Asia with over 7000 islands. We have the best beaches in the world. But who can lead our country? I know it’s not Gloria and her team.
March 5th, 2008 10:55
So what Alberto D. Pempengco is saying is that Treason is all in the mind.
March 5th, 2008 11:01
In this case, yes, ‘treason’ is relative.
March 5th, 2008 11:40
@208 Alberto Pempengco,
Indeed, what you wrote is good. On it’s face, the deal with China do look good given that we don’t have any resources to look into the what’s imbedded in these islands and exploit them for the benefit of the Filipinos. Commendable isn’t it?
But you see, you have to think outside of the box or should I say, outside of the atolls? I hope you read the between the ink lines and all the $ attached to these deals. Consider the whole package and hopefully it should help you start thinking.
My Php1.
Reynz
March 5th, 2008 12:25
True. One should think. One should analyze.
But we Filipinos have this habit of overanalyzing, concocting conspiracy theories, sometimes seeing ghosts where there aren’t, and making up scenarios and accusations without strong and clear basis.
Then we Filipinos are paralyzed into inaction.
Then after 10 years, we criticize ourselves why our neighbors have accomplished so much and powered ahead.
We Filipinos were stuck in the Analysis stage.
March 5th, 2008 13:40
Very well done, Ricky. Thanks for sharing.
While I respect Mr. Pempengco’s opinions, I beg to disagree with him. In some cases we may be too “praning” and in others, too “manhid”. Kaya nga minsan, halos di na natin alam kung ano ang gagawin at sino ang paniniwalaan.
But consider: Gloria Arroyo admitted the presence of flaws in the ZTE broadband deal and yet, she still signed it. She only cancelled the contract dahil marami na ang alingasngas at hindi dahil dapat talagang ikansela ito being highly irregular and anomalous.
Similarly, Gloria admitted having called a Comelec official during the 2004 election not because she was indeed sorry for having done it all wrong but because maingay na ang mga tao at malapit na siya na mapalayas.
With these, lalong lumilinaw ang modus operandi — be silent as a lamb kung walang ingay at admit the flaw by issuing a clearly massaged message para kunyari mabawasan ang tensiyon. and this may also apply to the Spratly issue. Despite the clear flaws, Arroyo still have it pushed through dahil walang nag-iingay. Ikalawa, sabi nga ni Reyna Elena, mataginting na salapi ang involved. Isn’t it true that when money talks almost everybody listens? So malaki ang possibility na nakinig ang Gloria sa tunog ng pera. Base sa research ng IPD at PCIJ, minimum na 30% ang ginugunting sa mga projects bilang SOP. So 30% ng $2 billion every year?….
Hello? Puwede ba akong mag presidente ng Pilipinas?
March 5th, 2008 14:09
Whatever happen next…
GMA regime will make a history…
The most corrupt government…
The true legacy of corruption.
March 5th, 2008 17:09
Hi Ricky,
Kudos to this expose-docu of yours, I was able to watch it….grabe! ang galing ng pagkakagawa ala Fahrenheit! Though the anomalies in this RP-China Bilateral Agreement is too much to bear, I would still desire to have a personal copy of this story (in DVD?)….is it possible?
Some of my friends and officemates were not able to watch your story, Am glad a friend forwarded this link….at last, I could share this blog to others too.
March 5th, 2008 17:45
Voice from the past:
GOOD MOVE, BAD MOVE
By Ricardo Saludo (Asiaweek:1999)
What makes a good power move? Or a bad one? No, devils and angels have nothing to do with it. Power has one objective: to make things happen, whether good or evil. What things? Whatever the power wielder wants. So one test of a good power move is whether it had the effect it was supposed to have. At the start of Manila’s People Power Revolution in 1986, Asiaweek asked Ferdinand Marcos whether there would be a curfew. He promptly ordered one. But nobody paid attention - a clear failure of clout. Indeed, blatant flouting of Marcos’s word just accelerated the implosion of his authority.
Which brings us to a second criterion for power moves: Did it enhance or erode the wielder’s clout?
Ricardo Saludo is now Gloria’s Cabinet secretary
————————————————–
Arroyo revokes EO 464
President Arroyo revoked Wednesday Executive Order 464, which bars top government officials from testifying in legislative inquiries without express permission from the President.
“Effective immediately, I am revoking E.O. 464. Executive officials may no longer invoke E.O. 464 to excuse non-attendance from legislative inquiries. Executive officials are instructed to abide by the constitution, existing laws and jurisprudence when invited to legislative inquiries,” she said in a statement.
March 5th, 2008 17:52
Uh-oh, she’s up to something… I can smell it already. There must be something she found in the constitution, existing laws and jurisprudence that’s in her favor. I just know it!
March 5th, 2008 18:31
LBT: That provision of the Constitution is what you call “executive privilege”. *winks*
When are we going to get rid of that traitor in Malacañang?
March 5th, 2008 18:39
if we are indeed in clear and present danger… i hope there’s a jack ryan who’ll rise to the occasion… or better yet, that we may find vestiges of him in each of Üs… jÜst wishful thinking ;).
March 5th, 2008 18:57
Barry Wain says this in his article in the Far East Economic Review:
“Sold the idea by politicians with business links who have other deals going with the Chinese, Ms. Arroyo did not seek the views of her foreign ministry, Philippines officials say.”
And guess who is most prominent among those “politicians with business links”? None other than Jose De Venecia.
JDV is very familiar with oil exploration. He was, after all, the head of Basic Petroleum durling Marcos’ time. Basic was the beneficiary of hundreds of millions of dollars of behest loans under Marcos. JDV still retains ties to Basic Petroleum. His brother, Oscar, now heads the company. It still retains oil exploration rights.
That is why JDV and his son are so pissed. They thought that they owned GMA and they got owned instead. They thought they would get those contracts made through “behest” loans by the Chinese. Naisahan pala sila. Eh, no honor among thieves, di ba?
I don’t care if they put GMA to the stake for whatever crimes they find her guilty of. But JDV and his son, Joey, shouldn’t be held up as heroes, a la Chavit Singson. Please, these guys are hard-boiled crooks and they shouldn’t be spared. My hair stands on edge when I see the hypocrite Joey De Venecia lecturing about corruption. It’s like listening to Jalosjos giving lessons about sexual morality. I hope they will all be put together in jail. I would even suggest the firing squad.
March 5th, 2008 19:16
I’d be happy if she resigns next
March 5th, 2008 20:51
Ricky, one final thought….
Thanks for calling a spade, a spade! FYI, Amado Macasaet also covered this subject quite extensively.
Once again, thanks for the wake-up call! I know what I have to do.
March 6th, 2008 00:23
Ricky,
Hello.
I hope you have or can get a copy of the Spratlys contract/moa/executive agrement.
The original ZTE contract was “lost” and now PNR General Manager Jose Ma. I. Sarasola II said:
“We respectfully inform you that based on available records so far, we do not have such document. We shall continue, however, to go over files and should we find one, we will provide your office a copy.”
It’s strange how in the ZTE contract was reported “lost” or “stolen” after Presidential Anti-Graft Commission investigator Vida Bocar had asked for copies.
March 6th, 2008 00:26
agreement = typo
in = typo
March 6th, 2008 03:00
Most of us have been so focused on cleaning up our executives. Our venue is EDSA. However we also need to consider that our legislative branch( Congress) comprising of our senators and congressman, controls 2/3 of the decision making process to prosecute, investigate ,to review international matters and any other anomalies to happen. Obviously they have all been paying attention to their own financial benefits. They are just sitting there over paid with no suggestions or objections to our executive branch to make an informed decision. They allowed her and made her do it so that all eyes will be on her when the time comes. They know that people’s power will get to her. You see…we are all foolish of wasting our time going back and forth to EDSA. We asked assistance from our church and previous corrupt leaders to be there such as ESTRADA? and ???????
( OMG..what’s wrong with the organizers)
Our legislative branch is of little value. It’s like my fake LV I bought from China. It will not last long. More and more people are now aware of what our legislations role. Their incompetence and lack of love to their own country will confused their mind to think and do what they have been doing. Worst, they all go to church and put big bucks to Mr. Priest.
Are we going to continue for others to get away? Where should be our focused next?
March 6th, 2008 05:31
geeh… my grammar is getting worst… sorry pips.. it’s embarassing to look at my mistakes. spelling and grammar check is not working at my end. take care..
March 6th, 2008 07:22
I think it is high time that we filipinos should be very vigilant and we should encourage that youth to get themselves involved in the affairs of the government. Haven’t we realized that other countries, China particularly, knows how greedy our officials that they provided us loans so easily. We must arise and stop this for if not, I don’t know where we Filipinos will end up. Our motherland is being sold by our little cute president. We must end this now or we will have nothing to offer to the future generations.
March 6th, 2008 07:39
Treason is a high crime, if not the highest crime against a people…how about reviving the debate about the Death Penalty?
March 6th, 2008 09:18
A bit of History and background -It was a big step a few years ago for all the claimant countries to agree that the area is in fact ‘disputed’, because before that each country just said there is no dispute it is ‘ours’.
Thomas Clomas unilaterally declared part of the disputed area named the Kalayaan Group as belonging to the Philippines in 1956. Then Marcos declared it as part of the Philippine archipelago.
The Philippine army post is west, yes west, of a three story concrete structure put up by the Chinese on Mischief Reef.
The part claimed by Malaysia has an island with a resort on it.
The entire Spratly area is a prime marine reserve with fantastic coral and rich marine life, and a type of tern was discovered there recently, which had already been declared extinct - let us all hope conservation, preservation and survival of our planet become the priorities that they have to be before we all go down the tube through greed and self gratification.
March 6th, 2008 09:53
On the Supreme Court’s compromise deal regarding Neri, perhaps, the Supreme Court, like God, doesn’t write in straight lines. Their collective wisdom may be too profound for mere mortals to comprehend.
But on whether there is a deal or no deal, the answer of the senate seems to be “No Deal”. The hard line comes despite the concern of some senators, like Mar Roxas, who fear a standoff may only lead to gridlock.
The senate may have justifications for its decision, but there will always be suspicion that the hard line is a face-saving way for the senate not to arrive at the truth.
As some, including Mr. Quezon, have pointed out, the “presidentiables” in the senate actually prefer the status quo. While they may be vocal against the President, her removal from office is not in their best interest since Noli de Castro, who still ranks high in the surveys, would be the legal successor and would become more formidable as a candidate in 2010. Better to let the situation fester. With GMA left dangling in the wind, it is hoped that she will become even more unpopular. In such a scenario, it is hoped that Noli’s ratings will ultimately suffer.
Looking over the list of “presidentiables” in the senate, only Mar Roxas and Ping Lacson were amenable to a compromise. Villar, Legarda, Pangilinan were strongly against a deal. Perhaps it isn’t only the Supreme Court that does not write in straight lines.
I wonder if the senate would now want to look into other agreements that have been entered into with China? Or would the “presidentiables” rather not ruffle the Super Power, since that would be a lucrative source for deals should they succeed into power in 2010?
March 6th, 2008 12:48
Can anyone please explain why the Supreme Court proposal had to specify that the Senate may not ask these 3 questions to Neri?
* Did the president ask him to approve the $329-million ZTE Corp. contact for the broadband project even after he told her of the alleged attempt to bribe him?
* Did the President tell him to prioritize the project?
* And did the President follow up on the contract?
March 6th, 2008 13:58
Alberto,
You said:
“But we Filipinos have this habit of overanalyzing, concocting conspiracy theories, sometimes seeing ghosts where there aren’t, and making up scenarios and accusations without strong and clear basis.”
Maybe, we keep seeing conspiracies and ghosts everywhere…because they are really there.
Ricky hit the nail on the head when he asked the question “Why is it so hard to do the right thing in this country?” For some reason, possibly ingrained in the culture, we all seem to feel the need to plot and twist and do everything under the table. No one seems to be interested in just doing their job. For a country that prides itself on kinship, there seems to be a whole lot of “me, me, me” going on.
In the Philippines, we see conspiracies everywhere because there really are conspiracies everywhere!
March 6th, 2008 16:53
here’s a link re: GDP
http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/?page=peterWallace_feb29_2008
March 6th, 2008 17:26
Tess,
That was a great article in the Manila Standard.
My single favorable thought about the president was that, despite her apparent crookedness, she seemed to be a smart economist who was actually turning the economy around (at least at the long-term macro level).
But if Wallace is right, it seems she has failed in that too. Can anyone name a single thing she has done to benefit the country?
Something that will stand up to scrutiny?
March 6th, 2008 18:11
Michael,
Like what you said, it’s all about conspiracies. I was talking with my friend the other night, her husband is a doctor in one of the government hospitals in Manila. Get this, even the laundry soap is overprice… If during the Marcos time she said, only the big ones were corrupt, today it’s everywhere in the system… and we wonder why we are where we are today? as a country we do have a lot of growing up to do… we have to be pro-active, we cannot just sit and watch…
March 6th, 2008 21:54
EQ POLL:”Are you willing to join the Boycott China action (Not buy “Made in China “products)in protest against ZTE ?”
Results to-date:
YES:74%
NO:17%
No Comment: 8%
votes so far:123
March 6th, 2008 22:55
great GDP article. “even the laundry soap is over price”- philippines is now experiencing all time high inflation of goods but our leaders are slow in creating and increasing employment.our economic growth and surplus of money should be spent on job creations within our country. Again… others are focused on their own financial benefits. can we imagine how the poor in the provinces sustain? no wonder the corrupts can easily buy the provinces during elections.
links for reading: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601080&sid=aD3h3hxlIBuM&refer=asia
http://ph.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080226231959AAVv0o6
March 7th, 2008 00:05
Please check on this news item. It seems China, Vietnam and Philippines had a tripartire arrangement March/16/2005, so the arguments above on year 2004 joint arrangement between China and Philippines should be rectified. Vietnam should not complian because they are part of the tripartite agreement. Does that mean China and Vietnam also committed treason? Did Vietnam get soft loans from China too?
tanja Strategic Page: RP, China, Vietnam sign joint accord on Spratlys 3/16/2005 1:13:24 PM
link RP, China, Vietnam sign joint accord on Spratlys For pre-exploration activities only Posted 04:46am (Mla time) Mar 15, 2005 By Gil C. Cabacungan Jr., Abigail Ho Inquirer News Service Editor’s Note: Published on page A2 of the Mar. 15, 2005 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer A DIPLOMATIC breakthrough for peace and security in the region. This was how President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo described the agreement between the Philippines, China and Vietnam to jointly study the oil potential of the disputed Spratly Islands. The President was presented a copy of the tripartite agreement for joint marine seismic undertaking in the South China Sea signed by the Philippine National Oil Co. (PNOC), China National Offshore Oil Corp. (CNOOC) and Vietnam Oil and Gas Corp. (PetroVietnam) earlier in the day. “This is a historic event because it is the breakthrough in implementing the provisions of the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea among ASEAN (Association of South East Asian Nations) and China, to turn the South China Sea into an area of cooperation rather than an area of conflict,? Ms Arroyo said in a speech during awarding ceremonies for outstanding electric cooperatives. Last week, Foreign Secretary Alberto Romulo had declared that the Print this story Send this story Write the editor View other stories Philippines’ dispute with China over the Spratlys had been settled with the signing of a joint study agreement between oil exploration firms in the two countries. The participation of Vietnam was significant because it was the only claimant (the others are Brunei, Malaysia and Taiwan) that had frowned on the Philippine-China joint study last year. Vietnam had claimed the deal would violate a provision of the 2002 Code of Conduct signed by the claimants to refrain from actions that could disturb the volatile peace on the islands. The agreement entered into with Vietnam stipulated that it would not undermine the basic positions held by the respective governments on the South China Sea. Each country will shoulder a third of the cost. …
March 7th, 2008 00:07
employment opportunity? could the ZTE deal good for increasing employment? read reply #178. and see what you think.
for me : yes… it was an opportunity. Is Jun Lozada a hero for being honest? He might have delayed our economic plan for more employment.
what do you think? prices of goods in our country will continue to rise, we need more jobs to catch up with inflation.
March 7th, 2008 03:46
True,
That’s correct. Vietnam was China’s traditional ally in the region and felt left out of the deal so it complained loudly and was allowed to enter into the deal. China and the Philippines anticipated this so there were already provisions in the 2004 agreement for the entry of a third party. This agreement compounds the problem because if any oil is found in the area, it would have to be split three ways instead of two. Vietnam now also has access to the same disputed area that we gave China access to, but Vietnam has not been as assertive as China has in exercising those rights.China has already pressured the government into undoing an exploration license we granted to a private company in 2002. So far Vietnam hasn’t done that…yet.
March 7th, 2008 08:13
Historically, the Spratlys were never part of Philippine territory, Old Philippine maps and the Treaty of Paris does not include the Spratlys as part of the Philippines. As far as I know, we do not have historical basis to claim it like we have on Sabah and Miangas/Palmas islands. It was only during the time of Marcos, who had the foresight to invade the islands. The Namria only recently included the Spratlys in thier latest map (but note that Scarborough shoal is still not in our territory).The Philippines occupies more or less seven disputed islands. While China and Vietnam occupies more.Although I would want that the Spratlys be ours, but internationally the Spratlys is disputed and actually is fair game to surrounding countries. I dont see Philippine sovereignty in the Spratlys area being sold, it is not even ours yet.
March 7th, 2008 09:07
guess i was enlightened by your column, good job, i just hope that every filipino reads it and understand what it will mean in the future because what GMA did is already tantamount to selling us, ano tayong mga pinoy, pambayad utiang na lng ba? we’re still humans who have the right to a good life…mabuhay and more power…
March 7th, 2008 09:09
thanks for the info…that helped a lot…it makes me really wonder now if the president is thinking of our beloved philippines or thinking of her own riches…
March 7th, 2008 10:49
Sadly, the dealings of the government is too opaque. The government lives for its own interest and not for the people.
But, the controversy doesn’t end here. The agreement was signed in 2004. Isn’t anybody on guard? The Senate? Sen. Drilon was just spilling the beans now. It could have mattered if that was done years before.
March 7th, 2008 14:46
China and Vietnam were NEVER allies. Chinese support during the US Indochina war was nowhere near what the USSR provided. If at all, the Chinese were reluctant supporters. In fact they viewed the US bases with tacit approval because they were the counterweight to Soviet influence.
As soon as the RVN fell, the China - VN relationship went cold. We even saw a short, intense border war erupt between them.
To prove a point China even supported the savage Khmers Rouges simply because they were Vietnam’s adversaries.
A small aside on the Spratley thing: it is customary for visiting vessels to fly the flag of the host country. This is a de facto recognition of sovereignty. Will Chinese and Vietnamese research vessels crossing the line of control (a very useful label from the India-Kashmir thing)be flying Philippine colors?
In any case a 3-way accommodation is not necessarily a bad thing. The trouble is that the administration that went into it is a venal one that won’t tell us what the terms are.
El Bucho
March 8th, 2008 08:57
Michael said “Maybe, we keep seeing conspiracies and ghosts everywhere…because they are really there”
And what is your proof?
This brouhaha over “treason” kuno should have solid evidence and proof, otherwise, these will all be considered “kuwentong barbero”.
If you haven’t noticed already, we are a nation of HYPER-ACTIVE MINDS and HYPER-ACTIVE MOUTHS!
Madumi tayo mag-isip hindi ba? And sometimes, ang karumihan ng isip natin tend to lead us farther away from the truth kasi we always listen to our BIASES more than the hard facts presented.
So for me, hard and substantiated evidence pa rin ang dapat maging basis for judgment, not someone else’s opinion.
March 8th, 2008 09:03
The Philippines working with both China and Vietnam in looking for resources in the Spratlys isn’t a bad thing, per se.
By accommodating the Philippines, China and Vietnam are in fact acknowledging that the area is disputed.
By entering into that agreement, the government has made sure that our country gets a slice of the pie.
March 8th, 2008 10:01
Let’s all assume that Treason has been committed.
Basing from our discussions and sharing of our views, we have known that we are experiencing economic growth if measured in GDP (macro). We are also aware that there is an obvious imbalance of goods and services (micro). Prices of goods have gone up (Inflation) and wages remain very low (unemployment). We are also aware that if continued unemployment and lack of opportunities may motivate others to even leave the country and Philippines may suffer from brain drain.
Questions for everybody, if I may.
1. What should the next president do and the rest of his team to find solutions to unemployment?
2. How can the media be socially responsible to at least help increase employment and alleviate inflation? Who would be the target person/persons to ask these questions?
3. What is our role as citizen? How can we be pro-active? How can we keep ourselves as assets instead of being liabilities by doing what we should be doing to our community, to our employer ,to our family, and most of all our country.
4. We do have social responsibilities to the people around us especially to the poor. How can we guide them? How can we help them? How can you help them?
Treason, Bad ZTE deal, New President, Corrupt Senate, Poor judicial system -
These problems are not institutional. We desire it to be. It’s not NEW and It’s now becoming chronic.
March 8th, 2008 10:05
correction: These problems are not CONSTITUTIONAL.
March 8th, 2008 13:47
cvjoven, the GDP growth is overstated because smuggling is not accounted for as imports and hence cannot be deducted from GDP. Last year, the around 133 Billion Pesos worth of oil was smuggled in.
http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/?page=politics1_jan24_2008
That means that our GDP may be overstated by that much, i.e. by around 2%. So the 7.3% growth is only around 5.3%.
March 8th, 2008 13:54
The above does not take into account any previous overstatements of GDP in previous years. After the Arroyos are gone, one of the immediate tasks of the next government will be to re-baseline our GDP to make it closer to reality.
March 8th, 2008 15:53
“And what is your proof?”, Albeto says.
This whole attitude of “if you can’t prove it in court, then it didn’t happen” is one of the biggest problems with this country. Corruption, by its nature, is almost impossible to prove, although we all know it exists. A bribe is not a bribe, its a gift. Since I don’t clearly say that I expect something in return for my gift, then it can’t be a bribe. What?
Come on guys, do you want to play lawyer games, or do you want to clean up the country?
If you are waiting for proof that would be acceptable in court, you will never find it. But does that mean you should lean in the other direction and shout “it’s not true”?
“What is your proof?”
Just open your eyes.
March 8th, 2008 22:24
I understand cvg, (actually brilliant in your part). I am basing my opinion according to what is reported by our accounting system. Did she manipulate that too? She does have power with our monetary board. But it would be too exhausting for her to do all these wrong doings. I know she has delegated the tasks to her ministers and each of them must advice, must be proactive and must get involve with all of her decision making.
Let’s assume it’s overstated by 3%. We still have extra cash to fund projects to increase and create employment right?
You were also right on reply #140. You were talking about family income. Since someone here mention about goods inflation. Then I am connecting tidbits of information.
She is our current problem because we desired her to be. But our OLD problems need to be addressed first by the people and for the people. So what is the role of Media to our Old problems and connect it to the current problems? Or we just focus on what is today. No wonder we cannot see the future? Too much burden we have been carrying from the past. What’s it gonna be my friends?
March 8th, 2008 22:46
cvg? why all members of the monetary board have to wait for the next administration? there’s again something wrong with them. Waiting for things to happen instead of making things to happen NOW. enron style reporting? yeah you might be right.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bangko_Sentral_ng_Pilipinas
March 9th, 2008 03:12
This is very disappointing. Now we see a bigger and a clearer picture of where all the controversies hounding our government came from and all we have to do now is to find the links based on more stable evidence.
Congrats Ricky for this story! I missed this episode on TV though, but you wouldn’t believe who referred me to this link, Fr. Joaquin Bernas, SJ, my professor (Im taking up law in the Ateneo). You have a really big fan.
March 9th, 2008 03:18
talking about inflation: check this out
http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5gmYep1ltlXVMTzxWBw_w4TEe3iKA
who is responsible to create a plan and budget to implement it. Which area in our country that agriculture may be appropriate. I know we cannot plant rice in Manila .It must be in the provinces. Who are the senators representing these regions? don’t tell me, it is just the job of our president.
please review again our key ministers… reply #35.
I believe that each of these people should contribute and propose for development. Don’t tell me we don’t have money, we just borrowed money from China and our GDP is improving according to our banks. Can they not look on data and statistics to come up with solutions…
Why are these people even in office if they cannot solve nor predict problems to arise. Don’t tell me , the president will do all the work.
March 9th, 2008 08:05
Michael said “This whole attitude of “if you can’t prove it in court, then it didn’t happen” is one of the biggest problems with this country.”
So your attitude of “if I feel it is corrupt, it must be corrupt” is a better approach?
I beg to disagree.
Isn’t that like a “lynch mob” mentality you’re advocating?
March 9th, 2008 12:42
[...] [...]
March 9th, 2008 17:31
this beyond b*tching around. she’s evil personified. i also missed this episode on the correspondents. too bad. but thanks for posting it here sir.
March 10th, 2008 00:01
I was reading through the comments and particularly noticed Louie here http://www.rickycarandang.com/?p=133#comment-10162 practically call Ricky irresponsible for allegedly not doing his research well. But lo and behold, all Louie had with him to counter Ricky’s story is wiki-effin-pedia?! Wtf? That’s an insult. He should apologize to Ricky.
Great piece of work Mr. Ricky Carandang. Thank you.
March 10th, 2008 10:17
I believe that we must caution ourselves in prejudging the Spratly Deal. While I am for transparency and accountability, not until we have personal knowledge about the terms of the covenant and its factual antecedents it would premature to make comments –favorable or unfavorable.
March 10th, 2008 10:53
Alberto,
I’m not advocating a “lynch mob mentality.”
But if you see someone walking in the street with blood all over his clothes, wouldn’t you at least want to investigate? The police call that “reasonable suspicion.” Don’t you think it would be irresponsible to just let him go without even checking it out, just because you don’t have proof of a murder yet? How would you feel if you arrived home later and found your family had been massacred? Gruesome example, I know. But what is going on in the Philippines right now seems tantamount to rape and pillage.
What we have here, with all the statements and finger-pointing, is at the very least “reasonable suspicion”. It would be the height of irresponsibility to ignore it at this point. But that seems to be what the executive is advocating. If you ignore it, you personally might not suffer for it. But your children will.
March 10th, 2008 11:03
a president must be able to preside. she must be able to delegate the tasks to her ministers. she must be able to communicate all matters to the senate. allowing her to relax in terms of decision making means allowing them to do what they have been doing. she cannot manage our country especially in the area of humanity. she has not used her motherly instinct. Our land is the home of her children ( us filipinos) therefore treason is very relative.
March 10th, 2008 11:33
[...] For corrupt administration officials and their cronies, $8 billion represents unprecedented opportunities for graft on a scale that would shock ordinary Filipinos. And at the end of the day, that $8 billion is going to be paid back. Not by the grafters in and out of government; not by the Chinese citizens; but by the millions of ordinary middle class Filipinos who go to work everyday, pay their taxes, struggle and to keep their small and medium businesses afloat. There’s a word for that. It’s called treason. Read the blog. [...]
March 11th, 2008 00:43
three levels of corruptions in our country have been existence for so long.
1. Upper level corruption : non transparency of financial accounting in our banking system can lead to easy manipulation of funds in the uppermanagement.
2.Mid level corruption: senator,congressman and mayors. non transparency of budgets allocated for social purposes.Pork barrel. Accounting system is not for public scrutiny. Financial quarterly reporting of projects and budgets will result to easy manipulation of funds. Birds on the same feather flock together.
3. Lower level: we the people of the Philippines tolerated this mess… we can be bought during elections. we don’t demand the right governance except going back and forth to EDSA.
You see…we the lower level voted for the mid and upper level. We know better NOW.
Good day everyone. Thanks Ricky.
March 12th, 2008 14:27
corruption has long been inculturated in us. its practice is seen not only in government transactions. even within the confines of our home. making a child do errnds in exchange of five or ten pesos is subtle corruption and we are teaching them young. a parent giving gifts to his/her child’s teacher is another form and we are showing our children how. the practice is so ordinary and common place that it has become tolerable and common place too. this is what the CBCP statement really means: for us, as a family, as a community to pray, discern and do something within as a group to set example and influence others.
March 13th, 2008 15:08
The bottom line of all of this ,China is looking for oil in every country ,taking advantages of poor nation like Sudan which is now having the biggest oil deposit,Philippines next target if there is ,etc.Without oil they can not sustain thier economic growth.Oil for the next decade China is in trouble.So one of the strategy is to give loan with very low interest without transparency in all contract policies.ZTE is a piece of cake .If Oil is found ;China will take all resources and even claim the whole island.So the bait is there due to corruption.Leading tocrime of treason is what they put on the head of state without consulting the congress.As father Bernas said the Filipino people has the right to know as specially if involeved terretories,resources as per our constitution.
March 13th, 2008 21:16
yes as per our constitution we have the right to know in terms of the agreement but our constitution does not allow public to scrutinize the financial aspect that comes with it. money borrowed will be deposited to our sentral bank then what do you think is next? who has access to debits and credits? yes the president and the president of the bank,right? see.. our constitution has laws limiting openness of its transaction. We need to demand changes of our existing laws.
March 14th, 2008 23:22
[...] Ricky Carandang Reporting » Blog Archive » Treason [...]
March 14th, 2008 23:35
[...] Ricky Carandang Reporting » Blog Archive » Treason [...]
March 17th, 2008 11:24
[...] Ricky Carandang gives a background of the issue: “Seven countries claim ownership of the disputed Spratly Islands (in [...]
March 18th, 2008 08:08
Global Voices Online:
quite a picture (photostitch) you have (t)here… diligent. received loud and clear.
goes to show: no spinning can hide the truth–it resonates . . . it speaks for itself.
good job.Ü
March 26th, 2008 08:27
[...] the real story behind ZTE scandal from the POV of Ricky Carandang from Ricky Carandang’s Blog http://www.rickycarandang.com/?p=133 [...]
March 29th, 2008 07:14
but not all the alleged links and seeming logical reasoning will matter in any court of law unless there is evidence presented. most people i think believe there is crookedness in all those contracts, ZTE broadband included. and because trust on malacanang is so low , there will also be apprehension about what government has beneath its sleeves with regard to the Spratly’s thing. everything that government does appears to have some sinister motive of thievery behind it.
but we are not God and we can only see behaviour and results, and evidence. and we can only convince ourselves that government is innocent of all these charges because crooked or not, both innocent and guilty are entitled to the same rights under our justice system. and until the “search for truth” campaign are able to provide evidence, then we have to accept GMA and her family as innocent. and let us move on.
April 1st, 2008 13:30
[...] questions have been raised in reports ranging from Ricky Carandang’s on this network and in his blog, to the Far Eastern Economic Review to ABS-CBNNews online and Newsbreak, saying the agreement just [...]
April 22nd, 2008 11:19
Dear Mr. Carandang:
In view of the letter from Rep. Arthur F. Celeste, Chairman of the Committee on National Defense and Security and Rep. Juan Miguel Macapagal-Arroyo, Chairman of the Committee on Energy, requesting for a reschedule of the meeting of the Committee of Foreign Affairs, National Defense and Security and Energy on April 23, 2008 on the Tripartite Agreement for Joint Marine Seismic Undertaking among China National Offshore Corporation, Vietnam Oil and Gas Corporation and the Philippine National Company, we would like to inform you that the said meeting has been re-scheduled.
We will inform you of the new schedule of the meeting at the soonest possible time.
Thank you very much.
Very truly yours,
Antonio V. Cuenco
Chairman
For the Chairman:
Imelda Apostol
Committee Secretary
June 12th, 2008 23:19
spratly’s : just like another salesman’s “X-Deal” !
June 18th, 2008 18:56
all is now quiet on the spratly front ! the government has a way of allowing the gusts to blow by, answer a little and then let it pass.
one day, another burst of revelations shall come forth, like a big surprise, and it will be too late. like a lull before a storm.
do we or do we not own these islands ? if yes, how do we acquire it back free of the chinese, vietnamese, etc…and if we can’t fight them because we are a weakling army, then are we saving face by using rhetoric and interchanging terminologies to make it appearthat at least we say that we OWN the area but will co-habitate with others who claim the same ?
the treaty of paris spells the territory clearly.
we once claimed sabah. we still say we do. but malaysians live there, govern it, and actually already own it.
it seems to be like having a wife while the husband allows her to live with another man - but at least she remains HIS wife.
b
November 29th, 2008 16:40
Rickey hoiw can I reply, I ment what I said, is that wrong??
November 29th, 2008 16:44
Sorry my eyesight ( in many ways is no good) I have tunnelsight, a lot have that problem, it’ just smaal compared to other problems!!!
June 5th, 2009 17:14
To the Filipino soldiers among us,
GMA is giving away our islands as she has been giving away Sabah, our agricultural lands, our information technology national network, our electric power resources and our military secrets and assets to foreigners.
She has been holding so much monetary power, and was able to manipulate the election and congress to facilitate her way to hold presidential powers. Now that she has stolen presidential powers, she has now been stealing away our assets and giving them to foreigners.
What are we doing now? What are we waiting? What do we see in this situation? Political issues? Constitutional issues? Our elder warriors like Gen Ricarte, Gen Luna, Gen Lukban or Gen Sakay fought and died to recover our nation from the American invaders and all foreigner opportunists. They are our heroes. They are the roots of our nation. They are the reason why we are Filipinos. Their blood is the cause of why we Filipinos of this generation are brothers. They are the tradition of our Filipino soldiers. They are, the Filipino warrior tradition.
What then are we here for if we are not defending the sovereignty of our nation?
June 5th, 2009 17:32
Handing over a part of the national territory, by a person of that territory, to foreigners constitutes treason. This is supposed to be punishable by life imprisonment and a fine.
By handing over our Spratleys to the Chinese, GMA has comitted acts of treason.
What are law enforcers or soldiers among us doing about this?
September 15th, 2009 22:54
Ricky,
Amazed with your last night, September 15 episode of Big Picture upon recognizing your political affiliation, a partisan TV host when you conducted an interview with the former criminal President Joseph Estrada. Most of the issues exposed by Senator Lacson against Estrada were recounted in that forum to pave way for the latter to defend. However the most controversial and bigger issue of them all which the threatening of Mr. Yuchengco by Mr. Estrada to sell the former’s share in PLDT to Metro Pacific, which then was corroborated by he himself Mr. Yuchengco immediately after the expose, was never asked to Mr. Estrada. You really wanted to conceal this issue in your program because you for one knows that Mr. Estrada cannot clearly defend on this.
October 23rd, 2009 21:45
sad, sad, sad. Too sad indeed.
November 4th, 2009 09:45
Ricky,
i believe that we deserve the kind of government we have.
Filipinos have strayed away from being nationalistic and opted to see our own gain by stepping over others.
We have allowed and depended on others to gets us out of our country’s turmoil and have forgotten our innate talent to be resourceful and creative.
Majority of us have abandoned learning and being critically resolute .
We have become a country of mere words.
finally, unless we determine who we will be as a country, we will remain here.
It is now our time to choose our future!