After the US envoy poined out the cause of investor resistance to the Philippines, Mr Ople decided to show his total ignorance by demanding that Mr Ricciardone be kicked out of the country. What the hell, this is better than we expected because there's no doubt that this opposition senator cannot be counted upon to represent the foreign policies of the Philippines. It practically does the job of the Commission on Appointment and if I were Gloria, this guy will never be on the list of potential appointee to the DFA.
Funny, with all his experience Mr. Ople does not show any finesse when it comes to dealing with foreign diplomats. On the other hand, Mr. Angara is almost guaranteed of his body in the opposition majority after this noxious declaration.
Napanice
Posted on Jul 16, 2002, 10:12 AM from IP address 216.175.126.31
Talk about a forttuitous event for the opposition! Ople WAS the weakest link
by Feling (no login)
This recent statement just illustrates that Ople does like the attention and likely to cause more problems as a Foreign Affairs secretary with his inflexible sense of nationalism, long on ceremony and short on vision. No one enjoys having foreigners critique our country, but when we are out there, eager to attract foreign investments, we are basically giving them the opportunity or right to state their reasons for declining the invitation.
You're right Nap in that this, in addition to the opposition to Ople from the Gloria allies, practically guarantees that the DEF portfolio will not go to him. To think that he really craved it. Talk about ironic justice.
Ople, like so many Filipinos, exhibits false pride that opts to hide or sweep beneath the rug, the basic defects of our system. Let's face it, the stench of our corrupt system has bounded into the global community of nations.
Let's do something about it so that the truth will no longer hurt us.
Posted on Jul 16, 2002, 11:30 AM from IP address 67.224.11.100
Maybe it's for the best, it will save both Gloria and the country another embarrassment should Ople prove too wild and big headed for the position. Good thing that he opened his mouth soon enough, he's getting a little too eager to grab too many things at one time.
Napanice
Posted on Jul 16, 2002, 1:05 PM from IP address 216.175.126.31
What the sequence of events would have been if for instance Gloria did what he was suggesting?
Suppose Gloria really did that: The headlines most certainly will scream: US Ambassador to the Philippines declared persona non grata for saying publicly, what the whole world knows by now, that the Philippine govt. is corrupt.
What would the U.S. reaction be? Probably along the lines of "take it back, or else" Then everyday that Gloria does not apologize for her "error", the currency exchange goes down, down, down until she does; the IMF or World Bank will not release any funds from loans already approved; travel advisories issued by the U.S. and perhaps other countries the U.S. can persuade like Japan, Korea, EEC.
I never though Ople was that dense. Perhaps he was just over eager to show what kind of a Foreign Affairs Secretary he would be. And he certsainly showed it. Idiot!
Posted on Jul 16, 2002, 3:05 PM from IP address 67.219.11.94
Maybe the Guingona fiasco is rubbing off on the opposition as well, they can't seem to hold back their horses. Well, Christopher Reeves can tell them that going down head first has a very damaging effect on one's health. In this case Ople's thoughtless remark is just as bad, paralyzing his chances at the DFA.
A Chihuahua like the Philippines with corruption notoriety to boot should not upset an American Pitbull while undergoing a frenzy of terrorist paranoia.
Napanice
Posted on Jul 16, 2002, 3:21 PM from IP address 216.175.126.31
Did you know that he is also the main hindrance to passage of dual citizenship bill?
by Feling (no login)
His reservations are based on: "What if the U.S. and Philippines engage in a war against each other.?" Honest, that's his stated reason. Riiight! A flea declaring war on a pitbull. Because that's what the Philippines is right now, especially under Gloria.
Posted on Jul 16, 2002, 6:16 PM from IP address 67.224.11.131
It's very similar to the scare tactics used on the Absentee Voting Bill, that it will be prone to massive cheating. It is the fear of the unknown that's eating his guts, quite like the fear our ancestors felt when the dreaded guardia civil would march in the middle of the night to grab a few victims for execution to teach the rest of them a lesson.
Napanice
Posted on Jul 16, 2002, 10:36 PM from IP address 216.175.126.31
Si Blas Ople ay isang senador na hilalal ng madlang Pinoy. Kaya siya nasa tungkulin ay dahil naniniwala ang mga mamamayan sa kanyang mga sinasabi. Siya ang tinig ng bayan at ang mga daing niya ay daing ng madlang bayan.
Kung magbabago ang ugali ni Blas, titigil na ang suporta ng tao sa kanya dahil hindi na ito tumpak sa paniniwala ng karahimang tao. Kung siya'y magbabago, ang tinig niya'y 'di na sing-tono ng madlang tao.
Samakatuwid, hindi si Blas ang dapat magbago. ANG MGA MAMAMAYANG PILIPINO ANG DAPAT MAGBAGO upang ang mga matitinong tao at hindi balat sibuyas ang namumuno sa atin ngayon.
Na-gets mo, Don Napski?
--
Just JT
Posted on Jul 16, 2002, 11:39 PM from IP address 203.41.151.9
Like Ople they want to be sensationalized by the media even at the cost of looking dumb. And following what you said they have no experience, only Ople had any previous dealings with foreign affairs.
Napanice
Posted on Jul 18, 2002, 9:25 AM from IP address 216.175.121.245
If you're saying that the people deserve the kind of leaders they elect
by Feling (no login)
or that they have elected pretty much those who represent their views, I would agree with you up to a point--that the people were given enough information prior to the selection. I also agree with you that it seems, the tendency of many Filipinos is to look to others for blame and themselves the last ones to take responsibility.
But I think it is also safe to say, that in general, people elect someone because they are perceived to have common sense and the people are entitled to expect those leaders to work for the interests of the majority who elected them.
In this particular instance, Ople does not exercise common sense. He seems more interested to project the idea that he is one Filipino willing to stand up to the U.S.--even pick a fight with them. Nationalism and Anti-Americanism are two distinct and separate issues and are not interchangeable.
Someday, we can be strong enough to "negotiate from a position of strength." But it is a long road to that, and as far as I can see, our people do not know that there is such an actual road and where it begins.
Posted on Jul 18, 2002, 11:33 AM from IP address 67.219.22.208
1. Ayaw ng confrontation - medyo deretso ang mga binitiwang salita ni Ambassador kaya hindi nagustuhan ang dating.
2. Hindi marunong tumanggap ng criticism sa outsider - Walang iniwan iyan sa isang balikbayan na pinuna ang problem ng basura. "P're, grabe ang kalat ng basura sa kalsada ninyo. Baka magkalat ng sakit iyan," ang tugon ng balikbayan. Imbes na sagutin kung ano ang mga paraan para lutasin ang problema ng nagkalat na basura, ang sagot, "Hirap sa iyo pare, nangibang bayan ka lang, yumabang ka na."
3. Pride chicken - Mataas ang pride ang pinepersonal ang lahat ng dumarating na criticism.
Ang reaction ni Blas sa criticism ay pangkaraniwan lang sa mga Pinoy. Tayo ay naiiba sa kanila sapagka't nasa labas na tayo ng bansa at iba na ang pananaw natin.
--
Just JT
Posted on Jul 18, 2002, 8:40 PM from IP address 203.41.151.9
So therefore it's Ople that must change so the people will realize how wrong this kind of attitude is. As you said, he represents the people and therefore he's a role model that should provide the correct example.
Napanice
Posted on Jul 18, 2002, 8:58 PM from IP address 216.175.121.245
US Ambassador has given Gloria's performance an "F" for Failure to curb Corruption.
by Napanice (no login)
She may have gotten a conditional "C" for the rescue of Gracia Burnham because that's only one out of three hostages rescued since Martin and Sobero are both dead. But in the area where it really counts, that of the economy and investment potential, the American ambassador has gone out of his way to wake Gloria up from her slumber just one week before her SONA address. And since she has already admitted to the statement as fact, the people should therefore expect her to put this issue as one of her top priorities for the next fiscal year.
In other words, we don't want to hear her say that corruption has been around all along and that the envoy's remark is nothing new since that is not the message that Mr. Ricciardone wishes to convey to her.
Napanice
Posted on Jul 18, 2002, 2:16 PM from IP address 216.175.121.245
because Gloria so far, has shown only that she is quick to claim credit and slow, at best, to take responsibility, if at all. As a matter of fact, I think she is more likely to say that corruption was already in full bloom by the time she took over . . . but she's willing to do her best to eradicate it. Of course it would be pure baloney because at the very least, she didn't have to add to it. And that's what's really getting people frustrated: that corruption seems to have worsened.
Posted on Jul 18, 2002, 4:22 PM from IP address 67.219.24.87
She blamed the previous admin for the IPP problem as if she was never a part of it with her IPERA. Yeah, pass the buck and enjoy the home made chocolate with hot pan de sal.
When one has nothing to show for, look elsewhere to point the finger at.
Napanice
Posted on Jul 18, 2002, 8:36 PM from IP address 216.175.121.245
Attempted murder of American treasure hunter by his partners” is foiled in the Philippines
by
(no login)
NEWS RELEASE
July 16, 2002, Los Angeles, California, USA
Attempted murder of American treasure hunter “by his partners” is foiled in the Philippines!
An American treasure hunter, that was held hostage for almost two years after his former partners filed a fake rape charge, was released a few weeks ago in the Philippines. This was after testimony by nine witnesses, including the alleged “victim”, cleared him of all charges and implicated his former partners in attempting to murder him in the “frame-up” death penalty case!
Dennis Standefer, now 57, from San Pedro, California, was arrested on August 23, 1999 in Jakarta, just thirteen days after a fake and fabricated rape charge was filled in Surigao City on the island of Mindanao in the Southern Philippines. The case was first reported and filed on August 10, 1999 by Karl Steven Ryll, 41, (a former partner of Standefers’ for six years who is now working his treasure salvage projects in the Philippines) and Niefelyn Sumaylo, who was Standefers’ former fiancée.
The false report claimed that she was raped at 4pm on a public beach during the “the second week of November in 1994” and “that her life was threatened” making this a no bail/death sentience offence. Karl Steven Ryll, 41, fabricated and wrote this “story” and the woman was coerced by Ryll, Colonel Segundo Duran of the Philippine National Police (PNP), and Commander Tony Nasa, Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), into signing this totally false statement. When Niefelyn at first refused to sign the false statement, she was then offered a $100,000 USD payment by Ryll and told that the case would NEVER GO TO TRIAL and that the statement was just being used to have Standefer arrested in Jakarta and to get him to pay $600,000 that Ryll falsely claimed he owed him.
There was no rape reported by Niefelyn Sumaylo in 1994 to the police, to her parents, to any doctor, or anyone else! This case could never have been prosecuted legally in the Philippines, seeing it was filed six years later and was lacking any medical evidence or any other witnesses. There also was no preliminary investigation or hearing held as required by Philippine law!
Standefer, who is now married to a niece of the new Indonesian President, Megawati Sukarnoputri, has a grown daughter in the United States and a 21 month old baby in Indonesia, is now in hiding at a undisclosed location, as Ryll, Morgan, and his associates continue to try to have him killed and extradited back to the Philippines on their new fake case.
“Since early 1998 I have been the target of murder conspiracy headed by Karl Steven Ryll (South Pasadena, California) with the assistance and financing of Harold Karaka, Steven Edward Morgan, 53, (San Pedro, California) Tom and Terry Anderson (Henderson, Nevada), and a few others, including a Philippines National Police Colonel, Segundo Duran, and a Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) Commander, Tony Nasa.”
“The goal of the group was to take over a multimillion-dollar salvage operation on Japanese WW II Shipwrecks and other shipwreck sites located and researched by Standefer. They first tried having me killed outright, and later by using their “legal” means with the Philippine justice system (sic) after several direct attempts failed. Morgan, Ryll, and Duran are currently conducting treasure salvage operations off the island of Palawan in the Southern Philippines.”
“The “legal” means that Ryll and his associates undertook was to have a phony rape charge by my ex-fiancée filled by Colonel Duran, who was former associate of mine in the salvage project and who was NOT ACTING IN ANY OFFICAL CAPASITY, and by Karl Ryll. This “rape” charge, which allegedly took place during the first two weeks of November 1994, was not filed or reported until August of 1999; right after Karl Ryll, Segundo Duran, and Tony Nasa visited and coerced the woman. This charge carries the death penalty in the Philippines. Ryll then traveled to Manila where he used the Philippine office of ECPAT to assist him in this frame-up and filed “his case”, as he is the only complainant on the Interpol arrest request. ECPAT never even interviewed Niefelyn and never contacted her! They just listened to Rylls story and took his money!
Ryll then hand carried these documents and his bribe money to Jakarta and had me arrested. He has admitted in Jakarta newspapers that he paid the police $2,500 USD to have me arrested. The total sum today he has paid lawyers, Philippine and Indonesian police, judges, prosecutors, and travel for at least a dozen trips to Southeast Asia certainly exceeds $100,000 USD.”
“The woman in question, Niefelyn Sumaylo is also the registered owner of the stock of the salvage company that holds shipwreck salvage rights to work in the Philippines. I set up this company in 1997; three years after the alleged rape took place, and after she and her parents signed a notarized statement giving their permission and desire for her to marry me. Niefelyn is now married, has three children, and is living in poverty in a small town (300 people) on Siargao Island off the north coast of Mindanao. This is where Ryll, Duran, and Nasa went in August 1999 and had the fake charges filled. Rylls signature appears on the original arrest warrant dated 8-13-1999, which was issued illegally by an assistant prosecutor without any preliminary investigation or hearing as required by Philippine law.”
“As with most conspiracies and lies, Ryll (fortunately for me) made numerous mistakes when he made up this story. As Ryll made up this “story” almost five years after the fact, the first thing he got wrong was the date. I was not in the Philippines during the first two weeks of November 1994, as proven by my passport and a document received from the Philippine Immigration Department by the American Embassy in Manila. I was never on the island of Surigao in 1994 (at anytime) where the fake “rape” took place. I never had any kind of sexual relationship with Niefelyn in 1994. I did start a relationship with her in the summer in 1995 with the complete knowledge and approval of her family and she traveled to Malaysia in 1996 with her chaperone, Ida Duran (Where we were to be married) the 2nd wife of Colonel Segundo Duran. Due to legal requirements, we could not complete our marriage plans at the time, and we traveled to Hong Kong for several weeks. We then returned to Malaysia where we had hoped her parent’s could join us for the wedding.”
“The “rape” charge that Ryll filed, says nothing all of this, of course. The statement ends after I supposedly raped her on a public beach at 4:00 in the afternoon and then threatened to kill her. This is the same woman that I supported with English lessons, food, medical expenses, passport and visa costs, and travel expenses to Malaysia with her chaperon (1996) from late 1995 on. I also paid $1,000’s of dollars for her mother’s medical and living expenses when she was in an accident and broke her leg. I broke off the relationship in early 1999 after I sent her $2,000 USD and prepaid airfare to join me in Hong Kong and she “disappeared” with the money. (I found out later that she was already married at the time and had two children. She just had a third child in February 2001).”
Harold Karaka, who represents himself as a licensed private investigator In California (No records of this with the licensing bureau, came to Jakarta in late 1999 after his, Ryll's, Duran’s, and Nasa's failed attempt to kill me in Zamboanga in April 1998, and after sending Steve Cheney (Who was brought into the platinum recovery project by Tom Anderson, but provided no capital) to Sabah, Malaysia to try get the items that I had purchased and to kill me. Karaka also made several attempts to find me in Singapore and Hong Kong, by hiring private investigators.
Both Ryll and Karaka have threatened to kill me or have me killed by phone (Karaka), fax (Karaka), e-mail (Ryll-Karaka), in person (Karaka) and to numerous third parties by phone, fax, e-mail, and in person, They have also threatened to kill my pregnant daughter and she has had to go into hiding for almost two years. I have a tape recording of Karaka threatening to kill me three times in a one-hour conversation with me in early 1998, which was recorded while I was in Malaysia. I also have numerous threatening e-mails, and faxes from both Karaka and Ryll, including an email, which was filed with the FBI in 1998 and again in 1999. These e-mail details how they are going to have me arrested, put me in a Philippine jail, and killed there by prisoners. They also threatened to kill my daughter, Ed Jones, and my friends. This was sent two years before the fake “rape” charge was even filed. Steven Morgan had also threatened to have me killed in 1995 when he took over the Charleston Recovery Project in the Philippines. A copy of this death threat was recorded and made available to the United States Embassy in Manila and the FBI office there.
Fake rape charges are filed by Filipino women against foreigners’ and Filipino political figures and number in the hundreds every year. These “set-up” cases are filed by prostitutes, bar girls, pen pals, and girl friends, with the help of police to extort huge sums of money from tourist, expatriates, or are used for political gains.
It is a case where a group of partners decided to conspire and take over a 100 million-dollar plus shipwreck salvage project in the Philippines and they are willing to say and do anything to get what they want.
Since early 1998, Ryll and Karaka have posted hundreds of libelous, slanderous, and completely fabricated stories on Internet Websites and made statements in “bought and paid” one-sided news releases and television interviews, in the Philippines, Indonesia, and the USA. Including a story of how Standefer killed a hundred people in Mindanao when he destroyed a mountain with dynamite in 1995 while looking for treasure and murdering a Seattle couple that had invested with another treasure hunter (This couple died in a murder/suicide in 1993).
In 1995, while Standefer was in Malaysia, Ryll accused other rival treasure hunters (Steven Edward Morgan and Michael Miering) of committing this same crime in numerous faxes sent to the Philippine Government. Also in 1995, Ryll wanted to file “fake” rape charges against Morgan (Now Rylls partner and one of the financiers of the fake rape case) and a former employee of the salvage company, Kurt Schaefer, who had stolen a video camera from Ryll. Standefer put a stop to Rylls plans at the time.
Shortly after Standefer’s arrest in Jakarta, Ryll attempted to have yet another fake rape charge filled there. Along with a hired Indonesian Policeman named Dwi Atmoko and with his video camera in hand, they went to the home of Andi Natalia Syam and her mother. They attempted to coerce and threaten the two into filing a fake rape charge against Standefer. Ryll wanted her to falsely claim that Standefer had given her drugs and then had raped her. They refused to get involved in his conspiracy.
When Rylls NBI men delivered Standefer to Manila on May 11, 2001, there was a large contingent of paid reporters and photographers standing by at the airport and the NBI headquarters. Ryll was there after making a special trip to the Philippines and taking off from work. He had his girlfriend/wife (Belinda) videotape the whole two-hour procedure. During this time, Consul Paul Boyd, from the American Embassy had a confrontation with Ryll and asked about the phony NBI credentials he had been using in Jakarta and Surigao City. Ryll admitted he had used them, but stated he no longer had the fake identification.
The Embassy at that point told Ryll that he was not to be involved in the case in anyway, not to talk to witnesses, nor to go to any location that Standefer was present, or contact any government officials, as he was in no way involved in this case. Ryll completely ignored these orders and continued to interfere in every way possible. Ryll made dozens of calls to the Provincial Prosecutor Oscar Pospia, the Vice-warden of the Surigao Provincial jail (Who Ryll had paid to be his informant) to Niefelyn Sumaylo, her aunts, and other relatives. He had his partner, Tony Nasa, travel to Surigao City and to the island Niefelyn lived on and threatened to have Niefelyn and her aunt killed if they told the truth and withdrew the case. These calls and threats continued up until Standefers release and even now, Rylls men are trying to locate Niefelyn and other witnesses who are all in hiding.
A few months ago, Harold Karaka arrived in the Philippines and spent ten days there desperately trying to find Standefer (and Niefelyn Sumaylo) so he could kill him as he has promised to do on at least four occasions. He was offering $1,000 USD to Niefelyn’s relatives, friends, or anyone else would will give him her address.
The amounts being offered for Standefers’ address are MUCH more! Karaka, Ryll, Ryll’s Filipino wife Belinda, and Tony Nasa have made over a hundred phone calls to all of Niefelyns relatives and friends in the last few weeks, offering money to anyone that will tell them where Standefer or Sumaylo is now located.
They are telling the relatives that they want to pay Niefelyn “just to talk to her”, but at the same time are bragging that they have set-up a fake criminal case against her and are going to have her arrested. They want to have her arrested on the fake charge of accepting money to drop the rape case so the truth would be clouded. These calls still continued to come in from Tony Nasa when Ryll and Karaka returned to Los Angeles to look for Standefer there. On August 8, 2001, a new death threat email was received in Los Angeles from Kiy Dupont, who has been financing Karaka, Ryll, and Morgan for over three years. Ryll will be going to the Philippines before Christmas to continue his search for Niefelyn and treasure from the shipwrecks he and his partners have stolen from Standefer and his investors!!
Over 200 pages of additional information, NBC dateline letter, support documentation, witness statements, court documents, affidavits, emails, photographs, etc. are available by email or direct from the Internet web site listed below.
The information posted on these websites includes the documents and evidence that Karl Steven Ryll, et.al, does NOT want you to see! He and his associates are doing everything they can to stop the distribution of this material to reporters, news media, law enforcement, and other interested parties. This includes the “hacking” of our website(s) and deleting the information and sending viruses to our email addresses. This has been done on three (3) sites so far. We are now placing this website on a total of ten different websites, in three different countries, and we will soon have it on our own server. If you have ANY PROBLEM retrieving any of this material, just let us know by email and we will send it off as an attachment or give you the address of one of our other “mirror” download sites. We will also have it all on an ftp site soon!
If you want any of the attachments not yet available on the Internet, just send a request by email to: justicein2002@lycos.com or send a fax to: 1.425.928.6496 (USA) with an email address and/or a fax number.
July 16, 2002
Posted on Jul 18, 2002, 7:18 PM from IP address 66.187.104.2
Open Letter to the Philippine Undersecretary of Justice
by
(no login)
Open Letter to the Philippine Undersecretary of Justice,
Attorney Maria Merceditas Gutierrez
May 29, 2002
Philippine Department of Justice
Padre Faura
Metro Manila, Philippines
Phone: 632.525.1394 Fax: 632.526.2751
Email: phdojrpu@pworld.net.ph
Re: JUSTICE In 2002
Dear Attorney Gutierrez,
I am writing you in an effort to resolve my “case” and get some “Justice” which seems wholly lacking in the Philippines these days. I am sure that you are fully aware of my original letters on September 12, 2001, to Philippine Ambassador Caday in Jakarta and my previous letters, faxes, and emails over the last two and a half years. This is an “Open Letter” and will be forwarded, by mail, fax, email, and posted on the Internet on various websites after allowing you time to comment on it. This will include the diplomatic community in Indonesia and the Philippines and will be posted to all interested parties listed below as well as others.
I am sure you are still aware that Department of Justice and the Philippine Government has had me unjustly held hostage by the Indonesian police, Interpol, the NBI in Manila, and by the Provincial Court in Dapa, Surigao del Norte for almost two years. In addition, This totally unjust imprisonment was for a “crime”, that not only did I not commit, but never even took place, except in the sick imagination of former business partners of mine, Karl Steven Ryll and Steven Edward Morgan (Both Americans) as well as several other former American and Filipino business associates.
You may see all details and documentation of this “case” at one of our websites at: http://justicein2002.org
On the website which is linked below, is a copy of the Judge’s dismissal order and the release notice from the Dapa Branch 31 Regional Trial Court and several hundred additional documents are linked that have ended this fake case and the frame-up that was an attempt to use the Philippine Government to kill me legally. You might recall in my previous letter the following quote I made to Ambassador Caday that was forwarded to you a number of times from several sources.
“They (Ryll, et.al.) know that this fake rape charge will never hold-up in the Philippine courts, as it is a completely fabricated story - without any basis of fact.’
Attorney Gutierrez, I am asking you once again, to take some action at this time, which you have failed to see fit to do over the last two and a half years that this case was under your supervision. I would like you to immediately notify Interpol/Jakarta that the case has been dismissed and that I have been released and request that my name be removed from the Interpol computers and BID records in the Philippines and Indonesia.
I hope that your prompt efforts will release me from future travel problems after a two-year nightmare of life in jail for something I did not do and did not even happen!
NEWS RELEASE
With the case now dismissed, I have released the full true story to the media in the USA after two years of lies made by Karl Ryll and financed in part by Steven Morgan and with the cooperation and assistance of Director Recardo Diez of NBI/Interpol. The following media has been contacted and the attached story has been and will continue to be published and broadcast extensively, NBC News, CNBC, CNN, ABC, & CBS and local television stations in Los Angeles and Nevada. A new press release is going out today, May 19, 2002 and additional news releases will be coming out about the pending lawsuits and the ECPAT involvement. Local Indonesian and Manila television stations will be contacted within the next few days. Print media includes: Reuters, AP, and other wire services, as well as feature in the Los Angeles Times and all of the other newspapers that have already run the one-sided story put out by Ryll and the others who conspired to kill me. This includes newspapers in the USA, Indonesia, and the Philippines and the Philippine Centre for Investigative Journalism. They ran an extensive series of articles at the start of this case (June 19 to 23, 1995) that was written by Gemma Luz Corotan (copies available on the website and the links below). The Wall Street Journal (Asian & Regular) is planning stories due to the significant business aspects of the story.
DAMAGE TO THE PHILIPPINES
This is yet another case where the Philippines as a whole, has and will continue to suffer from the greed of a few Americans and Filipinos. This “set-up” criminal case against an American has and will certainly damage the tourist and business development in the Philippines. It is my understanding that Karl Ryll, Colonel Segundo Duran, Steve Morgan, and others are even now setting up a “new” frame-up against me in Manila, this time for a fake “estafa” (Fraud) case filled while I was awaiting extradition in Jakarta, even though I had not been in the Philippines for five years and can only be extradited for the case I was charged with (i.e. “rape”) as you advised my former Attorney, MARIA JEANETTE C. TECSON. This too, will also be widely reported in the media as you have “apparently” changed your mind as you have contacted the Indonesian Government and United States Government (According to Ryll, the American Embassy, and my Indonesian attorneys) about extraditing me yet again. It is also my understanding, from the American Embassy in Manila, that you have obtained a “stop departure” order from the Office of the President” for this “new” fake case filed by Steven Morgan, even though this is completely against the Philippine Governments Extradition treaty with Indonesia and your previous statements to my attorney.
I want you to be advised that I hold the Philippine Government and a certain NGO, ECPAT Philippines/International, fully financially responsible for what has happened to me with the illegal arrest, detention, and extradition, for a case that was never lawfully processed in the Philippines, by the prosecutor, the court, the Department of Justice, NBI/Interpol and certainly not by your office. The damages and financial loss to my business partners, customers, family, and myself are extensive and our attorneys are researching our recourse in the Philippines, Indonesia, and the USA.
REQUESTS FOR JUSTICE
I hereby make yet another formal request of the Department of Justice, the Philippine Embassy in Jakarta, the Philippine Government, and of you personally, Undersecretary Gutierrez, to undertake the following so that the all of the outstanding matters of the case are finally fully resolved.
1. Immediately have the Department of Justice undertake a complete review of this case so that you can verify and confirm that the this whole thing was “set-up” by Karl Ryll, Harold Karaka, Colonel Segundo Duran (PNP), Steven Morgan, Tony Nasa (a MNLF commander working with the Abu Sayyaf), Michael T. Meiring, and with the paid assistance of several NBI agents. The Justice Department should also look into the “new” fake case(s) that they are now trying to pursue with your help, Attorney Gutierrez. This operation is financed in part by Rylls partner, Steven Edward Morgan, who is now involved in a shipwreck treasure salvage project in Palawan and in the Babuyan Islands and who coerced and bribed the last “victim”, Niefelyn Sumaylo.
Niefelyn Sumaylo and her husband have already admitted this “set-up” to the late Provincial Prosecutor of Surigao del Norte, (Oscar Pospia), police and local NBI investigators, private investigators, several lawyers, the trial judge of Branch 31 (Evangeline Bayana), and to her and her husbands’ family. (See Niefelyns’ personal statement attached and her sworn statements) She has also had her life threatened (to keep her from telling the truth) by Ryll and his man, Commander Tony Nasa (MNLF). She is now in hiding and she needs witness protection furnished by the Philippine Government as soon as possible. There are a total of eight witnesses to Rylls and Morgan’s offer to pay $100,000 USD for Niefelyn to sign the false accusation and their offer to pay lesser amounts of $30,000 and $50,000 to Nasa and Duran respectively.
Ryll will be back in the Philippines in the first week of June 2002 and is again threatening Niefelyn and her relatives through Tony Nasa an Abu Sayyaf hit man. Morgan is in the Philippines now and Karaka may come with Ryll.
2. Immediately request that the Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief investigate Colonel Segundo Duran (PNP) and his participation and support in filing this fake case and his unauthorized travel to Indonesia and Surigao del Norte for Karl Ryll. The PNP should also verify that Ida Duran (Duran’s 2nd wife) brought Niefelyn to Malaysia to marry me in 1996. The police should also verify that Duran was a business associate of mine in 1993 to 1995 and he met Niefelyn on several occasions in 1995; a year after the alleged rape took place. Duran should be questioned about his introduction of me to the uncle of former President Ramos (Sammy) and his efforts to obtain a salvage license in the Philippines. In late 1996 Duran and his wife, Ida, stole $12,500 USD that I had sent them with Karl Ryll, to purchase shipwreck coins that were available in the coin stores in Ermita, Manila. He should be questioned on this, as should his wife Ida. Duran repeatedly coerced Niefelyn into continuing this case for almost two years by making three trips to Surigao City and again in early 2001 at the Midtown Hotel in Manila. Duran has a financial interest in the salvage project now underway in Palawan and other areas with Steve Morgan. Photographs of this meeting are available on request. I am sure that he is also involved in the “new” case as he has falsely told people that he gave me P300,000. This claim is totally ludicrous!
3. Immediately request that the Director of the NBI check the actions of Interpol Director Diez and his agents that have been involved in the case since 1999 and are still currently involved, (and their relationship with Ryll, Duran, Nasa, and Steve Morgan) in filing this set-up case with Interpol. These include Ricardo Diaz, head of the NBI Interpol division, Roel Bolivar, and others. They should also find out why Karl Steven Ryll was issued identification as an NBI agent by Diaz, which he has presented to the Indonesian police in Jakarta, to U.S. Consul William Martin at the American Embassy (Jakarta), and to the Vice-Warden (Vito Litang) at the Surigao del Norte Provincial Jail, where he photographed and videotaped the entire jail compound in early 2001. Ryll admitted he had this NBI identification to Paul Boyd, US Consul (Manila), in front of the Director of the NBI, Interpol Branch, Ricardo Diaz, and was ordered to return it and not to be involved further in any way in Standefers’ case.
The Philippine government should consider filing a criminal case against Ryll, Karaka, Nasa, Morgan, and Duran for filing this fake case and prevent them from filling additional fake cases against me or other individuals involved in business in the Philippines. The government should support the criminal complaint I filed on May 29, 2002, for attempted murder, and be sure that this case is not allowed to be “paid out” as so many others are.
The government should also take immediate actions to stop this group from undertaking their illegal treasure salvage operations in the Philippines.
Thank you for your time, consideration, and efforts in this matter.
Sincerely,
Dennis Standefer
Email: justicein2002@lycos.com
Fax: 1.425.928.6496 (USA)
American Embassy, Jakarta (62-21) 343-59000 ext. 2050
American Embassy, Manila, (632) 523-1001 Ext. 2530
E-mail newbillma@state.gov
cc:
President Gloria Arroyo, Manila, Philippines
President Megawati Sukarnoputri, Jakarta, Indonesia
Philippine Ambassador, Washington D.C. & Los Angeles Consulate
Department of Foreign Affairs, Philippines & Indonesia
American Ambassador, Jakarta, Manila
U.S. State Department - Indonesia / Philippines Desk
All foreign embassies in Jakarta and Manila
All Philippine & Indonesia Embassies world-wide
Philippine Attorney – Manila
Indonesian Attorney
Philippine Center of Investigative Journalism (Director)
NBC, CBS, ABC & CNN / CNBC
Los Angeles Times
All news Bureaus - Wire Services
Indonesia Newspapers that carried original story
Philippine Newspapers that carried original story
Federal Bureau of Investigation (Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Manila)
South Pasadena Police Department (California, USA)
Indonesian, Philippine, and US Attorneys
Nevada and Florida U.S. Senators and House Representatives
Epcat International, Philippines and all other offices.
Various other Newspapers - WSJ, Asian WSJ, International Herald Tribune, Straight Times, etc.
Justice in 2002 websites for full details, additional information and daily updates.
It has been recently reported that Morgan, Ryll, Karaka, and their Filipino contacts are raising money to salvage the Japanese Hospital ship located in Camigine Island, North Luzon, Philippines. This is the same shipwreck that was to be operated by Dennis Standefer and his Filipino partners in Pacific SeaQuest.
Posted on Jul 18, 2002, 7:25 PM from IP address 66.187.104.2
Attempted murder complaint filed against American treasure hunters in the Philippines!
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News Release
July 17, 2002
Attempted murder complaint filed against American treasure hunters in the Philippines!
(Surigao City, Surigao del Norte, Philippines)
Four Americans and two Filipinos have been accused of the attempted murder of their former partner in a hundred-million dollar treasure salvage project of a Japanese Hospital Ship (sic.) sunk by allied torpedo bombers during WWII.
The accused include a Philippine National Police Colonel, Segundo Duran (PNP) and Moro National Liberation Front-Abu Sayyaf Commander, Tony Nasa, and former American partners in the salvage of the “fake” Japanese Hospital ship “Tieyo Maru” that is located in the main harbor of Camiguin Island off the north coast of Luzon, in the Baybuyan Islands. The 400 ft. ship, which was sunk during the first week of April, 1945, lies in 100 feet of crystal clear water, near Calupiri Island and only 1,500 meters from the islands’ main dock. A salvage permit had been awarded to Pacific SeaQuest and Dennis Standefer (The complainant) in 1993 by then President, Fidel Ramos, for this ship and 33 others that are in the area, including the USS Charleston (See map below and related stories)
The accused American treasure divers include Karl Steven Ryll, 42, who is the ringleader, and a El Monte California High school teacher, who is married to a Filipina, and Steven Edward Morgan, 54, who has been living in Manila salvaging shipwrecks and raising investment money since 1995. The two treasure hunters were assisted and financed by Harold Karaka, of San Fernando, California, and Kiy Dupont, from Louisiana, who are also Americans.
This group has attempted to murder their former partner, Dennis Standefer, 57, (who started the salvage project in 1993) since early 1998 in the Philippines and Malaysia, where Standefer was living at the time. The murder attempts and death threats were first reported to the Philippine government and the American Embassy (Manila) in early 1995 and were extensively covered in the Philippine and United States press at the time. (See attachments of Special series by the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism and the Santa Barbra News Press)
When the groups direct attempts to kill Standefer in Zamboanga, Mindanao and Sabah, Malaysia failed, they filed a phony “rape” charge in Surigao City, Mindanao, in August 1999 (See News Release attached for more details) seeking the extradition to the Philippines and death-penalty for Standefer. Ryll and Morgan were assisted in this by Colonel Duran and his friends in the Philippine National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and Philippine Interpol, which included the Director Ricardo A. Diaz and others.
Ryll and Morgan also paid officers of a Philippine NGO, ECPAT Philippines, to assist them in filing the fake case, by giving Diaz an “excuse” to have NBI/Interpol extradite Standefer from Indonesia. (See “victims statement sworn statement attached)
This group has spent hundreds of thousands of dollars in expenses, “legal fees”, bribes, and payments to officials in the Philippines, and Indonesia to have Standefer held in detention without trial, or a chance to present evidence or witnesses in his behalf, in Indonesia and then extradited to the Philippines last year. The NBI transported Standefer to Manila on May 11, 2001, at the government’s expense, after having him injected with drugs and carried aboard a Philippines airlines flight.
Standefer was held in the NBI’s detention center in Manila for three weeks, without incident, after the American Embassy Consul Paul Boyd took “extreme interest” in the case and in Standefers’ safety after hearing of Ryll’s actions in Jakarta. (See American Embassy letters). Paul Boyd confronted Karl Ryll in the presence of NBI/Interpol Director Diaz and “ordered” Ryll not to be involved in Standefers’ case in any way. At that time Ryll admitted using his NBI identification to attempt to gain access to Standefer detention cell in Indonesia as well as misrepresenting that he was working for the Philippine government on the case.
In early June of 2001, three NBI agents transferred Standefer to Surigao City, Mindanao, to await his trial. Upon Standefers’ arrival there, no one seemed to know what to do, as the case had NEVER been pursed in Surigao City, only by Ryll, Morgan, Duran, and Diaz. The prosecutor, court, and the trial judge, had no knowledge of Standefers’ two-year incarnation in Indonesia, his extradition, or his detention at NBI headquarters, until he arrived in Surigao City. The case had been returned to the archives, there was never any preliminary investigation (as is required by Philippine law), the “alleged victim”, refused to meet with the prosecutor in 1999, and the “warrant of arrest” was illegally issued, not to the NBI, but to Karl Ryll! THE RAPE WAS NEVER EVEN REPORTED TO THE LOCAL POLICE and there is no police report or ANY other evidence or witness statements in the case file. Only the one page “complaint” written by Karl Steven Ryll.
It was quickly determined that the rape never took place and that Standefer was not even in the Philippines at the time the “alleged rape” took place (early November 1994). This was verified by the Philippine Bureau of Immigration records and Standefers’ passport.
Nine witnesses presented themselves to the Chief Prosecutor (including the alleged victim-Niefelyn Sumaylo)) and confirmed that there never was a rape, Standefer never came to Surigao in 1994, and that Ryll made up the story and got the case filled in August of 1999, along with Duran and Nasa. There was testimony that Ryll even wrote the “complaint” himself, when a local attorney refused to get involved. (See attached sworn statement)
After a brief court hearing where the witnesses testified, the case was dismissed. Standefer did not even hire a lawyer for his death-penalty trial, but only paid a local attorney $10 to file the papers to have him released on July 5, 2002.
The groups’ next move was for Steven Morgan to file a “new” fake case and persuade the Philippine Undersecretary of Justice, Attorney Maria Merceditas Gutierrez, to get a hold departure order on Standefer to give them a chance to have him killed before he could leave the Philippines.
Ryll, Morgan, Karaka, Nasa, and Duran have been hunting for Standefer in the United States, Indonesia and the Philippines ever since. While Standefer has remained at an undisclosed location for the last year, they have continually sought the location of the witnesses and have continued to threaten to kill them for telling the truth in this case.
(Note: Over 200 pages of documents, photographs, previous news releases, newspaper articles, witness statements, and additional information are available on request, by email or fax and can be down loaded from the website below)
American Treasure Hunter is nearly killed in fiery explosion in hotel room in Philippine
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The following story is compiled from a series of three special articles that first appeared in The Manila Times, starting on May 29, 2002 and continuing through May 31, 2002. Dorian Zumel-Sicat, Correspondent and Jeannette Andrade, Reporter wrote it. Extensive additional information has been added from other news accounts and the “credit and original article links” follow this story. Photographs are from a number of different sources, including some from the original articles are available at http://justicein2002.com/id25.html
American Treasure Hunter is nearly killed in a fiery explosion in his hotel room in the Philippines!
Davao, Mindanao, Philippines, May 16, 2002 (Up-Dated through July 9, 2002)
First of three parts
Michael Terrence Meiring had basked in the shadow of inscrutability for many years as he roamed around the Philippines with his numerous partners, investors, contacts, and other treasure hunters. By some accounts, he is a treasure hunter and a physician who dabbled in herbal medicine (It is VERY unlikely that he is a doctor).
It is said he has been in and out of Davao City for the past 10 years, always staying in Suite 306 of the Evergreen Hotel. The talk in Davao is that Meiring hobnobs with influential political personalities in Mindanao, among them Nur Misuari (When he was out of jail!) and Hashim Salamat as well as NBI and PNP officials.
An explosion in his Davao hotel suite on May 16, 2002, ripped off that mantle of obscurity, exposing Meiring and his numerous American and Filipino partners, to the public limelight. What has been revealed, however, is a more complex man, whose trail leads back to South Africa and boxes supposedly containing US Federal Reserve notes and bonds obtained from the Abu Sayyaf. Supt. Samuel Yordan said, “Dynamite stored in the room had caused the explosion, which damaged several of the Evergreen Hotel’s 52 rooms. Damage was placed at P2 million ($100,000 USD). Among others, the May 16 blast also made a "casualty" of the then officer in charge of the Davao City Police Office, Supt. Samuel Yordan, who was relieved from his post by Regional Police Director Eduardo Matillano for security lapses.
Since the May 16 blast, there have been enthusiastic attempts by authorities and his partners to keep the circumstances surrounding the incident very hush-hush.
Meiring lost both his legs in the explosion, which also left a big portion of his body badly burned. What is unusual is that he was reportedly whisked out of Davao, past the Philippine National Police guarding him at the hospital, and on to a chartered plane, accompanied by what Immigration officials described as agents of the US National Security Agency agents and agents of the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
Davao Mayor, Rodrigo Duterte himself could not hide his disgust for the foreigner. "The blast was all his fault and I don’t like his behavior when he refused to cooperate with the police when he was accosted days before the incident," he said in his TV program yesterday. “He also lied to the police when he told them that a grenade had been lobed into his room”. Aside from Duterte, agent John Gray, of the Hawaii offices of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is also after Meiring. American Embassy officials have stated that their involvement with Meirings’ “escape” from the Davao hospital was nowhere near as much as reported in the newspapers and media reports.
Duterte, who met with US embassy officials at The Marco Polo Hotel in Davao on Thursday, told reporters the following day that the FBI is investigating local police reports that several US federal bank notes were found in Meiring's room at (counterfeit) by the US government.
Mayor Duterte said “Meiring had been under surveillance by police intelligence agents since May 10 when he was found in possession of fake US federal bank notes at the city’s fish port in Toril district”. "Vis-à-vis our interests (to try him for illegal possession of explosives), the Americans are even more interested to know where those federal notes came from… because that is tantamount to economic sabotage (on the part of the US government)," he said.
The mystery doesn’t stop there. Meiring’s present whereabouts are unclear. One report said he was taken to the Makati Medical Center in Makati City, Metro Manila, where he is still under intensive care. Another version has it that Meiring was flown to San Diego, California, after a brief stay at Makati Medical, and further reports place him in Singapore. The American Embassy refuses to comment as of July 1. 2002.
Piecing together an accurate story about Meiring will be difficult. But there are indications that he is part of a much bigger and much more spellbinding tale, one detailing with a quest for treasure, intrigue, involvement with Muslim terrorists, dealing in counterfeit securities and currency, and, possibly, double-cross by his long-time American and Filipino partners.
What is definitely known about Meiring is that he was born in 1932 in South Africa and later became a naturalized US citizen. He first came to the Philippines in 1992, where he spent almost a year in Metro Manila and North Luzon. He often stayed at the Sundowner Hotel or the Manila Garden Hotel in Makati (Where Steven Morgan resides) or the Park Hotel in Paco.
While in Manila he went around with two agents of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and has fallen under the protection of Ricardo Diaz, the NBI Chief of Interpol, and his treasure-hunting group, including Steven Morgan, Karl Ryll, Commander Tony Nasa, (MNLF) and PNP Colonel, Segundo Duran.
“He was in the Philippines primarily to hunt for treasure and do research in herbal medicine he told me”. According to his wife, Angela, who is a nurse at a 7th Day Adventist hospital in Loma Linda, California. But the real facts of the case appear to be much more sinister.
It was learned that Meiring's wife Angela, who is in the United States now (It has been reported that she came to the Philippines to assist in Meirings care and transport), has been telling Evergreen Hotel general manager Sarlo Gentapan that they don't have money. Gentapan served as a guarantor of the victim so he will be treated at the hospital. Gentapan told Sun Star that the hotel already released P20,000 as advanced payment for the hospitalization of the victim. Hughes confirmed that the victim was really financially strapped, saying, "Michael has no money, I know that." Gentapan said Angela told him Friday morning over the phone that they are broke. However, Angela told Gentapan that Meiring is covered by health insurance in the United States.
On Friday afternoon, United States Embassy vice-consul Michael Newbill went to the Davao Doctors Hospital to settle Meiring's bills after the US insurance company released some money, reportedly coursed to the US embassy, for the victim's hospitalization. Gentapan said, “Newbill assured him that he will facilitate the payment of Meiring's hospital bills which, as of Friday, had already reached P300,000.”
Meiring had close links with some well-placed government authorities in southern Mindanao as well as with national government officials and PNP officials, such as Colonel Segundo Duran (PNP). Included in this circle are former Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) chairman Nur Misuari and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) chief Hashim Salamat, and even suspected New People’s Army (NPA) leader Father Navarro. He has close ties with Commander Tony Nasa (MNLF) and others in Cotabato who acted as “front” men for his dealings with Abu Sayyaf in the purchase of US Treasury notes and in helping him in his search for sunken Japanese shipwrecks with Ryll and Morgan.
Meiring’s connections and dealings with rebel leaders made the military very wary about him. He was under surveillance by more than one intelligence unit on more than one occasion. Still, there was little to add to his dossier. This is truly amazing as numerous reports were made to the media, the NBI, Philippine government agencies, the United States Embassy, over six years ago (See "Urgent" faxes), about all of Meiring and his partners activities.
Meiring is known to have spent millions of dollars while in the Philippines. Where he got his funds was not known. Medical research grants from South Africa could be one source. “He has told me that the South African government gives him some support,” says Meiring’s private secretary, Sylvia Durante.
According to close friend, American David Hawthorn, Meiring told him he had found a fabulous treasure in US Federal notes and gold bonds. The way Hawthorn told it, Meiring in 1992 was able to sell a “box” full of US Federal Reserve notes worth more than $500 million. That box was one of 12 said to be part of a war chest for American and Filipino guerillas fighting Japan forces during World War II. After the war, the boxes disappeared and stories have circulated ever since that they are in the possession of the MNLF/MILF and the Abu Sayyaf. There are also a number of reports of "fake" bonds and notes that have been sold by the Muslim extremist groups to finance their arms purchases. Several arrests have been made in Mindanao in the last two years.
Second of three parts
Treasure hunter had white supremacists for associates!
Philippine and US investigators chasing the case of Michael Meiring, the American who sustained critical injuries from a mysterious explosion in his Davao hotel suite, have to dig through a wide circle of acquaintances — ranging from South African anti-apartheid warriors to American white supremacists and other Filipino and American treasure hunters.
The Manila Times confirmed yesterday from a source at the Makati Medical Center that Meiring remains confined at the hospital’s cardiovascular unit. The Times also learned that police in Davao City had finally filed illegal possession of explosives charges against the American and have issued two arrest warrants. The authorities want him returned to Davao to face charges there.
The Times tried to visit Meiring but was told only his doctor — handpicked by the US Embassy — has access to him. The Times was also not allowed to see any of Meiring’s watchers.
A close friend of the American had earlier claimed Meiring was airlifted to San Diego, California. Other American sources from the California city, home to a sprawling US naval base, also insisted yesterday that Meiring had arrived there.
Among the most startling developments in the Meiring case was Immigration Deputy Commissioner Daniel Queto’s admission last week, that no less than agents of the US National Security Agency and FBI agents from the United States Embassy had brought Meiring from Davao to Manila.
Meirings’ Confusing background!
At the time of the blast, journalists were confused about Meiring’s nationality. Some dubbed him British, others American. Meiring was formerly a citizen of South Africa, but of British descent. He fled to the United States, sources said, towards the end of South Africa’s apartheid regime.
While the same sources said Meiring was a doctor for the South African police, they also stressed his ties to the African National Congress of Nelson Mandela, and hinted that he fled because of pursuit by state security officials.
American David Hawthorn, a close friend of Meiring, claimed the blast victim had confessed passing to Mandela’s government the proceeds of a box of old US federal notes. That box was one of 12, containing an estimated $500-million worth of notes.
Hawthorn said Meiring showed him a letter from the South African government and a US Treasury permit to back his claim. Hawthorn also saw a “packing list” that had a cover sheet printed with the words “US Army,” the Army seal, some numbers and a group of upper case letters. Meiring, he said, claimed the list represented the serial numbers of the missing notes, dating back to 1937. Similar "boxes" were recovered by United States Secrete Service and the Philippine Central Bank late last year. Other counterfeit bonds and currency were also recovered from a hotel in Davao a few months ago. It has been reported that these were to be delivered to Meiring, Ryll, and Morgan for shipment to Las Vegas, Nevada.
Double cross?
Meiring had spent the last nine years looking for more boxes and other treasure, securing a permit during the Ramos administration to recover treasure from sunken Japanese and American ships around Mindanao, and to look for gold bars and “Victory” notes.
It was then that he entered into a partnership with private hunters that included Steven Morgan and Karl Ryll (both Americans) and Linda Datoon of Davao (Who Meiring reportedly coerced in to helping him gain control of shipwreck sites for Morgan) to salvage shipwrecks located in the ARRM region of Mindanao.
According to both Hawthorn and secretary Silvya Durante, Meiring had fronted for a very wealthy, powerful group in Manila. He returned to the country six months ago to buy another box of federal notes but was told the treasure was still in Mindanao. After a month, the impatient Meiring flew to Davao, after getting information on the box’s whereabouts.
The American’s friends fear the Manila group, threatened of losing the box, could have plotted against Meiring as they have in the past with other Americans who got in their way.
The group, they told The Times, was connected to a long-time Meiring financier, James Rowe of Nevada, who joined the victim during a 1993 visit, and other people in Las Vegas, Nevada, and Los Angeles and Pasadena, California.
White supremacist?
Rowe is executive producer of Wild Rose Productions, an independent film and video documentary company based in New Green Valley, Nevada, near Las Vegas. One of the projects of Wild Rose was to do a documentary on Yama****a treasure allegedly hidden and recovered by highland tribes in parts of Mindanao.
American intelligence analyst, Dan Crawford said Rowe had links to a right-winged, white supremacist and tax revolt group in Nevada that is linked with the neo-Nazi party of the United States and the “Fifth Reich” in Germany.
Treasure hunters claim much of Yama****a’s ‘treasure’ was money, jewels, and gold belonging to the Nazis and the Japanese Army. Their descendants, inspired by some of the surviving and aged minion of Adolph Hitler, are in search of that treasure, believing that they can recover it; they can revive the movement and fulfill their dreams of a world run by a superior Aryan race.
Those same people harbor a deep-seeded resentment against Nelson Mandela and those who dismantled the racist apartheid system of South Africa. Meiring, being a supporter of Mandela is considered a “traitor” to the white race.
Another right-wing associate of Meiring is an American named Chuck Ager, from somewhere in Colorado, USA. Ager is a mining engineer. He was tasked by Meiring to supervise more than 30 tunneling operations in search of the remaining 12 boxes and the Yama****a treasure (see map). In all, Ager was in charge of more than P5-million ($100,000 USD) worth of mining and digging equipment purchase over the years by Meiring from Jun Herrera at Davao General Hardware Company, which is only a half block from the Evergreen Hotel. Meiring and his American and Filipino associates have been known throughout the area as using explosives in their excavations of treasure sites and shipwrecks for many years. Meiring has provided explosives to other treasure hunters for their salvage attempts in Mindanao and North Luzon on Japanese shipwrecks and an American Warship.
Fearful
Both Hawthorn and Durante claimed that Meiring had feared for his life in recent weeks. Each time that Hawthorn asked why, Meiring would only say, “it has to do with the treasure.” It was well known that he had numerous “problems” with his American and Filipino associates in the Philippines.
The intelligence source also said that within three weeks of the blast, Meiring was in communication with a man from England named Derek S. Fawell, of Yorkshire. Fawell knew Meiring well, according to communications from him to Meiring that was recovered by the source. “With regard to your ordinance disposal problem, I have talked with our experts. They will be at your location upon the time frame that you instruct. The device that you have described is highly volatile and must be deal with quite delicately,” says one paragraph of that facsimile communication shown to me by the source. Fawell’s address is listed as 3 Glenhurst Avenue, Yorkshire, England.
On Meiring’s company letterhead, PAROUSIA International Trading, Inc., with Evergreen Hotel, Davao City address and telephone number, his UK address is listed as: Patchole Manor, Kentisbury Ford, North Devon, England. Under the address, in italicized letters are the words: When in residence. The address of record for Meiring, in his passport and with US authorities is, 381 Smokeridge Trail, Calimesa, California.
Almost immediately after the blast, security tightened around Meiring. Hawthorn told The Times: “I was told by a Filipino in Davao, carrying a message from the US Embassy that Michael would never be charged with a crime in connection with the explosion. The investigation will end up as a stonewall. Michael will be protected and eventually taken back to the safety of the United States. The incident will be shortly forgotten, if you’re willing to forget it.”
But even that doesn’t explain why a treasure hunter and collector of medicinal herbs merited attention from the powerful US National Security Agency and the FBI.
Conclusion
Spies and terrorists are attracted to treasure hunters’ circles!
LOST and hidden treasures are the stuff of which legends are made. The legends of the treasures of Mindanao are full of international intrigue, accounts of treachery and betrayal, tales about shadowy characters, shady deals all mixed with a bit of the noble and of compassion.
Michael T. Meiring was critically injured in a blast that gutted his hotel room, Suite 305 of the Evergreen Hotel in downtown Davao City on May 16. He will not fully recover from those injuries. Both of his legs were amputated at the knee because of irreparable compound fractures. He suffered first to third degree burns in 40 percent of his body. The “who” and “why” of the blast remains unknown amidst an array of speculation by investigators and reporters.
Meiring’s background is murky, but that, military defense officials note, is par for the course. Terrorists and intelligence operatives of all stripes about among treasure hunters’ circles. The Americans have used treasure hunting as a cover for intelligence activities. In 1963, a C-47 US Air Force Cargo plane crashed somewhere in the central highlands of Mindanao, sinking into the depths of a lake that has yet to be charted. Top secret is the tag on this story.
According to sources in the United States who will remain anonymous, the plane was carrying the stolen cache of Madame Ngu who fled from Vietnam in 1963 after a successful US-led coup. The fight was un-manifested and had no flight plan. But sources say that it was en-route to Clark Air Base. There is record of a sole survivor of the crash, Airman Lawrence Havelock. Havelock reported struggled to Cagayan de Oro, where he was treated at a hospital for exposure and minor injuries. Later he was repatriated and then mysteriously given a general discharged from the US Air Force.
Several years after his discharge, Havelock returned to Mindanao to try to find the crash site and the plane. He never did. He returned to the States broke and in debt. He finally ended up convicted of a federal fraud charges.
Terrorists, too, have been known to put up treasure hunting fronts. The three Vietnamese terrorists arrested last year for plotting to blow up the Vietnamese Embassy here were assets of the US intelligence community. They and their Japanese colleague were also involved in treasure hunting — and the export of marijuana. They had links to close friends of deposed presidents Joseph Estrada and Ferdinand Marcos and their patroness and financier hobnobbed with a poseur who called himself a son of Marcos.
There are other names that come up in the treasure hunter game. Intelligence officers allowed The Manila Times to publish only the names of those involved during the 1990s, saying “current” names of the list were being monitored for links to a strange circle of white supremacists and Islamic fundamentalists, including the MNLF, the MILF, and the Abu Sayyaf:
Bob Gould (in the Philippines in March of 1990 and June of 1991) came from Hayward, California. His connection was a Frederick Obado, Filipino-American, who was linked to a group of Kodar Kiram, son of the late Sultan Jumalul Kiram and younger brother of Rodinod Kiram. Gould and others in Davao City made plans in 1990 and 1991 to invade Sabbah and claim it for the Sultanate of Sabbah-Sulu. Gould has connections with a Libertarian group in California and is the subject of an Internal Revenue Service investigation on tax evasion.
Nina North is a close friend of Goulds. Her acquaintances claim she has connections to the Central Intelligence Agency, but those connections are too vague. In 1990, 1991, and 1992, she maintained contact with Obado and was dealing with high officials in the Mid-East, including representatives of Khadaffy and Bin Laden, with regard to transfer of gold bullion from the Philippines, through the “back door.” Nina North is from Fremont, California.
Andy Gould (no relation to Bob), an Australian and John Lawrence, a Brit, were both hangers-on in Ermita district (back in the early ’90s). They also had dealings with Obado, Bob Gould, and Swihart with regard to gold bullion and the Yama****a treasure.
“Tinoy” Simbahon of Magpet, North Cotabato is a well-known treasure guide. His wife had met with Obado and Gould on several occasions in the Manila Pen back in 1990. He had met with Obado and a certain De Lara, in late 1991 in Magpet to make a deal for the purchase of gold bullion. Simbahon had admitted to Gould that he was secretly working for Swihart to help Muslim independence in Mindanao.
Fred Eder, Honolulu, Hawaii. He is a tailor. But he has a corporation registered under the name of Rose Mining and Exploration Company, with headquarters somewhere in General Santos City. Simbahon is a partner. This is the group that enticed Obado and Gould to look for treasure. Eder is also somehow connected with a Fil-Am group that once supported the defunct Movement for Independent Mindanao (MIM). On radio station KNDY, Honolulu, as late as 1999, Eder was heard advocating independence for Muslim Mindanao.
A number of "current" shady people seem to center around Meiring and his activities. These include Commander Tony Nasa, Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), of Cotabato, and Harold Karaka, an American partner of Karl Rylls. Karaka, who is involved is selling the currency notes in Las Vegas and Europe, has made a number of trips to Mindanao in an attempt to kill another American treasure hunter, that was a rival of Meiring's. Meiring may also have been heavily involved with another American under investigation by Singapore and Philippine authorities who is looking for investors and working a number of sites in Mindanao. This man "was robbed" of $151,000 USD not to long ago, while trying to "buy gold" in the Philippines. The rumors are that he was "set-up" by his partners.
Who really is Michael T. Meiring? Why did US Embassy officials accord him special treatment if he was just an ordinary treasure hunter? What was he doing in Southern Mindanao for the past 10 years? Why was he in possession of explosives? Was he alone in his activities in Davao or was he with other conspirators? These, and many other questions will surely be raised until such time that Meiring's case will no longer ring a suspicious tone. But who really knows? Maybe only Michael T. Meiring!
Note: If you have trouble opening any of the following sites try “Cached” in the links below!
Davao: Briton may face raps over hotel blast
... Investigation (FBI) recently arrived in city reportedly to conduct their own investigation
on the blast that seriously wounded treasure hunter Michael Meiring, ...
asia.news.yahoo.com/020519/13/9v80.html - 22k - Cached - Similar pages
[ More results from yahoo.com ]
WebDiaryo - Mindanao Review
... The group reportedly brought Michael Meiring, who lost a leg in the explosion at
his room in the Evergreen Hotel, from the Davao Doctors' Hospital to a waiting ...
www.webdiaryo.com/mindanao_fullstory7.htm - 12k - Cached - Similar pages
WebDiaryo - Mindanao Review
Meiring booby-trapped box of documents: Police DAVAO -- British-American blast victim
Michael Meiring was the one who planted the explosive that exploded in ...
www.webdiaryo.com/mindanao_fullstory4.htm - 12k - Cached - Similar pages
www.ops.gov.ph/pna/news/GEN1091.TXT
... Briton is not an ordinary treasure hunter DAVAO CITY, May 30 (PNA) -- Philippine
National Police (PNP) authorities today said British-American Michael Meiring ...
3k - Cached - Similar pages
luwaran
... of American. DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/23 May) -- Police here admitted lapses in the
handling of the case of Michael Meiring, an American citizen who lost a leg ...
www.luwaran.com/m23police.htm - 22k - Cached - Similar pages
Headlines
... Records ng treasure hunter sa BI, nawawala KASALUKUYANG pinaghahanap ang travel
record ng American treasure hunter na si Michael Meiring matapos mabatid ng ...
www.kabayanonline.com/headline.htm - 25k - Cached - Similar pages
Get Meiring back
... The American, Michael Meiring, had slipped police security detailed at a hospital
here Sunday and flew to Manila were he reportedly sought medical treatment ...
www.mindanews.com/2002/05/4th/nws24meiring.html - 21k - Cached - Similar pages
Meiring booby-trapped box of documents: Police
... Meiring booby-trapped box of documents: Police. DAVAO -- British-American blast
victim Michael Meiring was the one who planted the explosive that exploded in ...
www.asianjournal.com/pages/011000/ news/050402police.html - 38k - Cached - Similar pages
CHARGES POISED VS DAVAO HOTEL BLAST VICTIM
... Armed police guards have been posted at a hospital room where Michael Meiring,
65, is recuperating from severe injuries that broke both his legs and caused ...
www.newsflash.org/2002/05/ht/ht002553.htm - 6k - Cached - Similar pages
BusinessWorld Internet Edition
... The mayor was irked by reports that agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation
(FBI) allegedly took British-American Michael Meiring out of the Davao ...
www.bworld.net/current/TheNation/nationstory6.html - 13k - Cached - Similar pages
Police officials admit lapses in escape of American
... DAVAO CITY -- Police here admitted lapses in the handling of the case of Michael
Meiring, an American citizen who lost a leg after a dynamite he stored in his ...
www.mindanews.com/2002/05/4th/nws23police.html - 23k - Cached - Similar pages
[ More results from www.mindanews.com ]
May rings - May 27, 2002
... The lone blast fatality, identified as Michael Terrence Meiring, a 65-year-old British-American
surgeon from California, was a regular guest of the hotel and ...
www.inq7.net/opi/2002/may/27/opi_kris-1.htm - 33k - Cached - Similar pages
Briton, 4 Filipinos injured in Davao hotel blast - May 16, 2002
... Michael Meiring, said to be in his mid-60s, was believed to have lost both legs
and was rushed to hospital after the blast in his room at the Evergreen Hotel ...
www.inq7.net/brk/2002/may/16/brkoth_6-1.htm - 28k - Cached - Similar pages
[ More results from www.inq7.net ]
THE DAILY TRIBUNE On the Web!
... hunter. The Agence France Presse had identified him as Michael Meiring
and the Associated Press as Michael Mairing. Mayrin's hometown ...
www.tribune.net.ph/20020517/headlines/ 20020517.hed06.html - 7k - Cached - Similar pages
The Manila Times Internet Edition | TOP STORIES > Treasure hunter ...
... Philippine and US investigators chasing the case of Michael Meiring, the American
who sustained critical injuries from a mysterious explosion in his Davao ...
www.manilatimes.net/national/2002/may/ 30/top_stories/20020530top6.html - 45k - Cached - Similar pages
Philstar.com - The Filipino Global Community
... after they were reported to have been instrumental in the secret airlifting to the
Makati Medical Center of 60-year-old British-American Michael Meiring, who ...
www.philstar.com/philstar/News200206049907.htm - 26k - Cached - Similar pages
[DOC] I have received an e-mail from Todd C
File Format: Microsoft Word 2000 - View as HTML
... He has enlisted the help of an South African con-man named Michael
Meiring, who is also traveling on an American passport. Meiring ...
justicein2002.com/docs/zimmerman.doc - Similar pages
The Manila Times Internet Edition | TOP STORIES > Spies, ...
... Michael T. Meiring was critically injured in a blast that gutted his hotel
room, Suite 305 of the Evergreen Hotel in downtown Davao City on May 16. ...
www.manilatimes.net/national/2002/may/ 31/top_stories/20020531top6.html - 34k - Cached - Similar pages
[ More Davao: I'm in danger, says Briton hurt in blast
... On Friday afternoon, US vice consul Michael Newbill ... Gentapan said Newbill assured
him that he will ... More from > Philippines News. Previous Story: Davao: Proposed ...
asia.news.yahoo.com/020517/13/9uzd.html - 22k - Cached - Similar pages
Philippine News Online Edition - May 29 - June 4, 2002
... spent the past four months hunting for lost treasure or gold mines in the southern Philippines. Dynamite blew up in his bathroom in the budget Evergreen Hotel ... http://www.philippinenews.com/issues/may02/may29-jun4/philippines.asp
The Manila Times Internet Edition | TOP STORIES > American doctor ...
... and Cheng Ordoñez, Correspondents. DAVAO CITY — A blast in Davao hotel suite
injured a treasure hunter and collector of Philippine herbal plants yesterday. ...
www.manilatimes.net/national/2002/may/ 17/top_stories/20020517top7.html - 28k - Cached - Similar pages
BRITISH DOCTOR WOUNDED IN DAVAO HOTEL BLAST
... Since he is a treasure hunter, it is probable he ... even persuading my husband to also
go into treasure ... Reported by: Sol Jose Vanzi. Copyright, 2002 by PHILIPPINE ...
www.newsflash.org/2002/05/ht/ht002546.htm - 9k - Cached - Similar pages
Ananova - News - Philippines
... alive The Philippine President says US missionaries held hostage by Muslim extremists
are still alive. 10:43 Tuesday 21st May 2002. British treasure hunter ...
www.ananova.com/news/ ?keywords=Philippines&nav_src=more_on - 14k - Cached - Similar pages
www.Treasure-Hunter.org
... Far East ZAMBOANGA, Philippines - Philippine police on Monday charged a 65-year-old
British treasure hunter who lost his legs in a dynamite blast in his hotel ...
www.treasure-hunter.org/html/index.php - 33k - Cached - Similar pages
Posted on Jul 18, 2002, 7:37 PM from IP address 66.187.104.2
Back in the glory days of Philippine films, when the likes of Gloria Romeroa, Amalia Fuentes, Susan Roces were at the peak of their careers, Fernando Poe was the hottest rising star. There was a protection racket allegedly ran by the Assistio family of Caloocan and many of the top stars paid the extortion. One might even say that "talagang sikat ka na" when someone from the homegrown mob operation approached you for "protection" services. As expected, people were sent to Fernando Poe Jr. informing him that he needed to pay the fee. FPJ gave an envelope containing one peso with the message that that was all he is willing to pay and if they didn't like it, the head of the family can meet him at a particular place and time and settle the matter in a duel. Subsequently, the extortion racket met its demise as more and more stars refused to pay and finally got some help from the govt.
I thought I would mention this because it points to the character of a person even at that young age.
Posted on Jul 18, 2002, 10:49 AM from IP address 67.219.24.215
Apparently he took matters in his own hands because the extortion involved the protection of corrupt law officers. It shows that he cannot be intimidated so that translates to a strong conviction when he is right. However, since he's never been a politician even in his hometown, to catapult him to the presidency will require a crash education of some sort and I hope he doesn't have that ego and headstrong personality that has hobbled the previous presidents.
Napanice
Posted on Jul 18, 2002, 1:10 PM from IP address 216.175.121.245
For all intents and purposes, Gloria's SONA should focus on ABU SAYYAF AND TERRORISM.
by Napanice (no login)
I doubt very much that she can claim anything else significantly beneficial besides those two. And even the resolution of the Abu menace leaves more questions than answers, like how much did the Philipppine govt. spend for the entire military campaign which lasted more than a year? Even the mighty US spent billions of dollars when it went after the terrorists in Afghanistan, so her expenditures in the matter of the Burnham rescue must be truthfully declared to the public. It's her job to be accountable and responsible.
It's only reasonable that she got a passing mark from her supporters, well-heeled businessmen, despite their complaints of rising criminality and unemployment. Of course those issues involve the lower echelons of society which none of them belong to.
Napanice
Posted on Jul 18, 2002, 9:34 AM from IP address 216.175.121.245
The Philippine was touched by a global menace; I gave it top priority because it was affecting everything else in the govt and economy. But my leadership eradicated the Abu Sayaf Group and now, although our country faces a lot of problems, we can now move forward as we tackle each problem and eliminate them like I did the ASG.
Please bear with me because I promise I would make life better for everyone, because I, Gloria Macapagal is the greatest leader especially it was by the Act of God that I became president.
How's that for predicting the gist of her SONA? We should find out soon enough.
Posted on Jul 18, 2002, 10:55 AM from IP address 67.219.24.215
That's what she should be saying, the truth no matter what. But since she's very short on the economic side of things, namely the corruption damper on foreign investments, the lack of employment opportunities, and the hopelessness factor, I'm sure her speech will be tailored more in this vein since it puts the minds of the people focused on things to come by way of her divine vision. Also, the latest issues brought up by the opposition SONA must be rebutted or else it will just be an accepted truth.
For sure she will take credit for the end of the Abu menace in passing, her speech will likely address corruption, law and order, energy costs, and eceonomic recovery. And most of all, she will be emphatic in stating her substantial accomplishments in the past year and claim a majority of her goals were met. It's up to the opposition to disprove that.
Let's compare notes after the fact.
Napanice
Posted on Jul 18, 2002, 12:54 PM from IP address 216.175.121.245
Power Grabbing must end through Constitutional Amendment.
by Napanice (no login)
While the current law provides for the power ascendancy process in the event of a vacancy in the executive branch, whether by design or otherwise, it does not however prevent the loss of the people's mandate through the actions of a group intent on a change in leadership at any cost.
The events surrounding both EDSAs point out to the need for a constitutional change because it puts the democratic process in jeopardy each time. The change will require at least two processes in order to maintain the people's rule. First, a separate liquid fund must be set aside for the Comelec to conduct a presidential election within six months of the creation of a power vaccum and second, an interim govt. shall be the instituted until a new president has been elected.
I think this idea is fair and within the spirit of democracy.
Napanice
Posted on Jul 18, 2002, 10:08 AM from IP address 216.175.121.245
"4) Sen. Blas Ople should not accept the offer to become Secretary of Foreign Affairs. He projects future differences between PGMA and Ople."
Despite Ople's headstrong tendency, he and Guingona are still the few nationalists that can be assets to the Philippines if given the right posts. But surely, they don't belong to the DFA.
Napanice
Posted on Jul 17, 2002, 11:37 AM from IP address 216.175.126.31
I wonder if Ople was trying to curry favor with the Copa obtusely
by Feling (no login)
by projecting nationalism/anti-Americanism (not that I equate the two) This is probably a miscalculation since this group COPA seems to be more concerned about having anyone associated with Estrada in any policy-making positions.
Posted on Jul 17, 2002, 12:20 PM from IP address 67.224.9.74
Tito could be on the brink of a breakaway from Lakas, so Ople's stance could be a 'me too' signal to seduce him. In fact I wouldn't mind at all if more nationalists emerge from the woodworks of politics, the country needs a facelift in this category.
Napanice
Posted on Jul 17, 2002, 12:28 PM from IP address 216.175.126.31
What good does it do Ople or the opposition? The opposition does not lack for presidential materials. I think that Guingona is still under the illusion that he could take away the Lakas nomination from Gloria with his so-called "support" within the party.
I agree that we need more Filipino-first thinking leaders--but the kind who would go back to the basics of strengthening the foundations of our country with an eye at being able to "bargain from a position of strength" someday; not just those who would mouth nationalistic sounding lines that simply invite being stomped upon before we are ready.
Posted on Jul 17, 2002, 1:05 PM from IP address 67.224.28.177
Looking at the last election, the contentious results that affected the opposition occured in the south and therefore someone with the clout in Angara's group will add more strength to their campaign. It's purely for political reasons that I mentioned about recruiting Tito. In as far as the nationalistic issue, the lack of a strong, organized group suggests an insignifant influence, the major philosophies can be ironed out once members with similar interests are gathered.
Napanice
Posted on Jul 17, 2002, 1:52 PM from IP address 216.175.126.31
I personally agree with this decision that reverses what was done by Marcos. There are many good mayors and many municipalities with good policemen. It allows the national government to "Manage by exception," meaning, focus whatever necessary resources on bad municipalities and their police department. Care should be taken however to make sure that all policemen and would-be policemen are given national standardized training.
The move eliminates the power of the generals in the National Police less temptation to play national politics just like what happened to EDSA II. This should also sit well with the municipal mayors all across the country.
Now for the hard part: Try getting the generals to cooperate. I wish Gloria luck on this one. It's one step in the right direction.
Posted on Jul 17, 2002, 9:32 AM from IP address 67.224.9.219
By having a central headquarters which is responsible for the NBI, Intelligence, Special Forces, and other nationwide activity, those resenting generals may be persuaded to better serve their country by concentrating on major law enforcement agendas such as smuggling, drugs, terrorism, and corruption. In those areas, there will be a joint operation with the local police who are only informed of their particular area.
Just like our laws, the intent to do good is there but as always corruption creates a different animal altogether. And it is for this same reason that the idea of decentralizing is better, though less efficient and more subject to the private army conversion by the local politicians.
Napanice
Posted on Jul 17, 2002, 11:47 AM from IP address 216.175.126.31
It's really hard to believe that the words of an American diplomat means more to the Filipinos than their own kind. Maybe it's the slur and slang that gets the attention, or is it the old colonial mentality that gets the ball rolling?
So like the molesting church, the Supreme Court has been quietly doing its job of weeding out the hoodlums in robes among their ranks. While both institutions deal with the law, God's and man's, it is also uncanny that the way these priests and judges take care of their own. Nary do we see any motion to file charges against molesting priests or corrupt judges. The latest news states that offending justices have either been dismissed, suspended, or fined.
So who says no one is above the law?
Napanice
Posted on Jul 16, 2002, 10:29 PM from IP address 216.175.126.31
A major political storm is brewing in the Lakas front, and unless party leaders get their act together, it could break up into two factions or more even before the run-up to the 2004 presidential election.
This surfaced over the weekend after a ranking Lakas lawmaker from Luzon disclosed plans by a group of congressmen and senators sympathetic to Vice President Teofisto Guingona Jr. to "declare independence" from President Arroyo, and take an oppositionist stance in both the House and the Senate.
It virtually confirmed a prediction made Friday night by Sen. Edgardo Angara before the Editors-Reporters Forum of the Philippine Press Council that the Guingona affair may trigger the formation of a "third force" that would field its own bets in 2004 or "unite with the opposition."
Angara added he was not discounting the possibility that a third force may also emerge in the Senate, resulting from the protracted 12-12 impasse in the 24-member chamber. "There will be a major movement in the next few months," he said but declined to elaborate.
The House source, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Today that party men identified with Guingona, who sits as Lakas president, have closed ranks in preparation for what he predicted as a "major upheaval" brewing within the party in the aftermath of Guingona's resignation as secretary of foreign affairs.
He said the controversy over Guingona's resignation is but one of several reasons that triggered the emerging consensus within the group to "secede from President Arroyo and form a progressive, independent bloc within the party."
"There are serious grumblings over the manner with which President Arroyo is running the party and stepping on some people's toes. Unless the party leaders get their act together and heal the wounds, Lakas is headed for a split," said the lawmaker, who sits as member of a constitutional office.
He said the group, which counts 10 to 15 congressmen and several Lakas senators, will not resign from Lakas, but will take an independent stance from that of the Arroyo administration.
"We cannot go on like this; it seems that the democratic space within the party is waning. If you don't toe the President's line, you're out. That is not the principle that Lakas stands for," the source said.
Guingona "resigned" from the department because of serious differences with Arroyo over policy. He had objected to the conduct of joint military exercises with the United States in Mindanao.
He said there had been prior "trigger mechanisms" besides the unceremonious removal of Guingona from the foreign affairs department.
One of them, he said, is the President's failure to respond to persistent requests from Lakas members, particularly congressmen, for additional funds for projects in their districts as well as the expeditious release of those that have already been committed by the Palace.
"It seems that the President, who is our party chairman, doesn't care about the members. In several instances, there were representations made by the congressmen for assistance in the release of funds or the allotment of additional funding, but the President doesn't seem to care. Palagi na lang umuuwi 'yung mga congressmen na luhaan," the source said.
He said the presidential election in 2004 is another concern of the group in planning to break away from Arroyo.
The source said that many of his colleagues are not convinced that Arroyo would still make a strong presidential candidate in 2004 because of her sagging public approval rating.
He said that Guingona, with his nationalist stand on issues, makes for a strong contender for the presidency in 2004.
He predicted that once Guingona makes a categorical statement that he is a presidential candidate in 2004, many Lakas old-timers would gravitate toward him, leaving Arroyo to contend with her old Kabalikat ng Mamamayang Pilipino, or KAMPI.
But Guingona cannot have the best of both political worlds, said opposition Sen. Teresa Oreta, who said the estranged Malacañang ally should quit Lakas and ditch the ruling coalition first if he were serious in his plan to take on a new role of fiscalizer of the Arroyo administration following his resignation from the DFA.
Moreover, Oreta said, Guingona's decision to assume the dissonant roles of a government fiscalizer and political partner would only confirm earlier reports of an impending meltdown in the Lakas-led ruling coalition ostensibly arising from the alleged breakup of Lakas into factions either supportive of or dissatisfied with Arroyo.
Posted on Jul 14, 2002, 7:28 PM from IP address 216.175.126.31
The second paragraph is ominous, it says a group of congressmen and senators sympathetic to Guingona plan to "declare independence" from President Arroyo, and take an oppositionist stance in both the House and the Senate.
July 15 and 22 are slowly unfolding to be days of reckoning for Gloria and her civil society.
Napanice
Posted on Jul 14, 2002, 7:35 PM from IP address 216.175.126.31
With Gloria facing so many fronts, there is very little left in time or energy to focus on solutions to national problems. She is adding to her problems because of personality quirks; reactive instead of pro-active; capricious and lacks the deliberative qualities of a good leader. She makes too many off-the-cuff pronouncements, one can easily conclude that there is a disconnection between her mouth and brain; lacks a cohesive strategy to solve real problems. Her arrogance might just be overcompensation for her personal and political insecurities. Her feelings of inadequacy is reflected by the caliber of people she has surrounded herself with. Obviously, if she is that insecure, she will never hire anyone she perceives to be better than her. Thus, her administration will never achieve the synergism necessary to set the proper course for the country.
Too bad. She has wasted so much time.
Posted on Jul 15, 2002, 9:32 PM from IP address 67.224.9.111
You said it well enough, our iron lady is really a soft jelly clad in the armor of her civil society. Without a mandate, how can she follow the path of true leadership? I had the impression that she was starting on the right foot with her inaugural speech and her initial attempts to count on her supporters for advice. Something went wrong along the way and I suspect it's the pressure applied by the Ramos faction, her plans were shelved in favor of political debts. Surely, she must have sensed the need keep the military under control while supressing the pro-Erap loyalist protests. In my view, she's extremely frustrated by the resulting division in the country after EDSA2 despite her efforts to unite.
There's a positive side to Guingona's separation, it may inspire Gloria's presidential ego to prove her worth during the rest of her term. But she must realize the need to run a tight political system in order to do whatever good she can for the country. We shall see if she can address the real issues and have the resolve to act regardless of the consequences.
With her ebbing approval rating, she must do something drastic or else she will be known only as a part-time president of the Philippines.
Napanice
Posted on Jul 15, 2002, 11:29 PM from IP address 216.175.126.31
Indeed! Gloria needs to do something drastic, but does she have the will?
by Feling (no login)
or the vision to set a course? And having set one, will she have the stamina to stay the course? I have some real reservations. Right now, she has less to fear from the opposition who are anxious to demonstrate their responsibility, than from her friends. As the cliche goes, "with friends like them (civil society, akbayan, copa, etc, etc,) who needs enemies?" Or the Spanish, "mas vale estar solo que mal acompanado."
The irony is, she's been sleeping with the enemy and just didn't realize it.
None of her so-called allies have proposed anything constructive to move the country forward. And they have been the first ones to sabotage her agenda; nitpicking it to death.
She should come up with a concrete, realistic, do-able plan for the people and explain it to them directly. She should not rely on the metroManila media to disiminate information because the media has been corrupted too. If she's sincere, the people will hear her. The EDSA II groups certainly are not THE People. They are just noisy, and they have mastered the art of propaganda, but like the wizard of Oz, they have simply succeeded in creating an illusion; projecting an image that is bigger and more powerful than they really are. She absolutely won't be able to move forward unless she recognizes this.
Frankly, I have some real doubts about her abilities. The sign I am looking for is her willingness to work with all segments of society, including the opposition in an independent Senate. Unless she can do that, it will be a vicious cycle; an unending jockeying for power.
Posted on Jul 16, 2002, 12:34 AM from IP address 67.219.22.22
She's worse than the other leaders in her back and forth stance on major issues, indicating her lack of first hand information which leads to decisions that backfire in her face. Her travels all over the country is simply meant for image building, the price is time wasted for better things to do. It seems she's too scared to stay in Manila for a long time, maybe the stress is starting to give her ulcers.
Napanice
Posted on Jul 16, 2002, 10:17 AM from IP address 216.175.126.31
The ability to pick and choose political appointees is vital to the performance of the president although in Gloria's case her criteria falls far below the standards of merit and performance. Obviously it's not the appointees problem but the person appointing him.
Napanice
Posted on Jul 1, 2002, 7:37 AM from IP address 216.175.126.197
Do you think these FIFA guys only favor the Europeans? Or, perhaps the tactics of Argentina haven't changed since their last championship and that was decades ago.
I'll bet on Brazil this time, no, I don't bet with money, I just enjoy that my cast will win.
Who's your favorite? Beckham, I think, ha! ha! ha!
My son likes Beckham, too. The thing is, Europeans seem to have bone injuries most of the time. I think it is the lack of sunshine that weakens the bones.
But, boy, look at the Argentinians, they are big and bony. Perhaps it is because of the carne norte they eat.
Asian teams should try this diet sometimes.
Posted on Jun 14, 2002, 5:25 AM from IP address 203.151.8.41
It is final: a global sea change in the end times.
by Lemuel G. Abarte (no login)
Whether this is due to global warming from greenhouse gases, or something else, scientists are agreed that global temperature is rising. This trend is responsible for the melting of the polar caps. Antartica's ice shelves are melting into the sea. The question is, will we see the break-up of the ice continent, with massive ice shelves sliding to the bottom of the adjoining oceans, resulting in untold massive destruction worldwide?
Intermittent landslides under the geologic formation of Hawaii can send massive tsunamis, or tidal waves, to such countries like Chile and Peru, thousands of kilometers away.
Listen to the prophecy of Christ:
"And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the asteroids, and upon the earth international angst because of the unpredictability of the roaring of the sea, and the rolling, roaring, tossing of the waves."
One can simply imagine crossing the Cape of Good Hope at the tip of South Africa on a storm. As it were, the waves come in all directions, and boy, they roll, they toss, and they roar. As one master mariner had said, "We simply look at each other quietly, without a word, since we are helpless to navigate any other course in such a storm, relying on the power of the engine and the propeller and the course we set prior to the event". Imagine that when one encounters a mild storm while crossing the Mindoro corridor towards Batangas and into the mouth of Manila Bay. A slight rain under a cloud can upset even the biggest ships rolling back and forth by 20-30 degrees while yonder the sea is motionless and the sun shines on the water.
There is more to the words of Christ: the nations will be in distress of mind, the German angst, and more of it due to isolation and siege when maritime passages are blocked, and the world economy totters for undelivered goods.
No, globalisation is not a pipe dream, and we live in the end times. One simply has to look at the mountain covered with clouds, before going to the gully of a river. One has to listen for the sound of distant "rolling of the drums" due to the wave of water coming down from the mountains.
Christians should rather be concerned that our days are short, and there is a reward for "looking for that blessed hope, the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ." Whatever asset or cash, you will live it behind.
Posted on Jun 23, 2002, 3:58 AM from IP address 203.147.0.42
in the window of time, man does not even know the entire history of the earth to determine the true weather pattern in control as based on planetary movements, solar and lunar influences, and activity under the earth's crust. Although man is a contributing factor with his greehouse gases, the annual recurrence of wildfires, typhoons, tornadoes, earthquakes, volcanic eruption, etc. has a much greater influence in this global warming scare.
Maybe we should ask Jesus first what the real truth is?
Napanice
Posted on Jun 23, 2002, 6:56 AM from IP address 216.175.122.102
It is already known for many decades to scientists about the ozone layer thinning and widening over the Antarctic Ocean! We cannot escape the greenhouse effect due to factory emissions throughout the whole world unless we also put a stop to producing goods needed badly in this so-called progressing world! (I do not understand why we call it progress when in fact, we are killing this planet!) Many lakes and rivers in Europe and even in North America are already dead due to acid rain caused by these emissions!
Ang guess who did not sign in the recent Environmental summit in Japan about clean air policies? The USA!
Many coastal areas in the Philippines will soon disappear due to the melting of ice in the Antarctic and Arctic regions where a mere 5 feet increase of sea level will inundate areas mentioned above!
It is a scary thing to think about. But to the filipino politicians, matters such as this do not merit concern. They have MORE IMPORTANT things in their minds - how to win, stay and make money in politics!
Posted on Jun 24, 2002, 12:17 AM from IP address 216.126.104.252
There were events that took place in the past that has already fulfilled the biblical prophesies and foremost among them was the formation of the state of Israel.
Lately, however, we have seen the rise of secularism, the rise of the supernaturals, the advent of new econmics due to globalization and the unification of Europe which basically is the revival of the old Roman Empire. The fall of communism opens more prophesies to be fulfilled and the rise of anti-Semitism bears watching. Many events will still come that will pave the way for a charismatic leader and eventual "fearful master." This may not happen in our life time, I would guess, for no one knows - when. As God has said, He will come a like a thief in the night.
Posted on Jun 24, 2002, 11:00 AM from IP address 192.245.204.154
"Senate President Blas Ople yesterday denounced as “an act of swindling and grand larceny of the grossest magnitude” the IPP contracts allowing firms to collect fees for power allegedly generated by them but was never used by consumers.
It was the second day in a row that Ople took a potshot at Ramos whom the opposition senator has hinted as being the brains behind the so-called civil society group Council on Philippine Affairs, or Copa."
Guingona will be the VP until 2004 and now that he's declared himself as a fiscalizer, he could just be the next crusader that the people will expect to join the fray on the IPP investigation. His current invitation to sleep with the COPA people however could present some complication if Ramos is indeed a major stockholder in this organization. So aside from weaking the Lakas party by his breakup with Gloria, he could also become a factor that could cause a division among the COPA members. Be interesting to see how it will turn out during the rally and what Tito will say in terms of his position as an oppositionist.
Napanice
Posted on Jul 13, 2002, 1:03 PM from IP address 216.175.122.213
It's going to be a political bloodletting (figuratively, that is)
by Feling (no login)
it's going to be messy as when a pack of wolves tear into each other. Ramos can't be feeling good with the SC declaring his PEA-Amari deals null and void with no chance in hell to revive it. Now that Ople has taken the cudgels against the IPP deals, we should see a real free-for-all dogfight.
Posted on Jul 13, 2002, 5:28 PM from IP address 67.224.28.179
See how these moral leaders arrogantly declare there's no better option than Gloria at the moment? The more these people talk the more it puts the Philippines in the period called the Dark Ages!
Napanice
Posted on Jul 14, 2002, 10:10 AM from IP address 216.175.126.31
in his statement that the opposition will not join in the call for Gloria to resign, saying that he doesn't want to see any more weakening of the Constitution. I totally agree with him. She should just finish her term and have the country decide on her fate in the 2004 elections. The country should no longer allow a small noisy group of elitists to arrogate unto themselves the right of all the people to decide who their leader will be.
But Gloria should focus on the job of the presidency and stop the politicking. She should, as Angara said, leave the Senate alone. There are enough members in the upper house who can put the country's welfare and go along with administration plans that are good for the country. A good leader should realize that the only way to have a good government is when you can inspire individual citizens to do their part for the good of the country. No one person can do it alone. The country is not lacking in talented and well-meaning citizens. What is lacking is a government that is inclusive and can rise above petty politics. The trouble is, Gloria is having difficulty convincing the country of her sincerity in tackling the tasks of governing. It's not as if the problems of the country are a secret.
This "not sleeping with the enemy" stance of the so-called civil society should be labelled for what it is: at the very least it is stupid, if not downright crazy concept inconsistent with democracy. No Filipino should be branded as an enemy except those who want to topple society.
Posted on Jul 13, 2002, 9:21 AM from IP address 67.219.22.162
because it is at the root of all the country's problems: lack of revenue, cost overruns, etc. If I were her, and I'm really serious about it, I would send Mike Arroyo on an extended goodwill tour all over the world wherever there is a Filipino community to listen to the overseas Filipinos. That should take him out of the domestic scene for a while since her husband has figured in so many anomalies. I would create a task force of squeaky clean, (meaning not tainted by corruption) to lead investigations of corruption with the view of really throwing the book at the guilty ones (accelerated due process)
Posted on Jul 13, 2002, 10:30 AM from IP address 67.224.9.51
The people are still waiting for the big catch of corrupt people since the Marcos days, it seems not one of them have seen a single day in court. With Gloria coddling Ramos, people will perceive her as hypocritical in her stance against corruption. Sure, there are some attempt to get rid of police officials but unless we see positive results, these are mostly political gimmicks to gain lost confidence.
Napanice
Posted on Jul 13, 2002, 12:35 PM from IP address 216.175.122.213
Yes, maybe the opposition can set the trend towards issue-oriented discussions between the people and potential candidates for the upcoming election, this evaluation of the past year's performance of the current administration is certainly welcome to present the proper choices before the voters when the time comes.
As we can see now, Gloria's powergrab scheme entails a serious handicap and that is the political debts that she had to pay to her supporters. In essence though she may have visions of working for the people the political ramifications of her ascendancy took priority over her goals. She was essentially a captive leader, a puppet to be exact.
Angara's pre-SONA speech is meant to set the stage for Gloria, she is fully aware of her past mistakes and Edgardo is merely pointing out the consequences which politically puts him in a position to address the performance of the past administration as compared to hers. Although this may enlighten some, most of the civil society will deny that their chosen leader could be an inferior horse. Objectivity is far from the normal diet of our influential countrymen.
But there is more to be said because the nation's security is also at stake with the resurgence of crime and other unlawful activities. I would like to hear from the other opposition leaders about their thoughts with regards to the current situation in the military and police organizations and how Gloria should be addressing these issues in her upcoming speech.
Napanice
Posted on Jul 13, 2002, 12:29 PM from IP address 216.175.122.213
With Ramos behind the latest breakup of GMA and COPA, the party has now declared the emerging struggle of at least three candidates - Gloria, Guingona and De Venecia. Rumors has it that FVR is blaming her for the IPP exposure and so the plot to dislodge her from contention is at work. If Guingona gets going with support from Gloria's newly found enemies he could pose a serious threat to De Venecia who is just as eager to be nominated. Ramos has already said that he will support the strongest, even if it means dropping Gloria altogether.
Is it any wonder that the Termite Queeen is setting her sights at the opposition for political support?
Napanice
Posted on Jul 12, 2002, 9:06 AM from IP address 216.175.122.213
The people can now see how ungrateful their president is, she has no loyalty even to her own supporters. She is a mean termite queen that wants to crush her own kind.
Napanice
Posted on Jul 10, 2002, 1:37 PM from IP address 216.175.122.213
as they say: takes one to know one. But seriously now, for the sake of the country, I'd like to think that she is finally seeing the light. From the beginning it has been noted, that the EDSA II crowd was an amalgamation of several groups, each with their own agenda. It was really a temporary alliance to position themselves for membership in the inner sanctum of the incoming administration. Those who lost out are now ready to tear the others apart. Maybe it is Gloria who is going to jump over to the opposition after all.
Posted on Jul 10, 2002, 5:44 PM from IP address 67.224.9.210
...at hinintay na lang niyang matapos ang term ni Estrada, mas may matatanggap pa siyang respeto siguro sa mga mahihirap na Pilipino pero ano ang ginawa niya, siya'y tumalikod sa kanyang simumpaang pagka-bise presidente at nakipagsabuwatan sa mga termites ng lipunan di sana'y hindi niya naranasan ang mabato ng kamatis at bagoong.
Kahit ano pang "image" na gagawin niya sa kanyang sarili, may "tatak" na siya na hindi makakalimutan ng mga mamamayan.
Sabi nga ni Angara, she doesn't know how to govern. She better resign.........
Posted on Jul 10, 2002, 7:41 PM from IP address 172.195.58.25
Is she the Ina ng Bayan, or Mother of the Termites?
by Napanice (no login)
Maybe she's trying to distance herself from the civil society because she knows their votes are not enough to get her elected in 2004. This is just a political ploy so the people will feel sympathy for her, that she is really a nice person despite her mean disposition. But her actions that demeaned Guingona, and now the COPA chairman really proves she's a Queen.
Napanice
Posted on Jul 10, 2002, 10:11 PM from IP address 216.175.122.213
Under Estrada, Gloria was like a foreign organism, incubating and waiting for the time to hatch. We know from the beginning how the church and Ramos despised him and his victorious ascendancy to the presidency. With the VP coming from the opposition, she was the virus that invaded the Estrada govt. and with a well planned coup with the diverse groups you mentioned. Even a lowly termite holds some kind of allegiance with the queen, whereas she was never grateful for being appointed into his cabinet.
The PCA and COPA groups were probably either marginalized by both the AFP and PNP after they received the lion's share of all the rewards handed down after EDSA 2; there were grumbles of militarizing the cabinet and coddling the corrupt police. Or, they really wanted to see Gloria effect some positive changes in govt and now they realize how traditional of a politican she really is.
Napanice
Posted on Jul 10, 2002, 10:05 PM from IP address 216.175.122.213
Tuloy, binagyo sila, Nagalit si Gloria ano.. hayan lumalabas ng Basura at Baho niya.. Mismo sa sarili niyang Bayan, HAHAHAHAHAHA..
tamang tama kayo ni tabaco.. bagay kayong dalawa.. Pareho kayong pangit.. sobrang Pangit..
KAYO ang MAGNANAKAW>>>
Posted on Jul 11, 2002, 12:14 AM from IP address 12.80.68.17
You've been gone for a long time, must be either busy or having too much fun. What we're seeing in our govt. is total senility, the leaders have forgotten that they are the representatives elected to serve and provide the solutions to the country's problems.
Napanice
Posted on Jul 12, 2002, 8:58 AM from IP address 216.175.122.213
So who's talking about the country's welfare, unity, and the spirit of democracy? Another demonstration is planned at the EDSA shrine in order to set the stage for a possible confrontation of factions for and against their own Termite Queen. This would be a good time to further weaken Gloria's unstable govt. by an outright support of Tiofisto Guingona who incidentally is being welcomed as a guset speaker at the upcoming rally scheduled for Monday.
If I were Gloria, I'd summon the heavens for another typhoon on the very same day.
Napanice
Posted on Jul 11, 2002, 9:49 AM from IP address 216.175.122.213
Sabi nila utang law natin sa insik,
kabuhayan, negosyo, hopya at pangsit,
sabi ko naman, wakanga sino ikaw pilit,
paniwala ito, ano akala wala isip?
Punta insik dito wala sila dala,
Negosyo nila bote, galapa,
Ginawa pa kabit mga pilipina,
Pero yaman sila kuha asawa Tsina.
Insik mayayaman ngayon, akala mo milaglo,
Ululin ninyo mga wala ulo,
Paano yayaman tinda lang sigalilyo...
Kung hindi siya gamit utak negosyo.
Malami buwis di bayad bayad yan..
Blu sil sigalet, Virginia impolted lang..
Sa Diktadul, sila sayaw sayaw an,
Tayo negosyo, utang sa kabang bayan.
Pati bigas natin, kain pilipino,
kuha nila control para dikta plesyo,
tapos tayo impolt taksan taksan libo libo,
tatago hanggang mabulok para wala kain pilipino?
Pelo gawa naman nila yan di lang Pinas..
Kahit saan mapunta, tulong tulong angkas..
kaya lang sa bayan, kulapsiyon, malakas...
Lalo sila tibay.. piyesta, paskong madalas.
Kung tayo pinoy di natin pababayaan..
Na tayo ay mulat sa katotohanan..
Disin sana ay sinibak na ang mga politician,
nagpapagamit sa mga dayuhan, hindi insik lamang..
sabi nga ni Pelo... nyik nyik
Sabi ni Stanley Ho... hohoho
Posted on Mar 4, 2000, 6:11 PM from IP address 152.163.207.49
Will your making fun of them make you feel better?
Or you are just plain envious because these people are fairly better than you are? What a childish notion. Go ahead make a fool of yourself. Do you feel gratified now? Miss Cool, you sound this time like Mr. Cool. See, what I mean?
Posted on Mar 4, 2000, 9:26 PM from IP address 12.73.107.194
I am not making fun... I am stating facts... I would not even ask you to stop critizing me. That is how an uninfomred individual does... to attack the writer and not the issue. If you think what I wrote is far from truth, then go ahead, disprove.
Who is racist anyway? Who does not tolerate interracial marriages ? Not the Filipinos I presumed.
And why will I be envious of them ? Do you know me personally ? Do you know my status.
Instead of attacking the posters in this message board, contribute your own. I do not see any sensible posting of yours or you are using another name... I don't read ????? If you read Sutherland's article, you know that my poem is directed to him...
Satisfied...
Posted on Mar 4, 2000, 9:46 PM from IP address 205.188.193.158
that a Chinese-Filipino doctor with a muslim name,
Sinarimbo, that is, is a brain surgeon living somewhere in Oregon. I gathered, too, that this guy is handsome; has a chinese complexion with arabic features - the Chinese-Filipinos ALWAYS marry beautiful women! Take my case.
Maybe, you should seek him out and have your brain scanned and see whats wrong with your mentality! Honest, there is something wrong with you!
Posted on Mar 7, 2000, 12:27 PM from IP address 199.211.91.31
Making fun is fun though it may not be funny
But making fund is better cause you make a lotta money.
We Chinese do not mind if people laugh at our accents,
Because while we mispronounce, we make billions of cents.
So why should I bother and worry
If people laugh and be merry
Whenever I say "beli" instead of "very,"
If I am able to provide for my "famiry."
So, Mustafa, suck your thumb and be quiet
When you go shopping at the Mall,
Cause I'm counting my money to buy it,
Ang buy it, and buy it, buy it all.
Posted on Mar 5, 2000, 11:18 AM from IP address 205.188.200.28
Salamat saiyong pagigising aking kababayan,
Nguni't ako ay gising pati katotohanan,
Baka ikaw ang tulog o nagmamaangmangan,
Gumising ka rin saiyong pagkakahimlay.
Ako ay miss po at hindi lalaki,
Mayroon din po akong bait sa sarili,
Tagalog kailanman di ko ipagbibili,
Istilo sa pagsulat, bakit nanggalaiti?
Ikaw dapat mag-aral ng Tagalog,
Gamit ng salita, muntik na akong mahulog,
Chinese ay di namumutawi sainyong abang irog,
Marahi salita namutaw sa bibig na maalindog.
Ang bayan din ay di minimithi,
Baka kalayaan o kasaganaang ari,
Bakit ang tula ko ang iyong inuuri,
Masakit ba sa mata dahil tama sa budhi ?
Posted on Mar 5, 2000, 3:14 AM from IP address 205.188.200.29
Civil Society Mimics Gloria's mistakes on appointments.
by Napa Nice (no login)
Their opposition to Ople and the Puno brothers has been characterized as 'sleeping with the enemy'. It seems these half-wit mob are trying to present themselves as the moral majority that will dictate what measure of quality is needed by the latest move by Gloria to fill in the upcoming DFA vacancy.
If this is reflective of the primitive mentality of those who can influence top level decisions in the govt., the country is really in deep trouble. Instead of presenting an example of how people who can work for the country's interest, the power mongers have thrown all the logical means to qualify a prospective appointee and have resorted to politics and the usual character assasination and demolition job tactics.
No wonder the word 'hopeless' is becoming more true each day.
Napanice
Posted on Jul 9, 2002, 11:22 AM from IP address 216.175.122.213
These same elements are now calling for Gloria's resignation!
by Feling (no login)
If there is any lingering doubt about these people's stupidity, it should be totally dispelled by their actions. On top of not having any sense of shame for what they perpetrated at EDSA II, they still same to claim that what they did then (depriving voters of the right to choose their leaders) is right and they are at it again. Are they that dense to realize that it did not do the country any good (as what we see now) to set aside the rule of law and have a very small minority of self-appointed elites decide the course of Philippine government? Nobody can wave a wand and make all the country's problems disappear.
Unless of course, they want to have the whole country believe that democracy can't work in the Philippines and so the only alternative is communism? Is this why they have actively engaged in sabotaging any government, turning our system of democracy into demo-crazy? Perhaps we have indeed become demonstration-crazy.
The wonder of it is why these types are even legitimized by giving them that much press coverage. Unless of course, they have also successfully infiltrated the media.
Whether or not we like it, Gloria is now the designated president and should be encouraged to do the right thing. It is legitimate to criticize her actions/decisions/policies because we all have a right to be concerned, nay, an obligation, to see to a better Philippines. But we need a system that is stable, consistent, and designed to accomodate the contributions of every citizen. And all citizens under the system should have equal rights, not just a few persons who abuse their power and the people's trust.
Posted on Jul 9, 2002, 2:28 PM from IP address 67.219.24.52
try to maintain their credibility in the eyes of the people by being the first in the line to criticize after realizing their mistake. The first objective, that of deposing Estrada was met, and since the replacement is not performing either why not show their impartiality by raising their voices once more? And who can fault them for just being fair, the damage was done mostly on the underprivileged in the first place.
These hopelessness and lack of faith in the democratic process are simply ways to gauge if the masses can be subjugated even more, it's the next best thing to communism without drawing the ire of the free world. Luckily there are a few people up there who can see through the fog of political agendas to gradually reduce the people's rights.
Napanice
Posted on Jul 9, 2002, 11:36 PM from IP address 216.175.122.213
This big fish, who keeps skirting the criminal allegations of plunder, has once more proven his loyalty to his masters. It's obvious, being the legal counsel to Ramos during the IPP contract days, that he is protecting not the interest of the consumers but of the people who have benefitted handsomely from the onerous contracts that are ripping the people off today. His latest demand, that Napocor shut down its power plants and allow the IPPs to continue operation is really nothing but a show of allegiance to those that he has served so well in the past.
Lucky for him there's only a few voters who can make the decision to dump him in the next election. That's all the more reason that the media and other concerned parties expose this opportunistic hoodlum for the real worm that he is. The country deserves a far better son that this lawmaker who uses his intelligence to the detriment of his own people.
Napanice
Posted on Jul 9, 2002, 11:50 AM from IP address 216.175.122.213
Pay as you go is the way to go, I've tried it before. It's just like a regular phone card except you connect to an isp provider. Price is reasonable too.
Napanice
Posted on Jul 7, 2002, 4:45 PM from IP address 216.175.122.213
The internet access card is just like a phone card, it has a phone number of the isp provider and you scratch off a hidden password on the card to log in. So you connect your computer to them via modem and once you're in you establish your account, create your mailbox, and get familiar with utilities such as usage information and buying additional connect hours.
An ISP called I-Snap provides 56k speeds, you might want to contact them. Their website is at:
https://www.i-snapinternet.com/why.cfm
Napanice
Posted on Jul 8, 2002, 5:21 PM from IP address 216.175.122.213
Reviewing PPA contracts is a step in the right direction.
by Feling (no login)
If the contracts are defective, then the govt. should take advantage of the fact and rescind them outright. Those that can be renegotiated should be. This would be a significant enough step to eliminate the burden on the consumers.
This is definitely a step in the right direction. I just hope that Ramos is smart enough to realize to realize that unless the burden on the people is lightened, his head would defnitely be on the block. So he really should keep quiet and give Gloria a chance to do something.
Posted on Jul 4, 2002, 8:29 PM from IP address 67.219.22.73
With 29 out of 35 contracts in question, Ramos cannot help but get involved in the investigation since he was granted the emergency power to commit to these contracts. Of course there will be the usual attempt by the civil society to protect one of their own.
This problem has been lingering for such a long time that it makes me wonder how many people in Ramos time is really involved. Someone knew what was coming but decided to shut up.
Bottom line, if this will expose corruption and benefit the public as a whole then so be it.
Napanice
Posted on Jul 4, 2002, 9:35 PM from IP address 216.175.122.213
For one thing, why a one-price policy? There are 40 contracts and the case should be examined for possible collusion or price-fixing. This is contrary to the spirit of liberalization, not even banks have uniform and agreed rates.
Furthermore, this is contrary to the spirit of competition, we definitely liberalized to get the advantage of the system, not to come up with a sword of Damocles over our heads.
And why 40? Why not 3, 4, 5, 6, or 10? Why were we so in a hurry to sign anything?
A simple marginal analysis is all that is necessary, since any power plant can be built in less than a year, should there be a power gap.
Are people in a hurry to get their money back? In that case, we do not see a need that these kind of investors should stay in the Philippines. We have good investors intent for a long haul.
I don't see why the Ramos administration point the finger to the Estrada administration. Hindi naman kasalanan ni Estrada na bumagsak ang ekonomiya, ano?
Perhaps the current administration should take responsiblity to wipe the mess, and improve things. They just cannot do a "tagilid" to pass the buck to solve the problem.
As I insisted, this problem is a mega-problem for the Filipino people. We should vote for the next President who can solve this problem NOW!
Enrile should be congratulated and encouraged for all his efforts.
Posted on Jul 7, 2002, 8:46 PM from IP address 203.147.49.249
Gloria should consider it a blessing in disguise that she does not have any Charisma
by Feling (no login)
by her own admission. This time, she could stop trying to be a Nora Aunor or some other celebrity. After all, who can be bigger a celebrity than being president of the country?
She should unfurl the sails of good governance and set a true course instead of acting like a bangkang papel tossed about by the winds of evil society and all those backseat drivers. She's the only one who's going to be held responsible for how the country performs. Her judgment day is coming in 2004. Now that everybody says "clean up the comelec" candidates can only count on votes that were really cast for them. JoeCon will not be able to monkey around with his Namfrel and his computers pre-programmed to select the winners.
There are so many things she could do to leave a positive mark on her country's history. I wonder why she doesn't just get to it. Her politicking ways is no different than that provervil fool worrying about how to cross a bridge when it's nowhere in sight and so many obstacles make reaching the bridge a reall if-fy kind of thing.
Posted on Jul 5, 2002, 4:57 PM from IP address 67.219.22.110
Population of 80 million! 40% in the poverty level
by Feling (no login)
Imagine if even 5million get desperate enough to march to Malacanang-without guns or intent to be violent--just standing around doing nothing, preferably around the evil society base in Makati--5 million people walking, standing, sitting in the sidewalks!
Posted on Jul 5, 2002, 5:00 PM from IP address 67.219.22.110
There were plenty of cheers when she was sworn in.
by Napanice (no login)
If we go back to that day, we can certainly admit that there was no shortage of wealthy, influential, and educated supporters. Something went wrong along the way and I wouldn't put the blame on anyone but Gloria herself.
Will she listen to the voice of wisdom and change her ways? Only she can answer that.
Napanice
Posted on Jul 5, 2002, 8:19 PM from IP address 216.175.122.213
Her intense ambition to get reelected demands that she changes
by Feling (no login)
and she probably will because she knows he has to. However, she may still prove to be a fool that lapses into her natural self.
I just had a conversation with a dear friend of mine in the Philippines. She confesses to not reading the newspapers anymore because she's tired of reading about the daily Gloria boo-boos. "Admit it" I said to her, "You don't want to read about her latest gaffe because you are really saying to yourself, 'What is this I participated in?" She was after all, quite active with the EDSA II staging. Of courses I also said for full measure: "Everybody involved in EDSA II has to bear some responsibility for the mess the country is in now . . . and you do deserve her as president . . . warts and all." She reluctantly agreed.
Posted on Jul 5, 2002, 11:10 PM from IP address 67.224.9.184
but the rest of the voters who did not get a chance to choose, they were stripped of their constitutional rights. And as a result, the whole country is dragged into this quagmire of incompetence and nonstop politicking.
And we thought the learned ones back home would make a difference, what a sad mistake when they swallowed Gloria whole; lock, stock, and barrel. The usual justification was her performance in the last election and I must admit that even I gave her the benefit of beating Estrada if she was running against him.
Some Filipinos believe democracy does not work in RP and maybe it's true to an extent. I wonder if the reasons are very clear though, I think a lot of people still don't understand the meaning of the word.
Napanice
Posted on Jul 6, 2002, 6:15 AM from IP address 216.175.122.213
Written Testimony before the
House of Representatives VA Subcommittee on Health
June 13, 2002 Washington DC
Mr. Chairman and Members of the Committee:
My name is Lou Diamond Phillips, an American
citizen of Filipino descent. I am proud to say
that I come from a family on both sides who have
performed military duty in the service of this
country. I have five Filipino uncles who have
proudly served in the U.S. Navy; two of whom went
on to become staff members of the White House
under President Nixon.
Both my father and stepfather were also sailors in
the Navy; my stepfather, George Phillips, having served two
tours of duty in Vietnam. My father was so proud
of his military affiliation that he named me after
a war hero of the Second World War, Gunnery
Sergeant Lew Diamond, a Marine legend in the
Pacific Theatre.
I stood proudly beside my mother, Lucita, as her
witness when she took her oath of citizenship to
become an American. Like many immigrants who
choose to become citizens of this country, my
mother and the remainder of her Filipino family
have become proud and contributing members of the
American society, eagerly embracing the
opportunities that this great country has provided
their families. They have watched their children,
first generation Americans, as they became
doctors, lawyers and teachers.
I, myself, realize that my career in
the film industry would probably
not have been possible anywhere else in the world
and, for that, I am eternally grateful. I truly
believe in America as a shining light, as the
symbol in the world for democracy and freedom. It
is for these reasons, and many more, that, today,
I consider it not only my privilege but my duty to
speak for the 'Filipino Veterans of World War II.
As many of you know, President Franklin Roosevelt
drafted the Commonwealth Army Soldiers of the
Philippines who were United States Nationals into
American Military Service on July 26, 1941. Many
of these soldiers were still teenagers. Yet, they
bravely answered the call to battle, fighting side
by side with their American allies. Farm boys from
different parts of the world became fast friends
and comrades; brothers in arms. Many thousands
paid the ultimate price.
For those Filipino soldiers who survived the horrific
battles and the ghastly conditions of the infamous
prisoner of war camps, the promise was made by the
American government that they would be considered
United States Veterans with "active service" by the
Veterans Administration and, therefore, be
entitled to all of the benefits that that
designation entailed.
However, a scant five years later, after victory
in the Pacific was assured, these guarantees were
rescinded by the U.S. government on February 18,
1946, when it enacted the "Rescission Act" (public
law 79-301 now U.S. code sec. 101, title 38).
Effectively, this action seemed to deny the
involvement of the Filipino soldiers in the war
effort and, certainly, was a poor repayment for
the loyalty shown by the Filipino people.
In fact, many war historians and American Veterans
of the Pacific Theatre have noted that, if not for the
contributions of the Commonwealth Army Soldiers,
the Filipino guerillas and the scouts and even the
Filipino citizens who served as spies and couriers
for U.S. Intelligence, the tide of the war, which
at the time of conscription was in a desperate
state, may not have turned toward an American
victory. The brave contributions of the men and
women of the Philippines cannot be quantified and
certainly should not be diminished.
In the sixty years since official U.S. recognition
of the Filipino Veterans was withdrawn, a few
positive steps have been made in reparation. In
1990, 26,000 Filipino Veterans were naturalized as
U.S. citizens under the 1990 Immigration and
Naturalization Act because of their U.S. military
service. Additionally, under public law, PL-106-419,
they may be buried in VA National Cemeteries as U.S.
Veterans. However, while they live, they are denied
eligibility to be patients in the VA Hospitals.
Many of these men are well into their eighties and beyond.
They are now certainly in need of the kind of medical attention
that the VA benefits would provide. But, perhaps,
even more importantly, they desire as their last
wish the recognition that they so richly deserve
for the sacrifices that they made in the fight for
freedom and democracy.
I know a little something about the Filipino
culture. We are a proud people. It is my
observation that many Filipinos would rather have
the respect of their families and their
communities than have material gain. Since 1990,
an estimated 12,000 Filipino Veterans have died
waiting for recognition for the single greatest
achievement of their lives.
We are now losing these brave men, once young and
passionate fighters, now infirmed and without a strong
voice of their own, at the alarming rate of up to five
men a day. Time continues to run out for the ones
who remain, and a posthumous award in the form of
a military burial can only be considered the next
best thing.
Let us celebrate these men while they still live.
It is important to note that U.S. recognition of
these veterans would not just be a token gesture.
There are presently an estimated 13,849 Filipino
Veterans who reside in the United States and
another 46,050 who live in the Philippines. That
is nearly 60,000 families that will be impacted by
your decision. Nearly 60,000 men whose wives and
children and grandchildren will know, without
qualification, that their husbands and fathers
were heroes.
Additionally, and certainly not unimportantly,
with the passage of these bills before you, these
men and women in the twilight of their lives will
become eligible to receive Veteran's benefits from
the U.S. Department of Veteran's Affairs. Benefits
such as VA Health Care at VA hospitals, out
patient clinics and nursing homes in the U.S.,
including a clinic in Manila and a monthly
permanent disability pension if they are poor and
disabled.
I hasten to remind you that these
benefits are not new prizes to be awarded, but
guarantees that need to be re-instated after our
government promised and then rescinded this status
after services had been rendered in good faith.
Today, we can right a wrong and pay respect where
it is long overdue. Please join your colleagues in
the speedy passage of these bills; S. 1042 was
introduced by Sen. Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii) a WWll
veteran and co-sponsored by nine Senators: Akaka
(D-Hawaii), Allen (R-Virginia), Boxer
(D-California), Feinstein (D-California), Clinton
(D-New York), Sarbanes (D-Maryland), Miller
(D-Georgia), Durbin (D-Illinois) and Murray
(D-Washington). H.R. 491 was introduced by Rep.
Benjamin Gilman (R-NY), another WWll Veteran, and
Rep. Bob Filner (D-California) and has 49
co-sponsors in the House. H.R. 4904 was introduced
by Rep. Bob Filner and co-sponsored by Moran
(R-Kansas), Evans (D-Illinois), Gilman (R-New
York), Scott (D-Virginia), Cunningham
(R-California), Pelosi (D-California), Rohrabacher
(R-California), Mink (D-Hawaii),
Millender-McDonald (D-California), Lofgren
(D-California), and Underwood (D-Guam).
In closing, I am reminded of the words of General
Douglas McArthur when he said to the Filipino
people and to his American troops hopelessly
entrenched in the islands, "I shall return." It is
my belief that he didn't mean that he would return
empty-handed.
It is my hope that he intended to return the loyalty,
commitment and respect shown to him and to America
by the Filipino people. We have before us an opportunity
to uphold the wordof America and continue to be a shining
light of democracy and fairness.
Mr. Chairman and Members
of the Committee, as a concerned American citizen,
as a son of our military system, and as a person
of Filipino descent, I humbly thank you for your
diligence and wisdom in this matter.
Thank you so much for your time and consideration.
--------------- End -------------------
Scanned OCR document distributed by
the American Coalition for Filipino Veterans, Inc.
--------------------------------------
Photo caption:
Filipino American actor Lou Diamond Phillips appeals
for "speedy passage" of Filipino veterans bills in the US
House Veterans Affairs Health Subcommittee hearing
on June 13, 2002 in Washington DC.Columbia Sony Tristar
film company vice-president Fritz Friedman (R) listens
before testifying in support of Filner-Moran bill, HR 4904.
Posted on Jul 5, 2002, 10:27 PM from IP address 12.80.67.100
Why just act after Guingona leaves, the next person could be just as bad or even worse since her selection method leaves much to be desire. Better to take over the cabinet herself to ensure all opposition to her foreign policies are eliminated. She has to correct herself this time, it has been the root of inefficiency in her govt.
Napanice
Posted on Jul 3, 2002, 10:28 AM from IP address 216.175.126.197
Perhaps we are the Lilliputians Jonathan Swift wrote about
by Feling (no login)
in Gulliver's Travels, particularly the way public officials are chosen. Gloria could have come straight from central casting to play the role of president. She certainly has all the right physical attributes down to her pomposity and arrogance.
Posted on Jul 3, 2002, 4:48 PM from IP address 67.219.78.234
For Gloria, the title would be "Gullible's Travails"
by Napanice (no login)
She herself admitted to making numerous political mistakes since she started. Although a lot of her supporters wanted to help her out, she instead listened to the wrong people and started paying off political debts left and right.
Obviously she thinks her brain is disproportionately bigger than her body would allow but she totally forgot about her inexperience.
Napanice
Posted on Jul 3, 2002, 9:54 PM from IP address 216.175.122.213
17 months in office without any fresh ideas for the country's economy
by Feling (no login)
can only lead one to think that her PhD in economics is strictly theoretical. Obviously, she is not able to translate her learning (if at all) to the acctual Philippine model. She says she made political policy errors only--not economic. Golly gee! Didn't anyone tell her that there is always an economic ripple from her political decisions?
I am reminded of that old Persian proverb:
"he who knows that he knows not is a child: teach him
he who knows that he knows is wise, follow him
he who knows not that he knows not is a fool, shun him.
Posted on Jul 4, 2002, 1:11 AM from IP address 67.219.26.3
It doesn't take a PhD in Economics to figure out that the Philippines
by Feling (no login)
has to incredase its revenue. The country is heavily indebted and the debt servicing alone already takes up a big chunk of the GNP. This can be accomplished in many number of ways: (1) more efficient tax collection (eliminate corruption) (2) raise the taxes on top of more efficient and less corrupt system of collections. (3) expand the economy so that employment will be increased and therefore more potential taxpayers. More investments are needed. But foreign investors are being kept away because of govt. bureaucracy, lawlessness (i.e. kidnapping, corrupt govt. officials.)
If Gloria could just keep playing politics and concentrate on the country's business, she could be urging the legislature to approve the dual citizenship measure and perhaps a new group of "foreign investors" could be developed that will not be as skittish as the real foreigners. As I have pointed out in past postings on dual citizenship, Ex-pats could greatly contribute to the development of a real middle class since their investments are more likely to be in the area of family owned businesses. However, any investor, foreign or ex-pat will be impacted by corruption and bureaucratic red tape if this issue is not addressed earnestly.
For someone supposedly smart, and so intent on getting elected, I wonder why she hasn't figured out that the way to increase her chances of being elected is to do a good job. It's really quite stupid.
Posted on Jul 4, 2002, 1:27 AM from IP address 67.219.22.219
to win an election as proven by both Dagdag Bawas and by doing a power grab. But you're right about the damage being inflicted by her clumsiness in politics. I notice however that she's smart enough to recover, first by addressing the jueteng problem and now the examination of IPP contracts for possible renegotiation and charges of illegality. If she can show tangible results, it could boost her approval ratings back into the running.
Napanice
Posted on Jul 4, 2002, 2:12 PM from IP address 216.175.122.213
Politics aside, any president who can push the positive changes needed to turn the sad state of the country around would be most welcome. What frustrates the people is the fact that no matter who runs the show they get the same lousy results. Let's hope for the best.
Napanice
Posted on Jul 4, 2002, 4:29 PM from IP address 216.175.122.213
FOR ONCE, MRS. PRESIDENT, PLEASE HAVE AN INAUGURATION SPEECH.
by Lemuel G. Abarte (no login)
OR, WILL IT REMAIN FOREVER,
"I SHALL CRUSH YOU?"
Perhaps being strong-willed is one of the better traits of the presidency, but, my goodness, we seem to be too political, at times with our peers and our makers, but totally wanting in subordinate governance.
AS I SAID, WE NEED NEW ELECTIONS, BECAUSE THE VICE PRESIDENCY IS AN ELECTED POSITION, NOT A MATTER OF APPOINTMENT BY THE ELECTED PRESIDENT, IF YOU ARE, OR SHOULD I SAY, WERE?
AND WE HAVE THE GUTS TO KICK HIM FROM THE DFA, BUT NEVERTHELESS, IT IS A TOTAL EQUIVALENT TO KICKING HIM OUT AS VICE PRESIDENT, BECAUSE OF POLICY DIFFERENCES, OR BECAUSE HE IS ONLY A POLITICAL APPOINTEE?
STOP THIS APPOINTEE GOVERMENT, THEY ARE ALL APPOINTED ANYWAY, AND WITHOUT ELECTORAL SUPPORT.
Posted on Jul 4, 2002, 1:53 AM from IP address 203.107.130.10
But like her predecessors, she got caught in the web of politics because of her unpopularity and lack of charisma which her handlers dealt clumsily leading to even lower approval ratings.
She should start listening to the more competent advisers.
Napanice
Posted on Jul 4, 2002, 4:33 PM from IP address 216.175.122.213
Gloria should implement Command Responsibility on IPP Contracts.
by Napanice (no login)
Militant lawmakers and opposition senators are now demanding a full court press on the IPP investigation, asking Gloria's govt to void flawed contracts and sue the officials involved. We saw how she directed Napolcom to clean up the indolent heads of the PNP and she cited the concept of command responsibility as determining factor in establishing culpability and criminal guilt.
So now we have the officials in the Ramos administrations on the hook for the onerous contracts signed under the emergency power granted by congress in order to resolve the problem. The govt has all the records and documents that will pin down those who made the wrong decisions despite advice, and with intent committed the public into agreements that we now see has put them in a very disadvantageous position.
Gloria, by her own words, sound determined to resolve the high rates of utilities and that's fine. But her methods are not what should normally be the most logical course of action. From day one she has gone into the same route of politicking to influence the power providers and even the oil companies into holding back their charges to the public. This is but a temporary bandage that masks the deep wound that is now hurting the people and granted that it will provide the relief for the time being, the real issue of the long term effects of the IPP contracts must be addressed without due haste.
What we can expect in the coming days may not be so encouraging because of the way the Ramos boys who were kicked out of the PNP is being handled. Sparing incompetent officials of the embarrassment is not an acceptable excuse for not charging them with criminal neglect. Sadly, this same pattern is emerging with Gloria's obvious coddling of her supporters who signed those IPP contracts. This is the worst way to show the people that she's trying to rid the govt of corruption because they can see behind her promises and smiles.
Amazingly this petite president stood for justice, moral values, and good governance at one time. If she really wants to lead by example, as stated in her inauguration address, then it's high time that she demonstrates the true meaning of command responsibility by going after those responsible for the people's misery.
Napanice
Posted on Jul 5, 2002, 9:46 AM from IP address 216.175.122.213
The first is relief for the consumers which can be accomplished with the rescission/renegotiation, etc., of the contracts. The other is determining who is responsible and then determining the proper punishment opr penalty.
If I were in her place, I would proceed post-haste with the first element. The second element should be viewed in terms of its impact on the forward motion of the country--economy, law and order, health, education, etc. In the last four years, what we have seen is the semi-paralysis that have set in due to the endless investigations.
I would first of all, accept the de-facto reorganization of the Senate, expressing confidence that responsible leaders would want to do what is good for the country. I would consult with both houses of Congress to pass a bill that establishes an amnesty program for all govt employees, past and present. Everyone in government who thinks they have something to hide, or that they don't want investigated should resign. The amnesty should extend to Joseph Estrada and those accused with him. It is a way of establishing a cut-off period so that she can concentrate on wrong-doers during her watch with the promise of prosecuting anyone to the full extent of the law.
Posted on Jul 5, 2002, 11:01 AM from IP address 67.224.11.35
The govt is locked in because of the existing contracts, it is logical for Gloria to use political persuasion to get some results but that will entail pulling some strings which could be pulled back later. The best approach is to support the citizen's movement in their class action lawsuit headed by Enrile which seeks to declare the PPA illegal and unconstitutional. I don't really trust Gloria's politics, it's ill-advised most of the time.
Once the signature campaign is completed, mass rallies all over the country should be the next move in order to elevate this matter to the SC asap. Davide and company must be pressured by the howling mob, deja vu, to rule in favor of the govt. Their final ruling will then set the precedent for the prosecution of the culprits while contracts are also being re-written.
Wait until Osmena gets going as soon as Congress returns in session, he's the govt side of the investigation while Enrile is his private counterpart.
Napanice
Posted on Jul 5, 2002, 11:31 AM from IP address 216.175.122.213
Sabi nito 80M na ang mga Pinoy at 32M sa atin ay mahirap pa sa daga.
E kung magbayad kaya ng PhP1000 sa lahat ng kalalakihang magpa-VASECTOMY, makatutulong kaya ito sa paglaban sa population explosion? Ang ibig kong sabihin, libre na ang operation tapos babayaran ka pa ng PhP1000.
Ba't vasectomy lang ang may bayad? Kasi sa palagay ko mas makatutulong kung lalaki ang magpa-opera para wala na silang mabuntis na gerpren, kabit, GRO o waswit. Samantalang mas magastos ang tubal ligation dahil mas mahirap na operasyon ito at saka karamihan naman sa ating mga kakabaihan ay 'di palikera.
--
Just JT
Posted on Jul 4, 2002, 9:42 PM from IP address 203.41.151.9
His past experience is the best reason for being the most qualified, there's no doubt that he was an architect in the deployment of ofws abroad so he has mastered the art of selling our skills. And being connected with these people, he can also be the major player that can start the absentee voting infrastructure rolling towards implementation before 2004.
Now, his job is to implement Gloria's foreign policies and if she had learned her lessons well Mr. Ople will given a thorough interview to ensure his full cooperation. And at the same time, she should also be diplomatic enough to deal with Ople's conditions in as far as the fate of the opposition majority in the Senate is concerned.
Napanice
Posted on Jul 4, 2002, 4:42 PM from IP address 216.175.122.213
New Philippine Export Product - "DEAD ON ARRIVAL".
by Napanice (no login)
They are being sent overseas via Philippine Airlines, cargo service. Apparently, there is a good market for Filipino cadavers to be used by medical schools and other scientific institutions abroad.
In other words, dead Pinoys are being exported, earning dollars to boost the reserves of Bangko Sentral so that Paeng Buenaventura can defend the peso’s value. It should bother the collective conscience of this Christian country that the sad truth is, some of our countrymen who are dying of hunger are more valuable as dead bodies for export.
Extracted from PHNO News Headline, 01 July 2002
Posted on Jul 1, 2002, 9:02 AM from IP address 216.175.126.197
This, by far, is the most sickening thing I have read about RP so far
by Feling (no login)
and if these leaders have any conscience at atll, they would focus on creating opportunities for millions of Filipinos to give them some hope for the present and future.
This is too much.
Posted on Jul 1, 2002, 9:06 AM from IP address 67.219.26.170
Another probe, another investigation amounting to nothing.
by Napanice (no login)
Whatever happened to the hostage fiasco, the grieving family has been waiting for the so-called investigation of the crazed goon squad who killed that boy? Basically if the media does not cover it, it's almost a dead issue just like the death of the Abu hostages.
And it will go on as long as there's money to be made, morality will not be a consideration at this point unless of course the matters becomes a politicial issue.
Napanice
Posted on Jul 1, 2002, 12:07 PM from IP address 216.175.126.197
With the current trend in global warming, this product should be a hit, we can add optional items like audio and video entertainment while the subject is relaxing.
The thing can be made of metal and plastic and powered by built-in solar panels, it can be made to float just in case there's flooding.
Napanice
Posted on Jul 2, 2002, 8:03 AM from IP address 216.175.126.197
I feel sad that you would even ask such a question.
by Feling (no login)
That is my response to a question that really doesn't deserve an answer from me. If you don't know the answer to your own question, then I'm doubly saddened.
Posted on Jul 2, 2002, 11:50 AM from IP address 67.219.66.67
Sabi ng pamahalaan ng Oz na makapipinsala sa paligiran ang pesteng nanalaytay sa bungangkahoy na aangkatin mula sa Inang Bayan. E kung ganoon ang paniwala nila, E DI HUWAG MO. Marami namang ibang bansang tatanggap ng bungangkahoy natin tulad ng Amerika.
Kung nais nilang boycott-in ang mga bakang PATABAIN na inaangkat naman sa Oz, e di SIGE. Sino ba ang mawawalan sa pagboycott ng produkto? Kung sabagay, ba't ba tayo mapilit kumain ng karne ng baka samantalang mas malusog ang ISDA atbp pagkaing tubong dagat?
--
Just JT
Posted on Jul 3, 2002, 6:30 AM from IP address 203.41.151.9
They're forcing the Filipinos to import their meat but they are boycotting Filipino products that are being accepted by other countries. That has always been a problem with Australia when it comes to doing business with thirld world countries.
Napanice
Posted on Jul 3, 2002, 9:55 AM from IP address 216.175.126.197
Pero di na bali, puwede namang ibenta ang saging sa ibang bansa.
Huwag ang Pilipino magalit dahil pagbinato ka ng baka, batuhin mo ng saging.
Aba, mas mabuti kung ganon. Mahal yata ang baka.
Pero para makita naman ng Australia na mabuting tao tayo, huwag na lang tayong umimik.
We will sell our produce in a way what we think is best, to the best that we will promote stringent measures that they will be acceptable in the world market. Surely, the world are our customers, and some may not accept.
That is always the case in business.
I think we should eat our own bananas, since in the long run agricultural productivity is in the offing, due to global warming.
Better still, let them come here and bring out the bananas, "as is". No more processing for us, processes only add to our prices.
But before they take them out, ask them to return all the pests. We need those to increase the yield of our bananas.
Posted on Jul 4, 2002, 1:35 AM from IP address 203.107.130.10
The Makati businessmen don't think so, they applauded her when she admitted to her political mistakes. These business people will cheer for anything that their benefactor tells them, after all she's their biggest customer and therefore she's always right.
What a way to do damage control, now she can boast to the people that she's still half-full!
Napanice
Posted on Jul 3, 2002, 10:24 AM from IP address 216.175.126.197
Tax lang ang VAT at wala ng iba. Sino ang talbog diyan? Ang Pilipino na mangangangalakal at ang kabuuang kalakalan ng Pilipinas.
Alin, ang imported? Naku, hindi mo matatalo ang imported. Paano nagkaganon? Aba e, simple lang. Ang downstream process na ginagawa ang isang produkto ay intra o inter-company affilited transaction kaya hindi pinapatatungan ng VAT. Ika nga, ni-rerelocate lang.
E tayo sa Pinas, ano? Bawat input sa proceso ay pinapatatungan ng VAT, kaya mahal ang produktong Pilipino.
Tama si Tan, ang ating kaya lang ay puro RAW at walang VALUE ADDED kaso lang ang ating gobyerno ay kulang sa analytical common sense. O kung sundalo nga naman, kaninong kapakanan ang sisusunod?
Ang titiba sa VAT ay imported goods, hindi local goods.
Kaya kagaguhan ang nasa gobyerno. Kung kukuha ng boto, sa tao, kung kukuha ng pera, sa dayuhan.
KAYA MABUTI PA BAGUHIN NA NATIN ANG ATING AWITING PAMBANSA NG GANITO:
"...ANG MAMATAY IDUL-ONG SA GUWAM."
Posted on Jul 1, 2002, 12:58 AM from IP address 203.147.0.42
Bureau of Customs short by P90B in tax collection.
by Napanice (no login)
If the govt would only focus its attention on the massive corruption at the BIR and Customs and fire all the people who cannot produce results like what heppened to the PNP, this added burden called VAT will eventually go away.
Napanice
Posted on Jul 1, 2002, 7:40 AM from IP address 216.175.126.197
I'm really not. In fact, I am pleased to note that he is getting a dose of his own medicine so soon. Serves him right. He is in no position to invoke Due Process since he is one of those who conveniently ignored it during the impeachment process.
The same goes for those PNP top officers, if they really do get canned.
Posted on Jun 30, 2002, 11:19 PM from IP address 67.219.22.81
although in Guingona's case it should go something like: "those who stab others in the back, get's stabbed in the back themselves." The same goes for Gloria (PPA as in Presidente Pandak Arroyo) any time soon.
Posted on Jun 30, 2002, 11:23 PM from IP address 67.219.22.81
If there's anything good that could come out of this, it's the fact that the Lakas party will be decimated by the separation of two top members and should Tito really go for the presidential nomination, it will definitely weaken their chances unless they reconcile at the last minute and form a single ticket.
So this could be a strategic move by Guingona to secure the VP slot or better. He's just waiting for the genuine offer to be made and then he will even kneel and kiss Gloria's hand.
Napanice
Posted on Jul 1, 2002, 7:33 AM from IP address 216.175.126.197
The target was like a big fly on his nose and yet this corrupt official has conveniently bypassed Singson's country where self-confessed jueteng lords are known far and wide. Obviously Lina is too far linked with Chavit who in turn is being coddled by the politicians in Malacanang to stir the jueteng status quo in Ilocos.
The admission by Chief Lomibao is like an accusing finger pointing at Lina for doing a half-baked job of relieving just a few incompetent officials while leaving the protected big sharks alone.
Napanice
----------------
PNP exec: Ilocos jueteng country
By Mel Cabigting
Monday, 07 01, 2002
A top police official has admitted that jueteng persists in his region but, apparently making light of it, described the operations of the illegal numbers game there “off and on guerrilla-type.”
The admission was made yesterday by Chief Supt. Arturo Lomibao, director of the Ilocos regional police office, amid a jueteng controversy rocking the Philippine National Police (PNP) leadership.
Lomibao also apparently tried to lessen the impact of his declaration by claiming that even Archbishop Oscar Cruz is satisfied with the anti-gambling campaign in the region.
In the region’s Ilocos Sur province formerly sat Luis “Chavit” Singson as governor, during which time he also accused the now jailed President Joseph Estrada of receiving millions of pesos in jueteng payola.
Singson himself is a self-confessed jueteng lord.
It has been noted that the Ilocos region has apparently been spared in the recent relieving by Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jose Lina Jr. of seven high-profile PNP officials for their alleged failure to curb jueteng and other forms of illegal gambling in their areas of jurisdiction.
Posted on Jul 1, 2002, 7:27 AM from IP address 216.175.126.197
If Gloria's Senators cannot serve the public, get the hell out of the way!
by Napanice (no login)
The bunch of sore losers headed by Franklin Drilon are trying their best to impart their indolent habits to the opposition senators who want to continue on serving the country by conducting the committee hearings despite the announced adjournment by the Senate President. And what's wrong with that, since they are now the minority the administration senators are free to engage in their annual pilgrimage to the US and other affluent countries while their counterparts continue to toil away at their offices.
Obviously Her Majesty's lackeys are reluctant to press for the resolution of immediate problems at hand, which is very much understandable considering that their past trend has always been focused on demolition jobs and nonstop politicking.
Too bad, now that the opposition wants to show some performance they feel left out all of a sudden. The people are not blind to see who is really burning the midnight oil just to get things going.
Napanice
Posted on Jun 30, 2002, 9:33 PM from IP address 216.175.126.197
This is really a shining example of Gloria's corrupt govt. appointees, losing the trust of friendly govt. agencies will only hurt the effort to prosecute the real money launderers when the time comes.
The US officials made a mistake by trusting these gooks who will stop at nothing to implicate a political enemy and they will use whatever means available to successfully complete their demolition job.
I just Gloria gets the message that the image presented by her own grunts is hurting the country. It's time for that coconut shell at the NBI to take a hike.
Napanice
Posted on Jun 30, 2002, 8:30 AM from IP address 216.175.126.197
after all, it was the DOJ who authorized release of the tape. Of course the Inquirer reprised their misleading report on the Lacson $200,000 account which has long been closed. They were careful though to say, the Lacsons "WERE maintaining". For those who can parse, they realize that it is in past perfect tense.
Posted on Jun 30, 2002, 8:08 PM from IP address 67.219.24.142
These people have one common boss, of course they also have their individual grudges to reckon with. So now they call the Treasury Dept. to repeat what the FBI had told them, a distinct case of nonstop parroting just to raise the suspicion in order to keep up the pressure.
Amazingly, no one bothers to nail these inquisitors to the cross when they are wasting govt. money and time. Just another indication of impotent political and judicial systems in place.
Napanice
Posted on Jun 30, 2002, 8:41 PM from IP address 216.175.126.197
Gloria dares Guingona to resign as Vice-President too.
by Napanice (no login)
It could just be a trick since the yelping is coming from Afable, Gloria could easily deny that she said it. Maybe another letter of acceptance is what this chihuahua spokesman should be waving just to see how Tito will react. You never know, with the rift between the two leaders reaching the point of no return he just might take up the offer.
And then we'll now for sure if Gloria's future will be in the path of victory or total ruin.
Napanice
Posted on Jun 30, 2002, 2:26 PM from IP address 216.175.126.197
Guingona says he will stay, Afable says he's not resigning, Berroya says no due process, and Alvarez says no to Guingona's takeover at DENR.
With all these bloodsucking dependents seeking redress and face-saving compromises from her Majesty, Malacanang is now one of the busiest offices in the country. But production wise, the output is closer to a gassy effluent than a more solid economic recovery program.
Napanice
Posted on Jun 28, 2002, 6:20 PM from IP address 216.175.126.197
This dog Guingona decided to bite back: He's running for President in '04!
by Feling (no login)
If the newspaper reports are true. The adm. should have left this sleeping dog alone. You know what they say about dogs--they've got fleas and the fleabites itch a lot.
On the other hand, this latest booboo has managed to clear the Abu Sabaya speculations off the front pages. I think this administration is getting very adept at creating headlines-for-distraction.
Posted on Jun 29, 2002, 9:28 AM from IP address 67.224.9.28
After Gloria said "Case Closed!", the dog barked "Not Yet, I'M QUITTING!"
by Napanice (no login)
I just love to see the DFA post declined by Ople and grabbed by one of the Seven Dwarfs, say Berroya? If Gloria really wanted a yes man for the job, nothing comes to this flea-infested dog.
Napanice
Posted on Jun 29, 2002, 5:08 PM from IP address 216.175.126.197
Ramos decries sacking of PNP brass for "lack of due process" WHAT A LAUGH AND A HALF!
by Feling (no login)
Where was his belief in Due Process when he lead the ouster of Estrada? Not to mention plotting which falls under sedition, rebellion--total disregard for the constitution.
This proves that the only quality one needs to succeed in Philippine politics today is HYPOCRISY!
Posted on Jun 28, 2002, 4:25 PM from IP address 67.224.28.146
Will the puppet bite the hands that fed her? Let's watch what Cinderella will do to the Seven Dwarfs first then we shall decide if Ramos is just using his old Back Scratcher to prop up his protege's dying image.
Napanice
Posted on Jun 28, 2002, 6:04 PM from IP address 216.175.126.197
It is uncontestable, the Supreme Court has demonstrated that evidence gathered from news articles, documents showing intent, and windows of the minds are admissible beyond any shadow of doubt in concluding that a person has abandoned his official post. In this particular case, the news headline, the document from Malacanang, and the testimony of Mr. Afable all contributed, contructively, to the fact that the DFA Secretary has resigned.
So why is Guingona insisting that he did not resign?
Napanice
Posted on Jun 28, 2002, 8:41 AM from IP address 216.175.126.197
In fact, GMA has offered the DFA post to Senator Ople.
by Napanice (no login)
His testimony will even add to the strength of the other evidence supporting Guingona's resignation and his eventual appointment as Adviser on Foreign Affairs.
Napanice
Posted on Jun 28, 2002, 8:50 AM from IP address 216.175.126.197
Maging leccion sana ito sa lahat na daanin natin sa legal ang pag-iibang bansa. Dahil sa kadayaan ng maraming TNT, napeperwisyo ang lahat dahil sa paghihigpit ng Embahada ng bansang patutunguan.
--
Just JT
Posted on Jun 25, 2002, 9:45 PM from IP address 203.41.151.9
If these people are willing to risk breaking the law just to leave the Philippines, it must really true what the news says about the hopeless condition back home.
Napanice
Posted on Jun 25, 2002, 9:50 PM from IP address 216.175.122.102
May mga mahihirap na hindi nagiging magnanakaw. Kaya hindi dahilan na kaya ka nagnakaw ay dahil ika'y mahirap.
Ganoon din ang pagiging TNT. Hindi dahilan na dahil hirap ka sa buhay sa 'Pinas ay dadayain mo ang pagpunta mo sa ibang bansa. Lahat ng suliranin ay may legal na lunas.
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Just JT
Posted on Jun 25, 2002, 9:58 PM from IP address 203.41.151.9
We're talking about the lawbreakers who were deported.
by Napanice (no login)
Forget about the law abiding citizens, they will not get deported because they follow the rules. What we're talking about here are those who were desperate enough to break the law and there's only one good reason for doing that, to leave the Philippines!
Napanice
Posted on Jun 25, 2002, 10:10 PM from IP address 216.175.122.102
Kung ang mga lumalabag sa batas ang aalis sa Inang Bayan, MAS MAKABUBUTI iyon dahil mababawasan ang mga mandurugas sa atin. Sana mapadpad sila sa mga lugar tulad ng Saudi Arabia para kapag lumabag sila sa batas, PUGOT ULO kaagad.
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Just JT
Posted on Jun 25, 2002, 10:20 PM from IP address 203.41.151.9
Ang madalas na dahilan kung ba't bumabalik ang iba sa Inang Bayan ay dala ng homesickness. Iyong iba nais bumalik sa Pinas para magretire dahil mas mura ang kabuhayan doon.
Anuman ang mangyari, hindi naman mauubos ang tao sa Pinas. 80 million at parami nang parami. Maski kalahatin ang lumayas ay marami pa rin.
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Just JT
Posted on Jun 26, 2002, 8:27 PM from IP address 203.41.151.9
Only those with retirement income will return and they are mostly old folks in their 60s. The people leaving are the young ones who want to immigrate, the overseas workers who must return to their jobs, and those balikbayan who are on vacation. The net effect is more are leaving than returning.
So the obvious solution is to make more babies to keep the population high so they remain satisfied. If the Philippines can double its population in 5 years, the whole country will be happy because there will be more people who cannot leave because of poverty.
Napanice
Posted on Jun 26, 2002, 9:22 PM from IP address 216.175.122.102
Bakit 25 million lang? Kasi noong 25 million lang ang tao sa atin (mga late 1950's ito), maunlad tayo, Ngayong 80 million tayo, naghihirap tayo.
Kaya dapat mga 35 million ang aalis para maging 25 million na lang ang matira. Tapos dapat magkaroon ng zero population growth policy ang pamahalaan para hindi na madagdagan ang katauhan.
Anong say mo?
--
Just JT
Posted on Jun 26, 2002, 10:21 PM from IP address 203.41.151.9
If 35 million rich Filipinos left 25 million poor Filipinos behind, you'll wind up with a poor country. Is that what you want?
How will you ensure there is zero population growth when the church is pro life? If you stop couples from making babies, the priest may decide to do it themselves.
Napanice
Posted on Jun 26, 2002, 10:56 PM from IP address 216.175.122.209
Bakit hindi 'ka mo? Kasi maginhawa na ang buhay nila. Sila ang kumikita sa ekonomiya ng bansa. At saka kung nais umalis ng mayaman aba'y matagal na. Kung sabagay, kung ika'y mayaman, maaari kang mamili kung saan mo nais manirahan. Ang mga mayayaman ay labas-pasok sa bansa.
Ang malamang na aalis ay iyong mga mahihirap at tagilid ang hanapbuhay. Dahil hindi nila maabot ang ninanais nilang kabuhayan sa Inang Bayan.
Ang tanong: saan punta ang 35 million na Pinoy para maging 25 million na lang?
Tungkol naman sa pro-life ng Simbahan, hindi naman nila pinagbabawal ang abstinence, e. Wika nga, abstinence is 100% effective for birth control.
Anong say mo?
--
Just JT
Posted on Jun 26, 2002, 11:24 PM from IP address 203.41.151.9
No country will be crazy enough to accept 35 million poor, but they will be happy to welcome 35 million rich investors into their country. That's why your idea will not work.
And since the poor will have to stay at home, they will multiply like rabbits. Isn't that what's happening now?
Napanice
Posted on Jun 26, 2002, 11:31 PM from IP address 216.175.121.8
Iyon ang kakailanganin ng ibang bansa. Skilled sila pero wala silang mahanap na trabaho sa atin. Sa ibang lugar sila kakailanganin.
Dapat ang education system natin ay gumawa ng survey. Dapat may quota lang ang mga degrees. Ang mga mas in demand na skill ang mas marami dapat enrollees. Ang mga low demand na skill ay dapat mas kaunti. Para nang sa ganoon, kapag natapos ang pag-aaral mas may pag-asang makahanap ng trabaho. At hindi nagiging diploma mill ang ating mga paaralan.
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Just JT
Posted on Jun 26, 2002, 11:36 PM from IP address 203.41.151.9
Bihi-bihira ang migrant na walang skill, Don Nap, lalo na sa panahon ngayon. Maselan na rin ang ibang bansa sa pagtanggap ng mga migrant. Ayaw nilang lilipat lang ang unemployment mula sa pinanggalingan noong tao patungo sa kanila.
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Just JT
Posted on Jun 26, 2002, 11:43 PM from IP address 203.41.151.9
Ano ang magagawa natin sa mga tinaguriang POOREST OF THE POOR? Kung ako ang tatanungin mo ang sagot ko'y: WALA.
Hindi natin lubos na matutulungan ang mga pinakapulubi sa lahat. Wala silang makain, wala silang pinag-aralan, wala silang sapat na talino at wala rin silang skills na mapapakinabangan. Masyado silang marami at walang pera ang pamahalaan para palamunin silang lahat. Umasa na lang tayo sa pagsuporta sa mga charitable institutions tulad ng Caritas na tulungan ang mga poorest of the poor na iyan.
Subali't ang mga middle o working class ay maaari nating matulungan. Bigyan ng education, bigyan ng trabaho, atbp. Nama'y lumago ang ating middle class upang umunlad ang ating Inang Bayan. Nawa'y huwag nang madagdagan ang mga poorest of the poor na iyan.
Sa sagot kong ito, hindi ako mananalo sa anumang election. Pero eto ang katotohanan. Sinumang politiko ang magsasabing may lunas siya sa mga POOREST OF THE POOR ay sinungaling o nananaginip.
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Just JT
Posted on Jun 27, 2002, 12:04 AM from IP address 203.41.151.9
Walang maitutulong sa mga poorest of the poor kung walang welfare safety net. Ang pagkakaiba lang ng mayaman at mahirap na bansa ay ang mga mahihirap sa mayamang bansa ay nakatatanggap ng DOLE o WELFARE sa pamahalaan. Nguni't sa dami ng mahihirap sa Inang Bayan, imposibleng magkaroon ng DOLE o WELFARE na ito.
Matutulungan lang natin ang mga nais matutong mangisda. Hindi sapat ang isda para ipamigay lamang.
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Just JT
Posted on Jun 27, 2002, 7:09 PM from IP address 203.41.151.9
Ibig sabihin niyan, out of the millions that went to America (Pinoys in this context), it is a very small percentage.
At saka, hindi naman outright na terrorists ang mga iyan. "Looks" ang pinag-uusapan.
Ang solusyon, mag-ahit Rubie, ahit pogi. O di kaya, magpunta sa immigration at humingi ng pahintulot na magpahaba ng bigote. "Change of looks" amendment sa immigration record.
Kung ang basi ng pagpapauwi ay dahil lang naman na TNT, e, legal ang apgpapa-uwi. Hindi pa rin prejudicial sa mga Pinoy.
Dahil kung ang kaso ay terrrorist dahil sa pagmumukha, dapat isampa ang kaso sa korte, e matagal iyan. Ang madalinang solusyon, deportation lang dahil sa paglabag ng batas - o dahil overstay.
Wala ng iba.
JT, over-extended ang galit mo. O, huwag kang magalit sa sinasabi ko, Pinoy rin ang mga iyan.
At baka hindi mo alam, marami rin silang tinutulungang mga kababayab natin. Sigurado iyan.
Kaya pagbigyan mo na, at ating bigyan ng encouragement na bumalik sa Amerika.
Hindi naman sila sasanib sa Abu, 'di ba? Aba e, mahal ang Rayban.
Posted on Jun 26, 2002, 9:58 PM from IP address 202.183.152.87
Kaya ako galit na galit sa kanila dahil silang mga MANDARAYA sa VISA ang dahilan kung ba't ang hirap kumuha ng visitor's visa ng Pinoy patungong ibang bansa. Sinisira nila ang pangalan nating mga Pinoy.
Alam kong mahirap ang buhay sa Pinas at marami ang nais mangibang-bayan. Oks lang iyan. Ang sinasabi ko lang: daanin natin sa LEGAL para 'di napapahamak ang mga matitino sa atin na dumadaan sa LEGAL na pamamaraan.
Anong say mo?
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Just JT
Posted on Jun 26, 2002, 10:27 PM from IP address 203.41.151.9
It is impossible to predict who the next illegal immigrants will be with the current system because they can leave the country and enter the US then later on the INS discover their illegal status.
That's because the RP govt is done doing its job of checking all the documents of every person with immigrant or tourist visa which most of the time are fake. So make sure you point the finger at the root cause of the problem. I'm sure you know why we have the Immigration, Police, NBI, Courts, and Jail.
Napanice
Posted on Jun 26, 2002, 11:08 PM from IP address 216.175.121.8
Hindi naman iyong pamahalaan ang gumawa ng mga huwad na pasaporte't visa. Aba, ang mga mandurugas na mamamayan ang gumagawa noon.
Alam mo, Don Nap, kung LAHAT NG TAO'Y TULISAN, walang magagawa ang pamahalaan dahil 'di sila lahat magkakasya sa bilangguan.
Ang pagbabago'y dapat magsimula sa mamamayan:
- matutong humalal ng karapat-dapat na mamumuno;
- sundin ang batas ng bayan at huwag magbayad ng lagay;
- magbayad ng sapat na buwis at 'di magbayad ng lagay sa mga tiga-BIR upang mabawasan ang bayarang buwis.
Kung susundin ng lahat ng karamihan ng Pinoy eto, malayo na ang narating ng Inang Bayan. Walang pong short cut sa kaunlaran: dapat lahat tayo'y magsikap.
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Just JT
Posted on Jun 26, 2002, 11:19 PM from IP address 203.41.151.9
If the govt is doing its job of catching illegal immigrants
by Napanice (no login)
we wouldn't have the problems of deportation by the US because these people will be caught even before they leave RP.
Maybe you're upset because my solution is what will work, the INS in the US has already demonstrated that they can catch illegal immigrants. The RP immigration can do the same if they want to.
Napanice
Posted on Jun 26, 2002, 11:35 PM from IP address 216.175.121.8
Madaling lutasin ang suliranin ng huwad na pasaporte't visa. Sang-ayon ako sa iyo na dapat mas maging agresibo ang pamahalaan sa pagsugpo ng lumalaganap na huwad na papeles.
Nguni't ang pinakamalaking suliranin sa lahat ay iyong mga OVERSTAYING visitors. Tunay ang kanilang pasaporte at tunay ang kanilang visa. Nguni't lumabag sila sa patakaran ng kanilang visa na sila'y uuwi pagkatapos ng ganap na panahon at hinding-hinding mag-aasawa o maghahanapbuhay habang nasa lugar na iyon.
Walang magagawa ang pamahalaan ng Inang Bayan sa bagay na ito dahil hangga't 'di sila nag-overstay ay 'di sila lumalabag sa batas. Nasa tao na talaga iyan, Don Nap, at wala sa pamahalaan.
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Just JT
Posted on Jun 26, 2002, 11:41 PM from IP address 203.41.151.9
That's no true. Read this news, it just came out. This is what the govt should be doing.
by Napanice (no login)
Philippines tracks human smuggling gang operating in France, Italy
06/27 2:36:33 PM
MANILA (AFP) - Philippines authorities are investigating a gang which smuggled Filipinos into France and Italy using tampered passports, immigration chief Andrea Domingo said Thursday.
Immigration officials seized more than 100 spurious travel documents at Manila airport and other ports of entry over the past several months as part of the investigation, she said in a statement.
The foreign department had uncovered a scheme whereby Filipinos in France and Italy who have valid resident or working permits sold their passports to human trafficking gangs, the statement said.
The names or photographs on the passports would be changed and the gangs would use the documents to smuggle Filipino illegals into the European countries.
The original owners would then report the loss of their passports to Filipino consulates.
Philippines embassies in these countries had reported a "widespread" incidence of reports of the loss Philippines passports, the statement said.
Domingo warned that using tampered passports is punishable by a jail sentence under Philippine law.
Posted on Jun 26, 2002, 11:47 PM from IP address 216.175.121.8
I thought you're complaining that these deportees are affecting the law abiding travellers? I've been telling you about the govt's job but you don't want to listen and you keep blaming these overstaying tourists, so how are you going to stop them?
Napanice
Posted on Jun 27, 2002, 7:33 AM from IP address 216.175.120.205
Katatanggap ko lang nito sa aking email. Sinong gusto ng balato?
--
Just JT
-------------
Dear Sir
My name is CEDIA D.ESTRADA,The wife of Mr. JOSEPH
ESTRADA, the former President of Philippines located
in
the South East Asia.
My husband was recently impeached from office by a
backed uprising of mass demonstrators and the Senate.
My husband is presently in jail and facing trial on
charges of corruption, embezzlement, and the
mysterious
charge of plunder which might lead to death sentence.
The present government is forcing my husband out of
manila to avoid demonstration by his supporter.
During my husband's regime as president of Philippine,
I realized some reasonable amount of money from
various deals that I successfully executed. I have
plans
to invest this money for my children's future on real
estate and industrial production. My husband is not
aware of this because I wish to do it secretly for
now.
before my husband was impeached, I secretly siphoned
the sum of $30,000,000 million USD (Thirty million United states dollars) out of
Philippines and deposited the money with a security
firm
that transports valuable goods and consignments
through diplomatic means. I also declared that the
consignment was solid gold and my foreign business
partner owned it.
I am contacting you because I want you to go to the
security company and claim the money on my behalf
since I have declared that the consignment belong to
my foreign business partner. You shall also be
required to assist me in investment in your country.
I hope to trust you as a God fearing person who will
not sit
on this money when you claim it, rather assist me
properly, I expect you to declare what percentage of
the total money you will take for your assistance.
When I receive your positive response I will let you
know where the security company is
and the payment pin code to claim the money which is
very important.
For now, let all our communication is by e-mail
because my line are right now connected to the
Philippines Telecommunication Network services. Please
also send me your telephone and fax number.
I will ask my son contact you to give you more details on after i have received
a responce from you.
Thank you and God bless you and family.
MRS CEDIA ESTRADA
Posted on Jun 28, 2002, 1:50 AM from IP address 203.41.151.9
THE "Big Three" dominant oil companies and two new players yesterday followed the lead of two domestic retailers, announcing that they would be slashing their gasoline, diesel and kerosene prices.
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O ano iyong sinasabing CARTEL ang oil companies at mga SUWAPANG sila? Alam ba ninyo na ang tubo ng oil companies sa gasolina (atbp. petroleum products) ay mga dalawang sentimo laang sa bawa't piso? Napakaliit ng return on investment na iyan, wika nga. Paano kong alam ito? Sapagka't ako'y nagtrabaho sa oil company nang limang taon.
Alam ba ninyong mahigit kalahati ng halaga ng gasolina ay dala ng BUWIS? Sasabihin ba nating SUWAPANG ang pamahalaan dahil napakalaki ng buwis ng gasolina? Aba hindi. Dalawang dahilan kung ba't mataas ang buwis ng gasolina:
- sinasadya ng pamahalaang mataas ang buwis upang huwag waldasin ang gasolina;
- kailangan ng pamahalaan ang buwis para sa kanilang revenue.
Sa mga taong ipagpipilit pa ring SUWAPANG ang mga oil companies: ba't 'di ninyo ilagay ang pera sa bunganga ninyo: MAGTAYO KAYO NG SARILI NINYONG OIL COMPANY at magbenta kayo ng gasolina sa mamamayan.
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Just JT
Posted on Jun 26, 2002, 11:55 PM from IP address 203.41.151.9
Since you worked for them at one time, you also know that the reason they are still in business is because it is profitable. Nobody in his right mind will lower the prices just to go bankrupt.
Fact is, oil companies raise prices the day after world market prices go up but when it comes down, it takes them months to follow. They make money either way.
Napanice
Posted on Jun 27, 2002, 7:40 AM from IP address 216.175.120.205
Church message to HOPELESS FILIPINOS: STAY AND SUFFER WITH US!
by Napanice (no login)
I think those who are addressed will not think twice about this advice, their families are affected by the high unemployment rates, the widespread corruption in government, and the skyrocketing cost of living.
So why don't the Church leaders address the causes first before they open their big mouths?
Napanice
Posted on Jun 27, 2002, 12:47 PM from IP address 216.175.120.205
Since they supported an incompetent leader, we should expect no less than low quality advice from these simpletons. Yeah, that collection plate means a lot to them.
Napanice
Posted on Jun 27, 2002, 3:23 PM from IP address 216.175.126.6
HOLY SMOKE!!! They sure know how to collect money.
by Yeenyeen (no login)
Holy Smoke! Vatican Bans Puffing on the Job
Thu Jun 27, 1:28 PM ET
VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - "Excuse me, your eminence, but if you don't put out that cigarette, I will have to slap you with a Papal fine."
That might be the warning Vatican ( news - web sites) policemen would have to recite to a cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church next week when smoking will be effectively banned indoors in the Vatican.
A law approved by Pope John Paul ( news - web sites) and made public on Thursday will ban smoking in nearly all closed spaces inside the 108-acre city-state as of July 1.
The law entrusts the Vatican's tiny police force with enforcement. Violators, including cardinals and archbishops whom the policemen usually greet with a military salute, can be slapped with a fine of 30 euros ($30).
Under the law, "No Smoking" signs must be placed around the Vatican. Since the official language of the Church is Latin, it was not clear if some signs eventually would be in Latin.
If so, they would read "Vetatur Fumare" (No Smoking) or "Prohibetur Uti Fumo" (the use of smoke is prohibited), speculates Father Reginald Foster, a Latin scholar who translated the Vatican's cash point machines from Italian into the language of ancient Rome.
The Pope, who signed the no smoking law on June 4, is the Vatican's supreme monarch. So in theory, he could violate it at will.
But he doesn't smoke.
Posted on Jun 27, 2002, 5:29 PM from IP address 208.4.46.118
