More Questions on CJ's Defense

After watching the prosecution team mishandled their evidence in the impeachment trial of the Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona, I thought that the defense panel would do better. Sadly, they did not. In fact they made it worse and added more confusion in the afternoon telenovela by introducing witnesses that only muddled the issue and put more questions on the proceedings.

During the two-week period, the defense has not given any clear counter-evidence or home-run testimony that could alter the course of the impeachment proceedings. For instance, they presented Demetrio Vicente, a relative of Corona who allegedly bought the Coronas’ property in Marikina. The strategy was to establish that the reason why Corona didn’t include the property in his Statement of Assets and Liabilities Networth (SALN) is because the property had been acquired by Vicente more than 20 years ago to Vicente.

Court Rallies vs Public Service

With the impeachment trial of Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona reaching the one month period, many rallies were conducted by court employees to support the embattled Justice. Many of the Supreme Court employees choose to attend the rallies in lieu of reporting to work. The public is open left wondering whether they are getting what they paid for in terms of taxes.

The issue gets particularly sensitive if the purpose of the rally is to influence the decision of the impeachment court and condition the mind of the public. This is because absences to attend a political rally may tarnish the view that the judiciary is an independent force tasked to deal with cases regardless of whether they involved one of their own.

Angelo Reyes Committed Suicide

A late breaking news from Cynthia Balana of the Philippine Daily Inquirer reported that former Armed Forces Chief and Defense Secretary Angelo Tomas Reyes committed suicide by shooting himself in front of the grave of his mother at the Loyola Memorial Park in Marikina City early this morning (8 February 2011).

A close friend of Reyes called the Philippine Daily Inquirer to break the news, while Colonel Boogie De Leon, a former administrative officer of Reyes when he was AFP chief, said Reyes was rushed to the Quirino Hospital at about 7:45 A.M. to revive him. Members of his family could not be reached for comment.

Cracking Down on Opinion Blogs

Many breaking news nowadays were not heard and seen first via the traditional forms of media. Online communities are making their presence felt by allowing people to discuss an issue more vigorously and chime in their opinions. The debates have become more colorful and spirited online that its not surprising to see some readers plainly gossiping about them.

This is what happened when Ella Ganda first reported a supposedly massive stock of relief goods that wasn't making it out of the warehouse of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in the aftermath of Tropical Storm 'Ondoy'. The report had the local online community gawking, crying, shaking its head, and cracking its knuckles because the storm was responsible for killing almost 600 Filipinos and left thousands more homeless.

Speaker's Strange Defense of Mikey

When the Speaker of House of Representatives shrugged off the failure of Pampanga Representative Mikey Arroyo to declare in his 2007 and 2008 Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALNs) a US$ 1.32-million house in the United States, he clearly showed that his loyalties are not with the Filipino people, but to the lawmaker he owed his Speakership position.

This is another classic example of home-grown 'utang-na-loob' behavior that has plagued the country's political landscape for several decades already. These politicians told voters before election that they are out to stop crime and corruption without fear or favor and yet, more than 20 years after Ferdinand Marcos was toppled from power, the same thing is happening again and nobody in Congress had the temerity to stand against it.

Imelda Marcos is the Richest Poor

If Imelda Marcos claims she's going broke and becoming poor, then imagine how one can describe the conditions of those living in dumpsites and in squatter’s area. She made this pronouncement in an apparent bid to get some of her loot back.

The wife of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos is demanding that the Philippine government return PhP 15 billion worth of jewelry – a collection which includes a Persian-style necklace with more than 100 carats of canary and pink diamonds; tiaras previously owned by European royalty; a 93-carat diamond necklace crafted by renowned Italian designer Gionmoria Buccellati.

A Landgrabbing Former SG?

It was reported on 27 May 2008 that the homeowners’ association of Ayala Alabang Village in Muntinlupa City is accusing former solicitor general Frank Chavez of landgrabbing by encroaching on 240 meters of open space behind his house.

In a complaint before the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board, Zacarias Maribbay, Ayala-Alabang Village Association Inc. acting village manager, said Chavez committed several violations of the AAVA’s deed of restrictions. One of which is the use of an open space behind his lot which is said to be public property. Chavez apparently constructed a gazebo in the middle of property line at the rear of his lot.

77% Say Anti-Corruption Efforts Ineffective

Results of Transparency International’s 2009 Global Corruption Barometer survey is now out and the figures are not an encouraging sign for the present administration of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Results showed that 77 percent of Filipinos believe that the Philippine government’s efforts to fight corruption are ineffective. Only 21 percent believe that the government’s actions against graft are effective, while only two percent say "neither."

The Cost in Passing a Con-Ass Reso

Major dailies reported that because of additional offers of cash and more pork barrel funds of up to PhP 20 million each from Malacañang, allies of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo worked overtime on 2 June 2009 to have the Constitutional Assembly (con-ass) resolution approved by a mere voice vote.

House Resolution 1109 was signed by more than 170 congressmen shortly before midnight, as Speaker Prospero Nograles will say, "to finally put an end to the perpetual conflict on the legal interpretation of how to amend the Charter by way of constituent assembly."

The Gadian Saga Continues

Lt. Senior Grade Nancy Gadian tries to answer the accusations hurled against her by the camp of Lt. Gen. Eugenio Cedo and denied vehemently denied the grave misconduct charges filed against her. She said those charges were based on an "adverse report" claiming that she used portions of the Balikatan 2007 fund to satisfy her 'extravagant living and lavish spending.'

"Bakit ako? Magnanakaw ba ako? [Why me? Am I a thief?] Even their own witnesses sided with me and cleared my name," Gadian told GMANews.TV in an interview on 13 May 2009, a day before she was restrained by the Philippine Navy from airing grievances in connection with the alleged misuse of funds for the Balikatan exercises.

Immoral Increase in Salaries

While companies in economic zones in the country had to lay-off workers to remain afloat and operate viably, there are proposals not only to increase the number of congressmen but also to double the salaries of members of Congress.

According to Bukidnon Rep. Teofisto Guingona III, "There is a proposal to increase the salaries of senators and members of the House of Representatives from PhP 48,915 to PhP 91,000 a month." he said. The proposed salary increase is contained in Joint Resolution 24, which is awaiting approval from both chambers.

Revisiting the ASEAN Lamp Post Scam

Some people say that Filipinos really do have a short memory and are very much forgiving. I actually do not believe this, but there is one case that was just brought to my attention that seem to belabor the point.

Let us take a look back at what happened last January 2007 in Cebu City during the Association of South Asian Nations (ASEAN) meeting. The event was not known for its famous declaration or economic treaties among nations, but by the allegedly inflating bills for lamp posts installed to beautify the streets of Cebu, Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu.