The three new Speakers of the House
February 5, 2008 by mlq3
Filed under Daily Dose
(L to R) 1. Bank armored car: last minute delivery? 2. The Arroyo’s corner 3. Dato surveys his domain
(L to R) 1., 2. Audience in the galleries 3. JDV’s last moments presiding over the session
(L to R) 1. Kampi huddle 2. Admn Reps. talk to reporters 3. JDV perorates from the floor
(L to R) Two scenes from the media frenzy after JDV finished his speech
My coverage of events from the Bastusan Pambansa was in the form of Twittering, you can see them here, and here, and here and here and here.
As I suspected, the announcement from the Palace, that there wouldn’t be fireworks in the House on Monday but instead, hopefully a tidy handover of power on Tuesday, was a ruse. The Palace was hoping that the galleries would be empty, the media absent, and public attention unfocused, so that it could minimize the risks if de Venecia decided to go down fighting.
In his blog, Rep. Ruffy Biazon (who went against his party’s decision to support Nograles) has an interesting account of the maneuvering behind the scenes:
A few days before the session resumed, both sides, the pro- and anti-JDV camps, conducted meetings one after the other. Some congressmen gave commitments early while some attended meetings on both sides. Signatures on manifestos were gathered, and there are even reports of congressmen signing on manifestos from both sides.
Both sides claimed they had the numbers and for a time, it was seen as a bluffing game. But it became clearer after the majority caucus held in Malacanang. It was a make or break caucus for JDV, where he was expecting (probably more accurately, hoping) that the President would step in and advise everyone to uphold the status quo.
According to information I gathered, the President instead tried to craft a set of procedures on how the showdown would happen, which was seen by others as the final nail on the coffin of JDV’s Speakership. On its face, it is a neutral act, but Congressmen saw it as a withdrawal of support from JDV and a blessing to the initiative of her sons to oust the Speaker.
After the adjournment of that caucus, word already spread out among congressmen about the position of the president and as expected, tides began to turn in favor of Cong. Prospero Nograles. The two camps held meetings after the caucus, the JDV camp in Rembrandt Hotel and the Nograles camp in Luk Foo, a Chinese restaturant near Congress.
There, the numbers and warm bodies were finally seen. At around 3:30 PM, thirty minutes before session was to begin, there were 47 congressmen in Rembrandt and 123 in Luk Foo. 121 votes were needed to oust De Venecia.
Jose De Venecia’s fate was sealed.
As it was, since no one really believes the Palace or trusts it, everyone due to show up on Monday showed up on Monday. At first things looked like they were headed for business as usual until Rep. Abraham Mitra of Palawan, soon after the referral of bills, rose and threw down the gauntlet.
He moved that the speakership be declared vacant. Ronaldo Zamora tried to derail the motion by rising on a point of inquiry but fellow minority member Plaza then rose and derailed Zamora’s inquiry. Datumanong, who was presiding, suspended the session. At that point, two hours of furious caucus-holding and negotiations began.
The two hours were spent basically hammering out two issues between the Nograles and the de Venecia camps.
The Nograles, or Palace, camp wanted to deny de Venecia the opportunity to demand nominal voting where each and every congressman would have to rise and put their vote for or against the motion, on the record. Furthermore, the Palace wanted to deny de Venecia the opportunity to make a valedictory speech.
Along the way, de Venecia clung to the hope he could, somehow, preserve his office and at one point, inquired with Rep. Tanada of the Liberal contingent whether, if he came out strongly enough against the President, the Liberals would reconsider their pledge to support the Palace’s candidate. Tanada responded by going out to the lobby and telling media they were foursquare behind Nograles (later on, after de Venecia’s peroration, Rep. Jun Abaya, great grandson of Emilio Aguinaldo and member of the LP, had the decency to try to register his vote on the motion by nodding; but Rep. Fuentebella, presiding at the time, insisted, rightly, that every congressman rise from his chair, go the mike, and state clearly what their vote was; Abaya sheepishly went to the mike and mumbled “Yes”).
At a certain point, about a half hour before he returned to the floor, de Venecia apparently knew his game was up and summoned his wife and son to his office. They returned to the gallery about ten minutes before the soon to be ex-speaker reappeared on the floor -there was an audible gasp from the galleries when he took his place by the rostrum. All the while, Rep. Mitra had hovered by the microphone repeatedly asking that the session be resumed and his motion carried out. The Arroyo brothers at various time surveyed the scene with proprietary interest and from time to time, Mikey Arroyo would disappear.
So when de Venecia returned, the question became, would he be permitted a swan song? Villafuerte and Pabling Garcia’s blustering were foiled by the intervention of Rep. Teodoro Locsin, Jr., Rep. Dilangalen, and the father of Chiz Escudero; in a nuanced and quite interesting ruling from the chair, Rep. Fuentebella said that a congressman has a paramount right to free speech, by means of making a privilege speech, after which the division of the House on the question of Mitra’s motion could then take place.
As for the speech of de Venecia, the various press reports will suffice: see The Speaker speaks–And How; and how De Venecia goes down fighting. See also Nograles is new House Speaker and Gonzalez: ‘He has burned his bridges with the President’.
The great defect of de Venecia as a politician was revealed for all to see, when his often rambling speech kept returning to a complaint that he was speaking off the cuff, because he’d been assured -and believed- that he’d have until Tuesday to state his case to his peers. Obviously the Palace was not inclined either to keep its word or do him any favors, yet the man thought that a pledge was a pledge. In a nutshell, that is the great defect of truly traditional politicians -they believe that there are some lines no one will cross.
To be sure, presidents can’t tolerate disloyal speakers. After Manuel Villar, Jr. transmitted the articles of impeachment against Joseph Estrada to the Senate, the ruling coalition deposed him and elected Rep. Fuentebella speaker instead. This time, de Venecia had to go, and hardly anyone sympathized with him.
Now, he is on probation: opponents of the administration will more likely than not, wait and see if he will fill in the details of the official chicanery he only painted in bold strokes in his valedictory. People inclined to be neutral, will be watching, as well, as INKBLOTS puts it,
As an ordinary citizen, I am more interested with his expose. While it may be too late a hero to expose the Presidency and its allies in its alleged lapses and involvement in various controversies, I realized something good was coming out of it, after all–that is the unveiling of some hidden truths and burning issues that the Filipino nation must face.
What will happen in the coming days is for us to see. As JDV said, it is just the start and the Filipino people would expect more in the coming days. That is for us to hear and see.
After some period of stabilization, we are again riding a political roller-coaster. I just pray that this move to expose the Presidency’s alleged shortcomings would do good for the country. Definitely, this move by JDV will turn tides. I just hope that many Filipinos would become more vigilant of those turncoat politicians who would take advantage of this situation, and that the people behind it would not resort to violence.
Returning to Ruffy Biazon’s blog, he states, clearly enough, I think, what the whole exercise was all about:
I believed that the ouster move was not motivated by a desire for change and reform in the House. It was never a secret that the primary movers of this move were the two sons of the President, who were hurt by the testimony of JDV’s son Joey against their father regarding the ZTE scandal. In the House, congressmen complain about JDV’s tendency to make promises and not make good on them, but there wasn’t any drive to remove him from office because of this. Issues about transparency in the House expenses were raised, but nobody ever really made a move to scrutinize them. During the budget deliberations, where the golden opportunity to ask questions about the House budget is there for everyone to take, no one grabbed it. The Commission on Audit annual report on House expenses is always ready for anyone interested to go over and review.
Some have said that the Speaker was responsible for the plummeting ratings and deplorable image of the House. But the House of Representatives is a collective body. The Speaker is said to be only the First Among Equals. The image of the House is the responsibility not only of the SPeaker but by all congressmen as individuals and the entire House as an institution. Even if we have a Speaker with impeccable character, if a majority of congressmen still abuse their power, act arrogantly in their distrcits, involve themselves in questionable deals and transactions and perform their duties poorly, the House will remain a house of ill repute. It can be redeemed through extra spending in publicity and public relations, but those will never reform the House.
I have due respect and admiration for him as a colleague, but Cong. Nograles couldn’t have made it on his own. As the current head of the House contingent on the Commission on Appointments during this Congress, he is often not in the House, understandably because of his duties as head of the contingent. For the past months of the 14th Congress, he was concentrated on his duty instead of campaigning for change and reform in the House. Besides, going for the Speakership involves the mobilizing resources which I don’t think he has on his own. It had to take someone else with more clout and resources to organize and convince the congressmen to support him.
The House of Representatives elected three Speakers last night: Rep. Nograles to represent the castrated Lakas-CMD; and the brothers Dato and Mikey Arroyo through whom all public works flow.
And as I mentioned in my column, yesterday, the signal sent by this move is that Kampi is now the real mover and shaker in the House. It hatched the plot to oust de Venecia, a party man and leader with stature equal to, at least, the President; it sustained that plot and accomplished it; in other words, it is the party that matters, and its gaining the greatest numbers is merely a matter of time. As will be its deposing, in turn, Nograles the moment, say, the President decides that he has become a liability.
For example, the enmity between Nograles, a third termer out of the House by 2010 anyway, and Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, is famous. By all accounts, Duterte isn’t going to take Nograles’ election as Speaker sitting down. Who will the President need more, in the coming years, if there are efforts to accomplish Charter Change? After Nograles delivers in the House, the effort will sink or swim depending on how local governments marshal their forces. At which point the President will need Duterte more than she needs Nograles. And his being a member of Lakas-CMD will matter little by that time.
I received this text message, today, which for now will have to be in the caveat emptor, scuttlebutt department:
Per Palace insider, Lakas convention set this week has been deferred to another date. Press con for FVR being arranged. They’ll next try to oust Villar. JPE is coy to be Senate Pres. but Angara agreed. ConAss preferred over PI which can’t change form of govt. Plan is for unicameral with PGMA as PM. JDV chopping is a 3-pronged plan: Revenge related to ZTE, reduce his influence in the House vis-a-vis ConAss, and break the Lakas which is not PGMA but FVR and JDV. Ermita is also in chopping board. Bunye asked to be moved to Monetary Board. Esperon to DND.
There will be easy ways to refute or prove this and previous scuttlebutt, much of which has ended up being verified publicly by the Palace, anyway.The EQualizer, on the other hand, makes some bold predictions.
Mon Casiple, in his blog, offers up this reflection:
We are witness to the final act of GMA’s current crisis of presidential legitimacy. In so doing, he has thrown the gauntlet at GMA’s feet, accusing her of orchestrating his ouster and hinting of stormy days ahead.
GMA has no choice but to pick up this gauntlet–issues are already joined. The fuse was lit by de Venecia and the clock is ticking. If taken to its logical conclusion–and if no major damage control is taken, however remote its possibility–the crisis of legitimacy has entered its final act. Jose de Venecia cannot be permitted to speak of living, breathing demons in the Malacañang closet.
GMA faces the specter of serious political opposition with the present and future JDV revelations. In a situation of negative presidential popularity, this is an explosive situation. The possible scenarios basically are open-ended. They certainly include a shortened GMA term or a possible desperate declaration of an emergency situation.
Malacañang’s political strategists miscalculated on this one. It may cost all of them their heads.
Reactions in the blogosphere can be found in The Philippine Experience, in smoke, and The Warrior Lawyer and Rebelmind. Also, there’s Ideological Soup and Tongue In, Anew.
See also I will BE and Manila Boy and chakringg…=) as well as Let’s go, IN! and Nomadic Thoughts.
And Iloilo City Boy proposes something I’ve pondered upon, too: perhaps the best thing would be to have a permanent, single-term limit for officials, without any possibility of ever returning to the same office.
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inodoro ni emilie on Tue, 5th Feb 2008 2:47 pm
now that he is no longer beholden, let jdv now expose all the zits of zte.
Kabayan on Tue, 5th Feb 2008 3:04 pm
They have achieved objective one (1). A possible future rival, namely JDV, is removed from his influential Speakership position. The administration’s plans are right on track.
john marzan on Tue, 5th Feb 2008 3:08 pm
Trapo JDV has many faults, and I’m no fan of Yoda de Venecia myself, but the timing of his removal is all wrong. The (real) reason for his removal is all wrong.
Jon Mariano on Tue, 5th Feb 2008 3:13 pm
I still would say that JDV deserves the butt-kicking he got.
Mike on Tue, 5th Feb 2008 3:21 pm
I’d like to hope that JdV will now start fighting, but if he didn’t fight then, when fighting would have catapulted him to hero-dom, why would we see him fighting now? Ika nga, the guy’s a lover, not a fighter. Too bad his love went unrequited.
Kabayan on Tue, 5th Feb 2008 3:24 pm
JDV cannot easily be trusted, however if he is indeed that desirous of bringing out the truth on anomalies, then he should start giving the evidence to the opposition and civil society.
Have him swear by the evidences of anomalies on pain of perjury (or worse) in case he backtracks. I’m not surprised if during this time, backchannel talks are being done by Malacanang boys and girls to appease de Venecia so as not to reveal anomalies which he MAY indeed have evidence on. Whether JDV has suddenly develops a spine or still has jelly for a backbone remains to be seen. I would not heavily bet on the first possibility however.
john marzan on Tue, 5th Feb 2008 3:27 pm
he deserves a butt-kicking, but not for the reasons he got one today.
john marzan on Tue, 5th Feb 2008 3:34 pm
malakas talaga ang mga Arroyo Bros.
Mike on Tue, 5th Feb 2008 3:39 pm
Kabayan: JdV will eat whatever crap GMA wants to give him.
Jon Mariano on Tue, 5th Feb 2008 3:41 pm
In a power game, the loser deserves a butt-kicking. Besides, JDV picked his hand (as in a card game) and played with it until (almost) the end. He only tried to fight back Malacanang when he saw that he was going to be whipped! He thoroughly deserves this “ending”. He badly misread his and his opponents’ cards.
He looked like a sore loser during his last speech as the speaker, strengthening further the rebuttal question: why only now? He should have followed what Kabayan above said that he should have kept his cool and release evidence/s on Gloria’s hidden skeletons preferrably one at a time until 2010!
number cruncher on Tue, 5th Feb 2008 3:42 pm
JDV doesn’t have it in him to be the rallying point or even the catalyst for the presidential scandal exposes. he doesn’t have it in him to be another enrile (for EDSA I) or chavit (for EDSA II). for too long he has been known to be an accomodator, a bridge-builder. and since he knows his life is safe as long as he shuts up, he won’t be disposed off with extreme prejudice. sure, he’ll lose a whole lot of clout in the coming days, but he will still wield significant influence and wealth. so he won’t be bothered with as long as he shuts up.
although he did come out with that tirade during the privilege speech, it was more of a knee-jerk reaction of a slighted man than one crusading for justice. as soon as the palace calms him down (ika nga, mahimasmasan), he’ll be forced to keep quiet for his own good.
(i don’t know what the bit was with him nominating nograles for speaker, maybe it was out of tradition, but it seemed jarring after being booted out.)
at any case, we are being regaled with the increased probability of the empress not stepping down beyond 2010.
Shaman of Malilipot on Tue, 5th Feb 2008 3:45 pm
Well, JDV should have learned very early on that you cannot sleep with the Devil and not be damned.
Since he is a self-confessed “sinner”, let him now recite the long “litany” of his and GMA’s sins against the Filipino people so that justice can be finally served.
Kabayan on Tue, 5th Feb 2008 3:48 pm
(Sigh) Perhaps it’s too much to ask for JDV to now stand up, present evidence and testify against top level corrupt officials. In case he does, then at least perhaps his soul may still be declared “partly savageable”. Maybe the father will learn some lessons from his son.
Mike on Tue, 5th Feb 2008 3:51 pm
Jon:
That’s what baffles me. I don’t understand how a political operator of the caliber of JdV could not have seen what, apparently, many of us did see. He must’ve been fooling himself.
Mike on Tue, 5th Feb 2008 3:54 pm
Kabayan,
Pardon the pun, but I think JdV is quite aware that if he spills the beans, he will indeed be “salvageable.”
Or…should he be worried that he is more “salvageable” now, since he hasn’t started talking yet?
Jen on Tue, 5th Feb 2008 3:55 pm
Nakakakilabot si Dato Arroyo when he was explaining his vote. Parang ang linis linis nila kung magsalita!
john marzan on Tue, 5th Feb 2008 4:02 pm
whether he played his hand right or whether he looked like a sore loser in the end, all this would not have happened if JDV’s son had just kept quiet and not offended the Arroyos.
that’s the bottom line.
Kabayan on Tue, 5th Feb 2008 4:05 pm
Mike,
JDV was forewarned but took no heed. Perhaps he was confident of his diplomatic wheeling and dealing skills, too confident for his own good. He had played with his “threat” card that the Arroyo administration would not DARE remove him as he would spill the beans.
He was unable to see the larger picture, that he is an obvious block to any attempts of Gloria or his sons to gain a possible Prime Ministership. JDV dragging his feet in radically pushing for Parliamentary Change did not help him any. Ironically, most Congressmen also fail to see that they are just as expendable. They cannot see beyond the Pork Barrel funds dangled in front of their noses.
The game play here is GREED, the Pork Barrel and COMELEC control is the bait used by Gloria to lead the Congressmen and other politicians by the nose. Money and a guaranteed seat in power. This is also the reason why she should protect all COMELEC Commissioners guilty of cheating since all investigations “lead back to Rome” so to speak.
Strategically speaking, except for key military and police officials, the rest are expendable. What is the use for excess politicians in a dictatorship except as dummies, rubber stamps and robots who does the bidding of a dictator? Cheaper and safer to maintain than the ambitious greedy ones right now wallowing in Congress.
Of course most of the “yes men” Congressmen are too greedy to think in the first place.
john marzan on Tue, 5th Feb 2008 4:10 pm
There are many reasons to be down on JDV, but to remove him because his son told the truth about the Arroyos is wrong.
Schumey on Tue, 5th Feb 2008 4:31 pm
Thanks for linking me again, Manolo. It was not just vendetta, I truly believe that charter change has something to do with JdV’s ouster. I wouldn’t be surprised that another bombing or a scenario of lawlessness will be used to justify a declaration of martial law or a state of emergency.
GMA and her tongress know too well that they cannot push for cha-cha in whatever means.
jude on Tue, 5th Feb 2008 4:32 pm
The tragedy about De Venecia’s downfall is that he brought it upon himself. He thought that he had collected enough IOU’s from the Arroyo’s to get a golden handshake through the ZTE deal. Especially after his attempt at the railway project with the Chinese failed. He didn’t realize he would be outmuscled by Big Mike, Sleazy Ricky and Bumbling Ben, who were as close as can be with the source of power. JDV’s hubris blinded him so much that he allowed his son Joey to publicly sour-grape and raise a stink about the failed deal. Maybe, at some point, he had delusions that he couldn’t be touched. He failed to realize that he had outlived his usefulness to Malacañang.
Well, reality can be harsh. Especially when one has been used to having his head up in the clouds, rubbing elbows with the rich and mighty.
And, unless JDV can pull a mega surprise for the whole Filipino nation and the world, he doesn’t have any smoking gun or anything incriminating against the family he tried to be so servile to. That fact that they did him in should be proof enough that he doesn’t have anything substantial on the Arroyos. And if he hasn’t pulled out any rabbits or firecrackers from out of his magic hat so far, he probably doesn’t have them.
Perhaps it isn’t surprising, but it’s sad nonetheless, that the person who replaces De Venecia is even more corrupt, ambitous, deceitful and power-hungry than JDV. Friends in Davao say Nograles is as ravenous and devious as they come. People from Nograles’ hometown say that Malacañang doesn’t know what it’s getting into. Nogie, as he’s known, will play along and make Mikey and the rest of the Arroyos think he will give them the bulk of the pork and do their bidding. But he’ll be sure to keep the best parts to himself and he’s really out there to take care only of himself. He has a bright smile, but with razor-sharp teeth behind it. He’s a lot more astute and street-smart than any of the Arroyos: father, sons or uncle. But in the meantime, he will earn his keep and gain their confidence.
On the other hand, it may be precisely to Malacañang’s interest to have a slightly younger, more ambitious, more ravenous, more corrupt version of Joe De Venecia as the guardian of the House and keeper of its purse strings. This guy is hungry and eager to prove his mettle. He will surely, at least in the short term, be a lot more compliant, ruthless and servile. And in politics, it is all for the short term anyway. Nothing is permanent or long-lasting, not even friends and allies.
balatucan on Tue, 5th Feb 2008 4:56 pm
Sing, Joe, sing.
To Malacanang: This is a costly miscalculation.
To opposition and disgruntled soldiers: This is a golden opportunity.
Jon Mariano on Tue, 5th Feb 2008 5:56 pm
Wow, Lozada arrives and promptly whisked away! Nakabantay pa sa NAIA ang senate police.
Only the Palace has override over the senate! So it must be the palace who orchestrated this Lozada disappearance but I’m sure it will be denied too!
Kabayan on Tue, 5th Feb 2008 5:59 pm
Mike,
Depending on how we define “salvage”, if it is the English definition, that is good for JDV. If it is the Filipino definition of “salvage”, that is really very bad for him
Yeah spilling the beans and transferring 1,000 certified true copy of the documents and evidences to the opposition or civil society anti corruption movements would make him less salvageable, in the Filipino sense that is.
After all, for a guy with such wealth, a thousand certified true copies would be a drop in the bucket compared to the current threats to his life while he haven’t yet spilled the beans.
Chabeli on Tue, 5th Feb 2008 6:20 pm
When Ramos & Enrile spilled the beans on Marcos which started EDSA 1, many asked, “why did they talk only now”?
When Chavit spilled the beans on Erap which started EDSA 2, many asked, “why did he speak only now”?
When JdV spilled the beans on Arroyo last night, many are again asking, “why did he speak only now”?
It takes a thug to squeal on a fellow thug. The question is not “why..only now?” The point is it had to be now !
Kabayan on Tue, 5th Feb 2008 6:21 pm
Schumey :
Mayhaps another methane blast?
Kabayan on Tue, 5th Feb 2008 6:26 pm
Jon,
At least Lozada was not shot on the tarmac … yet.
Several decades ago, someone that most of us know was not so lucky.
qwert on Tue, 5th Feb 2008 6:40 pm
What happened to JDV is actually a reality check for GMA. She cannot trust anybody even her best of friends and lapdogs and neither can she expect from any would-be president even from her camp to protect her once she loses her immunity from lawsuit. This bolsters the suspicion that she will do anything come hell or high water to extend her term beyond 2010.
qwert on Tue, 5th Feb 2008 6:45 pm
“It takes a thug to squeal on a fellow thug. The question is not “why..only now?†The point is it had to be now !” – chabeli
____________________
The truth knows no tense.
Equilibrium on Tue, 5th Feb 2008 7:03 pm
As the saying goes the speakership is only of 1 vote it is of the President’s and from the way things are going GMA knew that JDV could give her headaches in the future but she also knows that by the time JDVis out she could buy time to deflect the pressure coming from JDV and his allies and lest we forget if GMA is successfully impeached with the help of JDV then it would make Noli more powerful than he is and 2010 is not far away if Noli assumes the post then Villar and Mar would be at a great disadvantage and the playing field would not be equal so from here GMA know what would happen remember she’s cunning. She’s still standing with enemies slayed along the way do we need further proof.
The Ca t on Tue, 5th Feb 2008 7:25 pm
Don’t celebrate yet. People do not like whistleblowers.
Hyatt 10 or 12. nasaan na sila?
Chavit Singson did not win the election.
Other whistleblowers were blown by the wind to oblivion.
Si JDV pa?
Bet?
The wife was always with GMA’s travel entourage one day. The next day she would be in the other camp. Loyalty? my foot.
JPE was scared for his life.
Chavit Singson fell out of Erap’s favor.
JDV’s meltdown was caused by the son who was denied of the NBN deal.
Sheesh.
BombaStar on Tue, 5th Feb 2008 7:56 pm
Only a handful of people in the know really believe that JDV can do anything to hurt GMA, and it is wishful for the opposition to think that JDV is a catalyst in deposing/exposing the Arroyos.
JDV is a GMA lapdog and will always be a GMA lapdog! If anything, JDV is now looking for ways to get back into GMA’s good graces.
As far as GMA goes, only one kind of explosive event will work to bring her down to hell. It is the type that literally makes a loud noise.
ay_naku on Tue, 5th Feb 2008 8:03 pm
Uhm what sort of “smoking gun” are we expecting from JDV? And really, would it matter at all? I mean, we already have loads and loads of smoking guns against the Arroyos, yet these have hardly made a dent. And a truly explosive “smoking gun” can shoot fire up people’s asses and the people would hardly notice, much less care enough to do something about it.
All hail the Magnificent, Adorable Empress GMA! We better get used to saying that ngayon pa lang.
Rod Alvarez on Tue, 5th Feb 2008 8:27 pm
very insightful analysis, Manolo!
i can only add:
no more Ramos’ foreign-funded grand coalition (LPs against ChaCha), no more Ermita generals, no more KAMPI (Villafuerte lording over Puno?), no more Arroyo security after 2010!:)
BrianB on Tue, 5th Feb 2008 8:46 pm
At least there’s no bloodshed.
BrianB on Tue, 5th Feb 2008 8:47 pm
Wow, MLQ, those other blogs you linked cannot load. Di kaya nang server.
Shaman of Malilipot on Tue, 5th Feb 2008 9:28 pm
“It takes a thug to squeal on a fellow thug. The question is not “why..only now?†The point is it had to be now !†– Chabeli
The truth is good anytime. God rewards also those who wait.
UP n student on Tue, 5th Feb 2008 9:37 pm
One of the lessons to be learned in this is :
Loose lips sink ships.
The son demonstrated that the father had lost control.
nash on Tue, 5th Feb 2008 9:54 pm
For today’s reflection, a reading from the book of Prophet Miriam Defensor Santiago…
“Ang pinag-aaway-awayan lang naman dito ay mga kickbacks….”
As it was during the ZTE hearing, so it is with this JDV ouster.
(Kiko Pangilinan, are you NOTING this down?)
UP n student on Tue, 5th Feb 2008 10:01 pm
@qwert and Kabayan: For a clearer understanding of some of the GMA strategies, go read Robert Greene : “The 33 Strategies of War”.
One such principle says that if one is in a position of weakness, then taking prisoners is not an option. The action to immediately lop off the heads of the leaders of the opposition is simply a matter of conserving resources.
Madonna on Tue, 5th Feb 2008 10:02 pm
Let’s watch how FVR does in the coming days. With the ouster of JDV and by association, he’s next for demolition and will be in the way in the power consolidation of the four Arroyos of the Apocalypse (Mike, Mikee, Dato, Iggy).
FVR and his old loyal clique such as the relatively benign presence of Ermita are the only ones keeping this administration legit, and the demolition job may have started already, with Ermita’s pending removal from Malacanang. Unlike JDV and his cohorts, FVR and his minions are not strictly politicians who GMA could coop or destroy in the traditional way.
If the Arroyos move against FVR, it is not likely that FVR and his boys would join the so-called opposition led by Lacson and Erap. A strong third force in the offing, brewing without the desperation of a Trillanes caper? I hope so — to which the patient, waiting middle classes and the general public can finally throw its lot in this whole ordeal that has dragged on since 2005.
I agree Shaman, “The truth is good anytime. God rewards also those who wait”.
Carl on Tue, 5th Feb 2008 10:07 pm
On the ligher side: Miriam Santiago remarked that “karma†came swiftly for JDV. She suggested that JDV be offered an ambassardorship to Indonesia, Iraq or Afghanistan as “he is an expert in inter-faith dialoguesâ€.
Hahahaha!
Oh Miriam just cracks me up. After Imelda, she has the best sense of satire in this part of the world.
Carl on Tue, 5th Feb 2008 10:14 pm
To those who expect JDV to wash GMA’s dirty linen in the coming days, continue masturbating because it will only happen in your wet dreams.
Yesterday’s valedictory speech can be paraphrased as “Watch out Malacañang, I still got an ace up my sleeve, so better have a good offer.â€
J. Cruz on Tue, 5th Feb 2008 10:19 pm
Who possesses ALL the power WITHOUT the headaches? Ronaldo Puno!
GMA — ceremonial President and/or decorative Prime Minister
Everybody else, here today…. gone tomorrow….
Martial Law declaration? It’s entirely up to R. Puno!
nash on Tue, 5th Feb 2008 10:36 pm
I feel a shiver run down my spine when I imagine this New Philippine Parliament.
As a keen miron/tambay at Prime Ministers Question Time during Blairs premiership (Wednesdays), I was impressed with the barrage of insults, jibes, sarcastic remarks and whatnot that are thrown. So far, I have not seen anyone lose his/her temper or speak out of turn and even the PM stops if the Speaker asks.
Now, knowing that we are pikon, and that GMA easily loses her temper, I support our shift to parliamentary form if only for amusement value of watching our MPs start punching each other like they do in Taiwan.
the jester-in-exile on Tue, 5th Feb 2008 10:45 pm
charter change 2010, heeeeeereee weeeee cooooome!
The Equalizer on Tue, 5th Feb 2008 10:46 pm
Warning to ALL Pinoys:We must remain vigilant.
The election of a new speaker clearly indicates that they will revive the CHARTER CHANGE plan,to find clever ways to extend Gloria’s hold on power.We must not allow this.
Elections for a new president must proceed as scheduled in 2010.
Forewarned is forearmed!
The Equalizer on Tue, 5th Feb 2008 10:52 pm
Manolo: I would like to share an interesting comment by recent reader of my blog:
“Buti nga natanggal na yang JDV na yan! Napakakurakot nyan sa Congress. Taga House ako kaya alam ko. Kung di pa nagreklamo mga empleyado eh di pa nya ibibigay yung bonus na nirelease ng DBM para sa mga empleyado. Pati pera ng mga empleyado pinaginteresan pa! Pag pumunta ka sa bahay nila bago sya napalitan eh breakfast, lunch at dinner catered food charged to HOR funds lahat. Mga maid nyan naka payroll lahat sa HOR. Dami pang consultants kuno na mga ghost employees naman. Hay, what moral revolution is he talking about?! Grabe, kinikilabutan ako sa mga pinagsasabi nya. Mahiya naman siya! Sa Congress pa nga lang saksakan na ng kurakot, pano pa kaya kung naging presidente sya? Sour graping lang yan!”
Kamote on Tue, 5th Feb 2008 10:58 pm
We keep on forgetting the FVR angle. He may look senile but lets not forget who calmed things down during that february coup thingie.
JDV and FVR are tight diba? do you think the old man will just take this sitting down? do you really think the arroyos can really out muscle old grandpa philippines 2000?
Its easy to dismiss FVR but dont forget who helped brought down his own cousin, saved a lady in distress, ousted a so called thug and again always on a lady’s side when she needed help.
Also more than enough generals and officers are ilokanos too.
Mike on Tue, 5th Feb 2008 11:38 pm
Much as I would like to believe that FVR can put a stop to this rotten regime, I fear that GMA neutralized (or neutered?) him a long time ago. Had he had any capability left, wouldn’t he have prevented his buddy from being so ignominiously ousted?
Sure, Ermita might bite the dust, but what can FVR do about it?
supremo on Wed, 6th Feb 2008 12:21 am
I don’t really care if JDV spills the beans. I’m glad that he is not the speaker and just the congressman from Pangasinan.
FVR is a wild card. I don’t think he will attempt to resuscitate JDV’s career. He might just support a younger version of JDV. GMA can’t touch FVR anyway. His friends at the CIA are on call if GMA comes too close for comfort.
With the kingpins (Erap, FVR and JDV) out of power, we are entering the era of controlled mayhem. No one among the current generation of politicians can match the organizing power of these three stooges of Philippine politics.
Chabeli on Wed, 6th Feb 2008 1:04 am
The Philippines is witnessing its destruction & the clueless/helpless Filipinos just watch its country turn into the Zimbabwe of Asia with a Tribal Leader, Gloria Arroyo, at its helm laughing to her hearts’ delight. Indeed, she has become the neo-cannibal leader.
May God help the Philippines.
BrianB on Wed, 6th Feb 2008 1:14 am
“Let’s watch how FVR does in the coming days. With the ouster of JDV and by association, he’s next for demolition and will be in the way in the power consolidation of the four Arroyos of the Apocalypse (Mike, Mikee, Dato, Iggy).”
Gawd. These people are not that powerful or smart, excepting the mother. They’re positioning themselves to become the Philippine Romanovs, if you ask me. Not to be looking forward to such a scenario, which would be devastating to our country.
Chabeli on Wed, 6th Feb 2008 1:53 am
Here’s a list of Gloria’s lapdogs (174), those who wanted real change (35) & those who were smart who did not want to be used by Gloria (16):
http://www.newsbreak.com.ph/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=4148&Itemid=88889298
hawaiianguy on Wed, 6th Feb 2008 2:17 am
The common denominator in the JDV mess is this: BANGAYAN SA COMMISSION.
Take it from Miriam “Brenda” Santiago.
I don’t give a damn to Joe’s ouster, or Nograles’s “anointment.” Weather-weather lang yan, says one of the ousted guys. They’d better burn down the whole House of RepresentaTHIEVES.
But don’t underestimate a seasoned trapo like JdV. He may have the last laugh.
hvrds on Wed, 6th Feb 2008 2:22 am
In the early part of the first Godfather movie the feud that was started by the Tataglia family vs. the Corleone family was about sharing of political capital. After the deaths of the first born on both sides and the wounding of Don Vito, the old master decided to sue for peace to stop and look at what had transpired and and consolidate his forces.
In one of the most memorable scenes in the garden the old man told his youngest son Michael and heir apparent that it was Barzini all along. He told his son that the Tataglias had no brains to come up with that plot.
It was Barzini who wanted to become the capo de tuti capi.He wanted to destroy the Corleone family who had cultivated the political influence. He warned Michael that his one of his own man who betray him to Barzini.
Don Vito Corleone it is said was modeled after the life of Salvatore Lucania aka Lucky Luciano who corporatized organized crime and made it a striking model for corporate America.
Poor JDV Jr. and JDV III. They poured the heat on Big Mike and praised GMA. It was her all along. Ever since her stint at the GTEB her closest advisers were former Labor Secretary Abes and her brothers.
The quota brokers and smugglers who operated customs bonded warehouses were her campaign supporters. Noemi Saludo, (mother of Ricardo), Donald Dee and Serge Luis Ortiz her main go to people in the trade. All operators of customs bonded warehouses and quota brokers. It was during her stint at the GTEB that for the first time in certain categories the Philippine government issued more export quotas than were alloted to the country for one year.
One of her brothers is a banker.
Big Mike, Iggy, Mikey are not that bright. Dato is new to the limelight.
Just recently the son of Nograles was appointed to head the PDIC. He was a minor functionary at Land Bank. That is like giving someone a key to the bank.
Everyone who had dealings with her know she converts her power for cash. It was her earnings from the GTEB that set her up for her run in the Senate. It was Joe Con who plucked her from her teaching job and installed her at the GTEB.
Big Mike is a lazy hacendero type person. GMA has more testosterone than him.
Marcos took control of the natural monopolies of the country under his rule. This one is doing it the smart way. Privatization has created billionares almost overnite.
GMA has arranged her ducks all in a row. Her main oppositors in the military are under custody. The one guy that she was afraid off Honasan has already decided that joining up with her is the better part of valor. To prove his loyalty it is said that he got Pulido to file that impeachment case. Both Honasan and Pulido were charged with rebellion apart from the Oakwood event together with Lim for the Feb. 2005 fiasco.
Honasan had used the Pulido office to help out the Oakwood mutineers until they broke ranks amongst themselves with some joining GMA.
The old establishment that evolved with the Marcos dictatorship – Danding, JPE, Razon are now all together again with GMA. One thread that they all share is their close ties with the military. Power, wealth and the military.
FVR is history. Esperon is in charge and together with GMA have consolidated a powerful praetorian guard. The old Cory/FVR tandem is no more.
The GMA government controls three TV stations directly and one indirectly – GMA -7. The Lopez’s are slowly moving into the gun sights of GMA.
Bencard on Wed, 6th Feb 2008 2:33 am
mlq3, your blatant treatment of each member of the philippine congress who voted for change in its leadership as mindless robots and automatons, doing the bidding of the “palace”, is unfair and thoroughly partisan. remember, most of these legislators are just like you, with their own sense of right and wrong, convictions, preferences, prejudices, doubts, and freedom to act for what they believe is good for themselves, their people and their country.
three new speakers? if you mean mikey and dato will have the same power and influence as nograles’, not only is that legally impossible, but i doubt nograles and the controlling majority of the house will allow it. of course, i understand that your belief is premised on your theory that congress, as constituted now, is but a “rubber stamp” of, and wholly beholden to, the president – an idea which i reject.
i see in this blog a cacophony of dire predictions on the fate of our country before and after gma’s term ends. there are too many nostradamuses who only see doom and gloom in the horizon. too many pessimists who love conjuring up ghosts and monsters to scare themselves and others gullible enough to be taken in. and worst, they believe their own fantasies as inevitable destiny.
tess on Wed, 6th Feb 2008 3:35 am
bencard:
surely, you don’t believe that these congressmen acted for the country. they expect to be rewarded “mucho” by the devil herself…and they are robots!
Bencard on Wed, 6th Feb 2008 4:20 am
tess, i give them the benefit of the doubt, unless you can prove what you assert. there’s just too much pre-judgment in the air and i don’t buy it no matter how cheap.
hvrds on Wed, 6th Feb 2008 4:43 am
The world of neo-liberalism is crumbling and every country is moving to protect itself from the prevailing strong winds very recently caused by the credit crisis in the world’s financial markets.
Australia raised interest rates and the Eurozone will hold interest rates higher to fight inflationary pressures building up.
The repeating crisis of over production and excess capital will have to work itself out once again and states will do what they have to do protect their real economies.
GMA’s government is reaping the benefits of U.S. mercantilist policies. OFW’s and clearly a predominantly subsistence agricultural and fishery based economy is structurally mostly immune to financial crisis. For an import dependent economy the devaluation of the dollar makes imports so much cheaper.
Banks whose balance sheets are mainly collateralized with real property are looking much healthier with the rise in the prices of real estate denominated in pesos.
Asset inflation is making the GMA government look like economic genius’s.
Greenspan did in in late 2001-2002 when he lowered rates to 1% and created the housing bubble and the subsequent credit bubble and currency bubble.
“It has been a decade since the U.S. heavy-handedly told Asia how to retool its economies. It counseled higher interest rates to support currencies, fiscal belt-tightening, more independent central banks, greater corporate responsibility and avoiding bailing out investors.”
“Now, as the U.S. faces its own crisis, it’s doing everything it told Asia not to. That, U.S. officials might say, is the prerogative of the printer of the world’s reserve currency. If only it were that simple. The U.S.’s policies are beginning to complicate life for Asia.”
“A decade ago, Asia sent financial turmoil to the West, slamming markets in New York. Today, the U.S. is returning the favor via what Asians call “American contagion.”
“Take the Federal Reserve’s rate cuts. Along with bailing out investors who bet big on turbocharged securities they barely understood, the Fed is sending a tidal wave of capital Asia’s way. It’s boosting asset values and currencies. The U.S. is effectively devaluing its way to growth, something for which it long chastised Asia.”
William Pesek, Bloomberg
tess on Wed, 6th Feb 2008 4:43 am
bencard, i don’t jump to conclusions myself. the benefit of the doubt i can’t give them. let’s not forget that these people are politicians FIRST… and you know how politicians are…
here’s more on the NBN/ZTE: http://www.ellentordesillas.com/?p=2079
I hope he won’t miraculously disappear like Lozada.
inodoro ni emilie on Wed, 6th Feb 2008 5:47 am
bencard, bravo! you gave the order of priorities correctly.
BrianB on Wed, 6th Feb 2008 6:33 am
“too many pessimists who love conjuring up ghosts and monsters to scare themselves and others gullible enough to be taken in. and worst, they believe their own fantasies as inevitable destiny.”
Bencard, didn’t I just say I didn’t believe Dato and Mikey were that powerful?
BrianB on Wed, 6th Feb 2008 6:38 am
INE:
I doubt ordinary people are truly affected by what happens to Congress. I believe that Filipinos, because they were not properly grounded in democratic principle, are still Monarchists at heart. They care about Presidents, mayors and even Senators. Not Congressmen.
TonGuE-tWisTeD on Wed, 6th Feb 2008 6:43 am
The Sunday golf game had one non-politician guarding each flight as they teed off. Ricky Razon. I guess he offered to show them how to make the “greens” in less strokes. Manolo’s picture of the bank’s armored van could be it.
Ricky, whose 25-year monopoly at the ports are ending in a few years, his buddies and/or dummies Nono and Endika showing who’s boss in Transco’s latest bidding, and while Mikey gets the coveted House Energy committee, and the Mindanao block getting boosted by their new speaker, there’s no stopping the P99 Billion Mindanao power upgrade kicking in this summer.
Don’t look now but even Danding’s BEER company and George Ty’s METROBANK are suddenly into energy! Believe it or not. But what’s there in Mindanao that is so urgent it needs that amount of power? No idea.
But one thing is sure, they won’t want people like IPP-friendly JDV and FVR, much less the Zamora brothers Ronnie, Manny, and Buddy come gatecrashing again in their very private party, do they?
The Ca t on Wed, 6th Feb 2008 7:07 am
What’s missing is the crystal ball. hehehe
hawaiianguy on Wed, 6th Feb 2008 7:49 am
Suppose we SUBSTITUTE some words:
i see in this blog a cacophony of how they glorify the fate of our country before and after gma’s term ends. there are too many glorias who only see boom and bloom in the horizon. too many optimists who love conjuring up gdps, enchanted kingdoms, communists and destabilizers to fool themselves and others gullible enough to be taken in. and worst, they believe their own fantasies as inevitable destiny.
BrianB on Wed, 6th Feb 2008 8:00 am
Tongue,
A cut of the 2 billion dollars isn’t exactly worth this much trouble.
hawaiianguy on Wed, 6th Feb 2008 8:01 am
TonGuE-tWisTeD:
“there’s no stopping the P99 Billion Mindanao power upgrade kicking in this summer.”
I have an inside info on this thing, from ranking officials of 2 major Agus hydro-electric plants in Lanao.
Truth is, they (Napocor engineers and techies) don’t even see a need for such upgrade (or rehab). So, it comes down to this – “if ain’t broke, why fix it?”
UP n student on Wed, 6th Feb 2008 8:02 am
@BrianB: I don’t know about this portrait of the voters as uninformed about the ways of politics. The people know that they did not elect the Speaker-of-the-House, why should they care that much?
They elect mayors and councilors for the basketball courts and trash collection and hopefully a local clinic; they elect congressmen for roads and markets and bigger pork-barrel projects. They elect senators for, what, “the bigger picture”. They elect the President for “big-direction” like relations with USA, OFW opportunities, prioritization of roads-versus-PowerStations, education-budget over the military budget.
And if their congressman, for a vote for Nograles, brings in an extra ten-mil for the province, is that not a bonus in the general scheme of things?
BrianB on Wed, 6th Feb 2008 8:19 am
No one cared when Marcos disbanded congress.
balatucan on Wed, 6th Feb 2008 8:29 am
Many tried to downplay the possible “bomb” that JDV will detonate against this administration. Actually, they are just trying to calm themselves for they really have no idea what JDV or FVR’s cards against them.
Its too early to say JDV is a goner or even FVR. But one thing comes to mind. Remember Chavit Singson? The anti Erap forces gave him credibility despite being a partner in crime of Estrada. Its undisputable JDV has better credibility than Chavit.
Remember boys, partners in crime is more credible than a stranger.
BrianB on Wed, 6th Feb 2008 8:41 am
I just remembered. It’s Western Visayas that needs more power.
DevilsAdvc8 on Wed, 6th Feb 2008 8:44 am
hahaha, susunod na rin si Villar.
o e ano ka ngayon? yan ang napala mo sa ginawa mo sa ZTE.
seriously, di pa ba kayo kinikilabutan sa mga nangyayari?
dinukot si Jun Lozada in broad daylight! amfufu.
kulang na lang may i-salvage na vocal govt critic eh.
DevilsAdvc8 on Wed, 6th Feb 2008 8:55 am
balatucan, you cannot seriously believe JDV will spill the beans. parang bitukang manok na pinagdikit ang bituka nila ni GMA. damning GMA would also mean he has to damn himself. self-incrimination kumbaga.
you think JDV has that kind of guts to incriminate himself just to pull down arroyo?
stop dreaming. more paramount for JDV than revenge, is saving himself.
we’ll not see (or hear) any new explosive testimony from this guy. panay pa-rinig lang at pa suspense or allusions lang ang maririnig natin dito. aside from that, it’s better that the filipino people concentrate their energies on preparing contingencies for resistance.
i doubt texting and blogging will be here for long once parliament is dissolved (what parliament? the one that’ll be formed once cha-cha push through) and then what? organizing resistance will be back to ground zero.
in this day and age, ilan pa kaya satin ang may transistor radios? or walkie-talkies? hahaha. when the govt swoops down and takes control of telecoms, cell sites, and internet services will all be gone (or in their control)
that’s how easy it is to control information. and how easy it is to prevent organized resistance.
jz food for thought.
Bencard on Wed, 6th Feb 2008 8:56 am
now i have an idea who has been plagiarizing my posts. this guy has been doing this using different handle. hindi pueding makipagsabayan, kaya yan, nangongopia na lang. bobo!
Metrocom ini on Wed, 6th Feb 2008 8:58 am
Napaka tungo naman nitong mga senador na ito. Nadukutan ng testigo. Hinde man lang nakita ang anino ni Lozada. Iyon si Cayetano hanggan ngawa na lang. Sino pa sisisihin e sila sila rin naman ang incompetent!
Papaano mananalo itong oposisyon, lagi na lang nahuhuling natutulog sa pansitan.
anthony scalia on Wed, 6th Feb 2008 9:01 am
balatucan,
i am surprised and amused by many comments here to the effect that what happened to JDV won’t matter to the oust-gloria movement.
mukhang pareho silang mag-isip ng oposisyon.
yang oposisyon, ilang beses nang na-experience ang ‘pera na naging bato pa!’
kaya siguro mag-solo na lang si JDV, o kaya gumawa ng third force
DevilsAdvc8 on Wed, 6th Feb 2008 9:03 am
and we cannot rely on the old “favorite meeting places” like EDSA or plaza miranda, or any of the places rallyists go to today. they’ll be the first places barricaded and stationed with troops and police.
we also cannot rely on the church or any of the prominent oppositionist today to rally us to organize. either they’ll be co-opted, marginalized, or they’ll be captured or worse, dead.
it’ll just be us on our own. lol.
i’ll be laughing my ass off because in gloria’s history, she always seems to have it in for those who collaborates with her. mafiosa talaga si manay. keep your friends close, and your enemies closer.
inodoro ni emilie on Wed, 6th Feb 2008 9:04 am
the spectre of ruling by fear is looming.
Kabayan on Wed, 6th Feb 2008 9:05 am
Allow me to post a link to remind us what this administration has done, still does and would likely still do in the future.
http://pedestrianobserver.blogspot.com/2007/12/perception-war-vs-reality.html
Add the disappearance of Lozada at NAIA to the list. Either he would return and refuse to testify because of his harrowing experience or would disappear forever (hope the latter does not happen though).
This is the purpose of Objective number 5 as stated above.
At the general’s office responsible for this disappearance he should have a sign posted at the door of his office, “Out for Business Trip, Praetorian Guard at Workâ€.
Kabayan on Wed, 6th Feb 2008 9:17 am
UP n student said:
“@qwert and Kabayan: For a clearer understanding of some of the GMA strategies, go read Robert Greene : “The 33 Strategies of Warâ€.”
Thank you for the reference, I’ll try to find this book, it should be interesting.
Likewise I would recommend Sun Tzu The Art of War translated by Ralph Sawyer. Perhaps this is what we need to end this travesty in governance.
“If I determine the enemy’s disposition of forces while I have no perceptible form, I can concentrate my forces while the enemy is fragmented. If we are concentrated into a single force while he is fragmented into ten, then we can attack with ten times the strength. Thus we are many and the enemy is few. If we can attack his few with our many, those whom we engage in battle will be severely constrained”
Liam Tinio on Wed, 6th Feb 2008 9:40 am
BrianB:
I doubt ordinary people are truly affected by what happens to Congress. I believe that Filipinos, because they were not properly grounded in democratic principle, are still Monarchists at heart. They care about Presidents, mayors and even Senators. Not Congressmen.
^^
precisely.. it is only the educated exposed to western doctrines and ideals who believe and rabidly pursue the ways of democracy.. what we actually have is a facade of democracy under a feudal system.. a half-working democracy imposed upon us by the self-righteous colonial overlords decades ago.. a katutubo wearing an amerikana.. it just does not match..
i dont blame the educated portion of our society here for displaying their love for democracy and its ideals.. its really a romantic thing.. but we have yet to absorb western ideas fully in all of us.. because democracy doesn’t work in this country..
in all actuality the majority of filipinos is a peasant owing to the feudal lords and the feudal lords owing the king or emperor.. in exchange for votes you have to dole out favors or money.. that was how our ancestors did it then.. majority of us is yet to abandon it..
reality check: the philippine is in the medieval ages stupid! democratic principles aren’t due til the next 500 years or until we get 60% of our people educated in the ways of western democracy..
qwert on Wed, 6th Feb 2008 9:48 am
UP n student,Kabayan,
I think GMA is reading ” The Leadership Secrets of Atilla the Hun by Wess Roberts” especially – Booty: Rewarding Your Huns p.76 and the first chapter that deals with corrupting the young(neophyte) by exposing them to luxurious living.
Kabayan on Wed, 6th Feb 2008 9:56 am
qwert said “:I think GMA is reading †The Leadership Secrets of Atilla the Hun by Wess Roberts†especially – Booty: Rewarding Your Huns p.76 and the first chapter that deals with corrupting the young(neophyte) by exposing them to luxurious living.”
I didn’t know such a book exist, will try it out. In any case the corruption of neophytes will eventually be her undoing. I’ve encountered some of her corrupted lackeys, I assessed that when the shit severely hits the fan, they are the first to fold and do a “balimbing” dance.
balatucan on Wed, 6th Feb 2008 10:04 am
I have this experience last Monday in the middle of JDV speech. I tried to call some friends. My cellphone just could’nt connect but there was a signal. Then fertile mind just thought that one thing to prevent an EDSA gathering thru texting is to shut down cell sites. Thats easy because the owners of major telcom companies are closely allied with the administration.
It seems all holes have ready plugs, just in case. Whew!
balatucan on Wed, 6th Feb 2008 10:07 am
awaiting moderation?
jude on Wed, 6th Feb 2008 10:09 am
Hoping for JDV to be a savior is an exercise in futility. You might as well wait for God(ot) to come down.
All his life, JDV stood for shady backroom deals, compromises, distributing the spoils, so-called win-win situations and, when it was necessary, even capitulation.
JDV was also paramount in using Filipino customs and kinship to establish connections, co-opt or compromise people and to broaden his influence (inaanaks, kaibigans, kumpares,etc.) only to achieve his goals and aspirations, not for altruistic or benevolent reasons. He was a “user†of the first caliber.
JDV is a wheeler-dealer, not an innovator or a leader. He is, indeed, the master of compromise. Despite the slaps on his face, he will not lead a mutiny. He doesn’t have the stomach nor the character for it. Unless he really pulls a surprise, it is also doubtful whether he has incriminating evidence against his former benefactor, now his nemesis.
All JDV’s had to say so far amounts to common knowledge and tsismis. Puro accoustics, nothing solid. His appeals to his inaanaks (the Arroyo sons) and so-called good friends (he even calls Ricky Razon his “friend†. . . he… he) are pathetic at best.
If JDV’s opponents are as wily as they are made out to be, they would have figured out a way to neutralize him before taking him out. While he may not have been as effective as they wanted him to be, he wasn’t such a big pain in the ass either. Chances are, JDV doesn’t have any smoking gun. All he has are some blanks and a big mouth.
Having said that, I would love to be proven wrong.
Liam Tinio on Wed, 6th Feb 2008 10:11 am
@qwert
i think she’s rather reading the 48 rules of power by Robert Greene in her office, of course Machiavelli is a given..
Law 2 Never put too Much Trust in Friends, Learn how to use Enemies
Law 3 Conceal your Intentions
Law 4 Always Say Less than Necessary
Law 20 Do Not Commit to Anyone
Law 26 Keep Your Hands Clean
Law 31 Control the Options: Get Others to Play with the Cards you Deal
Law 35 Master the Art of Timing
Law 40 Despise the Free Lunch
Law 42 Strike the Shepherd and the Sheep will Scatter
DevilsAdvc8 on Wed, 6th Feb 2008 10:19 am
i think you’re all reading too much into this “reading stuff”
i still think GMA is a puppet. power is concentrated elsewhere.
DevilsAdvc8 on Wed, 6th Feb 2008 10:22 am
scalia got it coming to him in the previous thread. speculating on an issue he has no personal knowlegde abt.
tingnan ko lng kung ano maisagot nya sa apoy ko.
balatucan on Wed, 6th Feb 2008 10:29 am
Jude,
Para kang nagmamadali. Hintayin na lang natin ang susunod na kabanata. Baka may niluluto na si FVR at JDV para kay GMA, ready to be served.
ay_naku on Wed, 6th Feb 2008 10:41 am
Well, whatever JDV and FVR are cooking up (if anything), they better make sure that it is potent enough to finally do GMA in. Truly, what does not kill GMA makes her stronger. And she is nearly indestructible by now.
TonGuE-tWisTeD on Wed, 6th Feb 2008 10:55 am
“BrianB :
Tongue,
A cut of the 2 billion dollars isn’t exactly worth this much trouble.”
Brian, P600M in kickbacks is no small thing. And this is only for Mindanao. Remember, as of last year, we have an over-capacity of at least 4,000MW = roughly 4 Billion DOLLARS we pay in our monthly power bills in the form of PPA now hidden under “Generation Charge” for ten years more. Then, the German-owned STEAG project was finished late last year, MinCoal added 210MW to the excess. And again, Mincoal will be billing consumers $355M for a plant worth $210M without having to produce power for a hairdryer.
It’s worth all the trouble. And that is just the tip of the iceberg. Once I get back my files from my colleague I’ll put a rundown in my blog. It’s amazing, really and this is THE great-great-great grandmother of all scams, even Metrobank can retire it’s banking business and focus on power generation. The projections are very, well, enchanting? The DOE assumes a 14% growth in demand even before a 7.3% GDP growth was “tsamba lang”. Yes, the DOE computes demand growth that’s double the GDP! Thanks to the economists in Liam Tinio’s Wonderland, and the “expert” knowledge of Angie Reyes, the cheaper solution of connecting to the Visayas’ geothermal grid was all disregarded. Well, $70M is cheap but IT’S NOT WORTH THE TROUBLE, isn’t it? And why on earth are we buying, when we are selling at the same effing time?
Imagine, collecting people’s hard-earned money to pay plants that produce nothing! The Chinese, Germans, Koreans, Thais, Malaysians, French and Americans are all salivating for a slice. But then you have to talk to Angie, Ricky, Nono, Mikey, Mike, Endika, Buboy, and the Trapo de Tutti Trapi: Gloria.
I have posted a complete list somewhere, but I can’t locate it.
tonio on Wed, 6th Feb 2008 10:59 am
madonna:
four arroyos of the apocalypse. cute. they may very well be.
but i prefer to use a different analogy. now all i need is a good view of congress.
and my violin.
tonio on Wed, 6th Feb 2008 11:05 am
as for JDV’s “salvageability”…
doesn’t matter either way. he was (is) the epitome of compromise, honeyed promises, and backroom dealing. i wouldn’t trust a thing uttered by his forked tongue. i go with those who believe Yoda had it coming.
but seriously, this was all a matter of efficiency. with only two years to go, Gloria will need everyone to be on the same page if she intends to carry out whatever plans she has.
The Equalizer on Wed, 6th Feb 2008 11:28 am
The game of musical chairs in Malacanang has started:
1)The ouster of JDV as speaker (AND as Lakas head shortly).
2)The expected appointment of Ermita to Washington as Philippine ambassador.
3)The expected appointment of Ronnie Puno as Executive Secretary,thereby officially making him the most powerful Cabinet member.
4)The expected appointment of Lito Atienza as DILG secretary to give him more political leverage(particularly versus the Drilon wing of the Liberal party).
5)The complete control of the Lower House by the Arroyo clan.
6)The emergence of KAMPI as the dominant political party(and expected demise of Lakas).
7)The appointment of Mrs.Enrile as ambassador to Vatican ( to kowtow to Senator Enrile).
What is the primary motivation for all these political moves???
CHARTER CHANGE!(and shift to Parliamentary system).
The end-result:PRIME MINISTER GMA.
hawaiianguy on Wed, 6th Feb 2008 11:30 am
TonGuE-tWisTeD: “Imagine, collecting people’s hard-earned money to pay plants that produce nothing!”
Yeah, those plants don’t produce an extra watt of energy. BUT, they got us into something – very expensive electricity, the highest in Asia. FVR’s enchantment passing to Gloria’s kingdom.
In fact, some of those hydro plants in Mindanao would be rehabilitated (kuno), as they were in recent past – to the utter surprise of Napocor (Transco) engineers who haven’t seen anything wrong with them! Hello Angie?
Kabayan on Wed, 6th Feb 2008 12:10 pm
““Let us call a spade a spade,†said Bayan Muna Party-List Rep. Teddy Casiño. “This is not a simple grudge fight among members of the House,†he said in Filipino. “[Malacañang] wants to get away with murder, and to turn the House into its partner in crime.—
Oh so true.
Kabayan on Wed, 6th Feb 2008 12:22 pm
If we go by the above logic not only Malacañang wants to turn the House into a partner in crime, but by General Razon’s admission that Lozada is under their custody after his disappearance, it seems that she wants to officially turn the PNP leadership into a partner in crime as well.
Jeg on Wed, 6th Feb 2008 12:24 pm
“[Malacañang] wants to get away with murder, and to turn the House into its partner in crime.”
But the House under JDV was just that: Malacanang’s partner in crime. What’s the diff? The only difference is it’s not JDV as speaker anymore.
Kabayan on Wed, 6th Feb 2008 12:33 pm
Jeg,
That’s correct the House under JDV was also Malacañang’s partner in crime, however Malacañang has upped the ante and removed a RIVAL in power within the House. Before Malacañang had to share power with JDV, now they are the sole dictator and decides how the House would dance. The few opposition Congressmen, while putting up a stiff fight simply cannot muster the numbers. Now the one seated in Malacañang is the sole Godfather (or Godmother) with most of the Lower House as her minions.
Geo on Wed, 6th Feb 2008 12:38 pm
Same people making all kinds of wild suppositions, accusations and prognostications.
How many times do they have to be wrong before they stop talking like they know everything?
So much BS based on so few facts…..
Liam Tinio on Wed, 6th Feb 2008 12:46 pm
Kabayan:
That’s correct the House under JDV was also Malacañang’s partner in crime, however Malacañang has upped the ante and removed a RIVAL in power within the House. Before Malacañang had to share power with JDV, now they are the sole dictator and decides how the House would dance. The few opposition Congressmen, while putting up a stiff fight simply cannot muster the numbers. Now the one seated in Malacañang is the sole Godfather (or Godmother) with most of the Lower House as her minions.
one more house to go and shes going to yield absolute power! < i bet this is what ya’ll wanna think
DevilsAdvc8 on Wed, 6th Feb 2008 12:48 pm
geo, ang unang makaamoy ang syang umutot.
am glad you know your BS from your facts.
where do i sign-up to subsrcibe in your BS?
Jowana Balana Bueser on Wed, 6th Feb 2008 12:50 pm
Hello Sir!
The administration is self-destructing quite early. He! He! The opposition should simply watch the events unfold.
But I don’t understand the move of the Liberal Party. Are they that naive to think that JDV’s ouster is geared toward reform?
JDV has realized that there’s no gold at the end of the Rainbow Coalition.
Geo on Wed, 6th Feb 2008 12:54 pm
Devil,
I’m not making unsubstantiated claims; I’m watching and listening. Most of the time, I have to sift through all the BS, trying to find some solid facts.
Kabayan on Wed, 6th Feb 2008 12:58 pm
Liam wrote:
“one more house to go and shes going to yield absolute power! < i bet this is what ya’ll wanna think”
No Liam, she would go by a different and easier route.
Jeg on Wed, 6th Feb 2008 1:07 pm
Kabayan: That’s correct the House under JDV was also Malacañang’s partner in crime, however Malacañang has upped the ante and removed a RIVAL in power within the House.
An insignificant rival from Malacanang’s perspective, what with the ease with which said ‘rival’ was ousted. His stay there, it turns out, is at the behest of the president. She couldve ousted him anytime she wanted to. During the ZTE scandal, all it took was a word of support from GMA to cause the would-be ousters of JDV then to back off. The same imprimatur of JDV’s leadership wasnt reiterated and it was bye-bye, Garfield. JDV wasnt much of rival. He was only powerful in his own deluded head.
And from his post-ouster whining, we learn that Dato and Mikey wielded power even under his leadership, admitting that he had to beg the brothers for favors.
Kabayan on Wed, 6th Feb 2008 1:20 pm
Jeg,
Nevertheless, JDV had to be ousted as he did not fit Malacanang’s plans. Even Malacanang had to be careful when they planned to oust JDV for they can never be sure what resistance he can put up or what garbage he can spew out, otherwise they would have acted immediately since last year. The move to oust JDV was a calculated one, something they did not take likely.
Now he’s out, we fold our arms and see what “bombs” he claim to possess. I personally do not think much about it, but who knows … much of his claims remains to be seen.
Liam Tinio on Wed, 6th Feb 2008 2:24 pm
Kabayan is right.. even if Malacañang considers JDV as someone who can’t match their power of the purse, he is far from being politically sterile.. remember the old generals are with him but now, she has a new ‘praetorian guard’ that could counter that old soldiers’ block..
2001-2004 era of the Leftist Block in her govt for helping her in erap’s ouster ex. hyatt 10
2004-2008 the Old Soldier’s Block for the 2001 support and the ‘help’ in the elections.. ex. ramos, de venecia, ermita, reyes, mendoza, cimatu
2008-beyond with jdv out of the picture and with esperon as head of the soldiers’ block, she can now focus on the impending legal battles towards ConAd – Constitutional Amendment which necessitates the need for lawyers in key positions.. puno, gonzalez(thank god he’s still alive), apostol, as well as defensor once he’s available
@Kabayan: No Liam, she would go by a different and easier route.
are you referring to declaring martial law? why risk straying towards the path that led to the demise of Marcos? the filipino people, like most of you here, are martial-law-phobic.. that would be a stupid path to take..
but like what up n student said in the previous topic.. she can use the current constitution to exercise power as well hide behind it when necessary.. you dont suppose those brilliant team of lawyers behind her are nothing..
@Jowana Balana Bueser
nope, thats too naive an assumption, the LP is geared towards survival mode.. remember NP is siding with Villar in the opposition so Mar Roxas’ presidential ambition is for naught unless he chose to be the vice president.. they think that they could be catapulted back to prominence by siding with the opposition and forming the Drilon wing.. but the NPs under Villar beat them to it.. and ang JEEP NI ERAP is full anyway.. so they are now going back to the wings of the administration, with the ouster of JDV as the perfect excuse and opportunity..
im sure that theyre thinking it would be nice to go back to Malacañang’s folds since they dont have a ‘winnable’ candidate yet(Fernando & Belmonte?), and they hope Roxas would compromise, he’s good at compromise anyway, to give a good exit strategy for GMA and use the powerful middle ages style of political engine the president has..
but theyre in for a big surprise, for autocracy is going to be underway..
note: [b]GMA’s Plan – a first world country in 20 years[/b] < where’s 2010 in the picture?!
ohhh.. i hope i hope i hope ^^
BrianB on Wed, 6th Feb 2008 2:24 pm
Tongue,
Ok, I take it’s only one of the scams perpetrated by this administration. Makes you think that Juenteng isn’t such a bad thing in comparison. At least gambling is voluntary. This thing is right out stealing.
DevilsAdvc8 on Wed, 6th Feb 2008 2:55 pm
this event has prompted me to look back on what this blog’s readers were saying 3 years ago:
i found this nugget by a poster with the handle,
Erwin :
All I can say is that people who still believes in Gloria is called TANGA (TAong Naniniwala kay Gloria Arroyo)
posted September 20th, 2005 at 10:52 pm
under blogpost title President: I Am in Control
–
mukhang numero unong TaNGA si JDV, lol. sunod si Nograles.
DevilsAdvc8 on Wed, 6th Feb 2008 3:05 pm
im such a crybaby.
http://intimesofpain.blogspot.com/
manolo linked this 3 years ago, and the story’s come full circle last december.
backreading – what nuggets will you find?
DevilsAdvc8 on Wed, 6th Feb 2008 3:13 pm
*browsing Py’s picture galleries and bawling worse than a baby. sees 4th bday celebration tag, bawls even harder.*
in some twisted way, this is what life is all about, cherishing those few moments we have…
Rob' Ramos on Wed, 6th Feb 2008 4:20 pm
@ Jowana and Liam
How does one explain the LP position in the recent “assassination” of JDV…? Goodness, but that is one complex rigmarole that extends all the way back to 8 July 2005. And how you view it depends, mostly, on whether you’re open to hearing from both sides or is rabidly anti-GMA.
Well, for one simple explanation on the 18 or 19 LP voting “yes”… several columnists and articles have made continuous mention of the Commission on Appointments regarding the LP’s – both wings, btw – siding with Nograles.
You see, because Frankie the Piggy backstabbed and set up Gloria in 2005, many of the Liberals in Congress who sided with his wing of the Party lost their committee chairmanships; why give enemies positions, di ba? After the results of the 2007 elections came in, the LP-D demanded for at least one seat in the CA, because they claim the LP achieved the minimum 20 congressional seats that a political party requires for a CA seat. To this, the admin coalition expectedly replied, “nek nek niyo.”
So, there is a lot of talk going on that maybe that much-coveted CA seat is the price for the LP-D’s siding with Nograles last Monday. Maybe several of them will have their old Committee Chairmanships returned to them.
Based on Newsbreak’s tally, only three Liberals (from either wing) voted against the move: Rep. Ruffy Biazon (LP-D), Rep. Sol Chungalao (LP-A) and Deputy Speaker Eric Singson (LP-A). No “orphaned” – i.e. Atienza Wing Liberals who were forced to run under another party in 2007 because of the SC decision on the case – Liberals appeared on the “No” list, if memory serves me. None abstained.
Well, there was also that line Erin Tañada said about the “yes” to remove JDV as a move for reforming the House. Ewan ko how you’re going to view THAT.
thesocialcritic on Wed, 6th Feb 2008 4:52 pm
nograles is a burlesque king. lol kiddin aside.
lets just wait for the aftermath of this history breaking pandemonium.
tess on Wed, 6th Feb 2008 4:56 pm
the longest running telenovela right now is not Marimar, it’s NBN/ZTE. Goodnight everyone. Bukas siguro ilalabas na ng PNP si Lozada…Si Madriaga naman ang susunod na dudukutin. Who will get the ax next time around? Your guess is as good as mine.
nash on Wed, 6th Feb 2008 6:29 pm
EWAN KO LANG HA.
I wonder why most of the Gloria apologists here are living abroad.
Manong Bencard, sa tingin mo ba if GMA did all that she did (calling an election official, dispensing cash to tongressman, influence peddling) in your beloved USA she’d still be president???
Please, if you live in a so-called first world country, why diss us for trying to apply first world standards to our beloved Philippines para naman umangat kami pa-unti-unti?
cheers,
Huckabee is still in it!
Madonna on Wed, 6th Feb 2008 6:50 pm
“The pandak (we can heckle) has apparently able to ward off all opposition. There seemed to be no credible opposition at this time. We can whine.We can curse.We can gnash our teeth that the she devil is having it all, but what can we do? we are so helpless. We could not think and act right collectively. W deserve to gnash our teeth forever.” – Alas ka dora from the previous thread
There is such a thing as silent protest. I think the public is already collectively aware of what GMA’s administration is all about now that the picture is very, very clear. Her luck at staying in power since 2005 is due to the fact that we have been held hostage by the perception that her cheating is a collective guilt of the thinking class of the country — she thinks that most of the intelligentsia and middle classes condoned her cheating — and she was partly correct in getting that pulse because indeed most of the middle classes were passive in that regard, that preventing an FPJ presidency would be justifiable by any means, including cheating.
That’s why there had been no successful effort to oust her, paralyzed had the people been with the bitter and shameful truth staring at our faces because she is indeed our worst nightmare. There is nothing paralyzing as much as our leader telling us well in a twisted psychological way, “you were with me in spirit when I did that thing with Garciâ€. Forget about Lacson, et al because of course GMA was right in that regard too, that the opposition folks are a discredited bunch as well and would have probably done her thing too. So for the public and the spent Edsa forces, it was better for the status quo to persist, and well, allow GMA to prove her nettle, and if she was really worth that shameful period where the public was divided, and we “knashed our teeth” with no apparent hope in sight out of our dilemma.
But now after 7 years, the answer is a reverberating no. She is not worth it, a symbol of the botched triump of Edsa Dos and the lapses that culminated in Hello, Garci. She is a Marcos in the making and by her very person and leadership lives up to the reputation of the elite as opportunistic and corrupt and we have come full circle since 1986. No more excuses, because Gloria has been granted the benefit of the doubt and found wanting after 7 years. Heck, we even allowed her to torture us into thinking that her vile deed was our vile deed too (whether out of apathy or passive approval of the cheating). It is time for us to render her a collective judgment. Doing a vile deed (for her it has been shown that it was a merely personal triumph for power and ambition) is different from contemplating its possibilities (for the middle classes it was to avert a disaster of an FPJ presidency). So who’s the sinner here? The sin is entirely now on GMA’s lap and if the middle classes partook of the evil, then, by this time, they have already paid their dues.
If GMA will continue to use power to perpetuate her rule, and refuse to step down in 2010 (oh we are such patient people really, giving her the most time, space as much as possible) then I guess we are heading for a violent period in our history. And Devil’s I guess is right in his prognosis. We are heading for a civil war that will be brief and violent once and for all to rid ourselves of a dysfunctional political system and dysfunctional leaders. This time, I guess the peace-loving Pinoys will condone violence for the scores to be settled and for the knashing of teeth to stop in this Garci-induced purgatory — the public rejoicing over the demise of a JDV is just the start. Similarly, there will be no tears shed when Gloria falls even if she does so in a violent way. That’s my dire prediction folks and no crystal ball needed (I hate to give predictions, but just can’t help it now he he). I don’t know how this will all unfold – but with the increasingly autocratic, brazen and violent ways of the present administration it will coax its own nemesis, employing the same means and ways from out of the woodworks.
jude on Wed, 6th Feb 2008 7:05 pm
“nograles is a burlesque king”
Nograles is, indeed, known in his hometown of Davao as the “Burlesk King” due to that incident he was caught by an irate husband, a military man, trysting with his wife. The soldier burst into the hotel room and attacked Nograles, who was buck naked. Afraid for his life, Nograles ran away, scampering through the hallways in his birthday suit.
But, more than that, Nograles’ prowess in diverting government funds is legendary. He, along with his lavish-spending best friend and namesake, Prospero Pichay, were famous for cornering House funds earmarked for Mindanao. Mindanao Congressmen had to kowtow to the two Prosperos for their pork allocation. They were known as JDV’s henchmen and held powerful positions in different House Committees. Nograles, by virtue of Committee positions, had a big say in PAGCOR and was known to have a stake in some gambling casinos.
He was also in the committee on Housing and was much sought-after by real estate developers, who would generously “donate†large amounts to his campaigns in order to bypass environmental and other regulations.
De Venecia created his own Frankenstein in Nograles, who smooth-talked his way into the good graces of Malacañang and the Arroyos. Nogie knows he will be used. But he won’t mind, because he will be using his new-found clout to make even more money. It’s the principle of reciprocity of which De Venecia was once the master.
cvj on Wed, 6th Feb 2008 8:36 pm
Liam (at 9:40am), don’t worry about our people. You’re the one who needs to be educated.
cvj on Wed, 6th Feb 2008 8:45 pm
Madonna, i think you’re spot on with your analysis. The lesson is that the middle class has no business playing Machiavelli (or his heirs like Robert Greene) because, in the end, we do not have the numbers or the firepower to back it up. All we have is (or was) the moral highground which we have foolishly traded away to prop up Gloria.
DevilsAdvc8 on Wed, 6th Feb 2008 8:58 pm
cvj, forgive me, but even that (moral highground) the middle class have not. our only real power is bridging the elites and the masses.
the poor trusts us in ways they cannot do so with the rich. in turn, the rich mingles with us in ways they cannot do so with the poor. the middle class has always been the group reaching for consensus.
the rich cannot rule alone without middle class support. and the poor cannot lead a successful revolt without the middle class’ leadership.
in effect, we are (middle class) the swing voters.
Metrocom ini on Wed, 6th Feb 2008 9:03 pm
nash,
Bencard is easily explained. He is on GMA’s payroll, in one form or another. He already admitted that he is an asswipe, which I thought was a signal that he really does not like what he is doing. But, he has to make a living, just like anybody else. It may not be the what some people considers a noble job, but hey, he has to eat, ok!
It’s ok Bencard, I see where you’re coming from. Gloria is great, right?!
cvj on Wed, 6th Feb 2008 9:08 pm
Devils, perhaps you’re right. You know i grew up thinking that it was middle class values that will make or break a nation.
The Equalizer on Wed, 6th Feb 2008 9:18 pm
“Pagkaraan ng pitong taon ramdam nila ang pag asenso!” Sabi ng mga TV ads ng GMA administration ay ramdam na ramdam daw ang pag-asenso ng ating mga kababayan. Agree or disagree? Kayo – ramdam ba ninyo ang pag-asenso?
DevilsAdvc8 on Wed, 6th Feb 2008 9:21 pm
metrocom, in the amt of time i’ve been spending in this blog, and the amt of time i’ve known bencard thru his posts, in my best judgment, he is not a hack.
i can see where he’s coming from. his only fault is that he’s not on ground zero, hence he cannot really appreciate why people truly dislike GMA. i bet that if he was here in the phils up until the garci event, he would’ve been one of first to line up and leave the phils (again. or would’ve been again)
in many of my blog and forum-hopping, there have been a lot of times i’ve been tempted to accuse someone of being a paid hack. but i never did so bec. i believe in the greatness of arguing with ideas and not with ad hominems.
it is a wise man who listens to a contrary opinion. no matter how vitriolic that opinion might be.
if you want to discover what the absence of opposing views might do, visit Ellen’s blog and you will see the stark difference it has over here. there’s almost a cult-like behavior in there. debating thru ideas has the lowest order of priority there, and most posts are devoid of common reason.
cults are rapacious in this reason: it saps reason and replaces it with hive thinking.
but what if the hive is thinking illogically?
DevilsAdvc8 on Wed, 6th Feb 2008 9:29 pm
cvj, if you think like that, then you have a kind of elitist mindset too, which you equate only with the likes of Sycip. that only the middle class have the values that will make or break a nation.
it is a middle-class based kind of elitism.
all our values (rich, poor, middle class) make or break the nation.
we need the rich, because they have the power to effect the change. the middle class, the knowledge to bring abt that change, and the poor, to bring that change into fruition.
anthony scalia on Wed, 6th Feb 2008 9:59 pm
DevilsAdvc8,
“scalia got it coming to him in the previous thread. speculating on an issue he has no personal knowlegde abt”
got it coming? my friend, please don’t flatter yourself. as if you’re in the know!
you are also speculating on an issue you are clueless about!
“tingnan ko lng kung ano maisagot nya sa apoy ko.”
apoy? anong apoy? you call that apoy!? Its not even a posporo flame!
again, please, don’t flatter yourself
cvj on Wed, 6th Feb 2008 10:00 pm
Devils, i think you’re right on that as well. When i criticize elitists, it does feel like i’m criticizing someone familiar so maybe that explains that. I try to be mindful of lapsing into that mindset but i guess since i belong to the middle class, it’s already part of my nature.
Your formulation is better (although more idealistic). However, my point is, when push comes to shove, the rich can always fall back on their resources, and the poor on their numbers. In our case, we have to rely more on moral suasion, i.e. the intrinsic rightness of a course of action.
Bencard on Wed, 6th Feb 2008 10:51 pm
thanks, devils. there’s no better defense than one coming from an adversary.
metrocom, i’d rather be a toilet paper than an irredeemable shithole. evidently, you’re new to this blog. are you sure this is a place you want? you see, we discuss ideas here, not obscenities. take a cue from devilosadvoc8. you’d fit in better in ellenswville, assuming you didn’t come from there. you seem to have a lot of training in shit talk.
nash on Wed, 6th Feb 2008 11:14 pm
Er guys,
What is ellensville?
cheers
cvj on Wed, 6th Feb 2008 11:18 pm
Nash, http://www.ellentordesillas.com
IMHO, if you want a sense of what the majority of Filipinos feel towards GMA (and other current issues), that’s the place to visit.
Metrocom ini on Wed, 6th Feb 2008 11:38 pm
Bencard,
What ideas? Your ideas of kissing the Arroyos asses? Whoa, that’s new!
You can’t cover your ass kissing with flowery or fancy words, bencard. It is easily discovered. You think people buy in to your tsu-tsu here?
Yeah, perhaps some tolerate your asinine jabber, but I’m just saying what it, so just you don’t stray away too far from reality.
Ok, buddy?
UP n student on Thu, 7th Feb 2008 1:39 am
@The Equalizer :
To your question : “Agree or disagree? Kayo – ramdam ba ninyo ang pag-asenso?”
Answer : Agree.
————–
Pero kung itanong, dahil ba kay GMA o dahil sa sariling pagsisikap at sa tulong ng pamilya at kamag-anak, ibang usapan iyon.
ptt on Thu, 7th Feb 2008 1:48 am
Metrocom, you forgot to say PATALSIKIN NA! NOW NA!
UP n student on Thu, 7th Feb 2008 1:51 am
at kung itanong dahil ba kay JDV o sa bangko na nagpautang sa akin, mas importante sa akin iyong bangko.
nash on Thu, 7th Feb 2008 1:51 am
@Liam
“reality check: the philippine is in the medieval ages stupid! democratic principles aren’t due til the next 500 years or until we get 60% of our people educated in the ways of western democracy..”
OMG, are ye fer real?
“western democracy”. Wow!
“60%”.
nash on Thu, 7th Feb 2008 1:58 am
@UP n
To your question : “Agree or disagree? Kayo – ramdam ba ninyo ang pag-asenso?â€
Hmm, ako ramdam. Pero ibang ramdam.
Dahil sa pag-appreciate ng peso, I have to do my minimum-wager job 2 hours longer than usual to be able to send the same amount of money to pay off my voluntary sss contributions and private pension.
Before: 2 hour part time work = £30.00 = P3000.00
Now: 2.5 hour part time work = £37.50 = P3000.00
Leche. Eh hindi naman ni-rorollback presyo ng fishball for that peso-dollar appreciation. (I really hate it when politicians try to impress us with P40=$1. As if naman basic goods also went down by 20%)
supremo on Thu, 7th Feb 2008 2:42 am
@The Equalizer
To your question : “Agree or disagree? Kayo – ramdam ba ninyo ang pag-asenso?â€
define asenso para makiwanag sa lahat. baka kasi iba na ang definition sa Pilipinas ng asenso.
Metrocom ini on Thu, 7th Feb 2008 2:53 am
DevilsAdvc8,
You seem like a stand up guy of some sort, and I respect that.
I don’t second guess what people say or think. Bencard is what he/she does. And from that, this persona, is on a payroll of some sort. Bencard may get a rise out of you guys’ futile attempts to make him understand your position. That may be bencards pay.
And then, again, for all you know he may be a lonely old fool looking for attention.
For now, bencard is what bencard is. An admitted asswipe!
DinaPinoy on Thu, 7th Feb 2008 3:27 am
tama si devils. anybody who accuses somebody of being a paid hack of gloria should try ellen’s blog. doon walang opposing view. parang singapore ang dating – walang oposisyon, one-party system.
eh ano kung paid hack? attack the message not the messenger ika nga. tingnan mo ang nangyayari kung ganyan. puro personalan – ‘asswipe’, ’shithole’, walang katuturan. mayroon bang nadadagdag sa kaalaman natin? wala.
Bert on Thu, 7th Feb 2008 3:29 am
now, guys, we are getting a bit too emotional and personal, aren’t we? let’s think of dame mirriam to ease up a bit.
hawaiianguy on Thu, 7th Feb 2008 3:45 am
Devils to Metrocom:”i can see where he’s [Bencard] coming from. his only fault is that he’s not on ground zero, hence he cannot really appreciate why people truly dislike GMA.”
Agree. It’s hard to judge a person beyond what he says. Esp. in a cyberforum like this, where almost everyone is a faceless, sex-less, anonymous entity. Someone had pointed out earlier (is that you UPnS?)that we are all TEXTS on the screen. I’ve been trying to avoid ad hominems and unwarranted suspicions, believing that coolheadedness is still more fruitful than its opposite. (However, I do recognize that my parrying a blow sometimes deflects the boomerang to where it comes from. But that’s different.) One who does quickly falls into the same pit, lower than ground zero that intellectuals are supposed to be at.
Let him be. Reserve your better punch in other ways.
DinaPinoy on Thu, 7th Feb 2008 3:46 am
para doon sa mga bata pa lamang nuong panahon ng MARTIAL LAW, ang METROCOM ay isa sa mga ginamit ni marcos sa pang-aabuso at panunupil ng karapatan ng mga pilipino.
Bert on Thu, 7th Feb 2008 3:47 am
agree. dito sa amin sa caloocan umasenso ang presyo ng mga bilihin.
Metrocom ini on Thu, 7th Feb 2008 3:53 am
DinaPinoy,
Okay, nothing personal. How can you be personal with a ghost?… So, I just comment on what I see. what’s the problem?
Bert on Thu, 7th Feb 2008 3:56 am
Amen, hawaiianguy!
Bencard on Thu, 7th Feb 2008 3:57 am
dinapinoy, every once in a while we get these stray trolls from who-knows-where dumbing down the level of discourse in this blog. most of the regulars here, including those that don’t share my views, are decent, respectable and highly intelligent individuals who “attack the message, not the messenger”. and you’re right, i learn a lot from them.
too bad, i forgot the C’at’s advice: “don’t feed the troll.”
ay_naku on Thu, 7th Feb 2008 4:05 am
MLQ, I sooo loff your “Live from the Bastusang Pambansa” column! Brilliant and hilarious!
Metrocom ini on Thu, 7th Feb 2008 4:18 am
Bencard,
Your idea of a brilliant idea is Gloria! The reality of it is: the truth hurts. And for some good reason a nerve is hit. Thus, your reaction.
Ok, bencard, I’ll handle you with kids gloves. Toilet paper na lang tawag ko sa iyo. Like that one better?
nashtoledo on Thu, 7th Feb 2008 4:28 am
“dumbing down the level of discourse in this blog”
Alangan naman i-high falutin pa natin kung dumb na the original statement, otherwise, it would be patronising naman.
hawaiianguy on Thu, 7th Feb 2008 4:51 am
Bencard:”most of the regulars here, including those that don’t share my views, are decent, respectable and highly intelligent individuals who “attack the message, not the messengerâ€. and you’re right, i learn a lot from them.”
You’re right there. Maybe you heard of the golden rule? It’s better for everyone, not just for you. That’s the intrinsic message of Nash.
Metrocom ini on Thu, 7th Feb 2008 5:43 am
Bencard is the message and the messenger. There is no distinction between the two.
People are kidnapped, tortured and unjustly persecuted by this Gloria Arroyo and Bencard champeons her cause. And here you are in your cozy little world posturing yourselves to be intellectuals, patronizing gloria’s deciple.
Wow, no wonder Gloria keeps winning.
nash on Thu, 7th Feb 2008 6:09 am
“Pangasinan Representative Jose de Venecia, Jr. said on Tuesday he would appear before the Commission on Elections to shed light on what he knew about the alleged fraud that attended the presidential elections in 2004.” -PDI
The accessory to the crime speaks.
BrianB on Thu, 7th Feb 2008 6:12 am
Devils,
the best thing I’ve read here. Nice division of the classes. No one will accuse you are any of us here of lacking appreciation for the necessity of an hierarchy.
DinaPinoy on Thu, 7th Feb 2008 6:48 am
a little bit about the past….
METROCOM
Metrocom Intelligence and Security Group (MISG).
nash on Thu, 7th Feb 2008 7:00 am
no need to remind us of the past as it’s the same under GMA.
GMA has Palparan, Esperon, and that uber-idiot SiRaulo Gonzalez ready to charge you with sedition and imprison you for merely expressing your right of non-violent opposition.
DinaPinoy on Thu, 7th Feb 2008 7:16 am
it’s not the same, yet.
gloria has no METROCOM. sure, she has a faction of the military on her side, so is lacson, FVR, erap, you name it. politicize na ang military so sa tingin ko, kanya-kanyang manok na ang nangyayari. many are ‘experienced’ martial law enforcers kasi.
DinaPinoy on Thu, 7th Feb 2008 7:20 am
nash,
nang makita ko kasi ang handle ni METROCOM, nagbalik sa aking ala-ala ang nangyari sa akin noon. sabi ko nga, my post was for those too young during the martial law years.
BrianB on Thu, 7th Feb 2008 7:49 am
Though I’m not suggesting Bencard is a GMA operative and I believe he isn’t, hacks are very sophisticated nowadays. I used to ghost write for an international artist who has a blog and part of my job is to mimic his/her writing style, i.e. sounding like I had the same background, educational level, even had to study interview clips. It’s not impossible and when done right is very effective. The problem with most hacks is that the tend to underestimate people on the Web. They don’t know readers online are used to reading anonymous comments. We read the comments themselves, what is written, and not the person behind it, which makes for a very “smart” set indeed… not to be self-promoting.
anthony scalia on Thu, 7th Feb 2008 8:31 am
BrianB,
“the best thing I’ve read here. Nice division of the classes. No one will accuse you are any of us here of lacking appreciation for the necessity of an hierarchy”
true. what the anti-elitists do not appreciate is the reality that this hierarchy isn’t forced, it just happens
anthony scalia on Thu, 7th Feb 2008 8:35 am
to whom it may concern:
di nyo ramdam ang benefit ng P40 = US$1? side by side with US$100 per barrel oil?
mararamdaman natin ang epekto if P56 = US$1 and oil per barrel is still US$100!
anthony scalia on Thu, 7th Feb 2008 8:47 am
cvj and nash,
nakupo! ellentordesillas.com, what the majority of Pinoys think towards gloria?
asus! that blog just confirms the biases of people belonging to the anti-gloria school. parang yung article ni Paul Hutchcroft, as if he wrote something that the anti-gloria school does not know yet!
yes it gets a million hits, courtesy of less than 30 people. the principle of ‘repeat clients’ in business is the secret of that blog’s success!
that blog just shows how the ‘quietest whispers’ can come across as loud as the sounds of thunder!
but i still encourage you (nash) to visit it.
Metrocom ini on Thu, 7th Feb 2008 8:53 am
I am glad of Dinapinoy’s short history lesson. Gloria’s mercenaries and goons in uniform are far worse. Pray that they don’t get on your asses. They are not going to care if you just the messenger, the message or what have you.
They won’t care if your are straight, bading, man, woman or child. And when you are lucky enough to get a taste of what these terrors have to offer, let’s see what you think of bencard when he saye he is giving these people the benefit of a doubt.
You may now go back to your high school debate exercises. Bencard will continue to champion GMA and you will all be nice little ladies and gentlemen. And watch that craby thinking!
I do not know what kind of experience dinapinoy had with the Metrocom. Probably not so much as to rush to toilet papers side.
BrianB on Thu, 7th Feb 2008 9:14 am
anthony scalia,
at least I’d be 30% richer. Anong pakialam ko sa oil, naglalakad lang naman ako.
BrianB on Thu, 7th Feb 2008 9:18 am
But, honestly, I don’t care about the rising peso. Sayang kasi taxes and lost opportunity sa mga kurakot. Prgress is such an accumulative thing. You miss a year, it’ll cost you. You miss a decade… well…
BrianB on Thu, 7th Feb 2008 9:35 am
Inquirer editorial really made a boo-boo out of the Lozada disappearance.
Liam Tinio on Thu, 7th Feb 2008 9:49 am
@nash: OMG, are ye fer real?
as real as it gets. im both in the field and in the state room. even if democratic debate can sway ideas, the roman-style partisanship still exists.
why don’t you all accept it? it really is so naive to assume that we are living in a true representative democracy right now. and 60% is just my assumption on the number required to really make democracy work..
@nash:
@UP n
To your question : “Agree or disagree? Kayo – ramdam ba ninyo ang pag-asenso?â€
Hmm, ako ramdam. Pero ibang ramdam.
Dahil sa pag-appreciate ng peso, I have to do my minimum-wager job 2 hours longer than usual to be able to send the same amount of money to pay off my voluntary sss contributions and private pension.
Before: 2 hour part time work = £30.00 = P3000.00
Now: 2.5 hour part time work = £37.50 = P3000.00
Leche. Eh hindi naman ni-rorollback presyo ng fishball for that peso-dollar appreciation. (I really hate it when politicians try to impress us with P40=$1. As if naman basic goods also went down by 20%)
yep.. but imported goods are down.. cellphones, personal computers.. wheat, steel.. oil.. we’re getting relatively 20% cheaper oil compared to the 50:1 ratio.. you just have to ADAPT..
@anthony
controversies attract men like galls to flies
@Metrocom
though i am just 23 and am still a virgin in the ways of politics.. i have learned early that the way to really affect change is by going through the system, bask in its faults, and once you’re on top; change it! just be careful you wont get corrupted in the process. and as of now, my core values are still intact.
Liam Tinio on Thu, 7th Feb 2008 10:07 am
@BrianB:
“anthony scalia, at least I’d be 30% richer. Anong pakialam ko sa oil, naglalakad lang naman ako.”
that is just a very selfish statement.. you get to be 30% richer but the rest of the nation would be greatly burdened.. the OFWs, noble as they are, are just a fraction of the entire populace.. and try not to count their families, alangan naman asa lang sila sa inyo.. and kung asa lang sila.. that’s a more sorry state you should attend to than complain about the rising peso..
DinaPinoy on Thu, 7th Feb 2008 10:15 am
akala nila siguro, parang si bobby dacer.
Kabayan on Thu, 7th Feb 2008 10:29 am
The Equalizer said:”“Agree or disagree? Kayo – ramdam ba ninyo ang pag-asenso?â€
———-
Answer : Agree.
Ramdam namin ang pagasenso ng kapitbahay namin, nagpapa-party lagi, may BMW pa, but of course he is believed to be involved in corrupt government transactions.
Floyd Buenavente on Thu, 7th Feb 2008 10:36 am
WAHAHAHAHA just love your piece “Live from the Bastusang Pambansa” can’t stop laughing! really hilarious great one there mate! ^_^
DevilsAdvc8 on Thu, 7th Feb 2008 11:01 am
“got it coming? my friend, please don’t flatter yourself. as if you’re in the know! you are also speculating on an issue you are clueless about!”
i’ll take my speculations over your speculations anytime. i have a whole family of immigrants backing up my rationalizations. what do you have?
at pasensya ka na kung nakukulangan ka pa sa apoy ko. pero hanggang dun lang ang kaya ko and still remain civil.
Kabayan on Thu, 7th Feb 2008 11:12 am
Excellent column mlq:
Live from the Bastusang Pambansa
http://opinion.inquirer.net/inquireropinion/columns/view/20080206-117240/Live-from-the-Bastusang-Pambansa
You can actually add another character … Emperor Pandakparin
DevilsAdvc8 on Thu, 7th Feb 2008 11:26 am
@cvj, of course its idealistic. but dreams are better built high. and really, the middle class have no more moral suasion than the regular pinoy, be they rich or poor. what we have is the ability to bridge the gap between the rich and the poor. we’re the middle men in the market of reforms.
@bencard, the thanks goes to you too. for grounding me in the many other readers here by presenting a different view. it’s hard to appreciate an opponent, until you realize that they’re the ones keeping you on your toes. without opposing views, we’d have a lucifer effect in here. because irrationality feeds on itself. once you hear opinions only the same as yours, you start to believe in the magnanimity of your cause. you start to miss points you’d otherwise have seen if you weren’t so biased. in effect, you start to go blind. reading posts such as yours, help me purify my views and remove my extreme bias agst gloria when im arguing my ideas.
BrianB, hahaha. but of course, we try so much to blur class lines. but it is in human nature to segregate.
and yeah, online readers, esp veteran web surfers, easily spots impersonators and single-person multiple handle-types. just like with writing, the voice and style of the writer comes out, no matter how much they try to mask it. even ghost writers slip into their own voice unconsciously.
idk, perhaps its just an uncanny ability innate to me, but can you notice when it is mlq3 writing the pdi editorial and when it is john? i can! mercado’s voice is too obvious, and de quiros’ style never changes.
Silent Waters on Thu, 7th Feb 2008 1:37 pm
Devils
I like your last post. At least you’re one of the rational ones in this blog. Just because somebody decides to take a different point of view doesn’t necessarily mean they totally agree with what’s going on with the present situation but rather trying to temper what may be extreme arguments that is based on sheer emotion.
tonio on Thu, 7th Feb 2008 2:58 pm
Silent:
it’s always better to read a day or two after a controversial event… by then the rage and indignation have died down.
nash on Thu, 7th Feb 2008 5:01 pm
@Justice Anthony Scalia
I am ANTI-GLORIA simply because, wait, let me rephrase my answer in da form of a question:
1. Why should trying to influence the outcome of an election by calling an election official be acceptable?
2. Why should disbursing taxpayer money in cash directly to congressman be acceptable?
3. Why should imprisoning and killing people just because they disagree with you be acceptable?
If you want us to become First World, then we should adopt First World Standards. Period. We should have ZERO TOLERANCE for these shenanigans. As a taxpayer, I expect no less.
If the CEO of my company is using his expense account for his personal needs not related to our business or if he is just plain incompetent, I’d vote to have him/her removed. Hindi ko na lolokohin sarili ko na porke’t my MBA siya sa Wharton ay ipipikit ko mata ko sa kagaguhan niya.
Mike on Thu, 7th Feb 2008 5:10 pm
So I don’t understand why you approve of Gloria’s actions. Obviously she has been corrupted in the process. Or at least revealed to be corrupt. If she is changing the system in any way, it is only in the direction of concentrating all power in her office. And as we all know, absolute power corrupts absolutely.
nash on Thu, 7th Feb 2008 5:12 pm
@Liam
1. Where are we going to get this ‘western democracy’ you propose?
2. What is that 60%?
3. Electronics will always go down every year irrespective of where you are but I’d like to find out where I can buy oil that is 20% cheaper. Remember, we don’t print dollars, we have to acquire them….
Rob' Ramos on Thu, 7th Feb 2008 5:36 pm
@ nash
A little bit of challenge to your post of 7 Feb. 08, 5:01 pm.
You said that the three points you raise are the basis for your being Anti-Gloria. I guess this also encapsulates the basis of the whole rabidly anti-Gloria crowd.
Now, then, you said:
“If you want us to become First World, then we should adopt First World Standards. Period. We should have ZERO TOLERANCE for these shenanigans. As a taxpayer, I expect no less.”
If so… why are you limiting your tirade against Gloria ONLY?
Are you trying to say that those opposing her in the UNO are themselves innocent of your Three Questions?
And please take note that I’m not adopting the Palace’s line of “he who has no sin cast the first stone.” All I’m asking is why it seems ONLY Gloria is being taken to account, almost to exclusivity, as if she is the be-all-end-all of the malaise in Philippine politics. As if excising her and her family, would be like some magic bullet that would save the Republic.
I know its hard to get past the trap of the “First Stone Cast” moral dilemma, but in my view there’s something problematic when the basis for the removal of someone from power is on the basis of morals alone. Don’t you people think there’s something wrong when a liar asks that a person be condemned for lying, or when a cheat brings to court someone for cheating?
Is it because she’s the President and should therefore be held more accountable than an ordinary citizen? But we’re not talking about comparing her to ordinary people. We’re talking about the political sphere and the life of a whole nation. We’re discussing replacing the Chief of State with… who? With what? More of the same?
Again, I’m not defending GMA. She has enough people doing that for her and I am certainly not in her payroll (well,unless you consider all government employees as being under her payroll, that is…) to do so. I’m more concerned that we don’t do the mistakes of the last time we removed a President from power.
nash on Thu, 7th Feb 2008 5:56 pm
You made a fallacy of logic by assuming I expected no less from UNO.
anthony scalia on Thu, 7th Feb 2008 6:00 pm
DevilsAdvc8,
“i’ll take my speculations over your speculations anytime.”
of course thats expected already. just take note that we are both speculating, so ones speculations aren’t above the other’s
“i have a whole family of immigrants backing up my rationalizations. what do you have?”
more than dozens of families who stayed behind, were not swayed by the allure of the supposedly almighty dollar, and were able to have relatively comfortable lives, by sheer hard work and belief in the reality that one need not migrate to have a decent standard of living
i don’t deny the existence of migrant success stories. what i will dispute is that a similar success cannot be replicated here
“at pasensya ka na kung nakukulangan ka pa sa apoy ko. pero hanggang dun lang ang kaya ko and still remain civil”
oks lang
nash on Thu, 7th Feb 2008 6:19 pm
“Is it because she’s the President and should therefore be held more accountable than an ordinary citizen? But we’re not talking about comparing her to ordinary people. We’re talking about the political sphere and the life of a whole nation.”
But OF COURSE, kaya nga we put “Her Excellency” before her name (or “Honorable” before the Congressman’s name). We elect these people to represent our interests and do what’s best for us. We give these men/women access to our resources. When Gloria speaks at the UN or at an International forum, represents our whole nation. Dapat lang naman na she is beyond reproach. Look at Zimbabwe? Who takes that nation seriously? It’s because it has Mugabe as its face.
nash on Thu, 7th Feb 2008 6:20 pm
“Is it because she’s the President and should therefore be held more accountable than an ordinary citizen? But we’re not talking about comparing her to ordinary people. We’re talking about the political sphere and the life of a whole nation.”
But OF COURSE, kaya nga we put “Her Excellency” before her name (or “Honorable” before the Congressman’s name). We elect these people to represent our interests and do what’s best for us. We give these men/women access to our resources. When Gloria speaks at the UN or at an International forum, she represents our whole nation. Dapat lang naman na she is beyond reproach. Look at Zimbabwe? Who takes that nation seriously? It’s because it has Mugabe as its face.
nash on Thu, 7th Feb 2008 6:27 pm
“I’m more concerned that we don’t do the mistakes of the last time we removed a President from power.”
Siempre, hindi naman natin na-forsee na ganun pala ka-corrupt si GMA.
Let me tell you about Baguio. Last term, we had the mayor replaced, NOT because he was corrupt (NO thought he was) but because he was incompetent (the city felt he had his priorities all wrong). He was politely asked to resign, he didn’t. He was then removed by recall (petition)
We got a better replacement after him.
When one is removed because of his incompetence by constitutional means (recall, resignation) other than letting his term lapse, we are sending a message that before you even decide to run for office, you better be up to the job.
grd on Thu, 7th Feb 2008 9:25 pm
uhmmm, did you actually experience these mercenaries and
goons of Gloria getting on your ass? you seem so sure about that.
Bencard, you remember your good friend ramrod? don’t you see the similarity?
BrianB on Thu, 7th Feb 2008 9:56 pm
“that is just a very selfish statement.”
@Liam
Read the statement after. And besides, the country is funded by foreign money.. OFW remittances, call centers. Tumataas lang dollar value nang mga Ayala. Basics hindi bumababa. A low peso would actually discourage Filipinos from buying imports, which is good.
UP n student on Thu, 7th Feb 2008 11:11 pm
@Rob Ramos: On “… its hard to get past the trap of the “First Stone Cast†moral dilemma, but in my view there’s something problematic when the basis for the removal of someone from power is on the basis of morals alone.”
The Constitution defines the basis and procedures for removal of elected officials. It is “less the morals” and “more what the Filipinos have accepted as the ground rules”.
On replacing the Chief of State with… who? Constitution says Vice-President.
On More of the same? if that is what the impeachment-body becomes willing to risk, then so be it.
UP n student on Thu, 7th Feb 2008 11:30 pm
On why (for me) impeachment is better than EDSA marches… it is because the Baguio-congressman can concentrate less on the TV shows and newspapers of Metro-Manila and listen more closely to the opinions of the Baguio-population. Likewise the Camarines-Norte congressman concentrates on identifying the opinions of his constituency — the farmers, teachers, policemen, students, local businessmen. Then, when all these congressmen vote to continue/discontinue the leadership of the Chief of State, then practically all segments of the country has been represented .
Bencard on Thu, 7th Feb 2008 11:44 pm
grd, i was thinking of the same guy who was bragging about his military past and skills as a “boxer” and sharpshooter and now, i think, is selling paper (perhaps, including toilet paper). i rally think the guy is scrounging around for some undeserved accolade. Poor thing!
nash, as long as all you can do is whine and bellyache about “gloria” based on what you hear and read from the biased media, and from grandstanding politicians drooling on the possibility of a power grab, there will always be other people who will challenge you and your kind. if you really know anything credible, stand up and testify under oath and offer your proof. you can start by offering your “evidence” to overzealous cayetano in the senate. i’m sure he will treat you like gold.
GMLet on Thu, 7th Feb 2008 11:46 pm
guys,
after all the clashes of ideas, personalan, napagod din akong basahin ang comments nyo.
basta ako, kung hindi man ngayon o sa 2010 o beyond, mlq3 for president pa rin.
mlq3, keep up the good work, continue studying and blogging, continue to be a good filipino! and when destiny calls, you will be ready to lead us!
BrianB on Fri, 8th Feb 2008 2:31 am
“basta ako, kung hindi man ngayon o sa 2010 o beyond, mlq3 for president pa rin.”
That is the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard. You’ve ever heard Manolo tell us his ideas on economy, social justice, education, etc? Just because he’s a nice guy doesn’t men he can lead. He’s also open to a lot of input from many places, which makes him a weak leader. He’s even considering Federalism, for crying out loud. He’s too sympathetic to the elite, his view of current history is anachronistic – from the time of Thomas Carlyle. He doesn’t seem to be faithful to one religion but he’s in speaking terms with church leaders. All his ideas have never been subjected to peer review. The closest thing to it is this blog.
nash on Fri, 8th Feb 2008 3:25 am
Mang Bencard,
“as long as all you can do is whine and bellyache about “gloria†based on what you hear and read from the biased media,”
We just have different thresholds for corruption. You accept these acts to be acceptable, I don’t.
GMA herself admitted she called an election official. Her staff and party admitted they doled out cash. Whether the media is biased or not became irrelevant when she so admitted.
YOU JUST HAVE LOW STANDARDS. I DON’T. I want my leader beyond reproach. Period. I’m not even whining. As a stakeholder and taxpayer, I expect to be treated no more or no less than the next guy but I certainly require minimum requirements.
Unlike you, I’ve personally met GMA. I was even in that very same park when she said she wouldn’t run again. I’ve seen her up close and she’s a certified bitch.
hawaiianguy on Fri, 8th Feb 2008 3:31 am
UPnS: “On why (for me) impeachment is better than EDSA marches…”
That’s the ideal (maybe the best way), when followed to its logical conclusion. As representatives of their people, their “yes” votes are supposed to speak for a wider range of the Filipino public than those who march at EDSA. Upon deep analysis, People Power (1 & 2) is generally a case of Manila revolt. We know it does not represent those in the periphery.
Apparently, there is a disconnect between public opinion for Gloria’s impeachment (majority, according to SWS, favor it) and congressional behavior (veto any move for her impeachment). How to bridge it is a herculean task.
On the ground, this is the reality, I think. Most people, however, don’t care or are turned off right at the start to even ask their congressmen. Many have, in fact, done just that. But a letter or two to a pro-admin congressman is bound to fall on deaf ears. Not even a petition signed by hundreds, if you are dealing with rabid supporters whose minds are already cast in stone, reinforced by carrots always doled out from somewhere (we know who they are). In the end, Judas still barters his vote for silver.
I think the congressmen who would like to see change happen can do it more effectively by convincing their own colleagues. People should better write NOT their own congressmen who are known lapdogs but those at the other side, the “moderates” and others whose votes can still be persuaded.
UP n student on Fri, 8th Feb 2008 3:57 am
@hawaiianguy: Naturally, one can write to as many congressman as he/she wants. One can support B&W Movement (or one of the “Let’s Move On” groups) so that these groups can carry the same message that a person believes in.
The practical reason to also let your congressman know what you want (dven if your congressman is tagged pro-GMA or not-pro-GMA) is the reminder (which can be implied, or which you can include in your letter-to-your-congressman) that the congressman is in his office because of votes, followed by a reminder that you vote and that you are already talking to relatives and friends and office-mates to about the issue to sway them to vote in a particular direction.
Bencard on Fri, 8th Feb 2008 4:10 am
nash, i really don’t want to dignify your emotional but meatless argument but answer these 2 questions: (1) did “gloria” admit she “cheated” in the 2004 election by saying she talked to an election official? (2) did she admit she “doled out cash”? if your answer to either is “no”, put up or just shut up!
how do you know i haven’t met “gloria”? don’t you flatter yourself, whoever you think you are. hundreds, if not thousands, of people see her almost everyday. that doesn’t mean they “met” her, much less judge that she is a “certified bitch”.
nash on Fri, 8th Feb 2008 4:48 am
as I said, we just have different thresholds. yours is low, low, low. (but don’t take that personally, that’s my opinion)
1. She did not admit she ‘cheated, she admitted to calling an election official during the count. That is unethical and unbecoming of someone running for high office.
2. Cash was doled out in Malacanang as admitted by recipients and her staff. Did she do anything about it after being ‘informed’ did she fire any of her staff to say she does not condone such brazen waste of tax money?
If you find these acceptable, I have nothing more to say.
I’ve hosted lunch for her in my previous capacity and I’m not flattering myself. I have no reason to.
Madonna on Fri, 8th Feb 2008 5:26 am
his view of current history is anachronistic – from the time of Thomas Carlyle.
I like Thomas Carlyle. I Like his prose.
On mlq3, but course, I think he loves history first and foremost and historians speak on a different level or angle. He loves politics the next, but only the the subject, not the practice of it. Ha! As De Gaulle said, politics is too serious to be left alone to politicians.
inodoro ni emilie on Fri, 8th Feb 2008 6:22 am
(
bencard, you think a greedy highly ambitious politician will admit doing to ever doing those things? if you can cite one, then put up or just shut up! let’s stop all these pretensious naivete. that’s why lawyers thrive, either one if for or against gma, they have the talent to twist reality based on semantics.
nash on Fri, 8th Feb 2008 7:03 am
ewan ko ba kay atty bencard, as if naman kasi gma (or anyone who knowingly commits a crime) will incriminate herself. of course you deny deny deny. bakit siya aamin?
yang mga kasalanan ni gloria, sisiw yan compared sa kasalanan nina prodi or the japanese pm. once they lost the trust and support of the parliament, they resigned agad. kahit mismo sa mahal na estados unidos ni mang bencard, yung mga kalokohan na yan hindi pinapalampas. si bill clinton nga nagpa-tsupa lang (at no cost to the taxpayer) ikinaso na agad.
i admit i’ve been living in first world countries for the past couple of years. i can see how seemingly minor lapses are not tolerated. Nordic ministers are asked to resign for just spending tax money on ONE non-gov’t function related dinner. these are standards we should aim to emulate. here, you can’t buy a gov’t minister lunch or dinner. siempre meron ring corruption pero pag nahuli, aba expelled agad.
but anyway, i should learn to accept that some people will have different standards. there is a reason we are confident to ride german-built cars, and not so much on chinese made cars.
Bencard on Fri, 8th Feb 2008 7:37 am
inodoro i.e. & nash, in the scheme of things, you first have to show there is wrongdoing; then you show that the person you are accusing did it. you do that by producing (a) proper evidence, or (b) voluntary confession. failing in all that, every conclusion you make is speculation, fantasy or wishful thinking. i don’t care what your “threshold” is. you cannot remove a constitutional officer simply by conjecture. and you have no right to demand of her to prove herself innocent. that’s your job, not hers.
when the person you are accusing denies your charge, then you have the burden of proving it. in fact, if your charge is about a criminal offense, the accuse doesn’t even have to deny. you must prove it.
hawaiianguy on Fri, 8th Feb 2008 8:07 am
Bencard: “when the person you are accusing denies your charge, then you have the burden of proving it. in fact, if your charge is about a criminal offense, the accuse doesn’t even have to deny. you must prove it.”
But then, even the opportunity to prove is denied. How’s that? Before one states the case, it’s already “case dismissed”! (Thanks to Gloria’s gang of brilliant lawyers and complicit congress.)
inodoro ni emilie on Fri, 8th Feb 2008 8:10 am
bencard,
“i-am-sorry.” whether this is an outright admission of guilt or not, a person who holds herself with a great sense of delicadeza doesn’t have to hide behind the skirt of legalism to justify her act of impropriety. one need only resign–and that would have made her greatly magnanimous, not magnanakaw.
nash on Fri, 8th Feb 2008 8:46 am
but i am not accusing GMA. she admitted calling that election official.
this is already unethical and improper. this is the wrongdoing.
now it seems you disagree with me that this is a wrongdoing. Oui? Non?
Bencard on Fri, 8th Feb 2008 10:05 am
inodoro, sorry but ours is a society of laws and not of “moralist” pretenders and hypocrites. when you are hauled to jail on a vague accusation of “wrongdoing” you will thank the law for regaining freedom. ask the batasan 5.
nash, in case you were born yesterday and clueless about it, a charge of unethical or improper “wrongdoing” is not a ground for removal. you can call for resignation till your voice becomes an inaudible croak but you cannot force a constitutional office holder to resign. comprende?
Kabayan on Fri, 8th Feb 2008 10:32 am
Ours is a society of laws… just as Saddam claims his is a society of laws as he gassed thousands of Kurds … As Hitler had a society of laws as he put millions of Jews in death factories … As devils have its own society of laws … We must remember that a society could be a society of law – of Lawful Evil
nash on Fri, 8th Feb 2008 10:33 am
“ash, in case you were born yesterday and clueless about it, a charge of unethical or improper “wrongdoing†is not a ground for removal”
exactamento. and i’m saying it should be, and if you had any decency you would know that after such a monumental lapse, your position has become untenable.
this is when i say our standards are different. you are willing to let this pass.
nash on Fri, 8th Feb 2008 10:36 am
and stop this ‘charge’ already. no one needs to charge anyone. she herself admitted the act.
inodoro ni emilie on Fri, 8th Feb 2008 10:38 am
hauling was made in abuse of the law; setting them free was made in the moral spirit of the law (i.e., it was the right thing to do).
see, bencard, the law is a neutral human construction. what you should fear is who exercises it.
Bencard on Fri, 8th Feb 2008 10:49 am
nash, but your “standard” doesn’t work in the real world, and never would just because you think “it should”. grow up, man.
btw, how does my position become “untenable”? do you understand the meaning of the word?
kabayan, i think you are comparing our imperfect society and hell. chew on that one!
Bencard on Fri, 8th Feb 2008 11:01 am
inodoro, human laws are applied first based on their explicit provisions, not on some vague “moral” notions. you want true morality? you first have to die and face your maker, the ultimate, infallible judge of morality, not some hypocrites who claim “moral ascendancy” (words i detest).
Kabayan on Fri, 8th Feb 2008 11:06 am
Bencard said:
“kabayan, i think you are comparing our imperfect society and hell. chew on that one!”
Perhaps … I may also be comparing those who espouse and promote it’s evils “at all costs” as devils … who knows.
BTW Bencard, where do you belong, an apologist for those doing evil or are you with those who wish a moral society to prevail?
inodoro ni emilie on Fri, 8th Feb 2008 11:06 am
“true morality”? what’s false morality? certainly, whether this call is made by hypocrites or not, a mondicum of morality is expected from a leader. hey, we’re talking politics here–where the implications can stretch between heaven and hell, not some court laws (like as if this is the only thing that matters in governance). hello?
Bencard on Fri, 8th Feb 2008 11:35 am
kabayan, you are begging the questions, pal. who is “espous(ing)” and “promot(ing)” evil. couldn’t it be you and your kind? why should you be holy and i should not? who is doing “evil” to whom?
inodoro, you disappoint me. false morality is that kind imposed and adjudged by hypocrites and sinners. true morality comes from, and adjudicated by, God. you better believe it, in this world, man-made laws are the only thing that matters in governance. hello yourself!
inodoro ni emilie on Fri, 8th Feb 2008 12:05 pm
bencard, believer as i am in higher force, i do not want to force in the issue of morality as something theological as it basically a human universal law. thus let’s level off the definition here, and not bring in biblical aspersions: hypocrites and sinners. there are moral standards known to humans that cut across even in governance. that’s all am seeking, a mondicum of delicadeza.
Kabayan on Fri, 8th Feb 2008 12:09 pm
Bencard:
Umm, I am not your pal. I’ve noticed that corrupt people in power often call someone they barely know as “kumpare”, “kaibigan”, “friend”, or “pal” before they stab them in the back.(Not that I say that you are a corrupt person in power, but who knows)
You haven’t really answered my question “where do you belong, an apologist for those doing evil or are you with those who wish a moral society to prevail?” However it may need better qualification and explanation. Let me make it simple, regarding evil, for starters, like the principle “Do not steal”, do you agree with this moral principle?
Kabayan on Fri, 8th Feb 2008 12:16 pm
“…in this world, man-made laws are the only thing that matters in governance…”
This statement reminds me of Lucifer, his pride and fall from grace.
inodoro ni emilie on Fri, 8th Feb 2008 12:22 pm
“Do not stealâ€, do you agree with this moral principle?
do we need a god to tell us the human imperative nature of this command?
Bencard on Fri, 8th Feb 2008 1:06 pm
inodoro and kabayan. i know this is beyond your comprehension but “do not steal” has only sanction in this world if there was a legislation (man-made law) punishing it. take out the force of law and it will be nothing but impotent admonition.
kabayan, i will answer your question if you will first answer mine. my answer will depend on your’s because your question presupposes a wrong premise; ergo, fallacious logic.
btw, over here where i live, “pal” is an expression. it looks like i need you to be a pal like i need a hole in the head (lol).
inodoro ni emilie on Fri, 8th Feb 2008 1:33 pm
thing with you bencard, even stealing for you requires a man-made law when in fact stealing is a natural universal human law. whether it requires legal sanction or not is irrelevant to one who knows that a transgression is done hence you get some form of punishment; in this case, lost of trust. i-am-sorry does not require civil or criminal repercussion, only a moral imperative to do what’s commensurate to such false remorse: resignation.
inodoro ni emilie on Fri, 8th Feb 2008 1:34 pm
“stealing is a natural universal human law”
i meant not to steal is a universal human imperative.
inodoro ni emilie on Fri, 8th Feb 2008 1:40 pm
and in case this is still within your comprehesion, the natural universal law does not need to be written down, legislated, and promulgated. it just goes–by being simply human. it’s a ‘bulaga’ experience.
fisball on Fri, 8th Feb 2008 6:06 pm
inodoro, kabayan
leave the poor old geezer to his lawyerly logic. hard to teach an ole dog new tricks. besides, he adores gloria like his own bebe. the adoration has clouded his logic. and kabayan, your pal here is a not living in our soil. he’s ober the rainbow, the great US of A at di na nsa sye pinoy citizen pero kung umasta kala mo pinoy pa sya -feeling ba
nash on Fri, 8th Feb 2008 7:03 pm
@bencard
“btw, how does my position become “untenableâ€? do you understand the meaning of the word?.
- not YOU, I meant the person in my example: GMA’s position became untenable when she called that election official
and now
“nash, but your “standard†doesn’t work in the real world, and never would just because you think “it shouldâ€. grow up, man.”
well, what can I say to that one, but maybe bring out your passport and travel a little to countries where such standards exist? I say it “SHOULD” not because it came to me as a vision one night, I say it “SHOULD” because I’ve seen such high standards and those that stick to such high standards are better off.
I just hope, sir, that you are not a Quality Assurance Manager of any sort. If you are, kindly tell me the products/services which have passed through your QA mark and I will steer clear of them.
Kabayan on Fri, 8th Feb 2008 11:56 pm
“fisball said:
inodoro, kabayan
leave the poor old geezer to his lawyerly logic. hard to teach an ole dog new tricks. besides, he adores gloria like his own bebe. the adoration has clouded his logic. and kabayan, your pal here is a not living in our soil. he’s ober the rainbow, the great US of A at di na nsa sye pinoy citizen pero kung umasta kala mo pinoy pa sya -feeling ba”
—-
Excellent suggestion fisball, Bencard truly makes a good rendition of SiRaulo Gonzales though, but this time with a twist of philosophical masturbation. Poor sod, he cannot even answer of which side he belongs, whether an apologist for those doing evil or if he wish for a moral society to prevail.
In any case Bencard’s statement to “inodoro ni emilie” tells it all: “… in this world, man-made laws are the only thing that matters in governance …”
Say hi, to Pareng Luci for me Bencard… oh, or is it “Pal” Luci(***hilarious canned laughter***)
Bencard on Sat, 9th Feb 2008 2:00 am
go f… yourself, or each other. what a waste of time talking to both of you!
anthony scalia on Sat, 9th Feb 2008 2:16 am
to whom it may concern:
blame the bright boys of the opposition for the dismissal of the previous impeachment complaints
up to now, they still can’t agree as to who will lead the charge against gloria
hawaiianguy on Sat, 9th Feb 2008 4:26 am
Sabi ko na nga ba, eh. Basta nagsimula sa babuyan at insultuhan, sa babuyan at insultuhan din hahantong ang lahat ng usapan. I blame nobody but those who don’t observe the golden rule.
nash on Sat, 9th Feb 2008 6:04 am
@bencard
Did I say something rude?
Pikon talo.
Kumbaga sa toma sa kanto, meron ng nagsuntukan.
Bencard on Sat, 9th Feb 2008 11:06 am
o.k. lang nash. pero ayaw ko sana ng bastusan kahit puede rin naman at sanay tayo diyan. naging istambay din tayo sa balic-balic nuong ating tee-age years, at sa quezon avenue kasama ng “kabataang makabayan” during early marcos regime.
i can take it and i can dish it out. pero hindi maguumpisa sa akin ang gulo.
Kabayan on Sat, 9th Feb 2008 1:22 pm
Yawn … In any case, it is soon to be expected that the supposed DOJ (Or perhaps DOI as in Department of Injustice) investigation tasked by Gloria to Sir Raul(o) will actually be designed to lynch Lozada and those who dare touch the “dignity” of Mike Arroyo.
The next step for the administration would be backdoor moves through the use of their ubiquitous praetors. All of Gloria’s “assets” (paid for by our taxes of course) will be ordered to move to discredit and threaten, Lozada and downplay this usual crass corrupt activities of those who surround her.
It will be more or less the same SOP (Standard Operating Procedure) that was used in covering her tracks in the Garci scandal and other malfeasance designed to destroy our democracy to be replaced by either a de facto or real dictatorship, and perhaps even a de facto oligarchy (by establishing a rubber stamp Parliament of course.)
anthony scalia on Sat, 9th Feb 2008 8:27 pm
Bencard,
“i can take it and i can dish it out. pero hindi maguumpisa sa akin ang gulo”
preach it bro, preach it! amen!
grd on Sat, 9th Feb 2008 9:38 pm
you seem to be a morally principled guy. so, what did you do about it? you want corruption to be eradicated, right? why didn’t you report your neighbor (lifestyle check)? send him to jail. or you’re merely speculating.
Kabayan on Sun, 10th Feb 2008 8:30 am
grd wrote:
“you seem to be a morally principled guy. so, what did you do about it? you want corruption to be eradicated, right? why didn’t you report your neighbor (lifestyle check)? send him to jail. or you’re merely speculating.”
—-
Ahh, since now you mentioned it…
In Congress, AFP and PNP itself, a lot deserve lifestyle checks and what had happened so far? Ziltch. This is the period of darkness overshadowing good, systemic change must first be widely proved, otherwise the one who has the money and power easily tramples the one who has a little money and no influence, that is the shadow that the Gloria administration has created.
Even the Senate (Loren can’t even get the investigation for the hijacked ballot boxes done), Generals and officers (like the courageous Gudani and Balutan), supposedly protected persons (The witnesses against Garci, Lanao and Cotabato election cheating…this list is long, some are dead like Musa Dimasidsing, many folded or are now abroad) and even civil society itself could hardly make substantial progress against this darkness (Black and White movement constantly being threatened and harrassed by the PNP Praetors and a Siraulo in administration). Meanwhile what happened to the Gambling Lords, the COMELEC “Komisyon(ers)”, Gang of Pidal etc.? Yes, they’re prancing around basking in the protection of the Praetorian Guard.
However all is not lost grd… Patience… it is on file, we will remember, his time will come.
Meanwhile I also encourage all those who have neighbors with questionable lifestyles, engaged in crime protected by the powers that be, and those easily getting away with crimes; to create a database and for the moment observe and note their movements.
I also encourage the Black and White movement to make redundant and scattered secret data bases (both electronic and hardcopies) and make a repository of these reported questionable lifestyles and suspected politician-protected syndicates so that the ordinary citizen can have a centralized mechanism to submit their reports which can be later be acted upon when the day of reckoning is upon these wicked people.
This must be done so that we do not make the mistake of EDSA 2, forgetting the political and bureaucratic crooks when change of power comes. They must be identified and when necessary charged so that they would be disqualified from entering public office, either elected or appointed (Yes, this includes JDV among many). We must learn to wisely harness the Power of the People both in time of darkness and in times of light.
mlq3 on Sun, 10th Feb 2008 10:34 am
kabayan, could you flesh out that scheme a bit more? it’s interesting.
tongue, thanks for the tip.
jmcastro, i discussed the point you raised in a previous column:
http://opinion.inquirer.net/inquireropinion/columns/view_article.php?article_id=111383
Kabayan on Sun, 10th Feb 2008 4:14 pm
mlq3 wrote:
“kabayan, could you flesh out that scheme a bit more? it’s interesting.”
—–
Hi mlq3, the details of my proposal can be quite long so I’ll attempt to stick to the basic structure without compromising much of the principle and would divide this in several parts.
The Watchdog (Part 1)
The premise of my suggestion basically is that under the current social system, anyone who enters governance in the Philippines will be immediately swallowed by the existing structure of corruption. The rank and file just newly employed in government is obliged to follow their bosses. This is more pronounced in the PNP and the AFP where command and control structure (An established system wherein those in the lower ranks are obliged to follow their superiors, no questions asked) is an intrinsic part of their institution.
Newly appointed high ranking officials such as Department Secretaries and other members of Cabinet, even if not corrupt, would still encounter a host of resistance even if they have their newly granted power. Those in the middle management of the department can still get away with corrupt practices as oftentimes the new appointee does not know the nitty-gritty aspect of what in the world is happening within their departments. A department whose system is united in creating corruption can actually intentionally muddle their work if the Secretary is unable to give them the privilege of “extra curricular earnings (i.e. lagay).†The Secretary will then compromise his principle just to “get things done.†This is also present in other branches and agencies to such an extent that the “I scratch your back you scratch my back†practice also applies to dividing the spoils of corruption and compromising one’s principle. This practice (or malpractice) is none more evident as the relationship between the Executive (who controls the release of Pork Barrel funds) and the Lower House (who would sell their souls just to get these funds.)
Where am I getting at so far? The basic premise is that, A. You can’t trust government when it comes to radically uplifting moral standards in governance, and B. Even if a new set of people (even good people) are put in government, the corruption structure, standards, and belief (i.e. like the 20% moderate corruption rule) are so strong and well entrenched they will likely be swallowed or persecuted by the existing system.
So what then would be our hope if time and again, we are continually stuck in the mire of corruption and base human desires which fuels the greed of those in government? Create a strong third party, a non-government organization whose aim is to be a watch and record the corruption, connections, comings and goings, in government; even in local government – a Watchdog. It’s members must be principled (This is may sound cliché but; must be willing to sacrifice and even die for a good cause), independent (would never be dependent for funding or even be part of any government institution except perhaps as a free volunteer consultant), financially independently (no dependencies here, must be willing to push their work through even with limited funding), non political (okay, some might want to run for office but they must resign immediately from the organization.), must always vibrantly expand (non static, always seek to recruit their member base), and a severe check and balance within the members (i.e. no trapos allowed, ferret out infiltrators, good counter-intelligence etc.)
Given a strong organization, the next step is Get Organized. The corrupt powers that be are well funded and organized but their god is greed; a Watchdog’s power is the people, properly using brains, their heart, their conviction and their fervent belief that what they do is good and one way or another will be rewarded in the end. Members with the belief that God helps those who help themselves with an unshakable faith in what they do would more than offset the strength of conviction of those who moves only because their faces and pockets were stuffed with money.
I may have dallied in the basic premise, but these are important, just as foundations of buildings are important. (End of part 1)
Kabayan on Sun, 10th Feb 2008 4:44 pm
The Watchdog (Part 2)
Next premise is that the Filipino people generally lack the sense of keeping records, a log of history and a list of what happened, what is happening, and records of analysis of what may happen (projections). Our history, even as recent as the past hundred or so years, is convoluted, lacking proper records and even our people have a penchant of discarding historical artifacts (which to sons of previous owners just thought of it as so much junk). It is so bad that only a decade ago our history was largely based on the point of view of our conquerors and colonizers. Much of our researchers even have to go abroad just to have a look at our artifacts in foreign museums. Many of us disdain to keep records, stories and analysis of what is currently happening so that the next generation is ignorant of the mistakes and lessons of the past. What does this have to do with the duties of a Watchdog? The Watchdog must make a historical database (related to corruption and good governance) of what is generally happening in society and governance; make a list of the people involved; the critical event unfolding; who are the “balimbingsâ€; who are the Congressmen who pushed a self-serving bill and who blocked good ones; who are involved in cover-ups; who among the lawmakers voted to cover-up crimes; who are principled stalwarts and statesmen; the criminals involved; their modus operandi … in short, the list would actually look similar to the basics of an Interpol database but only this time what we monitor are people in government, the untouchable syndicates, and the opportunistic vultures in society. Consequently those who are reliable people, allies, and principled and useful non-government organizations will also be listed as potential groups to be tapped in bringing about good governance.
Files of the profiles, conditions and status of these people and organization will be kept in different databases all over the country (A good personal computer per database would do) and should not be connected to the internet to prevent hacking (yes, even flashdrives may have to be screened or even banned if compromised). DVD disks of the database would be renewed or added every month and copies are sent to secret stashes among trusted people and members all over the country. I would leave the security techniques and measures to the imagination and skill of the Watchdog organizations.
The Watchdog does not solely research and create the data files themselves. Files of illegal activities especially from people protected by government, police, soldiers, syndicates and other powers that be, may also come (or requested) from cause-oriented people in the different provinces and localities (this does not necessarily mean that the term “cause-oriented people†are leftist; cause-oriented people may refer to members of the middle and even upper class who is sick and tired of this evil system.) These people will be screened and a system must be made so that they remain anonymous and protected from vendettas from powerful criminals. No contributors know other contributors in the area so as to compartmentalize knowledge and limit the dangers of infiltration and being compromised. As an example, Watchdogs and members in far-flung areas may even use forums and blogsites for passing down information with a previous one-time meeting arrangement that they use a particular name and embedded verbal code for identification (be careful of hacking though. This government is pretty adept in that). They may even use the traditional pasa-mensahe system. There are other more effective means but I would not delve on that, again I leave the security mechanism measures and system for the Watchdog to formulate.
In essence, the masses of Filipino people will be the sea in which the Watchdog groups will swim. The information and support will be from them and they are given support in return. (End of part 2)
Kabayan on Sun, 10th Feb 2008 4:50 pm
The Watchdog (Part 3)
In this wired world, a person with a computer, a cellphone, a digital camera, a landline phone or even a pen, paper and a good memory can easily track down and monitor the evil that moves around them. For evil is dependent on darkness, on the fact that they remain anonymous and hidden while they do their dirty deeds, crime has become so organized that they can easily infiltrate government and be PART of government. In the past years, how many local officials are actually gambling lords? How many are illegal loggers? Fabricators of dynamite for fishing? Shabu and prostitution operators? Robbery masterminds? Somewhere out there a good person knows what is happening and would like to divulge them, unfortunately he or she does not know whom to turn to. They do not trust the police, they do not trust the soldier, they do not trust the government official, they do not trust their governor, mayor, congressmen, and President. Thus, as such, evil prevails and expands while the individual willing to do good cowers in the corner, forcing himself to believe that he should be concerned only for his family, not society. Some however still want to help, but the question is how and who.
The Watchdog could provide that need, the need that people who may not yet wish to expose themselves but willing to provide intelligence and information of the wicked powers that be. They could be a conduit, a repository of information, and a record of the hidden histories in one’s community. With this, evil will cease to be hidden in darkness. Involved people will be known and if properly exposed, when the right time comes, will hopefully be brought to justice.
To conclude, The Power of the People comes from individuals from each community, monitoring, seeking, observing, and passing the information to different organized Watchdog groups. They are organized yet formless, they can strike out individually or band as a group. They can divide and re-form at the time and place of choosing. They can opt not to face the wicked until the time is ripe, or conversely they may strike when they are strong. The combinations are endless. For now we must first start out the basic of all principles when fighting evil, that is to Know thy Enemy. This is the next evolution of People Power. (End of part 3)
There are other mechanics and details not described, both for the sake of practicality and security. We cannot telegraph the moves to these wicked jerks in power. I am sure however once the principle is understood, the watchdog movements could get creative and start establishing the basic structure themselves. As a good spin-off, this would also help in making people realize the value of history, even recent history, so that we would not go through EDSA 4, 5, 6, 7 etc. and make the same mistakes of installing crooked men and women in power over and over and over again.
Feel free to ask me for any clarifications Manolo.
hawaiianguy on Tue, 12th Feb 2008 2:34 am
Kabayan,
You got some idea there. Maybe it’s better discussed somewhere, by email maybe?
Kabayan on Tue, 12th Feb 2008 8:16 am
hawaiianguy said:
“Kabayan,
You got some idea there. Maybe it’s better discussed somewhere, by email maybe?”
—
Thanks for the interest, however emails are also compromised, but I guess it’s better than an outright public posting.
The basic structure can be readily understood however and they could email me using another one of their address which is not compromised using an outside PC.
Kabayan on Tue, 12th Feb 2008 8:36 am
hawaiianguy,
…Or better yet, the existing watchdog groups can just organize direct using principles discussed above as they see fit. Less electronic discussion the better. I have confidence in the intelligence, resourcefulness and conviction of many watchdog groups. They should simply look back at pre-EDSA 1 days and improve on it. As a Department of Health official once said; “Just do it!”
Estudyante on Sun, 10th Aug 2008 5:20 pm
Mabuhay ang Pilipinas! Mga Pipz. Saan niyo nabili ang art of war by ralph d sawyer? di ko mahanap dito sa mga bookstores?….