PNOY SHOULD EXPLAIN INCREASE IN HIS WEALTH (CORRECTED VERSION)

President Aquino should personally explain the P39.56 million increase in his wealth in just one year IN COMPLETE DETAIL immediately.

He has been consistent in his purported resolve to fight graft and corruption. He must now prove he himself is not corrupt, that he lives and leads by example as our president.

From a net worth of P15 million plus in 2009 as a senator, Pnoy declared his riches at P50 million or P34 million higher when he assumed office in June. As of the end of 2010 or just six months later, he said he was already worth P55 million.

Let’s do some math, boys and girls.

Pnoy’s spokesman, Edwin Lacierda, cited the President’s P`17 million share from the sale of a family property as a big source of the wealth increase.

Question: when was the sale done and what was the property involved? Lacierda did not reveal this so we don’t know if it really was within 2010 and had added to Pnoy’s monies.

If you deduct P17 million from P39.56 million, there is still a difference of P22.56 million.

Based on his statement of assets, liabilities and net worth, Pnoy earned P34 million from January to June or in just six months. Monthly, that would be P5.5 million plus.

I’m a thousand and one oercent sure a senatordoes not earn P5.5 million a month. So unless he has big businesses, the only source of big money for him that time would be campaign contributions.

There are laws on campaign contributions. Being a senator, a public official, when he ran for President, Pnoy was already subject then to laws on graft and corruption.

How sure are we that Pnoy did not violate any of these laws? If I remember correctly, Pnoy’s camp was questioned on their campaign funds before he assumed office.

Lacierda noted that Pnoy is now earning more as President.

Pnoy was president in 2010 for only six months. I don’t know how much exactly is the salary and allowances of the President of the country but I’m 100 percent sure it’s not a million a month.

But even if it’s P1 million monthly, multiply it by six and that would only be P6 milllion leaving a balance of P16.56 million.

Judge for yourselves, boys and girls. Anybody is welcome to correct or enlighten me.

***

Fifteen of our friends on “Time to ask what Aquino Gov’t has done for us”:

HENRY NERA of Quezon City

Natutulog lang yan sa pansitan

GALILLEO CRAME ESTOCADA

Wala!! Malaking wala!! Kung meron man ay ang mga pagtaas ng presyo ng petrolyo at ang mga pangunahing bilihin.

JOSIE PATAWARAN of Sheung Shui, Hong Kong

Para sa akin, pahirap ang ginagawa nya sa atin, Wala pa siyang natutupad sa mga pangako nya. Imagine, one year na siya sa pwesto, pero imbes na may nasolusyunan na siya sa mga problema ng bansa, lalo pang nadadagdagan.

ICON PATRIOT

The diversionary tactics started from Day 1 of his presidency. So what has Penoy done so far for the people of the Philippines? Nothing. To his masters and fellow oligarchs – everything.

LYAM DELEIQUINA of Tondo, Manila

Uunahin muna siyempre ang sariling kagustuhan bago ang bayan! Hindi ba ganiyan lahat ng opisyal ng gov’t.? Magaling lang sa talumpati pero wala sa gawa!

BATANG MAKATI

We don’t need to ask. We get enough propaganda from ABS-CBN, Philstar and Inquirer. After 11 months in Malacanang and 12 years as a legislator, magbubulag-bulagan pa ba tayo sa katotohanan? Walang intention si Noynoy maging presidente, Gusto lang nya yung title.

BING LIMSON-SALVADOR of Quezon City

Right you are, Boyet. Their agenda of the day begins with "what to do with this and that person.”

DING MIRA of San Mateo, Rizal

I believe we should give this government a chance in rebuilding this nation. It’s high time we give our own small share as a true Filipino. Being cynical and critical definitely would not help improve our situation/condition.

SUSAN CARO of Dammam, Saudi Arabia

Sana naman tingnan muna ng Presidente kung ano ang major problems ng Pilipinas at siya nyang unahin isolve. At magkaroon sana siya ng command responsibility.

RAUL ANGELO SEGISMUNDO of Marikina City

Nothing...except new TV shows and annulment updates of his kid sister

BETH ALVAREZ of Makati City

Kahit naman sino ang umupo iisa ang salita.. walng nagawa.

ESPERLITA GARCIA of Gonzaga, Cagayan

The President has done lots of things for the good and welfare of our country. Many pages would be used to enumerate his numerous accomplishments so I recommend you to go to his FB wall.

NOEMII MONTENEGRO

With the mess that he inherited, how can we expect everything to be solved and done in a year? Not unless Pres. Aquino will do magic and perform miracles.

MARIA CRISOSTOMO IBARRA of Manila

Nothing but wang-wang and counter-flow.

AMELITA RASKAAlam kaya ni Noynoy Aquino na marami ngayon ang galit na galit sa kaniya? Nararamdaman kaya niya yon? Bakit hindi asikasuhin ni Noynoy ang kagustuhan ng mga Kapus-palad? 30

PNOY SHOULD EXPLAIN THE INCREASE IN HIS WEALTH!

President Aquino should personally explain the P39.56 million increase in his wealth in just one year IN COMPLETE DETAIL immediately.

He has been consistent in his purported resolve to fight graft and corruption. He must now prove he himself is not corrupt, that he lives and leads by example as our president.

From a net worth of P15 million plus in 2009 as a senator, Pnoy declared his riches at P50 million or P34 million higher when he assumed office in June. As of the end of 2010 or just six months later, he said he was already worth P55 million.

Let’s do some math, boys and girls.

Pnoy’s spokesman, Edwin Lacierda, cited the President’s P`17 million share from the sale of a family property as a big source of the wealth increase.

Question: when was the sale done and what was the property involved? Lacierda did not reveal this so we don’t know if it really was within 2010 and had added to Pnoy’s monies.

If you deduct P17 million from P39.56 million, there is still a difference of P22.56 million.

Based on his statement of assets, liabilities and net worth, Pnoy earned P34 million from January to June or in just six months. Monthly, that would be P5.5 million plus.

I’m a thousand and one oercent sure a senatordoes not earn P5.5 million a month. So unless he has big businesses, the only source of big money for him that time would be campaign contributions.

There are laws on campaign contributions. Being a senator, a public official, when he ran for President, Pnoy was already subject then to laws on graft and corruption.

How sure are we that Pnoy did not violate any of these laws? If I remember correctly, Pnoy’s camp was questioned on their campaign funds before he assumed office.

Lacierda noted that Pnoy is now earning more as President.

Pnoy was president in 2010 for only six months. I don’t know how much exactly is the salary and allowances of the President of the country but I’m 100 percent sure it’s not a million a month.

But even if it’s P1 million monthly, multiply it by six and that would only be P6 milllion leaving a balance of P16.56 million.

Judge for yourselves, boys and girls. Anybody is welcome to correct or enlighten me.

***

HENRY NERA of Quezon City

Natutulog lang yan sa pansitan

GALILLEO CRAME ESTOCADA

Wala!! Malaking wala!! Kung meron man ay ang mga pagtaas ng presyo ng petrolyo at ang mga pangunahing bilihin.

JOSIE PATAWARAN of Sheung Shui, Hong Kong

Para sa akin, pahirap ang ginagawa nya sa atin, Wala pa siyang natutupad sa mga pangako nya. Imagine, one year na siya sa pwesto, pero imbes na may nasolusyunan na siya sa mga problema ng bansa, lalo pang nadadagdagan.

ICON PATRIOT

The diversionary tactics started from Day 1 of his presidency. So what has Penoy done so far for the people of the Philippines? Nothing. To his masters and fellow oligarchs – everything.

LYAM DELEIQUINA of Tondo, Manila

Uunahin muna siyempre ang sariling kagustuhan bago ang bayan! Hindi ba ganiyan lahat ng opisyal ng gov’t.? Magaling lang sa talumpati pero wala sa gawa!

BATANG MAKATI

We don’t need to ask. We get enough propaganda from ABS-CBN, Philstar and Inquirer. After 11 months in Malacanang and 12 years as a legislator, magbubulag-bulagan pa ba tayo sa katotohanan? Walang intention si Noynoy maging presidente, Gusto lang nya yung title.

BING LIMSON-SALVADOR of Quezon City

Right you are, Boyet. Their agenda of the day begins with "what to do with this and that person.”

DING MIRA of San Mateo, Rizal

I believe we should give this government a chance in rebuilding this nation. It’s high time we give our own small share as a true Filipino. Being cynical and critical definitely would not help improve our situation/condition.

SUSAN CARO of Dammam, Saudi Arabia

Sana naman tingnan muna ng Presidente kung ano ang major problems ng Pilipinas at siya nyang unahin isolve. At magkaroon sana siya ng command responsibility.

RAUL ANGELO SEGISMUNDO of Marikina City

Nothing...except new TV shows and annulment updates of his kid sister

BETH ALVAREZ of Makati City

Kahit naman sino ang umupo iisa ang salita.. walng nagawa.

ESPERLITA GARCIA of Gonzaga, Cagayan

The President has done lots of things for the good and welfare of our country. Many pages would be used to enumerate his numerous accomplishments so I recommend you to go to his FB wall.

NOEMII MONTENEGRO

With the mess that he inherited, how can we expect everything to be solved and done in a year? Not unless Pres. Aquino will do magic and perform miracles.

MARIA CRISOSTOMO IBARRA of Manila

Nothing but wang-wang and counter-flow.

AMELITA RASKA

Alam kaya ni Noynoy Aquino na marami ngayon ang galit na galit sa kaniya? Nararamdaman kaya niya yon? Bakit hindi asikasuhin ni Noynoy ang kagustuhan ng mga Kapus-palad? 30

TIME TO ASK WHAT AQUINO GOV'T HAS DONE FOR US!

It’s just a few weeks before the Aquino Administration’s first year in office but they seem to be more busy in filing cases left and right rather than coming up with solutions to the nation’s major problems.

I’m not saying that they should stop filing cases. But as they do so for whatever purpose, we had better start asking what has been done for us ordinary mortals.

Let’s start with infrastructure.

Pnoy cited dilapidated roads when he was campaigning for the presidency last year.

So, has any road or busy thoroughfare been repaired or rehabilitated? Even one or two? What about new roads to ease traffic and shorten travel time to industrial or key residential areas?

The only new road that I know of under the current Administration is the completion of the Skyway extension to Alabang, Muntinlupa City. But remember, this wasn’t started under Pnoy.

Anybody who can enlighten me on these points is most welcome. Just be sure you’ll have specifics or details.

Pnoy had also cited poorly stocked public health facilities like hospitals during the campaign. But let me ask you, boys and girls: have you read or heard of any multi-million peso infusion of medicines and/or equipment to even one public hospital?

Or even one multi-million peso repair or rehabilitation of any hospital for the poor, like the Philippine General Hospital or the hospital for kids along E. Rodriguez Blvd in Quezon City (I just can’t recall the exact name)?

If you have, tell me about it. Please. For the only massive, health-related expenditure I’ve read and heard of so far under the Aquino Administration is for condoms and other birth-control stuff.

The budgets of several public health facilities and programs have even been reduced.

In agriculture, HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF PESOS have been spent, and allocated, for rice importations. Question: Is there a similar budget, or even credit line, for farmers to help them buy modern equipment, more seeds and other needs to help them increase their harvest?

I don’t know of any. If you do, again please tell me the details, guys.

These are just some of our major problems. I’ll have more in our upcoming blogs.

***

Six of our friends on “Supreme Court should look into Garcia plea bargain”:

ROGELIO GLORIA ROBERTO of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Sibakin ang mga involved sa plea bargain agreement na iyan!! May prima facie evidence na, pinalusot pa . Tindi n’yo talaga!I

LIZ LINDAIN of Malibu, California

One with you. Thanks for this.

YUEN ABANA

A must!

CESAR CARINO of Bauan, Batangas

A deep look or review by a different agency or department is always nice.

JOE ALVARADO JR. of Makati City

Yes, it’s the right thing to do.

NICOMEDES LAUDIT

I think ganun din ang mangyayari.

Two of our friends on “The best thing to do for Pacman”

BING LIMSON-SALVADOR of Quezon City

Paki-tweet mo kay Pacman, please!

LYAM DELEIQUINA of Tondo, Manila

Right!

Two of our friends on “Pacquiao as Pnoy’s endorser”

FREEDOM MADERAZO of Pasig City

Clear as water! Kailangan kasi ng bawat pangulo ng ang mga political gimmicks upang hindi bumagsak ang kanilang ratings. Si Pacquiao ay mabait at hindi niya iniisip na siya ay ginagamit lamang! Ang isip niya kasi ay kung paano siya makakatulong sa Sambayanan

MARIA CRISOSTOMO IBARRA

Ganun talaga. Weather- weather lang yan. Kung sino nakaupo, iyon dapat ang kulay.

NYLRAM DE TEMPLO on “Let’s talk to Pope John Paul II, again”:

If only I could.

YOLANDA HERRING of Coffs Harbour, New South Wales on “The significance of Bin Laden’s death”

Justice to all victims of Al Qaeda

Two of our friends on “What makes jueteng soooo untouchable?” :

VENCEREMUS PATRIA of Baguio City

Dahil ang payola sa jueteng ay maliwanag na malaking halaga. Yung barya-barya na tinataya, kapag sinamasama mo, milyon ang kanilang koleksyon sa araw-araw

THOMAS BLUE of Seattle, Washington, USA

It’s better na talagang lisensyahan na lang para kahit konti me pera naman yung mahihirap.

Two of our friends on Al Qaeda

YASIMIRA MATU

I can't really understand why this terrorist group is given more media mileage. Who benefits from this? Hope media will stop making this group popular. This group is irrelevant and people are tired of them.

JULIAN RABAGO of Cavite City

They are a misguided group of people. Leaders can use ideology or religion to thwart their minds and make them blind followers. Kahit dito sa atin uso yan. 30

SUPREME COURT SHOULD LOOK INTO GARCIA PLEA BARGAIN!

I sure hope the Supreme Court would look deep into the approval of the Sandiganbayan of the plea bargain agreement between plunder suspect and former Armed Forces comptroller Carlos Garcia and the Office of the Ombudsman.

Whether or not they can reverse the approval, I fervently pray that the Supreme Court, at the very least, will subject the Sandiganbayan justices who approved the deal to the most intense questioning possible for their action.

Somebody had also start finding ways for both a LIFESTYLE, and FINANCIAL probe, on the justices, especially in the last few motnhs.

A probe that would include domestic or foreign trips by them or their family members, as well as acquisition of properties whether it’s in their names or not.

This plea bargain is a REWARD FOR UNEXPLAINED WEALTH and must be BLOCKED AT ALL COSTS.

Otherwise, plunder had better be legalized.

First and foremost, the plea bargain deal with Garcia was forged on Feb. 25 last year, a day after then Special Prosecutor Dennis Villa-Ignacio retired.

But until the first week of January also last year, there was still a Sandiganbayan resolution denying Garcia’s petition for bail because the evidence of his guilt for plunder was strong.

So what the hell happened between Jan. 6 and Feb. 25, when then new Special Prosecutor Wendell Sulit and then Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez concluded that the evidence versus Garcia was weak?

The plea bargain implied that the Sandiganbayan had made a mistake in first denying Garcia’s petition for bail and in ruling that the evidence against him was strong.

What EARTH-SHAKING ERROR was it that the Sandiganbayn had to suddenly correct itself and grant Garcia temporary liberty, IN JUST LESS THAN TWO MONTHS?

That’s a RECORD-SETTING review of evidence, believe me guys.

If the denial of bail had indeed been a mistake, then the justices who had ruled so should be sanctioned and asked to explain. Anybody correct me if I’m wrong but I’ve never heard of such a move.

Which leads me to my next question: Why allow an error as serious as that to pass unsanctioned?

Second point: The plea bargain deal requires Garcia to return only P135 million of the P303 million he had amassed. Meaning, Garcia gets to KEEP A BIGGER PORTION of the loot and still get away with A LIGHTER OFFENSE.

Somebody tell me, please, if there is a LEGAL and, more importantly, MORAL JUSTIFICATION for this. The plea bargain has JUST REWARDED Garcia P168 million for ENRICHING HIMSELF in office, with our HARD-EARNED TAXES.

And don’t forget, boys and girls, it was established that Garcia HAD NO BIG BUSINESS or any other JUSTIFIABLE proof of huge income that could have served as a source of his P303 million.

Even though he was Armed Forces comptroller, he was only earning less than P50,000 a month. The properties and monies he had amassed were found and proven t be his.

AND HE GETS AWAY WITH IT. As one of our readers puts it, only in the Philippines.

***

Seven of our friends on “Garcia plea bargain a ‘go signal’ for thieves”:

CHIE NICODEMUS MEER of Manila

Ganiyan ang gobyerno pag my tinatakpan na anomaly. Gagawa ng bagong isyu.

KHALILA CHARLYN DE JESUS of Montreal, Quebec, Canada

He's a liar and so is his family for answering they don't know. I don't know? How could they have a house in the United States with Garcia's salary? What a shame!

JASON JODERIAL of Doha, Qatar

Puwede pala yun! Magnakaw ka ng magnakaw sa kaban ng bayan, tapos pag nahuli ka isauli mo lang yung kalahati o kung magkano natira, absuelto ka na. Galing ng diskarte ng batas sa Pilipinas.

JAKE CLEMENCIO of Bern, Switzerland

Kawawa naman ang Sambayanang Pinas…always on the losing end.

MARIA CRISOSTOMO IBARRA

Sinabi mo pa, Boyet. Hayan, may reward pa mga magnanakaw na iyan. ililigtas nila kapwa nila magnanakaw. Ganiyan nila lapastanganin ang pera ni Juan dela Cruz.

JACKIE PATAWARAN of Caloocan City

Tama!

DANNY CASCOLAN

Government people and agencies, corrupt businessmen and the Armed Forces shouldn’t be untouchables. Morals should take precedence over authority and override technicalities and formalities of man-made laws when those laws do not anymore protect the interest of the citizenry. Abolish the people at the Sandiganbayan!

FERLYN MATAN on “A test to prove Pnoy is really against graft”:

Ang presidente natin, hindi mo malaman kung saan ba tlalaa panig. Sabi, ang masa ang kaniyang boss,, pero kabaliktaran naman ang pinakikita niya.

Five of our friends on “The best thing to do for Pacquiao”

BENJAMIN SAMONTE of Chicago, Illinois, USA

I agree, Boyet. Sana Pacquiao remains an independent politician until he is fully qualified, or have learned and experienced the " A to Z" of managing a nation without self-serving interests.

RACI NIWA of Naga, Cebu

Tama yan, Sir Boyet. Iit's time for Manny to stand for his own. Hindi sana siya magpagamit sa mga politikong walang ibang iniisip kundi pabanguhin ang sarili nilang pangalan. Wala naman siyang mapala doon.

LYAM DELEIQUINA of Tondo, Manila

Right!

LOVELY ETHEL GASCON PEREZ of Hong Kong

You’re right!

REBECCA KOOMANS of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

Hindi niya kailangan ng padrino upang dumaan ang tulong nya kung kanino. Buksan niya lang lagi ang pinto niya para sa mahihirap o magtayo siya ng sariling welfare organization. Sikat na siya sa buong mundo. Mas mamahalin sya ng mga iibang bansa at hindi lang ng kapuwa nya Pinoy.

Two of our friends on “Pacquiao as Pnoy’s endorser”:

DELIA SANIDAD of Santiago, IlocorSur

Thank you for your eye-opening blogs,

PATRICIA LAUREL

Lantaran na! 30

THE BEST THING TO DO FOR PACQUIAO!

If I were Manny Pacquiao, I would help the people more directly, first, than be an endorser in whatever shape and form of the Aquino Administration.

I’d rather wait first for what the Aquino Administration has done, or is doing, to address the country’s major problems before giving them a hand.

Take note, Pnoy supporters, I’m NOT SAYING that Manny should not help the Aquino Administration. What I’m saying is the people, especially the poor, need a lot more aid from Manny than Pnoy.

Pnoy has THE ENTIRE GOVERNMENT at his disposal to boost his PLUNGING RATINGS.

He has THOUSANDS of personnel and HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS of pesos in equipment and resources to promote his accomplishments in media and elsewhere.

Manny, for his part, has been a known PHILANTROPHIST.

If Pnoy’s ratings are crumbling and his good news is not reaching the people, then he had better crack the skulls of his communications people to find out why.

For them to take Manny in and help them do their job, better or correctly, would be nothing less than a direct ADMISSION OF INCOMPETENCE.

As well as reduced time and opportunities for Manny to continue, and expand, his sharing of blessings to his constituents and the less-fortunate elsewhere.

In fairness to Manny, he has been CONSISTENT in sharing his fortunes after each and every fight, even before he became congressman of Saranggani.

The best thing for him to do is to FOCUS on how he can spread his charity and touch base with the needy in as many areas and in the fastest time possible.

If the Aquino Administration wants to recover lost public trust and satisfaction through Manny, it would be wiser to assist him in directly helping the poor.

Instead of simply tapping him for CHEAP, VULGAR propaganda like wearing yellow gloves purportedly as symbol of a unified fight against poverty.

A gimmick which, I’ll dare say, DID NOT give them any favorable comment or review.

***

Thirteen of our friends on “Garcia plea bargain a ‘go signal’ for thieves” :

ATTY. BERTENI CAUSING of Manila

May tiwala pa ba kayo sa kasalukuyang mga huwes? Palitan ng jury JURY SYSTEM ang sistema ng Hustisya. Ttayong mga tao ang dapat humusga, hindi ang mga huwes na puro presumption of evidence lang ang basehan na kadalasan ay di naman tutoo.

JOFFRE BALCE of Sydney, Australia

Why, oh why, has politics deteriorated into the science of the possible for shady characters? Are they simply trying to protect more important figures and shock the system?

VIRGILIO PERALES of Bogo, Cebu

Lalong maguguluhan ang mamamayan!

JOSIE PATAWARAN of Sheung Shui, Hong Kong

Dapat mabulok sa kulungan ang mga ganyang klaseng tao.

RONALDO NICODEMUS of Al Khobar, Ash Sharqiyah, Saudi Arabia

Huwag na tayong umasa pa sa Gobyerno para sa kaso ng mga corrupt na opisyal. Wala ring mangyayari. Puro papogi lang iyang mga iyan. Kawawa lang ang mga mahihirap.

ANGELINA PALERACIO of Mauban, Quezon

Kawawa naman ang bansa nating minamahal. Hindi lang bansa natin, ang sarili natin. We contributed up to the last cent of our income to the gov’t.

JUN PARAGUYA of Dubai, United Arab Emirates

I pray that a bill be passed to bring back capital punishment. Execute first of all the big time, I say again, BIG TIME thieves and corruptors Name it, we'll have a field day identifying them. But the law is nowhere in sight!!! What RH - bill nonsense are we trivialized about? Rubber items are just over-the-counter anyways! With flavor pa!

MERIT SALUD of Bloomfield, New Jersey, USA

How could the Sandiganbayan say that the evidence against Garcia for plunder was weak, when the very money he is returning is an eloquent proof that he plundered the money entrusted to him? We need to remember that Garcia could only return what he has control of. What was the origin of the money he returned to the special prosecutor? It is not wishful thinking to say that it is not really an issue of weak or strong evidence that was the basis of the approval of the plea bargaini agreement. iI say, include the Sandiganbayan in the investigation and let the ax fall where it should!

MARLENE DAMOLO HOWE of Tacoma, Washington, USA

I cannot say enough. Our justice system fails and it needs to be changed.

JOE ALVARADO JR. of Makati City

Magnakaw ng marami. Then, isauli ang kaunti at magpasarap sa (United) States.

DAHLEE LOPEZ JURADO-BABAAN of Bustos, Bulacan

Only in the Philippines.

MALOU MARIANO

If there is a need to have the Sandiganbayan or an Ombudsman to pre-empt or take over the role of the court system, one can expect anything .

MELANIE DOMINGO TILLES of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Grabeeee na ito. Kawawang Juan dela (Cruz, the symbol of the Filipino as in Uncle Sam to the US). Gising na, Juan,

On “Pacquiao as Pnoy’s endorser”:

CESAR CARINO of Bauan, Batangas

Endorser of sabong ng tao sa tao. 30

GARCIA PLEA BARGAIN A 'GO SIGNAL' FOR THIEVES

Thieves in Government can now steal as much as they want and get away with it with the approval by the Sandiganbayan of the plea bargain struck by plunder suspect former military comptroller Carlos Garcia with the Office of the Ombudsman.

Garcia only has to return some P150-million of the approximately P300 million he amassed under highly questionable circumstances during his military stint and his troubles are over.

He keeps the P150 million, all of which are OUR TAXES.

You can just imagine thieves and plunderers in Government heaving a long sigh of relief and chanting “If Garcia can do it, why can’t we?”

I won’t say the plea bargain’s approval has just killed justice. But as if to humans, it had triggered a CRIPPLING HEART ATTACK that has left us with VERY, VERY LITTLE CHANCES of recovery.

Consider this, among others, boys and girls:

Early on in the case, Garcia’s wife ADMITTED to investigators that their riches came from people whom he had awarded with projects and contracts when he was Armed Forces helicopter.

Garcia had NO SOURCE of income which could prove he had legally earned more than P300 million until a case was filed against him.

The properties amassed by Garcia, like multi-million peso condominiums, cars and real estate, were found and he admitted ownership of these.

But despite all these, Garcia will still be free, and P150 million richer. I repeat, P150 MILLION OF OUR TAXES.

NOTHING WILL STOP, and scare, thieves in Government now from stealing hundreds of millions, or even billions of pesos> They just have to return part of it to remain FREE.

f people stop paying, or begin cheating a lot more, on their taxes, dump the blame first and foremost on the Garcia plea bargain.

No one in Government must be surprised if more taxpayers will now go by the argument “Why pay taxes when it will only be stolen and the thieves can get away with it?”

Most of all, expect a sharp drop in the people’s trust and confidence on the courts, and the Justice system as a whole.

All these because of just one man, one case.

I sure hope Chief Justice Rene Corona and the rest of the Supreme Court will take a very close look at the Garcia plea bargain. 30

A TEST TO PROVE PNOY' IS REALLY AGAINST GRAFT!

This is another good test for President Aquino to PROVE HIS SINCERITY in fighting graft and corruption.

Graft charges have been filed against Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima, his undersecretary Guillermo Parayno Jr. and Customs Commissioner Angelito Alvarez before the Office of the Ombudsman for allegedly tolerating for the last 10 months the nationwide and  extensive smuggling of used clothing or  ukay-ukay.”  

Complainants claimed the three violated Republic Act 4653 which prohibits commercial importation of used clothing and related textile goods.”

The charges also claimed Purisima, Parayno and Alvarez allowed the illegal operations of E-Konek – an Internet server providing electronic lodgment of import and export entries for the bureau – without any legal contract and public bidding.

Worse, Parayno is allegedly the president of E-Konek, which is owned by former Customs Commissioner Alberto Lina. Isn’t this a violation of the double compensation rule for government employees?

If Pnoy is sincere in his declared war on graft, he must RELIEVE or order the SUSPENSION of these three IMMEDIATELY.

First and foremost, Purisima, Parayno and Alvarez are in the BEST POSITION to HIDE or DESTROY any and all pieces of evidence against them.

They can HARASS or SCARE potential witnesses.

BILLIONS of pesos are at their disposal to bribe investigators or anybody else who can influence or will determine the outcome of the charges against them.

And before Pnoy says again that there is no evidence, like what he did when he INSTANTLY CLEARED WITHOUT any probe his shooting buddy and DILG Undersecretary Rico Puno of allegedly rece3iving jueteng bribes, he had better think twice.

All that has to be done is to look for any contract and records of public bidding for E-Konek at Customs.  

Same thing for E-Konek. Parayno’s presidency of it can be easily verified with E-Konek’s registration papers at the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Pieces of evidence which Pnoy might ask.

And get this, guys, a former broker known Cesar Manuel can allegedly sign papers in behalf of Alvarez. So what makes this former broker very, very special and influential to the Customs chief?

Purisima, Parayno and Alvarez were specifically named in the charges. There is a paper trail which probers can start on for proof.

If Pnoy ignores these raps and does another Rico Puno, instantly acquitting the three and passing the burden of proof on the complainants instead, there is no more SANE reason to believe any anti-graft press statement he says.

We’re in big trouble, boys and girls!

                                                                        ***

MANUEL ESQUIVIAS on the dipping popularity of Pnoy:

Almost all of us know that Noynoy doesn't have the intellect, brilliance and preparation to become President. Yet majority of us voted for him. Let's bear with him. The indecisiveness comes from his being just an average guy. He only happened to be at the right place and time. That's destiny for us, ordinary people. Be patient. He'll learn. Do we have any other choice?

Nine of our friends on “Pacquiao as Pnoy’s endorser” :

NOEMI MONTENEGRO

Politics is politics. One day you're a Liberal or Democrat.  After a week, you're a Nacionalista or Republican? They could change color instantly. i guess politics is always dirty.

JULIAN RABAGO of Cavite City

Pag di pa naman nakakuha ng clue don ang taumbayang uto-uto, ewan ko na, Boyet.

RONILO ACABO of Savao City

He just brought the divisive color to the ring and called it a unifying color. If he indeed intends to promote his political career even in the ring, he must have (had) stood on his own, not promoting any political color whatsoever.

PATRICIA LAUREL

Advanced nang i-congratulate ni Pnoy si Pacman. Pnoy knows na he will win thru a fixed fight

CHIQUI APE

This is shameful! I am disappointed with Manny! Nagpapagamit!! We should STOP this IDIOCRACY! Elected officials should wear the Philippine Flag pin and not political party colors.  

AUDI MAGNAYE

With an annual budget of P1.5 trillion and a soaring population of about 90 million, the average Filipino receives about P16 year or P1.5 a month in benefits from the government. So whether our government officials especially our president, are corrupt or not, we will still be poor, negating the slogan of Pnoy "'pag walang corrupt, walang mahirap.”

CHEECHA ERRER

I consider this as a  desperate move on the part of the Administration. They know they're losing their "grip" and they're thinking of some antics to regain the public trust. 

NICOMEDES LAUDIT

Pacqiuao is a political butterfly too. He was with Manny Villar and now with the yellow regime!

ARCHIE GRAPA of Manila

You wrote exactly what I have been thinking since hearing about it.

Three of our friends on the death f Osama Bin Laden:

RAYMOND CHANDLER

If you live by the sword, you will die by the sword.

SERAFIN TABAN

His family owns the Binladen Organization and other business establishments in  Saudi Arabia. Binladen is a big family. Not all are rich and millionaires.

VICTOR JALECO

AL Qaeda iis like a starfish. Let’s keep our vigilance. I hope hindi na ipatatanggal ang sapatos sa airport ngayon. 30