Too Brazen!!!

BRAZEN! This was the only word I can utter upon hearing the phrase: "Sec. may 200 ka dyan." On 26 September 2007, the three standing committees of the Senate continued its ZTE hearing with the maiden appearance of former NEDA Director General Romy Neri. The meeting lasted well beyond 12 hours and led to an Executive Session when now CHED Chair invoked executive privilege in order not to respond to questions involving President Arroyo.

The photo I chose here shows COMELEC Chair Benjamin Abalos almost taunting the mild mannered Neri when he told the committees that Chairman Abalos made the bribe offer. Where on earth do you see a person like Abalos who, under oath, lied to the Senators and the people in the gallery and those watching the ANC coverage by saying he does not remember the figure mentioned when even Neri does not know if the amount is Php200.00 or Php200,000.00 or Php200,000,000.00. He was already taunting Neri, lying to the people, and offering a incredible story on the amount offered. And yet, what does a COMELEC chair who cannot implement the modernization program, is in the thick of preparations for the May 2007 election, doing with the Digital Infrastructure program of the Arroyo Government?

Why does he have more time playing golf in Wack-Wack than transforming the COMELEC into a better coordinated and well-responsive agency of government tasked with election administration? After the Garci caper in 2004 now comes ZTE in 2007. He is set to retire February 2008, the 6 years has indeed been too... brazen!!!