Panamanian Diplomat Released Video of Pamela, Argued It's Not Rape

While many politician jumped into the bandwagon defending a Filipina allegedly raped by a diplomat from Panama, all of us heard just one side of the story. The woman who complained that she was raped asked the help of Senator Tito Sotto and other organizations to help her crusade, to jail the diplomat.


Under Philippine laws, an individual convicted of rape will face life imprisonment. However, the Panamanian official was released by the authorities after the DFA issued certification that the official is covered by diplomatic immunity. He was sent back to Panama and was declared persona non grata.

The diplomat, Erick Bairnals Shcks is a member of the technical and administrative staff of the Panama Maritime Authority. Senator Sotto even launched an inquiry as to why the diplomat evaded the case and even blamed the Department of Justice for their inefficiency and failure to file appropriate actions against the diplomat.

An interview with Yahoo Asia revealed that there could be no rape. That is according to the statement given by Erick Shcks. He said the woman, "Pamela," initiated the meeting two days after they met.

Below is an excerpt from Yahoo about the interview with Shcks.

On April 23, Shcks said Pamela called him and suggested a dinner date, to which he agreed. He said that after the dinner, they went to a bar where “Pamela” supposedly ordered Martini.

“There, we talked. She started hugging, kissing me. Then we said it’s a boring place. I told her, let’s go to my place, there is something to drink, I want you to know where I live (sic),” Shcks relates. “I was very interested in the girl. I really liked her at that moment and she agreed to go with me.”

Shcks said “Pamela” made a few calls while on their way to his unit. They later arrived at his place “very happy, hand to hand, not drunk, not drugged (sic),” he said.

“She agreed to go by herself. If this is rape, if the girl is afraid and if she needs to escape, she can escape,” he said.

At his apartment, Shcks said: “Inside the room, we listened to music, kissed each other, go to bed (sic). She acted like an experienced person,” he said, noting that “Pamela” left his unit past 1 am, conscious and not under the influence of drugs.

Here's a screen grab of the CCTV in the apartment where Shcks brought Pamela.

However, the legal counsel of Pamela argued that the case could fall into "date rape." They believe that the case is strong as evidenced by court decision saying they saw probable cause on the case. Shcks wants to discredit Pamela's credibility in releasing the videos and pictures.

Let's see what Senator Sotto can say about this.

President Arroyo Back to Hospital after Failed Attempt to Leave the Country

President Arroyo held at the airport despite TRO

The Bureau of Immigration prevented former President Gloria Arroyo from leaving the country Tuesday night at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1. They were expected to board the Dragon Air flight at 8:50 pm but was later told by the BI officials that they can't leave the country despite the issuance of the TRO by the Supreme Court. The former President was forced to go back to St Luke's Medical Center.

Earlier that day, the Supreme Court decided to allow the former President to exercise her freedom to travel and seek medical treatment abroad. Some of the conditions set by the highest court include posting of P2 million bond, appointing a lawyer that will receive subpoenas and will represent them in court proceedings, a call or visit in the Philippine embassy where they are expected to seek medical treatment.

Justices Voted for and Against the TRO

The justices that voted for the issuance of the TRO were Chief Justice Renato Corona, Justices Presbitero Velasco Jr., Arturo Brion, Diosdado Peralta, Lucas Bersamin, Roberto Abad, Martin Villarama, and Jose Perez

Five justices who opposed the decision were Senior Justice Antonio Carpio, Assoc. Justices Maria Lourdes Sereno, Bienvenido Reyes, Estela Perlas-Bernabe, & Jose Mendoza. Two justices were on leave.

The 8-5 decision made the Arroyos decide to immediately comply with the conditions and booked several flights to Singapore. However, the DOJ Secretary Leila de Lima maintained their stand that the Arroyos could not leave the country because  they have not receive a copy of the TRO and they will still contest the ruling of the highest court.

Debate on the Legality of Watchlist Order and Dishonor of the SC Decision

Meanwhile, the spokesman of the Supreme Court, Justice Midas Marquez argued that the TRO is already in effect and executory. This now leads to various sentiments and opinions whether the government is now acting beyond its power.

The camp of the former president will file a case in court citing in contempt the Secretary of Justice for not honoring the TRO. Other constitutionalists says that this could lead to constitutional crisis. Pro and anti Gloria have different opinions on this issue. Others said that the government should follow the order of the supreme court while others hails the DOJ for taking a hard stand on the case.

The case of plunder, electoral sabotage and cases have yet to be filed in court against the Arroyos. They are still in the preliminary investigation. If the former President leaves the country it will be difficult for the administration to put her in jail.

Latest Headlines in the Philippines

-The search for the Red Cross personnel who were abducted by the Abbu Sayyaf still continues. Red Cross officials said that they have already contacts with their personnel but silent if there is a demand for ransom. Spy planes of US are also noted in JOlo where the alleged kidnappers are currently hiding.

- A cabinet revamp was recently made by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. She only reshuffled the same people in his cabinet.

- Intel Philippines is the latest casualty in the global financial crisis. They are shutting off their operation in the Philippines. Thousands of filipino workers will be loosing jobs. Texas instrument also announced that it is currently downsizing its manpower.

- The Alabang Boys saga continues. An anonymous letter was sent to the DOJ claiming that bribery really took place and an amount of 800 thousand was deposited to the account of the prosecutor handling the case. DOJ created a special investigation committee to look at the issue.

- Manny Pacqiao finally agreed to fight Hatton on a 50 - 50 share.

The "Alabang Boys" Issue: Who's Telling the Truth?, Whos the Victor?

Its been a week now and still the frontpage of every newspaper and tabloid features the case of the "Alabang Boys". Its actually a high profile case since it involves wealthy families. From a simple buy bust operation of the PDEA, it has now exploded to various issues and concerns.

It started in the bribery issue where the PDEA agents and its head were allegedly bribed by some fillers of the family of the accused. It also involves some unethical works by the suspects' lawyers, wherein right now they are also facing a disbarment case in the Supreme Court filed by Jimenes of VACC or Volunteer Against Crime and Corruption. The lawyers of the suspects even prepared the release order for these "Alabang Boys" and sent it to DOJ.

An undersecretary was also involved in the alleged immediate release of the drug suspects.

With these issues, a congressional hearing was conducted to know more of the alledge bribery, illegal release order and so on.... Righ ranking officials of the government were called to share light on the issue. Again people were hook up on the TV's for the long debates and interrogations that usually last for hours.

Again, another spice that came up with this in aid of legislation proceedings is the testimony of the Brodetts brother who claimed that the son of his brother is really a user and a pusher of illegal drugs for the wealthy people. they even accused her mother as a user too.

Now it becomes a family feud. The accused Brodetts told reporters that it was because of money matters why his brother gave a testimony against them.

Another government agency enters into the picture, the NBI. They were asking the PDEA to submit evidences for the alledge bribery and additional proof for the case.

It seems that the story of the Alabang Boys will continue as more players as coming in to the scene. Its just like another telenovela that will make filipinos crave for more action, suspense, and twists.

But the reality here is the proliferation of illegal drugs in the country. According to researches there a lot of filipinos who are using illegal drugs, and the trade of these illegal drugs are still raking millions of profit for the sale and distribution.

These should be the main issue that the government should look into. Arrest drug traffickers, jail them. If there will be no sources ofthese illgeal drugs there will be no users and pushers, they may be rich or poor but it doesnt matter.