Mrs. LIMOT, i mean LAGOT, err, i mean LIGOT uses this one very often that it's like a period to her every statement...
I don't want to expound cause you can see at the news that she is hiding something (pabaon, i think.ahaha) when she invokes this one.
Simple questions need simple answers. As easy as that.
It's like i'm asked if i have eaten my breakfast then i'll just answer,
"I invoke my right against self incrimination"
PORBIDA!
Read more...
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Will Chiz Run For President This 2010?
Francis Joseph "Chiz" Guevara Escudero was born on October 10, 1969 in Manila , Philippines , the middle child of the three children of former Agriculture Secretary Salvador "Sonny" H. Escudero III and educator Evelina B. Guevara. His father was elected in 2007 to the House seat vacated by his son.
Escudero is married to the former Christine Elizabeth R. Flores who is a singer and stage actress. They have two children, fraternal twins, born September 7, 2007.
He is a current member of the Philippine Senate, having been elected in 2007. Escudero had previously served as a member of the Philippine House of Representatives from the First District of Sorsogon, and as the Minority Floor Leader of the 13th Congress of the Philippines on his third and last House term.
Escudero attended the University of the Philippines Integrated School for both his Elementary and Secondary Education, and graduated in 1981 and 1985 respectively. He earned his Bachelor's Degree in Political Science at the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City in 1988 and Bachelors of Laws at the University of the Philippines College of Law in 1993. He received his Masters in International and Comparative Law at the Georgetown University Law Center in Washington D. C. in 1996.
At the University of the Philippines , Escudero was Secretary General of the Association of Law Students of the Philippines from 1992–1993. He also joined the Alpha Phi Beta Fraternity and was a member of the Alpha Phi Beta Debating Team which was the 1991 U.P. Open Debate Champion. A consistent honor student, he was a member of the Order of the Purple Feather or the U.P. Law Honor Society from 1989–1993.
Escudero's initiation into the political arena and into the art of addressing big crowds began in his teens in the '80s, when he helped organize the local campaigns of his father. Escudero explained: "In 1984, I was part of the postering brigade in my dad's campaign for assemblyman. In 1987, I handled the youth; in 1992, I handled the headquarters and arranged logistics. In 1995, I handled last minute operations, and in 1998, I was finally the candidate!"
He first indicated his inclination towards politics at age of 22 when he expressed interest to run for public office as municipal councilor of Sorsogon City . At age 25, he again indicated an intent to run for the office of the mayor of Sorsogon City. But for both occasions, the family's opinion, especially that of his father's, that he finish his law studies first before beginning a political career, prevailed. In response to the wishes of his family, he finished his Law studies first before entering politics.
So, October 10 is fast approaching and it is the time that Francis Escudero is 40 yrs old and is eligible to run as president. In that time, Chiz said that in his birthday that he will announce if he will run for president this 2010.
The next question is this, if he run, will he won? Leave your opinions and comments.
Read more...
Escudero is married to the former Christine Elizabeth R. Flores who is a singer and stage actress. They have two children, fraternal twins, born September 7, 2007.
He is a current member of the Philippine Senate, having been elected in 2007. Escudero had previously served as a member of the Philippine House of Representatives from the First District of Sorsogon, and as the Minority Floor Leader of the 13th Congress of the Philippines on his third and last House term.
Escudero attended the University of the Philippines Integrated School for both his Elementary and Secondary Education, and graduated in 1981 and 1985 respectively. He earned his Bachelor's Degree in Political Science at the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City in 1988 and Bachelors of Laws at the University of the Philippines College of Law in 1993. He received his Masters in International and Comparative Law at the Georgetown University Law Center in Washington D. C. in 1996.
At the University of the Philippines , Escudero was Secretary General of the Association of Law Students of the Philippines from 1992–1993. He also joined the Alpha Phi Beta Fraternity and was a member of the Alpha Phi Beta Debating Team which was the 1991 U.P. Open Debate Champion. A consistent honor student, he was a member of the Order of the Purple Feather or the U.P. Law Honor Society from 1989–1993.
Escudero's initiation into the political arena and into the art of addressing big crowds began in his teens in the '80s, when he helped organize the local campaigns of his father. Escudero explained: "In 1984, I was part of the postering brigade in my dad's campaign for assemblyman. In 1987, I handled the youth; in 1992, I handled the headquarters and arranged logistics. In 1995, I handled last minute operations, and in 1998, I was finally the candidate!"
He first indicated his inclination towards politics at age of 22 when he expressed interest to run for public office as municipal councilor of Sorsogon City . At age 25, he again indicated an intent to run for the office of the mayor of Sorsogon City. But for both occasions, the family's opinion, especially that of his father's, that he finish his law studies first before beginning a political career, prevailed. In response to the wishes of his family, he finished his Law studies first before entering politics.
So, October 10 is fast approaching and it is the time that Francis Escudero is 40 yrs old and is eligible to run as president. In that time, Chiz said that in his birthday that he will announce if he will run for president this 2010.
The next question is this, if he run, will he won? Leave your opinions and comments.
Monday, October 5, 2009
Typhoon Ondoy 's Aftermath: Politicians Must Help, Not Campaign
I got it from http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20091002-228033/Nograles-to-politicians-helping-Ondoy-victims-Just-help
Speaker Prospero Nograles advised politicians to do just this, away from the glare of the media and devoid of publicity gimmicks when they engage in relief efforts for the flood victims of storm Ondoy (international codename: Ketsana).
The House leader lamented that that names and faces of politicians are spread on relief packs being distributed to flood victims. Some of the volunteers in the relief missions are also wearing shirts with the name and face of politicians, he said.
Presidential aspirants have also been making the rounds of flooded communities in Metro Manila to be at the forefront of giving relief items.
Senator Manuel Villar of the Nacionalista Party dropped food packs from his chopper, while the Liberal Party tandem of Senator Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III and Senator Manuel Roxas II handed out goods in Metro Manila, Rizal and Bulacan.
Senator Francis Escudero and Senator Loren Legarda, said to be the frontrunners of the Nacionalist People’s Coalition, are also distributing relief goods.
“It's very embarrassing at this time because the entire world is watching us. We should provide help without asking anything in return. There is a right place and time for such political activities,” he said.
While some have taken advantage of the calamity to gain political mileage, the same thing could not be said of the standard bearer of the administration party, Lakas-Kampi-Christian Muslim Democrat (CMD) Gilbert Teodoro, who as Defense Secretary and National Disaster Coordinating Council chairman has been at the forefront of relief operations.
“I admire the man, Gilbert is never going to take (advantage) of the political opportunity in the midst of calamity. He is a very decent politician,” said Nograles in a separate text message, when asked if he believes that Teodoro was just doing his job and has shunted politicking in helping the Ondoy victims.
For my political opinion, Speaker Nograles is right about the politicians not taking advantage of the situation. But why did he spared the criticism to his fellow Mr. Gibo Teodoro?
I would like to apologize for being inactive in making the posts in my blog. I'm also saddened for the typhoon victims that I don't watch the television when the news is all about the typhoon and seeing many Pinoys suffer. My aunt is also a victim of Ondoy and it hurts when you can't do anything to help but pray. But I think that even in my smallest way in helping them, which is praying, I think that's the most I can do because I know that God is always there to help them.
The new insight in my life that I just learned is: Even if you have problems, it's alright when it makes you like a child, dependent to Him and it glorifies Him by seeking Him. Compared to being so happy and you're away with Him because you forget Him.
I think that's the challenge now, not just picking up oneself after the tragedy, but also to find God in everything.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Are You Serious? Erap for President this 2010
Even if Sen. Panfilo "Ping" Lacson dropped some bomb against resident Joseph "Erap" Estrada. The former president will still run for the presidency this incoming 2010.
"For me, the prohibition (in running again) only applies to the incumbent President because of the undue advantage. (For example) She could use the fertilizer fund, the road user's tax and other government funds (in the campaign)," Estrada said in his usual slurred speech.
"Ang taongbayan ang dapat mag-desisyon (It’s the people who should decide)," Estrada said, alluding to the SC's ruling on Poe's case. Erap also argues that he could use the Supreme Court’s ruling in the case of his late friend Fernando Poe Jr (or FPJ as they often call him). regarding his citizenship. As it turned out, the High Court ruled that the people should be allowed to decide on whether to vote for Poe or not.
He also insisted that he did not resign his post as President but was merely "on leave" when he left Malacañang in January 2001 because he was never convicted in the impeachment trial.
However, election lawyer Romulo Macalintal stated that the case of FPJ is different from Erap. FPJ's case concerns about his citizenship while Erap's case is about his re-election. "He has taken an oath of office to abide by the provisions of the Constitution, which included that he is not eligible for re-election," Macalintal said. He also added that President Arroyo, who was then Estrada's vice president, was only continuing the unfinished term of Estrada when he was ousted in 2001, exempting her from the four-year clause provided in the Constitution.
Atty. Pacifico Agabin, Estrada legal counsel, argued that the former president could still run since he served only less than four years of his six-year term. "The term 'President' (in the Constitution) refers only to the sitting president and not the former president," Agabin said
For my political opinion: I'm with Atty. Macalintal about the issue of Erap. Their cases (FPJ and Erap) are obviously not the same. Even Erap will run for president this 2010 because he wasn't convicted in his impeachment trial, he's still convicted by the Sandiganbayan. Making him a criminal but was pardoned by Ms. Arroyo. Ok, let's say we will give him the chance to run. The question: Will he win?
I think I'm right when I say this that name recall or being popular doesn't work (too much) now. Filipinos are educated and they know how to think. They know the senators who wanted to impeached him but later on, became an opposition. Is it because they don't like the current administration that's why they became opposition and eventually an ally to the former president? Maybe it's ok to be an oppoosition without being an ally to the one who you tried to convict.
Monday, September 21, 2009
Who Is The Admin's Presidential Bet?
It was even March 11, 2009 that the Palace cheered for Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro to run for the presidency.
Within last week, there was an election on who be the administration's presidential bet because Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Bayani Fernando also wanted to become president. You guess it right, "Gibo" (as they call him) won.
But Gibo (even he's now the admin's presidential bet) is not spared against accusations. Bayan, a militant group headed by their secretary general Renato Reyes, Jr. accused him for his lack of interest in going after human rights violators.
"Mr. Teodoro is the least likely to prosecute those accused of human rights abuses under the Arroyo regime. It doesn't seem to rank high in his priorities. He continues to defend the Armed Forces of the Philippines against allegations of human rights abuses. He will also most likely rely on the support of the military for his electoral bid," he said.
Reyes said Teodoro should also clarify his stand on issue involving the Marcos ill-gotten wealth and human rights victims.
On the other hand, Reyes said Sen. Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III, Liberal Party standard bearer, has made a strong commitment to recover the Marcos ill-gotten wealth. He has however been asked to move to resolve the conflict at his family’s Hacienda Luisita which has claimed the lives of at least 14 farmers, workers and their supporters.
Noynoy has earlier announced that his family may give up its stake in Hacienda Luisita, a move that was followed by calls for the distribution of land.
For my political opinion: Pity Gibo, even he won the support of his party where he is now the administration's presidential bet, he then has some accusations after the winning. Well, that's the price to pay when you're with the (corrupt) administration.
Read more...
Within last week, there was an election on who be the administration's presidential bet because Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Bayani Fernando also wanted to become president. You guess it right, "Gibo" (as they call him) won.
But Gibo (even he's now the admin's presidential bet) is not spared against accusations. Bayan, a militant group headed by their secretary general Renato Reyes, Jr. accused him for his lack of interest in going after human rights violators.
"Mr. Teodoro is the least likely to prosecute those accused of human rights abuses under the Arroyo regime. It doesn't seem to rank high in his priorities. He continues to defend the Armed Forces of the Philippines against allegations of human rights abuses. He will also most likely rely on the support of the military for his electoral bid," he said.
Reyes said Teodoro should also clarify his stand on issue involving the Marcos ill-gotten wealth and human rights victims.
On the other hand, Reyes said Sen. Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III, Liberal Party standard bearer, has made a strong commitment to recover the Marcos ill-gotten wealth. He has however been asked to move to resolve the conflict at his family’s Hacienda Luisita which has claimed the lives of at least 14 farmers, workers and their supporters.
Noynoy has earlier announced that his family may give up its stake in Hacienda Luisita, a move that was followed by calls for the distribution of land.
For my political opinion: Pity Gibo, even he won the support of his party where he is now the administration's presidential bet, he then has some accusations after the winning. Well, that's the price to pay when you're with the (corrupt) administration.
Now it's final: Noynoy-Mar tandem on 2010
We can remember that Sen. Manuel “Mar” Roxas II gave way to Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III and eventually Noynoy accepted it by declaring that he will run.
Well now, on the 37th anniversary of the declaration of Martial Law and the end of our Muslim brothers' Ramadan, Mar made the announcement at the historic Club Filipino in Greenhills, San Juan City that he accepted Noynoy's offer to be his running mate this incoming 2010 election.
"Taos-puso ko pong tinatanggap ang responsibilidad na maging kabalikat ni Noynoy sa kanyang laban para sa pagbabago. Taos-puso at buong pakumbaba ko pong tinatanggap ang maging katambal ni Noynoy Aquino." Mar said on which he he was applauded by people around him.
"This fight is not just about Noynoy and me. It’s bigger than the two of us. It’s bigger than the Liberal Party. It’s bigger than anyone of us. It is about our collective thirst for change. It is about finally overcoming those who want to continue the tayu-tayo system, the horse-trading, the greed, the self-interest, the transactional politics that has been the biggest roadblock to progress and prosperity for all," he added.
"Ang sakripisyo po niya ang nagbigay daan sa paglunsad at pagpapatupad ng isang pambansang kilusan ng ating mga kababayan na talagang uhaw sa panunumbalik ng isang disente at malinis na pamamahala sa ating gobyerno." Noynoy stated in his opening remarks.
In an earlier interview at the Bantayog ng mga Bayani in Quezon City, Senator Aquino said that the LP chose September 21 as the date of Roxas' announcement because of its significance to the party.
"Ito ang nag-shape kung sino kami ngayon, yung eksperyensyang yan, may significance doon, and again nung pinaabot sa atin ni Senator Mar na ready na siya e bakit pa natin patatagalin?" he said.
After the political news, here is my political opinion: I hope Mar and Nonynoy's fight against corruption will not be forgotten when they're in office (if they won). I also hope that they're stand about corruption would spread like fire on all the government officials from top to bottom (the local officials) where sometimes, corruption occurs even in the lowest level in the government.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Estrada vs. Yuchengco
Former President Joseph "Erap" Estrada is set to file a libel case against tycoon Alfonso Yuchengco on Thursday, following the latter's claim that he was forced to sell his stake in a company that had shares in Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. (PLDT).
On Tuesday, Alfonso confirmed that he was pressured to sign conveyance of his shares in Philippine Telecommunications Investment Corp. (PTIC) to Metro Pacific Investments Corp. (MPIC), the local unit of Hong Kong's First Pacific Co. Ltd.
"Former President Joseph Estrada, through his lawyers, will be filing a libel case against Mr. Alfonso Yuchengco tomorrow at 10:00 a.m. at the San Juan Prosecutor's Office," Margaux Salcedo, Estrada's spokesperson, said in a message to the media on Wednesday.
In a privilege speech on Monday, Sen. Panfilo Lacson said Estrada used the Philippine National Police to "harrass" Yuchengco by threatening to arrest his youngest son and namesake, Alfonso "Tito" Yuchengco III.
Lacson mentioned the PLDT-related transaction in 1998 in his speech to highlight how Estrada allegedly used the police for private gain back when he was president.
Read more...
On Tuesday, Alfonso confirmed that he was pressured to sign conveyance of his shares in Philippine Telecommunications Investment Corp. (PTIC) to Metro Pacific Investments Corp. (MPIC), the local unit of Hong Kong's First Pacific Co. Ltd.
"Former President Joseph Estrada, through his lawyers, will be filing a libel case against Mr. Alfonso Yuchengco tomorrow at 10:00 a.m. at the San Juan Prosecutor's Office," Margaux Salcedo, Estrada's spokesperson, said in a message to the media on Wednesday.
In a privilege speech on Monday, Sen. Panfilo Lacson said Estrada used the Philippine National Police to "harrass" Yuchengco by threatening to arrest his youngest son and namesake, Alfonso "Tito" Yuchengco III.
Lacson mentioned the PLDT-related transaction in 1998 in his speech to highlight how Estrada allegedly used the police for private gain back when he was president.
Lacson vs. Estrada Part 2
We remember that it was Sen. Lacson vs. Former President Estrada. But this time, it's Senator Jinggoy Estrada who's defending his dad.
During his privilege speech at the Senate today (Sept. 15), the younger Estrada accused Lacson of telling false and baseless statements against his father.
"Mr. Lacson in desperation is now using the Senate floor to divert attention to Estrada and away from his forthcoming non-bailable murder charge that will be filed against him," he said. "Mr. Lacson is using the Senate floor... so he can lie to his teeth." he added. He also called Lacson ad "walang utang na loob".
After the brief retort, Lacson stood up to interpolate his colleague but Estrada said the former police chief should just deliver another privilege speech to rebut the remarks.
Lacson, with no chance to make the interpolation, merely made a manifestation, belying claims that the older Estrada did not know Lacson and just "plucked out from obscurity."
"It is inaccurate. We first met when he was still mayor in 1973 when I arrested him after mauling the late Rudy Fernandez. Since then, we knew each other," he said.
Read more...
During his privilege speech at the Senate today (Sept. 15), the younger Estrada accused Lacson of telling false and baseless statements against his father.
"Mr. Lacson in desperation is now using the Senate floor to divert attention to Estrada and away from his forthcoming non-bailable murder charge that will be filed against him," he said. "Mr. Lacson is using the Senate floor... so he can lie to his teeth." he added. He also called Lacson ad "walang utang na loob".
After the brief retort, Lacson stood up to interpolate his colleague but Estrada said the former police chief should just deliver another privilege speech to rebut the remarks.
Lacson, with no chance to make the interpolation, merely made a manifestation, belying claims that the older Estrada did not know Lacson and just "plucked out from obscurity."
"It is inaccurate. We first met when he was still mayor in 1973 when I arrested him after mauling the late Rudy Fernandez. Since then, we knew each other," he said.
Lacson vs. Estrada Part 1
Sen. Panfilo Lacson made good yesterday his threat to expose former President Joseph Estrada’s “bad side” as he recited in a privilege speech a litany of the deposed leader’s alleged excesses and criminal activities, including smuggling and the shakedown of a businessman (that businessman is Alfonso Yuchengco).
In his speech, he narrated how Estrada enriched himself while in power from 1998 to 2001. Lacson accused Estrada of involvement in the illegal numbers game jueteng, extortion and intimidation of businessmen, and of ordering the release of big shipments of smuggled dressed chicken and rice from the Bureau of Customs. Behind Estrada’s pro-poor posture was a man lusting for power and wealth, Lacson said.
“Jueteng is just one illustrative insight into the character of Mr. Estrada as a government official, and as President of the country,” Lacson said.
“There were other sinister behavioral patterns that must be told to the Filipino people,” he said.
Lacson first worked with Estrada in an anti-crime task force when he was still vice president.
In August 1998, Lacson said he learned that one of the country’s prominent businessmen, Alfonso Yuchengco, was forced to sign conveyance of his 7.75 percent shares with Philippine Telecommunications Investment Corp. (PTIC), equivalent to 18,720 shares, to Metro Pacific under its president Manuel V. Pangilinan. It is because of Estrada’s order for the police to harass Yuchengco’s son Tito with threats of arrest on trumped up drug charges to force his father to sell his PTIC shares. Lacson said this shakedown happened while Estrada was barely two months in office.
Lacson also denied Estrada’s claims that the senator was directly involved in the murders of publicist Salvador “Bubby” Dacer and his driver Emmanuel Corbito.
“In an effort to defend himself from accusations that he may have been involved in the Dacer-Corbito double murder case, he has consistently asserted that he never dealt with officials other than the heads of agencies,” Lacson said.
Lacson said a “subordinate officer” took direct orders from Estrada for certain missions after he and the former president had a falling out.
“I did not bother to find out anymore if the officer complied or not with Mr. Estrada’s order. I thought I should not interfere with a direct order from the President to a subordinate officer because in doing so, I felt that I would add insult to injury upon myself,” Lacson said.
“Yet, on so many occasions, and I have personal knowledge on this, during his presidency, he was giving direct orders and instructions deep into the layers of the entire government bureaucracy, the PNP and the PAOCTF (Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission) included,” Lacson added.
Read more...
In his speech, he narrated how Estrada enriched himself while in power from 1998 to 2001. Lacson accused Estrada of involvement in the illegal numbers game jueteng, extortion and intimidation of businessmen, and of ordering the release of big shipments of smuggled dressed chicken and rice from the Bureau of Customs. Behind Estrada’s pro-poor posture was a man lusting for power and wealth, Lacson said.
“Jueteng is just one illustrative insight into the character of Mr. Estrada as a government official, and as President of the country,” Lacson said.
“There were other sinister behavioral patterns that must be told to the Filipino people,” he said.
Lacson first worked with Estrada in an anti-crime task force when he was still vice president.
In August 1998, Lacson said he learned that one of the country’s prominent businessmen, Alfonso Yuchengco, was forced to sign conveyance of his 7.75 percent shares with Philippine Telecommunications Investment Corp. (PTIC), equivalent to 18,720 shares, to Metro Pacific under its president Manuel V. Pangilinan. It is because of Estrada’s order for the police to harass Yuchengco’s son Tito with threats of arrest on trumped up drug charges to force his father to sell his PTIC shares. Lacson said this shakedown happened while Estrada was barely two months in office.
Lacson also denied Estrada’s claims that the senator was directly involved in the murders of publicist Salvador “Bubby” Dacer and his driver Emmanuel Corbito.
“In an effort to defend himself from accusations that he may have been involved in the Dacer-Corbito double murder case, he has consistently asserted that he never dealt with officials other than the heads of agencies,” Lacson said.
Lacson said a “subordinate officer” took direct orders from Estrada for certain missions after he and the former president had a falling out.
“I did not bother to find out anymore if the officer complied or not with Mr. Estrada’s order. I thought I should not interfere with a direct order from the President to a subordinate officer because in doing so, I felt that I would add insult to injury upon myself,” Lacson said.
“Yet, on so many occasions, and I have personal knowledge on this, during his presidency, he was giving direct orders and instructions deep into the layers of the entire government bureaucracy, the PNP and the PAOCTF (Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission) included,” Lacson added.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
This Is It: Noynoy Decides To Run As President
This is a video of Noynoy Aquino in Club Filipino, Greenhills, San Juan where his mother and former president Tita Cory was sworn in as president in 1986 after leading the "people power" revolution. This video is from the morning program of Unang Hirit (GMA 7).
Noynoy will represent Liberal Party, an opposition party which we all know that they are against Ms. Arroyo.
He stated that after the retreat in the Carmelites in Zamboanga, he had so many talks with other people but only gave 3 instances as an example. First was that a grade 5 boy who is with him in a CD stand. They began to talk and they talked about the boy's dream in the future and Noynoy learned that he wanted to become a singer. When asked about who was the favorite singer of the boy, the boy answered that a young rapper that raps about things but with a social dimension, things that is happening in the country. The second story was also of a grade 5 their in Tarlac. The child asked Noynoy if he would run as president, Noynoy asked the child back if he will run, will the child campaign for him. "Kinakampanya ko na ho kayo" was the child's answer. The third story is about a worker in the Bureau of Customs where Noynoy's friend was asked if the former would run where the latter answered "Tatakbo na nga". Upon hearing this, the worker thanked his friend but the friend asked why he said thanks, "Kasi pwede na ho ngayong muling mangarap." was the latter's answer.
"Noong araw po, tinturuan kami ng aming mga guro... sabi nila na ang pinaka-malaking kasalanan ay ang mawalan ng pag-asa.. Merong Diyos tayong nagmamahal sa atin, kapag tayo'y nawawalan ng pag-asa parang sinasabi rin natin na tinalikuran tayo.. At nung bata pa po ako, ang sabi nila sa akin, 'libre ang magarap'." he said.
"Hindi po ba nakakagimbal... na sinasabing 'pwde na muling mangarap'. Pati ba ang pagarap, hindi na pwde sa kasulakuyang lipunan?" he added.
"Unang una po, tinatanggap ko ang hiling ng sambayanan. Tinatanngap ko rin ang habilin, bilin ang tagubilin ng aking mga magulang. Tinatanggap ko ang responsibilidad na ituloy ang laban para sa bayan. Tinatanngap ko ang hamon na mamuno sa labang ito." was Noynoy's prelude before declaring that he will run for presidency this 2010 election.
"The reason why I am on this path is because I believe the public will support and help me in the campaign," he said. "I want to make democracy work not just for the rich and the well-connected, but for everybody," he added.
I'm certain that Noynoy's first challenge is not to eliminate corruption, but it is to unite the opposition. Where Ex-President Joseph "Erap" Estrada expressed his will to run again this 2010 and also an opposition senator Manny Villar leads the surveys of who will be the next president would be.
Read more...
Noynoy will represent Liberal Party, an opposition party which we all know that they are against Ms. Arroyo.
He stated that after the retreat in the Carmelites in Zamboanga, he had so many talks with other people but only gave 3 instances as an example. First was that a grade 5 boy who is with him in a CD stand. They began to talk and they talked about the boy's dream in the future and Noynoy learned that he wanted to become a singer. When asked about who was the favorite singer of the boy, the boy answered that a young rapper that raps about things but with a social dimension, things that is happening in the country. The second story was also of a grade 5 their in Tarlac. The child asked Noynoy if he would run as president, Noynoy asked the child back if he will run, will the child campaign for him. "Kinakampanya ko na ho kayo" was the child's answer. The third story is about a worker in the Bureau of Customs where Noynoy's friend was asked if the former would run where the latter answered "Tatakbo na nga". Upon hearing this, the worker thanked his friend but the friend asked why he said thanks, "Kasi pwede na ho ngayong muling mangarap." was the latter's answer.
"Noong araw po, tinturuan kami ng aming mga guro... sabi nila na ang pinaka-malaking kasalanan ay ang mawalan ng pag-asa.. Merong Diyos tayong nagmamahal sa atin, kapag tayo'y nawawalan ng pag-asa parang sinasabi rin natin na tinalikuran tayo.. At nung bata pa po ako, ang sabi nila sa akin, 'libre ang magarap'." he said.
"Hindi po ba nakakagimbal... na sinasabing 'pwde na muling mangarap'. Pati ba ang pagarap, hindi na pwde sa kasulakuyang lipunan?" he added.
"Unang una po, tinatanggap ko ang hiling ng sambayanan. Tinatanngap ko rin ang habilin, bilin ang tagubilin ng aking mga magulang. Tinatanggap ko ang responsibilidad na ituloy ang laban para sa bayan. Tinatanngap ko ang hamon na mamuno sa labang ito." was Noynoy's prelude before declaring that he will run for presidency this 2010 election.
"The reason why I am on this path is because I believe the public will support and help me in the campaign," he said. "I want to make democracy work not just for the rich and the well-connected, but for everybody," he added.
I'm certain that Noynoy's first challenge is not to eliminate corruption, but it is to unite the opposition. Where Ex-President Joseph "Erap" Estrada expressed his will to run again this 2010 and also an opposition senator Manny Villar leads the surveys of who will be the next president would be.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Did Chavit abused his wife?
Deputy National Security Adviser Luis "Chavit" Singson virtually admitted last Wednesday over dzMM that he beat up his wife last month after discovering she had an affair, and added she should be thankful he didn't kill her.
In an exclusive interview last week with ABS-CBN's Ces Oreña Drilon, Tiongson showed pictures of her badly-bruised face and arms allegedly caused by the beatings she suffered at the hands of Singson last August 22 after he found her with her boyfriend in an apartment.
She said Singson beat her up and even lashed her using the whip he uses to discipline his pet tiger.
Singson and his bodyguards also allegedly undressed Tiongson's boyfriend, took pictures of his penis, beat him up, and tortured him.
Singson's arrogance assailed
Commission on Human Rights (CHR) chair Leila de Lima on Saturday assailed Singson for his arrogance, and urged Tiongson to file a human rights complaint against her husband.
"As a government official, he [Singson] is covered by the Code of Conduct of public officials. Kaya tamang pinagsabihan siya ng Palasyo, especially since he holds a public position. He is a powerful man and hindi dapat ganyan, fino-flaunt yung power. To me, there's arrogance there," de Lima said, when asked to comment on the incident involving Singson and his wife.
Under Republic Act No. 6713 or the Code of Ethics for Government Officials and Employees, public servants are supposed to respect human rights and to act with "justness."
A provision in RA 6713 states: "(c) Justness and sincerity - Public officials and employees shall remain true to the people at all times. They must act with justness and sincerity and shall not discriminate against anyone, especially the poor and the underprivileged. They shall at all times respect the rights of others, and shall refrain from doing acts contrary to law, good morals, good customs, public policy, public order, public safety and public interest...."
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In an exclusive interview last week with ABS-CBN's Ces Oreña Drilon, Tiongson showed pictures of her badly-bruised face and arms allegedly caused by the beatings she suffered at the hands of Singson last August 22 after he found her with her boyfriend in an apartment.
She said Singson beat her up and even lashed her using the whip he uses to discipline his pet tiger.
Singson and his bodyguards also allegedly undressed Tiongson's boyfriend, took pictures of his penis, beat him up, and tortured him.
Singson's arrogance assailed
Commission on Human Rights (CHR) chair Leila de Lima on Saturday assailed Singson for his arrogance, and urged Tiongson to file a human rights complaint against her husband.
"As a government official, he [Singson] is covered by the Code of Conduct of public officials. Kaya tamang pinagsabihan siya ng Palasyo, especially since he holds a public position. He is a powerful man and hindi dapat ganyan, fino-flaunt yung power. To me, there's arrogance there," de Lima said, when asked to comment on the incident involving Singson and his wife.
Under Republic Act No. 6713 or the Code of Ethics for Government Officials and Employees, public servants are supposed to respect human rights and to act with "justness."
A provision in RA 6713 states: "(c) Justness and sincerity - Public officials and employees shall remain true to the people at all times. They must act with justness and sincerity and shall not discriminate against anyone, especially the poor and the underprivileged. They shall at all times respect the rights of others, and shall refrain from doing acts contrary to law, good morals, good customs, public policy, public order, public safety and public interest...."
Palace advices Singson to go on leave, he refuses
Deputy National Security Adviser Luis "Chavit" Singson said he would not voluntarily go on leave as what Malacanang advices him to do out of delicadeza and denied he used government resources in his marital conflict. Singson said he has not spoken with Mrs. Arroyo since the wife battering and torture allegations against him came up last week. He said the Office of the President can fire him if it wants to.
"Hindi ako magleleave dahil inosente ako diyan. Ako ang biktima rito. Hindi ako mag-leleave," Singson told dzMM in an interview with Vic Lima and Karen Davila.
President Arroyo has ordered National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales to investigate whether Singson misused government resources to case his wife and her boyfriend. Where Singson admitted he had his wife investigated since he discovered her alleged affairs, but he indicated this was a private investigation. He denied he used resources of the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA) for his domestic conflict, saying his office is too poor for this purpose.
He also said he believes that wife battering is bad, pointing out that he had given Tiongson a chance.
Gonzales, meanwhile, said he will be talking to Singson Monday night upon his arrival from China. He clarified that Singson is not yet under investigation, adding that he considers his deputy's marital troubles as a personal tragedy.
"This is a very personal issue so maybe before I say anything I want to talk to him first and listen to his side. I can order an undersecretary to take a leave if it is needed. Chavit is one of our our most seasoned politciians. He can understand what is happening, how our situation is constantly evolving and the implications of his case...He may make his own decision on what is best for everyone," he told radio dzMM.
He added that he personally called up President Arroyo and told her that he wanted to speak to Singson.
He also said he does not believe that Singson would use government resources to spy on his wife. "Chavit has a lot of resources so it won't be surprising if he used his own. Besides, I would immediately know if he used government resources and so far no one has reported anything to me," he said.
For my opinion, it's very early to tell whether who's telling the truth. In the statement of Singson that "buti na lang hindi ko sila pinatay" it maybe a hint that Chavit did abused his wife. Even if Chavit is old he still can do violent things to his wife, he can tame his tigers right? Well, on the other hand, their children denied that their father abused their mom when she's still in their house. Oh wait, it doesn't mean that they didn't saw their mom being beaten by their dad in their house means he did not and will not beat her. He can do it anywhere.
Hahay, I pity people who beat their wife (or any other people) who they know that that person can't hit them back. They feel macho or superior than any other. I suggest that they'll join the army and go to the camps of the MILF and Abu Sayyaf. I'm pretty sure that they'll be of great help not just to the army but also the the Philippines.
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"Hindi ako magleleave dahil inosente ako diyan. Ako ang biktima rito. Hindi ako mag-leleave," Singson told dzMM in an interview with Vic Lima and Karen Davila.
President Arroyo has ordered National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales to investigate whether Singson misused government resources to case his wife and her boyfriend. Where Singson admitted he had his wife investigated since he discovered her alleged affairs, but he indicated this was a private investigation. He denied he used resources of the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA) for his domestic conflict, saying his office is too poor for this purpose.
He also said he believes that wife battering is bad, pointing out that he had given Tiongson a chance.
Gonzales, meanwhile, said he will be talking to Singson Monday night upon his arrival from China. He clarified that Singson is not yet under investigation, adding that he considers his deputy's marital troubles as a personal tragedy.
"This is a very personal issue so maybe before I say anything I want to talk to him first and listen to his side. I can order an undersecretary to take a leave if it is needed. Chavit is one of our our most seasoned politciians. He can understand what is happening, how our situation is constantly evolving and the implications of his case...He may make his own decision on what is best for everyone," he told radio dzMM.
He added that he personally called up President Arroyo and told her that he wanted to speak to Singson.
He also said he does not believe that Singson would use government resources to spy on his wife. "Chavit has a lot of resources so it won't be surprising if he used his own. Besides, I would immediately know if he used government resources and so far no one has reported anything to me," he said.
For my opinion, it's very early to tell whether who's telling the truth. In the statement of Singson that "buti na lang hindi ko sila pinatay" it maybe a hint that Chavit did abused his wife. Even if Chavit is old he still can do violent things to his wife, he can tame his tigers right? Well, on the other hand, their children denied that their father abused their mom when she's still in their house. Oh wait, it doesn't mean that they didn't saw their mom being beaten by their dad in their house means he did not and will not beat her. He can do it anywhere.
Hahay, I pity people who beat their wife (or any other people) who they know that that person can't hit them back. They feel macho or superior than any other. I suggest that they'll join the army and go to the camps of the MILF and Abu Sayyaf. I'm pretty sure that they'll be of great help not just to the army but also the the Philippines.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Mikey Arroyo with hosts Arnold Clavio and Winnie Monsod in Unang Hirit: Part 2
This is the continuation of the first part of the interview of Presidential son and Pampanga representative Juan Miguel "Mikey" Arroyo.
3:20-4:03
"Kasi alam mo Mikey, ang problema natin dito is that the ombudsman is not the one who is taking the initiative. She's the one supposed be doing this eh, and it's not happening that's why we have to look..." Tita Winnie
"So why don't any of you sue me in court? To get it over with." Mikey
"It's not a question of suing you in court Mikey it's a question of asking you to explain what seems to be unexplainable here. Which I've said, this is something that is your burden, not our burden" Tita Winnie
"Well, for people who refuse to listen, it is unexplainable." Mikey
Winnie laughing out loud
"You're being sarcastic now."Mikey in a low voice.
"Of course!" Winnie
"As far as I'm concern, ahh, it's transparent." Mikey
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3:20-4:03
"Kasi alam mo Mikey, ang problema natin dito is that the ombudsman is not the one who is taking the initiative. She's the one supposed be doing this eh, and it's not happening that's why we have to look..." Tita Winnie
"So why don't any of you sue me in court? To get it over with." Mikey
"It's not a question of suing you in court Mikey it's a question of asking you to explain what seems to be unexplainable here. Which I've said, this is something that is your burden, not our burden" Tita Winnie
"Well, for people who refuse to listen, it is unexplainable." Mikey
Winnie laughing out loud
"You're being sarcastic now."Mikey in a low voice.
"Of course!" Winnie
"As far as I'm concern, ahh, it's transparent." Mikey
Mikey Arroyo with hosts Arnold Clavio and Winnie Monsod in Unang Hirit: Part 1
This is the first part of the interview of Presidential son and Pampanga representative Juan Miguel "Mikey" Arroyo in a morning show (Unang Hirit) with hosts Arnold Clavio and Winnie Monsod.
2:35-3:46
"When in 2002 Mikey, your networth was 5 million. In 2005, your networth went up to 76 million na. We would like to find out how your income went up because certainly as a congressman, ang salary mo as a congressman hindi kayang tumaas ang networth ng ganyan kalaki." Winnie said
"In 2002, I was a vice governor. I only became congressman in 2004, so under the law assuming you make mistakes in your SAL, you can always amend it the next year as long as you pay the proper taxes," Mikey explained.
"So walang mali sa 5 million?" Arnold asked.
"Hindi pa tayo marunong mag-declare nun, well anyway those shortcomings were amended the next year," Mikey said.
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2:35-3:46
"When in 2002 Mikey, your networth was 5 million. In 2005, your networth went up to 76 million na. We would like to find out how your income went up because certainly as a congressman, ang salary mo as a congressman hindi kayang tumaas ang networth ng ganyan kalaki." Winnie said
"In 2002, I was a vice governor. I only became congressman in 2004, so under the law assuming you make mistakes in your SAL, you can always amend it the next year as long as you pay the proper taxes," Mikey explained.
"So walang mali sa 5 million?" Arnold asked.
"Hindi pa tayo marunong mag-declare nun, well anyway those shortcomings were amended the next year," Mikey said.
On Mikey Arroyo's SALN
Presidential son and Pampanga representative Juan Miguel "Mikey" Arroyo failed to mention a property in his 2007 and 2008 Statement of Assets and Liabilities and Networth (SALNs) and that property is a $1.32 million (P63.7-million) residential house which is located at 1655 Beach Park Blvd in Foster City in San Mateo County, California.
"Alam niyo nung kinasal tayo nuon, medyo nagkaroon tayo ng maraming regalo. Tapos pag kampanya, siyempre kahit papaano marami ding tumutulong sa atin. Hindi naman sa nakaipon, pero siyempre nakakagaan ng kaunti and we had some good investments," he explained because it was reportedly that his wealth ballooned from the time he got married to wife Angela in June 2002 and became Pampanga vice governor in 2001-04. He was elected congressman for Pampanga’s 2nd district in 2004 and got re-elected in 2007.
"In 2002, I was a vice governor. I only became congressman in 2004, under the law assuming you make mistakes in your SAL, you can always amend it the next year as long as you pay the proper taxes," he explained in Unang Hirit with hosts Arnold Clavio and Winnie Monsod.
Mikey refused to answer queries about how he accumulated wealth from P5 million in 2002 to P76.9 million in 2005, or a span of just three years. He also would not explain how the amount rose to as much as P99 million in 2008.
Here is a part of their dialogue in the interview:
"That's why i said that when you're in doubt, sue me in court." Mikey challenged
"No, no Mikey. You know what? That the law is very clear, ang batas nag-sasabing kung merong problema, in other words, if there's a question of an unexplained wealth here, the burden of proof is with you, it is in the government employee. Hindi pwedeng you have to prove that I'm guilty, no. A government employee must prove that he is innocent because that's precisely the problem, the whole objective of having a Statement of Assets and Liabilities so that you can prove to everybody na 'Wow! Everything is clear. Transparent'" Tita Winnie said.
"Well, as far as I'm concern Ma'am, my SAL is self explanatory. I only wanted to explain the fact that I did not didn't declare anything. As far as I'm concerned, my SAL is perfectly legal. If you have questions, ask my lawyer when he comes here [from abroad]" Mikey asking first the permission to talk then explained.
"No Mikey! It's your SAL, it is not your lawyer's SAL. And it's precisely why, it's in the newspapers na. Here is a SAL and you're saying that it's all there and you said 'yah it is all there' and there are questions and you don't want to answer your questions, you said 'ask my lawyers'" Tita Winnie interrupted.
"I'm answering it but you refuse to believe my answers, [So] I'm saying ask my lawyers." Mikey explained.
"No, no, we are not refusing to believe your answers." Tita Winnie clarified.
...
"So ang sinasabi mo lang Cong(congressman), lahat to ay legal at hindi ito ill gotten wealth na tulad ng impression ng iba." Arnold Clavio said.
"Ill gotten? Hindi naman kalakihan niyan" Mikey calmly explained.
"Sanadali lang, papaano from 5 million to 76 million ehh you were a vice governor and you were a congressman, papaano naman? Kailangan naman may kaunting explanation." Winnie interrupted again.
Click here to watch the first part of Mikey's interview in Unang Hirit with Arnoly Clavio and Tita Winnie Monsod.
OR here to watch the second part.
Don't forget to leave a comment. Thanks.
Read more...
"Alam niyo nung kinasal tayo nuon, medyo nagkaroon tayo ng maraming regalo. Tapos pag kampanya, siyempre kahit papaano marami ding tumutulong sa atin. Hindi naman sa nakaipon, pero siyempre nakakagaan ng kaunti and we had some good investments," he explained because it was reportedly that his wealth ballooned from the time he got married to wife Angela in June 2002 and became Pampanga vice governor in 2001-04. He was elected congressman for Pampanga’s 2nd district in 2004 and got re-elected in 2007.
"In 2002, I was a vice governor. I only became congressman in 2004, under the law assuming you make mistakes in your SAL, you can always amend it the next year as long as you pay the proper taxes," he explained in Unang Hirit with hosts Arnold Clavio and Winnie Monsod.
Mikey refused to answer queries about how he accumulated wealth from P5 million in 2002 to P76.9 million in 2005, or a span of just three years. He also would not explain how the amount rose to as much as P99 million in 2008.
Here is a part of their dialogue in the interview:
"That's why i said that when you're in doubt, sue me in court." Mikey challenged
"No, no Mikey. You know what? That the law is very clear, ang batas nag-sasabing kung merong problema, in other words, if there's a question of an unexplained wealth here, the burden of proof is with you, it is in the government employee. Hindi pwedeng you have to prove that I'm guilty, no. A government employee must prove that he is innocent because that's precisely the problem, the whole objective of having a Statement of Assets and Liabilities so that you can prove to everybody na 'Wow! Everything is clear. Transparent'" Tita Winnie said.
"Well, as far as I'm concern Ma'am, my SAL is self explanatory. I only wanted to explain the fact that I did not didn't declare anything. As far as I'm concerned, my SAL is perfectly legal. If you have questions, ask my lawyer when he comes here [from abroad]" Mikey asking first the permission to talk then explained.
"No Mikey! It's your SAL, it is not your lawyer's SAL. And it's precisely why, it's in the newspapers na. Here is a SAL and you're saying that it's all there and you said 'yah it is all there' and there are questions and you don't want to answer your questions, you said 'ask my lawyers'" Tita Winnie interrupted.
"I'm answering it but you refuse to believe my answers, [So] I'm saying ask my lawyers." Mikey explained.
"No, no, we are not refusing to believe your answers." Tita Winnie clarified.
...
"So ang sinasabi mo lang Cong(congressman), lahat to ay legal at hindi ito ill gotten wealth na tulad ng impression ng iba." Arnold Clavio said.
"Ill gotten? Hindi naman kalakihan niyan" Mikey calmly explained.
"Sanadali lang, papaano from 5 million to 76 million ehh you were a vice governor and you were a congressman, papaano naman? Kailangan naman may kaunting explanation." Winnie interrupted again.
Click here to watch the first part of Mikey's interview in Unang Hirit with Arnoly Clavio and Tita Winnie Monsod.
OR here to watch the second part.
Don't forget to leave a comment. Thanks.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Noynoy for President?
Before anything else, let me give you a little background about this.
As we remember, days after the late President Corazon "Cory" Aquino laid to rest , her daughter, Kris Aquino said she will not run for a public office this incoming election and added that Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III is not seeking higher office. But, time went by, people and groups are coming to Noynoy persuading him to run.
Well it was when last Sunday, August 30, Noynoy and Presidential aspirant Sen. Manuel “Mar” Roxas II initially met with the Liberal Party (LP) leaders. Noynoy disclosed that their meeting was going well. He was then asked if there was a decision to change the LP standard bearer, which is Mar, he said that there was still no decision yet. "May continuing dialogues pa" he added. Noynoy noted that he will also make up his mind about running for higher office in 2010.
Just this Tuesday, Mar gave way to Noynoy even though it is not yet clear that the latter will run for presidency. “Today, I’m announcing my support for the candidacy of Noynoy Aquino for president for 2010,” Roxas said in a press con and revealed that it is because of his belief that the welfare of the country is above self interest, that's why he supports Noynoy for presidency. “Sa madaling salita, Noynoy has made it clear to me he wants to carry the torch of leadership,” Mar said. He also added that he and Noynoy is pursuing a "common dream" which is change.
"Ito na ang pinakamabigat na desisyon sa buhay ko [This is the biggest decision I've made in my life],” Mar added who already released several premature political ads. He is also set to marry broadcaster Korina Sanchez in October 23 which in their publicity process, includes an interview with Willie Revillame in Wowowee. Their love life was not spared by criticism.
Ms. Korina Sanchez was spotted crying when her future husband announced that he supports Noynoy. Mar's family and relatives were also present in the said event to show their full support to him and was also seen crying.
A day after Mar announced his support to him, Noynoy revealed that he would go for a a retreat this weekend and urged us to pray with him to assess our very own readiness for the future struggle. “Senator Roxas’ sacrifice is the finest example of selflessness that our nation sorely needs in these morally troubled times,” Noynoy praising Mar.
This is just my opinion, why did Korina cried? Is it because of the tears of joy because his soon-to-be husband was selfless when he supported Noynoy? Or is it because she will miss the chance of becoming the First Lady and their political tactics that will make Mar the president has gone to waste?
That is just my opinion for a trivial part of the whole story. I will leave it to you readers to share your comments about the real issue here, Noynoy for president this 2010? Just leave your comments. Thanks
Read more...
As we remember, days after the late President Corazon "Cory" Aquino laid to rest , her daughter, Kris Aquino said she will not run for a public office this incoming election and added that Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III is not seeking higher office. But, time went by, people and groups are coming to Noynoy persuading him to run.
Well it was when last Sunday, August 30, Noynoy and Presidential aspirant Sen. Manuel “Mar” Roxas II initially met with the Liberal Party (LP) leaders. Noynoy disclosed that their meeting was going well. He was then asked if there was a decision to change the LP standard bearer, which is Mar, he said that there was still no decision yet. "May continuing dialogues pa" he added. Noynoy noted that he will also make up his mind about running for higher office in 2010.
Just this Tuesday, Mar gave way to Noynoy even though it is not yet clear that the latter will run for presidency. “Today, I’m announcing my support for the candidacy of Noynoy Aquino for president for 2010,” Roxas said in a press con and revealed that it is because of his belief that the welfare of the country is above self interest, that's why he supports Noynoy for presidency. “Sa madaling salita, Noynoy has made it clear to me he wants to carry the torch of leadership,” Mar said. He also added that he and Noynoy is pursuing a "common dream" which is change.
"Ito na ang pinakamabigat na desisyon sa buhay ko [This is the biggest decision I've made in my life],” Mar added who already released several premature political ads. He is also set to marry broadcaster Korina Sanchez in October 23 which in their publicity process, includes an interview with Willie Revillame in Wowowee. Their love life was not spared by criticism.
Ms. Korina Sanchez was spotted crying when her future husband announced that he supports Noynoy. Mar's family and relatives were also present in the said event to show their full support to him and was also seen crying.
A day after Mar announced his support to him, Noynoy revealed that he would go for a a retreat this weekend and urged us to pray with him to assess our very own readiness for the future struggle. “Senator Roxas’ sacrifice is the finest example of selflessness that our nation sorely needs in these morally troubled times,” Noynoy praising Mar.
This is just my opinion, why did Korina cried? Is it because of the tears of joy because his soon-to-be husband was selfless when he supported Noynoy? Or is it because she will miss the chance of becoming the First Lady and their political tactics that will make Mar the president has gone to waste?
That is just my opinion for a trivial part of the whole story. I will leave it to you readers to share your comments about the real issue here, Noynoy for president this 2010? Just leave your comments. Thanks
Friday, August 28, 2009
2010 Calendar of Activities and Guidelines
This one is taken from http://comelec.wordpress.com/ and http://pia.gov.ph/
I would like to ask about this resolution. Why are the "presidentiables" are campaigning as early as June of 2009 when the right time is the 9th of February up to the 8th of May 2010?
Read more...
The following are embodied in Resolution No. 8646, promulgated on July 14, 2009:
So the people will know...
August 17, 2009: Last day for filing of petitions for registration of political parties and for parties, organizations and coalitions under the Party-List system of representation.
November 20, 2009 until November 30, 2009: The filing of certificates of candidacy (COCs) for all elective positions. During the same period, registered party-list groups may also file manifestations of intent to participate in the party-list elections.
January 10, 2010 until June 9, 2010: Election period. Prohibited during this period are:
* the alteration of territory of a precinct or establishment of a new precinct;
* acts of bearing, carrying or transporting firearms or other deadly weapons in public places, buildings, streets, parks, private vehicles, even if licensed to possess the same, are prohibited, unless authorized in writing by the Commission;
* suspension of local elective officials;
* transfer of officers and employees in the civil service;
* the organization of maintenance of reaction forces or other similar forces;
* the use of security personnel or bodyguards by candidates, whether or not such bodyguards are regular members of the AFP or other law enforcement agency.
February 9, 2010 until May 8, 2010: Campaign period for candidates for President, Vice-President, Senators and Party-List groups.
March 26, 2010 to May 8, 2010: Campaign period for candidates for members of the House of Representatives and elective provincial, city and municipal officials.
March 26 to May 10, 2010 - Prohibited acts are:
* appointment or hiring of new employees;
* creation or filling up of new positions;
* promotion or giving of salary increases, remuneration or privilege;
* the construction of public works;
* delivery of materials for public works;
* issuance of treasury warrants or similar devices for a future undertaking chargeable against public funds.
April 10, 2010 (Host country time) until 3:00 PM of May 10, 2010 (Philippine Time): Casting of votes by overseas absentee voters (OAV).
May 9 and May 10, 2010 - Prohited acts:
* campaigning;
* selling, furnishing, offering, buying, serving or taking intoxicating liquor;
* giving, accepting free transportation, food, drinks and things of value.
May 10, 2010 - 7:00 AM until 6:00 PM: Election Day in the Philippines. Prohibited acts:
* soliciting votes or undertaking any propaganda for or against any candidate of any political party within the polling place or within thirty meters thereof is prohibited;
* voting more than once or in substitution of another;
* holding of fairs, cockfights, boxing or any other similar sports.
June 9, 2010: Last day to file sworn statements of election contributions and espenditures.
I would like to ask about this resolution. Why are the "presidentiables" are campaigning as early as June of 2009 when the right time is the 9th of February up to the 8th of May 2010?
PGMA and FG: Not Guilty in ZTE Deal
Together with complaints against the officials of ZTE namely Lorenzo Formoso, Elmer Soneja, Yu Yong, George Zhuying, Fan Yan, and Hou Wei, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and her husband First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo were dismissed yesterday. Also cleared in the case were Jose "Joey" de Venecia and Transportation Secretary Leandro Mendoza.
But the Office of the Ombudsman charged former elections chief Benjamin Abalos and Social Security System president Romulo Neri guilty.Cases of violation of Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act will be filed against Abalos and Neri before the Sandiganbayan. Where also a separate case for “corruption of public officials,” or a violation of Article 212 of the Revised Penal Code, was likewise recommended against Abalos, which will be lodged before the Metropolitan Trial Court of Mandaluyong City.
A 144-page joint resolution was dated April 21, 2009 but was approved only on Aug. 27 by overall deputy ombudsman Orlando Casimiro. was signed by Emilio Gonzales III, deputy ombudsman for the military and other law enforcement offices; Robert Kallos, deputy special prosecutor; Rodolfo Elman, assistant ombudsman; Cesar Asuncion, director; and Jesus Micael, special prosecutor. where ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez, a law school classmate of Mr. Arroyo, inhibited from the case. It is maybe because she is facing impeachment raps for allegedly dragging her feet on the case and on other high-level corruption cases involving ranking administration officials that is why it's better for her not to join this one for us not to think that the ombudsman is influenced or biased by on their decision.
The ruling came two years after businessman Jose de Venecia III, son and namesake of the former House speaker, exposed the alleged anomalies in the deal and implicated the First Gentleman and Abalos.
Why is Mr. Arroyo, De Venecia and Mendoza were cleared? It is because “due to lack of probable cause.” While President Arroyo was not indicted because she is immune from suits as incumbent president.
The Akbayan party list (which file the case) member Rep. Risa Hontiveros-Baraquel said that with the ruling, they are now urging Abalos and Neri to “speak up” and reveal everything they know about the NBN-ZTE deal.
Mr. Arroyo’s lawyer said he was “pleasantly surprised” by the Ombudsman ruling. “We’ve always been confident. They failed to show any evidence or proof (of Mr. Arroyo’s involvement) and we’ve properly presented our factual and legal defense,” Ruy Rondain told The STAR over the phone.
“I maintain my innocence. I have nothing to do with the pricing (of ZTE project),” Abalos said. Where he resigned from the Comelec on Oct. 1, 2007 amid accusations by the younger De Venecia that he had tried to broker the $329-million NBN project. That is, according to Abalos the accusations of De Venecia were baseless and should not be given any weight. “He was claiming that I was brokering for the project. But he was the one who kept on coming to Wack Wack (golf club). Kung ako may kailangan sa kanya, bakit sya ang punta ng punta sa akin (If I’m the one who needed something from him, then why is it that it was he who kept on coming to me)?” he asked.
Neri had testified before the Senate about an apparent attempt by Abalos to bribe him to convince him to endorse the project. Neri was then socioeconomic secretary when Abalos made the alleged bribe offer. "The Ombudsman filed criminal charges against me?” Neri asked, almost incredulously.
Well, for my political opinions, why are they surprise (Mr. Arroyo's camp) when they confident of the result? and why are they confident of the result?
Even if ombudsman Gutierrez did not join in. She can still influence and speak to her fellow ombudsmans for the ruling.
The one that is not clear for me, why is Neri charged when he was the witness? Is telling the truth now makes one liable of complaints and charges?
What if Mrs. Arroyo will not be the president anymore? I hope not the charges when piled up would not be taller than her...
Read more...
But the Office of the Ombudsman charged former elections chief Benjamin Abalos and Social Security System president Romulo Neri guilty.Cases of violation of Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act will be filed against Abalos and Neri before the Sandiganbayan. Where also a separate case for “corruption of public officials,” or a violation of Article 212 of the Revised Penal Code, was likewise recommended against Abalos, which will be lodged before the Metropolitan Trial Court of Mandaluyong City.
A 144-page joint resolution was dated April 21, 2009 but was approved only on Aug. 27 by overall deputy ombudsman Orlando Casimiro. was signed by Emilio Gonzales III, deputy ombudsman for the military and other law enforcement offices; Robert Kallos, deputy special prosecutor; Rodolfo Elman, assistant ombudsman; Cesar Asuncion, director; and Jesus Micael, special prosecutor. where ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez, a law school classmate of Mr. Arroyo, inhibited from the case. It is maybe because she is facing impeachment raps for allegedly dragging her feet on the case and on other high-level corruption cases involving ranking administration officials that is why it's better for her not to join this one for us not to think that the ombudsman is influenced or biased by on their decision.
The ruling came two years after businessman Jose de Venecia III, son and namesake of the former House speaker, exposed the alleged anomalies in the deal and implicated the First Gentleman and Abalos.
Why is Mr. Arroyo, De Venecia and Mendoza were cleared? It is because “due to lack of probable cause.” While President Arroyo was not indicted because she is immune from suits as incumbent president.
The Akbayan party list (which file the case) member Rep. Risa Hontiveros-Baraquel said that with the ruling, they are now urging Abalos and Neri to “speak up” and reveal everything they know about the NBN-ZTE deal.
Mr. Arroyo’s lawyer said he was “pleasantly surprised” by the Ombudsman ruling. “We’ve always been confident. They failed to show any evidence or proof (of Mr. Arroyo’s involvement) and we’ve properly presented our factual and legal defense,” Ruy Rondain told The STAR over the phone.
“I maintain my innocence. I have nothing to do with the pricing (of ZTE project),” Abalos said. Where he resigned from the Comelec on Oct. 1, 2007 amid accusations by the younger De Venecia that he had tried to broker the $329-million NBN project. That is, according to Abalos the accusations of De Venecia were baseless and should not be given any weight. “He was claiming that I was brokering for the project. But he was the one who kept on coming to Wack Wack (golf club). Kung ako may kailangan sa kanya, bakit sya ang punta ng punta sa akin (If I’m the one who needed something from him, then why is it that it was he who kept on coming to me)?” he asked.
Neri had testified before the Senate about an apparent attempt by Abalos to bribe him to convince him to endorse the project. Neri was then socioeconomic secretary when Abalos made the alleged bribe offer. "The Ombudsman filed criminal charges against me?” Neri asked, almost incredulously.
Well, for my political opinions, why are they surprise (Mr. Arroyo's camp) when they confident of the result? and why are they confident of the result?
Even if ombudsman Gutierrez did not join in. She can still influence and speak to her fellow ombudsmans for the ruling.
The one that is not clear for me, why is Neri charged when he was the witness? Is telling the truth now makes one liable of complaints and charges?
What if Mrs. Arroyo will not be the president anymore? I hope not the charges when piled up would not be taller than her...
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Rep. Suarez Produces the Receipt For Washington Dinner
Quezon 3rd District Rep. Danilo Suarez produced the receipt of the dinner of the President and her party at Washington DC's upscale Bobby Van's restaurant, which he claims he paid.
The receipt Suarez showed that the total bill was around $15,000, and the itemized list showed various steaks, salads, drinks, and other food items the group ordered.
"It so happened that we are such in a place na mataas ang standard of living. 'Wag na nating gawing issue na mahal, dahil talagang mahal doon," Suarez said.
Meanwhile, Batangas 2nd district Rep. Hermilando Mandanas said he could not remember who footed the bill on two other meals the presidential entourage had while in the United States.
In New York City, the group also dined at the Wolfgang Steakhouse for lunch and had dinner at the fine dining restaurant Bouley.
Wolfgang's Steakhouse is associated with celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck, while Bouley is owned by another star chef, David Bouley.
Mandanas said he remembers the menu had salad, duck, and wine.
"Masasabi ko sa 'yo, walang champagne, walang caviar, wala noon... May choice ka ng salad o soup to start with... pagkatapos main course, meron kang choice na seafood o duck," he said in an interview.
Price ranges don't differ
The price range of the food in these two restaurants do not stray away from those of the two other restaurants in which the president's group dined in - Le Cirque in New York, and Bobby Van's.
According to a New York magazine's Web site, a salad course at Wolfgang's Steakhouse costs $11 (roughly P528), and main courses average $38 (roughly P1,728).
Bouley's Web site, meanwhile, showed that a salad costs around $21 (roughly P1,008), and main courses average $72 (around P3,456).
Malacañang had earlier defended this. A Palace official had said that they cannot allow the president to eat just anywhere.
Overspent
As my last post pointed out that Palace officials also admitted that they have spent more than the estimated P1.4 billion budget for foreign travels of the President since 2001, after Bukidnon 2nd Dist. Rep. Teofisto Guingona III revealed the budget overrun.
Data from Malacañang showed that the allocation for foreign travels were P1,439,232,000, but the actual costs have skyrocketed to P2,499,280,595.08.
Malacañang, however, said they did not violate anything despite spending over budget.
"When the congressman says 'yong kabuuan noong contingency fund naubos sa biyahe, he is wrong. The contingency fund can be used for other MOOE in excess of allocations as provided by the law. So he misspeaks," Presidential Spokesperson for Economic Affairs Gary Olivar said.
The lower House, meanwhile, said they are ready to investigate the expenses of the Office of the President on foreign trips in next year's budget hearing. Taken from ABS-CBN News with a report from RG Cruz.
In my opinion, I don't believe Rep. Madanas' statement that he could not remember who footed the bill on the two other meals. Even in my own experience, I can't forget the friend who footed even just the softdrinks after we eat in a restaurant. So, it's very impossible to forget who footed the bill specially on an abroad dinner and specially on that huge amount of bill in the receipt.
Oh! Come on! It's a good alibi than saying that they forgot the name of the place.
Read more...
The receipt Suarez showed that the total bill was around $15,000, and the itemized list showed various steaks, salads, drinks, and other food items the group ordered.
"It so happened that we are such in a place na mataas ang standard of living. 'Wag na nating gawing issue na mahal, dahil talagang mahal doon," Suarez said.
Meanwhile, Batangas 2nd district Rep. Hermilando Mandanas said he could not remember who footed the bill on two other meals the presidential entourage had while in the United States.
In New York City, the group also dined at the Wolfgang Steakhouse for lunch and had dinner at the fine dining restaurant Bouley.
Wolfgang's Steakhouse is associated with celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck, while Bouley is owned by another star chef, David Bouley.
Mandanas said he remembers the menu had salad, duck, and wine.
"Masasabi ko sa 'yo, walang champagne, walang caviar, wala noon... May choice ka ng salad o soup to start with... pagkatapos main course, meron kang choice na seafood o duck," he said in an interview.
Price ranges don't differ
The price range of the food in these two restaurants do not stray away from those of the two other restaurants in which the president's group dined in - Le Cirque in New York, and Bobby Van's.
According to a New York magazine's Web site, a salad course at Wolfgang's Steakhouse costs $11 (roughly P528), and main courses average $38 (roughly P1,728).
Bouley's Web site, meanwhile, showed that a salad costs around $21 (roughly P1,008), and main courses average $72 (around P3,456).
Malacañang had earlier defended this. A Palace official had said that they cannot allow the president to eat just anywhere.
Overspent
As my last post pointed out that Palace officials also admitted that they have spent more than the estimated P1.4 billion budget for foreign travels of the President since 2001, after Bukidnon 2nd Dist. Rep. Teofisto Guingona III revealed the budget overrun.
Data from Malacañang showed that the allocation for foreign travels were P1,439,232,000, but the actual costs have skyrocketed to P2,499,280,595.08.
Malacañang, however, said they did not violate anything despite spending over budget.
"When the congressman says 'yong kabuuan noong contingency fund naubos sa biyahe, he is wrong. The contingency fund can be used for other MOOE in excess of allocations as provided by the law. So he misspeaks," Presidential Spokesperson for Economic Affairs Gary Olivar said.
The lower House, meanwhile, said they are ready to investigate the expenses of the Office of the President on foreign trips in next year's budget hearing. Taken from ABS-CBN News with a report from RG Cruz.
In my opinion, I don't believe Rep. Madanas' statement that he could not remember who footed the bill on the two other meals. Even in my own experience, I can't forget the friend who footed even just the softdrinks after we eat in a restaurant. So, it's very impossible to forget who footed the bill specially on an abroad dinner and specially on that huge amount of bill in the receipt.
Oh! Come on! It's a good alibi than saying that they forgot the name of the place.
Palace Admits PGMA Overspent Over P1 Billion
Note: this picture was just downloaded from the web. I didn't edit it.
Malacañang admitted yesterday that the Office of the President had exceeded its budget allocation for travel expenses by over P1 billion from 2001 to 2009 but insisted that there was nothing wrong with it.
Deputy Executive Secretary for administration and finance Susana Vargas presented figures showing the overspending at a press briefing in Malacañang yesterday.
Vargas disclosed that P1.4 billion had been allocated for local and foreign trips of the Office of the President (OP) from 2001 to 2009 but the actual amount spent was close to P2.5 billion.
Vargas noted that on a yearly basis, the OP received P130 million for travel expenses until 2007, when the figure was raised to P170 million and then to P244.6 million each for 2008 and this year.
Malacañang’s disclosure came on the heels of an announcement by Bukidnon Rep. Teofisto Guingona III that the OP exceeded its travel budget by P1.3 billion from 2002 to 2008. Guingona said his figures were provided by the Commission on Audit (COA).
But Vargas explained that there was nothing irregular about the OP’s travel expenses and that it was allowed to draw from “savings” on other items in the miscellaneous and other operating expenditures provision in the OP’s budget.
She said that most of the additional funds needed for the travels were taken from the maintenance and other operating expenses (MOOE) while only P67 million was taken from the contingency funds.
“The difference was drawn from our regular MOOE. It’s allowed. It’s still within the allotment cast,” Vargas said.
Deputy presidential spokesman Gary Olivar also defended the Palace’s travel expenses.
“It is the ability provided within the GAA (General Appropriations Act) to cover expenditures on any given item in excess of the budget allocation by savings from other budget items and it should be within the appropriately authorized class,” Olivar said.
“For example, under the local or foreign travel which is an item under MOOE, the savings have to come from class of MOOE,” he explained.
Olivar also defended the use of the contingency fund for President Arroyo’s travel expenses, saying it is legal.
“When the congressman said that the entire contingency fund was exhausted because of the travels, he is wrong. The contingency fund can be used for other MOOE in excess of allocation as provided by the law. So he misspeaks,” Olivar said, referring to Guingona.
The controversy over the President’s travel expenditures came immediately after reports on her supposed lavish dinners in US restaurants with her entourage and friends. The controversy overshadowed reports on her meeting with US President Barack Obama.
Vargas noted that Mrs. Arroyo’s trip to the US cost the taxpayers a total of P19.19 million.
But Olivar emphasized that the overall benefits of the trips should also be taken into account.
“This is a mishmash of numbers. If we look at all the numbers together, we are looking at over $6 billion, a very rough estimate. That’s about 312,000 dinners at Le Cirque, assuming that the number is correct, which by the way, the restaurant management has denied,” Olivar said.
Guingona, meanwhile, challenged Speaker Prospero Nograles yesterday to lead an inquiry on allegations of overspending in Mrs. Arroyo’s foreign travels instead of making excuses for the controversy, which has sparked public uproar.
“I had expected that, as the leader of the House, Speaker Nograles would be the first in ensuring the proper use of the budget, especially so because the power over the purse is exclusively entrusted to Congress,” Guingona said.
“Instead, he is providing excuses for the abuse of budget,” he told reporters at a press briefing.
Guingona earlier said a Commission on Audit briefing last Aug.12 revealed that in 2008, the Office of the President spent P920 million from the contingency fund when the budget only allowed for P800 million.
“From previous hearings I already knew that the travel expenses of the Office of the President in excess of the budget was, in fact charged to the contingency fund,” Guingona said. – (taken from Philstar News Service, www.philstar.com, Marvin Sy With Perseus Echeminada)
For my opinion, it's very extravagant for one person to spend this huge amount of money in her trips. As I learned in our political science, political leaders must be the one who will serve the public. The public's welfare before thy self. So, why will PGMA spent that vast amount of money? I think that it's because of her entourage that will make the expenses bigger. Even if they said that not a single centavo was spent for the members of the Congress who accompanied her in the US, the point is, that's the tax of the people and they used it in their trips.
Even if they justified that her expenses in her trips are lesser than the money being generated by having many investors and all the aids that was given to us because of the people she convinced in her trips, i think it still doesn't matter. The question is not about if whether or not she convinced a thousand of investors, the question is on the process she convinces the investors, before or after her trips abroad. That "before" and "after" includes the way she spends the money.
Well, she will also benefit from the investors. Heard the word SOP? Standard Operating Procedure? There is a considerable percentage of amount that will be deducted at the money invested. It doesn't stop at the president. The congressman and even the barangay captains will have it's SOP "share".
Greed...
Read more...
Deputy Executive Secretary for administration and finance Susana Vargas presented figures showing the overspending at a press briefing in Malacañang yesterday.
Vargas disclosed that P1.4 billion had been allocated for local and foreign trips of the Office of the President (OP) from 2001 to 2009 but the actual amount spent was close to P2.5 billion.
Vargas noted that on a yearly basis, the OP received P130 million for travel expenses until 2007, when the figure was raised to P170 million and then to P244.6 million each for 2008 and this year.
Malacañang’s disclosure came on the heels of an announcement by Bukidnon Rep. Teofisto Guingona III that the OP exceeded its travel budget by P1.3 billion from 2002 to 2008. Guingona said his figures were provided by the Commission on Audit (COA).
But Vargas explained that there was nothing irregular about the OP’s travel expenses and that it was allowed to draw from “savings” on other items in the miscellaneous and other operating expenditures provision in the OP’s budget.
She said that most of the additional funds needed for the travels were taken from the maintenance and other operating expenses (MOOE) while only P67 million was taken from the contingency funds.
“The difference was drawn from our regular MOOE. It’s allowed. It’s still within the allotment cast,” Vargas said.
Deputy presidential spokesman Gary Olivar also defended the Palace’s travel expenses.
“It is the ability provided within the GAA (General Appropriations Act) to cover expenditures on any given item in excess of the budget allocation by savings from other budget items and it should be within the appropriately authorized class,” Olivar said.
“For example, under the local or foreign travel which is an item under MOOE, the savings have to come from class of MOOE,” he explained.
Olivar also defended the use of the contingency fund for President Arroyo’s travel expenses, saying it is legal.
“When the congressman said that the entire contingency fund was exhausted because of the travels, he is wrong. The contingency fund can be used for other MOOE in excess of allocation as provided by the law. So he misspeaks,” Olivar said, referring to Guingona.
The controversy over the President’s travel expenditures came immediately after reports on her supposed lavish dinners in US restaurants with her entourage and friends. The controversy overshadowed reports on her meeting with US President Barack Obama.
Vargas noted that Mrs. Arroyo’s trip to the US cost the taxpayers a total of P19.19 million.
But Olivar emphasized that the overall benefits of the trips should also be taken into account.
“This is a mishmash of numbers. If we look at all the numbers together, we are looking at over $6 billion, a very rough estimate. That’s about 312,000 dinners at Le Cirque, assuming that the number is correct, which by the way, the restaurant management has denied,” Olivar said.
Guingona, meanwhile, challenged Speaker Prospero Nograles yesterday to lead an inquiry on allegations of overspending in Mrs. Arroyo’s foreign travels instead of making excuses for the controversy, which has sparked public uproar.
“I had expected that, as the leader of the House, Speaker Nograles would be the first in ensuring the proper use of the budget, especially so because the power over the purse is exclusively entrusted to Congress,” Guingona said.
“Instead, he is providing excuses for the abuse of budget,” he told reporters at a press briefing.
Guingona earlier said a Commission on Audit briefing last Aug.12 revealed that in 2008, the Office of the President spent P920 million from the contingency fund when the budget only allowed for P800 million.
“From previous hearings I already knew that the travel expenses of the Office of the President in excess of the budget was, in fact charged to the contingency fund,” Guingona said. – (taken from Philstar News Service, www.philstar.com, Marvin Sy With Perseus Echeminada)
For my opinion, it's very extravagant for one person to spend this huge amount of money in her trips. As I learned in our political science, political leaders must be the one who will serve the public. The public's welfare before thy self. So, why will PGMA spent that vast amount of money? I think that it's because of her entourage that will make the expenses bigger. Even if they said that not a single centavo was spent for the members of the Congress who accompanied her in the US, the point is, that's the tax of the people and they used it in their trips.
Even if they justified that her expenses in her trips are lesser than the money being generated by having many investors and all the aids that was given to us because of the people she convinced in her trips, i think it still doesn't matter. The question is not about if whether or not she convinced a thousand of investors, the question is on the process she convinces the investors, before or after her trips abroad. That "before" and "after" includes the way she spends the money.
Well, she will also benefit from the investors. Heard the word SOP? Standard Operating Procedure? There is a considerable percentage of amount that will be deducted at the money invested. It doesn't stop at the president. The congressman and even the barangay captains will have it's SOP "share".
Greed...
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Another Big Meal For GMA
I thought that my last post about President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s state visit entourage dined at the cost of $20,000 (about P1 million) at Le Cirque Restaurant in the New York City was the LAST of her "simple dining", later did I know that I was wrong.
Wait, I was partly right, they didn't dine again at Le Cirque and that was their last in their "simple dining" when they are at the United States for their visit. Certainly that was their last because they have eaten at Bobby Van's Steakhouse on 15th Street, Washington DC, hours after Ms. Arroyo's meeting with US President Barack Obama.
With Ms. Arroyo is about 65 people, including security and food tasters. Where according to the Washington Post's Reliable Source column with the title of "Heartburn Over Two Big Meals":
Steaks at the popular restaurant are priced anywhere from $38 (P1,830) to $42 (P2,023), according to the Bobby Van's Steakhouse website. Half bottles of red and white wine at the restaurant are priced between $18 (P867) to $60 (P2,890) while the most expensive bottle on the winelist, a Louis Roederer Cristal Reims, is priced at $575 (P27,697). The actual tab of Ms Arroyo’s entourage has yet to be revealed.
As what Makati City Mayor Jejomar Binay as saying the dinner for 25 people could have fed “almost 3,000 hungry families with three square meals.”
Ms Arroyo, What's next?
Read more...
Wait, I was partly right, they didn't dine again at Le Cirque and that was their last in their "simple dining" when they are at the United States for their visit. Certainly that was their last because they have eaten at Bobby Van's Steakhouse on 15th Street, Washington DC, hours after Ms. Arroyo's meeting with US President Barack Obama.
With Ms. Arroyo is about 65 people, including security and food tasters. Where according to the Washington Post's Reliable Source column with the title of "Heartburn Over Two Big Meals":
"The group took over one of the restaurant's private rooms and dined on lobster, steak and fine wines; at the conclusion of the meal, an unidentified woman opened a handbag stuffed with cash, counted out bills and paid the $15,000 tab -- which included a generous tip,"
Steaks at the popular restaurant are priced anywhere from $38 (P1,830) to $42 (P2,023), according to the Bobby Van's Steakhouse website. Half bottles of red and white wine at the restaurant are priced between $18 (P867) to $60 (P2,890) while the most expensive bottle on the winelist, a Louis Roederer Cristal Reims, is priced at $575 (P27,697). The actual tab of Ms Arroyo’s entourage has yet to be revealed.
As what Makati City Mayor Jejomar Binay as saying the dinner for 25 people could have fed “almost 3,000 hungry families with three square meals.”
Ms Arroyo, What's next?
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Palace Won't Say Sorry For The Le Cirque Bill
As the alleged $20,000 bill on a dinner held at the worlds famous Le Cirque in New York City circulating around the web and one of the hottest issues in politics.
BUT Malacañang won't say sorry for that as Press Secretary Cerge Remonde said when asked if the palace would apologize. “If the dinner was really ostentatious, then there has to be an apology, but it wasn’t ostentatious and I stand by that”, he said pointing to Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez as the guest who paid for the dinner that a New York tabloid said cost $20,000 (almost P1 million).
“That is unfair. It was not FM (Ferdinand Martin Romualdez) but his brother Daniel who footed the bill,” lawyer Nick Esmale, the congressman’s legal and media liaison officer, said on the phone. Daniel is an architect living in New York since 1986, was among the most successful Filipinos working and among the highest paid in his field.
Representative Romualdez is a nephew of former first lady Imelda Marcos, one of the richest members of the House of Representatives, and the senior vice president for finance of the ruling Lakas-Kampi-CMD. He is considered one of Ms Arroyo’s closest allies.
In what he promised to be Malacañang’s “final” statement on the matter, Remonde maintained that Ms Arroyo and First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo were simply invited to the dinner by Romualdez. Adding that it is impolite for the First Couple to turn down an invitation graciously made by a distinguished congressman.
Remonde added that the source is a blog and that said blog made assumptions about how the bill could have reached close to $20,000, based on the menu. One computation making the rounds of blogs pegged the total bill at $19,866 with such items as Wild Golden Osetra Caviar ($1,400) and 11 bottles of Krug champagne ($5,610). The widely circulated New York Post, which reported on the dinner, said Ms Arroyo “ordered several bottles of very expensive wine, pushing the dinner tab up to $20,000.”
Remonde insisted the meal that Ms Arroyo and her group had at Le Cirque was “simple” and without caviar and champagne. In a radio interview, Remonde also said it wasn’t surprising if Ms Arroyo was invited to dine at a decent restaurant. “If you invite the President to dinner in New York, (you won’t have it in) a hotdog stand, right?” he said.
“Practically everybody knows that the place where they dined and wined is definitely not a place where people get a simple dinner,” Roman Catholic Archbishop Oscar Cruz said.
Had Ms Aquino wanted a simple dinner, she should have chosen a “simple restaurant,” Cruz added. “What is being paid in the restaurant is actually not the food but the ambiance there.”
For my political opinion, if the president is for the mass, she would have also showed to us that she can eat even on hotdog stands. I remembered that there was a calendar-poster that showed Mrs. Arroyo planting rice. So why not try to eat in a hotdog stands and let people know that she can be normal and be like other people in the US.
Also, if that money would be given to the less fortunate Filipinos, that large amount of money can help not just a hundred of family but thousands of it. Think of it. Let's say a typical family consumes 2 kilos of rice a day, a can of sardines and a soup of noodles. Let's just think that it's their menu for every meal a day. (It's only approximation because prices may vary depending on the location of the family.):
A kilo of rice worth P25 x 2 x a day = P25
A can of sardines worth P20 x 3 = P60
Noodles which is worth P10 x 3 = P90
The total sum of P175 a day for one family.
We can also approximate that a dollar is equivalent to P40. SO, $20,000 x P40 = P800,000.
P800,000/P175 = about 4,571 families that could have eaten our menu in that day.
That would be a generous act if not a smart political move for them.
Read more...
BUT Malacañang won't say sorry for that as Press Secretary Cerge Remonde said when asked if the palace would apologize. “If the dinner was really ostentatious, then there has to be an apology, but it wasn’t ostentatious and I stand by that”, he said pointing to Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez as the guest who paid for the dinner that a New York tabloid said cost $20,000 (almost P1 million).
“That is unfair. It was not FM (Ferdinand Martin Romualdez) but his brother Daniel who footed the bill,” lawyer Nick Esmale, the congressman’s legal and media liaison officer, said on the phone. Daniel is an architect living in New York since 1986, was among the most successful Filipinos working and among the highest paid in his field.
Representative Romualdez is a nephew of former first lady Imelda Marcos, one of the richest members of the House of Representatives, and the senior vice president for finance of the ruling Lakas-Kampi-CMD. He is considered one of Ms Arroyo’s closest allies.
In what he promised to be Malacañang’s “final” statement on the matter, Remonde maintained that Ms Arroyo and First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo were simply invited to the dinner by Romualdez. Adding that it is impolite for the First Couple to turn down an invitation graciously made by a distinguished congressman.
Remonde added that the source is a blog and that said blog made assumptions about how the bill could have reached close to $20,000, based on the menu. One computation making the rounds of blogs pegged the total bill at $19,866 with such items as Wild Golden Osetra Caviar ($1,400) and 11 bottles of Krug champagne ($5,610). The widely circulated New York Post, which reported on the dinner, said Ms Arroyo “ordered several bottles of very expensive wine, pushing the dinner tab up to $20,000.”
Remonde insisted the meal that Ms Arroyo and her group had at Le Cirque was “simple” and without caviar and champagne. In a radio interview, Remonde also said it wasn’t surprising if Ms Arroyo was invited to dine at a decent restaurant. “If you invite the President to dinner in New York, (you won’t have it in) a hotdog stand, right?” he said.
Under the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials, government officials are prohibited from accepting gifts or anything of monetary value from any person in the course of their official duties or in connection with any transaction which may be affected by the functions of their office.
Presidential Decree No. 46 punishes public officials from receiving gifts on any occasion, as well as private individuals who give the gifts to officials.
The anti-graft law also penalizes receiving gifts or any material benefit from any person for whom the public officer has secured or obtained, or will secure or obtain, any government permit or license. It also bans receiving gifts in connection with any government transaction.
“Practically everybody knows that the place where they dined and wined is definitely not a place where people get a simple dinner,” Roman Catholic Archbishop Oscar Cruz said.
Had Ms Aquino wanted a simple dinner, she should have chosen a “simple restaurant,” Cruz added. “What is being paid in the restaurant is actually not the food but the ambiance there.”
For my political opinion, if the president is for the mass, she would have also showed to us that she can eat even on hotdog stands. I remembered that there was a calendar-poster that showed Mrs. Arroyo planting rice. So why not try to eat in a hotdog stands and let people know that she can be normal and be like other people in the US.
Also, if that money would be given to the less fortunate Filipinos, that large amount of money can help not just a hundred of family but thousands of it. Think of it. Let's say a typical family consumes 2 kilos of rice a day, a can of sardines and a soup of noodles. Let's just think that it's their menu for every meal a day. (It's only approximation because prices may vary depending on the location of the family.):
A kilo of rice worth P25 x 2 x a day = P25
A can of sardines worth P20 x 3 = P60
Noodles which is worth P10 x 3 = P90
The total sum of P175 a day for one family.
We can also approximate that a dollar is equivalent to P40. SO, $20,000 x P40 = P800,000.
P800,000/P175 = about 4,571 families that could have eaten our menu in that day.
That would be a generous act if not a smart political move for them.
Kris Not Focus on 2010 Election, but
She and James yap is focus on having another baby, a baby girl.
As the rumors have it that she will run in 2010. The rumors started when her speech at the funeral mass of her late mother Corazon Cojuangco-Aquino, included a statement that it is only through them (Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III) they can continue the fight their mom and dad had started.
Even though she will not run for office this 2010, she will continue the legacy of her mom by continuing her charity works. "Maraming mga proyekto ang magbe-benefit doon sa mga scholars ng dad (former senator Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino Jr.) doon sa Aquino Center sa Tarlac na tutulong doon sa microfinance at sa feeding program ng mom na talagang malapit sa puso niya. I feel na sa trabaho kong ito, I'll be in the best position to do that,” Kris said.
"I want to have another baby. I talked to James about it… and sabi niya, 'Sigurado ka?' Kasi knowing me baka mga four months or five months bed rest yan. Sabi ko sa kanya, 'Habang kaya pa subukan natin.'” Kris said she is praying for a baby girl who will hopefully look after Joshua. “With Josh's special needs, grabe ang burden kay baby James. So, sana madagdagan, if it’s God's will…Pero kung boy ang ibigay, okay lang din. Basta gusto kong maging tatlo ang anak ko, sana,” she said.
"Hindi ko minamaliit ang kakayanan ni Noy, kaya lang honest politician siya. Naka-9 years siya sa Kongreso. He is going on his second year sa Senate. If you based kung ano lang talaga ang sini-sweldo ng congressman at senador, ‘yon lang talaga ang kay ‘Noy, he can't afford,” she said while referring that she promised her mom that she would take care of her bachelor brother.
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As the rumors have it that she will run in 2010. The rumors started when her speech at the funeral mass of her late mother Corazon Cojuangco-Aquino, included a statement that it is only through them (Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III) they can continue the fight their mom and dad had started.
Even though she will not run for office this 2010, she will continue the legacy of her mom by continuing her charity works. "Maraming mga proyekto ang magbe-benefit doon sa mga scholars ng dad (former senator Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino Jr.) doon sa Aquino Center sa Tarlac na tutulong doon sa microfinance at sa feeding program ng mom na talagang malapit sa puso niya. I feel na sa trabaho kong ito, I'll be in the best position to do that,” Kris said.
"I want to have another baby. I talked to James about it… and sabi niya, 'Sigurado ka?' Kasi knowing me baka mga four months or five months bed rest yan. Sabi ko sa kanya, 'Habang kaya pa subukan natin.'” Kris said she is praying for a baby girl who will hopefully look after Joshua. “With Josh's special needs, grabe ang burden kay baby James. So, sana madagdagan, if it’s God's will…Pero kung boy ang ibigay, okay lang din. Basta gusto kong maging tatlo ang anak ko, sana,” she said.
"Hindi ko minamaliit ang kakayanan ni Noy, kaya lang honest politician siya. Naka-9 years siya sa Kongreso. He is going on his second year sa Senate. If you based kung ano lang talaga ang sini-sweldo ng congressman at senador, ‘yon lang talaga ang kay ‘Noy, he can't afford,” she said while referring that she promised her mom that she would take care of her bachelor brother.
Homily of Fr. Catalino Arevalo, S.J. for Tita Cory
I think it is good to share the wonderful homily of Fr. Catalino Arevalo, S.J. at the funeral mass of the late former President Corazon Cojuangco-Aquino.
INTRODUCTION
If I may first ask pardon for what might be an unseemly introduction. In the last days of President Cory’s illness, when it seemed inevitable that the end would come, the assignment to give this homily was given to me. By Ms Kris Aquino, in fact. She reminded me that many times and publicly, her mother had said she was asking me to preach at her funeral Mass. Always I told her I was years older, and would go ahead of her, but she would just smile at this. Those who knew Tita Cory knew that when she had made up her mind, she had made up her mind.
What then is my task this morning? I know for certain that if liturgical rules were not what they are, she would have asked Congressman Ted Locsin to be here in my place. No one has it in him to speak as fittingly of Cory Aquino in the manner and measure of tribute she uniquely deserves, no one else as he. Asked in an interview she said that the address before the two Houses of Congress at Washington she considered perhaps the supreme shining moment of her life. We know who helped her with those words with which she conquered America. These last few days, too, every gifted writer in the press and other media has written on her person and political history, analyzed almost every side of her life and achievement as our own “icon of democracy”. More powerfully even, images of her and of EDSA UNO have filled hour after hour of TV time. Really, what else is left to be said?
CORY AQUINO FUNERAL HOMILY (this follows the INTRODUCTION)
So, Tita Cory, you’ll forgive me if I don’t even try to give a shadow of the great oration that should be given here this morning. Let me instead try to say some things the people who persevered for hours on end in the serried lines at Ortigas or here in Intramuros can (I hope) more easily follow. This is a lowly tribute at one with “the old sneakers and clothes made tighter by age, soaked by water and much worse for wear” of the men, women and children who braved the rain and the sun because they wanted to tell you, even for a brief and hurried moment, how much they love you. You truly ”now belong among the immortals”. But these words are for those mortals who with bruised hearts have lost “the mother of a people”. Maybe less elegantly than the seminarian said to me Monday, they would like to say also: “She was the only true queen our people have ever had, and she was queen because we knew she truly held our hearts in the greatness and the gentleness of her own.”
One of my teachers used to tell us that if we really wanted to know and understand a position held, we would have to learn it from someone fully committed to it. Just as only one who genuinely loves a person, really knows him or her also. So to begin with, I turned to three real “experts on Cory”; to ask them where for them the true greatness of Cory Aquino lay. My first source thought it was in her selflessness, seen above all in her love of country - surely above self; yes, even above family. Her self-giving, then, for us; what she had received, all became gift for us. The second, thought it was in her faith her greatness lay, in her total trust in God which was also her greatest strength. And the third said it was in her courage and the unshakable loyalty that went with it. It was a strength others could lean on; it never wavered; it never broke. . . . . . Cory’s selflessness and self-giving; her faith (the Holy Father just called it “unwavering”); her courage, her strength. -- May I use this short list to frame what I will say? O, let me name my experts now, if I may. They were three, all of them women close to her: Maria Elena Aquino Cruz, whom we know as Ballsy, Maria Aurora Aquino Abellada, Pinky to her friends; and Victoria Elisa Aquino Dee, Viel to the family. Kris and Noynoy are the public figures; they can speak for themselves. I hope they will forgive me that I did not ask.
First, then, her generous selflessness. For us this morning what is surely most to the point is her love of country. When her final illness was upon her already, she said, -- most recently at the Greenmeadows chapel (her last public words, I think) --that she was offering her suffering, first to God, then for our people. I heard that grandson Jiggy asked her why first for country and people, and she said that always the priority line-up was God, our country and our people, and then family. On radio, the other night, the commentator asked an old woman in line why she stood hours in the rain to get into La Salle. “Ito lang ang maibibigay ko po sa kanya, bilang pasasalamat.” “Bakit, ano ba ang ibinigay ni Cory sa inyo?” “Di po ba ang buhay nya? Ang buong sarila nya? At di po ba ang pagasa? Kaya mahal na mahal po namin siya.” Early on, on TV, they ran many times the clip from a last interview. She says, “I thank God, and then all of you, for making me a Filipino, for making me one of you. I cherish this as one of the truly great gifts I have received.” A few weeks from her death, she could say that; without put-on or the least insincerity. “I thank you, for making me one of you..”
Her selflessness, her self-gift. Pope Benedict likes to say that the God whom Jesus Christ revealed to us, is Father. A Father who is wholly self-gift; the God “whose nature is to give Himself” – to give Himself to us, in His Son. And, the Pope says, that is what is the meaning of Jesus and the life of Jesus, and, by discipleship, what the Christian’s life is meant to be. We Christians too, we must give ourselves away in the self-giving of love. “Ang buhay po nya at sarili. Kaya po mahal na mahal namin sya.” In the last days, when finally and reluctantly still she admitted she had much pain, I kept thinking that only a couple of weeks before, for the first time publicly, she said that she was offering it up first of all for us.”
Secondly, her faith. Pinky says, it was her mother’s greatest strength; it was what was deepest in her. Her faith was her bedrock, and it was, bedrock . Frederick Buechner the ordained minister and novelist likes to say that through his lifetime, he’s had many doubts, even deep doubt, daily doubts. “But I have never really looked down into the deep abyss and seen only nothing. Somehow I have known, that underneath all the shadows and the darkness, there are the everlasting arms.” I think Cory’s faith was like that, not in the multiplicity of doubts (even if. in a life so filled with trial, there surely were doubts too), but in the certainty of the everlasting arms. More than once she told me, “Every time life painted me into a corner, with seemingly no escape, I always turned to Him in trust. I knew He would never abandon us if we trusted in Him. And you know, somehow, He found a way out for us.” And so Pinky says, “Mom was always calm even in the most trying times. She trusted God would always be there for us, She was our source of strength. She made this world seem so much safer and less cruel for us. And now that our source of strength is gone, we have to make our faith something more like hers. But we know in our hearts that in every storm she will watch over us from heaven.”
Within this faith was her devotion to Mary, the place Our Lady of Fatima and the rosary held in her life. All we can say on this, this morning is that Our Lady truly had a special, living presence in her life: Mary was, for Cory, true mother and incomparable friend; as we say in the hymn, - vita, dulcedo et spes, - life, sweetness and hope. No, Mary was not the center of her faith, but its air, its atmosphere; and the rosary, her lifeline through every trial and crisis. In the long harsh months of her illness, Sister Lucia’s beads almost never left her hands. She was holding them, as last Saturday was dawning and her years of exile were at last done, when we know her Lady “showed unto her, the blessed fruit of her womb.”
Lastly. Her courage, her strength. Her children tell us that their father was only able to do what he wanted to do, because her loyalty and her support for his purposes was total, so she practically raised them up as a single parent. Ninoy himself wrote, again and again, that he endured imprisonment and persecution, leaning so much on her courage and love. And after his death, when she could have withdrawn in a way “safely”, to her own life with her children at last, she stayed on her feet and fought on in the years that followed, through the snap elections and what went before and after them, through her presidency and the seven coup attempts which tried to bring her down. Even after she had given up her rule, could she not have said “enough”, and we would all have understood? But with not the least desire for position or power again, whenever she thought the spaces of freedom and the true good of our land were threatened, she went back to the streets of struggle again. Once again she led us out of the apathy we so readily fall into; once again she called us out of our comfort zones to the roads of sacrifice.
Here, even hesitantly, may I add one trait, one virtue, -- to those her daughters have named? One day Cardinal Stephen Kim of South Korea asked if he might visit her. Through Ballsy, she said Yes. It was a day Malacanang was ‘closed’; they were making up the roster of members of the forthcoming Constitutional Convention. Someone from the palace staff ordered us turned away when we came; it was Ballsy who rescued us. Stephen Kim, hero and saint to his own people,--perhaps, along with Cardinal Sin, one the two greatest Asian Catholic prelates of our time,- = spent some 45 minutes talking with her. When we were on our way back, he said, “I know why the Lord has entrusted her with power, at this most difficult time. … It is because she is pure of heart. She has no desire for power; even now it is with reluctance she takes it on. And she has done this only because she wants to do whatever she can for your people.” He said, “she truly moves me by the purity of her spirit. God has given a great gift to your people.”
With this purity of heart, in the scheme of the Christian Gospel, there is joined another reality which really, only the saints understand. It is suffering. How often (it is really often; over and over through the years) she spoke of suffering as part of her life. Much contemporary spirituality speaks of suffering almost as the epitome of all evil. But in fact for all the saints, it is a mystery they themselves do not really understand nor really explain, Yet they accept it quietly, simply as part of their lives in Christ. There is only one painting she ever gave me. Kris said then, when her mom gave it to me, that it was her mom’s favorite. The painting carries 1998 as its date; Cory named it “Crosses and roses” There are seven crosses for the seven months and seven weeks of her beloved Ninoy’s imprisonment, and for the seven attempted coups during her presidency, and many roses, multi-colored roses all around them. At the back of the painting, in her own hand, she wrote a haiku of her own: “Crosses and roses/ make my life more meaningful./ I cannot complain.” Often she spoke of her “quota of suffering.” When she spoke of her last illness, she said: “I thought I had filled up my quota of suffering, but it seems there is no quota. I look at Jesus, who was wholly sinless: how much suffering he had to bear for our sakes.” And in her last public talk (it was at Greenmeadows chapel), the first time she spoke of her own pain: “I have not asked for it, but if it is meant to be part of my life still, so be it. I will not complain.” “I try to join it with Jesus’ pain and offering. For what it’s worth, I am offering it up for our people.” Friends here present, I tell you honestly I hesitated before going into this, this morning. But without it, part of the real Cory Aquino would be kept from view. Quite simply, this was integral to the love she bore for her people.
At this point, may I, following the lead Mr Rapa Lopa has given, just speak a word of thanks to President Cory’s children, who shared so much of her service and her sacrifice. They have almost never had their father and mother for themselves. For so many years, they have been asked to share Ninoy and Cory with all of us. And because of the blood and the spirit their parents have passed on to them, they too gave with generosity and grace the sacrifices we demanded of them. – Ballsy and Pinky, Viel and Kris, your husbands and your children, and Senator Noynoy, may we thank you this morning from all our hearts, and may we offer also the gratitude of the hearts of a people now forever in your debt.
In have used up all my time, some of you will say, and I have not even approached the essential: her political life, that she was our nation’s unique icon of democracy, that Cory Aquino who, throughout the world. was TIME magazine’s 1986’s woman of the year, she who led the ending of the dictatorship that had ruined our nation, the bearer of liberation, of freedom, and of hope for a prostrate people. So, by your leave, may I add one item, along this line at last. In October 1995, Milano’s Catholic University, conferred on her the doctorate honoris causa in the political sciences (incidentally, only her twenty-third honorary degree). This was only the fifth time this particular one had been given since the university’s inception: the first time to an Asian, the first ever to a woman. She wanted, at the end of her lectio magistralis, to spell out, perhaps for the first time with some explicitness and completeness, her personal political creed. She listed seven basic beliefs which, regarding political life , she said she tried to live by. Then she spoke of one more, “one more I may not omit.” Perhaps the paragraph which followed is worth citing here, even without comment, because it has something to say to our present hour.
(We cite her words now.) I believe that the vocation of politics must be accepted by those who take up the service of leadership as a vocation in its noblest meaning: it demands all of life. For the life of one would lead his or her people, -- in our time as never before, -- such a life must strive for coherence with the vision aspired to, or else that vision itself and its realization are already betrayed. That vision must itself be present, in some authentic way, in those who seek to realize it: present, in the witness of their example; present, in a purity of heart vis-à-vis the exercise and usages of power; present, in an ultimate fidelity to principle, in a dedication that is ready to count the cost in terms of “nothing less than everything.” It is Cardinal Newman, I believe, who said that in this world, we do good only in the measure that we pay for it in the currency of our own lives. For us Christians, there is always the image of Jesus, and the price his service demanded of him. And for me there has been, as a constant reminder, the sacrifice my husband offered, and the word that it has spoken, to me and my people.” (Cory Aquino, end of citation)
Conclusion
With all this said, I am done. Ma’am, tapos na po ang assignment ko. It has been so hard to do what you asked. But I comfort myself that these so many words really do not matter. What counts in the end is really – what all this week has been; these past few days’ outpouring of our people’s gratitude and love; what will come after all this today; what we will do, in the times ahead, in fidelity to your gift. I received a text last night from a man of some age and with some history behind him. “She made me proud again, to be Filipino.” Maybe that says it all., Cardinal Sin used to put it somewhat differently. “What a gift God has given our people, in giving Cory Aquino to us.” The nobility and courage of your spirit, the generosity of your heart, the grace and graciousness that accompanied you always. They called it “Cory magic” – but it was the truth, and the purity and beauty, clear and radiant within you, that we saw. And the hope that arose from that. And when the crosses came to you and you did not refuse to bear them, more to be one with your Christ and one with your people and their pain. “Blessed are the pure of heart; for they shall see God.”
Thank you Father in heaven, for your gift to us of Cory Aquino. Thank you that she passed once this way through our lives with the grace you gave her to share with us. If we give her back to you, we do it with hearts of thanksgiving, but now, oh, with breaking hearts also, because of the greatness and beauty of the gift which she was for us, the likes of which, perhaps, we shall not know again. Salamat po, Tita Cory, mahal na mahal po namin kayo.
Fr. Catalino Arevalo, S.J.
August 5, 2009
Manila Cathedral
Father in heaven, we know that Tita Cory is in Your loving hands right now.
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