• Home
  • About me
  • My Privacy Policy

Inside Philippine politics & beyond

Something highly unusual is happening over at the Philippine Senate

July 7, 2011

Share:
Twitter0
Facebook0
LinkedIn2
Pinterest0

 

By Raïssa Robles

Uriarte - on PCSO

PCSO General Manager Rosario Uriarte testifies at the Senate that ex-Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo signed in front of her documents to disburse lottery take as intel funds - PHOTO by Raissa Robles

I’m right now chasing a deadline for my Hong Kong newspaper but I thought I’d dash off a few lines to share with you my gut feel that something highly unusual is happening at the Philippine Senate.

First of all, June and July of every year is supposed to be the longest vacation time for senators and congressmen. A time when many of them fly to their condos and houses overseas or go to Europe to “make lamierda”.

And yet, there they were inside the Senate grilling the former Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office General Manager Rosario Uriarte to a toast.

It’s not really Uriarte they were after but former President-turned-Congresswoman Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. What Uriarte said was devastating for herself and for Arroyo. She implicated Mrs Arroyo in alleged shenanigans involving the use of PCSO lottery winnings  for intelligence gathering. What Uriarte said was similar to what banker Clarissa Ocampo testified to during then President Joseph Estrada’s impeachment trial.

Ocampo said she was seated a foot away from Estrada when he signed the name “Jose Velarde” to bank documents. Uriarte said this morning she obtained Arroyo’s signed “OK” to the release of multi-million pesos intelligence funds. She gave her testimony under oath, which means it can be used under any court of law.

And she repeated the same about Arroyo over and over.

If you found the questioning of the senators tedious because they kept asking Uriarte the same question over and over and she kept answering the same thing over and over, it is a trial technique to show that the witness remained firm in what she was saying.

The PCSO case may turn out to be a relatively simple case to prosecute compared to the fertilizer fund scam and the tainted telecoms broadband deal involving China’s ZTE Corporation. All the senators have to do is follow the money trail.

All the new Ombudsman needs to do is to find “probable cause” to order Arroyo’s arrest. And since, as the senators kept pointing out, the money involved is more than enough to constitute plunder, the charge could be for the non-bailable crime of plunder. (The 1991 Philippine Plunder Law puts a floor of P75 million for a crime to be considered such.)

Under Article VI, Section 11 of the Constitution, a lawmaker loses immunity from arrest for capital crimes and all other crimes punished with more than six years in jail.

But never mind all that. Mrs Arroyo really firmly believes in her motto – “I will do my best and God will take care of the rest.”

Tagged With: Congresswoman Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office

Comments

  1. youth4change philippines says

    July 7, 2011 at 9:26 PM

    I wasn’t mistaken in my first impression about Raisa Robles’ political blog. Everyday there is indeed something to look forward to in her article, even if she is supposed to dash off to Hongkong for her other journalistic duties and obligations. Well, I couldn’t agree more with her view that all the Senate has to do is follow the money trail. Former Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office General Manager Rosario is GMA’s Clarissa Ocampo as she was during Pres. Estrada. The honorable senators must not dilly-dally on the matter because recently, the former president has been touring around the world. For what? Maybe for shopping…not of fashionable items but country that may grant her political asylum once she is convicted of financial crimes here in the Philippines. Let the ax fall where it may! and hopefully, though, not to any small-time John Does(fall guys!) but to big-time grafters like the GMA…

  2. nanie geronimo says

    July 7, 2011 at 8:41 PM

    The truth really sets one free. in this case, Uriarte forgot that she no longer under the protection of the “Ok” gang leader. Now, let’s hear the refrain: No project passed through my office. This is purely political harassment.

    Now, the Bishops need to pray,pray very hard! Karma awaits.

  3. jo says

    July 7, 2011 at 7:44 PM

    i love that last line.. But never mind all that. Mrs Arroyo really firmly believes in her motto – “I will do my best and God will take care of the rest.”

  4. Luwi Cheng says

    July 7, 2011 at 3:52 PM

    “and his son visits his dearest mummy behind bars.” ALL OF THEM en famille should be behind bars.

  5. Evangeline Eriksson says

    July 7, 2011 at 3:22 PM

    Wheww! Very hot in here. I can´t wait when she gets arrested and his son visits his dearest mummy behind bars.

Trackbacks

  1. Something highly unusual is happening over at the Philippine … | Pnoy Talks says:
    July 7, 2011 at 5:57 PM

    […] more here: Something highly unusual is happening over at the Philippine … This entry was posted in Gloria, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and tagged disburse-lottery, documents, […]

First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out— Because I was not a Socialist Then they came fof the Trade Unionists, and I did not out speak out— Because I was not a Trade Unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out— Because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me— And there was no one left to speak for me. —Martin Niemöller (1892-1984)

Subscribe to raissarobles.com

Please select all the ways you would like to hear from raissarobles.com:

You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the link in the footer of our emails. For information about our privacy practices, please visit our website.

This blog uses MailChimp as a mass mailing platform. By clicking below to subscribe, you acknowledge that your information will be transferred to MailChimp but only for processing. Learn more about MailChimp's privacy practices here.

Christopher “Bong” Go is a billionaire – Duterte

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_NmX1Px57cI

Find more of my articles by typing here:

My Stories (2009 – Present)

Cyber-Tambayan on Twitter:

Tweets by raissawriter

Copyright © 2023 · News Pro Theme On Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.Accept Decline Read More
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT