The Katipunan Scandal and the Neros of our Times

What is it about the Katipunan area that it evokes memories of vicious scandals?

Last Sunday, at the height of Typhoon Ondoy, Mikey Arroyo, presidential son and self-proclaimed political heavyweight, went out of La Vista subdivision and crossed the already flooded Katipunan avenue just to buy wine from nearby Rustan's supermarket. A vigilant Pinoy saw him and clicked away. Of course, Mikey defended himself, saying that he was not in Katipunan on a Saturday. He just totally erased what he did on Sunday.

Nothing wrong with drinking wine while your countrymen wail in utter agony after losing their homes, their loved ones and their very own futures. Nero did it in his time, while Rome burned itself to the ground.

Now, a few days after that scandalous Mikey incident, now this. Prospero Pichay, a close family friend of the Arroyos, feted Mrs. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo with a lavish dinner, this time at the LWUA office along Katipunan. Pichay may have thought that 200,000 pesos is a pittance compared with that close to 5 million pesos spent by Mrs. Arroyo in her dinners at Le Cirque and Bobby Van's. And Pichay is very sensitive not to displease his boss. Obviously, Pichay knows that Mrs. Arroyo's palate only goes for French and American foods, but no hamburgers please (That's Mikey Arroyo speaking my friends).

In fact, Pichay even failed to satiate Mrs. Arroyo's gourmet taste. He just served "kare-kare" and local fare, a complete opposite with foods Mrs. Arroyo already accustomed herself with. Imagine, Pichay just served iced tea while Mrs. Arroyo's taste is with expensive French wines (like Mickey's---of course, what the mother wants, the son also wants).

And I'm not surprised with this, seeing that Mrs. Arroyo would probably want us, even probably silently pray, that we slowly disintegrate. Remember that in times of extreme emergency, the president has the power to declare martial law.

The Fourth Hoarseman: The LWUA Party

Last 2007, I remember one candidate who appealed to the public to plant petchay in the Senate. And since people failed to grasp what he's talking about, seeing that the Senate does not have enough loam soil for Senate staffers to use in planting the nutrient deficient plant, he failed to get what he wanted.

I'm talking about former Congressman Prospero Pichay, the man petchay of Lakas-KAMPI CMD. (By the way, the Comelec just approved the merger of the two parties).

Pichay, by the way, is a confidante of Mrs. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. He is also close to her husband, First Gentleman Mike Arroyo.

IN 2008, Pichay was appointed administrator of the LWUA, which means Local Water Utilities Administration. His appointment was low-key, the post befitting a man whom many call a political operator.

Pichay's appointment was not opposed by anyone, seeing that Pichay deserves to have a government post. He's a treasured asset of any government because he's intelligent and friendly. And he happens to be my friend since his days as a publisher of a tabloid.

And in all his life as a public servant, there were only one controversy against him---his former life as a publisher of a tabloid, which some describes as a smut publication pretending to be serious. Pichay, to be fair, was never involved in any graft case.

Now, he's embroiled in another, this time, playing host in a lavish dinner while millions wallow in extreme distress and hunger. This dinner is one version of the extravagent Le Cirque and Bobby Van dinners of his principal, Mrs. Arroyo. (see the entry of my friend Ding Gagelonia over at Midfield)

Pichay's agency just celebrated their 36th year anniversary, with a lavish dinner. LWUA spent close to half a million (some estimates) just for this. LWUA ordered 500 reservations for cocktails and 250 reservations for a seven-course dinner, attended by no less than Mrs. Arroyo.

Of course, I fully understand Pichay's penchant for a lavish dinner, seeing that his friend and boss, Mrs. Arroyo, will be gracing the occasion. Maybe Pichay thought that Mrs. Arroyo will not settle for a hamburger nor fish balls since her palate calls for French and American gourmet.

It's understandable that Pichay would use a one-name catering services for this costing P 200,000. Imagine, Mrs. Arroyo ate at the exclusive Bobby Van's and Le Cirque--she deserves catering from Henry's complete with live band.

While many portions of the metropolis were deprived of water services, drinks flowed profusely in that party. The menu consisted of baked mussels with olive oil and garlic as appetizer, “sinigang” soup, and roast pig.The main course included “kare-kare,” chicken barbeque, squid “salpicado,” spinach with chicken and garlic, “pancit” sotanghon (or canton guisado) and steamed jasmine rice. Desserts included fresh seasonal fruit platter and “buko pandan” salad. Assorted sodas, “guinumis” and home-brewed iced tea were also served.

Honestly, a 200,000 peso catered dinner is not that expensive especially since Pichay will be running again for the Senate and this amount is nothing compared with millions of pesos to be spent in electoral campaigns.

Yet, what is very disturbing is the fact that, a few meters away, scores of people were suffering due to the onslaught of Ondoy. Many impoverished people still, living below the LWUA office in Katipunan, those near the Marikina river, lost both their homes, their loved ones and were hungry. They can't afford to even eat a morsel of rice, while 400 employees of LWUA feasted in baked mussels as appetizer and Jasmine rice.

Such is our misfortune that many of our officials lost delicadeza already and they have left the people to the fates already.

Arroyo's Wealth grew by 77%

Wow! Now, I understand Cerge Remonde. The reason why that Le Cirque dinner was "simple" and nothing ostentatious, because his boss, pala I forgot is already a multi-millionaire.

In a study, Mrs. Arroyo's income grew by almost 77% . Well, obviously, a 1 million peso dinner is cheap by Mrs. Arroyo's standards.

Oh, merde! I forgot...Arroyo and her minions are now very riche, while we all wallow in the pauve classe.

BY the way, here's the historic photo showing Gloria and Erap. Enjoy!