“Beyond politics, we also ought to seriously look at what makes our top officials tick?”
by Ducky Paredes
As with all liars, they will eventually be found out. The truth will out and when it does, the liars should watch out because the truth will finally bite back.
Their stories are getting wilder by the day. I sympathize with Donald Dee who, despite his man faults, is put in an uncomfortable position by the for-the-moment “National Hero” Rodolfo Noel Lozada of advising Education Secretary on how to cover-up on the investigation on the cancelled National Broadband Network (NBN) contract.
Dee, chairman emeritus of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) and ambassador and special envoy for international trade, supposedly advised former Neri last year to join President Arroyo in an official trip to New York last year to evade the Senate’s investigations.
Not only that; Lozada also says that Dee advised Neri that P200 million was too small a share for him in the kickbacks on the deal and that he should demand more money!
And, not only that, Lozada also has Donald Dee urging Neri to demand that he be made Secretary of the Department of Finance (DoF) as his prize for approving the project.
Lozada heard all this in the now made-infamous-by-de Venecia-Neri-Lozada Wack-Wack Golf and Country Club where Dee made his suggestions to the Cabinet Secretary.
Dee, of course, had to angrily deny Lozada’s tales and characterized Lozada as “a loose cannon.”
Donald says: “I want him to put that in writing so I can take the proper steps. He is a loose cannon and he is affecting the lives of so many. Somebody should put some sense into this guy. What is his agenda? Who am I to advise Neri on what to do in any government contract?”
Who, indeed, is Donald Dee, a retired former businessman, to give advise to a Cabinet Secretary on how Neri should conduct himself?
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Beyond politics, we also ought to seriously look at what makes our top officials tick?
The City Council of Manila, which intimately knows what Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Lito Atienza stands for, has unanimously passed a resolution expressing full support for the former three-term Manila Mayor. They hold that Atienza is well known to be God-fearing. So, how can anyone “in his right mind” the allegations made against him by former Philippine Forest Corp. president and present-day, temporary “National Hero” Rodolfo Lozada Jr.
The resolution calls Lito Atienza “a man of integrity, principles, dignity, social conscience, responsibility, credibility and vision, not to mention of course his steadfast advocacy of pro-life and pro-environment.”
The resolution says that the members of the city council “do not believe in the accusation” involving Atienza and that the allegations are “highly malicious and a big lie.” It urged the residents of Manila to speak in defense of “a very good man.”
Among the clergy, there have also been statements citing Atienza’s credibility and integrity.
Monsignor Melchor David of the Our Lady of the Abandoned parish of Muntinlupa says: “Lito could never be involved in any kidnapping or abduction as told by Mr. Lozada. I’ve known him since the ‘70s when we were fighting against the Marcos dictatorship. He is a freedom fighter who will always uphold civil liberties at all costs”
Monsignor Roberto Espenilla of the Holy Family parish of San Andres Bukid in Manila where Atienza belongs said the DENR chief is man with a firm set of moral values and principles. “Madali rin siyang lapitan at laging handang tumulong.”
Sister Pilar Verzosa says of Secretary Atienza: “He has always advocated for the protection of people’s rights. Implicating him in an alleged kidnapping or adduction would be a big lie.”
Sister Zeny Pineda of Alay-Kapwa Foundation stressed that the DENR secretary is a very conscientious person and “never has it been his character to be a kidnapper or abduction.”
Bishop Juan de Dios Pueblos of the Diocese of Butuan points out that Atienza’s role was merely a rational reaction to respond to someone in severe danger.
Of course, the ones who believe that Lozada-Neri-De Venecia are prophets writing a new chapter in the New Testament are totally convinced that Lito Atienza puts his horns back on when he lays himself down to sleep so that they will properly grow properly. He takes them off again when he leaves the house to report for his day job in the morning.
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I was shocked when Joe Zubiri explained to me why the Sumilao “marchers” rejected the offer of San Miguel Foods, Inc. for them to relocate to an adjacent piece of land of the same fertility and size as the SMFI piggery and agro-industrial complex.
According to the governor, the NGOs behind the Sumilao “marchers” which are running the show and are supporting the marchers financially are behind the rejection. You see, he explains, these NGOs make money from some bleeding hearts in the Netherlands and other European countries.
Could there actually Pinoys like these who would create problems for the country to earn a few cents for themselves? Someone please give me names so that we can publish a list of who these traitors to the Filipino people themselves (and not just the country) are. We will be shocked to find that a lot of supposedly good guys and forward-looking leaders are actually behind the moves that tend to destroy the economy, whole provinces and the careers of a lot of good persons.
If I am in disbelief of a lot of events and personages that others see as good for the country, it is because I know just how mercantilist a lot of supposedly good people really are. While some evil men will sell a daughter for a few pesos, these criminals will sell the country down any river for small change.
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hvp 02.15.08)
2 Comments
Hi Ducky. I appreciate you having an open mind and heart to the zte issue. We need more people like you to make this country a better place to live in. It is very sad to see people simply digesting all that is being spoonfed to them by the media and as well as the statements of Lozada. There may be a grain of truth to his allegations but I doubt if they were all true. Like for instance, the “abduction” issue, I worked with PRO LIFE Philippines and have worked with Sec. Atienza. I know for a fact that he helps people all the time.. he was always true to his words when he said that he wanted the Rule of Law. He wanted it during the time of Marcos, Cory, Erap and until now.He did not side with Marcos.. in fact, he was even sent to jail because he did not want Marcos to help Marcos with his advocacy.. Even during the time of Ex Pres. Erap, when people knew that the best way to go was to show themselves in Edsa.. I did not see him there.. knowing at that time that the best strategy for Politicians was to show their faces there..This time I saw him and asked him how all these came about. he told me that he only wanted to help the man but it was not to stop the man to testify.. I believe him coz his past says that he is consistent.. I feel bad seeing my colleague go through this when he does not deserve it. How can a man fight and defend life be accused of abducting someone who I believe has hidden agendas.. How can he ask help from Sec. and then meet up with other people such as Lacson, Madrigal and even the De Venecias? I just pray that people would learn to study issues before they fully react to it.. We need people with integrity but how can we use their capabilities if we shoot them down right away without even giving them the benefit of the doubt. Damn if you do, and damn if you dont.. If he does not show up in the hearing, he’s guilty, if he shows up, he is still guilty.. I want to stay in the Philippines but seeing how the mob rules our democracy makes me want to just go to the states and just give my services to them.. I am so bitter and enraged by all these.. Please just stay open.. we need writers who are responsible in what they write… not instantly swayed by emotions.. rather, by rationality and a sound mind.
Speaking of liars, isb’t the one presiding over the Senate hearings the same person who charged Miguel Arroyo of having a bank account in Germany under a long string of numbers, which, as a later affidavit of executed by German bank officials proved to have been plucked off from nowhere? Failing to run his lie to the full route in the House, he then went around Metro Manila lugging several boxes which he said contained evidence of Arroyo’s bank account. A lawyer, he did not bring those boxes to court. He was clearly lying. So what did we do to him? We elected him to the Senate! That’s how we reward liars.
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