Estrada Impeachment December 13, 2000 Transcripts
December 13, 2000
AT 1:57 P.M., THE HONORABLE CHIEF JUSTICE HILARIO G. DAVIDE, JR., PRESIDING OFFICER, CALLED THE RESUMPTION OF THE IMPEACHMENT TRIAL TO ORDER.
THE SERGEANT AT ARMS (MR. LEONARDO LOPEZ). Please all rise for the arrival of all the Senator Judges.
The Honorable Hilario G. Davide, Jr., Chief Justice and the Honorable Aquilino Q. Pimentel, Jr., Senate President.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER (Chief Justice Davide). The resumption of the impeachment trial of His Excellency, the President of the Republic of the Philippines, is now called to order.
We will be led in prayer by the Honorable Senator Judge Franklin Drilon.
SEN. DRILON. In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
PRAYER
Loving God,
We give you thanks for all the blessings that you continuously bestow on this nation of ours.
As we continue to do our work, give us the grace to be true to ourselves and our people.
Grant us the sense of justice and impartiality which emanates from you.
Impart on us, eyes willing to see, ears willing to hear, and an intellect disposed to seek and fight for the truth.
Make us willing instruments to heed the voice of our conscience and of our people, not to be insensitive and not to allow selfishness and self interest to reign in our being.
Finally, Father enable us to stand for our principles.
All this we ask.
Amen.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sergeant at Arms will now make the proclamation and please be seated.
THE SERGEANT AT ARMS. All persons are commanded to keep silent, on pain of imprisonment, while the Senate is sitting for the trial on the Articles of Impeachment against Joseph Ejercito Estrada, President of the Philippines.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. The Majority Leader.
THE MAJORITY LEADER (SEN. TATAD). Mr. Chief Justice, I move that we defer consideration of the journals of this Impeachment Court for Monday, December 11 and Tuesday, December 12, 2000, as they are still being finalized.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there any objection? (Silence).
There being none, the request is granted.
Before we start, the Chair would like to inform the court, the judges and the parties, that at 8:30 o’clock this morning, the Office of the Chief Justice received a copy of the letter dated 12 December, 2000 from Mr. Wilfrido Vergara, President and CEO of the Equitable PCI Bank, expressing apology for what happened yesterday. This letter shall be deemed of record and the original of this will be turned over to the Secretary of the Senate for record purposes, Atty. Barbo.
Secondly, pursuant to an agreement had between the prosecution represented by prosecutor– the Honorable Arroyo and the defense represented by Atty. Narvasa and Atty. Mendoza, a modification has been made of the Second Preliminary Conference Order and copies of the Supplemental Second Preliminary Conference Order has already been given– a copy has been given to the defense, another copy to the prosecution and each of the members of the Impeachment Court had been furnished a copy each.
We shall now proceed to the calling of the case. The secretary will please call the case before the Impeachment Court.
THE SECRETARY (MR. LUTGARDO BARBO). In the matter of Impeachment Against, His Excellency Joseph Ejercito Estrada, President of the Philippines, Case No. 001-2000, for Bribery, Graft and Corrupt Practices, Betrayal of Public Trust, and Culpable Violation of the Constitution.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. The majority leader.
THE MAJORITY LEADER. Mr. Chief Justice, may I request that the parties to this impeachment trial now enter their appearance each side indicating the examining counsel and assisting counsel for each witness.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. The parties are directed to do so.
REP. APOSTOL. Same appearance for the prosecution, Mr. Chief Justice and Your Honors.
MR. DAZA. Same appearances for the defense as in yesterday.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. What about the examining counsel and assisting counsel? Would you mention their names for record purposes?
MR. DAZA. Your Honor, we are not informed as to who is going to testify today and as soon as the name of the witness is informed to the court…
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. That’s why we will ask the prosecution.
MR. DAZA. …we will inform the court of the examining counsel, cross-examining counsel, then assisting cross-examining counsel.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. We will hear from the prosecution.
REP. APOSTOL. The examining counsel for the first witness is Congressman Nib Baterina, the assisting counsel is private prosecutor Atty. Arno Sanidad.
Mr. Chief Justice, if Your Honor please,…
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Yes, you may proceed.
REP. APOSTOL. …before we call our witness, may we — Congressman Oscar Moreno be allowed to say something.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Congressman-Prosecutor Moreno?
MR. DAZA. Your Honor,…
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Yes.
MR. DAZA. …we have not heard the name of the witness and the Honorable Presiding Justice asked for the name of the witness who is going to be presented. Unless our hearing failed us this time.
REP. APOSTOL. Yes, Mr. Chief Justice, we will call the witness but if possible if Congressman…
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. What would be the nature of the manifestation of Prosecutor Moreno since he is not mentioned as an examining counsel for today?
REP. APOSTOL. We will again complain on the deposition which is supposed to be taken and there was defiance this morning by another bank as what happened yesterday.
MR. DAZA. If Your Honor please, the Court, the Presiding Justice yesterday ordered that on this issue memoranda be filed so that the matter could be heard tomorrow. The matter has been sufficiently discussed and heard and we submit, Your Honor, that it would be a waste of time of the court.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Can we do that later if it is just a matter of a deposition-taking.
REP. APOSTOL. Manifestation only, Mr. Chief Justice, on another bank. This is not the same bank as of yesterday.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Then probably you could submit the appropriate pleading and we will act similarly as in the previous one. Just submit a report that there was defiance and the Court will issue the corresponding order in like manner that it did yesterday.
REP. APOSTOL. Well, in that case, Mr. Chief Justice, we will submit the necessary…
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. So we will not waste time on this issue.
MR. DAZA. In the meantime, Your Honor, may we hear from the distinguished prosecutor the name of the witness to be presented so that we could announce who would be our cross-examining counsel and assisting cross-examining counsel.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Yes, conformably with the agreement that we had. So there should be strict adherence to our agreements during the preliminary conference.
REP. APOSTOL. Yes, Mr. Chief Justice. We will call now our witness so that she can take the witness stand.
May we call now our witness, Menchu Itchon.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Now are you ready now, defense, to make an announcement of the examining counsel for purposes of cross-examination and the assisting counsel?
MR. DAZA. Well, our cross-examining counsel will be Raul Daza, and assisting cross examining counsel will be Atty. Jose Flaminiano.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Jose Flaminiano. Okay. You may now proceed.
REP. BATERINA. Mr. Chief Justice,…
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. The Honorable Baterina.
REP. BATERINA. …distinguished Judges, the witness we are to present today is Maria Carmencita A. Itchon.
May we ask that she be called to the witness stand, Your Honors?
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. For the witness, to the witness stand and administer the oath. The Senate Secretary is directed to administer the oath.
THE SENATE SECRETARY. Kindly raise your hand.
You, Maria Carmencita Itchon, do swear that the evidence you shall give in the case now pending between the Philippines and Joseph Ejercito Estrada, President of the Philippines, shall be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God.
MS. ITCHON. I do.
THE SENATE SECRETARY. Kindly sit down.
REP. BATERINA. With the permission of the Honorable Court.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Yes?
REP. BATERINA. What’s your name of the witness?
MS. ITCHON. I am Maria Carmencita Ancheta Itchon, Your Honor.REP. BATERINA. Where do you live?
MS. ITCHON. I’m presently residing at No. 95 Doña Justina Street, Filinvest East, Antipolo, Rizal.
REP. BATERINA. And what’s your civil status?
MS. ITCHON. I am married, Your Honor.
REP. BATERINA. Are you employed?
MR. ITCHON. Yes, Your Honor.
REP. BATERINA. Do you know Governor Luis Chavit Singson?
MS. ITCHON. Yes, Your Honor.
REP. BATERINA. Why do you know Governor Luis Chavit Singson?
MS. ITCHON. Siya po iyong nag hire sa akin, Your Honor.
REP. BATERINA. What is the nature of your employment with Governor Singson?
MS. ITCHON. Ah, hi nire po niya ako as accountant of Fontainbleau, Incorporated, Your Honor.
REP. BATERINA. Mr. Chief Justice.
MR. DAZA. Your Honor, may I just interrupt?
REP. BATERINA. May I just make a statement…
MR. DAZA. The offer has got to be made.
REP. BATERINA. Yes, precisely.
MR. DAZA. No offer has been made…
REP. BATERINA. Yes.
MR. DAZA. …in regard to this particular witness and I hope that the prosecutor should do the same before proceeding on the direct examination.
REP. BATERINA. I was thinking that we could state it immediately after, but the counsel interrupted us, Your Honors.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. You may proceed.
REP. BATERINA. So, the purpose of…
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. No interruption please to be done without permission from the Chair.
REP. BATERINA. The purpose for the presentation of Carmencita A. Itchon, Mr. Chief Justice, distinguished Judges, is to prove that she is an employee of Governor Luis Singson;
That she and Mrs. Yolly Ricaforte worked together first in a corporation named Fontainbleau; then later for jueteng collections for President Joseph Ejercito Estrada;
That Mrs. Yolly Ricaforte was the auditor of President Estrada, both for Fontainbleau and for the jueteng collections; That Mrs. Yolly Ricaforte reported to and made constant calls to the presidential residence;
That Mrs. Yolanda Ricaforte made calls to Attorney Edward Serapio even before April 2000;
That Mrs. Ricaforte also made telephone calls to known gambling figures.
That is the offer for which the witness is going to testify, Mr. Chief Justice.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. With that offer, you may now proceed.
REP. BATERINA. What is the nature of your employment with Governor Singson?
MS. ITCHON. Ah, hinire po niya ako as accountant of Fontainbleau, Your Honor.
REP. BATERINA. First, let us discuss Fontainbleau. What is Fontainbleau?
MS. ITCHON. Ah, ito po iyong corporation na sinet up ho para po mag put up ng casino sa Clark Air Base, Pampanga na pagmamay ari po ni President Estrada, Your Honor.
REP. BATERINA. When were you first employed by Governor Singson?
MS. ITCHON. Nag start po ako sa kanya February 19, 1999, Your Honor.
REP. BATERINA. When you were first…February…
MS. ITCHON. February 19, 1999, Your Honor.
REP. BATERINA. When you were first employed on February 19, 1999, would you know if Fontainbleau was already a corporation?
MS. ITCHON. Yes, Your Honor.
REP. BATERINA. When was Fontainbleau incorporated, if you know?
MS. ITCHON. Na incorporate po siya on April 5, 1999, Your Honor.
REP. BATERINA. Why did you say that Fontainbleau was already incorporated on February 18, 1999.
MS. ITCHON. Ako po iyong nagtago noong SEC papers po ng Fontainbleau, Incorporated, Your Honor.
REP. BATERINA. So, what was the status of Fontainbleau when you were first employed?
MS. ITCHON. Nasa process pa lang po ng incorporation that time, Your Honor.
REP. BATERINA. Where did you hold office as accountant for Fontainbleau?
MS. ITCHON. Sa second floor LCS Building, San Andres Bukid, Manila, Your Honor.
REP. BATERINA. Do you know where the articles of incorporation of Fontainbleau is?
MS. ITCHON. It’s with me, Your Honor.
REP. BATERINA. Do you know the names of the officers of Fontainbleau?
MS. ITCHON. Yes, Your Honor.
REP. BATERINA. Tell us who are the officers of Fontainbleau?
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Louder please. You can use a better microphone.
Atty. Daza.
MR. DAZA. Inasmuch as the witness already said that the articles of incorporation are in her possession, this question the best evidence would be the articles as to who are the officers or other persons who are in the articles.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. We would not know who are the officers referred to, whether the incumbent officers or the charter officers.
REP. BATERINA. Who were the officers of Fontainbleau?
MR. DAZA. Yeah, the question was, who were at the time of incorporation. So I said, the articles would be the best evidence.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. I think the presenting counsel should clarify that point.
REP. BATERINA. Yes, Mr. Chief Justice.
Will you bring out the articles of incorporation? And I pray…I pray that the witness reads the names of the officers at the time of the incorporation.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Are you not marking the articles of incorporation as exhibit?
REP. BATERINA. No more, Mr. Chief Justice. It’s a public record and it can be availed of by the defense if they want to.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. The witness will answer the question.
MS. ITCHON. Iyon pong incorporators po ng Fontainbleau: is Mr. Jesus M. Pineda, Jr.; Mr. Jaime Dichavez; Mr. Edmundo S. Silverio; Mrs. Regina Lim; and Mr. Romeo D. Reyes. And the other officers are Mrs. Yolanda Ricarforte and Atty. Manuel Singson, Your Honor.
REP. BATERINA. The name Fontainbleau, do you know what it means?
MS. ITCHON. No, Your Honor.
REP. BATERINA. But do you know how to spell Fontainbleau?
MS. ITCHON. Yes, Your Honor.
REP. BATERINA. Will you spell it?
MS. ITCHON. It’s spelled as F O N T A I N B L E A U, Your Honor.
REP. BATERINA. You spelled it without a “U”, after “O”?
MS. ITCHON. Yes, Your Honor.
REP. BATERINA. Do you know why that was the spelling of Fountainbleau or Fontainbleau?
MS. ITCHON. Yes, Your honor.
REP. BATERINA. Tell us and tell the Honorable Court what’s the reason for the spelling?
MS. ITCHON. Originally po, ang pangalan po talaga niya is Fontainbleau, spelled as FONTAINBLEAU. Kaya lang po tumawag po si Mr. Jesus Pineda, nag away away ho kasi hindi ho nila alam. Spelling pa lang ho ng corporation, pangalan ng corporation, hindi na ho sila magkasundo. Sabi po niya sa akin, “Sabihin mo tanggalin natin iyong letter “U” kasi magiging 13 letters iyan at ayaw ni Presidente Estrada iyan.” Sabi niya, Your Honor.
REP. BATERINA. What letter “U”? Which letter “Uâ€?
MS. ITCHON. Ah …
MR. DAZA. Your Honor, I object on the ground that the answer calls for hearsay. She is speaking …
REP. BATERINA. She already answered, Mr. Chief Justice.
MR. DAYA. No, no, but precisely the last answer … (Talking simultaneously.)
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. … why this answered; and secondly, there seems to be no it will not call for a hearsay evidence because the witness is testifying on her own knowledge.
MR. DAZA. No, she is referring to a telephone conversation and there is no showing or basis that she was a party to that conversation.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. There is no showing either that she was not.
MR. DAZA. Well, in which case, Your Honor, we …
REP. BATERINA. I’ll try to …
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. You may rephrase the question to accommodate the …
REP. BATERINA. Do you know, of your personal knowledge, why you found the spelling was that way?
MS. ITCHON. Yes, Your Honor.
MR. DAZA. Objection, Your Honor, that’s very leading.
REP. BATERINA. Already answered, Your Honor.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Already answered.
REP. BATERINA. What why, why? Tell us.
MS. ITCHON. Ah …
MR. FLAMINIANO. If Your Honor please, we’ll have to object at this point because we don’t see the materiality of the question.
REP. BATERINA. The materiality will come later, Your Honor.
MR. FLAMINIANO. What if the spelling is this or that? It could have no bearing on whatsoever on the issues, Your Honor.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Probably …
REP. BATERINA. That is precisely …
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Probably this is a preliminary question. So, we have to overrule the objection.
MR. FLAMINIANO. On that understanding, Your Honor.
SEN. DRILON. Mr. Chief Justice.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. The Honorable Senator Judge Drilon.
SEN. DRILON. May I appeal to the counsels not to raise so many technical objections because, you know, all that we’re after here is the truth. We want to place some order, but we appeal to the counsels. Do not raise very technical objections so that because remember that under our rules, the rules of procedure should be liberally construed.
That’s an appeal, Mr. Chief Justice.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. The Honorable Senator Judge Biazon.
SEN. BIAZON. Mr. Chief Justice, the appeal also is echoed by this representation. May I remind the counsel that this is not just a judicial proceeding. By the nature of impeachment, this is also a political mechanism. And we cannot be barred from access to information presented here because merely of technicalities.
MR. DAZA. Mr. Chief Justice, with due respect to the distinguished Senator, may I respond?
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. You may respond.
MR. DAZA. Defense counsel here has the duty to ensure that the interests of our client are protected and our objections had been based not just on technical rules. We objected on grounds of the testimony leading to hearsay, on grounds of materiality. These are fundamental and cardinal rules of evidence that must be observed in an orderly administration of justice. We are not being technical. We simply are exercising our rights as defense counsel to object when we believe that the question is improper.
REP. BATERINA. Mr. Chief Justice.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. You may proceed Prosecutor Baterina.
REP. BATERINA. Do you know if Fontainbleau was funded during the time that you were accountant of Fontainbleau?
MS. ITCHON. Yes, Your Honor.
REP. BATERINA. Why do you know that it was funded?
MS. ITCHON. Ah, it was funded by the jueteng collections for the President, Your Honor.
REP. BATERINA. Why do you know this?
MS. ITCHON. Kasi po, everytime na humingi po kami noon kay Governor Singson ng pondo sa Fontainbleau, palagi po niyang sinasabi, “Pagdating na lang ng collections ng jueteng,” Your Honor.
REP. BATERINA. Can you tell the Honorable Court how much was spent from the jueteng funds to set it up?
MS. ITCHON. Almost 65 million Your Honor.
REP. BATERINA. Now, let’s go to the employees of Fontainbleau. Who were the first when you were first employed on February 19, 1999, were there other employees of Fontainbleau?
MS. ITCHON. That time, wala po, Your Honor, ako lang po.
REP. BATERINA. What were your duties and functions as employee of Fontainbleau?
MS. ITCHON. Bale ako po ‘yong naglilista ng mga expenses namin, Your Honor.
REP. BATERINA. For how long were you the sole or only employee of Fontainbleau?
MS. ITCHON. Bale magmula po noong February 19, 1999 hanggang April 15, 1999 po, Your Honor.
REP. BATERINA. What happened after April 15, 1999?
MS. ITCHON. On April 16, 1999, Your Honor, nag report po si Mrs. Yolanda Ricaforte.
REP. BATERINA. What were the functions of Mrs. Yolanda Ricaforte?
MS. ITCHON. Initially, siya po yong accountant/auditor ni President Estrada sa Fontainbleau. Then later on, accountant and auditor ni President Estrada sa jueteng collections, Your Honor.
REP. BATERINA. What about you, what were you to Mrs. Ricaforte therefore?
MS. ITCHON. Siya po yong immediate supervisor ko po, Your Honor.
REP. BATERINA. Do you know who, in turn, was the employer of Mrs. Ricaforte?
MS. ITCHON. Yes, Your Honor.
REP. BATERINA. Who was the employer of Mrs. Ricaforte?
MS. ITCHON. President Joseph Estrada, Your Honor.
REP. BATERINA. Why do you know that?
MS. ITCHON. Kasi nagre report po siya directly to the President, Your Honor.
REP. BATERINA. Can you tell the Honorable Court in what manner she reported to His Excellency President Joseph Ejercito Estrada?
MS. ITCHON. Pumupunta po siya ng Malacañang, Your Honor. At the same time, tumatawag din po siya doon, Your Honor.
REP. BATERINA. But before going to that, to pursue that, let’s go first to talk about your office at the LCS Building. Do you have a room for yourself as accountant of Fontainbleau?
MS. ITCHON. Wala po, Your Honor.
REP. BATERINA. Then where do you hold office?
MS. ITCHON. Doon po sa loob ng office ni Governor Singson, Your Honor.
REP. BATERINA. Where, in what part of the LCS Building was that?
MS. ITCHON. Sa second floor, LCS Building po, Your Honor.
REP. BATERINA. How many tables were there in that particular office at the second floor of the LCS Building?
MS. ITCHON. Doon po sa kuwarto nioffice ni Governor Singson, tatlong tables po yon, Your Honor.
REP. BATERINA. Tell the Honorable Court who occupied these tables?
MS. ITCHON. Iyon pong isang office table, ako po ang nag occupy. Tapos yong isang office table din po kay Governor Singson. At saka mayroon din pong round table doon sa gitna, Your Honor.
REP. BATERINA. Who were occupying these three tables, if you know?
MS. ITCHON. Yong isa po sa akin. Yong isa kay Governor Singson, at saka yong round table pag madami pong bisita si Governor Singson, Your Honor.
REP. BATERINA. Do you know a person by the name of Emma Lim?
MS. ITCHON. Yes, Your Honor.
REP. BATERINA. Why do you know Emma Lim?
MS. ITCHON. Isa po siyang secretary, Your Honor.
REP. BATERINA. Secretary of whom?
MS. ITCHON. Of Governor Singson, Your Honor.
REP. BATERINA. Where does she hold office or where did she hold office?
MS. ITCHON. Immediately outside the office of Governor Singson, Your Honor.
REP. BATERINA. Where is that particular desk situated?
MS. ITCHON. Sa second floor, LCS Building po, Your Honor.
REP. BATERINA. You said she holds office or she has a desk outside the office of Governor Luis “Chavit” Singson. Meaning, the room where you were also you also had a desk?
MS. ITCHON. Yes, Your Honor.
REP. BATERINA. Going back to Mrs. Ricaforte. You said that you first started holding office at the LCS she started holding office at the LCS Building on April 16, 1999. When was the first time that you came to know that Mrs. Ricaforte was going to hold office at the LCS Building?
MS. ITCHON. As early as March 1999 po, Your Honor.
REP. BATERINA. Meaning, before she actually held office at the LCS Building?
MS. ITCHON. Yes, Your Honor.
REP. BATERINA. How did you come to know that a certain Mrs. Ricaforte would be holding office at the LCS Building?
MS. ITCHON. Sinabi po ni Governor Singson na may magre report pong accountant/auditor ni President Estrada sa office, Your Honor, by the name of Yolanda T. Ricaforte.
REP. BATERINA. When Mrs. Ricaforte held office at the LCS Building, where did she specifically hold office?
MS. ITCHON. In occupy po niya iyong office table po ni Governor Singson, Your Honor.
REP. BATERINA. Then where did Governor Singson hold office?
MS. ITCHON. Doon po sa round table, Your Honor.
REP. BATERINA. You said that Mrs. Ricaforte supervised work, in what form did she supervise the work?
MS. ITCHON. Tsini check po niya iyong mga entries ko sa journal, Your Honor. Siya rin po yong pumipirma doon sa mga tseke na pini prepare ko para sa mga suppliers. Siya rin po ‘yong palagi kong kasama. Isinasama pa po niya ako pag nagre report po kami, tsine check ‘yong ongoing renovation ng casino building po sa Pampanga, Your Honor.
REP. BATERINA. Whose documents or whose papers were these she was checking?
MS. ITCHON. ‘Yon pong sa Fontainbleau, Your Honor.
REP. BATERINA. What about the building in Pampanga, what particular place in Pampanga was this building being constructed or being done?
MS. ITCHON. Bale ni lease po ‘yong isa sa mga buildings po sa Fontana Resort sa Clark, Pampanga, Your Honor.
REP. BATERINA. How did she actually supervise the work in Pampanga?
MS. ITCHON. Pumupunta po kami doon kasama ko ho si Mrs. Ricaforte, Your Honor.
REP. BATERINA. But first, let us find out. What was your relationship between what was the relationship between you and Mrs. Ricaforte?
MS. ITCHON. Noong una po, Your Honor, medyo natakot po ako sa kanya, pero later on naging very close po kami sa isa’t isa, Your Honor.
REP. BATERINA. Will you repeat again the first part of your answer?
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Just read it from the transcript.
REP. BATERINA. There’s no transcript.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. The stenographic notes. (Addressing the stenographer) Were you able to get it? Let the witness answer again.
MS. ITCHON. Ah …
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Okay, read it again. Read the notes taken by the stenographer.
REP. BATERINA. It’s just that I’m not able to comprehend Tagalog very well, Your Honor …
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Ah, I see.
REP. BATERINA. … that’s why I asked her again.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Yeah. I think the best record of the answer will be the notes taken down by the stenographer, if that is the only problem of the counsel.
STENOGRAPHER. (Reading the last answer of the witness from the stenographic notes) “Noong una, medyo natakot ako sa kanya.”
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Louder, please.
STENOGRAPHER. “Noong una, medyo natakot po ako sa kanya.”
THE SENATE PRESIDENT. It’s not working (referring to the microphone).
STENOGRAPHER. “Pero noong huli …”
THE SENATE PRESIDENT. The mike is not working.
STENOGRAPHER. “Noong una, medyo natakot po ako sa kanya, tapos naging close na po kami.”
REP. BATERINA. Can I proceed, Your Honors?
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Please, do so.
REP. BATERINA. When you said, “noong una, natakot ako sa kanya,†what did you mean by that?
MS. ITCHON. Kasi po alam ko from the very start na tao po siya ni Presidente Estrada, Your Honor. At the same time, sinabi pong siya ‘yong supervisor ko po, Your Honor.
REP. BATERINA. You said that you became close to each other, how did you become close to each other?
MS. ITCHON. Pagkatapos po kasi ng office hours, lumalabas po kami, kumakain kami sa labas, minsan nag iinuman din po sa labas. Nakilala ko rin ho ‘yong family n’ya, ‘yong husband po n’ya, si Usec. Ricaforte ng Department of Tourism, nakilala ko rin ho ‘yong dalawang anak n’yang lalaki nandito po sa Pilipinas, at saka during those outings, madami po kaming napapagkuwentuhan, Your Honor.
REP. BATERINA. When she first arrived, how did you address Mrs. Ricaforte?
MS. ITCHON. Mrs. Ricaforte po, Your Honor.
REP. BATERINA. And then later on, how did you address her?
MS. ITCHON. Manang Yolly po, Your Honor.
REP. BATERINA. Now we go to your trips in Pampanga. During the trips to Pampanga, to Fontainbleau, how did you go there?
MS. ITCHON. Ako po at saka si Mrs. Ricaforte, sumasakay po kami doon sa black Lexus po niya, Your Honor.
REP. BATERINA. You said that you rode on a black Lexus and that it belongs to Mrs. Ricaforte. How did you know that the black Lexus belong to Mrs. Ricaforte?
MS. ITCHON. Kasi po noong una po akong sumakay, nakisakay sa kanya, tinanong ko po siya kasi ang ganda ho ng sasakyan n’ya, at saka alam ko hong mahal ‘yong sasakyan n’ya, tinanong ko ho kung saan po at magkano po ang bili n’ya.
REP. BATERINA. And what did she say?
MS. ITCHON. Ang sabi po n’ya, ibinigay daw po ni Presidente Estrada sa kanyang asawa po, Your Honor.
REP. BATERINA. What, again, is the name of the husband, as she told it to you?
MS. ITCHON. Mr. Orestes Ricaforte, Your Honor.
REP. BATERINA. You stated earlier that she reports to President Estrada, how did you know this? How did you personally know this?
MS. ITCHON. Kasi po pumupunta po siya doon at one time, hinatid po namin siya sa Malacañang, Your Honor.
REP. BATERINA. Is that all that made you know that she reports to President Estrada?
MS. ITCHON. Tumatawag din po siya, Your Honor.
REP. BATERINA. When you said that you brought her to Malacañang, will you tell the Honorable Court how it happened that you brought her to Malacañang?
MS. ITCHON. Bale that day po, wala po siyang sasakyan kaya hinatid po namin siya, Your Honor.
REP. BATERINA. Who were your companions taking her to Malacañang?
MS. ITCHON. Ako po saka si Mrs. Regina Lim po, Your Honor.
REP. BATERINA. Why, why did you bring her to Malacañang, if you know, your personal knowledge, if you know why she went to Malacañang?
MS. ITCHON. Magre report daw po siya tungkol sa Fontainbleau, Your Honor.
REP. BATERINA. To whom will she report…
MS. ITCHON. Kay Presidente Estrada, Your Honor.
REP. BATERINA. And before you went and accompany her to Malacañang, was there anything you did?
MS. ITCHON. Humingi po siya pinag prepare po niya ako ng mga documents po ng Fontainbleau, Your Honor.
REP. BATERINA. And did you prepare what she instructed you to do as her subordinate?
MS. ITCHON. Yes, Your Honor.
REP. BATERINA. And then, did you accompany her to Malacañang?
MS. ITCHON. Yes, Your Honor.
REP. BATERINA. And what happened?
MS. ITCHON. Pagdating po namin sa gate ng Malacañang, hinaharang po kami ng mga guards, tapos nagpakilala ho siya. Sabi niya, “Ako si Mrs. Ricaforte, wife ni USec. Ricaforte ng DOT. May appointment ako kay Presidente Estrada. Inaantay ako ni Governor Singson sa loob,” Your Honor.
REP. BATERINA. And what happened?
MS. ITCHON. Pagdating po namin sa loob, doon sa grounds, nandoon po si Governor Singson, nag aantay po siya; bumaba po si Mrs. Regina Lim na nagda drive that time; humalik po siya sa father niya; tapos, bumaba rin ho si Mrs. Ricaforte, dala dala po iyong documents na prinipeyr (prepare) ko, Your Honor.
REP. BATERINA. Then, what happened?
MS. ITCHON. Lumapit po siya kay Governor Singson, si Mrs. Ricaforte; sabay po silang pumasok ng Malacañang, Your Honor.
REP. BATERINA. What about you, what did you do?
MS. ITCHON. Ako ho saka si Mrs. Regina Lim ay bumalik po sa LCS Office, Your Honor.
REP. BATERINA. You left her in Malacañang?
MS. ITCHON. Yes, Your Honor.
REP. BATERINA. Why?
MS. ITCHON. Kasi ang sabi lang naman po niya sa amin ay ihatid lang namin siya, Your Honor.
REP. BATERINA. You stated that you came to know that she reported to the President and you said that because you accompanied her to Malacañang, you were to prepare some documents. Was that all the reason why you know that she reports to Malacañang?
MS. ITCHON. Tumatawag din po siya sa telepono po niya, Your Honor.
REP. BATERINA. How do you know that she calls Malacañang? Of your own personal knowledge?
MS. ITCHON. Mayroon po akong ako ho iyong humahawak ng mga cellphone bills po niya, Your Honor.
REP. BATERINA. Whose cellphone bills?
MS. ITCHON. Kay Mrs. Ricaforte po, Your Honor.
REP. BATERINA. How did it happen that she has cellphone bills?
MS. ITCHON. Noong time po ng Fontainbleau, bumili po kami ng cellphones po namin, Your Honor.
REP. BATERINA. And how many cellphones did you buy?
MS. ITCHON. Marami po ang napunta maraming cellphones po iyon na ginamit po sa Pampanga office. Pero dito po sa Manila, isa po para sa kanya at saka isa po para sa akin, Your Honor.
REP. BATERINA. And do you have that cellphone that was for you?
MS. ITCHON. Yes, Your Honor.
REP. BATERINA. With you now?
MS. ITCHON. Yes, Your Honor.
REP. BATERINA. What about the other one?
MS. ITCHON. Na kay Mrs. Ricaforte po, Your Honor.
REP. BATERINA. And you said you know that she calls up Malacañang and you said that you have cellphone bills. Please, if you have now bring out the cellphone bills.
Mr. Chief Justice, may we ask that copies of the cellphone bills be distributed to the Honorable Judges and then…
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Why don’t you have it marked first before…
REP. BATERINA. We have these marked already.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Already marked?
REP. BATERINA. Yes, sir.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. When was the marking done?
REP. BATERINA. Conditionally marked.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. When was it done?
REP. BATERINA. Today, Your Honor. But…
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Before whom?
REP. BATERINA. Before upstairs, Mr. Chief Justice.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. In the presence of counsel for the defense?
We already had an agreement that when it comes to premarking …
REP. BATERINA. Yes, yes, with the presence. According to our friend but that not all were marked, Your Honors, because there are so many of them that it was difficult for them to mark everything. But …
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. That was precisely the reason why we agreed on premarking to save time here. It will take time to mark the documents here and after that copies will be distributed to the members of the Court.
REP. BATERINA. That’s the reason for the delay, Mr. Chief Justice.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Is that the only document you want to be marked now or you have many?
REP. BATERINA. Yes, Your Honors.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. If that is the only one, you may proceed because if there are many documents to be marked you would rather ask for a suspension.
REP. BATERINA. There are many documents here.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Already marked? Not yet?
REP. BATERINA. About one half of them are marked.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. We will be losing a lot of time here if you keep on asking for the marking.
REP. BATERINA. There’s a reason for that, Your Honor.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. I know the reason but the idea is, the premarking would have been a very, very great impor¬tance so we could save the time of the Court.
REP. BATERINA. We are sorry for that, Your Honors.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. We hope it will not be repeated because there was a continuing agreement on premarkings.
REP. BATERINA. We only are going to mark the first pages, Your Honor.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Would you be asking for a sus¬pension of the trial?
REP. BATERINA. May I ask for a suspension. Five minutes would probably be enough, Your Honor.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. If you have many documents, five minutes might not be enough because it would be …
REP. BATERINA. Only the first page, Your Honor.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Pardon?
REP. BATERINA. Only the front pages will be marked, Your Honors.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. No submarkings?
REP. BATERINA. After we resume we will just go to particular entries, Your Honor.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. That’s why you do also the submarkings so it can be completed.
REP. ARROYO. May I interrupt, Mr. Chief Justice. We asked previously that the office hours of the secretary be extended precisely for premarking. They were open only up to nine o’clock, 9:30, we could not finish it. I mean, it’s not easy to mark this because everybody is looking at it.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Then we will just suspend.
REP. ARROYO. These are administrative matters, Your Honor.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. We will suspend for a while. How many minutes? Ten minutes?
REP. BATERINA. Ten minutes, Your Honor.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. The Honorable Senator Biazon.
SEN. BIAZON. Again, reminding us of the agreement, the pre indication of who are supposed to be talking on the lectern and it was announced that Congressman Baterina will be one assisted by Mr. Arno Sanidad, not Joker Arroyo.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. The observation is also well taken. The Chair will repeat once more the necessity of observing strictly the agreements that we had to promote precisely a very smooth and orderly proceeding here.
So, suspended for ten minutes.
REP. BATERINA. Thank you, Mr. Chief Justice.
THE TRIAL WAS SUSPENDED AT 2:40 P.M.
THE TRIAL WAS RESUMED AT 2:51 P.M.
THE SERGEANT-AT-ARMS. Please all rise. The Honorable Hilario G. Davide, Jr., Chief Justice, and the Honorable Aquilino Q. Pimentel, Jr., Senate President.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Trial is resumed.
The Honorable Baterina. Still marking the documents?
SEN. CAYETANO. Mr. Chief Justice.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Yes, the Honorable Senator Cayetano.
SEN. CAYETANO. While we are waiting for Atty. Baterina, perhaps because of this unexpected break, we may wish to forego our break at 3:45, if only to catch time, Mr. Chief Justice.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. The observation is well-taken. And perhaps you could even also dispense with the second break at 5:45.
REP. BATERINA. I didn’t catch up your…Mr. Chief Justice.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Yes. You may now proceed with your direct testimony of the witness and the identification of the documents.
REP. BATERINA. As they marked, as they marked.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Yes. Immediately have these marked exhibits distributed to the Honorable Members of the Court.
REP. BATERINA. May we be allowed now to distribute…
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. To distribute.
REP. BATERINA. …to the members?
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Already marked?
REP. BATERINA. Not all, Your Honor.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. That’s the problem. What the Chair requested earlier was reproduction of the marked exhibits so as you go along with the witness’ testimony and references are made to the exhibits, the judges would be ready also to peruse these documents in light of the markings.
REP. BATERINA. I’ll take the blame, Your Honor, Mr. Chief Justice, and I’m sorry.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. The Honorable Judge Drilon.
SEN. DRILON. Mr. Chief Justice, administrative problem is that there is only one of our deputy clerks who is marking all the documents, so it’s taking time. May we — if it is in order, Mr. Chief Justice, maybe we can deputize some more deputy clerks who can be authorized to mark these…
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. The problem is, the exhibits are to be marked consecutively.
SEN. DRILON. Yes.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. So, one will never know what would be the end of the marking of another group.
SEN. DRILON. Mr. Chief Justice, when these documents are presented, it can already be priorly marked and then presented to the deputy clerk just for initials as long as it is presented properly to the clerks.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. That’s a very good advice. And I hope that both prosecution and the defense will consider the preliminary premarking to be ratified or confirmed later insofar as the markings are concerned by the secretary or the deputy in the presence of the representatives of the prosecution and the defense.
SEN. DRILON. In other words, when it is presented, it is already marked, Your Honor, and subject to confirmation and ratification by this…
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. That is correct.
SEN. DRILON. Thank you.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. I hope that both parties will seriously take note of that.
REP. APOSTOL. Mr. Chief Justice, may I be allowed to say something?
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Let me see. Our agreement is, when one witness is presented, you only have one counsel and an assisting counsel.
Can we hear from Prosecutor Baterina?
REP. APOSTOL. Mr. Chief Justice, this is again procedural matter on the incoming witness about the marking of the exhibits.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. The marking of the exhibits for the incoming witness.
REP. APOSTOL. Yes.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Why don’t you do the premarking now for the incoming witness?
REP. APOSTOL. That is what I will be proposing because we consumed the one hour this noon and we were not able to finish the marking.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Then probably, you can assign one from the prosecution and the defense can assign one from the defense to start the marking while the proceedings here would be ongoing.
REP. APOSTOL. Yes, Mr. Chief Justice.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Meaning, we can do two tasks at the same time without one interfering with the other.
REP. APOSTOL. Yes. If that is allowed, then we will now request the defense to assign a lawyer…
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. As a matter of fact, permission need not be obtained because that was part of the agreement. The premarking was part of the agreement.
REP. APOSTOL. Thank you very much, Mr. Chief Justice.
REP. BATERINA. May we ask permission, Your Honors, to…
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Proceed.
REP. BATERINA. …pass on to the distinguished judges copies of the bills?
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Granted. You can have two to distribute.
MR. DAZA. May I know if these exhibits, the copies that are to be distributed had already been marked?
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. I would suppose so, because that was the instruction.
MR. DAZA. Now, may we… Have they already been marked?
REP. BATERINA. No, Your Honors.
MR. DAZA. They have not yet been marked, Your Honor.
REP. BATERINA. But we can refer to the dates to simplify the procedure.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. The distribution may be simplified by the identification of the documents later on when the witness will be testifying on this. It might pose difficulties to the members of the Impeachment Court. We will be moving from one document to the other.
REP. BATERINA. I will try to as much as possible describe the document for the Judges to look into this. It’s very easy to find the…
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. How long a time will be needed to complete the markings? It’s completed already, as a matter of fact.
REP. BATERINA. Yes. But the demand of the defense, Mr. Chief Justice, is that what has been marked must be xeroxed, machine-copied, and the output of what is machine-copied will be distributed including the markings, Your Honor.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. That is also the position of the Chair, because we will have difficulty following you when you will direct questions to the witness on the basis of the documents.
MR. DAZA. Your Honor, what counsel has been bringing up are matters of implementing details. We understood that they should have been done, that they should have been understood, the rules that were laid down by mutual agreement. I believe, Your Honor, that this is…
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. The Court had repeated that already.
MR. DAZA. …a waste of time.
REP. BATERINA. And I have said I am sorry, Your Honors.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Yes.
REP. BATERINA. I am to blame for this because I have not…
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. We can accommodate this for this afternoon, but again, the Court would insist on a faithful compliance with the previous agreement, as we move forward in this trial.
REP. BATERINA. Can we proceed?
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Can you proceed without first making references to the documents? Meaning, go to some points which may not require the document.
REP. BATERINA. It’s difficult to go on without having the Judges see the actual documents, Your Honor.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. I mean, questions whose answers may not require the documents.
REP. BATERINA. We have to show them the documents because in the offer of…
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. In other words, all your questions all the succeeding questions will be on the documents na.
REP. BATERINA. Mainly on the documents.
MR. DAZA. Your Honor, so that we no longer have to waste the time of the Court, if counsel is unable to proceed with the testimony of this witness because of the failure to comply with the required premarking, I hate to suggest, but counsel may, for the meantime, withdraw this witness off the stand, do everything that has to be done for the witness to proceed, and in the meantime, present another witness.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Do you have any other witness?
REP. BATERINA. May I confer with my…
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Yes. Because if you do have one…
REP. BATERINA. …head prosecutor, Mr. Chief Justice.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. …we can temporarily suspend the testimony of the witness. We’ll go back to her again when the documents are ready, but at least, we will be using the period for another witness.
REP. BATERINA. We’ll find out if our next witness has already arrived in the grounds of the Senate, Mr. Chief Justice.
May I ask for just one minute, Mr. Chief Justice.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. One minute is granted.
(Pause)
Prosecutor Baterina, may we have your pleasure now?
REP. BATERINA. Thank you, Your Honors. The leaders of our team are still conferring and I’m only a minor cog in the 11 prosecutors. I’m just the No. 11, Your Honor, and I cannot dictate…
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. But you are the you are the major cog for this witness.
REP. BATERINA. Yes, Your Honor.
I would like to proceed but in due time I think I will be vindicated for not asking for the marking of these exhibits but we have given to the leadership of our team the decision, Mr. Chief Justice, and I’m trying to follow the rules within our group. And may I ask for additional two minutes.
THE SENATE PRESIDENT. Mr. Chief Justice, before the next two minutes.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. The Honorable Senate President.
THE SENATE PRESIDENT. Who is your next witness? Do you have him here now or her?
REP. BATERINA. That’s what … They are trying to call Mr. President.
THE SENATE PRESIDENT. Yes. But can we know who your next witness would be?
REP. BATERINA. I think it will be the governor of the province of Ilocos Sur, Luis “Chavit” Singson.
THE SENATE PRESIDENT. All right.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Is he ready?
REP. BATERINA. But I’m trying to find out, Mr. Chief Justice, if he is already within the grounds of the Senate.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. And so what is now what is now your move?
REP. BATERINA. The point is that if we can wait just for two minutes so that he may be forthcoming in he may be forthcoming, Mr. Chief Justice.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Then after the lapse of two minutes and he is not forthcoming, what will happen to this witness? Would you be ready with the documents?
REP. BATERINA. Maybe I will have to find out if we can now distribute the copies to the distinguished jurors, the distinguished judges.
SEN. CAYETANO. Mr. Chairman.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. But in the meantime, we will recognize the Honorable Senator-Judge Cayetano.
SEN. CAYETANO. Mr. Chairman, just to assist all of us here, Mr. Chief Justice, I understand from the prosecution that so many of these documents have already been marked with the presence, if I’m not mistaken, of the defense counsel. So, if they could be if they could start asking the witness vis a vis those documents that have already been marked in the presence of the defense counsel, perhaps we can start this proceeding, otherwise magtatagal na naman tayo dito, wala pa tayong ginagawa.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Meaning to say that it would not be necessary to give the judges with copies of these documents for them to be able precisely to intelligently follow up with the testimony to be given by the witness on the basis of the documents?
SEN. CAYETANO. No, I understand that some of the documents, Mr. Chief Justice, have already been marked. This is my understanding, na kasama na po ‘yung mga dokumento yata para sa aming mga huwes. ‘Yun po ang aking understanding. Mayroon hong mga dokumento…
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. My worry is that this could not yet be available to the members of the Impeachment Court unless the members of the court will waive the possession of these documents.
SEN. CAYETANO. No, no, no. Mr. Chief Justice, I understand from the prosecution that so many of these documents have already been marked with the presence, if I am not mistaken, of the defense counsel. So, if they could be … they could start asking the witness vis-a-vis those documents that have already been marked in the presence of the defense counsel, perhaps we can start this proceeding, otherwise …
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Meaning, meaning to say …
SEN. CAYETANO. … magtatagal na naman tayo dito, wala pa tayong ginagawa.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Meaning to say that it would not be necessary to give the judges with copies of these documents for them to be able precisely to intelligently follow up with the testimony to be given by the witness on the basis of the documents?
SEN. CAYETANO. No, I understand that some of the documents, Mr. Chief Justice, have already been marked. This is my understanding na kasama na po yata iyong mga dokumento yata para sa aming mga huwes. Iyon po ang aking understanding. Mayroon hong mga dokumento …
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. My worry is that this could not yet be available to the members of the Impeachment Court, unless the members of the Court will waive the possession of these documents.
SEN. CAYETANO. No, no, Mr. Chief Justice, we are not waiving anything. What I understand — and please correct me, Mr. Prosecution Lawyer — na mayroon na hong mga dokumento available to the defense and to judges that are already marked.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. No marking yet. It is very, very difficult that — extremely difficult as a matter of fact.
SEN. CAYETANO. Yes, I agree. Kung wala ho, talagang wala tayong magagawa. I just thought na mayroon na silang minarkahan.
Atty. Baterina, do you have documents also for the judges that have been marked?
REP. BATERINA. The xerox copies are being made, sir. But I can now proceed on some points, Mr. Chief Justice.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. That was the recommendation of the Chair minutes ago.
REP. BATERINA. Yes, at the expense of revealing a very, very vital thing, I’ll have to now go to that what was going to be revealed.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Yeah, because you have to reveal everything too.
REP. BATERINA. And it would have been …
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. There is no need to delay if you want it revealed.
REP. BATERINA. Yes, Your Honor, but it would have been very comprehensible if it were given a … if the documents were given to the members.
In other words, I was thinking that if the members of the Senate were given the particular bill or the xerox of these documents …
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. As marked.
REP. BATERINA. … they would have been able to appreciate the import of our questions, Your Honor. But nevertheless, may we …
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Yes, before that, the Honorable Senator-Judge Miriam Defensor Santiago.
SEN. DEFENSOR SANTIAGO. Mr. President, may I humbly propose a sidebar conference among the parties with the Chief Justice and the judges.
MR. DAZA. Yes, we agree with that, Your Honor. In fact, …
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Well-taken.
MR. DAZA. Your Honor, in fact, just before the distinguished Senator made that proposal, we were approached by Congressman Joker Arroyo with a proposal along that line. And so, …
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. What is the proposal?
MR. DAZA…. if Your Honor would agree, this is upon the initiative of Congressman Joker Arroyo, we would like to request permission for Congressman Arroyo and myself to approach the bench and perhaps find a way out of this difficult situation.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. The request is granted.
MR. DAZA. Thank you, your Honor.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. The Honorable Arroyo and Atty. Daza may now approach the bench. And you can be accompanied by your co-prosecutors or co-defense counsels. And the senators-judges who would like to join the conference can come.
[OFF-THE-RECORD]
[THE PRESIDING OFFICER, TOGETHER WITH THE PROSECUTORS, DEFENSE COUNSELS AND SOME SENATORS-JUDGES ARE IN CONFERENCE.]
THE TRIAL WAS RESUMED AT 3:26 P.M.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. The Honorable Baterina is recognized.
REP. BATERINA. Yes, Your Honors. When we approached the bench, there was an agreement for us to probably present a new witness. The Honorable Sergio Apostol went to find out if the witness has already arrived and so as to save time, Mr. Chief Justice, he just left and in a few minutes he will be coming back, I hope.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. How hopeful would be the hope?
REP. BATERINA. Not a hope against hope, Mr. Presiding Officer.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Anyway, are you now ready with the documents for this witness?
REP. BATERINA. They are now xeroxing it, Your Honor.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. But cannot you ask certain questions which will not yet require the identification of the presentation of these documents?
REP. BATERINA. Well, of course, we will try to ask questions, with the permission of His Honor, the Chief Justice and with the conformity of the defense.
MR. DAZA. Now, it will be a pleasure for us to have the witness testify further so we can expedite the proceedings.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Yes. So, you may now proceed.
REP. BATERINA. Yes. Thank you, Mr. Chief Justice.
Madam Witness, you stated that two telephones or two cell phones were issued to you. By whom?
MS. ITCHON. Bale binili po ng Fontainbleau, Your Honor.
REP. BATERINA. Who paid for these cell phone units?
MS. ITCHON. Fontainbleau Incorporated po, Your Honor.
REP. BATERINA. When did they pay or when did they issue these units?
MS. ITCHON. As far as I can remember, late April or May 1999 po, Your Honor.
REP. BATERINA. Can you did these telephone units have telephone numbers?
MS. ITCHON. Yes, Your Honor.
REP. BATERINA. And you stated a while ago that you have the telephone unit with you?
MS. ITCHON. Yes, Your Honor.
REP. BATERINA. And where is the telephone unit issued to Mrs. Ricaforte?
MS. ITCHON. Nasa kaniya po ‘yon, Your Honor.
REP. BATERINA. Will you dial the telephone number of Mrs. Ricaforte?
MS. ITCHON. Yes, Your Honor.
MR. DAZA. Your Honor.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Yes.
MR. DAZA. We will have to object to this demonstration…
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Ground…
MR. DAZA. Ground.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. … for the objection?
MR. DAZA. Yes, on the ground that the proper basis should be laid first. First of all, the purpose should be explained to the Court.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. The purpose for the presentation of the witness was announced at the start of the testimony of the witness. And so, the remaining objection will be that, the ground…
MR. DAZA. Yes, on the ground that it’s improper for the direct examination based on the offer.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Overruled. Overruled.
The witness may answer.
REP. BATERINA. Have you dialed the number of Mrs. Ricaforte?
MS. ITCHON. Yes.
REP. BATERINA. Will you find out if you can place it close to the telephone ah, to the microphone?
MS. ITCHON. (Placing the phone close to the microphone)
REP. BATERINA. What does it say?
MS. ITCHON. “Hi! This is Yolly. Please leave your message and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can.”
REP. BATERINA. Will you try again?
MS. ITCHON. Hindi po niya makuha. Hindi niya makuha.
REP. BATERINA. It cannot be heard on the microphone.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. So, it cannot be recorded.
MR. DAZA. Well, Your Honor Your Honor,…
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Yes, Atty. Daza.
MR. DAZA. … may we be given the opportunity to take a look at what is shown on the screen?
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. You will be given that opportunity. As a matter of fact…
REP. BATERINA. With pleasure, Mr…
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. You can approach the witness.
REP. BATERINA. And may we ask that the gentleman of the defense be able to dial the number and hear for himself what would be heard on the telephone?
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. The request is rather improper.
MS. ITCHON. “Hi! This is Yolly. Please leave your message…”
REP. BATERINA. But he is doing it, Mr. Chief Justice.
MR. DAZA. Your Honor, there is no response from the other end of an active caller. And what seems to be coming out is some kind of tape recording. So, that’s all there is to it, Your Honor.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. The observation is noted.
The Honorable Senator Judge Cayetano.
SEN. CAYETANO. Mr. Chief Justice, may I ask the gentleman what numbers they are dialing for the benefit of the Judges?
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Is Your Honor asking a question to the witness?
SEN. CAYETANO. No, no, no, to the counsel.
REP. BATERINA. Yes, Your Honor, may we ask the witness…
SEN. CAYETANO. That we may be furnished even privately about the number because they are talking about telephone cell numbers but we don’t even know whether…
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. But unfortunately the counsel is not the witness.
SEN. CAYETANO. Well, okay.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. So the question should be directed to the witness according to the rules.
SEN. CAYETANO. Well, thank you, Mr. Chief Justice. I thought that I could also ask the counsel.
Anyway, Miss Itchon.
MS. ITCHON. Yes, Your Honor.
SEN. CAYETANO. You testified that Mrs. Ricaforte has also a cell phone number?
MS. ITCHON. Yes, Your Honor.
SEN. CAYETANO. And at the request of Atty. Baterina you tried to call her?
MS. ITCHON. Yes, Your Honor.
SEN. CAYETANO. Can you advise the … us here what number you called?
MS. ITCHON. It’s 0918 9021847, Your Honor.
SEN. CAYETANO. Is that the number you dialed where you said that… you mentioned something about it, voice mail or something?
MS. ITCHON. Yes, Your Honor.
SEN. CAYETANO. Thank you.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Thank you too.
Prosecutor Baterina, you may proceed.
REP. BATERINA. What does… When you dialed the phone, with your phone, what was the answer?
MS. ITCON. “Hi! This is Yolly, please leave your message. I’ll get back to you as soon as I can. Thank you. Bye.”
REP. BATERINA. Now, tell us what number did you dial?
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Already answered…
REP. BATERINA. Already answered.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. … on question by the Honorable Senator Cayetano.
The Honorable Senator Judge Enrile.
SEN. ENRILE. I have a problem with this kind of questioning. How do we know that that is the present number of the person alluded to? We know for a fact that the telephone numbers can be changed as often as one wishes to change them. How do we know now that the telephone number that she knew is still the telephone number of the person being called right now?
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Is that a question directed to the witness?
SEN. ENRILE. I am just raising this question to indicate that I think this question will not shed light to anything. It’s not evidence at the moment unless we establish that until now that number is still the number of the person being called. And the best evidence of that would be the current record of telephone numbers of the issuing telephone company.
REP. BATERINA. The best evidence, Your Honor, Mr. Chief Justice…
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Yes.
REP. BATERINA. … was the very evidence or the pieces of evidence that we were about to xerox…
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. I think the Honorable Senator…
REP. BATERINA. … to be given to the distinguished judges.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. All right.
REP. BATERINA. And that is precisely why we did not want to…
SEN. ENRILE. But in that case excuse me, Mr. Prosecutor the basis for the question is not laid. So the question is totally improper.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. You may now proceed, Prosecutor Baterina.
REP. BATERINA. Yes, thank you, Mr. Chief Justice. Thank you, Senator Enrile.
We were going to connect it when and if the xeroxing would have been through and we would have distributed it to…
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. So, in the meantime, you can go to another point.
REP. BATERINA. Yes, sir.
MR. DAZA. Your Honor, may I just interject a suggestion that to save the time of the court…
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. The Chair did not get it quite clearly.
MR. DAZA. Yes, Your Honor.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Interject an objection or a suggestion?
MR. DAZA. No, no, no. May I just, I said, interject a suggestion to save the time of the court. That if any question would require an answer referring to telephone numbers or leading to some matter that would refer to the telephone numbers of anyone, then that would not be other questions because again it will end up with the counsel saying that it would refer to one or more of the telephone bills which are being xeroxed.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. That is the reason why the Chair requested the prosecutor to go to another point.
You may now proceed on another point.
REP. BATERINA. Thank you, Your Honors. But I was told by the Chief Prosecutor to ask… to pray that we withdraw this witness to set the coming in of our star witness.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Not to withdraw but to suspend the testimony of the witness.
REP. BATERINA. To suspend. For us to ask to pray for the suspension of…
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Any objection from the defense?
MR. DAZA. Yes, that will be suspension of the direct testimony of this witness.
REP. BATERINA. Of the direct testimony…
MR. DAZA. No objection.
REP. BATERINA. … and so that we can take in the next witness. Then the next witness is going to be…
MR. DAZA. May we know may we know, Your Honor, what the intentions are of the prosecution in regard to when she would be brought back to the witness stand?
REP. BATERINA. When we are able to xerox and distribute to the distinguished judges these particular telephone bills, Your Honor.
MR. DAZA. May I know, Your Honor, where the xeroxing is being conducted?
REP. BATERINA. In the Senate, and not elsewhere.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Anyway, during the marking of the exhibits, a representative from the defense will have to be present.
The request is granted, there being no objection thereto. In the meantime, therefore, the witness Ms. Itchon, Maria Carmencita Itchon is excused from the witness stand with an admonition that she should be ready at any and at all times to return and to continue her direct testimony. You are now excused and the prosecution is directed to produce the next witness.
REP. BATERINA. May I now defer to my superiors, Mr. Chief Justice, so that they can come in?
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. The Court considers all of the prosecutors as primus inter pares.
REP. BATERINA. Thank you, Your Honor.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. So I don’t think the description of superiors may be recognized by the Court.
REP. BATERINA. Thank you, Mr. Chief Justice.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. The Honorable Apostol is recognized.
REP. APOSTOL. Mr. Chief Justice, our next witness is Governor Luis “Chavit” Singson.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Bring him inside the courtroom.
REP. APOSTOL. He could hardly walk because of so many cameras but he is now on the way. He is just on the other side.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Yes? What’s the pleasure of the Honorable Senator Judge Biazon?
SEN. BIAZON. Mr. Justice, we would like to know who will be the primary examiner and the one who will assist.
REP. APOSTOL. That is what, Senator Judge, I intend to say.
SEN. BIAZON. Thank you.
REP. APOSTOL. Mr. Chief Justice, …
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Bring in the witness.
REP. APOSTOL. May we manifest that the examination of witness, Luis “Chavit” Singson, will be conducted by the counsel for this prosecutor, Attorney Simeon B. Marcelo, of course, under my control and supervision.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. And who will be the assisting counsel?
REP. APOSTOL. The assisting counsel will be Attorney Edcel Lagman.
May I also manifest, Mr. Chief Justice, that the witness has also some private lawyers in the person of the Sanidad brothers, Arno and Pablito Sanidad.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. They are also private prosecutors, as a matter of fact.
REP. APOSTOL. Yes. But the counsel is Attorney Igmidio Tanjuatco, Attorney Bonifacio Alentajan, Attorney Noli Singson, Attorney Silvestre Bello.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Considering that this witness is now a witness of the Impeachment Court, his private lawyers should not stay behind him but they should sit together with the private prosecution.
REP. APOSTOL. Yes, Your Honor. So, may I also make further our manifestation that initially this witness will only testify on Article I, Bribery.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Article I.
REP. APOSTOL. Yes.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Pursuant to the agreement as supplemented in the order released this afternoon.
REP. APOSTOL. Yes, Mr. Chief Justice. We are now calling our witness, Luis “Chavit” Singson.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Bring in the witness.
Yes, Attorney Mendoza?
MR. MENDOZA. Mr. Chief Justice, while probably it may sound officious for us to make any manifestations regarding counsel for the prosecution, we also would like to be certain that whoever appears for the prosecution is authorized to do so.
I am looking at Rule 6, Section 15 of the House Rules on Impeachment which, according to Prosecutor Arroyo, are certainly even superior in a way to the Rules of the Senate. Section 15, Rule 6 of the Rules on Impeachment of the House of Representatives reads as follows: “Impeachment Prosecutor. The House of Representatives shall act as the sole…” — and I emphasize the word “sole” — “prosecutor at the trial in the Senate through a committee” “through a Committee of 11 members thereof to be elected by a majority vote.”
I am not sure, Mr. Chief Justice, Members of the Senate, that a private practitioner, even though designated as counsel of the prosecutors and who would be acting as under the control and supervision of the prosecutors, can appear as a principal examining counsel for a witness in these proceedings and more especially so, the principal witness. And if I may add if Your Honors please, especially one from the firm of Carpio, Villaraza and Cruz, who I understand, is principal counsel of the Vice President of the Philippines.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. The Honorable Senator Judge Drilon.
SEN. DRILON.May I invite the attention of counsel to Rule XIII of the Rules of Procedure on Impeachment Trial of this Impeachment Court, and it provides:
“Counsel for the parties shall be admitted to appear and be heard upon impeachment: Provided, That counsel for the prosecutors shall be under the control and supervision of the panel of prosecutors of the House of Representatives.”
The party is the House of Representatives. Under our own rules, they are allowed counsel.
Thank you, Mr. Chief Justice.
MR. MENDOZA. May I just respond briefly. I have just…
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. You can reply.
MR. MENDOZA. I am just raising a point to assure that the House of Representatives, not the Senate, has authorized a private lawyer to act as a principal prosecutor before the Senate. Because insofar as the authority of the prosecutors is concerned, that authority is not derived from the rules of the Senate. That authority is derived from the rules of the House of Representatives which explicitly provides that the sole prosecutor before the Senate shall be a Committee of 11 members to be elected by majority vote. I am certain that the designated prosecutors have the confidence of the House of Representatives. We are not too sure why a private counsel will have to be engaged to be the principal examiner especially of the principal witness in this impeachment proceedings.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Can we hear from the head of… for Impeachment I.
REP. ARROYO.I have been designated, Mr. Chief Justice, by our Chairman, Congressman Belmonte, to argue this point.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Prosecutor Arroyo is recognized for a reply.
REP. ARROYO. I don’t see why the President’s counsel are so jumpy about a private prosecutor handling the prosecution. Are they scared?
Now, Mr. Chief Justice, Members of the Court, we grant the position of the President that under our rules, the prosecutors will have the sole…
What do you call that one? You were the one who read it. I forgot it.
MR. MENDOZA.Sorry, you were not listening.
REP. ARROYO. Okay. The prosecution will be handled by the prosecution panel. However, we are now before the Senate Court of Impeachment. This body, the Senate Court of Impeachment says that there should be counsel for the prosecutors, as read by Senator Drilon. Since we are now before you, we are at your mercy, so we follow the Senate rules.
Thank you very much, Mr. Chief Justice.
MR. MENDOZA. May I just make one short remark, Mr. Chief Justice?
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Final short remark.
MR. MENDOZA. The distinguished prosecutor asked why I’m a little jumpy. I’m a little jumpy because we are… we want to be sure that after we get an acquittal, the proceedings will not be voided because of the lack of authority of the prosecutor who appeared in these proceedings.
REP. ARROYO. Mr. Chief Justice, the only one that can disown us would be the House.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Yes, I thought that was the final word for the defense.
MR. MENDOZA. Yes, I submit now, Your Honor.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Yes. What is the pleasure of the Honorable Senator Judge Roco?
SEN. ROCO. Mr. Chief Justice, how the House exercises their duty to prosecute, that’s their exclusive right. How they do that depends on them. How the Senate exercises its authority and duty as the sole trier of this case, that depends upon the Senate. And that is why as read already, Article XIII under the Rules issued by this Impeachment Court, the sole trier, the sole authority to try this says that private counsel under the control of prosecutors can proceed.
Thank you, Mr. Chief Justice.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. The Honorable Senator Judge Enrile.
SEN. ENRILE. Mr. Chief Justice, in order that we will be guided accordingly, I am going to another point. I understand that the witness that’s about to be presented is accompanied by several lawyers. He is not a party to this case; he is simply a witness. And I would like to inquire from the Presiding Officer of the trial and to this Court whether any witness can bring a lawyer and for what purpose; whether that lawyer or lawyers will be allowed to intervene in the course of the testimony of the witness or participate in any manner in the proceeding before this Court?
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. The question had been partly answered in the very beginning when the Chair announced that the lawyers for the witness cannot stay at his back but should take the seat for the private prosecutors. Meaning to say, that these lawyers cannot in any way give any advice to the witness when the witness is testifying because the witness is a witness presented by the prosecution in the Impeachment Court, not before any committee of the Senate.
SEN. ENRILE. Mr. Chief Justice, with due respect, since they have no standing before this Court, except as part of the audience, I move that they must be excluded from this Court and be made a part of the audience.
THE PRESIDING OFFICE. Is it in the sense a motion to reconsider the position of the Chair?
The Chair had ruled before that the lawyers of the witness can sit together with the private prosecutors.
SEN. ENRILE. Well, if that is the ruling of the Chair, in deference to the Chief Justice, I will withdraw the request but I would like to suggest that they be not allowed to participate in the proceeding.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. In no way shall they be allowed to participate in the proceedings. This is an Impeachment Court.
We will now make a ruling on the issue raised.
There is no conflict between the Rules of the House of Representatives on Impeachment Proceedings and the Rules of the Senate on Impeachment Proceedings. Under the latter, it is very obvious that the prosecutors can be represented by counsel. The only issue is, whether the counsel representing the prosecutors have been duly authorized by the House of Representatives or whether the Committee of Prosecutors, designated by a majority of the members of the House of Representatives, were given the authority to hire the services of private counsels or private prosecutors.
REP. BELMONTE. Our empowerment, Your Honors, is with full powers to conduct this prosecution and…
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Yes, to conduct. Precisely, to conduct. Did it include the power to designate private prosecutor?
REP. BELMONTE. Yes, Your Honors, that includes the power to designate private prosecutors.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Under that assurance, therefore, a private prosecutor or private prosecutors may.
May we hear from the defense?
Yes, the Majority Leader is recognized in the meantime.
THE MAJORITY LEADER. Mr. Chief Justice.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. With the permission of Atty. Mendoza.
THE MAJORITY LEADER. With the permission of counsel on both sides. I had the opportunity to confer with the Speaker of the House of Representatives in the presence of the Senate President and other officials of both Houses on a different official matter. But in the course of this meeting, I asked the question whether a private prosecutor may be expected to handle the prosecution and the answer was in the negative. I just submit this information to the Court subject to validation in writing.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Yes. I don’t think we can have the validation for the moment unless the panel of prosecutors will be able to demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Impeachment Court that, in fact, there was such an authority given because precisely at the risk that the proceedings may be declared void simply because the one conducting the direct examination does not have the full authority from the single body so authorized under the Constitution. Meaning, the House of Representatives.
REP. BELMONTE. Your Honors, we it is our position, Your Honors, and we so move that we proceed with the proceedings under the setup that we have outlined subject to the observations and subject to our submitting whatever may be required at a latter moment so that we can go on.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. May I have that again. The Chair was rather could not even get the core or the meat of the proposal.
REP. BELMONTE. Our proposal, Mr. Chief Justice, the Presiding Officer, is that we proceed with these proceedings under the setup that we have outlined which is, with the use of a private counsel subject to the objection that was made and subject to our producing later on a written authorization.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Why would we risk the proceeding, in the meantime, if that would be the position?
SEN. ROCO. Mr. Chief Justice.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Yes, the Honorable Senator Judge Roco.
SEN. ROCO. Mr. Chief Justice, I think under the code of responsibility that binds all lawyers, representation or the authority to represent a client is presumed and it becomes a burden on the part of those who question but that is not the essential point. The essential point is that if, as was determined in the Motion to Quash, the panel of prosecutors or managers of this case designated by the House had full authority, if they have authority on the goal, if they have an authority on the end, if they have an authority to achieve the purpose, they must have authority to acquire the means or use whatever means is available to them to precisely achieve that purpose. We are conscious, Mr. Chief Justice, that this panel was designated by the former speaker who is now in the minority and that, therefore, now what the offered information of our distinguished Majority Leader should be is a very serious information but it is now coming from the new Speaker who is a good friend of mine.
So,…
SEN. OSMEÑA (J). Mr. Chief Justice.
SEN. ROCO. Old Speaker nga ito, eh.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. For a while. For a while, please. The Chair sees the Honorable Senator Judge Osmeña. What is the pleasure of the gentleman?
SEN. OSMEÑA (J). Two points, Mr. Chief Justice.
One is that the prosecution has not responded to the query of the Chair as to the existence of a resolution authorizing the hiring of counsel. That matter could be easily addressed by giving the number of the resolution. A copy could be obtained through fax transmission.
The second matter is the matter on the statement of Senator-Judge Roco that it was the prior speaker who designated the prosecutors. I recall, Mr. Chief Justice that, in your ruling on the Motion to Quash, you pointed out that the present speaker, Speaker Fuentebella, had, and in effect, appointed the prosecutors contrary to the observation or the statement of Senator-Judge Roco.
SEN. ROCO. If they had full authority under the House Rules, therefore, then they have full authority to undertake whatever means are necessary to continue.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. The Chair earlier noted the manifestation of Honorable Belmonte…
MR. MENDOZA. May I make a suggestion.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. …That the Committee was given… The Chair is still speaking. The Chair should not be interrupted when talking.
REP. ARROYO. Mr. Chief Justice.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. And there was the statement of the Prosecutor Belmonte regarding the full authority given. And I said that if, in fact, there is such a full authority, then we can proceed with the private prosecutor. But there is a question now of whether in truth and in fact such an authority has been given.
REP. ARROYO. Which, Mr. Justice.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Yes.
REP. ARROYO. We take umbrage on the statement…
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. By…
REP. ARROYO. …Senator-Judge Osmeña. He doubts our authority which I will have to respond to. So with the permission of the court,…
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Probably, for clarity into the records. There was no challenge on the authority of the committee.
REP. ARROYO. Whatever it is.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Insofar as the Chair is concerned, the Chair did not consider any challenge on the authority of the committee of prosecutors as duly authorized. As a matter of fact, it was an authority given by the new leadership. That was the understanding of the Chair from the statement of Senator-Judge Osmeña.
REP. ARROYO. But for the record…
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Yes.
REP. ARROYO. May I just state, make something on record, Mr. Chief Justice.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Yes, you may do so.
REP. ARROYO. Under the Rules on Impeachment of the House, Section 15, it reads:
“The House of Representatives shall act as the sole prosecutor at the trial in the Senate through a Committee of 11 members thereof to be elected by a majority vote.”
The 11 members were elected by the House in plenary. And that election gives us — clothes us with powers because we have been elected as members to conduct the prosecution pursuant to Section 15. Having been armed by the House of Representatives, we are now before you, the Senate, whose Rules now authorize counsel for the prosecutors.
So, consistent with the authority given to us by the Senate that we could retain counsel for the prosecutors, therefore, we have now retained counsel prosecutors under the Senate Rules.
When we make appearances here, even in court when a lawyer appears before a court, I appear for a party. That he vouches for his authority. That is the rule of all lawyers and nobody challenges that. So we are here and we have said that we are armed with authority under the House Rules because we were elected by the whole House in plenary. Then we have appointed or rather we have retained counsel for the prosecutors not pursuant to the House Rules but pursuant to the Senate Rules. That is why under the Senate Rules, since you gave us authority, we have exercised it, I don’t think it can be challenged. You cannot make a rule and challenge it.
That is why we respectfully submit that since what we have done is in obedience to Senate Rules, then we should be allowed to proceed. If we have violated any Senate Rule, then by all means, tell us. But if we have not violated these rules, by all means, let us proceed.
Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. The Chair never made any statement regarding a violation of the Rules of the Senate on Impeachment. As a matter of fact, the Chair premised the ruling that there is no conflict between the Rules of the House of Representatives on Impeachment and the Rules of the Senate on Impeachment.
The second recognizes the appearance of a counsel for the panel of prosecutors. The only issue is whether or not under the Rules of the House of Representatives, there had been a valid authority given to the private prosecutors.
REP. ARROYO. Now, we submit.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. The Prosecutor Belmonte said there was such an authority.
REP. ARROYO. By our election.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. That’s correct. Meaning to say that by your election, the election carried with it the authority to hire private prosecutors.
Is that the position of the House of Representatives?
REP. ARROYO. That is the position of the House prosecutors.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Well, you have that. The Impeachment Court will have to consider that unless the other party can prove otherwise.
SEN. CAYETANO. Mr. Chief Justice.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. The Honorable Cayetano.
SEN. CAYETANO. Ah, for the benefit of all concerned, I recall the House journal dated November 13 where 2000, where no less than Congressman Teodoro, if I were not mistaken, after the panel of prosecutors were named, Congressman Teodoro stood up and made a motion that they’re in fact confirming the appointment of the panel of eleven prosecutors of the House and that they are not going to question it anymore. In fact, here is the… I do recall, Mr. Chief Justice, that in addition to what Congressman Teodoro said, confirming the appointment of the eleven…
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Would you want that marked in evidence?
SEN. CAYETANO. No, no, I’m just making an observation.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Yes, yes, Your Honor, but…
SEN. CAYETANO. I am just making an observation and looking at my records. Later on… I could not find it. The moment I find it I’ll do that.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Yes.
SEN. CAYETANO. And I do recall also that there was another congressman who even proposed the funding of the eleven man prosecutor, Mr. Chief Justice.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. The eleven man, of course, you refer to the…
SEN. CAYETANO. Yes.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. …congressmen themselves?
SEN. CAYETANO. That’s right. And so, following the Code of Professional Ethics which all members of the Bar are aware of, there is a presumption that indeed when a panel of prosecutors or when a lawyer stand up to represent a client, such presumption that he is authorized is binding on the other party unless the other party who is questioning it can produce a contrary evidence that in fact that member of the Bar claiming to be the lawyer of a party is not so authorized.
So, I believe, Mr. Chief Justice, the burden is not on the prosecutor; it is on the defense if indeed they have evidence to prove and to show that they are not authorized to hire private counsels on behalf of the eleven man prosecutors, Mr. Chief Justice.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Yes. So, we…
SEN. CAYETANO. So that is my submission, that they have such an authority and the burden is on the defense rather than on the prosecutors.
Thank you.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. The Honorable Senator Drilon.
SEN. DRILON. Question on the prosecutor under Rule XVII, Mr. Chief Justice, if I may be allowed.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. You are allowed to.
SEN. DRILON. When you had your authority to prosecute this case, Mr. Congressman Prosecutor, did your authority contain any limitations?
REP. ARROYO. No, sir.
SEN. DRILON. It was a general authority.
REP. ARROYO. That’s correct, sir.
SEN. DRILON. When you were given a budget, was there a limitation that you cannot hire from the budget private prosecutor?
REP. ARROYO. No, sir.
SEN. DRILON. It was a blanket authority on the budget?
REP. ARROYO. Yes, sir.
SEN. DRILON. Now, I noticed that you have filed a Reply to Answer or Plea dated or filed on December 6. In this pleading, there is a portion which says, “assisted by” and contains the name of Simeon Marcelo…
REP. ARROYO. Yes, sir.
SEN. DRILON. …duly signed. Are you aware if this was questioned at anytime before?
REP. ARROYO. Not that I’m aware of. As a matter of fact, several in the deposition taking they are mostly private lawyers that we have retained.
SEN. DRILON. And when we say, “assisted by”, what did you mean “assisted by”?
REP. ARROYO. That they are counsels for the prosecutors.
SEN. DRILON. Thank you, Mr. Chief Justice.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. We have allowed that, although it is not really justified by the Rules, only for enlightenment purposes.
The Honorable Enrile.
SEN. ENRILE. Mr. Chief Justice, before I go to the main question that I will raise, I would like to state here that the client or the principal in this impeachment proceeding that brought about the case before the Senate is the House of Representatives. And the designated lawyer by that impeaching body is a group of 11 prosecutors duly authorized by it. It is normal in any proceeding especially in a criminal case, that in addition to the prosecutor of the government, the plaintiff could hire a private party and there is a relationship of attorney and client between them.
Now my question then, Mr. Congressman Prosecutor, are you authorized by your principal, the House, to delegate the handling of this case where presumptively reliance was placed on your skills to protect the interest of your principal in handling this case to private lawyers? And if so, do you have a contract of engagement between you and these private lawyers? Because I heard you to say that you have retained them as your counsels. And that is what I would like you to present to us so that we will be guided as judges.
REP. ARROYO. Mr. Chief Justice, in answer to the…
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Yes, the Honorable Arroyo.
REP. ARROYO. …questions of Honorable Senator Judge Enrile, the election by the 11 man prosecution team is the election to provide counsel for the House. That is the same as when the Senate elects members in the Committee to represent them in any Bicameral Conference. That is the analogy. That analogy they have given authority.
Now, let me proceed before the Senator Judge.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Thank you.
REP. ARROYO. Well, let me proceed.
Now, as I’ve said earlier, the House elected us and when they elected us it is the practice that we have been given plenary powers to act in behalf of the House. Now you asked the question. How in the world did we retain counsel private counsel? Not because of the House Rules, but you granted it to us. After having granted to us, you cannot now withhold it.
SEN. ENRILE. No, Your Honor…
REP. ARROYO. You need not…
SEN. ENRILE. I’m sorry.
REP. ARROYO. What is this? Is this a surplusage? You told us we could hire a private counsel. Now, if you are now saying that we cannot hire private counsel, then delete it from your Rules. But for so long as there is in these Rules of the Senate the right to have counsel for the prosecutors, then we will exercise it, as in fact we have exercised it. The judgment is ours. In other words, this is a judgment call on the part of the panel. We are responsible for it. And here as a matter of fact, the difference here is that for some unknown reason we call them prosecutors. In the United States, we call them managers. And managers are not necessarily lawyers. But here, we have we call it prosecutors.
I would hope that this would ease the Senator Judge Enrile.
SEN. ENRILE. Mr. Chief Justice, I think this is not as simple as the distinguished Prosecutor thinks it is. Of course, I realize that we have in our Rules in the Senate a provision that the parties may engage their own counsel. But what I’m saying is a simple one.
First, is these 11 prosecutors selected by no less than the House of Representatives in plenary to handle directly the prosecution of this case, authorized to hire private lawyers? And if they are authorized, did they engage these private lawyers. And my purpose in asking that, Mr. Chief Justice, is not really an unreasonable purpose because I would like to be sure that if any of these lawyers I know they’re very skillful lawyers, but we are only human beings. If they commit a mistake in the course of this proceeding, then the House of Representatives ought to be bound by the errors and mistakes of these private lawyers.
REP. ARROYO. In answer, Mr. Chief Justice, to the query of Senator Judge Enrile, as I’ve said, we retained counsel or private counsel pursuant to the Rules of the Senate and this has been ratified in two preliminary conferences. In the preliminary conferences, we said that we would have private lawyers and in the preliminary conferences, this was considered and this was allowed.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. That point has been sufficiently discussed.
May we hear from the Senate President who is seeking recognition?
THE SENATE PRESIDENT. Just one question, Mr. Prosecutor. Before you began to discharge your duties here, you had taken an oath before the Speaker of the House, is that not correct?
REP. ARROYO. That’s correct, sir.
THE SENATE PRESIDENT. What about the private prosecutors?
REP. ARROYO. They are our agents.
THE SENATE PRESIDENT. I see. Thank you.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. The Honorable Senator Judge Biazon.
SEN. BIAZON. Yes, Mr. Presiding Officer Chief Justice. I think that the presiding officer on trial has already rendered a ruling allowing the prosecutor to to the prosecutor?
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Not yet, there was no ruling yet.
SEN. BIAZON. Or reservation. Because if this is so …
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Not even. There was a question and there had been interruptions. And so, at the end, we will make a ruling.
SEN. BIAZON. Thank you, Mr. Chief Justice.
SEN. GUINGONA. May I?
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. We will have to … Yes, what’s the pleasure of the Honorable Senator Guingona?
SEN. GUINGONA. Your Honors please, in the United States where we have derived our basic rules on impeachment, they termed the prosecutors as managers. But whether it is prosecutors or managers, the essence is that they are given plenary powers and plenary powers mean the availments of any and all means to do their job as they see fit.
There is no prohibition in their rules that they can’t in the Rules of the House of Representatives that they cannot engage private lawyers. But in the Senate, there is an express rule, after due deliberation, and what we have given expressly, we cannot now renege without injustice.
Mr. Chief Justice …
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Yes, Your Honor.
SEN. GUINGONA. And we would like to say, let us respect the Rules of the Senate as we have approved this unanimously.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. We will have one last word from the defense and the Chair …
Well, we have a reservation from the Honorable Senator Leviste.
SEN. LEGARDA LEVISTE. Thank you, Mr. Chief Justice. I am not a lawyer, but in my layman’s point of view, Mr. Chief Justice, I believe that when a client asks for a counsel or secures the services of a lawyer, it is a responsibility of the lawyer to represent his client to the best of his ability. And, therefore, if the lawyer believes that by securing the services of another counsel he could best represent his client, then I believe that it is an integral part of the lawyer that he represents his client by securing the services of this counsel.
And, therefore, Mr. Chief Justice, I personally do not feel there should be any big fuss about allowing the private prosecutor to cross examine or get the direct examination of the witness at this point in time.
I believe that the proceedings have been delayed for so long. It is really an injustice to all of us present here and to the Filipino people if we continue this way. Thank you.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. That is the reason why the Chair only wanted to get the final word from the defense.
SEN. ENRILE. Mr. Chief Justice.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Yes, what is the pleasure of the distinguished Senator Enrile?
SEN. ENRILE. Briefly, Mr. Chief Justice. I just want to put into the record that the Rules of the Senate says that a party to this case can hire private its own counsel. The party in this case is the House of Representatives, not these 11 lawyers. I just want to put that into the records.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Yeah. Okay.
MR. MENDOZA. Mr. Chief Justice.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. You may now proceed.
SEN. CAYETANO. Mr. Chief Justice.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. For a while. I think the issues have been fully discussed and you are only giving the final word.
MR. MENDOZA. Yes, Your Honor.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. As part of due process too.
MR. MENDOZA. If I may respond to several observations?
SEN. CAYETANO. Mr. Chief Justice, just one point. I hope the Chief Justice will not mind.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. What is the point to be raised?
SEN. CAYETANO. Yes. Mr. Chief Justice, later on you ask me if I would like to mark November 13 Journal of the House …
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. As an exhibit.
SEN. CAYETANO. Yes. And I said I did not have a copy. I have now a copy of that, Mr. Chief Justice. And this is Journal of the House of Representatives, Eleventh Congress, Third Regular Session, 2000 2001, Journal No. 36, Monday, November 13, 2000. This is the portion I mentioned, Mr. Chief Justice.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Yes, but we will have difficulty how to describe the marking of the exhibit. Is it exhibit for whom and for what? Would you give it to do you have an intention of giving it to any party?
SEN. CAYETANO. It could be the Court’s exhibit and this is part of the record. In fact, this is part of the Motion to Quash.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Yeah. That is correct. It could really be a part. But I think the more appropriate way would be that since it is to support the position of the prosecution, it would be the prosecution which will take the proper move.
SEN. CAYETANO. Well, Mr. Chief Justice, the point is even the court may also mark a public document which it has judicial knowledge, and this is part of the Motion …
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. We can take judicial notice of that.
SEN. CAYETANO. Yes. And may I read this?
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Yes.
SEN. CAYETANO. And this is the remarks of Representative Teodoro who, I would like to say, Mr. Chief Justice, belong to the new majority now headed by the new Speaker, Fuentebella. And this is his remarks with respect to the members of the 11 man panel. “At this point, Representative Gilberto Teodoro, Jr. hoped that he had the unanimous concurrence of the members of the majority…” and that is the new majority, “… on the election of the 11 members of the House as prosecutors at the impeachment trial in the Senate.”
Subsequently, he stated, “The majority coalition has no objection thereto. The Chair noted the same.”
“Parliamentary inquiry of Congressman Roman. Upon recognition of the Chair, Representative Roman inquired whether it is incumbent upon the House to provide the funds that the 11 man impeachment prosecutors would need in the discharge of their duties.
“In response, the Chair referred Representative Roman’s query to the Committee on Accounts.”
This is, as I said, an indication that the House of Representatives have indeed given plenary power to the House and therefore …
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. The Chair takes note of that. As a matter of fact, the Chair is about to is prepared to make any ruling. But before doing that, we will hear the defense.
SEN. CAYETANO. Thank you, thank you.
MR. MENDOZA. Mr. Chief Justice, Members of the Senate, it has been suggested that it is our burden to show that private counsel is not duly authorized.
May I advert to Section 21, Rule 138 of the Rules of Court. It provides: “An attorney is presumed to be properly authorized to represent any cause in which he appears and no written power of attorney is required to authorize him to appear in court for his client. But the presiding judge, may, on motion of either party and on reasonable grounds therefore being shown, require any attorney who assumes the right to appear in a case to produce or prove the authority under which he appears.”
So, the burden is not on the other party, but on the party represented. And I think we have raised a reasonable ground. And pursuant to that, the Presiding Chief Justice has requested the House prosecutors to produce that authorization.
There is a familiar principle in law which says, that delegated power cannot be further delegated. And this is what has been done, that is why private counsel has been referred to as mere “agents.”
There is a public policy involved, Mr. Chief Justice. In a criminal case, there is a prosecutor, a public prosecutor. Occasionally, there is a private prosecutor to represent the interest of the offended party. And if there is no private offended party, no private prosecutor is allowed.
In this particular case, if Your Honors please, the complainant is the House of Representatives. There is no private party involved. And that is precisely why when the prosecutors were elected, they took an oath, a solemn oath, as public officers, as members of the House of Representatives to be public prosecutors. When private counsel intervenes, especially a private counsel who comes from a firm representing adverse political interest, it is, in our view, inappropriate and unauthorized by the House of Representatives.
So unless the private … the prosecutors can show in writing an explicit authorization for this purpose, we believe that a general grant of authority does not authorize them to delegate the very serious responsibility that has been vested upon them by the House of Representatives.
We submit, Your Honor.
REP. ARROYO. Mr. Chief Justice, we have been asked …
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Excuse me, Prosecutor Arroyo. A member of the Impeachment Court, the Honorable Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago, has raised her hand, and she is now recognized.
REP. ARROYO. Okay.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. After this, the Chair will make a ruling.
SEN. DEFENSOR SANTIAGO. Mr. Chief Justice, please allow me to make a reference to the Constitution.
The Constitution, in the Article on Impeachment, states: “The House of Representatives shall have the exclusive power to initiate all cases of impeachment.” I would like to repeat for emphasis. “The House of Representatives shall have the exclusive power to initiate all cases of impeachment.” The power of the House is exclusive only with respect to the initiation of the process. The process is no longer being initiated, it is now in the process of being prosecuted, and the Constitution does not have any provision on the exclusive nature of the power when the process in in prosecution stage. Only, there is a provision for exclusive nature of the power only at the initiation stage. But we are no longer at initiation stage and, therefore, it appears to me that there is no more constitutional issue involved. In other words, at this stage, the power of the House is not necessarily exclusive to the House only.
Then I would like to go to the Bill of Rights. When we look at the Bill of Rights, we see that the Constitution gives all presumptions in favor of the accused the presumption of innocence, the burden of proof, on the prosecution, etcetera. But the Bill of Rights does not give to the accused the power to choose who the prosecutor … the prosecution shall be, who shall consist of the prosecution. That is a right or a privilege on which the Constitution is purposefully silent. Meaning to say, that the accused, for all the menu of rights that are accorded him by the Constitution, is not given the right to choose who will be his prosecutor.
If this is the case, then let us ask ourselves. When will the issue of whether the House prosecutors can engage the services of private prosecutors become significant? This will become significant only after final judgment. If the accused is acquitted, then he will have no basis for filing an appeal with the Supreme Court on the ground of grave abuse of discretion on the part of the prosecution. Therefore, the accused will not be prejudiced by the manner in which the identity of the prosecutor is determined because he will not have a legal basis for assailing the choice of the personality of prosecutor since the Bill of Rights does not give him any power in this respect. This issue will therefore become significant only when the accused is convicted. And if the accused is convicted, the only party that is likely to make an appeal to the Supreme Court on the ground of grave abuse of discretion will be the prosecution. The prosecution is legally represented in our Impeachment Court. It has so far been accepted by the Impeachment Court as fully vested with the proper personality for prosecution in our proceedings here in the Senate. Therefore, we must simply presume that whatever asseverations they make in the course of our proceedings is regular and accurate until evidence has been provided to the contrary.
I, therefore, in summary, believe that since there is no constitutional proscription, then it is the right of the panel from the House of Representatives to determine best whether they shall prosecute directly or engage the services of others to do so.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. After the issues had been fully ventilated and taking into account the observations of the members of the Impeachment Tribunal and of the defense and the prosecution, the Presiding Officer believes that because of the representation made by the head of the panel of the prosecution that the Committee has the power to employ the services of a private prosecutor or private prosecutors without, however, prejudice to the issue being reventilated at a more appropriate time, the witness may be allowed to testify under the direct examination of a private prosecutor subject to the control and direction of the panel of prosecutors duly appointed by the House of Representatives.
We now proceed.
The witness may take the witness stand.
The Senate Secretary is directed to administer the oath.
THE SENATE SECRETARY. Kindly raise your right hand.
You, Governor Luis “Chavit” Singson, do swear that the evidence you shall give in the case now pending between the Philippines and Joseph Ejercito Estrada, President of the Philippines, shall be the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help you God.
MR. SINGSON. I do.
THE SENATE SECRETARY. Kindly sit down.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Mr. Marcelo, you have your witness. Qualify him.
MR. MARCELO. Kagalang galang na Punong Mahistrado ng Kataas taasang Hukuman, Kagalang galang na Pangulo ng Senado, Kagalang galang na mga Senador na nanunungkulan bilang mga hukom sa kasalukuyang paglilitis, magandang hapon po sa inyong lahat.
Ako po si Simeon Marcelo, isa pong pribadong taga usig…
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Would you kindly just proceed to qualify the witness now. Do not make any preliminary statement as a counsel directing a direct examination.
MR. MARCELO. Thank you, Your Honors.
Mr. Witness, pakisabi nga po kung ano ang inyong pangalan.
MR. SINGSON. Luis Singson, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. At saan naman po kayo nakatira?
MR. SINGSON. Vigan, Ilocos Sur, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Ilang taon na po kayo?
MR. SINGSON. Fifty nine, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Ano po ba ang inyong trabaho sa kasalukuyan?
MR. SINGSON. Governor ng Ilocos Sur, Your Honor, Province of Ilocos Sur.
MR. MARCELO. The testimony of Governor Luis Singson is offered to prove the following:
That Governor Singson who has long devoted his life in public service, developed a close relationship with President Estrada; President Estrada received and accepted millions of pesos from jueteng and illegal gambling operations as bribes and/or protection money; President Estrada is guilty of violation of Presidential Decree No. 46, the crime of bribery and other related offenses; and to prove that these acts committed by President Estrada constitute grounds for his impeachment under our Constitution.
Governor Luis Singson, noon hong a trenta ng Hunyo, isang libo siyam na raan at siyamnapu’t walo, ginanap ang inauguration sa Luneta ni Presidente Estrada bilang pang labingtatlong pangulo ng ating bansa.
Nasaan po ba kayo noong a trenta ng Hunyo, isang libo siyam na raan at siyamnapu’t walo?
MR. SINGSON. Sa Luneta, Your Honor, presente po ako sa inauguration ni Pangulong Estrada at nakinig doon, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Nakita mo ba at nadinig mo ang Pangulo noong umattend ka sa inauguration niya sa Luneta?
MR. SINGSON. Opo, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. At pakisabi nga kung ano naman ang nadinig mo noon.
MR. SINGSON. Walang kumpa kumpadre, walang kaibigan, walang kamag anak.
MR. MARCELO. Sinabi mo na nakita mo doon si President Estrada sa Luneta noong a trenta ng Hunyo 1998. Nakita mo ba siya nung mga sumunod na araw noong 1998?
MR. SINGSON. Madalas po sa bahay niya, Your Honor, sa Polk Street sa Greenhills at kung minsan pinapatawag po niya ako roon, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Kung inyo pong maaalala, pakisabi nga po kung bakit kayo pinapatawag doon sa Polk Street, Greenhills?
MR. FLAMINIANO. Mr. Chief Justice.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Yes.
MR. FLAMINIANO. Your Honor, we noticed that there is a screen there, video which is being flashed on that screen, Your Honor, and I think these proceedings are also being monitored with a screen outside, Your Honor. I should think, Your Honor, that this is improper as it tends to create undue prejudice against the respondent, Your Honor.
I submit that we should merely listen to what the witness would say unless they can lay the basis for the introduction of videotapes as part of the testimony, Your Honor. After all, the transcript will show the testimony of the witness, Your Honor. We have to object to the projection of that witness, Your Honor, please.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. At this point, the objection is sustained. As a matter of fact, there was no request to be allowed to use that.
MR. FLAMINIANO. We respectfully request that …
MR. MARCELO. Uulitin ko po iyong huli kong tanong.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. No, no. There was an objection raised.
MR. MARCELO. Yes, Your Honor. We submit to the discre¬tion, Your Honor, of this Honorable Body.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Already there was a ruling that at this stage the objection has to be sustained because as a matter of fact, the counsel had not asked any permission to use this gadget or equipment.
MR. MARCELO. Uulitin ko po iyong tanong ko, kung inyo pong pahihintulutan.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. You can repeat the question.
MR. MARCELO. Governor Singson, kung matatandaan mo, bakit ka ba pinatawag ng Pangulong Estrada sa Polk Street, Greenhills?
MR. SINGSON. Natatandaan ko isang gabi, Your Honor, pinatawag ako sa Greenhills sa bahay niya at dumating ako roon kasama ko iyong mga driver/security, Your Honor, at saka isang sekretaryo, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Natatandaan niyo po ba kung kailan ito?
MR. SINGSON. Sometime August, Your Honor, 1998.
MR. MARCELO. At noon pong sabi n’yo po dumating po kayo doon sa Polk Street, Greenhills, ano po ba ang nangyari kung mayroon man?
MR. SINGSON. Noong dumating po ako at pumasok sa bahay niya, Your Honor, nadatnan ko na si Pangulong Estrada at saka si Atong Ang, Your Honor, na nag uusap sa may kusina.
MR. MARCELO. At nang dinatnan mo sila, ano ba ang nangyari kung mayroon man?
MR. SINGSON. Noong dumating ako roon, Your Honor, napag usapan namin tungkol sa jueteng at hindi nagtagal dumating na rin si Mr. Bong Pineda, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Pagdating po ni Mr. Bong Pineda, ano po ba ang nangyari kung mayroon man?
MR. SINGSON. Napag usapan namin iyong jueteng, Your Honor, at ang narinig kong sinabi ni Pangulong Estrada, sabi niya: “Bong, mula ngayon huwag ka nang magdala rito ng pera dahil kung ikaw ang nagdadala, halata.”
MR. MARCELO. Ano po ang intindi n’yo doon sa sinabi niyang pera na dapat nang huwag dadalhin ni Mr. Bong Pineda?
MR. SINGSON. Iyong protection money sa jueteng, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Bukod po doon sa sinabi na ito, mayroon pa po bang ibang sinabi sa inyo?
MR. SINGSON. Ang sabi po ni Pangulong Estrada, “mas maganda kung ibigay mo na kay Atong at saka si Chavit dahil kung si Chavit, isang gobernador, hindi halata kung siya ang nagdadala rito”, sabi niya, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Sinabi n’yo po na nakausap n’yo doon si Mr. Bong Pineda at saka si Charlie “Atong” Ang, sino po ba sa pagkakakilala ninyo si Mr. Bong Pineda?
MR. SINGSON. Ah, si Bong Pineda, Your Honor, ay malapit na kaibigan ni Pangulong Estrada, kung hindi ako nagkakama¬li, iyon ang ninong ni Mayor Jinggoy Estrada sa kasal at matagal nang kilala ni Pangulong Estrada, Your Honor. At kilalang kilala na sa Central Luzon na operator ng jueteng, napatawag na minsan sa House of Representative na naimbistiga tungkol sa jueteng.
MR. MARCELO. Eh, iyon pong isang nakausap ‘nyo si Charlie Atong, sino po ba ito?
MR. SINGSON. Charlie Atong Ang, Your Honor, iyon ang pinakamalapit na kaibigan din ni Pangulong Estrada at kasakasama niya palagi halos araw-araw.
MR. MARCELO. Sinabi mo kanina na sinabihan kayo ni Presidente Estrada na huwag na si Bong Pineda ang magdadala ng pera at itong pera ay ipadadala na lamang –idadaan na lamang sa iyo at kay Charlie Atong. Pakiulit nga kung ano ang intindi mo dito sa pera na ito?
MR. SINGSON. Para hindi halata, Your Honor, ‘yong protection money tungkol sa jueteng para hindi hulihin ‘yong mga jueteng.
MR. MARCELO. Pagkatapos po nitong pag-uusap ‘nyo ni Presidente Estrada, ni Mr. Bong Pineda at saka ni Mr. Charlie Atong Ang, ano po ba ang mga sumunod na pangyayari kung mayroon man.
MR. SINGSON. Mula noon, Your Honor, kasakasama ko na si Atong Ang madalas, doon kami sa opisina niya sa San Juan at kinakausap lahat ‘yong mga jueteng operators, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Eh, ano naman po ang pinag-uusapan ninyo?
MR. SINGSON. Sinasabi ni Atong Ang sa mga operators na magbigay sila ng protection money na 3 percent.
MR. MARCELO. Three percent po ng ano?
MR. SINGSON. Ang total collection bawat probinsiya, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Eh, ano naman po ang naging tugon nitong mga jueteng operators noong sinabi po ‘yan ni Mr. Charlie Atong Ang?
MR. SINGSON. Nakipagtawaran po sila, Your Honor, tapos pumayag din sila lahat, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Sinabi ‘nyo po na pumayag ‘yong mga jueteng operators na magbigay ng protection money equivalent sa 3 percent, ano po ang nangyari makatapos pong pumayag itong mga jueteng operators?
MR. SINGSON. Nag-umpisa na po ang collection ni Atong Ang, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. At pagkatapos …sabi ‘nyo po ay nagsimula na itong collection mula sa mga jueteng operators, ano po ang nangyari pagkatapos pong magsimula ito?
MR. SINGSON. At nag-umpisa na rin kaming pumunta kay Pangulong Estrada na mag-deliver ng pera, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Sinabi mo na nagsimula na sila… nagsimula na kayo ni Charlie Atong Ang na mag-deliver kay Presidente ng pera, ano ang nangyari pagkatapos na magsimula kayong mag-deliver ng pera?
MR. SINGSON. Ang natatandaan ko, Your Honor, noong panahon na iyon, mayroon isang gabi na nag-away sila tungkol sa allocation ng sugar, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Natatandaan mo ba kung kailan itong away na ito na sinasabi mo?
MR. SINGSON. Siguro po katapusan na ng Oktubre, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. At saan naman po nangyari itong away na ito kung natatandaan ‘nyo?
MR. SINGSON. Sa bahay din po ni Pangulong Estrada, Your Honor, gabi noon, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Saan pong bahay niya, pakibigay nga po ang address?
MR. SINGSON. Sa Greenhills, Polk Street, Your Honor.
MR. MACELO. Sinabi mo nag-away sila tungkol sa sugar allocation, pakisabi po kung ano ang pinag-awayan po nila dito tungkol sa sugar allocation?
MR. SINGSON. Noong nag-deliver kami ng pera noong gabing iyon, Your Honor, may dalang listahan si Atong Ang at humingi siya ng allocation ng sugar at sabi ni Pangulong Estrada “hindi na puwede dahil mayroon na akong napagbigyan.â€
MR. MARCELO. Eh, ano naman po ang naging tugon kung mayroon man ni Charlie Atong Ang?
MR. SINGSON. Ako na lang ang hindi kumikita, sabi niya, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Ano po naman ang sinabi ni Presidente Estrada noong sabihin ‘yan ni Charlie Atong Ang?
MR. SINGSON. Ang sabi niya, Your Honor, eh, “magkano ba ang ginastos mo noong election at isosoli ko na lang.â€
MR. MARCELO. Ano po ang naging tugon ni Charlie Atong Atong?
MR. SINGSON. Ang sabi niya, Your Honor, eh… tumayong bigla, Your Honor, tumalikod at umalis, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Ano po ang nangyari pagka-alis po ni Charlie Atong Atong kung mayroon man?
MR. SINGSON. Ang sabi ni Pangulong Estrada, “bastos itong hayop na ito,†sabi niya, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Ano po ang nangyari pagkatapos noon kung mayroon man?
MR. SINGSON. Noong nag-usap kami sandali, pumasok na rin si Pangulong Estrada, so lumabas na ako dala ko ‘yong pera, Your Honor,.
MR. MARCELO. At pagkatapos po nito, ano po ang nangyari kung mayroon man?
MR. SINGSON. Paglabas ko, nandoon sa labas si Atong Ang naghihintay at tinanong ko kung ano ang gagawin ko sa pera.
MR. MARCELO. Ano naman po ang sagot niya?
MR. SINGSON. Ang sabi niya, Your Honor, “ibalik mo ‘yan, kukunin ‘yan, matagal ko nang kilala ‘yan, sugapa sa pera ‘yang putang-inang ‘yan,†sabi niya, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Ano naman po ang ginawa ‘nyo pagkatapos noong sabihin ito ni Mr. Charlie Ang?
MR. SINGSON. Bumalik uli ako sa loob, Your Honor, at hinintay ko si Presidente sa loob ng bahay nila.
MR. MARCELO. Ang po ang nangyari noon pong kayo ay naghihintay kung maryoon man?
MR. SINGSON. Noong lumabas uli si Presidente, eh sabi niya sa akin, tinanong ko rin kung ano ang gagawin ko sa pera, “itago mo muna ‘yan at saka na lang tayo mag-usap.â€
MR. MARCELO. Noong sabihan po kayo na itago mo ‘yan, ano po naman ang ginawa ninyo?
MR. SINGSON. Umuwi na ako noon, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. At ano ang po nangyari pagkatapos po kayong umuwi?
MR. SINGSON. Madalas na akong pabalik balik sa bahay niya noong panahon na iyon, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. At sinabi mo pabalik balik ka doon sa bahay niya. Eh ano naman po ang nangyari doon sa pera na sinabi na itago ninyo?
MR. SINGSON. Nakuha rin lahat, Your Honor, dahil marami siyang binabayaran noong panahon na iyon at noong naubos, sinabi na niya na ipagpatuloy ko ang pagkoleksyon sa jueteng, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Noong sinabi niya sa inyo na ipagpatuloy ninyo ang pangungolekta sa jueteng, ano po ang nangyari pagkatapos noon?
MR. SINGSON. Pinagpatuloy ko po, Your Honor, pero tinulungan din ako ni Atong Ang dahil hindi ko pa alam masyado noon ang mga kilala masyado iyong mga operators, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. So, pinagpatuloy ninyo po na katulong si Charlie “Atong” Ang ang pangungolekta po ng pera mula sa mga jueteng operators noong panahon na iyon?
MR. SINGSON. Opo, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Natatandaan … Ano pong buwan nga ito? Paki sabi nga po?
MR. SINGSON. Nag umpisa iyon, Your Honor, na nagkaroon kami ng ledger o listahan, November, Your Honor, ng 1998.
MR. MARCELO. So, noon po nagsimula itong pagtupad n’yo po doon sa tungkulin na inatang sa inyo ni Presidente Estrada?
MR. SINGSON. Opo, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Mayroon kang binanggit na ledger, ano ho ba itong ledger na ito? Paki paliwanag nga po.
MR. SINGSON. Ah, ‘yong ledger, Your Honor, doon namin sinusulat ‘yong mga probinsiya at mga araw at kung anong koleksyon sa pera bawat probinsiya, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. So, ito po ay isang listahan ng mga probinsiya at kung magkano ‘yong nakokolekta po mula sa mga jueteng operators, tama po ba?
MR. SINGSON. Tama ‘yon, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Paki ulit na nga po, kailan po inumpisahan gawin itong ledger na ito o listahan ng koleksyon ng listahan ng koleksyon ng jueteng na nabanggit ninyo?
MR. SINGSON. November 1998, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Hanggang kailan po itong ledger po na ito?
MR. SINGSON. Hanggang natapos po, Your Honor, hanggang August 15 ng 2000, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Ito po ba’y sa kadahilanan na hanggang sa August 15 din po kayo nangungulekta ng protection money mula sa jueteng operators para kay Presidente Estrada?
MR. SINGSON. Opo, Your Honor, dahil uumpisahan malapit nang umpisahan ‘yong Bingo 2 balls, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. At this point, Your Honors, we’d like to manifest that we have made premarking before the Senate Legal Counsel, Atty. Dave Yap. There was there is a ledger which covers the period November 1998 to July 1999, and this was marked as Exhibit “EE” to “MM”.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. “EE”.
MR. MARCELO. Previously, there was also a document which came from Ms. Yolanda Ricaforte which covers the period from August 1999 to August this year. This was previously marked as Exhibit “C” to Exhibit “C 12″. And I think that these documents were already distributed.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. You are referring to the latter documents, “C”, “C 1″ to “C 12″?
What about “EE”, Exhibits “EE” to “MM”?
MR. MARCELO. Yes, Your Honor.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Already distributed?
MR. MARCELO. I am sorry, Your Honor, I made a mistake. I thought it was already distributed. I think they are going to distribute it now.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Also provide the Presiding Officer and the Senate President with copies of these exhibits.
You may now proceed, Counsel.
MR. MARCELO. Manghihingi po ako ng permiso kung puwede pong kuhanin sa Senate Legal Counsel ‘yon pong Exhibit “C” to Exhibit “C 12″.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Is the legal counsel of the Senate in possession thereof? Kindly deliver that to the examining counsel, “C”, “C 1″ to “C 12, inclusive.
MR. MARCELO. I am confirming, Your Honor, that the Senate Legal Counsel handed to this representation Exhibits “C” to “C 12″, consisting of 13 and I repeat 13 pages, Your Honor, covering the period from August 1999 up to August 15, this year, Your Honors.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. You may now proceed.
Would you want to move closer to the witness for the…in connection with the exhibits?
MR. MARCELO. Yes, Your Honor. Thank you very much.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. You can, you can. And counsel for the defense may also stay close to the witness.
MR. MARCELO. Governor Singson, mayroon akong ipinapakita sa inyo na isang dokumento na binubuo po ng siyam na pahina. Minarkahan na po ito na Exhibit “EE” hanggang Exhibit “MM” at ito po ay nagko-cover ng months na November 1998 hanggang July po 1999.
Mayroon pa po akong isang dokumento na iaabot sa inyo at ito po ay minarkahan na Exhibit “C” to “C-12.” Ito po ay binubuo ng labingtatlong pahina at kino-cover po ang period na August 1999 hanggang August 15, this year. Paki-tingnan nga po itong dalawang dokumento po na ito. Pwede po bang paki-tingnan ang bawat pahina.
For the record, Your Honors, Exhibit “EE” to “MM” and Exhibit “C” to “C-12″ are original documents, Your Honors.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Do we have the confirmation from counsel for the defense if truly and indeed such documents are the original, the original copies?
MR. FLAMINIANO. We have no way of confirming, Your Honor, whether these are really originals. What we have are xerox copies of the documents now in front of Governor Singson.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. About the documents…
MR. FLAMINIANO. Because there are some entries here that are written in printed in green, and then some are printed in red. So…
MR. MARCELO. I think, Your Honor, that’s the indication that it’s an original because some letters are in different colors. If this is just a xerox copy, then all the figures or all the letters would be in black.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Both manifestations are noted, as observations of counsel.
MR. FLAMINIANO. Your Honor please, may we put in an additional manifestation because there may also be some colored xerox copies.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Colored xerox copies?
MR. FLAMINIANO. If Your Honor please.
MR. MARCELO. If it’s possible, we can hand these two exhibits to one of the employees of this Honorable Body and we can show it to the Honorable Presiding Officer.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. You can just continue with your direct testimony on the basis of what had been marked by the Senate Legal Counsel. Anyway, xerox copies of these or machine copies thereof have been provided the defense as well as each member of the Impeachment Court, including the Presiding Officer and the Senate President here.
MR. MARCELO. Governor Singson, na-examine n’yo na po ba iyong dalawang dokumento?
MR. SINGSON. Yes, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Ano po ba ang kaugnayan ng dalawang dokumento na ito doon po sa ledger o listahan ng mga collections sa jueteng na nabanggit po ninyo?
MR. SINGSON. Ito na nga po iyon, Your Honor, iyong mga listahan at ledger namin, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Napansin ko po na ang bawat pahina ng ledger o listahan na iyan ay para sa isang buwan. Kailan po ba hinanda o ginawa itong bawat pahina ng ledger, kung alam ninyo?
MR. SINGSON. Paki-ulit, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Napansin ko na ang bawat pahina ng ledger o listahan ay para sa isang buwan. Kailan po ba hinahanda o ginagawa itong bawat pahina ng ledger na ito, kung natatandaan ninyo?
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Mr. Counsel, to what exhibits are you referring? All?
MR. MARCELO. Both exhibits, Your Honors.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. All.
MR. MARCELO. Yes, Your Honors.
MR. SINGSON. Ginagawa po namin ito, Your Honor, tuwing katapusan ng buwan, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. At puwede po ba ninyong… Kung inyo pong natatandaan, papaano po bang hinahanda o ginagawa ang bawat entrada ng bawat pahina nito pong dalawang dokumento po ito na minarka na Exhibit “EE” to “MM,” at Exhibit “C” to Exhibit “C 12?”
MR. SINGSON. Linilista namin dito, Your Honor, ‘yong mga probinsiya at araw at ‘yong total amount na koleksiyon, Your Honor, sa protection money. At tuwing dumarating linilista po namin dito at saka ‘yong mga gastos, Your Honor, linilista po namin dito. At pagdating ng katapusan ay sinusuma namin, Your Honor, at pina finalize namin lahat ito, Your Honor, sa tuwing katapusan.
MR. MARCELO. Pakitingnan nga po ulit ‘yong dokumento na tinawag pong ledger o listahan na minarkahan po na Exhibit “EE” hanggang “MM” at nagko cover po ng November 1998 hanggang July 1999. Sino po ba ang gumawa nito pong ledger na ito?
MR. SINGSON. Ako po, Your Honor, ang gumawa nito, Your Honor, katulong ko po ‘yong mga nasa opisina ko, Your Honor, November to July, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Nasisigurado mo ba na tama o accurate ang mga entrada na nakalagay sa ledger na ‘yan na minarkahan na Exhibit “EE” to “MM?”
MR. SINGSON. Tiyak ko po, Your Honor, at sigurado ako dahil ako ang gumawa nito, Your Honor, natatandaan ko po ‘yong huling entrada rito, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Pumunta po tayo doon sa pangalawang dokumento na minarkahan na Exhibit “C” to Exhibit “C 12.” ito po ay for the record dinala po dito ni Yolanda Ricaforte. Kilala niyo po ba si Yolanda Ricaforte?
MR. SINGSON. Opo, Your Honor, ‘yong pinakilala sa akin ni Pangulong Estrada sa Malacañang at ‘yon ang auditor ni Presidente Estrada sa jueteng, Your Honor, at asawa rin siya ni Undersecretary of Tourism Ricaforte ng Department of Tourism.
MR. MARCELO. Sino po ba ang gumawa nitong ledger na dala ni Yolanda Ricaforte na minarkahan po na Exhibit “C” to Exhibit “C 12?”
MR. SINGSON. Si Yolanda Ricaforte, Your Honor, pero tsinetsek ko rin at sinu supervise lahat ito, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. At dahil ikaw ang nagsu supervise nakakasigurado ka na tama lahat ang entrada diyan?
MR. SINGSON. Ito nga ‘yong original, Your Honor, nasisiguro ko lahat, Your Honor, dahil tuwing dadalhin ko kay Pangulong Estrada tinitingnan kong mabuti ito, Your Honor, dahil kung minsan istrikto ang Pangulong Estrada, Your Honor.
SEN. CAYETANO. Mr. Chief Justice.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. What is the pleasure of the Senator Judge Cayetano?
SEN. CAYETANO. Isang tanong lang po. Clarification.
Governor, ito hong “EE” ay nakalista nga ‘yong from November ’98 hanggang July ay mga probinsiya. Ito nga Ilocos Sur, nakikilala natin lahat ito. Pero itong letter “C” ho ay hindi ho probinsiya ito…
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Exhibit “C.”
SEN. CAYETANO. …may mga KOSU, LUN, PGS. Pakiliwanag ho lang sa amin. Ano ho ba ito? Hindi naman ho probinsiya ho ito, e.
MR. SINGSON. Noong ginawa po ni Yolanda Ricaforte, Your Honor, naglagay din siya ng binago niya ang mga pangalan, Your Honor, pero pareho rin po, Your Honor.
SEN. CAYETANO. Ah, so, probinsiya rin ‘tong mga nasa kaliwang…
MR. SINGSON. Probinsiya rin po, Your Honor, pinalitan lang ni Yolanda Ricaforte.
SEN. CAYETANO. Salamat po, salamat.
MR. MARCELO. Maaari na po akong…
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Counsel may proceed.
MR. MARCELO. Thank you, Your Honors.
Mapunta po tayo dito sa Exhibit “E,” ito po ang unang pahina nitong dokumento na ito na tinatakan pong Exhibit “EE” hanggang Exhibit “MM.” Pupunta po tayo dito sa kaliwang bahagi ng Exhibit “E,” at ito po ay minarkahan na na Exhibit “EE 1.” At dito po sa Exhibit “EE” at sa Exhibit “EE 1″ ay mayroon pong mga nakikita na pangalan po ng mga probinsiya at sa kabila naman po niya sa ilalim nung word na “amount,” na katagang amount ay mayroon pong mga numero o bilang na nakikita. Pakipaliwanag niyo nga po, kung ano po itong mga nakalagay na pangalan ng probinsiya at ito pong mga numero or bilang sa ilalim po nung word na “amount”
MR. SINGSON. Dito po sa bandang kaliwa, Your Honor, pangalan po ng mga probinsiya. Dito po naman sa bandang kanan, ‘iyon po ang amount ng koleksiyon ng protection money sa jueteng bawat probinsiya, Your Honor. Pero dito nakalagay 750, ang ibig sabihin po nito, Your Honors, 750,000, Your Honor. At iyong 1.5 eh 1,500,000, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Atin pong iisa isahin itong mga entrada na ito sa Exhibit “EE 1″. Ano po ang ibig sabihin ng Ilocos Sur at sa katapat niya ay mayroong nakalagay na 750? Pakiulit nga po.
MR. SINGSON. Ito po iyong nanggagaling sa Ilocos Sur, Your Honor, 15 days 750,000, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Ano po itong nanggagaling sa Ilocos Sur na 750,000?
MR. SINGSON. Para sa protection money na napupunta sa Pangulong Estrada, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. ‘Yun pong susunod na probinsiya ay La Union at may bilang din po, pakipaliwanag nga po kung ano ‘yang probinsiya na ‘yan at kung ano ‘yung bilang?
MR. SINGSON. La Union, Your Honor, for 15 days 500,000.
MR. MARCELO. Iyon pong susunod na entrada ng pangalan ng probinsiya at iyon pong susunod na bilang, pakipaliwanag nga po.
MR. SINGSON. Pangasinan, 15 days 1,500,000.
MR. MARCELO. Iyon pong susunod po na pangalan ng probinsiya at ang katapat niyang bilang, pakipaliwanag nga po.
MR. SINGSON. Isabela, 15 days 1,500,000; Pampanga, 15 days 1,500,000; Bulacan, 15 days 1,000,000; Nueva Ecija, 15 days 1,000,000; Batangas, 15 days 1,000,000; Bataan, 15 days 750,000; Cavite, 15 days 750,000; Quezon, 15 days 750,000; Baguio zerohindi pa nag umpisa ang Baguio noong araw, Your Honor; Nueva Ecija, zero pa, hindi pa nag umpisa, Your Honor; Olongapo 150,000 for 15 days; Rizal, wala pa, zero pa, Your Honor, hindi pa nakausap ‘yung mga operators, Your Honor; Zambales, wala pa rin, Your Honor; Ilocos Norte, wala pa rin, Your Honor; Abra, wala pa rin; Bicol, wala pa rin; Iloilo, wala pa rin; Cagayan, wala pa rin; Tarlac, wala pa rin; Laguna, 15 250,000, Your Honor; at Mindoro, wala pa rin, zero.
MR. MARCELO. At iyon pong mga halaga ng pera na nabanggit n’yo, iyon po iyong mga jueteng collection na nakolekta doon sa mga katapat nilang mga probinsiya at sa siyudad po ng Olongapo po, tama po ba ‘yon?
MR. SINGSON. Yes, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Dito po sa kaliwang bahagi ng Exhibit double “EE” ay mayroon pong bahagi na minarkahan po na Exhibit “EE 1 A” at nakasulat po dito ay: “Total for November 1 to 15 12.900.” Pakipaliwanag nga po kung ano ang ibig sabihin nitong entrada na ito?
MR. SINGSON. “Total collection for November 1 to 15, Your Honor, 15 days 12,900,000, total ng 15 days, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Pumunta naman po tayo dito sa Exhibit “EE 2.” Dito po, mayroon na naman pong listahan ng mga probinsiya at may mga numero na katapat siya lalo na po sa ilalim ng word o kataga na “amount.” Pakipaliwanag nga po ito, ano po itong mga entradang ito?
MR. SINGSON. Ilocos Sur, 15 days 750,000; La Union, 15 days 500,000; Pangasinan, 15 days 1,500,000; Isabela, 15 days 1,500,000; Pampanga, 15 days, 1,500,000; Bulacan, 15 days, 1,000,000; Nueva Ecija, 15 days 1,000,000; Batangas, 15 days 1,000,000; Bataan, 15 days 750,000; Cavite, 15 days 750,000; Quezon, zero; Baguio, zero; Nueva Viscaya, zero; Olongapo, 150,000 15 days; Rizal, zero; Zambales, zero; Ilocos Norte, zero; Abra, zero; Bicol, 15 days 2,100,000; Iloilo, zero; Cagayan, zero; Tarlac, zero; Laguna, 15 days 250,000. Total for November16 to 30 15 days po ito, Your Honor, 13,750,000.
MR. MARCELO. For the record, Your Honor, for the last statement of the witness he was referring to Exhibit “EE 2 A.” At katulad po noong kanina dito sa itaas na bahagi, ito pong binanggit ninyo na mga halaga ng pera ay iyon po ang halaga ng mga jueteng koleksiyon na nako-kolekta po doon po sa mga probinsiya na nakatapat po sa kanila. Tama po ba iyon?
MR. SINGSON. Yes, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Pupunta naman po tayo dito sa gawing kanan, itong Exhibit “EEâ€. Mayroon po ditong entrada na minarkahan na po na Exhibit “EE-3-A†at babasahin ko po ito: “2.000, JimPol.†Ano po ba ang ibig sabihin ng entrada na ito?
MR. SINGSON. Ibig sabihin nito, Your Honor, two million, Secretary Jimmy Policarpio.
MR. MARCELO. Ano naman po ang partisipasyon ni Secretary Policarpio, kung mayroon man, at napunta po dito iyong pangalan niya?
MR. SINGSON. Buwan-buwan po, Your Honor, dati na siyang kumukuha. Bago ako nag-umpisa, mayroon na siyang dalawang million buwan-buwan, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Sino naman po ang nagbibigay po kay Secretary Policarpio nitong sinasabi ninyong dalawang milyon buwan-buwan?
MR. SINGSON. Si Bong Pineda, Your Honor. Iyong sina-submit sa aking na koleksiyon, binabawasan na ng two million, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Eh bakit naman po nalaman ninyo na natatanggap ito ni Secretary Policarpio kung si Bong Pineda ang nagbibigay?
MR. SINGSON. Ah, noong unang koleksiyon, Your Honor, tinawagan ko si Secretary Jimmy Policarpio at nagulat siya noong sinabi ko na “Kinukumpirma ko kung natanggap mo na iyong two million?†Ang sabi niya, “Bakit mo nalaman ito, eh top secret ito.â€
MR. MARCELO. Ano naman po ang sagot ninyo?
MR. SINGSON. Eh kako, “Pinasa sa akin eh, kaya kinukumpirma ko lang kung nakuha mo iyong two million?â€
MR. MARCELO. Ano po ang sagot naman niya sa inyo?
MR. SINGSON. Sabi niya, “Oo.â€
MR. MARCELO. Pupunta po tayo doon sa susunod na entrada na minarkahan na po na Exhibit “EE-3-Bâ€, at ito po ay babasahin ko: “3.000 Goma.†Ano po ba ang ibig sabihin ng entrada na ito?
MR. SINGSON. Ibig sabihin nito, Your Honor, three million, Chief, PNP.
MR. MARCELO. Ang ibig sabihin eh, tumanggap po iyong Chief, PNP ng tatlong million?
MR. SINGSON. Ito po iyong una noon, Your Honor, dinala ko roon sa opisina niya pero hindi niya tinanggap, Your Honor. At sabi niya, “Hindi na bale, tutal tumutupad naman kami sa lahat ng utos,†sabi niya, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Eh bakit po nakalista dito kung hindi naman po tinanggap?
MR. SINGSON.May kumuha rin po sa opisina, Your Honor, na tinawag din ni Atong Ang, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Pumunta po tayo sa susunod na entrada na Exhibit “EE-3-Câ€, at nakasulat po sa tapat nito ay 5.000, AA — ah, AS, Sunday. Ano po ba ang ibig sabihin ng entrada na ito?
MR. SINGSON. Ang ibig sabihin niyan, Your Honor, five million, Asiong Salonga, binigay noong Linggo kay Pangulong Estrada, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Ano po ba ang ibig sabihin noong — pakiulit nga po, ano po ba ang ibig sabihin noong AS?
MR. SINGSON. Joseph Estrada, Your Honor. Kay Presidente po iyan, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Hindi po ba iyong AS eh ang ibig sabihin Asiong Salonga?
MR. SINGSON. Iyon nga po, Your Honor, Asiong Salonga ang code name niya, Your Honor, dito sa ledger na ito, Your Honor..
MR. MARCELO. Pupunta po tayo sa susunod na entrada. Ito po ay minarkahan na po na Exhibit “EE-3-D†at babasahin ko po. 1.00, Jing. Pakipaliwanag nga po kung ano itong entrada na ito?
MR. SINGSON. One million, Jinggoy Estrada, Your Honor. Mayor Jinggoy Estrada.
MR. MARCELO. Bakit po na-entrada … Bakit po nailagay dito ito pong one million, Jinggoy Estrada? Ano po ang ibig sabihin nito?
MR. SINGSON. Ah iyon ho ang ibinigay ni Atong Ang sa kanya, Your Honor, noong kakaumpisa lang itong listahan na ito, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Mayroon pong sumunod na entrada po, minarkahan pong Exhibit “EE-3-E†at nakalagay po, 500 JD. Ano po ang ibig sabihin po ng entrada na ito?
MR. SINGSON. Five hundred thousand, Jude Estrada, Your Honor. Napunta rin kay Jude Estrada, Your Honor. Kapatid ni Jinggoy, anak din ni Pangulong Estrada, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Pupunta po tayo doon sa susunod na entrada. Exhibit “EE-3-F†at nakasulat po, 1.800, bad check. Pakipaliwanag nga po ang ibig sabihin ng entradang ito?
MR. SINGSON. One million, eight hundred, bad check. Ito po iyong bumalik na tseke, Your Honor, na ibinigay ni Atong Ang na kinubra rin dito, Your Honor, kaya isinulat namin “expenses.â€
MR. MARCELO. Mayroon po ba kayong katibayan tungkol po sa … na sumusuporta dito sa entrada na ito na Exhibit “EE 3 F” na 1.8 million bad check?
MR. SINGSON. Mayroon po, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Nasaan po iyong katibayan po na iyan?
MR. SINGSON. Eto po, Your Honor. Nakita namin sa file, Your Honor, 1,800,000.
MR. MARCELO. For the record, Your Honors, the witness has handed to this representation a PCI Bank Check dated October 28, 1998. At ang nakalagay po ay “Pay to the Order of Cash.” Ang halaga, 1,800,000. Kangino pong tseke po ito kung alam po ninyo?
MR. SINGSON. Nandito po ang pangalan, Your Honor. Celso de los Angeles, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. For the record po, kanina po ay namarkahan na po ito bago po noong hearing.
At dito po sa Exhibit “DDD”, e, mayroon pong nakasulat na “payment stopped.” Ano po ba ang ibig sabihin nito kung naintindihan n’yo?
MR. SINGSON. Stop payment, Your Honor. Hindi naipalit, Your Honor, kaya bumalik iyong tseke, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Pupunta po tayo doon sa susunod na entrada naman.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Excuse me, Counsel. What’s the marking of that exhibit?
MR. MARCELO. “DDD” Your Honor, Exhibit “DDD.”
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Thank you.
MR. MARCELO. Pupunta po tayo doon sa susunod na entrada na tinatakan na … minarkahan na po na Exhibit “EE 3 G” “1.500 Anton,” ano po ba ang ibig sabihin nitong entradang ito?
MR. SINGSON. One million five hundred thousand, Anton Prieto, iyong Presidential Assistant ng … in charge sa Bicol, Your Honor. Siya ang collector sa Bicol si Anton. Pero ito, Your Honor, utang daw niya kay Atong Ang. Kaya kinubra rin ni Atong Ang ito, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. At iyan po ang dahilan kaya nalagay po iyan dito sa expense side?
MR. SINGSON. Opo, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Doon po sa susunod na entrada, mayroon po ulit na parang ganoon na nalagay. Ito po ay minarkahan na po na Exhibit “EE 3 H” at ang nakalagay po, “2.500 Anton.” Ano po ba ang ibig sabihin ang entrada na ito?
MR. SINGSON. Ganoon din po, Your Honor. Sabi ni Atong Ang, kinubra rin niya ito kay Anton Prieto. May utang daw si Anton Prieto, Your Honor, 2.5 million Anton Prieto, iyong Presidential Assistant ng Bicol, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Sabi n’yo po kanina …
THE SENATE PRESIDENT. Excuse me. Excuse me, Counsel, Mr. Chief Justice.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Yes, the Senate President.
THE SENATE PRESIDENT. The entry referring to Anton, there are two entries here: one, for 1.5 million; the other for 2.5 million. This means that these amounts were not given by Mr. Anton Prieto but given to Mr. Prieto, is that correct?
MR. SINGSON. Ang sabi po ni Atong Ang, Your Honor, parang kinubra niya rito at “Naintindihan na ni Presidente iyan,” sabi niya, Your Honor. So, isinulat ko rin dito “expenses” at alam ni Presidente po ito noong araw, Your Honor.
THE SENATE PRESIDENT. Thank you.
MR. MARCELO. Ang ibig n’yong sabihin po, iyong pagbigay po ng pera kay Anton Prieto ay alam po iyan ni Presidente Estrada, ganoon po ba ang ibig niyong sabihin?
MR. SINGSON. Alam po, Your Honor, dahil noong prinisenta ko ito, ito lahat iyong gastos na prinisenta ni Atong Ang. At sabi niya, “Sabihin mo kay Presidente iyan, alam niya iyan, naintindihan niya iyan.” So, iyon po ang isinulat ko diyan. Naintindihan naman ni Pangulong Estrada.
MR. MARCELO. Pupunta po tayo sa susunod na
entrada na minarkahan na po na Exhibit “EE 3 I.” At babasahin ko po “17.300, total expenses.” Ano po ang ibig sabihin nito?
MR. SINGSON. Eto po iyong expenses na sinabmit (submit) noon ni Atong Ang, Your Honor, seventeen milllion three hundred total expenses for the month of November.
MR. MARCELO. Babalik po ako dito sa Exhibit “DDD” o triple D, kanino nga po bang tsekeng ito?
MR. SINGSON. Ito po ‘yung tumalbog na tseke ni Celso de los Angeles, kaya kako itong ledger na ito, ito’ng nagpapatunay – isang nagpapatunay na totoo itong ledger, Your Honor, dahil dito sa mga tseke na matagal na.
MR. MARCELO. Celso?
MR. SINGSON. De los Angeles.
MR. MARCELO. Mabalik din po ako doon sa entradang Exhibit “EE-3-Câ€, at sinabi niyo po ang ibig pong sabihin nito ay nakatanggap si Presidente Estrada ng limang milyon. Paano naman po ninyo nalaman na nakatanggap ng ganyang halaga si President Estrada?
MR. SINGSON. Ako mismo ang nagbigay, Your Honor, kay Pangulong Estrada at Linggo noong araw, Your Honor, kaya nakalista na Linggo dito. Ako mismo ang nag-abot sa kanya ng pera, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Siyanga po pala, sino po ba si Celso de los Angeles?
MR. SINGSON. Isang jueteng operator din noong araw ito, Your Honor, at noong tumalbog itong tseke ay hindi na siya ang nag-operate doon, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Pupunta naman po tayo sa Exhibit “EE-4â€, nakalagay po dito 12.900 November 1 to 15, ano po ang ibig sabihin nito?
MR. SINGSON. Twelve million, nine hundred thousand for the month of November 1 to 15, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Ang ibig pong sabihin niyan ay ito po ‘yung total collection po ng jueteng money magmula po ng November 1 to 15?
MR. SINGSON. Yes, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. ‘Yun pong susunod na entrada, 13.750, November 16 to 30, na minarkahan na po na Exhibit “EE-5â€, ano po ang ibig sabihin nito?
MR. SINGSON. Thirteen million, seven hundred fifty thousand, November 16 to November 30, kalahating buwan ng Nobyembre, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. ‘Yun pong susunod na entrada na minarkahan na po na Exhibit “EE-6â€, nakalagay po ay 26.650, total for November, ano po ang ibig sabihin niyan?
MR. SINGSON. Twenty-six million, six hundred fifty thousand for the total collection for November, Your Honor, 1998.
MR. MARCELO. Collection po ng ano?
MR. SINGSON. Koleksyon ng protection money para hindi hulihin ‘yung mga jueteng, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. At ‘yung susunod pong entrada na minarkahan na po na Exhibit “EE-7â€, babasahin ko po, 17.300 expenses, ano po ang ibig sabihin niyan?
MR. SINGSON. ‘Yung gastos po noong buwan na ‘yun, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Magkano na nga po ang total expenses po noong buwan na ‘yan ng Nobyembre 1998?
MR. SINGSON. Seventeen million, three hundred thousand, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. ‘Yung susunod po na entrada ay minarkahan na po na Exhibit-8. I’m sorry, Your Honor. Exhibit “EE-8â€, at ang nakalagay po dito ay 9.350 total todate, ano po ang ibig sabihin nito?
MR. SINGSON. Nine million, three hundred fifty thousand, total todate, ibig niyang sabihin, Your Honor, ito ‘yung sobra na pera ng Pangulong Estrada na naiwan, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Ano po ang – Kung alam po ninyo, ano po ang nangyari dito sa balanse ng jueteng collection na nine million, three hundred fifty thousand?
MR. SINGSON. Itinago ko po lahat, Your Honor, dahil ‘yun ang utos ng Pangulong Estrada.
MR. MARCELO. Pupunta po tayo ngayon doon sa pangalawang pahina na minarkahan po na Exhibit “FFâ€, ito po ay para sa buwan ng Disyembre. At dito po, sa kaliwang bahagi po nitong Exhibit “FFâ€, ay mayroon po ulit na listahan ng mga probinsiya at saka listahan po ng mga – may mga bilang po sa ilalim po noong katagang amount, at ito po ay minarkahan na po na Exhibit “FF-1â€, at saka po Exhibit “FF-2â€, paki-paliwanag nga po kung anong sabihin po nitong mga entrada po na ito?
MR. SINGSON. Ito po ‘yung December, sumunod na buwan 1998: Ilocos Sur for 15 days, one million;La Union for 15 days, 500,000; Pangasinan for 15 days, one million;Isabela for 15 days, one million; Pampanga, 15 days, P1,000,000; Bulacan, 15 days, P500,000; Nueva Ecija, 15 days, P800,000; Batangas, 15 days, P500,000; Bataan, 15 days, P750,000; Cavite, 15 days, P500,000; Quezon, 15 days, P750,000; Baguio, 15 days, P250,000; Nueva Viscaya, 15 days, P150,000; Olongapo, 15 days, P150,000; Rizal, 15 days, P250,000; Zambales, zero; Ilocos Norte, zero; Abra, zero; Bicol, zero; Iloilo, zero; Cagayan, zero; Tarlac, zero; Laguna, zero; Mindoro, zero.
MR. MARCELO. Ito naman pong Exhibit “FF-2,†pakipaliwanag nga po.
MR. SINGSON. December 16 to 31, Ilocos Sur, 15 days, P1,000,000; La Union, 15 days, zero; Pangasinan, 15 days, P1,000,000; Isabela, 15 days, P1,000,000; Pampanga, 15 days, P1,000,000; Bulacan, 15 days, P500,000; Nueva Ecija, P800,000, 15 days; Batangas, 15 days, P500,000; Bataan, 15 days, P750,000; Cavite, 15 days, P500,000; Quezon, 15 days, P500,000; Baguio, 15 days, P250,000; Nueva Vizcaya, 15 days, P250,000; Olongapo, 15 days, P150,000; Rizal, 15 days, P250,000. Iyong mga iba, Your Honor, puro zero pa. Hindi pa nag-umpisa, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Ito pong mga binanggit n’yo po na mga halaga, ito pong listahan po ng mga probinsiya, ang ibig sabihin po ba nito, ito po iyong mga halagang nakolekta ninyo na jueteng money para po sa Presidente Estrada.
MR. SINGSON. Lahat po ito, Your Honor, kanya po lahat ito, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Pupunta po tayo doon sa total for December 1 to 15, nine point one zero zero (9.100) na minarkahan na po na “FF-1-A.†Ano po ba ang ibig sabihin nito?
MR. SINGSON. Total for 15 days, December 1 to 15, nine million one hundred, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. At ito po ang total na collection mula sa jueteng para po sa unang labinlimang araw po ng Disyembre 1998, tama po ba iyon?
MR. SINGSON. Yes, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Pumunta po tayo sa Exhibit “FF-2-A†at may nakalagay po dito, “Total for December 16 to 31, eight point four fifty (8.450). Paki-eksplika nga po nito.
MR. SINGSON. Total, December, 15 days, 16 to 31, eight million four hundred fifty thousand (P8,450,000).
MR. MARCELO. Dito po sa sumusunod na mga exhibit, Exhibit “GG,†Exhibit “HH,†Exhibit “II,†Exhibit “JJ,†Exhibit “KK,†Exhibit “LL,†at Exhibit “MM†ay mayroon pong mga listahan din po ng mga probinsiya at saka mayroon pong katapat din po na mga halaga. Ito po ay minarkahan na po na Exhibit “GG-1†at Exhibit “GG-1-A,†Exhibit “GG-2,†Exhibit “GG-2-A,†Exhibit “HH-1,†Exhibit “HH-1-A,†Exhibit “HH-2,†Exhibit “HH-2-A,†Exhibit “II-1,†Exhibit “II-1-A,†Exhibit “II-2,†Exhibit “II-2-A,†Exhibit “JJ-1,†Exhibit “JJ-1-A,†Exhibit “JJ-2,†Exhibit “JJ-2-A,†Exhibit “KK-1,†Exhibit “KK-1-A,†Exhibit “KK-2,†Exhibit “KK-2-A,†Exhibit “LL-1,†Exhibit “LL-1-A,†Exhibit “LL-2,†Exhibit “LL-2-A,†at Exhibit “MM-1,†Exhibit “MM-1-Aâ€; Exhibit “MM 2″; at Exhibit “MM 2 A.”
Dito po sa mga binanggit ko po na sinab marking na po kanina, eh, mayroon din pong mga nakalagay na listahan ng mga probinsiya at may katapat din pong mga halaga ng pera. Sinabi po ninyo kanina doon po sa Exhibit “EE A” at Exhibit “EE 2″ at Exhibit “FF 1″ at Exhibit “FF 2,” na ang mga listahan po na ito ay nangangahulugan na ito po ay ‘yong mga halagang halaga ng pera na nakukuha sa jueteng po at ‘yon po ang mga nakatapat po sa kanila, ‘yong probinsiyang pinanggagalingan. ‘Yon po bang sinabi ninyong paliwanag dito po sa entradang Exhibit “EE 1,” Exhibit “EE 1 A,” “Exhibit EE 2,” “Exhibit “EE 2 A,” Exhibit “FF 1,” Exhibit “FF 1 A” at Exhibit “FF 2″ at Exhibit “FF 2 A” ay ganoon din po ba ang paliwanag dito po sa
ibang binanggit ko po doon sa ibang exhibits magmula po sa Exhibit “G” “GG” hanggang Exhibit “M”?
MR. SINGSON. Opo, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Hindi pa ako pumupunta sa expenses ‘no.
Pupunta naman po tayo doon sa kanang bahagi po ng Exhibit “FF.” May nakasulat po dito, ‘yon pong minarkahan na po na Exhibit “FF 3,” na “5.00 A.S.” Ano po ba ang ibig sabihin po nito?
MR. SINGSON. December 5 million, Asiong Salonga, naibigay ko po kay Pangulong Estrada, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. At magkano po ang naibigay naman ninyo noon pong Disyembre, para po sa Disyembre 1998.
MR. SINGSON. Five million, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Babalik nga po ako at may nakalimutan po akong itanong kanina doon sa Exhibit “EE.” Pupunta po tayo doon sa Exhibit “EE 3 C.” Mayroon pong nakasulat dito na Sunday, ano po ba ang ibig sabihin noon?
MR. SINGSON. Linggo noong araw, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Linggo po ng araw noong ano po?
MR. SINGSON. Noong ibinigay ko ‘yong 5 million kay Pangulong Estrada, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Mayroon na naman po ditong entrada na minarkahan po ng Exhibit “FF 4″ at ang nakalagay po dito ay 2.00, JimPol. Ano po ba ang ibig sabihin nito?
MR. SINGSON. Two million, Secretary Jimmy Policarpio, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Ang ibig po bang sabihin nito may natanggap na namang pera na dalawang milyon si Secretary Policarpio?
MR. SINGSON. Opo, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. At dito po sa susunod po na ay may nakalagay po na 3.00, Goma, at ito po ay minarkahan na Exhibit “FF 5,” ano po ba ang ibig sabihin nito?
MR. SINGSON. Three million five hundred, Chief PNP, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Ito po bang perang ito ay natanggap po ng Chief PNP?
MR. SINGSON. May kumuha po sa opisina, Your Honor. In identify din po ni Atong Ang, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. At para kanino daw po ‘yon?
MR. SINGSON. Ang sabi ni Atong Ang para sa kasamahan ni Chief, PNP, Your Honor, para may katulong daw, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. So, hindi po ito para sa Chief, PNP?
MR. SINGSON. Hindi po, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Mayroong… Pupunta po ako doon sa Exhibit “GG,” “HH,” “II,” “JJ,” “KK,” “LL,” at “MM.” At dito po sa mga binanggit ko pong exhibits ay mayroon din pong lahat na entrada po na mayroong halaga at may nakalagay sa tapat po nito ay ang salita na “Goma.” Ito po ay minarkahan na po na Exhibit “GG 4,” Exhibit “HH 3,” Exhibit “II 5,” Exhibit “II 6,” Exhibit “JJ 7,” Exhibit “KK 5,” Exhibit “LL 5,” at Exhibit “MM 5.”
‘Yon po bang ibinigay niyong ibinigay ninyo pong paliwanag, kung ano po ang ibig sabihin nitong halaga at noong pangalan na nakalagay pong kataga na Goma doon po sa Exhibit “EE” at Exhibit “FF” ay pareho rin po ‘yong ibig sabihin nito doon po sa ibang exhibits na binanggit ko na may nakalagay din pong halaga at saka Goma?
MR. SINGSON. Pareho po, Your Honor. Hindi lang pare pareho ‘yong amount at iba iba ang taong kumukuha sa opisina, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Excuse me, Your Honor.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Yes, anything?
MR. MARCELO. I’ll just just a moment, Your Honor.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. You can confer with the assisting counsel only.
MR. MARCELO. Ipagpaumanhin na po. Itutuloy ko na po ‘yong pagtatanong po.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Proceed.
MR. MARCELO. Pupunta po tayo dito po sa Exhibit “F 3.”
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. “FF 3?”
MR. MARCELO. “FF 3,” I’m sorry. At nakalagay po dito ay 5.00 AS. Ano nga po ang ibig sabihin nito?
MR. SINGSON. Five million, Asiong Salonga, kay Pangulong Estrada, Your Honor. Ako ang nagbigay mismo niyan, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Ito pong susunod na entrada po, 2.00, Jimpol, “FF 4.” Ano po ang ibig sabihin na nga nito?
MR. SINGSON. Two million, Secretary Jimmy Policarpio, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. At dito po, may nakalagay po na entrada na minarkahan na po ng Exhibit “FF 6″, 10.500, total expenses. Ano po ba ang ibig sabihin nito?
MR. SINGSON. ‘Yan po ‘yong total expenses ng December, 10,500,000, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Pupunta naman po tayo dito sa susunod na Exhibit “FF 7.” May nakalagay po dito na 17.550, total for December. Ano po ang ibig sabihin nito?
MR. SINGSON. Total collection ng December, Your Honor, 17,550,000, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Ito po ang total collection po sa buwan ng Disyembre mula po sa mga jueteng operators, ganoon po?
MR. SINGSON. Yes, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. At sa baba po niyan mayroon din pong entrada na 10.500, expenses. Ano po ba ito?
MR. SINGSON. ‘Yan po ‘yong expenses na for the month of December, Your Honor, 10,500,000.
MR. MARCELO. ‘Yon pong susunod na entrada ay minarkahan po na “FF 8″ at ang nakasulat po 7.050, sub total. Pakipaliwanag po kung ano ang ibig sabihin ng entradang ito?
MR. SINGSON. Seventeen million minus expenses ay 7,050,000 sub total, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. At ito po ang balanse ng jueteng collection po for the month para sa buwan po ng Disyembre 1998, hindi po ba?
MR. SINGSON. Yes, Your Honor, December.
MR. MARCELO. Pupunta po tayo sa “FF 9″ ng nakalagay po na entrada ay 7.350, November balance. Ano nga po ang ibig sabihin nito?
MR. SINGSON. Ito po ‘yong balanse noong nakaraang buwan, Your Honor, 7,350,000, the balance for November, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. At ang sumunod na entrada na Exhibit “FF 10″ na babasahin ko po, 14.400, total to date. Ano po ang ibig sabihin niyan?
MR. SINGSON. Ibig sabihin nito, Your Honor, 14,400,000 total na natira na pera ang Pangulong Estrada, Your Honor. Natanggal na lahat ang gastos for the month of December.
MR. MARCELO. Ano po ang nangyari po diyan sa perang sinasabi ninyo po na natira po mula na Nobyembre at Disyembre po?
MR. SINGSON. Tinago ko pong lahat, Your Honor, dahil ang instruction niya ipunin ko lang itong mga balanse.
MR. MARCELO. Mapunta po tayo sa pangatlong pahina nitong dokumentong ito na minarkahan na po na Exhibit “GG.” Mayroon po ditong entrada na minarkahan na po na Exhibit “GG 3″ at nakalagay po 6.000 cash, Jan.2 A.S. Paki paliwanag nga po ito.
MR. SINGSON. Six million cash, January 2nd, Asiong Salonga, napunta rin kay Pangulong Estrada, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Sino po ang nagbigay kay Pres. Estrada?
MR. SINGSON. Ako po mismo, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Ano po ang ibig sabihin po ng entrada na Jan. 2.
MR. SINGSON. January 2nd, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. At ito po ang ibinigay na cash?
MR. SINGSON. Yes, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Susunod po na entrada ay minarkahan po na Exhibit “GG 5.” Ang nakalagay po 3.000 check, Feb. 1, 1999, AS Ano po ang ibig sabihin nito?
MR. SINGSON. Three million tseke, binigay noong February 1st, 1999, Asiong Salonga. Kay Presidente rin po ‘yon, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. At sino naman po ang nagbigay, kung alam po ninyo?
MR. SINGSON. Ako po, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. ‘Yon pong napansin ko po na ‘yong AS ay hindi po printed at may sulat kamay. Sino po ba ang nagsulat nito?
MR. SINGSON. Ako po, Your Honor, sinulat ko na Ako ang nagsulat n’yan, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Ito pong susunod na entrada ay Exhibit “GG 6,” 5.000 check, Feb. 1, 1999, AS. Ano po ang ibig sabihin nito?
MR. SINGSON. Five million, tseke, February 1st, 1999, Asiong Salonga, President Estrada. Ako po ang nagbigay n’yan, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Kanino n’yo po ibinigay?
MR. SINGSON. Kay Pangulong Estrada, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Ano po ang katibayan ninyo na naibigay n’yo po itong naka entrada dito na five million na minarkahan po na Exhibit “GG 6″?
MR. SINGSON. Mayroon po akong tseke n’yan, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Nasaan po ‘yong tseke na ‘yan?
For the record, Your Honors, this check was already marked as Exhibit “EEE.” And I will describe the exhibit, Your Honors.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Are you referring to this Exhibit “EEE” dated 2/1 1999?
MR. MARCELO. Yes, Your Honor.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Thank you.
MR. MARCELO. At nakasulat po dito na Pay to the Order of Cash, five million. Mayroon pong lagda dito sa kanan at ilalim na bahagi nito pong tseke. Kanino po bang lagda ‘yan?
MR. SINGSON. Sa akin po, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Doon po, mayroon pong nakasulat sa ilalim na mga katagang Account Name. Pakibasa nga po ‘yon.
MR. SINGSON. Governor Luis “Chavit” Singson, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Pupunta po tayo doon sa susunod na entrada na minarkahan po na Exhibit dati na pong minarkahan na Exhibit “GG 7.” 3.500 cash, Jan. 19, AS. Ano po ang ibig sabihin nito?
MR. SINGSON. Three million five hundred, cash, January 19, Asiong Salonga. Napunta rin po kay Pangulong Estrada. Ako ang nagbigay n’yan, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Kailan po ninyo ibinigay, kung natatandaan po inyo?
MR. SINGSON. January 19, Your Honor. Nakasulat po d’yan.
MR. MARCELO. At dito po, mayroon na naman pong nakalagay 2.000, Jim Pol. “GG 8.” Ano po ba ang ibig sabihin nito?
MR. SINGSON. Two million, napunta po kay Secretary Jimmy Policarpio ng buwan ng January, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Sino po ang nagbigay kay Secretary Jimmy Policarpio?
MR. SINGSON. Bong Pineda, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. At bakit po n’yo nalaman na napunta ito kay Bong Pineda? Sorry. I’m sorry, Your Honor.
At bakit po sinabi n’yo na natanggap po ito ni Secretary Jimmy Policarpio mula kay Bong Pineda?
MR. SINGSON. Sinabi po ni Bong Pineda, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Hindi po ba ninyo tinanong kay Secretary Jimmy Policarpio kung natanggap po niya ang perang ito?
MR. SINGSON. Paminsan minsan nag uusap kami, Your Honor, tinatanong ko sa kanya kung natatanggap niya iyong mga kinukuha niya buwan buwan, sinabi niya, “Oo,” Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Pupunta po tayo doon sa Exhibit “GG 9″ at nakalagay po dito ay 23.000 total expenses. Ano po ang ibig sabihin nito?
SEN. CAYETANO. Mr. Chief Justice.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. With the permission of Atty. Marcelo, we recognize Senator Cayetano.
SEN. CAYETANO. Governor Singson, bumalik lamang tayo dito sa in identify mo na Exhibit “EEE” na cash na five million na sinabi mo ito ay ibinigay mo kay Pangulong Estrada doon sa… Paki tingnan lang. Exhibit “EE” “EEE.” Sa ibaba noon is Exhibit “EEE.”
Counsel, what is that? Four or seven or what? One? “EEE 1.”Nakita ho ba ninyo, Governor Singson, iyong sinasabi ko? “EEE 1.” Gusto ko lang malaman sapagkat hindi tinanong ito sa inyo at gusto ko ring malaman sa sarili namin. Ano ho ‘yon, “Payee’s indorsement,” tapos may pirma, tapos “For deposit. SBC Account No. 0610146367.” Ano ho ba ito?
MR. SINGSON. Itong pula, Your Honor?
SEN. CAYETANO. Ito hong Exhibit “EEE 1.” Ito ho iyong likod yata ng ano, ng tseke n’yo.
MR. SINGSON. Opo, Your Honor.
SEN. CAYETANO. Sa likod ho, doon sa likod, merong entry, “Payee’s indorsement.” May pirma ho roon, tapos “For deposit. SBC Account No. 0610146367. Ang tanong ko ho ay sino ho itong account number na ito?
MR. SINGSON. Hindi ko po alam pa, Your Honor, kung sino ang nagpalit nito, Your Honor.
SEN. CAYETANO. Ah, hindi ninyo alam. Okay, maraming salamat.
MR. MARCELO. Sinabi mo na hindi mo alam kung sino ang nagpalit nitong Exhibit “EEE.” Paki ulit nga, kanino mo ibinigay itong Exhibit “EEE”?
MR. SINGSON. Binigay ko po kay Pangulong Estrada, Your Honor, itong tsekeng ito.
MR. MARCELO. Pupunta na po tayo dito sa Exhibit “GG 10.” At nakalagay po dito 23.300 total for
January. Ano po ba ang ibig sabihin nito?
MR. SINGSON. Twenty three million three hundred thousand total for January 1999, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Ano pong total iyon?
MR. SINGSON. Buong buwan ng January, Your Honor. Iyan po ang total collection ng protection money sa jueteng, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. At may nakalagay po na 23000 expenses. Ano po ang ibig sabihin niyan?
MR. SINGSON. Twenty three million expenses noong buwan ng January, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Meron po dito rin na minarkahan ng entrada na Exhibit “GG 11,” at babasahin ko po 300 subtotal. Ano po ba ang ibig sabihin nito?
MR. SINGSON. Iyon po iyong natira noong January, Your Honor, subtotal.
MR. MARCELO. Iyon pong susunod na entrada ay babasahin ko 14.400 DEC. balance, at ito po’y minarkahan na Exhibit “GG 12.” Ano po ba ang ibig sabihin nito?
MR. SINGSON. Fourteen million four hundred total collection ng December, Your Honor, iyong natirang pera, Your Honor, iyong natira ng December.
MR. MARCELO. Iyon pong susunod na entrada ay minarkahan po ng Exhibit “GG 13,” at babasahin ko po 14.700 total to date.
Pakipaliwanag nga po kung anong ibig sabihin ng entrada na ito.
MR. SINGSON. Total 14,700,000, total todate. Ito rin po iyung balanse sa buwan ng January, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Babalik po tayo duon sa Exhibit “GG 5″ at saka Exhibit “GG 6″. Mayroon pong nakalagay dito na mukha pong sulat kamay na “AS” at ulit po ay “AS”. Sino po ba ang nagsulat nito?
MR. SINGSON. Ako po, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Sabi n’yo po ay nuon pong …mayroon pong total to date na balance nuong end po ng January, nuong katapusan po ng January, na fourteen million seven zero zero, ano po ang nangyari sa perang ito, kung alam ninyo?
MR. SINGSON. Tinago ko po, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Babalik … pupunta po naman tayo sa Exhibit “HH”. Dito po may entrada, Exhibit “HH 4″, at nakalagay po dito 3.000 check Feb. 1, 1999 AS. Ano po ang ibig sabihin nito?
MR. SINGSON. Three million check, February 1, 1999, AS – Asiong Salonga, kay Pangulong Estrada rin, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. At sino po ang nagbigay nuong perang ito, ng tsekeng ito kay Presidente Estrada?
MR. SINGSON. Ako po, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Iyung susunod po na entrada ay 5.000, February 18, AS. At ito po ay minarkahan na Exhibit “HH 5″. Ano po ang ibig sabihin nito?
MR. SINGSON. Five million, February 18, Asiong Salonga, ako po ang nagbigay mismo niyan, Your Honor, kay Pangulong Estrada.
MR. MARCELO. Mayroon pong entrada dito na sumunod na Exhibit “HH 7″, at ang nakasulat po ay 2.000 Jim Pol. Ano po ang ibig sabihin nito?
MR. SINGSON. Two million, Secretary Jimmy Policarpio, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. At ibig mong sabihin eh natanggap po iyan ni Secretary Policarpio ang halagang two million?
MR. SINGSON. Opo, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Ang susunod pong entrada ay Exhibit “HH 8″ at nakalagay po dito na 10.500 total expenses. Paki paliwanag nga po kung ano ang ibig sabihin nito.
MR. SINGSON. Ten million five hundred, total expenses for the month of February, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Iyun pong susunod na minarkahan po na entrada, ay nakalagay po eh ito po ay minarkahan na Exhibit “HH 9″ at ang nakalagay po ay 30.200, total for February. Ano po ba ang ibig sabihin niyan?
MR. SINGSON. Ang ibig sabihin, Your Honor, 30,200,000, total collection for February, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Koleksyon po ng ano po ito?
MR. SINGSON. Koleksyon po ng jueteng, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. At iyun pong susunod na entrada ay 10.500 expenses. Paki explain nga po kung ano ang ibig sabihin niyan.
MR. SINGSON. Ten million five hundred thousand, expenses for the month of February, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Iyung susunod pong entrada ay minarkahan po na Exhibit “HH 10″, at ang nakasulat po ay 19.700, subtotal. Paki paliwanag po kung ano ang ibig sabihin ng entradang ito.
MR. SINGSON. Nineteen million seven hundred thousand, subtotal, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. And susunod po na entrada ay nakasulat na 4.700, Jan. balance, at ito po ay minarkahan na Exhibit “HH 11″. Paki paliwanag nga po kung ano ang ibig sabihin nito.
MR. SINGSON. Fourteen million seven hundred thousand, January balance, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. At balance po ito ng ano?
MR. SINGSON. Ng January, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Iyung sumunod na entrada ay 34.400, subtotal, at ito po ay minarkahan na Exhibit “HH-12â€. Ano po ang ibig sabihin nito?
MR. SINGSON. Thirty-four million four hundred thousand, subtotal, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Subtotal po ng ano ito?
MR. SINGSON. Subtotal ng kolekseyon ng jueteng, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Para sa anong buwan po?
MR. SINGSON. February, Youur Honor
MR. MARCELO. At para kanino po itong kolekseyon na ito?
MR. SINGSON. Para kay Pangulong Estrada lahat ito, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. May sumunod po na entrada na “400 tax” at ito po’y minarkahan na Exhibit “HH 13″. Ano po ang ibig sabihin nito?
MR. SINGSON. Four hundred thousand (400,000), Your Honor, tax, pinagpaalam ko po kay Pangulong Estrada, Your Honor. Kinuha ko po iyan, Your Honor, 400,000.
MR. MARCELO. Para saan po iyang kinuha ninyo na iyan?
MR. SINGSON. Pinagpaalam ko po kay Pangulong Estrada, Your Honor, iyong 400,000. Para sa akin, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. At saan ninyo naman po ginamit itong 400,000, kung natatandaan ninyo?
MR. SINGSON. Marami po siyang pinabibili sa akin noong araw, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. At doon po ninyo ginamit iyan?
MR. SINGSON. Doon ko po ginagamit, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Iyon pong entrada dito na Exhibit “HH 14″ ay may nakasulat po na 34.000 total todate. Ano po ang ibig sabihin niyan?
MR. SINGSON. Thirty four (34) million, total todate. Iyan po iyong total na pera niya, Your Honor. Pera ni Pangulong Estrada.
MR. MARCELO. Saan po galing iyon?
MR. SINGSON. Galing po lahat sa jueteng ito, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Ang susunod po, ay may napansin po ako may sumunod po na entrada. Mukha po itong sulat kamay. Ito po ay minarkahan na Exhibit “HH 15″ at mayroon pong at babasahin ko po. Mayroon pong plus sign at may nakalagay na “4.000 Capitol, Feb. 3, ’99.” Ano po ang ibig sabihin nitong entradang ito?
MR. SINGSON. Four (4) million, Capitol, February 3, 1999, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Eh, bakit naman po nailagay ninyo dito itong entradang ito na minarkahan pong Exhibit “HH 15″, 4 million, Capitol, February 3, ’99?
MR. SINGSON. Dagdag po iyan sa pera ng Pangulong Estrada, Your Honor, noong nakakuha ako ng proyekto pang renovate iyong Capitol, Your Honor, at nahingian po ako ng apat na milyon, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Sino ang humingi sa iyo noong apat na milyon?
MR. SINGSON. Pangulong Estrada, Your Honor, kaya naidagdag ko rito plus 4 million sa pera niya, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Itinuturo ninyo po iyong Exhibit “HH 16″ at babasahin ko po ito. Ito po ay mukhang sa kamay din po isinulat, “38.00 total todate.” Ano po ang ibig sabihin niyan?
MR. SINGSON. Iyong pera niya noong February, Your Honor, total todate, 34 plus 4 million, 38 million ang pera niya na total na pera niya noong February, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Sinabi ko na po kanina, napansin ko na iyong Exhibit “HH 15″ at Exhibit “HH 16″ ay mukhang isinulat sa kamay. Sino po ba ang sumulat nito?
MR. SINGSON. Ako po, Your Honor, at ipinakita ko sa harap niya noon, Your Honor, na dinagdagan ko ng 4 million, bawas sa 20 million na ibinigay niya sa akin na repair noong Capitol, Your Honor.
SEN. BIAZON. Mr. Chief Justice.
THE MAJORITY LEADER. Mr. Chief Justice.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. The Honorable Majority Leader.
THE MAJORITY LEADER. I believe, at this point, we all can use a 15 minute break. I so move.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. As agreed upon during the preliminary conference, the second preliminary conference, we shall always have a break of 15 minutes every 5:45 up to 6 o’clock, but it is now 5:50, we will resume then at 6:05. Suspended for 15 minutes.
THE TRIAL WAS SUSPENDED AT 5:50 P.M.
THE TRIAL WAS RESUMED AT 6:10 P.M.
THE SERGEANT AT ARMS. Please rise. The Honorable Hilario G. Davide, Jr., Chief Justice, and the Honorable Aquilino Q. Pimentel, Jr., Senate President.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Trial is resumed.
Atty. Marcelo ah, the Honorable Senator Judge Biazon please.
SEN. BIAZON. Thank you, Mr. Chief Justice. May I go ask some clarificatory questions from the witness?
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. On what exhibit, Your Honor?
SEN. BIAZON. On Exhibit “HH” specifically, Mr. Chief Justice, “HH 15″.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. “HH 15.” Yes.
SEN. BIAZON. Yes. There is here a handwritten note, closed in parenthesis, which states, “plus 4.000 Capitol Feb 3/19 or 99″ What is the meaning of this?
MR. SINGSON. ‘Yon po’y ‘yan po ‘yong kickback na binigay ko sa Pangulong Estrada, Your Honor. ‘Yong 20 million na repair nung Capitol, may kickback na four million. Nadagdag po dito sa pera ni Estrada.
SEN. BIAZON. Itong sinasabi ninyo pong kickback from the 20 million, ‘yon po bang P20 million na iyon eh private funds?
MR. SINGSON. Ito po hiningi niya noon, Your Honor, kaya dinagdag ko sa pera niya.
SEN. BIAZON. Kanya nga, private funds ba ang ginamit na ito?
MR. SINGSON. Opo, Your Honor.
SEN. BIAZON. Private funds?
MR. SINGSON. Panalo ko sa mahjong noon, Your Honor.
SEN. BIAZON. All right. So hindi ito pera ng gobyerno na ginagamit doon sa pagre repair ng capitol?
MR. SINGSON. Iyon po ang nahingi niya noon, Your Honors, kaya dinagdag ko rito.
SEN. BIAZON. Hindi. Iyon lang ang gusto kong maintindihan. Iyong 20 million na sinasabi ninyong itong four million ay kickback, iyon bang 20 million na iyon ay private fund ba iyon o republic fund?
MR. SINGSON. Pera ko po iyong binigay ko, Your Honor. Noong humingi ng four million, binigyan ko ng four million galing sa pera ko, Your Honor.
SEN. BIAZON. Personal money ninyo?
MR. SINGSON. Opo, Your Honor.
SEN. BIAZON. Personal money. Pero bakit ang sinasabi ninyo ay kickback?
MR. SINGSON. Dahil nga hiningian ako rito noon, Your Honor.
SEN. BIAZON. Hindi ko pa rin maintindihan, sapagkat kung ang ibig sabihin ng kickback ito po ay galing sa isang paggastos sa proyekto. At normally ang atin pong pagkakaintindi sa kickback, ito po ay nanggagaling sa mga contractor na kung saan ay binabayaran ng pondo ng gobyerno. Ito ba ang ibig ninyong sabihin?
MR. SINGSON. Opo, Your Honor.
SEN. BIAZON. So, ang ibig sabihin po, iyong 20 million ay republic fund?
MR. SINGSON. Hindi ko po alam. Basta hiningian ako po ng four million, pera ko rin ang ibinigay ko, Your Honor.
SEN. BIAZON. Personal money ninyo ito?
MR. SINGSON. Opo, Your Honor.
SEN. BIAZON. Thank you, Mr. Chief Justice.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Thank you too.
The Honorable Senator Judge Loren Legarda Leviste.
SEN. LEGARDA LEVISTE. With the permission of the Honorable Chief Justice, just a point of clarification.
Mr. Witness, kanina sa inyong pahayag at saka ipinakita sa Exhibit “GG”, more particularly Exhibit “GG 6″ iyong 5 million na tseke noong February 1, 1999, ito ba ay tugma sa Exhibit “EEE” at “EEE 1″, February 1 ’99 na P= 5 million na diniposito ayon sa iyong pahayag sa tanong ni Senator Judge Cayetano kanina sa SBC account? Iyon ba ay magkatugma iyong entry mo sa ledger sa “GG 6″ at iyong “EEE 1″? Is that the same check?
MR. SINGSON. Opo, Your Honor. Ito po iyong na isyu ko iyong date na iyon, Your Honor, 5 million.
SEN. LEGARDA LEVISTE. Okay. Nakalagay sa likod SBC, anong bangko ba ang SBC? Ito ba SBTC? What bank do you think to your knowledge is SBC?
MR. SINGSON. Pina check ko pa pina aano ko pa ito, Your Honor. Hindi ko pa alam kung anong bangko ito, Your Honor.
SEN. LEGARDA LEVISTE. So hindi mo alam kung Security Bank. That is the closest I would assume. Hindi kayo sigurado?
MR. SINGSON. Hindi ako sigurado, Your Honor.
SEN. LEGARDA LEVISTE. Hindi ito encashment. Obviously it’s a deposit. Alam ba ninyo kung sino ang may ari o may hawak ng account na ito? Do you know the owner of this account number?
MR. SINGSON. Hindi ko po alam, Your Honor. Basta binigay ko ito kay Pangulong Estrada at may pinagbigyan siya noon, Your Honor.
SEN. LEGARDA LEVISTE. So, hindi mo alam kung anong bangko. Hindi mo alam kung sino ang may hawak ng account na ito?
MR. SINGSON. Hindi po, Your Honor.
SEN. LEGARDA LEVISTE. Well, Mr. Chief Justice…
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Yes, Your Honor.
SEN. LEGARDA LEVISTE. Yes. I don’t know whether the prosecution had already subpoenaed the manager of this bank, whichever bank this is, just to be able to complete the picture in the interest of truth because I feel it’s open ended. Maybe at the appropriate time, the manager of this bank, whichever it may be, must be subpoenaed.
Thank you, Mr. Chief Justice.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. We leave that matter to the prosecution.
Yes, Attorney Marcelo, you may now proceed.
MR. MARCELO. Pupunta na po tayo dito sa Exhibit “II”. Ito po iyong ledger na para po sa Marso 1999. Dito po ay mayroong entrada na 5.000 4 6 99 AS at minarkahan po ito ng Exhibit “II 3″. Ano po ba ang ibig sabihin nito?
MR. SINGSON. Five million, April 6, 1999, Asiong Salonga, napunta rin po, naibigay ko rin po kay Pangulong Estrada, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Bakit po nakalagay na April 6, 1999 , samantalang ang ledger naman po ay para sa Marso?
MR. SINGSON. Eto po ‘yong nakalagay sa ledger, hindi ko na alam, Your Honor, pero ito po ang date noong pagbigay ko, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Pupunta po tayo sa susunod na entry o entrada. Ito po ay babasahin ko: “5.000 3/23 c/o Malou AS.” Minarkahan po ito na Exhibit “II 4.” Paki paliwanag nga po kung ano ang ibig sabihin po nito?
MR. SINGSON. Double “I” po?
MR. MARCELO. Oo.
MR. SINGSON. A, ito po ‘yong five million, March 23, c/o Malou. Eto po ‘yong ibinigay ni ‘yong sekretarya ko kay Malou, Your Honor, napunta rin po kay Pangulong Estrada itong five million na ito, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. E, paano pong nalaman n’yo na napunta ito kay President Estrada?
MR. SINGSON. Dahil po ‘yong araw na ito, Your Honor, eh wala ako, at tumawag lang ako noon, at nagtawagan kami nang nagtawagan ni Presidente rito at saka si Malou, Your Honor, hanggang na deliver itong five million.
MR. MARCELO. Noon hong nagtawagan kayo, ano ho ang sinabi sa inyo ni Presidente Estrada, kung mayroon man?
MR. SINGSON. A, nangangailangan ng pera ‘yong araw na ito, Your Honor. So inutusan ko ‘yong sekretarya ko na pumunta sa una, sa bahay. Sabi nila dahil wala ako, sa bahay n’ya. Pero noong tumagal, wala yatang tatanggap doon, nagbago rin, noong tumawag uli ako, sinabi na na Malacañang. So nagtatawagan kami nang nagtatawagan noon, Your Honor, ni Malou.
MR. MARCELO. At pagkatapos po, ano ang nangyari kung mayroon man?
MR. SINGSON. Natuloy din na pinalitan din ‘yong sinabi nila na sa Greenhills, sa Polk St., sa bahay ni Presidente, wala yatang tatanggap doon, dinala rin sa Malacañang itong five million na ito, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Sinabi n’yo po na ito, eh, natanggap ni Presidente Estrada, paano n’yo pong nalaman na natanggap ni Presidente Estrada?
MR. SINGSON. Nag usap din kami, Your Honor, ni Presidente noon, at sinabi ko na dumating na diyan. Oo, sabi niya, at si Malou na contact ko rin muna, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. At ano po ang sabi sa inyo ni Malou, kung mayroon man?
MR. SINGSON. Ang sabi n’ya, nandito na ‘yong inaantay namin, so alam ko na na natanggap, Your Honor. Secretary ko, Lim.
MR. MARCELO. Ano po ang pangalan ng sekretarya n’yo po?
MR. SINGSON. Emma Lim, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Pupunta po tayo sa susunod na entrada na 2.000 JimPol, Exhibit “II 7,” ano po ba ang ibig sabihin nito?
MR. SINGSON. Two million, Secretary Jimmy Policarpio, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Paki paliwanag pa nga po n’yo ng mas mahaba ang ibig sabihin noon?
MR. SINGSON. Two million, Secretary Jimmy Policarpio, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Ang ibig po bang sabihin nito tinanggap po niya ‘yong halaga na ‘yan?
MR. SINGSON. Opo, Your Honor. Tuwing madalas kaming magtawagan, Your Honor, na kino confirm ito, Your Honor.
MR. MENDOZA. Your Honors, please.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Yes, Atty. Mendoza.
MR. MENDOZA. Many of these questions are leading questions. We are not objecting anymore just so that it may not be said that we are delaying the proceedings. But we would request only the Senate to take note. Similarly, there are many answers which are obviously hearsay, we have not moved to strike out just so that the proceedings will be expedited. But we would request the Senate to kindly take note.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. The observation is noted.
MR. MARCELO. Your Honors, just for the record. If there are statements that they claim as hearsay, these are statements that are given as independent relevant statements. And if the statements came from President Estrada, these statements are being given as admissions against interest. This is an exception to the hearsay rule.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Let’s clarify that point of being offered as an independently relevant statement. You will stand on that position of yours.
MR. MARCELO. Yes, Your Honor. But there are statements, Your Honor, when made by the President, these statements are considered admission against interest, Your Honor, and this is an exception to the hearsay rule.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. You may now proceed, on that condition again that the offer is that it should be as an independently relevant statement.
MR. MARCELO. Yes, Your Honor. But to qualify, if the statement came from the respondent, then this is an admission against interest, Your Honor.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. That would be another matter if the conversation is between him and the respondent.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. …between him and the respondent.
MR. MARCELO. We will go now, Your Honor, to Exhibit “11 9″. And I will read the entry, babasahin ko po: “31.300, total for March.”
Paki paliwanag nga po kung ano ang ibig sabihin nito.
MR. SINGSON. Thirty one million three hundred, total for the month of March, Your Honor. Total collection ng jueteng, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Iyon pong susunod na entrada ay 15.500, expenses. Ano po ang ibig sabihin nito?
MR. SINGSON. Fifteen million five hundred, expenses po iyong buwan na iyan, Your Honor, March.
MR. MARCELO. Ito pong susunod na entrada, 15.800, subtotal, at minarkahan po ito na Exhibit “II 10.” Ano po ang ibig sabihin nito?
MR. SINGSON. Iyan po iyong total na natira pagkabawas iyong expenses, Your Honor, 15,800,000, subtotal.
MR. MARCELO. Iyon pong susunod na entrada ay Exhibit “II 11″, at ito po ay babasahin ko: “38.000, Feb balance.” Ano po ang ibig sabihin nito?
R. SINGSON. Thirty eight million, February balance, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Mayroon pong susunod na naman po doon na entrada, at babasahin ko: “53.800, subtotal,” at ito po ay minarkahan na Exhibit “II 12″. Ano po iyong ibig sabihin nito?
MR. SINGSON. Plus iyong subtotal, Your Honor, 38 million balance noong February. Balance, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Ito pong Exhibit “II 12″, ito po iyong balanse pagkatapos po iyong idagdag doon sa ibang buwan po, tama po ba?
MR. SINGSON. Opo, Your Honor. 53,800, subtotal, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Mayroon pong lumabas na naman dito na entrada na 800 tax at minarkahan po na Exhibit “II 13″. Ano po ba ang ibig sabihin nito?
MR. SINGSON. Ginawa ko po iyan, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. At para saan po naman iyan?
MR. SINGSON. Para sa mga pinabibili ni Pangulong Estrada, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Mayroon pong iyong pinakadulo po na entrada ay 53.000, total todate, at ito po ay minarkahan na Exhibit “II 14″. Ano po ang ibig sabihin nito?
MR. SINGSON. Iyan po ang total na pera ng President Estrada, Your Honor, noong March 1999. Fifty three million na po ang balanse niya, Your Honor, na pera pa rin ni Pangulong Estrada, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Ano po ang nangyari diyan sa pera na iyan?
MR. SINGSON. Naka bangko iyong iba, Your Honor. Iyong iba kung minsan, tinatago iyong cash, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Dito po sa Exhibit “II 3″, ay napansin ko po na sulat kamay iyong “AS”. Sino po ba ang nagsulat nito?
MR. SINGSON. Ako po, Your Honor.
THE SENATE PRESIDENT. Mr. Chief Justice.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senate President.
THE SENATE PRESIDENT. In answer to the question, what happened to the 53 million total money allegedly belonging to the President, you said naka bangko iyong iba, what about the others? I did not get your answer, please.
MR. SINGSON. Tinago ko ho iyong iba, Your Honor, sa opisina. Iyong iba, nakabangko, Your Honor.
THE SENATE PRESIDENT. Tinago mo sa opisina?
MR. SINGSON. Sa opisina, Your Honor, sa vault, Your Honor.
THE SENATE PRESIDENT. Thank you.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Counsel may proceed.
MR. MARCELO. Pupunta po tayo doon sa Exhibit “II 1″, at napansin ko po dito na doon po sa entrada na Bicol ay mayroon pong nakatapat na 1.100. Ano po ang ibig sabihin niyan?
MR. SINGSON. Iyan po iyong koleksyon sa Bicol, Your Honor, one million one hundred, na binibigay po ni Presidential Assistant Anton Prieto ng Bicol, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Pupunta na po tayo sa Exhibit “JJ”. Sandali lang po at mayroon pa po pala akong nakalimutan na itanong.
Paki ulit nga po, ano po ba ang ibig sabihin noong sinulat ninyo dito na “AS”?
MR. SINGSON. Asiong Salonga, Your Honor, napunta rin po kay Pangulong Estrada iyan, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Pupunta na po tayo sa Exhibit “JJ”. May entrada po dito na 5.000 4/1/1999, A.S. At ito po’y minar¬kahan na Exhibit “JJ 3″. Ano po ang ibig sabihin nito?
MR. SINGSON. Five million, April 1, 1999, Asiong Salonga, binigay ko rin po kay Presidente Estrada, Your Honor. Lahat po ito, Your Honor, ito iyong mga protection money sa jueteng, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Ang susunod po na entrada ay 1.000, Wil¬liam Gat, at ito poy minarkahan na Exhibit “JJ 4″. Paki paliwanag nga po kung ano ang ibig sabihin po nito?
MR. SINGSON. One million, Your Honor, na pinabigay ni Pangulong Estrada kay William Gatchalian, Your Honor. At kinuha ko rin diyan, Your Honor, dahil binigay ko kay Wil¬liam Gatchalian, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Mayroon po ba kayong katibayan tungkol po dito sa ibinigay ninyong one million kay William Gachalian?
MR. SINGSON. Mayroon po, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Nasaan po iyon?
MR. SINGSON. Ito po, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. For the record, Your Honor, the witness handed to this representation a Metrobank check already marked previously marked as Exhibit “FFF” and it is Pay to the Order of Cash, in the amount of one million.
Dito po sa ilalim po nito, sa gawing kanan, ay mayroon pong lagda. Kanino po bang lagda ito?
MR. SINGSON. Sa akin po, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. At dito po sa ilalim ng account name ay mayroon pong nakasulat na pangalan, dito po sa Exhibit “FFF”. Paki basa nga po.
MR. SINGSON. Governor Luis “Chavit” Singson, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Mayroon po ditong iyong likod po naman ay minarkahan po na Exhibit “FFF 1″, naintindihan n’yo po ba kung ano iyong nakasulat sa likod nitong tsekeng ito?
MR. SINGSON. Numero po ito, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Pupunta na po tayo sa susunod na entrada. Ang nakasulat po ay “200 Gerry and Len”. Dati na po itong minarkahan na Exhibit “JJ 5″. Ano po ang ibig sabihin po nito?
MR. SINGSON. Two hundred thousand, Your Honor, napunta po kay Gerry Barrican at Lennie de Jesus, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Iyon pong susunod na entrada ay “2.000 Tessie and Sonny” at minarkahan na po ito ng Exhibit “JJ 6″. Ano po ang ibig sabihin naman nito?
MR. SINGSON. Two million, Your Honor, tig iisang milyon si Senator Tessie Oreta at saka si Senator Sonny Osmeña, Your Honor, tig wa one million po sila, Your Honor,
pinabigay ni Pangulong Estrada.
MR. MARCELO. Sino po ang actual na nagbigay po nito?
MR. SINGSON. Ako po, Your Honor, nakaharap po si Presi¬dente, binigay po sa kanila, Your Honor, sa Cebu, sa Presi¬dential Yacht.
MR. MARCELO. Alam n’yo po ba kung bakit po sila pinabigyan ni Presidente ng halagang ito?
MR. SINGSON. Balato po nila, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Galing po saan?
MR. SINGSON. Sa mahjong, Your Honor. Panalo po si Presidente noon diyan, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. At kung natatandaan n’yo po at kung alam n’yo, bakit naman po sila binalatuhan?
MR. SINGSON. Nanalo po si Pangulong Estrada noon, Your Honor, sa mahjong namin sa Cebu, sa barko, sa Presidential Yacht, at noong pumunta sila ng umaga, binigay na balato nila ito, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Ano po ang partisipasyon nila, kung may¬roon man, dito sa paglalaro po ng mahjong ni Presidente Estrada?
MR. MENDOZA. We objection, Your Honor. It’s immaterial, Your Honor. Actually, this testimony regarding Senators Osmena and Oreta are irrelevant, there is no representation that this came from jueteng money.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. The Presiding Officer resolves in favor of the objection, the objection is sustained. Make another question.
MR. MARCELO. Dito po ay…Babalik po tayo sa Exhibit “JJ-4†at sinabi po ‘nyo na binigyan ng isang milyon
binigyan ‘nyo po ng isang milyon si William Gatchalian. Pakisabi nga po dito kung bakit po binigyan po si William Gatchalian, bakit po nabigyan siya ng isang milyon?
MR. SINGSON. Binigyan po si William Gatchalian, Your Honor, na sukli ito, Your Honor, ‘yong tseke niya na ibinigay sa Pangulong Estrada, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Sukli po saan?
MR. SINGSON. Sa mahjong, Your Honor, ‘yong panalo ni Pangulong Estrada.
MR. MARCELO. Pupunta po tayo….
MR. MENDOZA. If Your Honor please, may I call attention also to the fact that this is also irrelevant.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. What’s the materiality now that you are going to show, Mr. Counsel?
MR. MARCELO. Your Honor, these entries are already stated in this ledger and if the witness can explain the circumstances under which these entries are made, that will enhance the credibility of this ledger, Your Honor.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Only for that purpose?
MR. MARCELO. Yes, Your Honor. And also to prove the fact stated therein.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. But precisely there is an objection on materiality insofar as mahjong is concerned.
MR. MARCELO. Your Honor, but the credibility of the witness, Your Honor, is also in issue, Your Honor.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. That is exactly the question of the Chair. You are going to show the credibility of the witness.
MR. MARCELO. Yes, Your Honor. Because….Yes, Your Honor.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. If that is the purpose, objection is overruled.
MR. MENDOZA. May I…
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Yes.
MR. MENDOZA. From what I understand, if Your Honor please, while it is represented that it is to show the credibility of the witness, however, that testimony should not be accepted as evidence of the fact stated. Because the fact stated is irrelevant to this proceedings.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. That seems to be very clear from the ruling of the Chair. It was offered for the purpose only of proving the credibility of the witness.
MR. MENDOZA. Thank you, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. And also, Your Honor, to prove the credibility of this document that we have marked as Exhibit “JJ.â€
THE PRESIDING OFFICER.That is a second thought, that was not the basis before. The Chair had already made a ruling.
MR. MARCELO. Your Honor, the reason we are asking him to explain the entries or the circumstances under which the entries are made is to show that the entries therein are credible, Your Honor. And if the entries are credible, then the witness is also credible, Your Honor.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. That is a manifestation made by you, it is not asking for a fact. Proceed to elicit facts.
MR. MARCELO. Dito po sa entrada po na ito, eh may nakalagay po na 2.000 Jimpol at ito po ay mayroon pong
minarkahan na po na Exhibit “JJ-8.†Pakiliwanag nga po kung ano ang ibig sabihin nito?
MR. SINGSON. Two million, Secretary Jimmy Policarpio, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Ito pong susunod po na entrada ay babasahin ko po, 13.700, total expenses at ito po ay minarkahan na Exhibit “JJ-9.†Ano po ba ang ibig sabihin nito?
MR. SINGSON. Thirteen million seven hundred thousand, total expenses, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Total expenses for the month of April?
MR. SINGSON. Month of April, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Pupunta po tayo sa entradang ito po, may nakalagay po dito 32.165 total for April, minarkahan po ng Exhibit “JJ-10.†Ano po ba ang ibig sabihin nitong entradang ito?
MR. SINGSON. Thirty-two million one hundred sixty five thousand, total for the month of April, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Iyong sumunod pong entrada ay 13.700 at mayroon pong.. sa tapat po nito nakalagay ang katagang “expenses,†ano po ba ang ibig sabihin nito?
MR. SINGSON. Total expenses po, Your Honor, thirteen million seven hundred.
MR. MARCELO. And susunod po ay ang entrada na 18.465 subtotal at ito po ay minarkahan na Exhibit “JJ-11.†Ano po ba ang ibig sabihin nitong entrada na ito?
MR. SINGSON. Eighteen million, four hundred sixty five, subtotal, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Subtotal po ng ano ito?
MR. SINGSON. ‘Yong, ‘yong koleksyon, Your Honor, ng April, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. At ‘yong susunod po ay ang entradang “53.000, March balance,” marked as Exhibit “JJ 12″, ano po ang ibig sabihin nito?
MR. SINGSON. ‘Yan po ‘yong 53 million balance ng March, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Ang susunod pong entrada ay “71.465, subtotal,” at ito po ay minarkahan po na Exhibit “JJ 13″, Exhibit “JJ 13,” ano po ang ibig sabihin nito?
MR. SINGSON. ‘Yan na po ‘yong subtotal na seventy one million, four hundred sixty five, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Ang susunod pong entrada ay “465 tax” at minarkahan po ito na Exhibit “JJ 14.” Paki paliwanag nga po kung ano ang ibig sabihin nito?
MR. SINGSON. Ang napunta rin po sa akin ‘yan, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Ang susunod pong entrada ay “71.000″ at nakalagay po sa tapat nito, “Total todate.” Ito po ay minarkahan ng Exhibit “JJ 15.” Ano po ba ang ibig sabihin nito?
MR. SINGSON. Ang ibig sabihin po, Your Honor, ‘yan na po ang total na pera ni Pangulong Estrada, 71 million. Ito na po ‘yong total na naiiwang balanse sa mga napupuntang lahat kay Pangulong Estrada, Your Honor. Pera pong lahat ito ni Pangulong Estrada, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Sinabi mo kanina na ‘yong 465,000 na tax ay ‘yon ang perang napunta sa iyo. Paki ulit pakisabi nga kung para saan ‘yan?
MR. SINGSON. Ito po, Your Honor, ginagamit ko po ito sa mga, kung minsan nagpapa advance si Presidente, nakakalimutan ko po na ilista rito sa ledger. Kagaya na po ‘yong mga binigay ko po kay Senator Tessie at Sonny Osmeña, kaya kinukobra ko po rito ‘yong mga iba sa jueteng money, tapos ‘yong mga iba eh nakakalimutan ko, Your Honor. So, hinihingi ko kay Pangulong Estrada na tanggalin ko ‘yong mga butal, at alam ni Pangulong Estrada ito, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Pupunta po tayo doon sa susunod na page ng ledger. Minarkahan po ito na Exhibit “KK”. Ang una pong entrada dito ay “5.000, 5/1/99 AS.” Minarkahan po ito na Exhibit “KK 3.” Ano po ang ibig sabihin nito?
MR. SINGSON. Ito po ‘yong binibigay kong five million noong “5/1/99 Asiong Salonga,” kay Pangulong Estrada, Your Honor. Ito po kadalasan po ito kasama pa rin sa napupunta kay Pangulong Estrada, Your Honor, na mga protection money, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. ‘Yon pong sumunod na entrada ay “5.000 5/18/99 AS,” at minarkahan din po ito na Exhibit “KK 4″. Ano po ang ibig sabihin nito?
MR. SINGSON. Five million, ang date po ay “5/18/99, Asiong Salonga,” binigay ko rin po kay Pangulong Estrada, Your Honor, sa nanggaling din po lahat ito sa jueteng na protection money, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. ‘Yon pong susunod ay 2.000 at nakalagay po ay “JimPol.” Ito po ay minarkahan ng Exhibit “KK 6″. Ano po ba ang ibig sabihin nito?
MR. SINGSON. Two million, “Secretary Jimmy Policarpio”. Ito po ‘yong buwan buwan na kinukuha ni Secretary Policarpio, Your Honor, at madalas nagtatawagan din kami, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. At kung nagtata … Ano ang napag usapan n’yo noong nagtatawagan kayo?
MR. SINGSON. Habang nagkukuwentuhan, Your Honor, kinukumpirma na rin niya ‘yong mga napupunta sa kanya, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Ang susunod po na entrada ay minarkahan na pong Exhibit “KK 7″ at ang nakalagay po ay “14.000 total expenses.” Paki paliwanag nga po ang ibig sabihin nito?
MR. SINGSON. Ito po ‘yong 14 million total expenses noong Mayo, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Ang susunod ko pong entradang hihingan po ng paliwanag ay ito pong entradang minarkahan po na Exhibit “KK 8″ at babasahin ko po: “32.829 total for June.” Ano po ang ibig sabihin nito?
MR. SINGSON. Thirty two million, eight hundred twenty nine thousand, total collection for June, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Koleksyon po ng ano ito?
MR. SINGSON. Koleksyon lahat ng jueteng ito, mga protection money lahat ito, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. At duon po sa susunod noon ay may entradang “14.000″ at mayroon pong…
MR. MARCELO. …may entradang 14.000 at mayroon pong nakalagay na kataga na “Expenses.” Ano po ang ibig sabihin niyan?
MR. SINGSON. Ito po iyong total expenses noong May, Your Honor, 14 million.
MR. MARCELO. Ang susunod po ay iyon pong entrada na ang nakalagay ay 18.829 subtotal at minarkahan po ito na Exhibit “KK-9.” Ano po ang ibig sabihin nito?
MR. SINGSON. Ito po iyong subtotal, Your Honor, na eighteen million, eight hundred twenty-nine, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. At pagkatapos po noon ay mayroon ho ulit entrada, 71.000, April balance. Minarkahan po ito na Exhibit “KK-10.” Ano po ang ibig sabihin nito?
MR. SINGSON. Plus po ito sa subtotal, 71 million for the April balance, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Balance po ng ano?
MR. SINGSON. Balance po noong total collection ng jueteng, Your Honor, iyong protection money, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. At mayroon na naman pong sumunod dito na 89.829 subtotal, minarkahan po na Exhibit “KK-11.” Ano po ang ibig sabihin nito?
MR. SINGSON. Iyan po iyong subtotal, 89,829,000 subtotal, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Ang sumunod pong entrada ay minarkahan na Exhibit “KK-12,” at babasahin ko po, 829 tax. Ano po ang ibig sabihin nitong entradang ito?
MR. SINGSON. Kinuha ko rin, Your Honor. Pinagpaalam ko sa Presidente. So, napunta rin sa akin, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Para po saan iyan?
MR. SINGSON. Para sa mga nakakalimutan ko at mga pinabibili n’ya kung minsan, Your Honor, sa akin, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Iyon pong susunod na entrada ay minarkahan po na Exhibit “KK-13,” at babasahin ko po, 89.000 total todate. Ano po ang ibig sabihin nito?
MR. SINGSON. Iyan na po iyong total na collection, Your Honor, na pera ni Pangulong Estrada, 89 million ang total todate, Your Honor, noong Mayo.
MR. MARCELO. Saan po galing po iyong pera na iyan?
MR. SINGSON. Sa lahat po ito, Your Honor. Galing po lahat sa jueteng. Ito po iyong mga protection money na nako-kolekta namin sa jueteng, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Pumunta naman po tayo sa pahina ng ledger para sa buwan po ng Hunyo. Ito po ay minarkahan na Exhibit “LL-1.” Mayroon pong entrada dito na 5.000 6/1/99 AS. Dati na po itong minarkahan na Exhibit “LL-3.” Ano po ang ibig sabihin nitong entradang ito?
MR. SINGSON. Ito po, parte po iyong mga protection money na ibibigay ko kay Pangulong Estrada, Your Honor, 5 million noong June 1st, 1999, Asiong Salonga, kay Presidente Estrada rin, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. At ang sumunod pong entrada ay 5.000 6/18/99 AS, minarkahan po na Exhibit “LL-4.” Ano po ang ibig sabihin nito?
MR. SINGSON. Nagpakuha po uli si Pangulong Estrada, Your Honor, 5 million, June 18, 1999, Asiong Salonga, kay President Estrada, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Paki-paliwanag n’yo po kung ano ang ibig sabihin po ng “kay President Estrada itong 5 million.”
MR. SINGSON. Ito po, Your Honor, iyong kinukuha niya na every 15 days na nanggagaling sa jueteng, iyong protection money sa jueteng, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. At sino po ang nagbigay nito sa kanya?
MR. SINGSON. Ako po, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Dito po sa…Ang sumunod pong entrada ay Exhibit “LL-6″ at mayroon pong naka…ang entradang ito ay nababasang 2.000 JimPol. Paki-paliwanag nga po kung ano ang ibig sabihin nitong entradang ito.
MR. SINGSON. Two million, Secretary Jimmy Policarpio, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Ito pong susunod na entrada ay 14.000, total expenses at minarkahan po ito na Exhibit “LL-7.” Ano po ang ibig sabihin nito?
MR. SINGSON. Iyan po iyong total expenses, Your Honor, 14 million iyong buwan ng June.
MR. MARCELO. Doon po… Pumunta po tayo sa susunod po na mga entrada sa ilalim po ng expenses. Ito po ay mayroon pong entrada na minarkahan na po na Exhibit “LL-8,” at babasahin ko po, 32.450, total for June. Paki-paliwanag nga po kung ano ang ibig sabihin nito.
MR. SINGSON. Thirty-two million, four hundred fifty thousand, total collection for June, Your Honor. Ano po ba itong entrada na ito?
MR. SINGSON. Minus po iyong expenses, Your Honor, sa buwan ng June.
MR. MARCELO. Ang sumunod po na entrada ay Exhibit “LL 6,” at ang entradang ito ay nababasa ang 2.000 Jimpol. Pakipaliwanag nga po kung anong ibig sabihin nitong entradang ito?
MR. SINGSON. Two million Secretary Jimmy Policarpio, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Ito pong susunod na entrada ay 14.000 total expenses, at minarkahan po ito na Exhibit “LL 7.” Ano po ang ibig sabihin nito?
MR. SINGSON. ‘Yan po ‘yong total expenses, Your Honor, 14 million ‘yong buwan ng June.
MR. MARCELO. Doon po… Pupunta po tayo sa susunod po na mga entrada sa ilalim po ng expenses. Ito po ay mayroon pong entrada na minarkahan na po na Exhibit “LL 8,” at babasahin ko po, “Thirty two point four fifty total for June.” Pakipaliwanag nga po kung anong ibig sabihin nito?
MR. SINGSON. Thirty two million four hundred fifty thousand total collection for June, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. And susunod pong entrada ay 14.000 expenses. Ano po ba itong entrada na ito?
MR. SINGSON. Menos po ‘yong expenses, Your Honor, sa buwan ng June.
MR. MARCELO. Ang susunod pong entrada ay 18.450 subtotal, minarkahan po ito na Exhibit “LL 9.” Pakipaliwanag nga po kung anong ibig sabihin po ng entrada na ito?
MR. SINGSON. ‘Yan po ‘yong natira na balanse sa June, 18,450,000 subtotal.
MR. MARCELO. ‘Yon pong susunod na entrada ay 89.000 May balance. Ito po ay minarkahan na po na Exhibit “LL 10.” Ano po ba ang ibig sabihin nito?
MR. SINGSON. Plus 89 million May balance.
MR. MARCELO. ‘Yon pong susunod po na entrada ay 107.450 subtotal, minarkahan po ito na Exhibit “LL 11.” Ano po ba ang ibig sabihin ng entradang ito?
MR. SINGSON. One hundred seven million four hundred fifty thousand subtotal, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. ‘Yon pong susunod na entrada ay minarkahan na po na Exhibit “LL 12,” at babasahin ko po, 450 tax. Ano po ang ibig sabihin nito?
MR. SINGSON. ‘Yon po ‘yong pinagpaalam ko kay Pangulong Estrada, Your Honor, na kinuha ko ‘yan, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Para po saan?
MR. SINGSON. Sa mga pinabibili niya at mga nakakalimutan ko na ilista diyan, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Ang susunod po na entrada ay minarkahan ay babasahin ko po, 107.000 total todate, at ito po ay minarkahan na na Exhibit “LL 13.” Pakipaliwanag niyo nga po kung anong ibig sabihin ng entradang ito?
MR. SINGSON. ‘Yan na po ang total, 107,000,000 total todate ng June. Ito na po ‘yong total collection ng protection money sa jueteng, Your Honor, na kay Pangulong Estrada rin, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Pupunta na po tayo sa Exhibit “MM.” Mayroon po dito na entrada na 1.500, 7 25 ’99 New Goma na minarkahan po na Exhibit “MM 4.” Ano po ba ang ibig sabihin nito?
MR. SINGSON. One point five million, Your Honor, napupunta sa new Chief PNP, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Sino po ‘yong bagong Chief ng PNP?
MR. SINGSON. Mayroong acting PNP noong araw, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. At ito pong pera ay napunta sa kanya?
MR. SINGSON. Hindi po, Your Honor, may kumukuha rin po sa opisina. ‘Yong mga dating kumukuha po, Your Honor, kinukuha nila para sa mga galamay ng Chief PNP, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Ang susunod pong entrada ay 5.000, 7 31 99 AS, at minarkahan po ito na Exhibit “MM 6.” Ano po ba ang ibig sabihin ng entradang ito?
MR. SINGSON. Five million, 7 31 1999 Asiong Salonga, binigay ko rin po kay Pangulong Estrada, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Mayroon pong sumunod na entrada na halos pareho po, at ito ay minarkahan na po na Exhibit “MM 7,” at babasahin ko po, “Five point zero, zero, zero, 7 19 99 A.S.,” ano po ang ibig sabihin nito?
MR. SINGSON. Binigay ko rin po kay Pangulong Estrada, Your Honor, 5 million, July 19, 1999 Asiong Salonga, binigay ko rin po kay Pangulong Estrada, Your Honor.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. With the permission of counsel, the Chair would recognize the Honorable Senator Judge Enrile.
SEN. ENRILE. Mr. Chief Justice, I would like to find out from counsel, why he skipped the first line, the one marked “MM 3?”
MR. MARCELO. I am sorry, Your Honor, it’s my inadvertence, Your Honor.
SEN. ENRILE. Will you please ask the witness what R.C. stands for?
MR. MARCELO. Ano po ba ang ibig sabihin nung entrada na minarkahan po na Exhibit “MM 3?”
MR. SINGSON. Hindi ko na po matandaan ito, Your Honor, One million five hundred, Your Honor.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. That is Exhibit “MM 3?”
MR. MARCELO. “MM 3.”
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Okay.
MR. MARCELO. Ang susunod po na entrada ay Exhibit “MM 8,” at babasahin ko po, 2.000 Jimpol. Ano po ang ibig sabihin nito?
MR. SINGSON. Two million Secretary Jimmy Policarpio, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Ang susunod po na entrada ay 16.500 total expenses, at minarkahan po ito na Exhibit “MM 9.” Pakipaliwanag nga po kung ano ang ibig sabihin nitong entrada na ito?
MR. SINGSON. Total expenses for July, sixteen million five hundred, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Pupunta naman po tayo sa Exhibit “MM 10″ at babasahin ko po: “33.000 total for July.” Ano po ba ang ibig sabihin ng entrada na ito?
MR. SINGSON. Total collection for July, Your Honor, 33 million.
MR. MARCELO. Collection po ng ano?
MR. SINGSON. Collection sa jueteng, Your Honor, parte po ito ng protection money.
MR. MARCELO. Pupunta po tayo sa susunod na entrada at babasahin ko po: “16.500 Expenses”. Ano po ba ang ibig sabihin nito?
MR. SINGSON. Sixteen million five hundred total expenses for July, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Ang sunod pong entrada ay minarkahan na po na Exhibit “MM 11″ at ito’y babasahin ko po: “16.500 Subtotal.” Ano po ang ibig sabihin nito?
MR. SINGSON. Sixteen million five hundred thousand Subtotal, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. ‘Yun pong susunod na entrada ay 107000 June balance at minarkahan po ito na Exhibit “MM 12.” Ano po ang ibig sabihin noong entrada na ito?
MR. SINGSON. Iyan po ‘yung total noong June, Your Honor. Balanse noong June 107,000,000, balance noong June, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Ito pong susunod na entrada ay minarkahan na po na Exhibit “MM 13.” At babasahin ko po: “123.500 Subtotal.” Ano po ang ibig sabihin nito?
MR. SINGSON. One hundred twenty three million five hundred thousand Subtotal, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Ang susunod po ay 500 tax at minarkahan po na Exhibit “MM 14.” Ano po ang ibig sabihin nito?
MR. SINGSON. Napunta rin po sa akin iyan, Your Honor, 500,000.
MR. MARCELO. Para po saan?
MR. SINGSON. Para po sa mga pinabibili ni Pangulong Estrada kung minsan iyong mga nakakalimutan kong ilagay dito… Kasi po madalas nagpapakuha sa akin ng pera, kung minsan nakakalimutan ko nang … Your Honor.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. With the permission of counsel, the Chair recognizes, first, the Majority Leader, and then after that the Honorable Senator Judge Honasan.
SEN. TATAD. Thank you, Mr. Chief Justice.
Gusto ko lang po linawin isang punto sa ating butihing gobernador.
Ito po bang listahan ninyo, Exhibit “EE” hanggang “MM” ay ginawa po ninyo sa isang upuan lamang o tuwing buwan ginagawa n’yo ‘yung isang pahina nito?
MR. SINGSON. Buwan buwan po, Your Honor.
SEN. TATAD. Buwan buwan po. Puwede po bang tingnan ninyo ‘yung Exhibit “KK.” Ito pong “KK” ito po’y listahan para sa Mayo, diumano koleksiyon at gastos. Dito po sa “KK 8″, “KK 8″ 32.829, ang nakalagay po “total for June.” Papano po kayo nagkamali kung ito’y ginagawa tuwing katapusan ng buwan? Ang nakalagay po sa una 16.000 May 1 to 15, and then 16.829 May 16 to 31.
Ang suma po, ‘yung nasa “KK 8″ 32.829 pero ang nakalagay hindi total for May kundi total for June. Ito pong ganitong pagkakamali hindi po madalas mangyari kung ito’y ginagawa buwan buwan. Pero kung tambak po ‘yung papeles maaari po tayong magkamali.
MR. SINGSON. Buwan buwan po ginagawa ito, Your Honor, at ino audit din ito.
SEN. TATAD. Pero papano po na nagkamali ka dito?
MR. SINGSON. Kung may pagkakamali, hindi ko na alam, Your Honor, dahil hindi na namin pinalitan ito, Your Honor.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. The Honorable Senator-Judge Honasan.
SEN. HONASAN. Mr. Chief Justice, ibig ko lang pong magtanong ng ilang katanungan kay Governor Singson, ang ating testigo.
Governor Singson, maraming beses ninyong binanggit na iyong perang kinokolekta ninyo ay para sa Pangulong Estrada? Ang ibig sabihin po ba nito ay kay Pangulong Estrada lamang o iyong mga nakalista dito sa kanang bahagi ng pahina ang nakikinabang sa jueteng protection money?
MR. SINGSON. Ito po iyong pinakukuha niya sa akin na every fifteen days, Your Honor, kadalasan.
SEN. HONASAN. Oho, pero yamang kayo ho ang tagapangasiwa ng jueteng operation na isinalin sa inyo, ayon sa inyong salaysay ni Atong Ang, so, si Pangulong Estrada lang po ba at iyong mga nakalista ritong mga tao ang nakikinabang sa jueteng protection money?
MR. SINGSON. National lang po ito, Your Honor. Sa baba, hindi ko pinakialaman, Your Honor.
SEN. HONASAN. Sa baba ho?
MR. SINGSON. Oho.
SEN. HONASAN. Sa inyong pagkaka-alam ho bilang in charge ng jueteng operations …
MR. SINGSON. Ang trabaho ko lang po iyong ginawa ni Atong Ang noon na magkolekta sa national, Your Honor.
SEN. HONASAN. Sa national?
MR. SINGSON. Oho.
SEN. HONASAN. So, ito lang ang mga involved sa national?
MR. SINGSON. Sa national, Your Honor.
SEN. HONASAN. Ito ang nakikinabang sa national?
MR. SINGSON. Opo, Your Honor.
SEN. HONASAN. Maraming salamat po. Thank you, Mr. Chief Justice.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. The Honorable Senator-Judge Enrile.
SEN. ENRILE. Mr. Witness, puwede po ba ninyong sumahin iyong lahat noong figures nasa ilalim noong Exhibit “EE-1â€, November 1 to 15 at titignan natin kung ito’y tumutugma ng twelve million nine hundred? At ganoon din iyong kuwan, November 16 to 30, Exhibit “EE-2†at titignan natin kung tumutugma iyon ng 13.750?
MR. MARCELO. Kung papahintulutan po, puwede po bang pagamitin iyong testigo ng calculator?
SEN. ENRILE. Oo, siguro mas maigi para malaman natin … gusto ko lang malaman kung iyan ay 12.9, at sa aking sumada ay 11.4 at iyong 13.750 ay 11.750. At ang ibig ko pong sabihin dito ay kung ito’y ginagawa buwan-buwan, eh hindi naman siguro mag-eerrado iyong testigo. Pero lahat ng binanggit niya dito ay natatandaan niya kahit na matagal — maluwat nang ginawa itong mga dokumento na ito. At ako ay nagtataka na doon sa RC ay hindi niya natatandaan iyong bagay na iyon.
MR. SINGSON. Initial lang po kasi iyon, Your Honor, hindi ko matandaan.
SEN. ENRILE. Iyon ba ay Rene Cruz?
MR. SINGSON. Hindi ko alam, Your Honor.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Anyway, there is a pending question. The witness was made to sum up…
MR. SINGSON. Ano po iyon, Your Honor, iyong entry?
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. … and counsel requested the use of a calculator?
MR. MARCELO. Maaari ho bang paki-ulit kung para sa ano pong buwan iyong pinapa-add ninyo po?
SEN.ENRILE. Iyong first page.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Exhibit “EEâ€, is that not correct, Honorable Enrile?
SEN. ENRILE. That’s correct, Your Honor. Dahil kung hindi tama ito, eh mali na lahat iyong mga summaries sa susunod.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. You are allowed to use a calculator, Mr. Witness.
(THE WITNESS SUMMED UP THE ENTRIES OF EXHIBIT “EE†PERTAINING TO THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER 1 TO 15 AND NOVEMBER 16-30 WITH THE USE OF A CALCULATOR.)
MR. MARCELO. Your Honors …
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Yes.
MR. MARCELO. … this is addressed to the opposing counsel. We are willing to stipulate that the total for November 1 to 15, is 11.400 OR 11,400,000, Your Honor.
SEN. ENRILE. That is correct.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Let the witness make the answer.
SEN. ENRILE. Tama po ba, 11.4?
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. He was the one asked the question.
SEN. ENRILE. Tama po ba, 11.4?
MR. SINGSON. Ima manual ko na lang po, Your Honor.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. What are being summed up are the entries indicated as Exhibit “EE 1″, Your Honor? Honorable Enrile?
SEN. ENRILE. Ah…
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. And also for Exhibit “EE 2″?
SEN. ENRILE. Yes. The first two… the first month of operation, Mr. Chief Justice.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Yes, that is Exhibit “EE 1″ and then another recomputation for …
SEN. ENRILE. “EE 2″.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. “EE 2″. So, the answer of the witness must be.
MR. SINGSON. Eleven million four hundred, Your Honor.
SEN. ENRILE. Iyong “EE 1.”
MR. SINGSON. Yes, Your Honor.
SEN. ENRILE. So, hindi 12.9…
MR. SINGSON. Twelve point nine, Your Honor.
SEN. ENRILE. So, may error po itong dokumentong ito?
MR. SINGSON. Ang nangyari po, Your Honor…
SEN. ENRILE. Hindi, tinatanong ko lang po kung may error.
MR. SINGSON. Tama, Your Honor.
SEN. ENRILE. Ngayon, iyong “EE 2″, magkano po? Tama ba iyong aking sumada, 11.750?
MR. SINGSON. “EE.”
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. “EE”, that is November 16 to 30, Mr. Witness.
SEN. ENRILE. That’s correct, Mr. Chief Justice.
MR. SINGSON. “EE 2.” A, ito. I add ko po, Your Honor.
SEN. ENRILE. Di ba 11.750 po?
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. What’s the answer of the witness?
MR. SINGSON. Twelve seven fifty iyong…
SEN. ENRILE. Eleven point seven fifty.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Do you confirm that, Mr. Witness?
MR. SINGSON. Ang addition ko po, Your Honor, 12.750.
SEN. ENRILE. Samakatuwid, may error po. Ito iyong summary dito, 13.750.
MR. SINGSON. Tama po, Your Honor.
SEN. ENRILE. Ngayon, di may error lahat itong computation na ito? Puwede po bang tingnan ninyo iyong buong dokumento para malaman natin ang mga errors ninyo sa mga entrada na ito?
MR. SINGSON. Ang tsini check ko pong madalas, Your Honor, ‘yung total. Siguro po ang nagkamali dito ‘yung mga nag-en-entra rito, Your Honor.
SEN. ENRILE. Samakatuwid, hindi kayo ang gumagawa nito?
MR. SINGSON. Hindi, Your Honor, pinagagawa ko ito.
SEN. ENRILE. Hindi, tinatanong ko lang po. Samakatuwid sa answer po ninyo ay hindi kayo ang gumagawa.
MR. SINGSON. Ako ang gumagawa, Your Honor, pinatra-transfer ko dito sa – every end of the month inililipat dito, Your Honor. Pero ‘yung total ang nililista kung – ‘yun lang ang tinitignan ko, Your Honor.
SEN. ENRILE. Puwede po ba, rebisahin ninyo ulit, titingnan ninyo, marami pong error ito eh.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Do you need time, Mr. Witness, to adequately respond to the request of Judge Enrile?
MR. SINGSON. Lahat po ito ito-total, Your Honor?
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. That was the request of the Honorable Judge Enrile for you to probably reexamine the documents. Would you need time for that?
MR. SINGSON. Yes, Your Honor. Kung puwede sana makahiram na lang ako ‘yung calculator na may papel, Your Honor, para mas madaling ma-check ‘yun, ‘yung adding machine na may papel, para ma-check kung tama?
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. The Chair would like to suggest to the prosecution…
MR. SINGSON. Dahil kung minsan nagkakamali ka sa pindot dito sa ano eh…
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. What the Chair would suggest to the prosecution will be to give the witness his own copy of Exhibits “EE†to “MMâ€, and for him to make that as a working draft. He could make the corrections, if any. Is that the intention of the Honorable Judge Enrile for all the documents?
SEN. ENRILE. Mr. Chief Justice, I am just pointing to the witness that that document is full of error. That’s all I want to say.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Okay then, Atty. Marcelo may proceed.
MR. MARCELO. Siguro po balikan natin itong Exhibit “EE-1â€, ano na nga po ang nakalis…
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Will you finish first with Exhibit “MM� You were there already at Exhibit “MM�
MR. MARCELO. Yes, Your Honor. But I have just…
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Just finish that so we will have continuity.
MR. MARCELO. Okay, Your Honor.
Pupunta na po tayo sa Exhibit “MMâ€.
Excuse me, Your Honor, I just have to check my records – my notes where I stopped.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. You can get it. Bring your notes to where you will be near the witness but do not show your notes to the witness.
MR. MARCELO. Your Honor, may we ask the stenographer to repeat. I don’t see it in my notes, to repeat the last question and the last answer, Your Honor.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. The stenographer who took down the stenographic notes, please repeat the question to refresh counsel. Would you use the lectern here so it would be very clear to – especially to Atty. Marcelo? Have you found your notes already?
MR. MARCELO. Sorry, Your Honor, it’s not in my notes. (Pause)
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. It’s here. We have the stenographic notes.
The stenographer concerned may come forward toward the lectern and use the lectern.
Our stenographer is from the Supreme Court by the way.
THE STENOGRAPHER. The last answer was, “Ako ang gumawa pina-transfer ko ito every end of the month…
MR. MARCELO. I’m referring, Your Honors, to my last question and the last answer.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. The last question. The last question of counsel and the answer of the witness to that question. Can you not use the tape recording and replay the tape? It might be faster. Play it back and find the specific portion. That would be faster.
THE SENATE PRESIDENT. Mr. Chief Justice.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. The Honorable Senate President.
THE SENATE PRESIDENT. May I just refresh the counsel that his last question dealt with the subtotal “MM-11.†After that, I think there were several interventions. So, I think you may begin by asking the witness the meaning of the June balance which is “MM-12.â€
MR. MARCELO. Thank you, Your Honor. We’ll take it from there.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. All right. You may now continue.
MR. MARCELO. Pupunta po tayo dito sa Exhibit “MM-12,†at ang nakalagay po dito ay 107.000, June balance. Ano po ang ibig sabihin nito?
MR. SINGSON. Hundred seven million balanse po nung June ito, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Iyon pong susunod na entrada ay 123.500 subtotal, at minarkahan po ito na Exhibit “MM-13. Paki-sabi nga po kung ano po ang ibig sabihin ng entrada na ito.
MR. SINGSON. One hundred twenty-three million five hundred ang subtotal na iyon, Your Honor, July.
MR. MARCELO. Ang susunod pong entrada ay minarkahan po na Exhibit “MM-14.†Babasahin ko po, “500, Tax.†Ano po ang ibig sabihin nito?
MR. SINGSON. Napunta po iyon sa akin. Napunta sa akin ito, Your Honor. Five hundred thousand, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. At saan n’yo naman po ito nagamit?
MR. SINGSON. Sa mga pinaabonohan kung minsan ni Pangulong Estrada, Your Honor, at saka iyong mga pagkakamali kung minsan dito sa mga — Iyong hindi ko nakukubra dito sa expenses, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Iyon pong susunod na entrada ay babasahin ko. “123.000, total todate.†At ito po ay minarkahan na Exhibit “MM-15.†Paki-paliwanag nga po kung ano ang ibig sabihin nito?
MR. SINGSON. Ito na po iyong total, one hundred twenty-three million ang balanse mula noon, Your Honor, hanggang July, ito na po iyong total collection ng jueteng, Your Honor, one hundred twenty-three million.
MR. MARCELO. Kung ako ay pahihintulutan, babalik na po ako doon sa Exhibit “EE.â€
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Permission is granted.
MR. MARCELO. Paki-basa nga po ulit kung ano iyong total for November 1 to 15 na minarkahan pong Exhibit “EE-1-A?â€
MR. SINGSON. Total for November, twelve million nine hundred, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. At nung pina-add po sa inyo iyong mga collection po para sa November 1 to 15 na minarkahan pong Exhibit “EE-1,†ano po ang naging suma na nakuha ninyo?
MR. SINGSON. Ang suma po ay kulang, eleven million four hundred. Pero iyong total, Your Honor, tama po. Nagtama po rito sa overall total sa kabila, Your Honor. Iyon po ang madalas naming i-check, iyong total. Importante po iyong total, Your Honor, kaya nagtama po iyong twelve million nine hundred. Dito sa kabila, total collection for 15 days ng November, twelve million nine. So, magtama po ito, Your Honor. Nagkamali lang po siguro iyong nag-type nito, Your Honor. Pero ang total pareho.
MR. MARCELO. So, ang total po talaga ay eleven four hundred. Pero po iyong nalista diyan ay twelve point nine hundred. So, ibig sabihin po, nalugi po kayo dito?
MR. SINGSON. Opo, Your Honor. Kaya nga nagpaalam ako sa Pangulong Estrada, kung minsan, mayroon akong mga hindi nakukubra, may mga mali. At saka pag nagpakuha kasi si Pangulong Estrada, every 15 days, kung minsan, maski hindi 15 days, nagpapakuha ng pera. Kung minsan, may pinabibili, may pinabibigyan, Your Honor. So, hiningi ko sa kanya, iyong mga butal-butal.
MR. MARCELO. Tapos na po tayo.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. The Honorable Senator Guingona.
SEN. GUINGONA. Thank you, Mr. Chief Justice. I just want to be clarified about this bad check tungkol po dito sa bad check. Ito ba’y kasali na dito sa…
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. May we know the exhibit number, Your Honor?
SEN. GUINGONA. “EE-3.â€Kasi itong bad check. nasama sa expenses. Ito ba’y kasali rin sa collection or…
MR. SINGSON. Kasama po sa collection, Your Honor. Kinubra ni Atong Ang.
SEN. GUINGONA. Kaya nga.
MR. SINGSON. So, wala ‘yong cash, tseke ang ibinigay niya sa akin, Your Honor.
SEN. GUINGONA. Kaya dapat minus sa collection sapagkat bad check, eh.
MR. SINGSON. Isinama sa expenses kaya namenos nga sa collection, Your Honor.
SEN. GUINGONA. Hindi ba dapat ay twelve nine minus the one eight?
MR. SINGSON. Hindi po, Your Honor. Ang total expenses, Your Honor, is 17 million three hundred, so, nasama rito ‘yong bad kasi expenses po lahat ito, na bumalik ‘yong tseke, ipinalit ni Atong Ang din dito, so, kinubra ko rin dito, Your Honor, minenos sa mga collection.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. The Honorable Leviste.
SEN. LEGARDA LEVISTE. Just a point of clarification for Governor Singson. Dito rin po sa pahina “EE” Exhibit “EE” sa “EE 3 G” at “EE 3 H” yata ito ‘no, ‘yong sinabi niyo kanina na ibinigay niyong 1.500 at 2.500 kay Anton, at sinabi niyo Anton Prieto. Pero sinabi niyo kanina na ito ay utang ba ni Anton Prieto kay Atong Ang? ‘Yon ba ho ang inyong pagkasabi kanina?
MR. SINGSON. Ang sabi sa akin ni Atong Ang, Your Honor, kinubra niya rito. Imbes na cash na ibinigay sa akin, may utang si Anton Prieto. Mayroon yatang hindi naibigay si Anton Prieto sa kanya noon, Your Honor, so, i chinarge (charge) niya rito.
SEN. LEGARDA LEVISTE. So, ayon kay Atong Ang ay utang ni Anton Prieto kay Atong Ang itong 1.5 at 2.5.
MR. SINGSON. Parang hindi yata na deliver noon, Your Honor. At alam na ni Presidente ‘yan sabi sa akin ni Atong Ang, Your Honor.
MR. LEGARDA LEVISTE. So, ang katanungan ko nga sana ay nasagot na nga ninyo. Bakit imemenos sa pondong, allegedly ibibigay niyo kay Presidente, ‘yong utang ng dalawang taong walang kinalaman?
MR. SINGSON. Kinuha po ni Atong Ang, Your Honor, itong isinabmit niyang expenses.
SEN. LEGARDA LEVISTE. At sinabi niya sa inyo na alam na ni Presidente.
MR. SINGSON. “Alam na ni Presidente,” ang sabi ni Atong Ang, Your Honor.
SEN. LEGARDA LEVISTE. Salamat.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Counsel, Atty. Marcelo.
Anything else? Any further question? The Honorable Senator Judge Magsaysay. After that, the Honorable Judge Biazon.
SEN. MAGSAYSAY. May I explain here, Mr. Chief Justice.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. You may proceed, Your Honor.
SEN. MAGSAYSAY. Governor, itong November natin, noong sinuma natin, kulang ng one million sa November 1 to 15. Pagkatapos sa November 16 to 30, kulang na naman ng one million. Hindi po ba?
MR. SINGSON. Yes, Your Honor.
SEN. MAGSAYSAY. Two million ‘no?
MR. SINGSON. Yes, Your Honor.
SEN. MAGSAYSAY. Okay. Noong tinotal (total) natin sa kanan, 9,000 no, nine million three hundred fifty, actually, seven million three hundred fifty kasi kulang ng 2 million.
MR. SINGSON. Yes, Your Honor.
SEN. MAGSAYSAY. Ang ibig kong sabihin, pagdating doon sa “FF” carried over balance of November, bumawi naman tayo dahil hindi natin inilagay doon sa “FF 9″ down below on the right. You have recovered and put instead of 9350, you put in 7350. So, na recover ‘yong talagang tinanggal. Hindi po ba tama ‘yan?
MR. SINGSON. Hindi ako sigurado, Your Honor, pero ang tinitingnan ko lang kasi ‘yong total. Kung nagtatama ‘yong total dito sa expenses at saka dito sa bandang kanan, ‘yon lang po ang importanteng tsini check ko, Your Honor, dahil ‘yong total amount na naiiwan na pera ni Pangulong Estrada, ‘yon ang pinapansin naming masyado, Your Honor.
SEN. MAGSAYSAY. Correct. Pero…
MR. SINGSON. Kasi pagbigay namin sa mga sa mga gumagawa nito, Your Honor, paggawa ko noon, pinata transfer ko na rito, Your Honor. Siguro nagkamali sa clerical error lang ‘yong mga iba, Your Honor.
SEN. MAGSAYSAY. Every end of the month, mayroon kayong cash count? Mayroon kayong cash count every end of the month?
MR. SINGSON. Mayroon, Your Honor, mayroon.
SEN. MAGSAYSAY. So, ‘yon nga ang sinasabi ko, doon sa inyong November, your total to date, the bottom line, is 9,350,000.
MR. SINGSON. Tama, Your Honor.
SEN. MAGSAYSAY. O, ngayon, kineri over (carry over) mo doon sa December, second to the last, ‘yong 9350 naging 7350 dahil mayroon kayong cash count. So, you went back to the actual cash count which is 7350 imbes na 9350. Hindi po ba?
MR. SINGSON. Tama, Your Honor.
SEN. MAGSAYSAY. That’s all, Your Honor.
Thank you.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. After, after the Honorable Biazon, we will recognize the Honorable Sotto.
SEN. BIAZON. Thank you, Mr. Chief Justice.
Isa pong clarification lamang. Itong sa Exhibit “MM,” specifically “MM 15,” I think, ‘yong nasa huli, ‘yong 123 million. Tama po ba ito, Governor?
MR. SINGSON. Tama po, Your Honor.
SEN. BIAZON. All right. Ito po ba’y na kanino ngayon?
MR. SINGSON. Nalipat ko na kay Yolly Ricaforte. Dito nagtapos ‘yong listahan ko, Your Honor, na pinalipat ni Pangulong Estrada kay Yolanda Ricaforte sa account ni Yolanda Ricaforte na nandito na rin ‘yong mga accounting noong Fontainbleau, ‘yong pinatayo ni Presidente na casino, Your Honor.
SEN. BIAZON. Ang ibig sabihin ito po ba’y noong ilipat ninyo kay Yolanda Ricaforte ibinigay ninyo ng in the form of check or cash?
MR. SINGSON. Check, Your Honor, at saka cash ‘yong iba, Your Honor.
SEN. BIAZON. Magkano ang check nito?
MR. SINGSON. Ang matatandaan ko po, Your Honor, ‘yong 70 million na galing kay Gatchalian at saka 34 million na hindi na namin kinobra sa Fontana dahil napunta rin kay Pangulong Estrada ‘yong Fontana, Your Honor.
SEN. BIAZON. Okay. ‘Yong tseke na inyong in issue, kayo ang nag issue ng tseke?
MR. SINGSON. Hindi, si Gatchalian, Your Honor. Pinautang ni Presidente sipinautang namin, pinagpaalam ko kay Pangulong Estrada, umutang sa akin si William Gatchalian ng 62 million naging 70 million. So sinabi ko kay Pangulong Estrada, “O, sige,” sabi niya. Galing din sa jueteng, Your Honor. So pinautang ko ng 64 million, nagbigay siya ng 70 million na postdated check.
SEN. BIAZON. Okay. Ang ibig sabihin po, Gobernador, mula dito sa 123 million na ito ay pinautang ninyo si Gatchalian ng magkano?
MR. SINGSON. Sixty two million, Your Honor.
SEN. BIAZON. Sixty two million. Ang ibig sabihin, may natitira pang 61 million?
MR. SINGSON. Hindi po, Your Honor. Kasama na ‘yong accounting ito, 123 million nandoon na ‘yong accounting noong Fontainbleau, ‘yong gastos doon, Your Honor.
SEN. BIAZON. Okay.
MR. SINGSON. At in audit na ni Yolanda Ricaforte, nagbigay ako ng tseke sa kanya, Your Honor, para ma kumpleto itong 123 million.
SEN. BIAZON. Itong 123 million.
MR. SINGSON. Yes, Your Honor.
SEN. BIAZON. Itong lahat po ay… ‘Yong kay Gatchalian tseke?
MR. SINGSON. Yes, Your Honor.
SEN. BIAZON. ‘Yong natitira, tseke pa rin ang ibinigay kay Yolanda Ricaforte?
MR. SINGSON. Tseke ‘yong iba, Your Honor, iba cash, Your Honor.
SEN. BIAZON. Magkano ‘yong cash?
MR. SINGSON. Hindi ko na matandaan, Your Honor. Pero 123 million ang tinarn (turn) over ko sa kanya, Your Honor.
SEN. BIAZON. Thank you, Mr. Chief Justice.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. The Honorable Senator Judge Sotto.
SEN. SOTTO. Thank you, Mr. Chief Justice.
Very briefly, nalito lang po ako noon sa kasagutan ng ating testigo doon sa tanong ni Senator Judge Magsaysay. Because Governor Singson, you said that in Exhibit “EE 1 A,” noong ipina total ni Senator Judge Enrile ang naging total po ay 11.4, hindi po ba?
MR. SINGSON. Yes, Your Honor.
SEN. SOTTO. Yes. So doon po naman sa “EE 2 A,” ang naging total ay 12.750, noong pina total po sa inyo, hindi po ba?
MR. SINGSON. Yes, Your Honor.
SEN. SOTTO. So, hindi po 2 million ‘yong nawawala, 2.5?
MR. SINGSON. Hindi ko alam, Your Honor. Ang importante po sa amin kasi, Your Honor, pagka pinagawa na namin ito at nililinis, ‘yong total amount ang tsini check namin, dino double check, Your Honor. At dito sa ledger na ito, Your Honor, nagtama naman ‘yong mga entrada rito sa bandang kanan.
SEN. SOTTO. Oo, pero ‘yong pong pino point out kanina doon sa susunod na pahina, doon po sa total for November balance nakalagay sa “FF-9†exhibit naman po yong 7.350 na sinasabing na-correct ay hindi naman po na-correct.
MR. SINGSON. Hindi ko po alam Your Honor, pero kung mindan nagkakamali siguro iyong naglipat dito, Your Honor. Pero tini-check na namin pag naglipat na lahat. Iyong total ang importante sa amin, Your Honor. So tini-check ko itong total Your Honor, at nagtatama naman lahat.
SEN. SOTTO. Oo nga po. Pero and maliwanag lang gusto ko lang linawing na hindi accurate sabihin marahil na ang kasagutan nyo kanina ay tama, e. So hindi tama po iyon. Medyo may mali talaga sa parteng yon..
MR. SINGSON. Hindi ko na alam, Your Honor, dahil wala akong calculator dito na may papel para ma check nang husto, Your Honor.
SEN. SOTTO. Okay. Maraming salamat po.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Any further question?
The Honorable Enrile.
SEN. ENRILE. Ginoong Witness, ito bang kabuuan ng kinolekta ninyo na pera sa jueteng, sang ayon sa inyong deklarasyon, eh nasasaad dito sa mga dokumento na ito?
MR. SINGSON. Paki ulit, Your Honor.
SEN. ENRILE. Ang kabuuan ng kinolekta ninyong pera sa jueteng magsimula noong hinawakan ninyo itong problema na ito, sang ayon sa inyo, noong November 1998 hanggang Agosto 2000, ay nalalagay sa lahat nitong dokumento na ito?
MR. SINGSON. Hindi po, Your Honor. ‘Yong binigay ni Yolly Ricaforte, Your Honor, ‘yon po ‘yong ibang pahina nito, Your Honor.
SEN. ENRILE. Kaya nga. Dito sa binigay ninyo, November 1st, 1998 hanggang July 30, 1999, and then August 1, 1999 all the way to August 31, 2000 ay ito ang kabuuan ng kinolekta ninyo?
MR. SINGSON. Opo, Your Honor.
SEN. ENRILE. Okay. Doon po sa inyong affidavit na nakalakip dito sa Articles of Impeachment, basahin ko po sa inyo ang deklarasyon ninyo. Ang sabi ninyo:
“I normally collected about 32 to P35 million a month when I took over from Atong Ang.”
You took over from Atong Ang from November 1, 1998 all the way to August 1999. Kumpyotin n’yo nga po kung magkano ang dapat na total koleksiyon mo magmula noong November 1998 hanggang August 1999 at an average of 32 to P35 million a month?
MR. SINGSON. ‘Yong 32 to 35 million, Your Honor, draft noong affidavit ko ‘yan bago dumating itong ledger, Your Honor.
SEN. ENRILE. Samakatuwid hindi totoo ‘yong sinabi ninyo sa affidavit ninyo?
MR. SINGSON. Totoo, Your Honor.
SEN. ENRILE. Kung totoo eh kumpiyotin mo lang.
MR. SINGSON. Hindi nga. Sabi ko, 32 to 35 dahil wala pa ‘yong ledger, Your Honor, noong pinagawa ko ‘yong affidavit. Tapos, noong ipina finalize na, noong finalized na, noong natanggap ko na itong kabuuan, itong ledger kay Yolly Ricaforte, that was the time na pina finalize ko ‘yong affidavit ko, Your Honor.
SEN. ENRILE. Ang gusto ko lang malaman, bilang hukom po, alin ba ang totoo, ‘yong ledger o itong affidavit mo na nakalakip sa Articles of Impeachment?
MR. SINGSON. Parehong totoo, Your Honor.
SEN. ENRILE. Totoo na kumukolekta ka ng 32 to 35 million a month…
MR. SINGSON. Ibig sabihin n’yan, Your Honor,…
SEN. ENRILE. … from November… Sandali lang po.
MR. SINGSON. Yes, Your Honor, sorry.
SEN. ENRILE. … November 1998 hanggang August ’99. Kung totoo ‘yan, kumpiyotin mo lang at i compare mo lang po dito sa ledger.
MR. MARCELO. Just for clarification, Your Honor.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Are you objecting to the question?
MR. MARCELO. No, Your Honor, I am asking for a clarification.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. I don’t think that can be allowed.
MR. MARCELO. No, Your Honor, I think,…
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. No, a Member of the Tribunal is asking the question to the witness. If you believe that the question is objectionable, you may be allowed to object, but I doubt very much if you could make a manifestation and interrupt the question as well as the process of the answer.
SEN. ENRILE. Mr. Chief Justice, the question I am asking is very simple.
This affidavit attached to the Articles of Impeachment speaks of a figure of collection from the time this witness took over the jueteng operation, according to him, all the way to August of 1999. That’s why I asked whether his total collection was covered by this whole document.
Now, I want him to compute 32 to 35 million pesos a month from November 1999 all the way to August 1999 and compare it with the collection that he testified to under these two these documents.
MR. MARCELO. I have an objection, Your Honor.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. What is the ground of the objection?
MR. MARCELO. It is misleading, Your Honor.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Objection overruled. The witness may answer.
MR. MARCELO. May we ask for a reconsideration, Your Honor. I think he was referring to August year 2000 and not year 1999.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Then the witness could make the proper correction. He is more in a position to answer on the basis of the facts.
SEN. ENRILE. I’m even very kind to the witness, Mr. Chief Justice. If he wants to compute it up to August 2000, I’m very happy if he will do that.
Because that is a declaration under oath by him before he even came to a courtroom like this.
MR. SINGSON. Can I explain now, Your Honor?
SEN. ENRILE. It cannot be both true the figures contained in these documents and the figures contained in the affidavit.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. The witness may now answer the question.
MR. SINGSON. Noong ginawa ko iyang affidavit, Your Honor, pina draft ko muna. Kinausap ko muna iyong abogado ko. ‘Kako, Tinanong niya, “Ano ba ang koleksyon ninyo?”
“Eh siguro mga 32 to 35,” dahil wala sa akin iyong ledger noon, Your Honor.
So idinraft (draft) na niya, ginawa na, Your Honor. At noong pinadala ni Yolly Ricaforte ito, Your Honor, doon ko sinabi na iyan na nga ‘yong… ituloy na iyong affidavit ‘kako, at pinirmahan ko na noong hapon, Your Honor. So noong ginawa noong abogado ko iyong affidavit, tinanong lang niya sa akin kung magkano. So 32 to 35 ‘kako, Your Honor, dahil wala po iyong… hindi kumpleto itong ledger. So noong natanggap ko lahat iyong ledger, Your Honor, “Ituloy na ‘yan,” ‘kako at pinirmahan ko na kaagad, Your Honor. So ‘yon ang nangyari. Kaya tama iyong affidavit ko dahil iyon ang paniwala ko, Your Honor. Tama rin itong ledger.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Do you have a question, Honorable Cayetano?
SEN. CAYETANO. I just have, sir, an observation.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. What’s that?
SEN. CAYETANO. I have an observation, Mr…
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. An observation?
SEN. CAYETANO. Yes.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Not a question to be directed to the witness?
SEN. CAYETANO. I will make an observation first then I will make the necessary question.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. What would be the purpose of the observation, Your Honor?
SEN. CAYETANO. Well, to call the attention, Mr. Chief Justice, about this affidavit.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. The affidavit?
SEN. CAYETANO. Yes.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. So you will now ask question on the affidavit?
SEN. CAYETANO. Yes, yes.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER.You may proceed.
SEN. CAYETANO. Mr. Witness, dito sa affidavit mo, ito ang sinabi mo ‘no.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER.You are referring, Your
Honor, to the affidavit attached to the Articles of Impeachment?
SEN. CAYETANO.Yes, yes, the one delivered I mean, dated 14 of September 2000.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Would you show a copy of that affidavit to the witness so he could be guided accordingly.
SEN. CAYETANO. May kopya ka na ba, Governor Singson?
MR. SINGSON. Meron na po, Your Honor.
SEN. CAYETANO. Dito sa paragraph 4, sa page 1, nakalagay rito, and I’ll read this in English, second sentence: “Complying with his instruction starting November 1998, I took over from Atong Ang and normally collected about…” and I would like to emphasize, “about 32 to 35 million pesos a month.”
Now, Governor Singson, ito ang affidavit mo hindi ba?
MR. SINGSON. Opo, Your Honor.
SEN. CAYETANO. Dito sa binasa ko sa ‘yo doon sa huling sentence, “about 32 to 35 million pesos a month,” wala kang sinabing petsa roon. wala kang sinabing petsa roon. Wala kang sinabing year, ‘no?
MR. SINGSON. Wala po, Your Honor.
SEN. CAYETANO. Gusto ko lang liwanagin iyan para malaman natin kung talagang tama nga itong affidavit mo as against the ledger.
That’s all, Mr. Witness.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Thank you, Your Honor.
Attorney Marcelo, you may proceed.
MR. SINGSON. Sasagutin ko iyun, Your Honor, or hindi na?
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. It was only an observation.
MR. MARCELO. Pupunta na po tayo duon sa Exhibit “C.”
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Exhibit?
MR. MARCELO. “C.” Ito po iyung dinala ni Yolanda Ricaforte dito sa Kagalang galang na Senado.
Governor Singson, puwede po bang paki tingnan ninyo at paki eksamin din ninyo itong Exhibit “C”?
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Attorney Mendoza.
MR. MENDOZA. Before the witness answers the question, may I manifest, if Your Honors please, that Mrs. Ricaforte brought these ledgers but she did not identify them. She was not requested to do so.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. That is a matter of record.
MR. MARCELO. Yes, Your Honor.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. The documents were brought here only for purposes of marking for safekeeping. So no witness had so far identified the exhibits so marked and which were the documents produced by Ricaforte.
MR. MENDOZA. So that questions which are propounded to the witness may not be predicated on a prior identification of these exhibits.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Counsel for the prosecution may consider that in the meantime.
MR. MARCELO. With due respect, Your Honor. Can we refer to the stenographic notes? I think I asked a question already as who prepared the ledger, Exhibit “C,” and he answered “Yolanda Ricaforte.” And then he said, “He supervised also the preparation of this Exhibit `C’.”
May we ask the stenographer? I think that was at the beginning before I asked questions on the ledger.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. But consider the fact, Attorney Marcelo, that these documents had not been identified by any witness yet.
MR. MARCELO. Your Honor…
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. They are simply placed in the custody of the Court, upon request of the prosecution, to preserve its integrity and security.
MR. MARCELO. If my memory serves me right, Your Honor, I think this witness already identified …
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. All of them?
MR. MARCELO. Yes, Your Honor, both Exhibit “EE” to …
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. “C.”
MR. MARCELO. … “FF.”
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. “C”, all the way down?
MR. MARCELO. Yes, Your Honor. I think he said …
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. If that had been the fact and it had been identified, you may proceed.
MR. MARCELO. Natignan n’yo na po ba itong Exhibit “C”?
Exhibit “C” lang po.
MR. SINGSON. C?
MR. MARCELO. Opo. Naiksamin n’yo na po?
MR. SINGSON. Opo, Your Honor. Nakita ko na rin po ito nuong Blue Ribbon Committee, Your Honor. Napirmahan na ni Yolanda Ricaforte, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Napansin ko po na mayroon po itong pagkakaiba duon sa mga naunang exhibits, pahina ng ledger. Dito po sa gawing kaliwa, na minarkahan po na Exhibit “C 13″, ay ang nakasulat na po ay hindi po mga
probinsiya kundi may mga letra na lang po sa ilalim nuong kataga na “team.” At sa kabila naman po, ay mayroon pong nakalagay na kataga na “points,” at pagkatapos ay may mga numero.
Kung alam po ninyo, pakiliwanag, pakibigyan mo nga kami ng paliwanag kung bakit, ano itong mga entradang ito?
MR. SINGSON. Nuong nailipat ko na po iyung pera saka accounting ng Fontainbleau, kay Mrs. Ricaforte, 123 million, nag umpisa po ulit dito at pinalitan niya itong mga … nilagyan ng code name itong mga probinsiya, Your Honor.
So pareho rin, pero pinalitan niya ang code name. Nilagyan na po ni Mrs. Ricaforte ito, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Ito po bang mga … ano po ba ang ibig sabihin ng mga code names na po ito? Ano po ang ni re represent nila?
MR. SINGSON. Code name iyung mga probinsiya, Your Honor. Pare pareho rin po ito, nagbago lang ang mga pangalan. Pero the same provinces, Your Honor. Binigyan ni Ricaforte ng code name, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Doon po sa kabila, iyon pong mga bilang na mga nakalagay, ano po ang ibig sabihin niyan?
MR. SINGSON. Nilagyan din niya ng code name iyong amount, naging point. Pareho rin, Your Honor. At iyon din po ang parehong pareho po. At dito po, nandito rin po iyong mga koleksyon ng jueteng money, Your Honor, ng total amount bawat probinsiya, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Sinasabi ninyo po na parehong pareho po. Saan ninyo po ikinukumpara itong Exhibit “C”?
MR. SINGSON. Dito po sa nauna, Your Honor, iyong November to July, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. For the record, Your Honor, the witness was referring to Exhibit “EE” up to Exhibit “MM”.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Make it of record.
MR. MARCELO. Pupunta po tayo dito sa gawing kanan ng Exhibit “C”. Dito po may nakatala na 5.000 AS, 9/6 8 o’clock A.M., 9/6 8 o’clock A.M. at ito po ay minarkahan na Exhibit “C 15″. Ano po ba ang ibig sabihin nito?
MR. SINGSON. Five (5) million, Asiong Salonga, 9/6, 8 A.M. Ito po iyong date at saka oras, Your Honor, Asiong Salonga, napunta rin kay Pangulong Estrada, Your Honor. Ako pa rin ang nagbigay nito, Your Honor. Ipinalista ko lang kay Yolanda Ricaforte, Your Honor. Siya na ang gumagawa nito, Your Honor, pero sinu supervise ko rin at kino correct ko rin iyong mga total, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Sabi ninyo po iyong 9/6 ay September 6 at 8 o’clock A.M. Bakit po nalagay po iyong entradang iyan diyan, kung alam ninyo po?
MR. SINGSON. Sinabi ko kay Yolanda Ricaforte, Your Honor, na maaga akong ipinatawag ni Pangulong Estrada kaya alas otso ng umaga sa kuwarto niya mismo sa Malacañang, Your Honor, ibinigay ko ito, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Ito pong susunod ay .200 payroll expenses at ito po ay minarkahan na Exhibit “C 16.” Ano po ba ang ibig sabihin nito?
MR. SINGSON. Hindi na sila sumusuweldo sa casino, Your Honor, kaya naglagay na rin sila ng payroll expenses nila Yolanda Ricaforte, Your Honor. Dito po nagkapalit na kami ng trabaho ni Ricaforte, Your Honor. Siya na ang gumagawa nito, tsine check ko na lang, Your Honor, at nagde deliver kay Pangulong Estrada.
MR. MARCELO. Minensyon (mention) mo na ito’y payroll expenses para sila, sino po ba iyong sila?
MR. SINGSON. Yolanda Ricaforte, Menchu Itchon, Emma Lim at saka mga iba, Your Honor, na nasa opisina ko, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Iyon pong susunod na entrada, Exhibit “C 19″, 5.000 AS 8/16 ’99 at sa kabila po ay may 8/16 ’99. Minarkahan na po ito ng Exhibit “C 19.” Ano po ang ibig sabihin nito?
MR. SINGSON. Five (5) million, Asiong Salonga, 8/16 ’99, Your Honor, ito po iyong date noong naibigay at ako po rin po ang nagbigay nito, Your Honor, kay Pangulong Estrada, the same month, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Iyong sumunod pong entrada, 2.000, JimPol, August sino pong nag at minarkahan po itong “C 20″. Ano pong ibig sabihin noong entradang ito?
MR. SINGSON. Jimmy Policarpio, Your Honor, 2 million, Secretary Jimmy Policarpio, iyong buwan buwan na kinukuha niya ito, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Iyon pong susunod na entrada ay 15.200, total expenses at minarkahan na pong “C 21″, ano po ang ibig sabihin nito?
MR. SINGSON. Ito po iyong total expenses for August, fifteen million two hundred, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Ang susunod ko pong itatanong sa inyo ay iyong entrada na “C 22″ na babasahin ko po, “29.460, total for August.” Ano po ang ibig sabihin nito?
MR. SINGSON. Ito po iyong total collection noong August, Your Honor, 29,460,000, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. At ang susunod po ay 15.200 expenses. Minarkahan ko po ito ng Exhibit “C 23″. Ano po ang ibig sabihin nito?
MR. SINGSON. Minus iyong expenses, Your Honor, fifteen million two hundred iyong expenses, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Ang susunod pong entrada ay 14.260, subtotal at ito po ay minarkahan na Exhibit “C-24″. Ano po ang ibig sabihin nito?
MR. SINGSON. Fourteen million two hundred sixty thousand subtotal, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. ‘Yon pong susunod ay 2.60 tax at minarkahan po ito na “C-25″. Ano po ang ibig sabihin nito?
MR. SINGSON. ‘Yong 260, Your Honor, ‘yon po ang napunta sa akin, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. At para saan po ito?
MR. SINGSON. ‘Yong mga pinabibili ni Pangulong Estrada kung minsan inaabono ko, Your Honor, kung minsan nakakalimutan kong singilin dito sa pera ni Pangulong Estrada, Your Honor. Alam po niya ito, Your Honor, dahil pinag-paalam ko po sa kanya, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Ang susunod po na entrada ay 14.000 total to date at minarkahan po ito na Exhibit “C-26″. Ano po ba ang ibig sabihin nito?
MR. SINGSON. Ito na po ‘yong bagong pera ni Pangulong Estrada na dinagdag din sa P123 million, Your Honor, pero si Yolanda Ricaforte na nangongolekta rito ay nagde-deposito sa account niya, ‘yong bagong account, P14 million total todate. Itong page na ito, Your Honor.
MR. MARCELO. Binanggit n’yo po na dito sa Exhibit “C” ay ang nakalagay na lang po sa total todate nga ay ‘yong net collection po for August 1999, samantalang doon po sa nakaraan po, ‘yong pinakahuli po bago itong Exhibit “C”, ‘yong Exhibit “MM”, ay ang nakalagay po doon sa total to date at minarkahan po itong Exhibit “MM-15″ ay P123 million. Paki eksplika nga po kung bakit ganyan po ang nangyari?
MR. SINGSON. Dahil pinalilipat na po ni Pangulong Estrada itong mga — dahil marami na pong naipon, at pinalilipat na po ni Pangulong Estrada ‘yong kalokohan na pinagagawang Muslim Foundation. Dahil madalas sabihin sa akin, “pinapag-aral ko ang Muslim,” sabi niya, pero wala siyang pinapag-aral na Muslim.
MR. MARCELO. Noong…?
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. The Majority Leader. With the permission of Atty. Marcelo.
THE MAJORITY LEADER. Mr. Chief Justice, kung maaari lang po isang clarification lang po doon sa Exhibit “C”.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Yes, you may proceed.
THE MAJORITY LEADER. Sa “C-15″ ‘yong first line po ano, ‘yong 5.000 AS 9-6 8AM, ito pong ating pinag-uusapan, Agosto, ‘yong 9/6 po ay September po ‘yan. Pareho po noong mali kanina. Ito po ba’y mali o tama?
MR. SINGSON. Tama po ‘yan, Your Honor.
THE MAJORITY LEADER. September?
MR. SINGSON. Kinuha noong September dito lang na-ilista. Tama po ‘yan, Your Honor. Si Yolanda Ricaforte ang naglista. Nakuha pero dito linista. Kasi hindi namin ginagawa kaagad ‘to. Kung minsan hindi dumarating lahat ‘yong koleksyon, may mga additional na hindi namin nakokolekta pero nakasulat na po rito. Or kaya may tumalbog na tseke kaya hindi namin pina-finalize muna, Your Honor. Kaya kung minsan nakakakuha siya ng ibang kuwan.
THE MAJORITY LEADER. Mr. Chief Justice, bago po tayo malito, sinabi po n’yo kanina na itong listahan na ito ginagawa n’yo buwan-buwan, pagkatapos ng buwan. Ngayon sinasabi n’yo na itong listahan ng Agosto ay may entry na should belong to September dahil kinuha noong Septyembre. Medyo po salungat ito doon sa sinabi n’yo kanina noong ako’y magtanong tungkol doon sa Mayo at Hunyo.
MR. SINGSON. Hindi po, Your Honor, hindi po salungat ito. Sinasabi ko na nga na ‘yong nakaraang buwan kumuha ng pera ‘yong araw na ‘yon. Hindi naman namin puwedeng palitan ang date. Pero hindi pa tapos ito, Your Honor. Mayroong buwan kung minsan, Your Honor, na hindi pa dumarating ‘yong mga koleksyon. Hindi agad-agad dumarating. Kung minsan nga tumatalbog ‘yong tseke. So hindi lahat. Ginagawa namin ipa-finalize tuwing katapusan ng buwan pero meron buwan na matagal bago ma-isara. Dahil bago kami magkwenta uli, Your Honor, sa ika-15th ng buwan na naman.
THE MAJORITY LEADER. Thank you, Mr. Chief Justice.
MR. SINGSON. So posible po itong nangyayari, Your Honor.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Yes, Atty. Marcelo. Ah, the Honorable Judge Cayetano.
SEN. CAYETANO. Governor Singson, may napansin lang ako ‘no. Dito sa Exhibit “C”, itong pinag-uusapan natin ngayon ano na minarkahang Exhibit “C” hanggang “C-12″, napansin ko doon sa kanang bahagi o, meron yatang parang calculator entry o pahina, ano? Pero dito naman sa Exhibit “EE”, iyong katatapos mo lang, ‘no, na hanggang Exhibit “MM”, wala naman sa kanang kamay sa kanang bahagi, walang parang pahina na may calculator.
Maaari bang i explain mo sa amin ang pagbabago nito?
MR. SINGSON. Dito po, Your Honor, natse check mabuti nuong si Yolly Ricaforte, Your Honor, ang gumagawa nito pero sinu supervise ko rin. So, komo accountant si Yolly Ricaforte, ginagawa po ito, Your Honor. Dito po, hindi naman ako accountant kaya pag natapos iyong listahan, importante sa akin ay iyong total amount, ipinapagawa ko kaagad sa opisina, Your Honor.
SEN. CAYETANO. Gusto mo bang sabihin, Governor, para maliwanagan ko lang, ‘no. Simula ng Agosto 1 to 15, 1999, ‘no…
MR. SINGSON. Yes, Your Honor.
SEN. CAYETANO. …na ang sabi mo ay nakialam na dito si Mrs. Ricaforte, ay nilagyan na niya bawat pahina o bawat buwan nitong calculator ano, suma.
MR. SINGSON. Yes, Your Honor.
SEN. CAYETANO. At doon naman sa iyong Exhibit “EE” hanggang “MM” ay wala, ano?
MR. SINGSON. Wala po, Your Honor.
SEN. CAYETANO. Salamat.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Yes…
MR. SINGSON. At pati iyong sagot ko po kay Honorable Tatad, iyon pong nagsulat nito, si Yolanda Ricaforte na, Your Honor, dahil siya ang gumagawa nito, sinu supervise ko lang at tsine check ko iyong total.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. The Honorable Biazon.
MR. SINGSON. Hindi na po ako gumagawa nito, Your Honor, sinu supervise ko na lang.
SEN. BIAZON. For clarification, Mr. Chief Justice, still on Exhibit “C.” On Exhibit “C 13,” first line, we have there on the left column, “COSU’ and then in the same level line, there is this notation “Held by 258.”
What is the meaning of this, if you know, Governor?
MR. SINGSON. Ah, sinulat po ni Yolanda Ricaforte ito, Your Honor. At ibig sabihin nito, Your Honor, na hold iyong collection dito, Your Honor.
SEN. BIAZON. And “COSU” is referring to a province?
MR. SINGSON. Ilocos Sur, Your Honor.
SEN. BIAZON. Ilocos Sur.
MR. SINGSON. Yes, Your Honor.
SEN. BIAZON. And the meaning is that the collection here because there is none indicated in the rightmost column, ‘no, is held by 258?
MR. SINGSON. Sinabi ko, Your Honor, na wala pang koleksyon diyan, Your Honor.
SEN. BIAZON. Kanya nga, “Held by 258.”
MR. SINGSON. Iyon ang sinulat ni Yolanda Ricaforte, Your Honor, sinabi ko na wala pa iyong koleksyon diyan sa kanya noon.
SEN. BIAZON. What is the significance of number “258″?
MR. SINGSON. Iyon po ang ibinigay na code name ko, Your Honor. Code name ko ito, Your Honor.
SEN. BIAZON. Ah, “258″ refers to Governor Singson?
MR. SINGSON. Yes, Your Honor.
SEN. BIAZON. All right. In the same manner, for Exhibit “C 14,” for COSU which, as you have testified, refers to Ilocos Sur. There is also the same notation, “Held by 258.”
MR. SINGSON. Yes, Your Honor.
SEN. BIAZON. Thank you, Mr. Chief Justice.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. What’s the pleasure of the Majority Leader?
THE SENATE PRESIDENT. Before the Majority…
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. The Honorable Senate President.
THE SENATE PRESIDENT. Yes. I would like to suggest to counsel for both parties that probably to shorten the proceedings, they may come to stipulation that “GOMA” refers to PNP Chief; “Total Expenses” refer to the expenses for the month adverted to; “JIMPOL” refers to Policarpio; “AS” refers to Asiong Salonga which has been repeatedly mentioned already, Mr. Chief Justice.
I wonder if the counsel can probably come to that.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Perhaps, he could consider the suggestion.
The Majority Leader.
THE MAJORITY LEADER. Chief Justice, it’s now 7:56, four minutes before 8:00. As agreed, we terminate at 8:00. At this point, I move to suspend this trial until two o’clock in the afternoon, tomorrow, Thursday, 14th of…
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Not in the morning?
THE MAJORITY LEADER. Not in the morning.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Well, anyway, before we adjourn, the Presiding Officer will make of record a notice that he received from the Secretary of the Senate which the Office of the Chief Justice received at 4:40 p.m. of 12 13 200. This is a notice serving upon the Chief Justice a copy of an urgent counter manifestation filed at 3:25 p.m., 13 December by the counsel for the defense. The urgent counter manifestation signed by Attorneys Raul Daza and Raymund Parsifal A. Fortun refers to the Urgent Manifestation Re: Alleged Death Threats to Propose Prosecution Witnesses, Attorneys Perfecto Yasay, Jr. and Ruben Almadro; the second paragraph of which states: “They hereby make it of record that their client, the President, has nothing to do with the said threats or incidents, if true.”
This urgent counter manifestation shall be made part of the journal for today’s proceedings. The…
MR. MARCELO. Your Honor.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Yes.
MR. MARCELO. Before we terminate today’s proceedings, I’ll just like to ask permission to take possession of Exhibit “C” to “C 12″, Your Honor.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. You can have these were the exhibits marked earlier?
MR. MARCELO. Yes, Your Honor.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. One produced by…
MR. MARCELO. Governor Singson which is Exhibit…
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Now in the meantime it should stay with the custodian after it was so marked. You can come early tomorrow morning and make a study on the other documents related thereto.
MR. MARCELO. Then for the record, Your Honor, we are now turning over this document previously marked as Exhibit “C”, “C 1″ to “C 12″ to the Secretary of the Senate, Your Honor.
THE PRESIDING OFFICER. Return them back to the custodian.
So, there is a pending motion to suspend the trial until 2 o’clock tomorrow afternoon. Remember that tomorrow also we will have to go beyond one hour more to recover what we lost yesterday. So, the witness is advised to come back tomorrow at that particular time for the continuation of the testimony.
In the meantime, the witness is excused.
Session suspended until 2 o’clock tomorrow afternoon.
THE SESSION WAS SUSPENDED AT 8:00 P.M.