Eleven months after Aquino’s father, Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino, Jr., was arrested and detained for “advocating the overthrow of the government by force or violence”, Ninoy was brought before a military tribunal in Moran Hall, Fort Bonifacio in August 1973. On August 25, 1973, Ninoy wrote a letter to his son, Noynoy from Fort Bonifacio at 11:10 p.m., giving advice to his son;
“My dearest Son,
“One of these days, when you have completed your studies I am sure you will have the opportunity to visit many countries. And in your travels you will witness a bullfight.
“In Spanish bullfighting as you — now a man — know, the matador is pitted against an angry bull. The man goads the bull to extreme anger and madness. Then a moment comes when the bull, maddened, bleeding and covered with darts, feeling his last moment has come, stops rushing about and grimly turns his face on the man with the scarlet ‘muleta’ and sword. The Spaniards call this ‘the moment of truth.’ This is the climax of the bullfight.
“This afternoon, I have arrived at my own moment of truth. After a lengthy conference with my lawyers, Senators Jovito R. Salonga and Lorenzo Tañada, I made a very crucial and vital decision that will surely affect all our lives: Mommy’s, your sisters’, yours and our entire loved ones as well as mine.
“I have decided not to participate in the proceedings of the Military Commission assigned to try the charges filed against me by the army prosecution staff. As you know, I’ve been charged with illegal possession of firearms, violation of R.A. 1700, otherwise known as the ‘Anti-Subversion Act,’ and murder.
“You are still too young to grasp the full impact of my decision. Briefly, by not participating in the proceedings, I will not be represented by counsel; the prosecution will present its witnesses without any cross examinations; I will not put up any defense; I will remain passive and quiet through the entire trial; and I will merely await the verdict. In as much as it will be a completely one-sided affair, I suppose it is reasonable to expect that the maximum penalty will be given to me. I expect to be sentenced to imprisonment the rest of my natural life, or possible be sent to stand before a firing squad. By adopting the course of action I decided upon this afternoon, I have literally decided to walk into the very jaws of death.
“You may ask: ‘Why did you do it?’
“Son, my decision is an act of conscience. It is an act of protest against the structures of injustice that have been imposed upon our hapless countrymen. Futile and puny as it will surely appear too many, it is last my act to defiance against tyranny and dictatorship.
“You are my only son. You carry my name and the name of my father. I have no material wealth to leave you; I never had time to make money while I was in the hire of our people. For this I am very sorry. I had hopes of building a little nest egg for you. I bought a ranch in Masbate in the hope that after 10 or 15 years, the coconut trees I planted there would yield enough to assure you a modest but comfortable existence. Unfortunately, I had to sell all our properties as I fought battle after political battle as a beleaguered member of the opposition. And after the last battle, I had more obligations than assets.
“The only valuable asset I can bequeath to you now is the name you carry. I have tried my best during my years of public service to keep that name untarnished and respected, unmarked by sorry compromises for expediency. I now pass it on to you, as good, I pray, as when my father, your grandfather, passed it on to me.
“I prepared a statement, which I intended to read before the Military Commission on Monday at the opening of my trial. I hope the commission members will be understanding and kind enough to allow me to read my statement into the record. This may well be my first and only participation in the entire proceedings.
“In this statement I said: Some people suggested that I beg for mercy from the present powers that be. Son, this I cannot do in conscience. I would rather die on my feet with honor, than live on bended knees in shame.
“Your great-grandfather, General Servillano Aquino, was twice condemned to death by both the Spaniards and the American colonizers. Fortunately, he survived both by a twist of fate. Your grandfather, my father, was also imprisoned by the Americans because he loved his people more than he Americans who colonized us. He was finally vindicated. Our ancestors have shared the pains, the sorrows and the anguish of Mother Filipinas when she was in bondage.
“It is a rare privilege for me to join the Motherland in the dark dungeon where she was led back by one of her own sons whom she lavished with love and glory.
“I ended my statement thus: I have chosen to follow my conscience and accept the tyrant’s revenge.
“It takes little effort to stop a tyrant. I have no doubt in the ultimate victory of right over wrong, of good over evil, in the awakening of the Filipino.
“Forgive me for passing unto your young shoulders the great responsibilities for our family. I trust you will love your mother and your sisters and lavish them with the care and protection I would have given them.
“I was barely 15 years old when my father died. His death was my most traumatic experience. I loved and hero-worshipped him so much; I wanted to join him in his grave when he passed away. But as in all sorrows, eventually they are washed away by the rains of time.
“In the coming years, I hope you will study very hard so that you will have a solid foundation on which to build your future. I may no longer be around to give you my fatherly advice. I have asked many of your uncles to help you along should the need arise, and I pray you will have the humility to drink from their fountain of experience.
“Look after your two younger sisters with understanding and affection. Viel and Krissy will need your umbrella of protection for a long time. Krissy is still very young and fate has been most unkind to both of us. Our parting came too soon. Please make up for me. Take care of her as I would have taken care of her with patience and warm affection.
“Finally, stand by your mother as she stood beside me through the buffeting winds of crisis and uncertainties, firm and resolute and uncowed. I pray to God you inherit her indomitable spirit and her rare brand of silent courage.
“I had hopes of introducing you to my friends
, showing you the world and guiding you through the maze of survival; I am afraid you will now have to go it alone without your guide.
“The only advice I can give you: Live with honor and follow your conscience.
“There is no greater nation on earth than our Motherland. No greater people than our own. Serve them with all your heart, with all your might and with all your strength.
“Son, the ball is now in your hands.”
Lovingly,
Dad
ATTENTION MANILA MAYOR ALFREDO LIM
One of your Manila Board of Regents, Mr. Jesus B. Trinos Jr., was alleged involved in a Fraud Complaint in a multibillion peso anomalous deals, the Capability Upgrade Program (CUP), AFP Modernization Program Fixed Communications System Projects SCAM as supplier/agent for Datatrail Corp., Ceragon Networks Israel and Alcatel.
We need your help in the speedy investigation the one-million-peso-company Datatrail Corp. grossly defrauded the Philippine government, illegally bagging the Contracts in AFP DID NOT PASS the 1ST STAGE BIDDING THE ELIGIBILITY STAGE Datatrail Corporation DID N0T submit their Eligibility documents thereby grossly violating the RA9184 and IRR, this PhP 55,000 taxpaying company getting the multi-billion projects in AFP by fraud and influence peddling.
We know you as Mr. Clean honest disciplinarian and well known as criminal fraud buster, you hate Cheaters (ayaw po ninyo sa mga sinungaling, mapaglinlang, manlalamang, magnanakaw at mandaraya) especially when they are taking advantage of your good image; even using you and your good name by photo ops. We just saw you recently with Mr. Trinos and Ms. Gemma Cruz-Araneta at PLM during the ceremony welcoming the two new Regents. This is quite disturbing knowing that your good reputation will be at stake here gladly endorsing Mr. Trinos as Manila Regent. Mr. Jesus Trinos is currently involved in various fraudulent illegal activities highly anomalous deals controversial biddings and kickback schemes seen to be raking millions of dollars in government deals that are tainted with graft and corruption issues, influence peddling, grave collusion, daylight robbery and treacherous conspiracy among suppliers and the AFP DND BAC.
Jesus Trinos Jr. PLMAAI President (representative/agent for Ceragon Networks Israel, Datatrail Corp. and Alcatel) and Hermie Orbe PLM Foundation President (representative/agent for Alcatel) are both MAJOR PLAYERS here as telecommunications suppliers actively participating in the highly anomalous controversial AFP deals and they are on the way to transfer the AFP Modernization Program Funds thru PLM Foundations in which they elected themselves as officers to control the PLM Scholarship bank accounts they opened these bank accounts in Makati City (not in Manila) !?? These suppliers bagged Contracts the AFP Modernization Program Funds illegally, by massive fraud, collusion and these conspiring vendors have entered into JVA (c/o Ceragon Networks Israel and Datatrail Corp.) without Income Tax Return Stamped Receipt from BIR (EFS), etc., grossly violated the latest Government Procurement Act RA 9184 and IRR on JVA published early 2005. Like the Film Scam in 1994 (where the late Ms. Viveka Babajee the Miss Mauritius 1994, she announced the Winners by Fraud; likewise here, the suppliers in conspiracy with the AFP DND BAC 2005-2006 they announced the Winner thru a mere JVA declaration they exacted ‘switching of ballots/Winners’ i.e., thru a JVA, AN INSTANT Winner was declared by DND BAC, Winner without eligibility documents and BYPASSED THE 1ST STAGE BIDDING THE ELIGIBILITY STAGE ! )
Government fraud is A VERY SERIOUS CRIME !
This is a national interest and your local government interest as well especially that one of your Regents was deeply involved in these illegal acts that are tainted with GRAFT AND CORRUPTION and fraudulent transactions, the AFP DND BAC highly controversial anomalous deals.
Sadya po nilang iniligaw yung mga Signatories na binabanggit nila. They DID NOT follow the rule of law the latest RA 9184 and IRR on JVA published early 2005. Datatrail Corporation DID NOT participate the 1ST STAGE BIDDING which is the MOST IMPORTANT STAGE BECAUSE IT IS THERE WHERE WE CAN SEE IF THIS COMPANY, DATATRAIL CORPORATION IS PAYING THE RIGHT TAXES and TO SEE THE QUALIFICATION HISTORY OF DATATRAIL CORPORATION, wala po silang pinakitang kahit anong ELIGIBILITY Documents. Again, Datatrail Corporation DID NOT participate the 1ST STAGE Bidding. This is highly illegal and criminal offense as a Contractor, obviously THIS BIDDING AND AWARDING OF CONTRACT WAS TAINTED WITH GRAFT AND CORRUPTION.
And So, the public may know !
SOLID EVIDENCE (THIS IS WELL DOCUMENTED)
TO SHOW PROOF OF EVIDENCE THAT We have NOT seen Datatrail Corp. during the 1ST STAGE THE ELIGIBILITY STAGE Bidding, here’s an AFP document from their online archive:
AFP Modernization Program Fixed Communications System Bid Bulletin (notice ONLY four bidders’ ELIGIBILITY DOCUMENTS WERE SCRUTINIZED, namely: Alcatel Phils., Inc., Lucent Technologies, Nera Phils., and Ceragon Networks)
X X X X X X
Fixed Communication System (stage/status: 1st stage of the 2-stage procurement mode was held last September 8, 2005; new invitation to apply for eligibility and to bid (ITAEB) will be issued on October 20, 2005)
Procurement Stage: 1st Stage – Opening and Submission of Bids
ABC: P447,360,000.00
Length of Delivery: 240 calendar days upon issuance of Notice to Proceed
Highlights : Through a Supplemental Bulletin, the deadline for submission and opening of bids for the 1st stage bidding for this project was changed from 25 August 2005 to 8 September 2005, 9:00 a.m. On the day of submission and opening of bids, 4 companies complied, namely Alcatel Phils., Inc., Lucent Technologies, Nera Phils., and Ceragon Networks. None of them failed when their eligibility envelopes were opened. During the initial evaluation of the technical proposals of the 4 bidders, the BAC declared that they all passed, yet subject to post qualification/evaluation. BAC shall formally announce in writing, through the Secretariat, the results of the evaluation. Schedule of the opening of the revised technical proposal and their financial proposals (i.e. 2nd phase of a two-stage bidding process) is scheduled on October 20, 2005 due to request of bidders for longer time to prepare revised technical proposals.
http://www.hueybravo.net/Modernization%20Projects.htm
X X X X X
Based on the AFP BAC’s Bid Bulletin, it showed beyond doubt that there were ONLY 4 Bidders, not 5; the private Filipino company Datatrail Corp. was not in the list !
WHERE’s DATATRAIL CORPORATION during the 1st STAGE Bidding ?? No docs ? Missing in action ? Datatrail Corporation totally ignored the 1ST STAGE ELIGIBILITY STAGE. THEY HAVEN’T EVEN SUBMITTED THEIR EFS BIR Certifications PAID Stamped Receipt equivalent to 50% of the ABC and Qualifications History, etc ? So now here’s the question, IS THIS the “level playing field” that AFP DND BAC were talking about ? Bakit napakalakas naman po yata ng Datatrail Corporation sa DND BAC. Kung kelan halos patapos na ang bidding, dun lang ididikit yung name nila sa Project na naka- “JVA” kuno ! Dahil po ba kasi masyadong malaki ang Kickbacks or “TONG-PATS” !??