To PAGC: Just look at the tapes of the security cameras! Gosh

William Turner. “Frosty Morning.” 1813. Oil on canvas. Tate Gallery, London, UK. Right-clicked from abcgallery.com

PAGC will proceed at its usual pace, i.e., snail’s pace, until the Malacañang payoff scandal (it happened in Malacañang, I think we can safely refer to it that way) fades away or is replaced by another “trouble”. If it were really keen in its public pronouncement this morning, it would have done the following today, this morning, this afternoon:

1.Motored to Pampanga and request Gov. Ed Panlilio to be allowed to take a look at the bundles of money. They would then document it, photograph it from all angles, all sides, jot down the serial numbers, etc.. Then they would motor to Bulacan to request Gov. Jonjon Mendoza for the same thing. PAGC said today they wanted to find the source of the money. Then, look at the evidence! Duh.

2. They would find today, this morning, (at least from the bundles in the custody of Gov. Ed Panlilio) that the bundles bear the seal, logo, and name of Bank of Commerce. They would find the stamped date July 11, 2007 (or July 2) on the bundles.

3. In the afternoon of the same day today they would have gone to the branches of Bank of Commerce in Manila to ask to look at their records for July 11, 2007 (or July 2). They would not be allowed by the bank managers.

4. They would then drive to Malacañang then ask the President: “Ma’am, can you help us here, these are the photos of the evidence. Here. It shows the name of the bank. Since we don’t have any kind of jurisdiction or powers, can you ask the Bangko Sentral if they can help us with the records?” Or better yet, PAGC would ask: “Ma’am, do you know of any presidential appointee who has an account with Bank of Commerce? Since our “mandate” covers only presidential appointees….Oh, by the way, do you know of any family member of yours who has an account in the Bank of Commerce? Would you have an account in the Bank of Commerce?”

5.She would reply, “What are you talking about?” and they would say, “Ma’am we’re trying to locate the source of the money…” and she would say “What are you talking about?!” And they would have to stop.

6.If they were still keen, they would, today, in the afternoon of the same day today or maybe first thing tomorrow morning, make an ocular inspection of the scene of the incident. Malacañang Heroes’ Hall, Palace Guest House, then back to Malacañang Heroes Hall, then the parking lot. Just an ocular.

7.On the same day, they would then ask to look at the tapes of the security cameras for Thursday, October 11, 2007, between 10:00 am to 4:00 pm for Heroes’ Hall, Palace Guest House, then parking lot. The PSG and security personnel would stop them. They would politely say, “This is by authority of the President. Please let us through.” The security would tell them, “we’ll have to clear it with Ma’am.” The security would ask for security clearance from Ed Ermita or President Gloria. Nada. No go. They would then tell PAGC, “Boss, hindi pwede eh, national security.” (“sir, we can’t, it’s national security.”). Then they would stop.

8.And if they have a modicum of inductive ability, they would then and immediately write a report to the President on the preliminary result of their investigation, “Her Excellency, etc… Conclusion: to summarize, we have not been allowed access to the evidence in this case and denied any assistance for access to more evidence, and would therefore recommend that PAGC be given written authorization by your office to be allowed to see the security tapes; further, we would also request assistance from your office to communicate with Bangko Sentral. The foregoing is respectfully submitted for your consideration…”

But that’s not what’s going to happen. PAGC will give the participants in that Oct. 11 meeting ten or 15 days to submit affidavits, those participants will ask for time; so another 15 days; then on the 30^th day their lawyers will file some sort of

“motion to dismiss” saying, “PAGC has no jurisdiction over governors and congressmen etc.”, then PAGC will issue an order after 15 days; then it will wait for other affidavits for another 15 days…. Then it’s already New Year, Happy New year! It’s 2008.

Just look at the security tapes, ano! Gosh. Why am I even presuming they’re serious about looking at the evidence?