Inside Philippine politics & beyond

Guess what: in a rare development Malaysia, Indonesia, Japan, Thailand sent “observers” to the South China Sea arbitration in The Hague

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But Manila sent 60 delegates

By Raïssa Robles

The recent hearing of the Arbitral Tribunal was supposed to be closed to the public.

ITLOS-logo“However,” according to an official press release from the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague dated July 13, “after receiving written requests from interested States, and having sought the views of the Parties, the Arbitral Tribunal permitted the Governments of Malaysia, the Republic of Indonesia, the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam, the Kingdom of Thailand and Japan, to send small delegations to attend the hearing as observers.”

The Arbitral Tribunal – L to R: Judge Jean-Pierre Cot, Judge Stanislaw Pawlak, Judge Thomas A. Mensah (President), Judge Rüdiger Wolfrum, Professor Alfred H. A. Soons

An international relations expert whom I asked about this and who declined to be identified, described the presence of representatives from the four countries as “unusual.”

Observers from Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia and Vietnam

“Because if hearings are not open to the public, representatives of other countries theoretically should not be allowed. Since the countries made a request to the tribunal, the tribunal consulted the Philippines and the Philippines agreed,” the expert said.

My source pointed out that except for Thailand, the other three observer countries also have overlapping claims with China. Malaysia and Vietnam have claims to an extended continental shelf, which in 2009 had prompted China to send a memorandum to the Secretary General of the United Nations that contained for the first time the nine-dash line.

“But we should be looking closely at Japan’s maritime dispute with China,” the expert also said.
What caught my source’s attention, though, was the excessively large delegation sent by the Philippine government. Local newspapers said they numbered around 35 in all. But the official press release issued by the Tribunal said:

“The Philippines’ delegation comprised some sixty attendees, including the Solicitor General as Agent for the Philippines, the Secretary of Foreign Affairs, the Secretary of Justice, the Secretary of National Defense, members of the Supreme Court, members of the House of Representatives,  Ambassadors, government lawyers, officials, legal counsel, advisors and technical experts and assistants.”

The philippines’ 60-member delegation

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said that for her, it was like taking a crash course on international law. Her choice of words are unfortunate: it gives the impression she’s doing this using the people’s money.

L – Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, Middle – Senior Associate Justice of the Supreme Court Antonio Carpio, R – Deputy Executive Secretary for Legal Affairs of the Philippines, Mr. Menardo I. Guevarra

International law expert Harry Roque pointed out that the presence of such a large number was really not necessary to argue the Philippine case before the tribunal. Strictly speaking, he’s right. (And by the way, he is not the expert I’m quoting here.) Because if you look at the press release, only four people were allowed to speak before the Tribunal: Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario, Solicitor General Florin Hilbay, counsel for the Philippines Paul Reichler and Professor Philippe Sands.

Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario speaking before the Tribunal

Philippine Solicitor General Florin Hilbay

Philipine Counsel Paul Reichler

Counsel for the Philippines, Professor Philippe Sands QC

Should we be angry at government spending the people’s money this way?

From the legal standpoint, their presence was wasteful since they were not necessary for arguing the Philippine case. My source said the Philippines could have made do with a much smaller delegation consisting of senior Philippine government officials, the international counsel and their staff.

Counsel Team for the Philippines, including Professor Bernard H. Oxman, Professor Alan E. Boyle and Mr. Lawrence H. Martin

However, I can also understand why the government sent such a large delegation. It was meant for propaganda effect, to show that the case has the backing of the three branches of government.

House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte and Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr.

The large crowd was intended to fill the room in the same manner that Philippine boxer Manny Pacquiao flies a planeload of supporters to watch his boxing matches and cheer him on.

If the Philippines wins the case, government can claim the cost was worth it. But if it loses the case, there will be an outcry over the expense.

Personally, I wish the government had sent a smaller delegation befitting a third world country. But I cannot close my eyes to the propaganda value of showing a tribunal hearing the case in a roomful of Filipinos.

I just hope the delegates were not billeted in plush five-star hotels. And that they flew straight home after the event.

Below is the official press release from the Tribunal:

Comments

  1. tanong: ang asawa ba ni gp ay us citizen?
    scenario: come 2016, gp is voted P of the Phl.
    masaya ito.
    history ito pag nagkataon.
    si gp nasa Pnas, namamahala ng bansa.
    si 1st gentleman nasa usa naman doing his thing.
    what a scene.
    hehehe.
    it’s fun in phil politics!
    honestly, maaasiwa ako sa ganitong scenario.

    • Conjugal property pa rin kaya na ituturing ng IRS ang property ng mag asawa kapag nag renounce na ng US citizenship ang isa sa kanila?
      Kasi kung may business sa foreign country ang isang US citizen, required pa rin na mag file ng taxes in the U.S. based on their worldwide income.

  2. CAN WE HANDLE THE TRUTH?

    Whoever is the sitting President his, or her, spouse wields enormous power and influence both in national and international spheres. Just think about former first lady Imelda Marcos and former first gentleman Mike Arroyo – these persons became very powerful mainly because they happened to be spouses of sitting presidents in their own time.

    Teodoro Daniel “Neil” Llamanzares, Grace Poe’s husband, is an American citizen. It is through Neil’s American citizenship that Grace was able to become a US permanent resident, and ultimately an American citizen. Although Grace has renounced her US citizenship, I have found no US record that Neil have likewise renounced his; I’m presuming then that Neil is still a US citizen.

    So we now have a situation where, if Grace won the presidency, the first gentleman would be an American citizen. I shudder to think what its implication would be on our national security and foreign relations. I shudder to think that the US pull strings on US citizens, and could have a virtual listening post inside Malacanang, if that happened. (Could you imagine if Elenita Binay were a Chinese citizen and Binay won the presidency?)

    I’m not suggesting in any way that Neil will be disloyal to the Philippines; he can be strongly loyal to the country as the most loyal amongst us, but the situation presents a definite conflict-of-interest.

    I’m therefore appealing to Senator Grace Poe to declare publicly any of the following:

    (a) That Neil has already officially renounced his US citizenship, and is no longer a US citizen.

    Or

    (b) That Neil will officially renounce his US citizenship before Grace files her COC in the coming presidential elections.

    If Senator Grace Poe would publicly declare any of the above, (a) or (b), I would support her upcoming candidacy.

    • Correction:

      Add the word “could” and make that: “I shudder to think that the US could pull strings on US citizens, …”

      • you raised valid points, yvonne. I can imagine their pillow talk in the bed chamber. many had underestimated pillow talkers like mata hari, she brought down many strong and influential men of her time, all fallen victims of her pillow talks done when most men were bereft of pretense, naked and vulnerable. it’s surprising how many open up at pillow talks, baring their souls out. kahit ngayon, families of those that had fallen victim to mata hari are still not talking, still not saying anything, maybe shamed, too proud to admit what had happened.

        my boss at human resources once said, never underestimate a virus, they’re a lot smaller and deadlier than germs. to read and understand the small fine prints that people dont bother reading. often, in a 99 per cent guarantee, the one per cent is the loop hole, the devil in disguise people fall victim to.

        as IT specialist, grace’s hubby can easily control and rule cyberspace within our country, access all information forbidden to us, spy on many of us in all our modes of communication, read all our texts, listen to all phone conversations, etc. and who is going to stop the 1st gentleman? you and me? doubt it.

    • So dahil lang sa renunciation ng US Citizenship ni Neil eh susuportahan mo na si Poe?

      What shallow condition!

      Could you find better reasons to support Poe rather than what her hubby’s position on his citizenship?

      • Let us wait for any response from Senator Grace Poe, if any is forthcoming, and we can take it from there.

        I know how to play the game of chess, too.

        • But yvonne raises a serious concern, doesn’t it? The issue here is not whether yvonne will support Poe because Neil will renounce his US citizenship, but of having a would-be US citizen as a would-be First Gentleman. It’s a conflict of interest right there.

        • shallow condition daw, I’ve heard of shallower condition and people getting killed for a lot less.

          as proponent and maybe running for the highest office in the land, gp is big on freedom of info. hope she’s aware that foi does not only apply to others, it also applies to herself. she should know for she has lived in the states for a number of years, and ought not to be so pihikan with information. good if she volunteers the much needed info, the one being asked, bad if others ‘hugot’ it from her, the process may not be to her liking.

        • Does it say in our constitution that the spouse of the Presidential Candidate shall be a Filipino Citizen too?

          I thinkwe Yvonne is making a mountain out of a molehil as usual. Sensationalism in coated with concerns kuno.

          Ano ba yan, hayaan naman ninyo yung asawa na magsuot ng pantalon. Pati ba yan e pupursigihin pa yung tao na magpalit ng citizenship para lang mapatunayan na loyal sa Pinas.

          Inusurance yang pagiging American Citizen ni Neil, kasi ang pulitika walang kasiguruhan. Magconcentrate na muna kayo kay Grace kasi parang desperado na ang dating at wala na sa hulog ang paghulo kay Grasya.

          I don’t support Poe as President or VP pero there are sensible ways to show why Poe is not the deserving person to lead our country. Yung kay Neil eh mga minor na issues lang yan. Whether or not US Citizen si Neil does not change the great possibility na gagamitin lang si Poe ng kahit na sino from admin, UNA, Erap, Escudero o kahit na sila Danding o Manny Villar. Ang Pamily ni Grace eh di sanay sa Pulitika, accidental politician si Grasya at nagkataon na yung kasikatan ni FPJ eh namana nya pero kakainin si Grasya ng mga tunay at mga makakapal na mga gurang na mga Buwaya.

          Si Grace at si Pacquiao ay di malayo ang kapalaran kasi sila ay markado na gagamitin lang ng mga oportuinista na kurap sa Pulitika.

          So please spare Neil sa mga pa-sensationalize effect at mga kung ano-anong mga lumang style na ginamit na dati kay Corona.

        • Kahit na sino pa ang Presidente, lahat yan eh mga lumuluhod sa Amerika.

          Lahat yan ay utusan ng Amerika at proud pa na magsilbi sa kanilang Master!

        • @Parekoy

          We are simply talking about conflict-of interest, just like when a judge would inhibit himself from hearing a case because of conflict-of-interest. No crime, or wrongdoing, is being alluded to.

        • @Yvonne, I always see you raise valid, well-researched and convincing arguments in the past, but not this one. I suggest you drop the issue of the husband. It will dilute the contra-points of Poe making the opportunist that she is an underdog.

        • @Pickers1368

          Thank you for your level-headed comment.

          I raised the real prospect of the country having a US citizen for a First Gentleman and asked whether that will be good, bad, or it doesn’t matter, for the country. In the US, one cannot have a high level government security clearance if one is a foreign national, and there is good reason for that. In our instances, we will be facing the prospect of a US citizen sitting in the midst of political power in the country.

          I already said my piece, and from my early reading of responses (including one still in moderation) some persons expressed the comments that it is valid issue, and some including yours, say it really doesn’t matter or it is not important.

          Your point is well taken not to make it appear that Grace is being pushed to be an underdog, although I don’t understand how it could be because I’m just a single voice in an ocean of many. I’m sure that most of the readers in Raissa’s blog are smart enough to form their own opinion based on their analysis of the information being presented.

          But anyway I will heed your advice and drop the issue, and I will leave it open-ended.

          Thanks for your comment again; I find you to be one of those with voice of reason, thus you can convince me more easily than others.

          .

        • Thanks. While you can’t really chose your adversary, you certainly can pick you battle. If I were you, I would pursue the residency issue as it has a bearing on the Senate seat. It is more relevant now than after. The argument gets weaker once she files her Presidential COC because it will simply be dismissed as political, much like what Binay is claiming in order to defang the issue.

          I know that some will say that the issue becomes moot if she does not run anyway. I disagree. I think we should look at it beyond Poe as potential presidential candidate and examine the issue on its own. Nothing is more frustrating than leaving the issue up in the air. just like when the SC swept the Erap’s re-election protest case under the rug when it was mooted by his not being re-elected in 2010 anyways. By doing so, they contributed nothing to jurisprudence when it was precisely their job to clarify the issue. For me, it doesn’t matter whether the Walnut Creek property was an investment purchase or not, as the property she sold in 2006 was not declared as an investment conversion anyways, not to mention the fact that buying an old property at ground zero during the year of bubble burst is totally insane and stupid from an investment perspective.

        • Thanks, and well said @Pickers1368

          My advocacy though is not about politics but about disclosure, transparency and good governance, although it is very hard to separate one from other, and they seem to overlap. So someone else has to test the residency issue – there is no doubt in my mind that it is going to be the battleground.

          I’m not against Poe, or pro-Roxas, although I must admit to being against Binay. I’m doing what I’m doing because I want to nudge our politicians into self-disclosure and transparency by sending them a strong message that if they don’t do it, somebody else will.

          It may seem that, other than Binay, many of my posts is about Poe and there is a simple reason for that – Poe had been out of the country for many years and many people don’t know much about her. On the other hand, Roxas is already so well-known in the country that many people know more about his spouse Korina Sanchez than the spouses of the other presidentiables.

        • Parekoy, what else would you expect from BABs? If it’s not malicious innuendos because the Poe family has leftover investments in the US, its now speculation about the husband’s possible continued US citizenship and scandal mongering about him betraying his wife and the family’s homeland. Does she have a single shred of evidence to base any of this? Nada as in zip but hey, that’s what BABs do. Everything is fair game to score points or its not too far fetched that she is devoting all this time, effort and venom because there may be a pot of gold at the end of the BAB rainbow. What next? Maybe Neil is CIA or NSA? She might Google and find no trace he is not thereby proving it by her flawed logic. Or maybe she she will focus on the kids and claim since they are US citizens by birth, having them in the living in Malacanang will lose a serious threat to national security! Hehehe

        • Why don’t you add the political expediency of dropping the name Llamanzares in favor of Poe?

          That will probably add to make your day. Sweet. :-)

        • Oh okay, so now its open season now on Poe’s husband , is it? Why stop there, Babs. Let me get you started and salivating…He works as a consultant for San Miguel..Ramon Ang runs it. Maybe you can dig up some dirt that might even get him fired and get to Poe and her famiy that way? Did that get your BAB attack juices flowing? Hehehe

        • I already posted here, in fact twice already, that the Angs were some of the biggest contributors to Grace’s senatorial candidacy – two of them gave P10,000,000 each – that allowed her to become one of the biggest campaign spenders for the senate. So what does that say about Grace’s political independence?

        • whole package yan, grace cannot drop the name llamenares. with her as president, there will be no need to yuko to USA, no need to luhod too, only sleep with the “enemy!” the order of the day, he, he, he.

        • @ yvonee…dont mind those people who are typical pinoy of talangka mentality..keep posting…you have so many fans here…

    • So, yvonne all your work making researches on Grace Poe trying to find out WHO IS SHE REALLY will be into the dustbin of history? Tell us what did you find? (If you would like to)

      Well, to each one’s own. Free country it is.

      Mabuhay! Mar Roxas pa rin! (if he runs)

      • @Leona

        I’m not sure I understand your question correctly.

        If you’re asking if I’m closing my book on Grace, the answer is: not quite.

        I would like to tell her story, good or bad, in my FB page for posterity – just like I put many of my critical posts on the Binays.

        Hopefully, someday, I can read them back and maybe say to my children – this one I got right, this one I got wrong, and on this one I will let history judge it.

        • Babs, I said it before and I will say it again, you have an overinflated ego if you think you are a historical figure in CPM or anywhere for that matter. At least Leona and Parekoy believes in Mar’s candidacy which is their basic motivation for criticizing Poe whereas your attacks are pure negativity or just to score points with this Blog and maybe it’s owners. or perhaps something more insidious. When there is so much stuff on the internet you could be digging about the Binays, you spend all your time mining for dirt on Poe’s personal life and family and not hesitating to launch the most viscious insinuations against them without any hard facts or evidence. You are no better than Tiangco, Bautista, or any of the Binay attack dogs and bitches, Babs…hahaha.

        • sa akin lang poe, okay sa akin ang modus ni yvonne. it’s democratic and I for one will not curtail yvonne’s right to exercise democratic rights. she is free to voice her opinion too. yvonne is a bitch? maggie thatcher was called worst name, angela merkel too. I think, yvonne is in good company. her bark is music to my ears.

        • my guess is yvonne is better looking than tiangco, taller than bautista and more affable than any of binay’s attack dogs and bitches. yvonne is tireless cpmers; frank, and her contributions are appreciated/depreciated, widely read and talked about.

        • @moonie,
          yes, democratc, as you say it.
          i like yvonne’s posts.
          hers for me are really sane and simple to consume for me.
          balanced and non-personal.
          keep up yvonne! :)

        • Yvonne & Moonie.

          True to her name, Yvonne loves freedom and hates bondage from expressing her beliefs. Having said that I think her name should be JOB, regardless whether Yvonne is a she or he. I just could not imagine how she maintains her reservoir of patience.

          Carry on, Job, este Yvonne. I salute you.

        • If i had to choose between Caliphman or Yvonne i go for Yvonne, but i am a man.. :-)
          Keep it going Yvonne..nice readings from you….

        • I respect ideas. I respect Yvonne and other CPMers. But unfortunately some have to resort to name calling. I thought that it’s not allowed here anymore.

          Anyway, keep the ideas from coming then let’s debate and tackle it. Tayu-tayo rin naman ang nagkikita dito. Kanya-kanyang opinyon. Kanya-kanyang manok. Kanya-kanyang ng kaalaman sa iba’t ibang isyu. Then learn to move on.

        • @Yvonne,
          Isa ka sa mga hinahangaan kong posters dito. Dahil sa mga makabuluhan mong sinusulat. Pwede naman maging “shocking, revealing, mind blowing” ang post ng walang pangbabastos, pagmumura o name calling.
          Lahat tayo ay may sariling isip para malaman kung sino ang tunay na may magandang intensyon sa mga posts at kung sino yung nagyayabang lamang.
          Ipagpatuloy mo ang iyung ginagawa Yvonne. Patuloy ako magbabasa sa mga posts mo.

        • pahaba ng pahaba ang list ng mga tagahanga ni Yvonne, a. Pakisali sa akin diyan. keep it up. right on, Yvonne!

        • what is it with Poe fans that turns discussions into a slanging match when they don’t like what they read? first it was victinluz, now it’s caliphman. ano ba yan?! mukha pa namang may mga utak pero mga pikon naman. everyone is fair game in politics…including Poe.
          Unsolicited advice lang po…one key in winning an argument is to never get personal. attack the issues raised not the person.
          disclosure: It’s between Poe and Roxas for me. it may take me up until the last moment to decide which one to vote for so the more i learn something new about them the better i can make an informed decision. so, yvonne, pls carry on with the “muck-raking”…I think im smart enough to decide for myself which ones to take in and which ones to throw into the bin.

          o sya, lurk mode ulit ako :)

        • Super agree if you can defend your points well enough there’s no need to resort to name calling. Wala na tayo sa grade school. Just stick to the point or counter point then let the readers digest what you said and let them be the judge.

    • I think the nationality of the spouse must also be considered in voting for a head of state. And I could not think of any country whose First Lady is a foreigner. So I started looking for heads of state with foreigner spouses. In alphabetical order I started with The Republic of Agfhanistan.

      The First Lady of Agfhanistan was born in Lebanon to Lebanese parents. She holds citizenship in Afghanistan, Lebanon, and the United States. End of my search in the meantime.

      BTW Neil Llamanzares could be a dual citizen also now or later.

      • may I add the current princess mary of denmark? the former mary donaldson of australia gave up her australian citizenship to become danish princess, spouse of crown prince frederick. now danish citizen, princess mary speaks fluent danska and halting english.

        • further down the track, starina alexandra of russia, the one whose family got executed at ekatarinburg in early 17th century? was german. she often overruled her husband, tsar peter? forgot his name, rasputin was tsarina’s favorite go to person. much good did it do her.

        • queen maxima of holland once was made to prove that she was not descendant of the nazis that fled germany after world war Il, that her parents were not nazi war criminals that settled in argentina trying to evade war crime tribunal.

          same thing happened to queen sylvia of sweden who married king carl gustav. I’ve read in dagens nyheter years ago that sylvia was german and there was suspicion she was nazi. turned out sylvia was not nazi offspring.

    • Rather interesting topic, Yvonne. It is rather bizarre, the idea of having a first gentleman of American citizenship. I’m surprised Ms. Poe has not been accused of not being totally Filipino in allegiance, no matter the citizenship issue. Or at least fickle in allegiance. There are some pretty partisan nationalists about. They seem to give her a free ride. She seems to me to be a carbetbagger candidate, in some respects, flying in from the US with suitcase in hand, ready to take over the presidency on the strength of her father’s acting fame. Then if she bombs out, on citizenship or bad decisions that cost her her senate seat, then I suppose she will just pack off back to American to reside in one of those nice homes she has there.

      I don’t know. The constitution seems rather set on Filipinos being in charge of the Philippines, not gadabout butterflies.

      Plus I’m irked that I can’t meddle in Philippine elections, but the potential first gentleman can meddle with the potential President.

      Thanks for this most interesting development.

      • Thank you Joe.

        That piece of information is just part of a mosaic, so I can understand why some did not get its relevance to the overall picture – for now anyway.

        Based on the latest news I read, it is becoming more certain that it is likely going to be Poe-Escudero. If this happened there would be another piece to the mosaic, and then the picture would even be clearer with finer details.

        Then it would be time to remove the cover and showcase that picture to the people.

        • cabbage strategy…salami slicing…getting exciting.
          sa madaling salita, unti-unti nang nahuhubaran ang bida ng ating pelikula dito.
          anyways, nasa ibang video ang talagang ang interest ko.
          hindi naman talaga ako nanonood ng maraming bagay na may relasyon sa da qing fiction, not my cup of tsai. mas marami pang ibang bagay ang humihila ng atensyon ko.
          konti lang ang kita sa akin ng abscbn at gma.
          hehehe…

    • It raises the question, what if Grace Poe maintained dual citizenship during her entire period of US citizenship?
      A Philippine passport is not a mandatory requirement of Philippine citizenship, except if you wish to travel abroad.

      • Insofar as the Philippine government us concerned, Grace ceased to be a US citizen upon renunciation before Philippine authorities.

        The Identification Card issued by BI evidences Philippine nationality. So is the Philippine passport. There are dual citizens who do not possess Philippine passports.

        • Do you mean the ID card issued at time of renunciation or at some earlier date?

        • At the time she took the oath of allegiance IAW RA 9225 regardless of her renunciation of US nationality.

        • http://manila.usembassy.gov/citizenship/loss.html

          I’m sure that you have read this so I include it for the general interest of those following this discussion.

          Dual citizenship from the US perspective seems to be a relatively straightforward situation.

          It would appear that Grace Poe does not need to formally relinquish her US citizenship as she would automatically lose it on becoming a Senator. Is that your perception? Or does Philippine law require it is renounced prior to completing a COC?

        • I’ll answer my own question, Section 5 (2), RA9225. She must formally renounce her US Citizenship.
          Sorry but I am just feeling my way through the maze.

        • It is enough under Philippine laws that Poe renounces her US citizenship before Philippine authorities. It does not matter legally whether her US citizenship has been relinquished or not. Such matter had been discussed in congress in relation to RA 9225. The Maquiling case included such congressional discussion particularly the comment of Cong. Locsin. Among other relevant statements, Cong. Locsin explained:

          “that the problem of dual citizenship is transferred from the Philippines to the foreign country because the latest oath that will be taken by the former Filipino is one of allegiance to the Philippines and not to the United States, as the case may be. He added that this is a matter which the Philippine government will have no concern and competence over.

          “that the problem of dual allegiance is no longer the problem of the Philippines but of the other foreign country.”

          Please read footnote no. 32 of Maquiling case which you posted as link.

    • The MAQUILING cse involves the application of the Local Government Code.

      We agree with the pronouncement of the COMELEC First Division
      that “Arnado’s act of consistently using his US passport effectively negated
      his “Affidavit of Renunciation.”42 This does not mean, that he failed to
      comply with the twin requirements under R.A. No. 9225, for he in fact did.
      It was after complying with the requirements that he performed positive acts
      which effectively disqualified him from running for an elective public office
      pursuant to Section 40(d) of the Local Government Code of 1991      .

      On Page 16 of the MAQUILING case, the SC said –

      “He was qualified to vote, but by the express disqualification under Section 40(d) of the Local Government Code,40 he was not qualified to run for a local elective position. A local elective position.

      Section 40 of said CODE mentions only ‘persons are disqualified from running for any elective local position. Elective local positions.

      How about for senators? Does Sec. 40 covers national elective positions?

      Is this MAQUILING case covering ‘dual citizenship’ issues on ‘elective LOCAL positions or does it include elective NATIONAL positions on ‘dual citizenship’ also like senators?

      • It certainly does, Leona. In cJ Panganiban’s analysis of Poe’s citizenship eligibility, her use of her US passport post oath of renuciationwas discussed. His responsewas that while Maquiling would come into pay play and her dual citizenship reinstqted, all that need be done is to retake the renuciation oath before filing her certificate of candidacy and she would once again be religible to ru for presidency.

        • Thanks Caliphman.

          I do not know for sure if the gist of the ‘rationale in the Maquiling case applies to a senator who might have used US passports many a couple of times for travel either to US or elsewhere after renouncing US citizenship which use continued until filing the CoC at Comelec and winning the senatorial election.

          An elective local position is very much different from an elective national position as to foreign passport uses, renounciations, and running for a national office.

        • Leona, why should not the same legal principle not operate regardless of whether a local or senate position is at stake? I raise this point as Panganiban who should know better felt that Maquiling was an issue in the case of Poe’s candidacy for president so it should be applicable even for a senator or candidate for that position. The more interesting legal question perhaps is if she renounced and was eligible before running and being proclaimed a winner in the senate race, does her subsequent use of her US passport negate her eligibility for the senate seat she won and be grounds for her removal from her seat? Without having done the necessary research, I believe the ruling will be that the the most important consideration is that she was eligible during the election and any continuing problem is fixed by simply retaking the oath of renunciation.

        • http://opinion.inquirer.net/86420/reactions-to-grace-poes-residency

          Leona, I am reposting Panganiban’s discussion of Maquiling as it relates to Poe’s renunciation. Please note that that according to the article immigration records show the last use of her US passport was in December 2009 whereas she ran for senate in 2013. This is in variance with the time of use cited in your post which included during her CoC filing and during and after her election. Its not clear whether Panganiban verified the history of passport usage given by his reader before he published his piece, all I know is I would given the importance of the issue and the national audience he was addressing.

    • You’re welcome @leona.

      The self-proclaimed Grace Poe-defender always amazes me. In his failed attempt to defend her, he is unwittingly shooting her in the foot.

      OK, so GP is holding on to some properties in the US as “investment”, as the GP-defender explained. So what does that say about GP who profess to care about our country, and our countrymen, yet choose to keep her investment dollars in the US, instead of bringing it back home, pay taxes here, and help our economy, even as a token gesture of her love of our country?

      Does profit have to come first, or are the properties really held in reserve just in case GP decides to go back to the US when her political career is over?

      Just asking.

      • Ang babaw, parang pang high school reasoning ito.

        Lalim-laliman mo, kasi yung finances noong tao at investments have nothing to do with her love of country.

        :)

        Okay take two, kasi baka maka puntos ka…

        • OK lang @Parekoy kung mababaw ang pagkaunawa mo sa isinulat ko – hindi ko lalaliman pa dahil hindi pa naman panahon para pag-usapan ang mga detalye.

          If you noticed, I used the words “as a token gesture” because I don’t take the “investment” character of the residential properties seriously; only the Poe-defender said they were for “investment” purpose.

          If I don’t believe the properties were being retained for “investments”, instead of being sold, then for what purpose do I believe it might be? Take a clue from the last part of my post above.

          At least, for now, we have a time stamp as to when we started this discussion.

        • Ah yes, it must be ni dto be part of BinYs pack of AntiPoe attack dogs like Tianco. Only if one is female that would make her an attack bitch and a rabid one at that…hehehe.

        • Parekoy, nothing is innocent or innocuous when it comes to a BAB (Binay attack bitch). I would not be surprised if the childrens’ dual citizenship is questioned next on the pretext that Poe did not have them renounce theirs so she can get her citzenship back through them. One might say the level of posts here at CPM with these scurrilous BAB attacks have gone to the dogs…errr..bitches! Hehehe

        • An American citizen petitioning his spouse to immigrate to the US, in the future might, be faster.

        • So tell me does a Binay attack bitch have any compunction if she steals the research off someone else’s research do she can spread her malicious speculations about the evil foundling’s plan dishonest scheme to regain her US citizenship? Why don’t you dig up some dirt on her husband too while you are at it so she can’t regain citizenship through her husband…oh wait, did you kind of overlook once a naturalizedUS citizen renounced its almost impossible to get it back? But yeah you do have a a history of dabbling into things way beyond your Ken. No worries, I would not be surprised if all your rumor mongering and muck raking while it may not score points for you here gets you a fat pay check for being a loyal and hard working Binay attack bitch. Maybe if Binay wins the presidency you might get a plum post as Press Secretary in his cabinet..this is really what it’s all about for you, isn’t it. Oh wait, you are not really anti Poe. It’s really good governance you are pushing…sure…if Poe can land a public appointment after a long stint as an OFW…why not you under s Binay administration? I am willing to bet you’re a dual citizen too, right? ahahahahaha….am I right? Hehehe

      • If there is anyone here who is intentions are questionable , it is someone who likes to accuse others of dishonesty and make a penchant of character assassination with contradictory or non-existent ‘evidence’ , that description fits no one better than yourself. To make matters worse, you accept credit fort for research that Baycas did rather than properly attribute it to him. As a wannabe journalist that is just plain shameless.

      • Whether GP brought back here those US dollars or not, I do not believe it affects much about her ‘caring’ or ‘loyalty or love’ of country, or getting the ‘profit’ in such investments. That is so ‘relative’ in concept to conclude.

        There must be something more for a good unfavorable conclusion against GP.

        :-)

  5. Pacquiao, a KFR Target!

    Bakit bigla na lang pinul-out ni Manny ang kanyang mga anak sa Brent International School?

    Sabi ng kaibigan ko sa NBI special division ng KFR, eh may surveillance na ginawa ang isang KFR na sindikato sa Vicinityng Brent at mabuti na lang eh kahit walang alam yung mga bodyguards ng mga anak ni Manny eh may nag malasakit na nag-tip na meron nga at ang siste eh ang boss ng KFR eh kapartido pa ni Manny!

    Dahil sa kinukulang na ang pundo ng UNA ang ibang kasamahan na gusto ring tumakbo eh kailangan ng fundraising at kahit na kaprtido eh tataluhin.

    Kaya nagdesisyon na si Manny at Jinky na ilipt muna ang mga bata sa GenSan kasi mas secure s territoryo ni Manny at may tinatawag na three ring security sa GenSan si Manny. Merong mga informer sa Airports, sa Port, at mga  Bus Stations kung merong mga dayo at mga usual na mga KFR personalties na meron na ang Security ni Manny. ang second Ring ilang blocks sa mansion ni Manny eh may mga tauhan si Manny sa mga daanan at may Videocams pa. At ang 3rd fing eh ang sa mismong mansion ni Manny na mga pinagkakatiwalaan ni Manny at panay armado at sa dami ng Videocam para eh talo pa ang airport ng NAIA!

    Ngayon alam na ni Manny at Jinky na kahit pala kapartido eh tratraydurin ka kapag pera na ang pjnag-uusapan. Surrender na si Jnky sa Pulitika at ninais na nasa tabi ng mga anak lalao na ngayong panahon ng election. Nagbabalak daw na sa Amerika na lang papag-aralin ang mga bata para mas secure at malayo pa sa gulo ng pulitika.

    Ngayon paranoid na si Manny kasi may suspect sila pero matindi dahil astig at sanay na sa ganitong krimen ang kapartido ni Manny.

    Mahirap talaga pag kapus sa pondo, ang mga pulitiko eh naghahanap ng panibagong source. Malas lang ni Manny kasi sya ay markado at alam ang kanyang mga galaw.

    Parekoy
    07-19-2015

    PS

    Unreliable source so pwedeng di totoo…

    • Though from your unreliable source, I can believe it.

      Walang limit sa kasamaan yang Kampo na ngayon kinatatakutan ni Manny at Jinkee. Sabi nga walang kasing sakit ang traiduran ka ng (kuno) kaibigan mo. Kung yan gagawin sa Pambansang Kamao, maliit na bagay yung traiduran ang mga botante. Lahat ng prumisa walang halaga. Ingat botatnte.

    • @ parekoy “Mahirap talaga pag kapus sa pondo, ang mga pulitiko eh naghahanap ng panibagong source.”

      about political funding, mayroon bang connection sa headline news ngayon Re: Binay files P200-M suit vs Ombudsman, senators, Inquirer?

      • Not a fundraising scheme.

        It is a desperate counter attack so as to show that Binay is being persecuted and a victim of a well-orchestrated operation to eliminate him from the race.

        Binay has plenty of moles and this move shows that he knows something big is coming and he might be facing arrest rather than impeachment.

        Binay is shielded by Belmonte and his LP Samar Faction and Noy-Bi supporters in the house of representathieves, that is why Belmonte issued statements that there is an impossibility of impeaching him.

        However, Delima, Morales, Trillanes, Cayetano and Pimentel are pushing for arrest rather than impeachment which will greatly handicapped Binay for he will be immobilized for campain sorties once he is in the birdcage.

        Poe and Escudero are aware of this scenario that is why they are also pressuring Aquino to anoint them so that they will be protected by Aquino as well as benefit from the support of the popular incumbent President who has the resource that Abad was saving for Roxas campaign. Meaning naki-ride na eh dudupangin pa ang pinagpaguran nila Abad na preparasyon para sa LP candidat tapos ang mga outsider/usurpers ang makikinabang.

  6. The Diplomat
    May 28, 2015
    “…Binay’s stated China doctrine has drawn criticism from the West. Scholar Malcolm Cook wrote, “If Binay wins and follows through on these views, it would be a return to the policy preferred by Aquino’s predecessor, President Macapagal-Arroyo… The foreshadowing of a second reversal of Philippines policy on its maritime boundary dispute with China in two presidential terms shows how divided the Philippine political elite and their financial backers are on this issue and its place in Philippines-China relations. A second reversal in two presidential terms would rightfully reinforce views within ASEAN, and in Washington and Tokyo, about the unreliability of the flip-flopping Philippines, and would throw into doubt the wisdom of aligning their South China Sea approaches with the policy prevailing in Manila at any given moment.” It goes without saying that a Binay win would give China reason to celebrate.
    If the Liberal Party’s candidate wins, either Roxas or Poe, a continuity of policy, for at least six more years, is likely. It would signal consistency in the Philippines’ relations with the U.S., which has recently stepped up its South China Sea engagements in a bid to delegitimize China’s land reclamation in disputed areas. It would also be good news for Japan, which has been calling for greater rule of law in East Asia, a call echoed by Aquino’s decision to pursue a court case against Beijing. As the standard-bearer of the ruling party, Roxas is expected to largely continue Aquino’s foreign policy direction.”

    But here is an interesting twist. The report was issued before Grace Poe’s speech on June 11, 2015. Excerpts of her speech which put a monkey wrench on the conventional thinking. This is what Poe said as quoted by Rappler.
    “”We really need to continue with our arbitration case. China and the Philippines are both signatories to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. On the other hand, our relationship with China dates back centuries,” Poe said in a forum on Thursday, June 11, organized by the Rotary Club Manila.

    She added: “I think we should continue bilateral talks in other aspects. There are other concerns, for example our economic relations, the humanitarian aid they sometimes give, and our cultural exchanges.”
    In the same speech in front of US Ambassador Goldberg, she advocated a position that the Philippines distances from the US (and by implication to the Philppines new ally, Japan) and pursue an unrealistic approach of unilateral defensive approach policy, something that China has been taunting and baiting the country to pursue and face China on its own has found a domestic mouthpiece. There is now a good chance of the Chinese’ “Cabbage” strategy -as spelled out by a high ranking Chinese General in a speech not too long ago in Singapore, to ensure that the Philippines will abandon Ayungin – to succeed.

    One can only suspect that the only rationale of Poe’s confusing stance is the fact that her main and biggest donors in her 2013 Senatorial campaign as published by the Comelec and reported by PCIJ were wealthy Chinese. Whether that suspicion is warranted is highly speculative but should not be ignored nonetheless. It is possible that Poe did not mean what she said because she is known to have taken populist stand on crucial issues. It is possible that once she gets elected, she will do the opposite and may pursue her natural instincts. Either way, the country is in the harms way. Everybody knows that she is very close and beholden to Erap – who, along with Lacson, is identified with the FFCCCI in Binondo.

    In the final analysis, the people are better off with Roxas, Duterte, Lacson and Binay in the ballot. At least they know their respective positions. It is simply black and white. But Poe is a special breed. We do not know if she is brilliant, a bozo or just naïve. The people around her are a mixed bag of interesting characters. Is she putting a show or is she for real? If for real, which one is as there contradictions among them as well.

    • Thanks for the update.
      It was only someone else’s opinion but a reasonably learned one. We should think hard.
      Combine the Chinese associations of Poe with those of Escudero and you really have something to worry about. If those two get together with Binay, what a disaster.

      • Pickers1368, Ancient Mariner:

        Good thing to have in mind. The “Amazing Grace” is turning out to be amazing in the fast way she is learning the ropes on being a Trapo — thanks to the Trapo Extraordinaire, Escudero.

  7. In her press release in her ambush interview on June 10, 2015, Poe said that she never used her Philippine visa anymore after assuming the position of MTCRB chair in October 2010.

    “Q: So it means while you were MTRCB chair, hindi na kayo US citizen?

    “Poe: And I never used my visa after that and I’m willing to answer it and if they question this in court, ako po ay kumpyansa. Nagsasabi naman po ako ng totoo ukol dito.”

    What does that statement of Poe signify?

    As of October 2010, Poe was a US citizen holding a US passport and had a visa to enter the Philippines for more than 20 days (30 days as of August 1, 2013). After renouncing her US citizenship in October 2010, Poe stopped using such Philippine visa which was stamped in her US passport.

    Why did Poe have to secure Philippine Visa? It is because she did not have any Philippine passport as of October 2010.

    Why did Poe have NO Philippine passport in October 2010? It is because she was not a Philippine national.

    Why was Poe NOT a Philippine national as of October 2010? It is because she had NOT reacquired Philippine citizenship at the time.

    Why was Poe NOT able to reacquire Philippine citizenship as of October 2010? It is because Poe had NOT taken an oath of allegiance to the republic of the Philippines in accordance with RA 9225.

    Why was Poe issued a Philippine passport on May 16, 2014? It is because she was already a Philippine national at the time.

    Why was Poe already a Philippine national as of May 16, 2014? It is because he already took the OATH OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES in accordance with RA 9225.

    Why is Poe now posturing as a presidential or VP candidate? Your guess is as good as mine.

    • @ rene-ipil your question and answer post is very loud and clear. can be used to explain to the D,E and even C groups of electorate.

      “Why is Poe now posturing as a presidential or VP candidate?” It is because she thought that she together with her group of lawyers and the trapo politicians can forever make “FOOL” of and make “PALUSOT” to the less thinking group of electorates.

      once again allow me to use the word “MANLULUKO” sa mga less fortunate voters.

      • What a dis-GRACE if Poe runs for President or VP and loses! Either thru ballot or disqualification.

    • Sa pagka-alam ko ang mga “dual citizen” sa Pilipinas ay hindi obligadong kumuha ng pasaporte mula sa Pilipinas pag lumabas o pumasok sa Pilipinas mula sa ibang bansa. Kailangan lamang dala niya yong sertipiko na ibinigay ng Philippine Immigration. Ito ay dahil mga ordinaryong mamamayan sila at hindi nagtratrabaho sa gobyerno. Sa kaso ni Grace Poe, dahil nagtratrabaho sa gobyerno na hindi maaaring “dual citizen” ang kanyang estado, ay hindi na dapat siya gumagamit ng pasaporte ng Estados Unidos dahil sinasabi ni Grace Poe na nanumpa na siya na itinakwil na niya ang kanyang pagiging mamamayan ng Estados Unidos, kahit pa sabihing sa ikadadali ng kung anumang kailangan niyang gawin at tapusin sa Amerika. Ang pasaporte ng Amerika ay para lamang sa mamamayan ng Amerika at yong may dalawang pamayanan (dual citizenship). Kaya kung ginamit ni Grace Poe o nag-panibago muli siya ng pasaporte ng Amerika mula nang siya ay nanungkulan sa MTCRB may mali dito, kahit pa siya may pasaporte ng
      Pilipinas.

      • Tama ka, Carmen. Yung Identification Certificate (IC) issued by the Bureau of Immigration ay sapat na. Hindi kailangan ang Philippine visa. Yung IC ang katunayan nang dual citizenship at yung IC ay kailangan din para sa issuance ng Philippine passport. Ayon sa DFA ay ito ang requirements sa dual citizens sa pag-apply ng Philippine passport:

        Applicants who availed of Dual Citizenship or Election of Philippine Citizenship under RA 9225:

        Identification Certificate
        Oath of Allegiance
        Order of Approval
        Report of Birth (for those born abroad)

        • “Why was Poe issued a Philline passport on May 16, 2014? It is because she was already a Philline national at that time”

          It goes to show that when grace ran & won as the # 1 senator in the mid-term election on May 13, 2013, she was not qualified yet? It can also be presumed that in the question of citizenship in the COC, she answered Filipino.

          Aside from the fake rice, we could have a fake senator too

      • JoeAm, I think that you are in a better position to educate us on the use of Philippine visa. I must confess that I have not applied for or used one.

        • It depends on the type of visa. A sixth month tourist visa is pretty simple. Mine, to get a permanent visa, was administratively . . . um, thorough, requiring birth, marriage, divorce records, US police clearance (sheriff did mine), medical examination and quarantine in Phils (plus STD exam in Phils); photos, fingerprints and probably some other stuff I’ve forgotten. I got most of my work done in the US, and did not use an attorney. I have to report once a year to immigration, and renew the visa every few years. Data is recorded on a chip in a plastic “I card”, so it is convenient to carry and use to clear customs.

          It was worth it. I beamed when I got my I-card, but the exhausted immigration people just wanted to get to the next guy in line. Maybe they didn’t know who I was, the future JoeAm!. ahahahahahahaha!

        • Thanks, JoeAm. So the CPMers are informed by positive and direct testimony unlike googlers who must satisfy themselves by hearsays, second hand info and unqualified witness.

          But, did I not use google also to access your comment? Nevermind.

        • My pleasure. Google gets to all my stuff. Just attach “society of honor” to any query and you will get JoeAm’s point of view.

          Such as it is . . .

          Enjoy the weekend.

    • As far as I know, Filipinos who have taken up citizenship in other countries can still enter the Philippines without visa so long as their passport shows they were born in the Philippines. So I don’t understand why Grace Poe would need a visa to enter the country even if she is carrying another country’s passport already.

      • Your place of birth is indicated in the US passport. If you were born in the philippines, the immigration officer at the airport assumes you are a former Philippine citizen and as such you are allowed entry without visa for ONE YEAR under the balikbayan program. If you stay more than one year, you probably need to obtain a visa.

      • Former Filipino citizens holding foreign passports are Balikbayan. They are entitled to visa-free entry to the Philippines for a period of one (1) year. This privilege is commonly called “Balikbayan Visa (BV).”

        So that when Poe mentioned stopping the use of her “visa” she was probably referring to the BV. Meaning that, according to her understanding, she was already staying in the Philippines as a Philippine citizen and need not use the BV or any Philippine visa. That she could stay in the Philippines for more than one year without leaving.

        Poe thought that she was already a Philippine citizen automatically by simply renouncing her US Citizenship before Philippine authorities. Poe was utterly wrong. Poe had to reacquire Philippine citizenship IAW RA 9225 because she was a naturalized US citizen.

        • Please refresh me and CPMers. As you articulated the timeline above loud and clear.., When did Poe officially become a Filipino citizen? What is now the significance of this, if there’s any, in terms of being a senator and her future in 2016?

        • “And I never used my visa after that.”

          Poe assumed already that, after renouncing her US citizenship before Philippine authorities, she automatically reacquired Philippine citizenship. And she was wrong. At the latest and with certainty according to records, she became Philippine citizen on the day she was issued a Philippine passport on May 16, 2014. At the earliest and with certainty according to her public declaration, Poe could have possibly taken her oath of allegiance and issued Identification Certificate right after her renunciation of US citizenship before Philippine authorities in October 2010.

          This could possibly mean that Poe was qualified as a senator in 2013. But she is definitely out as president or VP in 2016 for lack of residence.

        • Follow up question for clarification. Since it’s clear that Grace Poe became a Filipino citizen again, at the very least in October 2010, will the residency requirement come into play?

          For instance.., If Grace came back in 2004 to campaign for FPJ and SHOWS/ESTABLISHES her intention to reside in the Philippines but still a US citizen, will it be counted in the 10-year residency rule? Is there any connection here between citizenship and residency as far as Grace Poe’s case?

        • Poe must have resided permanently in the Philippines for the required period as a Philippine citizen – not as resident alien – to qualify as a candidate for senator. Immigration records show that Poe never stayed in the Philippines for a year before 2010. Meaning that she must have maintained her status as permanent resident in the US until she presumably reacquired Philippine citizenship in October 2010, assumed the job of MTCRB chair and resided permanently in the country thereafter.

        • As per your explanation, Grace Poe might have resided in the Philippines, on and off, for 10 years as a US CITIZEN (Resident Alien) and NOT as a Philippine citizen.

          In this case, even as she reacquired her Filipino citizenship in OCTOBER 2010 won’t mean that it will have a retroactive effect in terms of residency that will complete the Constitutional requirement of 10 years, thus, INELIGIBLE to run as president or vice-president. Please correct me if my comprehension is wrong.

          Now, what could be the possible ‘palusot’ of the govt if she runs as VP of Roxas? Tiyak na ipipilit nila na pwede kapag nag slide sya pero sasabihin na HINDI pwede kapag tumakbo naman siyang presidente.

        • Your understanding of Poe’s ineligibility is correct.

          The “palusot” or “magic” would be fabricated documents showing that Poe had taken oath of allegiance and issued Identification card IAW RA 9225 early enough to qualify her. But the length and nature of her stay in US, tax payments in US, property acquisition in US, non payment of Philippine travel tax, etc. could debunk her claim of permanent residency in the Philippines during a particular period.

        • In short, makakalusot sa documents and records sa Pilipinas pero hindi sa US records.

          Thank you for your patience in explaining this. Let’s wait for lawyer’s PALUSOT in the next few weeks or months.

        • A follow-up question by Vhin AB. . .

          Did Grace Poe use any US Passport for US travels ‘after’ October 2010 when she renounced her US citizenship? (Maquiling case)

          Did she use the same US passports after she filed her CoC for the 2013 senatorial elections?
          (Maquiling case)

          Did Poe use the same US passports for US travels after being elected a Phil. senator? (Maquiling case)

          Or prior to May 16, 2014 when a Philippine passport was finally issued to her? (Maquiling case)

        • @Leona, can you explain the Yes and No scenario of the probable answer to those questions as to what effect, if any, to Grace Poe’s case.

        • Personally for me, if it was done (YES) in all the Four (4) questions I gave, I would apply the gist or rationale in the Maquiling case against GP. Yes, GP would be disqualified as a candidate for Senator/as Senator, and will be disqualified as candidate for a higher position than that.

          To get into the other answer – No . . . I must have a good reason to adopt that answer which I don’t have yet.

          As clearly pronounced in the Maquiling case, the SC said this on Page 18:

          “Holding public office demands full and undivided allegiance to the Republic and to no other.”

          “It likewise demands the concomitant duty to maintain allegiance to one’s flag and country.”

          “Those who seek election or appointment to public office are required to renounce their foreign citizenship to be deserving of the public trust.”

          Those are very clear pronouncements by the highest Court of the land.

        • Oops…

          The photo was uploaded approximately 110 weeks ago from today. So, it was probably on…

          Monday, June 10, 2013 [A.D.]

          …when the photo was taken.

          Nonetheless, the travel was most likely after October 2010.

        • In May 2012 the elder child, Lian, in the picture was six (6) years old. The younger child, Sachi, was five (5) years old. How old do you think were the children in the picture when taken?

        • @baycas, ukol sa “Oh, Mother!“ artik

          which ‘tribe should increase’? anong order of preference? o la’at sila?

          uso ang kasabihang ‘May your tribe increase’.

          do you recommend depopulation? at alin naman kung meron duon sa nailista sa artik?

        • Baycas said it already. It was a “Travel Document.” A “travel document” is issued by DFA to stateless persons or those “whose claim to Philippine citizenship is doubtful. The DFA could not issue Poe a regular Philippine passport at the time. But the Philippine Passport Act of 1996 or RA 8239 provides that a travel document, in lieu of a passport, may be issued to such persons (Section 3e, RA 8239).

        • @Rene,

          eh si GP doubtful ang pagka Filipino citizenship niya.

          napunta ng US, at naturalized na siya, tapus ‘dual citizen’ na daw siya, ngayon – Filipino na. Uli o balik sa pagka-Filipino?

          Was her US citizenship legit even if she was a stateless person, being a foundling? was her US citizen application truthful, honest? if not, will the US go after her, damay ang pamilya at ari-arianng naiwan sa tate? in your humble opinion kabayan?

        • Dual citizenship (RA 9225 basis) is reserved to natural-born Filipinos.

          Until the SC ruled on the status of PH foundlings, their NBF status may still be challenged.

          Poe represents the foundlings. She must seek a higher post in order to take the challenge head on…

        • My reply is moderated. Baycas is right. It was a travel document as provided in Section 3e of RA 8239 or the Passport Act of 1996.

          Or maybe it was a “Diplomatic Passport” available to senators on official mission abroad in lieu of a regular passport. The Philippine Passport Act of 1996 provides:

          “SEC. 7. Types of Passports. – The Secretary or the authorized representative or consular officer may issue the following types of passports:

          “a) Diplomatic passport for persons imbued with diplomatic status or are on diplomatic mission such as:

          “7. Members of the Congress when on official mission abroad or as delegates to international conferences;”

        • imo kailangan pa rin ng supporting pertinent travel documents, including ordinary phil. passport bago mag karoon ng diplomatic passport ang isang gov’t employee/official.

        • @leona, pupuwede bang magakruon ng pasa porte ang isang foundling?

          kugn oo, anu naman ang kaniyang ilalagay na klaseng pagka filipino sa application at duon sa pasa-porte, natural b o naturalized?

        • Pardon me for butting in…

          @Kamison,

          Application for foundlings must have Certificate of Foundling PLUS PH passport of finder, among other requirements.

          Natural-born Filipinos (NBF) ONLY need Birth Certificate, among other requirements.

          If PH foundlings will finally be declared NBFs AUTOMATICALLY…

          Then probably they will only need to present their Certificate of Foundling without requiring them to produce the PH passport of the finder.

        • aha…yun good answer of baycass to you Kamison.

          In short, for a ‘foundling’ why not? Comply the requirements of the host country’s laws.

          :-)

    • Is it correct to say that when Poe renounced her US Citizenship she would automatically be required to surrender her US passport? Or it would be suitably defaced?

      • Philippine authorities would not require the surrender of US passport upon renunciation of US citizenship. Am not sure about US authorities.

        DFA Requirements for Renunciation of Philippine Citizenship

        “7. Latest Philippine passport (to be surrendered to the
        Consulate).”

        • or passports are ‘surrendered’ to the country that issued it – logically.

          :-)

    • Good! Cong. Rudy Farinas is like also your sequence of events style.

      and Sen. Lapid will say to it: Ngayun, na iintindihan ko na!

      na kaka lusot!

      he he he

  8. I cannot comprehend that CPMErs said POE was lying and cheating on her citizenship and residency requirements and ” KAL KAL dito KAL KAL doon pati ang pagbenta ng bahay nya sa USA ” was brought up here in a NON STOP basis BUT for MAR ROXAS cheating and dishonesty in allowing to spend the DILG – cheated budget for Health and Housing program – was never ” PINANSIN ” regularly in this blog … KAHIT siguro grade one pupil ang tanungin mo after explaining the functions of evry department in our Country..the BOBO TANTE country voters and the grade one pupils will say ” ANG LAYO sa function ng DILG ang paglagay at paggamit sa mga pondo… HE HE si ROXAS daw ang 100% CHEATER and DISHONEST – so he can not be trusted to become our president…. SI DUTERTE killer daw , NPA daw ,, si BINAY naman ay talagang magnanakaw na oyan proven na ito kasi.. Pero Roxas PAGNANAKAW din ang ginagawa sa ibang paraan din..NAGNANAKAW din….NO to ROXAS for Prrsident come 2016 election , sabi ng masang Filipino at BOBO TANTE pa ..

    • @VictinLuz

      BUT for MAR ROXAS cheating and dishonesty in allowing to spend the DILG – cheated budget for Health and Housing program – was never ” PINANSIN ” regularly in this blog …

      If I may respectfully answer you, siguro mas maganda kung bigyan mo ng facts and numbers.

      Katulad ni Yvonne or baycas or kung sino pa man dito na may facts sa isang politiko, they back it up with facts, articles or what have you so that we can have a lively discussion about it.

      Like NHerrera who is fond of numbers, me numero.

      Like Yvonne, me research data.

      Like Baycas, may link sa mga sinasabi nya.

      In short they are backed up facts or links or articles, not generalizations lang.

      • If that was your understanding then what was your opinion on those budget inserted and some spent by the DILG? Is that the doing’s noly to the conressmen loyal to Roxas? What facts do you want? Billion of pesos inseryed and was approved , was that honesty on the part of ROXAS? Tell me@ BFD

        • Like the DAP and the PDAF ….when it was spent they said it was a technical malversation for a lowly Filipino people like us. the way it was understood by us…. Are those insertions not FACTs to you…. YOU were always talking of HONESTY , is that HONESTY on the part of Roxas?

        • Have you ever heard of REALIGNMENT of BUDGET , when those peoples money were budgeted on your department when it was not suppposed tobe? If Roxas was honest or they are honest and that was not intended for DISHONESTY , and not for MAKE UP for Roxas low percentage on surveys, what was that for @BFD?

        • Do you have a link? Does Roxas handle the budget? Who approves the budget?

          The whole Congress approves of it. It goes through a wringer. There were opposition there. Even in Lacson’s time there were so called “insertions,” what did he do then? Turned a blind eye. Yes, he didn’t get his PDAF, but what good did it did to us?

          He didn’t put a stop to it.

          But please pray tell me specifics, not generalizations.

          Realignment of budget, what part of the budget was realigned? How much was realigned? Is it justified?

          Again, generalizations won’t work. If you want to discuss it, give specifics. Like what Baycas did, he gave the addresses of Poe in the US.

          Unfortunately, Yvonne is holding on the data until Grace Poe declares her candidacy.

          Another thing, I think there is a media misinformation/disinformation that’s going on against Roxas. Just a hunch, but when somebody here said something about Escudero or was it in Joe’s blog, it clicked. It fell into place.

          Whenever there is a press release about Roxas, it gets turned around negatively even if it’s a positive thing, like the bike spill. It’s good that a top man is on the ground, but yet it was turned around against Mar, thereby minimalizing the effect of having a top man in Yolanda land.

        • Ha ha , so walang alam si Roxas sa nangyaring insertion ha… It was a coincidence @BFD ha ha.. I will tell you a grade one pupil will sa to you you are wrong…SO if that was theory then why not BARK here now on this BLOG and say to ROXAS or ABAD to realign those insertions….just to prove that Roxas is HONEST that he will not use them next election…

        • Let us not talk POE here or Binay here @BFD….we are talking about ROXAS budget a peoples money a fund intended for ” HOUSING and HEALTH ” PROGRAms not a main FUNCTION of DILG where Roxas leads….If Roxas is HONEST ,,, what will be your suggestion @BFD? what will Roxas do , to those inseted budgets?

        • Generalizations will not work.

          Pinpoint them.

          Discuss

          Debate over it.

          Ang hirap kasi pag hinahapan na ng data, kung ano-ano na ang sinasabi. Ang gusto mo kasi ako maghalungkat ng numbers, hindi ikaw. Atat na atat ka pero ayaw mong kumilos.

          Insertion sa badyet, aling insertion? Anong particular na item sa budget? Granted na may insertion, saan ba mapupunta? Sa congressman ba, sa senador ba? Kung oo, sino? Anong project ba kumakatawan sa insertion na iyan? Giginhawa ba taongbayan?

          Tingnan ko lang kung masagot ng Grade 1 iyan. Generalization, oo kayang sabihin ng Grade 1, “Oo, me katiwalian dyan.” Pero hanapan mo yung Grade 1 ng data, sasabihin sa iyo, “Ah, basta, me katiwalian dyan.”

          Lay out the data. Sabi nga ng isa dyan numbers don’t lie. Evidence don’t lie.

          Until then.

        • Let us not talk POE here or Binay here @BFD….we are talking about ROXAS budget a peoples money a fund intended for ” HOUSING and HEALTH ” PROGRAms not a main FUNCTION of DILG where Roxas leads….If Roxas is HONEST ,,, what will be your suggestion @BFD? what will Roxas do , to those inseted budgets?

          Don’t ask me. Siguro magresearch ka na lang kung ano ginawa ni Roxas dun sa pera. Napunta ba bulsa or napunta sa taongbayan?

          Housing is Binay’s territory, go figure kung bakit.

        • Ha ha@BFD …so inaamin mo na nagamit na ni ROXAS ha@BFD….so an inserted budget to your department and spent it for public used which was not your official function was not DISHONESTY…. So you yourself @BFD believed that..he he… How can you convinced people to VOTE for ROXAS @BFD… He he , a DISHONEST pretender to become our President.. ..

        • @VictinLuz

          Again, you’re assuming again. But go ahead wallow in your assumption.

          I’m not assuming anything, go back to my post and you will see that I’m still waiting for data that you have to supply because you are the accuser, that Roxas is doing something evil with the money that was lodged in his department.

          Generalizations won’t stick. Go figure.

        • FYI, PNoy in 2013 has embarked on a P351-billion program to address flooding in the metropolis, which in recent years has worsened due to squatter colonies, clogged waterways, urban sprawl, denuded watersheds and fiercer storms.

          Mar is spearheading the interagency collaboration among the DSWD, DILG, DPWH and MMDA to lead the clearing of waterways on orders of PNoy.

          The relocation of informal settlers to their new homes in San Jose del Monte in Bulacan and elsewhere has started in earnest in 2013 and continuing to this day with many business groups and the ABS-CBN extending helping hands.

  9. PNOY must not sacrifice POE or Duterte for Prseident to Roxas and Mama’s Judy dreams to become the President of the Rupublic. Filipinos knew that if Roxas will be our President ( in a very small prrcentage of winning say 15% ) he will never allow the prosecution of ABAD and other PNOYs close friends and close friends friends..So that , the DAANG MATUWID of Pnoy will become LIKO LIKO again..

    Those Filipino’s who are on the pocket of Roxas are still dreaming that they can beat Binay without Poe . Even if Poe will be demoted to VP , those who will vote for Poe for VP will still vote Binay as their P, especially if Duterte will be out of the picture…The more they touched Poe on whatever category they were doing , the more the MASANG FILIPINO , others said here ” BOBO TANTE ” will like POE and will vote POE for President…

    • PNOY must forget the dream of Mama’s Judy for her son MAR to become our P. PNOY knows that it will be a political suicide if he endorses Roxas , because the 3 Aquino sister’s and other Cojuangco’s wil go for BINAY and against HIM Pnoy…

      We must not forget the in efficince of MAR in handling the MRT biddings of Vitangcol…Filipinos if Roxas was an experienced Politician , he could have notice the defects of such bidding process and ABAYA TOO must also be prosecuted.

      • mas matindi iyong mga tao that were highly educated but without manners and characters iyon ang pinaka BOBO na “BOBO TANTE” sa atin lipunan.

    • “Bobo” is likewise based on one’s perception…as Mang Bernie had recently taught me…

      One of the examples is a person like Mang Robin (Visin) who may be moved by politicians with ‘robinhoodism’ agenda.

      A person believing ‘robinhoodism’ is good will still vote for a candidate with such a policy as projected from past experience and as exhibited during the election campaign.

      He/she will not think of himself/herself as “bobo” and, in fact, may perceive that he/she is doing the ‘greater good.’

    • May ibinulsa ba si Abad sa DAP? At PDAF? Wala naman, di ba? So why should Mar run after Abad if he becomes president?

  10. P25M or P11.+million – controversial ‘White House’ of Chief PNP

    MANILA, Philippines — For the first time, the Philippine National Police on Friday gave the public a glimpse of the controversial “White House” in Camp Crame, built by its disgraced former chief, Alan Purisima.

    ‘The two-story residence, which stands just across the old White House, is the official residence of the PNP chief and where Director General Ricardo Marquez, who assumed command earlier this week, will be staying during his 13-month stint as head of the service. He will be paying the power and water bills during his stay.

    The construction of the new White House became controversial over allegations it cost P25 million to build. However, the PNP says the actual cost was P11.4 million and Purisima said the funds came from private sector donations.’

    Waste of people’s money! I find it unforgivable for any public official ‘to have his/her MILLIONS worth of a HOUSE.!’ Is that required by law? No law then no budget is allowed.

    Na wi-wili ang isang or maraming public officials pag ganito. Simple ABUSO talaga sa funds ng Tao Bayan itong mga bagay.

    http://www.interaksyon.com/article/114396/video–pnp-shows-controversial-white-house-for-first-time

    • I’m sure Jejomar agrees with you.

      Er . . . .

      nevermind.

      The new guy gets to move into that house, right? That is, it is a national perk now gifted to the top cop?

      Who earns about P107,000, or US 2,400 a month, if he gest paid what Purisima was making.

      I’m afraid I can’t join you on this complaint.

      • On #36? That’s ok.

        Binay’s son has that ‘elevator’ etc. Their ‘agreement?’ is not welcome. My message on #36 is re: public officials lower than the President using funds for their personal ego’s sake.

        he he

        • moonie. . . For me, it is always excessive and expensive. It was really a surprise why a VP got that concession from the PNoy Adm. and ?

          Is that the reason why it is starting that other public officials ‘are building their OWN official RESIDENCES’ with funds not belonging to them? Like the PNP ‘WHITE HOUSE?’

          It’s crawling. Creeping. More abuses on this to come.

          he he

  11. Her “current and past addresses” as shown in the web link with search query “Mary Llamanzares” is re-posted here:

    Current & Past Addresses

    2809 Winter Oaks Way, Herndon, VA 20171
    Current Address

    2772 Corey Pl #313, San Ramon, CA 94583
    (Aug 1992 – Oct 2007)

    112 Los Cerros Ave, Walnut Creek, CA 94598
    (Aug 1992 – Oct 2007)

    2809 Winter Oaks Way, Oak Hill, VA 20171
    (Aug 1999 – May 2006)

    42931 Shelbourne Sq, Chantilly, VA 20152
    (May 2006)

    1697 S Commanders, Spokane, WA 99224
    (Mar 1992 – Dec 2002)

    129 Kingsley Rd SW, Vienna, VA 22180
    (Jul 1993 – Dec 2000)

    200 S Van Dorn St #A207, Alexandria, VA 22304
    (Jun 1993 – Nov 2000)

    12502 Sunrise Valley Dr, Reston, VA 20191
    (Oct 1999)

    12021 Sunset Hills Rd, Reston, VA 20190
    (Sep 1999)

    PO Box 2914, Merrifield, VA 22116
    (Oct 1998 – Feb 1999)

    1697 Commanders, Spokane, WA 99224
    (Dec 1996)

    2261 S Southeast Blvd, Spokane, WA 99203
    (Oct 1991 – Dec 1993)

    2661 SE S #1, Spokane, WA 99203
    (Dec 1993)

    1697 Commanders, Spokane, WA 99204
    (Nov 1992)

    Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA 02167
    (Nov 1990)

    As regards the sfdotblockshopperdotcom web link which is now probably “held for future release,” one may google:

    “mary g p llamanzares”

    Have fun this weekend…

  12. Mga tanong na di ko maiwasang itanong bilang taumbayan:
    1.Nakakasiguro ba ang mga tagataguyod ng bilateral talk na papayag ang Tsina sa posisyon ng Pilipinas sa EEZ?
    2. Paano kung ma piss-off ang America sa legal challenge sa Edca at mag withdraw ng suporta sa Pilipinas? Ano ang back up plan kung magkaka ganun? Sa tingin ko di kayang pigilin ng Pilipinas kung patuloy na lalawakan ng Tsina ang pananakop kung walang suporta ang USA.
    Dapat lahat ng mamamayan ay united at magpasalamat sa suporta ng Amerika kasi maski na may sakuna tinutulungan tayo sa disaster relief operations ng mga Kano.

    • bilateral talks because aside from speaking the universal language that is english, mandarin chinese will certainly be spoken, that must be what china meant by ‘bilateral’ talks. how many of us can speak and write mandarin chinese? already, we are at disadvantage. how can we bilateral talk with china when their best reply to our legal arguments presented at the hague – is bullying?

      • he, he, he, here’s my example scenario of bilateral talks:

        pinoy: esteemed members of the people’s rep of china, delegates, guests, ladies and gentlemen: the republic of the philippines do solemnly requested china to respect our sovereign rights and pull out from our territory in the west philippines sea.

        chinese: speak mandarin, you idiot! spoken in well modulated mandarin. the chinese in the audience nodded their heads.

        pinoy: did not understand mandarin and repeated the request . . . get our of our territory . . .

        chinese: your grandmother has fat ass, spoken in mandarin with a smile. the chinese in the audience smiled too.

        pinoy: . . . do solemnly requested . . . still not understanding mandarin, but becoming irritated.

        chinese: your grandfather has fat ass too, again spoken in mandarin but with much thumping on the lectern. as always, the chinese in the audience smiled their approval.

        pinoy: getting frustrated and in stronger voice said, get out of our territory!

        chinese: you get out of our territory! spoken in plain english this time. and then, the chinese delegation all stood up and adjourned for tea, nap, and then, tai chi. next round of talks is scheduled for 2025.

        conclusion: bilateral talks with china is the bottom of the pits, draining and best avoided.

  13. Can a Pawn be Promoted to a Lady-King?

    I posted this a day ago based on the raw info from an unreliable source.

    Parekoy says:
    July 16, 2015 at 11:29 pm

    Roxas-Poe it is!

    Belmonte’s last minute sabotage was a dud and he was berated by PNoy. Belmonte knows that when Aquino made up his mind nobody can change it so the issued correction from Red Nose Reindeer!

    Poe issued her first statement that she is going to help Roxas and Aquino on the Tuwid na Daan to prepare the public to soften her change of mind of transferring her comfort from Chiz to Mar.

    Media blitz will be issued from now to SONA to promote and strengthen the tandem.

    Escudero got most of his demands but back to his old self by contacting Binay and Erap. Tapped conversations are not that alarming yet but enough to continue watch Escudero’s moves if he is doing his part of the bargain.

    Binay accepted the fact that he will confront a more formidable tandem and now tries to show bravado but his camp now is so worried by the jumoing of his allies from hos sinking ship.

    Erap is contemplating to run but emissaries were wMar to solicit a deal.

    The logic behind that is the assumption that Poe is a Pawn in the game of chess politics in the Philippines.

    Before there was Poe, there were two contenders playing the best of three games. Roxas was defeated in the first battle due to being sabotaged his allies from Escudero, Cojuangco and Aquino clans. In the second round though, Roxas was still under relentless attack from the beginning through the endgame but managed to consolidate his forces of defeating the popularity of Binay through his trusted allies and because of the coordinated counter attack, Binay is foiled and defeated including taking his trusted knight Junjun.

    The third game is ongoing but now Poe as Poewn is suddenly in the game but playing both sides and has the choice to be one of the two pawns to be promoted one move away from both white and black of the opposing sides. Binay is playing black as he mastered the strategy of suited for Black while Roxas is playing white and carry the flag of Tuwid na Daan.

    As a background, Poe is a nobody. No experience and just came out from nowhere. Among the pawns though she has some pedigree borrowed from her legal father FPJ. This pawn though is unique for she has the ability to be the white pawn or black pawn depending on her circumstance and who she is allied to.

    As a pawn, Poe is one move remaining and could be promoted as an official. This pawn though is burdened for there is another opportunistic adviser who wants to use her too. Poe is given three choices: Be the white pawn for Roxas, a black pawn for Binay, or a pawn of Escudero.

    Being a white pawn has the security and sure advantage. From a pawn to a queen, she is protected for the spot that she is going to occupy has no threat like a rook capturing her. Being a black queen though is not good for her either for the white king and a trusted knight is ready to capture her and she is only a queen for an instant and will be eliminated from the race as sudden as her rise from presumptuous importance having borrowed some veneer of power from her adopted father, FPJ.

    So being the pawn of Binay is a sure demise for her and being a pawn of Roxas secured her place of being promoted as a queen and as the partner of the presumptive champion will inherit the thrones as the lady king in the next round of championships six years from now.

    But if she chose to be the pawn of Escudero then in this race she is the pawn disguised as the crowned Lady-King working for Escudero who is the Man-Queen! The challenge though is that this team is a two-person team with eight other parasitic pawns who posed themselves as great knights, bishops, and rooks but only when their Lady-King and Man-Queen are able to push them at the eight squares for their promotion. Their team is handicapped and they are powerless from the formidable well organized and well-funded Roxas team. But the Man-Queen of effeminate Escudero is able to open channel with his temporary friend the current king, Aquino, whom he reminded of his role in the Noy-Bi faction as contributor of Aquino’s winning the championship of 2010. In fact even without the help of Noy-Bi faction, Aquino was the sure winner and the sole purpose by the wily Escudero is to scuttle the Roxas great chance of winning the VP by positioning himself inside Roxas camp and at the crucial time showed his real purpose and openly betrayed Roxas. Escudero again concocted a great scheme on how to enter the championships by changing the rule at the closing phase of the championships. Escudero wanted to convince Aquino that the Poe-Escudero team is the one who is able to beat the Binay Team. The truth of the matter is, Binay is cornered and a well panned coordinated attack is ongoing and the end game is near that as if he does not resign a checkmate is inevitable. But Binay knows this and his allies from the Noy-Bi too and they are taking advantage of the fluid situation to inject their plans so that their interests are promoted and protected. By going to Aquino and changing the rules of the game and a replace the current player to a new one who has the momentum and a winning plan that is ongoing which is not obvious to novice and average chess players but only to a select few of grandmasters for it is a well complicated ten-move to mate attack and the experts in Escudero’s camp of Noy-Bi happened to know this for they are part of LP who concocted a very elegant counter-attack that will blow your mind and will be revealed to the audience if Poe is out of the picture as an alternate to Roxas in the ongoing game.
    If by any chance, Aquino again betrayed Roxas by accepting the proposal of the traitor Escudero, then Poe is still going to be defeated for she will be disqualified in a three-way battle of the wounded Roxas camp. Remember the bookkeeper, Abad? He is bad-ass and a dirty player too who will not sit idle because he knows that he can’t trust his personal survival by casting his lot with Poe for ultimately once Poe happened to be elected President, then it is game over for these LP Balay Faction. They know the reality that if the Noy-Bi faction can attack them openly and without recrimination while Aquino is in power, how violent and helpless would the Balay be when Aquino is no longer in power?

    The problem is that this game, once we sacrifice Roxas then the Tuwid na Daan will be sacrificed too and by default Poe as a Lady-King is the end of it all the gains that the Taumbayan and our Nation had accomplished!

    Thus, Poe the Poewn will be a difficult sell as the Lady-King for she will be disqualified for a pawn is never promoted into a King!

    **

    That is the prequel on why my unreliable source is confident of his misinformation that Roxas-Poe was decided and agreed by all parties not to divulge until the SONA. But as usual, the snake pit in the palace is bugged and full of double agents that the Anti-Roxas factions are making last minute efforts to sabotage the deal and that is why they are making all the spins that Roxas is willing to sacrifice again.

    The moment of truth for the public is near, so brace yourselves for the coming weeks will be exciting!

    Parekoy

    07-17-2016

    • Can’t wait for the president’s endorsement although it didn’t mean that I’ll vote for his ‘manok’. If he’ll endorse Poe then I’ll find someone else other than Binay. Why? She’s not ready. NOT READY. That’s my choice. If Binay wins coz of that (wag naman sana), so be it. I just hope there’ll be more candidates to choose from since I don’t vote by just being popular or to avoid a Binay presidency.

    • parekoy, ihahanay kita kina eugene torre at fischer, hehehe.
      true, a pawn can’t be promoted into a king!
      but dear, tell me, pwede mo bang ma-stalemate si chiz?

      • sorry poe, vander. ang alam ko, yong pawn can be promoted to become king or queen once said pawn reached the other end, the opposing end, of the chessboard. and having survived all the odds and challenges posed by opposing pawns, bishops, rooks, knights, etc; yes, a pawn can assumed and indeed become a king or queen.

        there is also a special movement that only a pawn can make, the enpassant. I dont know how that is done though.

        he, he, he, once pawn poe becomes a king, or queen, she may even devour escudero and get him out of her way.

        • Moonie,
          The move to promote Poe into her level of incompetence like moving her from senator to president is en passant. By first opportunity the opposition would destroy and destine her to oblivion. The inordinate desire and greed of Poe and her handler to occupy a position beyond her limitations would lead to her downfall like an en passant move in chess.

          Indeed en passant move is made to create havoc into opponent’s rank when the latter fails to capture the upstart pawn at the first opportunity. By en passant move the pawn, when not immediately captured, would survive and shield the surprise moves of powerful officials like the queen, rook and bishop to place the opponent’s pieces into double threat of capture either by the ambitious pawn or the attacking official. That’s why the ambitious pawn is immediately captured at the very first opportunity. Otherwise, it would create chaos to the opponent.

          Applied to en passant Poe, her opponent would immediately move for her disqualification at the first opportunity to pre-empt her next moves.

          I beg your indulgence. My last competitive chess game happened decades ago. My friendly chess game transpired five years ago against my eight-year old granddaughter. I did not allow her to win even once to discourage her from playing serious chess. This game consumes too much time.

          BTW a pawn could not become a king. And even if allowed, no serious chess player would choose the king as substitute piece because the king in chess has almost no powerful move. It only takes one step at a time.

        • thank you, rene-ipil. no worries, I’ll find your reply if it surfaces somewhere.

        • @ moonie “he, he, he, once pawn poe becomes a king, or queen, she may even devour escudero and get him out of her way.”

          i don’t think so. escudero won’t allow himself to be devoured. malakas ang kutob ko escudero & company are holding the noose tied around poe.

        • hahaha,
          i am not good at chess but i do play the game since elemantary.
          sad that when i became an ofw, haven’t had the appetite to push the woods.
          yes, there is that en passant move, it is a special pawn capture. when a pawn moves 2 squares from starting position. the opposing pawn captures as if it was moved just as the ordinary single square move.

        • guys, I dont play chess. I was once wait staff waiting at tables. some of our customers were chess players, and I picked up ideas from them.

          rene-ipil, agree ako sa iyo. pawn poe has to be en passanted before she makes havoc. else let her stay at the rank, safe at the base. the way I see it, she can make support moves, not be prime mover, or it will cost her dearly.

    • @parekoy
      If cheesedog did a Noy-Bi in 2010, he can do it again for a Bi-Whoever in 2016, maybe a Bi-Po.

      • Poewn was one more square to become king and the King was occupying that square.

        So, King asked – ‘Draw? Poewn said ‘Yes.’ So, King did ‘draw’ toppling Poewn down

        Poewn forgot the King was Doc Holiday! who drew like the fastest gun alive! End of Poewn. . .

        End of Doc Holiday’s chess game with Poewn. Mystery is who is Doc Holiday – Mar Roxas or PNoy?

        he he he

      • Bin-Poe, malapit na sa bimpo, o trapo

        A big possibility, que horror….!, in case the anointed team will be Mar-Poe (a looming impossibility now?), Escudero will go Bin-Poe, since he failed to get the nod to be the VP of Poe.

  14. I’m posting here because @baycas post is under moderation:

    @baycas #1.1.3.1

    Yes, I agree with saxnviolins, and there is more to it. That is why the purchase of US residential property and the retention of US address are all relevant information as to Grace Poe’s intent. It seems to me that her decision to give-up her US citizenship was an after-thought.

    There is more but I like to defer my further comments on Grace residency until the time she becomes an official candidate for President, or Vice-president.

    • Read Baycas link more carefully please and do no be so eager to jump to to unwarranted conclusions you favor. She was one of the original buyers of the property along with many in her extended family back in 2005. It was a group investment in residential rental property. She bought out the rest of the family in 2009 and while it may still be under her name, it means nothing as Filipino public officials are allowed to possess legally acquired properties in the US. As to intention, it is you whose motives are suspect given your eagerness, almost sheer desperation, to find anything on Poe no matter how tenuous which could be used to derail her candidacy.

      • You are not getting the context of my statement, and you are grossly misinterpreting it.

        I premised my statement on the fact that Grace Poe explained the basis of her calculation of the 6 years 6 month of Philippine residency in her COC, as starting from the year 2006 when she sold her house in the US. In essence, she was saying that she changed her domicile from the US to the Philippines in 2006 as evidenced by her selling of her residential property, and that was how she justified the 6 years 6 months she put down on her COC.

        What Grace conveniently did not say is that, yes, she disposed of a property in 2006 but obtained another in 2008. So what does that say about her intentions and domicile, and about her transparency in her declarations?

        • I am with Caliphman on this. Putting it on a trust is not necessarily jeopardized her residency. In fact one could buy properties in the US and still be a resident of the Philippines.

          It was the same error that you attributed to Corona ng makuryente yung mga properties na pinagkakabit mo kay Corona.

          Still I don’t support Poe’s bid for President nor VP but this property issue won’t stick. She is disqualified for residency but the legalities depend on her alliance.

        • @Parekoy

          Let me try again if I can make this simpler.

          Grace Poe said that she counted 6 years and 6 months on her COC based on the date she sold her property in 2006. Her baseline date is when she sold her property in 2006. This according to Grace herself.

          So what is the significance of her selling her property in 2006 that she used it as her baseline date to establish the length of her residence in the Philippines?

          Why not use the date when she visited the country when FPJ passed away? Why not the date she renounced her US citizenship before serving as chair of MTRCB? Why not the date she renounced her citizenship before she ran for senator?

          Let me just put it that way for now. I’m not discussing about property rights, or hidden wealth, or trust fund, or anything like that. I’m just interested in the intentions and transparency of someone aspiring for a higher office.

        • I did not mean you, Parekoy. Yvonne is as biased when it comes to Poe as they come and she poses under the guise of not being anti-poe by declaring so. What does that say about her intentions and the transparency of her declarations? Hehehe

        • Get your facts straight.
          1) She sold her home and not an investment property. Whatever error she made in her Certificate of Candidacy has no bearing on the legal determination of when her domicile started in the Philippines for residency requirement purposes, as CJ Panganiban has asserted.
          2) She bought into the investment property in 2005 according to the SF block shopper report. How many times must you be told that before you actually bother reading it?
          3) She or her lawyers do not have to explain why she did not completely divest herself of all her US investment properties if she has not already done so because she is not required to. Why does this have anything to do with her intention to have her domicile and home in the Philippines?

        • @caliphman

          1. You’re the one who need to get your facts straight. Looks like you don’t even know that there are two residential properties involved here – one in California and another in Virginia.

          2. I think you’re the one who need to do some more research; I have done plenty already.

          3. Of course that is her right, and the rights of her lawyers, not to explain everything. That, I agree with you.

        • @BFD

          I will leave the topic as it is right now, and I will let caliphman have the last words with the advice that we can resume the discussions when Grace Poe actually becomes an official candidate. It is going to be a very interesting discussion.

        • @BFD

          I really should stop engaging caliphman at this time because whenever he makes a pushback I become tempted to disclose additional information.

          Now, I unwittingly disclosed that there are two properties involved. And then you start asking about SALN.

          I say, let’s take a break. :-)

        • Yeah, you should stop. It’s not worth it at this time since Grace is not a candidate at this time YET.

          But it would be unfair to the Filipino people if there was really no “full disclosure.”

        • @Yvonne, I’m still inclined to believe that Grace is now disclosing everything to her battery of lawyers then will decide on her fate based on the findings. I also believe that PNoy and his lieutenants will not be left wandering in the woods. They know something that we don’t and as I’ve said that everyday is getting exciting. The curious case of Grace will reach the Supreme Court one way or another and I can’t wait to find out and compare the positions of CPMers against the wisdom of our Justices. It’s very unfortunate that some of us here talk like they are experts of the law and just short of telling other CPMers that they know nothing. We are just making opinions, predictions and discussing issues and events and at the end of the day will have to wait for those to unfold. Right or wrong, it’s always a good experience being here. I just admire you of your patience like other CPMers. Hindi ka pikon.

        • @Vhin AB

          I’m inclined to agree with you that there is some serious vetting process going on in the upper echelon of our political circles about GP.

          And I believe that any disclosure made during the vetting process should cascade down to the public consciousness so that the public can make wise decision not only come election day but also from thereon.

          But disclosure and transparency will not happen if we, the people, do not demand them. That is why the initiative to nudge our political leaders and government officials into making more disclosure and transparency must come from us.

          We must send them a strong and unequivocal message that the old ways of non-disclosure and lack of transparency are no longer acceptable to us.

          We must send them a strong message that if they don’t do it, we will do the disclosure for them. And we will do it without fear, or favor.

        • …and disclosures (transparency) must be done ANYTIME…

          Para talagang “without fear or favor.”

        • I am interested now to see the details of the SALNs of Grace Poe from 2010 to 2013. Philstar reported about her SALN for 2013:

          “Sen. Grace Poe-Llamanzares made it to the top 10 richest senators with total net worth of P148.9 million.

          She listed P145.5 million in real properties and some P42 million in personal properties.

          Poe listed two houses and lots in the United States. The first one worth P15 million was purchased in 2008, while a second was purchased in 1992.”

          http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2014/05/22/1325891/villar-still-richest-senate

        • You like to assume a lot of things about Poe and me dont you? Of course I know that her home was in Virgina. Thats why the Walnut creek home was an investment property, duhh. And you yourself posted this Baycas research, so now you are claiming it as your own? Talking about dishonesty…before you start pointing fingers at other people, maybe you should start with yourself.

        • @Caliphman, lighten up. You are arguing not debating.
          In my post I list two California properties one apparently owned by Grace Poe and the other held in trust for her by a distant relative/close friend.
          Who knows how many other properties she might have in VA, WA, MA.
          I would be interested to understand how you know that Grace Poe sold her sole US residential property? Or are you just guessing?

        • Ancient Mariner, you should read my previous posts. It has to do with US taxation of persons renouncing their US citizenship. They are taxed on unrealized gains on properties they hold in the year they renounce citizenship. Most people end up selling to raise cash to pay the tax. The law’s purpose is to make sure persons give up their citizenship to evade taxes. So maybe this is more about US taxes anyone at CPM wanted to know except for my friend JoeAm who might be affected if he ever decided to rescind his US citizenship.

        • ” ….persons do NOT give up their citizenships to avoid to evade tax.” Correction.

        • So you know that MGPL did all of the above (tax wise) or are you just guessing?
          Unless you can corroborate what you appear to be claiming as facts they remain simply your opinion.
          If you cannot substantiate all your claims, I would suggest your style of posting is way out of order.

        • You know nothing, Ancient MarinerTalking with you is like exchanging ideas with a stone. Have a nice day.

        • Hogwash.
          Thank you for reinforcing my comment with your crass, uneducated response.
          Have a nice day brow beating all those around you.

        • I am interested or curious of the ‘tip or tips’ yvonne is putting here. Before that interest came up I was also outright judgmental on such ‘tip or tips’ of how many US properties Poe had etc.

          The ‘tip or tips’ could be of something or nothing. Common discretion (not yet judicial-like thinking discretion) may happen whether such ‘tip or tips’ are harmless or harmful.

          But until then such ‘tip or tips’ are revealed, one may not know if harmless or harmful.

          How did it come out of the harmfulness of VP Binay’s revealed ‘tip or tips’ during his mayorship of Makati and afterwards? Harmless or harmful? How about that of Janet Napoles on the PDAF scandal?

          Some tip or tips of the ice it started! Revealed later: Harmful. If such revelations are found harmless, what’s the problem? CPM doesn’t have to be exact for one or for all.

          Let It Float First. If A Dead Body Floating or Just A Useless Debris’ Harmless? Or Harmful? CPM is also SLEUTHING it here. Raissa is the Master of it all.

          Carwash or hogwash who cares? Let us find out if the car or ‘a pig’ is clean or dirty.

          ha ha . . . the water hose is always waiting to hose it down.

          :-)

        • Don;t get me wrong. Raissa brings out facts. She’s a Master. We are not as she is.

          Anyway, Caliphman said ‘One is allowed to speculate here, Joe.’ #29.1.1.1.2

          ‘speculate’ – “to form opinions by guessing in the hope of making ‘a profit’ but with risk of ‘loss.’ All dictionaries.

          I agree wholeheatedly!

          :-)

        • Research, speculate, engage or discuss. Revelations, revelations, pikons, pikons.., ang saya dito @Leona kaya binabalik-balikan hahaha. Some patethic people who don’t want to stick to issues. Kapag di ka na masagot ay yung pagkatao mo na ang kukuwestyunin. Bato, bato sa langit ang tamaan buti nga sa kanila!

        • Leona, if you are referring to that Walnut Creek property link, that ‘tip’ came from Baycas and not from Yvonne.Secondly I was merely pointing out that the 1998 ‘purchase’ was not new as the same source shows Poe already had her name on the title, probably as a joint family investment. As such, it was no indication of any intent on Poe’s part to keep her domicile in n the US. So I don’t understand what you are trying to insinuate, if anything. Let me know clearly what you are trying to point out rather than trying to beat around the bush.

  15. For what it is worth, a check today on, Blockshopper, San Francisco revealed that:-

    112 Los Cerros Avenue, Walnut Creek, CA 94598
    Is still listed as belonging to Mary Grace Poe Llamanzares.

    2772 Corey Place #33, San Ramon , CA 94583, a property listed elsewhere as previously owned by MGPL is owned by
    Donald M and Benita Lipayon (Trustees). Perhaps someone understands what Trustee means in this context?

    • Benita Sonora Lipayon a.k.a. Bennet is a sister of Jesusa Sonora Poe a.k.a. Susan.

      • The Lipayons appear to.have been the previous owners of 112 Los Cerros Avenue.

    • don’t know, not sure how pertinent or relevant is this: a spin of Like Caesar’s wife . .
      before anybody becomes a public official, any candidate before he/she becomes a public official must be beyond suspicion because a public office is a public trust.