Run-up to SONA. Youth sign against Con-Ass in front
of the Adamson University in Manila.
Control of P7B triggered rift
‘Mr. X’ wanted piece of the action
FINAL control by Smartmatic Corp., the
foreign partner in the election computerization project of the
Commission on Elections, of how the contracted P7.2 billion
cost of the project will be spent is the reason Total
Information Management, the Filipino partner, decided to dump
the partnership.
TIM rejected the proposal of Smartmatic,
saying this was contrary to the nature of a joint venture and
"would expose it to possible violations of Philippine laws."
TIM’s fear of exposure to "possible
violation of Philippine laws," sources familiar with the deal
said, was prompted by the entry of a person with the highest
political connections into the deal as a "carried" partner."
STUDENTS and young professionals led by
the Movement of the Youth for Empowerment, Reform,
Advocacy and Progress (myERAP), a group aligned with
President Joseph Estrada, yesterday served a symbolic
"notice of eviction" to President Arroyo near Malacañang.
"From 2001 to 2010, Arroyo would be the
second longest serving president next only to the late
dictator Ferdinand Marcos. Arroyo however leaves Marcos in
the dust in terms of corruption and violation of human
rights," said Ginno Jaralve, spokesman for myERAP.
"Today, we start the year-long wait for
Arroyo to finish her term with a fervent prayer that
Arroyo and her cronies turn away from their wickedness and
greed for power and step down next year," said Goodbye
Gloria campaign spokesman Lloyd Zaragoza.
PRESIDENT Arroyo yesterday canceled her
Cabinet meeting and went on self-quarantine.
Arroyo arrived at 10 p.m. Monday after a
13-day trip to Japan, the US, Colombia, Brazil and Hong Kong –
all places with cases of influenza A(H1N1).
Press Secretary Cerge Remonde said Arroyo
will check in at the Asian Hospital in Muntinlupa Tuesday or
Wednesday, but the quarantine will not take 10 days "as demanded
or suggested by suggestors, both malicious and
well-intentioned."
