Teodoro is No. 1--FVR

Yesterday's affair saw former president Fidel V. Ramos giving Defense secretary Gilbert "Gibo" Teodoro his trademark thumb up sign. In FVR's mind, Teodoro is truly qualified to run for the presidency, but cut short of endorsing him, saying that he reserves that right until November 15, the day when political configurations are clearer.

Honestly, I share FVR's belief about Gibo. Among all the candidates, Gibo is, I think, the most intelligent, the most idealistic and the most straight-forward of all of them. What's best about him is he knows the system very, very well, and knows how to actually cure its infirmities. And he has this fire in his belly and the glitter in his eyes that tells you this person has the qualities of a great Leader.

What Teodoro however does not have is the right moral compass.

Teodoro thinks like an American. Look at how he views things. He says he will continue what Mrs. Arroyo accomplished and more.

If he opens his eyes a little bit, Teodoro would have seen how devastated the people are when Mrs. Arroyo's government fails to do its mandate of somewhat regulating markets. Teodoro is a typical technocrat who mouths vision without going to the market or the grocery first to see first-hand the problems.

Teodoro failed to see how Mrs. Arroyo's war policies have put the lives of thousands of Bangsamoro families in jeopardy. Teodoro only knows the language of war.

Teodoro does not see anything wrong with those scandals involving Mrs. Arroyo and her husband. He finds nothing wrong with the ZTE-NBN deal, nor does he sees anything immoral with the Joc-Joc Bolante fertilizer scam. And surely, Teodoro thinks that Hello Garci is as normal as any other telephone call.

Teodoro fails to get it when people always thumb Mrs. Arroyo's policies down. For him, okey if Mrs. Arroyo's government allows cartelization of services. Okey if families such as the Aboitizes go scot-free despite their ships killing scores of Filipinos. Okey if businessmen such as Danding Cojuangco controls most of the economy or people like Ricky Razon or Cesar Quiambao corner most government contracts.

For Teodoro, it is okey to allow Mrs. Arroyo to just fade away, allow her to enjoy retirement with monies amassed during her term.

Teodoro may have the brains. The defense secretary may have the right war strategems to use against his own people. And Teodoro may have the fire in his belly to do the right things.

But, what he does not have is the right appreciation of Philippine reality.

A New EDSA is upon us

You ask—bakit kami umalis ng bahay to march for the last time with Cory?Simple.

We want those who occupy Malacanang right now to shit in their pants in fear. We want to shake the very foundations of evil that lurk inside the palace and tell them that the Filipino People honors those worthy of it.

That we don't honor those heroes for a mere eight minutes. That we don't grieve just for ten days. And it's not enough anymore for us to stand and watch our country burn and pillaged by Mrs. Arroyo and her minions.

Because we know deep in our hearts that Cory deserves our support. We feel deep within that we are unworthy of her because when she asked for our support in 2006, we were never there. We were afraid.

This is the very last time to tell her, to impress upon her, that we are one with her in spirit and in struggle. That each and every one of us share her suffering, her passion and her conviction. That’s why, after this day, we will struggle hard to oust the very cause of our monumental malady, this lady who rules us with impunity and utter immorality.

The millions who has shown their love for her, shared the ideals of the Spirit of EDSA. I believe that, the next time we march again, our ranks would swell by the millions because the old warriors and the veterans of the streets now share the same passion as those who first saw, and felt, the sheer power of the Spirit of EDSA. The fusion of the old and the young, the synthesis of the aspirations of the rich and the poor, will again manifest itself right after we lay Cory to rest today.

Cory's life was God's gift to us--it was a learning experience, meant to teach us a lesson about citizenship.

Citizenship is not just a piece of paper nor something attached to one's passport. Neither is it something we jot in an application form.

Citizenship is being there when the Motherland needs your help. Being a citizen requires more than just paying your taxes or following the law.

It requires the courage to stand for the Truth. It necessitates the sacrifice of one's life for the sake of the many. It requires bravery; of telling and condemning a corrupt politician or a government official and cutting his head off (figuratively, of course) when proof of his transgression shows. And it means giving up one's own future to correct the wrongs.

The millions who went out of the streets today were not there to gawk at celebrities or pump hands with politicians. They were there to take part in the strongest message of condemnation against the prevailing order. They were there to show this administration that enough is enough and millions of us Filipinos are ready to act against the depravity and evil that this regime represents.

Enough of Joc-Joc Bolantes (who, unfortunately, is still free thanks to Richard Gordon!). Enough of NBN-ZTEs. Enough of Hello Garcis. Enough of deceptive elections.

Let's do the right thing. Act with dispatch and oust this regime from power before the elections. If we value elections, make it very credible. At this point, we are not sure if we can get a fair and clean elections, while Mrs. Arroyo and her evil minions sit in power.

Erap to be arrested?

Rumblings within the Enchanted Kingdom all have one thing in common---the hushed plan to arrest and re-detain former president Joseph "Erap" Estrada. A classmate, who's now working inside the evil regime, says that a plan is a-foot to negotiate with Dante Tan, a former associate of the deposed president. Tan is in Canada, although certain reports say, he's now living in New Zealand, Australia or even in Singapore. Unlike former cop, Cesar Mancao, negotiating with a businessman is easier. Cretins within the Kingdom are salivating over the possibility of again, putting an end to the numerous provincial sorties the ex-Chief Executive have been doing for the past months.

Now, is this possible? And will Erap allow himself to again, be denied of his rights and jailed?

The devils and demons in the palace did it once--in 2002--and they could possibly do it again. In fact, doing this now, the arrest and detention of Erap, would be easier than last time since the Erap camp would find it very hard to muster enough warm bodies to protect their principal once this happens.

One tip to the camp of Estrada---instead of trying to reach Dante Tan, beat Malacanang to the gun by talking with former Department of Agriculture secretary Cito Lorenzo.

Since late last year, Cito has been sending feelers to expose the Joc-Joc Bolante case. This fertilizer scam is juicier than the feeble attempt by the palace to link an innocent Erap to the murder of publicist Bubby Dacer. If they succeed in bringing Cito back, that would spell the start of the end of this evil regime.

The fertilizer fund scam is still the hottest issue to date, with the Legacy scam a far second. Thousands of farmer families are still hot over Joc-Joc Bolante, now enjoying his multi-millions in the comforts of his palatial Ayala Alabang house, while farmers are having a hard time making ends meet. An agrarian revolt is sure to follow if the Opposition successfully convinces Cito Lorenzo to finally reveal who really backed Joc-Joc Bolante up and who really benefitted from this fertilizer fund scam.

The story of the fertilizer scam so far

Sometime in 1999, Jimmy Paule, Nessie Llarena and Maritess Aytona met in different occasions. Paule told the Senate Blue Ribbon committee that he first met Nessie Llarena after being introduced by a common friend. Paule went to Llarena's office when Llarena reportedly asked their common friend if he knows of someone close to DECS official. Known in inner circles as a big-time operator, having close ties with DILG Secretary Ronnie Puno, Paule could have been introduced and passed himself on to Llarena as a "powerful lobbyist".

The trio developed a deep personal and professional relationship.

Then, sometime 2003, Mrs. Arroyo, upon the prodding of her close advisers, declared her intention to seek election. A product of EDSA Dos, Mrs. Arroyo's assumption to office was, at best, through a "coup d'etat". A source said the reason why Mrs. Arroyo chose to run is to protect herself from possible attacks from the Estrada camp, who, at that time, remained very powerful and very influential.

When Arroyo announced her intention to run, an inner circle of advisers then hatched the plan to fund the electoral campaign of Mrs. Arroyo. Reportedly, the First Gentleman tasked his closest friends, among them, former DA Undersecretary Joc-Joc Bolante. Bolante is a charismatic Rotary guy, the same organization where the First Gentleman got his closest allies.

Bolante came up with an ingenous way to deepen the political grassroots network of Arroyo. The department which he controls at that time (Cito Lorenzo just served as prop) has an extensive rural network which Arroyo's camp needed.

Bolante came up with the program on supplying fertilizers to NGO's, PO's and LGU's. This program is a regular program of the DA. Bolante identified it as a potential support booster and possible funding source. First, its budget comes from the regular allocation. But since Mrs. Arroyo needs additional electoral funds, it may be that the DA increase its allocation and make the program more extensive.

Bolante then presented his plan to the powers-that-be in Malacanang. With the blessing of the First Gentleman, Bolante took over Cito Lorenzo, who, according to sources, remain clueless and uninformed about what Bolante was doing inside a department which he reportedly heads.
(wait for the next one

Where's Maritess Aytona?

Bolante's runner, Maritess Aytona is now being tagged as the one who offered Congressmen the fertilizer funds. The Senate wants to get her. But, where is she? She's reportedly the manager and owner of Feshan Philippines Incorporated, a company built just to be the legit front for Bolante's operation. Feshan was given the exclusive contract to supply diluted fertilizers.

With her over at Feshan was one Jimmy Paule, allegedly an official at the Provincial government of Antipolo and reportedly an uncle of DILG Secretary Ronaldo Puno. Paule was the designated "snitch" of Malacanang to reportedly monitor the movements of Aytona and Bolante. While fertilizer scam whistleblower Jose Barredo Jr. worked as Bolante's courier. It was Barredo's testimony before the Senate (which was confirmed by Rebecca Aquino, a board member of the Provincial government of Sorsogon) that blew open Bolante's illicit trade.

Where is Aytona? Why is the Senate not ordering her immediate arrest? Aytona should be made to appear before the Senate and asked to reveal the truth. Otherwise, the DA syndicate might just get hold of her and murder her, like what happened to Esperat and another DA employee whose entire family was massacred by this syndicate.

Some insights about Aytona. Maritess "Tess" Aytona hails from Marikina. She formerly dabbled in the medicine business and met Bolante through some acquiantances. Aytona is said to have very strong connections with Bulacan-based mayors.

A joc on Villar

Was there a compromise between the minority Senators and Malacanang with respect to the ouster of Senate President Manny Villar which is tied to the on-going Joc-Joc Bolante fertilizer fund probe? And was it a compromise for senators to "free Bolante" in exchange for Villar's head?

We all know that the minority has been gunning for Villar's ouster since a year ago. The Opposition would have been the new majority had some "oppositionists", in the likes of Senator Alan Peter Cayetano not went over the fence and sided with the Villar camp, who, obviously is linked in some ways with the palace. It seems that the compromise involves senators treating Bolante like a kid and allow him to go home (and possibly scot-free?) in exchange for 3 additional votes from the administration block.

That explains why during the Joc-Joc Bolante probe, there were some administration senators who abstained from the hearings. Are Senators, especially from the minority, agreeable to just go thru the motions and eventually drop the prospect of a deeper Bolante probe in exchange for Villar's ouster? Last hearing, there were suggestions that personalities connected with Bolante, like former DA Secretary Cito Lorenzo be asked to appear at the Senate. Will the minority senators still pursue this matter as vigorously as what they promised before? How about those suggestions that former Senate President Franklin Drilon be made to appear at the Senate as a witness? Will this be sacrificed as well?

What the minority had not realized is that this new configuration at the Senate imperils the chances of the anti-charter change movement. With Enrile at the helm of the Upper Chamber, and the possibility of the Cayetano siblings staying with the administration block, the chances of Malacanang railroading the proceedings at the Senate is not a remote possibility. Enrile is known to champion the legal rationale of the palace. It was evident during the Bolante probe.

Enrile is obviously an administration lackey and with the votes with him, what would prevent Malacanang from forcefully pressing cha-cha down our throats this time? The Minority may have sacrificed the very welfare of the Filipino people just because of their political vendetta against Villar.

DA Syndicate

I'm gathering some explosive stuff on the entrenched syndicate embedded at the Department of Agriculture. It seems that this syndicate is really the ones behind that infamous fertilizer scam. This syndicate, composed of retired military men, corrupt former Leftist rebels, dealers and operators from the Bicol region are the ones who operated on the disbursement of fertilizer funds. There may be truth to the testimony by Joc-Joc Bolante today that he does'nt know what happened to the funds right after they released it on February 2004. It seems that this syndicate manipulated all of the operations and succeeded in amassing more than 315 million from the original 728 million.

The DA Syndicate operates like a mafia inside the Department of Agriculture. Sources say those close to DA Secretary Arthur Yap are allegedly the ones maintaining the syndicate (I'm still verifying this). The syndicate controls not just the DA but also the National Food Authority (NFA).

However, there are some former comrades of mine who told me that disgraced leftist rebels who now degenerated as syndicates are manipulating or controlling the DA. To those who are now operating this syndicate, let this serve as a warning to all of you--your days are numbered. You are like leeches. You suck the very life blood of the farmers. You deserve the People's Justice.

Calling the Sparrows, the Patriots and the YOUng. Make some samples out of these men. Kawawa naman mga magsasaka natin if they'll continue to control the DA.

As for you, Mr.Joc-Joc Bolante...I Know you know who threatens your life and your family's. You think you're safe against this syndicate? I doubt it.When all of these probes and investigations are over, whether you escape jail time or not, this syndicate will just let the issue die down and eventually they will hunt you down.

Joc-Joc, help the Senate uncover the truth. Help the people. We have degenerated so much from the heavy weight of corruption and graft now. It's time for us to really push for change.

Regain This Nation's Glory

Have you been asked by your mom to go to the store and buy some suka? I’m sure every one experienced that. You’re given 10 pesos and suka is just 5 pesos a jigger and you give back the sukli, yes? I know everyone experience that.

In government, the people repose trust and confidence to their leader. Elections are the surest guarantee of that trust. Elections give these officials the chance to serve and it serves as a covenant. The laws, meanwhile, serve as terms of reference, a kind of Code that guides everyone on the right conduct in society.

This simple experience of going to the store and buy something and giving back the sukli is what we call “accountability”. When you’re a government official, you need to think that every action that you take requires accountability. You are not doing it for your own benefit. You are doing it for your parents, your grandparents, your wife, your kids and your friends.

A government post is not just a position of responsibility; it is a position of accountability.
IN this administration of Mrs. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, she and the rest of her gang were given the chance to serve this country. Through taxes, the people express the belief that Mrs. Arroyo would uphold the very pillars by which this country was founded:

Independence
Territorial Integrity
Justice

In a span of eight years, Mrs. Arroyo has nearly destroyed all of these pillars and for what? To make the Filipino life better? Tell that to the Philippine Marines, Mrs. Arroyo. The very sons and wives of the Marines are suffering. They can’t even get their allowances. They can’t even get loans.

Is the life of the soldier better now than 2001? No. The same old boots. The same tattered clothes. The same old bullets. The same old soggy socks.

How about the worker? Is life better now than 2001? Wage increase, is there any? How about the ability to get loans? Nothing much either there.

What future awaits the Filipino farmer who were deprived of more than 3 billion pesos by a group of greedy and hungry devils masquerading as government officials?

What future awaits the more than 350,000 new graduates next year? How about the more than 7 million able-bodied Pinoys all walking like Zombies along the stretch of Ayala and all other places in the country, finding, desperately looking for jobs?

And what would happen to the more than 2 million people affected by the war in Mindanao?

This war which has been raging since the 19th century, has now affected more than 250,000 families. Prior to this year, peace has relatively reigned in that part of the world. But because of higher realpolitik, peace and order has now degenerated.

Who, then, is accountable for all these societal mess?

If this government cannot give us justice, then, let the People show everyone that this Country is still proud of its race.

That the People is not just a bunch of individuals; but a Nation. A proud Nation of People who do not tolerate shady deals, government corruption and immorality of the highest order.

Let those who stole from us be accountable for their actions.

Act now. Stand Up now. Move now. Or it would be too late for us, for our kids, for our future.

More than the money

Heard that former PNP Comptroller Director Eliseo dela Paz and six other Euro generals just returned the money entrusted to them yesterday. This came after two weeks. If they give back all the money, it would amount to about 2 million pesos. Question--where's the rest of the dough?

And how about that questionable 6 million in Russia? Any followups? Is the PNP leadership waiting for the public's interest to die down or wane before they finally do something to recover the money?

There must be some closure on this issue. Why?

It has eroded the trust and confidence of the people. Institutions of authority should at least enjoy a measure or two of trust before people can finally say that they're safe. How would you feel safe in a country where the very Institutions that are supposed to protect you and your property are themselves, looting it and partaking of the illegal stuff? 

Truly, we are now in a situation where we are being administered by a Bantay-Salakay gang. We pay our taxes. We satisfy our dues to society and the State. Yet, those who act and serve as our supposed "vanguards", are themselves, looting and abusing public trust.

More than the money, what they destroyed is the very fabric of our morality, ethics and the most important pillar of nation-building--public trust. If these officials in government already destroyed public trust, what's the use of having a public office?

Bolante's Logic

Before he touched down at NAIA, Jocelyn "Joc-Joc" Bolante told the public (via his prepared statement) that he's eager to clear himself of all charges and accusations against him. He says he's innocent. He says that the charges are baseless. He even hinted that his life is in danger "from all fronts".

Now, he's back and comfortably resting in a suite at St. Luke's hospital. Aside from minor ulcers (expected since he's very stressed and definitely under tremendous pressure to tell all), Bolante is as strong as any ordinary individual, except of course, he's being "weakened" by all these travails, which, he, himself, caused.

I really don't know how long Bolante would keep this up, but, I think, eventually, he'll, at one point, break. Everyone has a breaking point. And knowing him, who's such a coward (flight in this case is not only an admission of guilt; it's the inability to really clam up), he'll sooner or later blurt out the Truth.

If Joc-Joc really wants to clear himself, any forum would do. Is he waiting for a movie offer? A big commission? A man-of-his word compromise? Is Joc-Joc still waiting who'll win between the anti-Gloria and the pro-Gloria camps before telling everything?

Let me just say that, sooner or later, Joc-Joc Bolante will have to tell everything he knows--either in a Truth Commission after a revolt or prior to the revolt if he's intelligent. The more he clams up, the more he's fueling speculations. The more speculations, the sooner this evil regime ends. If he expects that the public's anger at this fertilizer scam has abated, he's wrong. 

The more he keeps silent, the sooner the demise of this administration. Why? People are just seething inside. If they think the public's interest would wane, they better prepare something good coz it's going to be nasty, real nasty in the next few days.

That's why, it's okey if Joc-Joc stays longer at St. Luke's. Even if he spend his entire retirement funds, (who'll foot the bill for Joc-Joc?) he'll not escape the long arm of Justice. Maybe not in the immediate future (days from now). 

Bolante's Options

Controversial Agriculture Undersecretary Jocelyn "Joc-Joc" Bolante arrived just past 10:30 pm at the NAIA. Looking older and slimmer, Bolante was on a wheelchair and being secured by what ABS-CBN correspondent Don Tagala said as "uniformed personnel".

It appears that Joc-Joc lost weight in jail. His hair all turned grey. He's older but it remains though to be seen, whether he also grew wiser. 

He seems stressed and appears harangue. Maybe due to the long flight. What's obvious about this is the apparent subtle "protection" he seems to be enjoying right from where he embarked to his disembarkation.

It appears that he'll ask to be transported to a hospital, feigning illness. Nonetheless, lest we be deceived again, Joc-Joc actually can stand on his own and appears in good health. His weight loss could be the result of  anxieties after losing his appeal for asylum in America and what fate really awaits him upon his return.

What's certain is this--Bolante has to account for the following sins against the People:

• Account for 728 million released to him via the fertilizer project under the GMA (Ginintuang Masaganang Ani) program
• Account for the 1.1 billion pesos released to him through the GMA livestock, etc, program
• Account for 1.54 billion pesos released to him via the agri tractors program

Right now, he's being taken cared of at St. Luke's hospital after he complained of chest pains. Bolante was taken by uniformed security personnel and rode an ambulance. It appears that there was a prior arrangement with the hospital, since reports show that there's a room waiting for Bolante.

The Senate lawyer, part of the Chamber's sergeant at arms office, says they have sent their security personnel to secure Bolante. However, it's uncertain whether they will actually succeed in arresting Bolante.

It appears that Bolante still enjoys the protection of the Powers-That-Be. It's very clear that Bolante would not do a Lozada, not in the immediate future.

Bolante has nowhere to hide. Two and a half years ago, he fled the country, thinking that he can escape the law. Yet, the law caught up with him. Now, he's like a cornered animal, abandoned by those who benefitted from his "expertise" and being pressured by the Opposition to strike the hand that once fed him and turned him into what he's now---a disgraced Rotarian and a publicly crucified alleged thief.

Now, what future awaits Bolante? Gloria and her gang of misfits already said publicly, they're "hands off". They say, he's on his own. Will his fellow Rotarians protect him from all of these? Wagging tongues say some members of the Rotary mafia might use some of their powers and influence to make Bolante toe the line.

Bolante's future depends on how he'll play his cards. He has two options. First, he might just might do a Romulo Neri. Neri's case is a glaring example of government success in placating an angry citizenry. Neri escaped public scrutiny when he found succor from a friendly Court, being a government functionary himself. That Supreme Court decision called "People vs. Neri" effectively gave immunity to government officials involved in nefarious deals. Bolante and his benefactors might just invoke this and say that Bolante's part of the fertilizer scam is part of executive privilege, since it happened during his time as a government official.

In Bolante's case, he, theoretically, enjoys none. Knowing this regime though and how it uses all of its powers to protect its publicly crucified mafia members, Arroyo's regime might pull just one final magic act to save itself from the embarrassment of a Bolante expose. It might even appoint Bolante to a government post, effectively shielding him from further public scrutiny.

If Bolante choose this path, he may only benefit from it until Arroyo relinquishes power in 2010. After that, he, like his benefactor, Arroyo, face tremendous legal problems. In the next administration, Bolante will still face prosecution, even the bleak prospect of spending his life in jail.  

Now, should Bolante turn ala Lozada, this is actually not a risk-free thing. For one, he may have to face not only physical but also legal threats from many sectors, that includes the Powerful Mafia inside the Arroyo regime. He might get a favorable public sympathy, even reprieve from his illegal acts, but it can only be a viable option if and only if Lozada's group is stronger than the present administration. As it appears right now, the group which Lozada aligned himself with, seems weaker than Arroyo's. Or, they may appear to be weak.

What baffles me is the nonchalance that Arroyo's mafia guys are showing right now. Are they expecting that nothing would amount to this outcry against Bolante? That there's already a plan to diffuse this circus surrounding the fertilizer fund scam?

Magtiis

I would just like to ask for the indulgence of all my non-Filipino readers. I wrote the following entry to my fellow Filipinos on the eve of the arrival of alleged fertilizer scam architect Joc-Joc Bolante. If you want to know what this letter means, please just ask your Filipino friends.

Mga mahal na kapatid na Pilipino sa lahat ng dako,

Hindi ninyo ba napapansin? Habang papalapit ang pagdating ni Jocelyn "Joc-Joc" Bolante, lagi nating naririnig ang katagang "arkitekto" ng fertilizer scam. Maaaring totoo. O maaaring hindi. Pero, ang sigurado--ipinako na ng gobyerno ang lahat ng sisi kay Bolante.

Epektibong istratehiya ito dahil wala na tayong nakikitang midyang nagtuturo kay Gloria bilang totoong mastermind dito. At malamang, talagang si Bolante ang may pakana, pero, hindi ba natin uungkatin kung sino ang talagang nakinabang at maaaring siyang utak ng iskandalong ito?

Sino ang nag-udyok kay Bolante na walang takot na ipatupad ang scam na ito? Nasan ang limpak-limpak na salaping sinasabing itinago at hindi napakinabangan maging noong 2004 elections?

Maaaring hindi na natin malalaman ang tunay na istorya sapagkat tinapos na ng Senado ang kanilang imbestigasyon at tanging sa Ombusman na lamang ang pag-asa. Pero, sa inaasta ni Merceditas Gutierrez, ang kawalang aksyon ng ahensya sa kabila ng tatlong taong nakasampa ang kaso at malamlam na interes ng taumbayan sa pinuntahan ng kanilang buwis, malamang na mauwi sa wala ito.

Tulad ng karamihan sa mga iskandalong kinasangkutan ng mga opisyales de gobyerno, nauwi sa bula ang perang ninakaw ng mga kawatan. Ilang buwang inabot ang galit ng taumbayan. Pero, pagkatapos nito, unti-unting nawala sa mga pahayagan at nakalimutan.

Habang patuloy ang kawalang katarungan, palaki ng palaki ang pagnanakaw na ginagawa sa atin ng mga kawatan. Habang may nakakatakas sa katiwalian dahilan sa may tiwala sa kanila ang Malakanyang, lumalaki ang nawawala sa kaban ng bayan.

Magpapatuloy na magpapakapagod tayo sa pagbabayad ng buwis. Hihigit sa sampung milyong Pinoy ang lulunok ng sariling laway at magpapa-alila sa mga dayuhan, makatakas lamang sa napipintuhong kahirapan. At hindi iilan ang kakapit sa patalim, mabayaran lamang ang VAT, sanlaksang buwis, pati na mataas na kuryente't gasolina, maituloy lamang ang pamumuhay sa ating lipunan.

Sabi nga ng ilan, life goes on. Let's move forward at hintayin na lamang ang 2010. May pag-asa pa.

Nasasaan ang pag-asa? Pag-asang sa susunod na administrasyon, milyon-milyon na lamang ang kukubrahin ng mga kawatan at hindi na bilyon-bilyon? Nasasaan ang pag-asa? Pag-asang magiging mumo na lamang at maibabaon sa limot ang mga katiwalian at kawalang-katarungang ginawa sa atin ng kasalukuyang administrasyon? 

Para na rin tayong nagparaya sa kabuktutan at kahalayan at pagkatapos magpakasarap ng animal na mananambong, tatalikod tayo at sasabihing, may pag-asa pa at kalimutan ang kapalastanganan sa ating karangalan.

Hindi ko naman masisisi ang mga Pinoy. Naging pambansang anthem na natin ang Erap song na "magtiis". Naging national animal na rin natin ang kalabaw. 

Kumbaga, kapagka kinubabawan ka at nilapastangan ng isang rapist, ibukas mo pa ng mas malaki ang mga binti mo at "enjoy" (a famous quote from Foreign Secretary Raul Manglapus).

Kumbaga, kung binomba na ng mga dayuhan, pinatay ang mga mamamayan, kinatay ang mga sanggol ng mga sakang na Hapon, mag-tiis at mag-enjoy.

Sa pagbalik ng isang sinasabing kawatan na ni wala tayong narinig na sorry man lang, tanungin siguro natin ang ating mga sarili---bilang Pinoy, okey na ba tayo sa asado o sa bola-bola lang? Ito ba ang kapalit ng 756 milyong pisong pinuhunanan natin ng ating pagod sa pagtratrabaho makapagbayad lang ng buwis? Ang tanggaping ang katotohanan ay maaaring asadong may laman o isang siopao na may bola-bola.

Bahagi na ng ating kultura ang umasa na lamang ng umasa na magkakaroon ng magandang umaga sa kabila ng mga dagok sa ating buhay. Kung mahirap ang lagay ng bayan, mangibang bansa. Kung makakatapos ka naman ng kolehiyo, kunin mo na ang nursing at siguradong me US green card ka.

Kailan kaya tayo tatayo at sasabihing, oras nang kilalanin natin ang ating mga karapatan? Na hindi tayo kailangang magtiis sapagkat karapatan nating maging mabuti ang lagay ng ating mga buhay?

Na, hindi na tayo kailan man papayag na nanakawan tayo ng harap-harapan ng mga kawatan at papatawan na talaga natin ng matinding kaparusahan ang mga mandarambong ng kaban ng bayan?

Kailan kaya na sasabihin natin ng harapan na walang silbi ang mga naninilbihan sa pamahalaan. Kailan kaya tayo pipiyok at sasabihin ng harapan na pitsa-pitsa ang serbisyo ng DPWH sa EDSA?

At kailan kaya natin sasabihin na diring-diri tayo sa mga namumuno ngayon sa atin, na karapatan nating magkaroon ng mas mabuting gobyerno at maiging pamumuhay at sawang-sawa na tayong pamunuan ng mga palpak at makasariling opisyales de gobierno?

May isa pang pagkakataon. 

Sa pagbabalik ni Joc-Joc Bolante, sana piliin natin ang tumpak at tamang daan. Manawagan tayo ng katarungan. Ilabas niya ang katotohanan. Kung mag ala-Neri siya, huwag na huwag tayong papayag na hindi niya makamtan ang katarungang pambayan. 

Galit tayo sa snatcher. Galit tayo sa akyat-bahay. Mas dapat tayong magalit sa mga kawatang naka suot ng barong at harap-harapan tayong niloloko. 

Joc-Joc Bolante here in Philippines?

Breaking news---is Joc-Joc Bolante now in the Philippines and being kept in a secured villa at Subic? That the expected arrival on the 31st of this month will just be a scripted one?

One of my highly-placed source in the community says that US immigration policy mandates the immediate repatriation (read: DEPORTATION) of a person who failed to pass the asylum test. Immediate repatriation means "immediate" as in pronto. I want to make this clear because Pinoys and Americans have totally different concepts when it comes to time.

If his asylum was rejected just recently, then, it would just take him at most 24 hours to arrive here.

A source also told me that Joc-Joc enplaned early in the morning at the Diosdado Macapagal International airport and was whisked away immediately upon arrival. Is this true? If this is, indeed, the case, then, why the secrecy? Is the government preparing Joc-Joc Bolante for his bout against the Senators come November?

And if, indeed Joc-Joc Bolante is here, who is keeping him? Is it government functionaries or the opposition?

Is Joc-Joc Bolante still Gloria's man?

INFAMOUS former Agriculture Undersecretary Joc-Joc Bolante is slated to arrive possibly next week. Bolante, who reportedly engineered the billion peso fertilizer scam, has been ordered deported by the US Immigration department after losing his assylum case. The Senate has been hot on the heels of Bolante since the conclusion of the Senate fertilizer scam probe. Senators are just waiting for him to land his feet at NAIA to arrest him.

Question–will the Arroyo administration allow Bolante to “spill the beans” so to speak before the Senate? Bolante is still a precious commodity, especially to Gloria. Will the administration let go of Bolante? And will Bolante’s testimony trigger widespread dissent against Gloria?

Seems like there’s already a “strategy” to effectively gag Bolante. A Cabinet portfolio waiting for him? Possibly. With the SC affirming “executive privilege”, that would effectively shield Bolante from Gloria’s enemies.

Question–is Bolante still in Gloria’s ambit of influence? Let’s wait and see. Will Bolante do a Lozada?

Politics behind food crisis

There's another scam over at the Philippine Department of Agriculture now being headed by Secretary Arthur Yap. The Inquirer today bared a Joc-Joc Bolante type of scam which occurred again in the same department. Names of beneficiaries were faked and funds siphoned off to other uses and possibly, lined the pockets of greedy men.

So, that explains why our farmers were unable to plant seeds because they have'nt received their rations from the government and that also explains why there's low harvest yields.

And why, aside from graft and corruption, the DA allows this (meaning low rice production)? To justify rice importation, that's the reason. If the country continues to produce only 90% capacity, it allows rice importers to puncture the market with their stocks. Also, an insufficient supply due to low production, also justifies the entry of smuggled foodstuffs, ergo, giving a windfall to importers.

The pressure of imports plus low local food production causes pressures for local food costs to rise. This, my friend, is an artificial tool that is the core cause of our present day misery!

This is too much already.

This government is too greedy and doing these at our expense. What's worst, this scam involves food security and how would we secure our food stocks if these continue? No wonder we have exorbitant food costs. Food costs continue to rise due to low productivity. And we allow smuggled goods and foodstuffs, even import rice when the main problem lies not in production capabilities rather in graft and corruption.

Politics have totally corrupted our state. Governance has now been totally transformed from being public service to public nuisance. What's worst, this threatens the very lives of each and everyone of us because it concerns food.

When will all these things stop? When will we wake up and muster the courage to stop these evil administration from pillaging our rice bowls? My God, this government threatens not only our lives, but the lives of our children, our families! My God, this things are sickening already.

Gising na po Pilipinas! Gising na po tayong lahat!

Malacanang's exit strategy

Romulo Neri is a very important man nowadays. He's expected to show up at the Senate hearings to shed light on the ZTE deal. ANC's Ricky Carandang had a chat with him a few days ago and he seems unaffected by it all. Remember that Neri told Carandang and the Inquirer that he received an indecent proposal from ZTE officials via Chairman Abalos involving millions of dollars. Neri was previously the head of the government's economic planning portfolio. That department was responsible in approving such deals because its the one who gives the justification for government to undertake of such a project. If Neri tells the unvarnished truth, that he was bribed or that an attempt to bribe him did happen, then, this issue is finished. What government must do is just pressure the Supreme Court to declare it unconstitutional, throw the deal to the waste basket and get on with running the government. The SC decision is the most convenient way out of this mess. The government will not lose face to the Chinese. Likewise, the Chinese will definitely understand it if this deal does not push thru.

However, this issue will continue in another front. Neri's revelation will change the direction of this controversy. Right now, all attention seems to be directed at the gang of FG and Abalos. The attacks seem to be pointing to the palace, specifically at the presidency.

Issue Shifting

Neri's testimony is important because it would prove whether there really was a bribery. A mere attempt could easily persuade the public that the deal was tainted with corruption. The onus of proving otherwise, remains with Abalos. However, Abalos will find it very hard to convince the body politic that he did'nt receive a single cent from the Chinese.

If I were Mrs. Arroyo, i'll allow Neri to nail Abalos and the ZTE guys. Judging from the amount of publicity this controversy has generated, Neri's controversy will condemn Abalos to perdition, conveniently allowing FG and Mendoza to distance themselves from the payoff scandal. If this happens, the issue has been effectively contained because it'll be limited to just what the public or government anti-graft prosecutors must do to Abalos. Reports say that Mendoza is clean. I believe them. News articles say that FG was just used by Abalos to put pressure on ZTE's rivals, which, in this case, Joey de Venecia's group.

Malacanang's spinsters should (1) allow Neri's testimony to point to Abalos as the "it" guy. They should write stories that'll say that Abalos actually used his influence and pressured the First Gentleman to accede to this deal. That way, all blame will be directed at Abalos.

Impeachment

Let Abalos sacrifice himself for the sake of the palace. Abalos will definitely be allowed to retire in peace, because he can't be impeached anyway. It'll be a wasteful use of public funds if Congress files an impeachment case against him. The old man is retiring from the Comelec anyway. Common sense dictates that, for the sake of peace, Abalos should be allowed to end his term with "dignity" eventhough he does'nt deserve it.

The Exit Strategy

The main question is this---will Abalos be party to this strategy? Will Abalos allow himself to be further maligned by this scandal? There are precedents anyway. Perez' s case is one. Joc-joc's case is another. Perez is now enjoying the fruits of his indecency somewhere in Batangas while Joc-Joc remains comfortable in his high security cell in the United States. After all of his helter-skelter thing, Abalos has the chance to "wither away", so to speak, a few months from now, when all things simmer down. If I were Abalos, i'll accept this exit strategy. Anyway, if all reports are true, he already received the monies from the Chinese. He can retire in peace. ZTE already paid him. If the SC decides that government should not push for this deal, then, ZTE cannot really demand Abalos to return the money, right? It'll be convenient to all parties to just allow another body to give them the way out. And the SC is the one such body.

Joey's fate

This NBN project will still be given to Joey's group. I don't know if you noticed, but all of these Chinese deals have been bagged by JDV's group. They just raised this thing because one project was not given to them. Civil society groups should scrutinize all Chinese deals and they'll find that JDV's group got all these projects (i.e., Northrail, etc.). Surely, Malacanan will give Joey some projects just to silence him. Its just a question of when. I think we will see Joey in the next few years.