APEC IN PERU--A NEW WORLD ORDER?

Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte initially hesitated on that 24 hour trip to Peru. But, after reading what Russian president Putin did, which was, get Russia out of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Duterte had a change of mind. And many people expected it.

In his China trip, Duterte was the first one to announce to the entire world, a triumvirate of sorts, which includes the Philippines, China and Russia. Some say, Duterte's pronouncement was the 21st century version of the Axis Powers, which former German dictator Adolf Hitler led alongside Imperial Japan and Benito Mussolini's Italy. Now, what is being promoted is what I call the Asian Axis of Powers, an animal which packs an apocalyptic power deadlier than that of the EWurpean-inspired Axis powers. And like other deranged leaders who salivate on conquering the peoples of the world, Duterte thinks he is now at par with the rest of those whose hands dripped of the blood of their own peoples.

Seventy years ago, it was the ideology of intolerance that encouraged Germany to partner up with Italy and Japan. These three wanted nothing more than annihilate the rest of the world, and people it with their kind. Of course, the Germans wanted nothing more than see only blond people walking the face of the earth, and none of the kinks and had they succeeded, Hitler's Germany would have waged war against the other Axis powers, and the world would have seen only the Great Aryan Race walking and enjoying all the blessings of God, while the rest of us are probably working the mines or worse, being experimented upon inside thousands of German death camps. Or, we are likely be a few feet buried under the ground.

Right now, it is Putin, the Great Vlad, that wears Hitler's cape while China probably mimicked the Fascism of Mussolini, albeit, of the extreme Socialist kind, while, what about Duterte? Of course, Duterte thinks he has the credentials worthy of Li's and Putin's consideration---he, admittedly, inspired his own police force to turn into an efficient killing machine and look at how he and his cops already did----Filipino cops have already killed 4,000 plus of their own people and if we are to believe Duterte, there are still 2,600,000 more out there to find and murder.

Duterte wears his badge like a proud Meister. He thinks he's right and is doing the right sacrifice for his people. Like Putin, Duterte thinks killing people is the righteous way to go about his overzealous campaign against drug addiction.

A few days from now, and we will all wake up and find that there is a so-called "New World Order." This "new world order" is expected to include us, the Filipinos, all because of Duterte.

Yes, while we led the rest of the world after World War two in creating the United Nations so that all nations of the world would avoid killing each other over racism and intolerance, we are forgetting all of that, and is veering towards a "world order" that is far from being tolerant of other races and beliefs.

Of course, Duterte will say that this concept is "new" and I agree.

For the past few years, the world has transformed into a more livable place, a world that understands tolerance and cognizant of rights, of a world that lives "by the law", and a world that now sees everybody as genetically linked, thanks to advances in genome study.

Now, leaders like Duterte wants the world to turn its head upside down and reject the notion of a free world. Duterte wants nothing more than kill 3 million plus of his people to save 100 million more. And Duterte wants to see his people with their heads bowed in submission, before him, He Who Claims to be Smarter than Any other scumbag in the world.

What is "new" in this "new world order" is its cast---a bunch of Hitler wannabes whose claim to fame is that they ordered the slaughter of their own people, the very same ones whom they promised to "protect and safeguard their rights."

How do China treat dissidents or those Hongkongers who longed for freedom? They kill them by mowing them with their tanks. How did Putin deal with those who question his leadership? He had them all killed. And how, mind you, did Duterte inspired his security forces under his disposal? Duterte inspired them to go out like hunting dogs, hunt for people who use and sell drugs or even those whom these cops only suspect of being involved in drugs or plain and simply, they just hate or see people who look like addicts.

Obviously, there is nothing new about this new world order except that it a step backward, a step towards darkness, a rage against intellectualism and humanism and a noisy promotion of sectarianism, hatred and intolerance.

Yes, my son, we are going into war, a war that will put humanity back several thousands of years ago, when we kill because we hate how a person looks like, or we see zombies out of hapless drug dependents and spare those who supply these dependents with their drugs.

Yes, we are entering an era where we want just one idea to rule the world, just one look for people and just one style for people to wear. Let's throw out diversity and embrace unitarianism. Let's create our own version of order out of a perceived disorder and let's harmonize the economies of the world into one so that just one group of people continue their own domination, while we allow billions to just live like slaves working for the new order.

New world order? I dare these scumbags to just do their thing and enslave the world. And let them meet the same fate of their predecessors who once believed they were the dominant race when simply, they were the most foolish.

APEC IN PERU--A NEW WORLD ORDER?

Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte initially hesitated on that 24 hour trip to Peru. But, after reading what Russian president Putin did, which was, get Russia out of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Duterte had a change of mind. And many people expected it.

In his China trip, Duterte was the first one to announce to the entire world, a triumvirate of sorts, which includes the Philippines, China and Russia. Some say, Duterte's pronouncement was the 21st century version of the Axis Powers, which former German dictator Adolf Hitler led alongside Imperial Japan and Benito Mussolini's Italy. Now, what is being promoted is what I call the Asian Axis of Powers, an animal which packs an apocalyptic power deadlier than that of the EWurpean-inspired Axis powers. And like other deranged leaders who salivate on conquering the peoples of the world, Duterte thinks he is now at par with the rest of those whose hands dripped of the blood of their own peoples.

Seventy years ago, it was the ideology of intolerance that encouraged Germany to partner up with Italy and Japan. These three wanted nothing more than annihilate the rest of the world, and people it with their kind. Of course, the Germans wanted nothing more than see only blond people walking the face of the earth, and none of the kinks and had they succeeded, Hitler's Germany would have waged war against the other Axis powers, and the world would have seen only the Great Aryan Race walking and enjoying all the blessings of God, while the rest of us are probably working the mines or worse, being experimented upon inside thousands of German death camps. Or, we are likely be a few feet buried under the ground.

Right now, it is Putin, the Great Vlad, that wears Hitler's cape while China probably mimicked the Fascism of Mussolini, albeit, of the extreme Socialist kind, while, what about Duterte? Of course, Duterte thinks he has the credentials worthy of Li's and Putin's consideration---he, admittedly, inspired his own police force to turn into an efficient killing machine and look at how he and his cops already did----Filipino cops have already killed 4,000 plus of their own people and if we are to believe Duterte, there are still 2,600,000 more out there to find and murder.

Duterte wears his badge like a proud Meister. He thinks he's right and is doing the right sacrifice for his people. Like Putin, Duterte thinks killing people is the righteous way to go about his overzealous campaign against drug addiction.

A few days from now, and we will all wake up and find that there is a so-called "New World Order." This "new world order" is expected to include us, the Filipinos, all because of Duterte.

Yes, while we led the rest of the world after World War two in creating the United Nations so that all nations of the world would avoid killing each other over racism and intolerance, we are forgetting all of that, and is veering towards a "world order" that is far from being tolerant of other races and beliefs.

Of course, Duterte will say that this concept is "new" and I agree.

For the past few years, the world has transformed into a more livable place, a world that understands tolerance and cognizant of rights, of a world that lives "by the law", and a world that now sees everybody as genetically linked, thanks to advances in genome study.

Now, leaders like Duterte wants the world to turn its head upside down and reject the notion of a free world. Duterte wants nothing more than kill 3 million plus of his people to save 100 million more. And Duterte wants to see his people with their heads bowed in submission, before him, He Who Claims to be Smarter than Any other scumbag in the world.

What is "new" in this "new world order" is its cast---a bunch of Hitler wannabes whose claim to fame is that they ordered the slaughter of their own people, the very same ones whom they promised to "protect and safeguard their rights."

How do China treat dissidents or those Hongkongers who longed for freedom? They kill them by mowing them with their tanks. How did Putin deal with those who question his leadership? He had them all killed. And how, mind you, did Duterte inspired his security forces under his disposal? Duterte inspired them to go out like hunting dogs, hunt for people who use and sell drugs or even those whom these cops only suspect of being involved in drugs or plain and simply, they just hate or see people who look like addicts.

Obviously, there is nothing new about this new world order except that it a step backward, a step towards darkness, a rage against intellectualism and humanism and a noisy promotion of sectarianism, hatred and intolerance.

Yes, my son, we are going into war, a war that will put humanity back several thousands of years ago, when we kill because we hate how a person looks like, or we see zombies out of hapless drug dependents and spare those who supply these dependents with their drugs.

Yes, we are entering an era where we want just one idea to rule the world, just one look for people and just one style for people to wear. Let's throw out diversity and embrace unitarianism. Let's create our own version of order out of a perceived disorder and let's harmonize the economies of the world into one so that just one group of people continue their own domination, while we allow billions to just live like slaves working for the new order.

New world order? I dare these scumbags to just do their thing and enslave the world. And let them meet the same fate of their predecessors who once believed they were the dominant race when simply, they were the most foolish.

The Ides of March circa 20-15 in the Philippines---will we see change happen?

Unknown to many, the ancient Romans celebrated the first month in March, not in January. Usually, the first year begins at March 15, a day which went in infamy as the day when Julius Caesar was assassinated and it was likewise, the month which saw Rome transition from a Republic into an empire.

In the Philippines, we talk about March as the beginning of summer. IN other parts of the world, March signifies the month when the priests of Jupiter lead the sheep in procession along the Via sacra, where it was sacrificed.

The question really is---will March mark an historical milestone for us, Filipinos? Will all these mass actions lead to an eventual conclusion, that is, regime change?

Who will be the escape goat? In Roman tradition, whenever March approaches, there is an old man who is depicted as the "escape goat" being beaten up.

Will it be a new year to all of us, beginning in March? Let's see.

Where are the water pumps?

Two decades ago, the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has already warned Philippine authorities of a watery future. To avert such a disaster from happening, JICA approved several anti-flood projects. Government has not updated the public on the status of these projects.


The Pasig-Marikina River Channel Improvement Project (Phase III) worth Y11,836,000,000 will be implemented by the DPWH. The objective of the PMRCIP Phase III is to mitigate flood damages in Metro Manila caused by channel overflow of the Pasig-Marikina River through river channel improvement works, together with non-structural measures on flood risk management, thereby contributing to the sustainable urban economic development of the said region.

Specifically, the project seeks to implement river channel improvement works along the stretch of Lower Marikina River and the remaining portions of the Pasig River, which are not covered by the ongoing phase II of the PMRCIP.


Eight people already died from this "unnamed August 7, 2012 tragedy" which has already eclipsed Ondoy's terrible wrath several years ago. Ondoy was a wake-up call for emergency and disaster preparedness. It seems that government is impervious to the lessons learned from Ondoy.

Where are the water pumps that are supposed to work to avert flooding in Metro Manila? DPWH and the MMDA should explain these things to the public. 

Where are the sturdy anti-floodways which prevent the seepage of sea water towards the metropolis?

The Bourne Legacy Trailer features Manila

I was viewing the trailer of the latest Bourne Legacy movie (I am a great fan of this . Fact is, I have a complete set of Blu-rays of the Bourne films) and seeing my country as one of the exciting locations of the film gives me an unspeakable sense of excitement and pride. 

The Bourne story is one of the most anticipated film stories in this century. It is a must-see film. Based on the trailer, the latest Bourne installment opens on August. I hope the Philippines is considered as one of the first countries to view it in its global premiere. I would not pass this opportunity. 

This is the film's exciting trailer. 

On China-RP Standoff at Scarborough Shoal: 3 Defensive Weapons Pinoys can use against the Chinese Military

They say, in a shooting war, the Philippines does not stand a Chinaman's chance against the Chinese military. For one, they have a million armed men while we only have 120,000 and some of these are not fully armed. They have a sophisticated fleet of ships, we only have a handful. They have fighter jets, we have our tora-toras. They have their tanks, we have our water tanks. And they have their missiles; we have our water-filled injectables.


In a shooting war with China, obviously, the Philippines does not stand a chance. The odds are really small. 


However, what many do not realize is the fact that this is the 21st century where wars are dictated not so much by technology, but by skill, strategy and persistence. This age is what I call the age of the Small Armies where to para-phrase Lenin, "you only need seven professional revolutionaries to win a revolution." True.


If China do shoot at us to claim Scarborough shoal, or Panatag Islands for us, what do we do?


We can win this war if we Filipinos form our war defensive strategies as early as now. Obviously, this administration does not have one. They think that diplomacy will do. No. Diplomacy has its limits. When you already have gunboats posed at you and ready to shoot at a moment's notice, you must be ready with your defense. 


The Philippines does not need a sophisticated defensive system to repeal a Chinese attack. No.


Since we are small, we have to hit them where it hurts. We make sure than when do hit them, we hit hard and we hit to kill. What am I talking about?


I am talking about forming an army of Pinoy hackers and debilitating their entire system with a computer virus. Once they attack us, we attack them by sending a virus that will instruct their systems to attack their own, or self-destruct. This is entirely possible.


INstead of sending a missile when they send theirs, we only have to operate this system somewhere safe. 


China will be using technology to harm us. Let that same technology kill them. 


Second thing we need to do is, again, use technology to turn their people against them. It was effective during US imperialism during the early 19th century and likewise, in Vietnam, Afghanistan and Iraq. 


We use social media as a weapon of mass denouncement against Chinese intrusion into our shores. Thirty million voices updating and denouncing China's imperialism should really cause a massive image problem for the Chinese. 


Lastly, we have our titans, our Gokongweis, Tans, and the Sys whose investments are tied up with China's economy. Let them be our emissaries. Let them be deployed in China to pressure the leadership of China to abandon their imperialist appetite; otherwise, we get back our trillion dollar investments there.


Pressure also the international community to debilitate China by asking multinational companies to stop production there. China will be hit economically and will be pressured enough to stop its foolishness in the Spratlys.


As they say, the bigger they get, the bigger they fall, even when the smallest of the small hit them. This is true even here.


So, China, come here, and get punched out by us, puny Pinoys! Your million man army is no match to our 120,000 Manny Pacquiao-punching military! Haha! :-)


Pinoys let us rally around the flag! Protect our country from the chinks!

Metro Manila submerged in flood waters as Typhoon surges towards Central Luzon

I was supposed to go to Baler in Aurora province only to find out that most of Makati were submerged in waist to neck-deep waters. If I went ahead of my plan to spend a night in Baler, my family and I would have come face-to-face with Typhoon Ondoy.

Pag-asa just spotted Ondoy 130 kilometers southeast of Baler. Just this morning, the storm touched landfall in Baler. It was about 5 am today when the storm began devastating Aurora and Quezon provinces. With winds packing just 85 kilometers per hour, Ondoy is not really a very strong typhoon. Its gustiness is just about 100 kilometers per hour. What amazed weather forecasters is the typhoon packs heavy rains that devastated most of Metro Manila.

Metro Manila, unlike La Union, Pangasinan, Benguet, Nueva Viscaya, Quirino, Aurora, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac, Zambales, Bulacan, northern part of Quezon, Polillo Island, Camarines Norte and Rizal, was only under Signal no. 1. Yet, most areas, especially the financial district of Makati experienced, what others term as the "worst flooding ever in a century."

Signal No. 1 was raised over Isabela, Mt. Province, Ifugao, Ilocos Sur, Bataan, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Marinduque, Mindoro provinces, Lubang Island, southern part of Quezon, Camarines Sur, Albay, Burias Island, and Metro Manila.

Most affected by massive flooding which reached as high as neck-deep were the areas of Marikina, Las Pinas, Taguig, CAMANAVA, Quezon City, Muntinlupa and even the Philippines’ major financial district of Makati were severely affected by rushing flood waters.

Typhoon Ondoy is expected to worsen the southwest monsoon and bring more heavy rains over Central and Southern Luzon as well as the Visayas regions. In an interview over DZMM, Nathaniel Cruz, PAGASA’s chief weather forecaster said they predict that Ondoy will make landfall in Aurora province and touch Pangasinan at night time before heading to the South China sea.

PAGASA already advised the Philippine Coast Guard to prevent fishing boats and other small seacrafts from sailing in the affected areas. The advisory has left more than 1,000 passengers stranded in southern Luzon and Bicol ports.

PAGASA has also alerted the National Disaster Coordinating Council for possible flashfloods and landslides in the affected areas, partcularly in Laguna, Quezon, Zambales, Pampanga and Bataan provinces.

Flights were suspended at the Manila International Airports. Thirteen flights of Zest Air, SeaAir and PAL express to Caticlan, Basco Batanes, San Jose in Mindoro and Romblon were cancelled due to foul weather.

Bogus Prediction of RP Quake Exposed!

There’s an email spreading like wildfire in the blogosphere about a prediction made by a certain Brazilian professor, identified by the Philippine Daily Inquirer as Prof. Juseleeno Nobulega DaRoose.

DaRoose was said to have predicted a big earthquake to hit the Philippines this 18 July 2008. The earthquake is said to be in the vicinity of an intensity 8 in the Richter scale.

I checked this character up in the internet and found his real name to be Jucelino Nobrega da Luz. You can check his website at www.jucelinodaluz.com.br.

He’s described as (as translated by me from Portuguese) as a 45-year old Brazilian professor living in Floriano in the Municipality of Maringa, State of Parana. He’s allegedly a psychic. He spends his time writing letters to persons he sees in his dreams. He writes his dreams which allegedly happens eventually. He writes these dreams and sends it to people who allegedly “ can modify determined situations, while receiving these advance informations.”

He’s also been described on-line as a New Generation Nostradamus.

I’ve checked his site, hoping to see anything said about the Philippines this month and found none. There’s actually a reference to the Philippines last month (June 2008) but nothing this month. What the entry says in Portuguese is this:

Grandes enchentes na China provocadas por um furacão e já são milhares de mortes e começa atingir Bangladesh e Filipinas “ which roughly translates into this:

“ Great floods in China due to a hurricane which will lead to thousands of people being killed and it begins to reach Bangladesh and the Philippines.

I don’t know about Bangladesh, but, yes, this prediction came true in the Philippines and in China. Hurricanes and typhoons belong to the same category, so I guess this came true. I don’t know about Bangladesh though.

There’s no reference to a big earthquake to hit the Philippines in his site. I have translated his predictions this month and here it is.

➢ There will be many agrarian-based unrest in the Southern part of Brazil which will lead to violence (not happening now)
➢ Many people will be killed by strong typhoons in Japan (not happening now)
➢ Many people will be rendered homeless due to a strong cyclone to hit Australia
➢ A 6.9 earthquake will hit Chile and Brazilians in Sao Paolo will feel the tremors.
➢ Great floods will inundate France, Germany and Moldavia, leaving thousands of people homeless and a great many will die.
➢ Terrorist conflicts in Turkey due to dissident activity in the border with Iraq.
➢ 100 people will die from a bomb blast in Northern Iraq.
➢ Many people will die due to conflicts in Algeria, possibly to happen due to an aftermath of a 7.1 intensity quake
➢ Japan’s economy will get better with an economic growth of 4.2%
➢ A small 3.1 intensity earthquake will hit the Amazon.

There’s a reference to the Philippines in his February entry which predicted great floods to affect the Philippines, China and Indonesia leading to many deaths and injuries. With the exception of China and Indonesia, this did not happen in the Philippines.

I checked all his previous entries (from January to June) and I found that most of his predictions are about earthquakes, terrorist activity, great floods, hurricanes, typhoons, sickness and cyclones. Most of his predictions did not happen. I say his success rate is just about 30%. So these predictions are more of a hit and miss, instead of accurate predictions.

I am writing some of his other predictions, especially next month and in September 2008.

August 2008

➢ Small earth tremors to measure 4.2 will be observed in the sub-aquatic slit from Africa to Brazil
➢ An intensity 5.3 earthquake to hit Jerusalem, the capital of Israel.
➢ Thousands expected to die due to an intensity 7.8 earthquake in Peru. The devastation will render thousands homeless.
➢ Yellow fever epidemic predicted in the Federal state of Brazil
➢ Another typhoon to hit Japan, injuring or killing thousands and rendering thousands homeless.
➢ A strong typhoon to hit China, worsening the situation there of the homeless. Floods will affect many.
➢ A terrorist attack will hit Lebanon which will kill 63 people.
➢ El Nino will affect Southern Brazil. Earthquakes will lead to flash floods.
➢ An 8.2 earthquake will kill thousands in Caximira-Paquistao in Brazil.

September 2008

➢ A plane will crash in Southwest of Jakarta Indonesia killing 60 people.
➢ A strong earthquake in China will kill millions of people. If this will not happen in China, it will happen in the Tokai region in Japan.
➢ A train accident in India will leave hundreds of people dead.
➢ China will successfully host the Beijing Olympics.
➢ A 6.4 magnitude earthquake will hit Sumatra, Indonesia

A Day of Criminal Frenzy

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

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

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

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

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

Are We to Blame for Graft and Corruption?

In Europe, hundreds of Catholic churches have been abandoned and left to ruins. Why? People have grown tired of the homilies which, instead of liberating, Europeans find nauseating. Icons have been smashed to smithereens because Europeans found Catholicism preaching a quite contrary doctrine than what is written in the holy scriptures. There are a few places in Europe where you could find a sizeable Catholic population, which I found to be quite sad since Europe once served as the bastion of Christianity in olden times. In fact, many missionaries who spread Christianity came from that part of the world.

In the United States, hundreds have abandoned their churches. Americans have outgrown their fancy of this religion. People are flocking to other Christian sects, despite campaigns by the church to invigorate the faith of the laity. Priests have been arrested by the state because of sexual harassment or embezzlement of funds.

Of course in Asia, Catholicism is also on the wane. Only two countries remain locked in the tight grip of Catholicism--the Philippines and a former Indonesian territory (I forgot the name). Catholicism remain strong in this country because this religion still exerts quite a strong hold over government and property. Yes, the Catholic Church remains the second biggest haciendero in this country, second of course to the state. They also own several corporations and stocks in major Philippine corporations. That's why they are still so influential here.

Since 2001, the Catholic Church has been looking for ways to increase their relevance in the lives of the Filipino. However, despite their efforts, thousands of Filipinos change religion everyday because whatever the Church does, the people don't seem to care about them anymore.

The Philippines is an important and strategic country for Catholicism because it is the only country in Asia where they can say, for certainty, that they still exert a majority hold in its population. Many Filipinos remain slaves of this religion. However, I do believe that in a few years time, the number of Catholics will slowly dwindle here. Why?

The Catholic church here is beginning to be like the Padre Damasos of Jose Rizal's novels. Look at what the CBCP said today--they are maintaining a critical collaboration stance with the Arroyo administration. What's worst, they even blamed the people for the rampant graft and corruption happening in this country. Imagine, the prelators of the Faith blaming their own flock for the increasing moral destruction of Filipino society? I thought that they are the exemplars of the moral code? I thought that it is their responsibility to preach and lead us to the right direction?

How things have changed since the death of Cardinal Jaime Sin. If the good cardinal is alive today, he definitely would not allow the Church to go to bed with the devil. These bishops should be ashamed of this. They have allowed themselves to be prostituted for a few gold and silver coins of the temptress of power.

My take on the PNP-Phil Media War

As a journalist myself, let me express my take on the current imbroglio involving the government and the media. I've been immersing myself to the issue and it seems that media is on a higher moral ground in this struggle.

Let me say that media should first unite and fight this creeping attempt by government institutions to control the flow of information. Why? If journalists would not do this, everybody will wake up one morning in an atmosphere of proto martial rule. Media is the only group who is fighting this government above ground. If groups will not unite now, this fight will all be lost.

One of the things that media should reconcile is its internal struggle. This is a good occasion to really determine who are legitimate media and who are government agents.

I wonder why the opposition seems to be so silent about the issue. They are NOT supporting the cause of Philippine journalists. Well, that goes to show how callous and how indifferent the opposition is. Now is the time for cause-oriented groups and like minded organisations to militate against this administration and prevent a repeat of martial rule. If all of us would just be fence sitters this time around, Arroyo's ravenous lapdogs will be more brazen and bold and do other more oppressive actions against all of us.

Esperon's fate--DOTC Chief

Its confirmed. GMA will NOT, I say, WILL NOT EXTEND ESPERON'S TERM. This was confirmed by one of my sources at the palace. There's a twist however. Esperon is said to be replacing former PNP chief and now DOTC Secretary Mendoza. Yes, some of the palace hawks are giving the gauntlet to Mendo. The loyal DOTC secretary who has done a good job cleaning house, is said to be on his way out.

Yano is the new AFP Chief of Staff, one of Arroyo's closest advisers said. Arroyo reportedly gave Esperon a verbal dressing down just recently. Esperon reportedly shouted at Arroyo for not extending his term. The incident happened last Friday when Arroyo called Esperon to her office at the palace. Esperon allegedly threatened the president that he'll side with the anti-Arroyo groups. Arroyo was unfazed, knowing fully well that no group will ever get Esperon in their side.

So, its final--Esperon out, Yano in.

On the Issue of the Caretaker Government: My Answer to Ronin

A colleague in the blogger community commented on my proposition on the caretaker government. He says that this proposition poses more questions than answers. How will this caretaker government come about? If the forces at work conduct an extra-constitutional exercise, will the people accept it? If its through peaceful means, will it bring the expected results, that of meaningful change?

Legitimate questions demand legitimate answers.

Why Caretaker Government?

First, the damage wrought by the Arroyo administration on government institutions will require years of repair. The people's trust and confidence in the state's vital institutions has been destroyed. Surveys upon surveys reflect the people's collective disdain and mistrust on their leaders. This "virus" of distrust has infected the entire political machinery, from the barangay level to the highest post of the land.

For the State to survive a growing movement towards its abolition, the status quo needs a fresh set of faces to replace the old idiots. No one among our present set of civilian leaders show capability of leading the changes needed in our present times. Arroyo's time has come. She bungled the golden opportunity to be our shining hope. Instead of providing us guidance and vision, she led us to perdition. Obviously, we need her replacement immediately before our country turn from worse to worst.

Arroyo's replacement

Why a council instead of going to the constitutional route of succession? The reasons are obvious: no one is willing to take the reins of governance. The constitutional successor, Vice President de Castro risks a coup d'etat if he takes on the role of president. The elite disdain him despite having endeared himself to the masses. He has a big, booming voice but no vision to offer the people. His record as a corrupt mediaman still resonates among the people, despite years of being in the civil service.

Senate President Manny Villar is perceived by many as a compromiser and big businessman with obvious corporate goals than governance. Speaker Joe de Venecia's image as a compromiser and traditional politician still rings true, what with his public pronouncements of loyalty to the people's enemy Gloria.

Chief Justice Reynato Puno just rejected calls for him to lead the caretaker government. So, obviously, there is no other constitutional leader than can succeed Arroyo in the event of an ouster campaign. This leads us to answer the second question posed by Ronin.

Extra-Constitutional means

Since there is no other option left, those who thirst for changes in governance should accept the possibility of an extra-constitutional means for change. Why? Because given the circumstances and the present state of affairs, this option is clearly justified. Should these forces fail in their mission again of ousting Arroyo, we see the prospect of a prolonged conjugal dictatorship that would paralyze government for another three to five years. I will not mention anymore the effects of this in terms of national security, business and the like since I wrote about these things in this blog some weeks ago.

Composition of the Caretaker government

Political reality shows that no civilian leader is willing to take the enormous task of nation-building. This is a tacit admission by the civilian sector of failure to govern. Hence, this leads us to presume that the most logical set of leaders must come from the idealistic sector of the military. There must be a group of idealistic officers who will stand up and fight. They must be led by a charismatic leader who will manage the affairs of the state while the government is in its formative stage.

A senior council of national elders must be formed to provide direction to this set of military leaders. This council must be composed of previous presidents, like FVR. FVR, despite what people think of him, is the most fitting leader to lead this country again. Joe de Venecia is wrong when he said that Arroyo must do a Lee Kuan Yew and lead the cleansing of government. Arroyo does not have the competency nor the political mettle to lead a moral revolt. Among our set of leaders and elders, only FVR has the vision, the experience and the knowledge to lead this country with the idealistic military.

Another important component of this government must come from the academic community. The Philippines has hundreds of experts, specialists and technical people to lead this country to greatness. These technocrats and academics must bond together and assume responsible posts in government. The first mission of these academics should be the creation of a national ideology that would govern the country in the next decades.

The next important component of a caretaker government must emanate from legitimate civil society leaders and non-government organisations. These people must provide the government of their knowledge about the people's real needs so that policies are tempered and suits the masses. They provide the needed mass base for a caretaker government to survive any attempts by counter-revolutionaries.

Time frame

The caretaker government should lead this country for three years. Its mission should be the repair of the state's damaged institutions. Should forces fail again in their mission of ousting Arroyo, the ruling clique will again be emboldened and strengthened to think that they can rule this nation into infinitum, to the detriment of all.

Beyond Erap

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

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

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

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

Views from the Sidelines

I've read enough to be convinced that a new Philipppine Revolution should be launched now.

Our country has so much promise. One, our economy is strong and holding itself up against globalization. Two, most of our people are beginning to realize their power. Despite the massive fraud last elections, the people showed how disgusted they were in the state of affairs that they voted for Trillianes. He stood for something, an ideal that the people shared. Three, people are slowly being organized. Unlike the tumultuous 60's where people join socialist groups, people are organizing their own groups. Fourth, young people are beginning to occupy sensitive posts in the government, bringing with them new, fresh ideas for reform and growth. And fifth, Filipinos from abroad are starting to participate in active people empowerment. These Filipino-Americans are bringing their knowledge, their skills and experience into the country, enriching the fertile soil of the Fatherland and contributing towards growth and development.

However, much have been done, few have changed--in the political scene.

We are still wracked by political dissension. We have an administration whom the people distrust. We have "pseudo-leaders" occupying sensitive executive posts, who ascended Olympus by merely having a political surname. Wars are exploding left and right, North to South, Congress to Senate, Provincial Capitol to Municipalities.

We have a weak state. Due to its weakness, it tries to flex its muscles by using legal weapons. Despite its legal arsenal, the people remain defiant. Thousands of our poor brothers and sisters prostitute themselves to their new slave masters--the Arabs and those with almond eyes. Thousands more desperate go to the mountains to fight for principles. Others go to the route less taken--turning into bandits and petty criminals. The State tries to implement the law with less success.

Counter-state forces remain weak and equally discredited. One reason why an EDSA remains a far-fetched idea is the inability of the opposition to lead. The "Genuine Opposition" is not an opposition at all. They are pseudo dissenters. These "oppositionists" oppose for convenience. They are not in power. They lust for more power, that's why they dissent. These old faces want a comeback. They had their own sweet time in government but wanted to revivew their political careers, sidelined by a new elite.

Obviously, both the administration and the opposition have negated themselves. This is the condition today that merits the entry of a 3rd force--a movement that has its own ideology, its own philosophy, its own concept of a true opposition and a more effective administration.

This is a movement that is a conglomeration of every Filipino ideal, every one's aspiration, every one's paradigm for the future. This is a movement of the enlightened Filipinos. This is a movement that does not distinguish between Left nor the Right, but a movement that encourages capitalist competition under a strong socialist-oriented government.

This is a movement of New Men, pursuing a New Revolution. And this blog is dedicated to them.