The Ombudsman of Thieves

When thieves start to fight amongst themselves, sooner or later somehow justice will be served. That is karma. That is how I am going to keep my sanity -- by believing that in the not so distant future, like tomorrow, justice will come like locusts swarming the honeyed fields of corruption and thuggery. Because the overpriced, over-hyped, over - everything ZTE scandal absolved Gloria and her husband.

The alleged dramatis personae of this most obvious thievery escaped with not a feather ruffled, like magic in Las Vegas. What are you expecting? I am sure everyone reading this is smart enough to realize that in the kingdom that is the Arroyo administration everyone is a national artist, every unsuccessful con is a business failure, and every thief is innocent. So who is guilty anyway? Is it the thief who allegedly refused the bribe? Or is it the other thief who offered the bribe? And how many thieves are there in the house? Or is it just a houseful of thieves who knew nothing of the other thief’s thievery because all are engrossed in their own little kingdoms of thieves.

Does it really matter? Well the answer lies on one’s ability to comprehend the impact of corruption in a country besieged with problematic institutions bathing in the sunshine of hopelessness. It really doesn’t matter whether the First Gentleman or Mrs Arroyo is guilty or not, and that the Office of the Ombudsman negated on its higher responsibility to see that justice is done. The system is already in place to bring favorable outcomes to what this administration wants. Everyone seemed to play his part in making certain that the status quo smells not of pig’s shit but of pig shit dipped in Jo Malone.

What I am scared about are the hidden pig shits successfully hidden for now. Yes, overseas. In the future they will waft through the nostrils of the nation; by that time the pig shit would be transformed into Yamashita treasures like Imelda and Ferdinand’s gold reserves. One cannot repudiate that the Office of the Ombudsman is highly suspect because its independence had been tarnished by the connection of its appointed head. In fact, Merceditas Gutierrez would rather have a whiplash than entertain the notion that mounting evidence presented before her are of corruption. Let’s recall the Kalayaan Power Plant rehabilitation scandal which allegedly made Hernani Perez and Family multimillionaires. And the Comelec Modernization Scam? It starred Abalos allegedly sucking the blooded funds with Mega Pacific eSolutions for ACM’s (automated counting machines). The machines where meant to count votes not kickbacks. In fact, the Supreme Court directed the Office of the Ombudsman to investigate criminal liability of the public officials involved. A couple of years since the 2004 Supreme Court direction, the Ombudsman declared that no “iota of evidence” is found to declare the 5 member Comelec bidding committee guilty of criminal and administrative offenses ( http://www.petitiononline.com/resignow/petition.html ).

At that time I signed a petition because it was a slap in the face of what is just and moral. I see the actions then of the Ombudsman as brazen and obscene considering it is an institution meant to uphold all things that are good in a democracy. Since that time, I believed that the system is clearly flawed and engineered to avoid the balance and checks a democratic process ensured.

It is still true to this day.With every major scandal involving billions of public money, it seems no one is guilty in this kingdom of Ate Gloria.

Testing the Credibility...Ateneo Prof's Cyber-Garci Theory
By Paul Farol

Anyone who has played a computer game, whether using a console or PC, is aware that embedded within the program of the game is a cheat-code that will allow them to have infinite lives, resources, and other powers that will allow them to win the game.

Prof. Pablo Manalastas, a faculty member of the Ateneo de Manila University’s Computer Science Department and lecturer at the University of the Philippines, is saying that the automated election system that will be fielded out in 2010 may have such a cheat code which will enable "someone" to manipulate the elections from within the system.

"The Precinct Count Optical Scan (PCOS) machines could arrive at the precincts with prepared ballot images and election results already inputted into the system, and the computers for canvassing with prepared Certificates of Canvass (COC) and Statements of Votes (SOVs). And at any stage of

the elections, someone who has the root password could log into the system from a remote site and control the canvassing computers—and the canvassers wouldn’t even know. This could happen as early as municipal canvassing because the computer will stay connected to the network for 24 to 72 hours via modem starting at 6 p.m. of election day."

-- source: Verafiles

This is certainly an intriguing idea and one which many

Filipinos may find themselves buying into, as most Filipinos are susceptible to two things -- rumor and fear.. Without thinking, without critical analyses, your common average Filipino will take something for the truth without bothering to check the facts. (Hmmm! Which reminds me of one other female blogger who believes everything.)

Right now, I am of the opinion that all Manalastas is doing is planting the seeds, laying the predic

ate, and spreading the venom of discord that will be the basis of Electoral disputes in 2010. Just imagine, he'll be the most invited expert to each and every court proceeding that involves an electoral protest -- and since he can't clone himself like a computer virus, he will be controlling the supply side of the economic equation. How much will his expert testimony be worth, after 2010?

Just do the math on this one, there are three billionaires gunning for the Presidency. Manny Villar, Mar Roxas, and Jamby Madrigal.

Enough said.

But I don't know how much his testimony will be worth when you read what is written about his automated elections cheat code theory. What he says in one part completely contradicts with the other parts. First he says fielding and supervising 82,000 machines is enormously difficult, but at the same time says that it is easy to install a cheat code program and activate that program.

WHAT?!! Are you INSANE? It would be even more difficult to install the cheat code program in all 82,000 machines.

First, you'd have to install the unaltered program in each of the 82,000 machines, then have it checked and certified. After which, you'd have to replace the program already installed in the machine or download the data into the machine -- without breaking the seals and other tampering countermeasures.

Think about it, installing cheat code 82,000 times in 82,000 machines would infinitely raise the probability of one getting caught.

Unless, of course, the cheat code is already manufactured into the election machines but then, wouldn't it be easily detected just by looking at the memory cards and data storage of the machine to see if it already contains data or check if the program that is installed is coded differently?

But before you can even write the cheat code program and install it without being detected, you'd have to first figure out the winner of the 2010 elections in advance. If one could actually control the results of the election even before the first ballot is cast, wouldn't that be worth a lot of money? Wouldn't that give me a lot of power? Naturally, if one has such a valuable commodity, one would follow human nature and make it known to others who may be interested in that commodity.

Since there is just one election for the President every six years, the power to determine the winner of the 2010 elections would be worth an absolute mint!

Given the greed of most ordinary Filipinos and even extra-ordinary Filipinos, one would probably try to sell this commodity for as high a price as possible -- with the implicit threat that if one is not satisfied with the price, they'd just go to the next interested party.

Needless to say, my friends, just by telling one of the three billionaire Presidential candidates that you can guarantee their victory in 2010, you could either end up rich and dead or alive but paranoid for life. Because certainly, they wouldn't want to risk the possibility of you blackmailing them or squealing on them.

Marcel Crespo (son of ex-convict Mario Crespo) with his ex-gal Phil. STAR's Celine Lopez and DJ

BEWARE... DJ Montano is at it again!

Former Philippine Star columnist, Delfin DJ Montano continues harassing bloggers ( especially Brian Gorrell) by hiring a “law firm” that go by the address, www.cybertriallawyer.com , to go after Brian Gorell.

It seems that Brian and his blog caused damage on the supposedly "good reputation” of their client who according to them is an “outstanding citizen” (whether DJ is a citizen of the US or the Philippines was not defined by the said "law firm")!

Victorina decided to post the lawyer’s letter if only to tell DJ Montano that BRIAN GORELL is not alone in this fight; and WE are behind Brian’s quest to retrieve the sums of money taken from him by Montano.

DJ Montano already had a long history of "shady business deals" gone awry. Yet, he was protected by his print media associates- particularly his editor in the Philippine Star, Celine Lopez. We are aware of the complexity of this issue. We know this will take time and so much of our energy. One thing is sure…

We will not stop until Brian gets his justice!

Trixie says…Montano, that paragon of virtue and fiscal responsibility has struck again, this time he hired a new set of US based lawyers who go by the web address www.cybertriallawyer.com . These lawyers have sent a demand letter to Bryan, through his mother, under false pretenses -- they pretended to be a company looking to hire him.
It appears to be Montano's intention to put the scare on by sending a letter demanding that Bryan desist from what they deem as defamatory statements made in the latter's blog.

We would be scared if it weren't so funny.

The Philippines' most famous disappearing act since Dewey Dee wants to sue the HIV positive man he is alleged to have swindled -- a man Montano himself has tried to destroy, physically, spiritually, financially, and yes, repeatedly. Montano, who cannot even show his face in the Philippines -- land of his birth and cradle of his not-so noble family -- who fears lawsuits in his own country, attempts to file suit under the relative anonymity his own lawyers offer to him.
Come out of the wooodwork, DJ. By letting it be known that you are represented, we can sue you back, too. Come out, come out wherever you are.

Amiel says: Magic 89.9 was the very first traditional media to bravely air the case of Brian Gorrell. I touched base with Brian Gorrell with the help of a Philippine Daily Inquirer senior writer. Afterwards, several death threats and demand letters were sent to Magic 89.9 by the DJ Montano camp! One of the threats that was whispered to a Magic account executive said “mag-ingat na lalo na yang baklang yan” (that faggot should especially be careful). If the threats were just thrown at me, I wouldn't care much less. I eat them for breakfast. At the same time, Montano family lawyer, Atty. Jose Oliveros sent a letter to both the KBP and Magic 89.9 even quoting Tim Yap as an example repeatedly and using Tim’s name repeatedly in the lawyer’s discussion. DJ Montano and his Gucci Gang posse committed grave injustice to Gorrell. Indeed, the declaration of demagogues is set in stone. But when they stumble and fall into disgrace, their alibis are all for naught.

Boldstar says...When I was told that Bryan's mom was deceived to gain access to Bryan’s whereabouts, I formed the opinion that DJ Montano is utterly hopeless. I have always believed that people can redeem themselves and would want to be good to others because it is in our nature as human beings to be greater than what we are. What we have become can be overcome by doing good things. Sending a cease and desist letter is not an act of goodwill but a declaration of one's hubris and delusions. It is better for one’s soul to accept that you have done others wrong and allow yourself to heal by making an honest effort to rectify, redeem and reimburse whatever the deed that caused trauma to another. At least repay Bryan slowly because doing such is really not an admission that you are guilty, if you are happier not to admit deceiving him. That would be your own burden which in time you'd want to be released from. At most, say sorry for hurting someone because thats how you eliminate the shadows of your past hauting and taunting you till kingdom come. Otherwise you have the Victorina Brigade to deal with.

Patrick Reyno, suspect DJ Montano and self-proclaimed architect Chut Cuervo

Rain says.... I leave it to Atty. Trixie to discuss the legal merits of this letter and the demands it cites. I am confident that Amiel and the rest of the council will eat DJ Montano for breakfast if he will show a sign of his receding hairline. I am more concerned about you Brian. Your health seems to be, shall I say, moving into an interesting phase. Letters from lawyers like this are at best intimidation tactics. And I hope you don't give in to the temptation to feel depressed, or angry, or afraid. That is what DJ wants to do -- destroy your wellness, distract you from your task of staying healthy and fighting for your rights.

He is a bitch, we all know that. He destroyed you once. Don't let him destroy you again. This letter is nothing but trash.

Paul Farol says: The $20,000 tab for President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's New York dinner at Le Cirque is chump change and barely a drop in the proverbial bucket which we hope some of our politicians will kick. Yes, $20,000 is but a very small portion of what was actually spent. In a news report which I found this morning, it is said that President "Macapagal-Arroyo has racked up P2.7 billion in expenses in her foreign trips since 2003, or more than double the P1.1-billion limit set by Congress from 2003 to 2008, according to the Commission on Audit (COA)."

Still quoting the same news report, "The President’s foreign travels cost P332 million in 2003 (from a budget of P72 million), P256 million in 2004 (from P74 million), P325 million in 2005 (from P209 million), P421 million in 2006 (from P261 million), P656 million in 2007 (from P261 million) and P722 million in 2008 (from P244 million). "The President went on 50 foreign trips from 2003 to 2008, a number of which involved multiple destinations crisscrossing continents that required the charter of an A330 Boeing." "The President had a contingency fund of only P800 million in 2008 but ended up with P920 million in travel expenses." I understand that the cost of official working and state visits are going to be much bigger than your average jaunt to the nearest SM mall. One could argue that these official working and state visits had resulted in millions, if not billions, of dollars worth of investments and had strengthened our diplomatic relations with the countries visited.

One could argue that these official working and state visits were in fact necessary and crucial undertakings that would protect and promote Philippine interests. These are the official lines that are going to be a real bitch to prove and disprove, and there will be no closure to it. Till this day, people are still arguing over whether President Fidel Ramos' APEC visits were of any use and that was a whole ten years ago. Who really cares? No one really cares for the real and substantive issue of whether these Presidential foreign trips produce any results. What people really care about is that they feel slighted and insulted by reports of these expenditures.

The worst argument in defense of President Macapagal Arroyo's NY dinner was the one put forward by Deputy Presidential something or other Anthony Golez. He said, "Whatever monies may have been spent for the appropriately ceremonious conduct of her official trip abroad are but a tiny fraction of the billions of pesos she has committed, and will continue to commit, to the alleviation of hunger and the amelioration of poverty in our country." Hello?! Sinusumbat mo ba sa amin ang corrupt na feeding program ng DepEd -- iyong ikinagalit ni Mar Roxas kasi puro noodles na malambot at walang itlog, sobrang mahal pa. Or yung subsidy sa NFA rice na pinagkaka-kitaan din ng mga kurimaw na importers na barkada ng powers that be. Or iyong one time subsidy para sa Meralco? I don't think Golez understands just how transactional his statement is. It was as if he were saying, "Quiet na kayo diyan sa gastos ng amo ko, meron rin naman kayo eh. Oh well...

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Amiel Aguilar Cabanlig says: Journalists are lashing out at the recent dinner brouhaha of GMA at the Le Cirque, New York. The issue has been needlessly spin-doctored by GMA’s critics to colossal proportions. And while our journalists were lashing out at the President latest slip-up, the Philippine Daily Inquirer and the Philippine Star chronicled their “journalists” their latest debauchery. While our countrymen starve amidst the world economic crisis, journalists still enjoy the privileges of profligacy!

Take note that even GMA’s foremost critic, journalist Ellen Tordesillas enjoys the perks of first rate traveling via what they call “journalists privilege”. Her friend Sen. Sonny Trillanes reportedly spent 8 million pesos on "miscellaneous" and "TRAVEL" while in jail. Ellen Tordesillas wrote in her blog… “Jullie Yap of the Manila Bulletin, Mandy Navasero of the Philippine Daily Inquirer and myself had a magical experience last weekend courtesy of someone we don’t know and we haven’t met… we were extended an invitation for a three-day visit to Macau. Accommodation: The Venetian. Despite her free travels, the journalist, continue venting on GMA’s official and working travels.

PDI columnist Tessa Prieto Valdez wrote “On the tempting invitation of club king Tim Yap (who is a Section Editor but presumably was the PR for the Thai Airways posse) to join him in a spa-cooking-partying Thai trip, I hastily cleared my work and training schedules. Thai Airways is promoting several travel packages to key cultural cities in Thailand … Gosh, shopping can be truly so much fun, at least until the credit card bills arrive. Thank goodness Thailand has a VAT refund to take some of the sting off.” Philippine Star columnist Tim Yap wrote “clubbing or not, the next day’s treat proved to be worth the while, an aperitif which proved to be a main course climax as we were treated to the best seats in the house for Siam Niramit… The Pinoys that we are, we ended our trip with a mad dash for more treasure hunting around the endless malls surrounding Watergate (now I know why this Amari hotel is a Pinoy favorite). Sam even bought another giant bag to fit in all her finds, while I was happy to take home more memories of music and magic from one of my favorite destinations in the world.”

The Philippine media can lambaste the President for allegedly spending $20,000.00 for dinner at Le Cirque, but who is to critique the media who perpetuate a life of decadence and excess when over 80% of our countrymen live below the poverty line?

Wouldn’t you rather have read articles about the sights, sounds and cultural offerings of Thailand instead of how much money these columnists spent on themselves?

When will we ever learn?!

Should we believe these so-called journalists who dictate our perception of people? Maybe Ellen Tordesillas should consider paying for her own travels from now on (unless Bulgar and Malaya have their own "code of ethics")…

Jane Addams once said that “The essence of immorality is the tendency to make an exception of myself.”

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Atty. Trixie Angeles says: Fortunately in this thread, there is no need to contest the facts. Cerge Remonde himself has admitted as much when he did not deny that the two meals cost $20,000.00 and $15,000.00 respectively. His argument however, as it is Amiel's, is that these are paltry sums compared to the amount of investments Gloria Arroyo is alleged to have brought in. To this, I have to alternative answers.

First, these meals were not conducted with investors. They were not business meetings and were not intended to bring in money into the country. So these dinners cannot be written off as business expenses in the pursuit of economic gain.

Second, the burden of proof that this particular trip has brought in investment lies with Malacanang. What investments are they talking about? Gloria Arroyo's itinerary involved primarily meeting with Pres. Obama on matters that involved Southeast Asian activities dealing with regional security. She also met with Filipino communities. There are no indications of any business meetings involving new capital inflow into the country.

If its one thing we can't stand its a blatant face-saving lie. Gloria Arroyo, in holding herself out as President of this Republic is required to act with circumspection. Certainly insulting the electorate is not only beyond her mandate, but certainly idiotic considering the run up to next year's elections.

In the end that is what it is. The people have reacted with outrage because it’s insulting. Despite her claims that we're on an economic upturn (we're not), we feel intensely that she has dropped the ball, rampant corruption and conspicuous consumption rubbed in the face of rising statistics on hunger make for a very angry electorate.

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Boldstar says: Gloria can snort a pig, inhale a cow and suck on a French 1787 Chateau Lafite Bourdeax while wallowing on a gold dusted creme brulee. Of course she can. Her dedicated admirers can squeal and throw fistfuls of disdain of how could she, has she no morals, and to think that Tita Cory, the humble one, just died. Of course they can. Why? She did not allegedly pay for the two dinners. Aha, so that's how you wash guilt better than Pontius Pilate. As long as you did not hand a suitcase of pesoses, damnation by the mob is so uncouth.
But excuse me, Mrs Greatest President of the Philippines, may I ask who did? Right you are Madam President, the money came from one of the greatest Romualdez clan of Leyte. You know the province that had a complete make-over called deforestation it is literally turning into a theme park of landslides and death. But don’t you worry little one, there’s hope. Leyte is going to be the new desert in Southeast Asia.
Now that would be some accomplishments to see a province turned into a Mongolian Desert. Our own “Gobi Desert”; where the next tourist attraction would be the search for the fabled acid-spitting death worm. It is only 150 cm long and farts lightning. But isn’t that just so you? And then we can erect the most awe inspiring Pharaoh-Style street plaque which states: Arroyo Desert – opened to the public by Her Excellency Perpetual Dictator Gloria Arroyo. Le cirque, indeed! As Pokwang says Bonga! Arigato ariveles asta lampurtcha to the maximus hep hep hooray!

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Andro Ramirez Says..

What is $20,000? Yes big effin deal. But to be correct on this let us also not forget the $15,000 lobsters, steaks and fine wines, dinner at Bobby Van’s Steakhaus in Washington, D.C. I agree and side with Amiel that money begets money. Why do you think there are lots of golf courses in the Philippines? Yes, most business ventures are usually started and sealed in golf courses. You need not look far, even the president, her husband, former speaker of the house did it on a golf course. And of course "doing it" on a golf course with Chinese businessmen made a big scandal that made a "probinsyanong intsik," who proposed to control the greed, cry. And it is also in a golf course when an allegedly irate FG told JDVIII to allegedly "Back Off!" I have also been witness and experienced how people would spend just to seal business deals. I too at one time held the purse to pay off the actual expense in any establishment as well as giving tips to the staff who took care of my party. However, unlike GMA's, I never paid in CASH, except maybe the tips for the wait staff. Paying that much in CASH strikes me as something odd. Carrying that much cash is somewhat irresponsible even with detailed security. But for the record, $35,000 dollars is actually no big deal. That's just it, and this time, I side with Paul. What was the deal?
Although it can easily be argued that the justification of the expense can be attributed to lure or entice prospective investors to come to the Philippines, this was never the case and was never brought out on the table. Not that it would justify the expense in the first place, but that is beside the point. It does not matter who actually paid for the bills, or even if the ones who paid have the capacity to shell the amount from their own pockets, or even if they were merely used as convenient excuses. Nevertheless, both shenanigans still leave an acrid after taste in my mouth. Perhaps a swig of Bordeaux would help.
Weighing both arguments however, it is clear that the $35,000 dollar dinners were uncalled for. Not in this time of great want when many Filipinos are actually starving. I have my personal suspicions that both dinners are just to get the President's ear. But her term is ending soon so what gives? Much as I would love to just let go, stop, and smell the roses, I smell rotting fish along with a big dead rat. Or is that the combined malodorous stench of those $35,000 dinners being simultaneously dumped in the toilet. Phew!
The President of the effin U. S. of A. hosted a reconciliation talk by having a "BEER SUMMIT" on the White House Rose Garden. I am definitely sure those beers they had didn't cost near for even half a glass of Boldstar's 1787 Chateau Lafite Bordeaux, not even if the contents of that bottle is still drinkable. I wonder if these learned men and women of GMA's sixy-five (65) people entourage know the meaning of the word "DELIKADEZA?" I guess not. Seems like majority of those who work with her in government is required to check in or even throw away their "delikadezas" along with their consciences before coming to work.
After these two displays of shameful and wanton gluttony, can someone pass me a glass of plain tap water and two alka-seltzers please. No, I don't have a headache nor upset stomach. That's dinner.

ERAP went on state visit with LUCIO TAN as part of the offical entourage... Guess how much the GANGSTER spent in midtown Manhattan?

PAREHO LANG SILANG LAHAT...

"Ever since the Dona Victorina blog started, we have made known our repugnance to the debauchery and arrogance of this man they call, Willie Revillame of ABS-CBN 2. We, the members of the council, remain steadfast with our declaration that Willie Revillame is nothing more than a menace to Philippine society."

By Paul Farol

Kris Aquino has forgiven Willie Revillame for disrespecting President Cory Aquino. So there, that should make all things well again and all the people who spent time electronically signing a petition to oust Willie Revillame can just choke on their keyboards!

But we have yet to see if we can give a requiem for the scandal of "Willie Revillame disrespecting Cory Aquino."

The trouble started on August 3, 2009 when ABS-CBN simultaneously showed Wowowee and the live coverage on President Cory Aquino's funeral procession. Wowowee is a global phenomena known for Willie Revillame's rough hewn antics and risque humor. Cory Aquino, even in her death, reminds people of a time when people took to the streets and took back their freedom as heroes.