The Evolution of Contempt and the Genesis of High Horses

High Priest gives us a glimpse of how officials, especially those within the circles of this evil regime (i don't want to call it empire), think about governance. Quite simply, they think that they're the magistrates of old serving an otherwise evil kingdom. In this little country, those who think that way deserves more than derision; they deserve nothing less than a guillotine.

The last time I heard, we're still living in a democracy. Thoughts about how government is right and the citizenry always wrong harks back to the days of the medieval era, where Kings and Queens rule with wanton abandonment. Flushed with tributes and sometimes, claims of divinity, these Kings and Queens rule an otherwise ignorant mass of people. When the Intellectual Revolution came, and gave rise to new ideas, even raised questions on the legitimacy of the concept of monarchy, these royal families lost their "blue-bloodiness". They were exposed as flesh and bones. They saw how red their blood is when it started spurting from their heads.

And History always point to the defeat of those who think highly of themselves. Saddam Hussein was the last one to get it. A few decades back, we saw how democratic forces defeated Hitler and the struggle continues. Death is not the way to defeat these kinds. It is always a better paradigm that kills a harmful intellectual virus.

I don't need to point how shameful this administration is. We all read that in earlier posts. However, this regime has turned from shameful to unabashedly harmful, since, it is being populated now by fascists in barongs. It's already bad that this regime governs without the right direction; it is now equally appalling that pseudo-intellectuals like this so-called HighPriest who claims that he/she was elected as a King, walks the corridors of power.

Noteworthy also to note how the Arroyo administration is morphing into a hideous monster; that kind that attracts megalomaniacal flies, such as this High Priest of Smokes, who's sole duty is to obfuscate issues rather than answering them.

And it's always that way in this regime. Evidently, that's the unwritten code being strictly followed by those who serve the devil enfant. Gloria chose to be queen of this enchanted Kingdom, yet because of her weak leadership, it has allowed people within her to think of themselves as "mini mes",  and " surrogate kings" and "sheriffs of nottingham". 

High Priest is a manifestation of an intellectual vacuum in Malacanang's pecking order. And those who love democracy should not just shudder in their seats; they need to act to defeat these pseudo-intellectuals trying to justify what Malacanang intends to do--extend Gloria's term. Short of any legal justification, the minions of Gloria, like this High Priest of Smokes, are resorting to political and philosophical ideas to mask or hide though smoking mirrors, that naked and truest desire for the perpetuation of Gloria's power. 

There is no philosophical nor political ideals that would justify Gloria and her gang of misfits' continued governance. Be reminded that Gloria's rule started on a wrongful or tortuous premise in 2004. To lust for another ten years is not just gut-wrenching; it's the purest form of evil. 

However, evil as it is, it is equally shameful for people, like Filipinos, to let this happen. As what my good friend Trixie Angeles used to say, if you let an injustice go away without acting on it, you're as part of those who did it.

Defeat we will, those who pollute us with their fascist ideas. Fascism has no place in modern societies.

Laban ni Ninoy noon, Laban Natin Ngayon

Sa paggunita ng pagkakapaslang ng dating Senator Ninoy Aquino sa 21 Agosto, maglulunsad ng isang "cultural show" ang civil society. Ang nasabing concert, na lalakuhan ng mahigit 50 bandang Pinoy, ay isang aktibidad na dapat lamang lahukan ng lahat, sapagkat ito'y isang paraan upang maipakita natin ang ating pagka disgusto sa kasalukuyang kalagayan ng ating Inang Bayan.

Tunay nga, na ilang taon na rin ang nakalipas, (mahigit 25 na nga ba?) nang paslangin ng mga ahente ng rehimeng Marcos ang nagbabalik sanang senator Aquino. Matapos na mabasa ng kanyang dugo ang tarmac ng airport, tatlong taon ang lumipas bago tuluyang nagapi ng Sambayanang Pilipino ang diktador na si Macoy. Nanatili ang ningas ng sakripisyo ni Ninoy hanggang sa administrasyon ng kanyang asawa, ngunit, unti-unti itong nawawala sa paglipas ng panahon.

Mayroon pa bang kahulugan sa buhay ng Pinoy ang sakripisyo ni Ninoy? Naaalala pa kaya ng karamihan sa atin kung ano-ano ang mga tunay na kadahilanan bakit pinilit niyang bumalik sa Inang Bayan? Malinaw pa ba ang mga eksenang bumulaga sa atin sa kanyang pagbulagta noon sa tarmac?

Tulad ng nakagawian na, gugunitain ng mga television networks ang mga huling eksenang nilahukan ni Ninoy. Ipakikita duon ang mga kuha sa kanya ng isang batikang cameraman nang siya'y kunin ng mga AVSECOM na mag-ka-cut dun naman sa kuhang nakabulagta na siya't walang buhay sa tarmac. Kung makapagsasalita lamang si Ninoy mula sa langit, ito kaya ang nais niyang paggunita sa kanya?

Mas nanaisin siguro ni Ninoy na ipakita ang naging bunga ng kanyang sakripisyo. Mas maganda siguro kung balikan natin ang mga eksenang kung saan halos isang milyong Pinoy ang nagpunta sa EDSA pagkatapos ng tatlong taon, para kilalanin ang kanyang sakripisyo.

Maganda sigurong ipakita na umusbong ang Bagong Pinoy mula sa dugong ibinuwis ni Ninoy at iba pang mga bayaning Bayan maitaguyod lamang ang demokrasya sa ating bayan.

Sa 21 Agosto, gugunitain sa isang concert ng mga banda ang pagkamatay ni Ninoy. Siguro, liban sa pagsasayang kultural, huwag sanang kalimutan ng mga organizers ang pagpapaliwanag sa kahalagahan ng sakripisyo ni Ninoy.

Namulat tayo dahil kay Ninoy at sa mga bayani ng bayan na ibinuwis ang kanilang buhay alang-alang sa kalayaan.

Nagising tayo dahil kay Ninoy at sa mga bayani ng bayan na nakibaka sa larangang giyera alang-alang sa kapayapaan.

Nag-alsa tayo dahil kay Ninoy at sa mga bayani ng bayan na isinakripisyo ang kanilang kinabukasan upang manumbalik ang katarungan.

Ngayong nagsusumidhi ang kabulukan, ang korupsyon, ang kawalang hiyaan ng ating mga tinatawag na lider ng bayan,

Ngayong binubusabos tayo ng mga mandaraya dahilan sa ating kawalang ganang kumilos.

Ngayong ninanakawan tayo ng harap-harapan ng mga nagpapakilalang lider ng bayan,

Ngayong tila pinapatay tayo dahil sa mga polisiyang maka-sarili ng mga galamay ni Gloria,
kailangan pa ba natin ng isang Ninoy para tao mamulat?

Kailangan pa ba ng ilang giyerang pamumunuan ng mga bayani ng bayan para makamit ang kapayapaan?

Kailangan pa ba ng isang Ninoy upang maharap natin ang maladambuhalang kampon ng demonyo sa pangunguna ng isang demonyitang sanggol para sa panunumbalik ng katarungan?

Hindi na. Sa kamulatan natin sa mga kaganapan, sa ating nadadanasang hirap bunsod ng katiwalian, kabastusan, at kawalang kahiyaan nina Gloria, kanyang pamilya sampu ng kanilang mga galamay, hindi natin kailangan ang isang Ninoy.

Kailangan natin ng isang milyong Ninoy na tatayo, magbubuwis ng kinabukasan at susuong sa bukid ng pakikibaka hindi alang-alang sa kanilang sarili, kundi alang-alang sa kanilang mga anak, mga apo at mga magulang.

Ang naging laban ni Ninoy noon, laban mo rin ngayon.

Ultimate Fighting Instead of Cha-Cha

Let's do Ultimate Fighting instead of dancing the cha-cha. I'll be the very first one to go and storm the Bastille of Lost Dreams if Gloria continues pursuing her wet dreams of 20-20.

Her Enchanted Kingdom has to go NOW!!!!

I don't care if I have kids. I don't mind if I'll leave my lovely wife. And I really will not mind losing my job this time.

As I've told my students, we only have ONE life, and that life has to be devoted to a higher purpose. That higher purpose is preserve what's left of our tattered democracy.

This midget has been wrecking havoc since she assumed power in 2001. She destroyed our value systems, our culture, our economy, even our territorial integrity.

No leader has done that. She and her gang of greedy dwarfs have made a fool of democracy. She's credited of inventing patronage democracy--it's okey if you violate the Constitution for as long as you're in the circle of influence.

Enough is enough!!! There's a limit to what we can tolerate! We are being pissed by this midget. We've been slapped so many times by her dwarfs...and even spit on by her Big Bad Wolf cum golfer!!!

I have a song for Gloria and her greedy bunch:

(to the tune of Spice Girls)

"Stop right now, thank you very much,

we need somebody with the human touch

Hey Glo, always robbing us

Your time is up baby

go na lang sa Portugal..."

A Stolen Democracy

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

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

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

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

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

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

A Conversation at the Palace

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(Sec. Ermita now enters the room.)

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

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

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

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

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

Face Ermita.

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

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

Herr Enchanted: ” Pano si Barias?”

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

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

All rise: ” Yes ma’am!”

ARMM elections and Ces Kidnapping

There's a new TV commercial out there called "Bagong Simula". It's a collaborative work done by various artists and bands. See it and you'll probably appreciate it. Or, maybe not.

While ANC was airing this material, Gloria Labandera was busy trying to launder the dirty image of her political party. She's out there in Davao convening her allies and anointing Zaldy Ampatuan, the LAKAS-KAMPI bet for the ARMM elections. At the pulpit, she lambasted the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) and ordered the forces of evil to annihilate their fellow devils. So, this war in Sulu will just be between the forces of Shaitan ranged against the forces of Beelshebub. Lovely.

Informants told the NewPhilRevolution that Ces was released at that time to coincide with Gloria's foray in Mindanao. Notice how things developed truly fast after the kidnappers decided to pass on the deadline?

Did they paid money (probably not 15M as reported) upon strict orders from Malacanan since the president is arriving in Mindanao? Was that the reason for those two duffel bags which were handed by an attorney to an unnamed ASG member?

Do you notice the uncanny connection between the kidnapping and the ARMM elections? Is this what an ABS-CBN reporter referred to when she said that one of the reasons for Ces kidnapping is this ARMM elections?

Was Ces kidnapping a ploy by local politicians to get that presidential blessing? Or was it a fund-raising activity? Was it to highlight the plight of Suluanons before the global stage? Was the "betrayal" that Ces was referring to initiated by combined elements of the military and local politicians and used as bait to pressure Gloria to annoint the vice governor as ARMM candidate?

Going back...I don't see this ARMM elections as bagong simula for the peoples of Mindanao. Admit it..it's a fucked up place.

Art Yap Did'nt Get it

Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap was interviewed yesterday on the rising costs of rice. He's surprised why are we complaining when the price of a kilo of rice here costs "only" 35 to 45 pesos a kilo when overseas, he says, a kilo costs an average of 40 pesos. We should be thankful, he says.

Mr. Secretary, that is the most stupid and idiotic statement I have ever heard since the outbreak of this crisis. That, Mr. Secretary, is pure and simple callousness. It shows your lack of understanding of what's happening in this country today.

The issue, as your principal Gloria The Devil Infant says, is an issue of price. Yes, price. Why is it price? Because the average Pinoy can't afford the price of commercial rice, even if its "only" 35 pesos.

One needs at least 3,000 pesos just to eat enough rice for a month. This means that if I'm just being paid 10,000 pesos, I spend 30% of my income just for rice. How about electricity? How about viands? How about transportation? How about house rent? Or, how about the daily baon of my kids to school?

You and the rest of those who belong to the elite class would probably frown at 3,000. It could just be the equivalent of a day's restaurant bill. Or a fancy shoe.

For most of us, it's a struggle to get 3,000 pesos.

You are the worst agriculture secretary this country ever had. You don't know the issue. And you're simply too naive to even think that there's a majority of people right now who can't afford to eat what you're eating. You're simply not cut out for this job. Worst, you even have the gall to put yourself among the roster of senatoriables?

The people are not that stupid to vote a person like you in the senate. Or even in their barangays.

JDV's Protracted War

Former Speaker Joe de Venecia yesterday revealed that a golf game changed the complexion of the ZTE deal. He says that Gloria changed her mind when she played golf with the ZTE officials over at Shenzhen. He then cut himself short, saying that he needs to recover from his illness first before he can reveal other "juicy" details of the cancelled deal.

JDV is sick. JDV needs to recover. JDV is preparing for an all-out, long-drawn out war against his former principal, the lady beside the murky river. He wants to be physically fit before he cross swords with the devil infant.

Will he succeed in finally taking down this regime? Will groups traditionally opposed to Gloria finally sit down together and rally behind JDV?

Question---will this protracted war reach what it intends to achieve--strategic victory over the forces of evil? Will it finally put an end to a regime's lust for more power? Have these groups put their heads together and come up with a solution to the problem that is Gloria's mafia gang?

Let me propound some suggestions since this is the third jab at Gloria regarding this deal:

1. Groups need to reconsolidate their forces, especially those responsible for the Youth sector. They need to train and indoctrinate these groups to follow ONE specific agenda for change.
2. Groups need one media coordinating body that will manage info flow. Campaign should be uni-directional. Media cooperation should be paramount concern.
3. Groups need to solicit the support of traditional political groups such as the Liberal Party and business groups to strengthen the movement for change. Calls should not be change in 2010, rather, it should be change now to reflect the urgency of the call.

People are looking out for solutions. They already know that this regime seems to be promoting problems rather than solutions. Cosmetic changes are surely not the order of the day. There is a need for real change initiated by enlightened individuals. Let the New Class, the Intellectual Enrepreneurs, lead this charge this time.

Change the Old Boy's Club of Phil Politics Now, not in 2010

Cocoy wrote a passionate piece (see it on www.filipinovoices.com) on the challenges reformists like himself, face. What to do with a problem such as Gloria?

What do we do? Where do we go from here?

He talks about change. He laments on the failure of the opposition to present an alternative. He wrote about how the old boy’s club still dominates the political scene and continues to (mis) manage our affairs.

The club (or what the Black and White movement calls the “mafia”) controls the levers of power. The embodiment of their collective will is the State.

Cocoy’s solution is pragmatic---those who want change should band together and prepare for the 2010 elections. To change the system, he writes, we, who belong to the reformist constituency, must unite and form our own political party. Cocoy still believes in the elections as the most viable means for societal change.

I hate to say it, but Cocoy, you’re day dreaming.

You can’t replace the old boy’s club with another political party. You can’t overthrow these tradpols in just one scribble of a new name in the ballot. No.

Winston Churchill says, there’s nothing wrong with change if it’s in the right direction. Is forming a new political party the right direction for us to make?

I think not.

In this country, elections are the very machines of which the Elite classes use to perpetuate themselves in power. When faced with challenges against their rule, the old boy’s club rely on the once-tested alibi that things change through elections.

Elections are just subterfuges, a mirage that the elites use to counteract legitimate means towards real, meaningful changes.

Since the inception of the Philippine Republic, no substantial change have ever emerged from elections. No new leaders have been able to institute real changes because the very concept of elections is anathema to change.

Elections are cosmetic paradigms that promote lethargy and apathy among the people. It’s a concept that only works in strong, stable and unified nation-states, not in weak aristocratic frameworks such as the Philippine state.

We continue to be controlled by the Old Boy’s Club simply because we allow them to trick us with the promise of change through elections.

Elections work in the States because there is a strong citizenry who value individual freedoms and rights. Here, most of our people do not even know their rights. If you think that elections are the way to go, you’re obviously mistaken.

The old boy’s club will just use their paid hacks in the mold of Bedol to manipulate the elections. They would position their sons and daughters as “reformers” and trick you into believing that they’re the ones you’re looking for.

They would probably allow some cosmetic changes in the system, but expect none of them to really do some real, meaningful change.

Cocoy, we need a genuine revolution, not reform.

British critic Arnold Bennett writes that, “ any change, even a change for the better, is always accompanied by drawbacks and discomforts.”

We, in the reformist constituency, must recognize that violence is the precursor for change. It is not through peace that this society will change. No.

John Wallace Scott writes that those who expect moments of change to be comfortable and free of conflict have not learned their history.

Cocoy, since the time of our forebears, this debate on reform and revolution have already occupied their fertile minds. Rizal opposed revolution because for him, the times call for a deeper societal reform, not a swift and quick action as what Bonifacio wants.

Founders of that great and noble society of middle class birth, the Indios Bravos, encountered the same debate which led to its destruction.

Our times are different. Our era calls for a surgical precision for change.

We need change now, not later, no, not in 2010. If we post our hopes in 2010, we are, in effect, allowing this immorality, this canard, this monstrosity of a government to rule over the benevolents.

We need to act now and bring down the poster girl of that club.

We need the new Ilustrados to lead the people to revolt. We need new blood, yes, but not to be electoral candidates, no.

We need new cadres of a different mold, people of great integrity and of unassailable probity that would not hesitate to unsheath their swords and kill these bastards.

Lenin once said that for a revolution to succeed, it just needs at least seven professional revolutionaries.

Let’s form that group, that would kill with their pens, present fresh ideas for change and that would act in the best interest of the people, whom we want to serve.

Forget about this generation. Let’s train our sights to these young ones who went to Ayala last February. Hope rests in the youth, as what Rizal said.

Make fertile the soil that allows thousands, even millions of flowers to bloom. Start teaching the Youth now. Impart in them the flames of constructive dissent. Train them to use modern tools for fighting. Not in 2010. No. Revolution should have been done yesterday.

Don't Tear the Movement

The Black and White Movement protested when former president Erap went on stage during the inter-faith rally. I appeal to my comrades at the BWM not to give a big fuss out of this.

We must be laser focus on our fight now--THE ENEMY IS GLORIA. Our mission is for the restoration of morality in governance. If a person who formerly indulged in corruption has turned a new leaf, we must be forgiving and forget. The good Lord would appreciate it if we, the bearers of Truth and Light, give these former sinners the change to repent.

Let's again be focused. As soon as we get the people's victory, then, let's take a reckoning.

Onwards towards the people's victory!

Reflections

Snafus marked the 22nd year celebration of EDSA. One most significant was the snag in unfurling the Filipino flag. Alex Magno cynically remarked that snafus happen, those can't be avoided and we must not get too superstitious about it.

Well, I think Magno is well aware of how the Chinese view things political. They said that if God does'nt favor government anymore, signs in heaven are to be seen. In the last three weeks, we saw devastating natural disasters happening in areas where allies of Gloria reside. Are these the signs that we expect?

The military and police brass put forward a challenge to civil society. The challenge, they say, is for civil society to prove to them that, indeed, their commander-in-chief has lost the battle. Okey. Fair enough. What will they do then if 1 million people burst into the streets in the first week of March (the ides of March) and tell Gloria straight in her face that she has lost all moral authority to govern? Will they abandon her? I think not. They are too entrenched and too jaded. They too have lost the ability to see things in a different tack.

The CBCP will meet today to tackle the political issues of our era. Will they issue a stronger statement? Maybe. They saw how priests in their dioceses militate against the greed. Will, they too, join the calls for bigger demonstrations?

El Shaddai leader Mike Velarde said that he's in a period of reflection, obviously, studying the situation very keenly and thoroughly, as if his life depends on it. And it does really. Velarde is an opportunist. When he sees that the situation has changed quickly on the side of Gloria's enemies, he will issue the necessary statement. Or, he's just waiting for the CBCP to issue that statement?

Solita Monsod, that discredited economist who still support Gloria said she's not ready to go to the EDSA route again. Okey. So what? Media should not interview her again.

February Coup

A coup is in the offing. It would be as fast as lightning. And it will affect the corridors of power.

Sources within the palace are saying that JDV's days as a speaker are numbered. That's not news. We knew since last year that after the elections, Arroyo's allies will move for his ouster as speaker. This is the coup d'grace so to speak of this administration's plan to perpetually create divisions among constitutional bodies of the State, so that there is no credible and no strong force to launch any moves to unseat Gloria.

The palace factotums may have been telling JDV of their support, yet, the moves of Gloria and her Congress allies show how they are stabbing JDV in the back. No honor here among thieves. Congress is like showbiz---no permanent friends, only enemies.

As I wrote here, all these moves are geared towards implementing charter change. The goal of this administration is to push cha-cha to completion so that Gloria etal remains in power beyond 2010. JDV, through FVR, has given his thumbs down on cha-cha. Its not the ZTE probe. It's the possibility of JDV blocking any moves for Gloria's plan to be the first prime minister of a parliamentary Philippines that's causing all of these things.

If I am the speaker, I will resign now. I will publicly announce my dissatisfaction with gloria. Come to think of it, even if he does this, it will not change anything. JDV has been effectively neutralized.

Flash report: Esperon to be extended

I now understand why Esperon suddenly said there's no more destabilization. Former president Fidel V. Ramos just endorsed him for another term. In fact, Ramos even said that he has supported Esperon since Day One. So, its final. Esperon got what he wanted, another lease of life.

Tordersillas is right--Esperon etal just used the destab bogey for their own selfish ends. They are making Gloria hostage with these pronouncements. I bet my bottom dollar that during the time when these destabilization issues are being floated or being sensationalized by media, a deal or a slew of projects were pushed down the throat of GMA. I still don't have any inkling what they are but I'm sure it involves AFP modernization.

The question that I always wanted to ask but were afraid to know the answer is this--how will Esperon's enemies take this? Will they do something? Or they would just sit in one corner and cry?

Ramos still needs Esperon in government. For whatever reason, only the Fates know.

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.

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.

The Effects of the Big Glorietta Fart

Before it was C4. Now, its methane mixed with diesel. Police says that the Glorietta blast was a big fat fart. Quite funny.

But not as funny if we account for the eleven people dead. Government should take Ayala Land into account. The Ayala People should extend all assistance to the victims.

Who benefitted from all these?

If people think that Arroyo benefitted from all these, they're wrong. Conversely, Arroyo's reputation right now is in its all-high low. Despite what the police are saying, that this blast was probably a chemical explosion, people still blame Arroyo for the mess and wants her to resign.

I always ask taxi drivers what they think about what's happening and based on one-on-one surveys which I conduct everyday, they're all in unison--there's no other way out for Gloria but resignation. The issue of pay-offs or giving gifts to government officials really pissed a lot of people. People that I asked are not laughing nor are they treating these issues lightly. They're really pissed. And when people, especially the masa are pissed, then Gloria should take heed and resign.

With all these issues hounding her, Gloria should reconsider her position of staying on. Doronila is right. If Gloria resigns right now, she'll preserve whatever legacy she has and emerge a patriot. If she persists, then, expect an escalation of this conflict never seen before in the history of this country.

What are the possible scenarios we expect from all these?

1. After tomorrow's Senate probe, expect a revival of street protests and rallies. These protests will escalate to heights never before seen in both EDSA 1 and 2. The situation, based on objective analysis of existing conditions, is tantamount to the 1986 scenario. People are raring to protests now and it is just a matter of time. Groups should serve as the trigger.

People are saying that the military should move for the kill first before the people support them. I think this is feasible under present circumstances. A repeat of EDSA 1 is in order. I concur with this observation.

Beyond Erap

What's the reason why civil society groups decided not to support mass actions protesting the Erap's decision? The reason is, they want to move forward and push the anti-GMA initiatives to a higher stage, which is what we call strategic offensive. These groups does not want a comeback scenario; they want a different set of leaders to replace GMA. That's why the call was "You're Next" instead of "Let's protest Erap's conviction."

Come to think of it, this is more dangerous than protesting against Erap's conviction.

For one, this call encapsulates the overall theme that "our campaign is for change; not to protect the hide of one." Obviously, the ones behind civil society right now are what we call "third force". Let these two camps fight each other--we'll annihilate both of them anyway. So, slowly, the third force is showing its strength. However, what I see is a calibrated and measured movement. Meaning, there is really something cooking. And this bodes ill to the One In the Seat of Murky Pasig.

Will Gloria survive this? Maybe. Or maybe not. Let's just see. Let's just see when all of these things start to unravel itself in the coming days.