Be forewarned---THERE ARE STILL GOOD MEN HERE

Wilfredo "Boy" Mayor, former whistleblower, was laid to rest yesterday. There was no fanfare, no one shouted praises to the man who exposed the links of the presidential family to jueteng. There were no politicos, no one came to tell the world how brave the man was when he went to the Senate and told what he knew about the First Gentleman and Mikey Arroyo's monthly take in the illegal numbers game. And there was no government official who came and gave wreaths to his relatives nor assurance that justice will be served to their kin, a victim of an assassin's bullet.

Mayor was no Chavit, who once whistleblew the illicit activities of a former head of state and lived to see his downfall. He was no Rose bud who exposed how the men of a former head of the National Police killed druglords and sold seized shabu, and now lived like a celebrity.

Had the public rose in uproar over Mayor's explosive expose, he would have been declared a national hero. Mayor would have enjoyed a comfortable and peaceful life, knowing that he did something good and patriotic.

Had the patriotic elements of this country united behind him and rose against the immorality and criminality of this administration, that man from Albay would have been given a perpetual hero's welcome. Medals, trophies and citations would have filled his house.

Yesterday, no medals were given, no trophies adorn his simple house nor citations filled his grave. Just simple and almost deafening silence, and a few streaks, almost a wail from those whom Mayor left behind.

The man whom many called "tigas" was laid to rest, a victim of injustice in a cruel and immoral society. Had the people of his town rallied behind him, Mayor would probably still be living. But no. In this society, those who trust and believe that dictum "The Truth shall set one free", would have to bite the bullet, one day, literally from those pained by the revelations.

Had Mayor been a son of a Speaker, he would have been still roaming around town, with police escorts and a throng of sympathizers. As Fate would have it, Mayor only has his balls for a bullet vest.

Such is the fate of those who thinks that Truth is still a valuable commodity in this society.

Truth is nothing valuable here, no one gives a shit what is happening in this country, no one cares whether the presidential son gets millions from vices or does anyone care if drug money is used for someone's campaign or if illicit money line the pockets of high officials.

No one cares if a police official gets a Pajero for being a provincial director or that the very head of the State gets a monthly billion peso for not rocking the boat.

No one cares if a reputed jueteng lord becomes deputy intelligence adviser of a president nor former police officials with blood in their hands become Executive secretaries.

No one cares if millions drop dead due to shabu or ecstasy use nor futures betted for that Small Town Lottery.

No one cares if the Philippines serves as the top supplier of marijuana or the favorite transshipment point of shabu or cocaine.

No one.

Those who care live dangerous lives, always looking behind their backs and just, trying to survive with support from nuns, priests and their relatives.

Think of Jun Lozada. Think of Joey de Venecia III. Think of Sandra Cam. Think of a few who dared. They all live deplorable lives, their reward for telling the truth. Truth rewards the brave, yeah, with bullets, if you live in this country.

This society has become one big syndicate, with a mafia heading a government that is no government of no real substance. What's the policy? You are either in or out. If you're out, silence be your prayer bead. If you can't keep your mouth shut, and the truth burst within you, go buy a weapon and a bullet vest. Be ready to die for what you believe in. Otherwise, go to a cave and shout.

Such is the life of a whistleblower.

One of the many things people ask of me why I support Joey de Venecia III, I simply say one thing and one fact alone---we need some one like him to always remind us that there is still hope out there for those who dared and for those who want the Truth exposed.

When I vowed never to leave his side until victory is achieved, I meant it, like what I did for Rosebud.

Joey de Venecia III represents for me something good, a name that tried to stand up against the Powers-that-be. Never mind if people say the reason why he exposed it was that he lost. Never mind if people say that he was once part of the system.

The good thing was, Joey de Venecia III and all the rest of the whistleblowers of our time, they had their epiphanies and took a brave stance.

Never mind that government did not give Joey de Venecia III or Jun Lozada medals for bravery nor trophies for telling the truth.

Whenever I go to urban communities, the praises of people about what he did brings joy to my heart. That there are a lot of people out there who believe in Joey's cause. 

Whenever I see the sparkle of people's eyes when I give them Joey's flyers or when they ask me if Joey is a genuine article, and I say that he is, they smile.

Those smiles melt every stress, every tired bone or muscle of my body. Those pat on the back, those admiring looks from the poor masses give me the energy to pursue the Cause of Joey de Venecia III.

Whenever groups go to me and ask me if Joey de Venecia III represents the People's Cause, and I tell them what he is fighting for, and I tell them that Joey de Venecia III represents Hope. That we must allow him to win this elections because that will give a very strong statement to those who worship the Mammon instead of Truth.

BE FOREWARNED, THERE ARE STILL GOOD MEN HERE.

Six re-electionist senators, sure winners in 2010 elections, says "The Center"

Ed Malay, the lead of this survey group called " The Center" issued another PR-laden article---six re-electionist Senators are sure winners in next year's elections. And the lucky six are: Jinggoy Estrada, Pia Cayetano, Miriam Defensor-Santiago, Juan Ponce-Enrile, Lito Lapid and Bong Revilla Jr.

Okey, so expect two brilliant lawyers, an environmentalist, a former presidential son, and two moviestars again at the Senate. And you know what? I think Ed Malay, even without basing it from a survey, is correct in this one.

I read a confidential report, a study on how Filipinos vote. Two of the top four values Filipinos want their candidates to have are: First, a clean record of public service and second, someone who "delivers", meaning, a candidate who actually extends a helping hand to the poor. This may mean even the most self-serving "medical mission" or a "bike rally cum donations rally" but these schemes work---all the time.

This shows that despite hours and hours of voter education, and hours and hours of trying to raise the level of "nationalism" and the necessity for electing "new faces, new names" in the next elections, the results would still be depressing---two aged lawyers, an environmentalist aligned with the biggest real estate magnate and three moviestars---would still be occupying the six top Senatorial slots.

So, now, all "new faces" would have to contest the remaining six slots. And their chances are pretty, pretty slim since familiar names want their political comebacks come 2010: Frank Drilon (former Senate president and now running under the Liberal party), Serge Osmena III (even as an independent, his name still rings a bell), Ralph Recto (even if you hate him because of the VAT issue, his name still registers strong in surveys), Tito Sotto III (voters already forgot the drugs issue and how he stabbed Erap in the back and made the big jump to the Arroyo camp).

So, these four familiar names enjoy a stable political stock. And in an automated elections, where complicity favors the old, traditional political brand names, newer names in politics stand a losing chance in this forth-coming elections.

There are only at least five new names that seemed very strong not just in surveys but also, basing on my inquiries with grass-roots organizers, are:

1. Teofisto Guingona III or "TG"---the political scion of the Guingona clan.
2. Bongbong Marcos--despite the "Marcos" tag, Bongbong's name resonates very, very well with older and intelligent voters.
3. Susan "Toots" Ople---getting lots and lots of support from the ground due to organizing work and online campaigns.
4. General Danny Lim---every one seemed convinced of his drawing and electoral power.
5. Apolinario "Jun" Lozada---very strong in both the Luzon and the Visayas.

These five names, I believe, with fight it out in the end game. Whoever has the longer strand of hair (:-) will survive the hair-pulling event in the stretch.

Yet, there's a catch---since we don't have a very credible electoral body in the name of the Comolect, err, Comelec, we may yet see at least two more administration names there in the final winning Comolect senatorial list. That would mean violence.

Of leaks and crumbling implants

My, my, my, this news on Mrs. Arroyo's boob job is getting interesting by the minute. The Inquirer today reported that the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) have been tasked to probe on the source of the leak on Mrs. Arroyo's operation. NBI agents are now questioning medical staff of the Asian Hospital.

Why? Is the NBI interested on knowing the size of Mrs. Arroyo's cysts? Or, probably, they want to know how Mrs. Arroyo reacted during the operation? Or, probably, they want to know if the Asian Hospital did a good job so that they'll be able to recommend the hospital to others who want a mammoplasty or a biopsy which, hold your breath, costs 38,000 pesos.

This is getting out of hand. Why do they want to know the source of the leak? Because, they say, it constitutes a crime. Under the Revised Penal Code, information about the Office of the President is not to be shared publicly since it is considered as "matters of national security." Okey. So, a boob job is actually a cause of national concern, is that it?

Crap.

Anyway, expect this under a mafia-like government such as Arroyo's. In previous occasions, those who leaked out information are always ostracized and persecuted. Look at what happened to Jun Lozada. Lozada is an example of someone who leaked information on a crucial contract which the First Couple was reported to have engaged in.

Leaks always happen especially in a dying government. When a government enters its twilight stage, expect former benefactors to abandon ship and squeal.

You can't prevent people from leaking information, as sensitive as this, because people nowadays are already aware. People have been made as cadres already and have realized their social roles.

What's the purpose of all of these? Is Malacanang afraid that people will again remember the fakeries this government have instituted since it assumed power. Are they afraid that people might remember these tyrannical implants that minions of Mrs. Arroyo implanted on all government institutions? Or they're fearful that people might connect the word "fake" with "Mrs. Arroyo"?

Jun Lozada transferred Manila City Jail

Where’s former COMELEC Chairman Ben Abalos? Last reports indicate that he is seen golfing with his buddies over at Wack Wack Golf and Country Club. How about Joc-Joc Bolante? He’s now at the Alabang house where he last reported himself to the Senate. And former COMELEC official Garcillano? He’s reportedly tending his farm over at his province. And how about the DOTC officials implicated in the ballyhooed ZTE scandal? DOTC secretary Leandro Mendoza is still in the cabinet while the undersecretaries involved are all accounted for.

And Jun Lozada, the whistleblower who created a maelstrom which nearly toppled this administration, where is he?

Lozada has been locked in with other common criminals over at the Manila City jail, shortly after the City courts failed to issue a commitment order for him. He has been in jail for some days now. This recent transfer has caused quite a stir since Lozada has just been charged with perjury, a petty crime which has a one month to six month jail term.

Lozada is being punished not for perjuring himself or others—he’s really being punished for squealing his former associates involved in the ZTE deal. One of his former associates, Mike Defensor, just wanted him to “re-imagine” his role in the ZTE deal. Defensor just wanted Lozada to tell the whole world that he did’nt ask him to deny that he was kidnapped.

Simply put, Defensor wants Lozada to totally “re-imagine” what had happened during those critical moments last February 2008. Defensor wants Lozada to deny that he purposely told him to “back off” with his plan of telling the public about what had happened.

This is the only place where whistleblowers get either killed or incarcerated while the real grafters and perpetuators go scot-free.

Global Warming and First Family Business

You know why we have typhoons in May? That's because of global warming, says PAG-ASA. And do you know why global warming is turning from bad to worse? That's because we don't have trees anymore. Our virgin forests are fast disappearing. And why is that? We have a reforestation program, yes? What's the problem?

Well, the problem is corruption. Yes, corruption. And it involves a presidential son, no less.

IMAGINE this, even seedlings are now being toyed by this presidential son. Mrs. Arroyo and her minions are raking billions of monies from illegal and legal activities. They are now cornering every single deal there is. Of course, the First Golfer dips his fat fingers into all operator-related activities there are right now but, for a presidential son to stir the broth further? That's proof enough that corruption is now a family affair, instead of a Mom and Pop operation.

A seedling that cost 2.50 pesos now fetches 55 pesos each. Wow. Talk about 1,000 percent rate hike, that sure tops the US$ 320 million his father allegedly would get from a telecomms deal gone sour.

Infrastructure projects, which this family of greedy misfits already cornered, are estimated to be worth US$ 42.7 billion. Wow, that is sure to top even the Marcoses for greediness. And the palace of greed already admitted that most of these projects are now being controlled by two presidential sons and their lackeys.

How many villas in Portugal do they expect to buy with US$ 42.7 billion? Do they also expect to buy retirement homes for their great-great-great-great-great-great grand children and their paramours?

The palace spokesman Cerge Remonde even justified this business by the Family by saying that it's okey if the presidential sons and their lackeys corner every infra project for as long as there's no corruption thru commission. Why, Mr. Remonde, are you deaf and blind? Anyway, I'm not entirely surprised since he's just a peti functionary and he needs to toe the line otherwise, he'll suffer a JLO.

So, if you're feeling hot or you suddenly ask yourself why the hell we have typhoons in May, go ask Mikey and Dado Arroyo. Mikey wants every seedling at 55 pesos while Dado wants every single corner of Camarines Sur paved.

For those who are praying at the WPD right now to protect Jun Lozada---don't. Prayers are for those who listen, not for those who already chose their eternal Fate to side with Beelshebub. What we have as government officials are demons in barongs. And demons deserve exorcisms not masses.

Why Lozada refuses to post bail

First, did Lozada committed perjury? Did he lied about former Arroyo Chief of Staff Mike Defensor's role in the ZTE scandal?

Lozada has first-hand knowledge of what really happened. He said that Defensor tried to convince him to "re-imagine" what had happened during his abduction. Lozada refused. Now, with the filing of this perjury charge, Defensor wants Lozada to again "re-imagine" his role in the controversy. Defensor said he's doing it for his children. But is he?

If Lozada accepts this perjury charge, it is as if, he admits that everything he said, everything he wrote and everything he testified before the Filipino People, are all just lies or just imagination. He's sticking to what he said---Defensor tried to coax him. If Lozada posts bail, it is as if, he recognizes the jurisdiction of the courts and dignify the case of Defensor against him.

For Lozada and the rest of the Filipino People, there is no perjury case because he just told what happened. If Lozada accepts this perjury case, it is as if all those testimonies before the Filipino People and all those he wrote that forms part of the People's case against the First Gentlemen, former COMELEC chair Ben Abalos and former NEDA chief Romulo Neri, are all just lies and "a figment of imagination."

Defensor is a shrewed politician. He used his kids to counteract Lozada in the emotional and sympathy department while knowing that this perjury charge would destroy the entire ZTE case altogether. The game plan of Defensor etal is make the public and the courts believe that the ZTE scandal is just, a lie, or best, hearsay.

Defensor and his associates over at ZTE wants to make a second dig at us. If they succeed, the First Gentleman etal would go scot-free and the corrupt and graft practices they so promoted with zeal all these years, would continue.

The fight of Lozada is a fight for the Truth. The ZTE scandal did happen. Lozada was there. He saw the corruption. He saw the greed. And Lozada is fighting so that people like Defensor would not succeed in their intention to re-write History.

For those who still believe in the purity of Truth, who still want real Justice to prevail and just want Peace for all of us----go to Lozada's aid. Go, go to the MPD headquarters.

This is NOT the time for all of us to procrastinate. NO.

This is NOT the time for all to all just be fence-sitters. NO.

We must unite now. We must fight this enveloping darkness that eventually tries to eat our very souls as a People.

We must rescue Lozada, a symbol of our collective thirst for Truth, from the clutches of a totalitarian regime.

Now, more than ever, the Motherland needs everyone.

**Last night, I went to the MPD to assess the situation. Nuns and common folk were there with Jun. I also saw a steady stream of people pouring. Gut feel tells me that this is something extraordinary, something which will eventually lead to a bigger assembly. Am I expecting an EDSA? No.

Mrs. Arroyo and her demons do not deserve an EDSA. No.

They deserve an exorcism of historical proportions.***

Lozada stays in jail

As I write this, ZTE whistleblower Jun Lozada is still in a small and cramped room inside the Manila Police District headquarters. Yesterday, MPD officers arrested him after he refused to post bail shortly after being made to answer to a perjury charge filed by former Arroyo Chief of Staff Mike Defensor. Defensor, a known staunch ally of Mrs. Arroyo, filed the perjury case after Lozada allegedly lied about his true participation in the ZTE controversy.

Defensor said, he's willing to go to the Supreme Court just to prove his case. He is doing it for his children which he presented before the media in his press conference yesterday.

Defensor said it is not about politics this time--it's about honor. He wants to protect his name which he said remains "unsullied" yet was "smeared" when Lozada told everyone how Defensor tried to coax him to lie about his alleged abduction.

Defensor may have his reasons but are those reasons really non-political or not just for show? Defensor said he wants to protect his children, but if he really intended that, why go to such lengths as present all of his five kids before the prying eyes of the media? Surely, Defensor's dramatics are counter-measures to dilute the possible emotional outbursts that a Lozada arrest is expected to generate.

Lozada remains in jail, a victim, says former presidents Cory Aquino and Joseph Estrada, of government injustice. People ask why he continues to reject pleas for him to post bail. Senators Richard Gordon, Ping Lacson and Mar Roxas, even Manila mayor Alfredo Lim, all gave 6,000 pesos for Lozada to use in his bail. Lozada said thanks but respectfully gave all their monies back.

Why?

What this case says is this---you, Lozada, should rot in jail because you sided with the "wrong crowd" (opposition), hindi ka kasangga or KAKAMPI, and you should suffer". That's what Congressmen Dado and Mikey Arroyo said in their respective statements yesterday. In fact, they all wished him to suffer the fate of condemned criminals in Saudi Arabia.

What this government is trying to tell us is simply---shut your mouths up. If you see injustice, don't speak. Just close your eyes and toe the line. Just do your business.

So what if we want to get a US$ 300 million commission from a sorely defective telecomms project? So, what the hell if we decide to give millions to the First Gentleman and Chairman Abalos? So what if we tried to protect all our hides and file charges against those who chose to stray? And so what if we pour millions of pesos just to kill the story in the media?

With all their millions and billions, these devils failed to gag a person like Lozada. Why? Because Lozada chose to be on the "wrong side", that is, on the side of Light, of Truth, of Real Justice.

In the eyes of these corrupt and evil men, the right side is graft and corrupt practices. And the wrong side is morality, Truth and justice.

Lozada continues to reject the help being extended by well-meaning friends simply because 6,000 pesos is really not the right price for Truth. No.

If Lozada posts bail, it is as if he admitted that he told a lie. Defensor and his ilk wanted Lozada to re-write history to suit their personal interests. Defensor wants Lozada to "re-imagine" what happened and strike him out of the picture and eventually a new version of the ZTE scandal would emerge from a Lozada statement.

Is Joc-Joc Bolante still Gloria's man?

INFAMOUS former Agriculture Undersecretary Joc-Joc Bolante is slated to arrive possibly next week. Bolante, who reportedly engineered the billion peso fertilizer scam, has been ordered deported by the US Immigration department after losing his assylum case. The Senate has been hot on the heels of Bolante since the conclusion of the Senate fertilizer scam probe. Senators are just waiting for him to land his feet at NAIA to arrest him.

Question–will the Arroyo administration allow Bolante to “spill the beans” so to speak before the Senate? Bolante is still a precious commodity, especially to Gloria. Will the administration let go of Bolante? And will Bolante’s testimony trigger widespread dissent against Gloria?

Seems like there’s already a “strategy” to effectively gag Bolante. A Cabinet portfolio waiting for him? Possibly. With the SC affirming “executive privilege”, that would effectively shield Bolante from Gloria’s enemies.

Question–is Bolante still in Gloria’s ambit of influence? Let’s wait and see. Will Bolante do a Lozada?

JLo's Last Option

Former Jueteng star witness Sandra Cam was last seen hobnobbing with Gloria. What had happened to this lady who once regaled us with talks about Mikey and Iggy Arroyo receiving jueteng protection money? Well, since the probe never resulted to anything, obviously Sandra went back to her former life. Money, they say, talks.

Yesterday, ZTE star witness Jun Lozada expressed his fear of losing valuable security from the Senate. Lozada says he's thinking of migrating to the United States, especially since nothing happened with his expose.

I don't know if Jun knows it but many things happened due to his expose.

First, he inspired thousands of young Filipinos to stand up for what is right. That Ayala Makati incident is a testament of that. An entire generation of youngsters took part in that rally, giving us a sense of relief that when it's their turn, they would better manage this country than the present generation.

Second, he enlightened so many Pinoys. Filipinos know now how corrupt this government is. They're willing to struggle for a better Philippines but they need some leadership from those who bear arms. Without it, the fight is useless.

And lastly, Jun Lozada invigorated the whistleblower industry, which is now being threatened by extinction.

Jun Lozada must stay. It's Gloria and her bunch of misfits who should leave. Isama na natin ang greedy golfing buddies of her husband.

Heard there's a new witness in this ZTE probe. Well, that witness could possibly be the last. If the media does'nt support it, that new witness will not be enough to send this regime to the pits.

As I've said, its time for the Zonrox brigade to do its job of cleansing this country from the filth of this regime.

Revolution Redefined

A reader wants me to define revolution. This is in reaction to what I wrote previously, my dig on Cocoy's piece in Filipinovoices.com.

It is easy for someone versed in Marxism-Leninism to define revolution. Yet, in our times, it is not expedient to do so. Revolution, as defined by Marxists and neo-Marxists, do not encapsulate present conditions. Why?

Because revolution now can take various forms other than the traditional purview that it involves violence.

For example, a substantial technological change could be defined as a revolution. Or, a simple conversion of faith could be linked to a "moral revolution"

What I am saying is this term has been used and re-used in almost all writings since Karl Marx wrote his monumental dig on capitalist society in Das Kapital. De constructionists have prostituted the term for their own philosophical advantages. Others, have linked this definition of revolution in all fields of interests.

IN our time, revolution should be defined as a complete procedural change. It could be on two levels: one, internal through socio-cultural change and two, through a politico-economic change.

Why do I emphasize on the socio-cultural level?

Because that answers most of the critiques about the EDSA revolutions of 1986 and 2001. I agree that these two events are not pure revolutions. They are just coups d'etat, mirages of revolutions. Why?

1986 led to the re-establishment of the pre-Martial law era where aristocrats rule over government. 2001, meanwhile, succeeded in replacing the Erap elite faction with that of Arroyo's.

Both incidents did not lead to a substantial change in the politico-economic system. The system remained capitalist. The societal structure supported the same powers that have supported the ousted regime. State resources only changed hands--from a purely controlled and concentrated one to a dispersed patronage system. Those who militated against Marcos were given the spoils. While those on the other fence either went on exile or morphed or were "rehabilitated" in the acceptable social mold.

The reason is simple--the base of the 1986 "revolution" was not entirely ideological. They went to EDSA just to oust what they perceive as a corrupt and immoral regime. Period. The source of dissent or disgusts was personal. It was never ideological.

Revolutionary forces failed to effectively convert the EDSA adherents into ideological cadres. Those who governed under Aquino were social democrats. They were unable to translate principles into meaningful actions that would have enhanced or even changed the very structures established during the dictatorship.

2001 could have been the great opportunity to re-write history. It could have been used as a vehicle to established an ideology that would guide the change.

Clearly, the same problems reared its ugly head after the ouster of Estrada. Since the motivation for the ouster of Erap was based again on personal attacks, the same ugly cycle occurred.

Worst, the change was just from a perceived lackluster governance style into a "more efficient" style of rule. That's why the societal problems which existed even prior to the two EDSA's again emerged because, again, there was no effort to really change the very system which some EDSA veterans militated against.

Revolutions are internal affairs. Revolutions involve both the mind and the Spirit. Those who want change should start the change in themselves first, before any overt action should be undertaken.

Those who shout change should start demystifying the armchair concepts they have on revolutions. They should undergo the process of proletarianization before they go to the streets. This process involves understanding the values of the proletarian class.

I remember the story told by Jun Lozada before the Senate during the ZTE hearings. One time, he was in the mountains, talking to a farmer. He noticed that guavas just lay on the ground. He asked the farmer why he's just letting these precious fruits to rot on the ground. The answer was simple--the guavas are to feed the birds. He was struck dumb.

Lozada underwent the first stage of proletarianization, which is understanding how proletarian classes think. The second should be living with them and probably the third would be wanting how this class thinks about change.

We ask--by what means do we change society? It depends on what the People want.

Based on my studies now, the People want a swift, decisive and more substantial action against the prevailing system.

They want change immediately. Period. They want those who have the capability of bringing down this government to go all-out and fight on their behalf. They will support a military action, yes. The times are ripe for the picking.

We say the New Philippine Revolution, what do we mean?

We mean the cycle of creating Bagong Tao or the New Man. It starts with the mind, then with the Spirit. We recognize that revolutions should involve the change of the mind then a change in the Spirit of Man. The change should be based on new paradigms of thought, the destruction of old thinking and the floundering of the New Concepts. What these concepts are? Send me an email and I'll explain this concept further.

From JLo to Food Crisis

I read Jun Lozada's piece in Black and White Movement's blog and believe me, I got tired. I know Jun still agonizes over the pain of being kidnapped by the police. And I know how he felt then, knowing full well that these people are out to silence him.

And I sympathize with him. I share his struggle. In fact, like millions of us, we want to see these people behind the ZTE scam imprisoned.

Jun was lucky he did'nt suffer what Joe Burgos' son experienced. Unlike JLo, hundreds of activists, labor leaders and urban poor organizers have been arrested illegally, jailed and killed. They never reached La Salle. They never even enjoyed the protection of the nuns and Cory Aquino.

Like Jun, they were heroes. And we salute them.

However, Jun and the rest of the B&M must realize that issues have their beginnings and endings. Like others before him, JLo's story have been over-stretched to its limits. Like what I wrote in my previous blogs, people already know what happened. People already believed him. People are definitely convinced that this government tried to hide the truth.

In fact, the struggle right now is not about truth. No. Truth is as clear as what we see in an LCD TV.

The truth lay before us--we have a corrupt government. Period.

We have a government being run by a strong mafia. This mafia controls almost everything. They are the new autocrats. Worst, this group does not have a figure for the people to throw stones at. They enjoy anonymity in a land of extreme poverty and chaos.

We have a government that is vindictive. They kill with impunity. They punish their enemies with severity.

We have a government that likes everything Chinese. To appease their Chinese gods, this mafia can go to extreme lengths as sell millions of hectares of our lands, prostitute our women and donate the organs of our children, just to make their Chinese gods smile.

Jun and the B&M do not need to hammer us with this. The People already know that injustices are being committed everyday. We already know that we are oppressed. We already know that government even manipulate prices to accommodate big food traders.

Jun, we know everything.

Your call right now should be a search for Justice.

Jun, you should call upon the people to act in the struggle for Justice. We were wronged. You were wronged. This is now the time to call upon the Patriots of this land and fight for Justice.

Justice for Jun Lozada. Justice for Jonas Burgos. Justice for Juan delaCruz.

Tantanan na ang panawagan para sa Katotohanan. Dalhin na natin ang laban sa panawagan para sa Katarungan.

Katarungan laban sa mapang-aping pamahalaan.

Katarungan laban sa korupsyon at paniniil sa mga karapatan ng sambayanan.

Katarungan para sa patuloy na pagtaas ng presyo ng mga bilihin.

Ito ang dapat ipanawagan. Ito ang dapat ipaglaban, ngayon na!

FG is at it again

Read the story below. There's another anomaly involving the First Gentleman. Again, FG got himself involved in another overpriced deal, which, according to Senator Jamby Madrigal, might run between US$ 18 million and US$ 90 million. It was allegedly brokered by Francis Chua, whom I remember meeting sometime in 2000 in an interview. Chua is allegedly very close to the First Family since he lead this group's founding sometime before 2000. This group is supposedly a counter-force to the PCCCIII of Lucio Tan, which, at that time, was very close to the Erap administration.

Another anomaly--Southrail documents are missing. Documents about this anomalous deal are again missing, just like what happened to the ZTE deal which Undersecretary Formoso lost right after the Boao forum.

And another--the Department of Education (DepEd) ruled that Jun Lozada should not be allowed to enter public schools to talk about the ZTE deal. What if, in some instance, Jun finds himself needing a toilet and it happens that he's near the Ramon Magsaysay High school along Espana, would he be allowed to enter the premises of that public school? Obviously, according to the DepEd, he's not allowed.

Such attempts at destroying documents and preventing people from knowing the truth, I believe, is more than enough evidence for the CBCP, former Senator Salonga and all the rest who are not convinced to call for Arroyo's resignation to reconsider their decision. These attempts at suppressing the truth are as clear as daylight. We must not blind ourselves.

If we want to know the truth, we must be ready to sacrifice everything for the Truth to come out. But if government agencies are being used by just one family to protect itself against further acrimonious accusations, then, what use are these calls for Arroyo to allow the truth to come out when it is very, very clear that she's not really willing to do so?


FG linked to another alleged overprice

By AUREA CALICA
The Philippine Star

Sen. Jamby Madrigal is seeking an investigation into the Bureau of Customs (BOC)’s purchase of allegedly overpriced x-ray scanning machines from a Chinese company without public bidding, reportedly upon the intervention of First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo.

Madrigal said the alleged deal was brokered by a certain Francis Chua who is believed to be the former president of the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Inc. (FFCCCII), a group supportive of the administration.

Madrigal’s call for an investigation is contained in Senate Resolution 317.

"It is estimated that the alleged overprice of the NICIS project may run between $18 million and $90 million for both project phases," Madrigal said.

The purchase of the x-ray machines is part of the administration’s so-called Non-Intrusive Container Inspection System (NICIS), which involves the installation of mobile or truck-mounted x-ray machines to scan container vans in the different ports of the country to prevent smuggling, facilitate trade and prevent tariff evasion. The NICIS project was implemented based on Executive Order 592 signed by President Arroyo on Dec. 15, 2006.

In her resolution, Madrigal said the Arroyo government, through the Department of Finance and the BOC, signed a concessional loan agreement with China on May 11, 2006 and on Jan. 15, 2007 to finance Phase 1 and 2 of the NCIS, respectively.

The loan for Phase 1 involves $50 million for 10 units of the x-ray machines and $100 million for 20 more units for Phase 2. The Export-Import Bank of China was assigned to process the loan while the Beijing-based Nuctech Co. Ltd. was China’s supplier for the project.

According to Madrigal, the NICIS project is part of the $1.109-billion loan agreement between the government and China covering the Northrail and Southrail projects. The amount is way above the usual pledges of development aid from a single country. The International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and Japan collectively promised $11.4 billion, with $1 billion more still being negotiated.

During the Nov. 2, 2007 budget hearing, BOC Commissioner Napoleon Morales said each unit of the x-ray machines cost $2.5 million.

But according to comparative international prices of x-ray machines based on results of public biddings for the Los Angeles Harbor Department and the Iceland State Trading Center, each unit of the x-ray scanning machines from Nuctech costs only $1.9 million on the average, the resolution read.

Senate witness Rodolfo Lozada Jr. mentioned during a hearing on the national broadband network deal controversy that the First Gentleman joined Customs and other officials in inspecting the x-ray scanning machines in China along with Chua.

"Why is the First Gentleman part of the visit to China to see the x-ray machines? Are we going to follow everything that China wants because the loan will come from it?" she asked.

Madrigal said some of the machines were reportedly defective and became non-operational a few months after their delivery.

She also questioned why the government had to purchase 30 machines when one would have been enough, based on the practice in other countries. Madrigal added that with the huge number of units purchased, the government should have negotiated a discount.

"The anomalies in the NICIS project may have arisen because of the lack of transparency in this government-to-government transaction, when it could have been done through public bidding," Madrigal said.

The president of Nuctech, Hu Haifeng, is a son of Chinese President Hu Jintao. Nuctech is the same supplier of the now suspended Cyber-Education project.

So far, Madrigal said BOC has accounted for only 16 units in different ports in the country.

She further noted that the BOC personnel who were trained in China in 2006 to operate the machines were all allegedly removed from their posts. "Why?" Madrigal asked.

Madrigal said she could not accept the argument of the BOC that it purchased a different model to justify the high unit cost, considering that more progressive countries were able to get x-ray machines from the same company for lower prices.

Chua reacts
In a text message to The STAR, Chua said the allegations might scare away potential Chinese direct investors.

"My role as investment envoy is to bridge China relations with the Philippines," he said in his text message.

"My primary concern is foreign direct investments such as Cosco’s proposed central shipping hub totaling $5 billion of private investment," he said.

"I will never interest myself in government-to-government projects since (they are) purely a matter between two states," Chua pointed out.

"Since my stint as federation president to this day, I have spent all of my time encouraging Chinese to do private business in the Philippines and ultimately generate more jobs.

"I lament that these allegations have deterred the investments of these multinational Chinese companies which could have generated thousands more jobs and infused billions more capital into the Philippines," he pointed out.

Vatican influence over CBCP and the China question

It was revealing to me what Jun Lozada told reporters about his conversation with a priest who's a member of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines. He said that the reason why the CBCP refuses to issue a firmer political condemnation of the Arroyo administration is the perception that this could be used by other countries in the region to "oppress" or "delimit" the works of evangelization by Catholic churches in those countries.

I immediately remembered the news which says that China is now locked into a veritable cold war with the Vatican. China has its own self-appointed Church head in their country, much like what they did in Tibet where they appointed their own Dalai Lama while allowing the real Dalai Lama to go on exile. Did the Vatican influenced the CBCP not to "rock the boat", so to speak, in deference to what's happening in China?

Some quarters are speculating that this could be the real reason why the CBCP refuses to condemn the Arroyo administration. Of course, we can't discount the possibility that some bishops were given some favours. However, I am sure that this is the real reason why our church leaders are not issuing a stronger statement.

There are indications, I believe, that the CBCP will issue such a statement. The Church has said that if Malacanang still refused to revoke EO 464, then, they will definitely call for a resignation.

The End of a 7-year Itch

Philippine events are beginning to interests skeptics like me. Since the failed 2005 attempt, I have turned into a skeptic because of the fact that previous events having the same emotional content as what I'm seeing right now had happened before with disastrous results. After the dust has settled, I saw a triumphant PGMA rising above everyone else. It was like a massacre. Political operators of Arroyo succeeded in neutralizing these forces, either using carrots or threats. Those who struggled against Arroyo were left in the lurch. Some lost all hope and decided to just reintegrate themselves in society by having a job somewhere else. What it achieved is that it left Malacanan without a conscience because almost all idealists who struggled with Arroyo at EDSA Dos resigned in their posts. Those who remained are technocrats or political operators who owe allegiance to Mr. Arroyo instead of being in government due to political principles.

The failed attempt also emboldened Arroyo and her gang of thieves. More and more cases of graft and corruption were reported. Since these people were allowed to rob, steal, and even kill opponents or those who shout against what they're doing, they contributed more to the dysfunctionalism that ensued. The Arroyo administration felt that no one can stop them. They saw themselves as invincible. The death of dissent all the more gave these grafters the space they need to continue stealing and robbing the people of their monies.

The intolerance being shown by this administration to criticisms and critiques could be the thing that could lead to its downfall. Its penchant for killing dissent and dissenters is now haunting them like crazy.

Now, people are starting to enjoy their newly-found voice. Seven years of silence, of tolerating every false move, every robbery of this adminitration has decidedly come to an end. Far from the claims of this administration that people are tired of marching and going to EDSA, Filipinos now are beginning to march to the streets again, trying to give this thing another chance. Every one knows that if these things do not come to a decisive conclusion, which, in this instance, is the ouster of Arroyo, they will not have that chance again.

Every day, groups have started marching, showing this government of their collective disgusts on what had happened. Lozada's testimony, though devoid of any documentary evidence, has been accepted as gospel truth. This is not a media spin nor a product of PR. No. People believed Lozada because they have lost every shred of trust in their government. In normal times, such characters as Lozada would have found it very difficult to even say such things to Arroyo. If the ZTE deal happened in 2001 or 2002, people would not even gave it a second's notice.

The palace must accept the truth---it has lost its mandate. Mandates do not emanate from ballots. No. Mandates are based upon the people's trust. A distrusted government does not have a mandate since the sovereign will is of the people's and not of Arroyo's and her lapdogs.

Executive Secretary Ermita today criticized civil society's call for change. Justice Secretary Gonzales even called those who oppose Arroyo as members of "evil society". These closet individuals are trying their hand at villification which, unfortunately, fail every time they open their blistered mouths.

If these mass mobilizations continue, I am inclined to believe what Sis. Mananzan of St. Scholastica and Dela Salle president Armin Luistro said--all these will lead to something major or bigger. It is inevitable. I believe them. They know the pulse of the people and the effects of their current activities to the middle class. I will believe them rather than self-proclaimed political analyst Peter Lim who said that it would be next to impossible to oust Arroyo. Mr. Lim, I do believe in the power of prayer and of karma. Nature's laws dictate that those who do evil deeds will reap the same force of evil that they have sowed. This seven-year itch to get rid of a tumour such as Arroyo is beginning to grow and take shape. It would not be long before this "itch" ends. And it ends Now.