With reference to an earlier post about the circus that is Philippine politics, I wrote that there is no shortage of predatory animals wandering the halls of power. Animals that are highly trained in their tricks, keeping their audience transfixed with endless antics and gimmicks that would put any entertainer to shame. Events in the past weeks have only strengthened this argument, with a never-ending opposition-studded senate hearing and the current administration’s press briefings each brimming with accusations and counter punches. However, a new character has emerged, a clown! Senator Jamby Madrigal has entertained us with one exposé dud after another, prompting certain media personalities to dub her as “Consuelo de Bobo” (Consuelo is her real name) and “Kuryente Girl". Moreover, certain unflattering phrases have lately been associated with her name, like “the senator as an airhead”, “her mouth is faster than her brain”, “what brain?” and “the ill effects of Prozac” to name a few. He he. For a clearer understanding of what I am talking about, read the following.

Look, Up in the Sky! It’s a blunder! It’s a gaffe! It’s “Kuryente Girl”!......

You may have already heard of the recent exploits of someone whom a lot of people now refer to as the Kuryente Girl (KG) — the newest superhero to grace the halls of the Philippine Senate. She’s able to jump to incredible conclusions in a single bound, and has the uncanny ability to “electrocute” (or in local parlance, kuryente) herself with unsubstantiated and/or inaccurate reports which she openly declares to the media and the public. When these allegedly explosive exposés turn out to be duds, she soars to the next outrageous accusation faster than a speeding bullet. These days, no rumor is safe, and no decorum is out of bounds, as long as the new heroine of intrigue is around! Lolit Solis can take a lesson or two from KG.

In her not-so-mild-mannered secret identity of Senator Jamby Madrigal, she first displayed her special powers during her grand claim alleging that the letters “FG” written on the margin of a ZTE-related document referred to First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo. After quickly changing from a normal speaking voice to a theatrical monotone, the senator proudly stood before broadcast and print news reporters, proclaiming that the letters FG on the document she had in hand was veritable proof that the First Gentleman was indeed involved in the controversial ZTE deal. It later turned out, however, that there was a letter “I” after “FG” (the last initial somehow mysteriously disappeared from her copy of the document) which stood for Florante G. Igtiben (FGI) who is the chief of the Asia Pacific Division of the Public Investment Staff that oversees projects funded by China.

With her kuryente powers properly displayed, it was time for the senator to showcase yet another one of her traits — the capacity to tough it out in the face of an obvious mistake. Instead of apologizing, she even rebuked Chinese Embassy officials who had taken exception to her press statement alleging the First Gentleman’s involvement in the ZTE transaction.

As if to prove ownership of her status as the Senate’s new superhero, Madam Madrigal embarked on yet another public declaration of crime and scandal. This time, she zeroed in on Philippine National Railways (PNR) General Manager Jose Ma. Sarasola II, alleging in a published statement that the PNR ”lost or could not locate” a copy of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) dated April 27, 2005 between the PNR and the China National Technical Import-Export Corporation (CNTIC). Sarasola clarified the matter, stating, “we do not have a copy of the MOA that Senator Madrigal is talking about. As far as we are concerned, such a document does not exist. So how is it possible for me to have lost or to be covering up a non-existent document?”

Oops. Perhaps the lady senator found out a little too late that there is a world of difference between a MOA and a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), which is what the PNR forged together with CNTIC and China National Machinery Import and Export Corporation (CMC) way back in November 15, 2002.

From all indications, it would seem that KG is superstitious, believing in the phrase “third time’s the charm.” In yet another well-trumpeted revelation (superheroes are indeed the darlings of the media), she recently reported alleged anomalies and overpricing in the procurement of X-Ray scanning machines by the Bureau of Customs (BOC). She has asked the Senate to conduct an investigation (of course), and has even likened the matter to the controversial NBN-ZTE project. Her claims were immediately refuted by Atty. Lourdes Mangaoang, head of the Customs X-Ray Scanning Project. Atty. Mangaoang explained that the X-Ray machines in question were procured under the BOC’s Non-Intrusive Container Inspection System Project (NCISP), which is aimed at the speedy and more reliable inspection of all incoming cargo. This is part of the BOC’s efforts to prevent tariff evasion due to misdeclaration of highly dutiable goods like luxury cars, and would also intensify checks against items like illegal weapons and drugs.

In response to the senator’s assertions of overpricing, compared to the same brand (Nuctech) of X-Ray machines used in Los Angeles, Mangaoang pointed out that the Nuctech model that the BOC acquired is a more advanced model (LT) with much higher penetration levels than the LH model bought by Los Angeles. In short, it’s an apples-to-oranges contrast.

Moreover, the project head said that NCISP funding comes from a concessional loan pursuant to the government-to-government counter-trade financing agreement between the Philippines and China. This means that the loan is without equity, with an annual interest rate of only 2% on diminishing balance, and maturity upon 20 years, with a grace period of 5 years. The machines will be self-liquidating, with the income earned from their operations easily offsetting their cost.

To the question of why we need 30 machines to L.A.’s solitary X-Ray unit, Mangaoang stressed the fact that the BOC has to cover 15 ports spread out over our 7,100 islands, compared to L.A.’s single port of entry.

Due to her three consecutive blunders, some members of the opposition feel that Madam Madrigal is turning out to be a villain to their cause, rather than a hero. Maybe what she should take to heart is the cardinal rule in baseball — “ after 3 strikes, you’re out”. (By Domini M. Torrevillas / Philstar.com)

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