Dean J. Bocobo wrote: "Congratulations on your column (June 24, 2005). I’m sure this was on everyone’s mind at the sudden release of Tarongoy. The sad thing is that this means many more Filipinos will probably be kidnapped now that the terrorists (or plain kidnap for ransom gangs?) know which presidents can be made to kneel, namely those desperate for a diversion from the hounds of justice."
We miss you, Dean! Eniweys hindi lang naman yan ang laman ng article ni Ellen eh. As usual, informative ang column niya ngayon (kaya nga required reading siya sa akin eh!)
She also talked re the "gathering political storm" and a "shift" in Makati business' sentiment.
Oh btw, ito ang dahilan kung bakit humiwalay na si Clavel Asas-Martinez sa administration ni Arroyo:
LAST Wednesday, Rep. Clavel Asas-Martinez of the fourth district of Cebu, pulled a surprise on her colleagues in the majority when she asked that the Gloria-Garci tape be played during the congressional hearing because there’s a part that showed irregularities in the Cebu Cebu went overwhelmingly for Arroyo in the 2004 elections with voters turnout as high as 85 percent, as against the usual 65 percent. The unusually high turnout, on a rainy day at that, raised a lot of suspicions. One, the voters list used was old. Many of those of voting age in the barrios have gone to Manila or overseas to work.
Martinez’ husband, Celestino, ran for governor against Gwendolyn Garcia and John-John Osmeña, son of former Sen. John Osmeña. Garcia was trailing behind Martinez most of the time amidst accusations of electoral fraud.
Garcia was proclaimed hastily by the acting provincial election officer Edwin Cadungog immediately after the June 30 oath-taking of Gloria Arroyo in Cebu based on a 7,000-vote lead which is being protested by Martinez, who claims that he won by 20,000 votes.
The conversation about the Cebu governorship took place on June 8 at 8:45 p.m. Rep. Martinez said she recognized the voice of Garcillano and GSIS general manager Winston Garcia, brother of Gwendolyn.
The exchange was brief but loaded:
Garcillano: Si ano?
Unidentified man: Cebu? Yung sa Governor?
Garci: Ewan ko kung kaylan aarya.
UM: Pare kung anong konsiderasyon pare ha, pakideclare si Garcia ha, tinanggal siya eh.
Garci: Oo syempre, pinagusapan natin yun eh.
UM: Basta’t may sinabi naman nya kung ano raw ang konting pang for disposal na, basta.
Garci: O sige lang, ok lang oo.
By insisting that the above-mentioned portion of the Gloria-Garci be played during the congressional investigation, Martinez has stepped out of the administration line to block by all means further scrutiny on the contents of the tape which exposed Arroyo discussing with Garcillano about rigging election results to ensure that she win by not less than one million votes.
Martinez said her wanting to know the truth has nothing to do with her being a member of the majority party. "Truth has no political identification," she said.
But she is clearly distancing herself from the beleaguered Arroyo. Martinez said she campaigned and voted for GMA. "Looking back, I wondered if I did the right thing." She asked her colleagues who value truth to support her proposal to play the tape.
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