Brothers and Sisters

Brothers and Sisters, a hit show in the United States, is getting so much attention right now that most New Yorkers are, according to reports, transfixed on what would happen to this dysfunctional family. Rob Lowe stars in this hit series which has so far generated so much interest. If you have satellite dishes, try to catch the show. (By the way, warning to those who do have at least one dish---did you register it with the NTC? Recently, NTC agents stormed that place in Quiapo where they sell dishes without proper authorization from the NTC. You might get yourself jailed for having those things. For those interested, a sat dish cost 4,500 pesos in Quiapo)

In our country, there are similar incidents involving brothers and sisters. For example, we know how estranged the sister of Gloria Arroyo from her and her family. She's so despise Gloria because of her having a husband like the First Golfer, according to coffee shop habitues who just can't seem to lose interest on the First Couple.

This is an exception. Most families here, brothers and sisters in fact, do help each other. Look at the Cayetano siblings. They are both Senators. And they are both loyalists of billionaire Senator Manny Villar. BY the way, Villar has just shifted tactic--from OFW to a pretty mundane cause.

Look at the Arroyo brothers. The First Gentleman loves Iggy despite, according again to reports, he threw away those billions when his estranged wife left for abroad. Some say those cache of cash was the fruit of the Jose Pidal accounts. I don't believe that.

Same here with Congressmen Mikey and Dado---they help each other. Look at how they managed to depose Speaker Jose de Venecia. Imagine, they fought a pillar of traditional politics. And they won. Great if you're both basketball teammates before. Question--is Mikey really into that jueteng thing in Pampanga, as what Pampanga governor Ed Panlilio alleges?

Unlike the Arroyos, Panlilio is now reportedly estranged himself with his parishioners who elected him governor. Some say, Panlilio is sure to end his term of office soon. That's why he's thinking of running for senator. How true? Those who supported him are probably feeling the heat. Panlilio, they say, is feeling like a king in Pampanga. Not surprising since friars once ran this country, remember? Well, I think these are just smear campaigns.

Good that we still have two sexy actresses, Ara Mina and Cristine Reyes, who are not fighting each other for turf. I can't say that to the MILF and the AFP. Everyday someone dies just for a disputed real estate.

A joc on Villar

Was there a compromise between the minority Senators and Malacanang with respect to the ouster of Senate President Manny Villar which is tied to the on-going Joc-Joc Bolante fertilizer fund probe? And was it a compromise for senators to "free Bolante" in exchange for Villar's head?

We all know that the minority has been gunning for Villar's ouster since a year ago. The Opposition would have been the new majority had some "oppositionists", in the likes of Senator Alan Peter Cayetano not went over the fence and sided with the Villar camp, who, obviously is linked in some ways with the palace. It seems that the compromise involves senators treating Bolante like a kid and allow him to go home (and possibly scot-free?) in exchange for 3 additional votes from the administration block.

That explains why during the Joc-Joc Bolante probe, there were some administration senators who abstained from the hearings. Are Senators, especially from the minority, agreeable to just go thru the motions and eventually drop the prospect of a deeper Bolante probe in exchange for Villar's ouster? Last hearing, there were suggestions that personalities connected with Bolante, like former DA Secretary Cito Lorenzo be asked to appear at the Senate. Will the minority senators still pursue this matter as vigorously as what they promised before? How about those suggestions that former Senate President Franklin Drilon be made to appear at the Senate as a witness? Will this be sacrificed as well?

What the minority had not realized is that this new configuration at the Senate imperils the chances of the anti-charter change movement. With Enrile at the helm of the Upper Chamber, and the possibility of the Cayetano siblings staying with the administration block, the chances of Malacanang railroading the proceedings at the Senate is not a remote possibility. Enrile is known to champion the legal rationale of the palace. It was evident during the Bolante probe.

Enrile is obviously an administration lackey and with the votes with him, what would prevent Malacanang from forcefully pressing cha-cha down our throats this time? The Minority may have sacrificed the very welfare of the Filipino people just because of their political vendetta against Villar.

See no evil, hear no evil

"Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel Jr. said he was not aware of any such move. Sen. Mar Roxas said he did not know anything about it, while Sen. Richard Gordon said nobody had approached him about it. Sen. Benigno Aquino III said he was not aware of any attempt to oust Villar at present."--from the Philippine Daily Inquirer report today, 14 September 2008.

Senators seem incredulous at all those coup stories against Villar. And it seems that, indeed, there's no real attempt at ousting Villar, not at this point. Majority Floor Leader Jinggoy Estrada says he continues to support Villar, obviously since his father, the former president, Erap Estrada, has a strong alliance with the S.T. (Singit at Taga) star.

And the Senate president is confident that a number of senators still support him, despite him being tagged into an anomalous double insertion scam.

So, my friends, it seems that Villar will again survive this one. It's a numbers game at the Senate. Forget about morality. Don't think that the insertion is plain and simple immoral and smacks of graft and corruption. No, no, no!

For Villar and his group of senators, this is nothing. What counts is Villar continues to enjoy the trust and support of the senators. The question is--do the people trust him, now that there's accusations of him making all those double insertions?

I thank God that this early, we are being given the chance to know more about our presidentiables. And surely, we know now who not to support as our president come decision time.

Villar's S.T. means "Singit at Taga"? --Korina

The ongoing spat between Senate President Manny Villar and Senator Ping Lacson seems to be getting out of hand. Lacson dared Villar to get out of his post as Senate president to avoid tainting a possible Senate probe into Villar's alleged complicity with the double insertion scam. Senator Jamby Madrigal meanwhile asked Villar to explain his company's alleged involvement in the C-5 extension to Las Pinas and the scandal involving Villar's alleged role in the construction of the Daang Hari road from Las Pinas to Cavite. Villar's spokesperson Gilbert Remulla tried to parry attacks from all sectors against the beleaguered Senate prexy, saying that Villar's camp is not to be blamed for the decisions of Brittany, a real estate company under the Vista Land Group of Companies, the company owned by Manny Villar. Brittany, says Remulla, is preparing for their own version of this anomaly. Brittany will deny the allegations of Atty. Francisco that they sold their right-of-way to the government for P 97 million pesos.

Villar tried to air his side today with a possible presscon, but things got out of hand this morning when ABS-CBN DZMM anchor Korina Sanchez insinuated that maybe Villar got his billions not from "Sipag and Tiyaga" (ST which means literally in English, hardwork and patience) but probably from "Singit and Taga" (insertions and commissions). Those play of words seemed to have resonated all throughout the country that some of us here in the Internet are talking about it.

This early, I think, Villar should re-think his decision to gun for the highest post of the land. This is a hand-full for his media handlers. I don't think they can change public opinion with just tactical media campaigns. This calls for a more strategic media campaign for them to change public perception and re-imagine Villar's image before the public.

This early, I say, Villar should get out of the presidential derby. Heard from the grapevine that this is just a start of a slew of possible exposes against Villar. Questions---who are orchestrating these attacks?

Answer: Malacanang. Remember that Mike Defensor's sister, Maite, heads the Tollways corporation which transacted with Villar re: the alleged sale of right-of-ways. There are reports that Atty. Francisco got his documents from this company.

Villar's Truth About OFWs

Senate president and presidentiable Manny Villar is in very serious trouble. His foreign affairs and OFW adviser, Ambassador Lauro Baja is being charged for alleged human trafficking, racketeering and forced labor by a fellow Filipino.

What now, Mr. Villar? Should we be concerned, since, you said in that television commercial of yours, that we need to report those who commit human trafficking and such crimes against our Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW)?

How will we do that now when the very person you made as your adviser is himself, deeply involved in such affairs? How will you now justify your OFW campaign?

How many Bajas do you have in your circle of influence, Mr. Senate President? I'm sure you checked each and every one's background. Are you sure that every adviser has been checked out? Do you have others involved in other rackets, like jueteng, drugs, and smuggling?

More than this though, if news about Ambassador Lauro Baja is true, that’s a big blot in the eye for the Philippine foreign service. And it seems that he's not the only one involved in this kind of racket.

A few months ago, another Filipino diplomat pleaded guilty for a similar offense, that of forced labor and racketeering.

What happened to our once prestigious foreign affairs? This department has been our source of pride in the past. Many idealistic individuals like me dreamt of someday working there. I did manage to work there as head of the economic diplomacy unit of the DFA think-tank. It was a brief stint. Though entry was very competitive, I decided to go back to media, my first love.

Unlike any other government agency, the DFA seems to be the most viable and the most reputable place for one to work. It has the least record for corruption, unlike the BIR and Customs.

With this report on Baja’s and other similar incidents involving our envoys, a thorough investigation should be undertaken. This is a very serious offense which merits a total overhaul, if not, a total re-examination of the list of individuals we allow to serve our fellow Filipinos living abroad.

Baja is a career diplomat who once served the UN Security Council. What has prompted him to do such a despicable thing? Was it low pay? Was it for his retirement or pension funds?

What is happening to our society that the least corrupt government agency has been turned into a place of slave traders?

Political Ads and their Messages

There seems to be a steady proliferation of advertisements by politicians. Observing all of their publicity stunts, let me take a dig at all those messages they are sending to us, the public.

Loren Legarda's Lucida-Ds and Luntiang Pilipinas TVC---fake. Comm. Points: Loren wants our country to be beautiful. Flipside: Under a Loren presidency, what the people will get are cosmetic changes. Whoever advised Loren to go this route should be fired from his/her job. Since her victory in 2004, nothing substantial has been heard of her. No laws filed under her name. No substantial statements from her on relevant issues. Hence, we'll just get white and green if we allow her to become president.

Loren, we know you're pretty, but we don't need a pretty president. We need someone hard-working, strong willed and has a vision for the country. Besides, your cosmetic proposition is pretty expensive.

Cheez Escudero's ampalaya food supplements--bitter. Under Escudero's presidency or vice-presidency, what we get are bitter pills to be swallowed. Life will continue to be bitter, brutish and hard.

Noli de Castro's Pabahay TVC--25-30 year loans. How would one possibly get a house during these times of great financial and economic distress? Kabayan, the people are hungry. You'll be sending them to the pits if you offer them those 30 year loans.

Lacson's Facial Treatment--Like Loren's, Ping's administration will be a "pabanat" one. I mean, artificial or cosmetic changes.

Villar's OFW TVC--fake help. Hey, Mr. Senate President, hundreds or even thousands of our citizens are being enslaved by foreign brutes in foreign shores. Help them now, yes. But help them find jobs here, not continue to encourage them to go abroad.

Mar Roxas' Mr. Palengke TVC--ineffective. Look, you've positioned yourself as a consumer advocate since you started your campaign for the Senate. During those times that you're there, what did you actually do to lower commodity prices? None. Prices continue to rise, Mr. Palengke. Hey,hey,hey, what are you doing?

Net--politicians should be very cautious in their commercials. They are sending wrong messages to the public with these advertisements. They should be more responsible in their acts. People expect them to act like legislators or leaders, not showbiz personalities. Yes, these are tools to reach out, but it's better for them to do it by advocating something really concrete and socially relevant, instead of promoting a dubious facial treatment or bitter food supplements or an uncertified whitening pill.

Why The People Should Not Expect An AFP Intervention

The presscon of the two Juniors

I was listening to the speeches and answers of AFP Chief Esperon and PNP Chief Razon, two "Juniors" so to speak of Gloria during their joint "spontaneous" press conference inside Camp Aguinaldo. Among those they said, Esperon's answers came as "refreshing" to me. He reiterated the AFP's support to the "Spirit of EDSA". A few minutes ago, during Ramos' media interview, Ramos reiterated the "Spirit of EDSA". Last week, JDV also told one media personality about the "Spirit of EDSA". Esperon was very categorical in saying that they support the Spirit of EDSA.

The Spirit of EDSA

During one interview, Esperon said that this time, this political crisis should be solved by civil society. The challenge, Esperon said, is for civil society to prove to the people their will to resolve the crisis. Esperon said that civil society must resolve this crisis through the constitutional processes, meaning, it should be through the democratic institutions which the AFP helped restore after the constitutional authoritarianism of the Marcos era.

I am always reading between the lines here. I always write about the motivations of people, why people actually said these things and why it was said during that time. And it strikes me that Ramos' speech (a prepared one) and Esperon's including Razon's were written in the same vein. I mean, it seems that both Ramos and Esperon have talked prior to this.

Instead of seeing the press conference as an attempt by Gloria to show the support of the AFP-PNP behind her administration, it should be seen as a DEPARTURE from the usual tactics of tower strengthening.

Gloria weaker now than before

It is now very clear to me that Gloria is actually weaker than what people perceive. Since the call is a New Brand of People Power, this new breed will not involve the security forces. This crisis will be left for the civilian authorities to resolve themselves. The AFP and PNP are solidly behind the Filipino People, that is very evident. This is a GOOD SIGN. Why?

Fence-sitting AFP and PNP more dangerous to Gloria

A fence-sitting AFP and PNP is MORE DANGEROUS to Gloria than a WITHDRAWAL OF SUPPORT. Why? Because that's a sign that she's left without defense. That she's now as vulnerable as she was in 2005.

See it in a different light

We must see all of these events in a different light. EDSA 1 and EDSA 2 happened when the military broke the chain of command and supported the Filipino People in the rallies. Now, we will see none of the announcement of withdrawal of support. We will see a purist form of EDSA where the resolution will not be through the parliament of the streets. No.

Resolve through Constitutional Means

Rather, the resolution of this crisis will be resolved in the backrooms of Malacanang. Intense pressure from civil society, religious, business groups and Youth groups will make Gloria resign or, the most logical conclusion is put forward a letter handing over the reins of power to her constitutional successor due to inability to dispense her functions.

Impeachment? Again?

Senate President Manny Villar put forward impeachment. This is a vain attempt at resolving the issue since this impeachment will just be junked by a Kampi-dominated Congress.

Resignation is more acceptable

What is more potent than this and more logical is for Gloria to resign and hand over government to Noli. Why? First, that would be the most acceptable "change" that the oligarchs and the rich could tolerate. Forget about revolution. It cannot be done in the present dispensation. Admit it---we are dominated by a non-conscientious oligarchic system.

The New Form of EDSA

The new form of EDSA is a form wherein crisis will not be influenced by a military intervention. Again, I will reiterate my prognosis that this will be resolved PEACEFULLY, no coups, no withdrawal of support, no military intervention. It will be quick and bloodless. This is the newest breed of EDSA and would be the purest expression of People Power.

Gloria will be forced to go on leave and hand over power to a care-taker government to be headed by the Vice President.