The Philippine elections in 2010 will fall on a Tiger year.

According to Wikipedia:

The Tiger , is one of the 12-year cycle of animals which appear in the Chinese zodiac related to the Chinese calendar.  The Year of the Tiger is associated with the earthly branch symbol 寅.

People born within these date ranges can be said to have been born in the “Year Of The Tiger,” while also bearing the following elemental sign:

8 February 1902 – 28 January 1903: Water Tiger
26 January 1914 – 13 February 1915: Wood Tiger
13 February 1926 – 1 February 1927: Fire Tiger
31 January 1938 – 18 February 1939: Earth Tiger
17 February 1950 – 5 February 1951: Metal Tiger
5 February 1962 – 24 January 1963: Water Tiger
23 January 1974 – 10 February 1975: Wood Tiger
9 February 1986 – 28 January 1987: Fire Tiger
28 January 1998 – 15 February 1999: Earth Tiger
15 February 2010 – 3 February 2011: Metal Tiger

Chinese Astrologer Paul Ng has indicated that the Philippines will be among the countries plagued by political instability in 2010, along with countries in South America and Africa.

Interestingly, Paul Ng has advise for Gloria Macapagal Arroyo who was born in the year of the Pig and perhaps it comes belatedly.  The advise basically warns her to be careful of her reputation.

Regarding Noynoy Aquino who was born in the year of the rat, Paul Ng says that Aquino would favor traveling and that big changes in his work would happen.  He also predicts that Noynoy may be married next year, possibly to a foreigner.

A New York Times article once called the succession of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to the country’s presidency in 2001 as “either being called mob rule or mob rule as a cover for a well-planned coup.”  The timing was very calculated.  It was no coincidence that former President Joseph Estrada was ousted just two and a half years into his term.  The main reason for this is that according to Article 7, Section 4 of the country’s 1987 Constitution, no person who has succeeded as President and has served as such for more than four years shall be qualified for election to the same office at any time.  This meant that since President Arroyo only served for three and a half years, she was allowed to run for the 2004 presidential election.  Of course at this point or at any time in the future, we may never know the full extent of her involvement either directly or indirectly, or whether she was really involved at all.  Maybe the events that have transpired leading to the coup were just spontaneous in response to the alleged graft and corruption charges against former President Joseph Estrada.  Maybe President Arroyo’s hands are clean, but the one thing that we have come to know about her in the past nine years is her strong appetite for power.

It is not surprising then that before her term ended, President Arroyo declared to run for a congressional seat in the second district of her home province, Pampanga, in the 2010 national election.  Her motives might truly be based on her dedication for public service, but such motive is hard to swallow considering her attempts to revise the 1987 Constitution several times.  During the 2004 presidential election, charter change was one of the top priorities on her campaign.  As such, when she won, she created a Consultative Commission whose main task was to recommend certain revisions to the 1987 Constitution.  One of the recommendations that the commission presented was a shift to a unicameral parliamentary form of government.  This idea caught on and in her State of the Nation Address on 2005 before a joint session of Congress, she called for an adoption of a parliamentary form of government.  The transition would take a few years, which she and her allies planned to fully complete by 2010 at the end of her term.  Obviously this change never took place, but one wonders if President Arroyo still hopes for this change to happen once she is in Congress.  It is easy to make the accusation that maybe she is striving for the Prime Minister position.

When it became obvious that she could not get the necessary support to proceed with her plans to shift to a parliamentary form of government, she tried another route in order to prolong her presidency by, once again, amending the constitution.  This time, the intended revision was on Article 7, Section 4 of the constitution; namely, by extending President Arroyo’ six-year term.  The controversial passage of House Resolution 1109 by pro-administration congressman to amend the constitution even without the senate’s involvement was rightly interpreted as a move to extend the president’s term beyond 2010.  Fortunately, however, the passage of the resolution did not guarantee a change in the constitution since according to Article XVII, Sections 1 and 2 of the 1987 Constitution, the Constitution can be amended or revised in either of three ways: (1) by the Philippine Congress; (2) by a Constitutional Convention; or (3) directly by the people in what is called as people’s initiative.  Since the majority in the Senate does not support any charter change, amending the constitution through Congress is not possible for President Arroyo and her allies in the lower house who wants to form a parliamentary form of government.

So, why do you think President Arroyo wants to hold a higher post in public office?  The most obvious reason that comes to mind based on actual reports is financial.  Let’s take a look at her wealth when she became a senator in 1992.  Her net worth then was only 6.73 million Pesos.  In 2001, however, when she became President, her net worth jumped by 890 percent to 60.07 million Pesos.  Finally, from 2001 to 2008, her net worth doubled to 143.54 million Pesos.  So, from 1992 to 2008 while she was in public service earning a meager salary, her net worth increased by 136 million Pesos from 6.73 to 143.54 million Pesos.  I’m usually not the type to pass judgments on others, but the facts are hard to disprove.

Written by: Dayanghirang , Danny

Tuesday, 23 June 2009 of MINDANAO TIMES

THE CONSTITUTION  is the bible of governance. It is the basis on how the Government will operate and run its populace. Our constitution was adopted by the people in 1987 after a constitutional commission made during the time of then Pres. Cory Aquino. Some said that the new constitution is a result of anger against the former regime of Marcos, who was removed from office by the people and a new government was installed thereafter.

Be that as it may, it is more than 20 years and I agree that the Constitution must be revisited to adjust some of its provision to fit to the present times. But is tinkering the constitution now timely and beneficial? I say no.

The election is fast approaching and for the administration not to be accused of extending the term of GMA, why not call for a constitutional convention during the local and national elections come 2010, so the one who will study the constitution are elected by the people themselves, rather than converting the congress to constituent assembly which I believe has some political interest, especially those who are in their last term of office.

I am also in the last term and inasmuch as I want to serve my constituents more as city councilor, my contract with the people ends on June 2010. Such a contract, I believe, should be respected. Thus, let us have the 2010 elections.

For the meantime, let’s strengthen the electoral process so that there will be a credible and honest election. This will strengthen more the foundation of our Government. Is the present presidential system of government defective? I cannot attribute so much on it. For me, leadership founded on integrity and honesty is a fundamental need of our time to eradicate corruption, lies and cheating in the governance. Good leaders at all levels, living by example, are very essential so the people will follow and respect the same.

The system is there – with all the power of the president. He or she can eradicate the basic problems of our people caused by corruption. Honesty and integrity should start from us. As for me, I know I have a lot of shortcomings, but I cannot be attributed to in the matter of stealing what is due to the people.

Yes, I could have benefited from the possibility of extending my term but I do not want to because extending the term of elected official is the problem itself. We need to have a fresh mandate of the people, and I can sense that through a new mandate and a new administration, we can at least see the light at the end of the tunnel.

I therefore urge you to resist any constitutional change for now. In the meantime, let’s have a new president who understands the plights of our people —— from the legacy issue to the housing problem and many more. May GOD bless us all Filipinos!

GMA and the Backhoe

Another quickie from the UP Lantern Parade. UP condemns the cruel Maguindanao Massacre. Arroyo at Ampatuan, PANAGUTIN, PANAGUTIN, PAGBAYARIN!

Poor boys once, Manny goes for Manny 
By Aquiles Zonio, Rosa May de Guzman
Inquirer Mindanao
First Posted 01:20:00 12/19/2009

GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Philippines —They partied all night, then sealed the deal at 1 a.m.

World boxing icon Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao formally joined the ranks of the opposition under the Nacionalista Party, taking his oath early Friday before Sen. Manny Villar, the NP candidate in the 2010 presidential race.

Pacquiao made it official in a simple ceremony held at the champ’s mansion in Lagao village here, a few hours following his lavish birthday bash at the KCC Convention Center where about 2,000 guests came to greet the 31-year-old multimillionaire athlete.

we think there are two stories here – one is the main thing which is manny pacquiao joins manny villar in the NP party. the other story is that manny pacquaio has turned opposition and has dropped his alignment with the arroyo administration and by extension gilbert teodoro.

we see pacquaio a lot with arroyo when he wins his boxing matches. it also helps that DENR lito atienza and arroyo admin official chavit singson are close friends and supporters of pacquaio.

while pacquiao has not really joined a lot of the political publicity for arroyo nor teodoro, with the election campaign season about to open and pacquiao running for congress, we should expect a lot more exposure for pacquiao.

villar runs a superb marketing ad advertising effort behind his campaign, we should expect  a lot of new things in the near future with pacquiao in it. and that on its own is a big loss for the arroyo administration and its candidate, gilbert teodoro.

WAWAM! after hours' post on lorelei fajardo

we have written about lorelei fajardo, one of our favorite spokespersons of president arroyo in this blog  last december 1 (read here: Memo To: Gloria Macapagal Arroyo – fire Lorelei Fajardo, the Maguindanao Massacre aftermath).

we just read a news article saying she has quit being the presidential spokesman of president arroyo. (read article here: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/12/18/09/fajardo-quits-deputy-presidential-spokesman)

we do not know if arroyo or anyone in malacanang reads this blog, but we think getting fajardo fired, err to accept her resignation, according to this news article a “career choice” is the right thing to do.

it is this statement of hers which is the basis of our recommendation to president arroyo that t fajardo be fired from her job:

“I don’t think the President’s friendship with the Ampatuans will be severed,” Lorelei Fajardo, her deputy spokesperson, told reporters Thursday in Filipino. “Just because they’re in this situation doesn’t mean we will turn our backs on them.”

fajardo made that statement  november 26, we wrote the piece on december 1, fajardo got fired, err she made the career move  decenber 17. wow, that took a long time from the time she made the unfortunate declaration of how arroyo views loyalty to friends.

this statement of fajardo has stuck in the mids of media people. i have read quite a number of articles written on the maguindanao massacre where many foreign media uses that statement as lead in to the kind of treatment the ampatuans are getting within the philippine judicial system. it really is a very unfortunate statement.

this firing err resignation of fajardo as presidential spokesman of arroyo has been carried by the major newspapers as well and  it is quite interesting that each article included the fajardo’s statement on arroyo’s special friendship with the ampatuans. it looks like that statement of fajardo has made a lasting impression on the media outlets.

for myself i will be using that statement as a top example on “what not to do when you are presidential spokesman” when i do lectures or talks on PR or communication. now we are wondering what are the qualifications to get hired as spokespersons in malacanang?

just a note to end this peice – todate malacanang has not retracted the statement made by fajardo.

I spent the better part of four hours early today taking in the 2009 reports on the Philippines from the American think tanks Fund For Peace and the Foreign Policy Institute’s Failed States Index.

I will not burden you with the full accompanying reports from the two entities (see the links here) but they point to imperative social and governmental actions for our political leaders, policy make rs, and all Filipinos.

Particularly telling is the assessment in the failed stated index that the Philippines is in the category of failing states and that vital reforms do need to be undertaken in a broad range of socio-political concerns, foremost among them in human rigjts, public health, education, and governance.

In a quite chilling tone, the failed states index summary opens with this warning:

It is a sobering time for the world’s most fragile countries—virulent economic crisis, countless natural disasters, and government collapse.

While not singling out the Philippines, the reports also note:

•    Few states fail by chance. Accidents of geography and history play a certain part, but so do corruption and mismanagement.
•    Failed states have two defining criteria: They deliver very low quantities and qualities of political goods to their citizens, and they have lost their monopoly on violence. Nation-states on the cusp of failure are either “weak” or “failing”—but not “failed.”

The map above from the FSI 2009 report shows how the Philippines ranks 53rd among 177 countries.

http://www.fundforpeace.org/web/

http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2009/06/22/the_2009_failed_states_index

As the introduction to the 2009 report notes:

… the global recession is sparking fears that multiple states could slip all at once into the ranks of the failing. Now more than ever, failed-state triage could become a grim necessity for world leaders from the United Nations and World Bank to U.S. President Barack Obama’s White House.

That the Philippines is now being ranked as being “in danger of failing” says volumes given how our society is a little more than four months away from national elections that will replace the hugely unpopular, and scandal plagued reign of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

Congress is about to pass the national budget for 2010 totalling PhP 1.42-trillion.

I cannot but wonder how our leaders will use the money to reverse our status as a state in danger of failing.

Equally telling is the Fund For Peace overview on the Philippines.

With due credits to the agency, here it is in full:

Social Indicators

The score for demographic pressures improved slightly from 7.0 in the FSI 2007 to 6.9 in the FSI 2008.  The population growth rate is 1.728%, and there is a youth bulge, with 34% of the population below the age of 15. Although the Philippines is made up of over 7,000 islands, the majority of the population lives on just 11 of them. In addition, the country faces severe environmental degradation including soil erosion, air and water pollution, and uncontrolled deforestation. The score for refugees and displaced persons remained constant at 5.7 in both the FSI 2007 and the FSI 2008. There are about 300,000 displaced people as a result of fighting between government troops and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and Abu Sayyaf rebel groups. Floods and mudslides have also contributed to the number of IDPs. The indicator for group grievances decreased from 7.2 in the FSI 2007 to 7.0 in the FSI 2008.  In January, a body found in a remote area was confirmed to be that of Abu Sayyaf leader Khaddafy Janjalani, raising questions of the group’s ability to continue fighting with full strength. In April, however, the military announced it was increasing its offensive against Abu Sayyaf after the group beheaded seven Christian hostages. The country continues to suffer from a severe brain drain, causing the score for human flight to worsen from 6.7 in the FSI 2007 to 7.2 in the FSI 2008. The net migration rate in 2007 was -1.47 migrants per 1,000. The medical sector is in dire need of trained professionals, as many nurses and doctors leave the country seeking better wages.

Economic Indicators

There is widespread inequality in the Philippines, causing the score for uneven development to remain high at 7.6 in the FSI 2008. The wealthiest 10% of households earn 31.2% of the national income, whereas the poorest 10% earn only 2.4%. Thirty percent of the population lives below the poverty line. The score for the economy increased from 5.8 in the FSI 2007 to 5.9 in the FSI 2008. Although the economy grew at a rate of 7.3% in 2007—the fastest rate in three decades—the country is still burdened with a large national debt and relies heavily on the billions of dollars sent home each year by the huge number of Filipinos working overseas.  Although President Arroyo has made progress in boosting macroeconomic stability, more sustainable revenue sources are required in order to gain longer-term fiscal stability. The services sector accounts for approximately 55% of the GDP and grew by 8.7% in 2007. With over 3 million visitors from overseas spending more than $5 billion, the tourism industry hit a record high in 2007, driving a 15% growth in air transportation. In addition, mining and quarrying grew by 25%.

Political/Military Indicators
The indicator for legitimacy of state worsened slightly from 8.2 in the FSI 2007 to 8.3 in the FSI 2008.  Violence surrounded the May parliamentary and local elections, and during the three months of campaigning that led up to the election, over 120 people were killed.

In September, ex-President Estrada was found guilty of massive corruption and sentenced to life in prison. Shortly after, however, he received a presidential pardon. In November, there was a failed coup attempt by renegade soldiers who were on trail for a failed mutiny on 2003.

The score for public services remained constant at 5.9 in the FSI 2008. Six years of primary education are free and compulsory and four years of secondary education are free but not compulsory. Attendance rates in 2007 were 84% for primary education and 58% for secondary education. The adult literacy rate was only 73%. Access to healthcare was also insufficient. The Philippines has only 115 doctors per 100,000 people and many of these doctors are located in Manila, leaving many of the country’s rural residents without access to healthcare.

The score for human rights also remained constant at 6.8 in the FSI 2007 and 2008 as there continued to be instances of abuses committed by the police and by members of the various insurgent groups. Additionally, in 2007 there were numerous cases of extrajudicial killings and disappearances. Increasingly, a greater connection has been established between the military and political killings.

Some human rights groups claim that since President Arroyo took power in 2001, over 800 activists have been killed. The indicator for the security apparatus improved from 7.6 in the FSI 2007 to 7.4 in the FSI 2008, although the military is still suspected of acting with impunity and committing political killings. External influence remained at 6.9 in the FSI 2008 as the U.S. military continues to provide assistance to fight insurgent groups. In 2007, the Philippines received $145 million in foreign assistance from the U.S.

President Gloria Arroyo won reelection in 2004 after first taking power in 2001 in a bloodless four-day “people power” popular revolution that overthrew Joseph Estrada following his impeachment trial over corruption.

Despite calls for her resignation in mid-2005 over alleged vote-rigging, she survived an impeachment attempt in September 2005, although her power was considerably weakened.

The Philippines has armed forces of 106,000 troops and an additional 84,000 paramilitary troops. There have been isolated incidents of civilians killed during counterinsurgency operations, and the military is known to act with impunity and commit political killings.

The police force was corrupt, inefficient, and accused of human right abuses, including unlawful killings, torture, excessive use of force and soliciting bribes.

Although the law provides for an independent judiciary, the judicial system was corrupt and inefficient and wealthy or influential offenders often enjoyed impunity.

The civil service was fairly efficient, although there were some instances of corruption.

Prognosis

On the whole, the Philippines is relatively stable, although the Muslim and Communist insurgencies are a serious issue and have worsened in recent years. High inequality combined with extreme environmental degradation in some areas also made life extremely difficult for the country’s rural poor. The public’s trust in government has also been seriously damaged by the fraud allegations and continuing institutionalized corruption.

Copyright (C) 2009 The Fund for Peace

http://www.fundforpeace.org/web/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=411&Itemid=574

I’m leaving this post open-ended and letting our readers draw their own conclusuions or prognosis for where we may be head in 2010.
Paging the presidential aspirants.

Looking forward to 2010 with hope and trepidation.

Links:

http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2009/06/22/2009_failed_states_index_danger_ahead

http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2009/06/22/2009_failed_states_index_the_whiplash_effect

http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2009/06/22/2009_failed_states_index_blame_game

http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2009/06/22/2009_failed_states_index_disorder_in_the_ranks

An officemate introduced me to English singer Lily Allen’s “Fuck You” song a few months ago. It’s kinda cute when I first heard it, but only got to remember the catchy “Fuck you, fuck you very very much” chorus. It was only a few days ago when I got to read the whole lyrics. It was hilarious. The first person who came into my mind upon reading it was none other than she who pretends to be the President of the Republic of the Philippines: Gloria Macapal Arrovo (hey, I’ve been a champion speller since high school; so don’t antagonize the way I spell).

I posted it in my Facebook account. Then one of my friends commented that it was the same song made for George W. Bush. I thought it was interesting (especially for an Englishwoman to write an anti-Bush song). And upon quick research, here’s what Wikipedia has to say:

The song originally appeared on Allen’s Myspace page in 2008 alongside the songs “I Could Say” and “I Don’t Know” (now known as “The Fear”) under the title “Guess Who Batman”. Despite its titular reference to the caped crusader, according to NME and Rolling Stone magazines the song is an anti-George W. Bush protest, while another source the Urban Review states that it was originally inspired by the right-wing British National Party, adding Allen now “feels the track is relevant everywhere now so has removed a particular target.” At the 2009 Glastonbury Festival prior to performing the song, Allen made reference to the elections to the European parliament that had commenced 3 weeks earlier in which the British National Party gained their first ever representative seats, citing this as a reason to sing the song. The song was written by Lily Allen and Greg Kurstin. Lily Allen wrote:

“ We are the youth, we can make coolness for our future, it’s up to us. Go green and hate hate.”

Well, if you ask me, the song is very relevant in the Philippines now, especially for GMA. Anyway, both Bushy and GMA have many similarities in common. Aside from downright evilness and an extreme urge to lie, both of them came into power in 2001. Their respective fathers were ex-presidents (♪ ♩ you want to be like your father / its approval you’re after / well that’s not how you’ll find it ♩ ♫). And George Dubya and Arrovo are now being hailed as the most corrupt and unpopular leaders their respective countries ever had.

I suggest to political activists that they play this happy-soundin’ “Fuck You” song whenever they stage protest rallies against GMA. Or better yet, let us all sing this song the moment she leaves Malacañang Palace next year! Who said protest marches couldn’t be this fun? LOL!!!

It was vintage Gloria Macapagal Arroyo this morning addressing a group of educators in Malacanang.

She used the occasion to thump her chest and in a quite self-serving manner described how “my swift and decisive action” prevented rebellion in Maguindanao “from spreading to engulf other areas in lawlessness and the collapse of the courts and local government authority.”

“I had to make a though choice and I did take decisive action.”

She was gratuitously referring to the week-long declaration of martial law in Maguindanao which her military commanders have admitted “allowed us to fast track the arrest of those behind the November 23 massacre and the looming rebellion of followers of the Ampatudan clan.”

So indeed, the cat is out of the bag: the supposed rebellion was triggered by the operations to go after the massacre suspects!

So Malacanang declared MARTIAL LAW  in  knee-jerk fashion and we are supposed to say thank you.

But what is not being explained to the public is how it was possible for the Ampatuans to flourish, to amass munitions right from the National Arsenal, complete with a Barrett sniper rifle to scores of 50 and 60-caliber machine guns, mortars, recoil-less ricles, and oh yes, armoured personnel carriers enough to outfit an entire military brigade!!!

Here’s one report on the recent discovery of arms stockpiles:

Who was the Frankenstein that created the monster. Pray tell us, Pres. Arroyo.

Also please tell us how and whythe Ampatuans are widely thought to have ‘operated’ in the 2004 and 2007 elections to ensure zero votes for the political opposition.

Also now please tell us, will the supposed evidence obtained by martial law forces in M aguindanao on the basis of arrest, search and seizure orders stand as legally-obtained evidence in out courts of law?

“Our critics had no faith in our Constitution and perhaps even in out democracy.”

“We make no apologies for acting as we did as it was based on a sound reading of our Constitution and what had to be done to pusue justice.”

Who are going to answer for the apparent pilferage of government munitions collected by the erstwhile political bedfellows of Mrs. Arroyo she has now labeled as rebels?

The regime’s politics of expediency once again prevails but is genuine rule of law secure and sacred?

A friend recommended that I read an article written by Jim Paredes, a member of the Filipino singing group Apo Hiking Society and an inspiration.  His article has eloquently voiced out what I have been trying to tell my friends about the apathy of the Filipino.

Having enjoyed this article, I would also like to share it with all of you.

we take with keen interest senator miriam santiago’s point of view that cerge remonde should be “eliminated”. errr, we think senator santiago means remonde has to resign his day job of press secretary of the arroyo administration.

we have written about cerge remonde in this blog before, one was in reference to the OBOBS parade on the million peso dinner arroyo had in new york (read here: http://2010presidentiables.wordpress.com/category/cerge-remonde/) and the other on cerge remonde’s boob job booboo. not his boobs but president arroyo’s breast augmentation scandal. on the last one, one of the lesson learned is that cerge remonde makes it a point a point to look at the boobs of president arroyo. he has done it so often and might be on a regular basis because he was able to compare the size of president arroyo’s breasts to those of sexy showbiz stars. (read ans click here: the lessons arroyo’s breast implants taught us – cerge remonde looks at arroyo’s breasts)

we love to see where this love that santiago has on remonde will go. senator santiago is one of our favorites in the senate. we think she is one senator the country should never do without. but we can’t say the same thing on cerge remonde.

read in full here: Santiago calls Remonde ‘illiterate and ridiculous’

we take with keen interest senator miriam santiago’s point of view that cerge remonde should be “eliminated”. errr, we think senator santiago means remonde has to resign his day job of press secretary of the arroyo administration.

we have written about cerge remonde in this blog before, one was in reference to the OBOBS parade on the million peso dinner arroyo had in new york (read here: http://2010presidentiables.wordpress.com/category/cerge-remonde/) and the other on cerge remonde’s boob job booboo. not his boobs but president arroyo’s breast augmentation scandal. on the last one, one of the lesson learned is that cerge remonde makes it a point a point to look at the boobs of president arroyo. he has done it so often and might be on a regular basis because he was able to compare the size of president arroyo’s breasts to those of sexy showbiz stars.  (read ans click here:  the lessons arroyo’s breast implants taught us – cerge remonde looks at arroyo’s breasts)

we love  to see where this love that santiago has on remonde will go. senator santiago is one of our favorites in the senate. we think she is one senator the country should never do without. but we can’t say the same thing on cerge remonde.

read in full here: Santiago calls Remonde ‘illiterate and ridiculous’

“In view of the accomplishments of martial law and the suspension of the privilege of the habeas corpus under Proclamation 1959, the Cabinet has recommended the lifting of martial law and which the President has approved,” Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita announced earlier today.

Martial Law in Maguindanáo.

Finally, they’ve come to their senses: Martial Law has been lifted in non-rebellious Maguindanáo. It’s about time. There is really no state of rebellion in the province. Plain and simple. Martial Law may have been justified, say, if it was directed against MILF aggression. But the group has been quiet for a long time. So why place the province under military rule?

When an alleged coup d’état against the Arroyo Administration last 2006 was discovered by the military, the country was placed only under a state of emergency. But Arroyo could’ve easily placed the country –or at least Metro Manila where “much of the action” was planned out– under Martial Law no matter what her critics say about it. But she didn’t. On the other hand, Arroyo could’ve just placed Maguindanáo under a state of emergency instead of declaring Martial Law. But again, she didn’t. Which makes her political behavior more confusing and suspect.

Theories have been put forward about the Maguindanáo Martial Law debacle. Many legal experts say that if the province is placed under Martial Law, then the murder raps filed against the Maguindanáo Massacre suspects, the Ampatuan clan (particularly Datu Unsay Mayor Andal Ampatuan, Jr.), will be relegated to rebellion. And it is said that punishment for rebellion is surprisingly lighter compared to murder. It is likely that it was the real motive. After all, the Ampatuan clan is an Arroyo ally. Arroyo has a debt of gratitude to the embattled Muslim clan. It’s not really doubtful that they collabarated against FPJ’s electoral downfall in ARMM, particularly in Maguindanáo, during the 2004 Philippine National Elections.

Even the manner the mayor of Datu Unsay was taken in by authorities from his posh mansion in Maguindanáo to the National Bureau of Investigation headquarters in Manila was tainted with “royal preference”. If the massacre was headed by an ordinary person, the “arrest” would have been different. It could’ve been nasty. Punches and curses could’ve been thrown here and there. There could’ve even been blood. But no, that wasn’t the way it happened with the mayor. And it only reveals how unequal justice is in this country.

Afterwards, the arresting party claimed that the chopper they used to bring the primary suspect to Luzón was attacked “from the ground” by gunfire from unknown assailants. They said that Mayor Ampatuan was shocked. It was hilarious, really; nobody up to now took their claim seriously. That incident even died as soon as it was revealed to the media. And I could be the only person writing about.

Based on the foregoing, it appears that there is an obvious attempt to exonerate Mayor Ampatuan to the public by making him appear to be the victim, the downtrodden, the oppressed. But they only made him more ridiculous and hated and laughable. Nobody bought the chopper shooting incident.

You see, folks, the majority of Filipinos may have been wallowing in poverty for decades. But that doesn’t mean that the Filipino people are stupid. They have been through a lot of hell, and much of that hell was from the original Martial Law of Marcos. We’ve learned our lesson in blood.

The Filipino people are not stupid like what Arroyo and her lackeys think they are.

Gloria, you run a country, not a congressional district

Gary Olivar said that Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is too busy to even attend the historic joint session of Congress to address the martial law declaration in Maguindanao.

Yeah, right. Too busy doing what?

At the time Congress was in session, she was hundreds of kilometers away from Batasan. She is in Bulacan and Pampanga (Yes, her visit to the province is a top contender for a Guinness award). At the time of the session, she was signing a bill into law transforming a state college to a university.

The newly-turned university in Pampanga will scoff at me if I say that this change in status as an institution is nonsensical for this country. Yes, it may be a milestone for the institution but the actual signing of the law could have been made in Malacañang. A president should be busy attending more serious matters.

As a budding journalist, the martial law declaration has more news sense than the passage of such a bill. The declaration was unprecented in the post martial law era just like GMA’s decision to run for congresswoman was. The passage of the bill was not. At this point in time, GMA IS INDEED BUSY. She is busy campaigning in the second district of Pampanga to woo voters which she began ages ago. What we have now is not a president. Rather, a busy politico banking on the ancient trickery of petty patronage to win the heart of the people. With GMA’s pampering of her province, Pampanga may love her projects but the rest of the country awaits for roads, infrastructures, and projects.

She has completely forgotten that she runs a country, not a congressional district.

I’m really in a cooky mood so even this is really a rant, I’ll try to be sane.

Like mother, like ‘son, little president’ Eduardo Ermita is the latest member of the official family of Pres. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to say he’s running for Congress next year, and while that’s a partisan activity, he won’t resign.

Like his boss, Mr. Ermita wants us to just trust that he won’t use public funds nor use the influence of his high office as undue advantage in trying to regain his old congressional seat in Batangas.

We’re really such a ‘blessed’ people that Ermita and Arroyo, and their ilk are so enamored with selfless public service that they’ll leave Malacanang but keep their mugs in the news ‘in our service’.

Dammit.

Note:

The other Cabinet and administration officials seeking national or local posts next year are:
• Cabinet Secretary Silvestre Bello III (for senator, Lakas-Kampi CMD)
• Presidential Management Staff Director General Hermognes Esperon Jr. (for the Sixth District of Pangasinan, Lakas-Kampi CMD)
• Chief presidential legal counsel Raul Gonzalez Sr. (for mayor of Iloilo City, Lakas-Kampi-CMD)
• Budget Secretary Rolando Andaya Jr. (for the First District of Camarines Sur, Liberal Party)
• Technical Education and Skills Development Authority Chairman Augusto Syjuco Jr. (for Iloilo’s Second District, Lakas-Kampi CMD)
• Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap (for Bohol’s Third District, Lakas-Kampi-CMD)
• Environment Secretary Lito Atienza (for mayor of Manila, Liberal Party)
• Deputy National Security Adviser Luis Singson (for governor of Ilocos Sur, Lakas-Kampi CMD).

Galing no?

The newstory below sounds awfully familiar…

Convoy bearing massacre evidence ambushed

Suspected followers of the Ampatuan clan in Maguindanáo ambushed a military and police convoy Thursday night as it headed for General Santos City with evidence in the Nov. 23 massacre that the authorities collected in Shariff Aguak, Maguindanáo, police said.

Senior Supt. Willie Dangane, Cotabato City police director and deputy Task Force 12 Alpha, was on board a Toyota Altis police car with evidence recovered from the mansion of Andal Ampatuan Sr. in Shariff Aguak, Maguindanáo’s provincial capital, when three men standing at a road side opened fire with M-16 rifles at about 8 p.m.

With Dangane in the car was Chief Supt. Felicísimo Khu, chief of the Central Mindanáo police. Neither official was hurt in the firing. Inquirer.net

As of this writing, there is still no resolution over Arroyo’s questionable Martial Law declaration. It is still being debated in Congress.

But if we are to compare this sad current event to the first Martial Law imposed by ex-strongman Ferdinand Marcos, the abovementioned ambush on the military and police convoy in Maguindanáo would be questionable, too.

Remember what happened to then Minister of Defense Juan Ponce Enrile on the night of 22 September 1972? He was also “ambushed” on his way home to his posh Dasmariñas Village home in Macati City. According to government reports, it was perpetrated by “communist terrorists”. Fortunately for Enrile, he escaped unharmed. And ironically, he’s now the Senate President presiding over the first joint Congress (together with House Speaker Próspero Nograles) which discusses the validity of Martial Law in Maguindanáo.

Prior to the Enrile “attack”, communist insurgency and student left activism have been giving the dictator a lot of headache. So upon hearing of the “ambush”, an angry President Marcos called the attack on his Sancho Panza “the last straw”. He then proceeded to sign Proclamation 1081 placing the entire Philippines under military rule, officially (and more popularly) known as Martial Law.

What happened next was one of the darkest periods in Philippine History.

Years later, when the people rebelled against Marcos in the now famous 1986 People Power Revolution, the beans were spilled. Together with then Vice Chief of Staff Lt. Gen Fidel Ramos (who later on became the 12th President of the Philippines), Enrile admitted to members of the press that the 1972 ambush was fake — it was staged for the sole purpose of declaring Martial Law, a vile scheme to arrest all those who opposed Marcos’ rule! It turned out that Enrile and Ramos were part of the infamous and mysterious “Rolex 12”, the group of military advisers who had helped Marcos plan Martial Law.

Could it be possible that yesterday’s “ambush” against the military and the police carrying evidence against the Ampatuan clan is simply a ploy, a fake, a farcical tactic of the hated Arroyo regime? The dubious Martial Law imposed in Maguindanáo is in grave danger of being revoked by lawmakers. The modern “Rolex 12″ surrounding La Petite Demoiselle will do anything to prove the legitimacy of Martial Law in Maguindanáo.

In the first place, why declare Martial Law just now? If veritable, the writ of habeas corpus should’ve been declared in Muslim Mindanáo a long time ago. Remember that the Moro Islamic Liberation Front has been wreaking havoc in that area. And before them, there was the Moro National Liberation Front. But never was Martial law imposed. Why?

Isn’t it that the Ampatuan clan helped Arroyo “win” in the controversial 2004 Philippine National Elections? Filipino hero and legend, Fernando Poe, Jr. lost heavily in Maguindanáo, the Ampatuan clan’s stronghold. And that election loss in the said province is something quite unthinkable even up to now since the King of Philippine Cinema is very popular all over Mindanáo.

Isn’t it that Maguindanáo is also at the center of the Hello Garci maelström?

It appears that the pieces of the puzzle are starting to show up one by one, creating a clearer picture of today’s corruption. The smoke is starting to clear. And Arroyo is having a hard time fanning the flames to cover up her fake presidential @$$.

These people who are bloody drunk with wealth in power — don’t they realize that they are not forever?

we will be running a series of posts in this blog that will look into the governments action against the ampatuans in connection with the maguindanao massacre.

we will be picking up relevant quotations from news articles to collapse them into a whole.  

Rebellion can be a defense against murder charges.

Other senators warned that the imposition of martial law could exonerate the Ampatuans from their involvement in the massacre of 57 people in the province on Nov. 23 because of warrantless arrests and seizures.

Gordon said Congress’ endorsement of Presidential Proclamation No. 1959 would provide the perpetrators of the massacre with a way to escape the heavier penalty for murder by embracing the rebellion charges.

Rebellion charges carry lighter penalties, he noted.

Gordon said the government might be letting others get away with the worst crimes and the worst penalty by claiming that the Ampatuans were engaged in rebellion.

“The scope of martial law is sweeping, and if this issue gets buried over time, they can be pardoned for their rebellion,” Gordon said.

“Aren’t we making a mistake? … (A)s a lawyer, I know that if we declare martial law is valid, and the suspension of habeas corpus is valid, and even if we charge them with multiple murders, Mayor Ampatuan and his lawyer will say Congress has declared martial law as valid, therefore, we are rebels,” Gordon said.

“And because we are rebels, you can only charge us with rebellion,” the senator said.

“The government is bungling the case. The evidence seized illegally cannot be used against the Ampatuans. Nowhere in the Constitution does it say that the right against illegal searches and seizure is suspended,” he said.

Martial law does not suspend the Bill of Rights, Pangilinan said.

In a statement, the FSGO aired concerns that the steps being taken by the government under martial law might be “successfully challenged” in the Supreme Court and eventually “allow the murderers to go scot-free” on technicalities.

“While seemingly answering the public clamor for justice for the victims, the Arroyo administration may be laying the foundation for justice to be denied,” the FSGO said. “It was murder in Mindanao, not rebellion. Being staunch allies of the Arroyo administration, it is incredible for the Maguindanao leaders to go against that administration,” it said.

read in full here: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20091211-241312/Murder-raps-may-be-buried

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20091211-241314/Petitions-to-high-court-stopping-1959-now-total-7

Yesterday was historic because the unprecedented first joint session of Congress was held. Both members of the Senate and the House of Representatives convened for the first time in the history of Philippine politics to deliberate the merits of Arroyo’s surprising declaration of Martial Law in Maguindanáo.

But Arroyo wasn’t even there in the convention.

“Why is she not here? This is history. Does she not have the courtesy at all to report in person? We thought that with the President declaring martial law, the President herself should be here to explain to us,” asked Maguindanáo Rep. Didagen Dilangalen, his voice rising.

Together with fellow Maguindanáo Rep. Simeón Datumanong, Dilangalen said that they were the only lawmakers who were personally affected by Presidential Proclamation No. 1959.

Ms Arroyo issued the proclamation on Friday night to suppress a “rebellion in the offing” of disparate armed groups loyal to the Ampatuan clan, accused of masterminding the Nov. 23 killing of 57 people in Maguindanáo.

Since Friday’s proclamation read by Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, Ms Arroyo has not spoken one word about exercising her extraordinary martial law powers. She also has yet to face the press. Inquirer.net

Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile and House Speaker Próspero Nograles.

Those who presided over yesterday’s historic session, House Speaker Próspero Nograles and Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile were quick to defend Arroyo. They claimed that she already complied with the constitutional requirements when she submitted her report to Congress 48 hours after she declared Martial Law in Maguindanáo on the night of December 4.

Heto lang ang masasabi co dian: Less talk, less mistake. Zero talk, no mistake.

Arroyo’s such a clever girl.

What could BFFs Eduardo Ermita and Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo be thinking?
(1) Ermita to GMA: “Girl, those f*ck-me-pumps aren’t as hot as they look on the runway!”
(2) GMA to Ermita: “Look at my Manolos, don’t they make me an inch taller?”

(3) Seriously, there’s a run. Squint. It’ll come to you.

(4) Ermita to GMA: “I told you to wear the red Louboutins. They match better with the carpet!”

(5) I smell something sh*tty. Did you step on something?

One thing’s for sure. The shit ain’t from the shoes.

Photo from today’s The Philippine Star

this is comment posted by jon from texas in this blog, (read here:  http://2010presidentiables.wordpress.com/2009/12/09/presidentiables-as-of-mid-november-2008/#comment-3287)

we think it’s a good read for all.

———

I am a Filipino-American living in the US for over 20 years.

I left the Philippines in my teens when Corazon Aquino became the president after Marcos. I was elated to see how the Philippines would progress economically and the possibility of replacing those dirty politicians in Malacanang.

The turmoil and hardship in the Philippines had progressively worse with the exception under the leadership of Fidel Ramos during his tenure as our president, the country became somewhat better and the country was in the verge and footstep of an economic recovery. There was a time where I could not wait to read the business section from Time Magazine on how progressive the Philippine economy under the Ramos administration. At last, the Philippine brand “The Old Sick Man of Asia” will finally get the cure.

Then comes Joseph Estrada who is clueless, stupid, and very naïve on how to run a country. If Filipinos has any sense they should vote to somebody who has a legitimate education that will help him interpret and execute the constitution. Estrada has no formal education, he is a dropped out of high school and college. Maybe he did not pass his classes…

When he won the presidency, Filipinos had put themselves again in-lined with Bangladesh as the poorest and pitiful country politically and economically. Not to mention the most corrupt country in the world led by Joseph Estrada who plans to run for president again.

I hope Filipinos will start to think before they vote. They should vote on who is qualified, has proven record of accomplishment, and with great vision of the future, and a concrete map to the country’s economic future not by popularity because they have money or their running mate is a celebrity.

When Joseph Estrada won the presidency, the country deteriorated. The people’s living condition became indescribable. As a Filipino, it hurts me to see this.

In my research, I think Dick Gordon by far is the most obvious qualified candidate that can make every Filipino proud. He has proven himself numerous occasions in desperate times. I hope the INC Church Leader will choose him as their prime candidate. Let us examine each candidate….

Regarding Manny Villar failed to attend the Halalan 2010 debate. He cancelled the last minute because he said he had an important business meeting. The question remains, what is more important he is business meeting or becoming the president of the country. It just shows his priority! His personal business meeting.

Regarding Teodoro Gilberto, he represents the Arroyo Administration who has a legitimate relationship and linked with the Ambatuan Clan in Maguindanao….do I need to say more. Look at his running mate, Edu Manzano (the actor and TV personalities) what is he going to do?….Oh I know, let us do the “Papaya Dance”!

Regarding Noynoy Aquino, he represents a body of TV personalities. No proven track record besides inheriting his name.

Technically, the country remains the same when Cory Aquino was president. It did not get any better. Maraming mahirap pa rin na tao sa Pilipinas.

Regarding Villanueva and Perlas, what do you think they are capable of?

To all the presidential candidates, the only logical choice who has the proven track record is the Gordon/Fernando Team. See what he has done to Olongapo and as a Senator. See what Fernando has done as a former Marikina Mayor and MMDA Chairman.

Do your research….see for yourself….try http://www.Youtube.com search for Gordon and MMDA Fernando Bayani.