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All in the family

September 20, 2007 by mlq3  
Filed under Events Mode

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This is being written early in the morning of Thursday.

Wednesday was apparently spent by the Speaker (depending on the version one heard) avoiding all contact with people, or in a series of meetings with his loyalists from the House. (update: see Newsbreak’s After Son’s Revelations, Will JDV Allow GMA Impeachment?)

The President’s day and strategies are described in the blog of Jove Francisco. As were some reactions from the President’s children.

By late afternoon there was word that a meeting had been called at the Palace for later that night. Set for 9:30 pm, at first word spread that members of Kampi viewed as loyal to the President would attend. Then, word was that besides presidential loyalists in Kampi, those considered loyal in Lakas-CMD would attend. Then, word was the meeting would be open to all members of the House who were committed to maintaining the President in office until 2010.

Details, as of shortly before dinner time, are in the blog of Ricky Carandang.

Around dinner time (that is, a few hours ago), firmer details emerged from various sources. The meeting had been called by the President’s sons, Reps. Mikey and Dato Arroyo (that afternoon, their sister, Luli Arroyo had appeared on TV to lash out at Joey de Venecia). The President’s sons were hopping mad; the meeting in the Palace was their initiative (confirmed by multiple sources).

Members of the House showed up at the Palace (reportedly, at Bonifacio Hall, the former Premier Guest House) at the appointed time: interestingly, Sec. Ermita had been sent out of the Palace to represent the President in meetings outside, so he may or may not have been around. The President’s sons led the faction demanding retribution against the Speaker. The President appeared, joined the meeting, but didn’t say anything. Some congressmen were silent; others advocated a conciliatory policy, and cautioned against rocking the boat; others, irritated that events had moved too quickly to topple the Speaker earlier that day, argued plans had to be made to change the House leadership when sessions resumed on Monday.

At that point, the Speaker arrived unannounced at the Palace. The President left the meeting to confer with the Speaker in another room. The congressmen waited where they were. A while later, someone was sent to inform the gathered congressmen that a change in the House leadership was off the table. The Speaker (according to the functionary who was sent to the gathered congressmen to inform them of developments) basically threatened the President: if she moved to topple him, he would spill the beans on her. And so, the advisory that the status quo would be maintained. These are details from a source that attended the meeting.

As of about half an hour ago, it seems the congressmen were still at the Palace, the President was still huddled with the Speaker, and so it can’t be said for sure, if a stalemate is where things are.

12:55 am Winnie Monsod on TV saying she believes Joey de Venecia 100% and says President owes an explanation, if she knew Abalos was involved, why didn’t she tell him to back off… And Tony Abaya is pissed, because he’s been targeted by a government smear campaign. See Uniffors:

Monsod closed her weekly TV show, Palaban,with the following statement (as best as I can recall)addressed to Gloria

“Joey de Venecia is telling the truth… I admire Joey and I accept his reasons for exposing the corruption….One does not make accusations against very powerful people if he has no basis in fact, specially since doing so would endanger his father’s position and his personal safety… You owe us an explanation….Why did you change the policy on telcoms….why did you..(I forget the other two “whys”)…If your husband told Joey to back off because his father was speaker, then why didn’t you tell Abalos to back off when you found out he was involved in the ZTE dea….I have defended you before but this time you have to defend yourself…”

I’ve never seen or heard Winnie attack Gloria personally. If she ever attacked Gloria before, it was over issues.

(addendum, 9:53 am Denials from some quarters as to the Speaker showing up at the Palace and his conversation with the President. Counting of heads in House supposedly ongoing. Addendum 11:52 am See Admin solons, sans JDV, meet with Arroyo in Malacañang: what Rep. Garcia said was he “did not see” JDV; a separate update I received was that 150 representatives showed up at the Palace: addendum to the addendum, 12:57 pm: another source says 120 congressmen).

8:54 am update: Let me quickly list some insights I’ve been given into what’s going on, by people who have served in government and know some of the protagonists.

1. The modus vivendi in the past was that the Speaker had the franchise on all deals involving China. Obviously the problem now is that the agreement’s not being honored and his economic turf muscled into. This turf is what gave Joey de Venecia room to maneuver, and his method was by means of a proposal that earned him profit while not raiding the treasury (a very traditional scheme). It seems other parties then moved in, and kept him in orbit and then decided to cut him loose, and the icing on the cake was they treated him like dirt. This, Joey himself, could not accept, and this is what stiffened his resolve. It then became an outright assault on the Speaker’s turf.

2. Pragmatically speaking, there is no reason such a squabble should have turned into a political crisis. Particularly since the Speaker has been described as the sort of individual who would take a bad deal over no deal at all, whose instincts are always for the less confrontational way out, and who prefers disagreements ironed out if brokers are available. The reason things tend to escalate all the time is that the President’s inner circle has increasingly adopted a take-no-prisoners approach; gradually, officials useful for brokering peace deals, and who can engage in diplomacy with allies and even enemies have been eased out. Therefore, there’s no one to pacify allies and so matters tend to quickly spiral out of control.

3. The sons of the President are now political players on their own, and they are also aggressive personally and politically. Their involvement in trying to mold events is reminiscent of 1986 when the Marcos children tried to run the Snap Election campaign, with disastrous consequences.

4. The real action may not necessarily be in the Senate, but in the Supreme Court: if it voids the contract then the President is left holding the bag.

5. The Chinese government has warned the Philippine government that to renege on the ZTE deal will put all Chinese government investments and concessions in peril. The Palace itself is saying this. But the Chinese government is probably more pragmatic than this, and even if it made such a threat, is posturing.

6. The weakest link among officials who will go before the Senate today is former NEDA chief Romulo Neri.

Poor Bel Cunanan is obviously worried. This morning’s news stories: ‘Luli’ Arroyo leads counterattack on De Venecia son (in his blog, Jove Francisco has details on the Luli Offensive); Lawyer: Mike Arroyo met De Venecia III; Abalos decides to face Senate but not on Thursday ; Chinese press RP on broadband deal; NBN deal should’ve been junked from get-go.

Random Thoughts points to Tek for the Pipol, which presents information and analyses on the NBN scheme.

(addendum 10:19 am) Here is a report on GMANews.TV: Arroyo Cabinet members hold emergency meet on ZTE deal:

Hours before they were to face a Senate investigation on the $329.5-million broadband network deal with China’s ZTE Corp., Cabinet members of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo held an emergency meeting to discuss their “strategy.”

Radio dzBB reported before dawn Thursday that Transportation Secretary Leandro Mendoza, who attended the meeting, said they would insist the deal was “a conditional contract.”

The report said the meeting was held Wednesday night in Malacañang.

While Mendoza refused to elaborate on the “conditions,” he said he is confident that they could establish the contract was clean and above-board.

Mendoza, Trade Secretary Peter Favila and Commission on Higher Education (CHED) chairman Romulo Neri were among the Cabinet members President Arroyo allowed to attend the hearing.

The Senate hearing is scheduled for 2:30 p.m.

NOTE: I’ll do my best to liveblog what Me, Myself & Eileen has described as “the monkeys making kuto.” But not here. This time, I’ll be be liveblogging over at Inquirer Current.

(For the historical record, 9/21/07: see De Venecia assured anew of Speakership , which generally confirms that the meeting of congressmen and then a talk between the President and the Speaker took place)

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Comments

142 Comments on "All in the family"

  1. Chabeli on Thu, 20th Sep 2007 1:38 am 

    After revealing the Mystery Man, what did Gloria do to a problem like Joey de Venecia ? She pressed the panic button.

    It seems that JdV holds the key to what’s next.

  2. Rom on Thu, 20th Sep 2007 1:55 am 

    mlq3:the father-son powerplay kicks off, eh? smart. think chess. joey de venecia mounts a threat to the king, forcing the queen’s hand. but she’s caught, isn’t she? if she moves to undercut the threat by checking the opposing king, she moves right into opposing king’s trap. if she doesn’t, the threat against her king escalates.

  3. supremo on Thu, 20th Sep 2007 2:06 am 

    Impeachment for Abalos (sacrificial wolf) might be on the table. The Arroyo son’s will lose their house committees. FG might not go home. Gloria will say something about definitely stepping down. Luli might become JDV3’s concubine. Anything is possible at this time.

  4. baycas on Thu, 20th Sep 2007 2:33 am 

    Anything is possible at this time.

    i initially discounted suicide…nonetheless, still possible…

  5. Manila Bay Watch on Thu, 20th Sep 2007 2:46 am 

    Woe is me, shame and scandal in the family…

    In Malacanang, there was a family…

  6. supremo on Thu, 20th Sep 2007 2:55 am 

    This might be the end of the Arroyo sons’ political career. Time to join FG in Munich.

  7. Manila Bay Watch on Thu, 20th Sep 2007 3:07 am 

    Supremo,

    Bad pigs, er… I mean weeds never die.

  8. Manila Bay Watch on Thu, 20th Sep 2007 3:11 am 

    Gloria is a not a just some dumb broad – she will find a way so JdV (the Speaker), the DoTC mob boss including the other members of the enchanted gang to reach a compromise.

    But as ever, bad things you do (she does or her family does) get back to you at some point in time.

    She’s gotta go… her family has always been bad news.

  9. tdc on Thu, 20th Sep 2007 3:14 am 

    Connect the Dots >>>>Based on all available information:

    1)FG will remain on EXILE till the air is cleared..GMA will declare again”I’m married to my country”.

    2)Abalos will be sacrificed…

    3)Like the Pidal case,expect IGGY to claim responsibility for his brother.

    4)There will be a decent Cabinet member who will not be able to stomach what is happening and …

    5)JDV will be replaced as Speaker by a Kampi ally of the GMA(check Ronnie Puno).

    6)The lawyer of FG will peddle more lies”(there was no such meeting in Wack Wack) and threaten libel again to everyone who “maligns” his client.

    7)Expect Bunye again to say this is “False” while this is “True”.

    MLQ3 :P lease suggest what could be the “Tipping Point” to this sequence of events…

  10. HindiNaPinoy on Thu, 20th Sep 2007 3:30 am 

    “This might be the end of the Arroyo sons’ political career”.

    ———————————
    sa pilipinas, walang katapusan ang ‘political career’.
    marcoses, enrile, tatad, estradas……….

  11. supremo on Thu, 20th Sep 2007 3:47 am 

    Too many people opened their mouths. The NBN dirty linen was washed in public. No more wiggle room. No way out. Some people must quit for Gloria to save face.

  12. tdc on Thu, 20th Sep 2007 3:55 am 

    “Too many people opened their mouths. The NBN dirty linen was washed in public. No more wiggle room. No way out. Some people must quit for Gloria to save face.Supremo”

    Abalos will be sacrificed for sure…

  13. DevilsAdvc8 on Thu, 20th Sep 2007 4:19 am 

    Abalos can never be sacrificed. If JDV threatened GMA with something, u can be sure Abalos has an even bigger blackmailing threat for GMA. He virtually holds her hostage with the conduct of the last 2 elections he keeps secret.

    The status quo cannot be maintained for long. GMA is caught bet the hard rock and the sea. JDV has to realize he cannot trust the President anymore. Anytime soon, he or his son will experience what the Batasan 5 experienced.

    Malacanang will come out heavy guns ablazing. Claims of destablization, emergency powers pulled out, will accuse JDV and son of consorting with opposition. Will throw the entire book at the 2.

    JDV expecting all the worse, will have invested in his own way to expose Gloria. The only way JDV can avoid being caught with his pants down is to take the action first!

    First lesson in war. Study Germany’s blitzkrieg and understand why those who take the initiative usually win.

    Things will escalate some more. Both sides will ask for the people to decide. Bad move.

    Frankly, the only way to defuse the in-fighting is for Kris Aquino to suddenly have another illicit scandal on TV. Go on Kris, oblige them. I remember what happened at the Pidal case.

    Either way, even if JDV and GMA reach a compromise, this dirty secret will not go away. Any presidentiable or politician worth his salt must realize that the Filipino people are really learning to punish their officials now every election. No one who stays silent on this issue may ever hope to have a future in politics after this. And JDV has to realize that if he strikes a deal with GMA now, he or his son has no political future whatsoever. They’ll become phariahs once GMA is deposed. And mark my words, she will be deposed.

    If JDV does fight it out with GMA, we may see him president in 2010. If Laurel’s candidacy has taught us anything, it’s that the Filipino people are a forgiving lot. So long as you show us that you are worth forgiving.

  14. tdc on Thu, 20th Sep 2007 4:24 am 

    “These are serious charges, no one is above the law. He must face the accusers in court. He must personally answer the charges. He must face the consequences of his actions here and not in some distant shores. The law must always, in everywhere, prevail.”

    -President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo Press Conference, Malacanang
    February 13, 2001

  15. DevilsAdvc8 on Thu, 20th Sep 2007 4:24 am 

    I still give Bastille 3 yrs whatever happens

  16. tdc on Thu, 20th Sep 2007 4:26 am 

    “Frankly, the only way to defuse the in-fighting is for Kris Aquino to suddenly have another illicit scandal on TV. Go on Kris, oblige them. I remember what happened at the Pidal case.Devil advoc8″

    “It’s taken surprisingly little effort to achieve our intended goals. Why? Because our enemies have been doing our job for us.

    Stay vigilant, my agents – in time, the opposition, for all intents and purposes, will BE the Luli Arroyo Internet Brigade!

    Love and kisses,

    LULI A. (My Mommy right or wrong!) “

  17. BrianB on Thu, 20th Sep 2007 4:37 am 

    Thank God I didn’t convert my dollar accounts.

  18. DevilsAdvc8 on Thu, 20th Sep 2007 4:41 am 

    Into what?

    And if you haven’t, why the hell not?

    The dollar is on an impending crash! Change it to euros now!

  19. manuelbuencamino on Thu, 20th Sep 2007 5:02 am 

    Bottom line is Mike Arroyo forgot who he was when he acted as an enforcer, a muscle, for his underlings. To use the language of Malu Fernandez, that act was tantamount to wearing Axe cologne. It evaporated whatever Jo Malone scent Gloria had left.

    A little more class, even when they plunder, is expected from a presidential couple, if you know what I mean.

    As the old saying goes, “if you can’t be good, at least look good.” And that, sadly enough, is something the Arroyos do not understand.

  20. pete m. on Thu, 20th Sep 2007 5:33 am 

    mlq3,

    All in the family.

    Malacanang under siege, Luli is behaving like Bongbong did, spoiling for a fight. Like the Marcos family, last days in the Palace, nobody in the family had a clear view of the situation. Luli could save all in the family from a very explosive situation: “Mom, why don’t you just resign. Let’s join Dad in Munich then to Spain, di ba you have distant-distant relatives there?”

  21. pete m. on Thu, 20th Sep 2007 5:36 am 

    tipping point?

    Where the tip of JdV’s nose points. Towards or away from GMA.

    JdV’s Lower House saved GMA ‘not once but twice’.

    JdV’s Lower house can ‘un-save’ GMA.

    “GMA has become a threat to the instituion of the house which we all must defend!” could be JdV’s battle-cry to rally support from house members.

  22. BrianB on Thu, 20th Sep 2007 5:37 am 

    “The dollar is on an impending crash! Change it to euros now!”

    Devil, I’m not in the money market. Just have dollars that’s all.

  23. Pilipinoparin on Thu, 20th Sep 2007 5:40 am 

    As everyone can see, the events point out to my impression that many if not most of the congressmen are tuta of whoever is in Malacanang. Let’s abolish the House and keep the Senate. This may help in keeping the integrity of the legislative body and keep it separate from the wishes of the executive.

  24. BrianB on Thu, 20th Sep 2007 5:42 am 

    BTW,

    How do you link FG crimes to Gloria, through Abalos?

  25. pete m. on Thu, 20th Sep 2007 5:45 am 

    Brian B.,

    It’s:

    How do you link Abalos crimes to Gloria, through FG?

  26. BrianB on Thu, 20th Sep 2007 6:13 am 

    pet m.

    Let’s congratulate ourselves. We just did a demonstration on the basics of spin.

    To save Gloria, put her in last.

  27. supremo on Thu, 20th Sep 2007 7:22 am 

    How do you sacrifice Abalos? Fatal accident?

  28. hindi ako botante on Thu, 20th Sep 2007 7:39 am 

    patanong:

    Are relatives of officials allowed to bid for govt contracts?

    Is this an under the table deal gone sour?

    I see both parties need to answer these questions.

  29. benign0 on Thu, 20th Sep 2007 7:43 am 

    I recall a past commentor once commented:

    Small minds discuss people
    Mediocre minds discuss events
    Great minds discuss ideas

    Therefore there seems to be some progress. Pinoy discussion now hovers somewhere between discussing people and discussing events in the spectrum of intellectual quality. ;)

  30. pete m. on Thu, 20th Sep 2007 7:50 am 

    Unsolicited advice to JdV,

    1) Play it by ear. The more you listen, the less you talk, the better.

    2) Playing it by ear means listening to the right people who can give wise and objective advice. Avoid tempters, forked-tongues, deceivers, wheeler-dealers.

    3) Playing it by ear entails being alert. Be on guard; hold your cards close to your chest. Your son’s life is on the line. Much more is on the line.

    4) Playing it by ear also means being sensitive to the inner promptings of your heart. Affirm the goodness that’s in your heart by following it. Expect extreme temptations to go against what’s good for you, your family and the country – your people, your House

  31. cvj on Thu, 20th Sep 2007 7:51 am 

    Supremo, the same question is also bugging me. He has to be sacrificed to step back from the abyss and preserve the elite’s world which both GMA and JDV has a stake. Maybe they’ll fall back on some disgruntled election loser or disgruntled supplier.

  32. inodoro ni emilie on Thu, 20th Sep 2007 8:08 am 

    hey jdv,

    just spill the beans. i-utot mo na!

  33. inodoro ni emilie on Thu, 20th Sep 2007 8:10 am 

    “Woe is me, shame and scandal in the family…

    In Malacanang, there was a family…”

    the marcoses reincarnated. bencard, wag ka munang mag-retire dito!

  34. tonio on Thu, 20th Sep 2007 8:19 am 

    pete m.:

    have you seen the ears on JDV? no problem with your advice there, i think.

    di ako botante:

    i think the prohibition is from President down to House Speaker, and up to the fourth degree of consanguinity. (lawyers please clarify)

    the utter… lack of style… has me wondering if this was all staged, another act for the benefit of those of us watching. because it sure as hell doesn’t look like sound political strategy.

  35. cvj on Thu, 20th Sep 2007 8:31 am 

    tonio, but who are we so that they would go out of their way to stage this for our benefit? i think the simplest explanation is still the most accurate, it’s infighting among the elite. that we are seeing it now is a result of their own hubris.

  36. inodoro ni emilie on Thu, 20th Sep 2007 8:34 am 

    where is ramos in all these?

  37. tonio on Thu, 20th Sep 2007 8:53 am 

    cvj:

    true, true… occam’s razor and all that. when it comes down to it, this new elite really is a horde of swine.

    ino:

    i know… probably just watching and waiting. tabako power has been on the low side as of late, but the air is rife opportunities for a comeback.

  38. mlq3 on Thu, 20th Sep 2007 8:53 am 

    inodoro, fvr has been inconsequential after the president destroyed him in the lakas party showdown last year.

  39. tonio on Thu, 20th Sep 2007 8:54 am 

    good morning mlq3!

    so no chance of a return of tabako?

  40. mlq3 on Thu, 20th Sep 2007 9:11 am 

    tdc, i’m under the impression junking abalos is not an option. what if he spills the beans?

    tonio, it seems from what i’ve heard, fvr has been done for for close to two years now, and he knows it, and is rather bitter.

  41. inodoro ni emilie on Thu, 20th Sep 2007 9:12 am 

    mlq3,

    kaya?

    whatever. still i like the way the cookie crumbles from within.

  42. Bencard on Thu, 20th Sep 2007 9:29 am 

    much ado about nothing. just another loser “spilling the beans” – a la sandra cam, doble, samuel ong, and a lot of other forgettable names. perjured testimony is a lucrative industry in the philippines, stirring up a feeding frenzy in the sensational and anti-government media, and the one- tract minded individuals in this blog.

    is joey de venecia a credible witness? an admitted “former” drug addict, a loser with a motive to lie, a “businesman” trying to play in the major league on the strength of what? connection and name, right? why should i believe him just because solita monsod does?

    its just too bad, mike arroyo has got a target sign on his back, the moment his wife became the president. its just incredible that with so many people queuing to get a chance to throw a dagger on him, and after the lacson, cayetano, oscar cruz, and the estrada web of co-conspirators both local and abroad (aragoncillo, rey aquino, mancao), mike would even dare play golf with the usual suspects. he would have the nerve to leave the country for any purpose. doesn’t he understand that for a lot of people in the media and the opposition, he is not supposed to have civil rights – i.e., the freedom to play golf and travel, and not be subjected to malicious speculations?

    almost every time somebody loses, be it election, public bidding, the presidency of a social club, sometimes even sports contest, the loser immediately cries cheating by the winner. its part of the philippine culture – no big deal.

  43. hvrds on Thu, 20th Sep 2007 9:30 am 

    “But troubling news about U.S. debt may slow things down today. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson said the federal government will hit the current debt limit Oct. 1. Paulson asked Congress to increase the limit, saying it’s important to protect the “full faith and credit” of the country, as financial markets continue to suffer.”Gloomy Forecast For U.S. Debt,Poppy Harlow Forbes.com 9/19/07

    Now we know from Big Mike’s lawyer that indeed Big Mike did talk to de Venecia III about the deal. He was expressing concern that the son was using his dad’s position to deal with the government. He was protecting the Treasury it seems. Now we know that Abalos, Teves, Mendoza and Neri were all trying to protect the treasury from de Venecia III. Me thinks they were not thinking of the public treasury. Big Mike and GMA may have started their own. I hope from the quote everyone understands what the public treasury is. “Full faith and credit of the Republic”

    Right now Big Mike, GMA and the rest of the “rat pack” have the ATM to the public treasury. They are fighting over it in front of the entire planet.

  44. mlq3 on Thu, 20th Sep 2007 9:33 am 

    it certainly took you long enough to put together and start trumpeting the official line, bencard.

  45. cvj on Thu, 20th Sep 2007 9:33 am 

    Romulo Neri’s testimony will determine on which side of history will he remembered.

  46. inodoro ni emilie on Thu, 20th Sep 2007 9:39 am 

    “is joey de venecia a credible witness? an admitted “former” drug addict, a loser with a motive to lie, a “businesman” trying to play in the major league on the strength of what? connection and name, right?”

    ay, oo nga naman. who is joey, whereas mike has claim to kinship with st therese of avila. i have strong faith and belief that, indeed, mike sits at the right hand of the fodder. hallelujah!

  47. tonio on Thu, 20th Sep 2007 9:40 am 

    mlq3:

    and a perfectly formulaic delivery of it as well. the palace should get bencard to make their official statements. he does a much better job.

    cvj:

    that guy’s gone a long way from being my professor. i just hope he’s got some of it left.

  48. bong on Thu, 20th Sep 2007 9:55 am 

    mlq3, ine,

    Where is FVR in all these?

    Where he is safe and more effective: behind and above the scene.

    Don’t forget, he’s with the big league global think-tank, Carlyle. His cabal are global movers. With his perspective and vantage point he can make quick, crucial moves in fluid situations. Officially, an ‘ambassador-at-large’, FVR globetrots using gov money, weaving a globalist agenda — his point of referrence vis-a-vis local politics. He could jump into the picture like a hero to the rescue if and when ‘global interests’ dictate.

  49. Jeg on Thu, 20th Sep 2007 10:05 am 

    The Speaker (according to the functionary who was sent to the gathered congressmen to inform them of developments) basically threatened the President: if she moved to topple him, he would spill the beans on her.

    Pfsh! Why wait? If he has beans, spill.

    I still have that sneaking suspicion that we the people would still get screwed over this as both sides patch things up. Those in power always cover each other’s asses and we get screwed.

  50. tdc on Thu, 20th Sep 2007 10:07 am 

    “My clear intent from the outset to be a healing President had won over, even in some erstwhile supporters of my predecessor. Public approval of the administration grew with the appointment of men and women of probity and ability to the cabinet and other top positions(NANI PEREZ,CommissioNer ABALOS, GONZALES,ESPERON,APOSTOL,BUNYE,CLAUDIO,and many,many more .”

    - GMA Speech, MOPC
    March 29, 2001

  51. ronin on Thu, 20th Sep 2007 10:14 am 

    So, we’re all down to this: Away ng mga pamilya.

    Anyway, I’d place my bet on the de Venecia father-and-son tandem. JDV’s a political survivor. He might not be able to bring GMA down, but at the very least, he would be able to wiggle his way out of this.

  52. HindiNaPinoy on Thu, 20th Sep 2007 10:23 am 

    mlq3,
    humahanga ako sa ‘yo, pinagbibigyan mo lahat ng kuro-kuro dito.

  53. watchful eye on Thu, 20th Sep 2007 10:25 am 

    “Right now Big Mike, GMA and the rest of the “rat pack” have the ATM to the public treasury. They are fighting over it in front of the entire planet.” – hvrds

    “tonio, but who are we so that they would go out of their way to stage this for our benefit? i think the simplest explanation is still the most accurate, it’s infighting among the elite. that we are seeing it now is a result of their own hubris.” – cvj

    s’ya nga mga pre ko, akala nila sa kanila ang Pilipinas. parang yun mga mayayaman sa malaking bahay na nagaaway sa pera, nagsisigawan, nagyayakyakan, basagan ng pingan dito, itsahan ng kung ano diyan at walang pakialam kung ano man ang sasabibihin ng mga miron sa lansangan. paglabas ng bahay nasa loob ng kotse (si bencard ang driver) mataas pa rin nag mga noo.

  54. tdc on Thu, 20th Sep 2007 10:27 am 

    Resignation Letter of Benjamin Abalos

    To the Filipino People:

    I hereby resign the office of Chairman of the COMMISSION.I am accepting my appointment as ambassador to China.

    Love and kisses!Remember,I love you all very dearly!

    Benjamin Abalos

  55. watchful eye on Thu, 20th Sep 2007 10:31 am 

    “no big deal, sir.” – bencard

  56. watchful eye on Thu, 20th Sep 2007 10:37 am 

    btw, does any one know what kind of case re the ZTE deal is before the ombudsman now that GMA has alluded to . . . well as to who initiated it, who are the respondents, etc.?

  57. tdc on Thu, 20th Sep 2007 10:40 am 

    On Sept.28,we celebrate the 97th birthday anniversary of DIOSDADO MACAPAGAL(”The Incorruptible”).

    Diosdado Pangan Macapagal stands out as one of the great, respected, highly esteemed and loved presidents of the Philippines. During his time, the Philippines enjoyed prosperity and was the second most developed country in the Asian region, next only to Japan and ahead of the new tigers of Asia like Singapore, Taiwan, Korea, etc. He is affectionately known as the Champion of the Common Man because of his many achievements in improving the plight of the masses and of the poor. His sterling character and unquestionable integrity (known as the Incorruptible) is a rare model for present and future generations of Filipinos.

    His famous advice to GLORIA:

    I have sat at the sumptuous tables of power, but I have not run away with the silverware.
    Diosdado Macapagal

  58. watchful eye on Thu, 20th Sep 2007 10:43 am 

    … but someone in the family did with China.

  59. Jon Mariano on Thu, 20th Sep 2007 10:45 am 

    Mike Arroyo was never a target when Gloria assumed power. The Arroyos had goodwill from the people (I thought majority of the people based on EDSA 2) when they started, they just lost it when their true colors started to come out.

  60. tdc on Thu, 20th Sep 2007 10:48 am 

    Attention: Everyone who is opposed to the opposition!

    Since you’re bound to be accused of being paid hacks of the administration anyway, why don’t you make it official and join us in the dark side?

    Stay vigilant, my agents – in time, the opposition, for all intents and purposes, will BE the Luli Arroyo Internet Brigade!

    Love and kisses,

    LULI A. (My Mommy right or wrong!)

  61. tdc on Thu, 20th Sep 2007 10:49 am 

    watchful eye :

    … but someone in the family did with China.

    touche

  62. tdc on Thu, 20th Sep 2007 10:57 am 

    Hi Tito Bencard:

    It has taken surprisingly little effort to achieve our intended goals. Why? Because our enemies have been doing our job for us!

    Since you’re bound to be accused of being paid hacks of the administration anyway, why don’t you make it official and join us in the dark side?

    Love and kisses,

    LULI A. (My Mommy right or wrong!

  63. tdc on Thu, 20th Sep 2007 11:06 am 

    “My example is INTEGRITY!”
    -GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO

    Interview with Asiaweek
    anuary 24, 2001

  64. Rom on Thu, 20th Sep 2007 11:25 am 

    tdc:you’re not a ust debater, by any chance?

  65. tdc on Thu, 20th Sep 2007 11:39 am 

    ROM:La parole est d’argent, mais le silence est d’or.

  66. Jeg on Thu, 20th Sep 2007 11:49 am 

    ROM:La parole est d’argent, mais le silence est d’or.

    Translation: The Christmas lantern is the agent, and the quiet corn is riding a boat.

  67. tdc on Thu, 20th Sep 2007 11:52 am 

    JEG:Toute vérité n’est pas bonne à dire.

  68. indoro ni emilie on Thu, 20th Sep 2007 11:53 am 

    jeg, in parseltongue:

    joey to world, the queen is done?

  69. Rom on Thu, 20th Sep 2007 11:55 am 

    tdc:speech is silver but silence is golden. indeed.

  70. tdc on Thu, 20th Sep 2007 11:55 am 

    To all destabilizers:

    “Should you, however, persist in your evil designs, I say to you: You can try but you will fail. You cannot win against the people, I shall crush you.”

    Your President,Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo

    January 30, 2000

  71. indoro ni emilie on Thu, 20th Sep 2007 11:57 am 

    i crush (:*) you too.

  72. tdc on Thu, 20th Sep 2007 12:00 pm 

    inidoro ni emilie:

    “These are serious charges, No one is above the law. He must face the accusers in court. He must personally answer the charges. He must face the consequences of his actions here and not in some distant shores. The law must always, in everywhere, prevail.”
    -GMA Press Conference, Malacanang
    February 13, 2001

  73. indoro ni emilie on Thu, 20th Sep 2007 12:03 pm 

    indeed, tdc. the charges against mike are serious. crush (:*) ko din si mike. (blush, blush).

  74. tdc on Thu, 20th Sep 2007 12:04 pm 

    ROM:

    “There is something about this poverty about the hard life in the street which encourages this condition to perpetuate itself. There are even street grandparents now! ”
    - Speech of PGMA, Children’s Village
    Norzagaray, Bulacan, March 29, 2001

  75. tdc on Thu, 20th Sep 2007 12:06 pm 

    TITA EMILIE:

    “We women have proven without doubt that we can do what men can!!!”
    - Speech, International Women’s Day
    ULTRA, March 8, 2001

  76. DevilsAdvc8 on Thu, 20th Sep 2007 12:08 pm 

    lol. that comment abt Bencard had me laughing. he indeed issues statements better than Ermita and Bunye combined. perhaps he should replace them. at least we’ll have someone more believable, eh?

    Benigno, u want to discuss ideas? i have an idea: why don’t we contemplate another people power? it involves personalities, it is an event, and hell, its driving power comes from an “idea.”

    an idea that sells for so little but it’s all we have left in this place… It is the very last inch of us… But within that inch we are free.

    You know that idea? it’s more than just an idea. it’s something intangible yet larger than life. we may die, and every inch of us may perish…

    Except that one.

    An inch. It is small and fragile and it’s the only thing in the world that’s worth having. We must never lose it or sell it or give it away. We must never let them take it from us.

    small minds? what abt big hearts?

    benigno never fails to switch me back to Jekyll. thanks Benigs.

  77. Jeg on Thu, 20th Sep 2007 12:09 pm 

    “We women have proven without doubt that we can do what men can!!!”

    Oh yeah? Can you put out a campfire by peeing on it?

    (Nice collection of Ate Glo quotables, btw, tdc.)

  78. indoro ni emilie on Thu, 20th Sep 2007 12:10 pm 

    tdc,

    all swines are created equal. some become hogs. even luli can become a hag. wag hag.

  79. tdc on Thu, 20th Sep 2007 12:12 pm 

    JEG:

    “I hope that we can find an end to this conflict, not next year, or the next, but soon within the foreseeable future”
    - Press Conference, Malacanang
    April 24, 2001

  80. inodoro ni emilie on Thu, 20th Sep 2007 12:13 pm 

    “lol. that comment abt Bencard had me laughing. he indeed issues statements better than Ermita and Bunye combined. perhaps he should replace them. at least we’ll have someone more believable, eh?”

    the only problem here devils is that the media will be pointing their microphones and cameras at mlq3’s blog for official line of statement. cool, nevertheless. a first in cybertechnocracy.

  81. DevilsAdvc8 on Thu, 20th Sep 2007 12:15 pm 

    satire is the greatest weapon of the revolutionist. why? bcoz tyrants have no sense of humor. they sit on the throne with u huge stick up their asses.

    with that qualifier, tdc and mb has my vote as our official jesters.

  82. tdc on Thu, 20th Sep 2007 12:15 pm 

    TITA EMILIE:

    Il faut laver son linge sale en famille.

  83. inodoro ni emilie on Thu, 20th Sep 2007 12:16 pm 

    “Il faut laver son linge sale en famille.”

    jeg, paki-translate. i might get it wrong: a lingerie sale in china for the first family?

  84. Rom on Thu, 20th Sep 2007 12:23 pm 

    tdc:what’s with the quotes?

  85. tdc on Thu, 20th Sep 2007 12:26 pm 

    ROM:Il faut battre le fer pendant qu’il est chaud.

  86. mlq3 on Thu, 20th Sep 2007 12:26 pm 

    jeg, rofl lmao sa translation mo!!!

  87. tdc on Thu, 20th Sep 2007 12:28 pm 

    MLQ3:

    The President has resigned!See the resignation letter!

    http://www.watergate.info/nixon/resignation-letter.shtml

  88. tdc on Thu, 20th Sep 2007 12:31 pm 

    To my countrymen:

    Demain il fera jour.

    Let’s pray for our country!Mabuhay Ang Pilipino

  89. Rom on Thu, 20th Sep 2007 12:33 pm 

    tdc:what does striking while the iron is hot have to do with all these quotes and french phrases?

  90. tdc on Thu, 20th Sep 2007 12:34 pm 

    ROM:think!

  91. tdc on Thu, 20th Sep 2007 12:37 pm 

    Dear ROM:

    When I conceived the Luli Arroyo Internet Brigade, I saw a long fight ahead. I pictured sleepless nights replying point by point to every destabilizer-with-an-internet-connection. I looked at the task ahead, and despaired.

    However, it’s taken surprisingly little effort to achieve our intended goals. Why? Because our enemies have been doing our job for us.

    Stay vigilant, my agents – in time, the opposition, for all intents and purposes, will BE the Luli Arroyo Internet Brigade!

    Love and kisses,

    LULI A. (My Mommy right or wrong!)

  92. tdc on Thu, 20th Sep 2007 12:43 pm 

    Dear TITA EMILIE:

    “I shake hands, I have shaken hands with millions of people. I am the President of
    all Filipinos. When I visit the prison I shake the hands of the prisoners in jail.”

    Press Conference, April 17, 2001

  93. Rom on Thu, 20th Sep 2007 12:47 pm 

    tdc:sorry, guy. i’m not a fan of quotes. stealing the fruit of elder trees and passing them off as your own wisdom (as in, you were smart enough to figure out that the quote was applicable) seems to me a waste of time. as is trading in platitudes and old cliches. :)

  94. tdc on Thu, 20th Sep 2007 12:51 pm 

    ROM:Qui s’excuse, s’accuse.

  95. Ipe5520 on Thu, 20th Sep 2007 12:56 pm 

    The Thai and Bangladeshi Military made the right moves in their respective countries. Jailed/Charged former PMs for corruption and took power for the better. What’s wrong with ours?

  96. tdc on Thu, 20th Sep 2007 1:07 pm 

    GMA’s legacy will be what people will remember, not what she tells them it is.

    Gloria isn’t the first to do this obviously. Kings, emperors, and dictators have been doing this since the beginning of civilisation. Usually in these cases, however, the legacy is presented after the real, not the political death of the ruler in the form of an obituary or a commemorative monument.

    I wonder if Gloria will be merely content to hand out a list for her loyal alalays to recite on cue, or whether she’s wishing for something more substantial like, say, the Res Gestae Divi Augusti that the emperor Augustus had emblazoned on various monuments around the Roman empire.

    At least Augustus achieved the things he boasted about!

  97. Rom on Thu, 20th Sep 2007 1:09 pm 

    tdc:absolument.

  98. tdc on Thu, 20th Sep 2007 1:19 pm 

    MLQ3:

    “I have no grandiose dream to become great President. I want to be a good President. Help me be a good President. GMA”

    The Gloria legacy is that she leaves none.

    The problem, I think, is that Gloriar has never understood the levers of power. She loves the display, the business of “being” President and all the perks that go with job(like frequent state visits) .

    She makes much of it as a lonely post of decision-making (in which case she has made some spectacularly bad calls), but not the putting into practice.

  99. Dirk Pitt on Thu, 20th Sep 2007 1:28 pm 

    “is chavit singson a credible witness? a self confessed liar, a spurned partner with a motive to lie, a “player” trying to stay in the major league on the strength of what? connection and name, right? why should i believe him just because solita monsod does?

  100. Jeg on Thu, 20th Sep 2007 1:41 pm 

    …a separate update I received was that 150 representatives showed up at the Palace: addendum to the addendum, 12:57 pm: another source says 120 congressmen…

    Most with one question in mind: “How is this going to affect my pork?”

    The president is kidding herself if she sees this number of visitors as a solid endorsement of her.

  101. hvrds on Thu, 20th Sep 2007 1:46 pm 

    The last few weeks the world has seen some very startling events.

    In England they had a bank run after almost 140 years. The chief theologian who runs the Bank of England, Mervyn King turned heretic overnight and together with Gordon Brown “nationalized” all deposits in all banks in England. He might be forced to resign for his dogmatism and subsequent heresy. He has been summoned to Parliament.

    Greenspan had to clarify his role in the Bush tax cuts after implicitly supporting it slams it now but more importantly admits that financial economics is truly not an exact science. Humans are too complex a creature to rely on for rational thought. Societies even more so.

    All economic models and estimates on output and inflation are really that – guesstimates. The Gods are saying that they too are human and cannot predict what markets will do. I think that our prognosticators at NEDA, Malacanang, the BSP and our esteemed “economist” GMA should take note. She can no longer use the guesstimates on growth to trump her acumen in economic management. It truly is a limited gain mainly due to her failures and the failures of past Presidents.

    “On the surface, Bernanke’s view seems intellectually unassailable. Central bankers cannot explain equity or housing prices and their movements any better than investors can. And Bernanke knows as well as anyone that none of the vast academic literature suggests a large role for asset prices in setting monetary policy, except in the face of extraordinary shocks that influence output and inflation, such as the Great Depression of the 1930’s.”

    “In short, no central banker can be the Oracle of Delphi. Indeed, many academic economists believe that central bankers could perfectly well be replaced with a computer programmed to implement a simple rule that adjusts interest rates mechanically in response to output and inflation.”

    “But, while Bernanke’s view is theoretically rigorous, reality is not. One problem is that academic models assume that central banks actually know what output and inflation are in real time. In fact, central banks typically only have very fuzzy measures. Just a month ago, for example, the US statistical authorities significantly downgraded their estimate of national output for 2004!”

    “The problem is worse in most other countries. Brazil, for example, uses visits to doctors to measure health-sector output, regardless of what happens to the patient. China’s statistical agency is still mired in communist input-output accounting.” Kenneth Rogoff, former chief economist, IMF

    Bernanke had his baptism of fire and hard money monetarists (Austrian school) crumbled when faced with the threat of economic relapse that could have led to collapse. No wants to be at the wheel when the ship hits an iceberg. Hank Paulson, Secretary of the Treasury now wants the state apparatus to increase it’s coverage of mortgage guarantees. The theologians of the free markets are all running for cover to the Congress for help to save the economy from going into a dangerous tailspin.

    Under the guise of protecting the treasury Big Mike and bunch of wise guys get involved in a purely governmental procurement deal to protect the “treasury.” His brilliant lawyer admitting that Big Mike had knowledge about the deal.

    Here we have recently seen how loyalty to the constitution ends when loyalty to the family begins. The first family that is. Cabinet men, head of a constitutional body overseeing elections and former men in uniform that permeate the state bureaucracy.

    Now we know the price of loyalty to the President is paid for by parceling out access to the treasury. They have institutionalized the rape of the treasury.

    Marcos, Cory, Ramos, Erap and now GMA have utilized and turned technocrats and the men in uniform into plain and simple mercenaries and private armies on the public dime. They have organized a supply chain that will have to be continued. The Hyatt 10 is most noteworthy for first raising the alarm and disappearing in the woodwork to enable most of them to continue to milk the system for their personal gain. The next few weeks will be a bonanza for some PR men and some members of the media.

    How do you flush this system of this rot? “Full faith and credit in Big Mike, GMA, Abalos, Garci, Bedol, Teves, JDV, FVR and the rest. Where have they brought this country?

  102. DevilsAdvc8 on Thu, 20th Sep 2007 1:54 pm 

    tdc, the psychology of Gloria in a nutshell.

    She’s been brought up in the corridors of power. All her life, she watched as Daddy “governed” and was “praised” or “criticized” for it. She watched, or tagged along, in ribbon cuttings, groundbreakings, banner unveilings of her dad’s “projects.” She thinks that’s all there is to it in governing.

    You have to understand that this is a woman, who even as a girl has dreamed to make daddy “proud.” This is a woman, who when her dad died, never stopped dreaming of equaling or even surpassing dear old dad.

    She has lusted for this idea so much she has sold her soul along the way just to step into office. Perhaps there’s a good person behind the woman. But she’s been so beholden to everyone who props her up, that she’s basically lost whatever scruples she had. And the men in her life are not exactly inspiring of change.

    In a decade, and given enough rope to hang herself, Luli has all the pre requisites to become like her mom.

  103. tagabukid on Thu, 20th Sep 2007 2:34 pm 

    Bencard,

    you forgot to mention Joey’s receding hairline…it’s part of the official Ad Hominem response of the First Family courtesy of Luliputian. For consistency, I suggest you follow the official line coming from the Palace. Try Emil Jurado, too.

    also, remember that Chavit Singson was also the “sore loser” when he resented Erap’s favoring Atong Ang over the 2-ball business. Wait till JDV the Elder does a Chavit to save his son.

    lastly, do you think your President’s husband, daughter and sons can get away with just blanket denials? He has to answer before the Senate and ultimately to the People.

    Your president and your president’s husband’s plundering days will soon be over.

  104. Patricio Mangubat on Thu, 20th Sep 2007 4:15 pm 

    Now, it can be told–the reason why GMA and her ilk are so panicky is the existence of fresh plots to destabilize her administration. AFP Chief of Staff Hermogenes Esperon backed what Army Chief Yano announced some days ago, of the movements of a certain group recruiting soldiers for another stab at freedom. Well, as I said, expect fireworks here. The ZTE deal is the one who’ll break the camel’s back, so to speak. This ZTE controversy is more incendiary than Erap’s conviction.

  105. DevilsAdvc8 on Thu, 20th Sep 2007 4:31 pm 

    JDV is dilly-dallying and it may cost him not only his speakership but much, much more. if he waits till next week, he won’t have any crumbs to salvage. Malacanang is laying the groundwork for father and son to be discredited in the background.

    and if FVR is any lesson, JDV should heed what happened to him as well.

  106. justice in waiting on Thu, 20th Sep 2007 8:50 pm 

    Whoever in his wildest dream that Marcos will get bundled up and shuttle to Hawaii after presiding over the Empire for more than 20 years? And whoever think that Estrada is now a convicted felon, after being a successful actor in the cinema and in Politics? Now visualize what will happen to these incumbent marauders of the country treasury that will put the more than 30 years of plundering by all Presidents and their men and (women) in just merely 7 years into shame.. Justice is Waiting, be patience….

  107. tagabukid on Thu, 20th Sep 2007 9:25 pm 

    Right you are Justice-in-waiting…

    Sabi nga: Justice Delayed, pero Justice darating pa rin…

  108. Neil on Thu, 20th Sep 2007 9:47 pm 

    The ZTE affair could well be the “tipping point” that the enemies of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo had been praying for all along.

    None other than a political heavyweight and an ally, in the person of House Speaker Jose de Venecia, Jr., will serve as the counter-weight at the other end of the balance beam of power to cause the tipping point.

  109. Manila Bay Watch on Thu, 20th Sep 2007 10:04 pm 

    Neil,

    Wait till she cancels the contract – all these posturings will go pffft… And then she’ll say, “Let’s move on.”

  110. manuelbuencamino on Thu, 20th Sep 2007 10:06 pm 

    Bencard.

    “is joey de venecia a credible witness?” YES. As the old pilipino saing goes – :Ang taong maliit ay hindi basta bastang titira sa mga malapit sa Diyos kung wala silang batayan

    ” an admitted “former” drug addict” who has not touched any drug or a drop of alcohol since 1984 and who sits on the board of a drug rehab center called Mew Beginnings and who set up a Narcotics Anonymous program COMPARE HIM to his detractor Iggy Arroyo who first brought up the drug issues. Iggy was a heroin and cocaine addict who never went to rehab who claims he does not do drugs anymore but who does not hide his heavy drinking.;,

    “a loser with a motive to lie” but who has said unequivocally and under oath he will not, even if given a chance, participate in any NBN deal,

    ” a “businesman” trying to play in the major league on the strength of what?” And you were here you would have heard him list all the projects he has done and the names of his foreign investors who had committed $65M to his projecy

    “connection and name, right? ” as you know old buddiy, those two things can get you throught the door but after that you are on your own

    “why should i believe him just because solita monsod does?” No one is asking you to take Monsod’s word.

    But Enrile tried to break him down but Joey stood his ground and Enrile ended his cross with his tail between his legs.

  111. manuelbuencamino on Thu, 20th Sep 2007 10:09 pm 

    Bencard,

    Did you see the entire hearing?

  112. Manila Bay Watch on Thu, 20th Sep 2007 10:14 pm 

    Bong,

    “Don’t forget, he’s with the big league global think-tank, Carlyle.”

    FVR was fired, ok, to be more politcally correct asked to leave Carlyle.

    He’s gone – don’t depend on him anymore to dip his hand where it’s not wanted unnecessary.

  113. Manila Bay Watch on Thu, 20th Sep 2007 10:17 pm 

    Re: “another source says 120 congressmen”

    That’s almost half of Congress… Gloria is a lil lil busy bee.

  114. Karl Garcia on Thu, 20th Sep 2007 10:45 pm 

    pagka iognoramus ko di ko alam fwiw=for what its worth

    rofl lmao=rolling on the floor laughing,laughing my ass off

    yung lol matagal ko nang alam na ulol yun

    joke only.(sa lol,d rest d ko talaga alam)

  115. Manila Bay Watch on Thu, 20th Sep 2007 10:49 pm 

    Btw, what you said over at Quezon’s blog to Bencard about having the contacts and even the name, etc getting you through the door but at the end of the day, you’re on your own – very true. (Joey’s uncle Roberto found that very difficult that in spite of his being a half brother to JdV, it was never smooth sailing for him doing business with govt.)

    Must admit this young Joey is very brave. You don’t go against the establishment just like that, not even if you are the Sepeaker’s son, more so because YOU are the speaker’s son…

    In the end, he will win even business wise and support from bona fide business investors – precisely because he’s got the courage to do the right thing.

    Also, from a purely intl PR perspective, can tell you now that he’s on the watch list (good list) of embassy trade and economic posts that wll now be drafting circulars, memoes, etc. about Joey to be checked out, his business credentials, etc.

  116. Manila Bay Watch on Thu, 20th Sep 2007 10:49 pm 

    Ooops, that was for Manuel Buencamino: “Btw, what you said over at Quezon’s blog to Bencard about having the contacts and even the name, etc getting you through the door but at the end of the day, you’re on your own – very true.”

  117. Bencard on Thu, 20th Sep 2007 11:21 pm 

    mlq3, i really thought of sitting this one out because of its utter uselessness ( same shit) but i was just wondering how another mere possibility of “corruption” could consume the entire energy of the opposition rather than a proven, actual, plunder beyond reasonable doubt. is this a part of the design to deflect the outrage? what kind of values we have as a society? you are all so engrossed condemning pgma and her family for “gossips” and innuendos, but lukewarm in condemning the estradas to the point of virtually putting them in a political pedestal. no wonder, estrada and his bootlickers have the temerity of imposing “conditions” on an imagined “pardon” that themselves concocted to save face with their mindless followers.

    devils, thanks for the compliment. i just happened to believe in the thinking of the thoughful “minority” in this blog. btw, the administration line is not necessarily worst than the opposition’s.

  118. manuelbuencamino on Thu, 20th Sep 2007 11:36 pm 

    Bencard,

    Let’s see before the plunder was proven it was just a possibility wasn’t it? Now are we going to crow about the verdict, rest on our laurels or do we move on?

    You know the old saying, you’re only as good as your last victory don;t you?

    So corruption exists. We have to get the corrupt. Here’s a deal that smells to high heavens. You want us to remain focused on Estrada?

    Man, this is getting to be ridiculous!

  119. mlq3 on Fri, 21st Sep 2007 12:02 am 

    bencard, i dunno, to me it’s rather simple. the estrada revelations followed a similar process. it’s the only process open to the citizenry so that things end up not only in court, but moving in the courts.

  120. tdc on Fri, 21st Sep 2007 12:17 am 

    Dear Tito Bencard:

    Hi!Thanks!!!!

    The greater the gulf between the opposition and reality, the more successful we shall become!

    Stay vigilant, my agents – in time, the opposition, for all intents and purposes, will BE the Luli Arroyo Internet Brigade!

    Love and kisses,

    LULI A. (My Mommy right or wrong!)

  121. rego on Fri, 21st Sep 2007 12:25 am 

    Karl Garcia :
    pagka iognoramus ko di ko alam fwiw=for what its worth

    rofl lmao=rolling on the floor laughing,laughing my ass off

    yung lol matagal ko nang alam na ulol yun

    joke only.(sa lol,d rest d ko talaga alam)
    —————————————————–

    we are on the same situtaion. I actually did not get until you I read your translation.

    Sus ginoo dugay na kita sa blogsphere…..

  122. rego on Fri, 21st Sep 2007 12:55 am 

    And finally nabuhay uli ang Luli Internet Brigade na yan.

    This scene is really really getting so familiar. I wont be surprise to hear a song with title “Hey Joey, Back-off in the near future

    Full swing ang pagtataas ng ihi ng mga Pathetic Losers Crowds over the Move On crowds. MMMM…Kunsabagay The Pathetic Loser can never be a bida of the limelight with out picking a fight with the move on crowds and make them contrabida. oh sooo Genius!!!

    And so the Kiddie Battle Royale is on! Pathetic Loser Crowd vs Move On Crowds. MASAYA!

    Kaya lang feeling ko this will have a very predictable ending. Shaman will come out whining ” Oh we did not get help from the Move On crowds after we push them really hard out of the whole soap opera”!

    And hey CVJ,

    Why dont you go to the Patent Office and have the ” Let Us.. ” phrase used by Austero patented? That way only and only the Pathetic Loser Crowd can use it. Sama mo na yung “Philippine Morality” , ” The Truth”, “the Right to cricticize Gloria” and “Gloria Scandals”. Isama mo na lahat yung phrases, term and the Genius Ideas na dapat ay sole propriety lang ng Pathetic Loser Crowd. Even better, isaksak nyo sa mga baga nyo para kahit kelan di talaga magamit ng Move One Crowds. Over my dead body, baga.

  123. manuelbuencamino on Fri, 21st Sep 2007 1:14 am 

    Rego,

    Parang galit galit ka na naiipit ngayong si FG.

    Pero huling huli ang tatay ni luli kahit ano pa ang sabihin mp.

    Who gives a shit about the Move On crowd They are now the Silent Crowd.

    At sina Luli at ang tiyo niyang basag ay walang masabi na makaka-convince sa tao ng sinungaling si Joey. Hanggang ngayon kumakapa pa ang malacanan kung papaano patayin ang issue.

    No choice but to cancel and cry no harm no foul let’s move on, Hindi na pwedeng pagpilitan ni Gloria kasi pati si Gordon at si Zubiri contra sa NBN deal. Si Lukaret at si Enrile na lang ang banat ng banat kay Joey at kanina nag nukhang gago si Enrile ning hindi siya inatrasahn ni Joey. Ni Lecturan pa siya ni Joey sa batas! Hahaha.

    Problema na lang ngayon kung sino ang magrefund ng “advances” ng ZTE eh nukhang madami ng nagastos hehehe

    So just watch and enjoy the game if you don;t want to play.

  124. Bencard on Fri, 21st Sep 2007 2:03 am 

    mlq3, we have to investigate all possibilities of corruption from the lowest to the highest echelon of our government. but, when it comes to the first family, every haka-haka is a conviction. look at the comments of your disciples, talking and celebrating as though pgma has already been proven guilty of corruption on the sole basis of vague innuendos from a bidding loser with questionable credibility. talk is cheap, especially in the philippines. i think the media, and journalists like you, should be a little more thoughtful and discriminating in publicizing and using propaganda lest you reduce yourself to being mere cheap propagandists. part of the reason there is so much problems and discontent in the philippines is because of irresponsible agitators in the media who thrive on sensationalism and oneupmanship over the administration. every gossip is treated as gospel truth regardless of the source, and the utter lack of substantiation.

    buencamino, keep on nosing around. maybe, someday you may hit pay dirt. meanwhile, tell your fiends to hold their horses, and put the jubilation ‘on hold”. but also keep the rags handy to wipe your faces, just in case. (lol)

  125. Bencard on Fri, 21st Sep 2007 2:38 am 

    btw, buencamiono, the big difference between chavit singson and joey is that the former’s whistle blowing was supported by admitted documents and other testimonies, not to mention admissions against interest by estrada himself and others in his camp. on the other hand, what has joey got? his words about seeing, and having some conversation ( including alleged “finger pointing” by arroyo), with mike arroyo in wack wack? did he accuse mike or the president of corruption, or of any act constituting corruption? i don’t think so. is there any document or picture of the incident? No. is there any other eyewitness to the “chance” meeting testifying as to any improper or illegal act committed by the FG? No.

  126. Bencard on Fri, 21st Sep 2007 5:32 am 

    a mediocre testimony from a mediocre witness coached by mediocre senators. for crying out loud!

  127. rego on Fri, 21st Sep 2007 6:48 am 

    Manuel,

    Im not really mad that FG is being investigated I even like it. And when the proper charges if filed and he is found guilty, I woudl be very happy to see in teh company of Erap.

    What I really don’t like is the picking up of fight by the Pathetic Loser Crowd on the Move on Crowd. Is your group really that evil who always wanted to so sow hatred and division to further your advocay? Do your really want to institutionalized your dirty tricks and and the division of the people? For what?

    After all these years, are your really that bitter on Austero and his Dear Cory Letter? Is it because that letter get tremendous response and none of your blog entry can surpass the public attention of that particular letter in his blog? Is it envy ? Crab Mentality? Immaturity? Or you just cannot accept the fact not all people share your views and feeling. And everytime you find people who doesn’t share your values your automatic evil response is to gang up on that particular person?

    What really is the issue of the Pathetic Loser Crowd with the Move On crowd? Are you really that insecure that when all these crisis of the country has settled the pathetic loser crowd will not be recognized as THE HERO? What really has the Move on Crowds did to Pathetic Loser crowd that everytime you take a stand on a particular issue you always have to watch out condescendingly on the Move On crowd? Paranoid that they steal the credit from you?

    Finally what is the Move On Crowd got to do with the current investigations in the senate? Is the current envistigations a product of hard work by Pathetic Loser Crowd only? And that they should they have the monopoly of giving opinions, and raise concerns? Isn’t this current investiagtion just came out without any effort from the Pathetic Loser Crowd? The person raisning teh issue is not even coming from the opposition….

  128. manuelbuencamino on Fri, 21st Sep 2007 7:08 am 

    Rego,

    “We are prepared to lose our freedoms and our rights just to move this country forward.” – Bong Austero

    That’s my issue with Austero. That and nothing else.

  129. manuelbuencamino on Fri, 21st Sep 2007 7:12 am 

    Bencard,

    Your characterization Joey leads me to suspect that you didn’t watch the Senate hearings yesterday and that your impressions come from second hand sources. True or not?

  130. Bencard on Fri, 21st Sep 2007 7:55 am 

    buencamino, if there’s anything earthshaking about your joey’s testimony, don’t you think manolo wouldn’t highlight it in his “live blog” transcript of the proceedings? it may be “second hand source” (i don’t have the time to waste on grandstanding acts and ‘vaudevilles’) but i can trust manolo’s avowed dislike for the first family. no way he would miss any incriminating testimony from joey. as far as i can see, there is NONE.

    btw, in my 2:03 a.m. (edt) post, i meant to write “friends”, not fiends. on second thought, the latter word fits like a glove, so let’s just leave it at that. o.k.?

  131. justice in waiting on Fri, 21st Sep 2007 8:13 am 

    The only convictions that will count against anyone alleged to have committed corruption against the treasury of the nation will be the one once their off the power and brought before the courts by the power that be, justice as played in the country. Thus happened to Marcos, to Estrada and pray will happen to those that still on the waiting list. Until then, Today’s Raiders will continue to raid the the Treasury with Impunity, Lie to their teeth when accused (now tell me why these don’t happen in 90% of other countries) but Justice will somehow catch up with them, maybe later, but it will…still waiting..

  132. rego on Fri, 21st Sep 2007 8:46 am 

    “We are prepared to lose our freedoms and our rights just to move this country forward.” – Bong Austero

    That’s my issue with Austero. That and nothing else.
    ——————————————————

    OK Manuel, so now I understand. But why do you have to take it so bitterly. And how does the rest of people who doesn’t share your stand become all Austeros?

    But that is his conviction and

  133. bw on Fri, 21st Sep 2007 9:42 am 

    JDV III a junkie on drugs ? LOL on whoever came up with this
    moronic suggestion :) Anyone else on steroids… pain killers?

    In the end, I’d be interested to see if ANYONE WILL BE PROSECUTED in this scandalous imbroglio that stinks of economic sabotage, that bled the country with several hundred millions of dollars :(

  134. mlq3 on Fri, 21st Sep 2007 2:12 pm 

    bencard, the reason i liveblog is to let people get an ideaof what’s going on, you can conclude what you will from the totality of the proceedings. it’s in commentary that i can focus on what i want. specially since, watching, digesting, transcribing the gist of things for several hours at a stretch is, to put it midly, not very easy to do.

  135. masha on Fri, 21st Sep 2007 4:26 pm 

    jdv3 did very well in his appearance yesterday. not mediocre at all. he stumped jpe. jpe then mumbled something about letting the law speak for itself just to have the last word but he clearly was napahiya. you should listen in or watch these hearings when you can.

    mar roxas did well too. gearing for his run in 2010.

    pangilinan is an emabrassment to his malcolm hall roots. ate shawie could probably ask better questions.

  136. cvj on Fri, 21st Sep 2007 5:11 pm 

    Kiko Pangilinan’s wife is definitely smarter than him. as sharon’s lifeline in ‘Who Wants to be a Millionaire’, he gave her the wrong answer. It’s a good thing she answered differently.

  137. manuelbuencamino on Sat, 22nd Sep 2007 12:38 am 

    Rego,

    Why shouldn’t I be angered by that ? People who believe that basic rights are alienable are enemies of freedom and humanity. I will fight against people who subscribe to Austero’s philosophy. One dictatorship in a lifetime is too much for me.

  138. manuelbuencamino on Sat, 22nd Sep 2007 12:41 am 

    Bencard,

    I recall telling you that people like you who are thousands of miles away cannot really know what’s going on despite today’s technology. Your comments are based on second hand sources. Spins actually. Get someone to record those hearings for you. Watch them and then speak, You are not even a miron. You are a miron of the mirons.

  139. Bencard on Sat, 22nd Sep 2007 1:44 am 

    buencamino, i don’t know about you but for me, mlq3 and inquirer .net are good enough sources when it comes to this possible “scandal”. as i recall telling you also, these sources, including the very “balanced” abs-cbn will not miss anything that suggests culpability of fg and his family, including the president, and plaster it all over the place. of all the vociferous commenters here, how many do you think have actually watched the senate “show”? its a good thing its not covered en toto a la c-span here. else, half-wit senators and presidential wannabes would expose to the nation their intellectual limitations and cluelessness and the self-righteous “revelations” of joeydv. one thing is sure, the hair dying and grooming salons would have a brisk business

  140. manuelbuencamino on Sat, 22nd Sep 2007 8:50 pm 

    Bencard,

    It was covered live. And those who didn’t watch, like you, are basing their conclusions based on second hand sources. Or as you lawyers say, HEARSAY!

  141. Bencard on Sun, 23rd Sep 2007 1:01 am 

    buencamino, in case you don’t know it, hearsay only applies to witness’ testimony, not to lawyer’s argument. a lawyer cannot be a witness and advocate at the same time. gets?

  142. grd on Sun, 23rd Sep 2007 1:21 am 

    “is joey de venecia a credible witness? an admitted “former” drug addict, a loser with a motive to lie, a “businesman” trying to play in the major league on the strength of what? connection and name, right? why should i believe him just because solita monsod does?”

    and the son of speaker jdv.

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