Christmas Gifts
We all know the story by now: 190 congressmen were allegedly given Php 200T after a breakfast “Christmas Exchange Gift” meeting last October 11, 2007 with the president. Vice Governor Suplico of Iloilo claimed it was some sort of bribe attempt to push for a weak impeachment case against President Arroyo. In a massive dose of amnesia, everyone claimed they never got the brownie take-home bag after the party. Then came along Rep. Cuenco (Cebu) who claimed he got Php 200T and was quoted live in a local radio show that it was the usual Christmas Gift from the Palace. Hours later, and perhaps furious phone calls from his colleagues, he went back on air and claimed it was all a joke. In the first place, Rep. Cuenco is not known to have an exceptional sense of humor nor is he known to indulge in light banter. Second, his tone during the interview was that of irritation because the interviewer was asking pointed questions about the other congressmen receiving money. Third, his comment that it ...