Ebdane and Puno charged with MONUMENTAL PLUNDER

Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago just recommended the filing of graft and plunder charges against former DPWH secretary and now, self-proclaimed "labor and peasants" party presidential bet Hermogenes Ebdane. Included as the principal in Santiago's charge sheet is Dodie Puno, the brother of Santiago nemesis Ronnie Puno of DILG. The two sheenanigans were charged with plundering the Road Users' Tax. How much is involved? 60.5 billion pesos of our monies. Wow. "Apocalytic Corruption" indeed.

Santiago's main point is that Ebdane and Puno allowed the anomalous use of the Road User's Tax in scandalous circumstances, transferring funds collected from the tax, and using it to allegedly "fatten the wallets" of both Puno and Ebdane.

The report of Santiago is so detailed that it even includes juicy details of the ala "rich and famous" lifestyle of Dodie Puno. Santiago blamed the two for the monumental disaster called Ondoy, which killed 1,000 and left millions homeless.

“I accuse those crooks of the crime of terminal corruption. They are ghouls, they are vampires, and they should spend the rest of their lives in jail, for they have violated the laws of civilized society, the laws of nature and the laws of God"

With Santiago's charge, speculations are rife that Ebdane, who proclaimed his bid for the presidency yesterday, is just making a mockery of justice. Ebdane, who resigned as DPWH secretary might have proclaimed the bid to skirt the corruption issue and prevent it from infecting the entire Arroyo administration. Others say that Ebdane should be prevented from running in the elections since it is now highly suspicious how he got the money to spend for his electoral bid. Many believe that Ebdane is now using those anomalous billions he got from the Road User's Tax and diverted it to fund his election machinery. Remember that election funds are still unaccountable.



Dodie Puno, says Santiago, used the Road User's Tax to spend lavishly on his girlfriends and alleged paramours, despite having a family of his own. Puno reportedly owns two yatchs, purchased under suspicious circumstances, numerous expensive condominiums, expensive luxury vehicles and host lavish parties for his friends.

A New Basing Treaty replacing a Very Favorable Agreement (VFA)

Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago wants an abrogation of the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) in the light of revelations that 500 or so US soldiers are routinely being stationed in Mindanao even without the Balikatan exercises. US Ambassador Kristie Kenney, meanwhile, said that there's no need to review the agreement since it works for the interests of both sides. Lt Senior Grade Nancy Gadian's "revelations" that the US maintains "forward bases" in the Philippines have sparked renewed public interest in the VFA. Despite the VFA, Gadian said that US troops are not observing the "proper decorum" in accordance with the Very Favorable Agreement (VFA).

Now, is Miriam Defensor-Santiago's call for the abrogation of the VFA a real honest-to-goodness attempt at protecting Philippine sovereignty from US intervention? No.

Santiago is part of a charade which aims to force a new treaty more favorable to the United States. How's that? If you analyze the arguments of Santiago, she questions the length of stay or period of "basing" by US troops, not the legal processes within the pact itself. What Santiago proposes is for the US to be "clear" on the length of stay of its troops in Philippine territory. That, by itself, is a message for the US to "renegotiate" not an executive agreement, but a TREATY that would revive the idea of stationing US troops for a long period of time here.

So, a charade is being done in full public view to justify a new basing treaty, even using Gadian both to justify the re-negotiation and divert public attention from the finer details of this new treaty being proposed.

Jinggoy tops senatorial bets

In the latest Pulse Asia survey, Senator Jinggoy Estrada got 50.2 placing him first preference of the people followed by Liberal Party president Mar Roxas. Pia Cayetano placed third while Senator Bong Revilla Jr. is fourth and Senator Franklin Drilon in fifth place with 48.3%.

If you look at the PulseAsia survey, you'll find very familiar names in the top 12 slots: Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago (2-6), Sen. Jamby Madrigal (7-11), Sen. Ralph Recto (7-11), Sen. Jojo Binay (7-11), and Sen. Aquilino Pimentel's son, Koko (7-13) and Senate President Juan Ponce-Enrile (10-14). The only "new" name there is Sen. Edu Manzano (7-14).

BY the way, Edu is not a neophyte in the political world having served as Makati Vice Mayor for one term. He lost when he ran in the mayoral post, the exclusive turf of the Binays (of course).

One surprising name, Atty. Alex Lacson, figured prominently in the list, placing between 19 to 24 places, even better than veteran politicos Ruffy Biazon (19-24), Robert Ace Barbers (25-29), Mike Defensor and even Jun Lozada.

Who's Alex Lacson? Well, he's a nice guy who happened to be my room mate for many years at the University of the Philippines-Diliman. He's a practising lawyer and never hold a government office. He's a principled guy and I would love to see him at the Senate soon.

Danny Lim is at the 30th to 44th place, a tad higher than Roilo Golez (31-49). But of course, these would change as the polls near.

Interestingly, however, these names are either scions of political dynasties or those occupying former sensitive posts in the government, who, one way or another, was involved in serious allegations of graft and corruption.

Why is Defense secretary Teodoro not in the official delegation to Washington?

Is'nt it very odd that Mrs. Arroyo left her Defense secretary here when the purported reason behind Washington's invitation was all about terrorism? Mrs. Arroyo deemed it wise to tag along her amigas, Congresswomen Amelita Villarosa, Cosculluela and even Cong. Susano along, with MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando and his wife Marikina mayor Marides, but forgot to include her defense chief when all she will be talking with Barack Obama are defense and security matters?

It seems even strange that Executive secretary Eduardo Ermita, who heads the presidential task force on Human Rights and Justice secretary Agnes Devenadera, who heads the department handling sensitive criminal and civil cases, are included. Would Obama discuss those increasing numbers of human rights cases here? Possibly, says Senator Rodolfo Biazon.

It is even more odd that a Senator, Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago is also with Mrs. Arroyo. What would be the role of Miriam when she does not know about defense and security matters anyway?

Senator Rodolfo Biazon said that the visit may not be as good as what she had back in 2004, the year when she was elected. There is a great possibility that Obama will discuss the worsening human rights situation in the country.

Back to my original question---what is the reason behind that decision to leave Teodoro behind? Curiously though, Teodoro's rival for the Lakas-KAMPI presidential nomination, Fernando, is with the president. Is that an indication that Teodoro has already secured Mrs. Arroyo's support and Teodoro is slowly being eased out, like what's happening with Puno?

For the latest update, go to http://www.newphilrevolution.com.

Miriam: Bomb Meralco (Just joking part 2)

I remember one quip that Miriam said during the dying days of the Erap regime. She was being asked if she'll honor her promise to jump in the Pasig river since events have proven her to be incorrect (of her previous "learned" assertion). The lady solon laughed loud and said that she just lied.

Yesterday, Miriam dropped another "bomb". She lambasted Meralco and accused it of maintaining "little mafia" groups. She then suggested to "bomb" Meralco.

I shudder to think of Miriam conducting trials at the International Court of Justice (ICJ). Imagine someone like her mediating between North and South Korea. Or something explosive like claimants of the Spratlys. This little dynamite will surely cause a maelstrom or spark an international war like what she nearly did when she lambasted the Chinese during the ZTE probe.

Such is our fate: we have irresponsible legislators who think highly of themselves as gods. We have government officials who are as haughty as the ones they accused of a crime.

Government propaganda against Meralco continued in high gear, as GSIS president Winston Garcia said that government is willing to buy the Lopezes out. If something like that happens, a buyout, surely we are in for a whole lot of trouble.

Expect Meralco to be pump-primed as a milking cow. Expect the giant utility firm to lose profitability in just a few months. And expect us, after two years, to be paying all the government shit afterwards.