Ricky Carandang's reported resignation and entry of new team

Today, news about Press sec Ricky Carandang's resignation spread like wildfire. Speculations abound as to the cause of Carandang's purported move, but according to Secretary Sonny Coloma, the rumours are untrue. Meaning, kuryente.

News about Carandang's resignation has been on and off for the past three years, and it has been like that eversince his group, the Black and White Movement, entered the Aquino administration. Carandang, according to sources, is both a member of the BWM and the Hyatt 10 group of Mar Roxas. Carandang helped during Pnoy's presidential run in 2010.

Sources have it that Carandang will just finish December and he is thinking of going back to private sector, maybe, a stint at Solar TV?

It seems like several groups within the palace are losing power. Their proximity with Pnoy is getting thinner by the day due to several accusations of graft and some, impropriety. Several groups who supported Pnoy have certain disagreements with the president's policies.

Pnoy seemed committed to really implement measures that will solve the country's problems permanently. He wants to finish the Private-Public Partnership projects, as a concrete legacy. And he wants several agencies cleansed of corruption.

The only stumbling block is the existence of several businessmen turned GOCC heads whose selfish interest counters Pnoy's nation-building vision. Some of these people are still out to recover their political investments. These people are now contributing to the continuing graft and corruption. They have to be booted out from their offices and charged and thrown in jail.

Those who will not tread the Tuwid na Daan, and use their posts to generate monies from public funds, should be exposed, charged with crimes and thrown in jail.

A new, young and more idealistic group of well-meaning individuals are now entering the bureaucracy. This group is fearless. This group knows how to distinguish between good and evil. This group does not involve themselves in graft practices. They are not interested on power nor money.

This group will ensure that the legacy that this President wants to impart to our suffering masses will surely be realized before 2016. Expect new and exciting things. Expect heads to roll, ther guilty punished for their crimes and those who deserve nothing but the people's honor, be propped up.

Other erring Pnoy officials should do a Biazon

At the very last moment, Ruffy Biazon Jr did what others are deathly afraid to do---resign when his integrity as a person was put in question. For that, his father, Congressman Biazon, a former General and soldier should be extremely proud of his son. At least, inspite of this accusation that his son was once involved in this pork barrel scam thing, Cong. Biazon should salute his son because Ruffy did a most Honorable thing--give up a lucrative post so that he can now concentrate on clearing his name.

I am proud of Ruffy. He did well. He probably realized that a name or reputation is most valued than money or power.

For that, I salute Ruffy. As an honor to his family name, whoever among these government officials do the right thing, that will be described as "doing a Biazon."

Now, the question is---how many of these close Pnoy officials are ready to do "a Biazon"? How many of them, especially those accused of graft and corruption, or those slapped with charges themselves, have the will to do a Biazon?

One example---this person by the name of Gerardo Esquivel, the head of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System. I heard that the labor group filed 11 counts of graft and corruption against Esquivel before the Office of the Ombudsman, yet until now, Esquivel remains as the head of this agency.

Yes, probably, Esquivel can stay since he manages a regulatory agency, not, say, a very sensitive post as, say, a Cabinet official or a Judicial officer. However, eventhough he is not occupying a post which directly affects other agencies of government, still, his post is an appointive post which depends on the trust and confidence of the President.

How then, will the President ever rely with Esquivel, knowing full well that he has committed graft and corruption during Pnoy's term and has the temerity of even reportedly bragging the President's sisters as his backers?

Where is the adherence to Pnoy's tuwid na daan when this person, again according to my labor sources, continue to mishandle government funds, particularly the MWSS corporate funds, by hiring consultants and the like?

How many of Pnoy's allies have either criminal or admitrative cases? I can think of one---Nereus Acosta, who also continues to head the LLDA. How about Comelec commissioner Padaca who remains free inspite of being held accountable for misusing or abusing public funds when she was still governor?

At least, Biazon had the "hiya", and credit that to how he was raised by a loving General of a father. These people remain in their respective posts inspite of the fact that they have caused shame and have  faltered in their jobs that people now curse or blame Pnoy for all these mess?

Budget secretary Butch Abad should file his resignation after justifying a patently illegal disbursement system called DAP. How about this person whose name is Zenaida Ducut? Ducut is very controversial for having two benefactors---Arroyo and Pnoy. She continues to head a government regulatory agency inspite of being implicated in the pdaf and other sordid affairs, according to sources.

If I'm these people, I'll resign. Imagine, how shameful it is, if you continue to stay in a post all because you are close to Pnoy because of him being your partner in a gun competition or you happen to be friends with his sisters, or you are a "classmate"? If that is your only qualification, then, best that you leave before you further add to the misery of this President.

Actually, if you think about it, President Aquino is such a nice guy that deserves nothing of these problems. I mean, if these people who claim to be his friends let go of these lucrative posts which they were assigned to out of "personal preference" and not because they are professionally competent, then, I think Pnoy would regain the People's trust and confidence. As things stand right now, the people have all but lost their respect to the President because of a series of blunders and missteps committed not by him, but by his friends. If all his friends resign, the President stands a good chance of getting rid of them thru a tedious process of appeal and reconsideration. Honestly, this governnent is really not being taken seriously by a lot of people because they know the weakness of this President. IT IS TIME FOR THE PRESIDENT TO KICK BUTT.

Pnoy's death threats: Paranoia of a Leader who knows his sins before the people

Not even a Grace Lee can save Noynoy from himself

When President Aquino made that speech, shortly after raising his hands and swearing allegiance to God and country, I was one among millions who felt relieved. Relieved, because, finally, we have someone who understands the true plight of the People and is not scarred to fight the demons in barong in our midsts. I was exactly overjoyed by the thought that several of my friends will be helping create a society, with a President who not only has the will but the heart to do exactly what is necessary to achieve the primordial goal---improve the lives of the Filipino.


More than two years, and this President has nothing to show for except statements defending his erring friends and accusing enemies of trying to oust him. What work is he doing when all he has to show for it is this photo with Grace Lee? 


His recent statement during the anniversary of the Presidential Security Group (PSG) shows an extremely paranoid leader, afraid of being ousted by his enemies and probably, ashamed even of seeing his own image before the mirror or even his shadow. 


Noynoy Aquino is feeling the heat, not because his enemies are strong or stronger than him. No. He is feeling the heat, because he now knows that the People have slowly distanced themselves from him and some missteps more, will see himself isolated and ganged up by his advisers cum rent-seekers.


Noynoy knows his sins against the people, the very same species he looks to as his "boss". That "boss" speech is hollow. It does not have any meaning at all. He just used it sparingly like what he did with other words put in there by his speech writers.


How can Aquino claim to be the servant of the people when he refuses to intervene in the pressing issues of the day? Oil prices continue to rise. Food stuffs are also rising in parallel to fuel. Services are also under unrealistic prices.


Pnoy does not know that LPG prices are nearing the 1,000 peso mark and anytime soon, he will hear the grumblings of the tired middle class. 


Pnoy may have his heart in the right place, but his heart is constantly in conflict with his mind. Deep down, Pnoy is not the Filipino Obama or any hero we thought of him before. Pnoy is simply a businessman.


If you look at his life prior to being president, he spent ten years as a corporate man and nearly ten years as a politician. He is a staunch believer in free economics. He does not believe in state subsidies, or even if he does, he sees this as some sort of a preliminary relief turned strategic.


Pnoy knows that his political enemies do not have the will to fight him directly. Pnoy's detractors are those who want him to succeed but in his fragile mind, he sees them as enemies. 


Of course, who among the people will side with Arroyo? No one. Even if Arroyo has the military and financial might to launch something debilitating against Aquino, the people will not allow them to ascend power once more. No more Arroyos. And surely, no more Aquinos.


This impending political challenge against Aquino will come from the very ranks of the people whom he abandoned while treading the so-called straight path.

Malasakit and the 12% VAT On Toll

Picture a water-filled landscape with people living in their rooftops, all waiting for some form of rescue, but finding none. Picture a devastated Metro Manila, with phone lines cut and basic services still in 40% optimal performance. Imagine a housewife going to the grocery and finding that fish and vegetable prices have shot up, and with barely something in her hands for a week's food supply. And imagine hundreds of souls walking along streets and highways in the Metros scrimping for fare because they can't afford to even ride a jeepney.


These are every day scenes not of gloom but of glory. Filipinos are trying very hard to suffer these things in silence. Some of us, who know better, militate, like what those PALEA members do. They know any better. They know that if they shout now, if they fight it now, they'll stop companies from victimizing even their sons and grandsons in the future. 


People have been asking the palace to help them, do something, intervene, so that oil prices will not shoot up, and food prices will remain low. 


It seems though that the ones in power are so obsessed with shaking hands with Obama or enjoying the spring of Japan that they forgot they have an obligation to the people, and that is ease their burdens.


Let this be a warning to Malacanang and those who reside in the corridors of power---a revolutionary situation is in the offing. 


Three elements that make us a successful revolution are beginning to synthesize dialectically to form a maelstrom stronger that Quiel or Ondoy or Pedring. Poverty is being made worse by the lack of malasakit of those in Malacanang. This is being compounded by a natural crisis, troublesome because of its length and scope and of a fast eroding social structure made feeble and weak by a lack of a unifying cultural element.


Like what happened on May 1, 2002,these things would just suddenly develop into a monstrous beauty that would eat up the government. These elements will fester, and seethe, and develop into a full blown revolt come January or February of next year when the global stresses of a weakening world financial system matures and breaks into numerous boils in regional financial systems. 


I hate to say it but the imposition today of the 12% VAT on toll, will further worsen the already worsening economic situation in the countrysides. This imposition is really unfair and unjust simply because it is to be implemented at a time of great tragedy, when society is still reeling from the face of twin typhoon disasters and a continuing economic crisis compounded by natural crises. 


President Noynoy Aquino is acting like a spoiled tyrant, a heartless man, who loves the company of Big Business more than the company of a suffering many whose financial problems are now reaching their very own rooftops, like those rushing flash floods brought by the rains. 


Aquino should heed the warnings of several analysts that he is courting a major social revolt, one that he will regret creating. I am tired of giving hints and tips to these people in Malacanang. Let the heavens fall. 

PAGASA says more rains after telling people of dry week ahead yesterday

After proclaiming that there will be a sunny and dry week ahead of us, here comes the PAGASA, our weather monitoring bureau, announcing the approach of a low pressure area towards the Philippine area of responsibility. Whoa? I thought PAGASA is more accurate now than before?

Seems that President Benigno Aquino and his golden-haired boys at PAGASA have lots of explaining to do.

Aquino brings home US$2.5 billion worth of investments: who will really benefit?

President Noynoy Aquino and his entourage just came back from their UN trip with an estimated US$2.5 billion worth of investments. Malacanang has just hailed this as a triumphant visit, which was capped by a 7 minute meeting between Obama and Aquino. 

Curiously though, no exact details were released on this alleged US$2.8 billion worth of investments. The big question is--who are the groups who will really benefit from this "windfall"? Will it be the Cojuangco Group who accompanied Aquino in his UN tour? Or the group of Mar Roxas, who, as Aquino himself revealed, introduced him to a group of bankers in New York?

There has been a lot of speculations about Aquino's trip. One thing is definitely for sure, the Filipino People is slowly being left out as a priority in this administration. The government of Aquino is slowly being unmasked as a poor implementor of anti-poverty programs. The number of poor people has increased. And more will definitely be added among the ranks of the poor due to the rising costs of goods and gasoline.

Aquino is starting to un-inspire a lot of people. His stance about the IIRC report is, to my mind, a letdown. 

President Aquino's Harapan did him more harm than good: Aquino Coverup

Yesterday's Harapan segment pitted President Noynoy Aquino with three anchors from three different TV stations. Based on Facebook and Twitter reactions during the broadcast of the interview, said to be a "no-holds barred" one, that interview gave Aquino more harm than good. Fact is, since it was broadcasted shortly after the conclusion of the fact-finding probe of Justice secretary De Lima, some, including this writer, thinks that it was what we call a "broadcast exoneration".

I really don't know why the Palace decided to pit Aquino, their principal, "to the wolves". I mean, the President did not look nor appeared "presidential" in that interview. He looked harangue, stressed out and clearly, in some instances, lying and trying to hide some facts from us.

For example, the president said "he does not want to pre-empt" the findings of the De Lima commission and promised that "heads will roll."

Yet, thrice did the President cleared the names of his bosom buddy, DILG Undersecretary Rico Puno and that of DILG secretary Jesse Robredo. Puno was questioned by the De Lima panel and admitted before the world, how incompetent he was and still is.

Adding insult to injury, the President again reiterated that Robredo is still "in acting capacity" and therefore, he is spared from all of these despite the very clear signs that Robredo and Puno failed in their duties to provide leadership during the hostage fiasco.

Worse, Aquino continually defended his incompetent communications group. Inspite of the fact that this communications group failed in its objective of shepherding the media during those critical moments, Aquino still defended the incompetency and the ineptitude of the group.

These images stuck in the minds of many yesterday and reminded them of one person who haunted us for nine years---Mrs. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Aquino sounded and appeared like Mrs. Arroyo yesterday. And quite frankly, I am not amused.

It is also very sad that Aquino said that he did not mind losing his enormous political capital, something which actually pertains to what we know as "people's trust". Aquino said he is not aspiring to be popular, he just wants things done.

How in the world will his administration accomplish all these things in the proper manner, when Aquino refuses to acknowledge the incompetence of his men and even show tolerance for their foibles.

Why is Aquino so stubborn to admit that his men erred? Why is he covering them up?

CUSTOMS IS STILL HOLDING EMPTY FISH NET

Slowly, we are feeling that government is honestly doing something to address our concerns. DPWH secretary Rogelio Singson has just written off 19 alleged midnight deals. Kudos to Singson. While we wait with bated breath, Customs chief Angelito Alvarez's promise to present one smuggler every single week. It is now Thursday and still no big fish presented.

Oh, well. Mr. President, yung bata mo, papatay-patay. Are we going to wait for him forever to produce? President Noynoy, you promised to boot Alvarez' butt off if he fails to produce. It is now what, three weeks and still Alvarez reneged on his promise to rid the Customs department of big-time smugglers and greedy officials.

Alvarez claims to have 20 years experience transacting with Customs. It is entirely unbelievable for him to say that he still does not know who among hundreds of officials there are involved in shady deals.

Alvarez should be fired, pronto. He's not fit to be a fisherman, even a whaler.

Stop Arroyo Speakership bid!

I, along with many others, am wondering---what did we do to deserve an Arroyo? Mrs. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is really testing the patience of Filipinos. After enduring nine years of hardships and toil under her not-so-endearing administration, here she comes again, like a foot fungus or an irritating mosquito swirling around, trying once again to buzz, signalling that she is still here, as if we care.

Arroyo, says Malacanang, is gunning for the Speakership. Palace factotums are even proud of this stupid idea.

These losers again reminded us of Arroyo's "accomplishments", highlighting once again, her "economic background" as a former economics professor. What economic achievements, when even her fair haired poster boy (?) Joey Salceda says that those gains did not lessen poverty incidence? What achievements? Is the Palace referring to the stability of the economy during the 2009 Global financial crisis? Two things---Overseas Filipino Workers' remittances and the old, decrepit financial system, these two saved us from total damnation, not some brilliant economic plan that this administration did.

Mrs. Arroyo won by a landslide in her hometown and her allies say, she's really targetting the Speakership. What in the world did we really do to deserve her? Is she as callous and as close minded like what many people think she is? I now believe that she's not just hard of hearing--she's a loony.

Surveys upon surveys show the Filipinos hatred of her. The overwhelming vote cast by the people for Liberal party standard bearer Noynoy Aquino is a very strong condemnation of her administration.

Mrs. Arroyo lives in her own enchanted kingdom. She is slowly carving her own kingdom in Pampanga and there is that chance that she'll file a bill in the 15th Congress asking that Pampanga be separated from the Republic and become an Arroyoland (similar with Villar's Vistaland).

Or her numerous minions and ass-likers (not lickers :-)) just made a tremendous job insulating her from reality that she now thinks she's the people's hero rather than its villain. Or, she just lost that appetite to read newspapers, listen to radio or even watch television. Or, maybe, just maybe, Mrs. Arroyo does not surf the web?

An Arroyo speakership will not be good for the country. Those who think that this is part of a grand design for the country to shift into a parliamentary system---stop thinking of such things.

Charter change is dead. Even if Arroyo force the issue and the Lower House isolates the Palace from this initiative, it will not succeed because if the Senate elects Franklin Drilon as Senate president, and I believe they will do, the initiative is dead in the water.

An Arroyo speakership will just exacerbate the acrimony between her elitist mafia and the Executive, now peopled with her enemies. An acrimonious fight for power between these groups will destabilize the country and deter economic and political growth.

Noynoy Aquino will not be able to slay the evil grafters in government and will not even grease his hands with their blood (metaphorically speaking) if this pesky foot fungus named Arroyo continues her wrecking desire.

It is to the best interests of this country for Aquino really, to set up an independent commission and take this fungus to trial, along with her ass likers. This independent commission should immediately issue warrants of arrest and prevent Arroyo from sitting as a Congressman in the 15th Congress.

Or better yet, the new administration treats her like an Jaloslos.

Remember that Jaloslos was arrested and put behind bars even during his term as Congressman. There has been one instance and maybe Mrs. Arroyo stands to be the second.