GOTCHA By Jarius Bondoc, The Philippine Star, Friday, May 16, 2008
At first, Malacañang factotums fumbled for denials. But confronted with newspaper photos of Gloria and Mike Arroyo at the Shenzhen Golf Club, they had to admit it. The First Couple indeed was there on
Then came the spin to explain away the President’s improper visit to a supplier that was then angling for her broadband project. Gofers babbled that it was a social visit, the telecom deal was signed five long months later, and Speaker Joe de Venecia was with them. A witch-hunt ensued for the new ZTE scam photographer-witness code-named “Alex”, whom admin Sen. Miriam Santiago claimed is opposition lawyer Alex Avisado. (But if he were with the enemy, why would he be in the presidential entourage?) Brother-in-law Rep. Iggy Arroyo butted in that oppositionist Rolex Suplico must be a Lopez hit man for diverting public attention from Meralco’s high electricity rates by giving out the Shenzhen photos. (Ah so, the power issue really was an admin diversionary tactic after all.)
But Malacañang has been avoiding the real questions: What was so secret about the “social visit” that Palace officials kept the press away and uninformed? More important, did not the President smell something fishy that then-Comelec chairman Ben Abalos was with the ZTE execs?
Whatever the spin-doctors retort, Suplico’s new revelations jibe with sworn, un-refuted testimonies at the Senate. Joey de Venecia has stated that his dad phoned him from Shenzhen after golf to narrate that Arroyo just told Abalos to go by his (Joey’s) build-operate-transfer bid. Jun Lozada averred that Arroyo initially had wanted a clean B-O-T scheme but later went for a questionable negotiated loan. Dante Madriaga said that Abalos’s cabal had received a $1-million downpayment from ZTE on the third week of Oct. 2006.
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A five-time Gold Cross medalist for gallantry in battle, a nurse who treats wounded fighters airborne, two bomb experts, and technicians who saved the Armed Forces millions of pesos in maintenance-repair costs lead this year’s Ten Outstanding Philippine Soldiers. I’ve interviewed them:
From the Army: Scout Ranger S/Sgt. Rodel Bonifacio, who earned five Gold Crosses leading his squad hunt down Abu Sayyaf terrorists in Sulu-Basilan in 2000-2004. M/Sgt. Reynaldo Garcia, explosive disposal specialist, who at one time defused a War-vintage 1,000-lb bomb unearthed in Tanay, Rizal. Col. Joselito Kakilala, distinguished in battle against armed communist in Surigao, in HQ work as media and legislative liaison, and in civic missions heading medical-dental teams to the barrio.
From the Air Force: T/Sgt. Sandy Terania, awardee of the Military Merit and Bronze Cross medals for action against Moro separatists and the Abu Sayyaf, who also retrofitted trainer into attack planes. T/Sgt. Jesus Fabian, explosives expert who once safely blew up a phosphorous bomb dug up in Pampanga, and invented an explosion disruptor and detonation-muffling trailer worth P2 million. Capt. Randy Bance, a combat pilot who got the Gold and Bronze Crosses in campaigns in Sulu, Cotabato and Abra, flying 42 attack missions over 690 flight hours and firing 7,176 .50-caliber rounds without a single accident.
From the Navy: Radarman 1st Class Rosimalu Galgao, who has nabbed smuggling ships, joined naval exercises with other nations, and charted patrol routes to the Kalayaan Island Group. Chief Petty Officer Edwin Palacios, who for 31 years in the service has been maintaining 33-year-old aircraft, and led airborne rescue operations during sea disasters. Capt. Jose Renan Suarez, who participated in naval pursuit and blockades of Abu Sayyaf kidnappers, specializes in surface warfare, and now oversees the Navy’s modernization.
From the Technical Services: Capt. Ana Lisa J. Morata, a registered nurse who cares for wounded infantrymen onboard evacuation choppers; also upgraded the First Aid and Life Support training, and the recruitment of military doctors, dentists and nurses.
Metrobank Foundation awarded each officer a trophy and P250,000. Now on its 14th year, the search began in 1994 as the Rotary Club of Makati-Metro’s recognition of the zeal and skill of fighting men. This year’s judges were: Sen. Noynoy Aquino, Sandigan Justice Edilberto Sandoval, Amb. Francis Chua, Marikina City Mayor Marides Fernando, University of the
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Deeply merited are posthumous promotions of
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Oops, I slipped Wednesday in stating the e-mail address of Sir Edward Artis’s Knightsbridge International. Donors of hospital equipment, medical supplies or other health provisions may reach Sir Ed thru this correct addie: Knightsbrg@aol.com. Several Philippine hospitals have received surgical, x-ray and orthopedic facilities.
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