What a Baby Pineda win means to Philippine democracy

PinoyObserver "What a Pineda win means to a Gloria Arroyo" is a very interesting take on what is happening in Pampangan politics. It deserves a read. 

Yet, let me add that more than a maneuver to actually dominate the political landscape, this Pineda win is a lethal dagger poised against Philippine democracy. It is sending a very wrong message to the people---that good men do not deserve even a second in politics. That politics is simply for those who kowtow and has traditionally dominated and governed the poor folks. 

This clearly is an exact opposite of what people want. I am organizing people on the ground and knows that most, if not all, feels that there should be new faces and new personalities in Philippine politics. There is an overwhelming desire for change among the people and when the very nexus of power tells people to shut up and forget about change, it is simply running against popular aspirations and when this happens, sociological theory always give us a very concrete picture of what would happen in the near future---an outburst of social aggression.

The Theory of Aggression is based on the observation that individuals resort to violence when a third party blocks or hinders them from attaining their aspirations. 

Of course, the State would always welcome popular aggression particularly at this crucial stage when it is now months away from being dislodged from power. Political violence is always resorted to by a weakening hegemon as a means to strengthen itself. Popular Aggression is always met by an equal application of State power, and by no means, this is what this government wants, and needs to extend itself in power. 

Yet, when a hegemon meets silence instead of violence as a reflex reaction to its clearly injurious and unjust actions, this weakens it. Silence, as I said, is not a show of acquiescence, nor of weakness, nor of complete apathy. It may mean that individuals are exercising more of their rational options before completely acting upon a dubious or debatable issue. When people are acting with Reason, not with passions or emotions, this should be viewed by the State as a more dangerous and clearly a more direct threat than any other. 

So there, a Pineda win just means that the Arroyo administration again committed a very grave sin against the Filipino People. That this is a mockery of democracy is simply an understatement.

God in Politics or Nine Years Without God

After "some contemplation" again, Pampanga governor Ed Panlilio said he's now withdrawing from the presidential race. Remember that a few months (or weeks?) ago, Ed said that God himself told him to run. Now that he withdrew, is that a direct contravention of God's instructions to him?

Or, this is a classic case of a Miriam---I lied! :-) (remember that Miriam promised to jump from a bridge during Erap's time. When that event which Miriam said will not happen, happened, then, she dropped that classic line)

Jesus is Lord Movement leader Ed Villanueva said that he's not doing a Roxas, meaning, he will pursue his presidential run. Question--is God really behind his decision to run? Remember that it was Ed who started this " I talked with God" thing when he ran and lost in 2007. Don't tell me that God was wrong when the Almighty instructed Ed Villanueva to run?

Right now, Noynoy is inside the Carmelite sisters convent in Zamboanga. He has a week or so to do some spiritual contemplation, also asking God if running is a good thing to do. The question is--what if God told Noynoy not to run? What then? Will Noynoy be able to face the media and the crowd this September 9 and tell them that God has asked him not to run and instead, throw his support behind Erap? Will Noynoy follow what God told him?

And just like Noynoy, Noli de Castro is also asking God if he'll run or not. Noli is also contemplating on whether to run or not for the highest post.

The question is---which God? Noli, as popularly known, is a Catholic. So, it's a Catholic god then? Nah. Noli said that he's a Balik-Islam, meaning a Muslim revert. He always say that whenever questions about the legality of his marriage with now, wife(?) Arlene Sinsuat-de Castro comes up. So, sinong Dios kaya ang papanalanginan ni Noli? Jesus Nazareno or Allah?

And obviously, Gloria Arroyo is also praying to God. The question really is---is it God that she's praying before and kneeling or another God, the god of sloth and gluttony?

And I totally understand these people.

Living for more than eight years under a society without God, people like Noynoy, Noli de Castro, Ed Panlilio and Ed Villanueva will definitely want to see and talk to God.

Imagine, everyday we see photos like these (see photo on the right). Pano mo pa iisiping may Dios nyan?

Dear Filo: Where's the vision?

I just read the comments of Filo, very interesting pieces. It gave me something to think about. And his points are very well taken. Thanks, bossing. For those who don't agree with any one of my entries here, please comment. I would definitely answer each and every one. By the way, if you want news, just go to my site at http://www.newphilrevolution.com.

Now, for those who want to contribute, you can do so. Just email newpatriots@newphilrevolution.com. I'll be happy to post it at the new NPR. I want it sana to be a user-generated content site.

A few days from now, we will launch the new online news magazine: The Filipino News Network. The URL is http://www.filipinonewsnetwork.com.

Actually, I meant well when I wrote about Senator Villar's act. Filo is right. Don't worry, I'll correct it. I really did not mean to endorse anybody here. As I said, I'm just an observer of political dynamics.

Now, the problem with all these presidentiables, no one has a concrete political agenda. No one has a vision. No one has the right ideology fit for us. For example, everybody, especially Chiz Escudero mouths motherhood statements every single time. Mar Roxas, meanwhile, tries to manipulate our emotions. While si Villar, nagmumurang kamatis with his Tropang Villar (or Tropang Manny). Corny.

The one that I, at least, got some sense is Teodoro's ads. It's a public service announcement yet the branding is clear. Teodoro, at least, revealed his ideology before the public. (check out what it is).

That's why, many people, and that includes me, fear 2010. Why? No one stands out among the presidentiables. No single one.

We hope that Chiz would fit the bill but talks about how he tries to get Mrs. Arroyo's endorsement is a total letdown. It's not surprising since Chiz's father used to work for ex-strongman Ferdinand Marcos. Like father, like son? That's a possibility. Look, Chiz used to be the spokesperson of the opposition. He used to be with UNO. Then, he reverted back to NPC. He abandoned his comrades there.

Mar Roxas, I think, has the will yet he seems to fidget, confirming what Mrs. Arroyo accused him of as doing some pussyfooting. Loren Legarda also does that. Remember that pronouncement that she'll align only with Erap? After that statement, Legarda retracted and announced that she'll submit herself to the NPC process. What in God's name was that?

Villar, well, is involved in a controversy and debases himself and the people for continually snubbing the Senate ethics investigation. Instead of answering the accusations, point blank, he resorts to image control. That shows what kind of governance Villar will have once he wins.

Gordon is at least above reproach with his actions; yet, his soft stance in the fight against terrorism is a total letdown. You talk peace with legitimate revolutionary groups, not with terrorists. Maybe Gordon needs to re-study the political spectrum.

Noli de Castro boasts of the government's housing program, telling everybody how successful they were giving 1.8 million families decent homes. What he failed to tell us is, what now? I heard almost half a million of these families are having a hard time paying for their housing loans.

Another hopeful, Among Ed Panlilio, seems too good to be true. Too good that he probably is still unprepared for a higher post. Someone who has the vision might, at one point, conclude that it is not the Office of the President that causes these social problems. It is the system that causes all of these woes. What if Among Ed realizes it? Would that convince him to change this system in a drastic manner?

How about Bayani, you ask? Well, I don't like to waste words with a Hitler mini-me.

I urge Filo to contribut articles to this space, if he has time. I'll publish him. I urge him to submit articles for http://www.newphilrevolution.com and http://www.filipinonewsnetwork.com.

Thanks, again. And God bless.