Renato Corona and Gloria Arroyo--fall guys

Scan all the names mentioned in the list of 188 Congressmen and you'll find that most of them, were, at one time or another, involved in at least one (1) anomalous transaction or deal during the time of Mrs. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. Also, try to review the list and you'll find that one or two were close friends of Gloria and even the beleaguered Chief Justice. 


So, really, this is a very simple lesson in politics---always be in power, otherwise, face the consequences for being out of the game.


Atty. Renato Corona and Gloria Arroyo have both lost in the game of politics. They are now being fed to the dogs. Only a miracle can save these two from their fate---Corona, hanging his black robe in shame and Gloria, spending her remaining life on this earth in chains. Such are the fates of those who misread Machiavelli or trusted the words of a politico.


This also shows the extent of the people's hatred against the former dispensation that even if this administration has so far been judged in not too favorable terms by both critics and supporters, it still appears better than  its predecessor.


Even if nothing changed, that the games being played by the Ilustrados of old and the politicos of the new era remain, and the dreams of the common Tao remain illusions due to extreme poverty, it still feels liberating and it still feels that everything is "a=okey"


IN truth, it is not okey and there are problems simmering below the political stratosphere. Oil giants continue to raise pump prices, prices of food stuffs are skyrocketing and joblessness pervades, still, there is a general feeling, a sense that everything is, again, " a-okey".


The people will not revolt to support Corona and Gloria's rag-tag gang of misfits in barong. Neither will the people storm Malacanang to replicate what others did in Wall STreet or Washington.


The people feels a sense of vindication knowing that the dirty mind behind all those catastrophes and all those big-time thievery is now behind an illusory bar, while remnants of a discredited regime are being held accountable for their canine-like behaviors.


If, at all, critics say, this thing about Corona is either "constitutional anomaly" or "constitutional justice". BUt, who dispenses justice but the very elites that caused this monumental and structural anomalies in the first place?


There will never be true people's justice for as long as those who punish belong to the same class as those of the guilty ones. This elite version of justice is simply not the justice envisioned by the masses. Yet, because there is no other option, the people content themselves of being treated with a spectacle just to hook them into believing that justice is served and everything put in their proper places.


This justice that we see, is mere cono justice. It will never result to a Gloria being led to the gallows or to a Corona being made to account his hidden wealth and those excesses asked to be returned to the public coffers.


THis cono justice involves humiliating the victim but never to a point where he loses his property. What is a loss of name and a pitiful shame game when someone's wealth remains with him.


Look at those who accused Corona of canine-like behavior towards Gloria. In one way or the other, they themselves, acted like brutish, thirsty dogs with their long tongues hanging in their mouths and saliva dripping all over.


If, really, this President will grant the people's wish of justice, let him go after the remnants of the previous regimes who signed that impeachment complaint, and throw the book at them as well.


Those who injured the Filipino People and stole billions deserve not just our derision but the most vile punishment from the government.


And let us re-imagine or re-create our very institutions which were prostituted by the former Powers and re-molded based on a perversion.


We will try to re-imagine these institutions so that they will function based on the needs of the People. This is the silent revolution.

A Marshall Plan

I hate to say it, but we need a mini-Marshall plan to rehabilitate our damaged country. The extent of the damage would probably run to the multi-billions and with us still suffering from the effects of this global financial crunch, it would take years before we can rehabilitate our state infrastructure.

And, much as want to be pretty optimistic, everyone should probably leave the elections behind and focus on rehabilitation.

It is at this juncture in our history that we have to face the fact that these disasters have dampened the election fever so much that anyone, or any party which would beat the drum for their bet at this point would have to suffer public backlash. We have been beaten to a pulp by Mother Nature herself, and our country has been ravaged like we were bombed thrice by an aggressor in war.

Part of this mini-Marshall plan entails putting the elections at the backburner. A change of administration by next year would derail any recovery and rehabilitation. Everyone hates Gloria and that's a fact. But, it is also reality that tells us that we cannot afford to slacken in rehabilitation efforts.

Of course, it is the natural consequence in every calamity that there will be unscrupulous traders hoarding stuff or selling them for a humongous profit. The NBI has already said that they will run after these hoarders and economic saboteurs, but the fact is, we need a government with a rock solid will to deter these monsters from committing inhumane acts.

Not to say that there will be businessmen who'll cash in on our misery and corner every contract for nation rebuilding. Those who consider themselves friends of this government will squeeze every influence for that billion peso contract. Expect criminal syndicates in suits waiting in the wings, and those members of rice cartels and food traders.

We cannot afford to be doubly victimized, first by an angry Mother Nature, and second, greedy bastards in suits (or barongs). We need order. We need a force that would make everyone toe the line or else. The reality is, we cannot trust this government with the very responsibility of rebuilding our Nation because it has a spotty record in the past.

Yes, we have a damaged energy sector. Yes, these typhoons destroyed our roads, our bridges and our agricultural lands. Cities and towns have been devastated. And our people have been traumatized. What do we do except rise up from our chairs and start rebuilding our damaged lives.

Yet, we simply cannot do it with a Damocles sword hanging above our muddy heads. The level of distrust or mistrust in our government is at its all-time high and for us to simply repair these damage to our Nation, we need a government whom we can all trust. Not a government with a spotty record.

I simply hate to say it, but Mother Nature herself taught us a very valuable lesson---we simply cannot change our society while this government continues to misgovern.

As what a colleague of mine in the reform business said yesterday---Mother Nature has led us the way. These typhoons were providential events that tell us one thing---change begins now, not in 2010.

Martial rule is the way forward.

Arroyo Dinners: Delicassen over delicadeza: And it's not just $20,000

Arroyo's rabid attack dogs led by Presidential chuwawah Cerge Remonde was arrogant and angry when he guested this morning at the ABS-CBN morning show Umagang Kay Ganda. Remonde accused leftists of "conspiring" to create furor over a "simple dinner" which they had last August 2 at Le Cirque restaurant.

Cerge, what is simple about a US$20,000 dinner at a ritzy place like that? I heard that, aside from Le Cirque, the presidential entourage had NUMEROUS dinners and PARTIES, which started in WASHINGTON, NEW YORK and even in SAN FRANCISCO CALIFORNIA.

So, Cerge, stop fooling us, please. Wala kang lusot dito Mr. Remonde. You admitted that you were billeted at the Wardorff Astoria, a first class hotel in New York. If you're not austentatious and if you did'nt want to flaunt your wealth and power, di ba dapat dun na lang kayo kumain? But, no. Hindi ba masarap ang pagkain sa Wardorff? Hindi ba French?

Instead, you crossed the street to purposively enjoy fine French dining. And it's not WHO actually footed the bill---ang isyu ay DELICADEZA, hindi DELICASSEN, ha, Cerge? Kuha mo na. O, naging utak Franses ka na?

Tama na ang kapekehan. Nagawa ninyong kumain at the time na nagluluksa ang mga kapwa ninyo Pilipino sa pagkamatay ni Tita Cory? At may mukha pa kayong humarap sa wake ni Tita Cory pagkatapos ninyong magpaka baboy sa Le Cirque?

Que horror! este, ca pute! for Gloria and merde! for you.

Triggers for the Defining Moment

In previous entries, I have explained what the "defining moment" is (or what I personally call the dramatis causa or others term as casus belli). In our situation right now, the goal of the administration is to deny its enemies of this event. Malacanang is known to adapt itself from any destabilizing situation. In fact, the possibility of Malacanang backtracking, even going to the extent of Mrs. Arroyo being made to announce a televised presscon of her desire to step down in 2010 just to quelch any and all big demonstrations against her administration. She did it before. However, everytime she does this, and after the situation cools, her administration actually hits back at critics, squeezing them and institutes certain measures against them. So, learning from this, this time though, many people hope that those who really want her out before 2010 should do their thing with extreme force. They should deal Arroyo a decisive defeat, and not allow her to recover. Otherwise, they may yet see themselves getting the brunt of the state power in case of another failed try.

As you see in my previous entries, forces are converging very fast against Gloria. There is a systematic destruction of state defenses via two modes: political re-alignments and neutralization of possible military opposition against the emerging movement. Now, what would trigger a situation which would possibly lead to Gloria's ouster? First, I believe that the anti-charter change interfaith rally will lead to Gloria's downfall if managed properly. If groups pull their punches and fein on lambasting her and not really throw everything at her administration before, during and after the rally, nothing will come out of it.

Remember--this rally is a barometer for both the pro-Arroyo and the anti-Arroyo. It is crucial for both groups. If this fails, expect a backlash against all anti-Arroyo groups. Expect political and economic futures to change for those who support this. Expect also a totalitarian regime of Arroyo. Arroyo will be able to use this as an occasion to immediately sweep all opposition and declare authoritarian rule. If this succeeds though, the political and even professional futures of those who stuck it out with Arroyo would also change dramatically. What we see now as our present political leaders may suffer a humiliating retirement once an attempt at the seat of power fails again.

What is also crucial for both groups is how they manage the information flow. Again, this will lead to a situation where he who holds media will be able to control time. What do I mean by this? If a group controls the information environment, he will now have the power to direct what path this would take. Will it go and influence the "swing forces"--those groups who will fence sit and will wait and observe who's winning? Or, will it be totally controlled by the state which, in this case, deprives the other side of their momentum and allows state security forces to move in and quell dissent.

Now, the possibility of this being a failure is still very high. One scenario that I'm praying not to happen is when Malacanang convinces Arroyo to publicly announce her intention not to run in 2010. If this happens, they'll be a split among the ranks of these groups behind the interfaith rally. Given the tenuous nature of this group, those who oppose Arroyo just because of the possibility of term extension would probably abandon the cause. This could dilute the qualitative character of the movement but could not possibly affect the outcome of things if, say, other events come into the picture. What are these elements and where will they emerge will again, be the subject of another post.

Gun for the Gold

Coup d'etat, as defined by our Revised Penal Code, is clear--it punishes those who will forcefully overthrow duly constituted government through a swift stroke. For one to be punished, there must be use of arms.

Today, nine junior officers were meted sentences by a Makati Court for their participation in the July 2002 Oakwood Mutiny. Two of the alleged ringleaders, Capt. Gambala and Maestrecampo, both pleaded guilty for the crime of coup d'etat. They were sentenced to life imprisonment. Seven of their colleagues were given lighter sentences.

Malacanang immediately released a statement saying that they respected the court decision. Of course, they respect a favorable decision.

If this government of Arroyo believes that Patriotic soldiers will be cowed into submission, it is definitely mistaken. Capts. Gambala and Maestrecampo deserved their sentences not because we believe that they did, indeed committed a crime. No. The crime of coup d'etat was not committed by the Oakwood soldiers. Far from it. They deserve their sentences as punishment for their treason not against Gloria, but against the Filipino People.

By pleading guilty and saying "sorry" to Gloria, Gambala and Maestrecampo committed the greatest blunder in their young lives. They repost trust to a person not worthy of it.

If government thinks that the people will be cowed into submission, think again. Fighting hearts continue to see a bright future ahead of them.

The enlightened soldiers of the New Generation will continue fighting a corrupt and evil regime such as Gloria's.

What this incident taught them is this---next time, gun for the gold. Fight until victory is achieved. History is harsh against losers. History treats losers with disdain.

The next time will be the last time that these soldiers will fight for true freedom.