December 14, 2005 · Posted in: Congress Watch, In the News
Senate adds voice to clamor for Comelec officials’ resignation
SENATORS have joined electoral reform advocates in calling for the mass resignation of Commission on Elections (Comelec) commissioners over the poll body’s failed and anomalous handling of its election modernization program.
Except for Commissioner Felix Brawner, who was appointed only in September, the entire Senate is demanding that Chairman Benjamin Abalos Sr. and Commissioners Resurreccion Borra, Mehol Sadain, Florentino Tuason Jr., and Rufino Javier vacate their positions following its adoption of the findings of the blue ribbon committee chaired by Sen. Joker Arroyo.
Sen. Arroyo released yesterday Committee Report No. 44, which found the said Comelec officials, including retired commissioners Luzviminda Tancangco and Ralph Lantion, liable for prosecution for the “manipulated bidding (of the Comelec’s election computerization system) done in flagrant violation of the law and with utter disregard for the public interest.”
Also named in the report were members of the Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) — Directors Eduardo Mejos (chairman), Gideon de Guzman, Bartolomeo Sinocruz, Lamberto Llamas and Jose Balbuena (retired). The BAC was found to have arbitrarily prescribed eligibility requirements that favored a particular bidder, Mega Pacific Consortium. Among the “unrealistic” criteria set were requiring that the automated counting machines (ACMs) be used in an electoral exercise involving a minimum of 20 million voters, that the machines have been manufactured for at least five years, and that these have a 99.9995-percent accuracy in counting ballots.
The committee likewise found it “highly irregular” that the Comelec en banc awarded the project to the Mega Pacific Consortium (MPC), whose machines did not even pass the technical tests of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), and that it executed the contract for the purchase of the ACMs with another entity, the Mega Pacific e-Solutions Inc. (MPEI). Government procurement rules stipulate that it is the winning bidder that enters into a contract with the procuring agency.
The findings of the 22-page report coincided with the Supreme Court ruling before the May 2004 elections that invalidated the P1.3-billion contract awarded to the Korean firm-led consortium. Pointing to glaring irregularities that attended the bidding process, the Court declared that “Comelec and its officials concerned must bear full responsibility for the failed bidding and award, and held accountable for the election mess wrought by their grave abuse of discretion in the performance of their functions.” (Read some of the Comelec’s bungled and costliest fiascos here.)
The committee likewise subscribed to the Court’s order for the Comelec to refrain from implementing any other contract or agreement entered into with regard to the project, and to recover payments made to MPEI amounting to P1.04 billion. It however went as far as calling for the commisioners’ resignation with the conviction that the current Comelec leadership cannot be expected to conduct clean and honest elections.
As early as June, civil-society organizations pushing for electoral reforms have been demanding the courtesy resignations of all the commissioners. At the minimum, the call has been to get rid of those who have been guilty of violating their responsibilities and oaths of office.
Former Comelec chairman Christian Monsod has even gone to the extent of suggesting that Abalos should be shown the door through the most expedient means possible, including through impeachment, since “a reform program is at great risk of not being achieved while he’s there.”
As in the previous months, Abalos has rejected the senators’ call for him and his colleagues to step down, shocked that the Senate report had to come out when the case filed with the Office of the Ombudsman is pending and is expected to be decided on soon.
Sadain, who will be retiring next year, also expressed dismay at the release of the committee report, which he said, appeared to be based largely on the Supreme Court ruling.
“We had very bright prospects in implementing electoral reforms, especially with computerization that we had wanted in place last year,” said Sadain, who found the Court’s nullifying of the Mega Pacific contract at a very late stage a bit strange.
With the Supreme Court injunction and the Ombudsman case, the Comelec has been put in a quandary as to what to do with the counting machines. Mega Pacific has rejected the commission’s request for it to buy back the machines. At present, the ACMs are being kept in the Comelec Maxilite warehouse, for which the commission is paying P3.9 million in storage fees every year.
With another mid-term elections scheduled in 2007, the poll body has instead sought another P1.3 billion to purchase new counting machines.
“Why don’t they return the machines and run after the money they paid Mega Pacific?” remarked Gus Lagman, technology chief of the National Citizens’ Movement for Free Elections (Namfrel). Lagman made it clear they will oppose the use of the machines as “the moment they use them, the case to recover the money will be forfeited.”
But Lagman is pessimistic that any fair bidding for the purchase of new ACMs, much more a successful election automation system, will be possible with Abalos and the present crop of commissioners remaining at the Comelec. “It’s useless. They should first resign,” he said.
35 Responses to Senate adds voice to clamor for Comelec officials’ resignation
Leo
December 15th, 2005 at 12:52 am
Malinaw na ipinakikita sa ating mga mamamayan ang bulok na sistema ang ating umiiral na pamahalaan. Isang katotohanang ang naganap na dayaan sa nakaraang eleksiyon ay talagang pinaghandaan. Bumili sila ng isang makinaryang hindi naman nila talaga intensiyong gamitin dahil hindi nila magagawa ang gusto nilang gawin sa nakaraang eleksiyon. Por Dios pos santo, napaka simple naman ng kanilang ginawang kabalbalan, yang mga commissioner na yan , sus, parang gusto kong pisilin ang kanilang mga bayag,,,, put….. alam nilang hindi tatakbo ang makinaryang yan…. wala silang puwedeng ikatwiran na hindi nila alam na depektibo ang nasabing makinarya, at ang mga pamamaraan sa pagtingin sa mga specifications ng makina ay hindi rin nila alam, kahit isang high school graduate ang payagan mong magsuri sa specifications ng makinaryang iyan ay masasabi niya ng 100 porsiyento na hindi uubra ang makinaryang ito……. e sila pa, pumuti na ang kanilang buhok sa kilikili at sa kanilang yagbols, lahat na yata ng degree e tinapos nila, e hindi nila nakitang depektibo ang makinaryang iyan…. huhuhuhuhuhuhu, ipinalamon ninyo sa contractor ang salapi ng bayan, dahil lamang gusto ninyong masiguro na hindi mananalo sa eleksiyon ang isang artistang gaya ni FPJ. Wala talagang intensiyon ang COMELEC na gamitin ang makinarya, Palabas lang nila na kunwari ay gusto nilang gawing moderno ang pagbilang para hindi matuon ang pansin ng mga mamamayan na mandaraya sila sa eleksiyon. Sang ayoon ako sa panawagan ng Senado… Mga commissioner parang awa na ninyo, kung may natitira pa kayong hiya sa inyong mga buto…. MAG RESIGN NA KAYO….
MitaMS
December 15th, 2005 at 1:41 am
Congressmen Antonio Cuenco and Salacnib Baterina reminded Senators that Comelec commissioners cannot be forced to resign. They have to be impeached.
Follow the rules of the game kasi…it’s just so funny when the rule makers cannot even do that!
baycas
December 15th, 2005 at 10:23 am
alecks,
still a broken link http://pcij.org/i-report/special/comelec4.html .
thanks in advance!
Alecks Pabico
December 15th, 2005 at 11:02 am
Baycas,
My fault. The correct link should be http://pcij.org/i-report/special/comelec3.html.
Alecks Pabico
December 15th, 2005 at 11:24 am
MitaMS,
True, commissioners of the Comelec, being a Constitutional body, can’t be compelled to resign as they can be removed only through an impeachment process. However, impeaching Abalos and company has become less inviting a prospect at this time, especially after what happened to the impeachment complaints against Pres. Arroyo.
Says Akbayan Rep. Etta Rosales, whom I interviewed for a report on the prospects of reforms in the Comelec: “It was a very negative experience. After that, nobody will stand up in Congress to try to impeach an impeachable official.”
Recall also how the outcome of all the impeachment processes before Arroyo’s — against former Ombudsman Aniano Desierto, former Comelec commissioner Luzviminda Tancangco, outgoing Chief Justice Hilario Davide, with the likely exception of former Pres. Joseph Estrada — were similarly dictated primarily by the will of the dominant majority.
men0k
December 15th, 2005 at 2:06 pm
it seems the opposition is just trying to get something out from whatever comes the way… now ung comelec commisioners naman about the modernization program… para lang just to prove that they are the opposition that would always ‘provide check-and-balance’ to this government… pero parang wala silang pangil and cannot make a stable and strong stand that would provide a foundation for making the people believe them that GMA really cheated and this government is a ‘bogus’ government… yeah, lahat silang nasa oposisyon, i believe, are magagaling and credible.. but really what lacks from them is a leader that could stand for them and be firm… escudero does not fit as their leader, he just acts as their spokeperson, cayetano is too soft, while the congressmen coming from party-lists are being tagged as communists or sometimes as trapos… unless people could see someone who is standing his/her ground for their (opposition’s) ’cause’, i think it would still take time before GMA really thinks of resigning seriously…
men0k
December 15th, 2005 at 2:18 pm
What’s this?! Citizen’s arrest kay Abat?.. My point is not whether I am supporting Abat or not.. The point is, the police using the citizen’s arrest powers to arrest anyone without any warrant at all!.. WHAT’S THIS?!
Ok, Abat WILL be charged with insiting to sedition, etc.. meaning, NOT YET CHARGED! ginagawa pa lang daw ung charges!.. PERO HINULI NA!… Ano To?!… meainng, pwede ng manghuli mga pulis then TO FOLLOW na lang yung charges?!
GOD!… SAVE THE PHILIPPINES! PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!
peacelabenpinay
December 15th, 2005 at 4:56 pm
My God, what have we become? a nation without delicadeza? I was and still am very disgusted and angry when I heard Abalos’s comment on the Senate Committee Report which demanded for their resignations. He was saying he “was shocked with the Senate Committee Report.”
This is not what we expect of a sane government official.
benign0
December 15th, 2005 at 6:27 pm
Alecks Pabico said,
December 15, 2005 @ 11:24 am
====================
MitaMS,
True, commissioners of the Comelec, being a Constitutional body, can’t be compelled to resign as they can be removed only through an impeachment process. However, impeaching Abalos and company has become less inviting a prospect at this time, especially after what happened to the impeachment complaints against Pres. Arroyo.
====================
Who’s fault is it that the impeachment process has become such a no-results procedure that it is now a non-option for removing incompetent officials?
Who else but the SOCIETY that installed and tolerated the very officers of the legislature that pathetically botched the very procedure that they now have zero confidence in.
Yet another irony wasted on a people with limited faculties to grasp irony.
Ang media nga naman talaga. They will even resort to reporting pathetic calls from what is an otherwise powerful institution such as the nation’s Legislature for incompetent COMELEC officials to resign in the face of a pathetically embarassing degeneration of the once venerable process of impeachment that they themselves had a hand in degenerating.
What is so newsworthy about “calls” to resign? Any schmoe with a placard and a pair of tsinelas can march into Manila’s streets and “call” for the resignation of no less than the president herself.
ha ha! 😀
MitaMS
December 16th, 2005 at 1:10 am
Alecks,
Are you saying we now ought to outlaw impeachments because it’s a “negative” experience? Be careful what you wish for cause that might happen in the future….
What is democracy but a rule of the majority? That’s the way democracy has always worked. If we are not satisfied with our politicians then we have the next elections to rectify OUR mistakes. We are all in this together.
But never mind the arguments – who designated the senators above the law that they will not follow it? Why are they so special that they can wrongfully call for the Comelec commissioners resignation just like that when it’s not an option by law? That’s the root of our problems – no one follows the law and no one is made to pay when they break the law. did anything happen with the calls for gloria to resign? panggulo lang, pang dagdag media mileage sa mga KSP. kumagat naman lahat.
anything goes na sa bayan natin, arent’ you concerned yourself? nasa media ka and i know it’s to your advantage when politicians behave like cowboys – but what about your responsibility to make sure newsworthy information gets to the public? like Benigno said, “What is so newsworthy about “calls” to resign? ” which is by itself wrong of the senators to do in the first place. But you did not mention that at all in your article.
When you write for the public, you also advocate, and that is a big responsibility.
wild-wild west na tayo…and unless we change that mindset, we’ll always find ourselves in the muddy stinkhole we’re at. it doesn’t help when
bukolitos
December 16th, 2005 at 2:44 am
What else is new? Kaya nga nagkaroon ng EVAT dahil hindi lang si GMA ang nagnanakaw, pati na rin ang galamay niya. Di ba sabi niya, hindi na tayo mangungutang dahil may pera na tayo dahil sa EVAT. True to her form, we just borrowed $125M and we are also going to borrow another $50M from South Korea. Kailan po kayo magsasalita ng totoo.
baycas
December 16th, 2005 at 3:19 am
timeline on the two comelec deals nullified by SC: http://www.inq7.net/nat/2004/jan/14/nat_13-1.htm .
no problem with the first contract because it didn’t materialize. The ACM deal, however, proved to be costly – a waste of taxpayer’s money and an undependable vote-counting in the may 2004 election.
calls for resignation of the comelec officials started immediately after the SC handed down its decision http://www.thefreeman.com/local/index.php?fullstory=1&issue=articles_20040114&id=14034 . so, the senate just reiterated the past clamor.
presently, abalos is just living up to his words “I will not resign!” said a day after the SC ruling. “pakapalan lang naman ng mukha at patibayan ng sikmura ang umiiral eh.”
anyway, the Office of the Ombudsman will soon release its findings and recommendations http://partners.inq7.net/newsbreak/istories/index.php?story_id=54340 . pray that “mercy” will come upon us.
baycas
December 16th, 2005 at 3:20 am
i don’t know what’s the merit of this http://www.manilastandardonline.com:8080/mnlastd/ContentLoader?page=news02_jan22_2004 :
“Pimentel stressed that the commissioners may be “validly sued criminally” even as they were not being impeached because there is nothing in the Constitution that suggests that they should first be impeached before they are held liable criminally for violating the law on graft and corruption.”
“He said the officials were ‘guilty’ of entering, on behalf of the government, into a contract ‘manifestly and grossly disadvantageous’ to the government.”
“Invoking United States jurisprudence, Pimentel said the commissioners are not immune from criminal prosecution even before impeachment because they are not in the same category as the president or members of the Supreme Court or of Congress.”
Rizalist
December 16th, 2005 at 7:17 am
Alecks, MitaMS: Calling for Constitutional Officers like the President and members of the independent commissions, to RESIGN, is absolutely allowed under the Constitution. As is IMPEACHING them. These are equally valid under the Constitution, and each process is governed by Rule of Law.
But there is a difference. RESIGNATION must be VOLUNTARY, contrary to what happened at Edsa Dos (also a NEGATIVE experience). Whereas, IMPEACHMENT is INVOLUNTARY by conviction in the Senate.
Abat was a diversionary tactic, to change the subject from Garci, to Chacha. That’s what I get from carefully listening to Joe Almonte hours after the coup d’faux.
The Second Impeachment at midyear next year is already imperilled by Garcillano’s SECOND PETITION in the Supreme Court. Why else would Garci come out after being desaparecido for 5 months and the first thing he does after talking to Henry Omaga Diaz was to file 2 cases in the Supreme Court — the first he lost in spectacular headlines. But what are the chances that he came out with the intention of losing the SECOND PETITION. Is it possible his prayer will be rejected by the Supreme Court? That would be tantamount to ALLOWING the use of the Garci Tapes in the Congress’ Report.
Do we really think the Palace is that stupid?
Rizalist
December 16th, 2005 at 7:29 am
PS VOLUNTARINESS is the essence of RESIGNATION as a Constitutionally recognized manner by which a Presidency can lawfully end. Isn’t that the singular lesson of Gloriagate — learned in the painful crucible of failing to make it happen? Yet, the Supreme Court never uses the phrase VOLUNTARY RESIGNATION in either of Davide’s Landmark decisions of Estrada v. Arroyo (March 2001) and Estrada v. Desierto (April 2001). They used some other strange and unknown term that the Constitution does not translate or compute or contemplate as having the durable quality of JUSTICE DONE. Those two decisions were more like Justice Hurried Is Justice Buried. And now Erap is suffering from Justice Delayed is Justice Denied. While we wallow in chest beating.
benign0
December 16th, 2005 at 8:27 am
Bottom line is “calls” to resign should end there. If the “call” is ignored, then the “callers” should go BACK TO WORK. Problem is, these “callers” just want the publicity associated with being perceived to be doing things in the “interests” of public decency (such as making “calls” to resign directed at allegedly unsavory government officials).
Trouble is, the Media, with rags such as PCIJ as numero uno in these kinds of things, are quick to lap up these small-minded activities instigated by our “honourable” members of congress and regurgitate them to an equally tsismis-hungry public (coming soon — another $3 PCIJ “report” on these “calls” to resign, and yet another “SWS Survey” on how many Pinoys agree to these calls).
Mr. Alecks, biglang tumahimik ka yata.
Mag “call” ka naman.
ha ha! 😀
Rizalist
December 16th, 2005 at 9:18 am
I disagree Benign0! Just as you are free to express the private opinion that the Opposition ought to shut up, so too, does Alecks have the freedom to IGNORE you. As long as there are no hard feelihngs about the free exercise of such freedoms, we have that rather imperfect condition called LIBERAL DEMOCRACY. So far no one has invented anything better for the peaceful coexistence of highly opinionated private persons. Until then, I shall defend your and Alecks’ right to be wrong even!
oscar
December 16th, 2005 at 11:12 am
i dont think it`s not only comelec.it should be the entire agency under PGMA..remember manapat? questioning FPJ being an american citezen..
then even the Supreme Court cannot decide what to do about it the citezenship issue of FP?until the people wants an answer..in fact even Sen Drillon in his media realeses want to question the citezenship of FPJ..until group of independent lawyers student of law as well as Fr Bernas and Ms Munoz Palma gave their comments,even Comelec officials headed by poker face Abalos,and even Congress headed by boot licker JDV..so when the final curtain comes…and then became a blockbuster SRO show of the land..FPJ was declared a true blooded pinoy..yes a true filipino more true than those people questioning him!!! then as show must go on..some lawyers and law offices known as satellite law firm of “The FIRM” the lawyers of the corrupt officials headed by Villarasa and co.(Ang gago) filed descerning comment at Supreme Court still questioning the FPJ citezenship…when they can not do something about it..Hula!!! hula…hula..the Comelec computerization was put in the trash bin…decided not by computer wizzard or not by microsoft..or IBM..not even by the chinese computer..the abacus..but people who knows nothing about computer..it was the
SUPREME COURT..headed by another poker face..black jack..lucky nine..seven eleven corrupt,cara y cruz or pusoy..pusoy dos.tansing Hilario Davide et al..
and the rest now is history..now are we filipinos really that stupid???
let us all support the ouster of GMA and his evil cabals..
before they put us all in the trash bin..we had enough of this foolishness
we are being “goodtime by this crook”
ms. bayani
December 16th, 2005 at 3:14 pm
To: the LOUDEST SATIRICAL FOOL in this blog–Mr. Get Real Phils.
Perhaps, in all your pronouncements and sarcastic evaluation of the Filipinos… you, not only became the loudest and foolish mouthpiece of GMA ( blaming the system for her rotten leadership style) but you are also the loudest and biggest BULLY of the Filipino people.
…know why this society your harping about is going to the dogs? It is people like you who have nothing much better to do than to laugh, to look down, to ridicule the efforts of people to bring about decency, morality, honesty and integrity in our society.
Who have repeatedly been traitors to their campaign promises during election time? Who are these people who have continually betrayed the voting populace? Why always point an accusing finger of blame to the majority of the people?…..now, who has continually lied, cheated and stole?—they are the oligarchs, politicians, ruling elite….and they don’t even comprise 15% of the population.
Indeed, it is the easiest to be satirical, to ridicule, to cast aspersions and belittle because the “rotten system of the rotten people are already well-placed and well-entrenched”???…so, what are we to do now just swallow and accept what is being hoisted to us by the ruling few?
benign0
December 16th, 2005 at 4:18 pm
You know why it is EASY to ridicule Pinoys?
Simple.
Because Pinoys have become a ridiculous people.
Look around you.
Read the papers.
Go figure.
ha ha! 😀
ms. bayani
December 16th, 2005 at 5:34 pm
You know why our country is going to the DOGS?
Simple.
Because of people like YOU, who personify the most apathetic ridiculous lot in the bunch.
Look inside your sarcastic and pompous self.
Read your know-it-all arrogant heart and mind.
Go figure.
ha ha!
😉
jester-in-exile
December 16th, 2005 at 5:37 pm
“You know why it is EASY to ridicule Pinoys?
Simple.
Because Pinoys have become a ridiculous people.”
i wonder if the fellow considers himself Filipino, then.
anyway, to the issue at hand:
mitams, alecks,
granted that impeachment through congress won’t work for these comelec commissioners (as it didn’t against tantangco), perhaps public pressure can. rizalist mentions above, “VOLUNTARINESS is the essence of RESIGNATION,” but wasn’t it public opinion that made nixon voluntarily tender his resignation?
perhaps GMA is merely choosing to be deaf.
oscar
December 16th, 2005 at 6:00 pm
i agree with you ms bayani..i coul guess that this mr perfect maybe look alike of pinoy budha…the aka of mike “pidal” arroyo.
he.he.he. and an straight suit i mean straight jacket for DOJ Gozales..
pleigh
December 16th, 2005 at 6:07 pm
-OFF TOPIC-
last night i’ve watched the news and there the former commissioner garcillano saying that he’ll continue to write his book about…i don’t know…whatever…then asked who he likes to portray him, and said “patay na si fpj eh”, something like that…the funny thing that came to my mind, and i don’t know if someone here have noticed that the better artist to portray him is actually “Bentong”…wouldn’t you agree??hehehe…
freewheel
December 16th, 2005 at 9:22 pm
Woe unto a nation whose middle class could not make a stand on whether common folks, whose penchant for wearing tsinelas during protest rallies, deserves respect or scorn.
In the 80’s, 90’s and even more recently, uncalled for dispersal of demos by armed brutes of the Establishment pictures taken in the aftermath often leaves a vivid display of worn-out sneakers, sandals and yes, the tsinelas. There is no mistaking it, how life must be hard on these people(to say the least).
Point is, we continually wonder with awe how Japan, S. Korea,, Taiwan or even Malaysia made it and wanted the same for us. However, we conveniently forget how their society, especially the first 2, treat farmers with respect. Farmers live with dignity and pride in their industry.
See, next time we poke our imaginations on ‘ placard bearing schmoe wearing tsinelas’ it would help to remember the plight of Pinoy farmers…
MitaMS
December 17th, 2005 at 6:45 am
Rizalist,
Calling for resigntaion may be allowed but what good does it do our country when it won’t make a difference in the long run? As you said, and as every Pepe N Pilar should understand, resignation is voluntary. If we’re serious about getting someone out of office, then let’s go the surefire way of doing it. Are those senators telling us they are not really serious about getting the Comelec commissioners out of office?
As you pointed out, there are so many unresolved issues still pending somwhere in Lalaland we call the judiciary branch of government, the legislative, the military … we are in this mess because all we seem to be good at is making noise and not really going after the resolution of issues.
I agree with you, Abat is a diversionary tactic. I’m of the mind that all the mess started because some people are anxious for Charter Change. Perhaps we should take it more seriously. Educate ourselves about the REAL issues instead of scrutinizing the diversions thrown at us. Otherwise, there will be more of us crying “FOUL” once the wheels have been set in motion.
After all this time, it does seem like it’s only Malacanang using their brains….
Toro
December 17th, 2005 at 8:07 am
Voluntary resignations are only for those rare breed of people who live by the principle of ‘delicadeza’. Erap was overthrown for lack of it so can the Comelec Colmmissioners for the same reason. Apparently Comm. Abalos et al are inviting people to launch a nationwide mass protest for them to resign.
Whether they like it or not the forthcoming events will force them out. A referendum or plebiscite for charter change cannot be entrusted to the Comelec unless it is completely overhauled and the Commissioners replaced, as I said in another blog. That and the next elections are critical in reforming the govt where once again the Comelec will play a crucial role. The present Comelec cannot be entrusted to do those tasks.
It’s a no win-win situation for the Commissioners that they’re better off resigning now and save themselves the embarrassment of being physically forced out.
baycas
December 17th, 2005 at 8:24 am
pray that mercy (tanodbayan gutierrez) will charge abalos et al SOON and thereby have mercy on the Filipino people…
INSIDE PCIJ: Stories behind our stories » IT professionals tap the Internet to demand Comelec officials’ resignation
December 29th, 2005 at 1:00 am
[…] Led by Augusto "Gus" Lagman, who is also the technology chief of the election watchdog National Citizens’ Movement for Free Elections (Namfrel), the group has launched the online petition campaign in support of the report of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee finding all Comelec commissioners involved in the modernization scam criminally liable. The Senate recommended that they immediately vacate their posts. […]
baycas
February 14th, 2006 at 4:54 pm
what? anomalous na, overpriced pa? http://news.inq7.net/nation/index.php?index=1&story_id=66072
si solgen benipayo…nakakatawang, nakakaiyak!
…sabagay, ano ba ang bago d’yan sa kanila?
rye, nay, tongue, and jester: ang guillotine, ang guillotine…
naykika
February 14th, 2006 at 9:48 pm
wow! wow! simple plot but profitabe. but it’s same, same modus operandi everytime, and it always work. well, if everyone from the top to the bottom get the piece of the pie why not. bay, guilloten, guilloten needed more than ever..
baycas
February 22nd, 2006 at 4:24 am
impeachment complaint against abalos finally filed after calls for his resignation was not heeded.
but wait…it was not from fpj’s lawyer sixto brillantes:
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryId=30258
http://www.newsflash.org/2004/02/hl/hl103724.htm
…always the runner who jumps the gun, oliver lozano is at his race again.
baycas
March 5th, 2006 at 11:50 pm
winnie monsod, fresh from her different celebration of edsa people power (keeping the flame of edsa alive not as a “warm body” at edsa) two saturdays ago, yesterday posed these questions to our “divine mercy:”
What’s the matter with our ombudsman?
Is she protecting the people against corrupt officials?
Or is she protecting corrupt officials?
http://news.inq7.net/opinion/index.php?index=2&story_id=68254&col=62
—–
what ever happened to brillantes’ impeachment case against the comelec…i wonder…i read it will be filed end of february…was it probably overran by “the excitement that never was?”
INSIDE PCIJ: Stories behind our stories » Are electoral reforms possible under Arroyo?
April 12th, 2006 at 4:41 pm
[…] Echoing the high court’s ruling, the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, in its Report No. 44, also castigated the Comelec for the failed and anomalous handling of its electionmodernization program and urged all the commissioners, except the then recently appointed Brawner, to immedfiately resign. […]
INSIDE PCIJ: Stories behind our stories » CBCP: Disclose Mayuga Report
May 11th, 2006 at 10:39 pm
[…] They also reiterated their call for reform the Commission on Elections to restore trust in our electoral process. “In particular, the Ombudsman’s investigation of COMELEC officials involved in anomalous contracts worth P2.3 billion should be completed as soon as possible, as directed by the Supreme Court,” it said. […]