Breaking the hold of the Oligarchic Dynasties Begins in 2016

You know the reason why we remain an impoverished nation? One, we lack the vision to do the things we want and need. And second, we allow Oligarchs to control and manage our affairs.

I am not just referring to those who dominate the economic landscape--I am also referring to those who dominate our politics and who serve the interests of Big players in the business industry. Shortly after EDSA 1, these two groups from the elite ranks have slowly merged and they are motivated by one thing--wealth protection.

The political oligarchs crafted the laws that favor the interests of their backers while the economic oligarchs created the environment which perpetuated the exact cultural conditions that favor oligarchic rule. This is repeated over and over again until the cycles reach a crisis point which happens every 15 years after 1986.

1972 was the major turning point against oligarchic rule when Ferdinand Marcos declared martial law. From 1945, when plans were created to enable the country to bounce back on its feet shortly after World War two, the lack of a visionary leadership allowed the oligarchs to dominate both the economic and political landscape so much so that I describe that period  as an era dominated by "wild oligarchs." Twenty six years of oligarchic rule contributed to the slow descent of the country towards impoverishment.

Martial rule has tamed these oligarchs when some of them were relegated to the sidelines. However, unfortunately, Marcos forgot what he wrote in the book Tadhana when he himself, transformed his family and his friends into a sultanic oligarchy. Yes, the oligarchs of old were allowed to do business yet, they were slowly made to agree with the infusion of new oligarchs close to the Power Family.

Fourteen years later, and the oligarchs of old managed to successfully wrest power from the Marcoses. With their candidate in power, they were able to wrest back their businesses from the hold of the sultanic oligarchs. Eventually, since the new dispensation failed in recalibrating History and instead just aimed to restore the very damning conditions which necessitated Strong Man rule, the environment continued its fast descent into poverty while the oligarchs managed to rise themselves from their previous condition and were able to recover what they lost for 14 years.

When Ramos replaced Cory, the domination of the Oligarchs continued. The fact is, it was during the time of Ramos when the plan for the oligarchs to enter into the business of public service began. The state infrastructure which was labourously built by Marcos was slowly dismantled. One by one, state industries were sold to the highest bidder, and who benefitted from it, but of course, the oligarchs of old. They had the funds, the monies and of course, the political clout enough to get what they want.

Joseph Estrada came into the picture, a stooge of the Chinese oligarchs. Fears that the 14 year reign of the Spanish/Peninsular/Old Oligarchs would end with the entry of Estrada who carries with him a new set of oligarchs, the conditions for a crisis were created, which eventually led to Estrada's ouster.

Estrada was ousted because he nearly blew the cover for these oligarchs. He was about to reveal how Ramos used his political power to effect a lopsided privatization program when he was ousted in a "popular revolt."

Now, in 2016, fourteen years had past after 2002 and things are again, boiling to a crisis point. Yes, for the past five years, the economy has fully recovered and has survived the global financial crisis affecting other economies. Government spending has reached the trillions of pesos and that is a lot of moolah.

What is so different from the other crisis points in the past (1944 [14], 1958 [14], 1972 [14] 1986,[16] 2002 [14], 2016) is that 2016 provides us with the opportunity, the chance, to re-calibrate Philippine direction.

Remember--in 2016, the change can actually happen either thru the polls or its failure. If we elect someone who could muster at least 30% of the votes, then, transition would be peaceful and constitutional. Now, if the polls fail, then, the transition would still be constitutional, not necessarily peaceful, yet still constitutional.

Now those who fear of a possible outbreak of violence in the 2016 polls--be comforted by the fact that even if it happens, it would not last for a month or even three weeks. Modern conflicts last only for a week or two before it normalizes.

Even if the people launch a revolution, that event would actually mimick the very conditions which precipitated EDSA 1. Since we are transitioning, it would actually be beneficial for us to hijack this polls and push for federalism.

EDSA and the Iranian Revolution of 1979

EDSA was not the first peaceful revolt against a dictator. In 1979, Iran ousted their extravagant Shah without shedding blood. Since the Shah was in fact, the Western Power's stooge, the Iranian revolution was eventually condemned by them.

There are similarities between EDSA and the Iranian revolt. Both were coups cloaked with people power. Both involved dominant religious groups in staging them.

Their differences are also striking. EDSA never went on a serious purge of counter-revolutionaries, while Iran did the necessary purge of itself and alleged "counter-revolutionary spies". Yes, their revolt started peacefully but what came after that were a series of purges and killings of its own citizens.

Cory Aquino was installed to power and what happened during her administration? She tried to revive the wealth, influence and power of the counter-elites, those who dominated Philippine socio-economic and political environment prior to Martial Law.

The Iranian Spiritual Leader, the Ayatollah Khomeini, developed a new elite based on adherence to religious dogma and the Iranian revolutionary spirit. This group of elites are now in power, and are responsible for drafting the Iranian road map to development from that year on. From a depressed economy and an underdeveloped landscape, Iran right now is one of the nuclear powers in the world and has a stable and robust economy run by its own people.

In contrast, the Philippines remains underdeveloped and being controlled by the same elite with a different collar. Fact is, the very reason why there is now a perceived economic growth is the fact that the elites of old have consolidated themselves with the new and emergent elite, those who benefited from EDSA uno and EDSA dos. Both are doing business together, and both are enjoying the perks and privileges of their stature in society.

In contrast, both countries still maintain a high level of poverty, a regular fixture in all revolutions. What started as a revolt against poverty, ended up with more of the issues which they basically revolted against.

The malevolent Spirit that is EDSA Uso as compared to EDSA Uno

Malicious people tried to put malware in my site. Fortunately, I have removed it. So those who want to read or visit this site, please do so.


We are in a very dangerous situation now, where numerous forces who claimed to have engineered a phenomenon known as " EDSA" is again, out in our streets, trying to simulate the event that changed the entire direction of this country these past 26 years.


" EDSA", to the minds of these people, is a trademarked or copyrighted script for social change owned merely by those who already benefitted from it since it sparked some 26 years ago. 


" EDSA" to their minds, is manipulation. EDSA, to their minds can always be invoked, like a vile spirit from the deeps, if enough maliciousness is injected unto the minds of the middle class. For these people, there are only four (4) elements needed to spark an EDSA.


1. Enough funds to mobilize grassroots organisations (meaning funds to implement hatak)
2. Enough funds to initiate a reputational attack against a known public personality, manipulating the traditional media to accept these lies as gospel truth and blurring the entire political atmosphere.
3. Enough funds to convince a segment of the armed forces to side with them.
4. Enough funds to create mobilizations.


The problem with these people, and actually, they are not simply to be blamed, is the sworn belief that EDSA has a blueprint, that this blueprint can be replicated and re-used over and over again, like what happened in the so-called "EDSA dos", where some of these people claimed to have engineered.


EDSA dos, or what I called "EDSA Uso" is the direct opposite of the first EDSA simply  because it was an action taken against a legitimate Power---a Power whose mandate directly and overly came from the People.


EDSA uso was a pure coup---plain and simple. The crowds that were there were simply interested on getting their share of the loot once the plot has been achieved. When they failed to get their share, these groups immediately distanced themselves from the beneficiaries of the plot and these groups started militating against their former allies. 


The problem with this thing called "EDSA" comes from the misunderstanding that such a phenomenon can be morphed into something else or can be institutionalized. You simply cannot institutionalize something which came out of thin air. It is against its very nature. 


It also cannot be copyrighted. The Aquino regime claims to own EDSA as if the only color that came to these streets were yellow. 


The fundamental difference of the first EDSA with these copycats right now is the predominance of RED and the convergence of this color with yellow.


Conjuring a vile spirit such as EDSA uso right now is simply heretical, if not, absolutely foolish. 

EDSA--26 years ago and EDSA now--let the Enlightened Indio start a brand-new EDSA!

"The True Power of the People"

Twenty six years ago, I was in the cradle of my grandmother, watching, with bated breath, what will happen to the soldiers who had encamped themselves in Camp Aguinaldo and Camp Crame. Many of us back then, saw a glimmer of hope when two of the closest friends of the Dictator, were, themselves leading this brazen act of deviance. 


Those few hundreds turned into thousands and those thousands peaked into a million, as the People themselves went out of their homes and unto a small portion of this 23 kilometer highway just to tell everybody in their government to end what they're doing and pack their bags and go. The million man prayer was heard and the ailing dictator and his brood packed their bags and left in a jiffy.

" The Mestizo revolt"

Twenty six years had past and we now know that the late dictator's son, wife and daughter are serving government. Twenty six years and none of the late dictator's bunch of cronies ever spent a single minute in jail nor the government recovered an estimated multi-billion dollar worth of ill-gotten wealth. Those millions recovered went to fund the farmer's efforts to modernize the agricultural sector and fund the agrarian reform efforts only to see these millions being converted into ghost fertilizers by an Arroyo man.


The closest crony of Marcos now heads the biggest and most successful business enterprise in the Philippines. Eduardo Cojuangco heads the very first company which prys its hands on everything government. IN practically all sectors, Cojuangco and his gang cast their shadows. Make an audit of government assets and those which are earning millions, you'll find a Cojuangco in there. 


Those who even hold the umbrellas for Meldy are now titans in their own industries, quietly working for more money from the capital which they stole from the people's coffers during their hey-day as part of the chuwariwah squad. 


Nothing much has changed these past twenty six years. I would not go to stressful specifics, I would just offer EDSA as an example.

The EDSA HIGHWAY REPRESENTS THE RESULTS OF THAT MOMENTOUS JUNCTURE IN PHILIPPINE HISTORY. Look at it now, and EDSA reflects the primary ideology that remains the dominant paradigm of what this concept of change is. 


From Pasay to the Patriot's monument in Caloocan, that stretch should have reflected what the Supremo intended change to be---a change in the lives of the People. The reason why EDSA ends exactly at the very monument of Bonifacio is the intention of the previous strategic thinkers of this country--that the future generations may always realize that the core pillar, the core ideological basis of change should be that of what the Patriot from Tondo founded several decades ago in the persona and principles of the Katipunan.


Change should have benefitted the collective, not a small group of propertied elites. Change should be for the benefit of the entire polity, not a small privileged few. Change should point to the North where this monument stands, meaning, that the straight path which our forebears intended for us to tread is the Katipunan route, not the other way around.


Notice that EDSA ends at the very corner of Roxas Boulevard in the South. Notice that there is a stark difference, that the builders of EDSA intended us to go North towards Bonifacio and not South, towards what "Roxas" symbolized, which is elite-dominated rule. 

EDSA symbolizes the Filipinos taste for order in chaos

IN between these two points lies the symbol of oppression that for centuries, the Filipinos look into both with hatred and admiration--the EDSA icon. 


EDSA uno happened at the very crossroads of this historical highway, as if to say, that the People chose not the Katipunan nor the Ilustrado way, but Its Way. Had it chose the North, the people would have chosen the Katipunan route, the straight path envisioned by Jacinto. Had it veered towards the South, the people would have expressed its intention of being ruled by the very same oppressors that the colonialists use to subdue the freedom spirit of the People.


By choosing the middle way, the architects of EDSA only showed how mestizo they are. This explains why we, twenty six years hence, is treading a path that is neither here nor there. This explains why EDSA remains a pathwork, and why it is so confusing when, if you look at it very closely, it is an ingenius product, an excellent highway, showing the Filipino ingenuity and technical excellence. 


EDSA is a larger version of Divisoria. In fact, EDSA is our own Divisoria, made bigger and made even more confusing than the first because it signifies order in the midst of chaos, our interpretation of what democracy is and what capitalism is.


We chose the middle route because it shows you the character of the people behind those who claimed to have engineered this caper. They did not realize the consequences of their actions--that this middle road is fraught with errors. That change, to be really what our forebears intend for us to have, is change from chaos to order, and not a mixture of order and disorder.


EDSA, TWENTY SIX YEARS HENCE, HAS NOW BECOME A TOOL OF THE VERY SAME ELITES WHICH THE KATIPUNEROS WANTED EXPUNGED FROM THIS SOCIETY. 


By being claimed and trademarked by those now in power, EDSA has lost its efficacy. It has now become a discredited animal, something of a creation of pseudo-revolutionaries who want nothing more than the continuation of elite domination.


The true EDSA should never be mestizo, or never a mixture of politics and religion. The next EDSA, I still don't know what name to describe it, should be pure struggle---a struggle from the very loins of the still enslaved and still chained Filipino People.


The true EDSA should emanate from the very bowels of this society's most neglected parts. Gone are the days when priests or priests turned rebels, lead this movement. It is time for the enlightened Indio to lead the true revolt, resist the temptations of becoming an Ilustrado and effect a program of governance that will truly pursue the very demands and aspirations of the suffering people.


EDSA was never intended to be institutionalized. Change can never be institutionalized. It goes against the laws of nature. 


The true EDSA uno is not an EDSA uso. True struggle will never go out of style. Change will never go out of style.

Corazon "Cory" Aquino and The Purity of Our Struggle as a People

Corazon Cojuangco Aquino died a year ago. When she was still alive, Cory accomplished what no other Filipino hero did to this country.

In our misery, Cory united us. In our triumphs, Cory was there to lead us forward. In unjust times, Cory was there, with us, championing the cause of Right. And in our suffering, Cory suffered and led us to the Light through her unceasing prayers and supplications to our Almighty God.

I was still a high school student when this humble housewife ascended the Heights of Power. No one really thought that a mass of people who supported her would actually defeat a Strongman with his army and his blue supporters.

When I saw her leading a massive throng of Filipinos along that historical avenue, I thought that this was a repeat of the Katipunan revolt which toppled a regime many a century ago. In 1896, Filipinos of all shapes and sizes, of all social classes, went out of their homes and rallied behind a poor Plebian whose only weapon was his grit and belief in the strength of a Mighty and Just God. These Filipinos were armed only by the Cause of Reason, a Cause that espouses the equality of all men under heaven.

A century past, and the Supremo metamorphosed into a female, whose Cause is Just, Mighty and Right. Like the Supremo, Cory was armed only by the Will of Heaven, whose God has said that enough is enough.

Cory Aquino showed the world that, through the strength of collective Will and the powerful belief in a One True God, change is possible.

Guns melted when people put sunflowers in its barrels, while people with their hands up stopped tanks and APCs in their advance.

No single person can adequately explain the phenomenon. Many wrote about it, some even said that it was a bogus revolt. That it was actually an orchestrated coup saved by the people.

Whatever it is, the first EDSA that Cory led was something out of the ordinary. It was the people speaking as One, the people exercising their Power as One, and the people advancing the Cause of Freedom, as One.

In its purity, it is the People empowering People with Love.

Atty. Alex Lacson with
former president Cory Aquino

Cory was the first Citizen to nurture true People Power. She was the first to come out of her sheltered life and sacrificed her life for the poor, the simple folk and even those who have wealth.

Cory's life is an inspiration, her name, a Mantra of Love and Change.

One small step, a catalyst of change.

Now, with Cory among those in our pantheon of heroes enjoying God's nurture, it is up to us, the present generation, to make alive, what Cory lived and died for.

Cory's life can be summed up in just one---be a good citizen.

Love your fellow Filipino as you love yourself. Love God above all others.

Love your country as much as you love your parents. Make your country the best place to live in.

Fight for what is Right, struggle for what is Just.

The People's Welfare is the supreme Cause. The Cause of the People is the supreme struggle.

Be proud of being a Filipino, by your actions, by your words.

In everything you do, be proud and be responsible.

Do not steal even a centavo from the public coffers. Do not even pluck a flower or a grass in public parks and get even a paper clip from any public office.

The Power of the People resides in every soul and comes to life every single day that a Filipino does the right thing.

Re-branding EDSA

Before I publish this, let me just say that I have nothing against Mar Roxas. Fact is, I voted for him. Whatever negative things you'll find in this entry are actually connected with one proposition--the re-branding of EDSA.

Its already a foregone conclusion--that between thirty five to forty percent of the present electorate have jaundice in their minds. Yes, they all prefer yellow as their favorite color. Only about 10 to 12% of the electorate probably are Communists--they simply don't vote at all, consistently since 1987. Or, they are Marxists. Marxists dont believe in elections.

Its expected though. Most of the members of this so-called "Yellow Army" were teenagers during Cory's time or they simply joined that great social experiment called EDSA uno. Some, our present generation of "enarians" or senior citizens were probably victims or hate the Marcoses so much, they erased blue from their minds and stuck with yellow. Yellow, they say, represents the color of delivered mail. And you know what retirees always expect at the end of the month. 

More than this though, Kris Aquino also did a lot in bridging the generational gap and kudos to ABS-CBN too. Kris and the bunch of creative writers over ABS-CBN succeeded in re-creating the conditions that justified collective action. Social vigilance was resurrected from its lethargic state during the time of Arroyo to a vanguard position. Its now simply part of Filipino street fashion to be caught wearing Che Guevarra or those Filipino maps plastered in poloshirts.

Behind these published statements and actions though lie a far deeper, even sinister reason--the silent reconditioning of the minds to accept that this social experiment called EDSA is simply owned by just one group--the Liberals.

We all know who really worked very hard in creating that social phenomenon. In the original EDSA, majority of the people there simply wore RED, not yellow. Some activists in the Social Democratic mold, yes, they wore yellow. Yet, the post-mortem analysis was simply stark mad--this was the experiment of socially conscious members of the petty bourgeois and the nationalist bourgeosie who seriouly studied and tinkered Filipino consciousness and conspired to create a more acceptable mode for regime change. And they had pure-blooded rebels as counsels.

Yes, in pre and post-1986, it was vogue to be a dissident, a dissenter, even a rebel. That's why from a mere 67, the NPA ballooned to 23,000. From just one person, the MNLF grew close to a million.

Those who are simply too weak to hold a gun or simply too lazy to go to street demonstrations, made themselves content with just wearing yellow teeshirts or flashing those Laban signs. Behind those pretensions lie a deeper social conscience or a personal yearning to be part of something that would eventually change society. Those whose conscience never went beyond Constantino, satisfied themselves with just watching those rallies on GMA Channel 7 and within the confines of their homes, chanted themselves hoarse. Or simply curse Marcos to death. (That explains why he contracted lupus.:-)

There were no Facebook or Twitter accounts back then nor cellphones with texting capabilities. Engagement was simply too personal more than social. That deeper engagement we find during those times recorded themselves as memories. These memories or experiences are what made those lines longer last May 10. People wanted nothing more than oust Arroyo from power. And since there are no NPA armies in sight, they chose a Yellow Army instead.

EDSA, the original one, is a people's fight. Yes, it was inspired by songs and marches created in mountain bases of the CPP-NPA and most, if not all who worked for the downfall of Marcos at least found time reading Marx's Manifesto and Amado Guerrero's PSR. It was the people who made it happen, never mind if Enrile's Gringos claim all the fame, the fact simply is the People trooped infront of Camps Aguinaldo and Crame just to save their sorry asses from Ver's firepower.

EDSA, to the minds of many simply equates collective action. It is a weapon of the People, a democratic exercise operationalizing several concrete provisions of a Freedom Charter. Never mind if, after the assumption of Cory into power, the only basic operationalizing principles of EDSA was simply an approved mechanism of veto-ing a law passed by Congress. (to be continued. Have to leave. Read more on my book)

To revolt or not to revolt

Manila archbishop Cardinal Ricardo Rosales makes pooh-pooh some suggestions of "people power" if the elections fail. Rosales says whoever says that is "weird" and "crazy".

Rosales, who has never been there when EDSA uno happened and has his niece serving as Arroyo's closest advisers, says there are still democratic mechanisms in place that will address questions about the elections. If there are incidence of fraud, Rosales urges that groups resort to bringing them to court or to the Comelec.

That is the problem, Cardinal. If fraud occurs, then, that probably came from Comelec. If the courts are controlled by the trapos, where will the people go?

And there's a problem of time. Since most major positions in the Executive and Legislative departments are up in the air, and the deadline is June 30, what then, what will we do?

I agree---there should be some remedy other than people power.

Noynoy running for President; 5 Traditional Oppositionists gunning for top spot

Now, the political scene is getting clearer by the day.

The traditional oppositionists, and that includes the Liberal Party with some reformist groups, have at least five candidates for the presidency.

For the Liberal side, Noynoy Aquino has already announced his candidacy, while from the Nationalist People's Coalition (NPC), Senator Chiz Escudero. Former ambassador Ernie Maceda has said that former president Joseph Estrada is running under the UNO party while the Nacionalista Party is fielding Senator Manny Villar.

On the administration side, its a toss up between Vice President Noli de Castro, who will announce his candidacy on September 15 and Defense secretary Gilbert "Gibo" Teodoro. De Castro is rumoured to have agreed to be Villar's running mate, which then opens the door for Teodoro. Eventually, it could be a Teodoro-Puno tandem. However, should De Castro, indeed runs under the administration banner, he could probably team up with Puno, which then would lead to a break up of the Lakas-KAMPI CMD coalition.

Recently, 49 governors have thrown their support behind Teodoro, of which about half of them do exert a great influence in their respective areas. Teodoro remains a dark horse in the presidential derby because he has the machinery to actually launch an independent presidential campaign. If Teodoro does indeed, break away from the Lakas-KAMPI CMD merger, it could open the possibility of Lakas aligned with De Venecia Jr. to shift their support from the administration party-led KAMPI to Noynoy's political party.

As what we wrote a few months ago, a five to six man run for the presidency would possibly lead to an administration win. Remember that Mrs. Arroyo still enjoys a 20% mass base support and with majority of local government officials aligned with the administration moving for the admin-backed candidate, this could lead to a decisive win.

What's happening General?

Brigadier General Danny Lim admitted that his rebel group, the Young Officer's Union (YOU) led forces in toppling former president Joseph Estrada. Now, in a weird twist of fate, Lim is reportedly running under the wing of Erap's political party.

Also, today, reports say that the Liberal Party, led by the party's chairman, Franklin Drilon visited both Lim and Senator Antonio Trillianes IV in their prison cells to ask the general to run under the Liberal Party wing. Lim's ratings are not in the top 12 but indications are very high that Lim would surely surge to the top once the formal campaign period starts, just like in Trillianes case.

Certain sectors are asking---why is the General entertaining all these invitations from trapos? Erap is surely a trapo. So does Drilon. Sectors are puzzled. Is the General really anti-trapo or what?

If General Lim wants to run as senator, he must do so by building his own political party and possibly coalesce with other traditional parties as a guest candidate, never a formal candidate. There is a strong possibility that people will accept a new political party peopled with those with strong principles and a clear revolutionist agenda.

One party that Danny Lim should consider is the Partido Lakas ng Masa or the newly established Democratic Party of the Philippines (DPP). Or, maybe, just maybe, a new Political party named Democratic People's Patriotic Party (DP3).

Let these trapos gravitate around this new party, and not the other way around. That would send a very strong signal to the traditional elites that their time has come to a definitive end.

Chiz Escudero as NPC Standard Bearer

A source says that the Nationalist People's Coalition (NPC), the front political party of businessman Danding Cojuangco is preparing for the official pronouncement of Senator Chiz Escudero as their official standard bearer for the 2010 Presidential polls. Senator Loren Legarda, as the source says, has agreed to be Chiz' running mate. The official pronouncement will be held either on or after the October 10 birthday bash of Chiz.

If this is true, then, Chiz will be the youngest presidential candidate at 40 years old. The second youngest is Defense secretary Gilbert Teodoro, followed by either Loren or Mar Roxas.

There are also ongoing talks between the NPC and the camp of former president Joseph Estrada. A possible merger of both parties is in the works, yet, most supporters of the former president, says the source, are against the formal coalition. Erap is expected to announce his candidacy for the presidency in late September, ahead of the possible party convention in October. Erap's possible running mate is either Jejomar Binay or a "kicker" candidate whom the source refused to identify.

The source says Chiz' consistent showings at the Top 5 choice for the presidential position is the reason why many of NPC's stalwarts prefer him as their standard bearer. Another reason was the full backing and support given by traditional politico Luis Villafuerte, the kababayan of Chiz Escudero. Villafuerte, the source says, is eyeing the DILG post under an Escudero presidency.

Villafuerte is a powerhouse political player in Bicol, a vote rich region. He was an original Lakas CMD member before he crossed the fence and joined Danding. Villafuerte, the source says, is Danding's political operator. Talks are rife that Lakas-KAMPI is fast losing ground support due to Villafuerte's efforts.

Legarda failed to get the backing of Villafuerte, who is a close friend of Chiz's father, a former Congressman and Marcos crony.

Noli de Castro running as president

ABS-CBN anchor Ted Failon and beautiful and talented co-anchor Pinky Webb interviewed Vice President Noli de Castro today. Webb (congrats by the way. Webb is really promising. She's even better than Karen who reported a lop-sided (PR?) story yesterday about the Ruby Barrameda case) asked De Castro if he's running for the presidency.

De Castro said he's done as vice president so it's confirmed that he's running for another post. The question really is---what political party would he be running under? It's confirmed that he's talking with the stalwarts of administration party Lakas-KAMPI. He admits that the party has a very strong machinery. The question that De Castro wants to resolve is very simple---does he really have his own funds and his own machinery before he plunges himself in the race.

Lakas-KAMPI members are urging De Castro to reveal his political plans. De Castro, however, said that he's not doing that AT THIS TIME since he needs to finish many things first as Vice President. He does'nt want people to think of politics when he does his job as V-P. He thinks that it's still a few months away anyway from the deadline in filing his certificate of candidacy. Webb hinted that it may be in September when De Castro would declare his candidacy.

What De Castro does not know is this---October would be the month where political parties would nominate their official candidates for all elective posts. So, if ever he wants to really run, he needs to declare it as early as August to allow him some time to visit the areas of Lakas-KAMPI members and feel the pulse of the people there.

Simple--KABAYAN does not have the luxury of time to dilly-dally.

Same thing with the "opposition". They need to decide who among them would bear the tag "opposition standard bearer", because UNO needs to submit the name of their standard bearer and the names of their other candidates this October 2009. So, if they want to win, Erap Estrada should really decide who to support as their candidate.

What is clear at this point is:

1. Liberal Party would be fielding Mar Roxas as their standard bearer. The only question is--who between Senators Ping Lacson and Kiko Pangilinan would be his running mate?

2. Nacionalista Party is clear that they're fielding Manny Villar. Question is, who'll be his running mate? Would it be Bong Revilla? Or, would he slide down to the vice presidential post in deference to the entry of a Noli de Castro?

3. Nationalist People's Coalition (NPC) has Chiz Escudero. His proclamation would be on October 10. Question is--who'll be his running mate? Would it be Loren Legarda?

4. UNO is sure to field Erap Estrada. Question---would Legarda allow herself to slide down to the vice presidential post? It seems likely. Now, should Legarda decide to put her fate in the NPC, then, definitely UNO would field an Estrada-Binay tandem.

5. Lakas-KAMPI has four (4) aspirants: Gilbert Teodoro, Noli de Castro, Bayani Fernando and Richard Gordon. Gordon, obviously, if asked, would slide down to a re-election as senator. Teodoro already said that he's only interested to run for the presidency; meaning, he'll not slide down. Fernando, by the way, seems to just be posturing. I think Fernando would be asked to just run as senator. Yet, even among the top senatoriables being surveyed by PulseAsia and SWS, Fernando's position is between 28 to 45---very, very far.

So, you see, only Lakas-KAMPI has (1) few options and (2) their candidates are weak in the popularity game, with the exception of De Castro. Now, if they field De Castro, would Teodoro give way and run as his V-P? That would surely alienate Ronnie Puno who already proclaimed his bid for the second top post. If they do not nominate De Castro, then, the only way for him is declare his independent candidacy.

Free Jun Lozada Now!

For a while, the Filipino People enjoyed the ecstatic victory of Filipino superboxer Manny Pacquiao. Now that the fight is over, the Filipino People is back to business. And we have not forgotten the plight of ZTE whistleblower Jun Lozada who still languish in a jail in the Manila Police District. He was put to jail to answer a perjury charge filed by former Arroyo Chief of Staff Mike Defensor.

Jun Lozada's plight is just a start of a widespread shakedown. This case is a test case. The Arroyo Evil Regime wants to see if large-scale movements of disgusts and dissent would happen should a big public personality such as JLo is arrested and jailed.

The response so far has been lame. Yet, don't count us out. During the fight against a stronger Dictator like Marcos, it took years before the movement blossomed into an EDSA. A raging volcano of dissent simmers underground, waiting for the right and proper time to explode.

RIGHT NOW, the Filipino People don't need an EDSA. EDSA are just for petit demons. We face the daughter of Beelshebub herself. That merits a stronger, more determined and more painful response, like an exorcism.

The Mastermind behind Ninoy's death

Sgt. Lat, one of the convicted killers of Senator Benigno Aquino dared Kris Aquino to initiate a re-investigation unto the Aquino-Galman murder case. Lat is one of the ten remaining convicts pardoned and released by Mrs. Arroyo.

The act, which Press secretary Cerge Remonde called a "ministerial" or "procedural" thing, has now assumed political color.

Many believed Arroyo did the act out of vengeance against Cory Aquino who called for the former's resignation at the height of the Hello Garci controversy four years ago.

Lat and another one, Sgt. Claro pinpointed the alleged mastermind behind Aquino's assassination--Danding Cojuangco. They say Cojuangco masterminded the assassination.

Kris Aquino countered saying that their family do not believe this. Danding, Kris says, has nothing to gain from killing Ninoy.

So, who masterminded the death of Ninoy?

The widely held perception is Macoy ordered the trigger pulling, aided by Meldy and their pinsan, former AFP Chief of Staff Fabian Ver. For many people, this is logical, given that the triumvirate was the ruling clique at that time.

Yet, what has escaped the people's attention at that time was the possibility that Aquino could have been ordered killed by one of the Rolex generals. Or, possibly, maybe even all of the Rolex generals conspired to have Ninoy killed.

Remember that at that time, there was a power struggle between the generals and Imelda Marcos. Marcos was sick and the generals were worried. The regime was founded on a personality cult established by Marcos and his death, these generals lamented, could trigger a social upheaval that may lead to the downfall of the dictatorship.

They needed a diversion, something that Marcos would train his sight on while some, if not all of the generals focus on the systematic debilitation of the dictatorship.

This explains why the Reform the Armed Forces of the Philippines (RAM) came into public view the very same year Ninoy Aquino was killed. It was not just a reaction to the death of Ninoy. It was a deliberate act, a Master stroke if you will, created as a counter-force against the regime's own forces.

And the goal?

Provide a viable succession scenario in the event of Marcos death. The scenario included a part where the generals would succeed Marcos instead of Imelda or Ver, whom many of the Rolex Generals found despicable, to say the least, not worthy of their trust and confidence since he came from the ROTC, instead of the PMA.

What has not been revealed even at this time was the real reason behind Ninoy's return. A possible explanation was a convincing secret communique given to him by one of the Generals who assured him that they were on the verge of ousting Marcos. The communique was given to Ninoy in Boston.

That explains why Ninoy's flight was marked since his departure from the US to his arrival at the MIA. He was lured into the death trap by the very same generals who, after three years, managed to wrest state control away from Marcos via a revolt.

That coup or "revolt", as what some historians now classify it, could have been different. It was not a sudden defection. No. It was a deliberate act meant to force a succession.

It just became different when throngs of people gathered at one place and created history. As what we now know, EDSA Uno was a masterstroke of the People's Genius.

The Generals would have succeeded in creating a Thai-like or a Burmese dictatorial government and they could have very well succeeded in ruling us for decades, had it been snatched away from them by the People in what has now been known as the EDSA Revolution.

The question is this---who among the Rolex Generals ordered the assassination? Is he still alive?

Yes, he is.

Cojuangco is True Philippine Shaker

San Miguel Corporation, led by former Marcos crony Eduardo Danding Cojuangco just entrenched themselves deeper into Lopez territory. Cojuangco is poised to take over Meralco, the Lopezes' crown jewel. Analysts say Cojuangco may do this anytime he wants to. Cojuangco's trusted lieutenant Mon Ang just assured the Lopez family that they will not be left holding an empty bag since they could still nominate a member of their family to the board of Directors of Meralco.



Aside from the Lopezes, the Ayalas are now being threatened by the rising influence and presence of San Miguel in other industries. San Miguel just joined the telecommunications industry with the acquisition of Liberty Telecommunications and a joint beneficial partnership with Qatar Telecomms. That move made San Miguel easily the second biggest telecommunications firm, eclipsing even Globe Telecommunications. The move was so good and so swift, it left Gerard Ablaza clueless for months.



San Miguel also entered the energy sector industry, with the majority takeover of Petron. San Miguel also brought a majority interest in the power generation sector.



So, you see, my friends, San Miguel is the biggest business conglomerate in this country, controlling almost all levers of economic life and enjoying the biggest and the widest economic influence not seen since the 19th century.



Now, Cojuangco knows that one wrong move could dissipate all of these things. His rivals will never equal his business acumen.



The only way left for Cojuangco's jealous rivals to dislodge him as the Country's Shaker Giant is simple---launch a coup. Only a coup can change the present political and business configurations. Elections are so unwieldy, so costly and so unpredictable that some businessmen rivals of Cojuangco are thinking of another alternative.



Being a pragmatist though, Cojuangco knows that all of these things are temporary since his bosom protectors, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and her very accommodating businessman husband, Mike Arroyo are leaving in a few months time.



An unfriendly government post-2010 is a very serious security threat to him and his San Miguel. That's why he'll make the heavens quake and the earth shake with a candidate that could preserve the gains of San Miguel.



Enter Cheez Escudero and Loren Legarda, two of Cojuangco's bets for the top executive posts. Now, what would frustrate Cojuangco's plans?



A coup. A true revolution.



This explains why those " RAM boys" were seen with Gloria at the EDSA Uno celebrations. They'll now poised as a "counter-revolutionary" force against the True Patriots of the New Generation.



Let me re-phrase what I wrote some entries ago--they are not there as Gloria's praetorian guards. No.



They were there to ensure that Gloria finishes her term. If a coup happens and ousts Gloria from power, Cojuangco is sure to follow. Ika nga, naging magkapusod na ang dalawa--isa taga Tarlac, isa naman Pampanga.



Maybe, a coup will be used here in the Philippines as a business tool rather than a political tool. Will we see this in our lifetime? Maybe. Maybe not. Let's see in the coming weeks.

2010 Configurations--Bayani's pink slip, Loren's party, and Cheez Whiz

Sources from the administration confirmed the marriage of KAMPI, the administration political party and the Nationalist People's Coalition of former Ambassador Danding Cojuangco. This marriage, it seems, cements the political component of the Cojuangco-Arroyo-Ongpin cabal. And in all likelihood, this strong party, will field as a common candidate two names: Senators Loren Legarda and Cheez Escudero.

Yesterday, Senator Legarda already announced her willingness to run as president during her birthday party in Tondo. The birthday party has all the trappings of a campaign, with the pompoms, the free clinics, free food sans the wines and spirits that attends every Loren Legarda b-day party. When asked if she's willing to run as president, Legarda said that she's ready.

This is not all surprising considering that Loren has been going around the country, attending all these annual festivals and fiestas, even going to funerals all around the Philippines (heard that she did that in Vigan, Ilocos Sur). Loren wants to be president and her strong showing at the surveys could very well justify her intention.

However, what is NOT BEING REPORTED is the fact that Cheez Escudero topped the newest and recent surveys. Escudero is now at the number one spot, followed by Legarda, Noli, Villar, Roxas and a host of others. Expectedly, Chief Justice Puno is part of the bottom rung.

So, we have a situation here which the NPC should resolve---who between Escudero and Legarda will Cojuangco annoint as party standard bearer? Those allied with Mrs. Arroyo says that it will be Escudero who will asked to head the presidential campaign. However, what about Legarda who told a reporter yesterday that it's the presidency or nothing?

Was Legarda just bluffing? Probably not. Legarda's plan is linked with the expected candidacy of Vice President Noli de Castro. Legarda wants a second round with Kabayan. And she does'nt relish the scenario of playing second fiddle to a Kabayan presidency.

Are we seeing the first of a series of party dissension? If Legarda will not accede to Escudero, the NPC-KAMPI coalition might find themselves on the losing end come 2010.

By the way, I think in the bitter end, Escudero will just give way to Legarda since he's a few years shy of the constitutional qualification for president.

So, expect a Legarda-Escudero combination for NPC-KAMPI.

Question---what now, Kabayang Noli de Castro?

There are two options for Independent Kabayan---either give way to the courtship of Lakas as standard bearer or do it alone. Some sectors in Kabayan's camp are cold to Lakas while entertaining a merger with a slowly weakening Nacionalista camp. Since it's now evident that NPC has already went to bed with Kampi, this puts Noli in a bind.

Which party will Noli align himself with? He could probably make some overtures with NPC and KAMPI just to frustrate the ambitions of his nemesis, the Lady Legarda and try to spoil the brew there. Or he could stay independent and court some financial backers to support a new party ala what FVR did in 1992. This could prove beneficial to Noli given that in a clean elections, he stands a pretty good chance of clinching the top spot, given his strong showing at the surveys. However, for him to really get the top gun, he must play politics prior to the second half of this year. He must make some overtures to Legarda's backers and strike a deal that will probably leave Legarda in the lurch. He could still do that, given that majority thinks that Noli is winnable or at least have a fighting chance to get the presidency instead of Loren.

If all these fail, however, Noli can still align with Villar for a possible tandem. Heard that Lakas has teamed up with the Nacionalista and Villar is ready to give in to Kabayan as a compromise. So, in a Lakas-Nacionalista alliance, surely the winnable team is a Kabayan-Villar tandem.

So, this leaves Mr. Mar Roxas. What to do with him though?

Observers note that Senator Roxas could suffer the fate of his idol, the former Senate President Jovy Salonga. Yes, he has the financial muscle. Yes, he is charismatic. Yes, he has strength of organisation. However, what he is not, though, is this---he is still being lumped together with trapos like Villar, Escudero and Loren. He's not doing enough to differentiate himself from the motley crue.

Since we see a possible four presidential teamup, the winner will definitely be the one who'll successfully position himself as a maverick. Roxas still has the time to do this. His standings at the surveys are not plateau-ing, unlike Villar's. He still has a fighting chance. However, what he needs to do is continue positioning himself as a change agent rather than a rabble rouser. He needs to back up his anti-Arroyo statements with positive propositions. Meaning, the public would rather hear him talk about what to do with this mess rather than just rant.

In such a convoluted scenario, Roxas will have a hard time looking for a suitable partner. Obviously, a Roxas-Villar tandem will not work since it both pits two strong personalities together and in the realm of perceptions, a marriage of two traditional political parties.

Roxas might go the route of Roco who got a veritable unknown as tandem, only to lose and get the lowest rank in the elections. Most probably, Roxas might team up with a candidate to be fielded by the opposition camp, namely either from UNO or PMP. That candidate could either be Makati mayor Jejomar Binay or could even possibly be Gordon, should he jump ship this early and position himself more as independent rather than administration-dependent.

And there there is this joker, MMDA Bayani Fernando.

This loser of a dreamer still wants either the vice presidential post or a senator invitation. The problem is, even in the senatorial surveys, Fernando is faring VERY, VERY LOW. Inspite of his obvious tactic of gunning for the top spot and try to just run for the senate, Fernando's trust ratings are quite low. Yes, he's one---one percent vote. This one percent represents those who has dictatorial or Hitlerian mentality, those who dreams of pink, a shade of red. Clerics who try to write intellectual but does not understand even an iota of philosophy, subscribes and worships Fernando, probably finding him an iconic figure representing their repressed feelings while inside the seminary. Their pink slips are showing everytime Bayani fumbles. They try to disinfect Fernando's pseudo-Bayani antics to no avail. People are finding it simply too hard to re-imagine Bayani Fernando simply because no one could ever change a moronic and weak minded colorful chap like him.

Or, better yet, there's a solution. Bayani should fire his publicist.

Reality bites like a rabid dog

Many years ago, I stumbled upon a case that would change my life forever. At that time, I was a journalist. After years of being an activist, I shed my revolutionary robe and donned on a new one. Despite the protestations of my deceased dad (who wanted me to become a lawyer), I pushed on as a journalist since writing remains a burning passion within me. Being a journalist though, I needed to shed every ism within my soul, hoping that I'll look at every scene, every spectacle and every presscon without my red-colored lenses.

Yet, the more I look at reality, the more I realized that those years I spent pouring over books written by economists, historiographers, sociologists and philosophers were spent wisely. I came face-to-face with the miseries of the people. Those who were victimized by crime. Those who were held hostage by a patronage-laden system. And those who were rendered orphan by the daily struggles against poverty--all of them--became my bedfellows.

The centuries-old struggle of our heroes came flashing back, as if we did not really progress as what government wants us to believe. That the very same problems which confronted our forefathers remain deeply rooted in Filipino society.

The more I observe, the more I became convinced that change should happen. Not for me. I'm a damned soul already. I need to act for the benefit of future generations.

Against the will of my family, I decided to help. And help I did. I gave my precious time, helping a woman who saw how brutal and corrupt the cops were. She went into high gear and became a prominent national figure while I stood behind the shadows, content that I accomplished what's supposed to be done.

Eight years past, and all those sacrifices which nearly cost me my life and the future of my family, all went to naught. We managed to install a more corrupt government. No one thought that this would happen although I remember my former desk editor cautioning me about this woman. She said that this woman would bring chaos back into our lives. Well, she said it right. But, she left out one important thing--it's not just chaos--its monumental which has caused thousands of lives and more than 4 million families hungry.

What is to be done?

I'm 37 years old right now, with a 6 month old baby. I also have two kindergarten kids with me and a lovely wife. I have bills to pay, including a car amortization. I have credit card bills piling up. I just have a few thousands in my bank account and I fear that I'll lose them altogether within a month.

I need to weigh my options, and I have a very limited one. Will I respond to the challenge put forth by those junior officers yesterday, calling for a general uprising against this evil, corrupt and decrepit administration?

Is their method the surest way for me to secure the future of my baby, my kids and my wife? A chap like me just needs a more equal, more stable and more graft-less government. Will their call benefit me and my family? Is a revolution the solution for those who have less to have at least a fair chance for a better life? Or will it further worsen the already bad situation me and my family are in?

For some, revolution is just a fancy concept invented by those men who struggled against tyrants and oppressors many centuries back. It's good to write. It's easy to pronounce. It's even fancy to wear.

Yet, in this very moment, revolution is not just an armchair revolutionary's idea. No. It is as real and as needed by us, especially.

We need a revolution. We need something to pull us out of this rut. We need an event that would re-install our "hiya". We need a life-altering change that would rouse us from apathy, disillusionment and hopelessness so that we unite for the advancement of our nation.

We had that before. EDSA Uno was one event that made us smile and made us proud. We can still do the same in our generation now. We can make Filipinos smile again. We can make them proud again, but on a different level.

Weighing between personal and the nation's, I chose the nation's. I was born in this country. The very soil that I stand on needs me. I owe the Motherland whatever I possess now. And the Motherland is grieving because she sees her sons and daughters scrapping the very bottom of the barrel all because of the ineptitude of the usurper in power.

For those Patriots of the New Generation, the Filipino People need you to restore order and make all those who robbed us, stole our monies and corrupted us pay for their sins. We are accepting your challenge. It is time for us to stand against immorality, graft, corruption and utter mismanagement.

Now, our generation needs to shine once more in its duty for the Motherland. Let those who want a cleaner and more effective government rise from their seats and unite behind those who struggle for freedom.

Laban ni Ninoy noon, Laban Natin Ngayon

Sa paggunita ng pagkakapaslang ng dating Senator Ninoy Aquino sa 21 Agosto, maglulunsad ng isang "cultural show" ang civil society. Ang nasabing concert, na lalakuhan ng mahigit 50 bandang Pinoy, ay isang aktibidad na dapat lamang lahukan ng lahat, sapagkat ito'y isang paraan upang maipakita natin ang ating pagka disgusto sa kasalukuyang kalagayan ng ating Inang Bayan.

Tunay nga, na ilang taon na rin ang nakalipas, (mahigit 25 na nga ba?) nang paslangin ng mga ahente ng rehimeng Marcos ang nagbabalik sanang senator Aquino. Matapos na mabasa ng kanyang dugo ang tarmac ng airport, tatlong taon ang lumipas bago tuluyang nagapi ng Sambayanang Pilipino ang diktador na si Macoy. Nanatili ang ningas ng sakripisyo ni Ninoy hanggang sa administrasyon ng kanyang asawa, ngunit, unti-unti itong nawawala sa paglipas ng panahon.

Mayroon pa bang kahulugan sa buhay ng Pinoy ang sakripisyo ni Ninoy? Naaalala pa kaya ng karamihan sa atin kung ano-ano ang mga tunay na kadahilanan bakit pinilit niyang bumalik sa Inang Bayan? Malinaw pa ba ang mga eksenang bumulaga sa atin sa kanyang pagbulagta noon sa tarmac?

Tulad ng nakagawian na, gugunitain ng mga television networks ang mga huling eksenang nilahukan ni Ninoy. Ipakikita duon ang mga kuha sa kanya ng isang batikang cameraman nang siya'y kunin ng mga AVSECOM na mag-ka-cut dun naman sa kuhang nakabulagta na siya't walang buhay sa tarmac. Kung makapagsasalita lamang si Ninoy mula sa langit, ito kaya ang nais niyang paggunita sa kanya?

Mas nanaisin siguro ni Ninoy na ipakita ang naging bunga ng kanyang sakripisyo. Mas maganda siguro kung balikan natin ang mga eksenang kung saan halos isang milyong Pinoy ang nagpunta sa EDSA pagkatapos ng tatlong taon, para kilalanin ang kanyang sakripisyo.

Maganda sigurong ipakita na umusbong ang Bagong Pinoy mula sa dugong ibinuwis ni Ninoy at iba pang mga bayaning Bayan maitaguyod lamang ang demokrasya sa ating bayan.

Sa 21 Agosto, gugunitain sa isang concert ng mga banda ang pagkamatay ni Ninoy. Siguro, liban sa pagsasayang kultural, huwag sanang kalimutan ng mga organizers ang pagpapaliwanag sa kahalagahan ng sakripisyo ni Ninoy.

Namulat tayo dahil kay Ninoy at sa mga bayani ng bayan na ibinuwis ang kanilang buhay alang-alang sa kalayaan.

Nagising tayo dahil kay Ninoy at sa mga bayani ng bayan na nakibaka sa larangang giyera alang-alang sa kapayapaan.

Nag-alsa tayo dahil kay Ninoy at sa mga bayani ng bayan na isinakripisyo ang kanilang kinabukasan upang manumbalik ang katarungan.

Ngayong nagsusumidhi ang kabulukan, ang korupsyon, ang kawalang hiyaan ng ating mga tinatawag na lider ng bayan,

Ngayong binubusabos tayo ng mga mandaraya dahilan sa ating kawalang ganang kumilos.

Ngayong ninanakawan tayo ng harap-harapan ng mga nagpapakilalang lider ng bayan,

Ngayong tila pinapatay tayo dahil sa mga polisiyang maka-sarili ng mga galamay ni Gloria,
kailangan pa ba natin ng isang Ninoy para tao mamulat?

Kailangan pa ba ng ilang giyerang pamumunuan ng mga bayani ng bayan para makamit ang kapayapaan?

Kailangan pa ba ng isang Ninoy upang maharap natin ang maladambuhalang kampon ng demonyo sa pangunguna ng isang demonyitang sanggol para sa panunumbalik ng katarungan?

Hindi na. Sa kamulatan natin sa mga kaganapan, sa ating nadadanasang hirap bunsod ng katiwalian, kabastusan, at kawalang kahiyaan nina Gloria, kanyang pamilya sampu ng kanilang mga galamay, hindi natin kailangan ang isang Ninoy.

Kailangan natin ng isang milyong Ninoy na tatayo, magbubuwis ng kinabukasan at susuong sa bukid ng pakikibaka hindi alang-alang sa kanilang sarili, kundi alang-alang sa kanilang mga anak, mga apo at mga magulang.

Ang naging laban ni Ninoy noon, laban mo rin ngayon.