A true officer and a gentleman
As we were having dinner the other night in a Quezon City restaurant, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) chief, Director Rosendo Dial, mentioned in passing a supposed P50 million bribe attempt by members of the powerful Ampatuan clan on the former warden of the Metro Manila District Jail in Camp Bagong Diwa, where the suspects in the gruesome Ampatuan massacre are presently being held.
In my long years as a journalist, I- like other members of the media around- have developed a sense for detecting news even in casual conversations such as the one we were having then. When I heard about my good old friend general’s story about the foiled bribery, only one thing crossed my mind: That’s one helluvah news, which any ordinary journalist would itch to write about.
Then I dug for more details. Ross Dial was very accommodating, answering bluntly each of my pointblank question. So as not to make the story longer, please refer to our banner news headline.
What we agreed on was for me to write the story for The Manila Times where I rarely submit stories as senior contributor. I called up the Times’ publisher but quickly changed my mind for a couple of reasons. First, if I would write it alone, my colleagues at the National Press Club might not like it as I would be acting as if to “outscoop” them. “Scoop” in journalism jargon means in Tagalog “pinagmukha kitang tanga dahil tutulog-tulog ka sa pansitan.”
So, I just decided to relay the information to NPC President Jerry Yap and eventually we decided to reveal the supposed bribery and escape plan in a press conference yesterday, which we did.
After the usual “goodbyes” and “thank yous,” The good general made one final revelation as we were going down the stairs to the restaurant’s parking lot. He said the latest information that has reached him was that the bribe amount was actually P150 million. “I’ll quote you on this,” I told him. He curtly replied: “I will not deny it. I’ll say that we have been receiving these infos.”
Now that the story’s been told, we at the NPC are posed to send letters of commendation and appreciation for the professionalism and propriety displayed by the BJMP officials concerned. They have set an example to be followed by others who may be tempted with quick fortune in exchange for the devil’s release from hell.
The Philippine National Police should similarly make similar revelations because we know that with the enormous wealth the Ampatuan family possesses, they could even buy out Satan’s position. They were even able to buy the services of a once respected lawyer who is now being despised and puked on by many.
When the time comes for these people to go, I hope nobody would remember them in a thousand years.
However, knowing that there are still honest and straight officials like Gen. Dial and his men inspires me not to lose hope that this country, somehow, could still rise up from the ruins, from the debris wrought by hatred, divisiveness, envy and ignorance.
My hats off to Gen. Dial and his people. May your tribe increase.
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
P150M for ampatuans' escape
The National Press Club of the Philippines has received verified reports from a highly-reliable jail bureau official of a plan by the prime suspects in the Ampatuan massacre to escape by bribing top officials from the bureau and the Philippine National Police.
Per our source’s info, a bribe of P150 million was being dangled by members of the Ampatuan family to interested takers. Already, one Bureau of Jail Management and Penology official was offered P50 million- a downpayment of P10 million if he would agree to the plan and the balance to be given once the suspects have escaped.
The offer was made just before the massacre’s first anniversary last month. The jail official reported this to a higher authority who then ordered his relief to avoid the temptation. A report about this offer had been sent to DILG Sec. Jesse Robredo and PNP chief Raul Bacalzo.
We were informed that Justice Sec. Leila De Lima also knew about this already.
Alarmed by this plan, the jail bureau has recommended the automatic relief of the Manila District Jail warden every three months. The roofdeck of the jail facility in Camp Bagong Diwa, which can accommodate a helicopter, was filled with steel junk and mattresses to prevent a possible aerial rescue.
As such, the NPC calls on everyone concerned to follow the lead of the BJMP official and resist the temptation of a quick fortune. We commend the BJMP for its actions and we shall officially relay our gratitude to its leadership today.
Also, we call on the DILG, the PNP, the Supreme Court, the Department of JUstice and other security forces to tighten their watch on the suspects, especially during hearings, in the light of the discovery of this escape plot.
We need not emphasize how dangerous the suspects are.
We encourage others to immediately report similar incidents where cash was being dangled in exchange for the suspects’ freedom. Admittedly, the Ampatuan family’s enormous wealth and plundered money could already be changing hands, or could have already changed hands, as we speak. But let this serve as a warning to them: We shall work to ensure that each and every suspect in the massacre will remain in jail before the attainment of and until justice has been served.
The NPC is resolved not only to monitor the developments in and out of the courtroom but developments in security and the behavior of the suspects and their custodians as well, among other thngs.
Thank you.
Per our source’s info, a bribe of P150 million was being dangled by members of the Ampatuan family to interested takers. Already, one Bureau of Jail Management and Penology official was offered P50 million- a downpayment of P10 million if he would agree to the plan and the balance to be given once the suspects have escaped.
The offer was made just before the massacre’s first anniversary last month. The jail official reported this to a higher authority who then ordered his relief to avoid the temptation. A report about this offer had been sent to DILG Sec. Jesse Robredo and PNP chief Raul Bacalzo.
We were informed that Justice Sec. Leila De Lima also knew about this already.
Alarmed by this plan, the jail bureau has recommended the automatic relief of the Manila District Jail warden every three months. The roofdeck of the jail facility in Camp Bagong Diwa, which can accommodate a helicopter, was filled with steel junk and mattresses to prevent a possible aerial rescue.
As such, the NPC calls on everyone concerned to follow the lead of the BJMP official and resist the temptation of a quick fortune. We commend the BJMP for its actions and we shall officially relay our gratitude to its leadership today.
Also, we call on the DILG, the PNP, the Supreme Court, the Department of JUstice and other security forces to tighten their watch on the suspects, especially during hearings, in the light of the discovery of this escape plot.
We need not emphasize how dangerous the suspects are.
We encourage others to immediately report similar incidents where cash was being dangled in exchange for the suspects’ freedom. Admittedly, the Ampatuan family’s enormous wealth and plundered money could already be changing hands, or could have already changed hands, as we speak. But let this serve as a warning to them: We shall work to ensure that each and every suspect in the massacre will remain in jail before the attainment of and until justice has been served.
The NPC is resolved not only to monitor the developments in and out of the courtroom but developments in security and the behavior of the suspects and their custodians as well, among other thngs.
Thank you.
Webb of lies and deceit
Lauro Vizconde, I am very much sure, could hardly get to sleep these days. In one live TV interview, the Vizconde patriarch, who lost his wife and two daughters nearly 20 years ago, admitted he was worried that the suspects in the killing of his loved ones would be acquitted by the Supreme Court soon. His fears were bolstered by the release of ex-cop Gerardo Biong, who was sentenced to 12 years in prison for being an accessory to the gruesome Vizconde massacre.
The camp of principal suspect Hubert Webb, son of former actor turned senator Freddie Webb, was hopeful that the high tribunal would exonerate him, due mainly to the failure of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to produce the DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) samples and vaginal swabs taken from one of the victims. The NBI said the samples were submitted to the Paranaque City court which tried the controversial case. But court officials claimed that what the NBI submitted during the trial were photos of the samples.
Somebody here is definitely lying.
Now, the failure to produce this vital evidence has led many in the legal arena to believe that Webb and his other co-accused could indeed be acquitted by the SC. The main point is that a criminal offense should be proven to have been committed by an offender “beyond reasonable doubt.” The absence of an evidence as vital as a DNA sample may be enough to cast the slightest of doubt as in the case against Webb, et. al.
I am not a lawyer but it doesn’t take to be one of the brightest legal minds to understand the implications of Webb et al’s possible acquittal. I do not intend to jump the gun on the SC, so to speak, and be held in contempt but in the interest of objectivity and freedom to express an opinion, I would attempt to present the pros and cons of an expected, or should we say feared, acquittal. All from a layman’s point of view.
I guess it would be easier for all to accept an affirmation by the SC of an inferior court’s decision. Emotion wise, we all tend to sympathize with Mr. Vizconde. If the SC affirms the guilty verdict on the suspects, most of us are inclined to believe and embrace it as Bible truth. A victory won for all fathers like Mr. Vizconde.
But what if the high tribunal reverses the guilty verdict and orders an acquittal? How prepared are we to accept the suspects in the mainstream of society? And what could that entail, especially in relation to our justice system?
I believe in the wisdom of our magistrates and by now I am sure that they are already carefully reviewing each and every line and each and every detail of the case. Whatever their decision will be, I was told, would be deemed final and appealable. Although I still hope not, for the benefit of both camps.
I, like Mr. Vizconde, am so worried over the possibility of the suspects being acquitted because if the failure of the NBI to present the DNA samples would be used as basis for exoneration, then this new jurisprudence could be used by other convicted rape and murder suspects to have the verdicts on them reversed and be acquitted.
It’s a dangerous ground they’re treading. During those times when DNA was virtually unheard of, many had been proven guilty of rape and murder “beyond reasonable doubt.” Will the Vizconde massacre case open the door for the acquittal of these convicts too?
That we will soon find out.
The camp of principal suspect Hubert Webb, son of former actor turned senator Freddie Webb, was hopeful that the high tribunal would exonerate him, due mainly to the failure of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to produce the DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) samples and vaginal swabs taken from one of the victims. The NBI said the samples were submitted to the Paranaque City court which tried the controversial case. But court officials claimed that what the NBI submitted during the trial were photos of the samples.
Somebody here is definitely lying.
Now, the failure to produce this vital evidence has led many in the legal arena to believe that Webb and his other co-accused could indeed be acquitted by the SC. The main point is that a criminal offense should be proven to have been committed by an offender “beyond reasonable doubt.” The absence of an evidence as vital as a DNA sample may be enough to cast the slightest of doubt as in the case against Webb, et. al.
I am not a lawyer but it doesn’t take to be one of the brightest legal minds to understand the implications of Webb et al’s possible acquittal. I do not intend to jump the gun on the SC, so to speak, and be held in contempt but in the interest of objectivity and freedom to express an opinion, I would attempt to present the pros and cons of an expected, or should we say feared, acquittal. All from a layman’s point of view.
I guess it would be easier for all to accept an affirmation by the SC of an inferior court’s decision. Emotion wise, we all tend to sympathize with Mr. Vizconde. If the SC affirms the guilty verdict on the suspects, most of us are inclined to believe and embrace it as Bible truth. A victory won for all fathers like Mr. Vizconde.
But what if the high tribunal reverses the guilty verdict and orders an acquittal? How prepared are we to accept the suspects in the mainstream of society? And what could that entail, especially in relation to our justice system?
I believe in the wisdom of our magistrates and by now I am sure that they are already carefully reviewing each and every line and each and every detail of the case. Whatever their decision will be, I was told, would be deemed final and appealable. Although I still hope not, for the benefit of both camps.
I, like Mr. Vizconde, am so worried over the possibility of the suspects being acquitted because if the failure of the NBI to present the DNA samples would be used as basis for exoneration, then this new jurisprudence could be used by other convicted rape and murder suspects to have the verdicts on them reversed and be acquitted.
It’s a dangerous ground they’re treading. During those times when DNA was virtually unheard of, many had been proven guilty of rape and murder “beyond reasonable doubt.” Will the Vizconde massacre case open the door for the acquittal of these convicts too?
That we will soon find out.
A distorted representation
As I was editing stories yesterday for today’s issue, one article caught my attention and, eventually, my discontent. It was about an announcement made by the Liquefied Petroleum Gas Marketers Association (LPGMA) which, unfortunately (and in my utter disbelief), won a seat as a partylist group in congress.
Through the group’s representative, Arnel Ty, the LPGMA said it has jacked up prices of LPG by P3 a kilo. This price adjustment was distinct from the P3 a kilo adjustment they made last Wednesday.
Then it struck me like lightning.
How in hell did this group end up in congress supposedly to represent a marginalized sector? The margins these guys know are their profit margins, for heavens’ sake! LPGMA was among the partylist groups that were closely associated to the previous administration.
The question that kept popping out my mind since yesterday was: Who are these people really representing?
Many answers came about and none of them was “LPG consumers.” For how can LPG retailers and marketers represent LPG consumers when their interests are opposing? Businessmen tend to jack up rates to increase profit while consumers- already reeling from burgeoning prices of basic goods- tighten their belts further to make ends meet.
As Rep. Ty himself puts it, their “member companies” implemented the price adjustments that translated to an increase- again- of P33 per 11-kg LPG tank, bringing their prices to a high of P640 to P650 per tank.
Clearly, this group does not count in “consumers” among its “member companies” and I really couldn’t imagine how this group stands to protect the interest of each Juan and Juana in the House of Representatives. This shows one of the weaknesses of our partylist system. If similar groups make it to congress in the future, surely we will be in for some serious trouble.
With LPGMA in congress, lowering LPG prices will purely be wishful thinking.
*****
The Philippines has officially grabbed from India the title “call center capital of the world” as more investments are poured in continuously by business process outsourcing (BPO) companies in the local scene. Latest estimates indicate that the country’s BPO industry has surpassed India’s by at least $200 million.
Malacanang was elated by this recent feat and President Aquino ordered government funds added to the already growing coffers of the industry. Hopefully, some 60,000 call center posts will be offered next year.
Thanks to Filipinos’ much vilified “colonial mentality.” Somehow, this affinity to western cultures worked to our advantage as Pinoy call center agents speak better English although paid lower than their foreign counterparts.
I have only one concern. It was reported that cases of acquired immune deficiency syndrome spiked among young urban professionals, including call center agents who, according to studies, practice casual and unsafe sex.
This problem should be addressed the soonest.
Through the group’s representative, Arnel Ty, the LPGMA said it has jacked up prices of LPG by P3 a kilo. This price adjustment was distinct from the P3 a kilo adjustment they made last Wednesday.
Then it struck me like lightning.
How in hell did this group end up in congress supposedly to represent a marginalized sector? The margins these guys know are their profit margins, for heavens’ sake! LPGMA was among the partylist groups that were closely associated to the previous administration.
The question that kept popping out my mind since yesterday was: Who are these people really representing?
Many answers came about and none of them was “LPG consumers.” For how can LPG retailers and marketers represent LPG consumers when their interests are opposing? Businessmen tend to jack up rates to increase profit while consumers- already reeling from burgeoning prices of basic goods- tighten their belts further to make ends meet.
As Rep. Ty himself puts it, their “member companies” implemented the price adjustments that translated to an increase- again- of P33 per 11-kg LPG tank, bringing their prices to a high of P640 to P650 per tank.
Clearly, this group does not count in “consumers” among its “member companies” and I really couldn’t imagine how this group stands to protect the interest of each Juan and Juana in the House of Representatives. This shows one of the weaknesses of our partylist system. If similar groups make it to congress in the future, surely we will be in for some serious trouble.
With LPGMA in congress, lowering LPG prices will purely be wishful thinking.
*****
The Philippines has officially grabbed from India the title “call center capital of the world” as more investments are poured in continuously by business process outsourcing (BPO) companies in the local scene. Latest estimates indicate that the country’s BPO industry has surpassed India’s by at least $200 million.
Malacanang was elated by this recent feat and President Aquino ordered government funds added to the already growing coffers of the industry. Hopefully, some 60,000 call center posts will be offered next year.
Thanks to Filipinos’ much vilified “colonial mentality.” Somehow, this affinity to western cultures worked to our advantage as Pinoy call center agents speak better English although paid lower than their foreign counterparts.
I have only one concern. It was reported that cases of acquired immune deficiency syndrome spiked among young urban professionals, including call center agents who, according to studies, practice casual and unsafe sex.
This problem should be addressed the soonest.
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