The True State of the Nation

A 29-year old man from Legazpi City Albay just stabbed his 4-month old baby to death. The man, whom I will not identify here, killed his son out of desperation. Reports say, the man became totally depressed because he can't seem to get the money to feed his kid. The man works as a matador and earns roughly 3,000 per month. With the high prices of baby's milk, the father became desperate and in his desperation, he chose to end the life of his kid.

This incident was reported by the local media in Albay last 28 July 2008. This is a reported case. How about those whom the media failed to report?

Gloria admitted during the SONA that there are as many as 15 million poor Filipinos now. She says more than 1 billion pesos have been released to at least ease their suffering. And more will be coming (about 8 billion). How soon will this help come? Will it really ease the burden of poor Filipinos?

A survey released today showed 75% of Filipinos feeling more depressed right now than a year ago. They say, their quality of life deteriorated. I can't say more, because even I myself and my family are beginning to experience the vulgarities and cruelties of this life under Gloria.

What I fear the most is this month, August. With a very lean rice stock, will we survive a potential food crisis? Farmers are rather worried because the harvest is potentially getting leaner and leaner by the year. Farmer cooperatives say, government has not extended help through fertilizer subsidies at this point.

The People Need Guidance

Tomorrow, Illegitimate president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will again address the House of Representatives. As tradition dictates, she'll present a report and an agenda. This report is supposedly a true and honest account of what government has done to achieve the previous year's SONA. And Gloria is supposed to give an agenda to guide legislators on the priority bills this year.

Oppositionists say Gloria will just lie and picture what Makati mayor Jejomar Binay said: "..a situation where people are not hungry, oil is cheap...and government officials are honest". United Opposition (UNO) spokesman Adel Tamano meanwhile enjoined the people to just listen to the "true" State of the Nation (SONA) along Congressional Avenue and in Makati to have a grasp of the true realities of Philippine life.

True, Gloria would probably lie to us and say that she and her mafia gang are doing something to arrest what the Inquirer said, is the continuing slide of major institutions of governance to corruption and decay. Gloria would picture the "success" of her administration in solving some of the basic problems we face today. These lies would make us catatonic again, making us complacent and inutile. What Gloria is doing is weaving a tapestry of intricate lies and half-truths that as a whole, picture a stable nation.

The real question here is what will we do about it? If we are being lied about by this usurper, are we supposed to do something about it? Are we just to go to Congressional avenue and listen to alternate viewpoints?

These opposition groups should provide an answer. They should enjoin the people to act accordingly. For, in not doing so, they are being negligent of their very job of being fiscalizers and true change agents. It is not enough to comment or make aspersions about Gloria. This is the time for them, the opposition, to provide some answers so that truly, the People will see, feel and hear that they do, indeed, represent the interests of the masses.

To the Opposition--don't provide us with empty talk. The people already know we're all in deep shit. Provide us direction and guide us on what to do with a monumental problem like Gloria.

Lead the Filipino masses towards what the FSGO (Former Secretaries of Government Offices) is a "re-imagination" of the Filipino Vision. This is the time for everyone to join in and act as one against Gloria and her mafia gang. 

If these activities are just to debilitate Gloria and make her a spent force for 2010, forget about it. The People need change NOW, not in 2010. 

Oakwood could have a part three

Defense secretary Teodoro made a categorical remark today. He said that there is no reason for the military to launch another coup or Oakwood again. If something similar happens after the SONA, then, Teodoro surmised, it could be the result of "selfish politicking."

Today marks the anniversary of the Oakwood mutiny. Five years had past and still the reasons for that rebellion exist. Nothing changed except probably the reversal of political and career fortunes of those involved in the failed putsch. Two of the five "Magdalo" leaders have decided to go carve a career out of the service, with one dedicating his life to his

 Christian beliefs while the other decided to go the NGO route. Others, like Senator Antonio Trillianes IV, continues to remain defiant.

However, Teodoro and the military establishment will definitely not admit that there are a considerable number of people who are beginning to entertain thoughts of going the extra-constitutional route. More and more people are lending their expertise and skills to create the vision of Oakwood. These people are being convinced of the viability of armed action against this government because of the government's inability (or inaction) to address the core issues that led to the mutiny. The longer this government tries to sweep the dirt under the palace rug, the more it creates a revolutionary condition.

Many analysts say that if the Oakwood mutiny happened now, it could have succeeded in toppling the government.  Such a revolutionary situation exists more than ever now than before. You have a dissatisfied constituency. Hunger and poverty are widespread and even affecting the lives of the middle class. You have a more militant civil society led by youth groups and you have a church which is starting to get active again in anti-government initiatives.

What's more--you have potential groups that could finance such an enterprise. You have wealthy cacique and landlord families who risk losing their lands if government implements a BJE (Bangsamoro Juridical Entity).

 You have very powerful lobby groups whose fortunes will be affected should an entity administer these Bangsamoro lands. And finally, you have foreign governments that could lend support for a coup given the already strained international relations and image of the Arroyo administration. 

Such a situation exists now and with a weak state being administered now by Arroyo, hawks could exploit this and create a Thai-type of action. A Thai-type action could lead to Arroyo going on exile or worst, incarcerated.

However, what's lacking is an explosive event that would trigger such an uprising. The times are very interesting given that Arroyo is facing a very hostile citizenry. Even if Arroyo and her ilk consider imposing martial rule, such a scenario will just worsen the situation and definitely will fail because both local and international support will definitely be absent. 

Two scenarios--a coup could be launched by forces within the palace or outside of it. If this group within Arroyo moves against her, that could potentially spark violence. However, if an outside group moves against her and neutralize the other group, it could result to a normalization of the situation since this group is much stronger and enjoys a wider base of support.

Breakdown of Peace Talks and AJ's defeat

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What hit Banal

It was a stunning loss. Panamanian boxer Rafael " El Torrito" Concepcion flew all the way from Panama for one goal--to be a world champion. And tonight, July 26, he did just that. And AJ "Bazooka" Banal, unfortunately, became his victim.

Prior to this fight, AJ Banal was both a hometown and a critics' favorite. He came into this fight will sterling credentials--a fighter who has 15 wins, no defeats and tagged as the next Manny Pacquiao. He trained with the best of the best and even enjoyed the confidence of most fighting afficionados. 

Concepcion, meanwhile, has scant credentials. He trained in New York, appeared to be a tough cookie and reports say, left his wife and kids to fight in Cebu for the world super flyweight belt.

The initial rounds showed Concepcion fighting for dear life. Early on, Banal was able to throw big punches, which left Concepcion's leg wobbly. The Panamanian's nose became bloodied early in the fight but it did'nt sap his energy.

Concepcion was a dirty fighter. It was obvious that Concepcion hold on to Banal's arms while he punch the side of AJ's body. When he's ready to go down, he clutched Banal. When opportunity presents itself, he rubs his head on Banal's head, trying to create contusions. Every round, he does that, throwing body punches to Banal and holding on when in trouble.

In the ninth round, Concepcion successfully weakened Banal that on the tenth round, the wily Panamanian caused a stunning defeat. Banal came down and was counted out.

Obviously, Concepcion won thru a combination of dirty and legal tactics. It was obvious that the Panamanian got away with it. But, hey, you gotta give credit to him. Boxing is a dirty sport and AJ's corner should have realized that. 

AJ Banal is a good fighter. He's a trained counter puncher. He punches hard and shows true grit. 

What he lacks is intensity. He's also NOT a thinking boxer. That's his weakness. He allows the enemy to control him instead of the other way around. Though dirty tactics employed by Concepcion, those body shots, should have been avoided had AJ Banal pushed him. 

I just looked at Banal's blogspot.com site and 72% of those who visited it says he'll knock Concepcion out. Wow! I don't know what they'll do now given this stunning upset.

But, AJ, don't lose hope. You're just 19 years old. You have many years ahead of you. You'll still box and train. One advice though---start training with your mind. I mean, physical conditioning, etc. can only be good if you have the mental toughness to go with it. You have been out-boxed, that's evident here. And, please the next time you fight, fight as if dear life depends on it. 

 

A Stolen Democracy

This is my contribution to the growing movement for change in our country. Thousands will be going to the SONA by Monday and I'm registering my voice to it. I just hope that after this mammoth rally, organizers will follow it up with more massive and more relevant ones for just one objective---regain this Republic from the claws of Gloria and her dark minions. 

Former government officials, led by Senator Paterno, have expressed the strongest denunciation of this administration so far. Paterno have articulated what we have been saying all along--that we have a government who not only robbed us of an efficient and conscientious Republic--we also lost our democracy. 

To regain democracy, we must work overtime to show this administration that we mean business. By that, we mean, we must unite all the disparate forces in Philippine society which share our ideal of democracy. Forces from the enlightened AFP-PNP, civil society, Youth Groups, Muslim and Church groups should band together and present a viable agenda for change. It is not enough that we gather once in a while, no. 

We need an umbrella organization that shall serve as a conductor of this revolutionary orchestra. We need a genuine alternative to government that is strong enough to fight the darkest forces of evil this country has ever seen. 

This alternative should have just one objective--seize the reins of power from the incumbent and create or establish an interim Council of State that will do the necessary moves to save this Republic from sinking into Gloria's hellish Enchanted Kingdom. 

This is the goal, this is the objective of each and every change-maker of this generation. And I hope that you share the same thoughts.

Let's not fool ourselves

This Monday (July 28), expect not a few people to go out in the streets to protest. Despite the scare tactics being employed by the military and police, groups from the Youth sector, church, civil society and the Genuine Opposition will gather together and present their own State-Of-The-Nation Address (SONA).

And then, what?

Are these groups really serious in making their point known to the world, that everybody hates Gloria and her gang of misfits? Or, are they just going there because it's always a tradition for oppositionists to bang their gongs whenever a head of state opens Congress?

If groups would just do this just to make noise and cause an horrendous traffic jam, then, don't bother. Better stay at home or go to work. Why?

Much as I want to go to the streets and protest, if these things would just be something momentary and would not lead to anything serious, then, I'm just wasting my time. Actions such as these should at least result to something. If it's just a way for these elites wearing activists suits to help people let off steam, then, don't bother. 

People have this attitude because what they expect from these people is something different. They expect them to take the people's cause seriously. What do I mean by this?

When civil society and the rest of the anti-Gloria groups rally, it should at least be part of a bigger thing. If it's just political posturing to make "papogi" come 2010, then, come on people!

The Filipino masses deserve something better. They want action. They want a leader or a group of leaders who'll finally tell Gloria that it's time to leave. 

People don't want to be used. No. They want to be a part of something different, something big, something historic and something that would change their lives forever.

They want another revolution. Yes, the masses had had enough of misguided rule. They want their government to be responsive of their  needs, not a bureaucratic monolith that cause them death. No.

If these groups cannot give the People this, then, let's just pack our bags and wait for 2010 to come. I don't want to hear political speeches. I don't want to listen to a litany of complaints. And I don't want to be told that I'm being fooled by this government. 

I know that when Gloria grabbed power from Erap. I already realized that when she cheated FPJ of victory. I definitely saw that when Gloria admitted calling Garci and when she dipped her fingers in an anomalous ZTE contract. And, truly, I already knew that government and big oil companies colluded to fool me to buy overpriced gasoline and diesel just to make VAT collections big. 

The people are not fools. It's time for civil society and all the rest of like-minded change catalysts to band together and put our money where our mouths are. If we want change, and we want it now, let's act now and save this country from another 2 years of Gloria's rule.

The Escudero Paradox: Pseudo Obama

There's one branding principle which politicians probably would find hard doing, and that is being true to themselves. For Filipino politicians, being "two-faced" seems the norm rather than an exception. And Senator Francis Escudero seems one of them.

Escudero's paradox is something historic. It's the usual story of a young politician trying to find his niche in the world. When he found his voice, he was good at it. People connected with what he said. He became the true representative of the people. He represented their rage and them to him. 

When he already got what he longed for, he's now suddenly changing into the mold most despicable. Those whom he lambasted in Congress are now his peers and "buddy-buddy" at the Senate. 

Yes, he's not running for a presidential campaign come 2010, not because of his age, rather I know that deep inside Escudero knows he'll not win. He's peaking very early in his political career. And the more he does those "modulated" speeches, the more people are finding out he's a fake. A fake Obama. Why?

He's now siding with Gloria. He now says that why oust Gloria now when we suffered for 7 years already, and what's 2 years more? Well, coming from a scion of a political clan, that seems easy. But, tell that to 3 million starving families, can they endure 2 years more of misguided rule?

George Santayana says that those who haven't studied history are condemned to repeat it. Escudero is no different from a young Maceda or a Mike Defensor or a Gilbert Teodoro or a Remulla or a Loren Legarda. They just can't be trusted.  They just used the people to get what they want. They used the rhetoric of change and manipulated the trust and confidence of the people. I remember one movie made by Mel Gibson about the Scottish struggle for independence against Britain. "Robert", the son of a feudal lord, betrayed the hero just so he can be king. 

Where's the Michael Collins of our age? 

Betrayal of the Highest Order

While millions of us wallow in hunger and poverty, ten prosecutors serving at the Office of the Ombusman just spent 996,000 pesos for a 10-day observation trip to Denver Colorado. 

This was revealed by Special Prosecutor Dennis Villa-Ignacio over ANC's "Strictly Politics". 

Villa-ignacio, who's now locked in a bitter fight for survival, says that these ten prosecutors, led by Deputy Ombusman Mark Jalandoni, made the trip before they conducted a press conference in support of embattled Ombusman Merceditas Gutierrez.

Just a few days ago, the Philippine Star exposed the on-going "power struggle" between Gutierrez and Villa-Ignacio. Reports say, Gutierrez and some p

alace men want Villa-Ignacio out of his office before 2010. The reason? Villa-Ignacio is a stickler of the law, a paragon of humility and uprightness. 

He can't be bought. Neither can anybody bend the principles of this man who successfully prosecuted former president Joseph "Erap" Estrada. Palace gators are flinching in their seats. After 2010, they risk going to jail because Villa-Ignacio refuses to play their game.

Villa-Ignacio refused to handle the ZTE and the Perez robbery cases simply out of principle. He's being pressured to add credence to these "weak" cases.

Since the ascension of Gutierrez, a known and strong ally of First Gentleman Mike Arroyo, as Ombusman, Villa-Ignacio has been stripped of his powers and responsibilities as special prosecutor. His staff has been ordered to report directly to Gutierrez. His budget has been effectively reduced and his powers clipped. He was also charged with graft and corruption. 

Now, his enemies are moving heaven and earth to malign and destroy his reputation. Is this the way this administration reward good people like Villa-Ignacio?

Wagging tongues say Villa-Ignacio's closeness with JDV could probably the reason why he's being eased out of the "inner circle". Others say, the special prosecutor is too upright, too straight a guy for his own good. 

Some coffee shop habitues say Villa-Ignacio is just being made a "sacrificial lamb" by the Arroyo camp who's now engaged in political talks with the Erap camp. His ouster could have been one of the possible "concessions" or "negotiating" points put forward by the Erap camp. 

If that's the case, then, that's a betrayal of the highest order! Is that the reward for those 6 years spent by Villa-Ignacio in researching and attending those trials which led to the conviction of Erap?

And I thought that government has instituted austerity measures due to the worsening food and fuel crises? That's people's money for God's sake!

Wala na bang hiya ang mga taong ito na sa kabila ng kahirapang nadarama ng ating mga kababayan, patuloy naman nilang nilulustay ang pera galing sa pinaghirapang bayarang buwis ng taumbayan?

Napaka walang hiya naman ng mga taong ito! at napakawalang hiya din ng gobyernong ito na magpapahirap sa iilan na lamang na natitirang matitinong taong naglilingkod sa ating mga kababayan!

Binababoy nila ang demokrasya! 

Turn Off Gloria Now!

It's really an encouragement to see youth groups such as the Youth Against Debt (YAD) actively engage themselves in political work. To save on electricity, they say, turn off your TV and radio sets this July 28. We'll save P 150 million pesos by doing so. And it would save us valuable time listening to lies they say.

Well, it's good that they realized that. Again, Gloria is sure to highlight the "accomplishments" of her administration, such as using her "moral suasion" to cut diesel prices by 1.50php/liter. Yah, we believe you Madam, as we believe that you won the 2004 elections, that you don't have a hand in both the ZTE and the Northrail projects, that you don't know who benefitted from the Jose Pidal accounts as you don't have any responsibility in that Argentinian deal which put your trusted Justice secretary to jail.

But, just for this time though, Madam Gloria, please be honest.

When you present the State of the Nation, be forthright and tell us that we are in for a lot of trouble. Admit that you bungled your job for the past 7 years you've been in power. Admit that due to your policies, 14.5 million of us are hungry and that 3 million of us living in Metro Manila are barely putting food into our mouths.

As I've wrote in previous posts, government should be forewarned that people has set their psychological threshold in this issue about pump prices and that is 60 pesos per liter for diesel. Should diesel prices breach this threshold, expect those who don't protest before to go out to the streets and rally for your immediate ouster.

You can't raise daily wage, because you're prohibited by law. You can't ask oil companies to lower their prices more because you risk the ire of these big election contributors. And surely, you can't just subsidize this problem with VAT since this will lead to a budget deficit so huge it would devastate our economy going to 2009.

Wanted: A New Covenant

Whether we like it or not, our government will always find itself unable to satisfy the needs of a large majority of our people. Face it--despite the growth of GDP, huge numbers of people still wallow in extreme poverty. The reality is the existing socio-economic structures are unresponsive to the needs of the masses and it would take a long time before an alternative system can be created. A deeper analysis is that the superstructure which makes up the Philippine State is not tailored to spur spillovers from the top to the bottom rungs of society. That answers the question posed by former Socio-economic head Solita Monsod, when she said that despite the GDP growth, an increasing number of Filipinos still remain poor.

Propositions are many. Some say, we need a revolution. Others say, we just need a leadership change. Upon introspection and studying history, we find that the solution is not that difficult or radical as it may seem.

Let me simplify the solution--a government with a Vision.

Regardless of who's on top, or which political party or personality heads the government, what Filipinos need is a focused, trained and skilled leadership, the kind that former President Fidel V. Ramos created during his administration. We don't need to change the governance model, meaning from presidential or parliamentary. The change is insignificant.

What we need is a unified effort or initiative from all sectors of society to gather into one place and plan for the future of this country. We lack a unified vision. We lack a strategic plan that would at least make this country survive future global crises. A summit of all the brilliant minds of this generation is in order.

Let's face it--an armed revolution at this point would further worsen the situation, given that 2010 is just around the corner. Establishing a Council of State at this juncture would probably be detrimental to the health of this country than allowing Gloria to finish her term. Since no one knows who will compose of this Council and the vision it wants to pursue, allowing the elections in 2010 would be fitting than moving towards the ouster of Gloria.

However, groups who really want change should, by now, again gather and discuss on the agenda they want the new dispensation to pursue. Meaning, these groups should spearhead efforts to craft a Vision and the corresponding Short, Medium and Long-term plans for this country starting on 2010.

The new government, regardless of who will head it, should be forced by these groups to adopt this agenda. This agenda should be comprehensive enough to cover all areas of governance for one goal--improve the system so that there's an efficient and effective spill-over mechanism of economic gains from the top to the bottom. Quite frankly, this mechanism can exist side by side with a defective system.

Likewise, the new government should devote its first six (6) months into short-term strategic planning. A three-year strategic plan should be implemented by the new government, followed by a five-year, then 10-year, then 20-year, then 50 year plans. This strategic plan should be implemented and sworn to by any one (whether a president or a prime minister) who should head the government.

Some would say that it's already in the Constitution. However, our charter has been written to reflect aspirations and goals; not specific implementing rules which government is expected to provide.

In order to do this, the new government should launch a New Revolution which, at its core, would aim to change the people's mindset of things and concomitantly, show these strategic plans before the people.

These strategic plans should be presented as a Covenant to the People, who will swear by it so that every Filipino walks, talks and goes in the same direction.

Mickey blames oil price hike for low approval ratings of Mom

Mikey, the eldest son of Gloria and Mike Arroyo, blames the global oil price hikes for her mom's dismal approval ratings. I can't blame him. Her mom wants an honorable exit and things are not going as what they expected. Gloria wants to make things right this time after seven years of bungling her job as Chief Executive. Yet, it's getting worst because that's exactly what will happen to this country if people like her continues misgoverning it.

I hate to say it, but it's really time for Gloria to go. I mean, come on! Economists from all over town have been saying this thing all along to her--that we're in worst shape than ever. Yes, foreign economists praise us for that GDP growth, but, the poor are getting poorer and desperate while the rich are getting extremely richer. It seems that attracting so much foreign investments still make us the laughing stock of Asia because we can't seem to give benefits to the masses.

MIkey, let's not kid ourselves this time, okey? Your mom has misgoverned this country for sooo long a time. And I understand why she seems so oblivious about all of this. She still lives in that enchanted kingdom concept that she does'nt know what's really happening. She has been consumed by all those rosy-colored reports being submitted by her cabinet members that she's extremely confused whenever somebody says something bad about the situation.

She's been given bad counsel. And, nobody but her is to be blamed for that.

Whatever happens, one thing is certain, and I mean certain--she'll not finish her term. No.

Like the rest of those leaders before her, whenever issues that threaten lives come, a revolt of an 8-magnitude is sure to come. And I'm not a Brazilian psychic.

The Dark Knight--a cult classic!

Christopher Nolan's opus, " The Dark Knight", might break Hollywood's opening week all-time record of US$ 158 million. To date, the movie has raked in more than US$ 70 million when the movie premiered in theaters worldwide. Critics hailed it as the "best Batman movie of all time", and I agree. In fact, i'll go beyond that and say that it is the best superhero movie I have seen for a loong time.

Err...let me rephrase myself--this movie talks about heroes of a different kind. It centers not on Batman, but on the philosophical discussion on what really defines a hero or a superhero.

Do we need a hero when we face extreme social and economic difficulties? What defines a superhero? Why do we say that Batman or Spiderman are superheroes? What influences our thinking, our belief, of superheroes?

Between Spiderman and Batman, who do you think is the real superhero?

If you say, Spiderman, what made him a superhero? Was it his spidey sense? Or his ability to leap into buildings or survive mortal wounds? Probably. Most people would say that. If you watched the latest Spiderman movie, you'll know what I say here. That combat between the Sandman and his friend can be described as "mortal" combat. No ordinary human can survive those brutalities.

In the movie "The Dark Knight", Nolan presented Batman as who he really is--a human being in a highly sophisticated Bat suit. Batman is as real as you and me except that he has tons of cash to make himself a bullet-proof suit. He can be injured. He can die. What separates Batman from an ordinary fire fighter is his mask.

However, people don't realize that. People always depend on the masked crime crusader because they believe he has super-powers. People believe that Batman can't die. He can't retire. He can't fall in love. He can't be injured.

The movie shattered that. Batman can bleed. He can die. He can't climb buildings without his suit. He can retire if he wants to. He can sustain mortal wounds. And he can fall in love.

Between you and me, Batman is the real superhero. Because he has more than superpowers--his humanity. More on this in later blogs and a discussion on why it is pertinent for us to apply the lessons of the Dark Knight in our own situation.

The Rise of the Patriots

I'm supposed to discuss about the raging issues of the day but found one interesting topic from www.filipinovoices.com.

The last few days saw two of my colleagues debating on who has the burden to act for change--is it the middle class or the masses. Benigno proposes in general, the masses, since they are the most affected, ergo, more than ever, the onus of responsibility lies in them. Chuck, on the other hand, sees this as a problem, since all along, the poor has been self-reliant, yet found no time acting to get social justice. A 2007 report shows that to be evident and the obvious fact that more and more Filipinos are going abroad--ergo, self-reliance. Self-reliance, as construed in CVJ, means personal economic self-reliance.

Both has a point and going in the right direction. However, what I find rather insulting is the way they view the masses, especially Benigno who has this obvious cono mentality that thinks highly of himself as the one who knows how the "average Filipino schmoe" thinks.

The kind of talk they're having was the stuff of talk the Indios Bravos and the rest of the Propaganda Movement had in the 18th century. Filipinos already resolved that. Who actually led the Revolution which resulted to our independence? Was it the Peninsulares, as represented by Rizal? Did the masses relied on them to help them resolve the centuries-old colonial rule of the Spaniards?

No.

The "average Filipino schmoe" knows what to do. They know that it is time to change. They know and already have the tools to survive this harsh environment. And, they lack nothing.

Isra is what they need at this point, a "spark". The masses are not "bumbling" idiots or bewildered ("flummox, as what Benigno wrote, a colloquial term which means "bewildered") with their situation. They know they need justice.

And justice will, indeed, be theirs in the future if they own kind again lead them to victory. And where will this action emanate?

It will emanate from the junior officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. I am still hoping that a Bonifacio will rise from their ranks and lead the masses towards victory.

Or, from the Armed Patriots of the New People's Army. A synthesis of forces between the idealistic officers of the AFP and the young comrades from the CPP-NPA-NDF would catalyze all revolutionary efforts and achieve one goal--change.

Or, it may probably even spring from the huge, unstructured protest movement. This generation can still mold a David Celdran or a Nat Santiago or a much articulate Teddy Casino or a younger Satur Ocampo. The times call for such men and women of courage to rise up and act for the sake of this generation and the next.

More poor families to suffer

BSP deputy governor Diwa Guinigundo finally let the cat out of the bag. He says that RP inflation would hit double-digit (possibly 12%) by this month, lasting up to the first 3 months of 2009. Lower consumer spending, effects of the US sub-prime crisis and the continuing rise of fuel prices are affecting the country's inflation rate. Anticipating this, bankers are encouraging the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) to hike interest rates. On a short term, this would be mean slower economic growth, possibly even lower than the 5.2% predicted by the Asian Development Bank for the country.

With a slower economy, companies will begin downsizing since it also means cutting down on production. With that, the possibility of a ballooning unemployment scenario is there. Unemployment rates may rise due to this. Hence, more families crossing the socio-economic line from middle class to the poorer classes.

Gloria tries to ally fears of further economic slowdown by saying that government is ready to share the fruits of VAT by infusing 4 billion pesos more for socio-economic programs. This may mean additional funds given directly to the poor to pay for electricity bills and higher costs of rice. While government subsidize the needs of what they perceive as those directly hit by the crisis, middle class families are left in their own devices. No subsidy or financial assistance is being extended to the middle class, which could prove to be disastrous in the end since they are the bigger consumers or spenders for goods and services.

So, expect a not so bright Christmas for everybody since the BSP already told us that inflation will continue to rise until 2009.

No need to panic, says Monsod

Former Socio-Economic adviser Solita Monsod says there's nothing to panic about the current economic imbroglio we're in. " We've been through worst before when we had that crisis in 1974", says the UP economics professor and former TV host.

Well, tell that to US investors, Solita. Hundreds of investors are worried over what US Fed Reserve Chief Bernanke has for a followup. Yesterday, Bernanke painted a gloomy picture for the US economy. He says we have'nt seen the worst yet for the US economy. Analysts are predicting 150 banks to fall this year due to the worsening sub-prime crisis. Bernanke said the same thing and investors are hoping that his announcement either today or tomorrow would somewhat be better than the near-shattering one he unleashed yesterday.

A 5.2 growth rate, says Monsod, is nothing to be worried about. It just says that we'll have lower growth than other economies, say Singapore or Hongkong. What causes slower growth? “Government accounts for a lot of the weaknesses. We have now become much more open, but the bad news is that the corruption, the legal system, the weaknesses of our institutions are driving us down,” adds Monsod.

What's puzzling, says Monsod, is the fact that it did'nt alleviate poverty. In fact, the number of poor people even increased exponentially with that of economic growth.

I think Monsod is forgetting that these optimistic economic projections are just that--projections. What would happen to us should Bernanke announced a gloomier economic scenario for the US economy? Surely, that would make a very serious impact on our economy. And to think that, this early, analysts are saying that our equity investments will sorely be affected by the US sub-prime crisis.

So, there's no reason at all to panic, huh, Solita?

Hate fuels Change

I just visited the www.filipinovoices.com site where I am a member since its inception) and I found something quite interesting. There's a reaction from Bencard which says that the reason why the "same-old rabblerousers" cannot and will not get the hearts and minds of the Filipino is they're promoting "hate rhetoric". And what is "hate rhetoric"?

Hate rhetoric is what Bencard describes the current propaganda tool being used by militants and activists in their campaigns against the government. Bencard says that people, especially those in the middle class, does'nt buy this crap. What Bencard failed to even grasp is this--it actually works.

People should be convinced to hate something, a system, before they start acting to change it. If you don't hate something, why would you possibly act to change it? It's not loathsome to hate. No. When someone feels hatred, he acts with dispatch. That's why militants and activists do this hate rhetoric to be able to convince people that it's now time to act.

Skin the Old Bureaucrats!

A recent meeting between Genuine Opposition (GO) Senator Jinggoy Estrada and Gloria's Golden Haired Boy Mike Defensor created speculations about a possible "power-sharing" scheme between the forces of Gloria and Erap. Jinggoy confirmed these "preliminary talks", saying that the possibility of a merger between the GO and Gloria's KAMPI in 2010 is strong. It seems that this "unified front" will field common candidates, possibly with the standard bearer coming from GO and the Vice President from KAMPI.

So, that explains why the "Genuine" opposition is so silent about the plight of the Filipino People nowadays. It confirms the acceptance of GO of the "political truce" offered by this administration. That's why we don't hear Adel Tamano or any other GO personality lambasting the administration for an overpriced oil, soaring food prices, Northrail project, ZTE-NBN, graft and corruption and continuing human rights violations.

This just shows how totally alike these two forces are. They are NOT Genuine Oppositionists nor are they legitimate nationalists. They are part of the old cancer which inflicts so much harm against the People. They are the scums who play fiddle with our abusers, making them our abusers too.

Expect no hope come 2010 because we will just be seeing a turnover of power from one sorry bureaucrat to another equally greedy one.

I remember what Senator Cheez Escudero once said, that the role of the Genuine Opposition in the Senate are those of fiscalizers. Good term. But is this what we expect of them in these critical times?

No.

We want people like him rising up to the challenge. We want people like him to stand up and take the cudgels of leadership for and on behalf of the Filipino People. We want young nationalists to lead us in protest against this administration.

Where are the Patriots, I ask in previous posts?

The Patriots are those who belong to the red fronts and the green fronts. They are those who take part in those Black Friday protest rallies. They are the Black and White, the Grey Fronts, the Young Rebels, the May 1 rebels, the Teofisto Guingonas of the New Generation, the Young Officers Union of the New Generation, the Magdalos, the Patriotic Marines, the Coalition for National Salvation, the Bagong Tao Movement (BTM), the Mar Roxas legions, and the true Marxist-Leninists of our age.

They are the young mothers and the old mamas. They are the daddys and their sons. They are the enlightened ones who long for change.

We don't need to debate about this, BenigNo. No. Debates are those for the cowardly and people of huge egos.

Action is what we need right now. Talks are cheap. Let us ACT NOW AND UNITE FOR THE FUTURE OF THIS BELOVED COUNTRY.

RISE UP, O PATRIOTS OF THE NEW PHILIPPINE REVOLUTION! RISE UP AND WRITE HISTORY!

Manila--a City of Garbage?

Are we really turning into a City of Garbage? Check this out at http://www.vbs.tv/video.php?id=894534518

Are we angry enough?

Drum rolls. Everyday we hear about young people going to the streets, even going out of their classrooms to protest against these oil prices hikes. Ibon Foundation just found out that we're being schemed at by giant oil companies, charging 12 pesos per liter more than they should.

Of course we know that. And it's being done to us almost everyday by this government since it started its illegal occupation of Malacanang.

The thing that I would like to point today is this--are we angry enough?

I say this because, unlike other controversy, this one hits right straight in our faces. Every week, we're being punched in the nose by giant oil companies reportedly wanting to recover their losses. Yet, we see those television ads running by the millions each day. Yet, we find this quite normal.

We sit as coach potatoes, listening to all those stuff being ranted about by militants and we find ourselves watching those ads which we actually pay for by our hard-earned monies. Hey, are we being masochists?

We get angry when cab drivers don't give us exact change but we never even bother to ask why government is getting at least 300 or 400 pesos everytime we fill up those gas tanks. I mean, come on, are we that stupid?

Government is scheming all over us yet we seem so helpless, so lame, so like sheep waiting to be slaughtered. Are we getting our money's worth for government services which seem so distant, so discordant and so overpriced?

Why are we putting those helmets when we hear those shouts of protest? Why are we going around about when there seems to be very serious problems waiting for solutions?

Are we waiting for heaven's fire to consume us first before we even rise up and start rehearsing those vocal cords?

Being schemed at yet doing nothing

Ed Pamintuan, Gloria’s trusty lieutenant and former campaign operator, is now in a bind. Interviewed over at News at 8 by Ricky Carandang (ANC, 8am, Mon-Fridays), he found it difficult to explain the current mess government is in the Northrail project. The Chinese side is asking for US$ 200 million more for the project; otherwise they’ll pull themselves out. They are asking for more though they have’nt even started constructing just one bit of rail of that 27 kilometer stretch from Caloocan to Malolos Bulacan. And we are paying 1 million pesos every day for it since 2004! Former Senate President Frank Drilon said we should scrap the project, since it’s costing taxpayers that much for a project which have’nt even started yet.

Logical.

Yet, before we scrap this project, let’s hear what project proponent former speaker Joe de Venecia Jr. wants to say. De Venecia has been saying that he’s ready to spill everything before the Senate. Iloilo Vice Governor Rolex Suplico hinted that De Venecia might go to the Senate next week. But that’s because of the ZTE-NBN deal. Though Suplico got a rebuke from the Supreme Court for his bid to declare that anomalous deal null and void, the former Spice boy is still hoping for a miracle thru the Senate. Suplico aired some petty government official’s view that the deal is being given a new lease of life thru a new name. ZTE officials already gave a downpayment to some government functionaries and it’s hard to kill a deal like that.

If the ZTE-NBN deal is being revived, surely, the Northrail project might just suffer a different fate given that it’s already a done deal and taxpayers are spending money for it. Will Joe DV talk about the Northrail project also? Joe DV should get this over with. He’s been making all these threats and alibis that the public is tired hearing him beat two old horses down. And for what?

All of these political activities are geared towards an impeachment complaint by October 11. An impeachment just meant to embarrass Gloria and debilitate her come 2010. It’s actually good to support such initiatives but it should instead lead to a genuine ouster instead of just being used as a vehicle for political embarrassment.

If Joe’s procrastinating, waiting for that miracle deal from heaven, protesters are not backing out from a fight. In the last few days, militants have been storming the oil company offices, demanding a rollback of oil prices. Ibon Foundation just found out that we’re being fooled by these companies possibly charging us 12 pesos per liter more than they should. As expected, oil companies defended themselves, saying that Ibon Foundation did’nt have enough data to support their claims. I seriously don’t know who’s in the right at this point, but if an oil company can lower their prices by 1 peso per liter for gasoline, it shows to me that the price of that precious commodity is actually even lower not just by one peso but by at least 5 pesos per liter.

What all these things mean is simple–we, the People, are being schemed at by those in power. We are paying more than 80 billion pesos worth of VAT from buying an overpriced oil that government encourage because they are getting more money from us.

We are paying millions for projects which does’nt see the light of day and we are grateful for one of them for indicating a willingness to snitch his old colleagues. Our government has turned into a big operator’s paradise that oppresses us rather than help us in these times of distress.

Why do people stay in their homes instead of going to Mendiola

Dr. Carol Araullo was interviewed today (12 July 2008) by the Philippine Daily Inquirer. What she said was both interesting and a revelation. For the first time, it jibed with what the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP) thinks about our current situation.

Despite the high prices of oil and food, it is not incendiary enough to foment riots. Nor revolutions. Nor anything violent. That's whay ISAFP Chief Prestoza said and that's what revolutionaries like Araullo also believes in. So much for revolutions. It's time to eat.

Why?

Well, Araullo thinks that Filipinos are too busy earning a living for them to mind going to those Black Friday rallies or even make those noise barrages. In fact, Araullo reveals that even activists right now are too busy thinking about how to support themselves that they forgot to go to Mendiola to support those League of Filipino Students (LFS).

I understand where Araullo is coming from. That pragmatic thinking might have arisen from the small number of people going to their rallies. Despite those scenes of rallies and demonstrations here and there, no sizeable number of ordinary folks have gone out of their homes to march with them.

And you know why?

It's not that people are hungrier than angry. No. People are just waiting for a group from among their ranks to rise up and call for a genuine revolt. People are tired of groups waging struggle in the name of "isms". They're tired blaming imperialism, feudalism and bureaucrat capitalism for their problems. They already know they're being schemed by those in power. They already know that its the government who's digging their graves and choosing the ones most fit to benefit from a Noah's Ark proposal.

There's no one who can provide them with proper guidance and direction. They can't trust the Genuine Opposition simply because, in their minds, they're not genuine enough.

They're quite hard to support the Black and White Movement because they don't think along those lines. And surely, they can't swallow those Villars, Legardas and Escuderos around since they know these people are only after their votes.

So, what to do, but wait. Wait til a new figure coming from the oppressed classes rise up and lead a true New Revolution. We can liken the People's wrath to water. Its amorphous yes, yet, it follows a certain trail.

Carol, the people will rise up in due time. It's just a matter of time before you see those people expressing their anger one way or another. It might not be thru rallies or demonstrations. No. It might not even be thru those prayer rallies. It deadens them.

Lynchings? Nah. Too medieval. Try a coup.

July 18 quake prediction a political gimmick

(This is a picture of the devastation caused by an 8 magnitude earthquake in San Francisco California in 1906

Why the 8 magnitude earthquake prediction in RP is a fake? And why do people believe it?

First, the author of the email has impeccable timing. It was sent right after a 7.2 magnitude quake in Japan which killed 13 people. Previous to this, a 7.9 magnitude quake killed thousands in China and rendered thousands more homeless.

Here, we are experiencing between 4 to 5.3 magnitude quakes, almost everyday since last week. Being proximate to both China and Japan, people would definitely make a connexion. If a quake hit our neighbours, the possibility of being hit ourselves by a similarly strong or stronger earthquake is there, since we’re also one of those countries located in the Pacific ring of fire.

This fatalistic thinking is being compounded by our recent experience with Typhoon Frank, which left thousands of people dead and rendered thousands more homeless. Scenes of devastation of the China and Japan quake plus the Typhoon Frank disaster still resonate in our minds. And of course, we’re experiencing weekly personal financial tremors what with rising oil and food process. Millions of people are feeling panicky and uncertain about the future. Many people are feeling insecure. Those deathly scenes on primetime news are not helping people cope with both natural and man-made disasters.

Obviously, the prediction is a fake (see http://pinoyobserver.wordpress.com). It’s an invention. But why choose an earthquake as an event to happen in this date, July 18?

Obviously, the authors of this email chose that date because it’s similar with the date of the 8 magnitude quake which rocked San Francisco California way back in 1906—April 18. Of course, they adjusted it to July 18 so that its more recent and we’ll feel threatened and vulnerable.

The purpose of this fakery? Well, its quite nasty and a little criminal. Obviously, they want to add fuel to the confusion and feeling of insecurity of Filipinos. They are feeding the fear of people. But why? Why do this?

July 18 happens to be ten (10) days before the State of the Nation address of Philippine president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. By creating a scenario of fear, people will approach this SONA with utter trepidation and uncertainty. Nonetheless, it can work in both ways.

A fearful nation come July 28 could be exploited by Gloria to introduce self-serving suggestions such as the Noah's Ark proposal or a cha-cha? Surely, no one would question this since it could be perceived as a bitter pill to swallow. People would even, probably praise Gloria for rising up to the occasion.

Or, it could be that the people are so heated up at that time that they support a revolt leading to the eventual ouster of Gloria from Malacanang. Whatever the motivation is--whether political or otherwise--it smacks of a malicious intent. It's malicious and dangerous, to say the least.

Bogus Prediction of RP Quake Exposed!

There’s an email spreading like wildfire in the blogosphere about a prediction made by a certain Brazilian professor, identified by the Philippine Daily Inquirer as Prof. Juseleeno Nobulega DaRoose.

DaRoose was said to have predicted a big earthquake to hit the Philippines this 18 July 2008. The earthquake is said to be in the vicinity of an intensity 8 in the Richter scale.

I checked this character up in the internet and found his real name to be Jucelino Nobrega da Luz. You can check his website at www.jucelinodaluz.com.br.

He’s described as (as translated by me from Portuguese) as a 45-year old Brazilian professor living in Floriano in the Municipality of Maringa, State of Parana. He’s allegedly a psychic. He spends his time writing letters to persons he sees in his dreams. He writes his dreams which allegedly happens eventually. He writes these dreams and sends it to people who allegedly “ can modify determined situations, while receiving these advance informations.”

He’s also been described on-line as a New Generation Nostradamus.

I’ve checked his site, hoping to see anything said about the Philippines this month and found none. There’s actually a reference to the Philippines last month (June 2008) but nothing this month. What the entry says in Portuguese is this:

Grandes enchentes na China provocadas por um furacão e já são milhares de mortes e começa atingir Bangladesh e Filipinas “ which roughly translates into this:

“ Great floods in China due to a hurricane which will lead to thousands of people being killed and it begins to reach Bangladesh and the Philippines.

I don’t know about Bangladesh, but, yes, this prediction came true in the Philippines and in China. Hurricanes and typhoons belong to the same category, so I guess this came true. I don’t know about Bangladesh though.

There’s no reference to a big earthquake to hit the Philippines in his site. I have translated his predictions this month and here it is.

➢ There will be many agrarian-based unrest in the Southern part of Brazil which will lead to violence (not happening now)
➢ Many people will be killed by strong typhoons in Japan (not happening now)
➢ Many people will be rendered homeless due to a strong cyclone to hit Australia
➢ A 6.9 earthquake will hit Chile and Brazilians in Sao Paolo will feel the tremors.
➢ Great floods will inundate France, Germany and Moldavia, leaving thousands of people homeless and a great many will die.
➢ Terrorist conflicts in Turkey due to dissident activity in the border with Iraq.
➢ 100 people will die from a bomb blast in Northern Iraq.
➢ Many people will die due to conflicts in Algeria, possibly to happen due to an aftermath of a 7.1 intensity quake
➢ Japan’s economy will get better with an economic growth of 4.2%
➢ A small 3.1 intensity earthquake will hit the Amazon.

There’s a reference to the Philippines in his February entry which predicted great floods to affect the Philippines, China and Indonesia leading to many deaths and injuries. With the exception of China and Indonesia, this did not happen in the Philippines.

I checked all his previous entries (from January to June) and I found that most of his predictions are about earthquakes, terrorist activity, great floods, hurricanes, typhoons, sickness and cyclones. Most of his predictions did not happen. I say his success rate is just about 30%. So these predictions are more of a hit and miss, instead of accurate predictions.

I am writing some of his other predictions, especially next month and in September 2008.

August 2008

➢ Small earth tremors to measure 4.2 will be observed in the sub-aquatic slit from Africa to Brazil
➢ An intensity 5.3 earthquake to hit Jerusalem, the capital of Israel.
➢ Thousands expected to die due to an intensity 7.8 earthquake in Peru. The devastation will render thousands homeless.
➢ Yellow fever epidemic predicted in the Federal state of Brazil
➢ Another typhoon to hit Japan, injuring or killing thousands and rendering thousands homeless.
➢ A strong typhoon to hit China, worsening the situation there of the homeless. Floods will affect many.
➢ A terrorist attack will hit Lebanon which will kill 63 people.
➢ El Nino will affect Southern Brazil. Earthquakes will lead to flash floods.
➢ An 8.2 earthquake will kill thousands in Caximira-Paquistao in Brazil.

September 2008

➢ A plane will crash in Southwest of Jakarta Indonesia killing 60 people.
➢ A strong earthquake in China will kill millions of people. If this will not happen in China, it will happen in the Tokai region in Japan.
➢ A train accident in India will leave hundreds of people dead.
➢ China will successfully host the Beijing Olympics.
➢ A 6.4 magnitude earthquake will hit Sumatra, Indonesia

Some suggestions to mitigate the worsening economic crisis

These are just some suggestions for government to mitigate the effects of the economic crisis. We are seeing a slow spill-over of the effects of this crisis into the populace. And sincerely, we don't want riots to break out right now since disorganized violence tends to destroy rather than create societies. Here are some thoughts:

1. Government should momentarily suspend VAT collections until January 2009. Analysts say, the global slowdown will ease starting February 2009. Instead of collecting VAT and giving it to the poor as subsidies, suspend VAT altogether to prevent the further swelling of the ranks of the poor. Without VAT, that would allow the middle class to at least survive this crisis. This crisis affects the middle class more than the poor since they are the ones who consume more.

2. Government should implement the daylight saving time (DST) again to conserve energy and resources.

3. Implement a four-day work week for private companies and some government agencies. That would reduce costs and save government some money.

4. Increase excise taxes. Collections from excise could mitigate the effects of VAT collections.

5. Encourage businesses to give non-wage benefits instead of increasing wages to 10%. A wage increase right now will not ease the economic and financial pressures caused by the global slowdown. A 10% wage hike will put pressure on firms to pass up the extra wage hike to consumers, hence, higher prices of commodities.

6. Lower interest rates of banks to encourage more people to engage in small businesses or enterprises. This will keep the domestic economy alive.

7. Prevent or deter a localized sub-prime market crisis by allowing a loan interest holiday up to January 2009. That would allow people to keep more money, hence, they are more liquid. Pag-ibig or SSS should give debtors some leeway in their late payments. A condonation of debts could also work.

8. Encourage people to save more in banks. The more people putting their money in banks, the more it contributes to fiscal equilibrium.

Tremors

After the 4.5 magnitude quake which rocked Aurora and Metro Manila over the weekend, a few tremors were felt today in Manila. I noticed that these tremors are starting to increase in frequency, not in strength. Philvocs should explain these things before the public to dispel fears of a big one coming. An email is circulating in the blogsphere about this prediction of a Brazilian "psychic" who recently predicted a big quake to hit the Philippines come 18 July 2008.

I am not big on predictions and I surely can't believe someone who predicts quakes. No one can do that except probably chickens or cats. Animals are known to feel these quakes.

I am more fearful about the economic quakes hitting us than real quakes. I mean, life is getting harder by the day due to the global slowdown.

Malacanang's economic advisers are on the right course with the Noah's Ark proposal. It seems that government is beginning to act like a Robin Hood, promising to give to the poor billions of pesos worth of VAT collections probably to prevent a spillage of dissent to the underground.

Government should realize that the prospect of riots is not far-fetched in the Philippines. It happened at EDSA dos and the May 1 rebellion. We saw the anger of the poor against this government before and without an outlet to vent their anger, disorganized violence could erupt anytime.

It already happened in Cavite, with thousands of angry families marching towards the NFA warehouse, demanding for more rice supplies. This is the fault of the current Secretary of Agriculture Art Yap. He's constantly giving us false info on the true status of our food security. IN this times of crisis, government should be more forthright to us. People would understand if we don't have enough food stocks. I mean, its quite evident that this administration has failed the people several times. And the people are not expecting that much from this administration anyway, so it's better to just tell people the truth instead of giving us false hopes.

I have some proposals to government to at least mitigate the effects of this impending disaster:

1. Government should increase the rate of excise tax especially on sin products.
2. Government should suspend VAT until January 2009.
3. Government should reclaim its stake on oil companies, instead of selling its stake on Petron to a tycoon. This is NOT the right time to sell oil stocks. I don't see any rationale behind this plan to sell.
4. Government should sell non-performing GOCC's now to generate revenues.

Where's Loren?

There are four hostages being held somewhere in the jungles of Basilan right now. The bandits under Abu Sayyaf Leader Jundain has given negotiators until tomorrow to come up with a ransom or they'll kill the hostages. It's a tense situation, just like what happened to Ces Drilon. However, even if you look at the Inquirer or ABS-CBN websites, you'll see none of this news coming out.

Four lives are at stake. Four lives that probably do not mean anything to us, to politicians or to government. But they mean a whole lot to their families. And these families are Filipinos, lest we forget.

Media is not covering them. Government is ignoring the hostage situation. We have'nt heard anything from the military. Even the local government officials of Basilan are not raising the funds or shoring up close contact supporters.

And we are NOT hearing anything from Senator Loren Legarda, the supposed heroine in the release of Ces Drilon (who, by the way, has been suspended for 3 months by ABS-CBN news and public affairs).

Where's Loren?

I just saw some photos of Loren published in the papers with some tycoons and surprise, surprise...Senator Cheez Escudero. Their tandem is being introduced to the public as the "winnable team". I hate to say this, given the fact that Loren is one of my friends, but if she wants to redeem herself, now is the time to do it.

I don't want people thinking nor even saying something as "Loren just did that thing with Ces because Ces happens to be a high-profile victim. And those workers from the Basilan Electric Cooperative are just plain, old, simple folks, not worth the publicity."

When small people are killed, abducted or blown to bits by these terrorists, we hear no whimper. Or, if we do, like what happened in the Sulpicio Lines sea disaster, the noise last for up to two weeks. Then, its gone. When big people are killed, abducted or blown to bits, the news takes a drastic change and it takes a month to about 3 months before everything settles down.

Loren, you may not get the same kind of publicity compared with what you get from that Drilon episode. This one, at least be consistent. Since you positioned yourself as a hostage negotiator, try to do this also to your fellow Filipinos being held by psychotic elements there in Basilan. Don't be choosy. Sayang din, it's 4 votes din.

Villar's Truth About OFWs

Senate president and presidentiable Manny Villar is in very serious trouble. His foreign affairs and OFW adviser, Ambassador Lauro Baja is being charged for alleged human trafficking, racketeering and forced labor by a fellow Filipino.

What now, Mr. Villar? Should we be concerned, since, you said in that television commercial of yours, that we need to report those who commit human trafficking and such crimes against our Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW)?

How will we do that now when the very person you made as your adviser is himself, deeply involved in such affairs? How will you now justify your OFW campaign?

How many Bajas do you have in your circle of influence, Mr. Senate President? I'm sure you checked each and every one's background. Are you sure that every adviser has been checked out? Do you have others involved in other rackets, like jueteng, drugs, and smuggling?

More than this though, if news about Ambassador Lauro Baja is true, that’s a big blot in the eye for the Philippine foreign service. And it seems that he's not the only one involved in this kind of racket.

A few months ago, another Filipino diplomat pleaded guilty for a similar offense, that of forced labor and racketeering.

What happened to our once prestigious foreign affairs? This department has been our source of pride in the past. Many idealistic individuals like me dreamt of someday working there. I did manage to work there as head of the economic diplomacy unit of the DFA think-tank. It was a brief stint. Though entry was very competitive, I decided to go back to media, my first love.

Unlike any other government agency, the DFA seems to be the most viable and the most reputable place for one to work. It has the least record for corruption, unlike the BIR and Customs.

With this report on Baja’s and other similar incidents involving our envoys, a thorough investigation should be undertaken. This is a very serious offense which merits a total overhaul, if not, a total re-examination of the list of individuals we allow to serve our fellow Filipinos living abroad.

Baja is a career diplomat who once served the UN Security Council. What has prompted him to do such a despicable thing? Was it low pay? Was it for his retirement or pension funds?

What is happening to our society that the least corrupt government agency has been turned into a place of slave traders?

A Full Life--The Memoirs of Teofisto Guingona, a Patriot

I had the excellent opportunity to read the memoir of a Patriot today. Reading it brings back memories of those times when Filipinos stood for something beautiful--not because of politics nor money--but about ethics and good-old ideological principles.

Ethics, ah, that's new. Nowadays, we look at politicians in the same mold as we look at hooligans. We can't seem to find something good or something moral about them. For us, there's nothing ethical nor beautiful about politics. Politics is dirty. Politics is all about money. Politics is something abhorrent, even despicable. And ethics is something aesthetic, not political.

Guingona's milieu is something different, even dreamy. It was the golden age of Philippine politics. It was a time when our country was finding our identity, our own place under the hot global sun. It was an era where we are looking for some pillar to stand on.

This humble man from Agusan was fortunate enough to shine side by side with all those legal, political, economic and ideological giants of our age. He shone in a different light. He belongs to those luminaries but his light shone more brightly than them.

Those whom he had the pleasure of meeting and befriending all betrayed the People's Cause when their time came to govern. When they held the fate of the Nation in their hands as policy-makers, their true colors showed. They forgot why God put them there, not to steal billions from us, but to help us.

Not Teofisto Guingona.

He stood for the people's cause. His voice rang loud when the tentacles of dictatorship plunged this country into the abyssmal pits of chaos and delusion. He fought side by side with men of substance when it was not the time to do so. He suffered in poverty when most of his friends prospered under the blessing of a Madman.

He went against the grain because it was right, it was moral and it was his duty as a Filipino to do so.

Guingona was a true-blue rebel. He rebelled when everybody was trying to rationalize irrationality. He struggled when everyone says it's okey when in fact, it was turning totally nasty and brutish for the People.

Guingona fought for the rights of the Christians and the Muslims. He understood their pain.

Guingona struggled against tyranny, oppression and poverty. He saw the world not in rosy-colored lens, but with clear spectacles hardened by the ultra-violet light of reality.

He stood like the Atenean he is, a blue eagle, standing proudly in that landscape of dark clouds and an almost deserted Philippines. Now, he's the last of the Mohicans. His contemporaries have all joined the heavenly pantheon of heroes. But, I pray that the Almighty still prolong the life of this man, since the People still need him.

I had the pleasure of meeting the man.

During the managed turbulence of EDSA Dos, I ate lunch with him, along with some generals. It was in his modest home in New Manila. When we were eating, he asked me about things related to the struggle, for which he replied, " you can fool the people sometimes, but you can't fool the people everytime."

He referred to me as a bright man and told me that if I'm ready to be jailed should we fail in what we're doing. Without nary a flinch, I said yes. I've been jailed before when I militated against the Military Bases Agreement, along with PAG-IBIG president Miro Quimpo and former Chief of Staff Mike Defensor. Like Guingona, I stood against the grain. And even at this ripe age of 37, I am still at it, hoping that the time will come when the People, the true owners of this land, govern this country through a Council of their choice.

Guingona will remain an inspiration to a new generation of Patriots. I am quite certain that in the next few months or years, a new breed of Patriots will emerge and form a New Class--the creative class. This creative class will rewrite history. This time, it will be a glorious one when the People will become the masters of their fate, not the slave of the State.

For you, my Patriot, we will honor you by continuing what you fought for--a New Philippine Revolution.

A Conversation at the Palace

When Herr Enchanted heard the arrest of Atty. Homobono Adaza, she immediately convened the National Security Council (NSC). This is a transcript of their conversation.

Herr Enchanted: ” O, nahuli daw si Bono?”

Security Adviser Bert Gon to Herr Enchanted: ” San? Di na ba siya nagcoconcert?”

Herr Enchanted: ” Hindi yun. Si Bono, Abono Adaza!”

Peace adviser Espy to Herr Enchanted: ” Ano po ma’am, abono? Dami ko na nga pong abono sa Mindanao lalo na nung eleksyon…di ba nanalo naman tayo? Ngayon, gusto nyo na naman akong mag-abono..”

Bert Gon to Espy: ” Hindi yun, bingi! Ang sabi ni Ma’am, si Adaza, nag-abono…ma’am kung abono gusto nio, kunin natin sa states si Joc-joc Bolante. Magaling bumili ng abono yun. Kitam, kumita pa!”

Herr Enchanted: ” Hay naku, kalimutan niyo na si Joc-Joc. Di na atin yun.”

(Sec. Ermita now enters the room.)

Herr Enchanted: ” O, E-S, me balita ka ba ke Bono?”

Sec Ermita: ” Nahuli na. Pinakasuhan natin dahil ayaw nilang tumigil eh.”

Espy to Ermita: ” Nag-abono ka din? Dami ko ngang inabono nung eleksyon, ala naman akong napala. Now, peace adviser lang ako! Pano na si misis? Di na siya makakapag-shopping!”

Herr Enchanted: ” Tumigil ka nga Espy! Baka marinig ka ng mga midya dyan!”

Espy to Herr Enchanted: ” Sabi nio kasi abono eh! Di ko na nga nabili ng boots mga sundalo dahil dyan sa abono-abono!”

Face Ermita.

Her Enchanted: ” Gawan niyo na ng way yan at gusto kong mag-golf sa Wack-Wack this Sunday. “

Sec Ermita: ” Ma’am you havg nothing to worry about. Nag-iisip pa lang sila, me kaso na agad. Ganyan kami kabilis. Lam nyo namang bata natin yang si Verzosa…gustong maging chief PNP yan…”

Herr Enchanted: ” Pano si Barias?”

Sec Ermita: ” Naku ma’am, barya-barya lang makukuha natin sa kanya. Di tulad ni Verzosa!”

Herr Enchanted: ” Okey. You’re the boss. Sige, ikulong na yang si Bono, pati sina Cardeno para matuto. At least, hapi-hapi pa rin tayo sa palasyo.”

All rise: ” Yes ma’am!”

Lunch Coup

Human rights lawyer Homobono Adaza and three ex-AFP officers were arrested yesterday afternoon. Sources say they were going to eat lunch together when agents of the CIDG pounced on them. They were immediately hauled to Camp Crame for questioning and later brought to the PNP hospital for the routine medical checkup.

And what was the alleged crime? It's the nebulous crime of concocting a coup in their minds. What a downer!

Is there a crime such as this?

I've been a law student and nowhere do I find such a crime existing under the Revised Penal Code. There must be an overt act emanating from the "desire" to commit a crime, before an act can be considered criminal.

Going to lunch with the intention of discussing a crime is not punishable under our laws. One can discuss committing a crime all day or all year if one wants, but without an overt act, it's nothing.

Reports say lawyer Raymund Fortun was the one who filed a complaint against Adaza. It is not clear why Fortun did that stupid thing. Maybe Fortun wants to gain publicity again?

Authorities should release these men from detention. If they don't do this within 48 hours, they are liable for illegal detention.

Something deeper

Was Adaza's arrest connected with the recent successes in court by the Marine standoff officers? Adaza stands counsel to legendary Col. Ariel Querubin, one of the original founders of the Young Officers Union (YOU). Was this an attempt to deprive Querubin of rightful counsel?

Or, this is part of government efforts to nip a budding destabilization attempt? Remember that the Black and White Movement announced early yesterday that they'll be launching weekly Friday mobilizations prior to the opening of Congress this July. Is this part of it?

Reports also say that former Col. Raffy Cardeno, the alleged brains behind the slaying of former YOU spokesman Baron Cervantes was also caught. However, if this is true, then Raffy should have been arraigned along with the four other men arrested. As this is being written, no word as to the arrest of Cardeno.

One thing is clear--government is cracking down its enemies. And for what? I thought government has already extended the olive branch to the opposition. I thought there's a political truce already? Why all these?

Time to Reassert Freedom of the Press

Makati Court judge Branch 54 Reynaldo Laigo today killed press freedom with just five pages of nebulous writings. In his decision, he dismissed the class case filed by media advocate Atty. Harry Roque against government and police officials involved in the arrest of media people who covered the November 29 Manila penn siege.

Laigo said there is nothing illegal nor arbitrary with the arrests, even granting a cloak of legality to the police order. Short of being accused of contempt, I find the decision appalling and outright stupid.

Laigo wrote that the complaint "does not constitute sufficient cause of action for damages against the defendants that warrants further prosecution of this case." He says there's nothing arbitrary about it.

What I found stupid and disgusting about this decision is that it only took Laigo five pages to resolve a purely constitutional issue. I really don't understand Judge Laigo. He totally missed the point. This is not a question befitting some analysis of the Rules of Court; this is a constitutional issue which should at least merit more than 5 pages. Probably, Laigo thought that the issue has already passed; and therefore, groups do not find this important anymore. Well, he's dead wrong. His decision could even spark a full-blown revolt!

“This is a big blow to press freedom. In effect, it’s the police now who can say when you can cover an emergency and when you cannot,” Luis Teodoro of the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR) said Wednesday.

Laigo may have decided unjustly. Media organisations should go to the Supreme Court for solace. They simply can't get it from Laigo's court.


The media groups complained the arrests were “arbitrary and illegal having made with the abuse of discretion… the police officers being fully aware that there was no probable cause to believe they were committing or had committed an offense.”