Ampatuans as Liberal Party Members: " They don't share the LP's brand of politics" says Lacierda. O, why are they LP members?

Seventy two members of the dreaded Ampatuan warlord clan are running for re-election in local posts in Maguindanao. Nine of them, are running under the Liberal Party, the administration party. 

Human Rights watch Carlos Conde revealed the list to several media personalities during the 3rd year commemoration of the infamous Maguindanao massacre. Until now, the culture of impunity still exists in that part of the Philippine archiepelago since most members of the Ampatuan clan are being made to run to preserve the wealth and influence of the clan throughout the province.

The patriarch and his sons are in jail yet their trusty lieutenants and operators ran around Maguindanao and continuing the iron-fisted policies of the old clan leader. A source who will reveal his identity if asked says in confidence that most of the wealth of the Ampatuans have been entrusted to their relatives who still work as government officials of the province. The power of the Ampatuans remains and it is quite understandable since the ruling clan, the Mangundadatus, are likewise related to them by affinity.

What is so inane is the statement of Edwin Lacierda, presidential spokesperson. He confirms the recruitment of some Ampatuan clan members to the Liberal Party but insists that these people do not share the same brand of politics as that of the LP. Eh, ganun naman pala, why are they members of the LP if these people are espousing a destructive kind of politics?

Jejomar Binay's UNA also confirmed that they recruited members of the Ampatuan clan and their spokesperson, Jose Bautista even boasted that there is nothing wrong with it because their recruits are not the same Ampatuans as those convicted of the gruesome massacre.

Such convoluted logic exists today. For the sake of politics, even Malacanang had to swallow its supposed "liberalist" beliefs just to accommodate warlords who promise to deliver the votes.

This explains why a culture of impunity exists throughout the country because even the national leadership respects and recognizes the influence and power of these warlord clans. 

It seems that the onus of responsibility in eradicating these warlord clans lies not on government but on the people. Let the people use their power to finally put an end to these warlord clans who are promoting extreme feudalism in their respective territories.

President Aquino's sincerity questioned for decision not to sign waiver to disclose his SALN

The quest for accountability and fighting graft and corruption is still unfinished. There is now, a growing citizen's movement which campaigns for all government officials to sign that waiver and publish their Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth. 


President Aquino is now being pressured by several groups to reveal the contents of his bank accounts. During the impeachment trial, Malacanang thru the President spearheaded the call for the Chief Justice to lay bare, his bank accounts. Now that he did, the onus lies on the President to reveal the contents of his bank accounts.


Fact is, the 188 Congressmen and the twenty three Senators are also being asked by the public to open their bank accounts for public scrutiny. However, there is no law providing for such a disclosure. 


There is that pending bill, the Freedom of Information, which essentially empowers the people to scrutinize anomalous deals and other information about governmental actions. The passage of such a bill could be the tipping point in the anti-graft and pro-disclosure campaigns.


We ask the President to be the epitome of this internal campaign. Malacanang should publicly disclose the waiver the President signed when he filed his SALN. Same goes to other members of the official family, and members of the House.


As what Jesus told the Pharisees and the Sadducees who convicted and charged him with numerous sins---he who did not sin should cast the first stone. 

No caveat for Naguiat--PAGCOR guys are exempt from Republic Act no. 3019? Really now

For PAGCOR chairman Bong Naguiat, there's simply nothing wrong with receiving gifts or staying in a posh hotel of a supposed applicant for a gaming license here in the Philippines. For Naguiat and his classmate, President Noynoy Aquino, staying in a US$ 10,000 room and enjoying US$ 110,000 worth of hotel accommodations at the Wynn Hotel is "industry practice."


Really now.


So, these provisions of Republic Act no. 3019 does not apply to a person named Bong Naguiat Jr. simply because he's the head of PAGCOR and the one giving those gifts, including hotel accommodations is simply one of a few gaming tycoons who wants to invest US$ 2 billion in the proposed Entertainment City of PAGCOR.

REPUBLIC ACT NO. 3019
ANTI-GRAFT AND CORRUPT PRACTICES ACT
 
 
Sec. 1. Statement of policy. - It is the policy of the Philippine Government, in line with the principle that a public office is a public trust, to repress certain acts of public officers and private persons alike which constitute graft or corrupt practices or which may lead thereto.
Sec. 2. Definition of terms. - As used in this Act, the term -
(a) "Government" includes the national government, the local governments, the government-owned and government-controlled corporations, and all other instrumentalities or agencies of the Republic of the Philippines and their branches.
(b) "Public officer" includes elective and appointive officials and employees, permanent or temporary, whether in the classified or unclassified or exempt service receiving compensation, even nominal, from the government as defined in the preceding subparagraph.  chan robles virtual law library
(c) "Receiving any gift" includes the act of accepting directly or indirectly a gift from a person other than a member of the public officer's immediate family, in behalf of himself or of any member of his family or relative within the fourth civil degree, either by consanguinity or affinity, even on the occasion of a family celebration or national festivity like Christmas, if the value of the gift is under the circumstances manifestly excessive.

Never mind if the law prohibits such "receipt of gifts" and never mind if the following provisions exists which prohibits public officers from the following overt acts:

Sec. 3. Corrupt practices of public officers. - In addition to acts or omissions of public officers already penalized by existing law, the following shall constitute corrupt practices of any public officer and are hereby declared to be unlawful:
(a) Persuading, inducing or influencing another public officer to perform an act constituting a violation of rules and regulations duly promulgated by competent authority or an offense in connection with the official duties of the latter, or allowing himself to be persuaded, induced, or influenced to commit such violation or offense.
(b) Directly or indirectly requesting or receiving any gift, present, share, percentage, or benefit, for himself or for any other person, in connection with any contract or transaction between the Government and any other part, wherein the public officer in his official capacity has to intervene under the law.
(c) Directly or indirectly requesting or receiving any gift, present or other pecuniary or material benefit, for himself or for another, from any person for whom the public officer, in any manner or capacity, has secured or obtained, or will secure or obtain, any Government permit or license, in consideration for the help given or to be given, without prejudice to Section thirteen of this Act.
(d) Accepting or having any member of his family accept employment in a private enterprise which has pending official business with him during the pendency there...

So, for MALACANANG AND MR. BONG NAGUIAT JR. NOTHING WRONG IF,  SAY, THE LAW SPECIFICALLY AND EXPRESSLY PROHIBITS SUCH ACTS.


NAGUIAT is a special kind of public officer. He is exempt from all these because giving gifts and giving hotel accommodations to casino regulators are industry practice.


Okey, so, let's say I'm a Customs official and I normally receive bribe money from smugglers and importers. Giving bribe money at the Customs is 'INDUSTRY PRACTICE." So, there's nothing wrong for, say Paulino Elevado to amass millions since it is a practice or tradition by the way for Customs men to receive such gifts and bribe money.


Naguiat is a special specie, the kind that President Aquino loves to protect. Aquino will never touch a "classmate", much less, a "kabayan" or a "kabarilan."


So, here's the thing...


You're exempted from walking the right path when you're a personal buddy, a shooting buddy or very close family provide.

Who stands to gain from Corona Impeachment Trial?

Who really stands to gain from the Corona impeachment trial? If Corona is impeached, will real changes follow in the judiciary? What kind of changes are needed? Is this fight only about graft and corruption, and nothing else? 


Until now, Malacanang has not given us any inkling as to the kind of reforms the President wants to do with the judiciary. Reforms are actually administrative matters which only the Chief Justice is allowed by the Constitution to do. The President said, this impeachment trial is part of a "cleansing process" which will benefit the Judicial department in the long run.


However, Malacanang is still clueless as to the specific changes it wants. It only knows one thing--oust Renato Corona as Chief Justice. Will the ouster of Corona put an end to graft and corruption in the judiciary? 


I bet my Singdollar that this so-called "opening and public disclosure" of Corona's SALN will be the first and the last time a member of this institution will publicly disclose his SALN. After this trial drama, and Corona's impeached, every single thing will revert back to its original status. Money will still change hands in the judiciary. Money will still be the prime "influencer" in decisions rendered by the Courts. Why?


Any human-made institution is vulnerable to corruption. Even in modern countries, judges are also being corrupted and are corrupting the system too.  


Moreso, this impeachment trial, when it began, has already harmed democracy in this country. Instead of real changes, democracy has been put under a very dangerous state.


If Corona's impeached, and the entire Supreme Court is changed by people close to the Palace, what then will this Court be like? It will just be a rubber stamp by a strong Chief Executive. The independence of this Court has been compromised. 


The same thing will happen if Corona manages to stay---every single decision will be questioned ab infinitum by a Strong Chief Executive. Even decisions handled by law firms and lawyers who became part of Corona's defense panel will always be subject to doubt and scrutiny. 


Malacanang is courting serious political problems when it did this. What happens for example, if the Supreme Court, who is now handling the electoral protest of palace close-in Mar Roxas, decides to issue a denial of this protest case? Will the Roxas camp just keep its silence and respect the decision of the Court who earlier accused him of conspiring to oust the Chief Justice?


Or, what will happen if the SC renders a favorable decision? Certainly, the Binay camp will accuse both the Palace and the Judiciary of conspiring against Binay or even Binay accusing the Palace of forcing itself before the Judiciary, hence, the unfavorable decision?


What happens now to pending cases which are political in nature?What happens now to cases where the government is a party? Even if the Supreme Court renders a decision entirely based on law, in the minds of the public, these decisions are tainted already.


A favorable or an unfavorable outcome in this impeachment trial is immaterial now. Corona's part in this this case has now been been rendered irrelevant. Corona has now dragged the entire institution into the pits. 

Occupy Mendiola

Scores of young students and dozens of workers were injured when Manila policemen dispersed them today and a few days ago. These patriotic students were just trying to express themselves when they mobilized thousands from their ranks and decided to try to "occupy Mendiola"--the symbolic bridge that separates Claro M. Recto from the very gates of Malacanang.

These students, together with those brave workers, were just expressing their opposition to the government's plan to decrease spending on education and the rising costs of food stuffs and tuition fees. Instead of sending a representative from the palace to at least dialogue with the protesting students, what this government did was send in those crack troops, with batons and water cannons to literally hose the students away with dirty water.

As of presstime, several students were arrested, together with laborers.

I don't know with you, but, at least I know I'm still living in a democracy. Or not?

What's so wrong with allowing students to do those flanking moves at Mendiola bridge? Will Malacanang lose a day if these students and fellow sympathizers from the workers' ranks would rant, play Commie music and even do those planking moves? Will traffic be affected that much, seeing that there is another route that police use when situations like these arose?

I don't see anything wrong with allowing students to encamp at Mendiola, spend their Christmas there or just literally make the entire bridge their home. Malacanang is several meters away. An encampment at Mendiola will not even affect security at the palace.

IN the UNited States, hundreds of thousand of people have been allowed to express themselves, hence, this creeping movement called Occupy Wall Street.

In times like these, where people are hungry and millions more are jobless, suppressing these democratically protected actions are downright stupid.

It just shows how paranoid this administration is, that within those Spanish-era walls live people without total regard to the precepts of democracy.

Philippine Airlines does damage control

It's like this---they're ready to help repatriate thousands of OFWs in Syria but they're completely not ready to satisfy the labor demands of their thousands of disgruntled employees. And they have the backing of Malacanang. 


PAL will start implementing the decision of the labor department insofar as the fates of the PALEA members are concerned. At least 2,000 PAL employees will be affected by this decision. This will give unemployment a definitive boost.


Of course, those repatriated will also balloon unemployment numbers to ridiculous heights. PAL's damage control cannot really hide the obvious fact that the company is truly anti-labor.


The term used for the plan is appropriate---PAL will try to use all its resources to course these laborers thru perilous skies.  

INC support for Aquino cut early

Reports say high officials of the Iglesia Ni Cristo reportedly lobbied for the non-impeachment of Merceditas Gutierrez. INC officials were reportedly seen inside a room of a legislator supporting the retention  of Gutierrez as Ombudsman.


Is this true? If it was, what prompted these officials for severing their ties with the Aquino administration and going against Aquino?


Sources say some INC officials have notice a spike in the incidence of graft and corruption in the Aquino administration.


Many pro-Binay and close Aquino associates have lobbied and some, are still jockeying for posts in the government, affecting many members of the INC.


These jockeying of posts are not consistent with government rules. Fact is, many were ousted from their posts by people who claimed to have the "blessing of people in Malacanang".


Complaints have reached the INC leadership. The leadership communicated it with Malacanang. Malacanang reportedly gave no credence to reports of irregularities committed by Aquino's men.


Now, the "honeymoon" period is over. INC is now a critique of the Aquino administration? Are relations between Aquino and the INC now as cold as dry ice? Your guess is as good as mine.


The Iglesia Ni Cristo believed in the words of Aquino---that he will cleanse government of irregularities. Now, the INC knows better.

Plan Ass or Shooting one's mouth off as State Policy

That's the problem with appointing non-Communication experts as palace deputy spokespersons--they have a tendency to shoot their mouths off. Clearly, no one knows that every utterance they give becomes policy. They are not there to embellish the impossible--simply to function as conveyors of messages. And probably, palace deputy spokesperson Charito Planas does not really know the implications of her actions.

Her "alarmist" statement yesterday shows how callous this administration is on the effects of statements it makes in public. Imagine, the palace itself tried to fuel these speculations and fears on an Arroyo-instigated martial rule. Planas told a stunned audience that should the elections fail, the military is poised to take over. I don't really know what's on the mind of Planas when she said that, but for me, it was utterly irresponsible.

And it is unacceptable if Planas will try to defend herself by saying that she was asked. Clearly, the issue is speculative and what-ifs are not commonly answered by authorities.

Now, if that Planas' statement is declarative, then, probably that's the real motive behind all these actions--appointments of Bangit and members of PMA Class 1978 and this recent Arroyo instigated SC decision. Even the snub suffered by the PMA leadership after the head of the local police declared that he will not support an extension of his boss' term.

Or, probably, Planas was deceived by her own colleagues inside that snake pit called OPS and was made to believe the yarn that Arroyo was motivated to manipulate even the Supreme Court and the Armed Forces because of her concern for a post-Arroyo military take-over.

Mrs. Arroyo's only concern is simply self-preservation. Arroyo is so afraid to suffer the same fate as that of Erap's that she will do everything in her power to prevent this possibility.

She knows that she stole billions from the public coffers. She knows that her husband did enter into shady deals with syndicates and criminals. She knows that she harmed a lot of people during her administration, and she will not escape liability.

Mrs. Arroyo and her ilk have mastered the Art of Survival, even probably perfected it into a science. They are skillful in manipulating discord and destabilization. Fact is, this administration has thrived with destabilization. And why is that?

We are being mis-directed so that we will not know how government is spending 10 billion pesos worth of calamity funds. The palace is feeding our conspirational minds so that we will forget how they are spending these enormous funds, not for generator sets but for vote buying.

Atty. Alex Lacson has just visited Mindanao and convened with some local government officials there. Many of them are Liberal party candidates and they told Lacson that administration backed candidates are spending their calamity funds to buy sacks of rice, food stuffs, even appliances.

Anyway, Planas should be advised not to give any more statements about the future.

Makalinta and Patrician Flavors ala Gloriac

When North Korean leader Kim Yong Ill treated himself with expensive wines, steaks, lobsters and women when he visited Switzerland, the North Korean government says that their leader ate the most proletarian food there was. And when the Japanese during World War II killed thousands of Filipinos and raped and murdered Filipinas, the official organ of the regime says they were "Communists" and "rebels", fit for slaughter.

I remember my lola telling me that those Filipinos who allowed themselves to be used by Japanese soldiers were called " Makapili." Now, in the Arroyo administration, there are those whom we now call "makalinta." Yes, and you know what "lintas" are right?

Nah, it's not an airline but those blood suckers. In the Arroyo regime, they are the ones who sell their souls just to partake of the vicious food and wealth coming from the people's coffers.

They are the get quick rich schemers and free loaders who use their personal friendships to eat at fancy restaurants free and blame the media for "playing all these things up" when journalists are themselves, immoral. Talk about the Pope preaching in that podium we call Malacanang's press briefing room table.

Makalintas are those who fix things and stuff dirty rags at people's mouths so their voices are stifled. And when the heat seemed unbearable, crosses the other side and helps a priest probably to cleanse his conscience after depriving the people of their voices.

The media, so this makalinta says, is conjuring up scenarios of grandeur and pomp, when, it was, as the Presidential chuwawah used to say, " a simple dinner with Krug champagnes, oysters, steaks and everything Lady Gaga." Ah, talk about being simple.

And when that young boy from Leyte felt threatened and put into a corner, he blames his innocent brother abroad and for what? To protect the hide of his friend's mama who probably blames herself for ordering too much steaks and a $12,000 vintage wine. He's rich, nobody would say he can't afford $20,000?

But, how about those sumptuous meals from Bobby's Van or those Bouley parties and that decadent and highly scandalous and highly drunk parties at Wardorff Astoria? For makalinta, things are not what they seem. Those decadent parties are regular affairs for lintas and patrons of the dirty arts.

This sucker want us to be like him, suckers. It wants us to believe that those champagnes are just plain and simple basi, or those oysters came from Lingayen or those steaks and grilled goodies are just Nueva Ecija cows.

And we're not supposed to gloat and say " Que horror!" nor blame the major linta for splurging on very expensive Patrician food. No. For, we, especially journalists and writers, are him--a blood sucker. We're not clean. We're not innocents. We're not holy.

Sucking other people's blood and life force is but natural for makalinta, his peers and his boss. That's why they don't see anything wrong with stuffing ones' mouth full of flab, nor greasing one's fingers with beef fat, while 4 million families play footsies with death.

His belly is full of it that he's too blind to see what's wrong with spending close to 5 million pesos for a few days of gorging French and American food, wines and delicacies. As they say, when you have a swollen belly, you don't see your feet more often that you surely don't know that you already stepped on shit.

Well, don't expect much from a critter who sucks the life blood of people. For him, who lives in the hard-earned monies of poor people like us, eating $2,000 plate dinners are nothing. They just throw money around. They are full of it, what with deals, left and right, high and low and side to side?

But, like fat and swollen leeches, someday, somehow, they'll burst right in the middle and pus comes out like those steaks cooked medium rare.

Palasyo di takot sa milyong-milyong tao ni Cory

Hindi daw takot ang Malacanang sa dami ng taong dumalo sa funeral march para kay Pangulong Cory Aquino noong Miyerkoles.

Sabi ni Presidential spokesperson LoreLIE Fajardo, hindi daw takot si Mrs. Arroyo dahil pagpapakita lang daw yun ng malaking pagmamahal ng mga tao sa dating pangulo.

Yun daw milyun-milyong dumating duon ay hindi daw banta sa masama at mala demonyong rehimen ni Arroyo. Patuloy daw silang mamumuno sa gobyerno.

Asa ka pa Lorelie. darating din ang araw, at malapit na malapit na, na tatapusin na ng taumbayan ang kasamaan, kabulukan at kabalintunaan na simbolo ng pamamahala ng boss mo. Gising na ang taumbayan at lahat kami, gusto na ng kabutihan. Sa pagkamatay ni Cory, umuusbong na ang puwersa ng demokrasya.

Major. Fojas should be investigated for possible complicity in bomb attacks

National Capital Region Command Major General Jogy Leo Fojas should be investigated for possible complicity in the bombings in Mindanao or at the very least, dereliction of his duty. Fojas told reporters that the AFP monitored the presence of Jemaah Islamiya, ASG and MILF elements in the Metropolis, a few weeks prior to the bombings in Metro Manila and Mindanao.

WTF?! Nakita ninyo na pala ang mga terorista sa Metro Manila, bakit hindi ninyo pa hinuli? Hogwash. Either Fojas wants these terrorists to do their thing or he does not know his job.

Seriously, is this the kind of soldier we expect to defend the capital from terrorists?

O, kitam? After blaming opposition groups for the bombings, even pointing to an "opposition figure" as the one behind the bomb attacks, now, the administration changed tack and says that the Jemaah Islamiya are now " in Metro Manila" and plans to do some bombing.

This validates my earlier entries on the script that Malacanang will follow---blame these things to foreign terror groups so that wala nga namang tamaang malaking isda sa mga political groups in the Philippines. Hay, naku. This is a common alibi made by this government, when pushed by the public for answers.

Net 2.0 Media has a very good entry, an advise actually, on how to handle these kinds of situation.

The reason why we can't really fully identify the perpetuators behind these bombing attacks is simply this government has so many enemies. Obviously, we really can't pinpoint the real suspects because many people want this regime out.

A PNP general was quoted as sharing this vital piece of intelligence info. Is he kidding? If this is A-1 info, hindi niya dapat ishini share ito sa publiko. This is probably hog-wash, because the S.O.P. in the military is simply not share confidential security info.

Pope Benedict Condemns Cotabato Blast

Five people died while 35 others were wounded in a morning bomb blast in Cotabato City. Cotabato Archbishop Orlando Quevedo was about to read his homily when the bomb exploded. The explosive device was placed in an eatery near the Cotabato Immaculate Concepcion church.

The Southern Command was quick to blame the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), saying that a special operations groups were the ones responsible for the blast. Malacanang also was quick to draw the gun, blaming "destabilizers" for the blast. However, the MILF denied any involvement in the blast, saying that the act was "un-Islamic" and contrary to the teachings of Prophet Muhammad. The MILF called for an independent probe into the incident.

Pope Benedict the 16th and the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) were one in condemning the explosion. The Pope said this is not the way to resolve conflicts, while the CBCP hinted that this could be part of an on-going effort to destabilize the country. Remember that a few days ago, a bomb exploded before the Office of the Ombusman while bombs were allegedly found at the Department of Agriculture and a condominium in Katipunan Avenue, Quezon City.

The explosion came shortly after an announcement was made that the government and the MILF peace panels are expected to go back to the negotiating table this month. Was this part of a plan to derail peace efforts in Mindanao?

Some people however surmise that this could be part of the so-called Oplan August Moon, a secret campaign to create justifying circumstances for the declaration of martial rule. Prior to this, a bomb exploded at the Office of the Ombusman in Quezon City, while bombs were found at the Department of Agriculture and a condominium along Katipunan Avenue, Quezon City.

Oplan August Moon is supposed to lay down the groundwork for more oppressive state actions against the government's detractors, particularly those who oppose the plan of Mrs. Arroyo's allies to convene Congress into a Constituent Assembly. Others, however, said that the Oplan actually targets AFP Chief of Staff General Victor Ibrado. It is no secret that Ibrado's class (PMA Class 1976) is now engaged in a power struggle with Mrs. Arroyo's favorite class (PMA Class 1978). Though Defense secretary Gilbert Teodoro was quick to squelch this, news of inter-class squabblings are getting louder. A source within the AFP says that classmates of Ibrado and PMA Class 1978 member Army Chief Lt. Gen. Delfin Bangit were the ones jockeying for power inside the AFP. The power struggle is reportedly unknown to both officers.

Historically, blasts and bomb threats always precede destab efforts before. With a few weeks left before the SONA, many people fear that more such incidents will happen to create a chilling effect on those who oppose charter change. Yesterday, the military announced that it is preparing for possible unrests and destab threats as the SONA nears. The possibility is high since last June, Executive secretary Eduardo Ermita warned cha-cha protesters that Mrs. Arroyo will not hesitate to use her "emergency powers" in case violence breaks out when Congress convenes itself into a Constituent Assembly after July 27.

Update on Oplan August Moon

Malacanang and the Civil Relations service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines just denied the purported self-coup called Oplan August Moon. The palace spokesperson Lorelei Fajardo said that there's no such plan. While AFP Spokesman Lt. Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. also denied it.

Of course, they'll deny it but in Philippine society, chismis or what we call malicious or loose talk is more often than not, partially true.

Oplan August Moon, as some sources say, intends to shorten the term of AFP Chief of Staff General Victor Ibrado. The plan reportedly involves black ops teams whose mission is to "create a scenario of destabilization". This scenario involves alleged bombings, assasinations and rise of criminal activity within July onto August 6. Malacanang and the AFP will blame the Jemaah Islamiyah for these things.

August 6, as sources say, is the start of the campaign against Ibrado to culminate either in a forceful seizure of power to install a "revolutionary government" headed by Mrs. Arroyo or force a resignation of Ibrado come the first week of October 2009. Malacanang will blame Ibrado for an alleged failure to instill discipline among the ranks. One option, says these sources, is for the self-coup to fail and they'll point to Ibrado as the one who headed it. That will surely force the C-S to resign. When that happens, Lt. General Delfin Bangit will succeed him to the C-S post.

Ibrado, as some of these people say, will suffer the same fate as that of General Danny Lim.

These plotters, as sources say, intend to justify their move using the failure of the poll automation as an ideological platform. In truth, what this group intends is to prolong the term of Mrs. Arroyo's regime through martial rule. They will use this issue to justify their action.

Likewise, there is truth to talks that some ideologues in Malacanang are thinking about this option in view of the fact that Speaker Prospero Nograles Jr. just lost 47 Congressmen, mostly from Lakas, in the charter change fight. These Congressmen, as some insiders within the Lower House say, will withdraw their signatures from House Resolution 1109.

The plan reportedly by the palace to use Senator Lito Lapid to attend a session in Congress seems credible. Lapid reportedly will attend a session shortly after the SONA to try and express the support of the Senate. His presence will be used by cha-cha adherents to justify the convening of Congress. However, there's a problem. They now lack the required number of Congressmen to support HR 1109.

So, some sources say, palace hawks and ideologues are shifting gears---from the legal to the criminal. And they would surely fail, says Senator Ping Lacson. They will be courting death.

A coup needs the support of junior military officers. The key here is for junior officers to withdraw their support, as some sources suggest, from the chain of command. Military officers have the right not to act upon an illegal order. This is the only way for this self-coup to fail, and fail miserably.

Mrs. Arroyo on her way out?

Secretary of Defense Robert Gates recent visit to the Philippines shows the concern by Washington on the increasing tendency towards totalitarianism by the Arroyo administration. Gates told Philippine defense secretary Gilbert Teodoro of Washington's desire to see a peaceful transition of power in 2010. Gates reiterated Washington's desire for Malacanang to uphold democracy through elections.

Mrs. Arroyo was not in the country when Gates, a close adviser of US president Barack Obama, visited the country. Was it a deliberate snub by Malacanang?

Then came a series of disturbing reports about the state of Philippine affairs, the latest this Trafficking of Persons Report 2009 by the US State Department. The US placed the Philippines in its watchlist. The report describes the Philippines as:

"...a source, transit and destination country for men, women and children
trafficked for commercial sexual exploitation and forced labor. " US State
Department, Trafficking in Persons Report 2009."

After this, another pronouncement, this time from US Ambassador to the Philippines Kristie Kenney. Kenney echoed what Gates told Teodoro---Washington's desire to see a peaceful transition of power in 2010. However, if you look very closely, you'll find that there is a distinct difference between Gates' pronouncement and Kenney's statement.

Gates appeal was directed to Malacanang. Kenney's on the other hand, puts the onus of responsibility in ensuring a peaceful transition of power, in the hands of the "Filipino People".
Washington just said that if they cannot rely on Mrs. Arroyo's word to put the democratic process of succession in motion come 2010, maybe the Filipino People would.

Is this Washington's way of telling the Philippine counter-elite to put the People Power process in motion?

As if there's a prepared script, former president Fidel V. Ramos issued a scathing remark against the Arroyo administration, urging the palace to "refrain" from "titillating" the public with "cha-cha" and "running for Congress" and instead, announce its true political agenda come 2010.

And as if on cue, Executive secretary Eduardo Ermita responded with a warning---toe the line or else, Mrs. Arroyo will declare martial rule. Ermita just wittingly or unwittingly revealed the true plan of the palace---a term extension via the martial law route.

Ermita's statement just answered the pleas and appeal of US Defense secretary Robert Gates and Ambassador Kenney's with an emphatic shrug---we're not interested in a democratic transition because we want to extend ourselves in power.

Is Mrs. Arroyo getting back at President Barack Obama for all those snubs and shrugs? Remember that Mrs. Arroyo was like a scorned kid (a scorned devil enfant?) a few months back. Is Mrs. Arroyo just positioning herself as a possible dictator to get Washington's attention?

Yet, the most important question is---is Washington listening and is Barack Obama interested on what Mrs. Arroyo says?

We'll know in a few weeks.

Imelda's Jewels and Raul Gonzales

It came like lighting. And former Justice secretary Raul Gonzales had, indeed, fallen from the good graces of Malacanang.

After declaring that the 15 billion peso worth of seized pieces of jewelry were owned by former First Lady Imelda Marcos, Raul's decision was immediately assailed and reversed, the very same day the former justice secretary penned the favorable "midnight" decision.

Clearly, what Gonzales' replacement, Agnes Devenadera did was a public rebuke of Gonzales.

These pieces of jewelry, which the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) seized and declared as "property of the government", were part of three big suitcases which the Marcoses left behind when they hurriedly left Malacanang in 1986 and those seized from them in Honolulu. In an Inquirer research, it consists of the following:

The jewelry collection of Imelda Marcos consists of tiaras, necklaces, watches,
earrings, bracelets of rubies, emeralds, jade, gold pieces, diamonds and pearls
made by Gucci, Van Cleef and Arpels, Bulgari and Philippe Patek, among other
jewelers.
The Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) has classified the collection into three—Malacañang, Honolulu and Roumeliotes.
The Malacañang collection, composed of some 300 pieces, was left behind by the Marcos family in the Palace when they fled the country on Feb. 25,1986.
The Honolulu collection, around 400 pieces, was confiscated by US customs officials upon the arrival of the Marcos family in Hawaii on Feb. 26, 1986.
As indicated in the US customs inventory completed on March 10, 1986,the most expensive item in the Honolulu collection was a “set of bracelet, earrings and brooch with sapphires, rubies and diamonds” amounting to $1.49 million. (At the time of the US customs inventory, the exchange rate was $1: P25).
In exchange for the dropping of antiracketeering charges filed against her in the United States, Imelda signed a compromise agreement in 1991, and a Honolulu court finally turned over the collection to the Philippine government on Dec. 18, 1992.
The Roumeliotes collection, considered to be the most expensive of the three, was confiscated by airport and Philippine Customs officials on March 9, 1986 from Greek Demetriou Roumeliotes, as he tried to flee the country.
Consisting of 60 pieces, the collection’s most prominent piece is a 37-carat diamond. Cases related to this collection went all the way to the Supreme Court but were decided in favor of the government on May 18, 1994.
The PCGG has possession of the first two collections and they are kept in the vaults of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. The Bureau of Customs has custody of the Roumeliotes collection.
In 2006, the Sotheby’s and Christie’s international auction houses estimated the entire lot (the three collections) to be worth P15 billion.
The government tried several times to sell the jewelry to raise money, but court cases and disputes over the venue prevented the auction.
In 1994, the PCGG tried to sell the jewelry but was unable to work out the terms with international auctioneers, Christie’s of New York and Sotheby’s of London. Another attempt was made in 1996, but it did not materialize.
In 2005, another attempt was made, but Imelda asked a Manila court to issue an injunction against the auction, claiming the jewelry belonged to her, with some pieces being family heirlooms.
In May 2009, the PCGG announced once again its plan to auction off a huge cache of Imelda Marcos jewelry, with PCGG Commissioner Ricardo Abcede noting that there was no legal impediment because Imelda had been unsuccessful in getting the courts to issue a restraining order. Lawrence de Guzman, Inquirer Research.

Veteran street parliamentarian and former political detainee Etta Rosales disclosed that there was already a decision to house all these pieces of jewelry in a museum and some to auction. It was therefore, unusual that after years of litigation, a legal technicality suddenly came out from the justice department, favoring the Marcoses.

Clearly, it was a "midnight deal". And Senator Aquilino Pimentel Jr. wants a probe to determine why DOJ Secretary Raul Gonzales issued that highly controversial decision favoring Imelda Marcos and assailing the PCGG, a co-equal agency of government.

Raul Gonzales has been accused by another Senator, Ping Lacson, of getting a commission from the legal disputes of Lucio Tan and his brother and committing an omission when he bungled his job in the Dacer-Corbito case.

Some sectors believe Gonzales' action was part of Malacanang's "fund-raising" activities for 2010. With Devenadera's act, however, it was clear that Gonzales was on his own when he made that glaringly injurious decision.

Maybe Gonzales has not forgotten his Marcosian links. Remember that Gonzales started his career in public service as a member of the censors board of the Marcos regime. Or, probably, Gonzales thought of raising funds for himself, like what he did when he played as "counsel" to two warring brothers, some wagging tongues say.

RP Police Brutality and Professional Barbarism

It was only this year when members of Central Police District of the Philippine National Police (PNP) brutally killed members of a notorious carnapping syndicate. In plain view, these gun crazy cops mauled these criminals to death inside a suspected carnapped vehicle. When one was still breathing, one cop shot him point-blank, austensibly as part of a police procedure called "mopping up operations". For these cops, "mopping up" means killing everybody, including potential witnesses who could have provided more leads for the cops to go after the rest of the syndicate. For CPD members, best to kill everybody since they're the dregs of society anyway and they'll just become a burden to the State once they allow them to live and populate an already distressfully overpopulated CPD jail. Or maybe the cops do not want these victims to squeal more names that could potentially implicate high-government officials.

The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) admonished the cops and filed administrative charges against them. They were since removed from the service after a big hooplah. Yet, the cycle of crazy, brutal and hellish killings and mishandlings continued unabated. Crime has not abated in the Quezon City area. Carnappings have since risen. Salvagings and other nasty crimes have not stopped. The PNP leadership has since replaced the head of the CPD, yet these crimes continue non-stop.

Quezon City's reputation as the "carnapping capital of the world" remains. And with such colorful characters as CPD Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit (CIDU) head Supt. Mabanag leading the pack of ravenous and blood thirsty cops there, expect no such changes in the peace and order situation in this city soon.

And to think that friends and partymates of QC Mayor Belmonte tinkered an idea of making him run as presidential candidate, or at the least, a senatorial bet. A government run by Belmonte would surely be a blessing for carnappers, kidnappers, thieves and every hooligan in this country.

And probably because of the pressure they get for their failure to arrest the rising crime incidence in the city, members of the Central Police District (CPD) see everybody as suspects, criminals and what-have-you.

For having been charged with human rights violations and pressed for "fair treatment", these cops are pressured to treat everybody with disdain. Their overzealousness led to brutality since this is the only one they know as effective countermeasures against criminal elements.

Brutality can only work if the suspect is acting in a similar fashion. If there is resistance, like the suspect is shooting at the cops, then, appropriate and similar force should be applied only in that instance.

In the minds of CPD cops, everybody, should be accorded such brutality, be it a person who was just accused of a crime or just being blamed of an illegal act.

This explains why even the househelps of Mr. Ted Failon were victimized by the barbarism of these cops.

If Ted and his household were shocked upon seeing Trina slumped on the bathroom floor, nearly lifeless after taking her own life, the cops were similarly shocked to find themselves in the midst of a maelstrom.

If Ted and his household were stupefied after seeing one of their loved ones take her own life, the cops were similarly stumped after learning that they were handling a case that's undermanning their traditional procedures and barbaric thinking.

Malacanang has just asked that the CPD handle the case in a "professional fashion" and in the minds of cops, particularly Supt. Mabanag, they're handling this in a superb way. The word "professional" seems to mean "professional barbarism", the only creado he knows as the only way to "arrive at the truth" about this case.

To those who are living in Quezon City, beware.

You live in a place where professional barbarians rule the streets. Be alert. And be afraid, be very afraid.

Kung si Ted ay nakalasap ng barbarismo mula mismo sa mga awtoridad, papaano pa sa tulad nating mga ordinaryong Pilipino?

Breaking News--Joey de Venecia harassed in Cebu!

As I'm writing my earlier entry, I received numerous frantic texts from my bosom buddy Joey de Venecia 3, the son of former speaker Jose de Venecia Jr who's in Cebu right now for some speaking engagements.

It appears that some officials of Malacanang have prevented Joey de Venecia from entering and speaking in a school inside an airbase in Cebu. It appears that Joey's security is compromised and there are reports that airforce officials want him arrested right there and there!

Joey texted me, and I'll write this in entirety now:

"...jst wud like to infrom u that i am in cebu right now to attend a students forum with student leaders and faculty of the philippine state college of aeronautics on mactan airbase. unfortunately, i was informed that the forum was cancelled after some Malacanang officials called up the school...

According to Prof. JM Sarselejo, Mactan airbase officials and security approved the school forum but "higher authorities" in Manila ordered them to refrain me from entering (the school)"

This is a flagrant violation of Joey de Venecia's right to freely express himself. This shows how arrogant and how high and mighty these Palace occupants think of themselves.

Hang on my friend and fellow Patriot! Continue the fight! Though we are under the vilest and the darkest of hour, the Shining Sun of Salvation will definitely arrive.

Analysis of the Phil. Situation 3: The Political Bigwigs

There are talks that Speaker Prospero Nograles is under extreme pressure. His political party, Kampi, is pressuring him to change his stand against term extension. Kampi even threatens to oust him as Speaker via a coup d'etat. And the one allegedly orchestrating this, is none other than his friend, Ronnie Puno.

It's well known that DILG secretary Ronnie Puno (the chief architect of Kampi's expansion) belongs to the small group of Palace secretaries who favor Gloria's 2020 overtime plan. Puno is allegedly confident that the strength of the anti charter change movement is weak, therefore, this is the time to really go for blood and push charter change down the people's throat. Obviously, a consummate politician like Nograles sees differently and that explains why he's opposing Puno's group. For all his allegedly strong personality facade, Nograles is afraid to go against his former boss, Jose de Venecia Jr. Talks are afloat within the House that JDV is getting more and more support not only from civil society but also in the political scene that there are very strong perceptions that JDV is re-invigorating his political clout. Now, aside from Nograles, Albay Congressman Edcel Lagman already called it quits and already announced his readiness not to participate in the charter change push.

Now, I think that other charter change proponents will fall one by one prior and after December 12. Luis Villafuerte will definitely accede, so do Cebu Congressman Pablo Garcia. Even La Union Congressman Victor Ortega will succumb to public pressure once this accelerates a week before December 12. If these Congressmen fall, the rest will definitely follow. Unlike the Big Yoda (Jose de Venecia Jr.), these Congressmen are not made of sterner stuff. They, surely, will enter into compromises or deals if they see that the winds are changing and blowing in the other way.

At the Senate, almost everybody there are opposed to term extensions. However, it is important to note how Enrile will maneuver to neutralize future opposition to his post as Senate President. Enrile is neither opposition nor administration. He is his own man. He may act independently on his own to solidify forces against Gloria come decision time.

Meanwhile, traditional political parties are positioning themselves away from the ruling coalition and this will definitely show come December 12. Manny Villar's Nacionalista Party has just forged a tactical alliance with the JDV-FVR faction in Lakas. Danding has also given his blessing for NPC to join JDV-FVR. Will there be a formal announcement of the breakout of this Lakas faction from the Lakas-KAMPI ruling coalition? Quite expectedly, yes. Will there be a new dominant party prior to 2010? Yes. It will be the strong political front of Lakas-NPC-Nacionalista. Will this impact on the political future of other political parties? Yes. Who is the most immediate victim? It will be Gloria's KAMPI party who will definitely be marginalized once FVR announces a tactical alliance.

Now, this announcement will definitely be timed after a strong showing against charter change in December 12. Obviously, FVR has already wrote finis his relationship with Gloria and he knows how to counter the expected backlash from Lakas-KAMPI. It would be better if FVR's faction does this after the overthrow of Gloria.

In fact, many are saying that the reason for these sudden political re-alignments is to protect the status quo once a coup succeeds in toppling Gloria. At the surface, it may appear that the December 12 interfaith rally is just your normal rally but in the backstages, things are moving very fast against Gloria. The rally is just a facade to hide the backroom negotiations being done to effect a bloodless transition of power! More on this in the summary of these posts.

Bonifacio's Revolution and The Fate of Gloria's Mafia Gang

On the 145th birth anniversary of that great plebian and revolutionary leader Andres Bonifacio, there were two events that made us, Filipinos, smile. One, the re-emergence and re-invigoration of groups who want the illegal usurper out of office and the other, a small group of Filipino innovators, who, despite of government, rose up to the occasion to make a strong statement to the world. Both events, I believe, signify the direction of the Filipino revolutionary struggle. Both are significant Philippine events that merits our attention and support since this is the start of the re-affirmation of the legacy of Bonifacio's revolution centuries ago and a rejection of the traditional paradigms on revolution.

In subsequent entries, I will reveal to you that shout, that revolt undertaken by a group of young Filipino industrial designers. That merits a singular entry. But, first, let me give my take on the political situation happening in the Philippines at this very moment.

What happened yesterday, November 30, is just the beginning of the serious struggle against the Arroyo regime. Bereft and denied of all legal options to unseat Mrs. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, many Filipinos are now resolved to do what is necessary to achieve what everybody wants. Many groups, even ideological ones, have now bonded together again to create another "shining and defining moment" in Philippine history.

Those symbolic shouts of dissent should all the more warn this regime that the Filipino People have now awaken from their stupor. Nine years they waited and nine years they hoped that Gloria would change and lead the nation towards change. Nine long years and nothing but frustration, deception and outright lies are all the People got from this regime.

Worst, Malacanang, through Deputy Palace spokesperson Anthony Golez even mockingly positioned Mrs. Arroyo and her cabal as "saviours" and "the incarnation of Jesus Christ". What is obvious is Malacanang has turned into a group of serious Arroyo cult followers, without brains and devoid of any personal will to do what is right for the country.

Golez, the palace chuwariwah, even parodied the Bishops, and chastised them for preaching what he calls an "anti-Christian remarks". This also merits another entry which I call the " The Treatise of Revolution" (wait for this within the day).

The Palace has mocked not only the Filipino People's will but also their prevalent religious belief. And what fate awaits those who continually mock, oppress and steal the Filipino's money, idealism, hope, and even their religious belief.

The continuation of these rallies will definitely culminate into a "defining moment". The political situation is very fluid. Groups within and outside the Palace are conjuring and planning scenarios which ultimately lead to one very obvious and penultimate ending--the ouster and immediate resignation of Mrs. Arroyo. Without the proper handling, these groups might use their own armed forces to effect a violent overthrow. Malacanang's mocking statements are fuelling more dissent and fortifying the political will of the anti-Arroyo groups to pour everything for the ejection of Arroyo from her illegal seat in the Palace.

This week marks another stage in this struggle, as Congress convenes to throw the impeachment complaint out and entertain charter change leading to Gloria's continued rule. These events will solidify opposition against Arroyo but this would not be enough to get her out of Malacanang. Groups should prepare their forces for a vigorous multi-level assault, aimed at debilitating the communication and critical infrastructure of this regime.

The most critical point in this struggle is at the end of this month when the attempt would have blossomed. That would most certainly lead to tactical victory. However, the strategic result would actually bear fruit in January 2009.

Hottest places in RP

Here's my take on the hottest places in this country:

1. Romblon. Go see those floating cadavers. You'll know you're in the Philippines.

2. Iloilo. Go, see what Nature has wrought against men who abused it. Imagine, some government officials telling people to accept their fate since they swept the mountains of trees anyway.

3. Boracay. Now is the time to go. That'll tell you how Nature can destroy a paradise such as this one.

4. Lingayen Pangasinan. Go see the butandings there. And find their carcases lying in the beach.

5. Mulanay, Quezon. Look at those people buried in those black coasts. They are fine specimens of how governments disdain the poor and side with the rich, like the owners of Sulpicio Lines.

6. Sulpicio Lines offices. This is a nice place to see how Pinoys wail in despair but doing nothing to solve their situation. After the wailing, nothing.

7. 4 provinces of Bulacan. Inundated rice fields. Fallen electric posts. Destroyed bridges and roads.

8. Sarangani province. Visit the girl who got caught in the crossfire of men's greed.

9. Jolo. Bask in the midday sun while being ogled by armed men, thinking of making a fast buck out of your head.

10. Malacanan. Think of all those men and women washing their hands from the filth of irresponsibility. And finding erudition from suggestions of "let's not allow ships to sail when it's signal number one." What crap! But, as they say, this place still gives us nostalgia, of an era when true leaders walk its grounds at night, thinking of ways to solve problems instead of causing them.