“It is honored by tradition,” Sen. Edgardo Angara stressed. He meant Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile’s “Christmas cash gifts” of P1.6 million each to 18 “friendly” senators, including Angara. At year’s end, Enrile ladled “maintenance and other operating expenses” (MOOE) savings. Why did it ignite today’s brawl?
I’ve always been an avid reader of Public Lives. I like the way Randy David’s opinions are presented. He usually supports them with facts and unquestionable pieces of evidence.
Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile played god last Christmas—with the people’s money. He distributed cash gifts, totaling P30 million, to senators and Senate employees, taken from public funds. Signing checks on his Senate podium like a paternalistic landlord, Enrile was heard saying, “Gusto ko, happy kayo.” He gifted a total of 22 senators: 18, [...]
“What’s in a name?” Juliet asked Romeo in Shakespeare’s play. “That which we call a rose by any other name will smell as sweet.” True. Hence, a bribe by any other name still stinks. Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile calls the P1.6 million (or a total of more than P30 million of the people’s money) [...]
