Maguindanao: From Warlord to Warlord

Buluan vice mayor Toto Mangundadatu successfully filed his Certificate of Candidacy for the gubernatorial post in Sharif Aguak Maguindanao. This came a few days after the massacre which led to the killing of his wife and 61 others (latest update on the Maguindanao massacre: 62 people killed). Accompanied by former defense secretary and now presidentiable, Gilbert Teodoro, Mangundadatu says the filing is just one small step towards the liberation of the Maguindanaoans. " This is freedom day" says Mangundadatu.

It probably was freedom day, since the Central Government has decided to place the entire ARMM under the DILG and the government is slowly dismantling the Ampatuan evil regime.

If you look at it though, it was probably "freedom day" for the Mangundadatus, but NOT the Maguindanaoans. The Mangundadatus can claim "freedom" because the government is doing what they failed to do---dismantle and neutralize their political enemy.

What would happen in Maguindanao is true to the rest of Mindanao should a peace pact is signed---the transfer of power from a non-Muslim hegemon to a Muslim warlord.

If Mangundadatu wins, it will just be a transfer of power from a warlord to another warlord. And that is not the solution to the Mindanao problem. For the people of Maguindanao will still be enslaved by powers controlled by the Central Government.

The only time that the Bangsamoros can really claim "freedom" is the day they, the Bangsamoro People, defeat these warlord clans, put them all in jail and establish an Independent Democratic State. If the Bangsamoros create their own Bangsamoro Islamic Liberation Army and pacify these areas controlled by armed and lawless elements, then, that would surely be Freedom Day.

I have one advice to our fellow Muslim brothers and sisters in Bangsamoro land---turn towards Allah SWT. Allah will give you peace. Struggle under Allah SWT's banner.

The Maguindanao Massacre and the Bangsamoro Struggle for Freedom

Local Government secretary Ronnie Puno now heads the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) under the Executive Order signed by Mrs. Arroyo placing the entire region under a State of Emergency. The decision was based on the potential security implications of the Maguindanao incident.

This so-called "takeover" of the national government of ARMM shows one thing--it proved that the 1993 Peace Agreement is a failure. This action by the government shows that autonomy is not the best governance model for the Bangsamoros.

The best solution to the Mindanao problem is LEAVE THE BANGSAMOROS ALONE. LET THEM SEPARATE FROM THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES AND GIVE THEM THEIR OWN STATE.

By giving them their own state, they will be able to take care of themselves. They would try to resolve problems among themselves.

However, a True State status should not be GRANTED but EARNED by the Bangsamoros through struggle. There is no other way.

If self-rule emanates from a ceremonial grant from the National Government, it would just lead to violence because leadership obviously would just be transferred from a non-Muslim hegemon to a Muslim warlord hegemon.

This was obviously the game plan of the administration. The Ampatuans and the Mangundadatus were given enormous powers and influence by the palace to counter-act Bangsamoro civil society and the MILF-MNLF. If the peace pact is signed, the Ampatuans would have played a major role in the new Bangsamoro Republic.

If this happens, then, all hell would break loose. A civil war would surely happen since Bangsamoro civil society would have to fight these traditional warlord clans and their armed militias for power. The Bangsamoro struggle, therefore, would not end with a peaceful resolution of the conflict thru the bargaining table.

In fact, the peace process is just one step towards the true liberation of the Bangsamoro People.

Yet, I believe that should a civil war do break out shortly after the signing of a peace pact, it would be brief, provided that, indeed, the Philippine military is honest enough in dismantling those private armies and militias.

But, will the AFP do this? No.

Mindanao is a property being claimed by various interests. And Mindanao happens to be a strategic interest by the military.

Mass Murderer Andal Ampatuan Jr. is surety bond

How to trigger massive violence in Mindanao? Simple. If anything bad happens to mass murderer Andal Ampatuan Jr. who is now detained at the NBI office in Manila, that would surely trigger rido in Maguindanao and the entire Mindanao.

And if the Opposition thinks that they can force the Ampatuan clan to divulge juicy details of Hello Garci, think again. The Government, by arresting and detaining Andal Ampatuan, committed one single act of assuring that these "secret Hello Garci documents" remain locked, stocked and barrelled.

Mrs. Arroyo now has the younger Andal Ampatuan under government custody. The younger Ampatuan is now Mrs. Arroyo's most precious commodity, err, her most important asset, a surety if you will, against possible "spillage" of info relating to Hello Garci.

In fact, if you look at it, the younger Andal is now a hostage. Threats against his life are being floated about austensibly for the senior Andal's personal consumption---Arroyo and her hawks want Andal Ampatuan to forever keep his mouth shut or something bad will happen to the 40-year old mass murderer.

Government assets are like vultures flying above the head of the younger Ampatuan. If the Patriarch balks and sends feelers to the Opposition that he's now ready to talk, then, for sure, the younger Andal will either die immediately or spend his entire life in chains.

Such is the life of those who think they are gods.

The younger Andal knows all the secrets of that Maguindanao Hello Garci operation. The Ampatuans know all the dirty things politicians did. The clan knows that they had the upper hand--they can go to the other side and sell the information in exchange for freedom.

I don't know if the elder Ampatuan already realize this---they don't have an ace anymore when they surrendered junior to Jesus Dureza. In fact, Arroyo now has the upper hand.

The detention of Andal also has a very serious security implication---if someone kills him, that would trigger violence not just in Mindanao but also in Metro Manila---justifying the imposition of a state of emergency even in NCR.

And we all know that the NBI is not the best place to keep a mass murderer. I remember months prior to the coup that ousted Erap, several NBI agents were killed there.

This Maguindanao massacre has tragedy written all over it.

Question really is---is Ampatuan ready to be betrayed by his principal? Mrs. Arroyo has a history of sacrificing her Knights for self-preservation. And mind you, in this one, the Ampatuans also incurred enemies from the military and the police who now occupy high positions in the state security establishment. It is to their best interests for the Ampatuans to keep their mouths shut.

Adel Tamano--shut your mouth

Adel Tamano, a Muslim, should keep his mouth shut. If you don't have anything good or important to say, please brother just keep it to yourself.

The spokesperson of the Nacionalista Party says that the Ampatuans are "pious Muslims, followers of Islam". He just told reporters about it in one of his statements. A DZMM reporter broadcasted his statement just now.

Pious? Followers of Islam? Tamano is dreaming. True Muslims are slaves of Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'Alah. They follow what Allah told the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) as written in the Noble Qu'ran and the Sunnah.

Is it the mark of a pious one to kill fellow Muslims, particularly women, children and men? The Noble Qu'ran does not describe those who do these things as pious but Mushrikuns. These warlords are violators of the very teachings of Islam and should be condemned by everyone who believes in Islam.

In Islam, killing is highly condemned. It is a sin against the whole universe. More despicable and more condemnable if you kill scores of innocent people not in the Name of Allah, but in the Name of dirty and satanic politics.

Tsk,tsk,tsk, Tamano, Tamano. Tama na no.

Narco-politics and Warlordism in Mindanao

Aside from being the military stooge and dogs against Bangsamoro revolutionaries in Mindanao, the Ampatuans are also involved in narco-politics. Everyone knows that the Ampatuans and other warlords in Mindanao are engaged in the distribution of illegal drugs, especially methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu. 

There is a confidential US State department report on narcopolitics in Mindanao. I will publish this later.

Ports and airports in Mindanao are used as transshipment points for illegal drugs.

Maguindanao Massacre: Inside Story

The Ampatuans grew in strength because of Hello Garci and in the Name of Anti-Insurgency. And this is the undeniable Truth.

The Ampatuans overturned the 75-25 vote and just for Arroyo, made it 25-75. The Mangundadatus were worse than the Maguindanao warlord---they changed the vote just for Arroyo, making 85-15 to 15-85. Lintang Bedol was their link. And Garcillano along with some generals personally delivered two suit cases full of cash to the senior Ampatuan.

However, in politics, some are smarter than others. The Mangundadatus aligned themselves with Gibo while Ampatuan stayed with close associates of the First Gentleman and Gloria. Last August, both warring clans met high government officials, including Gibo. Gibo wants to change the Maguindanaoan political landscape by encouraging Mangundadatu to contest Ampatuan. The senior Ampatuan got angry.

Three months later, the Ampatuans led by Datu Unsay mayor Andal Ampatuan, the family hatchet man, staged the most gruesome, and the most barbaric act of the new century---57 killed and decapitated, including 24 innocent journalists. The world gasped and condemned the satanist act.

Government tried to calm the situation by asking the senior Ampatuan to surrender his son. When they felt that they are threatened, the self-proclaimed Sultan of Maguindanao relented and was forced to give his erring and mass murderer Andal Jr, to the authorities.

No negotiations? Tell it to the marines who saw those mangled bodies and bullet-riddled bodies of men, women and children. Malacanang is still being haunted by Hello Garci. The palace knows that the Ampatuans still keeps a record of how they cheated the elections in favor of Mrs. Arroyo. The Patriarch of the clan boasts that he has a suitcase full of pieces of evidence of the monumental electoral fraud in Asia.

Its only in the Philippines that you see a high-ranking government official accompanying a mass murderer. No where in the world do you ever see a senior adviser of a president with a serial killer in tow. That is the policy. That is the kind of government we have right now.

And look at that mass murderer, all smiling, inside a cage in the NBI. Will his victims get justice? Burn those CoCs first and definitely, you'll get an answer.

Meeting Ronnie Zamora and a glimpse of the life of a self-proclaimed Sultan of Maguindanao

I just had the pleasure of meeting an extraordinary man yesterday, and it is no other than former Erap Executive secretary and now Minority floor leader Ronnie Zamora. Actually, the meeting was unexpected for me since I never anticipated this and it was never calendared. Yet, seems that God really finds a way for such mere mortals like me to converse with giants such as Zamora.

Zamora is a living repository of Philippine political history. You find Zamora's indelible mark of great genius from Marcos era to Arroyo's. If I am to write Philippine history, expect some great anecdotes from this guy who is a living witness of how politicos behave and is, himself, the architect of our present political life.

One of the things that fascinated me is his ever-expanding memory. He seems to remember every fine detail of his engagements with the Powers-That-Be, and knows every aspect of the political system like the back of his hand. I dare say that should the time comes when we all face the inevitability of re-imagining this system of ours, Zamora is one of the best consultants for its re-engineering. The rise and fall of regimes, I dare say, depends on how Zamora remembers the behaviors of critical actors in our times and he holds the key also on how to weaken and neutralize them.

And yes, Zamora's reputation as a trapo is evident before me. He is the consummate politician. He understands the dynamics of Philippine politics pretty well and even the nuances of New Technology and how it applies to present-day political acts that Zamora's ideas deserve a place in the New Society. Unfortunate though that like others whom I conversed with, Zamora seemed tired and already thinking of retirement instead of pushing on.

And pushing on, I think, he will. Zamora is now Manny Villar's Campaign Point man, the best man for the job. A campaign manager should be flexible, and Zamora is "It".

Two months ago, he narrates, Zamora was invited to a wedding which witnessed the formal "marriage" of Cong. Dilangalen's family and the Ampatuans. Zamora was invited as one of the principal sponsors for the wedding.

Zamora shares how he arrived in Maguindanao. He flew there with his private plane and arrived at the airport like royalty. The Ampatuans gave him their new car as his limousine and drove past hundreds even thousands of fully armed men posted in every corner.

When he arrived at the reception area, the place was crawling with political heavyweights and armed men. What surprised him though was every armed militia holds sophisticated weaponry, guns that the AFP do not have in its arsenal. Ampatuan's army is a modern one, equipped with state-of-the-art guns never seen before. Obviously, those were not the guns surrendered recently by the militia to the military, those old and unserviceable firearms that the AFP showed to the media just recently.

Anyway, Zamora felt like royalty before a self-proclaimed 'Sultan' of Maguindanao. The Ampatuans also felt like they own not just a province but a country. And they behaved like monarchs.

While listening to Zamora, I suddenly thought that the Ampatuans actually are prime models of how Mindanao would look like post-peace nego, when government hands over self-autonomy to them. If the peace process wins and power transfered from the national to the local politicians running the show there, imagine how many more Ampatuans would sprout there. It would be a disaster.

Mindanao would be embroiled in an endless political power struggle, with local warlords ranged against new and emerging powers. If the government gives the MILF the power to govern and police themselves, just imagine how many warlords and civilian militias they need to neutralize before they achieve normalcy. That would be total anarchy.

Hence, the liberation of Mindanao would not happen overnight. Even after a successful peace negotiations, Bangsamoros would really have to fight each other to achieve lasting peace.

Maguindanao Massacre Update: MANGUNDADATUS DISAPPOINTED OVER PALACE ACTIONS: ASK PNP TO ARREST THE GOVERNOR ANDAL AMPATUAN ALSO

Buluan vice mayor Toto Mangundadatu is disappointed over the actions of Malacanang, saying that why is it that the palace is taking sooo long to arrest Datu Unsay Andal Ampatuan Junior and all the perpetuators of the massacre which resulted to the deaths of 57 people.

Reports indicate that the main perpetuators of the crime are now guarding the younger Ampatuan. Twenty members of the Ampatuan private army were arrested. Those who hacked and raped the twenty two women victims are now holed up inside the Ampatuan compound, armed to the teeth.

The United Nations has condemned the massacre as one of the most barbaric acts in this century.

Mangundadatu says that the police should also arrest the Senior Ampatuan due to evidence of the use of the backhoe. It is totally inconceivable, says Mangundadatu, that the criminals or animals who did the massacre were able to use the property of the provincial capitol without the expressed authority from the Maguindanao governor and the provincial engineer.

Andal Ampatuan Sr. is the Governor of Maguindanao and a close ally of Philippine president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Meanwhile, several Muslim groups have condemned the massacre and said that they don't consider the Ampatuans as Muslims.

EXCLUSIVE: ANDAL AMPATUAN JR TO BE ARRESTED AND TAKEN TO CAMP CRAME

A police source, who requested anonymity, says that one of the possible scenarios being considered right now is for Datu Unday mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr., son of Maguindanao governor Andal Ampatuan to be arrested inside the compound and to be sent immediately to Camp Crame.

Andal Jr. is to be immediately sent to Camp Crame for processing. This is one of the points negotiated between the Ampatuans and Jesus Dureza, presidential envoy.

Dureza is expected to take the 40 year old Andal Ampatuan Jr, into custody. Dureza is now in Maguindanao. (One source says one of the relatives of Andal Ampatuan thinks of holding Dureza hostage, which I think is unthinkable.)

Both the palace and the Ampatuans agreed that the younger Andal be subjected to investigation. No police or NBI agent was sent to the Ampatuans to serve the warrant of arrest.

Meanwhile, AFP spokesperson Lt. Col. Romeo Brawner Jr. said the military has taken over the Maguindanao capitol. Several towns in Maguindanao have also been subjected to military control.

Civilian cafgus or militias within the area have been disarmed.

Police have recovered 57 bodies, mostly mangled beyond recognition, in the shallow grave.

EXCLUSIVE:YOUNGER AMPATUAN WILL REFUSE ARREST

EXCLUSIVE!

I just had a conversation with a relative of the Mangundadatu and several groups are being formed to attack the Ampatuan compound in Maguindanao.

The source, who requested anonymity, said that several relatives of the Mangundadatu clan in Lanao del Norte (Marawi City), Maguindanao, and Davao have met in an undisclosed place in Cotabato. The clan reportedly agreed to help the PNP in serving the warrant of arrest against the Ampatuans.

A warrant of arrest is being readied against Datu Unday mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr. A crack team is being prepared as I write this to arrest Ampatuan Jr.

" Kung pumalag si Andal bro, magkasubukan kami. Diri man kami papayag na di makaisa dito ke Andal. Sobra ginawa nia kay Bai, bro." says my source, a Mangundadatu who is now in Mindanao.

Another source, this time, a Balik-Islam based in Maguindanao, said that the Ampatuans have beefed security over the compound. The compound reportedly has a cache full of arms and several bombs hidden in an underground room. The Ampatuans reportedly recruited young men who are also relatives to beef their security.

Andal Ampatuan Jr, the suspected mastermind behind the massacre, is reported to have fled to Sabah. However, a close check with the PNP in Maguindanao says, the younger Ampatuan is holed up in one of the houses inside the compound, and being guarded heavily by men very close to the elder Ampatuan.

Since Monday evening, several jeepneys were seen entering the compound, reportedly carrying food and boxes full of ammunition.

The men, reports say, vowed to die alongside Andal Jr. Andal Jr reportedly is being convinced to subject himself to investigation. Other relatives of the Ampatuans refused to turn Andal Jr over.

A clash is one of the scenarios being seriously considered by the PNP. If the Ampatuans resist arrest, the police may have to use lethal force to extricate Andal Jr. from his hole.

The source lives in Quezon City but has now enplaned to Mindanao to help his other relatives seek justice against the Ampatuans. Other Maranaos who are linked to the big Mangundadatu clan based in Lanao provinces are willing to help the PNP in Maguindanao.

Exclusive: Malakanyang inutile in resolving Ampatuan-Mangundadatu political rift

Several meetings were held in Malakanyang austensibly to resolve the worsening rift between the warlord clan Ampatuan and the Mangundadatus in Maguindanao prior to the gruesome massacre but those meetings never amounted to anything.

These meetings, attended by former Defense secretary Gilbert Teodoro and several high-ranking officials of the administration party, Lakas-KAMPI NUCD, aimed to dissuade Buluan vice mayor Toto Mangundadatu from contesting the gubernatorial seat of Andal Ampatuan.


Mangundadatu was offered by the administration several government posts, including an ambassadorial post, a Cabinet-rank position or as administrator of government properties.


Mangundadatu rejected the offer of the administration.


It was also learned from various sources that Datu Unday mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr. gave several death threats to Mangundadatu. Mangundadatu reported the matter to the ARMM Regional PNP director Paisal Umpa. Umpa reportedly rejected the plea for protection of Mangundadatu.


Three days before the massacre, the backhoe of the Provincial Government of Maguindanao was seen in the crime scene. Armed men, including UNIFORMED MEMBERS OF THE PHILIPPINE NATIONAL POLICE (PNP) were already in the area prior to the massacre. Checkpoints were set up by the local police upon the direct orders from the Provincial government of Maguindanao.


It was also learned that a group of people, mostly members of Shariff Aguak town’s police force, cased the Mangundadatu house several hours before the Mangundadatu’s convoy went ahead to file the CoC.


Fifty seven cadavers, most of them mangled beyond recognition, were recovered from the shallow grave.

Andal Ampatuan's men arrested yet PNP refuses to name him the Mastermind behind the massacre

Fresh from his victory as CNN Hero of the Year, Efren Penaflorida arrives home only to find the country he loves again embroiled in a very serious and very humiliating situation.

And to those whose generation rules this government right now, SHAME ON ALL OF YOU. YOU HAVE FAILED THE YOUNGER GENERATION WHO TRIES VERY HARD TO GIVE THIS COUNTRY SOME HONOR.

Fifty seven bodies were found so far, and several people, gunmen of Datu Unday mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr., were arrested. PNP Chief Jesus Verzosa describes the suspects as members of Ampatuan's private army. And the PNP already identified Ampatuan Jr. as the primary suspect and mastermind of the most gruesome massacre in the new century.

Twenty two women dead, thirty plus men killed and decapitated and several bodies of journalists mangled beyond recognition.

And what's so revolting---THE PNP REFUSES TO CATEGORICALLY NAME ANDAL AMPATUAN JR. EVEN IF THERE IS OVERWHELMING EVIDENCE LINKING HIM TO THE BRUTAL, BARBARIC AND SADISTIC CRIME!!

Another Jesus, Jesus Dureza, the president's envoy, is set to accompany Andal Jr. to a police investigation. The question really is---will justice be served this time?

Will Andal Jr. really subject himself to public justice and face the music?

This massacre insults ALL OF US. It sends a very wrong message to the world---that we Filipinos are animals. That we do not respect human life. That we do not even respect ourselves.

Where, oh, where are the New Patriots of this New Generation who will correct these wrongs wrought against the Motherland by these shameless government?

Where, oh, where are the Idealistic Soldiers of the Filipino People who will save and transform this country from its dismal situation into a promising one?

Hello Garci, the Ampatuans and Gloria Arroyo

Is Mrs. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo afraid of the Ampatuans because this warlord clan knows how former AFP chief of Staff Hermogenes Esperon Jr conducted the Mindanao leg of the Hello Garci operation? Sources in Mindanao say the administration election operators gave two (2) suitcases full of money to Datu Andal Ampatuan to launch a dagdag-bawas operation against the opposition.

In 2004, opposition presidentiable Fernando Poe Jr. got zero votes in Maguindanao. The Ampatuans delivered the votes to incumbent president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

And like Pontius Pilate, Malacanang wants to distance itself from the massacre.

Is this the reason behind the stupid and idiotic statement of presidential spokesperson LoreLIE Fajardo asking for sobriety and wanting to distance the palace from the incident? Fajardo probably was drunk when she said those words.

Malacanang wants to project the image of a Mrs. Arroyo deeply concerned with the massacre. Cerge Remonde and presidential political adviser Gabby Claudio revealed that Mrs. Arroyo reportedly made "emotional calls" of sympathy and support to the Mangundadatu family who lost most of their kin and sympathizers.

Fajardo said, the palace is not to be blamed for this massacre, which the UN already described as barbarism in the highest order.

Mrs. Arroyo, her hawks in the Cabinet, and her military generals are to be blamed for this massacre. Mrs. Arroyo tolerated the Ampatuans. Everybody knows how the Ampatuans grew in strength and in political influence due to their "close ties" with Mrs. Arroyo. Everyone knows that Mrs. Arroyo owes the Ampatuans an enormous political debt.

The AFP is responsible too. They tolerated and taken cared of warlords in Mindanao as a counter-force to the MILF and the MNLF. These warlords provide the militias.

Jesus Dureza, Mrs. Arroyo's point man in Mindanao, urge the public to remain calm and urge for sobriety. Dureza said that they are pushing for an "equilibrium of peace."

Mr. Dureza and Mrs. Arroyo---FOR THE PAST NINE YEARS THAT YOU GUYS ARE IN POWER, WHY DID YOU NOT DISMANTLE THESE PRIVATE ARMIES OF THESE WARLORD CLANS?

GOVERNMENT KNOWS THAT THE AMPATUANS MAINTAIN A HUGE PRIVATE ARMY WHICH THEY USE TO TERRORIZE THE MAGUINDANAOANS. FOR THE PAST 9 YEARS, GOVERNMENT TOLERATED THESE PRIVATE ARMIES.

Tatagalugin ko na ang damdamin ng taumbayan hinggil sa MASAKER na ito---GAGO ITONG GOBYERNONG ITO NA HANGGANG NGAYON WALANG DINADAMPOT NA SUSPEK NA RESPONSABLE SA INSIDENTENG ITO.

DIREKTA NANG ITINURO SI DATU ANDAL AMPATUAN JR BILANG MASTERMIND NG MASAKER AT NAGPUNTA NA SA BAHAY NG MGA AMPATUAN SI DUREZA PERO HANGGANG NGAYON, NI HINDI DINAMPOT ANG ANIMAL NA ITO.

Pax inside Malakanyang while Andal jr. massacres 46 in Maguindanao?

A member of the Ampatuan family, believed to be Pax Ampatuan, was reportedly inside Malacanang while Datu Unday mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr. was directing the gruesome massacre of 46 people in Sharif Aguak in Maguindanao.

How true? Malacanang should explain.

And we heard that last August, former defense secretary Gilbert Teodoro spearheaded talks between the Ampatuans and the Mangundadatus which resulted to nothing?

International groups, including the European Union (EU) has condemned the massacre, describing it as "barbaric" and has no place in a democracy.

Yesterday, Mrs. Arroyo declared a state of emergency in Maguindanao, Sultan Kudarat and Cotabato .

"There is an urgent need to prevent and suppress the occurrence of several other incidents of lawless violence," Arroyo said in the proclamation, according to Remonde.


"The Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police are hereby ordered to undertake such measures as allowed by the constitution and by law to prevent and suppress all incidents of lawless violence in the aforesaid areas."

Surprising though that despite direct testimony from one of the victims a few minutes prior to the massacre that Mayor Ampatuan Jr. was there directing his armed men, government declared that there is still no "evidence" yet linking the Ampatuans to the monumental killing of the century. WTF!

And why government allows the mastermind of this massacre to go "scot-free" and even giving him time to "escape the full force of the law" IS REVOLTING to say the least.

Ted Failon, in his commentary, is right. If the perpetuator of this massacre of the century is just a nominal criminal or not an ally of Mrs. Arroyo, state forces would have pounced upon him with swiftness.
Jesus Dureza, the presidential peace adviser, talked with both clans. Dureza said both warring clans have vowed to respect the "rule of law."

The Philippine State should teach the Ampatuans a lesson they will never forget

Filipinos, especially the government, should not only condemn the recent poll violence in Maguindanao but also make necessary actions and dismantle the Ampatuan private army and make them pay for their inhumane and barbaric acts.

This massacre, which led to the deaths of 36 people, including some of my journalist friends, is a direct affront to democracy. It only goes to show how feudalist our political system still is and it will continue if we Filipinos remain apathetic and our government fails to act on it.

Violence has no place in a democratic and modernizing society. The Ampatuans and the rest of these warlord clans should be taught a lesson. Let the entire strength and power of the State be unleashed against them. Let them know that the Government means business and is serious in promoting democracy instead of warlordism in the name of Trapo politics.

Philippine elections in jeopardy: 40 already killed in election-related violence

Four days after the start of the filing of Certificates of Candidacy, more than 40 people have already been killed in all parts of the country, the most gruesome, the massacre of 36 people in Sharif Aguak town in Maguindanao. And Mrs. Arroyo's closest ally in Mindanao, Datu Andal Ampatuan, the governor of the province is being blamed for it.

Ampatuan was three-time mayor of Sharif Aguak town and governor of the province. ARMM governor Zaldy Ampatuan, Gloria Arroyo's closest ally in Mindanao, is his son. Other relatives dominate Maguindanao politics.

Ampatuan is a certified warlord, just like Idi Amin, the mastermind behind the massacre of whole towns in Uganda. Totally surprising why government allows such warlords to wreck havoc and promote violence in the province. Reason?

Government is using political warlordism as a counter-force against dissent and secessionist groups in Mindanao. Most political clans in Mindanao are also used in counter-insurgency operations. They provide militia and muscle to the military.

I would not be surprised if the Arroyo government treats this massacre as a PR problem.

Come to think of it, its a blessing that this massacre happens because the world now knows how the Ampatuans lord it over in Maguindanao. His son Zaldy controls ARMM while his other sons serve as mayors of other small towns in the province.

The Ampatuans is a political dynasty and should not be allowed to exert influence anymore in Mindanao politics. They should be destroyed.

If government fails in its mission, that of neutralizing or putting Datu Andal Ampatuan behind bars, it just shows how useless, stupid and totally weak this government really is.

This massacre is a direct affront to the government and to the entire Philippine Republic.

Datu Andal Ampatuan suspect in Maguindanao Massacre a close Arroyo ally

You ask me who is the real terrorist in Mindanao and without batting an eyelash, i'll say its Datu Andal Ampatuan, the governor of Maguindanao. And it's totally surprising why our fellow Muslim brothers and sisters in Mindanao, especially those Bangsamoros who are fighting for a separate Islamic state allow this political goon to live.

The massacre of about 36 people in Sharik Aguak town in Maguindanao reminds us that the problem is NOT TERRORISM---its the proliferation of political syndicates led by such characters as the Ampatuans and the Pangandamans that contributes to the further enslavement of the Bangsamoro people to poverty.

These warlords should be eradicated from the face of the earth. They put the Name of Islam in bad repute. They should not be allowed to enslave their fellow Muslims in Maguindanao and other areas. It is the duty of a pious Muslim to kill those who do not follow the precepts of Islam and those who kill with impunity, their fellow Muslims.

Ampatuan is the real terrorist in Mindanao. He should be stopped and killed. Rido demands it.

This massacre reminds us of how Ugandan leader Idi Amin exterminated whole villages who oppose his rule. Ampatuan is like Idi Amin.

And it is the fault of the national government, particularly Mrs. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo because they have tolerated and taken cared of these characters for so long. This administration has cuddled them like head lice that these people have become bigger, stronger and more brazen. They don't fear anybody because they have strong links with the palace. 

And I also blame the military. The Ampatuans and others like them grew in influence and power because they took care of them and use them in their counter-terrorism campaigns in Mindanao.

I challenge the national leadership, particularly the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP)---will you allow this political goon to further destroy democracy in Mindanao? Will you allow the Ampatuans to just get away with mass murder?

This massacre is another test on how strong the political will of this administration is. If the Ampatuans get away with this without a scratch, then, government is totally useless.

Mindanao needs a civil war to correct the decades of injustice wrought by these political clans. Let the war begin.

The Senators of the People

General Danny Lim, one of those who deserve to be elected for the Senate, is filing his Certificate of Candidacy on November 27. The good general is running under the Liberal Party AS A GUEST CANDIDATE, contrary to earlier reports that he was asked by the United Opposition to bolster their senatorial slate.

In the last survey, Lim was not in the Magic 12. It means that Lim should work harder. That was the situation that Antonio Trillianes found himself in during the 2007 elections. At the last stretch, Trillianes won.


Aside from Lim, I expect good friend Susan "Toots" Ople to file her CoC. She will do so on November 30, the birthday of our national hero and the only representative of the proletariat, Andres Bonifacio.

Ople is the only one with a Labor agenda. She has been working for the interests of the OFWs and locally-based laborers and workers for the past decades. We hope she will continue her advocacy at the Senate.

There are reports that Makabayan has severed their ties with the Nacionalista Party. Good. Satur Ocampo deserves a seat at the Senate. His entire life has been devoted to the Cause of the People. Same goes to Liza Masa who has worked hard to improve the condition of Filipinas and children in this country.

I had a chance to meet Teofisto Guingona III, also running under the Liberal Party and I must say that the scion of the last Filipino Nationalist also deserves to win. TG, as his friends call him, is quite intelligent.

TG deserves our vote.

Col. Ariel Querubin is also gunning for the senate. I don't know how serious he is in his candidacy but definitely, Querubin deserves our support and vote. I don't quite understand though why he is running under the Nacionalista Party.

My Senatorial Slate:

1. General Danilo Lim
2. Susan "Toots" Ople
3. Satur Ocampo
4. Liza Masa
5. Teofisto Guingona III
6. Col. Ariel Querubin

GN plot

A dastardly plot to derail the 2010 elections is in the offing. A source, who requested anonymity, says that a clandestine group close to a certain high government official code named "gn" is planning to sabotage the delivery of 82,000 counting machines for the elections. The machines, which are now being manufactured in China, are expected to be in the Philippines in January of next year. The plan, says the source, is to force Comelec to declare a manual elections.

In parallel with this, a source also said that "GN" has set up a close advisory committee, a small group within his department, which task is to draft a plan for a possible take-over scenario. The plan has three phases:

1. Appointment of "DB" as transition "CS" while "VE" is to be asked to prepare for his ambassadorial post. DB would now declare a transitory government headed by no less than "Madame." Madame will oversee a "preparatory stage" (unclear to me) of two years.

2. Failure of elections is the aim of the committee.

Liberal Party is The New Lakas and the so-called Noynoy Mafia

With most Lakas Kampi members joining them, it seems that the Liberal Party is really turning as the New Lakas. And I thought that Senator Noynoy Aquino III is for transformative politics. 

When you're ahead of the game, you create a vacuum that sucks even the scums in. And I'm not referring to either Belmonte nor Recto.  

I'm referring to so-called non-trapos turning into trapos as fast as they blink their eyes. I am not surprised one bit. Simply that I really don't expect these politicians to behave like they really meant what they say about service to the people.

These people dress like the people, talk like they're really honest and posture themselves like immaculate concepcions during or near elections. But, like I said before, they're all the same.

The Liberal Party is being destroyed from within by the very same elites that created it. A defector, former senator Serge Osmena III revealed that, this early, Noynoy Aquino is now a victim of this creature called syndicalism.

Noynoy's so-called "transformative politics" is being transformed into a veritable "syndicate" composed of the Cojuangcos, the Aquinos and even, surprising, the Black and White Movement. This early, layers have been created to insulate Noynoy from others who want to take part in this so-called "movement".

And to think that we had had enough of Kamaganak Incorporated.

Seriously, we are in deep shit.

We do not have qualified men to fulfill the task of really changing this country for the better. All of them, even Noynoy, are trapos. They tried to show people that they are transformative but in reality, they are as trapo as the true Lakas-Kampi CMD.

Rebolusyon na lang kaya tayo?

Oplan August Moon and the War of the Generals

A silent war rages because the "top Kingmaker" is showing signs of giving herself up. And the class that adopted her fears for their careers.

PinoyObserver (http://pinoyobserver.com) wrote a very interesting piece about Oplan August Moon, the supposed plot by members of PMA Class 1978. The plot, says PinoyObserver is slowly unfolding, with the recent changes in the AFP leadership. And NPR sources say, the revamp also looms in the Philippine National Police (PNP).

Why is it significant for members of this Class to gain the upper hand against other PMA classes prior to June 2010? Simple. Their mistah, Mrs. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, will take her "brief vacation" as Chief Executive by then, and a new president would have been elected. Members of this class fears that a change of leadership would also undermine their chances of controlling the military establishment.

Former president Fidel V. Ramos earlier warned members of the class not to toy with the Fates and not undertake adventurism. Lt. General Detabali earlier spoke for and on behalf of Class 1978 and said that members of the class are "gentlemen" and would not break the chain of command.

And it seems that the plan or "plot" is not about a coup or an engagement against the prevailing order. It is actually a plan to engage members of rival classes, PMA Class 1979 and 1977 to a "leadership struggle."

AFP sources say PMA class 1977 and 1979 "hate the guts" of some members of PMA Class 1978. PMA Class 1977 members, who counts presidentiable Manny Villar as an honorary member, are being eased out slowly in favor of PMA Class 1978. Members of PMA Class 1979 are also being put in a "freezer", since some generals perceive the class as a threat.

Now, it would take just a couple of weeks for us to see if the power brokers do intend to take things seriously and put the entire military chain of command in total jeopardy. When that happens, how much would actually be at stake?

Brutality against Muslims in Baclaran sparks jihad

The brutal way the police treated fellow Muslim brothers and sisters living around the mosque in Baclaran Paranaque showed really how Filipinos treat Maranaos, Maguindanaoans and Tausugs here in this country---as second or even third class citizens.

I would not be surprised if this incident would spark a jihad. And jihad it will be.

Long were the years the Muslims here suffered. Considered as the first religion in this country, the first inhabitants of these lands and islands embraced the True Religion without fear of death, nor of prosecution. These lands were freely distributed among Muslims. Our indigenous communities, the first Lumads, were Muslims.

It was only when an invading Religion, who preaches peace but kills those who oppose it, entered these pristine lands that the suffering of the Muslims began. Muslims were evicted from their homes, killed, brutalized and ravaged. A part of these lands and islands were given for them to tend, while those who profess allegiance to false gods raped and pillage these wealth given by the One True God.

Those who opposed foreign rule, foremost among them, Rajah Solaiman, went out on a warpath and killed the invaders. A brief moment of peace was achieved but it did not last.

Centuries of struggle mark the history of Islam in this country. It is a struggle defined by the Muslim's right to property, a right enshrined and recognized by the Noble Qu'ran. If your lands and your wives are being taken, says the Noble Qu'ran, you must fight. And fight, you must with all your might!

Fight the Mushrikuns with all your weapons and all your strength and strike them by decapitating their heads. That's the instruction by the One True God Himself, given through His Messenger Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Muslims can tolerate indifference or even racial segregation. What he cannot stand is segregation from his land.

The struggle of the Muslims will continue until all vestiges of foreign domination ceases to exist. And Rajah Solaiman's battle rages on with a new breed of fighters who stand before Allah Subhanahu Ta'Alah with all humility, fighting under the Banner of Islam.

How true? A Fernando-Escudero Tandem in the works?

This may sound very foolish and for me quite incredulous but I need to write it. Last night, a flurry of messages circulated and some verified by veteran political operators in the field about Chiz Escudero. Escudero, as one of political organizer says, has aligned himself with no less than Bayani Fernando. Most, if not all, says that this will be Escudero's "shocking" announcement by next week.

Shocking is such an understatement. The apt words are "bizaare", "behest", "atrocious", "miserable", "traitorous", even "preposterous". I don't believe such news. First, Escudero is not a sucker. An alignment with the self-appointed Sheriff of Nottingham is a death wish. Fernando is the least among declared and salivating candidates worthy of an alignment.

Second, an alignment with ratings cellar dweller Fernando will pull Escudero down. Imagine, a self-declared violator of people's rights partnering with a supposed critic and defender of those rights.

Whoever thought of this stupid configuration is dreaming. Or probably, that guy already lost his mind.

Ang Ladlad's Medieval Resolution and Ferrer's Marginalization

Comelec commissioner Nicodemus Ferrer, chair of the Comelec's second division, is a member of Binmaley's ageing population. The oldest among the present crop of election commissioners, Ferrer positions himself as a moral praetorian guard. Decide if Ferrer's defense on rejecting Ang Ladlad's petition for accreditation deserves our greatest praise:

Ferrer argued the decision has sufficient legal basis citing Revised Penal Code Article 201, which also calls immoral “those who shall publicly expound or proclaim doctrines openly contrary to public morals.”


“To be moral is not old-fashioned and to be modern does not mean that you are no longer moral,” Ferrer said in reaction to critics. http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=524151&publicationSubCategoryId=68

These kinds of stupid and foolish statements do not deserve a place in our country's election laws. Instead of citing the impossibility of declaring the homosexual community as a legitimate sector, Ferrer went beyond and instead, discussed Ang Ladlad's suitability as a "marginalized" and "under-represented" "sector.

Foolish. Very foolish indeed for a former judge to do that.

With this resolution, what Ferrer did was self-legislation, which is not within the purview of powers of the Comelec. Ferrer, in fact, gave Ang Ladlad enough ammunition to actually declare itself as a "sector". This determination lies in the territory of Congress, not Comelec.

I don't know if Ferrer read the law, but the terms "marginalized" and "underrepresented" describes the status of a sector, not a description of a sector. Sectors have already been described and stated under Section 5 of RA 7941, and the Comelec is not empowered to add or subtract anything stated in that law. What Comelec, as a quasi-judicial body, is empowered to do is interpret the intention of the law or the body that enacted it.

Instead of avoiding the "moral" or "ethical" dimensions of Ang Ladlad's petition, Ferrer, wittingly or unwittingly, decided to go that path, a foolish decision, if you ask me. Ferrer's decision in this case opens the possibility of other non-sectors now claiming "sector" status because, Ferrer directly considered Ang Ladlad a sector.

Tsk,tsk,tsk. Maybe Ferrer just wanted to assume the role of his namesake, the Famous leader of the Sanhedrin, Nicodemus who was sympathetic to Jesus Christ. Or, maybe the Commissioner wanted to become Saint Nicodemus, the Hagiorite, who edited the famous Philocalia, an anthology of spiritual writings. Instead of editing spiritual documents, Ferrer just edited an edict made by men.

A "queer-y" over Comelec's decision to junk Ang Ladlad

Some sectors are questioning the "propriety" of the Comelec's second division's decision to junk Ang Ladlad's partylist accreditation. The resolution, penned by no less than the division's chief, Commissioner Nicodemo Ferrer, was the second time the COMELEC junked the accreditation bid. On the first try, the COMELEC did, indeed, rendered a judicious one---Ang Ladlad's constituency, though huge, is not a sector. Hence, it should not be allowed to participate in the elections.

And Comelec's decision was, in all intents and purposes, right. If you look at how our jurisdiction defines a "sector", you'll notice that "sectors" are defined based on either social or economic lines or even physical incapacity. And the Constitution and Section 5 of Republic Act 7941, the act known as the Partylist Law, specifically states these sectors as labor, peasant, fisherfolk, urban poor, indigenous cultural communities, elderly, handicapped, women, youth, veterans, overseas workers, and professionals.

Do you see anything close to homosexual or lesbians being considered as a sector? Did the State actually consider homosexuals or gays as a "sector"?

Now, what others contend is that Ang Ladlad's constituency falls under the term "marginalized and underrepresented" which is one criteria an applicant needs to justify as stated in Section 1 of RA 7941. Ang Ladlad's contention is, it seems that the Comelec rendered a decision purely based on "hysteria" or "homophobia".

That term "marginalized and under-represented" defines the status of a particular sector, not a definition of a sector. For if the contrary is the case, any Tom, Dick and Harry can claim to be "marginalized" despite being a multi-billionaire (that applies in the case of Manny Villar). Or, probably a group of Customs brokers can always claim to be "under-represented".

The author of the law, Senator Ed Angara, knew that RA 7941 would be subject to abuse and many, especially those who are friendly with this administration, already abused, even slapped Angara in the face many times.

That said, the law is specific---these are the sectors who deserve equal representation in Congress--labor, peasant, fisherfolk, urban poor, indigenous cultural communities, elderly, handicapped, women, youth, veterans, overseas workers, and professionals.

Now, let's go to the meat of this entry---is the homosexual or gay community to be considered a "sector"?

Homosexuality, is at best, a gender issue. Some say, if you're gay, you are born gay. Others, well say, it is a lifestyle.

Now, let's see---do you find a sector which was included in the law based on gender? You say woman, right? Why is it that women are defined as a sector, when homosexuals or gays are not?

The reason is quite obvious---Filipina women are considered a sector based not on their gender but on their economic status. They are underprivileged. They are being abused by the system.

Now, you say, that applies also to the gay community. A big chunk of the population who are gay are underprivileged and not being given equal economic opportunities.

The problem is, and this is admitted by Ang Ladlad, that homosexuality prevails in almost all defined sectors stated in the law as "under-represented" and "marginalized". They are gay laborers, homosexuals in the youth sector, elderly gays, and what have you. To be defined as a "sectoral" organization, Ang Ladlad should specifically satisfy the requirements of the law expressed in Article 6, Section 5(2), of the 1987 Constitution (as stated in Vitug's dissenting opinion in Ang Bagong Bayani vs. Comelec (14759).

Yes, homosexuals do occupy a pervasive influence over Filipino society. They are a big group. They share commonality of "attributes or characteristics, employment, interests or concerns". Yet, they are not yet considered a sector, as what the Constitution says.

Being big, or having millions of voters as members does not qualify a group or a particular gender choice as a "sector".

Now, Ang Ladlad should be made to realize that their fight is not with the Comelec. This fight should actually be shifted from the desk of a mere Commission to Congress.

Let Congress decide if they will include homosexuals among those defined as a "sector". Pressure Congress to declare the homosexual or gay community as a sector. Then, file the appropriate petition again before the Comelec and surely, Ang Ladlad will definitely win.

Reso 1472 an exchange deal?

How transactional Philippine politics is, you ask Mang Isko? I will refer you to Senate Resolution 1472, that piece of document purportedly signed by twelve "See-Nay"-tors and allegedly cleared the name of Nacionalista party president bet and billionaire Senator Manny Villar.

The Resolution, which was purportedly written and pushed by no less than Liberal Party member Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan, expressed the "sense of the Senate" and bore the signatures of Aquilino Pimentel Jr., Alan Peter Cayetano, Pia Cayetano, Lito Lapid, Gregorio Honasan, Joker Arroyo, Miriam Defensor-Santiago, Ramon Revilla, Jinggoy Estrada, Loren Legarda, Francis Pangilinan and Villar.

The "see-nay" tors who signed based their "sense" on oral testimony instead of overwhelming documentary evidence linking Villar to the mess which was presented before the Senate of the Whole.

Resolution 1472 was released to the media a few days before yesterday's (November 17) announcement of the Villar-Legarda tandem. It had impeccable timing. Yet, like all dastardly deeds, it stinks to the highest heavens.

Shortly after it was released, Senate president Juan Ponce-Enrile was apprised of the sneeky reso and threatened to resign. His colleagues prevailed him.

Eventually, Enrile learned that there was an element of deception here. Most of those who signed the Reso, omitting of course the familiar names of Pimentel, the Cayetano siblings, Pangilinan, Joker and Jinggoy and of course, who else but Loren, are claiming that they signed the reso purportedly after being told that it has the expressed support of the Senate president.

Enrile denied supporting Resolution 1472 which he, in fact, viewed as a direct affront to his leadership. That Reso, says Enrile, violated Senate rules and smacks of fraud. And who else to defend it but the venerable See-nay-tor Francis Kiko Pangilinan, whom pundits say, was the one who lobbied the others to sign.

Strange that a non-Nacionalista party member would push for a Resolution exonerating Villar when it is clear in the Senate rules that it is now the Senate of the Whole who will release the final report on the C-5 controversy.

Wagging tongues cannot but say that maybe Resolution 1472 was an "exchange deal" between the Nacionalista and the Liberal Party, ahead of the expected filing of an ethics case against Liberal Party presidential bet Noynoy Aquino, this time, on another "C-5"-like road controversy involving of course, the conversion of hectares of land in Hacienda Luisita for SLEX.

Remember that it was Cong. Crispin Remulla, a Nacionalista, who "exposed" the supposed complicity of Senator Aquino in that alleged overpricing of Hacienda Luisita land used for SLEX.

Seems like the Nacionalistas used Remulla's expose as a "bait" for the Liberals to enter into an "exchange deal"--tit for tat---your overpriced C-5 in exchange for my overpriced SLEX. Sounds logical right? And with a Liberal (PANGILINAN) leading the pencil pushing and lobbying, all the more suspicious.

And it seems like the Nacionalista got Loren Legarda not because the beautiful environmentalist shares a common goal with their presidential bet Villar. Legarda was one of Villar's rabid commenter at the Senate. And Legarda admitted that it was "all for show", part of the "daily grind" of "usual questions", of "common parliamentary debates".

Statements such as these can't prevent one from asking---did Loren baited Villar to make her his VP in exchange for one signature in that Resolution? That signature might have cost Villar a hand and a limb. Such political prostitution extraordinaire, if you ask me.

The sad thing about this---that Reso 1472 was junked. And the obvious loser was of course, Manny Villar, who mobilize all his resources just to make that Reso happen. Poor Manny. He tried to sneak himself out of the C-5 mess only to learn that, in the end, he still stinks and worst, left holding an empty bag (of tricks?).

As they say, when it stinks, it stinks really bad.

Chiz becomes president if elections fail, says pending bill

reposted over at http://pinoyobserver.com. For other more interesting news and views, visit The Pinoy Observer.

Does Chiz know that he stands to benefit from a failure of the 2010 elections? Is this the reason why Chiz is dilly-dally or fidgeting in deciding to run for president?

A bill pending in Congress seeks a solution to possible power vacuum in the event of a failure of the 2010 elections. The bill, authored by Nueva Ecija Congressman Edno Joson, proposes a transition president in case of a declaration of an election failure. Joson proposes that the no. 1 Senator elected in 2007 and whose term ends in 2013, be designated as transition president. If the senator refuses the role, the responsibility goes to the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.


The bill is enjoying tremendous support in the Lower Chamber, and great is the possibility that legislators will pass it. Now, if the elections fail, according to the bill, it would be Loren Legarda who will assume the post.


Since Legarda will be running as vice presidential bet of Nacionalista party Manny Villar, and definitely public sentiments will go against her assuming the presidency, the onus transfers to Chiz Escudero.


Escudero got the second highest number of votes last 2007 elections. Hi term ends in 2013. If he elects not to run for any elective post in 2010, Escudero would just have to wait for the elections to fail and he would assume the presidency.


Now, if Escudero do decides to run, then, it would have to be Senator Edgardo Angara who will act as transition president. Angara’s term ends in 2013.


One major stumbling block—Norberto Gonzales, the defense secretary cum ideologue cum GMA stooge.


Gonzales is there to protect the interests of the Arroyo mafia. He’s there to provide ideological muscle. In the future, Gonzales role will be very important, first as Gloria’s Rasputin in case this administration declares an emergency and converts itself into a dictatorial regime or as a catalyst for the military to shift allegiance.


Gonzales, obviously, would do what his principal orders him to do. Escudero’s alignment with the Magdalo does not sit well for Gonzales, who, as a clerico-fascist, positions himself at the extreme of the political spectrum. Gonzales is there to preserve the gains of the Arroyo mafia insofar as the military is concerned.


Now, will Gonzales' gang snatch power from Escudero's group? That is likely since under the bill, the incumbent president is not the one who serves as the transition head. Only a coup from within would extend Mrs. Arroyo's term.



Clearly, what is to be expected come 2010 is the clash between Gonzales and Escudero’s group. Their clash will obviously create a push and pull effect which will eventually split the country’s military in half. If this happens, a power vacuum is likely to happen.

Villar's pamamanhikan kay Loren--will this change Manny's chances?

Michael Lim Ubac, Philippine Daily Inquirer reporter quoted Senator Loren Legarda on the so-called "dramatic pamamanhikan" MannyVillar and his wife did with the lady vice presidential aspirant last Sunday. Loren was quoted thus:

“He told me, ‘I believe in your platform on environment, agriculture and climate change,’ and I said, ‘I believe in your platform on helping migrant workers and pushing for their rights.’ In that respect, we clicked right away,” Legarda told this reporter

Do you believe this crap? I don't.

If you look at it, that Sunday event was grotesque to say the least. It was a melodramatic rendition of a torn 45 vinyl record. Imagine a Manny Villar grinning ear-to-ear when his wife gave him away to Loren. This only happens in Muslim marriages, when the first wife agrees to give her husband away for the second.

It was a marriage of convenience between two traditional politicians---that's it. Were there any talks about protecting the environment, or the OFWs as what Loren said? Bull. Between two trapos, the environment and OFWs are least among the issues they probably discussed.

Loren agreed on Villar's proposition because she needs money to defeat Mar Roxas. Roxas continues to lead by 37% percentage points,  a mile away from Loren's ratings. Without logistics and a network, Loren is a sure loser.

Obviously, among political parties the Nacionalista Party is, by far, the most organized and with the widest of grassroots networks. Loren will not go to Lakas-KAMPI CMD, the party is suffering from organizational disarray. The Liberal will not accept her, neither is the United Opposition (UNO) for reasons the NPC also knows.

In this "grotesque marriage" between a billionaire and a political courtesan, the groom seems on the losing side and the so-called bride got all the goods. Villar has logistics, Loren does not. Villar has the organization, Loren, zero. But Loren has her charms work for her. But, will that charm benefit her political "husband"?

Will a Loren Legarda improve the chances of a Manny Villar in the presidential race? Pulse Asia's October survey sees Villar's rating slipping further south, an indication that last August and September's ratings had already reached a plateau. Villar peaked so early that he now faces a tough climb against formidable and more popular political opponents such as Noynoy Aquino and Joseph Estrada.

Loren's constituency is the same as that of Villar's. To get the presidency, Villar needs to get as many provinces and regional voting blocks as possible. Example---Batangas is a sure give-away to Noynoy after Vilma Santos transferred from Lakas to Liberal. Batangas is one province with the biggest voting block, not just in terms of numbers but moreso as an ethno-linguistic block.

Cavite remains a white country considering that Lacson's influence over the province is more pervasive than the Remulla's.The Remullas are aligned with the Nacionalista. The province's foremost party, the Partido Magdalo is a card-carrying member of Villar's party.

Laguna is obviously another "white country" and in the 2010 elections, support will split between Estrada and possibly Villar's. It is too early to say if Noynoy Aquino's Liberal Party can actually snatch this province away from the two, but now, it's possibly going for Villar more than Erap.

The solid North is also fragmented, with the Marcoses supporting Estrada, a big factor in getting this vote-rich region. While Ilocos Sur remains "liberal", Cong. Eric Singson is not running; his son Owen is. So, it remains to be seen whether Ilocos Sur will break away from tradition and vote in block behind Noynoy instead of Villar.

Pangasinan is also a vote-rich province. The De Venecias, it seems, are rooting for Villar. Yet, their influence in the province is not that formidable compared in previous years. Governor Espino remains a force to reckon with despite rumours of an Agbayani comeback. Having said that, Pangasinan is definitely white country with no major political party claiming the entire province their own.

Bulacan has over 2 million voters. Former governor Josie dela Cruz is reclaiming the governorship, with the "blessing" of incumbent governor Mendoza. Dela Cruz remains a very strong and influential force in the province but traditionally, Bulakenos do not vote as a block. Whoever Dela Cruz aligns herself with will, in the end, get the most votes. Dela Cruz, by the way, is an administration ally. 

Cebu, another vote rich province with 5 million voters, is probably going for Teodoro, but the Liberal Party and UNO have their thing going there. The Nacionalista also has their traditional networks still working for Villar.The Osmenas are working tirelessly for Noynoy while the Garcias are either for Estrada or Teodoro's. Winston Garcia, the son of kingmaker Pablo Garcia, is running for Congress and surely, he will campaign for Teodoro. Places he can reach and those which the Garcias have moral and persuasive influence will go for Teodoro. Gwen Garcia, a Lakas-KAMPI ally, is torn between supporting Erap or Teodoro. The Garcia political clan will have to split their allegiances between Estrada and Teodoro. 

To win therefore, Villar has to get as many minority vote rich areas to undermine the strength of his opponents in major vote-rich areas. Villar hopes that Legarda would do that for him, getting him support from major areas already dominated by his opponents. If you look at Legarda's numbers, however, you'll find that she does not have the moral nor the political influence heavier than the others. Legarda will surely not improve Villar's chances in a substantive way.

Now, if you say that Mindanao will go for a presidentiable whom Legarda supports, you are mistaken. Mindanao goes for the logistical jugular---the one with the money, wins. Villar can get Mindanao without Loren. However, Villar has to go to the Pangandamans, the Mangundadatus and other political "heavyweights" before he can rightfully claim victory. For that, he also needs the blessing of the military. 

Net---Loren is just a prop, a beautiful one indeed. Her team-up with Villar will not change the way the people think about the Nacionalista nor will she deliver the votes needed by Villar to win. In all likelihood, Legarda got the best out of this deal. And Villar will lose his billions.

Noynoy Aquino continues to lead other presidential bets

Like what this space proclaimed a few weeks ago, Senator Noynoy Aquino is still topping the surveys and might, just might be elected president with the biggest margins ever. In the October survey results published by Pulse Asia, forty four percent (44%) of Filipino voters prefer Noynoy over Manny Villar (19%) , Chiz Escudero (13%) , Joseph Estrada (11%) and Gilbert "Gibo" Teodoro (2%). With major political forces, both traditional and non-traditional, converging behind Noynoy, it seems that there is no stopping the Noypi train from clinching a win in the May 2010 elections.

Seems like the Liberal Party is doing their homework, increasing their network, getting bigger and bigger support groups and doing their propaganda right.

And like what we predicted in this space, ratings of Escudero and Estrada are further going south, indicating that indeed, their mass bases have reached critical maximum. Escudero could only muster between 13-18% of the votes, while Estrada's "magic" seems just able to produce between 11%-18%. If you review the performance of Jinggoy and Loi Estrada in previous electoral contests, Estrada is only good for 10-11 million votes.

And it is doubtful if Escudero could muster between 15-18 million votes come election time. Quite possibly, Noynoy Aquino, if he continues to do the right thing, and prevent his image from being destroyed by black propaganda, could easily generate close to 23-25 million votes, enough for a win in the elections.

IN the case of Manny Villar, it seems doubtful if he also could muste such a figure considering that he does not have a solid mass base support. His support, based on the surveys, are vacillating between 18-25%. Good news for the Liberal Party since the Pulse Asia survey indicates that Villar's ratings have now plateau-ed and it would be difficult for the Nacionalista Party bet to recover with only six months to go.

Noynoy, therefore, has (1) a high public approval and support (2) growing grassroots machinery composed of non-political and political forces and (3) right propaganda machine.

Now, for those who want Noynoy's ratings to dwindle, I'll say one thing---neutralize his foremost endorser, that is, the Filipino People. If you can't do that, just settle for Kris Aquino.

Susan Ople: The first Woman Labor Leader as Senator

For several years now, we, those involved in the labor movement, have been orphaned by the early loss of our leaders. Ka Popoy Lagman, who symbolized the new face of labor and Ka Crispin Beltran have passed away. Those with lesser popularity but had sacrificed equally for the advancement of the cause of Labor had either been murdered or faded away. Most, if not all, are fighting Grand daddy Time.

With their demise, the Philippine labor movement weakened in its influence. With that, comes fragmentation, the movement splitting into several groups and going to different directions, all advancing the Cause but few making the grade due to a lack of New Leaders who are tough enough and strong enough to face the biggest enemies of the People.

At the Senate right now, no one represents Labor. Former senator Ernesto Herrera is now retired. Senators are either environmentalists, top cop, business tycoons, or plain and simple Constitutionalists and lawyers.

It is time for us to have a representative of Labor at the Senate.

We need someone who knows these labor issues by heart and I mean, someone who is very close to laborers who work here and those abroad. And groups have found that in Susan Ople.

OFW advocate Susan “Toots” Ople must be having sweeter than usual dreams these days. The youngest daughter of former Senator Blas Ople is being drafted by a succession of people’s organizations, labor unions and federations and even reformist groups for the Senate. For someone aspiring for the Senate, this is delicious news indeed.

Susan, or “Toots” to many of her friends in the media and in government, deserves a slot in the Senate, not because she bears an illustrious surname, but because of her distinguished record as a public servant and labor advocate.

When Susan Ople was asked to serve government as labor undersecretary, the former Chief of Staff of Senator Mar Roxas did not even flinch. She knows all about the labor movement. And she is always at the side of her father during those historic times when the former Labor secretary was working hard to craft the Labor Code of the Philippines.

A younger Susan Ople was seen on several occasions, conversing with her father’s friends, mostly labor leaders. At a very young age, she was exposed to the problems of the labor movement. She knows that labor-only contracting is illegal and that many of our People are being victimized due to hopelessness and lack of equal protection under the law. Ople also knew that thousands of our People are suffering due to illegal recruitment. There are laws, and there are laws. But, Ople knows that these laws ought to be strengthened and the people informed.

For many years, Susan Ople worked with OFW groups, leading when asked and serving as their Servant. Toots was there when several truck drivers in Saudi suffered humiliation when their legal recruitment agency fooled them. Toots was the one who did everything just to bring home all of them. When several OFWs got caught for acting as drug mules, Ople was their tireless advocate, giving our consulates information about their cases and serving as their ate, providing them food and giving solace when needed. Filipinas victimized by human smugglers and Malaysian prostitution rings were saved, thanks to the efforts of Susan Ople who heads the Blas F . Ople Labor Policy Center.

Such acts of heroism speaks of Susan “Toots” Ople’s unquenchable and benevolent desire to serve the People, whom, she says, she and her family owes a lot. Ople came from a family of laborers and public servants. Her father, the late Senator, was born to a poor family in Hagonoy Bulacan. Susan recounted the tales of her grandparents, how her late father would go to school at the Hagonoy Elementary school without shoes. Extreme poverty did not deter her father’s ambition to be someone special someday.

Ka Blas worked his way up, studying at the same time working as a kargador at Manila’s piers. While working at the piers, Ka Blas wrote for the Daily Mirror and eventually became a noted columnist at the Manila Times. Former president Ferdinand Marcos took note of him and appointed him in various positions in his government, eventually serving as Labor Minister.

As Labor secretary, Ka Blas drafted the Labor Code which Marcos signed in 1974. Ka Blas continued his labor advocacy unceasingly even when he was elected as a Senator of the Republic. When he died, Ka Blas told his daughter not to give up and pursue the Cause of Labor.

Now, Susan Ople stands on the verge of inheriting her father’s legacy. If she succeeds, Susan Ople will become the no. 1 champion of labor at the Senate.

The “Maka-Manggagawa Movement” is chaired by OFW-turned-businessman Jun Aguilar, one of the founders of the Partido ng Pandaigdigang Pilipino or PPP. Members of MMM include UP Professor and former Dean Rene Ofreneo, Linda Manabat of the Philippine Transport and General Workers Organization, an affiliate of the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines, Dr. Ernita Santos, chair of the NCR Federation of OFW Family Circles, Boy Desierto of the Alliance of Independent Hotel and Restaurant Workers, Annie Geron as representative of public sector unions under PSLink, among other groups. The movement was formed in support of the labor agenda presented by Ople and to boost the latter’s chances in the 2010 polls.

In solidarity with the different labor groups, former senator and the Secretary-General of the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines Ernesto “Boy” Herrera expressed full support to Ople’s bid. In a message delivered by TUCP Spokesman Alex Aguilar, Herrera said the TUCP welcomes and supports the candidacy of Ople, who is also known by her nickname “Toots”.

“Every OFW owes Ka Blas a debt of gratitude for opening the doors to labor migration long before the word “globalization” became a buzz word of our times,” Herrera said.
“It is but right that his daughter, the one who always accompanied Ka Blas and aided him in his work and continued it even after he had passed away, should now rise to the challenge of national leadership, as a vanguard of labor and OFWs.”

“On her own, Toots Ople has been able to build a name for herself as a writer, public servant, and OFW advocate. She has worked for me and with me in the Senate and as the former executive director of the Citizens’ DrugWatch. Her passion for helping OFWs is something that she undoubtedly inherited from her great father.”

Leaders of the Samahang Magdalo Para sa Pagbabago and Young Officers’ Union endorsed the senatorial bid of OFW advocate Susan Ople during the launch of the “Maka-Manggagawa Movement” at the University of the Philippines last Thursday.

In a message read by his chief of staff, Atty. Reynaldo Robles, detained Senator Antonio Trillanes cited Ople’s genuine concern for overseas Filipino workers and the labor sector.

“Though I am under detention, I have come to know about her quiet and effective work in helping our OFWs including victims of human trafficking and illegal recruitment. I call on our countrymen and the members of Samahang Magdalo Para sa Pagbabago to help and support her in her bid for the Senate,” Trillanes said.

Robles who also served as the campaign spokesman of Senator Trillanes in 2007, said that they were impressed by the convergence of labor forces willing to work for Ople’s candidacy.

“This marks the very first time that we saw OFW groups and organized labor talking to each other and agreeing to work on a common goal, that of helping Toots Ople win in 2010,” Robles said.

This makes Ople the first non-military figure being publicly endorsed in next year’s polls by one of Samahang Magdalo’s founders. Trillanes’ call was echoed by the Young Officers’ Union represented in the same launching by its Secretary-General Ricky Rivera. “The YOU supports the senatorial bid of the youngest daughter of Ka Blas,” Rivera said. He cited the commonality of objectives in helping advance the rights of Filipino workers as one of the reasons behind YOU’s endorsement.

“I am humbled by and deeply grateful for all their kind words of encouragement and support. The road ahead will be extremely difficult but I am driven by a cause much bigger than myself, which is to fight for the rights of our OFWs and organized labor,” Ople said.

The Harvard graduate and former labor undersecretary outlined five points in her labor agenda:

1.    Boost local employment by developing a national employment strategic plan for the next six years that is aligned and complemented by reforms in the educational and technical-vocational systems.
2.    Strengthen institutions that overseas workers’ conditions. Overseas Filipino workers should have more representatives in the Governing Board of OWWA rather than the present two seats allotted to them out of 12 trustee positions. A special office on the reintegration of OFWs must also be created to promote technology and knowledge transfers with the help of OFW professionals while providing safety nets to repatriated OFWs.
3.    Labor-only contracting practices must be curbed to uphold the dignity of workers, improve their quality of life as well as to build a stronger middle class. The growing number of contractual workers in both the private and public sectors has become a push factor for migration, thus leading to family separation and other social costs.
4.    The trafficking of women to overseas destinations must be eradicated through tougher sanctions particularly on corrupt officials that provide escort and protection services to trafficking syndicates and illegal recruiters.
5.    The formation of trade unions, workers’ associations and cooperatives and their empowerment through training and tripartite partnerships must be encouraged to ensure workers’ protection and a fair and transparent approach to social protection and improved labor standards.

Ople also stressed the need to optimize modern technology to bring OFWs and their families closer together, vowing to expand the current free computer literacy program for OFWs managed by the Blas F. Ople Policy Center in partnership with OWWA and Microsoft to more countries around the world.