Day: July 3, 2009

by Lito Banayo

Ronnie Puno went to the US of A to attend to the wedding of his daughter, set in California’s beautiful Napa Valley. He has been in and out of the US of A, as this is where his family resides. Everyone and his mother in the DILG knows this, and they find it normal when their boss is out of the country. And he designates one or the other of his numerous undersecretaries, usually senior Usec Ed Soliman, as his officer-in-charge.

All of a sudden, three days after Ronnie had already landed in San Francisco International, Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita issued an appointment for a DILG officer-in-charge. And it was not one of the usual undersecretaries, which is the usual practice anywhere in the bureaucracy. Ermita designate current DPWH Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane.

That’s not just it. Ermita even announced that Puno went to the US of A on medical leave. Either Ronnie is sick or he is undergoing a medical check-up, Malacañang explained. Still, curiously, why Ebdane?

Ebdane of course used to be PNP chief, before the Doña made him public works czar, and after a brief stint as Defense secretary right after Nonong Cruz resigned because he could no longer take the many machinations in the stinking palace beside the stinking river. Yet again, if Puno would be absent for ten to twelve days, why not one of his undersecretaries? And why Ebdane, not DOTC’s Larry Mendoza, a Batangueno like Ermita? I thought Ebdane has his hands full with almost 200 billion pesos in the current budget, for Doña Gloria’s “legacy” infrastructure program?

Now palace woodwork whisperers of course have long told everybody who cared to listen that Ermita and Puno do not exactly like each other. One is Lakas, the other is Kampi. Besides, one used to get the Doña’s undivided attention when it came to politics, yes, undivided, until he made the mistake of telling the cabinet that Cha-Cha won’t wash. And until Louie Villafuerte who authored House Resolution 1109 suddenly withdrew his signature on that piece of crap. That was the signal for the knives to be sharpened against Ronnie the Tree.

And Ermita found just the right time to pull the knife and strike against the Tree. While the Tree is away, selecting the vintage wines that would be uncorked on July 4, which is when the grand but intimate wedding is scheduled.

As corollary damage, Ermita hinted, rather maliciously I might add, that Ronnie, who has announced his vice-presidential candidacy, and has been moving throughout the archipelago using a newly-purchased Lear jet, is well … sick. Now that’s a low blow.

Inisahan na nga, siniraan pa ng pailalim. Kandidato na nga, sinabi pang may sakit. Aray naman. That’s not the way Batanguenos usually fight, preferring “harapan” as they usually say, but then again, years inside the snake pit can really change culture and nature.

Wait till Ronnie the Tree comes back late next week.

Related story in Inquirer:

Loren: why two big hats for Ebdane?

Wait, there’s more!: Buy her a gift this Valentines! or send her flowers!

Click here for Larry Leviste’s account of the Imeldific celebration.

I had two interesting coverages yesterday. One was the National Day reception at the US Embassy and the other was Imelda Marcos 80th birthday bash at Hotel Sofitel.

My cellphone battery gave way and here’s the few photos I got.

Mrs. Marcos,in a bright pink terno and bedecked with jewelry, had a special guest, Dewi Sukarno, the controversial former First Lady of Indonesia.

Another special guest was the Chinese ambassador, who underscored in his remarks that it was during the term of Ferdinand Marcos when relations between the Philippines and the People’s Republic of China started.

The whole Marcos family, Imee, Irene and Bongbong were there with their good-looking children.

There were a number of personalities I saw: Rep. Roque Ablan, former Senator Francisco Tatad, former Comelec Chair Pardo and others.

Another personality I saw was Baby Arenas, former Blue Lady, rumored special friend of a former president, and who is now director of the Manila Economic and Cultural office in Taiwan.

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Agence France Presse story in the Inquirer:

Imelda at 80: I feel vindicated
Agence France-Presse

MANILA, Philippines — Former First Lady Imelda Marcos turned 80 Thursday, claiming to be nearly broke but feeling vindicated more than two decades after her dictator husband was ousted in a popular revolt.

“I have reached the lucky number eight, for eight decades,” the flamboyant Marcos told AFP as she distributed rice to hundreds of poor residents at a dumpsite converted into a sprawling housing area in a Manila suburb.

“My birthday wish is that I be given more health and a longer life so I can devote myself to helping the Filipino poor,” she said.

Wearing a pink terno, jade earrings and sporting a large diamond ring, the woman known worldwide for her excessive lifestyle and 3,000 pairs of shoes still has something of a regal presence.

Her burly bodyguards jostled with a pack of press photographers as she waded through the crowd of supporters wanting merely to touch her.

At peace with truth

“I have always been at peace with the truth,” she declared. “I feel vindicated because no court has convicted me.”

She said she is nearly broke after 23 years of “relentless persecution, vilification and ridicule” by the government, but remains happy that she has the support of her family and the poor.

Late husband and dictator Ferdinand Marcos was ousted by a “people power” revolt in 1986 which sent him into exile in Hawaii. He died in 1989 and Imelda and his children were later allowed to return home.

In 1992, Imelda Marcos launched a failed bid for the presidency, but her children have since regained political control in their northern bailiwick.

While her husband is accused of plundering the national coffers of an estimated $10 billion, no member of the family has been convicted or jailed.

Scores of criminal and civil cases however remain pending in courts.

So far, only $683 million stashed in Swiss banks has been recovered by the government.

The fight to gain control of the Marcos wealth has in recent months focused on $310 million in Imelda’s confiscated jewellery. Confusion arose last month after the government said the jewels would be returned to Imelda, only to backtrack after a public outcry.

Historical treasures

“That decision was vindication already to me. These are beautiful historical treasures that they should return,” she said defiantly Thursday.

She said she bears no grudges toward arch foe Corazon Aquino, widow of assassinated opposition leader Benigno Aquino, who was swept to the presidency in 1986 after Marcos was toppled.

Mrs. Corazon Aquino, 76, has been hospitalized since last week with colon cancer and is said to be in a serious condition.

“I asked all these people to offer prayers to her. I have peace in my heart and am comfortable with the truth. I am praying for her safe recovery,” Marcos said.

Update from the Inquirer:

Palace makes a clean breast of GMA implant

Jarius Bondoc confirms GMA mammoplasty. See article in comments.

I can’t believe this.

But this news item came out in the conservative newspaper Manila Bulletin.

GMA medical checkup OK

by Jonathan M. Hicap, Charissa M. Luci
July 2, 2009, 6:03pm

President Arroyo underwent removal and replacement of breast silicone implants at a hospital in Muntinlupa City, a source told the Manila Bulletin.

Meanwhile, a Palace official announced that President Arroyo has ended her two-day self imposed quarantine “with a clean bill of health,” and is expected to resume public engagements “in a few days.”

The informant, who requested anonymity since the source was not authorized to speak about the matter, said the President was scheduled to undergo augmentation mammoplasty at the Asian Hospital and Medical Center in Alabang, Muntinlupa.

In addition, a cyst or lump in the groin area was also scheduled to be removed by surgery, said the hospital source.

A biopsy was also done on her breast, the source said. This does not mean that the President was ill. This was part of regular medical procedures, the source added.

The President cancelled the Cabinet meeting on Tuesday in preparation for her quarantine. She checked in at the hospital on Wednesday.

Security measures have been tightened at the hospital during the President’s confinement. All persons, whether visitors or employees, are subjected to intense inspection, a source said.

Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita and Press Secretary Cerge Remonde said Mrs. Arroyo has left Asian Hospital and Medical Center after undergoing self-quarantine following her 13-day visits from influenza-infected countries, including the former British colony of Hong Kong, Brazil, Colombia, United States and Japan.

In an interview shortly after the awarding ceremony of the Ten Outstanding Students of the Philippines at the Rizal Hall of Malacanang Palace, Ermita said the President will be out of the hospital “within the day.”

Remonde said President Arroyo yesterday checked out of the hospital at around 2 p.m. in the pink of health.

“She underwent certain check ups while on quarantine and all the results were okay. She has returned to Malacañang,” he said in a text message.

He also denied rumors that the President had some silicone removed from her body.

Ermita said President’s nearly three-day stay at the Asian Hospital in Alabang, Muntinlupa has given the President a “breathing space” from her hectic schedules.

But, he was quick to add that Mrs. Arroyo remains in touch with him and fellow cabinet members, citing that she “calls anytime she wishes to.”

“The President is taking advantage of her time na nag-self quarantine siya so mabuti na lang nakakapahinga si Presidente dahil masyadong hectic naman ang kanyang byahe and many, many other out of town trips before those trips abroad so mabuting nakakapahinga si Pangulo,” Ermita said.

The President just returned from her long trip on Monday with baskets of foreign investments and employment opportunities for Filipino workers.

Wait, there’s more!: Buy her a gift this Valentines! or send her flowers!