On Midnight Appointees of Pres. Arroyo

Pres. Arroyo appointed hundreds of her political ally to several national positions from government owned and controlled corporations, agencies and the judiciary by beating the deadline set by the Constitution on midnight appointees.

Most notable of these appointments was the appointment of Justice Renato Corona replacing Supreme Court Chief Justice Reynato Puno who retires last May 11, 2010 or exactly one day after the May 10, 2010 general election.

All vacant position in the National Prosecution Office (NPO) of the Department of Justice (DOJ) and its attached Public Attorneys Office (PAO) were all filled up as early as March 1, 2010 but released only on a later date of April, 2010.

It was also noted that vacancies in the judiciary particularly the lower courts of the Regional Trial Courts, City and Municipal Trial Courts were suspiciously filled up. Majority of the RTC vacancies were election courts all of which is seen by many as a preparation for the upcoming midterm election of all three (3) year term officials, the congressional, local and half of the rotating senatorial post .

IMPROPRIETY RULES THE OFFICE OF THE PROVINCIAL PROSECUTOR

Businessman and poor litigants in Nueva Ecija are complaining about the improprieties that governs the Nueva Ecija Provincial Prosecutor Office were newly appointed assistant prosecutors are involved.

There were stories that the newly appointed assistant prosecutors were exacting monies from people with pending complaints under investigation in their office and cases that were already in court, more so in their petition for reduction of their bailbonds.

Chief Provincial Prosecutor Floro Florendo is said to be not aware of the illegal collection made by his assistants and staffs. The no objection comment on the motion for reduction of bailbond is said to peg at P500 per request and the affidavit of desistance depends on the amount of bail posted by the accused. The bail posted by the accused is then rumored to be divided between the complainant and the assistant prosecutor handling the case. The assistant prosecutor will not grant or agree with the desistance if not given his percentage share of the bailbond recommended. 

Some insiders said their is an assistant prosecutor who after the dismissal of the case was said to personally get a hold of the official receipt of cash bond of the accused from the court records and with the help of the Office of the Clerk of Court withdrawing the same for his own.

Noynoy Aquino bows in Erap's birthday party

Stars come out for Erap's private birthday party

abs-cbnnews.com | 04/20/2008 9:53 AM

Showbiz friends and political allies of former president Joseph Estrada came out in force to attend his private birthday party at his Polk St. residence Saturday night, ABS-CBN reported.

Among the early arrivals were movie stars Boots Anson Roa, Amalia Fuentes and Eddie Garcia, followed closely by stars of the political scene John Osmeña, Senate President Manuel Villar, San Juan Representative Ronaldo "Ronnie" Zamora, columnist Ninez Cacho-Olivarez, Makati mayor Jejomar Binay, Senators Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III, Mar Roxas, and Juan Ponce Enrile, former press secretary Rod Reyes, and former solicitor general Estelito Mendoza.

Although most of the attendees admitted they were only there to celebrate Estrada's birthday, there was still talk about his speculated presidential campaign in 2010.

Senator Loren Legarda, who also attended, was asked to comment regarding this and she smiled and said, "interesting."

Media was not allowed to cover the event.