Small Victory

As Citizen Complainants to the 8th Impeachment against Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, the Black & White Movement is committed to stand by the charges contained therein. The Complaint was filed and verified by B&W members from our provincial and urban sector chapters on 27 July 2006. It was endorsed by Liberal Party Representatives Dina Abad, Neric Acosta, Noynoy Aquino, and Manny Mamba.

“We enjoin all other Citizen Complainants to work with us toward the successful transmission of this Impeachment Complaint to the Senate”, said lead convenor Enteng Romano. He also said that all Filipinos should consider it their duty to monitor the proceedings of the House Committee on Justice to safeguard our right to hold our leaders accountable.

As to possible conflict of interest regarding the Fertilizer Scam, a charge contained in this present Impeachment, co-convenor Leah Navarro appeals to the Representatives’ sense of decency and fair play. “It is only right and just that a Congressman or Congresswoman, whether part of the majority or minority, not vote in the Justice Committee if it is found that they may have accepted Fertilizer Funds. This will remove any suspicions about their bias regarding the Impeachment. We would also like to know that upon receiving these funds, if any of them went on to campaign for Mrs. Arroyo in the last election.”

They also pointed out that Congressman Mikey Arroyo, son of the President, should have recused himself from the proceedings for obvious reasons.

Today’s theatrics notwithstanding, the Black & White Movement commends the members of the House Minority for reinforcing our belief in the rule of law and for their staunch support of our search for the Truth.

Ms. Emy Boncodin's Answer to Star Article

We are re-printing, with permission, Emy Boncodin's letter to Isaac Belmonte in regard to the Philippine Star article entitled "Hyatt 10 Member Gets Petron Seat". The Black & White Movement fully supports and respects Emy's decision on the said matter.

August 7, 2006


Mr. Isaac G. Belmonte
Editor-In-Chief
The Philippine Star

Dear Mr. Belmonte:

The article "Hyatt 10 Member Gets Petron Seat" in Philippine Star August 7 issue, elicited quite a number of questions from several quarters, my friends included. While I have retired from public life since I resigned from the Dept. of Budget and Management more than a year ago, the article compelled me to respond in the interest of clarity and fairness.

With your indulgence, may I therefore state the following:

1. I have accepted the membership in the Board of Directors of Petron
Corporation upon the invitation of the Chairman to serve as independent
Filipino Director and Chairperson of the Board Audit Committee.

2. The opportunity to serve in one of the leading corporations in the country is one that I welcome. I spent all my professional career in the government since graduation and I believe that joining a private corporation which has been named one of the "Best Governed Corporation" in the Philippines is a distinct honor and an exciting professional opportunity. As most of you know, however, I am presently a Professor of Public Administration of the University of the Philippines, a post that I resumed since my resignation from DBM.

3. Petron Corporation is a private corporation listed in the stock exchange. It is 40% owned by the Philippine National Oil Company, 40% by Aramco Oil Company of Saudi Arabia and 20% by the general public. I am one of about 200,000 small stockholders of Petron with 3,000 shares (including stock dividends) to my name currently valued at approximately PhP12,000.00. I bought the shares sometime in the 1990's after Petron was privatized.

4. As Independent Director and Chairperson of the Audit Committee, my duty is to serve in my professional capacity and not as a representative of any interested party, certainly not the National Government. I have understood this to be so and that is how I intend to perform my responsibility to the company.

5. On allegations that I am returning to the government fold and have abandoned my former colleagues in the cabinet who resigned last July, 2005, I say firmly that I have no intention of returning to any post in the bureaucracy, other that my present academic post in U.P. I am convinced that sharing my experience in public life to young minds and drawing some lessons from that experience is the best that I can do to serve my country.

6. As to my "Hyatt 10" colleagues, I take off my hat to them for their commitment, courage and patriotism. The desire to institute reforms in the bureaucracy will continue to burn in the hearts of all who have faithfully served the government. I wish that the voice of reform will be heard in its proper context and not be drowned in malice.

Finally, I would like to say that I still and will always consider my government
service a great honor.

Thank you for granting the space to clarify the issue.

Very truly yours,

EMILIA T. BONCODIN (Sgd.)


"A nomad I will remain for life, in love with distant and uncharted places."
Isabelle Eberhardt (1877 - 1904) Russian-born traveler
The Passionate Nomad, 1988.

An Appeal to the Justice Committee

Today is the eve of the House Committee on Justice's first hearing on this year's Impeachment. A few of the lead Complainants held a press conference today to accomplish two things. The first was to ask for a fair and impartial hearing on the form and substance of this year's Complaint.

The second was to ask members of the Justice Committee that received millions from the Fertilizer Scam Fund, one of the major charges included in the Complaint, to inhibit themselves from the hearings. This is only right and just, as these Representatives have a clear conflict of interest. Would it not be in their best interest to junk the Complaint instead of giving a chance? Here are those Representatives as listed in the COA Report:

1. House Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr.
2. Emilio Espinosa Jr.
3. Gerry Salapudin
4. Eric Singson
5. Artur Defensor
6. Fred Castro
7. Oscar Gozos
8. Abraham Kahlil Mitra
9. Hussin Amin
10. Salacnib Baterina
11. Marcelino Libanan
12. Isidro Real Jr.
13. Roque Ablan Jr.
14. Abdullah Dimaporo
15. Aurelio Umali
16. Constantino Jaraula
17. Benasing Macarambon Jr.
18. Edgar Chatto
19. Augusto Baculio
20. Reynaldo Uy
21. Eladio Jala
22. Monico Puentebella
23. Faysah Maniri Racman Dumarpa
24. Eufrocino Codilla
25. Laurence Wacnang
26. Belma Cabilao
27. Felix Alferor Jr.
28. Luis Villafuerte

For more details on our press conference, please read here.

An interesting development after our press conference - the House Deputy Secretary General announced to media that coverage of the Justice Committee hearings would be restricted.

Alerts and the Need for a Favor

Sometimes it's just too damn hard to write. Too many things're going on at the same time, no matter how good a multi-tasker you are, it can be exhausting. Thank God for a cast iron stomach and the need to see this woman sit in front of a judge.

The situation being endured by our OFWs is heartbreaking. While politicians bicker about money, two women die, one surely because she needed to escape not only a dangerous country but despicable employers as well. And what does Gloria do? She makes plans to produce "supermaids" to send abroad. As Conrad de Quiros mentioned to Billy Esposo, the problem with Gloria isn't her liver, it's her gall.

Here's a heads up on Cha Cha - rumors are rife that next week, Singaw ng Bayad goes full throttle. We've heard that new ads are coming out, this time with celebs like Pacquiao endorsing Cha Cha. Not too surprising, since he already announced this morning that he's running for Vice Mayor of Manila. Great.

As for the Impeachment, the first meeting of the Justic Committee is on Tuesday, 8 August, in the Andaya Hall of the Batasan, 1pm. Several actions are planned for the day, please check this blog for a schedule. We hope to offer you several activities you may find worthwhile. Perfumed and botoxed Powder Blue Ladies need not apply.

Meanwhile, we ask anyone who would like to help us to please write their Congressman. Especially if that Congressman is anti-Impeachment. All it takes is love of country, follow through and around Php7 for a stamp Here's an example of a letter, feel free to cut and paste:

The Honorable __________________________
Representative, ____ District, _______________
The House of Representatives
Batasan Road, Quezon City

Your Honor,

Citizens of the Philippines have filed a new and official Impeachment Complaint against Pres. Gloria Macapagal - Arroyo. This Citizens’ Impeachment Complaint has been enthusiastically endorsed by various groups representing a broad spectrum of Filipino society.

As part of your constituency, we wish to convey to you our strongest sentiments in favor of this action.

We believe that Impeachment is the only legal avenue left to allow Pres. Macapagal Arroyo to answer her detractors and clear her name. Most of all, it is the best way to get to the Truth so that we may all move on and return to normalcy.

We also believe that your vote in favor of Impeachment will help restore trust and belief in the House of Representatives as well as disavow us of the idea that our Congressmen have turned a deaf ear to us.

In closing, we respectfully expect you – in your capacity as our representative and voice in Congress – to please bear in mind and take into consideration our views in this regard.

Thank you very much.

In case your Congressman happens to have signed on to last year's Impeachment, here's a letter you can write to him or her:

Your Honor,

Warm greetings! I am _________________________________, a voting constituent in your district, with address at __________________________. ____________________________________________________________.

I would like to congratulate you on your courageous stand in last year's impeachment proceedings against Pres. Gloria Macapagal -Arroyo.

As one of your constituents, I take great pride in the fact that my very own representative was one of the 50 congressmen who stood up against the powers-that- be in the interest of truth, justice and honest governance.

Today, even as the House minority files a new impeachment complaint, I hope and pray that you will remain steadfast in our common resolve to oust a corrupt and illegitimate president.

Regardless of the outcome, we shall have achieved a historic moral victory in refusing to compromise our integrity and the well-being of the nation.

Thank you and more power to you!

One last thing - are you really going to sit idly by and allow Garci to run for Congress? How many liars, cheats, and thieves can you stomach?

Hodge Podge

Here are some stories, scuttlebutt, to mull over:

• Two Citizen Complainants to the Impeachment of Gloria Arroyo are being harassed: Gus Lagman, Black & White co-convenor and past president of Information Technology Foundation of the Philippines (ITFP), is being sued by Mega Pacific over those dastardly counting machines. Read here. Meanwhile, Josie Lichauco is being badgered by Philippine Agila Satellite Inc. over a complaint they lodged that was dismissed years ago. Ate Glue must be fuming over Josie's recent remarks about her. Que horror!
• The state of Gloria's health - Chiz Escudero wants to know, so do all the rest of us. Is Ate Glue over dramatizing her state of health by running to St. Luke's every time her tummy rumbles or her nose runs? Or is there something more to these emergencies than meets the eye? When most of us get the runs, we take our Immodium, call it a day. When most of us get the 'flu, we take our paracetamol, sleep it off at home. There's a text making the rounds that says she's afflicted with something more serious. Hmmm... The Palace has a fully equipped clinic. PGH is closer to Malacanang, it's a government hospital. Why doesn't she go there? Is it because she knows that it's not as well-equipped as private hospitals? Tsk, tsk, tsk. She should pay more attention to improving PGH than to printing millions of Philhealth cards with hard-earned OFW contributions to OWWA to bribe our urban poor.
• Check out Singaw's website (thanks, MLQ3), it's too funny! This page tells us all about who they are and what they're about. Take note, they scream "this nation will be great again"! Shudder. Shades of Marcosian wisdom. And they want to free us from "authocracy". What in heck's "authocracy"? Shudder again. Boyoboy, their copy writers must be working for our side. Come on, guys, 'fess up! First, they describe themselves as hordes of devils, now this.
• Hold on, here's one more! Click on this, scroll down to the question, "And who are these people who have put up so much cash for One Voice’s cause?". Read the answer. They still don't get it.
• Regarding Joc Joc Bolante - hearing ugly rumors that the rotund member (isn't he the Treasurer?) of Rotary Club International and erstwhile member of the present regime was detained due to a very large amount of money found on his person at LAX. Visitors to the US are not allowed to bring in more than US$10,000 in undeclared funds. That's either cash or any other financial instrument like bonds, treasury bills. Now, how much do you think he could've been caught with? If the rumor's true, that is.
  

The 8th Filing of the Citizens' Impeachment Complaint

According to Cong. Edcel Lagman, the Impeachment Complaint filed yesterday may be the only one acceptable, because it was filed on the correct day. That remains to be seen, as we all know that pro-Gloria Congressmen will stop at nothing to point out all possible defects and inconsistencies to thwart our search for Truth. Well, they can keep on trying, we will keep on fighting to get at it.

Our Press Release:

THE BLACK AND WHITE MOVEMENT, led by its provincial leaders, along with endorsers from the Liberal Party represented by Dina Abad, Noynoy Aquino, Neric Acosta, and Manny Mamba, filed the eighth impeachment complaint against President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Marilou Capucao of Naga City and Ian Beato of Catanduanes said that they traveled all the way from Bicolandia to manifest their desire to get to the truth behind the electoral fraud of 2004.

Roberto Almonte from Mindoro, on the other hand, wants to get to the truth about the fertilizer scam since there are many farmers from Mindoro who need support services but have not been adequately assisted by the government. “Dapat umuwi si Joc Joc Bolante para sagutin ang mga katanungan namin”, he said.

Pauline Nayra and Annie Curpin, both from Tacloban, echo the same concern. The impeachment procedure will provide President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo a chance to explain her side on the fertilizer scam. It is widely believed that the funds that did not reach the farmers were used for the 2004 presidential election campaign.

Ian Digal and Dolly Corro are from Davao City. They signed the impeachment complaint because of continuous extra judicial killings in the country. They recall the martial law era, when Davao City had its share of everyday “salvaging” of critics of government. They do not want to see this happen again. The present regime must be stopped from committing these atrocities. This is the same concern of two leaders from Northern Luzon, Sr. Celerina Zabala from Abra and Ligaya Victoria from Baguio. They have seen the rise in the number of disappearances and killings of community leaders critical of government in their area.

Ma. Cynthia Sabanpan and Adora Ellevera brought with them 48 notarized verification forms to the impeachment complaint all the way from Cagayan de Oro City. The Black and White chapter of the Golden Friendship City recently held a dance rally called “STOP Cha Cha, Impeach Gloria” wherein people signed impeachment verification forms. Cong. Chiz Escudero was present to receive and transmit the forms to the House of Representatives.

“This action today shows that people outside Manila are searching for truth and want to be part of the impeachment process. Contrary to what government wants us to believe, the people in the provinces are asking questions and are willing to stand up for their beliefs.” said Sixto Macasaet, a convenor of BLACK AND WHITE Movement.

--oOo--

STATEMENT ON OUR ENDORSEMENT OF THE IMPEACHMENT COMPLAINT AGAINST PRESIDENT GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO - Repesentatives Dina Abad, Neric Acosta, Noynoy Aquino, Manny Mamba

We have been asked why we are pursuing this impeachment again given the failure of last year's attempt and perhaps the increased difficulty of this new attempt.

Those of us present today are veterans of both EDSA I and II. We fought in simplest terms for the restoration of a government that would truly serve its people and not only the interests of a select few.

We who are elected officials of this land swore in our respective oaths of office to defend and uphold our constitution. It is with intense sadness that in the twentieth anniversary of our restoration of our democracy and freedoms we see our constitution seemingly violated with impunity.

There have been calls from certain sectors for us to desist in this undertaking. They have accused us of engaging in partisan and destructive politics. They have called us destabilizers amongst other labels.

When people are hungry as evidenced by a lot of our countrymen reduced to sharing a cup of instant noodles as their daily sustenance and the administration's response is the so called fertilizer scam. It has been admitted that at least twenty per cent of our labor pool have had to seek employment abroad and our government's response is to squander its scant resources on unnecessary and hideously expensive projects like the North Rail instead of spending it to pump prime our economy and provide jobs here. May we note for emphasis that the South Korean government has a rehabilitation project for a longer portion of the South Rail at a mere ten percent of the cost of the first phase of the North Rail project.

There are hundreds of extra judicial killings and disappearances, the vast majority of which remain to be solved.

Policies like CPR which effectively amended B.P.880 without benefit of legislation and orders like E.0.464 which contravened long standing decisions by the Supreme Court further reinforces the sense that this administration operates under rules subject to no laws but their own.

Given this state affairs our people are hungry and fearful and they are growing desperate and frustrated. Given a lack of redress for their grievances, one day like a seething volcano they will explode.

Given all of the above in furtherance of our sworn duty to serve the people regardless of the pressures and inducements thrown our way to change our stance we have decided to endorse this new impeachment complaint. .

The impeachment process, a constitutionally sanctioned activity, we believe is the surest and safest way to settle once and for all the issues that have divided us as a country and people.

The forces of the state in all its might are arrayed against us. The road ahead may be lonely and fraught with danger. The future is uncertain for all of us.

We are confident however that what we are undertaking today is in furtherance of that which is right.

A Legion of Demons

Sundays are supposed to be spent lolling around in bed, a day reserved for doing nothing except maybe to watch television or contemplate one's navel. Another thing most of us do is lazily go through the morning papers with a cup of coffee. Reading the newspapers online is so much easier, you can avoid all the ads. I particularly do not like reading the Star, but after getting a heads up from MLQ3, I put on my running shoes, zipped out the door, ran through the rain and bought a hard copy. Imagine my surprise -



















This is a cropped section of a full page ad taken out by Singaw ng Bayan against One Voice in their favorite paper. The rest of the ad is a waste of newsprint. As to this section's content, either the copy writer thought he was being cool and profound or is really working for Singaw ng Bayan's detractors. The highlighted line is from the Bible, the Gospel according to Mark:

The Healing of a Demon-possessed Man

1They went across the lake to the region of the Gerasenes. 2When Jesus got out of the boat, a man with an evil spirit came from the tombs to meet him. 3This man lived in the tombs, and no one could bind him any more, not even with a chain. 4For he had often been chained hand and foot, but he tore the chains apart and broke the irons on his feet. No one was strong enough to subdue him. 5Night and day among the tombs and in the hills he would cry out and cut himself with stones.

6When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and fell on his knees in front of him. 7He shouted at the top of his voice, "What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? Swear to God that you won't torture me!" 8For Jesus had said to him, "Come out of this man, you evil spirit!"

9Then Jesus asked him, "What is your name?"

"My name is Legion," he replied, "for we are many." 10And he begged Jesus again and again not to send them out of the area.

11A large herd of pigs was feeding on the nearby hillside. 12The demons begged Jesus, "Send us among the pigs; allow us to go into them." 13He gave them permission, and the evil spirits came out and went into the pigs. The herd, about two thousand in number, rushed down the steep bank into the lake and were drowned.

14Those tending the pigs ran off and reported this in the town and countryside, and the people went out to see what had happened. 15When they came to Jesus, they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons, sitting there, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid. 16Those who had seen it told the people what had happened to the demon-possessed man—and told about the pigs as well. 17Then the people began to plead with Jesus to leave their region.

18As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed begged to go with him. 19Jesus did not let him, but said, "Go home to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you." 20So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed.

Geez, anyone who has seen "The Exorcist" and its many sequels knows this line by heart. But then, Singaw's description of their membership is apt, perfect. They are not only possessed by evil demons that create liars, abet cheats, and encourage greed, they are woefully blinded by the evil promises whispered to them by their Mistress.

Just for the record, I do not believe One Voice is spending that much money. These figures are bloated, like the ego of Rep. Rudy Antonino. Speaking of financing, do you have any idea of just how much Singaw has spent on the many broadsheet, full page ads defending itself? How much of our tax money (via the Office of the President, mind you) has been spent sending out its Advocacy Commission? They claim to have crisscrossed our country, touting Charter Change's empty promises of economic growth, yada yada yada. How much has been spent on bribing our congressmen so they can once again vote down the Citizen's Impeachment Complaint? You do the math.