Inside Philippine politics & beyond

“I think you were the one who wrote against Duterte before”

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By Raïssa Robles

“Ikaw yata yung sumulat against Duterte noon.” (I think you were the one who wrote against Duterte in the past).

It was the first thing presidential legal counsel  Salvador Panelo blurted when I met him at the e-book launch of Associate Justice Antonio Carpio on the South China Sea last week.

Panelo was the last person I expected to bump into, and I was surprised to see him by his lonesome. Usually, cabinet officials are like magnets in many gatherings I’ve attended. They immediately attract a horde who buzz around them constantly.

When I saw him I went up to him, introduced myself and told him I first met him SEVERAL YEARS BACK when he was coming out of the mansion of the late jeweler Ding Velayo in Quezon City, which the government was then leasing to serve as detention center for former Muslim rebel chief Nur Misuari. Panelo was then the attorney of Misuari.

After I introduced myself this is how our conversation went:

“Ikaw yata yung sumulat against Duterte noon.”

“Marami akong sinulat” (I wrote many.)

He said, “Sa dami” (So many).

I said I was not against Duterte but against his policy of extrajudicial killings.

Making a show of searching his memory, Panelo told me, “Sabi sa kin ni Rudy – sagutin mo nga yang writer na yan.” (Rudy told me, answer that writer for me.)

I stupidly asked Panelo – “Sino si Rudy?”

“Sino pa, di si Presidente,” (Who else but the President.).

Only then did I realize that “Rudy” was “Rody”.

Panelo told me he never got around to answering what I had written.

I forgot to ask Panelo why he was there at the book launch. I surmised that he and Carpio must have known each other as law students since Carpio was only a year ahead of him in the University of the Philippines College of Law.

We had a selfie together. He volunteered to take it since his arm was much longer:

Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo

♦  ♦  ♦  ♦

Which post of mine could have prompted Duterte to ask Panelo to answer me?

It couldn’t have been these two posts about Duterte’s rape joke:

Duterte told the same “rape joke” last January – watch video

Duterte told the same “rape joke” last January – watch video

Watch Duterte joke about raping a woman missionary

Watch Duterte joke about raping a woman missionary

Was it about my post on Duterte meeting with the Chinese Consul-General?

Mayor Duterte, please disclose what you told Chinese officials about the South China Sea

Mayor Duterte, please disclose what you told Chinese officials about the South China Sea

Or perhaps it was my speech at a University of the Philippines forum on Duterte mimicking closely what his idol Dictator Ferdinand Marcos did

Why I believe Rodrigo Duterte is copying Marcos’ moves to set up a dictatorship

Why I believe Rodrigo Duterte is copying Marcos’ moves to set up a dictatorship

Or was it my May 2016 post on Facebook and Twitter that went viral, for which I got a lot of hate mail?

When I meet Panelo again, I will ask him. Perhaps he will remember.

♦  ♦  ♦  ♦

Aside from the presidential counsel another surprising guest was Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana. He shook hands with his former boss, Albert del Rosario, whom he once served as military attache and veterans affairs representative in Washington. Lorenzana is a tall man with a soft command voice who looks quite physically fit.

Someone admiringly remarked that Lorenzana had won the MVP Cup for golf last year [by taking 18 holes].

Lorenzana shrugged off the compliment, saying his wife was not at all impressed because he only came home with a trophy and not a car.

I jokingly asked him about rumors floating around that some people around the President did not like him.

He merely shrugged.

♦  ♦  ♦  ♦

Former Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario gave a speech praising Justice Carpio’s backroom role in the international arbitration in The Hague. I noticed that his voice was softer than usual.

Unlike in other similar gatherings where guests tend to continue talking while a speaker is on the podium delivering a speech, everyone listened intently to Del Rosario. (One guest, though, could not help coughing at times.) Although his voice was soft he remained firm in his resolve that China’s claims in the South China Sea were bogus.

Later, Del Rosario told someone that he was in pain because of his back problem.

While listening to Del Rosario speak, it just struck me that the international arbitration was the “Golden Hour” for the Department of Foreign Affairs. Duterte, for his own reasons which are yet to be fully revealed, robbed the DFA of its shining moment in the history of modern global diplomacy: How one tiny nation without a Navy and an Air Force took on one of the most powerful nation with words alone.

No wonder China HATES lawyers.

♦  ♦  ♦  ♦

Carpio’s former boss, ex-President Fidel Ramos, graced the occasion wearing his military cap with decorations. Perhaps to hide his thinning hair.

Former Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario with former President Fidel V. Ramos PHOTO BY Raissa Robles

I asked him what he thought of what President Duterte did as chair of ASEAN, dropping any mention of the arbitral award. He fished out  a sheaf of papers and gave it to me saying – that’s an advance copy of my column. It’s about Track III, the ASEAN Leadership forum.

Ramos often likes to be sphinx-like. But sometimes he can be very candid. Last night, he chose to be a sphinx.

I noticed for the first time, though, a fragility and sadness about him that I did not see last year in July when I bumped into him during the US Embassy reception for the Fourth of July. That time, Ramos was very jolly and voluble and had drank quite a bit. He was among the last to leave. My last glimpse of him then was a man weaving ever so slightly as he walked slowly across the marble lobby of Fairmont Hotel in Makati, while a male aide hovered protectively about him,

Seeing Ramos, I wondered – what’s an ex-President supposed to do after stepping down? Ramos has lived 19 more years after his presidency. No wonder he tried to change the Philippine Constitution before his term expired in 1998 because he felt he still had the energy and the drive to go on being President.

♦  ♦  ♦  ♦

Justice Carpio’s staff was in full force during the launch. I sensed they were very fond of him beyond the call of duty.

Justice Antonio Carpio with his wife Ruth (in red) and his Staff PHOTO BY Raissa Robles

I finally met Justice Carpio’s Vietnamese wife Ruth.

♦  ♦  ♦  ♦

I found Carpio’s guest list quite curious.

Aside from Ramos, Del Rosario and Panelo, there were three senators who earlier had dinner with President Rodrigo Duterte in Malacañang: Cynthia Villar, Nancy Binay and Loren Legarda. Only Villar is with the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, as one of its three vice chairs.

There was also former national security adviser and retired general Victor Corpuz, who had earlier told me it would be better for the Philippines to shelve its claim in the South China Sea “for the rest of the century” and work closely with China.

See my South China Morning Post story –

DUTERTE PLAYS A DANGEROUS GAME IN THE SOUTH CHINA SEA

And of course, Ramos’ former national security adviser General Jose Almonte. But I did not get to talk to him.

♦  ♦  ♦  ♦

You can download FOR FREE Carpio’s e-book, “Philippine Sovereign Rights and Jurisdiction in the West Philippine Sea: The South China Sea Dispute” by clicking on the title.  

Comments

  1. Duterte hiring of Mocha girls is very ingenious!
    Look at the Bright side on the offer of Duterte to employ Mocha Girls in govt

    Duterte would be put in Guiness book of records as the first head of state to sideline as a pimp for foreign dignitaries.
    Saves govt money in entertaining state visit of leaders on their free Services since they are already salaried govt employees.
    Saves the govt in clothing expenses since they are barely dressed up
    No need for Duterte to sneak outside Malacanang for his sometimes sexual cravings. Imagine the savings on security protection aside from use of gas guzzler convoy cars.

    Imagine, just imagine the bad language and sexual Duterte and Mochas will be exchanging during their free time. While enjoying their tryst, they could invite Boy Scouts to listen since already encouraged the boys to kill, it’s not politically incorrect to teach them lessons about sex “au naturale”.

    Duterte will then tell the parents of the Boy Scouts that he’s inviting their children to learn about fishing because he will show them the real “fighting fish”

    He he he

  2. More ‘Mocha Girls’ in government? Duterte offers jobs to Uson’s pals
    ———————————————————————————-
    More “Mocha Girls” may soon follow in the footsteps of newly-appointed Communication Assistant Secretary Mocha Uson by joining the Duterte administration.

    A live video posted on Uson’s Facebook page showed President Rodrigo Duterte offering government posts to her former co-members in the sexy girl group.

    “Gusto ninyo magtrabaho [sa administrasyon ko], okay lang,” Duterte, who arrived in Hong Kong Thursday night, told the Mocha Girls.

    Hala! hala hindi na kailagan ni Du30 pumunta sa bar para sa show …
    ———————————————————————————-

    http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/610567/more-mocha-girls-in-government-duterte-offers-jobs-to-uson-s-pals/story/?just_in#sthash.ezShHh88.dpuf

      • kailangang-kailangan ni bduts at minyons ng panakip sa mga kaganapan.
        si moka locha ay henyo sa paghabi ng kwento.
        baka mas marami pa silang maikalat na istoryaje pag kumpleto ang burlesan girlsnLR sa palasyo..

    • sabi ni du30, he is simply paying back mocha for her support on him

      ANO? mag babayad siya ng utang ng loob at our expense? Sana maisip ni Du30 hindi sa kanya ang Pilipinas at gagamitin niya ang position niya para mag bayad ng utang. I think but i may be wrong, since iaapoint niya din yon ibang mocha girls for his own entertainment. Sabi nga niya kung saan siya mag punta, dapat doon din ang mocha girls .. di na kuntento sa isa gusto group pa .. ano ito? harem niya? concubine niya? diba?

      • total siya man daw ang may-ari ng malakanyang, kaya nag-offer ng trabaho sa mocka loka girls.

        mali po ito, si digong ay hindi may-ari ng malakanyang. the palace belongs to the rep of the phil. digong is only elected official, caretaker of malakanyang until the next president comes along.

        digong ay hindi may-ari ng makalanyang, hindi niya pwedeng ipagbili yan o ipamigay sa kaibigan at pamilya. hiram sa kanya ang malakanyang bilang official residence habang presidente siya.

        • kung talagang marunong si digong magbayad ng utang na loob, he ought to pay back the 16millions voters who voted for him and put him in power. create jobs for them, equal pay, educate their children, free hospitalization, etc. maintain govt buildings and infrastructures, roads, schools and markets, make their lives easy. help the 16millions upang makaahon sila, sugpuin ang kriminalidad, parusahan ang nagkasala, maintain law and order. so many things digong can do to pay back the 16 millions voters who voted for him. mocha is only one vote, dont concentrate too much on her.

          if mocha must have a job, make her a househelper to honeylet, like a lady in waiting or mayordomo. she’ll travel 1st class with honeylet, look after honeylet’s wardrobe, look after her schedule and itineraries, and act has public relation officer. that way, honeylet will not have conflicting schedules and will not mixed up the names of the wives of visiting officials.

        • why?

          did she mix up the names of visiting officials?

          if yes, do you have the link?

          thanks.

        • tanong nga ni bduts, “sino ba ang walang gf/bf?”
          magtataka pa ba tayo sa mix-up na iyan?

        • big mix up would be in honeylet ends up attending the wrong function, be at the wrong place, and at the wrong time. baka mapagkamalan pa siyang adik at ma- riding in tandem!

        • sorry po, this early on, haven’t heard honeylet yet mixing up the names of the wives of visiting officials with those of the mistresses, and vice versa. honeylet seldom attends official function and is barely heard, maybe, kinahihiya siya ni digong, who knows?

          pero, lately, honeylet got to accompany digong to cambodia not as part of the furniture but maybe as ‘spouse’. and if she becomes a permanent fixture at his side, visible, seen and heard, she ought to have her own staff.

  3. DUTERTE’S POSSIBLE BETRAYAL OF PUBLIC TRUST IN SUGGESTING CHINESE JOINT PATROLS (starts 3:33)

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z5BAA2dr7AU

    Justice Carpio interview on Duterte’s implied waiver of sovereign rights as betrayal of public trust starts 3:31.

    Kasama ba ito sa election promises ni Digong sa Tsina, ang pagbigay ng buong Pilipinas sa Tsina?

    • walang vfa, visiting forces agreement, exist between china vs pinas. kung ano man ang kasunduan digong entered into, laway lang niya ang capital. malay natin, he has already forgotten what he consented to. and the chinese, as always, are so happy to con him. all the while smiling their crocodile smiles, bargaining for more and more concessions, and getting more and more of our territory.

      still, I dont think, it’s too late. better late than never, ika. so, pinas ought to draft visiting forces agreement with china, and pending on signing, our military withheld joint exercises. we all cannot just agree willy nilly with anything digong consented to. for our sake and for the sake of future generations, we have got to show we know how to do the right thing, even if the president does not.

      • without visiting forces agreement, we will have no idea how long chinese forces are going to stay, one week, one month, one year, maybe forever. and if they dump toxic nuclear waste, wala tayong habo. wala kasing guidelines on how chinese visiting forces must behave while in our shores. and if they do something other than military exercises like offloading tons of goods past their use by dates, o flood our markets with pirated goods, illegal drugs and the like, lagot tayo.

        with visiting forces agreement, we can limit what the chinese forces can and cannot do. without the agreement, the chinese are free to do as they like, what they like, how and when. wala silang obligation sa atin.

        • narito na sa pnas ang mga intsiq. kalat na sa buong kapuluan. sila na ang nagpapaikot ng ekonomiya.

  4. Sabi ni Wigman … reopen daw inbestigasyon on PDAF and DAP (take note DAP) … wala daw selective justice daw again DAW .. di pa nga start .. obvious na eh.

    So its so clear, who is the their target … i wonder if mr. wig man was not wearing wig, how will be look like now .. aba ang hirap yata mag isip at sumulat ng fairytales.

  5. ANOTHER BLACK EYE FOR THE PHILIPPINES

    As reported in the May 15, 2017 issue of Time Magazine, a new report of the Oceans Beyond Piracy (OBP) put the Philippines’ Sulu and Celebes Seas among the top three of the world’s piracy hot spots in the company of Nigeria and Somalia.

    According to Time, “kidnappings rose in the waters between Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines, where the al-Qaeda-linked group Abu Sayyaf is active. Merchant ships and tourist yachts are now at risk.”

    When you read the Philippines, Nigeria and Somalia in the same sentence that is really bad news for us!

    • just connect the dots: Widodo in Davao for launch of Philippines-Indonesia Ro-Ro
      By Rosette Adel (philstar.com) | Updated April 30, 2017 – 10:30am

    • pinalaya kasi ni digong sina misuari, tiamsons, etc kaya, paspasan ang money making ventures nila. kidnapping for ransom, hala, tudo!

      at kung wise si digong, he ought to direct well-armed chinese visiting forces to patrol the seas between pinas and indonesia where pirates are rampant at huliin ang mga ito. instead of just letting our military be on the front line, running after them pirates, killed and be killed. habang the chinese forces are in safer waters, living on the fat of the land, making fisted salutes and listening to digong’s idiotic speeches.

        • as I see it, po, it’s already been happening right before digong’s myopic eyes: big time piracy. abu sayyaf had seen it long before and joined in the fray, only this time, harap-harapan na at pinalawak ang maritime piracy nila. they took after china. if china can do it, abus can do it too. and digong is ‘inactive’ to both thier maritime activities. while china pirated by stealing fishes and claiming territories, abus is busy kidnapping for ransom on land and on sea, different style but same category: stealing.

          pirates, ahoy! best time to be pirates these days, digong is barely doing a thing, busy traveling all over the world, chasing the mirage of illusive money, promised money, nothing concrete though.

          in the meantime, and our military is being dumbed down, and doing only 5 per cent of what they can actually do. on full pay.

  6. GREATEST LATEST NEWS FROM DUTERTE

    “Duterte insists Shabu can cause brain damage”

    Very true!!!!
    Question: When did Duterte learn this true fact supported by evidence?
    Answer: Upon waking up yesterday morning, looked at himself in the mirror, called Bong Go and told him he will appoint Alan Cayetano DFA secretary

    He he he

    • yay! lacson and committee on appointments will have field day on cayetano’s expense. gina lopez is out, tugiwalo is in, out? cayetano the americano is pfft!

  7. Recently, mocha was appointed (or promoted) to be assistant sec for communication… so lagi na siya palasyo. Reward ba ito sa kanya doon sa rally sa luneta? eh si Ignacio and Bondoc kaya ano reward kaya nila?

    Hmmm di kaya mag selos ito si Honeylet? remember ito si mocha was a softporn actress before… wag naman sana mag karoon ng scandal hehehe …

    • he, he, he, sideline si honeylet in case mocha loca is not available, that way there is always someone to answer digong’s beck and call. dont know yet where sandra cam will be placed.

      • I read somewhere na digong will never leave honeylet kuno. well, honeylet mamasan was left behind when digong went to the middle east. instead, sinama niya sina mocha loca, imee marcos at sandra cam: tres marias ni digong.

  8. Since we now know with certainty and accuracy that drug lords and pushers are the handiwork of policemen, there is increasing evidence of dwindling EJK victims. However, resourceful policemen who are relying on the promise of Duterte that he will, protect, defend and promote if charged in court, these men resorted to other creative forms to make money using drug war scenario.

    Proof of Kidnapping and extortion under “drug war fight” pretext by policemen
    1. Secret cell in police precinct housing kidnapped addicts targeted for extortion in exchange for liberty.
    2. Warrantless search and drug evidence planting of an engineer in Pampanga in exchange for extortion.
    3. 4 Makati policemen kidnapped and extorted money from family were caught.

    Meanwhile, no other national news of kidnapping or extortion was reported against non policemen. Proof that abuse and impunity by policemen was encouraged by Duterte’s promise

    He he he

  9. OoT…

    Janet Napolice acquitted…

    Convict and acquit.

    Acquittal ends the case. No review generally. Double trouble Jeopardy rule.

    Consti has no clear expressed provision on the ‘rule.’ Rules of Court has…that State may appeal but jurisprudence says otherwise. So, what is the ‘rule’?

    he he he5zPGC

    • they acquitted her and planning to use her as state witness … against whom?
      buhay mga fairy god father pala ngayon hehehe

      • airy, fairy. high tech, low tech, take your pick. coz you can’t teach an old dog a brand new trick.

  10. You wrote many…pdutz and panelo don’t remember which to answer.

    Confusion under this Adm. Talk and release…Clarify and release. Sulong and Urong.

    pdutz trying to save ‘Pinas and Filipinos…then Not saving ‘Pinas and Filipinos!

    Public, general at that…confused. Remain quiet na lang. Try to survive whatever takes place.

    Matira at matibay! Survival of the fittest.

    he he he

    • I think you were the one who wrote against duterte before . . . aba, pick up line yata yan ni panelo, raissa kasi is hard to resist. journalists are like pots of glue to politicians, so good to talk with, so much connections/info to mine and good for future reference too.

        • mea culpa po, I notice kasi, each time there is function, politician’s eyes roam around and 100 to one percent, their eyes always home and zero in on a journalist.

    • leona, pls lang po, remaining quiet is golden, but. I say, seek out like minded individuals and crash on them. sometimes, sorrow is like happiness, it’s best shared and off loaded on others. that’s what being alive is about. nag, nag, nag, daing, daing, daing, it makes one feel better. complain to the universe and shout! god has big enough ears, he’ll hear you. so, shout! people may look at your weirdly, but you wont go to jail. though, you may attract attention of the mental health men in white. also, try not to attract polis attention, baka you’ll end up behind aparadors!

  11. TWO FILIPINOS: DUTERTE AND CARPIO
    Observing these two Filipino men I cannot help but note that Philippines is indeed in the most interesting part of its history.
    While President Duterte debased the office of Philippine Presidency in less than a year of rule like
    1. selling out of Philippine territory by belittling an internalional ruling that China has no business claiming parts of our territory and instead embraced China and even encouraged it to explore further other areas of our country
    2.engaged in daily murder by encouraged killings of private citizens on mere suspicions of drug dealings disregarding due process
    3.flaunts low regard for a woman’s human right to be respected of her person in numerous times (destroying the character of a Critic Woman senator, encouraging Speaker Alvarez philandering ways, ogling on Robredo, flirting openly with news reporters, and the now infamous desire to have the primacy in raping a dead missionary)
    4. corruption of the highest level by commending and embracing the Marcoses
    Justice Carpio on the other hand lifts the Office of the Supreme Court Justice to a most honorable admirable inspiring level by
    1. his untiring efforts to encourage Filipinos to protect the national territory against a world power like China
    2. his own personal conduct in his professional and public life untainted by whiff of corruption or abuse
    In less than a year, we are witnesses to what is possible in a Filipino government official one corrupt, the other noble.

  12. “Lonely table just for one” – Panelo as observed by Raissa
    ,
    Lonely table just for one- Alan Cayetano on the number of votes he convinced in Geneva out of 46 voting UN members on his defense of Duterte’s human rights issue. Philippines is 47th member in the UN human rights convention. Selling by Duterte of Spratlys and SCARBOROUGH shoals paid off with one China vote.

    Cayetano has been silent on the issue since UN members voted to rebuff Cayetano and company. But here comes his alter ego as Duterte spokesman, Tito Sotto. He asked the 45 UN members to wait for the results of the investigation and some charges are already on “court trial” under Duterte administration on EJK and human rights before condemning current Philippines human rights policy. Sotto claims he knows for a fact that ” the investigation is moving”, his exact words.

    If it’s moving, how come Cayetano did not expound on the progress of the investigation in Geneva meeting?

    Knowing that Sotto graduated Summa Cum Laude from Iskul Bukol Wanbol University, what he meant by ” ” “moving” is that the investigation is definitely moving, only backwards while his understanding of “court trial” is that the investigators are on “trial” for abuse and impunity

    He he he

    • the investigation is moving kuno, pepepsihin yata ni sotto ang uninted nations as regard digong’s human rights fallacy. wait until the result of the investigation is due – in about 5yrs? by then, digong will be out of office, maybe dead before then. wait for the result of the investigation, wait until the kapolisan cook up statistics, wait unti more people are extorted and made to pay big bucks for release of their being illegally detained. wait, wait, wait. sotto is starting to look like adolf hitler, he, he, he. na-ano lang, e.

  13. so what could be the business of one of bduts trusted uhmm?
    i am interested of what he will answer to what raissa wrote about the makoy’s lick.5QcGN

    • I think, the semi trusted one was there on digong’s behalf, acting as digong’s eyes and ears, circulating wihtout encumbrances and marking people. and then, reporting back to digong who he sees and what he hears.

      see how his hair pricks up? like antena they are.