August 30, 2005 · Posted in: Arroyo Impeachment, In the News

‘An outright lie’

IT’S the battle of the press conferences all over again.

Malacañang lost no time gathering together all the president’s men once again to face the media and deny allegations made by former social welfare secretary Corazon “Dinky” Soliman and former education chief Florencio “Butch” Abad, whom the Palace people now refer to as part of the “Hyatt 4.”

Political Affairs Adviser Gabby Claudio denied having spoken with the president about the original impeachment complaint filed by Atty. Oliver Lozano right after her “I am sorry” statement on June 27.

Claudio said Soliman’s statement that she overheard him telling the president that he would get Alagad party list Rep. Rodante Marcoleta to endorse the complaint was ill-timed and unfair.

He denied ever knowing Marcoleta, saying Soliman’s allegation was “an outright lie… It seems that pulling the president out of power and discrediting impeachment process has become a singular obsession by the former cabinet members.”

“It’s an act of desperation and betrayal,” Claudio added.

At the House of Representatives, Marcoleta also denied personally knowing Claudio and ever discussing with the president’s political adviser the endorsement of the Lozano complaint. He insisted it was his party’s decision to endorse the complaint.

For his part, Cabinet Secretary Ricardo Saludo denied Abad’s claim that a parallel and shadowy organization was operating behind the scenes in Malacañang, led by Rep. Ronaldo “Ronnie” Puno. Abad had pointed to Puno as the “crisis manager” manipulating moves at the Palace at the height of the “Hello, Garci” controversy.

Saludo said: “I handle the cabinet meeting… One of the things I find incomprehensible is the reference to Ronnie Puno. In no single occasion did Puno join any Palace meeting…. neither has his name appeared in meetings.”

Abad had also earlier alleged that the president refused to let go of PAGCOR chief Ephraim Genuino, a close associate of First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo. Abad quoted the president saying, “I need Genuino because…he takes care of the media and the bishops for me.”

Saludo’s reply: “I do not recall ever hearing the info cited by Butch Abad” with regards to Genuino, which Abad said was made by the president during a cabinet meeting.

Claudio said the “Hyatt 4” was merely “trying to influence the judgment of members of Congress” as it prepares to tackle the impeachment complaints.

He said this was “a clear effort to muddle the situation, the environment and discredit the process…. we’ve tried to keep a discreet distance between Malacañang and Congress.”

30 Responses to ‘An outright lie’

zorros

August 30th, 2005 at 1:40 pm

investigate Rep. Marcoleta

August 30th, 2005 at 2:05 pm

Desperate times, calls for desperate (albeit illegal) action. No win situation for Madamme Gloria. The only way for Gloria and her willfull cohorts to wiggle out from her crimes is by committing another crime.

jonathan

August 30th, 2005 at 3:07 pm

I know a lot of bloggers are gnashing their teeth, suffering from high blood pressure and sleepless nights due to this impending reality: impeachment is dead! Consummed by hate, a lot of them will sooner or later be manifesting the ugly sideaffects on ones personal health. So what’s your next move? Go to the streets? You’ve tried that before – it didn’t work. Will never work. Most of you will want Gloria to suffer the same fate as Marcos and Erap, publicly humiliated and dethroned. But I guess its not gonna happen this time. Your heroes will still be the poster boys of corrupt and failed Presidents. Let me ask you again – Do you know why you just cant win? Let me be honest with you – YOU ARE ON THE WRONG SIDE OF HISTORY! Regardless of your honest, and rightful passion, being on the wrong side is like a CURSE on whatever cause you have – worthy or unworthy. So, you might ask, What is wrong with my (meaning YOUR) SIDE? Your leaders have two goals in mind: (1) The downfall of GMA; and, (2) The rise of the Marcos/Erap bloc and the historical revision of the Marcos/Erap legacy. Funny coz nobody’s talking about the second goal currently, but that is what you started with. In other words, you defined the battle lines from the get go. And coupled with your dancing with the Reds, you left the Middle Force with no choice but, (1) To support the status quo or (2) To be critical but indifferent on street actions.

indio_lawless

August 30th, 2005 at 3:11 pm

As Malacanang would like it to appear, all the time that Gabby Claudio was serving as the head of Presidential Legislative Liaison Office (PLLO) and now, being the head of Political Affairs, he does not know that Rep. Marcoleta ever existed simply by using the word ” ever knowing” in his denial?

Teka muna, ginagawa na naman tayong gago’t tanga ng Palasyo.

PLLO is mandated to liaise between Congress and Malacanang. Basic of all basics, PLLO’s staff and complement should try at least to know who are the members of Congress for their congressional liaison work to be effective, much more for its head of office.

Sige, deny lang po kayo ng deny, akala n’yo po ba walang may nawawala sa inyo? Reminds me of a Jeepney sticker that says : God knows Judas ( who does) not pay.

soledad t. tubay

August 30th, 2005 at 3:57 pm

Bloggers like me do not rally behind leaders. Whether we are on the wrong or the right side of history, what is important is that we air our honest thoughts about leaders. We might be frustrated but it doesn’t mean we have lost. This is not even a matter of winning or losing. The reasoning used by many voters on going for the popualr choice is a curse to the unthinking electorate. Those who believe they are on the side of truth will reamin victorious even in the face of death!!!!

enlightened_pinay

August 30th, 2005 at 4:06 pm

you are so wrong Jonathan. ikaw ang classic example sinasabi ng mga bloggers dito like benignO that we havent really matured as a people, that politics of personality is still thriving here in our country. just because someone is pro impeachment, loyalist na sila nila Marcos & Erap and they just want political vendetta. hindi ba pwedeng mag side na lang sa tama & katotohanan. maling maling crowd ang sinesermonan mo Jonathan, isipin mo yan.

just like the boy who cried wolf, its so hard to believe na talaga these Arroyo men, sa dami ng pumalpak nilang palusot at kasinungalingan, parang lagi na lang silang nag a-alibi. we really need to get on with the impeachment so all evidences of both parties can be presented in the proper venue. lets get it on!

primo

August 30th, 2005 at 4:11 pm

the truth will set us free..

manunga

August 30th, 2005 at 4:14 pm

Jonathan,

You said:
“Your leaders have two goals in mind: (1) The downfall of GMA; and, (2) The rise of the Marcos/Erap bloc and the historical revision of the Marcos/Erap legacy.”

I’m sorry, but even as i join the call for impeachment, the rise of the Marcos/Erap bloc is NOT my goal. It never was and never will be. The error in your argument is that you assume that those of us who are gnashing our teeth do so because of some political allegiance or interest.

Perhaps you should direct your critique to those particular politicians who “appear” to be leading the case against GMA in Congress, and do so because of the 2 reasons that you have identified as why the impeachment case will not succeed. I do not deny that they exist, but to lump the entirety of those who want to oust an illegitimate president in that category? C’mon… Even in the not-so-hallowed halls of Congress, there are those, few as they may be, who push for this cause because of “honest and rightful passion.” More so, out on the streets or in this blog, many of us are more discerning than that. C’mon dude, give us a little credit. And yes, neither are we consumed by hate. When you think about it, it’s quite the opposite really.

That we are on the “wrong side of history” is number one, contentious, and more importantly, immaterial. On both counts, the simple reason being because it has been proven in the past that right can prevail. As it must now. Call me hopeful. You can even shoot me for it if you like. That’s still better than people who have already taken themselves out of the equation but still feel the need to put their two cents in when all they can say amounts to well, next to nothing in the context of things…

And if you’re really cushy with the satus quo, well, that’s fine. I really don’t blame you actually. These days, it really is hard to care. Besides, in the end, you’re all accountable for your own action or inaction anyway, as are the rest of us. But please, try not to blame other people for the choices you, and only you, make.

PS: I find “critical but indifferent” quite an unsuccessful attempt at an oxymoron…

August 30th, 2005 at 4:25 pm

sana wag tayo mag away away mga pinoy…

read on…

My Short Essay About the Philippines
By Jaeyoun Kim
>
> Filipinos always complain about the corruption in the Philippines.
Do
> you really think the corruption is the problem of the Philippines?
I
> do not think so. I strongly believe that the problem is the lack of
> love for the Philippines.
>
> Let me first talk about my country, Korea. It might help you
> understand my point. After the Korean War, South Korea was one of
the
> poorest countries in the world.
>
> Koreans had to start from scratch because entire country was
> destroyed completely after the Korean War, and we had no natural
> resources.
>
> Koreans used to talk about the Philippines, for Filipinos were very
> rich in Asia. We envy Filipinos. Koreans really wanted to be well
off
> like Filipinos. Many Koreans died of famine. My father’s brother
also
> died because of famine.
>
> Korean government was awfully corrupt and is still very corrupt
> beyond your imagination, but Korea was able to develop dramatically
> because Koreans really did their best for the common good with
their
> heart burning with patriotism.
>
> Koreans did not work just for themselves but also for their
> neighborhood and country. Education inspired young men with the
> spirit of patriotism.
>
> 40 years ago, President Park took over the government to reform
> Korea. He tried to borrow money from other countries, but it was
not
> possible to get a loan and attract a foreign investment because the
> economy situation of South Korea was so bad.
>
> Korea had only three factories. So, President Park sent many mine
> workers and nurses to Germany so that they could send money to
Korea
> to build a factory. They had to go through a horrible experience.
>
> In 1964, President Park visited Germany to borrow money. Hundred of
> Koreans in Germany came to the airport to welcome him and cried
there
> as they saw the President Park. They asked to him, “President, when
> can we be well off?” That was the only question everyone asked to
> him. President Park cried with them and promised them that Korea
> would be well off if everyone works hard for Korea, and the
President
> of Germany got the strong impression on them and lent money to
Korea.
>
> So, President Park was able to build many factories in Korea. He
> always asked Koreans to love their country from their heart. Many
> Korean scientists and engineers in the USA came back to Korea to
help
> developing country because they wanted their country to be well
off.
>
> Though they received very small salary, they did their best for
> Korea. They always hoped that their children would live in well off
> country. My parents always brought me to the places where poor and
> physically handicapped people live.
>
> They wanted me to understand their life and help them. I also
worked
> for Catholic Church when I was in the army. The only thing I
learned
> from Catholic Church was that we have to love our neighborhood. And
I
> have loved my neighborhood.
>
> Have you cried for the Philippines? I have cried for my country
> several times. I also cried for the Philippines because of so many
> poor people. I have been to the New Bilibid prison.
>
> What made me sad in the prison were the prisoners who do not have
any
> love for their country. They go to mass and work for Church.
>
> They pray everyday. However, they do not love the Philippines. I
> talked to two prisoners at the maximum security compound, and both
of
> them said that they would leave the Philippines right after they
are
> released from the prison.
>
> They said that they would start a new life in other countries and
> never come back to the Philippines.
>
> Many Koreans have a great love for Korea so that we were able to
> share our wealth with our neighborhood. The owners of factory and
> company were distributed their profit to their employees fairly so
> that employees could buy what they needed and saved money for the
> future and their children. When I was in Korea, I had a very strong
> faith and wanted to be a priest.
>
> However, when I came to the Philippines, I completely lost my
faith.
> I was very confused when I saw many unbelievable situations in the
> Philippines. Street kids always make me sad, and I see them
everyday.
>
> The Philippines is the only Catholic country in Asia, but there are
> too many poor people here. People go to church every Sunday to
pray,
> but nothing has been changed.
>
> My parents came to the Philippines last week and saw this
situation.
> They told me that Korea was much poorer than the present
Philippines
> when they were young.
>
> They are so sorry that there so many beggars and street kids. When
we
> went to Pasangjan, I forced my parents to take a boat because it
> would fun.
>
> However, they were not happy after taking a boat. They said that
they
> would not take the boat again because they were sympathized the
boat
> men, for the boat men were very poor and had a small frame. Most of
> people just took a boat and enjoyed it. But my parents did not
enjoy
> it because of love for them.
>
> My mother who has been working for Catholic Church since I was very
> young told me that if we just go to mass without changing
ourselves,
> we are not Catholic indeed.
>
> Faith should come with action. She added that I have to love
> Filipinos and do good things for them because all of us are same
and
> have received a great love from God.
>
> I want Filipinos to love their neighborhood and country as much as
> they love God so that the Philippines will be well off.
>
> I am sure that love is the keyword which Filipinos should remember.
> We cannot change the sinful structure at once. It should start from
> person. Love must start in everybody in a small scale and have to
> grow.
>
> A lot of things happen if we open up to love. Let’s put away our
> prejudices and look at our worries with our new eyes. I discover
that
> every person is worthy to be loved.
>
> Trust in love, because it makes changes possible. Love changes you
> and me. It changes people, contexts and relationships. It changes
the
> world.
>
> Please love your neighborhood and country. Jesus Christ said that
> whatever we do to others we do to Him. In the Philippines, there is
> God for people who are abused and abandoned.
>
> There is God who is crying for love. If you have a child, teach
them
> how to love the Philippines.
>
> Teach them why they have to love their neighborhood and country.
>
> You already know that God also will be very happy if you love
others.
> That’s all I really want to ask you Filipinos. Now I will second
> her/his curiosity. Is the Philippines worth crying for . . .
>
> Who will shed tears for the Motherland?
>
> Who will lend a hand to lift her spirit, to hold the lonely Flag
that symbolize her name?

jun2001

August 30th, 2005 at 4:26 pm

What? Marcos and Erap boys are coming back? 26 billion dollars debt under Marcos – 16 billions dollars stolen and deposited in Swiss accounts. Do you know, how much it would be, 26 Billion in 1986 at , say 8% interest, compounded per annum in 2005? Yan ang ugat bakit naghihirap ang bayan.

Short memories? When are we going to learn, ever? Same animals in different clothing?

Have we forgotten the tens of thousands of salvaged Pinoys under the Marcos regime? How Marcos instituted and corrupted our institutions? Blah blah etc.
===========
Thats it, I will fire every employee I have that will join the rallies!

August 30th, 2005 at 5:05 pm

Are Jonathan and Jun one and the same person? or fromt he same camp? Why do I have this strange feeling that they are either the same person or from the same camp? Their arguments sounds like threats to warn people not to join the calls for an Arroyo ouster because nothing good’s gonna come out of her ouster. Very obvious naman kayo. Try something else.

cantaros

August 30th, 2005 at 5:42 pm

Jonathan:
You asked: “Do you know why you can’t win?”
Winning what? Sorry, but the issue here is not about winning. The issue is about “corrupt and failed Presidents”, to quote you again, which clearly and unquestionably includes your beloved GMA. Now, let’s all pray that the walkout of the abused minority congressmen will not result to something you’ve been trying to take for granted.

ANAK_NG_JUETENG

August 30th, 2005 at 7:46 pm

what do you mean ‘failed’ president ? BOGUS is a more accurate term.

August 30th, 2005 at 8:00 pm

GMA LIED TO THE PUBLIC
BUNYE LIED TO THE PUBLIC
DEFENSOR LIED TO THE PUBLIC
CLAUDIO ‘DENIES’ now is that a break sa Administration pattern ?

hehehe – I DONT THINK SO !!!!

concerned citizen

August 30th, 2005 at 8:25 pm

bakit ayaw nilang pagsalitain si dinky soliman kanina sa impeachment para patunayan kung nasisinungaling sya. hinde pumayag si datumanong kasi mapapatunayan ni dinky na sya ay hinde sinungaling kagaya ni arroyo, claudio, tiglao at ermita. halata naman na mga sinungaling. nagpa presscon pa kayo. nagaaksaya lang kayo ng oras at panahon. wala ng maniniwala sainyo. sayang lang laway nyo. parang mga siraulo ng majority tongressmen kanina sa congress sila sila nagbobolahan. wala ng mga minority congressmen (hinde masikmura si datumanong kaya nagwalkout) kaya pinatay ko na tv. nakakimbierna. hinde ba sila mga nahiya sa tao? ano pang silbe ng impeachment kung one sided lang ang panig na maririnig mo. useless. kapal ng mga mukha nyo! nakakasuka na. huh!

watcher

August 30th, 2005 at 9:33 pm

Do what is right all the time. I am so sick of the faces of claudio et al. I wonder how they can sleep at night.

camille

August 30th, 2005 at 10:11 pm

yeah, desperate times calls for desperate action. dinky’s presscon and opposition’s walk out totally reeks of desperation. the hyatt 4 and the opposition just can’t convince anymore, they just had to resort to theatrics!

i’m so sick of the face of disgusting dinky, et al. how can she sleep at night.

noelet

August 30th, 2005 at 10:27 pm

hehe camille, if your sick with dinky i know what would be your presciption… take gloria’s jagged little pill.

August 30th, 2005 at 10:29 pm

i’d like to pursue concerned citizen’s comments. it would really be nice and enligtening if dinky and claudio be held face to face together. aqnd from indio_lawless suggestions that it’s claudios job to know congress for tong distribution – that his job right? Hehe

August 30th, 2005 at 10:35 pm

Jonathan is in a state of nirvana right now… probably talking to Kurt Cobain at the moment.

As you can observe with his post he tries to distance himself miles away from the issue – this is our problem not his. With such a stand why would he bother anyway? What is his take?

But do note how he writes with passion but failed to focus where… actually he said himself he doesn’t care. Wow! So analysing his blog, he might be suffering from something now. Where would those passion will go – not from the pros, not to the cons – but to his health. 😉 Would you agree, right?

August 31st, 2005 at 12:42 am

During the Erap Impeachment – it is obvious that the whole scene is a prelude to power grab. Unseating a legitimately elected president was never an issue. Chavits motive in monopolizing the numbers game called jueteng were totally ignored, etc….

August 31st, 2005 at 1:26 am

I am afraid tama si Jonathan, we are on the wrong side of history. Ang tama ay mali, ang mali ay tama kung ang side mo ay sa elitista at mga taga makati. Ang moralista na hiprokrito at ang mayaman na magnanakaw ay siya pa rin ang naghahari at nagdidikta sa Pilipinas. Ang edukado na nagmamarunong para sa sariling kapakanan ay siya parin ang kapanipaniwala kaysa sa isang hindi edukado na nag-mamalasakit sa kapwa.

Tuwing meron kapalpakan ang mga moralista at elitista
pilit na binubuhay ang inaakusa kay Marcos at Erap para lamang pagtakpan ang mali ng mga nag-mamagaling. Hindi na ba tayo natuto.

Irregardless kung sino nakaupo, pag-nagkamali ay dapat patalsikin. Di ba dapat ganun lang yun ka simple. Hindi na dapat isyu kung maka-marcos, maka-erap, maka-gma, maka-eddi gil.

Ang isyu ngayon ay si Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. Kung siniwerete ang mga opposition so be it. Kung nagkamali sila eh di patalsikin din. Pero, all along as the process of elimination goes, ang matitira ay ang mga tunay na leader ng Pilipinas.

Pero kung ang dahilan na ayaw patalsikin si Gloria Macapagal Arroyo ay dahil lang sa mga personalidad ng oposisyon ay mali naman iyon. Sayang lang ang mga bata at magagaling na nasa oposisyon ngayon, kung baga they are fighting for the thruth nga naman – fighting for the right and future of every JONATHAN sa Pilipinas ika nga.

Pero kung tama nga si Jonathan which I am afraid iyun din ang pananaw ko paano na tayo? Kaya dito kami nag-kahiwalay ng pananaw sa tingin ko meron pang pag-asa ang Pilipinas – ang mali ay mali ang tama ay tama. Ang mag-nanakaw ay ikulong at ang nang daya ay patalsikin – KAAGAD.

rich__ong

August 31st, 2005 at 7:42 am

LETS FACE IT Malacanang was 2 steps ahead of us by filling the Lozano complaint…It was really coming

August 31st, 2005 at 1:02 pm

rich__ong said,
August 31, 2005 @ 7:42 am

======
now i wonder what their plan b is. i heard from anc this morning that around 63 has signed the impeachment complaint, meaning filing the complaint directly to the senate is now within our reach. hmmm, this is getting way more suspenseful than any crichton, grisham or dan brown novel.

August 31st, 2005 at 4:52 pm

Manunga,
Good for you. What I am saying is, although your cause is a worthy one, you are wittingly or unwittingly, supporting unworthy beneficiaries to your cause. True, a lot of people like you see this crises as simply black and white (whether she did or she did not). Unfortunately, my friend, this is not so. It goes deeper than that. In my previous blogs I opined that this is a long drawn out war between the Cory/Ramos and the Marcos/Erap blocs. The great divide between these two blocs was so much manifested when Gloria floated the reconciliation balloon: Interment at the Libingan for Marcos and bail on recognizance for Erap. Although greatly divided on Gloria, see how the Middle Forces reacted to such a proposal? For somebody who knows where he stands inspite of your admittance about the inadequacies of those who “appear” to be your leaders, you border on naivete.
By the way, what I meant when I said “critical but indifferent” is critical to Gloria but indifferent to mass actions.

August 31st, 2005 at 5:18 pm

Question Jonathan.

point taken. i think you were able to present your argument better this time compared to the post you did yesterday w/c was generalizing everyone who are basically for or against the ouster of Arroyo.

would to care to give me a backgrounder on this hostilities between the Cory/Ramos & Marcos/Erap groups?
is it purely political? reasons which everyone of us are more or less aware of .

personal???

or business reasons? (maybe the seizure of the Cojuangco, Lopez, Soriano conglomerates during the Marcos era)

And how grave are these to be particularly affecting us up to this very day.

August 31st, 2005 at 5:19 pm

Of course we realize that the issue, in its entirety, is not just black or white. But still, whether that grey area in between boils to what you call the “drawn out war between the Cory/Ramos and the Marcos/Erap blocs” is still contentious, which is not to say that it is baseless. But, at the very least, I find it simplistic and incomplete… I mean kung ang usapan land din ay kung ano yung grey areas or ano yung complete picture, might as well exhaust all the issues involved, right?

Anyway, please note too that many of us seem to be “indifferent” to mass action precisely because we refuse to unwittingly support the unworthy beneficiaries of the cause… (Believe me, I find myself thinking about it more than just twice, really.) But, it’s the paramount evil of having an illegitimate president which is at issue here. Why some people can live with that and some can’t, I’m afraid, is something we each have to figure out for ourselves and answer for at some point in time…

Of course we have to think beyond the “to oust or not to oust issue” but it is still issue no. 1 and it is black or white. Other issues, such as poverty alleviation and economic sustainability, are equally important, but as long as we have sitting in Malacañang a false president, then we will forever be monumentally distracted (and rightfully so) from these considerations.

Now, whether one (economic sustainability) can only prescind from the other (the resolution of the President’s legitimacy) is another topic for debate… (and one where I have a feeling we might will likely not agree).

I’m not offended by your thinking of it as naivete sir, but for me, it’s just a simple adherence to what is right. If that’s being naive, then sure, I am naive.

At any rate, thank you for clarifying your points.