Inside PCIJ: Stories behind our stories

IN THE strongest statement yet to come from the Roman Catholic Church hierarchy, Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Rosales lays down the basic principles by which, he says, the Filipino people must proceed to solve the current political crisis. The Archbishop begins by saying, “the offended cannot simply be consoled by expressions of regret.”

Speaking four days after President Arroyo’s apology, the church leader says forgiveness “should not block the search for truth.” He ends with a reminder for people to remain calm, and not to give in to despair.

The Unity We Need

“The power of God brought it about that the people were of one mind to carry out the command … in accordance with the word of the Lord.” (2 Chronicles 30:12)

Once again, we, Filipinos, find ourselves going through very hard times. Many are poor, hungry, searching for a better life for themselves and their families. If only we would just focus our minds and hearts, and work together to find solutions to the poverty that has not ceased to plague us, we might find ourselves moving forward as a nation. Instead, our national attention and energies are taken up by division and altercations. Serious charges have been made against our leaders and officials. Despite expressions of regret, many remain angry, confused, hurt. In this situation, as your shepherd and pastor, I wish to call to mind fundamental principles that should govern our search for solutions to our present crisis.

First, let us remember that the offended cannot simply be consoled by expressions of regret. Forgiveness does not eliminate the need for justice, nor should it block the search for truth. Genuine forgiveness demands more than an apology, and those who seek forgiveness should be ready to be called to accountability.

Second, the pursuit of truth regarding the grave charges against leaders and officials should be conducted within the provisions of our Constitution and should respect the laws of the land. Any proposition that disregards our constitutional and legal systems weakens our institutions and paves the way for a graver instability that can cause more profound suffering to our people.

Third, any proposed solution to our present situation that relies on or leads to violence is unacceptable. Violence harms the innocent and inflicts wounds so deep that will take generations to heal.

Fourth, we ask our leaders to give our people hope, by giving immediate attention to authentic reform. Political systems that are prone to corruption must be swiftly and decisively reformed, and institutions built that can effectively respond to the aspirations of our people for a better life.

Finally, in these confusing times when people are easily swayed by emotions and led astray by quick-fix solutions, may cooler heads prevail. Let true lovers of the Filipino people come together to discern carefully before God, what is truly for the immediate and long-run good of our country. Let us not fall easy prey to those self-seeking politicians from all the different political parties, who have held the country’s future hostage to their own ambitions, and have brought us to where we sadly find ourselves today.

Let us not also give in to despair, seeing only what is wrong in our country, when there is, in truth, so much that is good done daily by Filipinos from all walks of life to build up the nation. Our recurring problems of political instability may cause us to lose hope, but if we humbly accept that we are all sinners in need of conversion, it will be easier for us to unite.

I ask then that, in these times of uncertainty, we join in fervent prayer and prayerful reflection, that the Lord show us the way forward, as He has done in the past, and that He may give us yet another chance to be one. Let us place our trust in His continued love and care for our people, especially those who are poor. May our Blessed Mother find joy in the Filipino people, for she loves to see us listen to her Son.

Gaudencio B. Rosales, D.D., Archbishop of Manila (signed)
and the Bishops of the Metropolitan Province of Manila
1 July 2005

SENATE President Franklin Drilon is calling on the Commission on Elections to make good on its promise to purge its ranks in ARMM of officials involved in poll irregularities.

In a letter to Comelec chairman Benjamin Abalos, Drilon expressed alarm over reports that the suspension of ARMM Regional director Renato Magbutay (wrongly named as Mabugay in the letter), allegedly implicated in the wiretapped phone conversations, has never taken effect. Drilon quotes Magbutay himself as having said that the order was issued “for media purposes” only. Magbutay was identified by sources of the PCIJ as the “Boy” in the phone conversations with Commissioner Virgilio Garcillano. Sources also described him as a “Garcillano protégé” who took over the ARMM Comelec office four days before the May 10 elections.

Drilon issued the call in light of the scheduled ARMM elections on August 8. He urged the Comelec to overhaul the ARMM office in the region to ensure a “credible, orderly, peaceful and honest” elections. Drilon also sought for the immediate relief of military and police commanders in the ARMM perceived to be in favor of certain candidates.

The full text of Sen. Drilon’s June 29 letter:

Dear Chairman Abalos:

This is to express my alarm over reports indicating that your recent order to suspend ARMM Comelec officials who were implicated in the controversial wiretapped phone conversations never took effect and was allegedly made “for media’s consumption only.” (more…)

THE NATIONAL Secretariat for Social Action, Justice & Peace (NASSA) of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) adds its voice to the discussions following President Arroyo’s explanation of why she phoned an election official during the canvassing. NASSA calls on the people to pray, observe sobriety, and have more faith in government, while making an appeal to the president to deliver on her promises. Following is the full text of NASSA’s June 30 statement.

A Call for Sobriety and Non-Violence in the Face of the Present Political Turmoil

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has made public admission of her voice on the taped conversation with a Comelec official, has apologized and has asked forgiveness from the Filipino people for a “lapse of judgment.” “ … let him (her) who to no sin, cast the first stone,” (Jn 8:7)

We admire her courage and humility for owning to a fault, taking full responsibility for it and promising to make up for it by seriously taking on the gargantuan task of implementing needed government reforms to turn around the increasingly burdensome toll on the life of Juan de la Cruz in today’s Philippines.

Our economy is in very bad shape. The peso continues to nosedive and investments are on a standstill. Costs of living, transportation, consumer goods, and energy are on the rise. (more…)

FORMER President Corazon Aquino yesterday called on Filipinos to seek enlightenment from prayer in these troubled times. This is her statement.

People power has succeeded only if it is for others. It was so in 1986, when those who led the revolution led from the front; it was so in 2001. But People Power for oneself will never succeed.

I, too, have been pressured to speak up. Excuse me but I had a good reason to keep my peace until I was ready. I was praying. Praying for light, for myself and our country.
Last night, I paid a call on Susan Sonora Poe. I congratulated her on the passion of her speech, and the sincerity of her convictions. But I made it clear that I will always stand by the Constitution.

I believe that the Constitution contains all the ways by which one may safely effect even the most difficult political changes. There is no need to step outside it. To step outside the Constitution will only expose us to greater danger than the injustice we want to correct. (more…)

AGRICULTURE Secretary Arthur Yap today announced that he was leaving government so that he could clear his name in the P4-million tax evasion case filed against him by the Bureau of Internal Revenue. Yap said in a news conference today that the tax case would make him more a liability than an asset to President Gloria Arroyo, at a time when she was facing a crisis of her own.

"Last night, I had a heart-to-heart talk with the President and I explained that under the current circumstances, I will be ineffective as a secretary….This is a personal decision between the President and myself, ” Yap said.

Could there be more to Yap’s resignation than just the tax evasion charges?

Yap happens to be very close to Gloria and Mike Arroyo. He was her student in economics at the Ateneo, and is said to be one of Mike’s close friends. Yap is reportedly part of the First Gentleman’s circle of amigos that include:

• former DA Undersecretary and now Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) director Jocelyn Bolante
• Pagcor chair Ephraim Genuino
• former NAIA General Manager and now Laguna Lake Development Authority Administrator (LLDA) Edgar Manda (more…)

AS we have pointed out, last Monday’s televised message of Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo failed to address a lot of issues and only raised more questions. While she admitted that she ”had conversations with many people, including a Comelec official” and that the phone call was a “lapse in judgment,” Pres. Arroyo neither confirmed nor denied:

• that she had a conversation with then Comelec Commissioner Virgilio Garcillano;
• that the conversation was taped and/or wiretapped; and
• that she either authorized or did not authorize the recording/wiretapping.

To better appreciate and hopefully address the legal issues revolving around the "Gloria-Garci" tapes, the Free Legal Assistance Group (FLAG) has released a 15-page document containing Frequently Asked Questions on the Anti-Wiretapping Law and related issues.

THE Social Weather Stations has released the record of First Gentleman Jose Miguel "Mike" Arroyo’s past trust ratings following the President’s announcement that he has volunteered to go abroad.

In 11 national SWS surveys from January 2001 to March 2005,  Mr. Arroyo had an average of only 22 percent saying they had much trust in him.

Since an average of 46 percent said they had little trust in him, Mr. Arroyo’s resulting average net trust rating was 24 in this period, according to the research organization.

The March 2005 survey finding of 16 percent  with much trust and 60 percent  with little trust in the First Gentleman, or net 44, was the lowest degree of trust recorded during the period. 

Mr. Arroyo’s net trust rating was positive only in January 2001.

Statistical analysis has consistently shown a direct correlation between public satisfaction with a president’s performance and public trust in the president’s spouse, SWS said.

SWS has regularly polled public trust in presidential spouses ever since the administration of President Fidel Ramos, and reported these to its subscribers. 

The SWS’s full report can be accessed at its website.

NOW that Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has admitted that “she is the woman in the tapes talking to a Comelec commissioner” (widely believed as Virgilio Garcillano), the Committee for the Defense of Lawyers (CODAL) has come out with a legal memorandum citing possible violations of the Constitution and threats to the administration of justice that the president could be liable of, contrary to her claim that her acts were a mere "lapse in judgment."

The legal study done by CODAL, an organization of lawyers campaigning against attacks on lawyers and other threats against the legal profession and civil liberties, concludes that Arroyo may have committed crimes and offenses in violation of the Revised Penal Code, the Omnibus Election Code, the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and the 1987 Constitution for the following acts:

1. Despite knowing that she was the person in the tape, Pres. Arroyo (or at least, allowed) Sec. Bunye to declare that the said ‘tape’ is a concoction of the opposition to destabilize the government—a very serious charge against members of the opposition. The use of one’s public office (the Office of the President and the Press Secretary) for personal ends or interest (in this case to cover up her actions) and spread misinformation, is unlawful.
2. Pres. Arroyo allowed, if not ordered, Sec. Bunye to present the ‘genuine’ CD containing her supposed conversation with Mr. Edgar Ruado in a Malacanang press conference on June 6, despite her knowledge that the said ‘genuine’ CD is completely false.  Pres. Arroyo is aware that she had the conversation with a COMELEC official and not with Edgar Ruado.  The use of the resources of a government office (such as the Office of the Press Secretary) to disseminate false information for the purpose  of defending  and covering up her personal (and illegal) acts is a criminal offense. This is violative of Section 1 (f) and (i) of PD 1829 on Obstruction of Apprehension and Prosecution of Criminal Offenders.
3. Her order or ‘request’ for Comm. Garcillano to ‘delay’ the canvassing of Senatorial elections is in violation of various provisions of the Omnibus Election Code prohibiting the delay or disruption of election processes.
4. Her implied ‘request’ for Comm. Garcillano to deny any petition filed by Sen. Rodolfo Biazon to open the election documents in Tawi-Tawi is an unlawful interference in the quasi-judicial function of a member of an independent constitutional body.
5. Even if Pres. Arroyo will not admit to being privy to Comm. Garcillano’s fraudulent acts, she still violated  Art. 208 of the Revised Penal Code, among others, for her failure to file the necessary legal action for the impeachment and prosecution of  Comm. Garcillano.
6. Talking with her appointee, Comm. Garcillano, is a betrayal of public trust and violates the the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act for Undue Influence on a public official.  Reappointing Comm. Garcillano to the COMELEC despite her knowledge of said electoral fraud can be used as proof of conspiracy to commit fraud.  If Pres. Arroyo intended to officially communicate with the COMELEC, she should have corresponded with Chairman Abalos rather than her appointee. This also puts into question her persistence in appointing Comm. Garcillano to his post despite widespread opposition.

The complete study can be downloaded here.

WITH the ongoing House hearings on the taped conversations involving Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, we are also making available for download the audio files of the versions — "original" and "spliced" — that Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye released to the Malacañang Press Corps, as well as the one that Sen. Panfilo Lacson has asked the Australian forensic audio specialist UniQuest Pty Limited to authenticate:

• Bunye "Original" — 1 | 2 | 3 | 4
• Bunye "Spliced" — 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5
• Lacson Version — 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

AT about 11:30 this morning, the President, speaking in her usual drone, announced before the country’s top business executives the exile of her husband, without admitting that he or any other member of her family were guilty of indiscretions and stressing instead the sacrifices her family had made for her presidency. (Download the President’s speech in PDF or audio file)

Just minutes later, even before Filipinos could digest the full import of that announcement, the rug was swept from under the President’s feet. At Club Filipino, Susan Roces, speaking mostly in Tagalog, said in no uncertain terms: the President stole our vote. She must resign. (Download excerpts of Mrs. Poe’s statement in PDF or audio files 1, 2 and 3.  *The sound quality is not the best)

The contrast could not have been more dramatic. Mrs. Arroyo was speaking in English from a prepared text, in her typical business-as-usual, admit-no-evil, “I-have-a-Phd-in-economics” manner to businessmen who wanted to be assured that the current political controversy would not unduly destabilize the economy. She offered her husband as the sacrificial lamb, with the hope that the offering would appease the business community and the middle class. (more…)