The Patriots should exercise extreme caution

Since this 2pm, I've been fortunate to listen to the broadcast of what's happening in the Peninsula. It seems that the Patriots are fully determined to bring this government down. This is reminiscent of EDSA 1 strategy wherein there was also a walkout, symbolizing the "Enough is enough" message. A walkout means that the people involved are already fed up with what's happening with them and they already made up their minds to create history.

May history be kind to them.

Standing by the Patriots

The patriots have stood up. They heard our pleas, the people's pleas for justice and concrete action against this immoral and inept government. With this, I salute those patriots! I salute you sirs.

It is up to God if something new will happen. We will wait for 48 hours on what will happen to these patriots. Only God knows what.

Global company with a sloppy service

PLDT (Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company) positions itself as a global company. Yet, its services are really glamourized local services. In fact, I really, really doubt if PLDT could really compete with the world's best.

Consider this: Since last July, I've been nagging PLDT for my telephone bill. Being a dutiful citizen, I want to pay my bills immediately. Yet, "customer services" of PLDT have been promising, promising to send me the bill. After a few months, in fact, only this month, did I received the bill. And, its not only a bill, mind you. It's a notice of disconnection. What's so surprising--they already pulled out my outgoing calls services and my broadband, when in fact, it's not my fault!!!

If they would only review their tapes, it's full of my voice, nagging them, pleading for that bill. And now that it came, it came with a shocker.

I am now thinking of shifting to another telecom and telling my friends about this stupid PLDT SERVICES, if you can call it thus.

Check out OpenDemocrat blogsite for 30 days

Check out my other blog: its at opendemocrat.rsfblog.org. You'll find something interesting there also. Open Democracy is something which I espouse right now. Having studied Marx, socialism, capitalism, philosophy and all the other "isms", I find Open Democracy principles to be a distillation of these pre-IT industrialized age that it's a concept that should be applied here in this country.

In a flat world like ours, Open Democracy aims to create open societies. What's the concept of being "open", check it out yourself. What I do like about this concept is its ability to marry the beneficial elements of global capitalism with the somewhat social effects of socialism. If you remember, Marx predicted the eventual state of Man beyond socialism, which others misinterpreted as Communism. If you re-study his writings, you'll find that Marx actually left the concept nebulous or not entirely clear. Why? Because, dialectical materialism presupposes that the future creation of man depends on the objective conditions of his environment. No one can really say what form of governance we will have in the future because that's precisely what dia-mat or Marxism aims to achieve. Ergo, based on current objective conditions, the elements of Open Democracy seems to reflect the direction the objective conditions would go in the future.

The beauty that is La Union

Surfers throughout the world know how beautiful the beaches of La Union. I've seen it. I've been there. And I fully agree that La Union seems to have the best beaches that side of the Philippines. If you want to just while the time away by surfing, then, La Union is the place to be.

I thought that driving there will take about five to six hours. I was mistaken. I drove there for just 3 hours. When there, La Union or any other place in Ilocos seems to have a mystical hold of me. Truly, the Ilocos region is somewhat a magical place. Its like you're in another country. The weather is great. The people, fantastic. The food, wonderful. Everyone seems to be happy.

I'm not saying though that La Union's beaches are the best there is here. I've seen more beautiful places in this country. Basilan and Jolo's beaches rival those of Bora. Palawan, Cam Sur, Guimaras and even Surigao's beaches are the best of the best. These places evoke sweet memories. They're obviously superior than La Union's beaches, but surely, if you want a cost-effective trip, its best to enjoy the Northern provinces.

I heard in the news that Mira has now become a super typhoon and could wreck havoc to these provinces in the North. I hope God spare La Union, Ilocos Sur and Ilocos Norte. These places don't deserve God's wrath.

I hope Mina finds a way to just concentrate pouring out those tons of water in just one place. You guessed right--I hope Mina teaches Gloria a thing or two about beauty. More about beauty in future entries.

Hopeless--WHERE ARE THE PATRIOTS?

The OFWs are to blame for the current state we are in. The brightest and the most patriotic of our race opted to leave for abroad, leaving us here with nincoompoops and idiots as leaders. Its time for the enlightened to take hold of government and kick these useless pseudo-intellectuals from power.

This is the only country with a leadership so stupid and so callous that they even blame the World Bank for pointing three road projects tainted with corruption. This government always blame others for its own sins. And I am ashamed of Andaya.

We are the only country with a leadership so corrupt, its making things worse so that everybody leaves this land, work abroad so that the remitted monies flow right to the public coffers for them to steal.

OFWs sweat it out abroad so that government officials will have something to steal. Look, the dollars being remitted here helps keep it afloat. Taxes paid are being stolen by these assholes.

Our exorbitant taxes pay for shoddy government services, cratered roads, dirty air, high prices, zero health care, corrupt cops and idiots for leaders.

People i've talked with says its a hopeless case. The Philippines is a hopeless case study. People are feeling hopeless simply because those whom they pinned their hopes for, Trillianes, Magdalo, idealistic soldiers, Cheez and Cayetano are now part of the system which the people despised. These people just used the people to get what they want--power and prestige. I can't blame Cheez and Cayetano. They are political scions. What I'm most disappointed is Trillianes. Why? Because he postured himself as an idealist. Now, where is that idealism which brought you to power as a senator? Where, Lt. Senior Grade? Where?

You said during the elections that you will wait for a signal from the people, on what they want. Now, the people have spoken. The people are tired of their leaders and they want change.

WHERE ARE THE ENLIGHTENED FORCES? WHERE ARE YOU, O PATRIOTS?

A monumental double whammy

Senator Roxas described it as a monumental embarrassment. The World Bank has rejected us before, says Senator Pimentel, but it was because of over-borrowing--not corruption. How will international borrowing agencies look at the Philippines now? Surely, says Pimentel, the World Bank and the ADB will never allow us to borrow funds from them simply because they don't trust this current administration because, as they say, its tainted with graft and corruption.

This is NOT a subtle message to this administration. This is an overt display of how foreign lending institutions view the current government. The amount, US$ 232 million, is not to be scrimped at. It is a huge amount. If the WB can't entrust Mrs. Arroyo of US$ 232 million, how then, will government be able to secure other loans of lesser amounts?

Effects

As I wrote here, aside from being an embarrassment, this incident shows how discredited this administration is in the eyes of foreign governments. First, this government is a disgrace to its people. More than half of the Filipino population wants Mrs. Arroyo and her whole cabinet to resign from their posts. With this incident, even foreign governments want her to resign. Now, nobody in his right mind would want Mrs. Arroyo to finish her term.

Its only Mrs. Arroyo and her lapdogs who want her to continue mismanaging the country. Why?

Mrs. Arroyo and her advisers have very low personal standards and ethics. They think that their performances are satisfactory enough for the people, when the people are telling them that they suck. I can't fault them, simply because if you look at the qualifications of these cabinet members and even Mrs. Arroyo herself, you'll find nothing substantial enough to justify why they are there in the first place. All of them are followers, not leaders. Mrs. Arroyo simply does not have the capability to lead because, net of discussion, she does'nt have the vision nor the will to lead. Same goes to her men. What they are are goons, glorified goons at that.

So, what have we to do now? Survey says the people don't want an EDSA and they don't want a coup. I think that the only solution is a combination of both these means just to attain the singular objective---force her and her government to resign.

If we, as a people don't unite now, we will suffer a double embarrassment. The whole world will laugh at us because of being totally masochists.

A commitment towards National Survival

The World Bank just cancelled a US$ 230 million loan to our government due to corruption. More than half of the population hate their leader and want her to resign immediately, again, because of corruption. And what is the response of the government? Surveys are sham affairs, the people's voice is not important and government will form a group that would scrutinize government deals.

For Mrs. Arroyo, the message to the people is clear--I am immune to your voice. I will do what I think is right and will not heed your clamor for me to resign. What callousness.

I remember that at the onset of this government, Mrs. Arroyo tapped a Hongkong anti-graft consultancy group to look at the system to combat graft and corruption. Seven years had past and corruption seems to have evolved more quickly and transformed to a more lethal form. Institutions of government have slowly disintegrated due to corruption. As I wrote here, the state has already contracted and nearing implosion because the power center has weakened considerably. This weakness has lead to an increase in transactional patronage politics that opens the power center to more corruption.

The lost of trust, the weakness of the state leadership and its vulnerability to threats are directly affecting the very survival of this country. The viability of the Philippines as an investment site is eroding and it might affect the economic survival of the Philippines in the coming years.

Congress, especially the Speaker should realize this. The onus of saving this country from total ruin depends on Congress now. If, as expected, they kill the supplemental impeachment complaint today or in the coming days, it should be a signal to the idealistic soldiers and civil society groups to move and do what is necessary to save our country from this callous calamity.

The bombing of Congress

Two were killed, including a Congressman while nine were injured when a powerful car bomb exploded at the South wing entrance of the Congress of the Philippines. Accounts say that the bomb took off a few minutes after the Speaker left the House of Representatives. Mrs. Arroyo through her spokesperson Ignacio Bunye ordered the PNP to conduct the investigation. The Speaker immediately condemned the "dastardly" act and ordered the clearing of the entire area. The Speaker blamed extremists, terrorists or anarchists for the bombing. A sweep of the entire Congressional area is being done to check on "other" bombs which police and the Speaker suspect to have been left in the area.

The one who died was the driver of the Toyota Hi-Ace parked at the entrance of the South Wing. The bomb exploded a few minutes after the end of the session. PNP Chief Avelino Razon said over at ANC that the legislators injured owned the vehicles parked near the car carrying the bomb.

The question that everybody is asking--who did it?

Unmistakeably, this is a political act. First, it occurred in Congress where a day after, the justice committee ordered the junking of the Tamano impeachment complaint which was filed before the justice committee to buttress the weak Pulido complaint. Cong. Mat Defensor, the lapdop of Mrs. Arroyo, advised the opposition to just file it in the Supreme Court. Obviously, those who are thinking of a constitutional solution are fast losing hope.

Second, the bomb exploded at the main egress of Congressmen. Meaning, the act was meant to kill, not just to make a statement. If it was just meant to stun or shock or frighten legislators, it could have exploded in the periphery. Accounts on ANC said that the bomb was so powerful, it made a crater. Congresswoman Darlene Antonino described the bombing as so powerful, that they felt the shock waves a few meters away from the blast site.

Statement

The bombing incident wanted to tell the people that, I believe:

1. Those who did this are very serious in whatever struggle they are currently undertaking.
2. They can do it anywhere. Security is traditionally very tight in Congress. The group who masterminded this blast just wanted to show that they can puncture a very tight security such as Congress. Meaning, they can even bomb Malacanan if they wanted to.
3. They have the will to kill their perceived enemies. Obviously, their enemies are not personal enemies. These are ideological enemies.

A bomb meant for the Speaker?

Now, I am not in the habit of impuning a crime to anybody but I remember one interview made by Joey de Venecia during the height of the ZTE controversy. Joey said that he and his father's lives were in danger. He said that certain generals threatened them. The Speaker validated this. Was the bomb meant for the speaker? If it was, then, there must be a reason beyond ZTE to justify this.

A bomb meant for Teves?

Cong. Henry Teves has no known political enemies. However, the Teves clan is very close to the president. His brother was involved in the controversial ZTE deal when former COMELEC chair Ben Abalos called him up to "influence" him in giving a favorable comment on the deal. Was the bomb meant for him?

A bomb meant for Wahab Akbar?

I am sure police and even the palace would use this angle to diffuse the consequences of this incident. Remember Wahab Akbar was the one who allegedly protected the ASG terrorists in Basilan and caused the deaths of the Marines last July. Was the bomb meant for him and those killed and injured were just collateral damages? This is plausible. Akbar has incurred many enemies from his former rebel friends and from the Marines. An interview with Sandra Cam, a friend of the deceased congressman, said that the bomb exploded when Akbar was onboarding his vehicle. However, Cam belied reports that the bomb exploded inside the car of Wahab.

I am just writing this when I heard a news report that Wahab just died due to serious head injuries and fractures. The congressman died while being treated at the Far Eastern University hospital in Fairview Quezon City. Reports are saying that Wahab Akbar received many death threats due to his increasing power in Basilan. He has many blood debts.

What's clear

What is clear is that this incident is politically-motivated and probably masterminded by a determined group of soldiers. However, it is not clear if this group belonged to security forces of the president or rebels. It could be that the bombing was part of another Oplan similar to Oplan Greenbase, perpetuated by state security forces to create instability.

Another clear statement from this incident is this--whatever the goal of the group who did this, it would not be long before this turns into a full-blown one. I mean, it would only be a few days or even weeks, not months. If this group is really determined to do what they conditioned themselves to do, the resolution, surely, will not take months. Therefore, I presume that the end is near for those who betrayed the Filipino People.

Conditions are ripe for a coup; JDV stands to lose everything

Manolo may not believe that a coup is imminent but I say again, the conditions which justify a military takeover exist. Compared with 1989, 1990, 2004 and 2006, the present conditions are ripe for a government run by military leaders. It may not be apparent, given that "mutinous" soldiers, as what Manolo wrote in his blog: www.quezon.ph, submitted themselves to the legal processes, nonetheless, the "acts" being shown right now by the United Forces and the rebel detainees bear uncanny, pre-conceived actions.

Today, the officers being tried walked out of their hearing, in defiance with the way they are being treated in the court martial.(see Ellen Tordesillas blog). Legislators who filed an impeachment complaint against Arroyo also walked out of the justice committee hearings. These are, obviously, symbolic acts of defiance which is expected to lead into something more than merely walking out of "illegal" proceedings. It shows that people are manifesting overt acts of dissent. These pockets of resistance do not happen overnight. These are planned actions.

Do I believe that these actions are just "isolated", "autonomous" incidents? No. Do I believe that their actions are in someway connected and coordinated? Yes. The mere fact that these groups operated under the new name "United Forces", says much about the solid desire of the people behind them (especially those financing these actions) to really oust Arroyo.

I do agree with one observation of Manolo though that Arroyo might survive all these events and course smoothly to 2010. This may happen for three (3) reasons: First, groups fail to create conditions necessary for the growth of a critical mass. Doronila is right in saying that there is no critical mass at this point. Yet, we can't discount the possibility that, days or weeks right now, a critical mass might develop. At this point, acts of the United Forces fail to animate the emotions of even the middle classes. What do these things indicate? In a traditional purview, it may mean that people are tired of going and marching to EDSA. As I've said, surveys show that people are quite tired of the constitutional, EDSA way that they would welcome an extra-constitutional means of ousting Arroyo.

Second, rebels fail to court a sizeable number of "recruits" to stage an act of defiance among military ranks. Do we see a repeat of a "We Belong" at the PMA this homecoming? Maybe. Or maybe not. It depends whether there are still idealists within the Academy who have the "balls" so to speak to do what their predecessors did in 1985. Lastly, if traditional politicians decide not to join these actions. Its unfortunate that Senators Escudero and Cayetano continue keeping their silence despite what Philippine Star columnist Willy Esposo described our situation as "pre Civil War" times. Escudero and Cayetano are still "star-struck" so to speak; still overjoyed by their "victories". Or, to make a better description, still in rapture on their success in deceiving the people. Those who speak out now comes from unexpected politicians--Roxas and Pangilinan--who were previously accused of being pro-Arroyo.

Arroyo's fate now depends on how weak or how strong her enemies are at the moment. These groups need a new strategy to oust Arroyo. If they use the old EDSA formula, they may not succeed in what they want. Worst, they may lose momentum because their ranks remain weak.

If these groups procrastinate and fail to seize the moment, they may yet see a stronger GMA emerging from the seige unscathed. A stronger GMA might not entertain the idea of giving up power come 2010. This is a very strong possibility given the posturings being shown by Arroyo and the acts being done by her allies especially in Congress and in the business community.

If this happens, I say to the soldiers detained there in Tanay--kiss your liberties goodbye. I also say these to the groups opposing GMA--be prepared to lose a sizeable chunk of your constituencies and prepared to be dispensable, powerless, and irrelevant groups next year until 2010.

JDV is the loser

As I wrote in previous entries, the clear loser of all of these is JDV. JDV stands to lose everything not because of his son but because of his own wrongdoing. He remains a fool, compromising his strong position and continuing to support his enemy. Look at what he did today at the WBC convention. The video of ABS-CBN says it all--JDV sat miles apart GMA. Yet, when the media interviewed him, he told them the say trapo way of courtsying GMA. What a dumb move. GMA's allies are attacking him left and right, her operators slowly destroying him in Congress, yet, JDV remains unresponsive. JDV is certain to lose the speakership. And this is NOT a ruse. Events have shown that actions are being taken to isolate and weaken JDV. If JDV does not act now, he will surely lose the speakership to Fuentebella, a known Danding crony.

Winners

I say again, JDV is out. If reports are true that the reason why the tripartite groups of GMA, FVR and JDV agreed to keep their coalition intact was the promise of GMA to assist FVR and JDV to a transition from presidential to parliamentary, the two elders should be ready to lose their shirts. GMA does not have the will to court widespread revolt if she tries this. I say this again, GMA is not ready to rock the boat further by forcing the parliamentary proposition to the people. It would be foolhardy for the two Pangalatoks to trust GMA to do this. The obvious winners now, in 2010 and even in post-2010 will surely be Kampi, GMA and FG. Mark my word.

Danger signals

Reports say that the Philippine gross international reserves (GIR) remained high at 32.4 billion US dollars at the end of October. Central Bank governor Amando Tetangco Jr. attributed this high GIR to the central bank’s dollar purchases amid strong inflows from OFW remittances. BSP expects about US$ 14.7 billion in OFW remittances by the end of 2007. The monies being sent by over 8 million OFWs is one of the contributory factors of the strong performance of the peso against the US dollar. Currently trading at 43.60 against the weak dollar, the peso is the second best performing Asian currency.

BSP intervention: keeping the peso at bay

The BSP’s intervention in the forex market is the second or third time the monetary authority intervened. For the 5th straight month, Philippine money supply flowed to 11.4 percent due to BSP dipping its hands into the cookie jar. Government hopes that a strong peso would slow down inflation. Reports indicate a reverse. Inflation remains high at 2.86 percent, higher than the 2.8 expected inflation rate.

Balance of Trade

Government figures place the balance at a negative US$ 867 million due to a slowdown in export earnings (US$ 4.10 billion) compared with the entry of imports (US$ 4.97b). Ths is the sixth or seventh straight time that trade imbalances nearly near a billion dollars.

Slowdown of FDI’s

Analysts are worried on the continuing drop of net foreign direct investment (FDI) dipped to US$77 million last August, down by 80 percent from a year ago and nearly 82 percent from July. Net FDI’s amounted to US$ 387 million in August and just US$ 419 million in July of this year. Aside from fears of a further slowdown of the US economy, investors are worried about the high power costs and decrepit infrastructure in the Philippines. The country lags behind Indonesia, China and Singapore in attracting foreign investments.

The slowdown of FDI has reflected in the performance of the stock market. Today, the stock market fell 0.3% over fears of continued US economic slowdown. This is not unusual considering that the regional markets reacted the same way.

Danger signals

The implications of a strong peso must not be glossed over. This early, government is concerned over the impact of the strong peso in the lives of OFW families. More on this later.

Gloria to give rice to poor

As what I wrote her, indeed, Gloria is prepared to bribe 85 million Filipinos. She did this today--by releasing 100 million pesos worth of rice to be distributed to all of us, 85 million. That's 3.7 million kilos of rice, if we are to use 27/kilos. So, for this amount, 100 million pesos, only 3.7 million Filipinos will benefit for a day only.

To feed everybody for at least a month, you need 45.9 billion pesos for a month or 550.8 billion pesos a year. Does Gloria have that amount? Yes.

Is this the way Gloria intends to erase all our hatred or paninibugho against her? Bribing us with rice. I remember what Marcos did during his time. This is the same shit that a former dictator did to appease the anger and hunger of the people. Will this work? I seriously doubt it.

The only thing that Gloria must do is resign. Admit defeat. Admit that you're incapable of governance. Resign now.

Gloria can't seem to get it

Yesterday, Gloria Arroyo lambasted her critics for plunging the country into post-election instability. She vowed to stay until 2010, guiding and leading what she said as the "ship of state" with a "steady hand". Obviously, her statement was an attempt to counter a Time magazine article which described her government as a government "under siege."

Deflection

Arroyo's statement is a classic example of how her government tries to vainly solve a continuing crisis by always deflecting the issues and blaming others for the things that the government did. For example, who created the ZTE mess? This anomalous deal was never initiated and never concocted by the anti-Arroyo groups. It was purely a concoction of the enterpreneurial minds of her people. And what about the bribery which happened right inside the palace? Was it, again, a "spin" made by the Anti-Arroyos? No. Her close political adviser, Ronnie Puno, was the one who made those classic buyouts.

Is Arroyo prepared to bribe 85 million pinoys?

She said in her statement that she'll solve the political crisis threatening to end her regime. How? By offering millions of pesos more to her critics, supporters and would-be critics? Is Arroyo prepared to "buyout" 85 million Filipinos, especially the 11 million Filipinos living in sub-human and extreme poverty? How about the 45 million Pinoys who think that they are poor? Is Arroyo prepared to buy their loyalties out in exchange for power until 2010?

Arroyo is misled

I think Arroyo is being misled to think that she is governing this administration in the right way. She and her advisers are always saying that they're the ones responsible for the growth of the economy. Are they kidding? They, themselves, say that the only thing that keeps this country afloat is the billions of dollars worth of overseas remittances. There are, however, real concrete gains in economic development. Yet, these developments, I repeat, are natural consequences of regional economic growth.

Peso is strong because US economy is weak

The peso remains strong because the US economy remains weak and the dollar trades so low against other currencies due to the continuing housing loan problems. The Philippine economy continues to strengthen not because of government intervention. As I wrote in previous entries, the economy grew independently of politics. It has been insulated. That's why I always write here that whatever form of government the people decides to install in exchange of Arroyo's will always succeed because it will never affect the way we do business or it will not stop the flow of foreign investments in the country.

Arroyo--a threat to democracy and economic stability

Arroyo's continued stay in power actually remains a threat to the continued economic growth and stability of this country. Why? Because (1) foreign investors will think twice in entering into government contracts because of the consequences of the ZTE mess. Second, there will always be political instability because issues hounding her have achieved a new level of vigour--that of graft and corruption. The legitimacy issue has never been so life threatening to Arroyo because of the Filipinos' penchant for letting things go. However, bribery and corruption issues are totally different things. It affects moral sensitivities which Arroyo would find very hard to counter. She may be an illegimate leader or an election cheat. That's okey. But, if she is now being portrayed as a cheater, a liar and worst, a briber, then, Filipino moral sensitivities are sure to be pricked quite quickly.

Why?

For Filipinos, bribery and graft and corruption reflect social inequities in graphic fashion. Filipinos can always accept sub-human working conditions, human rights violations here and there, low wages, etc. for as long as they feel that there is an equitable system working for them. Filipinos have this sense of wanting to achieve something. For example, Filipinos will rationalize that the reason why they have'nt been promoted could be due to some factors, which are mostly, about them (attitudes, etc.).

However, if Filipinos realize that the real reason why they remain poor, working for low wages, etc. is due to the system, then, it's time for them to militate against this system.

Quick People Pulse

Based on surveys, Filipinos have this collective feeling that there's terribly wrong with the system because of the way it is being governed. There are enough laws, the people say, for the country to be "great again". However, mismanagement seems to be the reason for all their miseries. What's worst, the inability and the inadequacy of the leadership to manage are being solved at the level of transactional politics. This government, the people think, is not solving the core problem of mismanagement. In fact, it made attempts at solving the issue through bribery, which the people found to be despicable.

Lack of trust affects governance

This extreme lack of trust by the people of their government threatens democracy because it fosters widespread dissent. There is an underground reservoir of dissent waiting for a spark to explode. Since this government feels and sees itself being threatened daily with instability, it will always be under siege. And in times of seige, there's nothing more honorable than hoisting the white flag.

Bastardation of Democracy

I know personally the directors of the National Press Club, having had the misfortune of being colleagues with them when I was a reporter. These directors are enterprising shits who served Arroyo during the 2004 elections. They are not legitimate journalists. They are more of pr men than press people.

There's a saying in my profession--if you're dirty, chances are you have a very short shelf life. I am calling on the patriotic forces to mete the people's justice to these fakers. Make them an example. Show them that we, Filipinos, still value democracy. These people deserve the severest possible punishment because they did the most despicable thing. They betrayed the trust of the people. They deserve death. If they can do this, bastardization of democracy, they must be, themselves, be bastardized.

Masochists

As I write this, 23 soldiers walked out of their mutiny hearing. These officers were protesting the absence of a signed charge sheet by the AFP Chief of Staff. After registering their protests, they were escorted back to their cells by armed goons masquerading as legitimate soldiers.

Groups led by the Black and White Movement staged a rally in Makati urging Arroyo and De Castro to resign their posts as president and vice president. Unlike what happened in 2000, their rally was not covered fully by the media. As expected of them, these groups are proposing a snap elections to cure the infirmity brought about by mismanagement of Arroyo.

Snap elections?

The people don't want snap elections. It is costly a solution for the people to even consider. What most of the people want, based on a survey which I conducted during the past 3 weeks is for the military to break out from the totalitarian grip of Arroyo and stage a coup. I say again--the people are ready for a coup. They are sick and tired of Arroyo and De Castro and they have realized that it is futile to give these two officials more time in Malacanan.

Will a coup solve these problems?

It will because it assures the people of the downfall of Arroyo and De Castro. Look, what we need today is for government to regain the trust and confidence of the people. Obviously, the people don't trust the civilian politicians. It's clear that the people HATE or even LOATHE their present set of leaders and what this country needs right now is a fresh infusion of new blood, of new idealists that would fight the grafters and buckle down to work afterwards. If the idealistic soldiers don't realize this, that they have now the chance, the opportunity to succeed in their mission of ousting Arroyo, then, they must stop whatever they are doing right now and just, remain masochists.

Tomorrow, I'll write something which would shock you, my dear readers. Right now, I am so tired. My brain is sending me signals that I need to sleep. Time to sleep now. Good night.

A people's plea---GIVE US JUSTICE!

As I write this, somewhere, a little child cries in hunger. More than 11 million of my people live in under 1 dollar a day. That's barely 50 pesos. One European legislator remarked that this is a terrible, despicable crime. While those in the palace can give 500,000 to a Congressman or a Governor "for gasoline", "for barangay elections" or for any stupid reason, millions skip two meals and sleep in hunger.

While JDV approaches every Congressman pleading for his speakership, a youngster sniffs rugby in a nearby alley, oblivious of all these wheeling and dealing, drowning himself in those toxic gases. Cops arrest him and eventually lets him go. They understood. It was the youngster's way of dealing with his situation and his hunger.

While this youngster sniffs, another decides to end her life because of hunger and poverty. Government takes blame but does'nt do anything to at least improve the lives of the suffering people. And while I write this entry, millions more of the younger generation tread the paths least taken--that of prostitution, of drug addiction, of robbery, of crimes.

Those poor people who still have some sanity and decency left, save some of their money and join the underground economy only to find themselves being violated by the self-appointed Sherriff of Nothingham, err, Metro Manila Development Authority. These people of the Sheriff confiscates their wares and like ravaneous wolves, hungry for spoils, desecrates the very lives of these people who chose to vend instead of rob other poor people like themselves.

In this country, if you decide to steal, steal big. If you steal big, you'll be the toast of the town. You'll even find yourself dining in some fancy restaurant, being attended by beautiful ladies and colleage graduates. You don't need to have an education. You'll just hire a big-shot lawyer, pay a few millions, give ladies to cops and high judges, and you'll skip jail time. Those who steal watches, wallets or cellphones, they get arrested, booked and thrown in sub-human conditions. Why? They're being punished for not stealing big-time. The system was made not to rehabilitate them. Our jails are schools for petty thieves and killers. There, they learn the ropes.

And when all hopes are nearly lost, some find the strength to go to the mountains to fight. There, they're given guns to show the world that there's a raging insurgency. They'll bomb cell sites, harrass the middle classes, harrass the bus drivers and the landowners for what? For revolutionary fees. The revolution started with a presumption, yet, its becoming a bore and just a distraction. The Army of the People is just a shadow of its own self, not because the Berlin Wall was torn down, nor because the Kremlin and the Red Bamboo curtain were no more. The Army is destroying itself because it chose the long march of lost dreams.

Those who did'nt believe in the Cause, decides to go the military route. Thousands of poor, young people in the countrysides are lured by the bright lights of the Academy, only to find the place full of bones and shattered idealism. So when brave men say "yes sir!" or "its alright sir!" amidst all these miseries, one might say, its all over. We are truly in the pits. For those men in the Academy whom we put our hard-earned monies and our hopes fail us and turn a blind eye in all these things, we can only say that we are truly, living like savages. Where's the honor? The Integrity? The sense of duty?

Those who went to the University of the People, pay back by prostituting themselves to foreign corporations. I saw my buddies, scholars of UP, working abroad or being paid hefty sums of monies by foreign devils out to exploit the Motherland. I remember one, a staunch Marxist, now working for the son of the biggest Pinoy thief ever to have lived.

However, those who chose the path and continues to hope, frustrates the people with their "snap elections" call or their "resign Gloria and De Castro" stand. They even gave 60 or a 100 days for the little one to resign, knowing fully well that she will not. Yes, they can give that ultimatum because they have all the luxuries, all the monies to spend for 60 or 100 days. While the people starve and curse in silence, these people march to the streets, again, creating their own brand of revolution. A shallow one, if I may say so.

The child. JDV. The youngster. The young girl. The petty thief. The big-time thief. The sassy lawyer. The revolutionary. The plebe. The PMAer. The UP'an. All are hungry.

Hunger makes us eat our fellow men. Hunger makes this country a dangerous paradise. Hunger has eaten our very souls. It has taken away our morals, our integrity, our honesty, our nobility, our very souls. We believe that we are the only Christian country. So far, we have proven one thing--we are Christian only by name because we act and behave like savages.

The people vote for their leaders. Their leaders rob them of their monies, yet, the people adore them with lais and garlands. The mightiest savages ascend the mounts of Olympus. Those who lack in height and heart, they build their bastilles. Those who lack in intelligence yet have the heart, rebuild their dreams of becoming great again. This country is on the verge of becoming the only country to re-elect somebody whom they puked six years ago. We're like dogs eating our own puke.

Let's satiate our hunger by accepting our fate. Our fate is we need to fight among ourselves, that one last battle. We need to go to civil war. Let's not harken to those who don't want it. They're just afraid shitless. They profess to be revolutionaries but they don't have the balls to die for what they believe in.

The people should accept one undeniable truth---peace can only be achieved through the barrel of the gun. There is no peace when there is no war. The only thing left for us to do is create balance by obliterating imbalance. Undeniably, our society is in an imbalance state. The only solution is war. And I'll be one among millions who'll tread the path of war, eventhough I'm already 36 years old and comfortable beyond my means. I'll go to war if needs be. If war is the only solution to assure my children's future, then, its a small thing to do for them.

Let's not procrastinate. Snatch the reins of power now, while most of us are still breathing.

Open Letter to FVR

Dear Mr. President:

I am writing this letter because me and my family cannot seem to understand why you and your pangalatok buddy, JDV, decided to patch things up with Mrs. Arroyo. After making us excited when you spoke out against Arroyo, everybody felt that you’re suddenly regaining your old self, that principled man whom everybody loved back then in 86. Now, with this publicized “kiss and make up” picture with Arroyo, everybody now thinks that you’re just for show.

Yes, Mr. President. I am one among thousands who admired you. During your time, we experienced a brief moment of security and prosperity. You governed with honesty, with integrity, with vision and with passion. You made us feel proud again of being Filipinos. During your tenure, we had an efficient government. It was not without its problems, we know. Compared with Erap’s and now, with Arroyo’s, yours had the promise of being considered great by history.

Now, you with your signature thumbs-up sign are beginning to bore us. You and your posturings of being a statesman are starting to annoy us. You and your travels are signs that everything about you now is just that, a show. Admit it, you are just a shadow of your old self. And it’s surprising that you and your close advisers have chosen the path least taken— that of siding with the enemy of the people.

Were you ill-advised? Were you gullible? Are you now senile? Are you now blind, Mr. President? Or, have you lost your heart? You know what’s happening. You know how this administration continues to plunder the public coffers. You know how Arroyo continues to inflict harm upon us, your people.

Mr. Ramos, you are nowhere near the quality of your mentor, Mr. Lee Kuan Yew. You are not made of the stuff Mr. Lee is made of. It is quite unfortunate because Mr. Lee did not make a career out of the military, but you did. By condoning the sins of Mrs. Arroyo, you now partake of the dirty food she’s used to eat for more than six years now.

Mr. President, are you not ashamed of what you did? You’re supposed to be the leader of your generation. You’re supposed to be the model citizen of your generation. Now, what legacy would you leave for your grandchildren and your children’s children? What things will you now claim to bequeath us, your people? That we are supposed to side with the grafters, the corrupt people of our lifetime? That we’re supposed to forgive those who rob us of our monies, of our liberties, of our futures? Are we supposed to give our thumbs-up to those who kill principled people, to those who squander our hard-earned monies and give to those devils in Congress?

Mr. President, you have little time left. You’re what, seventy plus years old? Why did you decide to smear your clean record by continuing to side with Arroyo? Be cursed, Mr. Ramos. Cursed be the land you stand on.

Sincerely,

Prayer to God Almighty

Praise be to God, the Almighty
Praise be unto Him, Who created everything.
Praise be to the One True God
who made the heavens and all creatures living there
Praise be to God
who made the earth His foot stool.

I call upon God to send His Angels
and cleanse the land where I live
Of Devils who walk the halls of Congress
Of the daughter of Satan
who claim the mansion as her own.

Let the Reapers come down upon my land
Let them snatch the souls of these thieves
Let their souls rot in the streets
Let the dogs who roam the back alleys
tear their flesh
from their bones.

O, God of heaven
You are our only hope
from these old men who claim to be
visionaries but are deceivers of those
who hope.

These old men claim to be statesmen
they claim to have the highest interest
of the people in their hearts
deep inside, they are corrupt
because they share their dining tables
with the daughter of Satan.

Their generation, O God, should be cursed.
Let them eat good food now
When they die, let the maggots gnaw their
flesh even when they're breathing.

O, my precious Lord,
end our suffering and agonies
send Your Heavenly Host
and punish these evildoers
who populate our legislature
and our government offices
Decree my God
for their death
but, let it be slow
let it be painful,
let it be shameful
so that they'll feel
the pain of the people.

Like what you did with the Egyptians
snatch the souls of these seventy year old
leaders of ours,
these pretenders, these deceivers
these robbers, these big-time thieves
these gamblers of the poor
these slave traders
O, God, do not fail your people
You are our only hope!
Hear the pleas of your People
Let justice be ours
now, and not in the future.

Spineless Politics

When the Greeks invented politiks, they did it for good reason--it was to do good to their fellow men. A selected few were chosen to rule the polis. These men were elected for their intelligence. Eventually, property became a factor. As the polis evolved into a more developed entity, politics became more of a career for these chosen few.

The history of Philippine politics is no different. When the Americans gave us the power of self-rule, a few were given the power to rule us. They were chosen for their subservience to foreign interests, mainly of the Americans. One flaw however was that the Americans did not fully create a formidable elite that would ensure the perpetuation of power. Since Filipinos' have this misinterpretation of democracy, demands to further open opportunities for any one to come into power affected the Philippine polity. Now, every Tom, Dick and Harry can elect himself into office with just his popularity as a ticket to politics.

Now, we see idiots and dumb-witted men and women ascending the halls of Congress. We see our political system being populated by ill-equipped Pinoys who use their monies and influence just to have that title of "Congressmen". We see generals playing footsies with these dumb fools for one reason--money.

No one among our present leaders have the vision and the will to lead this country into greatness. Everyone's vision is to carve his own political niche and generate millions of pesos worth of personal revenues for his family and his clan to feast on. Those who have the vision succumb to intense pressures from the system to conform.

This generation of pseudo leaders should be cursed by God for abandoning the cause of the weak, the poor, the widows and the orphans. The generation of FVR, JDV and Macapagal-Arroyo should be cursed for letting the people down. I was misled by JDV into believing that he already changed. I was terribly wrong. He remains as dirty as he was when he was just starting in politics.

These people can't claim to leave any legacy. They don't have any. They see themselves as "honorable" yet they do despicable things to the detriment of the people they vowed to serve. They have prostituted democracy and created a terrible system that we, the people, are cursed to live in.

Walang Hiya

I will write this blog now in Filipino.

Kayong mga pulitikong kasalukuyang nakaluklok sa Palasyo, sa Kongreso at mga lokal na pamahalaan--NAKAKAHIYA KAYO. WALA KAYONG MGA HIYA. WALA KAYONG MGA APDO.

Humahanga sana ako kay dating pangulong Ramos. Ngunit, sa ginawa niyang pakikipagbati kay Mrs. Arroyo, pinatunayan lamang niya ang isang bagay--malayong malayo siya sa kanyang idolong si Lee Kuan Yew na may bayag laban sa korupsyon. Nakakahiya pa namang itinuring siyang isang statesman at may bisyon. Ngunit, lumabas ang tunay na kulay ni Ramos gayundin ang kanyang tuta na si JDV--mga walang apdo at walang gulugod. Ipanalangin nating sagipin tayo ng Panginoon sa mga buhay na demonyong ito na patuloy na nanunungkulan sa ating bayan.

Sa kawalang galit ni FVR sa patuloy na pananalasa sa kaban ng bayan ng mga galamay ni Gloria lalo na ng kanyang asawa, pinapanigan niya at kanyang inaayunan ang mga katalampalasanang ginagawa laban sa taumbayan ng pamahalaang ito.

Gayundin ang oposisyon---walang maaasahang mabuti mula sa inyong hanay. Puro pulitika ang inyong nasasa utak. Hindi ninyo nais ang pagbabago. Kaya kayo nagngangangawa laban sa pamahalaan dahil gusto ninyo lang na kayo ang magnakaw. Mga kahiya-hiya kayo!

Walang ibang pag-asa kundi nasasa panginoon na lamang.

Turning Hopeless

This early, administration allies have intimated their desire to kill the supplemental complaints filed by the opposition. Why the Opposition insists on filing ridiculous complaints is beyond me. They know, for a fact, that ousting this president through the Congressional route is useless. Her gang of thieves will protect their mafiosi boss no matter what happens. With Matt Defensor at the helm of the justice committee, the people is assured of perpetual injustice until 2010.

And it sours my stomach to see Erap and his gang of political zombies exploiting the poor once again in Vitas Tondo Manila. These opposition groups are really not legitimate oppositionists, but they oppose because they are not the ones robbing us of our hard earned monies. They are elites of a different kind.

When hope turns sour, the people have no other recourse but create history. Time and time again, God has given signs for the people to really create history by accepting their fate. Their fate is to revolt against the established order and establish God's justice in this cursed land. God's knights should undertake their crusade against the evil that governs us.

Plea of the Damned: Why We Really Can't Wait for Another 2 Years

On the eve of All Saints Day, Mrs. Arroyo called upon her distractors to wait until 2010. She says that groups out for her head should exercise restraint and patience since "its just another 2 years" anyway before she transfers power to her elected successor.

Why We Must Not Wait for 2 years

With the rate of destruction Mrs. Arroyo and her gang of thieves plunder our national coffers (our debt has reached 4 trillion pesos--60% goes to corruption) with her husband leaving a string of anomalies and controversies along the way, it is not far-fetched that this country will reach saturation point before 2010. Look at the figures.

1. Inflation will hit 3% this November. This is not because of the incoming xmas season, no. Its due to high oil prices and high commodity prices that greatly increase inflation. What this means to the common people is additional hardship and poverty.

2. Forex reserves depletion. The BSP just intervened to arrest the slide of the dollar against the peso. The weak dollar is impacting on the performance of the peso and government is unable to contain the natural rise of the peso. This means two things: one, less peso for the OFW families meaning less purchasing power and two, less revenues for exporters and tighter competition equals either closure of export industries or lesser labor to mitigate the impact. Either way, its bad news.

3. Distressed troops. The internal and external security of the country are at risk with the low morale of the AFP. Predictably, the AFP will suffer a series of defeats against the CPP-NPA-NDF, MILF and the ASG because troops are divided and totally politicized despite what the DND says otherwise. Survey said ten percent of the AFP will support a coup, while 10 percent will counter it. Undeniably, there's 80% of troops who will look at the skies and wait for these groups to fight it out before deciding to side with the victor.

4. Internal damage to political infrastructures. The current struggle between Arroyo and the House leadership attracts transactional politics which affects governance. It increases corruption levels because both groups are susceptible to giving favours just to increase their base or decrease the enemy's.

We can't wait for the worst thing to happen

All these factors weaken the State and it is in the paramount interests of the people that this administration be changed prior to 2010 before this country further slides to destruction.