Its a good thing that groups are just giving Arroyo a week to answer all these allegations. Today, arguments were heard over the SC on what to do with the petition of former NEDA secretary Romulo Neri. It was a deliberation on the issue of lifting EO 464, which quarters, including the Vice President, has said that Gloria should lift for the public to hear the truth about the ZTE deal. I don't know what's the big deal about Neri's testimony since I believe, Neri already told everything there is before the Senate when he went there. But, considering how the palace and even the entire country is reacting, maybe, there's really something about what transpired between Neri and Arroyo that Neri's counsel even said that its "part of a state secret"
Bull.
A state secret involves national security. What's so serious about what Neri told Arroyo that they're both afraid on the possibility that the people will know about it. Everybody is urging Arroyo to allow Neri to testify. Malacanang, it seems, is starting to harden its position which is a BAD THING to do. Doing so at this point only worsens their situation. They are like creating a quick sand to sink themselves in.
In the next few days, I believe that Gloria will, definitely do the following things:
1. She will announce the lifting of EO 464 to prevent the CBCP from further joining the growing protest movement. That will give her administration a few more days to survive.
2. She will announce the suspension of controversial government officials involved in the ZTE scandal. That would contradict what the Palace announced today and yesterday, but, nonetheless, that would give her enough breathing space to prevent herself from totally being besieged.
3. She will announce new appointments in the Comelec, foremost of which, members of civil society, or one belonging to the Muslim sector.
I think the environment is being prepared for these pronouncements. Palace operators have allowed the people to hinge the search for truth with Neri, which is a tactical way of solving this issue. By concentrating all attention at Neri's probable testimony, the palace is effectively leading the public's attention away from Lozada and concentrate on Neri. I bet my bottom dollar that Neri's testimony will not amount to anything since it has been months since the controversy first began. I am sure that palace operators have already cleaned every filth there is about this deal.
On, by the way, groups should ask for the original copy of the ZTE deal. Since this time, no copy of the supposed controversial deal has been presented to the media. Why? The people have the right to know since its their money who'll finance the shebang anyway. There should be an active call from people for the palace to reveal the deal.
So, my friends, you just have to wait for one and a half weeks before we can finally put these things to rest. The big rally in UST might just be the last hurrah for Gloria. Or, it might also be the last say of all these groups opposing Arroyo. Let's wait and see.
Rejoinder:
By the way, that statement by Loren that she'll not support calls for the resignation of Arroyo because of the prospect of Noli assuming the presidency is pure idiocracy. It says so much about Loren. She, like Gloria, is hungry for power. Be cautious about the likes of Loren. She's a potential Gloria just waiting in the wings. I hope that she'll be marginalized so that no such breed would ascend the position of power.
Showing posts with label lozada. Show all posts
Showing posts with label lozada. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
The End of a 7-year Itch
Philippine events are beginning to interests skeptics like me. Since the failed 2005 attempt, I have turned into a skeptic because of the fact that previous events having the same emotional content as what I'm seeing right now had happened before with disastrous results. After the dust has settled, I saw a triumphant PGMA rising above everyone else. It was like a massacre. Political operators of Arroyo succeeded in neutralizing these forces, either using carrots or threats. Those who struggled against Arroyo were left in the lurch. Some lost all hope and decided to just reintegrate themselves in society by having a job somewhere else. What it achieved is that it left Malacanan without a conscience because almost all idealists who struggled with Arroyo at EDSA Dos resigned in their posts. Those who remained are technocrats or political operators who owe allegiance to Mr. Arroyo instead of being in government due to political principles.
The failed attempt also emboldened Arroyo and her gang of thieves. More and more cases of graft and corruption were reported. Since these people were allowed to rob, steal, and even kill opponents or those who shout against what they're doing, they contributed more to the dysfunctionalism that ensued. The Arroyo administration felt that no one can stop them. They saw themselves as invincible. The death of dissent all the more gave these grafters the space they need to continue stealing and robbing the people of their monies.
The intolerance being shown by this administration to criticisms and critiques could be the thing that could lead to its downfall. Its penchant for killing dissent and dissenters is now haunting them like crazy.
Now, people are starting to enjoy their newly-found voice. Seven years of silence, of tolerating every false move, every robbery of this adminitration has decidedly come to an end. Far from the claims of this administration that people are tired of marching and going to EDSA, Filipinos now are beginning to march to the streets again, trying to give this thing another chance. Every one knows that if these things do not come to a decisive conclusion, which, in this instance, is the ouster of Arroyo, they will not have that chance again.
Every day, groups have started marching, showing this government of their collective disgusts on what had happened. Lozada's testimony, though devoid of any documentary evidence, has been accepted as gospel truth. This is not a media spin nor a product of PR. No. People believed Lozada because they have lost every shred of trust in their government. In normal times, such characters as Lozada would have found it very difficult to even say such things to Arroyo. If the ZTE deal happened in 2001 or 2002, people would not even gave it a second's notice.
The palace must accept the truth---it has lost its mandate. Mandates do not emanate from ballots. No. Mandates are based upon the people's trust. A distrusted government does not have a mandate since the sovereign will is of the people's and not of Arroyo's and her lapdogs.
Executive Secretary Ermita today criticized civil society's call for change. Justice Secretary Gonzales even called those who oppose Arroyo as members of "evil society". These closet individuals are trying their hand at villification which, unfortunately, fail every time they open their blistered mouths.
If these mass mobilizations continue, I am inclined to believe what Sis. Mananzan of St. Scholastica and Dela Salle president Armin Luistro said--all these will lead to something major or bigger. It is inevitable. I believe them. They know the pulse of the people and the effects of their current activities to the middle class. I will believe them rather than self-proclaimed political analyst Peter Lim who said that it would be next to impossible to oust Arroyo. Mr. Lim, I do believe in the power of prayer and of karma. Nature's laws dictate that those who do evil deeds will reap the same force of evil that they have sowed. This seven-year itch to get rid of a tumour such as Arroyo is beginning to grow and take shape. It would not be long before this "itch" ends. And it ends Now.
The failed attempt also emboldened Arroyo and her gang of thieves. More and more cases of graft and corruption were reported. Since these people were allowed to rob, steal, and even kill opponents or those who shout against what they're doing, they contributed more to the dysfunctionalism that ensued. The Arroyo administration felt that no one can stop them. They saw themselves as invincible. The death of dissent all the more gave these grafters the space they need to continue stealing and robbing the people of their monies.
The intolerance being shown by this administration to criticisms and critiques could be the thing that could lead to its downfall. Its penchant for killing dissent and dissenters is now haunting them like crazy.
Now, people are starting to enjoy their newly-found voice. Seven years of silence, of tolerating every false move, every robbery of this adminitration has decidedly come to an end. Far from the claims of this administration that people are tired of marching and going to EDSA, Filipinos now are beginning to march to the streets again, trying to give this thing another chance. Every one knows that if these things do not come to a decisive conclusion, which, in this instance, is the ouster of Arroyo, they will not have that chance again.
Every day, groups have started marching, showing this government of their collective disgusts on what had happened. Lozada's testimony, though devoid of any documentary evidence, has been accepted as gospel truth. This is not a media spin nor a product of PR. No. People believed Lozada because they have lost every shred of trust in their government. In normal times, such characters as Lozada would have found it very difficult to even say such things to Arroyo. If the ZTE deal happened in 2001 or 2002, people would not even gave it a second's notice.
The palace must accept the truth---it has lost its mandate. Mandates do not emanate from ballots. No. Mandates are based upon the people's trust. A distrusted government does not have a mandate since the sovereign will is of the people's and not of Arroyo's and her lapdogs.
Executive Secretary Ermita today criticized civil society's call for change. Justice Secretary Gonzales even called those who oppose Arroyo as members of "evil society". These closet individuals are trying their hand at villification which, unfortunately, fail every time they open their blistered mouths.
If these mass mobilizations continue, I am inclined to believe what Sis. Mananzan of St. Scholastica and Dela Salle president Armin Luistro said--all these will lead to something major or bigger. It is inevitable. I believe them. They know the pulse of the people and the effects of their current activities to the middle class. I will believe them rather than self-proclaimed political analyst Peter Lim who said that it would be next to impossible to oust Arroyo. Mr. Lim, I do believe in the power of prayer and of karma. Nature's laws dictate that those who do evil deeds will reap the same force of evil that they have sowed. This seven-year itch to get rid of a tumour such as Arroyo is beginning to grow and take shape. It would not be long before this "itch" ends. And it ends Now.
Monday, February 18, 2008
Time Play
A recent SWS survey says that Filipino memory only last for 2.5 days. Meaning, if there is any controversy, Filipinos only take a serious and close look at it for nearly 3 days. The survey however, does not state what happens after 2.5 to 3 days. It just says how long short term memory lasts for Filipinos.
That's why it is most crucial for those who want to resolve this Lozada episode to act expeditiously before anything bad happens. For the administration, for this thing to come to a stop, it must be transparent and feed to the lions so to speak, the main characters of this issue. The recent decision to make FG attend the Ombusman hearings does not help. Neither is the apparent pressure for Neri not to attend the Senate hearings. If this administration wants to nip this thing in the bud, it must act now. This is not, anymore, a media play. It has taken a life of its own, independent of what the media is saying.
For the pro-Lozada camp, it must act now to generate more steam so to speak, to be able to sustain the momentum that the Lozada testimony has created. Time, unfortunately, is not on the side of the anti-Arroyo camp, mainly because the nature of these things need speed and timing.
Sources say both camps are in the thick of negotiations. There are suggestions of an Arroyo graceful exit, with Vice President Noli de Castro assuming as president while a snap elections is being prepared. This is acceptable to anti-Arroyo groups, since De Castro has a high acceptability rating and perceived to be least corrupt among Cabinet members of the Arroyo regime. Publicly, Arroyo has said that she'll not step down and will continue serving until her term ends in 2010.
I believe that mass mobilizations will continue this week prior to the celebration of EDSA Uno, which anti-Arroyo groups say is the Original EDSA. Today will be most crucial because Arroyo is in her most weakest and most vulnerable state. First, influential groups have joined the fray against her, including both the religious and business. And second, grass-roots organizing has started, with the support of Catholic schools, the main ingredient of any EDSA revolt. Even if Arroyo uses the full strength of the military and police in neutralizing these groups, it will NOT BE SUCCESSFUL because ANY OPPRESSIVE ACT COMING FROM THE STATE RIGHT NOW WOULD IMPACT ON THE INTERNATIONAL IMAGE OF THE ARROYO ADMINISTRATION.
Ergo, groups should pursue this thing to its logical conclusion which is the OUSTER OF ARROYO prior to EDSA Uno celebrations. If it fails to generate mass support or slacken along the way, then, these groups would be more susceptible to counter-revolutionary measures and probably, more oppressive actions coming from Arroyo. Hence, the time to act is NOW.
That's why it is most crucial for those who want to resolve this Lozada episode to act expeditiously before anything bad happens. For the administration, for this thing to come to a stop, it must be transparent and feed to the lions so to speak, the main characters of this issue. The recent decision to make FG attend the Ombusman hearings does not help. Neither is the apparent pressure for Neri not to attend the Senate hearings. If this administration wants to nip this thing in the bud, it must act now. This is not, anymore, a media play. It has taken a life of its own, independent of what the media is saying.
For the pro-Lozada camp, it must act now to generate more steam so to speak, to be able to sustain the momentum that the Lozada testimony has created. Time, unfortunately, is not on the side of the anti-Arroyo camp, mainly because the nature of these things need speed and timing.
Sources say both camps are in the thick of negotiations. There are suggestions of an Arroyo graceful exit, with Vice President Noli de Castro assuming as president while a snap elections is being prepared. This is acceptable to anti-Arroyo groups, since De Castro has a high acceptability rating and perceived to be least corrupt among Cabinet members of the Arroyo regime. Publicly, Arroyo has said that she'll not step down and will continue serving until her term ends in 2010.
I believe that mass mobilizations will continue this week prior to the celebration of EDSA Uno, which anti-Arroyo groups say is the Original EDSA. Today will be most crucial because Arroyo is in her most weakest and most vulnerable state. First, influential groups have joined the fray against her, including both the religious and business. And second, grass-roots organizing has started, with the support of Catholic schools, the main ingredient of any EDSA revolt. Even if Arroyo uses the full strength of the military and police in neutralizing these groups, it will NOT BE SUCCESSFUL because ANY OPPRESSIVE ACT COMING FROM THE STATE RIGHT NOW WOULD IMPACT ON THE INTERNATIONAL IMAGE OF THE ARROYO ADMINISTRATION.
Ergo, groups should pursue this thing to its logical conclusion which is the OUSTER OF ARROYO prior to EDSA Uno celebrations. If it fails to generate mass support or slacken along the way, then, these groups would be more susceptible to counter-revolutionary measures and probably, more oppressive actions coming from Arroyo. Hence, the time to act is NOW.
Monday, February 11, 2008
Lozada's story
This is what we have gleaned from the senate investigations so far:
1. Jun Lozada or "J-lo" as what some sectors refer to him, was tasked by his bosom buddy NEDA Secretary Neri to mediate in the NBN deal. Lozada was tapped since he is an IT engineer.
2. Lozada entered the picture during the time that NEDA was reviewing the project. The DOTC needs the NEDA recommendation since it is the procedure dictated by law.
3. Lozada met both parties--the ZTE people who won the bid and Amsterdam Holdings. ZTE people wants a government loan while Amsterdam Holdings want to build NGN through a BOT (Build and Operate Transfer). Both groups have very strong backers--Amsterdam Holdings have Joey de Venecia, the son and namesake of the Speaker of the House--and ZTE has Abalos, who was then COMELEC chairman.
4. Between these two titans is Lozada. Lozada was the middle man so to speak. He was the mediator whom Neri tasked to "moderate their greed". For Neri, moderating means about 20-30% of the contract price.
5. Chairman Abalos, the person who orchestrated the anomalous win of Arroyo in the 2004 elections, felt powerful. He holds an ace against the president since he knows how government operators acted during the 2004 elections. Since he is also very close to the First Gentleman, being his "padrino" behind his appointment to the Comelec is near retirement. He wants something. He needs some money for his retirement.
6. Chairman Abalos brokered a deal with the ZTE. He also told FG that he'll have at least 70 million dollars from this deal. There are others who will "earn" from the expected 130million dollars commission which Abalos wants from this deal.
7. Lozada, meanwhile, reported to Neri. Neri told Lozada to moderate the greed of Abalos. When Lozada told Abalos about this, he then called FG. FG called back and assured Abalos that the palace will do everything possible for the deal to continue.
8. Neri then came to Arroyo. Neri told Arroyo of what Abalos is doing, even offering him bribe money amounting to 200 million pesos. Arroyo reportedly told him not to accept the money but approve the project anyway. Neri did what was asked of him and approved the ZTE deal, under the guise that it should be done under the BOT scheme, not a government loan. This is also the recommendation of Lozada.
9. Upon knowing this, Abalos went ballistic and called Lozada. He threatened Lozada with death and cursed him. Lozada became fearful for his life since that time.
10. When Arroyo went to Boao and signed the agreement, the deal suddenly turned from BOT to government loan. Before Arroyo planed to China, a press conference was held by the losing bidder, protesting about the project.
11. JDV's friend and columnist Jarius Bondoc then wrote the ZTE deal in his columns. The Inquirer also wrote a special report about the ZTE deal. Slowly, media learned about the deal and some TV shows did some reports. ZTE people became frantic yet they were so confident that the deal will be honored by the government, since, using their words, "this is a government to government transaction covered by an executive agreement."
12. By this time, Lozada has been receiving numerous death threats thru texting. Lozada presumed that these texts were emanating from Abalos group, since in one of their conversations, Abalos boasted that he's so influential with the military. Lozada confided this to his friend, Neri.
13. Then came Joey de Venecia opening the lid so to speak, against the deal. Media caught up with him including civil society. His father tried to dissuade him from testifying since he was receiving numerous death threats himself. One friend, former PNP Supt. Jaime delos santos further fanned the flames by going to JDV and reporting that these threats were real. The Speaker, fearful of his son's life, tried to talk Joey out of this. Joey refused. In his statement, Joey said that it was his responsibility as a citizen to report this anomalous deal.
14. The DOTC officials then went on an offensive, criticizing Joey publicly. The First Family also did their own smear campaign, portrating Joey to be a drug addict and a perjured witness. This issue would have been settled there since I believe, the palace succeeded in neutralizing Joey. The Senate Blue Ribbon then decided to suspend the hearings. Joey went on a vacation, first to Japan and then to the US. Sources say, the reason why he went to the US was to consult with his financier, George Soros and a big-time filipino businessman.
15. Christmas came and went. Relations between the Speaker and the palace soured which led to the ouster of the Speaker. Speaker went ballistic, and threatened to expose the anomalies of the palace during his valedictory. But since the palace assessed that he's now a spent force, they let him be. Ramos threatened the palace lightly, obviously desirous to still salvage the relationship of Arroyo and JDV.
16. The tipping point came when the camp of JDV leaked an information about Lozada's role in the ZTE mess. Learning of this, Lozada confessed to his boss, Environment Secretary Lito Atienza. Atienza then cautioned Lozada in testifying to the Senate.
17. Lozada, being a still small-time operator, panicked. The Senate, learning of this, issued a subpoena for him to appear before the Senate Blue Ribbon.
18. To avoid the Senate, Lozada then consulted with Deputy Executive Secretary Gaite. Gaite, in his testimony, advised Lozada to cool off. Gaite did this upon the instigation of Atienza who called him about the case of Lozada. The palace factotums then arranged all travel arrangements for Lozada, ostensibly to avoid the Senate hearings.
19. Atienza then ordered Lozada to go to Hongkong. Lozada obliged. In Hongkong, Lozada called Neri and Atienza.
20. Since Lozada was fast losing money to support himself there, Lozada asked Atienza that he return to the Philippines. He also was worried about leaving his family here. Meanwhile, members of civil society were actively persuading Lozada to testify against the palace.
21. Lozada then planed in on February 5th. Atienza, knowing Lozada's itinerary, called up PNP Chief Razon. Razon immediately ordered a team to fetch Lozada. The PSPO team then went to the airport and coordinated with the airport officials. What the public does not know is that Atienza and Gaite also called up Cusi to arrange for Lozada's "safekeeping".
22. Lozada arrived. At the airport, he was frisked away by a team of "military men", as what Lozada described them. He tried to tell his family, specifically his brother of what happened to him. The team kidnapped Lozada. They went to Calamba, then to Los Banos and back. When his captors already know that he's deathly afraid of them, they then went to Outback. There, Lozada was made to sign a security request upon the prodding of one Atty Bautista. Bautista was tapped by Gaite to prepare the affidavits.
23. Afraid for his life, Lozada signed the affidavits and requested that he be returned to his family. The team then went to La Salle Greenhills where his sister, Carmen and others were waiting. The team then requested to Carmen that she sign a security request. Desirous to end her brother's ordeal, she signed the document. At this juncture, the team relaxed their hold of Lozada.
24. With this, nuns and priests entered into the picture. They secured Lozada. The team panicked and asked for backup. It was then that the palace fair haired boy, Mike Defensor entered the picture. Defensor went to La Salle and talked with Lozada. This is the time when the palace wants to regain control of Lozada. After talking with him, Defensor asked Lozada that he deny everything about his abduction. Lozada told Defensor that he think about it.
25. After confering with the priests and nuns, Lozada decided to surrender his fate to God.
1. Jun Lozada or "J-lo" as what some sectors refer to him, was tasked by his bosom buddy NEDA Secretary Neri to mediate in the NBN deal. Lozada was tapped since he is an IT engineer.
2. Lozada entered the picture during the time that NEDA was reviewing the project. The DOTC needs the NEDA recommendation since it is the procedure dictated by law.
3. Lozada met both parties--the ZTE people who won the bid and Amsterdam Holdings. ZTE people wants a government loan while Amsterdam Holdings want to build NGN through a BOT (Build and Operate Transfer). Both groups have very strong backers--Amsterdam Holdings have Joey de Venecia, the son and namesake of the Speaker of the House--and ZTE has Abalos, who was then COMELEC chairman.
4. Between these two titans is Lozada. Lozada was the middle man so to speak. He was the mediator whom Neri tasked to "moderate their greed". For Neri, moderating means about 20-30% of the contract price.
5. Chairman Abalos, the person who orchestrated the anomalous win of Arroyo in the 2004 elections, felt powerful. He holds an ace against the president since he knows how government operators acted during the 2004 elections. Since he is also very close to the First Gentleman, being his "padrino" behind his appointment to the Comelec is near retirement. He wants something. He needs some money for his retirement.
6. Chairman Abalos brokered a deal with the ZTE. He also told FG that he'll have at least 70 million dollars from this deal. There are others who will "earn" from the expected 130million dollars commission which Abalos wants from this deal.
7. Lozada, meanwhile, reported to Neri. Neri told Lozada to moderate the greed of Abalos. When Lozada told Abalos about this, he then called FG. FG called back and assured Abalos that the palace will do everything possible for the deal to continue.
8. Neri then came to Arroyo. Neri told Arroyo of what Abalos is doing, even offering him bribe money amounting to 200 million pesos. Arroyo reportedly told him not to accept the money but approve the project anyway. Neri did what was asked of him and approved the ZTE deal, under the guise that it should be done under the BOT scheme, not a government loan. This is also the recommendation of Lozada.
9. Upon knowing this, Abalos went ballistic and called Lozada. He threatened Lozada with death and cursed him. Lozada became fearful for his life since that time.
10. When Arroyo went to Boao and signed the agreement, the deal suddenly turned from BOT to government loan. Before Arroyo planed to China, a press conference was held by the losing bidder, protesting about the project.
11. JDV's friend and columnist Jarius Bondoc then wrote the ZTE deal in his columns. The Inquirer also wrote a special report about the ZTE deal. Slowly, media learned about the deal and some TV shows did some reports. ZTE people became frantic yet they were so confident that the deal will be honored by the government, since, using their words, "this is a government to government transaction covered by an executive agreement."
12. By this time, Lozada has been receiving numerous death threats thru texting. Lozada presumed that these texts were emanating from Abalos group, since in one of their conversations, Abalos boasted that he's so influential with the military. Lozada confided this to his friend, Neri.
13. Then came Joey de Venecia opening the lid so to speak, against the deal. Media caught up with him including civil society. His father tried to dissuade him from testifying since he was receiving numerous death threats himself. One friend, former PNP Supt. Jaime delos santos further fanned the flames by going to JDV and reporting that these threats were real. The Speaker, fearful of his son's life, tried to talk Joey out of this. Joey refused. In his statement, Joey said that it was his responsibility as a citizen to report this anomalous deal.
14. The DOTC officials then went on an offensive, criticizing Joey publicly. The First Family also did their own smear campaign, portrating Joey to be a drug addict and a perjured witness. This issue would have been settled there since I believe, the palace succeeded in neutralizing Joey. The Senate Blue Ribbon then decided to suspend the hearings. Joey went on a vacation, first to Japan and then to the US. Sources say, the reason why he went to the US was to consult with his financier, George Soros and a big-time filipino businessman.
15. Christmas came and went. Relations between the Speaker and the palace soured which led to the ouster of the Speaker. Speaker went ballistic, and threatened to expose the anomalies of the palace during his valedictory. But since the palace assessed that he's now a spent force, they let him be. Ramos threatened the palace lightly, obviously desirous to still salvage the relationship of Arroyo and JDV.
16. The tipping point came when the camp of JDV leaked an information about Lozada's role in the ZTE mess. Learning of this, Lozada confessed to his boss, Environment Secretary Lito Atienza. Atienza then cautioned Lozada in testifying to the Senate.
17. Lozada, being a still small-time operator, panicked. The Senate, learning of this, issued a subpoena for him to appear before the Senate Blue Ribbon.
18. To avoid the Senate, Lozada then consulted with Deputy Executive Secretary Gaite. Gaite, in his testimony, advised Lozada to cool off. Gaite did this upon the instigation of Atienza who called him about the case of Lozada. The palace factotums then arranged all travel arrangements for Lozada, ostensibly to avoid the Senate hearings.
19. Atienza then ordered Lozada to go to Hongkong. Lozada obliged. In Hongkong, Lozada called Neri and Atienza.
20. Since Lozada was fast losing money to support himself there, Lozada asked Atienza that he return to the Philippines. He also was worried about leaving his family here. Meanwhile, members of civil society were actively persuading Lozada to testify against the palace.
21. Lozada then planed in on February 5th. Atienza, knowing Lozada's itinerary, called up PNP Chief Razon. Razon immediately ordered a team to fetch Lozada. The PSPO team then went to the airport and coordinated with the airport officials. What the public does not know is that Atienza and Gaite also called up Cusi to arrange for Lozada's "safekeeping".
22. Lozada arrived. At the airport, he was frisked away by a team of "military men", as what Lozada described them. He tried to tell his family, specifically his brother of what happened to him. The team kidnapped Lozada. They went to Calamba, then to Los Banos and back. When his captors already know that he's deathly afraid of them, they then went to Outback. There, Lozada was made to sign a security request upon the prodding of one Atty Bautista. Bautista was tapped by Gaite to prepare the affidavits.
23. Afraid for his life, Lozada signed the affidavits and requested that he be returned to his family. The team then went to La Salle Greenhills where his sister, Carmen and others were waiting. The team then requested to Carmen that she sign a security request. Desirous to end her brother's ordeal, she signed the document. At this juncture, the team relaxed their hold of Lozada.
24. With this, nuns and priests entered into the picture. They secured Lozada. The team panicked and asked for backup. It was then that the palace fair haired boy, Mike Defensor entered the picture. Defensor went to La Salle and talked with Lozada. This is the time when the palace wants to regain control of Lozada. After talking with him, Defensor asked Lozada that he deny everything about his abduction. Lozada told Defensor that he think about it.
25. After confering with the priests and nuns, Lozada decided to surrender his fate to God.
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Church to lead the search for Truth
"Their public confession[s] may be considered a providential event that may yet save our country from being hostage to scandalous and shady government deals that offend the common good and serve only personal, family and group interests,"--Archbishop Oscar Lagdameo, President, Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines(CBCP)
In a monumental act, the CBCP finally took a stand against the prevailing order. Archbishop Lagdameo yesterday articulated what the Church wanted to say for so long--the truth shall set us free. So now, the struggle against Arroyo has assumed a higher and deeper stage--that of struggling for the Truth.
If you look at it, however, it is not the Truth that would set us free. It is the struggle for Justice. We, the People now know how corrupt our system has become. We have realized that this corrupt and decrepit system is being perpetuated by those in power. And we already know that these people are just motivated by self-gain.
Now, we await the pronouncements of other religious groups, such as the Iglesia Ni Cristo, the influential El Shaddai and the protestant groups. They must also take the stand and announce their disgusts against Arroyo. Not doing so would mean complicity to these acts of the Palace mafia. Taking a silent stance would mean they accede to what is happening.
Former president Cory Aquino has just visited Lozada, signalling the formal start of active engagement against Arroyo. The president is hurt, says her close aide Merly Poblador who, by the way, is also involved in this controversy. While all of these are going on, we find Lakas slowly disintegrating, with Lakas stalwart and Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita encouraging former Speaker Jose de Venecia to relinquish his post as Lakas president to QC Mayor Sonny Belmonte. JDV's meeting with Erap, Ermita says, is a sign that JDV has totally burned his bridges with Malacanang. What it means though is JDV is now a persona non grata at the palace.
The only one left not protesting the callousness of the palace is former president and Lakas founder Fidel V. Ramos. I am sure that FVR will not tolerate this latest caper of the palace. Surely, FVR is not in cahoots with FG's group. However, it is perplexing to say the least, why FVR remains silent to all of these. There are some explanations:
1. FVR is assessing the entire situation. He knows that Lozada's appearance may provide the missing element in moves to oust Arroyo. Being the head of the CIA here in Asia, FVR is in the best position to assess the current standing of Arroyo vis-a-vis this war. What are the elements that would probably lead FVR to conclude that, indeed, Arroyo is in a losing or lost proposition:
a. Military support---This is crucial in any move against the palace. How many elements in the higher echelon of the military does Arroyo have and how many does not support her. Obviously, the scale right now is even, to say the least. Generals are divided. Arroyo does not have the entire loyalty of the military.
Esperon is a crucial element in all of these. His participation is very important to this struggle against immorality and corruption. If Esperon wants to save his ass or retire honorably, he must take a definitive stand against the creeping dictatorship and announce to the Filipino People his disgusts over this corruption. If Esperon remains silent, he is, in effect, condoning this blatant immorality and should be ousted from his post too.
b. Civilian support--It is quite obvious that Arroyo has lost a considerable segment of civil society, which includes the Church. This announcement of CBCP is a signal to Arroyo to take some definitive actions to appease the church. However, this I think is too late in the game. Whatever Arroyo would do now would be USELESS because its the responsibility of the church to assume a stand against immorality.
So now, there is no way out of this mess. As what happened last year, the only saving grace for Arroyo is DIVERSION. She will definitely order a special operations team to create another scenario of destabilization. What would be this:
1. Another bombing which this administration will attribute to terrorism. This is an effective diversionary tactic which they did last year with the Glorietta and Congress bombing.
2. An explosive battle in Mindanao, against using Jolo as a pretext.
3. A coup d'etat launched by Arroyo's own force. This is the most logical tactic. Arroyo will preempt these moves with her own moves. Either she'll use the Magdalo for this, or use another force.
SO ITS GOD SAVE THE QUEEN once more.
In a monumental act, the CBCP finally took a stand against the prevailing order. Archbishop Lagdameo yesterday articulated what the Church wanted to say for so long--the truth shall set us free. So now, the struggle against Arroyo has assumed a higher and deeper stage--that of struggling for the Truth.
If you look at it, however, it is not the Truth that would set us free. It is the struggle for Justice. We, the People now know how corrupt our system has become. We have realized that this corrupt and decrepit system is being perpetuated by those in power. And we already know that these people are just motivated by self-gain.
Now, we await the pronouncements of other religious groups, such as the Iglesia Ni Cristo, the influential El Shaddai and the protestant groups. They must also take the stand and announce their disgusts against Arroyo. Not doing so would mean complicity to these acts of the Palace mafia. Taking a silent stance would mean they accede to what is happening.
Former president Cory Aquino has just visited Lozada, signalling the formal start of active engagement against Arroyo. The president is hurt, says her close aide Merly Poblador who, by the way, is also involved in this controversy. While all of these are going on, we find Lakas slowly disintegrating, with Lakas stalwart and Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita encouraging former Speaker Jose de Venecia to relinquish his post as Lakas president to QC Mayor Sonny Belmonte. JDV's meeting with Erap, Ermita says, is a sign that JDV has totally burned his bridges with Malacanang. What it means though is JDV is now a persona non grata at the palace.
The only one left not protesting the callousness of the palace is former president and Lakas founder Fidel V. Ramos. I am sure that FVR will not tolerate this latest caper of the palace. Surely, FVR is not in cahoots with FG's group. However, it is perplexing to say the least, why FVR remains silent to all of these. There are some explanations:
1. FVR is assessing the entire situation. He knows that Lozada's appearance may provide the missing element in moves to oust Arroyo. Being the head of the CIA here in Asia, FVR is in the best position to assess the current standing of Arroyo vis-a-vis this war. What are the elements that would probably lead FVR to conclude that, indeed, Arroyo is in a losing or lost proposition:
a. Military support---This is crucial in any move against the palace. How many elements in the higher echelon of the military does Arroyo have and how many does not support her. Obviously, the scale right now is even, to say the least. Generals are divided. Arroyo does not have the entire loyalty of the military.
Esperon is a crucial element in all of these. His participation is very important to this struggle against immorality and corruption. If Esperon wants to save his ass or retire honorably, he must take a definitive stand against the creeping dictatorship and announce to the Filipino People his disgusts over this corruption. If Esperon remains silent, he is, in effect, condoning this blatant immorality and should be ousted from his post too.
b. Civilian support--It is quite obvious that Arroyo has lost a considerable segment of civil society, which includes the Church. This announcement of CBCP is a signal to Arroyo to take some definitive actions to appease the church. However, this I think is too late in the game. Whatever Arroyo would do now would be USELESS because its the responsibility of the church to assume a stand against immorality.
So now, there is no way out of this mess. As what happened last year, the only saving grace for Arroyo is DIVERSION. She will definitely order a special operations team to create another scenario of destabilization. What would be this:
1. Another bombing which this administration will attribute to terrorism. This is an effective diversionary tactic which they did last year with the Glorietta and Congress bombing.
2. An explosive battle in Mindanao, against using Jolo as a pretext.
3. A coup d'etat launched by Arroyo's own force. This is the most logical tactic. Arroyo will preempt these moves with her own moves. Either she'll use the Magdalo for this, or use another force.
SO ITS GOD SAVE THE QUEEN once more.
Saturday, February 9, 2008
Protection
Protection is the new old term being used by everybody in Philippine society today. When asked why police abducted Lozada, PNP chief Razon said cops were just trying to "protect" him. When Lozada testified before the Senate yesterday, he revealed that the reason why the ZTE deal ballooned to an astounding 325 million dollars was "Abalos was just trying to "protect" his 130 million dollar commission. The nuns and civil society witnessed Lozada's testimonty, saying they were trying to "protect" him from the evil forces of the state.
JDV in his valedictory speech before Congress told how he and his partymates "protected" Arroyo from being impeached many times. He was unprepared though to be ousted himself. Senator Cayetano asked Arroyo to "resign or go on leave" to "protect" the integrity of the ZTE investigation.
Now, the chief of the Eastern Police District Supt. Nilo de la Cruz are mobilizing his men to "protect" the EDSA shrine. The state recognizes that the explosive tenor of Lozada's Senate testimony might again see huge throngs of people going to the shrine to oust Arroyo. Dela Cruz said, they want to "protect" the Shrine from the people.
So this word protection was used for:
1. Protecting a person (i.e. Lozada and Arroyo)
2. Commissions (like what Abalos did in ZTE)
3. Impeachment (JDV did that to Arroyo before finally being ousted himself)
4. Integrity (Cayetano is asking Arroyo to at least find the temerity to be ethical)
5. Monuments (EDSA Shrine and the Mendiola bridge)
So we now see the state transforming itself as a garrison state, the kind that only exists in dictatorial regimes. The use of the word admits being attacked or being in a vulnerable state. Both sides (the side of Arroyo and the anti-Arroyos) are protecting themselves from each other, belying the fact that, indeed, both groups are now gearing up for a major fight.
What this means to all of us?
Both groups are appealing to the powerful neutrals for support. The fight between the Arroyo mafia and the Anti-Arroyo groups have now reached strategic neutrality. Contrary to belief, Arroyo is not as powerful as she thinks she is. In one swift stroke, Arroyo's position has changed from the most powerful political leader to a slowly marginalized leader.
I am revising my earlier observation that, Arroyo can't be ousted from any political act. The Lozada episode exposed the weakness of Arroyo. This action of a few nuns and priests from La Salle showed how vulnerable this administration is. It is just a small group of God-fearing men and women who stood up to challenge a dimunitive yet powerful personage such as Arroyo.
It is now, a matter of time and a matter of resources for this thing to snowball. Korina Sanchez asked the most relevant question--where do we go from here? Many people are thinking that this could spell the end of this regime. The Makati Business Club and JDV predicted this to be so. When two of the most powerful voices talk about being ousted, this administration should listen and take the cue. Historically, when both the business sector and the militant religious merge, this means that a campaign is in the offing and we should take this very seriously.
Let me say that the political situation has drastically changed for Mrs. Arroyo. Her fate as a leader now lies in its perilous state, more vulnerable than other previous attempts. Why? Because Lozada has provided the dramatis causa so to speak, that could galvanize public anger and turn it into a huge mass of dissenters. When people are angry inside and they don't find an outlet fast to show their anger, this has very dangerous security implications because it would manifest itself in other forms.
Friday, February 8, 2008
A Confluence of Forces
Malacanang is trying very hard to justify the lies it has been peddling to justify the abduction of Lozada. Obviously, these officials committed a grave blunder which could cause the downfall of this administration.
It is quite obvious that it was a forcible act of the police officers to prevent Lozada from exercising his rights. Questions arise:
1. Why is it that the police officers were able to form a team which includes a lawyer that soon? Obviously, the team which got Lozada from the airport was instructed a few days prior to Lozada's return to the country.
2. Why is it that police did not immediately take Lozada to the senate? Everybody knows that the Senate issued a warrant of arrest against Lozada. Why is it that police did not immediately execute the contempt charge of the senate?
Whatever Razon says about this thing, one fact remains: they really committed a grievous mistake. They are saying that Lozada was not kidnapped. What are the elements which constitute kidnapping? One of the requisites of the crime is the forcible act which prevents an individual from exercising or enjoying his basic rights. At the time of the incident, relatives of Lozada was not able to communicate with him. The PNP was just forced to take Lozada to DLSU Greenhills because of extreme public pressure and probably, when the palace realized that the public already knew of their plans and it was turning to be a fiasco.
What is certain is this:
1. Because of this incident, forces once disunited, have now merged together to again, threaten the security of the state. There's a catch here: if these forces fail to wrest power from Arroyo for the last time, they will find themselves totally marginalized and rendered inutile in the next few years. Any movement now against Arroyo should be extremely cautious and calculated.
Announcement: those who feel obligated as true Filipinos should take part in today's Black Friday mass mobilizations. Civil society groups are planning some activities today to denounce this incident. My take on this is: I am now in lifestyle. Politics in this country sucks.
It is quite obvious that it was a forcible act of the police officers to prevent Lozada from exercising his rights. Questions arise:
1. Why is it that the police officers were able to form a team which includes a lawyer that soon? Obviously, the team which got Lozada from the airport was instructed a few days prior to Lozada's return to the country.
2. Why is it that police did not immediately take Lozada to the senate? Everybody knows that the Senate issued a warrant of arrest against Lozada. Why is it that police did not immediately execute the contempt charge of the senate?
Whatever Razon says about this thing, one fact remains: they really committed a grievous mistake. They are saying that Lozada was not kidnapped. What are the elements which constitute kidnapping? One of the requisites of the crime is the forcible act which prevents an individual from exercising or enjoying his basic rights. At the time of the incident, relatives of Lozada was not able to communicate with him. The PNP was just forced to take Lozada to DLSU Greenhills because of extreme public pressure and probably, when the palace realized that the public already knew of their plans and it was turning to be a fiasco.
What is certain is this:
1. Because of this incident, forces once disunited, have now merged together to again, threaten the security of the state. There's a catch here: if these forces fail to wrest power from Arroyo for the last time, they will find themselves totally marginalized and rendered inutile in the next few years. Any movement now against Arroyo should be extremely cautious and calculated.
Announcement: those who feel obligated as true Filipinos should take part in today's Black Friday mass mobilizations. Civil society groups are planning some activities today to denounce this incident. My take on this is: I am now in lifestyle. Politics in this country sucks.
Thursday, February 7, 2008
A bawang revelation
After some dramatic incidents, Lozada finally appeared before the public, confirming earlier allegations made by Joey de Venecia. As it turned out, the revelations further dug former COMELEC chairman Abalos' grave. Lozada confirmed what Joey exposed at the Senate a few months ago, which led, as some say, to the ouster of his father a few days ago. What do we have to say about the alleged revelation?
Its a bawang revelation. Nothing of the c-4 kind of stuff. Why?
There's nothing new about what Lozada said, except to say that Abalos turned greedy. The reason why this project became so controversial and eventually resulted to its cancellation was the fact that Abalos wanted to go all out by himself. He became so greedy that he sacrificed the deal and his relations with the Arroyos. I expected something like what Charisa Ocampo did at the height of the Erap ouster movement where the former Equitable bank executive testified that she saw Erap signing as Jose Velarde a few feet away from her powdered face. Or something to that effect.
Here, Lozada simply narrated what Joey said before the Senate which Neri refused to reveal. Lozada actually absolved Neri and the First Gentleman of all doubt about the deal. He merely said that he met FG in a meeting and Abalos reportedly told him that the project is now okey.
So the tale shows that greediness did not pay off for Abalos and his group. The ending of this saga is very imminent. It shows how Abalos went greedy and wanted the pie all for himself.
We need more Lozadas to come out of the woodwork and expose not only the ZTE deal but other anomalous deals which this government is cooking up to the detriment of the Filipino people.
Its a bawang revelation. Nothing of the c-4 kind of stuff. Why?
There's nothing new about what Lozada said, except to say that Abalos turned greedy. The reason why this project became so controversial and eventually resulted to its cancellation was the fact that Abalos wanted to go all out by himself. He became so greedy that he sacrificed the deal and his relations with the Arroyos. I expected something like what Charisa Ocampo did at the height of the Erap ouster movement where the former Equitable bank executive testified that she saw Erap signing as Jose Velarde a few feet away from her powdered face. Or something to that effect.
Here, Lozada simply narrated what Joey said before the Senate which Neri refused to reveal. Lozada actually absolved Neri and the First Gentleman of all doubt about the deal. He merely said that he met FG in a meeting and Abalos reportedly told him that the project is now okey.
So the tale shows that greediness did not pay off for Abalos and his group. The ending of this saga is very imminent. It shows how Abalos went greedy and wanted the pie all for himself.
We need more Lozadas to come out of the woodwork and expose not only the ZTE deal but other anomalous deals which this government is cooking up to the detriment of the Filipino people.
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