Who do you believe more in the trade of accusations surrounding the ZTE scandal?

Manuel Abejero, Pangasinan: JDV is saying something the people want to hear, and FG is hiding behind the clout of his wife. This much, the people already know. Folie à deux!  

Pedro Alagano Sr., Vigan City: I’m for FG. JDV, being House Speaker then, had the clout to prevent any wrongdoing, but he failed for obvious reasons, thus making his credibility suspect.  

They both lack credibility

Leonard Villa, Batac City: No matter how much I try, I can’t convince myself to trust either of them. The more they talk, the more I don’t believe what they say. I feel that both of them are fooling us.  

A. Raquepo, Ilocos Sur: We can’t believe either. They’re making the Philippines their stage for personal gains. The ZTE deal is obviously an unfair deal for us. Why does our government keep saying it is fair? On the other hand, why is JDV only coming out now? He should also shed light on other national issues, being a former insider.  

Aldo Apostol, Metro Manila: I don’t believe in either, as JDV is “late” in his testimonies, while FG never faces and answers the accusations truthfully and uses the law as an escape.  

L.C. Fiel, Quezon City: You’re asking me to make a choice between Incredible Hulk and Rainbow Joe? I say, I distrust both. Pareho silang zero credibility sa akin.  

Rey Ibalan, Antipolo City: It’s like asking which of the two is white, the raven or the hawk? Both presume that people are dumb and should believe their spin.  

Joel Caluag, Bulacan: JDV and FG can lie facing a crucifix without blinking an eye.  

Gerii Calupitan, Muntinlupa City: Let me put it this way: When your kids fight, both try to prove the other is lying and he is telling the truth, right? So to be fair, I say, both are lying.  

Vir Lauzon, General Santos City: JDV or FG? Nada, wala.   

Eddie Yap, Kabankalan City: Of course, both JDV and FG are lying. Oh come on, haven’t you gotten used to all these accusations, blaming, finger pointing and mud slinging among lawmakers that have now become entertainment fare, just like those inane telenovelas on TV? For sure, neither will admit that he is a liar so the show goes on. If you’re totally fed up, just enjoy the cartoon section in the newspaper, switch off your TV to listen to good music, and resolve to be more careful in choosing your candidates come the next election.  

Benjamin Nillo, Las Piñas City: I’m greatly confused as to whom to believe more because both FG and JDV are not telling the whole truth. The trading of accusations has worsened.  

Rudy Tagimacruz, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon: FG and JDV are political Goliaths whose ZTE arguments sound believable. A David like me is at a loss to tell who is not lying.  

Ed Alawi, Davao City: To me, both JDV and FG are trying hard to save their skin. Based on media reports, both are guilty of corruption. The only question is: Who is more corrupt?  

Fortunato Aguirre, Bulacan: None of them. Jose Pidal is a master of lies while JDV was a longtime partner of GMA in her shenanigans and now he’s ratting on her. Let them smear each other.  

Atty. Avelino Falcon, Saudi Arabia: Wala akong itulak kabigin sa dalawa, pareho ko sila itutulak. It is a case of the pot calling the other kettle black.  

Ric Vergara, Calamba: In my opinion, both JDV and FG are involved in the ZTE deal and PGMA knew about the unholy alliance.  

Renato Taylan, Ilocos Norte: Let JDV and FG trade accusations, while I enjoy reading the story of two virulent parasites turning against each other.  

Johann Lucas, Quezon City: None, they’re both guilty of a crime against the Filipino people. This is one of the reasons why JDV didn’t say anything before. He wanted to protect himself.  

Give them the benefit of the doubt

Manny Cordeta, Marikina City: JDV and FG are merely hurling accusations and counter accusations, unarmed, obviously, with foolproof documents to back up their respective stands. To side with either one of the two, without any basis at all, would be prejudicial. This could just be a belief or perception on my part, sad to say, almost always identified with conjectures or speculations. Sorry, am in no mood to play a guessing game, I’d rather give them the benefit of the doubt.  

They should stand in court

C.B. Fundales, Bulacan: JDV’s contradicting claims in a political process doesn’t alter FG’s presumed innocence. We can only gauge their truthfulness if they stand in court.  

Juan Deveraturda, Zambales: Congress is just wasting its time listening to the empty rhetorics of JDV. If JDV has a strong case against both PGMA and FG, he should file a case in court. If not, he should just shut up.  

Pictures don’t lie

Don Hernandez, Las Piñas City: The ZTE deal has already been proven to be tainted. Even Romulo Neri confirmed various anomalies and even fingered Abalos engaging in multimilliondollar bribery. Where there’s Abalos, can FG be far behind? That golf game picture at the ZTE Headquarters in China says it all.  

Jim Veneracion, Naga City: Neither. JDV can’t be immaculate since he was in the same boat as FG. But as pictures don’t lie, that golf course photo says it all.  

Elpidio Que, Vigan: Pictures don’t lie, just like the one shown by JDV. Why were they there when a project bidding where ZTE was a bidder was in progress? JDV also showed a copy of his letter to GMA informing her of death threats that he and his business partner and son Joey were then receiving. Why didn’t his former Chacha partner act on it accordingly? The P500,000 sent to his office might be too small an amount to bribe him, but he was still romancing with the ruling family then, so he was still probably a major partner in some dirty undertakings. JDV could be a big liar, but we should now believe what he is saying, and not what the Pidals and their lackeys are saying to discredit him. Those to whom evil is done, do evil to the same, you see? Poison kills poison.  

Romeo Caubat, Masbate: JDV, because in my study of law, a mere denial will not prosper when confronted by a solid and convincing evidence. Pictures don’t lie.  

Danny de Leon, AlKhafji, Saudi Arabia: JDV presented a picture that speaks a thousand words more than a denial that’s selfserving in any way.  Col.Ben Paguirigan Jr., Ret., Zamboanga City

FG accused JDV as a liar. JDV retaliated. Pictures don’t lie. I think both of them are liars, though.  

They both have vested interests

Erwin Espinosa, Pangasinan: I don’t trust both. Either have no iota of credibility regarding the ZTE scandal. Parehong may vested interest kasi sa ZTE deal.  

Robert Chan, Zamboanga City: I believe more in the trade accusations of JDV than FG, but who cares? Both have selfinterest in this issue, and both got richer using their position in government.  

Debbie Genato, Quezon City: No one, they’re all the same, liars and thieves. They only protect their own interests. They are crocodiles!  

Blood is thicker than water

Rose Leobrera, Manila: I think this time, though JDV has the face of a sourgraping man, I would believe him. Why? He was a close ally, a compadre, a previous confidante of the most powerful family. Whatever dealing GMA and FG got into, saling pusa siya. This is a case of blood being thicker than water. JDV could have denied his son’s allegations; he could have even castigated him. He lost power in the same way he lost a friend. What happened here only shows one of the most admirable traits of the Filipino: that, come what may, in triumph and in downfall, family is family. As for FG, silent waters run deep.  

More inclined to believe JDV

Delfin Todcor, Mt. Province: JDV is telling the truth. I hope that his testimony puts an end to corruption. May all congressmen and senators realize that it is better to please God.  

Dennis Acop, Baguio City: I am not a fan of JDV, the quintessential trapo, but I believe him more over FG in the trade of accusations over the NBNZTE scandal. It does not really matter whether we like either one or none of them for liking them has nothing to do with who is saying the truth. In the case of the former House Speaker, he is going against the most powerful couple in the country that is backed up by almost the entire government machinery except perhaps the current Supreme Court and the Senate. He is also essentially going against himself because he is admitting to wrongdoing that he himself was involved in. Now, who would want to do that, especially in this facesavingobsessed society of ours?!  

Imee Aglibot, Rizal: Of these two, dehado si FG. With or without the book, JDV is more credible. FG could have just simply shrugged it off, but he lashed back like a kid. Ang pikon, talo.  

Ruel Bautista, Laguna: Given a choice between two evils, I’d rather side with JDV, the lesser evil.  

Edwin Castillo, Tanauan City: I’m inclined to believe JDV because he was kicked out as House Speaker.  

Eufrocino Linsangan, Isabela: I believe JDV. As GMA’s former close ally, he knows too well about the ZTE deal. Finally, he’s revealing what he knows. Better late than never.  

Ricardo Tolentino, Laoag: With so many allegations linking FG to government anomalies, I tend to believe JDV more for he is an insider who knows so much.  City

Sahlee Reyes, Las Piñas City: Between JDV and FG, my confidence is on JDV, 100 per cent. I’m not saying that JDV is impeccable, but if one had to choose between two evils, I’d go for the lesser one. Albeit JDV may have been the smokestack before in all these controversies, it is by God’s intervention that he is now on the other side of the fence. We have to open our hearts to welcome a prodigal son of our fatherland. Let’s give him a chance to be heard because he might be our last hope to end all this misery. The picture he showed was enough to shake our wits. We can’t just stay nonchalant or avert our attention outside national concern, because these are issues affecting our country.  

Cris Rivera, Rizal: His reasons are suspect, but coming from a very close former ally, JDV disclosing the first couple is in on the ZTE, is enough to jolt the Lower House.  

June Deoferio, Cavite: JDV and FG are both guilty of the conspiracy they have committed in the illegal activities including PGMA. I believe JDV more than FG, though, for not fearing to risk his life in exposing the ZTE scandal.  

Alvin Perez, Manila: While not really inclined to believe JDV as a credible witness, I somehow give him the benefit of the doubt because Mike Arroyo and family are, in my opinion, not really trustworthy. The photo shown by JDV is enough evidence that they were in Shenzhen, China and it eventually led to the anomalous deal. While I don’t see GMA getting impeached, I think she will be bolted out either by a people’s revolt or by the remaining obedient officers of the AFP.  

Nestor Buñag, Mandaluyong City: If the accusations fait accompli are backed up by prima facie evidence, we find cause to believe the accuser, or else the accused is credible in saying the accuser’s a liar, having dwelt in hearsay. There you go with the justice system. As for me, the ZTENBN is no done deal.  

Robert Young Jr., San Juan: JDV may be sourgraping, but based on the series of events, GMA and FG could be deeply involved in the NBNZTE deal and P500,000 bribe. On ZTE: GMA and FG had no business visiting the headquarters of a supplier. GMA left for China to witness the signing of the ZTE deal at the time FG was fighting for his life in a hospital; the signed papers mysteriously got lost and others. On the P500,000 bribe: Aside from JDV, many congressmen and governors also received the amount prior to the impeachment hearing. The Palace can’t deny that it distributed brownie bags.  

Why only now?

C.B. Manalastas, Manila: With his long silence, JDV word has become unbelievable. He’s but sourgraping.  

Gil Balobalo, Laguna: JDV. Ang mali lang is sana noong magsalita ang anak niya, sinabayan na niya. Di na siya nagatubili.  

Alava Grande, Agusuhin, Zambales: JDV sounds quite truthful this time, but “he who comes to court must come with clean hands,” as the popular cliché goes. Too bad, he spilled the beans too late in the show. Had he chosen to split much earlier when he was still believable, people might have been more solicitous of what he had to confess about the NBNZTE scandal. FG? Forget it.  

Jose Sevilla Jr., Quezon City: If JDV considers himself a close friend and ally of PGMA, he doesn’t need to be bribed to do things for her. Telling of bribery at this late hour while keeping the bribe leaves room for us to doubt what his real motive is and what kind of person he is.  

Rodolfo Talledo, Angeles City: If JDV had come out of his silky cocoon while still House Speaker and deplored the wrongdoing in high places, I would have believed him.  

Joe Nacilla, Las Piñas City: Since the time of Marcos, I’ve never believed what JDV said. His face is not even convincing. When he wants to emphasize a point, he creates doubts instead. When he was in good graces with GMA, he initiated Chacha that favors the term extension of GMA. Now, he is against it. He was silent about the alleged cash distribution in Malacañang; now he admits that he received money and was willing to donate the same. Why only now? Before, he was silent about the ZTE scandal, but he is now waving a picture showing that FG and GMA were in China. Why expose this only now and not during the Senate investigation? All of these are old recycled political gimmicks.  

FG is the lesser evil

Germi Sison, Cabanatuan City: The question should be: Who is the lesser evil, FG or JDV? My answer is FG. For many years, JDV had been a close ally and adviser of the First Family but when the going turned sour against him, he exposed all the ills of the administration. If JDV will only confess all these sins, including those he committed when he first assumed the speakership, and he’s ready to face whatever the consequences, he will be most credible, even when he will be behind the iron bars.  

Both have something to accept and explain

I.Q. Calata, Parañaque City: I believe both have something to accept and to explain as their participation in the imbroglio. The quarrel is a simple case of a tugofwar made complicated by accusations and counter accusations and also made very colorful by witnesses in a bizarre inquiry that ended without a clear and conclusive closure.  

Sourgraping

Leandro Tolentino, Batangas City: Between a denial king and a sour grape, it would be hard to believe a sour grape, who could almost always tend to manipulate the facts.  

Armando Tavera, Las Piñas City: None, may involvement din si JDV sa ZTE deal because of his son JDV III. JDV is only sourgraping.  

Hounded by scandals and anomalies

C. Gaspar, Laoag City: The many scandals and anomalies attached to FG’s name make him less credible than JDV. His defense is less convincing.  

Ella Arenas, Pangasinan: JDV. The pieces of evidence and the witnesses who attest to the veracity of the scandal are enough to pin down FG. Even if FG keeps accusing JDV, the bottom line still points in his direction.  

Reo Reonal, Albay: FG has never had any credibility. He talks like he has a watusi crackling in his mouth.  

Master politician

Lorenzo Fernandez, Jr., Nueva Ecija: JDV is more articulate and bombastic than FG, but that doesn’t mean he’s telling the truth. Nevertheless, he can convince others. Remember he’s a veteran traditional politician.  

Jose Fabello Jr., Cagayan de Oro City: The drama is ongoing, like a soap opera, so let’s wait and see. JDV, with the saddest of eyes, is the Philippine version of a suicide bomber.  

We’re sick and tired of all this

Joe Nacilla, Las Piñas City: JDV’s bombshell cannot influence the recent impeachment case against GMA. It’s long delayed. He is using an expired bomb. It’s just like bombing the area of Commander Bravo after he has moved on to another place. What a waste of time and money! Taxpayers’ money is wasted on unproductive and useless exercises for selfinterest, disregarding the people who are busy looking for their next meal!  

Josh Pacatang, Dipolog City: Incredible question. I believe JDV in accusing FG of corruption in the ZTE deal; however, I also believe FG in accusing JDV of telling a lie that he did not intervene for his son Joey to bag the ZTE contract. Each is telling the truth against the other, and each are telling a lie to defend himself from attacks of the other. Oh God, let justice be done though the heavens fall.  

Joy Avalle, Pasay City: Is there a choice or something? Will it really matter to find out who’s telling the truth and otherwise? Filipinos are getting tired of this crap.  

Coty Parco, Kalibo, Aklan: Taking for granted that half of JDV’s accusations are true, then our government is not only being run like hell by Filipinos, but by the devil himself!  

Julio Sabato, Valenzuela City: I don’t care who is more trustworthy between the two, just as I don’t trust lawyers. These people are more inclined to commit corruption and get away with it as if nothing happened. When are they going to stop?  

Lydia Reyes, Bataan: Neither. Each has his own interests. Nakakasawa na ‘yang ZTE scandal na yan.  

Views expressed in this section do not necessarily reflect the editorial position of The STAR. The STAR does not knowingly publish false information and may not be held liable for the views of readers exercising their right to free expression. The publication also reserves the right to edit contributions to this section as it sees fit.

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