PerryScope
by Perry Diaz
Retired Bishop Oscar Cruz
Last September 11, 2010 — ten weeks after he was inaugurated the 15th president with the highest number of votes since the end of the Marcos dictatorship — President Benigno “P-Noy” Aquino III was faced with the biggest challenge of his presidency. Retired Bishop Oscar Cruz made allegations that two of P-Noy’s trusted aides and five other government officials were receiving monthly payola for protection of jueteng, the illegal numbers game.
According to Cruz’s allegations, the two top aides were receiving a minimum of P2 million monthly payola from jueteng operations. He said that the two officials occupy key positions involving security matters which include “efforts to weed out the multi-billion-peso underground lottery especially prevalent in Luzon and the Visayas.” If I interpret it correctly, “security matters” would be within the purview of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), more specifically the Philippine National Police (PNP).
Trusted aides on the take
Malacañang Palace immediately reacted by asking Cruz to name names. “We encourage the prelate to report the anomalies he knows about so that these can be investigated and those found guilty will be punished,” said Presidential Communications and Operations Secretary Herminio Coloma. Initially, Cruz responded that he would identify the two aides in the proper forum. Meanwhile, his group, Krusadang Bayan Laban sa Jueteng, was busy collecting more information about them. He further said that the two officials’ names surfaced in recent field reports submitted to him by his organization’s network in the 86 dioceses in the country.
However, a day later Cruz retracted his offer to provide evidence because he was afraid that his witnesses would get hurt or killed like what happened to jueteng whistle-blower Wilfredo “Boy” Mayor who was murdered earlier this year. He also said that he has been receiving death threats since he exposed the jueteng payola. One was sent by mail which contained a message in big bold letters: “SHUT UP.”
Cruz said that the only clue that he would provide at this time — for his own safety — is that the two trusted officials of P-Noy are male; one of them has been in government for a “long time” and the other was relatively new. The other five officials are in the “lower echelon.”
DILG Undersecretary approached
Last September 13, DILG Undersecretary Rico E. Puno disclosed that he was approached by “emissaries” of the jueteng lords about “payoffs.” “Some of them are retired policemen. Some of them are politicians. Some of them are even friends. Some of them are even relatives who approached me,” Puno said. But he said that he declined to meet with them.
Puno also said that Cruz promised him a list of government officials receiving jueteng payola or involved in protecting the jueteng lords. He noted that that if there was evidence against these officials, the government would file a case against them.
However, P-Noy wasn’t totally sold to Cruz’s allegations. He said that if anyone of his officials accepted jueteng payola, he would see to it that they would face heavy penalties. But he also said that he heard that some people involved in the numbers game were dropping the names of his officials. When he was asked whether he believes that Cruz was misinformed, P-Noy said that he did not know the “quality of information” that was provided by Cruz.
Jueteng is not a priority
P-Noy, who campaigned on a slogan, “Kung walang corrupt, walang mahirap” (No corruption, no poverty), was gung-ho on eradicating jueteng when he assumed office. In fact, when his new DILG Secretary Robredo took over, P-Noy issued “marching orders” to stop jueteng. But in a sudden change of plans, P-Noy announced the following day that jueteng was not a priority in his administration. Robredo later acknowledged that his “new assignment” was to concentrate on local government while DILG Undersecretary Rico E. Puno — P-Noy’s long-time friend whom he appointed several days before Robredo — was given direct and sole jurisdiction over the PNP. In essence, DILG was split into two: local government under Robredo and security under Puno. Makes one wonder if Robredo was deliberately taken out of the loop on police matters.
Recently, there were reports that Robredo was on his way out. The buzz going around was that Verzosa, who retired on September 14, was a leading candidate to replace Robredo. However, with Verzosa’s controversial “disappearance” during the Luneta hostage crisis, P-Noy announced the other day that Verzosa will not take over DILG but would most likely be appointed to a non-Secretary post.
In an earlier article, Cruz claimed that jueteng protectors who are holding key positions in P-Noy’s administration are leading the calls for Robredo’s resignation. He said that the plotters are using the Luneta hostage crisis as the reason for Robredo to resign, holding him responsible for bloodbath that resulted from the botched rescue attempt by the Manila Police. But Robredo has no responsibility over police matters, Puno has. Shouldn’t Puno be the one who should resign then?
It is interesting to note that a Liberal Party stalwart revealed that even before P-Noy assumed the presidency, there was already an “arrangement” for Verzosa to serve as DILG secretary. However, due to the public pressure to appoint Robredo, P-Noy gave in. But according to that LP official, compromise was reached for P-Noy to bring in Puno to oversee PNP operations.
Red flag
The red flag is up: it seems that corruption is creeping back… or perhaps, it never left. As I said before, corruption is like weed: if you don’t kill it, it will grow and spread rapidly until the entire landscape is full of weed.
It is common knowledge that for jueteng to thrive, it needs the protection of the PNP. For as long as the PNP protects the jueteng lords, nobody could touch them — not even the DILG Secretary.
With the retirement of Verzosa as PNP Chief, P-Noy has an opportunity to clean up the PNP and appoint a person who is committed to stop jueteng. In regard to DILG Secretary Jesse Robredo, P-Noy should put the PNP directly under the authority of Robredo. As for DILG Undersecretary Rico E. Puno, he should work “under” the DILG Secretary subject to his authority.
P-Noy has a grand opportunity to prove to the people that he will not betray his covenant to eradicate corruption, stop jueteng, and end poverty. He made his pledge in the name of his parents, the martyr Ninoy Aquino and the icon of democracy Cory Aquino. Ninoy was immortalized by his words: “The Filipino is worth dying for.” I fervently hope that P-Noy would find the moral strength — and will power — to prove that Ninoy did not die in vain. P-Noy can effectively stop corruption because his 90 million “bosses” are behind him.
Mr. President, it’s time to get your act together, don’t let your people down.
Thanks for the exposé of -
now you see it, now you don’t.
“P-Noy can effectively stop corruption because his 90 million “bosses” are behind him.” – show it.
“…prove that Ninoy did not die in vain. ” – prove it not by yakking, but by doing.
The more than 90 million “bosses” cannot build their nation by just talking about it.
They do it – by doing it brick by brick the GK way, media way, or cyberspace super highway.
Indeed , corruption that has been deeply rooted in the Philippines cannot be eradicated overnight. Since we were children 50 or so years ago, there has already been this jueteng. It has not stopped since then, how can it be stopped now ?
I mentioned some weeks ago that the government need to supply an alternative to this money numbers game & benefit from it directly , not just the politicians & the police. Stop jueteng now without any alternative & it will just go deeper underground . People need to have something cheap & affordable to buy some ” HOPE” for their families . Until and unless we realize this fact of life for the common poor, our problems can never be solved.
God help P-Noy in his endeavor .
Gerry Gonzalez
Las Vegas
mr president,
i am your number one supporter for honesty in governance.
start firing and sending to jail these corrupt pnp and civilian protectors of the jueteng lords.
you have no recourse but to do the right thing.
hindi mo pwedeng ilagay sa huli ang jueteng payola issue na ito….you will be a complete failure.
tama ang lahat nang mga actions mo even at the hostage crisis…..you did well in my book”unprecedented and unavoidable things happen”…screw the chinese and the people of hongkong with their arrogant attitude. the hongkong people were slaves of the british empire for a long long time. also mas maraming karuma dumal na pang aaboso at pagsasamantala ang mga sinapit at na experience nang mga lehitimong pilipino sa mga intsik at marami na ang namatay sa mga produkto nang china na nakamamatay at nakaklason sa mga kababayan natin.
hindi tayo dapat magtiwala sa mga intsik…….dapat ay ibalik natin ang mga american bases kontra sa hedgemony nang china.
two days ago ay binalaan nang china ang japan for the fishing intruders caught by the japanese authorities for fishing deep in the japanese sovereign waters.
tayo ay sisipasipain lang nang mga intsik….kung hindi tayo papanig sa mga kaalyado nating democratic government i.e. japan,australia,new zealand,canada, at usa at iba pa.
baka bumangon sa libingan ang iyong magiting na ama at bayani nang pilipinas para mabatukan ka at maaalimpungatan sa mga ganid na nasa sa paligid mo.
kasama mo ang lahat…….call the shots as soon as possible.
What suck here is that IF true, it proves that the Vetting procedure, DOESN’T guarantee that all skeletons will be found..
I could ALMOST guarantee you that the family of Arroyo was involved AND perhaps WITHOUT the knowledge of GMA.. Perhaps one GREAT reason the hubby was sent overseas during the height of one previous exposes..
Well before these Aquino stalwarts are brought to answer, the Prelate MUST provide more than lip service.. Meaning nearly absolute proof in the form of perhaps eyewitness testimony..
NOT saying they are innocent, RATHER innocent till proven otherwise.
It currently seems that far too many factions are opting to try and bring down the current Pres.. Perhaps too many flames licking at their heels??
William Elder
(Sent by email)
Hi Bill,
The Arroyos control Pampanga. The Jueteng King, a townmate and kumpadre of Gloria, is the reputedly the biggest jueteng lord in Central Luzon. So I won’t be surprised if they were involved in trying to bribe P-Noy’s aides.
Best,
Perry
This can be dealt with but it will take lots of determination similar to what are done in Mexico and Columbia where the drug cartels, powerful and well-armed, are fought by the government.
Ben Oteyza
(Sent by email)
Napatalsik si Erap dahil daw sa jueteng. Pero sa panahon ni Gloria ay lumala at patuloy pa rin ngayon. Kayo na ang magsabi kung dapat bang napatalsik si Erap na halal ng milyon-milyong mga tao. Kung siya ang naging Pangulo uli ngayon at di si Noynoy, baka mas maganda pa. May karanasan at kakayahan si Erap.
Jorge Balagtas
(Sent by email)
Amen to this eye-opener article Perry. Keep it up.
Doc
Dear Jorge
You are kidding about Erap’s abilities and experience, are you not? Erap was embarrassing as a president. Not only that, he had to be corrupt and receive payola from jueteng in order to support the caprichos and luxurious lifestyles of his many wives and concubines. Surely he is not the best and the brightest and you should demand better of our public officials because we as a people and you as an individual deserve better leaders.
As for President Aquino’s determination to eradicate corruption – so far all I have seen are empty blah blahs and appointments that don’t impress me much. In fact what Aquino says, is not exactly what he does. I still have to see the trial of the Ampatuans televised live so that there will be no hanky panky with the judge. Aquino’s appointment of Davide makes a lot of people uneasy with such a man heading the Truth Commission and whether it will really culminate in any prosecution which is what the people are asking for. His silence about the coverage of DAR on Hacienda Luisita is also very telling about what he does not aim to do – settle that case once and for all. His uncle Peping is asking that he makes jueteng legal which in my view would be a disaster because we will see all kinds of gambling right smack in the middle of our neighbourhoods. And why is a man of Robredo’s integrity all of a sudden not fit for the DILG? Furthermore, why is Aquino uncomfortable working with a man of integrity and resolve? Why is the working style of Robredo making Aquino uncomfortable, really? Why did he listen to his family to keep Romulo as minister of foreign affairs when Romulo’s colleagues and subordinates in the Foreign Affairs Department have publicly made known what a clown Romulo is. Surely we can have better diplomats out there that we can be proud of? Do we really put people in positions of gravity just because he made one kind gesture to the Aquino family? What is our government service all about really? Gratitude without abilities or abilities – Period.
We should not expect too much of this President, not because he will have a hard time turning around our country 180 degrees, but because many corrupt officials and civil servants will make sure he does not succeed with his campaign promise of walang korrupt walang mahirap. Too much money is at stake for a lot of greedy public officials and armed forces generals whose grand lifestyles does not really tally with their montly salaries. Aquino is an honest man and with a lot of good intentions. However he is, in my view, a weakhearted and undecisive president. He is too soft so he will never do the hard decisions because he does not know how because it goes against his grain. And his naturaleza will definitely overpower his resolve because he is unsure of what he should do. I do not believe he can ever make good his promise of taking out corruption unless we see heads roll and orange uniforms. Then and only then will I tip my hat to him.
There are many a person that turns a blind eye to what relatives are doing.. Whether GMA did so, remains to be seen.. However, I fully accept that her hubby and various kids were involved..
What gets me even more is the illusion that Mikey (former movie star) has the guts to supposedly represent trike drivers.. Give me a break.. Then of course is the actions of the Comelec.. They’ll accept nearly everything and it takes them YEARS to remove illegally elected officials..
Dr. Lonzanida of San Antonio, Zambales, ring a bell?? Convicted with finality by the SC, yet, was able to supposedly be reelected FOLLOWING this conviction.. Currently in hiding (doesn’t want to go to prison IAW the courts punitive decision..
William Elder
(Sent by email)
Perry,
It’s a bold call to this President and MegaScene joins you in your effort to wake up P’Noy to a daunting task he had sworn to pursue. You’re right in saying this is P’Noy’s opportunity to put an honest, brave and daring man to head that PNP and clean up that dirty place.
Kudos and more power,
Yoly
(Sent by email)
Hi Yoly,
Sad to say, it looks like the new PNP Chief, Raul Bacalzo, is as tainted as Verzosa. Since P-Noy can only pick from a small pool of candidates, it would be hard to appoint a clean person for the job. However, he can really make a different if he wants to. But with Usec Rico E. Puno suspected as one of the two trusted aides — the other was Verzosa — of P-Noy who are on the take, P-Noy has to act fast and decisively. If I were P-Noy I would transfer Puno to a position where he couldn’t exert any influence on jueteng. Otherwise, P-Noy could lose the people’s trust. And he has yet to reach his 100th day in office. I’m beginning to lose hope in “Pagbabago.”
Best,
Perry
Reliable ang sources ni Bishop Oscar. Dahil sa Bataan, ultimong di mananaya ng jueteng eh alam na alam na “bangka” yang si Bong and Lilia Pineda.
Tapos innocent look pa siya habang ini-interview siya. Niloloko nila ang mga tao dahil may daya yan. alam na nila ang lalabas na numero bago magbolahan.
Suportahan natin ng prayers si Bishop. Kapakanan ng mga mamamayan ang iniisip niya. Ang tapang niya. Sana ay magtagumpay siya. At doon sa mga kumokonta kay Bishop lalo na yung mga guilty, maawa kayo sa mga mamamayang Pilipino. Pahirap kayo sa bayan!
Reliable ang source ni Bishop Oscar. Dahil sa Bataan, ultimong di mananaya ng jueteng eh alam nayang si Bong and Lilia Pineda ay “bangka” ng jueteng.
tapos innocent look pa siya during interview. May daya yang jueteng. Di pa man binobola eh, may labas nang numero. Niloloko nila ang mga tao. Suportahan natin ng prayers si Bishop. Ang tapang niya. Kapakanan ng mamamayan ang iniisip niya. At diyan sa mga gulity at supporters ng jueteng, wag kayong pahirap sa bayan!!!!