schumey

Atat Na Atat

2012-01-17T01:05:00.003+08:00

Renato Corona's first brush with the scandalous midnight appointment came during the Ramos administration. FVR wanted to appoint him as associate justice. But as fate would have it and an impartial Supreme Court during that time, shot down his appointment. The reason was his appointment came during an election ban. Former CJ Narvasa followed what the constitution said. His ambition became a reality when GMA appointed his as an associate justice during her term. Fast forward to 2010. Once again, Corona would face his old nemesis, midnight appointment. This time however, he has the numbers to make something illegal, legal.

The Supreme Court was full of Arroyo appointees. So they came up with a migraine-inducing resolution that upheld Corona's appointment. I guess they thought that Filipinos are dumb and stupid and that we all slept through our Constitution subject in college. Based on his statements, loyalty is what guides him. True enough, his decisions show how loyal he is. Unfortunately for the hapless Filipino, his colleagues live by the same creed. Never mind what is lawful, he an his cohorts will bend what is straight to protect their benefactor.

Under attack, Corona decided to throw in a monkey wrench to muddle the issue. He is now asserting that his impeachment is connected to the SC's decision on Hacienda Luisita. It was clearly a diversionary tactic to confuse the public who are increasingly disgusted with a very biased Supreme Court. Clearly, GMA is still pulling the strings. Is Corona collateral damage in making GMA accountable for he sins? No he is definitely not. He is a co-conspirator in destroying the judiciary so that GMA would not be brought to justice.

Corona's ambition took several years to materialize. He persisted and persevered and GMA rewarded him handsomely. So who is "Atat na Atat"? Not content with his power and influence, he is trying to drag the entire judiciary down with him. Corona is not the Supreme Court. I will follow this impeachment. I will list down the senators who will acquit him and make them pay come 2013.

Hate To The Chief

2011-12-16T01:52:00.004+08:00

The judiciary has finally exhibited its arrogance. Despite the delays in justice, its employees (workers and judges) closed shop to hear CJ Corona call PNoy a dictator. As the final arbiter of the laws of the land, the Supreme Court can dictate what is legal or not. One perfect example of the SC's power is how they legitimized the obvious illegal appointment of Corona. I a blatant disregard for what is lawful, they upheld Corona's right to accept his otherwise midnight appointment. The SC said that Gloria Arroyo can appoint. Yes she can, dummies, as long as it is not within the prohibited period during elections. Any appointment within that period is unlawful. But hey, we are mere mortals who must swallow whatever the SC says. We cannot tangle with gods. They can jail us mortals if they wish to.

How then do we make them accountable? I support PNoy's move to impeach those we all know have and continue to abuse their power. I want them (the justices) to know what fear is. To hell with constitutional crisis. We can live with the justices who are left. What we cannot live with are demigods who obviously are not loyal to the constitution and the people they are supposed to serve. We cannot live with justices who are too loyal or grateful to the one who appointed them. Corona will fight tooth and nail and bring the judiciary down with him. For the first time, someone is serious about weeding out the termites in the judiciary.

I am happy that Corona is finally impeached, although I would have wanted his midnight appointment included in the articles of impeachment. Everyone in government must be accountable, even those who are supposed to be the experts on laws.

Conspiracy

2011-06-14T01:53:00.002+08:00

The brouhaha at the Dept. of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) has not died down. Intrigues and speculations add more to the confusion that has muddled the issues. Personally, I feel that opposing interest groups are jockeying for position. Sadly, former DOTC Sec. Ping De Jesus is in the midst of this brewing war. I take the Virginia Torres out of the equation. Her case is a totally different issue. I can only feel how frustrated Sec. De Jesus must be. I would also throw in the towel and let these crocs finish each other off. While this infighting continues, the safety of our flying public is at risk. Even the media hungry for anything they can sensationalize become willing or unwitting victims to rumormongers at the DOTC.

Another issue has been floated. To the common man, it would seem that an another anomaly has been unearthed. To those in the know and are not corrupt, the radar system issue can be explained. If you're not familiar with how air traffic management works, it would seem that there is duplication. Before I comment on the matter, I did some of my own research and asked a friend who is familiar with how the entire system works. I am sure that you would agree with me that redundancy is imperative when safety is concerned. Are the claims of some about the two radar systems true or a ploy to destroy Sec. De Jesus? I would like to remind you that different "syndicates" are fighting for control of lucrative projects.

There are currently two simultaneous projects in place within the CAAP regarding radar and communication. Both projects are DOTC projects not CAAP projects. This means that DOTC provided the funds and conducted the bidding on behalf of CAAP. The projects are Communications Navigation Surveillance-Air Traffic Management (CNS-ATM) project and the new Manila Air Control Center (MACC) project.

The MACC project is envisioned to upgrade the air traffic radar system used by the air traffic controllers in Manila, servicing only Terminal 1, Centennial Terminal, Terminal 3 and the old domestic terminal which share the same runway. Whereas the CNS-ATM project is to provide satellite, radar facilities, communications, surveillance and air traffic management to all airports in the Philippines. The CNS-ATM is envisioned to be a "holistic" approach in improving the air navigation system of the Philippines.

It is true that the radar component of both projects is the same. The MACC radar system can fulfill the role of the CNS-ATM radar system and vice versa. This now becomes the crux of the "in-fighting" among the different groups within the DOTC and CAAP. I do not know if those people are aware that both systems are actually needed. In the United States, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is responsible for air traffic management and the National Transportation and Safety Bureau (NTSB) is responsible for investigation. Both agencies (key word here is AGENCY) are independent of each other and have their own equipment and systems. Other countries have similar structure in place. The Philippines on the other hand, have both departments (in the Philippines both are only DEPARTMENTS) working under one organization, the CAAP. Having the operations and investigative departments under one organization using the same equipment pose a lot of concerns. It can even be construed as collusion, incestuous even, since one is not independent of the other. How can the public expect a non-partisan investigation on air traffic mishaps if both the operations and investigative department report to the same person?

Now people with their own agendas are positioning themselves in order to take out the "competition" because there are similar components/overlaps in the projects. Government projects can not have any duplication because in can be construed as waste of government funds. But for safety concerns there is a need for independent redundancy. The new MACC project is obviously a subset of the CNS-ATM project hence the MACC project in only a fraction of the cost of the later.

Rumors about corruption, obsolescence, ineligibility and duplication are rampant. The fact of the matter is both systems can be used complementing each other as long as one system is designated as to be the primary source and the latter as the investigative/audit source should any air traffic mishaps occur.

I am a firm believer of oversight and regulation. This is the only way we can stop corruption. The greed of some people are just insatiable. I do not think our institutions are capable of policing its ranks. We need an independent agency that would oversee the different government agencies. It should not be attached to any other and should operate on its own. Institutions that investigate themselves always clear themselves of any wrongdoing. How I wish that those in the DOTC who are true professionals would come out and expose these mafia groups in their office. I hope the DOTC has a Heidi Mendoza in its ranks.

There will always be people who would conspire to rid their departments of those who try to introduce change. PNoy I think, should look into these matters himself. I hope that Sec. Mar Roxas's entry to the DOTC, the agency would be cleansed of its undesirables.

The Crying Lady

2011-06-05T20:44:00.002+08:00

Who is this? A lady official cried and knelt before a leader of a sect. She begged for mercy and asked to be given another chance. Allegations of corruptions are hounding this lady. Her ploy worked. It was not simply a case of being friends with her boss. Her antics touched the heart of the sect's leader.

She'll soon go back to work despite the allegations. She has not been investigated yet. Her supervisor along with other officials of the agency she works under have resigned. Poor supervisor, hindi ikaw ang boss. Got back to your "private" life. At least that's what the prepared statement given to you said. As for your boss, his backup man couldn't be too happy. If things go as planned, your boss would be out of office by next year. His backup man could be siting behind the desk the people gave him

Domino Effect

2011-05-17T03:44:00.003+08:00

Anti-RH Bill devotees are now calling for civil disobedience. Politic ans like Tito Sott, Roilo Golez and Joey Lina have even thrown in their voices in the debate. Let's dissect these issues one by one. The anti-RH fanatics are saying that they will not pay their taxes and risk facing sedition charges. Fine with e, it's their choice. What really grabs me is how some men of the cloth are saying they too are prepared to be jailed.

First, the church does not pay taxes, they are exempted from taxing. This only means that the billions they collect during mass and other services go directly to the church's coffers depriving the government additional revenue to spend for social services. Unless they pick up arms, they're immune from anything. Have you heard of a priest being jailed for molestation or rape? How about priests who use the church's money for their private pleasures.

Secondly, what we do in the confines of our bedrooms is none of your business. Whatever means we see fit to plan our family is our own choice. I am accountable for any choices I make in life and will face my Creator for my judgement. It is how you lived your life that will matter most. Who knows, I may even be more charitable than most of you? I can face my creator with a clean conscience anytime.

Thirdly, overpopulation creates a domino efect of sorts. Too many people leads to hunger because agriculture cannot keep pace with rapid population growth. This also leads to unemployment as we need to keep creating jobs. That is also the reason why we have a shortage of classrooms to accommodate students. Unless of course those who want us to be live like rabbits would create more businesses for jobs, turn their lands into farms for food production and build more schools, then by all means let's throw the RH Bill into the trash bin.

Tito Sotto should show proof of his allegations. We all know that some local execs are against family planning. Why then should be given funds for a program they do implement? He should substantiate his allegations with credible proof instead of listening to local officials without listening to the what the concerned agency have to say before going to the media. He should have investigated the matter thoroughly than simply wasting taxpayers, money on a witch hunt.

Thanks to the Lina Law, we have millions trooping to the cities. They then turn private properties into havens. Without assured employment, these people become slum-dwellers. Urbanization Mr. Lina is not a measurement forprogress. Without food security, urban areas will starve. This is the reason why an agricultural like the Philippines has high incidents of hunger. It is stupid to say that we should urbanize the entire country. Do you want us to import all our foods to feed our people? What then do we do with our farmlands, turn them into resettlement sites or sell them to unscrupulous real estate developers. Would friends from the CBCP donate their lands for resettlement?

Golez shoudl study more closely his claim that the more people we have, the more productive our country will be. Perhaps he should go to the slums of India and China to get the real score. Yes, despite the growth of these nations, they have many who live in poverty. I suggest you watch Discovery or National Geographic. We simply cannot produce food or jobs at the same pace our population is growing. Having no grasp on what the reality on the ground leads tomisinformation and disinformation.

We must face the problem head on. We cannot play around with the issue of overpopulation. When God ordered us to "Go and multiply", the world was in its infancy. It was sparsely populated. With population growth comes increased demand. If we cannot meet those demands, poverty is the result. Poverty drains government funds which deprives a country not only of progress but of decency and dignity as well.

URGENT: Public Service

2011-05-09T00:55:00.004+08:00

I would like appeal to your kind hearts to help out a struggling family. Mrs. Judith Bautista gave birth to a premature baby girl. Both she and her husband Romwell are daily wage earners. Their baby girl needs to be incubated for a month. Their daily hospital bill amounts to P24,000.00.

If you can find a little space for this family in your hearts, you may directly contact Mrs. Bautista through her phone: 0999-438-8872.

Thieves Like Who?

2011-04-24T17:01:00.003+08:00

My favorite senator, Manny Villar has filed a bill seeking stiffer penalties for theft and robbery in places of worship. Well it is a welcome bill, what I'd like to see are laws that gives stiffer penalties on thieves in church. Yes, there are wolves in priests' robes too. Another perhaps and should really be addressed is stiffer penalties for thieves of land. The latter I doubt very much if Villar would go along with.

We don't need more laws on theft and robbery. What we need are laws that address the plight of farmers and indigenous people against land grabbers and opportunistic real estate businesses. Theft of these lands have economic and national repercussions. National food security is what is at stake here. Theft of land also deprives our indigenous people to preserve their heritage and threatens their very existence.

Theft and robbery are not exclusive to common criminals. They are also committed by politicians and greedy businessmen. or politicians with business interests. I hope Sen. Villar would focus more on the issues I mentioned above. We have many laws concerning common criminality. What we need are laws against those who use their influence, bribery of public officials and intimidation for material gain.

Well Mr. senator, are you willing to pick up the challenge?

Had We Been Complacent

2011-03-12T22:00:00.003+08:00

Had we been complacent, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo could still be sitting as president if not prime minister of the Philippines. She had laid the groundwork that could have turned her 9-year rule into another dictatorship. She had the lower house and the supreme court but fortunately for us, not the senate. Money flowed in 2007 to make sure she got the senate but despite this, the people voted otherwise. The military was not completely hers either. She had the bigwigs in her pocket but not the other officers.

Institution after institution fell to her onslaught. Everyone submitted to her as she clearly micromanaged everything to ensure her absolute control. Pres. Cory Aquino may have saved our country again when she passed away. Noynoy Aquino was elevated to the presidency because of this. Had it not been for the late president, a Villaroyo could have ascended to the presidency. Guns, goons and gold did not work its magic in the 2010 elections. Even Erap fell by the wayside.

Despite Gloria's stepping down, remnants of her influence are still there to protect her. The SC shot down anything that could harm Arroyo. But the peole were beginning to realize that Gloria's unseen hand was still controlling the SC. The people's ire now trained on the SC. To save their necks, the justices had to have a scapegoat. They would not go down with Gloria's ship. They had to give somebody's head to the irate public. Omb. Merciditas Gutierrez was the anointed one. She is the sacrificial lamb. Her impeachment can still delay the Aquino administration. Arroyo's behind would be protected even for just awhile.

Rep. Fariñas is set to impeach 7 of the justices of the SC. They now cry foul and insinuates that the administration wants an Aquino Supreme Court. What's wrong with that? If that's the only way for reforms to be achieved then so be it. Impeachment is the only way we can make the SC accountable for whatever wrongs they have done. Nothing to be afraid of that if the SC is indeed clean. Nothing to worry about if indeed the current SC is not an Arroyo SC. Rep. Fariñas is right, it is only through impeachment that the SC can answer the accusation hurled against them.

Gloria Arroyo's henchmen are falling one by one. At least Angie Reyes got off easy. That rest of her gang will get their asses whooped. Thank God we're not a country of fence-sitters. We were not complacent and watched intently the goings on during Arroyo's reign. We may not have all gone out in the streets but we surely concerned ourselves with what Gloria was up to. In the end, evil did not triumph. With the new presidency, at least our small voices are heard.

Show No Mercy!

2011-03-01T21:12:00.003+08:00

Embattled Ombudsman, Merceditas Gutierrez has nowhere to hide as congressmen tighten the noose around her neck. She will definitely have to face the music, finally. Not even her allies in the lower house's Justice Committee was able to derail her impeachment. Not even GMA's Supreme Court helped her. The SC has image problems of its own to contend with.

The last congress showed us how futile any attempt to bring Gloria to account failed time and again. She had almost everyone in her pocket. The shoe is on the other foot now. Her once formidable allies is the minority now. Public sentiment is also against Gutierrez. Gloria cannot save her now. Weather weather lang yan. Mercy's fighting this battle alone. The last congress's "zarzuela" of due process will not work here. If only she did her work, she wouldn't be in this situation now. That's what you get for sitting on the "bad eggs" too long.

Her no-show made matters worst for her. She doesn't seem invincible now. When her case is brought to the plenary, the usual numbers game is now on the other side. Tsk, tsk....she may end up facing the senate very soon. Arrogance will not win her any sympathies. The people are asking for accountability. We've been deprived of justice for almost a decade. She was supposed to prosecute not lawyer for Gloria's corrupt henchmen.

A new challenge faces the lower house. They too must save face. They have to redeem themselves. The lower house is also a tainted institution thanks to GMA. With all the exposes especially the Garcia plea-bargain, she should fry. I hope the congress shows her no mercy.

Pay Taxes or Feed the Masses

2011-02-15T22:31:00.005+08:00

As the country celebrated Valentine's Day, the RH Bill reared its beautiful head yet again. As condoms flew around, who else but the holiest of holy again reminded us the evils(?) of contraception. I cannot overemphasize the separation of church and state. They rally their base and demonize the government's solution to population explosion. The church reaps in billions in collections and donations. They own schools, hospitals and even banks. Every time a child is baptized, confirmed or if someone dies, the church collects fees.

All these earnings are tax-free. Not a centavo goes to the country's coffers. I am quite sure that only a fraction of these funds goes to the poor. Everything else goes to the church. Perhaps to pay for their Macs. cars and the Pope's wardrobe. Like I said before, I am a Catholic and have seen how the church goes about its affairs. There good priests and there are those who care about nothing but the finances of the church. I have seen up close how these so-called priests devour these funds.

They dictate upon us as if they were God. I am sure that God would not like seeing the poor slowly die of despair and hunger because His men like us to be rabbits. So they meddle in the affairs of the state, threatening everyone who goes against them. Of course they dare not touch PNoy's predecessor or they wouldn't receive their white envelopes. See the hypocrisy? There are those who believe that the poor should never vote because they don't pay taxes yet these men in robes vote.

If you want to have a say in affairs of the state, pay your taxes. We are answerable to God and God alone. If the church is bent on blocking the RH Bill, they should have concrete solutions to overpopulation. You even call off classes so you can drag your students to the streets to condemn the bill. I am very sure their presence was compulsory. We need to arrest the rapid growth of the population. Seminars won't cut it. We should be given free choice. Even the Pope condones the use of condom if only to prevent disease from spreading. We must respect our partners too. When you can "honestly" hold accountable your members who have sinned, maybe I will listen to what you have to say.

Human decency is what's at stake here. We need to step back and take a look at the bigger picture. It is our money that you spend on the poor. It is our donations that keeps the church afloat. Perhaps it is time that we take your exemptions away. It is time for you to give your fair share. I am sure that only a small portion of what we donate actually reach the poor. My challenge to you is to pay your taxes. If not, you feed the masses.

Tele-babad Queen

2011-02-09T10:17:00.004+08:00

The Godmother of institutionalized corruption loves her telephone. For the second time in her life, she used it to ensure that she is in the clear. In '04, she called the godfather of electoral fraud to make she'll win the presidential race by one million votes. This time around, she called her favorite general to make sure that that buck stops with the general. I wonder how many times she had used her phone to make sure that she will never be implicated in any corruption case? Her knack for calling personalities to cover up her shenanigans is onve very bad habit.

The general did not take this lightly and succumbed to the pressure. El Generalismo once said that "hindi siya nang-lalaglag and yet back in '01, at the height of the calls for a disgraced but popular president to step down, he withdrew his support for the constitutionally elected president. Di ba pan-lalaglag yon? Now El Generalismo is gone and with his demise brought scandalous secrets to his grave. Godmother must be laughing her heart out. She has dodged the bullet yet again. Unfortunately for her, she is no longer in power. I do not think that he gang of military REMFs will follow what El Generalismo did. Someone will surely sing his heart out and save his neck. Nothing can escape the eyes of Godmother especially when it come to MONEY. Her micromanaging skills in the realm of corruption is legendary.

So what happens now with the corruption investigations in congress and the senate? It will continue for sure. Wives and mistresses might even get to socialize with each other when they appear before the committees investigating these scandalous thievery in the AFP. When the smoke of these investigations clears, ghosts of corruptions will begin to haunt Godmother. And for the last time she may again use her phone. . Who you gonna call Godmother, the Ghost Busters?

Pride and Prejudice

2010-11-25T11:21:00.002+08:00

I'm glad that Enteng Romano has resigned from the government. Not that I am one of those who thinks his brainchild stinks but because I appreciated his efforts. Greg Macabenta couldn't have written it better. I first met Enteng Romano when I was just 16. The Altos Computers took me in as an apprentice while I waited for the semester to open. although we did not work together directly, we shared the same small office together with my mentor, Myrna Jopson (sister of the late Ed Jopson). Last time I saw him was during a prayer rally in Makati. He has always been a hard worker, vibrant and enthusiastic.

I admire how he handled the situation he was in. He took it like a man while an ingrate people screamed for his head. I suppose people were just envious that this public servant was trying his best to serve the country. How many public servants (past and present) can match his delicadeza? I guess, Filipinos have yet to grasp national pride. The easily questioned the use of Pilipino as a selling point to promote tourism. You would be surprised of how how many foreigners know the meaning of "ganda". Perhaps because we are not proud of who we really are. Instead we would like to go with the flow and imitate the slogans of our Asian neighbors. We did not even give the project a chance. It all boils down on how you market the brand. The Dept. of Tourism can explain what the phrase "Kay Ganda" means.

But like geniuses envious that we did not come up with a slogan, we quickly shot the idea down. I did not find anything bad in the slogan. Along with the media, stakeholders who really did not care jumped on the bandwagon and showed their prejudice. Romano may not be brilliant but at least he's doing what he thinks is good for the country. Day in and day out, all I would hear and read is how bad the slogan was. It was only after the slogan came out that the concerned(?) sectors came out, and they had nothing good to say. A friend who owns a travel agency found it different, innovative at that. I suppose we prefer to lose our identity in the sea of English. It's no wonder why we are being left behind. We lack a national goal and vision. It's everyone for himself. Are we not proud of who we are? I guess not.

Kudos to you Enteng for showing the people what you are made of. And to all you geniuses, join the government. Let us see how well you'll perform. I doubt if you'll come out with a slogan that embodies what is truly the Philippines.

With or Without A Slogan

2010-11-19T00:32:00.003+08:00

I couldn't care less if the Department of Tourism has a new slogan to promote our country. The fact of the matter is that unless we can protect foreign tourists, we'll have a hard time selling the Philippines. Two weeks ago, the Asian Intercity Bowling Championships was held here. Despite the travel advisories that several countries issued, the event was well participated. My team represented one of the three local cities that participated. Several cities from Malaysia, Taiwan, South Korea, Singapore, Saipan and Guam also sent teams to participate in the annual meet. Unfortunately, New Zealand, Australia, Hong Kong, Japan, Indonesia and China did not send their teams due to the travel advisories and the botched hostage rescue.

A very sad incident involving a player (of Australian descent) from Guam happened. While waiting for a taxi cab in front of Robinson's Place in Ermita, two thieves riding in tandem snatched her necklace. The poor girl was dragged for several meters because her necklace di dnot easily break. She sustained bruises on her elbows and knees and he right wrist was sprained. This did not happen in the wee hours of the morning but early evening. She vowed that she will never visit the Philippines again even if her sponsored her travel.

This is not an isolated case. Many tourists are victimized by thieves, prostitutes and even our police. No matter how much we spend on advertising, or how many times we change our "branding", unless we can assure our visitors that they will be protected, the Philippines would be a hard-sell. It's not about the terror threat that we lose tourists to our Asian neighbors but
due to crime. Even our "balikbayans" fall prey to crime. Is this just the government's problem? It concerns us all. How many taxi cabs dupe even the locals? We've lost our sense of hospitality as well. What most people see in tourists is simply the color of money. We no longer see them as guests. It may just be a case of a few rotten eggs, but perception plays a big part in all these. When even local tourists are treated badly, the tourism industry will continue to suffer.

With or without a catchy slogan, we will continue to lag behind our neighbors in terms of tourism. We must go through a re-education of sorts. Tourism should not be limited to the DoT's and travel agencies, it should be a national concern. We, the Filipinos are our tourism's greatest endorsers. It is our good nature that will back our foreign guests.

Welga You Like It Or Not

2010-11-17T01:33:00.002+08:00

The bus operators showed us last Monday how they can hold the riding public hostage. Thousands were stranded and they blamed the drivers and conductors for the strike. Yet last Friday, a defiant Claire dela Fuente said that they will call for a transport strike shoud the MMDA impose the number coding on them. With the DoJ and DOTC threatening to revoke their franchise.

Bus operators claim that they have no control over their drivers and conductors. What a lot of crap. No driver or conductor in his right mind would want to lose the only income they have. Clearly, these operators are trying to dodge the bullet. We all know that drivers and conductors have no fixed monthly pay and relies only on commissions (boundary system). You don't drive, you don't earn. Operators set a fixed amount which these people have to meet. Anything over the amount is theirs for the keeping.

The number coding scheme being imposed on them is meant to reduce the number of buses plying the EDSA route. How many empty/half-empty buses do you see on the EDSA during rush hour? There are many. How many of you encounter traffic at every loading and unloading zones for buses? I'm very sure many of you experience this everyday. Because drivers and conductors do not have fixed salaries nor the benefits other employed people do, they try to run as many trips as they can in one day. This is why we see them jockeying for position at every corner and driving like demons on steroids. How many lives have been lost because they try to outrace themselves so they can add a little more to their earnings?

The problem lies in the greed of the operators. They feed on the blood, sweat and tears of the drivers and conductors. I'm very sure that they don't even pay the right taxes. The number coding was to be implemented back in 2003. GMA did not impose it. Perhaps she's afraid that Claire wouldn't do a duet with her. We all know how GMA never had the political will to do take the bull by the horns. These is why NaPoCor has a huge debt and we the people have to shoulder the burden.

I'm enjoying this chicken play between the government and IMBOA. I'd love to see who blinks first. Because the threat of losing their franchises is real, these operators are running to the courts for intervention. EDSA plays a very big role in Metro Manila's economy. As long as a strangling traffic holds up movement, maximum productivity will never be achieved.

Why not revoke all franchises and start from scratch. Cities can create loops for buses. They wouldn't have to fight each other out. Provincial buses should have their terminals in the fringes of Metro Manila. They shouldn't be competing for space on EDSA. I've taken buses in my trips abroad. People walk to stations. Specific stops are assigned to specific buses. The riding public should also learn to share some sacrifices. You want to get off at your doorstep, take a cab. Otherwise, learn to use your feet. I do ot know how this issue will end. EDSA will not widen itself. Every sector involved must sacrifice so that this problem can be addressed.

Drivers and conductors are not slaves. They have the right to earn a decent living. I don't believe that operators are losing money. I also abhor how they use these people as pawns because they want everything for themselves. I hope the LTFRB can conduct a REAL, HONEST TO GOODNESS audit of all franchises so the we can weed out the legitimate from the illegal operators. This would be a good step in the right direction.

Meron Nga Bang Nagbago?

2010-10-10T01:16:00.004+08:00

PNoy promised change. So far, there had been many changes. I laud the changes in the GOCCs and the GFIs. The exposes on how grossly abused these offices were by their boards. These are major changes that created a huge impact on public perception. But there changes that show na "walang pagbabago".

In the Bureau of Customs, "areglo" is still rampant. Before, it was P80,000-P125,000 per container. Now, it's between P165,000-P185,000. Only the faces changed but the same corrupt practices remained. Importers complained that despite their desire to pay the right taxes, officials come up with charges so that the importer would use the "areglo" just so they can bring their goods out. No wonder manufacturing costs are so high.

The new Metro Manila Development Authority administration has also done nothing. In fact, traffic has become terrible. Colorum buses continue to ply their routes with impunity. Of course the LTFRB shares the blame. The "Kabit system" is tolerated. There is a very simple solution to this problem, simple conduct an audit of franchises of these bus companies. EDSA looks like a huge parking lot even on weekends. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to fix this problem.

The revised IIRC report will be released on Monday. This will prove if things really has changed or wala talagang pagbabago. Will justice be blind or would it favor those close to PNoy? I hope there wouldn't be scapegoats.

Where Were You?

2010-10-06T09:12:00.003+08:00

As the debate on the RH Bill heats up, the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) is gearing up for a confrontation. First they threatened to call for civil disobedience, they now threaten to excommunicate anyone who supports the bill. Claiming that they are doing this in the name of morality. The say that when moral values are the issue, they will resort to these extreme actions to drive their point home.

Pure hypocrisy if you ask me. Where were you in the nine years of Arroyo's immoral reign? Isn't thievery a moral issue? Isn't human rights a moral issue? Isn't increasing poverty a moral issue? Isn't the destruction of the moral fibers of all our institutions a moral issue? The cheating and lying of the past administration and its cohorts were all moral issues, yet they did not even raise a whimper when all these were happening before our eyes.

Calling for civil disobedience just because the president is pushing for an informed choice is totally reckless. Their continuing rejection of the RH Bill runs smack of hypocrisy. They could not even police their ranks. We've seen priests father children, molest altar boys and steal mass collections. Have they done anything significant to address poverty that is a result of the lack or inadequate information and methods to plan for their family?

The Lord gave us free choice. It is up to us to use our God-given wisdom and intelligence to make our own conscientious choices. At the end of the day, it is my God that will decide if I lived my life in accordance with His teachings. We live in a democracy and you have the right to express yourselves. It is your right to call for civil disobedience. As a Catholic and a Filipino, I can also exercise my right to express myself. I'm sure I am not alone in saying that we too can call for a donation disobedience. After all, you get the money you spend on yourselves from us.

Media Out of Focus

2010-09-23T01:59:00.005+08:00

"A journalist is only as good as the last story he wrote."

It did not surprise me to see media practitioners and even networks included in the list of the Incident Investigation and Review Committee (IIRC). Clearly, broadcast media overstepped the bounds of press freedom. They need not be told by any authority what they can and cannot air. It's a lame excuse to say that the police did not give any guidelines on what can broadcast. Either these people were stupid or simply ambitious. I am appalled by the way broadcast media handled the situation. Their actions contributed to the deterioration of the situation.

I do not understand why they have to show the actions of the assault team or show on national television Mendoza's brother screaming like a stuck pig. Things may have ended differently if Erwin Tulfo and Michael Rogas of RMN did not tie up the line of communication for almost an hour.

All rights have limitations. Press freedom is not exempted from these limitations. Media should know when lives are endangered. At the end of the day, broadcast media should know when they should act as reporters and when they should act as human beings. The media I saw on that fateful August day is a horde of predators out to squeeze every drop of ratings they can get out of the incident. They should be brave enough to accept the consequences of their reckless actions.

Legislators now would like to repress some of their rights. Media has only itself to blame. They said that the PNP failed to give them orders so they just let their cameras roll. Now that congress wants to regulate them, they raise a howl. If only media knew how to regulate itself, congress wouldn't step in. Alas, the temptation of becoming stars was just too irresistible. The networks should be reprimanded, the more guilty ones (Tulfo and Roags) should fry.

Broadcast media at least on this matter was clearly out of focus.

The Illusion of Jueteng

2010-09-17T00:01:00.002+08:00

I don't buy that jueteng gives employment to the poor. In fact, it enslaves them. A kubrador gets a measly 10% of his entire daily collections. It looks big until you see how many they are. A kubrador is lucky to earn P 200 for his efforts. Additional income can be had if one of his patrons win. And that very rarely happens. The biggest benefactor of jueteng is non other than the jueteng operator. The lowly kubrador slaves day in and day out to earn his keep while the operators sits idly by and rakes in hundreds of millions.

Like a slave, the lowly kubrador has no benefits. He has only himself to rely on when he gets sick. Is this how jueteng benefits the poor? Jueteng would be acceptable to those who are too naive to understand how jueteng really works. Jueteng's benefits is just an illusion to justify its existence. It's nothing but a means to exploit the poor and desperate. It's no wonder the Small Town Lottery (STL) will never succeed. No corrupt official will allow it. To legalize jueteng will take a big chunk of their earnings. Just imagine the tax they have to pay? They will have to raise the pay of the kubrador. Of course these people will have to pay their SSS contribution and medicare. No jueteng operator in his right mind will part ways with his millions. He would pay any amount to continue his exploitation.

*Jueteng operations in my area were temporarily stopped. A new chief of the PNP has just been appointed. People in the know will tell you this is the SOP every time a new chief is named. Negotiations will soon follow when everything settles down.

The Truth

2010-08-03T02:09:00.002+08:00

We've heard P-Noy's SONA and the two Kontra-SONAs of the minority in both houses. Edcel Lagman described P-Noy's SONA as "bitin" and misleading. The truth of the matter is that P-Noy got it right. His data was genuine as can be. He was right about the excessive benefits the MWSS execs get. Even the MWSS's OIC admitted it. What about the over importation of rice by the NFA? Yap denied it but evidence presented by Sec. Lito Banayo proved otherwise. In fact, surplus as far back as 2008 was discovered. P-Noy wasn't lying when he said the budget had been spent. Sure there's money in the coffers but all have been allocated to the different agencies. He has nothing to work with in terms of programmable funds. The misuse of the calamity fund was also proven to be true. Perhaps Lagman felt bitin because P-Noy mentioned only a few anomalies.

Alan Cayetano was his old true self. Feeling self-righteous as usual. He implores P-Noy to follow up on his promises. I guess he forgot that his gang blocked the resolution of Villar's scandalous C-5 Ext. controversy. Isn't that worthwhile job for the Truth Commission? Cayetano may have also forgotten how he exploited the Arroyo administration's scandals to further his political ambitions. He is the one selective in the fight against corruption. Their camp also was the one who used downright dirty tactics against P-Noy during the campaign. All the issues hurled against Villar were supported by real documents and not fabricated ones. He was never truly for the people in past nine years. He played poker with the people at the least of his concerns.

Lagman and Cayetano may have massive hangovers of the past nine Glu-rious years. The country has entered a new phase. The likes of Lagman and Cayetano are remnants of old politics where the truth is fabricated and manipulated. The truth of the matter is that the people can now differentiate fact from fiction.

While Others Toil

2010-07-29T01:03:00.003+08:00

The GOCCs really are the luckiest bunch of them all. P-Noy's expose on the lavish lives of the officials and the employees of MWSS is a great example of the disparity even in government. I'm sure those in NAPOCOR fairs even better. I could almost see the distraught faces of public school teachers and even health workers. What did these people do to deserve so many benefits. I don't see the logic behind the inequity in the same government.

Teachers have low pay, poor benefits (even the GSIS stole from them) and very long working hours. Our public health workers share the same fate. In their hands are the education and health of our nation. While those in the MWSS and NAPPOCOR are bestowed with so many perks despite being remiss in their jobs. How can they then justify the benefits their receive? The MWSS employees even have their own subdivision. And these people have the temerity to feel bad because they were singled out? Ang kakapal ng mga mukha niyo!

Habang kukuyakuyakoy kayo sa mga malalamig niyong opisina, our teachers endure hot and crowded classrooms. They are burdened with loans because their low salary isn't enough to support their families. They do not have a place to call their own while La Mesa Heights have huge three-storey houses. Do MWSS employees go through the same rigorous training and education our teachers and health workers go through to get their licenses and certificates? I doubt if they do.

While others toil to make ends meet, these lucky ones have grocery allowances, mid-year and end-year bonuses. Hell, they even have productivity bonuses despite the water crisis. They even have reimbursements for their expenses. They even have an anniversary bonus! The MWSS should be closed down. It should be just a small department in the DPWH. Nothing will justify the the perks these people get at the taxpayers expense.

I hope P-Noy does the moral thing and teach these people a lesson. While they bask in the sunshine, our teachers and health workers slave in the shadows of despair.

Nagsusumiksik!

2010-07-24T00:27:00.003+08:00

The party-list 1-UTAK has announced that they are dropping Angelo Reyes as their nominee for congress. I saw a defiant Reyes on TV and I don't think he's going down without a fight. I guess now Reyes feels how Erap felt when he abandoned Erap back in '01. Hasn't Reyes had enough? I'm sure he has put away a sizable retirement. What is it he wants that he is forcing himself to a group that no longer wants him?

He revealed that interest groups in the party wants him out. At least the one who wants to represent 1-UTAK is a true bus operator and not an impostor like him Reyes has yet to secure a COMELEC proclamation. And last Thursday, he was informed by the house SG that he should present the pertinent documents before being allowed in congress. Poor Angie, he's been hanged to dry.

I recall Reyes bullying anyone and everyone who questioned him during his term as DOE secretary. Not even Ralph Recto was spared as he served as both spokesman and lawyer of the oil companies. Humility was never in his vocabulary. Now that the 1-UTAK party-list that he thought would be his ticket to congress has dropped him, he has nowhere to go. I don't know how he'll bully his way to congress. I hope he gets the message. Kung ayaw na sa'yo, huwag ka nang magsumiksik!

Wating for the Big Day

2010-07-23T22:56:00.003+08:00

Monday will be a big day. P-Noy will be having his first SONA. This early, hints of what it would contain have been circulating. P-Noy will be revealing the devastation the Arroyo administration left behind its wake. From the depletion of our coffers to the complete erosion of our country's institutions. The nation awaits if Gloria will show her face and try to put on a brave face while P-Noy enumerates and describe how GMA raped the country during her nine long years in the palace. We've heard time and again the many scandals GMA and cohorts were involved in. Perhaps P-Noy's people have unearthed several more.

Knowing GMA, she may skip the SONA. She hates being put on the spot especially since she and her gang have come out with books and commercials that protray her and her administration as unquestionable public servants. So far, we are still feeling the repercussions of their criminal acts. We have yet to feel the actual effects of the devastation they have left behind.

Should she be thick-faced enough and attend, I could almost see her smirk, squirm and even break into a wry smile as if to taunt and belittle the new president. I'm sure P-Noy will be civil but will not hold anything back just so that the true picture of our nation's true state be known. So far, the only thing we know is how huge our deficit is. I won't be shocked anymore of what else P-Noy will reveal.

We have not seen the end of the Arroyo's. Iggy is still around. Dato, thanks to the creation of another district is still in congress. We all know how the COMELEC showed its stupdity an allowed the multi-millionaire Mikey to represent the marginalized. And finally, Gloria is also in congress. The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse still wields power. I just hope ti's not enough to bring us back to the dark ages.

The day of reckoning is on Monday. Wahtever P-Noy will be saying, I'll definitely be watching the SONA.

Jueteng Is Here To Stay

2010-07-15T00:12:00.004+08:00

With the power down, I had the rare chance to exchange pleasantries with my neighbors. I found out that one is a "kobrador" in our area, Yes Jueteng does exist even in Metro Manila. One neighbor asked him how they'll deal with PNoy's marching orders for DILG Sec. Jesse Robredo? He painfully replied that their "intelligencia" will surely increase. Intelligencia is the bribe they give to PNP officials that protect their operations. Being the ones who implement the law, the police are at the forefront of protecting jueteng.

PNoy's directive will surely go to waste. I abhor gambling in any form and I don't even play Lotto. So I told myself that jueteng will continue and that all PNoy will be getting are fictitious reports from police officials. My neighbor is very sure that the police will surely ask for more to turn a blind eye. At present, three draws are played everyday in my area. With all the informal settlers here, they are making a killing. He's now wonder9ing how high the bribe would be since PNoy wants jueteng eradicated.

I guess jueteng is just too established that even Sec. Robredo will have a hard time stopping it. So how do we really finally kill jueteng? We've tried small town lottery (STL). We all know how it was used and abused by unscrupulous local and police officials. The problems lies not with the operators or the officials, the problem are those who patronize it. I'm sure the juetueng lords will be increasing the minimum bet to cover the bribes they'll be paying to the police. They are more hungry than the local execs.

PNOy and Robredo will never be able to eradicate jueteng. I don't thingkGod himself will be able to as well. How I wish people would stop patronizing jueteng. I guess I'm wishing too much. Filipinos just love to gamble. They don't care even if they gamble all their earnings away. It saddens me to finally admit that jueteng is here to stay.

The Complainer

2010-07-08T01:14:00.004+08:00

Even my good friend Manolo "The Explainer" Quezon will have a hard time explaining to Binay what the VP's role is. Binay still so intoxicated with his new found position may have thought that the vice president wields the same power, enjoys the same privileges, shares the national treasury and can have what he wants whenever he wants it. With just a week as VP, he has been complaining (bitching) about everything.

He finds his office as too small and wants to move into the Coconut Palace. He also finds his office's budget of P187 million too small. He even adds that his budget as Makati mayor is far higher than this. Eh kung bumalik ka na lang sa Makati? By far, Binay is the only VP who finds things to bitch about. May I remind you sir that I am your boss. I can only feed my family dried fish everyday, I don't think you should ask me to feed you steak. Di ka ba nahihiya sa akin? Maybe I should slap you around just to knock some sympathy in you.

Like a family on a very tight budget, you must learn to live with what you have. Please show me anything in the constitution that says that I should give you a life far better than mine? You are the one who wanted to run for office to serve us. We did not force you. Perhaps you don't feel what the rest of us feels? You have no right to complain because you don't experience the hardships we experience everyday. How can you be an example for the people to follow? Do you want us to rave and rant like you? Nine years under Gloria is too much for us. Here you are as if telling us that we should give you anything you ask for? Serve us first and maybe, just maybe we'll give you a raise.

"Si Binay lang ang gaganda ang buhay"

Snakes and Ladders

2010-07-06T21:57:00.003+08:00

After the elections, I expected the cracks in the Aquino camp to show. Well it did. Sadly it showed the true colors of those with vested interests. Even the Johnnies-come-lately had things to say. I must admit, nawalan ako ng gana. To see people speak as if they had been in the fight since the very start. It was truly like the game, Snakes and Ladders. The snakes squirmed their way in to dump Mar Roxas and use the Noynoy magic to push for Binay. Binay may have been a staunch Arroy critic but I still think that principles should come first.

Now they're all trying to climb the ladder to get their "manoks" in place. I hope they can remind themselves that Noynoy is also a member of a political party. I also thought we campaigned for a team that would work together. How wrong can I be. I believed that everyone was working for a common cause. I thought we were all advocates of change. Obviously some supported Noynoy for personal gain. They had an agenda, they were after power and influence.

Napaso ako talaga. And the snakes worked both camps to put their man in place. Why should I believe their flimsy claim that Binay had been opposition since the very beginning? Binay an advocate of change? What a lot of bull. He did not even have the decency to ask his children to stay out of politics.He is a trapo in every sense of the word. Those who said that Noynoy is surrounded by trapos should have known this. It stuck out like a sore thumb. At the end of the day, it bolied down to who would give the power and influence they sought.

Good that their "manok" has been put in the freezer. Despite lobbying for a position in the DILG, Binay and his backers failed to get the president to appoint him. It's nice to see them fail in their bid to get their man into any position. I did my best to give my share to getting Noynoy elected. Whether he thanked me or not doesn't really matter to me. I gave even if he didn't ask. I am not expecting anything in return. All I ask is for him to keep his promises to the people.

The Null Votes Have It!

2010-06-09T16:54:00.002+08:00

Much like the words that sent people to the streets back in 2001 to oust Erap Estrada, I cannot help but utter the similar words with a twist. Accuracy has been sacrificed by expediency. For more than a week, as the canvassing progressed, the shortcomings of the automation became apparent. I guess the blame falls on the education of the voter on how to properly cast their votes. I don't want to think that cheating was prevalent and I would like give all parties the benefit of the doubt despite some questionable results.

How many voters were disenfranchised, we will never know for sure. What we know is that a machine has decided the fate of our nation. In hindsight, any mark should have been accepted. Shading, a check or even an x should have been allowed. With the nullified votes, the automation system deserves to be revisited so that things like these will not happen again. It's a good thing that Pres. Aquino's lead was overwhelming or the presidential results would be shrouded in doubt.

The vice presidential race is a totally different issue. With almost 3 million null votes, the truth may never be known unless Sen. Mar Roxas files an electoral protest. I'll leave that to the PET to uncover. If there's any consolation to the whole affair, Gloria Arroyo will be out by June 30.

Let Us Keep This In Mind

2010-05-15T00:23:00.005+08:00

What does this "A little while" mean? (Jn. 16:16-20)

God's time is not our time. We want everything explained and resolved and repaired now. But there are things to be learned by waiting. Patience and insight and growth all come slowly.

I must admit that I'm sitting on pins and needles, waiting for my vice president to be named. I also hoping that my senator, Risa Hontiveros would land in the magic 12. Impatient as I may be, my Mom sent me this wonderful message. Binay maybe in the lead now but it's too close to call as those coming from Mar's bailiwicks are yet to be counted. There seems to be an attempt to set a trend and to condition the mind of the people. I cannot blame the COMELEC as there seems to be unseen hands that are working in the shadows to give Binay a reason to cry cheating should Mar finally overtake him.

Reports of vote-buying and pre-shading are true. The foreign observers have reported this. From the far-flung to the nearby cities in Metro Manila, there was cheating. Voters were forced to feed pre-shaded ballots into the PCOS machines. A foreign observer even watched as a BEI told the voter to just feed his ballot into the machine. The media concentrated too much on the candidates and precincts where they voted. Those located in the depressed areas and hidden from public view were seldom covered. This is were the intimidation, vote-buying and pre-shading took place. Whether the BEIs were terrorized or paid, we will never know. Automation or not, unscrupulous politicians and their goons will find ways to cheat. I am sure that time will come when we can truly say that our elections are clean and credible.

Now we are at the crossroads. We have a tight vice presidential race and the one leading the race is claiming victory. With 3 to 5 million votes still to be counted and with a lead 800,000, everything is still up in the air. No one can say how things will go. I hope that my vice president would come out victorious. We cannot have an administration with a clean president and a vice president with skeletons in the closet.

Whose Endorsement Mattered Most

2010-05-13T20:50:00.004+08:00

During the campaign, endorsements from everybody was sought by all aspirants. From the national candidates to the local aspirants, getting the right endorsement mattered. A friend from San Juan and an Iglesia Ni Kristo member told me how they toed the church's line. I was told that Erap was disappointed with this. In fact, they gave the Erap-Binay tandem a big fat zero. I was also told that in the New Ear precincts, Erap and Binay suffered the same fate. Obviously, the INK is the only church that observes command voting.

Gibo Teodoro may have gotten Quiboloy's nod but look at where he is now. Quiboloy is not what he portrays himself to be. God may have punished him for using His name in vain. I don't think Quiboloy's endorsement will not be sought again at least in the near future. Teodoro's poor showing is testimony to a false prophet. His endorsements of Erap and GMA were mere coincidence. Beauty queens may have endorsed Gibo, but this is a presidential race, not a beauty contest. I would rather see Gibo run for the senate first before gunning for the highest post of the land. Mike Vekarde was more cautious. He probably saw where Manny Villar presidential bid would end up. So instead of endangering his congressional aspiration, he chose not to endorse any candidate. After all, majority of his followers favored Erap.

What about the celebrity endorsements, how did they fare? Manny Villar thought that the big guns would help him weather the presidential race. Revillame, Dolphy and Pacman did not help a bit. Attached to the three were moral issues which the majority of voters shunned. Pouring millions in concert-cum-rally did not help. Those who went attended because of the bands and celebrities and nothing else. The number of attendees did not translate to votes. Villar lost massively. Loren Legarda had Sarah Geronimo as endorser but she is no Judy Ann Santos. Geronimo did not have the same influence as Judy Ann's. Geronimo's endorsement also was not able to lift up Legarda's public image.

Noynoy Aquino may have a celebrity sister. Kris maybe a scandal-magnate and tactless at times, but that's what makes her credible because she just cannot keep a secret. She's as transparent as she can be. You must admit that Kris's endorsement of my favorite congresswoman, Risa hontiveros has done wonders for Risa. She's virtually unknown in the national level. She doesn't have a political pedigree and yet is still there in a strong 13th place. But Kris nor the likes of Regine Velasquez and the other stars was Noynoy's best endorser, the fact of the matter is that Noynoy has the legacy of his parents to thank. Of course he also has his clean name that convinced people he is a worthy president. Despite the "trash" thrown at him by the likes of Bayad Muna and Pacquiao, he held his own. The people took his sincerity and his message of hope. At a time when hope is the only thing we have, a leader who can inspire is what we need.

So there, that's how endorsements succeeded and failed in this elections. At the end of the day, the voter relied on themselves and the promise of a new life. We all know the trials and hardships we will be facing, but I'm sure we won't squander it this time around. We are now more vigilant and participatory in the dealings of our government. The patience we showed in enduring the heat for hours just to cast our votes showed that we are definitely focused on real change.

Whose endorsement mattered most? It is ours, the electorate's endorsement that mattered most.

The Aftermath

2010-05-11T17:51:00.004+08:00

It has been a day since we trooped to the polls to decide our destiny. I must admit that I am satisfied so far with the speed of the results. I must say I am disappointed however with the slow pace some of the results are being transmitted which makes some people suspect trending. I've heard from friends far south that operators are hard at work. Could this be the reason why problems of transmission seem to crop up? Even Cebu which has a modern telecom system seem to be encountering problems. I am not surprised with Lanao and we all know very well how Mindanao has always been an operator's haven.

Despite the promises of automation, I am wary of its performance. Disenfranchisement, pre-shading and even vote-buying were reported. I myself witnessed how jeepney-loads of voters were brought to the polling center and were fed before voting. Even disinformation was used to prevent voters from voting. Certain volunteers of a party-list were telling voters that the elections was extended to 11:00pm when it fact it was extended only by an hour.

In the bailiwick of a losing candidate, I got reports of intimidation and harassment. Voters in the depressed areas were fetched from their homes and brought to the polls. They were made to insert pre-shaded ballots into the PCOS machines. In fact, my very own mother complained to the BEI because her secrecy folder bore the signature and logo of a candidate. The PPCRV volunteer merely took the folder. My sister even got into an argument with a PPCRV volunteer. Paging PPCRV, do really vet your volunteers? You may have moles in your organization. You are supposed to be impartial and just. Obviously you have questionable volunteers.

Pace of results have slowed down considerably. The speed last night was amazing. The entire day today, only trickles of updates were given. Notice how small the number of votes are? The lack of information about where the votes were coming from leads to speculations. Even if my candidate is leading, I would like to know where the results were coming from. I'll be giving the COMELEC the benefit of the doubt, but are we really getting the right results? I now question the wisdom of random auditing. How I wished the parallel count was allowed.

The next few days will be crucial. I remain vigilant and regularly check COMELEC's website to check which precincts have sent their reports. It maybe a tedious task but that's the only way for me to get the real score. I hope everything works out. So much is riding on this elections. We cannot afford to be complacent. Unseen hands can still manipulate the outcome.

5 Hrs, And It's Worth It

2010-05-10T20:04:00.004+08:00

I did not vote that early. I went to the polls at around 9:38 am only to see a throng of eager voters lined up waiting for their turn to vote. I was told that those who voted at 7 am took 30 mins. to finish up their democratic right. What followed is 5 hrs. of standing in line. At around 2pm, those whose number is 550 and below were herded to a classroom adjacent to the polling precinct. The lady in front of me who came a few minutes earlier asked a volunteer why the pace was so slow? She was informed that they were processing 5 voters at a time. This got the goat of the lady.

She called someone on her phone. She called the person on the other line, Tito Rene. That Tito Rene was none othe rthan Rene Sarmiento of the Comelec. She told him about the slow pace and passed the phone to the one in charge. Like a snap of a finger, the pace was hastened. From the snail-like 5 at a time, it became 20 at a time. By 3:08 pm, I was done. It took me 7 minutes to vote. The 5 hrs. of waiting was all worth it. Despite my aching feet and tingling knee, I was happy to vote.

I must apologize to my friend Leah because I kept bugging her about reports of irregularities in Las Piñas. At least I had someone to suffer with. I did not bother to have merienda. The long wait made me lose my appetite. I did drink about 2 liters of water when I got home. It was a draining experience but it was worth it. The true test of the automated polls is the counting and transmission. We really have to be vigilant and patient.

A City Held Hostage

2010-05-09T00:35:00.002+08:00

As things are going, Manny Villar's presidential run maybe over. In fact, the specter of losing even his hometown of Las Piñas is highly possible. The once formidable Villars could be losing their grip. It's somehow their fault as their base, the informal settlers of the city has dwindled in number and those who remain have discovered how "unnecessary" their existence is to the Villars. Alas, some form of persuasion is needed to get their influence back.

The majority of homeowners of the different villages and subdivisions in Las Piñas never liked the Villars. If not for their base, the Villars wouldn't win in the city. The residents of Philam Life is rabidly anit-Villar. In fact, coercion and intimidation is the name of the game. Any household who bares any form of support for Noynoy Aquino will have to deal with uncollected garbage. Stores which hang yellow ribbons or banners of Noy-Mar are threatened with with closure. But the Villars and Aguilars have upped the ante. They are now wooing the house-help, drivers of both private and public transports and the remaining informal settlers.

Last Sunday, May 2, drivers and house-help of Philam were approached by Villar coordinators and asked to sign up and invited to a meeting the following day. May 3 at around 4pm, they went to the covered court of Remarville (a village beside Philam) where the daughter of incumbent Las Piñas mayor Nene Aguilar was there to meet them. April Aguilar then started her short talk. This is how the event was told to me by one of those present.

"Sabihan niyo na ang mga amo niyo, lahat ng di bobot ko Manny Villar ay di bibigyan ng Friendship Sticker(this is the sticker given to all car-owners of the city as a pass to enter the other subdivisions in Las Piñas). Hindi sila tatanggap ng kahit anong sebisyo mula sa munisipyo. Lahat ng may negosyo ay di bibigyan ng permit o lisensya. Kung may pending papers or documents for release ay sisiguraduhin naming matatagal ilabas. Alam namin kung sinu-sino sila at kung sino ang kanilang iboboto kaya di sila makaligatas. Ayaw ko na sarili niyang lugar ay matalo si Manny Villar. Nakakahiya ito pag nangyari."

Warn your employers, everyone who will not vote for Manny Villar will not be issued Friendship Stickers. They will not be extended any service from the city hall (i.e. medical, garbage collection or other social services) . Those applying for business permits or licenses will be denied. We will make sure that those whose papers or documents are pending release will wait a very long time. We know who they are and who they will vote for and they cannot escape us. I don't want Manny Villar to lose in his hometown. This will be very embarrassing.

After her speech, those who attended, around twenty of them, were fed with Minute Burger and Zesto Juice. Another meeting like this took place a day after. This time around, poor folks and tricycle drivers were invited. Around 700 attended. The same stern warning was issued and were also fed afterwards. In both meetings, all attendees were given P400 each. I was able to interview a tricycle driver yesterday. I teased him about the check sticker (Villar's campaign logo) on his trike. I even offered him a yellow ribbon. He politely declined and said, "Gusto ko po pang makapag-trabaho (I still want to work)."

Sadly, not one of those whom I inteviewed is willing to come out officially. They are all afraid of the Villars and Aguilars. So this is what is happening in the little city of Las Piñas. Coercion and intimidation is the norm. Last March, persons wearing orange shirts and claiming to be local Comelec officials went house to house asking how many voters are there in every house. Will the elections in Las Pinas be clean? Will intimidation get to the nerves of the voters and allow themselves to be used in cheating? This is an example of traditional politics at its purest.

To the Villars and Aguilars, you may own 3/4ths of the city but you don't own the people of Las Piñas. Your little kingdom will someday crumble too. Your goons and gold cannot subvert the people's will. Isn't the wealth you now possess enough? Mahiya naman kayo, hindi kayo mga diyos!

Ruthless

2010-05-07T20:14:00.002+08:00

Manny Villar may have circumvented the law, but the people of Norzagaray, Bualacan has something to say to him. This is how ruthless, Manny Villar is. How can we trust him when he can do this to the poor farmers and Dumagats? Villar obviously knows what he's doing. He knows the tricks of the trade. He knows who to deal with to legitimize his land grabbing. Come Monday, May 10, you know who not to vote for. Unless of course you want someone who can turn the country into one big subdivision.

How My Ballot Will Look On May 10

2010-05-07T04:26:00.002+08:00

I never believed in block voting. I always wanted a balance. But with the candidates paraded before me, balance is out of the picture. I cannot in my conscience choose anyone from the Nacionalista Party nor from Erap's Puwersa ng Masang Pilipino. Joey de Venecia may be a good alternative just because he chose to expose a vukgar transaction. And yes, P500 million is a huge amount to turn down. Ang Kapatiran is too extreme for me as I believe that you can be morally upright without extremism. Any PaLaKa candidate is a big no-no for me. I guess by now you have an idea of who I'm voting for. Contrary to my usual practice, I'm voting straight Liberal Party.

President:
No. 2 AQUINO, Benigno Simeon C. III

Vice Pres.:
No. 6 ROXAS, Manuel A.

Senators:

No. 1 ACOSTA, Jr Nereus O.
No. 5 BAUTISTA, Martin D.
No. 7 BIAZON, Rozzano Rufino B.
No. 14 DRILON, Franklin M.
No. 19 GUINGONA, Teofisto III D.
No. 20 HONTIVEROS-BARAQUEL, Ana Risa
No. 23 LACSON, Alexander L.
No. 26 LAO, Yasmin B.
No. 28 LIM, Danilo D.
No. 4o OSMEÑA, Sergio III D.
No. 48 RECTO, Ralph G.
No. 51 ROCO, Sonia M.

My choice for Party-list is No. 58 Akbayan. Ang Ladlad (No. 89) is also a good choice because they have bigger balls than Bayad Muna and because they actually need official representation in congress.

Accountability and Moving Forward

2010-05-05T04:18:00.003+08:00

If we believe that going after crooks in government is mere vengeance, then we'll never get out of the rut we're in. If moving forward is turning a blind eye to the transgressions of outgoing officials, then let's just open the gates of corruption. Gibo Teodoro maybe intelligent but certainly not an agent of change. It utter stupidity not to go after the criminals who brought our institutions down. Gloria may have given him the break in his career but as president, he must uphold the law. To leave it to the people to go after these grafters says much about what kind of public servant he really is.

Look at how the current commissioners of the PCCG are treating the Marcoses. They've literally given them a "pat" on the hand. These bungling buffoons are mere 15/30 employees satisfied with getting paid doing nothing. How can we ever move forward when history keeps repeating itself because we let these hoodlums get away with their loot? There simply is no justice to be had. Erap may have been convicted but look at where he is now?

It's high time we teach these scoundrels a lesson. The elections will decide where this country will head to. We need a leader who will not only inspire us but one who will give us justice. He needs to be committed to the mission of getting back all the monies these thieves stole from our country's coffers. We've already heard them speak. Only a few speaks from the heart. Only a few are willing to end corruption. Only a few are sincere.

We've already lost billions because of these looters. We don't need someone who will let those who brought this country to the brink of destruction go free. Come May 10, vote for someone who you believe will prove that crime does not pay.

Tres Babaeros

2010-05-02T03:21:00.005+08:00

Finally, the Tres Babaeros have come to Manny Villar's aid. The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines could not have put it better, "don't vote for candidates endorsed by womanizers." As expected, the trio of Willie Revillame, Manny Pacquiao and Dolphy came out with an ad exalting Villar to high heavens while doing a demolition job on Noynoy Aquino. The common denominator of the three is not their influence on the poor but as abusers of women. But there are statements uttered that deserves attention.

Willie Revillame said, "Mabuti na ang masaktan kesa ang manakit." Maybe Willie has forgotten how much pain he caused by using the desperation of the poor and lured them to a stampede that cost so many lives. Ganyan nga Willie, lokohin mo pa ang mga mahihirap at mangmang. Wala ka nga bang sinaktan? Maybe you should have looked yourself in the mirror and recalled the not so distant tragic past before you uttered these words.

Poor Mr. Dolphy. His children did not fare well in life. This is a person asking us to entrust our children's future in a man whose shady dealings have ruined investors' lives while enjoying a life of bounty. Dolphy sure is a good judge of character. If you are to ask me, I wouldn't believe a person who has children with very troubled lives. It really is so selfish of him to father so many kids he couldn't take care of. Would you now risk our country's future and live it in the hands of a man who have done so many wrongs to investors who trusted him? What about the thousands of informal settlers in Las Piñas? They have no place in any of Villar's plans. Paano mo mabibigyan ng bahay ang walang bahay na Pilipino kung sa mallit mong siyudad ay napakaraming walang tirahan? What about the future of farmers whose lands were converted into subdivisions? Oh com'on.

Lastly, Pacquiao should have studied Aquino's record first before saying na puro laban sa salita pero wala pang nagagawa. He maybe a good boxer but certainly do not know a thing or two about public service. Or maybe mahilig din siyang magbuhat ng sariling bangko. After all, Noynoy works quietly and does his work without much fanfare. Unlike Pacquiao, Noynoy doesn't need hype or publicity. Ikaw Manny, alam kong may nagawa ka na. Ilang "milagro" na ba ang nagawa sa asawa mo? The late Pres. Cory Aquino was never a public servant yet the people put their trust in her. Another bad judge of character, Pacquiao just adores the likes of Chavit Singson and Gloria Arroyo. What a fine lot to be identified with.

Three (in)famous womanizers are appealing to us voters to support a candidate who has muscled his way to riches. They want us to vote for a man who has lied, cheated and abused his position to enrich himself. Will you be swayed by their endorsement? I'd like to believe that the Filipinos are not stupid. Here are three men who have clearly abused women and children by their lifestyle. They are all materially rich but morally bereft. I would never listen to people who have questionable moral values. The Tres Babaeros may have hit it big in their own fields. They maybe richer than most of us. But I can face my family everyday because I have been loyal to them. What counts most in this elections in not just what you have achieved. What counts most is integrity, credibility and sincerity. Villar obviously does not possess these qualities.

Sadly, even the Tres Babaeros will not be able to save Villar's candidacy. Overconfidence brought Villar down. Overselling himself did him in. Villar thought that with the right story, he can become president. He may have gotten away with a lot of things in his rise to power, what he forgot is that there is such a thing as karma. At least he's used to wearing orange. Who knows, he may someday be elected as the BJMP's best dancer and YouTube's next dancing superstar.

Freedom of Depression

2010-04-30T18:28:00.003+08:00

My mind was blown away as I read Carmen Pedrosa's column last Saturday. She questioned Noynoy Aquino's mental fitness. She claimed that a friend of friend of a psychiatrist told her about how the late Ninoy Aquino sought the help of the doctor to help Noynoy. She went as far as giving out details and that we should protect these sources. It was also very convenient for her to say that the psychiatrist had already passed away. So how then do we confirm this hearsay? Pedrosa should have gone straight to the widow of the late doctor. Unlike Guido Delgado, Pedrosa is a journalist. She should know what her responsibilities are.

Like the two earlier (but already proven to be fake) psychiatric reports, Pedrosa's story was as tall as her idol, Gloria Arroyo. I have already pointed out in a previous post what differentiates black propaganda from the truth. Perhaps Pedrosa is the one suffering from depression and needs to have her head checked. Perhaps she is depressed because her beloved charter change had died several times. Perhaps depression had set in because no one seems to be listening to her. Or maybe she's depressed that unlike Jarius Bondoc or William Esposo, she has no credibility.

I know that Freedom of Expression is enshrined in our constitution, but we must also make sure that we do not throw around lies. It is obvious that Pedrosa was simply sowing intrigue. The wife of the late doctor condemned the use of her late husband's name in the attempt to smear Aquino's name. So there you are, Pedrosa was not exercising her constitutional right. What Pedrosa is exercising is her "Freedom of Depression". All of us have experienced depression in one way or another. A loss in the family, poor performance or continuing failure at pushing charter change.

Who knows, Pedrosa may just join Villar in seeking psychiatric help for severe depression after he loses the presidential race. Villar with the specter of a senate hearing or corruption charges and Pedrosa for once again losing to neophyte president. Whichever way their senseless story goes, Villar and Pedrosa will surely use their right to suffer depression.

Where Is The Black Propaganda?

2010-04-29T15:05:00.004+08:00

The presidential candidate of the Nacionalista Party claims to be swamped by black propaganda. So far, all I've seen or heard being hurled against him has been proven to be true. Careful and diligent research has been undertaken by those like me who have reported on his very unethical and highly criminal dealings. Let me breakdown the issues so far brought forth against him. So far, he has not shown any document to debunk or refute the issues we raised.

In the first place, he chose to answer allegations that he benefited on the C-5 project in the media. He refused to answer in the proper venue that is the senate. So there is nothing wrong if media also airs the reports of his "sins". The issue here is if all these are simply black propaganda? Mr. Villar may have been used to faking and fabricating documents that is why he failed to recognize truth from lies. Colluding with the right officials may have made his claims to be true. But other documents and investigations brought out have proven otherwise.

He said that all his developments were legal. Why are there cases filed against him because of land grabbing and illegal land conversions? Just because you present land titles issued during the Japanese occupation doesn't prove ownership of these lands. Just because government agency officials say it is so, laws on the other hand say they are not. So how do you account for the farmers of San Jose and the Dumagats of Norzagarayclaim that you stole their land? Documents and laws have confirmed the wrongs you have done. Can you also explain how a sequestered piece of land can be acquired by your company? Perhaps the PCGG can do the explaining for you.

Is the illegal conversion of prime, irrigated agricultural land in Iloilo a figment of our imagination as well? I don't think so as those who used to farm there have spoken out to recount how they were forced to sell their lands to you. With another 600 hectares awaiting your development in the area, how many more farmers will succumb to your pressure? I suppose the DAR or the local executives there have some explaining to do as well. I am sure that there are many more similar cases hidden from public knowledge. Don't worry, we have a way of getting the information out.

The Vista Land issue being hurled against you by Erap and Enrile was one that eluded us. Fortunately, Enrile got hold of the document to pin you down with impropriety and unethical practice of a public official. Of course the PSE had exonerated you. Let me borrow Guido Delgado's ploy, a simple denial does not prove the document to be fake. Unless you see nothing wrong with being a businessman and politician at the same time, then you really must really think we are dumb and stupid.

Your lies have been exposed. You even lied about your status in life. When you can lie about your past, how then can you convince us that your entire existence is based on truth? At least this election has exposed the real Manny Villar, the Villar who abused his political position to enrich himself. What was a picture of inspiration in reality was a career mired in oppression and corruption.

Where then is the black propaganda you accuse us of? All I know is that we worked hard to prove tha issues against you. What have your supporters and your camp come up with? Nothing but a bunch of lies that have proven nothing but your desperation. Despite the billions you have already spent, despite the drama, despite the exploitation of children, women, the dead and the dying, you continue to slip in the ratings. Even a disgraced former president has more credibility than you. It's insulting to our intelligence that you call the truth as black propaganda.

Even if we take all these issues out of the equation, only one question sticks out like a sore thumb. How will you recover your billions? Ah yes, I have forgotten that you are a very good businessman. You have already proven your brilliance, after all, you have made yourself from a simple multi-millionaire into a multi-billionaire in just over a decade. What the Ayala's and Lopez's and even Lucio Tan took almost a lifetime, you have managed to do in a fraction of that.

Black propaganda? So far the only one using this in all forms and mediums is you and you camp. What is funny is that it keeps backfiring on you. No one is buying the lies you've been peddling but losers like you. It really is tough running a campaign based on lies and deception. Black propaganda my ass!

Find out the truth about the real Manny Villar HERE, HERE and HERE.

Motherhood Statements

2010-04-27T03:26:00.002+08:00

So desperation has really set in. I never expected Manny Villar to stoop so low. To defend him from the issues hurled against him, he has enlisted the help of his mother. Of course anyone wouldn't dare crossing a crying mother. This is really a cheap gimmick to use in the face of criticisms and charges of impropriety. Villar's propagandists has done a good job, at least for the time being. I expected Mrs. Curita Villar's press conference to be followed by an ad, true enough, it was.

So Villar has used everything to gain our sympathy and for us to turn a blind eye on his transgressions. For children singing to the elderly, Villar will use any means to get himself elected. But will his mother finally stop his critics? I don't think so. In fact, it might have worked if his camp did not use his mother in an ad on television. It reeks of exploitation and they had no qualms about it. Sen. Enrile is right in calling him callous and insensitive. After all, Villar was insensitive enough to use a departed brother to make it appear he was poor. I doubt if Erap'a or Enrile's hearts will be softened by Mrs. Villar's tear-jerking, heart-wrenching statements.

What I really don't get is Villar was arrogant enough to use his position in his indecent dealings but hides behind the skirt of his old mother in the face of the accusations of his critics. I must admit, Mrs. Villar maybe too old to know what her billionaire son has been doing all these years. I got to hand it to Villar's image-builders, they showed how low they can really be. At the end of the day, it all boils down to how Villar had avoided answering the accusations leveled against him.

With this latest stunt, Villar has proven once again how low he really is. He will use anybody to gain sympathy. He wants to look like an underdog with everyone ganging up on him. But did it really work this time around? He has only himself to blame for the position he is in. He may have thought that his wealth can hide the truth. See what happens when one uses too much drama and theatrics in his campaign ads? He placed himself in an indefensible position. He portrayed himself to be something he really was not. He has proven one thing from his latest antics, his mother truly loves him. As the adage says, "he's a billionaire only a mother could love."

Kelan Ka Ba Talaga Sasagot?

2010-04-26T03:35:00.002+08:00

The latest bomb to hit Manny Villar came from someone in the Know. Former president Joseph Estrada sure knows what he is talikng about when he accused Villar of stock manipulation. Who could forget the infamous BW Scam? As usual, he first called it black propaganda. When the issue got hotter, he said "no law was violated". Then he changed his tune to "Vista Land should be the one to explain".

So far, Villar has not answered any of the issues against him. From the C-5 to the Vista Land issue, It's either smear campaign or someone would answer for him. It really is very hard to defend the indefensible. Look at Alan Cayetano, his "askal" demeanor in defending Villar may have ended his political career. Remulla did not do well either as he exposed the link between Villar and the Ampatuans. So far, Adel Tamano is still hanging in there, but I'm sure he wouldn't last long. Who else has come to defend Villar? The list is long and includes a host of characters whose credibility and integrity are all questionable. Even one of the biggest scammer in the country had come to his defense.

They all have tried their best to answer for Villar. So far, all they have done is to dig deeper Villar's political grave. With the campaign winding down to its last two weeks, Villar just couldn't shake the troop of monkies on his back. People have seen through his web of lies. His delusion of being poorer than a rat had been exposed. Time and again, Villar had the chance to debunk the accusations hurled against him. Unfortunately for him (and fortunately for us), time had ran out to clear his name. He is unrepentant for the thousands of people he had taken lands from, from the investors of his IPO and to the farmers whose families now starve because of his land conversions.

Mr. Villar, errr Mr. Villaroyo, like with Gloria, we are all waiting for you to answer all the accusations against you. Buti pa si GMA nag-sorry. You have remained evasive and untrue. There is a deeper word for greed, it is "GANID". You think you can have your cake and eat it too. Sad to say it is not to be for we can see through the drama, the antics and the propaganda. I echo the question millions of voters ask, "Kelan ka ba talag sasagot?"

I suppose like Gloria, you will say sue me in court. I'm sure your many victims will do just that as soon as the election is over. Intimidation will no longer work because we will have an administration that will make sure that justice will be served. You will finally wear your favorite color for many years in a room worthy of someone like you.

The Simple Life

2010-04-18T05:16:00.003+08:00

I'll the title and photos speak for themselves. Neatly tucked away in the heart of Las Piñas lies the very simple abode of a very simple man who leads a very simple life. Based on his claims, he enjoys simple living. When you finally get to see for yourself how simple he really is, then you might say that poverty does not exist in the Philippines. You might say that poverty is a figment of the Filipinos' imagination. I don't know how this man can claim simplicity without batting an eyelash. If the poor he says he care for so much for can see the size of his estate, they might think they're living in another planet.

Tall tales have been spread by his cronies. Tales that would make your heart sink. His campaign ads are filled with gut-wrenching stories of his rise to fame (or infamy). What was once a small subdivision within a subdivision is now owned by this very simple man. He as managed to acquire the properties in this very small community. He even bought a sizable lot fronting his humble abode so his guests can have a place to park. The owners of the few remaining properties have to abide by his very strict security protocols. After all, with the many lives he has ruined to get to where he is, threats would surely abound. But of course, the endorsement of the supposed protector of the abused have taken away the threat of the left.

Unlike the viral photos of his supposed mansion circulating in the net, these pictures are the real deal. Of course he doesn't live there as he has bought the ancestral home of a prominent political clan in the glitzy area of Wack-Wack. I'm sure he still owns this as this is where he started his empire. Let me remind you however, that this property does not occupy a block but a big part of a small community.

I hope you enjoy the pictures of this very simple home.

Sino Ang Tunay Na Baliw?

2010-04-12T20:59:00.003+08:00

The Nacionalista Party continues to deny the spurious psychiatric report of Sen. Aquino came from their camp. Villar on the other hand has challenged Sen Aquino to undergo a psychiatric test. While this is a legitimate issue, why does it seem that Villar is pushing the issue? The more Villar pushes it, the more I believe that he had a hand in this. Instead of coming out with a strong condemnation, Villar can still come out with a challenge to his rival. His party mates may not be privy to this black propaganda. Villar may have instructed others outside the loop to this despicable act.

After all the issues about Villar's ruse to riches came out, faking documents is as easy as pie to him. Knowing how dirty Villar plays politics in his kingdom in Las Piñas, I am not surprised if he can order a demolition job like this. We all know how a fish is caught, with his arrogance, Villar may just say enough to pin himself. With the insane way he's been spending, and his ratings dropping, he maybe experiencing desperation.

We've all seen how deadly the combination of arrogance and desperation can be. The Amaptuans have shown us that. The entire situation may have depressed Villar so much that he had asked someone to concoct such an insane report. Unfortunately, his plan backfired on him. Not only did it hit him in the head, his political party may suffer some setbacks as well. At the end of the day, was it all worth it? The backlash wouldn't be felt yet but Villar and his lot will surely find that out.

There are only 28 days before the elections. What if Villar, despite his outrageous spending lose the presidential race? How would he feel? How will he take it? Who knows, he maybe the one in need of psychiatric help. Oh Mr. Villar, you are threading on very thin ice. Be careful what you ask for, it may come back to bite you. Sino nga ba ang tunay na baliw? Is it the one who ran because the people asked him to, or is the one who throw billions for a measly P35,000 a month pay? Will the real "baliw" please stand up?

Si Garapal At Si Askal

2010-04-11T16:27:00.003+08:00

We woke up to a report of a supposed psychiatric report on Sen. Noynoy Aquino's mental state. Soon the blogosphere was abuzz with matching documents to boot. But before the day ended, it became apparent that the said report was a fabrication. Both Fr. Caluag and the Ateneo Psychology Department denied such report was ever made. ABS-CBN refused to name the source but confirmed that the documents came from two members of Villar's Nacionalista Party, Aquino's rival. The blogger who posted the documents in the net has taken down his blog after the falsity of the report was established. Villar's camp now wants the network to reveal their source.

This was not the first time a psychiatric report on a presidential candidate was used in the campaign. Back in 1992, Miriam Santiago was a victim of such a tactic. Garapal who is considered one of the best operators in the country and whose mere mention of his names makes Miriam's mouth foam in anger, is the one who engineered the propaganda. The father of "dagdag-bawas", Garapal is as creative as Goebbels can be. We all know how Hitler's evil PR man turned Germany into a mess.

The NP has in its pocket, Askal. Now Askal is one rabid individual. He will used whatever means to further his ambitions. He used the unpopularity of GMA to get elected into the senate. Just a few days before before the fake report came out, he was seen on TV declaring Noynoy's team as a bunch of TOPAKs. This opportunist will exploit everybody and anybody who will help him get what he wants. Askal epitomizes what a traditional politician is. I wouldn't be surprised if his team was the one who fabricated the Aquino report.

I am in the belief that Askal got the idea from Garapal. Same tactic, same circumstance but are their parties really different? Or is the rumor of an alliance between their parties really true? Although Askal is as creative as Garapal (ex. taking us for a ride when he went after FG) and could possibly have thought of this on his own. But I think someone fed him this idea and he thought it a a very good tactic to use. NP could always deny it and could simply pass the blame to the Liberal Party. After all, they can claim black propaganda or smear campaign to protect themselves.

Could the use of the same tactics be purely a coincidence or is the rumored alliance be true? If it is true, then the Villaroyo rumor can be true. Villar could very well be GMA's secret candidate. With Garapal firmly behind GMA and Askal rabidly for Villar, the two can easily work together to save their patrons' necks. Both Villar and GMA has many things to explain. Both can face numerous cases when a new president outside their loop is elected. He scratches her back and she scratches his.

Could this theory be true? Is this the link that will finally prove the Villaroyo rumor? The coming days could reveal the truth. I expect both camps to deny it. It's up to the public to see through the two parties. In the kind of political culture we have, an alliance like this is not remote. When both leaders have personal ambitions and necks to protect, they could come together and destroy whoever poses a threat. The use of fabricated reports like this really shows desperation. This is one for the gutters. Only people who "swim in a sea of garbage" will use this strategy instead of sticking to the issues. Iba talaga trumabaho si Grapal at si Askal!

The True TOPAKs

2010-04-07T12:20:00.003+08:00

Out of desperation and lack of creativity, Nacionalista Goebbels, Alan Peter Cayetano and Gilbert Remulla has coined a rather lame acronym for Noynoy Aquino and his campaign team. After Manny Villar's significant drop in the latest surveys, they had to come up with more lies to throw at Sen. Aquino. To get under Aquino's skin, they called his team TOPAK which they say means, Trapo, Oportunista and kamag-anak inc. Also throwing his lot into the fray is Bongbong Marcos, son of a dictator who took the country into near destruction.

So let's dissect this new tirade against Noynoy. Alan Cayetano who took us all for a for a spin in the last elections to get elected into the senate is, as his actions in the senate would confirm is a pure unadulterated trapo. Defending his embattled patron Villar to the point of making a fool of himself in the C-5 controversy, Cayetano showed us a real trapo at work. He is an opportunist himself. Riding on the unpopularity of Gloria Arroyo, he used whatever means possible to get elected. And when the time came to investigate the NBN-ZTE deal came, he did not even dare call one of his biggest campaign contributors whose name was mentioned in the hearings. The Cayetanos are a kamag-anak inc. Alan's sister is also a senator running for re-election and his wife is a congresswoman of Taguig. Iba talag, all in the family!

What about Gilbert Remulla who calls Noynoy Gloriaquino? Is he also a trapo? Is he also an opportunist? Is he also a member of kamag-anak inc.? I say all of the above. His brother Boying Remulla did not sign GMA's impeachment. He may claim that he's different from his brother but I call it playing safe which translates to being a family of trapos. His other brother is the vice governor of Cavite who tried to wrest the governorship from Gov. Ayong Maliksi. It was supposed to be in exchange for Gilbert's silence in the Garci hearings. Unfortunately for them, Maliksi thwarted their plan so the deal did not push through. What is it with politics that entire families are lured into "public service"? The pay must be really good, don't you think?

So who are the true TOPAKs? The holier than though duo of the NP surely are. Their records speak for themselves. Without anything to destroy Noynoy's reputation with, they now deviate from the real issues. If they claim to be what they are are, then I dare them to demand from Villar answers to all the controversies hounding him. Like the two leftist in their senatorial slate, they remained silent on the cases hurled against Villar. How then can you convince us that you will faithfully serve the people when you cannot even question the integrity of your presidential candidate?

At the end of the day, it is the vast wealth of Villar that forces them to make fools of themselves. Clean your own backyards first before you accuse anyone of being TOPAKs. I dare you to run as independents and show us what you are really made of. Don't BS us with motherhood explanations to the transgressions of your beloved leader. The crap you thrown maybe your own. Now who are the true TOPAKs?

Buking Ka Na Naman

2010-03-31T16:32:00.003+08:00

Villar's in the hot seat again. Documents have come out disproving his claim to poverty. As usual, Villar came out saying that he's being a target of a smear campaign. Smear campaign? Documents do not lie. May I remind you that there are documents(unlike the ones you have) that refute your claims. I don't think the likes of Solita Monsod, Conrado de Quiros and William Esposo would throw their credibilities out the window just to spread lies about you. May I remind you that it was your campaign ads that brought attention to you.

Here lies the problem with too much dramatics to gain sympathy. The use or should I say the exploitation of the poor and the departed had come back to haunt you. Karma sure comes swiftly to those who use deception to further their personal ambitions. Now you challenge your critics to see for themselves your old house. Haven't you learned your lesson yet? Remember what happened when you challenged Ted Failon to visit Daang-hari? Not only did he see for himself how many of your subdivisions line this road, but saw how the road snaked instead of taking a direct route.

Your mouthpiece also claimed that your party will go on an offensive against those who criticize you. Esposo has replied, "bring it on!". There, someone has answered your challenge. You might end up getting you butt kicked again. Unless you can finally tell us something that is totally true, don't bother saying anything. Less talk, less mistakes. But I guess you really would like to push your luck. Tell us more lies, make more false claims. I am sure that someone out there will present another document to refute you. I am sure that even the poor you love to exploit will soon abandon you.

You have no one to blame but yourself. We did not open the Pandora's Box, you did. The ball is in your court now. Give us more reason not to vote for you and even convince others to abandon you. Money cannot buy everything. You may have your billions but you surely lack integrity and credibility. You and your cabal are certainly making it easier for us to decide on who to vote for come May 10. We'll be waiting for the next round of claims you will make. Give us more bullets to criticize you. Give us more of your lies so that we may expose the real Manny Villar.

Bayad Muna: Leftist By Convenience

2010-03-25T20:00:00.003+08:00

You can hear members of Bayan Muna repeatedly hit Sen. Noynoy Aquino with the SDO of Hacienda Luisita, yet they are mum on the various injustices done by their patron to informal settlers, farmers and indigenous people. I have yet to hear Ocampo, Maza or Mariano hit Villar about the Dumagats of Bulacan, the residents of Paradise Park or the farmers of Iloilo. Have they forgotten who they are fighting for? How can they justify their alliance with someone who have caused harm to the very people they say they fight for?

I thought the Reds were fighting for social justice? Is it because Sen. Aquino cannot give the same benefits Villar gives them? They say that HLI's SDO is an injustice to the farmers of Luisita. How many beneficiaries of land reform have sold their lands because they cannot finance its cultivation? In the end, they end up selling their lands to the likes of Villar who convert these lands to subdivisions.

Have these so-called protectors of the little people done anything about the plight of the Dumagats whose land was foreclosed by the Bangko Sentral? How about the doffee farmers of Amadeo in Cavite whose coffee fields are now a subdivision? What about the farmers in Iloilo whose rice fields is now a High class subdivision? Have these Lestist by convenience asked their conscience why they chose to support a candidate who have in his quest for wealth has driven many informal settlers out of their homes? Have they asked the former residents of Barangay Hollywood in Las Piñas how they lost their land?

I call it pure hypocrisy to accuse one of social injustice when someone who sits in their presence is himself doing the same. It all boils down to money. It really changes everything. It changes even those who vowed to fight for the rights of the poor. Money takes away the very soul of a person. If you say that you stand for cause, show us that you are for real. Don't bullshit us with statements that there are no proofs in the issues hurled against your financier. Do your homework, where's there's smoke, there's fire. Unless of course that you have sold your principles in the name of elections. Mga trapo din pala kayo!

PUP and GMA's Extravagance

2010-03-24T01:40:00.003+08:00

The Polytechnic University of the Philippines is in turmoil. A 2000% increase is set to be imposed on science and engineering courses on incoming freshmen. University officials attribute the increase to augment the university's funding problems. At present, government funding is at P570 million a year. More than half of this goes to salaries while the rest to operational expenses. Some of you may say that paying P12/unit is almost nothing, many of the poor who desire to get a good college education enroll here. A P6000 per semester may sound cheap, but to a family who loves hand-to-mouth, this is a big dent on their family's small budget.

The schools would have had adequate funding if only GMA would have been less extravagant in her trips or if only she put to good use her pork barrel. Instead of spending billions on useless trips and ads that try to make her administration look good, the PUP could do away with its tuition fee increases. Student leaders lament that they had to endure lack of facilities for their classes. Imagine attending a computer class with a ratio of 5:1 for a computer. Makati is better off as there is 1:1 ratio.

I must admit that the school officials' hands are tied. They have to make do with the meager funding the government gives them. The problem lies in the allocation of government funds. How can the country churn out competitive graduates when the president would rather spend hundreds of millions on her district in Pampanga for her congressional bid? How many tables and chairs or even computers could have been bought with the presidential fund? How can this administration claim that they are addressing the problems of the education sector?

Chartered flights, multi-million peso dinners, midnight flights to China to witness a signing of a botched scandalous project, these are just some of unnecessary expenditures this government has undertaken. Government agencies also have PR and intelligence funds that could given additional funding to our state universities and public schools. Education was never this administration's priority, making money for their caprices is. I no longer wonder why we have a skyrocketing dropout rate. Our children are being deprived of education. I suppose Gloria thinks that an uneducated people can be easier duped and controlled.

It's a classic practice of dictators to keep the populace uneducated and demoralized. The PUP case is not isolated. It's a microcosm of the what's happening around the country. Education is no longer a right but a privilege. How can a nation progress if we have leaders that totally disregard our youth? I suppose the government thinks there's always the private sector that would step up to the plate. The reality is that private support is dwindling due mainly to the fact that they have become milking cowa of the government. Gloria issued an EO that orders all government agencies to conserve. Where did these savings go? It went to bonuses and advertising of officials in preparation for their political plans.

Gloria's legacy is one of despair. Our people are left with nothing. She and corrupt politicians have drained our coffers dry. Our social services would not be left wanting if only our leaders honestly served our people. We are not asking for a slice of paradise. The Filipino people just want to have a little dignity and a decent life.

Is The Threat Real?

2010-03-23T14:16:00.003+08:00

I'm banking on the automated polls to be a success. Not only is it our last chance for redemption, it could immensely affect the future of our young democracy. Many scenarios have been hurled around. Things like failure of elections, partial failure and even a military takeover. Although I take these scenarios seriously, I still hope that come May 10, true democracy shall be the outcome.

I'm keenly observing the events that people point to that could show that something big is in the offing. There's the SC ruling on the next CJ, or Bangit's appointment as AFP's CS. But still I am not convinced that the automated polls will fail. I'd like to think that there are still some good left in the people who''ll oversee the process. There is also the issue of GMA running for congress. Why is she running? Is there something we should be wary of? Is she up to something again? So many questions that only the May polls could answer.

I've heard reports of a particular political party's total disregard for its national candidates. In fact, some personalities have even come forward to make their sentiments known. But that's their problem, I thought to myself. You wanted to run, that's your problem. What got my attention is the report this party is concentrating its funding on its congressional candidates. Some of them are even running unopposed. This party is even heavily investing on party-list groups. In fact, an official of this party even told one of its senatorial candidates, "Matuwa ka at nakasama ka sa senatorial slate, ngayon gusto mo pang manalo?" And this poor soul had been a loyal supporter of their party. He even endured ridicule from the public for his die-hard loyalty to someone we all despise.

I began to ask myself, why concentrate on the local arena? The threat of the failure of elections then entered my mind. Should no president, VP or senators be proclaimed, the next in line of succession is the speaker of the house. Could it be that Gloria is indeed planning something? Could she be targeting the speakership? Could this be the ultimate plan? Shit! I did not see this coming until the funding issues of Lakas was brought out. Congress is the key to all these. This could spell disaster and ruin our country's democracy forever.

When I pieced all these information together, indeed, the threat is real. The success of the elections is in our hands. Vigilance is our only weapon. If I were you, I'd start thinking of what we can do to ensure that the true voice of the people be heard. Let's all triple, even quadruple our vigilance. We must guard our freedom from those who want to take it away again.

Cry, cry, cry....Political Butterfly

2010-03-22T15:21:00.003+08:00

I stayed up late last night to watch the vice presidential forum, Harapan. One candidate stood out like a sore thumb because try as she might, no one believed her. Loren Legarda, the senate's crying lady tried her best to be credible. After the audience graded her performance, a wry smile is the best that she can do. That's what happens when political butterflies run for public office. Like a moth that flew too close to the fire, Loren burned.

Her eloquence was not enough to carry her through the forum. I'm sure that every time her scores came up, she would have cried. I can see how irritated she was. This is Villar's running mate, I don't think she has any chance of catching up with Sen. Mar Roxas. Loren's record of changing sides has come back to haunt her. She tried to discredit Mar but instead ended up eating her words. She is the epitome of a political opportunist.

The Filipino voter has come a long way. They now know how to see through lies peddled by insincere politicians. How many issues has she ridden on to be popular? How many times has she made 180 turns to reach her ambitions? This is what happens when you claim something you are not. Poor Loren, she has no one to blame but her herself. You can fool some people some time but not all the time. It's time to hang up your gloves and retire from politics. You have used to many people for your political gains. Now the people do not believe you. You have used the last of your aces and you've gone bust.

The Difference Between Mudslinging and Telling The Truth

2010-03-19T02:57:00.004+08:00

While the campaign season reaches its peak, the issue of mudslinging is being raised. There's a world of difference between mudslinging and telling the truth. Villar claims to be a victim or even an underdog as issue after issue is now coming out of the woodwork. Victims of his "deeds" are coming out into the open. The small folks, the poor to be more specific, are coming out one by one to share with the Philippine electorate how Manny Villar and his companies managed to legally(?) grab their lands.

Can you call this mudslinging, negative propaganda or Villar's motherhood claim of pamumulitika? I call this the TRUTH. Anyone who can do basic math will tell you that "Sipag at Tiyaga" will not make you a billionaire in such a short span of time. Unless you are wield power, say like a speaker of the house or a senate president, legally increasing one's wealth cannot be achieved overnight.

Are all these issues hounding Manny Villar part of a grand design to besmirch his immaculate image? Of course not. The people he oppressed are now emboldened to come forward and expose his crimes. Take the case of the poor farmers of Bulacan. Villar's only answer to their accusation is that we check with the Bangko Sentral because all the land titles are there. How convenient it was for the Registry of Deeds to fall prey to a fire completely burning all the records that could prove that lands were indeed stolen from these poor farmers.

The MO is the same with the other issues. Local officials, regional officials and even government agencies all conspired to make it appear that all land transactions and projects were above board. It's high illogical for beneficiaries of the CARP would readily give up the lands they so long fought hard to get. It's also utter stupidity to simply convert prime agricultural lands to upscale subdivisions because these lacked irrigation. Isn't it government priority to make available irrigiation to farmlands?

A person who is haunted by injustices he committed to enrich himself will have to sooner or later face his accusers. What a lame excuse Villar hides behind because his past has now caught up with him. This is the reason why he is massively spending on his presidential bid. Like Gloria Arroyo, only the presidency can save his neck. With his billions, he can do a GMA and buy off the lower house to shield him from impeachment.

So what then do we call all these issues going around accusing Manny Villar of this and that? We call it the truth. It's the truth because victims are now coming out. It's the truth because there are documents that show he actually did the things he is accused of. Is it plain mudslinging then? Are these mere insinuations and allegations? Nah, it's the truth! And it has come out to bite Manny Villar's ass.

Finally Up Again

2010-03-19T02:36:00.003+08:00

BloggingFor several days now, I've been unable to post anything because of some technical glitches which I attribute to some malicious individual who somehow was able to "fool around" with my blog. I've disabled my comments for the meantime and would be using a more secure one.

Please bear with me and I'll surely fix my blog problems in the soonest possible time. Thank you for your continuing patronage.

Useless Spending and Empty Promises

2010-03-05T21:52:00.005+08:00

Manny Villar is the campaign's biggest spender. He claims he's using his own money to fund his expensive campign. In an interview, he promised to bring home all the OFW's stranded in the Middle East should he become the next president. He also promised he'll do it even if he has to use his own money. Eh, ganun naman pala, why wait to be elected? Why not do it now? With such a noble cause, I'm sure even his opponents wouldn't even bother to call it vote-buying. Just imagine the impact it would have on his muddied image?

But of course being the shrewd politician that he is, Villar is using this to bait the OFWs to vote for him. Ano sila hilo? He had spend so much just to see his ratings drop in the surveys. He will promise you heaven and earth just to get your vote. See how he used his dearly departed brother to gain your sympathy? Villar's statement that he would simply return to being a businessman if he wants to get rich is also a big lie. He never ceased being a businessman and he used his position to further enrich himself. Villar never divested his business interests. He and his wife still own their companies.

Just imagine how much he could get out of being the president of the country? As speaker and senate president, he had already shown what he is capable of, what more as president? He'll have a bigger pork to spend on his projects. He can easily convert more agricultural lands for his subdivisions. Of course all these issues against him would seem to be unfounded. After all, he has local and agency officials in his pocket to make all his transgressions legal(?). I could just see him now smiling at the effects of El Niño on our agricultural lands. For sure his thinking of how many more subdivision he can develop because of the phenomenon's disastrous effects. No irrigations to destroy, no officials to bribe, all he has to do is feast on the despair of the farmers who would readily sell their lands so their families could survive.

Villar has made so many promises. Tatapusin daw niya ang kahirapan. With the kind of campaign spending he's been doing, I wonder how many poor families could have benefited from the billions he had wasted? So he's back to playing catchup. But this time, he cannot simply steamroll his rivals with his obscene spending. Now he has to abide by the rules of the game. He cannot go over the spending limit set by the law. Poor Mr. Villaroyo, you peaked too early. See what happens when you rely too much on your money? Serves you right, you thought we can all be bought just like the people you are used to dealing with.

Better watch your back because Erap is hot on your tail. He seems to be more credible than you. Want us to believe in the purity of your intentions? Don't promise us anything anymore. Sabi nga ni Sen. Flavier, "Just do it!".

From The Mouths of Babes

2010-03-05T05:45:00.004+08:00

My son is so irritated with Villar's ads that he seldom opens his Facebook account. Even the net did not escape Villar's ads. He's also sick and tired of hearing Villar's campaign jingle that he decided to rewrite the lyrics of the song. He just entered his teens, not a voter yet and sure knows what Villar's true color is. So now I share with you his song. With so many issues hurled against Villar, he would like to get some answers.

Totoo ba na nan-land grab ka?
Totoo ba, sa C-5 ay kumita?
Yan ang tanung namin,
Bakit ayaw mong sagutin?

Nalaman namin ang land covernsion mo.
Mga mag-sasaka, nawalan ng trabaho.
At ang iyong plano.
Ay lokohin mga tao.

Si Villar ang tunay na pahirap.
Si Villar ang tunay na pasakit.
Si Villar ang may kakayahang,
Gumawa ng katiwalian.

Si Manny Villar,
Ang magdidiin sa atin,
Sa kahirapan.

My son and his friends intend to make a video of this. That's how disgusted they are with being bombarded with what is obviously a ton of lies. See what happens when you have a catchy campaign jingle? It gets obliterated by irritated viewers and listeners. Maybe Cayetano and Remulla can learn a thing or two from the mouths of babes.

A Big Disappointment

2010-02-24T15:37:00.003+08:00

I thought that the Magdalo had a principled vision. After hearing them support Manny Villar, all respect I had with them vanished. I thought they embodied change and an end to corruption. Obviously, they have less wisdom than I thought they had. They had me all along. My newspaper boy is more discerning than them. Despite the voluminous issues raised against Villar, the Magdalo claims that one of the basis they used is character. Unless you could turn a blind eye and condone corruption, you would really support Villar.

So it seems that change and an end to corruption was never in the Magdalo's agenda. It was more of how much power and influence they could wield. Of course with the likes of Villar who we all know commands a mastery of transactional politics, corruption is bound to grow even bigger. So what about the farmers whose lands were stolen by Villar? Does this mean that the Magdalo supports the practice of stealing from the poor? Villar has continuously ducked the issues thrown at him in the proper forums, is this Magdalo's concept of transparency? What about abusing one's position? Is this acceptable to the Magdalo as well? What kind of advocacy do they espouse?

They wanted to kick Gloria out because they said that she stole, lied and cheated. Yet here is a Manny Villar whose wealth rose drastically during his entire political career. Is the Magdalo selective in their principled stand? At least now they have shown their true colors. They are not what they say they are. They do not want reforms. They do not want change. They want someone who will cuddle them. What a waste of time and effort I devoted to campaigning for their leaders. They are no different from the generals whose integrity they questioned. Is this the vision of a principled gentleman?

I will drop them from my list. Sad to say, they had me fooled. They are no better than those they criticize. The way I see it, they would rather keep the status quo. With them, change is not forthcoming. Want the culture of corruption and impunity to continue, vote for Villar and his cabal. They'll give you change alright, change for the worst.

Nabawi Na kasi

2010-02-18T14:24:00.003+08:00

I heard Gilbert Remulla say "na walang babawiin si Manny Villar" when asked about Villar's enormous campaign spending. I first asked myself if this can be true and not another empty statement. After giving it some thought, I came to the conclusion that this maybe true. With the investments Villar's listed company got, I'm sure it is more than enough to run his campaign and those he included in his slate. After all, the SEC gave him full rein by exempting Vista Land from SEC's holding period.

Of course he has also amassed great wealth through his years in politics. Just imagine how like a phoenix, he was able to rise from the ashes of bankruptcy when he became house speaker and then senate president. He even brags that he has no liabilities. With his influence and PDAF, he was able to legally rob the country's coffers. His stint with the LRC has much to do with his success. I wonder how many people lost their lands to Villar?

Road projects that ran through his estates also contributed to his wealth. Not only did these increase his properties' values, the government had to pay him right-of-way fees. Add of course the parties with vested interests that contributed to his campaign kitty throughout his political career, he definitely does not need to recover his spending. He has enough saved for his very comfortable retirement.

So Remulla's claims maybe true. Wala na ngang babawiin si Villar. Should he lose the presidential race, his properties' increased value would be enough to give him a fresh start. The government also has yet to pay for some of the right=of-way fees due him. Wala na nga siyang babawiin, nabawi na niya. But then again, if he wins, that's when the real party would begins. His companies will have a field day. I'm sure his wealth will surge. No need to steal, he can do it legally just like how he amassed his riches. Better check your land titles, you may lose them faster than a blink of an eye. As for the poor, he can always feed them with empty promises.

Villar's Love For The Poor

2010-02-16T18:06:00.004+08:00

With lands running out, only agriculture lands are left for the taking. But in the Philippines, agricultural lands cannot be converted for other use without the government approval. Lands covered by the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) cannot be converted nor can lands distributed through the CARP cannot be sold by its beneficiaries within a certain period of time. But it seems that Manny Villar's companies seems to be able to go around these prohibitions with impunity.

Faced with these issues, Villar's reply is that everything was done in accordance with the law. From the looks of it, he has very strong connections with every government agency that deals with lands. So even if we check these out, it will all appear to be above board. See how the DPWH and even the BIR covered Villar's rear with regards to the C-5 controversy? What may appear legal at first glance may have very sinister and criminal roots.

Let's take the case of his Iloilo development which was recently unearthed. Because irrigation canals were rendered inoperable, farmer-beneficiaries of CARP were forced to sell their lands to Villar. Without irrigation, these lands would no longer be considered agricultural lands and can therefore be converted. In collusion with the DAR, Villar was able to convert these lands into subdivisions. And just like his C-5 and Daang-hari, Villar also allocated portion of his pork for the construction of an access road for his subdivision.

The case of the San Nicolas beneficiaries in Cavite are somewhat similar. The lands under the Asset privatization trust handled by the Home Insurance Guarantee Corporation. The farmers group (FIDASGRO) contested the ownership of the land. Villar's executives helped the farmers win the case. What was first considered as a blessing by the farmers, took a bad turn. Villar then forced the farmers to sell their properties. All in all, 63 farmers lost their lands to Villar. Villar bought the lots for a mere P150/sq.m. This property is located on the other side of the Zapote River. This is the reason why Villar is planning to construct a bridge through BF Resort. It is to connect and give an access point to his San Nicolas property. I'm sure he'll be allocating a part of his pork for this project.

Villar claims to come from the ranks of the poor yet continue to inflict injury and insult to the little folks. Another case is the plight of the displaced residents of Paradise Park. Families there survived by planting vegetables. The land was sequestered by the PCGG from a former mayor of Muntinlupa. Villar's Crown Asia evicted the residents which forced them to resettle to a nearby 2-hectare area after their leader, Ka Felix while resisting the eviction. Fenced off by Crown Asia, the 100 families had no way out of their small enclave. It was only through the kindness of a neighboring subdivision that they were able to have access to an exit point.

A self-made billionaire, Villar sure knows where he came from. His love for the poor is as sincere as his greed for amassing wealth. Thses are the very same people whom he promises to lift out of the gutters of despair. With his numerous acquisitions, how many of these are drenched in injustice? Is this the man who promises a home for every Filipino? I'm sure if he gave away his P543 ads spending to the poor, he wouldn't need to undertake a campaign for his presidential bid. It is now clear, he will recoup his expenses should he win. Would you like the Philippines to become one big subdivision? What would it take to for Villar to have his fill? I don't think he'll ever be content until he literally owns the country.

He Was Too Busy With His C-5

2010-02-12T16:36:00.008+08:00

Located in Pamplona, The Las Piñas High School is in need of a new building that would accommodate its growing population. Las Piñas has the same problem that plagues the entire nation, it lacks classrooms. While NGOs have taken up some of the slack, their limited funding simply cannot address the shortage. This also the reason why some children have given up their education. There are simply no facilities to accommodate them. Sure there is a shortage of teachers but the fact of the matter is that with no facilities, the education system wouldn't work. Kids will simply lose interest and would rather seek ways to help their parents to survive the daily grind.

Three years ago, construction of a new high school building in Pamplona was undertaken. Today, the shell of the new building stands unfinished. Students had to be content with pursuing their education in makeshift classrooms which are poorly ventilated and cramp as well. With the Villars sitting in congress and the senate, why does this building remain unfinished? I'm sure their PDAFs can easily fund this project. How can Manny Villar's ad say that he will bring education ro rhose who want it? Totoo bang mapag-aaral ka niya? I suppose that his C-5 was more important than the education of his constituents. Here are the pictures, I'll let it speak for itself.

The photos will show the unfinished building in the background and the makeshift classroom in the foreground.

Nothing In This World Is Free

2010-02-12T16:01:00.004+08:00

I'm curious how Manny Villar came to the conclusion that that his C-5 Ext. is free and gives road users an option of whether to to pay toll fees or to use a road for free. Villar's C-5 is not free. The national government will be the one to maintain this road. Where will the government get the Funds? It will get the funds from the taxpayers from Aparri to Jolo. It will not get the funds from the residents of Las Piñas or Cavite. To get to Villar's C-5, you will either pass through a narrow two lane street which is the Naga Rd. or pass through Zapote to Quirino Ave. if you're coming from Cavite.

Manny Villar is again lying. His C-5 is not free. At the end of the day, he is the biggest beneficiary here. His properties will increase their values. His profits from any sale in the area will definitely be bigger. While his wealth increases, we the taxpaying public will be sharing in the maintenance of his supposed to be excellent project. Villar always uses the people to mask the truth that all his road projects were designed to benefit him.

I'd like to ask him why he chose to propose the C-5 project instead of developing the EVACOM-CAA Rd. Instead? For decades, this stretch of road which links Parañaque and Las Piñas has been used by residents of both cities. All this road needs is a little widening and concreting. The CAA Rd. exits the Alabang-Zapote Rd. whic has several access points to Muntinlupa and Cavite. Wouldn't it be a move viable option than constructing a new road which has very congested entry and Exit points? Wouldn't it be less expensive to develop because there is already an existing road? I'm very sure that it wouldn't cost P6 billion to upgrade this area. Why didn't he push for this instead? The answer of course is that he will not benefit from it. His properties will remain cheap and undeveloped.

Just like the case of his another beneficial project, Daang-hari, the C-5 is a good of example of how to make money off the government and the taxpayer. There are no freebies in any government infrastructure. We all fund these projects. Our taxes pay for their construction and upkeep. As a congressman and senator, Villar had abused his position for his personal gain. As president, I shudder at what he is capable of doing. If you ask me, I wouldn't give him the chance.

The Real Villars

2010-02-05T00:00:00.002+08:00

I have been hearing stories from people how the Villars got rich. I simply dismissed these as hearsay. But last December, a concerned citizen sent me some documents to prove that these stories were true. In fact, as early as July last year, the issue about the case had been circulating. The case is about a land dispute wherein the Villar's Optimum Development bank, the Bangko Sentral and private entities were involved.

This anonymous tipster sent me documents about the case. What I thought was a simple land dispute was even more complicated. It included fraud and what I think is a collusion between Optimum and some Bangko Sentral officials. I still have yet to find the people behind this case. What I know is that the person involved in this case is now in hiding. I wa also told that CB officials are mum on the case.

I'm publishing these documents for your appreciation. I leave it to you if you find it credible or not. You may just be as shocked as I was.

Hindi Kami Tanga

2010-02-04T19:22:00.003+08:00

The minority in the senate decided to BOYCOTT the session yesterday. This did not only anger their colleagues but the public as well. As damage control, Villar's spin doctor, Alan Peter Cayetano came out to clarify or justify their action. First he said that they did not boycott the session but just wanted to prevent the Pagcor and Telcos resolutions from being railroaded. Nobody bought his story. So this afternoon, he added more to his statements last night. He said it was not a boycott but a strategy of the minority to as fiscalizers of the senate. Still nobody took the bait.

He then threw a monkey wrench into the fray. He insinuated that the Liberal Party is colluding with Gloria. Duh? I cannot imagine the likes of Mar Roxas, Noynoy Aquino or even Pong Biazon to make a deal with GMA. If memory serves me right, Alan and Pia Cayetano were part of Gloria's K-4. Pimentel even held the mic for Gloria during her inauguration in 2001. He can't admit that their ploy backfired. It was all about the Villar Ethics case and nothing else. They were the ones politicking and not the majority. They did this all for Villar's glory.

The people saw through the real issue. Villar is trying to hide the truth from the Filipino people. They are being paid by our taxes to work and not to protect a crook. Several important bills will now have to wait until the new congress is formed. Cayetano can say whatever he wants but the people will never accept any of his alibis. His loyalty is not with the people whom he is supposed to serve but to a corrupt colleague who wants to own the Philippines.

Cayetano and his kind should never be elected again. They are the kind of politicians who ride on issues to get elected and then foget their covenant with the people. These are the traditional politicians that we should kick out of office. Their only concern is their personal interests and nothing else. To hell with the RH bill or the Freedom of Information bill. Villar's neck was more important to them. The majority did not have the numbers to seal Villar's fate. They knew that and still they did not show up. They did not want to committee report to be discussed.

Manny Villar and his cohorts made a tactical blunder. They have stoked the fire instead of extinguishing it. He will now have to face the public. This will really cost him. He'll have to spend more to undo the damage their miscalculation caused. Maybe this time someone will question his spending with the Comelec. Poor Manny, this could be the beginning of the end for him. You see Mr. Villar, HINDI KAMI MGA TANGA!

Squeaky Clean?

2010-01-29T16:57:00.004+08:00

I was able to catch the DLSU Youth Forum on ANC. It was a welcome deviation from the usual debate wherein questions were uniformed. The students had good questions and were tailor-made for each presidential aspirant. Towards the end, Sen. Jamby Madrigal took a dig at Manny Villar's C-5 scam. I call it a scam because Villar clearly scammed not the government but the taxpaying Filipino.

Of course Villar defended himself, saying that he never stole a single centavo. He added that he should not be blamed if he wanted Las Piñas to prosper. The city actually can prosper on its own. But without Las Piñas and his wife's influence, Manny Villar will never prosper through "legal" means. He's been exploiting the people of the city. He's been using them to enrich himself. Only Villar and his family prospered in the various road projects he has undertaken.

So he claims that he had answered the issues leveled against him in the senate. Who did benefit most in the C-5, the Daang-hari and the new Bacoor road projects? Evidence presented in the senate hearings (the ones Villar chose not to participate in) showed how the BIR took it upon itself to value Villar's properties far more than the existing value in the area. Villar also used his position to make sure that these projects had funding. Aside from collecting right-of-way compensation, his properties gained from these projects through increased value.

He may claim all he wants that he never stole from the government. You see, stealing is not the only way to enrich yourself. You can also build roads at the expense of the taxpayer to raise the value of your otherwise cheap property. You can also use you pork barrel in the guise of progress to make your subdivisions more marketable. Most of Villar's properties have no access to main thoroughfares. They are tucked behind other properties and would have to pay for right-of-way to other entities. The only logical thing to do is to use his position to push for road projects that would allow passage for his erstwhile inaccessible subdivisions. So who pays for the right-of-way? None other than the government.

It can be compared to technical smuggling. Villar did not need to shell out a single centavo so his subdivisions can have access to other road networks. Hell, he even earned because the government payed him right-of-way compensation for expropriating some portions of his land to build roads. All these are legal, but is it ethical? This is why Villar says that he never stole. Technically, he did not. This is why re fuses to be questioned on propriety and ethics. He knows that he had committed unethical practices during his term in congress and the senate.

So is Villar squeaky clean? If he can use his position and exploit the people of Las Piñas for his personal gain, then he should never be elected into any public office ever again. Here is a man presenting himself as pro-poor yet uses them to enrich himself. Here is a man who promises to give every Filipino a home yet there are many informal settlers in Las Piñas. They have been residing in the city for decades. Last December, 100 families lost their homes Renarville. These are all informal settlers. Did Villar give them homes? Without Gawad Kalinga's help, some of them would still be living in shanties. Villar is a businessman and studies the market well. This is why his developments are geared towards the OFWs who has the purchasing power.

So does Villar deserve your vote? You be the judge. Learn to scrutinize him. Be discerning. And of course, ask him to defend himself in the senate instead of hiding behind the flimsy excuse that his issue is one of politics and not of ethics.

Lagot Ka Kay Batman

2010-01-26T08:56:00.003+08:00

I guess Joker Arroyo has forgotten his motto, ""Pag bad ka, lagot ka". He could also be too old to remeber how he accused Manny Villar of the very same issue confronting Villar today, conflict of interest. Seeing him stand up to defend Villar is a lesson we all must take to heart, money and Manny is the root of all evil. Perhaps Joker is playing the role of Batman's nemesis. A villain caught up in his twisted world of crime.

Joker like his good peer, Nene Pimentel epitomizes what we call "tumatanda ng paurong" or "walang pinagkatandaan". This regression if we may call it that, only shows the effects of power have on unprincipled men. Graft-buster he certainly is not? It's only been a decade since he stood up to question Villar's ethics in congress. Has his memory deteriorated in such a short span of time? Or is seeking for more glory should Villar get elected?

Of all the 180's I've seen politicians do in their political lifetimes, Joker's is one for the books. The issue against Villar back then is no different from the issue he faces today. Villar has used his position and influence to enrich himself. I wonder how Joker can sleep at night or look himself in the mirror? He knows that we all know what he accused Villar of. If I may suggest, Joker should simply sit quietly and let Cayetano and Pimentel do the lawyering for Villar. The least he talks will lessen the ridicule people will subject him to.

But then again, men without principles are immune to criticism. I'm sure Joker will stand up for the coward Villar. He, Cayetano and Pimentel will be Villar's ball. They are like mercenaries willing to risk their lives in the name of money, err, Manny pala. So be it. Joker has made his choice. Don't tell me I didn't warn you. Now you will have to face the consequences of your stand. Lagot ka kay Batman!

The Truth Is In The Documents

2010-01-26T06:53:00.003+08:00

Unfortunately, the showdown in the senate was cut short. It is so obvious that Villar's allies are putting a spin on the issue to make it appear it's a simple demolition job on their big boss. But what better time to expose the true Villar than now? Are we to take chances of electing him to office only to find out later that he's worst than Gloria? Cayetano even tried to question Noynoy Aquino's integrity by throwing the Mendiola and Luisita incidents into the fray. He even added the SCTEX in his potion of lies. Not to be outdone, Pimentel showed what an uneducated moron can do.

The documents presented in this case should be appreciated. Testimonies can be twisted but documents never lie. This is the reason why Manny Villar will never face the senate. He knows that his hand has been caught in the cookie jar. The documents shows how he manipulated the entire project. The DPWH officials can say otherwise, but documents showing who lobbied for what is very clear. BIR officials can say otherwise, but documents will show what the true prevailing zonal values were.

Perhaps now the people will stop listening to Cayetano and Remulla and start to take interest on studying the documentary evidence of the case. Villar cannot run from the truth. It is clear that he benefited from the C-5 project. He can talk all he want in different mediums but the fact of the matter is that he still has to debunk the evidences. He could put out more ads but this will only strengthen the perception that he had been stealing to enrich himself.

I'd like to think that Filipinos are more discerning now. Take time to study the evidences then meke your conclusion. Is this a simple case of politicking? Is Villar as clean as he projects himself to be? Do not listen to me or those who try to expose the true Manny Villar. Look at the evidences. Demand that Villar defend himself before the senate. Let him prove that he never used his power and position to enrich himself. He is a public servant, demand from him the service he vowed when he took office. Only then will he be able to prove if he is innocent. We are talking of ethics here. The ethics that all public servants are expected to adhere to. It is election season and we deserve to know who these people really are. We cannot rely on ads or jingles. We deserve to know the truth.

(Check out the committee report and other pertinent information here. Please take time to look over the other documents pertaining to the C-5 case)

My Cover's Blown

2010-01-24T11:39:00.003+08:00

I was informed that a couple of men have been casing my parent's house, even taking down the plate numbers of the cars parked there. I had been using their place as my base for investigating Manny Villar's projects(?). So it seems that my cover is blown. This is the reason why I've tried to keep my identity secret. It's to protect my family from getting involved in my activities.

This is not the first the first time something like this has happened. I've been chased, harasses, threatened and even tailed. I was asked by my brother to be more cautious. I don't think this is serious though. I don't know who these people are but I won't let things like this bother me, I have more important things to worry about. Politics is just politics, it's better to educate the people than let them find out for themselves.

So to those who have taken notice of my work, thank you. You do your work and I'll do mine. Don't worry, I'll double, even triple my effort to expose your shenanigans. And to those who think that what I write here is hearsay, wait for the documents I'll publish to silence your twisted minds. No stench can be kept forever. The truth will always come out no matter how much you spend on ads to make you look good.

Silang Walang Moralidad

2010-01-19T07:50:00.006+08:00

Although I voted for Koko Pimentel, I'm glad he's not in the senate now. Hearing his father, Nene protect Villar shows what values the older Pimentel possesses. Add the opportunistic Alan Peter Cayetano and the circle of immorality is almost complete. For the information of these two dimwits, we're not talking of simple politics here, we're speaking of ethics. To sweep this scandal under the rug is an injustice to us who put food on their tables, pay for their trips abroad and everything else that they get out their positions as senators.

Regardless whether it's elections or not, accountability and justice must always prevail. Villar may not have made a double insertion, but the fact remains that he benefited from the C-5 project. Villar has been doing this since he entered public office. He wouldn't be this rich if he were honest. Is this the kind of leadership we want? Those who protect Villar should not be voted into any office ever again. We don't need people who can accept abuse of power and corruption as norms.

I wonder what promises Villar made to them? Or even how much money they'll be showered with to fund their candidacies? It only shows that they do not want change. They want the old-style politics that has mired this nation. They want us to be as corrupt as they are. Any Tom, Dick and Harry can see that there is something wrong with this project. Hell, even my 11 yr. old niece saw through the flimsy justification of this scandalous project. We all know that the quickest way between two points is a straight line. Don't tell me that Nene and Alan are so bad in math that they chose to become lawyers instead.

Because it has become harder to conceal the truth from the people, Villar's cohorts now plan to kick out Johnny Enrile as senate president. It's good that the draft resolution was leaked or the people will forever be in the dark about who Manny Villar really is. They will only know Villar through his ridiculous ads. He should be man enough to face the consequences of his actions. He knows what he has done and should answer for it. I'd like to think that Filipinos are intelligent. I'd like to think that Filipinos have wisdom. And I'd like to think that Filipinos still know what is right and what is wrong. Being successful morally and legally is something to be proud of. Getting rich at the expense of the Filipino people is totally unacceptable.

To those who still think Villar is a saint, spare us, us who can tell what is right and wrong. Don't drag us down with you. We're fed up with elected officials who lie, cheat and steal. Villar will give you his fiinger but will take away your entire arm. That's how Villar works. He's a shrewd businessman. He will not invest if he will not gain anything. Walang tangang gagastos kung 'di niya ito mababawi. So you see Mr. Villar, money can't buy truth. Your minions can try their best to cover your filthy ass, but the stench will always come out. If only you used your "Sipag at Tiyaga" honestly, you may have a bigger chance to be president.

See what happens when you use money to level the playing field? You cannot buy integrity and credibility. This is not about politics, this issue is about ethics and morals. It's imperative that the truth come out. The people has the right to know how Manny Villar stole from the people. I know the real Villar, do you? Or are you like Cayetano, Pimentel and the rest of his gang? Meron din ba kayong moralidad?

Huli Ka!

2010-01-18T17:53:00.005+08:00

The draft report by the Senate's Committee of the Whole seeks to censure my favorite senator for improper and unethical conduct in connection with the scandalous C-5 Ext. project. No wonder Alan Cayetano moved mountains to have a questionable resolution signed to preempt the committee's findings. Cayetano also wants us to think that this is a case of political persecution. For me, there is no such thing as the right or wrong time to bring out issues against any political figure. What is important is for the public to know what our leaders are engaged or involved in. It is also unethical for Cayetano to protect an erring official.

The report also found the following:

• Villar was the proponent of the Las Piñas-Parañaque Link Road Project and the DPWH C-5 extension project which were made to pass through the properties of his corporations “following a curved, instead of a straight alignment.
• The alignment of the C-5 segment of the Manila-Cavite Toll Expressway Project of the Toll Regulatory Board was changed to accommodate the two road projects.
• The properties of Villar’s corporations that were acquired for the Las Piñas-Parañaque link project and the C-5 extension project were given zonal valuation for different areas (not the zonal valuation of the area where they were located), jacking up the compensation due them.

Villar's properties in the area are, Adelfa, Brittany and the Golden Haven Memorial Park. Over the weekend, Manuel Buencamino and I took a field trip In Las Piñas. It was like Villar's little kingdom. The city was littered with small and big subdivisions owned by Villar. What's so revealing is that his subdivisions had access roads to C-5. In one of my posts, I pointed out the impracticality of having the C-5 pass through the area. The exit to Quirino Ave. is just too narrow. In fact, as we traversed the road, we practically were alone. No trucks or other vehicles were passing. Quirino Ave. is notorious for its horrendous traffic. The Coastal Rd. is still the most practical route when going south. He patiently bided his time. Since 2001 to 2008, he worked tirelessly to make sure that the C-5 Ext. Project will benefit him.

Here is a person who can look you in the eye while lying. Here is a candidate who says he will fight corruption. Here is a senator who abused his position for his own benefit. No wonder he can spend for so many ads. Whatever he says now should not be believed. No timing is more perfect than now to expose the real Manny Villar. If can do this as a congressman and senator, what more if he becomes president. We might all end up tenants of this very corrupt person. Let the truth be told so that people may realize that Villar is nothing but a crook.

"Si Villar ay tunay na masipag at matiyagang gumawa ng pera. Si Villar ang hahakot ng ating kayamanan."

The Midnight Express

2010-01-11T16:56:00.003+08:00

I'd like to believe that between now and May 17, nothing else will give Gloria a reason to extend her term. But it seems that she's making the most out of her last days in office. Midnight deals and appointments seem to be floating everywhere. As these continue, I wonder what the new president or even the country will wake up when she does steps down. All these brings me to the proposed Freedom of Information bill which has been gathering dust in the shelves of congress.

Transparency has always been an issue with the current dispensation and believe, it has been wreaking havoc on the country. Investigations have been rendered useless and scandals left unresolved. Executive Privilege has kept all issues from the public's questioning eyes. Even agencies are having a field day with midnight deals. One such contract is the very expensive RFID deal between Stradcom and the LTO. But what about deals that we don't know about?

With a ballooning deficit, we have yet to find out what othe surprises await the new administration and the country. Already mired in debt, I don't think we could take anymore. FVR left us with PPPs that continue to keep our power rates up. What would GMA leave us with? With only so many days left, I don't think the Freedom of Information bill will be passed. We will be left clueless of what to expect or find when the dust of GMA's presidency finally clears.

GMA's Midnight Express is running full throttle. All we can do is file petition with the Supreme Court whose allegiance is in question. If only we are armed with a law that will force institutions to be transparent? How I wish that even without a law, administrations would be honest to the people. I guess all we can do now is to sit tight and brace for the uncertainty GMA will leave us with.

Why Not Gibo

2010-01-10T03:46:00.003+08:00

No matter what Gibo Teodoro says or paints himself, I will never vote for him. So what if he's intelligent or eloquent? Even if he tries to look sincere, two statements from really turn me off. The first is his reason for his loyalty to GMA, the second is his view of what accountability is. These statements are so glaring that even a good platform will surely not sit well with those who truly understand the repercussions of such statements. Let me explain why.

Gibo says that GMA gave him the break. As far as I am concerned, once appointed, you shed whatever "utang na loob" you have as you are now a public servant. Although you may work at the pleasure of the president, the fat is that you work for the people, the taxpaying public. GMA is not his boss, we are. We are the ones who pay his salary and shoulder the perks that goes with his position. His loyalty should be with the people. This leads to his second statement.

Gibo says that he would like the country to move forward. One thing that has stagnated the country is the sincere and credible prosecution of the Marcoses. There was no closure and we now find the cases against them being dismissed left and right. If we do the same with the Arroyos, every crooked politician can now freely lie, cheat and still without fear, knowing too well that they can get away with their transgressions. We need to honest;ly go after those who have wronged the people.

No amount of makeover or window-dressing can cleanse the image of Gibo. He should reexamine himself and if need be, stop being a pawn of GMA. Isn't it obvious that he is being used by GMA? For someone who is intelligent, he seems not to see this. I guess he lacks wisdom. Isn't it obvious that he like Erap and Gordon is being used to increase Manny Villar's chances? We all know that Villar and GMA are of the same mold.

I will never vote for anyone whose loyalty is not with the people. I will never vote for anyone who would rather force the people to forgive and forget. Our children's future have already been sent to limbo by the rising debt. Allowing these criminals to get away with their crimes is not a step forward but a million steps backward. Gibo is not the kind of president we need.

Villar, The Environmentalist

2010-01-07T20:24:00.013+08:00

Once pristine and teeming with life, this portion of the Zapote river is nothing but an ordinary 'Estero'. I used to fish here in my younger years. Reptiles and plant life is abundant. Manny Villar thought that it would be a good idea to cement the banks, for whatever reason, I really don't know. Is this the kind of progress Villar envisions? The subdivisions that line this river's banks now experience flooding. This is but one of the many waterways that suffered under Villar's dream of development. Many other creeks in Las Piñas were covered to give way to his subdivisions.

The impact is not only to the subdivisions but to the entire Zapote area. Residents and businesses alike experience floods never experienced before. It's funny how Loren, an environmentalist could align herself with an 'environmentalist' like Villar. If only mother nature can speak? I wonder what vile words she'll be spewing out?

"Naka ligo ka na ba sa ilog ng basura?"

Who Is This?

2010-01-02T02:17:00.005+08:00

Not too long ago, in a place called San Jose, Delmonte, a grave injustice took place. Several landowners lost their properties. The properties were subsequently used as collateral to secure a P50 million loan from the government. It's a loan that was never paid as the corporation who acquired the loan soon closed. The rightful owners sued the land-grabber. The media reported about it but was never really given much attention. Involved in this horrendous injustice is a former senate president.

The case sits idle as far as I can recall. I am not sure of its status now. This case is important as this is not the first time this politician took away lands from lowly citizens for his own benefit. I hope that anyone out there can share with us more information about this case. This could unmask the truth behind this person or company.

At the moment, I await the pertinent documents linked to this issue. I hope that in the next few days, I will be able to share with you the details of this case. At any rate, if there is someone who can provide additional information regarding this matter, please share it with the rest of the country.

A Vicious Trapo

2009-12-20T09:32:00.003+08:00

Seeing Manny Villar's ad with smiling children really make me sick. His exploitation of the youth and the poor is legendary. Informal settlers were virtually nonexistent in Las Piñas. It was a quiet productive town and surprisingly peaceful. I remember walking home from school was safe and I was just 5 yrs. old. Everyone was courteous and you can even hitch a ride without worry. That was back in the '60s and '70s when a different family ruled the quiet municipality. Fast forward to the '80s when Villar reared his sinister head.

Bands of informal settlers started descending on Las Piñas. Every available plot of land was taken over. Soon the Villars became the powers that be thanks to informal settlements that sprouted like mushrooms. Everything went well for these settlers until Manny Villar's greed rose to new levels. Those who brought him to power are now being outed like rats. H'es a senator now. He doesn't need their votes. They're in the way of his bridge that would connect his subdivisions in Cavite to Las Piñas. If you think its just these "useless" informal settlers he molests, you are dead wrong. Even those who own lots near his palatial home in BF Resort did not escape his attention.

I've mentioned the Elizabeth Seton School in my past posts. There is more to tell. There's once was a small eatery andi store beside the school. It's owned by an old retiree. The problem is that Villar wants the entire area for himself. In his way is the school and the store. He soon went after the store. Soon the old retiree was harassed so that he would sell his property to Villar. The area was commercial. It's on the main road where hundreds of establishments line the avenue. Villar told the man he has to close his store. The reason, he violated commercial zoning laws. He then offered the man a new house and P1million to sell his property to him. To avoid further harassment, the man reluctantly sold his property. He was paid and the house he was given was in some forsaken corner of one of his developments.

Enter the Seton School which has been in Las Piñas long before Manny Villar came. They had to rent a portion of the school from a certain Mrs. Lim. The lot was used for faculty parking, Villar wanted the property as it also borders his property. Like I said, he wants the entire area for himself. But he had no way to harass the owner. So he offered her P8million for the lot, a new house and another P1million. The lady declined and instead sold the property to Seton. This infuriated Villar and started Seton's headaches.

Being related to the mayor, he blocked the permit for the construction of a dorm. When the PTA and the students signed a petition which forced the mayor to approve the school's permit. Villar lost the battle bit not the war. He then closed the other gates leading to the school citing security reasons as he is a senator. Ang kapal talaga ng mukha ano? Now the school has to settle for a lone entrance that has produced traffic nightmares for students and motorists alike. This is how Villar values education for our youth. But don't worry, your school may not be located in an area Villar is interested in. So you are safe for now.

A well-known businessman planned to open a huge mall in Las Piñas. He had purchased a foreclosed property which location is just perfect for Cavite and Las Piñas. But Villar has other plans. His mall is near the property. This would surely kill his business. His mall by the way houses stalls which sells pirated games and DVDs. So what he did was to harass the owner of a huge lot beside the competitor and built a new SM Hypermart. The businessman has yet to open his mall. Up to now, the mall has yet to open. It's "Soon to Open" sign still drapes the building's facade. Villar supports business, yes that is true. But be sure the business you put up includes him or else you'll end up bankrupt.

Villar is a vicious trapo. His strategy is one of manipulation, exploitation and the use of brute force. This is the truth behind a man who has swindled depositors of his defunct bank. This is the man who protrays himself in his ads as one who will bring you to the promise land. Beware of false prophets and wolves in sheep's clothing. Know the real Villar and you'll definitely get sick in the gut.

The Return Of The Plague

2009-12-18T10:48:00.004+08:00

Alan Peter Cayetano implied that Sen. Jamby Madrigal is a nuisance candidate. Then that means that his president Manny Villar is a plague. If this dork thinks that Villar is a worthy president, perhaps we shouldn't vote for any Nacionalista Party candidate (my apologies to my friend Toots Ople whom I admire). Nick Perlas is a more deserving candidate than Villar in terms of, well just about everything.

The NP exemplifies all that is traditional. Just look at its lineup and you'll see why he put such a diverse slate. No it is not about unity but opportunism. He is after votes. He is not running on a platform of principle but one which tries to get everybody in. I cannot say the same for the two leftists though. All the time I thought that Alan Peter represents change. If you think the Amapatuans are criminals, take a good long look at Manny Villar.

In terms of entrepreneurship which he says will solve our economic problems, I'll give you two glaring examples of how he values entrepreneurship. He eliminates those whose businesses outperforms his. A friend of mine once opened a business in Las Piñas. It was doing well and of course did not escape the eye of the greedy Villar. So he bought a franchise of a competitor. It did not even put a dent on my friends earnings. Despite being small and unknown, my friends business stomped the competition. Lo and behold, when my friends business permit was due for renewal, he was denied.

The same fate was dumped on a lowly internet cafe. OMG! Even a small business like this did not escape Villar's eagle eyes. The internet cafe despite its popularity soon closed down. Villar will never allow any business to outperform his. Perhaps he wants to be part of every new business. Na-momorsyento in the vernacular. This the same ploy he used against Maynilad. Of course Maynilad wouldn't allow this. Villar thrives on tubong-lugaw. This is why Villar's wealth continue to grow.

A Villar presidency will be worst that Marcos or even GMA. He will dip his soiled hands in every transaction his will administration will ever have. His presidency will be a plague that will engulf the country. He is not a philanthropist. He is one who expects something in return for anything he gives away. He will have to recover the huge expense his campaign is costing him. Madrigal is a nuisance only for Villar because she had exposed the real Villar.

Do the math and you'll wonder how he became a billionaire with no liabilities. Would you want a return of the plague? Our country has had enough. Would you dare to gamble your children's future? He chooses his battles well. This is why he chooses the forums he joins. Villar is all business. He wants it all for himself. Do not believe everything you see on TV. Go to Las Piñas and see it for yourself. Explore the hidden secrets of Villar so you'll know the plague he's carrying around.

It's You We Don't Trust

2009-12-15T10:31:00.003+08:00

Gloria finally breaks her silence on her declaration of martial law in Maguindanao. Now it is clear, she had to cover her tracks. She now accuses us that we do not have faith in democracy, in our security forces and the constitution. It is not the three that we don't trust, it is you we don't trust. You clearly abused your office. Do not complain if you had to make tough decisions every single day. You wnated this office. You asked for these responsibilities when you cheated to become president back in 2004.

Now you condemn the monstrosity you created by legitimizing these private armies. Do not try to use rebellion when you have been trying to sell the country to the Chinese for personal wealth. Nobody was grandstanding in defending the constitution against your mutant martial law. The climate of impunity and violence is of your own making. An executive order is not a law scrutinized by the legislative. Your hand is awash with the blood of those who died in Maguindanao. You tolerated the abuses of your allies.

Do ot put the blame on us. You armed these so-called rebels with arms bought with our money. You allowed these animals to terrorize the areas they controlled. Your twisted leadership exemplifies all that is undemocratic, all that is unconstitutional and all that is immoral. Do not blame us if we criticize you. You brought it upon yourself. If you have nothing to hide, why hide under the skirt of your cohorts in congress? How dare you accuse of things you perpetrated.

This is a case of command responsibility. You have to be held accountable for these abuses. The sad result of your actions is the total decay of our institutions. What kind of public service are you talking about. With all these transgressions, you don't even deserve to be a barangay tanod. A humble street sweeper renders more public service than you do. Your lust for power is insatiable, yet you cannot even accept responsibility for your actions.

Anything that comes out of your mouth is plain crap. You are nothing but a cheat and a liar. You are the cause of our nation's woes. You and your family deserves that the crap we throw at you. We owe you nothing but you owe us everything.

Testing 1, 2, 3

2009-12-14T01:50:00.003+08:00

Gloria will stop at nothing to save her neck. She tested the air if she can get away with martial law. Unfortunately for her, her team cracked under pressure. Team Gloria took a beating from those opposed to martial law. I don't think she had the numbers in congress that is why the joint session had to convene. Even after two days, I don't think Nograles was able to convince 147 members of the legislative to go along with her sinister plan. Perhaps the congressmen were afraid of the electoral backlash that could cost them their political future.

Gloria had to retreat. It was obvious that the longer the joint session convened, the weaker their chances of winning the vote grew. So last Saturday, she finally lifted her twisted version of martial law. Even after an alleged ambush of a police convoy, she had no other option but to withdraw. The coup de grace did not come during the joint session. It came after a conspiracy theory was brought up by her ally, Miriam.

There was clearly no basis for declaring martial law. And those tasked to defend it were simply slaughtered. Even if members of her paid CBCP supported her, the rest of the people did not. Gloria hasn't ran out of tricks yet but her options are certainly fewer. She had been trying everything to stay in power. With the lifting of martial law, she managed to avoid losing in the joint session and a scrutiny by the Supreme Court. I am sure her cohorts will again say that everything is moot and academic.

We really have to be vigilant with this administration. Desperation can make people do the unimaginable. So what's next, a failure of national elections? I am impressed by her team of political geniuses. If only they used their intelligence in honestly serving the people. With our institutions in ruins, Gloria may still succeed. It will be up to those in public office to still have an iota of conscience for the country to be saved. If there aren't any, we're dead meat.

Preposterous

2009-12-11T22:19:00.003+08:00

The Comelec first made morality an issue with the Ang Ladlad partylist. Now it veers away from its morality to hand down a staggering 12,000 page resolution that could cost Gov. Grace Padaca her governorship. Is is a case of hypocrisy or an injustice to the Isabela electorate? How can a morally upright(?) institution render such a preposterous decision. With only five days to reply, Gov. Padaca and her volunteers will not be able to comb through the voluminous paperwork. The Comelec says that one person filled out 18,000 ballots to give Gov. Padaca the gubernatorial seat. Even presidential election lawyer, Romy Macalintal found the resolution incredulous.

Perhaps the Comelec thinks that that one person can help Gov. Padaca sift through these 12,000 pages. I also find it hard to accept the Dy's claim that Gov. Padaca and he armed group terrorized the electorate into voting her in office. How stupid can these people be? A frail paraplegic going up against an entrenched powerful political clan and winning is an inspiring feat! Are we made to believe that the Dys are weak? I suppose the people of Isabela wanted change. We all know who the warlords of Luzon are.

Are we to believe the Comelec is credible? This shows how weak our institutions are. How the honest and innocent employees of the Comelec are dragged down by a handful of cheats. These "package deals" in the Comelec should stop. We cannot accept and should not tolerate this kind of injustice. It is not our local leaders who suffer, it is us their constituents. The operators in the Comelec has not lost their touch. This brazen act is no different from the gruesome massacre in Amaptuan. I believe the 2nd Division which rendered this decision should be held accountable by the next administration. They are a disgrace to the commission and to the honest employees of the Comelec.

The culture of impunity and corruption continues. There is no institution we can trust. Even those tasked to protect are votes can be bought. Even if we vote for good leaders, our will can be subverted by these crooks in the Comelec. Automation or not, it's the people who lead this commission who decides who can sit or not. At the end of the end, the Comelec can be bought. With the right price and the right "package deal", the rich influential trapos will continue to rule the land.

Due Process and the Rule of Law

2009-12-11T11:27:00.003+08:00

I enjoyed the second day of the joint session. I was impressed by Kiko, Miriam, Dick and especially Biazon. They showed why they deserve to be senators. The only "loser" in the senate is and will be in 2010 is Villar. He wasted valuable time for nothing. I will rank him with the dumb asses in the lower house. As in the first day, Teddyboy Locsin was his usual opportunistic self, grabbing whatever media time he could get. Excuse me Mr. Locsin, are you implying that the end justify the means? Or are we a land of vigilantes where laws can be overlooked, abused and circumvented?

To the thinking viewer, Locsin's speech is one that would irritate you coming from someone who is supposed to uphold the constitution and the laws of the land. Miriam in her rare moment of sanity was brilliant. Giving a lecture on what is constitutional and not. I appreciated her intelligence and logic, at least for the time being. Kiko laid the predicate for the rest of those who opposes Gloria's redefinition of rebellion. Dick (according to MLQ3) was aroused and did a fantastic job at exposing the "bullet holes" in the martial law justification. The big bang came from Sen. Biazon who did not mince words and gave Devenadera a piece of his mind. Ms. DoJ must have wished she was riding a "tsubibo" during Biazon's questioning.

Due process and the rule of law, that is what this issue is all about. The palace has always used this in their pursuit of harassing its critics Now I throw back these to you. From what I have heard in the two days I've followed the joint session, these processes were never followed, they were circumvented. Was the declaration a knee-jerk reaction or are there other motives or agendas being pushed? Knowing how Gloria operates, it is both. She tried to kill two birds with one stone, to address public pressure and to silence the Amaptuans. But despite this, I'm sure her ratings would not improve.

For the time being, her electoral cheating is safe. Her military can freely gather the incriminating evidences and keep them from the public's watchful eye. Voter's IDs do not prove anything, ballot boxes do. So the drama continues on Monday. I expect the oppositon to lose the vote. Martial law will stay in Maguindanao. what I'm afraid of is will it spread to the rest of Mindanao?

The National Kennel

2009-12-10T11:20:00.003+08:00

I sat, watched and listened to the joint session on the Maguindanao Martial Law. I missed my favorite shows and even missed most of my 23rd wedding anniversary to listen to Gloria's stray dogs try to justify her proclamation of martial law and to redefine what rebellion is. It's mind-boggling how Gloria and her advisers conjured a scenario wherein they claim there is imminent or virtual rebellion in Maguindanao.

Last time I checked, the AFP and PNP were able to secure search warrants and even manage to confiscate weapons. The whole scenario reminded me of how the US relied on a single witness and eventually wage war against Iraq. Unfortunately, Filipinos are not as scared as Americans are. We being very distrustful of our government did not take the proclamation hook, line and sinker. We raised questions and to some extent see through what Gloria and allies are trying to do.

Let me pose a question that's been bugging me after hearing how the resource persons replied to questions asked yesterday. Is there such a thing as preventive martial law? That is how I view Gloria's proclamation. I did not see public uprising nor people declaring a separatist state. I did not see widespread violence or lawlessness. What I saw was a government negotiating with an ally. What I saw Gloria's monster having arms supplied by the government. What I saw were huge palaces in the midst of poverty.

So what's there to discuss in the national kennel? Obviously, nothing. The pack of stray dogs headed by its alpha male Nogiboy, has made up its mind. They will not revoke Gloria's martial law. Perhaps they are afraid that their private armies will be the next one to be dismantled. Who wouldn't be afraid of NPA sparrows and political rivals. So dogs do have guard dogs as well. If for some miracle the congress decides to overturn GMA, it would the first time the national kennel would show independence. Perhaps some of them are afraid of the repercussions their stand could have on their re=election.

So the Zarzuela continues today. Grandstanding will be the norm and same questions will be asked and answered. I hope they cut this stupidity short and get down to voting. The senate will just be overrun by the dogs in the lower house. Let's not prolong the inevitable. We already know the outcome. If you ask me, I'd close down the national kennel and put these stray dogs to sleep. They've been running amuck since Gloria took power.

ComSelec

2009-12-09T09:53:00.004+08:00

The Commission on S-Election is about to kick Gov. Ed Panlilio of Pampanga out of his office. I'm sure they will as the trend shows that those who speak against and expose the corruption in Malacañan are being ousted one by one. Gloria's rebellion continues. She has managed to put every agency and even the branches of government under her control. The first to go was Gov. Jonjon Mendoza of Bulacan, then Gov. Grace Padaca of Isabela and within the next few days, Gov. Ed Panlilio of Pampanga. These three have been outspoken and managed to defeat the candidates close to GMA.

What can we expect from the ComSelec in the coming election? Would the elections be credible under their watch. I'm beginning to believe those who say the elections can be rigged despite the automation. With the kind of hoodlums operation in the commission, I'm having reservations about putting my faith in the coming elections. They may not be able to rig the presidential election but they can certainly manipulate the local race.

I cannot imagine how Gov. Panlilio cheat his way to winning the gubernatorial race in Pampanga. I also cannot believe how Gov. Pandaca was able to cheat the money and influence of the Dys. The ComSelec sure works in ways beyond logic and imagination. Are we being led into a trap with the automation of the 2010 elections? I guess we put so much trust that automation will reduce if not eradicate electoral cheating and fraud.

Perhaps vigilance will not be enough. Perhaps we should start electing the members of the Comelec if only to reduce the chances that the appointees will not be beholden to the one who appointed them. What else can we do to prevent the Comelec from being party to massive fraud? The commission surely has some explaining to do. We must overhaul the Comelec and what they can be accountable of. I'm sure they will say that evidence shows that those they are ousting cheated. But we must also remember that evidence can be manufactured.

GMA's Rebellion

2009-12-07T22:03:00.004+08:00

The spin doctors are now in the process of covering Gloria's monstrosity. In the 9 years of her terroristic reign, the Amapatuans enjoyed the blessings she bestowed on the clan. Evidence of this is her EO which gave legitimacy to the Ampatuan's private army and the cache of arms found by the PNP and AFP. The Ampatuans gave her a solid hold not only in the ARMM but in Mindanao as well.

GMA's ass is on the line here. Pressed into taking action against her loyal warlord, GMA's martial law proclamation is an attempt to cover the root of this problem. Had she not given the Ampatuans free rein in Maguindanao, the culture of impunity and terror would not have gone unabated. She alone had the power to allow and disallow this situation to worsen. The way I see it, she is responsible for the lawlessness in Maguindanao. Her minions in congress are also to blame. If political dynasty-ism was disallowed, the Ampatuans would not have turned Maguindanao into their own little kingdom.

Gloria by her inaction in Maguindanao is guilty of rebellion. She armed the Amapatuans. The Dept. fo Defense, the AFP and the PNP aided the Amapatuans in building a force of their own. They are all rebels by allowing a private person to build his own army. The proliferation of these armed groups such that of the Amapatuans is to blamed on GMA. Her political debt to all warlords is the cause of all these terror. Now that the Amaptuans horns have grown too long, and with evidences pointing to Gloria, the most prudent way to cover up her crime is to declare martial law.

With martial law in place, they can now keep all evidence away from the public eye. They can hide behind the cloak of national security. How many times have we seen this during her presidency? If the Maguindanao massacre did not happen, will she exhaust all her powers to extinguish these private armies? I don't think so. She will let them roam freely and continue to terrorize their constituents into submission. Thanks to Gloria, what started as a clash of political clans has now turned into a perceived rebellion. EO 546 legitimized a monstrosity. It gave the Amaptuans the power to create an army of their own. GMA started a rebellion. She is to blame for this mess.

Not One, Not Two......But Twenty-two

2009-12-06T16:24:00.003+08:00

I can see that presidential aspirant, Manny Villar is a bad poker player. He tried to bluff Ted Failon and Failon called his bluff. Now the truth behind Daang Hari can be told. Perhaps he knew that his cover had been blown so that he was a no-show at the Harapan Presidential Forum. We all know how Villar operates. He would seek a forum that he can control. The truth is that he develop lands which are secluded because they are the cheapest. Using his influence,power and position, he would then recommend that roads be built in this areas because they would be beneficial to the people. What he does not mention is that these people are those who live in his subdivisions.

Of course we all know that an access road improves the chances that his developments would not only command a higher price but would be more marketable. Villar could look you in the eye and lie through his teeth. Of course that is possible if you're not in front of him holding documents that would prove otherwise. Is this the kind of president we want? Is this the kind of president we can trust? Is this the kind of president who would inspire the people? The way I see it, he will inspire more corrupt people to enter politics because that is where the money is.

So how can you now disprove what the ABS-CBN people found out when they took your challenge? You spokesman, Gilbert Remulla even had the temerity to say that the government hasn't even paid for the right of way. The right of way you speak of doesn't benefit us but you. It's mainly used by your customers and not us, the majority of the taxpaying Filipinos. Isn't it your responsibility to provide the residents of your subdivisions an access road? Isn't the funding for this access road supposed to come from your own pocket? So how can you disprove the fact that your company benefited from these road projects?

You have twenty-two subdivisions all along Daang Hari. You claimed to have only two. One can forget a couple, perhaps you forgot because they were too many to remember. Ay naku, ulyanin ka na rin ba? Perhaps your lapdogs in the senate can explain for you as well. They seem to have the answers in the scandalous C-5 Ext. project. So the man from Wack Wack (he lives there, not in Tondo) has a lot of explaining to do. I spit on those who signed the resolution absolving you of any wrongdoing in the C-5 scam. Is there any other skeletons in your closet? I'm sure there are more. Don't worry Mr. Villar, I'll expose them at the right time.

I leave you with this video. Watch and find out what kind of person the real Manny Villar is.

Overcooked

2009-12-05T16:08:00.003+08:00

As I got back, I was greeted by the news that Maguindanao is under martial law. Whoa! What for? Are the Ampatuans that powerful that Gloria had to declare martial law? What I interpreted as a case of crime has been turned into a national security situation. The AFP and the PNP had enough resources to arrest the perpetrators of the Ampatuan Massacre. So on the 13th day since the horrendous crime where 57 innocent lives were snuffed out, Gloria made an adlib to make the script more palatable for public consumption.

The security forces with their immense firepower and armor could have arrested the entire Amaptuan clan from the get go without the palace's theatrics. Sure the added dramatics have convinced the majority of the populace that what Gloria did was justified. That was after the AFP unearthed a weapon's cache that could lead to the doorstep of Malacañan. Gloria's EO which gave the Ampatuans the authority to create their private army have blown up in Gloria's face. The Magdalos were right all along. Gloria has been coddling terrorists.

So Gloria Bin Laden had no option but to cut the Ampatuans head. They had to do damage control now than wait for more evidence that this administration is nothing but a terrorist organization. Is Gloria trying out an experiment that Marcos failed to successfully complete? This latest action of the government could well be a sign of things to come. If congress allows this declaration to continue, this could be done elsewhere in the guise of private army neutralization.

I do not buy the claim that the courts have seized to function as the Ampatuans were able to secure a Writ of Amparo. Does this mean that the Ampatuans are more powerful than the government? The chef of this very bad tasting dish may have overcooked it. You see, in Gloria's kitchen, some very exotic foods have been rolled out before. Her allies may cry foul again. They may even call it a case of "damn if you do, damn if you don't". But one thing is obvious here. They want us to believe that she is tough even to her allies. She wants us to believe that justice will be served. What I see is that Gloria is to contain the damage the massacre has done to her already tarnished image. She needs to improve her approval ratings.

Yeah I'm glad the Ampatuans will finally face the music. What disappoints me is that the bigger fish, the evil behind the culture of impunity and violence is free and is seeking a lower office. Warlord-ism my ass. It's a gang whose leader sits in the highest office of the land.

PALAKA's Monster

2009-11-29T20:31:00.005+08:00

It seems that the ruling party is no different from its idol, Gloria. Its embroiled in a shocking scandal called the Maguindanao Massacre. Reports say that as early as mid this year, the party has been tackilng the issue of the Ampatuans and Mangudadatus. Just like Gloria, the party leadership had offered the Mangudadatus different government position just so they will not field a gubernatorial candidate whot will challenge the Ampatuans. It would not have come to this despicable act of savagery if only GMA and PALAKA are not coddling Neanderthals and did not practice transactional politics.

Gibo Teodoro is now on a PR blitz to salvage whatever is left of PALAKA and try and improve his image as well. He too knew of the internal squabble and yet was too slow to react or even prevent this crime from happening. This is just an example of how local politics interacts with national politics. Warlords are nurtured and fed for the political ambitions of a greedy few. Gloria sure has created a monster of a clan. Despite Gibo's efforts, it's too late. The damage has been done. He is party to a brand of politics which he says he despises.

Blood is on GMA's hands because she had showered these warlords with arms to terrorize their constituents into submissin. Maguindanao is but an example of the kind of politics this evil administration has been nurturing for the past 8 years. No matter what her equally incompetent spin doctors will say, this cultural of political terrorism will be very hard to distance this administration itself from.

PALAKA is a party of criminals, plain and simple. There is no other way to describe this monstrosity of a political party. Expelling the Ampatuans likens them to Pontius Pilate. To Gibo, you should have been more decisive back when this squabble started. You should have told Gloria that there is no such thing as concessions on the name of public service. The massacre awakened the people to the reality of dirty politics and the culture of impunity this country is in.

I hope the Ampatuans fry. They know they are guilty. I'd like to see them a twenty-one gun salute with all the guns pointed at them. We live in a civilized world and there is no room for Neanderthals to roam freely among us,

What Jamby Should Have Done

2009-11-17T18:54:00.003+08:00

Manny Villar would be hanging out to dry if only Jamby did her homework well. Instead of focusing on the overpricing and insertion angle, she should have concentrated on conflict of interest. Even if she presented a hundred witnesses, the case against Agent Orange would not hold. You see, all of them were in collusion. They will cover each other's ass. It's but logical that she will not get anything from any of them.
What she should have done is to show how Villar benefited from the C-5 extension. It has been Villar's modus operandi is to cloak his operation in the guise of road projects that as he claims would benefit the residents of a certain area.The diversion of the C-5 extension passes thru his properties and developments. This not only increases the value of his projects but gives access to his buyers making their travel more convenient.

If you are familiar with the area, Villar diverted the C-5 to Zapote.You will see how narrow the exit point would be. The most logical way the C-5 should have gone is through Kabihasnan which exits to the Coastal Road. To pass it through Las Piñas is simp[ly impractical. Thise passing through the C-5 extension now has to pass through Zapote. If you're going to Las Piñas by way of the Coastal Rd., you will be surprised by counter flowing vehicles. You'll have to contend with huge trailers, buses, jeeps, cars and tricycles. This could lead to accidents and horrendous traffic. During nighttime, it becomes even more dangerous.

Villar sure knows how to take advantage of road projects to benefit his business. Just imagine the billions he had saved in developments by using public funds. Had Madrigal focused on this, Villar's political career could have ended. This is much simpler and easier to prove. Another road in question is the Daang-hari which was developed in the guise of connecting Alabang with Cavite. Along this road and to the area it exits lies several subdivisions owned by Villar. This is another case the senate should look at. Sen. Biazon is familiar with this as the residents of Alabang and Las Piñas were protesting against this.

Villar is a calculating, exploitative and opportunistic politician. He is not a public servant but a wise businessman. He uses his position for his personal gain. This is the person who can look you in the eye and tell you he is squeaky clean. If a person can lie through his teeth, he doesn't deserve anyboby's vote. Don't be fooled by this person. All he is after is how much money he can earn.

Villar's Secret To Success

2009-11-15T21:23:00.004+08:00

The Land Registration Commission is the secret to Manny Villar's success. This is where he got the idea of what business he should go into. Working there opened the doors of riches for this opportunistic animal. This is where the generations of residents of Las Piñas the hard reality that your ancestors may have lived in these lands but a piece of paper can destroy your lives. This is how Villar got to where he is now. Technically, he did nothing wrong, but morally, this is where it all goes downhill. How many residents woke up one morning landless? They are definitely not just few. Ask those who were displaced by Villar's diabolical intelligence and they will point you right to Villar. If I remember right, several individuals sued him for this. I'm not sure though if these cases have been resolved. I don't think they are.

If the land he's interested in is owned by someone else, he'll buy all the lands around it leaving the owner with a useless land. What good would it be if the owner has no way in or out of his property? The only solution is to sell it to no other than but Villar. In fact, this is the very same strategy he using against the sisters of Elizabeth Seton. The school is a prime property which is located beside Villar's compound in BF Resort. He has managed to buy most of the properties in the area with Seton being a tough nut to crack. He's been harassing the school to get them to sell but to no avail. This billionaire sure knows his way arounmd. This is the person who now wants to be the next president of the country. If you think he had concentrated his ownership only in Las Piñas, you are dead wrong. He's doing this in different parts of the Luzon. From Cavite to Antipolo, you will see his hand grabbing whatever he can. Ganya kasipag at katiyaga si Manny Villar.

Recently, SM opened a hypermart in Las Piñas. This is the second in this small crowded city. Las Piñas has no drainage system. The numerous subdivisions have to construct their own sewerage system. SM wanted to connect theirs to Philam Life but the residents rejected their offer and brought their case to the incumbent mayor. Despite Villar's efforts to give SM what it wants, the city government ruled against it. They were able to tap the system of a very small village right across SM. This village's sewer is connected to Manuela Subdivision. This has led to flooding in the area.

Las Piñas used to be a salt producing municipality due to its prximity to Manila Bay. Since Villar has bought many of these areas, the natural spillway was covered up. Now the residents of Tramo, Pulang-lupa and Zapote experiences flood levels never before experienced in Las Piñas. In fact, the Jollibee branch in Zapote was submerged nearly to its roof during typhoon Milenyo's onslaught. Houses in the areas mentioned have also been damaged by floods especially during Ondoy. This is how environmentally concerned Villar is. Check out the waterways of the city which has been converted to sewers.

Cynthia's family isn't that rich. The Basa's actually owned most of the lands in Las Piñas. Things were good back then when Villar wasn't married yet to Cynthia. Only when Villar entered the city did things go haywire. Informal settlers came in and nature wreaked havoc on the city thanks to his Golden Haven Cemetery and his subdivisions. Speaking of his subdivisions, these developments target, you guessed it, the OFWs. What a way to sell not only himself but his developments by making it appear that he cares for the OFWs. I don't think Villar would like to see an end to labor migration, who else would buy his projects? That is the reason why he's been very "ma-C5 at taga" for so many years. These OFWs are his bread and butter.

Manny Villar can be the worst president the Philippines would ever have. That is of course people would believe this Agent Orange of a politician. He epitomizes what is ugly in politics. No he will not kill you outright but will drive you to the ground for every drop of blood that flows in your veins. He's not a leech but a parasite that feeds on the weak and the ignorant.

The So-called Agents of Change

2009-11-02T22:37:00.003+08:00

The so-called agents of change has all come out from their cocoons. They offer themselves to the electorate who is tired of almost a decade of a corrupt administration. Yet as we see their faces on television, hear their calculated answers in forums and claim that they will solve all our problems, I cannot take their words as truth. The fact of the matter is that they are more of the same system we've all been trying to get out of.

One of the most glaring signs or common factor these agents have is that they belong to political dynasties. I wonder how these politicians can look straight into our eyes and claim they all want change. Yet you see members of their families holding elective positions. Of course they'll say that there is no law prohibiting political dynasties or any law that prevents anyone wanting to serve the people. How can I then put my faith in them when they embrace traditional politics?

Sen. Dick Gordon's wife is the mayor of Olongapo. Erap's son Jinggoy is a senator while JV is the mayor of San Juan. Manny Villar's wife is a congresswoman and his son a councilor of Las Piñas. Chiz Escudero's father replaced him as congressman when he ran for the senate. Aren't these examples of traditional politics? So they would claim that they want continuity in the programs they have started. The way I see it, good programs will be supported and continued by whoever would replace them regardless of political affiliation. It need not be another family member to see these programs through.

So then how will these so-called agents of change convince me that they are sincere? I don't think they will ever be able to do that. They are all trapos in every sense of the word. They can claim all they want but the fact of the matter is that they can never shed the skin of traditional politics. Unless they denounce political dynasty ism they can never be agents of change. Spare us the hype, walk the talk so that you will be credible enough for our votes. You don't have a monopoly of public service.

All Roads Lead to Las Piñas

2009-10-25T23:02:00.005+08:00

Why is the C-5 Ext. so important to Manny Villar?How much benefit would he and his family get from it? Villar has many developments in the area. He had been acquiring lands both legally and with brute force from small people who had seen generations of their families live in the city. U[ to the boundaries of Parañaque, you will see small villages and subdivisions owned by the Villars. This also extends up to Cavite. No wonder he has very close ties with the Remullas. Anyway, let's see how all these connect with the controversial C-5 Ext.

From Sucat, the CAA Rd. has been widened. Informal settlers, the public market and several privately owned lots have been removed and expropriated. The CAA Rd. leads to the main road of BF Resort where Villar has bought several lots and have turned them into small villages. All along CAA Rd., Villar has small subdivisions. This then leads to a dike which borders Las Piñas and Cavite. Villar has been expanding his developments to Cavite. He in fact has constructed, of course not with his money, Daang-Hari which traverses Cavite all the way to Muntinlupa. Yes you guessed right, all along Daang-Hari, Villar has several subdivisions. I've used this road several times. Very few people pass through here. Most of course are those who live in his subdivisions.

Going back to the CAA Rd., he intends to build a bridge to cross the dike going to Cavite. Flooding was virtually nonexistent before they decided to build this dike. Now residents of BF Resort, Philam and smaller villages leading to Zapote all experience flooding. In all these, he has managed to convince subdivisions to open their roads to the public. He calls this the "Friendship Route". Stickers are provided to the residents for FREE. But of course the villages had to hire additional guards to man the newly opened gates. Association were forced to increase their fees because of this. Why you may ask I question the motive? The intention seemed noble at first until I found out that his developments are located in the interior areas. Viola! He doesn't have to pay for right-of-way to the other subdivisions, and road maintenance is shouldered by the local government. WALANG GASTOS si Villar. See how he uses public funds to benefit him? Paging Sen. Madrigal, the C-5 scandal is just the tip of the iceberg.

I think he really pushed for the diversion of the C-5 Ext. so he can link all his developments and of course increase their worth. Kaya pala bilyonaryo ka! He has invited his friend SM (remember, kasama niya ito sa C-5 Ext.) to open a second mall in Las Piñas. I couldn't understand this as the other SM is just a few kilometers away and Las Piñas is a very small city. I wonder what connection Villar and SM have.

Villar is a very "good" businessman. He contnues to amass wealth thanks to his position. He sure knows how to get around things. Nga nama, why spend your own money when the government will spend for you? Yan ang "Sipag at Tiyaga" ni Manny Villar. Now I know why he is a millionaire. Ano Mr. Villar, buking na kita. Magaling ka talaga sa RIGHT-OF-WAY. In just a matter of years, you were able to amass such wealth because you have managed to disguise your motives very well. Iba ka talagang kumurakot. Just imagine how much you were able to save because you never had to pay for roads and right-of-way.

This is the kind of person this Manny Villar is. We help fund his developments. No wonder you have no liabilities. Unlike other developers, you don't have to borrow to fund your access roads. Even the drainage systems are paid for by the government. All you have to do is tap into the system. Remember how you did this for your Camella Homes which did not have a drainage system? Remember how homeowners complained that their bathrooms drained to the kitchen? Kaya pala mura ang mga bahay sa'yo. kulang-kulang. Other subdivisions have small treatment plants for their waste water, yung sa'yo ba meron?

Elections are still in May. I'll have more time to dig up dirt on you. I'll expose how rotten you really are. The people deserve to know what kind of president you will be. I'm very sure that you will definitely surpass Gloria's notoriety.

Kung Mangarap Ka't Magising

2009-10-23T02:28:00.003+08:00

Erap claims his presidential bid is all about redemption. He wants to show the Philippines that he is still loved by the masses. Yes, the masses. The masses whose despair he continues to exploit. It's the very masses who were coerced by the likes of Miriam Santiago and Juan Ponce Enrile to lay their lives on the line in that fateful day in May. Yes the masses who only shows up because they were promised to be paid to attend rallies. I've attended several rallies which Erap attended. The masses he claim to love him so dearly came by the handful.

Yes Erap dreams to redeem himself still believing that the crowds he draws are genuinely supporting him. Erap dreams that he will once again walk the halls of Malacañan as a president. Growing old sure is a sad phase of life wherein you believe and see things that are no longer there. He claims to be imprisoned but never spent a day in a cell with common criminals. He spent his incarceration in the comforts of his resthouse complete with all the amenities five-star hotels offer to their guests.

Erap the dreamer is desperately trying to get the people's sympathy. Yes his a victim, a victim of his arrogance and stupidity. I suppose the years of debauchery has drained whatever sense of reality his brain still had. So why do you think Erap is running for president? Is it about redemption or is he following the statutes of his pardon? The latter I believe is more likely considering the disinterest of GMA and her cohorts. Erap's charisma is gone. Gone with the minute common sense his pea-sized brain that has gone to the dogs.

For whatever reason Erap might have, he is in for a rude awakening. Libre ang mangarap, what is hard is what you see when you finally wake up. The people already know what he is. Regardless of whatever he says or claims to be, Erap will always be the gambler, drunkard and womanizer we all know him to be. He is not genuine opposition, he's in the league with trapos like Villar. His running for the presidency is one that I welcome. Let him embarrass himself. Let him make a fool of himself once again. Sige Erap, mangarap ka pa. Walang masama sa pangarap. Tama yan, ubusin mo ang yaman mo.

I'm sure the COMELEC and the Supreme Court will let him run. They think that he'll be able to split the votes. After all the vote have been counted, the only thing he'll be splitting is his head.

Villar's Golden Water

2009-10-19T02:57:00.005+08:00

Subdivisions in Las Piñas not owned by the Villars are celebrating. The reason, they are now freed from Villar's water company with the entry of Maynilad. Unfortunately for the people who live in Camella, they will have to continue paying for high water rates. Villar refused to allow Maynilad to service his subdivisions. Maynilad's rates are way below what Villar's water company charges its subscribers. He clearly does know how to put his interests above that of the public.

Let me show you how expensive water coming from Villar's company can be. Maynilad's basic charge is P106.77 while Manuela 4A-4H charges P 190.00. The difference doesn't end there. Maynilad's rates gradually increases and plateaus at P45.28 at 200/cum and over. Villar's is P47.50 for 51 cum and over. Spot the difference? The poor residents have no other alternative. If they want cheaper water, they should live elsewhere. "Iiyak talaga ang lahat kay Manny!"

I don't think Manny Villar invested as much money as Maynilad did. If he really cares for the people, he will help them lessen the burden by allowing Maynilad to enter his subdivions. We all know how high the cost of living is. Without competition, those residing in his developments will not have any option but to pay what he charges them. And I thought that monopolies are illegal in this country? This is the kind of businessman Manny Villar is. This is the kind of person who presents himself as coming from the poor or even pro-poor. This is the kind of person who would like to become our president.

If you cannot even help alleviate the burden of those living in you area, you constituents,then why should we believe your advertisements? Here is how he makes money, he sucks the life out of those who buy from him with exorbitant charges. Sure he develops low-cost housing but here's the catch. Take the case of Camella Homes which did not have its own drainage system. It was the government who spent for its drainage. Can you imagine living in a house witjout drainage? Every time you took a bath, it drains into some other part of the house, usually the kitchen. No wonder Villar is rich, he doesn't complete the job, he let's others spend for his projects' completion.

This is just one example of how "good" a businessman Villar is. Don't believe him when he says he spends his own money. I'm quite sure that you and I spend for his programs in one way or another. No trapo or businessman will spend his own money, that is why they find donors and investors. This is just one example of how Villar cares for the public. You'll be surprised at why Las Piñas now experiences floods. But that's another story. Stay tuned and I will share it with you soon.

*Elizabeth Seton School's PTA has been actively distributing relief goods to typhoon victims in Las Piñas. In one barangay, the barangay captain told them to leave the goods with him. The PTA protested, they want to be the ones to distribute the packs to the victims. The captain refused and told them that they will still have to repack the goods in Villar's bags. Wow! Makapal talaga. Villar will never spend his own money for his projects. Ano siya, hilo? That is why he is a billionaire. Why should he spend his ill-gotten riches when there are caring people that will spend for him? I'm sure this is not an isolated case. That's only in Las Piñas, what about the other places?

Bayad Muna....Manny

2009-10-16T21:57:00.004+08:00

I was surprised to see Satur Ocampo praising Manny Villar on The Probe Profiles last night. My jaw nearly fell off as he spoke. Is this the kind of supposed to be principled people seeking change. As the program went on, Villar was candid enough to admit that everything can be done through "magandang usapan". He also said that every problem can be worked around. You don't have to meet it head on but circumvent it. I suppose this is what he did with his various projects. Case in point, the lack of drainage with one of his subdivisions. He simple let the government solve that problem for him.

Politics is indeed a business in the Philippines. As I dug around to find more about Bayan Muna and Villar, It seems that Bayan Muna is talking to everyone. Is this the partylist who pictures itself pro=poor or even socialist? The party is making sure that every base is covered. It's spreading its ranks so make sure they'll be elected. No wonder folks in the "barrio" are unhappy. The political fronts are keepign all the "goodies" for themselves.

I once admired what Satur stood for. I wanted social justice.But if you cavort with a transactional politician like Villar, then you are no different from any trapo. You therefore have betrayed the very constituents you represent. I'm glad Bayan Muna has exposed its true color this early in the game. Divide and conquer is their strategy all along. With numerous other parties affiliated with them, they're making a killing. They have no right to claim to be agents of change. Mere acceptance of a corrupt individual for the sake or election is totally unacceptable by my stamdards.

I suggest they change their party's name. They do not deserve to called Bayan Muna but Bayad Muna. Villar has promised to bankroll Satur's bid for the senate. Isn't that enough proof that he has betrayed the people? We are all aware how Villar exploits the poor. He feeds on their weaknesses and despair. He is no different than Gloria. He will buy the loyalty of others as Gloria is doing now. Villar sure knows how to exploit the situation and Bayan Muna is has taken the bait. I will no longer super this partylist or its affiliates. When you can sell your sould to the devil for personal gain, then you have no right to be elected.

Principles and values are very important nowadays. It is a must have for anyone who wants to be elected. We are looking for change not a morph of the current political situation. Villar will be seeking more weak people to exploit. I'm sure that it would cost him and he will surely looking for payback should he get elected. Buying people and parties isn't cheap. Bayad Muna Manny bago suporta! I wouldn't be surprised if he would be worst than Gloria. We really should allow these people to reach the halls of the senate and of Malacañan.

Job Well Done

2009-10-09T02:32:00.004+08:00

Gloria praised the ineptitude of he stooges for their handling of Ondoy. In fairness to those on the ground and despite their lack of resources, they really tried their best. But for those on the top, what job did they do well. For starters, funds were definitely misused. How many rubber boats could have been bought with the infomercials of Teodoro, Puno and Fernando. These three spent millions to promote their "accomplishments" kuno. Gibo even had a commercial for disaster preparedness which didn't amount to anything.

As donations continue to pour in, they even had the time to play politics which added to the suffering of those affected by Ondoy. What did Gloria do, she sent an emissary to Ateneo to ask for relief goods much to the dismay of the teachers and students who volunteered. Are the presidential funds so depleted that they had to source their relief goods from private relief centers? How many dopller radars could PAGASA have acquired if only they scrimped a little from Gloria's lavish trips abroad? How much has Gloria poured into Pampanga that she forgot that there is a country called the Republic of the Philippines and there is no Republic of Pampanga in existence? Perhaps Pampanga should secede from the rest of the country since it seems their local leaders love her so much.

The only job this government does so well is to spend money like its their own. Kung sabagay, what are they in power for? As Gloria's popularity plummets more, her mouthpiece once again blames their favorite punching bag, the media. What's wrong with calling it as they see it? Just imagine if the media closed its eyes to what the government has been doing, kawawa na tayo talaga. If only I will be allowed, I wouldn't give this officials a pat on the back and praise them for a job well done. I'd probably whack them on the back with a baseball bat for allowing such a catastrophe to happen.

Now Glorai and her cohorts wants to extend the state of calamity. For what, so they can get more kickbacks from projects without public bidding? The country entered a state of calamity the day Gloria stepped into office. That was the start of a disaster that would go on for 8 disastrous years. How I wish the elections were now so we can finally rid ourselves of a catastrophe she brought upon us. What she brought with her was not only environmental but moral disaster as well. The sooner she leaves office, the faster we can rebuild the nation. Job well done Gloria, you've brought the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse sooner than God planned.

Dick and Manny: The Dynamic Dodos

2009-10-07T01:32:00.003+08:00

So now Dick blames organizers for the "rumors(?)" about his abuse of the Red Cross. The poor fellow who wrote about this, his peers and even the hapless victims now appear as liars. Pardon me Mr. Gordon, kanino bang mukha ang lumalabas sa TV ads ng Red Cross? 'Di ba sa'yo? So please spare us from your "palusot", di kami mga tanga. Organizers wouldn't act without your orders. Since you showed interest in the presidency, you've been trying to get as much media exposure as you possibly can. You're a fake and nothing else. If you're not, then let the PRC do its work without your face being there. I'm sure the PRC has beautiful faces other than yours.

Ikaw naman Mr. Villar, how can you even "account for every centavo" the government will use during calamities when you can't even make yourself account for the C-5 scandal? Why target the tax collection when you are one of those who's been inserting billions in the national budget which we taxpayers are funding. Get real, be a man and face your accuser in the senate. Where were you when OFWs were camping outside the Saudi consulate waiting to go home? Ayan, naunahan ka tuloy ni Gloria. I thought you cared for these people? At least that's what your infomercial shows, thankful, sobbing OFWs you helped to go home. How many were they again, seven? Las Pinas doesn't flood before you created that dike. I used to fish there and now it's a filthy canal which you plan to erect a bridge over.

Do I also need to remind you about the Daang-Hari road which I think will be another charge that would be raised against you? Talk about accountability. How about the school which was planning to build a dorm for their teachers which you've been blocking the building permit? The school lost so many good teachers because of this. Is this what we expect for your education program? What about SM's attempt to tap the drainage system of Philam Life Village which the homeowners opposed? Come to think of it, you and SM benefited from the C-5 extension. Hmmmm...I smell something fishy again. Mag-partner ba kayo?

I wish these two would stop hammering us with lies. Buking na kayo humihirit pa. What else is new, it's the same traditional antics these two are using.

Appeal for Tahanang Walang Hagdanan

2009-10-02T21:25:00.002+08:00

Dear Family and Friends,

In the midst of all this anguish, there are those that are suffering more than able bodied folk. Our brothers and sisters with special needs like the tenants of Tahanang Walang Hagdanan are more uncomfortable than most. They need at least 300 foam beds, they're beginning to get bed sores from lying on mats.

I'm reaching out to all of you, hoping that you may know the owners of Uratex Foam Beds or any similar company that may be willing to donate or at least give us a big discount. BnW is part of Operation Tulong Bayan, along with Noynoy and Mar volunteer groups, and partner organizations like Operation Compassion, Caritas and GK, but Tulong Bayan is mainly into relief goods packing and distribution, so this is a special case for us. If we're lucky enough to get the beds, we'll be more than happy to pack them and send them off with relief goods!

As always, we are in great need of the essentials - water, rice, sugar, salt, canned goods, sardines, candles, matches, clothes, blankets, slippers, soap, and anything you can spare. Tulong Bayan will continue operations through the weekend at our hubs from 8am to 9pm - Balay Expo Centro, Araneta Center, across Farmer's Market, and at White Space, 2314 Pasong Tamo Extension, Makati. You can drop off your donations at either place. As of today, we have packed and distributed over 55,000 relief bags. We're ecstatic, but we all know that we need to provide even more to so many, so we'll save the jumping for joy for another time.

May God bless all of us. Please, please help!

Best always,
Leah

The Real Side Of Presidentiables

2009-10-01T22:13:00.004+08:00

At a time when the people are reeling from the devastation of Ondoy, three presidential aspirants have taken advantage of the situation. All for the glory of being elected, these three are what we call as "MGA BUWITRE". Manny Villar and Joseph Estrada has shown what they are really made of. Dick Gordon on the other hand think he owns the Philippine Red Cross. Is this the kind of leaders we want in office?

Manny Villar and Erap did donate. What a noble gesture if only they chose to be anonymous like the other politicians. Villar's relief bags bore his and his wife's name while Erap's claim stub even had his picture printed on it. Gordon took another path. This fake had volunteers and victims alike waiting for hours so he can be the one to distribute relief goods. Hoy Dick, hindi sa'yo ang PRC! What kind of asses are these people? Using the suffering of the people to further their political ambitions.

So what should we do to these villains? The best is to spread the word. They are no better than the looters who take advantage of the helplessness of the victims of Ondoy. They are no better than Gloria and her cohorts who spend billions on lavish trips. They have shown us that they have no morals or conscience. To those who support these three, think again. Only fools and those who stand to benefit from them would continue to support them. Aren't their actions enough reason for you to dump them?

This is the real side of these bozos. They are exploiters. They are liars and fakes. Their candidacy is not of service but of personal gain. How much more of their antics can we take? I will make it my crusade to expose the true colors of these so-called servants. When you are so insensitive to exploit the suffering of the people, you have no right to be elected. Let us not allow these three to fool more people. Let us make sure that their kind never gets elected ever again.

What Supplemental Budget?

2009-10-01T03:12:00.003+08:00

So both houses of congress has pledged a P10billion supplemental budget to augment the NDCC's dwindling funds. I'd like to believe that this is a purely humanitarian gesture. But where have all the contingency funds gone to? No it's not a time to be skeptical but hey, the way this administration works is always suspect. Case in point, Gloria's use of her office's contingency fund for her foreign trips. So why shouldn't I have second thoughts about this supplemental budget?

How transparent would the agencies be? We all know that "SOPs" is the norm in our institutions. Congress may think this will go to where the funds should be but how sure are they that this would not be going into some one's campaign kitty? It seems odd that it's been several days now and Gloria hasn't released any emergency funds. Instead, she's been relying on the people's "bayanihan" spirit to help those victimized by Ondoy. Where are the funds supposed set aside for calamities? Perhaps Gloria wants to keep her funds intact, after all, she needs money for her trips.

I'm also wary of how foreign aid would be spent or distributed. Remember how aid for the Leyte landslide was switched? With money pouring in from all over the world, I wonder whose pocket most of it would end up. If Pichay's LWUA can spend for a lavish party at a time when thousands are hungry and cold, what more about the office of the president? No I'm not being cynical, it's just how this administration works.

So now let's go back to this proposed supplemental budget. Some members of congress may have a pure motive, but who can say that it will be used for purposes other than intended? Another example of the point I'm trying to drive home is how relief bags distributed by Manny Villar bear his name. My daughter has volunteered for relief operations being undertaken by another politician but his relief bags do not bear any sign that it came from him. Why you may ask, because it's not the time to campaign.

The people affected by Ondoy really needs a lot of help to rebuild their lives. I just hope that the government will truly help them this time around. Now is the time to help our people, but government should not take the backseat and rely on the Filipino's kind heart. If only we exercised our "bayanihan" spirit when the "Hello Garci" scandal came out, our coffers may still have enough funds to help our people. Oh well, May 2010 will definitely be a date awaited by our tired, exploited people.

An URGENT Call and Many Thanks

2009-09-28T21:08:00.002+08:00

Operation TULONG BAYAN Priority Message
Monday, 28 September 2009

Heartfelt thanks to those who have so far volunteered their time and muscle! Our work is far from over, we hope you will continue to volunteer in the coming days as most drives like this lose their 'pull' quickly.

We also profusely thank the individuals and companies that have donated so much to our relief drive and pray that they and many others will continue to keep the donations coming in.

WHERE WE ARE:

CUBAO - Cubao Expo Centro, EDSA corner Gen. MacArthur, Araneta Center (the old Seafood Market)
MAKATI - White Space, Pasong Tamo Extension (close to Cantinetta Resto and BMW showroom)

HOTLINES:
Cubao - 913-7122; 913-6254; 913-3306; 0908-657-9998
Makati - 710-8804; Rosanna 0917-830-5053

HOURS OF OPERATION: 8:00AM - 9:00PM Daily

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

* As of Saturday, 26 September, all Piso Piso Para kay Noynoy and Mar donations have been earmarked for Tulong Bayan relief operations
* On Sunday, 27 September, we distributed over 2100 relief packages to three communities within Metro Manila and today, 28 September, are in the process of loading our trucks with over 3000 packs to be distributed to prioritized communities.

We are in need of the following items that can be delivered to Cubao Expo or White Space as soon as possible:

* Rice
* Sardines in tetra packs
* mongo beans
* sugar
* dried fish
* salt
* cooking oil in sachets
* bottled water
* candles
* matches
* detergent soap
* tarpaulin sheets 5-10meters per sheet (for shelter)
* used cardboard or cartons (for bedding)
* slippers
* clothing
* blankets

We will be accepting these donations, hopefully in bulk, throughout the week, and thank you in advance. Our brothers and sisters are in desperate need, please help as much as you can!

Those that wish to donate money can please deposit to the following accounts specially earmarked for the victims of Typhoon Ondoy:

Payable to CORPORATE NETWORK FOR DISASTER RESPONSE

* BDO Galleria Branch, ADB Avenue, Ortigas Center, Savings Account 004640030358
* BPI Ayala Paseo Branch, Current Account 0031065402

Once again, thank you for your help, we look forward to seeing you and accepting your donations very soon!

Operation Tulong Bayan Volunteers!

Typhoon Kurakot

2009-09-28T20:16:00.003+08:00

The worst is not yet over as two more low pressure areas are heading for the Philippines. As if the country has not suffered enough, the two LPAs are stronger than typhoon Ondoy. As I watched the reports on TV, I cannot help but ask why was help so slow? But I guess I should have expected this. The National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) does not have the resources to respond to a calamity of this magnitude. For the National Capital Region (NCR), the NDCC has only 14 rubber boats at its disposal. Only 14 for an area so big. I do not know how prepared the NDCC is, but judging from their very slow reaction, preparedness is not in their vocabulary.

At a press conference yesterday, NDCC Gibo Teodoro promised to rescue "all" victims before nightfall. Today, thousands are still on the roofs of their submerged houses. If there is one thing that this disaster showed, it's the resilience of the Filipino. Left to fend for themselves, the victims and their loved ones found ways to rescue themselves while the officials thumbed their noses. As the casualities continue to rise, questions need to be answered. But how can something like this happen? I thought the NDCC is prepared. Why did it all have to come to this? There are factors that could explain why all these happened.

I can't believe that after the typhoons Reming and Milenyo battered our country, the NDCC obviously has not learned their lessons. 14 rubber boats for the entire NCR? If Gloria can spend an average of P6 million/day on her foreign trips,why can't we spend for rescue equipments? Our local governments too were slow to react. My mother's house was turned into an evacuation center. She was feeding families until late last night. The city officials did not even bother sending her any help. Her driver rescued their neighbors and brought them all to her place. It's a good thing that she has a habit of stocking up on canned goods and noodles. How do local governments spend their funds?

It all boils down to corruption. Typhoon Kurakot has settled down in the Philippines. It has hit every institution in our country. Billions of pesos end up into the pockets of our officials. The lessons learned from this latest calamity should be another reason why we must choose our next leaders wisely. The officials who acted too slow should not be reelected again. Where are those officials who claim to care now? If only those officials who spent millions in their infomercials put their offices funds to good use, maybe the NDCC would be better equipped. I heard Gloria congratulate her cohorts for a job well done. I wonder what she was referring to. As day 2 passes into history, thousands are cold and hungry. Waiting for government help that is yet to reach them.

We are all alone on this one. The government relies not from its funds but from the donations you and I shell out. We are the ones who are responding. We who volunteer our services for free. We who devise ways for help to reach our fellowmen. It's all our efforts that are saving lives. I just hope that come 2010, Typhoon Kurakot would finally leave our area of responsibility.

Wowow.....What?

2009-09-23T13:11:00.003+08:00

Manny Villar, the survey-topping trapo was recently dethroned by Noynoy Aquino. Villar who's been in the limelight no thanks to the C-5 controversy is now hunting for a vice president. While Aquino has already a running mate, the pretending oppositionist has yet to find one. Noli has already said "Hing nga eh!" and Pia Cayetano's simply interested in jogging, rumors were floated that he's considering Williw Revillame. The trapo and the tado? What a fantastic combination.

Revillame is equally popular as notorios because of his arrogance and ill manners is contemplating a political career. Perhaps he thinks he's popular enough to be elected. Even if he decides not to run for VP or as a senator, I wonder how he'll perform. Will he bring along his scantily clad dancers or ask those in the gallery for dole outs? If Villar is considering including Revillame in his ticket, it only shows how low Villar's values are. Kung sabagay, he doesn't think that benefiting from government projects is bad. Hmmmm, parang narinig ko na yata yan.

Going back to Revillame, what exactly is he going to do as VP or senator? We have enough jesters in public office already, we surely do not need another one. Villar is running a traditional campaign, and he's banking on who will give the votes he need. Now if you you have someone who relies of this, then he's not worth voting for. I shudder at the thought of having Villar as president. With the billions, yes billions he had already poured into his campaign, how on earth will he get his billions back? Of course, he'll tap the presidential fund.

The only people who'll be shouting Wowowee is Villar's cronies. As for the Filipino, Wawawahhhh!

Who's Afraid Of Noynoy?

2009-09-10T11:02:00.004+08:00

So now that it's clear that Noynoy Aquino is running, this certainly changes the whole political landscape and the dynamics of Philippine politics. Every presidential aspirant's back is against the wall. Regardless of whether Noynoy is ripe or not, or whether he has accomplished anyt>hing is now out of the question. The only ones crying are the traditional politicians whose parties lack the principles in stirring the sleeping giant called as the electorate.

So what does the other contenders have to offer? Let's try and dissect each one of the so-called oppositionists. Erap may have the charisma but has too many ghosts in the past that could easily take away the thunder of his candidacy. Filipinos do not have the taste for "reformed" individuals like Erap. It would be better for him to give way if only to prove that he is the man he claims to be.

Loren Legarda we are all aware that relies solely on her media accomplishments that really doesn't amount anything because we are all aware that she readily exploits situations to get what she wants. She's another trapo and nothing else. Even her performance in any investigation is dismal to my standards.

Excuse me to my friends who adore Chiz, but he is one calculating trapo as well. I wouldn't vote for anyone who lacks conviction. A wolf in sheep's clothing is how I'll describe him. Why you might ask? Because he just rode on what's popular and sat like a chicken in the background. He pretended to go for GMA's jugular and left everybody hanging. In the end, he had the temerity to invite the aggrieved parties to a cup of coffee and a smoking session.

Now for the mighty meaty named Manny Villar whose family treats Las Pinas as their own little kingdom. Embroiled in one of the biggest scandals our public works have ever had. He also has a bad habit of harassing a certain school because he thinks the students are too noisy. Eh kung hindi ka ba naman tanga, why live beside a school where you know hundreds of kids go to? The school has been there long before you decided you old house in your subdivision was too small for your stature. And how about your latest caper Mr. Senator? Another bridge so that your land would once again benefit from it?

Now for the administration's three stooges. Noli DeCastro is but a news reader with nothing to show for but his popularity. Remember Legacy? It's a legacy that would be felt by thousands of investors. How about Gibo Teodoro who unfortunately did not get any of his father's good traits. A bar topnotcher yes, but he doesn't match up to Nonong Cruz. And then there's Bayani Fernando who thinks he's loved by many. Thanks to his wild experiments and policies, had alienated himself from the realities on the ground. It's funny how he thinks there's nothing wrong with getting million-peso birthday gifts that were supposed to go to the struggling employees of the movie industry.

So who's afraid of Noynoy? I suppose only those who are eager beavers. Those who paint themselves as reformists who in the end will protect the status quo. Those who believe that the Philippines will never change. You know what? I don't care about qualifications anymore. I couldn't care less who is "HILAW" or "HINOG". The elections will not be about what you accomplished in your life. Less give it a religious color. You will not be judged by what you have but how you lived your life. I'd like to believe that at last, the Filipinos now know right from wrong. Where traditional politics takes a backseat and integrity is what we look for in the leaders we elect.

Yellow Fever

2009-08-21T01:05:00.003+08:00

Since Pres. Cory Aquino passed away, the people seemed to have been afflicted by the Yellow Fever. Is this an awakening or simply a passing fancy? I'm well aware of how we have very short attention spans. I'm surprised by how many fell by the wayside and have forgotten the true essence of People Power and how we should never forget it. I suppose those only used People Power to achieve their political goals and realized their personal ambitions.

So what have we done in the last two decades? We squandered our gains and allowed those with agendas to bastardize the essence of People Power. As my good friend Leah Navarro said, We are in search of a Camelot, in search of heroes that will fight the battles for us. If Ninoy and Cory were alive today, they'd be frustrated as I am. People Power is not about heroes, it's about empowering ourselves. People Power is about us.

So I see blogs and other social networks bearing yellow ribbons and bloating members reaching in the thousands. But when the time came to show the current dispensation our warm bodies, our numbers, these thousands are nowhere to be found. We have fence sitters watching in the sidelines while others fight the battles. When the smoke clears and the fighters are winning, these fence sitters suddenly appear out of nowhere and claim victory for themselves.

How I wish the this Yellow Fever sweeping our populace is real and true. I wish that those who seems to understand what Ninoy, Cory and those who unselfishly gave up their lives for freedom and democracy really take to heart what these heroes represented. Noynoy Aquino is right, we don't need an Aquino to lead us into battle. We are all heroes. It is all up to us to carry on the legacy of those who went before us. We should stop waiting for someone to come along tp inspire us. Ourselves and our future are enough to inspire us to commit ourselves in the fight for change, freedom and democracy.

Today is Ninoy's death anniversary. Let us not insult his memory with a passing fancy called as Yellow Fever. Let us show the world that we do not have short attention spans. I hope this fever is genuine this time around. There's still time to redeem ourselves. It's funny how death can start sparks and stir a people to its senses. I just hope that this time around, we truly understand the meaning of People Power.

Fine Dining 101

2009-08-16T19:51:00.003+08:00

Gloria's recent exploits has left a sour taste in the palate of Filipinos worldwide. As more reports of her extravagant trips abroad comes flowing in, I hope the cynics and fence-sitters would now realize how insincere and callous she and her rabid allies are. While millions go hungry everyday and several millions more tighten their belts to survive, these so-called representatives of the people wine and dine to their heart's content. Regardless of where their money came from, this lavish exhibition rubs salt to the Filipinos' already gaping wound.

Her spokespersons in defending the indefensible try to redirect the issue somewhere else to appease the enraged populace. While some would say that it's but proper to shower Gloria with such expensive dinners, they have totally disregarded the prevailing poverty the Filipino people live in. Her personal lawyer even had the gall to throw in morality in the issue. It is wise to remind Mr. Makalintal that media is not all about news, it's a business that relies on advertisements to survive. The government however is not a business. It's sole responsibility is to address the people's needs.

Perhaps it would be wise for her defenders to simply shut up. The more they open their mouths, the more Gloria becomes the villain. Maybe even those who try to take the blame should also shut up. The more they try to suck up to Gloria, the more their constituents are outraged. It would be wiser for these congressmen to feed those who are hungry than feed those who can buy whatever they wish to eat. Perhaps they are trying to show us that we do not deserve their attention. Perhaps they are trying to tell us that they couldn't care less how hungry we are. Perhaps it is time for the people to end their political ambitions.

So we must bear in mind that we hold our elected leaders fate in our hands. Without us and even with their money, they are worthless unless we give them worth. As elections draw near, let the lessons of their fine dining and luxurious lifestyles be the reason not to elect them into office. When fine dining to some is a bowl of rice with seasoned with fish sauce, engorging one's self with caviar and slabs of stake or even lobster especially on foreign trips is simply criminal. The likes of these junkets at the expense of an impoverished nation is downright criminal. A $15,000 or $20,000 dinner is a perfect example of what fine dining is not.

So to those who were insensitive enough to feed those who can feed themselves, we thank you. We thank you because of your fine dining, you nor your families will ever enter the halls of congress. If you think that Filipinos are dumb, think again. You just taught us a lesson in fine ass-kicking.

Rude Awakening Of An Orphaned Nation

2009-08-06T22:10:00.004+08:00

Memories of '83 and '86 came flooding back to me as Pres. Corazon Aquino was laid to rest yesterday. The outpouring of support since the news broke out of her passing signaled the awakening of a nation in darkness and confusion. Cory has united the nation once again which also sparked the sleeping interest of a generation clueless of what we experienced more than two decades ago. Cory left a legacy which now inspires those too young to understand.

The reluctant president who stepped up to plate because the country needed a leader will be sorely missed by those whose lives she touched but most especially those who will have to now carry the baton she passed. Maybe now the Filipinos will cherish and protect the liberty Cory helped us regain. Maybe now the apathy will cease and empathy will set in. Maybe now the youth will understand why my generation fought long and hard side by side with Ninoy and Cory. Maybe now. the people will finally use their heads in electing the people we put in office.

Some had tossed Cory aside in the last few years of her life. Some even mocked her and said she had lost her magic touch. The people who came out during her wake and funeral showed that even in death, she is a force to reckon with. As the nation celebrates her life, pretenders will now be wary of an intelligent and vigilant electorate. The current dispensation cannot be too rash nor brazen this time around for fear of ouster. The moral leadership Cory exhibited will be a tough act to follow. No one in the current crop of aspirants comes near to her exploits.

I'm in a state of Zen now. Her death has made me less angry. It has ignited in me a certain spark that patience really works wonders. But of course she also taught us that we should empower ourselves. If we need to get things done, we should do the hard work ourselves. The icon may have gone but the flames remain lit and we should see to it that it stays lit. It's the least we can do to show our gratitude to a martyr and his selfless wife. It's now up to you, the youth who should protect the gains of EDSA 1. Death does have its rewards. For Cory, she is now at peace with her martyred husband while we, the orphaned nation is awakened.

At least now the people know how proud we can be and how powerful we are. Those who have evil thoughts of destroying the democracy we enjoy can no longer go on with their shenanigans with impunity. Now the people are watching and listening. Cory's death is truely a rude awakening on an orphaned nation.