3 charged senators allegedly endorsed Napoles linked NGOs

Social and political criticisms

From PHILstar headlines | September 5, 2013

 

The three senators who are charged various offenses with the Office of Ombudsman allegedly endorsed the Napoles linked NGO. This was according to VP for Finance and Administration Rhodora Mendoza of NABCOR  (National Agribusiness Corporation)   The Napoles linked NGO is Social Development Program for Farmer Foundation (whose head is Ben Hur Luy)








From Rappler - were the senators signatures faked?

Suspected Islamists gunman kills 40 students in dorm in North East Nigeria

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From ABC News | Updated minutes ago | September 29, 2013

In another wave of terrorist attack, a group of suspected Islamist group Boko Haram ( military.  This is just one of the attacks by alleged Islamist group world wide:   in Peshawar Pakistan, Zamboanga City PHL, in Kenya, and now Nigeria.

It is a sad day for religious groups being linked to terrorism.  Did this start with the Holy Wars?

Pitiful Pakistan plagued by bomb attacks and earthquake

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Pakistan's 7.7 magnitude earthquake

We sympathize with Pakistan.  It is reeling from financial difficulties (but just obtained $6.7 billion loan facility) a 7.7 magnitude earthquake in Baluchistan where 515 people died and lately two weekend terrorist attacks.  From NY Times - 85 killed in suicide bombing at Peshawar

We pray that Pakistan would overcome these difficulties

Sen Jinggoy Estradas bombshell on PDAF?

Social and political criticisms

What bombshell - was really a bombshell?

One of the three senators accused of wrongdoing in the PDAF anomaly promised to drop a bombshell.  Was it really a bombshell?  Or was it mud?

All that he said is why single him out or the three?

But he did not deny nor refute the COA nor the whistle blower's testimony.  Of course former CJ Renato Corona benefited from his privileged speech.  But it did not endear him to the rest of his colleagues.

Was the P50 million additional PDAF for senators a bribe to convict SC Corona?  Are they honorable man or ...

So when the going gets rough, the rough gets going.

Expect more bombshell and those who will run for cover and turn against former friends.

Why did Lawyer Kapunan take the Napoles case?

Social and political criticisms

I watched the interview of Lawyer Kapunan by Tina Monson Palma over the allegations vs her client Napoles.  While she was logical and very clear on her stand with regards to alleged illegal detention of Ben Hur Luy, she was not when asked why she took the case.

She said Luy went on a retreat.  And the fact is Luy, who is a relative of Napoles was alleged to have malversed funds from Napoles and was alleged to own businesses like call ctrs. etc.

But when asked why she took the case, she was ambivalent and nebulous with her answer.

It was as if you heard former Senator Saguisag being interviewed on why he took a controversial client to defend.  (Well we can be practical by saying, that money is good)

She said she was against the crooks behind the PDAF;   Whaaat. ???? That would not have been possible without the facilitation of her client.    The advocacy of lawyer is sometimes about the legal fees.  Had she said that it advocacy and everybody needs equal protection before the law, that would seem more like it.

What is Al Shaabab? Who are they?

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Repost from ABC News | September 23, 2013

The deadly attack claimed by a group known as Al Shabaab calls our attention to this group. It is known to have links with Al Qaeda and youths from the West including US.  It was formed in mid 2000s as the militant wing of  Somalia Council of Islamic Courts.  It took over southern half of Somalia and drew admiration of many of the population for fighting Ethiopian forces in Somalia known for their abuses.

In 2008 US categorized Al Shabaab as a terrorist organization claiming its ties with Al Qaeda.  It formally joined Al Qaeda in 2012

It claimed responsibility for a number of deadly terrorist attack including that one in Uganda in 2010 wherein an American was killed while watching an outdoor TV featuring World Cup.

Al Shaabab was forced out of Mogadishu by UN backed forces of African Union (Kenya and Somalia)  It is said to have several thousand members when militia members and those from Western Nations are included.

The organization seems to have links with American born Africans and the Westgate mall attack seemed to include foreigners.  The greatest link is from Minnesota.  In the St Paul Minneapolis area there are about 80,000 residents who have originated from Somalia

The attack on a mall and which killed civilians seem to indicate the weakening of the group which seems to be fracturing between those concentrating on international jihad and those who focus on Somalia.  Its high profile American member rapping Omar Hammami  was assassinatd over spat on leadership concerning strategy and Sharia (Islamic law)

From the Daily Beast - 3 Americans among the attackers at Westgate mall?

What are the top news lately?

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They are:

1.  Super Typhoon (Typhoon Odette/Usagi)

2.  Mass shooting in malls and yards

3. NGOs

Do you agree?

NGOs are getting a bad rap lately?

Social and political criticisms

NGOs are supposedly good and are conduits of donor funds for social causes.  They help many sectors of the society which the business and rest of the civil society would not help.

But now they are engaged in money laundering activities of solons and politicians.

How come?

Will NGOs in the PHL gain disfavor from the donating multilateral institutions and generous public because of this bad raps?

What do you think?

What happenned to them?  Are there corrupt dishonest people running NGOs?

Mostly Moslems are behind top news in the world?

Social and political criticisms

I admire the contributions of the Moslems to the modern world - arts culture, medicine, and religion.  They have grown in number, influence and strength. I wonder though why many of them figure prominently (do they in many top stories lately)

1.  MNLF fighters, mostly Moslems attack Zamboanga City in the PHL

2.  Bomb attack in Christian church in Pakistan  leaves more than 60 dead

3. Westgate Mall attack at Nairobi Kenya leave 60 dead hundreds (Al Qaeda fighters)

4. Moslem brotherhood outlawed in Egypt.

I hope these news are exaggerated and do not condemn and/or refer to Moslems in general

Charged senators ready with their own bombshell/expose of the Aquino adminsitration

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Repost from the PDI | September 19, 2013

Two of the three senators charged before the Ombudsman in connection with the P10 billion PDAF scam through Janet  LimNapoles are ready to drop their own bombshell vs the Aquino administration corruption in high places.  They are Sens. Revilla and Estrada.

They will tell all in their privileged speech next week.

The charged senators were alleged to have amassed the following amounts:

 Based on complaints prepared by the National Bureau of Investigation, Revilla allegedly pocketed over P224.5 million in kickbacks from Napoles while Estrada supposedly amassed P183.79 million. Enrile supposedly got P172.8 million.  (More than 50 million amounts to plunder wow)

Is it going to be  mud slinging galore?

Or is it going to be war?

The show is getting better.   A la telenovela.

Senators defense lawyers say there are no documents linking PDAF scam with their client

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Repost from Inquirer | September 19, 2013

One of the senators, a senior one has been linked to the P10 billion plunder case PDAF Napoles scam.  The lawyers say that there are no documents that link the senator diverting the Senators PDAF funds to the Napoles NGO.

With the admission of the whistle blower Benhur Luy (a relative of Napoles) that numerous documents have been forged by Napoles staff or even by other people, it would be difficult to have solid case vs the senators.  Hearsay and speculation may not be good evidence to prosecute the alleged culprit. As good lawyers and even Presiding officer of the Senate, or even chief of the impeachment court, the good senator would be smart enough to have no part in this scam.

I wonder whether the prosecution would be embarrassed and red faced if the lawyers submit their counter affidavit.

Did the prosecutors DOJ proceed in haste?   Did they bungle this one again.  I am not pro or against any one but let us follow the process.  Let us think like we are professionals and not gossipers or those who rely on hearsays to make judgment on people

American exceptionalism is dangerous - Vladimir Putin

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Repost from Talking :Point Memo | September 12, 2013


For the first time ever, a Russian leader talked down the leader of the world's most powerful nation and maked him looked weak. This came as result of Obama's planned military intervention in Syria due to alleged use of chemical weapons vs its people.  Of course, we know that Vladimir Putin sides with Assad.

The remarks by Putin was triggered that US response to the Syria's action is exceptional.  Putin, in reference to US as exemplar  of democracy, of equality, says for US to consider itself as exceptional is dangerous.  We are equals.  Many think, including  the Pope, that a US-led airstrike will result in more escalation (includes US vs USSR) and death of the innocent (I agree).

USA can no longer be seen as model of democracy but model of brute force cobbling coalitions to be either with USA or against US.

Your new residence at the University Belt near UST - Corte Fragat Eloisa


Here is the text of the Russian leader comment on US exceptionalism:

"My working and personal relationship with President Obama is marked by growing trust. I appreciate this. I carefully studied his address to the nation on Tuesday. And I would rather disagree with a case he made on American exceptionalism, stating that the United States’ policy is “what makes America different. It’s what makes us exceptional.” It is extremely dangerous to encourage people to see themselves as exceptional, whatever the motivation. There are big countries and small countries, rich and poor, those with long democratic traditions and those still finding their way to democracy. Their policies differ, too. We are all different, but when we ask for the Lord’s blessings, we must not forget that God created us equal.

Read the entire piece here.

50-40-10% sharing of PDAF laundered through NGO; how greedy can people get?

Social and political criticisms

We just learned the 50-40- 10% scheme for sharing of the loot for the PDAF and it is outrageous and revolting:

50% goes to the sponsoring solon as a kickback

40% goes to the JLN

10% goes to the project beneficiary.

Read more on the newest place to have your children at UST stay - Corte Fragata

No wonder the outrage is extreme.  It makes us nauseous.  Who wants to puke?

If the ratio was the reverse, it would not be so bad.

So much money has been made in the name of the poor

What does the testimony of whistle blower for Napoles PDAF scandal prove? Who is senator sexy?

Social and political criticisms

I watched the hearing where the whistle blower told "all" about the PDAF JLN scandal.  I doubt whether his testimony would be enough to convict Janet Napoles or solons for good.

The testimony could be nothing more than hearsay, or a fish tale.

The admission that they faked the signature of the senators and that they got their share in cash would not be enough to convict the recipients.  Only the whistle blower, and if faked the signature of the senator could be held liable.  If there was no written order from  JLN

Who cares who Mr. Sexy Senator is? If you can not tie him down with the receipt of the money, what are we talking about here?

So much traffic last night? Why? There was no flood!

Social and political criticisms

PHL    September 10, 2013

We had a meeting in downtown Manila last night and traffic and commuting were a nightmare.  Travel time from Espana to our place took four hours.  We left the UST area by 730 and we were home by 11:30.

A lot of commuters were seen to be walking :   along Espana, Ortigas Ave and Ortigas Ext..  Traffic was hardly moving at all avenues and roads and we wonder what was happened?

Later on we learned from the TV:  that Kris Aquino and Manny Pacquiao took the train on the way to an engagement;  that basketball players walked from Corinthian to Araneta center because the traffic stood still.

Was it traffic management?  Did the rains cause the traffic jams?

How come we had the traffic ground to standstill?  Can anybody explain the cause and how to solve this?

Will military action by US and allies bring the world on the brink of another world war?

Social and political criticisms

September 7, 2013

As Pres. Obama calls on lawmakers for support of the legislature for military action vs Syria on account of use of chemical weapon vs Syrians by the current leadership, Russia Pres. Putin, says otherwise;   Russia is ready to support its ally -  Syria.  What does this mean?

It is going to be Russia and Syria vs the rest of  US, France what could this conflict lead to?

Another world war?

Passion runs high among OFW

Social and political criticisms

I heard in homily in  Sunday Mass that 60% of OFW have affairs in their place of work and a great deal of social problems are created.  Indeed, away from home, lonely and devoid of any physical or sexual contact, they get physically  attracted to one another and thus have affairs:  married, single, taken or not.

The OFW I was talking to admitted he had affairs, being muscular and handsome

Abuse of OFWs

Social and political criticisms

I was with an ex OFW and he laments how many of our countrymen are abused fooled by Middle East citizens.  He was hired and lured from his flourishing business of upholstery by an employer who holds an important position in the government of their country.  He was not paid but made to work.  When he filed a labor case vs the employer in the PHL consulate, he was harassed and jailed by the police.  But brave as he was, he held on the papers of his case to the police.  He was cleared later and allowed to leave.

But the meek ones simply suffer in silence or languish in their jails.

Many more DH are repeatedly raped and abused.

We should really take care of these countrymen.

Was the convoy that we met at 10 am the JLN transfer to Sta Rosa.?

Social and political criticisms

This morning, we saw a contingent of PNP SAF in weapons carrier  and several patrol pick ups at KM 29 was waiting  as early as 6 am. There were plenty of  Barangay Tanod nearby to give support. Then we saw them at KM 69 at around 930 am.  At 10 am we saw with emergency flashers ablaze 3 Fortuners  and another patrol pick up.  It was a large contingent, and probably a big event

When I arrived home by 3 pm, I saw a TV newsflash that says Napoles transfer to Sta Rosa has been completed.  This is a speculation

Could it be the Napoles transfer to Sta Rosa?  But wait why would they pass at the Eastern Rizal and Eastern Laguna?  And the long wait?

It makes sense - to mislead the media and anybody who would try to rescue JLN

Will the whistleblower testimony bring any PDAF senator or congressman to court? No Case

Social and political criticisms

There is a lot of publicity being made on JLN "scam".  However I doubt if anyone would ever go to trial.  I am sure the solons studied this scam very well before engaging the services of Napoles.  Why?  There are legitimate services/projects and there are kickbacks to the donors.  I doubt whether checks or vouchers are made in favor of the solons.   All are paid in cash. And if there are cash payments, I doubt whether they find their way into the personal account of the solons which would incriminate them under the AMLA law.  They could split the deposit or keep them as Cash on Hand.

So Atty, "NO CASE".  Sorry boys.