Joma's Prognosis of the 2010 Elections

Joma Sison's insights continue to amaze political pundits in this country. Despite being away for so long in exile, Joma's statements still packs a punch. Recently, the former CPP Chairman's statements were published. This is about his own views on the "presidentiables". He says that the man to watch is Defense Secretary Teodoro.

I wrote in Filipinovoices.com that Teodoro is really Gloria's closest ace for the elections. I heard from one of the closest advisers of the devil infant that she's grooming Teodoro to replace her. This is a stark contrast to some views that Noli's the "anointed one". I don't believe it for a second. Noli remains popular in perception; yet the prospect of him winning the top plum is, I think, more speculative than anything.

However, I am quite surprised why our last remaining credible Marxist-Leninist-Mao Tsetung resident head seems too engrossed on elections. If I remember my Marxism, elections are to be frown upon is'nt? Was that statement an indirect admission by the CPP top leadership that they're abandoning the oust gloria before 2010 movement and instead, looking forward to 2010? If that is the direction, then, quite possibly, does this mean that the CPP head honcho is more concerned now with the survival of the party's representatives in Congress than push thru with the protracted people's war?

That's the problem with the current CPP leadership--it's wishy-washy. It does not have the strong backbone we, the people, expect it to have. I expect Joma to lambast Gloria's government for its continued oppression of the people. I expect Joma etal to convince the public to participate in the continuing struggle rather than set their sights on the 2010 elections. Is the party going the pacifist route? Has the looong struggle already mellowed the leadership, numbing their ideological selves and turning them into veritable compromisers?

This is another problem--the "protractiveness" of this people's war. When is it going to ascend the next stage--from strategic stalemate to strategic victory? Are we going to wait another 40 years before this revolutionary victory becomes reality? Are these stages just products of Joma's fertile imagination or these are reality-based analytics going haywire?

I have been analyzing what happened to Bayan Muna and Anakpawis and why did they suddenly went into silent mode with the Meralco issue. The last statement I heard was a praise for the Arroyo administration for granting a measly 10 pesos wage hike. What the..? Are we being inconsistent here?

A Day of Criminal Frenzy

After the riotous "tea party" over at Meralco a day after, three successive criminal events happened. Yesterday, a terrorist attack killed 2 people and injured scores of others in Zamboanga City. As of presstime, police are still investigating who masterminded this dastardly crime. Whoever it was, surely, this attack showed that the Bangsamoro rebellion is now assuming a different and critical level, reminiscent of the 2000 war. It could be an attack to pressure government to return to the peace table. Or, it could be part of JI training of new recruits. Whatever the cause, this has serious implications both in national and regional security.

A love-torn hostage taker killed one of his hostages yesterday at Lubao Pampanga. A certain "Rey" reportedly held a Genesis bus bound to Cubao at gunpoint and held its passengers hostage after his wife left him. After releasing most of his victims, police crack teams pounced on him, killing him.

Another notorious criminal was killed yesterday by members of the newly formed RCBC Task Force. A certain Montano was gunned down while allegedly buying grocery over at Camp Aguinaldo, an AFP camp. Police claimed that Montano was part of the gang who mowed 11 people down and took more than 20 million pesos worth of loot.

Were all these incidents related? To an untrained eye, no. Except for the first incident, the two other incidents are aberrations. However, note that these violent incidents happened two days after the riot in Meralco. Were these incidents a sociological reaction to a perceived chaotic situation? What prompted Rey to ran amuck and become a hostage-taker? What's the relevance of May 29 in the criminal mind of the terrorist who blew up those people in Zamboanga? And why was Montano killed by police yesterday? Was it chance encounter? Or a setup?

Probably, they are all unrelated. Expect criminal incidents to increase in the next few weeks, an anticipated social reaction to the perceived chaotic and depressing socio-economic-political landscape.

More than Ousting the Lopezes

Stockholders dumped Meralco shares today, bringing down the price to 60 pesos per share. The market remains jittery over the long-term effects of a prolonged Meralco-GSIS row. Winston Garcia's threat against Meralco chairman Manolo Lopez that he'll better relinquish the chairmanship to govermment or else sends a different signal to private enterprise. This row has long-term implications not only to the business sector but even in the political stability of this country.

I am surprised though on the muted reactions of political figures in this fight. In fact, I am not hearing anything from any politician in defense of Meralco. By maintaining silence and positioning themselves as "neutral", these groups are de facto siding with the government against Meralco. Groups should realize that this fight is not about the Lopezes losing control of the firm. No. This is actually a fight of principles. It is a debate between the prevailing global practice of open societies against closed ones. It is a fight between government's creeping totalitarianism against free enterprise.

Whoever controls the distribution of energy controls the country. By allowing Gloria to destroy Meralco, we are actually allowing her to reconsolidate her powerbase, thereby ensuring her continued stay in power. Civil society groups believe that this is just a fight between elites, hence, not fit to intervene.

I see otherwise. I see this as a ploy by Gloria to further strengthen her base and enable her to perpetuate herself in power beyond 2010. We should not be misled by this issue. More than ever, we need to be very vigilant because, let me repeat myself, whoever controls the distribution of electricity controls the very lifeblood of industry in this country. A government running both generation and distribution of power can very well use this as an extortion tool against any business enterprise critical of its governance style.

Groups critical of Arroyo should set aside partisan political or personal animosities against the Lopezes and unite against this government slowly turning more powerful by the day. A more powerful Gloria, as history shows, would further move brazenly against enemies--perceived or otherwise.

The Intellectual Entrepreneur and the New Philippine Revolution

There's a new group out there promoting what they call the "New Revolution." Check it out at http://www.tayo-na.com. I've checked their site and it's a very simple organization calling for changes in Philippine society. It's unique because it does not have the mumbo jumpo traps of an ideology nor do it promote a new one. Quite simply, the organization wants to address the basic issues and promote basic answers to societal problems we face as a people.

Change, I presume, starts with enlightenment. This organisation strives to enlighten the masses of the need for change. Promoting no concrete platform for regime change, yet the organisation hits the core of the problems by encouraging people to talk. Initiating discussions is one of the most effective means towards change. It makes people think hard about their situation and builds up the desire to change their environment a lot faster. Being free from the trappings of traditional critiques nor ideologies, this organisation could very well encapsulate what this blogsite is all about--sparking internal discussions amongst Filipinos of all ages, thereby spreading the word and widening the broad sector involvement in true, genuine revolution.

It is time for us to talk, that's what this organisation wants us to do. For years, we have been explaining ourselves before foreigners and those from the outside. It is time for us to talk amongst ourselves and strive for a collective platform that promotes what we believe are long-lasting solutions to age-old problems.

Hence, in this new paradigm for change, the role played by the intellectual entrepreneur is all the more emphasized. The Intellectual Entrepreneur promotes knowledge and enlightenment. He/she strives to influence policy-making in government through his pen. He/she acts in concordance with democratic principles yet imbued with critical social thinking that makes change possible, both on the microcosm and macrocosm.

The intellectual entrepreneur is alive in every blogger who writes here in the blogsphere. Bloggers and social changers out there doing political work are intellectual entrepreneurs. They are the new class who will lead the broad masses to victory in this new era of revolutions.

The Meralco Gambit

Let's set aside our partisan thoughts about the Lopezes and pause for a while and think about the repercussions of today's Meralco stockholder's meeting.

True enough, as what we wrote in the Filipinovoices.com, Garcia's ploy of using proxies backfired. The Lopezes mustered more than the number of proxies that Garcia was able to generate. Realizing this a day earlier, Garcia filed a complaint with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). It was, however, too late in the game. Garcia was distracted by numerous media inquiries that he failed to do his assignment.

Those scenes we saw on TV Patrol and over at ANC shows you graphically how government interference could backfire and lead to a real mess. That scene showing Garcia standing up and shouting at all those stockholders show you how a member of Gloria's mafia gang thinks about himself as an overlord of this country.

Surely, the ruckus created by the government in a private entreprise such as Meralco could dampen investor confidence in the independence and integrity of the local business community. Those scenes of confusion, of chaos, and of disorder shows one how messy a situation would become if government interferes in a legitimate business operation. True, the Lopezes could be profitting more than it can legally chew. True, the Lopezes could be mismanaging Meralco and charging us exorbitant fees. And true, the Lopezes could be entering into those sweetheart deals that impacts on the rates they're charging us.

Yet, the cost of dislodging this aristocrat from their crown jewel is more expensive than its intended result. The intended result is a lowered electricity rate, right? But, if done in an expensive gambit like this could do more harm than good. Imagine these scenes being repeated in other countries' television, what would foreign investors think about us? How many billions of dollars' worth of investment did we lose? How many billions more did we lose in tourism? Quite considerable if I may be asked.

Government's continued harassment and intimidation tactics against the Lopezes set a very dangerous precedent. It shows how this government is slowly turning into a rapacious corporate raider and destroyer of enterprise. It shows that government is using the people's money for corporate raids which will not in any way, benefit the suffering Filipino People.

This gambit of Gloria backfired. First, it showed how powerful the Lopezes are compared with the Garcias, the Aboitizes, the Alcantaras, and the Arroyos of this land. Second, it showed how teethless the SEC is. And third, it shows how inept and foolish government becomes when the people allow it to continually perpetuate its proto-dictatorial powers especially on businesses.

I hate to say it, but this gambit of Garcia could further erode the people's confidence and could be used to justify extra-constitutional means to dislodge this evil regime from the face of the Motherland.

Business and civil society should unite and show Gloria the true source of power. Let everyone unite behind the movement for change and throw this evil regime out. Then, after throwing them out and exiling them to China, then, let's resume this fight against the Lopezes. By then, the entire nation would probably rally behind us.

JDV's Revelation--a dud?

Two days ago, the Philippine Daily Inquirer got the bait and released JDV's bold prediction: the Arroyo administration will fall if he testifies before the Senate on the anomalous ZTE deal. In a matter-of-factly, the former Speaker proclaimed that he knows everything about the deal. And he'll reveal it in the proper time.

This is the last statement made after previous statements of opposition figures emerged in the last few weeks prior to the expected fireworks in the resurrected ZTE Senate probe. However, I hate to say it, but the Speaker's claim that his revelation will bring down this regime is...well..dubious.

One, the timing is off. He should have said this at the height of the controversy. Why did it took him months before this epiphany? When after all things have been said and done, here comes JDV positioning himself as the man of the hour. Right now, people, like myself, are doubting about JDV's integrity and the clarity of his objective. What prodded him to tell the world about this now? Is this his way of again, pressing for favors before the palace? We know JDV to be another wheeler-dealer. Is there another compromise, former Speaker? Is this some sort of attempt to pressure or even gain some favours given that you're now, out of power?

When you were speaker, you had that great chance to help your suffering people improve their lives by just allowing those impeachment complaints to pass the test of validity. Yet, you thumbed them down.

You had the chance to pass legislation that would shield us from cha-cha, yet you allowed this ghost to haunt us until now and even gave additional powers to the one that deposed you.

How sure are the people that what you are doing now is really above board?

Second, JDV's image and reputation has been destroyed beyond redemption. He does'nt have the savvy swagger of a Chavit nor the PR naturalese of a Mary Ong to pull this regime down. People still see him as your average Joe the Trapo. His handlers, whoever they are, failed to cleanse his name.

Lastly, probably a few people will rally behind JDV for one simple reason--he's not a charismatic leader. He does'nt have a proven track record in boosting the morale of people. In fact, ask his provincemates and they'll tell you that Joe dances with Europeans and Americans more than he dances with them in their regular Saturday parties.

It would take more than a JDV revelation to bring down this regime. It'll take an honest revolution of the intellectual entrepreneur to change this system and jail these pseudo-leaders including JDV and install a Council of Intellectual Capitalists.

Conjugal Fighting

After the bedlam created by the NBI raiding teams at the height of the rice crisis a few weeks ago, we find no similar news lately. Have they stopped their campaign to rid us of those unscrupulous rice traders? Why? Who ordered them to stop?

Gloria has been very persistent in filing cases against these traders. She has, in fact, even gone to the Department of Justice (DOJ) to personally attend to the prosecution of these traders. However, despite "presidential intervention", nothing came out of it. Why? What happened?

DOJ insiders say, it allegedly took one or several phone calls from the First Golfer to stop "the madness". After the raid in a supposed warehouse of controversial lady Vicky Toh and her brother Thomas by an NBI crack team, calls were made and those raids mysteriously disappeared.

As mysterious as these raids was the sudden "reincarnation" of this case against former DOJ Hernani Perez. Gloria's fair-haired boy and confidante, Perez's case suddenly sprung to life as if somebody caused it to happen.

And ironies of ironies...Perez is now being counseled by the First Golfer's chief legal propagandist. Wagging tongues can't help but notice this blatant irony.

So, who's the more powerful now? That lady from the putrid river or that gentleman from the big-time operator world? You tell me.

Ah, talking about the DOJ, that septuagenarian remains the big man out there. That Gonzo seems to have a solid backing from the lady and the gentleman. Why? Well, he serves as the hatchet man. And he's doing quite a feat, what with his glib tongue.

Lastly, why did Ermita agree to be demoted? From being an alter-ego, he's just now, the voice behind the curtain. Why? I have the highest respect for Ermita. Why stay? Why?

Breakdown Leads to Systems Loss

There's a noticeable increase in crime rate over the past few weeks. This phenomenon validates an earlier PNP intel report which predicts a sharp rise in crime due to the food crisis. However, I do believe that things will turn from bad to worse given that oil prices are starting to get unreasonably high. A higher oil price means higher commodity prices. Higher commodity prices means greater impact on inflation, which affects overall economic growth.

In Indonesia, people are starting to rise up against high fuel and food costs. In some countries in Africa, riots have broken out. In the United States, a rise in property-related incidents have been observed.

Some would say, this is inevitable since the crisis has now reached global proportions. Local market reactions do reflect current global sentiments. However, compared with the handling of our neighbours, we pale considerably especially in food and energy security.

We have the resources and the wherewithal to weather this crisis. We were insulated from the Asian financial crisis during Ramos time. This time though, too much government inaction to fundamental flaws in the system have weakened our state considerably. Too much legislation but too little implementation have exposed us to these dangers. We now face the prospect of an economic breakdown of the entire state economic apparatus. This could lead to a systems loss.

Imagine a situation where people can't buy enough food because of low wages. I expect a widening gap between the rich and the poor. I expect a situation where more and more members of the middle class going down the social stratum due to high inflation.

More than ever, we need a strong government that promotes national welfare instead of a few aristocratic interests. We need a government that creates rather than destroy enterprises. We need a government with a strong political will that will fight the enemies of the state with the full force of the law.

Sadly, our system right now is a decrepit one. Its nature is that of a patronage system where the rich enjoys more privileges than the rest of Filipinos. Whatever other theorists might say, this system can be described as semi-capitalist with neo-feudalist tendencies. Aristocrats hold too much power, which affects the democratic processes.

There's a big chance that an implosion might occur in the immediate future. Implosion means internal forces gobbling up the state. This, surely, will result to a system-wide breakdown. If diesel prices reach 50 per liter leading to higher food costs, expect subtle yet dangerous forms of dissent showing up in the crime rate radar.

A Revolutionary Situation

What are the conditions that constitute a revolutionary situation? Applying chaos theory and studying Philippine history, we find that majority of revolts that occurred in the Philippines were caused by a sudden rise in food costs. Filipinos, a sociological study reveals, may tolerate political infractions or even some form of corruption. When faced with a prospect of hunger, which, we find to be not of our own making, but attributable to government, we revolt. We observe these during the Spanish, American and even in the Japanese occupation periods.

Second, Filipinos revolt when government exercises extreme unwarranted and irrational control over their lives. And third, we find Filipinos taking part in revolts when led by a figure or a group of personalities perceived to have been victims of injustices themselves.

Anyone who can put forward a swift solution to the crisis in food and gasoline affecting this country right now deserves the top post now or in 2010. What Filipinos need right now is their own version of a Lenin. The existing conditions are ripe for an outbreak of dissent. Why?

1. Most of us are angry or desperate because the start of classes is just around the corner.
2. High food prices are causing so much strain and problems even in middle class families.
3. Politicians seems to be the cause of the problem, most of the people believe.
4. Too much politicking is being perceived as causing all these problems.

Gloria is lucky that we don't have somebody right now who encapsulates a Pinoy Lenin. Otherwise, she's out.

Breakdown of Law and Order

Eleven innocent people killed in the bloodiest bank robbery in Philippine history. Caught with their pants down, PNP Chief General Avelino Razon Jr. ordered the formation of a police crack team to hunt the perpetuators down. In one fell swoop, the team went to Tanauan Batangas, killing four men believed to be members of the dreaded robbery gang. Good. Swift justice?

Well, the head of the Task Force just told media that they're not entirely certain if those four killed in Batangas were indeed, members of the gang. Whatta??So, Mr. General sir, you killed four men just to show that you're men are "on top of the situation"? That all these corpses are just for show? All for photops sir?

Our cops are like those wild cowboys from days past, shooting even the innocents, in blind fashion, just to show how tough they are.

So, Mr General sir, the body count is now 15 innocents killed. Are we expecting more?

It seems that we are. Last night, four men believed to be members of the New People's Army torched five buses of Victory Liner in Cubao, Quezon City Philippines. Police denied that these men were NPA's. It took the AFP to really admit that the perpetuators were NPA rebels out to get a fast buck from the Victory Liner owner.

A few days ago, two cops who responded to a robbery were brutally gunned down by criminal elements in Manila. Manila mayor Alfredo Lim and Manila Police District Director Rosales ordered a massive hunt. Rosales said that their mandate is get the cop killers--dead or alive.

Are we expecting corpses again to show up in Pasig river? Quite possibly, yes. Expect a crackdown in Tondo and in some depressed areas in Manila just to show the people that our cops are "on top of the situation."

In such an economic crisis like these, expect a breakdown of law and order. People nowadays are desperate. Worst, most of the people are seething in silent anger, waiting just for the right time to express their angsts against Arroyo. Is the state ready for a showdown with the people? I am noticing a growing undercurrent of dissent just waiting for the right and proper time to explode.

Double Talk Amidst Societal Chaos

Peace double talk

Former AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon is now Gloria's chief peace negotiator, a few days after his retirement. I don't know what came over Gloria but why did she retain Esperon? His tenure as AFP C-S is quite turbulent. Was he retained solely for his knack at creating destabilization or for his prowess in electioneering? Probably both.

Esperon's appointment speaks volumes on the true peace plan of GMA. Esperon is the least person to be given the powers to talk peace on behalf of government. Everyone knows his true nature--that of a lapdog. He's largely credited for plunging this country into total chaos because of the caper he did in Mindanao during the 2004 elections.

Power play

Amado Doronilla says nothing will come out of Malacanang's power play against the Lopezes. Over at ABS-CBN, the Lopezes are still defiant, vowing to survive this latest onslaught while sending their president to tomorrow's Cabinet meeting over at Panglao Island in Bohol. Will there be a blood compact in the name of big bucks there? Or will these two camps lunge at each other's throats 7 days from now? Knowing how haughty the Lopezes are, chances are they will not bulge against the Arroyos. Or would they?

Callousness

The Arroyo administration admitted meeting the ZTE officials over at Shenzhen. For meeting Arroyos, the gods punished the Chinese with a devastating earthquake, killing more than 20,000 people. Even abroad, Gloria is creating chaos.

Transport Groups double talked

Lastly, transport groups raised a howl after the DOTC withdrew an order from the LTFRB to raise transport fees. This is double talk, says these groups and threatened the government of another transport holiday. Well, I hope they do it this time. Otherwise, will just laugh at them.

JLo's Last Option

Former Jueteng star witness Sandra Cam was last seen hobnobbing with Gloria. What had happened to this lady who once regaled us with talks about Mikey and Iggy Arroyo receiving jueteng protection money? Well, since the probe never resulted to anything, obviously Sandra went back to her former life. Money, they say, talks.

Yesterday, ZTE star witness Jun Lozada expressed his fear of losing valuable security from the Senate. Lozada says he's thinking of migrating to the United States, especially since nothing happened with his expose.

I don't know if Jun knows it but many things happened due to his expose.

First, he inspired thousands of young Filipinos to stand up for what is right. That Ayala Makati incident is a testament of that. An entire generation of youngsters took part in that rally, giving us a sense of relief that when it's their turn, they would better manage this country than the present generation.

Second, he enlightened so many Pinoys. Filipinos know now how corrupt this government is. They're willing to struggle for a better Philippines but they need some leadership from those who bear arms. Without it, the fight is useless.

And lastly, Jun Lozada invigorated the whistleblower industry, which is now being threatened by extinction.

Jun Lozada must stay. It's Gloria and her bunch of misfits who should leave. Isama na natin ang greedy golfing buddies of her husband.

Heard there's a new witness in this ZTE probe. Well, that witness could possibly be the last. If the media does'nt support it, that new witness will not be enough to send this regime to the pits.

As I've said, its time for the Zonrox brigade to do its job of cleansing this country from the filth of this regime.

Aboitiz and Garcia to benefit from Meralco takeover

Friends and colleague read this: http://tongueinanew.blogspot.com/2008/05/meralco-vs-mafia.html. It hits the nail in the head and reveals a ton of stuff about this government attempt to break Meralco.

As we wrote here, there's really an insidious plan to takeover Meralco, not to lower these electricity rates. No. What government wants is to give this firm to the Aboitiz and the Garcias of Cebu, staunch allies of Madame devil infant, Gloria.

As what a reader commented on Tongueinanew's blog, this is the highest tongpats ever!

Imagine something like this, bigger than the water concessionaire bidding a few years back.

This is probably the reason why there's a multi-million propaganda funds being brandied about by propagandists of Garcia and the Aboitizes. It's a miniscule amount compared to the billions they'll earn from breaking up Meralco.

WE SHOULD STOP GOVERNMENT FROM DOING THIS. YES, BREAK THE HOLD OF THE LOPEZES, BUT GOVERNMENT SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO SELL THE FRANCHISES AND MERALCO NOW! IT SHOULD BE DONE AFTER THE MAY 2010 ELECTIONS, NOT NOW!

Garcia's Dream

Now, the cat is out of the bag.

Sensing no public outrage or opposition to government's plan, GSIS President Winston Garcia told the Inquirer that GSIS plans to break up the Meralco concessionaire franchise into two or more sub-franchises. He says it worked before, when government divided Metro Manila into two franchises. Why will it not work now?

However, here's the catch which would explain why Garcia wants to break Meralco free from the Lopezes--it's not good, says Garcia, that so much wealth has been concentrated in the hands of just one family. He says, everybody should earn from Meralco's franchise.

Well said Winston. So, it's not government who'll manage Meralco--it's still the private sector. Question--will the sale of Meralco be above-board? Being a lucrative one, so many predators will definitely ask for their share of the pot?

Winston's dream is commendable provided that the bidding for the sub-franchises will be above-board.

After Meralco, what now?

Is government planning to break the oil industry since this sector is also being blamed for inflation due to high gas prices? Is government also planning to break the rice/food trading industry since food prices are abnormally high also?

Strikes to break the camel's back

Tomorrow, transport groups intend to make a lot of noise against the continued rise of the prices of gasoline. Bishops have encouraged the people to support these groups. With one peso hikes almost every week, people are tired of it and want to demonstrate their disgusts against government.

Another rally is set on May 17, ten days before the expected "takeover" of government in the utility firm Meralco. While we are talking about this, government has allowed the diminution of its stake in Petron, a former government owned and controlled corporation, now privatized. I can understand this since privatization is really the policy of government right now. While they are privatizing the oil industry, government wants a reverse in the power sector?

Government should probably consider raising its stakes in Shell, Petron and Caltex to be able to have a say in how these companies run their operations. I mean, being intrusive at this point is understandable, since the very lives of the people are at stake here. Instead of further divesting in the oil industry, government should take the industry by the neck and squeeze every profit from them. That way, government can directly ease the suffering of the people.

One question though--will these rallies break the camel's back?

Predatory governments a threat to democracy

Our government tried dipping its hands in the corporate pot during the dictatorship. When effective controls were lifted in the post-Martial law regimes, government owned and controlled corporations lost profitability and closed down. This affected growth which forced government to institute privatization to generate revenues.

When governments such as ours assume a predatory nature, foreign investments tend to get affected. If you look at the figures, the more predatory a government becomes, the less FDI flows in.

However, in the case of Meralco, this regime thinks it can do a better job managing electricity rates than what the Lopezes are doing. In the interest of the public, says Ermita and Gloria poster boy Winston Garcia, it's time to seize the utility firm from private hands. This policy is a reversal from the previous government privatization stance.

If this happens, what now with oil companies? Surely, this sends a chilling message to all those companies directly transacting with the public. Next to Meralco, will Gloria run after oil companies such as Shell, Petron, Caltex, etal? All the more she should do that. These oil companies rake in billions of pesos of profits.

How about telecommunications companies? With high call rates, all the more should Gloria and her misfits seize them to effectively lower rates. They should be seized as well.

Its a laudable effort on the part of Gloria to call for a lowering of electricity rates since compared with our Asian neighbours, our power rates are higher than them. A lowered electricity rate brings in more investments since the investment climate is perceived to be better.

Gloria's efforts at enhancing our competitive advantages as an investment site are sterling accomplishments. Nonetheless, Gloria should not be targetting just Meralco. She should also target PLDT, Bayantel and Globe Telecommunications. She also should take over Shell, Petron and Caltex, the three big players in the oil industry. Next to them, she should also seize food companies, especially those rice importers since they directly affect Pinoy lives. And even those wheat traders. All should be fair game.

As expected, we tend to like reverse growth instead of progressive growth. Predation is an anti-thesis of democracy. This is an extreme form of nationalism, an aberration in an increasingly globalized world.

Miriam: Bomb Meralco (Just joking part 2)

I remember one quip that Miriam said during the dying days of the Erap regime. She was being asked if she'll honor her promise to jump in the Pasig river since events have proven her to be incorrect (of her previous "learned" assertion). The lady solon laughed loud and said that she just lied.

Yesterday, Miriam dropped another "bomb". She lambasted Meralco and accused it of maintaining "little mafia" groups. She then suggested to "bomb" Meralco.

I shudder to think of Miriam conducting trials at the International Court of Justice (ICJ). Imagine someone like her mediating between North and South Korea. Or something explosive like claimants of the Spratlys. This little dynamite will surely cause a maelstrom or spark an international war like what she nearly did when she lambasted the Chinese during the ZTE probe.

Such is our fate: we have irresponsible legislators who think highly of themselves as gods. We have government officials who are as haughty as the ones they accused of a crime.

Government propaganda against Meralco continued in high gear, as GSIS president Winston Garcia said that government is willing to buy the Lopezes out. If something like that happens, a buyout, surely we are in for a whole lot of trouble.

Expect Meralco to be pump-primed as a milking cow. Expect the giant utility firm to lose profitability in just a few months. And expect us, after two years, to be paying all the government shit afterwards.

Meralco takeover a play of words?

Executive secretary Eduardo Ermita just denied a purported palace plan to takeover Meralco. Ermita told journalists in a media forum that, though the Palace has the numbers to force a takeover, he denies that they intend to dislodge the Lopez Group from the power distribution firm. Ermita said they're just forcing Meralco to reveal and "open its books for scrutiny" so that Meralco will be forced to lower its electricity distribution rates.

This is a stark departure from the "war-like" stance of Gloria when the little dictator faced a group of businessmen a few days back. Could this be the result of what GSIS President Winston Garcia revealed during Ricky Carandang's show "News on 8" over ANC this morning?

Garcia told Ricky that he has been in contact with the Lopezes and he assured Ricky and the public that "there'll be no fireworks" come May 27.

However, if you analyze what Garcia told Ricky and what Ermita told the palace media, there seems to be a stark difference.

Garcia wants a change in the management of Meralco. While Ermita says all of these noise is just "pressure" from the palace to lower electricity rates.

Ermita knows that you can't just "shout" at the Lopezes to get their attention. No. They've been entrenched already and so callous and so haughty enough that they'll not bulge in their seats even if your voice turns hoarse. Garcia knows this. That's why he's targetting a management change, not a company takeover.

I think Garcia is telling the truth that government does not intend a corporate raid. What is certain though is government is eyeing a management change which is an under-handed tactic to effectively control the firm.

What's certain is this---government has achieved what it wants when it played the takeover card. I mean, it exposed how vulnerable the hold of the Lopezes is in Meralco. It remains to be seen though if this thing will lead to what Ermita says as a lowered electricity rate.

Probably, Meralco chairman Lopez is correct. Garcia is just shaking Meralco down to probably prop it for a ripe picking in the future, not now when the issue is still hot. Garcia is creating this fuzz to force a diminution of Meralco stock. That way, investors can still buy in and eventually dilute Lopez stocks more.

My take on the Bloggers vs. Trad Media Thing

First, do bloggers need gatekeepers? Answer, no. By the very nature of blogging as a journal we don't need an editor, unlike those in the mainstream media.

Second, is the lack of a gatekeeper the primary reason why traditional media practitioners don't consider us a part of the media industry? Yes. The statements of some journalists about the lack of gatekeepers are being used to delimit or even marginalize our important part in the information environment.

Third, is the lack of a gatekeeper a justifiable ration d'etre for bloggers not to be classified as true journalists? No. Bloggers are your online opinion-makers, your columnists, your influencers, your 3rd party endorsers even.

Fourth, is the blogsphere media? Yes, the blogsphere is media because it fits with the elements and description of a media outlet, especially since it has its own loyal audience.

Lastly, a blogger who's a bonafide member of the blogsphere, of this New Media, can he be considered a journalist? Yes. A journalist is one who professionally writes on what's happening in an outlet, either print or electronic media.

If a blogger, for example, writes due to his passion, can he then be classified as a journalist? Some would say, no, because he's not being paid to write articles for a living. Point to me a journalist that is not paid to write by his publication or a network. So, is a passionate foodie blogger or a tech blogger who writes for free and is not paid, will he be considered a journalist?

Yes, by all means, yes. Why? Because the money aspect is irrelevant. A blogger, like a journalist, is a writer. Whether he writes for money or his passion is irrelevant. A blogger has an outlet to express his thoughts, his observations, like a journalist.

So, those who castigate and belittle the blogger, think again. The blogger is the newest evolution of the journalist. He is the latest version of your everyday journalist. He writes because he loves writing. He observes because he loves to express what he feels, what he sees, what he hears. He's not only a citizen journalist.

In fact, the blogger is more than your ordinary journalist.

A blogger is your purest journalist because he writes without compromise. He is the purest of the pure. He competes with himself and does not write due to profit. No.

The blogger is your true journalist.

Arroyo's Power Play in Meralco--worst than the cure

Some would probably laud Mrs. Arroyo for bringing it on with the Lopezes. In the case of Meralco, Arroyo's "crusade" against Meralco was predicated on (as her propagandists want us to believe) protecting the consumer against high costs of electricity. This time, however, it's different. Mrs. Arroyo and her gang of misfits are flirting with the media to justify a possible corporate takeover come May 27.

Some of my media colleagues, which include Manila times columnist Julius Fortuna, agrees with what Arroyo is doing right now. She's reportedly fighting what others say, is a megalith. The Lopez family has been in control of Meralco since 1986 and what Arroyo is doing is breaking the hold this aristocrat. This could be the start of a campaign to get rid of aristocrats such as the Lopezes.

Though I may laud government for doing this, I suspect this to be part of a greater, more sinister plot connected with charter change. Why?

First, the timing. It's just a month away from June, the possible month where government is expected to push real hard on charter change. Government needs millions, if not billions of lobby money just to see this thru. Question--why attack Meralco now when Arroyo has been in power for 7 years? Why now, when its just 2 years away from 2010 and just a month before chacha?

Second, the intention. Why attack Meralco now when there's a food crisis and a continuing probe on the ZTE and the Spratlys issue. Look, the public has already forgotten the Spratlys issue when its one of the most important legislation the Philippines should pass this year since the UN already gave us a deadline in 2009.

Third, the chosen mode of attack. Government wants a takeover. They're not resolving the issue of high prices through the Energy Regulatory Board (ERB). No. Government is using the issue as a justification for a takeover. Macapagal and Marcos failed to takeover Meralco during their terms. Arroyo is hopeful that she'll accomplish what his father failed to do during his time as president. Why?

Because a takeover of Meralco means billions of pesos to the Arroyos. Government propagandists say the high prices is directly a result of the "mismanagement" of the Lopezes. Maybe its true. Or maybe its not. But, will government control of Meralco solve this "management issue"? No.

Government is the worst administrator, the worst possible alternative to the Lopezes. What's government's plan for Meralco after ousting the Lopezes? Probably they'll sell the electricity distribution firm to the Chinese, as what they tried to do with our telecommunications and IT industries? Or maybe, just maybe, they'll use it as a milking cow, just like they did with RPN 9 and IBC 13?

TRUE, forcing Meralco to lower electricity charges is the most logical thing to do, given the high inflation of 8.6% and the other attendant problems being faced by the Pinoy right now.

BUT, if the solution of government is worst than the problem, then, maybe those who agreed on this plan should rethink their position and revisit history. History has shown that this administration is the most corrupt, the most greedy, the most brazen, the foremost violator of human rights and the most vindictive. If government takes hold of Meralco, they will not only have electricity but a REAL POWER TO COERCE OTHER COMPANIES to kowtow to their wishes.

Let me make myself VERY CLEAR--I am not a stooge of Meralco. In fact, I was among those who rallied last 2003 against the power firm. It's just that a government takeover of Arroyo's gang is a DANGEROUS PRECEDENT which could cost this country billions of pesos more than the 24 billion that the Lopezes reportedly earned from us since 2003.

Where's the Marines?

Today, 27 soldiers who reportedly participated in the failed February 2006 coup were arraigned. They were charged, among others, of violating the Articles of War when they instigated an uprising. Some of these soldiers are members of the elite Philippine Marines.

This day, two members of the Philippine Marines were arrested after a failed kidnapping of a Chinese businessman in Southern Metro Manila. These Marines were caught red-handed when they were receiving the ransom money from an undercover cop.

Also, some members of the group Magdalo were sworn into office as drug intelligence agents. Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency head and former AFP Chief of Staff Dionisio Santiago said that these idealistic officers are the new force that would smash these drug syndicates to smithereens. Drug syndicates, he says, are now fearful of these officers because they'll fight it out with these scums.

I'm citing these news reports because I want to highlight what has happened so far in the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). Despite government propaganda that the AFP is strong, united and of "high morale", these news brings sadness to me. I am not a member of the AFP nor the PNP, but I do sympathize with a lot of them since I think they're the most neglected, the poorest and the most abused sector in Pinoy society.

Why the most neglected? Look at the ordinary Marine and compare him with his Asian counterparts. He does't have an armor. He's using a rusty M-16 and he lacks the necessary equipment to protect himself against the powerful arms of his enemies. He does not even have a decent shoe nor a helmet to protect his head from bullets.

He rides a first generation Armored Personnel Carrier (APC) or a hand-me down tank that kills its occupants when attacked. He also flies on Hueys (which I had the (mis) fortune of riding above Maguindanao during Erap's time), derisively referred to as "flying coffins". And worst, the creme of the creme uses 2nd generation jets that can't sustain an hour of fighting against jets of other Asian countries.

He's the poorest because his salary can't really keep a family of three alive. He depends on his loan association which can't even provide the monies he needs for his family to survive. The soldier is like a government teacher, except that a soldier can't sell stuff during recess.

He's the most abused. When a former general such as retired General Jovito Palparan needs help, he can summon active men to the field and takeover any mining firm. He's used in elections to safeguard votes. He's also used to coerce voters to vote against their will and was even seen to have influenced a national election through the use of force and fraud. Worst, the lowly soldier is even used as "decoration" or as "personal bodyguards" by landlords, aristocrats and corrupt government officials.

Such is the fate of the Philippine soldier. When some of them act to change the system, they're arrested and jailed.

What had happened to the illustrious and battle-hardened Philippine marines? Before, this force used to be regarded highly by the people. Now, some of them have turned into bandits, kidnappers and petty criminals. What happened? Before, they're the most idealistic, the corps with the highest morale? Now, they're the most underpaid, the most abused, the poorest and the most demoralized outfit of the AFP. Why? What caused this slide into ignominy?

Teodoro's dig at bloggers and salute to my fellow bloggers

Former UP College of Mass Communications Luis Teodoro puts it bluntly--bloggers should be responsible for whatever they write in their sites. He then encouraged mainstream journalists to write their own blogs, especially TV reporters. Teodoro said that mainstream journalists should write blogs to "set an example."

I respect Dean Teodoro. In fact, I'm one of those who already heeded his advice. I'm still an active member of the media industry. In fact, I devoted most of my 37 years of existence writing and working as a journalist. I started as a newswriter for DZBB GMA 7 and despite being a senior official of a top strategic marketing communications agency here, I still maintain a very strong relationship with my peers.

This leads us to one question--is there truth to Teodoro's assumptions that bloggers are irresponsible and therefore, not a good source of news and information?

Let me ask another question--what's the purpose of blogging in the first place?

Lastly, let me propound another question--is a blogsite a media outlet by itself or just a mere journal, a daily take on things?

On the first question, Teodoro's assumptions about some bloggers are valid. There are irresponsible bloggers out there who blog for the wrong reasons. For example, was it a good idea for Brian Gorrell to expose the dirty linen of Manila's alta sociedad just so he can collect his supposed money from a controversial socialite? Answer? No.

Using a blogsite to deride, cajole, humiliate, smear, or besmirch the reputation of someone is utterly irresponsible. If you read Gorrell's blog, it is full of "he said", "she said" ,things which most, if not all, are presumptions of certain facts, but not true facts. As readers, we can't verify all those he wrote there. Who's to say that all of those things really happened? Who edited Gorrell's blog? None.

Look at his entries. He wrote something about a person based on another person's "testimony". That's hearsay, plain and simple. There were no dates supplied nor exact location of where these incidents happened. We all know one place--Boracay. So, then? So, what?

Gorrell's blog shows you how irresponsible a blogger can be when allowed to write without an editor. Editors are gatekeepers. Why? Because one's take on things may not be reflective of reality.

Now, we go to the second question--why do we blog? What's the real reason for blogging?

Blogging started as a daily journal. By its very nature, blogging is a personal take on things. Its subjective, therefore, not fit to be a source for news. Blogs could be a very good source of opinions, of views, of expert advice. But, never a news site. Why? As I said, the very generis of blogging makes prevents it from being a good source of information.

Lastly, is a blogsite a news outlet? By the hits and pageviews it generates, yes, it could be said to be a media outlet. Since its beginnings, blogs serve one purpose--a journal which one maintains to express oneself to the world. It was never meant to be taken literally by bloggers as their license to be true journalists.

By the way, thanks to my fellow bloggers Nick, Mon Casiple, Cocoy, Janette Toral, Philippine Commentary and Manolo Quezon. They are just some of the most responsible and highly respected bloggers in our age. I appreciate your take on this blog. I never meant this site to be that way. I am humbled by your observations of this blog.

But, I need your help. Really. Give me advice on how to further improve my site. I am not really satisfied with my design. I want a simple, yet functional design. And I also would like to get advice on how to promote my site, especially to Filipinos abroad.

To my fellow bloggers, please give me your thoughts on how to improve my site. I really want to improve.

To my colleagues in the mainstream media, my site does not pretend to be a news site. No. This site aims to provoke debate, discussion based on my daily take on things. I write because I want to analyze what's happening especially the whys. I don't delve on the whats, the wheres, the whens. This is my political philology. If you agree on the things I wrote, thanks. If you don't, thanks din.

I am also very thankful that Nick provided a venue for political pundits like me to reach a wider audience. The Filipinovoices.com (www.filipinovoices.com) is the new Indios Bravos, the new La Solidaridad. I am very certain that all these things which we are doing will spillover beyond the blogsphere and eventually lead to real societal changes.

By the way, I have another blog, http://pinoyobserver.wordpress.com. Its getting bigger and higher hits by the day. Its not heavy stuff, totally different from what I write here. It has its usual political stuff (I really can't detach myself from political masturbations, sorry!), yet more on mundane things. If it reaches a thousand hits, I'll invest some money to make it as an electronic newspaper. Do help me make it happen. Thanks. Have a happy weekend.

The Marginalization of FVR

In the military, there's this thing called "mopping operations." It's usually done after the police or military has defeated or annihilated their enemies.

Talks are rife that this looming Cabinet revamp aims to do just that--a mopping up operation to erase the last vestiges or memory of former president and self-proclaimed statesman Fidel V. Ramos from governance.

Yes, the once feared and the most respected Philippine president in the post-Marcos regime has been whittled down to size by his protege, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Before, FVR's words rang perfectly loud in the halls of Malacanang. In the 7 years of Gloria's rule, FVR's presence was not symbolic. Some quarters believe that he ran a shadow government, since many of Gloria's appointees and close-in advisers were either FVR's former officials or close to the former president. Despite being out of government and into retirement, many value the counsel of the cigar-chomping former leader who reigned in an era of prosperity prior to Erap's disastrous administration.

Now, FVR is just a mere shadow of his once influential self. Before, he commands respect among the military and the political elite. Today, he can't even unite his fragmented and weakened political baby. The reason is too obvious--FVR has lost considerable clout and power.

It began when Gloria's political machine, KAMPI started raiding LAKAS constituency in the 2004 elections. Puno's first attempt went pfft since most of the political titans of the country are unconvinced of Gloria's staying power then. The usurper was just not strong enough like FVR. Hence, the plan to marginalize Lakas went awry and momentarily ceased.

However, as Gloria weathers political storms one from another, it gave her the chance to consolidate her mass base. As she wins her political battles, Gloria grew stronger in Lakas while FVR's clout decreased. After 3 years, LAKAS went from being the most dominant party to a messed up, confused and discordant organization of old, worn-out politicians.

FVR vainly hold on to power by positioning himself as a kingmaker. Every destabilization event was exploited for his own interests. The last public show of affection was during the height of the ZTE scandal where FVR was heard shouting hosanna while thousands march at Ayala against Gloria. FVR tried to position himself as a kingmaker once more, since the last two destabilization attempts showed him as Gloria's Knight in Shining Armor.

That last one did not go the way FVR wanted it to be. Despite that PDA (public display of affection), FVR failed to parry the blows of KAMPI against Lakas. Gloria and her gang continued their recruitment efforts, part of an insidious plan to marginalize LAKAS before Gloria and her KAMPI allies start the cha-cha train.

When Gloria's men succeeded in destroying LAKAS party base, they then turned their sights on Jose de Venecia Jr. Weak as a baby, JDV went from the 4th most powerful man to relative obscurity. His propensity for politicking and compromise-building was exposed as genetic weakness and led to his humiliating defeat. Now, we don't hear anything from the man from Pangasinan, a victim of Gloria's ultimate quest to be the only strong leader in the country.

It's now the turn of Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, perceived as one of FVR's closest, to get the hatchet. Gloria and her gang are planning for his immediate exile to Washington. The last of the Bushido gang, Ermita's departure from the halls of power is widely viewed as a direct assault against the once formidable FVR group.

After Ermita, there's no other major FVR general in Arroyo's Cabinet. Yes, there were talks of retiring general Hermogenes Esperon Jr. being "promoted" to replace Teodoro. However, Arroyo is not about to do that. She's a shrewd one. She knows that Esperon is FVR's hidden weapon and she'll not allow FVR's group to again take a step inside the palace.

With Ermita's departure almost certain, no other group holds Gloria hostage. Its now complete. Finished.

Gloria has complete command of the State--from the senior and junior military elites to the political, economic and judicial elites. Her clout has even extended to the barangays, mayors, and governors.

Her alliance with Cojuangco remained strong, suggesting a possible common presidential candidate in the person of either Loren Legarda or Noli de Castro. KAMPI has become the strongest and the most influential political party in the Philippines. It has now, the capability and the strength to dictate the terms of political battle come 2010. In fact, I am not surprised why the Senate suddenly turned 180 degrees for cha-cha. Most of those who signed Resolution 10 are pragmatists. They know that this is not the time to go against the existing political reality.

And what is that reality? That Gloria's gang has a very strong possibility of clinching an extended power trip beyond 2010. Mark my word. Gloria is now in the position to dictate the terms of engagement simply due to her purported strong survival instincts.

What now, my General? Do you still have an ace in your sleeves?

The Pinoy Worker in a Flat World, part two

There's an interesting article written by Isagani de Castro Jr. about the Philippine labor movement. In his article (published at http://www.abs-cbn.com, look for it in the article archive section), de Castro wrote why the movement right now is very weak. He interviewed many analysts, including Rene Magtubo of the Partido Manggagawa and found that there's a decrease in union membership (from a high of 3 million or 10% of the work force to about 1.8 million in 2006) as well as labor activity.

Magtubo says unions are slowly beginning to shift tactics, from militancy to conservatism. He says that some union members are convinced that militancy is not the way to go to demand higher wages or improvements in labor standards.

Meanwhile, labor expert Rene Ofreo believes that the changing economic landscape is the prime factor for the decline in the labor movement. Ofreo says that companies have relied more on contractual or temporary workers instead of hiring full-time employees, thereby, avoiding the dangers of unionism. This, I think, violates the labor code of the Philippines. The government discourages contractualization. Probably government's laxity in enforcement can be attributable to the dismal economic state of the country, which Ofreo agrees.

Yesterday's rally shows you how fragmented RP's labor movement is right now. You see one side demanding for higher wages and more non-wage benefits while another calls for a systems-change. Such a discordant lot. It has been a while since we saw a labor movement that agrees on just one platform.

A fragmented labor movement impacts on the overall struggle of the people for change. It exposes Pinoy workers to the dangers of abuse. Unions are supposed to protect the rights of workers against abusive labor practices. Yet, how can it do so when its beginning to lose its direction and concomitantly, its membership?

Losing constituency means less means to lobby. Less means to lobby means more points for companies. More points for companies means more abusive and repressive tactics against Pinoy workers.

Furthermore, I think the deeper split within the labor front can be traced as far back as 1989 when the CPP-NPA-NDF broke into two (2) factions. This split created a serious rift also in the labor front. Likewise, the death of such fine labor leaders like Filemon "Popoy" Lagman and others created a serious vacuum in leadership that surviving labor leaders still struggle to fill in.

What the Philippine labor movement needs right now is inspiring leadership. Labor groups should train their young cadres to fill responsible positions in the unions. Instead of fielding them in national organisations such as Bayan Muna or Sanlakas, there is a need for more political work in the labor front. Should they fail to do so, we will see a further decline in the numbers. When that happens, these national organisations will also lose a valuable base of support which they have relied on since the 1960's.

May 1 special: The Pinoy Worker in a Flat World

Workers of the world, awaken!
Rise in all your splendid might
Take the wealth that you are making,
It belongs to you by right.
No one will for bread be crying
We'll have freedom, love and health,
When the grand red flag is flying
In the Workers' Commonwealth.
--a song by Joe Hill commemorating the struggle of the first May 1 movement

German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche once wrote that beyond human existence lies nothing.

If this is true, then, what hope lies for the Pinoy worker? What life awaits those who traditionally work in factories and sweatshops throughout the country?

In a flat world such as ours, intellectual capital is perceived to be more valuable now than production. With technology totally eliminating the human factor in production, the machine has proven to be more important than the worker.

This begs for a re-examination of the worker’s place in the scheme of things.

During the Industrial Revolution, the workers know how powerful they are. Without them, factories can’t go on producing.

Now, everything has been mechanized. You see less and less people being employed by factories because computers can do the same stuff that a worker can do, and with less stress of a shutdown due to a picketline or a labor strike.

Lazzarato (1996) puts it simply as an era of “immaterial labor”, a dig against Karl Marx description of labor as related to material production. Like all labor, such requires physical activity, but an “immaterial” one due to its result. Lazzarato defines it as “the labor that produces the informational and cultural content of the commodity” (1996, 133). According to Hardt and Negri (2005, 108), it creates “immate- rial products, such as knowledge, information, communication, a relationship, or an emotional response.”

It’s a departure from Marx in the sense that it makes not just objects but “subjectivities” (Hardt and Negri, 2000, 32). Hardt and Negri agree that its “biopolitical production, the production of social life itself, in which the economic, the political and the cultural increasingly overlap and invest one another”

I think this administration is aware of this. That’s why, today, in commemoration of the 1884 struggle of Chicago workers in the State which led to May 1, they’re encouraging workers, especially the OFW’s, to engage in entrepreneurship.


Whatever my friends from the labor movement would say, this shift from material production to immaterial labor poses a serious threat to the relevance of labor unions. Why?

In a highly mechanized world, labor’s place is threatened with extinction. With the world being increasingly transformed into geo-economic divisions, how will the Philippines stand a chance against such giants of production, like China and India?

Compare the Filipino worker with their counterparts abroad and you’ll see that companies prefer Chinese and Indian workers than Filipinos. First, the standard of living there is quite low. Second, they don’t complain. And third, they are not pricky or choosy in their work.

Yes, we do say that we’re more educated and speak correct English than these Chinese or Indian workers. Yet, the new trend nowadays is for companies to adapt to the language and trash the language barriers instead of workers adapting to the company. Likewise, Chinese workers are learning English. Indians, by the way, speak the Queen’s language, better than us.

So, where’s our advantage?

As the world behaves in an informational mode, fewer and fewer companies produce material capital and more and more rely on intellectual capital. With the paradigm shift, more people need more info-based education rather than skills-based.

That’s good for modern, highly-industrialized societies like those of the US, Europe and Singapore. But, what about the Philippines, which positions itself as a viable investment haven for producers of goods?

Puno Mohadji and the Death of a Filipino Patriot

Post war traumatic stress. That's the explanation given by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in explaining the cause of death of a Patriot, Col. Caldeo. This 1983 cavalier died, allegedly, by committing suicide. His family and mistahs said that he was disturbed by what happened between him and his superiors during the Puno Mohadji incident against the bandit group, Abu Sayyaf.

That Puno Mohadji incident was some of the defining moments of the Philippine Army. First, it was both a victory and a defeat. Caldeo's unit suffered serious casualties yet inflicted major damages on the Abu Sayyaf. They were'nt able to save the foreign hostages, though.

I distinctly remember the Sipadan hostage crisis because I was assigned there as a television reporter. I spent a considerable amount of time covering that incident. Like my other colleagues, it was a career-defining moment. Sandra Aguinaldo of GMA 7 and I spent some time at Helen's lodge which is in the heart of the city of Jolo. That place is just a few meters away from the Jolo Cathedral where some years back, a priest was killed. So, like the rest of the police and military there, we were also under constant threat from the civilian supporters of the ASG. There were reports that the ASG would conduct kidnappings of foreign and local journalists. Fortunately, I was not kidnapped. But the ABS-CBN crew was.

In Isabela, Basilan where Col. Caldeo was assigned, the tension was also palpable. The ASG unit there was reportedly a ferocious lot. Trained in Afghanistan, these ASG fighters vowed to resist the incursions by the "mushrikuns" into their territory.

My colleague Alvin Alburo, who now writes for GMA 7, saw that battle first hand between Caldeo's group and the ASG. Jun Veneracion (who was then a ABC 5 reporter) and another GMA7 reporter also were there, when some of the soldiers were beheaded by the ASG. I think (if my memory serves me right) about 15 soldiers died during that Puno Mohadji battle. Accounts say that the group of soldiers were ambushed when they were walking along a shallow river bed between two hills. Without air support, the soldiers did not stand a chance against the insurgents.

That battle was a major defeat. And it was a humiliating one.

After Puno Mohadji, the Army and the Philippine Marines suffered a series of defeats in the theatre of war in Mindanao. Hundreds of soldiers died in Mindanao already. It was not superior firepower that defeated these soldiers.

They were defeated due to the inefficiency of their superiors which affected their morale.

Whatever AFP Spokesman and 1983 baron Col. Daniel Lucero would try to picture it, the AFP of today is demoralized and fragmented. It has been politicized by Mrs. Arroyo and her ilk so much that it has been turned into their private army.

Proof? Look at what ex-General Jovito Palparan did just recently. He occupied a mining firm in Bulacan using the resources of the AFP, soldiers of an Infantry battalion assigned there. In what authority, you may ask? None but his!

Palparan's act shows how generals and ex-generals treat soldiers--they're their personal security force, their own private armies.

Palparan is a disgrace to the profession. If he's a Cavalier, his mistahs should immediately summon the courage to oust him from their class. Imagine, somebody without authority using the resources of the state for his own personal gain?

I am totally disgusted by this Palparan guy. He thinks that he's so powerful that he can use the AFP as his prop. Without his soldiers, will Palparan stand a chance against the New People's Army? I doubt it.

Palparan shows us how abusive someone can become given the license to kill enemies of the state.

This shows you how shabby our military has become since this administration took charge. Where's the professionalization of the ranks. Mrs. Arroyo?

You and your propagandists call for the military to remain apolitical and the Patriots to stand their ground against you. Yet, you and your mafia continue to abuse and use the military for your own personal power trip!

Where, oh, where are the Patriots whom the people love? Where are the True Cavaliers whom we, the People, supported and sacrificed our hard-earned monies just to hone them on the fine ideals of Truth, Honesty, Integrity and Honor?

Where are the others who will stand against this evil regime come what may? Where are they who will sacrifice their lives and their futures to correct the wrongs of this administration? Has corruption totally erased idealism from their hearts?

I shudder to think of other Col.Caldeos taking their own lives because they think they're helpless in abatting the continued slide towards disgrace of the military. Don't take your own lives, true Patriots of the New Generation. No.

Do something. Don't sulk in your chairs or in your camps whenever you see something wrong with the organisation. Exhaust all possible means to change the defects of the system. Then, you'll realize that these wrongs are symbols of a bigger problem, that of a system so corrupt and so decrepit that it makes you puke.

Don't puke. Do something. Stand up, you Patriots of the New Generation. Take charge. Act now.

You'll be doing it for the people. You'll be doing it to secure the futures of your children.

The loss of such fine gentlemen and officers like Col. Roberto Caldeo should stop now. The loss of such corrupt men like General Jovito Palparan should begin.