Arthur Juan is a graduate of the Philippine Military Academy at the same class as that of Defense secretary Voltaire Gazmin. Juan served for about eleven years in the Philippine Air force before he transferred to Monterrey, a subsidiary under San Miguel Foods. There, Juan carved a name in the agriculture and food business as an astute player. Meaning, Juan knows what happens in the food production and manufacturing industry. Sources say, Juan is one of the players.
When he was tapped to replace another NFA chief who was himself caught in a corruption scandal, Juan immediately went into action and made his presence felt in the industry. This has always been the case whenever a new "boss" ascends the administrator post or whenever any person becomes the boss of an agency of government or department. Many calls this "shakedowns" when the new "Boss" tries to show his power over his subordinates.
Juan is not new in the rice industry. He is, in fact, a veteran of many "wars".
Sources told me that Juan gave his cell phone number (a Globe Line) to numerous reporters covering the NFA beat. That number was the one which a certain Jojo Soliman claims to be the number used by Juan in his alleged extortion activities.
Soliman's allegations are deathly serious because aside from numerous text messages he received from Juan, the Bulacan-based businessman has an audio recording of Juan telling him or instructing him how to deposit 15 million pesos in several bank accounts.
Juan reportedly told Soliman to deposit fifteen million pesos to several accounts. The NFA chief allegedly volunteered to give presidential adviser on agriculture Kiko Pangilinan and DILG secretary Mar Roxas five million each, and the remaining 5 million for his "troubles".
When Juan was interviewed by Anthony Taberna and Gerry Baja in their afternoon show over at DZMM, Juan categorically denied every single allegation hurled against him.
Juan even said, matter-o-factly, that he does not know the Chinoy-sounding names rattled off by Soliman in his affidavit. In truth, several sources say, those Chinoys were Juan's long-time associates, involved in the trade of rice and other foodstuffs.
This is a very serious matter which the palace should definitely not ignore.
News reports say Juan reportedly tendered his resignation but which was rejected by Secretary Pangilinan. Why?
Meanwhile, the National Bureau of Investigation is now busy gathering more evidence against the embattled head of the country's food administration.
Showing posts with label kiko pangilinan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label kiko pangilinan. Show all posts
Friday, August 15, 2014
Saturday, September 5, 2009
The Aquino Problem and Pragmatism
Yesterday was a classic case of political contrasts. A Palace initiated move brought together 49 governors behind the presidential candidacy of Defense secretary Gilbert Teodoro, a boost to a sagging campaign, while Senator Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III got additional support from the Kaya Natin! movement and Senator Kiko Pangilinan. Who will eventually win---the candidate with the biggest election machinery or the candidate who claims to have the support of the politicized segment of the middle class?
Aquino supporters are trying very hard to support their assertion of a "groundswell" by presenting personalities behind "people's movements" which have not even proven their political mettle in past or previous political battles. Teodoro's camp, meanwhile, is saying that they have the machinery which the Aquino side does have but in an indeterminate or inordinate way.
Frankly, showing 49 governors backing you up is more formidable than two governors. But, for an idealist, like, say Conrad de Quiros, two governors are enough. It figures why no reformist minded presidential candidate ever won in any post-Marcos elections because reformists are arm-chair ideologues with their own conceptions of reality, not rooted in actuality. Anyway,
Aquino's big problem is his lack of a well-oiled provincial machinery. He will likely get most of the votes in the Metropolitan Manila area and some urban centers as well but it is uncertain whether he registers well in sub-urban and rural areas. These problems cannot be solved by an online campaign nor a tri-media one. These are organizing problems which, at this point, can only solved through building an army of hard-core grassroots organizers who are willing to spend time spreading Aquino paraphernalia in the provincial areas.
Now, the question really is---is it a good political strategy to gather all reform-minded Filipinos in support of an Aquino bid? Yes. Will this bring victory to the so-called "reformist" block of the opposition? No.
If you look and analyze closely the present socio-economic structure of Filipino society, you will find that, to achieve electoral victory, you need to:
1. Convince or organize the 54% of the voting population who belong to the class hovering between the middle and the poor classes. This is the biggest single electoral "block" which can only be organized behind a pragmatic electoral platform.
To defeat this machinery, the opposition needs to synthesize the idealist or "reformist" with that of the trapo opposition parties, of Estrada's and Escudero's. Never mind Villar's--he will definitely not back down since he already invested billions to his campaign. This block should convince Erap's and Escudero's to "pull-back", which, in all probability, is not "doable" at this point.
In all likelihood, Aquino's bid will go the way of Roco's campaign or even Salonga's. Hate to disappoint but look at the figures and this is true.
Aquino supporters are trying very hard to support their assertion of a "groundswell" by presenting personalities behind "people's movements" which have not even proven their political mettle in past or previous political battles. Teodoro's camp, meanwhile, is saying that they have the machinery which the Aquino side does have but in an indeterminate or inordinate way.
Frankly, showing 49 governors backing you up is more formidable than two governors. But, for an idealist, like, say Conrad de Quiros, two governors are enough. It figures why no reformist minded presidential candidate ever won in any post-Marcos elections because reformists are arm-chair ideologues with their own conceptions of reality, not rooted in actuality. Anyway,
Aquino's big problem is his lack of a well-oiled provincial machinery. He will likely get most of the votes in the Metropolitan Manila area and some urban centers as well but it is uncertain whether he registers well in sub-urban and rural areas. These problems cannot be solved by an online campaign nor a tri-media one. These are organizing problems which, at this point, can only solved through building an army of hard-core grassroots organizers who are willing to spend time spreading Aquino paraphernalia in the provincial areas.
Now, the question really is---is it a good political strategy to gather all reform-minded Filipinos in support of an Aquino bid? Yes. Will this bring victory to the so-called "reformist" block of the opposition? No.
If you look and analyze closely the present socio-economic structure of Filipino society, you will find that, to achieve electoral victory, you need to:
1. Convince or organize the 54% of the voting population who belong to the class hovering between the middle and the poor classes. This is the biggest single electoral "block" which can only be organized behind a pragmatic electoral platform.
- This block is also fragmented into people's organizations, fraternal organizations, peace and order groups, militias, urban poor groups and majority are un-organized.
- It is in this group that a well-oiled political machinery serves the candidate well. Since this block is not organized within ideological nor political lines, they are vulnerable or susceptible to administration-influence or even with a trapo political party like Erap's.
- This group is highly pragmatic and will never contribute money behind any political personality's campaign (so, it is highly unlikely that Ed Panlilio's Ninoy for Noynoy campaign be able to take off)
2. In all probability, the 19% share of the middle class is not enough to win an election. And this class is totally fragmented by traditional organizations and civic groups (Rotary, Lions, etc.). And it is quite doubtful if Aquino would snare the entire class and mobilize this for his campaign since almost 30% of this has shown their preference to Chiz Escudero (based on latest Pulse Asia survey 2009) and about 28% to Villar. Now, this class would obviously break itself into tiny "blocks" which could affect either Chiz or Villar's preference share.
3. If the reformist block thinks that Mar Roxas' move would start a series of pull-backs, they are obviously wrong. If you really analyze very closely, the block that sides itself with the Liberal Party is just a small fraction of the so-called "anti-Arroyo" but not necessarily "anti-government" "opposition". They are actually a segment of the organized, politicized and middle class block which is also fragmented.
- Yes, this block can very well comprise an election machinery but this will never match the machineries of other political parties, like, say Villar's or Erap's or even the administration machinery. Elections in the Philippines are decided by the depth of grassroots penetration. Organizers are the ones who herd voters to the precincts, who spread election info, who influences voting preferences and who practically dictates what voters will write or choose as their candidates.
- Now, if Aquino wants to win, he may have to gather all these organizers behind him and sustain the relationship through either monthly or weekly allowances. Probably some would actually volunteer but most reliable grassroots organizers have already been "compromised"
- Aquino should break the hold of other parties in grassroots work by convincing their organizations to show "solidarity" or "break ranks" with other political parties. It is doable yet, time is really not on their side at this point.
To defeat this machinery, the opposition needs to synthesize the idealist or "reformist" with that of the trapo opposition parties, of Estrada's and Escudero's. Never mind Villar's--he will definitely not back down since he already invested billions to his campaign. This block should convince Erap's and Escudero's to "pull-back", which, in all probability, is not "doable" at this point.
In all likelihood, Aquino's bid will go the way of Roco's campaign or even Salonga's. Hate to disappoint but look at the figures and this is true.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Liberal Party intramurals---intra-party frat war?
Is this Liberal Party intramurals a sample of an intra-party frat war? It seems like it since most of the persons behind Mar Roxas inner circle are members of the UP-based Alpha Sigma fraternity (the same frat of Chiz Escudero). Some quarters say that Alpha Sigma (the fraternity of former Arroyo Chief of Staff Mike Arroyo) controls most of the decision-making inside Mar Roxas' organization and this has isolated other members of the Liberal Party who are Alpha Phi Betans (APB). Liberal Party chair Franklin Drilon is a Batch 66 member of the Sigma Rho fraternity, the same frat of Liberal Party chairman emeritus, Jovito Salonga. (Kiko Pangilinan, by the way, is an Upsilon Sigma Phi member).
Most of the Liberal Party members, especially those belonging to the Kabataang Liberal, are members of either the APB or the Alpha Sigma.
So, it's not surprising that a member of the APB, Atty. Alex Lacson, now heads a citizen's movement calling for NoyNoy Aquino to run as president. Lacson is an active member of this fraternity and used to be a Councilor of the UP Student Council during the term of Mike Defensor.
I agree with some observations that Mar Roxas right now is in a very difficult situation since there is now a conscious effort to dislodge him as the party's standard bearer. Nothing wrong with that, that's the workings of democracy.
But, is this an indication that another frat wants to break the "monopoly" of the Alpha Sigma in the Liberal Party?
Most of the Liberal Party members, especially those belonging to the Kabataang Liberal, are members of either the APB or the Alpha Sigma.
So, it's not surprising that a member of the APB, Atty. Alex Lacson, now heads a citizen's movement calling for NoyNoy Aquino to run as president. Lacson is an active member of this fraternity and used to be a Councilor of the UP Student Council during the term of Mike Defensor.
I agree with some observations that Mar Roxas right now is in a very difficult situation since there is now a conscious effort to dislodge him as the party's standard bearer. Nothing wrong with that, that's the workings of democracy.
But, is this an indication that another frat wants to break the "monopoly" of the Alpha Sigma in the Liberal Party?
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Gloria's Grand Plan
Its mopping up time for Gloria and this administration. Neutralize political rivals is the name of the game. I just got this letter from the palace. Read it.
My dear allies,
RE: Grand Plan for the Establishment of an Arroyo Monarchy
Raid the political parties. Sow intrigues. Create divisions at the Liberal Party. Make Kiko (who's a serious supporter of Gloria) resign as party chairman. That way, Mar's hold will be questioned publicly.
Dangle the possibility of being an administration candidate come 2010 to Villar's Nacionalista Party. That way, you hold him by his neck.
Maintain cordial relations with Erap. Divide the opposition by telling Noli to go there and muddle the political pond a little bit. Lure Legarda to Lakas via the NPC route. That way, she can't really do anything else.
While the parties fight each other, plan for JDV's ouster. Since every party has been neutralized already, these people will avoid JDV like a plague. He'll lose support. JDV will use the ZTE probe as an ace. Ah, that's nothing. The ZTE controversy has died down already. With civil society divided and effectively silenced, no one will mass up support behind JDV. Let's soften JDV a little bit and whittle him down to size.
Let's tell him that we support him, yet I'll ask my sons to go on a recruitment binge for a numbers war. By this count, we are at 100 already. Tell Nograles to just sit down and wait. His time will come.
Oh, we forgot FVR. Let's invite him to attend international conferences so that he'll be busy attending all these worthless conventions. Make him feel relevant. That way, he'll forget about his beleaguered Pangalatok. Make FVR feel that he still has power. That way, we'll continue to control him.
When all of these things are over, we will be the most powerful political group in the country. And i'll be forever Queen. hahahaha!
Sincerely,
Gloria "Hello Garci" Arroyo
My dear allies,
RE: Grand Plan for the Establishment of an Arroyo Monarchy
Raid the political parties. Sow intrigues. Create divisions at the Liberal Party. Make Kiko (who's a serious supporter of Gloria) resign as party chairman. That way, Mar's hold will be questioned publicly.
Dangle the possibility of being an administration candidate come 2010 to Villar's Nacionalista Party. That way, you hold him by his neck.
Maintain cordial relations with Erap. Divide the opposition by telling Noli to go there and muddle the political pond a little bit. Lure Legarda to Lakas via the NPC route. That way, she can't really do anything else.
While the parties fight each other, plan for JDV's ouster. Since every party has been neutralized already, these people will avoid JDV like a plague. He'll lose support. JDV will use the ZTE probe as an ace. Ah, that's nothing. The ZTE controversy has died down already. With civil society divided and effectively silenced, no one will mass up support behind JDV. Let's soften JDV a little bit and whittle him down to size.
Let's tell him that we support him, yet I'll ask my sons to go on a recruitment binge for a numbers war. By this count, we are at 100 already. Tell Nograles to just sit down and wait. His time will come.
Oh, we forgot FVR. Let's invite him to attend international conferences so that he'll be busy attending all these worthless conventions. Make him feel relevant. That way, he'll forget about his beleaguered Pangalatok. Make FVR feel that he still has power. That way, we'll continue to control him.
When all of these things are over, we will be the most powerful political group in the country. And i'll be forever Queen. hahahaha!
Sincerely,
Gloria "Hello Garci" Arroyo
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
New Configurations in Congress
Congress is in for war. Two camps, De Venecia's and Nograles' are gearing for a major battle possibly in the first week of February. Both camps have been saber-rattling. Both claim to have the support of Gloria Arroyo.
Reports claim that Mrs. Arroyo has given the signal for De Venecia's ouster. However, reports are connecting this order with the revival of the ZTE probe. I don't believe that Arroyo's order is directly connected with this probe. Even prior to the ZTE controversy, the camps of Arroyo and De Venecia have already been feuding. It started with Kampi raiding the ranks of Lakas in the 2007 elections and spilling over post-election period. Quarters are really after De Venecia's head because some grew tired of his "user-friendly" style of administration while others simply hate how he uses the speakership to corner juicy deals in government.
People, especially from civil society, are not massing behind JDV. There's no public outrage against these ouster moves. In fact, most welcome the possible change in the speakership post since it would give Mindanaoans (if they succeed in ousting JDV and replace him with his buddy. Rep. Nograles) a chance to prop up their voice in Congress.
The ZTE probe has nothing to do with JDV's possible ouster. Certain quarters in media close to JDV use this issue just to play up the emotions of the people and possibly get public support behind JDV. However, they are failing to mass up since people are already tired of JDV. I mean, the guy has been given five times to make his mark for Philippine development. He has failed five times.
Ominous times ahead for political parties
Arroyo allies are raiding and wrecking rival political parties way ahead of the 2010 polls. Lito Atienza, a known Arroyo lapdog, has succeeded in splitting the Liberal Party, which I believe, has the potential to be the strongest party in 2010. Reports that Sen. Kiko Pangilinan rejected calls for him to head the party further fuel talks that the party of presidentiable Mar Roxas is weakening. These reports are very bad for the party since it will discourage big-time campaign funders from giving campaign distributions to LP. If this happens, then, LP will find it very hard to launch a decent presidential campaign in 2010. No amount of palengke tours of Roxas will mask this weakening of LP.
Talks of Legarda's possible transfer to Lakas via the Nationalist People's Coalition (NPC) are getting louder by the minute. This shows that talks between a possible Roxas-Legarda tandem have failed. NPC is gearing for a coalition with Lakas since the FVR party has lost considerable strength with raidings from Kampi and these ouster moves against Lakas party stalwart JDV. Lakas needs all the support it could get from other parties. It has already aligned with Atienza's LP faction. However, it is planning for NPC's numbers to prop its base support.
What these means is this--political rivals of Kampi are slowly being raided and destroyed from within. Why? Because people behind Arroyo are preparing for cha-cha. I know this sounds disjointed but hear me out. Cha-cha is not yet dead. It will be revived after the ouster of JDV this February. When that happens, nothing can stop Gloria's camp from campaigning for her as prime minister.
Reports claim that Mrs. Arroyo has given the signal for De Venecia's ouster. However, reports are connecting this order with the revival of the ZTE probe. I don't believe that Arroyo's order is directly connected with this probe. Even prior to the ZTE controversy, the camps of Arroyo and De Venecia have already been feuding. It started with Kampi raiding the ranks of Lakas in the 2007 elections and spilling over post-election period. Quarters are really after De Venecia's head because some grew tired of his "user-friendly" style of administration while others simply hate how he uses the speakership to corner juicy deals in government.
People, especially from civil society, are not massing behind JDV. There's no public outrage against these ouster moves. In fact, most welcome the possible change in the speakership post since it would give Mindanaoans (if they succeed in ousting JDV and replace him with his buddy. Rep. Nograles) a chance to prop up their voice in Congress.
The ZTE probe has nothing to do with JDV's possible ouster. Certain quarters in media close to JDV use this issue just to play up the emotions of the people and possibly get public support behind JDV. However, they are failing to mass up since people are already tired of JDV. I mean, the guy has been given five times to make his mark for Philippine development. He has failed five times.
Ominous times ahead for political parties
Arroyo allies are raiding and wrecking rival political parties way ahead of the 2010 polls. Lito Atienza, a known Arroyo lapdog, has succeeded in splitting the Liberal Party, which I believe, has the potential to be the strongest party in 2010. Reports that Sen. Kiko Pangilinan rejected calls for him to head the party further fuel talks that the party of presidentiable Mar Roxas is weakening. These reports are very bad for the party since it will discourage big-time campaign funders from giving campaign distributions to LP. If this happens, then, LP will find it very hard to launch a decent presidential campaign in 2010. No amount of palengke tours of Roxas will mask this weakening of LP.
Talks of Legarda's possible transfer to Lakas via the Nationalist People's Coalition (NPC) are getting louder by the minute. This shows that talks between a possible Roxas-Legarda tandem have failed. NPC is gearing for a coalition with Lakas since the FVR party has lost considerable strength with raidings from Kampi and these ouster moves against Lakas party stalwart JDV. Lakas needs all the support it could get from other parties. It has already aligned with Atienza's LP faction. However, it is planning for NPC's numbers to prop its base support.
What these means is this--political rivals of Kampi are slowly being raided and destroyed from within. Why? Because people behind Arroyo are preparing for cha-cha. I know this sounds disjointed but hear me out. Cha-cha is not yet dead. It will be revived after the ouster of JDV this February. When that happens, nothing can stop Gloria's camp from campaigning for her as prime minister.
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