Somebody at the National Security Council dropped the ball. On Thursday, President Obama is welcoming Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to the White House for his presidency's first visit by a Southeast Asian leader. The choice of Mrs. Arroyo for this honor was a mistake because Mr. Obama is being used to give political cover for the Philippine president's troubles back home.
Mrs. Arroyo's domestic political position is precarious. A poll released June 8 by the Pulse Asia polling firm pegged Mrs. Arroyo's public approval at only 26 percent. Street demonstrations against her are routine and growing in size. These protests are in response to a dubious mandate following a dirty 2004 election and numerous allegations of corruption against her family and administration. Her husband, Mike Arroyo, has left the country and used doctors' notes to say he is too ill to obey court summons related to corruption charges.
The Philippines has become less free during Mrs. Arroyo's 10-year presidency. According to Freedom House, "Corruption is extensive throughout the Philippine state apparatus, from the lowest to the highest levels. Bribes and extortion seem to be a regular element of the complex connections among bureaucrats, politicians, businessmen, the press and the public." In Transparency International's 2008 Corruption Perceptions Index, the Philippines ranked 141st out of 180 nations on a list in which No. 1 is the least corrupt. The level of Philippine corruption is tied with Iran and Yemen and worse than in dodgy places such as Libya and Nigeria.
The corruption problem is affecting Manila's relationship with other allies. A senior Philippine official told The Washington Times that German Chancellor Angela Merkel sent Mrs. Arroyo an ultimatum last month that Berlin-Manila ties are at risk if the Philippines doesn't pay $60 million owed to the German government for Manila's new international airport. The Philippine government seized the airport and refused to pay a German company -- which is partly owned by the German state -- for its construction after revelations that the contract allegedly was laden with millions in bribes and kickbacks.
There are also serious human-rights abuses in the archipelago. According to the New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists, "The Philippines ranks sixth worldwide among countries that fail to prosecute cases of journalists killed for their work." Between 1992 and 2008, at least 34 journalists were murdered in the Philippines; there were convictions in only three of these cases. Four more members of the press were killed this June alone. Opposition voices regularly disappear as well.
On top of all this are machinations by Mrs. Arroyo to cling to power by setting aside next May's presidential election. The president and her allies are pushing to amend the Philippine constitution to change the current U.S.-style presidential system into a parliamentary system whereby Mrs. Arroyo could serve as prime minister. This would allow her to circumvent the presidential term limit which prevents her from staying in office. This move, incidentally, is similar to the strategy strongman Ferdinand Marcos used to stay in power after declaring martial law in 1972.
The relationship between Washington and Manila is an old and important one. After the U.S. victory in the Spanish-American war in 1898, the Philippine islands were a U.S. colony for half a century and have remained a close ally in the six decades since independence was granted in 1946. The current Visiting Forces Agreement between the two countries allows U.S. troops on Philippine soil to help in the war on terrorism and to assist the Philippines with its fight against Islamic insurrection in the southern islands.
But the nation should be differentiated from its lame-duck leader. Welcoming Mrs. Arroyo to the White House only validates her troubled rule. (Washington Times)
Link:http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/jul/26/obama-the-sanitizer/
Showing posts with label Scandal. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Scandal. Show all posts
Monday, July 27, 2009
Sunday, July 26, 2009
The Media Under Arroyo: A Legacy of Bloodshed and Repression
President Gloria Arroyo during a meeting Sunday, July 26, 2009 with the Education Task Force at Malakanyan.(Val Escalera)
MANILA, Philippines - On July 27, when President Gloria Arroyo delivers what is supposed to be her final state of the nation address before the constitutionally mandated end of her term in June next year, we expect her, of course, to give a glowing account of her nine years in power.
We have no intention of disputing her claims. But for the Philippine media, the Arroyo administration will be remembered for a legacy of bloodshed and repression, its acts of omission and commission nurturing the impunity with which the enemies of press freedom have operated.
By the time she steps down, Arroyo’s watch will have seen a death toll accounting for more than 60 percent of the journalists murdered since the supposed democratic restoration of 1986 and almost twice that under the 14-year Marcos dictatorship.
Only in three cases have we seen convictions under her term, but only of the gunmen, none of the masterminds.
As for repression, it can be argued that no administration has shown such open contempt and hostility toward media or been so cavalier with the constitutionally guaranteed rights to freedom of the press and of expression than this one.
How else would one interpret then Justice secretary Raul Gonzalez’s quip that most of the slain journalists were either womanizers or involved in drunken revelry, or First Gentleman Mike Arroyo’s making the then dying Dipolog broadcaster Klein Cantoneros an example of what befalls supposedly irresponsible media practitioners during a speech before the Negros Press Club a few years back?
No government since the dictatorship has attempted a wholesale clampdown on the media as Arroyo’s did during the short-lived state of national emergency she declared in 2006.
Not only did her storm troopers raid the Tribune and tramp threateningly through the parking lots of the two major broadcast networks, Cabinet Secretary Ricardo Saludo even had the temerity to threaten the takeover of a network that was interviewing live because it had allowed a military mutineer to say his piece.
And who can forget the sight of some 50 journalists marched off to a police camp in the aftermath of the Manila Peninsula takeover, their sole crime the performance of their duties; or the brief detention of as many journalists covering the humanitarian crisis in central Mindanao by Army soldiers in Maguindanao province?
It has also been under this administration that security forces have openly branded media organizations as “enemies of the state,” as the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines did in its infamous “Knowing the Enemy” PowerPoint presentation in 2005, and the Army’s 10th Infantry Division with its recently discovered order of battle.
We would like to stress here that we have received reliable reports that, notwithstanding the military’s promise that it would pull the “Knowing the Enemy” presentation, it has continued to be shown in schools and urban poor communities in Metro Manila.
Neither did Arroyo lift a hand when her husband wielded the antiquated libel law like a bludgeon, filing multiple suits against 46 journalists in what was a clear abuse of his powers and privileges.
Nor did Arroyo rein in House Speaker Prospero Nograles from using the same law to torment broadcaster Alex Adonis.
Neither has she shown any inclination to exercise her influence over her congressional allies to stop them from further pushing the right of reply bill, which would place control of media content in the hands of politicians hungry for power and fame.
This administration’s animosity toward freedom of the press and of free expression takes other forms as well, such as the censorship and prior restraint exercised by the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board in requiring public affairs programs to submit their tapes for review before these can be aired, or slapping “X” ratings on films critical of government.
It should also be stressed that under the nearly nine years of the Arroyo administration, no measure has been passed to improve the living and working conditions of journalists and media workers. Most of them suffer low wages and lack of job security and benefits amid the growing risks of attacks and killings, especially in the provinces.
If the Philippine media remain free, it is no thanks to this administration’s lip service professions of respect for the freedoms of the press and free expression but rather to the tenacity with which Filipino journalists have resisted all attempts to cow them into submission and silence.
It is a tenacity that will see the independent Philippine media remain so on the very day Arroyo steps down from power and beyond.
Signed by the NUJP National Directorate, 2008-2010:
Nestor Burgos (Philippine Daily Inquirer), chairperson
Nonoy Espina (freelance), vice chairperson
Sonny Fernandez (ABS-CBN), secretary-general
Alwyn Alburo (GMA7), deputy secretary-general
Rowena Paraan (PCIJ), treasurer
Marlon Ramos (Philippine Daily Inquirer), auditor
Julie Alipala (Philippine Daily Inquirer), director
Day Caluza (Philippine Daily Inquirer), director
Cheryl Fiel (davaotoday.com), director
Jun Godoy (dxOC), director
John Heredia (Abri Gana Productions, Capiz), director
Danny Lucas (ABS-CBN), director
Ilang-Ilang Quijano (Pinoy Weekly), director
Arnell Ozaeta (dzMM), director
May Rodriguez (freelance), director
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
US deports controversial ex-Arroyo official in fertilizer scam allegations
MANILA, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Oct. 29, 2008) – Former Philippine Agriculture deputy chief Jocelyn Bolante, who was jailed for almost two years in the United States for immigration violations, arrived in Manila and was rushed to hospital after complaining of chest pains.
Bolante, who arrived late Tuesday onboard the Northwest Airlines Flight 71, is being guarded at the St. Luke’s Medical Center in Quezon City. Bolante is being accused of channeling more than P728 million in fertilizer fund to the President Gloria Arroyo’s election campaign in 2004.
He fled to the US before the Philippine Senate could begin to investigate the allegations, one of many corruption scandals that rocked the Arroyo administration. The Senate ordered his arrest in 2005.
The US immigration authorities did not report any medical conditions about Bolante before he was deported, but critics of the former government official accused him of trying to “buy time” to evade the Senate investigation.
Bolante, who previously claimed his life was under threat in the Philippines, had sought political asylum in the US, but this was rejected. Bolante denied all the charges against him.
Previous government officials involved in corruption scandals had also in the past suddenly fell sick, especially each time they face Senate investigations and would spend weeks in hospital to avoid the probe. Some ignored the Senate investigations by invoking a Presidential order banning them to speak about corruption allegations involving Arroyo.
Many Filipinos looked at Arroyo, herself accused of many corruption scandals by the opposition, as the worst president after the dictator Ferdinand Marcos. Arroyo, who grabbed power in 2001 in a bloodless coup that toppled President Joseph Estrada, denied all accusations against her. (Mindanao Examiner)
Bolante, who arrived late Tuesday onboard the Northwest Airlines Flight 71, is being guarded at the St. Luke’s Medical Center in Quezon City. Bolante is being accused of channeling more than P728 million in fertilizer fund to the President Gloria Arroyo’s election campaign in 2004.
He fled to the US before the Philippine Senate could begin to investigate the allegations, one of many corruption scandals that rocked the Arroyo administration. The Senate ordered his arrest in 2005.
The US immigration authorities did not report any medical conditions about Bolante before he was deported, but critics of the former government official accused him of trying to “buy time” to evade the Senate investigation.
Bolante, who previously claimed his life was under threat in the Philippines, had sought political asylum in the US, but this was rejected. Bolante denied all the charges against him.
Previous government officials involved in corruption scandals had also in the past suddenly fell sick, especially each time they face Senate investigations and would spend weeks in hospital to avoid the probe. Some ignored the Senate investigations by invoking a Presidential order banning them to speak about corruption allegations involving Arroyo.
Many Filipinos looked at Arroyo, herself accused of many corruption scandals by the opposition, as the worst president after the dictator Ferdinand Marcos. Arroyo, who grabbed power in 2001 in a bloodless coup that toppled President Joseph Estrada, denied all accusations against her. (Mindanao Examiner)
Philippine bishops slam government corruption
MANILA, Philippines - Influential Roman Catholic bishops in the Philippines slammed massive government corruption and urged the public to help overhaul President Gloria Arroyo's graft-ridden administration.
The criticism aired on Tuesday by the leaders of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines was one of their strongest yet against Arroyo's administration, but it stopped short of urging her to step down, according to a report by the Associated Press.
The bishops' group has played a key role in nonviolent "people power" revolts that previously ousted two leaders, including late dictator Ferdinand Marcos, in the last two decades. But efforts by opposition groups to stir such massive protests to oust Arroyo so far have failed to draw considerable crowds.
Archbishop Angel Lagdameo, president of the 100-strong bishops' group, said it was up to the public to decide whether to seek a new leader through nonviolent and constitutional means.
Despite several warnings from the Catholic Church about endemic government corruption, the problem has continued in alarming proportions under Arroyo's leadership, Lagdameo said, citing a series of corruption allegations against her administration.
"In the past few years up to today, we have watched how corruption has become endemic, massive, systemic and rampant in our politics," Lagdameo said in a statement read at a news conference.
"In response to the global economic crisis and the pitiful state of our country, the time to rebuild our country economically, socially, politically is now," said Lagdameo, who appeared with four other bishops.
Arroyo, who has steadfastly denied any wrongdoing and vowed to eliminate corruption, has survived three impeachment bids over allegations of corruption. She also has survived at least four coup plots in her tumultuous years in office.
Presidential spokesman Jesus Dureza said Arroyo will focus on ways to brace the country from the possible impact of the global financial turbulence rather than answer the bishops' criticisms.
"We will continue to focus on our work for the poor and address a bigger issue ... this global crisis," Dureza said.
The criticism aired on Tuesday by the leaders of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines was one of their strongest yet against Arroyo's administration, but it stopped short of urging her to step down, according to a report by the Associated Press.
The bishops' group has played a key role in nonviolent "people power" revolts that previously ousted two leaders, including late dictator Ferdinand Marcos, in the last two decades. But efforts by opposition groups to stir such massive protests to oust Arroyo so far have failed to draw considerable crowds.
Archbishop Angel Lagdameo, president of the 100-strong bishops' group, said it was up to the public to decide whether to seek a new leader through nonviolent and constitutional means.
Despite several warnings from the Catholic Church about endemic government corruption, the problem has continued in alarming proportions under Arroyo's leadership, Lagdameo said, citing a series of corruption allegations against her administration.
"In the past few years up to today, we have watched how corruption has become endemic, massive, systemic and rampant in our politics," Lagdameo said in a statement read at a news conference.
"In response to the global economic crisis and the pitiful state of our country, the time to rebuild our country economically, socially, politically is now," said Lagdameo, who appeared with four other bishops.
Arroyo, who has steadfastly denied any wrongdoing and vowed to eliminate corruption, has survived three impeachment bids over allegations of corruption. She also has survived at least four coup plots in her tumultuous years in office.
Presidential spokesman Jesus Dureza said Arroyo will focus on ways to brace the country from the possible impact of the global financial turbulence rather than answer the bishops' criticisms.
"We will continue to focus on our work for the poor and address a bigger issue ... this global crisis," Dureza said.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
ZTE-Diwalwal Deal Exposes Govt Greed, Says NDF
DAVAO CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / September 14, 2008) - The Arroyo regime's approval of and dismissive stance over the ZTE-Diwalwal mining deal sounds even more ominous and insensitive in the light of the huge landslide disaster in Maco town in Compostela Valley in Southern Mindanao which snuffed the lives of 24 people, the leftist National Democratic Front said Sunday.
It said the town of Maco, like Diwalwal, heaved its gold-rush mountains last week after years of plunder and ecological destruction by transnational mining corporations like the Canadian Crew Gold Corp.
The twin landslides that occurred in the village of Masara, Maco and Diwalwal in Monkayo which also injured a two-year old girl only add to the long list of mining tragedies in gold-rich site of Compostela Valley. Last year, ten people also died in the village of Masara after heavy rains triggered a landslide.
Crew Gold Corporation acquired three-fourths of share of Apex Mining Corporation which have been mining, causing ecological destruction and the massive displacement of peasant and Lumad families since the 1970s. At every onset of minimal monsoon rains and storms, landslides and flash floods are triggered because of the already damaged soil, the NDF said.
NDF spokesman Rubi del Mundo said through Mining Act of 1995, the Arroyo regime legitimized the unbridled plunder of our mining resources and the wanton destruction of our environment in the name of profit and total sell-out of our lands to multi-national, transnational and big local companies.
"As the victims of landslides suffer from the great loss of their loved ones and their livelihood, the Arroyo regime is shameless in holding of a Mining Summit in Davao City this month to further peddle whatever is left of our mineral- rich lands to foreign capitalists. Further, the anomalous Memorandum of Agreement between the GRP and the China's ZTE International Investment Limited which purportedly awarded 8,000 hectares claim in mining area of Mt. Diwalwal to the latter shows the brazen duplicity of the Arroyo regime," he said in a statement.
"The revolutionary movement will continue to resist this incessant plunder of our mining resources and plunder of our economy. The Red fighters of the New People's Army will continue to launch tactical offensives for the protection of the environment and the people; and the broad united front of the people will topple down this hated Arroyo regime," Del Mundo warned.
It said the town of Maco, like Diwalwal, heaved its gold-rush mountains last week after years of plunder and ecological destruction by transnational mining corporations like the Canadian Crew Gold Corp.
The twin landslides that occurred in the village of Masara, Maco and Diwalwal in Monkayo which also injured a two-year old girl only add to the long list of mining tragedies in gold-rich site of Compostela Valley. Last year, ten people also died in the village of Masara after heavy rains triggered a landslide.
Crew Gold Corporation acquired three-fourths of share of Apex Mining Corporation which have been mining, causing ecological destruction and the massive displacement of peasant and Lumad families since the 1970s. At every onset of minimal monsoon rains and storms, landslides and flash floods are triggered because of the already damaged soil, the NDF said.
NDF spokesman Rubi del Mundo said through Mining Act of 1995, the Arroyo regime legitimized the unbridled plunder of our mining resources and the wanton destruction of our environment in the name of profit and total sell-out of our lands to multi-national, transnational and big local companies.
"As the victims of landslides suffer from the great loss of their loved ones and their livelihood, the Arroyo regime is shameless in holding of a Mining Summit in Davao City this month to further peddle whatever is left of our mineral- rich lands to foreign capitalists. Further, the anomalous Memorandum of Agreement between the GRP and the China's ZTE International Investment Limited which purportedly awarded 8,000 hectares claim in mining area of Mt. Diwalwal to the latter shows the brazen duplicity of the Arroyo regime," he said in a statement.
"The revolutionary movement will continue to resist this incessant plunder of our mining resources and plunder of our economy. The Red fighters of the New People's Army will continue to launch tactical offensives for the protection of the environment and the people; and the broad united front of the people will topple down this hated Arroyo regime," Del Mundo warned.
'Gov't Giving Away 90% Of Mt. Diwalwal Gold In ZTE Mining Deal'
MANILA, Philippines (ABS-CBN) - President Arroyo's administration will be giving away 90 percent of the country's gold reserve in Mt. Diwalwal, Compostela Valley if the government's mining deal with China's ZTE Corp. pushes through, lawyer Harry Roque revealed Saturday.
Roque said he uncovered the government's agreement with ZTE Corp. through the minutes of a meeting between government officials, led by Trade Secretary Peter Favila, with officials of the Chinese company.
He said the meeting took place at the Shangri-La Hotel in Makati City on July 27, 2006, months after Favila signed with ZTE the controversial memorandum of understanding (MOU) on the $1-billion mining deal.
Based on the minutes of the meeting, Roque said the government agreed to give the Chinese company 90 percent of gold that will be cultivated from Mt. Diwalwal, which leaves the Philippines 10 percent of the precious metal's reserve in the mining town.
He said the agreement is already contained in a legal document. "This summarizes what was agreed upon by the Philippines and the ZTE Corp in implementation of the MOU."
Roque said one of the Chinese people present in the meeting was Fan Yan, the same ZTE Corp. official mentioned in the Senate's investigation on the botched $329-million national broadband network (NBN) deal.
He said he will name the other government officials and details of the agreement next week.
'Tongpats' source
Roque suspects the mining deal entered into by the government with ZTE Corp. would be the source of "kickbacks" for other high-ranking government officials involved in the botched NBN-ZTE agreement, who have not received their share of the deal.
“This explains where the tongpats (kickbacks) will be taken from. The $150 million kickback is too small. How will you get the money that would be used for the broadband operation? This is the answer,” the lawyer told radio dzMM.
One proof that giving away kickbacks is involved in the mining deal, Roque read a part of the MOU that says the Philippine government would handle the “local nuances.”
“The government of the Republic of the Philippines shall make available technical advises on the local nuances in the development and implementation of the investment,” Roque said, reading a provision of the MOU. “What do local nuances mean? That’s tongpats.”
Roque had said that the mining deal, if it pushes through, would become the mother of all illegal transactions entered into by the government, because of the amount involved in the agreement.
He said that based on a P200-million study conducted by the Philippine Mining Development Corp., the gold reserve in Mt. Diwalwal is worth at least $1 billion.
He said $1 billion is enough to satisfy all erring government officials who want a share from the projects awarded to the ZTE Corp.
Confidential clause
Roque said the MOU is a five-page document with a provision that says the agreement should be kept from the public.
“Unless otherwise required by law, regardless of regulations or an order of a court or any appropriate government agency, a party hereto shall not reveal the contents of this agreement, or issue any press release or make any other public announcement pertaining to the project contemplated herein without the written approval of the parties,” the lawyer said.
He said the provision clearly proves that something is fishy about the deal, adding that all negotiations entered into by the government should be made public as transparency in all government transactions is required by law.
Enforceable
Roque also belied claims by Press Secretary Jesus Dureza that the MOU is not an enforceable document.
The press secretary told radio dzMM that the MOU is not like a memorandum of agreement. He said the MOU is just a document for an “intention to invest.”
Roque, however, said that other than the title, there were no words in the document that says there is only an intention to invest.
He said the word “agreement” is written all over the document. “Aside from the title, there were no instances that mention the document is an MOU.”
Roque added that there is a provision in the document that says the government and ZTE Corp. “agree to perform all such acts and to execute and deliver such other documents… maybe necessary in order to give effect to the intent underlying the agreement or fully implement or consummate the transactions contemplated hereby…”
One of the required documents that has been executed by the government with ZTE Corp. is the 90-10 “sharing agreement” of Favila and Chinese officials, he said.
“I challenge Secretary Favila to make public other agreements entered into by the government with ZTE Corp. regarding this MOU,” he said.
Roque said the government hid the agreement by using the word MOU in anticipation of the people’s possible negative reaction to the mining deal.
Arroyo directly involved
The lawyer said Mrs. Arroyo is directly involved in the alleged illegal deal.
He said Mrs. Arroyo gave Favila a special authorization to “negotiate, conclude and sign for and in behalf of the Republic of the Philippines the MOU between the Philippine government and the ZTE International Investment Limited.”
Roque said he will bring his latest exposé before the proper court only after the public has been completely informed about the allegedly anomalous mining deal.
He added that he is also waiting to get hold of other documents needed to file complaints before the court.
Dureza, meanwhile, declined to comment on the revelations of the lawyer.
“Let it be threshed out [in the proper court]. We will wait for his answer to the constitutional challenge,” he said.
The press secretary had challenged Roque to bring the mining deal issue before the courts instead of babbling his revelations before the media.(abs-cbnnews.com)
Roque said he uncovered the government's agreement with ZTE Corp. through the minutes of a meeting between government officials, led by Trade Secretary Peter Favila, with officials of the Chinese company.
He said the meeting took place at the Shangri-La Hotel in Makati City on July 27, 2006, months after Favila signed with ZTE the controversial memorandum of understanding (MOU) on the $1-billion mining deal.
Based on the minutes of the meeting, Roque said the government agreed to give the Chinese company 90 percent of gold that will be cultivated from Mt. Diwalwal, which leaves the Philippines 10 percent of the precious metal's reserve in the mining town.
He said the agreement is already contained in a legal document. "This summarizes what was agreed upon by the Philippines and the ZTE Corp in implementation of the MOU."
Roque said one of the Chinese people present in the meeting was Fan Yan, the same ZTE Corp. official mentioned in the Senate's investigation on the botched $329-million national broadband network (NBN) deal.
He said he will name the other government officials and details of the agreement next week.
'Tongpats' source
Roque suspects the mining deal entered into by the government with ZTE Corp. would be the source of "kickbacks" for other high-ranking government officials involved in the botched NBN-ZTE agreement, who have not received their share of the deal.
“This explains where the tongpats (kickbacks) will be taken from. The $150 million kickback is too small. How will you get the money that would be used for the broadband operation? This is the answer,” the lawyer told radio dzMM.
One proof that giving away kickbacks is involved in the mining deal, Roque read a part of the MOU that says the Philippine government would handle the “local nuances.”
“The government of the Republic of the Philippines shall make available technical advises on the local nuances in the development and implementation of the investment,” Roque said, reading a provision of the MOU. “What do local nuances mean? That’s tongpats.”
Roque had said that the mining deal, if it pushes through, would become the mother of all illegal transactions entered into by the government, because of the amount involved in the agreement.
He said that based on a P200-million study conducted by the Philippine Mining Development Corp., the gold reserve in Mt. Diwalwal is worth at least $1 billion.
He said $1 billion is enough to satisfy all erring government officials who want a share from the projects awarded to the ZTE Corp.
Confidential clause
Roque said the MOU is a five-page document with a provision that says the agreement should be kept from the public.
“Unless otherwise required by law, regardless of regulations or an order of a court or any appropriate government agency, a party hereto shall not reveal the contents of this agreement, or issue any press release or make any other public announcement pertaining to the project contemplated herein without the written approval of the parties,” the lawyer said.
He said the provision clearly proves that something is fishy about the deal, adding that all negotiations entered into by the government should be made public as transparency in all government transactions is required by law.
Enforceable
Roque also belied claims by Press Secretary Jesus Dureza that the MOU is not an enforceable document.
The press secretary told radio dzMM that the MOU is not like a memorandum of agreement. He said the MOU is just a document for an “intention to invest.”
Roque, however, said that other than the title, there were no words in the document that says there is only an intention to invest.
He said the word “agreement” is written all over the document. “Aside from the title, there were no instances that mention the document is an MOU.”
Roque added that there is a provision in the document that says the government and ZTE Corp. “agree to perform all such acts and to execute and deliver such other documents… maybe necessary in order to give effect to the intent underlying the agreement or fully implement or consummate the transactions contemplated hereby…”
One of the required documents that has been executed by the government with ZTE Corp. is the 90-10 “sharing agreement” of Favila and Chinese officials, he said.
“I challenge Secretary Favila to make public other agreements entered into by the government with ZTE Corp. regarding this MOU,” he said.
Roque said the government hid the agreement by using the word MOU in anticipation of the people’s possible negative reaction to the mining deal.
Arroyo directly involved
The lawyer said Mrs. Arroyo is directly involved in the alleged illegal deal.
He said Mrs. Arroyo gave Favila a special authorization to “negotiate, conclude and sign for and in behalf of the Republic of the Philippines the MOU between the Philippine government and the ZTE International Investment Limited.”
Roque said he will bring his latest exposé before the proper court only after the public has been completely informed about the allegedly anomalous mining deal.
He added that he is also waiting to get hold of other documents needed to file complaints before the court.
Dureza, meanwhile, declined to comment on the revelations of the lawyer.
“Let it be threshed out [in the proper court]. We will wait for his answer to the constitutional challenge,” he said.
The press secretary had challenged Roque to bring the mining deal issue before the courts instead of babbling his revelations before the media.(abs-cbnnews.com)
Thursday, September 11, 2008
ZTE Mining Deal With Manila Under Scrutiny
MANILA, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / September 11, 2008) - Senator Antonio Trillanes IV has questioned the mining investment by the controversial China’s ZTE International in Mount Diwalwal in Compostela Valley province in Mindanao.
Manila has approved the deal, but this was not made public until noted lawyer Harry Roque exposed the agreement between ZTE and the Arroyo government.
Trillanes already filed a resolution Wednesday directing the Senate Committee on Accountability of Public Officers and Investigations to look into the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) supervised by Department of Trade and Industry Secretary Peter Favila under special authority from President Gloria Arroyo.
He said the special authority signed on July 12, 2006, designated and authorized Favila to negotiate, conclude and sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), for and on behalf of the Republic of the Philippines with ZTE. The MOU was intended as a cooperative agreement between both parties to work together and cooperate in the investment activities.
According to Trillanes, the MOA violates RA 7942 or the Philippine Mining Act of 1995, which regulates mineral resources development in the country. This governing law takes into consideration local government empowerment, the indigenous cultural communities, equitable sharing of benefits and natural wealth, globalization and environmental sustainability.
He also challenged Secretary Lito Atienza’s contention that the MOA was incomplete without the consent of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). “Secretary Favila entered into this anomalous agreement through the direct authority of President Arroyo herself. The DENR’s approval was not necessary,” Trillanes said.
Trillanes also deemed the exploration, development and operation of mining areas without full State control and supervision as ‘unconstitutional.’
Manila has approved the deal, but this was not made public until noted lawyer Harry Roque exposed the agreement between ZTE and the Arroyo government.
Trillanes already filed a resolution Wednesday directing the Senate Committee on Accountability of Public Officers and Investigations to look into the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) supervised by Department of Trade and Industry Secretary Peter Favila under special authority from President Gloria Arroyo.
He said the special authority signed on July 12, 2006, designated and authorized Favila to negotiate, conclude and sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), for and on behalf of the Republic of the Philippines with ZTE. The MOU was intended as a cooperative agreement between both parties to work together and cooperate in the investment activities.
According to Trillanes, the MOA violates RA 7942 or the Philippine Mining Act of 1995, which regulates mineral resources development in the country. This governing law takes into consideration local government empowerment, the indigenous cultural communities, equitable sharing of benefits and natural wealth, globalization and environmental sustainability.
He also challenged Secretary Lito Atienza’s contention that the MOA was incomplete without the consent of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). “Secretary Favila entered into this anomalous agreement through the direct authority of President Arroyo herself. The DENR’s approval was not necessary,” Trillanes said.
Trillanes also deemed the exploration, development and operation of mining areas without full State control and supervision as ‘unconstitutional.’
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
GMA makes history: The most unpopular among the post-FM presidents: abs-cbnNEWS.com/Newsbreak
President Gloria Arroyo will deliver her 8th State of the Nation Address (SONA) amid her very low and negative satisfaction rating and a public perception that her administration is the most corrupt in the entire Philippine history, according to a leading survey outfit Pulse Asia.
Arroyo, the longest serving president since Ferdinand Marcos, has been performing very badly in opinion surveys and is making—and breaking records—when in comes to satisfaction ratings.
As far as net satisfaction ratings of post-Marcos presidents are concerned, Arroyo holds four records: she is the first post-Marcos president to receive a negative rating; she is the only president since 1986 who received a negative satisfaction rating for the longest time; she is the president who received the lowest rating at start of her administration; and she is the one who received the lowest rating among the four presidents since the fall of Marcos regime.
The latest survey by the Social Weather Stations (SWS) proves Arroyo’s very low satisfactory rating. It showed that Arroyo is the most unpopular post-EDSA president after her net popularity rating crashed to -38 and broke her old record of -33 in May 2005.
The survey also showed that “gross dissatisfaction is at majority levels” across the geographic regions and it found “dissatisfaction worsening” across all socio-economic class.
Effect of global economy
Palace officials downplayed the results of the survey and said the global economic slowdown, the soaring prices of food and fuel, the president’s pushing for the expanded value added tax (EVAT) and other “unpopular decisions” all contributed to the her low net satisfaction ratings.
Inflation hit 11.4 percent in June 2008, the highest since May 1994 while unemployment stands at 8 percent, higher by 0.6 percentage points from the same period last year.
Even the 7.3 percent growth in the economy seemed to have little effect on her ratings as government statistics showed an increasing incidence of poverty.
“Beneath the exhibition of the GDP growth is an un-erased scaffolding of poverty and misery,” said the Freedom from Debt Coalition. “The National Statistical Coordination Board reported 16% increase in the number of poor Filipinos, from 23.8 million in 200 to 27.6 million in 2006.”
Apart from this, a recent survey by the SWS showed at least 2.9 million Filipino families went hungry at least once in the last three months. It also showed that at least 760,000 families experienced severe hunger in the past three months.
Different scenario before
Arroyo’s satisfaction rating, however, has a different story if one is going to look at her ratings before she was installed as president in 2001. She consistently enjoyed high satisfaction rating in surveys and she got a high number of votes when she ran for senator in 1995 and for vice president in 1998.
She topped the 1995 senatorial election after receiving 15.7 million votes—the highest during that time—and was ahead of more than 3 million votes to the second placer, Raul Roco. Her net satisfaction ratings during her term as senator did not fall below +40 across all regions.
When she ran for vice president, she garnered almost 13 million votes and surpassed the 11 million votes received by Estrada. As vice president, her satisfaction rating never went below +47 except during the height of the impeachment trial of her predecessor in December 2000.
Low initial satisfactory rating
Two months after she was catapulted to the presidency by a people power revolution, Arroyo enjoyed a net satisfaction rating of +24.
The figure, however, was below the ratings received by other three presidents before her during the start of their administration. Aquino received +53 net rating in May 1986, or three months after she rose to power. Fidel Ramos’s first net rating in September 1992 was +66 while Estrada posted +60 in September 1998.
Negative for the 1st time
A year later, she received a rating of -14, which at that time was the lowest for the president. It was also the first time that a Philippine president received a negative rating.
SWS, in its March 2003 survey, said Arroyo sacrificed her popularity by joining the United States coalition of forces fighting the regime of Iraqi president Saddam Hussein. The same survey asked respondents about the three subjects, out of the list of nine subjects. It showed that 59 percent of the respondents followed the US moves against Iraq, an event that scored higher over some domestic issues like fighting Muslim and bandit groups in the country (52%), terrorists acts in the Philippines (42%), Estrada plunder trial (34%), and proposal to amend the Constitution (11%).
The survey also showed that 63% preferred the Philippines to be neutral in the US-Iraq conflict, 85 percent expected the war to worsen the economy and 76 percent believed it would increase the danger of terrorists attacks on the country.
“Since Filipinos do give much moral support to the United States and the global war on terrorism, their disagreement with the President’s decision to join the ‘coalition of the willing’ is explained by the widespread fear that a war would have harsh economic and security impacts on the country,” the March 2003 SWS said.
Negative streak
Her popularity was able to recover and she even got a net rating of +30 on March 2004. However, after the August 2004 survey, her rating dipped to -6 in October 2004. What followed was a streak of negative net satisfactory rating that would last for almost four years.
From March 2005-November 2006, she got double-digit negative ratings as the country jumped from one scandal to another, with some of them involving her family members. During the height of the Hello Garci scandal in 2005, her rating hovered from -23 to -30. The scandal raised the issue of the Arroyo’s legitimacy and nearly caused the fall of her government, especially when former President Corazon Aquino and some of her Cabinet members called for her resignation.
Succeeding scandals that came out—cash gifts scandal in Malacanang and the National Broadband Network deal with ZTE—made her ratings stay in the negative level.
2007 elections
Many believed that Arroyo’s unpopularity was also behind the dismal performance of the administration bets in the 2007 midterm elections.
Team Unity’s Michael Defensor, Prospero Pichay, and Ralph Recto failed to make it to the winning circle despite their well-oiled machinery while candidates with little funding like Antonio Trillanes—who was involved in an attempt to unseat her—surprised everyone by landing on the Magic 12.
Defensor is closely identified with the president since he had worked in her Cabinet in various capacities: as presidential chief of staff, environment secretary, and chair of the housing and urban development coordinating council.
When he accepted his defeat, Defensor admitted that his closeness with the president affected people’s perception of his independence.
“My advice to him is to re-invent himself, show his independence from President Arroyo. He deserves to be seen more than as an apologist of the President,” said Defensor who was speaking of himself in third person as he conceded his defeat in the senatorial race.
Most corrupt
Apart from low satisfactory rating, Arroyo has to also deal with the public perception that corruption became more prevalent under her administration. A Pulse Asia survey in October last year showed that 45 percent of respondents believed that Arroyo’s administration has the most intense allegations of corruption.
The survey also showed that most respondents (42%) view her as the most corrupt president in the Philippine history.
Former Presidents Marcos and Estrada, who were both accused of massive corruption and were both ousted by people power fared better than Arroyo. Ferdinand Marcos, who ruled for 21 and is accused of salting away billions of dollars, was named as most corrupt by 35 percent of the respondents.
Estrada, who was found guilty of plunder but later pardoned by Arroyo was cited as the most corrupt by 16 percent.
This is the third in a series of special reports on the State of the Nation. The first two are on President Arroyo’s highly political appointments and the national budget. (Jesus F. Llanto / abs-cbnNEWS.com/Newsbreak
Arroyo, the longest serving president since Ferdinand Marcos, has been performing very badly in opinion surveys and is making—and breaking records—when in comes to satisfaction ratings.
As far as net satisfaction ratings of post-Marcos presidents are concerned, Arroyo holds four records: she is the first post-Marcos president to receive a negative rating; she is the only president since 1986 who received a negative satisfaction rating for the longest time; she is the president who received the lowest rating at start of her administration; and she is the one who received the lowest rating among the four presidents since the fall of Marcos regime.
The latest survey by the Social Weather Stations (SWS) proves Arroyo’s very low satisfactory rating. It showed that Arroyo is the most unpopular post-EDSA president after her net popularity rating crashed to -38 and broke her old record of -33 in May 2005.
The survey also showed that “gross dissatisfaction is at majority levels” across the geographic regions and it found “dissatisfaction worsening” across all socio-economic class.
Effect of global economy
Palace officials downplayed the results of the survey and said the global economic slowdown, the soaring prices of food and fuel, the president’s pushing for the expanded value added tax (EVAT) and other “unpopular decisions” all contributed to the her low net satisfaction ratings.
Inflation hit 11.4 percent in June 2008, the highest since May 1994 while unemployment stands at 8 percent, higher by 0.6 percentage points from the same period last year.
Even the 7.3 percent growth in the economy seemed to have little effect on her ratings as government statistics showed an increasing incidence of poverty.
“Beneath the exhibition of the GDP growth is an un-erased scaffolding of poverty and misery,” said the Freedom from Debt Coalition. “The National Statistical Coordination Board reported 16% increase in the number of poor Filipinos, from 23.8 million in 200 to 27.6 million in 2006.”
Apart from this, a recent survey by the SWS showed at least 2.9 million Filipino families went hungry at least once in the last three months. It also showed that at least 760,000 families experienced severe hunger in the past three months.
Different scenario before
Arroyo’s satisfaction rating, however, has a different story if one is going to look at her ratings before she was installed as president in 2001. She consistently enjoyed high satisfaction rating in surveys and she got a high number of votes when she ran for senator in 1995 and for vice president in 1998.
She topped the 1995 senatorial election after receiving 15.7 million votes—the highest during that time—and was ahead of more than 3 million votes to the second placer, Raul Roco. Her net satisfaction ratings during her term as senator did not fall below +40 across all regions.
When she ran for vice president, she garnered almost 13 million votes and surpassed the 11 million votes received by Estrada. As vice president, her satisfaction rating never went below +47 except during the height of the impeachment trial of her predecessor in December 2000.
Low initial satisfactory rating
Two months after she was catapulted to the presidency by a people power revolution, Arroyo enjoyed a net satisfaction rating of +24.
The figure, however, was below the ratings received by other three presidents before her during the start of their administration. Aquino received +53 net rating in May 1986, or three months after she rose to power. Fidel Ramos’s first net rating in September 1992 was +66 while Estrada posted +60 in September 1998.
Negative for the 1st time
A year later, she received a rating of -14, which at that time was the lowest for the president. It was also the first time that a Philippine president received a negative rating.
SWS, in its March 2003 survey, said Arroyo sacrificed her popularity by joining the United States coalition of forces fighting the regime of Iraqi president Saddam Hussein. The same survey asked respondents about the three subjects, out of the list of nine subjects. It showed that 59 percent of the respondents followed the US moves against Iraq, an event that scored higher over some domestic issues like fighting Muslim and bandit groups in the country (52%), terrorists acts in the Philippines (42%), Estrada plunder trial (34%), and proposal to amend the Constitution (11%).
The survey also showed that 63% preferred the Philippines to be neutral in the US-Iraq conflict, 85 percent expected the war to worsen the economy and 76 percent believed it would increase the danger of terrorists attacks on the country.
“Since Filipinos do give much moral support to the United States and the global war on terrorism, their disagreement with the President’s decision to join the ‘coalition of the willing’ is explained by the widespread fear that a war would have harsh economic and security impacts on the country,” the March 2003 SWS said.
Negative streak
Her popularity was able to recover and she even got a net rating of +30 on March 2004. However, after the August 2004 survey, her rating dipped to -6 in October 2004. What followed was a streak of negative net satisfactory rating that would last for almost four years.
From March 2005-November 2006, she got double-digit negative ratings as the country jumped from one scandal to another, with some of them involving her family members. During the height of the Hello Garci scandal in 2005, her rating hovered from -23 to -30. The scandal raised the issue of the Arroyo’s legitimacy and nearly caused the fall of her government, especially when former President Corazon Aquino and some of her Cabinet members called for her resignation.
Succeeding scandals that came out—cash gifts scandal in Malacanang and the National Broadband Network deal with ZTE—made her ratings stay in the negative level.
2007 elections
Many believed that Arroyo’s unpopularity was also behind the dismal performance of the administration bets in the 2007 midterm elections.
Team Unity’s Michael Defensor, Prospero Pichay, and Ralph Recto failed to make it to the winning circle despite their well-oiled machinery while candidates with little funding like Antonio Trillanes—who was involved in an attempt to unseat her—surprised everyone by landing on the Magic 12.
Defensor is closely identified with the president since he had worked in her Cabinet in various capacities: as presidential chief of staff, environment secretary, and chair of the housing and urban development coordinating council.
When he accepted his defeat, Defensor admitted that his closeness with the president affected people’s perception of his independence.
“My advice to him is to re-invent himself, show his independence from President Arroyo. He deserves to be seen more than as an apologist of the President,” said Defensor who was speaking of himself in third person as he conceded his defeat in the senatorial race.
Most corrupt
Apart from low satisfactory rating, Arroyo has to also deal with the public perception that corruption became more prevalent under her administration. A Pulse Asia survey in October last year showed that 45 percent of respondents believed that Arroyo’s administration has the most intense allegations of corruption.
The survey also showed that most respondents (42%) view her as the most corrupt president in the Philippine history.
Former Presidents Marcos and Estrada, who were both accused of massive corruption and were both ousted by people power fared better than Arroyo. Ferdinand Marcos, who ruled for 21 and is accused of salting away billions of dollars, was named as most corrupt by 35 percent of the respondents.
Estrada, who was found guilty of plunder but later pardoned by Arroyo was cited as the most corrupt by 16 percent.
This is the third in a series of special reports on the State of the Nation. The first two are on President Arroyo’s highly political appointments and the national budget. (Jesus F. Llanto / abs-cbnNEWS.com/Newsbreak
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
NBI Raids Govt Warehouse Repacking NFA Rice In Davao
DAVAO CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / June 11, 2008) – The National Bureau of Investigation in Davao City in southern Philippines raided a government warehouse after receiving reports that it is being used to repack rice which would be later sold to a higher price.
NBI agents raided the warehouse of the National Food Authority in the village of Ilang in Tibungco district before midnight Tuesday and caught several people repacking rice.
The NFA is a government agency tasked to sell rice at authorized grains dealers in the country. NFA rice sells at P18.25 a kilo and the NBI said the repacked rice is being sold at P35 a kilo.
The shortage of NFA rice in the country since early this year has prompted Manila to import thousands of tons of rice from Thailand, Vietnam and the United States and sells them at P25 a kilo.
Despite the importation of rice, the Philippines still has shortage of grains, but there were suspicion that NFA rice were being repacked by unscrupulous traders and sell them as much as P40 a kilo.
President Gloria Arroyo has ordered the NBI to run after rice hoarders and file criminal charges against traders violating the law. (Romy Bwaga)
NBI agents raided the warehouse of the National Food Authority in the village of Ilang in Tibungco district before midnight Tuesday and caught several people repacking rice.
The NFA is a government agency tasked to sell rice at authorized grains dealers in the country. NFA rice sells at P18.25 a kilo and the NBI said the repacked rice is being sold at P35 a kilo.
The shortage of NFA rice in the country since early this year has prompted Manila to import thousands of tons of rice from Thailand, Vietnam and the United States and sells them at P25 a kilo.
Despite the importation of rice, the Philippines still has shortage of grains, but there were suspicion that NFA rice were being repacked by unscrupulous traders and sell them as much as P40 a kilo.
President Gloria Arroyo has ordered the NBI to run after rice hoarders and file criminal charges against traders violating the law. (Romy Bwaga)
Tuesday, March 04, 2008
Arroyo Did It Again!
Gabriela Women's Party Congresswoman Luz Ilagan (seated, middle) poses with supporters during the launching of the Babae Laban sa Katiwalian (Babala) on Tuesday, March 04, 2008 in Davao City in southern Philippines. They are also calling for the resignation of President Gloria Arroyo over corruption scandal in her administration. (Photo by Keith Bacongco / AKP Images)
MANILA, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Mar. 04, 2008) – Filipino leader Gloria Arroyo on Tuesday again promised to step down after her term ends in 2010.
Arroyo, hounded by allegations of poll fraud and accusations of corruptions and scandals involving her family, also said several years back that she will not seek election in 2004, but ran against more popular movie actor Fernando Poe Jr. who died of aneurysm while campaigning.
“Until that day, I will continue to push for reforms so I can hand over a strong nation to the next leader,” she said.
She made the announcement before signing into law the Civil Aviation Authority Act (CAAA) of the Philippines of 2008 in at Malacanang. “I will be true to the Constitution and to myself who has been mandated to leave the post when my term ends in 2010,” she said.
Arroyo assured her audience that included Vice President Noli de Castro, legislators and the diplomatic community, that “in the Philippines, there is and there shall continue to be due process, rule of law, and utmost respect for the Constitution. This is my pledge to you as your President and commander-in-chief.”
She added that she agrees with her critics that the law and the country should be above politics and personal popularity.
She pointed out that she would “adhere to the law because this was what every elected official has promised to do even if my critics refuse to understand and give political color to it.”
“That is why we uphold the principle of due process in investigating and adjudicating criminal allegations against any citizen, whatever the political cost. No one’s rights must be sacrificed just to spare government from the ire of protesters and the fire of politicians,” the President said.
After the CAAA signing ceremonies, a Cabinet meeting was held at the Aguinaldo State Dining Room to discuss the International Law of the Sea and the Philippine claim over resource areas within the country’s territory, including the Spratley group of islands.
“Through this claim, we shall advance the rights and interests of our nation in harnessing these rich resources,” Arroyo said.
Opposition politicians and civil society and religious groups are demanding that Arroyo resign because of corruption scandals involving the flawed and overpriced national broadband network deal with China’s ZTE Corp. Arroyo cancelled the project five months later after the Senate launched a series of investigation over the allegations. (Mindanao Examiner)
Saturday, March 01, 2008
Lawyers' Union Assails Gov't Tactics
The National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers condemns the Executive Department’s persistent efforts to subvert the Constitution and the laws it has sworn to uphold.
The refusal of the PNP to attend the Senate investigation, the belated Ombudsman investigation and the threats of harassment suits against witness Jun Lozada are nothing more than attempts to undermine the Senate investigation into the ZTE-NBN corruption scandal. These orchestrated acts by top government officials loyal to Pres. Gloria Arroyo, however, only adds more credence to the evidence which show that those responsible for acts of corruption in the ZTE transaction is not only limited to former Comelec Chairman Benjamin Abalos but actually involve Pres. Gloria Arroyo and her husband Atty. Mike Arroyo.
PNP Officers criminally and administratively liable
The refusal of PNP officers to attend Senate hearings ostensibly because “the PNP cannot discuss the matter publicly in order not to interfere with due process” citing the complaint for obstruction of justice filed with the Ombudsman is not only an open defiance of congressional authority but also violates the PNP officers’ oath under Sec. 40 of the Administrative Code of 1987, requiring all public officials to “obey the laws, legal orders and decrees promulgated by the duly constituted authorities”. The NUPL finds it incomprehensible how “publicly discussing the matter” before the Senate can violate due process rights considering that the Senate is an official investigation and not a symposium. Furthermore, the PNP can always ask for executive session if they feel that their statements may violate due process rights. Based on this theory, Gen. Razon and his subordinates, are henceforth, precluded from giving media interviews on the Lozada kidnapping.
The filing of a petition asking the Supreme Court to legalize the non attendance of Gen. Avelino Razon and his subordinates has no legal or constitutional basis. Gen. Razon and his subordinates cannot claim the right to self incrimination as the basis for their non attendance because the Supreme Court expressly prohibited this insidious scheme to preempt congressional investigations in Sabio vs Gordon [GR 184340, October 2006], to wit:
Anent the right against self-incrimination, it must be emphasized that this right may be invoked x x x only when the incriminating question is being asked, since they have no way of knowing in advance the nature or effect of the questions to be asked of them.” That this right may possibly be violated or abused is no ground for denying respondent Senate Committees their power of inquiry.
Furthermore, Sec. 19 of the Senate rules expressly prohibit ‘preemptive’ claim to self-incrimination:
Sec. 19. Privilege Against Self-Incrimination
A witness can invoke his right against self-incrimination only when a question tends to elicit an answer that will incriminate him is propounded to him. x x x No person can refuse to testify or be placed under oath or affirmation or answer questions before an incriminatory question is asked. His invocation of such right does not by itself excuse him from his duty to give testimony.
In such a case, the Committee, by a majority vote of the members present there being a quorum, shall determine whether the right has been properly invoked. If the Committee decides otherwise, it shall resume its investigation and the question or questions previously refused to be answered shall be repeated to the witness. If the latter continues to refuse to answer the question, the Committee may punish him for contempt for contumacious conduct.
This blatant disregard of the Senate’s authority to conduct investigation is another attempt to preempt the investigation and subvert the search for the truth behind the ZTE scandal. This makes all the respondents subject to criminal and administrative charges that may be filed after Pres. Gloria Arroyo ceases to be President on or before 2010. Absent a TRO from the Supreme Court, Gen. Razon has no recourse but to attend the Senate hearing on February 26.
DOJ Fact Finding
The NUPL also condemns Pres. Arroyo’s continuing misuse of the Department of Justice through her Justice Secretary. The threats publicly aired by Sec. Raul Gonzalez of DOJ plans to investigate ZTE witness Jun Lozada’s finances and file criminal cases against his brothers and sisters for perjury not only smacks of harassment but also a not so veiled attempt to silence Mr. Lozada.
The arrogance implied by Sec. Gonzalez’ threats against a lowly public official in Mr. Lozada is matched by his cowardice to investigate the involvement of FG Mike Arroyo and Chairman Abalos in the ZTE deal and other anomalies. After Sec. Neri charged, under oath in an official congressional investigation, Chairman Abalos of bribery, the voluble Justice Secretary did not found the charges worth investigating. The DOJ cannot make investigations which would pre judge the exercise of its official function of conducting preliminary investigation if criminal complaints are filed against any party involved in the ZTE corruption scandal. Furthermore, the Justice Secretary has constantly expressed his loyalty and fealty to Pres. Arroyo and his biased views against Mr. Lozada and those that seek to reveal the truth behind the corruption charges against Pres. Arroyo disqualifying his department from conducting investigation.
Ombdusman Investigation a diversionary circus
The Ombudsman investigation is another such attempt to confuse the people and divert the attention from the Senate investigation. The Ombudsman is required under Sec. 15 (1) of RA 6670 to:
1) Investigate and prosecute on its own or on complaint by any person, any act or omission of any public officer or employee, office or agency, when such act or omission appears to be illegal, unjust, improper or inefficient. It has primary jurisdiction over cases cognizable by the Sandiganbayan x x x
The ZTE contract was cancelled or suspended by Pres. Gloria Arroyo because of the irregularities—a clear admission that corruption may have taken place. Under the law, the Ombudsman should have acted as early as last year, on its own, because the scrapped contract ‘appear’ illegal or at the very least, improper.
The Ombudsman has constantly refused to investigate such a blatant display of corruption and overpricing despite the admission by Pres. Arroyo of the irregularities involved. The Ombudsman has in fact, disregarded the statement of a Cabinet member, Sec. Romulo Neri, that he was bribed by Chairman Abalos, a clear sign of the biased exercise by Ombudsman Merceditas Guttierez of her functions as a supposed independent Ombudsman. Guttierez can be found guilty in an impeachment proceeding if only for this inefficiency. The attempt of the Ombudsman, which has not seriously acted on the Fertilizer Scam case and Jocjoc Bolante for years, to intervene only now when the ZTE issue is generating interest and after the tenth complaint was filed, shows its utter lack of respect to its own mandate and task under the law and the Constitution.
NUPL demands of Pres. Arroyo to desist from using her office and those of her subordinates in preempting serious investigations on the ZTE deal precisely because she and her family are the ones being charged with corruption in the said issue. This is not only required by the Anti graft and corrupt Practices Act but by the principle of delicadeza, the unwritten law governing ethical actions of public officials. Pres. Arroyo is not only accountable for her acts but is also accountable for all the violation of the Constitution and the laws committed by her subordinates to illegally protect her from congressional investigations.
Reference Person: Atty. Neri Javier Colmenares-Secretary General
http://nupl.wordpress.com
The refusal of the PNP to attend the Senate investigation, the belated Ombudsman investigation and the threats of harassment suits against witness Jun Lozada are nothing more than attempts to undermine the Senate investigation into the ZTE-NBN corruption scandal. These orchestrated acts by top government officials loyal to Pres. Gloria Arroyo, however, only adds more credence to the evidence which show that those responsible for acts of corruption in the ZTE transaction is not only limited to former Comelec Chairman Benjamin Abalos but actually involve Pres. Gloria Arroyo and her husband Atty. Mike Arroyo.
PNP Officers criminally and administratively liable
The refusal of PNP officers to attend Senate hearings ostensibly because “the PNP cannot discuss the matter publicly in order not to interfere with due process” citing the complaint for obstruction of justice filed with the Ombudsman is not only an open defiance of congressional authority but also violates the PNP officers’ oath under Sec. 40 of the Administrative Code of 1987, requiring all public officials to “obey the laws, legal orders and decrees promulgated by the duly constituted authorities”. The NUPL finds it incomprehensible how “publicly discussing the matter” before the Senate can violate due process rights considering that the Senate is an official investigation and not a symposium. Furthermore, the PNP can always ask for executive session if they feel that their statements may violate due process rights. Based on this theory, Gen. Razon and his subordinates, are henceforth, precluded from giving media interviews on the Lozada kidnapping.
The filing of a petition asking the Supreme Court to legalize the non attendance of Gen. Avelino Razon and his subordinates has no legal or constitutional basis. Gen. Razon and his subordinates cannot claim the right to self incrimination as the basis for their non attendance because the Supreme Court expressly prohibited this insidious scheme to preempt congressional investigations in Sabio vs Gordon [GR 184340, October 2006], to wit:
Anent the right against self-incrimination, it must be emphasized that this right may be invoked x x x only when the incriminating question is being asked, since they have no way of knowing in advance the nature or effect of the questions to be asked of them.” That this right may possibly be violated or abused is no ground for denying respondent Senate Committees their power of inquiry.
Furthermore, Sec. 19 of the Senate rules expressly prohibit ‘preemptive’ claim to self-incrimination:
Sec. 19. Privilege Against Self-Incrimination
A witness can invoke his right against self-incrimination only when a question tends to elicit an answer that will incriminate him is propounded to him. x x x No person can refuse to testify or be placed under oath or affirmation or answer questions before an incriminatory question is asked. His invocation of such right does not by itself excuse him from his duty to give testimony.
In such a case, the Committee, by a majority vote of the members present there being a quorum, shall determine whether the right has been properly invoked. If the Committee decides otherwise, it shall resume its investigation and the question or questions previously refused to be answered shall be repeated to the witness. If the latter continues to refuse to answer the question, the Committee may punish him for contempt for contumacious conduct.
This blatant disregard of the Senate’s authority to conduct investigation is another attempt to preempt the investigation and subvert the search for the truth behind the ZTE scandal. This makes all the respondents subject to criminal and administrative charges that may be filed after Pres. Gloria Arroyo ceases to be President on or before 2010. Absent a TRO from the Supreme Court, Gen. Razon has no recourse but to attend the Senate hearing on February 26.
DOJ Fact Finding
The NUPL also condemns Pres. Arroyo’s continuing misuse of the Department of Justice through her Justice Secretary. The threats publicly aired by Sec. Raul Gonzalez of DOJ plans to investigate ZTE witness Jun Lozada’s finances and file criminal cases against his brothers and sisters for perjury not only smacks of harassment but also a not so veiled attempt to silence Mr. Lozada.
The arrogance implied by Sec. Gonzalez’ threats against a lowly public official in Mr. Lozada is matched by his cowardice to investigate the involvement of FG Mike Arroyo and Chairman Abalos in the ZTE deal and other anomalies. After Sec. Neri charged, under oath in an official congressional investigation, Chairman Abalos of bribery, the voluble Justice Secretary did not found the charges worth investigating. The DOJ cannot make investigations which would pre judge the exercise of its official function of conducting preliminary investigation if criminal complaints are filed against any party involved in the ZTE corruption scandal. Furthermore, the Justice Secretary has constantly expressed his loyalty and fealty to Pres. Arroyo and his biased views against Mr. Lozada and those that seek to reveal the truth behind the corruption charges against Pres. Arroyo disqualifying his department from conducting investigation.
Ombdusman Investigation a diversionary circus
The Ombudsman investigation is another such attempt to confuse the people and divert the attention from the Senate investigation. The Ombudsman is required under Sec. 15 (1) of RA 6670 to:
1) Investigate and prosecute on its own or on complaint by any person, any act or omission of any public officer or employee, office or agency, when such act or omission appears to be illegal, unjust, improper or inefficient. It has primary jurisdiction over cases cognizable by the Sandiganbayan x x x
The ZTE contract was cancelled or suspended by Pres. Gloria Arroyo because of the irregularities—a clear admission that corruption may have taken place. Under the law, the Ombudsman should have acted as early as last year, on its own, because the scrapped contract ‘appear’ illegal or at the very least, improper.
The Ombudsman has constantly refused to investigate such a blatant display of corruption and overpricing despite the admission by Pres. Arroyo of the irregularities involved. The Ombudsman has in fact, disregarded the statement of a Cabinet member, Sec. Romulo Neri, that he was bribed by Chairman Abalos, a clear sign of the biased exercise by Ombudsman Merceditas Guttierez of her functions as a supposed independent Ombudsman. Guttierez can be found guilty in an impeachment proceeding if only for this inefficiency. The attempt of the Ombudsman, which has not seriously acted on the Fertilizer Scam case and Jocjoc Bolante for years, to intervene only now when the ZTE issue is generating interest and after the tenth complaint was filed, shows its utter lack of respect to its own mandate and task under the law and the Constitution.
NUPL demands of Pres. Arroyo to desist from using her office and those of her subordinates in preempting serious investigations on the ZTE deal precisely because she and her family are the ones being charged with corruption in the said issue. This is not only required by the Anti graft and corrupt Practices Act but by the principle of delicadeza, the unwritten law governing ethical actions of public officials. Pres. Arroyo is not only accountable for her acts but is also accountable for all the violation of the Constitution and the laws committed by her subordinates to illegally protect her from congressional investigations.
Reference Person: Atty. Neri Javier Colmenares-Secretary General
http://nupl.wordpress.com
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
A Mockery Of Whistle-Blowing And Anti-Corruption Efforts: PSLINK
MANILA - The current Jun Lozada expose has brought to fore many critical issues chief of which is the preponderance of graft and corruption in the country. But for civil servants, the whole affair most glaringly exposed the lack of security, protection mechanisms and regard accorded to whistleblowers.
Ironically, it is the administration itself to blame for this sad state of affairs.
Whistle-blowing has been proven to be an integral and effective tool in fighting corruption around the world. But the Arroyo administration has besmirched the essence of whistle-blowing in the country as can be gleaned from the recent showdown between the administration witnesses and Lozada in the Senate.
The administration came fully prepared for battle during the hearing. With all their doggedness, they endeavored to discredit Lozada, portraying him as the mischief maker, an attention-grabber, somebody who had a “penchant for drama.”
They insisted on inconsistencies in Lozada’s claims, exploiting whatever gap they could find and making a whole fuss about it. Further, they went all-out to convince the public that Lozada was not abducted to prevent him from testifying and accused him and his family of acting in “bad faith” when they filed a petition for writs of habeas corpus and amparo.
All these efforts by the government have turned the whole affair intended to unveil the truth behind a highly questionable multi-million dollar broadband project into a mere recital of rehearsed lies, ruses and red herrings.
If there’s anybody acting in bad faith, it is the Arroyo administration, with its manipulative ways and palpable efforts to curtail the truth by preventing its executive officials from testifying and discouraging the practice of whistle-blowing as a way to fight corruption.
We commend Lozada for speaking up even at the risk of retaliatory attacks from those in power. Contrary to popular belief, there is nothing glamorous, advantageous or comfortable in being a whistleblower.
As a national union of government workers committed to eradicating corruption in the public sector, we have had to live through the sad reality of whistle-blowing under this administration. In a lesser publicized case, but which involves a cabinet official of Arroyo nonetheless, some of our affiliates who blew the whistle against TESDA Director General Augusto Syjuco have had to go through the same intimidation, coercion and emotional distress to which Lozada had been subjected to.
Consequently, we sympathize with Lozada and the rest like him who have suffered unduly because of this administration’s intolerance to criticisms and whistleblowers.
Lozada’s coming out heralds a new sensitivity on the part of the Filipino public to whistleblowing. Unlike in previous high-profile whistleblowing cases where those who blew the whistle did not quite get sympathy from the public, Lozada is believable in the eyes of many.
The fact that Lozada has acknowledged his improprieties in the past does not make him less of a whistleblower. In contrast, it actually shows his humility and sincerity. This explains why the majority of the public has taken his side.
Corruption is an age-old problem but it has become pervasive and insidious more than ever because fighting it is impossible under the current administration. We cannot expect any change under an administration that makes a mockery of authentic whistleblowers and anti-corruption stalwarts. We cannot expect change under an administration that turns crooked officials into allies and beneficiaries of goodwill, and legitimate whistleblowers into wrongdoers and enemies of the state.
We urge other brave souls privy to anomalous government deals and projects to come out. Let us use whistle-blowing as a legitimate medium to report on the excesses and unjust and immoral practices under the Arroyo administration. Let us use it as a means to challenge wrongdoing in the government and rid it of corrupt and abusive officials.
PSLINK is an umbrella organization of unions and associations in the public sector representing more than 80,000 government workers in the Philippines. PSLINK is committed to the development of a Strong, Accountable, Comprehensive, Responsive, Effective and Democratic (SACRED) Public Services and campaigns for responsible unionism and social dialogue.
Tuesday, December 04, 2007
Sulu Teachers Continue Protest, Demand Unpaid Salaries
SULU, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Dec. 04, 2007) – Disgruntled government teachers continued their protest Tuesday in the southern Philippine province of Sulu, demanding salaries that remain unpaid for months now.
The strike began Monday after a few hundred teachers walked out of their school rooms to demand their wages and an investigation into alleged anomalies involving hundreds of millions of pesos in state pension contributions.
The teachers complained that they have not been paid their wages the past months by the Department of Education in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) and that their contributions to the state pension agency which are worth over 600 million pesos since 2003 were also missing.
They earlier threatened to stage a mass protest should ARMM Gov. Zaldy Ampatuan fail to act on their problems. More than 5,000 teachers are currently teaching in Sulu province.
Sulu Gov. Sakur Tan on Tuesday appealed to the teachers to end their strike and return to work. Tan has ordered the creation of team, composed of teachers and education officials that will look into the problems of the teachers.
“We will look into these problems and try to resolve it peacefully in coordination with the Department of Education in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao,” he told reporters.
Tan said the teachers converged at the office of the Department of Education in Sulu province. But it was not immediately known how long the protest would be.
Lawyer Oscar Sampulna, ARMM Executive Secretary, denied the allegations and insisted the teachers received their salaries on time.
“They are receiving their salaries. Those who are complaining were temporary teachers whose special permits to teach had not been renewed or revoked basically for their lack of the proper documents required by the Department of Education,” he said.
The teachers said none from the Department of Education in ARMM or any of its representatives went to Sulu to talk to them about their complaints.
In October, more than 1,000 public school teachers sought the help of Tan and asked him to bring the matter to President Gloria Arroyo.
Abdulbasit Pawakil, president of the larger Federation of Sulu Teachers, also asked for a government audit and to investigate the problems of delayed and missing salaries and contributions to the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS).
He said that as of 2003, more than P389 million of teachers' contributions to GSIS were missing and that this has ballooned to over P600 million and yet ARMM continues to deduct insurance premiums from their salaries.
The teachers were asking for a formal Congressional or Senate investigations into the missing GSIS contributions and salaries and jail those who would be found guilty of embezzling funds. (Mindanao Examiner)
Monday, December 03, 2007
Disgruntled Teachers In Sulu Hold Protest Rally, Classes Suspended
COTABATO CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Dec. 03, 2007) – Hundreds of disgruntled government teachers walked out of schools Monday in the southern Filipino province of Sulu and threatened to barricade themselves unless their salaries have paid.
The teachers complained that they have not been paid their wages the past months by the Department of Education in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) and that their contributions to the state pension agency which are worth over 600 million pesos since 2003 were also missing.
They threatened to stage a mass protest should ARMM Gov. Zaldy Ampatuan fail to act on their problems. More than 5,000 teachers are currently teaching in Sulu province, about 950 kilometers south of Manila.
“The teachers are no longer reporting for work. We can no longer take it; our plight is so difficult now. We are suffering,” Faizal Kaddi, secretary of the Sug Educators Forum, told the radio network dzRH by phone from Jolo town, where they held a protest rally in front of the Department of Education.
Kaddi said they received reports that teachers in Basilan province also walked out of their classes.
“The whole world should know how difficult the situation of the teachers in the ARMM. We cannot bear it anymore and we are slowly losing our dignity,” he said.
In October, more than 1,000 public school teachers sought the help of Sulu Gov. Sakur Tan and asked him to President Gloria Arroyo of their plight.
Abdulbasit Pawakil, president of the larger Federation of Sulu Teachers, also asked for a government audit and to investigate the problems of delayed and missing salaries and contributions to the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS).
He said that as of 2003, more than P389 million of teachers’ contributions to GSIS were missing and that this has ballooned to over P600 million and yet ARMM continues to deduct insurance premiums from their salaries. “What is going on? We know the problems, yet nobody is acting on it,” he said.
The teachers were asking for a formal Congressional or Senate investigations into the missing GSIS contributions and salaries and jail those who would be found guilty of embezzling funds.
Others have called on Ampatuan to resign for his failure to address the problems of the teachers in Sulu. They also wanted the Department of Education in Manila to take over the responsibilities of deducting state pension contributions and paying their salaries from the ARMM.
Lawyer Oscar Sampulna, ARMM Executive Secretary, denied all the allegations and insisted the teachers received their salaries on time.
“They are receiving their salaries. Those who are complaining were temporary teachers whose special permits to teach had not been renewed or revoked basically for their lack of the proper documents required by the Department of Education,” he told the Mindanao Examiner.
None from the Department of Education in ARMM or any of its representatives went to Sulu to talk to the teachers about their complaints. Sampulna said those who were complaining should go to the ARMM in Cotabato City in Maguindanao province about their problems. (Mindanao Examiner)
Monday, October 01, 2007
Philippine Elections Chief Resigns
MANILA, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Oct. 01, 2007) – Embattled Elections chief Benjamin Abalos Sr., has resigned on Monday in the middle of a senate investigation into the controversial government broadband network deal with China.
Abalos announced his resignation and apparently caught government officials by surprise. He said last week that he will not resign despite accusations that he brokered the national broadband network contract with ZTE Corp. in behalf of the government.
“With the resignation of Chairman Abalos, a chapter has just been closed but not the whole book. Justice must be pursued to its logical end in the ZTE affair. I call on President Arroyo to appoint an immediate replacement who can restore the people’s faith in Philippine democracy,” Senator Mar Roxas said.
He also urged President Arroyo to create a high-level commission composed of men and women of known probity and independence that will look into every facet of the ZTE deal.
“Let the chips fall where they may. It is time that the administration spares no sacred cows, and commits to the policy of transparency and accountability,” he said.
Abalos said he resigned because the allegations affected him and his family. Abalos has denied all accusations against him.
Jose de Venecia III, of the Amsterdam Holdings Incorporated, accused Abalos of offering him $10 million to back out from the broadband deal.
De Venecia, the son of House Speaker Jose de Venecia, was ZTE’s rival for the national broadband contract. Romulo Neri, former Director General of the National Economic and Development Authority, also accused Abalos of bribing him.
De Venecia said the broadband deal was probably worth only $130 million, but this suddenly ballooned to $329 million.
He said President Arroyo’s husband, Jose Miguel Arroyo, also told him to back off from the deal. Arroyo’s lawyers have denied the allegations.
Representative Liza Maza on Monday Abalos’ resignation should not close down investigations on the national broadband scandal and that all those involved in the deal should be made accountable.
”Abalos' resignation is but an initial victory as we probe deeper into the NBN-ZTE deal and other anomalies in the Arroyo administration,” Maza said.
She said Abalos' resignation could be a move to pre-empt further investigations into the anomalous contract that could implicate the President and her husband.
“This is why both Houses of Congress should not back down on the inquiries. It is possible that Abalos is just a fall-guy in this multi-billion dollar scam,” she said.
”In the course of the investigations, there are documents that have emerged indicating Mrs. Arroyo herself authorized Trade Secretary Peter Favila and Transportation and Communications Secretary Leandro Mendoza full authority to approve the NBN-ZTE contract even before the National Economic and Development Authority had a chance to assess the program and the contract,” she said.
The President has suspended indefinitely the national broadband network project because of the controversy. Government spokesmen also denied all accusations against the President and her husband.
Ignacio Bunye, Press Secretary and Arroyo’s spokesman, said: “We respect his decision and appreciate his desire to protect his family and the Commission on Elections from vicious politics. We wish him well as he carries on his fight to clear his name.”
Abalos announced his resignation and apparently caught government officials by surprise. He said last week that he will not resign despite accusations that he brokered the national broadband network contract with ZTE Corp. in behalf of the government.
“With the resignation of Chairman Abalos, a chapter has just been closed but not the whole book. Justice must be pursued to its logical end in the ZTE affair. I call on President Arroyo to appoint an immediate replacement who can restore the people’s faith in Philippine democracy,” Senator Mar Roxas said.
He also urged President Arroyo to create a high-level commission composed of men and women of known probity and independence that will look into every facet of the ZTE deal.
“Let the chips fall where they may. It is time that the administration spares no sacred cows, and commits to the policy of transparency and accountability,” he said.
Abalos said he resigned because the allegations affected him and his family. Abalos has denied all accusations against him.
Jose de Venecia III, of the Amsterdam Holdings Incorporated, accused Abalos of offering him $10 million to back out from the broadband deal.
De Venecia, the son of House Speaker Jose de Venecia, was ZTE’s rival for the national broadband contract. Romulo Neri, former Director General of the National Economic and Development Authority, also accused Abalos of bribing him.
De Venecia said the broadband deal was probably worth only $130 million, but this suddenly ballooned to $329 million.
He said President Arroyo’s husband, Jose Miguel Arroyo, also told him to back off from the deal. Arroyo’s lawyers have denied the allegations.
Representative Liza Maza on Monday Abalos’ resignation should not close down investigations on the national broadband scandal and that all those involved in the deal should be made accountable.
”Abalos' resignation is but an initial victory as we probe deeper into the NBN-ZTE deal and other anomalies in the Arroyo administration,” Maza said.
She said Abalos' resignation could be a move to pre-empt further investigations into the anomalous contract that could implicate the President and her husband.
“This is why both Houses of Congress should not back down on the inquiries. It is possible that Abalos is just a fall-guy in this multi-billion dollar scam,” she said.
”In the course of the investigations, there are documents that have emerged indicating Mrs. Arroyo herself authorized Trade Secretary Peter Favila and Transportation and Communications Secretary Leandro Mendoza full authority to approve the NBN-ZTE contract even before the National Economic and Development Authority had a chance to assess the program and the contract,” she said.
The President has suspended indefinitely the national broadband network project because of the controversy. Government spokesmen also denied all accusations against the President and her husband.
Ignacio Bunye, Press Secretary and Arroyo’s spokesman, said: “We respect his decision and appreciate his desire to protect his family and the Commission on Elections from vicious politics. We wish him well as he carries on his fight to clear his name.”
Sunday, September 02, 2007
US Sen. Larry Craig Resigns: AP
BOISE, Idaho - In a subdued ending to a week of startling political theater, Sen. Larry Craig announced his resignation Saturday, bowing to pressure from fellow Republicans worried about damage from his arrest and guilty plea in a gay sex sting.
"I apologize for what I have caused," Craig said, his wife Suzanne and two of their three children at his side with a historic Boise train station as backdrop. "I am deeply sorry."
Craig, 62, said he would resign effective Sept. 30, ending a career in Congress spanning a quarter-century.
Making no specific mention of the incident that triggered his disgrace in his remarks, he spoke for under six minutes and took no questions.
Among those attending was Republican Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter, who will appoint a successor for the remaining 15 months of Craig's term.
It was a relatively quick end to a drama that began Monday with the stunning disclosure that Craig had pleaded guilty to a reduced charge following his arrest June 11 in a Minneapolis airport men's room.
Craig at first tried to hold on to his position, contending in a public appearance on Tuesday that he had done nothing inappropriate and that his only mistake was pleading guilty Aug. 1 to the misdemeanor charge.
But a growing chorus of leading GOP leaders called for him to step down to spare the party further embarrassment and possible harm in next year's elections.
Otter said Saturday he has not chosen a replacement, although several Republicans familiar with internal deliberations said he favored Republican Lt. Gov. Jim Risch.
Otter called speculation that he has made a choice "dead wrong" and declined to say when he would fill the seat.
Craig said he would remain in the Senate until Sept. 30 in hopes of providing a smooth transition for his staff and whoever is chosen as his successor.
President Bush called Craig from the White House after the senator's announcement and told him he knew it was a difficult decision to make, said White House spokesman Scott Stanzel.
"Senator Craig made the right decision for himself, for his family, his constituents and the United States Senate," Stanzel said.
Craig was arrested June 11 in a police undercover vice operation. The arresting officer, Sgt. Dave Karsnia, said in his report that the restroom where he encountered Craig is a known location for homosexual activity.
Craig has faced rumors about his sexuality since the 1980s. He has called assertions that he has engaged in gay sex ridiculous.
"I am not gay. I never have been gay," Craig said defiantly after a news conference Tuesday. He said he had kept the incident from aides, friends and family and pleaded guilty "in hopes of making it go away."
Other lawmakers embroiled in sex scandals also have resigned from Congress, albeit usually at the end of scenarios that took longer to play out than the one that claimed Craig.
Former Rep. Mark Foley, R-Fla., quit last fall over sexually explicit Internet communications with male pages who had worked on Capitol Hill.
Sen. Bob Packwood, R-Ore., resigned in 1995 amid allegations he had made unwanted sexual advances to 17 female employees and colleagues and altered his personal diaries to obstruct an ethics investigation.
On Saturday, Craig said he would pursue legal options to clear his name. He has retained Billy Martin, a Washington lawyer who represented Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick in his dogfighting case, to pursue his legal options. Washington lawyer Stan Brand will represent Craig before the Senate ethics committee, said spokesman Dan Whiting.
"The people of Idaho deserve a senator who can devote 100 percent of his time and effort to the critical issues of our state and of our nation," Craig said. "I have little control over what people choose to believe. But clearly my name is important to me, and my family is so very important also."
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said Craig "made a difficult decision, but the right one."
"It is my hope he will be remembered not for this, but for his three decades of dedicated public service," McConnell said.
McConnell had been one of Craig's harshest critics, calling his actions "unforgivable."
Some Idaho residents who attended Craig's public resignation said it felt like a "political funeral."
Bayard Gregory, from Boise, said Craig should have been more forthright after his arrest.
"It's a horribly embarrassing experience to go through," Gregory said. "But if it were me, and I had done nothing wrong, I wouldn't have pleaded guilty."
Craig spokesman Sidney Smith said he did not know whether Craig would return to Washington on Tuesday, the start of the post-Labor Day congressional session.
"We haven't decided that yet, whether he's going to return or not," Smith said.
Craig represented Idaho in Congress for more than a quarter-century, including 17 years in the Senate. He was up for re-election next year.
Republicans, worried about the scandal's effect on next year's election, suffered a further setback Friday when veteran Republican Sen. John Warner of Virginia announced he will retire rather than seek a sixth term. Democrats captured Virginia's other Senate seat from the GOP in the 2006 election.
Craig opposes gay marriage and has a strong record against gay rights. He was a leading voice in the Senate on gun issues and Western lands. Craig chaired the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee and was a senior member of the Appropriations Committee, where he was adept at securing federal money for Idaho projects.
A fiscal and social conservative, Craig sometimes broke with his party, notably on immigration, where he pushed changes that many in his party said offered "amnesty" to illegal immigrants.
Much of the impetus behind Craig's push to ease bureaucratic hurdles to immigrant farm workers stemmed from his background as a rancher and the state's large rural, farming community.(AP)
"I apologize for what I have caused," Craig said, his wife Suzanne and two of their three children at his side with a historic Boise train station as backdrop. "I am deeply sorry."
Craig, 62, said he would resign effective Sept. 30, ending a career in Congress spanning a quarter-century.
Making no specific mention of the incident that triggered his disgrace in his remarks, he spoke for under six minutes and took no questions.
Among those attending was Republican Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter, who will appoint a successor for the remaining 15 months of Craig's term.
It was a relatively quick end to a drama that began Monday with the stunning disclosure that Craig had pleaded guilty to a reduced charge following his arrest June 11 in a Minneapolis airport men's room.
Craig at first tried to hold on to his position, contending in a public appearance on Tuesday that he had done nothing inappropriate and that his only mistake was pleading guilty Aug. 1 to the misdemeanor charge.
But a growing chorus of leading GOP leaders called for him to step down to spare the party further embarrassment and possible harm in next year's elections.
Otter said Saturday he has not chosen a replacement, although several Republicans familiar with internal deliberations said he favored Republican Lt. Gov. Jim Risch.
Otter called speculation that he has made a choice "dead wrong" and declined to say when he would fill the seat.
Craig said he would remain in the Senate until Sept. 30 in hopes of providing a smooth transition for his staff and whoever is chosen as his successor.
President Bush called Craig from the White House after the senator's announcement and told him he knew it was a difficult decision to make, said White House spokesman Scott Stanzel.
"Senator Craig made the right decision for himself, for his family, his constituents and the United States Senate," Stanzel said.
Craig was arrested June 11 in a police undercover vice operation. The arresting officer, Sgt. Dave Karsnia, said in his report that the restroom where he encountered Craig is a known location for homosexual activity.
Craig has faced rumors about his sexuality since the 1980s. He has called assertions that he has engaged in gay sex ridiculous.
"I am not gay. I never have been gay," Craig said defiantly after a news conference Tuesday. He said he had kept the incident from aides, friends and family and pleaded guilty "in hopes of making it go away."
Other lawmakers embroiled in sex scandals also have resigned from Congress, albeit usually at the end of scenarios that took longer to play out than the one that claimed Craig.
Former Rep. Mark Foley, R-Fla., quit last fall over sexually explicit Internet communications with male pages who had worked on Capitol Hill.
Sen. Bob Packwood, R-Ore., resigned in 1995 amid allegations he had made unwanted sexual advances to 17 female employees and colleagues and altered his personal diaries to obstruct an ethics investigation.
On Saturday, Craig said he would pursue legal options to clear his name. He has retained Billy Martin, a Washington lawyer who represented Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick in his dogfighting case, to pursue his legal options. Washington lawyer Stan Brand will represent Craig before the Senate ethics committee, said spokesman Dan Whiting.
"The people of Idaho deserve a senator who can devote 100 percent of his time and effort to the critical issues of our state and of our nation," Craig said. "I have little control over what people choose to believe. But clearly my name is important to me, and my family is so very important also."
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said Craig "made a difficult decision, but the right one."
"It is my hope he will be remembered not for this, but for his three decades of dedicated public service," McConnell said.
McConnell had been one of Craig's harshest critics, calling his actions "unforgivable."
Some Idaho residents who attended Craig's public resignation said it felt like a "political funeral."
Bayard Gregory, from Boise, said Craig should have been more forthright after his arrest.
"It's a horribly embarrassing experience to go through," Gregory said. "But if it were me, and I had done nothing wrong, I wouldn't have pleaded guilty."
Craig spokesman Sidney Smith said he did not know whether Craig would return to Washington on Tuesday, the start of the post-Labor Day congressional session.
"We haven't decided that yet, whether he's going to return or not," Smith said.
Craig represented Idaho in Congress for more than a quarter-century, including 17 years in the Senate. He was up for re-election next year.
Republicans, worried about the scandal's effect on next year's election, suffered a further setback Friday when veteran Republican Sen. John Warner of Virginia announced he will retire rather than seek a sixth term. Democrats captured Virginia's other Senate seat from the GOP in the 2006 election.
Craig opposes gay marriage and has a strong record against gay rights. He was a leading voice in the Senate on gun issues and Western lands. Craig chaired the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee and was a senior member of the Appropriations Committee, where he was adept at securing federal money for Idaho projects.
A fiscal and social conservative, Craig sometimes broke with his party, notably on immigration, where he pushed changes that many in his party said offered "amnesty" to illegal immigrants.
Much of the impetus behind Craig's push to ease bureaucratic hurdles to immigrant farm workers stemmed from his background as a rancher and the state's large rural, farming community.(AP)
Thursday, March 15, 2007
Arroyo Sets Aside P20-M For Nurses Exam
MANILA (Mindanao Examiner / 15 Mar) - President Gloria Arroyo allocated P20-million for a special voluntary nurses examination following a ruling by the U.S. Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS) on the controversial nursing license examination last year, government media said.
Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said Arroyo signed Executive Order No. 609 directing the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to administer the special voluntary examination to nurses who passed last year’s tainted Board of Nursing (BON) examination.
Authorities said some nursing review centers leaked answers to the examinations in exchange for money.
Arroyo’s directive stemmed from the decision of the CGFNS decision that Philippine nurses licensed pursuant to the BON test of June 2006 shall not be eligible for the grant of Visa Screen certificates.
Nurses can take the special examination either in June or December.
"The examination shall be for the equivalent of Tests III and V of the June 2006 BON examination. The results of these tests shall not affect the validity of the licenses previously issued to the voluntary examinees," the Philippine News Agency quoted Ermita as saying.
Ermita said the nursing examination process will still follow the rules and procedures as provided by the Professional Regulation Commission. DOLE will monitor all stages of voluntary examination processes and examination fees will be waived.
The E.O. 609 provides that after correction of the special voluntary nursing test, the BON shall report the results only to the DOLE secretary, unlike the previous policy where the nursing board exam result is reported to the PRC. Public announcement of those who passed the tests will be undertaken both by the DOLE and the BON chair.
The Labor department has been authorized to designate special nursing review centers duly recognized by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).
The CGFNS noted that a retake of and passing the equivalent of Tests III and V of the June 2006 BON examination shall remedy the eligibility problem of the June 2006 BON passers. (Mindanao Examiner)
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Party List Group Assails Gov't For Failing To Help Pinoy Nurses
MANILA (Mindanao Examiner / 28 Feb) - The party list Kilusang Mayo Uno assailed Wednesday the government’s failure to address the growing problems facing the Filipino nurses.
The U.S. Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS) banned Filipino nurses who took the June 2006 licensure examination tainted with cheating and scandals that nearly damaged the integrity of nursing schools and review centers in the Philippines.
Government officials said they will appeal the decision of the CGFNS and a group of Filipino lawmakers are also going to the United States to meet with officials of the agency. Some nursing review centers were involved in the cheating, authorities said.
"The handling of the government on the nursing leakage mess remains to be absolving the criminals who orchestrated the leakage while putting extra burden on our already stressed-out nurses. We are yet to see people made accountable for their role in the test leakage,” said Elmer Labog, national chairman of the KMU’s Labor Center here.
The KMU fears that other countries may also ban Filipino nurses because of the CGFNS decision.
Labog said: “Unless justice is served and the culprits made to pay for their actions, the possibility of other countries banning our nurses is very possible. Other countries will always notice a shadow of doubt hovering over the nurses who took the June 2006 licensure examination and this will place unjust burden on them.” (Mindanao Examiner)
The U.S. Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS) banned Filipino nurses who took the June 2006 licensure examination tainted with cheating and scandals that nearly damaged the integrity of nursing schools and review centers in the Philippines.
Government officials said they will appeal the decision of the CGFNS and a group of Filipino lawmakers are also going to the United States to meet with officials of the agency. Some nursing review centers were involved in the cheating, authorities said.
"The handling of the government on the nursing leakage mess remains to be absolving the criminals who orchestrated the leakage while putting extra burden on our already stressed-out nurses. We are yet to see people made accountable for their role in the test leakage,” said Elmer Labog, national chairman of the KMU’s Labor Center here.
The KMU fears that other countries may also ban Filipino nurses because of the CGFNS decision.
Labog said: “Unless justice is served and the culprits made to pay for their actions, the possibility of other countries banning our nurses is very possible. Other countries will always notice a shadow of doubt hovering over the nurses who took the June 2006 licensure examination and this will place unjust burden on them.” (Mindanao Examiner)
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Gov't Blamed For Woe Of Pinoy Nurses
MANILA – “The decision of the CGFNS to disallow visa application for June 2006 Nursing Board Exam can only be blamed squarely on the government’s tolerance on the masterminds of the test leakage. There was indeed no closure, only cover-up”.
This was the reaction of Elmer Labog, of the party list group Kilusang Mayo Uno, on the ongoing problems the nurses are facing as the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS), a US government agency handling the entry of foreign nurses declared a ban for nurses who took the June 2006 exams.
“Despite the public outrage about the leakage, no one was made accountable and everything was just swept under the rug. The R.A. Gapuz Review Center which according to witnesses was in the center of the leakage had not been investigated, along with the rest of the 19 individuals who were implicated as culprits of the leakage,” Labog said in a statement sent to the Mindanao Examiner.
“Although we have great faith on the capacity and credibility of our nurses, we cannot speak the same for the Professional Regulations Commission, the Board of Nursing and the government who neglected the leakage case filed by the nurses themselves,” Labog said.
“We cannot blame our workers seeking greener pastures outside the country since unemployment and underemployment here are running at double-digits. The trend of our medical workers going out of the country should and can be reversed. The budget for health care should be increase to accommodate more nurses and doctors and entice them to stay,” opined Labog.
“In the first place, our country is dire need of health practitioners, particularly nurses and doctors. Massive brain drain occurs because the present wages of health workers could not even make the healthy. If a doctor receives P 7,000 take home pay, then how can you expect them to stay?” Labog said.
“The Barinaga-Beltran Bill seeks to address this in part by increasing pay for private workers by P125/day while another bill pushes for a P3,000 across the board salary increase for government employees which medical workers can benefit from if approved. This should’ve been the priority of the legislators, along with the Baringa-Beltran Bill seeking for P125 wage increase rather than the Anti-terrorism bill,” Labog said.
“The World Health Organization (WHO) already waved a red flag on the continuing hemorrhage of our medical workers and proposed a substantial increase in benefits for medical professionals to make them stay,” he said.
This was the reaction of Elmer Labog, of the party list group Kilusang Mayo Uno, on the ongoing problems the nurses are facing as the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS), a US government agency handling the entry of foreign nurses declared a ban for nurses who took the June 2006 exams.
“Despite the public outrage about the leakage, no one was made accountable and everything was just swept under the rug. The R.A. Gapuz Review Center which according to witnesses was in the center of the leakage had not been investigated, along with the rest of the 19 individuals who were implicated as culprits of the leakage,” Labog said in a statement sent to the Mindanao Examiner.
“Although we have great faith on the capacity and credibility of our nurses, we cannot speak the same for the Professional Regulations Commission, the Board of Nursing and the government who neglected the leakage case filed by the nurses themselves,” Labog said.
“We cannot blame our workers seeking greener pastures outside the country since unemployment and underemployment here are running at double-digits. The trend of our medical workers going out of the country should and can be reversed. The budget for health care should be increase to accommodate more nurses and doctors and entice them to stay,” opined Labog.
“In the first place, our country is dire need of health practitioners, particularly nurses and doctors. Massive brain drain occurs because the present wages of health workers could not even make the healthy. If a doctor receives P 7,000 take home pay, then how can you expect them to stay?” Labog said.
“The Barinaga-Beltran Bill seeks to address this in part by increasing pay for private workers by P125/day while another bill pushes for a P3,000 across the board salary increase for government employees which medical workers can benefit from if approved. This should’ve been the priority of the legislators, along with the Baringa-Beltran Bill seeking for P125 wage increase rather than the Anti-terrorism bill,” Labog said.
“The World Health Organization (WHO) already waved a red flag on the continuing hemorrhage of our medical workers and proposed a substantial increase in benefits for medical professionals to make them stay,” he said.
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