As I write this, there are now more than 70 people's organisations who already intimated their desire to participate in the December 12 interfaith rally. Rally organisers are expecting more groups and more people to join. As it stands, Manila Archbishop Cardinal Rosales has issued a statement in support of the rally. El Shaddai leader Mike Velarde already threw his hat into the derby, so does Jesus Is Lord Movement leader Ed Villanueva. Wagging tongues say, Velarde was urged by the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP). The question is--will the big Iglesia Ni Cristo group take active part as well? It's significant since the INC enjoys a wider constituency than El Shaddai and the Church is known for really delivering warm bodies (reminiscent of what they did in EDSA 1 and EDSA 2). As of the moment, there are some influential political leaders who are talking with some high INC officials. We still don't know if these talks will prosper.
I hate to say it but, I'll say it anyway--I shudder at the thought of a "spy" within the ranks of the anti-charter change and anti-Arroyo movement subverting this interfaith rally. I don't want to cast aspersions to the intentions of some of the religious groups, but, there is a possibility that one of them would, at the last minute, betray this. What would prevent, say El Shaddai leader Mike Velarde calling his flock not to attend the rally anymore since he and some Malacanang officials already made a "deal"? Remember that Presidential Political Adviser Gabby Claudio and Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita suggested a "clarificatory" meeting with Velarde anytime soon. The possibility of a Velarde/El Shaddai pullout is big. Think of this scenario:
This administration is known to subvert any big gathering such as this one. Everyone knows at the palace that if they fail to manage this huge anti-Gloria rally, this is bound to lead to something big, similar to the one in Thailand.
But, first things first---rally organisers should be able to gather as many people as possible to make this happen. To do just that, people should be psychologically prep up to go there. For people to go, they must think that this rally would lead to something wonderful afterwards. Meaning, it should be backed by the strongest and the most credible political and religious personalities. That's the psychology of the Filipino--he sides with whoever is the stronger force.
As of now, people think that this rally is REALLY big, because the political and religious personages are coming--former President Joseph Estrada, Velarde, Villanueva, Rosales, former government officials etc. Now, what if Malacanang maneuvers to destroy this formidable group? What if they enter into a compromise, say with the Catholic Church on the issue of Reproductive Health bill and Arroyo dangles her veto powers? Will we see Rosales (who has a niece inside the Palace) and Velarde (a brother, Mel, manages a government agency and you know the other interests) taking a back slide and instead of encouraging their people to go, they let them counter it instead? Again, I'm not casting aspersions against these people, but hey, this is politics. And in politics, anything can happen.
Backsliding has happened in the past. Velarde has backslided so many times already that I don't remember these incidences anymore. Remember, more than a religious preacher, Velarde is a savvy political operator. He's a survivor of many administrations. I just hope that Velarde knows where he really stands and has the balls to really take his commitments on this seriously. Otherwise, if Velarde will just use this as a negotiating tool, then, rally organisers should prepare for a Plan B to counter a possible backsliding.
Now, who actually controls Velarde and Rosales? Are they their own man? Velarde, as you know, is a consummate businessman. While, Rosales (who is sickly) is not someone with a solid political belief. This is the thing. More influential leaders, say Ramos, JDV and Estrada should exert their influence over these two leaders and assure them that something is really going to happen that would change the political landscape and affect the very political futures of the present status quo.
IN the case of the INC, there should be a wide
Showing posts with label JDV. Show all posts
Showing posts with label JDV. Show all posts
Friday, December 5, 2008
Monday, June 2, 2008
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.
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.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
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.
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.
Friday, March 7, 2008
That piece of land called Spratlys
As I wrote here and in my other blog redbluethoughts.today.com, Arroyo has indeed committed a grave travesty of justice when she entered into an agreement for joint exploration of the Spratlys with China. Everybody knows that China is suffering from a power crunch. The demands for power increases as one's economy expands and grows. That's why demands for crude on a global scale has reached 100 dollars a barrel because of China and other economies.
JDV defended this agreement, saying that it was a "political solution" to prevent a further escalation of hostilities in the region. If, as JDV says, that agreement is indeed a political solution, why was it not crafted in accordance with the ASEAN solution? It should have been submitted for consultation with other claimant nations, given the sensitivities of the issue. But, no. The Philippines, being a weak state, was forced into a situation where it can't really extricate itself from a very dangerous situation.
Also, the agreement called for exploration of a place within Philippine territory where claimant nations cannot lay claim on. That place, which is near the Malampaya oil exploration site, is not, I say, not within the purview of claims. So, indeed, that agreement infringed on the territorial integrity of the Philippines and should be closely scrutinized by the Senate and other bodies.
Effects of such investigation
The Senate, under the Constitution, has the power to review executive agreements such as these. However, the Senate should tread so lightly as to not affect the sensitivities of other nations.
In the case of China, the Senate should not be cowed by light threats from Arroyo that it could affect relations with the emerging giant. China needs us more than we need them. We have a huge market, one of the biggest in the region. If Chinese traders lose this market, they would lose billions and billions of dollars worth of investment. So, we have an ace in our sleeves. Likewise, our strategic location affords them an easy access to the US mainland.
In these two reasons alone, that is enough for us to gain concessions from China, instead of China, asking for concessions from us. Why is this administration so subservient to China?
Because of pressure coming from business groups close to this administration. They have businesses in the mainland which could be affected by these inquiries.
Solution
Groups should sacrifice Arroyo. All these things are being forced into the open because of the graft and corruption of her administration. It would be very expedient to all these groups to cut Arroyo's head now before all these other agreements are revealed for all the world to see.
They must act now before its too late.
These things convince me further that Arroyo's numbers are up.
JDV defended this agreement, saying that it was a "political solution" to prevent a further escalation of hostilities in the region. If, as JDV says, that agreement is indeed a political solution, why was it not crafted in accordance with the ASEAN solution? It should have been submitted for consultation with other claimant nations, given the sensitivities of the issue. But, no. The Philippines, being a weak state, was forced into a situation where it can't really extricate itself from a very dangerous situation.
Also, the agreement called for exploration of a place within Philippine territory where claimant nations cannot lay claim on. That place, which is near the Malampaya oil exploration site, is not, I say, not within the purview of claims. So, indeed, that agreement infringed on the territorial integrity of the Philippines and should be closely scrutinized by the Senate and other bodies.
Effects of such investigation
The Senate, under the Constitution, has the power to review executive agreements such as these. However, the Senate should tread so lightly as to not affect the sensitivities of other nations.
In the case of China, the Senate should not be cowed by light threats from Arroyo that it could affect relations with the emerging giant. China needs us more than we need them. We have a huge market, one of the biggest in the region. If Chinese traders lose this market, they would lose billions and billions of dollars worth of investment. So, we have an ace in our sleeves. Likewise, our strategic location affords them an easy access to the US mainland.
In these two reasons alone, that is enough for us to gain concessions from China, instead of China, asking for concessions from us. Why is this administration so subservient to China?
Because of pressure coming from business groups close to this administration. They have businesses in the mainland which could be affected by these inquiries.
Solution
Groups should sacrifice Arroyo. All these things are being forced into the open because of the graft and corruption of her administration. It would be very expedient to all these groups to cut Arroyo's head now before all these other agreements are revealed for all the world to see.
They must act now before its too late.
These things convince me further that Arroyo's numbers are up.
Saturday, February 9, 2008
Why Nograles?
I forgot to write about the change in the speakership. Cong. Rodriguez whom I admire because he gave me a signed copy of his book on Intellectual Property rights when he was a dean of the San Sebastian law school, said that the reason he supported Nograles was because of him being a Mindanawnon. I am wont to criticize Mr. Rodriguez since it is quite apparent that he did it for the idealism. A first termer, Rodriguez probably is so naive to think that his vote would result to huge sums of monies going to his district very soon. If he thinks that way, then, probably others naive as himself also did the same.
Patronage is very apt to describe the Philippine political system. Congressmen exchange their idealism for a few crumbs in the presidential table. Since the president control the road users tax, Congressmen are "obliged" to pay homage to the palace. They have exchanged the independence of Congress for gold. Why?
Because the people expect the Congressmen to perform. How would Congressmen, like Rodriguez, a first termer, perform if they don't have funds to support their projects? These projects will chart their political futures. If they want a career in politics, they better astound the people with their basketball courts, their farm-to-market roads, their public plazas, lighted streets and even ports. They need to give support to their hungry constituents with occasional support for fiestas, funerals and the like.
This is the reality. No one worth his salt would use his own money to fund these things. Rodriguez is one of them. And traditionally, Mindanawnons receive just ten percent of the GAA (General Appropriations Act) budget which is a pittance compared to the ones being received by the Luzon-based congressmen and even the Visayan-based congressmen.
So the systemic cycle continues--people expecting congressmen to perform, congressmen then goes to the palace to ask for funds and of course, the palace expects congressmen to toe the line so to speak. This is pathetic.
Why Nograles?
Nograles has shown his lapdog character early on in his political career. He is an able lieutenant, the kind that would be satisfied with a few crumbs being thrown at him by his principals, who, of course, includes the First Family. If at all, Nograles would do to change congress, he will change congress from an independent constitutional body to a highly patronizing and totally enslaved House of robots.
Nograles is there also to emphasize what this administration wants---charter change. Nograles is the best guy to articulate this because the palace has maintained the line that the reason why we need cha-cha is to help Mindanaonons like him. Definitely, Nograles will soon initiate charter change and would use his being a Mindanaonon to justify it.
Clever. But not quite.
Nograles does not have the political savvyness of JDV to counter opposition to cha-cha. Nograles, for all his posturings, does not command respect among the people, much less, civil society. Nograles is an expensive proposition. Why? Because everytime that he will ask for support, he would need millions from Razon and the First Family to do it. He does not have political capital for to have this, he must have very strong relations with these congressmen, meaning, they should at least have times when they spent it doing political battles together. Obviously, Nograles was just a lieutenant of JDV during those political battles. He is not a tried and tested general. He is an ass-licker yes, but to lick the asses of 240 people in Congress takes time.
Patronage is very apt to describe the Philippine political system. Congressmen exchange their idealism for a few crumbs in the presidential table. Since the president control the road users tax, Congressmen are "obliged" to pay homage to the palace. They have exchanged the independence of Congress for gold. Why?
Because the people expect the Congressmen to perform. How would Congressmen, like Rodriguez, a first termer, perform if they don't have funds to support their projects? These projects will chart their political futures. If they want a career in politics, they better astound the people with their basketball courts, their farm-to-market roads, their public plazas, lighted streets and even ports. They need to give support to their hungry constituents with occasional support for fiestas, funerals and the like.
This is the reality. No one worth his salt would use his own money to fund these things. Rodriguez is one of them. And traditionally, Mindanawnons receive just ten percent of the GAA (General Appropriations Act) budget which is a pittance compared to the ones being received by the Luzon-based congressmen and even the Visayan-based congressmen.
So the systemic cycle continues--people expecting congressmen to perform, congressmen then goes to the palace to ask for funds and of course, the palace expects congressmen to toe the line so to speak. This is pathetic.
Why Nograles?
Nograles has shown his lapdog character early on in his political career. He is an able lieutenant, the kind that would be satisfied with a few crumbs being thrown at him by his principals, who, of course, includes the First Family. If at all, Nograles would do to change congress, he will change congress from an independent constitutional body to a highly patronizing and totally enslaved House of robots.
Nograles is there also to emphasize what this administration wants---charter change. Nograles is the best guy to articulate this because the palace has maintained the line that the reason why we need cha-cha is to help Mindanaonons like him. Definitely, Nograles will soon initiate charter change and would use his being a Mindanaonon to justify it.
Clever. But not quite.
Nograles does not have the political savvyness of JDV to counter opposition to cha-cha. Nograles, for all his posturings, does not command respect among the people, much less, civil society. Nograles is an expensive proposition. Why? Because everytime that he will ask for support, he would need millions from Razon and the First Family to do it. He does not have political capital for to have this, he must have very strong relations with these congressmen, meaning, they should at least have times when they spent it doing political battles together. Obviously, Nograles was just a lieutenant of JDV during those political battles. He is not a tried and tested general. He is an ass-licker yes, but to lick the asses of 240 people in Congress takes time.
Protection
Protection is the new old term being used by everybody in Philippine society today. When asked why police abducted Lozada, PNP chief Razon said cops were just trying to "protect" him. When Lozada testified before the Senate yesterday, he revealed that the reason why the ZTE deal ballooned to an astounding 325 million dollars was "Abalos was just trying to "protect" his 130 million dollar commission. The nuns and civil society witnessed Lozada's testimonty, saying they were trying to "protect" him from the evil forces of the state.
JDV in his valedictory speech before Congress told how he and his partymates "protected" Arroyo from being impeached many times. He was unprepared though to be ousted himself. Senator Cayetano asked Arroyo to "resign or go on leave" to "protect" the integrity of the ZTE investigation.
Now, the chief of the Eastern Police District Supt. Nilo de la Cruz are mobilizing his men to "protect" the EDSA shrine. The state recognizes that the explosive tenor of Lozada's Senate testimony might again see huge throngs of people going to the shrine to oust Arroyo. Dela Cruz said, they want to "protect" the Shrine from the people.
So this word protection was used for:
1. Protecting a person (i.e. Lozada and Arroyo)
2. Commissions (like what Abalos did in ZTE)
3. Impeachment (JDV did that to Arroyo before finally being ousted himself)
4. Integrity (Cayetano is asking Arroyo to at least find the temerity to be ethical)
5. Monuments (EDSA Shrine and the Mendiola bridge)
So we now see the state transforming itself as a garrison state, the kind that only exists in dictatorial regimes. The use of the word admits being attacked or being in a vulnerable state. Both sides (the side of Arroyo and the anti-Arroyos) are protecting themselves from each other, belying the fact that, indeed, both groups are now gearing up for a major fight.
What this means to all of us?
Both groups are appealing to the powerful neutrals for support. The fight between the Arroyo mafia and the Anti-Arroyo groups have now reached strategic neutrality. Contrary to belief, Arroyo is not as powerful as she thinks she is. In one swift stroke, Arroyo's position has changed from the most powerful political leader to a slowly marginalized leader.
I am revising my earlier observation that, Arroyo can't be ousted from any political act. The Lozada episode exposed the weakness of Arroyo. This action of a few nuns and priests from La Salle showed how vulnerable this administration is. It is just a small group of God-fearing men and women who stood up to challenge a dimunitive yet powerful personage such as Arroyo.
It is now, a matter of time and a matter of resources for this thing to snowball. Korina Sanchez asked the most relevant question--where do we go from here? Many people are thinking that this could spell the end of this regime. The Makati Business Club and JDV predicted this to be so. When two of the most powerful voices talk about being ousted, this administration should listen and take the cue. Historically, when both the business sector and the militant religious merge, this means that a campaign is in the offing and we should take this very seriously.
Let me say that the political situation has drastically changed for Mrs. Arroyo. Her fate as a leader now lies in its perilous state, more vulnerable than other previous attempts. Why? Because Lozada has provided the dramatis causa so to speak, that could galvanize public anger and turn it into a huge mass of dissenters. When people are angry inside and they don't find an outlet fast to show their anger, this has very dangerous security implications because it would manifest itself in other forms.
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Arroyo's Chavit
Former speaker Joe de Venecia's wife Gina allegedly texted Congressman Mikey Arroyo last year. The text was a question. It was a question of motives. Gina was asking Mikey why they want to oust her husband from power. That text reportedly prompted the Arroyos to move against the speaker.
Such rumors are humorous. I don't believe that that was the reason why JDV was ousted. I believe that Congressmen allied with JDV received huge sums of money amounting to at least 1 million pesos to support the ouster move. Likewise, I believe that JDV was removed because (a) JDV was cornering the huge multi-million dollar deals at the DOTC (Northrail, etal) and (b) JDV will never agree on cha-cha if he'll not become the first prime minister.
There are interesting things about this whole thing that needs some mentioning:
(a) JDV's posturings show that he is gearing for a major, serious dig at the center of power with the help of the opposition. JDV will rock this administration with his exposes, like what Chavit did during the time of Estrada. All these things have the hallmark of EDSA 2. JDV is now serving as Arroyo's Chavit. But, for what reason?
There is a higher agenda behind all these moves. And the agenda is the establishment of a Thai-type of governance either during this month or before the end of Esperon's term. Mark my words.
The group of JDV and the Arroyos have been gearing for war since late last year. And it was not because of ZTE. At stake is the bragging rights of becoming the major political force of this country.
Such rumors are humorous. I don't believe that that was the reason why JDV was ousted. I believe that Congressmen allied with JDV received huge sums of money amounting to at least 1 million pesos to support the ouster move. Likewise, I believe that JDV was removed because (a) JDV was cornering the huge multi-million dollar deals at the DOTC (Northrail, etal) and (b) JDV will never agree on cha-cha if he'll not become the first prime minister.
There are interesting things about this whole thing that needs some mentioning:
(a) JDV's posturings show that he is gearing for a major, serious dig at the center of power with the help of the opposition. JDV will rock this administration with his exposes, like what Chavit did during the time of Estrada. All these things have the hallmark of EDSA 2. JDV is now serving as Arroyo's Chavit. But, for what reason?
There is a higher agenda behind all these moves. And the agenda is the establishment of a Thai-type of governance either during this month or before the end of Esperon's term. Mark my words.
The group of JDV and the Arroyos have been gearing for war since late last year. And it was not because of ZTE. At stake is the bragging rights of becoming the major political force of this country.
Arroyo is the strongest Philippine leader today
Vowing never to go silently, Joe de Venecia made an hour long scathing speech against his former protege, Arroyo. Threatening to expose the anomalies of government, De Venecia slammed Arroyo's administration for graft and corruption and abuse of power. After his valedictory address, the gallery exploded to applause.
Many praise him for what he did. Others, especially those congressmen who were his former allies, criticized him for attacking the president.
Davao Congressman Nograles is the new speaker. Nograles remarked that his election as speaker could be fate. For me, it's not. He got what he wanted by kissing the behind of Arroyo.
What can we make of this things?
First, the ouster of JDV show how strong and how resilient this administration has become. Mrs. Gloria Arroyo is the strongest Philippine leader today. Her position has been further strengthened by this because it shows that she can actually oust even a JDV, a former strong ally.
Its a signal to her other enemies or detractors that she can practically do anything that she wants now. She has strengthened her own party Kampi. By effectively raiding Lakas, Arroyo has made a new party out of the one she considered as her own for so many years.
Second, the lack or absence of dissent from civil society shows how strong Arroyo has become. It signals to her and her lapdogs to actually do whatever they want to perpetuate themselves to power even after 2010.
I bet that the next move of Arroyo etal would be to start the cha-cha train. Nobody can stop Arroyo now from becoming the longest reigning president this country ever had. No other group or force or personality can oust Arroyo now.
With all
Many praise him for what he did. Others, especially those congressmen who were his former allies, criticized him for attacking the president.
Davao Congressman Nograles is the new speaker. Nograles remarked that his election as speaker could be fate. For me, it's not. He got what he wanted by kissing the behind of Arroyo.
What can we make of this things?
First, the ouster of JDV show how strong and how resilient this administration has become. Mrs. Gloria Arroyo is the strongest Philippine leader today. Her position has been further strengthened by this because it shows that she can actually oust even a JDV, a former strong ally.
Its a signal to her other enemies or detractors that she can practically do anything that she wants now. She has strengthened her own party Kampi. By effectively raiding Lakas, Arroyo has made a new party out of the one she considered as her own for so many years.
Second, the lack or absence of dissent from civil society shows how strong Arroyo has become. It signals to her and her lapdogs to actually do whatever they want to perpetuate themselves to power even after 2010.
I bet that the next move of Arroyo etal would be to start the cha-cha train. Nobody can stop Arroyo now from becoming the longest reigning president this country ever had. No other group or force or personality can oust Arroyo now.
With all
Thursday, January 31, 2008
The die has been cast
If Speaker Joe thinks that a meeting with Arroyo would solve his predicament, he's mistaken. The die has been cast. These Congressmen who signed the manifesto can't back out from their commitments. Speaker Joe must understand that his fall is inevitable because Arroyo can't back out from her commitment with these congressmen.
Reports say, Arroyo and JDV entered into a truce. I don't believe that Arroyo will honor this truce. Why? Because if she backs down now, she'll lose considerable power. How would those who signed the manifesto feel? They already exposed themselves. They risk a backlash from the camp of JDV. When they signed that manifesto, they were placing themselves into the lion's den and opened themselves to attack. What about those favours dispensed and promises given to these congressmen just to support the ouster call? What will happen to them?
Also, if Arroyo gives JDV time to recover, JDV could turncoat and support initiatives for Arroyo's impeachment. Sources say, civil society groups are preparing a more solid impeachment complaint against Arroyo. Because of this maneuverings, JDV could support such a complaint and eventually lead to Arroyo's fall before the year ends.
As I've said, Arroyo is at the zenith of her power now. She's the strongest leader now. If she decides to abandon her moves of ousting JDV, she will lose the momentum and could open herself to an ouster attempt.
I can't wait for Monday.
Reports say, Arroyo and JDV entered into a truce. I don't believe that Arroyo will honor this truce. Why? Because if she backs down now, she'll lose considerable power. How would those who signed the manifesto feel? They already exposed themselves. They risk a backlash from the camp of JDV. When they signed that manifesto, they were placing themselves into the lion's den and opened themselves to attack. What about those favours dispensed and promises given to these congressmen just to support the ouster call? What will happen to them?
Also, if Arroyo gives JDV time to recover, JDV could turncoat and support initiatives for Arroyo's impeachment. Sources say, civil society groups are preparing a more solid impeachment complaint against Arroyo. Because of this maneuverings, JDV could support such a complaint and eventually lead to Arroyo's fall before the year ends.
As I've said, Arroyo is at the zenith of her power now. She's the strongest leader now. If she decides to abandon her moves of ousting JDV, she will lose the momentum and could open herself to an ouster attempt.
I can't wait for Monday.
Gloria's Grand Plan
Its mopping up time for Gloria and this administration. Neutralize political rivals is the name of the game. I just got this letter from the palace. Read it.
My dear allies,
RE: Grand Plan for the Establishment of an Arroyo Monarchy
Raid the political parties. Sow intrigues. Create divisions at the Liberal Party. Make Kiko (who's a serious supporter of Gloria) resign as party chairman. That way, Mar's hold will be questioned publicly.
Dangle the possibility of being an administration candidate come 2010 to Villar's Nacionalista Party. That way, you hold him by his neck.
Maintain cordial relations with Erap. Divide the opposition by telling Noli to go there and muddle the political pond a little bit. Lure Legarda to Lakas via the NPC route. That way, she can't really do anything else.
While the parties fight each other, plan for JDV's ouster. Since every party has been neutralized already, these people will avoid JDV like a plague. He'll lose support. JDV will use the ZTE probe as an ace. Ah, that's nothing. The ZTE controversy has died down already. With civil society divided and effectively silenced, no one will mass up support behind JDV. Let's soften JDV a little bit and whittle him down to size.
Let's tell him that we support him, yet I'll ask my sons to go on a recruitment binge for a numbers war. By this count, we are at 100 already. Tell Nograles to just sit down and wait. His time will come.
Oh, we forgot FVR. Let's invite him to attend international conferences so that he'll be busy attending all these worthless conventions. Make him feel relevant. That way, he'll forget about his beleaguered Pangalatok. Make FVR feel that he still has power. That way, we'll continue to control him.
When all of these things are over, we will be the most powerful political group in the country. And i'll be forever Queen. hahahaha!
Sincerely,
Gloria "Hello Garci" Arroyo
My dear allies,
RE: Grand Plan for the Establishment of an Arroyo Monarchy
Raid the political parties. Sow intrigues. Create divisions at the Liberal Party. Make Kiko (who's a serious supporter of Gloria) resign as party chairman. That way, Mar's hold will be questioned publicly.
Dangle the possibility of being an administration candidate come 2010 to Villar's Nacionalista Party. That way, you hold him by his neck.
Maintain cordial relations with Erap. Divide the opposition by telling Noli to go there and muddle the political pond a little bit. Lure Legarda to Lakas via the NPC route. That way, she can't really do anything else.
While the parties fight each other, plan for JDV's ouster. Since every party has been neutralized already, these people will avoid JDV like a plague. He'll lose support. JDV will use the ZTE probe as an ace. Ah, that's nothing. The ZTE controversy has died down already. With civil society divided and effectively silenced, no one will mass up support behind JDV. Let's soften JDV a little bit and whittle him down to size.
Let's tell him that we support him, yet I'll ask my sons to go on a recruitment binge for a numbers war. By this count, we are at 100 already. Tell Nograles to just sit down and wait. His time will come.
Oh, we forgot FVR. Let's invite him to attend international conferences so that he'll be busy attending all these worthless conventions. Make him feel relevant. That way, he'll forget about his beleaguered Pangalatok. Make FVR feel that he still has power. That way, we'll continue to control him.
When all of these things are over, we will be the most powerful political group in the country. And i'll be forever Queen. hahahaha!
Sincerely,
Gloria "Hello Garci" Arroyo
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.
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.
Friday, January 18, 2008
Conspiracy of silence
Esperon says there’s a coup and he should be believed. In fact, says the teary-eyed Esperon, five ex-soldiers were arrested. Unknown to Esperon, three have been released. It was funny that Esperon should use these ex-soldiers. Imagine, accusing them of planning a coup when all the arresting officers can show are three rusty rifles. Yeah, three rifles for a coup? Come on Espy!
Eight hundred rallyists were prevented from going to the EDSA Shrine. Farmers are also barred from Mendiola, the traditional gathering place of those who want change. Manila mayor Alfredo Lim rejected earlier requests for militants to go to Mendiola on January 22 to commemorate the Mendiola massacre. Militants are dreaming. How would they be able to convince the one who actually headed the team which mowed the farmers down in the first place?
FVR, JDV and Kenney were conspicuously absent today in Malacanan. A palace factotum says, Kenney is in Zamboanga, playing tourist guide with two US legislators. I just don't buy it why a Malacanan functionary would assume the role of a US spokesman for a diplomat. It makes no sense. There was no explanation nor alibi given on behalf of FVR and JDV.
Civil society groups are keeping their mouths shut about these destabilization. However, its odd why the confirmation of a coup came from an unlikely source, Joma. Joma said that Arroyo would not finish her term because groups are out to get her head.
If I base my observations on what's going on, it points to just one thing: there's a revolutionary situation. Though there's a conspiracy right now of these groups on what their motivation really lies, it seems that their actions point to a confirmation of earlier reports. I remember of a similar strategy used against Erap in 2001. Erap was also saying how strong and how stable his position was until the forces of civil society overwhelmed him, forcing him out of power.
COPA is silent now. Even other groups known to oppose Arroyo. Groups seem to be keeping their aces close to their chests. This means that they're dead serious and fully capable of toppling this regime.
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
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.
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.
Monday, November 12, 2007
Conditions are ripe for a coup; JDV stands to lose everything
Manolo may not believe that a coup is imminent but I say again, the conditions which justify a military takeover exist. Compared with 1989, 1990, 2004 and 2006, the present conditions are ripe for a government run by military leaders. It may not be apparent, given that "mutinous" soldiers, as what Manolo wrote in his blog: www.quezon.ph, submitted themselves to the legal processes, nonetheless, the "acts" being shown right now by the United Forces and the rebel detainees bear uncanny, pre-conceived actions.
Today, the officers being tried walked out of their hearing, in defiance with the way they are being treated in the court martial.(see Ellen Tordesillas blog). Legislators who filed an impeachment complaint against Arroyo also walked out of the justice committee hearings. These are, obviously, symbolic acts of defiance which is expected to lead into something more than merely walking out of "illegal" proceedings. It shows that people are manifesting overt acts of dissent. These pockets of resistance do not happen overnight. These are planned actions.
Do I believe that these actions are just "isolated", "autonomous" incidents? No. Do I believe that their actions are in someway connected and coordinated? Yes. The mere fact that these groups operated under the new name "United Forces", says much about the solid desire of the people behind them (especially those financing these actions) to really oust Arroyo.
I do agree with one observation of Manolo though that Arroyo might survive all these events and course smoothly to 2010. This may happen for three (3) reasons: First, groups fail to create conditions necessary for the growth of a critical mass. Doronila is right in saying that there is no critical mass at this point. Yet, we can't discount the possibility that, days or weeks right now, a critical mass might develop. At this point, acts of the United Forces fail to animate the emotions of even the middle classes. What do these things indicate? In a traditional purview, it may mean that people are tired of going and marching to EDSA. As I've said, surveys show that people are quite tired of the constitutional, EDSA way that they would welcome an extra-constitutional means of ousting Arroyo.
Second, rebels fail to court a sizeable number of "recruits" to stage an act of defiance among military ranks. Do we see a repeat of a "We Belong" at the PMA this homecoming? Maybe. Or maybe not. It depends whether there are still idealists within the Academy who have the "balls" so to speak to do what their predecessors did in 1985. Lastly, if traditional politicians decide not to join these actions. Its unfortunate that Senators Escudero and Cayetano continue keeping their silence despite what Philippine Star columnist Willy Esposo described our situation as "pre Civil War" times. Escudero and Cayetano are still "star-struck" so to speak; still overjoyed by their "victories". Or, to make a better description, still in rapture on their success in deceiving the people. Those who speak out now comes from unexpected politicians--Roxas and Pangilinan--who were previously accused of being pro-Arroyo.
Arroyo's fate now depends on how weak or how strong her enemies are at the moment. These groups need a new strategy to oust Arroyo. If they use the old EDSA formula, they may not succeed in what they want. Worst, they may lose momentum because their ranks remain weak.
If these groups procrastinate and fail to seize the moment, they may yet see a stronger GMA emerging from the seige unscathed. A stronger GMA might not entertain the idea of giving up power come 2010. This is a very strong possibility given the posturings being shown by Arroyo and the acts being done by her allies especially in Congress and in the business community.
If this happens, I say to the soldiers detained there in Tanay--kiss your liberties goodbye. I also say these to the groups opposing GMA--be prepared to lose a sizeable chunk of your constituencies and prepared to be dispensable, powerless, and irrelevant groups next year until 2010.
JDV is the loser
As I wrote in previous entries, the clear loser of all of these is JDV. JDV stands to lose everything not because of his son but because of his own wrongdoing. He remains a fool, compromising his strong position and continuing to support his enemy. Look at what he did today at the WBC convention. The video of ABS-CBN says it all--JDV sat miles apart GMA. Yet, when the media interviewed him, he told them the say trapo way of courtsying GMA. What a dumb move. GMA's allies are attacking him left and right, her operators slowly destroying him in Congress, yet, JDV remains unresponsive. JDV is certain to lose the speakership. And this is NOT a ruse. Events have shown that actions are being taken to isolate and weaken JDV. If JDV does not act now, he will surely lose the speakership to Fuentebella, a known Danding crony.
Winners
I say again, JDV is out. If reports are true that the reason why the tripartite groups of GMA, FVR and JDV agreed to keep their coalition intact was the promise of GMA to assist FVR and JDV to a transition from presidential to parliamentary, the two elders should be ready to lose their shirts. GMA does not have the will to court widespread revolt if she tries this. I say this again, GMA is not ready to rock the boat further by forcing the parliamentary proposition to the people. It would be foolhardy for the two Pangalatoks to trust GMA to do this. The obvious winners now, in 2010 and even in post-2010 will surely be Kampi, GMA and FG. Mark my word.
Today, the officers being tried walked out of their hearing, in defiance with the way they are being treated in the court martial.(see Ellen Tordesillas blog). Legislators who filed an impeachment complaint against Arroyo also walked out of the justice committee hearings. These are, obviously, symbolic acts of defiance which is expected to lead into something more than merely walking out of "illegal" proceedings. It shows that people are manifesting overt acts of dissent. These pockets of resistance do not happen overnight. These are planned actions.
Do I believe that these actions are just "isolated", "autonomous" incidents? No. Do I believe that their actions are in someway connected and coordinated? Yes. The mere fact that these groups operated under the new name "United Forces", says much about the solid desire of the people behind them (especially those financing these actions) to really oust Arroyo.
I do agree with one observation of Manolo though that Arroyo might survive all these events and course smoothly to 2010. This may happen for three (3) reasons: First, groups fail to create conditions necessary for the growth of a critical mass. Doronila is right in saying that there is no critical mass at this point. Yet, we can't discount the possibility that, days or weeks right now, a critical mass might develop. At this point, acts of the United Forces fail to animate the emotions of even the middle classes. What do these things indicate? In a traditional purview, it may mean that people are tired of going and marching to EDSA. As I've said, surveys show that people are quite tired of the constitutional, EDSA way that they would welcome an extra-constitutional means of ousting Arroyo.
Second, rebels fail to court a sizeable number of "recruits" to stage an act of defiance among military ranks. Do we see a repeat of a "We Belong" at the PMA this homecoming? Maybe. Or maybe not. It depends whether there are still idealists within the Academy who have the "balls" so to speak to do what their predecessors did in 1985. Lastly, if traditional politicians decide not to join these actions. Its unfortunate that Senators Escudero and Cayetano continue keeping their silence despite what Philippine Star columnist Willy Esposo described our situation as "pre Civil War" times. Escudero and Cayetano are still "star-struck" so to speak; still overjoyed by their "victories". Or, to make a better description, still in rapture on their success in deceiving the people. Those who speak out now comes from unexpected politicians--Roxas and Pangilinan--who were previously accused of being pro-Arroyo.
Arroyo's fate now depends on how weak or how strong her enemies are at the moment. These groups need a new strategy to oust Arroyo. If they use the old EDSA formula, they may not succeed in what they want. Worst, they may lose momentum because their ranks remain weak.
If these groups procrastinate and fail to seize the moment, they may yet see a stronger GMA emerging from the seige unscathed. A stronger GMA might not entertain the idea of giving up power come 2010. This is a very strong possibility given the posturings being shown by Arroyo and the acts being done by her allies especially in Congress and in the business community.
If this happens, I say to the soldiers detained there in Tanay--kiss your liberties goodbye. I also say these to the groups opposing GMA--be prepared to lose a sizeable chunk of your constituencies and prepared to be dispensable, powerless, and irrelevant groups next year until 2010.
JDV is the loser
As I wrote in previous entries, the clear loser of all of these is JDV. JDV stands to lose everything not because of his son but because of his own wrongdoing. He remains a fool, compromising his strong position and continuing to support his enemy. Look at what he did today at the WBC convention. The video of ABS-CBN says it all--JDV sat miles apart GMA. Yet, when the media interviewed him, he told them the say trapo way of courtsying GMA. What a dumb move. GMA's allies are attacking him left and right, her operators slowly destroying him in Congress, yet, JDV remains unresponsive. JDV is certain to lose the speakership. And this is NOT a ruse. Events have shown that actions are being taken to isolate and weaken JDV. If JDV does not act now, he will surely lose the speakership to Fuentebella, a known Danding crony.
Winners
I say again, JDV is out. If reports are true that the reason why the tripartite groups of GMA, FVR and JDV agreed to keep their coalition intact was the promise of GMA to assist FVR and JDV to a transition from presidential to parliamentary, the two elders should be ready to lose their shirts. GMA does not have the will to court widespread revolt if she tries this. I say this again, GMA is not ready to rock the boat further by forcing the parliamentary proposition to the people. It would be foolhardy for the two Pangalatoks to trust GMA to do this. The obvious winners now, in 2010 and even in post-2010 will surely be Kampi, GMA and FG. Mark my word.
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
Open Letter to FVR
Dear Mr. President:
I am writing this letter because me and my family cannot seem to understand why you and your pangalatok buddy, JDV, decided to patch things up with Mrs. Arroyo. After making us excited when you spoke out against Arroyo, everybody felt that you’re suddenly regaining your old self, that principled man whom everybody loved back then in 86. Now, with this publicized “kiss and make up” picture with Arroyo, everybody now thinks that you’re just for show.
Yes, Mr. President. I am one among thousands who admired you. During your time, we experienced a brief moment of security and prosperity. You governed with honesty, with integrity, with vision and with passion. You made us feel proud again of being Filipinos. During your tenure, we had an efficient government. It was not without its problems, we know. Compared with Erap’s and now, with Arroyo’s, yours had the promise of being considered great by history.
Now, you with your signature thumbs-up sign are beginning to bore us. You and your posturings of being a statesman are starting to annoy us. You and your travels are signs that everything about you now is just that, a show. Admit it, you are just a shadow of your old self. And it’s surprising that you and your close advisers have chosen the path least taken— that of siding with the enemy of the people.
Were you ill-advised? Were you gullible? Are you now senile? Are you now blind, Mr. President? Or, have you lost your heart? You know what’s happening. You know how this administration continues to plunder the public coffers. You know how Arroyo continues to inflict harm upon us, your people.
Mr. Ramos, you are nowhere near the quality of your mentor, Mr. Lee Kuan Yew. You are not made of the stuff Mr. Lee is made of. It is quite unfortunate because Mr. Lee did not make a career out of the military, but you did. By condoning the sins of Mrs. Arroyo, you now partake of the dirty food she’s used to eat for more than six years now.
Mr. President, are you not ashamed of what you did? You’re supposed to be the leader of your generation. You’re supposed to be the model citizen of your generation. Now, what legacy would you leave for your grandchildren and your children’s children? What things will you now claim to bequeath us, your people? That we are supposed to side with the grafters, the corrupt people of our lifetime? That we’re supposed to forgive those who rob us of our monies, of our liberties, of our futures? Are we supposed to give our thumbs-up to those who kill principled people, to those who squander our hard-earned monies and give to those devils in Congress?
Mr. President, you have little time left. You’re what, seventy plus years old? Why did you decide to smear your clean record by continuing to side with Arroyo? Be cursed, Mr. Ramos. Cursed be the land you stand on.
Sincerely,
I am writing this letter because me and my family cannot seem to understand why you and your pangalatok buddy, JDV, decided to patch things up with Mrs. Arroyo. After making us excited when you spoke out against Arroyo, everybody felt that you’re suddenly regaining your old self, that principled man whom everybody loved back then in 86. Now, with this publicized “kiss and make up” picture with Arroyo, everybody now thinks that you’re just for show.
Yes, Mr. President. I am one among thousands who admired you. During your time, we experienced a brief moment of security and prosperity. You governed with honesty, with integrity, with vision and with passion. You made us feel proud again of being Filipinos. During your tenure, we had an efficient government. It was not without its problems, we know. Compared with Erap’s and now, with Arroyo’s, yours had the promise of being considered great by history.
Now, you with your signature thumbs-up sign are beginning to bore us. You and your posturings of being a statesman are starting to annoy us. You and your travels are signs that everything about you now is just that, a show. Admit it, you are just a shadow of your old self. And it’s surprising that you and your close advisers have chosen the path least taken— that of siding with the enemy of the people.
Were you ill-advised? Were you gullible? Are you now senile? Are you now blind, Mr. President? Or, have you lost your heart? You know what’s happening. You know how this administration continues to plunder the public coffers. You know how Arroyo continues to inflict harm upon us, your people.
Mr. Ramos, you are nowhere near the quality of your mentor, Mr. Lee Kuan Yew. You are not made of the stuff Mr. Lee is made of. It is quite unfortunate because Mr. Lee did not make a career out of the military, but you did. By condoning the sins of Mrs. Arroyo, you now partake of the dirty food she’s used to eat for more than six years now.
Mr. President, are you not ashamed of what you did? You’re supposed to be the leader of your generation. You’re supposed to be the model citizen of your generation. Now, what legacy would you leave for your grandchildren and your children’s children? What things will you now claim to bequeath us, your people? That we are supposed to side with the grafters, the corrupt people of our lifetime? That we’re supposed to forgive those who rob us of our monies, of our liberties, of our futures? Are we supposed to give our thumbs-up to those who kill principled people, to those who squander our hard-earned monies and give to those devils in Congress?
Mr. President, you have little time left. You’re what, seventy plus years old? Why did you decide to smear your clean record by continuing to side with Arroyo? Be cursed, Mr. Ramos. Cursed be the land you stand on.
Sincerely,
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
On the Issue of the Caretaker Government: My Answer to Ronin
A colleague in the blogger community commented on my proposition on the caretaker government. He says that this proposition poses more questions than answers. How will this caretaker government come about? If the forces at work conduct an extra-constitutional exercise, will the people accept it? If its through peaceful means, will it bring the expected results, that of meaningful change?
Legitimate questions demand legitimate answers.
Why Caretaker Government?
First, the damage wrought by the Arroyo administration on government institutions will require years of repair. The people's trust and confidence in the state's vital institutions has been destroyed. Surveys upon surveys reflect the people's collective disdain and mistrust on their leaders. This "virus" of distrust has infected the entire political machinery, from the barangay level to the highest post of the land.
For the State to survive a growing movement towards its abolition, the status quo needs a fresh set of faces to replace the old idiots. No one among our present set of civilian leaders show capability of leading the changes needed in our present times. Arroyo's time has come. She bungled the golden opportunity to be our shining hope. Instead of providing us guidance and vision, she led us to perdition. Obviously, we need her replacement immediately before our country turn from worse to worst.
Arroyo's replacement
Why a council instead of going to the constitutional route of succession? The reasons are obvious: no one is willing to take the reins of governance. The constitutional successor, Vice President de Castro risks a coup d'etat if he takes on the role of president. The elite disdain him despite having endeared himself to the masses. He has a big, booming voice but no vision to offer the people. His record as a corrupt mediaman still resonates among the people, despite years of being in the civil service.
Senate President Manny Villar is perceived by many as a compromiser and big businessman with obvious corporate goals than governance. Speaker Joe de Venecia's image as a compromiser and traditional politician still rings true, what with his public pronouncements of loyalty to the people's enemy Gloria.
Chief Justice Reynato Puno just rejected calls for him to lead the caretaker government. So, obviously, there is no other constitutional leader than can succeed Arroyo in the event of an ouster campaign. This leads us to answer the second question posed by Ronin.
Extra-Constitutional means
Since there is no other option left, those who thirst for changes in governance should accept the possibility of an extra-constitutional means for change. Why? Because given the circumstances and the present state of affairs, this option is clearly justified. Should these forces fail in their mission again of ousting Arroyo, we see the prospect of a prolonged conjugal dictatorship that would paralyze government for another three to five years. I will not mention anymore the effects of this in terms of national security, business and the like since I wrote about these things in this blog some weeks ago.
Composition of the Caretaker government
Political reality shows that no civilian leader is willing to take the enormous task of nation-building. This is a tacit admission by the civilian sector of failure to govern. Hence, this leads us to presume that the most logical set of leaders must come from the idealistic sector of the military. There must be a group of idealistic officers who will stand up and fight. They must be led by a charismatic leader who will manage the affairs of the state while the government is in its formative stage.
A senior council of national elders must be formed to provide direction to this set of military leaders. This council must be composed of previous presidents, like FVR. FVR, despite what people think of him, is the most fitting leader to lead this country again. Joe de Venecia is wrong when he said that Arroyo must do a Lee Kuan Yew and lead the cleansing of government. Arroyo does not have the competency nor the political mettle to lead a moral revolt. Among our set of leaders and elders, only FVR has the vision, the experience and the knowledge to lead this country with the idealistic military.
Another important component of this government must come from the academic community. The Philippines has hundreds of experts, specialists and technical people to lead this country to greatness. These technocrats and academics must bond together and assume responsible posts in government. The first mission of these academics should be the creation of a national ideology that would govern the country in the next decades.
The next important component of a caretaker government must emanate from legitimate civil society leaders and non-government organisations. These people must provide the government of their knowledge about the people's real needs so that policies are tempered and suits the masses. They provide the needed mass base for a caretaker government to survive any attempts by counter-revolutionaries.
Time frame
The caretaker government should lead this country for three years. Its mission should be the repair of the state's damaged institutions. Should forces fail again in their mission of ousting Arroyo, the ruling clique will again be emboldened and strengthened to think that they can rule this nation into infinitum, to the detriment of all.
Legitimate questions demand legitimate answers.
Why Caretaker Government?
First, the damage wrought by the Arroyo administration on government institutions will require years of repair. The people's trust and confidence in the state's vital institutions has been destroyed. Surveys upon surveys reflect the people's collective disdain and mistrust on their leaders. This "virus" of distrust has infected the entire political machinery, from the barangay level to the highest post of the land.
For the State to survive a growing movement towards its abolition, the status quo needs a fresh set of faces to replace the old idiots. No one among our present set of civilian leaders show capability of leading the changes needed in our present times. Arroyo's time has come. She bungled the golden opportunity to be our shining hope. Instead of providing us guidance and vision, she led us to perdition. Obviously, we need her replacement immediately before our country turn from worse to worst.
Arroyo's replacement
Why a council instead of going to the constitutional route of succession? The reasons are obvious: no one is willing to take the reins of governance. The constitutional successor, Vice President de Castro risks a coup d'etat if he takes on the role of president. The elite disdain him despite having endeared himself to the masses. He has a big, booming voice but no vision to offer the people. His record as a corrupt mediaman still resonates among the people, despite years of being in the civil service.
Senate President Manny Villar is perceived by many as a compromiser and big businessman with obvious corporate goals than governance. Speaker Joe de Venecia's image as a compromiser and traditional politician still rings true, what with his public pronouncements of loyalty to the people's enemy Gloria.
Chief Justice Reynato Puno just rejected calls for him to lead the caretaker government. So, obviously, there is no other constitutional leader than can succeed Arroyo in the event of an ouster campaign. This leads us to answer the second question posed by Ronin.
Extra-Constitutional means
Since there is no other option left, those who thirst for changes in governance should accept the possibility of an extra-constitutional means for change. Why? Because given the circumstances and the present state of affairs, this option is clearly justified. Should these forces fail in their mission again of ousting Arroyo, we see the prospect of a prolonged conjugal dictatorship that would paralyze government for another three to five years. I will not mention anymore the effects of this in terms of national security, business and the like since I wrote about these things in this blog some weeks ago.
Composition of the Caretaker government
Political reality shows that no civilian leader is willing to take the enormous task of nation-building. This is a tacit admission by the civilian sector of failure to govern. Hence, this leads us to presume that the most logical set of leaders must come from the idealistic sector of the military. There must be a group of idealistic officers who will stand up and fight. They must be led by a charismatic leader who will manage the affairs of the state while the government is in its formative stage.
A senior council of national elders must be formed to provide direction to this set of military leaders. This council must be composed of previous presidents, like FVR. FVR, despite what people think of him, is the most fitting leader to lead this country again. Joe de Venecia is wrong when he said that Arroyo must do a Lee Kuan Yew and lead the cleansing of government. Arroyo does not have the competency nor the political mettle to lead a moral revolt. Among our set of leaders and elders, only FVR has the vision, the experience and the knowledge to lead this country with the idealistic military.
Another important component of this government must come from the academic community. The Philippines has hundreds of experts, specialists and technical people to lead this country to greatness. These technocrats and academics must bond together and assume responsible posts in government. The first mission of these academics should be the creation of a national ideology that would govern the country in the next decades.
The next important component of a caretaker government must emanate from legitimate civil society leaders and non-government organisations. These people must provide the government of their knowledge about the people's real needs so that policies are tempered and suits the masses. They provide the needed mass base for a caretaker government to survive any attempts by counter-revolutionaries.
Time frame
The caretaker government should lead this country for three years. Its mission should be the repair of the state's damaged institutions. Should forces fail again in their mission of ousting Arroyo, the ruling clique will again be emboldened and strengthened to think that they can rule this nation into infinitum, to the detriment of all.
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Who'll win the high-stakes war?
Talks are rife that Malacanang is really campaigning for the ouster of JDV. Despite very public pronouncements from both sides that they love each other, privately, they hate each other's guts. Quite simply, this struggle between cliques inside the ruling administration party reflects the "nervousness" of the party since 2010 is just around the corner. The absence of any worthy presidentiable among their ranks are beginning to worry party leaders. A news report says Lakas has been conducting a search for a party standard-bearer, and talks are again rife that most of Lakas solons have'nt really found somebody yet worthy of fielding against the De Castros, the Lacsons, the Roxases and Villars of other parties. The prospect of defeat looms in the horizon.
The possibility of Lakas again being marginalized and out of power in a post-Arroyo regime looms large, as the party is still struggling hard to maintain its current stature. Raids conducted by Kampi, the president's own party, caused a dent in the Lakas organizational structure. Though results from the elections seemed to indicate that Lakas managed to pull a fast one from Kampi, nonetheless, threats still remain, ironically coming from their allies instead of their perceived traditional enemies.
Most of these reports about the "impeachment" complaint filed by a nondescript lawyer and the current "war" between JDV and GMA shows a classic war between trapos. Obviously, both sides know that they are headed towards a confrontation. JDV is using this impeachment complaint as his ace against the president while the president used a traitor in the person of Pulido to oust the speaker in another route. Caught in middle are their respective allies. Right now, its a numbers game. Both cliques are counting on their political mass bases for survival.
The question is---why is Malacanang moving against JDV? Is it because of the ZTE?
No. ZTE is just a peripheral issue here. The revelation of Joey is a small matter.
The main contention here is the prime ministership. The plan is to initiate a constitutional change from a presidential to parliamentary before 2010 and both Arroyo and De Venecia want the post. This is the prime driver causing a wedge between both cliques.
On the ground, proxy wars are being initiated by both camps. There's an appearance that JDV and GMA are still allie but in reality, they are just preparing for war. With this situation, both the executive and the lower house have been rendered ineffective and debilitated. Ravenous parties lusting for wealth and power are exploiting this issue to court favours from both parties. What we now have is a serious intra-elite struggle that needs something to get full-blown. The law of nature dictates that for every flow, there should be an outlet to release the energy. This needs an outlet. And their pawns and generals should create one and fast.
The possibility of Lakas again being marginalized and out of power in a post-Arroyo regime looms large, as the party is still struggling hard to maintain its current stature. Raids conducted by Kampi, the president's own party, caused a dent in the Lakas organizational structure. Though results from the elections seemed to indicate that Lakas managed to pull a fast one from Kampi, nonetheless, threats still remain, ironically coming from their allies instead of their perceived traditional enemies.
Most of these reports about the "impeachment" complaint filed by a nondescript lawyer and the current "war" between JDV and GMA shows a classic war between trapos. Obviously, both sides know that they are headed towards a confrontation. JDV is using this impeachment complaint as his ace against the president while the president used a traitor in the person of Pulido to oust the speaker in another route. Caught in middle are their respective allies. Right now, its a numbers game. Both cliques are counting on their political mass bases for survival.
The question is---why is Malacanang moving against JDV? Is it because of the ZTE?
No. ZTE is just a peripheral issue here. The revelation of Joey is a small matter.
The main contention here is the prime ministership. The plan is to initiate a constitutional change from a presidential to parliamentary before 2010 and both Arroyo and De Venecia want the post. This is the prime driver causing a wedge between both cliques.
On the ground, proxy wars are being initiated by both camps. There's an appearance that JDV and GMA are still allie but in reality, they are just preparing for war. With this situation, both the executive and the lower house have been rendered ineffective and debilitated. Ravenous parties lusting for wealth and power are exploiting this issue to court favours from both parties. What we now have is a serious intra-elite struggle that needs something to get full-blown. The law of nature dictates that for every flow, there should be an outlet to release the energy. This needs an outlet. And their pawns and generals should create one and fast.
Sunday, September 23, 2007
ZTE mess being used to agitate troops? Aw c'mon!
I don't believe that destabilizers are that foolish in using the ZTE deal as a propaganda tool for another shot at freedom. The ZTE deal is obviously, a very weak issue for anti-GMA groups to use against the administration. Indeed, there is an on-going recruitment among various troops, as stated in news reports and confirmed even by AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Esperon. But, I don't think the soldiers will be convinced to join the destabilizers just because Malacanan is enmessed with the business deal of two big-time groups.
What I do know is this---if and when groups do spill into the streets against this administration, it will do so because things have reached boiling point. Yes, I believe there is now a revolutionary situation. However, this situation has not been brought up by the ZTE deal. No. This situation arose due to the following factors:
1. The July Basilan incident which led to the deaths of more than 50 soldiers.
2. Extra-judicial killings perpetuated by the state against its perceived enemies. This issue has resonated to the international community, making it very viable for anti-GMA groups to solicit support from foreign entities.
3. Uneven playing field in the business arena. This ZTE deal reflects the propensity of this administration to favor its cronies. Hence, local businessmen feel threatened especially the entry of Chinese products into the market. This further bolsters the ranks of anti-GMA groups.
Warning to this administration: the perceived silence of the middle class does not mean acquisence. It only means three things: (a) there is an undercurrent of dissent against the prevailing elite but has not managed to manifest itself into concrete action (b) disorganization and division on the part of anti-GMA groups and (c) lack of resources for mobilization. If these things are met and there is a right condition, then, the possibility of a power grab is high.
Possible Scenarios
1. Withdrawal of support from key officials allied with JDV-FVR-JoAL
2. Withdrawal of support from key military personnel, both active and retired
3. Possible clash between loyalist and anti-GMA forces
4. Possible flight in a foreign country by GMA and her clique.
5. Establishment of a revolutionary government (transitional)
ZTE mess being used to agitate troops’
By PERSEUS ECHEMINADA
The Philippine Star
Transportation and Communications Secretary Leandro Mendoza said Saturday groups out to destabilize the Arroyo administration are using the controversy on the national broadband network (NBN) deal with China’s ZTE Corp. to “agitate” government troops.
“The issue has become highly politicized that it’s now being circulated in the military camps to agitate the troops,” he said in a chance interview with The STAR in a restaurant at the Quezon Memorial Circle.
Mendoza said no less than Armed Forces chief Gen. Hermogenes Esperon Jr. has confirmed that there are indeed recruitment activities in military camps.
However, he said this move is doomed as the people are already fed up with moves to destabilize the government.
“Any attempt to oust President Arroyo at this point in time will not get support from the people. We advise these groups to wait for the 2010 elections,” he said.
He said personalities linked to the oust-GMA movement are the same people who are now trying to ride on the NBN controversy to trigger unrest on the streets.
He said the allegations of bribery and graft and corruption are now pending before the Office of the Ombudsman, while the issue on the validity of the contract is also pending before the Supreme Court.
“Let us uphold the rule of law, instead of getting out of the legal process,” he said.
Mrs. Arroyo suspended the NBN project indefinitely Saturday upon Mendoza’s recommendation. Also suspended was the Cyber Education program of the Department of Education.
The military and the police also see the NBN controversy as part of a move to undermine the Arroyo administration.
Sources in the military and police intelligence communities bared this following their threat assessment meeting held somewhere in Makati City Friday night.
“What started as a plain and casual quarrel among two business rivals had already transformed into a political controversy that now tends to undermine the security of the state,” one source said.
Meanwhile, talk of destabilization sent military and police officials jumping from their sleep Friday night following supposed disturbances at the Fort Bonifacio residence of former Army and AFP chief, retired Gen. Lisandro Abadia.
However, military and police intelligence operatives dispatched to Abadia’s place found nothing unusual in the area.
“It’s all disinformation,” an intelligence officer later told his superiors.
However, the AFP, not wanting to get caught with its pants down, called in two more battalions of troops to Metro Manila while the Philippine National Police deployed the Special Action Force (SAF) supported by several tanks in Camp Crame.
Army safe from recruitment
Maj. Gen. Jose Barbieto, commanding officer of the Army’s 4th Infantry Division based in Cagayan de Oro City, gave assurance that his men would not entertain any recruitment offers to destabilize the government.
Barbieto said his men are busy on counter-insurgency operations and vigilant against Abu Sayyaf terrorists that they can no longer entertain such illicit offers.
The 4th ID recently inked a pact with the PNP’s Northern Mindanao regional office for the police to have a more active role in counter-insurgency operations.
Barbieto said he does not need any loyalty checks on his troops. “My soldiers have always followed the Constitution and the chain of command,” he said.
Marines ‘vulnerable’
However, Marine Commandant Maj. Gen. Mohammad Ben Dolorfino said institutional cracks continue to put the Marine Corps as a vulnerable target for recruitment in any destabilization plot.
Dolorfino cited past events where Marines were involved in coup attempts.
“That is contrary to what our forefathers in the Marines have taught us… to be the cutting edge in the military organization,” he said.
Dolorfino, who stayed overnight in Basilan last Tuesday and in Sulu on Thursday, his first out-of-town visit since he was appointed as Marine commandant, wasted no time in weaving the cracks affecting the organization.
In an apparent confirmation of misbehavior, some of the Marine ground personnel commented behind his back that their commandant should have brought canned goods and other food supplies rather than notes and papers.
Dolorfino said that since the guilty verdict on former President Joseph Estrada for plunder, text messages of destabilization and recruitment have been circulating. – With Jaime Laude, Mark Francisco and Roel Pareño
What I do know is this---if and when groups do spill into the streets against this administration, it will do so because things have reached boiling point. Yes, I believe there is now a revolutionary situation. However, this situation has not been brought up by the ZTE deal. No. This situation arose due to the following factors:
1. The July Basilan incident which led to the deaths of more than 50 soldiers.
2. Extra-judicial killings perpetuated by the state against its perceived enemies. This issue has resonated to the international community, making it very viable for anti-GMA groups to solicit support from foreign entities.
3. Uneven playing field in the business arena. This ZTE deal reflects the propensity of this administration to favor its cronies. Hence, local businessmen feel threatened especially the entry of Chinese products into the market. This further bolsters the ranks of anti-GMA groups.
Warning to this administration: the perceived silence of the middle class does not mean acquisence. It only means three things: (a) there is an undercurrent of dissent against the prevailing elite but has not managed to manifest itself into concrete action (b) disorganization and division on the part of anti-GMA groups and (c) lack of resources for mobilization. If these things are met and there is a right condition, then, the possibility of a power grab is high.
Possible Scenarios
1. Withdrawal of support from key officials allied with JDV-FVR-JoAL
2. Withdrawal of support from key military personnel, both active and retired
3. Possible clash between loyalist and anti-GMA forces
4. Possible flight in a foreign country by GMA and her clique.
5. Establishment of a revolutionary government (transitional)
ZTE mess being used to agitate troops’
By PERSEUS ECHEMINADA
The Philippine Star
Transportation and Communications Secretary Leandro Mendoza said Saturday groups out to destabilize the Arroyo administration are using the controversy on the national broadband network (NBN) deal with China’s ZTE Corp. to “agitate” government troops.
“The issue has become highly politicized that it’s now being circulated in the military camps to agitate the troops,” he said in a chance interview with The STAR in a restaurant at the Quezon Memorial Circle.
Mendoza said no less than Armed Forces chief Gen. Hermogenes Esperon Jr. has confirmed that there are indeed recruitment activities in military camps.
However, he said this move is doomed as the people are already fed up with moves to destabilize the government.
“Any attempt to oust President Arroyo at this point in time will not get support from the people. We advise these groups to wait for the 2010 elections,” he said.
He said personalities linked to the oust-GMA movement are the same people who are now trying to ride on the NBN controversy to trigger unrest on the streets.
He said the allegations of bribery and graft and corruption are now pending before the Office of the Ombudsman, while the issue on the validity of the contract is also pending before the Supreme Court.
“Let us uphold the rule of law, instead of getting out of the legal process,” he said.
Mrs. Arroyo suspended the NBN project indefinitely Saturday upon Mendoza’s recommendation. Also suspended was the Cyber Education program of the Department of Education.
The military and the police also see the NBN controversy as part of a move to undermine the Arroyo administration.
Sources in the military and police intelligence communities bared this following their threat assessment meeting held somewhere in Makati City Friday night.
“What started as a plain and casual quarrel among two business rivals had already transformed into a political controversy that now tends to undermine the security of the state,” one source said.
Meanwhile, talk of destabilization sent military and police officials jumping from their sleep Friday night following supposed disturbances at the Fort Bonifacio residence of former Army and AFP chief, retired Gen. Lisandro Abadia.
However, military and police intelligence operatives dispatched to Abadia’s place found nothing unusual in the area.
“It’s all disinformation,” an intelligence officer later told his superiors.
However, the AFP, not wanting to get caught with its pants down, called in two more battalions of troops to Metro Manila while the Philippine National Police deployed the Special Action Force (SAF) supported by several tanks in Camp Crame.
Army safe from recruitment
Maj. Gen. Jose Barbieto, commanding officer of the Army’s 4th Infantry Division based in Cagayan de Oro City, gave assurance that his men would not entertain any recruitment offers to destabilize the government.
Barbieto said his men are busy on counter-insurgency operations and vigilant against Abu Sayyaf terrorists that they can no longer entertain such illicit offers.
The 4th ID recently inked a pact with the PNP’s Northern Mindanao regional office for the police to have a more active role in counter-insurgency operations.
Barbieto said he does not need any loyalty checks on his troops. “My soldiers have always followed the Constitution and the chain of command,” he said.
Marines ‘vulnerable’
However, Marine Commandant Maj. Gen. Mohammad Ben Dolorfino said institutional cracks continue to put the Marine Corps as a vulnerable target for recruitment in any destabilization plot.
Dolorfino cited past events where Marines were involved in coup attempts.
“That is contrary to what our forefathers in the Marines have taught us… to be the cutting edge in the military organization,” he said.
Dolorfino, who stayed overnight in Basilan last Tuesday and in Sulu on Thursday, his first out-of-town visit since he was appointed as Marine commandant, wasted no time in weaving the cracks affecting the organization.
In an apparent confirmation of misbehavior, some of the Marine ground personnel commented behind his back that their commandant should have brought canned goods and other food supplies rather than notes and papers.
Dolorfino said that since the guilty verdict on former President Joseph Estrada for plunder, text messages of destabilization and recruitment have been circulating. – With Jaime Laude, Mark Francisco and Roel Pareño
Saturday, September 22, 2007
Bungled Opportunity to be Great; JDV an Idiot
Read the Inquirer headline today. It says that JDV went to Malacanan to have an audience with Arroyo. After that 45 minute meeting, which JDV described as a "constructive" one, he says that their relationship remains stable and strong despite the ZTE deal.
This action by the Speaker is precisely why JDV will never become president nor a prime minister. He does not deserve it. He's the type of guy who will compromise when push comes to shove. Great leaders are not compromisers. Great leaders know when to stand their ground and when to relent. In this case, JDV will always remain a second-rate politician, and some say, even of the worst kind.
If JDV feels that he's strong and has the numbers, he should not have gone to the palace for that meeting. This meeting shows the true nature of JDV. He is ambition-driven. He does not have the "balls" so to speak, to stand up against his enemies. He will even sell his family if needs be. What he wants is just power, not the welfare of the majority of our people.
As I previously wrote here, this ZTE controversy is an opportunity for him to be great. And this chance only comes once in a lifetime. However, that meeting with GMA shows that JDV will tolerate any form of corruption for as long as he's not involved in it, or his friends did it, or that it does not impact on his political standing. Such a stand says much about the character of the Speaker. He's the nation's worst example of being a leader. He does not lead; he simply cannot be a true leader because he's a compromiser. He compromises only for himself.
By meeting the president, the Speaker is condoning whatever actions the First Gentleman and his gang did against the nation. That ZTE deal is an illegal one. It is quite obvious that it will burden 80 million Filipinos with a 25 billion peso debt. For the Speaker, the issue is just a misunderstanding between him and GMA. The Speaker thinks along the lines of politics, but does not think about the welfare of the Filipino People who stands to lose their shirts if this deal pushes through.
Call me pragmatic or what-have-you, but the Speaker bungled the opportunity to be great. He should have stood behind his son. He should have praised him for standing up against the "bakal boys" of the palace and condemned it. But no. The fourth highest official of the land decided to side with the bakal boys.
Great men are risk-takers. They don't consider grey areas. For the Speaker, he always see a rainbow.
Speaker: If there's oust threat, will crush it
'I am torn between my love for my son and GMA'
By Norman Bordadora, Christian V. Esguerra
Inquirer
Last updated 00:21am (Mla time) 09/22/2007
Most Read
Full coverage: The NBN Deal
View liveblog of Senate hearing at Inquirer Current
View the NBN contract and related documents
MANILA, Philippines -- His post may be at risk because of his son's testimony at the Senate implicating President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's husband, but Speaker Jose de Venecia says he is confident of weathering the political storm.
In fact, the man said, he did not need Malacañang's guarantee to complete his unprecedented fifth term until 2010. "I feel strong in my own right," he told the Philippine Daily Inquirer in an interview at his Makati residence Friday.
Asked in a separate interview to assess his hold on the House leadership, De Venecia declared: "There is no threat. And if there is a threat, we'll crush it."
The Speaker said he was "bewitched and bewildered" in the wake of his son Jose "Joey" de Venecia's testimony implicating Jose Miguel "Mike" Arroyo in the $329-million National Broadband Network deal.
"I am torn between my love for my son and my love for the President," he said. But he added that he would not reach the point of having to make the ultimate choice, and neither would administration allies in the House.
"That will not arise because the relationship is stable; the coalition is impregnable," the Speaker said, referring to the administration coalition composed largely of Arroyo's Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino (Kampi) and his Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats.
"I don't need to make a choice because I am for my son and I am for the President," he said.
'A little delicate'
Joey de Venecia told the Senate on Tuesday that Mike Arroyo had thrust a finger at his face and told him to "back off" from the NBN deal.
The Speaker admitted Friday that his son's testimony had had some effect on his relationship with Arroyo, his running mate in his failed bid for the presidency in 1998.
"There's a little effect, but she knows in her heart that I had nothing to do with it," he said, acknowledging that the current political scene was "a little delicate."
"To clear the air" between the two of them, he said, they had a 45-minute meeting in Malacañang at around 11 p.m. on Wednesday.
The meeting, which was arranged by Deputy Speaker Amelita Villarosa, took place shortly after administration congressmen had dinner at the Palace, purportedly to express support for Arroyo in the wake of the NBN scandal.
At the meeting, De Venecia told Arroyo that his son had not accused her husband of any wrongdoing in connection with the NBN deal.
Asked if Arroyo had assured him of Malacañang's continued support, the Speaker said: "I don't need to ask that from her ... The same way that when I support her, she doesn't have to beg or ask me.
"I just do it because we're allies. We know what to do. The mere fact that she invited me [to Malacañang] was enough. We discussed things objectively."
Earlier in the week, De Venecia acknowledged that a crisis was brewing as a result of his son's testimony at the Senate.
But he pointed out that his son had "continuously defended" the President, referring to Joey de Venecia's statement that she was never involved in the brokering of the NBN deal.
Asked then how he was doing, the Speaker said: "As usual, managing even in crisis.
"I am torn between my loyalty to the President and my love for my son. But actually, there really is no problem.
"It is only the media that is making all these allegations [of a rift]."
Threat from a few
The Speaker dismissed the threat to unseat him as coming from a few House members loyal to Arroyo but who had dissociated themselves from him.
"As early as the battle for the speakership [against Cebu Rep. Pablo Garcia in July], it has always been the President's allies, like [Sorsogon Rep. Jose] Solis, the likes of [Camarines Sur Rep. Luis] Villafuerte. That's all, period. There's no more," he said.
Garcia told the Inquirer (parent company of INQUIRER.net) Friday that there was "no move" to oust De Venecia, at least for now.
He said his group was leaving the matter to other members of the bloc and the President herself. "We will meet in the coming days and get a consensus," he said.
The so-called Garcia group was formed initially as a "conscience" bloc soon after the Cebu congressman lost in the speakership race.
Even Kampi chairman and Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno said Kampi had no plan to work for De Venecia's ouster.
Anyway, Puno told reporters, there was "not enough of a vote in the House" that could unseat De Venecia now.
"For the record, there is no attempt to unseat the Speaker. For the record, I think Congress will remain in its present form and continue to work under its present organization," Puno said.
He also said it was not a good time for the House to change leadership because its members had been assigned their committees and were buckling down to work.
He added that it was too late now for Congress "to start from scratch."
Asked whether Arroyo still supported De Venecia, Puno said: "I don't think there has been any change in the attitude of the President toward Lakas as a party, the coalition in general, and the congressional leadership."
'We will overcome'
De Venecia expressed confidence that he still enjoyed the "overwhelming" support of members of the House. He apparently arrived at this conclusion after a series of meetings with coalition members that began on Wednesday and went on until Thursday night.
"We're going through a period of political turbulence," he said. "[But] I think that by and large, we will overcome it. We have no major differences within the majority coalition."
De Venecia pointed out that his meeting with Arroyo was arranged by Deputy Speaker Villarosa, a member of Kampi.
"I can't just go meet the President without any invitation. We don't want to impose on her hospitality even if we're very close friends," he said.
De Venecia said Arroyo continued to back him as Speaker and as her top ally in the House because he continued to support her as President.
Proof of Arroyo's support, he said, was his retaining his post despite the serious challenge posed by Garcia in July.
Counting the ways
De Venecia ticked off the occasions when, he said, he showed Arroyo that he would support her "come hell or high water."
"I have supported her in the impeachment battle, in the Cabinet revolt against her," he said.
The first referred to the two failed efforts to impeach Arroyo as a result of the "Hello Garci" wiretapping scandal, and the second, to the mass resignation of members of her Cabinet--collectively known as the "Hyatt 10"--who called on her to step down amid allegations that she had manipulated the 2004 presidential election.
De Venecia also cited the time when he and former president Fidel Ramos went to Malacañang to throw their support behind Arroyo at the height of calls for her ouster.
"Many [people] were saying that [we came to her rescue," he said. "But I don't even give importance to that. I just do things for her in the same way that she does things for me."
He also said he staked whatever little popularity he had in supporting the unpopular Expanded Value-Added Tax Law that the Arroyo administration pushed in the 13th Congress.
Exercise in futility
House Majority Leader Arthur Defensor said lawmakers numbering not more than 10 had been "agitating [other lawmakers] for the ouster of the Speaker."
"It's an exercise in futility," Defensor told the Inquirer. "Even Pablo (Garcia) is not up to it. It's just the people around him."
Agusan del Norte Rep. Rodolfo Plaza, a senior member of the House opposition, told reporters that he would support De Venecia if push came to shove.
"He could have asked his son not to testify against the First Gentleman, but he did not," Plaza said of the Speaker. "Somebody like that deserves support."
With a report from Christine O. Avendaño
This action by the Speaker is precisely why JDV will never become president nor a prime minister. He does not deserve it. He's the type of guy who will compromise when push comes to shove. Great leaders are not compromisers. Great leaders know when to stand their ground and when to relent. In this case, JDV will always remain a second-rate politician, and some say, even of the worst kind.
If JDV feels that he's strong and has the numbers, he should not have gone to the palace for that meeting. This meeting shows the true nature of JDV. He is ambition-driven. He does not have the "balls" so to speak, to stand up against his enemies. He will even sell his family if needs be. What he wants is just power, not the welfare of the majority of our people.
As I previously wrote here, this ZTE controversy is an opportunity for him to be great. And this chance only comes once in a lifetime. However, that meeting with GMA shows that JDV will tolerate any form of corruption for as long as he's not involved in it, or his friends did it, or that it does not impact on his political standing. Such a stand says much about the character of the Speaker. He's the nation's worst example of being a leader. He does not lead; he simply cannot be a true leader because he's a compromiser. He compromises only for himself.
By meeting the president, the Speaker is condoning whatever actions the First Gentleman and his gang did against the nation. That ZTE deal is an illegal one. It is quite obvious that it will burden 80 million Filipinos with a 25 billion peso debt. For the Speaker, the issue is just a misunderstanding between him and GMA. The Speaker thinks along the lines of politics, but does not think about the welfare of the Filipino People who stands to lose their shirts if this deal pushes through.
Call me pragmatic or what-have-you, but the Speaker bungled the opportunity to be great. He should have stood behind his son. He should have praised him for standing up against the "bakal boys" of the palace and condemned it. But no. The fourth highest official of the land decided to side with the bakal boys.
Great men are risk-takers. They don't consider grey areas. For the Speaker, he always see a rainbow.
Speaker: If there's oust threat, will crush it
'I am torn between my love for my son and GMA'
By Norman Bordadora, Christian V. Esguerra
Inquirer
Last updated 00:21am (Mla time) 09/22/2007
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MANILA, Philippines -- His post may be at risk because of his son's testimony at the Senate implicating President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's husband, but Speaker Jose de Venecia says he is confident of weathering the political storm.
In fact, the man said, he did not need Malacañang's guarantee to complete his unprecedented fifth term until 2010. "I feel strong in my own right," he told the Philippine Daily Inquirer in an interview at his Makati residence Friday.
Asked in a separate interview to assess his hold on the House leadership, De Venecia declared: "There is no threat. And if there is a threat, we'll crush it."
The Speaker said he was "bewitched and bewildered" in the wake of his son Jose "Joey" de Venecia's testimony implicating Jose Miguel "Mike" Arroyo in the $329-million National Broadband Network deal.
"I am torn between my love for my son and my love for the President," he said. But he added that he would not reach the point of having to make the ultimate choice, and neither would administration allies in the House.
"That will not arise because the relationship is stable; the coalition is impregnable," the Speaker said, referring to the administration coalition composed largely of Arroyo's Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino (Kampi) and his Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats.
"I don't need to make a choice because I am for my son and I am for the President," he said.
'A little delicate'
Joey de Venecia told the Senate on Tuesday that Mike Arroyo had thrust a finger at his face and told him to "back off" from the NBN deal.
The Speaker admitted Friday that his son's testimony had had some effect on his relationship with Arroyo, his running mate in his failed bid for the presidency in 1998.
"There's a little effect, but she knows in her heart that I had nothing to do with it," he said, acknowledging that the current political scene was "a little delicate."
"To clear the air" between the two of them, he said, they had a 45-minute meeting in Malacañang at around 11 p.m. on Wednesday.
The meeting, which was arranged by Deputy Speaker Amelita Villarosa, took place shortly after administration congressmen had dinner at the Palace, purportedly to express support for Arroyo in the wake of the NBN scandal.
At the meeting, De Venecia told Arroyo that his son had not accused her husband of any wrongdoing in connection with the NBN deal.
Asked if Arroyo had assured him of Malacañang's continued support, the Speaker said: "I don't need to ask that from her ... The same way that when I support her, she doesn't have to beg or ask me.
"I just do it because we're allies. We know what to do. The mere fact that she invited me [to Malacañang] was enough. We discussed things objectively."
Earlier in the week, De Venecia acknowledged that a crisis was brewing as a result of his son's testimony at the Senate.
But he pointed out that his son had "continuously defended" the President, referring to Joey de Venecia's statement that she was never involved in the brokering of the NBN deal.
Asked then how he was doing, the Speaker said: "As usual, managing even in crisis.
"I am torn between my loyalty to the President and my love for my son. But actually, there really is no problem.
"It is only the media that is making all these allegations [of a rift]."
Threat from a few
The Speaker dismissed the threat to unseat him as coming from a few House members loyal to Arroyo but who had dissociated themselves from him.
"As early as the battle for the speakership [against Cebu Rep. Pablo Garcia in July], it has always been the President's allies, like [Sorsogon Rep. Jose] Solis, the likes of [Camarines Sur Rep. Luis] Villafuerte. That's all, period. There's no more," he said.
Garcia told the Inquirer (parent company of INQUIRER.net) Friday that there was "no move" to oust De Venecia, at least for now.
He said his group was leaving the matter to other members of the bloc and the President herself. "We will meet in the coming days and get a consensus," he said.
The so-called Garcia group was formed initially as a "conscience" bloc soon after the Cebu congressman lost in the speakership race.
Even Kampi chairman and Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno said Kampi had no plan to work for De Venecia's ouster.
Anyway, Puno told reporters, there was "not enough of a vote in the House" that could unseat De Venecia now.
"For the record, there is no attempt to unseat the Speaker. For the record, I think Congress will remain in its present form and continue to work under its present organization," Puno said.
He also said it was not a good time for the House to change leadership because its members had been assigned their committees and were buckling down to work.
He added that it was too late now for Congress "to start from scratch."
Asked whether Arroyo still supported De Venecia, Puno said: "I don't think there has been any change in the attitude of the President toward Lakas as a party, the coalition in general, and the congressional leadership."
'We will overcome'
De Venecia expressed confidence that he still enjoyed the "overwhelming" support of members of the House. He apparently arrived at this conclusion after a series of meetings with coalition members that began on Wednesday and went on until Thursday night.
"We're going through a period of political turbulence," he said. "[But] I think that by and large, we will overcome it. We have no major differences within the majority coalition."
De Venecia pointed out that his meeting with Arroyo was arranged by Deputy Speaker Villarosa, a member of Kampi.
"I can't just go meet the President without any invitation. We don't want to impose on her hospitality even if we're very close friends," he said.
De Venecia said Arroyo continued to back him as Speaker and as her top ally in the House because he continued to support her as President.
Proof of Arroyo's support, he said, was his retaining his post despite the serious challenge posed by Garcia in July.
Counting the ways
De Venecia ticked off the occasions when, he said, he showed Arroyo that he would support her "come hell or high water."
"I have supported her in the impeachment battle, in the Cabinet revolt against her," he said.
The first referred to the two failed efforts to impeach Arroyo as a result of the "Hello Garci" wiretapping scandal, and the second, to the mass resignation of members of her Cabinet--collectively known as the "Hyatt 10"--who called on her to step down amid allegations that she had manipulated the 2004 presidential election.
De Venecia also cited the time when he and former president Fidel Ramos went to Malacañang to throw their support behind Arroyo at the height of calls for her ouster.
"Many [people] were saying that [we came to her rescue," he said. "But I don't even give importance to that. I just do things for her in the same way that she does things for me."
He also said he staked whatever little popularity he had in supporting the unpopular Expanded Value-Added Tax Law that the Arroyo administration pushed in the 13th Congress.
Exercise in futility
House Majority Leader Arthur Defensor said lawmakers numbering not more than 10 had been "agitating [other lawmakers] for the ouster of the Speaker."
"It's an exercise in futility," Defensor told the Inquirer. "Even Pablo (Garcia) is not up to it. It's just the people around him."
Agusan del Norte Rep. Rodolfo Plaza, a senior member of the House opposition, told reporters that he would support De Venecia if push came to shove.
"He could have asked his son not to testify against the First Gentleman, but he did not," Plaza said of the Speaker. "Somebody like that deserves support."
With a report from Christine O. Avendaño
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