Governor Toto Mangudadatu

July 12, 2011- Davao City, Still sleeping but can hear already the news on TV from Dzmm Teleradyo with the lawyers of both the Ampatuan and Mangudadatu sides
news about the suspended ARMM Governor Zaldy Ampatuan surprised everyone for the willingness to testify against his Family for the Maguindanao massacre also known as the Ampatuan massacre (named after the town where the mass graves were found), which happened on the morning of November 23, 2009, in the town of Ampatuan province, on the island of Mindanao, Philippines. Fifty eight victims were on their way to file a certificate of candidacy for Esmael Mangudadatu, then vice mayor of Buluan town, they were kidnapped and brutally killed.


Who would forget that faithful day? The Filipinos were stunned and with combination of anger and rage over what happened to 58 innocent people who were killed because of greed over power. People were killed with the help of government machines like back hoe which is according to the dictionary, Two days before the incident, the mass grave was prepared using a backhoe emblazoned with the name of Maguindanao Gov. Andal Ampatuan Sr., and apparently owned by the Ampatuan family.

Esmael “Toto" Mangudadatu or (Ismael "Toto" Mangudadatu) ( August 15, 1968) is the incumbent Governor of Maguindanao. Mangudadatu was elected for governor of Maguindanao after defeating his closest rival, by a margin of 12,705 votes. The race came to international attention after the 2009 during which his wife, sisters, aides, and lawyers, plus several journalists were kidnapped and murdered.

When I approached the Governor, he had a ready smile. His built is fair, dark but almost everyone are greeting him. He doesn’t have uniformed bodyguards around or even beside him. I took the opportunity to interview him with regards to the current issue surrounding the event, which is under the Supreme court right now and surrounded with many controversies.

Governor Esmael Mangundadatu is at Waterfront Insular Hotel and Casinos today and answered three brief but important questions for Blogwatch.

B: Any comment about the media were the Supreme Court allowed the hearing to be live on TV?

Gov. Mangundadatu: “We are happy about that and we are requesting na magkaroon ng Commercials sa mga TV Stations dahil alam namin na kailangan din nilang kumita.”



B: Any comment about the news today with regards to the suspended ARMM Governor Zaldy Ampatuan that he is willing to testify even agaianst his relatives?


Gov. Mangandadatu:”Hindi kami papayag dahil may matibay kaming ebidensya at mga testigo na involved sila.”


B: Any comment about the justice system under President Noynoy Aquino?

Gov. Mangandadatu:” We are happy for what he is doing from the start.



For info on what really happened two years exactly right now, November 23, 2011. From the internet.

Buluan Vice Mayor Esmael "Toto" Mangudadatu invited 37 journalists to cover the scheduled filing of his certificate of candidacy (COC) at the Commission on Elections provincial office in Mindanao.

He said reports had reached him that his rivals had threatened to chop him into pieces once he filed his COC, and felt the presence of journalists would deter such an attack.

A local report stated that at about 9:00 AM, a convoy of six vehicles carrying journalists, lawyers, and relatives of Vice Mayor Mangudadatu left Buluan to file his COC at the Comelec office in Shariff Aguak. The convoy was composed of six vehicles: four Toyota Grandia vans (one grey, one green, and two white) owned by the Mangudadatu family; and two media vehicles – a Pajero DZRH, Mitsubishi L-300 van owned by Grandia boarded by mediamen, but it lagged behind and decided to turn around once the passengers sensed what was happening. There were two other vehicles that were not part of the convoy but happened to be traveling on the same highway: a red Toyota Vios and Toyota Tamaraw FX.

The Vios had five passengers: Eduardo Lechonsito, a government employee who was bound for a hospital in after suffering a mild stroke Monday morning. He was with his wife Cecille, co-workers Mercy Palabrica and Daryll delos Reyes, and driver Wilhelm Palabrica. The FX was driven by Anthony Ridao, employee of the National Statistics Coordination Board, and son of Cotabato City Councilor"

Before reaching its destination (about 10 km from Shariff Aguak, four on other versions), the convoy was stopped by 100 armed men, who abducted and later killed most or all of its members. There is evidence that at least five of the female victims, four of them journalists, were raped before being killed, while "practically all" of the women had been shot in their genitals and beheaded.

Mangudadatu's youngest sister and aunt were both pregnant at the time of their murders.

A text message sent by Mangudadatu's wife to him, she identified the people that blocked their way as the men of Ampatuan Jr, and that he himself slapped her. The female victims were shot in their genitals, according Agnes Devanadera.

According to Mangudadatu, his wife's "private parts were slashed four times, after which they fired a bullet into it." In addition, he said that "They speared both of her eyes, shot both her breasts, cut off her feet, fired into her mouth." A backhoe located in the immediate vicinity of the carnage at Ampatuan town was identified as the instrument that was used to expediently dig the graves of the victims, including the vehicles. The perpetrators weren't able to complete the job when a helicopter was spotted in the area. The backhoe, emblazoned with the name of Maguindanao Gov. Andal Ampatuan Sr., was later identified to belong to the Maguindanao provincial government.

As of November 25, the death toll had risen to 57, as confirmed by Chief Superintendent Josefino Cataluna of the Reporters Without Borders announced that at least 12 of the victims were journalists, making this the deadliest such incident in the history of news media.

The National Union of Journalists in the Philippines originally estimated that a total of 20 journalists were killed, including an undisclosed number of NUJP members. Philippine Daily Inquirer later updated the number of journalists killed to 34.

Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo responded to the news of the massacre by declaring a state of emergency in Maguindanao, Sultan Kudarat.

Prospero Nograles called on the police to quickly identify the perpetrators of the massacre and disarm private armies.
The Philippine Department of Justice created a panel of special prosecutors to handle cases arising from the massacre.

Manny Villar: Environmentalist

July 7, 2011- Senator Manny Villar and Congresswoman Cynthia Villar hosted a Dinner fellowship for Earth Day Network Philippines (EDNP) to talked about the approached they did in Saving the Las Pinas- Zapote Rivers and on how they used water lilies as the raw material for baskets and bags. According to her their land development company used a lot of natural raw materials as substitute to the usual construction materials that could help and save the environment with zero wastage such as with the use of coconut husk for rip-rapping.

Senator Manny Villar, Sandy Lacson- Hammett and her husband with me

According to the group website, Earth Day Network Philippines is a network organization of different sectors of society campaigning for environmental citizenship. It also invites everyone to celebrate Earth Day every April 22.

Earth Day Network Philippines (EDNP) is the local counterpart of the Earth Day Network International based in Washington, USA. It is the network organization that coordinates the celebration of Earth Day and is composed of government agencies, local government units, businesses, non-governmental organizations, academic institutions, religious groups and individuals for environmental citizenship through meaningful cooperation.

A short film has been presented and attended by distinguished environmentalist headed by the President of EDNP Bert Guevarra, Dr. Metodio Palaypay, a practitioner of medicine and a resident doctor at the UP Health Services. Dr. Palaypay initiated a movement to eliminate waste through sensible management and practical recycling in 1969 in his neighborhood at Leveriza, Pasay City, Metro Manila. In 1978, this movement became the "Zero Waste Recycling Movement of the Philippines Foundation Incorporated," Isagani Serrano, Executive Director of EDNP Voltaire Alferez, Inday Berroya, Atty. Sison, Sonny Valencia of Peoples Tonight, Rollie Quizon, Zero Waste Recycling Movement of the Philippines Foundation Incorporated president Mrs. Luz Sabas, Engr. Grace Bondad- Nicolas of Do it right advocacy, Sandra Lacson- Hammett and her husband who is the principal at Brent International School at Binan, Laguna,  Sweetlink President Nelson Co, June Yasol and Efren Reyes from Calauan, Laguna among other guests.

Congresswoman Cynthia Villar gave away her book for each and everyone entitled “Saving River, Securing Livelihoods” that won international awards such as the 2011 United Nations Water for Life for Best Water Management Practices, 2009 Oikos Foundation of Switzerland Social Entrepreneurship Track for Livelihood Development Program using wastes from the river, 2009 International Green Apple Awards for Environmental Best Practice and 2006 Dubai International Award United Nations Humman Settlements Programme for Best Practice for outstanding contribution toward improving the living environment.

Senator Manny Villar talks about how to reduce poverty based on his experienced, his being an environmentalist that gives him relaxation and less stress than the politics. Everyone enjoyed the music with Noel Cabangon, Banyuhay and Rollie Quizon.

A Clarification: Former PCSO Director Manoling Morato

Manuel “Manoling” Morato spent a couple of hours with blogwatch for the second time on June 17, 2011 and gave this Press Release. The event was attended by Arlene Mariposque of Calamba Press, Rochelle Chua, Juned Sonido, Angelo Louisse Lopes, Dean Jorge Bocobo, Leslie Bocobo, Wenchie Sabban- Flores, Izabelle Palanca Enriquez, Noemi Lardizabal- Dado and Grace Bondad- Nicolas.

Close to php5 billion in cash and properties were turned over by the previous leadership of the Philippine Charity sweepstakes Office (PCSO) to it’s successors, dousing allegations of bankruptcy and mismanagement peddled by the current PCSO board of directors, headed by it’s chair Margarita Juico.

Manuel Morato, who served as chairman in the administration of Pres. Fidel V. ramos and director of PCSo during Pres. Gloria macapagal Arroyo’s administration, told the Balitaan sa Rembrandt media forum that php3.359 billion and $5.944 million in cash were left behind intact in two banks and a 1.5 hectare property in Manila worth php1 billion now is under the ownership of PCSO.

“How could the PCSO be bankcrupt?” asked Morat, who questioned the motives of Juico and company in persecuting before the public the previous PCSo officials. “definitely, this is their malicious way of covering up their guilt for widrawing medical assistance to the sick and the needy. We stand by the truth.”

The truth according to Morato, there are many more lead assets, materials and equipment, including ambulance units for donation program, that were turned over to the Juico-led board, plus a 37-year live contract with the Quezon Institute for the free use of its offices which was abruptly terminated by the new board.

Morato explained that the charity funds, prizes and operational expenses are not lumped together but are booked as three distinct accounts each with separate sets od accounting books that claims of fund juggling are atrocious if not “a futile product of Juico’s fertile imagination.”

“the truth is the Commission on Audit (COA) regularly conducts spot cash audit in various PCSO departments,” said Morato, who expressed dismay and pity to the continued refusal of Juico to extend support to heart, liver, chemotherapy to cancer patients and dialysis for kidney patients as well as other sick patients.

Morato also defended the entry of the Philippines Gaming Management Corporation (PGMC) as the service provider of PCSO’s lotto operations, saying the contract passed extensive reviews and court litigations which lasted for two years, including the scrutiny and approval of the Office of the Government Corporate Counsel (OGCC) and the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) Arbitral Tribunal.

The old machines use 386 processors. If you don’t know what this is, ask your children. This is technology and to use it after 2004 would be to assume a worse business practice rather than the best business practice. Its use would risk the sustainability of PCSO revenue growth. The old computers were compatible only with leased telecom lines; telecoms service providers had already switched to GPRS and other wireless devices and so did everyone else in IT industry. The average daily sales in 2004 was about Php23,566,389.04 and the average daily sales in 2010 is about Php 50,514,969.86. these figures represent the potential loss if the machines are inoperable on one day. Try asking your loved ones or staff to use a 386 processor. What qualification do the critics have to make this business judgement?

The critics think that technology is free and need not be constantly upgraded. Even elementary school children that technology rapidly improves and upgrades are necessary and must be paid for. Try to convince your child to use a 3-year-old cellphone or a 5-year-old computer. The critics irresponsibly propose that technology need not be upgraded or that it should be rejected if upgrade has a cost. For PCSO the cost of purchasing the old equipment for 25 million pesos and not upgrading equipment would be to forego the eventual increase in annual revenue from 11.7 billion pesos in 2007 to 18.4 billion in 2010 and possibly even suffer a decline of revenue. It is this kind of laud and uninformed bravado from public figures that prevents Filipinos from having a competitive mindset or a best business practice. Fortunately, the old PCSO board chose to do their work quietly and diligently.

As a result of the upgrades and lease extension, PCSO annual revenues grew from 11.7 billion pesos in 2007 to 18.4 billion in 2010 (only for Luzon) or an average annual growth rate of about 16% If we are to include Pacific Online for Visayas and Mindanao ( a separate system supplier), it would total to about php27 B for 2010. Both system suppliers upgraded their machines at no cost to the PCSO.

Sales of PCSO plateaued at below 12 billion pesos during the years 2004- 2007, and would not be able to increase if the equipment was not upgraded to accommodate faster transactions and more games. During the period of use of the old machines, from 1994 to 2006 PCSO revenue grew from 2.6 billion to 11.9 billion or multiplied more than 4 times in 12 years. While the old machines had served its purpose, it would no longer support the growth in revenue that the new machines eventually provided.

The critics do not understand that upgrading to modern information technology is not an option. Periodic upgrading is the necessity for any business. They want to keep the capability of PCSO in the ancient age. Who are they to want to hold back PCSO from being world –class? Doesn’t the public deserve a world-class lottery operation?

May I emphasize that had we stopped the two system suppliers, the PCSO would had to go into international bidding that would have taken two (2) years to realize. Doesn’t the new PCSO board realize the consequences on the lotto in the Philippines? We would have had to stop the lotto gaming for at least two years while the international bidding is going on.

The joint venture agreement with the TMA Group of Companies of Australia for the production of thermal papers and bet slips for lotto operation is very advantageous to the PCSO which will not spend a single centavo but stands to share 20% of profits in the project.

“Not a single centavo from the government,” stressed Morato who added that the joint venture could well ante-date the administration’s ublic-private partnership flagship program as it passed through rigid review and legal procedures following strictly the guidelines of the national Economic development authority (NEDA) who found it “one of the best government contract we have ever reviewed on the laws of the joint ventures; and the favorable opinion of the OGCC that even awarded the PCSO a trophy for going into a most advantageous contract for the government.”

Among others, TMA’s unsolicited proposal which was subjected to a public Swiss challenge and thorough study by PCSO’s technical working group, wa sprompted by the unreliable supply of imported thermal papers and the scheduled end of the supplies contract by September this year.

“We cannot sacrifice the integrity of the thermal paper which is the life-blood of the lotto games. Once the trust of the betting public is ruined, there goes your lifetime investment in lotto,” explained Morato, adding illegal numbers game will again proliferate once lotto’s operations cease.

Morato said TMA, which has plant facilities located in New South Wales, Melbourne, Victoria and Brisbane all in Australia and in New Zealand and Shanghai, China, is investing more than php4.4 billion to finance the first thermal coating plant in the country for sale of its products here and abroad. It is the same thermal paper that won the international bidding in 1993 when chairman Mita Pardo de tavera, my predecessor, was the PCSO Chairman. President ramos appointed me PCSO chaiman in 1994. That Mark Sensing (now TMA) contract was already in effect when I took over.

Morato added that the projected congressional inquiry being readied in the Lower House will unravel the truth behind the well-orchestrated shame campaign and baseless allegations being manufactured by Juico and her allies in the PCSO now.

In all this, I was informed by some Commission on Audit employees na kaya pala daw magaganda lamang na COA report ang ipinalalabas ni PCSO Chairman Margie Juico ay dahil “ kinatay-katay nila ang COA report for their first year 2010/2011.” I was told na tinanggal daw ang mga masasamang report at inilabas lang ang gusto nila. In other words, pinilian at hinimay at kinatay ang COA Report to favor the present PCSO management.

No wonder even Secretary lacierda is singing out of tune. He mentioned on ANC na P1.9 M lamang daw ang rental sa PICC. Nakatipid raw ang PCSO sa paglipat. Pero 500 employees lang ng PCSO out of the 1,200 ang nagkasya sa pICC. ‘yong 700 were farmed out to satellite offices all over Metro Manila. Hiwa-hiwalay. Samantalang sa PCSO office sa Quezin Institute kasya lahat ‘yong 1,200 PCSO employees with 6.5 hectare land prior pa for only P2.3 M grant.

Sa PICC may bayad ang parking kasi concessionaire ang nagpapatakbo ng parking. Sa Quezon Institute, libre lahat. At one stop-shop pa for the patients and for everybody who does business with the PCSO.

Sa ngayon, ang PCSO ay may office sa PICC, sa Quezon City Hall Waste Management, sa San Marcelino, sa Camp Aguinaldo at kung saan pang impyerno.

P6.5M raw ang gastos ngayon ng PCSO sa PICC at sa lahat ng satellite offices and facilities. At over one hundred million pala daw ang ginastos sa paglipat sa PICC.

Kayo na po ang maghusga kung tama itong pinaggagawa ni Chairman Margie Juico.

Isa pa ang “success” na kini-claim nya ay galing sa aming ginawa sa nakaraang administrasyon- ang 6/55 grand Lotto na nagpasok ng malaking kwarta without their lifting a finger.

Kung wala pala ‘yong 6/55, on the red pala sana ang PCSO ngayon by at least P500 M.

So anong “success” ang kini-claim nila?

They are a total failure; and they killed so many sick patients along the way.