Gloria's Fighting Words

(Text of Pres. Arroyo's Nationwide TV/Radio Address on July 7, 2005)

 

Mga Minamahal kong kababayan.

When I was young and my late father Diosdado Macapagal was president of our country, I thought of him as the "good guy" and his political opponents on the other side were the "bad guys".

Because of my father's influence, I had always thought of myself as on the side of the good. Thus, it is very painful for me to know that among many of our countrymen today, I have been demonized as the "bad guy." This is unfair, but it is a cross that God in His wisdom has given me to bear, so I will bear it. I have never questioned God's ways before, and I will not do so now.

When I first entered politics in 1992, little did I know that within a decade, I would become president of our country. And little did I expect that within another five years, there would be calls from civil society for my resignation from office or for the formation of a "Truth Commission" regarding some of my political actuations.

When I spoke before the nation some two weeks ago, I did so against the advice of my legal counsel. But I thought that speaking before you, the Filipino people, was the right thing to do. Shameless people have peddled the lie that I confessed to cheating. What I disclosed was that I talked to an election official. But that this had taken place after the certificates of canvas had already been used to proclaim the winning senators, and it was those same certificates of canvass that showed that I won by around a million votes. That is the truth.

Indeed, it is right for our country to confront the truth, but if we do so, let's confront the biggest, most painful political truth. The big truth that we are aware of deep in our hearts, but that we collectively sweep under the rug. The big truth whose debilitating effects on our country, year after year, decade after decade, have developed into feelings of disgust, hopelessness and even despair among large segments of our society.

The truth that I discovered from my beginnings as a neophyte politician in 1992, rising to become a veteran politician through the years, is this: over the years, our political system has degenerated to such an extent that it is very difficult to live within the system with hands totally untainted. That is the truth. In addition, our system has degenerated to such an extent that more often than not, it is political agenda first, and national interest last. For example, we have endless investigations and scandals in aid of political and media projection, rather than in aid of legislation or executive action. That is the truth. Because of this system of politics, our country has been left behind by other countries in the region, and our best and brightest, the cream of our youth, are voting with their feet to leave the country. That is the truth.

I do not blame any individual or political block for this sad state of affairs. It is simply the truth that the political system that I am part of has degenerated to the point that it needs fundamental change. We are collectively to blame, so we must collectively be the solution. Let he who is without sin, cast the stone. To those who feel that they cannot cast the first stone, I invite you to help in the solution.

My proposed approach to reform our system of politics and governance is something that I had wanted to bring forth during the upcoming state of the nation address. However, because our country is hungry for a resolution to the political uncertainties that have plagued us these past few weeks, I will bring it up now.

First of all, I am not resigning my office. To do so under circumstances that connote an EDSA 3 would condemn any successor to the possibility of an EDSA 4, then an EDSA 5, and so on, unless our political system were first reformed to make it more responsive to the people's will, such that changes in leadership come about in an orderly and stable manner.

The world embraced EDSA 1 in 1986. The world tolerated EDSA 2 in 2001. The world will not forgive an EDSA 3 in 2005, but would instead condemn the Philippines as a country whose political system is hopelessly unstable. And the Filipinos as among the finest people in the world, but who always shoot themselves in the foot. Under those circumstances, who would invest money in the Philippines? How would we weather the difficulties arising from the price of crude oil being at its highest in history?

What I intend to do is to work with legislators and civil groups who believe that changes in the fundamental law of the land are necessary in order to confront such basic issues as federalism, the character of our legislative process, reducing red tape in government processes, running for public office under a true party system and with less need to raise campaign funds, modernizing the economic provisions of our constitution, and so forth.

At the same time, I will restructure and strengthen the cabinet, giving it a free hand to meanwhile reform and manage our day to day governance with as little political interference as possible, even from me.

This is how we will proceed.

First, I'm asking my entire cabinet to tender their resignation in order to give the executive a free hand to reorganize itself. I'll ask our sectors to give me the names of candidates that we can invite to replace those who will not return to the cabinet, or even to help out at other levels of the executive.

Second, the cabinet will be given a free hand on governance, while I focus on the fundamental changes that we need to put in place.

Third, I will begin to reach out to the political and civil sectors that have an interest in the various advocacies that are relevant to our constitution. Federalism, for example, is an advocacy that I had espoused long ago.

This is neither political ploy nor gimmick. I believe that this process will quickly lay the foundation for deep reforms in our society, including reforms in our political way of life. This would be a legacy that our generation of politicians and citizens could collectively be proud of. I now have grand children to play with and to help bring up. Like all of you, I want our children to grow up in a better Philippines. I have prayed on this, and I hope that I have discerned God's will properly.

Maraming salamat sa inyong lahat.

RP Blessing

Commentary: For the Philippines, credit downgrades may be a blessing

By William Pesek Jr. Bloomberg News

ING Bank analysts recently made an odd announcement: Philippine dollar-denominated bonds are the "most attractive" among Asia's sovereign debt issues. Didn't they notice that two major international rating companies had recently downgraded the credit of the Philippines?

 

Actually, ING's analysts are well aware of the country's fiscal difficulties.

 

Budget deficits here are bloating the national debt, which has risen 75 percent since Gloria Arroyo became president in January 2001. Yet ING analysts may be justified in giving Arroyo, a trained economist, benefit of the doubt.

 

"We believe 2005 could be a breakthrough year for the Philippines, when growth breaks out on the upside and fiscal woes diminish," ING said in a recent report.

 

There are myriad reasons to be skeptical about an economy that is increasingly referred to as the Argentina of Asia. Investors do not soon forget when nations declare a moratorium on foreign debt payments, as the Philippines did 20 years ago and Argentina did in 2001.

 

Convincing markets that Philippine debt will not spiral out of control is a challenge in the best of times. But these are reasonably good times for the Philippines. The economy is growing at a pace of around 6 percent, a rate that the United States, Europe and Japan can only dream of. And Arroyo isn't facing an election, as she did in 2004.

 

The Philippines now has an opportunity to reduce the budget deficit and ensure that more of its 86 million people share in the economy's growth. It should also remind investors that the nation has solid, investment-worthy companies, as well as outsourcing industries with attributes they may not find in China, India or Malaysia.

 

The government should also inform travelers that Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam don't have monopolies on beautiful tourist destinations. In short, this is an occasion to remind the world why it should not sell the Philippines short.

 

Will the government take advantage of this opportunity? There is reason to be optimistic, and, as counterintuitive as it may seem, the Philippines has Moody's Investors Service and Standard & Poor's to thank for that.

 

Both rating companies cited the nation's deficit when they cut their Philippine ratings this year. Just 10 days after the downgrade from S&P, the House of Representatives voted to increase the value-added tax to 12 percent from 10 percent. Doctors, lawyers and oil importers are being called upon to pay taxes for the first time.

 

A sense of crisis is sometimes needed to prod politicians into action. Only such pressure, it appears, will force this nation's bureaucracy to make necessary compromises.

 

Let's hope that dynamic stays in place. If the Philippines can't get things on the right track while its economy is growing at 6 percent, when can it?

 

Unfortunately, the Senate ended a recent special session without passing the House of Representatives' tax bill. Doing so would not only bolster tax revenue to narrow the budget deficit and ease concern that the nation will default on its debt, but it would also send a message that the government is committed to reform efforts.

 

Explaining why it didn't happen, the president of the Senate, Franklin Drilon, said: "We don't want to rush."

 

Yes, you do want to rush, Senator. Otherwise, markets will grow even more impatient.

 

So far, investors do not seem to be panicking. The difference in yield between the Philippines' 8.25 percent bond due in 2014 and comparable U.S. Treasuries has shrunk to 3.99 percentage points from 4.24 percentage points four months ago.

 

Yet investor tolerance is a finicky thing. When it comes to budget deficits, the Philippines really is different. The United States, which has no track record of default, gets the benefit of the doubt from investors even as its record budget deficit widens apace. The Philippines lacks the same fiscal latitude.

 

In January, the Philippines held its biggest overseas debt issue, selling $1.5 billion of 25-year debt. It may sell another $2 billion by the third quarter. Showing global markets evidence of fiscal progress would lower its financing costs.

 

A third of the annual budget now goes to interest payments. Lower borrowing costs would leave one of Asia's more fragile economies more money for schools, health care, roads and bridges. Considering that a third of its population lives on less than 60 U.S. cents a day, the Philippines could use all the extra cash it can find.

 

Like all windows of opportunity, this one may not stay open for very long. If the Philippines uses it wisely, its bondholders could be a happy bunch.

 

Zobel's View

In the Philippines, an Asian Success Story With a Difference

By Jaime Zobel de Ayala

Since the Cold War ended, East Asia has emerged in the public consciousness as the strongest challenge to the West's continued preeminence. The economic performances of Northeast and Southeast Asian countries are frequently lumped together and then compared to those of the United States and other Western nations.

Japan leads the Asian pack. Insofar as other Asian economies approximate its features, they are rated successes. So far it has surmounted every challenge to its primacy. Challenges that sapped the strength of other countries have only made it stronger.

Those challenges have included a currency that was too strong, an excessive dependence on foreign oil, and the hostility of major trading partners. As Japan spreads its influence beyond its borders through investment and trade, its self-reliant strength at home has not been diluted, despite its current short-term political headaches.

In "Looking at the Sun," the American writer James Fallows concludes that a Japanese-style partnership between the state and the private sector for national progress is the best way to succeed. He marvels at how Japan used a kind of economic judo to turn what were once seen as the West's defining strengths - private enterprise, free trade and liberal democracy - to the disadvantage of the West.

The image of the West has taken a beating from comparisons with East Asia. The Philippines, often seen as a pale imitation of the West, has thus also fallen in esteem. Democracy and free enterprise are blamed for the weak governments, confused societies, wayward citizenry and lurching eco nomies of the West, and of the Philippines. In stark contrast are the strong governments, disciplined societies, cooperative citizens and smoothly rising economies of East Asia.

The Philippines was the first country to shake off colonialism in Asia and the first to recover from the ravages of World War II. It was also the first Asian nation to stage a nonviolent revolution, setting a pattern of political development throughout Eastern Europe that brought the Cold War to an end. All this is in the past. Countries with economic strategies and political systems that are diametrically different from those of the Philippines are now held up for admiration.

The Philippines is now restructuring its economy, in cooperation with the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, to bring it even closer to the Western model of free enterprise at home and free trade abroad, with the government involved in government and business in business only. The Philippines upholds individual rights at home and international law abroad.

The problem with a democracy is that it is a nice place to live in but you are not sure to eat. The problem with a dictatorship, as Filipinos discovered, is that you are not sure to eat or live. The authoritarian experience of other countries in the region has been different. They are lucky. But the Philippines has to live and act on the basis of its own sad experience.

The critics are right: Philippine democracy is having a hard time solving the problems that a dictatorship created. Half of the nation's revenues go to servicing a huge foreign and domestic debt inherited from the Marcos years. Democracy is expensive - but it is not a luxury. For the Philippines, it is a necessity.

Philippine democracy can hardly be described as a failure. Among Asian countries, we have solved the deadly problem of political succession without tanks in the streets. Communist insurgency in the Philippines is fast winding down. The liberal culture, while explaining the indiscipline of our society, also accounts for its extraordinary tolerance. We have no racial problems.

Philippine solutions are not neat, but they involve a sense of community and cooperation. The problem of policy inconsistency between administrations has been solved. Without skipping a beat, President Fidel Ramos took up the essential policies of the previous democratically elected administration.

The administration of President Corazon Aquino prepared, and the Ramos government has implemented, the deregulation of foreign exchange and other measures to open the economy, improve efficiency and competition, and strengthen the private sector. Mr. Ramos has called for stronger English-language instruction and education in basic skills to recover or retain the country's former advantage in these areas.

The Philippines is moving toward economic recovery. Interest rates are low. Inflation is in single digits. The foreign exchange rate is stable. Investments in housing and construction are rising. Consumption is increasing. There is vigorous development in new growth centers such as Cebu, in the central Philippines, and Davao in the south. The troublesome power shortages are almost over. The government budget deficit is being addressed with new tax measures. Economic growth will likely hit 5 percent this year, after adjustment for inflation.

The Philippines has made its choice - private free enterprise rather than the East Asian way of directed economies. But, like the rest of Asia, the Philippines will leapfrog economically where it can, in areas where it has comparative advantage. These include widespread literacy, competence in English, and superior skills, even if wages are higher than in most of Southeast Asia.

The Philippines would prefer a strong economy built from the ground up, complete with heavy industry and a thriving agriculture. But the country will harness growth areas wherever they can be found. This may buy time to acquire the scientific and technological culture essential to real, substantive development.

It is too soon to say that one way is best for all time, and another a hopeless failure. As they say in America, it ain't over until the fat lady sings. And she's not in the stadium yet.

The writer is chairman and president of Ayala Corporation, one of the largest companies in the Philippines. He contributed this comment to the International Herald Tribune.

Copyright © 2005 The International Herald Tribune | www.iht.com

Democratic Left

Posted by Luz Rimban
PCIJ

WHEN political activists calling themselves the democratic left gathered to launch their "Laban ng Masa" campaign last week, the event almost went unnoticed. After all, the group didn't have big political names in its roster, apart from the veteran activists, university professors and marginalized party list representatives in Congress. Besides, in the heat of the political season, what were another gathering, another mobilization, and another march?

Among political forces opposing President Gloria Arroyo, it seems that this group would not be too far from other opposition groups that have been asking her to step down. Their call, the demand for a "transitional revolutionary government" sounds very much like the "caretaker government" proposed by the political opposition allied with former President Joseph Estrada and the forces of the late presidential candidate Fernando Poe Jr. Like that sector of the opposition, the democratic left wants the 1987 constitution scrapped so that the country and the government can start from scratch.

But that's just about all they have in common. Not only does the democratic left want the President to step down, they are also calling for an end to elitist rule. In other words, they want President Arroyo to go, and to take with her the elite—the ruling class—including the worst of the country's traditional politicians now waiting in the wings for the demise of the Arroyo government.

Former University of the Philippines president Francisco Nemenzo, who is leading this group, believes that Arroyo is to blame for mismanaging the economy and should have been asked to resign, even before the jueteng and "Hello Garci" scandals broke out.

"To win the elections, (Arroyo) used billions of pesos of government funds that belonged to the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), the Social Security System (SSS), and other government financial institutions, not to mention the money that came from the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office and the PAGCOR," said Nemenzo in his keynote speech.

"And now, how does she plan to solve the problem she created? By raising taxes. But Arroyo is not taxing the rich because she's afraid of them. Instead, she's imposing taxes like the EVAT that businessmen could pass on to ordinary people. In other words, she is making us pay for her election campaign," Nemenzo added.

The solution, says the democratic left, is a transitional revolutionary government like the one that replaced the Marcos dictatorship after EDSA 1. But that revolutionary government, they say, remained in the hands of the elite represented no less by one of their own, Cory Aquino. Which is why fundamental change never happened.

Still, Aquino projected an image that was motherly, untainted and unambitious, and managed to move the middle class against Marcos in 1986. The democratic left still doesn't have a Cory Aquino, in a society where icons and symbols mean everything to people.

They're also wary of supporting leaders who might just turn out like Arroyo. "We don't want to go into a framework of supporting the lesser evil, because the lesser evil eventually becomes the greater evil," says Ronald Llamas, national president of the party list group Akbayan.

For now, the question of a leader is what hobbles this "third pole," as the democratic left forces like to call themselves. Supporting Poe's widow Susan Roces might place them in the same league as the traditional politicians, although it's an option they're probably considering. But Nemenzo told the crowd gathered at the UP Bahay ng Alumni last week to expand their choices of a leader beyond the options the media have offered. He mentions the names of UP professors Randy David and Walden Bello, and economist Alejandro "Ding" Lichauco.

Whether the democratic left option is a shot in the dark, or the answer to the middle class's frustrations with traditional politicians and the elite, depends on how they intend to carry out this idea of a "transitional revolutionary government," and whether they are able to get their message across. What was a long-term vision needs to be refocused for the here and now, as change seems imminent.

Electoral Fraud

Posted by Vinia Datinguinoo
PCIJ

THE Congressional canvass that declared Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to have won the presidency in 2004 showed her to have beaten Fernando Poe Jr. by 1,123,576 votes. A study published in Kasarinlan, a journal of UP's Third World Studies Center, says this could not be so. The paper, written by new media pioneer Roberto Verzola, asserts that Arroyo did not win the May elections by 1.1 million votes. It was a very close contest, Verzola says, with "the most probable results" ranging from a GMA win of around 156,000 votes or less, to an FPJ win of around 84,000 votes or less.

Verzola analyzed both the Namfrel tally—that used election returns (ERs)—and the parallel official count by Congress of provincial Certificates of Canvass (COCs). He dissected not only the numbers but how the tally itself progressed.

Verzola first made his findings public just over a month after the elections, in a shorter piece published June 20 last year in the Inquirer.

View Verzola's full report here.

 

Posted by Yvonne Chua
PCIJ

FIFTY-NINE percent of the respondents of a Social Weather Stations' telephone survey in Metro Manila believe President Arroyo told then Elections Commissioner Virgilio Garcillano to cheat in the May 10, 2004 elections and that she was not just trying "to protect her votes."

The June 28-30 survey, which the SWS said was "conducted on its own initiative as a public service" after Arroyo's June 27 admission that she had called a Comelec official, showed that only 29 percent believe she called to protect her votes.

Other highlights of the survey:

• 68 percent heard Arroyo's June 27 address over TV or radio, or read it in newspapers.
• 94 percent were aware of the Garci tapes.
• 32 percent had listened to the tapes, and 40 percent had either listened to or at least read a transcript of the tapes.
• 84 percent support the full airing of the tapes to the public.
• Only 20 percent agreed with Arroyo's statement that the chapter on the Garci tapes should be closed; 77 percent wanted some things done, including an investigation (26 percent) and Arroyo's resignation (18 percent).
• 48 percent said Vice President Noli de Castro was capable of running the government in case Arroyo resigned or were removed.
• Arroyo has a -31 net trust rating and the Comelec, -27.

Wiretap FAQ

Posted by Alecks Pabico 
PCIJ

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 .

Garci Tapes

Posted by Vinia Datinguinoo, PCIJ 

THE House of Representatives on Tuesday began its hearings into the wiretapping controversy involving Comelec Commissioner Virgilio Garcillano and several individuals including President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. The five-committee inquiry has so far placed the spotlight on Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye who, on June 5 first told reporters that the opposition plans to release an audio tape of a wiretapped conversation that will imply that the President had talked to a Comelec election official about rigging the 2004 elections. On June 6 Bunye played before Palace reporters two compact discs, one of which, he said, contained the "original" conversations that were merely "doctored" by the opposition for its agenda. A third recording was released on June 10, this time by former NBI deputy director Samuel Ong, who said his was the "mother" of all the tapes that have been circulating.

We are running here a tabular comparison of some of the conversations contained in the two CDs released by Bunye and the three-hour recording from Ong. The parts that differ between the recordings are highlighted. While some may be simply the result of transcription errors, others show substantial differences in the content of the conversations.

In one conversation, for example, recorded on 9:43 am of May 29, Garcillano assures the President that her margin will not be less than one million. In the "original" version, after telling the president that the lead was, "as of the other day … 982," the Commissioner tells her that such margin will still increase, " Kung maganda ang result ng Lanao (If the results in Lanao are good)." In both the supposedly altered version released by Bunye and PCIJ's own transcript of the three-hour recording, Garcillano says, in English, "And then if we can get more in Lanao."

In a June 2 conversation, Garcillano tells the President there was no need to be too concerned about the reported mismatch between the statement of Votes (SOVs) and certificates of canvass (COCs) in Basilan and Lanao del Sur. (Read our previous posts about the votes in Lanao del Sur and ARMM.) Garcillano tells the President, " itong ginawa nilang pagpataas sa inyo, maayos naman ang paggawa eh (The upward adjustment they did for you was all right)." This statement is in the "altered" version too. It is not in the "original" recording; in its place is an explanation from Garcillano about why there could have been a mismatch: " Baka honest mistake lang ho dahil sa pagod at puyat ng canvassers (The canvassers are very tired, they must have made an honest mistake)."

And on June 10, in another conversation, the President discusses with Garcillano the canvassing in the town of South Upi in Maguindanao, where the Comelec had been proclaiming different winners. The President was worried that the confusion might affect the national candidates. Garcillano again assures her there was no need to worry. In both the "altered" version and the three-hour recording, he tells her: " Hindi ho. Ako ho ang may hawak nun (Don't worry, I'm the one who is handling that)." In the supposedly original recording, Garcillano's reply was, "Ay, hindi ho kasi may mga watchers doon, eh (Don't worry, we have watchers there)."

View the table here. Bunye tape 1 is what the secretary refers to as the original recording; Bunye tape 2 is what he calls the doctored version; and Ong's tape is the three-hour recording. Transcripts of Bunye's two versions are from Inq7.

Cardinal Sin, 76

Jaime Cardinal Sin, 76
Former Manila Archbishop Jaime Cardinal Sin passed away Tuesday morning after a lingering illness, DZMM reported. He was 76.
abs-cbnNEWS.com

Cardinal Sin dead at 76

Philippines' Cardinal Sin dies at 76 MSNBC  ... his death early Tuesday. "Our call to all the faithful is to include in their prayers the soul of Cardinal Sin," Sescon said.

Cardinal Jaime Sin Dies at 76 Los Angeles Times, CA  MANILA, Philippines -- Cardinal Jaime Sin, the Roman Catholic cleric who helped lead revolts that ousted two Philippine presidents, died early Tuesday.

Philippines Cardinal Sin is dead BBC News, UK  Cardinal Sin played a key role in the Philippines' transition to democracy following the lengthy dictatorship of Ferdinand Marcos.

Cardinal Jaime Sin Dies at 76 San Francisco Chronicle, CA  Cardinal Jaime Sin, the Roman Catholic cleric who helped lead revolts that ousted two Philippine presidents, died early Tuesday. He was 76.

Hello, Garci Ring Tone Download

Here are Mp3 and wav files of the Hello Garci ring tone:

Indymedia server:
"Hello Garci" ringtone, MP3 format (124.1 KB)
"Hello Garci" ringtone, MP3 format (72.1 KB)

Server Mirror 1:
"Hello Garci" ringtone, MP3 format (360KB)
"Hello Garci" ringtone, WAV format (197KB)

Server Mirror 2:
"Hello Garci" ringtone, MP3 format (360KB)
"Hello Garci" ringtone, WAV format (197KB)

Server Mirror 3:
"Hello Garci" ringtone, MP3 format (360KB)
"Hello Garci" ringtone, WAV format (197KB)

To save, right-click on the file and click save as.

Many thanks to QC Indymedia and Yuga of PinoyBlog and Ploghost for hosting the files.

Links to the entire tape are at the PCIJ blog.

How do I put it in my phone?

1. Download your choice by clicking any or all of the files.

2. Transfer the downloaded file/s from the computer to your phone using either an infrared connection or a USB-to-phone cable.

3. For those whose phones have GPRS/WAP access, point your phone's browser to www.txtpower.org and download it directly to your phone.

4. Once transferred to your phone, the sound file may be used as ringtone for calls or text messages.

Other options

1. Ask for file-transfer from friends who may already have the ringtone. Both your phones should have either infrared or bluetooth connections.

2. Join any of the future anti-GMA rallies and look for the TXTPower banner. Next big date is June 24.

3. Watch out for the TXTPower "Hello Garci" Ringtone Download Team when they go around offices, stores and tiangges, communities and schools!

Download Garci Ring Tone From TxtPower

June 17, 2005
Here are Mp3 and wav files of the Hello Garci ring tone:

Server Mirror 1:
"Hello Garci" ringtone, MP3 format (360KB)
"Hello Garci" ringtone, WAV format (197KB)

Server Mirror 2:
"Hello Garci" ringtone, MP3 format (360KB)
"Hello Garci" ringtone, WAV format (197KB)

Server Mirror 3:
"Hello Garci" ringtone, MP3 format (360KB)
"Hello Garci" ringtone, WAV format (197KB)

To save, right-click on the file and click save as.

Many thanks to Yuga of PinoyBlog and Ploghost for hosting the files.

Links to the entire tape are at the PCIJ blog.

ABS-CBN Download

 

You can download the controversial "Gloria-Garci" tapes from ABS-CBN Archive.

Inquirer Stories

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Education chief given oversight powers over CHEd
Between wars, Marines turn to buko pies, smoked fish
Father Lolo dies amid turmoil
NTC cautions broadcasters on airing tape
Kidnapping tied to poll fraud
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Bishop lines up 2 more 'jueteng' witnesses
Mobile phones ring: Hello! Hello! Garci!
Ex-ISAFP chief 'invisible man'
Respect President's silence, Bunye tells people
NBI charges Samuel Ong with inciting to sedition
House asks Arroyo: Comment on tape

OPINION

Human Face : Ruminations on 'Aba'
Commentary : 'You've got mail'
There's The Rub : Triumph of evil
Editorial : Debt relief
All of us, not just the media, are bound to tell the truth
'Converted' motor vehicles undergo extensive testing
Youngblood : Surrogate mom
Sweeping, unfair statement vs NGOs
The Long View : Plebiscitary democracy
Political Tidbits : Fidel Ramos' lead recalled
Viewpoint : 'Dead meat' and sanctuary
An inspiring answer in the face of poverty
Turning to Jesus in times of crisis
Suspect journalism

LIFE

Kitchen Rescue : Hooray for Humphrey!

ENTERTAINMENT

Dollywood : Does Annabelle approve of Richard's girlfriend?
Viewfinder : Brangelina starrer wings it on stellar sizzle
What matters most to Aga Muhlach
Laguardia resists new censors bill
Thanks for the memories

METRO

On Target : Mindanao to declare independence if GMA is ousted
3 face sedition raps for pasting anti-Arroyo posters
Mandaluyong amends truck, car ban code
Anti-drug abuse councils to draft Metro-wide drug plan
Acquittal for alleged bag man

REGIONS

DENR exec charged with graft for alleged sale of ECCs
Classroom floor collapses, 30 students hurt
3 suspects in Esperat murder seek jail transfer
Singsons warn of an 'Ilocos Republic'
Bid to save Mt. Apo gains international support

WORLD NEWS

Spain arrests suspects linked to Iraq, Madrid bombings
Osama Bin Laden is alive and well, says Taliban commander
Double suicide attacks in Iraq kill 31
China not using clout against North Korea--US negotiator
Major quake hits California, triggers brief tsunami alarm
Vietnam reports three more bird flu cases to WHO
Italy urges budget agreement under Luxembourg EU presidency
EU stands firm in new Japan talks on nuclear deal
Pakistan lifts travel ban on rape victim
Bollywood sex siren says Cannes boosted movie hopes

SPORTS

Int'l 9-ball: Bata, Django ready
Garcia leads Senior Amateurs
Sportswatch
UAAP weekend features Ateneo-La Salle rivalry
Shocks XT up
Spectator : Liking Lina
Southwoods, Wack Wack share top
POC executive board keen on expelling cage body
Shell raps Purefoods, nears PBA semifinals
Welcoat guns for title anew

INFOTECH

No clear link between music revenue drop, online piracy
OFWs warned of BSP text scam
Tech is PLDT's lynchpin for success in 2005, says chairman
Malaysia orders Internet cafés to block porn sites: report
NTC, KBP call for sobriety and responsible journalism

RSBS Blues

Up for Early Retirement
By Roel Landingin
Newsbreak Contributing Writer

NOT yet 30 years old, the AFP Retirement and Separation Benefit System (RSBS), the pension fund for the military that was set up in 1976, may be due for retirement itself, and an early one at that.

Top defense and military officials say they want a totally new agency, preferably independent of the military establishment, to replace the RSBS. They are giving up hope the pension fund can ever be self-sufficient in providing funds for the former soldiers' pension benefits.

Defense Secretary Avelino Cruz told NEWSBREAK his department is working on a draft of a bill that will overhaul the military pension system and create a new pension fund that will be managed by civilians. The new fund will be supervised by the Department of Finance, much like the Government Service and Insurance System (GSIS) and the Social Security System (SSS), he said.

AFP chief of staff Gen. Efren Abu, whose military career included a stint at the pension fund, said there is little or no hope the RSBS can ever achieve self-sufficiency because of fundamental weaknesses in the military pension system. "We need to create a totally new pension system," he told NEWSBREAK.

Almost three decades after the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos created the RSBS, the military pension still comes from budgetary appropriations of the national government. In contrast, retirement benefits for civilian government employees do not come from the cash-strapped government but from the GSIS. Despite the many controversies hounding its president, Winston Garcia, the GSIS remains financially healthy and should be able to meet pension benefits of its members for years to come.

Total dependence on the national government for military pensions is now proving a shaky—even dangerous—proposition. On average, former soldiers are getting only about 60 percent of the benefits due them because government lacks the money to fund recent increases in pensions.

A series of pay increases since 2000 saw the average basic salary of enlisted men and officers rise by 73 percent. Because of the "equalization" feature of the Philippine military retirement system, whenever the pay of those in active duty is increased, pensions of retirees must go up at the same rate. However, the government had been unable to implement this provision of the law because of fiscal problems. While those in active service are already receiving additional pay, their retired or separated counterparts have yet to enjoy the benefit adjustments.

As of end-2004, the unpaid portion of the former soldiers' pensions stood at P17 billion, and is growing at the rate of P5 billion a year. For the almost 100,000 military retirees and their survivors, the fiscal crisis is not a danger that lies far off in the future but an injustice they've been living with for the past five years.

The problem has also ceased being merely a financial issue but has moved into the political and security realm. Retired generals, fed up with government inaction, have resorted to political action to press more forcefully for payment.

Government officials see the former generals' actions as nothing but another destabilization try against Ms. Arroyo. In fact, they are desperate acts that reflect the crisis in the current system for funding military retirement and benefits.

The RSBS and the military leadership themselves realize that the military pension system needs a lot of changing. In 2002, RSBS began consultations with stakeholders on how best to reform the pension fund while the AFP formed a special working group to draft proposed legislation on military pension reforms. The proposals are now being firmed up at the Department of National Defense and will be submitted to Congress later this year.

The reform initiatives were triggered by congressional investigations into allegations of corruption and gross negligence in the management of RSBS investments that resulted in losses averaging P444 million between 1998 and 2000, the first time the pension fund ever incurred losses. The inquiries led to the filing of charges against former RSBS officials and the appointment of civilian finance professionals in the top posts of the pension fund.

Another impetus for the reforms was the recommendation of the Feliciano Commission, which investigated the July 2003 Oakwood mutiny, for the abolition of the RSBS and the establishment of an entirely new military pension structure.

It may seem odd that top defense and military officials are talking of abolishing the RSBS at a time when the pension fund is clearly on the path to recovery from the financial disasters of the 1998 to 2000 period. Last year, it posted a net profit of P223 million, almost double its P119 million net income the previous year.

But it is clear that even if it were well managed, the RSBS could never achieve financial self-sufficiency. RSBS officials say the pension fund is hobbled by a fundamental imbalance between generous benefits and meager contributions.

Only 5 percent of soldiers' pay is contributed to the RSBS compared to 21 percent for GSIS members and 9.3 percent for SSS members. Government agencies and private employers add about half of the monthly premiums paid on behalf of GSIS and SSS members. The AFP does not add anything to soldiers' premium contributions to the RSBS.

Yet, former soldiers' pension and other retirement benefits are far more generous than those of their civilian counterparts. Their monthly pension is equivalent to about 85 percent of the pay of those in active duty while civilian retirees get only 40 percent at most.

Moreover, the retired Filipino soldier's pension automatically goes up when active servicemen are given a pay increase. In addition to monthly pensions, they get back, in lump sum, all of their contributions to RSBS plus a 6-percent cumulative interest shortly after retirement or separation.

The new military pension system will have to bring benefits in line with contributions to make the future pension fund financially viable. One of the proposals is to remove the so-called "equalization" feature, which requires pensions to be increased automatically at the same rate as the pay of those in active duty. Instead, pensions will just be indexed to inflation.

Retirement benefits for the Philippine military have been called one of the most generous in the world, but that is little comfort for ex-soldiers who have not been receiving their full pensions. Future military retirees may have to settle for a modest package that gives them real cash instead of empty promises.

Alternative Arroyo Download

Posted by Alecks Pabico

PCIJ
 

THE tsunami-like surge in bandwidth usage due to the unprecedented download requests for the controversial tapes has already forced the shutdown of one of our servers and those of the mirror sites that have been generously shared to us. However, thanks again to some of our fellow bloggers' initiatives, the files can still be downloaded via the following links:

Three-Hour Tape

• BitTorent: http://mininova.org/tor/55762 (160MB)
• RapidShare:
  1. Audio Set 1 (01-11) - 48.7MB
  2. Audio Set 2 (12-20) - 45.6MB
  3. Audio Set 3 (21-29) - 46.8MB
  4. Audio Set 4 (30-33) - 20.5MB

Paguia Tape

• BitTorent: http://mininova.org/tor/55788 (31MB, including text file of transcript)
• Windows Media Video: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=12LP7M2J (with subtitles)

Gloria's Alleged Conversations

You can download the three-hour-three-CDs audio recording of the alleged telephone conversation between Pres. Arroyo and Comelec Commissioner Virgilio Garcillano through these 33 separate MP3 files provided by PCIJ:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33

 

For first-timers:  You can download by right-clicking on the links above and save each one to your hard disk.

Kapamilya Run

Registration Centers:

• Ayala Center (beside the Activity Center)
• Aboitix Express in E-Mall
• SM City (beside the Supermarket)
• Cebu City Sports Commission (Cebu City Sports Center)
• ABS-CBN Broadcast Complex, Jagobiao, Mandaue City

The P100 registration fee entitles each runner singlets, snacks and giveaways.

 

Pulso sa DYAB Abante Bisaya ug TV Patrol Central Visayas

Too ka bang Estados Unidos maoy utok sa pagbisto sa audio recording ni Pres. Arroyo?

Please text your answer to DYAB REACT (opinion) and send to 2366.

Weather Update

Southwest monsoon prevailing over Luzon and Western Visayas.

Metro Cebu: Occasional rains, winds will be light to moderate blowing from the southwest, coastal waters will be slight to moderate, temperature range 24 to 30°C (75 to 86°F).
 

More Weather

Tribune Stories

Erap: Gloria has lost the 'mandate of heaven'

AFP brass: Troop movements for parade to-do, not against coup

Book author stresses conflict in Chavit's testimony

GMA allies may 'sabotage' impeach move — minority solon

New jueteng witness to drop 'nuclear bomb'

Media, other tape 'pirates' face arrest, warns Gonzalez

Daily Tribune Expose'

CONVERSATIONS WITH COMELEC COMMISSIONER VIRGILIO GARCILLANO

Wednesday, 06 08, 2005

Part I

15.Conversation between Gary and Lyn 03 18:30 June'04

Gary: Hello, ipa-alala mo kay Romy meron silang reward nyan pero wag maingay kahit na isang M makuha nya. Pero kasing isa pa sana kung pwepwede pero hindi ko lang alam meron silang ikwa-kwan, yung "SMILE" din ke kwan pa naman yan, sa kaibigan dyan sa tabi. Pero yung isa sigurado na yun, yung sinabi ko. Pagkatapos nung kwan, tatanungin ko pa yung isa.

Female: Oho.

Gary: Pero unahin na nyan yung sinabi ko na. Sige, sige

16. Conversation between Gary and an unidentified male personality on 03 19:03 June'04

Gary: Hello

Man: Padre, pag nakumpleto mo, proclaim mo na kaagad, para tapos na.

Gary: Oo, naka-ready na ha.

Man: Oo sige, sige sabihin mo lang sakin kung kelan ko dadalhin.

Gary: Ngayon, ngayon hanggang bukas kailangan mayari ito.

Man: O sige, basta sabihin mo lang kung magkano.

Gary: Magkano? Xxx Sinasabi ko nang isa pero kung kwan, dadagdagan natin baka manghingi eh.

Man: Ok lang pare, kelan ko dadalhin?

Gary: Ahh.

Man: Ah hindi, malalaman ko lang bukas maaga. Syempre ipro-proclaim mo na, kung magkano sabihin mo na lang sakin. Sige, ok.

Gary: Ok.

17. Conversation between Gary and one unidentified male and Supt. Ampatua on 06 18:00 hrs. June'04

Man: Comm. Afternoon. Nasa Manila?

Gary: Nasa Manila.

Man: Andito ko sa resthouse, sa Baguio.

Gary: Pangasinan?

Man: Oo (Visayan dialect followed)

Supt. Ampatua: Good afternoon, Nagkaproblema ako, kasi at 4 o'clock dawn yesterday binaril sila. Malaki, indiscriminate firing __79 then, kinabukasan while nga yung military dalhin nila yung mga paraphernalia sa bayan, hinarang sila doon saka pinutol yung mga kahoy, hindi na maidaan. So, dumating ang mga balota sa polling place mga 1:30. So wala ang Comelec, wala. Naiwan sila Pualas, eh hindi sila pinatuloy. Hinarang talaga, nag human barricade. So ngayon, may dala akong pulis report. It's a spot report stating all these things kaya gusto magpunta sayo bukas, kasi with these things happening, there's no use scheduling it again maybe...

Gary: It will not anymore.

Supt. Ampatua: Iproclaim na natin yun son-in-law ko, then the best thing to do really, we need 33 votes. With 33, we will be spending millions, money of the people of the republic.

Gary: But how many votes, is he over with opponent?

Supt. Ampatua: Oo, 205 ang lead nya. Ang boto is only 270 so minus that lead nya, the remaining is only 65 considering na lahat mag-boto, kung 50 lang, 100 lang ang magboto, its no more needed.

Gary: O sige, sige. Ako na ang kwan.

Supt. Ampatua: What could have my money bought. We'll go there ha, we'll take the first flight hah.

...More conversation (Visayan dialect)

18.Conversation with Danny and Gary on 25 19:52 May 2004

Danny: Sir, good evening. Si Danny po ito, Sir, Tapos na po ang Cotabato City?

Gary: Hinihintay ko yung i-fax ni Vidol.

Danny: Ano kaya, nagawan ng paraan Sir?

Gary: Oo. Ang akin, sabi ko, kwarenta mahigit ang kailangan para omo-ver siya. As of this afternoon, 39.

Danny: Ang hinihintay lang po ay Cotabato City, ano po sir?

Gary: Ha?

Danny: Cotabato City na lang ang hinihintay?

Gary: Oo, pero may konti pa sa Lanao Sur.

Danny: Ah, yung anim na municipalities. Panalo daw siya dun eh.

Gary: Mananalo siya talaga. Nandun si Lou Makarambong eh. Pababantayan ko.

Danny: Opo, opo.

Gary: Kaya nga sabi kung makapanalo siya ng 20, 25,000, magcelebrate na tayo

Danny: San po ba kayo, nasan kayo sir?

Gary: Nandito ko sa kwan, Westin Plaza.

Gary: Hayaan nyo, ipapahanda ko yung mga kwan sir, basta't na-kwan eh aking ipapahanda yung para sa ating mga kwan...

Gary: Bata. Nag-usap na kami. Sabihin mo lang tumawag lang sya sa akin.

Danny: Sige sir. Sir, ganito sana eh. Kung malalaman ko ngayong gabi, ipacelebrate ko na siya eh.

Gary: O sige lang, mag-uusap na kami.

Danny: Opo, opo...

19. Conversation between Gary and an unidentified male personality on 20:00 hotel May '04

Gary: Hello

Male: Padre, naniniwala kayo sa amin na makabawi daw dyan Comelec. Humihingi ng binebentang boto. Ano bang gagawin natin dyan.

Gary: Sino sa kanila yun

Male: Hindi ko alam kung sino eh, pero merong naglapit samin.

Gary: Kaya ko, kaya ko yan

Male: Binigyan ng kwan. Masyadong malaki pare, limang milyon ang hinihingi eh.

Gary: Magkano?

Male: Limang milyon daw.

Gary: Ha?

Male: O hindi bale kung magka-abisuhan lang pwede naman tayong magdagdag eh...xxx

Gary: Oo, kung makakapagbigay talaga, xx. Makikiano ka muna pagkatapos titingnan ko kung sino. Kunwari lang maki-ano ka. Ipasok mo ang tao mo.

Male: Pero pare willing naman kaming magdagdag kung kinakailangan ha!

Gary: O sige, oo. Para mabantayan ko.

Male: O sige...

20.Conversation between Gary and an unidentified male on or about 14 08:51 hotel June 2004

Male: Hello, good morning. Nandito ako sa Malaybalay. Sabi nung kabila kung kailangan daw dagdagan pa, dadagdagan pa. Di ba ang usapan natin kulang pa ng six, six hundred.

Gary: 6 or 8

Male: Hindi yung ibibigay ko sayo. Atin lang yun, kulang pa ng 600?

Gary: Hindi sakin yan, sa mga bata.

Male: Oo alam ko. Tulungan mo na lang, meron akong inaano dyan eh..

Gary: O sige

Male: Kung maari daw before the 30 kasi sila magfacilitate ng pagdating ni Gloria sa Cebu, sa ano.

Gary: Ah hindi wala na, wag na nating istoryahan tana.

Male: Ah ok.

Gary: Tingnan ko lang kung ano. Basta inaano ko nga sa kanila, kung hindi, di balik yan.

Male: OO, ikaw na bahala dyan.

Gary: Eh kung hindi nila magawa nila eh di pano.

Male: Pwede akong pumunta bukas.

Gary: Hindi kausapin ko muna si Boss.

Male: Tawagan mo ako ha kung punta ako dyan

3. Conversation between Gary and a certain Ruben: on 07 20:38 June '04

Ruben:: Hello Garci, si Ruben:. Anong balita?

Gary: Eto, nag-aano kasi ako yung sa Tipo-tipo na tao, parang nasa kamay na nila. Pero wala naming damage sa atin, per okay Wa-ab. Kaya dapat si Wa-ab ang gumalaw nyan.

Ruben:: Pero, mag-tetestify sya against the administration eh, against the President!

Gary: How can he? Wala naman siyang ginawa kay Presidente.

Ruben:: Eh hindi diba, ang gagamiting, mag-tetestify siguro yun against the President regarding the bawas-dagdag na ginawa dun sa ano..

Gary: Wala naman tayong ginawa para kay Presidente dun sa kanya ah.

Ruben:: Hindi, yun ang pine-presenta di ba? Yan yung prine-presenta ni Rufus Rodriguez pati yung kay Libron?

Gary: Oo nga, pero wala naman. Kay Libron, di nila makukuha si Libron, wala na din a nila makukuha.

Ruben:: Si Libron nga, hindi na nga dahil as of two days ago, naka-usap na nga raw eh.

Gary: Sinong nakausap?

Ruben:: Si Libron, naka-usap na ng military.

Gary: Sabihin mo dyan sa military nay an, wag silang masyadong makiki-alam, kasi sinampal pala si Libron eh, akin yang tao nyan eh, taga Batangas yan eh.

Ruben:: Ah ganun ba?

Gary: Oo, wag naman ganun. Bago nila gawin yung primero, sinampal pa kasi eh, kaya mangiyak-ngiyak yung tao eh. Kaya kahit paka-inin mo ng bala yun, din a magpapakita. Ngayon, itong si Rasma Ali, wala naman masasabi against kay Ma'am eh, kahit anong sabihin nila because she has not done anything except kay Wahab Akbhar. Kaya dapat si Wahab ang ma-warningan.

Ruben:: Pero, ano ba pare yung pinakikitang ano ni Rufus na ano...?

Gary: Ah, pabayaan mo siya but it does not have anything to do with the President.

Ruben:: Ibig mong sabihin yung pinakikitang dinagdagan daw yung boto ni Presidente eh...

Gary: Hindi naman nila mate-testiguhan kung hindi sa kanyang munisipyo.

Ruben:: Yung tipo-tipo diba?

Gary: Oo nga, pero ang problema nyan, wala naman kay Presidente dyan

Ruben:: Hindi bay un ang pine-presenta ni Rufus na dinagdagan?

Gary: Yung pinakita ni Rufus, tingnan natin sa Provincial Canvass, kasi wala naman nagagawa yan dun sa kanyang munisipyo. Bahala siya, kaya nga ina-ano ko sa Wa-ab, pina-aano ko kay Wa-ab ngayon, dapat si Presidente ma-kwan nya kay Wa-ab para si Wa-ab ang kumuha ng tao na yan kung hindi, pakukuha ko ang pamilya nyan.

Ruben:: Uh-humm..

Gary: Yun na ang last resort, pakukuha ko ang pamilya nyan.

Ruben:: Yun na lang ang dapat gawin dun.

Gary: oo, pero dapat malaman ni Wa-ab na si Wa-ab, kasi ang more damage will be against that Wa-ab Akbhar, not the President.

Ruben:: Bakit, naapektuhan ba yung boto ni Wa-ab?

Gary: Siya lang talaga ang ano malaking naka-pabor. Kaya kung maari papuntahin ko dito yung supervisor, patago ko rin dito sakin. Because, I want to clean out kung alin yung mga by municipality results.

Ruben:: Hindi yun nga ang nagkaka-problema dahil si Wa-ab ang nagpatrabaho nyan eh.

Gary: eh ang problema nyang si Wa-ab, gumalaw si Wa-ab nung huli na.

Ruben:: huli na nga eh, akinse na nung gumalaw si Wa-ab eh.

Gary: Alam mo si Wa-ab was working for FPJ actually.

Ruben:: Oo, nung una.

Gary: Nung malalaman nyang matatalo si FPJ, saka bumaligtad

Ruben:: Sinabi mo, totoo talaga.

Gary: Yung mga tao namin dyan, eh galit na galit sa kanya eh. Kaya ito, kung anuman basta malalaman hanggang umaga, ng magang-maga kung ano talaga ang score doon so I can tell them to get her families kung halimbawa. Sabagay medyo matindi na tokasi andun si Lumibao, andun naman si...ewan ko kung sino pang nandun, may isang colonel na nandun. Kung kailangang kunin, di kunin na nag pamilya nya. Lokohan narin lang eh, di kwan, Pero yang Rufus na yan, wala namang alam yan.

Ruben:: kaya nga, kaya nga.

Gary: Ewanko lang kung pupunta pa uli yun, pakidnap ko nalang sya.

Ruben:: Hindi naman pumupunta, pero ang balita, nandirito sa Parañaque.

Gary: Nandito na, yung ano.

Ruben:: Nandito na sa Parañaque nung pang Saturday

Gary: O sige. Basta't we'll ask somebody to look for her and then get her family, kung pwede.

Ruben:: Oo, oo

4. Conversation between Gary and an unidentified man on 31 21:38 hotel May 2004

Man: Hello sir.

Gary: Hello

Man: Sir.

Gary: Ah tawagan mo nga si Datu Buklakbun(?)

Man: Oo sir, hanapin ko siya, hindi kasi siya magsagot eh.

Gary: Kaya nga eh, baka ipakidnap ko siya, baka ipakidnap ko siya

Man: Ha, ha. Hanapan ko ng paraan para makontak siya.

Gary: Kontakin mo kasi kailangan ko siya

Man: Oo sir.

Gary: Baka gusto niya pakidnap ko siya...

Man: Oo sir, ok sir

Gary: O sige

5.Conversation between Gary and a certain Boy on or about 05 13:41 hotel June '04

Gary: Hello Boy.

Boy: Hello, sir. Si Raspa parang nandyan sa Maynila.

Gary: Nasa Maynila? Naku delikado. Hindi ba natin makontak?

Boy: Walang, walang ano..In-off ang cellphone. Pahahanap ko sa Isafp.

Gary: Ah paki kwan, delikado yan.

Boy: Oo nga, sabi ko, sabi ko sa Isafp kay Col. Hondong(?) sa Zamboanga para may bargaining chip tayo dyan, eh damputin na natin yung pamilya din nya.

Gary: Oo, oo

Boy: Para dina siya makapagsalita.

Gary: Oo nga eh.

Boy: Kasi delikado yan eh.

Gary: Pero, nagtrabaho ba talaga yan?

Boy: Nagtrabaho yan sir. Pero yung trabaho nila ano yun, limp yung trabaho nila. Ang problema ang Catangan, baka ang sabihin siguro niyan na binaliktad ni Catangan dun sa itaas, sa provincial level.

Gary: Hello

Boy: Hello sir.

Gary: Maghanap kalang yung well-meaning na kamag-anak niya. Wag mo munang pakikidnap yung pamilya. Soft touch muna na pwedeng maka-persuade sa kanya (line cut)

4.Conversation between Gary and unidentified male and personality on 07 20:40 June '04

Male: Hello sir, good evening ho. Sir yung tungkol sa party-list.

Gary: Anong party-list yan?

Male: Yung pong VFG

Gary: Veteran ano yun?

Male: Veterans' Freedom Party? Diba, meron na silang nakalusot na isa ron? Baka yung isa pwede pa nating ihabol?

Gary: Ah, hindi pwede na kasi pag-proclaim dyan, meron na kasi number of votes na inilagay namin eh. Mahirap na. Pero may nakalusot na isa. Oo, nag-proclaim na kami nung isang araw ng beynte-tres.

Male: Oho, eh mukhang meron pang isang namumurong isa, hindi ba pwede yun?

Gary: Ang hirap, kasi nung pri-noclaim naming, nakalagay na yung number of votes sa kanila eh. Alam ko yun, nakalusot yun.

Male: Yung isa, Malabo...

Gary: Hindi eh, hindi naman pwedeng ganun, kasi makakahalata nayan. Mahirap na. Mahirap kasi, nagkaroon na ng proclamation ang isa sa kanila na nilagay doon, isa lang ang qualified sa kanila.

Male: Ah isa lang ho talaga? Hindi ba pwedeng maging dalawa dahil ang boto nila medyo malaki naman yata.

Gary: Hindi. Tingnan ko yan pero kwan eh, hindi magkakaron ng ganyan dahil halimbawa, may desisyon mamaya na kung may sobrang 1 point something, baka sakali pero titingnan natin.

Male: Boss, baka pwede nating tulungan.

Gary: Oo, oo ok sige...

5.Conversation between Gary and a certain Ruben: on 07 20:38 June '04

Ruben:: Tanong ko lang pare, papano yung ano natin, sa party-list?

Gary: Hindi ko pa maa-ano kasi hanggang ngayon wala pang usapan ang mga tao tungkol diyan. Tawagan kita bukas ng tanghali kung anuman.

Ruben:: O sige.

Gary: Ano yun? Ano?

Ruben:: Yung TUCP at tsaka ALAB.

Gary: Ay! Wag mo nang dadagdagan, mahihirapan tayo nyan.

Ruben:: Hindi mas maganda kung lahat ng magkakatabi nayan eh.

Gary: Hindi kasi nag-proclaim na kami. Ang alam ng Commissioner and some other people there, mahirap ng kumuha, kasi kung kumuha tayo, yung malapit, yung hindi na mahahalata kasi...

Ruben:: Pero malapit yan ha kesa sa "SMILE"

Gary: Kaya nga, bahala na pero ang kaso, pag sabay-sabay na, sinong pagagawin mo nyan eh itong mga bata hindi na pwe-pwedeng gumalaw eh. Titingnan ko bukas kung anuman.

Ruben:: Sige, tawagan mo ko hah.

Gary: Oo.

6.Conversation between Gary and Gene on 08 13:25 hotel June '04

Gene: Boss, nakatanggap ako ng certification ngayon dito galing sa mga bata natin sa Lanao, nag-failure na naman pala dahil kay Butani. Putang-ina, sino ba yang Butani, bakit ganun yun...

Gary: Yun ang pina-alis ko.

Gene: Oo nga, bat nandito na naman, papano to?

Gary: Oo nga, bumalik na naman. Kaya nga ayaw makialam ni First Gentleman dyan. Pinasabi ko nga kay Ruben: Reyes na paalisin na nyo yan.

Gene: Putang-ina, tarantado talaga to.

Gary: Oo, pina-alis ko yan eh. Pero after three days after elections, bumalik man dyan. Ang nag__dyan si Col. Tereno thru Gen. Teron at tsaka si Gen. Quiamco.

Gene: Eh ano ba gagawin ko, gagawan ko ng memo o ipapa-reschedule, papano, gagawa ako ng memo sa inyo?

Gary: Ipa-reschedule natin

Gene: Gagawa ako ng ano ha.

Gary: Oo para sa commission en banc

Gene: Ano nangyari sa inyo. O sige, nasa meeting ka yata eh, Ok sige ok.

Gary: Mamayang hapon nandyan ako...

Gene: Yung best friend mo bumabanat na naman, putang-ina talaga itong si Pimentel

Gary: Bakit, bakit

Gene: Hindi ka ba nano-nood ng TV?

Gary: Hindi ako nano-nood.

Gene: Putang-ina, binabakbakan si Pisana

Gary: Oo nga, anak ng jueteng yan, wala ng kakwenta-kwenta yan.

Gene: Sinabi na nga na clerical error, putang-ina talagang matandang ito, 16 votes lang.

Gary: Ibigay mo na lang sa kanya.

Gene: O sige, ok, ok

7.Conversation between Gary and an unidentified male on 08 20:45 hotel June '04

Gary: Si ano?

Male: Cebu? Yung sa Governor?

Gary: Ewan ko kung kaylan aarya

Male: Pare kung anong konsiderasyon pare ha, paki-declare si Garcia ha, tinanggal siya eh.

Gary: Oo syempre, pinag-usapan natin yun eh.

Male: Basta't may sinabi naman nya kung ano raw ang konting pang for disposal na, basta.

Gary: O sige lang, ok lang Oo.

8.Conversation between Gary and an unidentified male on 08 15:33 hotel June '04

Gary: Hello

Male: Comm, tinawagan ako ni Chair dahil napanood yata si Comm. Rex tungkol ba kay Barbers, diba. May annulment kasi na fi-nile si Barbers. Tapos, di binabasa ko kasi tong petisyon niya, ang sabi nya ang canvass votes sa South OP Maguindanao 7,000 votes, sa Talitay 6,000 votes, sa Columbo 4,000. Diba mga tapos na to?

Gary: Hindi yata napasama.

Male: Patay kang bata ka. Hindi napasama? Eh papano to? Eh di talagang yari tayo nito.

Gary: Eh siguro.

Male: Naku po. Patay tayo. Akala ko tapos na to. Diba ang South OP meron double proclamation? Pati yung Talitay.

Gary: Sa Talitay meron.

Male: 6,000 daw eh, ayan o, nakalagay sa ano nya eh. Sabihin ko na lang kay bosing na talagang di nakasama?

Gary: Oo

Male: Ok boss.

9.Conversation between Gary and Cheng on 09 17:00 hotel June '04

Gary: Hello

Cheng: Hello, good afternoon bay, si Cheng po ito. Ituloy na natin yun sir?

Gary: Oo, sige!

Cheng: Ituloy natin lahat, lahat? Linisin ko lahat?

Gary: Oo. Kelangan linisin nyo na lahat. Kasi minsan bahala na kung anong mangyari. Kasi parallel move to eh. Dito sa Commission, we try to find out kung makakalusot, di ready na tayo lahat.

Cheng: Oo sir, ang problema ko dun sa ER, nasabmit na yung sa statistic record.

Gary: We will not resort to that.

Cheng: Ah, dina pala

Gary: Papalitan, then papakuhan natin.

Cheng: Ah ganon, O sige sir, di magfi-file na ko ng ER.

Gary: O sige

Cheng: Salamat po.

Gary: Ok, sige

10.Conversation between Gary and an unidentified male personality on 03 13:37 June '04

Gary: Hello

Man(Mike): Padre, yun daw sa Basilan wala nang nagbabantay pare, pinabayaan na ng mga tao. Yun nalang ang natitira eh, Basilan.

Gary: May kwan petition kasi for annulment dun

Man(Mike): Ah ganun

Gary: Sumobra masyado.

Man(Mike): Pwedeng ikarga mo naman yung 70,000 pare...(line cut)

Conversation between Gary and an unidentified male personality on 03 13:39 June '04

Man(Mike): Padre, may pag-asa pa ba tayo? Sa Basilan pala pwede pa eh. Tsaka sa Isabela.

Gary: Oo

Man: Pero sitenta mil ang kailangan pare eh. Hati-hatiin na lang yun, konti lang yun eh.

Gary: Oo

Man: Paano mo na, patotohanin mo na. Wala ng pag-asa yan. Kung ano mang konsiderasyon pakisabi lang sakin. Pare, pakisuyo lang, pakitapos nalang para yun nalang alalahanin ko sayo. Pero, marami pang natitira, pwede pang dagdagan hah.

Gary: O sige, sige.

Man: 70,000 pala ang kailangan pare

Gary: Ok sige

To be continued

 

CONVERSATIONS WITH COMELEC COMMISSIONER VIRGILIO GARCILLANO

Thursday, 06 09, 2005

Part II

Conversation between Gary and Tony on 12 10:03 hotel June 2004

Gary: Hello Tony, si Commissioner Garcillano.

Tony:Oo Garci.

Gary: Yung sinasabi na ako daw nag nagsabi na 330 million ang na-spend ni Presidente. Interview lang sa akin kahapon.. Yung sabi ko the person should file a separate statement of expenses because there is a treasurer. Bakit naman sinasabi na ako ang nagsabi that she spent the most amount.

Tony: No, no, no. The problem is like this no, Gar. Ah, according to news report... (line cut)

Continuation...

Gary: Hello. Ah tawagan kita kasi ako nga ang nag-quote dun sa newspaper issue about nung filing ni Presidente.

Tony:Eh siyempre kasi ikaw ang Commissioner eh.

Gary: Oo nga, pero hindi ko man sinasabi yung mga amount ganun, pero sabi sa akin ni Tony Vilar, dati naman daw na siya ang nagpa-file for the party and tsaka ang kandidato.

Tony:Ganun, hindi eh. Hindi lang siguro napansin yun.

Gary: Hindi eh. Pero ikaw din ang nag-receive eh. Inano nya yung fi-nile nung 1998, 1992, ikaw din daw ang nagre-receive eh.

Tony:Hindi, meron kasing ano...pero hindi eh. Nung 1992 klarong-klaro, ngayun kwan kasi...

Gary: 98 binasa niya sa akin.

Tony:Hindi lang siguro na-ano yan. Kasi diba nung 1998, wala ng nag-intidi dahil landslide si kwan, Joseph. Pero yung kay Jose De Venecia, siya mismo. Yung kay Ramos, siya din. Kina Salonga...

Gary: Pero meron siyang ifi-nile, binasa sa akin eh.

Tony:Alam mo kasi yung fi-nile nila, para sa party. Hindi candidates of the party. Yung ginastos ng mga party sa mga kandidato nila eh. So hindi lang naman yung ginastos ni Presidente, yung ginastos ng party eh. Ang magiging number 1 na issue dyan yung assumption ng office. Eh maliwanag naman sa Law eh. Every candidate or treasurer of the political party, ang deemed requirement sa Law, the political party leading candidates and every candidate shall file an itemized statement of contribution and expenditures, requirement yun sa law at may provision doon na you cannot assume the responsibility of the office unless you file a statement of contribution and expenditures. So baka magiging issue pa yan kung sinabi nila na yung fi-nile ng K4 ay kwan.

Gary: Yun nga eh, nalaman na ng iba, baka sabihin e i-demand na mag-file sya eh, baka kelangan...Si Manolo at si Dante hindi naman daw nag-prepare nyan eh. Di ba si Manolo nag-file sayo.

Tony:Oo, si Manolo at si Dante, sila nag-file.

Gary: Silang dalawa. Eh paki-kwan na lang sa kanila. I-explain mo sa kanila kasi baka ma-issue na naman yan eh.

Tony: Sigurado. Eh ang ano naman eh...xxx kasi kung ano mangyari nyan eh...

Gary: Oo, that's kwan...

Tony:Kasi hindi maging issue yung pag-assume, kasi she cannot ah, any winning candidate cannot assume without filing the necessary statement.

Gary: Yung nga, sabihin mo kila Manolo. Pati na si Dante. Kasi ini-insist ni Vilar na ganun din daw ang fi-nile 1998.

Tony:Pero sabihin mo, kaya namin sinasabi ito eh, problema ninyo ito. Mamaya eh maging ano yan eh issue yan eh.

Gary: Kaya eh..ikaw kasi ang nag-receive kay Dante at Gorospe, eh tawagan mo sila.

Tony:As far as they are concerned kasi, hindi compliance yun. Kami ang tatanungin.

Gary: Ako rin, ako rin. I am with you. Ang problema nyan, we are claiming na, Vilar is claiming that he has been doing that...

Tony:Pero kung sakali hindi napansin yun nung nakaraan, this time mahirap yan kasi she is a winning candidate eh. Magiging issue yan eh. And dapat sabihin mo sa kanila, alam nyo wag kayo gumawa ng istorya, kayo ang kawawa dayn eh, hindi kami.

Gary: Oo nga, pero dapat sabihin mo na sa kanila kasi...eh naka sinasabi sayo, ikaw rin daw ang nag-receive nung...

Tony:Alam mo kasi receiving lang yan eh.

Gary: ...later on that will call their attention at the time.

Tony:Oo, wala pa noon. Hindi inaano yan eh. Ngayon, baka mamaya matawag ng pansin kasi nalaman ng iba, di ba?

Gary: Ako, nakasabi rin ako dun, pagtawag mo, sinabihan ko si Ma'am...Aywan ko kung ano, kung anong gagawin nila.

Tony: Oo, sige.

Gary: Pero kwanan mo si Dante at si Gorospe.

Tony: Hindi compliance yun eh.

Gary: Kaya nga paki-ano mo sa kanila. Para hindi siya ma-ano. Ako ang kino-quote na ako ang nagsabi dun sa amount pero sa pagsabi ko na separate sana kay Presidente, nagsabi talaga ako dun. Pero yung sa interview mo, bakit ako ang inaano nitong is kwan?

Tony:Dinagdag nila siguro

Gary: Villaneuva.. eh ikaw na-interview di ba?

Tony:Oo, yun tungkol dun sa ten pesos.

Gary: Ten pesos per candidate?

Tony: Sa presidente.

Gary: Ah presidente?

Tony: Yung sa party five pesos.

Gary: Ok lang din naman yung amount no?

Tony:Oo, oo

Gary: O sige na, pakitawag na din man sila Gorospe at si kwan, si Dante...

Tony:Ok.

Conversation...

Tony:Hello, ang tinawagan ko nalang si Mrs. Pineda. Eh mas mabuti pa ito nakakaintindi eh. Alam yung ano eh. Ang sabi niya, Oo kelangan talagang may individual yung kwan.

Gary: Oo nga, ini-insist nila yung ginagawa nila nung araw.

Tony:Ngayon sabi niya, pinaliwanag ko, sabi niya oo naiintindihan ko yun, Sabi nya tatawagan ako ngayon.

Gary: Sana sinabi mo na tinawagan ko na rin si Ma'am. Pero sinabi ni Ma'am kahapon ok eh.

Tony:Eh kasi baka mamaya maging issue pa eh.

Gary: Oo nga wag na natin hintayin na darating sa ganyan

Tony:Kasi itong mga tao niya masyadong pabaya.

Gary: Kung ano-ano kasing pinagsasabi eh. Na ikaw din daw ang tumatanggap noon, ganoon.

Tony:Naku wala eeeh, iba noon kung ano kasi, hindi naman napansin siguro.

Gary: At tsaka hindi yun, hindi naman sya kandidatong Presidente noon, yung 2000...

Tony:Nung 1998 na kumandidato siyang Vice President, maganda yung fi-nile nya. Sabi nga ni Atty. De Mesa na ginaya na lang nya yung finile nya nung vice presidential candidate siya.

Gery: Ah nag-file sya ng separate nun.

Tony: Oo.

Gary: Eh bakit sinasabi nitong Vilar ngayon na...

Tony:Ang pumirma pa nga si Mike Arroyo.

Gary: Ang akala niya siguro ang nire-represent niya, pinapalabas niya yung fi-nile niya for the President before.

Tony:Hindi, for the party yun eh...iba yung sa party, iba yung sa president eh.. Si De Venecia nag-file din ng sarili eh.

Gary: Ewan ko si Vilar yan.

Tony:O sige, ganon nalang.

Gary: Ok sige oo.

35. Conversation between Gary and an unidentified male on 26 19:50 hotel May 2004

Gary: Nakita mo yung sa news?

Male:Alin yun?

Gary: Inilabas na nila yung napirmahan ninyo. Hindi ko alam kung official yan but I saw its really ____....

Male:Uhhh.

Gary: Eh automatic yun eh.

Male:Talagang hindi official, hindi pa dumadaan sayo eh.

Gary: Wala pa sa akin, yung isa na kay Tinong. Tsaka walang promulgation eh.

Male:Oo nga.

Gary: Hindi na maganda ang kwan. That's already making (?). Eh nakakasama, meron pa ba tayong pag-uusapan. Once they will agree to us baka maiba pa ang decision. Eh hindi maganda eh. Kaya tinawagan ko si GMA, sabihin niya si Chairman. Kasi it was not yet promulgated.

Male:But that's in favor of Padaca, hindi ba. Favor in Padaca yun ha. May laman pa yata yang isa.

Gary: Oo, Ha?

Male:Hindi, hindi...

Gary: Anak ng jueteng yan, hindi maganda. Bahala na kung mapaboran si Padaca pero wag naman ganun.

Male:Oo...

36. Conversation between a certain Commissioner and Governor on 28 12:58 hotel May 2004

Gov: Hello, hi Commissioner, si Gov. ito.

Gary: Jhun?

Gov: Oo, ya si Jhun. Ito ang kwan...

Gary: Sultan Kudarat?

Gov: Ya, oo...si Montilla. Xxx. Tulungan natin yan.

Gary: Clear mo kay Ma'am

Gov: xxx meron siyang file. Na sayo yung kwan nya eh.

Gary: Wala sa akin, baka nasa division namin

Gov: Yung papel, nasa division, oo nga, oo puro-forma lang yan...xxx(muffed)

Gary: Xxxx...Kung ano ang posisyon kasi..nagusap din kami ni Ma'am dyan, tinawagan nga ako ngayon pero hindi yan.

Gov: Tinawagan ka ni Presidente tungkol dyan?

Gary: Hindi naman tungkol dyan pero kakausapin ko din siya tungkol dyan.

Gov: Sabihin mo, yan lang ang hihilingin ko naman eh yang lang ang hihilingin ko sayo, alam mo naman hindi ako humihiling sayo.

Gary: Hindi. Naipit na ko dun sa kaso...xxx

Gov: Yung sa akin, yung tungkol dun sa akin pabayaan mo Nayan... Ok lang ako.

Gary: Ako ang tinitira dun

Gov: Alam ko binibira kayo ng NPA pati dyan ha. Alam ko yung buhay mo ang nakataya dun. Kanya ito ang ipakikiusap ko lang sayo ha, ok.

Gary: O sige basta dumating sa amin.

Gov: O sige, basta dumating saiyo, suportahan mo.

Gary: Oo...

37. Conversation between two an unidentified male on or about 24 16:00 hotel May '04

Man 1:: Hello

Man 2:: Hello, si Commissioner?

Man 1:: Yes?

Man 2:: Xxxx. Ah nag-memeting kami kanina, one of the topics...xxxx

Man 1:: Ganito, ganito. Tanggalin mo yung kay Sen. Barbers ha. Tapos wag mo ipahabol kay Biazon. Kasi kwan, may regalo para saiyo...

Man 2:: Ok sir.

Man 1:: Ha, ok sige.

38. Conversation between a certain Chairman and an identified male on or about 24 17:37 hotel May '04

Chairman: Hello pare, si Chairman to

Man: Oo, oo

Chairman: Apat na probinsiya nalang yung mga di pa pumapasok, eh baka malintikan na tayo.

Man: Bakit ilan na ang panalo nila?

Chairman: 475,000(?) na eh... 175,000 ang boto natin.

Man: 175,000 ang boto natin?

Chairman: Oo, eh kung madagdagan man lang sana ng mga 200,300 (line cut)

39.Conversation between two an unidentified male on or about 25 09:03 hotel May 2004

Man 1: (Gary): Hello

Man 2:: Hello sir, umpisahan ko na yung tampering sir hah, wala pa rito yung mga burado.

Man 1:: Sige lang, na-notifyan sila?

Man 2:: Notify na sila sir eh

Man 1:: Ah, kung na-notify sila, start. Tapusin mo na

Man 2:: Ok, yan ang gagawin ko ngayon sir, eh.

Man 1:: May mga government organization dyan nagsasabing kung di raw kita papalitan o-objectkan nila ang aking confirmation?

Man 2:: Ah ganun ba, hindi ko alam kung sino yun eh

Man 1:: Hayaan mo sila, patuloy mo, tapusin mo na.

Man 2:: Yun na nga sir eh

Man 1:: O sige

40. Conversation between Gary and John on 16 12:00 hotel June 2004

Gary: Hello John.

John: Sir, yung pong kay Mayor Tito Osang, fi-nax ko napo kay ate Virgie, tinawagan ko po. Pina-alala ko na sa kanya ito previously nung February, yung request na hinarap ni Sec. Albas hanggang Nov. 29, pero nagkaroon ng subsequent order na up to June 30. Nakiki-usap kako yun. Siya na raw bahala po.

Gary: Nasan Ka?

John: Nandito po sa office po

Gary: Nandito ko sa labas. Pumunta ko dun sandali kanina.

John: Oo nga daw sabi ni Ate Kay, sinundan nyo daw kung dumating ako dun..

Gary: Hindi tayo kasali pa roon eh. O sige, magtawagan tayo mamaya.

John: Sabi ko nga kay ate Baby, the moment na maproclaim na eh mare-point agad kayo, walang problema. At tsaka nakausap ko si Presidente, sinabi ko. Yung nga lang daw eh she is barred by the Constitution dahil baka maano na midnight appointment eh.

Gary: Oo, yun ang prohibition eh.

John: Eh ngayon after na ma-proclaim eh irere-appoint kayong dalawa. Sinabi ko eh, pinakiusap ko eh. Sabi naman eh wala namang problema ika yun, sabi ni Presidente,

Gary: Sige, thank you.

43. Conversation between Senator Barbes and Gary on 29 15:16 hotel May 2004

Barbers:Hello Commissioner. Si Senator Barbers. Meron daw order na ipalipat sa Manila yung canvassing sa Cotabato?

Gary: Wala akong alam diyan Senator. Sabi May 29. Wala naman akong napirmahan ngayong araw. Wala naman kaming pinipirmahan. Kaya nga, bine-verify ko, pero si Atty. Vidol, yung ating tao dun, hindi makontak...(line cut)

44. Conversation between Gary and Senator Barbers on 14 10:32 hotel June 2004

Barbers:Comm., good morning.

Gary: Good morning.

Barbers:Tumawag sa akin si Congressman. Salceda kagabi, panalo tayo sa Ligao ng mga 1,2. Lamang tayo ng mga 1,2.

Gary: 1,2?

Barbers:Oo, kaya maganda na.

Gary: Oo, ang problema nyan hindi ako makapag-participate ngayon kasi...

Barbers:Di bale, di bale, basta ikaw ang tumutulong sa akin wala akong problema.

Gary: O sige lang basta kayang tulungan Senador.

Barbers:Sinabi naman ano eh, nag-usap kami ni Mike. Tinawagan nya ako kanina 8:30. Sinabi ko, sabi nya "sina Garci ba tumutulong ng husto?" Oo kako, sobrang tulong kako sakin ni Garci. Sabi nya "sabihin mo sa kanilang dalawa ni Nonie wag mag-alala, kami ang bahala pagkatapos ng proclamation." Tinawagan ako, tinatanong ako tungkol sa Ligao.

Gary: Ligao, Albay?

Barbers:Oo, kaya sabi ko tumawag si Cong. Salceda, ang ginawa ko roon ginamit ko si congressman, si Gov. elect at tsaka yung Mayor. Kaya malinis tayo roon, wala tayong problema. Basta wag mo ko, kahit na hindi ka pa nare-appoint wag mo ko pabayaan.

Gary: Ah, Oo.

Barbers:Kailangan kita dyan.

Gary: _____ nyon lang ako.

Barbers:Kumusta, tumawag naba sayo si Harry?

Gary: Oo, anong bang magagawa ko, ano bang gagawin nya.

Barbers:Ok yun, ok kausap yon eh. Tsaka pag nagsalita yun totoo. Hindi yun...i-set ko bukas ng gabi, gusto mo. Darating yun bukas ng tanghali eh.

Gary: Titingnan ko lang Senador kung kwan, kasi inaayos ko muna itong mga records ko kasi ipapasa ko na sa En Banc.

Barbers:Ah Oo, di bale sabihin ko nalang pagkatapos ano. Sabihin ko nalang sa kanya? Kasi masigasig sya eh. Sabi niya, "alam mo, kilala mo naman ako, pag nag-commit ako, ginagawa ko."

Gary: Yun lang, ok lang...

Barbers:Sabihin ko nalang tapusin mo muna yung mga ginagawa mo. Basta ako wag mong pababayaan Commissioner hah.

Gary: Ok, Walang problema yan.

Barbers:Ikaw lang ang ina-asahan na gagalaw sa akin.

Gary: Ok, walang problema yan.

Barbers:O sige, thank you, thank you

Gary: Ok...

1. Conversation between Gary and Mike 08 14:33 hotel June '04

Gary: Hello, Mike

Mike:Hello Boss, boss. Tulungan mo sana na yung loyal sa atin, si Bobby.

Gary: Bobby?

Mike:Oo, Barbers.

Gary: Papano pag kayo kayo dyan?

Mike:Nag-file ng parang annulment or something. Tingnan mo kung matutulungan mo.

Gary: O sige, basta kwan talaga namang ating inaano si Bobby eh. Siya naman talaga ang atin eh.

Mike:Oo, siya talaga ang atin. Tulungan mo sana,

Gary: Ok, sige.

Mike:Thank you, God bless.

2.Conversation between Gary and Mike on 02 11:56 hotel June 2004.

Gary: Hello Sir

Mike:Sabi ni Bobby Barbers, meron paraw siyang kakasegunda Lanao del Sur, mga 27 Municipalities pa.

Gary: Alin, alin

Mike:27 municipalities pa sa Lanao del Sur.

Gary: Hindi, hindi, ang kwan dun sa Lanao del Sur, dalawang presinto sa Bayang, apat na presinto sa Madalon, isang presinto sa Kapaye. Yun lang.

Mike:Bale lima.

Gary: No, presinto lang.

Mike:Ahh, precinct lang.

Gary: Oo, wala na ngang 1,000 eh.

Mike:We don't have that kind of impression.

Gary: Wala na ngang 1,000 eh.

Mike:Umm, sabi ng xxx sa Columbio meron pa raw tsansa.

Gary: Hindi, wala na yung Columbio, magkasama na tong kwan.

Mike:Sa Kalibo wala na rin.

Gary: Sa South OP ang kwan, nilagay nila na merong 4,000 pero kahit Itaka(?) wala pa rin, hindi makahabol.

Mike:Hindi. Baka sa Tawi-Tawi makakuha pa siya ng several precincts.

Gary: Eh wala naming ano eh, ewan ko, wala naming ganun eh. Alam mo talagang inaano ko naman eh, pinagdududahan nga akong nag-kwan sa Lanao Sur eh

Mike:Oo, anak ng puta...kawawa naman...

Gary: O sige tatawagan ko sya.

Mike:Oo tawagan mo sya.

3.Conversation between Gary and Mike on 02 10:23 hotel June 2004

Mike:Hello, si Mike to. Kung pwede ho tulungan si Bobby Barbers.

Gary: Oo nga, pero mahihirapan na tayo, medyo nabuko tayo sa Lanao del Sur at hindi na makakahabol dito sa Cotabato.

Mike:Ganon ba. Baka pwede pa magawan ng paraan.

Gary: Ah ganun ba.

Gary: Nagusap na kami ni Senator.

Mike:Ok, Yun na lang.

Gary: Ok

3. Conversation between Gary and PGMA on 31, 23:17 hotel May 2004.

Gary: Hello Ma'am.

GMA:Hello, tsaka ano yung kabila, they stand to get copies of Namfrel of the Municipal CoCs.

Gary: Namfrel copies ho? Ay wala na, naman, ok naman ang Namfrel sa atin, they are now sympathetic to us.

GMA: Oo, Oo, pero we'll just have to make sure with some Namfrel in the province, pero yun nga, yun nga, when do you plan to get that.

Gary: Oho, we will get an advance copy ho natin kung anong hong kwan nila.

GMA: Oo, oo.

Gary: Sige ho.

4. Conversation between PGMA and Gary on or about 01,21:43 hotel June 2004

Gary: Hello Ma'am, Good evening Ma'am.

GMA: Hello, when they opened the ballot box of Camarines Norte, it was empty.

Gary: Um, this afternoon Ma'am? Camarines Norte?

GMA: Uhuh!

Gary: I'll call up the supervisor tonight or tomorrow Ma'am.

GMA: Uhuh, its Caringe?

Gary: Ah. Lisa Carino. Please, she's not going to do that because this guy is a straight guy.

GMA: But it was empty.

Gary: Oh yes, I'll call her up Ma'am.

GMA: Okay.

5.Conversation between Gary and PGMA on 02, 22:29 hotel June 2004.

Gary: Hello Ma'am, Good evening.

GMA: Hello, tungkol dun sa Lanao del Sur at Basilan, di raw nagma-match ang SOV sa COC.

Gary: Ang sinasabi nila, nawawala na naman ho.

GMA: Hindi nag-mamatch.

Gary: Hindi nag-mamatch? May posibilidad na hindi mag-match kung hindi nila sinunod yung individual SoV ng mga munisipyo. Pero aywan ko lang ho kung sa atin pabor o hindi. Dun naman sa Basilan at Lanao Sur, ito ho yung ginawa nila na pagpataas sa inyo. Hindi naman kwan, maayos naman ang paggawa eh.

GMA: So nag-mamatch.

Gary: Oho, sa Basilan, alam ninyo naman ang mga military dun eh, hindi masyadong marunong kasi silang gumawa eh. Katulad ho dun sa Sulu sa Max Habakon(?). Pero hindi naman ho, kinausap ko na ho yung Chairman ng Board sa Sulu, ang akin, patataguin ko lang muna yung EO ng Pagundaran na para hindi siya makatestigo ho. Na-explain na ho yun sa Camarines Norte, tomorrow we will present official communication doon po sa Senate. Doon ho sinasabing wala hong alam yung ballot box. Na-receive ho nila lahat eh.

GMA: Oo, oo.

Gary: Tumawag ho kayo kanina Ma'am?

GMA: Yeah, about that Lanao del Sur at saka Basilan.

Gary: Iaano ko na lang ho, nag-usap na kami ni Abdullah dun sa kwan kanina. About this, iaano ko ho, wag ho kayong masyadong mabahala. Anyway, we will take care of this. Kakausapin ko rin si Atty. Macalintal.

GMA: Oo, tapos nun, si uhm..sa Calanguyan, meron daw silang teacher na nasa Witness Protection Program ng kabila.

Gary: Sino ho.

GMA: Yung kabila, may teacher raw silang hawak.

Gary: Wala naman ho, baka nanakot lang sila eh.

GMA: Ano na yung sa Tawi-tawi.

Gary: Ano ho yung sa Tawi-tawi? Wala naman ho tayong kwan dun, wala naman ho tayong ginawa dun, sa mga yan. Talo nga tayo dun, talo nga si Lor dun.

GMA: Oo, oo.

Gary: Sige, aanuhin ko ho lahat ng mga yan.

To be continued