Former President Fidel Ramos on Executive Clemency

Former President Fidel Ramos warns President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo that granting Former President Joseph Estrada an executive clemency will be the start of her downfall.

Former President Ramos says that "It's a national calamity..."

Former President Estrada son Senator Jinggoy Estrada reacted that Former President Ramos should not claim to be righteous because the greatest scam, graft and corruption erupted during his term as president. Sen. Estrada was refering to the Centennial Project of Fidel Ramos.

Theories behind the Executive Clemency

• To divert news from Joey's revelation regarding the broadband deal to Former President Joseph Estrada's pardon.

Last Thursday, Joey de Venecia revealed during the senate hearing two interesting things. One, he quoted someone as saying that First Gentleman Arroyo is interested in the ZTE Broadband deal because of the $70 million fund. He also revealed, that President Arroyo asked Sec. Neri why he did not accept the money? Also, she instructed Sec. Neri that if he does not wants the money then just approve the deal.

• President Arroyo feels threaten and insecure about her hold in the administration officials because of Speaker Joey de Venecia.

Speaker Jose de Venecia refused to endorsed the impeachment complains against President Arroyo because it's just a 3-page impeachment complain. Lately, Speaker Jose de Venecia calls for the administration to cleanse itself. With this stand, observers are theorizing that President Arroyo must have felt insecure about the loyalty of her allies. Thus, there's the payout issue. So, President Arroyo might have strike a deal with Former President Estrada to help her in negotiating the opposition.

• Just in case President Arroyo finished her term as president and she gets into the same situation as Former President Estrada then she will also be given an executive clemency.

With the impeachment complain hounding President Arroyo, it is more likely that she will be charged and sentenced similar to her predecessor, Former President Estrada. Thus, she granted executive clemency so she'll be given the same just in case she gets convicted.

Former President Estrada granted Executive Clemency

Philippine president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo yesterday has granted former President Joseph Estrada an executive clemency. And, former President Estrada is set to go to Malacañang today to sign the papers accepting the executive clemency.

Glorietta Blast cause by industrial failure

Authorities are pointing the root cause of the Glorietta blast as industrial failure. According to the authorities, methane gas emits from the septic tank plus no ventilation might have cause the explosion.

Currently, Ayala land is ruling out the industrial failure as the cause of the Glorietta Blast. They are saying that prior to the blast there's no extra-ordinary in the basement.

Local authorities, FBI and Australian police are still investigating the incident.

Theories behind the Glorietta Blast

As of this writing, the authorities have no conclusion to what caused the blast explosion last Friday Glorietta 2 Blast Explosion.

However, there are a lot of speculation of what caused the blast explosion as well as who might be behind the incident.

• Right after the blast explosion, it was reported that the blast explosion may have been caused by a Gas Leak from a restaurant - Luk Yuen. The said restaurant is said to have a history of gas leak. However, the authorities have inspected the said restaurant and observed that the restaurant seems to be untouched.

• Senator Trillanes have accused National Defense Secretary Noberto Gonzales and AFP Chief Esperon to be behind the Glorietta blast explosion. According to Senator Trillanes, it's Operation Green Base all over again.

• Recent investigation reported that the basement of Glorietta 2 is a power supply storage, where generators, air conditioned units, empty drums, diesel tank that contains 4,000 liters and septic tank are stored. It's possible that methane gas in the septic tank release by pozo negro could have triggered the explosion. Plus, the explosion blasted upward and no trace of high explosive materials are found. However, Ayala Land Spokeperson Alfie Reyes are quick to respond that it's too early to blame them for the incident.

• A militant group leader, Sheik Oman claimed responsibility for the bombing. In exchange, he demanded that captive Ahmed Santos be immediately released. However, an ex-member of the group said that the voice who sent the message are quite different from his spiritual adviser. He also added that it's impossible for Sheik Oman to demand the release of Ahmed Santos since the two are not in good terms. More, the group has disbanded since the capture of their leader, Ahmed Santos.

Glorietta Blast - Cellphone Video

Glorietta Blast - Amateur Video

Militant group claimed responsibility to the Friday blast

Rajah Sulayman Movement group claimed responsibility to last Friday blast explosion at Glorietta 2. According to a text message received sent to media, they are demanding for the immediate release of Ahmed Santos to prevent further collateral damage.

Blast Pictures from Glorietta 2

The cause of the explosion is not yet verified whether it's a bomb explosion or gas leak. But, the explosion originated on the ground floor.

Cause of Bomb Explosion still unknown

As of this writing, it still now known what has caused the bomb explosion.

Initial report states that it might caused by a LPG tank from a restaurant. The restaurant is said to have frequent problem with gas leak. But police have reported that the only restaurant in the area of the explosion seen to be untouched thus discounting the possibility of the gas leak. However, police are still determining the root cause of the bomb.

Glorietta 2 Mall Blast, Makati Philippines

At 1:25PM, there's an explosion that happened at Glorietta 2. Reasons for the explosion are still unkown. But, it was reported that there are at least 4 dead and 45 wounded as of the moment. Injured persons are bought to nearby hospital - Ospital ng Makati.

Meanwhile, it was uncleared if the cause of the explosion is caused by a gas leak - possibly a LPG tank by a restaurant. The restaurant is said to have a long history of problem with gas leakage.

Makati Police station are still investigating the blast report.

McVernon Manera, Chief Intelligence & Investigation Section, Makati Police Station as of this writing said that the cause for the explosion are still not determined.

Right now, police are scanning the area to make sure that there is no bombing in the area. And the bomb squad are inside the mall.