Gordon is very busy these days. At one time, I noticed he was in Panay, supervising the activities of the Philippine National Red Cross of which he is the chairman. In another time, he is in Mindanao, holding dialogues with officials on how to alleviate the effects of natural disaster.

The articulate Gordon now believes that action makes propaganda. Gordon does not have to say that he is running. But people are attaching significance to his moves. Many people I have talked to say Gordon is preparing. After all, about two years ago, Gordon made an announcement that he wants to start a dialogue with the Filipino on reforms. What else does that mean, except that he wants to run?

If Gordon runs, what would be his slogan and identity positioning? From his activities—not only here but also in Myanmar—it would be “service to the people.” For that is the essence of his activities—humanitarian work. Forget the old slogan that sounds like this: “Today Olongapo, tomorrow the Philippines.”

Now comes Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay, the president of the United Nationalist Opposition (UNO) which is the core of the opposition to the Arroyo government. We observed two of his activities that show his interest in a position higher than managing the premier city of the country.

If you see Binay going the rounds of the archipelago, he is invariably forging sister-city accords with Makati. Sometimes, he is in Pangasinan, broadening his alliances for the future. Even small towns are not spared by his kind of charm offensive. I learned that the little town of Sta. Maria in Romblon is a recipient of the generosity of Makati.

Binay, through his foundation, is sponsoring a conference on leadership on July 29. He will be featuring Mr. Rudy Giuliani who will speak on “leadership in times of crisis.” I suppose Giuliani will focus his speech on his experience in the handling of 9/11 which happened in his city of New York.

The underlying message of the forum is that leadership is not only national, but also local. In a country which has not considered a mayor for the presidency (Manila mayors Arsenio Lacson and Alfredo Lim tried their luck but failed), the Giuliani speech may just change the rules of the game in selecting presidential standard bearers.

If you remember, Gordon tried to run for the highest position on the basis of excellence in managing Olongapo City where he was mayor for several terms. But he failed. The reason probably was that, in the minds of the voters, Olongapo was too small to become a model for governance. This time, Gordon is banking on wider national constituency.

By choice, Binay has never assumed a national post. But his leadership over Makati has made his name a byword all over the country. He can count on that name, along with his leadership over the core of the opposition. The only question for Binay would be his winning the nominations where there are strong contenders.

United Nations team goes to Sibuyan

We are glad that a team of experts from the United Nations is going to Sibuyan to solve the problem of the sunken Princess of the Stars. The people in the area want the ship to be refloated because of the toxic materials inside the boat. There is an existing ban on fishing in the waters of San, Fernando, Romblon.

They better do it fast. Department of Health Chief Francisco Duque describes the sunken boat as a time bomb. If the chemicals underneath mixes with water, then a wider fishing area will be affected, including the Tablas Straits and the waters fronting the Bicol region.

We should go to the root of the problem of this tragedy. Speaker Prospero Nograles has already called for investigation. But alongside those investigations should be a resolve by the government and the owners of Sulpicio to move ASAP for the sake of the people of Romblon and for the protection of the environment.

BRIEF NOTES. Expect a continuing debate on the appointment of Ms. Zenaida Ducut as chairman of the Energy Regulatory Commission. Already, there are derogatory reports about the connections of Ducut, a two-term congresswoman from Pampanga . . . Expect the giant electric firm to make its presence felt in this debate . . . Boxing champ Manny Pacquiao is sure to go to Beijing to carry the RP banner in the parade of athletes . . . The three-hour dress rehearsal for the opening ceremonies in the Beijing Olympics is finished. The only problem is when the rains come during the event . . . French President Sarkozy has backtracked from his plan to boycott the Olympics. He is now joining US President Bush in the opening ceremonies. By the way, President GMA will also be there.

The Manila Times Internet Edition | OPINION > Richard Gordon and Jejomar Binay

Press Conference at PREDA Center
Monday, July 13, 1998

Richard Gordon should be replaced as chairman of the SBMA for due cause. There are many ‘due causes’ why he should be replaced and prosecuted. Here are a few of them as compiled and documented by the PREDA Foundation, Inc.

1. Alleged incompetence and evidence of graft uncovered by the Commission On Audit and declared guilty by the Presidential Commission Against Graft and Corruption (PCAGC).

2. His alleged promotion of Olongapo as a sex tourist destination for military prostitution and his failure to act on evidence of child sexual abuse in Olongapo uncovered by the US investigators.

3. His alleged part in the violation of human and civil rights of NGO child care workers.

4. Allegations and evidence of using Government funded projects for personal or family benefit.

Background

The Preda Foundation, Inc. is an NGO working for the human and civil rights of women, children and youth in Olongapo for 24 years. The work of rescuing sexually exploited children from jails, brothels and from the streets and restoring them to a life of dignity has continually met opposition from the Government of Olongapo City led by the Gordon Family. The civil and human rights of Preda personnel have been violated with impunity for many years.

We are witnesses to the effect of the policies and practices of the Gordon Dynasty which has ruled this city for forty years almost without interruption and have controlled and politicized the SBMA since 1992.

Gordon has been declared guilty of graft by the Presidential Commission Against Graft and Corruption on evidence uncovered by the Commission On Audit showing that millions of pesos of government funds were squandered on useless and questionable purchases and much more were without receipts and unaccounted for. These documents are available from the Commission On Audit and the Preda Center.

Plunder At Subic

The Commission On Audit examination of the SBMA for October 1992 to December 1993 show that millions of pesos are unaccounted for. In the first three months of operation at the SBMA under Gordon, they claimed that they spent a whooping
Php 10,798,214.59 in 1992 and in 1993, Php 5,289,110.72 for vehicle operation.

Assume each vehicle uses an average of Php 2,000.00 a month for the three months, running non-stop for 12 hours a day. To consume that amount of fuel and oil you would need 1,783 vehicles at the SBMA.

In 1993, the consumption billed was half of 1992. Apparently, half of the 1,783 ghost vehicles of the SBMA stopped running or were sold off by 1993. But the SBMA did not have that number of vehicles. So how come there was such billings, according to COA reckoning the receipts submitted as fuel bills must have been fake? 15 million pesos of fake fuel bills? Where did the money go? The millions were supposedly spent on gasoline and motor oil according to the papers presented to the commission by Gordon.

So allegedly, according to the COA report, observers can only speculate that there was massive plundering from the very beginning of the chairmanship of Gordon that was greater than what happened at Clarke .In other words, what was protected at Subic was guarded for a select bunch of plunders. The fact that Gordon claims he and volunteers protected Subic could be a smoke screen perhaps for what really happened.

Only a real investigation in court will reveal the truth. However the COA report comments on missing funds that says many of the purchases were “without appropriate documents and adequate records”.

Other expenditures for 1992 were Php 1.7 million for various supplies, in 1993, they spent Php 9.2 million but not sufficient documentation to justify it and not enough physical supplies in the inventory. So where did it go? Mr. Gordon has a lot of answering to do.

15 million pesos was spent on a private helicopter for Chairman Gordon.

9 million pesos for ground maintenance for 1993-94 although there were, according to Gordon’s own claims, 8,000 volunteers unpaid doing this work. Someone got the money, not the poor of Olongapo.

20 million pesos was budgeted in 1993 for assorted weapons, guns, rifles shotguns, and side arms, enough to equip an small army and that included 10 units of sniper scopes costing Php 125,000. Where are they now?

85 million pesos for new vehicles alone in 1995.

16 million pesos for 2 air-conditioned bullet proof vehicles.

21 million pesos for 30 light “trucks” Mitsubishi L-200 diesel – 12 seater in fact, mini vans.

20 million pesos for 8 Fuso buses.

18 million pesos for 30 Nissan Lancer patrol cars.

9 million pesos for five Nissan Patrol pick-up vehicles.

85 million pesos total for new vehicles alone in 1995.

Driving around the SBMA, few of these can be found. So, where are they ? Only when the 388 vehicles listed as purchased from 1992 to the present are accounted for by external investigators will the truth of the missing vehicles be known. Gordon will not allow this as long as he is the Chairman. Is this what Gordon is hiding, or is the other more damaging evidence of wrongdoing waiting to be found?

Ghost Vehicles? Old Replace New Scam

Are the remains of the 388 vehicles bought from the US Navy in 1993 masquerading as new ones that were either never bought with the 85 million pesos or just disappeared?

Other purchases of used vehicles, including buses from a US bus line were made by the SBMA and dumped useless in the former Navy magazine area where they remain today. Only an external inventory will expose the truth of these allegations.

Leg Irons, Batons, Shackles, Body Armors

The security department ordered 200 pieces of batons for the police at Php 1,500 each. Riot shields at Php 15,000 each. Peerless leg irons (shackles) for prisoners. 1,800 pesos each. Human lock anklets (none available). Six night vision cameras at Php 120,000 each. Body Armors – 10 outfits Php 35,000 each. 10 hand held metal detectors – 15,000 pesos each. Five speed gun Php 60,000 each. Two walk through metal detectors Php 550,000 each. Everything allegedly overpriced.

Unpaid Labor

When the SBMA was using hundreds of unpaid “volunteers” who were barred from employment if they did not first give up to one year free labor, some had to cut the grass of investors with household scissors. The SBMA charged the government 9 million pesos annually for this maintenance work.

Cover Up Of Child Sex Abuse By Gordon?

Allegedly, according to strong documentary evidence found in US Navy archives, Richard Gordon, when mayor of Olongapo from 1982, allowed and encouraged, the growth of the most exploitative and dehumanizing sex industry that catered to the lustful and sexual appetites of the US Navy servicemen. The US Navy in its own undercover operations uncovered what we at Preda, already knew and fought against – the shameful sexual exploitation of children as young as 4 years old.

Evidence of the “Filipino Babies For Sex” scandal, was uncovered and documented by US Navy investigators and given to the local authorities including Mayor Richard Gordon. When he was given the reports and the names of the suspects, he did nothing instead he covered it up and presented himself as a paragon of virtue and a leader of youth.

This alleged failure to act on reported and documented heinous crimes against little children makes him a alleged accessory to the crimes. These documents are available to the media .

Threats And Harassment Against Social Workers

Because of the stand of the Preda Center against these syndicates who abuse children and protect accused child sex abusers, allegedly including relatives and political associates of Mr. Gordon, still before the courts, Preda workers have been threatened, harassed and vilified over the years.

Secret Intelligence Group Of Gordon

Documents show social workers have been put under surveillance by the intelligence unit of the SBMA spying on innocent people.

Building and other Permits routinely denied. Deportations and other charges made without evidence.

Arrest Warrant After TV Interview

On July 9, 1998 the day after Fr. Shay Cullen gave an interview to ABS-CBN, an arrest warrant was issued against Fr. Shay Cullen for Grave Oral Defamation. Who will speak to the media? This is evidence of harassment and the intimidation of the people threatening them if they dare to criticize the ruling dynasty.

Using Government Projects For Personal Benefit

The Gordon family allegedly used their political power and position to arrange with the National Power Corporation and Asian Development Bank to allegedly, personally benefit from the erection of an additional electrical power pylon at Kalaklan, so that dangerous electromagnetic cables would be diverted from Gordon Park, where they have valuable beach, while allegedly permitting the pylons and cables to pass close to the Preda Children’s Home.

Gordon Park Reclamation At Government Cost, Or Is It Public Land?

That same property – Gordon Park, is getting, allegedly for free, a massive tract of reclaimed land from the Olongapo City government headed by Kate Gordon. It ought to be clear that the reclaimed land is government property. This being the result of a Gordon decision to use a government funded de-silting project from Pinatubo in the Sta. Rita River to reclaim land for the Gordon’s at Gordon Park.

Human Rights Violations

Illegal Arrest and detention and mauling of Fr. Shay Cullen. The dynasty is allegedly part of the Human Rights violations, illegal arrest and detention and the double handcuffing and mauling of Fr. Shay Cullen and Lowell Maglaqui on June 13 ,1997 by ordering the police to dismantle the picket against the power lines without a court order. Charges against the police are being heard in a Quezon City court By Judge Generoso.

SBMA guards riddle fishermen with machine gun fire kills two.

Gordon’s bodyguard guns boy. A Young boy was shot point blank in the head at the Olongapo public market near the Olongapo police station before many witnesses allegedly, by Juanito Susi the bodyguard of Richard Gordon. Susi was acquitted by a Judge friendly to the Dynasty despite eye witness to the shooting and the absence of any other suspect.

Fr. Shay Cullen Attacked By Gordon Goons Outside SBMA

SBMA officials denied freedom of movement and passage to Fr. Shay Cullen inside the SBMA in November, 1996. Then as he left the gate, a gang of hoodlums led by Mike Pusing, the Public Relations Officer of Mayor Gordon, physically attacked and beat Fr. Shay along Magsaysay Drive, Olongapo City. A foreign reporter accompanying Fr. Cullen was threatened with harm.

Preda Foundation, Inc. NEWS/ARTICLES: “Richard Gordons Ouster

At a press conference Wednesday, Thailand Ambassador to the Philippines Kulkumut Singhara Na Ayudhaya said the two officials’ statements “were not based on facts and may have some implication of hidden agendas.”

He said he was set to file a diplomatic protest with the Department of Foreign Affairs this Wednesday.

Pressed to reveal what these agenda might be, the ambassador said he didn’t know for sure if there was an agenda, only that it appeared that there was.

The ambassador said that while the Philippine society allowed for open criticisms, it must respect facts and rule of law.

Its officials should not “compare the two societies [as if] competing to do something that is not necessary at all. If there is a good advice, Thailand will appreciate it,” he said.

The ambassador said calling Thais politically immature was not fair. “Thais have admired Filipinos for a long, long time. The Philippines has been a place of knowledge for us for a long, long time,” he said.

The ambassador said he was also concerned about the two officials’ statements that Filipinos “have reached a high degree of political maturity whereby our people respect due process and the rule of law,” and that “the political turmoil in Thailand could not possibly happen here.”

“In fact, the protest is only [an] indication that [the] Thai people are free to exercise their political right based on democracy. In the midst of the protests, the Royal Thai Government has committed itself to upholding the democratic system and will resolve the current situation in accordance with the democratic means,” he said.

Asked if he wanted the two to apologize, the ambassador said he could not require that of them. “It is voluntary,” he said.

The ambassador also noted that these statements violated the ASEAN Charter which specified that member-countries could not interfere in each other’s internal affairs.

“I would also like to reiterate the importance of the basic principle of ASEAN which appears in the ASEAN Charter that the member countries will not interfere in each other’s internal affairs,” he said.

Thailand protests RP criticism vs crisis – INQUIRER.net, Philippine News for Filipinos

Team Gordon 2010 – We are just ordinary citizens working for change and trying to make a difference. Hand to hand and heart to heart, building a better future today. Through this blog we hope to reach out to the people whose lives have been touched and changed for the better by Dick Gordon. Let us all come together and help elect Dick Gordon for President in 2010. http://teamgordon2010.blogspot.com

Richard Gordon – Online sine July 2005 – http://richardgordon.blogspot.com/

Team Gordon in Baguio – Team Gordon 2010 Ordinary Filipino citizens banding together to make positive transformation a reality for their country. – http://baguioforgordon.blogspot.com/

Wow Richard Gordon – http://wowrichardgordon.blog.friendster.com/

James Gordon Jr. -  Councilor; Representative, 1st district, Zambales; Mayor -  Olongapo City; House of Representatives; Olongapo City,  1994-1995; 1995-2004; 2004-2007, Sibling

Source: I-site.ph

Real Estates (conjugal) -  Metro Manila – Owners various years

Source: I-site.ph

• Total Assets (in pesos): 44,015,604.00
• Total Liabilities (in pesos): 20,330,613.00
• Net Worth (in pesos): 23,684,991.00

Real Properties

• Unclassified lot – Parañaque, Metro Manila – 1977, purchased – 633,911.00
• Unclassified lot – Ramos St., Olongapo City – 1984, purchased – 60,000.00
• Building – P. Tamo, Makati, Metro Manila, 1979, purchased – 150,000.00
• Building – Xavierville, Quezon City, 1983, purchased – 551,953.00
• Land and building – Xavierville, Quezon City, 1983, purchased – 2,665,087.00
• Land and building – Gallagher St., Olongapo City, 1979, inherited – 400,000.00
• Unclassified lot – Rizal Avenue, Olongapo City, 1968, inherited – 393,150.00
• Land and building – 10th St., Olongapo City, 1974, inherited – 340,000.00
• Land and building – Anonas St., Olongapo City, 1979, inherited – 294,360.00
• Land and building – Gordon Avenue, Olongapo City, 1990, purchased – 100,000.00
• Commercial property – Capt. Circle, Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, Olongapo City, 1995, leased – 7,396,152.00 ($97,000 @ P29.35)
• Commercial property – Bonita St., Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, Olongapo City, 1995 – leased – 8,323,236.00 ($97,000 @ P25.75)
• Condominium unit – Salcedo Village, Makati City, Metro Manila, 2002 – purchased- 13,964,568.00

Personal Assets

• Cash – various years – 501,186.00
• Prepaid income tax – 2004, 46,901.00
• Shares of stock – Philex Mining Corp. – various years- 36,652.00
• Shares of stock – First Phil. Holding Inc. – various years – 8,778.00
• Shares of stock – Atlas Consolidated Mining Co. Inc. – various years – 3,543.00
• Shares of stock – San Miguel Corp. – various years – 910,139.00
• Shares of stock – Lepanto Consolidated – various years – 34.00
• Shares of stock – Central Azucarrera de Don Pedro – various years – 405,000.00
• Shares of stock – Jollibee Foods Corp. – various years – 2,659,604.00
• Shares of stock – Aboitiz Equity Ventures – various years – 31,200.00
• Shares of stock – Pilipino Telephone Corp. – various years – 1,014,000.00
• Shares of stock – Petron Corp. – various years – 23,000.00
• Shares of stock – Meralco – various years – 116,250.00
• Shares of stock – Filinvest – various years – 371,250.00
• Shares of stock – C & P Homes – various years – 111,250.00
• Shares of stock – Kepphil Shipyard Inc. – various years – 75,978.00
• Motor vehicle – Honda Civic – 1996 – 599,000.00
• Motor vehicle – Mustang – 1987- 120,000.00
• Motor vehicle – Owner-type Jeep – 1994 – 120,000.00
• Furniture, fixtures, appliances and equipment – 1987 – 555,000.00
• Jewelry and books – various years – 500,000.00
• Security deposit (with SBMA) – 1995, – 534,422.00

Liabilities

• Income tax payable – 181,632.00
• Accrued and other accounts payable – 19,894.00
• Security Bank (SBMA Unit-Bonita) -  905,951.00
• Personal loan – 16,740,000.00
• Housing loan – Bank of the Philippine Islands – 2,483,136.00

Source : I-site.ph

Richard “Dick” Juico Gordon is a Filipino politician, head of the Philippine National Red Cross, and senator of the Republic of the Philippines.

Early life and career

He was born on August 5, 1945 to James Leonard Tagle Gordon and Amelia Juico Gordon, (who were both mayors of Olongapo City). On 1954, he completed his e