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Nakakaduda na ang kilos ng pamahalaan sa kaso ni Napoles

April 26, 2014April 26, 2014 Ellen Leave a comment

Hindi naman siguro tanga si Justice Secretary Leila de Lima para hindi niya maisip kung bakit pilit na gusto makipagkita sa kanya si Janet Napoles at gusto kumanta.

Maraming pagkakataon si Napoles na magsabi ng buong katotohanan tungkol sa panloloko at pagnakaw ng bilyun-bilyon na pera sa taumbayan ngunit hindi niya ginawa. Nang dumalo siya sa hearing ng Senate Blue Ribbon Committtee, wala siyang sinabi. Puro wala siyang alam samantalang nanumpa siya na magsabi na buong katotohanan. “Nothing but the truth,” sabi sa kanyang oath.

Iba na raw ang kuwento ni Napoles nang binisita ni De Lima sa Ospital ng Makati. Nagdawit pa raw siya ng maraming senador at congressman. Merong may nagsabi na 19 na senador daw ang sa kanyang affidavit, meron namang nagsabing 12.

Ngunit hindi raw nila pinag-usapan ang pagiging state witness ni Napoles.

Sinong tanga ang maniniwala na kakanta si Napoles na walang kapalit? Konsyensya daw.

Ginu-goodtime lang tayo nito. Pumayag naman si De Lima sa drama. Halata namang nagta-trial balloon lang sila.

Mabuti naman at umalma ang publiko. Kasi naman kung gawing state witness si Napoles kapalit ng kanyang pagsabi ng katotohanan kuno tungkol sa raket ng PDAF (Priority development Assistance Fund), idi-dimis na lahat na kaso laban sa kanya.

Ang swerte naman niya kung mangyayari yan. Limpak na limpak na salapi na ang kanyang nakuha sa taumbayan. Nakabili na ng maraming ari-arian kasama pa ang isang hotel sa Amerika. Hindi lang siya, pati na rin ang kanyang mga galamay kasama na doon si Ruby Tuason at si Dennis Cunanan, na kumita na rin ng husto.

Magandang raket yan at sigurado marami ang gagayq. Magnakaw ng husto. Dapat malakihan kasi kapag maliit, baka mabulok ka sa kulungan. Isama mo ang mga malalaking tao rin. Kapag nagpalit ng administrasyon at mahuli ka, kumanta ka at libre ka na. Kumita ka ng bilyun-bilyon na walang pagod.

Kaya tama ang sabi ni Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV na kung gusto ng pamahalaang Aquino gawing state witness si Napoles (kahit na tagilid ito sa batas dahil isa siya sa may malaking papel sa anomalya), kailangan ibalik niya ang kanyang ninanakaw. Umabot daw sa P10 bilyun ang nawalang pera na dapat ay napunta sa mahihirap na Pilipino. Dapat ibalik niya yan. Baka P10 milyun lang ang ibabalik niya.

Sabi ni Trillanes:”Definitely may conditions, like isosoli mo lahat ng ninakaw mo. Pangalawa, kailangan hindi ka magpipigil. I believe this thing should not be looked solely at the legal perspective kasi merong greater interest of the state na kailangan nating malaman kung sino talaga ‘yung mga kakontsaba niya, mga ka-partners niya in crime. Kasi imagine this, if we would be a stickler to what the law says, sige hindi siya pwedeng candidate for state witness as defined, pero hindi mo na naman nakita kung sino ‘yung mga senador at mga congressman na involved. So they’re still out there. They’re crafting policies. They’re probably committing acts of corruption still. ‘Di ba mas maganda na sigurong mas makita natin ‘yun, na ito siya, pagbigyan na natin.”

Sa “hindi magpapapigil”, ang ibig sabihin ni Trillanes, dapat buong katotohanan sabihin niya. Hindi pwedeng pipiliin lang niya kung sino ang didi-in niya.

Kaya balik tayo sa bakit ba kailangan pa si Napoles para maging state witness. Akala ko ba malakas na ang kaso laban sa tatlong senador – Juan Ponce Enrile, Jinggoy Estrada, Bong Revilla – at iba pang akusado.

Di ba sabi ng Ombudsman may basehan na ang kasong plunder at paglabag ng anti-graft law sa mga testimonya nina Benhur Luy at ng kanyang mga kasamahan? At ano ngayon ang mangyayari sa kaso ni Luy laban kay Napoles na illegal detention?

Ano ba ang nangyayari? Nakakaduda na ha. Mukhang ginugulo na lang. Bakit sumasakay si De Lima?

Lawyer says Napoles as state witness will benefit country

November 7, 2013November 7, 2013 Ellen Leave a comment

Santiago questioning Napoles. Photo by Voltaire Domingo NPPA Image. From Yahoo.

The quote of the day from Thursday’s Senate Blue Ribbon hearing was Sen. Miriam Santiago’s “Ignorance can be treated, but stupid is forever. ”

Santiago was spot on in her observation that Napoles could not be stupid considering the pork barrel operator’s rise from her humble beginnings in Basilan to her being filthy rich today. In a press conference, Santiago said she thinks Napoles’ gall diverting money intended for the poor to private pockets of lawmakers, government officials as well as hers comes from ignorance. She said Napoles is used to cutting deals and she thinks she will be able to get away with plunder, which could put her in prison for 20 to 40 years, by cutting another deal.

One of those who monitored the hearing, Ginny Fabie, a member of the Concerned Citizens Movement, observed that Santiago used military interrogation tactics. Scaring her one moment (“Gusto nilang patayin ka, andiyan sa utak mong ‘yan ang pagkakasira ng, di lamang kayaman, pati buhay nila. Importante malagyan duct tape ang mukha mo” ) and giving her advice to turn state witness another moment after she got the businesswoman to admit that she is not the most guilty (“Gantihan mo na habang buhay ka pa.”)

Santiago even named who is supposed to be the most guilty: “Kung si Enrile ang pinaka-guilty, sabihin mo na para di ka niya ipapatay… Huwag mong i-underestimate si Enrile. May asim pa si tanda.”

Fabie said she was “boiling mad” watching the hearing. “This woman is maabilidad masyado… She pretends many times not to have any concept of what’s being asked. She’s a goddam liar. No trace of remorse . Walang takot dahil malakas ang backer nito.”

Napoles swears to tell the truth, nothing but the truth.Photo by Voltaire Domingo NPPA Images. From Yahoo.

Fabie is asking Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV to pass a law that would impose heavy penalty on those who commit perjury. “They are making a mockery of the law. Let’s put an end to it. Perjury cuts both ways- makes or breaks people’s fates even that of the country.”

Former Negros Occidental (5th district) Representative Apolinario “Jun “ Lozada Jr. said he was bored with the Senate hearing. As expected Napoles “stuck to her story to protect her congressional clients. “

He said it was “ a waste of time and money. Let the wheels of justice na lang.”

Lawyer Joel Butuyan of Roque&Butuyan Law, said the Senate and the public were expecting Napoles to spill the beans in the hope that: 1) she has a conscience; 2) sense of patriotism; 3) sense of decency.

But, he said, “All these she doesn’t have based on the scams she has perpetrated all these years.”

Butuyan said the government will not get any cooperation from Napoles if it continues to hope based on these non-existent premises. “So as expected, Napoles did not volunteer anything,” he observed.

Butuyan is in favor of making Napoles a state witness: “The government must consider at this point that it has to give Napoles as reason/motivation for her to cooperate, other than hoping that she will turn conscience-stricken, or suddenly become patriotic. The government must consider offering her to become state witness.”

He said he knows it’s very unpopular. “But it has to be explained to the people that this is a once in a lifetime chance to try to destroy some of these political dynasties. If we imprison Napoles, there will be others who will take up her role later on. However, imagine if she spills the beans, we will have a chance at stopping these family dynasties who have perpetrated a stranglehold on Philippine politics for so many decades. Imagine also the psychological fear that will be imprinted in the minds of both present and future politicians if we obtain a mass obliteration of trapo politicians if Napoles names all the names she has dealt with.”

“It is a political culture-changing opportunity looking at the big picture, bird’s eye view. The country will far obtain bigger and far lasting benefits if it gets Napoles to become state witness than by just getting her convicted.”

Yamsuan sold Rockwell condo to Napoles

September 28, 2013September 28, 2013 Ellen Leave a comment

By VERA Files

Two whistleblowers in the pork barrel scam said Thursday that a former Malacañang consultant sold his Rockwell condo unit to Janet L. Napoles, allegedly the brains of the pork barrel scam that has dragged the names of a number of lawmakers and their staff.

Marina Sula and Benhur Luy said they saw Yamsuan twice in Napoles office in Discovery Suites. “Nagpunta kasi siya sa office sa Discovery, mayroon siyang in-offer na condo sa Rockwell na nakapangalan sa misis niya na binili ni Ms. Janet Napoles,” Sula told the Senate Blue Ribbon committee investigating the anomalous use of the Priority Development Assistance Fund.

But the sale of the three-bedroom unit was not completed because of incomplete documentary requirements, the two said.

VERA Files earlier reported that Yamsuan, a consultant in the office of Executive Secretary Paquito “Jojo” Ochoa, was fired last Aug. 12 when President Aquino learned of his links with Napoles after his name was mentioned in the interview by Inquirer editors and columnists with the controversial pork barrel operator, the transcript of which was run by the newspaper verbatim.

Yamsuan’s wife, Cathy, is one of Inquirer’s Senate reporters.

VERA Files reported that Yamsuan, who was formerly undersecretary to Interior and Local Government Secretary Ronaldo Puno under the Arroyo administration, was heavily indebted due to gambling. Hounded by casino loan sharks, he sold his two units in Rockwell, an upscale condominium in Makati, and some vehicles.

Still short of money to fully pay his debts, Yamsuan sought the help of a senator who called Napoles, who in turn immediately delivered the money at the casino.

(VERA Files is put out by veteran journalists taking a deeper look at current issues. Vera is Latin for “true.”)

Quarrel among thieves

September 26, 2013September 26, 2013 Ellen Leave a comment

Sama-sama na tayo lahat. Thanks to Inquirer for photo.

The speech of Sen. Jinggoy Estrada may not be as explosive as expected but the public is benefitting from it because we are getting a bigger and more realistic picture of how rotten the system is, and how “tuwid na daan” is being drawn with crooked lines.

Estrada is one of three senators (the two others are Senators Ramon “Bong” Revilla and Juan Ponce-Enrile) charged with plunder in connection with the anomalous use of their PDAF as allegedly operated by Janet Lim Napoles.

Estrada, in his 90 minute speech, never denied his involvement with Napoles’ scam. His complaint was, why only the three of us?

It is distressing because what we are seeing is a quarrel among thieves. But we console ourselves with the wise words of old folks that “When cattle rustlers quarrel, the farmer gets back his cow.”

Are we going to get back our cow? That all depends on the public’s vigilance.

We are most interested with the disclosure of Estrada that after the Senate overwhelmingly for the conviction of then Supreme Court Justice Renato Corona, a priority crusade of President Aquino to reform the justice system in fulfillment of his campaign promise to eliminate corruption in government, those who voted to convict were given P50 million each.

Estrada related instances when the Priority Development Assistance Program was used as “carrot” by Malacañang under Aquino, just like what Gloria Arroyo did, whenever they want something from members of Congress like the ouster of then Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez (she was eventually persuaded to resign in exchange for not filing charges against her and for her to get her full retirement benefits); the Sin Tax bill, and the Reproductive Health bill.

Estrada said:” Here now, Mr. President, as our people must know, are some ugly facts and information on the PDAF that our people must know and which i challenge anyone to deny.”

His most important disclosure: “Hindi na tuloy tuloy nakapagtataka ng kumalat ang balita na ang mga kongresista at mga senador ay inalok din ng PDAF para siguraduhin ang impeachment at conviction ng dating Punong Hukom ng Korte Suprema.

“Hahayaan ko na ang taong bayan ang gumawa ng konklusyon kung ito ay totoo o hindi, pero ito ang aking maidadagdag sa kwento — after the conviction of the Former Chief Justice, those who voted to convict were allotted an additional 50 million pesos as provided in a private and confidential letter memorandum of the then chair of the senate finance committee. Saan galing ang pinamigay na pondo? I am sure alam ni Secretary Abad ang sagot sa tanong na ito. At sigurado din ako na hindi unilateral decision ni senate president drilon ang pamimigay ng 50 million pesos kada senador.”

Here are the names of the 20 senators who for the conviction of Corona: Edgardo Angara; Alan Peter Cayetano; Pia Cayetano; Franklin Drilon; Francis Escudero;

Jinggoy Estrada; Teofisto Guingona III; Gregorio Honasan; Panfilo Lacson; Lito Lapid;

Loren Legarda; Sergio Osmeña III; Francis Pangilinan; Aquilino ‘Koko’ Pimentel III; Ralph Recto;

Ramon Revilla Jr.;Vicente Sotto III; Antonio Trillanes IV; Manuel Villar; and Juan Ponce Enrile Jr.

The three who voted for the acquittal of Corona were Joker Arroyo;Miriam Defensor-Santiago; and Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

P50 million times 20 is P1 billion. We believe that’s our money. We also would like to know how it ended up in the hands of senators and how it was spent.

Reactions of senators and Malacañang to the P50 million revelation of Estrada:

Budget Secretary Florencio Abad:Illogical.Absolutely, completely not true. As far as I’m concerned, we did not bribe the lawmakers.

Former Sen. Panfilo Lacson: I confirm the P50-million “incentive” that was allegedly given to senators who voted to convict then Chief Justice Renato Corona. Drilon told us about it in a caucus.

Senate President Franklin Drilon: The P50 million given after the Corona trial was not a bribe. It was PDAF withheld during the four-month trial.

Sen. TG Guingona: I got additional P50 million but it was not connected to Corona conviction.

Sen.Pia Cayetano: I don’t know anything about it.

Sen. Alan Cayetano: I didn’t get paid for voting to convict Corona.

Communications Secretary Ricky Carandang: I do not know exactly what senator Lacson was referring to…there are many things coming out now. Some of them may be true. Some of them may not be true.

Sobrang amazing ang kuwento ni Kap

September 22, 2013September 22, 2013 Ellen Leave a comment

Sponsors do not want to be seen supporting someone acccused of plunder

Malakas ang ugong na baka mawala sa ere ang Kap’s Amazing stories, ang show ni Sen. Bong Revilla sa GMA7. Nagkakakansela na raw ang advertisers ng show at hindi maganda para sa kanila na ma-identify sa isang opisyal ng pamahalaan na akusado sa krimeng pandarambong.

Ang buhay talaga. When it rains, it pours. Kapag umulan, talagang buhos.

Noong isang linggo, kasama sa sinampahan si Revilla ng plunder o pandarambong. Ayun sa dokumento na hawak ng National Bureau of Investigation, si Revilla ang may pinakamalaking nabulsa mula sa pera ng PDAF (Priority Development Assistance Fund) sa pamamagitan ng operasyun na kasabwat si Janet Lim Napoles.

Ayun sa dokumento ng NBI, P224,512,500 ang pera na naman sa mhihirap na Pilipino ang napunta kay Revilla. (Ang kay Sen. Jinggoy Estrada ay P183,793,750 at kay Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile ay P172,834,500.)

Close friends

Maiyak-iyak si Revilla noong Lunes at sinabi niyang “Ang hiling ko sa sambayanan, huwag kaming husgahan. Ipapaliwanag namin ito hanggang sa kahuli-hulihang detalye.”

Nakadetalye ang kuwento ni Ben Hur Luy, ang dating kanang kamay ni Napoles, tungkol sa mga perang binibigay nila kay Revilla at sa ibang mambabatas at kanilang mga tauhan na sangkot dito sa pork barrel scam.

Ang baho ng pangalan ng lahat na sangkot sa pork barrel scam kaya maintindihan kung magkaka-kansela ang mga advertisers ng Kap’s Amazing stories.

Sabi naman ni Revilla kumuha na daw siya ng handwriting expert para daw suriin ang mga dokumento sa PDAF na may pirma niya.

Sayang itong si Revilla na hindi pinahalagahan ang tiwala na binigay sa kanya ng mamamayan. Kahit wala naman talagang pinakitang galing sa kanyang panunungkulan sa Senado, binu-boto pa rin siya ng tao. Sa halip na alagaan ang pagtitiwala ng taumbayan, ginawang gatasan ang pamahalaan. Ninakawan pa ang mamamayan.

Really close friends

May ambisyon pa siyang tumakbo bilang maging bise president kung hindi man presidente sa 2016. Sa pagbulgar ng kanilang pangungurakot ng pork barrel, pwede na magpa-alam si Revilla sa kanyang ambisyun na titira sa Malacanang o kahit na mago-opisina sa Coconut Palace.

Ang problema niya ngayon, ay kapag nagdesisyun ang Ombudsman na may basehan ang akusasyun at magsasampa na ng kaso sa Sandiganbayan, mai-isyu ng warrant of arrest. Walang piyansa ang plunder kaya kulong siya.

Itong linggo daw, magpapasabog din daw si Revilla at Estrada. Excited na ako makinig. Baka sobrang amazing yun.
***
Ang tanong ng isa: paano ang bahay ng isang beauty queen sa Beverly Hills na mistress daw ng isang akusado na ang bumili daw ay si Napoles. Naku, baka binenta na yan. Ang bahay sa Beverly Hills hindi bababa sa $1.5 milyon o mga P65 milyon.