The Knucklehead of the Day award

Today's winner is Philippine television personality Willie Revillame. He gets the award for the following-

Controversial TV host Willie Revillame is said to be deeply upset over the negative reaction he has received regarding the comments he made pertaining to the airing of President Cory Aquino’s funeral cortege on his TV show, “Wowowee” on Aug. 3.

“He feels isolated,” said friend and Wowowee director Johnny “Mr. M” Manahan who has taken the cudgels for his beleaguered colleague.

Manahan revealed that Revillame had relieved himself of his duties from the show “for the time being.”

*****

The signature campaign was fueled by videos uploaded on the World Wide Web showing Revillame visibly irked while a live streaming video of President Cory Aquino’s cortege was being flashed via a small window in a portion of Wowowee.

For those who don't know, Wowowee is an immensely popular television show in the Philippines. My wife is a Filipina and we get 4 Filipino television channels through our satellite provider. Willie is one of three Philippine television personalities I can name and recognize on hearing their voice.

“Pangit! Hindi ho maganda sa atin. Nagsasalita [ako], ipinapakita yung kabaong ni Tita Cory, hindi ba? Papano kami makapagsasaya?” Revillame was heard saying.

Which translates to- “It is ugly for us that while I am talking they are showing the cortege of Aunt Cory, isnt’ it? How can we may everyone happy?”

“I don’t think dapat ipakita ‘yan. Nagsasaya kami dito, papakita n’yo sa amin yun [libing]…? Hindi tama, okay?”

Which translates- “I don’t think they should show it. We are having fun, and they burial cortege is being shown. It’s not right. ”

These are really dumb things to be saying and Willie deserves to be in the trouble he is now. My wife says he has a big head and should be fired for what he said. His conduct was disgraceful. She also points out if not for Corazon Aquino, Willie may not have a job now. ABS CBN was sequestered by the Marcoses during the time of martial law.

My own opinion- Willie was way out of line, and I have no problem naming him today's Knucklehead of the Day.

Hatfields and McCoys 21st century version

There certainly are some interesting ways to handle disputes in the Southern Philippines.

Two people died while 9 others got hurt when two warring clans clashed in the southern Philippine province of Sulu, police said Friday.

Police said the fighting erupted on Tulayan Island, Luuk town late Thursday afternoon.

"Two people are dead in the fighting and at least nine more were wounded in the fighting between two warring clans," said Senior Superintendent Julasirim Kasim, the Sulu police chief.

Kasim said more policemen were sent to the island to prevent the escalation of hostilities between the Omar and Buclao families, which have been fighting over ancestral lands.

He said Gov. Abdusakur Tan ordered police and military to disarm the protagonists and seize all illegal weapons on the island and file criminal charges against those involved in the fighting.

"There is a joint police and military operation to disarm private armies in the area," he said.

Tan previously ordered authorities to dismantle private armies and seize all illegal weapons and declared a total gun ban in the province.

Kasim said the protagonists traded mortar fire and engaged in sporadic clashes that lasted well into the night. He said the fighting subsided after police, backed by government soldiers, were deployed on the island.

The clash took place in the very southern part of the Philippines. Tulayan Island is part of the Sulu Archipelago which is not just closer to Indonesia distance wise, but culturally too. Its part of Moroland, and in contrast to the rest of the Philippines which is mostly Roman Catholic, The islands in the Sulu Archipelago are predominantly Muslim.

Back to the story above. Are they regrouping in preparation to avenge those killed. Mortars were used in this attack, if both sides escalate, what weaponry will they use next?

Hopefully peace will reign though I'm not optimistic.

Just no cents

*- My wife is a Filipina and for some time we've gotten Philippine television via Directv. For the last month or so, the Philippine version of Deal or No Deal shows at noon time. Which coincidentally is the same time for Leonita to be home for lunch.

So Leonita watches the show now every weekday while she is having lunch. It's hard not to watch the show. I do 'appreciate' Philippine women and a television show with 27 of them, some with names of Apple and Precious and Olive, well you know why I watch.

At the bottom of this post there's a video which includes a rehearsal and a interview of two of the suitcase girls. The video isn't the greatest. s

Deal or No Deal, whether in the USA or The Philippines is about greed. Yesterday's show had to have the biggest idiot I've seen on television in some time. After turning down many generous offers, he has two possibilities left, 400 pesos or 75. The current exchange rate is 49 pesos to the dollar. The banker offers this guy 399 pesos or 1 less than what at most he can win. One peso or two cents don't buy anything these days. He says- No deal! Do I need explain what was found in the suitcase he had left?

*- Dear wife was all excited yesterday and today for the return of her mother and sister. They are coming back from the Philippines. Leonita went to Fort Lauderdale airport, 45 miles from my house, to pick them up this morning. Guess what? They are arriving tomorrow.

Suitcases. My life is full of them.

Labels: Asia, Personal Stuff, Philippines, Television

Like oreo cookies without the cream filling

From the 'You got to be kidding me files'- Playboy magazine without the nudity.

MANILA (AFP) - The Philippines will get its own edition of Playboy magazine -- only without the nudity that made the US version famous, the editor-in-chief of the local edition said Thursday.

The Philippine edition will be launched on April 2 as a "mature lifestyle magazine", said veteran journalist Beting Laygo Dolor.

While the magazine will offer pictorials of beautiful women, it will not include nudity. "It will be tamer than the US edition but not as tame as the Indonesian edition," Lagyo Dolor said in a television interview.

He said it would be aimed at a more mature, affluent readership than "lad magazines" such as FHM and Maxim which already have Philippine editions.

It will be the 25th international edition of the US-based magazine which was launched more than 50 years ago.

Playboy was never on my list of reading materials. If you seen tasted one cookie recipie, there is no need to sample any more.

All snark aside, how profitable will it be to publish Playboy in the PI? Without the nudity, I wouldn''t think there would be much of a market for the publication. The magazine is published in the Muslim country of Indonesia without the nudity. What works in that country(Assuming Playboy is successful there) doesn't mean the same business model will work in a country without with a very different culture.

Note- Before anyone tries to remind me how Roman Catholic The Philippines are, I will remind readers I'm married to a Filipina. Plus lived in that country for two years of my life.

No coup for Christmas

So says the chief of the Philippine armed forces.

MANILA, Philippines -- Armed Forces chief General Hermogenes Esperon Jr. said Monday that no coup attempt would spoil the Christmas season because rebel soldiers who tried to oust the government last month do not have the support of the troops.

"In spite of what happened, we can enjoy Christmas, celebrate Christmas. I hope there is no disturbance from those who want to grab power, but we are ready for that," Esperon told reporters in Camp Aguinaldo on Monday.

Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, a former Navy lieutenant, Army Brigadier General Danilo Lim, and members of the mutinous Magdalo group of junior officers seized the Manila Peninsula hotel in Makati City last November 29 to press for the ouster of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo for alleged corruption.

The attempted uprising was quelled bloodlessly with a military and police assault and the group was charged with rebellion before a Makati City court.

The November 29th coup attempt resembled something out of the three stooges. I mean who plots an overthrow of the government by taking a hotel? Well most of these men were on trial at the time for a coup attempt in 2003. Then they took a Philippine shopping center and another hotel.

My opinion of these plotters is pretty basic- They're a bunch of cowards. What do they do? They endanger innocent civilian lives through their actions. If these men had any honor, they'd try storming the Malcanang Palace. Then these men know what would happen, they'd all be shot dead. Instead they look for a soft target like a mall or hotel. They're no better than terrorists who do the same.

Note- Coup attempts are not funny at all, but very dangerous. In 1989, my wife was about to have her embassy interview in Manila in order for her to immigrate to the US, while I was flying to the country at the same time, when a bloody coup attempt began against Corazon Aquino. I spent several days stuck up in Seoul South Korea, frantically trying to call my wife. No one wants to be around these things, that includes your family members, when they happen. Unlike these recent comical efforts, the December 1st 1989 coup ended up with about 100 people dead.

Update- I should have remembered the significance of today. It marks 18 years(12-17-89) exactly since my wife Leonita arrived in the USA for the first time. She was originally scheduled to have a interview at the US embassy in Manila on Dec 4th and arrive in the US Dec 6th in 1989. Because of the coup, the interview took place on the 7th instead and Leonita left the country on the 17th.

Linked to- Adam, Blue Star, Bright & Early, Bullwinkle, DragonLady, Pirate's Cove, Populist, Right Voices, Right Wing Nation, Rosemary, Third World County,

She's #1

A poll says Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is the most corrupt politician in Philippine history.

MANILA, PHILIPPINES: Filipinos consider President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo the most corrupt leader in their country's history _ surpassing late dictator Ferdinand Marcos, who allegedly stole billions of dollars during his 20-year rule, a survey said.

The nationwide survey by independent pollster Pulse Asia, released Tuesday (11 Dec), found that 42 percent of Filipinos believed Arroyo is the most corrupt president, compared to 35 % for Marcos.

The survey of 1,200 people was conducted 20-31 Oct as the government was embroiled in a bribery scandal involving a national broadband contract with a Chinese company. Arroyo was later forced to cancel the deal.

The Manila-based pollster's survey had a margin or error of 3 percentage points.

Cabinet Secretary Ricardo Saludo blamed the result on critical media coverage, saying the results show "what happens when media publishes accusations and insinuations against the government without bothering to verify or even ask for the basis of charges."

Marcos, ousted in the country's first "people power" revolt in 1986, was accused of stealing billions of dollars (euros) during his rule.

Arroyo's predecessor, Joseph Estrada, who was toppled in a 2001 popular uprising over allegations of corruption, was picked as the third most corrupt leader.

I give this poll as much credence as I give those who list President Bush as the worst President ever. Both I've been critical of, both I've given multiple Knucklehead awards to. However polls like this tell you very little. Recent history will always get recalled stronger than events years ago. With time, memory fades.

Linked to- Bullwinkle, Leaning Straight Up, Right Voices,

Not in the spirit

From AP-

MANILA, Philippines - At the risk of being called the Grinch, Manila administrators said Monday they are banning Christmas carolers from the Philippine capital's streets because they disrupt traffic.

"The plan, controversial as it might be, is not done out of whim but rather for the safety of the children and the motorists," said Metropolitan Manila Development Authority chief Bayani Fernando, citing an incident last year in which a child caroler was run over by a speeding vehicle.

He said the ban applies to carolers and beggars in the streets, who often stop cars, beat their drums and tin cans and ask for money.

Those who violate the ban will be rounded up and placed into the custody of the Social Welfare Department, he said.

"They can still go caroling from house to house or in their neighborhood where there are no speeding cars or trucks," Fernando said. "What we are against are those who dart across thoroughfares knocking on vehicle windows to beg for alms since this is a sure-fire way to get maimed or killed."

Street caroling is a holiday tradition in the Asian island nation. My wife finds the ban ridiculous. Children regularly run across the street for many activities, begging and selling of goods to name two. You would also think Manila police needs something better to do. That is besides rounding up protesters of President Arroyo.

Manila is a city of Manila and its metro area is around 16 million. Traffic is horrendous. In these conditions, accidents happen. One dead child in all these people requires a ban be put in place on street caroling. What do you think?

Linked to- Adam, Blue Star, DragonLady, High Desert Wanderer, Rosemary,

Marilou Ranario

Sentenced to death for murder in Kuwait, the Filipina's sentence has been commuted to life imprisonment.

MANILA, Philippines--PRESIDENT Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on Sunday saved Marilou Ranario from the gallows after the Chief Executive secured from the Kuwaiti ruler a commutation of the Filipino maid's death sentence to life imprisonment for killing her Arab employer, Malacañang announced.

In a statement, Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye quoted Sheik Sabah Al Ahmed Al Sabah as telling the President during a 25-minute meeting in his palace that "normally, I don't interfere in the judicial process.

"But since you are here to personally appeal for her, I will not sign the decree of execution. That is within my power ... I will reduce the penalty to life and when the other parties sign the forgiveness, I will further reduce the penalty," said the emir, according to Bunye.

Arroyo thanked the emir for his "compassion," said Bunye. She also agreed to stay overnight in Kuwait upon the ruler's invitation and return home on Tuesday instead of Monday as earlier scheduled.

The President flew to Kuwait Sunday en route home from an eight-day official visit to Spain and Britain and a pilgrimage to the shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes in France.

She was accompanied on her Kuwait stop by a small party that included Foreign Secretary Aberto Romulo, Sen. Edgardo Angara, Ambassador Ricardo Endaya, Pampanga Rep. Aurelio Gonzalez Jr. and Bunye.

"The life of every overseas Filipino is important," Bunye quoted the President as saying, before Arroyo and her party headed to Kuwait after the meeting with the emir was confirmed.

Ranario, 33, a school teacher who left her two children to try her luck in the desert emirate, was sentenced to death for killing her female employer, Najat Mahmoud Faraj Mubarak, 46, on Jan. 11, 2005, for allegedly mistreating her and insulting Filipinos.

Ranario said she had suffered physical abuse, lack of food and rest, and the non-payment of her salary.

First I'll make clear that I'm married to a Filipina, and in addition one of my Philippine sister-in-laws worked for two years in Saudi Arabia.

To those not acquainted with the Philippines, the involvement of the Philippine President in Ranario's case would look unusual. Could you see President Bush doing this? The circumstances are alot different. For a nation of 89 million, the Philippines exports three million people a year to work abroad. These Filipinos and Filipinas then send a portion of their earnings home to support their families. Filipinos working abroad have considerable influence at home. So Arroyo's intercession isn't surprising.

Nobody knows for sure what happened in Kuwait. There has been a history of Filipinas being abused and mistreated when working in the middle east. Filipina maid sometimes meaning potential mistress to some employers. Was any of this going on in Ranario's case? Possibly. Does it justify murder? I don't know the facts.

My wife and mother-in-law are the strong opinion Ranario was in a abusive situation and what she did was in self defense. I don't know. Say a prayer for Ranario, a life sentence in a Kuwait prison isn't likely to be pleasant.

Linked to- Jo, Leaning Straight Up, Populist, Pursuing Holiness, Rosemary, Stop the ACLU, Stuck on Stupid,

Go Angelina go

From Reuters-

MANILA (Reuters) - A leftist farmers' group has asked the United Nations to send Hollywood star Angelina Jolie to visit the Philippines to check on the rising number of people displaced by army offensives in the countryside.

Since the late 1960s, the Philippine army has been fighting communist insurgents and Muslim separatists in twin insurgencies that have killed 160,000 people, displaced over 2 million and stunted economic growth in the country.

The Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (Movement of Farmers in the Philippines) has sent a letter to the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees to look at the worsening refugee situation in the country, its leader Willy Marbella said on Friday.

"Since June 2005, we have been asking the chair of the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees, Antonio Guterres, to look into this and send Angelina Jolie to see the real situation of internally displaced people in the country," Marbella told reporters.

"Hundreds of people are being forced out of their homes and farms every month."

Angelina has only earned one previous mention at my blog. I rather blog about Knuckleheads than celebrities.

The only coneivable reason Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas would have for requesting Jolie to come is the publicity it would create. Publicity won't necessarily translate into action however.

If Angelina goes, she should try the pancit and leechon. When in the Philippines do as the Filipinos do. Heh?

Linked to- Pursuing Holiness, Right Voices, Third World County, Woman Honor Thyself,

The wedding must go on

A side story to last week's coup attempt in Manila

MANILA (Reuters) - Nothing, not even an attempted coup, was going to stop this wedding.

A Filipino couple who were due to hold their wedding reception at a luxury Manila hotel moved the venue to another across the road after soldiers calling for the overthrow of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo took over the building.

The bride, 30-year-old Maria-Stella Magtayo, had dressed in her room at the Manila Peninsula Hotel and entered the lobby in an off-the-shoulder white gown, bouquet in hand and a friend holding the train.

"I'm going through with this. Rock n' Roll!" she said, as rebel soldiers with automatic rifles and scores of journalists paced around the lobby.

Her groom, Rian Montano, 31, was still in his shorts and T-shirt because he had not started to get ready. He was wearing hotel slippers.

"We were having breakfast when these guys broke in. I knew at once it was something bad," he said.

Montano said the wedding would now be held at the Shangri-La Hotel across the road, and that guests who had arrived from around the world would be taken there.

The couple and their guests got out of the hotel by a side exit when the rebel soldiers were briefly trying to prevent people from leaving.

The wedding did take place. Now as punishment, the coup perpertrators should be left in room one at a time with female members of the wedding party. Being berated and tortured by angry filipinas will teach those men a lesson.

Linked to- Blue Star, Jo, Woman Honor Thyself, Yankee Sailor,

Sending in the Swat team

The latest Philippine political drama.

MANILA, Philippines - Philippine troops and SWAT teams stormed a five-star hotel on Thursday that dissident military officers commandeered after walking out of their coup trial and demanding that President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo resign.

Soon after the confrontation ended with the dissidents surrendering, the government announced a midnight to 5 a.m. curfew for the Manila area, with checkpoints set up and the military and police on red alert.

"The full force of the law will be meted out without any concession. Additional charges are being prepared to hold accountable those who committed new crimes," Arroyo said.

The military men and their civilian sympathizers — including former Vice President Teofisto Guingona — were later led in groups to police buses. It was not immediately clear if they were being arrested or taken in for questioning. Several journalists also were detained.

*****

The trial for Trillanes and his co-defendants is over a 2003 insurrection in which troops commandeered a shopping center and hotel and demanded Arroyo's ouster.

Escorted by military police, who apparently did not prevent them from leaving the court, the defendants marched to the Peninsula hotel, pushed away guards at the entrance, and set up a command center in a second-floor function room. Armed guards were set up on stairways from the lobby.

I am no fan of Gloria Arroyo, as can be seen by the two Knucklehead awards I've given her. The latest of which was for the Presidential pardon Arroyo gave to former Philippine President Joseph Estrada.

Arroyo is just the latest in a long line of corrupt Philippine politicians. They plunder that country's treasury while most of the citizenry live in poverty or near poverty levels. Even if Arroyo is ousted, I expect little to change in Philippine politics. As my Tacloban born wife says, 'Same dog, different collar'.

Two problems I see with coup attempts even against corrupt politicians are.

1- They are undemocratic actions taken against an elected President. Who voted for these military officers to take over? The Philippines is not a dictatorship.

2- When these coups happen, often innocent people are injured or killed. Today was no different.

At least two people were injured during the assault on the Peninsula hotel. An armored personnel carrier, earlier used as cover by the security forces, was used to crash through the roped-shut lobby entrance.

I don't say this lightly, but these officers are cowards. If they had any courage, they wouldn't be using shopping malls and hotels to stage their protests or insurrection.

Coups are scary situations for ordinary people, and I know from personal experience. In 1989, my wife was called for her embassy interview before being granted a visa to immigrate to the United States. Her interview was December 5th, and I was scheduled to meet her in Manila on December first. On December 1st, Philippine Officer Gringo Honasan staged a coup against Corazon Aquino. I was en route at the time, and my Northwest Airlines flight was diverted to Seoul South South Korea. Leonita was in Manila waiting for my arrival. For parts of four days, I frantically tried contacting her as violence was happening in the Philippine capital. My wife was staying with relatives who had no telephone.(I had hotel reservations but Leonita had no means of paying for them. No credit card namely)

In addition to being scared for my wife's safety, I ran up hundreds of dollars in phone charges in a futile effort to contact her, plus had to endure days of eating Salisbury steak and sitting around in warm weather clothes while staying in a country where the temperatures barely broke forty. That isn't snark, but what went on for me between Dec 1-4 1989. Coup attempts often take innocent lives, over 100 people died in 1989 and not all were perpertrators of the coup or Philippine military members, and aren't something to be taken for granted. So think twice before wishing the overthrow of some unpopular politician(like Hugo Chavez) abroad. People going about their ordinary lives are going to get caught in the crossfire.

Linked to- Adam, Big Dog, Pirate's Cove, Rosemary, Yankee Sailor,

Overshot

Some news from the Philippines

A Philippine Airlines aircraft overshot a runway and plowed into a tropical forest while landing in a southern city early Friday, injuring 19 passengers and crew, police and the airline said.

The Airbus A320 flight from Manila to Butuan city sustained extensive damage after it came to a halt in a banana and coconut grove, airline spokesman Rolando Estabillo said.

The plane's doors and exits were swung open and emergency slides were deployed.

Nineteen people suffered minor injuries, said police Superintendent Elmer Doyo. Estabillo said the pilot and co-pilot were slightly hurt in the neck and nose and several others were brought to a hospital.

"Some have only anxiety reaction and had themselves checked," Doyo said, adding other injuries included scrapes and bruises.

The plane had 148 passengers and crew.

Estabillo said the airport in Butuan, about 790 kilometers (490 miles) southeast of Manila, was closed until Saturday while the plane and the runway were being inspected.

Butuan airport manager Emmanuel Costelo said the plane's two engines were damaged.

I make a bet there is alot more than just some engine damage. PAL may be able to salvage the plane. Fortunately no one was seriously hurt.

This crash, which according to Philippine television(TFM has directv and pays for extra for Philippine channels. Ever since we started getting this a year ago, my wife hardly goes a day without watching Wowowee or some Philippine soap opera.) had the A-320 clipping trees as it crashed, reminds me of this crash from the year I got married. Another Philippine airline flight overshot the runway that year also.

Philippine Airlines safety record is fair. On the other hand, their record for being on-time has left a lot to be desired. PAL just doesn't stand for Philippine Alrline but also for 'Plane always late'.

One last note- Butuan is Northeastern Mindanao, not far from my wife's home island of Leyte.

Linked to- Adam, Big Dog, Outside the Beltway, Third World County, Woman Honor Thyself,

The Knucklehead of the Day award

Today's winner is Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. She gets the award for the following.

MANILA: President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo of the Philippines has pardoned former president Joseph Estrada, who was convicted last month of corruption charges, her spokesman said on Thursday.

The spokesman, Ignacio Bunye, said at a news conference that the executive clemency is in line with the government's policy to release inmates who are aged 70 years and older.

Bunye said Arroyo had signed the presidential pardon taking into consideration that Estrada, who is 70 and was sentenced by an anti-graft court to a maximum of 40 years in prison for plunder, had already spent the past six and a half years under house arrest and that he had publicly pledged that he would "no longer seek any elective position or office."

The pardon also restores Estrada's civil and political rights, although the court's orders that he forfeit a mansion and more than $15.5 million he allegedly stole while in office "remain in force and in full," Bunye said.

Estrada deserves to spend the rest of his life rotting in jail. His being pardoned is a joke but pretty much politics as usual in the Philippines. Philippines leaders plunder the country's treasury while most of the population lives in poverty. Then the same leaders have the temerity to criticize tax evaders. We need more money is the message being sent.

Arroyo, a former Knucklehead winner, is probably hoping she'll get a similar pardon if ever tried and convicted after leaving office. She is as crooked as Estrada, but more brazen. Read about this recent scandal.

Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is today's Knucklehead of the Day.

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What's the holdup?

More on the Philippine bribery scandal.

MANILA: A senior official of the Philippines’ interior department was present when congressmen and local officials allegedly received bribes to ensure their loyalty for scandal-tainted President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, a governor said yesterday.

Arroyo has already ordered a probe into the controversial incident, which allegedly took place after she met with congressmen and governors on October 11 at the Malacanang presidential palace.

The Arroyo administration has denied any involvement in the cash-giving that government critics said was aimed at buying off the support of congressmen and local officials amid a feud between Arroyo and long-time ally House of Representatives Speaker Jose De Venecia.

The alleged bribery happened as the House of Representatives was to tackle an impeachment complaint against Arroyo, the third in three years. The first two complaints were junked by Arroyo’s allies in the House, led by De Venecia.

Bulacan province Governor Joselito Mendoza, who admitted receiving P500,000 ($11,300) after the meeting with Arroyo, said Interior Undersecretary Austere Panadero was present when a female staff member gave him the money.

“Undersecretary Panadero was there,” Mendoza, a member of Arroyo’s political party, said. “I think he knew where the money came from.”

Panadero is a subordinate of Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno, chairman of Arroyo’s Kampi political party.

There was no immediate reaction from Panadero or Puno.

Mendoza added that aside from Panadero, another governor from a southern province was also present when the money was handed to him.

Two other governors, including a former priest, and at least two congressmen have admitted receiving cash gifts after the Malacanang meeting. The officials could not identify the persons who gave them the money, contained in a brown paper bag.

The current impeachment complaint against Arroyo stems from accusations by De Venecia’s son that Arroyo’s husband and close ally, resigned elections chief Benjamin Abalos, brokered a deal with Chinese firm ZTE Corp that was disadvantageous to the government.

While I have no trouble believing these bribes took place, Governor Mendoza saying he has a witness doesn't prove anything yet. Not unless Panadero steps forward. Which he's liable not to do, because of the implications to his career.

Philippine politics never changes. As my wife so often says, same dog different collar.

Note- The above photo of Philippine President Arroyo was taken while she was viewing security at Manila International Airport. Did her presence cause flight delays? It did last November when my wife was returning from a trip to Tacloban. Dear wife missing her connection in Los Angeles.

As Khrushchev might have said. Politicians are the same every where. They only think of themselves.

Linked to- High Desert Wanderer, Leaning Straight Up, Morewhat, Outside the Beltway,

Bag full of money

Where in the world would Congressmen and Governors get over 10,000 US dollars in such a manner? The Philippines of course.

MANILA, Philippines -- Dousing claims by Pampanga Governor Ed Panlilio that cash gifts were distributed to local officials last week, Malacañang has maintained it did not distribute the money.

The priest-turned-governor has challenged the Palace to speak out on the alleged distribution of funds to local officials, which he said happened last Thursday after they attended a meeting with President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Panlilio showed to media the P500,000 cash in bundles of P1,000 bills he received in a brown envelope after Thursday's meeting.

Several congressmen, who had a breakfast meeting with Arroyo on the same day, also admitted receiving money between P200,000 and P500,000.

*****

Mendoza himself admitted receiving the cash gift of P500,000 and said it was given by a Malacañang staff.

Panlilio said he accepted the money after being told that it would be used for his constituents. He said he has written a letter to the Palace asking that it issue a document to prove it has released the money.

If Philippine history teaches us anything, its that the constituents Panlilo will help with that money are himself, his family and close friends. Bribes being handed that out in the Presidential palace. No one thought this wouldn't get leaked to the media somehow? Tells you something about the sad state of politics in the country of my wife's birth.

Enjoy that money all you congressmen. You'll get your just reward in heaven one day for stealing from the poor.

Linked to- Bullwinkle, Cao, Leaning Straight Up, Outside the Beltway,

Another fool who can't count(or divide) Part II

The headline of this story threw up an immediate red flag for me.

Port Orange woman keeps village going 18,000 miles away

I've known since I was a itty bitty boy that the world is only 25,000 miles around at the equator. That means at most a person is 13,000 miles from Florida to the Philippines. If you check here, its less than 9,000 from New York. So was the mistake due to the headline writer or the author of the Daytona Beach News-Journal article?

Those who leave the village for cities or towns find new barriers. With little education, money or modern work skills, they are ill-equipped to adapt in a rapidly industrializing nation. They are unable to speak English or Tagalog, the primary language of the Philippines. Yet, in their native Sambalic tongue, Tina, the village is abuzz with hope.

That hope has come in the form of a 70-year-old Port Orange woman 18,000 miles away.

An interesting article, spoiled by a reporter named Justin Yurkanin who can't be bothered doing a google search or checking his math with a calculator.

Do note also that this is the third piece of screwy journalism by a Cox Enterprises owned publication in one day. Are editors for the Post and News Journal asleep right now or just as dumb as their reporters?

Linked to- Pirate's Cove, Leaning Straight Up, Populist, Right Voices,

A pardon for Joseph Estrada?

The latest infamy in Philippine politics

MANILA: A few hours after an anti-graft court convicted former President Joseph Estrada of plunder, officials of the administration of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo were already talking about the possibility of a pardon.

The officials said a pardon for Estrada, who was sentenced Sept. 11 to a maximum of 40 years in prison for receiving payoffs and kickbacks before his ouster from office, could heal the nation. "Why not?" Sergio Apostol, Arroyo's chief legal adviser, said of a pardon on the day of the verdict.

Over the weekend, Arroyo made it known through her advisers that she was indeed considering a pardon. "I'm hoping that we can do it before Christmas," Ronaldo Puno, a political adviser to Arroyo, told reporters Sunday.

But not everyone in the Philippines welcomes the possibility of a pardon. Some are concerned that it could send the wrong signal and offset what was gained with Estrada's conviction: a strong message that the Philippine justice system does catch up with powerful lawbreakers.

"What could ever justify granting amnesty or pardon to one who shamelessly feasted on power and greed?" 15 private lawyers who assisted in Estrada's prosecution asked in a statement issued last week. "What message shall that send to those who wield power now and in the future?"

*****

Estrada, a former movie actor who became president in 1998 and was driven out of power in a military-backed civilian uprising in 2001, is still hugely popular and remains a potent force within the political opposition.

A pardon for Estrada would be a disgrace, but if I were to place a bet, it would be that the former Philippine President gets one. What a sad state of affairs Philippine politics is. Most of the country's citizens live in poverty, and their elected officials rob them blind. Then get ready to pardon those few crooks who get caught.

The only reason I see for Arroyo to grant a pardon, is that she has committed her own crimes. She is hoping the next President will show Arroyo mercy, if first she pardons Estrada.

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Facilitating

From Earth Times-

Manila - The chairman of the Philippines' Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Monday resigned amid allegations he offered bribes to ensure that a Chinese firm won a government contract for a national broadband deal. Comelec Chairman Benjamin Abalos, accused by a businessman and a cabinet secretary of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo of offering them multimillion-dollar bribes, said his resignation was effective immediately.

"The time has come to separate my person from the office I now occupy," he told a hastily called press conference at his home in Manila. "I am resigning effective immediately."

"I am not admitting guilty or anything," he added, vowing to fight to clear his name.

Abalos has been at the centre of a bribery scandal involving a 329-million-dollar contract to establish a national broadband network, which was awarded to Chinese firm ZTE Corp.

He allegedly offered a 10-million-dollar bribe to businessman Jose De Venecia III to drop his company's bid for the project and a 200-million-peso (4.44-million-dollar) bribe to former socio-economic planning secretary Romulo Neri to facilitate the contract.

Abalos has denied all the allegations, but admitted facilitating several meetings between ZTE representatives and senior government officials.

Facilitating? Abalos really means- I got caught taking a kickback.

I love the Philippines and its people. The politicians I can do without. Corruption pervades almost every level of government, where officials operate under the principle 'What is in this for me?' My wife has a favorite saying- Same Dog, different collar.

There is plenty of corruption in US politics, but to me its far worse in the Philippines. For the simple reason, that most of the Filipino people live at the poverty level. These crooks, elected or appointed, should burn in hell one day. People can barely eat, and people like Abalos line their pockets with millions.

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The Knucklehead of the Day award

Today's winner is former Philippine President Joseph Estrada. He gets the award for the following.

MANILA (Reuters) - Former Philippine president Joseph Estrada was sentenced to life in prison on Wednesday after an anti-graft court found him guilty of plunder.

Fears that a guilty verdict could trigger widespread street protests and possible riots in Manila seemed misplaced. Pro-Estrada activists staged scattered low-key demonstrations in the city of 12 million people but all were peaceful.

The 70-year-old movie star, ousted from power in an army-backed revolt in 2001, listened to the judgment impassively but showed a flash of spirit afterwards.

"I thought the role of justice would prevail here but really it's a kangaroo court," Estrada, wearing a traditional Filipino dress shirt and his trademark wristband, told reporters. "This is a political decision."

The verdict also barred the former president from ever holding public office again.

Estrada was not immediately jailed. The court allowed him to return to his villa, east of Manila, to remain under house arrest until further orders. He is to appeal against the verdict, and the case will also come up for automatic Supreme Court review.

Outside the courthouse, around 300 supporters waved banners and made anti-government speeches but remained peaceful.

*****

Estrada was charged with plunder, made up of four counts of corruption, involving diversion of funds amounting to about 4 billion pesos ($85 million).

Lawyers said he was found guilty on two counts, of receiving payoffs from illegal gambling and taking commissions in the sale of shares to government pension funds. He was cleared of two charges of maintaining a bank account in a false name and of diverting tobacco taxes to his own use.

Estrada was also charged with perjury, related to an alleged misrepresentation of earned income, but was found not guilty.

I gave Estrada the Knucklehead over the bank account in a false name. Amazing, a jury found him not guilty even though the former President confessed to doing it.

Estrada was formerly a star of Filipino movies, and still has a big following. They accounts for why there were so many supporters. Though my Philippine born wife says some of them were PROBABLY paid to appear in support of Estrada.

Talking about dear wife, she and her mother were riveted to our television last night as they watched the verdicts come in. Through Directv, we get four Filipino channels. The wife likes and watches this programming so much, I probably hum the Wowowee theme in my sleep. LOL.

Estrada is barred from running from public office again. That says a great deal about Philippine politics. Corrupt and disgraced politicians still attempt to run for office again, and often get elected. Imagine a US congressman doing that? Imelda Marcos was elected to the Philippine Congress in the 90's.(Disclosure- My wife's family is from the same province as the Marcoses and my brother-in-law Leoncio has sometimes been hired to play the piano to play at a party held by Imelda) As my wife says about Philippine politicians, they're all the same. Different dog, same collar.

For robbing the Philippine citizens he was elected to serve, Joseph Estrada is today's Knucklehead of the Day.

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Fly me to Manila

From the Honolulu Advertiser-

Hawaiian Airlines said it plans to fly to the Philippines starting in March, in what could be the first of several new routes in Asia.

The state's largest airline said yesterday that it will fly at least four weekly flights between Honolulu and Manila, making it the only domestic airline to fly nonstop between the two destinations.

"We see tremendous opportunity to increase travel on this route in light of the deep historical and cultural ties Hawai'i has to the Philippines, Manila's large population of over 10 million people, its growing international business sector and substantial middle class with the inclination and means to travel," said Mark Dunkerley, Hawaiian's chief executive officer.

The move, which requires approval from U.S. and Philippine authorities, will allow Hawaiian to recall 11 furloughed pilots and hire additional flight attendants.

With Hawaii having a large Filipno-American population, I would certainly there would be a market for Honolulu flights. At this time, I think Philippine Airlines is the only carrier doing that route non-stop seven days a week.(Someone feel free to correct me if I'm wrong.)

If Hawaiian Air is successful in getting these routes, they would become like another carrier Alaska Airlines that many people think of as a regional carrier. When in fact Alaska flies(or once flew) to stops in Russia and Mexico in addition to domestic routes.(Note I was singularly unimpressed with Alaska the one and only time I flew them. Waiting an hour for my luggage will do that.)

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