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Top political events of 2008

MR. EXPOSE

Amb. Ernesto Maceda

01/06/2009

Here are the top political happenings in 2008:

1. The aborted signing of the MoA-AD which seeks to create a separate state in Mindanao and the decision of the Supreme Court on Oct. 15, 2008 declaring it unconstitutional;

2. The return of President Joseph Estrada as the leading figure of the opposition and his Lakbay Pasasalamat visits to 33 provinces and his possible presidential candidacy;

3. The downfall of Jose de Venecia Jr. as Speaker of the House of Representatives after five terms and the election of Rep. Prospero Nograles; (February)

4. The unexpected ascension of veteran Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile to the Senate presidency ousting presidentiable Manuel Villar Jr. after a Sen. Ping Lacson exposé on a C-5 double entry appropriation of P200 million; (November)

5. The resurgence of the MILF insurgency with a series of attacks in Cotabato, Maguindanao, Sultan Kudarat, Lanao del Norte and Sarangani in mid August;

6. The start of the Kampi campaign to hold a Constituent Assembly without Senate participation and widespread public opposition resulting in a huge protest rally at Ayala Avenue, Makati;

7. The ZTE National Broadband exposé and the subsequent cancelation by GMA and subsequent Senate investigations and the theatrics of Secretary Romulo Neri;

8. The deportation of former DA Undersecretary Jocelyn “Joc-joc” Bolante from the US and the reopening of the Senate investigation on the P728-million fertilizer scam resulting in Bolante’s arrest;

9. The press con of CBCP president Angel Lagdameo and four Bishops calling for a change of government;

10. The trip to Moscow by a delegation of eight PNP generals and their arrest at the Moscow airport for euro currency violations involving P9 million in PNP intelligence funds;

11. The rice crisis resulting in long lines at NFA outlets with the price zooming to P45 per kilo amid charges of irregularities in the NFA procurement and distribution programs, as analyzed by the World Bank and the ADB; (March)

12. The Nasser Pangandaman Sr. and Jr. mauling of the De la Paz family at Valley Golf Club;

13. The P50 million bribery charge against DoJ officials for the dismissal of the drug charges filed by PDEA against three rich boys from Alabang.

14. The failed takeover of Meralco by GMA and GSIS president Winston Garcia.

15. The filing of the 4th impeachment case against GMA and the subsequent dismissal thereof.

Yes, it was a bittersweet year for GMA, more bitter than sweet.

Fabulous bonuses. Five years ago, GMA issued an Administrative Order which directed the heads and board members of Government Financial Institutions (GFIs) and Government Operated and Controlled Corps. (GOCCs) to reduce their allowances, per diems and bonuses.

Nobody obeyed the order. In fact, they have become bigger and bigger. We just learned that Pat Sto. Tomas as chairman of DBP gets a Christmas bonus of P10 million in addition to her monthly allowances. Now we understand why Pat gave up a powerful Cabinet job to go to a lower ranking GFI position. It’s more lucrative. I understand the directors of DBP get P5 million each in Christmas bonus. They are expecting another bonus for this month’s DBP anniversary.

Land Bank, GSIS and SSS also continue to pay outrageous allowances and bonuses. Wala silang takot kay GMA!

Are these incomes reflected in their tax returns?

Tit for tat. MILF rebels resent the fact that AFP forces bombed and attacked them during the Holy month of Ramadan. Now they are returning the favor. During this holy season of Christmas, they launched simultaneous attacks on AFP positions in six provinces — Cotabato, Maguindanao, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, Basilan and Sulu.

Once again, we hear the AFP announcing sending more troops to Mindanao and asking for more funds, more logistical support.

After eight years, GMA has absolutely failed to solve the MILF and NPA problems. An announcement from Baguio states that GMA has set a target to dismantle 40 NPA fronts in 2009. We heard that one before, including the setting of one year, two year, three year deadlines to neutralize the rebels. To date, no success! NPA attacks are happening weekly with the destruction of Globe cell site towers continuing. The latest NPA attacks were at Placer, Masbate, Banyugan, Agusan del Sur, and at the boundary of Davao and Bukidnon. In Rodriguez, Rizal PO1 Rexon Aquino was killed, PO1 Richard Flores and PO1 Michael Teron and three other policemen including a Police colonel were abducted in an ambush last weekend.

The last week, bombings occurred in Esperanza, Sultan Kudarat killing a tricycle driver and wounding a policeman and General Santos where 25 persons were injured. In clashes in Lanao del Sur and Lanao del Norte, the MILF claims that the AFP suffered 14 casualties

Cha-cha on. Kampi chairman, Rep. Luis Villafuerte, is confident the Supreme Court will approve the calling of a Constituent Assembly called by a House Resolution without a ¾ Senate vote. A Leyte congressman told us the final push is set for February.

Leading the all-out push are presidential sons Juan Miguel and Dato Arroyo and close friend, Rep. Martin Romualdez (Kampi, Leyte 1st dist.), whose mother is from Pampanga.

Requests for release of funds of congressmen are now channeled through Martin. He has been on GMA’s trips abroad at least 10 times. He is hardly seen in his district these days, but his father Cocoy substitutes for him. Looks like the huge Cocoy Romualdez fortune is intact.

The declaration of Tacloban City, a Romualdez bailwick as an urbanized city with a separate congressman, reduces the size of the 1st district of Leyte. Former Gov. and Rep. Matin Petilla is set to challenge Martin.

Tidbits. Secretary Rolando “Rolly” Ramirez who served as finance officer in Malacañang under President Erap, passed away yesterday at St. Luke’s hospital after a brain tumor operation... Joey Martin, husband of a finance officer of Sen. Manny Villar was shot dead by motorcycle gunmen yesterday morning in front of his house in Cabuyao, Laguna... Sen. Mar Roxas and Korina Sanchez spent the New Year’s eve in Hongkong with matriarch Judy Roxas and 25 family members at the plush Peninsula Hotel including the 18-year-old daughter of the late Dinggoy Roxas who lives with her mother in Australia. Also in Hong Kong the last week of December were Justice Secretary and Mrs. Raul Gonzales at the Marco Polo Gateway, DENR Secretary and Mrs. Lito Atienza... At the Venetian Hotel in Macau: Gov. and Mrs. Jose Zubiri, Sen. And Mrs. Migz Zubiri, DILG Assistant Secretary Brian Yamsuan, Tony and Ching Evangelista and their grandchildren watching the show Cirque de Soleil... Now filming “FVR Story” and the “Jojo Binay Story...” Manny Villar is appearing in a movie about OFWs... Undersecretary Chavit Singson’s latest interest: The 18-year-old daughter of actress Jean Saburit... The 30-year-old son of designer Patis Tesoro, a Harvard graduate, fell down from the escalator at the Hong Kong airport and died. Why is there no official announcement about the incident?... President Erap is distributing 4,500 gift bags to inmates of the Manila City Jail today... 85-year-old Estelita Tiu of Tacloban celebrated her birthday at the Gloria Maris restaurant in Greenhills. Among the 800 guests are President Erap, Secretary and Mrs. Raul Gonzales, Rep. Raul Gonzales Jr., SSS president Romulo Neri, Mayor JV Ejercito, Q.C. Vice Mayor Herbert Bautista, Mayor Roque Tiu, Ambassador Kokoy Romualdez who may run for mayor of Tanauan and son, Rep. Martin Romualdez who confirmed the Cha-cha campaign is on. Estelita Tiu is the grandmother of Jimjim and Sambo YaoKasim... Katherine Esteban, a councilor of Meycauayan, Bulacan and her boyfriend were killed...