Mourn the death of Filipino Artistry

The palace denied that dagdag-bawas happened during the pronouncement of those granted the honorific title " National Artist".

Malacanang says it is within the purview of the law that Mrs. Arroyo exercises her executive prerogative since the role of the National Commission on the Culture and the Arts (NCCA) is simply recommendatory.

Inay, mas nakakatakot ito!

It just shows how shallow and low Mrs. Arroyo's taste for the arts. This means that Mrs. Arroyo just lost the ability to discern what is beautiful and what is evil. She just lost the moral and even the aesthetic leadership that we, Filipinos, expect from our leader.

Well, really, I'm not surprised. When Mrs. Arroyo crossed to the dark side in 2004, when she led her evil minions to deprieve us of our voices in that 2004 Hello Garci scandal, she lost all sense of decency and delicadeza. And really, this is not totally surprising nor appalling. When you live in darkness, definitely, you just can't really see the light of beauty. When you go to bed with the Beast, you become one yourself.

A New EDSA is upon us

You ask—bakit kami umalis ng bahay to march for the last time with Cory?Simple.

We want those who occupy Malacanang right now to shit in their pants in fear. We want to shake the very foundations of evil that lurk inside the palace and tell them that the Filipino People honors those worthy of it.

That we don't honor those heroes for a mere eight minutes. That we don't grieve just for ten days. And it's not enough anymore for us to stand and watch our country burn and pillaged by Mrs. Arroyo and her minions.

Because we know deep in our hearts that Cory deserves our support. We feel deep within that we are unworthy of her because when she asked for our support in 2006, we were never there. We were afraid.

This is the very last time to tell her, to impress upon her, that we are one with her in spirit and in struggle. That each and every one of us share her suffering, her passion and her conviction. That’s why, after this day, we will struggle hard to oust the very cause of our monumental malady, this lady who rules us with impunity and utter immorality.

The millions who has shown their love for her, shared the ideals of the Spirit of EDSA. I believe that, the next time we march again, our ranks would swell by the millions because the old warriors and the veterans of the streets now share the same passion as those who first saw, and felt, the sheer power of the Spirit of EDSA. The fusion of the old and the young, the synthesis of the aspirations of the rich and the poor, will again manifest itself right after we lay Cory to rest today.

Cory's life was God's gift to us--it was a learning experience, meant to teach us a lesson about citizenship.

Citizenship is not just a piece of paper nor something attached to one's passport. Neither is it something we jot in an application form.

Citizenship is being there when the Motherland needs your help. Being a citizen requires more than just paying your taxes or following the law.

It requires the courage to stand for the Truth. It necessitates the sacrifice of one's life for the sake of the many. It requires bravery; of telling and condemning a corrupt politician or a government official and cutting his head off (figuratively, of course) when proof of his transgression shows. And it means giving up one's own future to correct the wrongs.

The millions who went out of the streets today were not there to gawk at celebrities or pump hands with politicians. They were there to take part in the strongest message of condemnation against the prevailing order. They were there to show this administration that enough is enough and millions of us Filipinos are ready to act against the depravity and evil that this regime represents.

Enough of Joc-Joc Bolantes (who, unfortunately, is still free thanks to Richard Gordon!). Enough of NBN-ZTEs. Enough of Hello Garcis. Enough of deceptive elections.

Let's do the right thing. Act with dispatch and oust this regime from power before the elections. If we value elections, make it very credible. At this point, we are not sure if we can get a fair and clean elections, while Mrs. Arroyo and her evil minions sit in power.

Hyatt 10 warns Mrs. Arroyo not to "push her luck" with term extension

Hyatt 10, the group of former government officials of the Arroyo regime issued their strongest condemnation against their former boss today. After hearing mass at St. Jude church, the one near Malacanang, seven of the 10 tried to serve their damning statement to Mrs. Arroyo by marching to Malacanang. They were, however, stopped at the sentry gate.

These seven, former Education secretary Florencio Abad, Poverty Commissioner Teresita Deles, Imelda Nicolas, Budget secretary Emilia Boncodin, Cesar Purisima and Rene Villa. All ten signed the manifesto, including three others, Bert Lina, Juan Santos and Guillermo Parayno.

The group accused Mrs. Arroyo of instigating and creating a scenario of instability to perpetuate herself to power. " Dont push your luck", says the group, stating that the people will not anymore tolerate an extension of Mrs. Arroyo's regime. Part of the statement reads, and I quote:

“Don't push your luck. You have crossed the line too often enough. With impunity, you have exploited our people's cynicism and apathy for your own narrow and selfish ends. As with all things, this too will come to an end. Of this, we are certain. With God's help, the Filipino people will put an end to this despicable Arroyo regime."

Hyatt 10 is a group composed of former Arroyo confidante and close Cabinet members who bolted the administration shortly after the Hello Garci scandal broke out.

At the height of public confusion and finger-pointing, more people believe that these bombings happening in Mindanao and Metro Manila are being instigated by a group close to Mrs. Arroyo. In the past, destabilizations are exploited by Mrs. Arroyo. Historically, shortly after a destabilization event, Mrs. Arroyo took the occasion to cleanse her administration with disloyal subjects. Political pundits agree that this is the same tactic being employed by Mrs. Arroyo now. Hyatt 10 believes Mrs. Arroyo is not just fighting for her post-2010 survival; she is now consumed with the lust for more power. These ex-officials believe Mrs. Arroyo will try to do everything to keep herself safely in Malacanang.

“From mere survival, the President is now consumed by schemes, however illegal
or unconstitutional, to perpetuate herself in power –- indefinitely,”

Bangit to lead Hello Garci Part Two in 2010

Why Lt. General Delfin Bangit as AFP Chief of Staff in the May 2010 elections? Two things: assure administration victory in 2010 and if the administration fails to at least get the two top posts for its bets, Vice President Noli de Castro and Gilbert Teodoro, unleash the dogs of war in Mindanao and Metro Manila to justify a full military-led government.

As I wrote in previous posts, Bangit serves as Arroyo's final option should attempts at term extension fails in Congress (it would surely fail) or if the opposition snatch the presidency in 2010.

Bangit is Mrs. Arroyo's former intelligence chief and her most trusted security group head. Sources say Bangit is closer to Mrs. Arroyo than former AFP Chief of Staff Hermogenes Esperon Jr.

Both Bangit and Esperon took an active part in the 2004 elections that snatched electoral victory from opposition presidential bet Fernando Poe Jr. and gave the controversial win to Mrs. Arroyo. During that time, generals led by Esperon operated in major parts of the country to implement a massive cheating operation, now conveniently called " Hello Garci" scandal.

Bangit, sources say, is expected to populate the entire country with his own men, political operators posing as military men. This massive organization will ensure the victory of the administration bets in 2010.

So, now, what would be the role of new AFP Chief of Staff Lt. General Victor Ibrado? Ibrado, sources say, is a professional soldier. However, questions abound as to the loyalty of Ibrado---will he allow the AFP to be mangled by politics or will he do his own thing and continue the reforms of his predecessor, Alex Yano?

Like Yano, Ibrado is also a "sitting duck", since people will definitely flock to Bangit instead of him. This situation occurred during the time of former PNP chief Roberto Lastimoso who was perceived to be a "transition" chief to pave the way for his lower classman, Ping Lacson.

Surely, a clash is definitely expected between Ibrado and Bangit simply because people, especially defense operators, with long-term modernization projects, will probably hesitate to report to Ibrado since Bangit is there as his "shadow", perceived to even be stronger than the sitting AFP C-S.

A power struggle is sure to tear the AFP apart, thanks to pronouncements by Defense secretary Gilbert Teodoro that Ibrado will also retire early to pave the way for Bangit to assume full control of the military come 2010.

By the way, Vice Chief of Staff Cardozo Luna will also retire early with Yano. Luna, as some sources say, has been tagged as a "major stumbling block" in Mrs. Arroyo and Bangit's efforts to consolidate the entire AFP General's club behind the devil's flock.

Luna is also rumoured to be against the ensuing politicization of the military during Mrs. Arroyo's administration. He will be replaced by General Rodrigo Maclang, a classmate and bunkmate of former AFP Chief of Staff Alex Yano.

Now, what is the true reason behind these maneuverings in the AFP?

Their mission is simple----prevent an opposition victory especially forces allied with former president Joseph Estrada.

Sources say, Malacanang is doing its best to prevent Erap from snatching the top plum. A case is being strengthened to again, prosecute and detain the former president.

Erap, sources say, will be prevented from running AT ALL COSTS.

Should these Machivellian moves fail, the next in the agenda is strengthening the military hierarchy through a re-organization. The PNP has already been re-organized. The AFP will undergo re-organization after Yano steps down, replacing his men with Bangit's. Ibrado will not be allowed to populate the organization with his own appointees without the prior "clearance" from Bangit.

Aim? Simple. Prevent opposition forces from having their own "generals" to help them secure victory in certain populous, voter-rich areas. We all know that generals assume "turfs" during elections and these "turfs" serve as their leverage to politicians come election time.

This is Hello Garci part two. Expect an administration win in 2010.