Patricio Mangubat votes for Noynoy Aquino for President

Three of the country's biggest political parties are closing their campaigns tonight--the Lakas-KAMPI, Nacionalista and Liberal party. However, individual campaigns will just end by midnight of Saturday.

Now, let me tell you my choices for President and Vice President.

For president, I will be voting for Liberal Party Standard bearer Noynoy Aquino. I am now endorsing him for 5 simple reasons:

1. Noynoy Aquino is humble, has strong political will and has the correct vision for the country.

2. Noynoy Aquino has the strong moral fortitude needed by the country especially in these times of immorality and corruption.

3. Noynoy Aquino will definitely fight graft and corruption.

4. Noynoy Aquino is the leading contender for the post. To avoid the prospect of electing a minority president, it is for the best interests of the country to elect Noynoy Aquino as majority president.

5. Noynoy Aquino listens and is quick to his feet especially in decisions that needs his immediate attention.

And I proclaim today that Noynoy Aquino will become the 15th President of the Republic of the Philippines. I am extremely confident Noynoy Aquino is our new president. When I saw him up close and personal a few days ago, he now has the "halo" that I saw in former presidents Cory, Fidel, and Estrada.

For Vice President I will be voting for Liberal Party vice presidential bet Mar Roxas for five (5) simple reasons:

1. Mar Roxas does not have graft cases filed against him--unlike one of his rivals who has numerous graft cases against him.

2. Mar Roxas is honest and tapat, unlike one of his rivals who admitted infidelity in his past.

3. Mar Roxas has a very strong political will, rooted firmly on his ideological beliefs, unlike one of his rivals who is just posturing.

4. Mar Roxas has experience in managing executive departments.

5. Mar Roxas is the leading contender in the surveys and we need a majority vice president.

Black propaganda heaped upon him will surely fail---and the Binay minions will be frustrated come May 10, 2010 elections.

Let us all pray, regardless of our religious beliefs for Noynoy Aquino and Mar Roxas. Failure of this elections is directed at stealing the thunder so to speak from an Aquino-Roxas victory.

FOR SENATOR:

1. LACSON, ALEX (23)
2. DE VENECIA, JOEY (12)
3. OPLE, SUSAN (38)
4. LIM, DANNY
5. QUERUBIN, ARIEL
6. MITRA, RAMON
7. ACOSTA, NEREUS (1)
8. BAUTISTA, MARTIN
9. GUINGONA, TEOFISTO
10. HONTIVEROS, RISA
11. MASA, LIZA
12. OCAMPO, SATUR

IN CASE YOU DON'T APPROVE OF SOME OF THEM (BUT DON'T DELIST LACSON, OPLE, LIM, QUERUBIN, DE VENECIA AND MITRA), CONSIDER:

1. MARCOS, BONGBONG
2. LAO, YASMIN
3. BIAZON, RUFFY

Countdown to May 10 2010 Elections

Filipino Senatoriables to consider

My friends,

I just read my blog's stats and thank you for your continued trust. I regained my 4-5 google page rank and gained a very steady 12,300 readers every day, 50% plus here and some 40% abroad. Thanks a lot for trusting this site. I will continue to provide you with relevant information and in the next few days, an expose that will rock your world.

Anyway, for the 40% Filipinos who read this blog from the comforts of their homes abroad, this is my official endorsement of the people who I think deserve Senate seats. I based this on my seven qualifications:

1. First, the person, regardless of his education and intelligence, should have his/her heart in the right place. Love of self, love of family, love of fellow men and love of God are all signs that his heart is in the right place.

2. Second, intelligence. The candidate should be intelligent and with a wit that knows how to distinguish what is right and what is wrong.

3. No debt with Big Business.

4. No company that will benefit from the post he is seeking.

5. Not being influenced by influential father or mother.

6. Strong willed.

7. Ready to implement the People's Agenda.

For the last six months, I interviewed these candidates and I sincerely believe that they fit these qualifications to the "t". THese are:

1. LACSON, ALEX of the Liberal Party. Talked with him, saw and listened to him on several occasions, including that Bandila interview of Henry Omaga-Diaz and Ces Drilon and of course, that Karen Davila ANC interview. He tops my vote.
2. OPLE, SUSAN of the Nacionalista Party. She deserves a Senate seat for her tremendous work with the Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), a person with her heart in the right place, strong willed, very intelligent and wants real change to happen in our country.
3. DE VENECIA III, JOEY of the Partido ng Masang Pilipino (PMP). Joey is no push-over. He fights for what is right and disdains what is wrong. Joey is not being influenced by his father and chooses and picks his own fights. He deserve to be at the Senate.
4. LIM, DANILO (IND). This General fought for us during the darkest days of our Republic. He deserves the Senate to pursue the Cause of the People.
5. QUERUBIN, ARIEL of the Nacionalista Party. His sacrifice should not be in vain. Otherwise, we might be accused as a People who do not recognize heroes.
6. OCAMPO, SATUR of the Nacionalista Party. Ocampo's heart is in the right place, sacrificed his whole life fighting for the cause of the Poor and the oppressed.
7. MASA, LIZA of the Nacionalista Party. Fought for the rights of women and the oppressed.
8. BAUTISTA, MARTIN of the Liberal Party. Highly intelligent and definitely nationalistic. His views on health and how to improve public health system are revolutionary. 
9. GUINGONA, TEOFISTO III of the Liberal Party. Deserves to continue the legacy of his nationalist father, and has his heart in the right place.
10. ACOSTA, NEREUS of the Liberal Party. A very intelligent man, with a tremendous love for his country.
11. BIAZON, RUFFY of the Liberal Party. Deserves to continue the legacy of his father, but with an independent streak in him.
12. HONTIVEROS-BARAQUEL, RIZA of the Liberal Party. A hard-worker in Congress. Legislated more laws than Lito Lapid. Deserves our vote.

TO SUMMARIZE:

LACSON (LP)
OPLE (NP)
DE VENECIA (PMP/UNO)
LIM (IND)
QUERUBIN (NP)
OCAMPO (NP)
MASA (NP)
BAUTISTA (LP)
GUINGONA (LP)
ACOSTA (LP)
BIAZON (LP)
HONTIVEROS (LP)

Warm regards,

Patricio Mangubat

A computer for every home, says Joey de Venecia III

There should be a computer connected to the internet in every Filipino home to give everyone access to livelihood and educational opportunities and bring the country firmly into the Information Age , IT businessman Joey de Venecia III said yesterday.


"This is not an impossible dream, but rather a realizable goal," he said, as he called for the next administration to make this and information technology education a sustained part of the national government budget.

De Venecia said a personal computer, internet access and information support will have an immediate and dramatic impact on Filipino families. This would give them enhanced educational and livelihood opportunities that are only available from IT, and a means for OFW families to re-integrate with their loved ones working abroad by commuting on the cyber-highway.


"Students will have the entire world as their library and they will hone up on the skills we need to become truly competitive in the 21st century. All OFWs abroad can be involved in the day-to-day lives of their families back home, while families can engage in IT businesses like e-commerce and delivery of providing out-sourced services from their own homes," he illustrated.


One of the country's pioneer IT businessmen, de Venecia said that because the cost of PCs have gone down drastically in the last few years, they should be a standard part of every household, much like TV sets, electric fans and gas stoves.


Between the country's three major telcos, internet connection is also available just about everywhere in the Philippines, de Venecia added.


"Being the biggest of the telcos, Smart alone could well provide internet connectivity everywhere," he added.


De Venecia said that he had high hopes for the continued growth of the IT industry in the country.


In business circles, he is known as the Father of the Philippine Call Center industry. When he set up the first call center in the country in 1997, little did the public know that this segment of the IT industry would soon become the fastest growing business. Today, there are some 600,000 Filipinos employed in the call center industry.


De Venecia said it was possible that employment in the IT industry could be in the millions in a few short years, given enough incentives by the government.


"What we do not have yet here in the country are home-based call center workers. If there were a PC with internet connection in every Filipino home, imagine how many millions could be part of online commerce," said the ZTE-national broadband network whistleblower.

One hundred percent penetration is not impossible or improbable, according to de Venecia. One of the country's Asean neighbors, Singapore, is close to attaining the goal of all households having PCs.


There are so many wi-fi connections in Singapore that there is a "cloud" which allows everyone to access the internet anywhere in the city-state.


De Venecia said connectivity to the internet did not have to be by PC, either. Even cell phones are now internet-ready. De Venecia said he agreed with the observation that many kinds of devices now in the market or soon to hit the market will make access to all the information in the internet available to all.


"The need for information, especially among our students, is a part of modern life," he said.


A leading senatorial candidate under the Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino, Joey de Venecia III represents the IT sector, the business community and even the youth in his first try at politics.


He became known nationally as a graftbuster who singlehandedly stopped the corruption riddled ZTE deal worth P16 billion from pushing through in 2007. De Venecia has consistently fared well in the national surveys on senate bets, always landing in the winners' circle.

Good elites, bad elites

Is elitism really a scourge in this country? Not quite, says Joey de Venecia III. There are families which have carved dynasties that benefitted the people. Example would be the Binays of Makati City, the Osmenas, and other familiar names in Philippine politics.

What is contemptible, says Joey in his latest press statement, is when families such as the Arroyos dominate the political scene with impunity. Hence, says Joey, all opposition parties should repulse another attempt by the Arroyos to perpetuate themselves in power.

Okey, so what I gathered so far is, there are elites who are essentially good because they serve the people well, and there are those whose passion and desires are simply for self-aggrandizement. Accepted.

Now, I ask myself---what was the cause why families such as the Arroyos can actually perpetuate themselves in power without even, nay, feeling nauseous for doing so? Simple question nets a very simple answer--because existing laws allow them to. For those who study politics, politics is not an ethical nor a moral game. It is a game played by those whose desire is simply get and maintain themselves in power. Period. If the rules of the land say that you can actually field your wife, your brother, your sister, your mother, your father and your in-laws while you youself hold an elective post, you can do so because of the absence of an enabling law against political dynasties.

To change all of these, we must address the root cause of such---either enact an enabling law against political dynasty OR simply build transformative and responsible politics. The former is doable; the latter, we have a long way to go.

But of course, it is easy to say this, given that we are just saying what is possible or doable and what are not doables.

The next question that we need to answer is this---are our elites desire to simply do what is right? Probably, no. As I said, politics is not and will never be ethical simply because the way to power is not a moral struggle.

If the elites don't desire to correct the wrongs wrought by their inability to create or craft an enabling law, then, the only way to do this is eradicate the very system they use to perpetuate themselves in power. This is doable but possible, no. For the very levers of the system prevent outsiders from actually causing a breakdown of the system.

One example would be the process of elections. Elections is designed as the democratic means towards equalizing the political spectrum. How can elections be used as an effective deterrent against political dynasties when it is not as credible as we hope it is?

There are, however, models that counter this, one of which is what happened in Isabela, where Grace Padaca defeated the Dys. Or that of Pampanga when a priest, Ed Panlilio, gave the Lapids and the jueteng lords some beating. These models are, of course, local, not national. Will there be a time when nationally accepted political dynastic families crumble against weaker opponents? Possibly not doable under a self-perpetuating system of political patronage.

Randy David bilang Pangulo at Noynoy bilang VP

Maari ba tayong mangarap ng sandali at isulat ko ang mga pangarap na iyon dito sa New Philippine Revolution?

Kung posible nga sana, sino-sino ba sa pananaw ko ang kakatawanin ng isang dream team sa eleksyon sa 2010? Suriin natin at paka ngimiin.



Para sa Pagkapangulo



Nais ko sana ng isang Pangulong may alam hindi sa pangungurakot o kung papaano babawiin ang kanyang campaign funds, kundi sa papaanong maiging patakbuhin ang isang pamahalaang may dambuhalang burukrasya. Maganda sana ang isang Pangulo na may magandang bisyon o pangarap sa pagpapaunlad ng bansa, na maglalatag ng isang agenda na istratehiko, hindi taktikal. Napansin ko sa mga nakaraang mga pangulo, puro taktikal na kampanya lamang ang kanilang mga ipinatupad, mga stop gap measures na lumulutas ng panandalian sa mga problema ng bayan ngunit iniiwanan ang pagpapasya sa paglutas sa mga tunay at ugat ng problem sa susunod na administrasyon.



Nais ko sana ang isang kandidatong walang utang na loob sa mga dambuhalang mga kumpanya at mga lokal na panginoong maylupa.



Sino ba sa palagay ko ang maaaring lider sa panguluhan na tumutugon sa mga kwalipikasyong ito?



Sa ganang akin, ito'y si Professor Randy David.



Opo, ang tanyag na propesor Randy David. Una, may talino siya't may marubdob na pagmamahal sa Inang Bayan. Ikalawa, mayroon siyang pag-asang maging isang tunay na alternatibong kandidato laban sa mga pumapalaot na mga trapong nais maging pangulo. At ikatlo, wala siyang pangarap na maging pangulo, alalaong baga'y para siyang isang Corazon Aquino.



Sa Pangalawang Pangulo



Maganda sana kung si Senator Benigno "NoyNoy" Aquino ay siyang magpahayag ng kahandaang tumakbo bilang ikalwang pangulo o kung hindi man, suportahan na lamang ang kandidatura ni Senator Kiko Pangilinan. Sa ganang akin, tunay ang abilidad at kakayanan ng dalawang ito upang pamunuan ang pamahalaan. Magagamit natin ang kanilang karanasan bilang mga mambabatas para magkasanib puwersa nilang tulungan ang Pangulong Randy David sa pagpapatakbo ng pamahalaan.



Sa mga Senatoriables



1. General Danilo Lim---para sa tunay na reporma ng Sandatahang Lakas ng Pilipinas at pagpapatatag ng sekyuridad ng ating bansa.



2. Susan Toots Ople---pagpapalakas ng hanay ng lakas paggawa at pagsulong pa ng mga batas na magpapa-igi sa kapakanan ng mga Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW).



3. Joey de Venecia III---pagpapakinis sa business environment upang maging lebel ang playing field at sa gayun, ma-attract ang foreign investments sa bansa.



4. Ariel Querubin--tungo sa pagpapakinis ng relasyong pangtanggulan ng Pilipinas sa iba't-ibang bansa at pagpapatatag din sa pagbigay benepisyo sa mga bayani ng bayan.



5. Risa Hontiveros---pagbalangkas ng isang matatag na batas tungo sa proteksyon ng mga karapatan ng mga kababaihan at iba pang batas na siyang magpapa-igi sa kalagayan ng mga urban poor.



6. Ruffy Biazon---mga batas na magpapalakas sa hanay ng mga kabataan at magbibigay ng libreng edukasyon sa mga kabataang napagkaitan ng gayung oportunidad.



7. Teddy Casino---magkakatawan sa mga middle class gayundin sa mga propesyunal at magiging kasangkapan upang makapagpanday ng mga batas na siyang magsusulong ng isang Pambansa Demokratikong lipunan.



8. Satur Ocampo----magpapatatag sa mga batas tungo sa proteksyon ng karapatang pantao at karapatan ng hanay ng mga manggagawang Pilipino, gayondin ng midya.



9. Teofisto Guingona III---magpapanday ng mga batas upang patatagin ang ugnayang Kristiyano at Muslim sa Mindanao gayundin ang paglikha ng mga batas tungo sa pagpapaunlad ng mga kanayunan.



10. Lisa Masa----tunay na kinatawan ng mga kababaihan sa Senado at magiging malakas na tagapagsulong ng mga rebolusyunaryong inisyatiba.



11. Atty. Adel Tamano---pagsusulong ng mga interes ng Bangsamoro sa Senado.

12. Jamby Madrigal



Dream Team



Prof. Randy David---Pangulo

Noynoy Aquino------Ikalwang Pangulo



Senatorial Slate



1. Gen. Danilo Lim

2. Susan Toots Ople

3. Joey de Venecia III

4. Ariel Querubin

5. Risa Hontiveros

6. Ruffy Biazon

7. Teddy Casino

8. Satur Ocampo

9. Teofisto Guingona III

10. Lisa Masa

11. Adel Tamano

12. Jamby Madrigal

Street Parliamentarians as Senators?

AKBAYAN Representative Hontiveros-Baraquel is running for the Senate. Same goes to BAYANMUNA Representatives Teddy Casino and Satur Ocampo. These are personalities closely aligned with the Left. There are also reverberations on the ground that Leah Navarro of the Black and White Movement is running; same goes to her bosom buddy, ZTE whistle-blower Jun Lozada and Joey de Venecia III.

Are we seeing the resurrection of the Bugs Bunny craedo that if you can't beat them, join them? Are we now abandoning street parliamentarism in exchange for Traditional Parliamentarism?

Is this also an admission that other forms of struggle, like EDSA or the People's Protracted War, are failures? That the way to go for change is simply be like those in power except that you're non-trapo? Is that the only difference?

For Arroyo and her bunch of nincoompoops, this is a serious security problem. Hawks within the palace will surely squawk and fidget in their seats. They definitely would try to frustrate the Senatorial ambitions of these personalities to preserve the gains of the reinvigorated oligarchy.

Street parliamentarians as Senators? Why not?

The only worry I have is this---will they transform into Joker Arroyos who abandoned the Cause of the People just to protect his political friends?

Will they be the Osmenas who now protect the interests of big energy players and big haciendero interests when they became senators? Or will they continue their fiscalizing roles and try to effect real, significant changes in Philippine society?

Breaking News--Joey de Venecia harassed in Cebu!

As I'm writing my earlier entry, I received numerous frantic texts from my bosom buddy Joey de Venecia 3, the son of former speaker Jose de Venecia Jr who's in Cebu right now for some speaking engagements.

It appears that some officials of Malacanang have prevented Joey de Venecia from entering and speaking in a school inside an airbase in Cebu. It appears that Joey's security is compromised and there are reports that airforce officials want him arrested right there and there!

Joey texted me, and I'll write this in entirety now:

"...jst wud like to infrom u that i am in cebu right now to attend a students forum with student leaders and faculty of the philippine state college of aeronautics on mactan airbase. unfortunately, i was informed that the forum was cancelled after some Malacanang officials called up the school...

According to Prof. JM Sarselejo, Mactan airbase officials and security approved the school forum but "higher authorities" in Manila ordered them to refrain me from entering (the school)"

This is a flagrant violation of Joey de Venecia's right to freely express himself. This shows how arrogant and how high and mighty these Palace occupants think of themselves.

Hang on my friend and fellow Patriot! Continue the fight! Though we are under the vilest and the darkest of hour, the Shining Sun of Salvation will definitely arrive.

Oust the Imp(ostor) and Suya Ka Na Ba?

I stumbled upon two very new and interesting sites. One of them "Oust the Imp" (http://ousttheimp.wordpress.com/) is very entertaining. It's political alright but the way the writer treats her material is great. The other one is http://suyakana.blogspot.com. Talks about why some bloggers filed that intervention to the main impeachment complaint of Joey de Venecia.

If you want to know the real score behind Manolo etal visit to Congress today, check out those two sites and you'll know why. Maybe most of them felt "suya"? They're not happy with the way things are going so they are feeling suya and want the "imp" (impostor and I think it's Gloria) out.

There are so many interesting things going on right now. Truly, I don't know where to start. Let me compose my thoughts for a while and digest what Marocharim is saying in his blog (http://www.marocharim. com/).

In the next few days, I will be writing serious stuff here. Bear with me. I need to expose the excesses of this regime. That is my mission as a blogger--to expose the Truth and let it hang dry.

Pathological Traps

Palace PR operators are at it again. They are heightening the Neri testimony to diffuse the situation. They are allowing the media to highlight the former NEDA chief's testimony as if it matters now. The SC has said that Neri could not disclose his conversation with Arroyo. What value or use will his testimony be, since that conversation is the kernel of the truth behind ZTE?

It seems that Arroyo's handlers is propping up the situation in anticipation of a major announcement from their principal. I guess Arroyo will be announcing some major changes in the Cabinet, including the "lateral transfer" of DOTC secretary Leandro Mendoza from the DOTC to the newly formed Aviation Authority. Its a "demotion" which way you look at it and we don't know how Mendo would accept such an offer from the president. Surely though, it would not diminish Mendo's influence at the DOTC, since he has been there since this administration started. Some say it was a reward since Arroyo added more responsibilities to Mendo. However, by the looks of it, it seems that the ground is being prepared for his eventual transfer...

It would be very interesting how Arroyo would dislodge DENR secretary Lito Atienza from his post. Or how about PNP chief Avelino Razon Jr. whom civil society members also want to be "retired" or "resigned"? How would Arroyo handle them?

In the past, Arroyo is known to sacrifice her lieutenants and knights just to survive. Surely, Arroyo will not touch Razon. She might "relocate" not totally remove Atienza from his post. Probably Atienza would be transferred to an ambassadorial post? In Guinea I suppose? Or probably the head of the Luneta Park? Or a government corporation? Or since Atienza is fond of abducting witnesses and ordering them to make the rounds of Cavite-Laguna-Batangas, maybe he's fit to be assigned at the Calabarzon area? Arroyo's very creative, this survivor is, she'll find some inventive ways of solving a problem like Atienza. This early, I believe Atienza is a done deal. He's a goner.

Funny thing

A Pulse Asia survey showed that some of the senators who took part in the ZTE deal hearings suffered from a drop in approval ratings, most especially Joker Arroyo. Everybody's ratings dropped, including those of presidentiables Manny Villar and Mar Roxas. Perplexing, is'nt? Probably people hate Arroyo so much that this hatred is beginning to affect her allies at the Senate. Pulse Asia should probably conduct another poll to see why people reacted that way. This survey may or may not influence the Senate, especially Cayetano who also suffered a drop, to continue with the ZTE probe.

Finally, Big Mike admitted the Wack-Wack meeting

After this controversy, I bet that every influence peddler would (1) learn how to play golf and (2) would visit Wack-Wack more often. Look at Abalos, he chairs the golf club and won for himself a nice trip to the US. Wow, that's something. Maybe i'll play some rounds at WackWack and win myself a trip to the US.

By the way, Big Mike, whom Senator Madrigal referred to as "First Goon", "First Grafter" or what have you (I refer to him as "First Golfer" since, despite his reported illness, continues to play that game of the elites), admitted meeting Joey de Venecia that fateful morning at Wack Wack. Though he never admitted telling Joey to "back off", Big Mike admitted warning Joey though of dipping his hands at government contracts, being a son of the Speaker. However, if you closely examine what transpired, I believe Joey more than Big Mike. If Mike admitted admonishing Joey for having himself involved in a government deal, would it be logical to conclude that, indeed, he said that word "back off"?

On hindsight, what's so bad about Big Mike telling Joey to "back off" from the deal? Nothing. In the context of the meeting, it's not bad for the First Gentleman to tell Joey to back off since, as he said, Joey's the son of the Speaker, right? In fact, if FG admitted saying that, it could have been good for him since that shows you how "protective" he was of the national welfare, right? I think this is worth considering by his publicists.

Let's wait and see, shall we? We only have until March 14. Afterwards, if nothing happens at that time, then, we can all junk all of these things and let bygones be bygones. Anyway, 2010 is just around the corner. Pardon Arroyo again for her infraction and just junk her or charge her in court after 2010. However, I don't think people will just do this at this point. People are tired of the corruption and the hardships this administration has been doing since Day One. I think they will flood UST of warm bodies. If not, then, kalimutan na lang lahat ito and just suffer in silence, okey?

2008 Start of the Presidential Campaign

If a coup does not occur in either January or February 2008, chances are the following configurations will happen on route to 2010.

Roxas-Legarda

There are strong indications that a tandem between Senators Mar Roxas and Loren Legarda is being done in the woodworks. These two individuals are the strongest candidates for the top posts. Lakas is reportedly talking with either NP or LP. However, Ray Roquero did'nt mention that most Lakas members favoring LP over NP. The question that remains is, what would happen to the principled stand of the LP articulated by LP stalwart former Senator Frank Drilon that their party will never align with the administration party? If LP coalesce with Lakas, Drilon's reputation will definitely be at stake. And surely, their trust ratings will suffer because, obviously, the people will never tolerate a Lakas-LP coalition.

Villar-Noli

Villar has intimated his desire to run for the presidency early on in 2004. The prime problem of Villar is his vice presidential contender. There are indications that NP will side with the administration this year for possible preparations for 2010. Indications are rife that Villar will align with a contender from Arroyo's party, most probably Noli. However, I believe Noli's camp is also preparing for his possible candidacy, at the behest of Arroyo. This tandem will not be the strongest.

Administration choosing either Noli, Bayani or Belmonte

There are signs that these three stooges will campaign hard for the blessing of Arroyo this year. These three coalition partners of Arroyo stand no chance of winning the presidency. Their campaigns are just test missions so to speak. They are being pump primed in the event that Kampi fails to coalesce with NP for 2010. Should any of these talks fail, its either a Noli-Bayani tandem or a Noli-Belmonte tandem will happen. In any case, Bayani Fernando's candidacy is interesting because he can run either as Vice President or Senator. If he runs for Senator, he has a strong chance of winning. This year 2008 is a critical year for Bayani. If his Test mission fails to generate enough dent in his ratings in any surveys, he could probably settle for the Marikina post again in a post-Arroyo regime.

Roxas-Noli

A Roxas-Noli tandem is also formidable. Both groups share the same passion. Both have strong campaign machineries. However, I don't know if Noli would agree on such a coalition. In any case, should their tandem happen, it will occur when Noli forms his own party since I believe, LP stalwarts will never coalesce with Arroyo's.

Binay-Estrada

Within the opposition, there are lingering talks of a Binay-Estrada tandem. Obviously, Jinggoy is a strong vice-presidential candidate and a tandem like this will definitely benefit the Estradas rather than Binay. If this occurs, what will happen to a possible UNO coalition with LP?

Insider info

These talks as revealed by Ray Roquero involves the total absolution of Arroyo's camp from any prosecution after 2010. Knowing these people from NP, they will obviously agree since its a cheap negotiation anyway.

Curio

Notice that no name of either Arroyo or De Venecia came up with all configurations, precisely because, as far as the public is concerned, they are has-beens. The question really is---will these two personas allow themselves to fade away from the public eye? Surely, they would really really press hard for a change of government prior to 2010. This month, an attempt was made in Congress precisely about this one. The hearing will happen in the first week of January. The question is--will NP and LP allow this to happen? The chances of a parliamentary shift is very strong given that the opposition is truly weak at the core.

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
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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

Abalos and Formoso--sacrificial lambs

Joey de Venecia was a picture of frustration at today's Senate hearings. After Mendoza admitted meeting Mr. Arroyo and Comelec chairman Abalos, Joey sensed something wrong. Mendoza told Senators that he did meet the First Gentleman and Chairman Abalos at Wack Wack Golf and Country Club, but there was nothing anomalous about it. It was a simple chat, that's all and it has nothing to do with the ZTE deal.

Bull.

Don't tell me that the First Gentleman did not "pressure" Mendoza to agree about the deal. Don't tell me that Chair Abalos did'nt caddy for the Chinese. Abalos already admitted knowing the ZTE officials and they have discussed the ZTE deal at length prior to the April 21 signing of the agreement in China. Mendoza is simply lying for saying that he knows nothing rotten about the deal. What's more, Mendoza simply allowed an underling to defend the contract, deftly distancing himself from the issue. Is this the kind of secretary we deserve? Someone who heads the department but does'nt know or simply feign innocence whenever something like this happens?

I do believe, however, that Mendoza did not earn a single cent from this deal. I believe that Mendoza is clean. I can't say about the First Gentleman and Abalos. Maybe this deal was just to accommodate the wishes of the "old man" who's set to retire four months from now. Its quite possible that Abalos was expecting this deal to be his swan song. I do believe Joey's revelation though about Abalos. It seems that Joey was really pressured by Abalos to back off because this project was a project of the First Gentleman and Abalos.

I do emphathize with Mendoza though. He owes the First Gentleman his position. And generals like him are admired most for their capacity to keep secrets. It seems that Mendoza was just doing his job, while Abalos appears to be the one who wants a quick buck. It could be that this deal was the First Gentleman's gift to Abalos.

Obviously, in this political vaudeville (as described by GMA), the die has already been cast. Sacrifice Abalos and Formoso. Abalos is retiring from government service anyway while Formoso, well, he's dispensible. From the looks of it, GMA and her gang has decided to let Abalos go. The question though is, is this a wise decision?

The cabbie sings

Abalos knows a lot of secrets. He knows the real score especially on the 2004 elections. If he sings....that's another "fresh" destabilization plot. Abalos said that he'll attend the Senate hearings on Wednesday to clear his name. Sadly, this might be a foregone conclusion. The reputation of Abalos has been destroyed by Joey's pronouncements that it would be very hard for Abalos to cleanse his name.

A warning though to the good Chairman---the Chinese intelligence service is closely observing what's happening here. The Chinese Communist Party, obviously, would not let this issue sitting down. Abalos could face a very dangerous situation here.

If Abalos is let go, what's the possibility of him singing like a canary? There's a chance that he will.

Postscript

A "sick" First Gentleman left for Germany in the eve of the Senate hearings. What prompted him to leave? Could it be because of the Senate hearings? I think not.

I think the First Gentleman needs to check on his deposits in Switzerland. He went there with his banker. What would prod a sick man to leave in haste if it not for money? The only possibility is one of his banks need his signature. For what, you may ask? There are three possibilities: (1) FG needs to sign a bank transfer (2) He needs to withdraw a huge sum of money which he cannot do online and (3) it could be he's preparing the country of exile?

These things don't happen without a purpose. I stand by my observation that negotiations between GMA's camp and the counter-elite has reached an impasse. There could be another stab at ousting the president and the palace probably knows that the counter-elite has a stronger force than theirs. Are we seeing a repeat of EDSA very soon? I think yes. But, it may not happen this month or the next. It could probably happen either by January or February of next year. I think the nation is expecting yet another scandal which could precipitate a power grab.

Joey's revelation ala Chavit--GMA must stand down

The ZTE deal is becoming a family squabble. You have the son of the Speaker talking against the spouse of the most powerful official of the land. You have both the wife and their children ganging up against the Speaker's son. Lines are slowly being drawn. I agree with some analysts--the relationship of both the Speaker and the President is now strained. But if you analyze it more closely, this controversy did not precipitate the strain. This relationship has been strained before the elections. Last elections, the Speaker nearly lost his congressional fight when administration allies ganged up on him. When he wrested that one in Pangasinan, another close ally of the president tried, yet failed, to dislodge him from the speakership. So, there is really nothing to lose at this point because their political relationship has since been severed by all of these attempts at destroying JDV's political career.

What we're now seeing is a purely public display of that strained relations. The question that needs to be answered is whether or not the Speaker is behind all of these. Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago asked that question two days ago, when she verbalized her disgusts against the Speakers' son, Joey. Santiago asked that there must be some sinister hands behind the revelation of Joey. Her paranoia has basis. You see, in Philippine politics, nothing happens without the expressed consent of the elite. I'm sure that JDV camp has given Joey their tacit approval of the expose. However, we need to contextualize this issue and look at it as an important component of a bigger political game.

What's at stake for both camps?

There's an uncanny resemblance between what Chavit did in 2000 with that of today's revelation of Joey's. First, Chavit came out of the woodwork entering the last quarter of 2000, when he accused former president Erap as the one behind plans for him to be assassinated. Chavit bravely exposed Erap's alleged corruption also in the Senate.

Joey's revelation also has that kind of tenor. Joey said that he's been receiving death threats from government officials. He fingered DOTC Secretary Leandro Mendoza as the one behind those threats he's been receiving after he came out of his expose. Joey's fears has basis. Mendoza is the head of the generals' "mafia" in government, and Mendoza's group is known for doing "special operations" against their enemies.

In 2000, Chavit went to the media and used the Fourth estate in his fight against Erap. He also gamely went to Congress and Senate and exposed Erap's "indiscretions". Joey also used this tactic. He first went to his father's media friend, columnist Jarius Bondoc, and revealed what happened. As early as last year, Bondoc has been writing about the ZTE story, but no one really took notice. ZTE officials ignored Bondoc's allegations and did not even tried to counter them. That was their mistake because ZTE allowed their enemies to "work the ground", so to speak, allowing Amsterdam Holdings Incorporated to gain time in getting the media at their side. Now, AHI and the powers behind it, are now in a very powerful position. They have dictated the tempo eversince and no amount of crisis management can ever be done to sway public opinion now.

When Chavit lambasted the palace, everybody gravitated towards him, including the counter-elite. Chavit became the focal point of the anti-Erap movement. Now, with Joey's revelations, the question remains--will the counter-elite gravitate to him? That remains to be seen.

As I wrote here, the failure of anti-GMA groups to court middle class support is the main reason why all of their attempts failed. The middle class remains unconvinced that now is the right time to oust Gloria. With this controversy becoming nastier and more sinister, will this be the one which will finally convince the middle forces to stand up against Gloria? Will the Philippine business community stand up against Gloria or will they just stay silent and wait for this controversy to simmer down?

I am sure that there are furious negotiations between the camps of GMA and JDV specifically on how to effectively manage this situation and avoid a spillage. I fear though that maybe, just maybe, the two camps have already ended negotiations. What prodded JDV to cancel his trip to the Netherlands? Reports say that the First Gentleman went there on the eve of Joey's revelation. Wagging tongues reveal that FG went there purposely to meet with the Speaker and discuss this brouhaha. If JDV cancelled his trip, does this mean that both camps have reached an impasse or a settlement? Or JDV's forces have now assessed the situation and finally said that now is the time to move against Gloria?

We don't know what's happening behind the scenes but one thing is for sure--Gloria is using her enormous influence now to pressure the Supreme Court to grant an indefinite suspension of the ZTE deal. Gloria's camp is known to capitulate whenever it smells something sinister in the air. When its threatened, Gloria is known to back off. Unlike Erap who stubbornly resisted Chavit, Gloria's camp are veteran political operators who knows when to call it quits. This issue is easy to solve. Let the Supreme Court decide on the constitutionality of the deal, drop it, and let the heat off. For one, the ZTE deal does not have an appropriation in the first place and it's just a supplier contract. The best solution to this is for Gloria to face this squarely, decide for the suspension of the deal, and let agencies of government review it. It will take some time, yes, but, this is precisely the point why Gloria should back off now. If she does what Erap did in 2000, she may yet find herself and her spouse on the same boat as Erap. Gloria must stand down.