Background check on Mendoza

Curiosity on the identity of Sen. Lacson’s "surprise" witness Capt. Marlon Mendoza suddenly rose even before the man got to testify. Our Spybiz operatives worked double time to do a background check on this mysterious military officer, who was allegedly personally requested by missing Comelec Commissioner Virgilio Garcillano to be his chief security officer. Mendoza officially entered military service in 1991 as a proby, got his commission as a 2nd Lt. in 1994, was promoted to 1st Lt. in 1997 and finally to captain in 2001. He finished elementary at the Liceo de Masbate in 1982, high school at the Batangas National High School, obtained a degree in civil engineering from TIP and finished a computer programming course at STI. Mendoza, who got married in 1994, has four kids – two sons and two daughters. Mendoza is supposed to be a marksman, and among the awards he has been given early in his career is a Military Merit medal. Mendoza’s stint has mostly been in Luzon and the NCR. He was first assigned to ISAFP in 1998. Apparently, Mendoza was active in "schooling," signing up for a lot of courses and seminars, including one on Philippine foreign policy in Ly-ceum, Mandarin language at the National Defense College, and surveillance and intel at ISAFP. Marlon certainly wanted to rise in the world.

Satellite witness

Our West Coast Spy-Ring reported that former Isabela Governor Junior Dy will most likely testify in the looming impeachment trial. A close relative disclosed that the former governor, after listening to the "Hello, Garci" tapes now knows he was clearly dumped by the Administration and left to be eaten by the dogs during the last elections. Our L.A. Spy-Ring reports Governor Dy needs no bribe because he has more than enough to live comfortably well in the United States. Governor Dy is in the US because of a real threat from the NPA and now perhaps from the PNP. No amount of money will make him leave the US because he values his life. But he reportedly is willing to testify for the Opposition – only via satellite.

Impeachment Watch

A group calling itself Citizens’ Impeachment Watch is circulating thru email a list of the congressmen and party-list representatives who have signed the impeachment complaint against President Arroyo. As of Aug. 9, only 41 have signed while the rest (who hold the so-called swing votes) still have to make up their minds. We’re running the list of those who have already signed for readers to see if the name of their favorite solon is in it: J.R. Nereus Acosta; Lorenzo R. Tañada III; Benigno Aquino; Alfonso Umali Jr.; Manuel Mamba; Henedina Abad; Rozzano Rufino Biazon; Reynaldo Uy; Proceso Alcala; Rolex Suplico; Erico Basilio Fabian; Teofisto Guingona III; Agapito Aquino; Juan Edgardo Angara; Jacinto Paras; Rodolfo Agbayani; Francis Escudero; Darlene Antonino-Custodio; Joseph Santiago; Rodolfo Plaza; Ruy Elias Lopez; Alan Peter Cayetano; Justin Chipeco; Ronaldo Zamora; Clavel Martinez; Imee Marcos; Roilo Golez; Joel Villanueva-CIBAC; Mujin Hataman-Anak Mindanao; Florencio Noel-An Waray; Eulogio Magsaysay-AVE; Satur Ocampo-Bayan Muna; Rafael Mariano-Anak Pawis; Liza Maza-Gabriela Women’s Party; Crispin Beltran-Anak Pawis; Teodoro Casiño-Bayan Muna; Mario Aguja-Akbayan; Loretta Ann Rosales-Akbayan; Anna Theresa Hontiveros-Baraquel-Akbayan; Joel Virador-Bayan Muna; Rodante Marcoleta-Alagad.

San Juan residents’ water woes

Residents in San Juan are complaining about the sudden surge in their water bills after the installation of new water pipes and meters all around the area. While the residents were initially impressed with the attempts of the Manila Water to upgrade its services, they were dismayed upon receiving their new bills because the usage reflected double the average amounts that the residents have been consuming. For instance, a resident has been averaging a consumption of 26 cu.m for the previous 12 months, but two months after the installation of the new meters, the average consumption has gone up to 33 and 38 cu. m. When the resident called Manila Water to complain, a company representative who went over the area said the old meters they replaced were inaccurate and the Thailand-made new meters have been calibrated (by MWSS) to reflect the true consumption amounts of the households. So now the residents have no choice but to adjust their budgets and pay 50 percent more than their previous water bills.

Spy tidbiz: Picky prayer partner

This High Society matron, who was a former Blue Lady and later a mahjong mate of Cory Aquino, loves to hold prayer meetings at her posh Makati residence. She is well known for her piety and pro-life advocacy. The mestiza matron, however, is reportedly very picky about the people she wants to pray with and, thus, has limited her prayerful activities only with the very affluent. No poor or middle class folks are invited. Que Barbaridad!

* * *

Join our ring of Eye-spies by sending your intelligence information, complaints, pictures, and comments to [email protected].

All information will be strictly confidential.