winnie’s “get real” didn’t get the 2004 CMMA best opinion column for nothing. so, no arguing that she is the intellectual that i once admired.

I used to read winnie’s column back then either, and I had no problems with her whenever she (or de quiros) attacks or criticizes the opposition or Lacson, (the guy i supported in the 2004 elections.) That wasn’t the reason why I quit reading Winnie.

It was the GLORIAGATE issue where she lost some credibility in my eyes, because she did not “get real” with her readers, so to speak. and I’m not the only one who feels that way.

Pero pati yan, ayaw pa rin ng mga kaalyado ni arroyo. For obvious reason.

if the COCs and the ERs did not match, then obviously may malaking posibilidad na may malaking dayaan/dagdag bawas– with ERs, COCs and ballots being tampered or possibly destroyed. at kung may malaking nakawan ng eleksyon, unreliable ang mga election results at dapat may bagong special elections para ma settle ang legitimacy issue.

The not-the-party-of-interest decision could be challenged because I think every Filipino is a party of interest in this case. But I guess no one is really interested in pusuing this anymore knowing the logistics involved. That’s why theyre going for the people-power-slash-coup route.

Heh. just like nung natalo sa botohan sa senado ang anti-erap opposition, kaya they went for the people-power-slash-coup route rin?

There’s that. One more thing, it’s the party filing the case that’s supposed to shoulder the expenses of the opening of the ballot boxes. Not the taxpayer. So really, at the time of the filing of FPJ’s protest, not many felt like you do, john marzan.

correct me if i’m wrong, but i think na the opposition would only pay kapag na-proclaim na ang presidente, at gusto nilang i-reopen ang ballot boxes. (no wonder gustong i-proclaim kaagad si arroyo). pero kapag hindi pa na proclaim ang presidente, hindi sagot ng opposition ang expenses.

anyways that didn’t matter then because the opposition just wanted to compare ERs and COCs (with the reopening of the ballot boxes as a later option, if necessary). The ERs would be counted and added up again to check if the SOVs reflect the accurate totals, then the SOV figures will be totaled and checked against the figures in the COCs. Pero pati yan, ayaw pa rin ng mga kaalyado ni arroyo. For obvious reason.

During the canvassing in Congress, GMA’s allies had the ‘lakas ng loob’ to block every opposition objection. Back then, GMA’s popularity numbers were pretty solid.

but why would they block every opposition request for a recount if they have nothing to hide?

That’s not the case now. Now the congressmen are ‘vulnerable’ if theyre seen as gung-ho supporters of an unpopular president. That’s why I feel that an impeachment complaint has a chance. Im relying not on the congressmen’s sudden attack of conscience, but on their more than healthy sense of self-interest.

they’re not vulnerable because arroyo and her comelec will make sure her allies will not lose the Majority. besides, the No El is still in play, hindi ba?

http://www.quezon.ph/blog/?p=864#comment-12519

You’re also right to make us aware of the traditional Opposition’s prior objections to Garci, although Monsod’s argument would probably still apply to me and others who joined the opposition after ‘Hello Garci’ came out.

I don’t see any reason though why we wouldn’t take Monsod claim to have voted for Eddie Villanueva at face value. Anyway, i agree with you and Jeg that it would have been nice if Monsod had a weblog (with comments allowed).

There’s that. One more thing, it’s the party filing the case that’s supposed to shoulder the expenses of the opening of the ballot boxes. Not the taxpayer. So really, at the time of the filing of FPJ’s protest, not many felt like you do, john marzan. No one wanted to put up the cash to help out. I felt they abandoned FPJ and Susan.

During the canvassing in Congress, GMA’s allies had the ‘lakas ng loob’ to block every opposition objection. Back then, GMA’s popularity numbers were pretty solid. That’s not the case now. Now the congressmen are ‘vulnerable’ if theyre seen as gung-ho supporters of an unpopular president. That’s why I feel that an impeachment complaint has a chance. Im relying not on the congressmen’s sudden attack of conscience, but on their more than healthy sense of self-interest.

(Is it just me or does Joe De V’s Cha-Cha by July deadline have something to do with the impeachment case being filed around the same time?)

And i don’t mind the gov’t using my taxpayer money to reopen the ballot boxes, as long as we get the count right.

although i think we should have done it during the canvassing, and not now, where the ERs and ballot boxes have already been tampered with already.

Susan Roces tried to pursue the matter. If I remember correctly, the SC shot that down with the not-the-party-of-interest decision. So matagal nang naisip yun, john marzan. It’ll really cost millions, even just the opening of contested ballot boxes.

The not-the-party-of-interest decision could be challenged because I think every Filipino is a party of interest in this case. But I guess no one is really interested in pusuing this anymore knowing the logistics involved. That’s why theyre going for the people-power-slash-coup route.

IIRC, during the canvassing in june 2004, the opposition was asking for a recount in the disputed areas by comparing the ERs to the COCs (and if necessary opening up the ballot boxes). ERs at COCs pa lang ang gustong matignan at ma-scrutinize ng opposition, pero ayaw talaga ng kaalyado yan ni arroyo dahil mahuhuling hindi nagma- match ang ERs sa COC at buking ang dagdag bawas operation ng COMELEC.

and i think it’s wrong to proclaim somebody president, when there were so many evidence of fraud presented during the canvassing (but were noted away) and all the recount requests of the opposition were denied.

As for the susan roces-FPJ situation, kalokohan ang decision ng SC ni Arroyo. The decision is so bad, only a partisan SC could have made it.

And I know the familiar refrain of the pro-arroyo’s, if you have a problem, go to the supreme court. but that’s like allies of marcos telling the opposition to go to his SC.

And i don’t mind the gov’t using my taxpayer money to reopen the ballot boxes, as long as we get the count right.

The not-the-party-of-interest decision could be challenged because I think every Filipino is a party of interest in this case. But I guess no one is really interested in pusuing this anymore knowing the logistics involved. That’s why theyre going for the people-power-slash-coup route.