The Wiretapped Case of the Bogus Presidency of Philippines' Gloria Arroyo ("Hello Garci" in English)

Thanks, Shaun. I was thinking those on the Western hemisphere could have some interest in the English translation of the notorious "Hello Garci" tapes (I heard even the Pope has heard of that political and electoral scandal).

Thanks, rqcemanes. I'll try to keep it up.

A well and profoundly articulated and widely researched article. Now I can feel how genuine your long propagated disdain for Arroyo, Jesusa. You are writing from your heart, I see

Thank you kdpgrahi for that post of discernment. Everything you wrote here hits the nails right on my heart and mind.

As for the kind of research involve, I guess that's my objectivity style. After all, Arroyo's propaganda machinery is one of the best in the world and only strong research can offset that. Either that, or that the Filipinos are so gullible or so manipulated. Then again, she's probably just equipped with the gift of Satanic power. Hahaha.

In other words, we're almost all corrupted in one way or another; thus, our rulers.

Yes, so true. While we're here on earth, no one can be entirely clean But there are bounds of what should be acceptable... something like the now-famous phrase here: "moderate greed."

In the case of Gloria, corruption under her administration is boundless, and through her unscrupulous use of patronage politics, she has practically made Filipinos thinks that power grab is OK, electoral fraud is OK and plunder of the nation is OK, so long as you can keep people in tow.

I refuse, however, to believe that all Filipinos are already corrupted and that principles are no longer in fashion.

... this silly "election-party". It's a rediculous show world-wide, and in particular, in the developing countries.

You got a point there, ntq. Yes, cheating happens. What's so ridiculously vile in the recent case of the PHilippines is that when the presidential elections (of 1998) were absolutely clean, the winner, Pres. Joseph Estrada got deposed by the camp of Arroyo, who subsequently engaged in one of the most infamous electoral fraud scandals in our country's history. How much crazier can it get?

We have a native saying "the moon won't remain behind the clouds too long".

Got to thank you for this--would make a nice addition to my cultural vocabulary of sorts.

No one can get away with cheating. This is the rule of the game and it applies to your leaders as much as it does to ours. All we have to do is to give them time. The time for them to fade away.

I've been praying she doesn't just fade away. She has been sort of a "torturer" of the Filipinos for some 7 years now so I believe she deserves something that comes nearer that discussed in your most recent seed. :)

Thanks ntq and rqcemanes for you insightful comments.

At least the Arroyo Camp don't do it in the Name of God and His Prophet!

NTQ

Actually, that's what makes Arroyo's reign even more sickening. Her camp has used and continued to use God and the church as arguments for her power grab and continued hold on power. If you have read my articles on the Edsa 2 conspiracy, they would give you some idea of how unholy her ascent to power has been.

1. In order to depose Pres. Estrada, she conspired with the late Cardinal Sin who called "blessed" Edsa 2 and described it some how as a "voice of the people is the will of God" or something.
2. During the much bigger pro-Estrada Edsa 3, her camp and Cardinal Sin dismissed the multitude who wanted Arroyo out and Estrada returned to power by calling the masses as "the great unwashed." 3. Arroyo lied, propaganda style, by saying that her decision to run in the 2004 presidential polls (a year earlier, she said she WOULD NOT), was blessed by the POPE, implying that Pope John Paul expressed so during her visit. 4. During the many challenges to her botus presidency, she would tell the people that her decision has been communiucated to her by God while in prayers or something to that effect. 5. In between all these, she would show herself as the picture of Catholic piety and epitome of moral virtues by kneeling, hearing Mass and appearing to be deep in personal communication with God, even when what she actually does is cheat, lie and plunder.

Perhaps, when I have the time, I will provide you with the links to Arroyo's sickening acts of religious hypocrisy and atrocious claims of divine will re her presidency.

But she ain't have no balls!

I don't actually mean castration. I just said something near the punishments discussed in your seed, which include the capital punishment, right?

How come? Name a few instances of what you call 'torture". I need a better picture before I make any judgement.

Kindly read this article Gloria Arroyo at the Helm Seven Years Later: The Sorry State of the Philippines under the EDSA 2 President so you can see how Arroyo's illegitimate rule has made life miserable to Filipinos. In essence, she has made more Filipinos hungrier, more activitists dead, made corruption worse by her most corrupt ways (a national survey by a reputable firm adjudged her the "Most Corrupt President in Philippine History"!) . Moreover, via my articles on EDSA 2, you'll see how she has forced her way into Malacanang twice via deposing the real choice of the people and by cheating Fernando Poe Jr. in 2004, thus robbing the majority of the Filipinos their real choice. Isn't that "torture" enough--both in the physical and moral sense?

One of the senators here quoted something to the tune of: Its better we create a hell by governing our self's than have a Paradise govern by America.

I believe you're referring to former President Manuel Quezon. I totally agree with him.

In a choice between two evils--between a bogus, power grabbing, horrendously immoral and corrupt Arroyo and a colonization of the Philippines--Babelfish, I'll choose Arroyo anytime.

You may beef about GMA, but when she is off the throne your also be beefing about the new leader and please be careful what you wish for. Out of the frying pan into the fire.

I may be an idealist but I sure am grounded on political and social realities. Let me simply a sensible comparison of Estrada and Arroyo so you'll understand the whale of a difference between them--which should explain why someone like me who never, ever voted for Erap prior to 2001 switched to his side come Edsa 2.

It's like this--Arroyo has MUCH MORE sins than Erap against the Filipino people:

1. Gloria Arroyo is the MOST CORRUPT President in Philippine History. Erap's corruption, if any, is peanuts compared to her because his involved those outside the official scope of the Phil. treasury. while hers is a long litany of many NBN-ZTEs.

2. Arroyo schemed to grab power in 2001. From whom? From the democratically elected Estrada who was elected by the People's Will.

3. Arroyo CHEATED FPJ and the nation in 2004. In contrast, Estrada, have NEVER CHEATED his way to electoral victory starting from his first campaign to win the mayoralty of San Juan decades back.

I don't believe in imposing one's reign on a people. That to me is the WORST SIN that can be committed to Filipinos or any other people.

Besides being MORE corrupt than Marcos, Fidel Ramos, or Estrada, as some say, Gloria Arroyo committed the sin of stealing the Philippine presidency TWICE. Now, if I'll be asked to choose between her and any colonial rule onver the Philippines, I will choose the LESSER EVIL, which is a Filipino--say, the illegitimate, bogus Arroyo-- rather than any white, yellow, brown or black colonial ruler, no matter how heavenly the reign.

We might not see her affected because she is really very good at that, just like an actress, pretending to be okey when in fact deep inside her, her conscience is eating her out

There are always the exceptional fellows in our midst. I have to concede that the bogus President Gloria Arroyo is among those rare individuals... who have developed the rare condition of having an INACTIVE CONSCIENCE. I genuinely do not believe that Gloria's conscience is eating her out.

Good for her, God is really patient waiting for her to repent.

Perhaps, God waits for the Filipino people to cleanse its rank and to act united in justice and morality.

not one of these presidents have not been un involved in election rigging on a small scale or a large scale

Bob, are you saying all Phil. presidents cheated their way to the presidency, or to their earlier elective posts? If so, most Filipinos could call that a nasty statement. To say that all the presidents who occupied Malacanang didn't have the mandate of the people can be taken as an insult to the nation.

It is also sweeping and not based on history. For your info, it was only Marcos (Arroyo never won) who won a second term as President. By simple logic, that means that other than Marcos, all the winning opponents of re-electionists or incumbents could not have possibly cheated because one can't cheat a sitting President.

Erap had great following because he was normally a hero on the silver screen

By this, you admit that Erap have won his elections fair and square. Which is a fact. I know you're aware of this--that Erap's election in 1998 represents the only uncontestedly legitimate assumption of the Philippine presidency in a post-Marcos era.

But at present be careful what you wish for.

The worst is here, Gloria Arroyo's the name, so there's no need fear my wish. The only missing factor is the option of a foreign power. I'll always be pro-Filipino. Though I think Arrobo has made the heinous sins of power grab, cheating and never-ending plunder against the nation, I'd really rather have her than any foreign power. Now, that is only if there's no other choice.

Are those the people that took the small bribe to vote for them, come on face up to it local and republic elections are rigged some where along the line, Ballot boxes are raided ballots are exchange. That's why so many lawyers are involved and elections take forever over the accusations and recounts.

You're talking local here. I completely agree. Where I am, the mayoralty results have been rigged, as well as a distant governorship (to the best of my knowledge). Such rigging especially applies if the lead is not overwhelming because otherwise, cheating efforts cannot be guaranteed success. Every Filipino is just about aware of that.

But my point is the presidency. Filipinos may allow cheating at the local level but at the national level, it's not that simple. Other than Arroyo's 2004 cheating the only other possible cases are Marcos and Ramos. That's low ratio. And historians aren't even sure with Marcos because he was truly popular. My analysis is that Filipinos' pakikisama trait get them beholden to those they are geographically near to, but that they want their president to be THEIR choice.

No, I don't....

Oh, please Bob. Erap's election is the cleanest in decades. Not even the De-Venecia and other camps cried "cheating." I'm sorry but I think your bias gets in the way of your statements/analysis.

Its the Philippine should declare war on Great Britain, with in 5 to 10 years the Philippines would be like Hong Kong.

True, but I'll still fight for my country one way or the other.

Your wish to have the opposition party will only lead to different crooks running the country.

In the first place, NO ONE can be as crook as Gloria Arroyo. I like her being a woman and appointing female (why her 'classmates,' I have no comment) to important posts. However, she's MEGA CORRUPT and MEGA MANHID to any call for moral governance.

Secondly, I don't buy your sweeping generalization that all opposition members are crooks. All GMA men and women, maybe.

Thirdly, in a hypothetical situation where your argument holds, at least it's the Filipino people's CHOICE. As I said before, her sins are not only corruption but power grab AND cheating. She has made all Filipinos look stupid and immoral, and maybe corrupted many souls in the process.

One thing I like GMA for is that she stopped the death penalty

Because she's subservient to the bishops or rather, bribed her way to the Philippine Cathilic Church's support.

Or maybe, she's just planning for the future in case she gets axed from her position. I tell you, so much awaits her....

... in real life he was corrupt and there was solid proof of that. It was presented at court and through the fog one could see there was no smoke without fire.

Bob, the only thing proved by the Sandiganbayan decision on Erap is that it is a KANGAROO COURT beholden to Gloria Arroyo on the (fulfilled) promise of promotion to the Supreme Court. Please, within a month, the chief judge got promoted as SC associate justice and within the next few weeks, another got in the SC. Only the ignorant or prejudicial would buy that it was a just decision. This is especially true in the light of the argument for the guilty verdict--ever heard before of a "conspiracy" of one?

Bob, why did I call you bias? The fact that you claim or insinuate that Erap cheated his way into his posts, presidency included, is to me the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard. Period.

Your the one that's Bias in thinking Erap is practically a saint and I beg to disagree because I do really take a center point view of which most foreigners that live in the Philippines mainly do.

Please, you're not only putting words into my mouth, you're deleting words as well to suit your baseless arguments.

Nobody claims Erap is a saint. Hey, I never ever voted for the guy, and not even those whom he endorses personally. I vote according to my beliefs and my assessment of issues, all things objectively considered.

Estrada endorsed Villar and others in the last elections but I was not about to be talked out of my belief that Villar was critically responsible for the mess the country is in now (his undemocratic role in EDSA 2). Let me see, I voted for 3 administration guys--Angara, Sotto and Oreta-Aquino.

She was labeled a "prostitute" and a "concubine" of ERAP for her dancing act. Sen. Defensor-Santiago was also ridiculed, as the crowd tagged her as a "lunatic" (it came from her reputation of being overly intelligent).

Ellen Tordesillas devoted a column on this issue and it's laughable what she wrote--something like the leaders of the smear campaign on Oreta were the ones who were "p_ta" because they've been seen cavorting with different men not their husbands while Oreta was proper and faithful to her husband. Well, I believe women have as much right to cavort if men do the same but my point here is that it's all dirty propaganda to serve an undemocratic end.

Philippines politics is very dirty and that's a fact. Not opening the letter show Erap is part of this corruption thing he is no angel. If he did not get caught plundering GMA would of never been on the seat of power.

Hmm.

I see you haven't been updated. Or choose, as usual, to focus on Erap's fault and ignore the much greater sins of Arroyo.

When the envelope was opened after Edsa 2, even Sen. Pimentel (remember his anti-Erap stance then) even expressed frustration at its contents. NOthing incriminating for Erap.

Now, I won't go into that impeachment details--abandoned by the prosecutors because they sensed they WILL BE OUTVOTED in a democratic impeachment process. The thing is you harp on it but ignores the non-opening of the questioned COCs during the 2004 Congressional canvassing and the numerous actions of the Most Corrupt PHilippine President to thwart witnesses to her corrupt ways.

Early on in her illegitimate presidency, I remember that she deported a Filipino businessman with foreign passport who began testifying against her corrupt involvement in a deal. This was followed by numerous other cases including the kidnapping attempt on Lozada.

Whoever ignores these GMA corruption stories are either lying minions of this bogus government, or in a state of well-intentioned DENIAL. Now, if this is coupled with the consistent emphasis on the lesser crimes of Erap, what could that be? LOL.

Please use you brain! If there was no evidence with in the letter and erap knew he was not guilty of any corruption whatso ever why didn't want to open the letter

Well then, Bob, apply your "brain" as well to the multiple efforts of your adopted Philippine president in covering up a long litany of corruption exposes. Cases include the Mahusay-helicopter service case of Jose Pidal aka First Gentlepig and a host of others, the most recent of whom is Lozada. Ergo, we conclude that she is guilty MANY times over.

Yes GMA is corrupt so what!

Are you serious? At least you're being honest now.

Again, following your line of reasoning, we'll have to say as well. "Yes, Erap is corrupt. So what?" I'll have to qualify this, though, by saying that Erap is MUCH LESS corrupt as he respected public funds and instead touched those on the sides.

I would then want an investigation on her and her husbands bank accounts and business transactions

Oh please, you know how Gloria Arrobo's administration would allow no such thing. Farcical "investigations, " yes.

Marco's however was the most currupt president and dictator the Philippines has ever seen.

Says who? That was everyone's impression back then. In his time, Marcos was the most corrupt. Today, that no longer holds water. That's what you want to think or make people believe, despite post-Marcos developments.

Come Gloria Arroyo. My claim that she is the Most Corrupt President in Philippine History is shared by millions of Filipinos overall based on a national research study and supported by different international international survey or research entities.

if proof is provided of corruption she can be declared corrupt and the size of the money she has stole or made from this corruption is the concluding factor on making possible statements she is the most corrupt president

Here's Justice Panganiban's Inquirer that sums up my point:

The WB report validates earlier studies showing that corruption in our country has worsened. The Hong Kong-based Political and Economic Risk Consultancy (PERC) gave the Philippines a grade of 9.4 (with 10 as the worst possible grade) in 2007, down sharply from 7.8 in 2006.

Similarly, the German-based Transparency International (TI), represented here by retired Judge Dolores Espanol, downgraded the Philippines from No. 121 most corrupt country in 2006 to 131 (among 180 countries) in 2007. Otherwise stated, TI rated the Philippines as the 8th most corrupt country in the world, tied with Benin, Gambia, Guayana, Honduras, Nepal, Russia, Rwanda and Swaziland. Haiti was the No. 1 most corrupt.

The moral degradation happened under your adopted President's term, Bob. The corruption level in this country was much better before Arrobo, dictator Marcos' time, included.The whole Philippines and the world know Gloria Arroyo is historically the Most Corrupt "leader" of this poor country.

I'm pretty sure you have come to love the Filipinos. However, it's clear that with your continued assertion that Arrobo is not corrupt or something, you are either in denial, misguided, or you are a propaganda pawn here.

I got news for you I have not adopt GMA and never said I had

Well then, Bob, it struck me that you have adopted the Philippines because you have been living here and you say that you love it here. Combine this with the fact that you have made many statements in support of Arrobo, I then induced that she is your "adopted President." If that were not not the case, so be it.

Erap is no better than the rest of them they are all crooks, so do not try to tie me down under a pigeon hole that suites your propaganda task.

...if you feel thats she is the most corrupt Filipino President it would be slander to state such with out solid proof.

You're the one lying to the millions of Filipinos who have adjudged Gloria Arroyo as the Most Corrupt President in Philippine History, survey says Moreover, inspite of the massive and well-oiled propaganda machinery of Arrobo, Erap has been the 2nd LEAST CORRUPT President in Philippine History, next to ex-Pres. Cory Aquino! The Guinness documentation would come later, as was the case with Marcos.

By completely ignoring the opinion of majority of Filipinos you live among with, you're the one acting as a propaganda pawn, or a propagandist of your prejudiced or misinformed opinion (I'm giving you the benefit of the doubt here). You might genuinely be unaware but your truth is a BIG LIE to the Filipinos as a whole.

Bob, there's the link to the Pulse Asia survey results so you'll know that I don't slander: I'm only echoing what most Filipinos nationwide also think. Notice that I only started using the "Most Corrupt" tag after news about the survey came out. Also, FYI, those results were previously under embargo that's why I couldn't provide the links although some media practitioners got hold of copies months earlier. ...she fiddled the last election which is called CHEATING and not CORRUPTION.

Are you serious? You think Gloria did the 2004 cheating by herself? Don't you understand that in a "democratic" system, you have to CORRUPT the souls of people in order for them to accomplish illegal acts? Apart for the COMELEC and the military, the cover-up involved lawmakers, as heard from the Garci tapes. Can't you possibly see the connection between, say the junkets and the Malacanang bribery scandal, and the continued support of certain solons amidst numerous exposes of electoral fraud and corruption? You behaving like a political activist

My column focuses on political and historical analyses. I have backgrounds in those fields (political science and history). Those are where my interests lie and let me say, where I'm somewhat good at. Consequently, my column is mostly devoted to political and historical issues. If your going to mention the bad things that GMA lets have a balance of the good things she has done for the country.

Unfortunately, I'm hard put thinking of one because she has done practically nothing good for the country. Almost all her fruits are rotten because the seed of her presidency is depraved. Then you try to pour water over the fact that most politicians try to cheat here in the Philippines.

Ah ah, did you miss my point? I refer only to the presidential elections, but then again, I cited how Marcos and Ramos. possibly cheated. I suggest you kindly review #5.10

I'm amazed at how you easily conclude that most Filipino politicians cheat and and engage in corruption but amidst the long litany of corruption exposes against Arroyo, AND you dare ask for "solid evidence."

With Erap, whose prosecutors ABANDONED the impeachment proceedings, and who would be found tried by a Kangaroo Court (I'm sure that in Britain, judges don't get promoted w/in a few weeks following a political case, and that the PM doesn't need to legitimize himself by imprisoning his predecessor), you are so quick to judge him "very corrupt." That is double-standard. Applied to trials and judicial matters, that is called "injustice." GMA has not been thoroughly investigated every thing mentioned here is ear say and rants from her opposition

Please, that deported businessman I earlier talked about, Mahusay and Lozada are hardly "opposition." do not see the torment of the opposition

If you're referring to the political opposition, they can very well fend for themselves. A simple crossover move and they can enrich themselves, but choose not to. It's the small people who are most tormented by hardships under the bogus president and that reality seems to elude you. No you are not read everything that I stated./ I really did not want to say anything more here because my words and meaning have been twisted.

It has not been twisted. Essentially your point was that GMA and the congressmen are the 'good guys,' or at least aim to improve the nation's lot. The gross details of the US junked overwhelmingly belies it. In the past the central Philippines had been neglected now not so much and thats why GMA is liked in Cebu and Negro's the people have seen improvement.

She has been negative in LUzon and Mindanao. If the island has been neglected, ain't it worst for Mindanao? Her illegitimate presidency desperately needed a "bailiwick" so cultivating Visayas as her "turf" proved convenient.

I'm sure that you do not really condone corruption because after all, you admire Sen. Trillanes. However, your prejudice against Estrada and the Visayan "affinity" for Arrobo gets in the way of any objective analysis.

This is my last point, something I had previously wanted to address long before this article: that Arroyo has supposedly addressed the problem of employment is baloney.

Arroyo gave short-term work, that magically began in time for the 2004 elections. Among those "jobs" were those special street cleaners in the EDSA that I don't see anymore see post-election time. You know how politically sickening those "jobs" were? While walking in EDSA, I would see those workers doing silly (unimportant) beautification while they donned GMA T-SHIRTS with the big name and picture of Arrobo splashed on it and the message that the project is a gift or something of Arroyo.

That's not only electioneering using public funds. That's wicked opportunism of the needy.

Yes, there's still the Moro Front although the original group (MNLF) has sort of been replaced by the MILF. It's rather complicated. Perhaps, this Wikipedia link on the MNLF and the FAS article on the MILF should help, ntq.

GMA has tried to make it easier for foreign business to open up in the Philippines but due to the senators scratching their rear ends and accusing others of plunder and corruption this of course puts of foreign investment as well as the corruption at local governance level.

In other words, you're claiming that GMA and the congressmen are patriotic or responsible officials of the Philippine Islands.

Let us read excerpts from a rather recent article from Inquirer, a loudly anti-Erap media outfit:

The government spent $1.5 million for President Gloria and her friends in Congress in her recent visit to the United States.

They stayed in the best hotels. They rented 30 cars. They paid $207++ per plate for their dinners.

For their visit, 250 Philippine consulate officials in the US had to be mobilized to serve their every need.

All of these perks they enjoyed while the country was suffering from the devastation wrought by Typhoon "Frank."

For the information of the public, the following are the legislators who accompanied the President on that trip: Narciso Santiago III, Alliance for Rural Concerns party list; Monico Puentevella, Bacolod; Albert Garcia, Bataan; Mark Llandro L. Mendoza, Batangas; Hermilando Mandanas, Batangas;

William Irwin Tieng, Buhay party list; Jose Zubiri III, Bukidnon; Lorna Silverio, Bulacan; Mitzi Cajayon, Caloocan; Diosdado "Dato" Macapagal-Arroyo, Camarines Sur;

Joseph Santiago, Catanduanes; Elpidio Barzaga Jr., Cavite; Antonio Cuenco, Cebu; Eduardo Gullas, Cebu; Deputy Speaker Raul del Mar, Cebu City; Rommel Amatong, Compostela Valley;

Speaker Prospero Nograles, Davao City; Antonio Lagdameo, Davao del Norte; Marc Cagas, Davao del Sur; Nelson Dayanghirang, Davao Oriental; Teodoro Coquilla, Eastern Samar;

Andres Salvacion, Leyte; Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez, Leyte; Trinidad Apostol, Leyte; Ma. Zenaida Angping, Manila; Amado S. Bagatsing, Manila; Bienvenido Abante Jr., Manila; Rizalina Seachon-Lanete, Masbate; Herminia Ramiro, Misamis Occidental; Yevgeny Emano, Misamis Oriental; Rozzano Rufino Biazon, Muntinlupa; Joseph Gilbert Violago, Nueva Ecija; Deputy Speaker Ma. Amelita C. Villarosa, Occidental Mindoro;cut short their US trip in sympathy for the victims of Typhoon Frank

Anna York Bondoc, Pampanga; Aurelio Gonzales Jr., Pampanga; Juan Miguel Macapagal Arroyo, Pampanga; Conrado Estrella III, Pangasinan; Ma. Rachel Arenas, Pangasinan; Eduardo Zialcita, Paranaque; Roman Romulo, Pasig City;

Mary Ann Susano, Quezon City; Nanette Castelo-Daza, Quezon City; Danilo Suarez, Quezon province; Junie Cua, Quirino; Arturo B. Robes, San Jose del Monte; Roger Mercado, Southern Leyte; Munir Arbeson, Sulu; Rex Gatchalian, Valenzuela City; and Antonio Diaz, Zambales and Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago.

Bob, contrary to your claim, the Philippine senators, in general ,are the remaining voices of patriotism and democratic sensibility in government. Gloria Arroyo and most of the congressmen, on the other, are agents of evil on Philippine land. Why you continue to portray Arrobo and her minions as the good characters here, you're the one who has been consistently insulting the Filipinos' intelligence.

For easy reference, just look at the website of the Commission on Audit and you will find parts of the documented audit findings of misappropriations of public funds. However, there are more of this which are not reported yet because of fear of execution by those who have knowledge of these existing and rampant graft and corruption

This is very good lead, rqcemanes. It's is so clear to everyone who has just an iota of open-mindedness that this is the worst "leader" the Philippines ever had. I was a bit of an activist for Marcos' time and what's happening now is mind-boggling.

That's why I can't help but call Gloria Arroyo an agent or evil. What makes it mega worst is the fact that she GRABBED power from the duly elected Erap and CHEATED in the 2004 polls. Arrobo has no legitimate business being President, much less, plundering the nation's wealth.

It could be that Babel Fish here, is playing the devils advocate for defending Arrobo without taking into consideration the feelings of people who were victimized by this administration.

Or, that could also be because he is not really aware of the real score of this administration.

Bob asks for "proof." Would a cunning woman who managed to grab power from the President who garnered the most plurality votes ever, cheated the "King", and continue to withstand a litany of corruption exposes, including the Jose Pidal case, be stupid enough to fatten bank accounts under their names? And who's going to judge her case--members of the judiciary under beck and call?

There's been too much smoke and too much damage. Amidst the well-funded propaganda machinery of the bogus president Arroyo, the hardships faced by Filipinos as measured by national and international research studies (World Bank, PERC, TI, Pulse Asia, SWS, etc.) serve as the proof.