Ronaldo (1)Joc Joc and the Senate of Jokes
I just can’t help it but blog (and rant) what I saw today on Philippine TV. At long last, former Department of Agriculture Undersecretary Jocelyn “Joc-joc” Bolante appeared before the Blue Ribbon Committee of the Philippine House of Senate.
The Committee is chaired by Senator Alan Peter Cayetano – who refused to inhibit from “chairing” the Investigation at the request of Senator Panfilo Lacson – citing the fact that Senator Cayetano was one of the alleged beneficiaries of the 728-Million peso “Fertilizer Scam“.
The Senate Investigation started with Senator Cayetano explaining to JocJoc that the Senate presumes his innocence and that the Senate is not out to convict him – a rather confusing statement when in fact the Senate already convicted Bolante and even issued a warrant for his arrest.
Then Bolante was allowed to speak and surprisingly, thanked the Senate for its humanitarian and fair handling of his case – amusing and amazing, when in fact he accused the Senate of being vindictive and politically inclined before the US Courts when he applied for political asylum – which was eventually rejected.
Then the most disappointing events followed – the Senators, including those I admired failed the expectations of many people to ferret out the truth behind the alleged Scam. Objectivity – which was supposed to be the guiding principle of the Investigation was simply not present. The Senators who led the questioning of Bolante (Sen. Mar Roxas, Sen. Jinggoy, Sen. Escudero) including the Chairman of the Blue Ribbon Committee were all one in portraying Joc Joc Bolante as the Scam Architect, guilty, con-artist, “madrama”, liar – even hurling insulting statements, throwing demeaning remarks and sarcastic gestures.
They themselves went down to the supposed level of Jocjoc. Whether JocJoc Bolante is guilty or not, the Senate should not have dealt the Hearing the way they did today. When they want to investigate in “aid of legislation” (which until now – they haven’t done any legislation out of those numerous Senate Investigations), Objectivity and maintaining Honorable disposition are very important.
I should say based on how he answered the questions – Bolante scored over the Senators. If he was indeed guilty – the Senators made him looked like an innocent in the process. He answered the questions clearly – a thing that made most of the Senators visibly irked. JocJoc Bolante obviously is guilty in the eyes of the Senators, and in public – and the Senate should have let the Justice System do its job.
He should have faced his day today in the Court of Laws, not in the Court of opinion and media spotlight. Sen. Miguel Zubiri, who himself inhibited from the Committee Investigation was right in saying – that Bolante should be charged in Court so he can defend himself there, and save the Senate from becoming a circus.
Disappointing, but indeed it was as entertaining as ever… notably when it was Senator Miriam Santiago’s time to speak. She saved the day.
“Then the most disappointing events followed – the Senators, including those I admired failed the expectations of many people to ferret out the truth behind the alleged Scam. Objectivity – which was supposed to be the guiding principle of the Investigation was simply not present.”
I’m in accapella mode with you. I read the Inquirer on a daily basis and they have this summary of all the great dysfunctionalities of all time that’s invented reinvented for all personal glorious corrupt moments of these people and the end result after all these comic investigative bloody miss universe question and answer chorva? Nuttin.
Ahehehe. Funny. Its sad to note that serious things like these become so entertaining. Can the Senator blame us? Dapat magbago na sila. It even looked like they were so immature – if you only saw the way they behave during the session.
Nagpaasar sila kay Jocjoc – eh talaga namang talo yung asar.
And granted for the sake of all these non-sense investigation by now, Bolante is guilty, what would that make of Gloribee? Wouldn’t that mean that she has to go too? Kaya, I am apt to believe that there’s the more people in bloody power to silence Bolante.
Hmmm, you have a point reynz – it’s super evident that powerful people are protecting Bolante in the first place. Siyempre, talamak yang ganyan sa Pinas. I would say that without batting an eyelash.
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Personally speaking, I was expecting that. I think the most they should do is to gather supporting documents to prove that Joc is not a joke. Pero asaran lang ang nangyari e. Although it may look that Joc is very calm, I suppose he has still many things to say. Dinaan kasi ng mga senador sa galit e, instead of reverse psychology.
Just my thought, though.
JocJoc had a lot of things to say talaga. Unfortunately, the Senaators sensed it and they knew it would be for Jocjoc’s advantage. That is why most of the time – they cut him short while he’s talking.
He shouldn’t have been there in the first place.
what boggles my mind is that indi naman pambili nang tinapa yong pagkalaki laking pera and releasing that big amount of money – questionable naman na indi aaprov si gloribee? i mean… duhhhh!!! grrr! ~*gigil*~ hmpt! nakuuu! matatalupan ko yang bulate na yan! grrr!
joc joc, joke! it rhymes di ba?
i think these investigations are simply made to give people aspiring reelection (or for higher office) a chance to be noticed again by the public. Di ba the target of this is not jocjoc, but PGMA?
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It was great meeting you last night once again bro. I wish you goodluck on your new assignment.
Hopefully, by 2010, we’ll see a much better elections – but I doubt if we’ll gonna have one. Instead of passing laws and measures to ensure the next presidential election will be credible, our Senators are just too busy with all the investigations.
Kahit yun nalang sana – araw we should be able to hear news about the preparations being made, if there’s any.
I second to that B.
I’m one of those people too who wishes that Philippines will have a better economy. I’m praying also that the next leader is really sincere in making the country a better place for opportunity. Anyway, let’s all see this coming 2010 and let’s hope for the best.
My greatest fear for 2010? I’ll be very petrified if these so-called ‘accused for corruption’ will run for an office in our government. Remember Garci? Correct me if I am wrong but I heard he has a nerve to run for a post in his province!
Well, sana naman i-declare sila agad na ‘nuisance candidate’ noh?
Snow, you’ll be surprised some people get paid just to run for President. Hehe – and there’s magic behind it.
Hmm a lot of these senate hearings have been occuring lately and our government is now being scandalized not just in local soil but internationally as well which though is not new to a lot of people is still a bit rather embarrassing, oh well Still hoping for some miracle of some sort hehehe
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They say “there’s always hope”. But tell this to people who don’t have nothing to eat. Sometimes we wonder ask if there’s justice around us. Check out those hungry people on the streets – most of them will probably die without even getting the chance to eat “beef steak” or drink “red wine”, or wear a nike shoe or a giordano shirt (forget about lacoste).
But then, some people in government and politicians enjoy all the comfort in life – at the expense of these poor and hungry people. When these corrupt men die someday – will that be justice to the poor? But still, the poor die poor and the corrupt die rich.
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Bro,
Totoo yan. Si JocJoc ay isang malaking Joke! No more no less.
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So true bro. What do you call a joke being passed around, shared and feasted on by everyone inside a hall?
power corrupts and the more money they have in their face the more they sing “MY WAY” as in “I DID IT ON MY OWN” leche talaga nila!
Aww, you might need one of those pills Jocjoc took during the hearing. Hehehe. Adding some lyrics to their songs – hopefully they would change hearts when they get to the part – AN NOW, THE END IS NEAR.
Unfortunately – those were the first lines – probably these folks love to skip the first lines and missed the dire warnings. LOL
The greatest Joke I saw there was Jinggoy and all the other senators who made it obvious about their bias.
bendz´s last blog post..New Batch of Certified Public Accountants (October 2008)
Yep, esp the part when Jinggoy asked Bolante kung arte lang yung sickness nya. Reminiscent of those days when he asked to be confined at the makati med during a senate hearing/impeachment complaint.
nakakatawa lang mga Senators dun hehehehe
bendz´s last blog post..New Batch of Certified Public Accountants (October 2008)
JokeJoke is really a big joke! How much is the bribe for this time in exchange for his big lies?! Or just a death threat to him or his family that’s why he keeps on telling lies – very evident lies.
Crime does not pay – sooner or later, you’ll pay the price. How much it “costs” to live a life of fear, putting one’s family in danger? That’s 180Million peso question.
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Ok sana yung senate hearing kasi naiinform ang mga tao kung ano ang issue. Learning process ba. Kasi ang dami pa ding mga Pinoy ang hindi alam kung anong nangyayari sa bansa natin. Madami kasi oo lang ng oo yun pala ninakawan na tayo. Ang problema naman sa senado, investigation pa lang lumalabas guilty agad yung tao, kaya ang tingin ng iba me kasalanan talaga. Pero ang totoo para sa akin meron naman talaga hehe. Obvious at feeling guilty tong si Joc-joc “OA” Bolante na to!
The Senators did not do their homework – or they could have just charged Bolante directly in court. Or they could have just asked their Lawyers to do the questioning.
why do that when they can get media millage with the inquiry? heheheh
bendz´s last blog post..New Batch of Certified Public Accountants (October 2008)
hi everyone
finally!!! got to find a blog relating to the current events in the country specially with joc-joc! i appreciate the bloggers and i really like the thoughts being shared here, Mabuhay mga Pinoy…
anyhow, as for my thoughts regarding with the fertilizer scam, i really do believe that there was a scam happened. as everyone said, every government transaction is a scam. honestly guys for me i dont really give hopes in our politician, i dont even go out and vote … due to the corruption thingy.
as for joc-joc, i like the way he answered the questions from the senators how ever i am still convinced that he is guilty. come on, how can you put in a fertilizer company in which it isnt even in the address stated? then telling us that he does not know, coz he is not responsible of whoever is the fertilizer company or whatever..duh! but what is the use of signing the papers if you dont know anything? is that the way he fools us filipinos? if you’re signing your marriage contract like you dont really care who you are going to marry? is that it ? i really dont know why …but i really find joc-joc is joking at us pinoys…
Thanks for dropping by Manoy! I agree with you, Jocjoc is already guilty in public opinions – and it should be the Judicial system to hand the verdict, not the Senate. They’re just wasting lots of time and money – they can’t even convict Bolante. Let the justice roll – and find out whether Jocjoc is just joking after all.
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