The bomb turned out to be a Bocaue kwitis - JAYWALKER by Art A. Borjal

The "bombshell" that the Defense Panel wanted to drop in the January 8 session of the Impeachment Trial of President Estrada turned out to be a Bocaue kwitis. Instead of exploding in the ranks of the Prosecution, the "bomb" exploded in the faces of the Defense. Yes, instead of shattering the credibility of Land Bank cashier Maria Caridad Rodenas, the Defense, through what Senators-Judges Raul Roco and Rodolfo Biazon called a "dirty trick", strengthened the Prosecutor’s case against the President.

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For one, it has become crystal clear that there is a name, "Delia Rajas," that is closely associated with Atong Ang and his family. The name may be that of a cook of the mother of Atong Ang, but it could also be the alias of some other person close to Ang. For another, it is also crystal-clear that the name of Delia Rajas, as given to Chavit Singson, could have come only from Atong Ang. For how could Chavit have learned about Delia Rajas, a cook of Atong Ang’s mother, without getting the name from Atong Ang?

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Because of that unusual ploy of the Defense, in its attempt to discredit the testimony of Rodenas, other interesting facts have emerged. That there was an attempt at another cover-up, initiated by Yolanda Uy, sister of Atong Ang, through the destruction of bank documents. That Catalina Ang, mother of Atong Ang, is the principal of Alma Alfaro, in handling regular weekly transactions with the bank, involving huge sums of money, and the transmission of these amounts to various parts of the country. Now, what kind of business does Catalina Ang have, that she has to transmit money almost every day, to various persons in different parts of the country?

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The senators-judges have reason to express alarm over the antics of Defense counsel Sigfrid Fortun, which have been described as "dirty tricks" and could be sufficient reason to initiate contempt proceedings against him. One only has to review the television tapes of the Impeachment proceedings to know that there was an attempt to mislead not only witness Rodenas but also the entire Impeachment Court, including Chief Justice and Presiding Officer Hilario Davide Jr.

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There is that portion of the tape where Prosecutor Moreno made a manifestation, saying that the Delia Rajas claimed to be inside the Impeachment Court might not be the one who went to transact business with Rodenas at the Land Bank. "You have the assurance from the Defense counsel, who is an officer of the Court," said Chief Justice Davide. Fortun here apparently acquiesced to the observation of CJ Davide, since Fortun said nothing, in reaction to Moreno’s manifestation and to CJ Davide’s comments.

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Thus, when witness Rodenas began to go around the session hall, to look for Delia Rajas, it was the impression of almost everyone, including Rodenas and the senators-judges, that what she was looking for was the woman who went to her at the Land Bank branch in Mandaluyong. She was not looking for the Delia Rajas who is the cook of Catalina Ang. This, Defense counsel Fortun clearly knew, but did not divulge to the witness or to the Impeachment Court. In effect, both Rodenas and the senators-judges were obviously misled by what seemed to be a misrepresentation by the Defense counsel.

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Fortun now faces the threat of being cited in contempt of court, for misrepresentation and for lacking candor in conducting himself as an officer of the court. The incident involving Fortun will be the second time that a cloud of doubt has arisen over the conduct of the Defense Panel. Remember that incident involving the signing of vital documents at the office of Defense counsel Estilito Mendoza, which lawyers’ groups have denounced as an act that could lead to disbarment?

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Let me give an update on the kindhearted individuals who have been supporting the projects of the Good Samaritan Foundation:

* Every year, Comelec Chairman Harriet O. Demetriou always goes out of her way to lend a helping hand to the Good Samaritan Foundation. This Christmas season, Harriet did not forget to share some of her blessings in life to our less fortunate fellowmen. She sent a donation of P1,500.

* Johanna Tioseco of Manila donated P3,000 (BPI Family Bank 0065811).

* Armando Ang of Quezon City personally dropped by the GS Foundation office to hand over P8,000.

* Menardo Santos of Carson, California, USA, remitted the amount of P2,500.

* "Pearl" of Cavite City sent P1,000 thru RCBC.

* I.E. of Sampaloc, Manila, donated P3,000 (ActiveBank 0507939).

* Anonymous from Cresta St., Quezon City, sent P2,000.

* Mr. Quina of Pampanga donated P2,500 thru a bank.

* Anonymous lady from Quezon City gave P5,000 (PCIBank 0129336).

* Ester Zingapan of Tuguegarao, Cagayan, donated P500.

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In the meantime, the Good Samaritan Foundation appropriated P3,000 for the forthcoming dialysis session of Kathylene Nicandro of Bacolod City, at the National Kidney Center. Also appropriated was the amount of P500 for indigent Aurora Baylon of Negros Occidental, whose brother lost both of his arms in marble-mine grenade blast in Bulacan several years ago. The GS Foundation provided the young miner two artificial arms that he is now using for his day-to-day activities.

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Sylvia Mondonedo-Campos, daughter of retired Col. Osmundo Mondonedo, sent her own recollections of President Estrada when he was yet a young man. Mrs. Campos remembers that Erap was a very close friend of a son of General Velarde, who was a next-door neighbor of the Mondonedo family at South Camp Crame Road in Quezon City. And she also remembers seeing Joseph Ejercito oftentimes hanging out with the Velarde boys in the nearby Velarde residence.

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Going further back memory lane, Mrs Campos recalls that way back in the 1950s, South Crame Road, which is now Annapolis street, was the street right along the perimeter wall of Camp Crame. The developers, Ortigas & Company, sold all the lots along South Crame to army officers. Among the military officials who lived there were Gen. Alfonso Arellano, Gen. Ismael Lapus, Undersecretary Carmelo Z. Barbero, Col. Chanco, Undersecretary Syquio, Col. Valenton, General Velarde, and Col. Osmundo Mondonedo. The Velarde property has long been sold, and the street is now lined with commercial buildings.

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PULSEBEAT: Do you have an autistic child? Or do you have an interest in autism? If you do, then try to attend a seminar conference on "Good Autism Practice" on February 7-8, 2001, at the Heritage Hotel at Roxas Boulevard, under the sponsorship of the Center for Autism and Related Disorders, Philippine General Hospital, and Wyeth Philippines. The main resource person will be Dr. Rita Jordan, an internationally-renowed expert on autism, and senior lecturer in autism at the School of Education, University of Birmingham, United Kingdom. For particulars on the seminar, contact the GAP Secretariat, A898 Palace Road, BF Homes, Las Piñas City, Tel. No. 820-8719.... Guarding the Public Trust, a book authored by Senator Francisco S. Tatad, will be launched on January 13 at the Filipinas Heritage Library, Makati Avenue, at 5 p.m. The book is published by Raya Books.

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My e-mail address: <[email protected]>