Here’s what Pres. Aquino said about smiling at the #SAF 44 commandos’ wake –
Exclusive
by Raïssa Robles
When my request to interview President Aquino was unexpectedly granted last week, Malacañang Palace asked me, again, for a list of interview questions. I had submitted a list months ago, but apparently they wanted a new copy.
I debated with myself whether I should take the opportunity to include something that had puzzled me for a long time.
It had to do with his facial expression during dramatic, tense moments. It seemed in many of these moments he was smiling – some said smirking.
I decided to submit it anyway.
Mindful he might walk out or terminate the interview abruptly, I waited until the latter part of the interview that lasted over two hours before I asked the question.
You could hear a pin drop in that vast room as his face visibly changed when he replied. Here’s what he said and it’s now on the front page of South China Morning Post online:
During the editing of my piece, my editor asked me to verify a photo he found online of Aquino, taken after he was shot in 1987.
He was also smiling.
Here is an excerpt of the top story on SCMP’s website today –
Philippine president Aquino explains why his smile shouldn’t make people angry
Raïssa Robles in Manila
UPDATED : Tuesday, 21 April, 2015, 8:42am
Philippine President Benigno Aquino has explained why people sometimes misunderstand his awkward smile – including in the wake of the 2010 Manila hostage tragedy in which eight Hongkongers died.
“I have various smiles for various purposes,” he told the South China Morning Post in an exclusive interview, as he recounted the outrage his enigmatic expressions have caused.
“Usually I have a particular smile when I am so fed up.”
Aquino is well known for smiling during moments when it would seem inappropriate. Earlier this year, he set off a storm of controversy in the Philippines when he appeared to smile at the wake for 44 commandos who were killed in a disastrous anti-terror operation in country’s Muslim majority south.
But it was an earlier smiling incident that is perhaps better known to Hongkongers.
In the aftermath of the 2010 Manila hostage crisis – in which disgruntled former Philippine policeman Rolando Mendoza hijacked a bus of tourists, leading to the deaths of eight Hongkongers – Aquino attracted furious criticism after appearing to smile at a press conference.
To read the rest, please click on this link.
UPDATE as of 12:31 PM, April 21, 2015:
Here’s what victims of the bus hostage crisis said in reaction to Aquino’s explanation:
Smiling Benigno Aquino ‘ridiculous’ and ‘lacking empathy’, Manila hostage crisis survivors say
By Samuel Chan
[email protected]
Philippine President Benigno Aquino’s reason for smiling after the 2010 Manila hostage crisis in which eight Hongkongers died was “ridiculous”, survivors said, accusing him of lacking empathy.
Aquino attracted furious criticism after disgruntled former Philippine policeman Rolando Mendoza hijacked a tourist bus, leading to a deadly shoot-out with police, when he appeared to smile at a press conference following the incident.
But the Philippine president told the South China Morning Post in an exclusive interview published today that “it was the absurdity” that made him smile briefly at the time.
“Some people will curse, will shout to high heavens… [the smile] is an effort to control [my emotions and actions],” he said.
But two survivors of the crisis agreed that “ridiculous” was the first word that came to mind when they heard Aquino’s reason for smiling.
One of them, Lee Ying-chuen, said Aquino’s attitude over the past five years, including his latest explanation, showed he “lacked empathy”.
To read the rest, please click on this link.
baycas says
Benigno S. Aquino III, Ottawa, May 8, 2015
kalakala says
The family of Mary Jane Veloso on Friday denied the claims of the Aquino government on its role to save Veloso from execution in Indonesia.
Celia Veloso, Mary Jane’s mother, in a press briefing in Quezon City, slammed the government for credit-grabbing on the last-minute reprieve granted by the Indonesian government to Veloso.
“Ngayon ay nandito na kami sa Pilipinas ay marami kaming sisingilin sa gobyerno. Sabi nila sa kanila nanggaling kung bakit hindi natuloy ang bitay ng anak ko, hindi totoo ‘yon,” Celia said.
(Now that we’re back in the Philippines, the government has a lot to account to us. They said it was through their efforts that my daughter was given a reprieve.)
Celia said the government is lying to the people on its role in saving Veloso.
“Hanggang sa ngayon, niloko pa rin kami. Akala namin, siya ang gumawa ng paraan para mailigtas ang anak ko,” she said.
(Up to now, they’ve fooled us. We thought the government really worked to save my daughter.)
Celia also slammed the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) for their inaction and for hiding them to the media while they were in Indonesia.
“Isa pa ‘yung DFA, para kaming itinatago. Hirap na hirap po kami. Gusto naming magpa-media, hindi kami ma-media. Gusto naming magpasalamat sa presidente ng Indonesia pero di namin magawa,” she said.
(DFA tried to keep us away from the media. We’ve had a hard time. We wanted to talk to the media, but we’re not allowed. We wanted to thank the president of Indonesia but we couldn’t do it.)
yvonne says
I’m taking the view that the reprieve given to Veloso was an expression of a broader goal of establishing closer friendship and cooperation between the governments of the Philippines and Indonesia, in pursuit of a common interest – that of fighting international terrorism and drug trafficking. It was devoid of private personalities.
RogerdelaRosa says
That’s what it is @ Philippines and Indonesia, in pursuit of a common interest – that of fighting international terrorism and drug trafficking.
But no way Jose, malapit na ang election we’ll see a lot of credit grabbing @It was devoid of private personalities.
I wonder kung ano ang magiging reaksyon ng mga credit grabbers kung sakasakali guilty nga pala itong si Mary Jane Veloso. LOL
yvonne says
When I said it was “devoid of private personalities”, I meant that the reprieve was given not in response to pleadings from private persons, not even from the family of Veloso., or some other credit-grabbing organizations. It was done purely as a governmental matter.
RogerdelaRosa says
Mr. laRosa must have read this article
Indonesian President Joko Widodo said he listened to local human rights groups before deciding to postpone the execution of Filipina death-row convict Mary Jane Veloso. And he told the Jakarta Post that he was not influenced by the Philippine government in making the decision at all.
The official Twitter account of Indonesia’s Cabinet Secretariat explained that an earlier account of how the decision was made that was attributed to Anis Hidaya, head of the Indonesian workers’ rights group Migrant Care, was accurate.
In a series of tweets, the secretariat said Widodo listened to what Hidaya and her fellow rights advocates had to say about Veloso’s case in a meeting late Tuesday, before deciding to postpone the execution scheduled hours later early on Wednesday morning.
“President Jokowi listens and pays attention to the human rights activists who keep guarding him in doing his constitutional duties,” the tweeted statement said. “In human rights issues, the President asks activists to keep giving inputs to him while making decisions.”
Indonesian officials did acknowledge that Aquino requested a stay of Veloso’s execution on the basis of new evidence that will be presented by the convict’s alleged recruiter, Maria Kristina Sergio. But that information and the request that accompanied it were not the reason why the execution was postponed.
RogerdelaRosa says
Mrs laRosa read this one too!
Of course, you’d expect the Aquino administration to claim credit for the Indonesian government’s decision to stay the execution of convicted drug mule Mary Jane Veloso. President Noynoy Aquino, after all, worked on his Indonesian counterpart Joko Widodo to secure a reprieve for Veloso until the very last moment, buttonholing him at the sidelines of the Asean leaders’ summit in Malaysia until Aquino left to return to Manila late on Tuesday.
The truth, however, has a way of coming out eventually. And while Aquino may have helped stop the scheduled execution before dawn on Wednesday through his “stalking” of Widodo, the efforts of Indonesian anti-human trafficking advocates who met with the Indonesian president may have really saved the former maid.
http://manilastandardtoday.com/2015/04/30credit-grabbing/
What say you Carmenrosales?
hehehe
Ong-Lo says
Please tell me what this family is devoid of: http://www.rappler.com/nation/91743-mary-jane-veloso-family-arrive-manila :(
raissa says
One colleague of mine in the foreign press said when she approached Migrante to do a story on Mary Jane, Migrante did not know the whereabouts of Mary Jane’s family.
Apparently, this is a case of ————-
Gethesame Gardener says
Hmmm…wish you could complete the sentence.
Migrante seems to have done a lot :
http://migranteinternational.org/2015/04/30/savemary-jane-timeline-of-events-let-the-facts-speak-for-themselves/
I think its unfair to criticize Aquino for MJ’s ordeal but my experience in Singapore is such that I know that Filipinos OFW’s generally have a low regard for the Philippines Embassy ( DFA ).
Ong-Lo says
You lost me. :( Perfect Brainwash was the first words that came to my mind though..
Ong-Lo says
You lost me.. Perfect Brainwash were the first words that came to my mind though..
Aremem says
Out of topic but this sounds ALARMING:
GMA news wrote “VP BINAY’S WIFE GETS THIRD AND LAST APPROVAL NEEDED FOR TRAVEL TO US”
http://www(dot)gmanetwork(dot)com/news/story/479194/news/nation/vp-binay-s-wife-gets-third-and-last-approval-needed-for-travel-to-us
moonie says
elenita has to go and meet her fate in america, the way the late iggy arroyo alyas jose pidal met his in london. pumunta si iggy sa london upang magpagamot only to find the grim reaper waiting for him. nagkaruon sila ng much awaited reunion, with both iggy’s wife and mistress fighting over his mortal remains.
no amount of money can make elenita 21 again. she no longer walks like an old woman but shuffles and toddles like one nearing end of life span. she may not be right in the head too and could sign away hidden loot to perfect strangers.
NHerrera says
On E Binay’s physical status and health, she has my sincere sympathy. I do notice — so does my wife — the way she walks and the way she generally carries herself speak of a woman much older than her age. (My conjecture: the workings of the mind does affect the inner self and reflects itself in the outer physical self.)
moonie says
ghosts, they’re so hard to drag along, such heavy burden for darling elenita to carry. she can only shuffle now.
Kalahari says
WHY MARY JANE WAS GIVEN ANOTHER CHANCE
Indonesia’s Attorney General Muhammad Presetyo, known for his iron-fisted commitment to Indonesia’s stringent – some say “cruel” – anti-drug penalties, said Veloso had been granted a stay of execution while the Philippines investigates her case.
On Tuesday, PNoy picked up the telephone to call Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi and proposed that keeping Veloso alive is worth more than seeing her dead.
Aquino said Veloso could be turned into a state witness after her recruiter and alleged drug trafficker, Maria Kristina “Tintin” Sergio, turned up at a provincial police station in Nueva Ecija fearing for her life.” (Philstar 4/29 pm)
It is not known how long the reprieve will last, with the pace of PHL justice at its lowest possibly in Asia.
Rene-Ipil says
PDI reported that credit-grabbing is in full swing. On Veloso’s good fortune, VP Binay thanked everyone except PNoy. Binay even thanked himself. ANO BA NAMAN YAN? PUEHHHH.
“Vice President Jejomar Binay on Wednesday welcomed Veloso’s good fortune and thanked everyone but President Aquino. He thanked Widodo and Indonesian Vice President Jusuf Kalla for “listening with sympathy to my appeal during our official and unofficial encounters in Jakarta.”
“There were different approaches but only one unifying effort: prayers … Reprieve could mean postponement, it could mean the sentence is reduced to life imprisonment, or it could mean absolution… Let us continue our prayers to save the life of Mary Jane,” Binay said.
http://globalnation.inquirer.net/122106/indonesia-reprieve-due-to-aquino-plea-credit-grabbing-in-full-swing/
NHerrera says
My reading: The President’s trust rating cannot be allowed to rise while Binay’s also one-way decline in trust rating has to be buoyed up. Thanks for comments made in Social Media such as this Blog, we are unmasking this blatant use of this event for epalism. FOR SHAME.
NHerrera says
I want to use words such as WALANG succeeded by a Pilipino word which starts with H … and ends with …A, but I will refrain for the moment. This may stimulate my BP to heights I don’t want to happen, what with the summer heat.
NHerrera says
And to think, he was effectively only a messenger of the President of the Philippines to the Indonesian President on the appeal for Veloso. Wala na bang dulo ang garapalan na ito? Is this the specie we want to become President? The Philippines is supposed to be rich in bio-diversity, but this is one specie we can gladly lose and the bio-diversity thereby become richer in quality.
baycas says
“WALANG HIMALA?”
Mang Gani asked.
NHerrera says
Hahaha.
pelang says
Mali, @Baycas! di hindi nag start ng H but ended in A. Wala, e. di beginning with W and ending of with A. LOL!
baycas says
NHerrera said:
WALANG HALAGA…
filipino_mom says
walang himala. may himala kung patay na si mj then nabuhay. YUN, himala. ang nangyari eh nagbunga ang efforts ng lahat na involved, esp those who chose to work behind the scenes, concentrating their efforts on getting things done rather than give out sound bytes and/or protest and ending up being a pain in the a$$, no more. yun lang.
leona says
WALANGHIYA!
WALANG MUKHA!
WALANG BATASAN NGA!
WALANG GALING NGA!
WALANG BIDA!
WALANG SABI NGA!
NHerrera says
:-)
Carmenrosales says
Nagsisiguro lang si Binay kaya panay ay pagbubuhat niya ng sarling bangko. Pero marunong na kaming bumasa ng tunay niyang pagkatao. Malayong-malayo siya kay Lee Kuan Yew. Wala siyang prinsipyo at dangal. Lagi na lang inilalagay ang sarili na siya ang bida gayong sa totoo siya ang kontrabida. Hindi ba ang sabi ni Hesus sa Bibliya ang “nagpapauna ay ilalagay sa huli at ang nagpapahuli ay ilalagay sa una”?
Nang dahil sa dasal ay ginawan ng paraan sa Itaas para magkaroon ng milagro, nagkatiyap-tiyap ang mga pagkakataon, sumuko yong recruiter, nakita at nagkaroon ng sapat na dahilan ang ating pamahalaan para paki-usapan ang pamahalaan ng Indonesia na nakinig naman at nabalam ang pagbitay kay Mary Jane.
Ipinagdadasal ko ko na sana magkroon ng milagro na mauntog si Binay at matauhan pati na ang kanyang pamilya. Sobra na tama na. Ang lahat ay may hangganan.
balayang says
If Elenits is not allowed to escape, that would be the REAL Miracle.
JBL says
@The President’s trust rating cannot be allowed to rise while Binay’s also one-way decline in trust rating has to be buoyed up
Kalbito shifted to a new brand of yeast labeled ‘Jokowi fast rise’.
Binay’s brand prematurely expired. It’s a bad china import called ‘ Kulakot fast lise’
Toby ‘Devil Eyebrows’ Tiangco says: Not funny, not funny
LOL
NHerrera says
Hahaha.
Say, friend JBL, we should teach Binay to sing Charles Aznavour’s famous song:
Yesterday when I was young,
The taste of life was sweet as rain upon my tongue,
I teased at life as if it were a foolish game,
The way the evening breeze may tease a candle flame …
Irineo B. R. Salazar says
“listening with sympathy to my appeal”? Anong akala ni Binay, meron siyang sex appeal?
Sa bagay, mas bata siya kay Tom Jones, kaya puwede na rin siyang kumanta ng “Sex Bomb”.
moonie says
si cardinal tagle ay nakalimutang pasalamatan din. he was one of the few who sent heart felt letter to widodo requesting that mary jane be spared.
David says
“There is no limit to the amount of good you can do if you don’t care who gets the credit.”
― Ronald Reagan
duquemarino says
Bee_neigh had gone hydrocEPALic with cognitive decline.
NHerrera says
In praise of the Slide Rule of my bygone days I am re-posting my note (Post 89.4.1.1.4) with an analogy to the Condonation Doctrine
————————————–
MY LAST WORD ON THE SLIDE RULE
1935 Constitution is to the Slide Rule
As
1987 Constitution is to the Modern smartphone, tablet.
Condonation Doctrine is to the Slide Rule
As
Public Trust in government is to the Smartphone, Tablet
(BIG IMMEDIATE CORRECTION: no way can my beloved Slide Rule be compared to the Condonation Doctrine — a sacrilegious statement that.)
Basta in love pa rin ako sa Slide Rule. I have it in in its case stored in a box of beloved mementos (the dear wife — goodness gracious, when will you throw all those things). I take it out from time to time. I demonstrated its use to my youngest Apo one time and showed how from the simple algebra of logarithms the engineers can multiply and divide numbers strung in a series in the numerator and denominator. Out of kindness to the Lolo, she said in a politically correct way — Thanks but I will stick to my calculator Lolo. (End of my demonstration of the marvels of the Slide Rule.)
————————————–
fed-up says
@NHerrera, I’m also a member of the Slide Rule Fan Club Forever. I bet your treasured slide rule must be K & E, the top of the line during my time. Or is it of another brand?
NHerrera says
Right. With the green leader case. As a student, I used to put talcum powder to make the middle piece move more smoothly. Really, those were the days. Later, I got a smaller one, ARISTO brand — plastic but runs smoothly even without the talcum powder. Also had a circular kind. Cheers.
yvonne says
Can I join the club? I still have a KE for ME, in excellent condition. I won it from our Eureka Math Club.
LOL
fed-up says
@yvonne, sure! I thought you were a lawyer because of your erudite expositions against the “doctrine of condonation”! It turned out you’re a disciple of the “exact science” (Mathematics) an an engineer. Did you graduate from MIT?
yvonne says
My father wanted me to become a lawyer but two lawyers in the family is enough. Besides I enjoyed being in class with a roomful of boys with raging hormones – the girls tend to get all the attention. LOL
My special interest in the Sandiganbayan and the Supreme Court draw inspiration from a source who wants to see some reforms in our Judiciary.
vander says
hahaha,
sama rin ako jan. yung sa akin gawa sa kawayan.
no need for talcum. slides smoothly.
ung brown leather case still soft.
NHerrera says
That sounds like a SR like SUN HEMMI that Rene-Ipil mentioned below, made of bamboo — superior to wood; and I agree talcum is not needed for that one.
NHerrera says
WELCOME to the SLIDE RULE FAN CLUB FOREVER of fed-up and other engineers, yvonne.
That tool, if I may add, is a demonstration of the creativity of mankind. At a time when digital technology was still far from the horizon, a device was invented which uses the simple algebraic concept of logarithms.
So an engineer of whatever specialized kind can bring that simple “unbreakable” device everywhere, in the project field or in the dessert if need be and do quick calculations involving multiplication, division or raising to powers of whatever numbers.
Mankind must progress in the right way. This brings me to our current subject of Condonation Doctrine. We hope that our Supreme Court can be a big big part of that progress if Doctrines which not only make a mockery of the spirit of Justice, but is not in keeping with the times, are consigned to the grave where it rightfully belongs.
josephivo says
The happy slide rule times, when my only real problem was where to put the decimal point.
Proportionality. It seems that the judiciary is still fighting whit the concept, still not knowing where to put a decimal point in judging if cure and disease are of the same order of magnitude.
NHerrera says
On the judges not knowing where to put the decimal point — hahaha.
On the use of the SR — you are right about where to put the decimal point or how many more zeros to place on the result using the SR. But I practiced the usual technique of doing quick rough estimates by rounding numbers to the 10s, the 100s, etc. Others used some technique of noting how many times one slides the middle stick to the right or left. But rough estimates worked well with me. Yes, those were the days alright.
I better stop writing on the SR otherwise Raissa will start losing my posts — I may begin to sound like I am selling SR on some sort of revival. Hahaha.
erwin says
@ NHerrera,
“So an engineer of whatever specialized kind can bring that simple “unbreakable” device everywhere, in the project field or in the dessert if need be and do quick calculations involving multiplication, division or raising to powers of whatever numbers.’
If my memory serves me right ( I’m a holder of dual citizenship ) in one of the Apollo Missions to the moon their computer got crashed so the astronauts relied and used slide rule in their navigation. I just do not remember what mission it was.
baycas says
http://airandspace.si.edu/collections/artifact.cfm?object=nasm_A19840160000
fed-up says
@NHerrera, I see. I bet you were also a rabid follower of the exhilarating NCAA games. I was rabidly rooting then for Atoy Co, and Trajano (Cardinals), who were you rooting for then?
NHerrera says
Watched from time to time, but not much of a fan. I was rather a square peg in a round hole in that sport.
I did some foil fencing — that kind of sport. And played the game board of GO for mental exercise and fun too; although in this latter, I just played the game with myself, so I can say: I won and beat myself countless times. Hahaha. (I have Chinese ancestry — that may explain partly my attraction to the game. But Chinese ancestry or not, it is a superb board game, to my mind.)
Irineo B. R. Salazar says
It is superb – I only played it once with some people in a chess club and I find it much harder than chess in terms of strategy. It is more of the Asian strategy than the frontal Western strategy that chess embodies.
In fact go is perfect for understanding the Chinese strategy worldwide – securing islands, ports and business partners – so more top Filipino strategists IMHO should play go, and read Sun Tzu because all you need to understand about China’s strategy is there.
NHerrera says
Yes, Irineo.
Computer softwares have been developed to play chess grandmaster level type of games. In 10 years with computer capability doubling about every 2 years, computer softwares can routinely beat a chess grandmaster. But not so GO games of a 9-dan level human player on a full 191×19 board, since move variations in GO is many many times more in orders of magnitude. The best the programmers can do presently is a GO software at the level of an advanced amateur player.
Rene-Ipil says
I did not want to join the club explicitly because I might need to present credentials but NHerrera made me cry. So I am signing in.
Probably, some CPMayers doubted my capability to discuss about engineering issues in the past particularly the Makati Parking Building project. But my Slide Rule in a brown leather case kept in my library would be a testament to my engineering orientation. It’s a SUN HEMMI reputedly the oldest slide rule manufacturer in Japan. After six long aggregate years of studying civil engineering in what I consider as the best engineering school in the country, I quit and pursued a much easier course fit for a working student and a family man.
Anyway my second child graduated from same school and participated in building several world class and green buildings in Makati, Taipei, Dubai, Perth and Melbourne. His name is now etched in granite in one panel of Taipei 101.
NHerrera says
Rene-Ipil, good for you and your child!
fed-up says
@Rene-Ipil, as an engineer by discipline, I have always high regard for practitioners of the engineering profession, they ALWAYS build things, infrastructures or otherwise, on sound principles, not lawyers who bend the law and resort to “bidding-bidingan”. Kudos to your second child, you must be a very proud father to him!
Rene-Ipil says
Thanks for your kind words about my son. I agree that edifices must be built on sound foundation. I also agree that many lawyers bend the law to suit their desire. But there are also many lawyers whom we could be proud of like CJ Sereno and J Leonen, among others.
fed-up says
@Rene-Ipil. I agree with you that there are lawyers who are upright and work hard to advance the common good. My problem is: are their numbers enough in forming a “critical mass” to institute judicial reform?
Rene-Ipil says
It is not the number of lawyers. Judicial reform must start with the cleansing of the Supreme Court. This needs strong political will by the legislative and the executive with the overwhelming support of the people as manifested in the Million People March. The remnants of the Arroyo eight in the SC must be impeached and replaced by upright magistrates. And cleansing of the lower courts must be done by the revitalized SC.
yvonne says
@ fed-up
I can tell you with certainty that there are people, or shall I say insiders, who want to institute judicial reforms at the SC.
Yes, they are in the minority that is why they need our help. They work from the inside, and let us work from the outside.
We can do our share by bringing into public consciousness the need for judicial reforms and expressing our ideas as to what specific areas we think reformation is badly and urgently needed. We can do our part in instilling transparency in the judiciary by exposing questionable family, business, and political relationships in the judiciary that pose conflict of interest.
There are many things we, the people, can do. That is why I have been writing a lot about the Sandiganbayan and the SC, even if I’m not in the legal profession.
yvonne says
When I read your past postings I have a feeling that you could be either a lawyer or engineer, but I would not be surprised if you were involved in different career paths, as many other people do and excel in a multitude of careers. My dad for instance was a teacher, a CPA, a lawyer, and topped his career by becoming a high level official at the AFP.
filipino_mom says
talagang namamayagpag ang slide rule! slide rule rules! ;)
i wasn’t able to use the slide rule anymore, like i said in the previous thread. we only had the scientific calculator. i would have loved to learn how. is it too late? is there a store where i could still get one?
i’m a chemical engineer, so we build things other than buildings. now i’m working with a renewable energy company, ironically, in project implementation and execution. i handle contracts management, but still, unlike our lawyers, engineering contracts are pretty straightforward, none of that “gray area” bs. we still stick to “say what you mean, and mean what you say”. which is why our laws still puzzle my otherwise organized mind.
duquemarino says
@filipino_mom
Ok lang mamayagpag ang slide rule, wag lang ang rule ang magslide lalo na sa rule of law.
baycas says
[VIDEO]
“Germany-Philippines” Flores in Asia’s Got Talent…
http://youtu.be/LNwWiskMoJw
Irineo B. R. Salazar says
Talagang maski noon pa musical talaga ang Pilipino, being a Pacific people. There is evidence that Filipino bands played in Hongkong even in the 19th century.
There is also evidence that Filipino seamen where all over the world even during Spanish times. That there were large Filipino communities with their own Catholic processions in Mexico City and Havana, therefore meron na ring seamen at OFWs – even a Pinoy executed in Peru for witchcraft back in the days.
This stuff and more I will be coming out with in my blog, kapag na-secure na ang prima facie evidence.
Rene-Ipil says
This is a short version of my missing post since yesterday.
Where did PNoy and his advisers got the idea that ultimately convinced Widodo to give reprieve to Mary Jane? As early as in the morning of Sunday, April 26, 2015, before PNoy left for Malaysia and met with Widodo, Raissa’s blog discussed such scheme @ 64 and 65 of the present article.
http://raissarobles.com/2015/04/21/that-certain-smile/comment-page-2/#comment-289025
Rene-Ipil says
In the last minute, PNoy asked Widodo to keep Mary Jane alive for her to serve as principal witness against her recruiter and uncover the drug syndicate responsible for smuggling of illegal drugs to Indonesia.
Rene-Ipil says
PNoy asked Widodo to keep Mary Jane alive for her to serve as principal witness against her recruiter and uncover the drug syndicate responsible for smuggling of illegal drugs to Indonesia.
Rene-Ipil says
But it was only in the morning of execution day, Tuesday, that PNoy had the opportunity to propose the “principal witness” scheme when the PNP got custody of the recruiter. Having understood the implication of such proposal and supervening event, Widodo convened his cabinet and decided to pursue the drug syndicate instead of executing the drug mule.
Now, the NBI focuses on uncovering of the drug syndicate that victimized Mary Jane and on bringing PNoy’s promise to Widodo into reality.
I am reminded of the words of Parekoy: “The power of the fifth estate.”
Rene-Ipil says
The first paragraph is still missing despite reposting it “chop–chop” today.
baycas says
Napagulong ang proseso ng agapan bagama’t sa “last 2 minutes.”
Rene-Ipil says
The focus of Veloso’s lawyers in their second appeal was to “justify the recall of her sentence.” It was centered on Veloso’s innocence as victim of human trafficking.
PNoy’s last minute move was primarily to stop execution of Veloso and keep her alive until the drug syndicate is busted for the good of both countries. IMO Widodo could not have considered PNoy’s latest plea without the recruiter or middle woman in custody of the GPHL. Because it would be foolhardy for Widodo to accede to PNoy’s scheme with an indefinite and uncertain event of bringing the person of the suspects into the jurisdiction of the courts – Philippines and Indonesia. Good and right intent or motive is not enough. The promise must be coupled with physical evidence, that is the physical custody of the recruiter.
It is entirely possible that the investigations would result to imprisonment of Sergio in the Philippines and the execution of Veloso in Indonesia. If both were found guilty, I would prefer that Sergio is transferred to Indonesia for simultaneous execution with Veloso.
baycas says
The second attempt for judicial review failed.
Now in media, Sergio apparently ‘helped’ in Veloso’s reprieve of sentence by surrendering.
“Credit-grabbers are always welcome. Thanks to them,” said Mang Bernie. “But the best thing that happened is that she’s alive,” he added.
baycas says
Then Mang Bernie sang…
“Habang May Buhay May Pag-asa”
[VIDEO]
http://youtu.be/w-cSYFFKSyA
baycas says
@leona,
The Court of Appeals 6th Division TRO Resolution (subsequently, a writ of preliminary injunction for an indefinite period) granted to Junjun Binay practically hampered the OMB administrative investigation…
Particularly the preventive measure of temporarily suspending him while documentary evidence are being looked into and testimonial evidence are being collected WHILE Junjun’s mayoral power and influence are set aside for six (6) months.
Instead of filing a motion to the OMB to reconsider its order of preventive suspension, Junjun went straight to the CA.
Earlier, the OMB Special Panel of Investigators on Binay’s case had concluded that Junjun must be preventively suspended. The Ombudsman gave the preventive suspension order because the evidence is strong enough to say that Junjun is guilty of (an) administrative liability(ies) AND that possible removal from office will be rendered.
Why is he afraid to step down temporarily? Why is he afraid of the OMB administrative investigation?
It is because if you add to the initial OMB undertaking (of preventively suspending him) the fact that the Ombudsman already formed a Special Panel of Prosecutors (names are kept secret at this time) to already start the preliminary investigation on (a) possible criminal liability(ies) of Junjun, then the criminal proceedings will be facilitated.
Junjun Binay is ‘delaying the game.’
Junjun Binay is preempting his fate…which may be similar to Albay’s Manito town’s mayor. Similar in a sense that while the administrative liability had been proven moot and academic the possible criminal liability still exists:
baycas says
This is in relation to the mini-thread here:
http://raissarobles.com/2015/04/21/that-certain-smile/comment-page-2/#comment-290603