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Newbie senator dresses down his Senate chief in a privilege speech

January 24, 2013

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By Raïssa Robles

By tradition, a first-term senator is supposed to keep a respectful silence while his elders in the august chamber speak out.

Last year, first-term Senator Antonio Trillanes broke the mold by engaging   Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile in a debate that was disrespectful by post-Martial Law Senate standards.

Last Wednesday, another first term senator Alan Peter Cayetano followed suit. He not only questioned Enrile’s handling of the Senate’s multibillion pesos finances. He also demanded to know “Who is calling the shots” at the Senate – Enrile or his Chief-of-Staff Jessica “Gigi” Reyes.

UPDATE as of 9:12 AM, Jan. 25, 2013:

Gigi Reyes has just issued the following public apology to Sen. Cayetano:

“I profusely apologize to Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano for my disrespectful and offensive statements as I was interviewed on DZMM Teleradyo.”

UPDATE 2 as of 9:30 AM, Jan. 25, 2013 – Tweets from Aksyon 5 on an interview with Atty. Gigi Reyes

Atty.Gigi: The people now believe that the Senate stinks…It is sad but I so agree…

Atty. Gigi: … It is time to look for where the stink is actually coming from.

Atty.Gigi: My family,esp my mother and my children, continue to suffer in silence the horrible & distasteful comments they read&hear abt me

Atty.Gigi on ‘relationship’ w/ JPE:…just to whet & feed the public’s appetite for gossip,to gain political points,& to inflict more pain..

Atty. Gigi: ….as if the pain and ugliness we have all witnessed and suffered were not already enough

Atty.Gigi: …I still wish that the Senate President’s family and my own family could be spared from the hurt …

Atty.Gigi: …hurt brought about by malicious insinuations and imputations regarding my personal relationship with the Senate President…
Atty.Gigi: It is also a total lie that nobody can go directly to the Sen.Pres.unless they pass through me or my bro.as Sen.Cayetano alleges.

Atty.Gigi:If SenCayetano stuck to d real isue,SenTrillanes wud b realy happy by nw as he wud not hav 2 sweat it out just 2 unseat d SenPres

Atty. Gigi: I only go to the Senators Lounge when and as needed by the Senate President, or when I am called by the other Senators.

Atty. Gigi Reyes: I wish to disabuse the minds of the public that I enjoy any special privilege as the Senate President’s Chief of Staff.

Atty.Gigi:THE DRAFT SPEECH I PREPARED ALSO CONTAINED A STATEMENT TOWARDS THE END THAT HE (JPE) WAS RESIGNING IRREVOCABLY AS SENATE…

Cayetano justified his question by flashing two documents on a screen. The first one was issued by Enrile granting a cash gift to “all senators”. The second one was issued by Gigi Reyes modifying Enrile’s written order and exempting four senators from receiving it. As Cayetano himself explained:

Tingnan po ninyo ang nasa screen. Ang alam ko po galing sa Senate President ‘yan. Tingnan ninyo ang nakalagay diyan, “To each senators.” Bibigyan daw ng pondo ang lahat ng senador at normal po ito, at ginagawa ito the last few years. Pero tingnan po ninyo ang next slide. Sulat-kamay po ng COS. Ang nakalagay diyan COS-OSP (chief-of-staff-Office of the Senate President), so I assume kay Atty. Gigi po ‘yan. Sa isinulat ni Atty. Gigi, wala ang pangalan naming apat na na-publicize na hindi binigyan–si Sonny Trillanes, Miriam Defensor, Pia, at ako. Ang nakalagay po diyan, December 5 din.

Dalawang dokumento po iyan na December 5. Isang formal at typewritten at signed ng Senate President, at isang hand-written na signed by the COS. Isang addressed sa Secretariat, isang addressed kay Director Chua ng finance department. Ang nasunod po ay ‘yung kay Atty. Gigi, hindi sa Senate President.

If Cayetano had not delivered this in the Senate session hall, Enrile could have slammed him with a multi-billion pesos defamation suit, along with all the newspapers that wrote about it.

But because Cayetano stated everything in a privilege speech, you and I are also free to publish it without fear of being sued for defamation. By tradition, comments made by senators to reporters to clarify what they said inside the session hall are also covered.

Senate proceedings form part of  “privileged communications” for which reporters cannot be sued for libel.  Article 354 of the Revised Penal Code on criminal libel states that one exception to the presumption of malice in a “defamatory imputation” is the following :

“A fair and true report, made in good faith, without any comments or remarks, of any judicial, legislative or other official proceedings which are not of confidential nature, or of any statement, report or speech delivered in ssaid proceedings, or of any other act performed by public  officers in the exercise of their functions.”

 

UPDATE 3 as of 10:29 AM, Jan. 25, 2013

Full Text of Atty. Gigi Reyes’ statement

Below is Cayetano’s speech.

Following that is the official transcript of the media interview he gave after his speech.

Privilege speech of Senate Minority whip Alan Peter Cayetano

Cayetano calls for Transparency and Accountability in the Senate

“Pondo ng Senado para sa mamamayan at hindi pondo para sa senador lang”

Good afternoon Mr. President, my beloved colleagues, mga kababayan.

Kung ano ang ating itatanim, yun din ang ating aanihin. Mr. President, this is a biblical principle that I firmly believe in. I rise today to speak on a question of personal and collective privilege. My initial reaction when this issue came out is, “Nakakahiya.” Nakakahiya na ang issue na pinaguusapan ng mga senador ay mga pondo nila at pera.

Samantalang ang daming problema sa ibang lugar sa bansa katulad ng region 11, sa Davao City na tinamaan ng matitinding kalamidad, mga problema sa peace and order na napapabalita sa iba’t ibang bahagi ng bansa. Nararanasan ng ating mga kababayan ang pagtaas ng presyo ng mga bilihin. Tuloy tuloy ang pagtaas nito at marami pa rin ang hirap na hirap na makakuha ng trabaho at sapat na kita.

Kaya nung Lunes po, 8 A.M. sa isang programa sa ANC, iminungkahi ko po na pag simula ng sesyon ay tutukan natin ang problema ng mga mamamayan sa edukasyon, trabaho, kalusugan, peace and order. Para matahimik na tayong lahat sa isyu na ito ipaubaya na natin ang imbestigasyon na ito sa isang private auditing firm para matigil na tong bangayan na ito.

Handa po akong manahimik na to get back to work sa Senate. Ikinalungkot ko po na mas ginusto pa ni Senate President Enrile na ipatuloy ang word war at name-calling at paglabas ng iba’t ibang issue na wala namang kinalaman sa main issue ng ating pondo.

Ika nga ni Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile noong impeachment ni Chief Justic Corona, “irrelevant, immaterial.” Kung saan saan na napunta ang issue na ito. Sumali pa ang kanyang Chief of Staff na si Atty. Gigi Reyes na naglaunch ng vicious attack at character assassination sa akin. Ito ay ikinagulat ng marami sa Senado.

Napagisipan ko tuloy na napakahalagang sagutin ko itong issue na ito tungkol sa pananalapi ng Senado. Hindi natin pera ito, pera ito ng mamamayan. Paano tayo makakapagimbestiga ng iba kung tayo mismo ay ayaw magpaimbestiga? How can we investigate others like we investigated the Fertilizer scam , the NBN-ZTE deal, Gen. Garcia and the military establishment?

Naalala niyo po nung inimiimbestigahan natin ang military at sabi nila na we should not destroy the institution. Anong sagot natin sa kanila? By exposing the truth, we strengthen the institution and remove anything that is wrong there. If there’s nothing wrong then walang masama na mayroon pong imbestigasyon.

The same thing here. Maraming nagsasabi na masisira ang institusyon. Nasisira po ang institusyon na dahil kung ano ano na ang lumabas dito without getting to the main issue. Paano po tayo makakapagimbestiga kung mayroon tayong cloud of doubt sa ating mahal na institusyon at sa atin? We should always lead by example.

Ang issue: Pondo ng Senado para sa mamamayan. Ang pondo ay hindi para sa senador lang. Pera ito ng mamamayan hindi ng senador. Second issue: Christmas gift nga ba ito o MOOE? Pangatlong issue: Nanganak nalang ang issue na ito at lumabas dahil sa interview sa COA. Pero bunsod ito ng issue na pinipili kung sino ang bibigyan ng pondo o hindi. Ang tanong ay kung paano natin nililiquidate ang pera ng Senado o kung by certification lang o yung sinasabing walang resibo pag nililiquidate ng mga senador ang mga pondo nila.

Over all ang issue dito ay ang integridad at independence ng Senado. Walang conspiracy dito. Pati po ang media ay binanatan sa privilege speech nung Lunes ni Sen. Enrile na may conspiracy. Nirereport lang nila ang nangyayari. Galit ang mga tao sa korupsyon dahil tumataas ang presyo, nababawasan ang serbisyo at humihirap ang buhay.

Kaya mahal po nila ang Senado at kaya maraming senador ang mataas ang ratings kasama na si Senate President. Dahil sa paglaban natin sa korupsyon sa ating mga huling sesyon at taon. Hindi natin tinatantanan ang korupsyon dito sa Senado. Kaya di tayo pwedeng mabahiran ng korupsyon.

We cannot survive and continue if we are under the shadow of the doubt. Mr. President, tama ang sabi ni Sen. Lacson. We should not cast aspersions on each other. Pero hindi po namin ginawa yun – my sister, Sen. Pia, myself and Sen. Trillanes.

Nung una niyo pong speech sabi niyo po let’s call a spade a spade. Malinaw at simple ang isyu. Tahimik ang ate ko na si Sen. Pia at tahimik din po ako. Hindi ako nagpapainterview nung lumabas ang issue na ito.

Ang nagpainterview tatlo: Si Sen. Santiago, Sen, Chiz Escudero at si Sen. Trillanes. Ano po ang sinabi nila? Ano pong sabi nila? Si Sen. Chiz sabi niya liquidated naman yan at lahat nasa rules ng COA. Ganoon lang kasimple. Si Sen. Trillanes ang sinabi ay kung hindi kami bibigyan anong magagawa namin? Sanay naman kami na walang pondo. That was the gist of it.

It was Sen. Miriam who said a mouthful. And bunsod ito ng personal relationship nila ng Senate President. Doon nagsimula ang bangayan na ito. Uulitin ko po. Tahimik kami pero ang Senate President ang unang naglabas ng press release. Sabi niya minority daw kami kaya hindi kami dapat bigyan. Pero binigyan si Sen. Joker Arroyo.

Tapos tinuloy pa. Hindi daw ako tunay na minority at si Sen. Joker lang ang nagfifiscalize. Tapos pinapalabas nila na pera ang issue at walang masama na sila ay mamili kung sino ang papaboran at kung sino ang hindi. Lalo na kung ang minority ay hindi rin bibigyan o puputulan ng pondo o babawasan.

I have to defend the Senate as an institution. I have to defend the minority. Paano mga kasama kung kayo naman ang nasa minority? Ganito bang Senado ang gusto niyo? Kung happy ang Senate President may staff kayo, pwedeng magpadetail, malaki ang pondo ninyo. Pag galit sa inyo for one reason or the other ay pwedeng tanggalan?

Hindi yan ang kinalakihan kong Senado. Of course, 6 years pa lang naman akong senador. Pero alam ko ito ang kaibahan ng Kongreso at Senado. That’s why pinutakte ng kritisismo ang Senado noong panahon ni GMA. Nung tinanggal ang mga pondo at inipit kung hindi sumunod sa pangulo. Ganoon din ba ang mangyayari sa atin?

Uulitin ko, tama si Sen. Lacson at ako ay walang pinagbintangan na nagnakaw sa mga kasamahan natin. Dinipensahan ko pa ho ang sinasabing by certification. Ang sabi ko ay masama kung nananakaw at minsan ay kulang pa ang pondo. At sinabi ko pa na normal sa December, as it was in the last 2 years with all the calamities, activities and the savings.

Hindi ko sinabi na magnanakaw ang mga kasamahan ko dito. Bakit ko sasabihin yun? I worked with you very professionally in the last years. Kayo ang nagsabi niyan Mr. President sa press statement niyo nung Jan 9, paragraph 5. Pinagsama sama niyo po kami lahat sa minority. Sinabi ni Sen. Miriam yan, nilagay mo rin sa bibig ki, sa bibig ni Sen. Pia at ni Sen. Sonny.

Turo ko po sa staff ko na always be respectful sa mga senador. Turo ko sa mga staff ko at turo rin ng ibang senador ito na never sila makisama sa mga away at debate ng mga senador kasi normal dito yun.
Sa RH, ito ang magkalaban at ito ang magkakampi. Sa Sin Tax ganoo din. Pagdating sa ibang bill ganoon din. Sa eleksyon na nga lang po, ang LP at NP ang magkakampi. Dito sa Senado ang UNA at LP ang magkasama. Normal sa Senado yan. Bakit namin sasabihin sa staff namin na awayin at bastusin ang mga senador?

Enrile during Cayetano’s privilege speech

Parang tayo kapag may asawa sabi wag magsumbong sa biyenan. Kasi maski bati na kayong magasawa, magkaaway pa ang biyenan. Yung ang turo ko sa staff ko. Ako po ay madalas niyong apihin Sen. Enrile pero never ko po kayong binastos. I’ve always treated you with respect. I’ve always explained to you after a heated debate what my stand is. I never called you names. I always call you Uncle Johnny or Manong Johnny.

Sabi niyo let’s call a spade a spade tutal kayo naman ang may gusto niyan. Alam naman natin kung paano niyo pinapatakbo, o kung paano niyo pinapatakbo ni Atty. Gigi ang Senado. Diba bawal sa caucus ang staff? Diba sa lounge sa likod ay bawal ang staff? But out of respect for you, pumayag kami na hindi lang andun si Ma’am Gigi kundi pwede ba siyang magsalita kapag may caucus at pwedeng magdiscuss. Para na rin siyang isang senador.

Tinanggap ko po yun at naming lahat. Bakit po? Courtesy and respect. You deserve it and you’ve earned it. You said almost 50 years in government and due to your age, I’ve always agreed with you. I agreed with you and disagreed. You’ve done good and bad things but that’s beside the point. That’s how you want to run the Senate, I never argued with that.

Kay Sen. Villar, sa kanya ako pumupunta. Pero sa administrasyon niyo ay either kay Atty. Gigi o sa kapatid niyang political officer. Pati chief of staff ko hindi haharapin pero okay lang. Ngunit ano ang sinukli niyo sa akin? Umpisa pa lang ay ginawan niyo na ng paraan para hindi ako makaupo sa Commission on Appointments. Kaya nagfilibuster pa ko dito kung maalala ninyo.

Ang extra room ng minority leader na binibigay sa akin ni Sen. Pimentel dahil palaging dalawa ang kwarto ng Senate Minority Leader binigay niyo po sa ibang staff. Ni hindi namin makausap si Atty. Gigi dahil hindi hinaharap yung chief of staff ko. Tinaggal niyo sa amin yun.

Mga pinangakong committee nung una tayong nagusap, binigay rin sa iba. Di ako umangal. I was a gentleman. Hindi ako umangal sa publiko. I just took it. Administrasyon niya ito so ganoon talaga dahil baka naiinis kayo sa akin.

But let’s call a spade a spade. Bakit ba kayo inis at galit sa akin personally? Dahil dati na kayong galit sa akin sapagkat napakalapit niyo pong dalawa ni Atty. Gigi sa dating pangulong GMA at kay First Gentleman. Kasama naman po talaga kayo noon sa planning group at sa asar na isang katulad ko na pwedeng tumayo sa Kongreso at labanan sila?

At hindi ba si Ma’am Gigi ay best friend po niya ang asawa ni Justice Tinga na nakalaban ng asawa ko sa Taguig? At ang hipag o sister in law naman ni Ma’am Gigi ay isang konsehal sa Taguig na number one kritiko ng akign asawa. So everytime naman na may hearing dito at andito si Chairman Brillantes ay sa inyong opisina ang diretso. Ako ang inuupakan at minsan ay tinutulungan niyo pa. Kaya nagkakasagutan tayo.

Pero after that, I approach you and I say that we just have different opinions. I never took it personally. “Hipokrito, cowards, walang utang na loob, my God!” Yan ang madalas kong marinig sa inyo. Madalas ko na ngang marinig sa radyo at ng mga kasama ko ang chief od staff ninyo. Kung ano ano ang tinanggap namin insulto. Tempted ako talaga na sumagot. Tempted ako na magsalita ng ganyan.

Bakit ako tempted? Bakit ko gustong sumagot? Dahil sa bawat isang kasinungalingan na inilabas ninyo tungkol sa akin ay isang daang katotohanan ang alam ko sa inyo ni Ma’am Gigi. Ngunit hindi ako magppatukso na mamersonal at mawala sa isyu. Hayaan nalang natin na naipaliwanag ko ng maikli at minsan man lang ang minana kong pangalan. Dahil yan lang po ang minana namin ng ate ko – ang Cayetano name.

Inalagaan namin ito. Pinalalabas ni Ma’am Gigi na hipokrito at mukhang pera kami. Di lang kami nabigyan kaya umaangal kami. Di nga kami umangal at tahimik kami. Hindi kami naginterview. Check that on the record. It was only when you came out with the press release hitting us that we said anything.

Ngunit isang katotohanan na dapat tanggapin ninyo sana ay never namin pinagpalit ang pangalan namin. Never namin pinagpalit ang prinsipyo namin para sa pera. Hanggang sa muntik na kaming ipakulong ng dating pangulo. Nag-aaresto na noon sa EDSA nagpapainterview pa ko. Tinanggalan kami gn security at pondo, tinitira kami sa distrito, we stuck to our principles.

Mahigit P1 billion in pork barrel hindi namin nakuha pero okay lang. Ito ang prinsipyo namin kaya kami nahalal. Tapos para sa P1.6 million ay mukhang pera kami. For her information, nung ako ay Chairman ng Blue Ribbon Committee ay di ako nangipit, nangblackmail ng ni isang negosyante para magbigay sa akin ng pera.

Maraming nagsabi sa akin, “Alan, kung P1 o P2 million kang kinita nung panahon ni GMA, ifile mo lang yung resolution, ni hindi mo kailangan mag-hearing dahil yung iba takot ma-TV at magbibigay ng pera.”

Ma’am Gigi for your information, itanong niyo sa COA, ang intelligence fund ng City of Taguig ay P500 million. Ipa-audit niyo po. Ni singko hindi kinuha ni Mayor Lani this year. Yun po ay walang audit ang liquidation, pirma lang. Tingnan niyo rin ang kabang bayan ng Taguig. P2 billion ang inabot niya na collection sa taxes. Maraming nagsasabi, “P20,000 ang bayad sa tax. P10,000 sa inyo.” Sabi ni Lani, “Hindi, ipasok niyo lahat.”

Kaya hindi siya nagtaas ng buwis at instead nagbawas pa. From P2 billion, ngayon P4 billion na ang taxes ng Taguig na pumasok sa loob. This is because of honest and good government. Question: kung pagiintersan ko ang P1.6 million at yon lang ang pagaawayan natin, ang daming pwedeng pagkunan. Pwedeng sinira ko na pangalan ko. Tapos pupunta siya sa radyo at sasabihin na si Alan ay palahingi.

Excuse me, tanungin niyo po. Hindi ako nakatira sa subdivision. Kaming magasawa ay walang sariling bahay. Ang bahay na tinitirahan namin ay yung family corporation. Pamana pa ng aking ama. 209 Paso Calabao street, Bagumbayan, Taguig. Wala kami sa subdivision. P250 pero square meter ang bili ng aking ama. Bisitahin niyo po kami at tingnan ninyo. Kaming magasawa ay doon nakatira. Ewan ko yung iba kung sana nakatira.

Yung pagtawag sa minority members na hypocrites. Ngayon lang ako nakarinig ng chief of staff ng senador na malakas ang loob na tawaging hypocrite ang isang senador. Ganito na ba ang asal sa Senado under the Enrile Senate Presidency?

Sa nakakakilala sa amin, hindi kami nakukuha sa pera. Hindi kami hipokrito and we are people who know how to respect other people. But we are also people who know how to stand up for our rights.

Having tried to clear that up, I apologize to our countrymen because we really have to straighten the record. We just had to defend out good name. Let’s go to the main issue: the P1.6 MOOE. Hindi namin sinasabing mali ito. Sinasabi ko pa nga na kailangan na kailangan. Wag lang nanakawin. Pero dahil sa issue na ito lumabas tuloy na by certification lang ginagawa ito. Nagdedemand ang ating kababayan na hindi dapat ganito. Nagdedemand din ang iba ng accountability at ng reform. Si Senate President po ay inamin niya na ang P250,000 ay Christmas gift niya. Naglambing daw kasi yung ibang senador.

Let me ask first: Who is calling the shots? Paano ba ang nangyayari sa Senado ang pera at sino ba ang nagsasabi ng totoo?

This photo of Enrile and his Chief-of-Staff Jessica "Gigi" Reyes has gone viral on Facebook. Gigi Reyes sits in the same table with President Noynoy Aquino, Vice-President Jojo Binay and ex-President Erap Estrada during the latter's birthday dinner.

This photo of Enrile and his Chief-of-Staff Jessica “Gigi” Reyes has gone viral on Facebook. Gigi Reyes sits in the same table with President Noynoy Aquino, Vice-President Jojo Binay and ex-President Erap Estrada during the latter’s birthday dinner.

Tingnan po ninyo ang nasa screen. Ang alam ko po galing sa Senate President ‘yan. Tingnan ninyo ang nakalagay diyan, “To each senators.” Bibigyan daw ng pondo ang lahat ng senador at normal poi to, at ginagawa ito the last few years. Pero tingnan po ninyo ang next slide. Sulat-kamay po ng COS. Ang nakalagay diyan COS-OSP (chief-of-staff-Office of the Senate President), so I assume kay Atty. Gigi po ‘yan. Sa isinulat ni Atty. Gigi, wala ang pangalan naming apat nan a-publicize na hindi binigyan–si Sonny Trillanes, Miriam Defensor, Pia, at ako. Ang nakalagay po diyan, December 5 din.

Dalawang dokumento po iyan na December 5. Isang formal at typewritten at signed ng Senate President, at isang hand-written na signed by the COS. Isang addressed sa Secretariat, isang addressed kay Director Chua ng finance department. Ang nasunod po ay ‘yung kay Atty. Gigi, hindi sa Senate President.

The next document is dated December 10. May memo nanaman na additional P300,000. Hindi nanaman po ibinigay iyon. Ang nasunod nanaman po ay ‘yung hand-written kahit na sabihin mong that was five days ago. Ganoon din po ang nakikita kong trend. Bakit po? Noong lkumabas sa media na tinanggalan po kami ng staff, ang sagot po ng Office of the Senate President, expired na daw po ang kanilang kontrata. Hindi naman po ipinaliwanag ng Office of the Senate President na halos lahat ng senador ay may naka-assign na technical staff sa opisina. Na kapag nag-e-expire ito, tinatawagan lang at nire-renew.

Pero bakit po noong nasa radio ang COS ng ating Senate President na si Atty. Gigi, ang sinabi niyang dahilan ay dahil may report (hindi confirmed) na sa Taguig daw nagre-report ang aking isang staff kaya daw nila ni-recall. May CCTV naman dito. Bakit hindi nila tingnan kung saan nagre-report? May district office din ako sa Pateros, may staff akong nandoon. Wala akong opisina sa City of Taguig dahil masamang tingnan dahil mayor doon ang misis ko. Pero may projects ako doon. Kaya may pinapupunta akong mga staff doon. Mayroon din akong pondo sa Cebu. May staff ako doon, masama ba iyon?

Pero iyon po ang ipinapalabas sa media sa kanilang demolition job.

Going back straight to the issue, Mr. President, katulad ng naipaliwanag nating lahat, walang masama sa MOOE. Kaya nga maintenance and operating expenditure. Hindi makakagalaw ang mga opisina kung walang pondo. Ngunit, hindi ba dapat gamitin ito para sa lahat, at hindi paboran lang ang mga senador? Where did this whimsical idea come from–that the Senate President can choose kung sino ang bibigyan ng MOOE o hindi? He is claiming that it has always been there. I haven’t heard of that. I told the media that I’m in the minority, so I don’t care. Kung ayaw nila kaming bigyan, okay lang. kung gusto nila na sa ilalim kami ng puno mag-opisina, okay lang.

Wina-warning-an ko ang mga kasama ko sa majority, kapag dumating ang araw na sila naman ang nasa minority, payag ba sila na ganoon ang mangyayari? Nasa inyo naman ‘yon dahil kayo ang nasa majority. Pero ditto po sa P250,000, pare-pareho po tayo. Ang pagkaalam natin, pagpasok sa account natin, MOOE din ‘yon. Pero ang nasabi po ng Senate President, regalo daw iyon. Naglambing daw na may Christams gift. Pero ang tanong ko, paano iniligpit ito? Ang sabi ninyo may dalawang senador na nangangantiyaw. Pero ang sabi ng chief-of-staff ninyo, I was singled out. Sino pa ang dalawang iyon na nangantiyaw?

Blessing in disguise na din ito, Senate President. Bakit? Dahil sa ginawa po ninyo, napilitan po kaming mag-research, Mr. President. Ito po ang natuklasan ko. Mr. President, tingnan po ninyo ang budget ng Senado. I realized that the budget doubled from the time Sen. Enrile became senate president. Siguro dapat lang dahil very productive at madami tayong trabaho. Pero makikita po ninyo, from around P750 million, we went up to around P1.5 billion.

I did my own math, Mr. President. ‘Yung P470 million, sa mga oversight committee ‘yon, ang nagli-liquidate ‘non ay mga chairman. My question now, Mr. Preisdent, paano po nili-liquidate itong P600 million? I was told that a big part of this is being liquidated by certification. Is it P100 million? Is it P200 million? Or P300 million? I was told na kapag personal services pala, kapag may savings, you can realign it pala. And you can also justify its use by mere certification.

So, Mr. President, let me quote your own words. Sabi po ninyo sa inyong speech dito, “the people have the right to demand from all of us an accounting of every single centavo of taxpayers’ money entrusted to us. No one is immune or exempt from scrutiny in the way public funds are spent.”

Therefore, Mr. President, I’ve been asking, ilabas po natin ang mga dokumento. How weas the P250 thousand liquidated? Ilabas din natin, Mr. President, ito bang P500 million by certification lang, ibig sabihin walang resibo at pirma lang ninyo? O dalawangdaan o tatlong daang milyon?

Mr. President, ano ang itinuro ninyo sa amin pagdating doon sa Impeachment Court? Hindi pwedeng assertion lang. hindi pwedeng sagot lang. kailangan may evidence o proof. That’s why I’m asking, Mr. President, kaysa sayangin natin ang oras at ditto tayo mag-debate, at kayo lang ang may hawak ng dokumento, payagan natin ang isang independent, private auditing firm na pumasok at tingnan ang pondo at sila ang mag-clear sa atin. Hayaan nating sabihin nila, that everything’s in order. Ang duda ko, marami sa mga senador abunado pa. kasi may opisina pa sa labas at sa home province nila.

Pero nagulat po ako at hindi ko alam na buong budget pala ng senado, ganito ang sistema.

Mr. President, ipinasa natin ang FOI Bill, sinasabi natin na lahat ng pondo ng lahat ng ahensya ng gobyerno dapat pwedeng malaman ng lahat. L;et’s release the documents. I challenge you: allow the private auditing firms to look at the finances of the Senate. It is very important. Why? Because ordinary government employees have been calling me up and texting me bakit sila bawat singko kailangan i-account for?

Most Filipinos, bawat peso, sa tatay man nila o sa asawa, they have to account for kahit halos walang makain.

Mr. President, I want to go back to discussing education, health, presyo, trabaho, kita ng mga tao. Let’s end this discussion. Hindi productive na nagbabangayan tayo sa radio, sa telebisyon, sa dyaryo. Pero hindi matitigil ang issue na ito hangga’t hindi natin ma-resolve (1) kung ganito ang sistema na gusto natin sa Senate? If the majority wants it that way, okay lang. Kung ano naman ang itinanim natin, iyon din ang aanihin natin. In the future, kung ganyan ang mangyayari, it’s up to you. (2) ‘Yung duda ng tao sa atin dahil sa certification process. (3) Kung ano ang sinasabi natin sa ibang iniimbestigahan natin na buksan ang libro, i-subpoena ang account, tingnan ang mga dokumento, payagan din natin na gawin sa senado iyan so no one will say that we are above the law and that no one will say that senators do not lead by example. I think this is the greater challenge.

Lastly, Mr. President, it’s not about leadership change. I’ve always been in the minority. Halos dalawang taon lang ako napunta sa majority, noong panahong senate president si Sen. Villar. Sanay na po ako dito. Ang sinasabi ko palagi, if there’s someone better that comes along, why not? If it’s someone worse, bakit? If it’s the same, bakit pa mag-change? You know that.

But here last Monday, you made it appear that it’s about the change of leadership. No. and your offering to resign did not answer the issue. And the vote to keep you on will not answer the issue. The issue is the funds of the Senate, and that’s what should be addressed, Mr. President.

Thank you very much.

 

TRANSCRIPT OF AMBUSH INTERVIEW AFTER PRIVILEGE SPEECH

Cayetano: “The transparency we ask from other institutions should also apply to us”

ASC: So, siguro ayaw nga nilang ilabas yun or I’ll give them the benefit of the doubt. Para sa akin naman, wala akong sinasabing may masamang nangyari dito sa senado. Ang sinasabi ko, kapag may iniimbestigahan tayong iba, sinasabi natin na ilabas ninyo dokumento, hindi pwedeng salita lang, kailangang may ebidensya.

So, kanina may nakita akong hawak ni Senate President na dokumento. Ipakita niya yun, okay lang. Pero ibigay niya sa atin at make it available to private auditors. Kung hindi, e baka lahat ng imbestigasyon dito, ganon na. Diba yung nakita nating pulis doon sa Quezon, sabi ayaw ibigay yung baril, ayaw ganito. So, papayag ka ba naman na salita lang. Siyempre yung ebidensya, ipakita nila.

Minsan kailangang magkaganito bago bumuti eh. Like sa akin, I’ll be more conscious na ang bawat singko ng Senado, hindi lang dapat gamitin ng tama, dapat i-account din ng tama, at alam ng tao kung saan napupunta. Kaya sabi ko nga, kung magkakaroon ng reporma at hindi na by certification pero kailangan ng iliquidate ito isa isa na may resibo, di ako tututol.

Reporter: Senator, kanina ang bungad ni SP ay tungkol sa utang Ni RLC

ASC: Sabi ko nga, 1998 pa nung sila ay nagkahiwalay at sinipa siya sa law office na ang tatay ko ang nagtayo. Pero hindi naman siya siningil. Hanggang 2003 yan, nung siya’y buhay. Tapos wala naman sa issue yan.

Araw-araw naman kami nagkikita, hindi naman siya nagsasabi, naniningil. In fact, anlaking pera noon at hindi ko alam na may ganoong pera ang aking ama. Ang tingin ko talaga, ito yung squid tactics kung tawagin. Nililihis sa issue para ang tao galit sayo o mawalan ako ng kerdibilidad pero ine-expect ko hindi lang yan.

Kahapon, hiprokito naman; nung isang araw ako naman daw ang palakantyaw sa Christmas gift. Eh akala ko ba magkagalit kami at hindi kami nag-uusap? Paano ka mangangantyaw sa isang tao na kagalit mo?

So, ine-expect naming ni Sen Trillanes na hanggang eleksyon ganito… Magkakaroon talaga ang Senate President ng PR Campaign. Kasama na sa trabaho namin yun pero ang hinihiling lang naming sa kanya, tigilan na natin ito, magtrabaho na tayo pero payagan niya ang independent auditing firm para walang masabi.

Kasi ngayon, maglalabas siya ng papel, hindi ko naman Makita yung papel. Hindi ko naman mave-verify. Ngayon kung ang gagawin ko naman ay ipatawag ko si Dir Chua at sa harap ng camera siya ay iimbestigahan sasabihin naman nila namumulitika ako. So, kung gusto ni Senate President na siya ang mamili ng auditing firm hindi ako tututol.

Reporter: Bakit po kailangang paulit ulit yung inyong pag-kwestyon sa role dito sa Senate letter ni Gigi Reyes?

ASC: Hindi paulit-ulit. Ngayon ko lang sinabi ito.

Reporter: I mean sa plenary hall.

ASC: Eh dalawang araw na niya akong tinutuligsa sa media at naglalabas siya ng di katotohanan at pangatlo, parang ang lumalabas, siya ang proxy ng Senate President sa pagsasalita. Pero nakita mo naman, iniiwasan ko na kahit anong issue na lihis doon tungkol sa kanilang dalawa ay hindi ko binanggit.

Reporter: Sir, hindi ba kayo dismayado na sa halip na sagutin yung issue, utang ng tatay ninyo yung nilabas ni SP?

ASC: Na-emosyonal lang ako dahil wala naman dito ang tatay ko para sagutin ang sarili niya pero inexpect ko na na hindi niya basta sasagutin to. Di ba nung nagsalita si Sen Trillanes ang ginawa niya, binuweltahan niya at ang pinag usapan ay yung China kasi ang tamang gawin dito, sagutin mo yung issue, ngayong pag-upo ko, gusto niya akong upakan edi tumayo siya uli at upakan naman niya ako sa ibang issue.

Pero ang hirap naman na magbi-bring up ka ng ibang issue tapos tatayuan ka niya tapos ang layo. Bakit niya sinabi pa yun? Naniningil ba siya? Ano ang gusto niyang palabasin dito?

Reporter: Si JPE po may edad na, hindi nio po bay un ikokonsider?

ASC: Well, nakita niyo naman demeanor ko at wala akong binring up na ibang issue. Ako pa nga ang ginalit niya e imbis na siya ang ginalit ko. Siya ang nagbibring up ng mga issue na wala dito. Pero sana naman nauunawaan ng mga kababayan natin hindi siya pwede magtago sa edad niya pagdating dito sa issue ng pera ng Senado. Lalong lalo kung totoo na si Atty Gigi ang may hawak nito at siya naman ang nagdidisperse nito.

Ngayon kung gusto ni Senate President, alang alang sa kalusugan niya ay payag ako to suspend the rules at si Atty Gigi ang sumagot dito. Pero pag ganun sasabihin na naman pulitika. Kaya hiningi ko, independent auditing firm nalang.

Sinasang alang-alang ko palagi ang kalusugan ni Senate President kaya kayo ang witness dito. Tuwing may mangyayari dito, kahit hindi ko kasalanan o kahit si Sen Trillanes ang kabanggaan niya, nilalapitan ko siya. Pinipilit ko na mag-calm down siya. Pero sa pagkakataon na ito, tingin ko naman very professional ang pagdeliver ko nung aking salita at dinidipensahan ko lang ang sarili ko.

Reporter: Sir unparliamentary ba ang ginawa ni Atty Gigi na sabihan kayong hipokrito kayo?

ASC: Ang punto kasi non, kaming mga senador, pabayaan niyo na magtuligsaan kami. Pero yung mga staff sa ilalim ay mag ganon eh paano kung lahat ng staff dito ay magkaroon ng hindi lang pakikialam pero pagtutuligsa.

Gusto mo ba na pag naglalakad ka sa senado, hihiyawan ka nung ibang staff o babastusin ka. Eh magdadagdag tayo ng security dito sa senate kasi magkaka upakan dito dahil sa ganoon. Buti nalang babae siya at hindi sa harap naming nangyari.

Kami, kaya ko sinabi yan dito para maparinig sa ibang staff na kahit anong kampi ninyo sa amo ninyo, kahit anong kampi ninyo sa idol ninyong senador, kayo ay empleyado man o hindi, kahit anong ayaw ninyo sa senador, huwag kayong magsasalita dahil hindi ninyo trabaho yun. Ang trabaho ninyo, staff support. Ang trabaho ng staff ko magbigay ng note, tulungan ako sa issue. Hindi nila trabaho na atakihin o kampihan yung ibang senador.

Reporter: Baka nama po may animosity lang kayo with Atty Gigi [dahil closely related sa mga Tinga]

ASC: Well kahit naman may animosity tahimik lang naman ako e. Ako ba ang nag-object, ako ba ang naglabas ng issue tungkol sa kanila? Pero yung pupunta siya sa station ng radio at tatawagin kami pare parehong hipokrito.

Kung siya ay ordinary citizen, tatanggapin ko dahil lahat ng citizen ay pwedeng magsalita laban sa mga opisyales. Pero yung isang staff ng Senado at lalo kung Chief of Staff ng Senate President, Sana yung demeanor naman maging professional. Yun lang naman. It’s not about animosity.

Andami ko naging kagalit sa pulitika, nandyan si Cong Villafuerte. Siya ang kabanggaan ko sa GMA impeachment pero niyayakap ko pa siya. Walang personalan yun.

Reporter: May disciplinary action ba against Atty Gigi?

ASC: Hindi ko na hinahanap yun kasi dito Senador ang magdidisiplina sa sarili niyang staff.

Reporter: Under the rules?

ASC: Under the rules pwede pero bakit pa. Dito sa senado, depende yan kung kukunsintihin ng senador. So it’s up to Sen Enrile na makipag usap sa Chief of Staff niya. Eh kung siya naman ang nagpapunta doon… Kaya nga ganun ang pananalita ko, ang gusto kong palabasin ano ba talaga ang nangyari. Siya ba ang nag-utos? Or hindi niya mapigilan ang sarili niyang staff na magsalita doon.

Reporter: Pero on your personal note, sa palagay ninyo may blessing ito ni Sen Enrile before she…

ASC: Kasi ang statement niya doon sa radio station, ayaw na magsalita ni Senate President dahil nakapag-speech na siya. Kaya ang tanong ko, kung ayaw na magsalita ng senador, bakit ka magsasalita para sa kanya? Hindi naman niya sinabing inutusan ako na ako na ang magsalita. Pero as I said, that’s not between me and her. That’s between her at yung boss niya dahil hindi naman ako ang boss niya pero ang hinihiling ko lang, wag na niya ako respetuhin bilang tao pero respetuhin naman niya ang senado.

Reporter: Sir, nanggaling po kami kanina sa opisina nila pero accdg. To atty gigi ayaw na daw po niya magcomment pa…

ASC: Sa akin, bukas wala na dapat ito. Katulad ng sinabi ko sa inyo, kaya nga ginawa ko na ngayon, sana Monday and then the next six days hindi na ito ang issue. Pero ang warning ko lang sa aking mga kasama, if we sweep it under the rug, d’ba ang basurang itinapon mo, sabi sat TV, babalik din sayo.

So, kung hindi natin iimbestigahan ito and we don’t get at the bottom of it babalikan din natin to pero I am done speaking with this issue kaya sa floor na ako nagsalita.

Reporter: Sir, anong klaseng imbestigasyon po ito

ASC: Many kinds of investigations. Pwedeng kapwa senador ang magimbestiga. Pwedeng ang magimbestiga ay ang COA. Pero ano ang mangyayari kapag yon? Kapwa Senador, sasabihin nila leadership to, namumulitika. Pag COA, sasabihin kami ang nagbibigay ng budget at saka authorized naman yun by certification.

That’s why ang option sa akin na available is a private auditing firm or a group of accountants na credible. Hindi ako makikialam kung sino piliin ng Senate President pero basta’t open ito. So, parang canvassing lang ito ng balota. Bakit ang canvassing ginagawa natin sa harap ng media? So, yung lang naman ang sa akin para lang mawalan ng doubt ang mga senador.

Let’s see depende kung saan mapunta ang issue na ito. I am just saying na pagod na rin ako dito at hindi ko rin maiwasan na tayuan ito dahil paano kami mag-iimbestiga ng iba kung kami mismo, ang tingin ng tao ay may tinatago.

Reporter: Senator, ano po yung 100% na katotohanan na alam ninyo between the Senate President and Mam Gigi?

ASC: Sabi ko lang kasi sa bawat isang kasinungalingan, may 100 akong katotohanan. Ang problema, kapag sinabi ko ang isa, 99 na lang ang alam ko. *laughs*

The transcript of  Cayetano’s privilege speech came from here.

The transcript of Cayetano’s interview came from here.

______________________________________________

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Why did four senators file nearly identical cybercrime bills?

Tagged With: Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, Senator Alan Peter Cayetano privilege speech text

Comments

  1. Mel says

    January 28, 2013 at 9:33 PM

    Finally –

    Senate OKs bill compensating Martial Law victims

    by Ryan Chua, ABS-CBN News
    Posted at 01/28/2013 8:27 PM
    Updated as of 01/28/2013 9:00 PM

    MANILA – The Senate has ratified a bill granting compensation to victims of human rights abuses during Martial Law.

    The chamber approved the Human Rights Victims Reparation and Recognition Act of 2012 almost a week after the bicameral conference committee reconciled the respective versions of the House and the Senate.

    The measure declares it a state policy to “recognize the heroism and sacrifices of all Filipinos who were victims of summary execution, torture, involuntary disappearance and other gross human rights violations committed during the Martial Law regime of Former President Ferdinand Marcos.”

    Those qualified to receive compensation under the bill are victims of human rights violations committed from September 21, 1972 to February 25, 1986.

    In the bill’s list of definitions, human rights violations include warrantless arrests, torture, takeover of businesses, enforced disappearances, media censorship, and other offensive acts committed by people in government such as the police and military.

    The compensation will come from funds amounting to P10 billion transferred to the Philippine treasury through the order of the Swiss Federal Supreme Court in 1997.

    A point system will be followed in determining the amount that each victim or their kin will receive:

    victims who died shall be given 9 to 10 points;
    victims who were tortured shall be given 4 to 9 points;
    victims who were detained shall be given 2 to 4 points;
    victims who were harassed and economically oppressed or disadvantaged but do not belong to the other categories shall be given 1 to 2 points.
    Furthermore, the measure establishes a museum where the names of all victims of human rights violations will be enshrined.

    It also directs the Department of Education and Commission on Higher Education to “include the teaching of this chapter in our country’s history in the school’s curriculum.”

    A Human Rights Claims Board will also be created to determine people qualified to get compensation.

    Meantime, Cong. Edcel Lagman, principal author of the Human Rights victims compensation bill, expects the House of Representatives to ratify the bill if it is called to a vote today or tomorrow.

    Lagman signed the bicameral conference committee report or the reconciled version of the House and Senate versions of the bill Monday afternoon.

    He said that this is another piece of landmark legislation that will seek to compensate victims of human rights. — with a report from Jay Ruiz, ABS-CBN News

    SOURCE: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/01/28/13/senate-oks-bill-compensating-martial-law-victims

  2. Mel says

    January 27, 2013 at 8:39 PM

    The following analysis on ‘Comelec … Resolution 9615 which set the rules and guidelines for all campaign propaganda including blog posts and Internet advertisements’ provides invaluable advice, tips and guidelines for CPMers (in my opinion) on commenting, submitting and expressing their preferences or dislikes and chosen political candidates.

    Have a read. Hopefully our valued blog host has also one in her upcoming Menu of Articles to dish out during the campaign period in the lead up to the 13 May 2013 Election Day.

    ANALYSIS | Blogs, Facebook, Twitter fall within Comelec purview

    By: Tony Ahn, Special to InterAksyon.com
    January 27, 2013 9:01 AM

    (Tony Ahn is chief digital architect for Tony Ahn & Co., a full-service public relations, digital marketing, and reputation management agency based in Manila. He has written on the subject of Internet marketing and digital public relations for Social Media Examiner, Convince & Convert, and is formerly a featured blogger for Social Media Today.)

    Comelec has classified all individuals who create online content for blogs, Facebook, and Twitter as “media practitioners” subject to its jurisdiction, even if they are not employed by media organizations, according to Resolution 9615 which set the rules and guidelines for all campaign propaganda including blog posts and Internet advertisements.

    The rules consider anything “not falling within the scope of personal opinion, that appear[s] on any Internet website, including, but not limited to, social networks, blogging sites, and micro-blogging sites (such as Twitter), in return for consideration, or otherwise capable of pecuniary estimation” to be political advertising.

    This could have wide-ranging impact in the blogging community for bloggers who sell advertising and/or editorial space in their blogs.

    Some bloggers are paid for writing blog posts, such as those connected with Nuffnang, which runs the largest blog advertising service in Asia Pacific. Abe Olandres, Country Director for Nuffnang Philippines, weighed in on Comelec’s new rules: “For the most part, the policy looks pretty clear cut and fair,” he said via a Facebook message. “As for the paid blog posts, it would be hard to show evidence if indeed a blogger has been paid or compensated for writing or promoting a candidate.”

    Further, if personal opinion is exempted from regulation, but payment for promotion constitutes “political advertising,” this begs the question “What if a blogger is being paid to express a personal opinion?”

    The rules state that “Personal opinions, views, and preferences for candidates, contained in blogs shall not be considered acts of election campaigning or partisan political activity unless expressed by government officials,” which leaves the door open for bloggers to be paid to express personal opinions in favor of the politicians who pay them.

    With some of the more popular Filipino blogs receiving over 100,000 page views a month, a blog can go a long way toward shaping public opinion, and the 2010 election demonstrated that the Internet is now a major campaign venue.

    Comelec’s rules may also affect celebrities that endorse political candidates via Twitter, and the agencies that handle booking those celebrities, like micro-endorsement platform Adinfluent.

    “I applaud Comelec’s requirements for greater transparency from the online community,” said KC Montero, noted local TV personality and owner of Adinfluent, “but the new disclosure requirements themselves are longer than a 140 character tweet. I think additional guidelines for Twitter may be warranted.”

    The new rules also specify that candidates have the right to reply to charges published against them, but state that “The reply shall be given publicity by the newspaper, television, and/or radio station which first printed or aired the charges,” with no mention of digital media such as blogs or social networking sites.

    Inconsistencies

    Resolution 9615 defines such digital media concepts as personal blogs, “collective blogs” (blogs contributed to by multiple people), and “micro-blogs” (platforms such as Twitter), but never invokes those terms again outside the definitions section of the document.

    The rules specifically mention television, radio, and print throughout the document, but are silent on digital media in such critical sections as Lawful Election Propaganda and Prohibited Forms of Election Propaganda.

    Section 16 (Regulation of Election Propaganda through Mass Media) clearly mandates Comelec to “supervise the use and employment of press, radio and television facilities insofar as the placement of political advertisements is concerned to ensure that candidates are given equal opportunities under equal circumstances to make known their qualifications and their stand on public issues,” but omits digital media from the mandate, meaning the use and employment of digital media isn’t supervised by any government agency during the election.

    Further, omission of digital media from Section 23 (Removal, Confiscation, or Destruction of Prohibited Propaganda Materials) means Comelec is empowered to stop prohibited forms of election propaganda that appear on TV, radio, or in print, but not online, nor is there a mechanism for anyone to file a petition with Comelec to remove or stop the online distribution of any propaganda materials on the grounds that they are libellous, illegal, or prohibited.

    In fact, Comelec’s rules don’t seem to take into account several scenarios. Advertising on foreign-based sites such as Facebook, which are unable (under their current configurations) to comply with the rules, will be extremely difficult to regulate, and impossible to track.

    In addition, websites who display ads served by ad networks may face difficulty, as ad networks serve Internet advertisements to hundreds of websites that display their ads for a fee. This will require political advertisers to limit the frequency with which an ad appears.

    “The idea of frequency capping is nothing new,” said Samir Ahmed, Sales Director and local Country Lead for multinational ad network Komli in an interview via Facebook, “and in fact it’s a best practice not often followed. I think the decision to frequency cap political ads is a smart move, and is definitely something ad networks can accommodate.”

    It will be important for ad networks to advise advertisers of the new rules, as an ad network serving a political advertisement more than three days per week to a partner website may inadvertently land the site owner in hot water with Comelec.

    Penalties

    Violation of Resolution 9615 is serious business: according to Section 35, it is punishable under the Omnibus Election Code, with any person found guilty facing “imprisonment of not less than one year but not more than six years,” without probation.

    In the United States, paid political advertisements are subject to campaign spending limits and other restrictions on candidates. In addition, paid political advertisements are required to carry disclaimers much like those required in the Philippines by Comelec, informing readers that ads were funded by a party or candidate.

    However bloggers who are paid by a candidate, party, or political action committee to promote a candidate in non-advertisement form (such as a blog article) are not required to disclose this fact themselves, although the paying candidate or party is required to disclose who they pay via campaign finance documents available to the public. These documents are closely inspected by a candidate’s opposition, and US. bloggers who accept compensation for promoting a candidate can expect that fact to come to light, either through the press or through the opposition.

    Blogger Juned Sonido, who writes Baratillo Pamphlet at baratillo.net, agreed with the spirit of Comelec’s new rules for bloggers. “It seems to me writing commentary about a candidate per se is not a problem. It is when the blogger gets paid for the post that then they have to say it is a paid post or an advertorial. Personally that is fine with me, primarily because I believe in transparency.”

    “Resolution 9615 is not perfect,” said Jayvee Fernandez, who has been blogging since 2003, and “problogging” or making money from his blog http://www.abuggedlife.com since 2005, “but strict rules in this case are better than none at all. Ultimately there needs to be a better dialogue in crafting such guidelines.”

    What do you think?

    SOURCE: ANALYSIS | Blogs, Facebook, Twitter fall within Comelec purview – By: Tony Ahn, Special to InterAksyon.com. January 27, 2013 9:01 AM

    Maraming salamat to Raïssa and Alan Robles for the opportunity. :smile:

  3. Unpopular commenter says

    January 27, 2013 at 5:26 PM

    I really don’t know about JPE, but clearly, ASC is a hypocrite himself. Everyone in Taguig knows how he and his wife extort their own constituents. Millions per transaction over and above the required taxes and fees. Really, as in bigtime corruption. That, and many more stories even from his college days (I was about to vote for him, but I changed my mind). I am not surprised that the public sympathy is with him as he always presents himself as the savior of the people. In fact, whenever he meets with any of his constituents, he would lead in the prayers. When I was new in the city and during the first times that I met him I was starstruck and impressed at how religious and good-natured he was. When I got to know him better I was amused at the drama and hypocrisy. And really, privileged speech? You only do that if you cannot stand up to your words. Again, I am not defending JPE as I do not know him personally, all I am saying is, ang magnanakaw galit sa kapwa magnanakaw. Clearly, JPE is no saint (I don’t trust him as well), but I am just appalled at all the hypocrisy going on here.

    • Mel says

      January 27, 2013 at 7:12 PM

      @unpopular commenter

      You wrote, “Everyone in Taguig knows how he and his wife extort their own constituents. Millions per transaction over and above the required taxes and fees. Really, as in bigtime corruption. ”

      To make it believable and treat your unpopular comment as true, provide some evidences to prove your comments. ‘Extort… millions per transactions?

      Nandiyan ang Ombudsman if his constituents are unlawfully extorted or he’s been soliciting bribes.

      • Unpopular commenter says

        January 27, 2013 at 7:22 PM

        I wish I could, but I’m party to the crime as well. My company allows itself to be extorted. No need to believe me, I am just saying what I am experiencing here.

        • Mel says

          January 28, 2013 at 7:39 AM

          @Unpopular commenter

          Had a lot things to do today, but had to reply at first opportunity.

          Careful sa allegations dahil si Raïssa ang maiipit at masasabon of probable libel or slander with sprinkles of malice brought on by her commenters.

          Haluhan mo na lang ng character of ‘Jane Does’ or Juan or Juana, but kindly avoid dropping real names. Sana alam mo ang nais kong iparating.

          The blog host has more to loose than her commenters who goes by their pseudo names or character avatar.

          Kung tutuo man lang ang kuwento mo, nasa saiyo kung nais mong gampanan ang katungkulan mo bilang isang masugid na pilipino o mamayan. Suggestion: idokument mo, at idiary mo. darating ang araw – mabibigyan ka ng oportunidad na isukol at husgahan sila o kung sinu lahat sila.

  4. Ampy says

    January 27, 2013 at 12:12 AM

    Enrile even brought up the “kahoy” used to build the Cayetanos’ house. Enrile is so cruel :'(

  5. Mel says

    January 26, 2013 at 9:42 PM

    Read an insider’s short recollection of political dynasties’ sordid past.

    Enrile-Cayetano: The Unraveling BY JB BAYLON

    • Mafe says

      January 27, 2013 at 11:37 AM

      thanks for the link, @Mel. Been waiting for it.

      • duquemarino says

        January 27, 2013 at 5:52 PM

        @Mafe @Mel
        JPE is for JPE, not for Gigi,not even for Jackie, not even for the country. But only for JPE.

        • Mel says

          January 27, 2013 at 6:51 PM

          Dit·to

  6. roberto villaflores says

    January 26, 2013 at 1:50 PM

    On the positive side, the rip between Senators Cayetano and Enrile/Gigi Reyes will pave the way for a renewal in the dirty tradition of the senate. Everyone now is conscious on how they will behave as the highest lawmaker of the land. Meantime, he who erred must face the music…. these events is a perfect timing for the ‘Presidnets “Matuwid na Landas ” for he has still 3 years to come as President. The better if the LP will dominate the senate.

« Older Comments
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)

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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