High crimes, Neri and Myanmar

DIE HARD III
Herman Tiu Laurel
9/28/2007



Everyone is talking about Abalos’ “two hundred” and Neri’s “executive privilege”, Esperon points at “dismissed officers” for a coup fever and tanks guard the Metro entrances. What should not be forgotten is the other “high crime” Neri exposed – the highest Asian telecoms rate charged by Philippine telecom service providers: $ 20/megabit/sec. in this country compared to $0.11/mgb/sec in the U.S., $0.22/mgb/sec in Japan and $ 1.00/mgb/sec in Korea. Efforts of Nonoy Aquino, Joker and Gordon to shield the sacred “privatization” principle from culpability in this “high” crime were to no avail – privatization is as guilty as ZTE in the plunder of this nation.

Neri also pointed out another “high crimes”: “highest” port handling and shipping rates in the world (which Nene Pimentel stopped short of identifying by name; one of Gloria’s Tisoy crony who funds a pro-Gloria broadsheet and carries the “bag”, so to speak, for Gloria. These follow in foremost of the other “high crimes”: the highest electricity rates in Asia which FDC’s latest culled figures from the DOE (Department of Energy) itself shows, and what could well be the highest water and tollway rates too (we’re still gathering data from all over the region) all brought about by the Edsa Dos coup in 2001 . ZTE would plunder $ 360-M, the privatization plunder runs to the hundreds of billions of Dollars.

Miriam Santiago was guilty of her own “high” crime, she walked after some high drama about the “insulting” inanity of the hearing. In a previous session with Doble, Miriam begged to be leave early due to “chronic fatigue syndrome”. Next time she walks out she stay out and in bed to relieve us of the “chronic fatigue syndrome” she inflicts on us all. Her routine hasn’t changed since her immigration days, boring us to death. Author of the book “Christianity versus Corruption” she should know the Bible enough to recall the origins of corruption and check if it in the Garden of Eden when the snake and Eve triumphantly tempted Adam.

Joker Arroyo demanded that the senate to focus on “aid to legislation”. If there’s legislation we need in response to the “high crimes” associated with ZTE and the others Neri also exposed it is this: restrictions on “sovereign guarantee”. This guarantee is the major device for corruption and plunder by foreign and local corporatocratic predators and grafters – corruption in debts and loans, projects and investments, privatization buyouts of national crown jewels, all use “sovereign guarantee”. The latest is the ADB’s loan to Transco buyers, IFC investment in the Masinloc privatization – all with sovereign guarantee. But Joker had no legislation and tried to make Neri the culprit to save his beoved Abalos.

Ex-congressman Tong Payumo, BOT law originator, explained that he never wrote “sovereign guarantee” in the law. The bulk came from FVR’s factotums (the Firm and U.P. economists) in the IPP contracts, privatization of Napocor, etc. But “sovereign guarantee” first incarnation was the “automatic debt appropriation”. “Sovereign guarantee” is “taxpayer guarantee”, thus I propose legislation that any sovereign guarantee must get first the approval of taxpayers in referendum– and not left to NEDA or Malacañang to decide. They do that in Germany, it can be done here. Let’s review all past sovereign guarantees and honor only what is fair and square.

The Cory, FVR and Gloria governments buried our future deep in “sovereign guarantees”. Our great-great-grandchildren will still be paying them. In the power sector alone, sovereign guarantee on the Napocor debts from FVR’s IPP and privatization contracts amount to around $ 1o-B which we are paying until 2011 (raising rates from pre-EPIRA of P 5/kWh to P 11/kWh today and P 15/kWh by next year). Guarantees on the foreign and domestic debts run into trillions, thanks to Cory P400-B local debt, Ramos’ ten-years loans and the trillion-peso new loan contracts of Gloria. President Estrada opposed “sovereign guarantee” to BOT project – so he is imprisoned.

What does Myanmar have to do with “high crimes” and the Neri imbroglio? The connection is: “sovereignty” of Myanmar or guaranteed sovereignty of foreigners over Myanmar. The “double standard” in Western reaction is glaring, with two or three killed in the Myanmar regime’s crackdown on anti-government protesters Western sanctions are increased on Myanmar; but on Edsa Tres in May 2001 where close to two dozens were killed the West did not give a hoot and no UN special envoy –why? Edsa Tres supported anti-sovereign guarantee president Estrada, the West hopes Aung San Suu Kyi will be a Cory or a Gloria to kowtow to their “sovereign guarantee” and Western corporate looting.

Abalos was easy to condemn, but what will it take to make the people understand the “high crimes” of the local telecoms oligarchs with their “highest” rates? Likewise, “high crimes” of oligarchs in the power, port, toll road, water and other privatized public services run by the corporations. Except for fairer complexions these oligarchs are much, much greedier versions of Abalos. The lesson for Abalos – use skin whitener first before you attempt the big con. JdV III? He’s American Boy, buddy. And Neri? Half hero and half coward, for invoking “executive privilege” to shield Gloria - but there’s always tomorrow to tell more. Announcement: “Empower Consumers”, new electricity consumer alliance, will launch October 1, Monday, 9am House, Matalino St.

(Tune in to 1098AM, M-W-F, 6-7pm)