Inside Philippine politics & beyond

I tried getting some SALNs from Congress What do you think happened?

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By Raïssa Robles

UPDATE as of 8:50 PM, July 26, 2012 – My hubby-editor Alan changed the head to this.

You’d think that with everything that happened during the impeachment of Renato Corona as top judge, government officials especially congressmen would open up and be more transparent with revealing their wealth. Nope, sorry.

Just before Congress resumed its sessions, I decided to test the transparency and accountability professed by congressmen: I tried to get hold of some of their Statements of Assets Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN).

Imagine my surprise when I was told by someone at the Office of the Secretary General that they wouldn’t release them. In fact they wouldn’t release any at all.

I asked: Not a single one?

The man I talked to expressed regret and said a committee of lawmakers that would draft the guidelines for such release was formed last month but still had to meet. Until then, no SALN would be released.

What makes things interesting for me is that years before the impeachment of Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona, it was much easier to obtain SALNs provided (1) You only wanted a few of them and (2) They didn’t belong to any lawmaker surnamed “Arroyo.”

The clampdown on information in Congress tightened as then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s relations with the media worsened. I remember one ridiculous – at least I thought it was an utterly ridiculous – situation  when the House of Representatives voted on the Baselines Law late one evening.

The next day, I phoned the Bills and Index Section to find out how two people — Mrs Arroyo’s son and her brother-in-law — had voted on the Baseline Law the day before. By that time, the previous day’s journal of the House had already been printed and this recorded the vote of each congressman. There is nothing secret about how lawmakers vote.

Imagine my surprise – and OK, irritated amusement – when I was told I should first write a letter to the Office of the Secretary General expressing my request and my intention and this would be acted on the following day, maybe. But since my deadline was that very day, the information would have been useless to me by the next day.

I am writing this to explain that there are times that news is time-bound and disclosures done AFTER a certain time are useless.

Disclosures of SALNs would be useless if done close to next year’s elections. And so I hope that the House of Representatives will start releasing actual SALNs long before the period of filing of the certificates of candidacies for next year’s elections. And I also hope they do not bar media and anti-corruption groups from obtaining SALNS from previous years. Because the only way to appreciate the current SALN of a lawmaker is to compare this with his previous years’ SALNs.

Comments

  1. I’m impressed, I have to admit. Seldom do I come across a blog that’s equally educative and entertaining, and without a doubt,
    you’ve hit the nail on the head. The problem is something that
    too few men and women are speaking intelligently about. I am very happy that I stumbled across this
    during my hunt for something regarding this.

  2. New SALN rules for public access

    Ombudsman Sets SALN Release Rules

    By JUN RAMIREZ
    September 17, 2012, 5:50pm

    MANILA, Philippines — The Office of the Ombudsman (OMB) has issued new guidelines for how the public can secure Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALNs) filed by government officials and employees.

    The guidelines are contained in Memorandum Circular No. 03 signed by OMB chair Conchita Carpio last week and will take effect starting October 15, 2012.

    According to OMB spokesman Asryman Rafanan, the new SALN rules shift from the concept of “everything is secret unless allowed” to “everything is open unless restricted.”

    The new guidelines were first disclosed during the weekly radio program, Ombudsman Ngayon, aired over DZRB.

    Assistant Ombudsman Evelyn Baliton said that unlike the old rules which identifies only three types of SALN request purposes (press report, student research, court subpoena), the new rules provide that “all requests for copies of SALNs shall be granted,” subject only to certain exceptions.

    The restrictions included that the request is not contrary to law, morals or public policy, that it is not for any commercial purpose, or prompted by sheer idle curiosity, the identity of the requesting party appears to be fictitious.

    The guidelines also state that the requester has no derogatory records of having misused any information previously furnished, and that are grounds to believe that the request is being made with a plainly discernible improper motive.

    Rafanan states that the new guidelines ensure the widest possible public access to SALNs that are in the custody of the OMB.

    He said the guidelines exclusively covered request for SALN kept by the OMB and not for copies kept in other government offices like the Civil Service Commission which have their own set of rules on public access to the document.

    “All the requester needs to do is to subscribe the SALN Request Form, present the required identification cards, and pay minimal reproduction fees,” he said.

    READ the rest at
    Ombudsman Sets SALN Release Rules

    http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/373794/ombudsman-sets-saln-release-rules

  4. The Law used to hang the former Supreme Court Justice with should apply to all, including the same body that initiated that Impeachment, shouldn’t it ? It makes perfect sense .

  5. So u must be that sneaky “little lady” invading private bank accounts and ppls. You should go to jail! You media ppl over use your freedom to be honest GMA was very nice to u… if u were in other countries like Russia, Iran etc… etc, you will be beheaded in public! BTW I do not agree of PNOYs opinion or dismay on court GMA Bail decision and him defending a “hearsay” evidence saying no more collaboration is needed it is enough for one person…. so? that that mean when he is not in power somebody then can just say she saw or heard the President kill or steal something and it is enough evidence! I really wish I did not vote for PNoy it was a mistake brought by Tita Cory emotions. Thank God for his Mother he only has 3 years left!

    • No I am not that sneaky “little lady” invading private bank accounts and ppls.

      Obviously you want me to be so you can bash me.

      Nice try.

    • GMA was very nice to media only to protect her personal interests. If this was Iran or Russia… sige, dun ka tumira kung gusto mo lahat ng media pinapatay pag nag-uungkat ng katotohanan. Yun pala ang preference mo.

  6. Raissa,

    Thanks for posting the entire speech of Pnoy below. After reading through it, I’m in full agreement with it.

    Noli should take it like a man. The issue is not his integrity or press freedom.

    I remember the old format of TV Patrol, where they had a panel that included Noli, Mel Tiangco, Kiko Evangelista(bless his soul) plus one more and after the news segments, they would have a short discussion of the day’s top issue.

    Like modern day Pharisees, they would pontificate on it and it got to the point where I would switch channels because it was turning me off. Mostly dripping with sarcasm and knee-jerk comments were all it had, it soon became obvious that they knew very little of the subject matter.

    While they had every right to discuss it in whatever manner they wanted, I dont think they were helping any.They changed format soon after that, shifting to a one man news anchor.

    Why can’t they serve up the news straight up just like NBC’s Brian Williams? Reserve the editorializing for special segments, investigative reports, or other programs.

    In that kidnapping case, Noli obviously knew nothing, as he was just in the studio, and yet he appears to have made conclusions right away.

    I also agree with Alan’s article on Noli. But I dont think anybody has ever made the mistake of classifying him as a heavyweight. He has integrity, yes but he is just a talking head.

      • ABOUT ACCESS TO SALNs: There might only be very few things which are absolute in this world. LIKE making available to citizens or government functionaries any or all SALNs of members of Congress. May be, just make them accessible to the public through the internet. If you want access, register your name and purpose. Sometimes how fast we need info creates SNAFU.

        Good GAME hunters are known NOT TO use shotguns when single shots will do.

  8. Hmm, I’m in between jobs right now so I have more time watching news.. I just want to commend the significant improvements shown by PTV -4 news .. I’m not sure if there has been a change in management but I really think that what they are doing is really good for the channel. I also like how the anchors deliver the news.

    • Also, I just want to comment on the news available from morning , lunch and evening. It seems that we just recycle most of the news. Considering the numerous resources by GMA 7 and Channel 2 , I’m expecting more. Also, they need to balance good and bad news. Plus, media personnel needs to be more responsible on the opinions they give out on their segments… I think news segments should be used to inform only, not to give out opinions.. If they would like to give out opinions, they should set a debate type of segment where the other side can give out their defense…

      Also, I really hate those reporters who always says ” sabi po nila ” whenever asking questions sa prescon.. dito kasi nagsisimula yung gulo… They should name names …

      Insights on JBC panel,

      1. Okay yung mga questions..
      2. Professional yung mga nagtatanong except for Peralta,, para kasi siyang pulitiko kapag nagsalita.. mahangin sa mga achivements..
      3. Sana iwasan naman ng JBC sa susunod na laging pag usapan yung budget ng Judiciary,, may tamang forum para dun.. If a person would really like to work sa goverment, dapat ang reason nila ay dahil gusto nilang magbigay ng ” SERVICE” sa bayan, secondary lang yung income…

      • Last na lang,, Magtatanong lang kasi I’m curious, what could possibly happen kung mag organize din ang Pinas ng fishing vessels along with a BFAR vessel to fish close to Panatag Shoal and Spratlys, would this be considered as increasing tension in West Philippine Sea? Considering na civilian vessel naman yung BFAR boat… and mangingisda lang naman tayo dun..We can use the PAG ASA island and Masinloc town as Bagsakan…Maybe we can export pa yung fish products sa kanila…sayang lang kasi kung sila lang nakikinabang…

      • Kasi Emong, the phrase “sabi po nila” is sometimes used by reporters as a way not to offend the person being interviewed. To soften the question. It’s equivalent to saying – “some quarters say…”

        For instance, instead of asking a government official: “Are you corrupt?”
        A reporter asks – Some quarters say you are corrupt? Any comment to that?

        Which one do you think a government official would be inclined to answer?

        • Hmm, but then that would be considered as hearsay and unfair naman dun sa mga hindi talaga corrupt officials… And I don’t think they should be offended unless it is true.. Can’t they minimize or regulate the use of that phrase and based most of the questions on facts, just like what you are doing for the sake of credibility and integrity..Sorry napansin ko lang ito lagi dun sa Press Con ng Malacanang sa Channel 4..

        • That technique is to be used only when a reporter has evidence of the wrongdoing. Oftentimes, it is abused.

  9. Deart Raissa,
    You appear to be so naive, but still I like you.
    I told you before that our president is interested in fulfilling his anti corruption pre election promise only extending to his political enemies.
    How about corrupt Philippines Postal Service? Corrupt Police?
    Corrupt Military Leaders diverting military budget for own domestic…………

  10. For those wondering what President Aquino said at the Radyo Patrol anniversary, I’m posting it for you below. No, I wasn’t there. I wasn’t invited.

    By the way, my hubby Alan wrote about Noli de Castro seven years ago. Here is the link –

    Gloria’s not-so secret weapon
    by Alan C. Robles
    Hot Manila
    http://hotmanila.ph/ESP/2005/noli03050951.htm

    Here is President Aquino’s unexpected speech:

    Speech of President Aquino at the 25th anniversary of TV Patrol, July 27, 2012
    Talumpati
    ng
    Kagalang-galang Benigno S. Aquino III
    Pangulo ng Pilipinas
    Sa ika-25 anibersaryo ng TV Patrol

    [Inihayag sa Manila Hotel noong ika-27 ng Hulyo 2012]

    Mr. Gabby Lopez; Mrs. Charo Santos-Concio; Ms. Ging Reyes; Senator Frank Drilon; Senator Loren Legarda; Secretaries Mar Roxas, Greg Domingo, Ricky Carandang; Chairman Francis Tolentino; Bangko Sentral Governor Sy Tetangco; Mayor Alfredo Lim; Representative Sonny Angara; Commissioner Ruffy Biazon; Commissioner Kim Henares; Chair Sixto Brillantes; past and present officials and staff of TV Patrol and ABS-CBN; fellow workers in government; honored guests; mga minamahal ko pong kababayan:

    Magandang gabi po sa inyong lahat.

    Dito po magkakaaminan: Noon pong kabataan ko, wala pang ANC, wala pang CNN, at aaminin ko po, sa totoo lang, wala pang cable TV. Kung kailangan mo ng instant news, halimbawa, kapag may bagyo, nawalan ng kuryente, ang tutok namin noong mga panahong iyon: Radyo Patrol. Sa pag-usad ng panahon, mas naging moderno ang pagbabalita; ang tinig na rumoronda sa himpapawid, nadadagdagan ng biswal na elemento. At narito na po tayo ngayon, ipinagdiriwang ang Silver Anniversary ng isa sa mga pinakamatibay na institusyon sa pagbabalita: Ang TV Patrol.

    Sa loob ng dalawampu’t limang taon, kinilala ang TV Patrol sa tapang at sigasig ng paghahatid ng impormasyon sa mamamayang Pilipino. Sa tuwing may sakuna, naroon kayo upang magbigay ng kaalaman kung paano umiwas sa peligro at disgrasya. Sa tuwing may agam-agam ang publiko ukol sa isyu, kayo ang takbuhan para sa tapat na pag-uulat. Kaya naman, sa lahat ng bumubuo ng inyong programa, mula noon hanggang ngayon, sa harap man o sa likod ng kamera: talaga namang pong isang mainit na pagbati sa inyong ikadalawampu’t limang anibersaryo. [Applause]

    Kapag katotohanan ang pinag-uusapan, lagi kong naaalala ang isang sikat na police drama noong ako po’y bata pa. Dragnet ang pangalan po ng programa. At sa pagkalap ng kaalaman, ang bukambibig noong isang bida, and I quote, “Just the facts, Ma’am.”

    Hayaan po ninyo akong ilatag ang ilang facts na inihayag natin sa SONA noong Lunes:

    Five point two million sa pinakamahirap na kabahayang Pilipino ang buong-buo at walang-bayad nang makikinabang sa benepisyo ng PhilHealth. Fact po ito.

    Bago matapos ang susunod na taon, ubos na ang minana nating 66,800 na kakulangan sa silid-aralan. Fact na naman po ito.

    Tinitiyak na po ang kalidad ng higit sa 70,000 na mga baril na ipagkakaloob sa natitirang 45 porsyento ng ating kapulisan. Matapos po ang prosesong ito, magkakaroon na tayo ng one-is-to-one ratio ng pulis at sa armas na kailangan po nila sa kanilang trabaho. Fact din po ito.

    Ilan lang po ito sa mga pagbabagong tinatamasa ngayon, at nakamit po natin ito sa unang dalawang taon pa lamang ng ating pamamahala. Nang mag-umpisa tayo bilang Pangulo, ni wala po tayong masipat na “light at the end of the tunnel.” Ni hindi nga po kami sigurado kung may dulo pa ang balon ng problemang ipinamana sa atin. Wala naman po sigurong magkakaila: Napakalaki na ng ipinagbago ng ating bansa. At palagay ko po naman, fact din po iyan sa ating lahat. [Applause]

    Huwag po sana ninyong mamasamain, tutal kaharap ko na po kayo ngayon, at one night lang naman sa 365 days ng isang taon ko kayo makakausap. Tingnan po natin ang paghahayag ng inyong institusyon.

    Noong Oktubre ng nakaraang taon, may isang reporter kayo ang nagbabalita sa NAIA 3. Ang sabi niya, sa puntong iyon, tumaas ng dalawampung porsiyento ang passenger arrivals sa paliparan. Magandang balita, at higit sa lahat, fact po iyan. Sa kabila nito, nakuha pa pong humirit ng isang anchor n’yo at ang sabi po niya, and I quote, “Nasa NAIA 3 ka kasi; kung nasa NAIA 1 ka, doon malala.” Sa loob-loob ko po, anong kinalaman ng ibinabalita sa NAIA 3 sa NAIA 1? May nagsabi po bang ayos na ayos na ang NAIA 1? Kung mayroon man ho, hindi kami. Nakaligtaan niya atang mahigit 30 anyos na ang istrukturang ito.

    Napapaisip nga po ako: ‘yung nagkomento nito, hindi ba’t anim na taon ding tumangan sa renda ng gobyerno? Sabihin na po nating minana lang din nila ang problema; ‘di hamak mas luma naman ang ipinamana nilang problema sa amin. Anim na taon ang ipinagkaloob sa kanya para tumulong sa pagsasaayos ng mismong inirereklamo niya. Pero ngayon, tayo na nga ang may bitbit na problema, tayo na nga ang tutugon dito, pero, masakit nga ho, may gana pa tayong hiritan ng nagpamana?

    Naalala ko rin po nang na-recover ng NBI ang isang banyagang bata na nakidnap. Ang ganda na po sana: Nakakuha ng tip ang awtoridad, kumilos sila, at na-recover ang bata. Masaya ang mga magulang na kapiling na muli nila ang kanilang anak; masaya ang bata na kayakap niya ang kaniyang ama’t ina; masaya ang awtoridad na maayos at matagumpay ang operasyon nila. Mukhang ang hindi lang masaya, ito nga pong anchor natin na nagawa pa uling humirit na baka raw na-set-up lang raw ang rescue operation, at binayaran lang talaga ang ransom. Kahit anong pilit ng reporter na malinaw ang operasyon; nag-surveillance ang mga taga-NBI, at talagang natiyempuhan nilang walang nakabantay sa bata, pilit pa rin po nang pilit ang anchor. Sabi nga ho ng nanonood kong kasama, “Naman.” Kami pa po mismo ang magagalak kung makakapaghain kayo ng kapirasong ebidensya ukol dito, at kung mayroon nagkamali, usigin natin ang mga nagkamali.

    May naitutulong po ba ang mga walang-basehang spekulasyon, lalo na kung lumalabas ka sa telebisyon at sinusubaybayan ng sambayanan? Kung nagbabangkaan lang tayo sa kanto, hindi problema ang mga walang-basehang patutsada. Pero kung alam mong opinion-maker ka, alam mo rin dapat na mayroon kang responsibilidad. Sana po, sa tuwing sasabihin nating, and I quote, “magandang gabi, bayan,” ay totoong hinahangad nating maging maganda ang gabi ng bayan.

    May isa pa po: Ang pagtaas-baba po kasi ng pamasahe, dumadaan sa mahabang proseso. Minabuti po nating makipag-ugnayan sa transport groups, sa pangunguna po ni Secretary Mar Roxas, upang bumuo ng kasunduang makatuwiran. Dahil sa kaguluhan sa Gitnang Silangan, malaki ang naging gastusin ng mga tsuper sa pataas na pataas na presyo ng krudo, kaya oras na umabot ang diesel sa napagkasunduang presyo, ibibigay sa kanila ang kanilang fare hike para matulungan naman. Ngunit sang-ayon sila na kapag bumalik ang presyo’t bumaba rin ang presyo ng krudo, magkukusa rin silang ibaba ang pamasahe. Ika nila, imbes na sumobra ang tubo, bilang Pilipino ay magmamalasakit kami sa kapwa Pilipino.

    Ibinalita po ito ng field reporter ninyo. Good news po talaga: Ang risonableng mungkahi, napagbigyan; ang pamahalaan, grupo ng tsuper, nagtulungan. Panalo ang sambayanan. Ang problema, nagawa pa rin itong sundutan ng komentaryo. Matapos i-report, ang pambungad na tanong ng inyong anchor: Ano raw ba ang angal ng mga grupo sa akin po. Ang reaksyon ko, “Saan naman nanggaling ‘yun?”

    Nagkasundo-sundo na tayong tugunan ang isang problema, mayroon pang naghahanap ng angal.

    Nagkakasundo na nga, para bang gusto pa ring pag-awayin. Mahirap pong isipin na bahagi ito ng inyong job description. ‘Di po ba kung umangat ang ating kalagayan, tayo ang panalo; at kung lumubog naman ito, tayo rin naman ang talo? Bakit parang mas gusto ng iba na makita tayong lumulubog?

    Kung gabi-gabing bad news ang hapunan ni Juan dela Cruz, talaga namang mangangayayat ang puso’t isip niya sa kawalan ng pag-asa. Mayroon po kayong The Filipino Channel, kung saan napapanood ng mga dayuhan at ng ating mga kababayan sa ibayong dagat ang mga balita sa Pilipinas. Isipin po natin: bawat isang turistang bumibisita sa bansa tinatayang isang trabaho ang naglilikha. Ilang turista kaya kada buwan ang nagka-cancel ng bakasyon dahil sa araw-araw na negatibismo? Ilan kayang kababayan ang nawawalan ng pagkakataong magkaroon ng kabuhayan dahil sa bad news na ito? Kung isa po kayo sa sampung milyon nating kababayan na nagsasakripisyo sa ibayong-dagat, gaganahan kaya kayong bumalik dito kung mas nakakasindak pa sa Shake, Rattle, and Roll ang balita sa telebisyon? Kailan pa po ba naging masama ang pagpapahayag ng mabuting balita?

    Sa pagpapatrol ninyo sa bawat sulok ng bansa, tiyak na may nadaratnan kayong mga positibong kuwentong maaaring maging bukal ng inspirasyon at pag-asa sa ating mga kababayan. Hindi naman po siguro masusunog ang mga TV sets at radyo ng inyong mga suki kung paminsan-minsan ito ang inyong ibalita. Hindi naman po siguro kalabisang isipin na sa pagtaas ng iniluluwas nating coco water na mahigit 3,300 porsiyento ang inangat, may mahahagilap kayong isang magsasaka na magsasabing, “Dati, itinatapon lang ito. Ngayon napapagkakitaan na namin.” Sa mahigit tatlong milyong pamilyang benepisyaryo ngayon ng Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, hindi naman po siguro mahirap maghanap ng isang magsasabing, “Malaking tulong ang programang ito.”

    Alalahanin po natin: Anumang sinasabi n’yo ay nakakaapekto sa pananaw ng Pilipino—humuhubog sa kanyang mga kilos, sa pagtingin niya sa kanyang sarili, sa kapwa, at sa bayan. Kapag pinaniwala si Juan na panay pangit ang nangyayari sa lipunan, talagang mawawalan siya ng dahilan para tumungo sa katuparan ng mga adhikain niya. Pero kung nakikita niyang ang dating problema ay nasusulusyonan, mag-aalab ang pag-asa, at magkakakompiyansa siyang sumulong dahil alam niyang may pagbabago na.

    Marami pa ba tayong problemang kailangang tugunan, at hindi po magiging madaling lampasan ang mga ito, lalo na kung kaliwa’t kanan ang hilaw na kuru-kuro at spekulasyon. Sa akin na po mismo manggagaling: Marami pa ring butas ang dinatnan nating sistema at hindi perpekto ang gobyerno, kaya’t kung may pagkukulang kami, ipaalam lang po ninyo. Parati ko pong ipinapaalala, sa ilang samahan na baka tumataas ang ere: nag-uumpisa ang kaalaman sa pag-amin na hindi lahat ng kaalaman ay nasa akin. Ako na mismo ang aamin: wala kaming monopolyo sa husay at talino, at hindi kami tama sa lahat ng sandali. Subalit hindi malulunasan ang mga problema kung sa bawat isang hakbang pasulong natin, puro paatras naman ang hila ng ilang gusto tayong ibalik sa dilim ng ating dinatnan.

    Kung may paligsahan nga po sa pag-unawa’t pagtitimpi, malamang naman po gold medalist na po tayo diyan. Bahagi po kasi ito ng trabaho natin. Bahagi rin nito ang magsabi ng totoo, at sa gabing ito, inilahad ko lamang po ang katotohanang nakikita ko.

    Hindi ko hinihiling na kumatha kayo ng mga gawa-gawang kuwento, o pagandahin ang imahen ng gobyerno. Ang akin lang po, kung naibabalita ang mga nagaganap na krimen at trahedya, ibalita rin naman po natin sana kung paano ito naresolba. Kung inilalantad po natin ang kabulastugan; matuto naman din po sana tayong kilalanin ang mga nagagawang kabutihan. At kung may maimumungkahi kayo para lalo nating mapagbuti ang pagsisilbi sa bayan, kami po ay makikinig. Ibalanse lamang natin; tandaan na natin sa bawat sulat, sa bawat ulat, ay nag-iiwan kayo ng marka sa publiko; nakakaapekto kayo sa buhay ng kapwa Pilipino. Ang pagkiling sa negatibismo ay mag-aatras lamang sa dapat sana’y pag-usad na ng ating bayan at mga kapwa Pilipino.

    Patuloy po tayong magsumikap upang iangat ang antas ng propesyunalismo, integridad, at kredibilidad sa larangan ng paglilingkod-bayan; patuloy nating isabuhay, bantayan at patingkarin ang ating demokrasya. Bilang isang lahing Pilipino, sama-sama nating isatinig at ihayag ang ating paninindigan: nandito na ang Pilipinas, tinatamasa na ng Pilipino ang pagbabagong siya rin mismo ang gumawa.

    Muli, at ako po’y pagpasensyahan ninyo kung masyadong prangka nagsalita ngayong gabi. Maganda na ho siguro ‘yung totoo ang sabihin para magkaunawan tayo nang maliwanang. Muli po, binabati ko ang TV Patrol sa inyong ika-25 kaarawan. Maraming, maraming salamat po sa inyong paglilingkod sa bayan at more power po. Magandang gabi po. [Applause]

    • WOW how a naive lady answered that one, with a waterfall and avalanche
      of facts. It is so difficult to detect naivete in a person. Infants have not learned
      that yet. Way to go Ms. Raissa.

    • Hi Raissa,

      Please, please remind me never to raise Alan’s ire. He is a sharpshooter, his bullets direct and deadly.

  11. Raissa,

    Please, let’s talk about P-noy’s sermon vs Noli de Castro at TV Patrol’s 25th anniversary…

    Dont want to start the thread in this post…. :)

    tnx

  12. disgusting ang ating justice kagaya ng sangdigang bayan bakit pinayagang mag bail si Arroyo. The SALN hindi dapat itago sa publiko.

    • @ grace mary,

      Tama ka, Napaka disgusting nang ating justice system, Biro mo “under our Law” election sabotages is unbaillable pero bakit nakapag Bail Bond si GMA? Noong 2004 ay inamin na nga mismo ni GMA ang Hello Garci scandal/dayaan tapos ngayon sasabihin ni judge mupas na mahina ang ibedensiya, BAKIT?

      Sabagay makalusot man si GMA ngayon balang araw pagsisihan at pagbabayaran din nito ang lahat….May KARMA na naghihintay….

  13. I wonder what you/we will find out if the SALNs of all the congressmen (and one congresswoman) from Cavite would be released?

    Maybe it should now be mandatory for every elective official in the government for their SALNs to be a required document when they file for candidacy for any elective position in government!

    • Change will come when a large number of the 2 Milliom + OFW workers…register and vote..then and only then will the politicians listen….they can pay and bride voters here… but when son and daughter abroad say to vote for X candidate and not to vote for C candidate…. now you are talking numbers.. One single person now has a potential to sort of command 3 votes…plus.. other relatives…The OFW’S must get serious about their country…so the more they see… on here.. about graft..plunder etc., will enable them to want a change.

      Now all you CPMers, have a huge advantage to counter any block of votes…including INC votes…to your benefit and possibly sway many more.

      So now all the CPMers have to do, is be a bit more aggressive in getting the word out to all these potential voters abroad and get them to register at their Embassy in the country where they are employed.

      The advantage the CPMers have is.. you all know that Politicians.. read this blog… because of the excellent information that is put forth…they have become aware that someone is watching now…with very far reaching consequences. They know that this is the pulse of the people, because Raissa and Allen and the rest of you CPMers here have given them sort of their “walking papers” if they keep on doing what has been done in the pass with immunity..What happened to CJ and with Madam Arroyo now being hounded by ombudsman Morales…is an indication that things will change…surely not over night… but it will come.

      Many articles have been written and comments made about your president and his
      “smartness” etc…but his strategy of going after the two biggest “fish” in the barrel is spot on. Pray for him, so he can accomplish his administrations goals. When finally it is accomplished, it will be a benefit for all Filipinos here and abroad to see and admire. Then all Filipinos will be able to reclaim your pride in your country once more and hold your head high as it should be.

      • The good among and the large majority of OFWs
        just work their bones. THEY OWE POLITICIANS
        NO LARGESSE OF POLITICIANS STOLEN WEALTH
        UNLIKE A FEW HERE WHO SOW BY THEIR FOUL
        WORDS DEFENSE OF CORRUPTION.

        THE TRUTH IS THAT POLITICIANS OWE THE
        OFWS THE VOTE OF THEIR RELATIVES AT
        TIMES WRONGFULLY GIVEN.

        Why don’t we cite of OFWs relatives SELLING
        their votes? Are they that many?

        YEAH, the OFWs and their relatives can be a
        decisive weapon to institute change, to eradicate
        the BARNACLES now pestering CONGRESS.