On official allowances (updated)
A quick political update as we go into the long weekend. The Inquirer editorial looks at the implications of the baranggay election. In his blog, Jove Francisco covers the (unexpected) return of Sec. Ermita:
Ermita denied he’s battling it out with Puno or that may samaan sila ng luob….but he gave a very meaningful line during his presscon today about the payola issue.
PDI’s Mike Ubac asked Ermita’s reaction about the admission of a local government group that they were the ones who distributed the cash gifts inside the palace and then followed it up by asking if he will allow such a thing to happen, kung siya ang tatanungin.
Ermita said “By golly, definitely not!†and then added “Alam ninyo naman na ako ay nasa loob lamang ng opisina ko nuong pumutok iyan!â€Â
And during the ambush interview portion of the presser, Ermita even said “Basta hindi lang ako maging intrigero…(laughed again)â€Â…. some observers say, malinaw na parinig ito sa kung sino mang “kaaway niyaâ€Â.
Another factor that bolstered suspicions that there is friction between these two cabinet officials is the fact that Ermita and Puno released opposing statements today about the possible presidential appointees in the vacant posts at the COMELEC.
Puno supposedly confirmed that the shortlist of names came from the Executive Secretary’s office and that it was released 2 weeks ago.
Ermita denied this saying that based on the process they follow “it is impossible!â€Â.
Amidst the difference of pronouncements, both of them also declared that they are not fighting and are actually long time pals.
But the reported rift, though already denied by all parties concerned, is revealing a much bigger picture.
The bigger picture that the “on going†tension between the two largest member parties of the coalition (LAKAS and KAMPI) is still very much “happeningâ€Â…a power play that has been happening since the start of the 2007 elections (Remember this? Just go back to past blog posts).
Puno, who is from KAMPI, is said to be the main man behind efforts to solidify the alliance of Erap and PGMA.
Ermita, on the other hand is a known LAKAS stalwart who traces his ascent to power from his links with FVR and JDV.
Thing is, both FVR and JDV have been at odds with the President after the following political developments, including the ZTE broadband deal, the Payola issue and the Erap pardon.
(So hindi lang ang opposition ang nagkakagulo as a result of the pardon, even the administration is problematic… coalition wise, for many other reasons. This aside from “the CHAVIT SINGSON problem†that palace sources say is also making the heads of many administration officials ache, kakaisip paano ito malulunasan o “mapipigilanâ€Â.)
BUT, despite all these, Ermita was quick to herald that everything’s a-okay within the coalition.
He even made a prediction that FVR will not forge an alliance with the opposition, because FVR “hates destabâ€Â.
And another interesting thing that happened today was…Ermita’s move to defend PGMA’s decision to pardon Erap.
A move that may well be different from that of his former boss FVR…. but, as some observers say, is quite logical for officials who have “been in politics for a long time.
Ermita’s parting words today:
“Huwag kayo niniwala masyado sa rumor, hindi tutoo yan, I am still around, hahahaha…â€ÂYou have to see the report and hear the way he laughed after declaring he’s still around, masasabi ninyong “napaka lutong†ng kaniyang halakhak.
Manuel Buencamino looks at the ability of the president’s supporters to rationalize their continued support.
On to the long weekend’s readings.
One of my favorite political autobiographies is Jose E. Romero’s Not So Long Ago: A Chronicle Of My Life, Times, & Contemporaries published in 1977 by Alemar-Phoenix. To my mind, it’s about as honest as any politician’s account of his life can be expected to be. Romero, who was a congressman, assemblyman, majority floor leader, Constitutional Convention delegate, and then Secretary of Education and sugar lobbyist, covered political events in which he played a part from 1925-1946 (it seems he died before he could complete his memoirs).
His memoirs helps explain how government officials went from living within their means to trying to supplement salaries that failed to keep up with inflation or the requirements of their jobs:
I entered Congress just when the great economic depression of the thirties began to be felt, and the first thing we did was to reduce salaries and expenditures by 10%. Congressmen’s salaries then were fixed at P600 a month, P7,200 per annum, and in our time there were no extras or allowances whatsoever. The reduction in our salaries of 10% amounted to P60 per month, and this was applied to all government employees, so that teachers who were getting P50 a month got a cut of P5 a month. It pleases me now to recall in what good spirit this sacrifice was made by all. Because we did not resort to deficit spending, the prices of everything, especially rice and other foodstuffs, remained low, so that no hardships were felt, especially by the poor. There was no complaint or discontent because everybody sacrificed equally. At that time the national budget was only about 100 million pesos. It is a mere pittance compared to the budget these days, but of course our population has increased tremendously and then the peso today is worth far less than it was then. The national debt was also around 100 million dollars, again a mere pittance compared to our present national debt. Our reserves in gold bullion and dollar deposits were more than 100% of the currency in circulation, and the peso was sound. In fact, when about that time the dollar was devalued, the American government had to pay us the difference between the value of our deposits and the devalued dollar.
This account by Romero brings up one (harmful) change over the years, which is that government salaries for officials that hold a great deal of responsibility, have shrunk while the salaries of the rank-and-file, on the other hand, remain all right. The gap between a congressman’s salary and that of a government director is almost negligible, while the gap in responsibilities remains vast. To compensate, all sorts of allowances have to be created which supplements the take home pay, but does not address the need to offer salaries commensurate with what’s expected of an official.
In this blog, a reader kindly calculated, more precisely, modern-day approximations of the value of various prewar official salaries (based on official figures I provided) to an extent that exceeded my own attempt at a computation of the value of the President’s salary over time.
Of course if you were to add up the various allowances members of Congress are entitled to, their salaries are fairly generous but the problem is that it involves quite a bit of accounting sleight-of-hand, which corrodes accountability. Romero’s memoirs points out the precise point when congressmen decided they have to find ways to boost their salaries. In his book, he wrote of the situation the last Congress of the Commonwealth faced, in 1945:
The members of Congress, like most other citizens, had lost most of what they had. When President Osmena came from the U.S., the best gifts that he could give to members of Congress was a khaki shirt, a pair of khaki trousers, and a pair of shoes. Most of the members of Congress attended sessions in this attire, and it almost looked as if this was the uniform of the lawmakers. To compound the problems of the members of Congress and everybody else, inflation was rampant. Even sugar was lacking and was selling at five times the usual price.
We had to commute between the House of Representatives and the houses where we were living in cargo trucks hastily converted for the use of passengers and we had to pay a very high fare. In order to alleviate the situation of the members of Congress who were getting no more than the six hundred pesos per month provided for in the Constitution, President Osmena, in the use of his emergency powers, authorized the Auditor-General’s Office to make advances to the members of Congress to enable them to meet the cost of living in Manila during the sessions. This was the principal reason afterward for the approval of the much criticized Back Pay Law.
At the end of the sessions, the Auditor-General was pressing for payment of the advances made under the authority given by President Osmena. Their term of office was expiring. The solution was found in the payment of Back Pay to the members of Congress for salaries due them during the war. This move was bitterly criticized by the public, and the question became an issue in the succeeding elections and caused the defeat of many members of Congress in their bid for reelection.
Taking an objective view of the situation, however, this form of relief for the lawmakers was almost a necessity. The amount involved was only a little, over P20,000 for every member of Congress, and the payment made was only once. Of this amount each legislator had already received some P8,000 in advances. It was simply impossible for the lawmakers to live in Manila at six hundred pesos a month with the inflation then rampant. Had the lawmakers at that time less respect for the Constitution, and had they then discovered the magic formula of the allowances, they could have solved their problem by making payments to themselves, not in the relatively small amount of P20,000 but ten times as much, as succeeding legislators were to get -and not only once, but every year.
Many of the members of Congress were defeated in the election that followed on this issue of back pay, but later members of Congress were to be reelected again and again after paying themselves much more in the form of allowances than the legislators of 1945 paid themselves in the form of back pay. This may mean either that our electorate have already become cynical and callous or that the greater fund available for election expenses is more effective to win votes than as an issue against the beneficiaries of these objectionable payments. Had the lawmakers in 1945 voted themselves two hundred thousand pesos yearly instead of twenty thousand pesos once, perhaps not so many of them would have been defeated. But then the temper of the people at the time was not propitious for such disregard of the proprieties, and there might have been violent demonstrations. Cynicism crept in slowly but steadily and, later, the voters ceased to mind anymore what in 1945 not only would have been fatal issues but might also have triggered violent reactions.
So the moral of the tale is things haven’t always been the way they are, but that things can change pretty swiftly and then gain their own momentum.
Incidentally, I had a meaty exchange with a reader about the prewar gold reserves of the Philippines. The reader emailed me this query, which I reproduce in full:
Dear Manolo,
I’ll go direct to the point. Please help me unravel a mystery that has not only aroused my curiosity but baffled me as well. With your considerable reputation as a historical sleuth, I’m confident you can solve or otherwise clear this up. Whatever will be the outcome will make for a good thriller. Of that I’m sure.
The mystery concerns what I call our national treasure consisting of some 20 tons of gold bars. This represents our country’s entire gold reserve at the time and quite possibly the total output of all the gold mines operating in the Philippines. The fabled Yamashita treasure, which in all likelihood is just a figment of the imagination, seems like loose change compared to the enormous value of this real-life treasure which may exceed 20 billion U.S. dollars using the current price of gold per kilo.
When Bataan, Corrigedor, Manila and the rest of the Philippines were about to fall to the Japanese in 1942, all the gold bars were removed from the Central bank located then at the port area in Manila and ferried by a navy vessel to Corrigedor. The precious cargo was loaded onboard the U.S. submarine U.S.S. Trout. On February 22, 1942, it left Corrigedor for Guam. Also aboard were President Manuel L. Quezon, his family and a few, select members of his wartime cabinet. President Quezon and his party, however, landed at Cagayan de Oro and then motored to the highlands of Bukidnon where they were flown to Australia. From there, they went to America where President Quezon lived in exile until his death at Lake Saranac in New York in 1944. So much has been written about the harrowing and exciting escapes of Pres. Quezon and General Douglas MacArthur from the “Rock†fortress, the latter by PT boat. Both were highly-secret naval operations to save the two from eventual capture by the enemy. But little, if none at all, is known about the enormous cargo of gold which President Quezon obviously brought with him. It seems this was the bigger secret, and it is not far-fetched to think that the Japanese were also after it.
The gold bars reached Guam and were transferred to the heavy Cruiser USS Michigan which sailed on to San Francisco where they were finally off-loaded at the wharf there. This is where my story ends, and the mystery begins.
Where did the shipment go from San Francisco? Were the 20 tons of gold all brought to Fort Knox where gold bullions such as these are generally known to be stored for safe-keeping or somewhere else in the United States? Assuming that they were indeed kept at Fort Knox, what happened to them after the war? Were they ever returned to the Philippines? If so, when and by what means?
There should be a paper trail in this secret odyssey of our national treasure. The Central Bank should or ought to know the whole story. The time has come to tell this in its entirety. Whether by design or plain oversight, we’ve been kept in the dark for close to 63 years.
History abhors a mystery. So do I and, of course, you. I will be vastly relieved if this story has a happy ending; that our national treasure is intact afterall and has not been lost or stolen.
Kindly take over where I left off at the wharf in San Francisco and finish the whole drama to its conclusive ending whatever that may be: either good or one more national disgrace.
Very truly yours,
FERNANDO A. ALMEDA, JR.
President
Surigaonon Heritage Center
Parola Boulevard, Surigao City
My response was as follows:
Thank you for your letter.
The disposition of the Philippine Treasury (its transfer from Manila to Corregidor, and the transfer of a large portion of it to the United States) was accomplished by a committee presided over by Chief Justice Jose Abad Santos (in his capacity as Secretary of Justice and Finance in the War Cabinet) and included Manuel Roxas. Treasury certificates and paper currency were burned after being itemized and notarized in a list. Coinage was dumped in the sea (where some of it was salvaged by the japanese, the majority of the coinage, however, being salvaged by the US Navy after the war).
President Quezon did not leave on the same submarine on which the Philippine bullion reserves was transported. The submarine you mentioned, the USS Trout, was not the submarine he traveled on, the USS Swordfish. Neither did Philippine officials leave on the same date as the shipment of Philippine gold reserves to the USA.
You will find desciptions of this process in the published biography of Chief Justice Jose Abad Santos by Justice Ramon Aquino:
Part of Abad Santos’s work on Corregidor as secretary of finance was the custody and disbursement of government funds. With [Vice President] Sergio Osmena, [Philippine Army Chief of Staff] Basilio Valdes, Jr., [Colonel] Manuel Nieto, and members of the American High Commissioner’s staff, he checked the gold bullions and silver coins deposited in Corregidor. He supervised the shipment of these by submarine to the United States. He superintended the burning of about forty million pesos in paper bills.
Justice Aquino’s sources are the Philippines Free Press February 17, 1951 and Carlos P. Romulo’s I saw the Philippines fall.
Indeed in most histories of this period the transfer of government funds from Manila to Corregidor and then to the USA is mentioned, and the care with which this was done, noted. As early as 1942, in the book Serpent of the Seas, by Commander Harley Cope, USN, you will find this (pp.222-225):
Another of our asiatic submarines had a unique assignment. Lieutenant Commander Frank W. “Mike” Fenno was given the job of evacuating the precious metal belonging to the Treasury of the Philippines and the banks from the Islands before the Japanese got their hands on it. This tall, sloping shouldered ex-captain of a champion Naval Academy baseball team -and who pitched our Asiatic Submarine baseball team to a Fleet victory when I was out there in the s-40- had been currently bringing in ammunition for the anti-aircraft guns on Corregidor. The shells were als worth their weight in gold.
The Japanese knew of course that there was a large amount of gold stored on Corregidor and in the bank vaults of Manila. Needless to say they were most desirous to obtain it. Efforts to prevent the Japanese from getting the gold were under way immediately after the war begun. American and Filipino stevedores worked day and night collecting metals, currency and securities belonging to the Philippine Commonwealth, to banks and mines and individuals.
On the night of February 4th, Captain Ferino brought his submarine into the harbor on the south hook of Corregidor, unloaded his precious cargo of much-needed anti-aircraft ammunition and took on gold and silver. Before the morning’s early light could expose the submarine to the eyes of Japanese patrolling planes it had slid out of the harbor and remained submerged during the day. After nightfall it was again alongside the dock and ton after ton of gold and silver was loaded aboard. This task was completed about 4 a.m. -too late to carry out the next assignment. The next night the submarine kept a rendesvous with an auxiliary vessel carrying the securities that were to be evacuated.
Mr. Woodbury Willoughby, former financial adviser to Mr. Francis B. Sayre, Philippine [High] Commissioner, to whom the Navy gave much credit for collecting the wealth of the Philippines, was on the auxiliary vessel and described the submarine’s appearance in the dark.
‘When nightfall came,’ related Mr. Willoughby, ‘the auxiliary vessel sailed from Corregidor to the rendezvous with her load of securities. The submarine did not make her appearance immediately. But, after a while, the dark hulk of the submarine pushed through the surface.
‘It took about 20 minutes to transfer the securities. Then Commander Fenno made a remark I’ll never forget. His crew had gone below and he was standing by the conning tower preparatory to giving the order to submerge. ‘Any passengers?’ hr asked cheerfully. Any of us would have been glad to get aboard that submarine but it was not for us to leave. We had to tell him no.’
During the long trip from Manila to Pearl Harbor several Japanese ships came within range of the American submarine and Captain Fenno lost no time in sending them to the bottom. The mere presence of tons of gold aboard could not keep my good friend ‘Mike’ out of a fight.
On March 20 Commander Fenno was awared the Distinguished [Navy] Cross for his entire crew of six officers and sixty-four men received Silver Stars for the feat of spiriting out a vast treasure of gold and silver from Corregidor right under the nose of the Japanese forces, and then sinking three of their ships.
Incidentally you will note that the Swordfish was commanded by Capt. Chester Smith, and that it left Corregidor Feb. 19, nearly two weeks after the departure of the bullion.
The circumstances surrounding the transfer of the Treasury are documented in The Sixth Annual Report of the United States High Commission to the Philippine Island to the President and Congress of the United States, Covering the Fiscal Year July 1, 1941 to June 30, 1942 Washington D.C., October 20, 1942 (pp. 48 to 58 chronicles this in extreme detail; the relevant portion as per your inquiry follows):
(pp.57-58)
“BULLION AND CURRENCY HELD BY COMMONWEALTH GOVERNMENT ON CORREGIDOR
“In addition to the valuables taken to Corregidor by the Office of the High Commissioner, a large amount of gold, silver, and paper currency was held there by the Commonwealth Government and was never turned over to the Office of the High Commissioner for safekeeping. Ther gold and sliver, which served as currency reserves, were on Corregidor, in the Philippine Treasury Reservations on that Island, before the war started. The gold comrpised 269 bars with an indicated weight of 1,343,493.95 grams and was derived from the melting of $805,410 face value of United States gold coins held by the Commonwealth Government at the time of the devaluation of the dollar in 1933. The silver was in the form of 1-peso coins an aggregate face value of P16,422.000. There were several small pieces of gold and silver in addition to the above. All of the gold and a large amount of 1-peso coins were loaded under the supervision of Commonwealth officials, headed by Vice President Osmena, and ere sent to the United States as ballast on the same submarine which carried the gold held by the High Commissioner.
“It Is believed that the Philippine paper money in the Treasury reservation was brought to Corregidor by the Commonwealth officials who accompanied President Quezon when he was evacuated from Manila. It appears from the records supplied by the Commowealth government that there was, early in Jaunary 1942, P78,261,825 in Philippine paper currency of various denominations held by the Commonwealth in its vaults on the Treasury reservation. This was subsequently increased by P19,900,000 clearing house funds, as noted above, making a total of P98,161,825.
“Twenty million pesos, all in Philippine Treasury certificates of P500 denomination, are reported to have been burned on January 19 and 20, 1942, on Corregidor by a committee designated by the President of the Philippines [footnote 17: The committee consisted of Messrs. Sergio Osmena, Vice President of the Philippines, Jose Abad Santos, Acting Secretary of Finance; E.D. Hester, Economic Adviser of the High Commissioner; and Col. H.F. Smith, United States Army). On January 21, 1942, it is reported that P500,000 were withdrawn from the Treasury Reservation and placed at the disposal of Mr. S.D. Canceran, special disbursing officer, Office of the President of the Philippines, to be disbursed by him for the purpose of paying of salaries and wages of officers, employees, and laborers of the Government, and for such other purposes as might legally be authorized. A message received from Corregidor in April [1942] indicates that prior to the capitulation of the fortress P50,097,925 in Philippine paper currency which was in the Treasury vaults was destroyed as well as P1,000,000 which was in a safe of the former Office of the President of the Philippines at Fort Mills, Corregidor.”
On pp. 118-119 the same report gives a full accounting of Philippine government funds in the United States; the gold is listed on a table on p. 118, in US dollars, at $1,360,621.08 and on p. 119:
“Currency Reserves in the United States. -When the Philippines are reoccupied it will almost certainly be necessary to adopt a new currency system. The Commonwealth government will be fortunate in having at its disposal for this purpose ample reserves now held in the United States. There were on deposit on June 30, 1942, in the United States Treasury $133,813,902.59, representing reserves of the Philippine currency. In addition, there was a small amount ($355,831.44) of currency reserves onm deposit with a private bank in the United States and the United States Treasury is holding for the Commonwealth gold bullion valued at $1,360,621.08 [footnote 40: This gold was brought to the United States by submarine after the war with Japan started as described in the section of the report entitled"Program for the safekeeping of currency, gold, securities, and other valuables." Its value has been computed at $35 an ounce. See pp. 46-57 of this report]. The total of these items is well in excess of the largest circulation of currency that there ever was in the Philippines. As has been noted earlier in this report, ther greatest circulation of which we have record was P200,445,432, equivalent to $100,222,716, on September 30, 1941.
“The Commonwealth Government also has in storage in the United States a large number of silver 1 peso coins which were brought to the United States by submarine after the war started (see p. 57 above) After reoccupation of the Philippines it will be possible either to reissue these coins or melt and remint them.”
As for the disposition of government funds from 1942-45, the relevant executive issuances are in Executive Orders of the Commonwealth of the Philippines, Manila, Bureau of Printing 1945
I hope this answers your quiery to your satisfaction. There was no mystery surrounding the transfer of treasury funds as they were the currency reserves of the country. It was against the value of this gold that emergency wartime currency was issued by the guerrillas.
In response to the above, I was highly gratified to receive the following response:
Thank you likewise for your very kind, comprehensive and scholarly reply to my query. I’m completely satisfied that we have a happy ending here. Obviously, those were the times (perhaps just a golden memory) when public servants can be trusted with million of pesos of the people’s money.
You’re absolutely right. President Quezon and party did not leave onboard the submarine USS Trout but the USS Swordfish. I assumed that he did so because the date of his departure was Feb. 22, 1942, about the same as the ETD of USS Trout. That’s what I got for dealing with scanty and segmented data. Sorry.
There’s no mystery about the great wartime of our national treasure NOW. That’s because you’ve cleared that. How many students of history know what you’ve just narrated? I’m not sure if this event was discussed at all in our history classes with the length and clarity you just did which has amply justified my description of you as a historical sleuth. And what about the technical documents and process by which the gold reserve and other funds were removed from the Central Bank and our country. That certainly is something we didn’t know before.
Now we know better. Thanks to you. The lesson here seems to be: We should study our history more thoroughly and seriously. We can’t simply rely on you and a few other scholars to do so for us.
Your narrative was gripping, accurate and thrilling – and worth the reading. I said that earlier. I’m not disappointed that the whole episode had a happy ending. And I’m relieved.
Highest esteem.
Fernando A. Almeda Jr.
As was I, as I didn’t know the answer in full until Atty. Almeda made me look into it. On a final note, the compensation given to the Philippines due to the devaluation of the US dollar, which Romero mentioned in the first extract in this entry, was officially quantified in the High Commissioner’s report quoted in turn, above.
Unfortunately, in my response I failed to attach an interesting extract from the War Diary of Gen. Basilio Valdes, Chief of Staff of the Philippine Army and member of the War Cabinet. Here’s his entry for February 3, 1942:
February 3, 1942 – Tuesday
Nothing unusual during the day. At 10 p.m. I was already in bed when the phone rang. It was the Chief Justice telling me to get dressed as we had to go to the vault, to perform a secret and delicate mission. I dressed hurriedly met them at the entrance of the Malinta tunnel and we proceeded by car for the vault. The guards were surprised at our unannounced visit. A few minutes after we arrived, Commander Parker U.S Navy and some men with two station wagons arrived followed closely to the Staff of the U.S. High Commissioner. We worked incessantly all night. The work was performed with military proficiency, no noise, no conversations. We finished our mission at 4:30 a.m. What a relief! I returned home very tired and exhausted. I forgot to mention that at 7 p.m. Colonel Roxas, Colonel Nieto, Colonel Marron, Major Romulo, General Drake and myself went to the SS Legaspi for dinner – and what a dinner. We ate like wolves.
I was happy to receive a letter from Tito and one from Colonel Quimbo. Tito sent me 5 boxes of good tonic.
Additional documents I’ve encountered, concerning the disposition of currency notes, can be gleaned from the papers of Andres Soriano, Acting Treasurer of the Philippines and then Secretary of Finance in the War Cabinet. They trace the story of Soriano’s appointment, and accounting done on the run, literally.
First, a letter of appointment.
Malacanan Palace
ManilaCorregidor
February 19, 1942Sir:
By virtue of the authority vested in me under the Constitution and laws of the Philippines, you are hereby appointed, ad interim, Treasurer of the Philippines.
(sgd.) Manuel L. Quezon
Mr. Andres Soriano
Corregidor
Next, a mission order:
Malacanan Palace
ManilaMarch 2, 1942
My dear Major Soriano:
You are hereby appointed Member of my War Cabinet without portfolio.
You will please proceed to Cebu where you will meet with the other members of my cabinet to take part in the deliberations of public matters that might come before it and to carry out other missions that I have entrusted to you. After you have completed your work in Cebu you will please proceed to Mindanao where you will be my Special Representative before General Sharpe. In matters affecting Civil Government in all the provinces of Mindanao except Surigao, I am designating you as my Special Delegate to act for me if and when prompt action may be absolutely necessary.
You will please discuss the civil matters with Mr. Guingona whom I have designated as the representative of the Department of the Interior to exercise the old functions of said department over provincial and municipal governments. However, during your stay in Mindanao, Commissioner Guingona shall discuss with you matters policy to be adopted in the Mindanao provinces, excepting the province of Surigao, and whenever there is a perfect agreement between you two and General Sharpe offers no objection thereto, such policies as may have thus been agreed upon, will be carried out as if they have received the specific approval of the President.
I hereby also authorize you to receive from the Manager of the Philippine National Bank and/or the Currency Committee in Cebu, all the funds that be required by the USAFFE in Mindanao as well as the provinces therein with the exception of Surigao.
You are also authorized to require the engraving of the necessary plates for the currency to be printed in Mindanao.
Sincerely yours,
(sgd.) Manuel L. Quezon
Next, a letter of introduction, to accomplish the mission order:
Malacanan Palace
ManilaMarch 1, 1942
My dear General Sharp:
Major Sorianowho was on the front has been appointed by me, with the knowledge and consent of General MacArthur, Treasurer of the Philippines, and I have made him member of my War Cabinet. I am sending him to Mindanao as my special delegate and representative to discuss with you and Mr. Guingona, and the other provincial authorities of Mindanao, the problems that exist there. Major Soriano has been given authority to act in my behalf. He will carry with him the funds that the USAFFE may need as well as the provincial and municipal governments in amounts that Cebu has already been able to print.
In order to avoid the need of sending for funds from Cebu, Major Soriano is going to see if he can have some plates made in Cebu for Mindanao so that emergency currency may be printed in some place in Mindanao. I do not consider wise to have Mindanao, or in fact any part of the Philippines, depend upon any other province which might be occupied at any moment.
Sincerely yours,
(sgd.) Manuel L. Quezon
P.S. I am taking the liberty of sending you a copy of the letter which General Jones wrote to General Sutherland regarding Major Soriano’s services in the filed, one copy og which letter having been given to me by General Sutherland himself.
MLQ
Additional authorizations:
Malacanan Palace
ManilaMarch 8, 1942
My dear Major Soriano:
I hereby authorize you to appoint the men that will constitute the Currency Committee for the provinces of Mindanao. If it should become necessary for military reasons to have this committee sit in Lanao, you are also authorized to issue the necessary order to this effect including the power to make transfer from one province to another of the officials that you may choose and appoint as chairman and members of this committee.
Sincerely yours,
(sgd.) Manuel L. Quezon
Major Andres Soriano
Treasurer of the Philippines
And a receipt from the source:
Received from the Philippine National Bank, Cebu Branch, two (2) galvanized iron lock boxes said to contain TWO MILLION TWO HUNDRED THOUSAND PESOS as follows:
Box. No. 4
Denomination    Amount    Total
P20             P750,000
P1                25,000  P775,000Box No. 5
Denomination    Amount   Total
P20             P1,250,000
P5                 175,000 P1,425,000Total ———————————-P2,200,000
This represents the proceeds of my draft of this date for the same amount drawn on the Treasurer of the Commonwealth of the Philippines.
Cebu City, March 10, 1942
Andres Soriano
Treasurer of the Philippines
A treasurer’s report::
The Commonwealth of the Philippines
Province of Misamis Oriental
Office of the Treasurer
Cagayan, Phil.
March 15, 1942Major Andres Soriano,
Treasurer of the Commonwealth of the Philippines,
Cagayan (now at), Misamis Oriental.Dear Sir:-
I compliance with your verbal request, I have the honor to inform you of the following approximate distribution of the currency notes which I have received to-day from you, viz:
Province of Misamis Oriental —————————-P200,000.00
“        ” Bukidnon—————————————P300,000.00
“        ” Lanao——————————————-P300,000.00
“        ” Occidental Misamis————————-P300,000.00
“        ” Surigao—————————————-P300,000.00
“        “Cotobato—————————————P300,000.00
Koronandal Valley, Gen. Santos———————-P 50,000.00
Gen. Vachon’s Division———————————-P300,000.00
General Fort’s Division———————————-P160,000.00Very respectfully,
(sgd.) Ubaldo D. Laya
Provincial Treasurer
Use of delegated authority:
DANSALAN, LANAO
BY THE SPECIAL DELEGATE OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES
ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 1Appointing the Currency Committee for the Provinces of Mindanao
By virtue of the authority granted me by His Excellency, the President of the Philippines, on March 8, 1942, I hereby appoint the following to constitute the Currency Committee for the Provinces of Mindanao: Honorable Teopisto Guingona, Commissioner for Mindanao and Sulu, Chairman; Mr. Ubaldo D. Laya, Provincial Treasurer of Misamis Oriental, Member; and Mr. F. Atagaban, Provincial Auditor of Lanao, Member.
This Committee shall sit in Dansalan, Lanao, but is authorized to transfer its offices to any other place as may be agreed upon by them.
For this purpose, Treasurer Laya is hereby directed to reside in Dansalan, retaining, however, his status as Provincial Treasurer of Misamis Oriental. He shall accordingly make arrangements for his Assistant to discharge the duties of Provincial Treasurer of that province.
Done in the Municipality of Dansalan, this sixteenth day of March, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred forty-two, and of the Commonwealth of the Philippines, the seventh.
(sgd.) Andres Soriano
Special Delegate of His Excellency,
the President, and Treasurer of the Philippines
Then, additional supporting documentation:
Counterpart No. 1
I hereby acknowledge to have this 24th day of March, 1942, received from Major Andres Soriano, Treasurer of the Philippines, the sum of TWENTY EIGHT THOUSAND SIX HUNDRED SIXTY THREE AND 30/100 (P28,663.30) PESOS, Philippine Currency, to be used by me as Special Disbursing Officer of the Office of His Excellency, The President of the Philippines.
(sgd) Serapio D. Canceran
Special Disb. Office
Office of the President.Note-
This recepit consists of five counterparts, each of which serves as original.
Followed by:
Counterpart No. 2
Del Monte, Bukidnon,
March 24, 1942I hereby acknowledge to have this 24th day of March, 1942, received from Major Andres Soriano, Treasurer of the Philippines, the sum of ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND AND NO/100 (P100,000.00) PESOS, Philippine Currency, to be used by me as Disbursing Officer for His Excellency, The President of the Philippines.
(sgd.) Manuel Nieto
Lieutenant-ColonelNote-
This receipt consists of five (5) counterparts, each of which serves as original.
More supporting documents:
Counterpart No. 2
I hereby certify to have this 24th day of March, 1942, received from Mr. Serapio D. Canceran, Special Disbursing Officer, Office of the President, the sum of FIVE HUNDRED TWENTY EIGHT THOUSAND SIX HUNDRED SIXTY THREE AND NO/100 (P528,663.00) PESOS, Philippine Currency.
(sgd.) Major Andres Soriano
Treasurer of the PhilippinesNote-
The above receipt consists of five (5) counterparts, each of which serves as original.
More documentation:
Counterpart No. 3
I hereby certify to have this 24th day of March, 1942, received from Col. Nieto the sum of ONE MILLION ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND AND NO/100 (P1,100,000.00) PESOS, Philippine Currency, which was the same sum received by said Col. Nieto from The Honorable, The Acting Secretary of Finance, Hon. Jose Abad Santos.
(sgd.) Major Andres Soriano
Treasurer of the PhilippinesNote-
The above sum has been included with the funds contained in Box No. AA-1 (now footlocker with padlock) deposited for safekeeping temporarily in Del Monte, Bukidnon, in care of Lt. Col Paul S. Beard to be finally deposited in the new vault being constructed now at Dansalan, Lanao, care of Commissioner Teopisto Guingona.
(sgd.) Andres Soriano
This recepit consists of six counterparts, each of which serves as original.
An acknowledgment receipt:
United States Army Forces in the Far East
Headquarters, Mindanao Force
Bukidnon, PhilippinesMarch 24, 1942Counterpart No. 4.
I hereby acknowledge that I have received from Major Andres Soriano, Treasurer of the Philippines, the following:
1. A box (foot-locker with padlock) bearing black sencil numbers B-41 on the sides and B-41 on the top:
Denomination         Total Number      Value
P50.00                40,000            P2,000,000.002. A box (foot-locker with padlock) bearing black stencil numbers B-52 on the sides and B-56 on the top:
Denomination         Total Number      Value
P50.00                40,000            P2,000,000.003. A box (foot-locker with padlock) marked AA-1 on top and sides:
Denomination         Total Number      Value
(as per list enclosed in box)                P1,500,000.004. A box bearing black stencil numbers B-56 on the sides and B-64 on the top:
Denomination         Total Number      Value
P50.00               40,000            P2,000,000.00Contents of above four boxes were not checked or counted at time of storage, the control and accountability remaining with the Commonwealth Government, and not in any manner passing to the credit of the United States Government or any of it’s officers, and being held only for safekeeping until such time as the vault now under construction at Dansalan, Lanao, will be ready, at which time, the funds and responsibility will be transferred to Commissioner Teopisto Guingona, who is authorized to accept responsibility as custodian of the Commonwealth Government, thereby terminating entirely all responsibility of Col. Paul S. Beard, F.D., U.S.A. At no time will the contents of said boxes be used by anyone except by express authority of His Excellency, The President, Manuel L. Quezon, or Colonel Manuel Roxas, or Major Andres Soriano, Treasurer of the Philippines, or their successors in office. The keys of the temporary depository will be held by Colonel Beard and Commissioner Guingona and are to be turned over to their successors should either be transferred to other posts, which will terminate their responsibility entirely.
This receipt consists of six counterparts, each of which serves as original.
Dated at Del Monte, Bukidnon, this 24th Day of March, 1942.
(sgd.) Paul S. Beard
Lt.-Col., F.D.,
U.S.A.The above agreement accepted for the Commonwealth Government of the Philippines, dated at Del Monte, Bukidnon, this 24th Day of March, 1942.
(sgd.) Andres Soriano
Treasurer of the Philippines(handwritten notation & signature) Approved, Manuel L. Quezon
Additional records of transfers:
(vertical inscription: Per letter of President Quezon to Philippine National Bank, Cebu Branch, dated March 1, 1942)
Counterpart No. 5
THROUGH THE PHILIPPINE NATIONAL BANK
Exchange for P1,000,000.00 Del Monte, Bukidnon
March 26, 1942——At sight—— of this First of Exchange (Second Unpaid) pay to the order of PHILIPPINE NATIONAL BANK CEBU BRANCH—–the sum of PESOS ONE MILLION ONLY—-
Value received and charge the same account of
To THE TREASURER OF THE COMMONWEALTH
OF THE PHILIPPINES, Manila(sgd.) Andres Soriano
Treasurer of the Philippines
And more:
(vertical inscription: Per letter of President Quezon to Philippine National Bank, Cebu Branch, dated March 1, 1942)
Counterpart No. 6
THROUGH THE PHILIPPINE NATIONAL BANK
Exchange for P1,000,000.00 Del Monte, Bukidnon
March 26, 1942——At sight—— of this Second Exchange (First Unpaid) pay to the order of PHILIPPINE NATIONAL BANK CEBU BRANCH—–the sum of PESOS ONE MILLION ONLY—-
Value received and charge the same account of
To THE TREASURER OF THE COMMONWEALTH
OF THE PHILIPPINES, Manila(sgd.) Andres Soriano
Treasurer of the Philippines
And yet more:
(vertical inscription: Per letter of President Quezon to Philippine National Bank, Cebu Branch, dated March 1, 1942)
Counterpart No. 7
THROUGH THE PHILIPPINE NATIONAL BANK
Exchange for P2,000,000.00 Del Monte, Bukidnon
March 26, 1942——At sight—— of this First of Exchange (Second Unpaid) pay to the order of PHILIPPINE NATIONAL BANK CEBU BRANCH—–the sum of PESOS TWO MILLION ONLY—-
Value received and charge the same account of
To THE TREASURER OF THE COMMONWEALTH
OF THE PHILIPPINES, Manila(sgd.) Andres Soriano
Treasurer of the Philippines
And another:
(vertical inscription: Per letter of President Quezon to Philippine National Bank, Cebu Branch, dated March 1, 1942)
Counterpart No. 8
THROUGH THE PHILIPPINE NATIONAL BANK
Exchange for P2,000,000.00 Del Monte, Bukidnon
March 26, 1942——At sight—— of this Second of Exchange (First Unpaid) pay to the order of PHILIPPINE NATIONAL BANK CEBU BRANCH—–the sum of PESOS TWO MILLION ONLY—-
Value received and charge the same account of
To THE TREASURER OF THE COMMONWEALTH
OF THE PHILIPPINES, Manila(sgd.) Andres Soriano
Treasurer of the Philippines
Additional instructions:
Commonwealth Government of the Philippine Islands
Office of the Treasurer
In the Field
Del Monte, Bukidnon, P.I.
March 24, 1942.This is to certify that, in the event the military situation indicates that the Commonwealth Government funds, deposited for safekeeping with Colonel Paul S. Beard, F.D., U.S.A., and Commissioner of Mindanao, Teopisto Guingona, are in danger of being captured by the enemy, the Commanding General. Mindanao Force, may order destruction, by a Committee of Three who will certify that the funds have been destroyed by them personally.
(sgd.) Major Andres Soriano
Treasurer of the Philippines1 Copy for Major Soriano
1 Copy for Colonel Beard
1 Copy for Commanding General, Mindanao Force(handwritten notation and signature) Approved, Manuel L. Quezon
A promotion:
March 26, 1942
Sir: You are hereby appointed Secretary of Finance, ad interim, and member of my War Cabinet. You may turn over all the records of the National Treasury to Colonel Manuel Roxas, Secretary to the President, who has been instructed by me to take the necessary steps for the proper administration of the affairs of that office.
Respectfully,
(sgd.) Manuel L. Quezon
Major Andres Soriano
Del Monte, Bukidnon
Then, submission of documents to the auditing office:
Commonwealth of the Philippines
General Auditing Office
ManilaJaime Hernandez
Auditor General1617 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W.,
Washington, D.C., May 21, 1942Hon. Andres Soriano,
Secretary of Finance,
Washington, D.C.Sir:
This will acknowledge receipt from you of copies of the following official documents:
1. Counterpart No. 5 of receipt dated March 24, 1942, at Del Monte, Bukidnon, signed by Paul S. Beard, Lt. Col., F.D., U.S.A., from Maj. Andres Soriano, Treasurer of the Philippines, for four boxes containing P7,500,000.00. Approved by Pres. Quezon.
2. Certificate dated March 24, 1942, at Del Monte, Bukidnon, signed by Maj. Andres Soriano, Treasurer of the Philippines, and approved by Pres. Quezon, authorizing destruction by a Committee of three, government funds deposited for safekeeping with Col. Paul S. Beard, F.D., U.S.A., and Commissioner of Mindanao, Teopisto Guingona.
3. Counterparts Nos. 5 and 6, dated March 26, 1942, at Del Monte, Bukidnon, signed by Andres Soriano, Treasurer of the Philippines, Exchange for P2,000,000.00 to Treasurer of the Commonwealth of the Philippines, Manila, thru the Philippine National Bank.
4. Counterparts No. 7 and 8, dated March 26, 1942, at Del Monte, Bukidnon, signed by Andres Soriano, Treasurer of the Philippines, Exchange for P1,000,000.00 to Treasurer of the Commonwealth of the Philippines, Manila, thru the Philippine National Bank.
5. Counterpart No. 4 of receipt dated March 24, 1942, signed by Maj. Andres Soriano, Treasurer of the Philippines, for the amount of P1,100,000.00 from Col. Nieto.
6. Counterpart No. 3 of receipt dated March 24, 1942, signed by Maj. Andres Soriano, Treasurer of the Philippines, for the amount of P528,663.00 from Serapio D. Canceran, Special Disbursing Officer, Office of the President.
7. Counterpart No. 2 of receipt dated March 24, 1942, signed by Serapio D. Canceran, Special Disbursing Officer, Office of the President, for P28,662.30, from Maj. Andres Soriano, Treasurer of the Philippines.
8. Counterpart No. 2 of receipt dated March 24, 1942, signed by Lt. Col. Manuel Nieto, Disbursing Officer, Office of the President, for P100,000.00, from Maj. Andres Soriano, Treasurer of the Philippines.
9. Memorandum Report of S.G. Miranda, Acting Manager, Philippine National Bank, Cebu, dated at Cebu City om February 28, 1942.
10. Letter of Andres Soriano, Secretary of Finance, to the Manager, Commonwealth Bank of Australia, Melbourne, dated April 2, 1942, re transfer of $500,000.00 from the Chase National Bank to the National City Bank of New York.
11. Letter of Andres Soriano, Secretary of Finance, to the Manager, Commonwealth Bank of Australia, Melbourne, dated April 6, 1942, re transfer of $400,000.00 from the National City Bank of New York to the Chase National Bank.
12. Letter of Andres Soriano, Secretary of Finance, to the Manager, Commonwealth Bank of Australia, Melbourne, dated April 16, 1942, re amount of $15,000.00 to be operated by Maj. Joseph McMicking.
Respectfully
(sgd.) Jaime Hernandez
Auditor General
Technorati Tags: constitution, history, House of Representatives, philippines, politics, president, Senate, society
An interesting insight into a part of Philippine history, and when men in government were and can be trusted.
Wow, This article is worth a 2nd and 3rd reading!
The part about the disposition of the gold bullions should be taught in our high schools rather than the tall tales about the Tabon man, the land bridges used by the Aetas and the Indones and the Malay that drove them up the hills.
Thanks!
Excerpts of a Presidential Speech of Resignation
Good evening my countrymen:
This is the 37th time I have spoken to you from this office, where so many decisions have been made that shaped the history of this Nation. Each time I have done so to discuss with you some matter that I believe affected the national interest.
In all the decisions I have made in my public life, I have always tried to do what was best for the Nation.
In the past few days, however, it has become evident to me that I no longer have a strong enough political base in the Congress to justify continuing that effort. As long as there was such a base, I felt strongly that it was necessary to see the constitutional process through to its conclusion, that to do otherwise would be unfaithful to the spirit of that deliberately difficult process and a dangerously destabilizing precedent for the future.
But with the disappearance of that base, I now believe that the constitutional purpose has been served, and there is no longer a need for the process to be prolonged.
I would have preferred to carry through to the finish whatever the personal agony it would have involved, and my family unanimously urged me to do so. But the interests of the Nation must always come before any personal considerations.
.
I have never been a quitter. To leave office before my term is completed is abhorrent to every instinct in my body. But as President, I must put the interest of the country first.
The nation needs a full-time President and a full-time Congress, particularly at this time with problems we face at home and abroad.
To continue to fight through the months ahead for my personal vindication would almost totally absorb the time and attention of both the President and the Congress in a period when our entire focus should be on the great national issues of economic prosperity and political stability..
Therefore, I shall resign the Presidency effective at noon tomorrow. The Vice President will be sworn in as President at that hour in this office.
By taking this action, I hope that I will have hastened the start of that process of healing which is so desperately needed in this country.
I regret deeply any injuries that may have been done in the course of the events that led to this decision. I would say only that if some of my judgments were wrong, and some were wrong, they were made in what I believed at the time to be the best interest of the Nation.
To those who have stood with me during these past difficult months, to my family, my friends, to many others who joined in supporting my cause because they believed it was right, I will be eternally grateful for your support.
And to those who have not felt able to give me your support, let me say I leave with no bitterness toward those who have opposed me, because all of us, in the final analysis, have been concerned with the good of the country, however our judgments might differ.
To have served in this office is to have felt a very personal sense of kinship with our people. In leaving it, I do so with this prayer: May God’s grace be with you in all the days ahead.
ramrod:trick or treat?
equalizer,
trick or treat? to you too!
I couldn’t get in mlq3′s blog last night so I visited your blog instead and took a look at ellen’s blog also.
sa mga Amerikano yung trick or treat custom.
Sa mga Pinoy – “BULAGA!”
Ed Ermita is one smooth operator and is genuinely one non-confrontational bloke at all; he’d rather smile his way through to a compromise than rock the boat. And I think that’s what’s happening here.
However, Puno might find that if he pushes Ermita so far, Edong, ever the suave and gentle fellow, is also perfectly capable of turning around to give him one thorough thrashing.
In memoriam
We ask that you take time from your holiday schedule to stop, reflect, and pray for those brave men and women who have fought and died during the dark days of the conjugal dictatorship.We hope thay have not died in vain.
We owe so much to these brave souls (and all those who put their lives on the line during the martial law years. ).
Ninoy Aquino (Senator)
Lean Alejandro (UP Student Leader)
Ed Jopson (Ateneo Student Leader)
Jose W.Diokno (Senator)
Lorenzo M. Tanada (Senator)
Chino Roces (Manila Times Publisher)
Jose Mari Velez (Broadcaster)
where men and women can still be trusted and that was a long time ago. wish we could say this still with our present crops of elected leaders and public servants in the Philippines.
BTW, today the Federal Government announced another Good Year, a projected $16 billions Budget Surplus and instead of Politicians asking for a raise, (MPs are making $243 thous) the Finance Minister is cutting taxes Left an Right… where men and women can still be trusted. thank you..
Vic,
Heh! President Sarkozy is also asking for a raise in pay to be aligned to salary of prime minister who, amazing as it may soung, receives more, almost double the salary of the president.
I think if approved by National Assembly, President Sarkozy will be earning a bit more than 200K Euros. Chancellor Merkel is the highest paid chief exec in Europe and someone from a new EU member nation from Eastern Europe is the lowest receiving something like 30K a year.
So far, apparently, George Bush is still the highest paid Western chief exec. (I bet Gloria surpasses them all, of course not officially…)
The back pay for Congressmen in 1945 looks reasonable enough, but at a time of very high inflation, the general public must have deemed the P20,000 back pay as scandalous in the face of their own hardships. No wonder the Congress then suffered the backlash. Fast forward, and we now see P500,000 being distributed to local officials for mysterious reasons, at a time when 19% of the general population experiences involuntary hunger. No wonder we see the same typical backlash.
mlq3,
What is the current salary of the Philippine President? Is it still P25,000 a month?
MBW, Actually the Basic salary of our PM is 150G and all MPs, the PM is double to 300G and everyone who has a position in the house, like party leaders and ministers and party whips and speaker get an additional renumeration and allowances. No Porks though and only half is taxable…just an incentive for the likes of Belinda Stronach to get into politics and she’s giving hers to Charity…
Singapore Public Officials Salaries
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0IfHzr7bSe0
I posted a link re salaries of Singapore public officials but its awaiting moderation.
How GMA Cheated in the Elections (documentary)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nqhRO115rIk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JVSdBK545Os
ramrod, wow!!! the Singapore Leaders are getting minimum $2 millions in salaries. no wonder they are governed just as good. and most public service positions in the 6 digits range and with those salaries plus the enforcement of the “rule of law” and the stiff punishments for what we take for granted in the Philippines as just a weather, weather system, now is your turn, help yourself and you will get a pardon..now we knew it is not a mystery that Singapore already in the First World long time ago…
Something is going on!
I had difficulty last night getting into Manolo’s blog.
Tonight,ellen’s blog site is directing me to the ellen degeneres site.
I hope it’s just trick or teat time…
vic,
This actually allows them to get the best people to run their government. Cvj has the lowdown on how the Singaporean government prevents corruption that when applied to Pinas will mean “bye-bye 500,000Php paper bags!”
“I hope it’s just trick or teat time…” – equalizer
Your slip is showing, you need to go out on a date.
ramrod:just hungry..lol
but check 4 yourself ellen’s blog site now
equalizer, vic, cvj
I posted links re Probe Team on cheating during presidential elections but its awaiting moderation.
equalizer,
how do i register there? i can’t post a comment, i want to go in as juggernaut?
it’s now the ellen degeneres site!Enjoy!
HERE’S A MORE COMPLETE VERSION
strange, it mostly happens in Mindanao (Lanao and Maguindanao) same as the senatorial elections?
http://probetv.com/view_video.php?viewkey=e257e44aa9d5bade97ba
equalizer,
I peeped just now, its still okay, even saw your post re the “speech.”
Juggernaut:i like your poet site,i went to Robert Frost’s:two roads diverged into the woods..that’s my life.
your 2 comments noted.
The Road Not Taken
by Robert Frost
Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;
Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,
And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I–
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
“Two roads diverged in a wood, and I–
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
Robert Frost”
No regrets!
It looks like Ellen’s domain has expired.
Mlq3′s exceeded the bandwidth for the month of October while Ellen’s domain has expired.
She needs to renew that before someone grabs the domain.
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has named a new commissioner to the Commission on Elections (Comelec), her spokesman has announced.
Moslemen Macarambon has been chosen by the President from a list of nominees submitted to Malacañang, Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye told INQUIRER.net Thursday.
qwert,
Hi, have you seen the video re salaries of Singapore public officials updated 2007?
ram,
yes,just now,very competitive indeed.
The Singaporean government can have the best and most qualified people working for them as they are paid as much as theit corpoarate counterparts. And they can afford to do so partly because their budget is accounted for and of course a major reason is that they have a first world economy which I believe is also due to the wok of these highly competent officials.
The other thing is that Singapore’s ruling party, the PAP invites distinguished professionals into their party to become Members of Parliament (MP’s). There is a genuine effort to attract their top talent. This is not to say that there is no backlash from the common people. I can hear some grumbling but i think they’ll appreciate their blessings more if they walked in our shoes for a while.
Wow! It is amazing how peopple before the war considered that the wealth of the country was contained in gold bullion, gold and silver coins.
That was then the gold and silver fetish.
Soooooooooo interesting……
Any government can have the best and most qualified people including the patriotic ones, not withstanding the need to give them competitive salaries, but how can any government give what is due them if they don’t have the money and how can they have the money if they don’t have the brilliant,capable and patriotic ministers and civil servants? This is not to beg the question but somewhere along the timeline of good governance is the sacrifice of leaders (sometimes referred to as heroes)to jumpstart the cycle of progress.This is not to say that we don’t have heroes, we have many of them but they are bundled in one dispensation alone ( in times of war and revolution).We should have leaders who will sacrifice and give their all for flag and country in every dispensation and that the sacrifice becomes priceless and to give him/her a salary of $3.2 million will still be not enough a price for their sacrifice.
Qwert, my hypothesis is that the periodic wars that we’ve had (from the Spanish, American, Japanese & internal conflict) are the ones responsible for the deterioration in character of the Filipino. This is because our heroes, i.e. those who are disposed to sacrifice tend to die off first. That leaves the collaborators, opportunists, fence-sitters and their descendants to repopulate the country.
I don’t think we can sustain the day to day management of a government on the basis of people who ‘sacrifice’. I do think however, that as in a corporation, the internal working culture matters, but the effects of these can only kick-in after matters like compensation have already been settled.
Even in the corporate world, we are capable of sacrifice. I have worked 24 to 36 hours without sleep just to deliver on a project. However, it is ridiculous to expect sacrifice to be the day-in/day-out norm. People would sooner or later burn-out or look for other jobs.
I agree with cvj, it seems to me that the country can afford it already, the funds are just not properly disbursed and accounted for. Its like we’re hemorrhaging money internally and its killing the whole body.
And heroes, yes, we have actually benefited from those who lay their lives, their careers, and even resources to remove dictators, negotiate for better benefits and compensation, hold off tuition fee increases, make the government accountable for missing people, not to mention, leaders who died fighting the Spaniards, the Americans, and the Japanese.
What I don’t understand is that we seem to have a pattern (historically) of Filipinos either betraying or killing each other ie Andres Bonifacio (killed by a Filipino), Antonio Luna, and my favorite Gregorio H. del Pilar (betrayed by a Filipino leading the Americans to a way they can get the higher ground and shoot him and his men with snipers).
If you look at the links re videos of the elections anomalies, you’ll see that a trail leads to Mindanao, specifically Lanao del Sur and Maguindanao, etc. Its the same problem areas in the senatorial elections where the administration reported got a 12/0 win over the opposition.
In the past, even in the time of Marcos, many soldiers have been asking why when they were about to overwhelm the enemy strongholds (Moro rebels) there is an order from high command to withdraw? Or do you remember how a rebel leader held hostage a general in a major military camp in Mindanao was able to escape inspite of the fact that the camp was surrounded by superior forces throwing everything but the kitchen sink at them (howitzers and all)? Come to think of it, Erap was only one serious enough with all out war really, it was during his time that the soldiers actually overran a major rebel camp and occupied it (even had lechon brought over there). And people wonder why Erap is closer to the junior officers and foot soldiers?
What is in Mindanao? Why is it that the witnesses retract their statements at the moment they are most needed? Why is Garci and now Lintang Bedol seemingly are not afraid of government sanctions? Do they know something we don’t?
My grandmother who died 4 years ago at the age of 93 was a public school teacher all her civil service life, she was a grade 2 teacher all her civil service life, to her teaching is a calling and she told me that you can never be a good civil servant unless you learn to sacrifice. She never did it for the money but she never denied that she needs it.The same is true with my grandfather (mother side), a rural doctor all his civil service life and my grandmother(mother side), a nurse (National Mental Hospital)all her civil service life.All of them deceased.
With due respect, I think the corporate world is very much different,though they are capable of making sacrifices,only a few will do it for the rest of their career life.
There must be a balance that a civil servant must always be aware of. They should never do their job for the money and they should never accept any money they don’t deserve.
So lets pay them (the deserving) and pay them big because if not someones going to pay the scoundrels and the “rotten tomatoes” big-time to always practice the “Filipino tago, Filipino turo” syndrome.
my 2004 article on the president’s salary is here:
http://www.quezon.ph/?page_id=1585
ramrod, that’s not uniquely filipino, it’s a circumstance that’s common in revolutionary situations. there’s the famous saying that revolutions eat their own children. when people take it upon themselves to demolish a society and topple rulers, then their deciding they have a superior revolutionary zeal to other comrades isn’t far behind. this is why i profoundly mistrust all revolutionaries, each one is a potential pol pot.
“What is in Mindanao? Why is it that the witnesses retract their statements at the moment they are most needed? Why is Garci and now Lintang Bedol seemingly are not afraid of government sanctions? Do they know something we don’t?”- ram
This news item might help understand the situation:
“He doesn’t wear a bejeweled turban or sport a ceremonial kris, but Andal Ampatuan is as much a sultan as any.
You could walk past him without a second glance if it were not for the gold Rolex watch on his wrist and his thick gold ring, unusual in impoverished Mindanao. Or if you sensed the loaded revolver in a holster under his T-shirt.
Ampatuan is the governor of Maguindanao province, but he’s much more than that. He is a datu, or clan leader, and wields enough political power for President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to call him a valuable ally.
A 65-year-old with jet black, close-cropped hair, Ampatuan has been elected governor twice unopposed, and fully expects to be similarly voted to power at elections in May. Of the 22 mayors in his province, 18 are sons, grandsons or other relatives, and they all are likely to be reelected — also unopposed.”
This is primarily the reason why we have a “Senator from Maguindanao”.
We need more heroes who are willing to sacrifice themselves so that when some of them die, there are more of them left. The problem is there’s not much out there. Even the OFWs who are considered bagong bayani are actually outside of the Philippines to save their own skin not really to save the country.
mlq3,
If I hadn’t read “Closer than Brothers” I would have disagreed with you re revolutionaries. But its true, revolutionaries are good at what they do but mostly only at what they do. Mostly they suffer some form of “neurosis” that things are better done expediently through brute force and this is “for their own good.”
I could not avoid finding a similar situation in the present. It seems to me that GMA, all her seemingly brutal(powerful money) hold in congress, in the local government, and brazen disregard for public sentiment, patronage, wheeling and dealing, etc. she might actually believe this is all necessary and that the county needed to be run this way, in other words, she maybe thinking she is doing the right thing given the circumstances? And that after surviving all attempts at relieving her and subsequent economic gains (GDP growth, low inflation rate, etc.) she will be vindicated in the end.
“Arroyo names new COMELEC commissioner
The Commission on Elections confirmed Thursday that President Arroyo has appointed Moslemen Maracambon Sr. as the new commissioner of the Commission on Elections.ABS-CBN Interactive”
Manolo:Who is this guy? Credible?
Equalizer allow me to butt in:
Who is Moslemen Macarambon?
[G.R. No. 138143. November 24, 1999]
TRANS-ASIA SHIPPING LINES vs. HON. MACARAMBON
FIRST DIVISION
Gentlemen:
Quoted hereunder, for your information, is a resolution of this Court dated NOV 24,1999.
G. R. No. 138143 (TRANS-ASIA SHIPPING LINES, INC. vs. HON. MOSLEMEN MACARAMBON, in his capacity as the Presiding Judge of the RTC, Branch ll of Malabang, Lanao del Sur, et. al.)
On April 28, 1999, Trans-Asia Shipping Lines, Inc. (Trans-Asia) 1 It is a corporation engaged in inter-island shipping with principal office at Trans-Asia Building, Cors. M. J. Cuenco Avenue, Cebu City filed with this Court a petition for change of venue of Civil Case No. 11-140 2 Pending before Branch 11, Regional Trial Court, Malabang, Lanao del Sur, Judge Moslemen Macarambon, presiding. filed against it by private respondent Sonny Ambrosi Macarambon. Petitioner further prays that public respondent Judge Moslemen T. Macarambon be permanently enjoined from acting on the civil case.
On September 4, 1998, Judge Moslemen Macarambon and Sonny Ambrosi Macarambon boarded one of petitioner’s vessels, MV Asia-Brunei, at the port of Cebu bound for Malabang, Lanao del Sur. However, they were not accommodated in the vessel’s ambassador suite as this was previously booked. The original ship that the father and son were supposed to board was denied clearance at the port of Cebu and the replacement vessel had a smaller capacity. Hence, not all the passengers booked were accommodated thereat.
Trans-Asia, through its legal officer, apologized for the inconvenience and informed respondents that if the offered accommodation would not be acceptable to them, petitioner would be willing to refund the ticket. Despite the offer, Judge Moslemen Macarambon became furious and expressed his intention to bring the matter to court. Brandishing his calling card to petitioner’s employee, respondent judge said: “You know I am a judge. You should have accommodated me first.†3 Rollo, p. 6. Respondents immediately disembarked from the vessel.
Petitioner’s attempt to reach an amicable settlement with respondents failed because the latter demanded big amounts. Respondents Judge Moslemen Macarambon and Sonny Ambrosi Macarambon demanded one hundred fifty thousand (P150,000.00) pesos and one hundred thousand (P100,000.00) pesos, respectively.
On January 27, 1999, respondent Sonny Ambrosi Macarambon filed with Regional Trial Court, Malabang. Lanao del Sur, Branch 11, a civil action against petitioner Trans-Asia, for breach of contract and damages. 4 Docketed as Civil Case No. 11-140.
On September 1, 1999, this Court issued a resolution 5 Resolution, Rollo, pp. 57-58. granting the petition for change of venue and authorizing Executive Judge Noli T. Catli, Regional Trial Court, Cagayan de Oro City, to raffle the case among the regional trial court branches thereat. We ordered respondent judge to explain, within ten (10) days from receipt of notice, why he took cognizance of the civil case despite the fact that it involved his son Sonny Ambrosi Macarambon, and it arose out of an incident in which he was personally involved, as well as to comment on the report of petitioner regarding his unjudicial conduct in that incident.
Earlier, on August 23, 1999, respondent Sonny Ambrosi Macarambon executed a “Quitclaim, Release and Waiver†in favor of petitioner. Trans-Asia and Sonny Ambrosi Macarambon immediately filed with the trial court a joint motion to dismiss, submitting a copy of the quitclaim and waiver for approval of the court. On the same date, respondent judge approved the waiver and dismissed the case. 6 Regional Trial Court Decision, Rollo, p. 68.
On September 14, 1999, petitioner filed with this Court a manifestation 7 Manifestation, Rollo, pp. 59-60. praying for the dismissal of the petition for change of venue because Civil Case No. 11-140 had been dismissed by the trial court.
We deny petitioner’s prayer for dismissal of the petition for change of venue. We set aside the August 23, 1999 decision of respondent judge in Civil Case No. 11-140. Under Rule 137, Section 1 of the Rules of Court, respondent judge is disqualified to sit in any case in which his child is pecuniarily interested or in which he is related to either party within the sixth degree of consanguinity. Sonny Ambrosi Macarambon, the plaintiff in the civil case pending before the trial court is son of respondent judge.
WHEREFORE, the trial court’s. August 23, 1999 decision in Civil Case No 11-140 is SET ASIDE and this Court’s resolution of September 1, 1999 is reiterated, directing the transfer of Civil Case No. 11-140 to the Regional Trial Court, Cagayan de Oro City. Let copies of the quitclaim, release and waiver, as well as the joint motion to dismiss filed by the parties before the Regional Trial Court, Malabang, Lanao del Sur, Branch 11, be forwarded to the proper branch of the Regional Trial Court, Cagayan de Oro City, where Civil Case No. 11-140 was raffled.
Very truly yours,
(Sgd.) VIRGINIA ANCHETA-SORIANO
Clerk of Court
Equalizer,
Walang delicadeza, to say the least.
QWERT: thanks!
I guess we can expect more “senators from maguindanao”in the next elections.
Gloria looks for something really special when appointing comelec commissioners.
Oh well,what else is new?
“She never did it for the money but she never denied that she needs it.The same is true with my grandfather (mother side), a rural doctor all his civil service life and my grandmother(mother side), a nurse (National Mental Hospital)all her civil service life.” – qwert
qwert,
In my younger years I worked as a med rep for Nestle promoting infant nutrition products to doctors, because I am male and a “bisaya” I was always assigned to far away places like Leyte and Samar, covering rural health units meaning rural health doctors, nurses, and midwives. During those times I would arrange for my company to donate rubber gloves, cord clamps, and yes boxes and boxes of Cerelac and Ceresoy to these RHUs. These doctors are a different breed compared to the ones in the private hospitals, and much more easy to be with. There are times I would buy them medical instruments for their birthdays as I noticed they sometimes need to use their own money and their salaries were not a third of my own. I also noticed they didn’t have much stock of medicines, most especially in the mountain barangays. What they had, I noticed were an oversupply of condoms.
My Dad (who is now 89) is also a lifelong government employee with the Central Bank so i can appreciate what you mean about government service.
The corporate world, especially big corporations is not that different from government in terms of dedication to service. Yes, it is true that our salesmen have to be sharks (with due respect to ramrod) so they can feed us. However, for those who are in post-sales or in project execution, we have been inculcated with a culture that values excellence in execution and service to the customer. That’s something that has been drilled into me since i joined the company i work for. In the Corporation as in government, Culture plays a big part. It’s the role of the leaders to cultivate such a culture.
I agree 100% with this.
“Senator Lacson said Macarambon is “a known Garci protégé and operator. I have reliable information that he is Garci’s last hirit [favor] with Gloria,” referring to former elections commissioner Virgilio Garcillano and President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
Garcillano and Arroyo’s supposedly recorded telephone conversations, popularly known as the “Hello Garci” tapes, has sparked the biggest threat to the Presidency. In that recorded phone conversation, the President was supposed to have asked Garcillano to rig the 2004 presidential elections in her favor.
“His appointment only means GMA [Arroyo] isn’t serious about electoral reforms or worse, she plans to cheat again in 2010. For whom? It bears watching. Her politics is incorrigibly transactional,” Lacson said.INQUIRER
So its set then? The new comelec commissioner will ensure the “swing votes” from Mindanao, the numbers in congress, and the mass based political mechanism – local government units are already oiled, gased, and ready to go.
Is this in preparation for a “snap election” , “impeachment proceeding”, or “charter change?” Ot all of the above?
ram,cvj
Araw naman ng mga patay ngayon, let’s honor the dead. One day I chanced upon my lola,teary eyed, and I asked her, lola what’s the problem? She did not answer and just pointed to an item in the newspaper.The news was about teachers going to Hongkong as domestic helpers to earn more money. I told her, lola, please understand they need the money, they have mouths to feed and children to send to school and she answered me, I also needed the money when I raised your papa and your uncles and aunts (4 boys and 3 girls)but I have never stooped that low. I was going to argue further for her to understand the predicament of these OFWSs but you know how it is when you talked to people much older than you, so I just let it be.
By the way, my lolo died when the eldest(Auntie Lilia) was just 13 years old,he was tortured and beheaded by the Japanese during WW2 for being a guerilla.
qwert,
You’re fortunate you have heroes in your lineage, mine is a long list of farmers, fishermen, and eventually clerks, nothing that exciting. But then again, I wouldn’t wish heroism on any of them, at least they died peacefully.
The OFW phenomenon brings with it positive and negative impressions, but as always, we Filipinos always know how to look at the bright side of life, and “gratefulness” a source of boundless strength is innate in all of us.
These heroes are dead.
They died for liberty – they died for us.
They are at rest.
They sleep in the land they made free, under the flag they rendered stainless, under the solemn pines, the sad hemlocks, the tearful willows, and the embracing vines.
They sleep beneath the shadows of the clouds, careless alike of sunshine or of storm, each in the windowless Place of Rest.
Earth may run red with other wars – they are at peace. In the midst of battle, in the roar of conflict, they found the serenity of death.
I have one sentiment for soldiers living and dead: cheers for the living; tears for the dead.
~Robert G. Ingersoll
So now you understand why we should treat our resident Lolo with respect also – Bencard.
So everytime we answer his comments, we should start with “Mano po” (lol)
“I die without seeing the dawn brighten over my native land. You who have it to see, welcome it– and forget not those who have fallen during the night!”- Jose Rizal
They saw their injured country’s woe;
The flaming town, the wasted field;
Then rushed to meet the insulting foe;
They took the spear, – but left the shield.
~Philip Freneau
Now that was statesmanship and charismatic, I wonder where it started to go wrong?
Manolo,
What happened when all those gold reserves were repatriated to the post-war Philippine government?
Does the story this time have a sad ending?
I hope the gold reserves are in Fort Knox or something for safe keeping.
Do Not Go Gentle Into That Goodnight
By Dylan Thomas
Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
Though wise men at their end know dark is right,
Because their words had forked no lightning they
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright
Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight,
And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way,
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight
Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
And you, my father, there on the sad height,
Curse, bless, me now with your fierce tears, I pray.
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
Bencard must be the one of the oldest persons who uses the expression ‘lol’. i took it to be the standard shortcut to ‘laugh out loud’, but maybe it’s actually a shortcut for ‘lolo’.
Gloria the devil woman is at it again with the recent appointment of this mandarambong to the Commission of Cheating in Elections.
Expect the worst come 2010!
Wala ata si Lolo Ben today lol
cvj, broadbandido,
Have you checked out the link in November 1st, 2007 at 12:41 am ? It has several Probe Team Videos re cheating in elections in Mindanao. Happy Viewing!
ramrod:
I am watching it right now, thanks
How can cheating in Maguindanao/Sulu/Lanao be prevented, since automated voting is not gonna happen in 2010 since the Comelec hasn’t done anything in this regard.
Is the suggestion of holding elections in those areas, so that all eyes will be on them, ahead of the rest of the provinces going to help?
cvj, broadbandido,
If you’ve seen the “I’m sorry video” take a look at this clip of Lee Kuan Yew. I have compared the GMA’s “I’m sorry” to this clip so many times over in the past that led me to conclude, rather painfully, that GMA is not a sincere person.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jcTh6d11TpI
broadbandido,
Yes. Its important to neutralize the “Mindanao factor” as it is the “hat” that the administration care of Mike Arroyo “pulls out the proverbial rabbit.”
I sent another link waiting for moderation.
Even automation won’t solve the problem of cheating. It may even make cheating more efficient.
Under the same COMELEC, i don’t think so. That’s why it’s urgent to have Gloria Arroyo out before 2010 to have time to clean up before the next elections.
ramrod, i viewed the Probe team documentaries last night. thanks for the pointer.
“Under the same COMELEC, i don’t think so. That’s why it’s urgent to have Gloria Arroyo out before 2010 to have time to clean up before the next elections.”-cvj
That’s the problem with “betrayal of public trust”, whatever GMA does or even intend to do is always suspect. It has come to a point that even if election results are clean, even if the projects are good and dealt with honestly,even if GMA is sincere with her statements, it is met with the highest form of suspicion and skepticism.
I think the great debate in this blogsite has a great divide. Those who don’t trust GMA anymore don’t need any legal proof and those who trust her still defends her with legal proof.
“Trust is essential in any relationship, be it with a loved one or a friend. It is the very glue that holds that bond together. But it is a fragile thing. It takes only suspicion, not proof to take it all away.” ~ Anonymous
“Trust is essential in any relationship, be it with a loved one or a friend. It is the very glue that holds that bond together. But it is a fragile thing. It takes only suspicion, not proof to take it all away.†~ Anonymous
GMA is so used to lying that even she believes her lies. She subscribe to the belief that a lie, when repeated often enough, becomes the truth. In her mind, at least.
In the more advanced countries, leaders realize the importance of trust which is often reinforced by a strong fear of losing face. Over here, those values are absent in our leaders and in our political culture. That’s why it’s easy for lawyers or lawyer-types to dictate the terms of the conversation and steer the discussion towards legalities. A convenient result is that we are forced to conform to the language of the court room.
“During his show “Jimmy Kimmel, Live!” aired over the ABC network on October 24, Kimmel told his guest, Hollywood actor Josh Hartnett, who had shot a film in the Philippines, that Filipinos probably couldn’t speak English.
Harnett appeared on the show to talk about his film “I Come with the Rain”, portions of which were shot in a remote mining colony in Mt. Diwalwal in Davao island.
Harnett told Kimmel that Filipinos in the mining town had never seen a white man in person, ever, and were thus “enamored” of the American film crew.
“Did you pretend you have powers?” Kimmel quipped.
The following discussion ensued, obviously in jest.
“You weren’t kidnapped at all?” asked Kimmel.
“Not at all, not even once,” replied Hartnett.
“That’s good news. That’s a little bit nerve-wracking. Yeah, because especially in the
Philippines they probably don’t speak English and no one could read the ransom note or anything,” Kimmel said. ABS-CBN NEWSâ€Â
I expect more people to express indignation about this latest silly TV slur than about the ZTE-NBN deal and other mega scandals of this administration. Probably in the same magnitude like that silly “Desperate Housewives†episode.
I had a girlfriend before who was studying law and I remember helping her study, I noticed that the questions in the cases they were studying did not focus on the application of the law itself but more on the exceptions, so I had the impression that the practice of law is not to protect the law or order but to find “LUSOT” or how to get their client off the hook.
The first and last time I hired a lawyer was when someone paid me a bouncing check and even then I realized I could have made it easier for both of us (and cheaper) if I just talked to the person and negotiated an arrangement.
From then on, when handling issues like salesmen “making kupit” or altering receipts, I just gather all the evidences, study them myself, arrange a meeting with a person and talk to him heart to heart appealing to his sense of decency and honesty. I give him a choice of saving face and resigning or we go the long way of filing cases and subsequent termination in the end. Always, they would prefer resignatiion. Thats why sometimes when I look at GMA I couldn’t help that I’ve had salesmen with average intelligence even mediocre who are better human beings than her.
well, put it another way, put two lawyers together in a room and let them debate on the issue and you can assign any side of the debate to each and reverse sides after, and both lawyers could agree that they were both right on both sides… they just can’t go wrong, yet most of the time, one side always triumph over the other in every case. One has to lose and one to win.
That’s a fact.
the equalizer,
Don’t take Jimmy Kimmel seriously. If you don’t like his jokes then don’t watch. His brand of comedy is not really for onion-skinned Filipinos.
Jimmy on Britney Spears…
“Her new album came out at midnight last night and, believe it or not, it’s getting very positive reviews — despite the fact that it was recorded in her car at a Taco Bell drive-thru.”
Do you think Britney will even protest?
I think the protest on “Desperate Housewives” was more on the threat of the potential loss of income of doctors or health workers in the US than anything else. If the network didn’t issue an apology, they were prepared to sue (lawyers again) for an indecent amount of money. Apparently, in the US, you can sue for “mental anguish,” if we had that here, imagine how much money GMA will have to shell out? Its a national case of “mental anguish.”
supremo,
I believe that onion skinned Filipinos are an endangered species. Just try going into Punchline or the other comedy bars, the people are used to the kind of humor that years ago would make anyone cringe or maybe even shoot the comedian (literally).
Why if we were onion skinned how ever can we take GMA and stoodges? If our leader is a pachyderm, theres every reason for us to be the same.
GMA will visit the Queen.How will they address GMA? (NOT her HIGHness!)
LOL! Nice one, ramrod. And add high blood pressure to mental anguish. Ang daming inaatake ng alta-presyon dahil kay GMA and her cohorts. Imagine the cost to out health care system.
now it’s my age being discussed while i’m asleep. i’m probably as old as mlq3′s father (my oldest, a 34-year old new york attorney), but sadly i’m not yet a lolo because my married younger daughter thought it was “too early” for me to be one.
old age? we’ll all get there as surely as night follows day. the important thing is how we accept it with not too many regrets about what we have done and have failed to do.
quert, that’s why those don’t require “legal proof” are always on the losing side, and have you-know-what on their face to wipe off.
Bencard,
If I were to gauge from the way you write, you will turn out to a very cool lolo. Your grand children will be so proud of you . And Im sure it will a lot of fun too.
So how was your halooween with out grandchildren yet? I had a grand time with my 4 years neice yesterday.
wow I forgot all the “be s” in my comments I must be more lOlo than Bencard
on cheating video, i am wondering why until now, no case was ever filed against the perptrators?
“Apparently, in the US, you can sue for “mental anguish,†if we had that here, imagine how much money GMA will have to shell out? Its a national case of “mental anguish.â€Â
That is not true in the US either. You cannot sue the sitting president for mental anguish.
“they just can’t go wrong, yet most of the time, one side always triumph over the other in every case. One has to lose and one to win.”
That is not true either. You forgot the judge who decides the case.
ramrod,
Comedians at Punchline are pathetic not funny.
I think 90% of Filipinos are still onion skinned. The day that you can make fun of the Philippine President on stage without getting killed is the day that you can declare that “onion skinned Filipinos are an endangered species”.
Agreed, cvj.
Let’s take GMA’s cheating. Some people may still insist that she needs to be somehow legally proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt, before the people can judge her to have cheated. Well, it’s not like this political crisis is being played out in a court of law with a private “plaintiff” and a private “defendant” but rather, it is the people demanding honest answers, proper action and public accountability from our highest public official, because fairly credible evidence (the “garci tapes” and subsequent evidences and testimonies) has come out strongly suggesting her knowledge and involvement in electoral fraud, i.e., that she cheated in the elections. It is GMA’s duty to face such allegations fair and square. Public office is a public trust. Public officers and employees must at all times be accountable to the people. That’s enshrined in our Constitution, isn’t it? If she is innocent, then she could have properly rebutted these. God knows that she has all the resources to do so. But what did she do? She initially tried a cover-up, courtesy of Bunye’s criminal “I have two tapes” tall tale. And when that fizzled out at once because it was so stupid that no one believed Bunye, the cover-up was quickly abandoned and GMA instead decided to just clam up, maybe hoping that if she continues to ignore the issue, it will just go away. All her subsequent actions have been evasive, to say the least. She can’t do that. Again, she’s not just some private “defendant.” She is the highest public officer of the land, tasked to defend the constitution and execute all laws faithfully. She should act in good faith, let the truth come out and ensure that there is public accountability in the face of wrongdoing.
ronon, as you can imagine, the papers i concentrate on and have more access to are from 1935-1944. i will try to find the answer to your question, my assumption is the gold reserves, etc. were transfered with the recognition of philippine independence in 1946 or at the latest, with the creation of the central bank in 1949.
“Over here, those values are absent in our leaders and in our political culture. That’s why it’s easy for lawyers or lawyer-types to dictate the terms of the conversation and steer the discussion towards legalities. A convenient result is that we are forced to conform to the language of the court room”.
You don’t have to. Your problem is to get the impeachment going. To do that you need to fix Congress, get elected if you will….
“She is the highest public officer of the land, tasked to defend the constitution and execute all laws faithfully”
The Constitution made the president accountable by impeachment. Congress needs to do its job. It did not. You (the people) need to hold congress accountable for the duty they have sworn to uphold.
The big question mark did the people hold their congressmen accountable for impeachment? Obviously no.
Yes Dodong, Congress is flawed too. The people should also hold their representatives accountable to them. However, the dynamics of local elections have more to do with parochial concerns. Not that that’s an excuse for congressmen to just ignore their constituents’ sentiments on national matters…
But not impeaching the President isn’t a crime. Electoral fraud is.
“But not impeaching the President isn’t a crime. Electoral fraud is.”
Let me rephrase your statement, President committed crime of electoral fraud but people are powerless to bound their congressmen to do their duty because of parochial concerns. Hmmm.
Is Gloria’s crime not a parochial concern, not your concern, not everybody’s concern? That is why we are voiceless against the very congressmen that we elected to
office. Or is it because only Manila is interested in removing Gloria and Manila is powerless against the congressmen which is the voice of the nation.
No, my problem is that we have a fake President whose continued stay in office is degrading our democratic institutions.
“No, my problem is that we have a fake President whose continued stay in office is degrading our democratic institutions.”
I may add that nothing you can do with that because the majority of congressmen which is the voice of the people think that you are wrong.
The Congressmen are the voice of the nation only if you ignore the fact that they get their instructions via envelopes and paper bags. Your Manila vs. the rest of the Philippines line of attack would have been more believable if the results of the May 2007 Senatorial elections did not produce an Opposition majority nationwide. Today, we can conclude that the sentiments of those in Metro Manila and the rest of the Philippines as far as Gloria is concerned are in synch.
We don’t even know if the Congressmen are doing any thinking as opposed to blindly taking orders on the basis of pork barrel allocations. What we know is that these politicians have demonstrated a warped sense of right and wrong, so if they think i’m wrong, then chances are i’m right.
As to our perceived incapacity to do anything to change things, that’s a feature of our ongoing crisis of representation where the will of the congressmen is different from the will of the people they represent. Given this situation, any claim that they are the voice of the people is empty propaganda.
“That is not true either. You forgot the judge who decides the case”.
That is exactly my point, that it takes a third person to decide which one has the facts instead of insisting his is the truth or the facts, simply means that you can not say one is wrong and you are right, until some impartial third party decides otherwise..
“The Congressmen are the voice of the nation only if you ignore the fact that they get their instructions via envelopes and paper bags.”
Then tell me who has the point of control, the giver or the receiver? The receiver is elected by the people and not appointed by the president. Who has the right of refusal?
“Your Manila vs. the rest of the Philippines line of attack would have been more believable if the results of the May 2007 Senatorial elections did not produce an Opposition majority nationwide. Today, we can conclude that the sentiments of those in Metro Manila and the rest of the Philippines as far as Gloria is concerned are in synch.”
In fact disappointing. The opposition have clear majority mandate in senate, instead it squandered its gains when it was broken and now divided because it cannot agree on their own, a Senate Opposition President. Don’t forget, the large majority in Congress is out of sync.
“the will of the congressmen is different from the will of the people they represent. Given this situation, any claim that they are the voice of the people is empty propaganda.”
Then the people should be rightfully outrage of these congressmen who did not represent their true will, right? But that is not happening. The people are complicit of their congressmen.
D0d0ng, when it comes to bribes, it does not matter who has the ‘point of control’ or the ‘right of refusal’. What matters is that the Congressmen accepted cash in exchange for political support and in the process compromised the independence necessary for them to act as true representatives of the people.
I doubt if you’re really disappointed. As for the ‘large majority in Congress’, as ay_naku has said, they tend to get elected for parochial (i.e. district-level) reasons rather than on the basis of national issues.
In this matter of complicity, you can only speak for yourself.
“What matters is that the Congressmen accepted cash in exchange for political support and in the process compromised the independence necessary for them to act as true representatives of the people.”
The people tolerated such arrangement (political goods in exchange of the fate of the president), then the people deserve the president. So speak for yourself if you don’t like the arrangement, or change it.
i think the popularity of a congressman depends a lot on the size of the largess he finagles from malacanang. his performance is usually measured in terms of government projects he is able to bring to his constituents and, come election time, is seldom ignored. the centralized system of funding distribution makes many, if not all, congressmen beholden to the chief executive. it is the system in place long before, during, and maybe, even after pgma’s term unless the paranoid opposition see the light and muster enough courage to change the system sooner rather than later.
this business of criticizing pgma for releasing funds to congressmen and/or senators is unjust and unfair, to say the least. let’s put the blame where it rightfully belongs.
“it is the system in place long before, during, and maybe, even after pgma’s term unless the paranoid opposition see the light and muster enough courage to change the system sooner rather than later.”
Are we fixated on fixing our country’s problem by replacing a person who can be replaced by a clone, or we should fix the system that encourage these clones?
It is your choice.
how convenient it is for you to make it sound like this finagling is a one way street.
the system is in place, but it’s machinated by leaders who make a mocery of it. we’ve got anti-graft, anti-corruption, anti-plunder laws in place. what else are we seeking for? teeth.
unfortunately, gma just spat out the large fish.
so are we going to change the system to suit the person [and protect their interest], or change the person to suit the system. choose.
sense of delicadeza. the vital ingredient missing in philippine current politics and governance.
magkulang man ang sistema, kung iiral ang “sense of delicadeza” ng bawat pinuno, aandar pa rin ito nang matino.
but am dreaming. the reality is this: power corrupts.
It is a choice BETWEEN the system in place, the paranoid opposition, the congressmen and the people AND Garci, Abalos, Esperon, Palparan, Big Mike and Ate Glue, the paragons of moral clarity. hehehe
thanks, rego, for the compliment. had a few kids ringing our bells for some candies. we have a few left-overs. too bad, my wife and i are trying to avoid sweets, you know.
“this business of criticizing pgma for releasing funds to congressmen and/or senators is unjust and unfair, to say the least. let’s put the blame where it rightfully belongs.”
Yeah right! It is the stupid people in Philippine society who insists that this is the proper way that government should work. They are after all our reps. They rule with our consent di ba?
If you do not like the way this cookie bounces split for other shores.
But please do not forget to keep Rey ‘the magician’ Tetangco happy by sending your labor’s fruits back to us.
Send us the dollars !!!!!!!!You do not like they way we run things, leave dogs!
We have got Villar, Legarda, Roxas, Lacson all waiting in the wings to run this carnival.
Suck it up guys!!!!!
Easy…
So may we go back to the more cerebral discourse, please?
One of the more substative realities that the gold standard teaches us in relation to the inflationary aspects of a paper money system is this:
When FDR took the U.S. off the gold standard he also banned the export of gold and the holding of gold bullion by the general public. That is the substance of forex controls being gold the exchange standard.
The price then of an ounce of gold was approximately $35 a ounce. Today it is over $700.
To give one an idea of what Php 20,000 then in gold would be worth today based on the Php 2-$1 dollar rate then –
Divide the peso into two and divide dollars by the price per ounce.
$10,000 divided by $35 an ounce of Gold = 285… ounces x $ 700 = $200,000 a year. If one were to check on the salaries of chif executives and top executives of governments and private sector that would be higher. The salaries on the top executives of the Singaporean state are higher than that but here in the Philippines our top elected officials make about Php 5M to Php 10M + per anmum legally and extra legally.
Is’nt the magic of paper currency using the quality of the political standrad as the basis wonderful.
One can always use the price of gold over the years as the basis. That or the price of a barrel of light sweet crude. American Exchange and the North Sea oil (brent) as the basis. That is known also the black gold standard.
For me personally I would propose a new standard for the Philippines. The quantity and quality of the Pinay. Truly the best natural resource this country has.
From the gorgeous talking heads of ABS-CBN to the numerous BABES on the street and those who have become and reached babehood status in their later years. Truly amazing.
They most of all keep this country going.
Poor GMA, if she was only 5-7 inches taller. When younger she always had to try harder. She had to settle for Big Mike.
rego,
Unfortunately, key witnessess retracted. What we have are just these documentaries to help us discern which is true and which is not. Mindanao is a complex issue, “political dynasty” here in Luzon pales by comparison to the region. Its easy for a political warlord there to scare people as the police seem to be a bit handicapped, I was there in Maguindanao in ’97 for a project and tried one of their local clubs, its like a western movie, the men were packing, its not difficult to picture how they would settle inebriated altercations.
dodong! you again?!hi rego! and Mano Po Bencard,
and everybody else!
A more appropriate term would be “flawed political culture,” characterised by patronage politics. Its a culture that devours individuals who started out idealistic and with good, even noble intentions for governance. I don’t believe GMA eyed the presidency earlier with power lust in her eyes, or even the lowest governor, or mayor, for that matter, except of course the Pinedas. If you notice, no one is immune to being “corrupted” even the military, and its an organization that has discipline and professionalism ingrained in its system. The “systems” in place are not the problem as they are constitutional in nature.
Even our laws are circumvented and bastardised to suite the selfish motives of the “powers that be” and this does not only mean the sitting president and her administration alone, this has been going on for years. The only difference now is that we have a more “intelligent” generation, more articulate, and a more accessible media, not contolled by the government. Unfortunately, corrupt politicians, even after being “undressed” for all to see still wields considerable power over us. If I want to describe it in terms that can be appreciated, it looks more like “ORGANIZED CRIME,” the congressmen with their numbers (untouchables), the governors’ league, the mayors’ league, and further on downwards. If we look at the group dynamics of these cliques, its a practical application of GC Homans’ theory of informal/formal groups. And the problem with organized crime is that there will always be a shortage of credible witnesses, even judges can be bought, even congressmen with their numbers can block impeachment.
As Filipinos, we are facing an extremely formidable enemy, corruption and patronage has galvanized most of our public officials (not just the President) into a force that not even the staunchest of opposition can touch, and even these corrupted officials cannot extricate themselves from the situation they are in. The more they are threatened, the more they close ranks, and they can use all the constitutional powers they can muster. JDV has already spilled the beans, we can’t deny it any longer, and ignoring it will be immoral already. Unless all of us can leave the country and say “bahala na kayong lahat diyan.” Those who find it easy to criticise the “whining” and “complaining” of the Filipino “working class” are advised to reserve judgment first, you cannot possibly impose your views or opinions on hungry people, try going to the marketplace today and shout “I love Gloria!” and you’ll get stabbed by a vegetable vendor. I am tempted to say “you are not one of us” or “you are not here, you don’t know what you’re talking about so shut up!” but then again, who am I fooling? I’m also blogging from the secure comforts of my condo?
What we can do perhaps, is to find a common ground to start working on, otherwise the politicians that we so despise will be laughing their heads off, as the “intelligent” progressive thinking bloggers can’t even get their acts together, no threat to status quo.
“Those who find it easy to criticise the “whining†and “complaining†of the Filipino “working class†are advised to reserve judgment first, you cannot possibly impose your views or opinions on hungry people, try going to the marketplace today and shout “I love Gloria!†and you’ll get stabbed by a vegetable vendor. I am tempted to say “you are not one of us†or “you are not here, you don’t know what you’re talking about so shut up!†but then again, who am I fooling? I’m also blogging from the secure comforts of my condo?ramrod”
Words of wisdom…very easy to be an armchair whiner while
so many will feel the real pangs of hunger this lunchtime!
But we must not give up.
A funny thing happened the other night, some children in costumes were knocking on the door, I couldn’t help it, I put on the monster mask I bought earlier from Toy Kingdom and jumped out of the door shouting “BULAGA!” I wanted to explain to them that “trick or treat” was an American custom and we should say bulaga but they all ran away screaming back to their units, now I’m sitting here quietly waiting for some parents to knock on the door…
equalizer,
You didn’t go to the cemetery too huh?
Ramrod
I was watching the History channel last night with my 10 year old neice. And I dont think BULAGA is a good pinoy translation of trick or treat. The spirit of begging/giving should be there.
Sorry guys, pagpasensyahan nyo na yang si dodong.
Obviously he’s still clueless Malacanang has become a red light district.
Siguro sa palagay nya siopao at pansit lang ang laman ng mga paper bags na inihanda mismo ni Medy Poblador.ROTFL!
rego,
I agree with you. I think I’ll stick to trick or treat, some things need not be changed, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”
Where is everybody? I don’t like going to the cemetery so I’m usually left in the house. Whenever I’m in Cebu I usually borrow my nieces for a day and take them to the mall, I’d let them loose in the toy store and they can get anything they want except playstation, nintendo, and Wii, of course. My brother used to make a big thing out of it, I’m spoiling his daughters daw, I didn’t understand him at the time – now with my own son making a fuss if he didn’t get his way I know what he meant.
Its easy to spoil kids, and its fun, until you start saying “no.”
“What we can do perhaps, is to find a common ground to start working on, otherwise the politicians that we so despise will be laughing their heads off, as the “intelligent†progressive thinking bloggers can’t even get their acts together, no threat to status quo.”
Ramrod,
I agree. And I believe that that common ground is what Bencard has been advocating here for quiet some time now. The RULE of LAW.
If the existing laws is ineffective then enact additional laws to strengthen the system.
Then that will bring us back to what dodong is saying. The Congress and the people who these people in congress.
Then that will bring us back to what dodong is saying. The Congress and the people who “elected “these people in congress.
“Or is it because only Manila is interested in removing Gloria and Manila is powerless against the congressmen which is the voice of the nation. – d0d0ng ”
Nagkamali ka lang siguro ng dinig, that’s not the voice of the nation, that’s just the howls of the crocodiles in Batasan.
O meron na naman bang Sigaw ng Bangaw?!
“Then that will bring us back to what dodong is saying. The Congress and the people who “elected “these people in congress. – rego ”
I see what you mean. What is apparent is our disagreement on focus, but I believe everybody agrees to a change for the better.
If we sum all our arguments its :
1) change should start from the top down (President++)
2) change should start from the middle (congressmen/senators)
3) change should start from the bottom (local government officials)
4) change should be “systems wide” or strengthening existing laws.
5) change should start with education (public schools)
Of course there could be more, and we all differ on the order of priority also, but its a start.
Also, we need another change (the way we treat each other) otherwise we’ll just have to tolerate, no, “accept” each other’s idiosyncracies as friends do and don’t take each other personally.
“Or is it because only Manila is interested in removing Gloria and Manila is powerless against the congressmen which is the voice of the nation. – d0d0ng â€Â
I’m Cebuano actually and even the people there are not happy with GMA, even when I visit my parents in Gen. Santos, I notice a growing sentiment. What is common though, is the that most people do not see any viable replacement, so the apparent “apathy.” But its not really, the people need someone to rally behind to, most cannot support concepts or abstractions like “good governance” or “transparency,” its basically if not Gloria, who?
Thats sensible also, there has to be a set standard to start with otherwise no direction, no guidelines, any endeavor is bound to fail that way. Of course it would help if we don’t call each other “twerps” or “ignoramuses” or I forgot what we used to call dodong. Anyway, I don’t see anything wrong with putting down our armor, shields, and swords, and try to listen to each other while restraining ourselves from attacking immediately as soon as we see someone else’s comment. Of course, most of the bad language directed at “you-know-who” are basically expressions of frustrations, angst, and suppressed emotions by a people that have been the object of deception and utter disregard for the law and common decency, its human nature to react negatively.
Ramrod,
When was the time that the people are “happy” with the sitting president? When was the time that the people actively and passionately supported a sitting president? when was the tim ethat teh peopel said . “oh we are so satisfied with our current president”?
I guess you’re referring D0d0ng’s two-step argument where the fake-President’s bribe ends up to be the fault of the people:
Step 1: First D0d0ng says that in the situation where GMA bribes Congressmen, it is the Congressmen’s fault for accepting the bribe, not GMA’s. This in itself is flawed reasoning because as ay_naku has pointed out, the briber is as much to blame as the ones being bribed.
Step 2: He then asserts that since the people elected the Congressmen, it is actually the people’s fault because (1) they elected them in the first place and once elected they (2) chose to ‘tolerate’ such an arrangement.
The above ignores the reality that, once elected, the Congressmen, who are after all endowed with free will, can choose to betray the public trust. So the ‘rightness’ or ‘wrongness’ of the people’s choice is contingent on something that is beyond their control, i.e. their representatives subsequent actions.
Now i would have thought that the natural response of the people would be to demand accountability from the wayward representatives. Here D0d0ng wants to have it both ways. Even as he blames the people for ‘tolerating’ such an arrangement, for those who choose not to be so tolerant, he says that direct action by the people (aka People Power) is not the proper approach.
In effect, the only time the people can do anything to fix things is during elections when they elect ‘the right’ people. In between elections, the congressmen remain the ‘voice of the people’ no matter what they do while in office. In the meantime, the people get blamed for electing, tolerating and not tolerating these politicians. As hvrds said, we are suppose to just suck it up.
The above is an incomplete conception of democracy that limits the people’s role to electing representatives and does not leave any room for direct democratic action. This is, of course, a convenient arrangement for those who want to tolerate what’s going on.
I can see where our dodong is going.
He’s deflecting the arrow from Gloria to the house of Joe de Venecia.
“The above ignores the reality that, once elected, the Congressmen, who are after all endowed with free will, can choose to betray the public trust. So the ‘rightness’ or ‘wrongness’ of the people’s choice is contingent on something that is beyond their control, i.e. their representatives subsequent actions.”
CVJ,
Oh yeah. But check the names of the people in congress now. They are the same groupof people that we have been complaing of “wrong doings” eversince. If not, its their close relatives. People just keepon putting them back to congress. What does that mean to you?
Rego, it means that our crisis of representation in Congress needs to be fixed. However, it does not mean that while fixing this, we ignore the crisis of representation at the very top. Quite the opposite.
rego,
In earlier threads cvj mentioned about an oligarchy entrenched in our government. This I take as the “landed elites” whose influence MLQ1 tried to restrain during the creation of PMA. As long as these people are in power (dynasty in nature), laws, national policies, will forever be subverted or fashioned to protect their own interests, case in point “Land Reform.”
Re never been “happy with sitting president,” actually most of the time. I was happy with Marcos for some time (and I was not alone), I was elated with Cory (initially), and I was even proud of GMA (boasted to my foreigner colleagues) even cvj liked her too, and maybe a lot of us, until… Its the same scenario playing over and over again, seemingly good people, with noble intentions, being eaten up by the “political culture” chewed, and spat out as an animal bent on eating her own children.
OK so now you are in agreement with Dodong on the need to fix the congress.
And Im dont believe that Dodong is advocating that we ignore other problems aside from congress . I feel that you are over analyzed his comments.
cvj, ramrod ,
I have to go. Its 3 am already here. Saka na lang uli
The point with “starting from the top down” is that granting we come up with a very strong replacement for GMA, he can initiate reforms more effectively because it will just be a matter of cascading compared to the uphill battle in from the bottom up change.
Of course, I am still hoping that GMA will answer the call of JDV to clean up the administration starting with themselves. This will take tremendous effort on their part, not to mention character. How many people can actually say “I messed up, but let me do something about it, and if you still don’t have the confidence in me to lead you, I will step down.”
But I’ve seen this happen so many times, from a team leader, a supervisor, a department manager, and even a GM. People in the position of power can hide behind power, what can the little people do anyway? This is another way of looking at it, there are probably others, I’m just basing it on my own beliefs and experiences, I have never been afraid to let go of any position if I sense that my team doesn’t trust me to lead them effectively, of course, if its the opposite, no one can argue with success.
cvj, rego,
I have to say goodbye, need to spend time with my family.
Have a nice weekend!!!
if we think like this, we’re practically falling for the trap that Gloria and her spin doctors have set up since 2004. It’s the best and worst spin they’ve weaved so far: there’s no one who can replace Gloria Arroyo.
Bakit, ganun na ba ka-miserable ang Pilipinas to not find an alternative to a patently spineless and corrupt politician that Gloria is?
JDV may not have the moral ascendancy to propose a ‘moral revolution’ but by doing so he already hinted at the answer to the nation’s problem: we need a moral revolution because we have a morally bankrupt leadership! The country’s purported President is accused of stealing the vote in 2004, but she and her crocodiles in Congress have blocked all legal avenues for the people to make her account for it. A morally enlightened person is one who will readily face her accusers when accused with such high crimes. Gloria Arroyo doesn’t fit that tag, thus this quandary that we are in.
Gaano man i-muddle up ng mga Gloria-lovers ang isyu, it still boils down to her legitimacy. So the short-term solution to this is to have a legitimate President. Kung sino man iyon, it’s not for ramrod, rego, bencard or mlq3 to decree; it’s for the more than 40 million Filipino voters to decide.
Think of a snap presidential elections!
tagabukid,
If a snap elections will be set, I will support it.
That is why I like the 2004 movie “The Terminal”. In there, it does not matter if someone is your friend or enemy. Those who are doing their job will do their job regardless of their relationship with the other side. If we are going to work towards democracy this is a very good pattern. Even if you do something against the law (to do something that you think is right), you are ready to suffer or pay for the consequences and submit yourself to the process of law.
“When was the time that the people are “happy†with the sitting president? When was the time that the people actively and passionately supported a sitting president? when was the tim ethat teh peopel said . “oh we are so satisfied with our current presidentâ€Â?”-rego
This does not mean that the fault is with the people. It just say that people are wanting and expecting more from their leaders. Just like in the production line, we must always seek and attempt to develop the process. And we cannot do it by allowing “wrong” things to be left not being corrected.
tagabukid,
Its better that when we decide to fight, we make sure we win, otherwise it will be a waste of time, the enemy will grow bolder with every victory while the 40,000,000 people that you speak of will feel more helpless. If you’re going to lead them, lead them to win…
It has been my belief that as a leader, you have to take responsibility, thats why when managing people I always sum up the job description in one short phrase “ITS ALL MY FAULT.”
I hope dodong will be able to appreciate this phrase in the long run, its not the mark of a good leader to blame his/her subordinates.
Whatever dodong’s position is, he has to make it clear. I had the impression earlier that he’s only trying to make “pilosopo” everytime, seems disoriented, and despises the “Filipino.”
Sometimes I wanted to rename him “Uncle Sam Sadam.”
dodong,
What you are saying here shows how much you underestimate the Filipino people. Take a lesson from Henry David Thoreau. But correct me if I’m wrong…
Let us pray for all the “Desparecidos” like Jonas Burgos and all others who where picked up in the middle of the night,tortured,raped,brutalized and eventually dumped at sea or buried in makeshift graves in the mountains.
Whoever is responsible for these injustices,may you face the Divine Creator one day and sincerely ask for forgiveness for such heinous crimes(worst than plunder).
Peace.
Peace, equalizer…
I have a question. How do we register in Ellen’s blog?
my hunch is that, d0d0ng is working for a congressman
“picked up in the middle of the night,tortured,raped,brutalized and eventually dumped at sea or buried in makeshift graves in the mountains.” – equalizer
I had a moslem schoolmate in ’84 who had a similar experience. We were drinking beer at a bar one time and because we were already drunk he was quite noisy already, he said something like “Migs, beer pa dito” and I noticed the people at the other table were looking at us. Before that, we were talking about army rangers since we were ROTC officers at the time and he sort of said “rangers, the moro eat them for breakfast” but it was a joke.
The next morning I had a call from his sister asking me to go to Camp Lapu-Lapu (Cebu) and that my friend was being detained there. I rushed to the camp and found out that at around 2AM armed men broke through the door of his apartment , dragged him to their jeep, brought him to the camp, and there “interrogated” him. He was stripped off his clothes, butt stroked in the stomach, and slapped so many times he said he fainted. I had to bring him some clothes in the morning when I went there. I talked to their commanding officer, actually pleaded with him, I explained that he was not a moro spy, I even brought his school ID, his ROTC ID, and told them they can call the university, the dean can vouch for him. Later, I was told that they slapped him with “usurpation of public official or misrepresentation something” because he said he was a “MIGs,” or Military Intelligence Group, I had to explain to them that he meant “migs” or short for “miga” a term we use to call women meaning “woman friend.” He was arrested for saying “migs (miga) isang beer pa.” He was released later on in the afternoon without even an apology, and the next day I drove him to the airport and he left for Maguindanao. He’s a police captain there now and we still touch base when I’m in Davao, but everytime we have a few beers together we could not forget what happened 20+ years ago.
juggernaut:ellen’s blog site has been hacked.
when it’s up;just register via “wordpress.com”
“GMA will visit the Queen.How will they address GMA?” – Equalizer
Hopefully with GMA’s correct title : Dishonourable Corrupt President of The Philippines.
Maybe Mugabe will give her an Honorary Doctorate as well in Kleptocratic Economics, With Distinction….
“The Philippines is the most democratic country in our region. We have no tolerance for human rights violations at home or abroad.†GMA Speech in the UN General Assembly;Sept.28,2007
Where is JONAS BURGOS?
World’s 10 Worst Dictators (Parade Magazine’s Annual List:2006)
A “dictator†is a head of state who exercises arbitrary authority over the lives of his citizens and who cannot be removed from power through legal means. The worst commit terrible human-rights abuses. This present list draws in part on reports by global human-rights organizations, including Human Rights Watch, Freedom House, Reporters Without Borders and Amnesty International.
1) Omar al-Bashir, Sudan. Age 62. In power since 1989. Last year’s rank: 1
2) Kim Jong-il, North Korea. Age 63. In power since 1994. Last year’s rank: 2
3) Than Shwe, Burma (Myanmar). Age 72. In power since 1992. Last year’s rank: 3
4) Robert Mugabe, Zimbabwe. Age 81. In power since 1980. Last year’s rank: 9
5) Islam Karimov, Uzbekistan. Age 67. In power since 1990. Last year’s rank: 15
6) Hu Jintao, China. Age 63. In power since 2002. Last year’s rank: 4
7) King Abdullah, Saudi Arabia. Age 82. In power since 1995. Last year’s rank: 5
9) Seyed Ali Khamane’i, Iran. Age 66. In power since 1989. Last year’s rank: 18
10) Teodoro Obiang Nguema, Equatorial Guinea. Age 63. In power since 1979. Last year’s rank: 10
Let’s not lose sight of those heads of state who terrorize and abuse the rights of their own people.
Now i would have thought that the natural response of the people would be to demand accountability from the wayward representatives. Here D0d0ng wants to have it both ways. Even as he blames the people for ‘tolerating’ such an arrangement, for those who choose not to be so tolerant, he says that direct action by the people (aka People Power) is not the proper approach.
—————————————————-
To me direct action does not necesarrolly mean people power. The peopel can also go to the existing and proper venue that the constitution provides.
If you mean people as massing of people in EDSA, I agree with Dodong. It is not the proper approach. It not working anymore. Its nolonger effective . Its n longer practical.
“Of course, I am still hoping that GMA will answer the call of JDV to clean up the administration starting with themselves. ”
——————————————————
You know, if JDV really means well, he should do excatly what he wanted Gloria to do, He, too, have some cleaning up to do in his own turf. He can start by leading the congressman to change the rules of impeachment. That will pave the way for a proper venue to addres all the complaints agaisnt Gloria and for Gloria to defend herself too.
From the very start I joined this blog. I already feel that people have been so focus on their circle of concerns than their circle of influence. JDV is looking at Gloria to start the cleaning when he can actually lead the cleaning by himlsf in his own backyard where he has the most influnce. And by acting on his own influence he can eventually clean the the Gloria adminstration. There is really no need for that “letter.”
“This does not mean that the fault is with the people. It just say that people are wanting and expecting more from their leaders. Just like in the production line, we must always seek and attempt to develop the process. And we cannot do it by allowing “wrong†things to be left not being corrected.”
——————————————————
Its not really about finding fault on the people. Its about demanding these people to take action and take responsiility of theire wants and needs. They want a a more responsive and effective leader. Then they should do find a way and do something to screen these leaders before giving them the power to lead them.
They wanted to prosecute the existing leader for their alleged crimes, walang mangyayri dyan sa puro salita lang at debate lang. They should act.
Its good that you mentioned production line. Becuase I was actually in charge of Quality Systems in Intel before.
Kung titinganan mo ang production line everytime the peopel sees a problem in their own repective area, they act. They follow the system. fill up something or even just highlight it through email. They dont just stop at talking. They do nt even stop following up closure of the issue because they know very well they they will suffer if the issue is not corrected.
Ang nangyayari sa politika, at sinabi ko na eto paulit ulit dati. Puro highlight lang tayo ng problema. No one is driving it to proper closure. Sabi ko nga noon . siguro yung mga nag ha higlight ng problem should take responsibility to drive the problem that they highlighted to proper closure. Katulalad na katulad ng gingawa sa production line.
Asan na ba yang sila Peter Cayetan, Chiz Escudero and company. Ang lakas ng loob nila mag expose dati pero anong nagyayri sa mag exposes na yun. They the even bother to drive it to proper closure? They just left the people hanging on their own outrage coming from the exposes they made. They feed these peopel hate but they did not take responsibility to direct that hatred to produce positive results. In short they created a problem and they themselves are apart of the problem itslef. NOT PART OF THE SOLUTION.
General Jovito Palparan:4th Filipino Nominee For the Nobel Peace Prize 2008
Rationale:
Broadly speaking, there are three ways to get the Nobel Peace Prize
1. Be a famous humanitarian. This is the obvious approach. It is also the hardest. The Nobel Peace Prize has been awarded to Albert Schweitzer, who built hospitals in Africa; to Norman Borlaug, who developed high-yield strains of wheat; to Muhammed Yunus, who devised a new method of giving loans to low-income entrepreneurs
2. Start an international organization. Or, if you can swing it, be an international organization. Over the years, the Nobel Peace Prize has gone to Amnesty International, Doctors Without Borders, the UN’s International Labor Organization, and the Red Cross. Gore himself will share his prize with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.
3. Kill a lot of people, then stop. In 1973, the Nobel Peace Prize was shared by Henry Kissinger and Le Duc Tho. Kissinger’s CV included the “secret” bombing of Cambodia and the “Christmas” bombing of North Vietnam; just a month before his prize was announced, he was complicit in the coup that installed a brutal dictatorship in Chile. So why did he win? Because he and Tho had reached a truce to end the Vietnam War.
It is in the context, that former General Jovito Palparan Jr. is respectfully proposed as another nominee for the Nobel Peace prize for 2008 from the Philippines(in addition to President Gloria Arroyo, former President Joseph Estrada and Secretary Ronaldo Puno).
Here is a brief profile of the 4th Nobel Peace Prize nominee from the Philippines:
Achievements:
The International Peasant Solidarity Mission found that there are “clear indications of military involvement” in the cases of human rights violations in Central Luzon and Southern Tagalog. The group’s report noted that the military seems to have become more brazen (in committing the human rights violations) under the command of MGen. Jovito Palparan, Jr.
In his brief stint as 8th Infantry Division commander, Gen. Palparan was credited for reducing the insurgency problem in Samar by 80 percent. Palparan however said he could have terminated insurgency in the province had he been given a two-month extension to implement his “clearing operation”.
President Arroyo promoted Palparan twice: from colonel to brigadier general (2003); and from brigadier general to major general after serving as commander of the Philippine contingent in Iraq (2004). His promotion to major general came within months of his previous promotion.
In her 2006 State of the Nation Address, President Arroyo acknowledged Palparan for his offensives against rebel terrorists. In the same breath she also said that she condemns political killings.
EDUCATION
Masters in National Security Administration, National Defense College of the Philippines (1999)
Masters in Management, Philippine Christian University
Joint Services and Staff Course, Canberra, Australia
Command and General Staff Course, Fort Bonifacio, Metro Manila (with honors)
Infantry Officers Advanced Course, US Infantry School, Columbus, Georgia, USA
Field Officers Tactics III, Land Warfare Center, Canungra, Australia (excellent rating)
AWARDS
Distinguished Service Stars
Gold Cross Medal
Gawad sa Kaunlaran Medal
Bronze Cross Medals
Wounded Personnel
Military Merit Medals
Campaign Medals
When the U.S. declared its Independence from The British Empire, they framer of its constitution decided that the Power of State and the Government reside with the American People that the President could only stay if he does not violate that trust, otherwise as the constitution clearly declares the American People right to bear arms was there for the purpose of depending America from all its enemies, and that includes its own leaders. But the Process of removing the President or any of its elected leaders for breaching that trust has been allowed to take its course, that the American People don’ t have to resort to force.
Now in a Parliamentary form of Government for its Former Colonies, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the power is vested to the People thru the Queen’s Representative, the Governor General. The Members of the Parliament, including the PM as the Head of Government, can be removed from power at the decision of the Governor General if they too, violate the Trust of the People. The GG upon arriving at his decision, could either invite the Other Party to form the Government or dissolve the Parliament and can even call on the Military to take the Power of Government is he so decides…This does not have to happen yet but only once in Canada, where the GG had to remove the PM for what he believed as the “crisisâ€Â. But then the people did not agree with the GG and return the PM with even a larger majority…thus the people yet has the ultimate power.
Now who check the impropriety of the Philippines President, perceived or alleged? The Congress thru Impeachment, but it is a number game and with any number game, the subject can buy the numbers. Same thing with the so-called “rule of law†where witnesses can be bought, lawyers counsel their client to perjure themselves just to win their cases. Now tell me it is not happening in the Philippines and I’ll tell you the sun rises in the West. Even the People Power (all the EDSAs) was not the ultimate power, because they too were tainted with so many different interest, that of the Church, the Elites, the Oligarch and the oppositions, and to them we can also include the Military and the Left. Everything but the masses.
How can it be successful? Now it is something we have to come up to, the Filipino People…
Equalizer, nominate Palparan for the Person of the Year, Times Magazine, where anyone who has been prominently on the news, even a Pol Pot one can make it, not with the Nobel Prize, any commenter has a better chance than him..
triolosbogus:good idea!
“Of course, it would help if we don’t call each other ‘twerps’ or ‘ignoramuses’…”.
“accept each other’s idiosyncrasies as friends do and don’t take each other personally”.
“sometimes I wanted to rename him ‘Uncle Sam Saddam’.”
ramrod.
i think the better rule is don’t prescribe “rules” that you yourself cannot abide by. we already have an oversupply of hypocrisy and hypocrites in our society. we don’t need any more. if someone wished to impose a personal rule, let it apply only to him/herself. to be binding on everyone, a rule must come from a competent authority, as rego said, the “rule of law”.
Rego,
If you have a good “product” you are willing to submit it to the most rigorous test. If it pass those tests then you will have a very reliable product.
Like in our current situation those who are supposed to test the product (GMA) pass thru the scrutiny of those who should have done a very good test of the product (congress), but instead they just decided it by the so called rule of numbers.
Authority doesn’t come from those who are in power. They are those people whose decisions or recommendations are tested thru time and who will do the right thing for the good many to follow and because of this people sought for them and desire to give them the power.
Bokyo,
Rule of numbers comes with democracy. If we want be a democratic country then we have to deal with it.
right on rego! elections are a rule of numbers. supreme court decisions are rule of numbers. so are elections of speaker and senate president are determined by numbers. even in corporate world, ceo’s and directors are determined by the votes of stockholders. yeah, numbers are part and parcel of democracy. why are these people here have problem with that. perhaps they should consider living in cuba, iran syria, or north korea, assuming they will be accepted there.
btw, if the shoe were on the other foot, or the numbers “game” results in their favor, I doubt they would be complaining. critical thinking? my foot!
“But the Process of removing the President or any of its elected leaders for breaching that trust has been allowed to take its course, that the American People don’ t have to resort to force.”
The first part is true, the second part “resort to force” is false. Why? Because the Americans will remove promptly their elected officials not following the call of the constituents by mobilizing the recall election.
To illustrate, California Democratic Governor Gray Davis was replaced by Republican Arnold Schwarzenegger in 2003 California recall.
There is direct involvement of the constituency and the American leaders.
In the Philippines, NADA. Your elected officials – mayors, governors, congressmen and senators can totally ignore their constituencies.
Wake up! There should be recall election of elected officials to let them know they should serve their constituency. This is one reform needed in Philippine system (however, this a rule that politician will never vote because it will threaten his power).
The Filipinos will be better serve by elected officials if the system include recall rule (together with rule of replacement) that allows removal from office through petition by certain percentage of voting contituents.
we have provisions for recall elections:
http://www.ops.gov.ph/records/ra_no9244.htm
and i did a (pretty) thorough study on the mechanism for proposing provincial resolutions and even proposals for laws emanating directly from the people, here:
http://www.quezon.ph/?p=875
the limitations, however, for citizens’ groups, are logistics.
dodong, agree, but recall election is still a “rule of numbers, right? so,the electorate is ultimately responsible.
If the recall rule exist in the Philippines, the public can urge every cities and provinces to start the recall of congressmen who did not vote for impeachment.
Recall rule will restore the real sentiment of the people. If the congressman is not remove by recall, then the people for that particular area wanted the President to stay. There is direct representation at any point in time because of recall.
Contrast it mob people power. It exist only in Manila.
“dodong, agree, but recall election is still a “rule of numbers, right? so,the electorate is ultimately responsible.”
That is correct.
thanks, MLQ3 for the info.
So this is the test for public awareness and how aggressive are the voting public to hold their official accountable. The rule is already there, unfortunately no one is using it.
The opposition can start information campaign in areas where there is strong sentiment against the President and use the recall initiative to replace an incumbent congressman who will not vote for impeachment.
how about national officials, like conressman, senator and president? Im sure its impeachment for president. But what about congressmen and senators? Most of the concerns now are actually on the national level.
my understanding, if you refer here:
http://www.quezon.ph/?p=1044
see particularly prof. julio teehankee’s paper, “electoral politics in the philippines”
is that recall elections are provided for only under the local government code for local officials, including congressmen (who are the highest local officials and the ones with a national stature). i am not certain, though.
our equivalent for constitutional commissioners, the justices of the supreme court, the vice president and the president is impeachment. there doesn’t seem to be a mechanism for recalling senators.
cvj on, “In effect, the only time the people can do anything to fix things is during elections when they elect ‘the right’ people. In between elections, the congressmen remain the ‘voice of the people’ no matter what they do while in office. In the meantime, the people get blamed for electing, tolerating and not tolerating these politicians. As hvrds said, we are suppose to just suck it up.”
There is recall rule as Monolo said. The constituency can make a difference like Califonians did for their governor. An informed and dynamic constituencies determined the destiny of the state to produce a vibrant state like Califonia, the tenth world largest economy. Today, California is suing Bush and Federal Government for pollution just how Californians will not tolerate leadership inactions.
Or you can it up.
“recall elections are provided for only under the local government”
I can understand the reason. Recall is impractical to use for nationwide base which is done to elect a Senator and President. However, recall is appropriate for smaller regional base like in Congressman and other local elected officials.
To use it will remind the local elected officials that they need to serve the voting public.
To use it will remind the local elected officials that they need to serve the voting public, including their duty (congress)to impeach a president.
ramrod on his borrowed quotation, “Must the citizen ever for a moment, or in the least degree, resign his conscience to the legislator? ”
The answer is precisely NO. Then remove your useless legislator who will not impeach the President. Be proactive. Just don’t do nothing. Nothing means you deserve your Legislator-congressmen, therefore, you deserve your President.
“my hunch is that, d0d0ng is working for a congressman”
I worked in corporate world in different countries and have seen how the governed charted their own destiny.
LOL! I lab-it lab-it lab-it!
Rule of numbers is part of democracy but again, that is an incomplete understanding of what democracy is. Democracy is government by discussion so its substance is genuine deliberation. If the numbers are arrived at using money stuffed in envelopes, then that goes against the essence of the system.
D0d0ng, on your recall suggestion, as Rego has said, most of the concerns now are on the national level where that option is not available. The nearest to that concept is Manolo’s suggestion which he linked to above (i.e. ‘Institutionalizing people power’) which i’m hoping the Opposition would take a second look at.
“D0d0ng, on your recall suggestion, as Rego has said, most of the concerns now are on the national level where that option is not available.”
Congress is national. Congressmen are the highest local government officials elected by the local people. They can be made accountable anytime by recall.
ramrod on, “If we sum all our arguments:
1) change should start from the top down (President++)
2) change should start from the middle (congressmen/senators)
3) change should start from the bottom (local government officials)
4) change should be “systems wide†or strengthening existing laws.
5) change should start with education (public schools)”
Let us tweak this by saying, erase all the “should start”. Now, what do you see.
Once our CEO from WestPoint said that there is no right or wrong, there is no stupid idea and certainly no one is a friend or enemy. Then it spin off all possible opportunities.
If we look at what we do have in discussion in short time, there are opportunities that opposition can do better without taking any option off the table. Ramrod’s outlines are actionable without being confined to one.
1. change the president – field and rally behind a strong presidential candidate for 2010 (or any eventualities before 2010)
2. change congressmen – recall congressmen who surrendered voters will (strong local sentiments against the president) to cash incentives and pork barrel. Even one recall is good enough to show that people of say Cebu or Davao will not stand idly to the President habit of buying Congress to avoid impeachment.
3. change other local government official – recall as practicable on city or provincial level.
4. reform system and laws – to reduce pork barrel influence, set aside allocation directly to local government units based on preset criteria of priority, remove the power of the president on political pardon or commutation since judiciary can enforce the penal code determined by the legislators and legislator can amend the penalties. Synchronize all elections to five years with better recall mechanism up to senator. There are others.
5. education reform – change education funding by having it funded directly from the receipts of lottey, games and amusements (not hold hostage by any president or politicians). Educators and parent organizations will have direct input on the composition and selection of Education Board of Administrator to run national public education and universities. We don’t want to entrust the future of our children to the politicians.
These are examples based on discussions. There are more that can be done.
Who should be the TIME Person of the Year (for the Philippines) ?
TIME’s Person of the Year is the person or persons who most affected the news and our lives, for good or for ill, and embodies what was important about the year.
Who do you think fit’s the bill this year for the Philippines?
1)Gloria Macapagal Arroyo
2)Joseph “Erapâ€ÂEstrada
3)Joey De Venecia
4)Joe De Venecia
5)Ronaldo Puno
6)Manny Pacquiao
7) Jovito Palparan
8)Genuine Opposition
9)Jarius Bondoc
10)YOU
so we all agree that in Democracy the “the rule of numbers” rule, right? Then in this blog site the con-Gloria against pro-Gloria is in a clear majarity, then what does that mean? rule of numbers win.
triolosbogus:your nominee or choice for TIME person of the year(for the Philippines)?
ramrod: this might be a bit late (it’s Nov. 3 already), but regarding Pinoy version of ‘trick and treat,’ I think we already have it. In the Tagalog region, it’s called ‘pangangaluwa.’ It’s mostly done by adults, though. They go from house to house in the neighborhood and would be given native delicacies like suman or perhaps some fruits. I’m not sure if this is still practiced.
Manolo, I’ll look forward to that (fate of our gold reserves that were sent to the US). By the way, I’m just curious, does the Central Bank continuously acquire gold for the national reserves (I imagine this is a delicate matter as it would affect the value of the Peso)?. Thanks in advance!
In America ,—three Presidents, George Washington,Abraham Lincoln and Franklin Roosevelt are consistently ranked on top of the lists of “Great Presidents”.
In the Philippines , I predict future historians will consider Gloria Arroyo,Joseph Estrada and Ferdinand Marcos as “Great Presidents” based on five categories (leadership qualities, accomplishments & crisis management, political skill, appointments, and most importantly CHARACTER & INTEGRITY).
Interesting question?
Is there such a thing as natural law? The basis for “We hold these truths to be self evident, that all men are created equal…… endowed with certain inalienable (natural)rights…
Or is it simply a figment of our fertile imaginations.
The Philippines is not a Christian country. It is a country where the people are predominantly Christians (Catholics).
Or are we a product of millions of years of physiological and psychological evolutionary development?
Neo-Liberal economic philosophy is based on the quantification and commoditization of higher brain functions (rationality) interacting and controling lower brain functions (greed and fear)all centered on the price is right.
Natural law, man’s law and moral law. What is the source? Ah, the root of the word religion – the source????
Or is it the higest form of genetic evolution determined by natural selection as espoused by Dawkins.
The same as the neo-cons who are neo-marxists in character?
The dialectical relationship between the U.S. military and the Philippine military. Is the Philippine military establsihment simply subordinate to the U.S. military
command?
Rego/Bencard,
You have a very shallow interpretation of democracy. For me what I believe is that democratic process is that people elect officials as their representative. Instead of making decisions as a whole they put their trust thru this elected officials, e.g. president, congressmen, etc. So it is not necessary that this elected people do as they please and do only what they like or do decisions only “by numbers”. They have to make decisions with due diligence and responsibility if they have respect for the people. In a way they should function as if they are always thinking that they are serving the people not themselves. The numbers you are talking about comes later only after deliberations and convincing here and there and not thru numbers game only.
ronin, we haven’t backed our currency with gold for ages. my only experience with this was being toured by central bank people in the mint of the bsp, in quezon city. that is where our gold is refined. it’s an amazing thing to watch, tremendous security (among the government institutions i admire most is the bangko sentral, completely professional and dedicated people, not least because they have their own salary scale which is pretty generous, and so they can devote their careers to government service, high morale characterizes them). apparently, in the ramos administration, the central bank monopoly on buying and refining gold was abolished, but still, there was a long line of small scale gold panners with their nuggets, who were waiting to have their gold sorted and weighed, then bought, by the government. this is what the bsp then melts into bullion as part of the national reserves. i’d think checking the bsp website would reveal some facts on this, as would the statistical yearbook of the government (which, alas, i don’t have a copy of).
ronin, here are some studies. as i don’t have the means to do so, we have to find someone with access to the academic papers listed below to get us copies: my hunch is, the actual gold reserves in 1945-1946 (which should amount to what was moved to the usa for safekeeping in 1942) would be mentioned:
http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayAbstract;jsessionid=032C91EA297958ED5ED7843A1E0F9ED2.tomcat1?fromPage=online&aid=173540
Also, from here is the ff:
http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/2794.htm
“Increased foreign capital inflows made the Philippine stock market among the top performers in East Asia during 2006. Similarly, the Philippine peso appreciated about 7.5% to the U.S. dollar, making it among East Asia’s best performing currencies in 2005-2006. The Philippines maintained reserves of foreign exchange and gold of $22.97 billion, adequate for 4.3 months of goods and services imports and equivalent to 2.5 times foreign debts maturing over the next 12 months.”
Unfortunately, I no longer have a subscription to JSTOR (unless another kind reader will subsidize one for me) but this article indicates another possible source of information:
http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0030-851X(194812)21%3A4%3C360%3ACBITP%3E2.0.CO%3B2-Q
Can anyone answer why it is the Treasury Department (Executive Department) in the U.S.(fiscal authorities) that handle the physical money printing and minting of Gold coins and not their Central Bank. Fort Knox is under the Treasury and not the Federal Reserve. They have a Treasurer and a Secretary of the Treasury.
Also the Secret Service under the Treasury Department who protects the President of the U.S. also are the Federal agents who run after dollar counterfeiters.
Not the C.I.A. not the F.B.I but the so called secret service.
Can anyone say why we have a different situation?
mano po bencard,
i said almost, i didnt actually call dodong that did i, it was meant to be funny not demeaning, to me u dont call people twerps unless ur sure u can beat them in the ring. take it easy on the viagra lolo
The FUSION of GLORIA and ERAP
Manny Villar for President
Jinggoy Estrada for Vice President
The dream team to be supported by Pro Gloria and Pro Erap forces in 2010.
Belated Trick or treat!
I’m taking a break from all this for a while since I cannot stomach people who are a disgrace to their own race!!!
juggernaut:relax lang brod. Don’t mind that old geezer!
btw,the ellen blog is back.
dodong,
I have been an activist in my younger years. I did not want to sit idly by and tolerate incompetence, corruption, and brazen abuse of human rights. I have fought for what I believed in since I was in college (no to tuition fee hikes), I was in the EDSA 1 and EDSA 2, if I’m in the country when there is another call for People Power I will probably join them. If theres any other talent that I’m good at other than selling is gathering people together and lead them to action. I have no regrets, this is the way I was trained, to act and not just to critique.
Though I admit, I’m getting too old for this, and there’s a creeping thought at the back of my mind that maybe you are making sense. Another reason is, I have a family now, and I don’t want them to suffer the consequences if there are…
The Equalizer: my nominee for Time Person of the Year (since you already nominated Palparan) is Justice Secretary Gonzalez.. If ever there was a Secretary of Justice who was accused of Bribery, (giving some of his own money before the election), in the news all the time with his foot in his mouth, still can not be fired or ask to resign his position by the President..I don’t know what he really got, his brains seem not having the semblance of justice at all…
ramrod, if you check the meaning of the word, “twerp” it is someone insignificant who acts or talk cockily, or judges people, with no authority and self-righteously. it has nothing to do with prowess in the ring or a bar room. you claim and hold yourself to be “an officer and a gentleman”, or used to be. as such you know that the measure of a person in civilized society is not the ability to physically beat the brains out of another. your gratuitous, patronizing way of making fun of my age does not go unnoticed. i don’t appreciate it. you may be younger and a better shot than me but not necessarily wiser, regardless of your homespun philosophies and homilies, and personal account of achievements.
now you are saying your thought of changing dodong’s name to “sam saddam” was supposed to be a “joke”. would it matter to you if i tell you that my use of the term “twerp” was also a joke but just happened to fit the context of what i was commenting on? concerning the word “ignoramus”, i said there’s no such thing as “unconvicted criminal” UNLESS the one using the terms is a “clueless ignoramus”. did i say anyone here is an ignoramus?
btw, since you are speculating that i’m using viagra because of my “age”, past middle-age men are not the only ones who can use viagra. ask any doctor.
ramrod, before you gloat, my response to your recent posts is awaiting moderation. maybe after that, one of us will be banned from this blog.
triolosbogus: be kind to sir Raul ko!He just had a brain transplant!He promises not to speak like Pinnochio ever again!
bokyo, etc. neither rego nor i ever say that “numbers” are the be-all or end-all of democracy. what we clearly said, or implied, is that numbers are an essential PART of democracy. now, if sometimes this part of democracy is subverted by “fraud” or ‘cheating”, we can go after the perpetrators, if we have proof, and bring them to justice, then nullify the result. but there is a process – a due process which is also a part of democracy that we have to follow and abide by.
OLD GeeZER
Blame blame blame the poor Pinoys……..Your posts humor me but solve nothing.
You get a kick out of dispensing gospel truths about our democracy .Is America any better?
ramrod,
one very distinguished fellow once said that getting older does not really means getting smarter, but having the advantage of valuable experience. And experience used for good intentions can do a lot of good. That fellow by the way is a Philanthropist.
Myself is very close to collecting “old age pensions”, but judging from how I was labeled in this site as “childish” and sometimes “ignorant of the law”, maybe that words of wisdom are not true to all,but instead some of us just get even worse, as the brains deteriorate to the point that we think being old give us the right to be “right” but for all we know it is alzheimer or senility setting in. This perhaps happening just to me, because someone will again tell me to speak for myself.
But I can also, thru my experience say the same is happening to most older Public Officials as we have observed how they become more of a liability than asset for the Government. There is Raul Gonzalez, who I suspect is suffering from some form of neurological disorder as he gets older. Also Ms Miriam Santiago, who being a senator can not stop for a second to think, before “slanging†her way to ridicule. Think about Senator Enrile, observe he becomes dumber as he gets older, and you can also include Joker Arroyo, once the champion of Human Rights, widely respected, he now is the anathema of himself. Well, getting old sometimes is fun, and I’m enjoying it, worries is getting less and about that ED medication, my doc prefers Levitra, lesser side effects than Viagra and works just as well. hehehe
“You have a very shallow interpretation of democracy. For me what I believe is that democratic process is that people elect officials as their representative. Instead of making decisions as a whole they put their trust thru this elected officials, e.g. president, congressmen, etc. So it is not necessary that this elected people do as they please and do only what they like or do decisions only “by numbersâ€Â. They have to make decisions with due diligence and responsibility if they have respect for the people. In a way they should function as if they are always thinking that they are serving the people not themselves. The numbers you are talking about comes later only after deliberations and convincing here and there and not thru numbers game only”
———————————————————
Bokyo,
Of course! I have no problem with your definition. I believe your definition is indeed the essence of real democracry. Thats how its SHOULD BE. But you said it your self the numbers comes later. You can not really take out the rule of numbers in a democracy. So like it or not it all boils down to the rule of numbers.
Come to think of it. What is it in the definition that is under our control? Definitely not the conviction of these congressmen, not their behavior or misbehaviour. Its only our VOTE thats is very much under our control. Other than than we can only shell out our best hope and try to influence their decision the best that we can. But whatever the collecive results of their action or decision, we just have to deal with.
So the most proactive approach I believe it to is really to go our respective districts and passionately campaign fo the right candidates. Or even just relative and freinds. But then the “right” candidates for us may not be the right candidates for others. So dito papasok uli and rule of numbers.
The other proactive approach is to put a “recall system” that Dodong is suggesting here. Im actually very surprised that we have an existing recall for local officials and the impeachment for president whiel nonone for congressman and senators.
Then there was the institionalizing of people power that Manolo is suggesting and is being pointed out by CVJ.
Magagaganda idea ang lahat ng eto.
Pero kung papansisinin mo, all these good ideas really boils down to rule of numbers.
bencard,
I’ll give you the honor. You need this blog more than I do as I can go join my friends in the streets anytime the need will arise and again see history in the making.
You are oblivious to what is actually happening here and you don’t matter at all. You are no loss to us as you don’t even have a vote. And dying in your bed maybe months from now, you’ll have realized you lived your life in vain…
I feel sorry for the the likes of you, selfish old men, thinking only of themselves…Adios…
and bencard,
I am not an officer and a gentleman. I left that life a long time ago… Now I’m just someone who can actually beat the brains out of anyone (within my weight range of course). But I don’t mean you, I don’t want you to put any other meaning to this, I’m just someone who believes in keeping fit.
ramrod.
There is an Overseas Absentee Voters. So people can out of the country can still vote.
Old GeeZer:
Ramrod is 100% correct.Come back here and fight your last hurrah!
Very easy to do “Monday morning quarterbacking” while you are safely 12,000 miles away from the battlefield!
“Pero kung papansisinin mo, all these good ideas really boils down to rule of numbers.” – rego
Unfortunately so, the “powers that be have the numbers” just like Marcos controlled the COMELEC before, but the groundswell of “disgust” built up into a critical mass eventually and the rest is history. But people grow old and tired of fighting, then here comes this administration, the reaction is more like “here we go again?” But then again, there is a younger generation…
Adios Rego, I will miss exchanging thoughts with you, I think I will be in Wisconsin next year as we have a mill in Wisconsin Rapids. Are you too far away from there?
Very far Ramrod. But sure, exchanging thoughs with you is very much welcome. I really wish you can drop by NYC . You know, just put a face on those on the nickname and ideas.
“Pero kung papansisinin mo, all these good ideas really boils down to rule of numbers.†– rego
Hindi siguro.
Kahit siguro mag-isa ang sinuman kung kaya niyang kumbinsihin ang nakakarami o lahat, yun ang mahalaga. Kung gagawa ang isang ito ng desisyon na later on ay sasangayunan ng lahat dahil in the end it makes sense at mapapatunayang matibay at tatagal ng habang panahon. Di importante ang bilang ng nakakarami lagi. Isa pa huwag sana tayong lagi na lang pinagtutuunan kung sino ang nasa kapangyarihan o kung sino ang dapat manalo, lagi sana natin isaisip ang pagiging parehas at pagrespeto sa ating katungali kahit na sa anumang larangan. Sa panahon ngayon lalo na sa congress bastusan na talaga eh.
ramrod, yes, i don’t matter at all but that has nothing to do with my living abroad. i am a filipino citizen and as rego says, i can vote (so are cvj and abe margallo,etc., i think). about the only one i can say matter in this blog is manolo who gives us this forum and tolerate people like us. so you had, and can, always march on the streets. good for you, and i hope the next time the result will be to your satisfaction instead of regretting it. death? all people die, including you. no one in this world will get out alive. and it’s not up to you or anyone else. you talk as though you are completely satisfied with your own life, but if i may speculate based on your comments, you are not “happy” with life in the philippines now. then again, to each his own. taxes? my wife and i own some properties there for which we pay taxes, and i think they are not “peanuts” by philippine standard. btw, i really don’t care how strong, fit or “brave” you are. to me that has nothing to do with the price of rice.
vic, even people old in age can be “childish” or “ignorant” in the way they talk, rationalize, or think. the proof of the pie is in the eating. if one thinks your way of thinking or talking is “stupid”, you are so in his perception. and there’s nothing you can do about that but try to show the soundness of your thinking or discourse.
equalizer, you’re talking to me? i think i am one of the first, if not the first, one who have used the term “old geezer” in response to a poster who called me “boy” ( i know, i know the connotation of “boy” in the southern states). now it reminds of einstein’s theory of relativity. every person born in this world is always older than somebody else(lol).
Old GeeZer:
Let’s push through the proposed nomination of Gloria Arroyo,Ronnie Puno and Joseph Estrada for the Nobel Peace Prize for 2008.
It’s a distinct possiblity for them to win this coveted award.
“By negotiating the The Presidential Pardon For Erap , and subsequently following it up with the quick pardon after six (6) weeks from the conviction of Erap by the Sandigan Bayan, Arroyo,Estrada and Puno have made substantial contributions to a historic process through which peace and cooperation can replace a bitter political feud and possibly a dangerous civil war and hate among Filipinos.”
Hell,if we can’t win the Olympics Gold medals,we can have at least have the Nobel Peace Prize.Don’t you think?
In accordance with a provision in the 1987 Constitution, President Fidel V. Ramos signed into law Republic Act No. 7653, the New Central Bank Act, on 14 June 1993, This was the law provided for the independence of the Central Bank as monetary authority. It took effect on July 3, 1993.
Did I mention that it was the recommendation of the IMF-CB Banking Survey Commission? Presidential Decree in 1973 made Central Bank the monetary authority. The 1987 Constitution adopted the same provisions.
“They the best of us, & they were the worst of us.”
Joseph Estrada:“On September 12, 2007, the Sandiganbayan finally gave its decision, finding Joseph Estrada not guilty on his perjury case and guilty of plunder “beyond reasonable doubt.” He was sentenced to Reclusión perpetua.â€Â(Wikipedia)
Ferdinand Marcos:“Many despised Ferdinand Marcos’ regime, his silencing the free press, his dictatorial control, the imprisonment, torture, murder and disappearance of thousands and his shameless plunder of the nation’s treasury.â€Â(Wikipedia)
How will history judge Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo?
D0d0ng, that’s not how Rego meant to use the word and you know it. He meant ‘nationally elected’. If you’re saying that we should get to the congressmen first (via recall) before getting at Gloria Arroyo, then that becomes another delaying tactic. Anyway, as you said in your next post which i agree with:
That’s why the option of people power should not be taken off the table.
I’m not saying the opposition should not look into the idea though since your suggestion may have merit in the case of vulnerable congressmen, but i have a hunch that getting incumbents to switch sides might be easier.
Ramrod, have a good break but don’t let Bencard or D0d0ng get to you. That’s just how Fil-Ams speak. I’ve learned to adjust myself to their tone.
NPC:MANGLING OF PRESS FREEDOM MURAL
One of the crimes of dictatorships is defacing works of art.
In Afghanistan, the Taliban began each day with prayer and then one morning blasted ancient Buddhist statues along the silk route with artillery and painted over all the human figures in the artwork that was still in their national museum.
But things of this nature are now happening right here!
What does it say about the Philippines?
“Ramrod, have a good break but don’t let Bencard or D0d0ng get to you. That’s just how Fil-Ams speak. I’ve learned to adjust myself to their tone.”
cjv, I observed that too, except for rego, who is quite reasonable, most fil-ams stick to one another and just look at the pattern of their comments, one and the same and selectively will quote other’s comment where they can conveniently rebut or refute instead of taking the whole context of the comments, just as lawyery as you can get, and sometimes or most of the times the presiding judge or jury don’t like this type of arguments and may slant the case against the council favor just because of that reason. I observed many judges admonished many lawyers, defense and prosecutors for being selective, selective just like our Judiciary.
ROY MABASA & company
National Press Club(?)
The Defacing of The Press Freedom Mural in NPC
“The Law Concerning Art Preservation and Artists’ Rights†in America states that no person, with the exception of the artist, has a right to deface or alter a work of fine art.
â€ÂDroit morale,†a legal concept meaning â€Âmoral rights†is the cornerstone of the law. In this case, ‘droit morale’ is the concept that art work is more than a commercial product.
An artist’s reputation and career is dependent upon the works of art he or she creates. Each work of art has the artist’s signature on it, literally and figuratively.
The droit morale essentially says the owner of a work of art does not have the right to alter, deface or destroy the work of art.
The work of art is something that belongs to society as a whole.
If this gets through, then my IP isn’t banned. only my email add or my name. I jz can’t believe Manolo will ban me. I can’t think of any reason why. In any case, I guess this is goodbye. I can bypass his minesweeper if I want to, and a really determined troll will always find a way to get through, but it won’t be jz the same for me.
I want to stay with my identity in this blog. And failing that, won’t settle for a new one.
I jz wish Manolo would tell me the reason for my being banned.
A few passages from Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler
and my favorite passage of all
I’ll be going on a diff path now.
For a few months, tnx for the space Manolo.
Many here should not get worked up over legal interpretations of events. They have nothing to do with the fight for justice.
Lawyerly interpretation of events based on laws are only a small part of the equation. Courts are not meant for finding truth and justice.
They are there simply to interpet laws based on what is presented based on the rules of court and evidence. (Relatively variable based on actual circumstance)
Morality has no place in the courtroom.
Case in point: Bush says that the U.S. does not torture and even his appointee for the postion of Justice Secretary refused to declare the act of waterboarding as torture.
The minute he says so that would open the President of the U.S. , his Vice President for charges of aiding and abetting torture which has already been declared a criminal act. (case precedent)
So based on the probability that the U.S. government condones and practices torture the President of the U.S. should be charged with a crime. Just like Marcos was. But the probelm is the necessary party in interest the one tortured is no where to be found. I think possible obstruction of justice there. Now whoever says that we have to prove this in a court of law to be credible should get his head examined. He then becomes the epitomy of being a member of the Sith or the people of the lie or the dark side. Nothing to do with legality there.
The American Jihadist Bocobo should take note.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/11/02/AR2007110201170.html?hpid=opinionsbox1
Waterboarding Used to Be a Crime
By Evan Wallach
Sunday, November 4, 2007; Page B01
“As a result of such accounts, a number of Japanese prison-camp officers and guards were convicted of torture that clearly violated the laws of war. They were not the only defendants convicted in such cases. As far back as the U.S. occupation of the Philippines after the 1898 Spanish-American War, U.S. soldiers were court-martialed for using the “water cure” to question Filipino guerrillas.â€Â
“More recently, waterboarding cases have appeared in U.S. district courts. One was a civil action brought by several Filipinos seeking damages against the estate of former Philippine president Ferdinand Marcos. The plaintiffs claimed they had been subjected to torture, including water torture. The court awarded $766 million in damages, noting in its findings that “the plaintiffs experienced human rights violations including, but not limited to . . . the water cure, where a cloth was placed over the detainee’s mouth and nose, and water producing a drowning sensation.”
An analogy on why there has to be prudent checks and limitations on power.
Applied to the Philippine scene: lawyers who are steeped in traditions of law are limited by the evolving quantity and quality of legal systems.
Otherwise they show themselves simply to be theoreticains probably schooled and trained in trial law by Grisham, Dick Wolf, and David Kelly. All fictional with no relation to reality.
From Francis ‘end of history’ Fukuyama….
America’s Self-Defeating Hegemony
Francis Fukuyama
http://www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/fukuyama4
“But the fundamental problem remains the lopsided distribution of power in the international system. Any country in the same position as the US, even a democracy, would be tempted to exercise its hegemonic power with less and less restraint. America’s founding fathers were motivated by a similar belief that unchecked power, even when democratically legitimated, could be dangerous, which is why they created a constitutional system of internally separated powers to limit the executive.”
“Such a system does not exist on a global scale today, which may explain how America got into such trouble. A smoother international distribution of power, even in a global system that is less than fully democratic, would pose fewer temptations to abandon the prudent exercise of power.”
wow.
manolo, all of these documents were public record? it was a matter of course that Philippine government officials would render a full accounting of monies used?
wow.
how far have we fallen.
Manolo, thanks for the response. The task of chronicling Philippine history is indeed not yet finished.
oh, how rude of me. I hope y’all had a good long holiday.
I made sure I spent mine away from the computer. (okay, from the browser at least.)
and hey, lolo ben’s not that old, his eldest is about as old as my younger sister ( i’m the eldest.
), although my mom’s a lola already.
ellen tordesillas has about 15-30 days to get her domain renewed. if someone is on a waiting list for it, wala na yun.
vic, back in Canada, everyone sees a civil service job as one of the best. that’s because the government really does take care of it’s employees. too bad the same isn’t true here.
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i don’t know if anyone notices how our discussions here on manolo’s blog have an “ivory tower” quality to it. after all we’re just a bunch of semi-anonymous people making prescriptions on how the country should be run. in essence, this is all just the ranting of angry people at their desks. let’s not turn on each other, at least let’s try not to do so with such… zeal. we’re all just expressing opinions here.
as for d0d0ng’s idea, i think the electorate really should be more discerning at the polls. while this, to a certain extent, came out in the national races, everyone who votes locally (up to the congressional level), essentially just votes on parochial concerns. (e.g. let’s vote for the Admin candidate, he can bring a lot of pork into our district.) of course, they mistakenly accept that these people they vote in will have interests in synch with their own. more often the case, if they’re not on the “right” side of the current congressman’s fence, they’re gonna get screwed over.
hence you get the situation that d0d0ng mentioned. the people put these legislators there. until they can actually do something about it (a recall election as provided by law) then maybe these people should suck it up and wait for the next election.
the problem is, the electorate has such poor memories that come next election, they’ll go for the guy with the flashy ads, the dancing girls, and the people who make gapang with the 500 peso bills.
so, i ask, where does the responsibility lie now?
Also, most of civil service jobs are unionized and have collective bargaining power for their security of tenure and retirement plans and as far as I have observed it is independent of elected politicians except positions at the pleasure of elected politicians. And one very good job is the public teacher, their pension plans assets now just for Ontario Public Teacher Union now has a whopping $60 billions diversified in secure investments.
Even nurses are getting more on their Hospital Pensions than on government pensions. worth waiting for retirement…