Malacanang crumbling

These past few days we saw how Malacanang's spin meisters crumbled under pressure to tell the truth about Mrs. Arroyo's health condition. We see how communication channels seemed to have vanished inside the image machinery of Malacanang. One, the "leak" could not have happened if Malacanang maintained strong relations with the media. Those articles just show how weak Malacanang is in that department. Second, subsequent commentaries and jokes just show how amateurish Malacanang's PR handlers are handling the entire thing. And lastly, there seems to be miscommunication among government agencies. No unified message. And no one is brave enough to lead the charge or hold the baton.

This is simply an indication of a crumbling communication infrastructure, a trait shared by regimes about to fall flat on their faces.

One explanation seems to be a steady stream of resignations from Mrs. Arroyo's press team. Mrs. Arroyo is slowly being isolated. People close to her are leaving her and going to the private sector. Again, these are signs of the end of this regime.

It's really expected since Cerge Remonde is no communication expert. Yes, he's a former journalist but unlike former press undersecretary JoCab, he knows nothing about effective crisis and image strategies. Even Lorelei Fajardo seems inadequate and ineffective on her job.

Malacanang needs a plumber and fast. Otherwise, expect a further deterioration and eventual demise of this regime, sooner than later.

Mrs. Arroyo's Boob Job and National Security

Deputy palace spokesperson Lorelei Fajardo castigated the Philippine media for writing about Mrs. Arroyo's alleged boob job. Fajardo said that those articles regarding Mrs. Arroyo's breast reduction surgery at the Asian Hospital were "below the belt" and "personal attacks".

Question--what's so wrong with publishing the true reason why Mrs. Arroyo checked herself in the first place? What's so wrong with mammoplasty? What's so wrong with Mrs. Arroyo undergoing such an operation? None.

Fajardo said that if people, especially journalists do not like the president as a person, then, at least, people should respect the office she holds. Why, Mrs. Fajardo, who are the people who actually do not respect the Office of the President?

Who issued that patent lie that Mrs. Arroyo underwent quarantine procedures instead of a biopsy? Was it not the palace? How then will people respect the very Office that Mrs. Arroyo holds when they're peddling lies?

Is a boob job a matter of national security? Is the operation on Mrs. Arroyo's groin to detect the cause of the lump a matter of extreme national security?

In fact, this morning, Press secretary Cerge Remonde admitted yet again that Mrs. Arroyo underwent a "biopsy" to replace a "leaking silicone breast implant." and another biopsy in her groin. So, there, Mrs. Fajardo. So what if Mrs. Arroyo got those operations?

Respect is earned. How can people respect the president if people like you Mrs. Fajardo are peddling lies and hiding the truth?

Transparency is the real issue here. Ano ba naman? Ilang buwan na lang kayo dyan sa palasyo, nagsisinungaling pa rin kayo.

Loving Gloria, the Blue Barbie

It's easy to love Gloria. For a member of the middle class like me, seeing Gloria at the helm of everything makes me say that there's someone who understands my situation and my family's. In truth, Gloria is the perfect poster girl for those powers really behind that seat in Malacanang.

Yet, when I see these economic figures in my desk, I shake my head and wonder why? What happened to the Gloria that I once admired? What happened to all those principles she always put in her speeches? What happened to those times I spend with her when she was still Vice President? Those visits I took at PICC, talking with Atty. Corona (now SC justice) and her. I remember, before the EDSA Dos exploded, I even told her that the time has come for her to prepare as president. That was very memorable for me because I was sacrificing my life, and my family's, just to oust what I believed then, as the most unfitting person ever to sit at the Office of the President.

Uniting with other groups, I took an active yet covert part in EDSA 2. I sacrificed my integrity just to be part of something wonderful.

I also remember that memorable dinner we had with her in 2002. I was part of a contingent of 56 people's organizations given the time to present the People's Agenda before her. It was a closed-in dinner. I presented my piece and she listened. She asked Norberto Gonzales (BertGon) to take immediate action. True enough, two of those 12 points in that agenda, were given priority and passed as law. The rest, I don''t know what happened.

I'm pouring my heart out to you my friends because deep inside of me, I hate lampooning the Office of the President. Really. I want to write beautiful pieces about my country. I want to tell the world how beautiful the Motherland is.

But, how can I, when Gloria transformed the Office of the President into a mockery? When she took part in that scam to rob the people of their voice and their right to elect their president, that, I believe, led to this. Gloria is now a part of that evil gang of misfits out to steal the people's money big-time.

Gloria, if you're reading this, give me something to write about. Give me something that I'll be proud of. Give me something that would take the frown off my face. Give me something that would benefit everybody.

Resign. Resign now. That's the least that you can do.

Resign so that people like me would still have some respect for that Office which you so destroyed.