Inside Philippine politics & beyond

Binay: the new Noli de Castro?

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Analysis by Raïssa Robles

The latest survey results have yet to come in, but one thing seems clear: if President Benigno Aquino III were to be unseated from office, people do not want him replaced by his rightful constitutional successor – Vice President Jejomar Binay.

It is the reason, I believe, that efforts to unseat the president have not gotten off the ground.

Even people furious at Aquino for what they think is his thorough mishandling of the Mamasapano tragedy pause when they consider who’ll step up should Aquino step down. The ongoing Senate investigation into Binay’s alleged corruption provided months of jaw-dropping TV revelations to the public, and planted an idea, fair or not, what a Binay presidency might be like.

Granted, Binay has been topping all the polls for the 2016 presidency. Granted, he’s still the highest rating presidential candidate. But none of this has translated into any enthusiastic crowds rushing to plant him in Malacañang to displace Aquino. There has certainly been no lack of coup plots and destabilization attempts. There was supposed to be one last week, and another scheduled for this weekend. Alas, it seems nobody turned up for last week’s event.

Last Monday I waited for a group of Philippine National Police Academy alumni to shave their heads to protest the death of the police commandos during a celebration of the PNP’s 24th anniversary by the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO). Someone who went to the event told me that it was sparsely attended. And no shaving of the heads took place.

Still, the crisis is not over for Aquino. One more wrong move and his critics might still obtain the warm bodies needed and the military element that continues to elude them. But the plain fact is, one of the things keeping Aquino afloat as President is his very own vice president.

To those who don’t understand why I am comparing Binay to De Castro, please read my hubby Alan’s piece below. Binay is of course much more clever than De Castro but he now performs the same function as De Castro did during the presidency of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo:

De Castro was –

Gloria’s not-so secret weapon

by Alan Robles

President George Bush senior was often described as “impeachment proof.” The reason? His vice president, Dan Quayle, was a nincompoop. In 1989, during one pre-inauguration briefing, a British journalist actually asked: “is it true that should anything happen to the president, the Secret Service have strict orders to immediately shoot Dan Quayle?”

Gloria Macapagal Arroyo would understand. One big factor that has let her hang on to power this long is that she’s got her own sub-caliber human shield – his name is Noli de Castro.

For more than two months now, without doing anything more than be himself, Vice President De Castro has been instrumental in thwarting attempts to unseat President Arroyo. Each time outrage over Mrs. Arroyo’s chicaneries boils over, every time efforts to oust her work up a head of steam, the whole enterprise screeches to an abrupt halt when everyone realizes yet again who it is who’ll take over.

To read the rest, please click on this link.

 

Comments

    • Mrs E. Binay was formally arraigned at the Sandiganbayan on 1/29/15 on charges of alleged anomalous purchase of hospital beds, etc.(allpinoynews.com)

      The formal date of trial by the 3rd Division has yet to be set/calendared

    • I think WE should refrain from mentioning the two CPMers for now, joke or not. Let’s treat it as it didn’t happen. Wala isa man sa kanila ang bida o kontrabida dito. Isa pong mapagpakumbabang pakiusap.

  3. [This is in relation to the 7:00am time when PNoy knew of the firefight in Mamasapano (Comment. No. 7.1)]

    @caliphman,

    PNoy waived his executive privilege when he showed text messages from a certain “Mar” and a certain “Allan” at about 7:00am of January 25, 2015…according to a news report:

    [VIDEO]

    http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/video/265243/stateofthenation/ilang-kaanak-ng-saf-44-dismayado-raw-sa-paliwanag-ni-pnoy

    As I wished in the past that authorities will be able to come up with timelines in columns from the different players (including the community/village leaders in the area) in the Mamasapano incident, I may also suggest that PNoy’s timeline of the events be likewise contained in the consolidated timeline (Read: blow-by-blow account) of what happened on that day.

    If only PNoy will also waive his executive privilege for the nation…as he had done for some of the SAF44 families last Wednesday…

      • Yes.

        We also know that 5am…the time PNoy was informed that Marwan was neutralized.

        For the SAF men, it’s one thing to get one of the targets, it’s another to ‘get the hell out of that lion’s den.’

        7am was the start when PNoy knew of the imminent danger to the lives of his SAF officers and troopers. What transpired after that is still a puzzle to the SAF survivors and families of the SAF44 and, most likely, the public as well.

        We were enlightened by reports that a “Mar” and “Allan” informed PNoy through SMS. One may notice that some cabinet members and some men in uniform tried hard in covering for their principal during the Senate hearing.

        Lies of commission and omission don’t help in giving justice…and peace of mind to all. “Paiwas-iwas na sagot” has no place in the current inquiries. PNoy must remember that he was the one who surprised people when he met the grieving families (I already offered an explanation why he did that.*). Despite that, “nadismaya” pa rin ang iba sa kanila.

        The present dispensation must prove the government’s claim of NO cover-up and must remove the perception of doing nothing to help the men in peril and/or giving out a ‘stand down‘ order for reinforcements.

        • Footnote to 28.1.1:

          *It was part of the ‘bread’ in ancient Rome’s “bread and circuses.”

        • Baycas, you and I have followed and discussed what happened in Mamasapano. I believe we know or have access to reports covering almost all of the operational aspects of what happened but have gaps as to who was involved at the top and the extent of their involvement.

          This operation was doomed to to failure interms of its cost in human lives and its negative political repercussions to Aquino and the BBL. It was doomed because it was ill-conceived, badly planned, poorly executed, horribly uncoordinated, and had weak command and control communiations and authority ..I could go on and on but I wont. The irony is that Marwan was targeted as an international terrorist. He was a Malaysian whose biggest crime was the bombing in Bali which claimed 200 or so Australians. The US perceived him as a continuing threat being that the main
          concern is bombs being brought aboard passenger jets.

          Would you care to do a google search to see how much coverageMarwan’s demise has been in Sydney and New York/Washington? This is the international response for what was purchased with 44 SAF and 18 MILF lives.

          Is there a coverup? I think so. Isnt that the reason why Pinoy could not fully answer the widows questions?And is that not why Purisima and Napenas had to go into executive session to give answers to the Senators? And lastly from the horse’s mouth himself since Pinoy says he will tell all when the time comes.

          Evidently Malacanang has performed the calculus of balancing the cost of the coverup against the damage of coming clean. Since the Palace has opted to endure the incessant public clamor for answers, one can only dread what bombshell still has to be disclosed.

        • I don’t think the holding of an executive session automatically points to a cover up. Things may not be discussed in public because the answers may be too sensitive for public consumption.

          Now, if ever there was malice behind Purisima’s and Napenas’ reluctance to answer questions in public, I think Grace Poe will not be a party to a cover up. She was in the executive session.

        • Its not just that Purisima insisted on an executive session and clearance from Pinoy to discuss what happened in their meetings at Malacanang on Mamasapano although that is very indicative. Its everything else that I and others have mentioned here including Pinoy’s saying he will disclose everything in due time. If that doesnt suggest a coverup then maybe nothing else will.

        • I find the logic problematic.

          Executive session requested = cover up.

          So basically, lahat ng nandun sa executive session ay kasabwat.

          He will disclose everything in due time = cover up.

          I don’t know what to say.

          It would appear that you don’t need the truth, you only want your opinions confirmed. That can’t be healthy.

        • I have an extended response here but seems like Akismet has it trapped somewhere in the twilight zone.

    • no matter what PNoy do, there will always be those disgruntled, ilang kaanak ay dismayado. maybe they ought to ask napenas or espina or purisima or milf or biff, and see if they can give better explanation. they can also ask grace poe, she may be able to come up with the outlook they so wanted to hear. or maybe wait for the movie of the 44 fallen safs, they might get free tickets.

      in the meantime, they can have seances, and try to contact those that have gone over. madam auring maybe able to help them too. at a price.

      • many were/are disappointed because hindi nasusunod ang gustong mangyari na ORA MISMO. bakit pa ba nag karoon ng HOR and SBRC hearing at BOI to ferret the truth at hindi man makapaghintay? the more pnoy will keep silent the more na lumalabas ang mga maiitim na balak ng mga gumagatong. they really capitilizing on the weaknesses of the bereaved family members.

      • Yes, let him have his sweet time.

        In the meantime, let’s WAIT AND SEE…

        The FOI champion

        While executive sessions can be a legitimate investigation tool, the late solicitor general Frank Chavez said that internal rules should not be the primary consideration.

        “One of the best services senators can render to the nation is when they waive the secrecy of their exclusive club so that the people may be informed – pursuant to their constitutional right of free access to information – of matters of transcendental importance and extreme public interest,” Chavez wrote during the Neri scandal.

        Ironically, the senator leading the probe, feared to be a whitewash, is the champion of the Freedom of Information (FOI) bill in the Senate. Poe’s accountability measure listed executive sessions as an exception to information that can be disclosed.

        Still, the call for transparency is not lost on the neophyte senator, who painstakingly explains in every interview that her name is also on the line, and she, too, is not a fan of secret meetings.

        “I don’t want executive sessions because it limits us from asking in the open but we ask it when we see that the witness is reluctant to speak. It is the last resort. But as much as possible, an open hearing is more accountable to the public,” she said.

        With critics still skeptical, Poe’s mentor Osmeña said they should just wait and see.

        “I think you should trust Grace. She will do a good job.” – Rappler.com

        Secret Senate sessions: Aiding laws or cover-ups?

        • Baycas,
          Pag may FOI na ba kailangan me dead line?
          In this case pag ang info requested is still part of an ongoing investigation, kailangan bang igrant ora mismo ang info na ito sa humihingi nito?

          just asking.

        • sorry to have disturbed you baycas.

          found out the answer formyself:

          “3. Waiting time

          The government agency shall comply with such request as soon as practicable, and in any case within 15 working days from receipt. The period may be extended for specific cases. (Refer to Section 16e.)”

          now if thefoi in that version is implemented, we still won’t get answers because of the following:

          “The records of minutes and advice given and opinions expressed during decision-making or policy formulation, invoked by the Chief Executive to be privileged by reason of the sensitivity.

          Information pertaining to internal and/or external defense, law enforcement, and border control.”

          http://www.gov.ph/foi/

          so if we want answers, we should be thankful that the foi is not yet passed.

          about that text message shown,is it a form of waiver of executive privilege?
          or is it a waiver that it is no longer about internal or external defense?
          is it a waiver that the information is no longer sensitive?

        • privilege, specially given and waved just for them, but ignored by them and given no attention. they want the president to feel for them, and yet they cannot feel for the president.

          methink, the president is not good in expressing grief, tried hard and ended up ridiculed. they dont like the way he smiled, the way he talked. though many of us smile and laugh sometimes appropriately when nervous. hindi raw siya sincere, maybe he was sincere, but not in the way they want it. I have not come across sincerity scale that measures true sincerity from 1 to 10. pain scale yes, but sincerity scale, it’s an individual thing. and if you’re a good actor, you can easily shed tears and pretend to be sincere.

          karl, if you want to know the text shown to the grievers, maybe you can contact them and ask them what it was about. they might just comply, considering the text apparently meant nothing to them, and may even purged themselves of it word by word, letter by letter.

          nowadays, foi is no longer such a big thing, maybe in the 70s and 80s before the advent of the internet it was equivallent to the holy grail, but now that we have the internet and modern technology, almost all info is found instantaneously. you just have to trawl the net and look for it yourself.

        • hello moonie;

          no idea about the text message.
          i just reads about from the comment threads

          yes moonie and and there is wikileaks.

          and others who needs good plumbing.

        • Thanks, Karl.

          It was a selective ‘waiver’…just being frank with some family members who are grieving the loss of their loved ones. Part in assuaging emotions of the bereaved. The President may been ‘brutally’ frank at some points in his explanation.

          Poe and other senators will take another shot in eliciting from Purisima et al the information they freely disclosed during the secret sessions (sans sensitive details, of course) possibly today. According to her no one has issued yet a written request for ‘executive privilege.’ Since some important details which are of public interest must be divulged, she wants the nation to hear them from the horses’ mouths, so to speak.

          By now, I believe, the cabinet members and uniformed men had formulated a unified ‘game plan’ in answering senators’ questions in order to allay fears of a cover-up.

        • no one wants a coverup.

          or a whitewash.

          i imagined a declassified document full of correction fluid, with nothing left to read.

          show that to the people and they will go nuts.

        • Haha, yes.

          The balance between transparency and secrecy must be carefully weighed.i am open to having secrecy at times, especially when it is called for…

          Kaya lang…

          Mapaglaro ang kaisipan ng mga tao lalo pa sa isang barbero na nahuhubog ang opinyong kadalasa’y mula sa mga taong nakasasalamuha niya sa araw-araw. Maaaring hindi siya magkakasya na pautay-utay ang bigay ng impormasyon…

          Lalo pa kung installment na nga…kasinungalingan pa!

          There will never be ‘justice and peace’ with that.

        • oo nga eh.

          si mamang kutsero naubusan na ng pashero dahi llahat gusto ng makipagkwentuhan sa barbero nila.

          lies repeated expects to be called the truth if they repeat it for the nth time maybe.
          very definition of einstein’s theory of insanity.

  4. On February 20 the PDI through respected columnist Neal Cruz wrote about the participation of INTERPOL in many countries on the operation against terrorists. He also wrote about the Philippines’ efforts in arresting criminals in another country through the INTERPOL.

    The CPMers got it first on February 17, 2015 at 2:30 PM.

    “Is there anything wrong if foreign police entity conduct an operation in the Philippines to arrest a criminal accused of a transnational crime like Marwan? Is there a different treatment if they were American instead of Australian police? The Interpol has been established to take care of such situation. Police operation is different from military operation. The latter needs treaty agreements before foreign military troops operate or are stationed in the country. Police operation needs only proper coordination with the host country which is mandated by Interpol rules to provide necessary assistance.”

    http://raissarobles.com/2015/02/16/marwans-e-mails-show-his-closeness-to-milf-commander-tundok/comment-page-1/#comment-253432

  5. “Maghahabla na po ako”

    VP Binay vows to hit back some senators
    mobiledotabs-cbnnewsdotcom

    According to Binay, he will soon hit back at his accusers, including the senators involved in the investigation. “Sa mga darating na a raw po, abangan niyo po at maghahabla na po ako.”

    He he he, after dodging all the allegations against him, maghahabla na raw. Noong naghamon sya ng debate kay Thrilla, umatras ng tinanggap.

    Ngayon naman, itutuloy kaya nya? Abangan talaga. Naudyukan siguro ni Lolo Peepeeing.

    • I don’t think ganyan si VP Binay, sigurado akong kung ano man ang mangyari eh lalaban si VP ng patas, kaya wag niyo na siyang siraan! GO BINAY !

      • @Sarah M.

        Thank you for having the courage to defend Binay! I respect that and hope others here respect that too.

        Sana maipaliwanag mo rin kung bakit sa tingin mo ay lalaban ng patas si Binay at kung bakit sa tingin mo ay hindi sya kurap.

        We need more people like you here to present the other side.

        Salamat!

    • tama lang na maghabla si VP Binay kasi puro kasinungalingan lang ang sinasabi ng mga senador na yan. puro allegasyon na walang patunay diba??? mapapahiya lang sila sa huli. go lang po VP Binay, susuportahan ka namin kahit anong mangyari!!!

      • @China T.

        Katulad ni Sarah M., I salute your courage, eventhough I don’t necessarily agree with your position but this is a good start.

        Paki claro lang kung bakit walang patunay yung alegasyon…pls.

        Salamat.

  6. As revealed by PNP investigator:

    At 7:26 AM of January 25 Espina asked Napeñas if the military had reinforced the beleaguered SAF teams. Napeñas responded. “Sir nag mobilize na AFP,”

    Espina answered Napeñas: “Copy apo. Hope we turn the tide with arrival of AFP reinforcement. Came with a cost with our casualties. It was an extremely high risk opn. Ngayon pa lang, congrats apo. Nalaing ka talaga!”

    “Nalaing ka talaga!” This was exactly what senate president Enrile told Cong. Farinas after the latter destroyed the “palusot” defense of Corona in the closing minutes of the impeachment trial. Nalaing means brilliant or smart in Ilokano.

    At 7:54 AM Napeñas texted Purisima who earlier asked about the troops’ latest location of withdrawal: “Sir location of SAF troops GC68006 65717 and 68234 65056. Nasa paligid ng first GC mga kalaban and tuloy pa rin heavy firefight. Na pin down tropa was first GC at meron mga casualties sila. Baka pwede hingi artillery support from AFP.”

    It shows that Purisima and Espina were both making efforts to rescue the SAF commandos and were expecting full support from the AFP.

    In one instance it was reported that Pangilinan was so mad of Napeñas because it was already late in the afternoon when the latter told the former that the 84th SAF was also involved aside from the 55th. That during the rescue operation at about 11 PM, Sup. Train did not introduce himself as the commander of the 84th. That upon reaching the highway, Train was in a hurry to leave.

    It appears that Napeñas was afraid that the army would betray them to the enemy if the location of the 84th was divulged to Pangilinan early on. This is shown by the exchange of message between Napeñas and Purisima.

    “Purisima’s last text to Napeñas came at 1:27 p.m.: “Yung location na binigay mo kanina?”

    “At 1:33 p.m., Napeñas replied to Purisima: “Sir meron Army sa ground na puwede mag FO Sir.”

    FO is the slang of “FUCK OFF.” Meaning “to take advantage of, betray, or cheat or victimize.”

    The 55th had been wiped out already and IMO Napeñas was afraid that same fate would happen to the 84th if its location was divulged to Pangilinan earlier. Maybe Napeñas was also afraid to lose the DNA sample of Marwan which would give reason for the terrorist group to deny his death and gain psychological points. Likewise, Train made himself incognito and scarse in the presence of the army to safely deliver the DNA sample to the FBI waiting in General Santos City.

    So, it maybe true that Pangilinan won’t deliver artillery fire to the MILF-BIFF even if he was directly ordered by the president as evidenced by the transcript of the senate hearing on February 12, 2015, pages 175-176.

    http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2015/02/21/1426016/hold-position-last-message-sent-napenas

    • FO in artillery is “forward observer”, the artillery guy assigned to an infantry unit to direct artillery fire. SAF had none. The context may make your definition applicable, but in (American) army-speak, FO is “forward observer”.

      • I hope you are right. I wrote about that before as an element of artillery fire. But I think the best forward observer is the SAF commando himself on the spot who can give exact location through complete or lengthy GC or up to ten-meter or less accuracy.

        • There was no direct radio communication betweeb 84th SAF and Army to allow the former to perform FO function. As reported before, contact was by cell phone and the signal was intermittent and unreliable.

        • The SAF troopers and Napeñas were using tactical radio or Harris radio, Motorola radio, satellite phone and individual cell phone. Any info from the SAF commandos could be easily relayed by Napeñas to the army. It would be easy to link communications with the SAF and army working in tandem or face to face in the command post.

          Below is the transcript of the testimony of Napeñas in the senate hearing on February 9, 2015, page 143.

          ” SEN. SOTTO. All right. And Senator Osmeña and I are interested
          in how you monitored the events and the incident—by radio–mayroon
          ba kayong access to a drone or something to that effect para ma-
          monitor ninyo ang mga pangyayari?

          “MR. NAPEÑAS. We monitored through our radio communication
          system, tactical radios; then we monitored through another radio
          communication system which is the Motorola; then we have satellite
          phone and we have individual cell phones, Your Honor.”

        • I heard that testimony. But I have also read the AFP accounts of one of the trapped 84 SAF commandos who was able to reach the army relief force by cellphone asking for artillery support. During the phone exchange, the commando was asked for his location. He replied he did not know but they were trapped by a mountain area. Recall that they had earlier deviated from the plan to link up with 55 SAF and return via the original escape route.

          It is important to note that even if the SAF unit still had a working radio, they would not have been able to communicate through since they had not coordinated channel or communication protocols with the army beforehand.

          As to having Napenas relay fire control adjustments from a commando untrained in forward observer protocols and communication and unsure of his location while under withering fire to the 105 mm artillery unit, I seriously question whether that was a viable option. Maybe JoeAm can comment if he knows any better.

        • 84 SAC veered off the exit route at WP 14 as ‘advised’ by TCP…

          The exit plan called for the support groups to provide cover and security for Seaborne as they withdraw along the planned route.

          Seaborne made its exit under fire but still following the planned route. It departed from the planned exit route at waypoint 14 to reinforce 55 SAC, which was under heavy fire.

          However, they aborted the plan to reinforce 55 SAC on the advice of TCP, as both units came under mortar fire from non-government forces. Seaborne went on to link up with elements of 42 SAC and the Division Reconnaissance Company at 11:30 p.m.on January 25.

          http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2015/02/13/1423313/juxtaposed-saf-units-change-mamasapano-operation-plan

        • The SAF commandos particularly the officers are trained in map reading and the use of GPS.

          As I said the SAF and army radio men could work together in the fire direction center and relay the proper location and necessary adjustments to the fire direction officer who passes the firing data to the gunner.

        • The first paragraph is a fact. That is proved by the training module in the academy.

          The second paragraph is a logical course of action based on uncontroverted testimonial evidence of the situation.

        • It may be a fact that they were classroom trained but the fact remains that under combat conditions, it is incontrovertible fact that the 84th SAF and its commanding officer Train was not able to locate their position when asking for artillery support late afternoon nor to help the DRC platoon to find them. It took several hours to retrieve them after white phosphorus was fired in the area which caused the BIFF forces to withdraw.

        • Will you cite any report saying that Train did not know his location at anytime during the Mamapasano incident? What I know is that he was in constant communication with the command post. In fact he followed the order of Napenas to go east of Tukanalipao instead of linking with the 55th. Besides, even an ordinary person with GPS in his iPhone would know how to locate himself.

          Please be reminded that the 84th was veteran of the Zamboanga siege and several combat missions.

        • Rene, this thread has run its course so this has to be my last response.
          1. Its mentioned in several places including the official AFP report.
          2. Whether Train was in constant communication (and I question this) or was in the MNzlF occupation of Zamboanga is irre!evant to the fact that he was lost and that the army DRC and SAC 42 had to search for the unit way into the night.
          3.Even with an iphone he may not have had the proper app, the cell phone signals in the area were too weak or just not there ( To locate a cellphone user requires triangulation from 3 transmitters), maybe he had no bat. Its not true he was in constant communication;
          4. Just because things are theoretically possible or should have happened doesn’t mean they actually occured.

        • @caliphman, If the AFP artillery had the fuses and skill, they could have fired white phosphorus on a timed fuse to explode in the air, over the best guess location, and adjusted fire from there. That’s the best I can come up with in hindsight.

        • Thanks Joe. The question though was if the onscene SAF commando could have been a better FO (forward observer and not slang for fug off) than a trained army FO. The commando would have to deal with spotty cell phone communications, having SAF general relay his adjustments to artillery unit,unfamiliarity with fire adjustment verbiage used by army artillery unit, little practice in estimating mils, degrees, distances in adjusting ranging shots, spotting enemy snipers hidden and widely dispetsed behind trees more than 500 meters away, while trying not to get exposed and hit because of withering and accurate enemy fire. I think posing the question might just have given the answer..hehehe

        • The adjustment is fairly simple from the field if the observer knows north and his own position on a map. It might be “right 200, down 300, put it on the ground” (east 200 meters, south 300 meters, contact fuse). The intricate calculations are done at the fire control center with the guns. But I agree, the odds are high that these things, plus poor communication, would make it difficult to carry off. But, hey, if I were on the ground and knew generally the directions I’d be screaming for a round and cursing the assholes who were not getting me one.

        • Lol…Well so would I, Joe.!But the question only arose because Rene stated that instead of the army FO, the SAF unit might be better off serving as their own SFO which I completely disagree with for the reasons cited above.

        • I find that sickening, napenas acting like adjutant to both purisima and espina, he played many roles, and got tripped. forgot how to prioritize which comes first and which comes last. once in command seat, napenas should have already consolidated all, a true commander, not running around like a junior adjutant new on the job, updating and reporting ever so often to purisima and espina that he more or less neglected ground command, forgot to follow up on one very important matter.

          ‘sir, nagmobilize na afp’, the biggest understatement of all. napenas did not follow that up. where are you now sons of bitches! or whatever language commandos used. I want you in position in mamasapano in 15 minutes, not in 4 hrs! chop, chop! be there or I’ll come after you and drag you all by the ears, you hear me. now, go! hop, on to it!

          ideally, purisima and espina should have taken back seat, and let napenas do his job. since they insinuated themselves, transplanted themselves into ground command that napenas was forced to entertain them, carry them, while doing his job as well, then I say, their heads should roll with napenas’. one for all, all for one.

        • What happened between the alleged text of Napenas to Purisima at 7:54AM asking for artillery support from AFP and 1:27PM as the alleged last reply of Purisima to Napenas asking for the latter’s location? That’s about 5 and a half hours gap.

          I can’t wait for the official report to come out. Too many unanswered questions that lead to a lot of speculations. PNoy, Napenas, Purisima, Espina, Catapang and maybe few more people were involved and yet they can’t finish that damn report.

        • Vhin. There were intervening messages involving Napeñas between 7:54 AM and 1:27 PM.

          At 11:22 AM with Purisima.
          Shortly before 12 noon with Pangilinan.
          At 12:06 PM with Purisima.
          And at about 12:36 PM with Purisima.

          There was also communication between Espina and Guerrero right after 7:54 AM.

          Please see the Philstar link.

        • Thanks @Rene-Ipil. I hope they can now come out with full transcript of their messages. All of the people involved as gaps are still evident. Thanks for the link.

  7. I dedicate my rewording of a quote from W H Auden to all in CPM and our Filipino brothers and sisters:

    On those whom we love or admire, we find the common denominator of benevolence, but among those whom we detest we find the greedy lust for power and money.

  8. Good morning, nice to see Madam Yvonne and Madam Moonie back…Next in line Mister Lin Please..
    Very peaceful here today :-)

    • What irony …………………it took a loud provocateur to make them peaceful.

      Hegelian Dialectic? LOL

        • @baycas

          In the context of our times, please allow a rewording:

          It takes a few lusting for power and money to make a mess, but many to maintain the peace.

    • good morning din po. napadpad ako. yong kasal ni heart baby at chiz locomotion not in the motion is too good to pass without me commenting.

  9. By the way can anyone help me identify the person at 1:23 in the video link below. I know for a fact that he served under Gloria Macapagal Arroyo it’s just that i forgot his name.

    Link: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/video/nation/02/20/15/protesters-want-aquino-resign

    The irony of the upcoming EDSA revolution will happen next week. Can you imagine the Makabayan block hand in hand with Peping Cojuangco, Norberto Gonzales and other GMA allies? Hopefully Raissa can give us an update if there will be a lot of people who will attend the EDSA celebration or baka langawin like the past million people march :-)

  10. Lally ng Lally………Lally doon Lally dito…………They Lally evelywhele,…. when the leal problem is inside theil loony lally heads!

    Coup Coup Rukuku Poeloma.

    Obama’s Aircraft Carrier USS Ronald Reagan on the way to Subic Bay? ………. NOT TRUE. LOL

  11. I haven’t read the name of the rally on the 25th. What’s it going to be called, “A march for instability!”, or “A rally against elections!”, or “The peoples’ demand for a scapegoat!”? So many motives . . .

    • One thing is for sure Joe, it can’t be called a “coup” because the names and personalities behind it have been exposed. In short nabuCOUP :)

        • Joe, Ms or Mr. Baycas/ post comes to mind:

          It’s his right to freely express his view…

          May it be the ‘wisdom’ of a cuckoo…

          Something along this line I guess is appropriate!

        • @arghel, so true, and yet it is our right . . . or even obligation . . . to let people know that by attending they are contributing to the destabilization of the Philippines, are not allowing democracy to work, and are being politically pawns for those using grief to their own advantage.

          I find this political leveraging of grief to be rather disrespectful of the dead, myself, as if political groups can decide what the SAF troopers died for. Hey, they died for their nation and for us . . . even those who support President Aquino. They died for democracy. May they rest honorably in peace, with our thanks.

        • Joe this all boils down to the deep ills in our society… with not enough patriots. And we are truly grateful to the gallant44 for their service and sacrifice, and my blood boils that these miscreants would just use them for their own gains. May their relatives realize that they’re just being used.

          We are informing our people but I feel hopeless if they’re listening at all. Being part of rallies in 83 onwards and EDSA DOS, I would give that right to them too, if only they realize what this will eventually leads into.

        • Yes, I share your anger at the manipulations. I’ve become a bit of a realist in the opinion-mongering business. When we cite our opinions in these forums, we are mostly talking to people who agree with us, and a few on the fence with open minds that we can perhaps give a new point of view to. Those such as the extremists themselves are generally deaf to what we say.

          Oh, I correct that. We also speak to opinion makers. That would be politicians and media people. Maybe an educator or two. That is perhaps the most valuable audience. Small but able to multiply the importance of what is said here.

        • There are lots of people who read this blog (and the comments) but don’t speak out – they include politicians, their flacks, and high government officials

        • @arghel,

          As Filipino Citizens, we have the right of assembly and to protest against our government. Whatever our leanings are, even how loud and annoying our protest is as viewed by others, that is our given right!

          Foreigners might be arrested if they join the rally.

          As an example, the US Department of State, Bureau of Consulate Affairs has this warning:

          U.S. citizens should also be aware that the Bureau of Immigration discourages the participation of foreigners in demonstrations or political rallies in the Philippines. The Bureau of Immigration has cautioned that this activity may be considered a violation of the terms of admission to the Philippines. Foreign nationals who participate in demonstrations or political rallies may be detained and deported for violating Philippine immigration laws.

          http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/country/philippines.html

          It shows that even US govt is sensitive towards the laws and political independence of our country.

          But generally it is still conditional based on the sentiments of the Philippine authorities at the time of rally whether they are lenient or will crack them down.

          While in the US, even illegal immigrants are allowed to rally, and that shows you how different countries view the rights of foreigners. It seems US democracy is so mature that even with foreign meddling their political affairs are not easily weakend by the meddling of aliens.

          The more we know…

        • Thank you for that info @Parekoy, no hard feelings I hope. And Alan and Joe thank you. No reply button in Alan’s and Joe’s comments. I hope people who read this realize that our support to the Pres. benefits not only him, but all of us and our nation.

        • he, he, he, I’d go to plaza miranda anytime, rain or shine, specially if there’s free food and drinks and lots of pockets to pick.

        • You know what, I’m just curious why the leftist organizations were not castigating the VP on his alleged corruption issues, and now I know why.

          Destabilization is a fundamental weapon of the Left. You stabilize the government and you will have chaos in the streets that will lead to the citizenry to rise up against the duly constituted government, just like what they’re doing with Noynoy now.

          Now, if the NTC (National Transformation Council) is in power, this is akin to a power sharing agreement between the Right, the Corrupt, the Left, and other PDAF, DAP personalities, it will be easy to topple by another destabilization moves perpetrated by the Left.

          In time, it will be the Left that’s in Malacanang. Scary isn’t it?

        • Uuwi pa naman ako sa Pinas para makasama sa rally as long as may libreng cake ( ^_~ )/””)

        • @moonie

          I did not notice until now. I am glad you are back. Let us all join in our noble fight for the country.

    • What is the true/real story of the word “scapegoat’? Why call it such? Napenas is branded with it now.

      Why not ‘escapedog’? Or ‘escapecat’? Or ‘escapepig’? What’s wrong with the ‘poor GOAT’? I just wonder why.

      • Hmmm…interesting, let me take a shot at it
        “scapegoat”

        scape>>>>>>>>cape?—–landscape?—–scenery?———scene?
        goat>>>>>>>>>dog?—-cat?—–pig?—————-they don’t have horns goat has

        scenery = scape
        goat = (have) horn = devil (in biblical times)

        scenerygoat = scenedevil

        scene = mamasapano
        devil = ground commander

        scenedevil = ground commander
        or
        scapegoat = general napenas

        LOL x 44

        • Addendum:

          RE: LOL x 44

          I am a “Karmic Law” believer
          I do not feel sorrow for those who passes away
          I believe in “Conciousness” many call god
          I am a spirit on a journey to be one with “Conciousness”
          This body is just one of the many vehicles my free will chose…………
          for the journey.

          Hopefully, my belief is freaking the right track
          For I do not want to rot in hell and elate Archbishop Oscar Cruz.

    • I think, leftists and makabayan bloc should all resign now. bigo sila sa undertaking nila. failed to meet their objective. the president is still standing, still in malakanyang, still in the seat of power. wont be resigning still.

      kaya, punta na lang sila sa plaza miranda at mag-iyakan duon, howling like dogs and meowing like cats. drowning their sorrows in alcoholic drinks and filling their empty lives with fatty foods. eat and drink, then crawling back home and sleeping off hangovers, putting on more weight. good for their diabetes and blood pressures.

      • hahaha.
        unsyami sila.
        oo nga.
        doon sila sa plaza miryenda.
        dalhin nila doon ang isang maingay ding baboy.
        tuhugin ng de-dos na gi pipe at ihawin.
        palutungin ang balat at ipakain sa mga gutom sa posisyon.

      • Why would PNoy resign when he hasn’t even been charged or impeached yet by the LH? Too remote.

        Ex-CJ Corona even when impeached and being tried by the Senate, refused to resign. He lost a lot on that after his conviction. Did he think he could be acquitted after he CONFESSED on that withness-chair?

        ’twas a lawyer’s blunder.

  14. Binay: the new Noli de Castro? Oo at hindi pero ang resulta ay pareho. Noon si De castro, nuong kasagsagan ng maugong na nais mapalayas si GMA, tama kayo, walang wala tayong Clue sa kanyang paninindigan, ang mayroon lang sya ay pananahimik na lalong nagpalakas sa loob ni Gloria para di magbitiw sa pwesto. naging sandalan sya dahil sa kahinaan ng kanyang gulogod sa paninindigan, ang kahinaan nya sa paglaban sa lantarang pinaggagawa ng rehimeng Gloria ay naging kalakasan ng loob ng kaniyang boss para manatili sa pwesto na tila malakas na elementong humahawak sa kaniya para manahimik at yakapin ang sistemeng Arroyo

    Kabaligtaran ni Binay, pero dahil sobrang tigas ng paninindigan, di nga bat matagal na siyang nagsaad na nais maging presidente, pero ang kaniyang kalakasan naman ang siyang ikinatatakot din ng karamihang tulad ko. lumalaban sya sa paraang alam nyang makakabuti para sa kaniya. Sa usaping Corona impeachment, nanatili syang tahimik at ni hindi nagparamdam ni kaunti mang pagdamay sa Pangulo o sa nakakarami para mapatalsik ito. Sa usaping Corruption ng kaniyang mga kasama sa pulitika, pinanatili pa rin nya ang katahimikan, kung ano ang ingay ng gobyernong Aquino sa paglaban sa corruption ay dobleng pananahimik sa paglaban dito ang kanyang naging pagtugon sa hamon ni Pnoy na labanan ang lahat ng katiwalian. Kung ano ang lakas ng hamon ng sa kanya’y nag-aakusa sa kanyang diumano’y talaan ng mga naging kurapsyong ini-uugnay sa kanya ay pawang pananahimik din sa di-tuwirang pagsagot sa lahat ng ito.

    Kaya nananatili sa pwesto ang ating pangulo at mananatli pa rin sya hanggang sa matapos ang termino ay sapagkat mayorya ng naniniwala sa kanya, bagamat may pagaalinlangan ay dahil nais nating ilagay ang sarili natin gayundin ang ating pakikidalamhati sa kalalagayan ng mga pamilyang nasawi ng mga bayaning SAF44, na nais nating maghiganti, gumamit ng dahas at pwersa, pero, tulad ko at maaari rin ang mga iba pa, alam din natin ang kasasapitan kung magkagayon nga. alam nating mas magiging madugo ang labanan na mas malala pa sa sinapit ng SAF 44, kung magpapaganyak tayo sa simbuyo at pambubuyo ng mga taong nagsasamantala sa pangyayari para maagaw ang liderato at magkunwaring tagapagtaguyod ng hustisya. Anong hustisya, sa totoo, pagsabungin tayo at papag-alabin ang ating mga puso para maghimagsik sa pamunuang Aquino para sa kanilang sariling interes, makabalik ang mga laos at trapong politiko, maiupo ang kanilang lider sa upuang magmamando para malinis ang kanilang pangalan…. Iyan ang totoo, at wag nang banggitin pa na kung magkagayon nga, ang papalit sa atin ay pangalawang pangulo. Para sa akin iyan ang totoo.

    • IMO @ no_to_corruptionn second paragraph it also describes g. poe regarding her stand on all binays’ allegations.

        • Alphaland meets Graceland.

          Sabi ng mga senador, Boy Scouts of the Philippines “short changed” on Alphaland deal.
          Ganun din kaya sinabi ni Madam Grace?

          Ongpin + Alphaland = Belasin Island, project ni Ongpin at venue ng kasalan.

          Binay + Boy Scout and Alphaland deal = Senate hearing

          Colorful main characters.

        • bumaba daw ang income ng belasin island at for sale na daw ngayon ang alphaland.

          sen. osmena to b. ongpin: you are not telling the truth. what happens with you.
          was that statement ay pakitang tao lamang o totoong totoo in the true meaning of the issue.

        • the pairing of heart and cheez was “itinakda ni madam meriam defensor”. i read once that heart has a kind of mental illness according to her mother… and do i need to say more?

        • kinabahan ako. is grace wearing brown?

          you should never wear brown to a wedding. brown is bad luck, symbol of gradually fading affection. leaves turned brown before dying, brown trees are dead and lifeless, the desert is many shades of brown, sandy brown, supportive of very little life. also, whenever possible, dont wear brown shoes to job interview.

          must be grace’s subconscious talking. knows where all this is leading. and mamasapano may claim her precious scalp. the media may adore her, but afp and pnp and their likes and followers may not.

        • @moonie: Hi! I am so glad you are back. Keep on writing. I hope Johnny Lin would be back soon.

        • [email protected] … brown is bad luck?

          How about karamihan pinoys . . . brown skin. ‘e yun black skin – double bad luck?

          Maybe you have a good point there. I wonder what brown skin country in Half-of-Asia that is better that the Worst-White Skin country in Europe or elsewhere? Mayroon?

          This is not tending to racism topic. Pls don’t start one anybody. Just curious. But the Black Skins countries have DIAMONDS! So they have no bad luck. Brown skins countries have GOLD and PEARLS! No bad luck also.

          If you’re sitting inside the room where a funeral wake of a kin is there, and a big brown butterfly is on any of your shoulder, suddenly SCARING the WITS out of you, what does it signify?

          Many believes that it’s the spirit of your kin making it known to you – GOODBYE.

          Wearing brown to a wedding? tsk tsk

        • he, he, once I was tempted to wear brown, the color of death and decay, to a friend’s wedding but changed my mind. dont want to wish them harm good person that I am, he, he.

  15. SWS: More Filipinos optimistic quality of life, economy will improve

    http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/674205/sws-more-filipinos-optimistic-quality-of-life-economy-will-improve

    SWS reports:

    Personal optimism across all socioeconomic classes stayed “very high.”

    This again shows some “disconnect” with the supposed national call for the President’s resignation. It seems to imply that after the President’s resignation, this optimism will remain or even increase, when a thinking man’s analysis shows either a Binay Presidency or if there is a power grab from another source chaos is not far behind.

    • This so-called “clamor” for the president’s resignation is brought to us by the usual suspects: the GMA loyalists, the befuddled leftists, the irreligious bishops, Binay, et al, and the rest who are using this tragedy to promote their own agenda.