By Raïssa Robles
Here is the analysis I shared in today’s forum on the proposed Freedom of Information law organized by the Asia Society. I compared and contrasted the version of the House of Representatives with that of the Senate. It is not my aim to cast aspersions on the bills. My aim is to help improve it. It is not yet too late.
I have uploaded at the end of this piece the Senate and House versions of the FOI so you can compare them yourself.
UPDATE: Dec. 2, 2014 6:00 AM.
Congressman Barry Gutierrez has joined Cyber Plaza Miranda to defend the House version of the FOI bill. He is one of the main sponsors. His comment is at No. 5. You can ask him questions directly and tell him your reactions to the bill.
First, the good news – both the House and Senate versions will require all government websites to display content in the country’s major languages and not just in English.
Both versions require more comprehensive disclosures of government contracts and bid results. All government contracts amounting to at least P50 million will be uploaded in full on websites.
And now the bad news.
Speaking as a journalist — and I believe journalists are at the forefront of the sectors that will use the freedom of information — let me say this: the proposed bills are worse than I thought when it comes to denying the public and the media access to personal information of government employees and officials.
1.The proposed FOI will not only narrow the existing freedoms of journalists, it will also open them to being jailed for receiving leaked information.
2.If either of these proposed laws had been in effect some years back, then whistle-blower Apolinario “Jun” Lozada would have been arrested; political columnist Jarius Bondoc would have been arrested.
3.Under either of these proposed laws, a journalist can be arrested for “inducing” a government official to give information. The word “induce” is not defined.
4.We already have two existing laws relating to press freedom. Both proposed bills will actually worsen those laws. The FOI bills will restrict, if not take back ,what these laws grant.
I am referring to:
Republic Act No. 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for public officials and employees; and
Republic Act No. 10173 or the Data Privacy Act of 2012
Republic Act No 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and employees clearly states that the public cannot be denied access to the Statements of Assets, Liabilities and net Worth (SALNs) of all government personnel. Section 8 states that
“(1) Any and all statements filed under this Act, shall be made available for inspection at reasonable hours.
1.Such statements shall be made available for copying or reproduction after ten (10) working days from the time they are filed as required by law.
The House version drastically amends Section 8 of RA 6713 by making it more restrictive. Instead of making available “any and all statements…at reasonable hours,” the House version of the FOI will make SALNs available at all times by having them posted online.
That sounds OK, right? However, the public and the media will be denied access to certain “personal information” in the SALNs that are deemed to “constitute an unwarranted invasion of his or her personal privacy.”
Such information, according to Section 7 of the House version, will be “redacted” or scrubbed from the SALNs released to the public, including the media.
What kind of information can be denied journalists and the public, which RA 6713 currently guarantees?
Section 7 of the House version gives quite a long list of the kinds of information that can be erased from SALNs released to the public. These may include “signatures, addresses, telephone numbers, identification numbers, family members, race or ethnicity, religion, health, education, sexual orientation and similar information.”
The innocuous sounding phrase “similar information” is a catch-all phrase that could include personal real properties, names of corporations owned by the government official and the spouse, and types of vehicles owned.
Now at first I thought that SALNs would not fall under this clause of “unwarranted invasion of…personal privacy.” I thought SALNs were excluded by the addition of the phrase that there is no invasion of privacy if the law requires such information to be publicly available.
But my hopes were dashed with the addition of a sentence saying, in order to prevent an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy, “an agency may redact such information from a record made available to the public.”
To redact means to to scrub away – to blacken out sections of a document. Yet the existing law, RA 6713 allows anyone to examine the complete SALN without erasures, for as long as inspection is done at reasonable hours.
Why do I not want RA 6713 to be watered down?
During the impeachment trial of former Chief Justice Renato Corona, it was those very details that enabled me to find out that Corona had obtained an P11 million cash advance from a long dead corporation called Basa Guidote Enterprises.
In other graft cases, officials have been known to hide their loot in corporations where their under-age children are listed as incorporators.
The devil is really in the details and if you remove those details, officials who are corrupt can more easily masquerade as angels of public service.
Another thing: the mandatory online publication of SALNs does not include governors, mayors and councilors. Why? Why are they exempted? Aren’t they all public elected officials? Using our money and wielding powers we, the public, gave to them?
Thus, I must repeat – the current law on SALNs as governed by RA 6713 should not be watered down.
I am also disturbed by the fact that both the Senate and the House version do not state that personal real properties of government officials need to be publicly disclosed. Using the House version, such disclosure can easily be prevented by classifying it as “similar information.”
To this day, property records in the Philippines are quite opaque even to journalists, even if in 1948 an editor won a Supreme Court ruling that established media’s right to access real property records.
Yes, you might be surprised to know this: there is a Supreme Court ruling that says the media — specifically newspapers — have the right to access real property records.
It came about this way. In the landmark case between Manila Post editor Abelardo Subido and Justice Secretary Roman Ozaeta, the Supreme Court ruled that the Register of Deeds of Manila had no right to bar Subido from examining records of lands alleged to have been sold to non-Filipinos.
Notice here that we are not talking of land records of silting politicians but land records of private individuals.
Explaining its verdict, the court said:
“Newspapers have a better-established right of access to records of titles by reason of their relations to the public than abstractors or insurers of title. Whether by design or otherwise, newspapers perform a mission which does not enter into the calculation of the business of abstracting titles conducted purely for private gain. Newspapers publish information for the benefit of the public…It is through the medium of newspapers that the public is informed of how public servants conduct their business.”
Subido obtained this verdict by filing a mandamus with the Supreme Court.
I wonder if journalists can collectively filed a mandamus in court to compel the House of Representatives to open SALNs for public inspection “at reasonable hours” as provided by RA 6713, which in turn is the enabling law for Section 17 of the 1987 Constitution.
The House version of the FOI threatens to erase this legal victory of Subido.
In this regard, the Senate version is the exact opposite of the House version.
While the House version bans public disclosure of personal information even of government personnel, the Senate version limits such ban to disclosures of information on those who are not government officials. As for those government officials who have reverted to private status, information during their period of government service can be disclosed under the Senate version.
Both the Senate and House versions amend another existing law to the detriment of journalists and writers.
This is RA 10173 or the Data Privacy Act of 2012. It contains a special provision in Section 4 that specifically allows use of “Personal information processed for journalistic, artistic, literary or research purposes.”
The House version completely bans the use of “personal information” of private persons “of a natural person, whether from the public or the private sector” because the House considers “its disclosure would constitute an unwarranted invasion of his or her personal privacy.”
The Senate version imposes a ban on disclosure of “personal information” of private individuals, thus amending the Data Privacy Act’s exemption that was given to journalists and writers. I beseech the lawmakers to keep this exemption in the FOI law.
There’s more: Section 22 of the Senate version will discourage future whistle blowers in government service and result in the jailing of journalists if they “knowingly directed, induced or caused” the leak.
For its part the House version (in Section 15) proposes a similar penalty against journalists who induce or cause leaks.
In the years I have been working as a journalist the guideline I have always followed is that leaked information relating to national security, diplomacy, ongoing court trials and police operations should be handled with care. But all other information can be used once verified and as many sources from all sides of the issue are interviewed.
The proposed bills also propose to restrict access to corporate information.
Today, the Securities and Exchange Commission is one of the most transparent agencies when it comes to sharing information on corporations. Everything that corporations file at the SEC are made available online.
However, the Senate and House versions both contain Section 7 (g) which bars disclosure of “financial information…from a natural or juridical person other than the requesting party, whenever the revelation thereof would seriously prejudice the interests of such natural or juridical person in trade, industrial, financial or commercial competition.”
This is very worrying. Does this mean that a journalist writing about corporations will be denied access to financial statements of corporations on the brink of bankruptcy? This has to be clarified or better yet struck down because it is a backward move.
The same Section 7 (g) talks about non-disclosure of “trade secrets.” I wonder if inquiring about drug patents that are about to expire will be covered by this. Drugs are very expensive locally and one way to bring downs costs is to locally manufacture those drugs for which patents have expired. Foreign drug manufacturers beat the system by tweaking the formulation just a little bit.
Another provision that worries me is Section 7 (J) that is the same in both versions. It bars government agencies from disclosing information that would “likely frustrate the effective implementation of a proposed official action.”
If this was in effect in 2007, Apolinario Jun Lozada would have been sued for disclosing the anomalous NBN-ZTE deal with China. So would Jarius Bondoc for writing about the leaks in Philippine Star. The disclosures and leaks scuttled the NBN-ZTE altogether.
Personally, as a journalist, I have SEVEN minimum demands for an FOI. These are:
One – The online publication of SALNs of the President, the Vice-President, the cabinet secretaries and undersecretaries, heads of government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs), the Supreme Court justices, all members of both the House and the Senate, commissioners of the various independent commissions, all senior military officials with star rank, all senior police officers starting with the rank of police chief superintendent, all governors, city and town mayors and all members of the city, town and provincial councils.
Two – The online publication of the ABC costing of all bids amounting to at least 50 million pesos. That means, the agency bid estimate, the actual bids and the actual construction cost. As for GOCCs, the posting online of year-end financial statements similar to those required by the Philippine Stock Exchange.
Three – Access to all real property records for journalists in print, broadcasting and online and members of private anti-corruption watchdog groups.
Four – The online publication of all ordinances and other acts of all city, town and provincial councils. It’s ridiculous, for example, that in order for you to read the Zoning Code of Quezon City you have to go all the way to the archive section located in the top-most floor and leave your ID so you can xerox the only copy of the Zoning Code on the first floor. Local officials do a lot of “magic” with the zoning code so that one day you may just wake up and find, for instance, a crematorium being built in your residential neighborhood because the city council passed a special law exempting a businessman from the zoning restrictions in exchange for burying a certain number of constituents free of charge. I wrote about this and no less than the House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte who was then the Quezon City mayor stopped the construction of the crematorium. But his successor let it through.
Another example, do you know that Makati City has an ordinance that bars people from drinking beer while walking in the streets even in the so-called tourist areas? Do you see signs in Makati warning people about it? I know this because several HK journalists who came to Manila to cover the post-Luneta bus hostage massacre were on the brink of being brought to a Makati City police station because one of them happened to be drinking beer while walking. There was no sign against it.
Five – No restrictions and revisions on already existing laws relating to freedom of information.
Six – Archiving of already available information online. I noticed that every change of administration erases the information on the previous administration.
Seven – A system of declassifying “Secret”, “Top Secret” and “Confidential” state documents particularly referring to security matters. This is the only way our historians, political and social scientists can write our troubled history as a nation. As a writer, I was once privileged to read and write about “Top Secret” presidential papers given to the late President Elpidio Quirino when I wrote his biography, which I turned into a study of state corruption.
Everything else outside of these seven minimum demands can be left to enterprise reporting.
Thank you.
HERE IS THE SENATE VERSION
HERE IS THE HOUSE VERSION
Johnny Lin says
Too many posts in moderation
Joe America says
I gather from her tweets that Raissa is having trouble accessing the site because of poor PLDT (Smart) service. She is not connected except at the snail’s pace we provincial folk find normal.
baycas says
http://raissarobles.com/2014/12/01/the-proposed-foi-its-worse-than-i-thought/comment-page-1/#comment-219671
baycas says
No. 33 in this blog post:
Hope she’s well…
baycas says
https://mobile.twitter.com/raissawriter
Aah…
Ok…
I’ve been offline to long too, perhaps…
baycas says
Thanks, JoeAm.
fed-up says
Naga City Mayor Jesse Robredo’s (who later became DILG secretary) transparency on local governance is better compared to Makati City Mayor Jejomar Binay’s. Please see the comparison of the two at:
http://raissarobles.com/2014/10/18/comparing-vp-binays-accomplishments-in-makati-to-jesse-robredos-record-in-naga-city/
The SC must have got wind of this from Ms Raissa’s blog and decided to make an action as proclaimed by the following news item today, December 11, 2014:
SC upholds Robredo’s transparency policy for LGUs
http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/392200/news/nation/sc-upholds-robredo-s-transparency-policy-for-lgus
Binay’s “transparency” as Mayor of Makati City was riddled with rigged bidding in building buildings, purchase of hospital supplies, ghost employees wages, etc. And yet he has the boldness to shout at meetings (as portrayed in Youtube) GANITO KAMI SA MAKATI!
Hurray for CPMers and the SC! I think this SC action is a glimmer of light at the end of the long tunnel of corruption for the country.
baycas says
Ang mga barbero’y nagmumuni-muni…
Beyond June 30, 2016…
baycas says
Ang mga barbero’y nagmumumuni-muni…
Beyond June 30, 2016…
Ancient Mariner says
RAISSA,
I have had three one line posts under moderation for two days?
Perhaps it needs to be changed from “moderation” to “obliteration”.
The comments have, of course, lost their relevance.
Woe is me.
Rene-Ipil says
A brief backgrounder on Grace Poe Llamanzares.
Sometime in her senior high school at Assumption College in Makati Grace Poe met Neil Llamanzares. In 1986 Grace graduated from high school and studied in UP for two years. In 1988 she allegedly rebelled from his parents and went to the US to prove her independence. Right after graduating college in 1991 at age 22 Grace married Neil and gave birth to her eldest child in 1992.
A mere high school graduate then, Neil enrolled in George Washington University in 1993 while Grace worked as preschool teacher. Neil finished college in 1997 while a working student and father to a child. From 1994 to 2006 Neil worked in 12 various companies in US at a time or an average of one employer per year. But since 2006 Neil has been employed in San Miguel Corporation up to the present in the IT sector.
In 2004 Grace came home to bury FPJ and decided later to stay in the Philippines for good. Grace and family now live in a three-storey house with a mini swimming pool built in a 510 sqm lot in an exclusive subdivision in QC. Let us look at the house facade and inside.
http://www.realliving.com.ph/homes/senator-grace-poe-s-family-home-in-quezon-city/gallery/image=1
What do Grace, Jojo and Junjun have in common? A three-storey mansion.
Johnny Lin says
Intentionally left out that Grace went to Boston U with a Bachelor degree in Political Studies.
I also have something in common with Grace, Jojo and JunJun- a 3 story mansion.
Grace and i have something in common, 3 story mansion in QC gated subdivision constructed out of private income and from sale of expensive house abroad then came back to PHP for good, which are not in common with Jojo and JunJun who were Makati mayors.
Are we corrupt like J&J?
Stretch the imagination as far as it can
He he he!
Rene-Ipil says
You are right. Intentionally left out Boston U. The focus is on what she did after graduation from college.
Johnny, I am not privy on how you made a living. How much you earned and how you made it, if any.
As to Grace, she earned money by teaching in a preschool and then taking supervisory jobs later. Neil worked as student assistant initially and held supervisory positions later on after graduation in college in 1997.
I don’t think Grace is a thief. But I am sure Grace and Neil could not earn enough money to build a mansion shown in the pictures. I know at least two executives whose compensation entails the high end income tax brackets in Canada and Australia for about ten years. But I am sure they could not afford to build such mansion in the Philippines even if they sell their comfortable house abroad.
My interest is the source of Grace’s money to build such structure which IMO costs no less than P50M.
Assuming a conservative price of P50k per square meter, the lot alone would cost about P25M. A middle class house – not a mansion – would cost about P30k per square meter. Assuming a floor area of 1,000 square meters, the house would cost about P30M.
Where in hell did Grace get that amount considering that she had three kids to raise in the US of A and a husband-student to support until 1997? Not from Susan who spent all their savings during the 2004 elections.
waray waray says
How about by inheritance from FPJ. I dont think that susan spent all their money last election. From showbiz grapevine susan in her own right has a lot of money and she invested them well. And from what i have heard mas marunong siya sa pera kaysa kay FPJ. Grace story is not from rag to riches, because her adopted parents got money.
pelang says
how about her inheritance from her real McCoy father?
moonie says
guys, our interest is grace. much as I admired johnny lin, he’s not running for public office, not yet anyway. he’s not in the latest survey in much the same bracket as grace et al, and we ought not be distracted by some of johnny’s declarations muddling the issue.
johnny is not the subject of our discord, grace is. though johnny might be a bit delusional thinking he is in the same level as junjun binay and grace just because his house is multi level same as their houses.
it’s not about you, johnny, this is about grace. if you are being a knight in shining armor, you may have to take a number and stay in line. grace is not damsel in distress, she has advisers we dont get to know personally about, and with susan on the sideline . . . you may be in for a long wait.
but if you run for public office, johnny, and thinking of getting the highest job in the country that of being president, we may accord you the same intense scrutiny we are according grace now.
Johnny Lin says
Moonie
,
I do not wish to become president though in my experience, we have planted many presidents all over.
He he he
kalakala says
@ waray waray “her adopted parents got money.” and her biological father has more than enough to count in US dollars at the expense of Filipino people. would like to ask anybody if the news was/is true that her biological father rewarded rosemarie sonora a company (?) for grace’s future? he gave lots of fortune to her. come to think about it how would she survive in USA if nobody supported her?
moonie says
I think, grace will forgive us for scutinizing her. she did the same to purusima after all.
Atin says
@kalakala, Rosemarie Sonora worked as a beautician in the US and married down to be able to stay there. She worked hard here and in the US. She did not exactly live in luxury. Research how busy she was making films in the year Grace was born and decide at what point she could have hidden a pregnancy.
moonie says
grace is supposed to be foundling, so how can you be certain she was born on the year she said she was born? with a father like makoy with his fake medals and pretend valors, and with friends in high places ready to lend hand and manipulate data, grace’s date of birth must have been so easy to fake. dont need much imagination there.
rosemarie was saved from the shame and stigma of being unwed mother. must have fooled imelda too. made her believed hubby was faithful and could not have been donating sperm to rosemarie at the time.
anyhow, dates are secondary, dna is what counts now. dates can lie, but dna dont.
Johnny Lin says
Understanding the key word Foundling could settle argument of year of birth. PDI editorial page dated Jan 4 2014 may give an inkling on the story of “Grace foundling”
She was an infant in all indication.
Grace did not provide herself her year of birth, someone put it in her registered birth certificate after the “foundling”
No proof that during her “foundling” a birth cretificate was attached to her clothes, fake or real.
just facts based on news accounts
Rene-Ipil says
According to movie celebrities blogspot, nine (9) Rosemarie movies were shown in 1968. I presume these movies were all made in 1967 or early 1968. And only one movie was released or shown in 1969. In 1970 Rosemarie married Ricky Belmonte. In mid-1980s Rosemarie left Ricky purportedly for a vacation in US but never came back and married an American?
Grace was born in September 1968. If it were true that Grace is Rosemarie’s child, the latter’s pregnancy became obvious in May or June 1968 when she presumably stopped making any movie despite her overwhelming popularity then.
moonie says
how embarrassment! foundling was not found with gold locket, a letter perfumed in shalimar tucked to her designer baby clothes, that said: to whom it may concern. this foundling born on this date, in the year of our lord should be given utmost care and attention in care only of fpj and wife susan. do this, or yours not so very truly, the big man from place called batac will come after you and smite you.
moonie says
good thing rosemarie left for america, the girl got sense. or grace would have a full blood brother, or a full blood sister both sired yet again by makoy. and they would have to come up with another foundling story, one after another.
parengtony says
Why in the hell do you make make innuendos about Grace Poe, e.g.,
1) that her biological father is Ferdinand Marcos;
2) that her 3-story house built on a 500 sqm lot in a gated subdivision in QC is an asset she could not have been able to legitimately afford?
In like manner, you cast doubt (with absolutely no basis) on Johnny Lin’s statement that he too owns a 3 story mansion in a gated subdivision in QC in response to JL’s point that having a 3-story mansion does not necessarily mean that JL and Grace Poe, like Jejomar and Jun Jun, are also corrupt.
I do not know Johnny Lin from Adam and I would be very ashamed to even insinuate that he is lying about his personal assets.
Johnny Lin says
Thanks parengT
Moonie is going to get jealous now for taking cudgels for me.
Moonie, you like the song :) :)
Rene-Ipil says
Pictures speak louder than words.
http://mishmash.es/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/sheryl-cruz-rosemarie-sonora-grace-poe-ferdinand-marcos.jpg
Rene-Ipil says
Specifically,
http://mishmash.es/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/ferdinand-marcos-grace-poe-600×369.jpg
Johnny Lin says
Specifically: that is a painting.
There is a painted portrait of Mommy D displayed at MGM lobby in Las Vegas during Dela Hoya/Pacquiao bout, she looked like Gloria Romero and the portrait of Manny looked like Cesar Montano. Painter was a Puerto Rican fan of Manny
He he he
Johnny Lin says
Warning:
Be aware of OCD
Rene-Ipil says
Johnny, I am not bring compulsive. Am only obssesed to find the truth to prevent disorder in our nation.
Johnny Lin says
So, You’re halfway. According to medical research, by the time Compulsive part is manifested Obsession has masked the symptom thru frequent denials. showing those pictures and painting as proof is prodrome of compulsion.
Please stay away from being the laughing stock with those kind of proofs. Gave you perfect examples on false impression.
just a Friendly reminder To Dr (i) Pil from Dr Oz
He he he!
Rene-Ipil says
Proof of what?
That Grace is Marcos’ daughter?
The pictures could prove the opposite. And I am now expecting – not laughing on – varied reactions to the picture. How about your impression? My wife and I are tentative.
Johnny Lin says
Entire posting are insinuations of relationship from source of fund buying a house to trust fund scheme to picture resemblance.
If your intention is elimination different kind of proof would be presented. When you caption “pictures speak louder than words” plus your other posts you are insinuating relationship, not elimination or else the caption would be “where is the resemblance?”
On the movies of Rosemary, trying to insinuate that she stopped filming during height of possible pregnancy. If your motive is elimination you would suggest that during her late term of pregnancy she was making movies showing her small taut belly instead of your insinuation.
Your reverse psychology is inapplicable on the evidences presented.
“Don’t look at the trees, scan the forest”
You ask my opinion, #94 is my answer.
Rene-Ipil says
Somebody took the cudgels for the great Johnny Lin. But I think Johnny could more than adequately speak for himself as in fact he did with aplomb. Nevertheless, let me say:
Johnny, if I told a lie, if I made you cry, if I hurt you, I’m sorry from the bottom of my heart. I apologize. Come on forgive me. I apologize.
Johnny Lin says
Rene I was actually belly aching with laughter while writing the song for you all. Now you can hum for Leni while figuring out the evidence that Grace is McCoy daughter. I already assume she is the daughter. Have fun with that post
Did you sing along :):)
No need to apologize, truth will set us free.
Johnny Lin says
Pacquiao boxing undercard in Macau Thailand boxer doppelgänger of Pacquiao, son of Mommy D from a Thailander stationed in Olongapo. Another look alike of Manny seen on Showtime son of Manny’s father from Polangui Albay
He he he
Rene-Ipil says
That Pacquiao double may become main card protagonist if he does not get knocked out often due to ill preparation and bad luck.
Johnny Lin says
Precisely! You have no inkling on my privacy, what proof do you have to be privy on Grace financial capacity.
You might be surprised on the salary of a teacher in US, especially among special kids. Supervisors jobs earn at least $60,000, depending on urban location, annually plus income in private tutoring and extended hours since school is mandatory till 3pm only. extra 2-3 hours work per day to supervise kids for working parents.
They lived in Virginia, if around DC area the houses are expensive. Not unusual to see million dollar houses in the area in 2005 during housing boom in US. but bought in hundred thousands in the nineties. Selling their house is enough to buy 50 M ph house.
Trust funds are also source of income which Grace could have for the simple reason she had the guts to fly to US on her own, possibly she knew she had source of trust fund, usually accessible at age 25-30, account to live on independently in a foreign land.
The husband is not poor either. Being able to go to college in US as new immigrant is not cheap to sustain. You do not know if they sold properties in the Philippines to augment their savings in US to buy the house. FPJ studio along Del Monte in QC is worth almost billion pesos, mortgage on that property alone could finance a 50m ph home. If Poes became poor after election, how come they still own this property?
Point is, there is no proof that Grace stole her money like Binays. Foul to insinuate whatever that they both have 3 story houses.
Oh, not kidding on the 3 story mansion, 3 to be exact. Other 2 in Fisher island and Pacific Heights in US if you know where those places in South and West coast respectively.
Rene-Ipil says
Johnny, here is your latest reply but still unposted in CPM. I take the opportunity to reply right away.
Precisely! You have no inkling on my privacy, what proof do you have to be privy on Grace financial capacity.
You might be surprised on the salary of a teacher in US, especially among special kids. Supervisors jobs earn at least $60,000, depending on urban location, annually plus income in private tutoring and extended hours since school is mandatory till 3pm only. extra 2-3 hours work per day to supervise kids for working parents.
They lived in Virginia, if around DC area the houses are expensive. Not unusual to see million dollar houses in the area in 2005 during housing boom in US. but bought in hundred thousands in the nineties. Selling their house is enough to buy 50 M ph house.
Trust funds are also source of income which Grace could have for the simple reason she had the guts to fly to US on her own, possibly she knew she had source of trust fund, usually accessible at age 25-30, account to live on independently in a foreign land.
The husband is not poor either. Being able to go to college in US as new immigrant is not cheap to sustain. You do not know if they sold properties in the Philippines to augment their savings in US to buy the house. FPJ studio along Del Monte in QC is worth almost billion pesos, mortgage on that property alone could finance a 50m ph home. If Poes became poor after election, how come they still own this property?
Point is, there is no proof that Grace stole her money like Binays. Foul to insinuate whatever that they both have 3 story houses.
Oh, not kidding on the 3 story mansion, 3 to be exact. Other 2 in Fisher island and Pacific Heights in US if you know where those places in South and West coast respectively.
My reply to the above:
A salary of $60,000 annually would not entail a high end tax bracket. I think it should begin at $120,000 for a 36% to 39% tax.
Maybe you are right on the spot about the trust fund as source of Grace’ wealth. In that case I say nothing further because I agree with you completely, totally and unequivocally on the trust fund angle.
So, the only thing common to you, Grace , Jojo and Junjun is the three-storey mansion. The similarity ends there. You got it from your toil. Grace got it from a trust fund. While Jojo and Junjun got it from some other sources.
Johnny Lin says
Did you know the husband is the grandson of Vera, the BIR Commissioner of Macapagal. Imagine the Stonehill trust fund from his tax evasion case
He he he
Rene-Ipil says
The late Misael Vera was the longest-serving BIR Commissioner. He was appointed by Marcos in 1965 and replaced by Efren Plana in 1975. But you are right again on this. The Stonehill scandal happened during the Macapagal administration from 1961 to 1965.
Rene-Ipil says
The name clearly indicates that the husband is a descendant of Misael Vera.
Teodoro Daniel MISAEL VERA Llamazares
Rene-Ipil says
TRUST FUND. Australian courts found how Ferdinand Marcos set up funds between 1982 to 1985 for Evelyn Hegyesi, the mother of Analisa Josefa Hegyesi. On January 26, 2005 Juan Mercado of PDI wrote:
“Earlier, Sun Herald’s Frank Walker reported how Australian courts tracked Ferdinand Marcos funneling, between 1982 and 1985, almost $169 million from the shell Lichtenstein foundation Vibur. Laundered funds set up, in luxury, a then-pregnant former Playboy model, Evelyn Hegyesi. Her daughter was named Analisa Josefa. “Marcos’ mother was Josefa,” Walker wrote.”
A Marcos model or template of a trust fund. Assuming that Grace is really the daughter of Marcos, it is not farfetched that a similar scheme has been in place for Grace.
JBL says
What if Grace Poe is;
1. the biological daughter of FPJ
a. from another woman possibly a die hard fan
b. they kept it from the public to spare Roces (D’queen) embarassment
c. They say it is Roces that’s sterile one not FPJ
d. Observe Graces’ face closely, she and FPJ have same features
e. Why would Roces’ married sister get involve with Marcos
f. She got her inheritance (being a real child) from FPJ Productions
g. Llamaneres must be from a moneyed family…(GWUniversity schooled?)
*** It’s easy to acquire Grace DNA without her knowing, the problem is FPJ’s.
If I get the chance to visit Pinas next year I’ll give it a shot. I think $1 grand
will do the job. Anyone here know FPJ tomb caretaker? LOL
moonie says
dont need to exhume fpj. let him rest in peace. his actress daughter, lovi poe, her dna can be compared with grace’s dna, see if they’re biological sisters and share the same genetic makeup. good luck.
Rene-Ipil says
Johnny’s unposted reply:
Precisely! You have no inkling on my privacy, what proof do you have to be privy on Grace financial capacity.
You might be surprised on the salary of a teacher in US, especially among special kids. Supervisors jobs earn at least $60,000, depending on urban location, annually plus income in private tutoring and extended hours since school is mandatory till 3pm only. extra 2-3 hours work per day to supervise kids for working parents.
They lived in Virginia, if around DC area the houses are expensive. Not unusual to see million dollar houses in the area in 2005 during housing boom in US. but bought in hundred thousands in the nineties. Selling their house is enough to buy 50 M ph house.
Trust funds are also source of income which Grace could have for the simple reason she had the guts to fly to US on her own, possibly she knew she had source of trust fund, usually accessible at age 25-30, account to live on independently in a foreign land.
The husband is not poor either. Being able to go to college in US as new immigrant is not cheap to sustain. You do not know if they sold properties in the Philippines to augment their savings in US to buy the house. FPJ studio along Del Monte in QC is worth almost billion pesos, mortgage on that property alone could finance a 50m ph home. If Poes became poor after election, how come they still own this property?
Point is, there is no proof that Grace stole her money like Binays. Foul to insinuate whatever that they both have 3 story houses.
Oh, not kidding on the 3 story mansion, 3 to be exact. Other 2 in Fisher island and Pacific Heights in US if you know where those places in South and West coast respectively.
Rene-Ipil says
Johnny, your reply is not posted. Tried to post it twice for you with my reply but always under moderation.
Johnny Lin says
I know, thanks. How come you read it?
wecandoit says
with mar roxas we do not have to wonder about where his money will come from should he want to build a mansion. with mar roxas we may not have charisma but i think of germany’s angela merkel- no charisma but steadfast, dogged determination to govern for the interest of the nation (not his pocket). the first article i read that raissa wrote about mar, i seem to remember that her criticism of mar was that he was lacking “fire in the belly” to aspire for the presidency- perhaps this is due to his perception of the job as responsibility and sacrifice, not as opportunity to enlarge his hacienda. for me at least, it is mar for pres and grace for vice pres. i must admit that as active discussions are taking of alternative to robin hood kuno, i feel more assurance that the nation is not going back to square one. but of course always there is a whisper in my ear “do not take anything for granted- remember his apo machinery”.
Johnny Lin says
Summing up
Problem with Mar is appeal to lower class, looked at as snooty.
German voters are not bobotantes like what the Philippines has.
APO is not a factor, only some of their ambitious leaders trying to stain their fraternity.
JoeC says
For those that hsve been wondering why Poe has been silent regarding Binay’s corruption charges, in today’s PDI Binay said he is godfather to Poe’s child, and that he was the first at the hospital after FPJ had his stroke.
Johnny Lin says
Poe latest interview Interaksyon 5
Every time Grace spoke of FPJ run for presidency she speaks about the unpleasant experience of FPJ with people pretending to help him.
Grace said “she is reluctant to run because of her knowledge that the same people who prodded her father to run, pledge to support him were the same people who back stabbed him in the end”. When FPJ suffered massive attack discussing his plan to file election protest, 2 supporters were with him, Escudero and Cortez. If everyone thinks that Grace would not remember what transpired in the discussions on that fateful day, people have short memory.
When Poe was adopted by UNA to be their guest candidate she never attended their rally, their caucuses and met with Erap on one occasion socially.
Decent and educated people do not laundry dirty clothes publicly. Unscrupulous ones with dirty conscience to bear keep reminding others their close association to respected personalities.
Facts: Binay after seeking meeting with PNoy claimed their friendship was much stronger. Now that Poe popularity is rising Tiangco reminds her that Binay was FPJ supporter and leader.
Guess who Grace was referring as back stabbers?
JoeC says
Johnny Lin thank you for your insightful reply. I sincerely hope that Poe considers Binay one of her father’s backstabbers since I think she would be a great president in two more years.
JoeC says
And she is probably the only potential contender that can beat Binay and prevent our country from going back to the dark-ages of insatiable greed and corruption.
kalakala says
how about leni robredo? she was the wind beneath her husband. and just today at http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/656653/sc-upholds-robredo-memos-on-lgu-fiscal-disclosure-transparency. such a wonderful legacy. why not give l. robredo a chance to continue/implement it?
moonie says
leni is not so shameless as to use the dead as spring board to get where she wants, and tries to stand on her own two feet. unlike grace who is always reminding us of her father this, her father that, and how much he is owed and still owed. I have already paid enough money buying tickets just to watch her father’s films, I owe him nothing now. so, her father had misadventure trying to be president, she should not extract revenge from us. it was not our fault her father had bad heart and died of heart attack.
vander anievas says
@moonie,
poor you, hahaha.
sorry folks. no offense meant.
i never spent a cent for fpj’s movie.
glanced at times on tvs, unintentionally, never watched.
i am not into his genre. fiction becomes more fictitious to me.
i may sound hypocritical, but it’s factual.
when he ran for P, the more i disliked him.
but i may be wrong.
he could have been much better than gma.
who knows,
or maybe worse.
fate is.
if he did not run, gma might not have won(cheated).
moonie says
I hate you, vander, I hate you! hu, hu, hu, cry, cry, cry. I saved all my allowance and even walked to to school just so I have enough money to see fpj’s movies. god! to think for the many days I did not eat siopao and drink coke when I could have. and having to come home hungry and starved that I even have to lick clean my brother’s and sister’s plates after they have eaten, what a big idiot I was then.
Davvun says
For Trillanes and Mercado, the wounds on their backs have never been healed….
Parekoy says
Poe is not the best for the Filipino but good enough for Aquino
Aquino is courting Poe to run as Prez as a compromise. The negotiation is about power sharing with LP and UNA and Poe as figurehead at first Erap’s Binay’s machinery will overpower the LP since Poe has a history with them during the elections when Dad King was cheated by Gloria. Binay will support Poe since his numbers are down and if ever he is anointed by PNoy and will use the PCOS cheating machine, Binay’s Presidency will be destabilized by rallies and coups!
Tuwid na daan will be in the dust bin when Poe becomes Prez since UNA and LP Samar faction will take advantage of Poe’s popularity and they will extract the maximum plunder they can muster and Aquino and LP Balay will be helpless since the sword of Damocles will be hanging over their heads thru the threat of filing plunder cases of DAP funds during Aquino’s term and SC will be willing to do their job and apply the full force of the law. The next Prez has the privilege to appoint a lot of SC Justices and a new Chief will be appointed by the next Prez regardless of Sereno as current CJ, thru application of great Prez pressure. Again there will be no opposition in Poe’s Presidency as there is no opposition against PNoy since the sitting pols are pliant enough to accede to Poe’s popularity and massive support among UNA and LP Samar and LP Balay Balimbings!
Kawawa ang Taongbayan…
However, assuming Roxas or Robredo is anointed either Prez and VP tandem or vice versa, though they are at first low in the surveys, the anointment will boost their lot since the bandwagon effect will be massive! A, B, C demographics are captured voters with these two, then the D & E will be converted by the LGU machinery distribution of manna and the inevitable Hocus PCOS!
Roxas as Prez and Poe as VP will be another better compromise that does not compromise the Daang Matuwid but not the other way around!
Parekoy
12-11-2014
Posting after consulting my crystal
yagballs!pelang says
@parekoy, i second, third and all the motion! i hope you don’t break your crystal (yag)balls !
netty says
This is-the best tandem. I choose this with the ghost of Robredo rather than the one team with the obscured ghost of Marcos plus baggage.It’s true that corruption of blood should not ever be entertained but If FOI is taken seriously , this is a necessary evil for everyone including parentage, that is reality especially in the PH where digging dirt against one is like gold mining…. This is my chant…. ROBROX, ROBROX ROBROX peace!
baycas says
The slogan will be…
It will give the guys at Zonrox a run for their money…
netty says
Hi cuz, you didn’t disown me so right on,** RobRox2016 DIRT BUSTER for daang itutuwid,** ;)))… all over again.
kalakala says
@ parekoy pag nagkakataon ang magyayari dyan kay poe ay ” shake it to the right and shake it to the left…”
vander anievas says
” shake it to the right and shake it to the left”,
is that a dance?
the Lily dance?
best icon for water lily.
when water is rough, its either to the right or to the left.
at still water, in the middle.
murky water, it’s everywhere.
fun!fun!fun!
AngLagay says
@ Parekoy….
I miss your comments for several days. Akala ko na-kidnap ka na sa Mindanao or hiding together with de Quiros. I hope na walang sakit at hindi empty ang “yagballs” mo. :)
Merry Christmas and Happy New Years sa lahat ng CPmer’s
Posting after checking my wallet for I’m thinking of coming back in the Philippine by February 2015. See you guys
Johnny Lin says
CDQ is indisposed, quite serious
Joker always in mind went wild
Pray for his complete recovery!
leona says
Sen. Poe ‘not ready or prepared’ to be pres.
‘MANILA (2nd UPDATE) – Although thankful for the results of the latest Pulse Asia survey showing her chances improve significantly, Senator Grace Poe still does not plan to run for president in 2016 and fears she might not be ready for the job.
She did not dismiss the possibility, however, and said she is thinking about it.’
But, but, but, she’s thinking about it. . . hahaha
Bawi-bawi nga!
Who is prepared? Who can say prepared siya? Do we have a ‘school’ for this? Why Pres. Ramon Magsaysay became a pres.
Pres. Cory became also a pres. Presidents become presidents, ready or not; prepared or not.
The thing is are the people ready or prepared to make you one?
leona says
Link http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/12/10/14/poe-presidency-not-unprepared
moonie says
hard to fathom a manchurian candidate.
kalakala says
@ leona ” Bawi-bawi nga!” he he he…. eh di tingnan natin sa usapang babae poe vs robredo
fed-up says
Part 2 of 2
6.Pres. Ferdinand Marcos (1965-1986)
Ranks second in “The World’s All-Time Most Corrupt Leaders”, allegedly embezzled $5 billion to $10 billion.
http://www.forbes.com/2004/03/25/cx_vc_corruptslide_2.html
“Court papers show that Marcos siphoned $US23 million ($169 million in today’s money) from Japan’s war reparations into Charis. There is no suggestion Ms Hegyesi would have been aware of these transactions.”
Japan’s war reparations paid to the Philippines could have given the country its “much deserved progress and prosperity” but it didn’t. By the way, how much did Japan pay the Philippines? Yen 198 billion indemnity and Yen 90 billion loans.
http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/07/03/1088488200806.html
“Hunt for tyrant’s millions leads to former model’s home”
http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/07/03/1088488200806.html
7.Pres. Corazon Cojuangco Aquino (1986-1992)
“She first established a revolutionary government under the Freedom Constitution, later replaced by the Constitution of 1987, which served as the basis for reestablishing democracy.”
http://tagaloglang.com/Famous-Filipinos/Presidents/elpidio-quirino.html
8.Pres. Fidel V. Ramos (1992-1997)
“His presidency is remembered for better integrating the national economy in the global scheme.”
http://tagaloglang.com/Famous-Filipinos/Presidents/elpidio-quirino.html
9. Pres. Joseph Estrada (1998-2001)
He ranks ten in “The World’s All-Time Most Corrupt Leaders”, allegedly embezzled $78 million to $80 million.
http://www.forbes.com/2004/03/25/cx_vc_corruptslide_2.html
Like Pres. Marcos, Pres. Estrada is also a philanderer:
http://pcij.org/imag/PublicEye/edifice.html
10.Pres. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo (2001-2010)
“President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is considered the most corrupt Philippine leader in history, more than Ferdinand Marcos and Joseph Estrada, who were ousted from office, according to an opinion poll published on Wednesday.”
http://www.reuters.com/article/2007/12/12/us-philippines-arroyo-idUSSP30281220071212
11.Pres. Benigno Simeon Aquino III (2010- )
Does his presidency spell the end of GGCP? We’ll soon see.
Since becoming independent in 1946, the Philippines had ten Presidents before PNoy. It appears that what “bricks” the previous presidents (nation-builders) have added towards progress, three presidents (nation-tearer Marcos, Estrada and GMA) have torn them down, thus making the “much deserved progress and prosperity”still a pipe dream.
fed-up says
@Den #63. “There is still time for a dark horse to emerge to save our country from a Binay presidency. Whether by Divide Intervention or some other twist of fate, I hope that the Philippines be spared of the kind of politics that has kept us from a much deserved progress and prosperity.”
You’re right, the country has been kept “from a much deserved progress and prosperity” FOR A LONG, LONG TIME. By what? By GGCP (Graft, Greed, Corruption & Philandering). Let me elaborate
Part 1 of 2
1.Pres. Manuel Roxas (1946-1948)
p.40, The Philippines: Colonialism, Collaboration and Resistance! By William J. Pomeroy: “On September 11, 1946 . . . turned over to the Roxas government an enormous quantity of surplus army property that had been stockpiled in the Philippines largely for the planned invasion of Japan, made unnecessary by the war’s termination. The procurement value of this was estimated at $1,121,400,000. . . A “fair valuation” was set on this, or the least amount that could be realized from sale, of $137,000,000 (P274,000,000), and an additional $25,000,000 in cash was included in the deal. . . To handle the disposal of the vast stores, a Surplus Property Commission was set up . . . Between September 10, 1946 and September 30, 1949, when the Commission was dissolved, its accounts claimed that only P73,460,208.08 ($37,000,000) had been realized by the government from the sales. In other words, at least $100,000,000 (P200,000,000) . . . The editor of the American Chamber of Commerce Journal called the surplus property deal “the biggest windfall in Philippines history. . . The surplus property episode was the first major case of corruption in the Philippine independence government.”
2.Pres. Elpidio Quirino (1948-1953)
“GRADE (DLSU SYSTEM)
Quirino’s grade will be 1 because although he implemented many programs and policies to recover the Philippine from its post-war condition, it was not enough to cover his flaws. He was a corrupt president and he was also closely tied with the American government. He tarnished the presidential history because he was the first president to undergo an impeachment trial.”
https://bloomspresidents.wordpress.com/elpido-r-quirino/
3.Pres. Ramon Magsaysay (1953-1957)
“. . . best known for successfully defeating the communist-led Hukbalahap (Huk) movement.”
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/357732/Ramon-Magsaysay
4.Pres. Carlos P. Garcia (1957-1961)
“Remembered for his Filipino First Policy. He was among the founders of the Association for Southeast Asia (1963), the precursor of the Association for Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).”
http://tagaloglang.com/Famous-Filipinos/Presidents/elpidio-quirino.html
5.Pres. Diosdado Macapagal (1961-1965)
“He asked Congress to pass the Agricultural Land Reform Code, which abolished share tenancy and installed a leasehold system in its place; it finally passed on August 8, 1963.”
http://tagaloglang.com/Famous-Filipinos/Presidents/elpidio-quirino.html
To be continued…
fed-up says
Correction:
The 3rd last sentence in #1.Pres. Manuel Roxas (1946-1948) which reads “In other words, at least $100,000,000 (P200,000,000) . . .” should have been “In other words, at least $100,000,000 (P200,000,000) had disappeared.”
fed-up says
Sorry, correction again:
On 1.Pres. Manuel Roxas, etc, should be p.152, rpt 152.
leona says
I guess we just have to remember that every time we are ‘here’ it is because of our RIGHT to ‘www.com’ created by Mr. TIM BERNERS-LEE –
”Almost 4.4 billion people — most of them in developing countries — still have no access to the Internet, the Web Index said.
“It’s time to recognize the Internet as a basic human right,” Berners-Lee said. “That means guaranteeing affordable access for all, ensuring Internet packets are delivered without commercial or political discrimination, and protecting the privacy and freedom of Web users regardless of where they live.”
How many of our citizens in our country still do not have ‘www’ Internet out of 4.4. billion people on this planet?
No spider can surpass creating this worldwide WEB except Mr. Tim Berners-Lee!
leona says
Link http://www.philstar.com/technology/2014/12/11/1401480/web-inventor-says-internet-should-be-human-right
leona says
Finally, AFTER 28 long years, the COCO FARMERS are breathing…
…they’re going to get P60B pesos worth of their money at last. This case was a result of ‘sakim’ of the Marcos regime.
It takes that long. . . 28 long almost forgotten time years.
leona says
Link http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/656515/sc-paves-way-for-release-of-p60b-in-coco-levy-funds
baycas says
Ang mga barbero’y nagmumuni-muni…
Beyond June 30, 2016…
baycas says
Still waiting for this to be uploaded. In the meantime, here is an an editorial cartoon…
http://opinion.inquirer.net/files/2014/12/Noel1212.gif
baycas says
Ang mga barbero’y nagmumumuni-muni…
Beyond June 30, 2016…