Opinion: Sen. Imee Marcos cannot revise the plunder history of her family!

“If we cannot punish old plunderers, we should stop pretending that we are out to punish the plunderers who came after them. If our people do see punishment for plunder past and present, then “plunder” would become a meaningless word added to our vocabulary” (Ruben Carranza – The Meaning of Plunder Past and Present, 2001)

Well, today was a special day, that the truth about the verdict about one court case against the family of Marcos in the Philippines. However, even if this is botched and dismissed court case because of lack of evidence. There is still plenty out there proving that this family has ill-gotten gains, has stolen and plundered. Just that they got away with it this time. That doesn’t revise nor free the legacy of the family, which became stupid-rich while being in power.

Today’s Botched Court:

“MANILA, Philippines— It might have taken more than 30 years “to prove our innocence” but Senator Imee Marcos was grateful just the same. For lack of evidence, the Sandiganbayan has junked a civil case involving an alleged Marcos ill-gotten wealth worth P1.052 billion” (Malia Ager – ‘Imee Marcos: It took over 30 years to prove our innocence’ 08.10.2019, Inquirer.net).

Imee Marcos thinks she can revise history and suddenly take away the past of her family. It is natural that someone want their relatives to get a better legacy. However, the senator here is far off. If she thinks the botched plunder case now is freeing the history of Ferdinand Marcos or Imelda Marcos self. It is just a misstep in the courts. There is plenty of other cases and also foreign evidence of the actions done by her parents.

I’ll be dropping the titbits of information from Chaikin and the SARI, whose been investigating the money laundering, the illicit transfer of funds from the Philippines to Switzerland/Lichtenstein and elsewhere. To show what the Family Marcos did in their hey-day. Also, end with the court case, where the Marcos was deemed guilty of doing so in 1993 in a similar case. Therefore, the Marcos are far from “innocent” in the manner.

Like David Chaikin reported this in 2000: “A RICO claim brought in 1989 in California in the United States sets out in some 100 pages the details of how Ferdinand Marcos, Imelda Marcos and others conspired to loot, divert and launder public assets for their personal use and benefit. The RICO claim estimated that $5 billion in ill-gotten wealth was taken by the Marcoses, their associates and accomplices. But there is other material suggesting that Marcos took even greater amounts of money” (…) “The significance of the Malacanang documents is that they established investigatory leads concerning the secret Marcos assets in Switzerland. They provided the starting point for any analysis of the size of the Marcos’s Swiss wealth. Indeed, based on the Malacanang documentation and from other sources, in April 1986 the Philippines Government asserted that the Marcoses had accumulated illicit wealth of over $5 billion dollars, and that at least $1 billion had been transferred to Swiss bank account” (David Chaikin – ‘TRACKING THE PROCEEDS OF ORGANISED CRIME – THE MARCOS CASE, March 2000).

The Stolen Asset Recovery Initiative – Asset Recovery Watch updated on 20^th July 2017 on the case of Ferdinand Marcos and Imelda Marcos (United States) or the ARW-63. The asset case that started in 1986 and ended in 2006. Which stated this: “According to a 2007 case study by Merceditas Gutierrez, Ombudsman of the Republic of Philippines, from 1986 to 2006, the total value of the assets recovered in the U.S. is less than $50 million. They include: (1) in New Jersey, funds in a bank account and two residences at Princeton Pike and Cherry Hill used by Marcos children (amount not given); (2) administrative settlement relating to four New York buildings (40 Wall Street, Crown Building, Herald Center, and at 200 Madison Avenue); (3) settlement agreements that led to recovery of properties such as the Olympic Tower Apartment, Pendleton Drive property, the Cedars, Summit Drive Beverly Hills, Lindenmere estate and the Makiki Heights property; (4) seizure of various jewelry, art, and other valuables; and (5) funds in Sanwa Bank and shares in California Overseas Bank and Redwood Bank” (StAR Stolen Asset Recovery Initiative – Asset Recovery Watch, 20.07.2017).

That is something from abroad, but if I go back into history in the year of 1993. This sort of case went differently: “Imelda R. Marcos was found guilty of corruption this morning and sentenced to 18 to 24 years in prison. The conviction came seven years after she and her husband, Ferdinand Marcos, were hounded out of the Philippines in a popular uprising. Mrs. Marcos clutched a rosary as her sentence was read in a special anti-corruption court. Outside the packed courtroom, crowds of her supporters held a vigil; opposite them, hundreds of anti-Marcos protesters cheered the former First Lady’s conviction” (New York Times – ‘MARCOS CONVICTED OF GRAFT IN MANILA’ 24.09.1993).

So, in another time, the courts would have done something else today. Still, the history of the Marcos will linger on. It will not be forgotten and the family is not vindicated like she claims. It is a reason why the previous Presidents have tried to recover funds from the plunder. That shouldn’t be forgotten in this matter.

It might been lack of evidence today, but if someone seriously wanted to follow the money. They might have gone to the other authorities that has kept things on file. Where they could have seen the accounts, the spending and even the estates in question. Still, the senator want to look innocent. Even if she knows perfectly well what happened. Peace.

Opinion: Duterte won the Midterms 2019!

The Filipino President Rodrigo Duterte can be acclaimed the victor of the 13^th May 2019 Midterms, as his candidates all across the board is sealing their victory. The preliminary results within the 24 hours after the polls was already making it look like a landslide and that was all on unofficial results. Now, that more and more results is out. The proof is in the pudding.

There is no denying it, the magic twelve, the 12 Senators of these Midterms is people in favour and associated with the President. All of them is on board and the Opposition Candidates are not able to get in. Not as its only small canvassing left of the votes. Even with the glitches and the problematic SD-Cards, the results are still the same. The ones whose blessed with endorsement from the President has all become part of the magic twelve.

There are also the knowledge of the local governments where allies, associates and former workers of the President have won seats, mayoral or positions of representatives. This is all across the board. They have been announced and the truth is out.

What we have seen is some questionable things, what is more defining is the lack of value of the ballots, as this is prolonging suspension, as the Senators are not finalized after 48 hours. Tomorrow, it will be a week since the 13^th May to 20^th May 2019.

Because, it is rare, that the official results takes this long time. That we’re on the 6 day since the polls and the COMELEC is not able to issue the Official Results. As they are still partial for the Senators. Still, these results are showing that the President is getting his endorsed candidates.

This seems also likely in the local governments all around. By all means, there districts and towns, where mayors are in opposition, but these are either retaining their place or a minor victory. As there are several of others in the area, where the ones in association of the President are getting positions. Therefore, this is a slam dunk.

The results, the victories been made on both local level and national level is a sign that the President and his associates got a strong grip on power. That the politicking and bargaining will continue, as the dynasties, the plunders and others are still in the realm of power. These people are in and around the President. He might speak vile about corruption, but some of the people he has endorsed are plunders and been charged for that.

President Duterte has won this one, nothing else to say and that the opposition are wiped out. They are really hit hard, even as the COMELEC haven’t delivered proper polls, because the announcing of official results has taken so long. This jeopardize the results and also the credibility of the polls. This is well-known facts and also is a worrying sign. It should have been done quickly and not over this long time.

Duterte should be worried about COMELEC, unless he wants that to stain his victory and possibly next election. As the Commission needs to be revamped and secured enough funds for the up-coming elections.

The President have won now, but if they want to look totally good. The COMELEC needs something, the system needs upgrades, as the days goes by, the strength of the election dwindles. Since, it shouldn’t be this hard to count the ballots. Peace.

Philippines: NAMFREL – Preliminary Findings and Observations on the 13th May, 2019 Midterm Elections (18.05.2019)

Philippines: NAMFREL reacts on ballot pre-shading video (17.05.2019)

Opinion: Seems like Duterte wins the 2019 Mid-Term Elections!

Well, if I understand the results I have seen so far, as they are only preliminary, they are in favour of the ruling party, their allies and of most of their well-wishers. Seemingly, this election is solidifying the position of President Rodrigo Duterte, not only in the Senate, but in local government too. As the wards I have seen its been all positive for him.

I might be that I am just checking in the right corners of the Republic. But he seems like winner now. That the PDP-Laban and the other allies are victors. The Independents and the Opposition many places are losing their steps.

Therefore, as this election goes, it seems that the President is just getting stronger. That is how it seems as off now, but when the official results are out. It might change, but this election seems like his.

While National Citizens Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL) own statement earlier today have sent stern warnings from their volunteers on the way the elections was conducted in various of areas. As there was technical glitches in the voting machines, there was acknowledged of buying votes and so on. Therefore, these elections aren’t perfect, as there are certain things that still needs to be addressed. This was from their statement of 2100H Filipino Time 13th May 2019. There will be surely more statements from them and the likes. Showing the other side of the Election too.

We have to see how this goes, but by now, the results are going in favour of the President and his allies. Unless, there is a lot of unverified results hidden somewhere. This seems like a giant haul for him and nothing else.

By the time I wake up, the results might be different. But as I go to sleep, the results are surely a vindication of the Presidency, as he has more of his people in positions, not only in the Senate, but also elsewhere. Peace.

Philippines Senatorial Mid-Terms: 12 Slots Open, Duterte is gunning for 11!

On Thursday 14^th of February, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte announced his endorsement of 11 Senatorial Candidates in San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan. As there are up 12 Senatorial Slots in the Mid-Terms Elections on May 13^th 2019. This is a clear sign, that the President are willing try to take a landslide of the senatorial position. So, that he gets more favourable Senators. Whose on his side.

What we do know already because of the release of list of Senatorial Candidates for the re-elections. The Senate will lose the like of Sen. Antonio “Sonny” F. Trilianes IV, Sen. Loren B. Legarda and Sen. Gregorio “Gringo” B. Honasan II are not running for re-election this season. Therefore, their time in the chambers are now over. Surely, they have served, the biggest enemy of Duterte is leaving his role. As Trilianes is not going for re-election. In that regard, the President has a victory already before the polls starting.

Also, the President have endorsed the likes of Christopher Lawrence Tesoro “Bong Go” Go , Aquilino Pimentel III (re-election), Francis Tolentino, Zajid Mangudadatu, Freddie Aguilar, Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara (re-election), Allen Peter “Pia” S. Cayetano (re-election), Joseph Victor “JV” G. Ejercito (re-election), Imelda “Imee” Marcos (re-election), Cynthia A. Villar (Re-Election) and former senator Jose Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada.

Surely we’re seeing that Duterte is picking people loyal to him whose already in the Senate like Pimitel, Aguilar, Ejercito, Marcos and Villar. That is why his trying to get 5 people in again. What are seeing also, is that Duterte really are endorsing the political families of the Republic. Because in this midterms alone he is supporting a Marcos and an Estrada.

What is special about Jinggoy Estrada is that his been out of jail just for a short time before this election. He has been indicted and served time on plunder charges, as there been cases going back a decade in time on him. Therefore, the President endorsing him isn’t a strong sign in fighting corruption and such, more a validation of a political dynasty.

The same can be said by the Imee Marcos, the daughter of Fernando Marcos, also has some questionable things in her past. Like in November 2018 a civil forfeiture case on her was seeking to recover the amount of P200 Billion, which was a 31 year case. She was supposed to serve several years in jail over this, but still is able to run for senatorial run now. With the blessing of the President. This is the second candidate, whose part of a political dynasty. Also, that she was also know for corrupt behaviour.

We can clearly see, that this is strategic manoeuvrers of the President. Not only to get loyal people in the Senate to further his agenda and get his will there. Out of the 12 Senate Slots, 6 are for re-election within his coalition. There are many other who wants to run for these open positions. Also, in the opposition, but the ones here are people to look out for. Because of the popularity of Duterte in the Philippines. His endorsements means something.

Seemingly he is gunning for 11 out 12 slot directly. Surely, he doesn’t think he can sway people away from Sen. Grace L. Poe and Sen. Maria Lourdes Nancy S. Binay. But that means one of them got to go. Either Binay or Poe, if the ones that Duterte wants in. Surely, the public will decide and go to the polls. No matter what the stats or the polling is saying now. It is a long time to May 2019. However, that Duterte will get a stronger grip over the Senate is most likely. Since some stark opposition senators are not running. While there are friendlier faces, that is up- and coming.

Surely, the Mid-Terms will be interesting, but the Presidency has really put his stakes in it and have his people within the Senate. Peace.