A protest march shouldn’t lead a government to tremble, but if it does, the trembling says more about the government than it does about the marchers. Even a cursory glance at the protests that have gathered in Washington DC should remind any doubters that in a democracy, protest is part of the democratic process. And the same can be said of democracies, whether presidential or parliamentary, where protests are a part of democratic life.
Even as the Speaker remains defiant, at least Rep. Tony Cuenco apologized to his constituents.
My column for today is All that glittered was the gold. It was inspired by news of the new budget’s approval. I haven’t seen it, but I did have a chance to refer to the ill-fated proposed 2006 budget appropriations act.
The Inquirer editorial points out the fallout from the Cebu Summit cancellation.
Fel Maragay, in his column, summarizes the tortured and tortuous history of the President’s commitment to constitutional change:
The administration congressmen, led by Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr., have decided to jettison the unpopular constituent assembly in favor of a Constitutional Convention to amend the Charter. The decision has the blessing of Malacañang. The convening of the Senate and House of Representatives into a constituent assembly was the administration’s Plan B after the Supreme Court threw out the petition of Sigaw ng Bayan and Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines to install a unicameral parliamentary system through people’s initiative.
I can only shake my head over this turn of events because ConCon was the original position of President Arroyo. She spoke about ConCon repeatedly before the May 2004 elections. And the same position was taken not only by the parties in the ruling coalition but by those in the opposition, as well in the political summits held in 2002 and 2004. The holding of a ConCon was also embodied in the Arroyo administration’s Mid-Term Philippine Development Plan.
Why was the ConCon plan scrapped after Mrs. Arroyo won a fresh electoral mandate? The administration is morally- and duty-bound to explain this to the Filipino people.
In a complete turnaround, the President instead formed a 55-member Consultative Commission in early 2005. The group drafted amendments to the Constitution, which included the adoption of a parliamentary system with a federal structure and lifting or liberalization of so-called protectionist barriers to foreign investments in strategic sectors of the economy.
When the draft of the proposed Constitution was submitted to Congress in late 2005, the next move was for the Senate and House to constitute themselves into a constituent assembly to undertake the task of amending the 19-year-old Constitution. The administration’s plan faltered when the Senate refused to cooperate. Senators could not accept the House’s stand that amendments should be voted upon jointly, not separately, by the two legislative chambers.
This led to the decision to launch a people’s initiative in which Sigaw ng Bayan and Ulap supposedly gathered more than 8 million signatures. But this option turned sour for failing to conform to constitutional and statutory requirements.
Think of the billions of pesos in taxpayers’ money spent on the people’s initiative and Consa campaigns. These were perhaps more than enough to cover the expenses of a ConCon. Also, think of the time and energy wasted on what turned out to be futile political exercises.
Technorati Tags: CBCP, Charter Change, constitution, ideas, media, military, people power, philippines, politics, president
according to abs-cbn news: gma gives up on cha-cha. So, naunahan na naman ni gma ang kalaban. Sasabihin ni gma sa mga obispo, “o yan, sinagot ko na panalangin ninyo, di pa man kayo magpasimulang magdasal.”
If we had only listened instead of made fun of the legislator who proposed outlawing typhoons, Gloria would have had no excuse to cancel the ASEAN Summit.
I laud Rep. Tony Cuenco for apologizing and admitting to a mistake. And for being remorseful (unlike JDV who is defiant to the end), I forgive him. But I hope next time he will have the moral courage to speak out against what he believes is wrong instead of just going along just because it’s the decision of the majority.
Rep. Kintanar said that what the House did not foresee was the people’s adverse reaction to their decision. But all the while they had been saying that what they were doing was in accordance with the people’s will. Mga sinungaling talaga!
“Only in the Philippines”…
…truly events like these do not happen anywhere else in the world.
Our president truly leads by example … by being a major liar!
Didn’t she first say that she was not running in the past? Most of us already forgot about that “lie”.
After countless of lies, deception, manipulation, arrogance and defiance…who can believe our president and her cohorts right now.
Only a very unintelligent (more than stupid) person would believe the president as being sincere. Only the dumbest person in the world would believe that these “trapos” are doing things for the “good of the country”.
None of these guys have done anything except to make sure that their “seat” or “throne” is always occupied by them or their family member.
There should be a change to these rules and one rule to be changed should be no political dynasties. Period.
At this point, is there any hope for our country if we are being run by a bunch of crooks?
Coincidence? Envelopmental journalist Vic Agustin was on this congressman’s payroll.
well, it was a face saving move for arroyo. and it wasn’t that surprising.
http://www.malaya.com.ph/dec09/news1.htm
when her allies like JDV becomes a political burden to her, she dumps them.
but i have a sense na temporary retreat lang yan ni arroyo.
well, it was a face saving move for arroyo. and it wasn’t that surprising.
http://www.malaya.com.ph/dec09/news1.htm
and when her allies like JDV becomes a political burden to her, she dumps them to save herself. shows her true character.
but i have a sense na temporary retreat lang yan ni arroyo.
As I was reading your column, “All that glitters,” I was expecting you to suggest, “Why not do away with the House instead?”. The country will save a lot of money (and avoid a lot of grief) that way. 😉
Goodness gracious!
Gloria and her government will be known not only as a pathetic flip-flopping tandem, but she will also known as an unreliable “leader” at the helm of an image battered nation who backtracks as often as she changes her “pants” (am using the English word here so as to be a bit more discreet):
She backtracks pathetically when she made sugod to ally her nondescript self to George Bush and sent a band of troops to Iraq only to back out of that alliance for fear of being battered on the head had Angelo de la Cruz been killed.
Not so long ago, she promised on the death aniversary of the nation’s well-loved hero, Jose Rizal that she wouldn’t run for president for being the cause of the divisiveness in the country only to backtrack!
She also flipploped on the appointment of Admiral Mayuga to the position of FOIC, only media criticisms got her back on track.
Recently, in less than 1 week, she managed to cancel a major international summit even after delegates have made the trip to Manila not because of Durian but because of her fear that the political storm would do her in, and now, she backtracks one more time on her cha-cha.
All she wants is the gold that she can extract from staying in Malacanang: POWER.
She’s greedy, she’s incompetent, she’s unreliable and she’s untrustworthy.
On Sunday the country will find out who really has the numbers. Consequently,
Gloria will do everything in her power to make sure it does not happen.
manuelbuencamino said: “On Sunday the country will find out who really has the numbers. Consequently,
Gloria will do everything in her power to make sure it does not happen.”
The first part sounded like a fearless forecast. The second part waffled and hedged.
There’s really no point in lauding Cuenco and whichever croc will step up to apologize. Those reptiles in Congress had the gall to pull a fast one when no one was looking but were quick on ‘turning the tables’ when the people finally took notice. Now they can wax heroic and be portrayed as true statesmen? They are all SOBs. Let them eat their own shit.
Im going to Luneta on Sunday with the hope that someone can start the march to Mendiola and ram through the gates of Malacanang because thats what we really ought to do. Tapusin na dapat ito and wala na dpat oathtaking crap sa EDSA shrine. Let’s storm the Bastille. Take bake the palace from the Phony One and give it back to the people.
I believe the soldiers are just waiting. They can deliver the coup de grace. Sang-ayon ka ba MLQ3? 🙂
tagabukid,
akala mo naman ganyan kadali. words, emotions do not solve the problem.
Ano ka mag-aala Honasan, then turned fugitive and when caught in the act, jumped out of the window for his safety and concoct some lies about the escape. By this time may be a deal is brewing.
Soldiers are waiting. hahaha. you need to grow up. Why would these generals jeopardize the comforts that they are enjoying now when they know that the people would not rally behind them.
Carl.
The first part is not a fearless forecast. It is a n exolanation of Gloria’s idd begavior in recent days,
The second part is a factual observation of what she has been doing and what she will be doing from now until Sunday.
Compare her statement supporting Congress last Wednesday or Thursday with what she has been saying since last Friday.
Compare what her Congressmen were saying vefore their public humiliation.
Like Gloria you should be looking forward to Sunday’s rally. Like Gloria I’m sure you too want to know the truth
numbers?
The intended Wake for the death of the democracy is watered down by the early burial of the corpse. hehehe
Didn’t I tell you that GMA is always working on a what if-then what?-go to the next alternative scenario.
You are just looking at the next move when she is already several steps away.
miss kitkat,
Emotions would have solved the problem if the final push to Mendiola did not fizzle out. (Were you there? No i dont think so. Precisely because you dont have that emotion: love — for the country. Maybe you were busy playing cat and mouse back then, I guess it’s you who needs to grow up. If it were up to me, that crap of a ceremony in the shrine should not have happened. Do you know who got sworn in there?)
FYI, we didnt need Gringo that time. Who needs him?
Lastly, who told you im talking about the generals? Their junior officers will shoot them! Im talking about the Kawal ng Pilipino. Do you know them? I guess no.
Grow up. Join the rally 🙂
SUNDAY is the DAY of RECKONING !!!
LET PEOPLE VOICE OUT WHAT THEY REALLY WANT AND THAT IS ….
— NOT TO CHANGE THE SYSTEM BUT THE “FAKE” LEADER GLORIA !!!
WE CAN HAVE A NEW PRESIDENT, NEW LEADERSHIP, NEW MAJORITY
BY 2007 !!!
GOODBTE GMA, (CHAMPION sa PAGSISINUNGALING)
GODDBYE BUNYE (No.1 SINUNGALING)
GOODBYE ERMITA !!! – TANDA – LAYAS !!!
GOODBTE SI-RAUL-O GONZALES – (TAKUTIN BA NAMAN RALLYISTA-ULOL_
GOODBYE ESPERON – SIGE MANATILI KANG APOLITICAL, GMA-FOREVER!
GOODBYE MIKE DEFENSOR (HANAP KA NA NG IBANG SI SIPSIPAN)
GOODBYE NOGRALES – HOY, MINORITY KA NA AFTER 2007, NUMBERS?
GOODBYE JDV – MAG MAYOR KA NA LANG SA DAGUPAN
GOODBYE CLAUDIO – (LUMA KA NA, MAYAMAN KA NA >>> TAMA NA)
GOODBYE PUNO – (STYLE MO BULOK)
GOODBYE MAKALINTAL – ABUGADONG PULPOL !!! (ULOL)
GOODBYE ABALOS – MAYAMAN KA NA .. ALIS DYAN. PA REHISTRO BA
KAMO ? TAPOS DADAYAIN NYO LANG !!!! LETSE
GOODBYE LAPID – KAPAL MO !! SA SENADO NAPAPANIS LAWAY MO
MANGUNGURAKOT KA LANG SA MAKATI
GOODBYE MIKE ARROYO – DI KA NA MASUSULAT AFTER 2007,
MALAMANG MAG-WITHDRAW KA NA SA GERMANY
GOODBYE PICHAY – DI PA NASIKAT … LAOS NA
GOODBYE VILLAFUERTE – KULAY BERDE KA TALAGA
GOODBYE ADMIN CONGRESSMEN – YOU HAD THE CHANCE TO IMPEACH
AND MADE HISTORY, BUT YOU ARE
WRITTEN AS THOSE WHO DECIDES
FOR MONEY AND PERSONAL
INTERESTS
Off-topic —- public health announcement from World Health Organization : CIRCUMCISION HALVES H-I-V RISK
Circumcision appears to reduce a man’s risk of contracting AIDS from heterosexual sex by half, United States government health officials said yesterday, and the directors of the two largest funds for fighting the disease said they would consider paying for circumcisions in high-risk countries.The announcement was made by officials of the National Institutes of Health as they halted two clinical trials, in Kenya and Uganda, on the ground that not offering circumcision to all the men taking part would be unethical. The success of the trials confirmed a study done last year in South Africa.
..
AIDS experts immediately hailed the finding. “This is very exciting news,†said Daniel Halperin, an H.I.V. specialist at the Harvard Center for Population and Development, who has argued that circumcision slows the spread of AIDS in the parts of Africa where it is common.
not really off-topic for Dodot Jaworski… he likes it ‘supot’
Buti daw ‘supot’ ang bomba na sumabog sa Innova nya, otherwise he’s toasted. What crap was that? Maybe he should watch Goodfellas. Real assasins make sure that their bomb explodes, leaving no time for the unsuspecting victim to see the smoke, open the door, jump to the road and actually survive (Well, De Niro survived his bomb, so maybe…)
Scary nga lang kasi it evokes the ‘Enrile assasination’. Martial law na ba? Baka matakot kasi si Gloria sa Sunday Rally, mapilitan mag-declare.
mlq3,
thank you for the very insightful article on the budget. the only logical conclusion to this whole affair is for the House of Reptiles to be abolished. But not before exterminating the Chief Croc JDV and his minions: Edcel Lagman, Prospero Pichay, Prospero Nograles, Luis Villafuerte et all.
Nograles is genuinely scared of the Sunday Rally, pleading the opposition and the Church, saying that the rally would now be a futile exercise because there’s no more reason to protest.
Because the rape was not consummated anyway? Shameless. Ika nga, pag pinakita uli ang palda, manrereyp pa rin yan!
Shame on you all, especially you Edcel Lagman. You deserve to be buried in Mayon’s mudflow, the ‘Reming’ victims in Albay might be too glad to do just that. Just go away and hang your head in shame.
tagabukid,
being in the church does not make you a good Christian, being in the protest rally does not make you more patriotic.
Ordinary soldiers would not make a move. Pagkain lang ng pamilya nila, problema pa nila. They are at the mercy of their superiors. Coup does not come from the bottom.
Grow up. I will give you vitamins for the brain.
tagabukid,
Tama si The Cat, Ordinary soldiers could hardly provide a nutritious meal for their family, especially those who are in the combat zones. When the bread winner is away from his family, the income is spent in two locations (work place “combat zone” and the home “where family lives”. I suggest you will try to find out how the families of those soldiers are surviving.
On the PNP, have you not read from press releases that majority of them lives below, I repeat below the poverty level.
Cat and Camry or Canary
— THE MORE REASON FOR THE SOLDIERS TO JOIN THE RALLY THIS
SUNDAY … TO OUST THEIR LEADER ESPERON WHO LOWERS THE
CREDIBILITY AND PROFESSIONALISM OF THE AFP BY JOINING THE
CHEATING OF 2004 ELECTIONS !!!
SOLDIERS AND POLICE SHOULD BE THE PROTECTOR OF THE
CONSTITUTION, SO THEY HAVE THE RIGHT TO DO THEIR DUTY AND
JOIN THE PEOPLE THIS SUNDAY !!!
SUGURIN SI The Cat at si camry – Mga TUTA ni GMA !!!
that attitude does not bring you anywhere. Your hatred is directed to people who give honest opinion and do notfeed your ego by saying yeahs to all what you say even it is not doable.
Tell that to the marines and they are just going to snub you.
hahaha
Goodbye Vendetta,
Wake up you’re having a nightmare. hahaha
SIN CARDINAL or whatever your name-of-the-moment is: My guess is you’re 25-30 years old; you live at home with your mother; you are a news junkie; you don’t have a job; you spend 60-70% of the day on your computer, online; you failed a licensure exam, probably the Bar, and never got around to taking it again; and you blame the government for your lot in life.
You are also most likely a former student activist who continues his activism and practices his agit-prop on-line because that’s the only way you can recapture the absolute bliss of being relevant to the social life of the country.
Don’t bother correcting me.
Re: “Ordinary soldiers would not make a move. Pagkain lang ng pamilya nila, problema pa nila. They are at the mercy of their superiors.”
That’s true The Cat.
This problem is mainly due to the fact that the generals are stealing from the military coffers, and as if that’s not enough, they’ve also dilapidated the hard earned savings and pension funds of the troops, and as if that isn’t still enough, they continue maltreating them by corrupting them morally.
The military leadership in the Philippines has always been corrupt and so why should it change under Gloria’s regime? Matter of fact, military leadership has worsened and will just continue to grow worse. Almost all of the top military leaders, from major service commanders down to battalion commanding general have been so morally corrupted that it would take another generation or two to rid the institution of their influence.
Because of that, I don’t believe these generals will be of any use at all in the rally or in any political event even if, for the sake of argument, they decided to give in to clamors by certain quarters to topple Gloria. They are just as greedy, as dishonourable, as untrustworthy as their so-called commander in chief.
Rabid dogs of the same kennel barking together kind of.
VENDETTA,
For your reference, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ad_hominem#Ad_hominem_abusive_or_ad_personam
SIN CARDINAL,
I am with you that ordinary soldiers should have more reason to join the rally or other events to this nature in denouncing injustices, etc., but remember, soldiers are trained to follow orders. Unless a leader will guide and motivate them you can not see them in joining rallies.
I suggest you challenge the Junior Officers or younger senior officers to lead their men in putting up a new leadership. Furthermore, challenge Sergeant Majors and elders of the Enlisted Personnel to help in leading them. Finally, pray that a group of retired generals with high morals will guide them too.
Rest assured I am not tuta of GMA, repeat not T U T A ni GMA.
Ca T, you’re right to point out that ‘Coup does not come from the bottom‘. The more accurate term is uprising or mutiny and grinding poverty and a sense of outrage at continuing injustice are factors that can trigger such events. (For what it’s worth, if ever such a soldier’s uprising happens, i don’t think it will be because of Con-Ass or necessarily Gloria-related. It will be for reasons of its own.)
The evening news carried the story of the NBI gving a timely warning to Nograles that a gang of hired killers were going to assassinate him at a Christmas party in a hotel in Davao. Nograles decided to skip the party. He sent his son in his place.
Hey Gloria must be in real trouble. The Luli Brigade is out in force again!
MB,
Whaddya mean Nognogbrainless sent his sone in his stead? You mean he is that DUWAG that he’s prepared to risk the life of his son to save himself?
Well, well…I’ll be damned!
When will the Philippines (well, RP Police technically that is) ever do this sort of thing (Police question Blair over shady party dealing), question Gloria over, say, over the Garci thinggy or some other questionable transaction?
Banner story in UK’s The Times:
Police question Tony Blair
Tony Blair today became the first serving Prime Minister to be questioned as part of a criminal investigation when he was quizzed at No 10 about the cash-for-honours scandal.
Critics said that the development was a huge embarrassment for Mr Blair, who came to power in 1997 promising to be “whiter than white”.
Story in http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2-2503302,00.html
Hey guys, THE buid-up for a martial law scenario is underway.
GMA is always a step ahead.
Target of another pre-emptive strike: 2007 eletions.
Expect more and more news on “terrorists: Abusayaf-JI-MILF, NPA, destabilizers, etc, bombings, assassinations, etc.”
Maragay:
UNTRUTHFUL discernment got the better of her…especially because she cheated in 2004. who would still want to hear her explanation on this?
or, who would still want to believe her?
…typhoon senyang preempting the asean summit? I can only shake my head over this turn of events…borrowing fel maragay’s line…
—–
death penalty is one of her flip-flops…she was even caught on camera on this…
As long as the Military & Police do not arrest the members of the Philippine Senate, GMA can not declare Martial Law. If she does order them anyway, people power will change everything.
I believed the AFP & Police will not shoot civilians indiscriminately. Let’s assume there will be shootings of civilian during a people power, don’t you think a sizeable morally right soldiers will not do something to stop such barbaric act?
GMA might have a handful of loyal soldiers, but, the majority of the AFP are peace loving and patriotic people who risk their lives to protect the constitution.
Ana wrote:
“This problem is mainly due to the fact that the generals are stealing from the military coffers, and as if that’s not enough, they’ve also dilapidated the hard earned savings and pension funds of the troops, and as if that isn’t still enough, they continue maltreating them by corrupting them morally.”
You got it right. The ordinary soldiers and low rank officers contributed their hard earned pesos while their military officers “mis”managed the funds.
Some generals have discretionary funds. So why rock the boat by staging a coup ?
The soldiers will not rise in mutiny. Shoot to kill sila. Some of the disgruntled few just joined the left”handed” people in the boondocks.
Where were the officers who are responsible for the misappropriation of funding and the corrupt practices of ghost purchases? There was just one sacrificial lamb. Garcia. Masyado lang naman kasing garapal ang family. imagine the boys staying in the Trump Tower and bringing in lots of lots of dollahs. hehehe
The public resistance and anger against fraudulent Arroyo- De Venecia’s Constituent Assembly is a residual effect of massive cheating in the 2004 presidential election. This is the reason why the Arroyo regime is pushing hard a charter change to remain in power beyond 2010 and escape impeachment and possible conviction in the Senate. The Hello Garci electoral fraud and its subsequent cover-ups still unanswered. The original sin- Kudeta 2001 and electoral fraud 2004 needs final resolution. Oust Gloria Arroyo! People Power Luneta!
Oplan ‘Strong Republic’, 1Q 2007
GMA to Bush: “If the opposition and the Communists win in the 2007 elections, expect: the VFA to be junked (Smith to Bilibid), economic protectionist communist-propagandized nationalism, haven for international terrorists in the south, instability and threats to foreign interests, treaty revocations, debt payment cap, etc. Obviously, the Communists and the populists winning in 2007 is a serious threat to Democracy.
After my administration’s attempts at much needed political reforms were thwarted by parties with vested interests and hidden agenda and when the economy that is on the verge of take off is again being sabotaged by destabilizers, it is has become necessary for me to undertake more decisive and pro-active action to save our Democracy, preserve our economic gains and secure a better future for our people.â€Â
Bush to GMA: “Democracy must be defended against the terrorists and Communists. You can count on my support.â€Â
Martial Law
Planning
Strategic Positioning
GMA-loyalist generals are in strategic positions both in the Military and in Critical government posts.
Officers in doubt are neutralized, restive commands dispersed, ‘disloyal’ officers imprisoned (w/o formal charges)…
Soldiers are subjected to anti-communist/anti-opposition mass indoctrination, psyhologically subjected to conditioning: loyalty and support in-exchange for food, provisions, pay, funding.
Camry says : “As long as the Military & Police do not arrest the members of the Philippine Senate, GMA can not declare Martial Law. If she does order them anyway, people power will change everything.”
–The first sentence is not true. Note that mass arrests of legislators did not happen in Thailand’s recent declaration of martial law. Martial law is the temporary rule of a designated area by military authorities in time of emergency when the civil authorities are deemed unable to function. [The designated area can be, say, the island of Palawan. It can be only over four provinces. Or the area can be an entire nation.] Under martial law, civil rights are usually suspended, and the activities of civil courts are restricted or supplanted entirely by military tribunals.
…The second sentence about People Power’s power is a definite “maybe not… maybe not… maybe not… maybe maybe.” Marcos martial law was for years. The recent Thai martial law is still in place. Burma’s martial law also still in place despite the number of years.
Cynicism can be so tiring……
Eto ang listahan ng mga elitista sa mga elitista ng Pinas and their net worth according to Forbes Magazine …
1. Henry Sy – $4.0 billion
2. Lucio Tan – $2.3 billion
3. Jaime Zobel de Ayala – $2.0 billion
4. Eduardo Cojuangco – $840 million
5. George Ty – $830 million
6. John Gokongwei – $700 million
7. Tony Tan Caktiong – $575 million
8. Andrew Tan – $480 million
9. Emilio Yap – $350 million
10. Oscar Lopez – $315 million
Maliban kay Zobel de Ayala, do you notice something about their last names?
Ilan kaya sa kanila ay lalong nagim sakim nuong panahon ni Marcos?
Are they part of the nation’s problems or the solution?
Ano ang iniisip nila sa nagyayari sa bayan, like would they prefer Ate Glo declare martial law?
If they do talk about the country’s problem during family dinner, what language do they use?
Saan ba nagsisipagaral ang kanilang mga apo?
Magkano ba ang utang ng bayan sa kanila?
Magkano ang investment nila sa China sa ngayon?
Do they care at all where the cha cha train goes or kung ano ang mangyayari sa prayer rally sa Luneta?
Does it matter to them at all if two-thirds of the Filipinos don’t eat enough nutritious food?
Sa palagay n’yo maka-Glue sila?
I just really warming up. Pero anong say n’yo?
Lupita’s subliminal message … Gloria in the manger NOT Gloria in danger.
check pic at http://www.inq7.net/index_network.htm
JOIN THE PEACEFUL AND RIGHTEOUS RALLY AT LUNETA ON DEC. 17, 2006! THIS IS A MASSIVE SHOW OF UNITY OF THE VARIOUS SECTORS OF OUR SOCIETY IN OPPOSING THE DESPOTIC TENDENCY OF THE PRO-ADMINISTRATION REPS. OF THE PHILIPPINE CONGRESS TO RAILROAD A SUPPOSED-TO-BE DEMOCRATIC PROCESS. I’M IN FAVOR OF CONSTITUTIONAL CHANGES IN THIS COUNTRY. BUT SUCH CHANGES SHOULD NOT BE “DICTATED UPON” TO THE FILIPINO PEOPLE. LET THE ORDINARY FILIPINOS PARTICIPATE AND DECIDE WHICH CONSTITUTIONAL CHANGES SHOULD TAKE PLACE IN OUR COUNTRY. IN SUCH A PROCESS THE MAJORITY SHOULD DECIDE THE NECESSARY CHANGES IN THE CONSTITUTION.
POLITICAL ABROGATIONISM ADVOCATES REAL, GLOBAL AND MORAL DEMOCRACY FOR THE PHILIPPINES AND THE WHOLE WORLD. THE POLITICAL ABROGATIONISTS’ IDEALS CAN BE READ AT: http://www.geocities.com/esabon/POLITICAL_ABTROGATIONERS.html . THE READERS OF THIS MESSAGE CAN WATCH SOME VIDEOS ABOUT “POLITICAL ABROGATIONISM” AT : http://www.youtube.com/prodemocracyman55 . SUPPORT THE PEACEFUL, CLEAN AND FAIR HOLDING OF THE 2007 NATIONAL ELECTIONS IN OUR COUNTRY. NO TO ELECTORAL CHEATINGS! THANKS.
Dear watchful eye,
Mga negosyante yang nilista ng Forbes kaya stability ang gusto nila. Kung kaya ni GMA ma-stabilize ang bansa, gusto nila yon. Kung hindi naman, ok lang na may-kapalit basta may stability.
Di nakakagulat na karamihan ay Fil-Chi. Mahusay sila magpalago ng kayamanan. Ang inaasahan ko sa kanila, sa yaman nila, tulungan nila ang bayan para sa ika-uunlad ng lahat, lalo na ng mga mahihirap. Unang-una na ay umiwas sana sila sa pag-gamit ng sobrang contractualization ng mangagawa dahil hindi ito nakakatulong sa pag-angat ng kabuhayan. Pangalawa ay magpasahod sila ng tama (living wage) para mabuhay ng disente yung mga mangagawa. Puwede rin sila mag-profit sharing sa mga empleyado. At pangatlo, dapat silang magbayad ng tamang buwis para matulungan ang mga programang gobyerno para sa serbisyo sa tao. (Pantasya ko yung tren na tuloy-tuloy mula Aparri hanggang Jolo).
Bakit walang Cruz, Pascual, Garcia, Recto, Macapagal, Arroyo, Ramirez, Gonzales, Borromeo, Bocobo, Rivera, Hernandez, Torres, Nebres, Silva, Santos, Rosario, Tolentino, Panganiban? Wala ding Co, Chan, Cho, Chua, Ong, Leung, Wang, Chiu, Liang, Hsia, Teng, Deng, Yao, Tsui, Lung, Ho, Lei, Pai, Kung, Shu, Niu.
Wala din Andrew, Clark, Ambrose, Harper, Lee, Edward, James, Stewart, Smith, Anderson, Taylor, Poe, Phillips, Parker, Scott, Mitchell, Carter, King. Walang Rizal, Bonifacio, Lapulapu, del Pilar, Gomez, Burgos, Zamora.
It’s not a surprise that Chinese-sounding names dominate the list. The dream of a Filipino graduate is to get a job, preferably abroad. The dream of a Chinese graduate is to start a business. You don’t land in the Forbes list by working for somebody else. You become filthy rich and land in the Forbes list by working on your own business. A corporate vice president or manager will be as miserable as your friendly taho vendor if he loses his job. That’s why these highly paid employees who belong to the middle class do not want to rock the boat, lest they lose their perks and privileges. That’s why Bong Austero would rather lose his rights than lose his job.
Most probably (although, I`m not so sure) the people listed in the Forbe`s list of wealthiest Filipinos pay their taxes honestly and correctly because if not, then the BIR would have basis for running after them. If their declared assets minus liabilities did not match the BIR and Forbe`s, they would have a problem. What`s puzzling me is the valuation of Manny Villar, Chavit Singson, and the other wealthy personalities in the political scene. Isn`t it that ever since Villar entered the political arena, he time and again topped the annual list of the wealthiest lawmaker (as Congressman & Senator)? Why is he not included in Forbe`s list? And if the exposes I read in Newsbreak about the Arroyos and the allegation of Cong. Cayetano`s secret German bank account of the Arroyos are true, should it be Gloria & Mike Arroyo topping this list instead?