Two Suspects in shooting of PDI man barred from leaving RP

2 suspects in shooting of PDI man barred from leaving RP

Marlon Ramos, INQUIRER Southern Luzon

 

LUCENA CITY- A regional trial court (RTC) judge here on Tuesday issued a hold departure order against two men suspected to be behind the foiled ambush on Lucena-based INQUIRER correspondent Delfin Mallari Jr. more than seven months ago.

 

In an open court order, Judge Norma Chionglo Sia of Branch 56 of the Lucena RTC ruled that suspects Armando Encanto and Renato Sudla should be barred from leaving the country while the frustrated murder and attempted murder cases filed against them are being tried in court.

 

Both Encanto and Sudla are out on bail after paying P320, 000 each after the court issued warrants for their arrest.

 

The two, who are both in their 40s, are members of the Tau Gamma Phi Fraternity, the same fraternity to which incumbent Gov. Raffy Nantes belongs.

 

Mallari named Nantes as the brains of the failed attempt on his life, which the governor repeatedly denied.

 

Lawyers Marcelino Arias Jr. and Elizabeth Matta tried to block Sia’s order by assuring the judge that their clients would not go abroad to evade the charges against them.

 

Sia, however, doubted the lawyers’ guarantee as she instructed the clerk of court to immediately draft the hold departure order.

 

For the second time in as many hearings, the counsels of Encanto and Sudla moved for the deferment of the scheduled arraignment, saying the petition for review that they filed before the Department of Justice (DOJ) has yet to be resolved.

   

The petition, which was filed last September 27, assailed the result of the preliminary investigation conducted by Lucena assistant prosecutor Manuel Garcia who endorsed the filing of criminal charges against the suspects.

 

Arias said they would also file a separate motion for reinvestigation of the case.

 

Tempers flared as lawyer Vicente Joyas, Mallari’s counsel, questioned Arias’ request for postponement of the arraignment.

 

Joyas argued that the prescription period of the petition filed by the accused lawyers before the DOJ has already lapsed.

 

Sia said the arraignment should resume “to give the adverse party (Mallari) an opportunity to air his side.”

 

“The court wants to have jurisdiction over the persons and of the case. This court wants the arraignment to start so the case can proceed. What do you fear then?” Sia told the suspects’ lawyers.

 

During the fiery exchange of arguments, an emotional Arias had to be restrained by the judge after he repeatedly raised rules over the prescription period of petition for review.

 

“Perhaps you can create your own rules but do not confuse this court,” Sia said, eliciting laughter from the people inside the courtroom.

 

At one time, Sia castigated Arias for raising his voice while he was explaining a point.

 

“Don’t raise your voice while you’re inside this court,” a visibly peeved Sia told the lawyer.

 

Sia also pointed out that Arias and Matta’s actions were obviously meant to delay the formal hearing of the case.

 

“Cases in courts are being delayed because lawyers of caliber like you invoke everything to defer arraignment. If you believe your clients are really innocent, then let them be arraigned,” she said.

 

After a 40-minute debate, Sia eventually allowed the resetting of the arraignment to February 11 “in the interest of fair delivery of justice.”

  

Mallari decided not to attend the hearing. He said he doesn’t want to again experience the “sleepless nights” he had after the first time he saw his supposed assassins during the first hearing last September 24.

 

In an unexpected move, Encanto approached radio DZMM correspondent Johnny Glorioso after the court proceeding and insisted that he was innocent of the charges against him.

 

Glorioso was with Mallari when they were ambushed while on their way to their radio program last April 19.

 

“I told him that it would be better if he answers the accusations against him in court,” Glorioso said.

–

******************************

*****************************************
NATIONAL UNION OF JOURNALISTS OF THE PHILIPPINES
www.nujp.org
105-A Scout Castor Street (near Morato Avenue)
Quezon City, Philippines
Tel.: (+632) 4117768
Email: nujphil@gmail.com
***********************************************************************

Are you a journalist under threat?
Report it to NUJP’s Threat Hotline: (+632) 411-7768
or email it to nujphil@gmail.com
********************************************************
“There can be no press freedom if journalists
exist in conditions of corruption, poverty or fear.”
********************************************************

No Corruption in the Philippines

Ricky Gelido

We are living in a country that is economically stable. We are living in a country that is free from corruption. This is the Philippines under the Arroyo administration.

The Arroyo regime has never been linked to any alleged corruption. It was not connected with the P728 Million Fertilizer Scam of Joc Joc Bolante, former Agriculture Undersecretary. The President herself is not related to Jose Pidal who has an unexplained wealth of P200 million. The President has nothing to do with the overpriced Macapagal Boulevard and the Venable contract of Norberto Gonzales. It is also the same with the $2 Million Power Plant Deal by Nani Perez.

The P1.3 Billion Peso Poll Automation contract and the allegedly anomalous $503 Million Northrail Project are questionable but the regime could not be blamed. The controversial $329 Million ZTE National Broadband Network deal can not be considered part of corruption.

Millions or billions of money are not involved in anomalous contracts. There’s no corruption at all.

Malacañang and the President are pure enough that should not be dragged by the latest issue: the alleged giving of money or “cash gift” – bribery to many – after a breakfast in Malacanang.

But then there are whistleblowers.

Gov. Ed Panlilio of Pampanga was the first. Bulacan Governor Jon-jon Mendoza seconded the Panlilio declaration. Some other elected officials came to the open later. Negros Oriental Gov. Emilio Macias III, Cebu Rep. Antonio Cuenco, Bulacan Gov. Joselito “Jonjon” Mendoza and Pangasinan Rep. Rachel Arenas are among those who admitted that they received money.

Another one who admitted receiving money is Manila Rep. Bienvenido Abante. In a report, Abante said that the President was around during the distribution. But President Arroyo is totally innocent about this; that’s why she ordered the PAGC to investigate the matter.

There were already witnesses to the cash windfall. But why the silence of Malacanang? Questions arise. Was the money given with a receipt? Was it given in cash so that there would be no trail? From where was the money? The Department of Budget already issued a statement that the money did not come from its office. Still no bribery?

Excuses are everywhere. Squid tactics are all over. Diversionary issues are always present. All to hide the truth about the lies?

We don’t have a Bribery Republic. We have an untainted President. We have an unsullied government. The Malacanang residents are all clean. There is no moral corruption in the Philippines.

Such an illusion!

Penned by Ricky Gelido for Magandang Balita newspaper editorial (October 2007)

“Cash Gifts” by Ricky Gelido

Ricky Gelido

Pampanga Gov. Panlilio, Bulacan Gov. Mendoza and Rep. Abante are just some of the officials who admitted having received money in Malacañang. The giving of money happened when the impeachment case against Pres. Arroyo was still a threat.

The “cash gifts” issue has never left the Arroyo administration. It has always remained as a stain in the escutcheon of the President.

Several events – advertently or inadvertently perpetrated to divert issues – have dwarfed the cash dole out. Just when the “cash gifts” issue was getting hotter, the Glorietta blast shocked many Filipinos. Just when the issue was a cauldron steaming hot, the Estrada pardon was served.

The two gargantuan events eclipsed the alleged bribery issue. But it was only for a short period.

After the Glorietta blast and the Estrada pardon though, Rep. Abante resurrected the issue by telling the public that it was Rep. Villarosa who handed him the P500,000.00.

Parties and personalities have come out in the open to tell the public of source of the money.

In an Inquirer report, “Puno insisted that the funds came from the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines after pointing to Speaker Jose De Venecia as the source of the money. But the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines denied Puno’s claims.” Then Rep. Villarosa said that the funds came from Kampi, the party of Pres. Gloria Arroyo. Sen. Lacson, on the other hand, told that the cash gifts may have come from the Philippine National Police.

But who would believe the intricate web of lies? Don’t the admissions and denials imply the hiding of something? Don’t they vibrate in one song saying that Arroyo knew nothing about the bribery? Weren’t several explanations given to possibly exonerate Arroyo?

While there is a senate inquiry now, the Philippine Trial Lawyers Association (PTLA) accused Governors Ed Panlilio of Pampanga, who first exposed the cash handouts, Leo Campos of Misamis Occidental, Joselito Mendoza of Bulacan, and Emilio Macias of Negros Oriental; and Representatives Antonio Cuenco, Rachel Arenas, Bienvenido Abante, Mauricio Domogan and Tomas Dumpit Jr. for bribery. When will the source(s) of the money be sued with a bribery case?

With the Batasan blast, it is said that the cash gift issue has taken the backseat. But no matter what happens, this “bribery” issue will always hunt the president and her administration. No matter how many denials and admissions will appear, the fact still remains that cash gifts were given in Malacañang. And the President has no knowledge and has nothing to do about the giving?

This will be added to the very “short” list of alleged anomalies in the Arroyo administration.

PGMA, Dapat nang Magbitiw sa Puwesto – Pulse Asia

Rey Tamayo, Jr.

Ayon sa pinakahuling survey ng Pulse Asia, tinatayang tatlo sa bawat limang Pilipino (59 percent) ang naniniwala na dapat na umanong magbitiw sa kaniyang tungkulin bilang Punong Ehekutibo ng ating bansa si Pangulong Arroyo dahil sa di umano’y pagkakasangkot nito sa mga katiwalian at korupsiyon sa gobyerno.

Ang nasabing survey ay isinagawa noong Oct. 20 hanggang Oct. 31 sa pamamagitan ng personal na interbyu sa bawat indibidwal na mayroong 1,200 rumisponde na may sapat na gulang sa iba’t ibang panig ng ating bansa.

Ang pagtaas ng bilang ng porsiyento na dapat ng bumaba sa puwesto si Pangulong Gloria Macapagal Arroyo dahil sa mga kontrobersiyal na isyu na napabalita kamakailan sa mga pahayagan, radyo at telebisyon na pawang kinasasangkutan ni ginang Arroyo at sumira ng imahen bilang pangulo ng republika.

Ayon pa sa survey, ang ilan sa mga di umanao’y maanomalyang isyu na nakapag-pabagsak ng papularidad ng pangulo ay ang nangyaring suhulan sa mga kongresista at gobernador sa isang breakfast meeting sa Malacañang, pambobomba sa isang mall sa Makati (Glorietta 2), ang bangayan sa pagitan ni House Speaker Jose de Venecia at ng Pangulong Arroyo, kontrobersiyal na NBN-ZTE deal at ang pagkakaloob ng pardon sa kasong plunder ni dating Pangulong Joseph “Erap” Estrada.

Sa isinagawang survey ng Pulse Asia, bawat isang respondent ay tinanong kung ano ang dahilan kung bakit dapat magbitiw sa tungkulin si Pangulong Arroyo. Batay sa nakuhang resulta, mayroong dalawampu’t dalawang porsiyento (22%) ang nagsabi na kasabwat siya sa korupsyon, samantala labingsiyam na porsiyento naman (19%) ang naniniwalang sangkot ang kaniyang pamilya, at walong porsiyento naman (8%) ang nagpahayag na hinahayaan niya ang katiwalian sa gobyerno.

Isa sa bawat tatlong Pilipino (34%) naman ang naniniwalang may matibay na ebidensiyang magpapatunay na sangkot ang pangulo at ang kaniyang pamilya sa graft and corruption.

Samantala, nakakuha ng dalawampu’t limang porsiyento (25%) ang nagnanais na makisangkot sa malawakang kilos-protesta o anumang pagkilos upang kalampangin ang rehimeng Arroyo na bumaba sa kaniyang puwesto. At animnapu’t isang porsiyento (61%) naman ang gustong magpetisyong sa pamamagitan ng public signing upang manawagan ng kaniyang pagbibitiw.

Matatandaan kamakailan lamang ay pansamantalang sinuspende ng World Bank ang tinatayang US$232 milyong dolyar na gagamitin sana sa 2^nd National Roads Improvement and Management Program ng bansa. Ang nasabing loan package ng Pilipinas ay nakalaan sa pagpapagawa ng iba’t ibang tulay at kalsada sa ilalim ng kasalukuyang administrasyon.

Ayon kay James W. Adams, Vice President of the East Asia and Pacific Region ng World Bank, dismiyado ang WB sa di umano’y lumalalang katiwalian at korupsiyon sa pamamahalang Arroyo kaya’t minarapat nilang na huwag munang ilabas ang naturang loan package para sa Pilipinas.

Aniya, kailangan umanong ipakita ng gobyerno ng Pilipinas na kaya nitong pigilan ang lumalalang katiwalian sa bansa at kung masusunod ng administrasyon ang mga binalangkas na mga kondisyon na inilatag ng pamunuan ng World Bank.

“Building on the experience of the first phase and the lessons learned from the INT (Department of Institutional Integrity) investigation, and in line with the World Bank’s governance and anti-corruption strategy, the government and World Bank team jointly developed stringent anti-corruption measures for the second phase of the program. With the INT report now completed, the discussion of the phase two project at the board has been deferred until the government and the board members receive the information they have requested,” anang statement na ipinalabas ng World Bank.

Commissioned mural on press freedom altered without artists’ knowledge

Media Release: Philippines                                                                                                   November 8, 2007

 

Commissioned mural on press freedom altered without artists’ knowledge

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) is concerned by the changes made to the press freedom mural commissioned from the Neo-Angono Artists Collective by the National Press Club (NPC) in Manila , the Philippines .

The artwork measuring 2.5 metres by 9.9 metres and illustrating the history of press freedom in the Philippines was commissioned by the NPC for 900,000 and installed on October 24.

The mural was then altered before it was unveiled to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in a ceremony to commemorate the 55th anniversary of the National Press Club (NPC) on October 26.

Among the alterations to the mural was the removal of an image depicting an IFJ statement on press freedom. Other alterations include the removal of the name of the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP), an IFJ affiliate, from the banners of protesters depicted in the mural.

Officials from the NPC have claimed that the changes were made because the artists had failed to meet the condition that the piece was meant to be apolitical.

The NUJP has strongly protested the changes. The IFJ supports the stance of the NUJP and is concerned at the attack on freedom of expression of a mural that was intended to highlight press freedom issues.

For further information contact IFJ Asia-Pacific on +61 2 9333 0919

The IFJ represents over 600,000 journalists in 115 countries