Since when is an apology a political trap?

Mea culpa or mortification in the language of Communicators, is one strategy towards recovery in an event of a PR crisis. Sometimes, it is best to convey this especially if the issue involves the loss of lives. This is being held as an effective tool in mitigating the effects of a crisis. In cases where emotions are high over a perceived serious consequence of an action, communicators normally counsel their clients to admit responsibility and seek mortification. Fact is, it is included in William Benoit's model for image restoration after a PR crisis.

In the case of President Benign S. Aquino III, I cannot simply understand why he is being prevailed upon by his political allies, particularly Senators Antonio Trillions IV and Bam Aquino not to express his sadness and seek for mortification on the Mamasapano massacre.

For one, Aquino is not legally liable for his actions since he did it during the time as Commander in Chief. Admit that there were operational lapses yet those lapses were not committed by Aquino but by a subordinate, if one is to believe the various reports. Can he be held legally responsible for the deaths of the 44 SAF commandos? No. Why? Because it was ascertained that they died due to the non-observance of established protocols.

I was fortunate to have talked with several experts in this field (I talked with a General and a PMAer) and honestly, Getulio Napenas committed several infractions among which is the lack of an exit strategy in the event of a clash. It was held in the Mamasapano report that there was only one exit--which was the way where the SAF commandos entered. The basic SOP especially among operatives is one will not go the way he entered the place of operations. In the SAF case, the troopers tried to escape thru the riverine route which they initially used to enter the MILF camp. They should have considered another route for escape and exit. Fault this with the lack of appreciation of the terrain, which should have been easily remedied by studying aerial maps.

Of course, this does not answer the penultimate question as to why there were no reinforcements made or why Aquino and his peace advisers failed to communicate to their counterparts for the cessation of hostilities. That is another matter altogether.

Insofar as liability in the operational execution of the plan, Aquino is not entirely at fault since based again on the report, Napenas did not execute it the way it should have been executed.

An apology from Aquino is the best ending or closure so to speak, about this matter. It is highly unlikely that shortly after his apology, groups out to get his head would heighten their campaign against Aquino.

Fact is, a mortification would surely disarm these groups because the emotional aspect of this crisis would severely be eradicated. What Aquino lost was his higher moral ascendancy. A mortifying event could afford him a way to regain this.

President Aquino--near ouster or to be allowed to continue term as lame duck president

Malacanang is in disarray. A source says the Mar Roxas group now knows which group the President favors, and it is planning of bolting out from the Cabinet. Several overtures were sent to a shadowy group. Seems like there is a possible repeat of the Hyatt 10 incident during Arroyo's time.

One indication that bickering has reached a critical juncture was when former senator Ping Lacson criticised Pnoy for the botched SAF operation. Ping's group is one of five groups supporting the Aquino administration. Let's review.

You have the Hyatt 10 which is composed of Roxas, Soliman, Butch Abad, and Purisima. However, sources say Purisima and Roxas do not see eye-to-eye because of Purisima's closeness with the Ayalas. Remember that Roxas represents the family interests of the Aranetas and the Roxases, traditional rich families here in the Philippines.

The next group is the Samar group composed of close family members, friends and associates. Ochoa leads this pack together with several other members who were attacked publicly by the Hyatt 10 group last year.

The next one is the Chiz Escudero group which is represented by several young businessmen, military men, and those close to the Cojuangcos and Ramon Ang group. The other two are of Osmena's and Lacson's. Osmena has since concentrated his attention at helping Grace Poe in propping up her ratings in preparation for her eventual campaign for a higher post sometime soon.

With Lacson's statement, it seems like, even his group has abandoned Aquino. Is the Roxas group ready to jump ship soon now that it appears that the DILG secretary has lost the trust and confidence of the President himself?

The President is slowly being disrobed so to speak. This SAF incident has exposed his nakedness and weakness as a leader. It is now a matter of time before he entirely loses all power.

When it comes, expect either of two things happening---cutting short his term and allowing the Vice president to assume the remainder of the term just like what happened to Erap or allowing him to continue office but is now exposed as a lame duck. Whatever the Fates allow, these things are expected to happen in the next coming days.

Pnoy counting not on end of term but of disaster

Aside from the MRT train which rammed its barrier and derailed itself which led to about 70 people injured, another shocking news happened yesterday.

President Benigno S. Aquino III, in an interview last night with my former Family and Relations professor Atty. Mel Sta Maria over TV5 dropped something which several people, including this writer, actually expected him to announce---the possibility of him getting another term.

Aquino shared with Atty. Sta Maria what has been occupying his mind since the Supreme Court disagreed with him over the Disbursement Acceleration Program or DAP---his desire to further clip the powers of the Supreme Court and his ambitions for another term.

see this link: http://www.interaksyon.com/article/93241/president-aquino-says-he-is-open-to-cha-cha-2nd-term-and-a-weaker-sc

And how will Aquino do this, considering that what he has shared is against the very vow he took when he assumed the presidency---respect for the Rule of Law and of the Constitution.

A second term for the president is expressly prohibited before the present Charter. Our founding fathers explicitly inserted that provision to deter any crazed man from assuming himself as god.

Is the president so afraid that the possibility of him getting the same fate as his former professor Arroyo and former political ally Estrada looms bigger now than before?

Is the President now siding with a faction of his cabinet whose desire is to ram the possibility of a Roxas presidency down our throats?

Is this the reason why coup rumors were floated about by a political ally of the president so that palace sickos are to mobilize their own forces for a self-coup?

Or the president really is convinced of his invincibility, of his power, or what people now presume--allies of the president probably coaxed Pnoy to near perfection that he is besotted with power?

Everyone knows that the possibility of the House initiating a cha-cha right now is as far as the moon. Though the Liberals have an upper hand in terms of numerical superiority, everyone knows that this superiority does not necessarily result to what the House desires--open the Charter.

This cha-cha has been attempted before by almost every administration which nears its term. And always, cha-cha attempts fail and always suffer the same fate--that of being thrown in the trashcan of the people's consciousness.

Opening the charter just to satisfy the paranoia of the One sitting at the Palace so that he protects himself from prosecution post-term is to me, as sick as one having a throat cancer or someone who already is sick before but is trying to put a brave face?

The President is now leading this country towards greater ruin and disaster.

Incidents like the one that happened at the LRT-MRT is not exactly an accident---this is a sign of a breakdown of the system.

And this breakdown is a result of the absence of leadership. No one is manning the fort. Who is now in charge?

Brewing People's Revolt and Why a President needs to protect an alleged high-profile thief

The president of this country escorting a high-profile scammer and alleged big-time thief to the police camp is unlike what other presidents did. Past presidents received rebels, revolutionaries, enemies of the state, not criminals. And those presidents did not accompany these "visitors" to jail. Neither did those presidents asked their local government secretaries to prepare a comfortable bed for the high-profile criminal.

The uncanny speed and the immediate attention given by Malacanang to Janet Lim-Napoles, alleged mastermind behind the multi-billion peso pork barrel scam, is outright suspicious.

Remember that days ago, Malacanan fired Bryan Yamsuan, a known operator and communications specialist of former Arroyo protector, Ronnie Puno. Every one in the media industry knows what Yamsuan's role at the DILG was during his time there. There were people who insinuated that Yamsuan was the "official" liaison of government with big-time jueteng lords. Yamsuan reportedly collects jueteng monies for and on behalf of Malacanang during the time of Arroyo.

Now, why was Yamsuan hired as "communications consultant" by Executive secretary Paquito Ochoa knowing full well his shady role during the time of Arroyo? Ochoa says that it is "best to keep one's enemies closer" meaning, he considered Yamsuan as an enemy. Okey, so they give a salary to an "enemy"? for what? To provide information about Arroyo, her cohorts and former allies? I know that the Arroyos have been politically decimated already?

When news about Yamsuan's "rehabilitation" of Malacanang came about, many sources had malicious thoughts about it. It seemed that Malacanan planned or had this plan of "liaising" with jueteng lords?

Anyway, many sources say that Yamsuan and Napoles knew each other deeply rather than what Malacanan said that it was only when Yamsuan had gambling troubles that he met Napoles. Yamsuan and Napoles, sources say, knew each other for a long time, since Napoles operated widely during the time of Arroyo.

What is totally curious is the fact that many pro-Arroyo allies were rehabilitated during this time of Aquino. It is like this administration is really similar with the previous dispensation, albeit, populated by those who went outside of the political kulambo when Arroyo's popularity sagged.

what is evident is this:

1. Malacanan had ties with "political operators" such as Napoles and Yamsuan.
2. Secrets were shared with these people.
3. Hence, Malacanan should protect these people so that those secrets will remain outside public knowledge.

So, are you still asking why President Aquino accompanied a high-profile alleged criminal to Camp Crame? Are you still asking yourself, why Aquino and Roxas were so busy preparing a nice bed for Napoles?

Now, what is the difference between this administration and its predecessor? Nothing. These administrations, the very people that run it, are equally guilty of mismanaging their roles as custodians of the people's monies.

I want to give an unsolicited advice to Malacanan---do not mishandle this issue. This has the potential of breaking into a people's revolt within the next few days or weeks.

The people are genuinely angry with this. Most people think that Napoles is getting the best deal possible.

Malacanan is giving a very wrong impression to the public, especially to young kids and that is:

IF YOU'RE A THIEF AND WANT TO GET RICH, STEAL BIG. AN ALLEGED BIG-TIME CRIMINAL CUM OPERATOR ENJOYS PRESIDENTIAL PROTECTION ALWAYS.

MILF admits Sabah Uprising hurting chances of concluding peace accord in Mindanao

Twenty one people were killed after clashes between Malaysian security forces and the "Royal Army" of the Sultan of Sulu raged for the third straight day. Idjirani, spokesperson of the Kirams, said that the firefight continues as parties try to come up with a lasting solution to the problem.

Malaysian opposition groups have started lambasting Prime Minister Najib, accusing the Malaysian head of pussy footing and doing practically nothing to diffuse the situation. Same case with the Philippine president Benigno S. Aquino III who seems clueless as to the effects of this thing happening first to the ongoing peace talks between the government and the MILF and its direct effects on Noynoy's popularity.

The MILF has already admitted that the Sabah uprising has affected the on-going peace talks. It seems that the Sabah uprising will definitely scar the negotiations as it enters its final stage.

Sabah standoff places Malacanang into a itchy bind

There is an ongoing standoff between Malaysian forces and about 100 heavily armed men believed to be militants which came from Tawi-Tawi and Jolo. These militants, who described themselves as members of the Royal Army of the Sultan of Sulu refuses to leave the area. Malaysian officials told these militants to peacefully leave the area to avoid bloodshed. However, the standoff continues, as the gunmen refuse to move out of the vicinity, claming that they have the right to stay there.

INstead of campaigning for his Senatoriables, President Aquino should attend to this matter very carefully because this can make or break the economic momentum of the country. An external problem such as this, and highly explosive at that, should be solved immediately by the President either through back channelling efforts and thru diplomatic means.

Actually, the President cannot do it diplomatically because this is a criminal act according to Malaysian laws. If the President intervenes, and uses the power of the State to negotiate, what would be his bases for doing so? The intrusion of this group into Malaysia does not involve the participation of the State. It was an extra-legal move coming from individuals who claims to have the authority to do such a thing. The group is claiming legitimacy. Malaysia refuses to recognize the validity of the claims of the heirs of the Sultanate of Sabah. While the present heir seems to have gotten legitimacy from numerous groups from Mindanao and beyond.

If someone would ask me if this is the appropriate time to re-claim Sabah, my answer is a definitive no. We should be able to substantiate our claims in the area. Likewise, claiming this side of Malaysia would entail more than physical intrusion. It would mean convincing the population of Sabah to side with us. Those who want Sabah should consider the sentiments of those living in the island of Borneo.

Aquino creating his own enchanted kingdom

So, it's like this. You have a savings worth US$ 1 billion. Inspite of the poverty all around you, with scores of people not eating the right foods at the right time and kids not going to school due to extreme poverty, you decide to lend it to other "poor countries" who need help.


Such hypocrisy and stupidity.


Hypocrisy because you want to impress the world of your supposed "wealth" when in truth, that one came from the hardships and toils of your people. Stupidity because you think that you are okey enough for other nations to be able to say that you're rich when you are still not.


Little by little, day by day, this administration is beginning to sound just like its predecessor. President Aquino, like Arroyo in her heyday, is slowly carving his own enchanted kingdom. I don't blame him. He is being fed erroneous information or information as preposterous as its providers. 


Look at how dismissive this administration is on the issue of smuggling. Various forms of smuggling are happening right this very moment. Yet, this government continues to dismiss these as mere ordinary activities not worth the attention.


President Aquino should be made to realize that, yes, initiatives and changes are really happening but not to the level really expected by the people. Change under his term is being realized yet in a very slow and non-deliberative pace that people are slowly losing their patience.

Pnoy does a good job in Tourism and Investor Relations

Let's see--what are the areas that President Aquino's administration fared well? In the SWS survey, tourism and investor relations are two of at least seven areas of concern that Pnoy did quite well. There is one which the pollsters probably forgot---the silent unification of reform groups under his leadership.


For some groups allied with the President, two years are not enough to gauge the overall performance of this administration. I agree. With the monumental problems left behind by the Arroyo administration, de-structuring the bureaucracy is one big problem which continues to challenge this administration. This administration took great pains in reviewing the onerous contracts entered into by its predecessor.It takes great leadership and time to do that.


This is the reason why groups are still hopeful that, in the end of the term of this President, there will be at least some problems which either will be terminated or delimited in scope. One of the bright spots I see is the resolution of the Bangsamoro Question. Another one, is the raging Communist insurgency.


Aside from these, I think the economy will remain resilient inspite of the impending threat of global recession. Citibank already said that the Philippine banking system is totally impervious over the financial malady that has caused great pains in many parts of the world. The banking system is protected because it is now awash with cash.


Tourism will bring in more revenues and jobs for the country in the future. The opening of the Entertainment City is being anticipated by several top companies already. I am definitely sure that tourism will bring in the goods. 


Investors are also bullish about the way things are being handled administratively and in politics. However, more efforts should be put into levelling the business playing field. This may take some time, but the future is brighter than before. 

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.

SWS survey: More Pinoys to celebrate blue Christmas

A few days before the December 16, 2011 tragedy that struck Cagayan de Oro and several other provinces in Northern Mindanao, the Social Weather Stations (SWS) conducted a survey to determine how many Filipinos are still happy celebrating Christmas. 

SWS found out that the percentage of Filipinos expecting a "blue Christmas" rose to its all-time high in several years---from 7% in 2010 to 11% this year. Even the 64% of those who said that they expect a happy xmas this year is five percentage points lower than last year's. 

The survey found out that Filipinos' expectations rose only last year and lower expectations went back to its initial levels during former President Arroyo's term.

This pessimism is understandable since food stuffs are really priced extremely high compared several months ago, and there is relief in sight. Worse, government is doing nothing to arrest the  continuing price hikes.

President Aquino has just ordered a price freeze in typhoon-stricken provinces in Mindanao. What happened? Well, based on reports, prices of commodities and goods continue to rise. Even in times of distress, profiteers continue their nefarious schemes. 

Where is government in all of these?

Government is built on the premise that it will be the people's vehicle for a better life. With oil prices at its astronomical levels (the highest in the world), food prices comparable with those of first world countries and joblessness and economic inactivity persist, what could be a better Christmas than make do of what we now have.