As an ordinary citizen, I am befuddled and confused and angered by the way the Arroyo administration works. You know, I am sick and tired and annoyed by the “focus on economy” sh*t, as if that’s the only goal in the world. The hell with accountability. The hell with transparency. The hell with the truth.

Anyway, everyone but my hamsters hark and hail the Sandiganbayan’s decision to convict Joseph Estrada of two counts of plunder. He was indicted for four counts, but only found guilty in two. One of them was about jueteng.

The decision, 200-pages of fallen trees, is replete with details, like how Luis ‘Chavit’ Singson threw money as if he was a professional juggler, from one jueteng lord to a certain bank account. The prosecution alleged via Singson that Estrada pocketed millions via jueteng payoffs, of which the three justices of the Special Division found Estrada to be guilty of.

May I ask the prosecution team, led by Dennis Villa-Ignacio, and Singson, the following questions?

1. Who are these gambling lords?
2. Are they being investigated?
3. The information alleged by Singson as old as the case itself. How come no jueteng lord has been charged?
4. Is Singson willing to name all the jueteng lords that he knew? Is he willing to testify against them when the time comes?

***

Last April, Gloria Arroyo went to China to attend an economic summit. She also saw several agreements signed between the Philippine government and several Chinese companies. One of the agreements signed is the National Broadband Network project to be built by ZTE Corp. and funded by China via a loan.

Seems to be a straightforward business. Yet, several months later, it remains so controversial that the Arroyo administration has to resort to its tried and tested tactic – that is, to ignore all protests and full speed ahead.

Why should this be so controversial?

1. The contract was signed during the election period. The Omnibus Election Code bans such transactions unless otherwise authorized by the Comelec. There is no such clearance from Comelec. How come this administration signed such a contract, when it is expressly forbidden by the law?
2. The current administration has failed/refused to open the contract to public scrutiny. Heck, it even concocted such a stupid story – that the documents were stolen. If the contract is above-board, as this administration is wont of saying, why can’t they let the people see the contract?
3. Is the contract beneficial at all? Several companies allege that their offers are better and on a build-operate-own scheme, with the government only paying for the use of the network. The ZTE deal is hinged on a loan by China; that means we have to pay it.
4. There was no public bidding for the project. Why?
5. Several officials of the administration said things that contradict each other. Heck, some of them said damnable things about the ZTE deal. One official was transferred because he said something that smells fish; some speculated he was transferred so that he won’t be an impediment. Who amongst these officials say the truth? Or are they engaging us in misinformation campaign?

***

Leah Navarro said in an early morning show that justice is not blind in this country. Unless this administration proves otherwise, I am inclined to believe Ms. Navarro.