Just my opinion
By Raïssa Robles
Vice-President Jejomar Binay promises that if he becomes president, he will do for the whole country what he did for Makati.
This promise has tantalized many poor Filipinos.
But what exactly does that mean?
In June 2010, I examined in my previous blog site Binay’s achievements in Makati because he was pressing President Benigno Aquino Jr. to appoint him Secretary of the Department of Interior and Local Governments (DILG) instead of then Naga City Mayor Jesse Robredo. This is an update of that post. I’ve added paragraphs based on my interview with Binay weeks after the piece came out. [NOTE: My blog – with the same name but with a different design – where the original piece was posted crashed because of a malicious virus. ]
To understand Binay’s brand of governance, I compared and contrasted it to that of another politician – the late mayor of Naga City Jesse Robredo.
I came away with the following conclusions. Both were qualified for the DILG post. But they represented two contrasting – even opposite – approaches to transparency and governance.
Mayor Jojo Binay turned Makati into a fine welfare state. The poor who comprise its majority would probably die for Binay, who has doled out to them free services. One social worker of a foreign NGO, who has lived in Makati for nearly as long as Binay was mayor there, told me for instance that under Binay, Makati’s public schools look like private schools and all the students are given free books.
But Mayor Binay runs Makati like “an urban warlord,” a fellow journalist also told me. This observation was separately documented in an investigative report published by the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ) in the 1990s, which showed how Binay had taken over the network set up by his late predecessor Nemesio Yabut.
It was for this reason that I asked Binay during a one-on-one interview in 2010 whether he considered himself an urban warlord. He denied to me that he was one because he said he had no “imported” people – meaning – guns-for-hire, which he said is the mark of a warlord. You can read his answers in the transcript of my interview which I posted here.
Binay also told me in the same interview that he had a participative style of management. He uses a bottoms-up approach. He elaborated: “I dialogue with the people. I read a lot of newspapers.”
But when I asked him whether Makati during his term as mayor had People’s Organizatons participating in city governance – which is an innovation found in the Local Government Code – VP Binay replied that for a time “we had that …it had a natural death. In the first place, nobody insisted for [sic] it.”
This is a marked contrast to the participative style of management that the late Mayor (later Local Governments Secretary) Robredo practiced in Naga City. He institutionalized citizens’ participation in governance. Early on, Robredo persuaded the City Council to pass an Empowerment Ordinance that required citizen representation in various city government committees. I have included at the bottom of this piece my previous articles written for Asiaweek magazine to explain this.
I think this is the most basic difference between Binay and the late Jesse Robredo. While Robredo innovated with citizens’ participation, Binay innovated with giving the poor freebies. I’m not saying freebies are bad. All I’m pointing out is the great contrast between the two men in their approach to development.
Another big difference between the two was Robredo’s transparency and Binay’s lack of it.
This could be seen in the two websites of the city
The Makati City website during Binay’s tenure as mayor was not at all transparent. Fortunately, I was able to take some screenshots of the website before his son replaced it with a new one.
Binay was not much for transparency. The Makati City website razzle-dazzled.
The Makati City website under Jejomar Binay did not contain the city’s income and expenses
But nowhere could you find a detailed breakdown of its income.
Nor get an idea of its yearly expenses.
In other words, you do not really know where exactly one of the country’s richest cities was deriving its income and where it was spending it.
In addition, it had no figures for 2008 and 2009.
This is in contrast to the Naga City website under Mayor Robredo. It was simple. Easy to navigate.
Naga City website contains the city’s income and expenses
It disclosed in detail where it was getting the money for 2008 and 2009. Here’s the 2009 income statement. It is very detailed.
Naga City 2009 income
continuation of Naga City 2009 income
Continuation of Naga City income
Now compare that to how Makati City under Mayor Binay disclosed its income.
I copied this from the Makati City website when Jojo Binay was still the mayor.
And expenses.
Perhaps the DILG Secretary Mar Roxas could require all local government units to use a standard format for disclosing income and expenses. Perhaps, that of Naga City can be used as the template.
Now notice that despite its being income-rich and the premiere business district, Makati City under Mayor Binay was in fact spending more than it was earning from 2004 to 2007:
2004
Income – P4.936 billion
Expenses – P5.848 billion
Deficit – Or spending beyond income – P912 million
2005
Income – P5.859 billion
Expenses – P6.525 billion
Deficit – Or spending beyond its income – P666 million
2006
Income – P6.370 billion
Expenses – P7.707 billion
Deficit – Or spending beyond its income – P1.337 billion
2007
Income – P6.905 billion
Expenses – P9.390 billion
Deficit – Or spending beyond its income – P2.485 billion
This shows that from 2004 to 2007, Makati under Mayor Binay spent more than it earned. But it didn’t say how it filled the gap in those four years.
This means that Mayor Binay went into deficit spending. But there was no explanation given what this was for.
Also, please note that in 2007, close to half of its revenues came from business taxes (P3.5 billion) and only P1.7 billion pesos came from real property taxes despite the stupendous number of office buildings and mansions there. And the deficit spending amounted to P2.485 billion.
What I like about what Jesse Robredo did in Naga City when he was mayor
Most local government units only post the bid notices online. But they do not post the winners.
In Naga City, Robredo posted even THE RESULTS OF THE WINNING BIDS.
Naga City even shows bid results. Makati City – never.
Quezon City government also doesn’t have this feature. Just like many other cities and towns and other government websites.They are all opaque and mysterious. Posting the actual bid results should be a standard feature in all government agency websites.
Perhaps if Makati City had this feature, it would have been obvious early on that Hilmarc Construction was winning many major construction projects.
When I wrote this piece in June 2010, my hope then was that if Jesse Robredo could require every province, every city and town – including Makati – to be this transparent, then ordinary citizens can monitor any attempts at corruption better.
Robredo was never implicated in any corruption scandal.
In contrast, Binay has been the subject of an investigative report by Miriam Grace Go of Newsbreak entitled “The Lord of Makati: Can Binay explain his wealth?” It won first prize in the 2002 Jaime Ongpin Award for investigative journalism.
When I wrote the original version of this piece in June 2010, Robredo had not yet been appointed DILG Secretary. He and Binay were vying for the post. And I said Robredo would have to ask himself the following hard questions:
The post of DILG would require him to skip lunch with his family – a ritual he has been able to maintain as mayor of Naga. Can he do that?
As head of the DILG, he would also assume the post of chairman and presiding officer of the National Police Commission, which exercises administrative control over the entire police force. Can he be tough enough for this? Knowing that one of his predecessors, Col. Jaime Ferrer, was assassinated while doing this job? (I was covering Ferrer when he was gunned down.)
Finally, the post would require him to be the government and the Liberal Party’s eyes and ears in the countryside and control the grassroots state network – the same one that President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo mobilized to try to amend the Constitution. Can he stomach the wheeling and dealing that goes with that?
Shortly before PNoy launched his presidential bid I was able to have a chat with Robredo. I asked him why he had not run for Congress, which he told me years ago was part of his plan for when his children reached college age.
“Plans change,” he told me.
Looking back, I sometimes wonder whether Jesse Robredo would be alive today had he not gotten the DILG post. But I also feel he wouldn’t have had it any other way.
Below is my Asiaweek magazine report in the year 1999 on how Jesse Robredo changed Naga City.
I do hope the next President of the Philippines can duplicate what Jesse Robredo did in Naga in most of the cities and towns of the country. Which is why I batted for Robredo to become DILG Secretary.
When Robredo was hand-picked to receive the 2000 Magsaysay Awards, Asiaweek asked me to do a profile of him without knowing it was for that. Here it is:
___________________________________________________
Related Posts:
How was VP Binay able to buy three properties even as a young and poor law student?
Binay told me in 2010 he had bought – not leased – the land for his piggery
Binay suffers 24.39% drop in two months; Roxas rating doubles
Ex-Foreign Secretary Romulo asks me about Binay’s kitchen
Binay fan wants his “idol” to explain the building
Isn’t this laying it on too thick, VP Binay
US spied on Binay and Roxas last year, says French newspaper Le Monde
Why VP Jojo Binay is backing Pres. Aquino in GMA’s poll fraud case
VP Jojo Binay told PNoy – Marcos burial issue is a “partisan conflict” needing win-win solution
Paul says
Sana dumami pa ang kagaya ni Mang Jessie, transparent and may tiwala sa kakayahan ng ordinaryong mamamayan.
Social media can and should be able to popularize information. It will take only one spark.
duquemarino says
This is worth rereading.
david de manila says
remulla, pinangakuang maging vice president ni binay. eventually, remulla din hahabol ng president. conditioning the mind of the mada lang yan. kaya, ingat lang, may mga plano na yan.
david de manila says
conditioning the mind of the masa. correction.
hal says
Ba’t naman po parang may diperensiya yung nilagay nyong pic ni Sec. Robredo?
raissa says
bakit mo naman nasabi yon?
hal says
I didn’t mean to offend. I just noticed that Sec. Robredo’s photo looks like he has autism as compared to the distinguished look of the OTHER GUY beside him. Don’t you have a better photo of Sec. Robredo?
DeeDee says
@hal While you said that you didn’t mean to offend, fact is you offended a lot of people dealing and living with autism BIG TIME! Autism is not a word to describe a personal, visual displeasure. Autism as a condition is dealt with by many people with so much love and compassion and your casual, insensitive use of it hurts a lot of people so I hope you get it this time that “autism” is not equivalent to “ugly,” “funny-looking,” or “less appealing.” Ms. Raissa, with all due respect, I am baffled how you just kept mum on this insensitive reply to hal’s question. After all this very mental exercise you so meticulously wrote, where is that writer’s heart to temper and question a destructive status quo? I ask you that.
pamboy raynes says
hindi mo kasi kilala si jess wala naman deperensya ung picture,
Martial Bonifacio says
Senate Hearing today live link below:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wr-G9gU49tE
Note:
Nice that senate have their own youtube page which shows live feed from the Philippines. I hope SC will have the same policy especially if the case is “graft and corruption”.
vander anievas says
when it happens @martial bonifacio,
ililibre kita ng kape sa starbucks.
jorge bernas says
@ Macial B.,
Palagay ko ay hindi ipapalabas nang Supreme Court nang live ang mga malalaking kaso lalo na kong tungkol sa “Graft and Corruption” kasi baka mawala yong CASHunduan sayang din kasi yon ang laki pa naman? Itanong natin sa babaeng taga AREGLO dahil hanggang ngayon nawala na kaso sa kanya? tinulugan nang dapat mag-imbestiga o baka nakatanggap na?
rey says
Trillanes accepted binay challenge – A battle of Century “Rambotito vs Rambo”
jorge bernas says
@ rey,
Sana nga rey, pero sana unahin na ni binay ang senate hearing kasi parang umiiwas lang talaga sa senate hearing gayong matagal na siyang iniimbita…
at baka kahit ang debate ay iwasan din ni rambutito dahil takot pa rin mabunyag mga tagong yaman na galing sa N_ _ _ _?
vander anievas says
naku, malabo yun.
pa-impress lang yun.
pag naka-set na ay may mga alibis na lalabas.
alam niyang wala siyang mapapala sa debate…
Rachel says
Wow. This is a good and timely article on comparing leaders and their management style in a very objective manner, the fiscal policy/performance.
Ms. Raissa, our hope is fulfilled through DILG Memo Circular Nos. 2010-083 and 2012-141. This can be readily accessed on http://fdpp.blgs.gov.ph/. Another hope would be for people to utilize resources like this to scrutinize their local governments and translate the knowledge in electing effective leaders.
raissa says
That’s my hope, too.
Thanks for coming by and sharing. And do join in the discussions here.
Den says
Found an old video on you-tube. Message is as relevant today as when it was made a few years back. Enjoy!
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=hRB1x0kJfgM
leona says
Nice! Relevant.
drill down says
it’s obvious that it is quite difficult to look for and vote robredos into the govt.
the “easier” alternative to have more rebrodos in the govt is to make the system less or not conducive to corrupt politicians by calling for the prez and congress to pass the right foi and anti-political dynasty laws.
moonie says
methink, if there has been anti-political dynasty, noynoy may not have been president being direct decendant of cory and ninoy. also, leni robredo being next of kin of jesse robredo may have been barred from running for public office. same with robredo’s daughters, they might also be prevented from running for public office in the future.
drill down says
the idea is to have honest officials in govt by design, not plain luck or wishful thinking.
Martial Bonifacio says
PNoy offered to help Binay but won’t stop probe
Cavite Gov. Jonvic Remulla, Binay’s spokesperson for political concerns, said Aquino asked the Vice President about his family and how he could help him.
“Our understanding is that in the course of the conversation, the President asked about his family and VP replied the family is hurting from all the lies and baseless accusations, especially his wife,” Remulla said in a text message to media.
“At this point the President asked how he can help or ‘Paano ako makakatulong?’ It was in the context that the Senate was mentioned in the conversation,” Remulla said.
Remulla said Binay thanked the President for his concern.
“The Vice President respects the private nature of their conversation. It was after all a meeting between friends,” he added.
Source: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/10/21/14/pnoy-offered-help-binay-wont-stop-probe
Private conversations, secret meeting talking about monkey business and yet they are the 1st one’s to have a press release, and Mr. Remulla in the same news article speaks about RESPECT???
Sam says
@Martial Bonifacio
Maybe VP Binay plays the respect part while Remulla plays the talking part lol
moonie says
he, he, he, remulla is the talking parrot. he will not talk unless binay says so and approves. and between them, they have half a brain each.
Ka Enchong says
Half-half ba ‘kamo ang brain? On the left side of the brain, nothing is right – on the right side, nothing is left.
Talking about respect, I believe that the best way for the VP to show respect to those who voted him into office is to face inquiries squarely and prove himself worthy of the mandate he was given.
moonie says
yes! time to stop running away. today is the day, rambolito. have courage. go to the senate and face inquiries. prep yourself up, don military fatigues once more, put on war paint and have uzi ready. and walk with head high. today is the day.
drill down says
robredo’s approach tells us that religion and culture can be overcome.
and that voters look like fools only when the quality of the choices are low.
Niknok says
@Leona 61.1…to put more woods on fire!!! Dedicated to all Pinoy..especially to Ate Raissa and CPMers.
RAMBOLITO
Santo Santito Politokong Rambolito,
Kulay ng budhi mo ay katulad ng balat at anino
Paawa mong estilo di na kinagat ng masang Pilipino
Lumabas na ang totoo isa kang abogadong bandido!
Santo Santito Berdugong Rambolito
Sa ka-atatan mong maging pangulo ikaw ay nahilo
Sa bahong naibunyag ng dati mong aso,
Buti nga sa iyo! pangarap mo ay nabulilyaso.
Santo Santito mga Proyektong-luto ni Rambolito
Sa mga MA-KATIwalian at BI-NAYarang mga proseso
Sa laki ng patong na presyo at mga nakaw na benepisyo para sa tao
Ganito kami sa lugar ni bandidong Rambolito!
Santo Santito Kaalyado ni Rambolito
Sa kalaboso ay magkakasama-sama na kayo
Hatol ng bayan ang hahagupit sa iyo
Masahol ka pa sa mga Marcos at mga Arroyo!
Santo Santito Ankan ni Rambolito,
Pamilyang Kawatan sa gobyerno wag’ parisan ang mga ito.
Pagkanta ni Mercado umaksyon ang De Lima at Sereno
Bilang na ang mga araw ninyo patungo sa impiyerno!
Santo Santito mga Boboto kay Rambolito
Kung sa ngayon ikaw man ay ma-abswelto
Sa halalan Ako ay boboto at gamit ang prinsipyo!
Sinisiguro ko sa iyo, ako ay may pusong bato!
No way to bandido! NO TO RAMBOLITO! In 2016…
The MoB Family that robs together stick together…and stays forever!
Sa Las Vegas may MoB Museo
Sa Pilipinas may… MoB Museo din!
a.k.a…..Marcos o Binay Museo.
vander anievas says
klap! klap! klap!
baycas says
Den,
It was an official monkey business by Binay that they talked about…after all.
—–
To the rest,
As the late Jesse Robredo’s legacy lives on…
The investigation of G&C on the Binays also lives on.
Gere says
MS Robles, good job on compiling this forum with many questions and comments.. I just started reading your columns and it really makes me wonder if our true filipino politicians such as the present VP and the 3 senators in holdings are corrupt. They are silent but keeping quiet is admission to guilt. How a senators such as Estrada have more than 100 millions. What business did he have that he accumulated that much wealth. Thanks…
Johnny Lin says
“BINAY WILL RESIGN”, Headline, we are hoping will greet us every morning on breakfast table.
Meeting of Aquino and Binay was not supposed to be revealed in terms of substance. However Binay’s camp knew very well that no secret tryst in the palace is forever a secret so they tried to portray the meeting as very productive, jovial and extremely friendly to save face for Binay by immediately putting out a press release. PNoy’s people did not like the demeanor put forth by Binay’s men the following morning after the meeting especially the reference on the length of the meeting, 3 hours, and allusion that the meeting was fruitful by announcing that their friendship became tighter and closer. Reference to improved family ties portrayed the president as untruthful to his personal and political circles while the 3 hour meeting made it appear that there was lengthy negotiations between them when in fact Binay was quickly rejected on his overture.
To PNoy, it was betrayal of his kindness and accommodation because he initially refused the meeting to take place but his “Buzz” sister persuaded him thru the intercession of JunJun. PNoy decided alone to expose the contents of their meeting to preserve his credibility. PNoy made the right decision while Binay only has to blame his communications camp.
As of tonight in a meeting of Binay and adviser, consensus of decision is to resign from cabinet because every time the president speaks about cleaning government agencies, Binay is always inevitably alluded to the minds of the people. Besides, every time there is a policy cabinet meeting his colleagues will always be suspicious of his candor and participation.
Dilemma Binay has from resigning is disappearance of free perks on travel of his post considering he has turned down to receive his annual 200 million pork barrel. Will he finally decide to resign? Buck stops on his front porch.
Since becoming mayor of Makati up to now as Vice President, government money was used by Binay as personal account of his family and social lifestyle.
Binay family slogan:
More Fun in the Philippines with OPM, “Other people’s money”
moonie says
he, he, I’d be happier if headline reads, binay dead of heart attack! while eating breakfast. choke on his food. fell down his throne-like chair, his head hit the marble floor and knocked himself well and truly dead. and in appreciation, the taumbayan being rid of him, will give him best state funeral ever. there will be month long celebration with dancing and singing all over the archipelago.
vander anievas says
then lay on a bamboo raft.
stack twigs and logs over it.
light a bundle of hays.
set in to the twigs.
when heat is stable.
push lightly on the raft.
sail he goes to the horizon
watched unto oblivion
jorge bernas says
OPM —- Our Peoples Money……
No to Binay
No to UNA….
Steve R says
Very informative, thank you for sharing the info. As we know, NBI and office of the Ombudsman are now investigating Binay’s ill-gotten wealth thus plunder and other crimes will likely be filed against VP Binay before the end of 2015.
Rene-Ipil says
Sabi ni Tiu ay kanya raw lahat na nakapaloob sa 150 hectares na sabi ni VM Mercado ay parte ng Hacienda Binay. Binili raw niya ito mula kay Laureano Gregorio ng Agrifortuna nuong 2011 sa halagang P446M. At si Binay ay umuupa lang sa kanya para sa orchidarium. Ipinakita rin niya ang mga dokumento na nagpapatunay daw sa kanyang pagaari sa loob ng 150 hectares. Dini-develop daw niya ang lugar para sa agri-tourism.
Sa mga binulatlat niya na mga dokumento ay wala akong nakitang Kopya ng anumang TCT o OCT. Sa palagay ko ay tama ang mga sinabi ni Atty. Subido na lahat ng mga “improvements and facilities” sa loob ng 150 ektarya ng lupa ay ibinenta ni Gregorio kay Tiu. Wala anumang bentahan ng lupa mula kay Gregorio. Subalit hindi binanggit ni Tiu na ang lupa na totoong pagaari niya ay mahigit isang ektarya lamang na binili niya noong 2013 mula kay Aurora Hidalgo.
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/video/nation/10/20/14/antonio-tiu-hindi-ako-dummy-ni-binay
moonie says
tiu is offended being called dummy ni binay. going through college, getting his degree, being toym awardee only to become someone’s dummy is terribly – insulting! dapat super dummy, o kaya, dummy extraordinaire, dummy with the mostest. not just dummy. so bland. walang imagination. super dummy, or dummy extraordianire, considering all the hoops tiu went through, the dedication, the applied knowledge, the people he has to cut and paste. surely, there should be distinction in their superlatives.
moonie says
rent is like wasted money. money down the drain. why would binay rent when he can afford to buy hectares and hectares of land? think kung hindi sila kasundo ng landlord at palayasin siya? masasayang yong structures na pinatayo niya at baka masayang pa yong mga very expensive imported orchids. they would have to be uprooted, repacked and taken to other places. they could easily die of plant stress while in transport.
caliphman says
That whole transaction involving the purchase by Sunchamp of 446 million in real estate assets from Agrifortuna in 2011 is really questionable. Since the only land in Rosario now registered in Sunchamp’s
name is only one hectare and away from the farm site, what had to be transferred was landscaping, structures, leasing and use rights to the ground the park is sitting on. It would be interesting to know what Agrifortuna or Gregorio filed as tax returns in 2011 as it is quite likely someone made spectacular gains from the sale, it was not the registered land owners and much of the cost of constructing the real estate improvements was supposedly “donated”. This half a billion in cash seems to have disappeared from Agrifortuna’s balance sheet in 2013 according to newspapers stating the corporation reported under 30 million in assets to the SEC. Either this was because Gregorio received a gargantuan dividend
or Sunchamp bought much of real estate rights directly from Gregorio, one of Binay’s reputed dummies.
In October 2013, Greenergy Holdings, a publicly listed controlled by Tiu but not wholly owned by him, put in 55 million in new capital into Sunchamp, followed by 350 million this year, making it a subsidiary and repaying the source of funds used in the Agrifortuna/Gregorio purchase.
caliphman says
So if one will be following the money trail, the last person known to receive the nearly half billion pesos was Gregoio, also 97% owner of AgriFortuna, Inc. Should he not be the person under subpeona by the senate subpoena being asked where the money went?
Sam says
Just a question lang:
At rappler – The NPC which remains one of the biggest political parties in the country completely disagrees and will not support the calls of the critics of VP Binay to initiate an impeachment move against him’
At ABS-CBNNews – Belmonte ask Binay to face the Senate, but he is against Binay’s impechment.
So my question is : what if DOJ’s investigation finds reasonable cause .. whats next?
Johnny Lin says
Impeachment is a political process.
DeLima already said that her investigation would be impartial WITHOUT recommendatory conclusion and DOJ summary final findings would be sent directly to Ombudsman.
That is the right process avoiding political inference by Binay.
“Aquino admitted that Binay sought his help to stop DOJ investigation”
Questions:
Did Binay’s advisers blindside him by telling him to ask PNoy to stop his investigation?
What prompted Binay’s courage and decision to seek Aquino’s intervention?
Aquino did not invite him! Who initially told Binay that Aquino might be amenable to intervention?
The answer is deep rooted:
“Trillanes claimed it was Sec Coloma who arranged the meeting. Coloma denied he arranged the meeting”
Trillanes and Coloma were both tangentially correct in their assertions.
in previous blog, posted #22 Oct 16, 9:30 AM few hours after headline news that Binay and Aquino met the night before revealing sketchy info that Binay asked Aquino to intervene with his investigation. Later on, Trillanes announced same, followed by other reports, confirmed by Aquino on latest news. Tulfo’s details in his column is most closely accurate on facts. Tulfo has a network of spies in the Palace whom we know, he he he!
Sam says
speaking of Remulla
this was posted on ABS-CBNNews website
In a statement, Binay spokesman and Cavite Governor Jonvic Remulla said: “There are other venues where the Vice President can address the baseless allegations and lies—venues where there is no other agenda except arriving at the truth. He is determined to bring the issues directly to the people, which he has been doing for the past weeks in visits to Mindanao, Zambales and Bataan.”
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/10/20/14/binay-still-wont-appear-senate
——————————————————————————————————
what truth did VP Binay made on those speaking engagements? Para kay Remulla those are the truth?
fed-up says
I’m sure the Mindanaoenos, Zambalenos and Bataenos listening to vp binay on his visits would react to his visit speeches differently from the Makati-enos. Reason? They (the first three groups) don’t receive cakes on their senior citizen birthdays nor bounty goodies during Christmas holidays.
mainman says
alternate theory: after binay’s speech, talking about purisima, dap, gma, etc. binay immediately sought a meeting w pnoy, “mr. president, if your allies wont stop hitting me, i will hit back harder against your administration, so tell them to stop”. the following day’s headline, “justice secretary starts probe of binay”.
remember in edsa 2, when erap resigned, it was binay who said “bakit ka nagresign? kaya rin nating mag-people power” thus, edsa 3.
Jumen says
I always admire the late former dilg sec. thanks for this article m’ raizza. If only he’s alive today. LP has again another sure-win candidate for the presidency. SAYANG.
raissa says
you’re welcome
DaveOfBacolod says
Galing sa comment section sa PDi by fighter may konting revision lg:
Every Breath You Take
(to JoJo)
by: NBI, DOJ, BRSC, COA, BIR, OO/SB, People
Every breath you take
Every move you make
Every bond you break, every step you take
I’ll be watching Jo!
Every single day
(back beat: jeje, jeju, jejo, jojo)
Every word you say
(back beat: jeje, jeju, jejo, jojo)
Every game you play, every night you stay
(back beat: jeje, jeju, jejo, jojo)
I’ll be watching Jo!
Bridge:
Oh, is Makatiiii –
does it belong to thee?
How the poor men crave
With every cake you bake
Every move you make
(counterpoint:NBI/DOJ is there)
Every vow you break
(counterpoint:OO/SB/SC is there)
Every smile you fake, every claim you stake
(counterpoint:COA, BIR is there)
I’ll be watching JO!
(counterpoint:BRSC, the People is there)
leona says
‘Vice-President Jejomar Binay promises that if he becomes president, he will do for the whole country what he did for Makati.’
A nice promise indeed. DO FOR THE WHOLE COUNTRY . . . what he DID FOR MAKATI.
How can he when he DOES NOT EVEN TREAD into the Senate to DO IT?
How can he defend the issues IN MAKATI if VP Binay DOES NOT keep that PROMISE to DO for the COUNTRY what he DID FOR MAKATI?
Where is YOUR PROMISE VP Binay? What happened, cut your tongue?
fred roda says
mam raissa,
gud day to you from the desert of saudi arabia,
allow me to raise this question to you which i have also try to ask ms. mae paner in response to her fb postings…copy paste ko na lang po kasi pag inulit ko ang pagtype di ko na matandaan…
10/9, 4:51pm
Fred E. Roda
hi ms. mae,
hindi ako makacomment sa postings mo kaya nag pm na lang ako. ang dami kong gustong itanong pero time does not permit me daming work sa desyerto eh…isang tanong lang ms. mae, kaya ba nating mga matitino at may malasakit na mga Pinoy, nandyan man sa Pinas o nandito man sa ibayong dagat na maglagak ng isang matino at mahusay na mamumuno sa ating bayan? na bumuo ng isang partido, hindi mula sa dilawan, hindi mula sa pulahan, hindi rin mula sa asul, berde, orange, hindi rin mula sa mga leftist, or ultra rightist, hindi rin galing sa LP, UNA, NP, hindi rin galing sa JIL, El Shaddai, INC o sa Catholic o kay Quibuloy o kay Almeda at kung sino sino pang mga religious leaders. Hindi rin kung sino ang bubuhusan ng pondo ng Makati Business Club, ni Ayala, ni Sy, ni Tan, at ng kung sino pang mga business tycoons.hindi rin kung sino ang susuportahan ng mga media magnates gaya ng ABS-CBN, GMA, TV5. hindi rin kung sino mga media personalities na nakapayola, at lalong hindi rin kung sino ang iindorso ni kris aquino, ni marian rivera, ni dingdong at lalong hindi ni manny pacquiao!!! kaya ba natin silang tapatan? piso sa piso para sa matinong Pinuno? ikaw naiinis, naaasar, nagagalit, ako ganun din. isang basura ang sistema ng ating pulitika. pabalik-balik, talagang parang basura, kung ano ang itinapon na, nakakabalik pa rin. panahon na para sunugin ng tuluyan ang mga basurang ito…pano natin sisimulan? isang magandang araw sa iyo. fred roda – in the desert of saudi arabia
Rene-Ipil says
What transpired between PNoy and Binay during their “3-hour” meeting? PNoy version.
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/645853/aquino-confirms-meeting-binay-over-corruption-allegations
Sam says
“At the end of the day, ‘yon na nga, sabi ko sa kanya, the truth will come out; and between the two of us, you will know what the truth is so, you will know what will be coming out,”
These words might give Binay some chills
leona says
” (At the end of the day, I told him, the truth will come out. And between the two of us, you will know what the truth is so, you will know what will be coming out.) ”
This comment of PNoy must have been prompted to what statement VP Binay said to him? “Mr. President, PLEASE HELP ME! Tell the SUB-COMMITTEE to stop inviting me. I said I will not go there but they insists.”
So? Binay got the above answer. The end of his days. He knows the truth has come out.
79% of those polled wants VP Binay to ANSWER the issues at the Senate. 79%! By November it will be more than 89%! By December 31st more than 99%!
The end of the last day of 2014 for VP Binay. That’s All Folks!
Chris A. says
A crook officials like in the city of Makati can be prevented if the councilors will oppose and guard such expenditures. There should be a check and balance in any organizations. The thing is all of them are corrupt receiving bribes just to be keep quiet and how they call it JUST BE A GOOD BOY. We should stop and prevent Binay to be a President and the only logical way to do is to file charges against him and be convicted of wrongdoings. City of Naga should be a role model that every city and provinces and includes the office of the President, Congress or Legislature and Judiciary to have a websites stating in details the incomes and expeditures. Nothinhg will happen to our country if most of our leaders who is supposed to be trusted are not.
fed-up says
Bakit lumantad si VM Mercado sa Senate Blue Ribbon sub-committee hearing:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qgeHc7az8y0#t=66
waray-waray says
Hi Raissa, I have been an avid follower of this site since the impeachment of CJ Corona. I enjoyed not only your postings but the intellectual discussions of the CPMers and their analysis of the issues at hand. My only wish is that we will make a difference this 2016 in electing a president who is honest, credible and with integrity. In the last VP election I campaigned “anybody but Binay” and yet he won. A friend campaigned in Makati against Binay too. I hope that the voters will vote for a person that has the qualities of a Jessie Robredo. More power.
raissa says
Dear waray-waray,
I wish to give VP Binay the benefit of the doubt.
He has not spoken.
I wish he would speak out.
Do join in the discussions here in Cyber Plaza Miranda.
Raissa
chit navarro says
Dear Raissa,
What if VP Binay will not speak or say anything on these issues?
What if his spokesmen will continue blaming political persecution?
What then will your conclusion be?
But I am sure it is wishful thinking to wait for your definite stand.
Because you keep your conclusions to yourself – you simply state the facts.
vander anievas says
imo, the vp will not speak out.
it’s his tactic.
it was tried and tested.
proof is nancy.
she won w/o confronting anyone in a debate.
his base is still intact.
proof is the tacxicab driver visin.
he is moneyed.
he has media on his side.
he has clout.
he has the bsp.
the ibp.
he has Makati.
the religious sects.
etc.etc.
will he lose 2016 polls?
leona says
He will! Put more wood into the fire and keep the fire burning!
Niknok says
@Leona 61.1…to put more woods on fire!!! Dedicated to all Pinoy..especially to Ate Raissa and CPMers.
RAMBOLITO
Santo Santito Politokong Rambolito,
Kulay ng budhi mo ay katulad ng balat at anino
Paawa mong estilo di na kinagat ng masang Pilipino
Lumabas na ang totoo isa kang abogadong bandido!
Santo Santito Berdugong Rambolito
Sa ka-atatan mong maging pangulo ikaw ay nahilo
Sa bahong naibunyag ng dati mong aso,
Buti nga sa iyo! pangarap mo ay nabulilyaso.
Santo Santito mga Proyektong-luto ni Rambolito
Sa mga MA-KATIwalian at BI-NAYarang mga proseso
Sa laki ng patong na presyo at mga nakaw na benepisyo para sa tao
Ganito kami sa lugar ni bandidong Rambolito!
Santo Santito Kaalyado ni Rambolito
Sa kalaboso ay magkakasama-sama na kayo
Hatol ng bayan ang hahagupit sa iyo
Masahol ka pa sa mga Marcos at mga Arroyo!
Santo Santito Ankan ni Rambolito,
Pamilyang Kawatan sa gobyerno wag’ parisan ang mga ito.
Pagkanta ni Mercado umaksyon ang De Lima at Sereno
Bilang na ang mga araw ninyo patungo sa impiyerno!
Santo Santito mga Boboto kay Rambolito
Kung sa ngayon ikaw man ay ma-abswelto
Sa halalan Ako ay boboto at gamit ang prinsipyo!
Sinisiguro ko sa iyo, ako ay may pusong bato!
No way to bandido! NO TO RAMBOLITO! In 2016…
The MoB Family that robs together stick together…and stays forever!
Sa Las Vegas may MoB Museo
Sa Pilipinas may… MoB Museo din!
a.k.a…..Marcos o Binay Museo.
fed-up says
@vander anievas. You forgot to mention the BSP (Boy Scouts of the Philippines — akala ko noong una Bang Sentral ng Pilipinas) where he has been president for 20, repeat 20, years. Sabi ng isang CPMer, umaabot raw sa 2 miilion votes na mayroon ang BSP. Minamantak mong yong boy scout noong unang nanungkulan si vp binay as president ay malamang nag-eedad na ngayon ng 30 to 40 y/o. Ang ipinagtataka ko, bakit maligaya (at tahimik) ang pamunuan ng BSP na maging president siya forever.
moonie says
vander, it’s possible nancy was voted in because people did not think being senator is serious job. there are many of them in the senate. surely, they can handle bad egg nancy. keep them on their toes, tuned in and alert. not palaging absent, or nancy will romp in and get the better of them.
being president is different though, the stakes are higher. more hoops to leap, bigger and larger.
I think, binay has been talking all along; very talkative indeed and speaking through his spokesmen. and he has 3 of them doing the circuit. and between them, they should be able to cook the public, rally the public.
but the public want binay himself to show sincerity, speak in his own voice and not use the voices of his paid retainers. face the representatives the public have elected and put in the senate. talk to them, persuade them, reason with them, plead with them. should not be that hard, binay already has soft voice. the rest should come out soothingly smooth.
JoeC says
As raissawriter clearly brought forth in this great piece, we need a transparent national government like Jesse Robredo bravely implemented in Naga City. That is, a government Of The People, For The People, NOT, Of The Binays, For The Binays, that is in Makati City.
Parekoy says
Robredo was one of the very few who saw the fallacy and hypocrisy of Philippine democracy.
He saw the reality that the government practice socialism for the rich(Taipan, Big Businesd, and Politicians) while leave the rest of us to keep on shouldering the burden to fund and subsidize them for eternity!
so he started to experiment if it is possible to build a different government in Naga and view it like a case study. Then he found out that it is a myth that we are a condemned people, he found the formula and the processs to reverse the balance of power and he was ready to scale it up when he became the DILG with the support and confidence from Roxas though with some reluctance from Aquino. Then after Robredo’s death and the his value and his brilliant ideas are known, Aquino became a convert and an eager disciple of the idea of Robredo: Transparency and accountability empowers people and spread the opportunity and wealth fairly among rich and poor!
Johnny Lin says
Binary compared with Robredo on governance. Binay pales in comparison on integrity and transparency
SWS and Pulse survey released Binay trust rating survey result as about 70%, still highest among govt officials bragged by Binay spokesmen and thanked the Filipinos
Today SWS released result of on the wish of Filipinos for Binay to face Senate investigation, whopping 80%.
Will Binay and spokesmen thank the Filipinos again for this high ratings call to Binay to come clean and honest in Senate?
No they won’t, they might deride the survey methodology and shoot the messenger, a pattern shown by Binay repeatedly
Rene-Ipil says
The link.
http://www.bworldonline.com/content.php?section=TopStory&title=majority-want-binay-to-face-senate&id=96341
Johnny Lin says
“Gov Remulla said that Binay would not attend senate hearing because Sen Trillanes has been blatant on his objective to send Binay to jail”
Wish of 80% of Filipinos on Binay should serve as a stinging reminder to Gov Remulla that Binay is equally blatant, if not more, on his objective and ambition to become president of the Philippines in which the primary requirements are that the candidate is honest, incorruptible, with impeccable integrity and morality. Certainly, plunder and unexplained wealth are parameters of these requirements.
80% of those respondents, according to the survey have reached high school. Maybe Gov Remulla will claim that the remaining 20% who were not polled are still on Binay’s side.
Gov Remulla is either losing his mind or revealing his stupidity when trying to defend a rotten principal
He he he!
Kalahari says
Jonvic is right. His principal, when confronted with documentary and circumstantial evidence corroborated by credible witnesses, may always invoke his constitutional right to remain silent – which is disastrous to public perception.
In case Jojo will opt to fight toe-to-toe like Donaire vs walters, he may likely end up kissing the canvass twice before being technically knocked-out in mid-rounds.
If Jojo will again snub the senate hearings despite the overwhelming clamor of the people, the suspicion of big-time corruption will be reinforced and his presidential bid would likely be thrashed like a spam.
It’s not far-fetched that toby & jonvic may call it quits as jojo’s spokesmen to avoid being blamed later
AngLagay says
@ Kalahari:
I personally think that as long as Binay will continue “BINAYaran” si Toby “HAIRDO” and Jonvic, they will never quits. It’s a full time job for these two joker, partime job as a tongressman and governor, respectively. Kawawa naman iyong mga taga CAVITE, bihira nilang mahagilap or makita ang kanilang governor.
Johnny Lin says
Problem of Remulla: he injected himself into Binay’s camp when the issue of corruption started to surface.
He is Nationalista, Trillanes party mate. Although every person can speak his own mind or opinion, there are times one has to discern intelligently when to actively participate. Like in this blog, many of us do not comment in every topic.
Those who knew Remilla have criticized his intervention as a bad decision because his credibility will be shattered instead of gaining respectable popularity he might have hoped to fly. he should have learned the lesson from Pichay who defended GMA to propel his senate ambition.
Jonvic national political future is in jeopardy by shooting his own foot.
czech says
just sharing….
http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2014/10/20/1382177/ibp-slams-senate-probe-vs-binay
ang mga kaso po ba ni binay na naisasampa sa tamang proseso eh umaabot pa sa pagdinig o nadidismiss na lang dahil sa technicalities? sa pamamagitan ng senate hearing eh naipararating sa aming mga mamamayan ang tunay na mga pangyayari sa mga kaso at mga pinaggagawa ni binay…..
abogado na naman at national president pa. bakit ngaun lang kau nagkomento sa senate hearing?? bkit hindi dati pa sa ibang mga issue??
kindly also see comment 38 tungkol sa mga lawyers…(hindi ko naman nilalahat ang mga abugado)
nakakagigil!!!
Rene T. says
@czech
Salamat naman at hindi mo nilalahat ang mga abugado. Meron pa rin namang panig sa katotohanan at ninanais na humarap si VP Binas sa Senado. Kaya lang dahil limitado lang mga resources namin (READ: sa sweldo lang kami umaasa), hindi umaabot sa national consciousness ang mga adhikain namin. Pero salamat Kay Raissa dahil kahit paano, sa pamamagitan ng blog nya, maipaparating ko sa yo na marami pa ring lawyers na matino at gusto ng pagbabago. Tuloy tuloy lang tayo sa paglaban sa corruption in our own little way. Sabi nga ng kaibigan kong mason pag nagtitibag sila ng bato: PUKPOK LANG NG PUKPOK. BIBIGAY DIN YAN.
duquemarino says
Is it IBP’s or is it just Vicente Joyas’ word?
Do all the members of the IBP agree with Joyas?
edward says
all the initiatives of binay were designed with only one purpose and that is to garner votes. the so called freebies while very good were given to win the hearts of people and their loyalty. btw, there is no such a thing as free because these were funded from our taxes.
leona says
Raissa, if you have information re the Naga City Empowerment Ordinance, were there 44 members for all ‘groups of non-government’ as People Council? How did such Council come about?
Can a copy of the Ordinance be secured and published here?
Dan says
VP Binay and Sec. Jessie Robredo are both members of the Alpha Phi Omega fraternity. If Jessie was alive I would ask him about his relationship with his fraternity brother.
Nathan says
How relevent is that to the issue of corruption and transparency? If i may politely ask you Sir… Are you a member of Alpha Phi Omega? If you are… then right away you can answer your question… And please remember Sir that deep or stronger tie or relationship to brothers of Alpha Phi Omega has nothing to do in good governance as Robredo exemplified… I do respect the Alpha Phi Omega as an institution and fraternity since I have a lot of friends who are members… Robredo might have no strong tie with his brothers in APO as to that of Binay… But can you see who is the corrupt one? it’s Binay…
duquemarino says
This came out in the opinion page of PDI, Neal Cruz’ “As I See It”:
‘Binay overstaying as BSP president’
“Jejomar Binay has this habit of overstaying. He and his wife and son have been overstaying as mayors of Makati; and Binay himself has been overstaying as national president of the Boy Scouts of the Philippines (BSP)”
The longest serving BSP president from 1994 to present (20 years). BSP as vote rich organization.
Neal Cruz also mentioned the Scout Oath and Law which i also mentioned in my previous post in this blog.
If he becomes president of the republic, will he also stay long? As the saying goes “Para-paraan yan.” Do you still want him to become president? Ayaw ko.
Mark A.B. Andrade says
AYAW ko din. . .
kalakala says
he will stay long as long as he can. after him, his wife, after wife the good senator, then the congresswoman, then the mayor and IMHO it will be infinity kasai the youngest can already run for the office then the mga apo.
he is already doing this in makati.
the family motto: ganito kami sa makati. gagawin namin ito sa buong pilipinas
fed-up says
@duquemarino, you said:
“Jejomar Binay has this habit of overstaying. He and his wife and son have been overstaying as mayors of Makati; and Binay himself has been overstaying as national president of the Boy Scouts of the Philippines (BSP)”
The longest serving BSP president from 1994 to present (20 years). BSP as vote rich organization.”
To me, your term of vp binay’s “habit of overstaying” is similar to “pattern of behavior” which the Senate Blue Ribbon sub-committee investigation into the overpriced Makati City Hall Bldg II is trying to established.
Teuta says
Mas ayaw ko,
drill down says
imo, the public should define explicitly the “tuwid na daan” that they want implemented by the politicians.
although it sounds like a simple and easily understood phrase, in practice it is not.
Parekoy says
Tuwid na daan is a slogan.
Tuwid na daan is a dream and a goal to good government.
Tuwid na daan is a compass.
Tuwid na daan is a destination. The path towards it is full of potholes and landmines, but if hurdled will lead us to straight path.
Tuwid na daan is a tall order to put order in governance.
Don’t expect the leaders espousing this slogan as heroes with superpowers, they are not. But now that the Taong Bayan owns that mission, then the expectation and the bar on how we measure the performance of our politicians are higher and in turn force them to adapt to the modern times of peoples expectations of transparency and accountability, lest they will be fired or worst be fried to obliterate their DNA of corruption.
Tuwid na daan is the wave that is so strong, one has to go with the flow or be drowned.
Tuwid na daan is our destiny and salvation, anything else will be our damnation!
baycas says
http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/371242/news/nation/foi-passage-could-have-prevented-dap-controversy-grace-poe
baycas says
http://www.gov.ph/foi/
baycas says
http://www.bworldonline.com/content.php?section=Opinion&title=frustrating-road-to-an-foi-law&id=95552
duquemarino says
@baycas, tama si Cong. Leni. Popularization in the dissemination of information is necessary so it reaches the grassroots. Cong. Leni who is also a development worker knows the value of popularization of information.