Libyan Embassy Defected to Rebel Camp

MANILA

After rebels stormed on 23 August 2011 (Wednesday) the fortress-like compound of Muammar Khadaffi in Bab al-Aziziya in Tripoli, diplomats in the Libyan embassy in Manila defected to the rebels, destroying images of the hiding leader and raising the rebel flag. Consul Faraj Zarrough heads the Libyan mission in the Philippines.

The National Transitional Council, the interim rebel government, will administer government until a new leader gets elected through a democratic process.

The ICC Rome Statute Ratified

MANILA

The Senate ratified on 24 August 2011 (Thursday) the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC) 13 years after the Philippines helped draft the treaty in 1988 during the administration of late president Corazon Aquino. The ICC is a permanent tribunal created on 2 July 2002 to prosecute individuals for genocide, crime against humanity, war crimes and crimes of aggression.

Under the treaty, the ICC can step in when countries are unwilling or unable to dispense justice for the crimes it covers.

“If a state becomes a party to the Rome Statute," Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago said, "any past leader could be investigated and prosecuted if he committed a core crime, particularly if he is the head of state, member of the national legislature, or government official at a similarly high level.” She said that the Rome Statute was the most important innovation since the founding of the United Nations.

For the provisions in the Rome Statute, click here.  

BRP Marcelo Del Pilar

On 23 August 2011 (Tuesday), the newly-acquired BRP Marcelo Del Pilar reached the Philippines from the United States of America, replacing the World War II-era destroyer as the country's flagship. The refurbished Hamilton-class cutter is a 46-year-old vessel that the US Coast Guard recently decommissioned.

The Preused Ravens Helicopters Controversy

MANILA

THE SENATE Blue Ribbon Committee as of this writing continue its investigation on the controversial P105-million purchase of three helicopters, two of which had been allegedly owned and used by former First Gentleman Jose Miguel "Mike" Arroyo, that the Philippine National Police (PNP) made in 2009.

COMPANIES INVOLVED

Asian Spirit; Lion Air. Owned by Archibald Po. Purportedly the exclusive distributor of the Raven helicopters manufactured by Robinsons.

Manila Aerospace Trading Corporation. President: Hilario de Vera. The exclusive marketing arm of Asian Spirit and Lion Air.

LTA Incorporated. President and Chairman: FG Jose Miguel Arroyo.

ARROYO STAND

Arroyo maintains that he does not own the two used Raven helicopters.

      

TESTIMONIAL EVIDENCES

1. Sia Testimony: LTA sent a total of $1.5 million to Robinsons Helicopter (California) for the purchase of five Raven helicopters from late 2003 to early 2004. [Renato Sia is the general manager of Lion Air]

2. Solano-Juguan Testimony: For the past seven years she went to the LTA office every month to receive money in cash for the maintenance and other operating expenses for the four helicopters, two of which had been sold to the PNP. The fifth had earlier crashed. In these visits she would exchange pleasantries with former FG while she counted money given by Rowena del Rosario (LTA accountant). [Edith Solano-Juguan is an employee of Lion Air.]

3. Lazo Testimony: He received instructions through text from Mr. Arroyo on who should be allowed to use the helicopters and their destinations. [Domingo Lazo is a Lion Air dispatcher.]

4. Silvestre & Labastilla Testimonies: They piloted the helicopters with Mr. Arroyo and members of teh Arroyo family as passengers in 2004. They would usually land at an exclusive Malacañang helipad. [Dennis Silvestre and Margarito Labastilla are pilots of Lion Air.]

DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCES

1. LTA Telephone Numbers: AThe telephone numbers written on the documents at SEC and the $500,000 Banco de Oro direct wire transfer from LTA Inc. are the same. The LTA Incorporated SEC registration papers showed its telepone number as 8172709. The telephone number on top of the BDO Herrera branch direct wire transfer made on 11 December 2009 to Robins (a faxed copy sent to Lion Air) is also 8172709.

UPDATES

Arroyo filed perjury charges against Archibald Po: ASenate President Juan Ponce Enrile extended Po and Hilario Vera immunity from suits.
Senate Blue Ribbon Committee Submitted Findings to the Ombudsman: On 15 December 2011, SBRC found former FG Miguel Arroyo and several incumbet PNP officials liable for violating the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act. FG Arroyo received the $700 million proceeds from the sale of said choppers.

Sources

Reyes, Karl JohnC: "Mike Arroyo, Others Liable for Chopper Mess," InterAksyon 15 December 2011
Casayuran, Mario B: "Proof vs FG mounts" Manila Bulletin 12 August 2011

Senator JM Zubiri Resigned

Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri resigned on 3 August 2011 as the Senate Electoral Tribunal (SET) had its ongoing recount wherein in defeated candidate Senator Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel Jr. leads him by 257,00 votes in the contested area in Maguindanao for the 2007 Senatorial election. [Read report]

Senator Miguel Zubiri Resigned

MANILA

On the wake of a renewed investigation on the poll cheating in the 2007 national elections, Senator Miguel Zubiri announced his resignation on 3 August 2011 (Wednesday) from the Senate "because of these unfounded accusations against me and these issues has systematically divided our nation and has casted doubt in our electoral system which has affected not only myself, this Institution, but the public as well."

In that election, Zubiri got over 11 million votes placing him on the 12th slot for Senate, ahead of his closest rival, lawyer Aquilino Pimentel III, son of former senator Aquilino Pimentel Jr. Pimentel however contested the result before the Senate Electoral Tribunal over alleged irregularities and cheating in the controversial elections. The protest remained pending since 2007 until mid-year this year.