Political stability in the Philippines: Post 2010 elections

Political stability is one of the things investors are looking for in the Philippines. With the impending victory of Liberal party standard bearer Noynoy Aquino, this is almost certain. However, this is the thing--Noynoy is surely facing rough waters because Mrs. Arroyo is now very certain to clinch the congressional post in Pampanga.

Aquino's campaign promise is simple--create an independent commission to prosecute Mrs. Arroyo. Will Aquino still do this? Will he be able to dismantle the huge mafia that Mrs. Arroyo created and has now become the biggest syndicate in the country?

Most of Arroyo's minions are still occupying sensitive posts in the bureaucracy with constitutionally mandated tenures. Net--Aquino will be hard pressed doing this.

Those who want change should focus now on determining how many Lakas and Kampi members won in their Congressional districts. A Congress dominated by Arroyo's henchmen will surely neutralize whatever gains Mr. Aquino will accomplish in the Executive front.

Mr. Aquino should have a very solid and strong support from the Lower and Upper Houses, to deter Arroyo from becoming Speaker and eventually Prime Minister, if cha-cha succeeds.

Likewise, the specter of Charter change looms in the horizon. Remember that there is now a law which mandates the election of concon members by October of this year. October, by the way, is the barangay elections.

Aquino can still effectively neutralize Arroyo by filling the Constitutional Convention with his allies and try to dominate the barangay system with his grassroots allies.

Likewise, if Roxas fails to get the vice presidential post, then, Binay will be Aquino's "thorn" since Binay is expected to gun for a higher post after six years.

What should be the major focus now is how the Liberals performed in the Congressional race. The Liberal Party should be the dominant political party. Otherwise, the next six years will again be a destabilized one.

Philippine Supreme Court reverses itself...again!

Yesterday's Supreme Court decision allowing Mrs. Arroyo full powers to appoint the next Chief Justice is a direct blow to Philippine democracy. First, it shows that the Executive has a tight grip on a co-equal branch of government which effectively destroyed the principle of check and balance, and second, it reflects how this administration has, time and again, shown its wanton disregard in the rule of law.

The rule of law is the only thing that keeps this democracy alive and by destroying it or even casting aside traditional or customary law, puts our democracy in extreme danger. How would we explain this ruling to future students of the law? That our Highest Court has the tendency to mock itself and has repeatedly contradicted itself to suit political whims?

What are the effects of this ruling to us, ordinary citizens of this damned Republic?

First, the ruling shows us that this Court is most favorable to Mrs. Arroyo. Nine justices granted her the powers, while only one dissented. Two close allies of Mrs. Arroyo said the issue is premature while three abstained from voting. 

This shows you what will happen when an issue goes to court questioning the legality of an act made by Mrs. Arroyo. Surely, as what Makati Business Club Executive director Bertie Lim said, this court will legalize even a Martial law declaration.

Former strongman Ferdinand Marcos was the only one who effectively controlled all branches of government under Martial rule. Mrs. Arroyo is now second, yet even without declaring herself the ultimate diva.

Second, a court bound by its strong ties with the Executive loses its effectiveness, integrity and independence. How would outsiders view this Court now, as a rump one? The Supreme Court acts as a leveller in a democracy. How then will this Court pass judgment without courting public suspicion?

Third, a Court acting as arbiter in a presidential race could entirely throw the entire electoral process to the dogs. In a close fight, will the public accept the verdict of this Court acting as Presidential Electoral Tribunal? Obviously, no.

Lastly, it is evident that the real plan of this administration is institute an extra-constitutional exit for Mrs. Arroyo and pave the way for a quasi-dictatorship.

The ideologues of this administration is destroying every pillar of democracy to create a new one.

The dire warning given by Vice presidential candidate Mar Roxas is not without basis. Roxas warned that this ruling is the last in a series of acts by this administration to further its life and could very well be the last action pre-empting this elections.

General Delfin Bangit and where his loyalty lies

Former generals Jose Almonte and Ramon Montano articulated the sentiments of some segments of the military in yesterday's interview with the media. Almonte said the appointment of Lt. General Delfin Bangit as the new AFP chief of staff is "alarming" due to his perceived closeness with Mrs. Gloria Arroyo who is set to leave office by June 2010. Almonte opined that the appointment will cast aspersion to the entire poll exercise because Arroyo has this penchant of using the military institution for her personal gains, one of which was the highly controversial "Hello Garci", which involved thousands of troops and a few generals. Such a scenario is likely, given the personal loyalty of Bangit to his appointing power.

The same fears were expressed by former general Montano who says that some idealistic officers and men of the Armed Forces of the Philippines have expressed alarm and fears that the military institution will again be used to influence the elections. More than this though is the prospect of this administration serving in a hold-over capacity once a failure of elections happen. Montano believes that the military and the people will not allow this to happen and the outbreak of violence will eventually be bloody if Bangit and his mistahs at PMA Class 1978 allow themselves to be used by the political elite in conserving power.

NCR director Roberto Rosales, a great gentleman and an officer, tried to squelch these speculations by reiterating that most members of their class deserve their promotions. Rosales say they will never allow their class to be manipulated by anybody. Same goes to Lt. Col. Romeo Brawner Jr., the AFP spokesperson, who said that the new C-S will "abide by the Constitution and protect the rights of the people". Even the palace through Executive secretary Leandro Mendoza says that Bangit is a "professional soldier, completely loyal to the Constitution and to the Filipino People."

I sincerely do not doubt the loyalty of Bangit, whom I know to be that of a tireless soldier, someone who knows his place under the sun and is intelligent enough to discern what is truly right and what is entirely wrong.

However, I cannot but erase from memory the role he played in the 2004 elections. He was privy to that entire rigging exercise and by keeping silent, Bangit was also complicit in that illicit affair.

It is of course, ideal for Bangit to really remain "apolitical" and think of the interest of the entire institution rather than of his own. However, the situation right now is unfortunately very explosive that one false move from him will inevitably spark something serious.

The question really is--is Bangit willing to exorcise his past for the sake of the institution he loves? Will he disassociate himself from Arroyo at a crucial moment? Will he disallow an order from the palace to use members of the military in election operations?

The other question is---will Arroyo sacrifice the future of this country just for her personal survival? I think yes. She did it before and she will do it again. Such is her unquenchable thirst for power that she will use all of her power to survive.

De-fanging Mrs. Arroyo And the Issue of Succession

Mrs. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is being de-fanged. There are two critical issues which confronts Mrs. Arroyo---a suitable replacement for the soon-to-be retiring Supreme Court Chief Justice and of course, the post of the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. Two critical posts, too little time yet too destabilizing to say the least.

If you look at it, these symbols of democracy are now being put to the supreme test. We speak of Justice here and of the symbol of State Power, two pillars which democracy rests.

Supreme Court Chief Justice Reynato Puno will be retiring five days after the May 10, 2010 elections. The Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) has started the process of selection. However, there are two (2) opposing views, which all rest on just one (1) proposition---whether or not to allow Mrs. Arroyo to exercise her executive prerogative on the choice of Puno's replacement.

All four presidentiables---Noynoy Aquino, Gilbert "Gibo" Teodoro, Manny Villar and Richard Gordon--all opposed the proposition of the president exercising her powers on this one. All these fine gentlemen know that this will surely destabilize the current political situation.

As we speak, people from all persuasions are convincing the Chief Executive to desist from appointing a new Chief of Staff. Two months from now, AFP Chief of Staff General Victor Ibrado will be retiring and this brings to light certain accusations that Mrs. Arroyo's favorite lapdog, AFP vice chief General Bangit is being groomed to replace Ibrado.

These issues actually rest on just two choices for Mrs. Arroyo. The first choice is will she act like she's still in power by forcing these issues and showing the Filipino People that she's still a force to contend with? Or really accept the fact that she's now a lame duck president and everyone is just waiting for her to retire?

If Mrs. Arroyo exercises her powers and makes a wrong decision, meaning, force the issue of naming an interim Chief Justice and appoint her man to the top AFP post, this will send a wrong signal to all political forces and even foreign observers whom I just happen to know and met several occasions in the past---that Mrs. Arroyo intends to still play politics and flex her muscles inspite of the lack of adequate force and power.

This will surely re-activate all forces who suspect Mrs. Arroyo's real intentions of not really and seriously making herself scarce and inevitably, destabilize the entire political situation.

Seriously, Mrs. Arroyo's time as a serious political player has all but lapsed. Time has caught up with her.

If Mrs. Arroyo makes a wrong move, she will weaken not just the Institutions of Justice and of State Power but of the Office of the President itself. She has mocked these institutions for nine years and definitely, with the elections just four months away, people will not allow her to continue her ways.

If she commits a wrong move, Gloria will not be able to recover and it will even justify an extra-constitutional move against her, since she still poses a direct threat to the very institutions of Philippine democracy.

More than this though, this highlights the grave problem of succession.

Unlike other countries, we do not have a very clear policy on succession. This grey area in our Constitution creates a self-destabilizing situation.

Ondoy's Three Hoarse men (err and woman)

The Book of Revelations, revered throughout the ages as one of the most important books of the bible, is full of imagery and symbols. One of its most popular symbols, the three Horsemen, was used by the Biblical writer John, as God's messengers of doom.

If the early Christians and Jews have their horsemen, here, in the Philippines, we have our own version, consistent of course with the Pinoy penchant for duplicating whatever is good (and even the bad, i.e., government) from foreign religio-cultural perspectives.

I'm talking about our three "hoarse" men. They are Manila Congressman "and preacher extraordinaire", the irrepressible Benny Abante of the sixth district of Manila. Following him in his red chariot is Pampanga Congressman, Mikey " The Facebook Donkey" Arroyo (red symbolizing the color of the wine he bought from Rustan's supermarket last Sunday). And of course, who would ever forget Jackie " The once Jacque" Bermejo.

Yes, Ladies and Gentlemen, we have our three hoarse men, those who blame us for the catastrophe that is Typhoon Ondoy.

First that God sent was Jacque (or Jackie). She wrote in her socnets how God decided to punish us for our transgressions, that we, the people of Metro Manila and other provinces, deserve God's wrath.

I don't know when or where Jackie met God, but I'll not question if she really met The Creator and that the Almighty told her a secret no one already knows. What is important--Jackie berated us for the catalysmic event that killed more than 300 people, displaced 2 or even 3 million people and destroyed billions of pesos worth of property.

She was followed by Mikey, who, in his signature "Nero"-tic style, bought wine when all of us were asking for water. Like Bermejo, Mikey bemoaned some people's views against him, and even proposed that Facebook in the Philippines be regulated.

Probably Mikey thought that Facebook is some sort of a Congress that he can manipulate to dismiss impeachment complaints, or pay to railroad investigations or even goad its members to pass a defective con-ass.

And, it is as if by some cue (probably from "god"--small "g"), "Dr", "Preacher" Benny Abante came, with a bible in his hand, and echoed what Bermejo said. Abante blamed the people for sinning against God, and told us that we deserved to be punished.

Abante might have thought of his constituents in the sixth district of Manila who suffered, like all others, from the devastating onslaught of muddy Pasig river water with trash and mud. Abante knows that people would blame him for not doing anything to help them, so he then got his bible, turned to page so and so in the Book of Revelations, and blamed the people for their sins against God.

Abante's statement was a classic diversionary tactic, meant to beguile the innocent and convert the intelligent and turn them into bumbling, stupid, believers of the Lie.

Benny Abante wants the people to believe that his principal, the Great Madame Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is blameless from all of these. Since he already partook of those great meals, Abante forgot that Mrs. Arroyo spent P 800 million of our monies to pay for those expensive trips abroad, leaving us with nothing to spend in times of calamities.

Abante blamed the people for those anti-flood pumps installed by the MMDA which failed to function. Abante blamed us for PAGASA not having those Dopler weather detection devices because government spent its budget elsewhere.

Abante blamed the people for not believing in government, that this government did not err in that ZTE-NBN deal, nor committed grave thievery in that Fertilizer fund scam.

Abante probably even thought that those people who filed an impeachment complaint against Ombusman Merceditas Gutierrez were big-time sinners because he found nothing wrong with Gutierrez doing nothing in her office but sit it all out until the Day of Perdition (June 30, 2010) comes. Nothing wrong with not filing a case against the First Gentleman in that Jose Pidal thing. Nothing wrong with staying her hand against corruption cases committed by big-time Malacanang operators. And it is absolutely angelic of her not signing the "death" warrants of certain government officials who got billions from noddles, books, roads and bridges and even anti-flood devices.

For Abante, it is the people's fault that they did not support government initiatives of carving out huge mining concessions in Tanay and other parts of Rizal. Abante might have thought that the people is to blame for not supporting government's charter change initiative, seeing it as a sin for not giving agreement with their plan of transforming the entire Philippines into a real estate bonanza.

Jesus Christ once told some Pharisees and Sadducees even ordinary Jews in his time that " He who does not sin should cast the first stone." In those times, not one threw a stone against that woman whom they accused of being a prostitute. For in those times, even Jews who crucified the Christ, still bear some sense of delicadeza in them, even though they were not conquered by the Spaniards.

Our three "hoarse" men, especially those two gentlemen from Pampanga and Manila, already threw those stones. They are God's anointed, the sinless, blameless angels who reminded us of our sins.

I was reminded of an appeal by government yesterday about people throwing big rocks and stones whenever government trucks pass them by. These trucks bear those pan de sals and softdrinks that Malacanang thinks would satisfy the thirst and hunger of the people.

Was yesterday's stone-throwing incident of the people, a portent of things to come, a sign from the judicious God that this is really the time to throw stones at the real prostitute of the elite?

Bakit kailangang may kayakap pag umuulan? At bakit masarap ang goto pag me bagyo

Habang nag fe Facebook ako, may isang friend na nagyayang matulog. Na curious ako. Tulog? Kaya nga ako nagfe Facebook para iwasang matulog. At pano kung matulog, hindi nako makakapag Facebook.

Parang kasabihan yan na masarap may kayakap pag umuulan. Ang maganda sa kasabihang ito, hindi identified kung sino o ano ang kayakap mo. Pwedeng unan, lalo na dun sa walang asawa o kabit o dyowa. O pwde ding kayakap mo ang laptop mo, hindi ka na nga lang makakapag Facebook.

Sabi nga ng Facebook friend ko nung nagtatanong ako bakit masarap ang goto pag me bagyo, mainit kasi ang goto. Bakit? Hindi ba araw-araw tayong kumakain ng mainit na ulam at kanin, lalo na marami sa atin ang me paborito ng tinola? Anong pinagkaiba nun at bakit maraming Pinoy ang kumakain ng goto pagka me bagyo?

Tingin ko, nakagawian na ang pagkain ng goto dahil, sa kasaysayan, lahat siguro tayo, napunta sa evacuation center. Hindi ba, dun, goto lang ang kinakain? Baka tumatak sa genes natin o sa kaisipan natin na pag me bagyo, goto ang dapat kainin?

Silly me, kahawig din yan ng kasabihang masarap me kayakap pag umuulan. Hindi ba sa evacuation center, tabi-tabi ang mga nasalanta at magkakayap? Baka yan ang pinagmulan ng kasabihang masarap me kayakap pag me bagyo. Wag lang sigurong kayakap ang kamukha ni Max Alvarado.

At special effort kung kakain ka ng goto. Kailangan mong bumili ng malagkit, pati yung budbod na ang tawag ay ewan, nakalimutan ko. Special effort din ang maghanap ng makakayakap pag me bagyo, lalo na dun sa walang appeal at laging basted.

Ayokong sabihin yan kay Ginang Arroyo--na masarap may kayakap pag me bagyo o okey na kumain ng goto pag umuulan. Tiyak hindi niya magugustuhan.

Sa Disyembre, maghahanap ng kayakap si Ginang Arroyo dahil lahat ng gabinete niya, tatakbo. At malamang, ayokong marinig niya ang salitang goto dahil sanay siya sa French soup. Pagka binanggit ko sa kanya ang goto, maaalala niyang yun ang mga pagkain ng mga preso. Baka, ma paranoid yun at magdeklara ng kung ano ano.

Robotic Garci, part 1

Like what we voiced out many months ago, the declaration of Mrs. Arroyo to push thru with the elections is not a guarantee that a smooth and peaceful transition would occur. As early as February, this site already revealed that the goal of this administration is simple---ensure that its candidates win the elections. The administration knows that victory is a remote possibility due to the high disapproval ratings it gets everytime a survey is conducted. That's why they'll be implementing a rigged elections sans the obvious cheating that occured in 2004.

Arroyo's men already perfected a Hello Garci operation.

Three reasons why this administration already succeeded in its objective:

1. The First Gentleman's men led by Cezar Quiambao already got the automation contract thru Smartmatic-TIM. If you look at the contract, SMARTMATIC-TIM controls all of the processes and functions for automation, particularly the source codes. According to a computer expert, the entire system is vulnerable not just from physical attacks but also weak in its source codes. More on this in later entries.

2. Highly sensitive posts particularly those in the provinces are now being controlled by Mrs. Arroyo's favorite PMA Class. Mrs. Arroyo can forego replacing the top honchos of the PNP and the AFP to avoid brickbats (since the plan has already been exposed thru the Oplan August Moon revelations). What is crucial is filling provincial directorship posts to ensure that these vote-rich provinces will go the way of the administration.

3. The permanent disunity of the political opposition. This seals the victory and makes it rather sweet. This early, the public sphere is being prepped up to accept the reason why an opposition slate would lose to a weak administration bet. Opposition mouthpieces are giving this administration more fodder by saying that they'll lose if they don't unify. Unification, at this point, is a impossibility since candidates already spent so much in their campaigns.

First Gentleman stays behind in the US to fix legal problems

First Gentleman Mike Arroyo is staying behind while his wife, Mrs. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo goes back to pay her last respects to President Cory Aquino. Aquino will arrive at 3 in the morning. Gloria will go straight to the Manila Cathedral.

Why is FG staying behind? According to very reliable sources, FG intends to allegedly fix his legal problems with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) over money laundering charges. He will reportedly give some testimonies on the investigation. There was daw a negotiation between FG and the FBI for him to cooperate with the money laundering activities of several of FG's business associates. The FBI, however, is mum about this.

After giving his testimony before FBI authorities, FG will go straight to San Francisco and an undisclosed US city to fix their tax problems. Several of their properties encountered tax problems and the State is reportedly thinking of filing several tax evasion cases against them. FG reportedly decided to divest themselves of these properties and sell them instead. They will then settle in retirement in Portugal where they already brought several luxurious villas.

New Society, part II: What's wrong with a transition government?

Manolo Quezon III had a very interesting take on concepts and ideas being entertained by certain groups to solve a problem like Gloria. His column today talks about talks between Arroyo's intel chief, Bert Gonzales and Chief Justice Reynato Puno. Sources from the opposition, whom Manolo did not mention, say that Puno and BertGon are in the "thick of things", talking about the possibility of a transition government, austensibly along the lines of Macoy's New Society. And since these men are either beneficiaries or victims of that New Society, there is now, what Manolo believes to be common ground among them.

Actually, the idea of a council-type of government has been there since 1989. During the Cory administration, a group of idealistic military officers, along with several civilians, formed this concept to address the main issue that hinders the full democratization of governance---the issue of power.

Power, under the present Constitution, is lodged solely in the Executive. Yes, there is what we call "balancing acts" or three branches of government enjoying "equal powers"; but in reality, most of the power is being exercised by the Executive.

The problem with a very powerful Executive is in only applies to unitary governments established in one contiguous area. Power is exercised only thru effective implementation. If you have several major islands and your communication infrastructure is still underdeveloped, you definitely have a problem of fully implementing good policies. Or if your infrastructure is at best, only responsive to certain areas of your territory and the rest is left to the discretion of local executives who do not know any better, then, obviously, governance fails each and every time.

Hence, devolution is the answer. Yet, if the power of the purse still resides on the Executive, then, expect that nothing will ever change because local governments function only when financially equipped. Giving local governments the power of the purse and being responsible for the overall administration of their territories require charter change. And since major economic and political powers here disdain that idea because that would obviously affect the status quo, no substantial change would ever occur. In such a situation, drastic measures ought to be implemented as soon as possible before the entire system collapses due to its inability to give adequate social services.

The best way to save the system from total collapse is entertain the idea of a surgical operation. Seize political power and establish a Council-type of government that would oversee the transition from partially free to full democracy is the best solution. Now, democrats would probably say, that's un-democratic. Probably, even America would issue a public condemnation.

But, if you look closely, there was a point in American history that they resorted to such similar measures. When a country faces the total deterioration of its governmental and political institutions, drastic measures ought to be done immediately either on the short or long-term. Honestly, there's nothing wrong with the concept of New Society. In Marcos time, the problem was Macoy used that only as a propaganda platform. He needed to justify his militarist action and mouthing terms as "pagbabago" or "Bagong Lipunan" gave him political legitimacy.

In our case, pushing for a New Society is the order of the day. Change is a necessity. Now, some people say, why entrust to a few people the fate of our country? I ask them---why entrust it to those now in power when we already know that they're big-time thieves and liars? We've always been under the strong spell of a few elites. And even with another election, that political reality would never, ever, change. For us to really change the present power structure, we need an event that would justify a change in that structure. We need new elites that would serve the people first before anything else.

I think a sizeable number of the populace would agree on a transition government provided that no other member of the Arroyo regime is there. Should this indeed happen, let the major players do it properly. They must not cut corners. For as long as they:

1. Jail Mrs. Arroyo and her husband---there must never be a compromise on this. Mrs. Arroyo has to go.
2. Imprison others who stole billions from the public coffers. Arrest Joc-Joc Bolante and the rest of these big-time operators.
3. Allow members of people's organizations, academe and civil society to take part in national policy-making
4. Enforce the laws.
5. Make peace with revolutionary groups.

...then I see no point of strongly fighting these people. In fact, they need our support. Now, should they fool us, then, they all know what happens to governments that fool the people--they are shot on sight.

Pfizer's bribe offer and Mrs. Arroyo's culpable violation of the Constitution!

Today, Pfizer Philippines tried to wiggle itself out of the bribe mess when they denied that they offered government a P 100 million peso bribe.

For those who just read this, Senators yesterday accused Pfizer of an attempt to bribe Mrs. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo by offering her 5 million discount cards worth P 100 million in exchange for not signing an executive order (in fact, part of the implementing guidelines of the Cheaper Medicines Law). The order is supposed to release a list of medicines with maximum retail price ceilings, an important component of the law. The bribe offer reportedly happened last July 8, just before the DOH released the list of drugs affected by the price ceilings.

Pfizer denied that a bribe offer happened, yet it was Reiner Gloor, executive director of the pharmaceutical company representing 50 pharmas who confirmed it. The discount cards, says Gloor, are to be distributed to alleged "indigent patients" under a program called Sulit Patient Care card program which is already being implemented by Pfizer with an agreement with GSIS and PhilHealth.

The sulit card patient care program is the brain child of Mr. Albert G. Mateo Jr., Pfizer's country manager. Legislators, including Cong. Hontiveros-Baraquel condemned the program saying its discriminatory since it would only cover areas where Pfizer med reps go to. Pfizer med reps are the ones who distribute the cards.

Senator Juan Ponce-Enrile said the purpose of these discount cards is to impede or stop the implementation of the Cheaper Medicines Law. That constitutes bribery. And Pfizer Philippines is the alleged mastermind behind the bribery attempt.

The question really is---why did Mrs. Arroyo stayed her hand on this? If I'm the president, all the more will I sign the E.O. and not give these pharma companies a day more to react. Why? Because Mrs. Arroyo pledged to uphold the interests of the entire Nation, not just the interests of these giant pharma companies.

What's more, Mrs. Arroyo could be charged with culpable violation of the Constitution by misfeasance. She's supposed to ministerially implement the Cheaper Medicines Law. Why the hell is she dangling the law like a carrot to these pharma companies? Is she waiting for a better offer from them?

And please, Trade Secretary Peter Favila---don't go around town impressing upon us that you're "angry" with these pharma companies. You're just faking it. You're part of this scheme to lure these pharma companies to a trap so that they give a better offer. Better for you, Mr. Favila, to just implement the law and start with Pfizer by cancelling their registration. Same with Wyeth Philippines, Roche, and Sanofi who were with Pfizer representatives when they met Mrs. Arroyo last July 8.

Mrs. Arroyo, this is the time for you to redeem yourself. Show your power by punishing Pfizer and the rest of its pharma cohorts by cancelling their registrations. If not, then, be prepared for a strong showing of anger by the People very, very, very soon.

A Challenge to Mrs. Arroyo

Before you read my previous entry, a challenge to Mrs. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

I will only stop exposing what you plan to do to perpetuate your evil reign in this country, ONLY, if you start these things:

1. Tell the truth. Organize a presscon and tell the entire Filipino People that you're not planning to stay a second longer than 12 o clock of June 30, 2010.

2. Lower gasoline and diesel prices by as much as 8 pesos.

3. Support Enrile's bid to erase the royalty tax. That way, I don't need to pay 4,000 pesos every month for electricity.

4. Don't run as a Congresswoman in Pampanga. You caused us so much harm already. Tama na. Pahinga ka na, Gloria. You should learn when to stop.

5. Increase the loanable amount sa SSS and Pag-Ibig so that people like me would just build a water-refilling station. Para hindi na kami magsulat.

Opps! Sorry. I vowed pala never to write bad pieces again....Hindi ko mapigilan eh. Daming katangahan at kagaguhan kasi dito sa bansa natin.

Teodoro denies plans to institute Martial Law

Defense secretary Gilbert "Gibo" Teodoro says that government does not plan to declare martial law for one obvious reason---it is legally unjustified.

First, he says that there's no insurrection or rebellion. And second, public safety, at this point, is simply not compromised, as yet. He also indicated that Malacanang does not plan to even declare a State of Emergency, since, he considers these as counter-productive.

While I'm writing this, a bomb exploded in Jolo, injuring one policeman. This is the 39th time a bomb exploded in Mindanao.

Now, Teodoro said that if these bombing incidents are being perpetuated even by one single member of the government, he'll prosecute them. Teodoro likewise said that he'll disassociate himself with those who want to further confuse and sow terror. For Teodoro, these acts are counter-productive.

The AFP has blamed a certain Baja Usman, an alleged member of the MILF special ops group as the mastermind behind the bombings. The military even connected the regional terror group to the MILF, which the MILF immediately condemned in a statement.

What Teodoro, however, failed to say is what if government, particularly those hawks within Arroyo's inner circle plan a self-coup, similar to previous God Save the Queen plans? Will he stand up and condemn it when it happens? That's obviously the plan of some ideologues within the regime---to launch a coup and institute a "revolutionary government". This is what National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales suggested a few weeks ago. Shortly after Bertgon's statement, bombs subsequently went off in successive fashion in Mindanao and Metro Manila.

Will Teodoro also disassociate himself and condemn this coup if it ever happens?

Important also to note that Teodoro's statement now contradicts the statement made earlier by Executive secretary Eduardo Ermita. Ermita said that Malacanang will not tarry a minute longer in declaring a State of Emergency if violence breaks out in the SONA. Is this indicative that Teodoro no longer enjoys exclusive privilege as a member of Arroyo's inner circle?

Gloria's side trip to Venezuela

Now, this is getting to be very, very interesting. You know why Mrs. Arroyo went to Venezuela? There are two (2) versions.

First one, she reportedly met a high profile real estate agent in Cartagena. For what, you might ask? People say that Mrs. Arroyo is trying to buy pieces of real estate properties in Portugal. Last year, when the First Family got entangled with the Lehman Brothers financial mess, and lost substantial monies from the fall, they reportedly uploaded some of their properties in the US to buy properties outside the US. And you know why they don't want to maintain those properties, right? Because of fears that the FBI will actually make good its threat of arresting the First Golfer for alleged money laundering activities.

I doubt this story simply because why the trouble of going to Venezuela just to buy properties when you can do it online or simply ask the agent to visit the Arroyos here or elsewhere. It's a normal business for agents to go to the place where their clients are instead of clients going to them, right?

The second version begs some verification. Wagging tongues say Mrs. Arroyo met with Smartmatic International Armando Yanes and Antonio Mugica. Yanes is Smartmatic International CFO and head of the firm's Strategic Customer, Financing, Mergers and Acquisition. While Mugica serves as CEO. Why? What's the reason for the side trip?

Was it because of a possible business transaction in Panama, South America's version of Switzerland? What was the business transaction all about? To transfer funds, as alleged by UNO spokesperson Jejomar Binay, which the palace denied.

Cerge Remonde, the palace press secretary said Mrs. Arroyo was invited by Misha, the wife of Jaime Zobel de Ayala. If this is the official statement, then, all the more Mrs. Arroyo should be made accountable.

What earth-shaking thing that the Ayalas and the Arroyos discussed that necessitated the entire presidential entourage to make that all important sidetrip to Venezuela? Imagine, at the behest of a businessman, the Philippine president has to use government resources just to accommodate it? Was it just a leisure side trip? I doubt it since if that is true, the Arroyos and the Ayalas may have discussed a very important thing to have the entire palace crew go there. And if it was a leisure trip, that was too costly for Mrs. Arroyo to do especially in these times of great financial distress.

Mrs. Arroyo and Mr. Remonde have lots of explaining to do.

Resolution 1109: Deconstructing GMA & US Sec. Robert Gates

What prompted Mrs. Arroyo to give Speaker Nograles the go-signal to proceed with a patently illegal move last June 2, 2009? In an interview with a Congressman, House reporter Delon Porcalla of the Philippine Star today wrote that Mrs. Arroyo reportedly met with Nograles on the eve of her departure to Korea. Mrs. Arroyo allegedly told Nograles to proceed with the plan of pushing thru with the passage of the Villafuerte resolution.

Mrs. Arroyo knows how this issue would split the newly formed LAKAS KAMPI CMD. She knows the security implications of this and I believe that she heard what US Secretary of Defense Robert Gates said about the position of the US government in relation to the 2010 elections. Gates categorically stated the desire of the US to see the peaceful transition of power come 2010.

She also knows that the COMELEC has just practically closed the bidding for the computerized elections, meaning, government is on the verge of spending 18 billion for this.

Now, what prompted her to give the go-signal despite the public pronouncement of the US government position? Is the visit of Gates an indication that the US knew of Mrs. Arroyo's plans and that by sending a top Obama aide here, the US hopes to dissuade her from pushing thru with her evil plan?

Studying her actions for more than ten years indicates that Mrs. Arroyo has an ace in her sleeves. That ace probably is the military.

Be vigilant, be very vigilant. Shortly after the passage of Resolution 1109, the Philippine National Police (PNP) leadership just completed its "routine" change of its administrators. Early on, the AFP also had its routine administrative "shakeup". Members of Class 1978, which adopted Mrs. Arroyo as honorary member, are now on the top echelon of both the PNP and the AFP. Are these generals Mrs. Arroyo's own version of Marcos' Rolex generals?

Likewise, Mrs. Arroyo is also replacing two Supreme Court magistrates with her own nominees. Is Mrs. Arroyo on the verge of completing the consolidation of executive, legislative and judicial power under her wing, backed by a loyal group of generals? It seems so.

What Mrs. Arroyo is doing is laying the groundwork for dictatorial rule. She already controls the Lower House and the recent action shows the isolation of the Senate from the scheme of things. She has the generals under her care and in the next few weeks, Mrs. Arroyo would practically control the Highest Tribunal of the land with her nominees. What would prevent her from declaring Gloria forever?

People power is the solution. This time though, there should be no letup. If we launch People Power now, it should be for the total annihilation of Mrs. Arroyo and her ilk.

On the flipside though, maybe Mrs. Arroyo is just toying with us, flexing her muscles just so that we still "toe the line" and prevent her from being a lameduck president? Some people suggested that to me. Or, quite possibly, there is really a cabal inside the palace with the honest and real intention of carving a dictatorship out of an evil kingdom?

Another Potential Road Scam: NLEX to C-5 Extension Project

Last May 9, Mrs. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo specifically gave Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Bayani Fernando the "green light" to proceed with the construction of the Northern Luzon Expressway (NLEX) to C-5 extension project. The 2.1 billion project is expected to be completed in April 2010, a month before the elections. Bayani got the project after impressing Mrs. Arroyo of the newly completed C-5 elevated U-turn slot, which, says Bayani, saved government 1 billion pesos due to traffic decongestion and minimal government supervision.

What Mrs. Arroyo forgot was Mr. Fernando is not allowed to undertake such a project since it is not within the purview of Republic Act 7924, or the "Act Creating the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, defining its powers and functions, providing funding therefor and for other purposes" to give the MMDA only the power to "formulate, coordinate and monitor" policies, standards, programmes and projects relating to transport and traffic management. MMDA does not have the power to undertake or implement road projects. It is under the purview of the DPWH and it also needs laws from local governments under the MMDA.

Is this why Mr. Fernando already abandoned thoughts of running for the presidency since Arroyo already gave him a gravy project? Is this 2.1 billion peso project the one in exchange for Fernando's "silence" and the one given for him to dis-engage from the presidential nominations?

We need to be very vigilant because Mrs. Arroyo is giving her most trusted lieutenants gifts left and right.

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.***

ICRC workers' lives in extreme danger

Two of Mrs. Gloria Arroyo's lieutenants are bickering over the Sulu ICRC Hostage crisis. Defense secretary Gilbert Teodoro castigated Senator Richard Gordon, an ally of Arroyo, for saying that the lives of the hostages are now in the hands of the president. This rabid administration dog wanted to shield his boss from brickbats later on. However, this betrays the real intention of the government.

Teodoro does'nt feel like talking with the hostages. For him, enough concessions have already been given. It's not for Gordon. For the head of the Philippine Red Cross, a troop pullout is needed to allow negotiations to continue. An inch of pullback would be enough to allow representatives of the ASG and the government to negotiate for the safe release of the two ICRC hostages, Notter and Vagni.

This is a very dangerous play these two jerks are playing. They're putting the very lives of these ICRC workers in extreme jeopardy. By bickering in public, they're both justifying the use of force and they're both telling us to just accept the terrible consequence later on. They are priming for an attack against the ASG.

What these government officials don't know is they're both playing in the hands of the ASG. Their public bickering would justify what the ASG wanted all along---behead the hostages and show the world that they mean business. They did it before and they're willing to do it again moreso now that even the Pope is watching the developments in that part of Mindanao.

Wittingly or unwittingly, these two government officials have now placed the very lives of these foreign hostages in extreme jeopardy. I would'nt be surprised if we get news that one of the two have already been executed.

Government want an assault. They want to feed on the machismo, the bravado and the confidence of the commander on the ground, to the detriment of the hostages and their families.

Actually, even prior to the release of Lacaba, government has planned for an assault. They want to show the world that they can defeat the ASG by the use of force, consistent with the US policy. They want to show Washington that Mrs. Arroyo is tough against terror.

This justifies what I have earlier wrote here----the government of Mrs. Arroyo, especially those hawks within the palace, want negotiations to fail to justify an armed encounter with the bandit group. This is just a palabas, a show, meant to appease their bosses over at the Pentagon and the State Department. Mrs. Arroyo wants to sacrifice the lives of the International Red Cross workers to show the US that it is serious in fighting intransigent elements in the country.

I say it again, what these jerks intend to do is based on a misreading of the situation.

Ninoy died for the Restoration of Rights

Mrs. Gloria Arroyo just freed the last remaining ten convicted killers of former Senator Ninoy Aquino. Learning about the incident, the former senator's daughter Kris Aquino just could'nt help but remind Arroyo and the public about the sacrifices made by her father who was gunned down several decades ago.

Lest we forget, Ninoy was one of the thousands who sacrificed their lives against the dictatorship. Despite earlier warnings, Ninoy pushed ahead of his plan to return here, only to be repulsed by an assassin's bullets. His body was shot at and brutally descecrated by the State's security forces. His death led to the EDSA Revolt after three years.

Ninoy's sacrifice was not in vain. He's now known as one of the heroes of the so-called EDSA Revolution, which restored the powers of the post-Martial law aristocracy and even created opportunities for the new oligarchs.

Yet, is there really a connection between the democratic legacy of Ninoy with that of the pardon and subsequent release of his convicted killers.

I hate to say this, but, there is no legal connection. There is but, an obvious moral connection, which I'll explain later on.

Based on the records, these Aquino-Galman murder convicts have already spent considerable time in jail. They are not sentenced to die either by electrocution nor by musketry. Their sentence was simply spend a life term in jail, which in our jurisdiction, means about 40 years in jail.

Yet, this 40 years also means that, if you already serve half of your jail term, you'll be amenable to parole or pardon. That is a right enshrined in the 1987 Constitution, the same charter which Ninoy's widow campaigned hard to be ratified. This right is also stated in our Civil and Penal Codes.

Kris reminded us that we (the people) must not forget the sacrifice made by her father. And the foremost legacy of his father is the restoration of rights, which, under a democracy, is the primary bedrock of its existence.

To deny her father's convicted killers of their rights to be pardoned goes against the very same principle which her father gave his life for.

Now, is it immoral for Mrs. Arroyo to release these convicts now, a few days after the celebration of EDSA Uno?

Yes.

This is what you call a lack of decency and virtue on the part of the pardoning power. It shows you how amateurish people in Malacanang are.

They could have done this post-facto, meaning, a few days or months before June 20, 2010. It could have been easier for the Aquinos and the rest of the Filipino People to accept this.

Timing was never considered.

Arroyo released the pardon papers a week after a mammoth rally calling for her resignation was held at the Ayala Avenue Makati City. Aquino was there at the rally, along with former president Erap Estrada.

As statesperson, Arroyo should have considered the possible political implications of such a move, given that civil society members were still aghast at what she did during the EDSA Uno celebrations.

We recognize Arroyo's penchant for deconstructing history. We all know that she's trying her best to erase whatever legacy or somber remembrance we had about those times.

Why Obama refuses to see Mrs. Arroyo

Mrs. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, whose forebears shot and killed the plebian leader Andres Bonifacio, is a picture of irritation. In the next few days, she'll issue another statement, this time courtesy of her Press secretary Serge Remonde, saying that she'll try to put a lid on the stinking World Bank report on these road projects. Malacanang press operators are trying their darnest best to contain the stench, but no amount of perfumery exists to afford them this luxury.

For this one shows a stench that emanates from their corrupted souls. If they're saying that the World Bank report is "passe" and " it's all hogwash", they're wrong. They just admitted before the public that they knew about this and sat on it and ignored it and just allowed the merry thievery to happen. Yes, it was some six years ago, but if they really respect our laws, the basic law provides that they should have filed a case already against the First Gentleman, EC de Luna and their cohorts based on the criminal complaint submitted by the World Bank. These individuals are lucky because they did this dastardly crime here, where men are supreme over the law. Here, we are a society not of laws, but of men. We have a warped and stupid understanding of what is right and what is wrong. I remember my Singaporean friend who told me that here, we do our own thing, oblivious of what's happening outside our little fiefdoms and we live in isolation. What is right before the world is not necessarily right to some of us. Our laws are so fraught with uncertain definitions that these precepts can be construed either way, to the benefit of the accused and the corrupt, not of the People and the State.

That's why US President Barack Obama refuses to see Mrs. Arroyo. He just made a dig against her and her gang of misfits when he uttered those historic words, " For those who claim to power thru corruption and deceit, know this, that you are on the wrong side of History."

Obama is not that stupid and foolish to meet the very same poster girl of corruption and deceit in Philippine history. Obama does not want to be lied upon. Obama does not want to be corrupted by her philosophy of governance.

What Arroyo must do is not to mitigate the obvious shameful effects of the World Bank revelations. It is not training her guns at the United States to put a lid on the stinking issue. No.

What Arroyo must do, and must act in haste is leave the palace. The State Department, if you still don't know Mrs. Arroyo, has issued the marching orders already. Since you are on the wrong side of history, you just got "x-ed".

Surely, this will be the very first presidential acts that will merit Obama praise around the world.