Credits

Monday, October 30, 2006

Cracks In The Wall

Reports of infighting in the cabinet has shown cracks in the erstwhile formidable coalition of the greedy. The palace and the lower house are now at odds due to the inclusion of an "impeachment clause" in the PI. The Arroyos tried to have this excluded but failed. It seems JDV has other things in mind than just help GMA survive. The sly trapo has outwitted the bogus one.

Now the shoe is on the other foot. The once fragmented opposition is showing signs of consolidation and unity. The Cha-Cha virtually dead, the only hope for GMA is a strong slate for the May elections. The squabblings in the palace and the seeming distrust for JDV, further weakens the administration coalition.

DND Sec. Avelino Cruz is in the center of this developing rift as he had expressed his opposition to the PI. Now the cabinet is in a bind as its members are taking sides. Gabi Claudio for his part tried to prevent the gap from widening even if he is perceived as a Cruz ally. The usually outspoken Gonzalez has joined the fray.

The administration once again is in panic mode. To show a semblnace of unity, Claudio stated that the opposition will be trashed come election day as the ULAP will campaign hard against them. He also revealed that a "strong" senatorial slate is now being formed. Claudio must be dreaming, they know very well that they are in for a big upset in May. The administration's members have all been implicated in so many scandals that the electorate is wary of them. Without even mentioning the names of probable candidates, The administration slate is doomed to lose.

Even the government's vast resources will not be enough to reverse the tide of discontent among the electorate. Even members of the ULAP will be unable to do anything. Remember these local officials jumped on the Cha-Cha train to be able to hold on to power to avoid facing the wrath of their constituents. This move only shows that even local officials identified with GMA are in for a trouncing. Political survival was all these officials were after.

Now we see the coalition at each other's throats. The panic-striken pretender will now have to face a coup, not from the military but from her own allies. The power-play that is boiling within their ranks could soon fragment the administration. The biggest loser in this ensuing spat are the Arroyos who have been on the defensive since the "Hello Garci" tapes were exposed. Whether they like it or not, they are already finished. No amount of intrigue or bluffing can hide the fact that coalition has reached the end of the line. It not invincible as the players are now after their own ambitions.

No matter how we look at it, they are finished. The different factions are now in survival mode after their Cha-Cha bid has been exposed. The strong indications that the political landscape is once again changing and will lead to the coalition's destruction. One Voice is correct, the elections is a referendum for the bogus presidency of GMA. This is one fight she will definitely lose.

With the elections now forthcoming, the Arroyos must now find a way to keep the coalition from breaking up. They are neck-deep in this political turmoil they created. Their survival rests on the coalition. Money is no longer an alternetive. The players in the different factions now want something more solid. They all pinned their hopes in the Cha-Cha, and this blew up in their faces. This is what happens when a coalition is made up of people with different goals in mind. Many were praying for divine intervention, could this be the start? Let's hope it is.

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Sunday, October 29, 2006

GI Joe De V and The GI Shift

Gloria's Imp (GI), Joe De V is at it again. Irked by the recent Supreme Court decision branding the Sigaw/ULAP People's Initiative a grand deception, expressed his disappointment of how the magistrates handled the petition.

He pointed out that how can there be a grand deception when local offials from governors to baragay officials conducted discussions on the matter. I don't know where GI JDV got his info but in my barangay, no such discussions ever took place. Like what I've said before, what was presented to me was a survey form and not a petition. We all know how the lower house under his leadership also engineered a grand deception during the last two impeachments.

He also pointed out how unfair the SC was when it concentrated on technicalities and bludgeoning the initiative. Didn't the lower house Committee on (in)Justice do the same with the impeachments? Granting that the SC is not a trier of facts, but the arguments of the contending parties included facts and constitutionality. GI JDV must have had a lapse in memory when he uttered this observations.

A Motion for Reconsideration is in the works and would be filed within the next two weeks. The decision was hand-delivered to the petitioners in just a matter of hours. These raised a howl from the other GI, Raul Gonzalez. He now accuses Panganiban of ensuring the defeat of the PI. We all know that the sooner the MR is filed, the sooner it will be resolved. What's nice about it, the administration's plan to wait for the retirement of CJ Panganiban and wait for a more friendly chief justice has been derailed. It seems that the SC had seen this coming and has now prevented it. With a full month still as chief justice, Panganiban will still be there when the MR is to be decided.

The administration thought they are always a step ahead of everybody, not this time. I have never seen such swift application of justice. I'm glad, no one can now say that justice delayed is justice denied. Nobody can claim that the SC dillydallied on the PI. As far as I'm concerned, Lambino and Aumentado can kiss their PI goodbye.

The Gloria Initiated (the other GI) Shift has been delayed. The majority bloc of the lower house must now iron out its differences to be able to make their push. But still, an anti-Cha-Cha senate is a force to reckon with. Soon it will once again fall on the SC's lap to decide on the fate of their Con-Ass. This would further delay their plans. To postpone or to cancel the elections in May could be the tipping point the opposition is waiting for. We all know that despite the allegations of election-rigging, the people would still participate. Their cover blown, JDV and his gang must now act swiftly. The people now know what is at stake and will now be more determined to safeguard the elections.

The administration will have a difficult time conducting its "operation" with a vigilant electorate. The battle lines have been drawn. Plan B could suffer the same fate as the PI. Its now the state versus the people. With support fading fast for the embattled pretender, I expect trapos to salvage whatever remaining influence they have and jump ship. Her handful of generals cannot save her neck. The military's silent majority could rise and finally topple her illegitimate regime.

We've witnessed bizarre events turn this country upside down. These are all part of a maturing country and politics. The coming days will be crucial for both the opposition and the administration. How they both react to developing events will ultimately decide the fate of the bogus presidency.

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Saturday, October 28, 2006

The Intervenors and The Supreme Court

Many have written praises to the Magnificent 8 of the Supreme Court. Although they finally drove nail on SnB and ULAP's coffin, we failed to see and appreciate those who worked tirelessly to unmask the deception and the fraud behind the People's Initiative.

Black and White Movement started the ball rolling with their Stop Cha-Cha ni Gloria. One Voice soon followed suit and the rest was as they say, history. BnW was more vocal and took their plight to the streets talking directly to the people. One Voice on the other hand took the diplomatic route and used the media to explain their advocacy. The two took different paths but had one goal, to unmask the biggest fraud the illegitimate administration had undertaken. What began as a lonely fight turned into a rout when several groups and individuals joined the fray.

The Senate, Integrated Bar of the Philippines, Alternative Law Groups, Bayan, Bayan Muna, Kilusang Mayo Uno, Ecumenical Bishops Forum, Migrante, Gabriela, Gabriela Women's Party, Anakbayan, League of Filipino Students, League of Concerbed Professionals and Businessmen, Solidarity of Health Against Charter Change, Health Action for Human Rights, HEAD, Partylist Congresswomen, Trade Union of the Philippines, Phil. Constitution Assoc.-PHILCONSA, Phil. General Trans. and General Workers Organization, Sulong Bayan Movement, PMP and several individuals rounded up the long list of intervenors.

The diligent work of going thru millions of documents was provided by legal volunteers. They exposed anomalies in the PI process which helped convince the magistrates of the existence of wholesale fraud. All the intervenors' hard work had paid off. Their arguments were heeded by the Supreme Court and the deception finally exposed. The Supreme Court had proven its detractors wrong. There are still decent people in their institution. The SC has shown the people that the last bastion of democracy is still alive despite accusations against it.

The intervenors had shown us that there are people out there who continue to fight for our country's future. I am glad to know that there are still people who despite the apathy in our society stood up for what is right and just. To the Black and White Movement and to One Voice, thank you for carrying on the fight for democracy. And to the others, thank you too for helping fight a bogus PI.

I know the real fight has just begun, but with people like you, I know someone's watching my back.

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Friday, October 27, 2006

Con-Ass (CONNING the People-Licking the ASS)

Now that the People's Initiative has been unmasked, Anti-Cha-Cha proponents are now gearing up for a bigger fight ahead. Time and again, the House of (mis)Representaives had made a mockery of our laws. We all have been witnesses to how JDV and his ilk interpret laws to suit their greedy needs. Now they are on their toes to finally push their Con-Ass. But in their way is the senate who is also a major player in this fight against Cha-Cha. The lower house refuses to raise their arms in surrender despite knowing that their evil plot has been exposed. The arrogant majority know what's at stake and their backed up against the wall.

Their unending string of propaganda of how the shift will benefit the country fails to screen their real intentions. The people now polarized and well-informed, cannot be hoodwinked into believing their assertions. Granting the majority wins this round, would they get the Supreme Court's nod? If for the sake of argument they overcome the legal battle, they can't be sure of the electorate. But time is one thing they do not have and it is one they do not have a monopoly of. By the time all these have been dealt with, the elections would have been through. The majority would now be the minority and Gloria could kiss her sorry ass goodbye.

But what is this animal called Con-Ass really all about? To be right about it, its Constituent Assembly. It is when congress is converted into an assembly which will propose revisions to our existing constitution. It is actually constitutional but the bone of contention is how will it be done? Would the upper house vote separately from the lower house or would the house be voting as one? This will be the new arena in GMA's fight to stay in power.

JDV asserts that it is less expensive to use this mode than a constitutional convention wherein its members will be voted in by the people to draft a new constitution. So what if its expensive, is the administration afraid to spend what it has stolen? To use such a flimsy excuse to railroad their "project" is the most deceptive way to carry out their evil plan. We all know what is at stake here, its not only the pretender's butt they are protecting but their positions as well. To have the elections is not only a referendum for the incumbent but it would spell the death of the arrogant majority. Seeing the likes of JDV, Nograles, Pichay, Villafuerte, Antonino, Lagman and Cagas still in power would make one puke. These dinosaurs would do a great service to their constituents if they are booted out of office.

So you see my friends, their version of Con-Ass is nothing more than CONNING the people and ASS-LICKING their illegitimate master. To allow this "fraudulent" Con-Ass to push through will be like throwing ourselves in a viper's pit and die a slow agonizing death. To leave our future in the hands of greedy morons is the height of stupidity. I'm not stupid, I can discern and analyze. Now you wouldn't want to be caught with your pants down. Let's be vigilant and protect the future of our children. This is what matters to all of us.

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Thursday, October 26, 2006

Running Out Of Options

In a close vote of 8-7, the Supreme Court has denied the Sigaw ng Bayan and ULAP's bid to change the charter through People's Initiative. Pressure on the magistrates did not sway them to surrender the future of our nation. The administration's plan went pfft. Certainly, appointing her "justices" is not an assurance she can do as she pleases.

From the very start, the PI have been seen as a bid by the palace to permanently shield the bogus presidency from finally answering allegations of corruption and cheating. With the junking of the PI, the palace would now have to rely on its allies in the Lower House. JDV and his mates have been tirelessly working on their version of the Cha-Cha. But it seems the even they have their differences on the provisions ti be pushed.

The DILG and ULAP for their part must now answer for the "funding" which was used for the PI. It was revealed by no less than Bunye himself that indeed that his office had in fact released funds for the PI amounting to several millions. Lambino had claimed to have produced 100,000 copies of the draft petition, but this can only account for so much. SnB has also undertaken a massive media blitz that would run in the millions. Its highly probable that ULAP's members had used public funds for this endeavor. They must now be made answerable for dipping their hands in the national coffers.

Claims by SnB-ULAP that they had collected and verified 6.3 million signatures had also been questioned. Anti-Cha-Cha proponents had in fact discovered irregularities and this strengthened the SC's decision and even call the process deceitful. The SC also pointed out that the process defrauded the signatories of the PI as they were made to sign without being presented the provisions of the petition.

What can we expect from a group closely associated with an illegitimate leadership, of course more lies and deceptions. Try as they might to conceal the truth, in the end it will find a way to expose itself. The administration has once again had a setback, they are running out of time and options. The Con-Ass will definitely face a more straining test when its finally pushed. Nobody bought their "terrorism threat" hence the Anti-Terrorism Bill cannot be of any use for now. The 2007 elections are fast approaching and there simply is no time for GMA to prevent her demise. What other options are there for her? There seems to be none. All she can do now is sit and wait or to undertake a "palace-sponsored coup". She still has her "generals" who will do the dirty task for her. But this is somewhat improbable as even the military is divided. This is clearly shown by the constant loyalty checks the military conducts. I can just imagine GMA wracking her brains out while her "advisers" frantically work on how to beat their deadline.

What will be her next move? We will soon find out when JDV finally makes his push. Vigilance exposed the deceptive PI, vigilance will prevent the administration from ramming Cha-Cha down our throats, and vigilance will forever protect our children's future.

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Tuesday, October 24, 2006

A Concerted Effort

Talks of the cancellation of the 2007 elections started months ago when Abalos raised the question of the election budget. Since then, the PI had kept it in the sidelines. Knowing too well of its importance, the senate had promised to allocate funds for the exercise. But this scenario is once again being floated by no less than the election lawyer of the pretender, Atty. Romeo Makalintal.

Is this being floated to condition the Filipino's mind? I also believe that the continuing assault on the integrity of the COMELEC has something to do with this. The more doubt is cast on the COMELEC's credibility, the more the electorate will find it acceptable to postpone or even cancel the elections altogether.

With the PI in a very unsure footing, the palace has stepped up its efforts to "pressure" the magistrates. Even JDV has somehow cast doubt on the SC by making his "personal" visit to Panganiban publicly known. Raul Gonzalez in all his arrogance had advised the SC to make themselves scarce. The executive has no right to meddle in the affairs of a co-equal unless it was a deliberate move to damage the credibility of the SC. The recent survey which shows how 60% distrusts the SC only serves this purpose.

The late passage of Gordon's Bill to me adds to the controversy. While insisting its good for the elections, why come up with it this late? I may be speculating here but he is afterall an administration senator. His constant lambasting of the COMELEC had added to the flames of doubt making it more difficult for the COMELEC to prove its worth. His committee could have approved his resolution last year when there was ample time to prepare. The "Hello Garci" controversy should have started the repeal/amendment of the Automation Law. Surely the COMELEC's failure to even have a pilot area will ensure the COMELEC's death. Lacking in credibility, I expect the palace operators to drive the nail on the COMELEC's coffin.

I am not a COMELEC defender but hey, I call it as I see it. The events unfolding before us only creates more speculations and wild guesses than concrete answers. I'm not a big COMELEC fan but they are the ones in charge of the elections. I have doubts in my mind but they are all we have for now. As long as Abalos and his commissioners are there, vigilance is our only recourse to protect our votes.

The PI's death and the legal battle which the Con Ass faces has blocked Malacanang's bid for Cha-Cha. So the most logical way to go is to sling mud and cast more doubt and confusion that the electorate will just lose its interest and finally agree to a postponement of the elections. I'm hoping I'm wrong with this one but why are all this talk of NO-EL coming out now? Is this a concerted effort to finally discredit the coming elections? Are we all playing into the administration's ploy once again? Should elections push through, with all the doubts about its crediblity, majority of the voters might not even vote. I have heard comments about boycotting the elections altogether. This is alarming as the disinterest might lead to the administration's win. Should this happen, we're all done for. We can all kiss our asses goodbye.

We must assert our right to vote. Let's not allow doubt to prevail and give the administration what it wants. We must bear in mind that there is no such thing as absurdity when talking of this administration. With them, everything is plausible. With just a few months to go, let's be more vigilant of the signs that our politicians are sending. We must not take this things lightly as our future is at stake. We are all stakeholders therefore must be more active. There are still good men out there who continue to fight for what is right, let's not be complacent and render their efforts futile.

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Monday, October 23, 2006

My Idol Finally Retires


After fifteen years in the Formula 1 circuit, Michael Schumacher has finally retired. He first entered the F1 scene in 1991, a replacement driver for the Jordan team. We was quickly signed by the Benetton Team. Schumey gave Benetton two titles, 1994 and 1995. He then tranferred to Scuderia Ferrari. He then turned Ferrari's title drought into a stunning five-year reign.

Schumey dominated Formula 1 from 2000 - 2004 giving him a record seven world titles. All good things must come to an end. Today he drove his last race at the Inter Lagos in Brazil. He finished fourth after falling to twentieth place when carbonfiber debris from an earlier mishap shredded his left rear tire. He has a record 91 Grand Prix victories, 154 podium finishes, 68 pole positions and all these are from 244 starts.

I will sorely miss watching him race. I have followed his career and have collected items about him. But what I cherish most is his Millennium Championship Cap. I know I'm only one of his many fans. We all celebrate his wins and grieve his loses. The man simply is the best and it would be quite a while before anyone comes close to his achievements.

So now, I bid my idol Godspeed. I raise a glass to the greatest driver there ever was.

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Sunday, October 22, 2006

The Mosquito's Epidemic

This is not about Dengue but about the immorality that has spread to epidemic proportions. And how it has affected each and every Filipino. Malaya yesterday reported on what is supposed to be the "tip of the iceberg". According the a special COA (Commission on Audit) report, P3 billion of the P35 billion Marcos Swiss fund had been lost to irregular "spending" by the illegitimate Arroyo administration. After being turned over to the government in 2004, the COA investigating team was able to trace the pattern of how the P3 billion was practically stolen by this administration and its cohorts. They however ran into a brick wall when they confronted the PCGG (Presidential Commission on Good Government). The PCGG refused to cooperate with the auditors in their bid to "hide" the disbursements.

The report named congressmen, provincial governors, NGOs (non-government organizations), media companies, officials of NAs (national agencies) and GOCCs (government-owned and controlled corporations), and some private individuals as the recipients of the questioned disbursement of monies from the Agrarian Reform Fund. The ARF is the sole beneficiary of the recovered Marcos Swiss wealth.

No wonder the PCGG fought tooth and nail to prevent its commissioners from attending the senate hearings even if it was for the investigation for a different case. Definitely this new development will tighten the noose on the PCGG's neck. The senate recently won a court decision against the PCGG and this will only increase the senate's eagerness to put the PCGG in its proper place. Its now obvious why the Solicitor General will try to have the SC reverse its decision. The administration has clearly dipped its hands in a fund that should benefit our farmers.

The bogus resident of the palace has clearly misused the ARF. The ARF was reserved solely for the purpose of funding land aquisition and infrastructure development for the agriculture sector. It was never intended to be spent some other way. The palace is trying once again to cover up another scam. We would recall how Bolante engineered the Fertilizer Scam to benefit GMA's presidential bid back in '04. He has been detained in the US after having his visa revoked. The scam has hurt our poor farmers and deprived them of much needed funding.

Cover-up has been the normal response of the administration to every scam its been linked to. They have made a mockery of every democratic process in the country. Political will had been replaced with presidential whimsical caprice. From the onset, the administration has set out to suck the country dry. Even data had been doctored to portray economic growth. Unemployment and poverty had been given a new definition. I wouldn't be surprised if even our financial standing had been overstated. While the "lords" travel the world with their junkets, millions of Filipinos are forced to slave in foreign lands. Their families continuesly battered by a moral dilema and those unable to leave are forced to survive on a mere P36 a day. Social disparity had widened and more and more Filipinos succumb to poverty and desperation.

The pretender in all her arrogant air continues to portray herself as the divine ruler of the country. All she had done was to rape the country blind. Injustice is what she has sowed and she feeds on the desperation of the people. Like a mosquito which serve no purpose but to spread disease, she had spread her disease in fact, and continues to somehow corrupt every person and institution she touches. She continues to cultivate a culture of lying, stealing and cheating. The longer she stays, the more people will succumb to her evil ways. Would you like your children to live in a society where evil thrives? Would you like our people to branded as liars, thieves and cheats? To allow this regime to propagate and spread this "immoral culture", we will never get out of this rat hole we are in. We will forever be slaves of administration-created desperation.

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Friday, October 20, 2006

The Heat Is On!

Rumors of backchannel talks and even dangling juicy offers to the justices of the Supreme Court have been buzzing around. Chief Justice Artemio Panganiban the other day confirmed that certain interest groups were indeed pressuring the SC. With the day of reckoning for ULAP's and SnB's People's Initiative drawing near, parties to this controversial case can only guess which way the decision goes.

With diligent work and focus, legal volunteers of One Voice had uncovered massive flaws in the way the PI was conducted. Countless documents point to irregularities and even personal accounts had put the PI in a very compromising situation. While Lambino tries his best to defend the PI, it clearly shows that the hand which pulled the strings are in Malacanang.

The Senate during one of its budget deliberations was able to extract from Bunye an admission that indeed, funds from his office were used in the information drive for the Cha-Cha. Documents also show that the DILG headed by Puno has a hand in this PI. Now that everything is out in the open, the PI is not emanate from the people but from the squatters of Malacanang.

Reports say that two weeks ago, JDV paid Panganiban a visit. Details of the meeting are not known. We all know that the lower house has two versions of the Cha-Cha, the Jaraulla and Pichay versions. With Panganiban's revelation about the increasing pressure from interrest groups, we not look elsewhere to make our conclusions. JDV also pointed to the anti-Cha-Cha groups as those who have been exerting pressure on the justices.

The ani-Cha-Cha groups have no capability to apply pressure nor give any offers to the justices. They have nothing to gain with the Cha-Cha. The sole beneficiary of Cha-Cha is the bogus president. Panganiban could be sending the people signals. We must be wary of these signs. While he may have professed his independence, we are not sure about the others being courted by administration. The fight will get dirtier as the SC finalizes its decision. The powerbrokers in the palace will increase the pressure. While Malacanang admits that pressure is part and parcel of the occupation, it is highly immoral for the palace to dip its hands in what they say is a people's initiative.

Ermita calls this PI a milestone, a milestone for who? The Cha-Cha is not something we toy around with. The administration's illegal and irresponsible grip on the institutions will be complete with this Cha-Cha. They will have the power only dictators and despots enjoy. This morally bankrupt regime of the Arroyos has no business messing around with the future of our nation. Her evil cohorts have been salivating at the prospect of unending reign are rabidly supporting this PI.

The endgame is nearing, expect the palace to increase the pressure. We can only hope and pray that the justices will be strong. Let's hope that they will side with the people and not be swayed by a power-hungry mob we call the immoral administration.

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Wednesday, October 18, 2006

Sweet Revenge

While browsing through my links, I ran into a great piece over at Political Junkie's blogsite. Entitled "Interesting Tidbit on Binay", it seems the suspended mayor of Makati is in the running for "World Mayor 2006".

Now wouldn't it be dandy to give the pretender in the palace something to bitch about? Voting is online and you will have to write a short comment as to why Binay should be World Mayor '06. Who knows, it might even send the evil one scurrying to St. Luke's again.

So if you wish to give the bogus one nightmares and a huge LBM, hurry over to this site and give her a slap on the face. Hurry up as the second round of voting ends this month. Let's show the enchantress our disgust.

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Laws Are Meant To Be Broken

"LAWS ARE MEANT TO BE BROKEN" is the new battlecry of the administration. We were all taught that laws were created to facilitate order in society. We were all taught to abide and follow the laws of the land. But what do we do when our leaders act as both judge, jury and executioner? What do we when those in power act as gods? Due process and the right to defend one's self and clear one's name are supposed to be accorded all accused.

Mayor Jejomar Binay as expected has finally been suspended by the DILG. A staunch critic of the administration, he is the second local executive to be dealt a preventive suspension. Based on unsupported accusations by a perennial loser in the Makati mayoralty race, the palace was only too happy to pounce on the chance. So instead of asking the complainant more proof on the allegations, the administration would rather punish first and ask questions later. (No wonder the military shoots first and then asks questions later.)

USec. Wencelito Andanar in Korina Sanchez's show intimated that this is the best way for losing candidates to get back at their rivals. Given this, the DILG should have conducted a more thorough investigation and asked the complainant Brillante to produce more substantive evidences. So in effect, the DILG has become a tool of harassment. Now any Tom, Dick and Harry allied with the administration or acting as a front for the administration can file any frivoluous charge against any local executive perceived to be or identified with the opposition. Binay on his part had already forwarded the list of employees and their positions. He is asking his accuser to furnish a list of the supposed ghost employees. Of course Brillante and the DILG has 60 days to fabricate additional evidences. Even if Sec. Puno says that this is not political, the public perception is and will always be that this is a case of silencing the opposition. Puno should think twice before opening his stinking mouth again, he might smell his own breath.

This latest fiasco is just one of the many abuses this adminstration has committed. The administration is reminding us it can do whatever it wishes. The Supreme Court should finally put its foot down before the people finally loses its confidence in our judiciary. Being a co-equal, and the only institution who can define law must step up against this abusive regime. Unless the judiciary would tow the administration's line, then we are in really deep shit.

The culture of impunity continues while poor Juan dela Cruz sinks further into the quagmire desperation and injustice. We all thought that democracy is a government of the people, by the people and for the people, such is not the case here. Its a government of Gloria, for Gloria and by Gloria. Ours is not a democracy but a portayed one. We are shown glimpses of democracy to prevent us from revolting against this administration. In reality, we are living in an undeclared dictatorship. A dictatorship who works behind the scenes but rears its ugly head once in awhile.

So you see, there is no such animal as "LAW" in the eyes of these people. They are the law. And the laws that we have now, well, they were meant to be broken. The law only applies when it suits them, when they need to be shielded from the people's prying eyes. So for the rest of us, the rule of law and due process will forever be just a figment of our imagination.

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Saturday, October 14, 2006

The Three Stooges

Talk of rebellion charges against several personalities had been floating for several weeks. As expected, the authorities (as in authors of fictional circumstances) has filed rebellion raps against fifty persons. This is in connection with the attempt to kick the impostor in Malacanang out of her beloved office. Supported by affidavits from the three stooges, Lts. San Juan, Bumidang and Sandava, rebellion charges were levelled against a wide array of persons.

From the rich and famous to virtual unknowns, all were implicated by the increasingly paranoid administration. For sure, evidences will once again be fabricated, inconsistent witnesses will surface to corroborate the statements of the three "vital" witnesses. Though specifics have yet to be presented by the DoJ, we can plainly see why some of the personalities were even forcebly included in the list. And they want their version of the Anti-Terrorism Bill approved?

Clearly some were charged for convenience, to once and for all silence them. With the Cha-Cha virtually dead, the administration is forced to "kill" the opposition and render it inutile for the upcoming elections. Faced with a possible hostile congress, the pretender cannot take any chances. From the political to the civil opposition, the administration intends to just stop its critics in one swoop and leave a chilling effect on those who continue to criticize the current dispensation.

The charges on the Batasan 5 failed miserably to take off as those accused were present in congress which weakened the affidavit of their witness. I am not sure how they intend to connect the dots this time. Most probably they will use Nellie Simbayan's controversial report. As election time nears, expect more absurdity from a panic-stricken administration. They will continue to harass the opposition. Should the lower house fail in its bid for Con-Ass, the administration will be in very deep shit.

The bombings in the south is the signal we must all be wary of. It is being used by the administration to shore up support for its version of the Anti-Terrorism Bill. While a senate version is more rights friendly, the administration's is so broad that even legitimate dissent can be grounds for arrest. GMA's hands are tied with declaring Martial Law, so her best option is the approval of their version of the Anti-Terrorism Bill. With that in place, she need not ask congress's approval to declare Martial Law.

The road for us will even get bumpier as the election nears. The crackdown on the opposition coupled with the continuing extra-judicial killings will become more vicious. Let's hope the opposition will hold up to the onslaught. Our vigilance and awareness of the events now going on is a must. To blink could mean the end of democracy.

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Friday, October 13, 2006

A Joke or a Tactless Remark

The COMELEC and the Department of Defense had signed and agreement limiting the military's role in the ypcoming elections. I suppose this is to convince the people that the 2007 elections will be credible, really?

We all know how the well-oiled machinery of cheaters are still lurking in COMELEC's midst. To say that there will be no "Hello Garci" controversy as Garcillano is no longer a part of the institution is a big joke. Abalos may have unwittingly confirmed that indeed Garcillano was able to pull a fast one on the electorate during the last elections.

So what if Garci is longer there, we all know his henchmen are still around and assigned to even juicier positions. Couple that with '04 generals who have been promoted while those who blew the whistle are facing court martial. Abalos and Esperon give themsleves too much credit. We know who pulls the strings and who has the appointing power. We all know that the administration never plays by the rules. If the rules suit them, its accepted but if it goes against them, they will cut corners and interpret it some other way.

If Abalos made the comment in jest, it certainly isn't funny. Up to now, the unanswered questions behind the '04 elections still leaves a bad taste in the mouth. It has plunged the country into more crisis and instability. The administration's frantic response to quell the tide of dissent had been full of unnconstitutional acts.

Esperon has no credibility either. His continued disservice and disloyalty to the people and constitution had made him into the personal bodyguard of the impostor in the palace. No MOA or pronouncement of indenpendence from this two will convince the people of their impartiality. Its obvious that they serve at their master's every whim. So who do they think they are fooling this time around?

The fact remains that with the cloud of doubt hanging over the COMELEC's head, no election will be credible with Abalos at the helm. The COMELEC's honest employees will forever be associated with the "Hello Garci" even if they had been doing an honest job. The rotten eggs couldn't care less as they have been already rewarded for their "services".

The AFP as an institution is also a casualty in all this. But the top brass doesn't care. As long as the pretender "pays" them handsomely, the generals will continue to serve her. The poor foot soldier will be abused time and again by the very officers who command them. With the doctrine of chain of command instilled in them, obedience to this code will forever tie their hands.

The "Garci Tapes" is no joke, the current commissioners in the COMELEC will never regain their credibility. The electorate will always be suspicious of the elections as long as the same people are in the COMELEC. As for me, wary as I may be of the integrity of the elections, I will still vote and be more vigilant this time around. All democratic means to express my sentiments had been mocked by this administration. I will make them pay come election time.

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Wednesday, October 11, 2006

All Roads Lead to the Palace

Centralizing power is what this administration wants. Their bid for Cha-Cha through whatever means is all about consolidating the power to one person. As events drag on, everything becomes clearer, Malacanang is the instigator of all these scandals. Now that the cat is out of the bag with Bunye's admission that SnB's funding comes from Malacanang, I wonder what other surprises they have in store for us? Speculations about the cancellation of elections next year abound. The lower house is frantically exploring all avenues to finally convert itself to a constituent assembly. But with an anti Cha-Cha senate in its path, their dreams of grabbing power would not materialize anytime soon.

No wonder the pretender is hellbent in preventing her officials from attending congressional hearings. She's so scared that her minions might open up a can of worms when they face these congressional probes. With the recent bombings in Mindanao, could this be another ploy by the government to railroad the Anti-terrorism Bill?

Questions, just too many unanswered questions. Since GMA took office, scandals have been flying left and right. No sooner that one is unearthed, another comes along. With the government's policy of exporting our work force, one would suspect that the recent nursing exam leakage scandal can also be attributed to Malacanang. With the growing global need for nurses, the government is pressing the industry to churn out more nursing graduates. We all know that its this administration's practice to cut corners to get what it wants. A "leak" will definitely achieve the results they want. Any accusation against her office must be answered by her.

Even the school-feeding program did not escape being tainted. The budget hearings exposed an anomaly regarding the procurement of the rice being distributed to students in the public schools. The NFA had spent P1 billion for last year's program. As we all know, we are an agrigultural country whose prime crop is rice. It seems that the program will be buying its rice from abroad. This deprives our farmers of much needed earnings. The amount NFA wants is P4 billion. Somebody must be really reaping in a lot of money. We all know who that is.

The DepEd had awarded most of the printing contracts for textbooks to only one publishing company. How can this be, when the winning bidder was disqualified by the Bids and Awards Committee? No wonder our educators are so demoralized. Their bosses have been bending the rules to enrich themselves. Our poor teachers have endured so much. Low pay and long hours, add the cramped classrooms and the huge student numbers they have to deal with every single day.

This administration has time and again taken advantage of our patience. Cheating, lying and stealing has been widely accepted by this regime. Corruption still lords over our institutions. While mostly low-ranking officials have been charged with graft, those obviously close to the pretender have yet to face the music. I must admit that despite my belief in a peaceful and lawful solution to the plague that hangs over our country, a violent formulation could be a better option. When all is said and done, GMA and her minions might wake up to a bloodthirsty mob at their doorstep.

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DoJ: Department of Joke

Time and again, we see the senile secretary of DoJ make pre-judgement on cases. I don't really know what on earth this incoherent, word-chewing old man is doing in government. He is more of a jester than a justice secretary.

This lastest stunt the DoJ pulled on the alleged rape victim Nicole is a great example of how the Filipino is treated in his own country. After berating and lambasting Nicole, the state prosecutors (with the exception of Hazel Valdez) had the temerity to still handle the case. Any person with "delicadeza" would have resigned outright when accused of compromising the case.

Atty. Ursua and Fiscal Valdez should have been allowed to handle the case instead of Emilie delos Santos. Delos Santos obviously does not follow the ethical standards of being a lawyer. If your client has lost faith in you, you should have stayed away from the case. Gonzalez if indeed is the guardian of justice should have replaced those he assigned on the case. Their insistence to still handle the case reeks of a sell-out, a perception that many Filipinos I quite sure share with me. But now the jester wants to make amends and asked the government prosecutors to resigh should Nicole lose her case. Now he tries to save his neck after all is said and done.

Poor Nicole, a victim many times over even by her own countrymen. It pains me that the Filipinos are made political pawns in GMA's diplomatic games. GMA needs the America's support, its the only thing keeping her in office. This is the reason why she's been trying her best to "please" them. But at who's expense? After "raping" the country blind, she now wants to sell us out. Nicole's case should open our eyes to the injustice being done to our country. We are not whimps nor pushovers. Its GMA who's in "hot water" not us. We should never allow ourselves to be used for her own personal survival.

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Tuesday, October 10, 2006

The Lady's Got Balls

I caught the Ombudsman's press conference this afternoon. I must admit I am somehow impressed by her demeanor. I saw her toughness and no nonsense stance. Coming out after the controversial resolution clearing the COMELEC of any liability in the botched Automated Counting Machine Project, she gainly aswered all questions and never showed any sign of being irritated.

With a straight face she responded to the media's queries and from time to time broke into a smile. She said that she will take full reponsibility for the resolution. Her panel also pointed out that the compainant never showed up during the clarificatory hearings which their office conducted. Had there been any additional evidence presented during these hearings, their resolution "might" be different. It seems Gus Lagman never was interested in the case.

She also stressed that she should not be onion-skinned when being battered by criticisms for she is a public figure and this is part of her job. She also will not file any charges against those who criticize her. She said that her time will be better spent going after grafters than attending libel hearings in court.

Maybe, the Arroyos should take notice of how Merciditas Gutierrez conducts herself. Thia is one gutsy lady that has bigger balls than Mike Arroyo. To simply shrug off criticisms is hard, at least she knows it comes with the territory. Retaliation is not in this lady's vocabulary. A titled "gentleman should have more humility, if not then he definitely does not deserve the title.

After all is said and done, Gutierrez gets my thumbs up. Regardless of rumors that Malacanang had a hand in this, her character shows her strength. Unlike most officials in government today, she's the only one I've seen who's willing to take the heat and not dish it back. She is has no air of arrogance or vindictiveness in her. She simply smiles off her detractors. She's also willing to be impeached to clear her name. The pretender in the palace should take lessons from her on how to be a good leader. Gutierrez knows her place in the sun and that deserves a round of applause.

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Monday, October 09, 2006

Gangland

What do you do if the country you live in is not a country but a gangland? Such is the case with the Republic of the Philippines. Headed by a select "few" who runs the government Mafia style, they control the country with an iron fist. Any opposition is quickly dealt with. This syndicate-like operation has run this country to the ground. Total disregard for law had been the norm and they can do anything with impunity.

From illegal gambling to smuggling to protection rackets to corruption of every democratic institution, this syndicate's power grows each day. With the money in their pockets, the police and military quickly becomes their "enforcers and hitmen".
Their best business yet is human trafficking. They simply go around the world offering the Filipinos to every country in need of slaves. These "workers" are then enticed by the government to fill in these job orders. The syndicate just waits for the slaves' remittances and quietly siphon off these funds. They couldn't care less if the families they leave behind go astray.

Doing business here is easy if you have the right connections. Just cozy up to someone close to the "family" and you are quickly given your space to operate provided of course that you pay the required "goodwill". Your business will be protected by the mob if you know how to play their game. Even your tax evasion case can be conveniently swept under the rug. Even as scam after scam had been exposed, nothing has come of it as their members in the lower house made sure it doesn't reach the doors of the senate. They replace career officials with their "buddies" and slowly take control of the entire government.

Their new "project" is to keep the power to themselves with their twisted People's Initiative. With funding from the "mob", the legion fraudulently gathered more than six million signatures to permanently sit the "queen" in the halls of Malacanang. Want to know how the wicked queen has managed to survive? She simply made sure that the populace is occupied with surviving the day to day life. She made life so hard and miserable that nobody will have the time to join the rallies against her. The few who dared to join these actions were simply hosed down by her goons in the PNP. They employ tactics of repression only the master of hell can think of.

Those who are more vocal are slapped with libel suits and "fake" cases. But these are nothing compared to the hundreds who have been "eradicated" by the enforcers of the mob. To clean up their mess, they created a commission to whitewash their despicable deeds. Secretaries are turned into bagmen and architects of embezzling public funds, courts are made into tools of harassment and into legitimizing their illegal acts.

This country is not a safe place anymore. Its become a haven for a new breed of criminals with power in their hands and the country's wealth at their disposal. So corrupt is this breed that they had reduced this once proud nation into their own "turf". Its up to us now to once and for all cleanse this country of this infestation.

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Friday, October 06, 2006

Monopoly of the Rich

Even before tropical storm Milenyo hit Manila, my house and seven others were plunged into darkness, that was Wednesday night. A secondary cable of Meralco snapped which caused us to lose power. Metro Manila, fell prey to te fury of the storm early Thursday morning. With more wind than rain, Metro Manila's structures were no match to the unrelenting Milenyo.

I had reported the outage in my area a few minutes after it occurred and was told that I would serviced immediately. A few hours turned into eight days of darkness. I was told by Meralco that I was in the priority list and complaints will be serviced as they come in. A day after, power was restored in my street except for my place and seven other houses. When the power came back, an apartment row on my street broke into flames. The occupants forgot to turn off their breakers. I had to rush to Camp Karingal to get help. Phone lines were dead, celphones were unreliable and the PNP's radios were the only means to get word out. After what seemed like hours, help came and the fire was extiguished. I have been following up my request every hour. I went to Meralco's call center in Ortigas to follow-up my complaint personally. As I had expected, I was given the runaround and went home frustrated.

My nights were spent fanning my kids to sleep and make sure no mosquitos got to them. Being a father has added obligations you know. My wife's stock of poultry and meat all rotted. My baker was unable to bake pandesal but was able to prepare other kinds of bread. I still have to make an accounting of how much business we lost. But still, I can be thankful that what I lost was incomparable to what most impoverished families had lost during the storm. While the rich were being served with haste, ordinary folks like me had to wait in line.

Meralco's service sucks. I hope the government does something about this monopoly. With the high cost they charge us, good service should be given in return. I saw dozens of PLDT service personnel checking/repairing their lines, while Meralco's were quietly tucked in posh subdivisions in Makati and Pasig. My brother who lives in Las Pinas had to fetch Meralco's trucks to avert a catastrophe when three of their posts almost fell on some houses in their subdivision.

It pays to be rich in the Philippines. This mirrors the disparity in our society. To be poor will the least of anybody's concern. You will always be at the end of the line while the rich will always be at the head of the pack. I saw residents of Forbes and Dasmarinas vilage complain about how they couldn't charge their celphones while the rest of Manila's poor had to wait for whatever service will be rendered to them. A society of indifference still survives in the Philippines.

"Blessed are the poor for they shall inherit the earth", a thought that the rich should always bear in mind.

*After eight days, Meralco had finally restored power in my area. My neighbors and I had to shell out P1,500 and feed the linemen just to be served. We were not in their job schedule for the day. We had to practically beg and bribe them to connect that short piece of cable.

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