Inside Philippine politics & beyond

I’m attending Deutsche Welle’s Global Media Forum on “Media and Foreign Policy in the Digital Age”

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Hi guys,

I am deeply honored to attend next week’s Global Media Forum in Bonn by Deutsche Welle, courtesy of the Federal Republic of Germany.

The invite to me as a journalist-blogger came out of the blue. I’d like to thank those in the German Federal Foreign Office who recommended me to attend this forum because I am not officially employed by any news publication or outfit. I’m basically a creature of the digital age – a freelancer who has added her voice to the multifaceted discussions on global issues, thanks to the Internet.

And of course I could not have gone through this digital journey alone. We are all in this together. 

Looking at the forum program, I find most of the topics exciting. They have mainly to do with working as a journalist in the digital age, reporting on freedom of speech, the digital jihad now going on even as I write this, religious radicalism, climate change, the plight of refugees, frozen conflicts, the need for access to cheap medicine, etc.

I understand over 2000 participants are expected from all over the world, many of them journalists, academics, officials of international organizations. It will be one huge cross-pollination of ideas.

Deutsche Welle has crammed so many events — 40 workshops and events in just a few days– that it is pretty hard to choose which ones to attend physically.

Fortunately, DW has promised to put all the forums and workshops in the cloud.

Just to give you an idea, there will be a session on “Reporting on post-conflict societies and frozen conflicts”.

I must confess, it’s the first time for me to think of a conflict as “frozen”. But that’s exactly what we have been having in Muslim Mindanao since 1976 – a frozen conflict.

There will be five speakers for this session – four senior journalists from Germany, Iraq, France, Bosnia And Herzegovina and Cambodia and an academic from France. I am curious to hear what the journalist from Phnom Penh will say.

The forum’s description of the journalist’s dilemma in reporting on frozen conflicts is right on the money. It states:

Over time, media consumers tend to lose interest in frozen conflicts. But a number of recent examples demonstrate that frozen conflicts can reignite from one moment to the next, and without sustainable conflict management and conscientious media coverage, they can quickly flare up again.

How can frozen conflicts be dealt with journalistically and how can media help to ensure that balanced investigative reporting is not replaced by bilateral propaganda? Journalists are frequently subjected to two contradictory criticisms: on the one hand they are expected to monitor conflicts, and their processes of transformation, that are no longer the focus of public attention; on the other hand, they are accused of stoking the fires of such conflicts and keeping them alive.

Personally, I have been reporting on the peace negotiations between Muslim rebels and the Philippine government since 1987. Finding fresh angles and new developments got harder and emotionally draining after a while. But thanks to South China Morning Post (HK) which sees itself as a regional paper, I got to report on the many twists and turns of the conflict and the peace talks.

I wonder if the local communist rebellion can also be classified as a “frozen conflict.”

Another highly interesting topic is – “Foreign policy in 140 characters: How technology is redefining diplomacy.” Matthias Lüfkens, founder and author of the study of “Twiplomacy”, will be a speaker. Lüfkens pioneered a study on how world leaders use Twitter to engage ordinary people. But he will be speaking on how the UN can yank itself into the digital age.

If the Internet permits, I will be tweeting during the forum.

To make all these happen, DW partnered with Amnesty International, the Grimme-Institut, the United Nations, the OSCE, Reporters Without Borders Germany and the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. And of course a financial institution, the Foundation for International Dialogue of the Savings Bank in Bonn is co-hosting the event, along with the German Federal Foreign Office, the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, the City of Bonn and the Robert Bosch Stiftung, one of Germany’s largest private foundations that promotes the social and natural sciences. .

DW’s Global Media Forum is a stark contrast to another forum I once attended in Libya 28 years ago. That forum was attended by all the rebels in the world that then Libyan Leader Muammar Khaddafy wanted to thrust at the face of the United States and the western world. In short, those who were then considered “radical” by the west.

I wrote about the Khaddafy forum here.

I’ll keep you up to date on the Global Media Forum.

I’d like to apologize for not updating my blog as often as I would want to. I have many pending stories :(

I needed to finish certain assignments and to get together the documents for this trip.

♦  ♦  ♦

Last month, I got to meet Michael Hasper, the Deputy Head of Mission of the German Embassy in Manila and Carmina Barcelon of the German press and cultural section. We talked about history, including German history. But I clean forgot to ask Hasper what he thought of President Benigno Aquino’s allusion to Sudetenland in relation to the South China Sea conflict.

Although he did have some very interesting observations about China.

Hasper is a history major, specializing in Prussian history.

♦  ♦  ♦

 

Before meeting Michael Hasper and Carmina Barcelon I had lunch with the lovely and very persistent Georgia Lovell, Second Secretary of the Australian Embassy.

She asked me about Philippine politics. I asked her about Australia and its politics. Such a huge subcontinent only has around 26 million people. But of course, my hubby Alan reminded me, a lot of it is desert and uninhabitable.

I also asked her what she thought of the potential presidential candidates of the Philippines for 2016 and she had some very interesting things to say about some of the candidates

 

Comments

  1. there is really no better solution to the problem of corrupt/scheming politicians than to push for the passing of strong foi and anti-political dynasty laws asap.

  2. Kultura ng Korapsyon sa Style Ni Binay

    Ang korapsyon ay kapareho ng salitang “pagnanakaw”. Mga bata pa lang tayo ay itinuturo na sa atin na masama ang kumuha ng isang bagay na hindi mo pag-aari. Isa sa sampung utos ng Diyos ay “Huwag Kang Magnanakaw”. Anumang paniniwala maging yung mga walang paniniwala ay alam na hindi tama ang pagnasaan ang mga bagay na hindi sayo. Pero sa Pilipinas ay naging kultura na sa gobyerno, halal man o hindi ay tiyak na may engkuwentro tayo sa korapsyon.

    Tayo ba ay naglagay na sa pulis kapag pinahinto tayo sa daan? Tayo ba ay nagbigay ng pangmeryenda o pera sa isang inaasikaso natin sa gobyerno? Tayo ba ay gumamit ng kakilala para lamang mapadali ang isang transaksyon? O magaling lang tayong magpuna sa mga taong gobyerno pero tayo ay gulity rin naman? Gusto natin silang maging perpekto pero payag tayo na maging instrumento sa korapsyon kapag tayo ang nangailangan.

    Isa sa malaking ipinagtataka ko ay kung bakit hindi man natinag si VP Binay sa lahat ng mga akusasyon sa kanya? Hindi ba niya inaasahan na puputok ang mga isyu na ibinabato sa kanya ngayon gayong alam niya na di pwedeng hindi lumabas ang mga ito sa nakaamba niyang pagtakbo? Bakit parang siya pa ang inaapi? O sadyang makapal na talaga ang mukha?

    Lahat ng labis ay kinakalos. May hangganan at nakita natin yan sa pagbagsak ni Marcos. Kahiya-hiya di ba? Pero bakit nauulit? Bakit kahit bilyon na ang nakulimbat ay hindi pa rin tumitigil? Ang masakit, ay parang okay lang sa atin na magnakaw ang mga ito basta may ipinapagawa raw o may serbisyo sa tao gaya nga ng sa Makati?

    Ang mga Binay ay namumuhay na parang walang naghihirap sa bansa. Engrande sa lahat ng bagay. May Hacienda, may tagapayong, may elevator sa bahay, may opisina sa Makati na mas maganda pa yata sa Malakanyang at marami pang iba. Ayaw ko man sa karahasan ay naitatanong ko sa sarili na kung bakit maliliit na tao lamang ang lumulutang sa dagat at hindi ang mga ganitong klaseng mga tao. Mahihirap pa rin ang kadalasan na nakukulong dahil sa pagnanakaw na barya-barya lamang kung tutuusin. Bakit kapag ang kaban ng bayan ay parang okay lang sa atin na nakawin?

    Isang malapit na kaibigan ang nagsabi sakin na sana daw manalo si Binay. Sabi ko “Bakit naman? Ayoko sa kanya dahil corrupt.” Sumagot siya, “Tiyak na muupo ang boss ko dahil pinangakuan na ni Binay ng puwesto. Panahon na para gumawa ng pera dahil kay PNoy takot siya gumawa.” Iyan ang eksaktong sagot niya. Ang isa naman ay ganito ang isinagot sa akin, “Pare-pareho lang naman na magnanakaw ang mga ‘yan.” Diyos ko, grabe di ba? Pero mas nagulat ako sa sagot ng isa pang kaibigan, “At least si Binay over price lang. May ipinagawa. May building na nakatayo. Pero si Enrile, Jinggoy at Bong Revilla ay diretsang ninakaw ang pera. Puro ghost projects.”

    Lumalabas na okay lang ang magnakaw. Pambihira ano po? Kultura na nga ba? Nakakalungkot ang mga sagot nila na sa dami ng kaso ay popular pa rin si Binay. We need to do more CPMers. We need to fight this culture of corruption.

    • No to political dyunasty, it has to be abolished that’s when corruption start…
      Pinamamana ang position sa direct relative (spouse, parents, childre, and even brothers and sisters)., Put more pressure on Binay to back off on his candidacy.
      If he still file his candidacy and run for Presidency, the chance of winning for him is greater.
      He got a lots of money to spend in campaigning and vote-buying, resources for having more than 600 sister city of Makati.
      And ever since he became Vice President in 2010, he let everybody knows his intention to run for Presidency and he has been campaigning already using his office and as a Cabinet member
      So the only way is makasuhan, agad at makulong bago mag election ang lahat ng Binay.

  4. DEUTSCHE WELLE GLOBAL MEDIA FORUM 2015

    From Estonia to South Africa, Brazil to Philippines, 16 journalists around the world gather in Bonn, Germany to create another edition of Orange Magazine. This time, the team will publish a printed magazine available to the readers even before the end of the Forum.

    This year, the main topic of the conference is “Media and foreign policy in the digital age”.

    The event brings together talented young media makers, ready to show the world the perspective from their own country as well as stick to good reporting in the event. Meet them here:

    http://www.orangemagazine.eu/dwgmf2015/

  6. It is said that the contagion effect of the Greek debt payment default is minimal to the Philippines, but closer to home is the loss in confidence in the Malaysian financial market due to allegations of the Malaysian state-controlled investment fund being funneled to its PM personal account to the tune of $700M (P31B). We hope that the effect of this, even if proved, is also inconsequential to the Philippines.

    So the massive corruption allegation by the Billions by a high government official is not an exclusive Philippine patent — but I bet we excel in scope, family-dummy involvement, creativity and the time period associated with the corruption.

    • PH credit rating raised to BBB+
      “JCR is of the view that the Philippine economy will, by and large, sustain an annual growth of around 6 percent in the years to come driven by strong domestic demand,” the Japanese debt watcher said in a report.

      IRO cited that JCR’s report “highlighted the ability of the Philippines to maintain sound fiscal position, high external liquidity and solid economic growth.”

      The Japanese rating agency likewise took note of the “general stability in the country’s political situation even as potential candidates for national positions gear up for the 2016 elections,” IRO said.

      “JCR also noted the stable social situation amid inroads in poverty reduction, with the poverty rate falling from 28.6 percent in 2009 to 25.8 percent in the first half of 2014,” according to IRO.

      Read more: http://business.inquirer.net/194736/ph-credit-rating-raised-to-bbb

      ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

      It negates the claim of JoJo Binay that the administration is “manhid at palpak.” The irony is ibang bansa na ang pumupuri sa atin ngunit mismong mga kababayan natin tulad ni JoJo at Toby ay ayaw pa rin tanggapin ang katotohanan at patuloy pa din ang pagpapalaganap ng kasinungalingan. Ano ba dapat ang ginagawa sa mga utak talangka?

      • Ano ba dapat ang ginagawa sa mga utak talangka? Martial tanong –

        e di i ‘Put ’em in the chest or delete !’

        :~)

        • masarap daw ang nilasing na talangka.
          okay din ang burong talangka ng bulacan.
          sa amin sa katagalugan, halabos lang okay na.
          pero di ko rin matatanggihan ang talangka sa gata ng niyog saquezon prov.
          o ang crispy talangka ng pampanga.
          pero di ko masisikmura ang hohotobi…

      • You win elections by telling people that they have problems and pointing out who to blame for these problems. That is exactly what the VP is doing. Ang mali lang, alam na ng sambayanan kung ano ang problema at kung sino ang sisisihin bago pa man nagsalita si VP.

        Would he still win the elections if, by now, most of us know that the main problem is rampant corruption and the person mostly to blame is the same person who now claims to have the solution?

        Ang basurang itinapon mo, babalik din sa iyo.

  7. Benj McNabs
    A sentiment written by a former “B’nay fan**
    by : Joselito Boboy Delos Reyes •

    Sa Iyo Bise Presidente…

    Anong nangyari sa’yo?

    Dati kitang idolo, dati mo akong kasama – hindi man direkta.
    Kakampi mo ako, lalo na noong ipinasususpinde ka ng administrasyong Arroyo.
    “Ghost Employees” daw sa Makati. Kung ilang empleyado daw na pinasusweldo ng Makati na hindi naman tunay
    na nagtatrabaho… Ilan na nga yon? Nakalimutan ko na or talagang hindi lang pumasok sa isip ko, kasi nga, kakampi mo ako.
    Nagalit ka, at nagalit din ako sa administrasyong Arroyo at sumama ako sa’yo. Akala ko nga giyera na dahil
    nakabihis pang militar ka pa, nasa likod mo din lang ako at nagtagumpay tayo, hindi ba?

    Pero ano na nga ba ang nangyari sa’yo?

    Tila nalinlang mo ako, tila nalinlang mo kami..

    Napakaraming akusasyon, tawagin na din nating alegasyon…

    – Mahigit 1.1 Bilyong Piso na sinasabing ipinatong sa Makati City Hall
    Building 2, hindi naman biro yan. At sabi nga ni Mareng Winnie,
    parang ninakawan mo ng tig mahigit dalawang libong piso ang bawat
    residente ng Makati.
    – Bilyong bilyong piso ang nagpapalipat lipat sa banko ng mga alalay mo… Hindi rin naman siguro normal yan.
    Hacienda sa Batangas na ubod ng gara at inaako ni Antonio Tiu na ganun din, ang salapi ay umiikot din sa pangalan mo…
    – Ilan nga pala ulit ang nakasampang kaso sa’yo, 78 ba? Ewan ko na…
    Pero ang alam ko, “Hindi uusok, kung walang apoy” at ang sabi pa nga, “Huwag kang tatae sa bakuran mo, at mangangamoy”.

    Ang sama lang ng loob ko, bakit wala akong narinig na makatotohanang pagsalag mo sa mga akusasyon at alegasyon?
    “Pulitika lang yan”, at iyan pa din ang ikinukutya mo sa administrasyong Aquino pagkatapos mong mag-resign.

    Teka nga pala, limang taon ka sa pwesto mo, at dala dalawa pa.
    Hindi ka pinagdamutan, bagkus binigyan ka ng pagkakataong mamahala,
    patunayan at ipakita ang iyong kakayanan…
    Wala ka namang reklamo dati hindi ba? Wala ka ngang suhestyon at tila nakuntento… At dahil wala kang
    reklamo at wala kang suhestyon, marapat kong isipin na sang-ayon ka sa tinatahak na “Tuwid na Daan” ng administrasyong Aquino.

    Kalokohan mo.

    Tila dalawang linggo pa lang ang nakalipas, nagpahayag ka na malaki ang pag asa mo na sa huli ay
    ikaw din ang i-eendorso ni Pangulong Aquino kahit “Secret”… Pero nung tila nasupalpal ka,
    naging baluktot ang “Tuwid na Daan”. Kalokohan mo ulit, inakusahan mo pa na “Crook” ang Administrasyong Aquino.

    Sino nga ba ulit ang “Crook” at ang magdadala sa Pilipinas pabalik sa “Crooked Path”?

    Hindi ba’t ang mga tradisyonal na politikong katulad mo, at patong
    patong ang kaso sa ombudsman? Tradisyonal na politiko na ang nais ay ang
    buong pamilya ay manungkulan sa gobyerno? Ano na nga ba ulit ang slogan
    ng anak mo na ikinampanya mo para maging senador? Naalala ko na… “Ang
    nanay nyo sa senado…” Utot mo, utot nyo.

    Kaytamis ng dila mo at tila gusto mong ipalasap sa lahat ng ordinaryong tao.

    Tigilan mo ako. Hindi ka na uubra.

    Sa kasaysayan ng Pilipinas, ngayon lang mangyayari na ang ordinaryong tao na katulad ko ay mangangampanya laban sa
    isang kandidatong katulad mo.

    #STOPBINAY

  8. Here are some images of former Mayor JunJun Binay’s Office/condo unit inside the Makati City hall parking building. Take a peek tutal tax ng taong bayan ang ginastos para lang maipatayo iyan.

    Link: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/focus/07/06/15/study-contrast-offices-binay-and-kid-pena

    It is also an answer to the article of Inquirer “Inaapi” by Solita Collas-Monsod. Spread the images to every voter that you know, so they will know kung saan napunta ang tax nila under Binay’s leadership.

    • WoW! I’ve never seen such a mayor’s office like this! It’s like a dream! Don’t you?

      ‘o WoW! What can the mayor see down below. . . snow cap mountains and mirror-like lakes?

      I bet one can see also the shanties of the poor people of Makati. It’s a sin to tell a lie.

      . . .way up high so high you can only come crashing down from the top.

      But now it is a low-down right an INSULT! An insult to this poor country poor people.

      Now, when is that impeachment charges going to start? Pay-back time soon coming. . . we’re waiting no more!

      . . . pls express somethings more CPMers. tsk tsk

      • The opulence of the Mayor’s office is absolutely beyond the dream, the means and capabilities of the poor people of Makati. This is the most tangible evidence how the Binays are sucking the blood of the working people of Makati. The office / lobby is more spectacular than the Hilton Hotel in Jerusalem in my Holy Land pilgrimage. Darating ang araw na babagask kayo ng lagabog mula sa inyong pedestal. YOU BLOOD SUCKERS. THE VERMIN OF MAKATI. WHEN YOU DIE, YOU HAVE TO PONDER CAREFULLY WHERE YOUR SOULS ARE GOING.

      • Cong. Erice said that Binay cannot be impeached anymore because of the one-year prohibition period. FALSE.

        The constitution and the rules clearly pertain to the one-year prohibitive period between impeachment proceedings against the same respondent – NOT one year before the next elections. Article XI of the constitution provides:

        “(5) No impeachment proceedings shall be initiated against the same official more than once within a period of one year.”

        The Rules of Procedures on Impeachment Proceedings also provides in Rule V:

        “Section 14. Scope of Bar. – No impeachment proceedings shall be initiated against the same official more than once within a period of one (1) year.”

    • MInana lang niya yong office na yan sa kanyang ama. When the building was constructed, it was Mayor now VP Jojo Binay who had this office done to his specs. The conference room is furnished with state-of-the-art gadgets like pop-up computers and microphone and very comfy chairs….

      What is also interesting to note is that on the lower floors of the building are all the legal courts and the offices of the judges. Kaya nga sinong judge ang kokontra sa kanila?

      They have their own private lifts and their own chef.

      The life of the ultra-rich and the famous…

  10. It seems that former CJ Panganiban (CJP) is torn between two “lovers.” Or maybe he is merely an enthusiastic player in an elaborate scheme to lead PNoy and LP into perdition. That is by putting Poe as a legally qualified candidate for president in 2016 and ready for the picking of PNoy as the standard bearer.

    CJP walked with Binay for quite a time. And Binay had been a close friend of Poe and godfather to her eldest child. Then came the apparent “war” between Binay and Poe. Now, we find CJP as a staunch supporter of Poe and defending with vim and vigor the residency and citizenship issue against Poe.

    Victor Agustin of COCKTALES has been a Binay ally. It was he who “exposed” Binay’s humble ways by bringing “baon” in the formal inauguration of online trading facility of Regina Capital, the brokerage controlled by husband-and-wife Victor and Marita Limlingan. Victor is the brother of Binay bagman Gerardo, while Marita testified in favor of Binay in the SBRSC.

    In his column on November 21, 2014, Agustin called Trillanes and company as senate muckrakers and shoot-first-ask-questions-later inquisitors. He also tried to discredit the testimony of Mercado.

    It was Agustin who wrote in COCKTALES on April 13, 2015:

    “Retired Chief Justice Artemio Panganiban has been inviting a number of Ramos-era Cabinet officials with extensive business links like him to form a pro-Jejomar Binay group for the 2016 elections.”

    On the 75th birthday of CJP in 2011, Binay was his main guest. And on the 78th birthday of Erap, CJP was among the selected guests together with Binay.
    On November 4, 2013, CJP together with Ambassador Urabe were the esteemed guests of Marubeni Corp. while Binay was the guest of honor.

    So, what do we do with the problem like former Chief Justice Artemio Panganiban. Does the HOLY SPIRIT guide him still. In that case we must brace ourselves for another GRIM SCENARIO.

    • This is what I’ve been missing at CPM =

      when the “regulars” start digging, they dig gold…. not just oil!

      with strong, solid evidence at that!

      So what do we do with an independent-posturing kuno candidates for presidency, if ever?
      Let them be, in limbo, and wait for the President’s pick to continue his twid na daan program of government.

      • I believe we still have some precious months to dig “gold.” Our friend yvonne, though silent for a while, is probably busy digging for gold too.

        • A common denominator between Justice Artemio Panganiban and Grace Poe is their apparent strong connections with the Chinese business community.

          Justice Artemio Panganiban, according to Bloomberg, “is connected to 136 board members in 14 different organizations across 14 different industries”, many of whom are the who’s who in Philippine politics and business.

          On the hand, Grace Poe is benefitting immensely from the strong political financial supports of the Chinese community.

        • BTW,

          Artemio V. Panganiban and Fidel V. Ramos are both on the Board of Metropolitan Bank & Trust Company

          Artemio V. Panganiban and Estelito P. Mendoza are both on the Board of Petron.

        • Artemio Panganiban and Ramon Ang are both on the Board of Petron. Ramon Ang has an eldest son named John Ang. A person named John Ang contributed P7.5 million to bankroll the senate candidacy of Grace Poe. Are these John Ang’s the same person?

        • In expressing my thought through an attempt at rhymed-lines in Post 239, I critiqued the notion of Independence of a Politician running for a high office. No wonder then Amazing Grace can run as an Independent because of what I call a “Party of Donors” — a party, it seems, as potent as the traditional political parties.

        • “They are not party-less all;
          for Party of Donors seek they all.

          “Less comfort to the public this Party of Donors
          for though unknown, when they collect the Candidate honors.”

          Well said, Nherrera. Tumbok na tumbok mo. Yvonne proved you right.

        • For NHerrera and yvonne #246.1.1. +

          Propsecting for gold? A friend whispered it’s in the judiciary starting from the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeals, down to the Ombusdman, to the Sandigan Bayan before the time VP Binay got entangled with Gloria Arroyo. At the time of the case, the judiciary might already had been in VP Binay’s pocket. So nothing happened. Big names could be involved not payola of lightweights. Otherwise mine not nuggets of gold but dig only for crude oil and low grade coals. Certainly whistle blowers Bondal and Mercado can give leads or scuttle it to be a dead vein. Strip mining as was done in Nauru not old style mining is advisable.

        • @neo canjeca

          “…. the judiciary might already have been in VP Binay’s pocket” is not farfetched. Considering his long term perspective he has done it. Look at this: sisterhood with cities and municipalities and big brother to barangays across the nation, clinging to the BSP presidency for the longest time, amassing billions of pesos as a family enterprise in politics, CA’s action on baby Binay’s ombudsman suspension.

        • From Panganiban’s personal website:

          As of February 1, 2015, retired Chief Justice Panganiban is Independent Director of some of the and most important listed companies in the Philippines like: Manila Electric Company (Meralco); Petron Corporation; Bank of PI; First Philippine Holdings Corp.; Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company (PLDT); Metro Pacific Investments Corp.; Robinsons Land Corp.; GMA Network, Inc.; GMA Holdings, Inc.; and Asian Terminals; Non-Executive Director of Jollibee Foods Corp.; Senior Adviser of the Metropolitan Bank and Trust Co.; Adviser, DoubleDragon Properties Corp.; Chairman, Board of Advisers of the Metrobank Foundation; Chairman, Board of Trustees of the Foundation for Liberty and Prosperity and the Philippine Judges Foundation; Chairman Emeritus, Philippine Dispute Resolution Center, Inc.; President, Manila Cathedral-Basilica Foundation, Trustee of the Claudio Teehankee Foundation and the Tan Yan Kee Foundation, and Adviser of the World Bank (Philippines); De La Salle University College of Law; University of Asia and the Pacific College of Law; Asian Institute of Management Corporate Governance Center; Johann Strauss Society and Mapa Blue Falcon Honor Society.

          http://cjpanganiban.com/profile/

        • There are two ways to look at retired CJ Panganiban’s current business connections:

          One, the retirement age of 70 years for SC Justices is too young. Panganiban at 79 years old is proof that one can be still be active and productive in business activities.

          Two, there must be a law that should prohibit any SC justice from taking any position, after his retirement, in any company or organization which had been a party to any litigation heard by the SC in which the justice participated in any of the deliberations during his term to avoid any appearance of possible inducement or enticement.

        • Here are Panganiban’s business comnections enumerated in his personal website:

          As of February 1, 2015, retired Chief Justice Panganiban is Independent Director of some of the and most important listed companies in the Philippines like: Manila Electric Company (Meralco); Petron Corporation; Bank of PI; First Philippine Holdings Corp.; Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company (PLDT); Metro Pacific Investments Corp.; Robinsons Land Corp.; GMA Network, Inc.; GMA Holdings, Inc.; and Asian Terminals; Non-Executive Director of Jollibee Foods Corp.; Senior Adviser of the Metropolitan Bank and Trust Co.; Adviser, DoubleDragon Properties Corp.; Chairman, Board of Advisers of the Metrobank Foundation; Chairman, Board of Trustees of the Foundation for Liberty and Prosperity and the Philippine Judges Foundation; Chairman Emeritus, Philippine Dispute Resolution Center, Inc.; President, Manila Cathedral-Basilica Foundation, Trustee of the Claudio Teehankee Foundation and the Tan Yan Kee Foundation, and Adviser of the World Bank (Philippines); De La Salle University College of Law; University of Asia and the Pacific College of Law; Asian Institute of Management Corporate Governance Center; Johann Strauss Society and Mapa Blue Falcon Honor Society.

        • Thanks for trying to put things in perspective. Not only is the man a very successful and highly respected businessmman and extremely well connected, he is very approachable online. I had several rounds of email exchanges on his opinions and he commented that he found some of the discussions here on legal issues very intelligent and interesting. I feel ashamed as a CPMer that some have thought it fit for him to be the target of a muckraking session for rendering his professional opinions on Poe’s candidacy. This is bullshit and way below the fairness and objectivity Raissa and Alan has set as a standard for their own writings.

        • Oh but that’s the beauty of CPM! We all get a crack at describing what the elephant is like from where each of us are standing. Sometimes some of us get it wrong. Sometimes succeeding turn of events prove the others right. Either way, the politicians and other public figures weighing in on important national issues know that there are people keeping watch and assessing their moves.

          I haven’t read anything said here about the former Chief Justice that is any worse than some of those I’ve come across in both mainstream and social media already. I think he’ll be alright with a bit of poking here and there from the CPMers. :)

        • Since it is said that former CJ Artemio Panganiban reads Raissa’s blog, I want to direct this question to the honorable former Chief Justice:

          Were the honorable justices of the Supreme Court receiving their salaries and allowances in “cold cash”, checks, or ATM deposits during your reign as the Chief Justice of the Court?

          If in “cold cash”, why not in checks or ATM deposits? When did the justices start to receive their salaries and allowances in terms of ATM deposits, and why did Court fought so hard against this simple financial reform toward transparency?

        • CJ Panganiban was in that office from December 20, 2005 to December 7, 2006. It was during his term as CJ that the Supreme Court and the trial courts in the NCR had automated payroll system pursuant to a MOA with Land Bank of the Philippines on October 25, 2006. The rest of the country’s courts has automated payroll pursuant to OCA Circular 18-2013 issued on October 13, 2013.

          So, it was during the last two months of incumbency of CJP in that position that the payroll system in the SC was automated. As to why it took them so long, I beg CJP to answer Yvonne.

        • @Rene_Ipil

          The earlier OCA Circulars on the implementation of the automated payroll system applied to judges and employees of the lower courts.

          My question is very specific: When did the JUSTICES OF THE SUPREME COURT start to receive their salaries and allowances by automated payroll system, and not by cold cash?

          And I’m not even talking yet about the SC Justices discretionary and intelligence funds.

        • When one ‘opens up’ for others to see and know, expressing one’s idea or opn need not feel any shame at all.

          He asked for it. So be it.

          he he he

    • @Rene-Ipil, is that what is meant by the statement such as: personal brief for or against Amazing Grace I have none; but this mafia friend and his friend is my friend’s friend? An ex-CJ for a political player, huh? Useful information for future reference.

    • For All the CPMERS who honored my question and request 235.1 for more info, namely : LEONA, RENE-IPIL, CALIPHMAN, etc. I say WOW! THANKS. For sure, some readers here had been enligthened. some dirt in sinkholes had been turned into valuable gold.

    • Don’t brace for another GRIM SCENARIO. it won’t work this time!

      . . . We have a CJ who won’t budge on any holey hirit. . . she’s so SERENE!

      ha ha

      :-)

    • @Rene-Ipil

      Ha ha ha, I like your observation on Binay’s humble ways of bringing baon in a formal inauguration (Agustin’s cocktales). It only shows that Binary nhas a habit of breaking protocols.

      Ano pa kayang protocols ang sisirain nya? To mention some, early campaign at the expense of taxpayer’s money, lifetime president of the Boy Scouts of the Phillipines (their by-laws is for a limited term), contradicting statements on the west Philippine sea issue when he was still in the cabinet. E kung PANGGULO na sya?

      • Bringing your own BAON is just playing it safe against being POISONED!

        …even by accident!

        ha ha ha

  11. The Greek NO vote to the Eurozone bailout conditions is a victory for its Prime Minister, Alexis Tsipras, but a victory which is pyrrhic, it is acknowledged by those in the know, an empty victory.

    As one said — the consequence of a NO vote is DIRE; but the consequence of a YES vote is DIRE.

    It makes one feel good about the economic and financial climate of the Philippines.

    • I share your good feeling. That is what we have been so protective about – political stability so economic gains will not go down the drain. We might not escape the Greek problem fall out entirely but we are shielded somewhat from it by the this gains. What happened to the PIIGS. (Portugal, Greece, Ireland, Iceland and Spain) could have happened to us.

      • Right. That is why we are so concerned with the 2016 Election. In a small way, CPM is doing its share towards a good transition to the next six years.

    • @NHerrera

      It was a damn if you do, damn if you don’t situation for the Greeks. I’m proud that the Philippines now is economically stable, thanks to the millions of OFWs who propped up our economy and a strong-willed president (I just hope those around him will do the same).

      I am afraid that our getting strong economy will not be sustained if plunderers and then likes will take hold of the reins after PNoy’s term expires.

      • There’s no other way but to IMPEACH and CONVICT! If there is that remedy why not use it.

        he he he

  12. Pointing (any) FINGER at a witness on the witness-stand is unbecoming of any lawyer

    “But Acut’s style as a lawyer was to point his fingers to stress a point. This irked the feisty Tuason, who kept on rolling her eyes to Estrada’s lawyer during her testimony.”

    “Don’t do that to me!” Tuason exclaimed while also pointing her index finger at Acut.”

    I agree with Ms. Tuason’s anger at the lawyer. It’s like the lawyer in asking her questions is also holding a hammer or a knife at the witness. Why not bring a loaded gun for that?

    And answers do not need at the end or before ‘. . . Sir.” The address ‘Sir’ is a dishonest, unnecessary and untruthful information for the asking lawyer(s).

    My good old sweet aunt (RIP) said to me years ago – ‘Don’t take up law. All lawyers are liars.’ ha ha

    The judge should rule the lawyer out of order. Unbecoming. Make the lawyer wear Pacman’s boxing gloves!

    ha ha

    :-)

      • This thing about “Your honor… this,” “Sir … this” considering the dishonorable people one is talking to, I can’t understand myself. Why not just:

        Mr. President
        Mr. Vice President
        Mr. Secretary
        Mr. Senator
        Mr. Congressman
        Judge, may I speak?
        Justice, may I speak?
        Mr. Counsel, I cannot understand your (idiotic) question?

        • You are right! It’s an unconscionable weakyspeak ‘Sir’ word to unflatten dishonorable people like some lawyers and judges!

          ha ha

          :~D

    • The lawyer was badgering. Demanding to be addressed “sir” or “ma’am” is ludicrous. Still, I am interested how much is hidden in those 89 bank accounts.

      • I agree. The lawyer was just to proud or arrogant in style. It never works effectively.

        If I were Jinggoy, fire the lawyer for not being marunong!

        ha ha

  13. In a report by GMA News yesterday, July 5,

    “Grace Poe questions Morales’ decision to clear Abaya in graft raps over MRT deal.” Poe at the same time made the statement:

    “I would like to read the text of the resolution in full to find out the reasons why DOTC Sec. Joseph Emilio Abaya was not included despite having allegedly signed the contract presumably with full knowledge of the facts and the applicable law surrounding such anomalous procurement of services.”

    Now does not that strike you as a statement coming from a trapo — questioning the Ombudsman partiality while acknowledging not having read the full resolution of the Ombudsman? Indeed our “Amazing Grace” is in some full Election 2016 mode if not in full battle mode already. Got to maintain that top of the totem pole rating. Shifting gear from the measured cautious statements of the past. Now, now careful Amazing Grace. There is a lot more road to travel. Or in Pilipino, marami pang kanin ang kaka-inin.

    • Indeed. She and Escudero seem to be looking for issues of contention to climb aboard to gain front-page coverage. As such the issues are concocted, disingenuous and manipulative. Escudero’s have been poor broadband service (which his colleague Bam Aquino has been working diligently to correct by writing real laws, rather than jaw for publicity) and the overturn of the ferry (climbing on the deaths before they are buried to score political points). I really don’t like what I’m seeing. It’s that horrid Mamasapano hearing all over again, generals weeping, president undermined, BBL undermined, report filed, no laws written. They will sacrifice anybody for their cause. In the Abaya case, it is not the President Poe tarnishes. It is the Ombudsman. Where is the POSITIVE coming from these two gameplayers. They are only one shade north of Binay with the tear-down approach.

      Personal opinion only.

      • Yes. Some sort of innate and kindred political trait reinforcing each other — Grace and Chiz. Seems like a poisonous combination.

        • All trapo politicians wants to be ‘On target’ . . . so, SHOOT ‘EM DOWN!

          . . . they will not succeed when we keep on HITTING ‘EM!

          he he

      • ESCUDERO AND POE: PLAYING THE TRAPO GAME?

        will they succeed, hmm,only time can tell..

    • Surely it’s a matter of trust. All those who have already been charged were responsible to Abaya for checking all aspects of the contact, including the legality.
      Based on their approval and his trust in them he signed the contract.
      This reminds me of the saying, “You don’t keep a dog and bark yourself”.
      Trapo indeed and probably a better actor than her father.

      • A signatory to a contract is liable on the contract.

        That is the rule always. Just put up your defense after being indicted. That is also the rule always.

        he he

        • That’s all very fine in principle. But as you surely know, in the Philippines, people who are put in positions requiring them to sign contracts are often appointed not because of what they know but who they know or are related to. A sure recipe for some skulduggery.

    • ayaw ko na sanang ulitin pa.
      di ako naa-amazed sa trapo.
      epalism at its barometric height.

  15. Raïssa,

    Kamusta? I hope you had a good and fruitful trip to and from Germany.

    Anu ang ‘pasalubong’ mo naman?

    Baka puwede mo naman kaming bigyan ng magandang balita with your attendance at ‘Deutsche Welle’s Global Media Forum on “Media and Foreign Policy in the Digital Age”.’

    Was Udo Ulfkotte (a German journalist. He was formerly an editor for the German main daily newspaper, Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ)) there? Have you met him there?

    Eh si TNT Jose Sison? Uuwi na rin bah?

    Salamat sa pabuya.

    —-

    According to Ulfkotte, the CIA and German intelligence (BND) bribe journalists in Germany to write pro-NATO propaganda articles, and it is well understood that one may lose their media job if they fail to comply with the pro-Western agenda. In 2014, Ulfkotte published Bought Journalists (“Gekaufte Journalisten”), in which he reveals that the CIA and other secret services pay money to journalists to report a particular story in a certain light.

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Udo_Ulfkotte