Sen. Bong Revilla for president is joke and insult to Filipinos

 

Actor-politician-senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr.

As if the Filipino people have not seen enough of the mediocre performances of famous actors in congress, now here comes a toady of shamed former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo (GMA), House minority leader Danilo Suarez, who for lack of sagacious judgment for the country, but hungry to be in power once more, has floated the silly idea of having Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. as candidate for president in 2016 elections.

It will be noted that Suarez belongs to the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD), the political party of GMA, who continues to be under hospital arrest.

“Let’s not kid ourselves, he is also a pillar in our political hierarchy and possible candidate for another position. At saka may agimat iyon. Bihira ang senador na merong agimat (And besides, he has an amulet. A senator with an amulet is rare.),” Suarez said.

What a ridiculous assessment of a politician groomed for the presidency coming from an equally cockeyed politician.

Granting that Suarez uttered the last two Tagalog sentences in jest, still he should have realized that the presidency of this country is serious business and should not be liken to movie roles which are solely for entertainment.

“Well, keep in mind that we have seen it once. We have seen it before and we’ve seen it happenning again. It’s different when a candidate comes from the masses and Tagalog films,” Suarez said.

Obviously, Suarez was referring to Joseph Estrada, who won the presidency in 1998, but who was booted out of Malacañang by people power and later charged and convicted for plunder. In the same vein, he was also alluding to Fernando Poe Jr., who run for the presidency in 2004, but got whipped (or robbed?) by GMA.

The fact that Suarez candidly admitted that Lakas-CMD is banking on Revilla’s stature as a movie actor is not only a joke, but also an insult to the intelligence many Filipinos, who simply want actors to stay in the movies where they do best in amusing people and not bring their acting prowess and millions to the legislative and executive branches of government and parlay themselves as public servants. Almost always they end, well, what else, but thespians and clowns.

Public service is not about being a celebrity in the entertainment world. This is the least of the genre from which the Filipino people should be choosing from for public office, especially on the national level.

Public service is about credentials and commitment of selfless endeavor. It is not about more ego boasting.

It is about intellectual work and its realization for the good of the country.

Have Arroyo treated for humanitarian reason (Don’t make GMA a martyr)

Fprmer President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo

If you ask me, I really would like to see former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo serve her full term in jail or rot in jail, whichever comes, if found guilty of electoral sabotage, breach of ethics and plunder charges filed against her.

For a leader who often described herself as the ‘mother of the country’, I can’t seem to reconcile how she could have wanted the people to believe that she was our ‘mother’ when in fact what she did in wanting badly to stay in power, committing graft and corruption, and supporting criminal-politicians are all unconscionable.

We continued to be a basket case in Asia despite her much touted doctoral degree in economics. Instead of helping improve the situation we found ourselves in as a country and people, she screwed us up with the help of her politicians son, her political cohorts and a scheming husband, who himself has had brushes with the law.

But, that is now neither here nor there.

Because of her present health predicament, I would rather that government heed the advice of our own specialist doctors that she be treated abroad, if our own skills and facilities here are inadequate to fix her. It is for no other reason, than humanitarian.

Dr. Roberto Anastacio, a cardiologist at Makati Medical Center (MMC), said the shifting parts of a metal brace on the cervical spine of Arroyo had become more “progressive and aggressive,” causing her to have increasing difficulty in breathing and swallowing.

In a medical bulletin issued, Anastacio said the results of the quantum-CT scan showed that the 6-cm titanium plate and cage in Arroyo’s neck had shifted some more since May, further pushing into muscles and causing “protrusions” in the walls of her air and food pathways.

The protrusions, Anastacio said, may result in abnormal breathing, leading to sudden disturbance of blood circulation and “sudden death.”

This worsening diagnosis of Arroyo’s health, while it is not good for her, is neither beneficial for the country.

The reason why this updated news of Arroyo’s health disturbs me is because, first, I don’t want her to die a martyr, and, second, let her serve her full term in jail in good health, and/or rot in jail, whichever comes first, as I have mentioned above.

Let us not give her a chance to die a martyr because it would only be exploited and create unnecessary chaos that will only set back the progress we have attained under President Benigno Aquino. Let us not elevate her stature to somebody she is not – even in death. She is a disgrace and that is it.

I doubt very much that once she is cured and finds her strength back, that she will opt to stay abroad and not come back. She will be foolish to that.  It will only show how guilty she is.

2012 SONA deserves support for sustainability

 

President Benigno Aquino delivering his 3rd SONA

“What was once the sick man of Asia now brims with vitality. Once, we were the debtors; now, we are the creditors, clearly no laughing matter. Until recently, we had to beg for investments; now, investors flock to us.”

“A resilient and dynamic economy resting on the foundations of good governance is the best defense against global uncertainty. We achieved all these things even as countries around the world were surmounting their own challenges.”

The preceding statements are significant remarks that formed part of the report delivered by President Benigno Aquino, PNoy, in his one and a half hour and well applauded third State of the Nation Address (SONA) at the joint session of Congress at the Batasan Pambansa in Quezon City on July 23, 2012.

These portions of the speech are reprinted if only to magnify and appreciate the transformation of the state of the nation after PNoy took over from the 10-year graft-ridden administration of then President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo (GMA) in 2010.

Like truly a public servant, PNoy tells his “bosses” the people that significant changes have been achieved “because in unity nothing is impossible.”

But, if plunder charges has been filed against GMA, and former chief justice Renato Corona was removed from office, he was simply being true to his promise that no one would be above the law and continued assuring the people that the fight against corruption would ensure fair justice and prove that “there are no poor where there are no corrupt in government.”

Thus, PNoy’s litany of “nightmares” he inherited from GMA’s presidency made him quip, “We cannot forgive and forget.”

“I find this unacceptable. Shall we simply forgive and forget the 10 years that were taken from us? Do we simply forgive and forget the farmers who piled up massive debts because of a government that insisted on importing rice, while we could have reinvested in them and their farmlands instead? Shall we forgive and forget the family of the police officer who died while trying to defend himself against guns with nothing but a nightstick?”

“Shall we forgive and forget the orphans of the 57 victims of the massacre in Maguindanao? Will their loved ones be brought back to life by forgiving and forgetting? Do we forgive and forget everything that was ever done to us, to sink us into a rotten state? Do we forgive and forget to return to the former status quo? My response: Forgiveness is possible; forgetting is not. If offenders go unpunished, society’s future suffering is guaranteed,” the President said.

This is political will, but more has to be done.

The nation should not rest on its laurels just because it gets credit rating upgrades, the Phl Stock Exchange index has been bullish for a long time, a 6.4% growth in the first quarter has been attained, unemployment rate is down, etc.

Where the state of the nation is now, as described by PNoy, needs, more than ever, support from all sectors for its sustainability.

Hopes are high that the country might yet be worthy of being called the Asia’s next tiger because of PNoy’s anti-corruption program that is translating to improved political situation and fiscal position. In fact, it has been reported that Manila’s luxury hotels are crawling with Asian, American, and European investors in search of opportunity.

What is going good for the country is that PNoy has until 2016 to serve, and while he is at the helm, the future looks brighter as his programs for growth and development are to be implemented. It goes without saying that the country needs badly the Reproductive Health (RH) bill to be passed, as he insinuated.

Never mind if the likes of Bayan Muna Rep. Teodoro Casiño has nothing better to do than criticize PNoy in everything that he does. Nothing is ever good to him, as if he was born a sourpuss.  Whoever wants him at the senate in 2013 elections will be doing this country a disfavor.

It is enough that people like Vice President Jejomar Binay, former President Joseph Estrada and his son , Senator Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada, Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, Speaker Feliciano “Sonny” Belmonte, and many more political stalwarts have expressed approval of PNoy’s SONA.

Arroyo’s plunder case and her plea for prayers

Ex-President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo faces plunder charges

The Sandiganbayan, the country’s constitutionally-created anti-graft court, is picking up where Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales has left off, when the latter, whose office is in charge of investigating government officials, called on them to file “plunder” charges against former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo (GMA) and nine other government officials.

In a statement, the Ombudsman said it had found GMA and the others, mostly former state lottery officials, misusing about P366 million pesos ($8.7 million) in Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) funds that went to “fictitious” expenses in the last two and a half  years of her term.

Among the salient observation and findings of the Ombudsman are the following:

1)      That the accused diverted funds from the PCSO’s operating budget to the confidential or intelligence fund, which could be withdrawn or accessed any time and with few restrictions.

2)      That the accused allegedly converted, misused and illegally transferred the funds for their own use “in the guise of fictitious expenditures.”

3)      That GMA and her co-accused colluded to raid the public treasury by withdrawing the funds and putting these under their control through irregularly issued disbursement vouchers and bogus expenditures.

4)      It (the Ombudsman) noted that the intelligence fund of the PCSO, an agency tasked with providing for health programs and other charities, grew from P10 million to P103 million in 2008.

5)      It said it was perplexed that additional intelligence funds worth P75 million, P90 million and P150 million for 2008, 2009 and 2010, respectively, were more than double the original amount allocated in its corporate operating budget.

6)      It also found that the identically worded one-page requests for additional confidential or intelligence funds were not supported by any specific plan, project, program or undertaking of any intelligence activity. The requests in 2008 and 2010 were made even before the PCSO’s corporate operating budget was approved.

7)      It said there were no supporting documents or receipts to show that part of the funds was used to finance relief operations or to pay blood money.

8)      It said there were also irregularities and deficiencies in how the cash advances were processed. The Office of the Ombudsman said the disbursement vouchers had no supporting documents. There were also false certifications or credit advice.

9)      It also found that there was a lack of authorization to approve intelligence fund disbursements for 2008, and a failure to follow the proper form prescribed for liquidation certifications.

While this is the first plunder case filed against Arroyo, who is detained in a government hospital in Quezon City for electoral sabotage in 2007 elections, a nonbailable offense like plunder, it will be noted that GMA is also facing two counts of graft and one count of breach of ethics in the Sandiganbayan in connection with her approval of the overpriced National Broadband Network deal with China’s ZTE Corp. The deal has since been scrapped.

With all these charges against GMA, which her lawyer, Atty. Anaceleto Diaz, says are accusations ‘devoid of merit’, it is only understandable that the former president has turned to Catholic bishops for prayers of courage ‘to accept things she could no longer change’, she says.

Who was it that said: “Repentance is nothing but mockery when it comes too late?”

Praying over GMA

How many ‘prayovers’ did GMA had when she was president, and what were they for in the first place? I would like to think that aside from protection, it was also meant for enlightenment – that she will be able perform her job with all probity. But, did she? Had she? Greed and power. These were her gods!

GMA’s predicament is all about a quote made by Francois de la Rochefoucauld, a noted French author of maxims and memoirs, saying: “Repentance is not so much remorse for what we have done as the fear of the consequences.”

CBCP should restrain Cruz

 

Archbishop (Ret.) Oscar Cruz

It is about time that the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) should start restraining retired Archbishop Oscar Cruz from making unnecessary or unwarranted statements against President Benigno Aquino (PNoy) as leader and as a private person.

It is a known fact that Cruz, who is a devotee of former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, is a staunch critic of  PNoy, especially that the latter is strongly advocating the passage of the Reproductive Health (RH) bill or the Responsible Parenthood (RP) act.

Cruz, even, stupidly and naughtily touched on the personal life of PNoy, saying that at 50, the president should be better off remaining a bachelor because the possibility of having an unstable marriage is greater. “But 40 above, marriage is blending. Two in one. Somebody who’s 40, 50, 60 cannot blend anymore,” he advised.

What a jerk! He may have wanted to be funny, but in so doing he just showed his self-serving attitude, his utter buffoonery and utmost impertinence. Who is he, anyway, to be giving such advice?

And now comes Cruz’s latest tirade on PNoy, suggesting that the latter should also explain the sudden increase of his wealth, from P15 million in 2009 to nearly P55 million in 2012.

Just because CJ Renato Corona is brought to trial by the Aquino’s administration for, among others, allegedly amassing illegally acquired wealth, Cruz now wants that PNoy explains his growth in wealth.

There is really nothing wrong with Cruz’s suggestion if only it is not tainted with malicious undertones.

For one, Cruz should understand that, other than the alleged illegal wealth, congress has also found a number of other impeachable offenses that Corona committed and they have evidences which the prosecutors are trying to prove now.

What does Cruz have, if I may ask? Nothing, but his big, foul mouth!

For another, Cruz’s suggestion may be alright, if only the Catholic Church is free of scandals.

And not only that.

Perhaps, Cruz should also explain why the Catholic Church is so filthy rich and what is being done with its wealth?

Otherwise, Cruz should just stay retired and stop meddling in the affairs of the state, so there will be peace and harmony and not unnecessary divisiveness in our society.

“Put the little girl to sleep” has wrong connotation

 

Ex-Pres. Arroyo's spokeperson, Elena Bautista-Horn

Whoever dreamed up the phrase, “Put the little girl to sleep,” which is being interpreted by Arroyo loyalists as a plot to kill former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, has not only expressed his evil desire, but has badly erred in what he wanted his message to connote.

What the person must have probably meant was, “Put the little bad girl to sleep.” The adjective that describes the girl makes a whole lot of difference in what the intention is, rather than just say, “the little girl,” for the latter connotes innocence.

But, that is neither here nor there.

If Arroyo’s spokesperson Elena Bautista-Horn is aware of this plot, having pointed in fact at President Benigno Aquino’s Budget Secretary Florencio Abad as the alleged source of the plot to silence the former president, then she should divulge everything she knows about the plan.

It goes without saying that the administration has concocted this devious scheme.

But, what good will it do the government to carry on with the plot when it is beneficial for the country to have Arroyo alive than dead?

“That seems to be the height of paranoia already,” Justice Secretary Leila de Lima commented.

Indeed, it is, but the more that the administration should be vigilant about the security of Mrs. Arroyo. It is not inconceivable that one with a twisted mind could make the imponderable happen just so President Aquino and his administration is put in a bad light.

This is why it is wise to heed the advice of Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile to have this alleged threat in Arroyo’s life investigated by Malacañang since they will be the first ones to be blamed if something happens to Mrs. Arroyo.

Enrile expressed his reservations of Aquino’s involvement, saying, “I don’t think Malacañang would do such a thing. No administration would gain in making a threat or a plot against the life of an adversary, a nationally known adversary, unless they are insane.”

Coming from a man who faked an assassination attempt on his own life in 1972, that helped provide Marcos with the justification for declaring martial law, he knows whereof he speaks.

But, what is interesting is the observation of Senator Panfilo Lacson, a staunch critic of Arroyo, when he said:  “First, they faked the ballots of 2004 and 2007 elections. Next, they faked the seriousness of her state of health only to be burned by the testimonies of other doctors. Now, they are faking death threats on her by an incredibly ludicrous oplan complete with a funny code name.”

So, what is next for the “little bad girl?

 

 

Chief Justice Corona on the defensive

SC Chief Justice Renato Corona

The Supreme Court (SC) justices are known not only for their independence of mind, but more so for their impartiality or nonpartisanship.

But, are they really?

Take the case now of SC Chief Justice Renato Corona who is being pressured by Senators Franklin Drilon and Francis Pangilinan, both members of the President Aquino’s Liberal Party, to inhibit from deliberations on the cases involving former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo because of his evident predisposition in favor of the latter.

It has been observed that Corona’s favorable decisions for Arroyo were as many as the number of cases brought up against her for the SC to decide. This observation prompted Senator Drilon to announce that, “The current score is 19-0. Chief Justice Renato Corona consistently voted in favor of former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in all 19 cases brought before the Supreme Court.”

On his part, Senator Pangilinan said that for Corona to inhibit from the cases of Arroyo is a noble gesture as it will not only spare the SC from doubts that it is biased in favor of the former president, but it will enhance more the credibility of the institution.

But, can you blame Corona for his dogged loyalty to Arroyo, his former boss?

Let us retrace and understand from whence he came.

Lest we forget, Corona once served as chief of staff and spokesman of Arroyo when she was vice president.

Then towards the end of ex-President Arroyo’s term on May 2010, she appointed Corona as chief justice. This created a controversy since it came so close to the end of Arroyo’s term and many considered him a “midnight appointee.”

For ‘love’ of her protégé, Arroyo stood her grounds and the SC confirmed Corona’s appointment, but not before a perception has been established that he was her pet.

Haven’t you heard of the saying, “Amor con amor se paga?” (Love is rewarded with love).

Or, for that matter, “utang na loob?” (debt of gratitude).

So, should we still be surprised if Corona set an “untarnished” record, per Drilon, of voting in favor of former president, now Pampanga representative Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in all the cases filed against her?

Where, then, is the most avowed perception of neutrality, impartiality and nonpartisanship?

For as long as we have presidential appointees in the SC, there shall always be bias for those instrumental in placing lawyers to the highest and coveted position as justices of the SC.

The question is: Is this practice good and expedient for all seeking justice?

You don’t really have to think deeply.

The on-going tele-novela of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo will give you the real picture and true story.

Probe Arroyo lawyers – why not?

Arroyo lawyers: Lambino, Topacio and Flaminiano

It may be unlikely that Arroyo lawyers Jose Flaminiano, Raul Lambino and Ferdinand Topacio may spend time in jail for their alleged “grand deception to hide the real condition of Arroyo,” but what the heck – probe them just the same to see where the case will end up to.

From the very beginning it has always been my contention that the doctors of ex-President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo should, among them, designate a spokesperson, who would be facing the media to report the accurate and factual condition and situation of the patient.

As it was, the lawyers were the ones hugging the limelight, answering the questions from the media, relative to Arroyo’s health, with their own medical diagnosis and recommendations.

Of course what they were saying could be considered as hearsay as the health bulletin regarding Arroyo’s predicament did not come from the horse’s mouth, but from lawyers whose hidden agenda was to argue that their filthy-rich client be allowed to leave for treatment abroad. Thus, the explanation has to come from them so that, with the articulation that they are known for, they can move and sway the public sentiment.

It is just right, therefore, that Justice Secretary Leila de Lima wants the lawyers of Arroyo investigated, not only by the Supreme Court and the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, but also by the Philippine Medical Association, over reports that they harassed their client’s doctors just to try to win their battle on the legal front.

There seems to be a strong belief, among many, that Arroyo’s lawyers were not only grandstanding and playing with the emotion of the public for sympathy, but were allegedly harassing the doctors for a report giving credence to the Arroyo request for travel and seek treatment abroad.

De Lima explained that forcing doctors to certify false medical certificates – just as what the lawyers alleged did to Arroyo’s doctors – “smacks of grave coercion, if not obstruction of justice.”

“Their (doctors’) rights are being grossly violated,” she pointed out.

Now that the truth has been revealed, when Arroyo’s doctors testified before Judge Jesus Mupas of the Pasay Regional Trial Court Branch 112 that their patient was mending well and ready to be discharged from the hospital, all of a sudden Arroyo’s arrogant lawyers not only turned 360 degrees, but also changed their tune by saying that “the medical condition of Mrs.Arroyo is immaterial when it comes to her right to travel.”

Lawyer Raul Lambino said further that “It was not important whether Mrs. Arroyo was well or not, since the issue centers on her right to travel and her right to life was just a “side issue.”

Oh, yeah? Were you not making us believe that it was the other way around?

These anomalous statements all the more require Arroyo’s lawyers to be probed.

Thanksgiving for Filipinos

President Benigno Aquino and his battle cry

As Filipinos we have our own thanksgiving to celebrate.

We are just thankful that at this time, when some of the western economy is reeling, we are keeping our heads over water and not struggling as much as others in the world are.

We are thankful that we have a selfless and trustworthy leader that is getting the respect and attention of world leaders for his determined effort in curbing corruption and other scams disadvantageous to the country and going after those that have committed it with impunity.

“Tuwid na Daan” or the Straight Path is a phrase repeatedly mentioned by President Benigno Aquino. It symbolizes the direction this country is heading while he is at the helm of governance.

Together with this concept is his slogan that brought him all the way to the presidency – “Kung Walang Corrupt, Walang Mahirap.” This is roughly translated as “If there is no corruption, there is no poor amongst us.”

Aquino’s battle cry simply urges and encourages the people to make it a way of life – to do things right, now, more than ever, or forever we will be struggling as a nation and wallowing in poverty. But, it is addressed more to public officials, a.k.a. public servants, and government officials.

At the same time, Aquino’s battle cry serves as a warning to all and sundry in government, as former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, her family and cohorts know by now, that those who have abused their authority, power and influence will be prosecuted to the hilt.

The downfall of a country, both economic and social, has always got to do with graft and corruption, and inefficiency of governance.

But, eliminating graft and corruption and implementing accountability and transparent programs of government will surely invite investors to do business in the country, as they are deemed the engine of growth when they start generating jobs, reducing poverty and eventually developing the country, which is what we are all looking forward to.

We should all learn a lesson from Greece, a developed Mediterranean nation, which is undergoing financial turmoil over its $400bn debt, with increasingly expensive repayments and a continually downgraded credit rating.

The country’s credit rating has been lowered to junk status, a risk level that will now force many groups to stop investing in the country’s bonds.

Why? It all points to corruption and inefficient government that has seriously and dismally rubbed on, not only the powerful and wealthy, but also the labor force.

It is said that the Greek economy losses 22 billion euros ($16.6 bn) a year through corruption and tax evasion that is pervading from the government down to all sectors of the Greek society.

The country’s systemic lack of accountability enables the unscrupulous to move their dirty money offshore and leave the Greek coffers with nothing but peanuts.

If the Greeks don’t get their acts together it may yet be eased out of the euro zone, as it already has been threatened by German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Nicolas Sarkozy.

For Greece to be back in good graces among the European nations that are willing to bail her out, it has to make radical reforms in their tax collection measures, drastically cut-back the public sector wages that makes three times the amount of those who work in the private sector and enjoys far greater job security, and raise the retirement age from 40 to 65.

The government’s benevolence allowed civil servants to retire in their 40s and permitted their unmarried or divorced daughters to collect their pension after they had died, the latter at a cost of about $70 million annually by some estimates.

These austerity measures, which are a combination of severe cuts to public spending and increase in taxes are already meting public opposition leading to unrest and chaos among the citizens.

With distrust in government and political wrangling, the economic and social crisis in Greece could get worse before it could get any better.

Again, there is much to thank for, that poor a country as we have, we do not have Greece’s problem.

We hope we shall continue following the straight path that President Aquino has started leading us to, no matter who succeeds him later.

Arroyo should consider Erap wisdom

Cartoon images of Ex-Presidents Joseph "Erap" Estrada and Gloria Macapagal Arroyo

I never was a big fan of Joseph “Erap” Estrada – not in his acting career and more so not in his presidency.

He may have been successful as an actor, but the fact that he was booted out of the presidential palace and convicted of plunder speaks volume of what and how he was as president.

Outside of the presidency, however, Erap has turned into a new leaf. Whether it is because of advancing age or having been humbled by a shameful past, what have changed are his demeanor and his perception of things right.

Had he carried and exercise this good conduct and intelligent insights when he was president, instead of showing mediocrity, he could have moved this country forward to progress. Alas, his stint was another disastrous experience for the nation and its people.

But, that is neither here nor there now for history has spoken.

What is admirable about Erap now is that he has grown wiser. Is he a late bloomer? Well, who knows, but at any rate, I am beginning to admire him, without necessarily being a big fan.

Lately, Erap has been giving unsolicited advises to President Benigno Aquino and they all make sense. There seems to be wisdom in his pronouncements.

But, what really caught my attention and made me duff my hat to him is his advice to the embattled ex-President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo (GMA), who, ironically, took over from Erap the presidency and has not mince words in how corrupt he was, and who now finds herself in the same league with her predecessor, with the state accusing her of plunder and, worst, for electoral sabotage.

So, look who is talking now!

While the issue is being debated on whether or not GMA be allowed to seek treatment abroad for a condition which doctors says is not life threatening and which, in fact, showed progress after her post-operative consultation, Erap, on the other hand, is giving her an unsought for advice on what she ought to do.

“My unsolicited advice to her (Arroyo) is for her to face the charges first. Then when she is put behind bars, then that’s the only time she can request for medical treatment abroad,” Estrada intimated.

Aren’t those words of wisdom? Erap knows whereof he speaks because he, too, needed medical treatment for his osteoporotic knees that needed replacement.

The good thing about Erap is that he listened and knew a doctor who was so credible that when he appeared before the Sandiganbayan special division to seek permission for Erap to be allowed to undergo knee surgery in Hong Kong, it was immediately granted.

“I requested only one country and that is Hong Kong because my doctor said his equipment were all in Hong Kong. He was suggesting that I undergo medical treatment in the US, but I decided to undergo knee surgery in Hong Kong,” Erap said.

Note that when he sought medical treatment abroad there was no specialist that could handle the kind of surgery he had to have at that time.

The same could not be said, however, of Arroyo. Naming so many countries she intends to go and not mentioning any specific hospital she wants to be confined at nor knowing who the medical specialist is going to be to operate on her not only leave doubts about her true intentions but creates apprehensions, especially that she insists on traveling with an entourage of about 14 people.

According to Erap, when he left for medical treatment abroad, he only had his wife and three policemen.

So, could you blame President Aquino and Justice Secretary Leila de Lima if they are circumspect in their actions towards Arroyo, especially knowing how sly she could be?