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Why bloggers, reporters need to be cautious when publishing blind items

October 6, 2014

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My reply to Prof. Oscar Franklin Tan’s question on libel

By Raïssa Robles

Be very cautious when publishing blind items about individuals, I recently told journalism students in Cebu. Because “if you later write a piece that gives the identity of that person away you can be sued. Because under Philippine law, one can be sued for libel based on your body of works and not just on one piece,” I said.

I did not expect a prominent graduate of Harvard Law school to comment on this particular phrase. Prof. Oscar Franklin Tan posted this reaction to my lecture on “News commentaries, libel suits and Cebu”:

I greatly enjoyed this piece!

On this paragraph: “However, there is something else to remember about this. If you later write a piece that gives the identity of that person away, you can be sued. Because under Philippine law, one can be sued for libel based on your body of works and not just on one piece.”

Would you happen to know which particular legal source noted this nuance, or at least the person who noted it?

Yagading.

Now I have to explain my source for this particular statement to a lawyer.

It’s a very obscure source that was nevertheless used by the Marcos dictatorship to have a chilling effect on the media at that time. And which can be used again for the same reason.

Sen. Vicente Sotto

My source is a Supreme Court decision on libel dating back to 1917 and 1918. I believe that Supreme Court decisions – while not pieces of legislation passed by Congress or Marcos or Cory Aquino – enrich Philippine law and become part of the interpretation of the law. Which is why I used the phrase “under Philippine law.”

The case had to do with the late Vicente Sotto who was the “director, editor, manager, and printer of the weekly paper known as The Independent edited and published in English and Spanish in the city of Manila.” He is the grandfather of the incumbent Senator Vicente Sotto III.

Between May 1 and 22, 1915, The Independent ran a series which included a cartoon, attacking three labor leaders – Lope K. Santos, Jose Turiano Santiago and Hermenegildo Cruz of the “Congreso Obrero de Filipinas”.

The first article published a blind item which alleged that labor leaders “in general” caused:

“the bankruptcy of Tagumpay”

“the Katubusan scandals”

“the disappearance of a promissory note from the office of Attorney Diokno”,

“the misappropriation of funds in the management of El Ideal,”

“and the combinations which resulted in the failure of the seamen and street-car employees’ strikes”

No labor leaders were identified by name in the first article.

But then, The Independent later published in a cartoon:

“The picture of a man labeled “H. Cruz” carrying a banner which bears among others, the word “Tagumpay.”

“The word “Katubusan” is found inscribed on a banner carried by “H. Cruz” and also upon one carried by a person labeled ‘L. K. Santos.'”

“The word ‘Diokno’ appears in the cartoon upon the banner carried by L. K. Santos.”

“On the banner carried by H. Cruz are the words ‘El Ideal’ to which reference is found in the first publication where the labor leaders are charged with responsibility for the disappearance of funds belonging to ‘El Ideal.'”

“A person named ‘J. Turiano’ is seated at a table with a dish before him labeled ‘Labor Congress’ which he is engaged in eating. He also holds in his hand a banner carrying the devices ‘seamen strike and street-car employees strike.'”

“The banner borne by L. K. Santos carried in addition to the words ‘Katubusan’ and ‘Diokno’ the words ‘McCullough’ and ‘Morales.'”

“From the mouths of the three figures thus depicted in the cartoon, H. Cruz, J. Turiano and L. K. Santos, issue the words respectively ‘I am the first leader,’ ‘And I am the second,’ and ‘And I am the third.'”

A certain Justice Fisher of the American colonial Supreme court in the Philippines, who wrote the decision, said:

“The evident purpose and result of the publication of the cartoon, called the second publication, was to make clear to the public that the three men named in the cartoon were the labor leaders referred to in the first publication and the persons to whom they were directed. It served as the means of identification of the unnamed persons who were the subject of the first publication; and also of placing upon each one the particular offense of which the first publication charged him. It not only served to identify but it also served to point out the person upon whom should fall the odium of the particular charge made.”

The Supreme Court  convicted Sotto of libel, sentenced him to three months in jail and fined him 600 pesos – a princely sum then. I don’t know if Sotto ever did time. I can’t get hold of his biography.

Sotto appealed and the following year, the court upheld the original ruling that “A libel may be published in parts, no part being a complete libel in itself but all of the parts taken together constituting a libelous publication.”

Ironically, though, Sotto’s conviction turned out to be one of the best things to ever happen to him. He got elected Cebu congressman. He became known nationwide and got elected senator in 1946.

Incidentally, the original Senator Sotto was a graduate of the University of San Carlos where I had delivered my lecture on libel last month.

Perhaps because of his own experience with the libel law, the original Senator Sotto – who was also a lawyer – went on to author the “Shield Law” (Republic Act 53), which gives reporters like me the right not to disclose their sources of information.

But something seems to have happened to the Sotto genes because his own grandson – capitalizing initially on the Sotto name – has done the exact opposite of what his grandfather did. The incumbent Senator Sotto inserted a section in the Cybercrime law which raised the punishment if libel was committed using an electronic device or if this was posted online.

So, if his lolo were publishing a blog today and he happened to commit libel, he would end up with a more severe punishment than what he was given in 1917.

Senator Vicente Sotto III sure has a strange way of honoring his political patriarch.

Two years from now, Senator Vicente Sotto III may again be running for senator or mayor of Quezon City. Let’s remind voters what he did to honor his grandfather.

You can read at the end of this piece the Supreme Court decision against the original Senator Vicente Sotto. It came from that wonderful legal repository – chanrobles.com

Meanwhile, here are my stories on Senator Vicente Sotto III just in case he runs for office again:

Robert Kennedy’s daughter offended by Sotto’s theft of her dad’s speech; wants an apology

Why Senator Sotto suddenly said ‘sorry’ to Kerry Kennedy today – sort of

UPDATE: Senator Sotto lifted from 5 bloggers and 1 briefing paper

Did Sen. Sotto copy from 5 bloggers?

Did Sen. Sotto just lie on national TV?

Why I stand by my story that Sotto “inserted” online libel section in the Cybercrime Law

Sen. Sotto accuses bloggers of payoffs & proposes an “anti-blogging” bill

Dear US bloggers: Remember how Sen. Sotto challenged you to sue him for plagiarism? Here’s how…

Dear Senator Sotto,

Was Senator Sotto lying?

Sen. Vicente Sotto’s speech against RH

Part 2 of Sen. Sotto’s anti-RH speech

Senator Vicente Sotto reinvents himself as the anti-RH champion

Sen. Sotto endorsed family planning two years after the death of his son

Facebook told me – my posting Sotto anti-RH speech violates FB “community standards”

______________________________________

Philippine Supreme Court Jurisprudence > Year 1917

March 1917 Decisions

G.R. No. 11067 March 6, 1917 – UNITED STATES v. VICENTE SOTTO
036 Phil 389

PHILIPPINE SUPREME COURT DECISIONS

EN BANC

[G.R. No. 11067. March 6, 1917. ]

THE UNITED STATES, Plaintiff-Appellant, v. VICENTE SOTTO, Defendant-Appellee.

Attorney-General Avanceña for Appellant.

J. E. Blanco for Appellee.

SYLLABUS

1. LIBEL; PUBLICATION IN PARTS. — A libel may be published in parts, no part being a complete libel in itself but all of the parts taken together constituting a libelous publication.

2. ID.; ID.; JOINDER IN ONE INDICTMENT. — Different publications constituting a libel may be joined together in one indictment, whether the parts separately published are necessary to complete the libel, or whether they are together necessary to complete the phraseology, to avoid ambiguity, or to identify the persons referred to in one publication, or to show the character of the acts charged. This joinder of the separate parts or publications in one indictment is permissible even though each separate publication constitutes a libel in itself, provided all of the different publications refer to the same subject-matter and are necessary or convenient for the completion of the other.

3. ID.; ID.; ID. — A prosecuting attorney must charge a complete libel in the information, and to that end he may join all of the separate publications necessary to complete the libel either verbally, or for the identification of the persons referred to in the other publication, or to show the character of the acts which they are charged with having performed; and he may do this notwithstanding the fact that each publication constitutes a libel.

D E C I S I O N

MORELAND, J. :

This is a prosecution for libel under Act No. 277. A demurrer was filed to the information in the Court of First Instance upon the ground (a) “that more than one offense is charged,” and (b) “that the facts charged do not constitute a public offense.” The demurrer was sustained on the first ground and the information dismissed. This appeal is from the judgment of dismissal based on the order sustaining the demurrer.

We are of the opinion that the judgment must be reversed and the demurrer overruled. The information is as follows:

“That during the period from the 1st day of May, 1915, to the 22d of the said month and year, in the city of Manila, Philippine Islands, within the jurisdiction of this court, the said defendant, Vicente Sotto, being the director, editor, manager, and printer of the weekly paper known as ’The Independent,’ edited and published in English and Spanish in the city of Manila, with the intention of attacking the honesty, virtue, and reputation of Lope K. Santos, Jose Turiano Santiago and Hermenegildo Cruz, the principal leaders of the association known as the ’Congreso Obrero de Filipinas,’ and with the malicious intention of exposing the said Lope K. Santos, Jose Turiano Santiago, and Hermenegildo Cruz to public hatred, contempt and ridicule as private citizens and as the leaders of the said association, voluntarily, illegally, criminally and maliciously published and caused to be published of the three persons above named a certain false, injurious and malicious defamation and libel tending to attack the honesty, virtue and reputation of the same, on page 23 of issue No. 4 of the said weekly paper, dated May 1, 1915, which said publication is as follows:

“‘WITHOUT MALICE.

“‘Having become tired of seeing the workingmen at the mercy of parasites who, under the guise of a false sympathy for the laboring classes, exploit the proletariat, making the latter the plaything of their ambitious and machiavelian manipulations, weary of these self-styled labor leaders who are pointed out by the people as the ones responsible for the malversation of workingmen’s funds, the bankruptcy of the “Tagumpay,” the “Katubusan scandals,” the disappearance of a promissory note from the office of attorney Diokno, the misappropriation of funds in the management of the “El Ideal,” the combinations which resulted in the failure of the seamen and street-car employees’s strikes, and other numerous blunders committed by the said labor leaders, all of which has left the proletariat in the situation of a victim plucked by the very ones who set themselves up as their defenders; and realizing that our cause is in danger, now, for the sake of our honor, dignity of the laboring classes, we believe that the time has come to speak plainly and to put an end for once and all to so many parasites.

“‘If all these charges are true, it is hard to understand why the workingmen have continued until now under the control of their present leaders.

“‘Who is to blame?

“‘VICTI.’

“which said libelous publication was amplified by a cartoon published on page 1 of issue No. 27 of the said weekly paper ’The Independent,’ on the 22d of May, 1915, which was also published at the place and on the date above mentioned, which said cartoon, in which, among others, there appear the caricatures of the aforesaid parties, is made an integral part of this information as Exhibit A; that the said defendant on the aforesaid date and place intended to accuse, as in fact he did accuse, Lope K. Santos of being responsible for certain scandals which occurred in the cigar and cigarette factory ’Katubusan’ and for the disappearance of a promissory note from the office of attorney Ramon Diokno and of being indebted to the firm of E. C. McCullough & Co. and to the printer I. Morales, both of this city of Manila; accusing also Jose Turiano Santiago, one of the organizers of the seamen and street-car employees’ strikes of being responsible for certain combinations and insinuating that he had received the sum of P2,000 to bring about the failure of the said strikes; and accusing also Hermenegildo Cruz of being responsible for the bankruptcy of the printing establishment ’Tagumpay,’ of certain scandals in the aforesaid factory ’Katubusan’ and of the misappropriation of funds in the administration of the newspaper ’El Ideal;’ and accusing all of the said three parties of the malversation of workingmen’s funds; and that the said malicious defamation was published and circulated at the same time and place by the defendant in the manner above set forth with the intention of attacking the honesty, virtue and reputation of the said Lope K. Santos, Jose Turiano Santiago and Hermenegildo Cruz, thereby exposing them to public hatred, contempt and ridicule.

“All contrary to the law in such cases made and provided.”cralaw virtua1aw library

It is contended that each publication set out in the information is libelous in itself and, therefore, constitutes a crime; and, as a necessary result, that two crimes are charged in the information. We do not believe this contention is sound. The only purpose of including in the information the second publication was to complete the publication. The first publication mentions no names. It speaks of labor leaders in general but of no one in particular. It employs, however, certain words and phrases such as “the bankruptcy of the Tagumpay,” “the Katubusan scandal,” “the disappearance of a promissory from the office of Attorney Diokno,” “the misappropriation of funds in the management of El Ideal,” and “the combinations which resulted in the failure of the seaman and street-car employees’ strikes.” The second publication consists of a cartoon in which the person referred to in the first publication are caricatured by name and to each one of them is attached one of the words or phrases just mentioned, thereby identifying him to as one of the persons meant in the first publication. In the first publication, as we have seen, the labor leaders referred to are charged with having caused “the bankruptcy of the Tagumpay.” In the cartoon we have the picture of a man labeled “H. Cruz” carrying a banner which bears, among others, the word “Tagumpay.” The first publication also mentions “the Katubusan scandal.” In the cartoon the word “Katubusan” is found inscribed on a banner carried by H. Cruz and also upon one carried by a person labeled “L. K. Santos.” In the first publication we have also the charge that the labor leaders therein referred to were responsible for “the disappearance of a promissory note from the office of Attorney Diokno.” The word “Diokno” appears in the cartoon upon the banner carried by “L. K. Santos.” On the banner carried by H. Cruz are the words “El Ideal” to which reference is found in the first publication where the labor leaders are charged with responsibility for the disappearance of funds belonging to “El Ideal.” A person named “J. Turiano” is seated at table with a dish before him labeled “Labor Congress which he is engaged in eating. He also holds in his hand banner carrying the devices “seamen strike and street-car employees strike.” The banner borne by L. K. Santos carried in addition to the words “Katubusan” and “Diokno” the words “McCullough” and “Morales.” From the mouth of the three figures thus depicted in the cartoon, H. Cruz, J. Turiano and L. K. Santos, issue the words respectively “I am the first leader,” “And I am the second,” and “And I am the third.”cralaw virtua1aw library

The evident purpose and result of the publication of the cartoon, called the second publication, was to make clear the public that the three men named in the cartoon were the labor leaders referred to in the first publication. The effect of the cartoon was to give form and substance to the insinuations and references made in the first publication and the persons to whom they were directed. It served as the means of identification of the unnamed persons who were the subject of the first publication; and also of placing up each one the particular offense of which the first publication charged him. It not only served to identify but it also served to point out the person upon whom should fall to odium of the particular charge made.

These are the primary objects of the cartoon and we the effects produced on the public. While it may be that each one of the publications was a separate libel again the complainants, a matter we do not stop to consider, would have been somewhat difficult, as a matter of evidence to substantiate a charge of libel upon either the one or the other publication. The charge in the first publication was general and it would have been necessary to make and prove all of the allegations required to establish the fact that the public understood who the persons were referred to in the publication and the nature of the charge against each of them. In the second publication the same difficulty would have been experienced, although in a somewhat different form. There the names of the persons were mentioned; but the character of the acts of which they were charged was not disclosed. In that case it would have been necessary to establish by evidence that the public understood what the word “Diokno,” for example, referred to and also the character of the transaction to which it alluded. Confronted with these difficulties it was apparent to the prosecutor that a combination of the two publications would produce such a result as partly to relieve him from what might be an embarrassing position. The two publications would complete each other. It is well known that a libel may be published in parts, neither part being a complete libel in itself but all of the parts taken together constituting a libelous publication. It is also well recognized that different publications constituting a libel may be joined together in one indictment. This is true whether the parts separately published are necessary to complete the phraseology, to avoid ambiguity, or to identify the persons referred to in one publication, or to show the character of the acts charge. This joinder of the separate parts or publications in one indictment is permissible even though each separate publication constituted a libel in itself, provided all of the different publications refer to the same subject-matter and are necessary or convenient for the completion of the other. A prosecuting attorney may describe in his pleading a complete libel, and to that end he may join all of the separate publications necessary to complete the libel either verbally, or for the identification of the persons referred to in the other publication, or to show the character of the acts which they are charged with having performed; and he may do this notwithstanding the fact that each publication constitutes a libel.

In the present case the prosecuting attorney was within the law when he joined the two publications in one information even though each publication be considered a separate libel, it being clear that the publications supplemented each other, each supplying the deficiencies found in the other.

While, as we have already said, the cartoon contains two things not found in the first publication, namely, a reference to McCullough and another to Morales, we doubt if the allegations of the information are sufficient to charge any crime with respect to those two matters. This being so, it is clear that the information does nothing more than use the cartoon as a continuation of the first publication, making both publications together serve as a basis for charging one crime, that charged in connection with the first publication. Such being the case the accused can be convicted under the information of only one crime.

For these reasons, we are of the opinion that the demurrer was improperly sustained and that the judgment entered upon the order sustained and that the judgment entered upon the order sustaining the demurrer must be reversed.

The judgment appealed from is reversed and the case remanded with instructions to proceed with the case. So ordered.

Arellano, C.J., Torres and Araullo, JJ., concur.

Tagged With: Cybercrime Law, libel, Oscar Franklin Tan, Senator Vicente Sotto, Senator Vicente Sotto III and plagiarism, Senator Vicente Sotto III inserted online libel

Comments

  1. Joe America says

    October 10, 2014 at 8:57 AM

    Now we have the test of loyalty to VP Binay coming up. Those who are silent are figuring out how to position themselves. They dare not speak against the Vice President yet they dare not speak for him. I wonder why they cannot speak for honesty, however the legal chips fall. Hundreds of sister cities, suddenly gone quiet. Senators. Representatives. Businessmen. The Aquino sisters. The media are in apoplexy and finally dropping their obsession with Chief Purisima in favor of Hacienda Binay. To fail to cover it means sure loss of credibility.

    The only people still ardently in Binay’s camp are the poor, those paid by the Binays, and deep family friends like Harry Roque. How will the poor react when they see the Hacienda pictured against the slums of Makati by an opposition presidential candidate?

    The Binays have not even BEGUN to feel the heat.

    • baycas says

      October 10, 2014 at 9:24 AM

      Jaws locked, mouth agape…and so the country fell silent…unable to speak…

      • Joe America says

        October 10, 2014 at 10:58 AM

        Waxing poetic, are we counselor? Nicely said . . .

        • baycas says

          October 10, 2014 at 11:39 AM

          Great things happen
          In English gardens
          Thought of Dickens
          Smittens women

          Thanks, JoeAm.

        • Kalahari says

          October 10, 2014 at 12:25 PM

          Thanks to vp binay, we are now a world-class country – world-class makati parking bldg, world-class piggery, world-class horse breeders, world-class orchidarium, and what else?

        • Hwangyu says

          October 11, 2014 at 12:02 AM

          World Class CORRUPT Politicians!!!

    • leona says

      October 10, 2014 at 11:58 AM

      A SATURN rocket at NASA about to TAKE OFF is always PADDED with TILES that resist HEAT so the rocket won’t BURN upon flight.

      In this case, it is very alike… PADDED with payola TILES so as not to BURN when taking off for an important flight.

      No feel of any heat.

    • Martial Bonifacio says

      October 10, 2014 at 11:29 PM

      “Why destroy the reputation of other people just to boost your own political stock? Can we not focus on our program of government instead of resorting to demolition and mudslinging?” said Pacquiao.

      Source: Pacquiao feels punches of scandal hounding VP
      http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/643841/pacquiao-feels-punches-of-scandal-hounding-vp

      I pity MP acting like a fool and being used by Binay as a political tool, and soon to be used as a campaign cash-cow for 2016.

      I find it weird also that some groups (like VACC), journalist (Taberna & Failon) who are adamant for Purisima to be transparent are silent and not demanding the same transparency against Binay. For example a “open house/mansion” inspection so the media will get a first hand look at the alleged hacienda or tagaytay mansion.

      They are so hard-pressed to pin down Purisima who went to senate under oath and testified against allegations towards him. Even opening his property to the media. All i’m saying is that we should challenge and apply the same pressure to Binay and family.

    • sykes says

      October 10, 2014 at 11:43 PM

      @joeam

      the poor also hates corruption just like everybody else. take for instance a woman who gave birth at OsMak free of charge. she said that she was going to vote for binay in 2016 but has since changed her mind because of the senate hearing. she was also angry that pictures taken of patients who got free treatment were being usef by binay to score pogi points when all along he was stealing money meant for the people

      • moonie says

        October 11, 2014 at 8:33 AM

        as opposed to makati medical center, people should know that ospital ng makati both its resources and facilities are made possible because of government funding, both money and budget of ospital ng makati come from the government’s coffer, not from binay’s pocket. the doctors and nurses working there were also paid by taxpayers money. binay is just using ospital ng makati to epal himself. and we should not forget that makati chamber of commerce and other rich citizens living in makati also donate to ospital ng makati. yet, they are rarely mentioned.

  2. Sam says

    October 10, 2014 at 8:32 AM

    Just done a search and found something. The Philippine Stud Book (makes you think the word “stud” is for dogs). The inside captions says
    “A publication of the Stud Book Authority of the Philippines dedicated to the improvement of Thoroughbred breeding and racing.”

    The name Jejomar Binay appeared twice (pages 112 and 124)

    Here is website where you can download the book

    http://www.philracom.gov.ph/racing-info/downloads/publications

    • andrew lim says

      October 10, 2014 at 8:38 AM

      @ sam

      Can you screen grab the page and post it here?

      With this, then spokesman Jonvic Remulla wasn’t truthful when he claimed on ANC (Davila’s program) that Binay has never been interested or engaged in horses or horseracing.

      • baycas says

        October 10, 2014 at 8:56 AM

        Horses that are bred easily come to mind by the term “stud.”

        The stud book here:

        http://www.philracom.gov.ph/racing-info/downloads/publications?download=27:the-philippine-stud-book-vol-5

        Note also that there’s a horse named “BE NICE.”

        (…though I prefer “A Horse With No Name.”)

        • baycas says

          October 10, 2014 at 8:59 AM

          There was a racehorse some years back named Be Nice. Railbirds joked that even if it was registered under someone else’s name, it was really owned by the ruling family of Makati City. “Be Nice” – “Binays.” Get it?

          From http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/340921/opinion/binay-at-the-gate

        • pedro says

          October 10, 2014 at 9:03 AM

          Next he will claim that all the 13 million he made was from the racecourse. Hehehehe

        • baycas says

          October 10, 2014 at 9:20 AM

          Backgrounder on Jenny, the writer…

          Pitong taon na pala may Binay Cup sa Santa Ana Park. Sana makita ng Makati City local government ang popularity ng racing at magbigay na sila ng permit-to-operate sa mga off-track betting stations, na sa kasalukuyan ay bawal sa loob ng Makati City maliban sa Santa Ana Park.

          http://jennyo.net/gogirlracing/?category_name=santa-ana-park&paged=26

          She knows and blogs about racing…

        • yvonne says

          October 11, 2014 at 12:32 PM

          A horse named “Be Nice”
          Pronounced in tagalog: “Binays”

          “Be nice to animal”
          Pronounced in tagalog: “Binays to animal.”

      • Sam says

        October 10, 2014 at 9:24 AM

        On page 112 this is what appeared

        CASHMERE COURT (AUS), b, 1998, bred by J. Jones, NSW, foaled in Australia, imported in 2007; by AGINCOURT (USA), her dam CASHMERE JONES (AUS); by AKAABER (USA), from MISTRESS MID-NIGHT (AUS) – See AusSB Vol.40, page 208.

        2007 (Sept.20), BE NICE, b, filly, by MOSCOW BALLET (IRE ) Franchino Pamintuan
        2008 Not covered the previous year.
        2009 (Apr.28), b, filly, by KEY APO (AUS) Jejomar Binay
        2010 (May 22), b, filly, by KEY APO (AUS) -do-

        (I wonder why the name “Franchino Pamintuan” upon research, a relative of Arroyo?)
        —————————————————————————————————————–

        Page 124

        COVER GAL (AUS), b, 1997, bred by J.B. Cummings, foaled in Australia, imported in 2008; by EL MOXIE (USA), her dam PINK MOCCASIN (AUS); by SOVEREIGN RED (NZ), from SILENT SLIPPER (AUS)- See AusSB Vol.40, page 1038.
        2008 (Nov.14), b, colt, by SIRIUS SLEW (CAN) Jejomar Binay
        2009 Not covered the previous year
        2010 Not covered the previous year.

        • baycas says

          October 10, 2014 at 9:31 AM

          Thanks, @Sam.

          The document is here: http://www.philracom.gov.ph/racing-info/downloads/publications?download=27:the-philippine-stud-book-vol-5

        • Johnny Lin says

          October 10, 2014 at 11:12 AM

          Check SALNs in 2008-2009. If those thoroughbreds and breeding assets are not listed, then Binay lied in his SALNs.

          Breeding horses is expensive, costing at least $300,000 annually for a well equipped breeding farm.
          Singer Wayne Newton bred Arabian horses, despite earning millions he went bankrupt and sold his horses and farm. Danding Cojuangco bred horses in Australia, his aides could attest to the high cost of maintenance and operation.

          Binay could be prosecuted by Ombudsman if he did not report this breeding business in his SALN.

        • baycas says

          October 10, 2014 at 11:22 AM

          Just an aside…

          The known whore here bed horses…

        • baycas says

          October 10, 2014 at 11:23 AM

          “Whores” dapat.

      • AngLagay says

        October 10, 2014 at 9:29 AM

        @andrew lim… Jonvic Remulla is a paid full-time barker of Binay and a part time governor of Cavite. I simply don’t listen or believe to whatever he said about the binays.

    • fed-up says

      October 10, 2014 at 10:25 AM

      @sam. thanks for the link/info. I downloaded:

      the philippine stud book vol 5.pdf

      Then opened it and using CTRL+F, typed binay. True enough as you have said, the name Jejomar Binay appeared twice.

      It looks that VP Binay is into horse breeding and racing, an immorality (gambling) he accused vice mayor mercado of having it.

  3. Johnny Lin says

    October 10, 2014 at 4:26 AM

    Vice President Binay said on interview: Antonio Tiu owns the hacienda, I was only leasing. What’s the Problem?

    An owner who procured the property from money earned with sweat and blood will come out in the open IMMEDIATELY to prove the truth on ownership.

    A legitimate property owner avoiding embarrassment, innuendos and accusations of irregular business practice will IMMEDIATELY release all documents pertaining to the property to dispel any doubts on ownership and promote bad press coverage.

    An owner with clean conscience would present proofs and documents on the deed of sale, title, tax declarations and annual real estate taxes from 1994. These documents could be produced within 24 hours because they are in a safe secured placed, easily collected when needed.

    Vice President Binay, the Problem is Antonio Tiu has a difficult time producing ownership papers. 48 hours passed and all he could say was verbal affirmation of ownership. Anybody could admit owning the hacienda but until paper trail proof is presented, it’s all baloney.

    So easy to do if ownership is clean.
    Paging Antonio Tiu: solve the problem of Vice President Binay in 24 hours. Failure is proof that you are a dummy.

    • moonie says

      October 10, 2014 at 5:06 AM

      and like gerry limlingan, I bet, antonio tiu will also disappear. he’ll join limlingan in the hidey hole binay has in china, unreachable. we have no extradition treaty with china. I bet binay also has some hidden properties there. binay has hosted dinner parties for chinese diplomats and in the course of dinner conversations, chinese diplomants must have reported to binay the progress of his holdings in china.

      binay, himself, must now show resibo of the properties he has rented, or the lease agreement he had entered into with antonio tiu.

    • Rene-Ipil says

      October 10, 2014 at 9:13 AM

      Current records show that the JCB farm sits on about 2 hectares of land in Brgy. Bayawang declared in the name of Renato Comia, a former security aide of Binay from Rosario, Batangas. Comia resigned as caretaker of the farm sometime in 1998 due to conflict with Dra. Binay’s aides (see Lord of Makati).

      Records also show that Sunchamp owns an aggregate of about 1.1 hectares of land acquired from Aurora Hidalgo last year on November 6, 2013. The 26 parcels of land sold by Hidalgo to Sunchamp are located in adjoining Barangays Maligaya and Bayawang in Rosario.

      http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/video/nation/regions/10/09/14/controversial-batangas-estate-has-multiple-owners

      Who owns the 9 hectares of land purportedly leased NOW by Sunchamp to Binay? IMO the said land comprises of two or more parcels STILL registered or titled in the names of Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARB) because they were illegally purchased sometime in 1993, within the prohibitive period.

      IMO again Binay or Sunchamp could not ratify the sale now because the original owners died of old age, or their heirs immigrated to other country by using money paid by Binay to get jobs abroad. Thus, the difficulty of accomplishing transfer documents.

      Such problem is common among ARBs particularly in Batangas where the TCT is in the name of about 30 to 50 individuals although their individual area has been surveyed and segregated already. The law requires that all the named owners in the title or all their heirs must sign deeds of partition before individual titles are awarded. Otherwise, the collective Title remains. And the Register of Deeds would never issue individual TCTs unless everyone, including the heirs, has signed a deed of partition. And individual owners could not transfer title to their respective parcel of land unless individual TCT has been issued by the RD.

      Besides, Binay and Sunchamp have to get the prior cooperation and support of DAR to convert the vast hectarage from agricultural to commercial, etc. purposes. Thus, the presence of DAR and DA secretaries during the RECENT launching of the Sunchamp Agri-Tourism Park project on august 5, 2014.

      Maybe Senator Trillanes was invited in the launching ceremonies merely to pre-empt the current senate investigation about Binay, since Sen. Trillanes’ senate committees ( defense and civil service) have nothing to do with agriculture. Or maybe to DEODORIZE Binay,s stink. But of course Sonny is a member of the BRC as most of the senators do. And the plunder case against Binay was filed before the Ombudsman on July 22, 2014. Obviously, Senator Trillanes filed Senate Resolution 826 calling for the investigation of overpriced MPB on August 12, 2014, without regard to the link between Sunchamp and Binay.

      • Rene-Ipil says

        October 10, 2014 at 4:09 PM

        Correction: Otherwise, the title of ownership remains with the collective owners or all the names listed in the TCT.

    • raissa says

      October 10, 2014 at 9:38 AM

      What is your source for this, pls?
      Vice President Binay said on interview: Antonio Tiu owns the hacienda, I was only leasing. What’s the Problem?

      • Johnny Lin says

        October 10, 2014 at 11:03 AM

        Radio interview in Mindanao yesterday.

      • Rene-Ipil says

        October 10, 2014 at 12:03 PM

        Records of the municipal assessor of Rosario, Batangas show that Tiu’s Sunchamp owns merely 11,000 square meters (1.1 hectare) of land in adjoining Barangays Maligaya and Bayawang. The land comprising of 26 parcels was purchased from Aurora Hidalgo on November 6, 2014.

        http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/video/nation/regions/10/09/14/controversial-batangas-estate-has-multiple-owners

        Binay said he was leasing all of nine (9) hectares from Tiu. Math is an exact science, but lying has become an art.

        • Rene-Ipil says

          October 10, 2014 at 12:07 PM

          Correction: it’s November 6, 2013.

    • Rene-Ipil says

      October 10, 2014 at 4:20 PM

      Antonio Tiu, through his lawyer, already explained that Sunchamp is the absolute owner of all the improvements and facilities. But not all the land in Hacienda Binay because Sunchamp owns only 1.1 hectare according to the municipal assessor.

  4. WhaHappen says

    October 10, 2014 at 4:02 AM

    Off topic! Nagtataka bakit tahimik yata si idol Rizza pati ang mga brilliant CPMers habang nagmamakaawa ng ang sub-com ng Blue Ribbon ng Senado ng tulong sa hottest issue ngayon na si Binay and family, bukod sa kitchen, na may laman pero di yata napansin sa sub-com Di pa ba tamang oras to unleash the awesome talent like the Corona days or baka nga lumusot si binay sa 2016? Pasensiya na po.

    • raissa says

      October 10, 2014 at 9:39 AM

      patience.

    • john c. jacinto says

      October 10, 2014 at 2:51 PM

      Wag ka daw masyadong atat. Chillax lang, bro.

      • annalissa says

        October 11, 2014 at 9:12 AM

        yes, just like the Corona days – the Day of Reckoning will come, then Judgment Day……..hayyyy patience is really a virtue…..and for the love of our country, maybe that is what we need…..AND LOTS AND LOTS OF PRAYERS

  5. baycas says

    October 10, 2014 at 12:47 AM

    https://www.facebook.com/pages/No-to-Binay-and-No-to-Bobong-marcos-in-2016-Presidential-Election/1491041267795965

    • Johnny Lin says

      October 10, 2014 at 4:44 AM

      Huwag magpahinga sa Facebook at Twitter.
      Araw araw Ipa- alaala sa mga Tao ang kurakot ni Binay sa Makati.

      Ibulgar ang pagnanakaw!

  6. andrew lim says

    October 9, 2014 at 9:51 PM

    CAN AMLC FIND LINKS BETWEEN BINAY AND HIS UNA PARTNERS WITH REGARDS TO THE NAPOLES PORK SCAM?

    I am posing this puzzle to all interested readers out there:

    With the AMLC (Anti-Money Laundering Council) stating during the Binay hearings that they are monitoring the proceedings, and with AMLC’s definitive findings on Bong Revilla’s funds movement, I now pose this scenario:

    Is it possible and probable that if the Napoles pork scam wasn’t uncovered some of the funds would have found its way into the Binay campaign fund? Think about it. The two major UNA partners of Binay are involved, and one of them was a strong UNA candidate for VP and is still being considered for such.

    Can the AMLC help in this regard? Can they check the movement of funds in Binay’s accounts and cross-reference it with those of the indicted?

    • chit navarro says

      October 10, 2014 at 4:13 AM

      Perhaps this scenario may come out when a case is filed against the Binays and there is a legal basis for the AMLC to come out with heir findings that is not in violation of the bank secrecy law.

  7. Johnny Lin says

    October 9, 2014 at 8:47 PM

    “AMLA did it again”

    AMLA reported unexplained massive bank deposits of Bong are villa of more than 86 M.

    Binay is going to be caught flat footed by AMLA.
    Why? Because these govt crooks did not put into their radar AMLA which was nonexistent before. They relied on Philippine bank secrecy laws trumped by AMLA now.

    Binay could not manipulate his bank accounts the way he tried to make phony sale of his piggery business.
    Only a crook and a fool, like a Vice President would hire a lawyer publicly revealing that his piggery business was responsible in the uptick of his wealth from nothing to 50 million, then suddenly drop this supposedly “legal income earning business” after being elected Vice President.

    No law exists prohibiting govt officials owning legitimate business enterprise before getting elected nor there is a law requiring govt officials to dispose their presumed” legitimate business entities”upon election to national office which senator Nancy Binay cited why her father got rid of their high income earning piggery business. Very ridiculous excuse to dispose a legitimate business unless it was rift with illegal fraudulent acquisitions and operations.

    Similar to throwing away a gun used in murder to avoid being confronted and discovered with the evidence. Exactly the Vice President Binay is in position now because the gun( piggery farm) is found and Binay’s only excuse is that it is no longer registered under his name because he discarded it a while ago.

    “The world is not fair, and often fools, cowards, liars and the selfish hide in high places”. Binay is perfect example of this quote. He he he!

    • andrew lim says

      October 9, 2014 at 9:10 PM

      Just to show how powerful AMLA is, and how the pork scammers are getting pinned:

      http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/382875/news/nation/bong-revilla-bank-records-mirror-benhur-luy-s-ledger-amlc

      Unless Binay gets elected and sabotages the cases against them….

      • andrew lim says

        October 9, 2014 at 9:19 PM

        More links:

        http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/382916/news/nation/bong-revilla-closed-20-bank-accounts-after-pork-scandal-broke-out-amlc

        http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/382914/news/nation/amlc-lani-mercado-s-firm-made-bank-deposits-when-cambe-received-kickbacks

        Now I’m speculating: If the pork scam wasn’t uncovered, would some of the funds have found its way into Binay’s campaign funds? Think about it.

    • baycas says

      October 10, 2014 at 12:26 AM

      Ang Red Roses Ribbon Committee Sub-Committee Hearings on the Binays are “in aid of seduction.”

      Aling Leila got “interested” with Mang Jojo when she learned of his huge “privates” especially the cocks and studs…not to mention the never-ending supply of fresh flowers and crispy chicharons.

      Aling Leila actually fell for the manmade HEART-SHAPED lagoon. That’s how the “bloody red moon” worked wonders last Wednesday night.

      Click here for the image of the heart-shaped lagoon.

      • moonie says

        October 10, 2014 at 5:46 AM

        binay’s orchids vs senate roses. a known battle axe is entering into the war of the flowers, boostering up the power of the roses. apparently, the war of the roses is serious and like the previous war of the roses in england, power will shift and the true annointed will come out.

  8. Adrian says

    October 8, 2014 at 9:57 PM

    Satellite image of Binay’s property. Damn! Di kita yung Kew Garden.

    http://binged.it/1CUMTTi

    • moonie says

      October 9, 2014 at 1:49 PM

      phew! akala ko koi carps. dapat yayain ni binay ang media upang madalaw rin ang mga ‘inuupahang’ gusali niya sa batanggas. gaya ng ginawa ni purisima, inimbita ang media at pinakita ang bahay niya sa nueva icija.

    • Rene-Ipil says

      October 9, 2014 at 5:22 PM

      I think the image was taken in 2007 or thereabout when the “Kew Garden” was not yet built in Hacienda Binay. Mercado said that he was sent to London by Mrs. Binay in 2007 to see the Royal Botanic Garden. The MPB project was bagged by Hilmarc in December 2007, and construction started in 2008. The payment for the development of the garden was taken from Binay’s kickback. Presumably, Hilmarc started collecting payment from City Hall in mid-2008 or later.

      But the piggery and orchidarium are clear in the satellite image and not covered by the cloud. The area designated for the garden is partly clear also, but no development is noticeable. IMO the full blast development of the buildings and structures commenced during the last term of Binay as Mayor, when Mercado was the vice mayor from 2007 to 2010, parallel to construction of the MPB from 2008 to 2013. Meaning that the Hacienda Binay development was funded to a large extent by the MPB project.

      • Adrian says

        October 9, 2014 at 6:11 PM

        Bing’s images were sourced from Terra Server, it was taken around 2012. The garden should be behind the clouds.

      • moonie says

        October 10, 2014 at 5:18 AM

        kaya pala may mga brown outs tayo. malakas kumain ng electricity yong air conditioned na piggery 24hrs yata, daily, weekly, monthly, yearly. ang laki ng consumo. ganon din yata ang orchidarium, ang green house na yan also consume lot of electricity, air temperature and humidity must be maintained at certain level.

        by the way, are we sure those are orchids and not hemp or opium, or marijuana plants?

        • AngLagay says

          October 10, 2014 at 9:01 AM

          @moonie… now you are talking. That’s is definitely another possibility. Kasi mas malakas daw pagkakitaan iyan kaysa baboy or orchid. Baka iyong chinese ang nagli-least, tapos iyan ang secreto niyang business.

    • baycas says

      October 9, 2014 at 11:36 PM

      The piggery in your cited satellite map is only a branch where the Head Office is housed as shown here:

      https://maps.google.com/?ll=14.693306,121.094356&t=k&z=17

      • baycas says

        October 9, 2014 at 11:39 PM

        Both are air conditioned. The only difference is that the main branch stinks more than the one in Batangas.

      • baycas says

        October 9, 2014 at 11:46 PM

        Oops…Take 2…

        @Adrian,

        The piggery in your cited satellite map is only a branch of the Main where the Head Office is housed as shown here:

        https://maps.google.com/?ll=14.693306,121.094356&t=k&z=17

        • chit navarro says

          October 10, 2014 at 4:31 AM

          @baycas –

          your sense of humour is simply…

          HUMOUROUS!!!! lol!

      • AngLagay says

        October 10, 2014 at 9:08 AM

        @baycas… You got me! That’s a good one, panyero. Good sense of humour. hahaha 100% sang-ayon ako sa sinabi mo. Keep it up.

      • baycas says

        October 10, 2014 at 9:39 AM

        @chit and @AngLagay,

        In 1992, Jejomar Binay originally bought 5 ha from one Delfin Almeda and experimented with raising 50 pigs, said Mercado, who admitted to serving as the farm’s errand boy, buying feeds and delivering the wages of workers.

        Read more: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/643566/hacienda-binayconstruction-led-to-cost-padding-in-makati-bldg-projects

        In 2016, there will no longer be an experiment…with heads more than 50, for sure!

        Be afraid…be very afraid…

  9. macspeed says

    October 8, 2014 at 3:38 AM

    In one of the sites i’m in BHRAD, bloggers used to say bad words to horse owner, trainers and jockeys whenever they lost their bet. I told other admin, to warn the losers till third time and delete their account. The Admin will be the one responsible for maintaining good manners and right conduct of the members and the Admin shall be the one to received court order.

    Netizens are not really aware of Libel cases in the internet. Some bloggers are insulting directly other members so cruel that I can detached myself on that site immediately.

    Sometimes, I was afraid commenting negatively to communist, thinking they may throw grenades to my house. They can trace me from here?

    Freedom of expression is being controlled by this fear from all sort of issues like Libel case, death threat from communist or gangs etc…

  10. Den says

    October 7, 2014 at 11:08 AM

    I am beginning to think that maybe, just maybe, the Philippines is not really ready for first-world democracy. We have been trying to embrace a type of democracy that works for developed countries when in fact, majority of our voters are not politically mature enough to elect qualified people to run our government. Unscrupulous politicians use this weakness in our democratic system to get themselves entrenched in public offices and have access to public funds, privileges and other perks that our personality-centric society accords to elected officials.

    Poverty is not the main problem of our country. If at all, it is both the symptom and the result of a bigger problem. The real problem is our politics. It is a politics of political dynasties, of patronage and personality cults, of corruption as an acceptable norm in government transactions. Taxes paid by businesses and the working class do not go to projects and programs that can help the poor rise up from poverty. They go to line the pockets of crooks they themselves elect to public office in exchange for token dole outs. It is a vicious cycle that must be broken if we want to have real progress that is all-inclusive.

    The key is to break the chain that perpetuates that cycle. While education is the long term solution, it is still pretty much controlled by our dysfunctional political elite. We must strike where it matters most – the political structure. Political dynasties must be dismantled to allow the new breed of leaders the opportunity to hold public office. The FOI bill must be made into law to provide transparency that will make it harder for public officials to squander public funds. The Whistle Blowers Act and Witness Protection Program must be strengthened to encourage people to expose wrong-doing. The Judiciary must be reformed so that justice can be dispensed promptly and fairly. The crooked politicians are the real enemies, and they must be denied the opportunity to be in a position of power.

    Social Media is a powerful platform where ordinary citizens like you and me can contribute to the maturity of the electorate. It is that rare chance when technology and people combine to effect game-changing transformations in society. The industrial revolution ushered in the modern times. The new technology that gave birth to social media may yet usher in the age of enlightenment for our country.

    • Joe America says

      October 7, 2014 at 12:44 PM

      I think you have that exactly 100% right. That is not to diminish the suffering the poor deal with, but it gets to the ROOT of the problem. And it is not poor people. It is the way politics works, in concert with the very rich. And you also in the final paragraph point to the solution. We’ll see in 2016 whether or not social media can wrest control of common sense from the entitled.

    • leona says

      October 7, 2014 at 2:31 PM

      ‘that justice can be dispensed promptly and fairly.’ – To realize this is change the required PROOF FOR CONVICTION = substantial evidence [after preponderance of evidence] and NOT proof beyond a reasonable doubt.

      … to prove ‘beyond’ one’s reasonable mind is impossible! It is not true. And it is actually impossible.

      What can one know beyond his/her mind? Nothing! It is asked: ‘Is there a doubt, one single doubt?’ What DOUBT after all the substantial evidence pointing to guilt are in! Why ask for a doubt when NONE EXISTS!

      Guilt or innocence under our present judicial set up is purely LEGAL FICTION copied from somewhere…US of A…jurisprudence which is, as said, a legal fiction.

      It will improve and be of great help in our criminal justice system when we discard this legal fiction idea. We need REFORMS.

      • kalahari says

        October 7, 2014 at 4:14 PM

        Proof beyond a reasonable doubt is the highest standard of proof that must be met in any criminal case. The main reason is that such proceedings can result in the deprivation of a defendant’s liberty or even in his or her death.

        The term connotes that evidence establishes a point to a moral certainty and that it is beyond dispute that any reasonable alternative is possible. It does not mean that no doubt exists as to the accused guilt, but only that no reasonable doubt is possible from the evidence presented.

        The second standard of proof is either by proof of preponderance of evidence or proof by clear and convincing evidence. The preponderance of evidence simply means that one side has more evidence in its favor than the other, even by the smallest degree. Clear and convincing proof is evidence that establishes a high degree of probability that the fact sought to be proved is true. In most cases, money damages are the common remedy. (The Free Dictionary by Farlex)

        Any attempt to change the standards of proof may or may not result to the dispensing of justice promptly, fairly and impartially

        • leona says

          October 7, 2014 at 5:25 PM

          As I mentioned, ‘beyond’ is the word used to complete the phrase ‘a reasonable doubt.’ I mentioned also that our criminal justice law and procedure was patterned from Anglo-American criminal law and procedure.

          In the Anglo-American theory, it is very important to remember and take note that their criminal cases are tried by A JURY: 6, 9 or 12 jurors, and maybe less in others of the vast 50 States.

          In our own system, we try criminal cases at the trial court level with a single judge; or at the Sandiganbayan with 3 judges. But NO JURORS sits. This is up to the highest appellate level, our SC.

          In our Constitution, there is no provision, explicit or implicit, that requires PROOF BEYOND A REASONABLE DOUBT in trial of an accused in criminal cases. What we have is a ‘rule’ in the Criminal Procedure by the SC.

          SEC. 14 (1) of our ART. III makes mentions of DUE PROCESS of law not to be denied to a person in criminal cases. Nothing about proving the criminal case BEYOND a reasonable doubt.

          While in the USA, they did require proof in criminal cases BEYOND a reasonable doubt because their criminal justice system is done with JURORS as TRIERS of facts. Here, in our country, only JUDGES are triers of facts.

          Thus, USA criminal jurisprudence required as DUE PROCESS of law in the ADJUDICATION of their criminal cases a proof BEYOND a reasonable doubt because of their JURY SYSTEM. It became their standard because of that.

          But even then, US jurisprudence admits that “the Due Process Clause does require application during the adjudicatory hearing of “the essentials of due process and fair treatment.” 397 U.S. 358. In the Matter of Samuel WINSHIP, Appellant. No. 778. Argued Jan. 20, 1970. Decided March 31, 1970.

          I agree that when ‘a reasonable doubt’ exists as determined ‘by our JUDGES’ it must be resolved in favor of the accused. A reasonable doubt. But I disagree that this ‘DOUBT’ be ‘BEYOND’ a reasonable doubt! It cannot exist. What is ‘beyond’ is unexplainable to anyone even to judges.

          In that WINSHIP case, the US Supreme Court said – “The requirement that guilt of a criminal charge be established by proof beyond a reasonable doubt dates at least from our early years as a Nation. The ‘demand for a higher degree of persuasion in criminal cases was recurrently expressed from ancient times, (though) its crystallization into the formula ‘beyond a reasonable doubt’ seems to have occurred as late as 1798.”

          ‘As a Nation’ their Court said. As early as 1798 at that.

          That is their idea because USA is of Common law jurisdiction, saying “It is now accepted in common law jurisdictions as the measure of persuasion by which the prosecution must convince the trier of all the essential elements of guilt.’ The Philippines is NOT of Common law jurisdiction to have the American way of using their ‘measure of persuasion’ in the prosecution of criminal cases. Again, they have A JURY and we do not.

          America, through it’s Federal Supreme Court also said in that case that – “Although virtually unanimous adherence to the reasonable-doubt standard in common-law jurisdictions may not conclusively establish it as a requirement of due process, such adherence does ‘reflect a profound judgment about the [397 U.S. 358 , 362] way in which law should be enforced and justice administered.’ Duncan v. Louisiana, 391 U.S. 145, 155 , 1451 (1968).”

          Their ‘Common law jurisdiction’ does NOT even establish it as a REQUIREMENT of DUE PROCESS but only to ADHERE to reflect a profound judgment in the way the LAW should be enforced and justice administered.

          I am of the opinion in this that substantial evidence or sufficient evidence be enough to prove the guilt or innocence of an accused in our jurisdiction. But not requiring proof of BEYOND a reasonable doubt. Our JUDGES can evaluate the evidence after all of it are presented by the parties, prosecution and defendant.

          If there is a ‘reasonable doubt’ then a guilty verdict would be improper

          The USA thesis is that if a reasonable mind might have a reasonable doubt, there is, therefore, a reasonable doubt. They said ‘That is not true.’ Why? Because, they have A JURY.

          I agree that a STANDARD like ‘convincing evidence’ is fair enough. But disagree to adopt ‘proof beyond a reasonable doubt’ as it means just to ‘mislead’ the trier of facts…OUR JUDGES here.

          Thanks [email protected] I wanted to take this up because [email protected] did mention about it. Thanks [email protected]

    • MC says

      October 7, 2014 at 8:07 PM

      It is the people in a given locality that votes those families because of gratuity or favor they may have received from any of the member of such family. Given our feudal setting where the concept of clan and the godfather is still very strong, a continuing rule of a local political elite will be there to stay. The alternative would be a network that provides the basic services that the people needs – services that they can get outside of the political circle. When they begin to realize that they can have those basic services and much more without kissing some local asses, the concept of the “political dynasty” will die a natural death. With God’s help, the people will soon begin to enjoy those basic services.

    • raissa says

      October 10, 2014 at 9:52 AM

      LIKE

  11. Parekoy says

    October 6, 2014 at 8:23 PM

    blind items

    According sa aking bubwits:

    1. Isang pamilya na nagpahirap sa bansa noong Martial law at patuloy hanggang ngayon. Itago na lang natin sa pangalan na Marcos.

    2. Isannpg bise presidente na dating mayor ng Makati na sangkot sa nakawan ng pondo ng kanyang city sa pamamagitan ng Overprice Parking Building. Itago na lang natin sya sa pangalang Jejomar Binay.

    3. Mga malalaking organisadong sindikato sa Pilipinas. Itago na lang natin sa mga pangalan na

    3.1 house of zrepresentathieves
    3.2 senado
    3.3 gabinite
    3.4 PNP
    3.5 AFP pabaon Generals
    3.6 hoodlum in robes
    3.7 tatlong hari ng customs at kanilang mga tauhan
    3.8. NFA
    3.9 NGOs ni Napoles
    3.10 NGO ng mga kasapakat ng mga Senador at tonggresman
    3.11 mga Taipans
    3.12 bayarang media
    3.13 mga KKK ni PNoy
    3.14 mga Pari ng CBCP saka mga inang liders ng mga ibang kulto at relihiyon sa Pinas.
    3.15 etc.

    Isang senador na mahilig magkopya, itago natin sa pangalan na Sotto.

    Isang kapatid ni PNoy na nagkatulo, itago natin sa pangalan na Krazzy!

    Dami pang ibang blind items, pero sabi sa akin ng bubwit kong bulag, itatanong naman daw nya sa kaibigan nyang bingi kung ano ang latest na narining na uthentic na balita!

    :)

    Parekoy
    10/06/2014
    Posting after reading “Afterschock by Reich”

    • vander anievas says

      October 6, 2014 at 8:54 PM

      hahaha, ito ang blind items.
      bulag naman talaga ang pinoy sa mai-item…

  12. Oscar Franklin Tan says

    October 6, 2014 at 7:56 PM

    Nice, Raissa!

    Quick tip, if you want to go through Supreme Court decisions quickly, just add “site:www.lawphil.net” to any Google search.

    • raissa says

      October 6, 2014 at 8:11 PM

      Thanks.

      Had to plough through the chan robles site looking for the decision.

    • baycas says

      October 6, 2014 at 9:49 PM

      Both sites are ok. http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph has limits.

      Lawphil though has typos. Sometimes I needed to verify from Chanrobles.

  13. Joe America says

    October 6, 2014 at 5:04 PM

    There are a lot of totalitarians in the Philippines, and some of them write libel laws or right or reply laws that miss the whole point of unfettered expression. Unfettered = free. The concept, Bubba, the concept. Democracy is healthy if its press and people are free to speak absolutely without fear that some cranky guy with his briefs on too tight, and with money and an attorney in his pocket, is right out there ready to slam a case against anyone who might slight His Entitled’s honor. These are laws for the entitled, and by definition, 95% of them, by filing a libel case, become scurrilous rats. The laws are an intimidation for the connected. The tools of thugs.

    You know how I write? Without fear. I write whatever the hell I want. I also declare that whatever I write ought to be considered fiction, and anyone who takes it as libelous does not get the point of opinion or Ambrose Bierce or Charles Dickens. And always, always I write from hiding behind an alias. ahahahahaha

    • raissa says

      October 6, 2014 at 5:26 PM

      :)

    • leona says

      October 6, 2014 at 8:25 PM

      @joeAm and Ma’m Raissa: MHQ – my honest question –

      Had there been already Internet like now and a Cybercrime law in 1915 like now, could the author of that libel case way back in 1915 been IDENTIFIED if he used ‘Jose Filipino’ or ‘JoFil’ as his blogger name? He resides in one of ’40-footer container vans somewhere in Pier 14, Manila or somewhere in Nebraska USA?

      How would the true identity of ‘JoFil’ be known/revealed as the suspect for the crime of that libel case? The ISP server/service provider? The owner of the Blog site? Or JoFil’s own blog site? How really?

      • raissa says

        October 6, 2014 at 10:40 PM

        hard. unless the web host is somehow made to cough up name of who is paying for hosting. very difficult if unknown.

      • Joe America says

        October 7, 2014 at 5:07 AM

        You know, Leona, I don’t think too much about it because then I’d start worrying, and who needs any more of that . . . Someone would have to go through the trouble to find which container at the port I’m in, and if they did that, somehow get the right to get into my computer and cloud accounts to identify my credit card record of payment to Word Press, or find the legitimate photo of my great grandfather that is my avatar. That takes a lot of work. The cybercrime libel idea is a huge waste of energy. It’s nonsense except in rare cases where the harm was material, the parties are known, and the intent to do harm was intentional. Existing libel law covers that.

        • leona says

          October 7, 2014 at 10:32 AM

          Thanks Ma’m Raissa and [email protected]

          I thank [belatedly also] the INVENTOR of Internet and everything that followed in this invention.

          It is said the world has become small. But now the world rather EXPANDED with Internet that it is at one’s FINGER TIPS to open the world for instant data, past and current, and maybe the future.

      • MC says

        October 7, 2014 at 8:50 PM

        Very easy indeed. Any email message has a header which indicates all the paths it passed thru before it reached the intended reader. It can pinpoint the server where it came from. If my memory serves me right, the FBI record in finding the culprit of a malicious email is five minutes. There is a decided case in Australia regarding culpability of a sender regardless of where the server is located.

        • leona says

          October 8, 2014 at 11:44 AM

          …tama! the world, big or small, one can fall.

  14. vander anievas says

    October 6, 2014 at 4:47 PM

    @raissa,
    wow!
    look at that!
    the irony.
    shows the filipino standard is falling.
    thirdy is an awful example.

    • raissa says

      October 6, 2014 at 5:27 PM

      LOL.

      Thirdy.

  15. chit navarro says

    October 6, 2014 at 4:03 PM

    Yagading!!!!…. aha hahaahha

    You must be reading all the SC decisions and your memory bank is way better than a computer’s…

    You just not write about the burning issues of the land =

    You also educate us.

    Thanks Raissa, the warrior!

    • raissa says

      October 6, 2014 at 4:03 PM

      with thick glasses.

Newer 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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