Akbayan files raps vs Arroyo's 6 'stooges'
MANILA, Philippines - Two party-list representatives on Thursday filed a complaint before the Office of the Ombudsman against members of the security cluster of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's Cabinet.
Akbayan Reps. Risa Hontiveros and Walden Bello filed the complaint against Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno, acting Defense Secretary Norberto Gonzales, Justice Secretary Agnes Devanadera, Armed Forces chief Victor Ibrado and police chief Jesus Verzosa.
"When the President commits a supreme constitutional blunder, even the stooges must be made to pay," Hontiveros said in a statement.
The 6 officials are members of the security cluster of Mrs. Arroyo's Cabinet. The officials made recommendations for Mrs. Arroyo to declare martial law and suspend the writ of habeas corpus in parts of Maguindanao province.
Malacañang had insisted that martial law was needed to quell a looming rebellion being planned by members of the Ampatuan clan to prevent the arrest of members of the family allegedly responsible for the massacre of 57 people last November 23.
Hontiveros said the 6 officials' statements during the joint session of Congress on martial law "were an admission of their folly."
Bello, meanwhile, said that the officials' responses during questioning by lawmakers during the joint session were based on "a script."
"Their responses revealed that the declaration was hastily drawn up, misconceived, and unjustified. We fear that the declaration provided loopholes for GMA's (Gloria Macapagal Arroyo) allies to climb out of the murder charges," he said.
President Arroyo lifted martial law on Saturday night, two days before Congress resumed its joint session.
Malacañang said the lifting of martial law was recommended and accepted by President Arroyo after the arrest of the alleged leaders of "rebellion" and their supporters. Millions of pesos worth of firearms and ammunition were also seized around the province while it was under martial rule.
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Martial Law Declaration in Maguindanao is UNCONSTITUTIONAL!!!
The President CANNOT JUST proclaim MARTIAL LAW in any parts of the country if there is no threat to national security or if there is no rebellion against the government.
What is going on is a criminal investigation of the Ampatuans because of the massacre and any armed uprising by the clan should be considered more of a criminal act than a rebellion.
They are not about to overthrow the government. The Ampatuans are not about to go against the REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES. This is more of a armed resistance in connection to the investigation of the Ampatuans involvement in the massacre. Thus, the government or the President should have not declare Martial Law.
People like Risa and Bello should be commended for filing the complaint in behalf of the Filipinos against government officials whose intention is unclear.
Remember, the Ampatuans are close allies of the Arroyos before this massacre. The Ampatuans helped deliver the needed votes for Arroyo to win the 2004 election. Any acts by the government should be viewed with caution because the government of ARROYO is at risk of being exposed of a greater crime - that is CHEATING THE NATIONAL ELECTION IN 2004 AND 2007.
Furthermore, the declaration of Martial Law did not stop or deter the criminals in ambushing the convoys carrying the evidence of the massacre.
In summary, Martial Law was declared out of panic because the Ampatuans is Arroyo's partner in so many crimes against this country.
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Go Risa!
I hope she doesn't let those 6 stooges get away with blunders and that she would persist to have past and present administrations answer for their wrongdoings.
fashion model
ms hontiveros,sa fashion modelling ka na lang at hwag kang magpagulo sa lower house,ngayon nag a-ambisyon ka pa sa higher chamber,mga botante..maging wise naman sana tayo sa pagpili ng mga manunungkulan sa gobyerno at hindi panay lang ang porma.
Classic Class Action
"2 CLOWNS VS 6 STOOGES". I agree, the 2 clowns or any other clowns in politics has every right to file a complaint. This is like, anybody can run for president, like Perlas, et al. They are called "nuisance" candidates or in short clowns. Still, they are entitled to. The burden of proof is on them, so let them work for it. But from the logical point of view of the people, they know who they are, what they do and what they want. Peace be with you Pinoys, even just for Christmas Day.
Galit forever si Risa
Does Risa Hontiveros ever do anything except protest and file cases against people?
Voting as an option
masahiko, whom to vote, in mangindanao, is just a wish and is not an option. option is not in the vocabulary in this gangland province. you have to visit our province to apprehend the facts on what is really happening on the ground during election. Let's talk sense here. Nothing is against the Law or unconstitutional if Akbayan files rap against the stooges of Arroyo. The Ombudsman will first review the antecedents of the complaint before the decision is made whether these stooges are indictible. Legal and Lawful pocedures if adhered is a long process - not like a runaway train when we are under Martial Law. Bringing these stooges to the court of law manifest that the rule of law exist, for them to be able to defend themselves, show proof, knowledge and information sufficient to prove whatever their allegations are. What matters is that the majority of the population in this country distrust Gloria and in any engagement .. there is no lasting relation could endure within the foundation of distrust, doubt and deception.
hmmmmmm - that's it!
I actually had an option of voting these individuals (hontiveros, bello) but now my decision is final - NOT TO VOTE FOR THEM! Yes, I know, my vote may not matter to them because I am just an ordinary citizen, but I must stick to what my heart beats.
It's pretty obvious that they are just making it to level-up their drowning popularity.
If they want to become popular - as needed for winning - they should be making it by doing something that is beneficial to people.
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P.S. To those who seek public office: do it hard, do it well, and do it fair because voters are intelligent enough to recognize whether what you are doing is black or white.
ako naman
for rafiq.49: kabayan, malaya mong ipinahayag ang iyong saloobin at iginagalang namin yan. as we respect your opinion to this matter, let us respect also the rights of those who filled the case to proper forum. martial law is just a constitutional process, everybody has the right to question, react or act against it in a proper way. that is why we are in a democratic country. sana po ay maunawaan ninyo na karapatan nila yun bilang Pilipino. ikaw ano ang ginagawa mo para sa bayan mo?
teacher in bangkok: sir/madam, please behave, mahal ang gamot sa high blood.
rioalma: whether she/they are communist or what, they are all part of this nation. look at the communist country on how they tighten their securities. huwag naman natin silang husgahan sa prinsipyong kanilang pinaglalaban.
on this report, well salamat at may mga taong nagkaroon ng lakas ng loob na magsampa ng kaso upang matanong ang mga tauhan ng gobyerno sa korte. sana lang ay maliwanagan ang sambayanang Pilipino kaugnay nito.
we all want peace not only in Mindanao or Maguindanao, we want it all around the world. sana ay mag umpisa ito sa bawat isa sa atin.
Dapat e declare ang matial law sa Malacanang
I Gloria Pandak peke corrupt ArroVo Declaring Martial law in Mayon Volcano...
Riza/Bello - mga tuta ng komunista
RIZA HONTIVEROS - YOU ARE A GOOD FOR NOTHING COMMUNIST!