schumey

Greetings Are In Order

2009-05-30T00:00:00.000+08:00

It's that special day of the year that a good friend and fellow blogger celebrates his birthday. It's Manolo Quezon's birthday today. Happy Birthday dear friend and may you have more success in the years to come.

I hope you take time out and drop him a greeting on this very special day.

The Merger

2009-05-28T17:50:00.002+08:00

So now it's official, Kampi and Lakas has decided to tie the knot. They now have completed the creation of a monster. Is this a sign that elections will push through? The answer is yes! But what kind of elections will we have come May next year? With the cha-cha train still tugging along, no one can be sure if the elections will be for a new president or for a parliament.

Gloria and her allies are not about to raise their hands in surrender. With the time running out even for the Comelec, things seem to be falling in Gloria's favor. So what if the youth is trying to make a stand, at the end of the day, if we don't unite in protest, Gloria will simply sweep us aside. I also don't believe in Ronaldo Puno's assertion that his bid for the vice presidency is a sign of the forthcoming elections. We all know how he operates. You can ask Miriam Santiago.

Puno is the epitome of the political operator. He can make presidents out of monkeys. His entry into the fray is a sign that elections (if there will be) is sure to be dirty and dishonest. Or it can be a ploy to take us offtrack and destroy our focus. The cha-cha resolution is to be debated, despite Luis Villafuerte's claims, I will not convinced until the campaign period starts. The way things are right now, everything is still up in the air.

The merger of the two parties is not an assurance that elections are coming. It may also be a fallback in case Gloria and her minions are unsuccessful with their cha-cha bid. Kind of reminds me of the KBL and how it gave us more than a decade of hell. In the present state of Philippine politics and society, Gloria may do as she pleases. Unless the people think criminal like she does, we might just wake up with a dictator more ruthless than Marcos.

Boxer...Yes, Politician...No!

2009-05-05T04:02:00.003+08:00

So the "most influential person in the world"(?) is going to push his influence in the realm of politics. This guy just doesn't know his limits. He tried his influence once against Darlene Antonino-Custodio and was "decked" by the lady solon. He maybe the best pound for pound boxer in the world today but I don't think he'll do better in politics. His judgements in the past speaks for themselves.

Just look at how he quickly dumped Dela Hoya and signed up with Bob Arum. And what about how he signed a contract with ABS-CBN only to retract after Solar Sports threatened to sue him. Let's all take these out of the picture and just look at the menagerie of politicians surrounding him. It's a simple case of "tell me who your friends are and I'll tell you who you are". Better yet, "birds of the same feather, fluke..errr flock together".

Any person in his right mind and has a sound disposition would know his limitations. In politics, you cannot rely on other people to think for you. Just take a look at the two bozos in the senate, Lapid and Revilla, what have they accomplished that really made a difference in our lives? Influential? His town mates did not even vote for him simply because they knew his limitations. He could easily do a lot of things for the people in his private capacity. You don't have to be a politician to serve the people, it's just a flimsy excuse to gain power.

C'mon Manny, be a real man and accept what you are. Don't listen to the demons whose only goal is to exploit your popularity. You've been hanging around too long with thugs and bandits. Don't fall prey to their diabolical plans. Be man enough to fight temptation. You've made a name for yourself and that is the last thing you want to ruin. Leave a legacy that your children will be proud of.

Rape Is Now Legal!

2009-04-25T04:50:00.003+08:00

So the corruption-riddled Court of Appeals has acquitted L/Cpl. Daniel Smith of raping Nicole. The CA overturned the decision of the Makati RTC which tried the case. The CA not only redefined rape but also changed the elements of the crime of rape. It made a mockery of our laws and made Judge Pozon look incompetent.

With the CA's decision, it somehow legalizes the crime of rape. I do not know how two intoxicated persons can have a romantic episode when the male did the act alone while the female was bombed out of her senses. I also cannot understand how the CA totally disregarded the testimonies of the witnesses. Flirting is not a license for one to take advantage of another. If it was a romantic episode, Nicole and Smith could have left the club while still in the right frame of mind and did the act. Intoxication blurs the mind and this should have been considered. No wonder victims have lost faith in the justice system. We have judges that do not know the difference between what is right and what is wrong, what is logical and what is absurd.

Now every rapist, rapist-to-be and sexual predator will have a defense for their cases. The CA's decision becomes jurisprudence and rape victims will surely have a tough time proving their cases in court. The ramifications of the CA's decision will wreak havoc on the judicial system. Just think of how our future lawyers will turn out to be? Vicitms will now suffer in silence because our courts cannot be trusted. Drunks are no longer liable for any crime they commit while intoxicated. These incompetent judges of the CA should be disbarred. They clearly abused their discretion. The Supreme Court should have them investigated along with Atty. Justiano who I personally think has a mind of a criminal.

This should be a lesson for all of us, the weak shall always get the short end of the stick. If our own courts cannot protect us who else can? Certainly not the government as it is party to this injustce. Parents, don't let your kids out of your sights. And as for those who acquitted Smith, you will be judged by history. Pray that your loved ones do not get raped. Let's see if this fucked up decision of yours isn't thrown in your faces. How I wish it does!

Cha-Cha Ala Mode

2009-04-22T17:13:00.002+08:00

Ok, Nogiboy Nograles has introduced his own mode of amending the constitution, at least (as he claims) some parts of it. Unlike the mode his equally greedy friend, Luis Villafuerte would like to take, he inserted some provisions to (as he claims again) would protect the people from vultures in the lower house. But then we cannot simply treat his resolution as an ordinary bill. The predominantly pro-Arroyo house can easily insert new provisions and he cannot do anything about it. Even if he votes against any insertions, the goons of Gloria can outvote him.

With the Supreme Court bringing in new representatives from the partylist, I wonder what other modes the Cha-Cha would take. Tne new congressmen could also be allies of the administration. We all know how some partylists are actually proxies of the bigger political parties. The the Arroyo appointed SC could could also be a aprty to ensuring Gloria would get her Cha-Cha.

The next few months would be unmasking Gloria's new allies. The minority may gain a few members but I doubt if they could prevent a mockery of our democratic processes. A friend told me that America will support charter change as long as democratic processes are followed. This is the reason why Gloria's minions are trying very hard to use every legal(?) tactic to pursue their Cha-Cha bid.

They are also closely watching how the people would react to their every move. Although I don't expect much from are very cynical people, they could have a different reading from mine. At the end of the day, Gloria could have her Cha-Cha. The only mode they will be deciding on is the mode of payment to thos who will support her.

AO 261

2009-04-20T22:27:00.002+08:00

Our globetrotting illegitimate president has issued another administrative order. AO 261 reiterates her call to government agencies to tighten their belts. How nice of her to remind our agencies to save. Just recently, I saw a government vehicle going into a parking lot of a mall on a Saturday. Yes, a weekend and I'm sure it's not an official business.

Alright, so government offices have been turning off their lights and air condition to save on their electrical bills. At least some government vehicles remain parked in their lots instead of being used for private affairs by its employees. I just wonder how much we will save if Gloria would stop chartering flights and taking dozens of her allies on her trips abroad? I'm sure she'll say that its for her security and that those with her are on official business.

If only she is well loved by the people, she wouldn't be scared of taking a regular flight. If only she doesn't have any political debts to pay, she wouldn't be dragging with her every Tom, Dick and Harriet with their spouses in tow, to her trips abroad. Or does she have other businesses to attend to in the guise of trying to secure jobs and investments? Only she can answer that.

But speculating aside, Gloria should set an example for our public servants to follow. The fact of the matter is that she is all rhetoric. Let the others conserve, after all, she is president. I wonder how much the government would have saved if she did not take so many trips to Dubai? Maybe I should ask Ellen Tordesillas, she might have a ballpark figure.

Tighten your belts she says. She has also asked every Filipino to do that at the beginning of the financial crisis. At present, Filipinos are becoming anorexic from tightening our belts while she and her family looks like plump turkeys ready to be slaughtered. Sure I'd tighten my belt , if only it's around her neck. Such hypocrisy!

Creative Writing

2009-04-20T16:05:00.002+08:00

Whenever the opposition exposes suspicious actions by Gloria's allies, Malacanang would quickly respond and call it figments of imagination. But when caught red-handed or when going after its detractors, expect them to eat their words and become creative writers. This has been the case with Gloria's government, they are bestselling fiction writers masquerading as public officials.

Take the case of unemployment. Our officials are masters of creating new definitions to hide their incompetence. A simple twist of words and viola, unemployment or employment whichever the case may be has been redefined. I wouldn't be surprised if hidden in the deep recesses of the palace, neatly tucked away is a pool of writers pirated from big media outfits whose sole responsibility is to weave a web of lies and half truths. No wonder we don't have very poor shows on local television.

But this is not limited to the palace. Every single government office has its own team of creative writers. Notice how police incompetence was exposed in the Faelon case, they were reported as rescuers of the kidnapped ICRC volunteer. The DOJ so far has the best team in government. At its helm is the best and brightest, most prolific creative writer the Philippine literature community had ever seen. Often times accused of senility, he had proven time and again that creativity does pay.

Not to be outdone is the House of Reprehensibles. They have a fantastic team of writers that churn out some of the best stage plays of the land. Worthy of a crack in Broadway. the lower house not only bewilders the imagination but can actually cloud the people's senses. No nwonder Filipinos have become self-centered cynics instead of patriotic movers.

Looking for a rewarding career? If Gloria succeeds in her Cha-Cha bid and declares herself perpetual ruler of the land, our kids should consider the field of creative writing. With the kind of leaders we have, they'll surely need thousands of writers.

Would You Trust These Two?

2009-04-19T03:30:00.004+08:00

Prospero Nograles and Luis Villafuerte this week both relinquished their posts as heads of their respective parties to pave the way for the merging of Kampi and Lakas. Citing preparations for the 2010 elections, they also claim that Cha-Cha is dead. But knowing how these two operate, would you take their word as gospel truth. If you ask me, I'd rather trust a snake than these two.

How many times have these two said anything truthful? As far as I can remember, zilch, nada, never. I'm sure they're doing the dirty work of pushing the Cha-Cha one way or another. Just to be on the safe side, Gloria has been globetrotting, most probably to try and hide her loot. She's using the plight of the starving, jobless Filipinos to spirit away her ill-gotten wealth. Perhaps she's staying away from Europe as the EU have very strict laws against dirty money.

So the cat is out of the bag, Lakas and Kampi are consolidationg their forces, perhaps to resurrect a KBL-like party should they succeed in amending the constitution. They're trying to create a monopoly of sorts to ensure that they would still enjoy the perks that come with their ass-licking loyalty to the soon-to-be illegitimate prime minister.

Look hard at these pictures and tell me with all honesty that these two have any shred of sincerity in them. Would you entrust the future of your children in faces like these? Like I said, I'm better off with the snake.

An Ax To Grind

2009-04-17T00:45:00.002+08:00

I was shocked to hear of the tragedy that happened to the the family of ABS-CBN newscaster, Ted Failon. I've been an avid listener of his program for quite sometime now. With the tragedy, the Philippine National Police now has something to go after Mr. Failon. I heard his explosive and passionate commentaries against the police following the spate of rub outs elements of the PNP had been involved in.

With the way this case is going, it is so obvious that the PNP is doing everthing to get back at Ted. I hope that the PNP could also employ the same tenacity and passion they are displaying now with the cases their own personnel are involved in.

I also saw clips of how elements of the PNP totally disregarded the suspects rights when "inviting" them to shed light on the case. I am not siding with anyone here, but I don't trust the PNP. They are to me the epitome of what "legal bandits" are. It is also obvious that they are going to pin this on Mr. Failon no matter what. The SOCO should watch the Discovery Channel so they would learn a thing or two about forensics. Even the way the PNP top brass have been throwing around statements indicates that they are bent on nailing Ted.

The PNP now has Ted by the balls. I'm sure they'll exert pressure on the witnesses(?) to get back at Ted. Maybe this will somehow stop Mr. Failon's tirades. I'm sure the truth will come out in the end. Legal harassment is always a better option than an outright threat.

*BTW, I'm still alive and kicking although hampered by my waning sight, I'm still here still here, full of passion and patriotism. Thanks to all who have expressed their concern.

A Day That Will Live In Infamy

2008-12-30T16:53:00.003+08:00

Five years ago to this day, an ambitious Gloria swore that she will not run for the presidency. Borrowing Miriam's famous line, "I lied!" She ran and stole the 2004 elections. If she can lie to our faces once, she can do it again. The next months will be crucial as she and her cohorts in the lower house launch their assault on the constitution. Dureza's prayer was a trial balloon to test the people's patience. The flat reception of the December anti-chacha rally has emboldened the proponents of Chacha and make a mockery of democracy.

The thugs in congress is gearing up for a final push to perpetuate themselves in power. The hoodlums needs only 30 votes asof last count to convene congress as a constituent assembly. Add about seven or eight senators to the mix and they succeed with their evil plan. The 1st quarter of 2009 will be their only chance. Anytime after that will be too late or dangerous for Gloria. There are several scenarios to consider.

One is to push their Chacha not matter what and try to reach the Supreme Court. With justices set to retire and with Gloria's appointing powers, even the JBC cannot do anything to prevent her from appointing her allies to the vacant posts. A coup by any military unit idealistic enough to launch one is next to impossible. They were all shipped to Mindanao to fight the MILF. All the units in Manila are those whose loyalty can be easily bought. Civil society is alone to face the onslaught of the vultures in the administration.

Recent business gymnastics point to a consolidation of bargaining power by those who intend to further enrich themselves. The business community can easily be held hostage and will be unable to even raise a whimper. No businessman in his right mind will ever gamble on something that would cost him his bread and butter. Civil disobedience cannot be relied on with the current economic situation wherein everyone is too busy trying to survive. Unless the Filipinos get their acts together and show resolve, we can kiss our precious democracy goodbye. Gloria and her minoins are here to stay.

Anti-ChaCha Rally

2008-12-14T20:59:00.009+08:00

Friday started early for me as I prepared for the rally in Makati. Fetched Manolo Quezon and then we met up with Leah Navarro and Enteng Romano. We were joined by Mike Cohen formerly with ANC and now a reported for Fox News. He was to cover our march from Greenbelt to the Ninoy Aquino monument. As we prepared our banners, members of the Black & White movement from Nueva Ecija arrived. We soon learned that others from provinces in the north and from the south were held in various checkpoints by elements of the PNP. Their contingent was the only one who made it through.

Our companions from Nueva Ecija were prevented by Greenbelt security guards from entering the mall. To be honest, they were well-dressed. This prompted Leah to make a few calls and soon they were allowed into the mall. I did not know that Ayala malls had a policy of discriminating against people from the province. The incident drew too much attention from passersby which made the guards uneasy coupled with a riled up Leah. My feisty sister berated the stunned guards into submission.

We marched in rows of four abreast. In my row were Atty; Edwin Lacierda and former SCAP chair, Bianca Lapuz. Despite being in a wheelchair, Bianca marched with us. What I thought was a fairly sized crowd soon swelled as people started coming in fro different points in Makati. The PNP had a huge force which really didn't bother us. After the prayers, personalities took turn in lambasting the administration. But the highlight and the most controversial is the speech by Mar Roxas who verbalized the sentiments of the people by saying "putang ina". There was no other way to describe the disdain we felt and Mar Roxas got it spot on.

I had the priviledge of meeting Mae Paner, the Juana Change sensation. Arbet Bernardo joined us in the evening and took photos of the rally. The rally was peacefully and merry as artists performed on the small stage. The heavens cooperated as dark clouds shielded us form the sun. Not a single drop of rain fell and we were all dry but cool. Judging by the diversity of the crowd, one could feel the real sentiments of the people. I don't give a rat's ass what Alex Magno prefers to call us, the important thing is that we sent the message across. This was just a test run for an even bigger event soon. The next time, Gloria and her gang might not like what they hear.

*Thanks to Edwin Lacierda for a delicious merienda and to Manolo Quezon for a wonderful dinner.

CON Our Sorry ASS

2008-12-01T19:39:00.003+08:00

The Cha-Cha train is on its merry way again. This time around, Gloria is banking on her appointees in the Supreme Court to carry the day for her. At the head of the wolf pack is her "independent" son, Mickey and her favorite dog, Luis Villafuerte. She has lied through her buckteeth countless times and her silence shows that something is brewing. She has left the denying to her surrogates. Golez her puppy is the one doing the lying this time around.

But we all know that no action in the lower house takes place without Gloria's blessings. Like Chiquito's character, Mr. Wong would always say, "Kita tali, kita tali!" All strings are being pulled by the puppeteers in Malacañang. It's a good thing that tactless Jess Dureza exposed the new bid to amend the constitution. This time around, they are hellbent in pursuing their Cha-Cha. Villafuerte is bragging that they have the numbers this time around. The seven incoming justices will have to closely guarded by the people or we may wake up with Gloria as the new prime minister.

The mafia is trying to CON our sorry ASSes. But will the military take this sitting down? Well, it depends if the junior officer will toe their leaders twisted doctrine and mandate. We cannot go at it alone as Gloria and her gang showed how ruthless they can be. Only two scenarios come to my mind should Gloria force her Cha-Cha. Either we would end up with an Arroyo monarchy or total anarchy. Both could be grim but the latter could seal the fate of the criminals in the administration.

With the impeachment dead, Gloria has been inoculated till 2010. No impeachment against her can be filed within a year before an election. She and her cabal can concentrate on their Cha-Cha, unmolested and with complete focus. It would be only us in their way. I just hope the fence sitters would finally realize that watching from the sidelines cultivates impunity and creates dictatorships. Unless of course they have masochistic tendencies and love to be beaten to a pulp. Or perhaps they don't mind being robbed blind by politicians and Gloria's mercenaries.

We must be vigilant and the next few months will be crucial. The Supreme Court will be the next battleground between the forces of good and evil. I am certain that Gloria will ensure that she can gain control of this institution. The senate is powerless against Gloria's onslaught and they know it. Gloria's appointees hold the fate of the nation in their hands. Will they be independent or will they have the patriotic hearts to prevent our annihilation? Only time will tell.

Why I Should Stop Paying Taxes

2008-11-25T16:36:00.002+08:00

With the way the SONS OF BITCHES in the congress has been running the show in the impeachment and their desire to amend the constitution, I will stop paying my taxes. Why should I continue feeding the families of these charlatans while they clearly do not represent me nor their constituents? Despite the glaring abuses, excesses and mounting evidences of the scandals besetting the gnome in the palace, these salivating, greedy thieves in Barong Tagalog help in covering up the shit their overlord has been dumping on the nation.

To continue to pay my income tax is a sign of surrender. It would only show that I condone the immoral and unethical acts these hyenas are doing. They should be making accountable those who commit and continue to commit injustices against the Filipino people. I will stop paying my taxes and hold them in escrow instead of feeding these maggots in congress. I'm making this as a statement against a government who never really served my interest.

We cannot allow these hoodlums to continue to wreak havoc on our society and senses. We work our butts off so that Gloria can hand out P500,000 to her henchmen whenever her illegal presidency is threatened. Any right-minded Filipino should stop and think if we should continue to give our hard earned money to the syndicate in congress. Now they are cooking up a recipe to perpetuate themselves to power. We been in hell under the current dispensation, to allow her and her minions to continue enriching themselves is the height of stupidity.

This government has given us scandal after scandal. They protect plunderers like Nani Perez. The Ombudsman purposely sits on cases involving Gloria's lieutenants while petty criminals haven't been arraigned yet. Why should I continue to finance the operation of a mafia when I could put my money into better use. Why should I give my money to police generals who gallivant with their wives in Europe while I cannot even travel around the country? Our soldiers who put their lives on the line had to rely on their themselves while their leaders sit in airconditioned rooms spending tens of thousands of pesos on snacks. Our students have to squeeze like sardines in classrooms and try to learn as much as they can from underpaid educators.

Joj-joc Bolante showed us how our hapless farmers can be exploited so that the campaign kitty of the troll can be padded. Nani Perez showed us how crime does pay and how the law is only for the rich.This is where our taxes go, in the pockets of politicians who bleed our families dry so they and their families can go on junkets at our expense. This is how our REPRESENTA-THIEVES work. It's high time we take back what is truly ours and show these villains who their bosses are. I will have to make my stand sometime and I couldn't wait for the next impeachment or 2010. So I will no longer pay my taxes and instead spend it all on my family and my charities than give it to these scums of the earth. Civil disobedience is a protest that sheds no blood and forces governments to heed the people's call. Without any funds to steal, the government will be forced to step down. It's all about conviction and a collective move to bring these gangsters to their knees. Unless you have other means in mind, civil disobedience is always better than an all out civil war.

(I've been given a clean bill of health and I'm more feisty than ever. Thanks to all who prayed for my recovery.)

Justice In The Philippines Is 4'11"

2008-10-09T20:52:00.002+08:00

(Despite my medical condition at present, I cannot simply let this injustice pass.)

The news of Gloria Arroyo granting double murder convict, Claudio Teehankee, Jr. executive clemency recently hit the headlines. Teehankee is the son of the late SC Claudio Teehankee, Sr. who shot and killed two teenagers more than 2 decades ago and wounded a third. Late last year, former congressman Romeo Jalosjos, a convicted child rapist was also released. Intrepid reporters found out about it and caused the recall of Jalosjos's release. Both Teehankee and Jalosjos are allies of Arroyo.

Executive clemency cannot be questioned because it is one of the constitutional powers of a president. Is this the kind of leader(?) we have? She has totally disregarded the rights of the victims because of political accommodations. What enrages me is that both are heinous crimes and that no amount of good behavior in jail can pay for their crimes. Teehankee up to now has not admitted his crime to the family of his victims or even to the Filipino people at that. Teehankee snuffed out the lives of kids who had so much future ahead of them.

Is this the brand of justice Arroyo weilds? Such abuse of discretion is totally unacceptable. I wll cite an example of how selective justice can be in the Philippines. An 6-yr. old boy was imprisoned for almost a year because he stole a pair of slippers. The boy never faced the courts and was thrown in with hardened criminals. He was rescued by an NGO which facilitated his release. The boys story was widely picked up by the media. Another case is that of an 82-yr. old grandafather who continues to languish in jai because he cannot raise the P10,000 bail for the crime of theft. He stole a small can of coned beef to feed his hungry grandchildren. Justice in the Philippines is selective. No wonder crimes go unreported because it only favors the rich and the powerful. Reforms in the judiciary and the penal system has been very slow and justice continues to be denied to a big number of alleged criminals and victims alike.

Gloria Arroyo's administration has been justifying its actions because Arroyo promised that she would release all prisoners who reached the age of 70. With the help of her callous secretary of justice, they even put the blame on the families of the victims. There is a procedure to follow before a convict is released. The prosecutor and the families must be formally informed and notified. The impending release should also be published in the newspapers. Although the latter was followed, the prosecutor nor the family were never informed. The concerned parties could have blocke Teehankee's release. What's worst, Raul Gonzales, the secretary of (IN)ustice even mocked the victim's family. He said that it's too late for them to complain. If they want to plead their case, they can do so with Jesus Christ. Such a blasphemous ass. this snile nicompoop is. Clearly the rights of children or their safety cannot be protected by this administration.

If this is the case, let's just throw the entire justice system as Arroyo can do as she pleases anyway. What I hope and pray to happen now, no matter how unchristian it may be is that their children befall the same fate the victims went through. It is wishful thinking as I know very well that their families has dozens of bodyguards to protect them. I am really fuming mad as the blatant violations of human rightd in the Philippines continue. The sad reality however is that Filipinos are indifferent and apthetic to what is happening to our country. I just hope that the Filipino people realize that the moral decay propagated by the current dispensation should and must be stopped before it's too late.

Muddled Picture Of Peace

2008-08-20T07:27:00.004+08:00

The government should have consulted the stakeholders before dangling the ancestral domain issue with the MILF. With the way Commander Bravo has been acting, it seems that he is his own boss. The MILF, if they are indeed sincere in their quest for peace should have taken the necessary steps in reining Bravo in. Instead it sits on its pompous ass while Bravo retreats to his mountain lair.

The government should have thought twice before negotiating with the MILF. Only two reasons come to mind with Bravo's actions. Either Bravo is against the creation of the Bangsamoro Juridical Entity or the MILF is trying to force the issue of the BJE. Now we are faced with the prospect of an all-outwar in Mindanao because the administration focused more on how it could insert Cha-Cha in the MOA.

Clearly, Gloria's allies thought that they could ride on the peace issue to push for GMA's term extension. Well, it backfired and now the people of Mindanao have to face uncertainty once again. It also behooves me why the GRP did not consider consulting the Moro councils and went straight to the MILF? Peace cannot be attained without going to the grassroots and asking what the ordinary Mindanaoan wants.

Malaysia also has its interests to protect that is why it decided to join the peace process. Sabah is the common denominator in their interest in the creation of the BJE. I agree that the Moro's have genuine grievances but they are a fragmented people as well. Tribal issues have to be addressed too as differences in the tribes compounded by political interests have caused conflicts in the past and continue up to now.

The unrest now is not about a frustrated rebel. It all boils down to who gets what. The MILF is held only by the creation of the BJE. What is unclear with the rebel group is how to divide the spoils of war. Malacañang is not after peace when it went into the negotiation, it was after how they could stay in power. Now the people must suffer because of interests by those who have the power and the guns.

Cha Cha Cha.....

2008-08-11T10:09:00.002+08:00

The controversial MOA creating the Bangsamoro Juridical Entity entails a change in the constitution. Without the amendments, the MOA cannot push through. So it seems that Gloria is at it again. She is bent on pursuing her Cha-Cha plans. This time, she had cloaked it in the guise of peace in Mindanao. She cannot openly push for Cha-Cha as it could finally cause her ouster and even the patient military could finally lose its cool.

With barely two years left in her illegitimate presidency, and without a clear ally after 2010, it is only through charter change that she can save her neck. I am sure that her successor(?) will not be able to save her as countless groups are poised to charge her in court. She will lose her immunity from suit the moment she steps down.

So it is not true that Cha-Cha is dead. Her zombies will again rise to wreak havoc. This time they have a more powerful weapon in their arsenal, PEACE. They all know that we want peace in Mindanao and will support any move to achieve it. But I am sure that Filipinos have learned their lessons well. They will be able to discern Gloria's real motives. In the coming days as the people begin to understand the MOA and its implications, I am sure that it will be harder for GMA to sell us this "Peace in Mindanao" crap.

I'm glad the Supreme Court issued a TRO so that it will give us more time to put under scrutiny this MOA which was hatched by this evil-minded administration. If Gloria doesn't stop, we may not have to wait for 2010 to see her charged in court.

Basket Case Of The Philippines

2008-08-11T10:04:00.000+08:00

Rocked by decades of war, Mindanao still seeks the elusive dream of peace. considered the bread basket of the the Philippines, Mindanao is more like a basket case. The way I see it, the continuing unrest is no longer about ideology or ancestral land. It is all about who gets what. Mindanao is a mishmash of cultures. Rule of law is virtually nonexistent with security forces unable to disarm even the ordinary resident.

The region is ruled by powerful clans, warlords and rebels hiding behind the cloak of independence. What is at stake is keeping the status quo. The more autonomy the region gets, the more those in power can impose their will on the ordinary Mindanaoan. Those with private armies terrorize the people into submission while their politicians sell their loyalties to the highest bidder.

Progress in Mindanao will never come unless the people are given a voice. As of late, people are beginning to realize that they have rights and this threatens to destroy the prevailing system. It is no wonder why groups are out to sabotage the ARMM elections. The ruling class stands to lose the most. This is the reason why they have turned to politics to secure their hold to power. Rebels on the other hand is viewed with skepticism as former rebels who turned to politics enriched themselves than address the plight of the people.

Even Muslims do not trust the MILF or the defunct MNLF. The government continues to dialogue with the MILF despite the group's obvious fragmentation. Splinter groups continue to defy instructions from their leaders. It could also be that the MILF leadership is actually supporting these groups. Their continuing occupation of several towns could be a protracted action directed at gaining more ground that could give them a wider area of control should the creation of a Bangsamoro push through.

Elections also do not guarantee any form of change as long as genuine representation is achieved. With the kind of mindset Mindanao politicians have, the people of Mindanao are the biggest losers. Progress comes in trickles leaving the people salivating at the prospect of progress. At the end of the day, Mindanaons remain voiceless as powerful clans and warlords will never relinquish the power they now possess.

Is Mindanao hopeless? NO! Change is up to the people, they are the true stakeholders. The rebels and the ruling clans are the biggest obstacles in Mindanao's quest for peace and progress. But of course, everything will depend on how Malacañang will act. With Gloria at the helm, I doubt if change or peace will ever come to Mindanao. Mindanao will never be our country's bread basket with the kind of people sitting in the peace panel now. Both groups are not looking after the people's welfare but their own.

Gloria's Popularity

2008-08-04T10:38:00.002+08:00

Gloria once again stuck to her old line that she doesn't mind being unpopular as long as she can deliver the goods. This is the reason why she is sticking to her EVAT as the funds would be used for her pro-poor programs. But in reality, EVAT is the most convenient of all forms of taxation. No need for any king of legwork to collect it. In more simpler terms, is a lazy governments way of stealing from the people. The EVAT is a tax on tax on tax. What the people should realize is that everything from the raw material to the finished product is heavily taxed every step of the way.

DepEd's Jesli Lapus defended GMA's Pantawid program saying that this is a proactive move by the administration. Instead of waiting for the trickle down effect of Gloria's economic programs, this now brings the supposed trickle down effect directly to the people. As one beneficiary pointed out, P500 will not go far. What they really need are opportunities and not one-time dole outs. Sustainability is the key. After the P500 is gone, beneficiaries will go back to their miserable lives.

Gloria doesn't mind being unpopular to most Filipinos, what she is concerned about is being popular to the right people. The Bureau of Customs (BoC) and the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) loses an estimated P142bilion a year because of smuggling and evasion. Yet the BOC leadership has the temerity to reward itself with millions because according to them, they performed well. Performance or dereliction of duty? I suppose the latter as smuggling still reigns supreme in the ports around the country.

Yes, Gloria is popular. Popular to the big-time smugglers and tax evaders who support her. A good president will be very popular even if he makes some unpopular decisions, while a bad president is unpopular because he is simply bad. This is the true reason behind Gloria's unpopularity. She simply is a bad president and not because of her unpopular decisions. The corruption in her administration is just too ominous for people to change their perception. Bad leadership leads to bad governance. The unity Gloria seeks will never come as good and evil will never mix. It's either we roll over and expose our asses to her evil ways or we can finally choke up enough courage to just kick her out of office.

A Distressing SONA

2008-07-28T17:35:00.002+08:00

Gloria's "I care" speech was a futile attempt to caress us into believing in her. It was so callous of her to say that she cares when her economic programs directly affect the lives of the poor. The EVAT clearly hits the poor and the struggling middle class than those in the higher echelons of society. The rich can easily make ends meet despite the inflation while the common man has to struggle more. The EVAT is the only gains this government can boast of but the more pressing need to increase actual collection has not been addressed.

Her SONA showed GMA's weakness. She clearly cannot inspire the people to agree with her. With her dismal ratings, she is now moving to the realm of fighting for her popularity more than ever. I believe that cha-cha is now inevitable as her future becomes more uncertain. Her "Pantawid Porgrams" is a clear indication that she is out to buy the support of the masses. One-time dole outs without clear and solid sustainable plans is vote-buying in its purest form. Could it be in preparation for 2010? I don't think that with her situation now, stepping down is option.

This I think is one of the most expensive SONAs to date. With a face lift budget of P200million to refurbish the Batasan's stinking toilets, the funds could have been used for other socio-economic programs. The congress stinks anyway and no amount of makeover will deodorize the institution. Gloria passed the blame on international crisis to cloak the gravity of the situation we are in. As usual, she took credit for programs long laid out by previous administrations. She did not present any concrete legislative and economic programs that would lead to improving our lives.

I will not be expecting any changes with her administration. Still in a state of denial, Gloria chose to close her eyes to the realities on the ground. Corruption in her administration is widespread. All they have netted are the small fries with the Bolante case still unresolved. It was a feel-good SONA and nothing more. She is after all entitled to her opinion no matter how unrealistic it is. She has to live her lies so she can believe it and what better way to do it than through her SONA.

"Anything is better than nothing", Gloria says. Are we this low to just accept scraps and cultivate a culture of mendicancy? I hope we are not this desperate to just swallow whatever GMA throws at us. Gloria spoke to her minions and not to the people. She after all is a master of speech and not of deeds. She practically made a goddess of herself in the midst of despair.

2010 is still a distant future and I am sure she and her battalion of corrupt "chefs" are busy cooking up something to save their skins. There is simply too much at stake not to consider their options this early. So I think that the dead shall rise again to push for charter change. The congress was given their marching orders and will now buckle down to "addressing" political reforms through legislation. We all better watch out as this may bite us in the ass. She has a knack for going back on her words. I can still remember clearly how she promised never to run only to announce her presidential bid.

*I'm back in fighting form with my health issues done away with. Sorry for the sudden silence. Thanks to those who showed their concern.

PUBLIC SERVICE

2008-06-24T08:52:00.004+08:00

I grabbed this from Nightdreamer's blog. After visiting the site and being a husband myself, I cannot help but feel sorry for this very loving husband. I don't know this man personally but I hope you can help in whatever way you can. For more information on how to donate and to learn more about his predicament, please visit: http://rescuemywife.blogspot.com/.

"If only love can settle hospital bills..... Sadly it cannot. So I'm reaching out to your kind hearts to please help a wonderful and loving husband."

A Stinking Hellhole

2008-06-18T07:58:00.002+08:00

School is suppose to educate and energize the youth. It's the least we can do to give our kids a brighter future. But the government's lack of foresight and penchant for kickbacks have caused serious harm to our once great education system. With life getting harder by the day, migration from private schools to the public has been rising every year. As more and more transfer, it overcrowds our public schools. Lack of classrooms, tables and chairs to the very latest shortage, comfort rooms!

To address the shortage of classrooms, public schools have three shifts a day to be able to accommodate the students. Up to 80 students are packed into classrooms built for only for 45. Construction of classrooms is overtaken by the huge population of every school. Teachers are overworked as well as more and more of their ranks are forced to seek employment elsewhere.

But schools have learned to adopt to the changing times. To address the growing numbers of enrollees, no space is wasted. Every square inch of school grounds are used just to accommodate the kids. The quality of education is dropping fast. With it is the lessening proficiency of our students. Teachers are swamped with too much work and with very little pay. They are left to their own devises just to be able to remain true to their unholy vows. The sufferings do not end there, with the lack of rooms comes the lack of comfort rooms as well. Certain schools have make do with 600 persons for every comfort room. This is simply unimaginable with many more unusable.

The school is our children's second home. It is a place where our children should learn. The government both local and national is duty bound to see to it that the needs of the students are met. Despite the numerous taxes we pay, the government is unable to construct the needed facilities for our students. Already cramped like sardines, the last thing they need is a stinking CR. Because of our governments ineptness, our public schools have become stinking hellhole!

Ramdam Ko Ang Kalayaan

2008-06-12T00:00:00.000+08:00

Ngayong araw ng Kalayaan, isang tanong ang aking ibabato sa inyo. Tunay nga ba tayong malaya? Ang kalayaan ang adhikain ng bawat tao saan mang bahagi ng mundo. Ilan daang taon na patuloy na nakikibaka ang Pilipino para sa kalayaang ating minimithi. Sa kasalukuyang sitwasyon ng bansa sa pamumuno ni Gloria Arroyo, maraming uri ng kalayaan ang umusbong. Sa bawat salitang namumutawi sa kanyang mga labi, lalo kong nararamdaman ang kanyang uri ng kalayaan.

Aking susubuking itala dito ang bawat kalayaang ating tinatamasa sa ilalim ng rehimeng Arroyo. Ano ba ang mga kalayaang binibigay ni Gloria sa ating mga Pilipino? Kung ako ang tatanungin niyo ay marami. Ito ang ilan sa kanila:

Malaya akong magutom.
Malaya akong kotongan.
Malaya akong nakawan ng pamahalaan.
Malaya akong mamatay sa sakit dahil wala akong pambili ng gamot.
Malaya akong itigil ang pag-aaral dahil kailangan kong kumita.
Malaya akong buwisan ng walang makukuhang serbisyo sa pamahalaan.
Malaya akong maramdaman ang lahat ng uri ng paghihirap sa buhay
Malaya akong ma-salvage.
Malaya akong mabugbog habang ipinapahiwatig ang aking saloobin.
Malaya akong dakpin ng walang dahilan.
Malaya akong dukutin at mawala.
Malaya akong harapin ang kinabukasang pinalagim ni Gloria.
Malaya akong magtipid habang walang habas ang paggastos ni Gloria at mga kampon niya.
Malaya akong pakinggan ang propaganda ni Gloria.
Malaya akong tumabi upang padaain ang rumaragasang SUV ng mga pulitiko.
Malaya akong gumamit ng abaniko habang naka-aircon ang mga nasa gobyerno.
Malaya akong mamasyal sa Luneta habang panay ang pasyal ng mga pulitiko sa iabang bansa.

Tunay ngang ramdam ko ang kalayaan. Ang bawal ko lang maramdaman ay ang sarap ng buhay. Ikaw, ramdam mo rin ba ang kalayaang ipinagmamalaki ni Gloria?

A Landed Congress

2008-06-11T07:37:00.002+08:00

Gloria is a lame duck. Her recent acts proves this as she has gone a populist blitz. To appease the Catholic Church and to make it appear that she cares for the masses, she ordered congress to extend the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP). The CARP was crafted to address the plight of the suffering farmers and to push for social justice. It is a known fact that majority of congress are landlords. CARP goes against their interests.

To assure that their interests will be protected, there are provisions in the CARP that could be used to circumvent the law, thereby assuring these landlords that can still keep their lands. The Dept. of Agrarian Reform through the years have protected the big landlords. The DAR distribute lands, they went after the small landowners first, then distributed public lands while allowing the big landlords to convert their lands to avoid the CARP.

Twenty years since its implementation, the farmers continue to suffer. With the food crisis upon us, the failure of the CARP is more evident. The lower house with its powerful Negros block was able to force a deadlock. The case of the Sumilao and Calatagan farmers exposed the weakness of the CARP law. These are the only prominent cases with dozens more unexposed to the public's eye. Groups are now at loggerheads as they push for different advocacies. Some are opting for the CARP's extension while some want reforms with extension. This has created rifts between advocates which has led to accusations being hurled.

The main issue here is social justice. Regardless whatever means the CARP should be extended, one thing is clear, the house with its landed members will never allow an honest to goodness agrarian reform. Gloria was giving lip service to the farmers when she asked her allies to pass the CARP's extension. Her husband's family are landlords too and has managed to evade the CARP. The NPC headed by one of the biggest landlords, Danding Cojuangco will fight tooth and nail to prevent the extension of the CARP. Cojuangco owns San Miguel and thousands of hectares of land. To keeps his land, he opted to implement a stock option scheme. His cousin Peping controls the Hacienda Luisita which was the scene of a bloody confrontation between the military and farmers. Both are very close allies of GMA.

Social justice will continue to be an elusive dream for our hapless farmers. While we continue to allow landlords to control the legislative, genuine agrarian reform will never be implemented. Unless our legislators have a reexamination of conscience, no law which would bridge the social gap will ever be passed. In our country, the tyranny of the minority rules while the majority gasps for air and fights among themselves for the little scraps thrown to them by the powers that be.

The Real Score?

2008-06-08T09:07:00.003+08:00

These past weeks have seen the assault on Meralco bring its stocks value down. Losing more than 20% in the stock market, the Lopezes may soon lose its grip on the electric company. What is the real motive behind the attack on Meralco? Ome would say that Gloria is trying to bring her image up, others would say the abusive Meralco has to be made accoutable. I have my own personal view on the real score.

Muddled in the issue, we have forgotten that Transco is now owned by GMA's allies. With NAPOCOR yet to be fully privatized, and could be very costly for anyone to try to acquire at this time, the best option is to attack the distribution side first. With Meralco's value dropping, the GREEDY GROUP can now buy more shares to finally wrest the power from the Lopezes. With this, the monopoly will soon change hands. With taxes and NAPOCOR's inefficiencies, power rates is unlikely to go down.

Clearly the two-pronged attack on Meralco will benefit not you and me but those whose image needs a makeover and of course those who are out to make a huge profit. Utilities much like the food business can hardly ever fail. One can easily make money while sitting around. Electricity is after all an essential component of everyone's life. Prostituting advocacy in the name of greed is one of the best moves this corrupt administration has ever made. Just imagine the how "good" Gloria will look in the eyes of the masses and how rich her gang would be after they get control of both distribution and transmission sides of the power sector. Now, they can easily acquire some of NAPOCOR's assets and the circle would be complete.

This was planned from the start. With Mikey Arroyo heading the energy committee, they gave gained a very comfortable foothold in their bid to control the power sector. They now have a very influential say on where the power sector should head. So it seems that the GREEDY GROUP has yet to satisfy its hunger for more mullah. What a way of ensuring that they will enjoy a good life way past Gloria's reign.

As for Gloria, 2010 may yet be gentle to her. Her successor could be kind to her or she may opt to stay on, relying of course on a succession of events that could "force" her to seek "emergency powers". Despite the posturing of several presidentiables, greed can make one do the unthinkable and unexpected. These presidential pretenders could wake up one morning only to realize that there is no such thing as elections in the Philippines. At leats they have their product endorsements to fall back on.

Doling Out Scraps

2008-06-05T08:44:00.002+08:00

At a time when mistrust for GMA is growing, her strategy now is to buy out the people. The illegal tenant of Malacañang has been announcing subsidies for the poorest of the poor. Alleviating the plight of the poor should have begun on the very first day Gloria took office. With barely two years before she ends(?) her criminal reign, she will go on a bribing spree. With her economic programs clearly hitting the people hard, her only option is to dole out scraps.

Giving out cash without concrete sustainable programs is utter stupidity. One cannot close a gaping wound with band aids. With her bludgeoning EVat and the rising cost of living, empty pockets and grumbling stomachs will not go very far with measly P500 dole outs. While she avoids crossing her criminal-minded allies, she dangles P20 wage increases to the underpaid slaves. She refuses to suspend her pet, the EVat because it would expose her economic incompetence. Even investors have began shying away due not only to her corrupt bureaucracy but her unstable programs as well.

Putting the blame of her ineptitude on her critics is the only thing she can do. She has to divert the attention of the irate populace to stay in power. Now, even announcing projected increases in oil prices is being prevented. We have the right to know what we are facing so we can prepare for the worst. It is the government's responsibility to keep us informed. Gloria should suspend the EVat on oil and power if she is sincere in easing our sufferings. While the cost of oil increases, so does the VAT. At present levels, about P7/liter is being collected by the government. Removing the VAT would lower the cost of everything.

The P500 electricity subsidy should be paid directly to the power company instead giving it to individuals. We have no assurance that these monies will go to the intended recipients with this government's track record of misusing funds. I am sure that Gloria will use this for photo ops again. Just imagine her being shown giving out "gifts" to the poor? This would be a great propaganda opportunity to make it appear that she is doing something for the people. P500 would not go far, it is only good for three square meals a day. After it has been spent, the poor family will go back to its miserable life. This dole out is no different from the money given out to buy votes.

Our so-called leaders live off our taxes. We pay for their gas, their phone bills, their trips and even their power bills. While they go around with blaring sirens in big gas-guzzling luxury vehicles, we have to walk under the blazing sun bathing in our sweat while inhaling toxic fumes. They sit in aircontioned offices while more and more people ply their wares in the streets only to be taken away by Gestapo-like goons of Bayani's MMDA. At a time when we face desperation, we look for inspiration. We do not need rhetorical speeches and political gimmickry.

So what do you call these dole outs? Bribery? Maybe cover-up funds, or diversionary funds perhaps? At the end of the day, incompetence and dereliction of duty is what Gloria is guilty of. Of course her other crimes against the people should never be forgotten.