Inside Philippine politics & beyond

Accused “barter queen” and anti-land reform advocate want PNoy to resign?

Share:
LinkedIn0
Pinterest0

Just my opinon

By Raïssa Robles

It puzzles me no end how the Cojuangco couple could possibly be leaders of reform.

One of them bitterly fought a landmark legislation that would have benefited thousands of poor landless farmers. The other sued a journalist for a story alleging the use of political influence for personal gain.

I am referring to the power couple Margarita “Tingting” Cojuangco and her husband Jose “Peping” Cojuangco.

Both played key roles in putting Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo  in Malacañang Palace through the paper political party Kampi. And both were rewarded for it with government positions.

When they talk of the need to reform government and they demand the resignation of everyone, it is perhaps reasonable to ask them to spell out the reforms they want to pursue, on top of demanding all top government officials’ resignation.

Peping Cojuangco was among the relatives of the late President Corazon Aquino who pressured her to water down the land reform law and exclude the vast Hacienda Luisita and all other sugar plantations from being handed out to poor sugar workers.

I mentioned Peping Cojuangco’s role here.

Tingting Cojuangco sued journalist Marites Vitug for a story that said:

In a meeting with the President in Malacañang, a group of traders from Zamboanga City complained about her sister-in-law, Tingting Cojuangco and her dominant role in the barter trade. She was referred to, in that meeting, as the “barter trade queen.” Cory Aquino listened and asked for evidence.

A Malacañang aide observes: “She’s faced with a dilemma. She has contradicted herself. “The decision to dismiss Maceda and Mercado on the basis of soft evidence has been overturned by the strong push for proof in the case of her sister-in-law and those of other officials, too.

In the instance of Tingting Cojuangco, claims the aide, the most the President has done — with a lot of pain on her part — has been to keep a distance from her sister-in-law, “almost ostracizing her.” She has not shown up in events important to Tingting, such as the latter’s graduation from the National Defense College, among others. Yet, this has meant little to the public who seeks due process for the accused.

Tingting Cojuangco filed a libel suit against Marites Vitug. She also later filed contempt charges against Rina Jimenez-David of Philippine Daily Inquirer after Rina wrote about the suit.

You can read about the suit below:

Tingting Cojuangco did not win the lawsuit.
But while it was going through the courts, it had a chilling effect on many journalists.
This is an indication that if ever they should wield political power they will brook no dissent.

I recall asking around some years back why there seemed to be no love lost between Uncle Peping and his nephew in the Palace.  I was told that President Benigno Aquino III blamed his uncle for a lot of his mother’s woes when she was the President from 1986 to 1992 . His uncle also had a tendency to treat PNoy like he was still in short pants.

During the 2010 presidential campaign, nephew and uncle were once overheard shouting at each other. So much so that the nephew finally told off his uncle.

And that break has not been repaired to this day, it seems.

It’s interesting that when the so-called advocates of reform talk of the need for reform they do not quite spell out the kind of reform they want. They merely want the top elected leaders to resign.

It’s also interesting to note that the Cojuangco couple and Pastor “Boy” Saycon – who were at the forefront of today’s Edsa rally – share one thing in common: They are all allied with the camp of Vice-President Jejomar Binay.

[By way of full disclosure, I have gone to the Cojuangco mansion in Makati. It was where I once interviewed extensively the former Lieutenant General Edgardo Espinosa following the unseating of President Joseph Estrada.  It is the same mansion where the late Time magazine correspondent Nelly Sindayen had conducted interviews with Pastor “Boy” Saycon, after which Nelly found herself harassed endlessly by unidentified men.]

 

Comments

  1. Do the opposite when you hear Peping, Enrile, Estrada, Cruz, Vidal, Casino, Binay’s and his associates. They will do us nothing but harm.

  2. JoeAm said: “we will not be wiser if all we do is find a culprit to nail the deaths upon.” “the senate is focused on blame, not recognition,”

    Napeñas testified that the SAF commandos killed more than 200 enemies. The MILF insisted that only 18 of their men died during the Mamasapano battle. Seventy two (72) SAF troopers fought against 800 MILF fighters plus maybe an equal number of BIFF and private armed groups (PAG).

    But it seems that the bravery and valiant stand of the SAF commandos escaped the attention of the senate probers. That they believe that only 18 enemies were killed by the elite force. Never mind that the SAF troopers fought not only 800 MILF rebels but also hundreds of lawless elements and other well armed groups. It is foolish to believe that the SAF troopers killed only 18 enemies from MILF and none from the BIFF and PAGs. Sup. Train by his own account killed 20 to 40 enemies. Indeed the 84th fought mostly the BIFF.

    The senate portrays a picture of ineptness and incompetence of the SAF commandos who purportedly killed merely 18 of their enemies despite their skills and weaponry. Why does the senate withhold the testimony of Train and other survivors who could attest to their valiant stand against more than a thousand enemies?

    The senate seems oblivious to the sadness felt by the people due to the perception that the battle was so lopsided in favor of the enemies. The Filipino psyche accepts valiant death in the battle ground but not under pathetic circumstances as depicted by the senate probe and media.

    The senate probers, particularly Grace Poe, seem more interested in pillorying Purisima and Napeñas, and putting the blame at the doorstep of PNoy, than the heroic and valiant stand of the SAF commandos. The senate seems oblivious also of the huge achievement of the SAF in eliminating a high priority target and an international terrorist. And Poe had the temerity to castigate Napenas for telling the truth and his own sentiments over the betrayal done on them by the army.

    As usual Filipino achievers are acknowledged and appreciated more by citizens of other nations than their fellow Filipinos. This is known as “TALANGKA” mentality as pointed out by Binay’s dummy, Antonio Tiu. And it appears that our senators are also afflicted with such disease.

    Yes. Purisima and Napeñas may be hanged for disobeying the orders of the president to coordinate with the army beforehand. But IMHO they have captured the hearts and sympathy of the Filipino nation when the 84th and the 55th fought so bravely and heroically to their death. The Filipino people are perpetually indebted to these gallant and valiant warriors who fought and died like Gregorio Del Pilar and his men in the Battle of Tirad Pass.

    • @Rene-Ipil

      I am impressed on your patience to sort these things out, especially the gallantry of the men at arms. Particularly impressed on your following notes which I cannot help but repeat:

      Seventy two (72) SAF troopers fought against 800 MILF fighters plus maybe an equal number of BIFF and private armed groups (PAG)

      Train by his own account killed 20 to 40 enemies. Indeed the 84th fought mostly the BIFF.

      The senate portrays a picture of ineptness and incompetence of the SAF commandos who purportedly killed merely 18 of their enemies despite their skills and weaponry. Why does the senate withhold the testimony of Train and other survivors who could attest to their valiant stand against more than a thousand enemies?

      The senate probers, particularly Grace Poe, seem more interested in pillorying Purisima and Napeñas, and putting the blame at the doorstep of PNoy, than the heroic and valiant stand of the SAF commandos.

      Yes. Purisima and Napeñas may be hanged for disobeying the orders of the president to coordinate with the army beforehand. But IMHO they have captured the hearts and sympathy of the Filipino nation when the 84th and the 55th fought so bravely and heroically to their death. The Filipino people are perpetually indebted to these gallant and valiant warriors who fought and died like Gregorio Del Pilar and his men in the Battle of Tirad Pass.

      I HOPE HISTORIANS WILL PUT ALL THESE TOGETHER AND PILLORY THE SENATE FOR THEIR SELECTIVITY OR MONKEYING WITH THE DATA.

      Thanks again, Rene-Ipil

      • Malaysian rebels and terrorists thrive in the MNLF/MILF/BIFF area (The govt of Malaysia is, I guess, involved in peace talks due to their stake in Sabah.., yes, vested interest). I hope the Senate probers will also take this into account because we are not just fighting Filipinos but Malaysians as well and not just today but for a long time now. Geographical location helps but I hope we strengthen our Navy in the southern most part of the Philippines to contain them.

  3. Just to continue in a new thread for JoeAm @48.1.4.1. JoeAm wrote:

    “the death of Marwan was a huge accomplishment after a hunt of several years, and the lack of artillery was a big big big big deal.”

    After so much “sound and fury” there is one huge issue that should have been settled to the satisfaction of the Filipino people. Because it became clear that the PROXIMATE CAUSE of the Mamasapano carnage was the denial of artillery support by the army.

    Why was the artillery mission denied despite compliance on the requisites of artillery fire? These requisites are:

    1. Location of the friendly forces.
    2. Location of the enemies.
    3. Presence of forward observer.
    4. Absence of civilians.

    Based from undisputed facts:

    As early as 6:18 AM, Napeñas provided the location of 55th SAC – (longtitude) 65714N, 2000 meters east of Brgy. Tukanalipao which is (latitude) 1243047E.

    Location of enemy is 500 meters in the surrounding area which translates to about 45 seconds distance away around the location of the 55th. Meaning that artillery fires should be directed at about 1243002E (45 seconds distance or 500 meters West of the 55th), 1243102E (45 seconds distance East, 65759N (45 seconds distance North) and 65666S (45 seconds distance South of the 55th).

    The terrain is flat and clear. If need be an army FO could be stationed in the most elevated house or highest point possible like a tree top or a tower at Barangay Tukanalipao. The view from a vantage position was unhampered. With a binocular, the FO easily could guide the indirect fire. But there is no need for an army FO since the exact location of the friendly and enemy forces as well as the artillery impact could be provided by the SAF commandos on the ground. Yet an FO remained an option which could be easily done.

    The battlefield was a large area of corn field or uninhabited land and, therefore, cleared of civilians. Besides, only a non-combatant fool would venture in the vicinity of the battleground.

    I could understand and decipher the information furnished by Napeñas. It was substantially complete to guide the fire mission. I am sure the army officers on the ground knew more.

    If I were the lawyer of Napeñas, I would prove that Pangilinan, et. al. knowingly and treacherously withheld the necessary artillery fire support to the SAF that directly resulted to the massacre of the SAF troopers. Fortunately, Napeñas has a very good counsel in the person of Atty. Vitaliano Aguirre who was a BAR topnotcher with extensive trial experience, and Miriam’s nemesis.

  4. @caliphman, I would add that we will not be wiser if all we do is find a culprit to nail the deaths upon.

    Joe, your above comment does not have a reply option. I agree with that statement but hopefully the intent of the BOI, the Senate hearings, and everyone else analyzing what happened at Mamasapano is to learn its lessons and institute changes to avoid what is widely accepted as excessive casualties in the future. There will always be those who as you put it seek someone to blame and may have a different agenda but if it can be established that ‘culprit’ displayed incompetence, then removal from a similar command avoids a future disaster. It is not clear Lucan was forced to resign or assigned a desk job after that disastrous cavalry charge.But if it turns out Napenas was culpable in avoiding the costly and needless deaths of the SAF 44, then one of the measures for avoiding another similar debacle is his removal from a similar command. That is how one manages any organization, promote those who excel and show the exit door to the incompetent.

  5. Akismet has kidnapped one of my posts for more 12 hours now. Should I expect to have it decapitated and chopped up into spam or should Ijust expect a ransom note. Journalistic terrorists masquerading as virus filters can be pretty frustrating :)

  6. “O P-Noy! My P-Noy!”

    By: Ernie Reyes, InterAksyon.com
    February 25, 2015 10:35 PM

    DOE urged to declare Pacman-Mayweather fight as ‘National No Brownout Day’
    DI P’WEDE WALANG KURYENTE!
    By order of

    ‘MOTHER of all ALSA MASA’

  7. Adaptation of the first stanza of “O Captain! My Captain!” BY WALT WHITMAN

    O Captain! my Captain! our fearful trip is about done,
    The ship has weather’d every rack, the prize we sought we can now see,
    The port is near, the bells I hear, the people all exulting,
    While follow eyes the steady keel, the vessel grim and daring;
    But O heart! heart! heart!
    O the bleeding drops of red,
    Where on the deck my Captain lies,
    Fallen but heart still strong
    And to our prize he will bring us still

  8. Mass demonstrations, civil resistance or disobedience, boycotts, noncooperation, and strikes toppled unwanted regimes in the past.

    The “Pepings and Tingtings” in PH didn’t learn from the past.

    Their demonstrations have no critical mass.
    There is civil resistance to their kind.

    Civilians disobey their appeals, requests, demands, commands, or orders…nobody listens to them.

    They are the ones boycotted.
    People won’t cooperate with them.

    Yesterday, they were simply ‘stricken off’ the road by motorists when EDSA was opened to traffic.

    • Yesterday, they were simply ‘stricken off’ the road by motorists when EDSA was opened to traffic.

      Yes, indeed! Shows improving maturity of the Filipino. For who in his right mind cannot associate these strikes with the likes of BAT (Binay, Arguelles, Tatad), and Peping and Tinting. And KSP F Ramos. They have indeed bats in their belfries.

      • Beware of BATs who foster:

        Rancor and rebellion
        Acrimony and alienation
        Belligerence and bedlam
        Inanity and ignominy
        Egotism and evilness
        Strife and schism

        They are inimical to the nation’s progress.

      • MAG – INGAT!!!

        lumalabas at humahasik na ng kani kanilang lagim ang mga kampon ng B-ANAY.

        mula sa pang uut-ot ng kahoy hanggang sa asong kahol ng kahol habang tulo ang laway hanggang sa walis tingting na lumilipad hanggang sa etc….

    • When Cory called for a rally in Luneta (tagumpay ng bayan), we went, when she called for boycott of products of businessmen friends of Marcos, we followed, we joined in Edsa I. We did this because we shared a common dream, to kick out Marcos, the original plunderer, human right abuser, who wanted to perpetuate himself, his wife and children in power. When it was Estrada’s turn to be kicked out, my employer instructed us to go to Edsa in business hours, and we gladly, willingly went, as we don’t want another corrupt and plunderer.

      • We lived and learned the value of People Power.

        The now “pepings and tingtings” in our midst do not possess the Power of the People.

        I like the picture posted by @raissa above…

        Reminds us never to emulate them.

      • Cory called for “Tagumpay ng Bayan” on February 16, 1986. My whole family with the four kids were there. I vividly remember that we came early and parked the car in front of the Luneta Hotel at T.M. Kalaw. The crowd was about a million, definitely less than the Pope Francis mass. Borrowing the words of Tulfo in describing the “Million People March,” “walang amoy araw.” I firmly believe that the B, C and D classes are the nucleus of the People Power.

        Now, I have been waiting for PNoy to call for another “Tagumpay ng Bayan” so that I could at least manifest my appreciation of the significant accomplishments of his administration. Firstly, I want to thank my self and millions of Filipinos for electing PNoy as president in 2010. Secondly, I want to thank PNoy for putting competent and honest members of his cabinet like Cesar Purisima, Singson, Jimenez, Almendras, Roxas, Baldoz, Gazmin, Petilla, Soliman, Paje, Domingo, Balisacan, Lacierda, de Lima, etc. Finally, I really appreciate the fact that our country is not the “sick man of Asia” anymore and that powerful but corrupt people are now in jail. And that beginning this year the Philippines would start to fly fighter jets to a squadron, and more.

        • That our country is not the ‘sick man of asia’ anymore :

          Check out Bloomberg today. The Philippines is ranked second of the Top 20 fastest growing economies. China is no. 1.

          That bumbling, inept and incompetent Aquino’s at fault again. We should have been no. 1 instead.

          We really need the Mckinsey expert to sort this out now.

          Nyahaha.

  9. A GLIMPSE OF A POST-PNOY PRESIDENCY ACCORDING TO KRIS

    I seldom read the entertainment section of the print media because there is always the propensity to pass gossips as news.

    But this time an entertainment piece at Philippines Today published in Northern California (February 25 to March 3, 2015 issue) about Kris Aquino caught my attention.

    Minsan may pakinabang din ang kadaldalan ni Kris – because she talks too much there is less need to divine the intention of Pnoy once he steps down of the presidency.

    According to the Philippines Today article, Kris is not running for elective office in 2016 because “she needs to be available next year to take care of her brother once his term as president ends.”

    “Kris said she is bracing for the worst scenario when her President brother will step down in 2016: facing cases, which will be filed against him by political opponents.”

    “Let’s be honest, maraming magiging kaso next year (na isasampa laban sa Presidente.”

    “The actress was apparently worried that the President may go through the same misfortunes of former president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, who after she stepped down from Malacanang in 2010, was hounded by countless corruption lawsuits.”

    • That brotherly love is admirable and I can believe that no-holds-barred statement typical of her. But it is equally admirable if she and her sisters simply shut-up about Binay (notwithstanding utong na loob) and thus adding to the risk to or diminishing the effect of the brother’s Presidential actions. They should rather have advised dear brother that utang na loob is fine but you are not just any Pilipino, you are the President, and urge dear brother to kick that barnacle out of the ship of state as he has every right to do for a long time already.

    • They can file all the cases they want with the Ombudsman/prosecutor’ office, pero I don’t think it will prosper. Saka depende pa rin kung sino ang susunod na presidente. Kung si Roxas, pababayaan ba naman sya nun? :-)

  10. Now I know the reason why ex-Pres. Ramos hates the President PNoy….

    “It’s the first time I missed the salubungan in 29 years,” Ramos said.

    Aside from Enrile, two other key EDSA participants were also absent — Senator Gregorio Honasan and retired Philippine National Police Director-General Avelino Razon.


    “And (Avelino) Sonny Razon – my aide-de-camp during EDSA. And why was he not there (Wednesday at EDSA)?” Ramos said, his voice rising.

    “He’s in jail, in Camp Crame, in a jail that he himself built. I don’t know what for (he’s in jail). But he has been deprived of bail for 18 months,” Ramos said, adding, “Just because the Presiding Justice (Gregory Ong) in the 4th division of the Sandigan was kicked out by the Supreme Court for corruption.”

    Razon and 31 other senior police officers have been accused of conspiring to defraud the government of P400 million by “ghost repairing” 28 V-150 Light Armored Vehicles in 2007. Razon signed the purchase orders and disbursement vouchers.

    But Ramos said, “this is unfair. There are 32 of them all, general officers who just put their signature – but the crime was not completed until the next administration of the Philippine National Police.”

    “Don’t these guys deserve bail? I asked for a six-hour pass for Sonny Razon who was one of the early commanders of the Special Action Force under me in 1984.” Ramos surmised his request never reached “the authorities concerned.”

    http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/focus/02/25/15/fvr-bares-hurts-edsa-people-power-anniversary

    • If the former President does not know what his former aide-de-camp is in jail for, then maybe he should be reading the Inquirer and Rappler and other dailies that’s been covering the case from the start. He would then also know that Razon’s petition for bail, as well as his other co-accused (except for two) has already been denied by the Sandiganbayan last Feb 6.

      Of course, he would know all this. It’s a matter of not getting what he wants, he who once had the power in his hands to mete out punishment on erring members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines who have risen against their own government during his watch. I suppose the big Tabako would rather that Razon and company should have simply been made to do the more customary push-ups.

      Heroes cease to be when they start demanding special treatment and privileges for themselves as if they deserve more than the rest of us. It’s just as well that the old man did not show up for the EDSA ceremonies.

      • fvr must have been deeply hurt edsa went ahead without him. that people can celebrate edsa without hiim. that people can move on without him. that he was not really needed.

        fvr previously taking off his clothes to reveal his undershirt same as the undershirts that special action force wore did not work for him. people’s claps lasted only a blink.

        fvr’s fault his minions, razon among them, are in jail. should have told them to be honest and not be thieves. should have supervised them better, look over their shoulders more. the discipline he instill was wishy-washy, corruptible.

        • ‘ fvr must have been deeply hurt…’

          That’s the one thing he has in common with the ting-ting and the peeping uncle. They are all hurting from not getting their way, for not having their massive egos and delusions of their importance fed and nourished by the current occupant of Malacanang. Napakasakit daw talaga, Kuya Eddie.

        • @cha

          FVR is not only deeply hurt, his ego has been bruised. Upset that he now feels less valuable or important.

          When he was president his vision was Philippine 2000, envisioned to make us an newly industrialized country by year 2000. e 2015 na ngayon sa ASEAN Integration 2015, we are lagging behind even obviously cramming on our preparation for ASEAN 2015.

          He was president and he also missed the chance to make the Philippines better, perhaps his blueprint, his roadmap was too politicized.

          He criticizes the current administration, that’s his right. But he should also come clean.

          Come clean on the PEA-Amari deal.
          Come clean on the 7.3 billion peso centennial expo project.
          Come clean on his allowing China to occupy Mischief Reef.
          Come clean on not pursuing the installation of lighthouse at the Scarborough Shoal.
          (Mischief and Scarborough mentioned in JoAls memoir, may Baby Arenas pa nga)

          At least we know what happened to Erap (nakulong pero naging Manila mayor) and GMA (nakakulong pero na-elect na congresswoman)

        • Ito namang so Peepeeing, he was pampered during the Cory administration. Sa ngayon, makuntento na lang sya peeing in his adult pampers.

      • There were a couple of good generals he placed on floating status, for exposing his governor friend’s jueteng activity ,during his presidency.
        Ramos is as phony of a statesman like Juan Ponce Enrile. Two Sickos!

      • It does not speak well of Ramos that he was Razon’s mentor in the latters rapid rise as head of SAF and later up the ranks of the AFP. When I visited SAF’s website it still listed Razon as one of its most illustrious alumni, having been selected to train at the Ranger commando course in Fort Benning, Georgia. There was no mention of course of Razon being a convicted felon for not updating the already obsolescent V150 armored vehicles and channeling 400 million instead to private pockets, including his. Maybe if those repairs and enhancements were made, the six v150 Simba ‘tanks’ might have been able to at least get closer to the MILF in the marsh and rescue 55 SAC?

      • @cha,
        “Heroes cease to be when they start demanding special treatment and privileges for themselves as if they deserve more than the rest of us.”
        yes.
        that’s exactly the reason why all heroes are dead heroes.
        a living hero can be undone.

        • Thanks for explaining that. I’d been wondering.

          I’d say that all who were on the assault team were heroic in their mission. I can imagine, in the dark of night, deep in “enemy territory’, one of the nastiest bombmakers in the planet sleeping right up there . . . and then all hell breaks loose, an explosion, and soon, a lot of bullets. Get the picture, get the finger, and get the hell out.

          Where to, they wondered and likely stumbled, in the dark, in a strange land, with bullets all around . . . our exit path is cut off . . .

          Should the living heroes turn bad later in life, that’s sad. But for this mission, they did the dangerous and deadly deed, and for sure deserve honors, both dead and living. Getting killed is no qualification for heroism, I think. Sacrifice for the nation is, and both the living and dead took on that risk.

        • Right, JoeAm. I recommend that all the 84th SAC and 55th SAC, living and dead, be awarded the Medal of Valor.

        • I wonder what award can be given to Purisima, the suspended one, resigned, vilified in hearings, wearing a guilty facade with the death of 44 in his conscience, he who decided not to coordinate to avoid leak and give the mission some measure of chance to succeed… in hindsight, what could have been done…would it have been better to abort the mission since they lost 2 hours and the cover of darkness… in the end owning up as being ultimately responsible for those deaths and accountable for the decision not to coordinate

        • If I were Napeñas or Purisima. I would give all the epals, politicians, and other critics a dirty finger ala Duterte. And I would say “P ____ INA KAYONG LAHAT. BAHALA NA KAYO SA BUHAY NYO. NAGAWA KO NA ANG DAPAT KONG GAWIN PARA SA MUNDO AT SA NAKARARAMI. I AM ANSWERABLE ONLY TO MY CONSCIENCE AND MY FAMILY.”

        • They were men enough and professional enough to attend the hearings, address those shouting at them with, “your honor, this is what happened”, knowing that in the end, the blame will be on them… since day 1, General Napeñas, owned up to the responsibility, now Purisima does, too and yet some people are still not satisfied, still want the President’s resignation and failing that, courting coups and doing destabilizing acts such recalcitrant children, they are…

        • Just a thought if BBL will materialize. Build a museum in Mamasapano right where Marwan was killed. A museum that will remind us of the struggles, killings and wailings of all filipinos. We need a symbol to remind us of the sacrifices of all those involved in achieving peace. Then a special marker with the names of all 44 SAF members.

        • Should the living heroes turn bad later in life, that’s sad. But for this mission, they did the dangerous and deadly deed, and for sure deserve honors, both dead and living. Getting killed is no qualification for heroism, I think. Sacrifice for the nation is, and both the living and dead took on that risk.

          That made my eyes misty — don’t need that for an old man’s eyes. But it somehow connects well with my young heart.

        • I re-read the Charge of the Light Brigade, and substituted field for valley, strode for rode, 300 for 600, took out the cannons, and had 44 not walking out of the valley. Pretty heavy.

          The second stanza is a shocker, for their mission was a screw-up from above:

          “Forward, the Light Brigade!”
          Was there a man dismay’d?
          Not tho’ the soldier knew
          Someone had blunder’d:
          Theirs not to make reply,
          Theirs not to reason why,
          Theirs but to do and die:
          Into the valley of Death
          Rode the six hundred.

        • Hopefully they had a BOI, identified who was responsible for the suicide mission, and stripped the guilty commanders of rank and commission. In the soviet and wehrmacht army, these stupid generals would have been lined up against the wall and shot.

        • The Wiki account of the aftermath of the Charge . . . echoes of what we heard in the Senate hearings . . . accusations and blames . . .

          “The brigade was not completely destroyed, but did suffer terribly, with 118 men killed, 127 wounded and about 60 taken prisoner.

          Slow communications meant that news of the disaster did not reach the British public until three weeks after the action. The British commanders’ dispatches from the front were published in an extraordinary edition of the London Gazette of 12 November 1854. Raglan blamed Lucan for the charge, claiming that “from some misconception of the order to advance, the Lieutenant-General (Lucan) considered that he was bound to attack at all hazards, and he accordingly ordered Major-General the Earl of Cardigan to move forward with the Light Brigade.”[12] Lucan was furious at being made a scapegoat: Raglan claimed he should have exercised his discretion, but throughout the campaign up to that date Lucan considered Raglan had allowed him no independence at all and required that his orders be followed to the letter. Cardigan, who had merely obeyed orders, blamed Lucan for giving those orders. He returned home a hero and was promoted to Inspector General of the Cavalry.

          Lucan attempted to publish a letter refuting point by point Raglan’s London Gazette dispatch, but his criticism of his superior was not tolerated and Lucan was recalled to England in March 1855. The Charge of the Light Brigade became a subject of considerable controversy and public dispute on his return. He strongly rejected Raglan’s version of events, calling it “an imputation reflecting seriously on my professional character”. In an exchange of public correspondence printed in the pages of The Times, Lucan blamed Raglan and his deceased aide-de-camp Captain Nolan, who had been the actual deliverer of the disputed order. Lucan subsequently defended himself with a speech in the House of Lords on 19 March.”

        • Bottomline there was no BOI, much fingerpointing and no justice for the slain cavalrymen. There is a BOI for the SAF debacle and it seems likely they will hold Purisima and Napenas responsible for the SAF44, for a poorly planned and an even more poorly executed operation. Purisima will escape sanctions being Pinoy’s boy leaving Napenas to be summarily dismissed or cast in PNP limbo at best. A SAF widow said to Pinoy that if Napenas was responsible for the SAF, then “execute him”. This is not the Russian Front so its not happening.

        • @caliphman, I think if the Philippines were more experienced in major-scale battles, we would not be going through these agonies. Warfare is not an exact science, and people trying to find a sanitary solution are spitting into the wind for distance. The “execute” comment from a family member is, I am sure, grief speaking, not informed judgment.

          I observed in a recent blog that Mamasapano is the story of two generals, one too aggressive, one too timid.

          A commenter had this to say, and it rings true to me as a veteran:

          “Like your last line, Joe.

          If the advise was not intended as an order and coordination was before and not on-time, to quote Barbara Tuchman, “then it must have been intended for commanders to interpret as they saw fit, which brings the matter to that melting point of warfare—the temperament of the individual commander.

          When the moment of live ammunition approaches, the moment to which all his professional training has been directed, when the lives of men under him, the issue of the combat, even the fate of campaign (peace process) may depend upon his decision at a given moment, what happens inside the heart and vitals of a commander? Some are made bold by the moment, some irresolute, some carefully judicious, some paralyzed and powerless to act.”

          ― Barbara W. Tuchman, The Guns of August

          Yes, the Mamasapano incident showed the diverse temperament of several military commanders and civilian personalities. Lots of lessons to learn from the incident, but will we be wiser for it?”

        • I have the feeling that Napeñas would be regarded in the end as hero in the eyes of most Filipinos and certainly the people of peace loving nations. To mention a few: USA, Australia, Malaysia, Indonesia, UK, France, Israel, Canada and most European countries.

          IMO most Filipinos adore brave men despite their faults in the achievement of a noble mission. And I am sure that citizens of other democratic nations understand that the death of Marwan disminishes their fear of terrorism and their feeling that one fine day a bomb would suddenly explode beside him or his loved ones.

          Let us look beyond the bridge of our nose.

        • I wish that were so, Rene-Ipil, but the senate is focused on blame, not recognition, so I fear expressions of appreciation need be sent to him by individuals who grasp that the death of Marwan was a huge accomplishment after a hunt of several years, and the lack of artillery was a big big big big deal.

        • Bingo, Vander! Now we know why some really old people are still around. The have to be completely exposed for the frauds that they really are. Ayaw pa pumirma ng huling bulati.

      • FVR, not yet satisfied with Cory’s endorsement as presidential candidate, was so disappointed by Cory’s non support in the PIRMA effort to amend the Constitution (cha-cha) so he can run again and continue his program… his disappointment shows in his anti Cory and anti PNOY remarks then and now

        • “Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power!”Abraham Lincoln

  11. Maceda says: Senate investigation finished

    Miriam: Wants separate probe on SAF guns

    Bobit ask: How could Sen. Chiz afford that Balesin wedding? Was it a gift by his ninong Bobby Ongpin of Alphaland?
    (The Philippine Star) | Updated February 26, 2015 – 12:00am

    Rappler: point out that two years ago, Sen. Escudero was rated as the “Poorest” senator with a declared net worth of only P4.017 million. Sen. Escudero’s 2013 SALN showed that his net worth jumped to P8.243 million, thus he is now the second poorest Senator, next to Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV.
    ***

    Me say: Moderacion processo in this spiderhouse makes me loco in the cabeza! uLOLoco

  12. Those leftist elements wanting to go to the EDSA monument are a bunch of hypocrites. They were not there in the original EDSA people power, nor participated in the snap elections that Marcos called. In fact, All of them, Bayan, Gabriela and their allied groups were pushing for an election boycott.

    They are in the same shameful line-up as Peping, Tingting, Boy Saycon and their ilk.