Sunday, June 29, 2008

It is time to take back our country!

This was sent to me...

WHAT

CAN BE
MORE
CALLOUS
THAN
THIS?

While Typhoon Frank devastated the country
and claimed more than 650 lives,
including the poor victims of the MV Princess of the Stars sea tragedy,
illegitimate President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and her 74 junketeers
mindlessly spend billions of taxpayers' money
to visit Bush and watch Pacquiao fight in the US.


MONEY SPENT MINDLESSLY

USD 1.5 M JUNKET!
300-5000 – Willard Hotel rate
30 rooms booked
400-500 – Dinner per plate
207++ - Airline rate per person
800-1000 – Rental per car
30 cars rented
250 consulate officials mobilized



THE PERKS
P100,000 – each congressman gets monthly travel allowance
P1,620 – travel tax exemption when traveling with the President




WHO ARE THE 74 JUNKETEERS?



Representative Province


Rep. Narciso Santiago III, Alliance for Rural Concerns Party List Group

Rep. Monico Puentevella, Bacolod

Rep. Albert Garcia, Bataan

Rep. Mark Llandro L. Mendoza, Batangas

Rep. Hermilando Mandanas, Batangas

Rep. William Irwin Tieng, Buhay Party List Group

Rep. Jose Zubiri III, Bukidnon

Rep. Lorna Silverio, Bulacan

Rep. Mitzi Cajayon, Caloocan

Rep. Diosdado "Dato" Macapagal Arroyo, Camarines Sur

Rep. Joseph Santiago, Catanduanes

Rep. Elpidio Barzaga Jr., Cavite

Rep. Antonio Cuenco, Cebu

Rep. Eduardo Gullas, Cebu

Deputy Speaker Raul Del Mar, Cebu City

Rep. Rommel Amatong, Compostela Valley

Speaker Prospero Nograles, Davao City

Rep. Antonio Lagdameo, Davao Del Norte

Rep. Marc Cagas, Davao Del Sur

Rep. Nelson Dayanghirang, Davao Oriental

Rep. Teodolo Coquilla, Eastern Samar

Rep. Andres Salvacion, Leyte

Rep. Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez, Leyte

Rep. Trinidad Apostol, Leyte

Rep. Ma. Zenaida Angping, Manila

Rep. Amado S. Bagatsing, Manila

Rep. Bienvenido Abante Jr., Manila

Rep. Rizalina Seachon-Lanete, Masbate

Rep. Herminia Ramiro, Misamis Occidental

Rep. Yevgeny Emano, Misamis Oriental

Rep. Rozzano Rufino Biazon, Muntinlupa

Rep. Joseph Gilbert Violago, Nueva Ecija

Deputy Speaker Ma. Amelita C. Villarosa, Occidental Mindoro

Rep. Anna York Bondoc, Pampanga

Rep. Aurelio Gonzales Jr., Pampanga

Rep. Juan Miguel Macapagal Arroyo, Pampanga

Rep. Conrado Estrella III, Pangasinan

Rep. Ma. Rachel Arenas, Pangasinan

Rep. Eduardo C. Zialcita, Parañaque

Rep. Roman Romulo, Pasig City

Rep. Mary Ann Susano, Quezon City

Rep. Nanette C. Castelo-Daza, Quezon City

Rep. Danilo Suarez, Quezon Province

Rep. Junie Cua, Quirino

Rep. Arturo B. Robes, San Jose Del Monte

Rep. Roger Mercado, Southern Leyte

Rep. Munir Arbison, Sulu

Rep. Rex Gatchalian, Valenzuela City

Rep. Antonio Diaz, Zambales



Senate


Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago

Sen. Richard Gordon (Sen. Gordon did not go and did his job as Red Cross Chairman)



Cabinet


Sec. Arthur Yap, Agriculture

Sec. Rolando Andaya, Budget

Sec. Gov. Amando Tetangco, Central Bank

Sec. Gilbert Teodoro, Defense

Sec. Ronaldo Puno, DILG

Sec. Jesli Lapus, Education

Sec. Lito Atienza, Environment

Sec. Margarito Teves, Finance

Sec. Alberto Romulo, Foreign Affairs

Acting Sec. Marianito Roque, Labor

Sec. Ignacio Bunye, Presidential Spokesman

Sec. Jesus Dureza, Press

Sec. Peter Favila, Trade



Shall we leave our country in the hands of such uncaring people?



It's time to take back our country!

Saturday, March 1, 2008

TIME to DIVIDE the HOUSE - Without DIVIDING the Republic, not yet anyway

TIME to DIVIDE the HOUSE
(Without DIVIDING the Republic, not yet anyway)

Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, her handlers, cohorts, and minions are holding on to power based on the allegation that they still have the support of the majority of the estimated 90 million Filipinos. This allegation is seemingly shored up by the last pronouncement from the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), leaving it to the individual members of the Catholics in the Philippines, to make their respective choices/decisions.

The most concrete expression of support to any government is the actual payment of taxes by its constituents. It is time to test the allegation of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, her handlers, cohorts, and minions that they still have the support of the majority of the estimated 90 million Filipinos. Let us “divide the house” without dividing the Republic, not yet, anyway. Perhaps, after the implementation of the following proposal, effectively we shall divide the Republic of the Philippines WITHOUT any violence whatsoever.

Starting today 01 March 2008, ONLY those Filipinos who support the government of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo shall continue paying all the prescribed taxes by the Republic of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. The rest of Filipinos who do not recognize the government of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo shall withdraw all forms of support, starting with the most concrete act: NOT paying any tax whatsoever.

Let this be the deciding action for each and every Filipino Citizen. Those who recognize and support the government of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo shall only be the ones to pay taxes. Those who renounce the illegitimate government of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo shall stop paying any form of tax whatsoever, until she steps down or up to the end of her term on 30 June 2010

Let the division of the house start NOW!


NEO FILIPINO

Tama na, Sobra na!
Iniibig ko ang Pilipinas!
Ikaw rin ba, iniibig mo ang Pilipinas?
Kung kasama ka, kilos na!
Kung hindi ka kasama, tumabi ka!
PATALSIKIN ANG MGA TAKSIL SA BAYAN!

Tuesday, February 26, 2008

GMA MUST GO!

GMA MUST GO!

-------------------

Please bring us back to the barracks


We are soldiers. We are also citizens. We, together with our families, are so much a part of the community more than our beloved organization. We are not faceless automatons incapable of thinking, feeling and discernment. We feel the pain of our neighbors as much as their anger. We see their oppression and sense their hopelessness. Of course, their happiness is ours too. But they are not!We, too, can distinguish good from evil, a truth from a lie, an honest one from a cheat and a thief. But it would be our most grievous sin if we tolerate and do nothing about it.

In the 2004 elections, a misguided and partisan few from among our ranks went out of our barracks not with a noble intent….but to commit a crime against the people. The rest of us stayed behind and watched as it happened. These criminals in uniform strayed away from barracks not to protect the people, but rather to subvert the will of the people. They are still out of barracks trying to cover up for the crimes they committed while suppressing the truth. Sadly, more are being lured out of barracks to partake of the loot.

EDSA 1 and today are no more different. In fact, today is worse than the conditions that prevailed before. There are more compelling reasons for the soldiers to go outside of its barracks. The mess that was created in 2004 either by direct participation and/or by silent complicity needs to be cleaned. It would be the height of insensitivity and callousness to let alone the people do the cleaning when we, ourselves, were so much a part of it. Going out of barracks to join the people in communal action to rid the ills that befell our nation is a Constitutional duty. In fact, it is demanded of us, as soldiers, by the very people whom we failed. Let us not, this time, fail them. Let our voices be heard from the barracks. Let our sense of community be felt from the barracks. And let our actions be seen in and out of the barracks.

After everything has been said and done…. We appeal to the Filipino people to bring us back to barracks and keep us there. Keep us forever in barracks by electing responsible public officials and holding them accountable, by being ever vigilant and by strengthening your sense of community. We, your soldiers, will then march back to barracks to settle to the task of keeping your worthy trust and respect. Let that be our covenant.

Keep the spirit burning and MABUHAY KAYONG LAHAT!


Maj. Gen. Renato Miranda and Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim, Marines and Scout Rangers
incarcerated for allegedly planning to withdraw support from Gloria Arroyo two years ago.


February 25, 2008

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THE TRUTH

It is often said that “the truth will set you free.” Bu this would be understood in the philosophical and moral context, because the truth, in many cases will send a person to prison. Mr. Lozada does not appear to be a saint, but the truth may have set him “free,” as perhaps, it was a means for him to attain peace with his own God and to reconcile himself with his concept of what is just and good. However, for Mrs. Arroyo, some members of her family, and their cohorts, including Mr. Esperon, the truth will send them to prison.

And so it is said again that “the truth hurts.” The truth may hurt because, well, it could send you to prison. But the truth could hurt more if and when it publicly reveals a person for who he really is, e.g. – a crook, a cheat, a liar, a coward, or simply dishonorable. It has been said that a man values his reputation more than anything else. Whether that reputation is correct or not is a different matter. Nobody wants to be called or known as crook, a cheat, a liar, or a coward. That is why people go to great lengths to hide their true nature, or pretend to be something they are not in order to cultivate a more palatable public image. Some people have become so adept at this deception, that they fool even themselves.

And so we come to the next point – what is the truth, anyway? Goebbels once said that a lie, repeated often enough, becomes truth. In law, regardless of what the reality is, the truth could simply be what the available evidence shows, and ultimately what the tribunal declares it to be. And, in a society such as ours, who really “determines” what the tribunals of law say? Is truth what historians say it to be? And who writes history? Is it not the victors of the present dispensers of power?

Mr. Esperon and his handful of minions are fully aware that the vast majority of the men and women of the AFP are already repulsed by the brazen, unabated and worsening corruption in the highest levels of government, the unmitigated and boundless greed of a favored few, the government’s insensitivity to the abject poverty and suffering of the masses, and the politicization of key officers and positions in the AFP. Mr. Esperon should know, because he is right at the center of this depraved, decadent and degenerate administration. Deep inside him, Mr. Esperon knows that he no longer has the respect or support of the men and women of the AFP. In truth and in fact, Mr. Esperon relies on nothing other than military bureaucracy and chain of command to maintain nominal control and to project an image of unity in the AFP.

Mr. Esperon has made repeated and frantic calls for soldiers to uphold the constitution and the laws of the land. He would like to brand himself and his group as defenders of the constitution and those who oppose him as “mutineers,” “rebels,” “Adventurists,” “rogues,” “criminals,” and “enemies of the state,” with “messianic complexes.” This call comes from a man who has violated the constitution and the law many times over, and with impunity.

Following the constitution or defending the constitution, indeed sounds appealing and the proper thing to do. For, we have wakened and lived all our lives in a society held together by that social compact known as the constitution. But we must open our eyes and rise above paradigms that have become dysfunctional in a society such as ours. The truth is that our leaders, including Mr. Esperon, have no respect for the laws of our land and for our constitution, but they hide behind its rhetoric when they find it necessary, convenient or expedient to entrench or perpetuate themselves in power. The truth is that our leaders, our political elite and their business partners, are using and abusing our institutions, our laws , our constitution, an our processes to give a semblance of legitimacy to what is in fact an immoral and unabated orgy of corruption greed and abuse of power. The truth is that, under our constitution, SOVEREIGNTY RESIDES IN THE PEOPLE AND ALL GOVERNMENT AUTHORITY EMANATES FROM THEM. Hence, when the current political elite use the very institutions of government to commit and “legitimize” unspeakable abuses, wreak havoc and inflict all sorts of injustice against the people, THE MASSES HAVE THE MORAL, CONSTITUTIONAL AND LEGAL RIGHT TO CLAIM AND EXERCISE THE SOVEREIGNTY THAT PERTAINS TO THEM IN THE FIRST PLACE. And the further truth is that the ARMED FORCES OF THE PHILIPPINES IS THE PROTECTOR OF THE PEOPLE AND THE STATE.

This is the common yearning of all democratic peoples, indeed all peoples, as embodied in the American Declaration of Independence: “All men are created equal, x x x they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, x x x among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. – That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, - That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shown that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government and to provide new Guards for their future security.”

So the question again is, what is the truth? Who are the rogues, who are the criminals, who are the enemies of the state, who are the enemies of the people? Who are the crooks, the liars, the cheats, and the cowards? Who are the true defenders of the people and constitution? IT IS THE VICTOR WHO WRITES HISTORY. That is why Mr. Esperon will do everything in his power to ensure Mrs. Arroyo’s political survival. Mr. Esperon’s fate is cast with that of the current administration. His loyalty is not to the constitution, his loyalty is not to the people, rather his loyalty is to himself, and to those who will ensure his survival.

The clarion call for TRUTH is being sidestepped by a flurry of calls and messages evoking undying loyalty to a person, at the expense of institutions. Shameless and pathetic are but tame words to describe these actions of some members in the AFP leadership.

I WILL DIE FOR YOU MA’AM…but never shall I die to ferret out the TRUTH behind the “Garci Tapes” and the involvement of Mr. Esperon and his criminal gang in the 2004 elections.

I WILL DIE FOR YOU MA’AM…But never will I die in defense of our soldiers and policemen who have been robbed of their housing units.

I WILL DIE FOR YOU MA’AM…But never shall I die to demand for the combat pay of our dying soldiers in the battlefield.

I WILL DIE FOR YOU MA’AM…But never shall I die to protect citizens and “Lozadas” whose truth will undermine your presidency.

I WILL DIE FOR YOU MA’AM…But never shall I die for the right to air legitimate grievances.

I WILL DIE FOR YOU MA’AM…for in doing so; I continue to enjoy the perks and benefits of my position. Err, please keep the funds flowing. I don’t care if those funds come out of the misery of our soldiers or that of the citizenry. Ma’am, I will die for you, even if it takes my own soldiers to shoot me. To hell with them!

WHATEVER HAS BEEN OR WILL BE SAID AND DONE, THE TRUTH IS THAT THIS GOVERNMENT HAS BECOME DESTRUCTIVE OF THE ENDS OF LIFE. LIBERTY AND JUSTICE. THE TRUTH IS THAT THIS GOVERNMENT HAS A LONG RECORD OF ABUSES AND USURPATIONS, EVINCING A DESIGN TO REDUCE THE PEOPLE UNDER ABSOLUTE DESPOTISM. THE TRUTH IS THAT THE FILIPINO PEOPLE HAVE THE COLLECTIVE CONSTITUTIONAL, NATURAL AND MORAL RIGHT AND DUTY TO DEFEND THEMSELVES, TO FIGHT FOR A BETTER FUTURE, TO FEND THE YOKE OF POVERTY AND CORRUPTION, AND TO RID THEMSELVES OF ABUSIVE, CORRUPT AND UNWANTED LEADERS.

February 20, 2008

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Break the chain of lies and deceit


We express our support for truth and justice. As members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines who have sworn to defend the Constitution and protect the Filipino people, we refuse to be cowed into silence and submission by a leadership anchored on thievery and deceit.The events that transpired during the elections in 2004 have brought so much shame in the collective conscience of the AFP. A cabal of a few criminal elements in the Armed Forces led by Mister Esperon has wrought so much misery to our country and people. The silence of the majority reinforced this misery. There will be No Esperons, No Abaloses, No Pidals, No Garcias, No Bolantes, No Garcillanos, No Bedols, No Neris if only there were more Lozadas.

Engr. Jun Lozada has broken the chain. And by doing so, he has been liberated. Our Armed Forces, whose chain of command has been used to cheat the people, lie to the people and oppress the people, has lost all its moral claim as protectors of the people in the eyes of whom we seek to serve. It is now time to break that chain and liberate the Filipinos. In the words of Mr. Lozada, “let us keep whatever is left of our souls”.

To the Filipino people, we are one with you. Your aspirations are also ours. Your dreams are also our dreams. Your actions may well be ONE.

MGGEN RENATO P. MIRANDA, COL ARIEL O QUERUBIN, COL ORLANDO E DE LEON, COL JANUARIO G CARINGAL, COL ARMANDO V BAÑEZ, LTC CUSTODIO J PARCON, LTC ACHILLES S SEGUMALIAN, LTC NESTOR T FLORDELIZA, LTC EDMUNDO D MALABANJOT, MAJ JASON LAUREANO Y AQUINO, MAJ FRANCISCO DOMINGO R FERNANDEZ, MAJ JOSE LEOMAR M DOCTOLERO, CPT JAMES C SABABAN, CPT RUBEN B GUINOLBAY, CPT MONTANO B ALMODOVAR, CPT JOEY T FONTIVEROS, CPT ISAGANI O CRISTE, CPT WILLIAM F UPANO, CPT DANTE D LANGKIT, CPT ALLAN C AURINO, CPT FREDERICK M SALES, 1LT ERVIN C DIVINAGRACIA, 1LT JACON S CORDERO, 1LT HOMER A ESTOLAS,
1LT SANDRO U SERENO, 1LT RITCHIEMEL S CABALLES, 1LT BELINDA R FERRER.


February 15, 2008

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Panahon na para manindigan


Nais po naming ipaabot ang aming pagbati sa lahat ng nakikibahagi sa napaka importanteng pagkilos na ito. Bagama't kami po ay kasaukuyang nakapiit dito sa PNP Custodial Center sa Camp Crame, kasama ninyo kami sa diwa at damdamin. Kami po ay malugod na nagpaaabot ng aming pakikiisa sa inyo.

Pagkatapos po nating marinig ang mga rebelasyon ni Jun Lozada kung gaano na kalala ang korapsyon sa Malacañang, kailangan po sigurong mag muni-muni tayong lahat at pag isipan natin ang kahulugan nito sa buhay natin at kinabukasan ng ating mga anak. Ayon po kay Jun Lozada, hindi pa sila nakuntento sa 3.2 bilyon na kickback mula sa ZTE NBN project, walang pakundangan pang pinakailaman nila ang pondong nakalaan sana para sa pabahay ng ating mga sundalo at pulisya at para sa proyektong patubig para sa barangay para makakuha ng 200 milyong dolyar o 8 Bilyong pisong kick back. Ang masakit po nito, tayo ang magpapasan at magbabayad para dito. Grabe na'to!

Ito ay isa na lamang dagdag sa sangdamakmak na anomalya at iskandalong nagawa ng GMA Administration sa nakaraang pitong taon.

Panahon na para magdesisyon! Panahon na para manindigan! Panahon na para kumilos! Panahon na para mamili ng bagong lider ang ating bayan.Sa lahat ng lider ng ating bayan at sa lahat ng ating mamamayan, samahan po ninyo kami ni manawagan kay Gloria Macapagal Arroyo na magbitiw na.

Ituloy po natin ang laban para sa katarungan at katotohanan! Ituloy po natin ang laban para sa Inang Bayan!

Mabuhay ang Pilipinas!

Brig. Gen. Danilo D. Lim (AFP), Senator Antonio F. Trillanes IV, Capt. Gary C. Alejano PN (M),
Capt. Segundino O. Orfiano Jr. PAF, Ltsg Manuel G. Cabochan PN, Lt James A. Layug PN, Ltsg Andy Torrato PN, Ltsg Eugene Louie P. Gonzalez PN, Ltjg Arturo S. Pascua Jr. PN, 1Lt Billy S. Pascua PAF, 2nd Lt. Jonnell P. Sangalang PN (M),
Ens Armand G. Pontejos PN.


February 14, 2008

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Monday, February 25, 2008

Silence is a Statement

For everyone who does not want to voice out the protest against "Immoral Governance".

Read the following, and reflect on it by yourself, and then decide what to do because:

"Silence is the more deafening statement" that
you tolerate and condone "Immoral Governance"



NEO FILIPINO
===========

Tama na, Sobra na!

Iniibig ko ang Pilipinas!

Ikaw rin ba, iniibig mo ang Pilipinas?

Kung kasama ka, kilos na!

Patalsikin ang mga taksil sa bayan!





From http://opinion.inquirer.net/inquireropinion/columns/view/20080225-121148/Silence-is-a-statement

Youngblood

Silence is a statement
By Yya E. Aragon
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 22:37:00 02/25/2008
MANILA, Philippines --

By some weird twist of fate, I met Mr. Jun Lozada and his prayer warriors. And I never felt more ashamed about being a youth in this country.

Our meeting was accidental. My thesis partner and I had gone to the Senate on the first day of the hearing for a purpose that had nothing to do with the ZTE national broadband network deal. We wanted to interview a reporter for our thesis who was covering the hearing. When we got there, we learned that the media had been divided into three groups to meet with Lozada after his testimony. Before our interview with the reporter began, his group's turn came.

My thesis partner and I were left alone. Having nothing better to do, we thought we could mingle with the media people, see Lozada in person, and maybe go home and tell everyone, "Hey, we saw that man in person!" Maybe a few snapshots taken from afar would do for evidence. However, this brilliant plan collapsed right at the entrance to the room when a guard stopped us and told us we were not representing any media organization -- we were only students.

My partner was furious at the discrimination, but nothing could make the guard change his mind. "Goes to show what kind of government we have!" I blurted out in protest.

We went to another room to wait for our interviewee to finish, still fuming over the injustice of it all. But we did see Mr. Lozada in the end. The little raucous did not go unnoticed. A man wearing a big ID card promised to help us. Given this tiny ray of hope that we might be able to squeeze in a question, we prepared a single one.

When we went back to the room where Lozada was giving interviews, we were surprised that a different guard was willing to give us a chance to speak to him. The kind stranger with the big ID card must have done what he promised (thank you, sir). The guard told us to wait near the door, but of course, we could not wait. We followed him.

We saw a small crowd in front of Lozada, and I noted that many of them looked about our age. It made me wonder why this group of media people looked so young. I noticed that Lozada was still wearing his jacket, looking tired but more relaxed than he did on TV.

To our surprise, the kind guard went straight to Lozada and told him we were students at the University of the Philippines. And to our horror, Lozada greeted us and invited us to sit down in front of him so we could begin our interview. My partner was holding the camera, so I had to ask the questions. We found ourselves in the middle of everybody. Lozada was in front of us, the nuns and brothers who looked so welcoming to our side and what we took to be a young media group, who turned out to be his nieces and nephews, at the back. (Silly of me to think they were media; not one of them was holding a pen or a camera!) With all the training I got from prep school to college and not wanting to disgrace the good name of our university, I pulled myself together and did the interview with my equally stunned partner and we went home, still not believing our good fortune.

The truth about this article is that it begins when one of the nuns turned to me as I was about to have a heart attack and asked, "Before you interview him, I want to ask you: With everything that is happening, what do you think you, the youth, should do now?" (It was worded differently and I can't even remember if she spoke in Filipino or English.) My blood pressure shot up. This was not an impromptu interview. This was an oral exam!

I told her what I believed at that moment. I said I did not believe in going to rallies. That the best thing the youth could do now was watch ourselves, watch who we become and after graduation, never let greed rule our actions. "I cannot do a Mr. Lozada," I said, "but, with all due respect, I can never do a Mr. Abalos either. I'd rather do a Mr. Lozada than a Mr. Abalos."

One of the La Salle brothers pointed out that Lozada at first didn't think he could do what he did. And the question the nun asked has been like a gadfly to me ever since, bothering me without ceasing. The truth is I am ashamed of my answer. The embarrassment especially hit me when Lozada declared on TV that if the people do not act, then his sacrifice will be wasted. He is right: He has done his part; what happens next is up to the people.

I am one of the youth of this nation, the supposed bearer of idealism. I study in a university that teaches the importance of being active in society. And there I was saying that I had to graduate first before I could help bring about change, that the only change I can effect right now is on myself. While this may be true on some points, I feel uncomfortable about being passive and thinking, "Let others do the changing because I can only change myself." At this stage in my life, I should have known that a fragile, battle-weary family man would be unable to carry the burden all by himself.

I am ashamed that all I wanted to do was sit down comfortably in front of the TV and watch a man risk his life, family and credibility. I am embarrassed that all I ever did was grumble and complain about greedy politicians and wait for our generation's turn to run the government. The crusade for an honest nation cannot be carried by a single individual. It should be fought by the people who are mad at having their money stolen for the enrichment of a chosen few.

My silence is not anymore deafening, it is crushing. It has become a mute agreement. In essence I am saying that there is nothing that can be done about the situation. Silence is a statement, one that says corruption is unsolvable. And for me it is one that says I do not care what happens to this country.

I am a Filipino, and though I am a coward at heart, I want to protect it from crooks, not after graduation, not in the next 10 years, but now.

Those protest rallies are wake-up calls to those who need to be stung by gadflies. They are statements. And though they are a hundred times repeated and nothing seems to happen, they are reminders that the people remain awake and vigilant. They say we do not tolerate corruption, we are ashamed of what is happening right now, we are not afraid to speak the truth, and we cannot approve of $130 million or any amount being stolen from our pockets. The rallies are a demand for people running the government to come out into the sunlight, hiding nothing, getting nothing that is not theirs and doing their duties. If we keep fighting, maybe something will happen. Maybe not now, but surely it will happen some day.

This is not a call for everyone to join the rallies. All I want to say is that this is not the time to just listen to the radio or watch television. In whatever lawful way possible, let us voice out our protests. I am sorry for thinking I could only change myself. Change starts with oneself but it does not and should not end there.

Yya E. Aragon, 21, is a fourth-year Broadcast Communication student at the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City.

Thursday, February 21, 2008

The Bottom Line for Immoral Governance

The BOTTOM LINE is IMMORAL GOVERNANCE must STOP right HERE and NOW!

To wait for May 2010 is the pitch of those who benefit from Immoral Governance whether directly or indirectly.


"Tama na, Sobra na!"

"Iniibig ko ang Pilipinas!"

"Ikaw rin ba, iniibig mo ang Pilipinas?"

"Kung kasama ka, kilos na!"

"Patalsikin ang mga taksil sa bayan!"

Wednesday, January 16, 2008

CHARTER CHANGE - A FACADE TO BOGUS FEDERALISM

Just like a pernicious, malevolent, and virulent strain of cancerous cells, another call for Charter Change has been coming out of the woodwork of Philippine politics. For this round, the protracted deadlock in peace negotiations with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) is being used as the dangling “bait” to the Filipino People. Where before the proponents for Charter Change were all from the Majority Party, this time there are additional proponents from the ranks of the Minority Party. One can not help but suspect that there could be “Trojan Horses” in the Opposition.

The pitch is anchored on the “federal system being the only feasible solution to the centuries-old rebellion in Mindanao” as contained in a recent press release from no less than the Office of the Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Nene” Q. Pimentel, Jr. Subsequently, Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita announced that the government is prepared to discuss the federalism proposal when the peace talks resume. And as if pushing the stakes higher, Pimentel even warned that the peace talks should not be derailed and delayed any longer in view of the increasing restiveness among the ranks of Muslim rebels which may lead to the revival of the separatist war. Joining the bandwagon is a well-known staunch proponent of the concept of “Federalism” since the early ‘70s, Dr. Jose B. Abueva, U.P. Professor Emeritus of Political Science and Public Administration and former Chairman of the 2005 Consultative Commission on Charter Change.


Pimentel said a federal system setup will put an end to the recurrent Muslim secessionist conflict because it will not only give the people in Muslim Mindanao a measure of self-rule but will also enable them to assert and preserve their cultural identity, specially their Islamic faith and way of life. He said that the creation of a Bangsa Moro Federal State is the collective wish of the Muslims in Mindanao which was conveyed to him through conversations he had with practically all the known Muslim rebel leaders, their ulamas, and their business, academic and youth leaders. “To a man, they prefer the establishment of a Bangsa Moro Federal State over the autonomous region. Otherwise, the threat of secession still hangs in the air as the ultimate way of out of the Moros of the predicament they find themselves in.”

In concert, Dr. Abueva declared “And I respectfully appeal to all local government leaders and the legislators to seize the moment for transforming our highly centralized and stultifying unitary system into a devolved structure of autonomous regions that will release the creativity and energies of local leaders and citizens all over the country. Mindanao, the cradle of regional autonomy and federalism, has a historic opportunity to lead our country in regional autonomy and federalism.” In addition, Dr. Abueva is proposing the shift from the presidential government into a “unicameral” parliament.

What the Filipino People should be reminded about is that the Honorable Senator Pimentel was appointed after EDSA ’86 as the Minister of Local Government and Presidential advisor/chief negotiator with the Muslim insurgents in Mindanao. The Filipino People must also remember that he was elected Senator (1987-1992), and he authored the seminal Local Government Code. Rather than listen to his pitch about “Federalism”, the Filipino People should ask the Honorable Senator why he failed to resolve the Muslim insurgency during his stint as Presidential advisor/chief negotiator more than 20 years ago. Most importantly, the Honorable Senator must be asked about the implementation of the Local Government Code with regard to “maximum devolution” of the National Government’s functions, power & authority to all the Local Government Units: province, city, municipality, and barangay.

In the case of Dr. Jose B. Abueva, the Filipino People should remember that he served as the Secretary of the 1971 Consitutional Convention that was responsible and accountable for the 1972 Philippine Constitution that was adopted the Dictator Ferdinand Edralin Marcos. The eminent Dr. Abueva should be expected to recall the deliberations that resulted into neither the adoption of “Federalism” that he had been espousing even at the time, nor the adoption of the “Unicameral” structure for the CONGRESS of the Republic of the Philippines. Most importantly, Dr. Abueva should be reminded that even after 35 years, there has been no significant change in the political landscape that indicates any need for changing the “form” or “structure” to achieve good governance. The real problem remains the same: the issue of moral ascendancy of the “people” in all three (3) branches of the Government of the Philippines – the Executive, the Legislative, and the Judiciary.

With regard to the issue of “greater autonomy” for the “regions”, there is NO need to amend, much less revise the 1987 Constitution of the Philippines. All that must be done is for CONGRESS to REVIEW the IMPLEMENTATION of the “Enabling Law” - "Local Government Code of 1991", which was crafted to ensure the “greatest autonomy” possible to all Local Government Units: province, city, municipality and barangay levels.

In Section 2 – Declaration of Policy, the following are stipulated:

(a) It is hereby declared the policy of the State that the territorial and political subdivisions of the State shall enjoy genuine and meaningful local autonomy to enable them to attain their fullest development as self-reliant communities and make them more effective partners in the attainment of national goals. Toward this end, the State shall provide for a more responsive and accountable local government structure instituted through a system of decentralization whereby local government units shall be given more powers, authority, responsibilities, and resources. The process of decentralization shall proceed from the national government to the local government units.

(b) It is also the policy of the State to ensure the accountability of local government units through the institution of effective mechanisms of recall, initiative and referendum.

(c) It is likewise the policy of the State to require all national agencies and offices to conduct periodic consultations with appropriate local government units, non-governmental and people's organizations, and other concerned sectors of the community before any project or program is implemented in their respective jurisdictions.


What is the basis for the contention that CONGRESS has the OBLIGATION to REVIEW the IMPLEMENTATION of the “Local Government Code of 1991”?

In Book IV – Miscellaneous and Final Provisions, Title Two – Provisions for Implementation:

SECTION 521. Mandatory Review Every Five Years. - Congress shall undertake a mandatory review of this Code at least once every five (5) years and as often as it may deem necessary, with the primary objective of providing a more responsive and accountable local government structure.

Thus, the FIRST and MOST IMPORTANT QUESTION is “Was the IMPLEMENTATION of the Local Government Code of 1991 reviewed EVERY five (5) years by CONGRESS?


The SECOND question is: What were the FINDINGS/RESULTS of the REVIEW/S that should have been conducted by CONGRESS, if any?

The THIRD question is: What ELSE can be done and therefore must be one in order to ensure the “greatest autonomy” possible to all the Local Government Units – province, city, municipality and barangay levels? The MOST IMPORTANT angle of this question is on the “role” of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG). Even on just a very cursory or superficial level, there are outright indicators that the DILG has become an abominable mutation: instead of “maximum de-centralization” or “total devolution” to the LGUs, the thrust in implementation has always been to “centralize functions right there in the DILG! Accordingly, it looks like that the only thing that must be done is to DISMANTLE the present DILG, nothing less and nothing more.

At this point, it should be obvious that “Federalism” is just a decoy for something else which is the real agenda for Charter Change: “UNICAMERAL Parliament”.

And this one should not take more than two (2) statements to refute: The pitch for the advantage of a “Unicameral Parliament” is negated right at the outset by the actual proclivities, machinations, maneuverings and manipulations of the legislative process by the current Majority Party in the present BICAMERAL Congress. The long and short of it is: a “UNICAMERAL Parliament” will simply be a “ONE Political Party DICTATORSHIP”.

And the Filipino People already learned the lesson the hard way and so NEVER AGAIN, NEVER AGAIN, NEVER AGAIN!

Saturday, January 5, 2008

The Badjaos - Sea Gypsies of Planet Earth



The concern/issue regarding the BADJAOS is shared principally among the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei, and incidentally with any country in the Asia-Pacific region, where this nomadic, motley ethnic group of several closely related indigenous groups, appear suddenly from the sea during a certain month/s, stay for an unpredictable period of time, and just as suddenly, leave for reason/s that are not immediately discernible to the non-Badjaos. The collective quandary or perplexity of the governments of the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei and virtually all countries in the Asia-Pacific region, where they may appear out of nowhere from the sea, on how to deal properly with the Badjaos lies in the inherent differences between the perspectives of the land-based and those of the sea-based ethnic groups. The fundamental mistake committed by the governments of the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Brunei, principally among the countries in the Asia-Pacific region, in addressing the concern/issue about the Badjaos is to include the Badjaos among all other indigenous ethnic groups, that are land-based.

Reaching the most equitable, fair, just and humane resolution of the concern/issue should really be easy if only the governments involved in the geo-politics of the Asia-Pacific region will remember and recognize the two (2) basic conditions of the Badjaos. The first condition is with regard to the historical context: the origin of the Badjao ethnic group pre-dates the "modern" nations of the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei and any other country in the Asia-Pacific region. The second condition should be immediately discernible: land-based territorial concepts are not applicable to the "sea gypsies" who look at their sea-world as "without borders".

With these two (2) basic conditions at the forefront, it should be easy to recognize that there are also two (2) complementary approaches for "managing" the situation. The first approach is contingent on the Badjaos being sea-based, and to respect therefore their inalienable right to "freedom of movement" as inherent in their privilege ["damnation" from the point of view of those who can not fathom the wonders of being a "sea gypsy"] to be treated as "without borders". This should relatively be easy on one hand, since the Philippine Government does not have to impose the perplexing rules and regulations regarding entry and exit at the airports and/or the sea-ports. That fact should spare both the Badjaos and the Philippine government from the possible inanities or insanities that have been occurring in the case of those who have to use passports and/or visas. On the other hand, since the Badjaos do not have the required minimum literacy to read and understand the "road signs" or "land marks" [you have to pardon the language constraints of a land-based communicator, despite the availability of the dictionary and thesaurus, whether virtual or hard copies] commonly used along the coastline of the Philippine Archipelago, it is virtually impossible for the Philippine Government, whether at the National level or LGU levels to "manage" the entry and exit of the Badjaos within the Philippine territorial jurisdiction over 7,107 islands. Interestingly, this phenomenon highlights the gross incapability of both the Philippine Coast Guard and the Philippine Navy since the time of the Commonwealth Government up to the present illegitimate government of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, which must be taken up in another expository rambling of a delusional mind, as others seem to perceive the kind of exchanges of ideas among members of PPP - whether the "Movement" or the 'Political Party".

The first approach requires the Philippine Government and its constituents to treat the Badjaos with utmost courtesy and respect, far higher than whatever accorded to those with passports and visas, along the entire coastline of the Philippine Archipelago. At the same time, the Philippine Government has the prerogative to "delimit" or "demarcate" the Badjaos' movement over land. Thus, while the Philippine Government may not prevent the Badjaos from getting inside the Philippine territorial waters, it may designate specific areas, where the Badjaos may disembark.

The second approach is contingent on the frequency and/or duration of the Badjaos' "stay" at any particular site along the entire coastline of the Philippine Archipelago. There are specific locations where they have been living in "communities on stilts", in harmony with the land-based communities since "time immemorial", i.e. no living resident can remember the first time when the Badjaos appeared - instead, the present generation of the land-based were born and became aware that the Badjaos have been there earlier than their last surviving ancestors. Those "communities on stilts" qualify to be treated exactly like the "ancestral lands" of land-based indigenous ethnic groups. The Badjaos' "ancestral coastlines" [the term will suffice until the Honorable Senators and Representatives of the Congress of the Philippines reach agreement of whatever particular term or phrase to adopt instead of the anachronistic term "domain"] must be included as the sea-based counterpart of the "ancestral lands" of land-based indigenous ethnic groups. The only difference will be in recognizing the unique conditions and requirements of the sea-based Badjaos, that's all.

For as long as the Philippine Government will recognize and acknowledge the inalienable human rights of the Badjaos as a distinct sea-based indigenous ethnic group, theoretically there should be no problem with regard to specific legislations, both at the National and Local levels, and specific programs for governance that will be appropriate for the Badjaos, whether to be treated as "Special Citizens of the Republic of the Philippines" or as "Special Guests being Sea Gypsies Without Territorial Limits on Planet Earth". This recognition of the unique inalienable rights of the Badjaos does not preclude therefore the need for specific Amendments in or of Specific Provisions in the 1987 Philipppine Constitution.