We are definitely going to show it as it is... Film is a documentary. It precisely qualified to the Sundance Film Festival because it is a documentary. The fact is Imelda (Marcos) is and will always be a documentary.

by Film festival director Amable "Tikoy" Aguiluz*
referring to 'Imelda, a documentary'
made by US-based filmmaker Ramona Diaz

During his (Andaya) term, I would be acting as senior vice chair(man) of the committee. He would transfer his functions to me in the next budget hearing.

There is no winner or loser... The President is the winner because we have prevented an escalating debate or a possible fallout in the House because of these committee chairmanship issues.

by Albay Representative Joey Salceda*

We've agreed on programs such as supporting the 10-point agenda of the President. We'd also teach each other our expertise on certain areas... She (Arroyo) was only informed that we've reached an agreement. The President is hands off on this issue.

by Camarines Sur Representative Rolando Andaya Jr.*

We have decided to focus on the passage of revenue measures in the next 100 days... This is in the spirit of our proposal to give the highest political priority to addressing the fiscal crisis, employing a strong political will.

by House Speaker Jose de Venecia*

Of course, he is happy... (But) we would be much happier if President Erap (Estrada's nickname) is transferred to our house at Polk Street in North Greenhills from our rest house in Tanay, Rizal. If that is granted, we would be with him every day.

Senator Jose "Jinggoy" Estrada*

We welcome the decision of the court... It is consistent with President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's policy of humanitarian consideration under the law for the former President.

by presidential spokesperson Ignacio Bunye*

The 'trial of the century' is turning out to be nothing but a sellout. A GMA-Erap deal appears clinched with the court's blessings.

by PlunderWatch convenor Carol Araullo*

I don't think there is any relation... It is completely separate. Remember that the issue decided is whether or not the use of the Jose Velarde account violated our laws on the use of aliases. The Sandiganbayan correctly ruled that it does not because an element of the crime is consistent and repeated use of the alias. In this particular instance, it would appear that the name Jose Velarde was only used once. But it does not affect at all the issues pertaining to plunder. That's a completely different case.

by Senate President Franklin Drilon*

We'd rather die in Iraq while earning than die of hunger here in the Philippines.

Edgardo Lumapas
speaking on behalf of hundreds of fellow job seekers, Manila

My head and stomach are hurting from hunger, but I still have to wait here and wait for my turn... I have been here for five days and I need to be interviewed. I need to desperately get out of the Philippines because there are no jobs here.

Erlinda Quillana
a 46-year-old mother of six, another job-seeker
Philippines

The foreign ministry is coordinating the pullout of the humanitarian contingent with the ministry of defense... As of today, our head count is down from 51 to 43.

Foreign Secretary Delia Albert*
as Agence France-Presse reported

We believe that a decision by the Philippine government to withdraw their 51 troops ahead of schedule would send the wrong signal to terrorists.

We are seeking clarification from the government now... It is certainly their decision to make, but again, we believe that if (a withdrawal) were the decision, it would send the wrong signal to the terrorists.

by White House spokesman Scott McClellan*

"We certainly noted the remarks and are disappointed to see remarks like this at a time when Iraq is fighting for stability and peace."

I do think we have to keep the onus where it belongs, and that's on the kidnappers. And there's no excuse for kidnapping, for murder, for the kind of threats that have been made against this gentleman and that he should be released immediately.

As you know, our policy is not to negotiate or provide benefits to terrorists.

spokesman Richard Boucher*
US State Department

Angelo de la Cruz is a metaphor of all overseas Filipino workers.. We have to show we are a sovereign country. We have to define what is our national interest, not (US President) George Bush. Who cares if they (the Americans) are unhappy?

by political scientist Clarita Carlos*
University of the Philippines

We strongly urged the Philippines not to give in to the demands of terrorists because we will all pay a price if they do... If countries give in to terrorists it will only encourage them to kidnap more hostages in an attempt to change the foreign policy of countries. Australia could not and would never do that.

by a spokesman for Alexander Downer*
Australia's Foreign Minister

We call upon the captors of our Filipino brother Angelo de la Cruz to free him because he is only a worker forced by economic hardship to venture into Iraq. Angelo has nothing to do with the Philippine government policy... Islam has strictly prohibited hurting non-combatants in times of war and the Prophet Mohammad Sallallahu Allaihi Wassalam showed mercy and tolerance to prisoners of war... But let us not forget that the Iraqi people are fighting a legitimate struggle to drive invaders and occupiers in their country. Even in the United States, the war against Iraq is now widely seen as bereft of legal and moral foundation.

If the United States is serious about ridding the world of WMDs, then President Bush can start with Israel and North Korea. Only probelm is that Israel and North Korea are not Muslim countries swimming in oil unlike Iraq.

by lawyer Abdurahman R.T. Linzag*
president, Islamic Da’wah Council of the Philippines (IDCP)

We condemn cheating in any form.

This confirms our statement of June 2, that if ever there were some instances of cheating and violation of election law by political parties in their areas, these did not affect the voting in general.

Our people must move ahead with faith and hope. Fired up by love of country, we are called to develop a culture of integrity, to participate in national transformation, to build up the conditions for peace, to intensify our fight against corruption, and to monitor the performance of our elected officials.

by CBCP President Archbishop Fernando Capalla*
Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP)

Senator Villar and I sat down and discussed the matter of the Senate presidency. After reviewing all our options, we thought it is best that we set aside our personal aspirations and work together to vigorously pursue the legislative agenda to address the looming financial crisis that we face.

We believe that our personal aspirations should be subordinated to the greater national interest. Our egos are nothing compared to what we face as a country if we can’t put our acts together. It is on this premise that we have agreed, after a very friendly discussion, that Senator Villar will support my presidency in the Senate for the first and second regular sessions of the 13th Congress, and that, I, in return will support Senator Villar’s Senate presidency for the third regular session of the 13th Congress beginning July 2006.

by Senate President Franklin Drilon*

We didn't want to add more to the country's problems. There's the problem in Iraq, there's the looming fiscal crisis, and there's a lot of bickering ... It's a great deal if we think of the nation first in the face of these problems.

by Sen. Manuel Villar*

The proposal for a term-sharing agreement was raised before the elections.

Sen. Francis Pangilinan*
Liberal Party Vice-President and Senate majority leader

Term-sharing has been the direction of the negotiations from the start. The only question then was who would serve for two years, and who would preside in the remaining year.

Juan FlavierFlavier*
Senate pro tempore

There are good signals that the extension of the deadline has been given (for) another 48 hours. Through the efforts of our close friends and contacts who, like us, hope to resolve this matter with no loss of life, additional time has been obtained within which discussions can continue. We are thankful that (De la Cruz) remains alive and, as we understand it, will be treated under existing civilized rules. We shall endeavor, as best as we can and as circumstances permit, to keep the public informed of crucial developments.

by Labor Secretary Patricia Sto. Tomas*
where she was accompanying De la Cruz's wife and brother in Dubai

There are 10 Filipino drivers who have been stranded in Iraq for several days, unable to reach the border and cross back into Saudi Arabia due to the lack of Iraqi police escorts. We are concerned that they are running out of money and provisions.

by Telecoms Engineer Rashid Fabricante*
member of a crisis intervention group

In response to the demand by the group Khaled ibn al-Walid (Islamic army in Iraq), the Philippine government... will pull its humanitarian forces out of Iraq swiftly, in the time it takes to carry out the necessary preparation for their return to the Philippines. In the name of the Filipino people and the name of humanity and the family of de la Cruz and his eight children, the government of the Philippines is pleading for his release.

PHILIPPINE deputy foreign secretary Rafael Seguis*
as told with the Qatar-based Arabic television channel

The Philippine government deserves the harshest possible judgment from history. It deserves nothing but the disgust and condemnation of free people. Some new Dante is needed to write the sorry story of the Chamberlains, the Zapateros, and the Gloria Macapagal Arroyos, along with all the other besotted do-gooders who brought Peace to Our Time. But such may not emerge until some distant future when the Dark Ages of the Sharia rule that is sure to come to the Philippines and elsewhere begin to recede.

Jihadwatch.org