Prisoner’s dilemma in the Senate

manuelbuencamino on Tue, 10th Jul 2007 1:22 pm 



As Ellen and others pointed out, Villar heads a mongrel coalition. Thus, I’m not so sure Villar can dictate the Senate’s agenda, especially if it is acquiescence to GMA, without endangering his seat.

I think it remains to be seen how the opposition senators, specially the 7 or 8 GO candidates, will behave with regards to their mandate to beat Gloria to a pulp. That is where I will judge them, not on their choice for senate president.

cvj on Tue, 10th Jul 2007 1:43 pm 



Manolo thanks for the link. In a game of Prisoner’s Dilemma, betrayal is the unavoidable (and rational) conclusion if the players are aware that there is a limit to the number of games to be played. Cooperation (and the consequent higher payoff) is advantageous only in the case of a repeated game without any ending in sight. The problem is that Villar, Lacson and other presidential wannabees see this as a limited game with the Presidency as the goal. The electorate (unless they choose to emigrate), on the other hand, have no choice but to stay in the game.

But there is another ‘game’, that between the politicians and the public. Anatol Rappaport has shown that the best model to follow is straightforward ‘tit-for-tat’. That means that in politics, the public has to punish politicians who betray them and reward those who fulfill their promises. That is why a let’s move on strategy is counterproductive since it rewards unscrupulous behavior by politicians and encourages them to act with impunity.

ricelander on Tue, 10th Jul 2007 3:04 pm 



It’s three years more but let’s see:
Villar for President?– no ‘presidential’ charm as far as I could sense. He should have at least topped the recent Senate contest. As for Legarda– don’t think that after a Cory and GMA presidency the people would take another woman for a president in a long while. Lacson– history suggests the presidency is a one-shot deal: lose once, that is all. Escudero– too young I think. Roxas– strongest bet among those being mentioned, but with great vulnerabilities. Look, no one’s looking at Bongbong.

Nash on Tue, 10th Jul 2007 6:16 pm 



I was right!

That ingrate Escudero was not supposed to be trusted. There was something fishy about him from the very beginning…(talks too much, bad accent, yad-yadi-yada)..

Tama ang hinala ng madla, Cayetano and Escudero are Trapos in the mold of their dynasties…

Nick on Tue, 10th Jul 2007 6:39 pm 



just to make it clear, the new name for manny is “Pimp Daddy Villar”

Nick on Tue, 10th Jul 2007 6:40 pm 



or “Pimp Daddy Manny”

baycas on Tue, 10th Jul 2007 7:01 pm 



The reign of error in Philippine textbooks can be read here.

baycas on Tue, 10th Jul 2007 7:03 pm 



The Rain of Error in Philippine Textbooks (a reaction to a July 9 PDI full-page ad):

Authors Lalunio, Ril, and Villafuerte of “Hiyas sa Pagbasa 5” fame would have been wiser (or would have possessed enough brains) to include in their book the word KUPAL (smegma preputii, the medical term for the white, creamy material underneath the foreskin of the penis) and the words SUPOT (foreskin or the prepuce – the skin covering the head of the penis or the glans penis) and SUPÓT (uncircumcised) along with the word TITI.

It is in the age group of the Grade Fivers* that boys get to be enlightened that in an uncircumcised penis there could be an accumulation of considerable amount of smegma around the head or the glans of the penis. This accumulation may lead to irritation in the area and possibly may give rise to infection. Effective cleansing of the area…if ever the prepuce can already be pushed back to expose the glans (TAGPOS, an additional word for the book) or if already circumcised (TULÍ, another potential word that can be added)…has to be inculcated in the young minds not only to prevent infections but also to avoid penile cancer later in life.

TITI may be abominable to some (esp. to Mr. Antonio Calipjo Go) if considered alone but alongside KUPAL and SUPOT or SUPÓT, the seemingly objectionable word may prove to be relevant after all because…

Maaaring mangapal
Nakaririmarim na kupal
Sa loob ng supot
Ng mga titing supót

—–
*most Filipino boys aged around 11 years are subjected to circumcisions

Bencard on Tue, 10th Jul 2007 7:55 pm 



cvj, you’re right, politicians who make promises and don’t deliver, or betray them, should be punished. however, there is no election everyday, and the offending politician continues in office for the rest of his term – at which time, fickle electorate would have likely forgotten the shortcomings and re-elect him anyway. meanwhile, the business of government must go on, and the nation must “bite the bullet” of it own indiscretion and suffer its consequences. even an unworthy legislator is needed to pass a national budget and other essential legislations. i think that is the essence of “moving on”. in simple words, we have to make do with what we have rather than be petrified with remorse and bitterness.

Manila Bay Watch on Tue, 10th Jul 2007 8:27 pm 



cvj,

Re Anatole Rappaport has shown that the best model to follow is straightforward ‘tit-for-tat’. That means that in politics, the public has to punish politicians who betray them and reward those who fulfill their promises.

While there is no election every day, as one commenter here rightly said, the public could and should still punish the politicians who betray them by going to the streets en masse to force that erring politician to turn around or to force him to step down.

Obviously, there is a need for a strong sense of political maturity for the electorate to do this effectively. It can be done – Canadian Rapaport’s dogma had been put to good use in France no less where the public would punish a politician when it felt that it had been betrayed.

But am not too sure about the maturity of the Pinoy electorate yet although there are signs that they are becoming changing but is that maturity?

cvj on Tue, 10th Jul 2007 8:50 pm 



MBW, thanks i actually had the French in mind. The reality that there is no election everyday (as Bencard points out) is one of the inherent flaws of representative democracy and as i have told Bencard a few weeks back (in Manolo’s June 21st blog entry), the failures of representative democracy can only be corrected by a dose of direct democracy.

On the question of maturity, I think the electorate is maturing faster than the politicians and among the electorate, i think the poor is maturing faster than the middle and upper classes, but that’s just me.

john marzan on Tue, 10th Jul 2007 9:07 pm 



“Update: Zubiri to be proclaimed tomorrow,”

what a joke…

Devilsadvc8 on Tue, 10th Jul 2007 10:15 pm 



“i think the poor is maturing faster than the middle and upper classes, but that’s just me.”

You would be wrong. The upper and middle classes are just dumbening down, hence a seeming surge of maturity for the poor. The middle class has also given up their power at the ballot. You would be aghast that everyone I know (and I belong to the middle class) save for my wife, did not vote last election. The rich don’t care to vote. They have their money and power to compel winning politicians anyway. So who cares who wins, right? Everyone of them has a price. The poor meanwhile, who are the biggest victims of every elections, are the ones so eager to line up at the polls, least of all bec. for many, this has become a business venture in themselves.

Democracy is monarchy in disguise. We elect our king or queen, and then be at their mercy once they sit on the throne. Yes, the greatest failure of democracy is that elections doesn’t happen everyday. And regular uprisings and coups, just make our govt a banana republic. Where then do we get reprieve for politicians who turn back on their word?

Let me suggest the silent uprising.
Bec every politician needs servants, and every servant is a citizen, let them feel our repugnance by their not knowing it. Cooks and chefs in a place that a politician frequents can urinate on their drinks and spit and put icky things on their food. Let them spend the rest of their days in paranoia.

Ostracize their kids and family members wherever they go. Make them feel how unwanted they are. their kids will hate them for it, and their wives/husband will leave them for it. Serves them right.

throw tomatoes at them everywhere they go. show disrespect whenever possible. walang plastikan. if you find yourself being offered a handshake by one of these trapos, ignore the hand, or better yet tell them directly: sorry, i don’t shake hands with germs.

heckle them when they’re around. shout nasty things. be tireless. sooner or later, it will get to them. is there a normal human being who isn’t disturbed when he/she finds out everyone dislikes them? look what happened to Wendy when she went out the PBB house. everyone wants to be liked, and politicans are no different.

most of all, when the next election do come, punish them, and punish them severely. if they run unopposed, volunteer yourself as the opposition. don’t wait for someone else to fill that place. look at Fr. Ed.

Gloria will only wake up from her self-delusion when no one else is shaking her hand anymore, and everyone refuses to be her servant.

Bencard on Tue, 10th Jul 2007 10:25 pm 



the question is, do we have to wait for a change of the social and political order and forget the day-to-day business of government? we cannot even be decisive on cha-cha, how can we expect a change to “direct democracy” in imitation of the french? as to the disingenuous idea of “people power” every time we are dissatisfied with a politician’s behavior, can we, as a poor country, really afford that economically, politically, and psychologically?

mass action of the “people” can only be effective if supported by majority of the populace which, in turn, is represented by most sectors, i.e., the middle class, clergy, business, media, the “elites”, academe, students, and of course, the military. the “masa” alone, or even with sprinkling of support from one or two of the aforementioned groups, would not do it. it is easier said than done! it is a panacea that simplistic people of limited understanding regard as the “solution”.

vic on Tue, 10th Jul 2007 10:57 pm 



Politcians who broke a campaign promise should be punished but there is no election everyday, but election is not the only way to make politicians accountable for their actions or inactions.

A very good example. Last Provincial Election, the Liberal Party of the Current Premier McGuinty Promised not to raise Taxes, but immediately, upon winning a majority government imposed a $25 a month premium on health care for those with taxable income of more than 20 grands and try to say it is not a Tax. nobody believes him. Later, the Premier humble admitted it is a form of a Tax, but somehow it will pay off 3% of the Province Health care cost and said the low income earners are not subject to the premium. he may had lied, but now the people had to decide if the “little lie” is justified or another dirty political trick this coming fall election. well, politicians everywhere lie, depending who benefits from their lies, the public or themselves??

cvj on Tue, 10th Jul 2007 11:28 pm 



Devils, maybe it’s both, i.e. the poor maturing and the middle and upper class dumbing down. Anyway, your silent uprising suggestion is an excellent one. I remember Randy David writing along similar lines. Aside from the politicians, i think we need to hold accountable the institutions that molded them. For example, we should complain to the Rotary Club about Joc Joc Bolante. We should ask the Ateneo who produced the likes of the FG (and which still harbors Palparan’s spiritual godfather Intengan) to revisit their entire ‘man for others’ mission and see why it has failed spectacularly. We should hold the Assumption partially accountable for Gloria Arroyo.

Bencard, the ‘decisive cha cha’ that you refer to is hardly an example of direct democracy. Don’t lose sleep over how to mount an effective mass action. It’s not your problem anyway.

Bencard on Tue, 10th Jul 2007 11:33 pm 



vic, i know you are a keen observer of canadian politics but unless you make a direct connection between that and our state of political affairs in the philippines, your report will not resonate with, or generate interest of, a lot of people. for instance, in your post above, what has premiere mcguinty’s action got to do with your statement: “election is not the only way to make politicians accountable for their actions or inactions.”?

Bencard on Tue, 10th Jul 2007 11:43 pm 



cvj, there you go again with your tired old trick! where did i say cha-cha is an example of your “direct democracy’? i would not necessarily lose sleep, but why should i not be concerned about what i think is good and what is bad for my country? i am a citizen as much as you are(or are you?), and you may be so egotistical but you definitely have no right to claim monopoly of patriotism.

vic on Tue, 10th Jul 2007 11:50 pm 



Bencard:

First, the Premier denied it was a tax, but the Media and the voters themselves keep protesting, and the organization who keep track of Political Parties Promises, keep bugging the premier about his Party election Promises and to Acknowledge that he has broken his Campain promise. And of course us in the Opposition, to use as an issue not just in election, but in every debate and discussion in government business and to embarass the Government in every turn. And of course we expect to beat them this fall for that one and only issue.

So if the Philippines Politicians who make promises and keep breaking them, will somehow get pressured like we do pressurized ours, threw them out for certain the next election, then maybe they stop making promises they can not keep, don’t you think so?

Bencard on Tue, 10th Jul 2007 11:53 pm 



you know what, cvj? you don’t have to say or write anything inane just to prove you still exist. but,of course, you still have a right to do that. only, don’t distort what other people are saying, as you are in the habit of doing.

vic on Wed, 11th Jul 2007 12:00 am 



And also the Premier can not go to any Public Enagagement without being reminded of that Broken Promise and it is quite very uncomfortable to watch a very eloquent of a Public speaker stutter his way most of time. that is Accountability…

cvj on Wed, 11th Jul 2007 12:25 am 



Ok Bencard, i can see where i went wrong in interpreting your second sentence. My apologies.

Bencard on Wed, 11th Jul 2007 5:06 am 



apologies acknowledged and accepted, cvj.

Bencard on Wed, 11th Jul 2007 5:44 am 



vic, filipinos, generally, are personality rather than issue-oriented. we elect and re-elect not only those who renege on their promises but also reputed criminals, accused grafters and plunderers, liars and prevaricators, scandal-mongers who cannot prove their words, mutineers,etc., etc. so, your canadian scenario is not in the realm of immediate possibility.

perhaps what we need is behavior-altering brain operation for the general population. either that or we need a real messiah to lead us – a benevolent dictator who is tough but fair, wise, but will not succumb to pride, greed and vainglory.

baycas on Wed, 11th Jul 2007 7:05 am 



just to make it clear, the new name for manny is “Pimp Daddy Villar” or “Pimp Daddy Manny.”
- Nick

Translation: AMANG TITATITA si Manny Villar or Si Manny Villar, ang TATAY na TITATITA.

baycas on Wed, 11th Jul 2007 7:06 am 



just to make it clear, the new name for manny is “Pimp Daddy Villar” or “Pimp Daddy Manny.”
- Nick

Translation: AMANG TITATITA si Manny Villar or Si Manny Villar, ang TATAY na TITATITA.

Manila Bay Watch on Wed, 11th Jul 2007 7:27 am 



Re: “we need a real messiah to lead us – a benevolent dictator who is tough but fair, wise, but will not succumb to pride, greed and vainglory.”

Never thought I would ever see eye to eye with Bencard on a political issue that may be directly or indirectly related to the current person administering the Philippines, but there you are – that’s been my own generic thought, i.e., a benevolent dictator, for a long long time about Pinas and every developing or third world country that’s similar to Pinas.

Quite difficult to find one in the Philippines, more difficult than in other nations in the region – I would put it partly to our “bastardized” culture which is a mix of everything, copied from everyone else’s which is foreign, etc, that has made us heavily dependent on things, ideas, actions, values, etc. foreign; to me a a benevolent dictator should be a determined Filipino first and foremost, must possess love for his culture above and beyond any consideration, so in that sense, how do you mould people to be benevolent from among whom a benevolent dictator will be produced when they are not even benevolent to themselves? Difficult when almost every aspect of our education, including our language and religion, was borne of copying someone else’s; difficult when the foundation of our being is based on the belief that something foreign is almost always better than our own. The belief that possessing a culture or core values even if remotely foreign is something better than one’s own will be a stumbling block, it is a false pride or a potential benevolent dictator must possess real pride because from real pride stems, honesty, fairness, honour…

Our most distinct disadvantage I believe is the culture of individualism in the strictest sense (beyond the family border) or personal self-preservation at all cost that has reduced the spirit of “bayanihan culture” to a mere lip service or pakitang tao; I find that this culture of individualism, contrary to appearances, is stronger in Pinas than in most countries in Asia. It is therefore more difficult for a nation with such a culture as ours to produce a benevolent dictator. But who knows? That person is perhaps already here.

Manila Bay Watch on Wed, 11th Jul 2007 7:33 am 



The culture of individualism in the Philippines could also be translated as tribalism, very difficult to unite a nation that has a strong culture of tribalims – indeed you will need an incredibly strong benevelont dictator to achieve unity and progress.

salve on Wed, 11th Jul 2007 8:56 am 



thanks for the link, Manolo. Inquirer today has an article on showbiz personalities and even journalists who have invested in Francswiss. Korina Sanchez is denying that she invested. I can imagine how networkers were dropping names like crazy at the height of the excitement over the double-your-money-in-22-days miracle. Now, the circus has began. Just like in the Multitel case, tales of woe will continue to unravel in the next few days. Abangan

cvj on Wed, 11th Jul 2007 10:03 am 



Even a benevolent dictator has to cater to a constituency and it is in the choice of which segment of society to serve that things often go wrong. What is likely to happen (or is happening) is that the elite (and its middle class followers) will use the idea of a benevolent dictator to serve their own purposes. So you will have a dictator who appears benevolent to those who don’t rock the boat (e.g. the Bong Austero-types, Cardinal Rosales) but then uses the security apparatus to stamp out dissent while the former look the other way. It might take quite a number of buried bodies before the adjective ‘benevolence’ is withdrawn.

On the other hand, if the benevolent dictator [rightly IMHO] chooses the masa as his constituency, then like Hugo Chavez, he is shunned as a socialist without further explanation on why that is supposed to be a bad thing. The elite then spends its energy trying to replace him with one of their own.

DJB on Wed, 11th Jul 2007 10:26 am 



In the classic Prisoner’s Dilemma, neither Prisoner is supposed to know what the other Prisoner is going to do, because the Police keep them incomunicado. Otherwise there would be NO dilemma to speak of. That is what makes the question of what the “best strategy” for the individual Player might be, interesting.

It does not apply exactly to the battle for the Senate Presidency, which is more like a Chinese Checkers game, in which the Admin bloc, though in the numerical minority is playing on the board with TWO apparently irreconcilable Opposition blocs and could make either one win.

I think we could’ve assumed before this morning that Manny Villar would win the Senate Presidency, because Migz Zubiri was going to be proclaimed, and I claim he would’ve tipped the balance for sure and guaranteed Manny his 12 and winning vote.

But with the Supreme Court finally indulging Koko and calling for a Friday 13th Judgment Day, Koko could make his father, Nene the Senate President, and really ignite the anti dynasty debate!

DJB on Wed, 11th Jul 2007 10:28 am 



Oh, I forgot to mention, there are going to be only 23 senators so the Senate Presidency really ought to boil down to a 12-11 vote.

manuelbuencamino on Wed, 11th Jul 2007 10:44 am 



Benevolent dictator is an oxymoron.

hvrds on Wed, 11th Jul 2007 10:56 am 



What about the greatest Ponzi scheme of all time – modern Central Banking — On the benefits of fiat currencies.

“Like gold, U.S. dollars have value only to the extent that they are strictly limited in supply. But the U.S. government has a technology, called a printing press (or, today, its electronic equivalent), that allows it to produce as many U.S. dollars as it wishes at essentially no cost. By increasing the number of U.S. dollars in circulation…the U.S. government can also reduce the value of a dollar in terms of goods and services, which is equivalent to raising the prices in dollars of those
goods and services. We conclude that, under a paper money system, a determined government can always generate higher spending, and, hence, positive inflation.” Ben Bernanke before he became head of the Federal Reserve.

The best performing stock market in the world if one likes that kind of risk is Zimbabwe. 15,000 percent gain and it is beating yearly inflation. This Franco Swiss nonsense is a piker compared to this.

Big Mike and GMA take note.

DJB on Wed, 11th Jul 2007 11:00 am 



Juan Ponce Enrile has the most coherent view of the dynamics in the Senate that has led to the odd situation where the Opposition won big in the midterm elections but probably won’t decide who the Senate President will be. He says there are three groups, his own small bloc of about four senators , then the Villar bloc and the Pimentel Group. He blames Nene Pimentel for splitting the Opposition by challenging Manny Villar for the Presidency of the Senate, when Manny clearly ran under Erap’s Genuine Opposition and as Senate President before the elections, its presumptive standard bearer in the Senate. This bears some serious consideration on the part of Nene himself: that it is his challenging of Manny Villar for the Senate Presidency that will lock out the most lethal of the new Senators from a chance at the best committees, like blue ribbon.

The only reason the small admin bloc of JPE and Angara (about eight senators) became swing votes is that the Opposition has been split by Nene and Mar Roxas!

It’s not a Prisoner’s Dilemma but a Bum’s Rush. Still, Koko could make it work depending on what happens Friday the 13th.

Jeg on Wed, 11th Jul 2007 11:29 am 



Re: “…a benevolent dictator who is tough but fair, wise, but will not succumb to pride, greed and vainglory.”

I think cvj and I discussed this over at ExpectoRants once. My point was that dictatorship and democracy arent necessarily mutually exclusive. Democracy is equal rights for all and government with the consent of the governed. Doesnt matter how and how often we the people elect our leaders or whether we elect them at all. What matters is that we can kick them out.

hvrds on Wed, 11th Jul 2007 11:38 am 



http://www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/silber1
http://www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/stiglitz89

A short history course on Central Banking and the rise of imperial finance and Ponzi schemes on a mega scale.

The unborn will pay.

Bencard on Wed, 11th Jul 2007 12:15 pm 



buencamino, you don’t seem to grasp it. “benevolent dictator” refers to an idealistic, mythical concept similar to plato’s utopia or king arthur’s camelot. you’re right, it’s an oxymoron now because, they way thing are, it cannot exist in the philippines, as well explained by manila bay watch. if only it’s possible for it to cease being an oxymoron, then we can hope for real solution to our problems as a nation.

cvj on Wed, 11th Jul 2007 12:24 pm 



A ‘benevolent dictator’ (or Plato’s philosopher-king) is not that feasible in our context because once a Filipino leader acquires power, it has a tendency to go to his/her head. I think we need to view our political leaders the same way we view drug addicts. After all this time, FVR is still experiencing withdrawal symptoms and is still looking for one last fix. Erap is currently in rehab and GMA is a certified junkie. Only Cory learned to say ‘no’.

cvj on Wed, 11th Jul 2007 12:39 pm 



Bencard, from Manila Baywatch’s description, it seems to me that the conditions under which a benevolent dictatorship will be feasible are the same ones under which it will no longer be needed.

Bencard on Wed, 11th Jul 2007 12:51 pm 



jeg, i believe one lifetime is too short for a good leader, one year is way too long for a bad one. yes, we can kick out scoundrels one after the other, but would you want to boot out a true messiah if we were lucky to have one?

Jeg on Wed, 11th Jul 2007 1:44 pm 



but would you want to boot out a true messiah if we were lucky to have one?

Why would I want to?

Bencard on Wed, 11th Jul 2007 2:17 pm 



forget it jeg. i was just asking rhetorically in reaction to your statement “what matters is that we can kick them out”. i’m not implying that you are stupid!

Jeg on Wed, 11th Jul 2007 2:38 pm 



It never crossed my mind, Bencard.

rego on Wed, 11th Jul 2007 2:43 pm 



I agree with you DJB, it was actually Pimentel by challenging Villar who started this mess..

I am beginning to suspect that the demolition job for Villar is starting…And if he become president we will be back to our old habit again….

Manolo,

Hindi kaya hindi intersado tumakbo si Nene Pimentel, Dahil alam nyang di naman talga sya mananalo? At kaya sa senate na lang sya tatakbong presidente.

At eto pa, halimbawa si koko ang maging 12th senator. Then his vote can become a deciding vote. Do you think we will vote against his father? Eto yung pinpoint out ko way back, na maging problema pag meron very close relative sa senado. There is just no way that to be independent from your relative pag dating na sa sitwasyong ganito.

Nik on Wed, 11th Jul 2007 4:35 pm 



[i]

but would you want to boot out a true messiah if we were lucky to have one?

Why would I want to?
[/i]

Because you found a [u]better[/u] messiah?

Manila Bay Watch on Wed, 11th Jul 2007 5:29 pm 



cvj,

re: Only Cory learned to say ‘no’.

I find that Cory’s having said ‘no’ was one of the most enviable and admirable actions she did in the course of her political career. In that sense, I find that she’s been the most honourable leader we’ve had in the last 3 or 4 decades.

manuelbuencamino on Wed, 11th Jul 2007 5:31 pm 



Bencard,

cvi said it. “the conditions under which a benevolent dictatorship will be feasible are the same ones under which it will no longer be needed.”

But for the sake of argument let’s pretend that benevolent dictator is not an oxymoron. You said, “a benevolent dictator who is tough but fair, wise, but will not succumb to pride, greed and vainglory.”

Well, one quality you forgot to mention is immortality. I think you forgot that eventually your smiling Hitler will become senile or die. And then you have the problem of succession and you’re back to square one.

Think things through so you don’t fall for oxymorons.

Manila Bay Watch on Wed, 11th Jul 2007 5:48 pm 



Manuel,

Re: And then you have the problem of succession and you’re back to square one.

Not quite – if you look at the Malaysia or Singapore model, succession was not an issue.

Obviously, the ideal scenario would be to have a leader who is democratically chosen by the people, i.e., through the ballot. Of course, one may opine that Hitler rose to the heights of power by initially going through the “democratic” process too. In that sense, I agree that there’s no guarantee that a benevolent dictator wouldn’t turn into a Stalin.

I accept that the term “dictator” is anathema to freedom aspiring people – perhaps, another term should be devised?

Jeg on Wed, 11th Jul 2007 6:00 pm 



Yes, ‘dictator’ carries a lot of historical baggage. But the concept of one-man (or one-party) rule is not necessarily anathema to a freedom aspiring people if the–sigh–dictator recognizes human and political rights, and recognizes that he only governs with the people’s consent, and the people can take away that consent. What it is anathema to is ambition. I recall a speech by Teddy Boy Locsin in Congress where he said something like ‘the pigs need their turn at the trough.’ That is where trouble begins: succession. Voting was invented to get around the crisis of succession that follows the dictator.

Bencard on Wed, 11th Jul 2007 7:11 pm 



buencamino, i don’t know what your understanding of “benevolent” is but a hitler doesn’t fit the accepted definition. we are talking about human beings, not gods or angels. even a dictator has a lifespan, you know that. they can become sick or incapacitated. one doesn’t have to be immortal to be a dictator. they can still be replaced by election when they die or become disabled or refuses to serve further. what is your problem with that?

i think you are creating your own oxymoron!

cvj on Wed, 11th Jul 2007 7:23 pm 



Jeg, i think Immanuel Kant would agree with you. He believed that the sovereign should give his or her subjects maximum rights (free speech etc.), but the subjects in turn must under no circumstances resort to violent revolt. The reason he said this is that he believes that the freedom and stability that a society enjoys is only possible because of the existence of the sovereign. Without the order imposed by him or her, the situation eventually degenerates back to the state of nature takes over. In such a state, life is nasty, brutish and short and no has any rights or security anyway.

Of course, subsequent history has shown that Kant was mistaken since the most powerful, prosperous and stable countries that have emerged since his time have been democracies. The nations that have resisted their leaders via popular revolts, are the ones who have eventually come out on top.

Manila Bay Watch on Wed, 11th Jul 2007 7:26 pm 



Bencard,

I don’t think that ManuelB said that hitler was benevolent – in my understanding, he equated a benevolent dictator to a ’smiling hitler.’ In my view, that’s how he summed up a benevolent dictator.

I can very well accept that a benevelont dictator could easily turn into a ’smiling hitler’ after all as you say dictators are all that’s very human.

To me, Mahathir of Malaysia was a benevolent dictator as well as Lee Kuan Yew. They had all the imperfections of a ruthless dictator but were benevolent enough to recognize that the advancement of their country and the well-being of their people were the guiding factors of their rule.

I know that Manuel will disagree with me re Mahathir & perhaps re Lee but so far, they have been the only leaders in modern Asia who have achieved the status of de facto dictators and be ‘benevolent.’

Manila Bay Watch on Wed, 11th Jul 2007 7:31 pm 



cvj,

Not only Kant but all the great thinkers, Locke, Voltaire, Rousseau have expresse similar view that the He believed that the “sovereign” (monarchial or republican as in the case of Voltaire and Rousseau) should give his or her subjects maximum rights (free speech etc.), but the subjects in turn must under no circumstances resort to violent revolt (although ironically Voltaire served as one of the inspirational fathers of the French revolution.)

Manila Bay Watch on Wed, 11th Jul 2007 7:36 pm 



cvj, that part “under no circumstances” (resort to a violent revolt) cannot in any way be attributed to Voltaire or Rousseau… sorry about that.

cvj on Wed, 11th Jul 2007 7:55 pm 



MBW, i agree. From what i’ve read, Hobbes, Kant and Locke had different viewpoints on who and what constitutes the State, the Sovereign as well as the role of revolutions. I suppose that Locke’s ideas are more compatible with Voltaire or Rousseau’s.

DJB on Wed, 11th Jul 2007 8:17 pm 



Four Marines were beheaded and mutilitated by MILF/AbuSayyaf terrorists after some 300 heavily armed “freedom fighters” killed fourteen soldiers who were looking for Fr. Giancarlo Bossi.

Well, I’m glad the SPADES want to be called SPADES.

Manila Bay Watch on Wed, 11th Jul 2007 8:18 pm 



Yes, Locke’s was Voltaire’s inspiration.

Manila Bay Watch on Wed, 11th Jul 2007 8:23 pm 



“…killed fourteen soldiers who were looking for Fr. Giancarlo Bossi.”

Is that so, Dean? Unbelievable! Which inept, incompetent cocksucking moron of a military commander sent ONLY 14 soldiers to search for Bossi?

If indeed only 14 troops were in that terrorist infested hideout comprised the search and boarding unit, that would be the height of stupidity! Their commander must be beheaded himself, and illico!

Nick on Wed, 11th Jul 2007 8:24 pm 



DJB, indeed..

MILF cannot be trusted..

Manila Bay Watch on Wed, 11th Jul 2007 8:28 pm 



Ok, ok got so carried away, I suppose there were 15 troops and not 14 otherwise, how would the news have reached the command post if there was no survivor.

Just the same you don’t invest a battle front such as the terrorist infested cells of Mindanao with no less than a battalion of the Marines complete with ADEQUATE naval gun and air cover if you want a job right.

These “parallel armies” must be destroyed!

Manila Bay Watch on Wed, 11th Jul 2007 8:40 pm 



But how could you destroy the nation’s parallel armies, NPAs, MILF, MNLF, Abu Sayyaff if you only have 110,000 military officers and men covering a fragmented archipelago of 7,100 islands?

At a given time, in theory, only a third of that armed forces is really operational meaning 35,000 no more and these 35,000 are operating invariably within their own service.

You can’t militarily defeat another army like the MILF with a couple of thousand of marines – impossible, even if you field the entire Marines command against them. Impossible.

camry on Wed, 11th Jul 2007 8:49 pm 



Please visit inquirer.net for a better view on the death of 14 marines (some were beheaded) as reported by a columnist who was with the government troops during the gun battle.

As usual the death of these soldiers will belong to the statistical list of AFP men who lost their lives in the performance of their duties. There are countless of families who grieved so much on similar ways since 1972 as a result of the insurgency problem in the south. Are we getting near a solution?

vic on Wed, 11th Jul 2007 8:55 pm 



A benevolent benefactor could also be a leader, who against the national sentiments or against the majority wishes of his people but believe true to his convictions and of his party programs will proceed with what he thinks the best for his country and people in the long run, even if he, and his party suffer the consequence.

Such was the belief of former PM Brian Mulroney of the Conservative Party, voted into government with popularity seldom happen in multi party system, who against the wishes of the Majority of Canadians signed a Treaty with The administration of Former President Reagan what was known as North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). We lost the next election winning only Two seats out of 308, and PM Mulroney knew it will happen, but down the road the Free Trade has brought the country an Economic Boom and a Trade Surplus with the U.S. of more than 50 Billions and a free movements of Goods and Services and Professionals. In retrospect people had now consider it the Legacy of once despised Former PM who was labeled a “sell out”. And his look-a-like son is hosting the Candian Idol… told them so…

manuelbuencamino on Wed, 11th Jul 2007 9:00 pm 



MBW,

Mahathir (I’m not conversant on Singapore) was the strongest leader Malaysia ever had. But, the way I see it, Mahathir was made possible by the Malaysian parliamentary system – which was and is controlled by a coalition dominated by UMNO – and not the other way around.

As a creation/creature of the Malaysian system, Mahathir “filled out” out the space allowed by it.

He may have pushed it, like when he clashed with the Royals and the Supreme Court, but he always worked within the system, always with the consent of the members of UMNO and the Barisan coalition.

I know you’re familiar with how power flows and governance works in Malaysia. I think you will agree when I say that Mahathir, as strong and dominating as he was, still had to use persuasion when he wanted to do something that was not unanimously supported by his cabinet, a body that shows the division of power and spoils within the BN. Thus, within that authoritarian coalition government, Mahathir could not simply dictate .

Maybe we mistake effective leadership for benevolent dictatorship. Mahathir knew how to get things done but, in my book, he does not qualify as a dictator.

A dictator in the asean/asian sense is someone like Marcos or Suharto. Those two, supported by their armed forces, dictated. They did not have to cajole or persuade or tolerate coalition partners.

As to benevolence, you know the Special Branch and you know it has lived up to its reputation.

One cannot become a dictator without the means and the meaness to employ those means. On the other hand, one can become an effective leader without having to sacrifice any of the rights and freedoms valued by free, democratic and civilized societies.

cvj on Wed, 11th Jul 2007 9:04 pm 



In his interview with Manolo Quezon, Trillanes mentioned that Gloria Arroyo was committing “genocide” against the Muslims in Mindanao. Maybe a first step towards resolving this situation in Mindanao is for the government to prevent such mass killings from happening. It would also help if we don’t fall for war-mongering, especially from foreign powers who have an interest in keeping us Filipinos divided.

manuelbuencamino on Wed, 11th Jul 2007 9:05 pm 



DJB,

I wonder when those people who ordered Jonas Burgos abducted will have the courage to want to be called SPADES as well.

Or do you think they will hide behind the anti-terror law?

DJB on Wed, 11th Jul 2007 9:07 pm 



MBW,

Fourteen dead out of 60 or 70 men. Four were beheaded and/or mutilated. Makes me vomit how the MILF is treating the incident in http://www.luwaran.com

Contrary to those opposing the Human Security Act, there really are savage terrorists engaged in savage terrorism. They like to hack off the heads of their enemies after they have just ambushed them.

Manila Bay Watch on Wed, 11th Jul 2007 9:25 pm 



Manuel,

I accept what you stated there – very true that Mahathir worked with the system and did not attempt ruthlessly on either parliament or his cabinet. And perhaps you’re right, nope, change that, I’m sure you are right that ‘Maybe we mistake effective leadership for benevolent dictatorship.’

However, let me say that although Mahathir used persuasion and political charm to reach his objective, he had a very sinister side that’s very very dictatorial, i.e., that whenever he recognized (and I’ve seen this up close), that there was opposition, he would lash back without qualm by using the money or financial factor to quash his opponents; he would not hesitate to bring his would-be objector/opposition to financial ruin that quite often had reduced most of his would be public detractors to begging. In that he had the streak of a real dictator.

Manila Bay Watch on Wed, 11th Jul 2007 9:27 pm 



cvj,

re: “It would also help if we don’t fall for war-mongering, especially from foreign powers who have an interest in keeping us Filipinos divided.”

Ultimately, that’s one of the better solutions or ways to prevent further genocide.

Manila Bay Watch on Wed, 11th Jul 2007 9:27 pm 



Or if you want to be totally realistic, give Mindanao their independence!

Jaxius on Wed, 11th Jul 2007 9:30 pm 



The MILF is at it again. It has been complaining that the government has effectively downgraded the GRP-MILF peace talks by failing to appoint Afable’s successor.

This is how the MILF wants to get attention. And the AFP, i hope, gives it to them in SPADES!!!

manuelbuencamino on Wed, 11th Jul 2007 9:31 pm 



bencard,

you repeated what I said about immortality… i was being sarcastic… and MBW is correct, a smiling Hitler is what I call a benevolent dictator…

But going to your statement about an election when a dictator becomes senile dies or is just plain tired….

There is no such thing as a smooth transition from dictatorship to democracy.

A successor must dismantle the dictator’s apparatus if democracy and its accouterments like elections is going to be restored.

An election without first dismantling the dictator’s apparatus is a joke.

So you just created another oxymoron – an elected dictator.

Manila Bay Watch on Wed, 11th Jul 2007 9:45 pm 



Dean,

Re They like to hack off the heads of their enemies after they have just ambushed them.

If that is your definition of savage terrorists, then our own official army fall in that category.

Let me tell you that the in sometime in the last quarter of 2001, our own navy/marines personnel led by a Seal lieutenant committed the same on Gandang (I believe it was Gandang) and on his men, ambushed, captured them then murdered them.

After they brought their captives to command post never saw the light of day. The Abu Sayyaf commander (Gandang, I believe his name was) died apparently of heart attack following an interrogation that very night.

The point is, if we want a military solution to this problem (although military solution is not always the best solution as you very well know), we must field a competent, professional military to deal with the problem, i.e., deal with the problem with all the military operational logistics that such a solution requires, otherwise not even your Human Security Act will solve the problem of fratricide.

manuelbuencamino on Wed, 11th Jul 2007 9:48 pm 



MBW,

Absolutely right. Mahathir had his sinister side. The Malaysian political landscape is littered with the “bodies” of all those who served as DPMs prior to Badawi.

I overheard someone congratulate Badawi not long after he was appointed Deputy Prime Minister. Badawi replied tentatively, “I’m not so sure about that.”

Mahathir knew how to reward generously and punish severely and that, within the Malaysian feudal context, works wonders.

manuelbuencamino on Wed, 11th Jul 2007 10:00 pm 



MBW,

Speaking of Malaysia, have you read about the murder/love triangle murder case that’s too uncomfortably close to DPM Najib tun Razak? How do you think it will affect his ambition to succeed Badawi? Do you think Hussein Onn’s son who is now Education minister will get an earlier crack at the job as a result of Najib’s problem?

Manila Bay Watch on Wed, 11th Jul 2007 10:03 pm 



Dean,

Fourteen dead out of 60 or 70 men.

Bah! A miserable platoon?

60 or 70 men attacking a completely hostile, violent enemy front of at least 300 heavily armed fighters with at least 1,200 with equally lethal firepower for back up support?

Completely, utterly idiotic! Don’t blame the MILF for the fiasco. Dammit, the military commander ought to be hanged!

Manila Bay Watch on Wed, 11th Jul 2007 10:05 pm 



Manuel,

That should make Najib a dead duck. Already rumours (I got during the last Bourget air show) were rife that he was being eased out – too flamboyant, too greedy too.

Manila Bay Watch on Wed, 11th Jul 2007 10:16 pm 



Problem there is no positive proof linking Najib to the murder – there’s already a fall guy Razak Beguinda, his pimp is in prison for the crime. I see Najib remaining DPM though. Difficult to ease him out of the post for the moment – the defence portfolio is a powerful financial portfolio.

Datu Onn’s son Hishamudin, a very bright guy, straight, should step in Najib’s post if things work out well and really, I think he should rise one day as PM.

Dirk Pitt on Wed, 11th Jul 2007 10:30 pm 



If only Pimentel, Roxas, Lacson and Legarda can rise above their personal interests(temporarily or tactical), the opposition can give Villar the Senate presidency in a silver platter. Anyway, Villar is poised to become the Senate President with or without their votes; so why not make him the Senate President and then deny the admin stooges with the committee chairmanships. In a game of chess, sacrifice is made to win the game.

DJB on Wed, 11th Jul 2007 10:33 pm 



MBW,
I think this is the end of the charade that makes the MILF out to be some kind of benevolent Muslim’s association when it’s really just what the Abu Sayyaf becomes during the day. ON their website they blamed “unknown groups” for the beheadings and mutiliations, but had a complete inventory of the weapons and ordnance they captured.

I’m just waiting for their beheading videos to come out on YouTube.

I know you guys and gals fighting the Human Security Act wish the Abu Sayyaf and MILF would just go away right about now. But not as much as those of us who support the law!

DJB on Wed, 11th Jul 2007 10:37 pm 



MBW,
I do blame the Moro Islamic Terrorist Front. You can blame the brave Marines they beheaded and mutilated all you want. As far as I know they were looking for a missing priest when 300 blood thirsty savages set upon them and hacked off their heads, with their pointy teeth for all we know.

But yeah, I blame the terrorist cutthroats.

manuelbuencamino on Wed, 11th Jul 2007 10:46 pm 



Dirk Pitt,

“Anyway, Villar is poised to become the Senate President with or without their votes; so why not make him the Senate President and then deny the admin stooges with the committee chairmanships.”

Exactly.

Or maybe even better yet – Trillanes for senate president. That should make things very interesting, don’t you think? I’m serious. Give it some thought and die laughing when GMA and Esperon start to shit blood…

DJB on Wed, 11th Jul 2007 10:53 pm 



MB, MBW,
Y’all are like Holocaust Deniers. Just can’t admit there really are SPADES in the world and they’re digging graves for anybody that won’t be a DHIMMI.

Manila Bay Watch on Wed, 11th Jul 2007 11:00 pm 



Dean,

Easy now! You are going out of your gong. Three things:

1) To be honest, Dean, am not fighting the Human Security Act – to me, it’s a useless piece of shitty legislation that not’s gonna achieve anything, not the dismantling of the MILF nor the annihilation of the 100 or so Abu Sayyaff members, not under this regime.

2) I deplore the beheading and the deaths of those poor Marines and believe that there was no reason to sacrifice these people in such abominable manner – fielding 60 or 70 marines against 300 warriors? Fat chance that they would win in a combat on enemy territory let alone find Bossi. As I’ve said earlier on, either you go for a professional military solution or not at all. Don’t come crying, whining and feeling all so agrieved because our own commanders failed to do their duty – instead you should whack that goddamn miserable commander on the head.

If you like to be really ruthless about it, you should tell Esperon that ‘Failure is not an option’ or else, you personally would feed him to the MILF. It’s not your crappy Human Security Act that would defeat the MILF or any of the nation’s parallel armies. You don’t win a war by blaming, yakitayakyaking the enemy – you go for their heads.

3) Pray how do you expect guys and gals you intimate are “fighting the Human Security Act” and who wish the Abu Sayyaf and MILF would just go away right about now don’t support the law to show they support the law? By screaming and yelling their support from the roofs of buildings in Makati or perhaps by organizing a rally in Mendiola carrying placards, we support the Human Terrorist, er, Security Act? If so, then you should lead the march!

Bencard on Wed, 11th Jul 2007 11:04 pm 



i know you’d do it for laugh, buencamino. what else is new? are you gonna eat their shit too before you die laughing?

Manila Bay Watch on Wed, 11th Jul 2007 11:11 pm 



Way out of line there Dean! Don’t know if you are trying to convince yourself that or if you already believe that.

Anyway, I don’t know what you’re trying to say but if you are accusing me of being one of your ‘Holocaust Deniers’, think again.

I am probably one of the most “ruthless” ideologues you know in Quezonville because I advocate for the total destruction (and write about it too) of parallel armies in the Philippines but you must face reality, if it’s an all out military solution regardless of the consequences but as sure as I am that there’s gonna be another Marine who will be beheaded in another future encounter with the MILF, it’s not your willy nilly Human Security Act that will obliterate the MILF problem.

Manila Bay Watch on Wed, 11th Jul 2007 11:12 pm 



Also dean, get this into your head: I’m not blaming the dead marines! I’m blaming their goddamn commander. You’re getting too carried away your vision is getting blurred.

DJB on Wed, 11th Jul 2007 11:14 pm 



MBW,

Fact remains, the argument that the HSA is “not needed” is clearly vacuous. It is clearly flawed, even I’ve said so. But it can be improved. But not repealed like the communists want because they’re into the dramatics of persecution for espousing the overthrow of democracy!

But like the NPA, the Abus don’t exist in a vacuum. It is not even clear that ASG has Fr. Bossi. Some think it’s a top commander of the MILF that needed to raise money for his Christian girlfriend with expensive tastes. But all these organized political crime syndicates are involved in many illegal activities: drugs, smuggling, kidnap for ransom, extortion, etc. They need to be cleaned out, anyhoo. But on top of that is a sinister foreign element now, in the Jemaah Islamiyah and that rot from the Far South that done Bali. By the way, you obviously have not read about what happened in Basilan. The AFP didn’t send 14 or 60 or 70 men against hundreds, they were ambushed and beheaded whilst looking for the priest, capicsce?

Its time to put the screws on these homicidal headhunters.

manuelbuencamino on Wed, 11th Jul 2007 11:16 pm 



So okay there are some savages out there, so all of us have to live under the regime of an anti-terror law?

Why can’t you go after the savages without us having to put up with your shit and sacrificing our rights and liberties?

The anti-terror is an admission of inutility. Heck it hasn’t even been tried out yet and already Norbie and that guy Blancaflor are bellyaching that the law ties their hands…

…and they want to make the communist party illegal,,.

communism is an idea… thoughts will be criminalized?

or are you going to argue that it’s the party, not the idea that’s being banned which is the same as saying you can think about it but don’t organize and act on it…

and detention for three days or something like that…unless it’s three days of non-stop interrogation and everything that comes with it what good is three days detention going to do?

anti-terror law advocates love to say: “tell that to the relatives of Fr Bossi and now the families of the eight beheaded marines…”

and the answer to that kind of reasoning is the same as telling all those who love the VFA and who sing it praises – “tell that to Daniel Smith’s victim…”

stop the insanity…institutionalize the anti-terror law advocates

cvj on Wed, 11th Jul 2007 11:16 pm 



DJB is raring to whip out his JDAM.

Manila Bay Watch on Wed, 11th Jul 2007 11:21 pm 



Re “The AFP didn’t send 14 or 60 or 70 men against hundreds, they were ambushed and beheaded whilst looking for the priest, capicsce? ”

Same difference, Dean. They were on extremely hostile enemy territory whether they were looking for Bossi or not, comprende?

manuelbuencamino on Wed, 11th Jul 2007 11:37 pm 



bencard,

I love it. Your reaction just comvinced me that trillanes should be the next senate president. His just the kind of new blood we need to shake up the system. Trillanes senate president, Lacson or cayetano blue ribbon…. perfect!!!

The only thing that scares me is, once those investigations get going, you just might ask for GMA’s head too. Then we’re all fucked.

Bencard on Thu, 12th Jul 2007 12:41 am 



buencamino, tell that to the marines (especially your hero’s former comrades-in-arms who just plead guilty of illegal conduct re oakwood mutiny). i’m sure they won’t be amused as you.

Jaxius on Thu, 12th Jul 2007 8:32 am 



MBW,

Apparently, the troops were merely on march order thinking they were on safe grounds. Since the ceasefire agreement between the government and the MILF in 2004, no major armed incident has happened. They have probably done the same a couple of times in the past and no incident has occurred.

As I said in my earlier comment, the MILF was raring for attention. They want to project that they can always flood Mindanao with blood if and when they want to.

DJB on Thu, 12th Jul 2007 8:47 am 



MB,
You said, “So okay there are some savages out there, so all of us have to live under the regime of an anti-terror law?”
There are also some murderers, rapists, extortionists, bank robbers, organized crime gangs, etc. Yes Buencamino, we all have to live under a regime of LAW, because freedom also means freedom death even more than it means freedom from Gloria. Your problem and that of the anti-anti-terrorists is, whenever there is an incident like this, all your arguments are revealed to be foolish and wrong in a visceral and self-evident way.

Face it, even the noncerebral Filipinos know we have no choice but to fight.

You can’t save the ten beheaded men by crying about root causes now, can you?

DJB on Thu, 12th Jul 2007 8:54 am 



CVJ,
Save the JDAMs for Dulmatin. I want forty years each for the terrorist warlords that did this. That’s 400 years for the ten heads they took. Religion of Peace my arse!

DJB on Thu, 12th Jul 2007 9:15 am 



Bloggers and their kibitzers are basically involved in the modern enterprise of online intellectual masturbation. What makes them tolerable is their earnest sado-masochism in being able to take as much as they give. But they are also part of the greater intellectual tradition of changing the world and each other with ideas well expressed.

Personally I learn the most from those who disagree with me. I think I now know what JC meant: Love Thine Enemy!

manuelbuencamino on Thu, 12th Jul 2007 12:15 pm 



DJB,

Read my comment again. I was not talking about law in general. I was specific about this idiotic, insane law that gives you a hard on

Manila Bay Watch on Thu, 12th Jul 2007 4:57 pm 



Re Face it, even the noncerebral Filipinos know we have no choice but to fight.

Then, fight! But when you fight, make sure you win – you don’t win by allowing your enemy to kill your soldiers!

Jeg on Thu, 12th Jul 2007 5:11 pm 



We mustnt forget which side we are on, though. We are on the side of the angels, and must fight as if we are.

Bencard on Fri, 13th Jul 2007 3:00 am 



jeg, history shows that bad guys win battles, good guys win wars and get to write the account. you’re right, we’re on the side of the angels. the devils may score isolated victories here and there temporarily but the angels will ultimately win the whole contest.

Devilsadvc8 on Fri, 13th Jul 2007 3:12 am 



perhaps what we need is behavior-altering brain operation for the general population. either that or we need a real messiah to lead us – a benevolent dictator who is tough but fair, wise, but will not succumb to pride, greed and vainglory – bencard

wow. its rare you say something i agree with. but this is one of it.

One cannot become a dictator without the means and the meaness to employ those means. On the other hand, one can become an effective leader without having to sacrifice any of the rights and freedoms valued by free, democratic and civilized societies – manuelbencam

yes, a very charismatic and intelligent leader would be able to command w/o resorting to force, but when confronted with a nation such as ours, where the citizens are as much a problem as the problems itself, how can you govern effectively, without losing yourself to urges and temptations of being a dictator yourself?

UP n student on Fri, 13th Jul 2007 9:10 pm 



Side-note (back to plunder):

BEIJING, July 12 — Zheng Xiaoyu once ranked as one of the most powerful regulators in China. He rose from modest beginnings to help create and lead Beijing’s version of the Food and Drug Administration in the United States.

But last March, locked up in the Qincheng Prison here, he wrote a short confession. “Why are the friends who gave me money all the bosses of pharmaceutical companies?” he wrote in his letter, entitled How I Look on My Mistakes. “Obviously because I was in charge of drug administration.”

In his confession, Mr. Zheng acknowledged that during his eight-year tenure, he had accepted gifts and bribes from eight drug companies that sought special favors: a car, a villa, furniture, cash. And corporate stock. All told, he and his family accepted gifts valued at more than $850,000 — in a country where the average worker earns less than $2,000 a year.

For his crimes, the 62-year-old was executed on Tuesday, making him one of the highest-ranking Chinese officials ever to be put to death

Bencard on Sat, 14th Jul 2007 5:32 am 



devil, benevolent dictatorship is not of our world where the idea is of absolute impossibility. no human leader, no matter how just, wise and humble can ever maintain a hold on power without employing means and methods to overcome those who covet his/her seat. there will always be some one or some group that would want to have their “turn at the through” by any means, good or evil.

marcos was, so far, our only dictator but he could not ever have been “benevolent”. regardless of his natural character, he had to manipulate our legal and political systems to hold his enemies at bay. he had to amass great fortunes, from government funds of which he had absolute control, to keep his boot-licking sycophants and the military satisfied, always ready to do his bidding. he had to be ruthless against those who opposed him or who try to take the power away from him.

i think one reason why there is virulent hatred of gma is the fear that she might perpetuate herself in power through charter change to a parliamentary system. many of her rivals hated her for running in 2004 evidently because that would give her 3 additional years on top of the 6-year constitutional tenure. what more if she continues in power as prime minister? another reason is that every time, she tries to exercise political will and pursue an unpopular but necessary course of action, she creates more enemies. every action generates a reaction – if she appears to favor one group, another one or more groups go on a warpath and so on and so forth. no one seems to be willing to make a personal sacrifice for the greater good.

the problem of leadership will always be with us no matter who is the president. no one, but no one can please every one else. there will always be a loser, even as the majority of the people is the winner. and the loser will always undermine the victor, and will not stop until he becomes the winner himself.

realist on Sat, 14th Jul 2007 12:02 pm 



bencard, you have once again succeeded in talking about many things without actually saying anything.

Bencard on Sat, 14th Jul 2007 7:55 pm 



that was not meant for you, realist. i couldn’t make it shallow enough for what is supposed to be your brain to absorb. go seek your own level!

realist on Sun, 15th Jul 2007 2:41 am 



Duh…

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