TAMPOK

Who's the truest of them all?

Flor Cabangis

For 24 days, the impeachment trial gripped the nation. Each day of the trial revealed truths of the magnitude of corruption that involved the presidency and tainted even financial institutions. Forum is now publishing quotes from witnesses who testified during the impeachment trial so the people may not forget who was telling the truth.

"When he signed Jose Velarde, I just couldn't believe it. He did not sign his real name so I did not authenticate it." When asked how far she was from the president, she said, "about a foot away."

-Clarissa Ocampo, Senior Vice-President and Trust Officer, Equitable-PCI

"President Estrada directed me: Kilala mo naman si Gov. Singson. Siya ngayon ang namamahala ng jueteng sa Luzon. Tulungan mo siya at mag-coordinate kayong dalawa."

- Roberto Lastimoso, former chief, PNP

(In answer to : Bakit ka nangongolekta ng pera ng jueteng na alam mong ilegal?" "Nangangamba din po ako...Pero sino naman po ako...para kay Presidente po iyon."

- Emma Lim, Gov. Singson's Secretary at LCS, the firm that takes charge of jueteng collections

"Ako'y nagulat. Hindi ko inakala na ang isang pangulo ng bansa ay magsasalita at magmumuwestra ng ganoong klase. Dahil sinasabi niya na isang kaibigan niya ay sinuhulan ng isang opisyal ng gobyerno at wala siyang ginawa upang ito's pigilin, upang usigin kung sino man ang may kasalanan dahil ito po'y bribery po." (Referring to President Estrada)

- Ruben Almadro, former head, PSE Fraud Dept.

(Referring to the testimony of Ricaforte) "She is telling lies, Your Honor."

- Menchu Itchon, Gov. Singson's Secretary at Fontainebleu

"President Estrada told me: "Go easy on my friend, Dante Tan. I was under pressure "from the top" to absolve Dante Tan."

- Perfecto Yasay, Jr., Former Chair, Securities and Exchange Comm

"Tan and Estrada are partners in BW. Estrada once told me in Filipino: "Ed, I have already made a killing on BW."

- Edgardo Espiritu, Former Finance Secretary

"Hindi lang gambling lord yan. Magnanakaw at sinungaling pa. Kaya hindi tayo dapat maniwala sa mga sinasabi n'ya." (Referring to Gov. Singson)

-"Atong"Ang, PAGCOR Consultant

"No, Your Honor. I am not an accountant and never worked as an accountant. I never represented President Estrada in the jueteng business nor any other business. I didn't know that the money turned over to me for deposit into the personal accounts as instructed by Gov. Singson came from jueteng collections."

- Yolanda Ricaforte, Alleged Auditor of Erap's jueteng money

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