ON account of Executive Order No. 464 issued by Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo this afternoon, newly appointed U.P. College of Law Dean Salvador Carlota has instructed members of the U.P. Law Center were faced with the dilemma whether or not to attend tomorrow’s Senate hearing of the Committee of the Whole investigating the North Rail project.

The Center’s legal experts are set to testify at the Senate hearing on the legality of the contract between the North Luzon Railways Corporation (NLRC) and the China National Machinery and Equipment Corporation (CNMEC) and the buyer credit loan agreement between the Export-Import Bank of China and the Philippine government. The contracts will cover Phase I of the NorthRail project that will construct an 80-kilometer double-track, narrow-gauge rail line between Caloocan City to the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport inside the Clark Special Economic Zone in Pampanga. 

But the research team are defying Carlota’s order and said they will be present in the hearing at 10 a.m. tomorrow. The legal experts include:

  • Prof. Danilo Concepcion, U.P. Law Center outgoing director
  • Prof. Bartolome Fernandez Jr.
  • Prof. Florin Hilbay
  • Prof. Solomon Lumba
  • Prof. Merlin Magallona
  • Former law dean Raul Pangalangan
  • Prof. Carmelo Sison
  • Prof. H. Harry Roque Jr.

The technical experts include:

  • Dr. Hussein Lidasan, transport economist of the U.P. National Center for Transportation Studies
  • Engr. Rene Santiago, former NLRC chief operating officer and transport consultant
  • Dr. Primitivo Cal, dean of the U.P. School of Urban and Regional Planning (SURP)
  • Dr. Crispin Emmanuel Diaz, SURP Director of Graduate Studies

The Center was commissioned by the Office of the Senate President to conduct a study on the legal, economic, financial and technical aspects of the North Rail contracts. The project costs US$503 million, to be funded by a US$421-concessional loan from China to be paid in 20 years with a five-year grace period at an interest rate of  three percent.

Malacañang is reportedly requesting for a cancellation of the hearing.

Meanwhile, Carlota is set to appoint a new Law Center director in the person of lawyer Susan Villanueva, a lecturer at the College of Law. A partner at the Villarasa and Angcangco Law Offices (The Firm), Villanueva was the one who endorsed Carlota to the deanship race that pitted him against Pangalangan (who was bidding for an unprecedented third term), Concepcion and Prof. Marvic Leonen, the University’s vice president for legal affairs.

29 Responses to U.P. legal and technical experts to attend Senate hearing on North Rail project despite Arroyo order

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eyesWIDEopen

September 28th, 2005 at 9:25 pm

because of men like them i have high respect of the UP system. Cuidad dear prof. And be always alert. The lion is waiting to devour the sheeps.

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jun31

September 28th, 2005 at 10:06 pm

It is time to let the truth out!

To those who will testify to the truth, my prayers are with you!

Public interest outweights the interest of one person.

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baycas

September 28th, 2005 at 10:16 pm

yup, eyes…

“caiingat cayo” (beware). you are committing mortal sin against the sham president.

…shame on the sham and all her sharks!

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EEE

September 29th, 2005 at 8:27 am

Be not afraid, for truth will set us all free, our prayers and support are with you distinguised memeber of the UP College of Law.

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concerned citizen

September 29th, 2005 at 8:47 am

MABUHAY UP COLLEGE OF LAW! para sa Diyos, para sa bansa, para sa taong bayan at para sa katotohanan. we will pray for you. GOD BLESS YOU ALL!

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assumptionista

September 29th, 2005 at 9:20 am

At the rate the EO of GMA is being implemented to gag even Professors and Deans of UP ARE NOT ALLOWED TO ATTEND, they will come a time that the senate will not be able to call even an MMDA traffic enforcers or BARANGAY TANOD to testify.

SHAME ON ALL OF US, WE ARE LETTING GMA GET AWAY WITH IT BECAUSE OF OUR INACTION!!!

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peacelabenpinay

September 29th, 2005 at 9:52 am

TO ALL GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS WHO STILL BELIEVE IN TRUTH, FREEDOM, JUSTICE AND DEMOCRACY, IGNORE AND RALLY AGAINST EXCUTIVE ORDER 464!!!

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gagay

September 29th, 2005 at 10:16 am

peacelabenpinay,
i hope nga it will work for the better that way. but knowing how evil this tyanak disguised as president is, they will say theres anarchy and there will be greater reasons for her to legally declare martial law. naku, may God have mercy on this forsaken country!

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INSIDE PCIJ: Stories behind our stories » U.P. study finds NorthRail contract illegal, diadvantageous to government

September 29th, 2005 at 10:27 am

[…] The study conducted by U.P. legal and technical experts renders a legal, economic, financial and technical opinion on two main documents: […]

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lokalokang matino

September 29th, 2005 at 10:33 am

To the Legal and Technical Experts, I am an ordinary citizen, but i truly believe that you can deny the orders of Salvador Carlota because what appointed him is an illegal Chief Executive, therefore, all appointments and pronouncements imanating from her are deemed illegal and unconstitutional. In fact if we go by the law, illegals are jailed not followed!!
We salute your courage and sense of loyalty to the republic!!! God Bless You All!!! Dumami pa sana kalahi nyo, MABUHAY!!!

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lokalokang matino

September 29th, 2005 at 10:40 am

To the Legal and Technical Experts, I am an ordinary citizen, but i truly believe that you can dis-obey the orders of Salvador Carlota because what appointed him is an illegal Chief Executive, therefore, all appointments and pronouncements imanating from her are deemed illegal and unconstitutional. In fact if we go by the law, illegals are jailed not followed!!
We salute your courage and sense of loyalty to the republic!!! God Bless You All!!! Dumami pa sana kalahi nyo, MABUHAY!!!

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lokalokang matino

September 29th, 2005 at 10:42 am

correction pls RE my comment — “deny” shoould be “dis-obey” TY

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peacelabenpinay

September 29th, 2005 at 11:12 am

Being the one deprived of its legislative power (through EO 464), I think members of Congress should question the EO before the hign court.

O kaya, ganito na lang, kung hindi papayagang mag-appear/testify before any congressional investigation, walang ding budget.

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assumptionista

September 29th, 2005 at 11:18 am

I like your idea peacelabenpinay!

Tignan natin kung hindi sila pumila sa senate just to testify!!

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agol_78

September 29th, 2005 at 11:23 am

wag nyong pansinin ang parusa na ipapataw sa inyo ni GUYA(GMA), go go go!

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chac

September 29th, 2005 at 11:32 am

The EO of GMA can be likened to the envelop which was not allowed to open during ERAP’s impreachment proceeding. Grabe! Malapit na matapos ang kalokohan ni pandakekak….Let the Truth reign in this land!!! Kawawa naman tayo pag hinayaan nating masupil ang katotohanan sa mga ginagawang kalokohan ng isang napakaiitim ang budhi.

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FAR FROM NEUTRAL - the Blog»Blog Archive » Executive Order 464

September 29th, 2005 at 12:16 pm

[…] UP legal and technical experts to attend Senate hearing on Northrail despite Arroyo order – Philippince Center for Investigative Journalism […]

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ring

September 29th, 2005 at 12:47 pm

cno ba naman kasi naglagay kay gma dyan sa malacanang..e mas matalino pa yata si erap at mas marami pa nagawa mabuting kesa sa isang ito..she has never done anything good for our country..she has divided us even more..i do hope those idealistic people..calling our AFP..sana naman magising na kyo..don’t be afraid to break the chain of command..for that chain were already broken..you can do more good for our country not by following this sham commander in chief..be not afraid!!

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ring

September 29th, 2005 at 12:50 pm

strip every agency of our very important pero those that will not cooperate in the senate investigation..i think that is the only way they could be compelled to attend..

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Salvatore

September 29th, 2005 at 1:25 pm

Is CARMELO SISON still teaching in the College?

Great. This guy doesn’t know how to teach, much less speak coherently. He once summed up the entire Roman history in half an hour like a drunk murmuring to himself. One of the reasons why UP only teaches law in a Grand Manner and nothing more.

Sheeeshhh.

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tikboy

September 29th, 2005 at 1:26 pm

ring said,

=========
cno ba naman kasi naglagay kay gma dyan sa malacanang..e mas matalino pa yata si erap at mas marami pa nagawa mabuting kesa sa isang ito..
=========

nagtatanong ka pa. ang naglagay kay pandak siyempre si garci. without him, di siya masyadong makakadaya. di ba?

with regards sa talino, mas matalino si pandak, uy! tingnan mo, marami siyang kabulastugang ginagawa pero andiyan pa rin siya at nakadikit sa kanyang upuan na parang na-epoxy. si erap, tanggal na.

ikalawa, si erap addition lang ng kaya — addition of wives. si pandak, marunong ng division. tingnan mo: divided country, divided opposition, divided members of the executive branch. sa jueteng, si erap siya lang ng nangungulekta. si pandak, she knows how to divide the loot within her family ang among her close relatives.

ikatlo, si erap, history lang di pa alam. si pandak, marunong ng forecasting. tingnan mo: nakapag-issue pa siya ng post dated check para sa kanyang pet dog… este, tongresman.

ika-apat, si erap hindi marunong magbasa. mantakin mong joseph estrada ang pangalan niya pero pinirmahan niya pangalan ni jose velarde. si pandak, nakakapagsulat pa ng EO. proof: ang EO 464.

o di ba?

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ring

September 29th, 2005 at 2:16 pm

nice sense of humor…we filipinos badly needed that..

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schumey

September 29th, 2005 at 4:46 pm

Kudos to UP for having people with integrity and moral values. We will be praying for you.

This administration has gone way off its head. The truth will always find a way to reveal itself even in the wierdest of ways.

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DTY

September 30th, 2005 at 11:07 am

After the many USA, Japan, Europe(LRT/MRT) projects, China is just following the role model for modern imperialism.
BOOK:Confessions of An Economic Hit Man
http://www.economichitman.com/pages/veracity.html
http://johnperkins.org/pagina_nueva_3.htm

“Economic hit men (EHMs) are highly paid professionals who cheat countries around the globe out of trillions of dollars. They funnel money from the World Bank, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), and other foreign “aid” organizations into the coffers of huge corporations and the pockets of a few wealthy families who control the planet’s natural resources. Their tools include fraudulent financial reports, rigged elections, payoffs, extortion, sex, and murder. They play a game as old as empire, but one that has taken on new and terrifying dimensions during this time of globalization. I should know; I was an EHM.”

John Perkins as an economic hit man (EHM), his job was to convince Third World countries to accept enormous loans for infrastructure development—loans that were much larger than needed—and to guarantee that the development projects were contracted to U.S. corporations like Halliburton and Bechtel. Once these countries were saddled with huge debts, the U.S. government and the international aid agencies allied with it were able to control these economies and to ensure that oil and other resources were channeled to serve the interests of building a global empire.

In his EHM capacity, John traveled all over the world—to Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East—and was either a direct participant in or witness to some of the most dramatic events in modern history, including the Saudi Arabian Money-laundering Affair, the fall of the shah of Iran, the death of Panama’s President Omar Torrijos, the subsequent invasion of Panama, and events leading up to the 2003 invasion of Iraq.

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latagaw_nga_tibak

September 30th, 2005 at 4:01 pm

kahit mag eo o mag-oa c gma, wa epek ang mga yan. sa basurahan lng ng kasaysayan sya pupulutin…

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emer

October 5th, 2005 at 7:29 am

nagyayabang na naman si gloria sarap talaga tirisin, kapal ng mukha !!!!!!!!!

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vonpogi

October 5th, 2005 at 7:53 am

NASAAN NA BA ANG AFP AT POLISYA NATIN. IILAN NA LANG BA ANG TAPAT SA BAYAN. KUNG SINO ANG NAG SASABI NG KATOTOHANAN AY SIYA NILANG INU UNANG KASUHAN. KUNG SINO NAMAN ANG GARAPAL PARA LANG MAKA PUWESTO AT BISTADONG NANDAYA AY HINDI NILA MAKASUHAN . BALIKTAD NA YATA ANG MUNDO AT SA PILIPINAS LANG NANGYAYARI ITO. DAPAT YATA AY MALAGAY TAYO SA WORLD RECORD NA NAPAKA GARAPAL NA GOBYERNO AT BALIKTAD ANG PAG IISIP NG MGA NAMUMUNO NGAYON. ISANG PRESIDENTENG MAGNANAKAW, ISANG SIRADORANG TOPAK, ISANG MALAKING TENGA SA TONGRESS, AT MAG GAGONG SPOKEMAN NG PALACE. SAKITIN NA SEC. OF DEFENSE.. AT LALO NA MGA ASONG ULOL NA HENERAL. ITO ANG MGA TAONG WALANG DELEKADESA.

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INSIDE PCIJ: Stories behind our stories » Apologies and clarifications: The byzantine politics of the U.P. College of Law

November 15th, 2005 at 7:31 pm

[…] On Sept. 28, Alecks Pabico reported in this blog a supposed verbal instruction from the newly appointed U.P. law dean, Salvador Carlota, to members of the U.P. Law Center not to attend the scheduled Senate hearing on the North Rail project in light of President Arroyo’s recently issued Executive Order No. 464. […]

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freeflow

November 16th, 2005 at 7:57 am

Just a matter of clarification regarding the list of technical experts…The National Center for Transportation Studies of UP is and was not involved in any manner pertaining to a technical study of Northrail. The transport economist mentioned has not been affiliated with the center since 2002.

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