What to do? (concluded)
February 14, 2008 by mlq3
Filed under Daily Dose
The President has announced she will not attend the Philippine Military Academy homecoming this weekend (because of a startling coincidence involving assassinations plots) . She is in a mess of her own making, and which requires loyalty at a time when her officials have to wonder if it’s worth it to lose all, for her. Read Tony Abaya’s column to understand why Jun Lozada has engaged the sympathy of many people and why government’s resources have failed to impeach his credibility.
As Mon Casiple muses,
The instruction of the president for government to work with private business sector, academe and Church in the anti-corruption work and the sudden interest of the Ombudsman and DOJ in the ZTE-NBN case aim to seize initiative in the issue. The NBI raid on Lozada’s office, on the other hand, is more in the same league as the failed discrediting of Lozada for corruption.
Many top officials in the GMA administration have been put on the spot, had their reputation besmirched, or are in danger of prosecution themselves because of their actions in defense of the Arroyo family. They are under intense pressure from their own families, friends, and peers to stand for truth and decency on the issues confronting the First Family.
The signal role of the Lozada case is in bringing forth these pressures. In turn, the pressure on the president to resign will intensify. Ironically, the effective pressure may come from her own official family and camp rather than from the outside.
The Palace has also had to backtrack on its attempt to divert public attention by means of prematurely launching it’s amendments scheme. The Vice-President, for obvious reasons, has begun to grow a spine.
Yesterday, the Inquirer editorial pointed out that what is undeniable, is that the administration’s engaged in a Conspiracy. One that entailed a whole roster of officials collectively insulting the intelligence of the public, as Manuel Buencamino sardonically demonstrated in his column.
The group Action for Economic Reforms, in calling for the resignation of the President, puts it this way:
Criminal justice will come, but now is the time to take political action……
The first family is the capo di tutti capi, the boss of all bosses. The Macapagal-Arroyo family has turned the Philippine government into a mafia family, with Cabinet men, congressmen, and other functionaries as their mob lieutenants. We have state capture not by the elite but by a Filipino mafia headed by the first family.The Philippines is not lacking in laws and institutions against corruption and plunder…
Much effort has been undertaken to address chronic corruption…
Despite all this, what is missing is the simplest answer to the problem: Fighting corruption is a question of leadership.Since the leadership itself is brazenly engaged in plunder, corruption remains unabated. Under the leadership of a non-corrupt president, anti-corruption programs and institutions will be effective. Under a corrupt presidency, the same programs and institutions only become a protective veil for corruption itself…
With GMA’s repeated betrayal of the public trust, she has no right to sit as President a minute longer. All other officials involved in the ZTE-NBN deal, including Secretary Romy Neri, DOTC Secretary Leandro Mendoza, and members of the NEDA-ICC must step down from their government posts. The officials involved in the abduction of Jun Lozada and its cover-up in the media, such as PNP Chief Avelino Razon, Secretary Lito Atienza and DILG Secretary Ronaldo Puno, must likewise step down.
We must expunge the Philippine Mafia.
And yet even as more and more people add their voices, from Harvey Keh to the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (perhaps, taking its cue from the national lawyer’s association, and perhaps statements such as Jovito Salonga’s, the law school governments of the Ateneo, UP and other law schools are reportedly meeting and are expected to call on the President to resign) to the Makati Business Club (and if there were any divisions in its ranks, they’ve closed ranks over Secretary Favila’s threat to unleash the BIR on businessmen; as Boy Blue replied, “bring it on!”) except for that old Palace reliable, Vivianne Yuchengco, the debate goes on and on about the President. The debate is distilled to its essence by this quote from the play, A Man for All Seasons:
William Roper: So, now you give the Devil the benefit of law!
Sir Thomas More: Yes! What would you do? Cut a great road through the law to get after the Devil?
William Roper: Yes, I’d cut down every law in England to do that!
Sir Thomas More: Oh? And when the last law was down, and the Devil turned ’round on you, where would you hide, Roper, the laws all being flat? This country is planted thick with laws, from coast to coast, Man’s laws, not God’s! And if you cut them down, and you’re just the man to do it, do you really think you could stand upright in the winds that would blow then? Yes, I’d give the Devil benefit of law, for my own safety’s sake!
Yet we know that in real life as in the play and film, More ended up imprisoned and put on trial, charged with treason: bearing the full brunt of “Man’s laws,” because the King wanted him forced to publicly recant his private opposition to the King’s divorce and remarriage, which More found contrary to God’s laws. The world remembers him as a man who submitted to the law, to prove his fidelity to a higher one. Recognition the laws of man can be flawed, and man’s justice profoundly unjust.
There is another gripping scene where More is undergoing trial (“betoken,” as used in the dialogue, means “be a sign of; indicate”) and his refusal to publicly take an oath as demanded by the king is taken as proof positive of treason:
Cromwell: Now, Sir Thomas, you stand on your silence.
Sir Thomas More: I do.
Cromwell: But, gentlemen of the jury, there are many kinds of silence. Consider first the silence of a man who is dead. Let us suppose we go into the room where he is laid out, and we listen: what do we hear? Silence. What does it betoken, this silence? Nothing; this is silence pure and simple. But let us take another case. Suppose I were to take a dagger from my sleeve and make to kill the prisoner with it; and my lordships there, instead of crying out for me to stop, maintained their silence. That would betoken! It would betoken a willingness that I should do it, and under the law, they will be guilty with me. So silence can, according to the circumstances, speak! Let us consider now the circumstances of the prisoner’s silence. The oath was put to loyal subjects up and down the country, and they all declared His Grace’s title to be just and good. But when it came to the prisoner, he refused! He calls this silence. Yet is there a man in this court – is there a man in this country! – who does not know Sir Thomas More’s opinion of this title?
Crowd in court gallery: No!
Cromwell: Yet how can this be? Because this silence betokened, nay, this silence was, not silence at all, but most eloquent denial!
Sir Thomas More: Not so. Not so, Master Secretary. The maxim is “Qui tacet consentiret”: the maxim of the law is “Silence gives consent”. If therefore you wish to construe what my silence betokened, you must construe that I consented, not that I denied.
Cromwell: Is that in fact what the world construes from it? Do you pretend that is what you wish the world to construe from it?
Sir Thomas More: The world must construe according to its wits; this court must construe according to the law.
In More’s case he submitted, as a believing Christian, to the secular power precisely because he was obedient to a higher authority: one that compelled him to bow down before the laws of man because they are as nothing compared to the laws of God, which required fidelity to the death.
The law, he recognized, could serve as defense for certain things but there come points when the law compels obedience even when the law itself is unjust; yet compels that submission because the law’s limitations are clear, it cannot intrude into the distinctions a person’s conscience creates between what is legal and what is just.
A similar question was tackled by the scientist Stephen Jay Gould, when he discussed how the debate between those who believe in science and those who look to a supernatural authority are engaged in a futile debate. See his essay Nonoverlapping Magisteria:
I believe, with all my heart, in a respectful, even loving concordat between our magisteria—the NOMA solution. NOMA represents a principled position on moral and intellectua] grounds, not a mere diplomatic stance. NOMA also cuts both ways. If religion can no longer dictate the nature of factual conclusions properly under the magisterium of science, then scientists cannot claim higher insight into moral truth from any superior knowledge of the world’s empirical constitution. This mutual humility has important practical consequences in a world of such diverse passions.
By all means the law is often our shield against injustice, but there are certain forms of injustice our laws are impotent to address.
What is at stake is the position held by the President of the Philippines. A position not hers by right, but by grace; a position only temporarily hers and not her inalienable possession like her life, for example. What she can claim a right to is a fixed term; but the term is hers by virtue of certain assumptions, among them her receiving a popular mandate that is genuine and not so marred by controversy as to make it suspect; or that she continues to enjoy the confidence of the people who consider her fit to continue in office.
The supreme law, the Constitution, gives her the opportunity to declare herself unfit to hold office at any time (resignation); it grants the power to declare her unfit for office not only to Congress, by means of a prosecution begun by the House and a political, not judicial, trial in the Senate; and even to her subordinates, the Cabinet, who can declare her unfit for office and who can even force a vote in Congress; and it grants the public at the very least the right to petition government for the redress of grievances and enshrines the citizenry as the ultimate arbiter of what is legal: for, if need be, the public can overturn the fundamental law of the land by means of revolution (if it succeeds).
Her critics do not call for the murder or assassination of the President, or that she should be denied the chance to adequately defend herself in court; but what they assert is that the President may continue to enjoy the presumption of innocence as far as the courts are concerned but no longer enjoys that assumption as far as the public is concerned; that in a sense, in the face of the President’s acts of commission and omission as well as those of her henchmen, a significant portion of the population has what lawyers call a moral certainty of her guilt; this moral certainty does not meet, as of yet, the requirements of the courts when it comes to depriving her of life, liberty, or property; but it is more than enough in the political sphere, to justify citizens calling her to relinquish her office.
Because, as Joker Arroyo in a previous incarnation declared, we cannot afford to have a country run by a thief. Whether it was run by thieves in the past or will be run by thieves in the future is absolutely irrelevant and immaterial, if your honors please. We are talking about the incumbent President and no one else. We can deprive only the incumbent President of office and no one else; the punishment is specific because it can only apply to one person at a time.
What is the law’s is the law’s; what is the people’s as a political entity is entirely something else.
The question is how the people, as a political entity, should dispense with political questions, such as the fitness of their head of state and government for office. Public opinion and the threat of impeachment drove Nixon from office; de Gaulle, facing student protests and a lost referendum vote, resigned. Politics recognizes force majeure when it comes to the terms of its highest officials: when a party loses the US House of Representatives, traditionally the Speaker from the party that lost Congress resigns his seat; it is not just in parliamentary systems that there can be votes of confidence -whether in elections or in mobilized public opinion.
Oliver Cromwell embarked on his dictatorship by dismissing the Long Parliament with these famous words on April 20, 1653:
It is high time for me to put an end to your sitting in this place, which you have dishonored by your contempt of all virtue, and defiled by your practice of every vice; ye are a factious crew, andenemies to all good government; ye are a pack of mercenary wretches, and would like Esau sell your country for a mess of pottage, and like Judas betray your God for a few pieces of money.
Is there a single virtue now remaining amongst you? Is there one vice you do not possess? Ye haveno more religion than my horse; gold is your God; which of you have not barter’d your conscience for bribes? Is there a man amongst you that has the least care for the good of the Commonwealth?
Ye sordid prostitutes have you not defil’d this sacred place, and turn’d the Lord’s temple into a denof thieves, by your immoral principles and wicked practices? Ye are grown intolerably odious to the whole nation; you were deputed here by the people to get grievances redress’d, are yourselves gone!So! Take away that shining bauble there, and lock up the doors. In the name of God, go!
And this is the warning that echoes down in history: in face of wrongdoing or plain incompetence, the longer people confuse procedures for actual government, the greater the temptation to banish those fussing over procedures to restore what’s right. But one needn’t embark on the path of dictatorship to realize that an essential attribute of the democratic system, is the opportunity it affords to discard a discredited leader, rather have the whole system go down in flames to preserve one person’s political life.
As the British parliament agonized over the question of whether to continue its fight against Hitler or surrender, one MP, Leo Amery, quoted Cromwell in urging Neville Chamberlain to resign:
Some 300 years ago, when this House found that its troops were being beaten again and again by the dash and daring of the Cavaliers, by Prince Rupert’s Cavalry, Oliver Cromwell spoke to John Hampden. In one of his speeches he recounted what he said. It was this:
‘I said to him, “Your troops are most of them old, decayed serving men and tapsters and such kind of fellows.” You must get men of a spirit that are likely to go as far as they will go, or you will be beaten still.’
It may not be easy to find these men. They can be found only by trial and by ruthlessly discarding all who fail and have their failings discovered. We are fighting today for our life, for our liberty, for our all; we cannot go on being led as we are.
I have quoted certain words of Oliver Cromwell. I will quote certain other words. I do it with great reluctance, because I am speaking of those who are old friends and associates of mine, but they are words which, I think, are applicable to the present situation. This is what Cromwell said to the Long Parliament when he thought it was no longer fit to conduct the affairs of the nation:
“You have sat too long here for any good you have been doing. Depart, I say, and let us have done with you. In the name of God, go”
Chamberlain resigned; Churchill became Prime Minister, despite the great misgivings, even obvious mistrust, of his peers. When Chamberlain died, Churchill, in turn, paid tribute to his predecessor:
It is not given to human beings, happily for them, for otherwise life would be intolerable, to foresee or to predict to any large extent the unfolding course of events. In one phase men seem to have been right, in another they seem to have been wrong. Then again, a few years later, when the perspective of time has lengthened, all stands in a different setting. There is a new proportion. There is another scale of values. History with its flickering lamp stumbles along the trail of the past, trying to reconstruct its scenes, to revive its echoes, and kindle with pale gleams the passion of former days. What is the worth of all this? The only guide to a man is his conscience; the only shield to his memory is the rectitude and sincerity of his actions. It is very imprudent to walk through life without this shield, because we are so often mocked by the failure of our hopes and the upsetting of our calculations; but with this shield, however the fates may play, we march always in the ranks of honour.
At stake, let me repeat, is the President’s political life; as to the sum total of her life we can’t pass judgment, yet, though it is, of course, possible that in retrospect, when that time comes, she may come off better than she seems, today; or worse. But it is not too soon, to pass judgment on her fitness for office. This is a judgment call in which the law is only relevant in terms of our layman’s appreciation of what it’s spirit ought to be, and whether under her leadership, the government has proven itself faithless to that spirit.
The question however, settled in many minds, remains unsettled in the minds of others; it hinges, in those minds, on whether the dangers of an aroused public are so grave, as to justify denying the public their sovereignty; it is a question involving fears as old as Edmund Burke’s condemnation of the French Revolution:
Were all those dreadful things necessary? Were they the inevitable results of the desperate struggle of determined patriots, compelled to wade through blood and tumult, to the quiet shore of a tranquil and prosperous liberty? No! nothing like it. The fresh ruins of France, which shock our feelings wherever we can turn our eyes, are not the devastation of civil war; they are the sad but instructive monuments of rash and ignorant counsel in time of profound peace. They are the display of inconsiderate and presumptuous, because unresisted and irresistible, authority. The persons who have thus squandered away the precious treasure of their crimes, the persons who have made this prodigal and wild waste of public evils, (the last stage reserved for the ultimate ransom of the state), have met in their progress with little, or rather with no opposition at all. Their whole march was more like a triumphal procession, than the progress of a war. Their pioneers have gone before them, and demolished and laid everything level at their feet. Not one drop of their blood have they shed in the cause of the country they have ruined. They have made no sacrifices to their projects of greater consequence than their shoe buckles, whilst they were imprisoning their king, murdering their fellow citizens, and bathing in tears, and plunging in poverty and distress, thousands of worthy men and worthy families. Their cruelty has not even been the base result of fear. It has been the effect of their sense of perfect safety, in authorizing treasons, robberies, rapes, assassinations, slaughters, and burnings, throughout their harassed land. But the cause of all was plain from the beginning.
But we are heirs, not to Burke, but to the Frenchmen he condemned; even Rizal was convinced, if not of the desirability, then at least of the inevitability, of revolution; else our national narrative would still be that of a province of Spain or State of the Union. We can detect at least a familiarity with his arguments, by way of Rizal: who ultimate advice was, you cannot force events, they will unfold in their own good time (see my disquisition on Rizal’s Pilosopiya ng Pagtitiis).
Well, things are unfolding, but it would be wrong to assert they will unfold in a precise, pre-determined manner. But they are unfolding in a manner that is demolishing the arguments used, so far, by those who wanted to keep rationalizing their implied or overt support for the administration.
This is just political noise? The increasing decibels of public protest are preferable to the silence of the tomb or the cold vaults where even colder cash is piling up for the President’s favored few.
They are all the same? Perhaps when they could moderate their greed; but the greed is unmoderated, it is accelerating, and along with the avarice is an out-of-control contempt for every Filipino, rich or poor, educated or not, urbanite or rural dweller, who dares defy the administration.
What will it achieve? An end to the insanity, closing a chapter to the hubris, restoring the enfeebled democratic muscles of the electorate, reviving the dulled sense of right and wrong of a public.
What about the economy? For those who believe in trickle-down, removing the dam that has held captive the people’s money; for those who wanted prudence and professionalism in the management of our natural and financial resources, the chance this will finally happen and not be feigned.
It boils down to the administration’s scale of greed at the very least matching, if not exceeding, that of the government that preceded it. And a public realizing that it must stand up to it, end it, punish it, for now it sees its your style, or lack of it, but your performance while in office, that must be the sole, standard, measure of a leader’s fitness for office. The mafiosi in slippers and the mafiosi in an expensive suit are both plain thugs.
The President overturned her policy of preferring BOT deals, to add to the debts of the country, to obtain foreign funding for a project whose cost was bloated by the demands of her family and allies. To consummate this deal, she left the bedside of her potentially dying husband to please her allies. She would have pursued it, if the public hadn’t opposed it. Yet she has kept trying to find more and similar deals. This is just part of the pattern, one that consists of her recklessly spending government finances, then figuring out a way to blunt the effects of her spending, only to find new ways to spend that involve accumulating unnecessary and indefensible obligations.
Minguita Padilla asserts that the inflated commission demanded by Abalos equals the annual budget of the Philippine General Hospital: multiplied five times. I’ve heard another assertion that the amount equals the annual budget of the Department of Agriculture.
A few weeks back, a dispirited critic of the President asked another critic (an agnostic if not an atheist), “Do you think God put her here to teach us something?” And the agnostic/atheist critic instantly replied, “Yes, to teach us freedom isn’t gained so easily.”
The long road began, for some, in 2001, for others, in 2004, for others, in 2006 and so on. They have come together, taken time to understand each other, hammered out consensus, taken stock of past mistakes and appropriate things to do; all the while hounded by those united in support for the President because she dressed better, spoke better, was better-educated and showed better executive control, than her predecessor.
But when, as now, she’s revealed as nothing better than him, and in many ways worse because if he was slothful, she has been industrious in undermining institutions, intimidating any organization critical of her, and corrupting the various petty crooks and mulcting officials who have always been there, but who have grown fat, proud, and left stupefied by her drowning them in money and in stripping them of whatever self-control and professional values they had left.
The result is that the enemies of the people should really be named Legion -for they are many; the ones in the cabinet who serve her with enthusiasm and no scruples; the soldiers she has infiltrated into sensitive civilian posts; the business communities she has turned into her propaganda organs; the rank-and-file who have lost even the nominal prestige their positions should accord them.
The line of men and women who have abandoned all pretenses to serving the public, who are reduced to serving the President and her family, according to their humiliating whims, has grown so long that the President’s leaving office will only be the first step in a process that will many of the formerly well-connected turned potential social and political pariahs.
But it’s that first step that can and should unite us. It unites those who wanted it years ago, with those who have come to see as a necessary thing, only now. We are together now, having seen not only the best, but the worst, in each of ourselves; but collectively, better for coming together now.
What to do? Make a list. Those who can no longer deserve a position paid for from the public coffers, and who must resign immediately. Those who supported the government to the extent they advocated means no genuinely democratic government would have conceived of adopting in the past. Those whose perks and power are made possible by their closeness to the President, who cast aside their own reputations in her service.
And make a list of the things that failed to work: impeachment, presidential commissions, appointments to departments and the judiciary, the military, only to cause those institutions grave scandal and the gutting of professional pride and esprit de corps.
And make a list of the things you want, and not the things you hate; for it is easy to hate but difficult to be for certain things. Clean elections? Greater or less party discipline? Efficient and honest tax collection, social services as a right of the people and not personally-bestowed patronage? The list is yours, but armed with similar lists, there we will have the chance to come together with a truly meaningful reform agenda.
But until then: march.
Until then: make noise.
Until then: write, call, text, to share what you feel.
From now on, forget your past mistakes, or disappointments, and focus on the task at hand.
They say: they represent public opinion.
We must say: we do!
You must say, I have had enough with feeling helpless, or fearful, or embarrassed over past loyalties; instead, I will stand, not someone, but for me; and if there are many like me, I will link arms with them; and whatever happens, let it not be said that at the country’s present opportunity for redemption, you were will trying to find excuses to postpone the inevitable.
The Black and White Movement gives you three opportunities to register your protest:
1. Log on to our website – www.blacknwhite-movement.com and register your name to declare your support for Jun Lozada.
2. Send text “Sa Totoo Tayo†to 0915-3296830 to be counted. Also, text this message to all of your friends and relatives:“Kung naniniwala kayo sa sinasabi ni Jun Lozada, text “Sa Totoo Tayo†to 0915-3296830. Visit www.blacknwhite-movement.com for latest count and activities.â€
3. And if you’re in Metro Manila, join us on Sunday, February 17, 2008, 10 AM at La Salle Greenhills for a Mass organized by President Cory Aquino and the La Salle brothers in support of Jun Lozada and his family.
The time to act is now. Sa Totoo Tayo. Now na!
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balatucan on Thu, 14th Feb 2008 10:35 am
I cant believe what Joker Arroyo has become. As if another spirit took over his whole being.I hope I was dreaming but I was not.
ay_naku on Thu, 14th Feb 2008 10:43 am
What to do? Simple. Kick out the the lying, cheating, stealing, murderous Arroyo regime. Regain our moral moorings and dignity, find our balls again, and fight back.
ay_naku on Thu, 14th Feb 2008 10:54 am
There’s a series of mass protests lined up, right? Perfect opportunity to make our sentiments be felt big-time. Time to walk the walk. No more excuses. No more waiting for the “credible and unblemished leader” first, no more waiting for the bishops first, no more waiting for the military to act first, no more waiting for others to form a “critical mass” first before we join. We ARE that critical mass. No more “you go first” mentality. Time to get off our asses and fight back.
Mita on Thu, 14th Feb 2008 11:00 am
What do the people do? At this point, all we can realistically do is push for prosecution for those already implicated. Take it to the next level, then push some more…but we have to take the steps one at a time. This is the major blunder of all past efforts. You cannot just call for resignation – you have to CAUSE it to happen and not by propaganda, but by PROVEN facts that point the accusing finger directly at the target.
No more pardons..please. A pardon is an insult to the many people who spent countless hours to get a plunderer convicted.
What do the people want? So far, it seems like majority of the people do not want a revolution, a takeover of the current government. The people want clean, honest government but not instability brought about by another people’s revolt.
We don’t want a repetition of past mistakes caused by our own haste and over-emotionality.
The people know we will eventually get the government we deserve when we learn to work with each other to strengthen the electorate. This has to be ALL CITIZEN’S RESPONSIBILITY or the country loses in the end.
Until we can do this, we are all slaves to the whims of the under-informed majority and manipulative few.
Bencard on Thu, 14th Feb 2008 11:27 am
but mlq3, how do you know it’s the “people’s” will for her to resign. i don’t think you can fairly say that a group composed of the opposition, the b& w. movement and other activist “civil societies”, the extremists from both sides, a portion of the clergy, a percentage of metro manila’s population, and a majority in the media industry (including journalists, columnists, propagandists, advertising professionals, pundits and prognosticators) are the people that constitute the “ultimate arbiter” of what the law is. sorry, but i think, that is a dangerous political heresy, at best, and a slide back to the dark ages, at worst.
JMCastro on Thu, 14th Feb 2008 11:30 am
MLQ’s post is an appeal to the conscience of everyone involved. A resignation from GMA would be an act of conscience which will defuse this crisis, something so courageous that it would make me really admire GMA.
I would even go so far as to acquiesce her pardon, on the condition that they continue with either a “blameless inquiry” in the Senate, or build a case with the Ombudsman — whatever it takes for the truth to come out.
tess on Thu, 14th Feb 2008 11:41 am
a resignation from GMA? when hell freezes over.
Bencard on Thu, 14th Feb 2008 11:50 am
btw, mlq3, nice piece of punditry and an informative compilation of alarmist rhetorics from the opinion sellers.
no, i don’t think gma would resign. there’s no reason to, as far as i can see. you guys should just obey the constitution and wait until 2010.
Metrocom ini on Thu, 14th Feb 2008 11:51 am
but bencard, how do you know it’s not the “people’s†will for her to resign.
Metrocom ini on Thu, 14th Feb 2008 11:53 am
btw, bencard, I listened to Hello Garci again and remains convinced that gloria cheated in the presidential elections. She should resign!
Bencard on Thu, 14th Feb 2008 11:58 am
it doesn’t matter. the constitution is explicit as to her term of office – no need to find out what the “people’s” will is.
Metrocom ini on Thu, 14th Feb 2008 12:01 pm
The constitution is explicit as to term of office. The law is explicit as well on how the office is won. Last time I look, cheaters are not allowed.
Kabayan on Thu, 14th Feb 2008 12:06 pm
“…While the mages in their ivory towers argue the color of the fiery dragon’s breath,
the dragon destroys the townspeople burning them to death…”
’nuff said, to those who know better, they should do what they can to show the pointed truth to Gloria … We don’t want you anymore Mrs Arroyo so save the nation a lot of grief and just resign; don’t forget to take that Joker with you. We know of your Charter Change/Prime Minister for Life strategy, your colors and the colors of your hacks are showing so early in the game. Do you still intend to deny this while your minions pushed the Chacha button? Why so early Madame, did you panic?
Jen had a good suggestion for a Blogswarm. Tomorrow Friday, if you have a blog or a forum, put in your favorite photo of Gloria, put a “Gloria Resign” title or something of similar effect, and post your disgust regarding this thick faced administration.
For the more enterprising or wish to defend their freedom more vigorously (for whatever is left), there is a protest rally tomorrow. Doesn’t matter if we are few or many, do what your conscience dictate. You can do a blogswarm or other creative endeavors to show the corrupt and their lackeys that enough is enough.
Metrocom ini on Thu, 14th Feb 2008 12:12 pm
Here, here, Kabayan. I’ll see you at the rally tomorrow.
Mita on Thu, 14th Feb 2008 12:12 pm
metrocom, but they get in time and time again, don’t they? the law may be explicit but the reality is if there’s no enforcement of the law, anything goes….so long as you can get away with it. if we want the law to be upheld, we better be ready to deal with the consequences and not just utter another lame “bahala na”
this happens in the ordinary citizen’s daily life here, why not in every aspect of government and society?
Jon Mariano on Thu, 14th Feb 2008 12:14 pm
I’ll post an Arroyo resign entry tomorrow. If I were in Manila tomorrow, I’ll join too. I agree that it doesn’t matter if there’s going to be few or many, what matters more is expression of our sentiments.
Bencard on Thu, 14th Feb 2008 12:18 pm
blogswarm? sounds like a swarm of che che flies in cyberspace. oh i wish i have time to waste like these people. but if i do, i would use it for some worthwhile endeavor than chase my own shadow.
tess on Thu, 14th Feb 2008 12:19 pm
“it doesn’t matter. the constitution is explicit as to her term of office – no need to find out what the “people’s†will is.”
so, ganun na lang? bulag at bingi sa mga nangyayari? wait for 2010 and in the meantime, watch the squatters in malacanang do their thing.
tess on Thu, 14th Feb 2008 12:20 pm
tsetse flies po
Jon Mariano on Thu, 14th Feb 2008 12:37 pm
At least in this blog and in Ellen’s, the majority are saying they’re going to support the protest action/s tomorrow. For those who can’t (like me), being a part of a blogswarm will do!
Bencard is making known his sentiments too, he does not want Pinoys to waste their time in protesting. But maybe bloggers frequenting this blog find it worth their while to protest?
Bencard on Thu, 14th Feb 2008 12:40 pm
tess, ganun talaga, hija. kailangang maghintay ng takdang panahon. at hindi sila “squatters” – saan mo naman nakuha yan. napatunayan ba ang sinasabing pandaraya? tapos na yong mga protesta, di ba? igalang natin ang konstitusyon. kungdi, sa kangkungan tayo lahat pupulutin. gusto mo ba yon?
salamat sa ‘tsetse’ pala, hindi che che.
kimosabe27 on Thu, 14th Feb 2008 12:44 pm
PDI Frontpage caption “Full Supporting Cast…Camarines ‘del’ Sur…”
In their haste to splash the frontpage with Goebbelsian propaganda, PDI is skimming their proofreading practices.
Tsk. Tsk.
Karl Garcia on Thu, 14th Feb 2008 12:50 pm
2010:
When the Manila pen caper happened I too told myself na sandali na lang naman ang 2010…
i will take that back,ang tagal pa pala.
personal opinion:
di porket wala masyado mangyari sa mga rally at investigations,it does not mean na konti lang ang naaasar sa mga nagyayari.
call it fatigue or whatnot,but even in nature kahit na pagod na pagod na ang tao just a single drop of water can be a thirst quencher to energize and charge them.
….OR NOT!
Kabayan on Thu, 14th Feb 2008 12:57 pm
Metrocom ini said:
“Here, here, Kabayan. I’ll see you at the rally tomorrow.”
——
I don’t know if I wish to face a “Metrocom”
Just kidding … will be there tomorrow. Don’t forget to join the Blogswarm if possible.
ron on Thu, 14th Feb 2008 12:58 pm
I think it would be good to remind Yuchengco of how they treated the poor Pacific Plan education planholders.
Kabayan on Thu, 14th Feb 2008 12:59 pm
For those “curious” to know what a blogswarm looks like, click my link
tess on Thu, 14th Feb 2008 1:06 pm
but it does matter bencard, and it’s not ok. don’t you see the pattern? hello garci? fertilizer scam? the pidal account? etc…
of course we have to abide by the constitution. pero hindi po ba, they are so into cha cha? what’s motivating them?
i don’t want to be in “kangkungan” because of inaction.
Jeg on Thu, 14th Feb 2008 1:12 pm
Bencard: igalang natin ang konstitusyon.
Tumpak! At kung inyong babasahin, nandoon din sa Konstitusyon na ang pagbibitiw sa tungkulin ay isa sa mga legal na paraan upang mapalitan ang pangulo. At nandoon din na tayo ay may karapatang magsalita nang malaya at magtipon ng mapayapa. Sa ganang akin, ang panawagang magbitiw sa tungkulin si Gloria Arroyo ay isang paraan upang maipakita natin na ginagalang natin ang Konstitusyon.
balatucan on Thu, 14th Feb 2008 1:23 pm
“ron :
I think it would be good to remind Yuchengco of how they treated the poor Pacific Plan education planholders.”
Yuchengco said MBC is not involve in politics. However in 2001, Yuchengco spearheaded the call of the resignation of Erap, with the headbands and all.
LOOK WHO’S TALKING?
Kabayan on Thu, 14th Feb 2008 1:44 pm
Now an alleged assassination plot of Gloria just before tomorrow’s rally? How convenient … conveniently lame … or more accurately, conveniently stupid.
Hey Praetors and your goons, does that give you the excuse to crack heads tomorrow then?
Karl Garcia on Thu, 14th Feb 2008 1:50 pm
That assasination plot is also the excuse why she won’t go to the PMA this weekend.
Afraid to be assassinated or to be boooed to death.
Karl Garcia on Thu, 14th Feb 2008 2:04 pm
for more of the rp china deals I recommend rpchina.blogspot.com
That maybe old news pero pag di pinansin sasabihin na walang pakialam;pag pinansin naman grandstanding na.
I remember one commenter here,na wala pa naging resulta o wala pang napaparusahan sa mga blue ribbon investigations na ito.
That may be or may not be a half truth but sa dinami dami ng auditing system natin…
commission on audit,ombudsman pagc,sandigan,watchdogs,ngos
nangyayari pa din ito, siguro me mali sa mga auditing system natin o baka me mali sa value system natin.
displina lang ba ang katapat nyan o moderation of greed,ewan ko let us think about it.
one example colurum vans in makati,it is very convenient for most of us,we don’t mind riding in one everyday watching them radio each other kung hawak nila yung pulis o me atraso ba sila sa pulis na nakabantay.We complain about impunity but if we find it convenient for us,we allow it.Just an opinion.
Kabayan on Thu, 14th Feb 2008 2:10 pm
Karl Garcia said:
“That assasination plot is also the excuse why she won’t go to the PMA this weekend.
Afraid to be assassinated or to be boooed to death.”
—–
I’m not surprised, after the news that funds for housing for police and soldiers were attempted to be diverted to finance the ZTE deal, the more idealistic future soldiers would not take to that kind of corruption lightly.
Pero sa may matataas ang ranko na sumipsip ng husto sa Emperor para makuha ang posisyon nila, ibang usapan naman yon.
mlwnag on Thu, 14th Feb 2008 2:27 pm
Edsa 1 – there is a dead body
Edsa 2 – bank account and eyewitness
Edsa 3 – a can of worms(Lozada)
Floyd Buenavente on Thu, 14th Feb 2008 2:43 pm
She will never resign… I doubt she ever will… Her soul is too dark for that and we as a nation is not ready for another one of hers in the making… We are not educated with the laws of the land, and just like the miranda rights being denied by the police in every arrest we aren’t even aware of our rights as laborers… No we are not ready… I suggest we just sit back and see things unfold while people die (like Rizal) along the way… or better yet get out of this country… (I’m being sarcastic by the way) nice post Manolo!
tonio on Thu, 14th Feb 2008 2:48 pm
well…. money is a very potent drug. and it is money that the current administration has at its disposal.
DevilsAdvc8 on Thu, 14th Feb 2008 2:50 pm
will there be simultaneous actions in other major cities in the phils tomorrow? that would be better no? to show gloria that not only imperialist manila want her out.
well, guess i’ll just join the blogswarm. sorry i can’t “physically” join in tomorrow’s protest actions. being in the province does have its limitations.
that’s why i bemoan the lack of organization in the local levels to have protest actions in concert with the capital when things like this happen. at least we’ll get a sense of the “national sentiment” when protest actions are held nationwide.
no need to travel to manila then and be intercepted by checkpoints.
just my thoughts at the utter stupidity of choosing battlegrounds favorable to your enemy.
Rob' Ramos on Thu, 14th Feb 2008 3:00 pm
If, say, GMA is either forced to resign or get removed from office, what will be the plan then for the reconstruction of the Philippines?
What options are being given to the ORDINARY people, the ones who have no other options but to stay in this country, come hell or high water?
Will we, like in 1986, create a new “Revolution Constitution” or will the ‘87 be retained, given that, in case Gloria gets removed / resigns, it would have been, institutionally, battered again?
Who will be tasked to lead? Is the President only the one to be removed, or the entirety of our officialdom? What is the extent of this so-called revolution with regards to the change in our country’s leadership?
Since anything short of the President’s resignation is, technically, “extra-constitutional” prior to the elections of 2010, how would the new powers-that-be deal with international entities in assuring them that, hey, you can still rely on our institutions?
BrianB on Thu, 14th Feb 2008 3:12 pm
Manolo, All,
People will always have laws. Even if we proclaim the Constitution and all other inferior laws void, people will abide by precept, principles and codes other of the past or by their own invention.
I’m not worried about the law being broken in a big way starting tomorrow. It’s not as if we are killing God here, though the administration and the lawyers want to make us think that way.
ronin on Thu, 14th Feb 2008 3:45 pm
Wow, all sorts of bad guys are coming out of the woodwork! First, the NPA will reportedly disrupt the rally tomorrow. Now, the JI is joining the party. Accdg to the PSG, the Islamic terrorist group plans to assassinate GMA. Duh!
What next?
Let me guess.
Two words.
Emergency powers.
Jeg on Thu, 14th Feb 2008 3:45 pm
Rob, explain why resignation is extra-constitutional again please? Inquiring minds want to know.
alas ka dora on Thu, 14th Feb 2008 3:50 pm
street protest will always be the most effective antedote for erring government in this country. like i said in a previous thread, this is not Japan where a mere slump in popularity rating is enough signal for a prime minister to resign. arroyo will do everything to be in power. harap harapan na ang ka gaguhan- the bribery scandal,garci tape, jocjoc volante fert scam,nbn and many more she could still prop her head up. anong klaseng leader yan.
tehmuffinman on Thu, 14th Feb 2008 4:12 pm
Please pass the message:
Dear Friends,
Yesterday, the government’s harassment of ZTE Broadband Scam star witness Jun Lozada continued as the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) went into his former office at the Philippine Forest Corporation (PFC) and seized official documents that may be used to file and fabricate charges against him. As we can see, this adminstration is really trying its darnest best to destroy the credibility of Jun Lozada as part of its bid to put an end to the ZTE investigation that is being conducted by the Senate.
We really need more people to be outraged and angry with what the Arroyo administration is doing to all of us. Masyado na tayong binabastos, ginagawang tanga at niloloko. Nakakalungkot talaga na ang daming taong naghihirap and yet our leaders think only about their own vested and selfish interests.
But despite all this, I think the greater challenge for all of us Filipinos is not to feel helpless and lose Hope but rather to remain vigilant and work together in showing this corruption-laden administration that we will not just sit and watch while they continue to destroy our democratic institutions and bankrupt our government. Kawawa naman ang Pilipino, mahirap na nga, ginagago pa ng mga taong dapat magbigay ng tamang serbisyo para sa kanila.
As the saying goes, the only way for Evil to Prevail is for Good People to do Nothing. We need to stop ranting and start acting. If we want change, change needs to start with each one of us.
Please join in our discussion of what we can do to make this administration more accountable, transparent and eventually reform, I am calling for a meeting on February 16, Saturday, 130pm to 3:30pm at Rm. 105, Ground Floor, CSP Building, Social Development Complex, Ateneo de Manila University, Loyola Heights, Quezon City. Please pass this on to your friends and I hope you can join us for this meeting.
Thanks for your time in reading this email.
Sincerely,
Harvey Keh
Director for Youth Leadership and Social Entrepreneurship
Ateneo de Manila University-School of Government
UP n student on Thu, 14th Feb 2008 4:22 pm
Harvey Keh calls for a meeting to make the GMA administration more accountable, transparent and eventually reform.
Aba… puwedeng government department head si Harvey!!
Pero bakit room 105? Ilan tao ang inaasahan niyang darating?
UP n student on Thu, 14th Feb 2008 4:24 pm
News item:
By OLIVER TEVES
The Associated Press
Thursday, February 14, 2008; 2:59 AM
MANILA, Philippines — Authorities have uncovered alleged plots by al-Qaida-linked militants to assassinate the Philippine president and bomb foreign embassies, officials said Thursday.
Military chief of staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon said the assassination plot allegedly was hatched by the extremist Abu Sayyaf group and its Indonesia-based ally, Jemaah Islamiyah.
Brig. Gen. Romeo Prestoza, head of the Presidential Security Group said police uncovered the plot last week.
“It’s not only the president who is the target, but also other people … and embassies,” he said without offering specifics.
The reports followed an announcement by security forces that they were going on high alert over an alleged communist rebel plan to infiltrate protests to demand Arroyo’s resignation over corruption charges.
The officials did not specify when the attack was expected to occur. But Prestoza said Arroyo’s attendance at an alumni homecoming of the Philippine Military Academy on Saturday in northern Baguio city has been canceled and the rest of her schedule was “under assessment.”
Kabayan on Thu, 14th Feb 2008 5:12 pm
Prior to the declaration of Martial Law in 1972, they staged a drama where Juan Ponce Enrile was supposedly ambushed bolstering Marcos’ excuse to declare Martial Law.
The current administration’s technique of spinning the story that Gloria will be assassinated and the embassies will be bombed by “terrorists” is as old as pre-Martial Law days itself. If there will be any bombing or any “methane blasts” happening tomorrow, we would know where it will come from; and it won’t be from any friggin’ Islamic terrorists or Communist bogey.
tagabukid on Thu, 14th Feb 2008 5:46 pm
From Yahoo News:
Philippine president said target of plot
Assassinate my foot! Mag-declare na kayo ng martial law para magka-alaman na!
tagabukid on Thu, 14th Feb 2008 6:00 pm
“It’s still normal. What matters is the focus and capability of our men to secure the President,” – Romeo Prestoza, head of the Presidential Security Group
Ipasyal-pasyal nyo sa South Expressway, Laguna-Cavite area at pag bumaba na ang threat level saka nyo dalhin sa La Salle para makapangumpisal sa mga pari at madre.
Then she might see the light na at mag-resign.
The Equalizer on Thu, 14th Feb 2008 6:01 pm
BOYCOTT CHINA ACTION!!!
We should avoid buying “MADE IN CHINA†products.
We should push for THE BOYCOTT of THE CHINA OLYMPICS!
China’s ZTE Corporation is meddling in Phillippine affairs calling the the Senate Hearings on the Jun Lozada expose a “Political Circus!â€.
More importantly,China’s ZTE is involved in a BRIBERY SCANDAL of mega proportions in our country!
To ALL PINOYS:
Every time you shop, whether in a store or by mail order, check first; IF GOODS ARE MADE IN CHINA, DON’T BUY THEM! – if there’s no label, and the manager doesn’t know where they’re from, you can realistically assume they were made in China (China tends to hide the origin of its goods, because of the fear of a consumer boycott).
ALSO AVOID PACKAGE HOLIDAYS IN CHINA!!!
The Equalizer on Thu, 14th Feb 2008 6:35 pm
Dante wrote that the “hottest place in Hell is reserved for those, who in time of crisis, remain neutral.â€
Danielle on Thu, 14th Feb 2008 6:43 pm
Equalizer,
Good idea to boycott Chinese made products. I feel insulted at their statement that we have a “political circus”. They have no business making such a tactless comment.
Jeg on Thu, 14th Feb 2008 6:47 pm
Here’s something from FindLaw on the Rules of Evidence.
eychteeteepee://library.findlaw.com/2001/Jan/1/241488.html
In Section VII. Testimonial Evidence.
Apparently, we use a different criteria here. When faced with Testimonial Evidence our legal luminaries ask, “But where is the evidence??”
Bencard on Thu, 14th Feb 2008 6:47 pm
how can resignation becomes unconstitutional, jeg? when it is procured by force, duress, threat or intimidation. it is supposed to be a voluntary act on the part of the resigning president to be “constitutional”.
Jeg on Thu, 14th Feb 2008 6:55 pm
how can resignation becomes unconstitutional, jeg? when it is procured by force, duress, threat or intimidation.
Got it, Bencard. Does the peaceful assembly of the people for redress of grievances, a right protected by the Constitution, constitute force, duress, threat, or intimidation?
And since youre up (good morning) a comment of mine is awaiting moderation because of a link. I’ll copy-paste the relevant part (without the link for now) so you can comment on it.
Here’s something from FindLaw on the Rules of Evidence.
eychteeteepee://library.findlaw.com/2001/Jan/1/241488.html
In Section VII. Testimonial Evidence.
Apparently, we use a different criteria here. When faced with Testimonial Evidence our legal luminaries ask, “But where is the evidence??â€
nash on Thu, 14th Feb 2008 6:56 pm
Assassination my ass!
Being a Baguio Resident, I know GMA is only afraid to get BOOOOOOOOOED. She also stood up the Flower Fest opening ceremony dahil natimbrehan na we will booo her along the entire length of Session Road.
This is what she gets for lying at Rizal Park in Baguio…(and cheating)
Jeg on Thu, 14th Feb 2008 6:56 pm
how can resignation becomes unconstitutional, jeg? when it is procured by force, duress, threat or intimidation.
Got it, Bencard. Does the peaceful assembly of the people for redress of grievances, a right protected by the Constitution, constitute force, duress, threat, or intimidation?
And since youre up (good morning) a comment of mine is awaiting moderation because of a link. I’ll copy-paste the relevant part (without the link for now) so you can comment on it.
Here’s something from FindLaw on the Rules of Evidence.
In Section VII. Testimonial Evidence.
Apparently, we use a different criteria here. When faced with Testimonial Evidence our legal luminaries ask, “But where is the evidence??â€
Jeg on Thu, 14th Feb 2008 6:58 pm
Ooops.. it should look like this
VII. TESTIMONIAL EVIDENCE.
Testimonial evidence is the most basic form of evidence and the only kind that does not usually require another form of evidence as a prerequisite for its admissibility [my emphasis - Jeg]. See Evid. Code § 702(b); Fed R. Evid. 602. It consists of what is said in the court at the proceeding in question by a competent witness.
In general, a witness is competent if he meets four requirements:
1. He must, with understanding, take the oath or a substitute. Evid. Code §§ 710, 701; Fed. Rules Evid. 603.
2. He must have personal knowledge about the subject of his testimony. In other words, the witness must have perceived something with his senses that is relevant to the case. Evid. Code § 702; Fed. Rules Evid. 602.
3. He must remember what he perceived.
4. He must be able to communicate what he perceived. Evid. Code § 701(a)(1).
cvj on Thu, 14th Feb 2008 7:28 pm
That line of reasoning blows the Supreme Court’s Constructive Resignation ruling out of the water.
Jackie on Thu, 14th Feb 2008 7:47 pm
Bencard,
GMA is hovering over you, that’s a fact! Why don’t believe in public opinion? Look at that recent IBON survey? AND recall the result of the last Senatorial election. That’s the best way to prove it. How many GMA men won then? Apathy is wrapping you up. Wake up!
Geo on Thu, 14th Feb 2008 7:51 pm
Why, oh why, did I invest in the Philippines?
I really thought the country had turned the corner. But it looks like maybe I was wrong.
Chronic suicidal tendencies.
A shame, really.
watchful eye on Thu, 14th Feb 2008 7:52 pm
NEWSBREAK! AP (Aping Pinoy)
Plot to cover cheating, stealing and lying uncovered.
Sus, di ba nabinta na ito ni Macoy? Ngnayon pati si Bush sa America? Mga anak nag presidente maraming natutuhan sa Malacanang at sa White House. haha
Jackie on Thu, 14th Feb 2008 7:55 pm
PS:
And the notable Abalos was in the Comelec then. Despite that fact, how many of the admin allies won then? At nasa bottom 12 pa. That best reflects public’s opinion! How sad, Bencard and The cAt tried to remain (or play) blind.
Manila Bay Watch on Thu, 14th Feb 2008 8:28 pm
Absolutely magnificent post!
Manila Bay Watch on Thu, 14th Feb 2008 8:31 pm
Look forward to reading your conclusion, Mlq3.
qwert on Thu, 14th Feb 2008 8:33 pm
“MANILA, Philippines — Seventy-seven percent of Filipinos believe President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo should resign over allegations of corruption, according to a survey by the Ibon Foundation.
Of 1,503 respondents asked by the think tank from January 7 to 14 if Arroyo should step down because of “widespread corruption under her regime,” 77.41 percent said “yes,” only 12.89 percent said “no.”- By Joel Guinto INQUIRER.net
First Posted 17:39:00 02/14/2008
Bencard on Thu, 14th Feb 2008 8:54 pm
jeg, “peaceful assembly”? look at the inflammatory rhetorics here. look at the red flags and headbands massing around (atat na atat) with heavy signs saying “patalsikin”, “litsunin”, “bitayin” “paalisin, “now na”, or similar exhortations.
re evidence, what you highlighted simply means that testimonial evidence needs no other form of evidence, e.g. documentary, physical, expert opinion, to be admissible. it still needs to be material, relevant, and competent (first-hand knowledge), and the witness must be credible for his testimony to have any weight.
cvj, constructive resignation refers to the MANNER or FORM of resignation. it has nothing to do with voluntariness, or consent, or the lack of it.
watchful eye on Thu, 14th Feb 2008 9:05 pm
How can a people power induced resignation be constitutional?
Ask the SC, the justices know how make up the answer for you.
Anyway, if GMA does not resign, the government may resign. A presidency without a government could also be deemed as “constructively resigned.” Tama ba, cvj?
“Now na” is a violent speech? wow! saan ba nangaling yan? sa America? Ben, brush up on your law. Some IT guys here are catching up with you.
mang_isko on Thu, 14th Feb 2008 9:07 pm
o, mga commies punta na kayo sa makati bukas!
may party doon. tig-P500.00 bawat baywalk este warm bodies!
hehehehe
mang_isko on Thu, 14th Feb 2008 9:10 pm
….ang sasanto ninyo! mga walang kasalanan mag-rally kayo at paalisin nyo si gloria!
tingnan natin kung kaya nyo!
mang_isko on Thu, 14th Feb 2008 9:14 pm
….kaya nga may batas tayo na naglalaan ng fix term ng presidente dahil kung ibabasi sa mga kapritso nyo o ng tao ay walang saysay ang gobyerno! palagi na lang palit ng palit. walang katapusan.
doktrina yan na ginawa ng supreme court.
magbasa nga kayo!
mang_isko on Thu, 14th Feb 2008 9:15 pm
…..ng pakite ng gaw-gaw!
Bert on Thu, 14th Feb 2008 9:17 pm
“Why, oh why, did I invest in the Philippines?
I really thought the country had turned the corner. But it looks like maybe I was wrong.
Chronic suicidal tendencies.
A shame, really.–Geo
Refrain: Why, oh why, am I paying my taxes
Knowing the NBN guys would take it
I really thought we have to ‘move on’. But it
looks like they were wrong.
Geo on Thu, 14th Feb 2008 9:19 pm
Emotions on “high”; Brains on “off”.
Good luck.
Good bye.
mang_isko on Thu, 14th Feb 2008 9:25 pm
o, mga raliyista. matulog kayo ng maaga para magkaroon kayo ng tamang lakas bukas.
baka magkapukpukan.
hayyyy…sakit.
The Ca t on Thu, 14th Feb 2008 9:57 pm
good luck sa mga rallyists dito.
Come monday, it will be back to normal. Awayan naman.
I hope walang pikon pag walang nangyari sa rally.
vic on Thu, 14th Feb 2008 10:10 pm
UP n student on Thu, 14th Feb 2008 10:21 pm
FREEDOM OF THE PRESS!
The public has the right to know who placed the anti-Lozada ad in the Philippine Daily Inquirer, but the Inquirer, citing confidentiality of its clients, is denying the public’s right to know.
As “Deep Throat” told the reporter Woodward,
UP n student on Thu, 14th Feb 2008 10:32 pm
@ Geo:
Kung you brought $100,000 to the Philippines 18 months ago, changed dollar into pesos and you earned 8% to 10% by putting the pesos in bank time-deposit, hindi ka dapat nalugi. Rising peso , di ba?!
Kabayan on Thu, 14th Feb 2008 10:40 pm
Narinig ko yata uli si Joseph McCarthy uli
The Equalizer on Thu, 14th Feb 2008 10:46 pm
Just watched Ricky Carandang’s show on Big Picture tonight! When MBC,the bastion of conservatism,speaks out with such conviction on the Jun Lozada expose,a lot of people are bound to say “we have really reached the end of our patience with the brazen corruption in governmentâ€.
Of course,expect the Three Stooges(Donald Dee,Luis Varela and Sergio Ortiz Luis) and Jess Chua (or Jess Aranza,his new name)to refute the MBC position and defend Gloria to the high heavens.
Boy Blue Del Rosario and Joey Cuisia:Time to shout “MANINDIGAN again!
mang_isko on Thu, 14th Feb 2008 10:46 pm
kabayan?, allan C. is that you?
nash on Thu, 14th Feb 2008 10:48 pm
oo nga eh. napag-iwanan ng panahon si mang isko
halos wala na ngang mga pelikula na contravida ang mga communista. ngayon ang mga kalaban ni jims bond at ng mga superhero eh mga chinese/asians
hayaan mo mang isko, makakarating sa central committee ang pagbatikos mo sa mga alipores ni joma
mang_isko on Thu, 14th Feb 2008 10:50 pm
go ahead! isama mo pa tatay mo.
mang_isko on Thu, 14th Feb 2008 10:53 pm
nash and kabayan para kayong mga jihadists. nang makakita ng cartoon ni muhammad na ang ulo ay sa bomba….
…nangaggalit kagaad! hinanap ang cartoonist. ganyan pala kayo kapag talo nananakot.
matagal na itong takaot.
hehehehe!
mang_isko on Thu, 14th Feb 2008 10:55 pm
nash at kabayan matulog na kayo ng maaga at may rally pa kayo bukas….
ngorkkkkk!
hvrds on Thu, 14th Feb 2008 10:55 pm
A politician or political figure lives or dies in the court of public opinion. Courts are a different matter altogether. It is also clear that courts themselves are affected by public opinion. Just ask Justice’s Davide, Puno and Panganiban on their constructive resignation bit.
The chief executive of a business or much more a state when the court of public opinion makes it impossible for him or her to elicit any modicum of trust and confidence even amongst his or her peers becomes a deeply wounded entity still embedded with awesome powers of the state.
There is no doubt of the planned conspiracy to prevent Lozada from testifying and appearing in the Senate. Big Mike and GMA should be thankfull that no one took the initiative to sanction Lozada with extreme prejudice to gain pogi points with the royal couple. The first couple are getting close to the line where the forces of the “Luca Brazzi” model of direct intimidation. Journalists and leftists have already tasted the bitter fruits of state power.
The governments line of the “many variants of truth” demands that they move to control the message that is coming out in the most direct format of media – television. More than any form creating reality on TV has become a potent weapon in the court of public opinion. Erap’s lawyers in the impeachment trial should have been coached by PR experts as the entire country were sitting as the de facto jury in that impeachment trial.
Billions of dollars are spent in the art of the media spin.
Any message vs. GMA is being met with harsh rhetoric and behind the scenes threats of unleashing state power against the unbelievers and heretics. Threatening Ramon del Rosario of the MBC that businessman who come out vs the government will have the BIR after them is a dangrous knee jerk reaction when it comes from a cabinet person.
Big Mike and GMA are “going to the mattress” on the issue. They want the ZTE-Lozada-FG link purged from the airwaves. Let us look at the Senate today and look at the power of public opinion and recognition to the members of the Senate. – Mr. Palenke, Jamby “Juday” Madrigal, Lapid, Revilla, Chiz, Peter, Loren, Sharon The battle for the presdency will be among Mr. Palenke, loran and Noli de Castro. The Cayetano siblings have ABS-CBN to thank for their Dad’s rise to national prominence.
This government rules by the schedule of the early evening newscasts.
It is being argued that Hillary Clinton saved herself by simply tearing up on TV before the New Hampshire vote that would have almost devastated her run to the Presidency.
They called John Gotti “the Teflon Don” until “The Bull” Graviano turned against his Don.
Taking the parties involved to court in this scandal will be the next step in this process. Keep the glare of publicity on this even in the filing of the complaints with the Justice and Ombudsman. Let the activist lawyers move to challenge Neri and GMA on the issue of executive privelege when there is high probabality that this privelege is being used to cover up criminal activity. Case law in the case of Nixon will force Neri to testify.
Peter Cayetano could use this as his platform for VP. He is shallow but he has a talent for clever quips on TV.
I believe that the church called for communal action. Rallies are just one of the components.
Remember that a man called George W. Bush became President. They said that the man who created this monster was Karl Rove. Hew met his nemesis in the crazy guy in North Korea.
Kabayan on Thu, 14th Feb 2008 10:58 pm
Tomorrow will be the first of a slow build up towards showing our disgust at institutionalized corruption; let us use the power of slow solid growth to degrade this Oligarchic Syndicracy espoused and perpetuated by present governance.
For civil society organizations, let us make mechanisms so that we can monitor these corrupt people in position and make sure we remember them when the day of reckoning comes. Moreover this mechanism must exist not only now when it is needed but must be maintained in the future as well.
Huwag tayong maniwala sa madaliang pagsisipa ng kasamaan, kailangan ng magandang istratehiyang pangmatagalan para di na bumalik itong mga gahaman sa kurapsyon, katiwalian at poder.
It takes constant work but work we must. Never rest on your laurels as darkness never ceases to spread its tentacles.
Let us institutionalize a system of monitoring and preventing those who wish to promote darkness while at the same time also perpetuate the path towards the light.
Remember, the price of freedom is eternal vigilance.
Be of the ways of God and God shall be with you.
mang_isko on Thu, 14th Feb 2008 11:01 pm
hvrds, the detractors of bush called a dumb. does not know his current events. but look at north korea now. compare the atmosphere during clinton’s admin. under the nose of clinton the north koreans were making nuclear bombs using the oil aid of u.s. though many consider clinton to smart.
what say you?
nash on Thu, 14th Feb 2008 11:04 pm
@mang isko
for your info, i have original copies of those danish papers. at this week ni-reprint ang mga cartoons kasama na sa sweden at espanya.
hwag na hwag kang matutulog dahil di mo lang alam, andiyan pala mga assassins ni joma nakapaligid sa iyo…
mang_isko on Thu, 14th Feb 2008 11:04 pm
kabayan may the force be with you.
di ba sabi ko sa iyo, tulog na!
nash on Thu, 14th Feb 2008 11:04 pm
@mang isko
“nder the nose of clinton the north koreans were making nuclear bombs using the oil aid of u.s.”
Ikaw talaga, mali mali intel mo.
mang_isko on Thu, 14th Feb 2008 11:06 pm
….ay natakot ako…
mang_isko on Thu, 14th Feb 2008 11:07 pm
ang ganda pala ng sinasabi mong demokrasya.
democrazy pala! hahahaha
mang_isko on Thu, 14th Feb 2008 11:09 pm
oi….si kuya nash affected!
hehehehehe!
mang_isko on Thu, 14th Feb 2008 11:11 pm
…nash basahin mo nga sa pakite ng gaw-gaw nandyan yan!
Kabayan on Thu, 14th Feb 2008 11:13 pm
mang_isko tulog ka na, wawa ka naman. Wag kang maniwala sa bosing mo diyan, okay lang na di mo kami sabayan ni Nash.;)
mang_isko on Thu, 14th Feb 2008 11:14 pm
kabayan ba’t gising ka pa!
mang_isko on Thu, 14th Feb 2008 11:15 pm
may rally ka pa bukas. sayang yong P500.00
Kabayan on Thu, 14th Feb 2008 11:18 pm
Huwag ka kasing maniwala sa boss mo diyan na i-monitor at sabayan ako, yan sila maraming pocket-money, mahina na ang P 50k; ikaw promise lang ng promotion. Ayaw mong maniwala? i-BI mo sila. Wawa ka naman, baka matulad ka kay JDV, pagkatapos himasin eh … alam mo na nangyari.
Bencard on Thu, 14th Feb 2008 11:19 pm
akala nang mga nananakot dito libre sila because of their relative anonimity. hayaan mo, mang isko, pag may nangyaring masama sainyo, may paraan para malaman ang mga likely suspects.
hvrds on Thu, 14th Feb 2008 11:20 pm
The Prieto clan that holds a a large bloc of shares in the Inquirer are related to Big Mike. Defense Secretary Teodoro is married to the daughter of the late Jaime Prieto who is the sibling of the owners of the Inquirer.
I know for a fact that they do not interfere with the running of the paper. However the executives who do are well aware of the personal relationships of the owners with the powers who run the country.
Jess Arranza (Chua) is a well known PR advertising practioner who is deeply embedded with the coconut industry. His Godfathers are Danding, Enrile and Lucio Tan. He is well known in business circles in FPI, PCCI and MBC. His is also well known amongst the Binondo Business Club.
The power blocs amongst the elite are the neo-Kano’s (Wash sycip of the MBC, the old sugar/coconut plantation blocs, and the newpower brokers, the Binondo based Chinese. If Big Mike and GMA loose the Chinese she’s history. The Americans/Europeans who control the MBC and MAP would love to embarass the Chinese government.
PR companies must be all working overtime.
Kabayan on Thu, 14th Feb 2008 11:21 pm
Ay gising pa pala nagmo-monitor sa yo, sorry mang_isko.
mang_isko on Thu, 14th Feb 2008 11:21 pm
parang ikaw yata ang kawawa kabayan. hindi ka magiging presidente kasi iki-kick-out ka din nila ni satur, et al.!
sorry ha. hehehehe….
mang_isko on Thu, 14th Feb 2008 11:24 pm
mabuti kung kick-out lang. baka ma-DACER pa!
hehehehe!
Kabayan on Thu, 14th Feb 2008 11:28 pm
Sige mang_isko, subukan mo silang i-BI, mabibisto mo sila. Wag mo silang itanong ng direktahan, itanong mo sa mga nakapaligid sa kanila
========
hvrds said:
“The Prieto clan that holds a a large bloc of shares in the Inquirer are related to Big Mike. Defense Secretary Teodoro is married to the daughter of the late Jaime Prieto who is the sibling of the owners of the Inquirer.
I know for a fact that they do not interfere with the running of the paper. However the executives who do are well aware of the personal relationships of the owners with the powers who run the country…”
—–
Hi hvrds,
Does it necessarily mean that Inquirer is beholden to Big Mike because of these relationships? I’ve noticed however that the volatile Inquirer.net blogsite is now down, bug ridden or non-functional; not sure if it’s a related incident though.
mang_isko on Thu, 14th Feb 2008 11:28 pm
kabayan mag-ingat ka sa rally ha bukas. huwag kang magpa-front line. masakit yong pukpok(sound porn?) at nakakahiya yong matapos mapukpok tumatakbo. dapat laban!
mang_isko on Thu, 14th Feb 2008 11:31 pm
mabuti pa si nash. natutulog na.
Kabayan on Thu, 14th Feb 2008 11:34 pm
Huwag ka kasing maniwala sa bosing mo kasi eh mang_isko,… tingin ko tulog na iyon. Wag ka magpa-uto sa kanila. Kinukuripot ka na naman. O sige na, baka sabihin ng mga bloggers dito at ni Manolo na ginawa na natin tong personal na blogsite. Tandaan mo sinabi ko ha,… umangal ka, wag kang pumayag ng gamitin ka ng ganyan. Good night na
mang_isko on Thu, 14th Feb 2008 11:36 pm
hehehehehe…ok
katuwaan lang mga ka-blogs
mang_isko on Thu, 14th Feb 2008 11:38 pm
masyado kasing mga lawit na mga dila ninyo sa kaka-encode ng posts nyo!
hahahaha!
mang_kiko on Thu, 14th Feb 2008 11:40 pm
si mang_isko taga usa ata kaya gising pa. pero ‘wag nyo pansinin yong manga panakot ni bencard na mahanap kayo pag mangyari kay mang_isko, malayo naman ang amerika para may mang yari sa kanya, di naman kami ganyan ka traidor at si joma binabantayan you, di makagalaw yong manga ‘agents’ n’ya..makatulog na nga…
hvrds on Thu, 14th Feb 2008 11:41 pm
All it took for W. to go back to the Clinton based six party talks was for the crazy guy in N.Korea to explode a small nuclear device. So after calling him evil W. wrote the crazy guy with the weird hairdo in N.Korea a love letter praising him for dismantling his nuclar facilities. They are also giving him free oil.
By the way W. invaded Saddam’s Hussein for WMD, while pouring in aid for Musharraff. Meanwhile there was this guy with Pakistan’s government support who was exporting nuclear bomb making know how to Libya, Iran and had already spoken to Iraq’s Hussien about helping him build a nuclear device.
Can you beat that Americans go to guy in the war on terrorism was indirectly involved in spreading nuclear bombmaking know how.
People should read up on the close relationships between the House of Saud, House of Bush and the house of Bin Laden.
Oil money paid for the making of the Pakistans nuclear arsenal.
W. concentrated on Iraq’s Hussein and the Taliban and Bin Laden are making a comeback in Afghanistan. The fundamentalists are getting more powerfull in Pakistan and the Americans have contingency plans of taking over Pakistans nuclear arsenal. NATO is refusing to send more troops to Afghanistan. The next battelground in the global war on terror is going to be Pakistan. Thank you W. Thank you.
mang_isko on Thu, 14th Feb 2008 11:43 pm
hvr, sa pinas lang tayo!
mang_isko on Thu, 14th Feb 2008 11:45 pm
parang mali yata ang first sentence mo hvrds.
mang_isko on Thu, 14th Feb 2008 11:49 pm
ang kay clinton, direct talk towards the north koreans. bilateral talk baga.
ang gusto ni bush iba. yon nang six-paty talk, kasi parang nablackmail si clinton sa bilateral. kaya ang policy ni bush towards the n. korean is six-party talk or none at all.
pero sa pinas lang muna tayo.
hehehehe
cvj on Fri, 15th Feb 2008 12:34 am
On the contrary, ‘manner or form’ is relevant in so far as it reveals intent to resign. The SC decision (in Estrada v. Desierto) made it clear that:
The Supreme Court then concluded that resignation took place because there was an implied intent based on Erap’s actions as documented largely by Angara’s diary entries.
Watchful Eye, i don’t think that would be considered a constructive resignation since there is lack of intent on the part of the office holder. I suppose that if the government resigns from under Arroyo, then that is a form of civil disobedience or peaceful rebellion (in the spirit of Gandhi). Whether it turns into a Constitutional crisis depends on subsequent events.
Bencard on Fri, 15th Feb 2008 1:16 am
so what are you arguing about, cvj. do you or don’t you agree that “constructive” resignation, as opposed to “actual” resignation, is a FORM of relinquisment of office.
intent is an element of voluntariness. force or duress vitiates intent and therefore makes an act involuntary. again, i suggest you consult with an attorney of your choice rather than rely on your gut instincts to understand these legal principles.
re civil disobedience. in our scheme of things, no one in public office is indispensable – hence any civilian office holder could voluntarily resign at any time . however, nonfeasance or willful dereliction of official duty, without proper resignation, is a criminal offense.
cvj on Fri, 15th Feb 2008 1:31 am
Bencard, i suggest you read Estrada v. Desierto so you can understand that in that matter, form is relevant only in so far as it embodies intent [to resign]. I have no arguments against Constructive Resignation as a concept in itself but, because of the compelling point you made above (at 6:47pm), i now realize its inapplicability in the case of Erap.
The Ca t on Fri, 15th Feb 2008 1:33 am
Pag mga pikon, ganyan talaga, nananakot na.
Ako takot sa maraming tao dahil baka may magsamantalang magpasabog para lahat ng grupo paghinalaan. MAraming nagsasamantala ngayon para sumakay sa mga isyu.
kaya ang mga sasama sa rally, ingat din kayo.
DevilsAdvc8 on Fri, 15th Feb 2008 1:36 am
Cat, just the simple fact na mai-express ng taumbayan ang tunay nilang nararamdaman, maipakita sa adminsitrasyon kung gano na talaga kami kapuno, di man marami pumunta…
just that, may nangyari na.
DevilsAdvc8 on Fri, 15th Feb 2008 1:43 am
mang isko, sa lahat ng posters dito, ikaw ang pinaka walang kwenta. kaya ipinapataw ko na sayo ngayon ang pinaka mabigat na penalty ng blogging world.
dedma.
simula sa puntong ito lahat ng papansin sayo ay kuto rin.
wag nyo na pansinin. at least si Bencard, Geo at CaT at iba pang anti anti-GMA eh may sense pinagsasasabi.
ok? mang isko? who?
lol. there’s no coming back from that one.
Bencard on Fri, 15th Feb 2008 2:00 am
i think i can say that the way manolo is practically begging everyone to join the protest march belies any claim to spontaneous outpouring of oust-gloria sentiment from a substantial-enough portion of the population. this looks more like a partisan campaign, pure and simple, couched in revolutionary, almost inflammatory, language.
using lozada as their rallying symbol, the b&w movement must have hit rock bottom. and they expect a million marchers, well… let’s see.
DevilsAdvc8 on Fri, 15th Feb 2008 2:07 am
remember how i said i was against GMA right from the very start? before she was even sworn in? well, i became vocally agst her at that first instance when her very admirable “maximum tolerance” policy agst rallyists (which was used in EDSA III) was overturned. when this govt declared permits were needed to rally, that’s when all benefit of a doubt vanished for me.
you just cannot trust a govt unwilling to listen to its citizens. a govt that prefers force over dialouge is always suspect.
i have a much more interesting list in my blog. link is below..
DevilsAdvc8 on Fri, 15th Feb 2008 2:09 am
http://bhapu.blogs.friendster.com/rendezvous_in_dreams/2007/06/deathnote.html
DevilsAdvc8 on Fri, 15th Feb 2008 2:13 am
bencard, you’ll have your million marchers two years from now
and they won’t be demanding for resignation
or the blood of GMA only…
nash on Fri, 15th Feb 2008 2:21 am
Good luck for today’s Protest march. I hope it will be peaceful and that everyone can exercise their right to non-violent expression of disgust at this administration.
I want to be counted,
Nash Toledo
UP n student on Fri, 15th Feb 2008 3:04 am
Freedom of speech/expression and freedom of assembly are in the constitution, but these rights are not violated when local government requires for permits to be obtained first before rallies can be held.
Rallies that can snarl traffic or can pose either a nuisance or a threat to other people/groups need to be managed.
————–
Naturally, there is no stopping a spontaneous or a near-spontaneous rally (ala swarming when the group of people are called together by text messages). But once such spontaneous rallies happen, the local police still have the obligation to ensure that such a rally does not pose a nuisance or a threat to other groups.
Regulations to manage a “throw out the non-Catholics!!!!” rally should be no different than regulations to manage a “TALSIK DIYAN!” rally.
Bencard on Fri, 15th Feb 2008 3:09 am
yong mga kababayan kong walang trabajo sa pilipinas, magabang-abang kayo dahil seguro maraming mababakanteng puesto sa gobyerno. isa sa mga hinihiling ni manolo at iba pang b&w at oust-gloria movers & shakers ay ang pagre-resign sa government service ng mga tao. sigue nga para mapalitan naman yong ma nga deadwoods diyan at young walang inatupag kundi mag bitbit ng mga placards at magsisigaw ng “patalsikin si gloria, now na”.
supremo on Fri, 15th Feb 2008 3:23 am
I can’t believe that 22 years after Marcos was deposed, Filipinos are fighting again for freedom. It doesn’t make sense.
Now I’m sure that the bloodless EDSA People Power is a failure. It should have been bloody and traumatic like the French revolution so no one will attempt to take away that freedom again.
Bencard on Fri, 15th Feb 2008 3:50 am
what is this “list of enemies of the state”? sounds like a clarion call for a witch hunt – reminiscent of the infamous “people’s court” inquisitions for alleged collaborators after the japanese occupation. one thing i have to compliment these people for – they sure don’t hide their intentions, and revenge is on top of their agenda. why should some gofers let themselves be used as pawns for the ambitions and selfish designs of a few demagogues?
let them have it. another eggs (or worse) on their face, but not on yours by staying away from them.
DevilsAdvc8 on Fri, 15th Feb 2008 4:12 am
actually, they do.
and that includes requiring permits. eh kung ganon eh that’s just tantamount to saying you have only that freedom upon the govt’s permission.
anong klaseng freedom yan na kelangan pa ng by leave?
the constitution is very explicit: NO LAW, ABRIDGING – get that?
Rallies that can snarl traffic or can pose either a nuisance or a threat to other people/groups need to be managed.
then let the police manage it all they can. (it doesn’t take imagination. the police can direct traffic, secure the area, but in NO WAY, does it have the right to disperse peaceful assemblies) but to deny people to peaceably assemble bec of the absence of a permit…
Manong police, the people doesn’t need a permit higher than that which the constitution already gave it
tsk, tsk. it isn’t freedom if you need a permit to practice it.
and to violently disperse people who are not even rioting?
whatever happened to the “once admirable” maximum tolerance of that EDSA III PNP? and no one can argue that THAT was a riot of magnitude proportions…
hvrds on Fri, 15th Feb 2008 4:20 am
It is sad that when we discuss issues in this blog people tend to downgrade the issues to one of personalities and denigrating some political bloc.
Edas I,II and III were all well funded. Anyone who believes or thinks that the mass movement of people was entirely voluntary without logistical support is totally unaware of what transpired. Money flowed. Threatening the business sector is a double edged sword. When crunch time comes business will always rush to fund the turning of the tide. The extreme left did not participate in Edsa I. This time they have no choice but to participate. But they are already a spent force. They speak in the language of the 19th century. They have never changed their form of discourse. If they are not careful they will simply become a cult.
However the funeral of Ninoy was another thing.
The case of W. and his monstrosity is a case in point. He changed the well worn successful containment with engagement policy of the U.S. to one of direct confrontation and direct military action. It was a dramatic policy change that he had to reverse as he unleashed and deepened the Islamic insurgency. Now his successors will have to live with his creation all over the globe of remaking the world through democratic birth pangs. Together with the U.S. military the export of dollars is America’s primary export. The world is reeling from it. The Chinese have to turn their dollars into assets they can sell or use and this is where Big Mike and GMA comes in. They both wanted a piece of it.
Clinton was pursuing the old tested policy but W. changed it and we saw the first instance of nuclear blackmail.
In the case of Big Mike and GMA as differentiated from Marcos and Imelda was the Marcos gift for legalizing his actions. A lot of his executive orders are still laws of the land. The dramatic change in world interest rates in the early 80’s caused the heavily indebted economies of Latin America to collapse together with the Philippines. That happened in 1983 together with Ninoys assassination. The perfect storm happened.
However in the case of the couple in Palace today. GMA has expanded her GTEB tactics to a point where it is simply down to stealing. Will Big Mike and GMA blunder and commit a strategic mistake. Will Lozada be shot? The scenario is being played out to charge him with a crime. Can you imagine the scene when the police and NBI come to arrest him.
Will the SC rule that Neri will have to testify. The coming days are pregnant with possibilities.
Mahirap talaga kasi, maraming tao dito ay hindi mulat o mahirap mamulat.
Ginawang babuyan ang Palasyo.
The word “tanga” comes into mind whenever I read some entries. Tanga to mean ignorant to me.
DevilsAdvc8 on Fri, 15th Feb 2008 4:31 am
my blogswarm entry for today is an excerpt from one of my very first entries in my blog…
Bencard on Fri, 15th Feb 2008 4:33 am
devilsad, what cannot be abriged is the right to PEACEABLY assemble. whether an assembly is peaceable is a question of fact, and it’s the police’s prerogative to determine that in the first instance, before the court settles the question with finality. if the assembly impedes traffic to the annoyance of other people, the police has the authority to declare it to be not “peaceful” and must be dispersed. the constitution implies that a law can be passed prohibiting assemblies that are not peaceable.
UP n student on Fri, 15th Feb 2008 4:49 am
Devils-at8: You plus-3-others do not have the right to hold a rally inside a church while a mass is going on, or even while a mass is not going on. You plus-3-others do not have a right to hold a rally on the runway of NAIA or the domestic airport, much less in the middle of EDSA at five in the afternoon on a weekday. And you do not want anyone to just be able to do a flash-rally and tie up the entrance to the hospital especially when Mang Isko’s uncle, some government worker or you after you’ve been shot or stabbled and may need medical attention. Do these examples make sense to you?
Now this may or not be a hard request to make, especially because the Constitution may not have it written down, but really, intelligence is needed.
As the examples I’ve written down are intended to illustrate, that a group wants to express themselves does not mean that they have the right to any place and any time that they choose. Beware the stupidity
or evil 
that lurks in the hearts of men. In all likelihood, a group’s desire to demonstrate can be accomplished by doing the demonstration an hour later and 1/2 kilometers away, with TV crews always welcome to film away and the press welcome to take pictures and do interviews.
And if intelligence is lacking, then somewhere in the scheme of the Constitution, you’ll find reference to the Supreme Court being arbiter.
DevilsAdvc8 on Fri, 15th Feb 2008 4:49 am
bencard, so where is the need for a permit there?
did you know na just last week there was a rally violently dispersed by the police? a rally held at a “freedom park” (yeah, what a stupid name) designated by this own admin? a rally not even obstructing traffic?
and the rallyists were already running from the police, hinabol pa sila at ng mahuli, pinagpapalo, sinipa, at sinuntok kahit nakataas na ang kamay at sumisigaw ng: tama na! (captured by media)
a rally that was peaceable until the police decided to disperse it violently.
again, answer me. kung hindi pwedeng i-abridge ang RIGHT to peaceably assemble, bakit nire-require ang permit? di ba “abridging” yan?
The Ca t on Fri, 15th Feb 2008 5:02 am
I saw several small rallies held before Friday. Everyone wants to have a piece of the pie of being in the limelight. Suddenly many unheard of organizations are again waving their flags. Sheesh.
They pre-empted the big Friday rally because they wanted to be in the media. Should they join the Friday rally, they will just be a small fish in the ocean.
Do I see anything new? Nothing. The running priest is there again making his presence. Baka pag-naaresto na naman niya, tatawagin niya nanay niya para magcertify na he was just in the vicinity.
Teofisto Guingona is there again. Pag nahuli, he will feign sickness again. I can still remember the old man Tanada, linking arms with the young students. No excuse, no alibi.
Just like EDSA 86 and 89, if the mass movement to remove GMA is going to be a success which I DOUBT (sorry, my crystal ball says so) the salawikain, ako ang nagtanim, ako ang nagbayo, ako ang nagluto, iba ang kumain (another civil society perhaps) will explain why the cycle continues.
DevilsAdvc8 on Fri, 15th Feb 2008 5:03 am
“You plus-3-others do not have the right to hold a rally inside a church while a mass is going on, or even while a mass is not going on.”
actually, we do.
“You plus-3-others do not have a right to hold a rally on the runway of NAIA or the domestic airport, much less in the middle of EDSA at five in the afternoon on a weekday.”
in EDSA, yes. at any given time, any day of the week. in NAIA runway? of course not. and i will explain in a bit
“And you do not want anyone to just be able to do a flash-rally and tie up the entrance to the hospital especially when Mang Isko’s uncle, some government worker or you after you’ve been shot or stabbled and may need medical attention. Do these examples make sense to you?”
crystal clear.
look, freedoms and right are only limited by this principle: that it does not step on the freedoms and rights of others.
so your example of a hospital rally-cum-blockade is rhetorical. it goes w/o saying that a person’s right to life is more impt than my right to be heard at the moment. and so is posturing at a runway, even though danger to yourself is more likely, danger to others is possible as well. so that, unquestionably limits my right to “peaceably assemble.”
so, again, on past dispersals. were any of the rallyists tying-up hospital entrances? clogging airport runways?
justify the need for the violent dispersals, if you can.
JMCastro on Fri, 15th Feb 2008 5:42 am
“UP n student” has been scrupulously careful about his post regarding rallies.
Rightly or wrongly, violent dispersal is a reality, DevilsAdvc8, that you would have to contend with if it is your intention to attend a rally.
Given the penchant of the current administration to disperse some rallies violently, don’t you think it is reckless to go to a rally without taking safety measures?
At the very least, you have to inform your parents or relatives if you have to attend a rally, since you will have to rely on someone to submit a writ of habeas corpus or amparo to save you should you experience the worst — being picked up by the military or the police.
Bencard on Fri, 15th Feb 2008 5:45 am
devilsadv, police permit is necessary so it can manage the event and ensure that it will be peaceful and will remain peaceful. as upn said, it can only be held in designated areas open for such events. the permit will make sure that the place will be reserved to the permit holder for the occasion, and not conflict with opposing groups who have equal “rights” to use it. i think reasonable police regulations such as those are permissible under the constitution. no “right” is absolute otherwise there will be anarchy because of competing rights and interests. a balancing is necessary.
in your example, it looks like a good case of civil rights violation, except that you did not mention if there was a permit. if there was a permit, a court action seems warranted to determine whether the police action was legal. in any event, it would be a good test case as to the constitutionality of the permit requirement.
JMCastro on Fri, 15th Feb 2008 5:50 am
And while I’m on the subject, DevilsAdvc8, it is only fair for anyone planning to attend a rally to ask themselves: what are the organizers of the rally doing to ensure the safety of the participants?
I commend Black and White for taking a list of those people who support them. This is a necessary first step towards ensuring the safety of these people, should B&W opt to eventually organize mass actions.
supremo on Fri, 15th Feb 2008 5:51 am
I’m appalled by the stand of some people here about freedom. Freedom is freedom. There is no need to ask for permission to exercise your freedom. If you have to ask for permission then you don’t have freedom.
David on Fri, 15th Feb 2008 5:58 am
DevilsAdv8: “kung hindi pwedeng i-abridge ang RIGHT to peaceably assemble, bakit nire-require ang permit? di ba “abridging†yan?”
Not so thus spake the Supreme Court. See
Bayan et al. v. Ermita et al. (G.R. No. 169838) on the issue of the constitutionality of B.P. Blg. 880.
JMCastro on Fri, 15th Feb 2008 5:59 am
To mlq3:
The link to Black and White web page doesn’t work.
I tried clicking it just now: http://www.blacknwhite-movement.com/jlo/index.php
Bencard on Fri, 15th Feb 2008 6:36 am
supremo, you may have freedom to live wherever you want but you need a permit (visa) to stay in another country. you may have freedom to pursue a career but you need a license to practice a profession. you may have freedom to own a car but you need a license to drive it. you may have freedom to own a gun but you need a permit to possess and carry it. got the drift?
hvrds on Fri, 15th Feb 2008 7:13 am
Kongresso ng Mamamayan came out with the attack ad against Lozada.
Nationalsozialistische Deutsche Arbeiterpartei
Hitlers party was named National Socialist German Workers Party. It was fiercely anti-people and anti-communist.
It remains to be seen but the Congress of the Citizens or Citizens Congress is probably also anti-people and anti-left.
Both groups sound progressive but are anything but. They never learn.
UP n student on Fri, 15th Feb 2008 7:16 am
On the dispersals turned violent. For crying out loud, go ask the police what happened? And if they don’t answer, then charge them in court to get them — the PNP — to state their reason or reasons. Harvey Keh, where are you and your talking-things-through skills?
I seriously doubt that the police captain or whatever rank who ordered the police to “move in” will say that he ordered the crowd dispersed because they were speaking their mind. Among the traditional reasons will be that the crowd had turned violent, e.g. had started to throw stones, or that the demonstrators needed to be dispersed because they were blocking traffic or were disturbing the peace. OR, the crowd did not have the permit and refused to obey an order from the police to disperse quietly.
Now, “peaceful disobedience”, in some countries, is practiced where the demonstrators allow themselves to be arrested. Some walk to the police vans, as ordered; some let the police carry them off into the vans.
And what is this expectation that once the engagement has turned violent, that running away means that the police will not chase you down to arrest you? “Unlawful flight” and “resisting arrest” are quite common terms. And I say this with clinical detachment — whacking a possible “baddie” on the legs is one way that this person goes down to the ground and pose a lesser threat.
———
The PNP may be trained badly, but not that badly —- they are using sticks, not bayonets. My perception is that the organizers of the rallies have trained their people poorly. I don’t think the demonstrators know what line is the demarcation between “free speech” and unlawful action on their part. I suspect the organizers do not even let the youth know of the possibility of arrests, much less tear gas and stick-flailing. After all, the sight of demonstrators being struck by sticks, or worse, make good TV.
——–
There is a lot of education to do on both sides of the fence. “Eyes wide open!” is a good rule.
———
Maybe the demonstrators should bring press cards?
benign0 on Fri, 15th Feb 2008 7:24 am
“I’m appalled by the stand of some people here about freedom. Freedom is freedom. There is no need to ask for permission to exercise your freedom. If you have to ask for permission then you don’t have freedom.” – supremo
This brilliantly illustrates the whole trouble with Pinoys — this tune of “freedom” that hollow-heads are constantly dancing to.
Pinoys are seriously MIS-LED to believe that the whole point of democracy is “freedom”.
Babies have the freedom to poop in their pants. But that’s because they have yet to understand the stink that eventually comes out of this exercise of “freedom”.
Same with Pinoys. We freely and regularly poop on the pavement of Edsa whenever we feel like it.
It’s simple, really.
UP n student on Fri, 15th Feb 2008 7:27 am
DevilsAdvc8: If you and-3-others claim the right to hold a rally inside a church or a mosque while a religious service or oganizational meeting is going on, then allow the members of that church the right to throw you out using an amount of force and violence of their choosing.
inodoro ni emilie on Fri, 15th Feb 2008 7:39 am
shit happens, benigs, especially when you get diarrhea of lies and deception.
benign0 on Fri, 15th Feb 2008 7:51 am
“shit happens, benigs, especially when you get diarrhea of lies and deception.” — inodoro ni emilie
Yeah.
But ADULTS with diarrhea still poop in toilets. Not on streets.
There’s a proper channel even for sh1t you know…
benign0 on Fri, 15th Feb 2008 7:54 am
My point is, the more we exhibit our silly penchant for dancing the ocho-ocho in the streets everytime we are unhappy, the MORE we look like a bunch of morons to the rest of the world.
And we wonder why being proud to be Pinoy is such a tough sell to the youth…
inodoro ni emilie on Fri, 15th Feb 2008 7:59 am
only if you’re provided access. point is, the admin has kept lock the door to the biggest toilet around: the batasang pambansa.
Kabayan on Fri, 15th Feb 2008 8:03 am
My contribution to the Blogswarm at http://www.geocities.com/kabayanone/ is short and sweet lifted from a statement I posted here with a photo of Emperor Palpakparin Arroyo. Each and every day, the Emperor attempts to tighten her grip(“Empress” nga sana eh kaya lang hindi bagay sa itsura.)
As of late she’s going to send her BIR stormtroopers against the Makati Business Club while a surveillance camera is installed in front of La Salle Gate (what now, she thinks that the Makati Business Club and La Sallites are Communists and Jihadists now? ***Canned laughter***)
Love your “Fighting Filipinos” image you posted above Manolo.
mang_isko on Fri, 15th Feb 2008 8:17 am
good day, kabayan.
wala ka bang na-notice sa poster ni manolo?
benign0 on Fri, 15th Feb 2008 8:20 am
“As of late she’s going to send her BIR stormtroopers against the Makati Business Club while a surveillance camera is installed in front of La Salle Gate (what now, she thinks that the Makati Business Club and La Sallites are Communists and Jihadists now? ***Canned laughter***) — Kabayan
Well now, this makes the whole thing a bit more interesting now, doesn’t it?
See, if people were less busy TAKING SIDES and labelling each other as Pro or Anti Arroyo, they’d be more able to better appreciate the amount of sh1t coming to light as a result of these quaint circuses REGARDLESS of who is doing what to who.
Instead of taking sides (and dancing to one side’s tune or another like morons), why don’t we as a people sick one over the other — kind of like a three-way mud-wrestling match involving (1) Anti-GMA cretins, (2) Pro-GMA morons, and (3) the Catholic Church leadership — and sit back, have a beer and a few laughs.
The one who comes out of it holding all the bras wins!
It’s simple, really.
mang_isko on Fri, 15th Feb 2008 8:22 am
benigno, …and catholics too!
inodoro ni emilie on Fri, 15th Feb 2008 8:31 am
only if this is a laughing matter. and only if you’re not down under.
sigh.
benign0 on Fri, 15th Feb 2008 8:32 am
“As of late she’s going to send her BIR stormtroopers” — Kabayan
Anyone who’s seen the movie ‘Elizabeth’ would appreciate the the genius behind people who not only hold power, but USE it shrewdly.
We all know who comes out the winner at the end of that movie.
Think of the rather unique set of characters performing their song and dance today:
(1) An unpopular leader who is presiding over statistical economic prosperity who’s actually got BRAINS;
(2) An Edsa-”revolution”-weary people who just simply want to get on with their jobs;
(3) A few delusional bozos who are still beating their old street revolution drums;
(4) A poor sod of a fall-guy barking up the wrong tree.
(5) A world-class information dissemination cash machine (the Philippine Media) profiting from all this.
I think I’ll be placing my bets on who’s gonna come out of this holding all the proverbial bras.
Kabayan on Fri, 15th Feb 2008 8:33 am
In the end Benigno0, when there are irreconcilable differences between parties where one side chooses darkness while the other is light and the other option is to choose the JDV kind of gray, the people will just have to choose a side.
As it is, I and a lot of decent Filipinos do not agree with the shade of gray where this administration “moderate their corruption” or “moderate their greed” (an oxymoron really) where 22% grease money is an “acceptable rate”. If this administration would like to end this polarization of society, they must leave their corruption and abuse of power and choose the side of light.
Ayaw nila iwan ang kasamaan at ayaw rin namin sumali sa kanilang kasamaan. Ayaw nilang piliin ang kabutihan sa paraan ng pamamahala, kaya nandito tayo ngayon.
The basis of unity is good, honest and moral governance.
benign0 on Fri, 15th Feb 2008 8:38 am
“only if this is a laughing matter. and only if you’re not down under.” — inodoro ni emilie
To be honest, dude, it actually is a laughing matter from where I sit.
You should try watching this circus on ABS CBN’s ‘Bandila’ while curled up in a cozy couch in 22 deg-C natural climate knowing that your adopted country’s parliament is debating things that actually matter to the ordinary citizen.
You’d be amazed with what you SEE when you’ve got an outsider’s perspective…
inodoro ni emilie on Fri, 15th Feb 2008 8:43 am
see, benigs, your generalization comes from viewing abs-cbn from where you are sitted. which means your view is predefined. you need the pulse of the people to ascertain what you’re being fed with.
mlq3 on Fri, 15th Feb 2008 8:47 am
supremo, recall how many revolutions the french have undergone. even the english had their civil war and then their glorious revolution; the americans had their revolution then a civil war and then the peaceful equal rights and anti-war movements.
JMCastro on Fri, 15th Feb 2008 8:48 am
I was given many chances to get out of the Philippines, but I stuck it through, benign0. As a Filipino, I felt it would be selling out to the Philippines that I hold dear if I were to immigrate to a different country.
Feel free to make fun of your home country while you’re in the comfort of your foreign home. Those of us who stayed behind are not amused.
benign0 on Fri, 15th Feb 2008 8:51 am
“As a Filipino, I felt it would be selling out to the Philippines that I hold dear if I were to immigrate to a different country” – JMCastro
It’s ironic you’d say that, considering that 10% of the economy is propped up by expat Filipinos’ remmittances and up to half the population buys their celphone trinkets using these funds.
Go figure.
benign0 on Fri, 15th Feb 2008 8:52 am
“Feel free to make fun of your home country while you’re in the comfort of your foreign home. Those of us who stayed behind are not amused” – JMCastro
I am indeed exercising this “freedom” that everyone is supposedly “fighting” for.
benign0 on Fri, 15th Feb 2008 8:57 am
“see, benigs, your generalization comes from viewing abs-cbn from where you are sitted” – inidoro de manille
Did I say that I believe and internalise any of what I see through this poor excuse of a news programme?
As I said, it’s all just for laughs. It is after all just the latest circus in a string of circuses that dot Pinoy history.
james on Fri, 15th Feb 2008 8:59 am
I don’t know how can these people make a ‘comisioner’ who has enriched himself already be their hero?!
He’s out to save himself only and monolo and his cohorts is celebrating the second coming! Nuts
go to court guys not the streets
mlq3 on Fri, 15th Feb 2008 9:06 am
just a note, much as i’ve been disagreeing with them. cAt and bencard are most definitely not paid agents or associated personally in any way, with cruella’s regime. they are not mercenaries, they are expressing their genuine convictions (with which i disagree).
for the record. as for other commenters i have no personal knowledge of their bona fides.
hawaiianguy on Fri, 15th Feb 2008 9:06 am
JMCastro,
You may be communicating with a troll, a ghost or another kind of pinoy monkey.
sparks on Fri, 15th Feb 2008 9:08 am
Australia is a model to follow, but its decades ahead in political development. This is also a country built on the blood of many, for which they have apologised very recently.
It boggles the mind how you lack imagination and hope in possibilities Manong Benigs, especially when you are witness to (and have been enjoying) a polity that values and cares for the majority.
Well, we see the exact same newscast at 6h45 in the morning, and we have vastly different reactions. You laugh, I cry.
TonGuE-tWisTeD on Fri, 15th Feb 2008 9:16 am
hawaiianguy :
JMCastro,
You may be communicating with a troll, a ghost or another kind of pinoy monkey.
Then another is a ventriloquist with a dummy. HAHAHA! Check the last thread, HG.
mlq3 on Fri, 15th Feb 2008 9:35 am
btw, that poster is from 1943, published by the government-in-exile, to rally support for the filipinos that fought in bataan and corregidor.
Kabayan on Fri, 15th Feb 2008 9:57 am
An excellent conclusion to your above article Manolo.
BTW, thanks for the link, just registered my pseudonym to B&W.
vic on Fri, 15th Feb 2008 9:57 am
The right to peaceful assembly can be conducted in places where there are no explicit prohibitions for such activities, like for example close to Power facilities (nuclear plants)children schools and permits may not necessary. And minor inconveniences like temporary traffic delays could not be an excuse for the authorities to use Unreasonable Force as means of dispersing the exercise of that right, but instead they will be helping conduct the smooth and effective transmission of the messages of the protesters…
Jon Mariano on Fri, 15th Feb 2008 10:12 am
I posted my blogswarm post yesterday and the surprising thing about it is it felt hollow although that’s the best I could do for now.
It felt hollow because I’m sure that it’s not going to affect Gloria, or the pro-Gloria crowd anyway. It’s confirmed by her pronouncement that she’s going to finish her term because she said that “Filipinos love stability”! She must really believe that, or she’s just plain thickskinned.
Bencard on Fri, 15th Feb 2008 10:17 am
who cares if it’s a ghost, a troll, a pinoy monkey or, as contributed by one who is insanely ecstatic about his own sick idea, a ventriloquist, as long as they make sense and contribute something worthwhile to the discussion. the ones who pollute this blog are the real dummies who are only good at heckling, insults and personal attacks. but the worst are those lowlifes who think they are great just because they can heckle the loudest and laugh like a fiend at their own miserable “jokes”.
Kabayan on Fri, 15th Feb 2008 10:27 am
Jon Mariano said:
“I posted my blogswarm post yesterday and the surprising thing about it is it felt hollow although that’s the best I could do for now.
It felt hollow because I’m sure that it’s not going to affect Gloria, or the pro-Gloria crowd anyway. It’s confirmed by her pronouncement that she’s going to finish her term because she said that “Filipinos love stabilityâ€! She must really believe that, or she’s just plain thickskinned.”
======
Hi Jon,
I guess, there is a nagging feeling that we should do something more given the worsening situation. In any case, you can do it a bit at a time till you’re comfortable with the next steps that needed to be taken in the future.
Can you post the link (url) to your blogswarm? Thanks.
inodoro ni emilie on Fri, 15th Feb 2008 10:33 am
titanium,
so why were you raising a howler over dirk pitt’s parody, when he (a troll according to your perception) was–well–making sense?
supremo on Fri, 15th Feb 2008 10:39 am
bencard,
I got the drift.
DOCUMENTS=FREEDOM
Very nice!
Jeg on Fri, 15th Feb 2008 10:50 am
Bencard: “peaceful assemblyâ€? look at the inflammatory rhetorics here. look at the red flags and headbands massing around (atat na atat) with heavy signs saying “patalsikinâ€, “litsuninâ€, “bitayin†“paalisin, “now naâ€, or similar exhortations.
So inflammatory rhetoric is already ‘coercion’ in your legal opinion? Sheeeesh. IMO, a government that would feel coerced by rhetoric, red flags, and slogans is a wimpy one indeed and doesnt deserve to govern. Im hoping that this government will resign because theyll do some serious soul-searching and conclude that it is bringing the country down after hearing from the governed whose consent they need to continue governing.
Bencard on Fri, 15th Feb 2008 11:10 am
jeg, all those i cited as examples of inflammatory rhetoric may all be taken as manifestations of threats and intimidation which, when accompanied by overt acts of violence (as in the storming of malacanang gates in 2001 by erap fanatics) may be considered as coercion. Well, you can hope but i don’t think it will happen unless, maybe, more than half (not from poll surveys) the country’s population rise up and demand her resignation.
JMCastro on Fri, 15th Feb 2008 11:19 am
I agree with Bencard — commitment to non-violence (including protest rhetoric) can dramatically reduce the probability of a harsh police/military response.
Unity was achieved in People Power ‘86 precisely because of its commitment to prayerful non-violence.
Moreover, this kind of atmosphere is exactly the sort of calm before the storm which can make the effect of any protest all the more effective — that, I feel, more than anything resulted in the dissolution of the Marcos regime.
Jeg on Fri, 15th Feb 2008 11:22 am
Bencard: Well, you can hope but i don’t think it will happen unless, maybe, more than half (not from poll surveys) the country’s population rise up and demand her resignation.
The numbers arent necessary, as past experience has shown. All that’s needed are voices that the government will listen to, even though they are in the minority, numbers-wise. It could be church leaders, business leaders, government leaders (“Cut and cut cleanly, Mr. President.”), even military leaders. That’s the reason theyre leaders. The population allows them to lead and speak for them.
benign0 on Fri, 15th Feb 2008 11:30 am
“Moreover, this kind of atmosphere is exactly the sort of calm before the storm which can make the effect of any protest all the more effective — that, I feel, more than anything resulted in the dissolution of the Marcos regime.” — JMCastro
There’s the small matter of the following two factors that need to be considered before we start comparing the ridiculousness of today’s situation with that of 1986:
(1) We’ve had no less than three Edsa “revolutions” and one Commonwealth Avenue “revolution” in the last two decades (all yielding very little fundamental change in our society)
(2) Given the above, it’s been a general observation that Pinoys are all generally “revolution”-weary.
(3) Compare this to 1986 when street “revolutions” could still be considered to be an innovation, today such “revolutions” are no more than a poignant reminder of how imagination-challenged we as a people collectively are in the application of this great concept we call democracy.
So to be still talking about street revolutions like they were some kind of silver bullet that will cure the sad dysfunction of the nation is to me borderline delusional.
Pingkian on Fri, 15th Feb 2008 11:40 am
supremo says:
“I got the drift.
DOCUMENTS=FREEDOM
Very nice!”
Licensing for professions exists so that much as you like to practice medicine, the DOCUMENTS ensure that you are at least CAPABLE.
Licensing for drivers exists so that much as you’d like to just walk into a shop and pick a car you like, the DOCUMENTS ensure that you will not create a 10 car pileup right smack in the middle of a school crossing.
Granted that implementations of these are far from perfect but I’d rather have these imperfect institutions than having the absence of government at all.
Freedom is precious and should be treated and USED as such.
No to Mafia on Fri, 15th Feb 2008 11:41 am
To Bencard:
Fuck the constitution. We have been fuck by the Arroyo mafia from the start. It’s time she and her mobsters go or this country will be torn to pieces.
JMCastro on Fri, 15th Feb 2008 11:44 am
benign0:
I read the Winston Churchill website that mlq3 linked to, and you’d be surprised at what a people, convinced of their own righteousness, can do.
If the British people followed historical forces during World War II, Germans would probably be running the whole of Europe.
We can beat historical forces — what we need is to be convinced of the righteousness of our cause, and be willing to act on it.
Jon Mariano on Fri, 15th Feb 2008 11:49 am
Any updates on the protest rally/s for today? (btw the link to my blogswarm post is under moderatin, i guess. So I’ll just paste it here).
If you are against corruption and you believe that Gloria’s
administration is corrupt, then the simple answer is Yes, go and
support the protest actions. If you think that there will be not
enough bodies to make a significant protest, then help increase the
number by bringing yourself. If you think that 2010 is near and
there’s no need to dump Gloria Arroyo now, just go ahead and join the
protests to make your sentiment known. It’s as simple and easy as
that. Just go!
The Ca t on Fri, 15th Feb 2008 11:59 am
Thanks mlq3.
Alam ko ahente lang ako ng sweepstakes. mwehehe.
Lester Cavestany on Fri, 15th Feb 2008 12:01 pm
I know that there are some people who are not too excited about joining the mass protest action against the corruption in the Arroyo administration. They’re probably saying, “People Power na naman? EDSA na naman?”
As Edmund Burke said, “All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men do nothing.” Huwag po nating pabayaan ang ilang garapal na opisyal na babuyin ang ating Inang Bayan. Stand up for our Republic!
And to the people who are saying, “Kayo na lang muna.” I hope you can find some inspiration in the life of Rosa Parks, the African-American woman who protested against racism, in her own “little” way. She showed us the Power of One. I read a nice article about the Power of One and I’d like to share it with you. Read it here:
http://innerbest.com/articles/powerofone.html
Thanks,
Lester
http://www.lestercavestany.com
Bencard on Fri, 15th Feb 2008 12:03 pm
jon mariano, why should someone who wants to abide by the rule of law and wait for 2010 go to the rally. to inflate the numbers of the “oust-gloria, now na” crowd? nice try!
Kabayan on Fri, 15th Feb 2008 12:10 pm
Hi Jon,
Just go to the Black and White movement link that Manolo provided above. In the lower right of the B&W site are the schedule of activities. It’s best also to watch the news now and then for any possible changes. But to my knowledge, today’s initial activity is a go.
supremo on Fri, 15th Feb 2008 12:12 pm
mlq3,
At least France did not go back to absolute monarchy after the French Revolution of 1789. The subsequent monarchs and leaders even ‘moderated their greed’. They are aware that if the French people could overthrow one leader, they could overthrow another. That’s what we need in the Philippines. An event so traumatic for the national leadership that no future leader will even attempt to go against the people.
Kabayan on Fri, 15th Feb 2008 12:22 pm
When a government has control of all the DOCUMENTS; can create, destroy, hold and hide such; if illegal transactions are done by word of mouth and enforced by hit-men, where then would be the relevance of this?
I agree that documents are important EXCEPT if they are already controlled, tampered and manipulated to be used in nefarious activities.
Jon Mariano on Fri, 15th Feb 2008 12:47 pm
Bencard, as I said in my post, go and join to make your sentiments known (that you don’t like Gloria).
Jon Mariano on Fri, 15th Feb 2008 12:48 pm
The assumption being that those who think that 2010 is near still want Gloria out as soon as possible but just don’t think that the protest actions are not going to make a difference.
Jon Mariano on Fri, 15th Feb 2008 12:49 pm
Sorry for the double negation; it must be the noodles calling me! (Do you know that lunch time in Hong Kong starts at 1:00 PM?)
benign0 on Fri, 15th Feb 2008 12:50 pm
“jon mariano, why should someone who wants to abide by the rule of law and wait for 2010 go to the rally. to inflate the numbers of the “oust-gloria, now na†crowd? nice try!”
Precisely. Which is why ‘RIDICULOUS’ is the only adjective that comes to mind. One moment there is all the huff and puff about “rule of law”, then there is huff and puff about street antics.
When one cruises the streets of populist discussion without the benefit of having their thoughts structured along a proper philosophical framework, you get a lot of these inconsistencies and paradoxes in thinking.
cvj on Fri, 15th Feb 2008 1:01 pm
benign0, the paradox only exists if you cannot distinguish between the letter and the spirit of the law.
hawaiianguy on Fri, 15th Feb 2008 1:12 pm
Supremo: “At least France did not go back to absolute monarchy after the French Revolution of 1789. The subsequent monarchs and leaders even ‘moderated their greed’. They are aware that if the French people could overthrow one leader, they could overthrow another. That’s what we need in the Philippines. An event so traumatic for the national leadership that no future leader will even attempt to go against the people.”
Are you suggesting that we send to the gallows a “despot” like Gloria? (We can’t do that to Erap, as he is now a free man.)
Jon Mariano on Fri, 15th Feb 2008 1:34 pm
Isn’t it that the right to protest is in our constitution? It is legal, isn’t it? So where is the contradiction there?
Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on Fri, 15th Feb 2008 1:49 pm
Why naman so harsh Manolo… I thought we were friends?
benign0 on Fri, 15th Feb 2008 2:05 pm
“benign0, the paradox only exists if you cannot distinguish between the letter and the spirit of the law.” — cvj
Precisely my point!
cvj on Fri, 15th Feb 2008 2:12 pm
Benign0, before you agree wholeheartedly let me be more explicit. The paradox or contradiction between rule of law and street protests exists in your mind because you fail to distinguish between the letter and the spirit of the law.
Jon Mariano on Fri, 15th Feb 2008 2:36 pm
O ayan patas na, meron din palang meeting ang mga pro-GMA. Si Ray Roquero raw ang nag-convene. Kung hindi bawal magprotesta laban kay GMA, hindi rin bawal mag suporta sa kanya, di ba?
BrianB on Fri, 15th Feb 2008 3:11 pm
I really love today’s editorial. It calls the Bishops reaction to the Lozada confession “lame.”
BrianB on Fri, 15th Feb 2008 3:16 pm
Who’s going? I’m definitely dropping by. I’m going to have dinner anyway later on in the Ayala area. Who’s going?
Bert on Fri, 15th Feb 2008 3:23 pm
“Maybe the demonstrators should bring press cards?–UPns
Wa epek! Their hands will be tied with wires, will be herded into iron-grilled buses, and brought to HQ.
Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on Fri, 15th Feb 2008 3:42 pm
I’ll be in Makati and join the Pro-government Rally! anyone joining? ^_^
Floyd Buenavente on Fri, 15th Feb 2008 3:50 pm
I’m going to be there definitely… But think about this if she resigns and VP Noli De Castro became the next president will we accept it? what are our demands precisely? what will happen to those congressmen who are the avid supporters of the government? As I see it we will just cut off one head but we’ll leave the others just like in the time of Cory and Erap… Ideas anyone?
Jon Mariano on Fri, 15th Feb 2008 3:53 pm
My idea is for the investigations to continue while the Arroyos cannot use government resources to stifle the truth. If in the end it is proven that they Arroyos are clean, then their name will be vindicated. Otherwise, all those proven to have stolen from the people shall be punished.
mang_isko on Fri, 15th Feb 2008 3:59 pm
pumta kayo sa rally at ng madukutan kayo! parang maraming salisi dyan….hehehehe
alam naman ninyo na panahon na ito ng mga maga-galing sa snatching at pickpocketing nakikihalo.
BrianB on Fri, 15th Feb 2008 4:02 pm
It is hypocritical for us Filipinos to be such a stickler for the law at this point in time. Kung takot kayong makita ang totoong kulay no Gloria sabihin nyo dahil ako ay natatakot din. This is one president who doesn’t just hate dissidents, she despises us. She has contempt for people who want her to resign. She knows what is at stake. It isn’t just her family but her family name. Remember she is the daughter of a president. Her pride is not ordinary. Even compared to a super star like Erap.
BrianB on Fri, 15th Feb 2008 4:03 pm
mang_isko. Remember that rally in Ayala where nobody showed up. Cory was there. I was passing by and someone threw buko juice at the crowd. I got wet. Yeah, I know the risk.
Jon Mariano on Fri, 15th Feb 2008 4:18 pm
Sa mga pupunta sa rally, please note the reminders posted by bloggers here. Be safe.
alas ka dora on Fri, 15th Feb 2008 4:23 pm
how could some people here hurl insult on street protest without condemning the condemnable acts of government which are the reason why people are on the streets. kung hindi talaga kayo bayaran ng gobyerno maging patas naman kayo.
I am not anti-Gloria. I wasn’t even anti-Marcos or anybody in governemnt. I am anti corruption and the callousness by which the affairs of the nation is being handled by government
mang_isko on Fri, 15th Feb 2008 4:32 pm
oiii, si ate dora affected….
Floyd Buenavente on Fri, 15th Feb 2008 4:37 pm
“Jon Mariano :My idea is for the investigations to continue while the Arroyos cannot use government resources to stifle the truth. If in the end it is proven that they Arroyos are clean, then their name will be vindicated. Otherwise, all those proven to have stolen from the people shall be punished.”
I don’t think thats feasible provided the kind of influence the first family has over the cabinet and people in power…
mang_isko on Fri, 15th Feb 2008 4:43 pm
….simple lang ang argumento dito sa ginagawang rally.
una paano magkakaayon ang ideolohiya ng mga religious kuno at ng sa mga hindi naniniwala ng diyos. pangalawa yong magsasalita sa rally sila ba’y walang nagawang kasalanan sa bayan? nakakasuka nga eh, pag-inisip mo si binay magsasalita na sa rally laban sa corruption.
….hayyyy naku.
tonio on Fri, 15th Feb 2008 4:44 pm
well, this rally is good. so long as it stays an outlet for public catharsis and not simply an excuse for demagogues to promote their brand of dogmatic violence.
i’m going to sit this one out though. because i think the timing stinks.
the only way that any of this is ever going to be resolved is if we rely on the institutions (however flawed everyone sees them to be) of the state to fulfil their responsibilities to the people.
mang_isko on Fri, 15th Feb 2008 4:48 pm
….aprub ako dyan tonio!
The Equalizer on Fri, 15th Feb 2008 4:51 pm
For my part, in these times I often reread the words of the American poet Archibald Macleish: “How shall freedom be defended? By arms when it is attacked by arms; by truth when it is attacked by lies; by democratic faith when it is attacked by authoritarian dogma. Always, and in the final act, by determination and faith.”
Madonna on Fri, 15th Feb 2008 5:41 pm
This rally is not about being pro or anti government. This is about accountability and the truth. Lozada came out not because he is against the government or he is pro-opposition — he came out because he could not lie and he had no other choice but to tell the truth.
So, people we must voice out our indignation because we are being deprived of the truth. We must voice out our indignation and anger because we are not getting the good governance that we deserve. We must voice out our sentiments because we deserve honest, competent leaders. As citizens, we have no other choice except to voice out our sentiments in the face of damning indications that we are not getting what we deserve.
And if GMA resigns (I firmly doubt that she ever will kahit magkapatayan pa), it is only right that Noli de Castro succeeds her as per Constitutional provision. But the thing, let us not be paralyzed with grim future scenarios. Let us do the right thing, one step at a time.
benign0 on Fri, 15th Feb 2008 6:03 pm
“We must voice out our sentiments because we deserve honest, competent leaders.” – Madonna
Ha ha!!!!
Tell THAT to the people who voted for Trillianes.
benign0 on Fri, 15th Feb 2008 6:05 pm
If we want “competent” leaders, then we should vote competently.
If we want honesty in our leaders, then we should be honest about OURSELVES.
Truth be said: We deserve our leaders. They merely reflect the society they rule.
Kamote on Fri, 15th Feb 2008 6:38 pm
I am amazed by the reception of the makati rally from employees working there. Some actually participated in the rally but have to be back in the office to log out hahahaha.
Talked to the HR directors of my clients and they were like it’s ok if they went out to join the rally but they have to be back to finish the reports! Hope this is a start of the much needed actions to awake more people and say enough is enough.
as general lim said before “Dissent without action is consent”
benign0 on Fri, 15th Feb 2008 6:42 pm
“Hope this is a start of the much needed actions to awake more people and say enough is enough.”
Enough is enough nga ba?
Ang tagal nang binibigkas ang mga salitang yan.
What’s being done DIFFERENT today? How’s this street circus different from past street circuses?
If nothing is being done DIFFERENTLY, how in the world can we expect DIFFERENT results this time?
frombelow on Fri, 15th Feb 2008 6:55 pm
seen at the rally–
manuel quezon III, some retired generals including Police General Franco ( SAF ),
manuelbuencamino on Fri, 15th Feb 2008 8:05 pm
Bencard is not a paid agent of Arroyo even if he’s stubborn insistence on the rule of law makes him appear so.
Similarly, Benigno is not a agent of Arroyo. He is just a Filipino in search of a skin whitener.
Bert on Fri, 15th Feb 2008 8:19 pm
“If we want “competent†leaders, then we should vote competently.
If we want honesty in our leaders, then we should be honest about OURSELVES.
Truth be said: We deserve our leaders. They merely reflect the society they rule.–benigNo
Jezzh, what crap! The people voted competently and was cheated.
Dishonest leaders attract dishonest admirers and symphathizers.
Truth is, you deserves your leader, their rule reflects your views, hehehe.
Carl on Fri, 15th Feb 2008 8:22 pm
What a mess we’re in.
Sometimes I envy people who can be so moved by their conviction as to the supremacy of their perception. These are the people who will go to the rallies in the coming days.
Try as I might to form an honest conviction to support calling for changing this government, I just don’t find it in me. I am simply filled with doubt.
Because all these people who were calling Erap’s head to roll during Edsa 2 are the same people who are saying that we’ve actually gone worse with Gloria.
How do you trust a person peddling for change when after you buy their idea, they come back and say that what you bought was rotten?
UP n student on Fri, 15th Feb 2008 8:44 pm
Supremo says:
Unwillingness to accept government corruption is the proper position to take. Speaking out against government corruption makes perfect sense. Holding a demonstration against government corruption makes sense.
The Ca t on Fri, 15th Feb 2008 8:54 pm
hehehe
Anonymous on Fri, 15th Feb 2008 9:10 pm
Admin is boasting…
Kabayan on Fri, 15th Feb 2008 9:13 pm
February 15, 2008 – Makati Business District
A first step on the road to remove corruption and abuses in governance; got a bit tired in the protest but truly fulfilling. Let us not fall back into the illusion that because we were there that we can now forget the coming responsibilities and further steps to take. Darkness may withdraw for a moment but when they think it is “all clear” they go back to their old foul habits.
On another note, a decision was late in the coming but at least it came nonetheless, from the Inquirer.net dated today Feb. 15, 2007;
=================
Excerpt:
SC allows airing of ‘Garci’ tapes
High court votes 10-5
By Tetch Torres
MANILA, Philippines — The Supreme Court has voided an order by the National Telecommunications Commission prohibiting the airing of a wiretapped conversation between President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and a former elections commissioner over alleged plans to rig the elections in 2004.
Voting 10-5, the high court favored the playing of the “Hello Garci†tapes that recorded Arroyo talking to a male voice, who reports had identified as former Commission on Elections chairman Virgilio Garcillano, but which the poll official had denied.
“The writs of certiorari and prohibition are hereby issued, nullifying the official statements made by respondents [Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez and National Telecommunications Commission] on June 8 and 11, 2006 warning the media on airing the alleged wiretapped conversation between the President and other personalities, for constituting unconstitutional prior restraint on the exercise of freedom of speech and of the press,” the high court said.
“Any act done, such as a speech uttered, for and on behalf of the government in an official capacity is covered by the rule on prior restraint,” the high court said.
After the “Hello Garci†tapes were made public in 2005, Gonzalez warned reporters against the airing of these tapes. The NTC issued a similar warning and reminded broadcast media to observe the anti-wiretapping law.
“We rule that not every violation of a law will justify straitjacketing the exercise of freedom of speech and of the press…The totality of the injurious effects of the violation to private and public interest must be calibrated in light of the preferred status accorded by the Constitution and by related international covenants protecting freedom of speech and of the press…There is no showing that the feared violation of the anti-wiretapping law clearly endangers the national security of the State,” the high court said…
… Concurring with Chief Justice Reynato Puno in granting the petition were Senior Justice Leonardo A. Quisumbing, Justices Consuelo Ynares-Santiago, Angelina Sandoval-Gutierrez, Antonio T. Carpio, Ma. Alicia Austria-Martinez, Conchita Carpio Morales, Adolfo S. Azcuna, and Ruben T. Reyes.
Those who dissented were Justices Renato C. Corona, Minita V. Chico-Nazario, Antonio Eduardo B. Nachura, and Teresita J. Leonardo-De Castro.
Justices Gutierrez, Carpio, Azcuna, Nazario, and Nachura wrote separate opinions.
Justice Dante O. Tinga voted to grant Chavez’s petition insofar as Gonzalez’s warning was concerned, saying it constitutes “prior restraint. 
==========
Let us list down, put in file, study and remember the Justices who voted for or against this decision and see what their reasons are.
Civil society should be more pro-active nowadays and monitor the Justices themselves whether they are properly doing their job or not; or if they have become biased like the DOI. Are there villains or are there heroes, or are there shades of gray?
Many Filipinos have become lazy, taking things as they come, wanting things to fall in their lap in this age of instant gratification. It is time to critically analyze the events and the people involved.
This is our nation, we live in it; we as a people are responsible for what it is now and what it will become in the future. Be pro-active, be vigilant, support and spread the light and rail against the coming of the night. Your future, your children’s and grandchildren’s, is in your hands.
^^^^^^^^^^
“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step”
Bert on Fri, 15th Feb 2008 9:24 pm
“How do you trust a person peddling for change when after you buy their idea, they come back and say that what you bought was rotten?–Carl
Carl, you have to admire a peddler’s honesty. They come back to replace the rotten product, could be a good one this time, who knows. Better than ‘NO RETURN, NO EXCHANGE’.
UP n student on Fri, 15th Feb 2008 9:38 pm
..you have to admire a peddler’s honesty. They come back with :
– money back guarantee;
- trust me, I know what I am doing!!
or is it
– fool you once, shame on me; fool you twice… shame on you…
camry on Fri, 15th Feb 2008 9:43 pm
GMA’s non-attendance to the PMA homecoming in Baguio this weekend clearly shows that nobody is secured around military & police personnel anymore.
What will you tell to your elementary school child if she/he asks you why the Commander-in-Chief is not secured around her soldiers (Most of them are Officers of the AFP & PNP)?
UP n student on Fri, 15th Feb 2008 9:56 pm
freedom, liberty, license – the power or condition of acting without compulsion.
FREEDOM has a broad range of application from total absence of restraint to merely a sense of not being unduly hampered or frustrated {freedom of the press}. LIBERTY suggests release from former restraint or compulsion {the released prisoner had difficulty adjusting to his new liberty}.
LICENSE implies freedom specially granted or conceded and may connote an abuse of freedom {freedom without responsibility may degenerate into license}. {Why do some people equate being elected as a license to plunder? Your freedom to demonstrate does not give you license to trespass onto private property.}
———
Every so often, think about What are my responsibilities? when thinking about freedom.
vic on Fri, 15th Feb 2008 10:15 pm
Then after Freedoms and Rights also comes Privileges that have to be earned..like driving, permit to carry weapons, though it is never granted in our case, but in some instances, except as stated, all Freedoms and Rights are subject to limitations, limits that can be reasonably justified in a Free and Democratic Society..
And here’s another good examples, two recent rulings of the Court of Appeal: as law is law and mostly common sense and applicable in most Democratic Society, these may have some relevance Anywhere:
Allow the admission into evidence 35 kilos of cocaine found in an accused SUV as a result of unreasonable search, which the court (2-1 ruling) admitted violated the accused Charter Rights, but fall within Reasonable limits as to justify the action of the Police Officers for Public Safety..the same as allowing into evidence the discovery of a firearm in a schoolboy’s backpack as a result of the search in a vicinity where a suspect (not the accused) was reported to be nearby, which was a School…
supremo on Fri, 15th Feb 2008 10:58 pm
Pingkian,
You don’t know what you are talking about. I don’t know what you are talking about. Read MLQ3’s blog from the beginning before you agree with bencard and make a fool of yourself.
supremo on Fri, 15th Feb 2008 11:10 pm
hawaiianguy,
Marcos was lucky because he fled the country and died in exile. Erap was lucky because GMA pardoned him. Their luck empowered GMA to do what she is doing now. Sending GMA to the gallows might ‘moderate the greed’ of future leaders.
Mike on Fri, 15th Feb 2008 11:14 pm
One thing that struck me about the rally (I was there till almost 8 p.m.) was how widespread the anti-GMA sentiment is. The left, the youth, the Church, the workers, businessmen, farmers, urban poor, etc., were all represented–and some of these sectors are even allergic to each other. And to give the lie to the Palace line that attendance at these protests is waning, this has to be one of the best attended protests since (and possibly even including) those right after Hello, Garci broke in ‘05.
Now, it’s hard to extrapolate, but if the administration continues to practice its brand of governance, I think the odds are increasing that some new scandal (if not the current one) is going to exhaust the people’s patience. When all those sectors start to agree that something needs to be done, it is an indication that we are approaching a turning point. There is a limit to what the people will accept and if the government doesn’t make some drastic changes, that line will be crossed at some point.
supremo on Fri, 15th Feb 2008 11:19 pm
UP n student,
It is the responsibility of every Filipino to guard their freedom.
mang_kiko on Fri, 15th Feb 2008 11:27 pm
supremo, you may have freedom to live wherever you want but you need a permit (visa) to stay in another country. you may have freedom to pursue a career but you need a license to practice a profession. you may have freedom to own a car but you need a license to drive it. you may have freedom to own a gun but you need a permit to possess and carry it. got the drift?
Ibahin naman natin yon rights and privilege dito..ang manga Americano mayroon rights to bear arms at sabi daw no law shall be passed to violate that rights, pero kailangan kikitain nila ang privileheyo para maka dala nang baril para personal proteksyon, iba na man yon.. at iba naman yon bawat isa may roon freedom bumili nang kotse, pero ang pagmaniho privileheyo rin yon iho, kaya paghirapan mo rin yon, kaya intindihin and kaibahan nang Rights at Privileges…payo ni mang_kiko
magdiwang on Fri, 15th Feb 2008 11:44 pm
Where is the outraged??? Judging from the pathetic turnout at the Makati rally, it seems like people dont buy everything what is being hurled at the senate. I think the opposition set themseves up again for failure. Too much fanfare with nothing to show for.
supremo on Fri, 15th Feb 2008 11:44 pm
mang_kiko,
Just for the record bencard said that not me.
UP n student on Fri, 15th Feb 2008 11:47 pm
@supremo : While one may have to risk getting arrested for acts of civil disobedience or similar,
Yes… It is the responsibility of every Filipino to guard their freedom.
Kamote on Sat, 16th Feb 2008 12:14 am
[quote]
supremo :
hawaiianguy,
Marcos was lucky because he fled the country and died in exile. Erap was lucky because GMA pardoned him. Their luck empowered GMA to do what she is doing now. Sending GMA to the gallows might ‘moderate the greed’ of future leaders.
[/unquote]
No the people who are in EDSA were lucky. Marcos and Erap had balls to not to succumb from their General’s wishes to just kill everybody in that place. You can actually praise what they did. You can actually applaud them for not being bloodthirsty.
That’s a very big difference on what we have now.
The Ca t on Sat, 16th Feb 2008 12:43 am
if the
meeting between neri and ping lacson together with jamby and lozada himself happened in december then i can say that the public was
treated to the greatest performance of all times with lacson as director and jamby as the script writer.
why won’t neri just come out and expose whatever he wanted to expose. why is he using the best of both worlds. the protection of the government, his friend and the opposition.
so many behind the scenes that people would not believe them anymore.
mang_kiko on Sat, 16th Feb 2008 12:47 am
supremo, na quote ko ang statement nang kinaukolan, pero napasama ‘ta lahat pati comment ko.. alam naman nila kong sin-o sila at sila lang naka-alam kong sino sila.
Bencard on Sat, 16th Feb 2008 1:28 am
“how do you trust a person peddling for change when after you buy their idea, – Carl.
as ross perot once said, when you buy a used car, look under the hood. there may not be an engine, even though it looks sleek outside.
Pilipinoparin on Sat, 16th Feb 2008 2:05 am
Carl Said..”Because all these people who were calling Erap’s head to roll during Edsa 2 are the same people who are saying that we’ve actually gone worse with Gloria.
How do you trust a person peddling for change when after you buy their idea, they come back and say that what you bought was rotten?”
Eh natanso nga ang mga Pilipino ni Arroyo. Anong mabuting gawin? Humanap na iba hanggang makakita ng hindi tanso kundi ginto.
hawaiianguy on Sat, 16th Feb 2008 2:27 am
Kamote:
“You can actually applaud them [Marcos and Erap] for not being bloodthirsty. That’s a very big difference on what we have now.”
You’re correct. That’s when “power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely†(Lord Acton). Too much greed and too much power (including its passionate obsession) hang together. It makes a leader unhesitant to erase those who oppose them. When Gloria attains her goal to stay in power beyond 2010 (read her lips, and those rabid congressmen pushing for cha-cha), we may have another marcosian worse than Marcos and Erap combined.
Pilipinoparin on Sat, 16th Feb 2008 2:41 am
per Benard..”as ross perot once said, when you buy a used car, look under the hood. there may not be an engine, even though it looks sleek outside.”
Kaya naman patuloy ang paghahanap ng mga Pilipino ng kotse, ang mga kotseng nabili dati panay kalawangin pala. Ilang beses na silang natanso pero hindi pa rin sila maglulubay hanggang makakita ng tunay na tumatrabaho.
Pilipinoparin on Sat, 16th Feb 2008 3:04 am
quote:supremo, Hawiianguy,kanmote….
“No the people who are in EDSA were lucky. Marcos and Erap had balls to not to succumb from their General’s wishes to just kill everybody in that place. You can actually praise what they did. You can actually applaud them for not being bloodthirsty.
That’s a very big difference on what we have now.”
from inquirer…
MANILA, Philippines — The military on Friday beefed up its forces around Metro Manila, bringing in armored vehicles and light tanks from the provinces and placing two divisions up north on full alert in support of a commander in chief buffeted by fresh political scandals.
sabi nga, “Laban, eh di laban”
malala pa ngayon keysa METROCOM!
hawaiianguy on Sat, 16th Feb 2008 3:29 am
Pilipinoparin,
I hope those armored vehicles and light tanks won’t fire live ammos to the marchers mistaken for “destabilizers.”
When they do, yours and Kamote’s fears are sustained. Fortunately, they didn’t, for now.
That grim scenario may also become an invitation to Devils’s warning about the onset of another kind of “people power.” I hope not.
bogardo on Sat, 16th Feb 2008 3:45 am
In a time of universal deceit – telling the truth is a revolutionary act.- George Orwell
God bless Master Jedi Jun Lozada!!
UP n student on Sat, 16th Feb 2008 4:19 am
To Mike, who said :”One thing that struck me about the rally (I was there till almost 8 p.m.) was how widespread the anti-GMA sentiment is. The left, the youth, the Church, the workers, businessmen, farmers, urban poor, etc., were all represented–and some of these sectors are even allergic to each other.”
GMA will sense that the animosity against her has really gotten widespread to troublesome levels when rallies against her are simultaneously held in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao (or at least 5 different cities).
UP n student on Sat, 16th Feb 2008 4:28 am
To hold anti-corruption rally in 5 cities:
++ metro-Manila — a given
++ 4 other cities :
– target for 500 demonstrators per city
– 10 organizers (8 foot-soldiers + 2 leaders);
With funding for 2 weeks for 40 to 50, organizing simultaneous rallies across the islands should be achievable.
For the 4 cities, one can choose from Baguio, Los Banos, Davao, Cebu, GenSan, Naga. Aim for cities with large student populations.
UP n student on Sat, 16th Feb 2008 5:02 am
Mike: I am not saying that the anti-GMA sentiment is only strong in the NCR region.
What I am saying is this. Firstly (my quick and dirty calations show that) with P2Million, one should be able to organize simultaneous rallies across the islands.
So my point is that those who can drop P2million without batting an eyelash are NOT betting against GMA. Whether it is because the moneyed-elite are just too closely linked to GMA, that they are fearful of opening the Pandora’s box, or they are fearful-fearful, it appears those with cash to spare are preferring to wait for 2010. [Note: 10 upper-middle-class putting P200,000 each still gets to the 2-mil target.]
FOOTNOTE: Once you plunk down the two-mil, then you are committed, so two-mil now will have to be followed by a series of cash-expenditures in the P3Mil-per-event range.
Honasan really does not have that much money, does he?
Bencard on Sat, 16th Feb 2008 5:03 am
upn, i think only an individual, or group, with inexhaustible source of funds and gargantuan obsession for the spoils will undertake such a project. show the money and they will come, even for just rice and noodles. that is, if the “organizers/leaders” will not pocket it first.
besides, i think the promdis are not as bellyachers as their metro manila counterparts. they usually listen to their governors and mayors.
UP n student on Sat, 16th Feb 2008 5:05 am
And above-item shows why a 2-party system has its advantages. Dissipate the resources across 5 groups and the strongest of the 5 may still be weak.
Bencard on Sat, 16th Feb 2008 5:10 am
btw, 2 representatives for each sector to demonstrate would not amount to much. widespread, yes but substantial, no – not enough even to be noticed by the media.
UP n student on Sat, 16th Feb 2008 5:16 am
show the money, even for just rice and noodles, and they will come. Wave the placards, and the reporters and TV cameras will come.
But the opposition does not seem to be that well-organized yet — organized in a cold-blooded manner working with pesos, budgets, timelines, surveys, people-counts and forward teams.
And again, I am not in a position to say as to how strong the anti-GMA or anti-government sentiments are in the provinces. I know what Mang Isko will probably say, though.
mang_isko on Sat, 16th Feb 2008 7:19 am
…..magandang araw mga guys, wherever you are!
JMCastro on Sat, 16th Feb 2008 7:49 am
I didn’t pass by the rally yesterday, since I thought that the mass tomorrow in La Salle is more my thing.
Pero tuwang-tuwa ako sa balita ngayong umaga, na naging mapayapa ang lahat ng pangyayari. Pagkatapos kong basahin yung dyaryo kanina, nagsisisi ako dahil na-miss-out ko yung rally kahapon.
I attended a small protest with Fr. Reyes before, and he is one of the most peaceful, positive and colorful personalities who meets sacrifice and self-deprivation with a very happy face. I look forward to attending the next gatherings which will be led and organized by these people in the future.
Kabayan on Sat, 16th Feb 2008 9:00 am
Dark Army Rising
With Gloria’s continuing push for a zombie-like resurrection of Charter Change exposed several weeks ago, she has no choice but to admit “supporting” moves to rewrite the Constitution. As with all half-truths, we must also recognize the lie.
She said that she would not “spearhead” the Charter Change initiative; however, how many times in history does a general physically spearhead the attack of an army? A commanding general is nearly almost always at the rear or if in a forward position have a vanguard of crack bodyguards hacking a way through.
Beware of the twisted statement, while for most of us we can see the frontline of this Orcish horde led by Local Government Officials, rest assured that behind them issuing the orders is Emperor Palpakparin herself.
Of course the assertion of her Praetors that she is not interested in extending her term beyond 2010 is a flat faced lie. Not less a lie than Gloria a year or two ago was saying that Charter Change was “dead”. Her habit of lying then stabbing in the back is obviously showing.
Tactical movements toward the Charter Change objective have already started. JDV is out (though he is still self-deluded), Local Government orcs fired the opening salvo, and the latest is Gloria’s statement of “supporting moves” in rewriting the Constitution revealed by no less than herself to Reuters seal the devil’s pact.
As such, organizing must not only go on but must be expanded, the clear and present danger patiently explained, and more people mustered against the creeping army of darkness marching towards Charter Change. We must build this up in a steady yet strong growth, let us discard the “instant gratification” syndrome, learn from the lessons of the past and renew our push against the approaching army of darkness.
UP n student on Sat, 16th Feb 2008 9:29 am
from Randy David: Should bishops lead political actions?
Mita on Sat, 16th Feb 2008 9:57 am
It is a setback when we allow others, no matter what authority they think they have, to think and decide for us. We should be able to do that on our own. Until we can, we are just pawns in other people’s games.
The thing about it is, we are no longer a miserable colony. We are a sovereign nation and we have to hold ourselves responsible for our misery or happiness – no one else can be held accountable for it, not one person – we are all in the same boat. We have to accept the collective responsibility or suffer.
JMCastro on Sat, 16th Feb 2008 10:29 am
On Randy David’s column: but we all have to follow someone. In the light of a leadership vacuum here in the Philippines, who do we turn to?
The reason why I did not attend the rally yesterday is that I really don’t trust UNO the way it is right now. The primary players in UNO are the same people who I lost confidence in during the events leading up to Erap’s ouster (I was pleasantly surprised when the faces who led it yesterday were people I could trust).
I sincerely hope that the rally yesterday is the emergence of a third force in Philippine politics, the beginnings of a leadership which can represent true opposition against corruption and coercion in Philippine society.
mang_isko on Sat, 16th Feb 2008 10:47 am
why this such accusations of yours do not prosper and do not look nice to the people?
…because of the way they deliver it to the mass.
they are so “bastos” to ones personality. they do not respect ones personal self. they profess freedom and democrazy but they do not want to respect other’s freedom.
these actuation of theirs just reflect their “bad egg” in themselves.
….will you (those anti-personalities) please have some reflections? have yourselves some mirror.
mang_isko on Sat, 16th Feb 2008 10:50 am
jm, do not be bluff. they are still in the back ground!
they are just lurking. wanna bet?
Anonymous on Sat, 16th Feb 2008 11:29 am
Salamat sa mga paala-ala kahapon. Wala namang nabasagan ng ulo ano? Peaceful naman ang rally.
anthony scalia on Sat, 16th Feb 2008 2:17 pm
The best thing about the rally yesterday? No politicians!
Finally, some self-restraint from the “malapit-nang-kami-na” crowd!
anthony scalia on Sat, 16th Feb 2008 2:25 pm
UP n student,
“Every so often, think about What are my responsibilities? when thinking about freedom.”
yan ang wala sa mga Pinoy. puro freedom ang hinihingi, ayaw naman yung mga kaakibat na responsibilities.
kaya nga natatawa ako sa pangalang “Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility”. Ang media puro freedom lang ang gusto!
Oo nga pala: Media have the ‘responsibility’ to safeguard freedoms!
james on Sat, 16th Feb 2008 2:32 pm
so what did we see yesterday? the usual noisy few..
its about time these noisy few respect also the greater majority of people who just wanted to go on with their lives..
yes lets have charter change -federalism.. so that imperial manila can not impose on us their kind of logic
jude on Sat, 16th Feb 2008 2:59 pm
Based on what the evening news said last night, only about 9,000 people showed up at that much-hyped rally in Makati. And by 7:30 p.m., Julius Babao said that a good number of rallyists had already begun dispersing. People were bored perhaps? Hmmmmmm. Is Lozada’s 15 minutes of fame almost up?
justice league on Sat, 16th Feb 2008 3:15 pm
James,
Go ahead and discuss your proposal on Federalism. Maybe you dissertation would be enlightening.
BTW, in the previous proposed Charter Change; the Federalism option was bound within that same Charter (although in a somewhat sneaky approach).
If I remember right; Federalism was still going to be within the bounds of that parent Charter so it was if it was going to be through the workings of a law that will be crafted later.
The parent (proposed) Constitution would still have been the yardstick of whatever federalism was supposed to empower local units.
Mike on Sat, 16th Feb 2008 4:06 pm
It might have been naive for anyone to expect yesterday’s rally to be another People Power (although that would have been nice). However, I think we may be in the stage that the country was in after the assassination of Ninoy.
In those early years, people were starting to realize the need–and work up the nerve–to resist the tyranny of the Marcos regime. Although the crowd that attended the funeral of Ninoy was very large, rallies that followed were much smaller. Many were the voices that belittled the rallies, claiming they would not amount to anything and complaining that they were just causing trouble. However, had these rallies not reminded the people constantly of the nature of the Marcos regime, I doubt that People Power 1 would ever have happened.
It is in this light that I view yesterday’s rally as an excellent start. It is first gear. If, by its corruption, the GMA administration continues to stoke this engine of outrage, the gears will shift upwards, reducing inertia and making it easier for more people to act.
benign0 on Sat, 16th Feb 2008 4:06 pm
Well now. Yet another typically mediocre street circus has come and gone…
ramrod on Sat, 16th Feb 2008 4:10 pm
The problem with Bunye, et al is that they still believe or want us to believe that all this is the handiwork of the opposition or some opportunistic forces. They cannot believe in a genuine people power movement, and alam lang nila political skirmishes and deception, I pity them…
And as for those who want freedom but are not willing to work for it? Get off your lazy asses! You’ve been freeloading far too long you gutless, pitiful, spineless, bunch of cowards! Freedom with responsibility my ass! Work for it first! Then moderate it, talaga naman some lazy bastards will say anything to justify doing nothing.
benign0 on Sat, 16th Feb 2008 4:13 pm
Even if one does “something”, if it is not DIFFERENT from the other “somethings” done in the past, then how one earth can one expect a DIFFERENT outcome.
Kung panay ocho-ocho sa Ayala na lang ang alam natin, talagang hanggang ocho-ocho na lang talaga ang Pilipinas.
Mike on Sat, 16th Feb 2008 4:14 pm
Having said that, yesterday’s rally was a huge improvement over previous anti-GMA protests. The administration ignores it at its own peril.
John Christian Canda on Sat, 16th Feb 2008 4:17 pm
Ika nga ni Ka Totoy Talastás ay tanggapin na lang natin ang katotohanan na hindi magbibitiw sa Presidente Gloria at hintayin na lang natin ang eleksyon sa 2010. Ang tanging magagawa natin sa dalawang natitirang taon ni Gloria sa Malakanyang ay ang bantayin ang kanyang Administrasyon at katigan ang dapat katigan at batikusin ang dapat batikusin.
cvj on Sat, 16th Feb 2008 4:18 pm
Benign0, it matters that we do “something” together (i.e. in greater numbers) and with persistence. In EDSA and EDSA Dos, we may have had the numbers but once soon afterwards, we took our eye of the ball and retreated to our private lives. And then, we illogically blame the EDSAs instead of the apathy that followed for the abuses and injustices that we are witnessing. Remember that what has persisted since 2001 is apathy, not people power.
Mike on Sat, 16th Feb 2008 4:28 pm
Whether she steps down in 2010 remains to be seen. The scenario I’m seeing is that she will try to ram a parliamentary system down our throats and become prime minister for life.
But assuming she does step down, in the next two years, I’d rather join rallies to “moderate their greed” than to sit quietly and embolden them to secure their golden parachutes.
benign0 on Sat, 16th Feb 2008 5:21 pm
“Benign0, it matters that we do “something†together (i.e. in greater numbers) and with persistence”
You know what PRODUCTIVE persistence is?
(1) Working through the proper channels and doing so PERSISTENTLY through those channels.
(2) Persisting in CONSISTENTLY voting with our heads rather than with our ocho-ocho faculties.
(3) Persistenly holding ourselves to account for the characters we VOTE for.
Persistent street circuses, on the other had, merely become amusing when done often enough..
mlq3 on Sat, 16th Feb 2008 5:40 pm
when was the last time benign0 voted in a philippine election?
jude on Sat, 16th Feb 2008 5:57 pm
“However, I think we may be in the stage that the country was in after the assassination of Ninoy.”
To put things into perspective, economic conditions are much better at present than what they were when Ninoy was assassinated in 1983. At that time, the country was forced to declare a moratorium on its debts and the value of the Philippine peso plunged drastically to less than half of its value against the U.S. dollar. To defend the Peso, the Central Bank raised interest rates to as high as 50%. This triggered a severe recession, which lasted almost 4 years, and paved the way for mass discontent. The harsh economic conditions then prevailing provided an important element to the events leading to EDSA.
Then there was the mutiny of Enrile and Ramos, which brought in an armed element, and became the direct spark to EDSA.
So far, recent history has shown that rallies are ineffective unless two vital conditions are present:
One, is the existence of a tough economic environment.
Second, the presence of an armed component, primarily the Armed Forces, to tilt the balance of power.
Those conditions were present during EDSA. They were also present in EDSA II, since the country was still badly affected by the Asian financial crisis. During that crisis, which began in 1997, the Peso plummeted to 50% of its value against the U.S. dollar, reminiscent of 1983. The Peso dove from P25-$1 to P50-$1. The economic malaise lingered well into 2001. And yet, despite the tough economic situation, the final outcome was eventually decided only when the AFP withdrew its support from Erap.
I believe these to be very essential reasons to explain why, despite the political noise, people are reluctant to take action at the moment.
Nick on Sat, 16th Feb 2008 6:02 pm
Well done Manuel, excellent post. Analysis with passion.
ptt on Sat, 16th Feb 2008 6:20 pm
Here’s an idea for the revolutionary folks. Throw a couple of grenades at the crowd during the next rally. The administration will be blamed, emotions will flare, and the desired mass riots that will force the president to step down will follow.
cvj on Sat, 16th Feb 2008 6:22 pm
ptt, i think that statement reflects on how much you value human life.
Kabayan on Sat, 16th Feb 2008 6:32 pm
Hmm, I think he means working through the channels i.e. through untouchable cheats in COMELEC. The Garci scandal and Bedol issue as of yet is covered-up and unresolved… among many things.
The Equalizer on Sat, 16th Feb 2008 6:34 pm
Malacanang’s Dummy Guide to Handling Public Outrage
(OR How To Show It is in A State of PANIC!)
BAWAL MAGSIMBA Sa LASALLE!Cabinet members will be sacked!
NASAAN ANG EBIDENSIYA?Tanong ng palace spokesman(Dr.Golez)
TAKUTIN SILA NG MGA TANGKE!(military show of force)
IPADALA ANG BIR!(threat to Makati Business Club)
LAGYAN NG SPY CAMERA!
Kabayan on Sat, 16th Feb 2008 6:39 pm
Equalizer,
Tungkol sa camera sa La Salle; para daw sa pag-monitor ng traffic ang camera… Oo, pang monitor ng traffic ng mga pumapasok na oppositionist at civil society … sa tagal na nilang pakapal ng mukha, ngayon pa sila mahihiyang aminin.
benign0 on Sat, 16th Feb 2008 6:44 pm
I just saw these “rallies” on TV just this minute.
Supot naman e.
Tapos panay mga Gabriela and all these Laban ng Masa (or whatever [fill-in-the-blank]-ng-masa) leftist morons who have nothing better to do than indoctrinate and politicise otherwise benign student and social organisations.
JMCastro on Sat, 16th Feb 2008 6:48 pm
Jude:
I think we are already in a “tough economic environment”.
Nung pinapalabas yung commercial “Dama ko ang asenso”, parati kong tinatanong yung mga tao sa paligid ko lalo na kung ‘di ko kilala — dama mo ba talaga ang asenso? Only those with relatives abroad are coping well, and even they feel bad for relying too much on overseas remittance. Do you think these people feel really great when they are in a dependent condition to an “ate” or a “kuya” who is remitting money from abroad?
Just about the only cheerful people I see around are those working in call centers, and it’s hard work despite the pay — long, odd hours putting up with foreigners swearing at you over the phone. You lack sleep, you lack family time, and just about the primary thing you look forward to is the cold bottle of beer you enjoy after a long hard week. It’s not even stable work, since many of these people quit so as to eventually move on into different work, only to go back to doing call center work because it’s hard to find employment in other industries.
And this is all set in the backdrop of rising prices in goods, electricity, and oil.
In summary, you will have to look at what is behind the purported “economic gains” — those who are working in it are far from contented with their lot in life.
The Equalizer on Sat, 16th Feb 2008 6:54 pm
In these critical times, I often reread the words of the American poet Archibald Macleish:
“How shall freedom be defended? By arms when it is attacked by arms; by truth when it is attacked by lies; by democratic faith when it is attacked by authoritarian dogma. Always, and in the final act, by determination and faith.”
ace on Sat, 16th Feb 2008 6:56 pm
“Throw a couple of grenades at the crowd during the next rally” – ptt
You mean repeat what happened at Plaza Miranda,what a harebrained and gruesome idea.
The Equalizer on Sat, 16th Feb 2008 7:00 pm
ZTE GLOBAL SCANDALS:Not only in the Philippines!
GERMANY:Chinese Companies Face Computer Spy Scandal Fallout
INDIA: ZTE Security Risk
Sudan:ZTE quality scandal in Sudan
anthony scalia on Sat, 16th Feb 2008 7:15 pm
can there be a moratorium on pontifications/rhetorics on ‘freedom’ please?
is ‘freedom’ ever threatened in this ‘most democratic’ of all nations in Asia?
cvj on Sat, 16th Feb 2008 7:21 pm
Anthony, actually we are no longer the ‘most democratic’ nation in Asia. Other countries like South Korea have overtaken us.
anthony scalia on Sat, 16th Feb 2008 7:27 pm
speaking of reflections…
The Senators gung-ho in investigating what really is a dead project also reflect their priorities. The pending important bills can wait, pa-pogi muna for 2010.
Jackie on Sat, 16th Feb 2008 7:35 pm
Anthony Scalia,
If the senators are not investigating this ‘controversial’ NBN deal, who will investigate? Do you think wew can get a fair probe by the Dept of Injustice? Same with Ambotsman dept. We need the Senate to moderate these magnanakaw’s greed…
Phil Cruz on Sat, 16th Feb 2008 7:37 pm
Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez has today warned Cabinet members planning to attend the Mass organized by former President Corazon Aquino at La Salle Greenhills tomorrow that they would be sacked for doing so.
That only means one thing. Malacanang has gotten word that some Cabinet officials are planning to attend the Mass which could set off another chain of events leading to Arroyo’s downfall.
Now Raul Gonzales is threatening his peers?! Desperation and panic, indeed, Malacanang is in.
anthony scalia on Sat, 16th Feb 2008 7:39 pm
cvj,
South Korea is now the ‘most democratic’ according to a ’survey’. I have misgivings on quantifications of something qualitative like ‘freedom’.
Lets see South Korean media do what Pinoy media are doing, South Korean militants stage Pinoy-militant-style rallies round the clock, South Koreans attempt pocket ‘people power’ all year long, and watch how its government will react.
ace on Sat, 16th Feb 2008 7:42 pm
“The Senators gung-ho in investigating what really is a dead project” – anthony scalia
If I may ask, what came first, the senate investigation or the mothballing of the project?
The Ca t on Sat, 16th Feb 2008 7:47 pm
cvj on Sat, 16th Feb 2008 7:50 pm
Anthony, if you have “misgivings on quantifications of something qualitative like ‘freedom’“, then on what basis did you arrive at a conclusion that the Philippines is “the ‘most democratic’ of all nations in Asia“?
mang_isko on Sat, 16th Feb 2008 8:41 pm
scalia, you mean “most dramatic” in asia?
anthony scalia on Sat, 16th Feb 2008 8:59 pm
Jackie,
in theory, the Senate investigation is ‘in aid of legislation’. meaning, a new legislation will come out of the investigations. however, chances are, no new legislation will come out. a mere committee report will be the output, full of ‘recommendations’ whom to prosecute for what.
Senators are legislators, not investigators.
But Senators can be the complainants themselves. How come no one is doing it?
If the intent is to prosecute the wrongdoers, no Senate investigation is necessary. Anyone can initiate a case. The DOJ is just one avenue.
besides, the deal is dead. no government money was spent. at best, there was only an attempt.
yes yes the project was shelved last year only because of the scandal. if the NBN-ZTE deal would be the basis for prosecution, no crime is consummated. at best, there is only an attempt.
the earlier approval was not due to Abalos’ offer of P200M.
not to discount actual money flowing into the line department responsible for implementing the deal. but basing from the Senate testimonies alone, all Neri did was approve the project then ‘feel helpless’ as the line department implements the project
Lozada? At best he can only testify on the overpricing. The rest, though not necessarily hearsay, just amount to statements uttered by other people. In other words, Lozada can only attest that so-and-so uttered such-and-such. As for the truthfulness of the statements made by other people, more evidence is needed.
anthony scalia on Sat, 16th Feb 2008 9:07 pm
cvj,
based from writings of local media not identified nor perceived as Malacañang ‘paid hacks’ and also from observations of some foreign media. and based from my own observations of the ‘Asian Tigers’
if you’re looking for a quantified evaluation of ‘most democratic’ then i can’t give any.
Mita on Sat, 16th Feb 2008 9:08 pm
Why are you asking when Benigno last voted in Philippine elections? Did anyone ask that about anybody else who comments here?
I have to admit, I had misgivings about Benigno when I first encountered him in other blogs because of the online “persona” he took back then…but what he says actually makes a lot of sense even if you don’t agree. You get a better view from afar sometimes…that way, it’s valuable. And Benigno being Pinoy, it’s valid.
YEAH, can everyone please stop talking about FREEDOM like it was Martial Law all over again …sumobra nga ang freedom kaya umabot na ng ganito…
I lived through the first quarter storm right next to
UP-Diliman and then Martial Law as an impressionable kid – what we have now is NOT IT – so please let’s not talk about fighting for freedom, tapos na yung laban na yon – WE HAVE IT ALREADY.
ps. this appeal is just to get things on track…
anthony scalia on Sat, 16th Feb 2008 9:12 pm
ace,
the investigation came first, then the scrapping. i was talking about the ‘resurrected’ Senate ‘inquiry’ in ‘aid of legislation’, not the 2007 version. thats why i said ‘dead project’. when the 2007 investigations were ongoing, the deal was about to be actually implemented.
ace on Sat, 16th Feb 2008 10:10 pm
anthony,
I think, the term “resurrected” is a misnomer since the investigation was not yet finished, it never was considered “dead”, the hearings were deferred due to the conference attended last year by some senators abroad and the Senate recess (christmas break) and besides your “2007 version” complicates the issue since it connotes that there are two versions (2007 version and the 2008 version) but the crux of the matter is that there is only one unfinished NBN-ZTE inquiry/investigation.
Since the issue that you raise are the priorities of the Senate, it is incumbent upon the senators to finish the inquiry that they have started and on the other hand tackle the priority bills that are pending. I think the issue here is proper docketing of these priorities.
mang_isko on Sat, 16th Feb 2008 10:26 pm
parang mga addicted yata ‘tong mga maka-commun(ist)al action. they are dreaming again of another people power. sawa na po ang mga tao. pag-asenso at kabuhayan na lang ang ating atupagin.
kapag kayo na ang nasa kapangyarihan kawawa ang pilipinas at kayo-kayo rin ang magpapatayan.
akala nyo ba matatahimik ang pilipinas? hindi ah!
kaya maghintay-hintay kayo sa 2010. wag nyong sunugin ang nag-iisang bahay natin.
cvj on Sat, 16th Feb 2008 10:29 pm
Si Mang Isko naman, pinatatamaan si ptt.
mang_isko on Sat, 16th Feb 2008 10:42 pm
masakit man itong dinggin pero kailangang sabihin.
ang magdadasal sa la salle bukas ay 100% ay may maling budhi laban sa kanyang kapwa. may ini-expect sila na gustong mangyari. wag na tayong magmaangmaangan. papasok pa lang kayo sa dasalan, basa na ng DIYOS ang mga laman ng mga puso at utak ninyo.
diringgin ba yan ng DIYOS?
hayyy….naku. kung ako kayo di na ako magdarasal diyan.
NAKAKAHIYA sa DIYOS.
para bagang minamanipula natin SIYA.
cvj on Sat, 16th Feb 2008 10:55 pm
Iyan ang ‘most dramatic’.
Bencard on Sat, 16th Feb 2008 11:15 pm
san-ayon ako diyan mang_isko. napakasakit isipin na ilan sa ating mga kababayan ay walang pakundangang ginagamit ang Diyos at relihion para sa kanilang makamundong hangarin. itong mga pare at obispo na mahilig sumawsaw sa pulitika at pamamahala ang siyang sumisira ng paniniwala sa simbahang pangkalahatan. hindi ba nila naiisip na kaya pinaghiwalay ng ating konstitusion ang gobierno at simbahan ay upang maiwasan ang ganitong panghihimasok. talagang mahirap maalis and mga pagu-ugaling padre damaso sa ating lipunan.
ito namang si cory, dapa’t yata mag-madre. alam natin kong ano ang nasa puso’t isip niya sa pagpa-padaos ng ganitong misa. sa tuwing isama niya ang kanyang pangalan sa mga kilusang pagpapatalsik sa pangulo, lumiliit ang kanyang impluensiya sa aking paningin. mabuti pa seguro, manahimik na lang siya para hindi na mabahiran pa ang ala-ala ng kanyang administrasion at ang pagkabayani ng kanyang yumaong butihing asawa.
mang_isko on Sat, 16th Feb 2008 11:36 pm
“mabuti pa seguro, manahimik na lang siya para hindi na mabahiran pa ang ala-ala ng kanyang administrasion. . .”
nabahiran na ben. yong infamous na “Kamag-anak Inc.”, yong massacre sa mendiola nangyari sa admin nya hindi lang alam ng tao kung bakit humantong sa ganyang pangyayari. at katawa-tawa pa kung nagra-rally nga militante isinisisi pa kay gloria ang mga ito.
wika nga: ang isang kasinungalingan na palaging sinasambit na isang katotohanan sa huli nagiging totoo sa pag-iisip ng iilan.
dyan sila magaling! hehehe
Madonna on Sun, 17th Feb 2008 1:33 am
Tell THAT to the people who voted for Trillianes.
Benigno,
I may not have voted for Trillanes myself, but the fact is he was voted into office by sufficient number of people enough to win a Senate seat. That is just how democracy works and the will of the people has to be respected.
And fyi, mate, as for your ass esconced in Australia I don’t give a damn who you personally vote for into office there.
And please cut the crap — stop using “we” (Filipinos) in your statements because obviously there is no you in “we”.
Mike on Sun, 17th Feb 2008 1:39 am
Actually, I’d go even as far as to say that the second is the critical requirement. If the military doesn’t withdraw support, the best that civil society can do is bring things to a standstill.
Having said that, I believe that People Power isn’t an overnight thing: these rallies are there, on one hand, to provide an outlet for people to express their anger with the Arroyo administration, and on the other hand, to remind those whose patience is running out that if they decide to act, they will not be alone. And the longer the administration continues its Mafia-like governance, the higher the likelihood of people’s patience running out.
And as for your tough economic environment, that may not be very far off, what with the weak dollar increasing the burdens of OFWs and an imminent US recession.
hvrds on Sun, 17th Feb 2008 1:41 am
The real truth about Cardinal Sin’s actions in Edsa I was in direct contrast of his critical collaboration with marcos in theealry years of martial law.
He set into motion the split in the church which led to the politization of the heirarchy of the church from the base. Priests and nuns became openly lefitist and joined the struggle vs. Marcos. Bishop Fortich became the symbol of the church’s struggle vs. Marcos. Those nuns that came out during Edsa I and all the religious congregations that supported the insurgency vs. marcos came out in open. Cardinal Sin was head of the largest archdiocese – Manila. The religious orders generally supported the struggle. The top supported the government.
in then end to prevent the outbreak of violence cardinal son gavethe order to all parish priests in Manila to lead their congregations. The people were already ready for the call. theeconomic conditions and the killing of Ninoy had created the drought that expanded from the spark set up by the military mutiny.
It was only B. Aquinos’ group and few activists who went to Edsa. Marcos could have easily crushed the mutiny. Sin’s call galvanized the organized forces within the Church that was already heavily politicized and you had the perfect recipefor the mass movement to gell. When businessman saw it gelling they pured the funds necessary to keep it going.
It was the activist church that Sin inadvertently created with his collaboration with Marcos that eventually with the progressive blocs cretaed Edsa I.
Naturally Sin and Cory the symbols of the movement became the heroes. The hundreds of named and unamed people were forgotten who were killed and disappeared.
The so called revolution simply became the channging of the guard to the keys of the treasury in the Palace.
The state went back to its usual model of cannibalizing its own citizens.
The left devoured itself and today it has become almost a non-entity.
Mike on Sun, 17th Feb 2008 1:48 am
I forgot to include in my last post:
But if civil society does in fact bring things to a standstill, that situation does not last long–you see either an EDSA 1/EDSA 2, or a Tiananmen Square.
mlq3 on Sun, 17th Feb 2008 2:02 am
re: the senate. oversight. oversight. oversight. oversight. oversight.
re: “you have freedom,” and “it’s not like martial law, i remember martial law.” it’s never reenacted in exactly the same manner and it can (and by necessity) will be different the next time around in its particulars but the intent can remain the same or be even worse. in certain ways marcos was more liberal, this government more restrictive, in other ways marcos was more restrictive and this government more liberal. but so what? the net effect is the same and even worse the next time around.
ramrod on Sun, 17th Feb 2008 2:13 am
benigno,
Mediocrity is the result of an absence of PASSION. I can easily spot people who have potential or not – I look for the fire inside. You’ll be surprised how many activists are really achievers, they are not so embroiled in their own problems of survival because they are not on survival mode – they have the time, the resources, and the heart to think about others.
Bencard on Sun, 17th Feb 2008 2:13 am
with mlq3’s permission, let me try to reach out to all my co-bicolanos in this blog, whether or not in agreement with my political views, to support the modernization of the southrail project of the gma administration. of course, i also solicit the help of all open-minded non-bicolanos who are willing to set aside their political persuasions for the welfare of the country.
the bicol region is truly a land of promise. the beauty of its countrysides, the richness of its natural resources, the vibrancy of its cities, and the natural friendliness of its people need no further elaborate description. it’s pure gem waiting to be set in gold.
as a little boy, i remember traveling by train with my family from iconic tutuban station all the way to sorsogon. train travel was reliable, comfortable, safe and affordable.
pilipinoparin on Sun, 17th Feb 2008 3:00 am
Scalia…”besides, the deal is dead. no government money was spent. at best, there was only an attempt.
yes yes the project was shelved last year only because of the scandal. if the NBN-ZTE deal would be the basis for prosecution, no crime is consummated. at best, there is only an attempt.”
I’m not a lawyer, but how do you explain attempted murder, attempted robbery, etc? Attempted corruption has entirely different implications? Just asking.
Geo on Sun, 17th Feb 2008 3:22 am
Every day that this nation survives as a nation…is a beautiful thing…..
kimosabe27 on Sun, 17th Feb 2008 3:34 am
Let me be upfront.
GMA’s southrail project should be abandoned and a more transparent, more comprehensive southrail project should be implemented (of course after the diminutive kleptomaniac is already rotting behind bars!) As a Bicolano growing up riding the economy class from Camarines Sur to Manila, I have been a witness to the deterioration due to the rabid corruption at the PNR. Stop the thievery first! Everything else is wishful thinking
Bicolandia is not only renowned for its scenic beauty. It is also famed for its “oragon” dissident culture.
grd on Sun, 17th Feb 2008 3:52 am
dapat mabisita rin nila ang blog ni mlq3 para matauhan.
Bencard on Sun, 17th Feb 2008 4:04 am
“it is also famed for its “oragon” dissident culture.” kimosabe27.
so, where is bicol now as a region? except for moderately progressive camarines sur (my birth province), bicol is a vast, economically depressed, territory despite its rich gold and iron mines, fishing grounds, geothermal power sources, copra and hemp. it has never produced a president compared to ilocos (2) and mere provinces like pampanga (2) tayabas (1) zambales (1), bohol (1), capiz (1), pangasinan (1) and tarlac (1). i don’t think we can advance by just being contentious or “oragon”. we also have to be smart.
a lot of good opportunities are lost by too much obsession with politics and divisiveness. what more comprehensive project are you talking about? it so happened that this “diminutive kleptomaniac” you so despise is the only one who has taken interest, and has present ability, to make things happen in a positive way for all bicolanos (including those who hate her).
Bencard on Sun, 17th Feb 2008 4:08 am
btw, i don’t think we even had a bicolano senator until edmundo cea who won under magsaysay’s ticket, which swept the senatorial election in 1954.
Bencard on Sun, 17th Feb 2008 4:25 am
btw #2, the deterioration of MRR (bicol) started during the marcos regime and became worst under cory when squatting along the railroad and thievery of railroad ties and iron rails became more rampant. in 1961 (under macapagal) the “bicol express” was still generally clean and running on schedule on a railway system largely unimpeded by squatters.
hawaiianguy on Sun, 17th Feb 2008 4:28 am
kimosabe27: “GMA’s southrail project should be abandoned and a more transparent, more comprehensive southrail project should be implemented..”
How about the northrail project? It is also as tainted, if Enrile is to be believed. He accused JoeDV for “meddling” and justifying that “it is good for the country.”
For me, the NBN-ZTE deal is just the tip of an iceberg. Maybe the greed in those two (or three) other projects has just been “moderated.”
mlq3 on Sun, 17th Feb 2008 5:28 am
bencard, from 1916-1934 the bicol region was included in the senatorial districts. see the sixth senatorial district list here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Senatorial_districts_of_the_Philippines
the first nationally-elected senate ticket to win in 1941 was geographically balanced: In that election, twenty-four senators were elected to fill the restored senate: Antonio de las Alas, from Batangas; Aluyao Alonto from Mindanao; Melencio Arranz; Nicolas Buendia (of Buendia Ave. fame); Mariano Jesus Cuenco of Cebu; Ramon Fernandez,; Carlos P. Garcia, from Bohol; Pedro Hernaez; Domingo Imperial from Bicol; Vicente Madrigal from Bicol; Daniel Maramba from the Ilocos; Rafael Martinez from Leyte; Jose Ozamis (later killed by the Japanese and after whom Ozamis city was named); Quintin Paredes of the Ilocos; Elpidio Quirino, from the Ilocos; Vicente Rama; Esteban de la Rama; Claro M. Recto; Eulogio “Amang†Rodriguez; Manuel Roxas of Capiz; Emiliano Tria Tirona; Proceso Sebastian, also Ilocano; Ramon Torres; and Jose Yulo of Negros. Imperial and Madrigal, I believe, were both re-elected after rhe war, too.
Bencard on Sun, 17th Feb 2008 7:23 am
mlq3, thanks for the heads up. much obliged. was’nt pacita madrigal-warns, a bicolana, also elected under rm’s ticket, the first lady senator of the philippines?
correction to my previous post: cebu also had one president (osmena), albeit a successor to president quezon, and who lost re-election to roxas.
Mita on Sun, 17th Feb 2008 7:30 am
mlq3,
yes it CAN be but right now it IS NOT or we won’t have Pinoy bloggers and the Inquirer would be shut down….and your hair would be long again…
yes, we should GUARD our freedom…with our lives when necessary…this is not the time. This is the time to fight corruption, we have different ways of approaching it perhaps, but the focus has to be right or nothing is going to be achieved.
Kabayan on Sun, 17th Feb 2008 7:32 am
A gathering and a mass today Sunday, February 17, 2008, 10 AM La Salle Greenhills Mass for Jun Lozada and family called by Pres. Cory Aquino and La Salle Brothers.
For those who see that newly Arroyo installed CCTV “traffic” camera in front of the La Salle gate, give it a holler and a *?#0^%” sign.
Steady as it goes guys and gals
BTW don’t forget the Northrail project that Gloria had rushed to sign (after the collapse of the ZTE deal).If corruption reports are true, then the spoils of that transaction has likely been already divided and feasted upon. The list grows longer.
Bencard on Sun, 17th Feb 2008 8:00 am
hah, leave it to pinoy to keep shooting himself on the foot. is there anything that can be accomplished without a concerted effort to undermine it through allegations of scandal? who would ever take the initiative if he/she knew he/she would be torpedoed by all kinds of suspicions, accusations and allegations of wrongdoing?
it’s time the filipino should become more discerning, not only to real acts of corruption, but also to ill-motivated, bad-faith accusations of it that are never substantiated but are nevertheless damaging to the nation. otherwise, we will just be marching in place without moving an inch or go as far as a stationary bicycle could take us – to nowhere!
Kabayan on Sun, 17th Feb 2008 8:07 am
Keep the fire going, make it a steady sustained effort. Patience … harbor no expectations of “instant noodle” victory. Let us degrade and ultimately remove corruption from our midst.
hvrds on Sun, 17th Feb 2008 9:34 am
The good news is that the Ombudsman , the permanent special prosecutorial agency created to go after corrupt government offcials will start an inestigation into the ZTE affair.
The bad news is that this will be a complete PR offensive to clear the government. So the show moves to the Office of the Ombusman.
In every investigation of government malfeasance I can remember is the Special Prosecutor will subpeona all the documentation in the affair to include phone records, bank accounts, contracts mail and e-mail. Even ZTE, the private corporation which has established a representative office, here will be subject to the investigation and subpeonas.
Another issue is the budget to undertake the investigation. During the Erap impeachment the call went out to volunteer lawyers to come in and go over the evidence gathered.
Even the NEDA records will have to be subpeonaed.
No one can bring up issues of nationalsecurity on this issue as this is strictly a commercial contract between governments that is open to scrutiny.
Nixon was never found guilty no evidence was ever found to show that it was he who ordered the burglary but evidence came out later that he was caught obstructing justice. Libby recntly was sentenced for also simply lying to the investigators.
Just like Big Al, they got him for tax evasion and not for murder or drug running.
Does this office have the balls to do the job? Not very likely but we can pray to be surprised.
After all miracles do happen. Mannings pass to David Tyree in the dying seconds of the last Super Bowl entered the NY Giants historical folklore.
From the jaws of defeat they pulled out a victory. Millions saw a Hail Mary pass completed proving that all things come to those who are committed. Even in the darkest times of facing defeat against an undefeated champion they pulled it out.
The rule of law is a strong division of labor to complete the entire process of law enforcement. Will the state be up to it?
benign0 on Sun, 17th Feb 2008 10:05 am
“And please cut the crap — stop using “we†(Filipinos) in your statements because obviously there is no you in “weâ€.” — Madonna
Tough luck, Ms Madonna. I don’t think Cardinal Sin crowned you Queen of the Philippines to give you the authority to determine who is and who isn’t “Filipino”.
And besides, think of what you are saying next time some Fil-Am (US citizen) achieves something in the U.S. and then gets celebrated in the next ‘Bandila’ program in their “Astig” segment. You’ll see a lot of “we”s being mentioned.
That’s yet another case of Pinoys “shooting themselves on the foot” as the esteemed Bencard would put it.
benign0 on Sun, 17th Feb 2008 10:11 am
“Keep the fire going, make it a steady sustained effort. Patience … harbor no expectations of “instant noodle†victory” — Kabayan
Funny you should mention that. Instant noodles pretty much epitomise the pathos of Pinoys today.
(1) Instant noodles are the food of choice for those who merely stumble from one meal to another.
(2) A diet of instant noodles is a slow poisoning. You scrimp on healthy meals by feasting on this stuff everyday for years only to be slugged by huge medical bills later in life. (Kind of like our addiction to street rallies — slow social poisoning and a gradual descent to global laughingstock status of Pinoy society)
(3) Instant noodles are big business. Too bad some lowlifes here hate the owners of these businesses so much.
And by the way, you said “stady sustained effort”.
May I ask: Steady and sustained effort on WHAT exactly?
jude on Sun, 17th Feb 2008 10:37 am
“And as for your tough economic environment, that may not be very far off, what with the weak dollar increasing the burdens of OFWs and an imminent US recession.”
While the effects of the subprime mess in the U.S. could well affect Asia further on, that still remains to be seen. Economic trends are being closely watched on a monthly and quarterly basis. Based on data from the last quarter of 2007, Asia has remained quite resilient. China, for example, has retained it’s breakneck speed of growth even up to the end of 2007. And, as economic statistics have revealed, the Philippines continued to grow at a surprisingly strong pace well to the end of 2007.
There will always be naysayers who will squabble about the fact that economic conditions have been pretty good in the past few years. But nitpick all they want, the fact remains that, overall, the nation isn’t unsatisfied with the economy. And that remains the reason why, despite the political noise, people are reluctant to take drastic action.
It is anticipated, however, that Asia will not sustain this kind of growth in 2008, although it is still expected to be at a respectable pace. The subprime crisis still hasn’t peaked and the extent of the fallout is difficult to forecast. Nobody has a crystal ball, not even Ben Bernanke and his slew of economists. So the best economic forecasts are still only calculations and educated guesses.
Waiting for the outcome of this financial crisis are camps of “optimists†and “pessimistsâ€. It won’t be surprising at all that there will be a number of rabid oppositionists who will be wishing the worst for our country. They will be praying very hard that the U.S. subprime crisis engulfs the Philippines and brings down its economy. Misery loves company and it is to their interest to see people unhappy so that they will join their ranks.
ramrod on Sun, 17th Feb 2008 10:49 am
There’s a pattern everytime these GMA dogs speak, they always harp on “40 years na as a lawyer, businessman, etc., inalagaan ang pangalan…†always, nagmamalinis. I have always been suspicious of people who appear and sound “holier than thou†– mostly they have trouble even convincing themselves they are.
People who have reached for their dreams passionately have at least been dirty at one point in their lives, I’m not at all innocent of corruption myself – we are put in an environment where our orientation is one of compromise, we all go through the same test, most of us fail, but then we accept the truth and change. Evolution did not happen overnight, but at least change starts with coming to terms with the truth. Abalos, Atienza, Asperon, Arroyo, names they say they kept clean, how, by making sure they weren’t caught? Thats the problem with the country nowadays, too many people are concerned with legality they can get away scot free with anything as long as its legal – never mind if its the truth or not. Legal = Truth?
Most of us can relate with Lozada, we don’t say we are better or cleaner or holier than anyone else, we’re just ordinary imperfect people, we make mistakes but the difference is, unlike some – we don’t make a career out of it.
james on Sun, 17th Feb 2008 10:54 am
I would only care if Lozada would also reveal the ‘permissible’transactions he has done. How much share he has gotten from the mulitple “permissible 60 million’ transactions.
How much of his wealth now belongs to the tax payers?
After enriching himself with these ‘permissible 60 million’ he’s out to save his own skin !
He’s no hero!! they way he calls his assistant at first forest ‘hudas’ for giving the authorities papers needed for investigation characterizes this man. Maybe atienza can call him hudas also.
ramrod on Sun, 17th Feb 2008 11:02 am
For people who are directly involved in the business of th economy, we are still bullish about it. The economy will pull through INSPITE of an idiotic president and equally money-grabbing government officials.
The Philippines, owing to its slow response to everything, technology, investments, speculation, etc. is experiencing a delayed manifestation of symptoms. Unfortunately, thanks to people who are involved, we are going to get through any crisis. Political awareness doesn’t mean miserable people spreading misery, it means putting a stop to corruption, calling a spade a spade, transparency, accountability, making sure the money is spent wisely.
So what are these jokers like benigno, jude, et al talking about? If the money that goes through your offices or are approved with your signature breaks the 3B barrier in year – maybe, we should listen to you, if not, shut up, you’re just a bunch of wannabes na wala namang sinabi actually, or worst, somebody paid you to act this way? Shame on you. Get a job guys and help out with the economy, talk is cheap and so are you obviously.
ramrod on Sun, 17th Feb 2008 11:19 am
“He’s no hero!! they way he calls his assistant at first forest ‘hudas’ for giving the authorities papers needed for investigation characterizes this man. Maybe atienza can call him hudas also.” – james
So, whats you’re point? Maybe Lozada can just clam up and enjoy life anyway pare-pareho lang naman sila?
Come on Abalos este James, you can do better than that!
Bencard on Sun, 17th Feb 2008 11:21 am
mukhang nababoy na naman ang usapan. ano ito? personalan na naman. hirap sa ibang pinoy, walang alam kundi mangatake ng personal. nagsesermon pa, na akala mo may autoridad. tsupe!
Danielle on Sun, 17th Feb 2008 12:38 pm
I was disappointed when Lozada called his colleague a “judas” because you can’t really blame the guy for turning over the documents to the very enthusiastic NBI officers.
I am curious to find out if there were any government officials attending the Mass at La Salle. Did Secretary Gonzales get wind that there were going to be some Cabinet members attending. Is that why he issued that warning?
John Christian Canda on Sun, 17th Feb 2008 12:51 pm
Lozada’s accusations may be true or may not be true, but the problem is that the Genuine Opportunists are taking him for a ride.
Abe N. Margallo on Sun, 17th Feb 2008 12:58 pm
When businessman saw (the movement) gelling they poured the funds necessary to keep it going.
It was the activist church that Sin inadvertently created with his collaboration with Marcos that eventually with the progressive blocs created Edsa I.
Naturally Sin and Cory the symbols of the movement became the heroes. The hundreds of named and unnamed people were forgotten who were killed and disappeared.
The so-called revolution simply became the changing of the guard to the keys of the treasury in the Palace.
The state went back to its usual model of cannibalizing its own citizens. hvrds
EDSA I (or People Power I) had a limited goal: to end the Marcos dictatorship that had essentially dismantled the traditional inner circles, the “old money†elites. The new trustee, Cory Aquino, thus represented the restoration of the old power. But the rise of Joseph “Erap†Estrada, a Marcos lieutenant, and of the “Binondo intsik behos†threatened anew the old elite power structures. The command center could not possibly permit an “outsider†to wield too much political power or for Erap’s midnight buddies to consolidate considerable economic power. Hence, through the media of mass communication the higher circle controls, the demonization of Erap: sugarol, babaero, lasengero at bobo. Consequently, Erap was ousted from the presidency by the EDSA II stratagem of “withdrawal of support†and “constructive resignation.â€
Make no mistake about it: during both EDSAs people power and elite power rode upon each other’s back, with the latter keeping as expected the reins of the command center. There’s one notable contrast. Whereas Cory Aquino of EDSA I, at the inception of her administration, was open to wider spectrum of meaningful reforms, GMA of EDSA II was quick to announce on the first day of office her deep-rotted conservative agenda: conserve the system for the “market-dominant minority†of economic elites.
Necessarily a part of a larger problem, Arroyo is not the economist she claims to be who sees a problematic political economy she is willing to solve. She comes out first and foremost a politician adroitly capable of being Marcosian sans martial law, prematurely thrust into power as the elites best wager to protect their interests and power structures. Now, as Arroyo shows signs of waning, the elites are again ready to double-bet on the People Power III crowd, hoping to package a surrogate as the people’s next champion.
Kabayan on Sun, 17th Feb 2008 1:39 pm
My only comment in the La Salle mass was the venue was just too small, it can only accommodate several thousand people.
Oh well, next step … organize, consolidate and ******. I guess this will be the last time I shall have to post suggested operational details. And of course not to forget a more important step, consolidate a list of “renowned” people who now start joining in. True enough, we cannot allow criminals in government and the corrupt to be part of us again.
ptt on Sun, 17th Feb 2008 1:56 pm
“If the money that goes through your offices or are approved with your signature breaks the 3B barrier in year – maybe, we should listen to you, if not, shut up, you’re just a bunch of wannabes na wala namang sinabi…Ramrod”
Wow!! You the man! napaka bigat mo pala! hanep! ang galing mo! idol kita bossing!! (That’s what you want to hear right) Lead us, all mighty Ramrod. Maybe the grenade idea will fix non believers.
anthony scalia on Sun, 17th Feb 2008 2:26 pm
ace,
the ‘dead’ refers to the NBN-ZTE project.
you know why ‘resurrected’ is the most apt term? the Senate ran out of witnesses, until the supposed ’star witness’ surfaced.
at the end of the day, Lozada isnt a start witness, but at best a corroborative witness. his only claim to glory is being at the receiving end of an abduction
as to prioritizing – the Senate has shown it isnt good at prioritizing
as to ‘complicating the situation’ – the first investigations were made in 2007, right? No Lozada yet. Gloria pulled the plug. No more new witnesses. The repeated testimonies of Neri and JDV3 were no longer novel to be given front page headlines.
then came Lozada, and another round of investigations were began this year 2008, and media have another front page material
cvj on Sun, 17th Feb 2008 3:14 pm
Anthony, as the others have already said, the cancellation of the 329 Million USD loan that would have been passed on to the Filipino people is a tangible achievement of the Senate investigations. (That’s a lot of lechon manoks.) However, the investigations have to continue because the NBN-ZTE type of deal is by no means a one-off event. It is just part of systematic plunder by those in power. This kind of plunder is the worst kind because it mortgages our future to a foreign power to whom we have to repay these loans. Not only is this corruption, it is also treason. Surely that merits the attention of our representatives over and above some business-as-usual piece of legislation.
DevilsAdvc8 on Sun, 17th Feb 2008 3:32 pm
(emphasis mine)
pucha. this has gotta be the most quotable quote ever!
ramrod, you rock!
Bert on Sun, 17th Feb 2008 3:48 pm
“as a little boy, i remember traveling by train with my family from iconic tutuban station all the way to sorsogon. train travel was reliable, comfortable, safe and affordable.–Bencard
Ben, oragon ka nanggad! The railroad from Tutuban to Bicol is up to Legaspi only. Sorsogon is far, far, farther, and hours away by car from Legaspi over mountainous road. The train you travelled in could be the maglev airborne train which I have yet to see in all my years of travel on the same route. Or, unless I was not born yet when you did your travel. If it’s the maglev train, sure it’s comfortable.
Mike on Sun, 17th Feb 2008 4:24 pm
CVJ: Don’t forget to mention that the NBN project was transformed from Build-Operate-Transfer – which would not have cost the government anything – to an outright loan for $329 million. This mysterious violation of the government’s own policy by itself already stinks to high heavens, and lends credence to the allegations of massive kickbacks.
Bert on Sun, 17th Feb 2008 4:29 pm
“Most of us can relate with Lozada, we don’t say we are better or cleaner or holier than anyone else, we’re just ordinary imperfect people, we make mistakes but the difference is, unlike some – we don’t make a career out of it.”
Come on, ramrod, don’t be coy, what you mean is, we don’t feed our children with the product of our immoderated greed, that correct?
cvj on Sun, 17th Feb 2008 4:39 pm
Mike, thanks for pointing that out. (I mentioned the same over at Smoke’s blog.) I think that’s where the treasonous aspect comes in. It is in China’s economic and geopolitical interest to saddle us with a loan. They currently have too much dollars in their treasury and they are looking for other investments besides US Treasury bills. As they are doing in Africa, they are also looking for ways to project their newly acquired economic power. Those in our government, who are suppose to work for our country’s interest, have chosen to uphold China’s interest instead.
grd on Sun, 17th Feb 2008 4:43 pm
like jdv? oh yeah, his now with the opposition, right?
cvj on Sun, 17th Feb 2008 4:48 pm
grd, as with JDV, even you are welcome to join the Opposition. it’s for a good cause
anon on Sun, 17th Feb 2008 4:50 pm
Let us find in ourselves
The bits of heroes
The faults and fears
The humor and honesty
And the guts to speak
When it matters most
Let us find in ourselves
The bits of jun lozada
So we may stand
With dignity and honor
Once more
Jeg on Sun, 17th Feb 2008 5:06 pm
The ‘opposition’ is one of those Filipinisms that I still dont get and I dont think Ive ever used it (except to make fun of the word). It’s an attempt at reductionism. Those opposed to GMA’s regime arent a monolithic block. In fact, when we succeed in forcing GMA to resign (for her own good and for the good of her own soul — I hope she sees that), we better prepare for the ‘Opposition’s’ fragmenting back into its component parts. We better prepare for victory, as Jose Rizal said. Winning the peace is more difficult than winning the war.
JMCastro on Sun, 17th Feb 2008 5:14 pm
“If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles.” — Sun Tzu
Ramrod just gave us a peak at how the big boys think. If you cannot look at the interplay of personalities, trends and external factors in relation to the whole of Philippine society, you’ll just end up the same as those generals and politicians who use bureaucrats, lawyers and technocrats to come up with “scenarios” to achieve their self-serving goals.
Lozada placed himself in the middle of these forces, hoping to ride it out towards an outcome favorable to his own conscience. He fought a hell of a fight, standing by his principles, no matter how flawed it might seem to the self-righteous bastards among us. At the end of the day, can we say the same thing about ourselves?
cvj on Sun, 17th Feb 2008 5:23 pm
Jeg, ‘Opposition‘ to me means ‘Resistance‘. Resistance is not only not futile, it is also necessary especially in these times.
JMCastro, i think just like many in the middle class, Lozada thought he can play Machiavelli and he found out almost too late that his refuge lies with the straight and narrow. Unfortunately, Neri still thinks that way.
The Ca t on Sun, 17th Feb 2008 5:51 pm
The guy, Lozada who criticized the civil service system of the country admitted that he was able to get his position due to knowing certain people in the government. This is the same guy who appointed his brother in his office was claiming that he saved the soul of the nation? Sheesh.
The Equalizer on Sun, 17th Feb 2008 5:54 pm
The DEAFENING SILENCE of ATENEANS
“Lord, teach me to be generous.
Teach me to serve you as you deserve;
to give and not to count the cost,
to fight and not to heed the wounds,
to toil and not to seek for rest,
to labor and not to ask for reward,
save that of knowing that I do your will.â€
St.Ignatius
I just read “Living and Dying†In Memory of 11 Ateneo de Manila Martial Law Activists by Cristina Jayme Montiel.
Did Ateneans die for activism? Aside from Rizal,Aquino, Colayco and Evelio Javier, were there other students and alumni who sacrificed their comfortable lives to fight for a cause?
I got my questions answered with this book.
Dr. Montiel celebrates and honors activism with the highest degree in writing the lives of the 11 Ateneans who fought for justice in the dictatorship. Some of these Blue Eagles were banned by the administration because they were ‘disrupting classes’.
But I ask the question now:Why is there a deafening silence among Ateneans about the Lozada expose?Where are the “Men For Others�
Is is it because of sheer embarrassment that some of the major players in the Lozada Expose are Ateneo alumni?
*Mike Arroyo
*Ronnie Puno
*Romy Neri
*Ignacio Bunye
*The Arroyo Kids
*Nograles
It is personally so painful to accept the fact that most Ateneans are now so APATHETIC!!!
In contrast, tne LA SALLIAN community has shown COURAGE in providing refuge to Lozada.
vic on Sun, 17th Feb 2008 6:10 pm
First it was the battle of Evidence, which one have more weights, the witnesses had, but the administration had the tools to dismantle them one by one, some they did, some they didn’t..
Now comes the Extras. The cast is getting much bigger each day, the plot a changing and the script is written as the plot progress, still the drama is getting interesting and the ending is nowhere in sight..
Yet unlike in novels and movies, hard to figure out which is which, the bad guys and the good guys, everyone wants to Play the Good guy part, though most of them deserve to be playing the Bad Guys, yet the audiences or spectators or the readers expect that among the villains will rise their Hero or maybe a couple if one of them (maybe Neri) will just get out of his Memorized part and come extemporaneous…yet their could be more if Men (including adorned with Stars) would rather choose Honour instead of Gold….
The Ca t on Sun, 17th Feb 2008 7:01 pm
The mass and the clenched fists
I saw this photo before. Cory with Dinky Soliman. Cory with Susan Roces. Cory with other people who suddenly developed megalomania and felt anointed that they’re going to save the beloved Philippines. Clenched fists symbolize anger. I wonder what was the homily all about.
The Ca t on Sun, 17th Feb 2008 7:06 pm
You’ll end up with zero personnel. The problem is in the system. Remove the people and retain the system will never eradicate corruption. You will be changing the faces of the corruptors.
Parang kotseng sira. Kahit sinong driver ilagay mo kung hindi inayos ang kotse, sira pa rin.
Kabayan on Sun, 17th Feb 2008 7:19 pm
“grd :
true enough, we cannot allow criminals in government and the corrupt to be part of us again… kabayan”
like jdv? oh yeah, his now with the opposition, right?
————-
If you ask my personal opinion… yes, JDV may join those who oppose the government even as you can join the opposition, but personally for me, I would NOT give JDV ANY appointed position if the current powers that be are removed from their respective positions.
BTW, there are varying meaning for “Opposition”, one is the traditional Opposition in Congress and government while the other are the ordinary people who Resist the abusive powers that be(as cvj pointed out) and those who Resist the corruption and darkness this existing administration upholds.
I have always been wary of politicians, but that doesn’t mean that we just stop and dither while the Executive goes on unchecked with corruption, cover-ups, and abuse power to name a few. Now Opposition does not only apply to politicians, it also applies to people sick and tired of the shenanigans of the corrupt in government.
grd on Sun, 17th Feb 2008 7:42 pm
Cvj, well, that’s a very Filipino trait (remember this line?). you do have a very short memory. no wonder why this country is stuck. as for that smiley, now, you are sounding like your brother.
JMCastro on Sun, 17th Feb 2008 8:09 pm
cvj:
As Machiavelli said in his book, “Discorsi” –
“Doubtless these means [of attaining power] are cruel and destructive of all civilized life, and neither Christian nor even human, and should be avoided by every one. In fact, the life of a private citizen would be preferable to that of a king at the expense of the ruin of so many human beings.”
anthony scalia on Sun, 17th Feb 2008 8:15 pm
cvj,
“Anthony, as the others have already said, the cancellation of the 329 Million USD loan that would have been passed on to the Filipino people is a tangible achievement of the Senate investigations.”
True.
“(That’s a lot of lechon manoks.)”
oo nga, ang dami nun!
isipin mo napakayaman ng may-ari ng mga outlets kung saan binili yun! no need to be an OFW in Singapore, no need to migrate to a first world country anymore!
“However, the investigations have to continue because the NBN-ZTE type of deal is by no means a one-off event. It is just part of systematic plunder by those in power. This kind of plunder is the worst kind because it mortgages our future to a foreign power to whom we have to repay these loans. Not only is this corruption, it is also treason. Surely that merits the attention of our representatives over and above some business-as-usual piece of legislation.”
ehem, ****clears throat****
may i remind you, that the supposed primary purpose of the Senate investigation is ‘in aid of legislation’. If you want an investigation that leads to prosecution, then the Ombudsman is the venue.
thats why you cant blame people for saying ‘wala rin kahihinatnan yan’. all the best you can hope for is a committee report. new legislation? im still waiting for the new legislation that was supposed to come out of the Jose Pidal investigations
by the time the committee report is out, the concerned Senators have already compiled invaluable media mileage, pa-pogi for 2010.
by themselves, the testimonies given in the Senate investigations are not proof beyond reasonable doubt.
Oh, the Ombudsman isn’t impartial? Then any private citizen can file a complaint before the prosecutor’s office.
Part of systematic plunder? the NBN-ZTE deal? Di nga natuloy!
Im really surprised by your statement “Surely that merits the attention of our representatives over and above some business-as-usual piece of legislation.”
It sure reflects your attitude on what should be prioritized in the Philippines. Any committee report will not result in increase in family income, will not result in job creation, will not give housing to the homeless, will not make urgent pending bills into law…
The committee report will just boost the image of some senators for 2010.
vic on Sun, 17th Feb 2008 8:31 pm
Now, that we all somewhat agree that the truth in the country is subjective, let us examine the Process.
In my observation, the process should have been, firstly, the allegations should have been dealt in the country Judiciary Systems first and foremost with its layers of Processes, like Appeals up to the Final Process the SC
Now, if the Process already in Place, found wanting and not Effective Enough to deal with the Current Situation and the demands of Time, then that is the Time the Legislature known as the Congress to get off their collective butts and do their jobs to Remedy the Situation with the so-called Aid of Legislation..now if you look at the countries where these proper sequence of resolving crisis are done, its not Rocket Science or Advanced Political Master Degrees, mostly doing what is proven doable stuff..
But I stick to my always preference the Public Inquiry, Judicial for Criminal Cases, in which reports and recommendation should be the basis for the Plans of Actions and maybe enactment of Legislation to remedy the defect of law that had let the wrongdoings gone tru the cracks. And for Negligence in Utilities and Public Safety, A Coroners Inquest and for the House or Senate let us say maybe the only one thing left for them is let us say, Ethics, the members always think that the have the monopoly on the Subject…
anthony scalia on Sun, 17th Feb 2008 9:29 pm
Vic,
“In my observation, the process should have been, firstly, the allegations should have been dealt in the country Judiciary Systems first and foremost with its layers of Processes, like Appeals up to the Final Process the SC”
You better ask the Honorables Villar, Cayetano. Roxas, Legarda, etc. why they chose the legislative forum
“Now, if the Process already in Place, found wanting and not Effective Enough to deal with the Current Situation and the demands of Time, then that is the Time the Legislature known as the Congress to get off their collective butts and do their jobs to Remedy the Situation with the so-called Aid of Legislation..now if you look at the countries where these proper sequence of resolving crisis are done, its not Rocket Science or Advanced Political Master Degrees, mostly doing what is proven doable stuff..”
Actually, if prosecution is the end in mind, a legislative ‘inquiry in aid of legislation’ isn’t necessary!
Again, ask the Honorable Senators who initiated the whole thing this 2008
vic on Sun, 17th Feb 2008 9:45 pm
Actually, if prosecution is the end in mind, a legislative ‘inquiry in aid of legislation’ isn’t necessary!
antohony,
I still believe an inquiry done by an Independent Body other than the Legislature, is still necessary to find out why the wrongdoings was still possible despite all measures in place.
We don’t have much cases of corruption to cite as example escept that Sponsorship Scandal, yet after the Criminal Investigations were concluded by the RCMP, a Judicial Inquiry was called to find out what role the Bureaucrats and Cabinet Members played in the Scandal and to Plug the Loopholes and as a result about 100 amendment was done to the Accountability Act including some in the Electoral Law to strengthened the Accountability and Transparency and of course the Criminals were Justly Punished. Prosecutions alone won’t stop the bleeding even if all suspects are convicted..
justice league on Sun, 17th Feb 2008 10:11 pm
Ca T,
If you’re recommending that both system and personnel be replaced; I’m sure a lot of people will agree with you.
However since you have obviously implied your disgust with corrupt people; why does your comment of “You’ll end up with zero personnel” coming across that all personnel are corrupt yet you keep zeroing in on Lozada?
Shouldn’t you be advocating that the “corrupt” Lozada be “used” to get rid of the other “corrupt” personnel and then later get rid of the “corrupt” Lozada as well?
UP n student on Sun, 17th Feb 2008 10:13 pm
@ The Equalizer, who asks Did Ateneans die for activism? Aside from Rizal,Aquino, Colayco and Evelio Javier, were there other students and alumni who sacrificed their comfortable lives to fight for a cause? You’ll have to add Edgar Jopson — dead and buried.
and charged with rebellion (never convicted) a couple of times.
And there should be an Allan Jasminez, still alive, I hope, who has been up in the hills several times and on some Government List
UP n student on Sun, 17th Feb 2008 10:17 pm
… and then later get rid of the “corrupt” Lozada as well. Where is the charity in your hearts?
justice league on Sun, 17th Feb 2008 10:22 pm
Ca T,
Last statement should have been:
Shouldn’t you just be advocating that the “corrupt†Lozada be “used†to get rid of the other “corrupt†personnel and then later get rid of the “corrupt†Lozada as well?
UPN,
Its not my heart.
UP n student on Sun, 17th Feb 2008 10:47 pm
Justice League:
of him later, shame on him. So the ending becomes Lozada’s fault and the Judases can wipe their hands clean of the aftermath.
will reign in the land.
I suppose the underlying principle is :
… you fool Lozada once by using him, shame on him. You fool him twice by getting rid
And peace
cvj on Sun, 17th Feb 2008 10:59 pm
JMCastro, thanks. It would be good for students of power to go beyond Machiavelli (which is almost 400 years old) and study the advances that have been made since then particularly in the area of Game Theory.
Anthony, are you serious about your recommendation to refer the matter to the Ombudsman? As Britney would have said, i’m not that innocent.
The systematic plunder that i’m referring to is not limited to NBN-ZTE but all the contracts that the Arroyo Admin has entered into involving loans from China.
Bencard on Sun, 17th Feb 2008 10:59 pm
bert, i stand corrected. tama ka nanggad. bako ning palusot pero garo nalingaw na ako. sabi ko ngani sadit pa ako kadto. haloy haloy na.
justice league on Sun, 17th Feb 2008 11:02 pm
UPN,
I have no problem with the basic idea of a “state witness” coming from the accused.
In the same way I had no basic problem with Singson NOT being prosecuted with his involvement in ex-President Estrada’s Jueteng collection operation nor with his (Singson’s) admission of the diversion of the tobacco funds (of which Estrada was not convicted of).
My post that you quoted was my idea of what should actually be Ca T’s position instead because of her stand on Lozada, Singson, and corrupt personnel.
mlq3 on Sun, 17th Feb 2008 11:24 pm
cAt, here is the homily, I will repost it tom. also:
http://hoochiecoochiegal.multiply.com/journal/item/25/Reclaiming_our_Humanity_Fr._Manoling_Franciscos_homily_at_the_Mass_for_Jun_Lozada_Feb_17_2008
justice league on Sun, 17th Feb 2008 11:35 pm
Benigno,
We don’t have the power of recall over Congress members, the VP, and the President.
Could you please clarify what you meant by
“(3) Persistenly holding ourselves to account for the characters we VOTE for.”?
Abe N. Margallo on Sun, 17th Feb 2008 11:41 pm
That Congress basically only makes laws and nothing more is a narrow conception of our constitutional system. cvj therefore, as on economic matters, evinces a sophisticated understanding of our system and its problems.
If you are interested in one fuller discussion on this issue, you may click on my handle. But here are some relevant excerpts:
The people send their representatives to Congress not just to make laws but also to see to it that the laws they make are not useless, wasteful or harmful and are being applied according to the purposes intended. The first congressional function is called legislation and the other is known as oversight.
The scope and complexities of modern government provide a compelling argument today for the oversight function of Congress assuming greater significance than mere lawmaking. Congress, in the performance of its oversight role, is understood, among other things, to make sure:
1. The policies or laws so made are executed according to the congressional intent and that any rulemaking authority lawfully re-delegated to the executive branch is used in pursuance of such intent
2. Every expenditure of public money counts (by preventing abuse, dishonesty and waste on the part of the executing agency)
3. There are ample and flexible opportunities for midcourse assessment of legislative or policy goals and priorities so as to allow for corrective actions
4. Individual rights are not transgressed by the execution of the laws
5. Grievances, feedbacks and criticisms (such as by the constituents, the media and the academes) of policies made are appropriately addressed. xxx
U.S. President Woodrow Wilson wrote as a young scholar in his 1885 treatise Congressional Government: A Study in American Politics (in the first known use of the term congressional “oversightâ€) in this manner:
“Quite as important as legislation is vigilant oversight of administration. It is the proper duty of a representative body to look diligently into every affair of government and to talk much about what it sees. It is meant to be the eyes and the voice, and to embody the wisdom and will of its constituents. The informing function of Congress should be preferred even to its legislative function. (Italics mine)†xxx
Versus “executive privilege†this is what I have submitted:
Now, given that “in republican government, the legislative authority necessarily predominates†(James Madison, Federalist No. 51), one wonders why the congressional committees easily backed off (unless of course the committee members have been clueless what’s in their wallet) when President Arroyo upon a claim of executive privilege issued Executive Order 424 and the Senate itself immediately repaired to the Supreme Court to complain as if its subpoena and contempt powers were suddenly whisked away by the order like candy bars snatched by a “schoolyard bully.â€
Policymaking on the part of Congress is well-nigh plenary. It is then axiomatic that the presumption of acting responsibly and constitutionally is strongly in its committees’ favor precisely because of the equivalent breadth of the oversight function in the policymaking process. This function preponderates over against the possible invocation of the so-called “executive privilege†– one that has yet to find expression in the explicit language of the Constitution.
Very clearly, executive privilege can only be invoked by way of exception. So when the executive officials fail to show that the privilege is “of such high degree as to outweigh the public interest,†. . . in the disclosure of the supposedly privileged information, congressional oversight, as a general rule, will trump an appeal to the supposed privilege. In that event, contumacious defiance and refusal to disclose the information sought or needed by Congress for legislative purposes renders the withholding official liable to its contempt process and the attendant punitive measures. Indeed, Congress, acting through its committees, need not rely upon the all-too-measured judicial pace to exercise the ultimate power of oversight and thereupon employ the necessary enforcement tools. As to those so covered, respect for the Rule of Law demands reciprocal engagement at the minimum. On the other hand, the traditional media (and the cyberspace) ought to encourage an open and spirited discourse on the issues to secure a political system that is based on a regime of constitutionalism.
During the Jose Pidal controversy, I have also shared the following thoughts:
If thoughtfully reflected on, we should find without question that the investigatory power of Congress is as broad as its power of policymaking itself. On the other hand, the duty of all citizens to cooperate with the function of Congress to obtain information about any matter that may be the subject of potential legislation or of proper legislative purpose is equally unquestionable. xxx
The scope of policymaking by Congress, the most representative of the three branches of the government, is exceedingly immense. National security and defense, economic development, environmental protection, health, education, foreign relations, world trade, peace and order, social justice, terrorism, insurgency, public morals and ethics, social welfare, poverty alleviation, graft and corruption, and many others.
In the name of legislation, Congress can also examine power and resource distribution such as the proper role of civil society and progressive groups, and the clout of well-entrenched factions in governance or, under pressure of the loudest, go as far as to strike at the core of the system and the ideological assumptions upon which it is based.
In sum, the purpose of legislative power or policymaking is the preservation of the commonwealth itself and of every person in it, which is the first and fundamental natural law. The entire legislative process thus provides an avenue where the conflicts of public life or of society itself are debated and deliberated in public view even without making laws . . ..
There is no question that as an express grant of constitutional power, legislative inquiries “in aid of legislation†are subject to the requirement of due process. However, legislation per se could also be an exercise of the “power of doing public good without a rule†except, possibly, the law of preservation of the society. In the latter instance, it is in the nature of the Lockean prerogative “in aid of the nation.†xxx
Indeed, the informing functionof Congress has manifold salutary purposes (if only its context is properly communicated by the media), e.g., to inform itself in order to effectively carry out a legislative task, or pursuant to the speech and debate clause (Article VI, Section 11 of the Philippine Constitution) for the legislators, as in the exposé of the Jose Pidal accounts, to inform and educate their constituents about matters supposedly affecting the affairs of government; in the process, the whole exercise is then expected to allow voters to learn firsthand how effectively and competently their representatives have been performing their jobs. If differentiated from the technical aspect of enacting laws, the informing function of Congress has assumed greater significance as a result of the rather “popular†character of the 1987 Constitution. xxx
With all the “bickering,†the “grandstanding,†or “the poisoning of the air,†the undeclared winner in the “circus†atmosphere, I suppose, is People Power democracy because the vitality of the political process has allowed the citizenry to exercise its liberty to participate (whether as an active player or passive onlooker) . . . through the “telenovela†of livingroom politics or the public forum, now more commonplace in the Philippines than ever, of text messaging performing in some way the task of public cross-examination. xxx
On the other hand and quite unfortunately, Joker Arroyo – one of the few remaining quixotic senators (then) – has expressed fears about the supposed perception of the people (and perception could be managed as will be argued later) that the Senate is “neglecting the law-making part of our job.â€
I believe Congress is a public space for exchange, a debating society first and foremost. And laws are just the end products of the majority views.
mlq3, sorry for this long post again. But it seems that that only certain of our heavy intellectual hitters here are missing on this one. Even the SC justices and some members of Congress themselves, unfortunately, are culpably liable.
Abe N. Margallo on Sun, 17th Feb 2008 11:45 pm
I mean …. “But it seems that NOT only certain of our heavy intellectual hitters here are missing on this one, even the SC justices and some members of Congress themselves, unfortunately, are culpably liable.”
Bencard on Mon, 18th Feb 2008 12:22 am
abe margallo, my compliments on your usually well-thought piece on the function(s) of the legislature. recognizing the primary function of our lawmaking body to be legislation – the power of enacting laws consistent with the constitution- the fundamental law also provided “oversight” as an added power. be that as it may, the oversight function, i believe, is not meant to enable the legislative department to encroach upon the prerogatives of the executive which are the control, supervision and management of the affairs of the state in implementing duly-enacted laws and lawful decisions of the judiciary. i think the oversight power of congress is limited to seeing that laws are properly implemented, and make changing or additional legislation should it be found necessary. i think the function is akin to the powers of the general auditing office vis a vis disbursements of public money. any wrongdoing discovered in connection with gao’s audit, or congress’ oversight, still has to go through the executive for prosecution and execution of penalties meted out by the courts. should the prosecutors decide the evidence is not enough to warrant bringing a case to court and use public resources for the purpose, that’s the end of the matter, subject to judicial review of the prosecutor’s finding of no prima facie case.
in our scheme of government, the three departments are co-equal and inter-dependent with each other, and each is superior within its own sphere, as laid out by the constitution.
UP n student on Mon, 18th Feb 2008 1:34 am
Abe: I’m betting that you will (again) choose not to respond to questions, but does your post above also mean that you have bought into REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT as opposed to direct democracy EDSA marches/people power?
Some sentences/phrases I noticed include:
The people send their representatives to Congress not just to make laws but also to see to it that the laws they make are not useless, wasteful or harmful and are being applied according to the purposes intended.
The scope and complexities of modern government…
…co-equal and inter-dependent with each other, and each is superior within its own sphere, as laid out by the constitution.
cvj on Mon, 18th Feb 2008 1:37 am
UPn, why does it have to be either/or?
kimosabe27 on Mon, 18th Feb 2008 1:37 am
Hookay, so much for the long weekend…
@Bencard:
“so, where is bicol now as a region?”
In terms of what? Quality of life? Rural development? Keep in mind that Bicol is in the pathway of typhoons and that any upswing in the local economy is always stunted by the devastation brought by the weather (Reming, Milenyo etc.). Nevertheless, the optimism and the resilience of Bikolanos always keep the region afloat and thriving.
“…bicol is a vast, economically depressed, territory despite its rich gold and iron mines, fishing grounds, geothermal power sources, copra and hemp…”
Focusing on the issues of geothermal power plant in Tiwi and the gold mines in Paracale, these local resources have been exploited by a national agency and private mining companies. They draw out the wealth from the region with only a thimblefull of revenue being returned for the Bicolanos.
And not to mention the heavy militarization of the countrysides which chokes the local initiative for development. You can’t make business in a warzone!
“…it has never produced a president compared to ilocos (2) and mere provinces like pampanga (2) tayabas (1) zambales (1), bohol (1), capiz (1), pangasinan (1) and tarlac (1)…”
Is there a direct correlation between producing a president and the betterment of lives of the community? Last time I passed Pampanga during my vacation in the Philippines just this December, I still have to squirm my way on potholed, two-way lanes filled with pedestrians to the brim. Nothing has changed since my “immersion” days during the 90s. This is not to say because there was the lahar and the Lapids, plus of course the Macapagals…
“i don’t think we can advance by just being contentious or “oragonâ€. we also have to be smart. a lot of good opportunities are lost by too much obsession with politics and divisiveness. what more comprehensive project are you talking about? it so happened that this “diminutive kleptomaniac†you so despise is the only one who has taken interest, and has present ability, to make things happen in a positive way for all bicolanos (including those who hate her).”
Gov. LRay Villafuerte and Mayor Jesse Robredo of Naga City will bitchslap you to Timbuktu for such arrogance!
kimosabe27 on Mon, 18th Feb 2008 2:04 am
@ Manong Abe,
“I believe Congress is a public space for exchange, a debating society first and foremost. And laws are just the end products of the majority views.”
Indeed, but wannabe Pinoy neocons who infest this blog also carry the discredited Hamiltonian perspective of a stronger presidency; a president who is above the scrutiny and accountability of a people’s congress. Just a rehash actually of the debates for a “strong executive” during the Roberts and Alito confirmation hearings.
vic on Mon, 18th Feb 2008 2:17 am
In my preceding post, I stated my preference for an independent public inquiry, preferably the “blameless type” which I also explained before to dig deep and find out the causes of wrongdoings by government officials in their functions.
This Inquiry by no means takes the Power of Oversight and Aid of Legislation of the Parliament but instead it is the Instrument of such power. It is called by the Parliament which the Government belongs. It will report to the Parliament with its findings and recommendations and the House can debate on those and may even bring down the Government on the inquiry’s findings.
It is always been the Process, since it offers the Independence, Impartiality and objectivity that are absent if done by the House itself and also it can take its own sweet time to wrap up the case, but usually it is right on schedule as all parties of interest already been notified before the party begins and no fooling around..
The Ca t on Mon, 18th Feb 2008 2:33 am
how, by means of people power?
I am for the use of Lozada’s testimony in a proper venue, the ombudsman not in the Senate where no conviction will result.
Don’t i know the motive of the people in using lozada?
they’re hoping to incite people to come out and oust GMA.
What happens next? EDSA 2 aftermath will be repeated and legitimacy of whoever will sit in power will be questioned after the dust has settled.
kimosabe27 on Mon, 18th Feb 2008 2:40 am
@ Vic
“In my preceding post, I stated my preference for an independent public inquiry, preferably the “blameless type†which I also explained before to dig deep and find out the causes of wrongdoings by government officials in their functions.”
That is what the media and the NGOs are for. Unless, such body is grounded in law, it will be another ineffective entity that has more bark than bite.
I would rather prefer a Congress that has a beefed up Sergeant at Arms office, like instead of a measly battalion of Marines, they have a whole regiment of specfor troops armed with tanks, planes and artilleries.
In aid of legislation? Nah, more like inquisitorial, like Savoranola’s wet dream where the Cabinet members will be appearing in manacles and will have whip marks on their backs.
kimosabe27 on Mon, 18th Feb 2008 2:51 am
@Vic,
Ok, I would have said the Sandiganbayan and the Ombudsman, but after that sloth Frank Garchitorena and that sly Ani Desierto, those agencies act more like the legal wings of the Praetorian Guards.
vic on Mon, 18th Feb 2008 2:58 am
kimosabe,
Is there any chance that the troops reminiscense of Nazi be replaced by just a piece of paper which state ‘you are hereby do so ordered to appear before…’ and then maybe if that won’t do the trick, then go ahead, your suggestions might be the most effective..Sometimes different situation, calls for different solutions. And in the Philippines, just about everything been tried, seems everyone is coming up with good ideas, yet not very successful in real world…
kimosabe27 on Mon, 18th Feb 2008 3:09 am
@ Vic
Of course I use hyperbole, however, since the sitting president has been a former member of Congress, she knows how to tweak the body’s investigative duties to her advantage. Of course every president does, except for Erap, he was too dumb to dodge the bullets (but not in the silverscreen he he).
However, EO 464 has been a thorn on the side Congress. I believe that our lawmakers should be upgrading their arsenal.
grd on Mon, 18th Feb 2008 3:18 am
kabayan, in short, it’s okay for you and cvj to make a pact with the devil to attain your goals? is this strategy part of your proposed scheme re The watchdog (in another thread) on how to free this country from the bondage of corruption? whatabout your statement below (taken from the same thread)?
you saw JDV last sat? he was given VIP treatment and seated side by side with CORY at the front row. what a joke. how our memories fail us always. is this what you’re saying we must not forget? si jdv na responsable sa pambababoy ng kongreso, sa pambabraso sa kamuntik ng matuloy na charter change. si jdv na responsible sa pagkakabasura ng 2 impeachment complaints laban kay gloria pero ngayon ay kasa-kasama, kasangga at ipinagbubunyi ng mga taong galit sa katiwalian sa gobyerno? sorry, but I dom’t buy your rhetoric. you say have patience for the time of reckoning will come. but with the way things are happening and people not learning their lessons, I don’t think that time will ever come.
kimosabe27 on Mon, 18th Feb 2008 3:18 am
@ Vic
Again, of course it is not all black and white. After reading Lozada’s expose, there are powerplays, strategizing and rationalizations involved.
However, when push comes to shove, the people’s representatives, particularly those in the Upper House, should be totally unencumbered when it comes to fulfilling its investigative duties.
Bencard on Mon, 18th Feb 2008 3:18 am
kimosabe27, first i don’t think either villafuerte or robredo are that crude and personal as to “bitchslap” me for saying that no other president, in my recollection, has not taken the same interest in the development of bicol as much as gma. unlike you, they would probably, at least, point out one such president to rebut what i have said.
i’m not denigrating the bicoloano’s standard for “quality of life” and “rural development”. maybe they are happy with what they have. and i’m not closing my eyes to the natural disasters that the region suffers, perhaps too frequently. suffice it to say that, as far as i know, bicol has never had any world class international airport comparable to naia in metro manila, dmia in pampanga, lahug in cebu, davao in mindanano, or even laoag. nor has it any world class hotels like shangri-la and marco polo in cebu, and countless 5-star hotels in metro manila and davao. these are necessaries in economic development, especially in the tourist industry in which bicol has a lot to offer in terms of tourist destinations.
your comment regarding the militarization of the countrysides, and your question about the correlation of producing a president with local development, are related to my observation concerning the contentiousness and “oragon” mentality, i.e., rebelliousness, of the bicolanos, in general. i don’t think unity is a very important principle among bicolanos. one recent case in point is the disappointing performance of the late senator roco in the 2004 election in which, while he won in bicol, it was by no means overwhelming margin.
your calling my views “arrogant” because i say things that you don’t want to hear is, i think, one negative aspect of being “oragon”.
kimosabe27 on Mon, 18th Feb 2008 3:48 am
OMG…to explain stuff on a Sunday
Marcos…Maharlika Hiway
Ramos…the “Andaya” Hiway. The elder Andaya was Ramos’s budget guy, so even the farmost village road has a concrete, covered waiting shed even if the bus plies the route once a week.
Of course there was the BRBDP which I hope you have knowledge of.
And Arroyo being the one capable of improving the lives of Bicolanos at the present time? Are you smoking kush or something? Do your math, arrovo will be in office for less than two years and she is in a bunker mentality all the time. The ODPs are now in quandary because of the Lozada expose. Try the PCIJ blog on the articles on how the development projects for the countrysides have been screwed by the arrovo government.
And for being oragon, you know growing up in the “bulod” where an occassional “taga-banwaan” or taga-Naga or “taga Maynila namin” visits and makes a hoity-toity remark on how we appear, well…”lusi”…we survived and we thrived, and if that is crude to you, boo hoo…
BTW, you are contradicting yourself by saying that Roco’s electoral performance in Bicol is dissapointing yet he still won.
Straighten yourself up, son.
grd on Mon, 18th Feb 2008 3:52 am
who’s stopping you and the others from opposing an abusive govt and helping curb corruption? you mean the forces of good will not prevail unless you join hands with the forces of evil? in return what will you offer to the devil? I have no doubt that if the current powers that be are removed, jdv and other turncoats will have their ample rewards just like chavit. and so the cycle and manipulations of the people continue. so why take part in a sham like that? if you and other patriots here are really serious about change and fighting corruption, remove the bad eggs from your ranks. otherwise, I would think that given the chance to be in gloria’s shoes, you and your ilk would be doing the same.
UP n student on Mon, 18th Feb 2008 3:54 am
Is this Abe?
Do you believe it should be ‘OR’? Your post above seems to faintly advise that Filipinos should have LESS street-marches DIRECT DEMOCRACY, and that communities should work harder with their specific representatives to Congress not just to make laws but also to see to it that the laws they make are not useless, wasteful or harmful and are being applied according to the purposes intended.
Of course, what I thought I saw may not be what Abe intended to say…… so I ask questions.
kimosabe27 on Mon, 18th Feb 2008 3:55 am
5 star hotels for economic development, how Imeldific…ha ha ha classic
UP n student on Mon, 18th Feb 2008 3:57 am
… and I have never heard that Naga city Mayor Jesse Robredo is a bitchslapping kind ….
kimosabe27 on Mon, 18th Feb 2008 3:57 am
Let them eat cakes!!! ha ha ha
cvj on Mon, 18th Feb 2008 4:01 am
UPn, not sure what Abe’s response will be but, as for me, i believe it should be ‘or’.
cvj on Mon, 18th Feb 2008 4:07 am
…which means having both genuine representatives within the Institutions of State and direct democracy as exercised by the citizens in the Public Sphere.
kimosabe27 on Mon, 18th Feb 2008 4:08 am
@ Vic
So how should the Phil. Senate go about with its investigation? a full court press that is. here in the united states, the democrats are utilizing a two-pronged approach, a genteel facade with Harry Reid, yet down to the subcommittees the work has been fast and furious, particularly with the Iraq “Blackwater merc group” investigations, the FISA law and illegal wiretapping as well as other incendiary issues.
UP n student on Mon, 18th Feb 2008 4:19 am
cvj: I hear you. I ask the question of Abe because in New Jersey where he is at (or maybe he is in Iowa or Florida), street-marching direct democracy to PROTEST is quite rare, and I think ( I don’t know what Abe thinks)… I think it is because the communities of US-of-A believe that with all the polling and surveying and bubbling-to-the-top methodology that the 2 parties have in place and a US-citizen being able to make a telephone call to his/her congressman’s office, the US leadership hears. (May not act on what they hear, but the leadership hears).
I suspect that Filipinos are more of “… our leadership does not hear us!!!” group of people. The plaint really is “… how can I get my local congressman to hear me”, and this is a symptom of a worse problem than the complaint about “…but GMA does not hear me”!
On the other hand, Nash did make a blog entry about Baguio community recalling one of their mayors, so hopefully I am wrong.
cvj on Mon, 18th Feb 2008 4:27 am
Sorry UPn, i meant to say i think it should be ‘and‘ (as per my explanation at 4:07am above).
Bencard on Mon, 18th Feb 2008 4:30 am
not your survival but your boorishness and haughtiness are what’s crude, noy!
i said roco won but not overwhelmingly. can you comprehend that?
we are talking about initiative. do you think, should the the project commence “now na” in gma’s watch, some idiot successor of her in 2010 would scrap it, and gut what gma has already started because he/she couldn’t bear the fact that it was initiated and actually implemented by gma? i can’t believe there’s a pinoy with that kind of inggit. i may be smoking “kush” but it appears you are doing shabu, son.
you are making a big deal about lozada’s “expose”. i don’t think the country cares vis a vis gma. the 9,000 demonstrators sure don’t indicate otherwise. in any event, as you probably know, regarding the southrail project, gma will not actually do the job herself. and i don’t give a shit what your pcij says.
cvj on Mon, 18th Feb 2008 4:34 am
grd, i’m glad you’re no longer pretending to be anti-Arroyo.
kimosabe27 on Mon, 18th Feb 2008 4:45 am
waaah, waaaah
Now listen, son, zeal and passion should not be confounded with boorishness and haughtiness. the difference? good and evil. standing up against the sleazy corruption of arrovo is good. defending her actions is bad.
take a deep breath and let that sink in…I know it’s hard…even saul has to walk to Damascus to have an epiphany…
again, on your self-contradiction with roco, i don’t have to explain as, it is, to borrow from abe, either or.
on the initiative…son, every change of administration has a different agenda in the offing, however, robredo’s and lray’s painstaking work to uplift the conditions of fellow bicolanos should not be piggybacked on the Orwellian machinations of a fake presidency.
finally, son, watch that shitty mouth of yours and stop lambasting lozada, he is a bigger bicolano than you and i could ever be
p.s. if you may need intervention for your drug addiction, i know of agencies who can help you. it’s still not too late, son
Bencard on Mon, 18th Feb 2008 4:48 am
5-star hotels for tourism, son. you can’t expect world travelers (not you, cause you probably live with relatives) to live in mediocre accommodations, and come back for more of the same. don’t be a smart aleck, your attempt at sarcasm falls flat.
vic on Mon, 18th Feb 2008 4:52 am
Kimosabe 27, the Senate here has two options, is it going on fact-finding probe or witch hunt? And it has to make it clear which one it wants. for the moment it is not sure which direction it is going. And if facts finding it wants then all members should put their acts together and do a proper investigations instead of grandstanding and trying to defend their backers. It is very obvious that Enrile, Defensor and Administrations Senators are not interested in finding the facts and also very obvious that the oppositions are more of looking after the 20l0 presidential elections rather than doing the business on hand. that’s the way i see the process anyways.
Usually in our case, the opposition Parties will just do the research, gather the evidence thru the access of information act where they can access government files, except those concern National Security and declared off limits by courts order upon invocation by authorities and just task the government about them in a daily question periods, where the Government has to answer all allegations and if it can not give satisfactory answer then call the proper agency or agencies to investigate. But most of the Time it is the Media who do the Job of the Opposition with their Investigative Skills And the Government has to answer credible allegations, and most were..
kimosabe27 on Mon, 18th Feb 2008 4:59 am
@ Bencard
I know that former public officials like you who have thrived on the largesse of taxpayers like us have to spend their looted millions somewhere, but sheesh, that’s the reason why you are in america in the first place, aside from running from the law.
yes, when i’m in the philippines, i live with my relatives, even friends because, unlike you, i am loved and they want my company…
you must be suffering from a terrible disease or you might have done something to piss someone off that is why you seek the refuge of 5 star hotels.
and thanks for complimenting me, Voltaire, Rizal and the other great ones have been known to be smart alecks
peace
Bencard on Mon, 18th Feb 2008 5:05 am
maybe lozada is bigger than you, for all i care. i can assure you, my man, he is not bigger than me in any way, shape or form. he is one bicolano (he looks pure chinese to me, with my apologies to the chinese community) i’m not too proud of (perhaps, make it two). shitty-mouth? if your’s was anything like your hero lozada’s, both of you would need industrial-strength mouthwash, better still, arsenic, to curb the pollution you both are spewing into the ether.
p.s. it takes a user to know about drug addiction.
kimosabe27 on Mon, 18th Feb 2008 5:11 am
@ vic
“Kimosabe 27, the Senate here has two options, is it going on fact-finding probe or witch hunt”
Again difference in perspective. since its part of their duty to investigate, they should be allowed to do so. unless of course, it smacks of Mcarthyism which ruined individual lives.
in the case of Lozada, it’s not the private citizens who are on the limelight but the fat pigs in government…let us see where this probe will finally end…hopefully it culminates with Jose Pidal and Abalos wearing orange jumpshirts.
kimosabe27 on Mon, 18th Feb 2008 5:14 am
Bencard I have to end this, you are now sounding like a whipped cunt.
vic on Mon, 18th Feb 2008 5:16 am
And all the other guilty individuals too. and this time, no pardon, please…
Bencard on Mon, 18th Feb 2008 5:21 am
kimosabe27, quit speculating wildly. i have never been a public official in the philippines. i was a young practicing lawyer when i left. and i was not “running from the law”. i have never been accused, much less convicted of anything.
Bencard on Mon, 18th Feb 2008 5:24 am
whipped cunt? take it from a vanquished debater cum judge!
magdiwang on Mon, 18th Feb 2008 5:43 am
Im perplex with the rabid GMA haters here. Do you really believe that people will just believe Lozada at face value?? Do you expect us to just roll over and express our indignation on what he is alluding to? Individuals are not that dumb to be swayed easily. What people wants to see are unequivocal evidence of corruption being perpetuated and not some guy hurling wild accusations with the hope something will stick. Filipinos are now more discerning what they read and hear. They are tired of politicians playing their little games. They dont want to undermine what we have gained the last few years economically.
benign0 on Mon, 18th Feb 2008 7:23 am
“Benigno,
We don’t have the power of recall over Congress members, the VP, and the President.
Could you please clarify what you meant by
“(3) Persistenly holding ourselves to account for the characters we VOTE for.â€?” — justice league
I meant understanding clearly the implications of who we vote for; said implications include:
(1) How long it will take to rectify things if we vote for the wrong person (i.e. the next election);
(2) How well the person we are voting for keeps an open channel of communication with their constituents;
(3) Our responsibilities as citizens to work WITH our representative through the PROPER CHANNELS.
It’s kind of like a child who throws a tantrum after finding out that a toy that he begged his mom to buy only a few minutes ago wasn’t as much fun as he thought it would be.
Pinoys routinely throw tantrums (in the form of these moronic street “revolutions”) whenever we find that the congressmen we elected through our cherished “rights to vote” turned out to be cretins. This simply begs the question — Who acted like the cretin in the first place?
james on Mon, 18th Feb 2008 7:48 am
Lozada confessed to the nation he robbed the tax payers for years..then he apologized ‘mea culpa’ then said ‘I tell you you were with me but let me keep my loot!
and he’s a hero? my foot!
JMCastro on Mon, 18th Feb 2008 7:59 am
Magdiwang:
Have you seen the latest advertisement in Andok’s chicken manok? It requires their applicants to have college experience to be a part of their food crew.
Ordinary Filipinos are increasingly pessimistic of attaining their aspirations — a stable family life, a house, a decent-paying job, and good education for their kids.
Most politicians and virtually all media are promising all of these, that’s why the sense I get from my conversations with them is that the government should be responsible for their welfare. No one is telling them that they should work and sacrifice for it, that true people power comes from blood, sweat and tears — and that of all three bodily fluids, it mostly comes from sweat.
Just about the only people delivering the message of people working for their power are activists working in the countryside — the government response is to brand them “pink” and “red”, and launching police and military operations against them.
If there is no people power, if people are convinced that they should just perpetually sit in the sidelines, then this battle is lost, and GMA and her cohorts will continue their own brand of traditional politics/democracy minus the will of the people.
tonio on Mon, 18th Feb 2008 8:03 am
thank you, various people, for all your observations about this Lozada guy.
it is too hasty to make him the hero of the next revolution.
please.
i just hope this guy gives up some real good, reliable, verifiable, rules of evidence compliant information.
and then turn himself in for all the crap he’s done.
Abe N. Margallo on Mon, 18th Feb 2008 8:04 am
UPn,
Do you remember the interfaith rally at the Rizal Park on Dec. 17, 2006 organized to foil the efforts of majority pro-administration lawmakers in the Lower House to rewrite the constitution via a constituent assembly minus the participation of the Upper House of the bicameral Philippine Congress? The reckless move of the House had generated nationwide public indignation threatening to explode into another people power until the administration congressmen and Malacañang backed off.
I have reacted to the event with a commentary about “People Power, part of the rules of the game†(quite akin to cvj’s insight of Feb. 18, 2008 @ 4:07 am). I will share here some excerpts that I hope will answer your question.
———-
One should not lose sight of the fact that the mere warning snarls of People Power had already resulted in deterring the duplicitous scheming of the majority in the Lower House and some Palace operators before the celebratory rally. As a form of external checks and balances, the resurgent movement not only cut through the illogic of blatantly numeral ratiocination of the people’s representatives that had attended the two abortive impeachments against President Arroyo but also preempted the slow if measured pace of the power judicial review when invoked in the normal operation of procedural democracy. In this recent exhibition, the successful check was external but not extra-constitutional, which means that the institution of People Power has proven that it can operate within the rules of the game of the system in place.
It is well understood that the rules of the game allow political competitions of many sorts such as among political parties, and even inter-chamber contests. But often, these competitions do not guarantee the political choices of the majority although they have the effect of stimulating the vibrancy of the minorities (civil societies).
The preferences of the intense minorities, when communicated in an organized way, must be taken into account by the minority (the political and economic elites) in making political decisions. For, when People Power is institutionalized (and I do believe that since the Spirit of ’86 that had ended the Marcos dictatorship, People Power has ensconced itself as an institution in Philippine politics) the elites may only ignore at their peril the choices of the intense minorities.
———
I then explained my ideation of People Power democracy which, aside from Madison’s view that “in republican government, the legislative authority necessarily predominates,†is the other point I wanted to drive home above. I’m pretty sure I’ve shared these thoughts before here but I’m reposting them anew because, UPn, I want you to lose your bet this time, hah.
Here we go:
When institutions (civil society), which mediate between families and the State, assert their primacy, the result could be their collectivization into Civil Society. Whereas elitism is the rule of the privileged minority, civil society governance is the rule by minorities. Civil Society, on the other hand, is a monopoly of the legitimate use of power by the great majority. In this context, Civil Society equates with the sovereign will – supreme and absolute. Therefore, Civil Society, theoretically, no less than People Power, empirically, is the conception of the State itself.
To illustrate this, the political system instituted in the American constitution by its founding fathers was a compromise, based on distrust, between, on the one hand, the numerical majority (the masses) together with the minorities (some idealistic elites and middle-class Americans who supported the “leveling†sentiments) and, on the other, the privileged minority (the merchants, financiers, manufacturers, and certain wealthy landholders) as to who, what and when to exercise the monopoly of the powers of Civil Society. The paramount question then was whether to vest the monopoly of those powers in the many at the expense of the few or vice versa.
People Power democracy, on the other hand, is the exercise by the people – the Civil Society – of the republican principle of the last say which may result to replace (as in People Power I) or keep (as in People Power II) the existing system. It does not decide particular issues for that would notionally be direct democracy. The triumph of People Power democracy should be measured not upon its physical manifestation that successfully brought about the immediate change desired, which is an end in itself, but when the consensus formed by civil society or civil societies – those politically informed, active and diverse minorities groups such as the business sectors, political alliances, labor unions, religious organizations, and the like – is brought to be reckoned with by those formally vested with policymaking. It is thus a continuing transformative citizenship. Whenever civil societies are marginalized in the governance process, the result could either be the rule by the privileged minority (or the oligarchy) or by the multitude, irrespective of the agreed upon formalities of governance.
In my view, in a true democracy, the people (the multitude) and the minority (the oligarchy) do not rule; the minorities (civil societies) do.
benign0 on Mon, 18th Feb 2008 8:08 am
“If there is no people power, if people are convinced that they should just perpetually sit in the sidelines, then this battle is lost, and GMA and her cohorts will continue their own brand of traditional politics/democracy minus the will of the people”
Let’s not forget, however, that even people who sit on their arses all day still have the right to vote during election times.
So your statement “minus the will of the people” isn’t entirely true.
justice league on Mon, 18th Feb 2008 8:08 am
Ca T,
I corrected my post to you by inserting another word.
That might tell you what I’m driving at.
justice league on Mon, 18th Feb 2008 9:00 am
Benigno,
I hope you considered the strong nature of the multi party system here.
And without the power of recall, basically your recommendation #3 amounts to what?
Not necessarily agreeing to your child tantrum analogy but since you used it anyway; what should happen when it was the child who noticed that the “toy” turned out to have jagged edges?
Jeg on Mon, 18th Feb 2008 9:20 am
Abe: The first congressional function is called legislation and the other is known as oversight.
The third is called disbursement of pork. It is this third function that candidates like Manny Pacquiao and his ilk concentrate on. And it is this function of Congress that the providers of pork use as a means to buy representatives.
Kabayan on Mon, 18th Feb 2008 10:23 am
Hi Manolo,
I am glad and thankful that finally the List of the actions of Congress and votes in Key issues are now available for download(This is a quick download from the site of Black List/White List Campaign; in Excel format.)The Congressmen can now be held accountable for their actions and their deeds are for all to see.
See source at:
http://www.blacknwhite-movement.com/alpha/index.php
Also individual Filipinos can now submit a black and white list for Congressmen and now reveal whether of not if their Representatives are a force or evil or a force of good in their respective district.
I am not certain if this Black and White List site came about as a result of my suggestion or if this site was up a long time ago, nevertheless an excellent move for having accountability and a good source for decision making future elections or investigations. Perhaps a check and balance Background Investigation for the veracity of submitted reports to B&W would be the next suggested step.
The Force of Good finally spreads out the light so now darkness shall now be revealed in the open. Kaya sa mga Tongressmen na gahaman, mag isip-isip na kayo.
lee on Mon, 18th Feb 2008 10:50 am
Whatever Lozada haters!, whatever!. Whether he’s the Osama Never Been Laden or the anti-Christ as long as he’s telling the TRUTH, that’s fine with me. That’s what matters most. So to those who say hero my foot, then morality my huge ass.
cvj on Mon, 18th Feb 2008 10:56 am
Jeg, on your observation, i think many people see that the independence of the Legislature has effectively been compromised by the Executive’s control of the disbursement of pork barrel. Someone should go to the Supreme Court and argue the unconstitutionality of this scheme. Either they abolish all pork barrel allocations or at least remove the control of its release from the Executive.
Jon Mariano on Mon, 18th Feb 2008 11:26 am
My preference would be for the pork barrel allocations to be done away with. This way, only those who just want to make laws (and the power hungry) will want to run for congress.
cvj on Mon, 18th Feb 2008 11:44 am
Jon, that’s my preference as well but i believe a good portion of that pork barrel should go towards increasing the salaries of the Congress (and other public officials) so that they will have a legitimate source of livelihood and not resort to off the books type of arrangements.
Shaman of Malilipot on Mon, 18th Feb 2008 11:50 am
Breaking news – According to Lozada, Romy Neri described GMA as “evil”.
Matagal ko nang alam yun.
vic on Mon, 18th Feb 2008 12:10 pm
Breaking News – According to GMA news Airport’s Executives, and Cops implicated in Lozada “abduction” snubbed Senate Hearing claiming the right not to Incriminate Themselves…and rightfully so..
Yes, because the Nature of the Senate Hearing where witnesses under oath in Investigation in Aid of Legislation can be later prosecuted in other proceedings by their Testimonies other than perjury or contradictory evidence.
That is why before any Aid of Legislation Hearing should take Place, Criminal Investigations should take precedence in order to solicit truthful Testimonies without Fear of Prosecution from Witnesses during the Senate Hearing or if a Criminal Investigation is in Progress, let it go forward without Hindrance and then Politicians would just say if asked..the case is now in Court.
vic on Mon, 18th Feb 2008 12:16 pm
Let me rephrase the last statement: Politicians would just say if asked..the case is now Under Police Investigations or now in Court…we don’t want to undermine our Police or our Courts..
cvj on Mon, 18th Feb 2008 12:24 pm
Vic, i derive the opposite lesson. I think the reason why there has been a push to file the case in court from the pro-Admin people is precisely because they want the cover of not being allowed to talk about a pending case. Given the speed of our Courts system, it becomes an ideal cover-up technique. Jamby fell into a trap.
magdiwang on Mon, 18th Feb 2008 12:27 pm
JMCastro:
I agree with you that people should be pro-active in making our government better and should stay vigilant on its wrongdoings. I just dont see how the current way of exposing corruption thru whistleblowers helps. They should first do their homework with an airtight case before putting them in the limelight to at least look credible. The way its going right now, there are more questions than answers which muddles the case. It looks like they are more interested on his unfounded expose than the truth. What do we get in this never ending aid to legislation investigations which dont have any resolutions….nada, except showing the world how dysfunctional our legislative branch of government is. What little we have gained economically are being compromised by petty politics. People just want to build on the gains to move forward.
tonio on Mon, 18th Feb 2008 12:31 pm
cvj:
one playing field to the next. of course, the Admin are also counting on the judges they have in their pockets.
james on Mon, 18th Feb 2008 12:37 pm
cory and drilon again? and the religious who judge and condemn before knowing the other side?
They should could have taken the fair account of father Aquino of San Beda.
its the court really that will judge all these…
the hyatt 10? these are the biggest crabs that we have here…buti na lang 10 lang sila
cvj on Mon, 18th Feb 2008 12:39 pm
tonio, yup.
cvj on Mon, 18th Feb 2008 12:47 pm
We got the cancellation of the NBN-ZTE contract which saved the people 329 Million USD. Also, the investigations revealed the true nature of this government which many in the upper and middle class refused to see until it was forced upon them by Joey de Venecia and Jun Lozada.
The gains that you refer to are going into the pockets of the powerful few. More than ‘petty politics’, it is systematic plunder that is sabotaging our economy.
vic on Mon, 18th Feb 2008 12:49 pm
cjv, that is one defect that should be taken care off, the glacial phase the courts system moves. but the process of letting one authority investigate criminal wrongdoings first is I always believe the most effective way of fighting them, The Police.
BTW, the biggest corruption in Toronto Police Force History where 6 members of the Drug Squad were charged of extortions, beatings and intimidations was just stayed by the Judge for Unreasonable delay. The Atty.General appealed the case, but I don’t see it will ever see daylight again. It was on going for almost TEN Years and the crown insists that it was the accused who caused the delays by intimidating witnesses and also the hardship experienced by the Force of Charging their Own (gathering evidence among men who swear to their code of brotherhood). But rights are rights, and what are they if we lost respect for them..
cvj on Mon, 18th Feb 2008 12:55 pm
Vic, i think that’s why we need to have a clear view of the System as it is, and not the idealized version. What may work in the Canadian context may not work over here. Failing to do that, we get into all sorts of unintended consequences.
magdiwang on Mon, 18th Feb 2008 1:09 pm
[quote]We got the cancellation of the NBN-ZTE contract which saved the people 329 Million USD. Also, the investigations revealed the true nature of this government which many in the upper and middle class refused to see until it was forced upon them by Joey de Venecia and Jun Lozada[/quote]
Hi CVJ
The last time I check, no independent body has ruled that this NBN-ZTN contract was anomalous and overpriced. Please share if you do know. What we know is that a losing bidder torpedoed the contract without presenting any evidence. I honestly thought that this project is good for our country to be more competetive economically. We will lose more than $300M if many years from now it is found to be a project worth implementing.
cvj on Mon, 18th Feb 2008 1:16 pm
Magdiwang, de Venecia’s and Lozada’s testimony aside, i looked at the pricing of the NBN-ZTE Contract and on its face, it is overpriced, particularly the Engineering Services portion. It’s too high for a straightforward deployment project that does not involve (or has a minimal) application services. There are also a lot of hidden costs that would potentially make the total project price higher than 329 Million.
cvj on Mon, 18th Feb 2008 1:20 pm
Magdiwang, here’s my analysis:
http://www.cvjugo.blogspot.com/2007/09/national-broadband-network-nbn-project.html
vic on Mon, 18th Feb 2008 1:27 pm
“What may work in the Canadian context may not work over here.”
It may not, but it may. Seems that whatever been tried, the homegrown sytem, copycats, mostly failed. I’ll give it a try. No consequences can be worse off than the status quo. But then again, I must be just wishing…
magdiwang on Mon, 18th Feb 2008 1:31 pm
CVJ, I think its futile for me to argue with you if it is overpriced or not as I am no expert in this area. What I find disturbing is that a person like Devenecia and Lozada thru their allegations can singlehandedly torpedo a contract which can potentially be a blessing for our country. Of course, I dont mind them airing the disadvantages of the transaction but they have not really answered the DOTC justification of the contract price. Did they? They are more pre-occupied on the alleged kickbacks.
cvj on Mon, 18th Feb 2008 2:04 pm
Vic, i think we both agree on the evils of the status quo. I’m not against trying to Canadian model (or any other model) as long as we adjust for local variables that may not be present in the original model. For example, when we recommend referring the matter to the courts, we have to take into account the glacial pace of the court system, the ability of the Admin to intimidate or bribe the judges and the relative lack of transparency (as compared to a public hearing) of the process.
Magdiwang, the DOTC ‘justification’ is at a too general level to be useful or credible for analysis purposes. As Lozada said, the whole project, regardless of whether it was Abalos or JDV3 who won, looks supplier-driven. Certainly the Angat watershed and Housing for soldiers projects (and police) are more important in comparison.
tonio on Mon, 18th Feb 2008 2:05 pm
magdiwang:
the tag is called “blockquote”, but you have the right idea.
Madonna on Mon, 18th Feb 2008 2:18 pm
From Lozada’s account about Neri, it must be that Neri is one guy that just does not have Lozada’s guts or probably Neri’s reticence is because of his career prospects — he has been a bureaucrat most of his life, kowtowing to the wishes of politicians as bosses. Unlike Lozada whose private sector background allows and could his bearings restored even if he came out as a hostile witness against the government — Neri probabaly thinks that has very little career prospects ahead of him should he come out to testify against the government.
Poor guy — this Neri — just like most of our bureaucrats who maybe honest and competent — but are buffeted by the poor and incompetent leadership of our political elite.
magdiwang on Mon, 18th Feb 2008 2:25 pm
hehehe….you learn something new everyday
Jon Mariano on Mon, 18th Feb 2008 2:40 pm
I too believe that the Philippines needs a reliable communications network including broadband not just for the government but also for the ordinary people.
The current NBN/ZTE (National broadband Network supplied by ZTE of China) if not overpriced (to line the pockets of Abalos and others) could have been good. In the beginning, Neri did quite well by insisting on it to be a BOT project but the dark side prevailed! Buti na lang merong isang Jedi na naglakas-loob na lumaban at isiwalat ang mga sikreto.
DevilsAdvc8 on Mon, 18th Feb 2008 2:47 pm
magdiwang, instead of [ ] use as tags. and instead of quote, use blockquote. so it should be
and
DevilsAdvc8 on Mon, 18th Feb 2008 2:50 pm
it’s not working. let me try this
cvj on Mon, 18th Feb 2008 3:00 pm
Jon, even if the Broadband Contract was entirely above-board, i still think it’s supplier-driven, i.e. the need has been manufactured by its proponents (that includes Joey de Venecia). As far as the business case for a private broadband network is concerned, i don’t see why they should not just have worked with the existing Telco providers (SMART, Globe, PLDT, or even Meralco) so they can ride on top of the existing infrastructure built by these Companies.
It is not optimal to reinvent the wheel on the underlying infrastructure when the groundwork has already been done. If anything, instead of building up a parallel infrastructure, the government should just lay down the infrastructure on areas of the country that may not be profitable in the beginning. The government can also work with the Telco’s to provide more security to the latter’s cell sites so it would be less vulnerable to rebel attacks.
magdiwang on Mon, 18th Feb 2008 3:16 pm
Im really glad that there are people who want our country move on the right direction in the form of better infrastucture.
Im not familiar on how contracts are won. When Mr Devenesia exposed the alleged anomalies….Was the contract in the bag by the winning bidder?? If it was, are there still due dilligence hearings to look at the contract in its final form to scrutinize if this is good for our country….or did they pre-empted all this due process resulting in the termination of the contract. What Im driving at is that opportunities of this magnitude is a great loss for us as there are few entities willing to fund this huge project.
Kabayan on Mon, 18th Feb 2008 3:16 pm
grd wrote:[blockquote]who’s stopping you and the others from opposing an abusive govt and helping curb corruption? you mean the forces of good will not prevail unless you join hands with the forces of evil? in return what will you offer to the devil? I have no doubt that if the current powers that be are removed, jdv and other turncoats will have their ample rewards just like chavit. and so the cycle and manipulations of the people continue. so why take part in a sham like that? if you and other patriots here are really serious about change and fighting corruption, remove the bad eggs from your ranks. otherwise, I would think that given the chance to be in gloria’s shoes, you and your ilk would be doing the same.[/blockquote]
Tactics, grd, tactics. If I were up to me however, after all these has blown over (including Gloria and her henchmen i.e. blown out of the water), the only thing I would give to those who were very corrupt yet turn their coats from Gloria only in the last minute will be a penalty not to be able to be given any appointed government position ever again. Of course that is just me. And no, if I were Gloria, rest assured I would not do the same thing as you claim. As for my “ilk” (shrug) don’t have any of that supposed “ilk”.
And for the rest of Civil Society and the Opposition, I would strongly urge them to do the same, prevent anyone who has participated in massive corruption to be appointed to any government post, even if they relented when they see that the end is near.
To avoid future more severe penalties, I would also suggest to the corrupt in Gloria’s cabinet to resign; now. For those who are not involved in the Emperors shenanigans, they could at least be proud of the fact that they cease to be part of that “Evil” (as Lozada heard Neri say) in the top Executive position.
However, enough said grd, it is not good to give further operational suggestions in this blog.
rego on Mon, 18th Feb 2008 3:28 pm
“Thats the problem with the country nowadays, too many people are concerned with legality they can get away scot free with anything as long as its legal – never mind if its the truth or not. Legal = Truth?”
I dont see this a problem. I can even see it as the solution to these never ending “impasse” in the country. The problem I see is that we are using these exposes and senate investigations and public hearings to bring down the Arroyo government than what is its real purpose. And that is in aid of legislations or initiating and investigations or filing a case in ombudsman and prosecution of the perpetrators. There is always this tendency of some sector to shortcut the process and go convict Gloria right away. Laging iniuunahan yung proceso. This the reason why we always have these rallies and Cory sponsored mass, prayer meetings at laging nag-aabang sa people power which has the primary purpose of pressurring Gloria to resign or bringdown her government.
Yes people power work with Marcos and Erap but hey we can not always trooped to EDSA all the time to solve our problem with our elected officials. .
tonio on Mon, 18th Feb 2008 3:33 pm
but the existing telcos already benefit their respective families, and government didn’t want a piece of the Ayalas or Manny Pangilinan’s pie… they want the entire bakery.
Jon Mariano on Mon, 18th Feb 2008 3:34 pm
As a user, I just want something working efficiently and cost-effectively. Whether it was supplier driven/created or not, there is need for a reliable infrastructure. That’s what NEDA is there for, to determine those kind of things.
grd on Mon, 18th Feb 2008 3:54 pm
cvj, suit yourself. trust your womanly instinct. I bet it has not failed you yet.
anthony scalia on Mon, 18th Feb 2008 4:10 pm
cvj,
anthony scalia on Mon, 18th Feb 2008 4:18 pm
cvj,
sorry for the mistakes in typing. i missed one “/”
anyway you know which are my comments. thanks
anthony scalia on Mon, 18th Feb 2008 4:28 pm
vic,
“I still believe an inquiry done by an Independent Body other than the Legislature, is still necessary to find out why the wrongdoings was still possible despite all measures in place”
me too.
“We don’t have much cases of corruption to cite as example escept that Sponsorship Scandal, yet after the Criminal Investigations were concluded by the RCMP, a Judicial Inquiry was called to find out what role the Bureaucrats and Cabinet Members played in the Scandal and to Plug the Loopholes and as a result about 100 amendment was done to the Accountability Act including some in the Electoral Law to strengthened the Accountability and Transparency and of course the Criminals were Justly Punished. Prosecutions alone won’t stop the bleeding even if all suspects are convicted..”
good for you
8thBushido on Mon, 18th Feb 2008 4:29 pm
Our country should be run by law and not by hearsay. I say we finish these Senate hearings and get the entire statement of Jun Lozada. Then we charge him in court. The court will eventually prove all or most of his testimonies are all lies. Then if every person he unjustly implicated, every name he smeared, slandered and maligned will sue him, he will ultimately break down and admit that he is just being used by anti-government forces, specifically the camps of Jojo Binay, Panfilo Lacson and Joma Sison.
cvj on Mon, 18th Feb 2008 4:50 pm
Tonio, as long as it is a legitimate business, and provided the revenue is not in the form of excessive quasi-rents, then the family behind the business (whether Ayala, Pangilinan or Lopez or Sy or Tan) is not an issue. They are entitled to their profits. What is more important is whether the investment in infrastructure is optimal. In this, we need to take advantage of Metcalfe’s law (or its variants), i.e. economies of scale as applied to networks. We only have a finite amount of resources (tax payer money) to invest so we have to be wise in going about it.
In terms of market power, and due to its sheer size, it is the government that has the leverage to extract favorable rates from the Telcos. Also, there is the matter that if government does not participate in using up the existing capacity of the commercial telcos, then the only ones who will shoulder it would be the private consumer and private companies. In that case, we the public will be hit on both sides, both (1) in terms of the redundant investment outlay by the government as well as (2) the higher rates due to lower utilization of the commercial telco networks.
Bert on Mon, 18th Feb 2008 5:04 pm
“The last time I check, no independent body has ruled that this NBN-ZTN contract was anomalous and overpriced. Please share if you do know. What we know is that a losing bidder torpedoed the contract without presenting any evidence. I honestly thought that this project is good for our country to be more competetive economically. We will lose more than $300M if many years from now it is found to be a project worth implementing.–magdiwang
What we know, magdiawang, is that the president of the Phil. junked the project even if the losing bidder just open a can of worms instead of presenting a strong witness as evidence. The evidence he did presented confirmed his torpedo but, in the hiatus, the witness turned his knees into a jelly. So, the white elephant was not torpedoed by the losing bidder but melted due to embarrassment.
cvj on Mon, 18th Feb 2008 5:05 pm
Jon, we are not just the ‘user’. We are also the ‘funders’ via our taxes so it is in our interest to find out whether the investment is something that needs to be made. As per Neri, the NEDA are just number crunchers to determine things like internal rate of return and project viability. Project benefits are the domain of the public or our representatives.
The issue of our procurement system being ’supplier-driven’ matters because in the IT and Telco world, vendors continually peddle the ‘latest and the greatest’. That’s how they (which includes me) are compensated. That accounts for a lot of the ’supplier-driven’ aspect which is a source of the dysfunctional procurement system even in a completely corruption free environment. ‘Supplier-driven’ and corruption are two separate (but related) issues.
ibfx on Mon, 18th Feb 2008 5:18 pm
What short memories you all have. These same things have happened in past administrations— whistle blowers implicating a people in power. Problem is, it only works when the whistle blower is not himself/herself corrupt. Why do you guys believe someone who himself has admitted would accept bribes if offered one? Geez.
Yes, go to the streets and protest. I’m sure you’ll be able to bring down this government when you put your mind to it. Then let’s just hit the streets again when it’s the Lozada’s and the De Venecia’s turn to be toppled down.
This is your fault, too, you know. Look far back enough and you’ll see that it is.
mang_isko on Mon, 18th Feb 2008 5:36 pm
….sabi daw ni neri, “moderate their greed”
lumalabas si lacson matagal na palang kinakausap si lozada(j-lo). sabi ni neri ngayon sa tv, may patriotic fund daw para sa pagbaliktad laban kay gloria.
…ito palang ginagawa ni j-lo ay masasabi na kasinungalingan. dapat sabihan si lozada…..”moderate you ‘patriotism’”. hehehehehe
Kabayan on Mon, 18th Feb 2008 5:38 pm
Forty years ago, Martin Luther King cried:
On some positions,
Cowardice asks the question, “Is it safe?â€
Expediency asks the question, “Is it politic?â€
Vanity asks the question, “Is it popular?â€
But Conscience asks the question, “Is it right?â€
There comes a time when one must take a position
that is neither safe nor politic nor popular;
but one must take it
because Conscience says, “It is right.â€
==========
Thanks for reminding us this inspiring quote
mang_isko on Mon, 18th Feb 2008 5:41 pm
yan nga ibfx, we must strengthen our institution. do not burn it. our country of ours will become a banana republic if this caprices of the communist, leftists, also-greedy politicians and priests. we would become the laughing stock of asia.
we tend to abuse people power. enough with this method.
mang_isko on Mon, 18th Feb 2008 5:46 pm
..sabi ni lozada sa tv, ang nagsu-support daw sa kanyang ngayon ay ‘yong peso-pesong ‘literal daw’ na suporta, wala daw mga business man na nagsusuporta.
…sabi ko naman kay lozada, “moderate your ‘patriotism’(?)” (P20,000,000.00 daw!)
….hehehehehe
Kabayan on Mon, 18th Feb 2008 5:46 pm
… Conscience asks the question, “Is it right?  one must take it because Conscience says, “It is right.â€
UP n student on Mon, 18th Feb 2008 7:17 pm
cvj: in your blog-entry in your blogsite, you posted:
“…The Senate should demand that the annexes which detail what is to be delivered be produced. That will enable us to tell whether JDV3’s allegations of overpricing is true or not.
Have you found the annexes?
———-
@ Jon Mariano, who said :
…for the pork barrel allocations to be done away with. This way, only those who just want to make laws (and the power hungry) will want to run for congress.
One does not need the pork barrel to make umaapaw-na-salapi as a congressman.
mlq3 on Mon, 18th Feb 2008 7:30 pm
upn, here are the annexes:
http://www.inquirer.net/specialfeatures/nbndeal/documents/nbndeal_contract.php
UP n student on Mon, 18th Feb 2008 9:33 pm
@mlq3: Thanks for pointing to the annexes as provided by Inquirer.
But those annexes not only are near-impossible to read, apparently many of the details that can help to determine how large and complex the broadband/wimax/VoIP network that was intended to be built. The documents did point to a family of McAfee products to provide network security/threat management. But the Inquirer only provided the cover-sheet for the WiMax portion of the document. I still can not see how large a topology was intended (e.g. how many cities to be reached, how many switches, how many access-points, how many repeaters, etc).
Just for information, Chicago and a few other cities in the US are cancelling their muni-WIFI plans for economic reasons. EarthLink had already backed out of a project in San Francisco, CA — Earthlink decided that it “was not willing to work in the business model where EarthLink fronts all the money to build, own and operate the network.”
Others (Lompoc, CA; Seattle, WA) are finding construction costs escalating as what was designed on paper fails the real world (e.g. either more repeaters, or more powerful repeaters are needed to provide acceptable quality-of-service).
Another firm is trying to pick up after Earthlink in SanFrancisco. Dollar-figures exceed $20Million for a 5-sq-km project. Labor-costs brought down with this company (Meraki) asking residents to install the repeaters themselves on their rooftops.
Another basis ; for Malaysia national Wimax topology:
“…the cost of building a transmission tower could exceed RM2 billion in cost. The whole country will require 5,000 towers in two years time for a good service”. Malaysia WiMax roll-out appears to be troubled with reported delays.
RM2Billion = $620Million US
cvj on Mon, 18th Feb 2008 9:43 pm
UPn, Annexes A & B are there but not Annex C onwards.
UP n student on Mon, 18th Feb 2008 9:49 pm
Side-note: Under-the-radar Pakistan is a growing competitor for call-center business.
KARACHI (November 29 2007): City Nazim Mustafa Kamal on Wednesday said the construction work of 47-storey IT Tower in the vicinity of Civic Center at a cost of US$200 million would start within few weeks. Around 40,000 youth would get employment in the IT Tower.
Which would be the country’s tallest building and would have 10,000 call center [seats] of which 6,000 have been booked so far, the Nazim stated this, in his address, to a “Technology Showcase†event held at a local hotel.
UP n student on Mon, 18th Feb 2008 9:55 pm
cvj: My point is not to point to a conclusion about NBN/Lozada, just to say that without the topology, I can’t do any seat-of-the-pasts estimation for costs.
By the way, Pakistan and Algeria have WiMax roll-outs and if one can find them, their cost figures can provide a tiny-bit of insight into “reasonable costs”. Motorola, Cisco and other switch-manufacturer websites can provide numbers for router and other customer-premise equipment costs.
By the way, a low-ball number for wireless repeaters is $150 or $100 (based on Merkali topology for San Francisco, CA). Merkali seems to say it needs one repeater for every 3 households (in an urban setting) to get good service.
cvj on Mon, 18th Feb 2008 11:03 pm
UPn, in Jarius Bondoc’s Jan 23, 2008, he reports the discrepancies from the industry standard as per telecoms experts. Here’s some of what they say:
Based on the above, the total overprice is 196 Million USD.
justice league on Mon, 18th Feb 2008 11:16 pm
IBFX,
Regarding your comment of “Problem is, it only works when the whistle blower is not himself/herself corrupt.”; Chavit Singson admitted that he took money (1.2 million Pesos) from the Jueteng operation/protection proceeds in order to give to a gift fund for a necklace (worth at 13 million Pesos) as a present.
He presented that 1.2 million Pesos as his own. So he benefitted from those illegal operations. Yet his testimony worked against ex-Pres. Estrada.
UP n student on Mon, 18th Feb 2008 11:34 pm
cvj: Thanks for those numbers. I did a quick check; the industry does say about-$350 for CPE (like Jarius Bondoc reports).
By the way, what was the next-best bid, or was this sole-source?
mang_isko on Mon, 18th Feb 2008 11:40 pm
justice league, why the testimony of chavit worked against erap?
1. when chavit came out to the open nobody convince him.
2. erap was part of plan to kill(?) him when he was running away from the police(?)
3. there were no theatrics.
4. no over-acting of priests, nuns and other religious(kuno) people.
cvj on Mon, 18th Feb 2008 11:51 pm
UPn, thanks for that info on the per CPE cost. Amsterdam Holdings (AHI) of Joey de Venecia was the competitor although there was no bidding as such.
justice league on Tue, 19th Feb 2008 12:20 am
Mang_Isko,
You probably haven’t read one of my previous posts.
Regarding #1, maybe no one convinced him but I’m quoting part of the SandiganBayan decision which reads
“The Court concedes that Gov. Chavit Singson did not have the purest of motives in exposing the jueteng collections which he testified were done for the benefit of FPres. Estrada. Undoubtedly and by his own admission, he resented not being given the franchise for the Bingo Two Balls, the government sanctioned numbers game, in his home province of Ilocos Sur. He feared the demise of his political career as the said franchise was given to his political opponents, Eric Singson and his brother Bonito Singson, to the embarrassment of the mayors who were affiliated to him. Gov. Chavit Singson was disappointed to say the least that Mayor Jinggoy Estrada, JV Ejercito, the other son of FPres. Estrada, Secretary Edgardo Angara, Secretary Alfredo Lim, friends like Luis Asistio and Mark Jimenez, whom Gov. Chavit Singson approached to intercede to FPres. Estrada to help him secure the franchise, were unsuccessful.
So it may not have been “someone” but could have been more of “something” like the demise of his political career, etc….
Regarding #2, the SandiganBayan didn’t dwell much on that with regards to Singson’s credibility against ex-Pres. Estrada.
Regarding #4, there was instead Cardinal Sin.
Regarding #3, there was the crying part before Cardinal Sin.
james on Tue, 19th Feb 2008 10:10 am
is the crying boy bakla? couldn’t believe one could talk like this and not be bakla..
I would only like to know how much of his wealth is permissible 60M..
let’s change system, there will always be vested groups like the vultures waiting in line..it will be pretty much of the same but legislate rather than grandstanding is what the senate should do.
Prosecute them in court including the crying boy
tonio on Tue, 19th Feb 2008 12:47 pm
james:
amen. let Drama Queen Lozada be the first to go to jail after he gives the country what is demanded of him.
justice league on Tue, 19th Feb 2008 1:08 pm
James,
What system change are you proposing?
Jon Mariano on Tue, 19th Feb 2008 4:06 pm
If Lozada becomes state witness (like Chavit Singson) then he’s not going to jail (just like Chavit).
vic on Tue, 19th Feb 2008 9:30 pm
Lozada is one smart alec here. He knows where he stood. As the witness in Senate hearing and under oath all he will do is tell the facts as he could remember and the only way he could be prosecuted is for perjury and that has to be proved beyond doubts. As for all the threatened civil cases, they can only get as much as he is worth, and if he is worth more for sure it had all gone somewhere, just like most of the smart alecs, you don’t declare ur dirty laundry, do you??
disgruntled cyborg on Sat, 23rd Feb 2008 12:13 pm
Mr. MLQ3 will agree that since 1521 when the spaniards were trading glass mirrors for gold with the naive indios around here corruptions has been with us. Too sad… corruption is an issue too huge to manage now. Skins are too thick and the minions waiting in the wings for Arroyo to fall are as corrupt as her own people. Sir Galahad has the Clap just like King Arthur. Thats the huge problem. No Magic Bullet, No Quick Fix and No Cory Doy to choose as alternative. For the Filipinos yelling and making all that noise out there… Jesus seems to have left his cross on this issue on truth. They had a heavy debate with Pilate on truth… something people should ponder for Holy Week. I hate to think FG would just be traded off for another Trapo on the other side of the Fence. The Gestalt needs changing. The people managing the system and operating within Philippine Institutions are all infected with the same disease. Unmanageable, Deniable, Concealable corruption and Greed.
Bruce on Sun, 24th Feb 2008 1:44 pm
This battle is not about personalities. It is not about who is the lesser of the evils. It is about the rule of law. GMA has been caught; she should be punished. She should be impeached or forced to resign.
I don’t care who comes next. That is irrelevant. What matters here in the principle – if you are caught, you are punished. In due time, we will catch the next crook and he too will be punished. And then the next, and the next, and the next…for a thousand years and a thousand People Powers if need be. Afterall, they are all human beings, they are all flawed sinners. We human being will never be sinless. How can we expect our leaders to be? This is why democracy matters; it is easier to get rid of the crooks. Let’s get rid of this one now, as we got rid of Erap, and then we will deal with the next one, as we will (hopefully) get rid of GMA.
No lesser of evils. It is not about the personalities. It is about the principle. It is about the rule of law. Ir you are caught, you go.