A Palace Divided (part 2)

The Plot Thickens

Theories abound, depending on whom one asks, on how the issue of jueteng, from Cruz’s initial allegations to the continuing investigations on both Houses of Congress, has ballooned to such proportions. The more popular version is that is it is about who gets to control the jueteng-STL “industry” for the next six years. While this theory also holds water, the less talked-about angle is how this “struggle” came to be and how it is bound to be fought until the next national elections. 

Insiders, in hushed chatters and muffled whispers, allege that it has got something to do with the “battles from within” the Palace – Aquino’s “kingdom divided.” 

Trace the history of “Balai” and “Samar,” they say, starting from the campaign period, to Aquino’s choice of appointees, to Sonny Belmonte’s Speakership of the House, to how Kiko Pangilinan lost his bid for the Senate presidency, all the way to Jesse Robredo’s token appointment as DILG Secretary in an “acting capacity” and Rico Puno’s designation as Undersecretary in-charge of “anything police,” and you shall then have solved the puzzle. 

A Palace Divided (part 1)

Exposé after exposé after exposé, the jueteng controversy has set both the executive and legislature ablaze, and all because - according to insiders – warring factions from within President Noynoy Aquino’s “kingdom divided” have allegedly tried to set each other on fire. 

On Monday, in the House of Representatives, at a hearing conducted by the committee on games and amusement, jueteng whistleblower Sandra Cam accused Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) directors of receiving a Mini Cooper each in “protection” bribe from operators of the illegal numbers game. These operators also happen to be franchise owners of the state-run Small Town Lottery (STL), according to Cam. 

Cam, who had also accused members of the Arroyo family of benefitting from jueteng payola in 2005, attended the hearing with fellow anti-jueteng crusaders former Dagupan-Lingayen Archbishop Oscar Cruz and priest-turned-politician Pampanga ex-Governor Ed Panlilio. 

Cruz, whose accusations of connivance among jueteng operators, local government officials, and Palace aides, have ignited a fusillade of exposes and investigations-in-aid-of-legislation on the issue - claimed that jueteng continues to flourish under the three-month old Aquino regime.

Miriam Santiago on Jueteng (part 2)

DILG + PNP = JUETENG

by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 

Privilege speech on 22 September 2010)

PROTECTION MONEY TO PUBLIC OFFICIALS

Money from jueteng bets are called gross receipts. The biggest gross receipts in Luzon are, in order of amount, on a daily, repeat daily, basis are: 

1. Laguna - P 14 M 

2. Pampanga - P 9 M 

3. Pangasinan - P 9 M 

4. Batangas - P 8.5 M 

5. Bulacan - P 8 M 

6. Nueva Ecija - P 7.5 M 

7. Quezon - P 7.5 M 

From this daily income, the jueteng operator has to subtract his operation expenses of 34 percent, itemized as follows: 

Cabo - 02% 

Cobrador - 10% 

Management - 22% 

= 34% Operation Expenses 

After subtracting operation expenses, and the jueteng prize money, the operator proceeds to pay, on a monthly basis, protection money to syndicates at various levels, arranged form the highest level, as follows: 

A. National Level 

1% to the syndicate consisting of: DILG secretary or undersecretary, PNP chief, and CIDG head. 

2% to the PCSO syndicate consisting of: PCSO chair, general manager, board directors, legal department, Romualdo Quiñones, a certain Sabella, and taxes. The operator pays so-called taxes consisting of 5% of the gross, plus 2% for the receipts known as papeletos. 

1% to the syndicate consisting of the Games and Amusement Board, Intelligence Officer, and to media.

Miriam Santiago on Jueteng (part 1)

DILG + PNP = JUETENG

by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago

(Privilege speech on 22 September 2010)

I am on sick leave for hypothyroidism, which means that my thyroid gland located at the throat does not produce enough thyroid hormones. This deficiency causes many of the body’s functions to slow down. Some of the symptoms are: extreme tiredness, dizziness, and shortness of breath. For this reason, I will not be able to answer questions after my speech. Instead, with your kind permission, I will have to rush home to recuperate.

On other similar occasions, I hope our colleagues will extend me the similar privilege to participate briefly in certain Senate activities that I might consider as extraordinarily important. I can summon enough energy only for about an hour’s work, each day, and after that I am exhausted and dysfunctional. My endocrinologist expects recovery in three to six months’ time.

Aquino's (mis)Communications Group

Thursday's budget hearing at the House of Representatives proved what everyone knew all along: the President's men could not hack it.

The Forgotten Phone, Strike 1

Defending the Office of the President's proposed P4.075 billion budget for 2011, Executive Secretary (ES) Paquito Ochoa Jr., Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda, and Communications Secretaries Ricky Carandang and Herminio Coloma, answered lawmakers' questions like - you guessed it - a bunch of amateurs.

As the recent "jueteng controversy" continues to plague Palace appointees, Ochoa et al. - designated as government "caretakers" in the absence of the President - had not the vaguest idea how their principal (Aquino) hopes to address the issue.

Asked why Carandang had not communicated to President Benigno Aquino III, who is currently on official mission to the United States, the Communications Secretary replied, "I have been texting the President, but I was informed by his staff that he had left his phone in Manila."

Immediately, the gallery burst into laughter as House minority leader Edcel Lagman stopped his questioning. House committee chairman Jun Abaya then thanked Carandang for his "good answer," once more sending the crowd into a laughing frenzy.

Magsaysay Rep. Mitos Magsaysay later told Aquino's Secretary: "I admire you for your honesty, (but) I hope you don't repeat that." 

Promise or Friend, Mr. President?

The Philippines promised heads would roll. What respect is there to gain from the international community if the President could not keep his promise, because he would rather keep his friends?

I'll give the now-infamous Manila hostage-taking incident a rest, at least for the meantime. 

But before I do, a parting dig:

The contents of the "First Report of the INCIDENT INVESTIGATION and REVIEW COMMITTEE on the August 23, 2010 Rizal Park Hostage-taking Incident" has already been made public. More precisely, everything else in the report but the actual list of of personalities, against whom the committee recommends the filing of criminal and administrative charges.

While it is true that in a press conference, President Aquino cited individuals and news organizations whom the IIRC has found "liable" for the botched hostage rescue, Aquino also said that on top of IIRC and its recommendations, a "legal panel," composed of Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. and Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Eduardo de Mesa, has been constituted to assess the "degree of culpability" of each individual cited in the report.

The President said he wanted to be "fair that the degree of culpability is established" so only "appropriate cases," which will (most likely) "prosper" are filed. Supposedly, so as not to "ruin the lives" of the concerned individuals. In the same breath however, he identified them as follows: 

The Hostage-taking Incident Report : a fearless forecast

The Incident Investigation and Review Committee (IIRC) will submit its findings to President Benigno Aquino III tomorrow afternoon. In it will be a list of names, against whom the committee shall recommend the filing of criminal and administrative charges.

Likely to be charged criminally (mostly criminal negligence, except for one) and/or administratively are the following:

Manila Police Chief Superintendent RODOLFO MAGTIBAY, ground commander

- for failing to make a proper assessment of field conditions

- for not having had the area properly secured from mediamen and bystanders

- for employing a flawed strategy of “wearing out” the hostage-taker

- for opting to utilize an obviously inferior rescue team, the Manila SWAT (Special Weapons and Tactics) in favor of the more battle-ready SAF (Special Action Force) stationed at the back of the grandstand, just awaiting the signal to assault.

Allegedly, Magtibay had “issues” with Police Director Leocadio Santiago Jr., NCRPO (National Capital Region Police Office) Chief, and former SAF Commander. Santiago, is Magtibays junior in the PMA (Philippine Military Academy), but now outranks him in the police hierarchy.

A case of who has got the bigger d*ck, perhaps?

- for being the ground commander and leaving the ground at a critical time 

On Respect and Alex Lacson's "The Filipino Today"

“Right here, right now, the only story worth telling is how we, as a people, remained vigilant so our government does not stray from its promised ‘straight and righteous path.’”

A team led by astrophysicist Reinabelle Reyes, achieved what has eluded everyone else for decades – they proved, on a cosmic scale, the great Albert Einstein’s theory of gravity.

Reyes is Filipino, her team members are not.

Staff Sergeant Salvatore Giunta is the first living recipient of the Medal of Honor for valor in combat.

“Giunta, 25, was assigned to Company B, 2nd Battalion (Airborne), 503rd Infantry Regiment, serving as a rifle team leader when he engaged the enemy to recover a wounded Soldier on Oct. 25, 2007 that the enemy was trying to take prisoner. After throwing hand grenades at the enemy positions in order to suppress them, Giunta moved forward without hesitation, into what had been enemy fighting position only moments before. Giunta engaged two enemy fighters and then rescued his wounded comrade and assisted in keeping him alive before the Soldier eventually succumbed to his wounds. Giunta's unwavering courage, in the midst of an ambush in which two American paratroopers gave their lives and several more were wounded, embodied the highest ideals of the Army Values. His selflessness and leadership above and beyond the call of duty exemplifies the strength of the Nation.”

He’s an American of Italian descent. But who’s to say the heroism of others, regardless of race, did not inspire Giunta?

"The Filipino Today" by Alex Lacson

This one was written by a friend, Alex Lacson, reposting before I write something about Alex and his article. (DPG)

THE FILIPINO TODAY by Alex Lacson

After the August 23 hostage drama, there is just too much negativity about and against the Filipino.

“It is difficult to be a Filipino these days”, says a friend who works in Hongkong. “Nakakahiya tayo”, “Only in the Philippines” were some of the comments lawyer Trixie Cruz-Angeles received in her Facebook. There is this email supposedly written by a Dutch married to a Filipina, with 2 kids, making a litany of the supposed stupidity or idiocy of Filipinos in general. There was also this statement by Fermi Wong, founder of Unison HongKong, where she said – “Filipino maids have a very low status in our city”. Then there is this article from a certain Daniel Wagner of Huffington Post, wherein he said he sees nothing good in our country’s future.

Clearly, the hostage crisis has spawned another crisis – a crisis of faith in the Filipino, one that exists in the minds of a significant number of Filipinos and some quarters in the world.

A Hostage-taker's Final Hour (part 3)

PART III of RMN Interview with hostage-taker Capt. Rolando Mendoza

MENDOZA: O, e nakikita ko, binibitbit nilang parang baboy ’yung pulis, hindi naman ’yan kasama rito… Ito, magpaparinig ako ng isang putok, baguhin nila. Baguhin, baguhin nila ’yan… Mali ’yang ginagawa nila na ’yan. (I see it, they’re carrying him off like a pig. He has no part in this ... here, I’ll let them hear a warning shot. They should stop. Stop, they should stop that ... What they’re doing there is wrong)

ROGAS: Sandali lamang po, kalma lamang po tayo, Captain, Capt. Rolando Mendoza… (Wait, let’s calm down)

MENDOZA: O, ayan, ginagawa nilang baboy ’yung kapatid ko, ayan o. (There, they’re treating my brother like a pig, there)

A Hostage-taker's Final Hour (part 2)

PART II of RMN Interview with hostage-taker Capt. Rolando Mendoza

MENDOZA: Eh basta kung lalapit siya dun lang sa may bintana, hindi na ako magpapapasok ng media ngayon. (For as long as if he wants to approach it will only be near the window. I am no longer allowing the media inside)

MENDOZA: Sa bintana lang, sa bintana lang. (Just near the window)

ROGAS: Kamusta po yung mga hostage victim ngayon? (How are the hostage victims now?)

MENDOZA: Nanonood na sila ng TV ngayon dun sa live TV. (They’re watching tv now, live tv)

ROGAS: Opo… sige po.. sa pamamagitan po ni kasamang Erwin Tulfo na nakikinig ngayon, meron po ba kayong gustong iparating sa kanya na pu-pwede kayong ipa-negotiate dyan sa ground? (Yes. Through Erwin Tulfo who is listening right now, is there anything you want to be relayed to the [police / authorities on the] ground?)

MENDOZA: Ah kilala ko po yan ah. Talagang gusto po niyan eh kalaban niya ang pulis eh, kaya lang alam ko matinik sa baril yan baka mamaya may baril yan [laughs]. (Oh, I know him. He [Tulfo] really likes going against cops, but I know he’s good with guns, he might have one [on him])

A Hostage-taker's Final Hour (part1)

Excerpts from hostage-taker, Captain Rolando Mendoza’s live interview with Radio Mindanao Network anchor Michael Rogas, shortly before the incident ended in a bloodbath on August 23.

MICHAEL ROGAS: Captain Rolando Mendoza, magandang gabi po sa inyo (Good evening to you)

CAPT. ROLANDO MENDOZA: Magandang gabi po (Good evening)

ROGAS: Si Michael Rogas po to ng RMN, kayo po’y hostage-taker tama po ba? (This is ROGAS Rogas of RMN. You are the hostage take, is that correct?)

MENDOZA: Tama po. (That is correct)

ROGAS: Sa pagkakataong ito ano po ba ang plano nyo? (At this moment, what is your plan?)

Aquino mans up, finally

This week, I wrote the lines “The buck stops at the helm of this country’s leadership. It stops where Aquino sits.”

Yesterday, Inquirer.net wrote: “Aquino takes responsibility for hostage fiasco” (by Norman Bordadora)

The article in full, reads:

“MANILA, Philippines – The buck stops at the highest office of the land. (underscoring supplied)

President Benigno Aquino III has owned up to all the blame in connection with the failed hostage rescue that resulted in the deaths of eight Hong Kong tourists and strained relations with China.

Conrad, Not Himself

Never mind that he is understood mostly by the intelligentsia, his thoughts ought to be the voice of an entire nation.

For the longest time, Conrad de Quiros has been the conscience of a country that has lost its identity. Not that one is a substitute for the other, but should we not know what we are, at the very least, we should have an idea what we shouldn’t be. And he has always been there to criticize, to admonish. De Quiros has always been there to remind.

And I agree, we shouldn’t have taken lightly much less with levity, the botched Manila hostage crisis that claimed the lives of 8 foreign nationals. Our reactions have indeed been an indictment of how we have degenerated as a people. Of how we have lost an appreciation for the preciousness of life. But also of how easily we forgive others and ourselves – in that order – for even the most unforgivable of mistakes.

Unlike de Quiros however, I refuse to put the cart before the horse. It would be sheer sophistry to indict a nation and then absolve its leaders. It would be the height of insensitivity, if not hypocrisy, to say that we have grown callous as a nation without understanding how we got there to begin with. It is lunacy to condemn the reaction without laying judgment on the action, or lack of it, that made the reaction possible.

"Tinimbang ka" by Conrado de Quiros

This one’s from the Philippine Daily Inquirer. I’m re-posting it in full before I write a reaction tonight. (DPG)

From one of my all-time favorites, Conrad de Quiros:

Theres The Rub

‘TINIMBANG KA’ 

by Conrado de Quiros

IT’S NO small irony that at the very time 80,000 Chinese were massing in the streets of Hong Kong to protest our handling of the hostage-taking, P-Noy was talking about us being a nation of heroes. It was of course National Heroes’ Day, a day that called for dwelling on Filipino heroes and Filipino heroism. But it could not have been more out of sync, or out of line, or out of it. The last thing that has been patent to the world in recent days is how heroic we are. The first is how pathetic.

Our OFWs in Hong Kong and China say they are deeply fearful about how their employers and neighbors are going to treat them over the next few months or years. They have every reason to. This isn’t going to blow over. This isn’t going to disappear anytime soon. This will get worse before it gets better.

Costly Mistake

The buck stops at the helm of the country’s leadership. It stops where Aquino sits.

Candidate Aquino, during the May 2010 campaign, said that P280 billion has been lost to corruption in 2009 alone.

Transparency International estimates the figures correspond to more than 20% of the national budget of P.1.45 trillion on the same year.

This is more than double the 167.94 billion allotted for education in 2009; five times the 56 billion “stimulus fund” (P17 billion for infrastructure projects, P10 billion for education, P1 billion to the environment, P2 billion for health and P3.15 billion for agriculture), designed to cushion the country from the impact of a global economic crisis; and nearly equivalent to the current budget deficit which stands close to P300 billion.

Forget about everything else – that Noynoy would not even have become a viable presidential candidate, much less a president, had not his mother’s death spawned the formidable Ninoy-Cory-EDSA three-wave nostalgia – at its face, Benigno Aquino III’s anti-corruption platform won him the presidency. And the Filipino people could not have been faulted. Arroyo’s 9-year term had become synonymous with corruption, that the promise of integrity in public service became too good an offer to refuse. 

Playing Along

“All you can do is play along at life and hope that sometimes you get it right" -Dexter Morgan

What I do now is making me dumber by the day.

Where I'm at people walk around like giants, yet I've to be careful not to step on anyone. No, not feet but egos - that exaggerated but fragile sense of self-worth that can neither be pricked nor slighted.

Everyday I wake up having to resist the urge to be myself, to dispose of the halo and just bare the fangs. But I couldn't. I shouldn't. I have to blend in, never stand out, keep up (or down) and never break pace.

It's like riding on 12 cylinders in a go kart arena, nudge the pedal and you're bound to give somebody the whiplash. Movement, any if at all, is a little faster than idle, but already, breakneck for many.

And because "attack" is not an option, here, now, I retreat - to this obscure corner of cyberspace - hoping to retard retardation itself, writing for the first time without the promise of reward, renown, or remuneration. Now, here only to keep my sanity, assuming I haven't yet lost it.

This is therapy and this blog is the first of many sessions. The next ones will make more sense. This however is just for me - a stream of consciousness from an unguarded moment, the truth as it comes only through anonymity - from the poet who has long buried his poetry, but whose words are sold as voice for others. (DPG)