Negotiating the Good Friday Agreement

Negotiating the Good Friday Agreement
With the peace negotiations entering a sort of ‘winter’ season due to colliding positions on the terms of possible political settlement, International Alert in partnership with UK Embassy invited the Rt. Honorable Paul Murphy, Member of the British Parliament and former Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and Wales.

MP Paul Murphy belongs to the Labor Government of both PM Tony Blair and PM Gordon Brown. It was this popular Labor government under Mr. Blair that negotiated the Good Friday Agreement that has laid the peace formula not only between the warring Unionist party (Protestant) and the Sein Fein (Catholic) but also shaping the relations between and among Great Britain, Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.

The case of Northern Ireland rings a familiar chord for the peoples of Southern Philippines albeit the differences in ‘color’, ‘shape’, religions, ideology and cultures. The many similarities touch on the relations of minority and majority cum the controversial wealth and opportunity sharing, and compounded by religious identities that are more tied to cultural ideologies and their popular expressions, including the use of violence.

Mr. Murphy’s short visit is simply to share with us – stakeholders to peace in Mindanao both in the national and regional levels – a model of peace negotiation that has proven successful not only in terms of signing a peace agreement but also implementing it with political will on the ground as workable formula for wealth and power sharing.

I cannot help but observe that the man who provided the environment and the ‘push’ is an ardent Catholic who received a papal knighthood for his peace work in Northern Ireland.

Some of the similarities between Northern Ireland and Southern Philippines are on issues touching the relations not only between minority (Catholics) and majority (Protestants) but also between the national government (the British Parliament) and the six counties (four Protestants and two Catholics) that formed Northern Ireland.

The above relationship in the recent past was marred by conflict and injustice of varying shades of colors of injustices and ideologies translated and expressed in more familiar concepts like political power, economic development and cultural identities (British Crown for the Unionists and the Republic for Sein Fein).

The other noteworthy similarity in the Northern Ireland conflict was the fact that for decades the conflict in the Northern Ireland remained distant not only to the Government of Great Britain but also to the British Constituency. It actually communicated a subtle message to the effect saying that so long as the killings, the carnage and the violations of basic rights remained in Belfast or Londonderry or in any part of Northern Ireland, the peoples of Great Britain continued with ‘business as usual’.

Things changed when the Irish Republican Army or IRA brought the conflict to London itself. The US was also brought to the picture, not only because of the historical and cultural ties to Ireland and Great Britain but more so because of the many Irish Americans’ support for the struggle of their kin and kith in the North.

What is noteworthy in the making of the Good Friday Agreement is the political will of the two governments (United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland). The two leaders, UK PM Mr. Blair and Republic of Ireland PM Mr. Beartie, were on board all the way as the full time and elected peace negotiators ironed out the formula of wealth and power sharing between the warring Protestant and Catholic groups. The US sent a powerful mediator in the person of Senator George Mitchell, with the full backing and support not only of the sitting US President (both President Clinton and later President G. W. Bush) but also by the entire US Congress. The role and support of the entire European Union were also much felt for the simple reason that the two major protagonists, the UK and the Republic of Ireland, are members of the same EU.

The equally important ingredient that went into the making of the Good Friday Agreement was the TRUST and the RESPECT accorded to one and all by the full time and elected negotiators, mediators, Governments and all stakeholders with few exceptions.

What is crucial is the fact that the Good Friday agreement is “HOMEGROWN”. NO IMPOSED peace agreement anywhere and at anytime is sustainable! The Good Friday Agreement is shaped by the stakeholders themselves through their elected negotiators (with real constituencies on the ground) and facilitated by a powerful US mediator and fully supported by the two major protagonists.

The Good Friday Agreement gives HOPE to our own peace process now experiencing some difficulties. Mr. Murphy’s sharing is a successful PEACE Story. Though we are not ‘copy cats’ of Northern Ireland, no doubt, we can draw concrete lessons from it if we are looking for a fresh wind blowing our own peace story… else we freeze in the winter of the peace talks!
Posted by Jun Mercado at 18:59 | Comments (4) | Trackbacks (0)

PNoy-Murad tête-à-tête meeting

Thursday, August 11. 2011
PNoy-Murad tête-à-tête meeting
For the past days, the lines are abuzz and speculations are high on the agreement or non-agreement between PNoy and MILF Supremo, Murad Ibrahim, al hajj.

No doubt, the tête-à-tête meeting between the two is a major and daring feat in building peace in Southern Philippines. Post SONA, many people that follow the peace process have been disheartened by the silence of the President about it.

Suddenly, the peace process is back again in the President’s radar screen. This time around, the faces of the peace process are no longer the faces of the two peace panel chairs but of the PRINCIPALS themselves.

The event is mind-boggling, something akin to the historic meeting of President Cory Aquino and MNLF Chair Nur Misuari in 1987. That historic meeting was much objected by diplomats, the military establishment and legal ‘experts’ for the simple reason that it defied protocol and convention.

The issue is the fact that peace making does NOT follow any protocol and convention. There is no protocol or convention in peace making. What is important is the courage to break new ground for peace.

The president’s meeting with MILF Chair Murad Ibrahim is, no doubt, a very brave move to break new ground for peace. That it has taken place at a time when people’s trust in the peace process is diminishing is in itself incredible.

Peace making is not simply about politics and economics. In fact, it is first and foremost about TRUST. And when we speak of trust it refers to actual relationships of people behind government, fronts and institutions. While governments and fronts play very important roles, there is NO substitute to human factors that are crucial in building confidence between and among peoples involved in the peace process.

President Noynoy is the human face of the Philippine government as Chairman Murad is the face of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. The face-to-face meeting between the two leaders sends a different vibration and special aura that are NOT measurable in terms of legalese of ‘diplomatese’ nor in terms of weight and numbers. It is the question of feeling and sympathy… a sort of disclosure where the protagonists, through that tête-à-tête meeting, feel and know that ‘they can trust each other’.

The move reminds me (perhaps NOT in equal measure) of the unilateral decision of the Egyptian President Anwar Sadat to visit Jerusalem in 1977. President Sadat defied all protocol and convention including the popular sentiment in the whole Islamic and Arabic world to make peace with Israel. It was a visit that paved the way for the Egyptian-Israeli Peace Accord.

In similar vein, the historic meeting between PNoy and Chairman Murad is, indeed, a bold action. This reminds us, time and again, that peace making requires bold actions and for this reason peace making is never the vocation of diplomats and legal ‘experts’. The former thinks about protocol and convention and the latter believes in the letter of the law.

If there is something that the meeting has engendered, it is the trust between the two principals. And with the two talking as friends and lovers of peace, we can dream again of possibility for peace.

With a tête-à-tête meeting the two protagonists get to know the real person on the other side of the table (often demonized in many and varied ways). Neither President Noynoy nor Chairman Murad is the devil incarnate. What you have are two persons in search for the elusive peace in Southern Philippines.

The goodwill engendered by the historic meeting is the much-needed element, at the moment, in the peace process. While the President is dead serious in reforming the ARMM, the gesture is, at times, read as undermining the peace process.

With that meeting, the President gets to know the real face behind the label MILF. Chairman Murad is NO fanatic and definitely he is NO terrorist.

The task ahead is to seize the moment and continue to build trust and confidence among the stakeholders both in Mindanao and in the central government. In the final analysis, we need to constantly remind ourselves that the peace that we seek is not peace of one party at the expense of anyone but lasting peace for all!
Posted by Jun Mercado at 15:42 | Comments (6) | Trackbacks (0)

Part 2: Here’s the transcript of the genuine ‘Hello Garci’ Tapes July 21, 2011 ·

Part 2: Here’s the transcript of the genuine ‘Hello Garci’ Tapes
July 21, 2011 ·
The conversations between ‘Gary’ (Virgilio Garcillano) and a woman who sounds so much like ex-President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo are all highlighted in red.
The conversation between ‘Gary’ and ‘Mike’ is highlighted in blue.
Please pass on this transcript to your friends.
Thanks,
Raissa

Related Stories:
Part 1: GARCI TAPES – Let’s refresh our memories
For his alleged cover-up of the ‘Hello Garci’ tapes, it’s time to hold Ignacio Bunye of CB Monetary Board to account
__________________________________
1
Conversation between two unidentified men on 17 17:28 hotel May 2004
Man 1: Hello
Man 2: Hello sir, good afternoon. Kamusta ka ho ngayon? Kamusta lagay natin?
Man 1: Mabuti naman. Paki-tape mo nga ngayon para makasiguro tayo kasi ayaw ko ng baka mamaya tayo pa ang malanti eh.
Man 2: Oho, oho. Sir pina-ulit lang ho ni Gov. Dy yung hinihinging tulong sa inyo.
Man 1: Na ipalilipat dito?
Man 2: Hindi, naka-ano na ho dyan, naka-enbanc ho yata dyan, eh suportahan nyo nalang daw kayong ng bagong kasama nyo.
Man 1: Oo, tatanungin ko ngayon kay Chairman
Man 2: Ok, ba-bye. Hello sir, kelan kayo maluwag?
Man 1: Ay… pero..
Man 2: Miyerkules ng gabi. Maluwag ho kayo?
Man 1: Hindi kami makaka-alis…
Man 2: Kahit na gabi?
Man 1: Dito nga kami nakatira eh.
Man 2: Ah ganun ba… o sige sir,naka-monitor ho ako…
Man 1: O sige…
Conversation between two unidentified men on or about 24 16:00 hotel May ’04
Man 1: Hello.
Man 2: Hello, si Commissioner?
Man 1: Yes?
Man 2: … Ah nagising kami kanina, one of the …
Man 1: Ganito, ganito. I-submit mo yung kay Sen. Barbers pa. Tapos wag mong ipahabol si Biazon. May regalo para sayo…
Man 2: Ok sir….
2
Conversation between a certain Chairman and unidentified man on or about 24 17:37 hotel May ’04
Man 1: Hello pare, si Chairman ba ito.
Man 2: Oo, oo
Man 1: Apat na probinsya nalang yung mga di pa pumapasok, eh baka malintikan na tayo.
Man 2: Bakit ilan na ang panalo nila.
Man 1: 675,000 na eh.. 175,000 ang boto natin.
Man 2: 175,000 ang boto natin? Oo eh kung madagdagan man lang sana ng mga 200, 300.
Conversation between two unidentified men on or about 24 18:30 hotel May ’04
Man 1: Hello sir.
Man 2: Hello Dang, ilan ang bumoto dyan?
Man 1: Around 60 percent
Man 2: 60 percent so mga seventy thousand?
Man 1: More than that, sir.
Man 2: Sige,(…Visayan dialect) forty-plus ha.
Man : Ok sir, We’ll try to find out…
Conversation between two unidentified men on or about 25 06:17 hotel May 2004
Man: Hello, Naikat.
Man 2: Good morning sir.
Man: O kamusta na dyan….
Man 2: … OK naman sir, sige lang, yung panata namin sir at tsaka kung anong sabihin dyan sa Manila.
Man 1: Oo, sige lang (garbled)
Man 2: o sige sir, thank you.
Conversation between two unidentified male on 25 09:03 hotel May 2004
Man 1(Gary): Hello.
Man 2: Hello sir, umpisahan ko na yung canvassing sir ha, wala pa rito yung mga abugado.
Man 1: Sige lang, na-notifyan sila?
3
Man 2: Notify na sila sir eh.
Man 1: Ah, kung na-notify sila, start. Tapusin mo na.
Man 2: Yan ang gagawin ko ngayon sir, eh.
Man 1: May mga government organization dyan nagsasabing kung di raw kita papalitan o-object-kan nila ang aking confirmation?
Man 2: Ah ganun ba, hindi ko alam kung sino yun eh.
Man 1: Hayaan mo sila, patuloy mo. Tapusin mo na.
Man 2: Yun na nga sir, eh
Man: O sige.
Conversation between two unidentified men and a woman on 25 10:50 hotel May 2004
Woman: Hello
Man: O kamusta na ang kwan, canvass.
Woman: Sir, eto, Ongoing ho, papunta na ko ngayon e. Gusto ko na unahin yung.. sinabihan ko na pero puntahan ko pa rin siya ngayon.
Man: Puntahan mo na. kung maari matapos ngayon para ipatakbo sa.. kung hindi makahabol ng flight dyan ipahabol sa kwan, otabato, ay o Davao…
Woman: Wala ho ba ngayong number ni Atty. Vidol, sir?
Man: Meron pero di sumasagot. Basta nag-canvass na, din na yun sasagot eh?
Woman: O Sige ho.
Man: Paki-kwan lang ha. Kasi kung maari, matatapos siguro yan ngayon kung hindi sila makikialam dyan sa senatorial. Tutal wala na eh. Walang senatorial except the last one. Yan lang kailangan namin para madetermine namin yung number twelve.
Woman: Oho.
Man: OK, hintayin namin ha. Pakitawagan nga ako kung anong…
Woman: Papunta na nga ho ako eh…
Man: Thank you…
4
Conversation between two unidentified men on 25 11:45 hotel May 2004
Man (Gary): Hello
Man 2: Hello sir, Tumawag po si Senator Barbers,nagtatanong development
Man 1: O Sige lang. Actually, makukuha natin.
Man 2: Opo, o sige po. Asan kayo sir?
Man 1: Nandito ako sa PICC
Man 2: Ay marami ho kasi akong administrative … na ginagawa po eh kaya di ako makapunta dyan.
Man 1: O, sabihin mo kung lalabas lahat yung otsenta, more or less, at makakuha siya ng sitenta o sitenta’y singko, Hindi naman natin si-zero-hin ito eh.
Man 2: Opo, opo. Bahala na kayo sir ha.
Man 1: Oo, Oo
Man 2: O sige sir, salamat
Conversation between unidentified man and a woman
Woman: Hello Sir
Man: Hello , ano nang nangyari?
Woman: Nagtatalo sila sir. Sabi ko kahit na mamayang gabi, magfirst flight sila bukas ng umaga. Sabi naman, oo nakausap din ni Mely Nakpil kanina si Atty. Vidol. Dun ko ipinagamit ang cellphone ko.
Man: Ah ganito. Nandito kami ngayon, that is the only canvass that we are waiting. Pero sinabi ko I hope you can take the flight in Davao. Pero di nyo mahabol no? Pero nagta-tabulate na?
Woman: Oho, Nagta-tabulate sila, kaya lang sabi ko ho, bukas ng umaga, first flight sila. Hindi nila mahabol ngayon yung last flight sir eh.
Man: Ah hindi na?
Woman: Hindi na. Matagal pa man ang byahe.
Man: Ay sige, sige … Thank you, Thank you
Conversation between Gary and an unidentified man on 25 14:49 hotel May 2004
Gary: Hello, nasaan ka.
Man: Dito sa office.
Gary: Alam mo meron na naman nakakita sa kin nandun si Cirios kagabi. May nakakita na naman daw na ako at si Cirios nag-usap kagabi.
5
Man: Pakuha mo kay Eddie
Gary: Saan, saan
Man: Sa bahay.
Gary: Titingnan ko lang, anak ng jueteng yan.
Man: Hindi dapat naman eh. Hindi na nag-ano kasi medyo… (Line cut)
Conversation between Gary and an unidentified man on 25 15:19 hotel May 2004
Gary: Hello.
Man (Mike): Pare, papasok na daw yung ibang provincial, eto nalang natitira, Cotabato na lang.
Gary: Meron pang Lanao del Sur
Man: Ah, meron pang Lanao del Sur
Gary: Pero hindi yung… Maybe may pitong munisipyo…
Man: Pero abot pa?
Gary: Kung makuha natin yung maximum sa Cotabato at madagdagan ng Lanao Sur, tama yung sinasabi mo.
Man: Ok.
Gary: Sige Ok.
Conversation between Gary and an unidentified man on 25 15:59 hotel May 2004
Man: Andito si Inday. Yung sa Kalirayan ba, sa Inchan. Yung kaso daw pala nila for annulment pinapatapos na sa first division
Gary: Kalirayan?
Man: Papatak daw sa first division. Eh nagtatanong kung magkano daw and dapat i-budget
kung aabot sa protesta.
Gary: Protest?
Man: Oo, Kasi Primero annulment muna. Tapos magproprotesta sila, yung sa….
Gary: Dapat kwentahin nila kung ilan ang ballot boxes na i-protesta nila because that’s 500 per ballot…(line cut)
6
Conversation between Gary and an unidentified man on 25 19:27 hotel May 2004
Man: Sir, Atty. Maluwag ba kayo?
Gary: Andito pa ako sa PICC.
Man: San kayo luluwag.
Gary: Siguro mga tatlo, apat na araw.
Man: Sana ipasundo ko kayo para mai-mail ho.
Gary: Hindi, hindi ngayon. Mga tatlong araw siguro, pwede na.
Man: Sir, ni -relay ni Gov. alagaan mo lang yung sa kanya.
Gary: Tinatamaan nga ako dyan eh. Ako nga ang tinatamaan kasi ako ang nagpirma dyan
Man: Oo, CA naman ang putang-inang yan eh. Alam mo magkakagulo lang dun. Labanan na natin.
Gary: Siguro wala naman silang, makuhang subject…(line cut)
Conversation between Danny and Gary on 25 19:52 May 2004
Danny: Sir, good evening. Sir
Danny po ito. Sir, tapos na po ang Cotabato City?
Gary: Hinihintay ko yung i-fax ni Vidol.
Danny: Ano kaya, nagawan ng paraan sir?
Gary: Oo. Ang akin, sabi ko, kwarenta mahigit and kailangan para um-over siya. As of this afternoon, 39…
Danny: Ang hinihintay lang po ay Cotabato City, ano po sir?
Gary: Oo, pero may konti pa sa Lanao del Sur
Danny: Ah yung anim na municipalities. Panalo daw siya dun eh.
Gary: Mananalo siya talaga. Nandun si Lou Makarambong eh. Pababantayan ko…
Danny: Opo, opo
Gary: Kaya nga sabi kung makapanalo siya ng 20 to 25,000, mag-celebrate na tayo
Danny: San po ba kayo, nasan kayo sir?
Gary: Nandito ako sa kwan, Westin plaza.
Danny: Hayaan nyo, ipapahanda ko yung mga kwan sir, basta’t nakwan eh aking ipapahanda yung para sa ating mga kwan…
Gary: Bata. Nag-usap na kami. Sabihin mo lang tumawag lang siya sa akin
Danny: Sige Sir.
Gary: Kung malalaman ko ngayong gabi, ipa-celebrate ko na sya eh.
Gary: O sige lang… Mag-uusap na kami
Danny: Opo, opo
7
Conversation between Gary and an unidentified woman
Gary: Hello.
Woman:Sir, ano ba naman to. Ba’t inaaway ako ni Vidol … Di ba sabi ko sir, tino-total lang nila yung unang nacanvass? Pagpunta ko kanina?
Gary: Eh ikaw daw ang nagsabi eh.
Woman: Ang sabi nya ikaw daw ang tumawag kay Chairman.
Gary: Kay Chairman?
Woman: Oho, Ganito ho. Kasi tumawag sa akin si chairman. Ang sabi nya gusto niyang malaman kung ano daw talaga status ng canvassing nila kasi sabi ko hindi pa naman nila natatapos lahat. Tapos sabi ko kay Elisa,dahil yung kanyang member kasi hindi ko man sya nakaka-usap, ang sabi ko ano ba ang status. Ang sabi ni chairman, patawagin mo sa akin si Atty. Vidol. So Tinatawagan ko si Elisa, “o tumawag ka daw kay Chairman”… (line cut)
Conversation between Gary and Danny on 26 08:23 May 2004
Gary: Hello Danny.
Danny: Hello sir, good morning. Sir ano pong balita sa Cotabato City?
Gary: Ano, ano?
Danny: Ano pong balita sa Cotabato City?
Gary: Wala pa
Danny:Wala pa po? Sir, ano kaya, nagawan kaya ng paraan ni Vidol?
Gary: Kung talagang ano yan, Sa akin basta ayos na kami. Yun lang hindi makakaya dun sa Calami. Pero wag nilang sirohin kasi mahirap yung…
Danny: Opo, opo. Kasi tawag ng tawag sa akin si ….. Nahihiya yatang tumawag sa iyo. Tumawag na ba sa iyo?
8
Gary: Hindi pa ngayon. Kahapon tumawag. Basta kung ano ….
Danny: Andito po kayo sa PICC?
Gary: O sige…
Conversation between Gary and Aries on 26 08:47 May 2004
Gary: Hello, Aries.
Aries: Nasaan yung mga sasakyan especially yung dalawang military .. (line cut)
Conversation between Gary and Commissioner on 26 09:11 May 2004
Man: Commissioner, good morning. Meron akong itatanong, yung order ng COMELEC sa Cotabato na na-deny yung returns ngayong araw na ito?
Gary: Ina-ano ko. Ako ang nagbigay ng order, pero gusto ko sana … (line cut)
Conversation between Gary and a woman 11:04 26 May 2004
GMA: Hello, Hello.
Gary: Hello ma’am good morning po.
GMA: Oo, oo. Si ano, si Biazon nagbabanta, kung madadaya daw siya papabuksan daw niya yung sa … at sa Tawi-tawi, eh baka raw ako ang matalo doon…
Gary: Baka nga ho … (line faded, cut)
Conversation between two women in Visayan dialect on 26 11:13 May 2004
(Conversation in Visayan dialect followed)
Conversation between Gary and a woman on 11:25 26 May 2004
GMA: Hello, Hindi kaya pwedeng mag-delay yung ano, yung senatorial canvassing until after the voting on the rules tonight?
Gary: On the rules? Ah sige po…
GMA: …sa Senate, para walang away. Between two allies ito, siyempre magagalit ito, yung isa magagalit din for sure…(line cut)
Conversation…
Gary: Hello Lisa, si Commissioner to.
Lisa: Hi Sir.
Gary: Kumusta na kayo.
Lisa: Waiting for the end of … to come. Wala kaming ginagawa dito sir.
Gary: Wala kayong ginagawa? It will all be coming from … (line cut)
9
Conversation between Gary and a woman on 26 11:30 May 2004
Woman: Hello.
Gary: Hello Lyn. I-remind nga sila kung nakapagpadala ba sila ng SOV 15 to 18 sheets sa kwan, sa
Cotabato.
Woman: Dito, sila ano, sila Ester?
Gary: Yun lang switch. Kung sinabihan sila ni Chairman kasi nagsabi raw si Chairman kagabi..
Woman: Itatanong ko kay ano, kay Ester ho.
Gary: Ok.
Conversation between Gary and a man on 26 11:34 May 2004
Gary: Hello.
Man: Hello sir, good afternoon.(Visayan dialect.. line cut).
Conversation between Gary and a man on 13:06 26 May 2004
Gary: Hello, eh delikado…
Man: Delikado po.
Gary: Pero tingnan natin, wag ka nang maingay dyan.
Man: Opo, opo. Sir tumawag sa akin si Presidente. Kasi nagkausap sila ni Chairman Abalos
nung … (line cut)
Conversation between Gary and a man on 26 13:42 May 2004
Gary: Hello, Boy. Teka muna, nagpadala na kayo ng kwan, emergency request form for the special election sa 29. Yung nagfail na election ninyo.
Man: Kelan po sir, 29?
Gary: Hindi, I don’t know kung anong proposal ninyo. Kasi yung 29 you must have a resolution for all of this.
Man: Sige sir, mag-kwan lang muna.
Gary: Sige, i-enumerate nyo ha.
10
Man: Yes sir, enumerate po muna…
Gary: Sige, dapat ma-fax ninyo ngayon. Ngayong gabi.
Conversation between Gary and an unidentified male personality on 26 15:16 May 2004
Man: Hello, Gil, Gil. Wag mo lagyan ng no park, ako na lang mag-aano, tawagin mo lang ako.
Gary: Ok, oo …
Conversation between Gary and an unidentified male personality on 26 19:50 hotel May 2004
Gary: Nakita mo yung Callos?
Man: Alin yun?
Gary: Inilabas na nila yung napirmahan nyo.
Man: Ahh.
Gary: Hindi ko alam kung official yan but I saw its really …. Eh automatic yun eh.
Man: Besides hindi pa dumadaan sa yo eh.
Gary: Wala pa sa akin, yung isa na kay Tinong. Tsaka walang promulgation eh.
Man: Oo nga.
Gary: Hindi na maganda ang kwan. That’s already … Eh nakakasama, meron ba tayong pag-uusapan. Once they will agree to us baka maiba pa ang decision. Eh hindi maganda eh. Kaya tinawagan ko si GMA, sabihin nya kay Chairman.
Man: But that’s in favor of Padaca, hindi ba. Favoring Padaca yun diba. May laman pa yata yung isa.
Gary: Oo. Ha?
Man: ….
Gary: Anak ng jueteng yan, hindi maganda. Bahala na kung mapaboran si Padaca pero wag namang ganun.
Conversation between Gary and an unidentified male personality on 20:00 hotel May 2004
Gary: Hello.
Man (Barbers): Padre, maniniwala ba sa amin na makakabawi daw dyan sa COMELEC. Humihingi ng binebentang boto. Ano bang gagawin natin dyan.
Gary: Sino sa kanila.
Man: Hindi ko alam kung sino eh pero merong naglapit sa min.
Gary: Kaya ko. Kaya ko yan.
11
Man: Binigyan ng kwan. Masyadong malaki pare, dalawang milyon ang hinihingi eh.
Gary: Magkano?
Man: Dalawang milyon daw.
Gary: ha?
Man: O hindi bale kung magkaabisuhan lang pwede naman tayong magdagdag eh……
Gary: Oo, kung makakapagbigay talaga, xx. Makiki-ano ka muna pagkatapos titingnan ko kung sino. Kunwari lang maki-ano ka. Ipasok mo ang tao mo.
Man: Pero pare willing naman kaming magdagdag kung kinakailangan ha?
Gary: O sige, oo. Para mabantayan ko.
Man: O sige..
Conversation between an unidentified man and woman on 27 7:29 hotel May 2004
GMA: Hello, meron tayong … (?) … E.R.? para sa Sulu?
Gary: Oo ma’am, meron po.
GMA: Nagco-correspond ?
Gary: Oo ma’am. Lahat ho meron, hindi po naming ika-count kung …
GMA: Ok, ok.
Conversation between an unidentified man and Gary on 27 18:50 hotel May 2004
Gary: Hello padre
Man(Mike): Padre, eh yung kausap naming eh atras abante, umatras na naman.
Gary: Wag na lang, wag na lang. Pipilitin ko baka kaya narin kasi.
Man: Kung ano na lang kailangan pare.
Gary: Pipilitin ko …
Conversation between an unidentified man, Gary and Boy on 27 19:45 hotel May 2004
Man: Hello sir, teka lang sir ha.
Boy: Hello.
Gary: Boy, nasan ka?
Boy: BBC sir (Visayan dialect followed, line cut).
12
Conversation between a certain Commissioner and Governor on 28 12:58 hotel May ’04
Gary: Hello.
Woman: Hello sir, good morning. Yung Lanao del Sur, bukas daw sila darating dyan. Yung anim na munisipyo, lang yung last flight sa Cagayan de Oro.. (line cut)
Gov.: Hello, hi Commissioner, si Gov ‘to. Ito ang … si Montilla. … Tulungan natin yan.
Gary: …. Clear mo kay Ma’am.
Gov.: …. meron siyang file. Na sa’yo yata yung kwan nya eh.
Gary: Wala sa kin.
Gov.: Yung papel, nasa division, oo nga, oo.
Gary: pro-forma lang yan … (muffled)
Gov.: Tinawagan ka ni Presidente tungkol dun?
Gary: Hindi naman tungkol dyan pero kakausapin ko din siya tungkol dyan.
Gov.: Sabihin mo, yan lang naman ang hihilingin ko, yan lang ang hihilingin ko sayo, alam mo naman hindi ako humihiling sayo.
Gary: Hindi, Naipit na ako dun sa kaso ….
Gov.: Yung tungkol dun sa ‘kin pabayaan mo na yan… OK lang ako.
Gary: Ako ang tinitira dun.
Gov.: Alam ko binibira kayo ng NPA pati dyan ha. Alam ko yun buhay mo ang nakataya dun. Kaya ito ang ipapakiusap ko lang sayo, ha.
Gary: O sige, basta dumating sa amin ….
Conversation between Gary and an unidentified man on 28 13:15 May 2004
Gary: Hello
Man: Com., tumawag na raw si ma’am. Yung ke Li ilabas nyo na raw.
Gary: … ke Li?
Man: Ke … Li daw tayo, rumesponde raw tayo..
Gary: Ke Li? Eh nandito ba sakin?
Man: Eh hindi ma-ano, nakasuspend raw ang proclamation at nakikipag-usap. Sabi ko nga kay Li, o sige kung nag-aalangan ka, iaasure ko sayo makakadeliver yan basta kung may usapan kayo.
13
Gary: Oo, tsaka hindi naman yata sakin eh.
Man: O nakanino ba? Iniipit yata ng boss natin eh, patingnan mo nga boss..
Gary: Hindi, yung test, ok yung test.
Man: Eh nasan na ba?
Gary: Paki-tawag mo kay kwan, baka nandito na naman sa itaas ah..
Man: Two million daw ha.
Gary: Oo.
Man: Baka tumawag sayo, sabihin mo nagkausap na tayo ha.
Gary: Oo.. Kaibigan ko yun eh.
Man: OK, ok.
Conversation between Gary, George and Louie on or about 28 19:04 hotel May ’04
George: Hello Comm, si George…. Daghan na yung mga FPJ supporters sa Silahis.
Gary: Amina sa balay na lang
George: Ah sa balay na lang….
Gary: Oo, para di na ma-expose..
Man: Ah sige, oo ….
Conversation between a man and a woman on 28 22:13 May 2004
Gary: Hello, good evening ma’am.
GMA: Hello, si the FPJ camp raw will file a case against the Board of Canvassers of ano, dun sa Marawi and the Military?
Gary: Ano, ma’am?
GMA: The FPJ camp raw will file a case against the Board of Canvassers and the military in Marawi.
Gary: Hindi naman po siguro nila maa-ano yung ating Board of Canvassers, pero ang military, si Judane, sa kanila si judane. I do not know why they will file.
GMA: Oo, oo.
Gary: Sa kanila si Judane ma’am. In fact I have to work with Gen. Esteron and Gen. Qiamco at that time, pinalitan nga niya si Judane for a while. Kaya kwan, pero bakit nila pafile-filan and military na sa kanila lahat. Halos ayaw na nga mag-give way sa amin ng mga tao.

GMA: Oo, meron silang pinakidnap … (line cut)
14
Conversation between man and a woman on 29 09:43 hotel 2004
GMA: Hello…
Gary: Hello, ma’am, good morning. Ok ma’am, mas mataas ho siya pero mag-compensate po sa Lanao yan.
GMA: So I will still lead by more than one M., overall?
Gary: More or less, it’s the advantage ma’am. Parang ganun din ang lalabas.
GMA: It cannot be less than one M.?
Gary: Pipilitin ma’am natin yan. Pero as of the other day, 982.
GMA: Kaya nga eh…
Gary: And then if we can get more in Lanao..
GMA: Hindi pa ba tapos?
Gary: Hindi pa ho, meron pa hong darating na seven municipalities.
GMA: Ah ok, ok.
Conversation between a man and a woman on 29 09:47 hotel May 2004
GMA: Hello, forty-plus daw ang talo ko dun sa Cotabato?
Gary: Ma’am?
GMA: More than forty?
Gary: More or less, pero hindi ho siguro sosobra ng forty ma’am. Natakot na kami Atty. Vidol.
GMA: Ah ganun? So mali yung figures ni Teng?
Gary: Ah, siguro kasi yung si Teng, kinausap ho niya ang staff ni Atty. Vidol. Kami ni Atty. Vidol, nag-usap ho ngayon. But I’ll give you the exact figure ma’am in a little while, para ma-ano ninyo.
GMA: Oo, pero.. (line cut)
Conversation between Gary and an unidentified man on 29 11:29 May 2004
Man: Hello, Brod. Kwan, tinawagan ko si Sammy dahil sa kanya involved yung kwan, yung Pangutaran. Sabi ko “kung anong kwan mo, ikaw ang tatawag kay Comm. Garcillano.” Tatawag daw siya.
15
Conversation between Gary and an unidentified woman believed to be PGMA on 29 1400hrs. May 2004
Gary: Hello ma’am . Tumawag raw kayo.
GMA: Sabi nung kabila, nagpaplano sila among themselves, meron daw silang mga affidavits from teachers and Board of Canvassers na they witnessed and were made to cheat.
Gary: Wala naman hong… san ho kaya? Yung kwan ho kanina , yung sinabi nyo sa Pangutaran it was like this. Its Tirona, yung nag-appear doon, nabaligtad si FPJ. Sa canvassing sa province, and result yung din hong original and ilalagay because of the words and figures will not change. Kasi sila Gen. Abahacon ba, hindi masyadong marunong pa dyan, medyo sila ang ano dun. Nagexplain ho sa akin yung election officer ng Pangutaran, si …, pero sa canvass, sinabi naman ho ng Provincial Board of Canvassers, ang ginawa, yung kinuhang original votes nya, yun din ho ang nabilang kaya wala ho kayong ….(line cut)
Conversation between Senator Barbers and Gary on 29 15:16 hotel May 2004
Barbers: Hello Commissioner. Si Senator Barbers. Meron daw order na ipalipat sa Manila yung canvassing sa Cotabato?
Gary: Wala akong alam nyan Senator. Sabi sa May 29. Wala naman akong napirmahan ngayong araw. Wala naman kaming napirmahan ngayong araw. Wala naman kaming pinipirmahan. Kaya nga, bine-verify ko, pero si Atty. Vidol, yung ating tao dun, hindi makontak. (line cut)
Conversation between Gary and Teng on 29 15:22 hotel May 2004
Teng: May dumating daw na en banc eh. Ikaw lang ang walang nakapirma sir.
Gary: Ako lang?
Teng: Oo, Franco Rubeno (?)
Gary: Papano nangyari yan, nandyan naman ako sa COMELEC.
Teng: Yun na nga eh, nagtaka nga kami eh dahil nung nandun na kay Vidol yung resolution ng en banc,
ikaw lang ang walang …..
Gary: …. eh bat hindi ako tinatawagan, ako na nga ang nasa opisina eh.
Teng: Yun nga sir eh. Ngayon lang namin nareceive eh kaya nga tumatawag ngayon eh kung anong dapat gawin natin dito.
Gary: ….. yung ng order ng ano…
Teng: Hindi pa natapos sir eh.
Gary: Ipabigay mo nalang kay Atty. Vidol para makagawa siya ng kung anuman.
Teng: Ipadelay na lang..
16
Gary: Tutal kailangan pa naman ng arrangement dun sa kwan…. Anyway, mas maganda para sa kanila pag nandito. Pero para sa atin sa taas, medyo hindi maganda.
Teng: Yun na nga eh, apektado tayo eh.
Gary: Lalo na yung inaano natin, sa kaibigan natin. Sa taas … hindi na baleng hindi na natin gagalawin.
Teng: Yun nga sir, kababayan natin yun di ba.
Gary: O sige, kung maari, tawagan ako ni Atty. Vidol para mabigyan ko sya ng instruction.
Conversation between Gary and Atty. Vidol on 29 15:25 hotel May 2004
Gary: Meron talagang resolution? Merong order na lilipat kayo sa Maynila?
Atty. Vidol: Hello sir, meron sir, Nandito, nareceive namin.
Gary: San ang date nyan?
Atty . Vidol : 29. Kanina rin.
Gary: Eh bakit hindi man lang ako pinalaman eh nandyan naman ako sa opisina.
Atty. Vidol: Nasa official business ka daw dun sa … eh. (line cut)
Conversation between Gary and an unidentified woman on 29 17:56 hotel 2004
Woman: Hello
Gary: Nagtawag si Presidente (Visayan dialect followed, line cut shortly after)
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Conversation between Gary and a male personality on 30 10:45 May 2004
Gary: Hello.
Man: Hello sir, good morning po, si Primo (?) po ito sir. Sir ano daw pong balita sa Cotabato, sir?
Gary: Maayos na si kwan, pero kung madedelay, di i-delay na.
Man: Yun nga eh, kaya lang may human barricade dito.
Gary: Eh di mas mas mabuti para hindi sila maka-alis.
Man: I see…
Gary : Pero wag ka lang maingay kasi hindi nila ako pina-alam dyan sa resolusyon na yan. Hindi ako nagpirma eh. Hindi ko alam eh.
Man: OB (?) nakalagay eh.
Gary: Kaya nga eh, ako ang nasa opisina, sila ang wala eh.
Man: So ano sa tingin mo ngayon ang en banc. Balita daw papalitan daw ang Board of Canvassers?
Gary: Oo, papalitan silang lahat.
Man: Sinong papalit?
Gary: Tapos sinasabi na si Vidol na lang ang papupuntahin dito. Ano bakit superman sya? Pabayaan mo lang, wag kang maingay dyan. Kung hindi sya makapunta, mas maganda.
Man: Ah ganun.. sige po.
Gary: Pero kung maari, in the meantime, makakagawa siya ng paraan.
Man: Yun nga ang problema natin. Ang daming tao.
Gary: Hayaan mo sila, magkagulo dyan muna.
Man: I-monitor mo lang sir, baka bigla namang ipilit na lang ba.
Gary: Kung ipilit nila, di may … naman si Atty. Vidol na hindi aalis dyan eh.
Man: Meron naman.
Gary: Kung nandyan naman ang isa, di papano yan…
Man: Maraming salamat po sir ha.
Conversation between Gary and an unidentified man on 30 12:13 hotel May ‘04.
Man: Hello sir, Nagtawag ka daw sir?
Gary: Nagtawag ako.(translated from the Visayan original)
Gary: Tumawag ako kasi iba na naman yata ang number nitong puti.
Man: Putting cellphone, Sir? Yung in-off mo, Sir? ‘Yun pa rin naman ang SIM niya, Sir.
Gary: Oo. Yung 43….221 ang last number niya. Hindi na ito yun.
Man: Ganoon ba, Sir. Sige, tingnan na lang natin yan mamaya.
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Conversation between Gary and Rey on 30 13:30 hotel May ‘04.
Rey: Hello.
Gary: Hello, Rey. O kamusta na kayo dyan?
Rey: Ah ok lang, Dito ako sa NBC ng ano, ng lugar ng Caballero (?)
Gary: Ng Bayabao (?)? Anong kwan dyan sa loob ng Bayabao (?)?
Rey: Nag ka-canvassing. Inorder to continue the canvassing pero wala namang proclamation. Yun ang order sa En Banc sir, di ba?
Gary: Meron ba?
Rey: Meron sir, to continue with the canvassing but suspend the proclamation.
Conversation between Gary and wife on 30 14:31 hotel May 04. (translated from the Visayan original)
Gary: Hello, Ding… (Short conversation in Visayan dialect).
Gary: Hello. Nakatawag ka na?
Wife: Hello, Dy. Uuwi na kami. Asan ka na?
Gary: Andito ako sa Tondo.
Wife: Dadaanan ka ba namin?
Gary: Hindi. Pagkahati sa iyo, ___ na dito.
Wife: Pagkahatid sa amin, ipadaan diyan sa iyo?
Gary: Hindi. Pag daan mo sa simbahan…
Wife: Sandali lang kasi nag-low batt ako.
Gary: Ipahatid na ito pagkadaan sa iyo sa simbahan.
Wife: Hindi na siguro ako magpapahatid sa kanya. Magta-taxi na lang siguro kami.
Gary: Hindi, kasi andito naman ako.
Wife: E, alas singko ang aking service. Matagal pa kaming maghihintay.
Gary: Matagal pa ba? Pagkahatid sa inyo, ipa-announce (?) mo na lang dito.
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Wife: Di ka na naming dadaanan? Pwede naman ngayon para diretso na tayo.
Gary: O. sige.
Conversation between Gary and Noli on 30 16:31 May 04.
Noli: Hello.
Gary: Hello, si General?
Noli: Ha? Si Noli to.
Gary: O Noli, ano nang nangyari dun sa Cotabato?
Noli: Ewan ko. Eh, nag-aalburoto daw si Chairman…pati si Joey
Gary: Ay kaya…akala ko nga si Joey itong…pinasa mo lang ba sa kin?
Noli: Oo, pinasa ko lang s’yo.
Gary: Ay kaya pala. Iba yung ano.
Noli: Pinasa ko lang sayo. Actually, ang sabi ko okay Joey, patawagan nya si Abalos para ma-recall yung resolution. Tutal, kahapon lang naman yun.
Gary: Yun nga. Tumawag sakin si No. 1. Pero ayaw kong tumawag kay Chairman kasi hindi man ako gagamitin sa resolution.
Noli: Hindi, hindi. Ang pinasasabi ko, tawagan ni GMA siya, si Abalos.
Gary: Oo nga, sinabihan ako ni presidente pero inaano na siya muna ng tatawag. Sila muna ang
tatawag kasi kahapon inugi ako, andun ako sa opisina until 4 o’clock.
Noli: Akala ko naman, kaya ako pumirma, akala ko order sa taas.
Gary: Hindi OK lang. Pero si presidente, kahapon pa, ayaw niya. Wala namang problema.
Noli: Sino bang imo-move? Sinong may move nun?
Gary: Aywan ko. Ano bang problema…
Noli: Hindi ko nga alam. Kaya ko pinirmahan, di ba sabi nyo dine-delay natin yung Cotabato para sa botohan, di ba? Eh tapos na ang botohan eh.
Gary: Tapos na, OK na. Kaya lang hindi pa natin malaman kung sino mananalo sa kanila. O sige lang, basta tawagan ko lang si Vidol kung ano bang sitwasyon… Ok sige.
Noli: Sige lang, tatawagan ko si Joey…
Gary: Ah Joey ipatawag niya sa akin kung kwan, akala ko sa kanya yung ano, iyo pala.
20
Conversation between Gary and Maruh on 31 10:12 hotel May 04.
Maruh: Hello Com pinapapunta po kayo ulit ni Chair.
Gary: O sige, oo.
Conversation between Gary and an unidentified woman on 31 13:50 hotel May 04.
Gary: Hello.
Woman: Hello, Gil. Ano ba ang mas mainam? Naghihintay lang kami dito ng developments.
Gary: Saan? Sa Malabat?
Woman: Oo.
Gary: Sige lang. Ivi-verify ko mamayang hapon.
Conversation between Gary and an unidentified man on 31 21:14 hotel May 04.
Gary: Hello, Gil. Kausap ko lang si Ma’am (line cut).
Conversation between Gary and Noli on 31 21:14 hotel May 04.
Gary: Hello Ma’am.
Noli: Hindi, si Noli to. Na verify mo?
Gary: Hindi pa. Hindi ko makontak pero sige, give me time, 5 minutes.
Noli: O sige.
Conversation between Gary and an unidentified woman believed to be PGMA on 31, 23:17 hotel May 2004.
Gary: Hello, Ma’am.
GMA: Hello, tsaka ano yung kabila, they’re trying to get copies of Namfrel copies of the Municipal COCs.
Gary: Namfrel copies ho? Ay wala naman, konti naman ang Namfrel sa atin, and they are now sympathetic to us.
GMA: Oo, oo, (garbled) Pero un nga, they are trying to get that.
Gary: Oho, we will get in advance copy ho natin kung anong hong kwan nila.
GMA: Oo, oo.
Gary: Sige ho.
21
Conversation between Gary and Ben on or about 01 11:10 hotel June ’04.
Ben: Hello sir.
Gary: O nasan ka Ben?
Ben: Nandito pa ko banding Quezon Avenue, sir.
Gary: Dumeretso ka sa kin. Mag-sama kayo ni Atty Samwang (?).
Ben: Papunta dyan sir? OK sir.
Gary: Nasan na si Lisa?
Ben: Ah nandyan na, dumating naman.
Conversation between Gary, Rissa and the secretary of Gary.
Rissa: Hello si sir?
Secretary: Sandali lang ho, ma’am.
Rissa: Hello sir, si Flor walang nakuha … ang isa.
Gary: Nandun sa Seafood Wharf.
Rissa: Sa City bar?
Gary: Seafood Wharf. Dyan sa may Luneta, yang likod ng former Army Music Club. Seafood Wharf.
Rissa: Oo sir.
Conversation between Gary and unidentified man
Gary: Ah tawagan mo nga si Datu Buklakbun (?)
Man: Oo sir, hindi kasi siya magsagot eh.
Gary: Kaya nga eh baka ipakidnap ko siya.
Man: Hanapan ng paraan para makontak siya.
Gary: Kontakin mo kasi kailangan ko siya. Baka gusto niyo pakidnap ko siya…
Man: Oo sir, ok sir.
Conversation between Gary and an unidentified woman and Atty. Vidol on or about 01 14:12 hotel
June ’04.
Woman : Hello sir.
Gary: Ano nasan kayo?
22
Woman: Dito kami sa session hall sir waiting for the other counsels and watchers to come. Wala pa one
side palang narito.
Gary: One side palang?
Woman: ___ side pa lang ito. Wala bang yung Julianno (?) side at yung kila Ding (?).
Gary: Kausapin ko si Atty. Vidol.
Atty. Vidol: Hello sir.
Gary: Bakit walang Julianno na naman?
Atty. Vidol: Wala pa sir, wala pa sila dito. Probably they were not notified, probably they simply do not want to attend in today’s proceeding because we have earlier made in notice that it’s going to be afternoon of Wednesday bago kami umalis dun eh.
Gary: OO pero yung problema mo, they were the ones who asked for this type of petition for the transfer and then kung maari i-fax mo na lang dun sa Cotabato yung papel mo sa kanila.
Atty. Vidol: Yun na nga sir eh, they have to show better interest than that of the adverse party kasi sila nagpa-transfer eh.
Gary: Sila nag-transfer. Pagkatapos ito no, in the interest of Barbers kung mag-_____, tingnan mo yung mga favorable sa kanya, i-_____ sa kanya. That’s the only way we can trim down to make him win for about 8,000 or more.
Atty. Vidol: We have to go on now sir?
Gary: If you can, why not?
Atty. Vidol: Ok.
Gary: Ok, sige.
Conversation…
Man: Hello Comm.
Gary: Nakausap ko si Vidol. Andun na sila, ready na sila pero wala yung Julianno, Julianno naman ang wala. Dib a sila ang nag-petition for the transfer? Wala bang sumama sa kanilang watchers?
Man: Ah papano, papano manonotify kaya yun sir?
Gary: Hindi ganito, ang sabi ko nga one alternative is send them to the office of Cadeteng, Cotabato pero just the same, bukas na naman yan kung ganyan. … If it’s going to be sent there I think they make themselves rare para di maano kasi sinabi ko dun ready na sila nandyan din yung mga watcher ni Sema. Pero they are already ready. Nandun sila eh. Galing sila sa aking office eh.
Man: So ang wala lang si Julianno.
Gary: Hindi ba sila nag-petition di ba? Bakit sila ang wala?
23
Man: Ano ngang solusyon dyan? Parang matuloy anong sinasuggest mo?
Gary: Sabi ko nga kung kaya niya ma-servan nga dyan. Magserve ka na dyan para you can go on.
Man: O sige, ganun na lang.
Gary: Sinabvi ko ganun na lang.
Man: O sige sir.
Conversation between two unidentified men on or about 01 15:07 June ’04.
Man 1: Hello.
Man 2: O hindi makontak dyan eh, ito daw ang figure.
Man 1: Ano, sandali, ano?
Man 2: Sa Talisay, Biazon 67.
Man 1: Ano, 67,000? 6,700?
Man 2: Six seven.
Man 1: Sixty-seven lang?
Man 2: Oo. Barbers 81 lang daw. Sa Tubi, Biazon, 997.
Man 1: Biazon ano?
Man 2: 997. Nine hundred ninety-seven. Si Barbers, 4,997.
Man 1: 4,997?
Man 2: Oo. O sige.
Conversation between PGMA and Gary on or about 01 21:43 June 04,hotel.
Gary: Hello, ma’am. Good evening, ma’am.
GMA: Hello, when they opened ballot box of Camarines Norte, it was empty.
Gary: Uhm, this afternoon, ma’am? Camarines Norte?
GMA: Uhm-um.
Gary: I’ll call up the supervisor tonight or tomorrow ma’am.
GMA: Uhm-um, si Cariño?
Gary: Ah, Lisa Cariño. Please, she’s not going to do that because this guy is a straight type.
24
GMA: But it was empty.
Gary: Oh yeah, I’ll call her up ma’am.
GMA: Okay.
Conversation between Gary and Mike on 02 10:23 hotel June 04.
Mike: Hello, si Mike to. Kung pwede ho tulungan si Bobby Barbers.
Gary: Oo nga, pero mahihirapan na tayo, medyo nabuko tayo sa Lanao del Sur at hindi na makakahabol dito sa Cotabato.
Mike: Ganun ba. Baka pwede pang magawaan ng paraan?
Gary: Nandito kami sa session ngayon eh.
Mike: Ah ganun ba.
Gary: Nag-usap na kami ni Senator.
Mike: Ok. Yun lang.
Gary: Ok.
Conversation between Gary and an unidentified man on 02 11:42 hotel 04.
Gary: Tinitignan ko, nagpiprint kami ng 15 lang, para kung makahabol, titingnan natin.
Man: Oo.
Gary: Nahihirapan pa ako, tawag ng tawag pa kasi si Ma’am. Ang daming kalokohan ginagawa nila eh,
wala daw laman yung ating Camarines Norte na ballot box.
Man: Oo nga eh.
Gary: Pinabalik ko yun, pero hindi, may inventory before _______ to it may receipt naman.
Man: Baka ninakaw.
Gary: Oo, pero pinapunta ko rito yung supervisor, darating na yun and I will send her to the Senate para kwan. Sige lang, malalaman natin kasi we are going to go canvass itong Cotabato and Lanao del Sur.
Man: 2 o’clock ito, 2 o’clock ang canvass. Pero maaayos kaya?
Gary: Kaya nga, un ang inaayos na lang. Hindi na pwede yung kaibigan natin.
Man: O nga eh. Sige.
Gary: Oo, sige rin.
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Conversation between Gary and an unidentified man on 02 11:56 hotel June 04.
Gary: Hello Sir.
Man (Mike): Sabi ni Bbby Barbers. Meron pa raw siya kasi doon sa Lanao del Sur, mga 27 municipalities pa.
Gary: Alin, alin?
Man: 27 municipalities pa sa Lanao del Sur.
Gary: Hindi, hindi, ang kwan dun sa Lanao del Sur, dalawang presinto sa Bayang, apat na presinto sa Madalin, isang presinto sa Capay. Yun na lang.
Man: Bale lima.
Gary: No, presinto lang.
Man: Ahh, precint lang.
Gary: Oo, wala ngang 1,000 eh.
Man: That kind of impression.
Gary: Wala na ngang 1,000 eh.
Man: Umm, sabi sa Columbio meron pa raw terms yan.
Gary: Hindi, wala na yung Columbio, nakasama na nung kwan…
Man: Sabihin ko wala na rin.
Gary: Sa South Upi ang kwan, di nilagay nila na merong 4,000 pero kahit Itaka (?) wala pa rin, hindi makahabol.
Man: Hindi. Eh ang Tawi-tawi makakuha pa raw sya ng 750 precincts.
Gary: Eh wala namang ano eh ewan ko, wala namang ganun eh. Alam mo talagang inaano ko yan, pinagdududahan nga akong nag-kwan sa Lanao Sur eh.
Man: Oo, anak ng puta… kawawa naman…
Gary: O sige tatawagan ko mamaya sya.
Man: Tawagan mo sya kung pwede.
Conversation between Gary and an unidentified man on 02 21:45 hotel June 04.
Man: Hello Tatay, kumusta. Ah nandito rin ako sa bahay kay Janet.
Gary: Nasan si kwan, Datu Boy?
26
Man: Ah si Datu Boy di nakatawag dyan?
Gary: Hindi man, kaya gusto kong makausap para pano natin ma____ sitwasyon ninyo.
Man: Ahh…. Sabihin ho sa mga kamag-anak niya…akala ko nakatawag sa’yo?
Gary: Di pa hanggang ngayon.
Man: Si Kodi.
Gary: Si Rey, si Kodi wala rin.
Man: Si Kodi, (Visayan dialect followed). Nakita ko nung nag-hearing diyan sa baba.
Gary: Hindi naman nagpapakita sa akin yang mga yan.
Man: Ah, dala sila kay Mike….
Gary: Baka itinatago nila…
Man: Sino?
Gary: Si Datu Boy.
Man: Siguro nag-relax yun eh para hindi makita ni Gambay eh.
Gary: Pero dapat magpakita sya sa kin, si Gambay lang naman ang hindi niya makikita eh.
Man: Oo tama, para makatawag sayo o magpunta kung ano, noh?
Gary: O sige…
27
Conversation between Gary and an unidentified woman believed to be PGMA on 02 22:29 hotel June 04.
Gary: Hello, ma’am. Good evening.
GMA: Hello, dun sa Lanao del Sur at Basilan, di raw nagmamatch
ang SOV sa COC.
Gary: Ang sinasabi nya, nawawala na naman ho?
GMA: Hindi na nag-match.
Gary: Hindi na nag-mamatch?May posibilidad na hindi magmatch kung hindi nila sinunod yung individual SOV ng mga munisipyo. Pero aywan ko lang ho kung sa atin pabor o hindi. Dun naman sa Basilan at Lanao Sur, ito ho yung ginawa nilang magpataas sa inyo, maayos naman ang paggawa eh.
GMA: So nag-mamatch?
Gary: Oho, sa Basilan, alam nyo naman ang mga military dun eh, hindi masyadong marunong kasi silang gumawa eh. Katulad ho dun sa Sulu, sa General Habatan. Pero hindi naman ho, kinausap ko na yung Chairman ng Board sa Sulu, ang akin, patataguin ko muna ang EO ng Pagundaran na para hindi sila maka-testigo ho. Na-explain na ho yung sa Camarines Norte. Tomorrow we will present official communication dun po sa Senate. Dun ho sa sinasabing wala hong laman yung ballot box. Na-receive ho nila lahat eh.
GMA: Oo, oo.
Gary: Tumawag ho kayo kanina ma’am?
GMA: Yeah, about that Lanao del Sur at Basilan.
Gary: Iaano ko na lang ho, nagusap na kami ni Abdullah dun sa kwan kanina. About this, iaano ko ho,
wag ho kayong masyadong mabahala. Anyway, we will take care of this. Kakausapin ko rin si Atty. Macalintal.
GMA: Oo. Tapos nun, si uhm… sa Calanguyan, meron daw silang teacher na nasa Witness Protection Program ng kabila.
Gary: Sino ho?
GMA: Yung kabila. May teacher daw silang hawak.
Gary: Wala naman ho, baka nanakot lang ho sila kasi.
GMA: Calanguyan, Tawi-tawi?
Gary: Calanguyan, Tawi-tawi? Wala naman ho tayong kwan
dun, wala naman ho tayong ginawa dun, sa Calanguyan. Talo nga tayo dun, talo nga si Nur dun.
GMA: Oo, oo.
Gary: Sige, aanuhin ko ho lahat ng yan.
Conversation between Gary and an unidentified man personality on 03 13:35 June ’04.
Gary: Hello.
Man: Padre, .____ yung mga bata ko ng _____ sa kompromiso ko sa’y o dyan, kung ibigay ko sa’yo, kung
anong konsiderasyon?
Gary: Oo.
Man: Pakisuyo lang pare, kung anong konsiderasyon ok lang ako ha.
Gary: Oo, oo…
Conversation between Gary and a male personality on 03 13:37 June ’04.
Gary: Hello.
Man (Barbers): Padre, yun daw sa Basilan wala nang nagbabantay pare. Pinabayaan na ng mga tao.
Yun na lang ang natitira eh, Basilan.
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Gary: May petition kasi for annulment dun.
Man (Barbers): Ah ganun.
Gary: Sumuko masyado.
Man (Barbers): Pwedeng ikarga mo naman 70,000 pare… (line cut)
Conversation between Gary and an unidentified male personality on 03 13:39 June ’04.
Man (Barbers): Padre, may pagasa pa ba tayo? Sa Basilan pala pwede pa eh. Tsaka sa Isabela.
Gary: Oo.
Man: Pero sitenta mil ang kailangan pare eh. 70,000 na lang kailangan, hati-hatiin mi na. Konti lang yun eh. Sige na pare, patotohanin mo na. Wala nang pag-asa yan. Kung ano mang konsiderasyon sabihin mo na lang sa akin. Pare, pakisuyo lang, pakitapos na lang para yun nalang alalahanin ko sa yo. Pero marami pang natitira, pwede pang dagdag eh ha?
Gary: O sige, sige…
Man: 70,000 lang ang kailangan pare.
Gary: Ok sige…
Conversation between Gary and an unidentified male personality on 03 15:16 June ’04.
Gary: Hello.
Man: Sir, Buy. Pwede ka mamaya?
Gary: Sige. Anong oras?
Man: Kayo, kahit late. Mga ten.
Gary: Mga ten? Ok sige, dito ako istambay sa Aloha mamaya eh.
Man: Aloha. Pasundo kita sa Aloha?
Gary: Oo, before 10.
Man: O sige, mga 9:30 nandun na bata.
Conversation between Gary and an unidentified female personality on 03 18:27 June ’04.
Woman: Hello sir.
Gary: Bakit hindi ka tumatawag?
Woman: Hindi. Wala akong number, nawala nga yung cellphone eh.
Gary: Nawala na naman?
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Woman:Oo nga eh, nanghihiram nga eh. Sino kaubay mo sir?
Gary: Si kwan, yung maputi ang buhok.
Woman: Kumusta naman sir… (line cut).
Conversation between Gary and Lyn on 03 18:30 June ’04.
Gary: Hello, ipa-alala mo kay Romy meron silang reward nyan pero wag maingay kahit na isang M ___ nya. Meron pa kasing is pa sana kung pupwede pero hindi ko lang alam meron silang ikwakwan, yung SMILE din ke kwan pa naman yan, sa kaibigan dyan sa tabi. Pero yung isa sigurado na yun, yung sinabi ko. Pagkatapos nung kwan, tatanungin ko pa yung isa.
Woman: Oho.
Gary: Pero unahin na nyan yung sinabi ko na. Sige, sige…
Conversation between Gary and an unidentified male personality on 03 19:03 June ’04.
Gary: Hello.
Man (Barbers): Padre, pagnakumpleto mo proclaim mo na kaagad, para tapos na.
Gary: Oo, naka-ready na ha.
Man: Oo sige, sige, sabihin mo lang sakin kung kelan ko dadalhin.
Gary: Ngayon, ngayon hanggang bukas kailangan mayari ito.
Man: O sige, basta sabihin mo lang kung magkano.
Gary: Magkano?…Sinasabi ko ngang isa pero kung kwan, dadagdagan natin baka may manghingi eh.
Man: Ok lang pare. Kelan ko dadalhin?
Gary: Malalaman ko na bukas ng umaga.
Man: Basta i-proclaim mo na, kung magkano sabihin mo nalang sa kin. Sige, ok.
Gary: Okay.
Conversation between Gary and an unidentified male personality on 03 21:20 June ’04.
Gary: Nasan ka?
Man: Papunta na ho dyan… (line cut).
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Conversation between Gary and a certain Paeng on 04 08:32 June ’04.
Paeng: Hello sir, kumusta na po kayo, sir?
Gary: Heto, maraming Gawain eh, maraming ina-ano eh.
Paeng: Tumawag kasi si Mike, to sum it up ini-refer nya yung case ni Daisy Dilangalen (?) …asawa…Pano daw natin i-delay yun ba.
Gary: Ewan ko. Tawagan mo sila Tuason at saka si Barcelona. Kasi katulad ng ginawa sa pa-transfer dito, hindi man ako pinapirma.
Paeng: Yun nga eh.
Gary: Medyo naiba nga ako dun kasi nandito ako sa opisina pagkatapos ako ang nilagay na OB.
Paeng: Actually, sir, inikot lang daw. Din na nga nalaman eh, kumbaga….
Gary: Oo alam ko, kasi nandito ako sa opisina eh. Pero bakit ako yung nilagay na OB sila yung wala sa opisina.
Paeng: Si Chairman daw nagtira nun eh.
Gary: Oo nga eh, sige lang. Pero tawagan niyo sila kasi mahirap din kung useless din ang move…(line
cut).
Conversation between Gary and an unidentified man on 04 12:05 hotel June ’04.
Gary: Hello.
Man (Barbers): Padre, ok?
Gary: Mag-ready ka.
Man (Barbers): Oo, anytime naman ready ako pare, basta sabihin mo lang na ayos na at ipadala ko.
Gary: Pare, papunta akong Baguio pero kung maari magpa-kwan ka ng, magkano ba ang iyong kaya, kahit magkano?
Man (Barbers): Pare kung anong sabihin mo .. Ikaw, kasi baka magbigay tayo ng mali, mahirap na…Gary: 1.5 to 2
Man (Barbers): O sige.
Gary: May tao dyan sa opisina ko, si Mrs. Peralta. Sya ang hahawak. Hindi naman ibibigay kung hindi makaka-deliver eh. Pero babalik din ako baka bukas ng hapin o tanghali.
Man (Barbers): Kanino ibibigay ang pera?
Gary: Kay Mrs. Ellen Peralta. Siya ang executive secretary ko.
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Man (Barbers): Padadala ko anong oras?
Gary: Tatawagan ko na siya ngayon kasi paalis na ako. Basta ready…
Man (Barbers): Paano ko papadala pare? Paano ko ipapadala manong?
Gary: Pwede mo ng ipadala ngayon para habang kwan.
Man (Barbers): Basta hanggang banding 6 o’clock nandun kasi ….
Gary: O ipadala mo na.
Man (Barbers): Magkano, 1.5?
Gary: Dos na lang, 1.5, dos.
Man (Barbers): Ikaw?
Gary: O, sige. Kung ano yung di magamit, di ibalik.
Man (Barbers): Ellen Peralta? (line cut).
Conversation between Gary and Mel on or about 05 13:32 hotel June ’04.
Gary: Hello, Mel.
Mel: Yes, yes speaking.
Gary: Ano, nasan na kayo?
Mel: Sir, sir, kumakain lang sa Max’s.
Gary: Ha, kumakain kayo sa max’s?
Mel: Sir yung anak ni Ed, papunta na sir, dala na yung congee nyo.
Gary: Sino?
Mel: Yung anak sir ni Ed na babae, tsaka yung manugang nya sir.
Gary: Akala ko bukas pa darating.
Mel: Hindi po sir, yung anak po sir ni Ed siya po ang bumili ng pagkain.
Gary: Akala ko bukas pa darating.
Mel: Andyan na sir.
Gary: Nagugutom na ako eh.
Mel: Andyan na sir.
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Conversation between Gary and a certain Boy on or about 05 13:41 hotel June’04
Boy: Hello, sir. Si Rashma Hali parang nandyan sa Maynila
Gary: Nasa Maynila? Naku delikado. Hindi ba natin makontak?
Boy: Naka-off ang cellphone.
Pinahanap ko sa ISAFP.
Gary: Ah ….delikado yan.
Boy: Oo nga, sabi ko sa ISAFP… (Visayan dialect) sa Zamboanga para may bargaining chip tayo dyan, eh damputin na natin yung pamilya din niya. Para din a siya makapagsalita. Kasi delikado yan eh.
Gary: Pero nagtrabaho ba talaga yan?
Boy: Nagtrabaho yan sir, Pero yung, yung ___ trabaho nila. Ang problema ang Catangan baka ang sabihin niyan na binaligtad ni Catangan sa itaas sa provincial level.
Gary: Maghanap ka lang yung well-meaning na kamag-anak nya. Wag mo munang pakikidnap yung pamilya. Soft touch muna na puwedeng maka-persuade sa kanya (line-cut)
Conversation between Gary and a certain Boy or about 05 17:01 hotel June ’04
Gary: Hello Boy, tawagan ka ni Gen. Lomibao ha. Siya (Visayan dialect followed) in Gen. Ebdane…concerned primero sa Languyan…Ipinadala kahapon pa.
Boy: Languyan o Tuburan?
Gary: Languyan. Primero Languyan hapun…
Boy: Languyan? Si Adnan?
(translated from the Visayan original)
Man: Wala naman silang sinasabing ganyan.
Gary: Meron. Kahapon pa.
Man: Ganoon ba?
Gary: Oo. Nasabihan ko na niyan si Mike.
Man: So, tatawag na lang siya sa akin mamaya, Sir?
Gary: Oo, tatawag siya sa iyo. Di niya alam na nasa iisang lugar lang kami. Akala niya siguro nasa Mindanao ako. Si Gen. Lumibao ba.
Man: Lumibao? Sa PNP?
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Gary: Oo, sa PNP. General siya.
Conversation between Gary and an unidentified woman on 06 09:54 June ’04
Gary: Hello, hindi ako pwede ngayon kasi nandito ako ngayon kasama ko Mrs. Ko.
Woman: Bukas Sir?
Gary: Tingnan ko lang, pero bibigyan kita.
Woman: Bukas? Di ba pwede si…
Gary: Romy?
Woman: Oo.
Gary: Eh, nasa Baguio.
Woman: Baguio? Sir, hingi ako ng load.
Gary: Mamaya na kasi andito ang wife ko.
Conversation between Gary and his wife on 06 10:45 June ‘04
(translated from the Visayan original)
Wife: Asan na kayo, di? Andito na kami sa Robinson’s.
Gary: Andito kami sa Handyman. Si Eddie, nagkita na kayo?
Wife: Oo, sumakay na kami.
Wife: Handyman? Ano, aakyat pa ba kami diyan o hindi na? Hintayin na lang ninyo kami sa Handyman.
Conversation between Gary and Atty. Estella on 06 12:03 hotel June ’04
Atty. Estella: Good morning Commissioner. Atty. Estella.
Gary: Nasaan ka?
Atty. Estella: Cotabato. Supposed to be magconvene kami kahapon….(Conversation in Visayan dialect followed). Pero Commissioner, ito nga ang problema ko, yung sa kay Ting ba. Kay Ting Magato (?). May kopya kasi dito, may pahabol si Barbers. Ang ginawa nila, itong Calidayag tsaka Columbio, gusto nilang magsubmit ng bagong COC at tsaka SOV para mahabol yung si Barbers.
Gary: Wala na.
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Atty. Estella: Hindi kako problema si Comm. Garcillano pero nakita ko kay Borra, iba kasi si Bora, walang isip itong kwan nya, baka imbes na kwan baka ipitin pa ako.
Gary: Wag na, anyway, nagtabot na me, nag-usap na kami.
Atty. Estella: Kasi kako, pag walang blessing ang commissioner.
Gary: Baka masira ka eh.
Atty: Oo.
Gary: O wala na?
Atty. Estella: Thank you, thank you.
Conversation between Gary and an unidentified man and Supt. Ampatua on 06 18:00 hrs. June ’04
Man: Comm. Afternoon. Naka Manila?
Gary: Nasa Manila.
Man: Pangasinan?
(translated from the Visayan original)
Man: Oo. Magkasama kami ngayon ni Ma’am, si Supt. Ampatua kasi hindi pa rin natuloy ang election dahil nang-harass ulit ang mga kalaban nila. Bale, failure of election tuloy. Eto si Ma’am o.
Supt. Ampatua: Good Afternoon. Nagkaproblema ako kasi at 4’0 clock dawn yesterday , binaril sila. Malaki, indiscriminate firing _:29 then kinabukasan while nga yung military dalhin nila yung mga paraphernalia sa bayan, hinarang sila doon saka pinutol yung mga kahoy, hindi na maidaan. So dumating ang mga balota sa polling place mga 1:30 . So wala ang mga COMELEC, wala. Naiwan sila sa Pualas, eh hindi sila pinatuloy, may dala akong police report. It’s a report stating all these things kaya gusto magpunta sayo bukas. Kasi with these things happening, there’s no use scheduling it again maybe.
Gary: I will not anyone.
Supt. Ampatua: I-proclaim na natin son-in-law ko, then the best thing to do really, we need only 33 votes. With that 33, we will be spending millions, money of the people of the republic.
Gary: But how many votes is he over the opponent?
Supt. Ampatua: Oo, 205 ang lead niya. Ang boto is only 270 so minus that lead nya, the remaining is only 65 considering na lahat mag-boto, kung 50 lang ,100 lang ang mag-boto, it’s no more needed.
Gary: O sige sige. Ako na ang kwan
Supt. Ampatua: What could have my money bought. We’ll go there ha, we’ll take the 1st flight hah. Matututwa na kami ditto, lalo na kami nina Pepito at Butch.
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Butch: Comm, ngayon pa lang kami dumating.
Gary: Sige lang, sige lang. Itutulad ko lang sa Nonong (?) ha, ipo-proclaim ko na. Kung hindi nila I-proclaim, bahala na.
Butch: O, sige.
Conversation between an unidentified woman believed to be PGMA and Gary on 06 1900 hours June ’04
GMA: Hello.
Gary:Evening po ma’am. Dumating
GMA: Ah dumating… dapat sigurado ang mga documents consistent sa Maguindanao.
Gary: Ah, hindi ninyo naman ho masyadong problema sa Maguindanao … Ano ho yung itinext kagabi na may mga fake precincts na ako daw ang mastermind. Pero ma’am ano ba naman. Hindi ko maintindihan what they are trying to drive at when 120 days befor e elections established na ang precincts.
GMA: Ah ok, ok. siguro ano, shot in the dark lang yun, but I’m just letting you know everything I find
out para we can always make the appropriate remedies.
Gary: Si General Lomibao nasa Zamboanga na. I have all the people around us talk to him so that they will be able to prevent who is going to work.
GMA: Ok. Ok. Ok. Thank you.
Conversation between Gary and believed to be Code 1 on 07 16:10 June ’04
Gary: Hello
Code 1: Hello, did you get my text about the Tipo-tipo?
Gary: Oho, oho Ma’am kwan ho, that’s what I’m being fearful about. Kung si Rashma Hali yun, that’s why we’re asking people to look for her so that we can control her.
Code 1: She’s probably already being held by them.
Gary: Ma’am?
Code 1: She’s being held by them already.
Gary: She is here, that’s why if it is possible we will ask her family to walk her out from Zamboanga.
Code 1: O sige, OK.
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Conversation between Gary and believed to be Code 1 on 07 19:17 June ’04
Code 1: Hello, ano nahanap ninyo?
Gary: Ma’am?
Code 1: Ano nahanap na ninyo iyong sa Tipo-tipo?
Gary: Tipo-tipo, hindi pa. Ang inaano nila ngayon… (line cut)
Conversation between Gary and a certain Ruben on 07 20:38 June ’04
Ruben: Hello Garci, si Ruben. Anong balita?
Gary: Eto, nag-aano kasi ako. ‘yung sa Tipo-tipo na tao, parang nasa kamay na nila. Pero wala namang damage sa atin. Pero kay Wahab. Kaya dapat si Wahab ang gumalaw niyan.
Ruben: Pero, mag-tetestify sya against the administration eh. Against the President!
Gary: How can he? Wala naman siyang ginawa kay Presidente.
Ruben: Eh hindi, di ba ang gagamiting mag-tetestify siguro iyong against the President regarding the bawas-dagdag na ginawa dun sa ano….
Gary: Wala naman tayong ginawa para kay Presidente dun sa kanya ah.
Ruben: Hindi, ‘yun ang pinepresent di ba? Yan ‘yung pinepresent ni Rufus Rodriguez pati yung kay Ibron?
Gary: Oo nga, pero wala naman. Kay Ibron, di nila makukuha si Ibron, wala na, din a nila makukuha.
Ruben: Si Ibron nga, hindi na nga dahil as of two days ago, naka-usap na nga raw eh.
Gary: Sinong nakausap?
Ruben: Si Ibron, naka-usap na ng military.
Gary: Sabihin mo dyan sa military na ‘yan, wag silang masyadong makiki-alam, kasi sinampal pala si Libron eh, akin yang tao nay an eh, taga Batangas yah eh.
Ruben: Ah ganun ba?
Gary: Oo, wag namang ganun. Bago nila gawin yun nung primero, sinampal pa kasi eh, kaya mangiyak-ngiyak yung tao eh. Kaya kahit pakainin mo ng bala yun, di na magpapakita. Ngayon, itong si Rashma Hali, wala naman masasabi against kay Ma’am eh, kahit anong sabihin nila because she has not done anything except kay Wahab Akbar. Kaya dapat si Wahab ang mawarningan.
Ruben: Pero, ano ba pare yung pinakikitang ano ni Rufus na ano….?
Gary: ah, pabayaan mo siya but it does not have anything to do with the President.
Ruben: Ibig mong sabihin yung pinakikitang dinagdagan daw yung boto ni Presidente eh….
37
Gary: Hindi naman nila matetestiguhan kung hindi sa kanyang munisipyo.
Ruben: Yung Tipo-tipo dib a?
Gary: Oo nga, pero ang problema niyan, wala naman kay Presidente dyan.
Ruben: Hindi bay un ang pinepresenta ni Rufus na dinagdagan?
Gary: Yung pinapakita ni Rufus, tingnan natin sa Provincial Canvass, kasi wala naman magagawa yan dun sa kanyang munisipyo. Bahala siya, kay nga ina-ano ko si ?Wahab, pina-aano ko kay Wahab ngayon, dapat si Presidente ma-kwan niya kay Wahab para si Wahab ang kumuha ng tao nay an kung hindi, ipakukuha ko ang pamilya niyan.
Ruben: Uh-hum.
Gary: Yun na ang last resort, pakukuha ko ang pamilya nyan.
Ruben: Yun na lang ang dapat gawin dun.
Gary: Oo, pero dapat malaman ni Wahab na si Wahab, kasi ang more damage will be against that Wahab Akbhar, not the President.
Ruben: Bakit, naapektuhan ba yung boto ni Wahab?
Gary: Siya lang talaga ang ano malaking naka-pabor. Kaya kung maaari papuntahin ko dito yung supervisor, patago ko rin dito sa kin. Because, I want to clean out kung alin yung mga by municipality results.
Ruben: Hindi iyon ang nagkakaproblema dahil si Wahab ang nagpatrabaho nyan eh.
Gary: Eh ang problema niyang si Wahab, gumalwa si Wahab nung huli na.
Ruben: Huli na nga eh. Akinse na nung gumalaw si Wahab eh.
Gary: Alam mo si Wahab was working for FPJ actually.
Ruben: Oo, nung una.
Gary: Nung nalaman niyang matatalo si FPJ, saka bumaligtad.
Ruben: Sinabi mo, totoo talaga.
Gary: Yung mga tao namin diyan, eh galit na galit sa kanya eh. Kaya ito, kung anuman basta malalaman hanggang umaga, ng maagang-maaga kung ano talaga ang score doon so I can tell them to get her families kung halimbawa. Sabagay medyo matindi na ito kasi andun si Lomibao, andun naman si… ewan ko kung sino pang nandun, may isang colonel na nandun. Kung kailangang kunin, di kunin na ang pamillya nya. Lokohan na rin lang eh, di kwan, Pero yang Rufus nay an, wala namang alam yan.
Ruben: Kaya nga, kaya nga.
Gary: Ewan ko lang kung pupunta pa uli yun, pakidnap ko na lang siya.
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Ruben: Hindi naman pumupunta, pero ang balita nandirito sa Parañaque.
Gary: Nandito na yung ano….? Ruben: Nandito na sa Parañaque nun pang Saturday.
Gary: O sige. Basta’t we’ll ask somebody to look for her and then get her family, kung pwede.
Ruben: Tanong ko lang pare, papaano ‘yung ano natin, sa party-list?
Gary: Hindi ko pa maa-ano kasi hanggang ngayon wala pang usapan ang mga tao tungkol diyan. Tatawagan kita bukas ng tanghali kung anuman.
Ruben: O sige.
Gary: Ano yun? Ano?
Ruben: Yung TUCP at saka ANAD.
Gary: Ay! Wag mo nang dagdagan, mahihirapan tayo niyan.
Ruben: Hindi mas maganda kung lahat ng magkakatabi na yan eh.
Gary: Hindi kasi nag-proclaim na kami. Ang alam ng mag Commissioner and the other people there, mahirap ng kumuha tayo, yung mga malapit, yung hindi na mahahalata kasi….
Ruben: Pero malapit yan ha kesa sa “SMILE”
Gary: Kaya nga bahala na pero ang kasi, pag sabay-sabay na. Sinong pagagawin mo nyan eh itong mga bata hindi na pepwedeng gumalaw eh. Titingnan ko bukas kung anuman.
Ruben: Sige, gaqan mo ko hah.
Gary: Oo.
Conversation between Gary and an unidentified male personality on 07 20:40 June ’04
Man: Hello sir, good evening ho. Sir yung tungkol sa party-list
Gary: Anong party-list yan?
Man: Yun pong VFG?
Gary: Veterans, ano yun?
Man: Veterans’ Freedom Party? Dib a meron silang nakalusot na isa. Baka yung isa pwede pa nating ihabol.
Gary: Ah, hindi pwede na, kasi pag-proclaim diyan meron na kasi number of votes na nilagay naming eh.Mahirap na. Pero may nakalusot na isa. Oo, nagproclaim na kami nung isang araw ng beinte-tres.
Man: Oho, eh mukhang meron pang isang namumurong isa, hindi na pwede yun?
Gary: Ang hirap, kasi nung prinoclaim namin, nakalagay na yung number of votes sa kanila eh. Alam ko yun, nakalusot yun.
39
Man: Yung isa, malabo?
Gary: Hindi eh, hindi naman pwedeng ganun, kasi magkakahalata na yan. Mahirap na. Mahirap kasi, nagkaroon na ng proclamation ang isa sa kanila na nilagay doon, isa lang ang
qualified sa kanila.
Man: Ah isa lang ho talaga? Hindi ba pwedeng maging dalawa dahil ang boto nila medyo malaki naman yata.
Gary: Hindi. Tingnan ko yan pero kwan eh, hindi magkakaroon ng ganyan dahil halimawa, may desisyon mamaya na kung may sobrang 1 point something, baka sakali pero titingnan natin.
Man: Boss, baka pwede nating tulungan.
Gary: Oo, oo ok sige.
Conversation between Gary and an unidentified woman on 08 10:54 hotel June ’04 (translated from the Visayan original)
Gary: Hello, o….
Woman: Sir.
Gary: Pwede ngayon?
Woman: Anong oras?
Gary: Ikaw, ngayon?
Woman: Ngayong tanghali?
Gary: Hindi. Ngaon na.
Woman: Hindi, sir, kasi may practice po ako.
Gary: Sa?
Woman: Sa PBSP (?). Ngayon lang. Sandali lang naman ito.
Gary: Anong oras?
Woman: Mga alas dos, pwede na?
Gary: Ha?
Woman: Malapit lang naman.
Gary: Doon ka naming dadaanan?
40
Woman: San, sa Starbucks?
Gary: Hindi, yung sa PNB.
Woman: PNB?
Gary: Ah, sa Starbucks. O, sige.
Woman: Sa Starbucks ha.
Gary: Two?
Woman: oo, mga two.
Gary: Ok.
Woman: Sige, sige, sir.
Conversation between Gary and an unidentified man on 08 11:05 hotel June ’04
Man: Hello pare, andito kami pero 11:30 pa magbubukas ‘tong Japanese restaurant.
Gary: OK.
Conversation between Gary and an unidentified man on 08 12:02 hotel June ’04
Man: Commissioner. Pwede na? Si Atty. Pala (?)
Atty. Pala: ‘Tong grupo ni (garbled) kwan ba, ____ sa ‘kin tong papasukin tong Talaytay para lang
matulungan na si Barbers eh. Kako depende sa komisyon….
Gary: Useless na rin eh, papaano n’yo gagawin yun?
Atty. Pala: Parang kinukwan nila ako (garbled)
Gary: Useless na rin. Ano bang ibig nilang mangyari na hindi naman pwede na.
Atty. Pala: Yung nga sabi nila raw mag-file ng petition para pagkatapos daw the Commission will issue a resolution for the nullification, annulment of the proclamation…..
Gary: No, that’s already … pag na-proclaim na, wala na eh.
Atty. Pala: Yun nga mahirap kako yan.
Gary: Hindi bahala na kayo pero hindi pwede yan, yang ginagawa nila. Uselss na yan eh.
Atty. Pala: Yun, tsaka tatawag bigla ito kasi na-proclaim na pagkatapos na-canvass na itong Talaytay…. (line cut)
41
Conversation between Gary and an unidentified man on 08 12:07 hotel June ’04
Gary: Hello, nandito na kami, nasa Buendia. Matraffic kasi sa banda meron eh. Nasan kayo?
Man: Nandito sa Japanese restaurant.
Conversation between Gary, Gracre and Rolly on 08 12:27 hotel June ’04
Grace: Hello, di, nakita na mo?
Gary: Andito, kausapin mo si Rolly o.
Grace: Hello Rol, nandito kami sa Greenhills eh.
Rolly: Hindi ka na lang sama magdinner sa amin?
Grace: Hindi na kasi may mga binibili kamor/ mamimili kami eh. Ok lang kayo dyan?
Rolly: o, OK ns. Kausapin mo si Gil?
Grace: Hindi na,. Hindi na.
Conversation between Gary and an unidentified man on 08 12:33 hotel June ’04
Gary: Hello.
Man: Padre, meron palang opisyal sa Mindanao na nagsasalita na dun sa Annabelle na may dayaan daw.
Gary: Pabayaan mo, yung isa sa Tipo-tipo, isang muslim na babae. Pero hindi naman masisira si
Ma’am dun. Si Wahab ang masisira. Antayin mo na lang yung sa atin ha.
Man: Salamat pare ha, ayos na ba?
Gary: Siguro. Nakaka-ano na ako (garbled)
Man: Salamat, pare ha…
Conversation between Gary and an unidentified man on 08 12:40 hotel June ’04
Man: Hello Sir, good afternoon Sir, kumusta ka na? Sir, ngayon ko lang nakita yung telepono mong bago. Matagal na akong tumatawag. Hindi lang ako makatawag eh.
Gary: San ka ngayon?
Man: Andito kami ngayon sa airport. Dumating lang ako ngayon.
Gary: Pano mo nakuha yung telepono ko?
Man: Alam mo yan…Yung bata mo magaling din naming nag-aantay eh. Sir, may hearing kami bukas eh.
Gary: Anong division?
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Man: First division.
Gary: Yung sa amin di ko alam.
Man: Sa’yo? Ikaw na ang bahala Sir.
Gary: Di ba nag-issue kayo na hindi na sinunod. Na not to proclaim?
Man: Nagproclaim din si De Mesa? So nanalo kami, nagfile kami ng petition to annul proclamation. Kelan ako pupunta sa inyo Sir?
Gary: Di bukas.
Man: Bukas? Saan ako pupunta Sir?
Gary: Sa susunod na lang, andyan din sila Loong (?) bukas eh.
Man: San ako pupunta Sir?
Gary: Sa opisina, wag sa opisina, makikita ha eh. Di ko pa alam. Magtawag ka na lang muna.
Man: Tawag muna ako? 10 o’clock bukas sir ang hearing? Mas maaga sir?
Gary: Ok.
Man: Ok sir, ingat sir.
Conversation between Gary and Gene on 08 13:25 hotel June ’04
Gene: Boss, nakatanggap ako ng certificartion ngayon ditto galing sa mga bata natin sa Lanao, nag failure na naman pala dahil kay Butani. Putang-ina, sino ba yang Butani, bakit…?
Gary: Yun ang pina-alis ko.
Gene: Oo nga, bat andudoon na naman, papaano ‘to?
Gary: Oo nga, bumalik na naman. Kaya nga ayaw makialam ni First Gentleman dyan. Pinasabi han ko nga kay Ruben Reyes na paalisin na nyo yan.
Gene: Putang-ina, tarantado talaga to.
Gary: Oo, pinaalis ko yan eh. Pero after three days after elections, bumalik man dyan. And nag…dyan si Col. Tereno thru Gen. Teron at tsaka si Gen. Quiamco.
Gene: Eh ano ba gagawin ko, gagawan ko ng memo o ipapareschedule, papano, gagawa ako ng memo sa inyo?
Gary: Ipa-reschedule natin.
Gene: Gagawa ako ng ano ha.
Gary: Oo para sa commission en banc
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Gene: Ano nangyari sa inyo. O sige, nasa meeting ka yata eh.
OK, sige ok.
Gary: Mamayang hapon nandiyan ako…
Gene: Yung bestfriend mo bumabanat na naman, putang-ina talaga itong si Pimentel.
Gary: Bakit, bakit?
Gene: Hindi ka ba nanonood ng TV?
Gary: Hindi ako nanonood.
Gene: Putang-ina binabakbakan si Betty Pisaña (?).
Gary: Oo nga, anak ng jueteng naman, wala ng kakwenta-kwenta yan.
Gene: Sinabi na nga na clerical error, putang-ina talagang matanda ito. 16 votes lang.
Gary: Ibigay mo na lang sa kanya.
Gene: O sige, Ok. Ok.
Conversation between Gary and an unidentified woman on 08 13:54 hotel June ’04
Gary: Hello, nasan ka? (conversation in Visayan dialect followed)
Woman: Quiapo na…
Gary: Alam mo nab a ang cellphone ni Romy?
Woman: Wala, i-text na lang.
Gary: Di ko laam din. Teka, ibigay ko na sa kanya.
Woman: O sige, sige.
Conversation between Gary and Grace on 08 10:55 hotel June ’04 (translated from the Visayan original)
Gary: Hello, My, nasan ka?
Grace: Andito kami sa Greenhills. We will go home soon. Why?
Gary: Sige, sige lang. Andito pa kasi ako sa Greenhills. Okay lang kung mamimili pa kayo.
Grace: Huwag kang uminon.
Gary: Ay hindi naman.
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Grace: Tanghali kasi. Katulad kahapon uminom kayo ng tanghali, hindi maganda.
Gary: O, sige lang. Ok.
Grace: Nasaan ka?
Gary: Andito pa kami ni Lynn.
Grace: Sa office o sa____?
Gary: ____. Oo.
Grace: Balik ka sa office uy.
Gary: Mamaya na.
Grace: Kumusta ang inyong pag-uusap?
Gary: Pk. May mga kinakausap pa kaming mga election officer.
Grace: Ok lang ba?
Gary: Ok, ok. Sige. Bye.
Conversation between Gary and an unidentified man on 08 14:11 hotel June ’04
Gary: Paki-kwan nga cellphone ni Romy.
Man: 09195094792
Conversation between Gary and an unidentified man on 08 14:13 hotel June ’04
Man: Hello.
Gary: Hello, My, nasan ka na?
Man: Dito pa rin sa Pedro Gil.
Gary: O sige wala pa man, di pa man tumatawag. Basta sabihin mo na lang may pinakukuha ko sa’yo kasi may kukunin ako dyan sa bag para kausapin ko yung kamo ng Sultan Kudarat.
Man: Opo.
Conversation between Gary and an unidentified woman on 08 14:31 hotel June ’04 (translated from the Visayan original)
Gary: Hello, asan ka na?
Woman: (garbled) taxi papunta Starbucks, di ba, sa Bayview?
Gary: Asan ka ba talaga ngayon?
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Woman: Paalis na ako ngayon.
Gary: Kelan ka pa aalis?
Woman: Pasakay na ako ng taxi. Andito na ako sa Quiapo.
Gary: Kanina ka pang Quiapo.
Woman: Eh kasi galling pa ako nga sa practice namin.
Gary: O sige, sige. Dalian mo at delayed na ako.
Conversation between Gary and Mike on 08 14:33 hotel June ’04
Gary: Hello, Mike.
Mike: Hello Boss, boss. Tulungan mo sana na yung loyal sa atin, si Bobby.
Gary: Bobby?
Mike: Oo, Barbers.
Gary: Papano pag kayo-kayo dyan?
Mike: Nag-file ng parang annulment or something. Tingnan mo kung matutulungan mo.
Gary: O sige basta kwan talaga namang ating inaano si Bobby eh. Siya naman talaga ang atin eh.
Mike: Oo, siya talaga ang atin. Tulungan mo sana.
Gary: OK. Sige.
Mike: Thank you. God bless.
Conversation between Gary and Carlos on 08 14:33 hotel June ’04
Gary: Carlos, nasan ka na?
Carlos: Babalik na po ako, dito na po ako sa may malapit sa DPWH.
Gary: Medyo mag istambay ka na dyan sa video. Sa starbucks may makukuha _____.Tawag-tawagin mo
sya.
Carlos: Opo Sir.
Conversation between Gary and an unidentified woman on 08 14:38 hotel June ’04
(translated from the Visayan original)
Gary: Nagkita na kayo?
Woman: Wala. Malapit na ako. Sinabihan ko na siya. Pinapunta ko na diyan.
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Gary: Andiyan si Romy?
Woman: Wala pa siay. Tatawag lang daw.
Conversation between Gary and an unidentified on 08 14:44 hotel June ’04 (translated from the Ilocano original)
Man: Gil, pwede tayo magkape?
Gary: Anong oras?
Man: Ikaw…andito pa lang ako sa Callocan. San malapit sa’yo na di masyado…
Gary: Anong oras?
Man: Ikaw…
Gary: Mga 5?
Man: Basta kung anong oras na libre ka.
Gary: 5 na.
Man: San?
Gary: Hyatt.
Man: Hyatt sa Roxas Blvd.? Maraming kaibigan dun, maraming taga-Mindanao dun.
Gary: Oo. Marami dun.
Man: Andun sila Jamil eh.
Gary: Ganun? Di ko naman sila nakita dun.
Man: Kasi katatapos ang election, umuwi sila. Dun sila nakatira kasi dun sila naglalaro ng sugal. Manila hotel na lang? mas malapit sa’yo?
Gary: Oo. 5?
Man: 5.
Gary: ok, ok.
Conversation between Gary and Carlos 08 14:55 hotel June ’04
Gary: Hello, asan ka na?
Carlos: Andito lang Sir sa Army Navy. Hinihintay ko. Hindi pa raw siya dumating sa Starbucks. Malapit na raw siya.
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Gary: Ay sus, kanina pa. sige.
Conversation between Gary and an unidentified woman on 08 14:56 hotel June ’04 (translated from the Visayan original)
Gary: Boulevard na. Anong boulevard?
Woman: Dito sa Roxad Blvd. Nag-text na ako. Andun na si kuya.
Gary: Sus. Alam mo naming hindi pwdeng maatraso sa oras.
Woman: Oo nga sir. Sorry sir kasi galling pa ako sa practice. Nagmamadali nga ako. O sige, sir ha.
Gary: Sige.
Conversation between Gary and an unidentified woman on 08 15:05 hotel June ’04
W: Galing pa ako ng Pasig
Gary: Kaninan sa Quiapo ka na…
W: Hindi nga, papunta na ako diyan, naglalakad
G: Naglakad ka lang?
W: Ang sakit pa naman ng ulo ko.
Conversation between Gary and an unidentified man on 08 15:33 hotel June ’04
Gary: Hello.
Man: Comm, tinawagan ako ni Chair dahil napanood yata siComm. Rex tungkol ba kay Barbers, di ba. May annulment kasi na fi-nile si Barbers. Tapos, di binabasa ko kasi tong petisyon niya, ang sabi niya ang canvass votes sa South Upi Maguindanao 7,000 votes, sa Talitay 6,000 votes, sa Columbio 4,000. Di ba mga tapos na to?
Gary: Hindi yata napasama.
Man: Patay kang bata ka . Hindi napasam? Eh papano to? Eh di talagang yari tayo rito.
Gary: Eh siguro.
Man: Naku po. Patay tayo. Akala ko tapos na to. Di ba ang South Upi it yung may double proclamation? Pati yung Talitay.
Gary: Sa Talitay meron pa.
Man: 6,000 daw eh, ayan o, nakalagay sa ano nya eh. Sabihin ko nalang kay bosing na talagang di nakasama?
Gary: Oo
Man: Ok boss
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Conversation between Gary and Samuel on 08 15:56 hotel June 04
Gary: Hello
Samuel: Hello Sir, anong oras Sir ako pupunta sayo? San tayo magkikita Sir?
Gary: Eh meron akong kausap sa Manila Hotel ngayong alas-singko.
Samuel: San tayo magkita?
Gary: Sa coffee shop lang.
Samuel: Hindi ba pwede sa ibang hotel Sir?
Gary: Hindi na.
Samuel: Ok lang pumasok ako ron?
Gary: Kilala mo siguro, Judge Diyo(?)
Samuel: So, ok lang na makipagusap ako sayo sandali ha. Pupuntahan ko alas-singko. Sige Sir.
Gary: Oo.
Conversation between Gary and Abdullah on 08 17:28 hotel June ‘04
Abdullah: Commissioner si Abdullah ni. Pwede ba tayo magbreakfast sa Makati Shangrila, pwede?
Gary: Dito na lang sa may Roxas.
Abdullah: Sa may Hyatt?
Gary: Pwede. Anong oras? Mga 7?
Abdullah: Mga 7 pwede.
Gary: Pwede.
Conversation between Gary and GMA on 08 17:51 hotel June ’04
GMA: Hello Garci? Anong gagawin natin dun sa NAMFREL presscon, yung NAMFREL Lanao del Sur.
Gary: Inaano ko. Meron na ho akong kopya ng ifinax ni Nobong, yung kay Dalidig. But, that is not true because I have already here my staff whom I assigned in Lanao Sur. Pagkatapos ho si Rex Polipao (?) the supervisor is coming and we will also try to make him say something after this. Pagsasalitahin ko sila ho without letting the people know that I am the one who will address it ho. Ganun lang po Ma’am.
GMA: Ok, ok.
49
Conversation between Grace and Lyn on 08 17:55 hotel June ’04
Grace: Hello, Lyn…ano niluto mo?
Conversation between Gary and an unidentified male on 08 20:45 hotel June ’04
Gary: Si ano?
Man: Cebu? Yung sa Governor?
Gary: Ewan ko kung kaylan aarya.
Man: Pare kung anong konsiderasyon pare ha, pakideclare si Garcia ha, tinanggal siya eh.
Gary: Oo syempre, pinagusapan natin yun eh.
Man: Basta’t may sinabi naman nya kung ano raw ang konting pang for disposal na, basta.
Gary: O sige lang, ok lang oo.
Conversation between Gary and Abdullah on 09 06:39 hotel June ’04
Abdullah: Commissioner, Abdullah ni. San ba tayo pwede mag-breakfast? Pwede sa Balay o sa Makati? Shangri-La pwede?
Gary: Malayo …. Dito na lang sa Roxas.
Abdullah: Sa ROxas? Basta sa Hyatt no? Ikaw anong oras pwedeng magkita?
Gary: Mga 7
Abdullah: Ok.
Continuation of the conversation on 06:39 hotel June’04
Gary: Hello, nandito na ko.
Abdullah: Dito sa 9th floor, Rm.923. when you get out of the elevator turn left.
Conversation between Gary and an unidentified woman on 09 13:55 hotel June ’04
(translated from the Visayan original)
Woman: Sir, good afternoon ‘dong. May balita na kayo?
Gary: Aha.
Woman: Ang hearing, ngayong 15?
Gary: Anong division yan?
Woman: Ha?
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Gary: Anong division daw?
Woman: 2 nd division.
Gary: Sa kabila yan. Sige lang, tingnan ko. Sa kabila kasi yan.
Woman: Dong, please help us.
Gary: Oo.
Woman: Kung ano man ang magagawa mo.
Gary: Oo. Bast makipagusap ako sa kanila.
Woman: Pupunta naman diyan si kumpare.
Gary: Sige lang. Okay lang.
Woman: Si Pareng____.
Gary: Sige lang. Ang kakausapin ko ang member ng 2 nd division. Tingnan ko na lang sa hearing nila. Sige
lang.
Woman: Please dong.
Gary: O sige.
Woman: Bye.
Conversation between Gary and Cheng on 09 17:00 hotel June ’04
Gary: Hello.
Cheng: Hello, good afternoon bay, si Cheng po ito. Ituloy na natin yun sir?
Gary: Oo, sige!
Cheng: Ituloy natin lahat, lahat.
Linisin ko lahat?
Gary: Oo. Kelangan linisin nyo lahat. Kasi minsan bahala na kung anong mangyari. Kasi parallel move to eh. Dito sa Commission, we try to find out knug makakalusot, di ready na tayo lahat.
Cheng: Oo sir, ang problema ko dun sa ER. Nasumbit na yung sa statistic record.
Gary: We will not resort to that.
Cheng: Ah, di na pala.
Gary: Papalitan, then papakuha natin.
Cheng: Ah ganon, o sige sir, di magfi-file na ko ng ER.
Gary: O sige.
Cheng: Salamat po.
51
Conversation between Gary and Lyn on or about 09 17:30 hotel June ’04
Gary: Hello Lyn, paki-check nga dun sa cabinet na pinaglagyan ko ng kwarta kung nandun yung susi.
Tapos itawag mo sa kin ha.
Lyn: Oo sir.
Conversation between Gary and Sen. Barbers on or about 09 21:26 hotel June ’04
Gary: Hello.
Barbers: Hello Commissioner good evening. Si Pinong, nagsara na kami ng usapan ni Fortunato Tunong. Ngayon sabi kaninang hapon nag-usap kami, kausapin mo si Commissioner Garcilliano. ‘Kako hindi ko nga kilala pero meron akong kamg-anak na kaibigan nya. ‘Yun ang sabi ko, hindi ko sinabi na magkakilala tayo. Ngayong gabi, nagtawagan kami. Kako nakausap ko na tutulong daw siya…. (line cut)
Conversation between Gary and Congressman Espina on 09 13:30 hotel June ’04
Woman: Hello good afternoon, si Commissioner? Sir, pwede daw kayong kakausapin daw po kayo no Cong. Espina?
Gary: Oo.
Cong. Espina: Commissioner.
Gary: Kalimutan mo na? Ako, yung tao ni Chairman Perez.
Cong. Espina: Alam ko, alam ko.
Gary: Tinitingnan kita kahapon sa session eh.
Cong. Espina: Nadoon ka ba kahapon?
Gary: Wala, sa TV lang.
Cong. Espina: Tumawag ako dahil yung aking isang tao sa Mayor mukhang kinawawa na naman eh.
Gary: Yung Mayor. Vice-Mayor?
Cong. Espina: Sa Contaba.
Gary: Oo, nasa akin yung papel niya pero hindi yata sa akin nakaassign.
Cong. Espina: Kanino kaya? Nasa first division eh.
52
Gary: Oo nga, nasa aming tatlo nila Javier, Borra. Pero titingnan ko.
Cong. Espina: Tingnan mo nga kasi, mahirap kasi nung araw, pinatakbo kong Vice-Mayor yan. He was just not even the municipal agriculturist pero palibhasa’y mabait….
Gary: Ako nama ang nag-remind sa kanila na kilala kita I will see nga.
Cong. Espina: Dahil yung kwento niya, mukhang kinawawa eh.
Gary: O sige lang.
Cong. Espina: O sige, magtawagan tayo.
Conversation between Gary and GMA on 10 13:40 June ’04
GMA: Hello Garci? Ano, nagkausap na kayo ni Abalos?
Gary: Oo Ma’am. Mamamasyal muna daw ako sa Mindanao. Kaya nga kung ano hong problema, tawagan nyo na lang ako.
GMA: May problema sa South Upi. Pero lokal. Kasi iba-iba raw ang pinroclaim ng Comelec dun.
Gary: Sino ba ang atin dun?
GMA: Naku ang importante, hindi madamay yung sa taas.
Gary: Hindi ho ako ang may hawak nun.
GMA: Kasi ang issue doon sabi ng (garbled) Dadalhin daw sa kanila yung recount pero sabi ni Echeverri
dapat doon na lang sa munisipyo.
Gary: Dun na lang ho.
GMA: Oo.
Gary: Ok na ho yun. Ako hong may hawak nyan.
GMA: So hindi maaapektuhan sa taas ha. Kasi sabi nga nila eh kung maging exclusive eh, sabi nga nila si Fernando Poe Jr eh gumagapang na naman doon eh.
Gary: Ah hindi ho nasa akin ho yan.
GMA: Ok, Ok.
Conversation between Gary and a certain GTR on 11 13:04 June ’04
GTR: Comm hinanap mo ko?
Gary: Akala ko kasi yung kaso sa Cotabato.
GTR: Yung kagabi, itinawag sa akin kahapon? Ibibigay ko kay Tuason, di ba sabi mo? Ngayon na, padadala ko na ngayon.
53
Gary: Wala namang magagawa diyan (garbled)
GTR: Comm., Comm., choppy ka eh, di kita maintindihan.
Gary: Hindi ako makakapirma eh.
GTR: Oho, bale nasa en banc pa lang ngayon. Ano ba to? En banc ba to?
Gary: M.R. I think that an en banc.
GTR: Oo nga, tapos en banc na siya ngayon. Sabi mo i-raffle ko kay Tuason.
Gary: Oo.
GTR: O sige, ngayon na, ipapadala ko na. Tapos Comm….. (line cut)
Conversation between Gary and Ted on 20 12:08 hotel June ’04
Gary: Hello Ted
Ted: Hello Sir, good morning. Yung kay…. si Lala hindi pa siya maguwi ng Cotabato?
Gary: Hindi pa.
Ted: Hindi kaya madelay nayan bay?
Gary: Ang alin?
Ted: Yung kay Barbers?
Gary: Hindi siguro, pero ok naman yun kasi kwan. Pero titingnan natin kung ano ang maku-kwan natin. Pero titingnan ko rin kung kelan sya babalik dyan.
Ted: May pag-asa pa bay yun? Yung kay Chairman?
Gary: Yung kay Chairman ang ina-ano nila eh. Nag-usap sila kahapon. Titingnan ko rin.
Ted: I see
Gary: Malalaman mo bukas o mamayang gabi
Ted: Mamayang gabi para… malagay sa alanganin ba.
Gary: O sige
Ted: Salamat bay, OK
54
Conversation between Gary and Tony on 12 10:03 hotel June ’04
Gary: Hello Tony, si Commisioner Gil Garcillano.
Tony: Oo Garci.
Gary: Yung sinasabi na ako daw nga nagsabi dun na 33 (?) million ang naspend ni Presidente. Interview lang sa akin kahapon.. Yung sabi ko the president should file a separate statement of expenses because there is a treasurer. Bakit naman sinasabi na ako ang nagsabi that she spent the most amount.
Tony: No, no, no The problem is like this noh, Gar. Ah according to news report…(line cut).
Gary: Hello. Ah tawagan kita kasi ako nga ang nag-quote dun sa newspaper issue about nung filing ni President.
Tony: Eh siyempre kasi ikaw ang commissioner eh.
Gary: Oo nga, pero hindi ko man sinasabi yung mga amount ganun, pero sabi sa kin ni Tony Vilar, dati naman daw na sya ang nagpafile for the party and tsaka ang kandidato
Tony: Ganun, hindi eh. Hindi lang siguro napansin yun.
Gary: Hindi eh. Pero ikaw din ang nag receive eh. Inano nya yung finale nung 1998.1992, ikaw din daw nagreceive eh.
Tony: Hindi, meron kaming ano.. pero hindi eh. Nung 1992 klarongklaro, ngayun kwan kasi…
Gary: 98 binasa niya sa kin.
Tony: Hindi lang siguro na-ano yan. Kasi diba nung 1998, wala ng nagintindi dahil landslide si kwan, Joseph. Pero yung kay Joe de Venecia, sya mismo. Yung kay Ramos, sya din. Kina Salonga…
Gary: Pero meron syang ifinile, binasa sakin eh.
Tony: Alam mo kasi yung fi-nile nila, para sa party. Hindi candidates of the party. Yung ginastos ng mga party sa mga kandidato nila eh. So hindi lang naman yung ginastos niPresidente, yung ginastos ng party eh. Ang magiging number 1 na issue dyan yung assumption ng officer eh. Maliwanag naman sa law eh. Every candidate or treasurer of the political party, ang then requirement sa Law, the political party leading candidate and every candidate shall file an itemized statement of contribution and expenditures requirement yun sa law at may provision doon na you cannot assume the responsibility of the office unless you file a statement of contribution and expenditures. So baka magiging issue pa yan kung sinabi nila na yung finile ng K4 at kwan.
Gary: Yun nga eh, nalaman na ng iba, baka sabihin e i-demand na mag file sya eh, baka kelangan… Si Manolo at si Dante hindi naman daw nag-prepare nyan eh. Dib a ni Manolo nag file sayo?
55
Tony: Oo, Si Manolo at si Dante, sila ang nag-file.
Gary: Silang dalawa? Eh paki-kwan na lang sa kanila, i-explain mo sa kanila kasi baka ma issue na naman yan eh.
Tony: Sigurado. Eh ang ano naman eh …. kasi kung ano mangyari nyan eh…
Gary: Oo, that’s kwan …
Tony: Kasi hindi imaging issue yung pag-assume. Kasi she cannot ah, any winning candidate cannot assume without filing the necessary statement.
Gary: Yun nga, sabihin mo kina Manolo. Pati na si Dante. Kasi ini-insist ni Vilar na ganun din daw ang fi-nile 1998
Tony: Pero sabihin mo, kaya namin sinasabi ito eh, problema ninyo ito. Mamaya eh naging ano yan eh issue yan eh
Gary: Kaya eh … kasi an nagreceive kay Dante at Gorospe, eh tawagan mo sila.
Tony: As far as they are concerned kasi, hindi compliance yun. Kami ang tatanungin.
Gary: Aki rin, ako rin I am with you. Ang problema nyan, we are claiming na, Vilar is claiming that he has been doing that…
Tony: Pero kung sakali hindi napansin yun nung nakaraan, this time mahirap yan kasi she is a winning candidate eh. Magiging issue yan eh. Ang dapat sabihin mo sa kanila, alam mo wag kayo gumawa ng istorya, kayo ang kawawa dyan eh, hindi kami.
Gary: Oo nga, pero dapat sabihin mo na sa kanila kasi… eh baka sinasabi ko sayo, ikaw rin daw ang nag-receive nung…
Tony:Alam mo kasi receiving lang yan eh.
Gary: …later on any move that call their attention at the time.
Tony: Oo, wala pa noon. Hindi inaano yan eh. Ngayon baka mamaya matawag na pansin kasi
nalaman ng iba, di ba?
Gary: Ako, nakasabi rin ako dun pagtawag mo, sinabihan ko si Ma’am …Aywan ko kung ano, kung anong gagawin nila.
Tony: Oo sige
Gary: Pero kwan mo si Dante at si Gorospe.
Tony: Hindi compliance yun eh
56
Gary: Kaya nga pakisabi mo sa kanila. Para hindi siya ma-ano. Ako ang kino-quote na ako nagsabi dun sa amount pero sa pagsabi ko na separate sama kay presidente, nagsabi talaga ako dun. Pero yung sa interview mo, bakit ako ang inaano nitong si kwan
Tony: Dinagdag nila siguro.
Gary: Villanueva.. Eh ikaw nainterview di ba?
Tony: Oo, yun tungkol dun sa ten pesos.
Gary: Ten pesos per candidate?
Tony: Eh presidente.
Gary: Ah Presidente?
Tony: Yung sa party five pesos.
Gary: Ok lang din naman yung amount no?
Tony: Oo, oo.
Gary: O sige na, pakitawag na din man sila Gorospe at si kwan, si Dante….
Tony: Ok.
Tony: Hello, ang tinawagan ko na lang si Mrs. Pineda. Eh mas mabuti pa ito nakakaintindi eh. Alam yung ano eh Ang sabi niya,oo kelangan talagang may individual yung kwan
Gary: Oo nga, in-insist nila yung ginagawa nila nung araw.
Tony: Ngayon sabi niya, pinaliwanag ko, sabi niya oo naiintindihan ko yun, sabi nya tatawagan ko ngayon.
Gary: Sana sinabi mo na tinawagan ko rin si Ma’am. Pero sinabi ni Ma’am kahapon ok eh.
Tony: Eh kasi baka mamaya maging issue pa eh.
Gary: Oo nga wag na natin intayin na darating sa ganyan
Tony: Kasi tong mga tao niya masyadong pabaya.
Gary: Kung ano-ano kasing pinagsasabi eh. Na ikaw din daw ang tumatanggap noon,ganun..
Tony: Naku wala eeeh, iba noon kung ano kasi, hindi naman napansin siguro.
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Gary: At tsaka hindi yun, hindi naman yan kandidatong Presidente noon yung 2002 …
Tony: Nung 1998 na kumandidato syang Vise-President, maganda yung fi-nile nya. Sabi nga ni Atty. De Mesa sa ginawa na lang nya yung finile nya nung vice-presidential candidate sya.
Gary: Ah nag-file sya ng separate nun?
Tony: Oo.
Gary: Eh Bakit sinasabi nitong Vilar ngayon na…
Tony: Ang pumirma pa nga si Mike Arroyo.
Gary: Ang akala nya siguro ang nire-represent nya, pinapalabas nya yung fi-nile nya for the president before.
Tony: Hindi, for the party yun eh.. Iba yung sa party, iba yung sa president eh.. Si De Venecia nagfile din ng sarili eh.
Gary: Ewan ko si Vilar yan.
Tony: O sige, ganoon na lang.
Gary: Ok sige oo.
Conversation between Gary and wife Grace on 12 10:55 hotel June ’04
(translated from the Visayan original)
Grace: Hello
Gary: Asan ka?
Grace: Andito na ako sa 2 nd floor sa mga display ng mga damit. Titingin-tingin ako.
Gary: 2nd
Grace: Saan ka banda? Pupunta ka ba dito sa itaas?
Gary: Andito na ako sa taas.
Grace: Bandang elevator?
Gary: Nasaan ka malapit?
Grace: Sa may sulok, sa bandang cashier.
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Conversation between Gary and an unidentified man …(translated from the Visayan original)
Gary: Hello
Man: Andito na kami sa Starbucks. Nasaan na kayo?
Gary: Mauna na kayo. Susunod na ako.
Man: Lalabas na ba kami?
Gary: Sige.
Conversation between Gary and an unidentified man on 14 07:45 hotel June ’04
Gary: Hello.
Man: Padre. Kelan mag-ano yung sa party-list?
Gary: Ina-ano ko pa, wala pa kahit isa after the 23 na mapoproclaim. Ang mauna siguro itong
ALIF (?). Pero gusto ko masabay-sabay. Kung may tatlo, apat, sabay-sabay na yan.
Man: Oo dapat ganun.
Gary: Pero pipilitin ko Padre.
Conversation between Gary and an identified man on or about 14 08:51 hotel June ’04
Man: Hello, good morning. Nandito ako sa Malaybalay. Sabi nung kabila kung kailangan daw dagdagan pa, dagdagan pa. Di ba ang usapan natin kulan pa ng six, six hundred.
Gary: 6 or 8?
Man: Hindi yung ibibigay ko sayo. Atin lang yun, kulang pa ng 600?
Gary: Hindi sakin yan, sa mga bata.
Man: Oo alam ko. Tulungan mo na lang, meron akong inaano dyan eh.
Gary: O sige.
Man: Kung maari daw before the 30 kasi sila magfacilitate sa pagdating ni Gloria sa Cebu, sa ano.
Gary: Ah hindi wala na, wag na nating istoryahan tana.
Man: Ah ok.
59
Gary: Tingnan ko lang kung ano. Basta inaano ko nga sa kanila, kung hindi, di balik yan.
Man: Oo, ikaw nang bahala dyan.
Gary: Eh kung hindi nila magawa nila eh di paano.
Man: Pwede akong pumunta bukas.
Gary: Hindi kausapin ko muna si Boss.
Man: Tawagan mo ako ha kung pupunta ako dyan.
Conversation between Gary and an unidentified male on 14 10:17 hotel June ’04
Man: Hello ‘tol, nasan ka ‘tol.
Gary: Nandito tumatakbo, nasan ka ba?
Man: Nasa Malacañang lang ako ‘tol, may dinaanan akong papel pero lalabas na ako.
Gary: Sige lang, pupunta na muna kami sa Gotesco pero baka pupunta kami mamaya sa kwan, sa Jade Garden.
Man: O sige ‘tol, tawag na lang mamaya.
60
Conversation between Gary and Senator Barbers on 14 10:32 hotel June ’04
Barbers: Commissioner, good morning.
Gary: Good morning
Barbers: Tumawag sa akin si Cong. Salceda kagabi, panalo tayo sa Ligao ng mga one two. Lamang tayo ng mga one two.
Gary: one two?
Barbers: Oo, kaya maganda na.
Gary: Oo, ang problema nyan hindi ako makapagparticipate ngayon kasi.
Barbers: Di bale, di bale, basta ikaw ang tumutulong sa akin wala akong problema.
Gary: O sige lang basta kayang tulungan Senador.
Barbers: Sinabi naman ano eh, nag-usap kami ni Mike. Tinawagan nya ako kanina 8:30. Sinabi ko, sabi nya “sina Garci ba tumutulong ng husto?” Oo kako, sobrang tulong kako sakin ni Garci. Sabi nya “sabihin mo sa kanilang dalawa ni Nonie wag mag-alala, kami ang bahala pagkatapos ng proclamation.” Tinawagan ako, tinatanong ako tungkol sa Ligao.
Gary: Ligao, Albay?
Barbers: Oo, kaya sabi tumawag si Cong. Salceda, ang ginawa ko roon ginamit ko si congressman, si Gov. Elect at tsaka yung mayor. Kaya malinis tayo roon, wala tayong problema. Basta wag mo ko, kahit na hindi ka pa nareappoint wag mo ko pabayaan.
Gary: Ah, Oo.
Barbers: Kailangan kita dyan.
Gary: sa inyo lang ako. (garbled)
Barbers: Kumusta, tumawag na ba sayo si Harry?
Gary: Oo, ano bang magagawa ko, ano bang gagawin nya.
Barbers: Ok yun, ok kausap yon eh. Tsaka pag nagsalita yun totoo. Hindi yun … i-set ko bukas ng gabi, darating yun bukas ng tanghali eh.
Gary: Titingnan ko lang Senador kung kwan, kasi inaayos ko muna itong mga records ko kasi ipapasa ko na sa en banc.
Barbers: Ah oo, di bale sabihin ko na lang pagkatapos ano. Sabihin ko na lang sa kanya? Kasi masigasig sya eh. Sabi nya, “alam mo, kilala mo naman ako, pag nag-commit ako, ginagawa ko.”
Gary: Ok lang.
Barbers: Sabihin ko na lang tapusin mo muna yung mga ginagawa mo. Basta ako wag mong pababayaan Commissioner ha?
Gary: Ok, walang problema yan.
Barbers: Ikaw lang ang maaasahan na gagalaw sa akin.
Gary: Ok, walang problema yan.
Barbers: O sige, thank you, thank you
Gary: Ok…
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Conversation between Gary and an unidentified woman on 14 18:35 hotel June ’04 (translated from the Visayan original)
Woman: Hello, good evening Tito.
Gary: O.
Woman: ‘To, magtatanong lang ako kasi nag-usap kami ni Louie. Wala daw si Tuazon. Pero pinrepare na nila ang documents para sa … (garbled) … Si Tuazon na lang daw ang kulang para maipalabas ang TRO.
Gary: Paano mo nalaman?
Woman: Kwento ni Louie. Sabi ni Louie, prepared na nila.
Gary: Sino ang nag-prepare?
Woman: Ngayon lang ako nagsimula, sabi ni Louie ‘To.
Gary: Maniwala ka naman, nag-usap na kami ni Atty. Paz (?). Sino ang nag-prepare, e wala namang magpe-prepare kundi sya.
Woman: A, ok. Si Atty. Paz (?) ba ang magpe-prepare noon?
Gary: Si Tuazon.
Woman: Maski yung legal ni kwan?
Gary: How irresponsible can they get! Paano nya malalaman? Sabihan mong tumawag sa akin.
Woman: And then ‘To, paano naman si Estrala (?) ‘To, para di ma-convene.
Gary: Andyan naman. Paanong di ma-convene? Pabayaan mo lang.
Woman: Pabayaan lang mag-convene?
Gary: Ako pa ba ang mamomroblema nyan? Dib a nag-usap naman kayo? Nag-usap naman sila. Wag mo nang ibigay sa akin yan. Sila na ang mag-kwan nyan.
Woman: Oo.
62
Conversation between Gary, wife and a certain Kasim Mangudatu on 15 16:33 hotel June ’04
Wife: Hello Dy, andin si Kasim Mangundatu, wala nang problema … ma-istorya mo?
Kasim: Hello Sir, good afternoon, Sir, ang ano ko lang, pumunta ako dito kay Madam kasi sa nangyari sa amin sa Lanao. Nung narinig namin na may pinadala kayo sa amin, tapos I do my best.
Gary: Na? Anong pinadala?
Kasim: Mailinis yung sa akin … (line cut)
Conversation between Gary and an unidentified male on 16 11:40 hotel June ‘04
Gary: Hello,nasaan ka?
(Following translated from the Visayan original)
Man: Nasa city Comelec sir.
Gary: Pakitanong na lang kay …(garbled) … yung tungkol sa amin.
Conversation between Gary and Lyn on 16 15:21 hotel June ‘04
Gary: Hello Lyn, may telepono ka ni Congressman Nantes?
Lyn: Hanapin ko lang.
Gary: Pagkatapos sabihin mo sa kanya na nandito na ko sa Manila Hotel. Ang talk namin ngayon eh. Pagkatapos i-remind mo si Rolly dun sa kwan natin ha. (line cut)
63
Conversation between Gary and John on 16 12:00 hotel June ‘04
Gary: Hello John.
John: Sir, yung pong kay Mayor Tito Osang, fi-nax ko napo kay ate virgie, tinawagan ko po. Pinaalala ko na sa kanya ito previously nung February, yung request na hinarap ni Sec. Albas hanggang Nov 29, pero nagkaroon ng subsequent order na up to June 30. Nakiki-usap kako yun. Siya na raw bahala po.
Gary: Nasan ka?
John: Nandito po sa office sir.
Gary: Nandito ko sa labas. Pumunta ako dun sandali kanina.
John: Oo nga daw sabi ni Ate Kay, sinundan nyo daw nung dumating ako dun.
Gary: Hindi tayo kasali pa roon eh. O sige, magtawagan tayo mamaya.
John: Sabi ko nga kay Ate Baby, the moment na ma proclaim na eh mare-appoint agad kayo, walang problema. At tsaka nakausap ko si Presidente, sinabi ko. Yun nga lang daw eh she is barred by the constitution dahil baka maano na midnight appointment eh.
Gary: Oo, yun ang prohibition eh.
John: Eh ngayon after na maproclaim eh irere-appoint kayong dalawa. Sinabi ko eh, pinakiusap ko eh. Sabi naman eh wala namang problema ika yun, sabi ni Presidente.
Gary: Sige, thank you.
Conversation between Gary and an unidentified woman on 16 12:57 hotel June ‘04 (translated from the Visayan original)
Gary: Hello.
Woman: Hello, ‘To. Magko-convene naman daw sila Estrala (?) ‘To. Dib a pwedeng magawan ng paraan yan?
Gary: Ano namang paraan?
Woman: Amin naman yung inaano … Yun lang sanang order. Andun na daw kay Borja (?) … Pero yung pirma ng isang commissioner dyan sa Comelec, kasi nag-hearing pa. Ipadala na lang. Patawagan na lang daw.
Gary: Oo nga, kasi andoon sa Cotabato.
Woman: Oo nga, two o’clock na hindi tayo doon.
Gary: Ganito, patatawagan ko si Teng Mangudadatu. Tapos tawagan ko mamaya. Tawagan ang Sultan Kudarat, ipatawag sa akin si Teng para ma-orderan ko si Estrala (?).
Woman: Oo.
Gary: Kailangan matawagan ko ngayon galling sa Sultan Kudarat para malaman ko ang moves nila.
Conversation between Gary and unidentified man on 16 14:15 hotel June 2004
(translated from the Visayan original)
Gary: Hello
Man: Hello sir. Tumawag na sir?
64
Gary: Patawagan ko sana si Jun, hindi naman sumasagot, ewan.
Man: O sige sir.
Conversation between Gary and an unidentified woman on 16 14:18 hotel June 2004 (translated from the Visayan original)
Gary: Hello
Woman: Si Estrala (?) ba, pinakalabit ko kasi maski si Atty. Paz, gustong makipag-usap sa kanya.
Conversation between Gary and wife on 16 14:19 hotel June ’04 (translated from the Visayan original)
Gary: Hello
Woman: Hello, si Paz di mo pa natanong? Parang me …
Gary: Patatawagan ko nga.
Conversation between Gary and an unidentified man on 16 14:21 hotel June ’04
Gary: Hello, nasan ka?
Man: Nasa Harrison.
Gary: Si George?
Man: May hearing yata …(line cut)
Conversation between Gary and an unidentified man on 16 14:29 hotel June ’04
(translated from the Visayan original)
Man: Hello sir.
Gary: Hello, nakatawag si … (garbled) … tinawagan ko pero di naman sumasagot.
Man: Ah, may bagong number sir. Ibibigay ko sa yo. I-dial mo lang ng diretso. Tatawag ako sa yo.
Gary: Doon na lang sa puti.
Man: Io-off ko muna sir. Kasi di ko naman makita.
65
Conversation between Gary and an unidentified man on 16 15:18 hotel June ’04
Man: Hello boss…… daming mga tao ha.
Gary: Nakatawag na sayo si Lumipat (?)
Man: Oo nga, hindi nakatawag.
Gary: Tumawag daw sa’yo.
Man: Tinawagan ka nya……
Gary: Talagang wala na, wala ka nang magagawa dyan?
Man: Wala na …….(Visayan)
Gary: Mahirap na talaga.
Man: Mahirap talaga boss.
Gary: Ah eh, kung mahirap na ….
66
Conversation between Gary and an unidentified woman on 16 16:15 hotel June ’04 (translated from the Visayan original)
Woman: Hello, isa na lang panggulo, Tito. Yun bang on the basis of disqualification, Tito, pwede pa man sya kasi wala pa naman sa Comelec, Tito. Kung ma-approve ang disqualification, di ba sya makakaupo nyan?
Gary: Hindi, kung disqualified. Kung ma-actionan. Sino ang kausap mo tungkol dyan?
Woman: Si Martinez.
Gary: O, si Martinez. Bakit ako ang tinatanong mo? Kung ano man ang nasa isip nila, mag-file sila, kasi ang tagal na nyang disqualification wala pa rin …
Woman: Nagtatanong lang ako kung meron bang weight ang kanilang … (garbled) … Kasi kung magre-report ako kay Lisandra, palagi nyang sinasabi na itanong mo muna kay Tito kung tama ba yang ginagawa ng abogado natin.
Gary: Kung ma-disqualify sya based on our decision before she will actually assume office, OK lang. But after June 30, when she should have assumed, wala na because that is already for the electoral tribunal.
Woman: So yan na lang ang banatan mo ngayon, Tito, ang disqualification before June 30.
Gary: Oo. You have to go on with their disqualification. Pero mahirap pa rin yan. Medyo kwestyonable na kasi wala namang nangyayari imbes ni-restrain ka na.
Woman: O sige.
Conversation between Gary and an unidentified woman on 16 16:27 hotel June ’04 (translated from the Visayan original)
Woman: Hello, ‘To. Wala kang chance makausap si Tuazon?
Gary: Tuazon? Bakit, kung kakausapin ko?
Woman: Regarding sa disqualification, kasi sabi ni Atty. George, nakausap naman daw nya ang Legal. Kaso lang naghihintay ng order ang legal ni Tuazon na mag-go-signal … gumawa na sila … favor for us.
Gary: Malaking kwento yan. Sila kasi. I don’t think they have that kind of … (garbled)
Woman: Iyong taong pinag-uusapan, walang ibang pinaniniwalaan ang ginoo, Tito.
Gary: Hindi sila lumapit.
Woman: Lumapit naman sila pero … (garbled) … Di maniniwala dyan ang ibang commissioners.
Gary: Hindi talaga sila nag-attempt. Wala silang ginawang move kahit konti.
Woman: Bakit naman?
Gary: Bakit ngayon lang sila nagsabi … (garbled) …
Woman: Wala silang nag-attempt.
Gary: Paano kung lapitan ngayon si Dalahig (?) … may magagawa ba?
Woman: Baka. Kung ang investigation nga lumabas na favorable, makakatulong sa disqualification.
Gary: Ay. Di sila lumapit, not even a formal, urgent request, wala. For an opinion or recommendation en banc.
Conversation between Gary and wife on 16 16:49 hotel June ’04
(translated from the Visayan original)
Woman: Hello. Andito na kami sa ibaba.
Gary: Oo, nakikita namin kayo.
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Conversation between two unidentified men on 16 19:25 hotel June ’04
Man 1: Hello, kumusta? Naproclaim na sa Cotams, sa Maguindanao si Dilangalen.
Man 2: May problema tayo dito.
Man 1: Ano ba?
Man 2: Parang magra-rally.
Man 1: Dyan sa San? Sino?
Man 2: Hindi ko nga alam eh. Alam ko lang nalaman …. Tungkol dun sa hindi pagbigay ng one month …. (line cut)
Conversation between Gary and Boy on or about 18 06:08 hotel June ’04
Gary: Hello Boy, mag text ka kay Presidente ha … Ganito, kagabi may nagpadala ng message na…line cut)
Conversation between Gary and an unidentified man on or about 18 08:07 hotel June ’04
Man: Hello.
Gary: Eto na, 0917-8547146. ok mag-kwan ka text. Please assure her that we never forsake her …(Following translated from the Visayan original) Wag mo na lang baguhin yung pinag-usapan na kung hindi ako, merong 25 … (garbled) … advisers na star witnesses. Ayusin mo lang ang pakikipag-usap.
Categories: ‘Hello Garci’ election fraud, Politics, The Arroyos – Tags: ‘Hello Garci’ tapes and Virgilio Garcillano, ex-President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Jose Miguel Arroyo, Mike Arroyo

The loving memory of Mrs. Adelaida “Nene Dely” Tale-Opuan

The loving memory of Mrs. Adelaida “Nene Dely” Tale-Opuan
By: Abs Damahan
Tigbauan, Province of Iloilo, Monday May 16, 2011, I attended the wake of my sister-in-law Mrs. Adelaida “Nene Dely” Tale-Opuan of the 6th daughter out 10th brothers and sisters of the siblings the late Angel Tale and Concepcion Gonzales. She died of Pulmonary Pneumonia Cardiac Arrest last Friday May 13, 2011 at Saint Paul Hospital, Iloilo City at the age 65. She was born on November 1, 1945.
Interment will be on Monday May 23, 2011, procession starting from 9:00 AM to be buried at Barangay Dapdap public Cemetery.
On 31 years of married to their younger sister Isabel Tale-Damahan, I treasured the strong bonding of the Tale family closeness way back in the 80s and up-to the present the way they treat each other as family. I learned from them how to live and survive in the bigger family. The lessons of become a straight forward value of living does not took advantage from others always fair and just to other the way to talks and dealings.
The most of it the value of handworks and the importance of the essence of time in the cycle of life never allowed to become un-useful of the daily life undertaking. Time is so precious if you want to success in this world and all other way around.
Nene Dely every time, I visited her house, she is fan of cooking me a fresh vegetables perched from her own farm called in Karay-a local dialect Kadjus a mixed variety of slice vegetables, beans and cooked rice.
Mr. & Mrs. Rudy Opuan a successful family I stayed and lived for 3 days in their worth Million 2 storey Bungalow house where Nene Dely rest, what I missed most the last serving of Kadjus from Nene Daily in my frequent visits to her resident when she still is alive.
The bereaved family his Husband Mr. Rudy Opuan 66 the only son Arnulfo T. Opuan 41 and Sisters: Mrs. Adelfa T. Sale 39, Regina Flor T. Opuan 39, Jona T. Opuan 37 Mercy Opuan Cabelleza 35, and Leani T. Opuan. Son-in-laws: Jonathan T. Sale 40 and Jay T. Cabelleza 32 and Daughter-in-law Fe T. Opuan 31.
Brothers and Sisters: Juana Tale Milleza 78, Herminio Gonzales Tale 75, Felesa Tale Traigo 73, Pacensia Tale Torreces 70, Felix Gonzales Tale 68, Eleseo Tale Gonzales 63, Eduardo Gonzales Tale 61, Antonio Gonzales Tale 56 and Isabel Tale Damahan 53.
Grandsons: Rodney Arnolf T. Opuan 8, Isedery Eulaly T. Opuan 4 and Laurence Christian O. Sale 13.
Granddaughters: Therese Guillane O. Sale 15, and Ashile Nicole O. Sale
My heartfelt deepest sympathy and condolence to the Opuan family…

Press freedom exposes misdeeds and upholds public trust – Ban May 03, 2011

Press freedom exposes misdeeds and upholds public trust – Ban
May 03, 2011

Accra, May 3, GNA – United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, on Tuesday said press freedom was among the most powerful vehicles for exposing misdeeds and upholding public trust.

In a message to commemorate World Press Freedom Day, Ban said: “When governments repress their people and shield themselves from scrutiny, press freedom is among the most powerful vehicles for exposing misdeeds and upholding public trust.”

“When people face discrimination and marginalisation, access to media can give them voice and create a shared awareness of their plight.

“And in an era of pressing global challenges, the free exchange of information and ideas through the media can connect people and countries in networks of common cause,” he added.

World Press Freedom Day has its roots in the African journalists who, in the wake of the fall of the Berlin Wall and the crumbling of media restrictions in Eastern Europe, sought similar advances on their continent.

They worked with UNESCO to organise the 1991 Seminar in Namibia that produced the landmark Windhoek Declaration on free and independent media, which in turn inspired the UN General Assembly two years later to proclaim this observance.

Today, it is the peoples of North Africa and the Middle East mobilising for their democratic rights and freedoms — and doing so with a heavy and creative reliance on the Internet and social media to help spur change in their societies.

The theme of this year’s observance: “New Frontiers, New Barriers,” highlights this dramatically changed global media landscape.

New media and tools such as cell phones continue to empower individuals, enrich news-gathering and illuminate once-largely-hidden workings of government, business and industry.

Yet alongside these benefits stand old challenges such as the use of media to disseminate hatred and incite violence. There are also undeniable new barriers being imposed by States, including cyber-surveillance, digital harassment and censorship on the internet.

According to the Committee to Protect Journalists, at least six journalists who worked primarily online were killed in 2010. And in 2008, for the first time, more “online reporters,” were in jail than those working in traditional media.

“On World Press Freedom Day, let us remember the journalists, editors and other media professionals who have been killed for their reporting. And let us honour their memory by pursuing justice.”
“The impunity that often follows such murders suggests a disturbing lack of official concern for the protection of journalists, and outright contempt for the vital role they play. Many other journalists languish in jail simply for doing their jobs.”

“On this Day, as we mark the 20th anniversary of the Windhoek Declaration, let us also pledge to bridge the digital divide, so that all people can benefit from access to and use of new media and communication technologies,” Ban added.

Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights proclaims the right of all people to “seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers”.

“Let us reaffirm our commitment to this bedrock principle of democracy, development and peace,” Ban said.

In another development, UN Secretary-General, UN High Commissioner for
Human Rights and UNESCO Director-General have on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day, May 3, have issued a joint message.

The message by Ban Ki-moon, United Nations Secretary-General, Navi Pillay, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and Irina Bokova, UNESCO Director-General said “On this 2011 World Press Freedom Day, we call on all governments to join forces with the United Nations to guarantee and to promote freedom of expression in print, on the airwaves, and online.”

It said “20 years on after the Windhoek Declaration, the media landscape has changed beyond recognition, but our objective remains the same: to promote freedom of expression as the foundation for human dignity and the cornerstone of democracy”.

“Our times feature great paradox. We enjoy unprecedented opportunities for expression thanks to new technologies and media. More and more people are able to share information and exchange views, within and across national borders.

“This is a blessing for creativity, for healthy societies, for including everyone in new forms of dialogue.

“At the same time, new threats are arising. In a context of rapid change, these combine with older forms of restriction to pose formidable challenges to freedom of expression. New measures to block, filter and censor information emerge every day. Challenges take different features, but they share the same face as violations of a fundamental human right.

“The United Nations is dedicated to ensuring that the internet becomes a truly global public resource, to which all have access and where all voices are heard. This underlines the importance of quality content.

“This calls for action to defend the integrity and safety of online reporters. All principles of freedom of expression must be brought to the on-line world.

“And they must be protected. Over the last decade, more than 500 journalists lost their lives in the pursuit of their profession. 60 killings were reported worldwide in 2010 alone. Every week brings more reports of journalists and bloggers suffering from intimidation and violence.

“Violations of fundamental human rights cannot go unanswered. State authorities must do everything to counter impunity and to protect the safety of journalists. We will never forget the courage of journalists who paid with their lives for our right to know.

“The media revolution is triggering new debates about freedom of expression, about the nature of regulation, about the balance between expression and responsibility. We must not shy away from exploring all angles of these questions. We must all rise to the occasion and accept the responsibility of change.

“Twenty years after Windhoek, events every day show that promoting freedom of expression remains as important as ever.”

World Press Freedom Day was born 20 years ago in the vision of a group of journalists gathered in Windhoek, Namibia. The Windhoek Declaration was a call to arms to protect the fundamental principles of the freedom of expression as enshrined in Article 19 of the Universal Declaration Human Rights. It was also a bell ringing in change across the world.
GNA

The 1st Jury Convention at UP

The 1st Jury Convention at UP…
By: Abs Damahan
UP Diliman, Quezon City- The 1st Convention of Jury System of the Philippine held at the National College of Public Administration and Government (NCPAG), UP Diliman on April 28, 2011. This is one of its kind a very successful public forum participated by the officials of government, Local Government Units, Civil society, organizations and as well private sectors.
Public forum is well organized by the group of organizers for this “1st Jury Convention” it’s seemed an attainable movement for cause that would need public support. When I looked at public response for those groups who participated in this forum, there are intensely wanted to change the over 100 years of rotten judicial system of our nation.
An anecdote says in the legal luminaries “Justice delayed and justice denied”, it took several years for pending cases in the court dockets before fiscals, prosecutors and judges can conduct any hearings or can promulgate verdict or judgement for the accused whether guilty or not guilty.
While in the jury system proposal, it would eliminate the delay of the long process of court litigation, would even conduct speedy trial by the jurors its call “Trial by Jury” and “Trial by Grand Jury”.
Why is it necessary that we have to adopt a Jury System in the Philippines? We need the Jury System because we have chosen to have a democratic form of government. In a democratic government without a Jury system, justice becomes a monopoly by powerful government officials. We may call it also as the “Personalized Justice” System, especially by the President who appoints all judges, justices, and prosecutors. It is a “selective” justice system so that only the personal holders of that monopoly can choose whom to, or not, prosecute. In order for you to gain justice, you must be a sup-sup with that controller of justice. It is a recipe for failure of administration by any incumbent in office.
When public officials abuse the power of their office such as acts of corruption, money laundering, ordering extra-judicial killings, or forming death squad to “keep the peace” in their community, they control justice in such a way that they cannot be prosecuted for their abuses.
With the jury system in place, the common people will be able to control on how justice can be fairly and honestly decided through supervision by judges and prosecutors in which the people can independently decide in justice and determine as to the correctness or wrongness of the acts of their public servants.
The Jury Justice System being proposed by Hukuman ng Mamamayan Movement is composed of two bodies. The first body is what shall be called “Grand Jury” and the second shall be called “Trial Jury”.
The composition would be an independent group composed of 12 for “Trial Jury” and 24 for the “Grand Jury” in numbers for the chosen Jurors.

Analysis on International and Local scene

By Abs Damahan
Zamboanga City- The Golden Crescent Consortium of Peace Builders and Affiliates an organization affiliated with the Interreligious Solidarity Movement for Peace members of the consortium presided by the Chairman Prof. Ali T. Yacub, Al Hj. have brief discussion on the International scene of geopolitics what transpired of the political unrest in Middle East and some parts of Africa. The unrest started from Tunisia that led to the toppled-down of a long seasons dictator President Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali changed quickly to form a transitional government with the result of limited casualties and bloodshed.
The next in line is the popular unrest at Tahrir Square of Egypt and the ousted of 30 years in power of President Hosni Mubarak by people unrest, the ongoing political crisis of Libya, the embattled grand pariah of the desert, Col. Muamar Qadhafi of 42 years in power the longest revolutionary leader next to Fidel Catro of Cuba, this might turn to civil war were the protagonists pro-government and anti-government took arms into their hands shooting each other indiscriminately, the rest nations across gulf regions are now under pressures by their people and demanding to resign from power most likely: Bahrain, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Oman and Syria.
The global phenomenon of “People Power” which almost swept and toppled-down autocratic system of government all over Asia, Eastern Europe, Latin America, Southeast Asia and now Middle East.
Coalition and allied forces led by US government, UK, France and NATO implemented no-fly zone authorized allied forces to bomb air defence of Libyan government, this in compliance to UN Security Council Resolution 1973 was adopted for the purposed of the internal Libyan political crisis.
On the national scene, touched on many issues: the impeachment case of Ombudsman Merciditas Gutierrez, ARMM HB 4146 passed in the final reading in the House of Representatives authored by Maguindanao Rep. Bai Sandra Sema proposing for the postponement of the ARMM elections until 2013, got 191 the affirmative votes , 47 negative votes, and 2 abstentions. ARMM constituent still on hanging tidbits depending in the senate version on whether the ARMM election is to push-through or postponement?
Fr. Angel C. Calvo, CMF-Chairman, Lead Convener, IRSMP first resource person discussed on analysis format with an opening para-phase “The journey for a search of unity and the search a journey for peace” on both in the International and local scene. Fr. Calvo in his analysis the peoples’ upheaval or revolt in Africa is not real revolution its mere a formed of a kind reactions’ movement for change by their government. He sighted some points: 1. Promising change by their political leaders, and 2. the true meaningful institutional reform in governance and government.
The Middle East political scenario described by Fr. Calvo, peoples’ demands to government: 1. Constitutional reform, 2. wider space for democratization, 3. Human rights, 3. Social and economic reform, and 4. demanding to increase compensations and more benefits.
Autocratic leadership in the Middle East control all political system for a long span of times by a kind of repressive regimes/government monopolized the national wealth by one family in power. The supremacy and abuse of power within the system remain tightly practices by the authority control the freedom of the press and freedom of taught, opinion and expression.
Autocracy system with a strong component of military corps from elite forces well organized to protect the ruler and family. While the division and infantry organized into political machinery as a protector of the King and the ruler.
The population of Egypt 25 years ago is more or less 50Million increased to 80Million with the different of 30Million on their latest national census.
Price of prime commodities is in skyrocketing as well the price of petrol is going to doubling when the Middle East crisis started up-to this present price level index.
The massive popular uprising in the Middle East will be turning of political change across Pan-Arabism nationalist government the youth and the new breed of young Arab Ideologist political leaders demands on many political issues specifically on Monarchy Kingdom to Monarchical constitutional reform to limit the term and power of King to rule them. They are not asking for the Islamization of Middle Eastern regions, but the protesters demand for more on democratization or secular states that to protect their society and the customary traits, practices and tradition within the boundary of their Islamic faith and values.
After the 9/11 World Tower attached, there is stigma of discontentment between the two powerful civilizations the western and Islamic world which coincides to mistrust and enormous suspicion of misconception.
The west against Islamization with-out valid points and justification by mere facts of pure suspicion and perhaps imagination.
America and Europe invested heavily on weapons of various capacities introduced the supremacy of their fire-power, while China invested more on small fire-arms which allegedly sold to Middle East and Africa.
Fr. Calvo in his final conclusion, the alternative solution of the entire above scenario: 1. Question of Leadership, 2. Question of Entrepreneurship, and 3. Question of an Ethics.

Are the ARMM Constituents for Postponement or for Election?

Zambaonga City-participants from the ARMM-Provinces Basilan, Sulo and Tawi-Tawi (BASULTA) were invited during the Committee on Suffrage and Reforms and Committee on Muslim Affairs public hearing on the proposed synchronization of 3013 ARMM election with the national election. Chaired by the Committee Chairman Representative Elpidio Barzaga, Jr. of the Committee on Suffrage and Reforms and Representative Habib Tupay Loong Chairman Committee on Muslim Affairs.

Hosted by the City of Zamboanga led by no less than Deputy Speaker for Mindanao Congresswoman Beng Climaco-Salazar and staff and other member of House Representatives staff.

For the security team composites from AFP and PNP who secures the place of public hearing.

The proposed bill HB 4146 sponsored by Congresswomen Bai Sandra Sema of Maguindanao Province, Co-Sponsored by Congressman Jim Hataman Salliman of the Lone-District of Basilan and Party-list Representative Kakah Bag-ao of Akbayan. Congresswoman Sema said, she crafted the bill for the reform of ARMM and betterment of the Bangsa Moro that really serve the ARMM constituent. She also in-favor for the synchronization of ARMM election and national election in 2013.

Congressman Rufus Rodriguez of Cagayan de Oro, Vice-Chairman of the Committee on Suffrage and Reforms stressed-out “The Rights’ of Suffrage in principle is violated under the Organic Act of RA-9054 and our republic constitution, he sighted some articles and provisions of RA-9054 and our constitution. Congressman Rodriguez “Yes to democracy and democratic processes”, he is for not the postponement of election of the ARMM.

Congressman Jim Hataman Salliman of Lone District of Basilan, Vice Chairman Committee on Muslim Affairs and co-authored of House Bill 4146, he is in favor for the synchronization of election. The reason he pointed-out whoever, the Malacanang Palace anointed candidates for ARMM-Governor no matter who they are for sure they are the winners. He is also for political and electoral reforms eliminating all kinds of dirty tricks of 3Gs: Gold, Guns and Goons. In the economic opportunity for the minority must have the levelling field and must have a permanent peace and security in the ARMM administrative regions. He sighted also GRP-MILF and GRP-MNLF failed agreements. In his last statement “Sa daan matuwid” he proposed to institutionalize the Local Government Units of the ARMM governments.

Committee member Rep. Andres Salvacion, Jr. mutual stand for ARMM election postponement or resetting of the ARMM polls and asking all the stakeholders of ARMM must respect the proceeding in a way of democratic process.

Minda Chair Lualhati Antonino asking for help to the ARMM constituent for PNoy reforms “Sa daan matuwid” is sincere, she elaborated poor data index of ARMM it needs to improve of services to the people in the area of governance. She said, I am now a retired public servant, but I just want to serve the ARMM government.

Committee member Rep. Alnurfo Co, he is concerned to the legal impediment of the language of our Constitution and the Organic Act of RA-9054, this should not be violated for the ARMM reforms.

Party-List Rep. Acmad Tomawis is one the Committee member once he walked-out from the Committee hearing in the House of Representatives, but he is the one who convinced the President for public hearings conducted in Cotabato City, Marawi City and Zamboanga City.

Jolo Sulu Rep. Nur-Ana Sahidulla, is one also of the Committee member, she in favour for the postponement of ARMM election and all out support for the HB 4146, she is more particularly concerned on peace and security which Sahidulla said, is the engine of development would really help the poor of the poorest constituents of ARMM in PNoy agenda for Mindanawan.

Sultan Kudarat Rep. Raden Sakaluran a Committee member is for the push-through of an election of ARMM, which he said Organic Act RA-9054 would be the basis of the process in whatever reforms should the ARMM to undertake not violating RA-9054 and the constitution. He also emphasised the stakeholders must be consulted in the process of change. The pulse of the people the way I observed it is for the election of ARMM. ARMM leaders and officials must be in adherent to combat grafts and corruptions.

Another Tawi-Tawi Rep. Angel Amante-Matba a Committee member, she said, government is just to ARMM particularly minority rights. She pushed for the postponement of ARMM election and reforms of ARMM institution of public governance.

Political Affairs adviser Director Ronald Llamas he made mentioned “even the President got elected on the highest margin in ARMM pros and cons of the Muslims voice must be heard”. Any amendment of Organic Act, the law says plebiscite must be conducted in ARMM coverage provinces. Llamas argued further, “Congress has the power to postpone ARMM election by enacting laws for it purpose”.

Secretary Leila De Lima of DOJ said, freedom of taught and opinion and freedom of expression is in our Bill of Rights and written in our freedom Constitution of 1987. So everybody has the right to express and shares his/her opinion in a public hearing and consultation like we did today inside this venue. Synchronize national election and local election under Organic Act RA-9054 and Constitution without passing new laws is “Unconstitutional”. Separate election must be followed which prescribed in our Constitution and RA-9054. The term limits of ARMM elected officials is expires up to September 2011. And this cannot be extended on the basis of hold-over capacity and still “Unconstitutional”. Amending RA-9333 and RA-9054 its require Plebiscite in the coverage ARMM Provinces De Lima explained. Caretakers government is not illegal the President has the prerogative to appoint public officials who wanted to put in place.

Secretary Jesse Robredo of DILG, what he emphasised is the interest of ARMM stakeholders the life of the constituent must improve. The poverty incidence to decrease into manageable proportion, the whole ARMM provinces peace and order shall improve, no to private armed group and Institutionalize for honest, orderly, peaceful election in the area of ARMM provinces. The 11Billion fund for ARMM must be utilize properly, cause of grafts and corruptions must be addressed in ARMM, review the Organic Act and amend the Organic Act and absentee ARMM officials from official duties and functions recommend for suspension. ARMM created for the purpose that the Autonomous government is functional public office for the minority stakeholders that can really serve them.

Governor Abdulsakur Tan of Jolo Sulu province partake consultation is the essence of true democracy, but warned ARMM officials if you have no extra careful to administer your office–Kulong kayo. He comments also that the Organic Act provisions need to be amended because of many loopholes under the RA-9054. Governor Tan remind participants and audiences the creation of ARMM and NCMF of the defunct Office on Muslim Affairs (OMA) is the fruitful struggle of Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) for self-determination. The memory of Moro struggle must not be forgotten by the Bangsamoro itself.

Governor Jum Jainuddin- Akbar of Basilan Province, she all out of supports to the policy of PNoy agenda for peace, security and development in ARMM provinces. The statement of Governor Akbar thru SMS from Board Member of first District Yusop Alano “Governor Supports the postponement and appointment, but she clearly stated No to HOLD OVER CAPACITY. She also stands that those personalities who were fielded as candidates in the 2010 election should not appoint to any positions or a Secretary positions.

Governor Sahali Sadikul of Tawi-Tawi Province, he stressed-out the struggle of revolutionary movement and the struggle for Bangsamoro of self-determination “The memory of the past is always in our heart and spirit remember the martyrs and victims of Mindanao conflicts”. However, he reminds also to Mindanawan, we must also change our struggle for peace, security and development for ARMM provinces and unity of the minority.

The stands of Regional Legislative Assembly-RLA-ARMM by letter and resolution read by Assemblywoman Rajam Akbar, they all stands for the push-through of election in ARMM as mandated in the term limits under the Organic Act RA-9054 and the Constitution. The election of ARMM must commence on the August 8, 2011 with extension and hold-over capacity their term ends on September 2011.

Mixed reaction from the participants whether for the postponement or for the election they were given change to speak on the floor by the presiding officer of the Committees Chaired by Congressmen Barzaga, Jr. and Congressman Loong. Pros and Cons expressed their privilege rights under democratic processes of freedom of taught and opinion and freedom of expression.

Chairman Loong is in neutral stands, he is requesting to submit the Committee reports to his office, the final reports and recommendation will soon be submitted to the Office of the President of the results of public hearings. Then, the President will announce to the public whatever decision he may come across for the ARMM administrative regions. This is one of a kind top political decision from the Palace. I witness the public hearings and voice of the audiences.

Ikhwanul Muslimin after the uprising: What next?

Ikhwanul Muslimin after the uprising: What next?

Mohamed al-Kassas is a 35-year-old youth leader with the Muslim Brotherhood. He belongs to the generation that has just changed the face of Egypt by ousting longstanding President Hosni Mubarak.

For over two weeks, young Egyptians had spearheaded unprecedented protests that culminated in a sweeping revolution in demand of change, freedom and social justice. Looking back on the revolution, al-Kassas contends that the experience has left a strong impression on the mentality of young Islamists.

“The Egyptian revolution has made young Muslim brothers more tolerant in accepting the other,” says al-Kassas. “In Tahrir Square, we saw them bond and eat with women, Copts and leftists. This experience will change many of the group’s ideas.”

Under the Mubarak regime, the Muslim Brotherhood was formally banned but nevertheless tolerated. The begrudging toleration, however, did not save its members from frequent arrests and trials before exceptional courts.

The oppressive political environment is believed to have emboldened the brotherhood’s more conservative members, which had resisted endorsement of full democracy and opposed reformist voices within the group. But as prospects for a new democratic order now loom, some experts believe the group will be racked by fragmentation if its outlook is not revised.

If a new democratic political order is instated, “the group will stand at a crossroads,” says Mokhtar Nouh, one of the group’s reformist voices who relinquished his membership years ago in objection to the rise of hardliners.

“The Muslim Brotherhood will have to develop itself and form a real political party or remain stagnant. This stagnation will lead to splits between the old and young guards.”

Yet for al-Kassas, splits within the ranks of the group’s younger generation seem farfetched. “Young Muslim brothers are committed to the group and they do not flirt with the idea of splitting up. Plus, they have their own channels that allow them to convey their views to the leadership,” he says.

In the lead-up to the uprising, the Muslim Brotherhood was reluctant to back the protest call on January 25. However, when tens of thousands of Egyptians took to the streets, the group revisited its position and threw its full weight behind the burgeoning revolution, mobilizing thousands of its members in the following days.

Throughout the revolt, the group’s young members impressed observers by refraining from resorting to religious slogans or symbols. They were also praised for standing up to pro-Mubarak thugs who attacked Tahrir Square with Molotov cocktails, swords and iron chains.

Given this close involvement in events, the Mubarak regime could not ignore the brothers in the national dialogue it later held with the opposition. For the first time, Muslim Brotherhood leaders sat at the same table with regime representatives, implying official recognition of the formerly-outlawed group.

Days before Mubarak’s resignation, Omar Suleiman, then Mubarak’s deputy, had met with opposition parties–including the brotherhood–in hopes of appeasing the ever-growing numbers of protesters.

In the meantime, the group’s top leaders were keen to reassure certain segments of society fearful of the influence of hard-line Islamists. On several occasions, the group affirmed that it had no intention of “hijacking” the revolution or capturing the presidency.

Earlier this week, the group announced that it would form a political party if the constitution was amended and draconian restrictions on political activity–a longstanding feature of the Mubarak regime–were lifted.

The armed forces, meanwhile, have promised that the current transitional period would lead to a civil democratic order. On Sunday, military spokesmen announced the suspension of the constitution and the formation of a commission mandated with introducing constitutional amendments.

The army has also dissolved the bicameral parliament that was elected in controversial polls late last year, widely dismissed as fraudulent. In the meantime, youth-led opposition groups have called on the army to abrogate the repressive laws that regulated the exercise of political rights under Mubarak. All these demands have been endorsed by the Muslim Brotherhood.

For analysts, embarking on the formation of a political party will pose a series of challenges for the group.

“The only problem with forming a party is the internal consensus over such an idea and the future relationship between the party and the movement, along with which model the Muslim Brotherhood will follow,” says Khalil Alanani, Egyptian political analyst at Durham University’s Institute for Middle East Studies.

The group is believed to be divided over whether to abandon its proselytizing agenda or to become a modern, civil political party that has little to do with religious preaching.

“I don’t think the brotherhood is ready now for taking such huge steps towards establishing a political party, or at least it does not have a full vision about what shape it should take,” adds Elanani.

Elanani’s concerns about building consensus are downplayed by the group’s leaders. In a phone interview with Al-Masry Al-Youm, Mohamed Morsi, the group’ s official spokesman, said that to decide on a party platform, “you do not need a consensus–you need a majority.”

“The Muslim Brotherhood is a coherent group to a great extent and the divergence in views does not hinder the group’s ability to make majority-based decisions,” Morsi added.

Agreeing over the intricate details of a party platform might be another challenge, given the ideological disparities within the ranks of the brotherhood.

In 2007, the group sent shock waves throughout Egyptian society after it released its political platform. The document contained the seeds of a theocratic state, with some saying that it discriminated against non-Muslim minorities and women. The platform was seen by many critics as evidence that the group had been largely taken over by hard-liners.

“This old platform has to be revisited in light of recent developments and the Egyptian revolution experience,” says al-Kassas.

According to Hossam Tamam, an expert on Islamist groups, the Muslim Brotherhood serves as an umbrella for contradictory schools of Islamic thought that range from Salafi fundamentalism to liberal Islamism.

“If the political system gets opened up the right way, the Muslim Brotherhood will not be able to manage all these internal differences,” explains Tamam. “What ensured the consistency of the group was the closed political system. No new political faction had prospects outside the group.”

The famous case of the Wasat Party serves as the best evidence of Tamam’s argument. In the mid-1990s, moderate Islamists broke ranks with the brotherhood and attempted to establish their own civil democratic party.

For over a decade, Wasat leaders struggled to obtain an official party license from the government. The would-be party’s failure to gain legitimacy is believed to have discouraged many reformists within the group.

Yet under a prospective democratic system, dovish voices will find enough room for maneuver to break ranks with the 83-year-old organization, some observers say.

Morsi, however, dismisses such speculation as “unfounded.” “When there is more freedom, the brotherhood will get together more. There is no room for splits,” he says.

The Egyptian revolution had already come on the heels of a growing rift between conservative and reformist camps within the group. Divisions followed the movement’s internal elections, which brought Mohamed Badie–considered a hardliner–to the brotherhood’s top post and excluded prominent reformer Abdel Moneim Abouel Fotouh. Critics say the internal elections were marred by violations.

A few months later, a group of middle-aged Muslim brothers threw themselves into a head-on confrontation with the group’s leaders, accusing them of monopolizing power within the organization.

It remains yet to be seen whether Egypt’s new political order will be democratic enough to prompt a change in the group’s long-held principles

The Last King of Tunisia

The Last King of Tunisia

Anatomy of an Autocracy

Tunisia’s deposed president once swept to power with bold promises of reform. What went wrong?

 

BEN ALI FAMILY

Country: Tunisia

Lifestyle: There are a number of factors that led to the week of street protests and riots that overwhelmed President Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali’s regime in January 2011, including widespread unemployment, rising food prices, and restrictions on civil liberties. But one major source of Tunisians’ widespread rage was the conspicuous consumption of Ben Ali’s extended family, particularly the relatives of his second wife, Leila Trabelsi. “No, no to the Trabelsis who looted the budget” was a popular chant among the hundreds of mostly young men who took to the streets of the coastal resort of Hammamet — where the Trabelsis have built a number of opulent beachfront estates — as they ransacked mansions, burned all-terrain vehicles, and even liberated a horse from its stable.

The opulent lifestyles of Ben Ali’s relatives were laid bare in a series of U.S. diplomatic cables released by WikiLeaks, particularly one describing a dinner at the home of his son-in-law, Mohamed Sakhr el-Materi. Materi’s Hammamet mansion featured, among other luxuries, “an infinity pool and a terrace of perhaps 50 meters.” Roman artifacts, which the host insisted were real, abounded, including a “lion’s head from which water pours into the pool.” The ambassador and his wife were fed a massive dinner, including more than a dozen dishes and frozen yogurt flown in by plane from Saint-Tropez.

Materi also owned a pet tiger, which he kept in a cage on his compound and consumed four chickens a day. All in all, the situation reminded U.S. Amb. Robert Codec, who had served as an advisor to the transitional government in Iraq and signed the cable, of Uday Hussein’s opulent lifestyle.

Not content with buying their own luxuries, Ben Ali’s relatives had also taken to appropriating them from others. Another leaked State Department cable describes a 2006 incident in which Imed and Moaz Trabelsi, Ben Ali’s nephews through his wife,reportedly stole a $3 million yacht belonging to a prominent French businessman from a dock in Corsica. The yacht reappeared a short time later in a Tunisian port having been repainted to cover its distinguishing characteristics. The French weren’t fooled, however, and the yacht was returned to defuse a potential diplomatic uproar. Despite an Interpol warrant being issued for their arrest, the two were never punished.

Why Tunisia’s Revolution Is Islamist-Free

And how their absence explains the quick fall of Ben Ali’s regime.

The reign of Tunisian President Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali is over. His government’s response to the steadily growing unrest in the country was marked by successive tactical retreats: On Jan. 12, he declared his intention to immediately do away with restrictions on the press and step down once his term expires in 2014. When that concession only emboldened the protesters further, he responded on Jan. 14 by sacking his government and announcing that new elections would be held in six months. And now, the latest news suggests that the military has stepped in to remove Ben Ali from power and the president has fled the country.

Given the historical ineffectiveness of Arab publics to effect real change in their governments and the Tunisian regime’s reputation as perhaps the most repressive police state in the region, the events of the past week are nothing short of remarkable. And while reports and analyses have focused on the extraordinary nature of the protests, it is equally important to consider what has been missing — namely, Islamists.

Unlike in Egypt, Jordan, Algeria, and most other secular Arab autocracies, the main challenge to the Tunisian regime has not come from Islamist opposition but from secular intellectuals, lawyers, and trade unionists. The absence of a strong Islamist presence is the result of an aggressive attempt by successive Tunisian regimes, dating back over a half-century, to eliminate Islamists from public life. Ben Ali enthusiastically took up this policy in the early 1990s, putting hundreds of members of the al-Nahda party, Tunisia’s main Islamist movement, on trial amid widespread allegations of torture and sentencing party leaders to life imprisonment or exile. Most influential Tunisian Islamists now live abroad, while those who remain in Tunisia have been forced to form a coalition with unlikely secular and communist bedfellows.

The nature of the opposition and the willingness of the Tunisian government to back down are not coincidental. If it had been clear that Islamist opposition figures were playing a large role in the current unrest, the government would likely have doubled down on repressive measures. The Tunisian government is rooted in secular Arab nationalist ideology and has long taken its secularism and its nationalism more seriously than its neighbors. Habib Bourguiba, Ben Ali’s predecessor and the father of the post-colonial Tunisian state, took over lands belonging to Islamic institutions, folded religious courts into the secular state judicial system, and enacted a secular personal status code upon coming to power.

Bourguiba, like Mustafa Kemal Ataturk in Turkey, viewed Islamists as an existential threat to the very nature of the Tunisian state. He viewed the promotion of secularism as linked to the mission and nature of the state, and because Islamists differed with him on this fundamental political principle, they were not allowed into the political system at all. Bourguiba displayed no desire for compromise on this question, calling for large-scale executions of Islamists following bombings at tourist resorts. He was also often hostile toward Muslim religious traditions, repeatedly referring to the veil in the early years of Tunisian independence as an “odious rag.”

Ben Ali, who served as prime minister under Bourguiba, has taken a similarly hard line. Unlike other Arab leaders such as Morocco’s King Mohammed VI or Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, he has been unwilling to adopt any sort of religious title or utilize Islamic imagery to justify his rule. Most importantly, Ben Ali never attempted to co-opt Islamists by controlling their entry into the political system, but instead excluded them entirely from the political dialogue.

This history is vital to understanding why the protests were successful in removing Ben Ali’s government. There is an appreciation within the corridors of power in Tunis that the Islamists are not at the top of the pile of the latest unrest. The protesters, though they represent a threat to the political elite’s vested interests, have not directly challenged the reigning creed of state secularism.

Ben Ali’s fate may have been sealed when military officers — who had been marginalized by the regime as it lavished money on family members and corrupt business elites — demonstrated a willingness to stand down and protect protesters from the police and internal security services. However, a military coup would also represent no ideological challenge to the regime — the state’s mission of advancing secular nationalism will continue even after Ben Ali’s removal from power. And in the event that the military willingly cedes power and holds new elections in six months, the decimation of the Islamist movement over the last two decades means that any serious challenger is bound to come from a similar ideological background.

The weakness of Tunisia’s Islamist opposition also makes it difficult to forecast how other Middle Eastern regimes would react to similar protests. It is unthinkable, for example, that Mubarak would not choose to crack down more viciously on protesters given the very real possibility that, if overthrown, Egypt would become an Islamist state. Given the unique nature of Tunisian society, observers hoping that Ben Ali’s fall will portend a similar fate for other Arab autocrats may be left waiting a lot longer than they might now think.