Rosebud Mary Ong throws her hat in the Manila mayor's race

Link from Abs-cbn. I guess we need some comic relief.

Blast from the past: Mike Arroyo vs. Rosebud: Away ng mga corrupt... Pera

Published on page A1 of the January 5, 2005 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer

BATTLE ROYAL coming up: Mary "Rosebud" Ong vs President Macapagal-Arroyo's husband, Jose Miguel "Mike" Arroyo.

In a letter to the President, the controversial police agent yesterday accused Mike Arroyo of blocking her "agent fees" worth at least P3 million, ostensibly to keep her as a "reserve force" against opposition Sen. Panfilo "Ping" Lacson.

She also said an alleged Mike Arroyo publicist had told her that the notorious 14K gang would kill her, and that the President's husband had paid a businesswoman P12 million to file a civil case against Lacson in the United States.

Contacted for comment, Mike Arroyo sent a brief text message: "How can that be? I don't even talk to Ping. I have never even talked to Ping. Those are her own conclusions. You know me better than that. Cases vs Ping are still ongoing."

So I guess dalawa na ang pawns ni Mike Arroyo. Yung isa ay si Lito Lapid na tatakbong Mayor ng makati, at yung bayarang agent na si Rosebud sa MayniLA.

UPDATE: From the Manila standard today back in June 4 2005:

Drug raps cost Rosebud her US visa
By Christine F. Herrera

The US embassy has tagged Mary “Rosebud” Ong as a drug trafficker, canceled her visa and permanently barred her and her family from entering the United States, Manila Standard Today learned yesterday.

Ong was found to be ineligible to receive a nonimmigrant visa due to “controlled substance trafficking,” US documents show. “Being found ineligible under this section of law means that you are excluded from entering the United States unless you receive a waiver from the attorney general.”

In handing down the decision, the US embassy ignored the certification and clearance separately issued by the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and Department of Justice.

Ong, who is under the government’s witness protection program, was allowed by the ISAFP and Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez to go on a two-week vacation with her children, who are American citizens.

ISAFP and Gonzalez even assigned two ISAFP agents to provide Ong with security.

The ISAFP certification was signed by Brig. Gen. Marlu Quevedo, ISAFP chief, while the justice department clearance was signed by Gonzalez.

Despite these documents, Ong’s visa application was denied.

“During the course of your visa application process you have been found to be ineligible to receive a nonimmigrant visa under the following section(s) of the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1951, as amended: Section 212(a)(2)(C) Controlled substance trafficking or activities related,” read the ineligibility letter signed by an American consular officer.

Pati yung US embassy, walang tiwala sa certification na ibinigay ng ISAFP at ni Sec. of Injustice Raul Gonzalez.

And read this too.

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