Daily 20/20, a newly formed blog on issues that matter, provides us an insider look on what really caused the initial break up between TIM and Smartmatic and what caused them to go back to the negotiating table again and sign the poll automation contract. Let me add though that inspite of this, people must be very vigilant since it is not enough that Mrs. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo already verbally committed herself yesterday to push thru with the elections. The palace only reacted when US Ambassador Kristie Kenney (who, by the way, will remain as US ambassador to the Philippines contrary to reports) issued a statement reiterating the desire and commitment of the US to see the Philippine government adhere to the democratic process of succession. Kenney's statement reiterated a previous one announced by US Secretary of Defense Robert Gates but spiced with an offer for Mrs. Arroyo to meet US President Barack Obama "later this year."
We, as a united Filipino people, should constantly bear in mind that the fight, this struggle towards the restoration of the moral integrity of our governmental institutions, should end only when Mrs. Arroyo steps down from power on June 30, 2010 and hands the reins of power to the new president.
There is still enough time for Mrs. Arroyo and her minions to do some mischief. For example, it can still marshall the forces of evil (let me use the words of Filipinovoices colleague Bencard, a lawyer loyal to Mrs. Arroyo, referring me and Buencam and Ding and a host of others as "forces of hate") to convene Congress into a Constituent Assembly.
They can still cause great misery should they proceed with their initial plan to oust AFP Chief of Staff Victor Ibrado from power and install members of PMA Class 1978. Remember that despite the automation of the polls, this administration can still pull its strong muscles by dominating regions with their loyal military and police officials. We all know that police officials and military generals caused the Hello Garci scandal. They were mobilized to actually assist in the cheating operations.
The only way for us to really ensure a clean, honest AND reputable elections is simply pressure this government to act as a TRANSITION government. Meaning, it should maintain a status of neutrality. It should at least allow some breathing room for government to act normally, with no pressure coming from minions of the First Family.
Showing posts with label us ambassador kristie kenney. Show all posts
Showing posts with label us ambassador kristie kenney. Show all posts
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Friday, June 20, 2008
Crisis convergence
As I wrote in previous entries, June and July are critical months for the Filipino people. One, food prices are expected to rise further, due to food and oil price speculations in both the global and local markets. Two, despite the expected decrease in electricity rates, water rates are sure to rise due to the falling peso ranged against the green buck. Three, these months are campaign periods for the ARMM elections. With the number of candidates for the ARMM gubernatorial posts and the resumption of armed hostilities against the ASG and criminal elements in Sulu, things could turn really ugly. Lastly, Congress will re-open the ZTE probe and other controversies which definitely would again heat up the political scene.
What is more challenging is the way the local economy has been "fucked up", as described by Economic adviser and Governor Joey Salceda. Recently, in a news report, he bewailed the rising numbers of poor people, estimated to be around 4 million to date, which could be extremely difficult to manage. Cash subsidies could provide some relief but this cannot ultimately solve the crisis. And despite early opposition to government's plan to subsidize some food costs, this could be a feasible solution, given that the real issue behind all of these is the decreasing purchasing power of Filipinos.
Malacanang should pursue Salceda's Noah's Ark plan to at least address the rising economic concerns of the poor. Eliminating VAT is not the answer, since big firms and wealthy individuals are also expected to gain from this instead of the poor. There should be a mechanism to give back VAT to those critical sectors of the economy. Short of subsidies, government should strictly enforce socialized services within a period of six months at the least, to enable poor families to at least weather the socio-economic storm.
Likewise, Malacanan should suspend the ARMM elections to save money and prevent a possible escalation of hostilities in Mindanao. I am glad that Gloria decided to resume peace negotiations with the MILF with some solutions on the thorny issue of ancestral domain. That is the way to go.
By the way, I'm extremely glad that the US will build a US$ 3 million port in Sulu. Kenney is right. That will surely provide enough jobs for the Tausugs there and deter them from doing criminal and stupid things like kidnappings.
What is more challenging is the way the local economy has been "fucked up", as described by Economic adviser and Governor Joey Salceda. Recently, in a news report, he bewailed the rising numbers of poor people, estimated to be around 4 million to date, which could be extremely difficult to manage. Cash subsidies could provide some relief but this cannot ultimately solve the crisis. And despite early opposition to government's plan to subsidize some food costs, this could be a feasible solution, given that the real issue behind all of these is the decreasing purchasing power of Filipinos.
Malacanang should pursue Salceda's Noah's Ark plan to at least address the rising economic concerns of the poor. Eliminating VAT is not the answer, since big firms and wealthy individuals are also expected to gain from this instead of the poor. There should be a mechanism to give back VAT to those critical sectors of the economy. Short of subsidies, government should strictly enforce socialized services within a period of six months at the least, to enable poor families to at least weather the socio-economic storm.
Likewise, Malacanan should suspend the ARMM elections to save money and prevent a possible escalation of hostilities in Mindanao. I am glad that Gloria decided to resume peace negotiations with the MILF with some solutions on the thorny issue of ancestral domain. That is the way to go.
By the way, I'm extremely glad that the US will build a US$ 3 million port in Sulu. Kenney is right. That will surely provide enough jobs for the Tausugs there and deter them from doing criminal and stupid things like kidnappings.
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