President Noynoy Aquino was more definite yesterday when asked who's replacing Angelito Alvarez as Customs Chief? Without naming names, Aquino said the one chosen has agreed to take on the job but asked that he'll be given the chance to spend more time with his wife. Aquino said that the person will be celebrating his wedding anniversary by September 16, 2011 and after that, he can assume the post.
I checked who among the "contenders to the BOC post celebrates his wedding anniversary by that date and I found out that it is Ruffy Biazon, one of my favorite and principled politicians around.
So, it's really Ruffy Biazon who's taking the Bureau of Customs job. If Biazon's appointment is now certain, what becomes of Danny Lim? Lim is being groomed to be the deputy commissioner to head the Custom's intelligence department.
Think about it---two young idealists, with very strong moral standing and tough as nails principles heading the Customs department. That will be a tall order for smugglers and operators there at the Customs.
There's nothing wrong with Biazon's request except that Alvarez is going around town, trying to defend himself and indirectly accusing this administration of being under the influence of smugglers.
Alvarez accuses President Aquino of being under the influence of smugglers that explains his ouster from the department. The only reason why he is still not out of the good graces of Malacanang is his request for a last hurrah.
Alvarez intends to expose the involvement of the Arroyos in illegal smuggling activities at the Bureau. He will be presenting several documents linking former First Gentleman and his sons, Mikey and Dado to several missing containers. Alvarez has the goods so to speak.
The question is---why only now? And would it really matter?
Showing posts with label congressman mikey arroyo. Show all posts
Showing posts with label congressman mikey arroyo. Show all posts
Friday, September 2, 2011
Friday, April 8, 2011
Mikey cries political harassment over tax raps
Harassment. That's what former presidential son Mikey Arroyo said when he learned that the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) just charged him for tax evasion. That 74 million peso tax evasion charge, he said, is plain and simple harassment.
I ask Mikey Arroyo--is asking you to pay the appropriate tax charges harassment? I mean, is'nt one of your responsibilities as a Philippine citizen to pay your taxes?
For nine long years, you have amassed wealth even without a legitimate business of your own. Before you became a politician, you had nothing. Nada. Zilch. Yes, you acted like a actor, but never became a star, just a starlet. Then, you ran for a political post and won. That started your never-ending thirst for wealth.
The Philippine Star story says:
In its complaint, the BIR accused the couple of wrongful declaration of taxable income and non-filing of income tax returns (ITR), which are punishable under section 254 and 255 of the National Internal Revenue Code.
It was learned that the lawmaker only paid BIR P2.4 million, P1.7 million and P376,000 in taxes for the years 2004, 2006 and 2007, respectively, when he and his wife bought several properties worth millions from 2004 to 2009 – including residential houses in the US, in Lubao, Pampanga and in La Vista Subdivision in Quezon City.
The BIR patterned its investigation on the Arroyo couple’s case to the method used by US authorities against gangster Al Capone and found out “substantial underdeclaration of income by over 30 percent” in those three years.
“Under the Tax Code (NIRC), underdeclaration of taxable income of more than 30 percent is considered a prima facie evidence of fraudulent return,” Henares said.
Arroyo also supposedly did not file ITR in the taxable years 2005, 2008 and 2009, while his wife also did not file any ITR from 2003 to 2009.
“The act of non-filing of their ITRs is evident of their fraudulent scheme to defeat payment of taxes,” the BIR chief said.
If found guilty, the couple could face imprisonment of up to four years and fine of at least P30,000 for each count of underdeclaration of taxes and imprisonment of up to 10 years and P10,000 fine for each count of non-filing of ITR.
Imagine that, majority of us are paying our taxes while these scums only know how to get our taxes for their projects to line their pockets.
I ask Mikey Arroyo--is asking you to pay the appropriate tax charges harassment? I mean, is'nt one of your responsibilities as a Philippine citizen to pay your taxes?
For nine long years, you have amassed wealth even without a legitimate business of your own. Before you became a politician, you had nothing. Nada. Zilch. Yes, you acted like a actor, but never became a star, just a starlet. Then, you ran for a political post and won. That started your never-ending thirst for wealth.
The Philippine Star story says:
In its complaint, the BIR accused the couple of wrongful declaration of taxable income and non-filing of income tax returns (ITR), which are punishable under section 254 and 255 of the National Internal Revenue Code.
It was learned that the lawmaker only paid BIR P2.4 million, P1.7 million and P376,000 in taxes for the years 2004, 2006 and 2007, respectively, when he and his wife bought several properties worth millions from 2004 to 2009 – including residential houses in the US, in Lubao, Pampanga and in La Vista Subdivision in Quezon City.
The BIR patterned its investigation on the Arroyo couple’s case to the method used by US authorities against gangster Al Capone and found out “substantial underdeclaration of income by over 30 percent” in those three years.
“Under the Tax Code (NIRC), underdeclaration of taxable income of more than 30 percent is considered a prima facie evidence of fraudulent return,” Henares said.
Arroyo also supposedly did not file ITR in the taxable years 2005, 2008 and 2009, while his wife also did not file any ITR from 2003 to 2009.
“The act of non-filing of their ITRs is evident of their fraudulent scheme to defeat payment of taxes,” the BIR chief said.
If found guilty, the couple could face imprisonment of up to four years and fine of at least P30,000 for each count of underdeclaration of taxes and imprisonment of up to 10 years and P10,000 fine for each count of non-filing of ITR.
Imagine that, majority of us are paying our taxes while these scums only know how to get our taxes for their projects to line their pockets.
Friday, October 2, 2009
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.
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.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Ondoy's Three Hoarse men (err and woman)
The Book of Revelations, revered throughout the ages as one of the most important books of the bible, is full of imagery and symbols. One of its most popular symbols, the three Horsemen, was used by the Biblical writer John, as God's messengers of doom.
If the early Christians and Jews have their horsemen, here, in the Philippines, we have our own version, consistent of course with the Pinoy penchant for duplicating whatever is good (and even the bad, i.e., government) from foreign religio-cultural perspectives.
I'm talking about our three "hoarse" men. They are Manila Congressman "and preacher extraordinaire", the irrepressible Benny Abante of the sixth district of Manila. Following him in his red chariot is Pampanga Congressman, Mikey " The Facebook Donkey" Arroyo (red symbolizing the color of the wine he bought from Rustan's supermarket last Sunday). And of course, who would ever forget Jackie " The once Jacque" Bermejo.
Yes, Ladies and Gentlemen, we have our three hoarse men, those who blame us for the catastrophe that is Typhoon Ondoy.
First that God sent was Jacque (or Jackie). She wrote in her socnets how God decided to punish us for our transgressions, that we, the people of Metro Manila and other provinces, deserve God's wrath.
I don't know when or where Jackie met God, but I'll not question if she really met The Creator and that the Almighty told her a secret no one already knows. What is important--Jackie berated us for the catalysmic event that killed more than 300 people, displaced 2 or even 3 million people and destroyed billions of pesos worth of property.
She was followed by Mikey, who, in his signature "Nero"-tic style, bought wine when all of us were asking for water. Like Bermejo, Mikey bemoaned some people's views against him, and even proposed that Facebook in the Philippines be regulated.
Probably Mikey thought that Facebook is some sort of a Congress that he can manipulate to dismiss impeachment complaints, or pay to railroad investigations or even goad its members to pass a defective con-ass.
And, it is as if by some cue (probably from "god"--small "g"), "Dr", "Preacher" Benny Abante came, with a bible in his hand, and echoed what Bermejo said. Abante blamed the people for sinning against God, and told us that we deserved to be punished.
Abante might have thought of his constituents in the sixth district of Manila who suffered, like all others, from the devastating onslaught of muddy Pasig river water with trash and mud. Abante knows that people would blame him for not doing anything to help them, so he then got his bible, turned to page so and so in the Book of Revelations, and blamed the people for their sins against God.
Abante's statement was a classic diversionary tactic, meant to beguile the innocent and convert the intelligent and turn them into bumbling, stupid, believers of the Lie.
Benny Abante wants the people to believe that his principal, the Great Madame Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is blameless from all of these. Since he already partook of those great meals, Abante forgot that Mrs. Arroyo spent P 800 million of our monies to pay for those expensive trips abroad, leaving us with nothing to spend in times of calamities.
Abante blamed the people for those anti-flood pumps installed by the MMDA which failed to function. Abante blamed us for PAGASA not having those Dopler weather detection devices because government spent its budget elsewhere.
Abante blamed the people for not believing in government, that this government did not err in that ZTE-NBN deal, nor committed grave thievery in that Fertilizer fund scam.
Abante probably even thought that those people who filed an impeachment complaint against Ombusman Merceditas Gutierrez were big-time sinners because he found nothing wrong with Gutierrez doing nothing in her office but sit it all out until the Day of Perdition (June 30, 2010) comes. Nothing wrong with not filing a case against the First Gentleman in that Jose Pidal thing. Nothing wrong with staying her hand against corruption cases committed by big-time Malacanang operators. And it is absolutely angelic of her not signing the "death" warrants of certain government officials who got billions from noddles, books, roads and bridges and even anti-flood devices.
For Abante, it is the people's fault that they did not support government initiatives of carving out huge mining concessions in Tanay and other parts of Rizal. Abante might have thought that the people is to blame for not supporting government's charter change initiative, seeing it as a sin for not giving agreement with their plan of transforming the entire Philippines into a real estate bonanza.
Jesus Christ once told some Pharisees and Sadducees even ordinary Jews in his time that " He who does not sin should cast the first stone." In those times, not one threw a stone against that woman whom they accused of being a prostitute. For in those times, even Jews who crucified the Christ, still bear some sense of delicadeza in them, even though they were not conquered by the Spaniards.
Our three "hoarse" men, especially those two gentlemen from Pampanga and Manila, already threw those stones. They are God's anointed, the sinless, blameless angels who reminded us of our sins.
I was reminded of an appeal by government yesterday about people throwing big rocks and stones whenever government trucks pass them by. These trucks bear those pan de sals and softdrinks that Malacanang thinks would satisfy the thirst and hunger of the people.
Was yesterday's stone-throwing incident of the people, a portent of things to come, a sign from the judicious God that this is really the time to throw stones at the real prostitute of the elite?
If the early Christians and Jews have their horsemen, here, in the Philippines, we have our own version, consistent of course with the Pinoy penchant for duplicating whatever is good (and even the bad, i.e., government) from foreign religio-cultural perspectives.
I'm talking about our three "hoarse" men. They are Manila Congressman "and preacher extraordinaire", the irrepressible Benny Abante of the sixth district of Manila. Following him in his red chariot is Pampanga Congressman, Mikey " The Facebook Donkey" Arroyo (red symbolizing the color of the wine he bought from Rustan's supermarket last Sunday). And of course, who would ever forget Jackie " The once Jacque" Bermejo.
Yes, Ladies and Gentlemen, we have our three hoarse men, those who blame us for the catastrophe that is Typhoon Ondoy.
First that God sent was Jacque (or Jackie). She wrote in her socnets how God decided to punish us for our transgressions, that we, the people of Metro Manila and other provinces, deserve God's wrath.
I don't know when or where Jackie met God, but I'll not question if she really met The Creator and that the Almighty told her a secret no one already knows. What is important--Jackie berated us for the catalysmic event that killed more than 300 people, displaced 2 or even 3 million people and destroyed billions of pesos worth of property.
She was followed by Mikey, who, in his signature "Nero"-tic style, bought wine when all of us were asking for water. Like Bermejo, Mikey bemoaned some people's views against him, and even proposed that Facebook in the Philippines be regulated.
Probably Mikey thought that Facebook is some sort of a Congress that he can manipulate to dismiss impeachment complaints, or pay to railroad investigations or even goad its members to pass a defective con-ass.
And, it is as if by some cue (probably from "god"--small "g"), "Dr", "Preacher" Benny Abante came, with a bible in his hand, and echoed what Bermejo said. Abante blamed the people for sinning against God, and told us that we deserved to be punished.
Abante might have thought of his constituents in the sixth district of Manila who suffered, like all others, from the devastating onslaught of muddy Pasig river water with trash and mud. Abante knows that people would blame him for not doing anything to help them, so he then got his bible, turned to page so and so in the Book of Revelations, and blamed the people for their sins against God.
Abante's statement was a classic diversionary tactic, meant to beguile the innocent and convert the intelligent and turn them into bumbling, stupid, believers of the Lie.
Benny Abante wants the people to believe that his principal, the Great Madame Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is blameless from all of these. Since he already partook of those great meals, Abante forgot that Mrs. Arroyo spent P 800 million of our monies to pay for those expensive trips abroad, leaving us with nothing to spend in times of calamities.
Abante blamed the people for those anti-flood pumps installed by the MMDA which failed to function. Abante blamed us for PAGASA not having those Dopler weather detection devices because government spent its budget elsewhere.
Abante blamed the people for not believing in government, that this government did not err in that ZTE-NBN deal, nor committed grave thievery in that Fertilizer fund scam.
Abante probably even thought that those people who filed an impeachment complaint against Ombusman Merceditas Gutierrez were big-time sinners because he found nothing wrong with Gutierrez doing nothing in her office but sit it all out until the Day of Perdition (June 30, 2010) comes. Nothing wrong with not filing a case against the First Gentleman in that Jose Pidal thing. Nothing wrong with staying her hand against corruption cases committed by big-time Malacanang operators. And it is absolutely angelic of her not signing the "death" warrants of certain government officials who got billions from noddles, books, roads and bridges and even anti-flood devices.
For Abante, it is the people's fault that they did not support government initiatives of carving out huge mining concessions in Tanay and other parts of Rizal. Abante might have thought that the people is to blame for not supporting government's charter change initiative, seeing it as a sin for not giving agreement with their plan of transforming the entire Philippines into a real estate bonanza.
Jesus Christ once told some Pharisees and Sadducees even ordinary Jews in his time that " He who does not sin should cast the first stone." In those times, not one threw a stone against that woman whom they accused of being a prostitute. For in those times, even Jews who crucified the Christ, still bear some sense of delicadeza in them, even though they were not conquered by the Spaniards.
Our three "hoarse" men, especially those two gentlemen from Pampanga and Manila, already threw those stones. They are God's anointed, the sinless, blameless angels who reminded us of our sins.
I was reminded of an appeal by government yesterday about people throwing big rocks and stones whenever government trucks pass them by. These trucks bear those pan de sals and softdrinks that Malacanang thinks would satisfy the thirst and hunger of the people.
Was yesterday's stone-throwing incident of the people, a portent of things to come, a sign from the judicious God that this is really the time to throw stones at the real prostitute of the elite?
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Why Facebook made Mikey Arroyo "Nero"-tic
After telling the whole world that his wife fattened his bank accounts, Pampanga representative Mikey Arroyo is now embroiled in another controversy, this time, not about his penchant for million dollar homes in the States, but his Nero-tic ways.
Yep. At the height of Typhoon Ondoy, a very vigilant online Filipino, who happens to be my friend over at Facebook, posted a photo of Mikey Arroyo buying liquor. Nothing wrong with that, and actually the people don't really care if Mikey dies of liver failure. That's his life. And surely, some of those who hate his guts are probably thinking that it's great for him to drink that fiery stuff, not once in a while, but all the time.
Mikey denies ever braving the huge floods and heavy rains just to buy wine in Rustan's supermarket across La Vista in Katipunan Avenue. Mikey says he was in Malacanang last Saturday, coordinating with staffers and others for relief efforts. Mikey says the attacks against him over at Facebook are "vicious" and "uncalled for".
The photo was taken on a SUNDAY, but Mikey insists that he was in Malacanang last SATURDAY. Is Mikey feigning Alzheimer's?
Or Mikey just wants to correct the impression that he did a "Nero" last Sunday? Such weakness in the virtue department, if you ask me.
That's why, like Dr. Vicki Belo of the sex tape fame, Mikey wants to regulate Facebook, the world's most popular social networking site. Think about it---the son of the 44th Most Powerful Woman in the world, and a Congressman of a small country of 90 poor people--wants to make History by proposing to regulate Facebook.
Wow. If Mikey Arroyo becomes successful in this, he would surely be the most powerful Congressman in the whole world. I ask---how will you do it, His Excellency, Mr. Mikey Arroyo?
Will Mikey proposed laws punishing those who will post pictures of him dancing and prancing and drinking? Will Mikey ask Facebook to regulate those who will write nasty stuff about him and his family? And will Mikey propose a law criminalizing Facebook participation?
Wow. One for Guinness, the book, not that drink which the Irish loves.
Me thinks Mikey was so high the time he told Gil Cabacungan of Inquirer about regulating Facebook. And me even thinks that Mikey thinks he now lives in a dictatorship. Or, he knows something we don't?
Or probably Mikey thinks that he's being made a donkey by some people. A Nero on a donkey?
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