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| ON THE OTHER HAND |
| Bribe It Was
By Antonio C. Abaya Written Oct. 15, 2007 For the Standard Today, October 16 issue Is there no end to our despair, our despondency, our humiliation over our politics and our politicians? . Some 190 congressmen and women were summoned to a breakfast meeting in Malacanang with President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo last Thursday, Oct. 11. At the end of the meeting, envelopes were allegedly given away to the attendees, each one supposedly containing P200,000 to P500,000 in cash., as �send-off gifts� or �a remembrance� or �help�(See the Philippine Daily Inquirer, Oct 12.) In addition, each attending congressman and woman was allegedly promised pork barrel allocation of up to P70 million. The cash envelopes were given away apparently without any vouchers to be signed by the recipients, without any indication from which department the (presumably public) money was coming from, without any instructions on how or for what purpose the money was to be used for, and without any indication that the amounts were to be accounted for or liquidated at a certain date. In other words, each recipient was free to use the cash, partly or fully, for the coming barangay elections or other local community project, or for his or her own personal needs. Which would be a working definition of a bribe. Especially since the cash were being given away just before a showdown looms in the Lower House over the possible impeachment of President Arroyo over the scandal-racked national broadband network project.. It is hard to avoid the conclusion that President Arroyo is buying the loyalty of some 190 congressmen and women, to either reject an opposition-launched impeachment resolution, or to support an administration-launched resolution deemed so weak and flawed as to suffer an inevitable rejection Either way, President Arroyo would emerge unscathed for another 365 days, as only one impeachment resolution can be filed against a sitting president in one year. At P200,000 per envelope, the total cash bribe to 190 congressmen and women add up to P38 million. At P500,000 per envelope, the total reaches P95 million. So between P38 million and P95 million in cash were given away by Malacanang last Oct. 11 to insulate President Arroyo from a possible impeachment for the next 365 days. And it did not end there. In a separate Malacanang meeting that day, Oct. 11, this time with mayors and governors, more cash � this time in shopping bags - was given away to the attendees. There were said to be 200 attendees, 48 of whom were provincial governors and the rest city and municipal mayors. Again, no vouchers or receipts, no indication as to where the money came from or what purpose or purposes it was to be used for, and without any accountability at all as to how it is spent.. Again, the working definition of a bribe. At least one provincial governor � Fr. Ed Panlilio of Pampanga � revealed that he was given a bag containing P500,000 in cash. Fr. Ed says that the man who gave him the cash told him he can use the money for the barangay elections or for other barangay projects. (PDI, Oct. 14, 2007). Or, if he were so inclined, he could use it for his own personal agendas, as other recipients of Malacanang�s largesse no doubt would, if they had no moral qualms about it as Fr. Ed did. The Inquirer (Oct. 14) revealed that two more (unnamed) provincial governors, both from Southern Luzon , have revealed that they received similar bags full of cash It is inconceivable that the 45 other provincial governors, or the city and municipal mayors in attendance, received nothing. Malacanang apologists are stumbling over each other claiming that these were not public funds but were more likely private donations from businessmen friendly to Malacanang who want to help in the barangay elections. That�s a lot of bull, and they know it. It is more likely that these bundles of cash were sourced from the so-called Intelligence Fund of the President, which must now amount to a few billion pesos a year, and which are not subject to any audit at all, and which a sitting president can use to bribe or reward not only loyal governors, congressmen/women and mayors, but also cooperating senior bureaucrats, military generals and Comelec officials, as well as journalists. The office of the Philippine president is probably the most corrupting and corruptible political position in this part of the world. When an utterly immoral and manipulative person occupies that position, even the angels in Heaven and the demons in Hell can be bought. The Intelligence Fund of the President should be abolished from the National Budget. Now!. Fr. Ed has been quoted by the Inquirer as saying: �Since that was public money and it belonged to the people, I decided to take it and use it in a beneficial way. I couldn�t be blind to the needs of my constituents. That�s public money anyway. What will matter is how I would use it and I intend to use it to answer the people�s needs.� He has turned the money over to the provincial administrator for safekeeping. �My conscience tells me that whatever resources came my way, as long as these came from public taxes and honest means, I will utilize these for the people�..� I hope his conscience will also tell Fr. Ed that, yes, these P500,000 came from public taxes, but they are being used as private funds by unscrupulous individuals in power to promote their private agendas, such as immunizing themselves from impeachment, and staying in power indefinitely, contrary to all the moral scruples that Fr. Ed. has come to symbolize. With the hundreds of millions of pesos that his honest governance stands to earn in the next 12 months from quarrying fees alone, Fr. Ed does not need the sordid half a million pesos from Malacanang, which will use his acceptance of it to clothe its bribes to everyone else with some veneer of respectability. But we do not know if Fr. Ed will become another co-opted Romulo Neri, or will choose to be the heroic moral leader whom Filipinos have been longing for for so long..***** Reactions to [email protected] or [email protected]. Other articles in www.tapatt.org and in tonyabaya.blogspot.com. OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO Reactions to �Bribe It Was� More Reactions to �Dominatrix� Dear Tony, You quoted Fr. Ed as saying: �My conscience tells me that whatever resources came my way, as long as these came from public taxes and honest means, I will utilize these for the people�..� Fr. Ed. I could not believe Fr. Ed will accept the "public money" intended for specific purpose. The very first man in politics I have looked up to did every other elected officials have been doing . There is no difference. I could have applauded his action if he returned the money and requested others to do the same and slapped the giver for her intentions. It could have awakened all who have received the "public money". I believe he did not let the hands of God do the wondrous things in his province. Could he have doubted the Lord? How could it be honest means? There should be proper channel with accountability for every money disbursed by any public office with accounting and auditing. May God bless us all. Yours Truly, Gerardo Fernando, (by email), Vancouver , BC , Canada , Oct 17, 2007 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Say NO MORE....... Dalawang klase lang ang politiko.....ang nanunuhol at ang nag-papasuhol. The little darling with her minions....GOD BLESS MY COUNTRY! Eduardo Dacpano, (by email), Dallas , Texas , Oct. 17, 2007 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Was it a surprise to you that this do happen in Philippine politics? You think this only happen in Philippine politics? Alexander Po, (by email), Oct. 17, 2007 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Dear Mr. Abaya and the rest of the Filipino people, especially those in the Philippines breathing the foul air of too much poli-ticks and obvious corruption: WHERE IS THE MORAL OUTRAGE, OVER THIS VERY APPARENT CORRUPT PRACTICE, as you have written, Tony, COMING NO LESS FROM THE "WHITE.....ERRRR BLACK HOUSE" AKA MALACANANG PALACE I AM PRAYING TO GOD THAT HE DELIVERS US FROM THE ABYSS OF IMMORALITY AND THE DEEP PIT OF APATHY... AS WE HUMAN BEINGS OFTEN CREATE OUR OWN GRAVES OF DESTRUCTION AS WE ARE BURIED ALIVE! It's so anomalous that no amount of spinning can make it right? I am really sick about it... especially if this breaking news is contrasted to the bruhahaha and angry verbal protestations of many Filipinos over that humorous yet pungent and spicy lines mouthed from that illiterate character in Desperate Wives! Who watch these dump shows anyway? The energy and mental calisthenics are I believe misdirected... There are so much more serious things in life... a question that even carry life or death situations! LASTLY, I HOPE AND PRAY THAT FR. PANLILIO DO THE RIGHT THING...OVER THIS 'BRIBE' THAT IT TRULY WAS.... I SUGGEST THAT THE 1,000 PESOS BILLS AN BE DISPLAYED IN A GLASS COFFIN TO BE DISPLAYED IN HIS CAPITOL... AND BECOME A TOURIST ATTRACTION ... A SYMBOL OF A RENEWED SPIRITUAL FIGHT AGAINST CORRUPTION..... WHENEVER I GO HOME TO THE PHILIPPINES I WILL BRING A DOZEN OF MY RELATIVES AND FRIENDS TO VISIT THIS "GLASS COFFIN" CONTAINING THESE BILLS AND WILL PAY A FEW THOUSAND PESOS FOR THAT PRIVILEGE... IN A YEAR OR LESS, MORE THAT HALF A MILLION PESOS WILL BE RAISED! FATHER PANLILIO, I COMMIT TO YOU THAT THROUGH KATIPUNAN-- USA , WE CAN CAUSE AT LEAST 50,000 PESOS (10%) OF THE 500,000 TO BE RAISED IF YOU DO THIS TOURIST ATTRACTION-PROPOSAL... Mr, Tony Abaya, can you have this proposal in your next column and relay it to Fr. Panlilio... The Filipino people must be reminded about this anomaly forever!... so that we can regenerate a new generation of moral leaders like Fr. Ed. Thank you and God bless the Philippines ! MABUHAY ANG MORALIDAD NG PILIPINAS! Ernie Delfin, (by email), Oct. 17, 2007 www.katipunan-usa.org wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Dear Tony, Yes, we can end the despair, IF we create a proper solution that I suggest. I strongly believe that the only means to abate government graft in the Philippines is to adopt the American Grand Jury and Trial Jury systems. It can be anchored under Article II, Section 1, of the Philippine Constitution to create a peaceful system of check and balance between the people's power and the power of public officials. These systems can also serve to unite the Filipino people the way the more ethnically diversified American people and their different states are. I have drafted a proposed Philippine Jury System Rules and I have already submitted a printed copy of it to CJ Puno which consists of around 800 pages long in an 8-1/2" x 11" copy paper. I have it also in a CD which I wish to furnish you if you will kindly provide me with your postal mailing address. I hope you can help recommend or co-sign as a petitioner before the Supreme Court urging the adoption of the Jury Systems. Juries will also serve as the enforcing power for the Amparo Writ. Question: Without the sovereign people's supporting vote in justice through the jury system, can the Judiciary, a co-equal branch of the Executive, force such as by contempt of court the top leader of the other co-equal government branch to obey a Writ of Amparo? In the U.S. the Judicial branch can (on any writ - amparo or not), by means of the Grand Jury. If a President refuses to obey a writ, the Grand Jury directly representing the sovereign power of he people simply files an indictment for obstruction of justice and thereafter he will have to stand trial before a Trial Jury to hand down the sovereign decision of the people or be forced to voluntarily resign like what happened to the late U.S. President Nixon. That's the beauty of the Jury System. Without it, will PGMA resign? No way, Jose." Sincerely, Marlowe Camello, (by email), Homeland, Ca, Oct. 17, 2007 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww.. Dear Mr. Abaya, That's right sir, call it by any other name, "bribe it was". I feel sorry for the handlers and crisis managers of the present Administration because they seem to be not thinking straight and strategizing well anymore after they have fumbled bad, panicked and carelessly thought of a very stupid tactic to distribute chunks of cash to their so-called allies and supporters from both the House and the local government. Very amateurish and definitely would just hasten the sinking of the increasingly bewildered ship of state. Whoever thought of this plan contributed a lot of negative points enough to plunge, if they will not cook up a better ploy or spin asap, the credibility ratings of the President to a much lower, abyssmal depth which she may not recover from. The proponent of this financial distribution scheme is a total political ignoramus. Gerry V.Eusebio, (by email), Oct. 17, 2007 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww I felt so dazed reading this article that, for a while, I thought Christmas was already here, with Mama Claus from Malacanan doling out all those gifts to those hard-working politicians in desperate need to brighten their season. After all, one of those recipients was Father Ed Panlilio of Pampanga, and who could quarrel with the good Padre accepting that bag of goodies he could distribute to his constituents? Then something stirred me to reality, and the mirage of Santa Claus got transformed into that of Nicolo Machiavelli, who must have been resurrected plying the halls at the house by the Pasig and giving guidance to Ate Glo and her retinue of myrmidons. A manipulative prince, isn't he? While cover-ups of corruption by our leaders are not uncommon, the surprise here is the daunting way President Arroyo did it by flaunting openly her way of buying silence in the guise of charity. Did it ever occur to her that somebody would squeal, as Father Panililo did? Once that happens, there is no way for others to remain silent. Filipinos have all reasons to believe the president gave away that largesse not for public benefit, but for her political convenience. There is another attempt at impeaching her, and what better way to curb that move than to nip it in the bud with that bounty? This is not by any means the end of this affair. I think the president may have miscalculated badly, and it would not surprise me if she won't be able to weather the storm this time. R. G. Lacsamana, MD, by email), Daytona Beach , Florida , Oct. 17, 2007 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww I agree with you, and to us, that quarrying money may be enough to answer the needs of the people of Pampanga. However, we really do not know the depths of their needs based on what Gov. Panlilio wants the province of Pampanga to be or how much he wants Pampangenos to achieve. But whatever the intention, it does not justify the means. These are moments of great temptations for the Governor. Satan cloaks sin/greed with apparent honorable intentions/unfathomable needs. I hope Gov, Panlilio will recognize it as a test for his moral and Christian values. But then, who are we to judge what it is in his heart. Only he and God know that. And as the Little Prince said "it is with the heart that one sees. What is essential is not visible to the eyes". His acceptance of the money may not be acceptable to our thinking mind which may be clouded with what we truthfully perceive as detestable acts by the powers that are. Pura Flor Isleta, (by email), Oct. 17, 2007 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww It is unbelievable! It is so much "in your face" that it makes it almost difficult to report on. What a mess!!! Regards Fabio Scarpello, (by email), Bali , Indonesia , Oct. 17, 2007 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Dear Acabaya, The way I see it, Gloria is daring everybody to remove her. The action of giving government money to everybody is becoming a habit and she believes she's quite successful in buying everybody, specially majority of congress, and including the military hierarchy. With that full strength, the power play is really in her favor. Very sad for the Philippines , when the powers that be makes a mockery of our laws and insults the intelligence of people. That's even much worse than what Erap did. You cannot hand out money just like that. It's too brazen. Thanks. Jobo Elizes, (by email), Oct. 17, 2007 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Tony, the next breakfast meeting in Malacanang will surely be SRO! But, it�s so GARAPAL to be TRUE! Or should we say it�s so TRUE and GARAPAL?!?! How can they possibly �rationalize� this one - again? I have been to at least 3 breakfast meetings with PGMA (w/ NGOs) and in one even seated with her at around table with seven others. But, apart from the sumptuous breakfast fare, no cash giftbags were distributed. We could have made very good use of it to further our social projects! Or did some smart Palace functionary put it into good personal use? Caramba! I wonder if she has time to check these out. ANO BA YAN!?!?! � E. J. T Tirona, (by email), Paranaque City , Oct. 17, 2007 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww We can trace where the money came from by noting the serial numbers of the 1000 bills Gov. Panlilio got from the palace grounds. The Central Bank has records of where and when the money was sent to a bank. The bank in turn would know who withdrew this large amount of money. (But which bank would risk losing the Malacanang account by revealing who withdrew all that money? ACA) The woman who gave the money most likely is under secretary Remedios Poblador. Let Gov. Panlilio and Bulacan Gov. Joselito �Jonjon� Mendoza see a picture of her and see if it is her indeed. Daniel Cervantes, (by email), Oct. 17, 2007 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Dear Mr. Abaya, You are right in all your arguments. I hate GMA. She is corrupt as corrupt anyone can be, but the crime is corruption of public officials not bribery. There are two crimes here one is corruption of public officials (GMA and the one accepting it, bribery. Thank you and I love reading your editorials. Mama Cita Garcia, (by email), Oct. 17, 2007 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww C�mon, Manong Tony, You know very well that that amount is to reimburse the transportation, meals and other expenses of the delegate and his party for the trip to Malacanang. Normally, the mayor (or governor) will use three vehicles for himself, his body guards, and close staff. If they came from Visayas orMindanao, they will spend for airfare and possible hotel accommodations. If they stay overnight, they may have to spend for some �boys out� activities also. Lastly, they have to buy pasalubongs for the wife, children, and relatives who will be waiting for their return. Considering the lifestyle of our public officials, P500,000.00 is enough. I�m saying this tongue-in-cheek, but you can take that seriously also. Best regards, Bong L. Alba, (by email), Oct. 17, 2007 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww I am not surprised that this has happened, and I won't be surprised if it continues to happen. Not that I approve of this, of course With all the lawyers in our country, surely they can find a legal way to cover up this loophole in the use of public moneys. There must be enough lawyers in the country whose ethics are in the right place. Remy Marmole�o, (by email), Oct. 17, 2007 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww It is really revolting to all decent Filipinos, and there are plenty in the majority find this insult and affront to our countrymen most of whom are wallowing in deprivation and poverty. When these things happen, it is not too remote that the French revolution phenomena is ticking away really fast. Vic del Fierro, Jr., (by email), Oct. 17, 2007 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww.. Sir, only in the Philippines ! Sinabi na nga eh, garapalan na talaga. Wala ba silang mga bank accounts? We really have a culture of sickness. We deserve to be the no 1 corrupt country. Who else is not corrupt in the government? Is Fr. Ed the answer? Beware of the wolf in the sheep's clothing. Ernie Dellosa, (by email), Sto. Tomas, Batangas, Oct. 17, 2007 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww We all know the story by now: 190 congressmen were allegedly given Php 200T after a breakfast �Christmas Exchange Gift� meeting last October 11, 2007 with the president. Vice Governor Suplico of Iloilo claimed it was some sort of bribe attempt to push for a weak impeachment case against President Arroyo. In a massive dose of amnesia, everyone claimed they never got the brownie take-home bag after the party. Then came along Rep. Cuenco ( Cebu ) who claimed he got Php 200T and was quoted live in a local radio show that it was the usual Christmas Gift from the Palace. Hours later, and perhaps furious phone calls from his colleagues, he went back on air and claimed it was all a joke. In the first place, Rep. Cuenco is not known to have an exceptional sense of humor nor is he known to indulge in light banter. Second, his tone during the interview was that of irritation because the interviewer was asking pointed questions about the other congressmen receiving money. Third, his comment that it was all a joke heightened the already tense speculation around this �bribe� attempt. Fourth, I didn�t realize that the government considers it as �normal� practice to distribute big amount dole-outs and gifts to administration politicos. If I wanted a joker in congress or senate I would have voted for Tito Sotto. In a separate incident, Gov. Panlilio (Pampanga) confirmed that he received Php 500T in a meeting that followed the breakfast �Christmas Party� and tagged the Bulacan Governor as the one who allegedly handed the money to his aide. He never claimed it to be a bribe but as Palace funds to help out in the affairs of local government. It would have made perfect sense, except the Palace is denying they gave the money. I suggest that Gov. Panlilio write out the receipt to �God� and offer thanks and prayers that a miracle happened. Except that I don�t believe God maintains a printing press of Philippine Peso currency in thousands of pesos. The biggest irony is that someone is making a liar out of a man of God. That, or the man of God is lying through his teeth. It would be futile for me to remind anyone that the Devil tempted the Lord Jesus Christ of worldly bribes to submit God to the devil�s will. At this point, I don�t think it would even faze these people that eternal damnation and the fiery oven of hell is definitely on their one way ticket � us humans tend to believe in our own press release that we perceive our lies to be gospel truths. At the end of the day, someone is lying and may God have NO mercy on these people. Dennis Ponce Tagamolila,, (by email), Oct. 17, 2007 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Dear sir, A question: Why do Filipinos vote for and elect: stupid movie stars, crooks, gangsters, murderers, thieves, corrupt dirty people, smugglers etc? Don�t they deserve what they get in return-? Please give me an answer Thanks. Fritz Jahns, (by email), Oct. 17, 2007 PS Is it stupidity? Or lack of education? Maybe the rich and powerful are happy: The more ignorant the masses are, the more they can be manipulated? The Philippines needs an honest dictator. wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Yes, by any definition, it is a BRIBE! And all these politicians plus Malacanang have the audacity to call it so many other names as though Filipinos are fools---or maybe Filipinos are indeed fools to allow all these idiocies and crimes to happen. Jose Luis Yulo, (by email), Oct 17, 2007 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww I have regularly been receiving forwards of your article from an avid reader of yours, and much as I wanted to react to most of articles you wrote, I just could not have the luxury of competent time management in this part of the world I live in. However, when I read this particular article, which again depicted the sad state of our government and our people, all I felt was ANGER. This big, explicit insult to Filipino intelligence and moral values, coming from Filipinos themselves, is a pathetic call for those still morally upright to put into action what needs to be done. Moral force is still our strength, albeit a minority it has become. Gilda. Loya-Javellana , MD , (by email), Nova Scotia , Canada , Oct 17, 2007 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww (Copy furnished) This is so gross! What a shame! If this is true, there's really a big challenge for the future of the Philippines ! Rico Rojas, (by email), New Orleans, Louisiana, Oct. 17, 2007 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Tony, You forgot to mention that Fr. Ed quoted the late Cardinal Sin as basis for receiving the money (also the same reason given by Mother Theresa), which in essence said that one can receive money from any source provided it is used to serve God's people. . Cesar Sarino, (by email), Oct. 17, 2007 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww (Copy furnished) Pity Pilipinas Kong Mahal. Raped again and again. Abused by those whom she trusted to take care of her. Left to support herself in the streets, while her riches are stolen in front of her. Her children, 8 million of them, left home to work abroad to support her. Her remaining children cry with her in despair, hungry, thirsty, in need of help, feeling the pain of betrayal. But no help will come from the abusers. Quo usque tandem abutere patientia nostra, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo? How long will she abuse our patience, and how long do we have to suffer quietly for such abuse? Alas, we do not know. We have always been abused and we have always suffered, and we do not know what life without suffering is. We do not know what it is like to live in a country where the government officials really serve the people, and are taken to task if they perform their duties poorly, or are put in jail when they abuse the office they were elected and solemnly swore to do. Where the people in a democratic society are the sovereign, and public officials serve at their pleasure. Unfortunate indeed, but mother Pilipinas has never experienced such. Rene Saguisag's letter succinctly states the malodorous crisis affecting the Philippines , and what we need to do. But where is the outrage of the populace? Where are the screaming newspaper headlines asking for heads to roll? Where are the demonstrations in the streets? Where are the thunderous denunciations from such Ateneo de Manila graduates as Senator Dick Gordon? Is his Ateneo diploma simply a forgotten parchment gathering dust in his attic? A Man for Others, that is what that diploma means. That is what the Jesuits taught us to be. In this moment of crisis, we have heard nothing but thunderous silence from him. But I know him to be a decent man, as angered by this sad state of affairs as the rest of us. If he could just pick up where Mr. Saguisag left off, and carry the cudgels for her poor mother Pilipinas, and for all of us her children, we would forever be grateful to Senator Gordon. Fred Montenegro, (by mail), Oct. 17, 2007 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww (Copy furnished) I'm almost sure the sheriff and his deputies got heavier envelopes. Sino pa ang tatayo? I see fear in these actions. They are trying to buy everyone for fear that nobody will protect them when the time comes. More so, I think they're afraid of any attempts on their lives, now. It's a pity what our beloved "Pearl of the Orient" has turned into. Abe Inocentes, (by email), Oct. 17, 2007 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww CONGRESS is as much to blame for all these scams! Now that opposition (conscience-driven, I dearly want to think) senators are a majority in the Senate, it is time they banded together to STRIKE OUT ALL DISCRETIONARY FUNDS FOR THE OFFICE OF GMA! Given how she wastes our tax moneys, there is no other moral recourse! GINAGAGO na tayong lahat! She uses our money to BRIBE everyone just to stay in power...! S.L. Monsanto/Steve Vespera, (by email), Oct. 17, 2007 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww And again the Malacanang people were at their best in either denying that the "bribes" did really occur or just a routine process where the President awards her "servants" for job well-done. But what I really admire most is the way the President�s men spin the issue that they can always lift her on top, where other Presidents would have their heads roll long, long time ago. Victor Sanoy, (by email), Scarborough, Ont. , Canada , Oct. 17, 2007 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww OIDP! Only In Da Pilipeens! Let me get this straight. The President has a multi billion Peso fund that is not audited or accountable to the public in any way that she can use for any purpose? And they wonder why they can't find an honest leader in the country? Power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely. To then fund this power with untraceable money beggars belief! What is the most damning thing is the attitude of the bribers. That they think they can get away with it. Why is that? They must have a fair belief that this is acceptable behaviour. Where did that concept come from? From the most corrupt organ the world has ever known of course. The Catholic Church. With no real separation of Church and State in the Philippines it is little wonder the example of how to lie, cheat, steal and behave abominably that is the day-to-day business of the Catholic Church, has been seen, taken on board and then applied as acceptable behaviour by the ruling elite. Since tahi flows downhill eventually everyone in the country is covered in it and can't smell the roses of proper governance anymore. Luckily a few million have side stepped the excremental lahar and escaped overseas. Perhaps the best thing for the Philippines is to leave all the government and church officials in situ and have the people live in exile abroad. Keep up the good work, Tony, good to see there are still a few honest men left there. Cheers, Perry Gamsby, (by email), Sydney , Australia , Oct. 17, 2007 PS And they ask me why I took my wife and kids and moved to Sydney ......I just show them your posts! Saves me talking! wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Hi Tony, As one who keep tab on the goings-on of the PGMA regime, just like any other concerned citizen, I am just plain dumbfounded on the latest "MACHINATION" of That Malacanang Denizen. Such brazen indecency can only come from a sick mind. We all know that She doled-out money-bags to Governors and Mayors with malintent to begin with--the manipulation of the coming Barangays Elections. What is so "brazen", is doing the thing inspite of the anticipated fall-out. With this background, we can expect a more spitefull martial law regime than the world have ever seen. But there's this assurance, to quote Joseph Contreras in his Newsweek article: "The End of Impunity": that "Rogues (Ex-Despots) can run, but they can no longer hide". In the meantime in this country, people disappear, are killed and mangled, so that a rogue government can continue to heap abuses on the very people, from whom power truly emanates. A very sad state in our history as a people, as a nation. Do we really deserve this? Will somebody out there do something to stop this madness? Jose Regino, (by email), Zamboanga City , Oct. 17, 2007 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Dear Tony, I am glad... so glad that we have Fr. Ed in Pampanga. For the sake of all Filipinos, I wish for more "Fr. Eds" all over the Philippines . Is it possible for Fr. Ed to be our next President? If so, when could he run for president? Wish Fr. Ed more power and strength to endure the pressure and pray that he will always be the symbol of Hope for all Filipinos. I also wish you, Tony, more power and strength to continue to be our beacon. Both you and Fr. Ed are what the Philippines desperately need right now! Please keep it up for us. May God always bless, guide and protect you both! Leticia Angeles, (by email), Oct. 17, 2007 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Hi Tony, You are right in concluding that not just a few were given money. Otherwise, those who were not given woud be howling to high heavens about their share. That is human nature. And there were no howlers. Question is, why would one be given P500,000 and another just P200,000? No one so far has come out to say he/she got only P200,000. Considering the prevailing dishonesty of our politicians, one cannot help thinking that, with the exception of Among Ed and Bulacan Governor Mendoza, those recipients maintaining their silence are doing so to make their constituents believe that they did not receive any money so that they can keep what they received for their own personal benefit? Not really far from reality, considering the state of integrity of Filipino politicians. A very sad confirmation of the sad state of Philippine politics. As to the question of propriety of taking the money so given, why not? As long as there are no conditions attached to it. Just be public and open about the amount like the two who did, as a means of telling their constituents that there is that amount available for public purposes of their constituency, and in the process, make a proper accounting of this "gift" for maximum transparency and preservation of their personal integrity. At least, there is that much addition to the resources of the recipient constituency which can be used in addition to or for things that have notyet been provided for. The legality of the largesse is another thing altogether because the money was given during a prohibited period With anonymous donor/donors, who committed the crime? Edmundo Ledesma, (by email), Oct. 17, 2007 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Dear Tony: My blood was boiling while I read your article!!! I could not believe how Arroyo can be so abrasive and blatant to openly hand out bribes just to ensure she remains in power. It is incredulous this whole thing was happening. But then again Philippines just recently was branded the most corrupt country in Asia . So there, Arroyo is proving it true. The question now is not whether Arroyo is prima facie corrupt, but what about the congressmen, governors, mayors, bureaucrats, etceteras who are mum and willing to play this sordid game of hers? And where are the Filipino people in the scheme of things in this scenario? Is honesty so debased in the country? Is there anybody who can't be bought? It is beyond words to see corruption being played out so arrogantly by the leader of the country who is supposed to be a role model? It is time for the masses to do something effective. Uprising! Revolution! The Filipino masses have no iota of respect from the leaders so I say it is time to act decisively now. Oscar Apostol, (by email), Roseville , CA , Oct. 17, 2007 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Hi Tony, Reading your article on the above subject, puts my focus on Father Ed. He set out on the right foot after getting elected, but after these recent happenings, they really cast a shadow of doubt on my hopes and expectations. I fear that now there is a chink on Father Ed's moral armor and I am trying to console myself with the thought that perhaps Father Ed is just trying to make the best out of a very compromising situation. Idealists would always argue that the end does not in any way justify the means. A bribe is a bribe, no matter how you look at it and we cannot just turn our backs much more justify it just like a white lie. Half a million is half a million and it would be very hard to be idealistic and refuse it in face of necessity that present circumstances dictate in our country today. Regards, Noe Castanos, (by email), Toronto , Ont. , Canada , Oct. 17, 2007 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Sir: It is really very frustrating to note that when lots of Filipinos barely make 200 pesos a day with an honest work, we hear our politicians getting involved with one scandal over the other involving not only hundreds of thousands but millions or more of pesos they would freely give as �gift� among themselves and God knows where all those lots of money are are coming from. What is more disgusting is, they don�t really give a damn about these as if one scandal is not enough that we again have this new issue on cash gift with the congressmen and governors even as we have yet to see any clear picture what really transpired with the NBN scandal. These politicians seem to be in a maniacal rampage on who gets the biggest money the shortest possible time. And hearing their lame excuses and explanations really makes one boil inside as if the Filipinos are just too na�ve to know any better. When are we going to see an end to this debauchery? We have the EDSA 1 and 2 to give us lessons but is seems we never learn. Why don�t we import a few of those people in Iraq who would willingly blow themselves up? We can sample that in those places where they gather to give away their millions just to put some respite on these issues and put some sense in us. Allan Baquingan, (by email), Oct. 17, 2007 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Dear Tony, When you have the time, please look at the "Press Release" from our Igorot Congressman (that I pasted below). What's your comment? The concern had been floating in our "Igorot Global Organisation" and some of us are really concerned about this. Thank you for any enlightenment/update on the issue. Tony Gomowad, (by email), Sagada, Mountain Province , Oct 18, 2007 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Dear Tony, If the allegation is true that it was public money, no disbursement could be made in public without the recipients signing any voucher. When it is private money (political contributions), no accounting is necessary. The giver does not ask for it. People are too quick to conclude that because the money was received in Malacanang, it was public money. There must be some paper trail to conclude that tax payers' money was disbursed. I guess, people in the Philippine nowadays have no way of knowing now what are public and private money; hard-earned from ill-gotten money. Marcos started this practice of not making clear distinction between the two. Dr. Nestor P. Baylan, (by email), New York City , Oct. 19, 2007 (As explained in this and subsequent article �Deeper in Scheisse,� the Philippine President, whoever he or she may be, has billions of pesos in discretionary funds that can be disbursed by him or her without any audits. Meaning, no paper trail. The fact that Marcos started it does not excuse any of his successors. ACA) wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Good day Mr. Abaya. Non-stop corruption in our country is really an appalling reality. I am certainly feed up! How can this practice be eradicated? If Fr. Ed Panlilio expose� is indeed accurate we must act and verify but first the person who handed the money should be investigated. Who knows this might be another filthy ploy for the Arroyo administration. Thanks. Gilbert C. Meneses, (by email), Jubail , Saudi Arabia , Oct. 20, 2007 Saudi International Petrochemical Company (Sipchem) wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww More Reactions to �Dominatrix� Oct. 04, 2007 This is a reaction to one of one of your readers, Mr. Remigio G. Lacsamana of Daytona Beach , Florida , 5 October 2007. I wouldn�t pay much attention to Mr. James Fallows. Not many did, nor do. I prefer not to elaborate. 1.I share your sadness in not finding much progress in our country in terms of governance, particularly of sincerity and respectability. This is saddest at this time because I thought that Pres. Arroyo, at the time she took over, was the most qualified. She had the most appropriate educational background, PhD in Economics; experience in the Executive Branch, experience in the Legislative Branch, and certainly experience of living and governing in Malacanang. On top of that, her avowed fear of God and love of country. 2.I need not say anything further on those accounts. Suffice it to say that it did not take me long to unpin my hopes in her, and pinned them rather on Raul Roco. Another source of sadness. I�m convinced that he lost because men of good will thought he would not win, and acted accordingly. The will was not that strong. Right now, I�m about to pin them on Sonny Belmonte. Manuel Q. Lim, Jr., (by email), Oct 16, 2007 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Mr Abaya --- Anent "Dominatrix," it really is a reflection of one's low breeding and a general lack of civility to engage in personal attacks on someone one dislikes. Alex Menez's remarks about "the pygmy in the palace," and other folks who jeer at "the midget in Malacanang" show that it's impossible for Pinoys to have a civilized discourse about important issues. What we get instead is like a hair-pulling fracas by shrieking fishwives in a market. Funnily enough, those fishwives invariably turn out to be male. Political brouhahas should be settled with solid facts and reasoned arguments. Stooping to ad hominem attacks and engaging in personal insults not only denotes a low mentality but a tendency towards hysteria. I'm no fan of President Arroyo, but I find that all those who engage in personal attacks (just as they once hurled insults at Miriam Santiago) are like children brawling in a soiled playpen. What a sad state of affairs --- and a poor reflection on the country's lack of maturity. Isabel Escoda, (by email), Hong Kong , Oct. 15, 2007 OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO |