Newsbreak gathered this year’s most memorable quotes from the country’s most sensational events. If you ask us, the “Best Quotes Award” is a tossup between ousted president Joseph Estrada and former socioeconomic planning secretary Romulo Neri. Not far behind is presidential daughter Evangeline Lourders “Luli” Arroyo.

Take your pick.

“Kaya pasalamatan natin siya. Palakpakan natin siya (So let's thank her. Let's applaud her).”—Former president JOSEPH ESTRADA, as he thanked President Arroyo for granting him pardon following a Sandiganbayan verdict in September convicting him of plunder.

“Back off!”—First Gentleman MIKE ARROYO, as quoted by whistleblower Joey de Venecia, who testified before the Senate that Mr. Arroyo had asked him to back off from the controversial National Broadband Network (NBN) deal.

“Sec, meron kang 200 dito (Secretary, you have 200 here)”—Former socio-economic planning secretary ROMULO NERI before a Senate committee, recalling what resigned Commission On Elections chair Benjamin Abalos reportedly told him about a bribe offer in connection with the botched NBN deal.

“How can I comment on something when the one who said it doesn’t know if it’s 200 pesos or 200 million?”—Resigned Comelec chair BENJAMIN ABALOS, when asked to comment on Neri’s accusation that he offered him bribe for the NBN deal.

“Can I check those diplomas ‘cause I would like to make sure they’re not from some med schools in the Philippines.”—“Desperate Housewives” character SUSAN MAYER, portrayed by Teri Hatcher, in one of the episodes of the popular ABC comedy series. This line caused uproar among Filipinos; ABC apologized.

“For me, that’s again grasping at straws as thin as his hairline.”—Presidential daughter Evangeline Lourdes ‘LULI’ ARROYO, as she lashed out at Joey de Venecia.

“The duty-fee shop was overrun with Filipino workers selling cell phones and perfume. Meanwhile, I wanted to slash my wrist at the thought of being trapped in a plane with all of them.”—An excerpt from the column of MALU FERNANDEZ, who resigned from People Asia and Manila Standard Today after a volley of criticism that she got from Filipinos here and abroad.

“If I knew, I wouldn’t have worn heels.”—ABS-CBN news anchor CES DRILON, protesting police suggestions that she had prior knowledge of the November 29 caper led by detained Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV.

“Now I have the justification to have more shoes…The prescription of the orthopedic doctor was to have more shoes and I said ‘sure.’”—Former First Lady IMELDA MARCOS after her doctor prescribed her to buy the correct type of shoes to protect her knees. The anti-graft court Sandiganbayan had allowed Mrs. Marcos to go to China and Hong Kong to seek medical treatment for her knees and eyes and to attend a trade show.

"It is understandable for the Akbars to suspect anyone who may possibly have the motive…but to single me out as one of the suspects is the biggest of all the injustices they have done to me."-- Anak Mindanao partylist Rep. MUJIV HATAMAN, in a privilege speech refuting accusations that he and his brother Jim masterminded the blast at the Batasan Pambansa on Nov. 13, 2007. The blast killed Basilan Rep. Wahab Akbar; Mujiv Hataman had worked for Akbar when the latter first ran for governor.

[The Philippine military] remains in a state of almost total denial…of its need to respond effectively and authentically to the significant number of killings that have been convincingly attributed to them.”—United Nations Rapporteur PHILIP ALSTON, after his visit to Manila to investigate extrajudicial killings in the Philippines.

“He was here for 10 days and suddenly he’s an expert in human rights in the Philippines…[and an] an expert in insurgency in the Philippines.”—Armed Forces of the Philippines chief of staff GEN. HERMOGENES ESPERON, JR., referring to Alston.

“I think I’m a pretty good economist but a very bad politician.”—PRESIDENT ARROYO, during a forum with British businessmen in London.

“I wish that we could have a uniform. At least the female component of Congress will not strut around like peacocks. It gives me a headache.”—Sen. MIRIAM DEFENSOR-SANTIAGO, upon seeing the beautiful and expensive gowns worn by women who attended the State of the Nation Address.

“The Sona was a lesson in geography and a DPWH [Department of Public Works and Highways] seminar for us.”—Opposition Senator FRANCIS ESCUDERO on the State of the Nation Address (Sona) of President Arroyo. In her Sona, Arroyo enumerated the infrastructure projects done by her administration.

“At the age of 38, I decided to step out of the rat race of New York, join the Peace Corps, and board a plane for Manila.”—an excerpt from the blog of US Peace Corps volunteer JULIA CAMPBELL who disappeared on April 8 in Ifugao and was found dead 10 days later. Juan Donald Dontugan admitted killing Campbell and is facing murder charges.

“None of those wannabes, none of those to me are viable alternatives.”—Former president FIDEL RAMOS, saying he sees no better alternative to President Arroyo.—Research by Jesus Llanto

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