Play of words
NEWS stories about the 31 counts of cyber libel against Jun Alcover, ex-councilor and ex-congressman, didn’t repeat the alleged defamatory statements that he made in his radio and Facebook live program.
But an item lifted from “Ninews” and posted on Alcover’s wall said he called City Administrator Floro Casas, the multiple-libel complainant, “Atty. Cashas,” a play of the lawyer’s name and the word “cash.”
Interestingly, Alcover has not yet, to Bzzzzz’s knowledge, denied the allegations publicly and his formal answer to Casas’s complaint before the prosecutor was still to be publicized.
Instead, his FB post of Tuesday, February 18, said he was heading for prison because he was telling the truth (something like “... Prisohan akong padulngan kay nagsulti sa tinuod”). He is probably trying to live up to the billing “Jun ‘Way Kulba’ Alcover.” The moniker means “No Fear.”
And he could be the person with the highest number of libel cases. By his count, which he also publicized, he is now facing 31 cases filed by Casas and 189 cases filed by City Councilor Nina Mabatid, or a total of 220 (!).
People talk about...
[1] NOISY, CRITICAL JOVIE ESPENIDO. Lt. Col. Jovie Espenidao, already in hot water, is turning up the heat further by publicly slamming PNP chief Archie Gamboa and other top officers for “failing to verify his name more thoroughly” in the list of more than 300 cops who were linked to drugs in President Duterte’s list. The listed “narco” suspects were earlier ordered by Gamboa to retire early and shut up.
The most damning statement from Espenido, however, could be his declaration that only the government would kill him. It tends to boost suspicion that extrajudicial killings of police had been the handiwork of government, not drug lords.
[2] TURNCOATS IN THE HOUSE. How correct are these figures? From 125 members of the ruling party PDP-Laban at the start of President Duterte’s term in 2016, the number has reportedly gone down to “just 62.” The recent defectors include four key PDP-Laban members, including two House deputy speakers, who joined the National Union Party (NUP).
A proposed amendment to the Constitution will penalize switching of parties (a) during the legislator’s term and (b) a year after the elections and a year before the elections.
Other than NUP, the other favorite of defectors is the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democratic Party (Lakas-CMDP).
The NUP is composed mostly of former members of Kampi CMD. It is still a member of the PDP-Laban-led coalition in the House. Lakas-CMD was founded by then president Fidel Ramos with former president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo as party leader and Bong Revilla as chairman.
Depleted ranks of PDP-Laban could be the reason the second prong of the attack on ABS-CBN – a “quo warranto” petition -- was filed before the Supreme Court. The ruling party may not be sure anymore of its hold in the House.
[3] P10,000 “PASTILLAS.” The term used for the money rolled in white office paper like milk candy. The amount distributed to corrupt immigration officials is P10,000 cash – for each Chinese national allowed to enter the country on tourist visa but eventually allowed wor work in Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (Pogo) firms. Disclosure of the mode of pay-off was made at the Senate inquiry at the Senate inquiry Monday, Feb. 17.
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