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| ON THE OTHER HAND |
| Mystery Solved
By Antonio C. Abaya Written Oct. 01, 2007 For the Standard Today October 02 issue Or at least for the time being. And the mystery was: How did I get to be tagged by a �Malacanang intelligence source,�as the one who had been telling Joey de Venecia how to destroy the credibility of the ZTE Corp.. For those who may have tuned in late, let me recap the sequence of events. On Tuesday, Sept. 18, like millions of other televiewers, I was glued to my TV set watching Joey de Venecia (JdVIII) testify before three Senate committees on his involvement in the controversial National Broadband Network (NBN) project, which had been awarded to the ZTE Corp. I had never met JdVIII in my entire life, and I was not even aware of his existence until I saw him on TV on this day. On Wednesday morning, Sept. 19, I wrote my column in reaction to his testimony, and I titled the article A-B-Z-T-E-F-G, ending it with a touch of levity: �AB (for Abalos, Benjamin), ZTE, and FG (for you-know-who).� I emailed this article to Standard Today at 12.23 pm that day. At about 1:30 pm, or a little more than one hour later, according to the Standard Today�s beat reporter, a �Malacanang intelligence source� told her and �a few other reporters� that JdVIII �was also talking to newspaper columnist Antonio Abaya to help him destroy the credibility of ZTE�.� At 8:31 pm that evening, I emailed this article to my distribution list (e-list). I have been emailing my articles to my e-list since 2002, and my past experience has been that 20 to 30 emails would bounce back within seconds for various reasons: user unknown, account disabled or discontinued, file too large, mailbox full, over quota, operation timed out, connection refused, etc.. This time, there was absolutely no immediate bounce. Usually, within 24 hours after I send out an article, there would be 120-150 emails in my inbox, including junk mail, spam, get-rich-quick schemes from Africa, notifications of my winning lotteries in Europe , press releases from politicians, other columnists� articles, articles from international media, personal emails, etc plus ten to 20 reactions to the article sent. This time there were only 19 emails in my inbox during the 24-hour period after I sent out A-B-Z-T-E-F-G, and only two of them were in reaction to it. This was highly suspicious. I surveyed a select sampling from my e-list and asked them if they had received that article. More than 50 of them confirmed that they did, only two said they did not. Of those who received it, a significant number said they sent reactions to it, but their reactions bounced back to them. On Thursday, Sept. 20, my article saw print as per normal schedule. But on the front page of Standard Today was the news story from the �Malacanang intelligence source� about JdVIII �talking to newspaper columnist Antonio Abaya to help him destroy the credibility of ZTE Corp.��..together with my denial. Also on Thursday morning, Sept. 20, I called up my server, Zpdee, to complain that emails to me were apparently being blocked. I asked to talk to the supervisor; I was told he/she does not report until 1 pm. I asked to talk to the manager; I was told he/she was also not around. To me, it was not credible that a telecom call center would operate without a supervisor or a manager for even one hour. I asked to be called by either one when he/she arrived. Neither one did until six or seven days later. Keep in mind that between 12:23 pm of Sept. 19 (when I emailed the article to Standard Today), and 1:30 pm the same day (when the �Malacanang source� fed his canard to some reporters), this was the only copy that anyone could possibly have seen, since it had not yet published, and it had not yet been distributed to my e-list. Either that article was forwarded to Malacanang by someone in the newspaper office � which I doubt since there is no one there except janitors until the staff comes in at 3 pm. Or, more likely, some people have been wiretapping the cables of my computer � which I first noticed in July 2005. But the story does not end there. Because my incoming emails on Zpdee were being blocked, I signed up for a Gmail address on Sept. 23 and asked my e-list to send their reactions to this new address. For two days, email flow was normal on gmail, until it too dried up, and I received reports from some of my readers that their emails to my gmail address were also bouncing. This was clearly a job for Superman. On Wednesday, Sept. 26, I met in a private residence with a senior Malacanang official, whom I have known for years before he joined government, and narrated to him the sequence of events as outlined above. Is it possible, I asked, that the �Malacanang intelligence source� mistook me for another Antonio Abaya? (When he was still writing for the Philippine Daily Inquirer, Larry Henares once wrote an entire column on how there were 15 Tony Abayas, including one serving time in Muntinlupa for rape!) Bingo!!! My contact revealed that he knows that both Speaker Jose de Venecia and son Joey use the �PR� services of another Antonio Abaya, perhaps the one who has been hovering in the corridors of power in Malacanang since the time of President Fidel Ramos. So it is likely that the phone and computer lines of JdVIII were also being tapped, including his conversations with this other Antonio Abaya who was coaching him on how to destroy the credibility of ZTE Corp.. By coincidence, my article A-B-Z-T-E-F-G pointed out the implications on national security of giving the NBN contract to a Chinese company, especially one owned by the Chinese government which has geo-political and geo-strategic designs in this part of the world. Only last August the Pentagon in Washington was complaining that its computer network had been broken into by hackers whom the Americans traced to the People�s Liberation Army. And not just the Americans. A recent article in the German news magazine Der Spiegel (The Mirror) reported that �computers in the chancellery and the foreign, economic and research ministries had been infected with Chinese spyware software, and German officials say they believe the hackers were linked to the Chinese People�s Liberation Army�..� So in the process of wiretapping JdVIII�s computers/telephones and mine, the �Malacanang intelligence sources� added two plus two equals five, concluding that I was the Antonio Abaya who was coaching Joey on how to destroy the credibility of ZTE Corp. ***** Reactions to [email protected] and/or [email protected]. Other articles in www.tapatt.org and in acabaya.blogspot.com OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO Reactions to �Mystery Solved� Reactions to �On Rene Saguisag� More Reactions to �ABZTEFG� On Romulo Neri Hi Tony... Let them bug your email. Let them read the comments of common and intelligent people whose views are not bought by Erap's side and worse, GMA's lying side. Hayaan mu sila basahin mga articles and comments ng mga readers mo.. Dapat nga, i forward mu pa nga sa gobyerno so that they know, not from paid and kiss-ass journalists like Emil Jurado and Alex Magno... Bakas ako sayo, Tony... Mike Delgado, (by email), Cainta, Rizal, Oct. 02, 2007 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Thank you for returning to us "mystery solved". I appreciate the explanation. Even without it, I had no doubt (I repeat no doubt) that you would sully your good name in some dubious schemes such as this. Credibility has sunk so low - that even if you had not bothered to explain - no one would have believed the source -- you will hear more from your numerous fans - I will try not to be redundant. More power! P.E. Kiram, (by email), Milwaukee , Wisconsin , Oct. 02, 2007 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Hi, Mr. Abaya, How about using your name with your middle initial or name to rule out the other namesakes? Your "acabaya" is distinctive. Your articles are good. Lourdes Ceballos, (by email), Oct. 02, 2007 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww. Thanks for clarifying. It is an amazing turn of events and eye opening to what can be done. Shelah Hockman, (by email), Owosso , Michigan , Oct. 02, 2007 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww While the ZTE deal stinks, not all roads (and guilt) lead to GMA. Philippine politics is dirty and you know it. Everyone from Abalos to JDV, his beloved son, senatorial inquisitioners and hysterical journalism stink! The president is under intense scrutiny by virtue of her position and is a target of any and all innuendo's. Our poor and illiterate citizens are brainwashed or bought by the perceived 'robin hood'-daw opposition gov't. officials. That's why i don't rely or believe in these polls paid for by...surprise!... opposition elements. As for your assertion that security issues make the ZTE deal a threat, why then does it have sovereign contracts with many countries in the world to provide broadband technology?? Do you actually think that the system would not be security-threatened if an American company or other provided this to the country? You have become so biased in your writing. Journalist should still report facts, pros & cons. Opinion means nothing if you are not tempered by your onesidedness. Also, you seem to be so focused on your self importance. Your mystery tale is nothing but that..a mystery in your own mind. M. Gonzalez, (by email), Oct. 02, 2007 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Mr. Abaya, I am replying to this article just to see if my email will bounce back or will go through. My guess is that this is just a case of mistaken identity. Mario Samoy, (by email), San Diego , CA , Oct. 02, 2007 (The mix-up with the other Antonio Abaya is a case of mistaken identity. But the wiretapping, since at least July 2005, is something else. The �other Antonio Abaya� has also called me to say he did NOT talk to Joey de Venecia. ACA) wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Hi Tony, See, how callous and stupid this administration of GMA is! Entrusting this government cyber project to a foreign government jeopardizing our security? Oh, what a way to make money. Thanks and more power. Bert Celera , (by email), Oct. 02, 2007 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Dear Tony: I am glad you have finally cleared up this mystery. This, obviously, is a case of mistaken identity. To avoid getting into the same trouble again, perhaps you would consider using your first, middle and last name in all correspondence, columns, and email. With my best wishes, Mariano Patalinjug, (by email), Yonkers , NY , Oct. 02, 2007 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Dear Tony, I know there was something fishy going on. First, I rarely acknowledge receipt of your valuable pieces, but this time I did because of the topic you discussed. That reaction bounced back. Then I got your follow up email asking whether I got your article. I replied and my reply bounced back again. I tried a couple of times but the result was the same, they all bounced back. I think I decided send my acknowledge to your article through your other contact tapatt (?). Renato Perdon, (by email), Sydney , Australia , Oct. 03, 2007 Editor, Filipino section Bayanihan News, Sydney , Australia wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Tony, the quality of intelligence in intelligence in this country is disturbing. It has been deteriorating through the years, driven by dumb end-users who cannot tell the difference between raw and A-! info, or do not care either way so long as it suits their power and wealth agendas. And so, the operators, gatherers, analysts and briefers become complacent and sloppy as time passes, more so when they are controlled and led by undeserving appointees who dish out what their bosses only want to hear or believe. As for the PLA, I read somewhere some time ago about a white paper produced by middle grade officers to the effect that China 's future war against the U.S. will be won through cyber-warfare superiority. Whoever gets to know first the other side's real plans, movements, intended tricks, actual resources, fighting condition and political resolve, and the capacity to cut or throw in disarray the other's information networks, will have the strategic and tactical advantage in the battlefield. That includes embedding their spyware in the information nets of America 's allies. How else? The reported cyberattacks on the Pentagon and German Chancellery are, thus, clear indications of the seriousness of that white paper. For sure, all sides with advanced information technologies are employing it against their perceived foes and even allies. This is the nature of geo-politics and international relations. Countries with no independent technological capability at par with the leaders can either stay neutral or take sides. But to get caught in the middle while playing one against the other is plainly unintelligent. Stupid schemes tainted by unbridled greed unravel quickly. In the cat-and-mouse game between the superpowers, we were used as bait (you know, like blue cheese which stinks to high heavens) to try to get valuable information and we didn't even know it. But of course! Keep writing Tony. Good sense is rare in this tragic-comic country of ours. Raffy Alunan, (by email), Oct. 03, 2007 Former Secretary of the Interior and Local Government wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Dear ACA, This just goes to show that there's very little intelligence going around in Malacanang. More power to you. Mon Dolor, (by email), Oct. 03, 2007 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwr Toks ! I think I know WHO this other AA is. He does strut around and supposedly ?! even has the cell phone no. of GMA! Tony Meer told me he is a "HAM"! A - No No No type of a fellow - NOT to be believed in or to ! I will tell you who this AA is when I get to talk to you in person. I shall narrate to you HOW ??!! I got to know about him! I think you know who he is too, by now! Tony Oposa, MD, (by email), Oct. 03, 2007 (I know who he is. I�ve known him for at least ten years. But he has called me up to say he did NOT talk to Joey de Venecia. ACA) wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww �Two plus two equals five� makes a lot of sense! Yup, lots of people are quick to conclude - very few are careful... Thanks for sharing with us how things came to be as in your situation. For one thing, it helped us be aware that wire tapping and computer hacking are always a possibility when these kind of people are involved. Hmmm... Leticia Angeles, (by email), Oct. 03, 2007 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Personally, I don�t find this broadband installation a priority to the duties and obligations of our government to us Filipinos. I believe that our administration should give more priority to housing, education, health, and environmental facilities. Almost all of our government computers are already connected to the Internet, including the small municipalities. Hence the broadband project should be stopped and scrapped. Same with the project being entered into by CHED re TV channel tutoring which will incur additional expense to us Filipinos. CHED should instead look into the building of more public elementary schools, and high schools. Besides recruiting more school teachers, thereby giving employment to our unemployed. Maybe, even our congressmen and senators should find these areas their priorities in their duties and obligations to us Filipinos. Consider our many squatters, limited number of public schools, poor and limited facilities of our public hospitals, high costs of medicines, high costs of Doctor's fees, even high costs of education, high costs of fuels, even our public comfort rooms have fees being charged- only in the Philippines. Hopefully with honest and dedicated officials in our government, including our lawmakers, who will undertake progressive reforms, we could truthfully say in due time that our government is for the people, by the people, and of the people. May God guide our officials morally..... Avelino Lagman, Jr., (by email), Oct. 03, 2007 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww WOW! Good detective work, Tony. Regardless, even knowing it was another person bearing the same name, the implications of what happened are quite disturbing. The cloak-and-dagger tactics employed to assassinate somebody's character get more and more sophisticated, and I have to credit your perspicacity in untangling the mess you found yourself in. This experience, along with those you cited on Pentagon computers and certain ministries in Germany being infected by hackers, should give us pause on who may be watching over our shoulders, reminiscent of the paranoia during the McCarthy era in America. In fact, as you noted, the ZTE deal illustrates the very dangers you warned about and became a victim to. I understand the ZTE deal has been suspended while Abalos, the principal character in this riveting drama, was reported to have resigned from his position as the Commissioner of Elections. Keep up the good fight, Tony, and please keep us informed on whether this deal is permanently aborted, or likely to be resuscitated once more. R. G. Lacsamana, (by email), Daytona Beach , Florida , Oct. 03, 2007 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Dear ACA, Another ACA? Interesting, but does it really solve the mystery? (I am ACA, but I do not know the middle initial of the other AA. The �other AA� has called me to say that he also did NOT talk to Joey de Venecia. ACA) How can the palace intelligence be so dumb? Dumb? Would we not be dumber if we accept what is a dumb explanation? A clone ACA is a dumb explanation. For me what sounds important is that you must act accordingly to be able to be free, or continue to be free, to practice your profession and continue living in peace and comfort in your beloved RP. We know, without being told, that you have been under surveillance for some time and it is no mystery why. Are your rights being violated? That is a serious thought that must be pursued, not to search for reasons why ACA is not the one who has been coaching JDVIII on the ZTE-NBN. Why? Because ACA has been a very good critic against Malacanang, a bunch of exploitative bureaucrats, that is full of succulent "column issues," including coups, impeachments, plunder, mystresses, er, mistresses; and ACA has been seen/known in company, communication and correspondence [ask the palace intel officers, hehe] with known enemies of the palace. Because of these no sane or even the dumbest president will leave him alone; he has to be watched. And watching have rules for ACA's protection. This is what matters. Have the rules been broken? If the palace is trying to get back for all the years of hard criticism, you just have to bear and grin it. It's part and parcel of your profession. So bear the consequences with a smile and an attitude showing that you are unfazed with the palace latest "criticism" or vengeful play against you. For years, you have been criticizing with impunity against all sorts of worthy targets. So ACA must know how to deal with criticism or even malice directed against him. I take it that surveillance against all critics of the palace is a natural thing. Nothing to be alarmed about. Unless, we have not been truthful in dishing out contra talks. But you have been a very fair critic so there is nothing to worry about. I hope you drop this "who done it unfairly to you" thing and move on. You have been doing fine and because of your good record, one explanation coming from you of "It wasn't me," is enough. Have a normal day, ACA. God bless you. Ogie Reyes, (by email), Oct. 03, 2007 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Hi Tony (The Real Tony Abaya, pls) From the sequence of events you detailed, it is now safe to conclude that: 1. Even before this regime can conclude a broadband deal with ZTE, China is already able to control our IT system, OUR SOCIETY REALLY, just as it did with Pentagon and Germany . Wow! 2. Since IT is now the most sophisticated medium of communication in this era (Civilization), we can now conclude that China rules the world, not America , not Europe, not Russia . Simple logic, no? 3. Do you not agree, that with computer technology, the rise and fall of the economy of any nation or group of nations, even the world's economic system are in great danger? 4. In the past--tyrants make war, conquer peoples and societies, first by the use of swords, lances, and catapults, then after the invention of gunpowder, with cannons. bombs and guns, and much later with atomic weapons. 5. Mr. Alvin Toffler, the "futurist", in many of his writings reminded us that knowledge, wealth and violence will play a great role in societies shift--POWERSHIFT ERA, still we were not sure how or to what extent these will influence people's lives. Now China is telling us -- The Dragon is Awake, beware! Civilization is now "shifting". The world will now see how far and to what extent this shift will take. J. Jose Regino, (by email), Zamboanga City , Oct. 03, 2007 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww The ZTE controversial project is beyond Joey De Venecia and Romulo Neri. Without the help of the People, the Church and Principled Military Officers this NBN controversy will be again a victory of Malacanang. Thank God for opposition Senators para may check and balance kahit magagaling ang mga pro-Gloria Senators like Enrile, Zubiri ( the Senator from Maguindanao ), Miriam, Joker Arroyo ( akala ko kapag bad ka lagot ka! Bullshit! ). The magnitude of this DEAL is beyond, ugly and deep. People involved are POWERFUL persons like Gloria, FG, dirty politicians, prominent businessmen, powerful generals and CHINA . It's very clear a cover-up is being orchestrated. Sooner or later this issue will be forgotten. At the losing end again are the Filipinos. So don't be surprised and stop complaining why napaka BABA ng tingin ng mga Americans, Europeans, Japanese and most especially the Chinese sa Filipinos. Kasi we TOLERATE this kind of abuses. Dapat di nag apologise si Senator Miriam para malaman ng China na di tayo basta basta pwedeng sipa-sipain.( I hope this note reaches Senator Miriam ) Who is going to pay for these numerous Billion-DOLLAR loans? Is it true that there are 29 DEALS made between Gloria and China ? North rail project, Cyber Ed, NBN, etc. I think kaya na ni Chavit Singson bayaran ang utang ng Pilipinas sa sobrang dami ng pera niya. Or hanggang apo ng apo natin na lang ang magbabayad? What are we doing with all this things happening? Papayag ba tayong ma BRANDED na inaapi tayo ng mga sariling leaders natin. Mga MONKS nga ng Burma DI NA MASIKMURA ang graft and corruption ng government nila sa Burma ( I hope this note reaches the Catholic Church, El Shadai, Iglesia ni Cristo, Jesus is Lord, etc, ). Well, expect more garapalan na DISCRIMINATION pa rin when you go to foreign countries. SNAP ELECTIONS NA! Mabuhay ang Pilipinas! :-( [email protected], Oct. 03, 2007 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Hello Kuya Tony, I think I will suggest the solution of your problem: Maybe in the family culture or customs of the country of the PLA, there are no two (2) persons having the same name, although the names may sound idem sonam or sounds alike. You know how they were able to create names with many spellings (not the 'bee') but sounds alike. There you are. You are the only one Tony Abaya to them and no one else. Good luck. Leona Guera, (by email), Australia , Oct. 03, 2007 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww I got the article and responded to your request for receipt confirmation. My email reply to you bounced back. I hope you get this reply this time. Frankly I don't give a hoot (or a flying f*ck, to be blunt) anymore about these so-called scandals and the media-ravenous politicians who are lightning-quick in investigating anything that belches, farts, sneezes, twitches an eye or scratches an itch. I take the belief that the public has long been scandal-fatigued and is becoming impervious to all the noise which they see as the result of fighting among thieves and scammers at the top. It is only the media and the usual bunch of PGMA-haters and anti-government plotters who are making an effort to sustain the cacophony, churn out the gossip and wave the banners of familiar rhetoric. The rest of us have a life and better things to do. Scandal, and more scandal! Bring them on! Even if the real truth comes out no one will be able anymore to tell the difference. :-) RR, [email protected], Oct.04, 2007 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Sir Tony, If I'm not mistaken, the other 'Tony Abaya referred in your article is the PR man (married to Annabel Abaya?) orchestrated the documentary on the AFP's "Medal for Valor" awardees, which was highlighted by interviews with awardees who are still alive. This was officially released as a culminating video shown in Malacanang Palace (with nationwide broadcast) months after the Oakwood Incident. In fairness, the "Medal for Valor" documentary was done extraordinarily well, and helped a lot in re-focusing public impression on the soldier's negative image at that time (Oakwood mutineers vis-a-vis the "unsung heroes"). I'm not so sure though if it was indeed "pro bono" as our seniors officially mentioned... Earl Pabalan, (by email), .Troy, Michigan , Oct. 04, 2007 (Thw "other Antonio Abaya" called me up to say that he did not talk to Joey de Venecia.ACA) wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Hi this is my first time to leave a comment. I was actually surprised. I started receiving mail from you, sir, thinking you were our congressman from the north who somehow wanted to get in touch with his constituents. Anyway, very interesting discovery. and congratulations, Sherlock. . I suggest you put up a show or feign some treasonous conversation with someone, and see if those morons would actually take the bait. Xilca Alvarez, (by email), Oct. 04, 20007 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Mr. Abaya, You did not include what your service provider told you when they finally called you six or seven days later. Was it something like PLDT and Globe saying that they don't help or even know anything about wiretapping? During the martial law years, there was a rumor that the military intelligence had a dedicated room within the PLDT building in Makati just for the purpose of tapping anyone and everyone. The problem is the senators don't want to rock the boat, since many of them want to become president and want to avail themselves of whatever illegal stuff or infrastructure may pre-exist their assumption of the office of the president. Rene Mirante, (by email), Oct. 09, 2007 (By the time the service provider called, the problem had been solved through my Malacanang contact. So I was not interested in the alibis of my caller. ACA) wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww More Reactions to �ABZTEFG� (Sept. 19, 2007) Mr. Abaya, I watch Senate inquiries such as last week's for entertainment value. I fell off my seat with the questions and replies of both senators and resource persons! The incompetence is to the max! I also write for a living (academic writing) and watching the antics at the Senate did give me a break. Kidding aside, I was actually dismayed and all I could do was laugh at the trivial and edutainment (education: how learned men could be dimwitted or pretend to be one). Alternative views such as yours are always welcome and I thank you. Grace Santos, (by email), Sept. 30, 2007 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww (Reforwarded after bouncing) Dear Tony: Wow! This is a Hollywood made-for-movie story, full of sleaze with a bunch of Peter Lorre and seedy characters who would lie to their teeth and silence anyone just to salvage their greedy persona. Is Joe Miguel aka Mike Arroyo the so called first man of the country? (Ain't no gentleman, pardon the pun.) Hehe, looks like his hand got stuck in a cookie jar with a rude and mean finger and a bad mouth. (Mommy tells me never point a finger at somebody, it is rude) Because I have a pea brain I will ask the following questions instead of doing an analysis. � If the stooges are offering Joey $10 millions to back off and shut up, how much do you think are the stooges and GMA's take on this illicit deal? � If the award went through, how and why the signatories kept mum? Were they being paid too to shut up? � Why were the authorities who should enforce the laws about governmental bidding allowed this to happen? These calculated errors of omissions are enablers of graft and corruption to continue in the country. � Yesterday a senate hearing in the US revealed China and Russia are the two most aggressive countries in espionage. China the sleeping giant will, very soon be the ultimate super power. If the Philippines do not play its cards right it will be nothing but a toy to be discarded without a thought. � Joey has a right to cry fowl! Why award a lucrative contract to a Chinese company instead of a local one? Why not keep the money and jobs in the Philippines ? If his company was the lowest bidder then by law he should receive the award. � Tony, who do you think are the influential Filipino-Chinese that lobbied for ZTE? Somebody had to be actively negotiating inside the government and promising all kinds of goodies to Mike, his cohorts and GMA. � Transparency in the Philippine government according to the US office in Manila ? This one is so transparent. Looks like the big Chinese boys just swallowed the Philippine contingent like goldfishes who can't see beyond their noses and the consequences tomorrow brings due to this fiasco they've created. That's what greed does to little boys playing big games. � This is not just another dagger, stabbing deeply right in the heart of the Philippines . It is not just the stupidity of the decision of these stooges, including perhaps the president who is to protect the country and the people. But instead DISRESPECTING the people and the country. Thank you, Tony, for a brilliant article. Don't you wish you have a connection with Joey so he can confide to you first hand all the dirt and sleaze that went on? Or does he really know you? Just kidding. All the best, Oscar Apostol, (by email), Roseville , CA , Sept. 19, 2007 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Good day, Mr. Abaya! I wonder why nobody asked Joey de Venecia the background of that "back off" incident with Mike Arroyo. It should be interesting to find out what brought Arroyo to utter those words to him. How did the conversation go? Was it uttered during a heated exchange? How did Joey react? There were none of these. Only a demonstration of Arroyo's behavior. Since Mike Arroyo is "easy to hate", no one badgered Joey anymore on the details of the incident. I would have pitied Joey if he were not an influential man himself. It is still wrong for the FG to say those words. But I believe a more detailed recount of that incident should have been asked from Joey de Venecia. Good day! Enrique Labayen, (by email), Oct. 01, 2007 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Upon knowing that Jose Miguel Arroyo surreptitiously left the country on the eve of businessman Jose de Venecia III's Senate testimony where he was to divulge the "mystery man," and whose itinerary included visits to Zurich, Switzerland (which we all know has been the favorite hiding place of wealth stolen by government officials of this world from the vaults of the countries run by themselves or by their espouses or proxies), and Munich the queen city of the southern state of Bavaria in the Federal Republic of Germany (where he was alleged by former Representative and now Senator Allan Peter Cayetano to have hidden millions of dollars in Bayerische Hypovereinsbank M�nchen), as reported by columnist Ellen Tordesillas in the Malaya, my unaltered belief that the allegations of the senator may have indeed been true. The young de Venecia has confirmed that Jose Miguel Arroyo was the "mystery man," who bullied him to "back off," emphasized by the very humiliatingly threatening and index finger pointed at his face a few inches from his nose. Arroyo's legal counsel Jesus Santos confirmed that his client (Arroyo) really met with de Venecia but denied that Arroyo bullied de Venecia by saying that he has never heard his client say the words "back off." Santos 's job is to defend his client, not incriminate him. Granting for the sake of argument, that he has never heard his client say those words, does Santos not know that there can always be the first time? He was not even present in that meeting. How could he possibly know what his client had said or not have said? Surely Arroyo's Munich trip was not to see the Oktoberfest. Ramon Mayuga, (By email), Essen , Germany , Oct. 01, 2007 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww I am an electronic and internet freak. I never leave home without my laptop. My American Express card, maybe. But not my laptop. Even when I fly to the Philippines , which I do every other month, I have my computer with me "connected to my hip". So, I am 100% in favor of having a national broadband network (NBN) for the Philippines, BUT, not at that padded, super-inflated, cost of $329 million (when other quality bids are lower) and, more importantly, NOT BEFORE we take care of our poor, homeless, hungry fellow Filipinos, who are languishing in total poverty. How insensitive, uncaring, and unfocused can our president and our legislators be to even plan to give our people tuxedos when more than 70% of them are clothed mostly in poverty? Or, to offer them champagne, strawberries, and caviar instead of giving the homeless, a home, the hungry, food, and their children, education? These are the areas where our national leaders must focus on and spend our tax pesos in, to alleviate this deadly cancer ofpoverty among our people. Couples for Christ, among others, and Tony Meloto's Gawad Kalinga are addressing this fundamental issue. Why can't our government concentrate on and target this dilemma more effectively? I know for a fact that the Philippines can eradicate poverty, if it wills it. It is not an impossible task. One does not have to be an Einstein or a rocket scientist to do the math. Our legislators and other government thieves can steal less from the national coffers, so that the "remaining (unstolen) balance" could be earmarked to help the poor homeless, hungry, hopeless, and destitute kababayans of ours. The billions and billions being plundered by corrupt officials, I submit to you, can make a big dent on, if not eliminate poverty, and make it a thing of the past for the millions of Filipinos. And only when they start doing that noble humanitarian task can they legitimately and conscionably consider providing the Filipinos the 21st century, cutting-edge technology in communications, like the National Broadband Network, and others. I feel very strongly that our government must first address our corrupt National Broad-Bandits Network (NBBN), aka National Broad-Kurakot Network (NBKN), among government officials, and start caring for the suffering poor people in the Philippines in earnest, as we embark on this NBN nationwide internet program. As I stated earlier, I am very much addicted to this great technology and would love to have it in our country. But first things first. Let's set our priorities in order. Our two most fundamental and gravest problems as a nation are the NBBN-NBKN of corruption, and POVERTY. I do not see that our government is truly serious even in upholding our laws against plunderers among our officials, which is the root cause of poverty in our country to begin with, with President Arroyo's camp apparently considering a pardon for former president Erap. So, how can the President, with the millions and millions of our people languishing in poverty and hunger caused by massive corrpution among our officials, even think of providing the country a Filet Mignon and Lobster communication technology, without judiciously getting rid of all the crooks in our government and wholeheartedly feeding the hungry and saving the poor? Only in succeeding in these first two national priority endeavors can we regain our honor and dignity as a people and as a nation in the eyes of the world. God bless the Filipinos. God bless the Philippines Philip S. Chua, M. D, (by email), Las Vegas , Nevada , Oct. 01, 2007 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Reactions to �On Rene Saguisag� Dear Ms. Isabel Escoda , I did NOT offer my services to Erap. I have my modest share of cases. He wanted me to be his lawyer during the impeachment proceeding. I declined. I don't prefer underdogs. When he fell, he asked me again. I demurred. I consulted a lot of people, including President Cory, who brought me to the Pink Sisters. I am philosophically opposed to the death penalty, which was the punishment at the time for taking money from jueteng, for instance. By then, the scoundrel was ganged upon by the pure. He became the underdog. GMA and Mike plotted with the military in January 2000 to take over, and succeeded a year later. This they gladly admitted in the euphoria of Edsa 2. Along with Ka Celing Palma, I stood for the constitutional order and due process, the story of my life. However, the elite, along with the military, the Communists and the Supreme Court, conspired to nullify the mandate of the people in 1998 (I did not vote for Erap, of whom I was a critic; I criticize those in power). If you must know, I have not slept even a single night under the roof of a house I can call my own. I have an eleven-year-old car. My only "vice" is ballroom dancing, where I see Au-Au, and then I go home by cab at night. There are many squatters where I live. If I kick the bucket tonight, my family will undergo extreme hardships as I have virtually no savings. Extras I use for my lost causes. The Lord has been good. All my life, I have defended scoundrels, but I have not done anything unethical (the style of those lawyers who would not touch bad people). If you have one of them in trouble and he has no one, let's talk. They are my kind of people. I think that that is what being a lawyer, human being and Christian is all about. Those who you despise I will help, gladly, if asked. But I do not offer my services to those who can afford lawyers, and you have no idea how many times that I repeatedly turned down Erap's plea that I join his team after the fall. Be sure of your facts, please. I did not offer my services but I am fanatical about the constitutional presumption of innocence. All good wishes - Sincerely, Rene Saguisag, (by email), Oct. 08, 2007 wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww Hi! Mr. ACAbaya: With due respect to Isabel Escoda's opinion on Aurora Pijuan's article, I believe she must have inadvertently overlooked that 1+1=2 and nothing else. Rene Saguisag is a lawyer by profession, and as such --that is his "Bugas-Bugas" or "Rice-Rice" meaning; his only means of livelihood. All suspected "scoundrels (Escoda's term) including Erap, are still considered innocent until proven otherwise. And Atty. Rene Saguisag is just exercising his sworn duty as a practicing lawyer, in order to honestly support his family. If I may add from personal experience; as a former Coordinator of "Adopt Saguisag Movement" of long ago. During that senatorial campaign, a prominent Iloilo businessman Don Pepe Layson, told me that Rene refused to accept his thick envelop. So I approached Rene and politely persuaded him to accept the offer since that was not intended personally but to be expended for the campaign. "Walang Personalan, Pang Kampanya Lamang! ..." Matinahuron, Dinggol A.Divinagracia, (by email), Oct. 09, 2007 Ilonggo Nation Movement wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww On Romulo Neri. The ongoing Senate investigation into the NBN-ZTE contract once again highlights the need for all workers in Government without exception to view public office as a public trust. In Mr. Romulo Neri�s case, his loyalty to duty as the National Economic Development Authority Director General then should have prevailed over his faithfulness to whoever made his appointment possible. While many among us say Mr. Neri was courageous in naming Comelec Chairman Benjamin Abalos as having tried to bribe him and identifying Mr. Ricky Razon as having a hand in his relief as NEDA chief, I saw nothing in Mr. Neri�s testimony that was worthy of praise much less emulation. Frankly, I was appalled by his nonchalance about the progress of the proposal after having determined its viability and his indifference towards the 200 million Peso bribe offer which must have told him of the contract�s atrocious overprice. It became clear that he was concerned less about the Filipino people being burdened with a 15 billion Peso debt for 20 years for this broadband project than he was in remaining in good graces with his boss and benefactor. I agree that Mr. Neri was daring enough to reveal the details of the alleged bribery attempt and threat of those who sought to insult his heretofore unsullied character and brilliant mind. But he appeared cowardly in his adamance not to tell the whole truth which could eventually lead to the indictment of those whom he thinks he owes his position to. For all his much talked about honesty and credibility, Mr. Neri was a big disappointment to many who wanted to hear why a non priority project such as this was hastily approved at Government expense, instead of being financed solely by the private sector on a build, operate and own investment agreement. The President and Mr. Neri had previously agreed that this broadband project should be undertaken only at private sector initiative. He invoked executive privilege as he refused to disclose what transpired after he had informed the President of the bribery try up to the time this broadband contract was signed or until he was transferred to the Commission on Higher Education (CHED). Wednesday�s Senate hearing could very well have been Neri�s trial as some rightfully called it his day. Most people think they already have a fairly accurate idea of what Chairman Abalos and the young De Venecia essentially are and all agree that both have less than honorable interest in the said project. The long session focused neither on Mr. Neri�s intelligence nor his competence but on the question of his forthrightness. Half truths often are bold lies especially when willful withholding of vital information attends their declaration. Or when facts are so arranged (as coached by lawyers) that a totally different conclusion would be reached had all pertinent data been presented in correct chronology. Perhaps, the privileges and perks which accompany the title and office of a Cabinet member could have been so alluring and addicting that even an honest, intelligent and noble technocrat like Mr. Neri would be powerless to resist. It is generally accepted that everyone has his own price. A man could be coerced, bought or flattered into doing what he would not do under ordinary circumstances. By his account, Neri revealed he could not be coerced by Mr. Razon or bought by Mr. Abalos. Both could make his life difficult, to say the least. But we should be less fearful of those who may inflict us physical harm than those who can injure our soul and spirit thru lies and deception. Subtle flattery could open doors where brute force or tons of money could not even afford us a peek. In Mr. Neri�s case, I think he was made to believe that the President needed and wanted him to stay in her Cabinet even though his carefully considered opinions in his field of expertise were dismissed and overruled often. A nobler man would have refused to be transferred to CHED knowing fully well that his ego was being placated when in fact he was relieved for saying and doing what the NEDA mandate expected of him. Every oppressive and corrupt administration needs a few God-fearing, decent, honest, brilliant and seemingly unshakeable men and women to hang its credibility on in order to mask massive fraud. While Mr. Neri was a logical choice, it is unfortunate that he has indulged that evil tendency which most of us relish but refuse to admit � self exaltation. His high opinion of himself led him to believe he can do a good job at CHED where he is stretching his field too far. Now he thinks he is doing the right thing in protecting the very people who insulted him while he was at NEDA by keeping his silence on the communication exchange and events surrounding the project approval. Succumbing to flattery really triggers a downward spiral which if not arrested would lead to our doom. It is my hope and plea that Mr. Romulo Neri would realize what his scheming friends have been up to all along before he finally shuts the door to his redemption. If any good is to come out of this Senate inquiry it should be that the NEDA board�s recommendation cannot be overruled by the President who is inclined to decide more out of political expediency than economic benefits. This scandalous contract approved by our economics-savvy President is the strongest argument in support of a NEDA board independent of the President. We do have an urgent need for a competent, credible and compassionate economic team preferably a collegial body composed of esteemed members of the academe who hopefully would never find a need for the services of calculating and conniving lawyers and media handlers. Antonio Nantes Guevara, (by email), Santa Rosa , Laguna, Sept. 29, 2007 OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO |