MERGED: All About Gloria Arroyo - Past, Present, Future

[PaYaSo]

Mike Arroyo: What conspiracy?

By RG Cruz, ABS-CBN News
Posted at 10/13/2011 1:47 PM | Updated as of 10/13/2011 1:47 PM


MANILA, Philippines - Former First Gentleman Mike Arroyo criticized the findings of a Senate Blue Ribbon Committee investigation against him, pointing out that there was no testimony that directly linked him to the allegations of graft and corruption.

“Sen. Guingona said there is conspiracy in the deal but how can there be conspiracy when no testimony was made that I talked to the police or used undue advantage or influence for them to purchase the helicopters?" he asked.

Arroyo pointed out that he was linked to the controversy on the testimony of just one witness who was contradicted by other witnesses.

“The Senate Committee has found me the owner of helicopters just on a mere say-so of one person whose testimony even contradicted with their other main witness. The Senate Committee has made the findings even when all documentary evidences show I’m not the owner. “

Arroyo maintained he is prepared for the charges, hoping for due process.

“Clearly, this is a biased Senate where the law is trampled upon by their whim and prejudice. I am prepared to dispute the findings in the proper forum where the proper rules of evidence, I am hoping, will be upheld and observed.”

He again questioned the credibility and impartiality of the investigation, calling it a “charade” and “another round of Arroyo bashing amid the controversy surrounding Presidential Political Adviser Ronald Llamas.

“Just when the issue involving Sec. Llamas is burning the headlines, here comes another round of Arroyo bashing. This does not come as a shock – this has been their finding even before they started the 'probe'. The whole investigation has not been in aid of legislation but a charade to indict us without any solid piece of evidence.”

[estor_boot]

saying that no doctors can treat GMA's disease is a slap in the face OF PMA.(Phil Medical Assn)

duna bitaw panultihon nga nag-ingon bai lisod pukawon ang tawo nga nagmata.

basin kini si Gloria lisod tambalan kay walay sakit.

[PaYaSo]

GMA camp confirms she may seek treatment abroad

By RG Cruz, ABS-CBN News
Posted at 10/13/2011 2:25 PM | Updated as of 10/13/2011 2:33 PM


MANILA, Philippines - For the first time, the camp of former President and now Pampanga 2nd District Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has confirmed that she may leave the country soon.

Elena Bautista-Horn, Arroyo’s chief of staff and spokesperson, confirmed that the former leader may ask permission from House Speaker Sonny Belmonte to travel overseas. This, after Belmonte expressed belief that the former leader may leave soon for medical treatment.

In a text message, Horn said, “Yes, just preparing depending on the results of the check up next week.”

Belmonte earlier said he is ready to approve amendments to the travel authority he already approved.

He said he had approved previous travel authority requests from the former President.

Belmonte endorsed Arroyo’s last travel authority on September 15, 2011. These were for travel to New York, Germany and Switzerland.

Arroyo was supposed to be in New York to participate in the Clinton Global Initiative meeting and have a medical consultation on September 18-27. She was also scheduled for another medical consultation in Munich, Germany last September 28 to October 6.

She was also scheduled to participate in the regional consultation meetings of the International Commission against Death Penalty in Geneva, Switzerland from October 10-11, 2011.

Arroyo, however, did not leave the country on those dates. It was her husband, Mike, who traveled to Germany on the aforementioned dates.

The former first gentleman said he was looking at stem cell based treatment for both himself and the former leader in his trip to Germany.

Belmonte said Horn told him that their camp just wants to be prepared to leave in case it is needed.

“They just want to be sure that when its necessary to go, that they are prepared. I think they are preparing to go because I also got a request asking me if it’s possible to bring a nurse along...I’m not quibbling about the details of it , wala akong problema run. I guess medical treatment," he said.

The Speaker also expressed belief that Arroyo won’t be a flight risk.

“Of course, the moment you don’t come back you’re guilty," he said.

Belmonte said he told Arroyo ally Rep. Amelita Villarosa to give the former leader his regards.


duda ko aning Switzerland dah.

[ellehpo28]

kadaghan man travel ug mga appointments.

Mga front lang ni or unsa? Basin mag encash lang sila sa mga kwarta or transfer accounts... tsk, tsk, tsk... kaluoy man sa mga Pinoys.

[ghostie2472]

GMA's disease is so rare daw so malagmit rare sad ang doctor makatambal aneng sakita.

It is a rare decease. That kind of decease only appears on politicians who is about to face a senate inquiry. It just magically appears in the body.

"If a Senate Inquiry insists, consult your doctor."

[PaYaSo]

Ombudsman to prioritize Arroyo cases

By RG Cruz, ABS-CBN News
Posted at 10/14/2011 11:29 AM | Updated as of 10/14/2011 11:30 AM


MANILA, Philippines - Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales on Friday said she will prioritize high profile corruption cases including all the cases filed against the Arroyos.

Morales also revealed she gave a fact finding team 7 working days or till next Friday to wrap up its work on the allegedly fraudulent sale of second hand choppers to the Philippine National Police.

The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee yesterday filed graft charges at the Ombudsman against several personalities linked to that case, including former first gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo.

Morales also revealed that the justice department is coordinating and helping her office in the consideration of the plunder cases filed against former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo before the justice department.

The former leader already faces 6 plunder cases, 4 of which are before the justice department.

Morales also revealed that her office is still looking into the alleged liability of the former leader in the ZTE-NBN deal.

At the same time, Morales clarified she did not backtrack or blink in the case of former military comptroller Carlos Garcia. She said her position paper merely stated her position for the anti graft court to set aside the plea bargain agreement struck by her predecessor.

Morales also indicated she will not file cases just because it’s the popular thing to do, noting that sometimes witnesses are just barking over the media but get timid or submit watered down affidavits or cannot be found anymore.

Her first press conference also had its light moments, with Morales gamely asking reporters to field more questions, noting that the media were all over her when her appointment was announced to the point that she was accidentally hit by a camera. This happened during the State of the Nation Address where Morales’ appointment was made public by President Aquino.

Morales also said Aquino urged her to maintain her independence. She also expressed hope she did not intimidate the media, indicating she is just being herself. Morales came off as “strict” as one reporter noted during the question and answer.

In the same press conference which lasted less than an hour, Morales also detailed her plans for the agency, which includes a roadmap for the Ombudsman’s office. This includes 8 points—the disposition of high profile cases, the zero backlog of cases, the improved survival rate of fact finding, enforced monitoring of referred cases, improved responsiveness of public assistance, improved anti corruption policy and program coordination among sectors, rationalization of functional structure and enhanced transparency and credibility.


This could be a Christmas gift for the Arroyos. Leave the country now, while there is still time

[ragomez9]

nus.a napud ang holiday..hahahay

[PaYaSo]

Arroyos sued for electoral sabotage

by Ina Reformina, ABS-CBN News
Posted at 10/17/2011 7:16 PM | Updated as of 10/18/2011 7:32 AM


MANILA, Philippines (2nd UPDATE) - Senator Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel, Jr. filed on Monday a complaint for electoral sabotage before the Department of Justice (DOJ) against former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, spouse Jose Miguel "Mike" Arroyo, former presidential political adviser Gabriel Claudio, former Commission on Elections (Comelec) chairman Benjamin Abalos, former Comelec Commissioner Nicodemo Ferrer, and several others for alleged electoral fraud in the 2007 mid-term elections.

Pimentel said he is making good a promise he made that once his electoral protest case against Juan Miguel Zubiri was over, he would file the appropriate charges against those responsible for alleged massive cheating in the elections where he was a victim.

Other respondents in the complaint are: Michael Abas, Ben Basiao, John Oliver Leaban, Peter Reyes, Jaime Paz, Alberto Agra, Andrei Bon Tagum, Romy Dayday, Jeremy Javier, John and Jane Does.

Pimentel's complaint affidavit -- the first complaint received by the joint DOJ-Comelec poll fraud fact-finding team -- is composed of 33 pages.

"Today, I am filing a complaint for electoral sabotage, a non-bailable offense under Republic Act No. 9369 (An act authorizing the use of an automated election system) before this joint DOJ-Comelec panel in connection with fraud perpetrated in the 2007 elections where I was the victim because the fraud led to the proclamation of a non-winner as a winner. Yun po ang isang definition ng electoral saboage," Pimentel said.

Witnesses

Pimentel's complaint attached the affidavits of the following who shall serve as his witnesses: suspended Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Gov. Zaldy Ampatuan, former Maguindanao provincial elections supervisor Lintang Bedol, former Maguindanao provincial administrator Norie Unas, and provincinal supervisors Lilian Radam and Yogie Martirizar.

Asked if he had strong evidence to pin down respondents, Pimentel said he is proof that cheating took place since he was robbed of his term for 4 years.

"Ako po ay na-proclaim na panalo. Therefore, nagkaroon ng crime dahil na-manoebra. That is electoral sabotage. Hindi na dapat pagdebatehan [kung] may krimen na nagawa which led to the erroneous proclamation of a non-winner who served as a winner for 4yrs," Pimentel said.

Zubiri lost to Pimentel in a long electoral protest case. Zubiri resigned in August, before Pimentel could be proclaimed winner of the 12th senatorial slot in the 2007 polls by the Senate Electoral Tribunal(SET).

Unas links GMA

So far, the only evidence Pimentel has to link Mrs. Arroyo to the alleged 12-0 operation to rig the polls in favor of administration senatorial candidates is the sworn affidavit of Unas who claims to have personally heard Mrs. Arroyo instruct former Maguindanao Gov. Andal Ampatuan, Sr. to rig election results. Said instruction was allegedly given by Mrs. Arroyo at a gathering in Malacanan days before the elections.

"So far, we will rely on the testimony of Unas. [Let's] not say 'mere testimony of Unas,' it's not hearsay, [he is] not quoting somebody, this is actually hearing a conversation… eye witness tesinomy mabigat in criminal law unless refuted sufficiently by respondent," Pimentel said.

Maguindanao massacre case different and distinct from poll fraud case

Pimentel clarified he is not asking for any concession for Zaldy Ampatuan though he is using Ampatuan as a witness in the case.

"I am not the one asking for any concessions for the governor. If he has applied for anything, it will be up to the Secretary of Justice… he is part of my list of witnesses but he is not an indispensable witness in my case. I won in my [electoral protest] case even without calling for him," he stressed.

Other witnesses

Pimentel, meantime, said he will pose no objection should the DOJ decide to list Radam and Martirizar -- whom he had charged before a trial court -- as state witnesses.

"Iiwanan ko na sa DOJ ang epekto… Although ngayon, nag-execute na sila ng affidavits at sa ilalim ng batas, if you are not the most guilty, qualified ka sa Witness Protection Program and pwede ma-discharge as state witness.

"Kung anuman epekto sa kaso ko vs Radam and Martirizar, ang importante malaman sino ang mastermind. Sa affidavits nila they really do not appear as the most guilty because mayroon silang pinapangalanan na mas mataas sa kanila," Pimentel said.

DOJ-Comelec fact-finding team head Justice ASec. Zabedin Azis said Pimentel's complaint affidavit will help commence the joint preliminary investigation committee. The fact-finding team is expected to submit its first report and endorsement anytime to the preliminary investigation committee which shall be tasked to determine the culpability, if any, of personalities tagged in the alleged cheating.

Earlier in the day, Bedol personally submitted a 6-page supplemental affidavit to the joint fact-finding team at the DOJ.

Mike: Stupid basis

Mr. Arroyo lashed back at Pimentel following the filing of the complaint.

"I understand he sued me for electoral sabotage because Zubiri was proclaimed. What in heaven's name have I to do with that? They are just filing cases for the sake of filing, no matter how stupid the basis. Only in the philippines."

Arroyo added: "What else is new? Senator Pimentel is proving himself a worthy lapdog of Malacañang whose only purpose is to file baseless charges against the Arroyos and her former officials earning, him much needed media mileage that would serve him well in his impending reelection bid in the Senate."


ngtapun og na ang mga kaso. its like a dump site of cases. i hope this will not go to waste

[PaYaSo]

FPJ would have won 2004 polls: witness

by Ryan Chua, ABS-CBN News
Posted at 10/18/2011 1:40 PM | Updated as of 10/18/2011 1:43 PM


Blue Ribbon Commitee begins probe into alleged fraud in 2004 and 2007 elections

MANILA, Philippines - The late actor Fernando Poe Jr. (FPJ) would have won the 2004 elections had there been no cheating, a former judge who took part in the alleged fraud told senators on Tuesday.

Nagamura Moner, a former Shari'ah court judge, was answering a question from Sen. Jinggoy Estrada during a hearing of the Blue Ribbon and electoral reform committees on fraud in the 2004 and 2007 elections.

"Kung walang dayaan, malayong malayo ang panalo ni FPJ," Moner said.

He said Poe would have won by at least 1 million votes against his rival, former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, in Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Cotabato, Maguindanao, Tawi-Tawi, and Sulu.

Moner had claimed during an earlier Senate hearing that he paid several people to cheat for Arroyo in those place on the orders of her husband, former First Gentleman Mike Arroyo, coursed through former Philippine Ports Authority General Manager Alfonso Cusi.

Two of the people Moner mentioned in his testimony confirmed, while another one denied, their alleged roles in the massive cheating operation in the 2004 elections to ensure Arroyo's victory.

P5 for every lead vote

"I affirm the statement of Judge Moner," Casan Ali-Limbona, also a former Shari'ah court judge, said during the hearing.

Moner had said he asked Limbona for contacts in Sultan Kudarat, where Arroyo was losing to Poe.

Limbona said he received P50,000 from Moner to reimburse his expenses for contacting his friend, then Maguindanao election supervisor Lintang Bedol.

A day after "accidentally" meeting Moner in Cotabato, Limbona said he went to Koronadal City to talk to Bedol about Moner's offer: P5 for every lead vote for Arroyo.

"He agreed in principle," Limbona said of Bedol.

The deal did not push through because election results in Sultan Kudarat had been announced, but Limbona believes Bedol complied with his request.

Arroyo won by at least 80,000 votes in Sultan Kudarat, Limbona said.

'Instant Santa Claus'

Another alleged character in the 2004 cheating, Maulawi Calimba, confirmed that he and Moner distributed money to election officers who were ordered to cheat.

According to Moner, he sent Calimba, his former student, to Marawi City on May 12 to find election officers he can talk to after getting reports that Arroyo was losing in Lanao del Sur.

That afternoon, they met at the house of a certain Diana Datu Imam with 17 election officers from various towns. Moner had with him P100,000 at that time.

Calimba said he was surprised to see Moner distributing money, and later found out it was for the cheating operation.

He admitted he helped distribute the money.

"Did you not feel guilty?" asked Senate electoral reforms committee chair Aquilino Pimentel III.

Calimba explained that it was part of his study on Philippine elections.

"Taking this opportunity, I said I have to do it as a participant observation process in order to know why this election process cannot produce good leaders in our country," he said.

"My objective was to see the process, to feel what was the feeling of being an instant Santa Claus."

Denial

Alfonso Cusi, who Moner said was his handler in the cheating operations, categorically denied the former judge's allegations.

Moner had earlier testified that Cusi gave him the money and orders to get in touch with, and pay off election operators.

"I take offense against the unfounded allegations contained in the affidavit of Mr. Moner," Cusi said. "It is very clear that Mr. Moner's statements are baseless, unfounded, and are purely hearsay."

Moner, however, insisted on his claim, and even said it was an "unwilling decision" on his part.

After the cheating operations, Cusi said he got P3 million from the Arroyo camp for him and his companions to shut up.


FPJ as president? cmon!

[PaYaSo]

Mike Arroyo bewails overlapping investigations

By RG Cruz, ABS-CBN News
Posted at 10/18/2011 2:57 PM | Updated as of 10/18/2011 3:03 PM


MANILA, Philippines - Former First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo today lashed out at senators who are investigating the alleged cheating in the 2004 and 2007 polls.

"The Senate hearings offer a spectacle of rehearsed witnesses whose testimonies are often preposterous,” he said in a statement.

Arroyo also noted how allies of the Aquino administration have been conducting overlapping investigations.

"Even when the [Department of Justice] and [Commission on Elections] are already investigating alleged election fraud, the Senate has again joined in the fray and conducted its own probe. Why the overlapping investigations? Is there an ongoing contest among Palace allies to maximize media exposure of their demonization of the Arroyos?"

Arroyo alleged anew that the administration has been striking deals with parties just to implicate the Arroyos.

"We are in awe of how far this administration is willing to go even coddling suspected murderers and fugitives from justice just so they could link the Arroyos to crimes they have predetermined,” he said.

“This is the height of injustice for those who died in the massacre and their suffering families! How many criminals more are they willing to enter a pact with in exchange for a testimony against the Arroyos?"

Arroyo also urged Justice Secretary Leila de Lima to be fair in her investigations. "We ask Secretary Leila de Lima when will she charge [former Maguindanao provincial administrator Norie] Unas in the Maguindanao massacre? Or is his non inclusion part of the sweetheart deal to force him to testify against the Arroyos? Is this the tuwid na daan, Madam Secretary?”


Ang puso mu mike