Polibiz
By Nelson C. Robles

Another Ilonggo in the limelight

I have not met the controversial so-called Ilonggo sound expert Jonathan Tiongco as I missed by the skin of the teeth his press conference at the Hotel del Rio last August 14, but judging from the way he presented his observation on the Hello Garci tape, I can say that the guy has a smoking gun.

Jonathan Tiongco, according to our friend Alex Vidal, is the younger brother of the talented Jojie Tiongco, Alex's friend and contemporary in community journalism (both Alex and Jojie started their journalism career in late 80's after the fall of Pres. Ferdinand Marcos).

Because of the intensity of his expose against those who may have “doctored” the original version of the Hello Garci tape (to suit the whims, of course, of the opposition), Jonathan Tiongco is now being saddled by attacks against his credibility, background, culture and motives.

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I watched on TV and read in the papers how courageous this man is. In fact, he even dared a former San Juan congressman Gonzalez, father of former sex nymphet Kring-Kring Gonzalez, to a live studio debate, when the ex-congressman questioned Tiongco's expertise.

Gonzalez had been claiming that the Hello Garci tape is authentic. Tiongco, a resident of Molo, Iloilo City and a former disc jockey at the Treasure Hunt disco (now closed) in Hotel del Rio in the late 80's, is standing by his claim that the tape had been spliced to make it appear Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo had uttered “dagdag” in her phone conversation with Elections Commissioner Garcillano.

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As of press time, Tiongco is firm on his stand that the tape was not anymore original. He didn't mind the insults and brickbats thrown his way by the mad dogs of the opposition as he is determined to disseminate the truth. He was even accused of being a “witness-for-hire” in order to camouflage the ongoing impeachment complaint against Mrs. GMA.

True or not, people should give him the benefit of the doubt; we should lend him our ears and scrutinize all the gadgets and documents that he presented to media to support his claim.

If we dismiss all the evidences that are in his possession, we might miss another golden opportunity to know the truth. We are all mature enough, educated and literate to be taken for a ride. Tiongco is not that stupid to stand by his claim and campaign for the “truth” as he knows that he would be under intense interrogation and subjected to a microscopic grilling if he was talking a lot of bullshit and could not substantiate his point.

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It is just very interesting to note that most of those who are in the national limelight nowadays owing to the Hello Garci scandal are Ilonggos—villain or heroes whichever side they belong. Already in the political cockpit are Senators Frank Drilon and Miriam Defensor- Santiago, Justice Sec. Raul Gonzalez, Sr., Cong. Art Defensor, among other prominent personalities.

I will not be surprised if in the next election, Jonathan Tiongco will be a candidate for congressman or mayor. By the way, is it true that the alleged lover of jueteng star witness Sandra Cam is also an Ilonggo from Guimaras?