Can the SC survive the political fallout of their TRO?

BALITA KAY JUAN Can the SC survive the political fallout of their TRO? By William M. Esposo AS I WRECK THIS CHAIR No matter how you cut it, the controversial TRO (Temporary Restraining Order) that was granted by the Supreme Court (SC) last Tuesday by a vote of 8 to 5, effectively allowing Representative Gloria [...]

113 years: Ending corruption key to achieving true freedom

KUWENTO NI JUAN 113 years: Ending corruption key to achieving true freedom By Mang Juan Pinoy One of the more famous of Jose Rizal’s critiques is: “What is the use of independence if the slaves of today will be the tyrants of tomorrow?” That criticism is as applicable then as it is today. Our country [...]

Marcos burial is a dead issue

KUWENTO NI JUAN Marcos burial is a dead issue By Mang Juan Pinoy Should former President Ferdinand E. Marcos remains be finally allowed to be buried at Libingan ng mga Bayani to forget the past and finally move forward this country? Can corruption be subjected to a forgive and forget act of political reconciliation to [...]

Are we on the right path?

KUWENTO NI JUAN Are we on the right path? By Mang Juan Pinoy   The LP-Balay faction is backing the lawyer of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to be the next chairman of Comelec. The LP-Balay group (referring to the bloc identified with former Sen. Manuel “Mar” Roxas II and so-called Hyatt 10 group) is endorsing [...]

Only in the Philippines: Plunder pays

KUWENTO NI JUAN PLUNDER PAYS: Only in the Philippines By Mang Juan Pinoy OMBUDSMAN: A government special prosecutor claimed that the prosecution does not have enough evidence to convict retired Major Gen. Carlos F. Garcia of plunder, which is why the Office of the Ombudsman accepted the plea bargain offer of the accused. SANDIGANBAYAN: Sandiganbayan spokesman [...]

Unpunished Plunder

BALITA KAY JUAN Plea bargain By Ana Marie Pamintuan The Philippine Star   People who worked to prosecute retired Maj. Gen. Carlos Garcia for plunder are preparing to challenge the plea bargain he has struck in exchange for a lighter sentence. Opponents of the deal have pointed out that plea bargaining is allowed only before [...]

Former VP Noli de Castro not off hook in Pag-IBIG fund mess

BALITA KAY JUAN Former VP not off hook in Pag-IBIG fund mess By Angie M. Rosales Senate probers suspect a “high-level” cover-up by some Home Development Mutual Fund (Pag-IBIG) Fund officials in the P7-billion housing fund mess involving property developer Globe Asiatique Realty Holdings Corp. “There’s (a possible) cover-up in this case. It could go [...]

Instead of eradicating corruption, PNoy even escalated corruption

KUWENTO NI JUAN Instead of eradicating corruption, PNoy even escalated corruption By Mang Juan Pinoy It looks like the present administration is geared to subsidize corruption. In addition to their usual P70-million pork barrel, the additional P50 million pork barrel each is a direct bribe to all congressmen  intended to restrain  them from  protesting  against [...]

The picture of talented Delfin Lee

BALITA KAY JUAN The picture of Delfin Lee By Randy David Philippine Daily Inquirer IN A column I wrote in July this year (Inquirer, 07/17/10), I tried to interpret an intriguing photo that appeared in the Inquirer showing Globe Asiatique’s Delfin Lee with top officials of Pag-Ibig (Home Development Mutual Fund). The photo carried the [...]

‘a syndicated cover-up from the top’

KUWENTO NI JUAN ‘a syndicated cover-up from the top’ By Mang Juan Pinoy   Noticeably, very high ranking officers from Home Development Mutual Fund (Pag-IBIG Fund) were deliberately spared from criminal charges. The very high ranking officers, who conspired, influenced, authorized and tolerated the loan approval of spurious buyers of house and lots covered by [...]