Then Supreme Court Chief Justice Reynato S. Puno (right) administers the oath-taking of new Supreme Court Associate Justice Lucas Bersamin at the Supreme Court building along Padre Faura Street in Manila in 2009.(File Photo philstar.com)
By Pedro Abreno
When Gloria Macapagal Arroyo became president, one of her plans was to collect judges and justices of both the Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court like coins in her purse. Because of her evil plans and countless violations of the Constitution and human rights, she needed a subservient Supreme Court composed of justices she could manipulate like puppets on a string. And so in her over nine years in office, GMA did not appoint any member of the judiciary based on judicial philosophy and record. Most of those she appointed were people she personally knew or were endorsed to her by people in her inner circle.
In April, 2009, the appointment of CA Justice Lucas Bersamin only served to validate this suspicion. The appointment of Lucas Bersamin to the highest court of the land spoke volumes about the selection and appointment of justices in our country – connections more than competence and record. It would be well to remember that even much more important than competence is the integrity and character of the aspirant.
Two cases in point are those of CA Justice Martin Villarama Jr. and Sandiganbayan Justice Francisco Villaruz, both of whom had no political connections. Villaruz was shortlisted for the SC six times while Villarama was shortlisted nine times. Both of them received unanimous or great majority of the votes from the 8-member Judicial and Bar Council. Both of them consistently landed as the top three choices. With regards to seniority, Villarama ranked 3rd and had 0 back log cases. There are 69 justices in the CA. Lucas Bersamin ranked only 16th in seniority. But he was first in one category, the number of back log cases which numbered over 900 cases. Lucas Bersamin was appointed to the Supreme Court in April, 2009, way ahead of both Villarama and Villaruz who were both more eminently qualified and ahead in seniority. With over 900 back log cases, it is abundantly clear that Lucas Bersamin slept on the job and failed to fulfill his duty but was rewarded with an appointment to the SC, notwithstanding.
Bersamin was backed up by SC Justice Diosdado Peralta who was appointed slightly ahead of him in January, 2009. Their friendship dates back to the 1990s. It was Bersamin who nominated Peralta and and the latter returned the favor by cheering him on, a simple case of “scratch my back and I will scratch yours”.
Now, why was Peralta’s backing considered vital? The father of Justice Peralta, Judge Elviro Peralta was a close friend of President Diosdado Macapagal. In fact, Justice Peralta was named Diosdado after the late president. Justice Peralta also loved to suck it up to GMA. He led judges seeking to be promoted to witness GMA’s inauguration in Cebu in 2004. This act is inappropriate to say the least. It is a violation of the code of conduct of the judiciary. Moreover, Peralta succeeded in getting himself into the good graces of Carlos de Leon and his wife, Erlinda Macapagal Bautista de Leon, GMA’s first cousin and confidential secretary. She was a member of the palace committee vetting nominees to the judiciary. It is also a well known fact that she brings orders from the palace to some SC justices in their homes. Again, this is a violation of the code of conduct of the judiciary.
It was Peralta who brought Lucas Bersamin to the inner circle of the de Leons. Lucas Bersamin was reported to have said, “They are my friends”, referring to the de Leon couple. As the old saying goes, “the rest is history”. Lucas Bersamin leaf-frogged over a number of more senior justices..
Be that as it may, appointment by the corrupt GMA cannot be considered a badge of honor. Look back at the manicurist and gardener of GMA whom she appointed as members of the board of directors of government owned and controlled corporations. They did not even have the benefit of complete education. Look again at the controversial Udong Mahusay, the messenger who spilled the beans about the shenanigans of First Gentleman Mike Arroyo, including his relationship with his paramour, Vicky Toh. The brother of Udong who convinced him to drop the charges against Mike Arroyo was amply rewarded with an appointment as member of the board of directors of MWSS. He recieved several millions a year from allowances and over 50 kinds of bonus invented by the top officials of the MWSS.
Villarama and Villaruz were more eminently qualified and ahead in terms of seniority. Unfortunately, devoid of political connections, they were overtaken by more junior and less qualified peers. “HONOR LIES NOT IN AN APPOINTMENT TO A LOFTY POSITION BUT IN DESERVING IT”. It would have made me proud because a fellow Abreno was appointed to the SC, but with the circumstances surrounding the appointment, honestly I’m appalled. What I saw was a person discarding the rules of fair play just to get ahead of others.
Acknowlegement goes to Marites Danguilan-Vitug, author and publisher of “Shadow of Doubt” and the courageous men and women of the Philippine Daily Inquirer and the Philippine Star. The book, the editorials and columns served as the basis of the meat of this article.
abrenian.com 
Apo Pedro Abrenio, mayat man daytoy in-post mo, kaano ngata nga mabaliwan ti kasta a sistema?Ultimon to pay kababaan a position iti Gobyerno ket saan nga dagidiay most qualified ti maha-hire. Agpatingga tayo lattan iti ngesnges a awan met mabalintayo. Kasta ti Kapigsa ti Pulitika, saklawen na amin.
Posted by uttig | August 26, 2013, 6:41 pmNakangatngato ti respetok ken ni PA kadagiti napalabas
nga comments na iti adu nga issues ditoy a.com ngem
mahilig met gayam ti . . . CHIZMIS!!!
Ania ngata nga talaga ti punto na maipangep iti daytoy?
Posted by philam | August 27, 2013, 12:09 amWith all due respect PHILAM, it all started with the post of TAGAMASID in another thread about the concern of Lucas Bersamin on being impeached. The article is not CHIZMIZ. It was written to inform the Abrenos on a matter that they would otherwise have not known. It was also written to inform fellow Abrenos, especially those living in Abra about the evils of political patronage. The winds of change have come. If you noticed, in the million people march, Renato Corona was booed and literally chased out of the rally. It is but an affirmation of the disgust and weariness of our people for corrupt officials and those who do not perform their sworn duty. The time has also come for whistle-blowers to pull the plug on the corrupt and non-performing officials. I have a lot of information about the real Lucas Bersamin and believe you me, it is not CHIZMIS, as you call it. In due time, I will reveal them as I see fit. From the very start, I knew that the article will be controversial. I wrote it just the same because I have always believed in the dictum, ” The truth will set us free”. I respect your opinion. I concede that friends and supporters of the Bersamins will not like the article. But that is the not the concern of the writer. You may agree or you may disagree. I do not choose the subject of my articles because I am not beholden to anybody. I have no political allegiance. My only allegiance is to the truth and meritorious service.
Posted by pedro abreno | August 27, 2013, 2:14 amMORE PLZ!
Time for our fellow Abrenios to know the whole truth, nothing more and nothing less. I’ve known the backlog cases before his appointee and also as the protector of the drug lord in QC. People of this caliber should be punish and incarcerated. He is also the reason why VV will never get out from his 4X4 cell and get a fair trial. Everybody knows that VV is not the mastermind. He just so happen a stumbling block to all these greedy political families.
Posted by Jack E. Bagbaga | August 27, 2013, 4:06 amReading from your reply/comment above,
I am now convinced of your true intent:
That of spreading unfounded rumors and
sowing intrigues thereby trying to destroy
not only personalities but institutions.
If you really have personal knowledge of
these irregularities and shenanigans, please
do the “whistle blower” you wish to become
and not just base your allegations to a book
article as gospel truth. Sabihin mo lahat,
NOW na, hindi kung kailan mo lang gusto.
Otherwise sasabihin to ka sa iyo hindi ka lang
CHIZMOSO kundi INTRIGUERO ka pa.
Posted by philam | August 27, 2013, 8:30 pmPuraw to ti Uwak-en ngem saanto pay laeng nga sumayaat ti sistema ti gobyerno ti Pilipinas.
Posted by Genti | August 26, 2013, 7:04 pmkayat yo a saoen puppet met lng ni arroyo ti Judicial and Bar Council ken ti Integrated Bar of the Philippines nga nagscreen ken nagrank ti nominees? Ken adda ngata leakage diay interview da idi ta ni met lucas ti kasiglatan diay interview? Ken isu pay ti kayat ti media ken kaaduan nga abogado idi kalpasan ti interview? Ginatang na pay ngata ti bar exam na ta ngtop 6 kanu met? apay kastoyen ginnatang aminen?
Posted by Chinese Community | August 26, 2013, 11:04 pmnasayaat koma no abogado ti mangiparaman ti kapanunutan na ta ti panagkunak ket nasurot met ti qualification ken proseso, ti lang question ket personalidad ta close friend ni arroyo. Kasta met lang ni Aquino ita, ti appointee na ket clasmates na ken daddudam pay nga allies na. karkaru man ni marcos idin ta awan la ngarud ti usto nga processon, crony na pay ti iselsel na, awan pay ti mabalin mangkwestion kaniana. Paralegal madam comli, nya ti makunam iti daytoy? hi 😉
Posted by Chinese Community | August 26, 2013, 11:43 pmCHINESE COMMUNITY, you are imagining a lot of things. If you read and understood the article, nothing was mentioned about anything being bought, among others. Who cares if Lucas Bersamin was number 6 in the bar exams? He could have been last for all I care for as long as he did his job. It is a matter or public record that he had over 900 back log cases. It goes without saying that taxpayers were paying his salary when he was sitting on his job. The records of the Supreme Court are replete with cases of judges and other justices who were fined for having a back log, some with as little as130 cases because they had no connections. Members of the judiciary who do not fulfill their sworn duty are punished, not promoted, unless of course they are deemed to be sacred cows. When a justice does not decide on cases, he does not dispense justice. It can not be anymore clearer than that. You claim that Lucas Bersamin was the favorite of the media and lawyers present in the interview. Well, CHINESE COMMUNITY, the editorial then of the Philppine Daily Inquirer says otherwise. To further inform you, a columnist of the Philippine Star, Federico Pascual, a fellow alumnus of Bersamin at the University of the East wrote a very unflattering column about him. Both of them were awardees of the university, Bersamin for law and Pascual for journalism. Federico Pascual wrote in his column that he will not attend the awarding ceremonies because he can not stand on the same stage with Bersamin whom he accused of using his position to influence the outcome of a case. So much for your claim that Bersamin was the favorite of the media in the interview. It does not take a lawyer, nor does it take a rocket scientist to see the difference between right and wrong. Please don’t muddle the issue. I did not even mention anything about the 6th place finish of Bersamin in the bar because to me it was immaterial. What is of vital importance is his performance as a justice in the CA. It speaks loudly about his true character. By the way, get a copy of “Shadow of Doubt” so you will know exactly how good a lawyer Bersamin is. I did not touch on his poor performance in the SC because it was not part of the topic in the article.
Posted by pedro abreno | August 27, 2013, 1:25 amBut as they say; “the long arm of the law” always manages to catch up. All the legal arguments went through the RTC, the Court of Appeals and finally with the Supreme Court specifically Justice Lucas Bersamin and his associates who ripped through all the issues raised during the almost 40 year legal battle. The SC decided that, it is the RTC’s sole responsibility to decide on Just Compensation and not the RARAD. The action of auctioning the various shares of the LandBank was effectively illegal since the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law (CARL) states that the money should come from the Agrarian Reform Fund not assets of the LandBank and only after the property owner has surrendered all titles and property to DAR or LandBank.
Excerpt take from the editorial of Mr. Cito Beltran of the Philippine Star
http://www.philstar.com/opinion/2012-10-08/857257/blunders-not-plunder
Posted by Atty. Pia Cristina B. Bersamin | August 27, 2013, 8:52 pmI would have let the comment easily pass because public officials, judges included, are not supposed to be too sensitive. I would have been content to let the comment pass because it was premised on an absolute falsehood and it was something that the solid reputation that I have established in the judicial and legal circles would have sufficed to combat. But family members and friends from so many places have barraged me with one clear message, that I should not let the comment pass because it comes at a time when my name has been submitted by the Judicial and Bar Council to the President for consideration for the vacancy of Justice Adolfo Azcuna.
Mr. Pascual makes the very unfair and defamatory statement that “a justice whose integrity I have always doubted is a top contender for the vacancy.”
To begin with, I do not know Mr. Pascual personally. I have never met him in person. I do not read his column. He is a complete stranger to me as I am to him. His statement in his column that he personally knew me “to be not upright” is unfounded because the cause of his judgment is hearsay. If he was the true journalist that he pretends to be, he should be honest enough to say that he did not know me personally. He has no right to be judgmental of my personal and professional integrity.
– Justice Lucas P. Bersamin, Court of Appeals 2009
http://www.philstar.com/letters-editor/449826/rejoinder-march-19-postscript
Posted by Atty. Pia Cristina B. Bersamin | August 28, 2013, 6:21 pmI do not like to give any opinions until I read the book :Shadow of Doubt”. Ti la maibagak, dakkel ng banag ti maysa nga 6th placer ti Bar Exam I can imagine how proud the Bersamins are with the accomplishment of Justice Bersamin.
I was the proudest auntie when my niece Atty Desiree Omli graduated Cum Laude from CalWestern School of Law in San Diego, California. Took her Bar Exam for the first time and passed! California Bar Exam is the hardest bar exam to pass in the nation. .
Posted by comli2013 | August 28, 2013, 5:16 pmWhat an injustice? Atta boy lucas. I read at ae2013 that all appointee of GMA are corrupt except my boy lucas but they forgot to mention that he is one of the most corrupt judges in QC with the most backlog cases. Remember the case against the Suntay family. I’m not surprised if this injustice lucas got what is coming to him. It’s time for PNOY to impeach. Lucas’ time is up mr. Prez. What say you?
Posted by John Doe | August 27, 2013, 1:10 amI have seen some posts in previous threads belittling Emilio Aguinaldo Suntay, the person who filed the case against Lucas Bersamin. For the information of those who do not know him, Suntay comes from landed gentry. He is the son of Don Federico Suntay, arguably the wealthiest man in the province of Bulacan and Christina Aguinaldo, daughter of former Pres. Emilio Aguinaldo. Don Federico is known all over the province of Bulacan for his philantropy. They own large tracts of land. They have a 50-room mansion in Baguio City. They were being driven in a Rolls Royce as early as 1970. They maintain a stable of the the best lawyers in the land on retainer. Lucas Bersamin may have bitten more than he can chew. I believe he has met his match.
Posted by pedro abreno | August 27, 2013, 3:43 pmAs it turns out, complainant Emilio Aguinaldo Suntay III is actually just the “second generation” in terms of taking the Landbank to court. Emilio’s grandfather or grand uncle had originally tangled with the Landbank beginning in 1972. Back then Federico Suntay owned 3,682 hectares of land in Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro which was subjected to land reform. The government took away 948 hectares and the Landbank and the DAR offered to pay F. Suntay P4,497.50 per hectare or a total of P4,251,141.
F. Suntay rejected the offer and demanded just compensation through the Regional Agrarian Reform Adjudicator (RARAD) Region IV where the case was assigned to RARAD Conchita Minas. Thirty-nine years after, on January 24, 2001 Minas declared that the just compensation for F. Suntay should be P157,541,951. Landbank filed a motion for reconsideration but was denied by Minas. Landbank then went to the Regional Trial Court Branch 46 on April 20/01 for a Judicial determination of Just Compensation. In the mean time RARAD Minas ordered Sheriffs to execute her judgment and get Landbank to pay F. Suntay the money.
What followed then can only be described as multiple cases of people not knowing what their powers are and where it stops. It also opens up a can of worms as to how fundamental mistakes can multiply into major legal and financial disasters. Between 2001 and 2008 various counter suits and legal maneuvers took place resulting in F. Suntay, through his appointee Josefina Lubrica, managing to keep one step ahead and succeeding to get Minas and Sheriffs of the RARAD to hold a public auction of Landbank’s shares in PLDT, Meralco, and First Gen Corporation. In those auctions Lubrica was always the lone bidder and highest bidder. By November 2008, Lubrica successfully got Meralco to transfer the stocks of Landbank to Lubrica’s name.
– from http://www.philstar.com/opinion/2012-10-08/857257/blunders-not-plunder
Your Suntay.
Posted by Atty. Pia Cristina B. Bersamin | August 27, 2013, 9:04 pmCome 2016, it is rumoured that when Takit finish his term here comes Lucas as a candidate for Govah, that’s why a house is being constructed on his behalf in Zone 7 to fullfil residency requirements. Now that such things is coming out, I believed it would be much different on 2016. Abrenians should know the truth, so that deception will be alienated when election comes.
Posted by Bodong | August 27, 2013, 1:42 amTag team for the Bulsamin brutha in the upcoming election against Valera-Bernos clan. So, JB the fight for your governatorial has just begun my friend. Watch ur back. They will bite your fat ass and serve it for breakfast to their next alliance. Dog eat dog world. I don’t think the Luna’s will ever ever trust the Bulsamin again. The Barona family will be the Bulsamin’s next alliance due to mankiller and logistics can match you and demonic.
Posted by Jack E. Bagbaga | August 27, 2013, 3:51 amMy father is a voter on Bangued. He’s been a voter ever since he was allowed to vote. He has never registered in any other place except in Bangued. The house he is constructing is for us, his family, to have a place to stay when we visit. We are Abrenios by blood and we, too, wish to visit my father’s birthplace, my grandparents’ and uncles’ grave. What is wrong with that?
Posted by Atty. Pia Cristina B. Bersamin | August 29, 2013, 1:33 am*in
Posted by Atty. Pia Cristina B. Bersamin | August 29, 2013, 1:34 amPedro Abreno, why hide under a false name? If what you say is true, then I challenge you to come out and stop hiding behind an alias. Let us test your all your malicious statements in the proper forum, not in one that my father rarely reads. Madaling manira ng puri ng tao, ano ang laban ng sinisiraan mo ng puri? You must have a personal grudge or inggit against my father.
You belittle his merits and his appointment. For your information, Justice Bersamin got all the votes of the JBC when he was applying for the position of associate justice. His interview went extremely well. It was public and he was able to answer all the questions thrown at him with ease and confidence. If that is unqualified, according to you, then you must be greater than him. Why not come out and show your ‘greatness’ in this field?
You say you are not aligned with anyone. Really now? I find that hard to believe. No one is non-aligned. Your words speak of ulterior motives. Let me guess, are you that insecure of my father’s political plans? If he has any, that is none of your business in the first place. But to calm your insecurity, and others too, he has no political plans. He is committed to serving the public until the end of his tenure as Associate Justice of the Supreme Court.
His decision in the Suntay case is clear. Unless you have a poor mind, you will easily understand the merits of that case and why it was decided based on the law.
And seriously, you base your “chismis” on a book called Shadow of Doubt? That book is about recycled rumors long put to rest by the truth.
Justice Luke and Mrs Bersamin do not need to establish their residency in Abra. Dad is a voter of Abra since he was legally allowed to vote, and Mrs Bersamin, since they got married. I don’t get your point why he needs to establish his residency when he’s been a voter of Bangued all this time. The house they are building is to provide a home for us, his family, whenever we visit. We may have been raised in Manila, but we are Abrenians at heart too. We want to visit our hometown.
I would like to thank the Chinese Community and Philam for standing up against the phonies who are hiding behind aliases. I rarely reply in this thread. But this time, these phonies have gone too low.
To Pedro Abreno, i challenge you to come out and reveal who you are. Do not be a coward.
Posted by Atty. Pia Cristina B. Bersamin | August 27, 2013, 4:42 amhttp://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/jurisprudence/2011/december2011/188376.htm
Posted by Atty. Pia Cristina B. Bersamin | August 27, 2013, 6:30 amThe Suntay Case… For your information
Posted by Atty. Pia Cristina B. Bersamin | August 27, 2013, 6:31 amFor your further enlightenment, after Suntay’s media blitz against my father, we have yet to receive any proper charge for us to reply to. We’ve been waiting.
Posted by Atty. Pia Cristina B. Bersamin | August 27, 2013, 6:07 pmJustice Bersamin is a pride of our province, and will be a symbol of greatness in the field of judiciary. Someone who is worth to be proud of for his contribution. It is very unfortunate that the crabs are instilling malicious lies or unfounded rumors in the minds of our fellow abrenians so dangerous that virtually prosecutes him who deserves “due process” and fairness. I respect the opinion of Marites Danguilan-Vitug in her article but i can not accept that everything is factual. I sense that the sources of Pedro Abreño are mala fide articles so is the above!
Posted by piskal | August 27, 2013, 5:18 amIt was a very informative post which unmask the real shadow of Mr Pedro Abreno that he is against the Bersamins or else he never tell what he knows about Lucas ..this is a start of x-files that comes from your box sir and it will explode like a nuclear ..please post it all Sir to make you and the world happy
Posted by Happy Malthusian of the Mohicans | August 27, 2013, 5:35 amAre you questioning My father’s capabilities? You don’t even have the guts to put your name on such articles. For you know if and when you put your real name on this you would be accountable. Tsk tsk. Pedro abrenio man up.
Posted by Luis Isidro B. Bersamin | August 27, 2013, 8:22 amYes I think that was the idea of the article. Can you spell out his capabilities for the benefit of our readers instead of threatening Pedro Abreno? What’s the point of asking his real identity? So you can silence him?
Come on! you think using your position of threatening people will still work? That’s a thing of the past. Just give your argument. The article is well written and for you including your other sibling to question his credibility instead of presenting your side of your story just shows that you don’t have anything to disprove what Pedro Abreno wrote.
Posted by kaaruba | August 27, 2013, 3:15 pmFor your enlightenment Kaaruba:
http://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/aboutsc/justices/j-bersamin.php
The link will take you to my father’s qualifications.
Posted by Atty. Pia Cristina B. Bersamin | August 27, 2013, 3:54 pmWe do not want to silence him but we want him to be responsible for everything he wrote in the proper forum. If he can back up his statements in the proper forum, let’s do it. Not here where his intentions is merely to tarnish my father’s name behind an alias.
Posted by Atty. Pia Cristina B. Bersamin | August 27, 2013, 4:01 pmThank you Atty Pia. Here is what it says for everyone to read.
Justice Lucas P. Bersamin was serving as Court of Appeals Associate Justice since March 2003 when he was appointed to the Supreme Court.
Prior to his CA post, he was the Presiding Judge of the Quezon City Regional Trial Court, Branch 96. He had engaged in private legal practice before he was appointed as RTC judge in November 1986.
He was the recipient of the Chief Justice Jose Abad Santos Award (Outstanding RTC Judge for 2002) during the 11th Judicial Excellence Awards (JEA). In the 2000 JEA, he bagged the Best Decision in Civil Law and Best Decision in Criminal Law awards, an unprecedented achievement that has yet to be duplicated.
He finished his law studies at the University of the East in 1973. He placed ninth in the Bar Examinations given that same year with an average of 86.3%. He is a fellow at the Commonwealth Judicial Education Institute in Dalhousie University in Halifax, Canada.
In 2006, he was recognized as one of UE’s 60 Most Outstanding Alumni Awardees during UE’s Diamond Jubilee Awards. He was UE’s Outstanding Alumnus in the Judiciary in 2001. In 1991, he was cited asOutstanding Alumnus in Government Service, Judiciary and Outstanding Alumnus in the Field of Law by the UE Alumni Association, Inc.
Posted by kaaruba | August 27, 2013, 4:05 pmUsing anonymity is your weapon of choice. That’s even worse than saying you have something. You got nothing. You say we silence people how could you silence people you don’t even know? Even journalist the real ones put their names on their article where is yours? All you got are smoke. Instead of you hiding why not try coming out and put these accusations to the streets?
Posted by Luis Isidro B. Bersamin | August 27, 2013, 5:03 pmvery well said and may I add, “ang stupidong tao maingay magsalita, maingay na parang baboy. Ooops, did I say porkie? kaya pala wala ng PDAF, huh? Un matalinong tao magsalita kalmado, wala kang marinig at napakasilensyo kahit agos ng tubig ay wala.
Posted by your next door neighbor | August 28, 2013, 6:17 amBased on all articles, comments, opinions etc written by Pedro Abrenio in Abrenian. Com, I believe, he is one of the few, who are well educated, tempered with righteousness, decency and God-guided life. With his age in his twilight years as he accepted, I have full trust that he is not a man who ‘ put darkness to light and light to darkness’.Chismis is founded when devoid of facts but when news are supported by solid evidences, then it is not chismis but the truth. And only ‘ the truth makes us free’. In all my thread, you will find that I have been supporting the Berasamins, most especially the governor whom I believed to be different from the other politicos who are apathetic or hostile to moral values. Iti sangasako nga bagas, saan nga masigurado nga awan ittana. Napintas ti pannakagun-od ti balligi ngem no agkurangka ti pangaramidmo ti pagrebbengam ken maisakrificio ti kalintigan ti dadduma ket ayanna pay ti dayaw dayta nga balligi. Wen, kas maysa nga Abrenio makipagragsakak met ti panagbalin ni apo Lucas nga nakagun-od dayta maraem nga puesto, ngem naragragsakak nga adayo ti pannakaamok ti kinapudno kas ti adu nga dakdakamaten ni Pedro Abrenio nga pamupusan nga mangpasayaat ti nakababain nga mapaspasamak ti provincia.
Ikarkarag tayo koma ti linak ken progreso ti Abra nga buyugan ti panagririnaem ken panangawat nga kanayon ti kinapudno. PEACE TO ALL!
Posted by Tagamasid | August 27, 2013, 8:50 amThank you very much, TAGAMASID for your kind words.
Posted by pedro abreno | August 27, 2013, 5:02 pmWenno ni PA ket saan nga “napagustuan” dagiti Bersamin.
Posted by Genti | August 28, 2013, 6:34 pmif the book “Shadow of Doubt” was a lie, why was is still in circulation? Why did some judges mentioned in the book threatened libel charges against Ms. Vitug to try to stop it from going out?
Posted by kaaruba | August 27, 2013, 3:17 pmUnder Article 353 of the Revised Penal Code of the Philippines, libel is defined as a public and malicious imputation of a crime, or of a vice or defect, real or imaginary, or any act, omission, condition, status or circumstance tending to discredit or cause the dishonor or contempt of a natural or juridical person, or to blacken the memory of one who is dead. Thus, the elements of libel are: (a) imputation of a discreditable act or condition to another; (b) publication of the imputation; (c) identity of the person defamed; and, (d) existence of malice. [Daez v. Court of Appeals, G.R. No. 47971, 31 October 1990, 191 SCRA 61, 67]
From http://www.abogadomo.com/law-professor/law-professor-archives/libel-laws-of-the-philippines
This is libel. It is a crime against honor. When one charges another with libel, it means one’s honor was imputed with a crime, vice or defect that may be real or imaginary. It does not automatically equate to truth of the imputation.
Now, a book on chismis can continue circulation. But circulating the same is not the same as circulating the truth. For all we know, it is peddling a lie for people to believe that a man is dishonorable.
Posted by Atty. Pia Cristina B. Bersamin | August 27, 2013, 3:50 pmIf what you say is true why hide under a different name? If this is not libel? Place your real name. You hide under pen names si people won’t see who you are. That’s not an educated move that’s your calculating move. Where is the honor of posting when you could not even claim you are your selves to be responsible for this?
Posted by Luis Isidro B. Bersamin | August 27, 2013, 4:13 pmI respect all the opinions in these thread. As I have said before, I know that the family and friends of the Bersamins will not take this kindly. It is but human nature. Even the family and friends of the Marcoses, Estradas, Arroyos, Coronas reacted the same way. From the time I started posting in Abrenian.com. to the campaign period in the last elections, several people posting their opinions used gutter language to insult me for being a stooge of Gov. Bersamin. Of course, that was untrue. I have said time and time again that my only allegiance is to HONEST, COMPETENT AND RESOLUTE governance. If some people fail to understand that, there is pretty much nothing I can do. I am nothing compared to the members of the Bersamin family. I am just an old man. But if there is one thing I have, that is a clear conscience. Call me a coward if you will, I will not lose sleep over it. I know how courageous and brave the members of the Bersamin family are. My question is, “If what was written in the book “Shadow of Doubt” is not true, why did the Bersamin family and all the justices mentioned refrain from filing a suit. Now that I wrote about what was written in the book and the editorials and columns, you are picking on me. Why don’t you take on somebody your own size? I have written about irregularities committed by many politicians of consequence in the province. You believe I am picking on your family. That is more imagined than real. Not all people will believe that. Please don’t threaten me. It does not make you look good when you do.
Posted by pedro abreno | August 27, 2013, 4:24 pmAre you threatened by just asking to be responsible? It’s an article based on an article no formal background check was done. Regarding you picking on my family and how courageous we are please. You don’t even care where you get your story. If you could write things like this what makes you think we would take this sitting down? You got nothing. Libel is there to prevent anyone with the intention like yours. Where is the honor in that?
Posted by Luis Isidro B. Bersamin | August 27, 2013, 5:11 pmGood for you PA. Do NOT jump up and do NOT stoop their level against these moronic and idiotic antagonizers. They know that needless antagonizers are virtually already insecure enough. When speaking the truth, brute agression is the only security blanket for approval for these moronic and idiotic antagonizers.
Posted by Saint Luke | August 28, 2013, 6:01 amThis is from your article, “Acknowlegement goes to Marites Danguilan-Vitug, author and publisher of “Shadow of Doubt” and the courageous men and women of the Philippine Daily Inquirer and the Philippine Star. The book, the editorials and columns served as the basis of the meat of this article.”
In other words PA, “Shadow of Doubt” written by one person – the book you always mention on this thread or in your writings, is your basis or “Bible” to smear the Bersamins, particularly Associate Justice L. Bersamin? Just asking. Did you make your own verification of the facts? Did you ever verify or asks other people on the other side of your “fence” the authenticity of your accusations. Are all your accusations proven to be true? Then, we, the people of logical mind call your accusations/smears CHIZMIZ.
Posted by Genti | August 28, 2013, 10:46 amVitug had her own reasons for coming out with that book. In retrospect, the timing of the publication coincided with the impending retirement of CJ Puno. Some believed that the book would put down some candidates to replace him in order to enhance the chances of one or two. Some of the stories in the book were based on records, but most others were recycled kwentos going around legal and social circles. To my knowledge, no one tried to pressure Vitug not to publish the book; no one attempted to pressure Mrs Ramos of National Bookstore not to support the book. This means that the book came out without any attempt to stifle it.
Posted by Atty. Pia Cristina B. Bersamin | August 28, 2013, 5:48 pmI am not threatening you. I am challenging you to come out behind your alias. And I am not picking on you. I am not the bully here, you are. You hide behind an alias, cowardly writing about my father and our family. My challenge is for you to live up to your claim of having a clear conscience and face us in the proper forum. I have great respect for the old and wise, I was raised that way. But I will not tolerate a “man in his twilight years” who hide behind an alias because he or she might not really be that old, or even wise.
Posted by Atty. Pia Cristina B. Bersamin | August 27, 2013, 5:07 pmI never said I am wise. I’m sorry but this back and forth with you leads to nowhere.
Posted by pedro abreno | August 27, 2013, 5:16 pmYou lead to nowhere.
Posted by Luis Isidro B. Bersamin | August 27, 2013, 5:21 pmIt will lead to nowhere if you do not accept my challenge. Again, why hide behind an alias?
Posted by Atty. Pia Cristina B. Bersamin | August 27, 2013, 6:05 pmYes, please don’t threaten Sir Pedro with libel for it doesn’t look good for the whole Abrenians either. We heard what’s the truth according to his research and it’s up to the Bersamin’s house now to disprove it in a civilized or professional way. We were not all borne yesterday that we just believe all what we have heard without the benefit of the doubt until perhaps we will be convinced otherwise with the deafening silence of rebuttal. Sir Pedro is just one of our most concerned citizens of Abra, highly educated/knowledgeable, a non-political partisan, who got the balls to enlighten us with many real issues that we were not aware of since the inception of this dot com. It’s so sad especially for our youth if he will be silenced at once. If his research is full of lies, then so be it, but please don’t discourage him in his calling in life of guiding or educating us that might open the flood of opportunities for the present and future generation to redefine our Province into a more peaceful and prosperous place on earth to enjoy what life has yet to offer.
Posted by loving abrenian | August 27, 2013, 5:21 pmWhy hide in pen names. Just go ahead as long as you place your names. Pedro you got nothing.
Posted by Luis Isidro B. Bersamin | August 27, 2013, 5:24 pmI am not trying to silence him, but I am encouraging him to come out behind his alias. Kung kayo po ang gawan ng maling kwento, hindi po ba kayo hihingi ng patas na laban?
Being civilized is not about spreading rumors, but abiding by the law. Being professional is doing real research based on facts, not fiction.
Posted by Atty. Pia Cristina B. Bersamin | August 27, 2013, 6:03 pmLA, from you, “Sir Pedro is just one of our most concerned citizens of Abra.” you’re wrong, he is fake.hiding under somebody’s skirt. “highly educated/knowledgeable”, I doubt it, he is a coward who is scared to attack his “prey” face to face. ” a non-political partisan”, again you are wrong, he is on the “other side”. “who got the balls to enlighten us with many real issues that we were not aware of since the inception of this dot com.”, again you are wrong. A man hiding under A.com’s skirt has “no balls but bells”. This is according to my humble research.
Posted by Genti | August 28, 2013, 6:51 pmBy the way, you have mentioned in your other posts that you know of my father’s shenanigans and that he will dip his dirty hand in politics. If you have proof of your claims, why not go to the authorities and present your case before the proper forum. Not in this forum where you hide behind an alias and continue maligning my father’s integrity. My dad is interested in protecting his integrity and name, as he built it through his own hardwork through the years.
Moreover, you brand your so called article as news when what you quoted happened years ago and was not even worthy of our attention. What you are doing is rumor-mongering, an irresponsible act which belittles your claim of being a person interested in HONEST, COMPETENT AND RESOLUTE governance.
If you are an old man, as you claim to be, you should have the courage of your years to face the victim of your libel. My father’s life and public service are an open book, that it becomes your burden to prove the truth of your chismis as a measure of fairness. If you have proof of your accusations, bring it before the proper authorities so my father will have the chance to protect his integrity. Do not bully him in this forum where you hide behind an alias. MAGKAALAMAN NA.
Posted by Atty. Pia Cristina B. Bersamin | August 27, 2013, 5:57 pmKayat ko met nga iruar ni MS Pia Cristina tay Manok na nga Bruce Burnett. I don’t really know how smart Sir Pedro Pendoko about this SHADOW OF THE DOUBT, why did he post this article on this Abrenian .Com. He just read this book by the Author of MS. Vitug and he think himself that he wouldn’t hurt the feelings of the Bersamin Family, Shadow of the Doubt, what it means to you Ladies and Gentlemen,Doubt means in Ilocano which my understanding is { saan tayo nga ammo no agpayso daytoy Word wenno saan} I’d like Mr Pedro to explain in Ilocano what’s meant by DOUBT, saan kadi nga saan ka nga sigurado?
Posted by Bartek Tuleng | August 27, 2013, 8:31 pmMayat dayta nga suhestion mo gayyem bartek tuleng. Mayat ti banat mo ti Canadian English mo ita gayyem. Pagarupek nga awan hangover mo ita. Padasen tanto man ti ag-shot ijay katal-talonan tay ibagbaga ni gayyem bodong nga “Dirty Mama”. Sata agpulutan ti natuno nga palileng habang agdiskusyon ta maipangep toy post ni lakay pedro.
Posted by KURAD | August 28, 2013, 7:12 amWen Kurad, I’ll be waiting for that time when we meet each other, gayyem adu nga Paleleng ken Bunbonog ditoy ayan mi, imbitaran kayo mapan tayo amin ag pi pinc diay karayan wen?
Posted by Bartek Tuleng | August 28, 2013, 7:12 pmTagari ka pay laeng, bartek tuleng, ta agpatang daguiti saan nga bartek ken tuleng. Dumngegtay pay.
Posted by blackiesyoke | August 28, 2013, 10:26 pmTruth really hurts, but unless one accepts the truth, he will never be free. He will never have peace with others and most especially to himself. No one is perfect and all fall short of righteousness. “No one is righteous, no not one” says The Lord. Read John 8:44, how the father of lies dominates mankind and how we are influenced to uphold our pride versus humility to accept our blunders. Pride like the other evils of lust dominates mankind, is one of the roots of all evils.
Brother Pedro Abrenio, be inspired in Holy scripture in Deuteromy 31:6 which says” Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for The Lord your God is the one who goes with you.He will not fail or forsake you”. While this verse is applicable for spiritual leaders, it is believed that this also relevant for your crusade for good governance. I pray more power and peace for you and for all Abrenians. God bles to all.
Posted by Tagamasid | August 27, 2013, 9:34 pmThank you once again, TAGAMASID. It is true, you will know who your true friends are in times of adversity. God bless.
Posted by pedro abreno | August 27, 2013, 10:52 pmYou cited a verses from the Holy Book, In my research, PA’s bible is “Shadow of Doubt” to “pull-down” Associate Justice Bersamin.
Posted by Genti | August 28, 2013, 6:58 pmPA is only human to err, but to malign others is next to impossible. His words in different threads justify decency, beautiful heart and wisdom. Oftentimes, controversies is a question of pride versus righteousness.
Posted by Tagamasid | August 29, 2013, 7:16 amI am beginning to picture the real “face” of Mr. Abreno in this site!.
Posted by blackie | August 27, 2013, 10:21 pmibagbaga la ni PEDRO ti nabasa na,aaaaaaaaaapay nga makabasol itan?ipalawag yo a ti takder yo met tapno maamuan,ta dakami ti agdesisyon no sinno ti patien mi
Posted by pagalsem | August 28, 2013, 1:47 amTo the Bersamins’, You seems to be alarmed to the issue that Pedro had raised. If you have nothing to hide or a guilt to the publication then you shouldn’t even calling Pedro to come out with his real name. To me that is a serious threat calling him out. Your reaction deem with anger which i find it wrong and very low considering yourselves in that level. If you are clean then you should be the one to come out and defend yourselves and prove it that all is untrue. Pedro done nothing wrong and refrain yourselves from bullying and harrassing or otherwise the Bersamins’ will go down in Abra’s history as a bully.
Posted by josef | August 28, 2013, 3:07 amJosef, we have nothing to hide. All we are asking is fairness. A serious accusation has been thrown against my father and if we don’t correct it here, people like you will bully us here and assume the worst about my father. I was apprised of this thread and I knew I had to reply to it. I did not hide behind an alias because I know we are on right side. Does revealing who I am make me a bully? No. It makes me proud to stand beside my father, and to stand up for him. How about you?
Posted by Atty. Pia Cristina B. Bersamin | August 28, 2013, 6:04 pmFreedom of speech and freedom of expression are rights that are constricted by the law on libel because honor and reputation are valuable rights like them. The former are not protected if they impair the latter.
Posted by Atty. Pia Cristina B. Bersamin | August 28, 2013, 6:08 pmWhy do people need to ask about real names here?, Specifically for MR. Pedro Abreño. Will it change the real subject? What for? To personally confront the person? We are all entitled to our own opinions and we readers are weighing which one is real and not… We are reading both sides’ comments. It is a good idea that you both are citing evidences/supporting details. TRUTH will always prevail.
Posted by TAGABANTAY | August 28, 2013, 7:12 amThe real subject here is the imputation of crime, vice or defect against us, against our honor and integrity, with malice. Your opinion will be formed based on malicious lies. And what can we do when people who post here hide behind an alias?
Posted by Atty. Pia Cristina B. Bersamin | August 28, 2013, 6:18 pmMs. Pia, I very much understand you. Of course we need to safeguard our parents from any harm. As I have told you, it s a very nice idea that you are giving us link to clearly understand everything. I myself know which one to believe. Just keep on citing details to protect your father from lies. We cant force PA to reveal his identity because even our great hero, Dr. Jose Rizal used pen name DIMASALANG and so with Andres Bonifacio as AGAPITO BAGUMBAYAN and many other more to mention. Let PA used his too. Anyway, you are defending your side in the right way.
Posted by TAGABANTAY | August 29, 2013, 7:01 amTi la iramraman mo kardo! nagmayat ti pinangramramas ni lakay vicente ti rehas jay munti tapos iramraman mo manen nga isu ni lakay pedro.
Posted by BUNGAW TI MALAPAAO | August 28, 2013, 7:26 amAcceptarem koma Vic , ang panahon ay pa weather weather lang , kala Jose Rizal daytoyen na ang sigaw nang pagsusulat ay nasa loob nang karsel Dapitan .tay sa met Remi Martin Daytoyen ta nauneg ken nasanger dagitoy inka irwaren.Halla ngarud alistuam ti mangiruar ti adda ta barokong mo nga inka ep epen ta inkam ngarud agadal ken agdengeg kadagita iduldulin mo nga sasa innek.tay order mo nga Remi Martin umayen tapno ti kasta may mayat tay inka iyistoria
Posted by Karsel | August 28, 2013, 7:31 amd ka a mamati nakurapay! who cares?
Posted by Chinese Community | August 28, 2013, 8:34 amAdda pagsasao nga kastoy “Política determinar quién tiene el poder, no quién tiene la verdad.” Iti English “Politics determine who has the power, not who has the truth.” Anya ti makunam idtoy gayyem Bartek Tuleng. Padasen tanto man ti ag-shot tay kunkunada nga “Dirty Mama” sata ayaban ni lakay pedro abreno ta agpupulutan tayo man ti adobo nga gakong ta mayat met la ti binnato ti kapanunutan.
Posted by KURAD | August 28, 2013, 9:21 amI’m so happy my friend KURAD that you mention my name,of course we not only drink Dirty Mama, but I’ll assure you that we could drink REMY MARTAN and Blue Label, wen mailiwak tay GAKONG nagadu nga bugi na Ha ha hahaha, regards.
Posted by Bartek Tuleng | August 28, 2013, 7:01 pmThis is only a tip of the iceberg of the real picture of our province that we may set aside for the mean time since we already understood that Sir Pedro only cited his findings/research from unreliable or reliable source. I don’t think there’s even a probable cause of suing him for libel or persecuting him endlessly in or out of public opinion after divulging his real identity. It’s now up to our individual understanding if we will buy this second hand information or not without digging further the truth. In other words, the reputation of CJ Bersamin is still untarnished and Sir Pedro should be freed now from further scrutiny until further development that may arise in the future.
Let’s focus or shift now our attention to the observations of Dr. Neil Banez for these are the real problems that continue to hamper the economic growth and political stability of our poor beloved province. Your input/ideas Abrenians all over the world are earnestly sought if you are not yet ashamed to brag your Abrenian identity.
Posted by kabututan | August 28, 2013, 2:38 pmFrom the bottom of my heart Pedro Abrenio, i’M SO SORRY of what has transpired and your sudden yield to a fight, our fight for a noble cause. I believe we are on the right path trying in our own modest way to help show the best things to achieve desired changes for our beloved province. As I mentioned in my posts, and supported by many truth crusaders participants in this thread, you are one of the best, with God blessed hearts and brains, where Abrenians could learn worth emulating values needed by people to enjoy life, better quality of life deprived to majority because of greed, pride, and endless love of worldly luxuries by our supposedly called ‘honorables’. People who have abused their authorities are now suffering the consequences of their wrongdoings and more heads are going to roll. Why ssurrender when our victory is almost at hand. Your leadership thru your wisdom and beautiful heart is needed in Abra. God will surely reward you in your humility because He said “blessed are those who humbled themselves for they shall be exulted but those who exult themselves will be humbled”. Please reconsidered your decision, let us continue the good fight. ” the fight is worth dying for”. Righteous seeking Abrenians, who are overwhelming, are behind you.
PEACE BE WITH YOU n your family, TO THE BERSAMIN FAMILY N FRIENDS,N ALL PARTICIPANTS IN THIS FORUM. May Our loving God guide us thru Jesus Christ our Lord.
Posted by Tagamasid | August 28, 2013, 4:36 pmSo oft mentioned here is the columnist Federico Pascual. For everyone’s information, my father replied to his tirade as soon as it happened. This was published in March 19, 2009, before my father’s appointment. Here is the link:
http://www.philstar.com/letters-editor/449826/rejoinder-march-19-postscript
Posted by Atty. Pia Cristina B. Bersamin | August 28, 2013, 5:55 pmI really do salute you, Mr Pedro Abreno asking APOLOGY to the BERSAMIN FAMILY, Yes you are really a man with big heart SIR, Take Care.
Posted by Bartek Tuleng | August 28, 2013, 7:20 pmMr. Abrenio, you mentioned that you retired some 24 years ago! If you retired at age 65, you must be octogenarian now! Wow!
Posted by blackie | August 29, 2013, 12:07 amTo Pedro Abrenio:
Apology accepted. We hope this ends the controversy. It is pointless to pursue this matter. Nevermind the damage you have done, we will charge it to experience. My parents and my siblings will forgive, as good Christians.
Posted by Atty. Pia Cristina B. Bersamin | August 29, 2013, 2:30 amI honestly feel I have to make another post. Thank you very much. Again, I am sorry for the hurt and pain I caused your family. I truly regret it. I also hope this ends the controversy. God bless.
Posted by pedro abreno | August 29, 2013, 2:50 amKakabsat, narigat ti aginlalaing no maminsan . . . ta ti kaaduanna nga mapasamak ket agbabawitayo ngem medyo naladawen. Su a tingitingentayo nga nasayaat sakbay nga intay ipurwak ti mesa nga banag. Deta la ti makunak.
Posted by blackie | August 29, 2013, 9:09 amSu garud, gyem, nga umisisemak la nga mangsursurot ti detoy nga tinnirida. Kas nakunakon, tingitingentay nga nasayaat sakbay nga intay ipuruak ti mesa nga banag . . . ta narigat ti mabainan ti kamaudiananna . . . . napadasakon, gyem. Anyway, it is only real gentlemen who apologize for a mistake done. And Apo Abreno is a real gentleman. Nia makunam bartek-tulang . . namunawankan? he he he
Posted by blackie | August 29, 2013, 9:19 amI really admire him for his braveness to ask an apology,take care guy’s.Wen adda ay la bassit nga ulaw ko he he he.
Posted by Bartek Tuleng | August 29, 2013, 1:06 pmSika nga Ringnoster agtalna kaman loko..miki basbasa kala idtoy A.com loko agpaka laing ka ketdin…apay nga kasta ti komentaryo mon loko idtoy A.Com…pomanaw ka man idtoy loko ado la amin nga inka salsalawasawen..pardiem met iti innak panagbasan…no agpapatang dagiti adda nonot na daitem kadi ta ngiwat mo….pomanaw ka man idtoy ..Ni Gorio daytoy umay ka man toy Canan loko ta ipangal ngal ko kenka toy 45 ..no adda reklamom .buakaw nga ubing
Posted by Gorio | August 29, 2013, 9:53 amNalpas kan ringnognogster, adtoy ni gorion. Tilan to met sawsawitem nga Abrenian.com SUCKS. Pumanaw ka kano ditoyen A.com no dimo kano kayat ti agngalngal ti bugayong este 45. hehehe.
Posted by BUNGAW TI MALAPAAO | August 29, 2013, 11:40 amI believe everyone has expressed their option on this matter. We are now closing this thread.
thank you
Posted by sysop | August 29, 2013, 1:55 pm