A Subversive Administration

We rarely see this in modern democracies, but the Philippines whose democracy is down in the gutter is held hostage by a subversive administration. No, the communists have not taken the seat of power but coo coos in politicians clothing are scheming their way to perpetual power. In a way, you may call it a state-sponsored coup. The administration allies in the lower house of congress is trying to subvert the law by interpreting the law as they see fit. The old farts in congress think that they can change the constitution on their own. They intend to exclude both the senate and the minority bloc of the lower house in their bid to prevent a midterm election debacle and save their skins and that of their master.

Since the elections could spell disaster for the incumbent, her allies have cooked up a plan to ram through their Cha-Cha. They are now proposing a plebiscite in place of the elections. The generals and election officials implicated in the election fraud of '04 have all been promoted. The administration's cheating machinery is therefore intact and even stronger. A plebiscite is easier to cheat than the national and local elections. This is what the opposition and people are wary of.

Clearly, its the administration who is mounting a revolution. Its flexing its muscles to impose its will on the people. The stage is being set for a showdown. The remaining stumbling block and the only legal defense of the people is the Supreme Court. But even this is now in peril. The administration will stop at nothing to achieve its goal. By hook or most often than not, by crook, they must have what they want.

Subversives and rebels often belong to groups fighting the government. Only in the Philippines will you see the government trying to overthrow the people they swore to serve. What is unfolding before our very eyes is state-sponsored rebellion. A rebellion which has divided the nation and has bastardized institutions. Only here will you see terrorists, rebels and bandits in government institutions. No Jomas or Bin Ladens here, just Gloria and her minions.

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The PIG and Her Piglets

The lower house is dead set to ram Cha-Cha down our throats. A technical working group created by the illegitimate president. The team is composed of Nograles, Lagman, Jaraula, Pichay, Datumanong and Villafuerte. The team will be setting the stage for a cancellation of the May elections to pave the way for an interim parliament come November. They will transmitting a resolution to the COMELEC to set a date for the plebiscite. The majority bloc in the lower house is set to file a resolution to convene both houses of congress into a constituent assembly.

While they claim that questions in the recent survey were 'loaded', we must bear in mind that it was GMA who introduced the Cha-Cha in her SONA. It is also her allies in the lower house who is pushing for this. Her active participation in creating this technical working group makes her the primary sponsor of the Cha_Cha. To say that the survey questions were misleading is utter stupidity. Its clearly Gloria's Cha-Cha with her being the biggest beneficiary. Seeing how slow her 'piglets' are pushing the Cha-Cha train, she has decided to take the reins instead. She has finally shown that indeed, the Cha-Cha is her baby. Her only goal is to create a Gloria parliament.

The swines in congress are poised to feed on the nation. Their insatiable lust for power and their fear of the electorate's wrath has given them no other option to save their asses. Immoral and unconstitutional as it may be, the administration will not hesitate to employ the dirtiest tactics to get their Cha-Cha approved. Their succeess will be the demise not only of our institutions but the entire nation as well. It is up to us and nobody else. With or without the support of the military, we must stop this threat on democracy.

To postpone(?) a constitutional process such as the elections to benefit these scoundrels is an insult to the people's intelligence. We have seen the devastation this kind of greed has brought upon the nation back in 1972. To allow this rape to once again succeed is like signing our own death warrant. Its high time we the people assert our sovereign right and once and for all put an end to this hooliganism. Gloria and her gang has gone to far. The Filipino has been very patient and merciful but they should not push us to the hilt. The next people power may not be peaceful anymore. This they should consider before pushing their agenda. Mercy and forgiveness has no room for thieves of their kind.

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Pure Hypocrisy

As I listened to Lito Atienza discuss Charter Change, I cannot help but be sick to the gut at the hypocrisy I'm hearing. He mentioned the divisiveness of our country and how Cha-Cha could unite the nation. Pointing to the opposition, he also discussed the way partisan politics has hurt our country and how the political gridlock has hampered economic growth. He said how being a member of the 1985 Batasan has opened his eyes to the wonders of a parliamentary system. He accused those opposing Cha-Cha as lacking of love for country. He also mentioned that he is not for the extension of the tenure of any official and does not approve of canceling next year's elections. He reiterated that he and ULAP will continue to push for Cha-Cha whether it be through Con-Ass or Con-Con. He added that the sovereign will of the people must be heard.

Firstly, the divisiveness was caused by a fraudulent people power. This was admitted by no less than Mike Arroyo himself. A true democracy has checks and balances to prevent abuse. The Batasan was not a genuine parliament but a rubber stamp parliament of a dictator. I am against Cha-Cha but that doesn't mean I have lost my love for this country. I wouldn't be blogging about the social and political ailment of this country if I hate the Philippines, what I abhor is the likes of this Atienza who brands himself a patriot but a traditional politician in every sense of the word. Who is this guy fooling? Their 'grand deceptive PI' would not have been junked if they followed due process and if the true sentiments of the populace is what they were fighting for.

While he avers that he is not for the extension of the terms of those in power, why on earth would he push his son to run for mayor next year? Isn't this a kind of political dynasty thereby extending his role in politics? He is a trapo just like the rest. He is for the status quo and not for genuine change. Party politics subverted the will of the people to get to bottom of things. And my biggest question is why try to steal the Liberal Party with GMA's boys helping him? Its all for the sake of covering up the fraud that his queen, the bogus one has committed? Remember, he is an active participant of Oplan God Save the Queen. He is also a participant of state repression. Before the SC junked the CPR, he refused and openly supported the dispersal of rallies. And he wants us to believe that he is for democracy?

Just look at how he uses the popularity of Manny Pacquiao for his political gain. Even Rep. Miles Roces is guilty of this. Atienza and his ilk should not be looked up to. Their kind is one factor why the Philippines is in such a bad shape. He is not an advocate but an opportunist who toys around with his constituents' lives. Changes in Manila is nothing but aesthetic. Crime is still rampant, corruption abounds and lives of Manileños is still the same. Political dinosaurs like him has nothing in mind but staying in power. They try to circumvent the law by pushing their wives and children to run in their place. Public service is an advocacy not an enterprise. Until these people change their view on what politics is, we will never get out of this mess we are in.

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Anybody But Them

The recent Pulse Asia showed how the administration bets would fare in next years midterm elections. Palace officials shrugs off the survey asserting that they have the 'machinery' and the support of the local execs. Of course, they are at their wits end when they said this. The survey clearly showed how disgusted the people are of the arrogance and immorality of the current dispensation. Indeed, the elections will be a referendum for the squatter in the palace.

Issues against the queen continue to mount while old ones remain unresolved. The people are so desperate that they would vote anybody into office as long as they do not belong to the administration. While most local execs continue to support GMA, clearly the electorate thinks otherwise. Its payback time for the people. All the administration can muster is its arrogance.

Even their pet project, the Cha-Cha will face a stiff battle. The Social Weather Station survey reported that 2 out of 3 Filipinos would dump the Cha-Cha if a plebiscite would be held now. This should put to rest the dreams of the administration to hold onto power. A vengeful electorate is lying in wait, ready to pounce on the administration's overconfidence. The palace could not rely on its numbers in the house and the LGUs. They no longer have the overwhelming support of the people.

Even with their machinery, cheating will not be that easy with a vigilant electorate. Advocacy groups and concerned organizations have been working tirelessly to educate the voters. Clearly, the administration has lost grasp of reality and will ultimately be punished by the people. Gold and goons will not be that effective anymore. Defecting to the opposition may or may not get the desired results. The only way for administration bets to even come close to winning is by dropping their queen and distancing themselves from her party. But this is not an assurance, people are aware of how they 'performed' and will be wary of them.

Ah yes, the desperate Filipino. Desperate times caused by the administration will lead to its defeat. I can just imagine the administration bets wishing they had been more independent. Sometimes party politics is not such a wise move. Now they regret this. And the people are more than willing to relieve them of their woes.

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Not MEDIA Again!

A recent survey conducted by Pulse Asia showed that one out of two Filipinos distrust Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. With the claims of the palace that they have been making a steady headway towards improving the lives of the Filipinos, why would the people see it otherwise?

As if Malacañang has not had enough, it once again points to media as the culprit behind to the negative ratings of the pretender in the palace. From killing journalist to filing libel cases, media once again is made into the 'spittoon' of an inept, callous and bumbling administration. Is media really to blame for GMA's spiraling 'popularity'?

The palace has a vast array of media outfits at its beck and call. This does not count those who are sympathetic to GMA. So with this in mind, I cannot comprehend what Malacañang is whining about. Doesn't the government control three major television networks? NBN 4 actually airs nothing but how 'great' the queen of the Enchanted Kingdom is. They also have their own radio station and has a 'working' relationship with several broadsheets. It even has an office solely dedicated to addressing the media needs of GMA.

Maybe, Malacañang should berate its own media officials instead of pointing to other outfits whose funding and resources are quite limited. With a huge propaganda machine at its disposal, she should be enjoying a humongous support. But the truth is hard to hide. Good governance is actually public perception and personal experience. This is what the people have to live through everyday. So to blame others for their lackluster performance and dismal popularity is the height of arrogance and total stupidity. Point a finger and the rest points back at you.

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KICK CON-ASS! I WANNA VOTE!

After the people's triumph over the deceitful people's initiative, the STOP Cha-Cha Movement, Black and White Movement, C4CC, Code NGO, Akbayan Youth, First Time Voters Project, SCAP and Teresa Makabayan has come up with a novel way to inform the people of what the Con-Ass is all about and what first time voters should know and expect.

There will be a Street fair which will feature foods, local products and items donated by celebrities and famous personalities. There will also be a 'Kapihan' where you can engage resource persons who will be more than happy to answer your queries regarding the Con-Ass. A team from First Time Voters Project will be on hand to give you, especially the new voters, of your rights and registration.

There will also be a mini concert, Music Jam where everyone can dance to the music. (but they insists that there will be no Cha-Cha tunes to dance to). This will be held at the strip of Paseo de Roxas, from the Ninoy Aquino monument all the way to Makati Avenue, Makati City. This is will be on Saturday, November 25, from 2:00pm onwards. Everybody is invited.

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Black-eyed PI

The Supreme Court with the same vote of 8-7, junked with finality, the motion for reconsideration filed by Singaw ng Bayad and the Solicitor General's Office on the dismissal of the People's Initiative. The SC however pointed out that Republic Act no. 6735 is sufficient enough to "AMEND" a specific provision of the constitution through a people's initiative.

Citing that there were no new arguments that were presented, the SC did not see any merit in the motion. SC spokesperson Atty. Ismael Khan however clarified that Singaw cannot use RA 6735 to "REVISE" the entire constitution as the people's initiative can only be used for "a" specific subject. The SC also junked the petition of Sulongbayan Movement Foundation for Chief Justice Panagniban and Justice Carpio to inhibit themselves from ruling on the motion. The SC unanimously found their petition utterly lacking in merit.

The SnB/ULAP PI was first shot down by the Commission on Elections due to the lack of an enabling law. On Oct. 25, the SC dismissed their petition citing it as a "GRAND DECEPTION and GIGANTIC FRAUD". Yesterday, the SC finally gave the knock-out punch that finally floored the PI. After millions have been wasted for this PI, SnB has not given up and vowed that the clarification on RA6735 gives them more reason to give it another go. Either the PI's proponents did not understand the ruling or perhaps, they found their kickbacks too small.

These people should put it to rest. The court gave a clear explanation of what a people's initiative can do and cannot do. With the PI dead and buried, the fight now shifts to the "stinking holes" of congress. Will the Con-Ass suffer the same fate or would its proponents in the lower house push its luck to the hilt? We will all find out soon if the house still has its numbers, with Lakas and Kampi at each others throats, they can both knock themselves out of the game in no time. That will will be a sight to see. They could both go down kicking each others balls!

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A Regime Born From The Blood Of The People

The government's inability to address the increasing labor force has led to the policy of sending our people to work abroad. The private sector investment cannot support the influx either. The economic slowdown that we have been experiencing for the past five years has aggravated the problem. Even with the mushroom-like sprouting of call centers, we still have a huge surplus of manpower. The education sector churns out about 300,000 new graduates a year which further makes the situation more unsettling. With the precarious position the administration is in, the people had been driven to a life of desperation.

The government has no option but to make it a policy to export not our goods but our countrymen. This has somehow stemmed the tide of unemployment. The OFWs have contributed immensely to propping up the economy. They send more than $1 billion in remittances a month. Why would the government worry about the unemployment when they can simply fly around the world with their junkets and sell our people. They make continue to make money from the shattered lives of the people.

Despite the hazards our OFWs face, whether it be abuse or war, more Filipinos follow suit. Totally disregarding their wellbeing to somehow uplift the lives of their loved ones. The desperation that prevails on the hapless society has led to a brain-drain of sorts. The recent nursing exam scandal only mirrors the desperation of the ordinary Filipino. Never mind integrity and honesty, what we need are high paying jobs to meet the increasing cost of living here.

Seemingly unaffected, the administration as of late would like to turn our country into the organ sales capital of the world. They now intend to lure more dollars into the Philippines by way of selling our people's internal organs. The Department of Health in cooperation with the Department of Tourism would like to enter the realm of medical tourism. They are even pushing for the increase in organ "donation". This move would further exploit the poor whose desperate lives will be the source of the organs. I just cannot imagine how callous these people are. The Filipinos are human beings, not some butchered beast whose entrails are readily available in any market.

The reality that government has nothing to offer the people but lies and deceit, mocking the people while they enrich themselves. This regime was borne out of the exploitation of the Filipino and will continue to do so until the Filipino can give no more. Much blood had been shed to give these people the positions they enjoy now yet they abuse the very people who fought for them. The killings had begun again, curtailment of basic rights and repression is the norm. Their hands awash in the blood of those who rose and voiced their disgust. A climate of fear and intimidation now prevails, media and progressive groups bear the brunt of the administration's anger. The principled few had been whisked to isolation. Our democracy is in tatters and our "leaders" couldn't care less. Like the parasites that they are, they will continue to feed on the blood and guts of the people.

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A Bully and the Gang

GMA had mastered the art of saying one thing but doing another. After being lambasted by the JFC for the alarming number of forced abductions and assassinations. She coyly stated that she also would like these killings to stop. She even told the Melo commission to speed up its investigation. Time and again, she had said that she welcomes the international community's concern and even offered to open the Philippines to those interested to send fact-finding teams and investigate the spate of extra-judicial killings.

The first to heed her call was a fact-finding team from Canada. A few months back, a former MP of the Canadian Parliament had shown her intent to get to the bottom of things. She had assembled the team to be sent here to investigate and offer psycho-social aid to those families who have been victimized by these abuses.

The Canadian team had the opportunity to experience firsthand, how our military and police forces "operates". Along with the Southern Tagalog Chapter of Karapatan, they were blocked by an army detachment. The contingent was threatened with an obstruction of justice charge.

I guess the show had ended even before it started. The Canadian team would definitely have a lot to say about her "invitation" and the military's unconventional hospitality. She better be prepared to face the international backlash this arrogance will cause or would she just brush this aside? But I doubt if GMA can castigate the military at this point in time. She owes the AFP and PNP her existence and they know this. From ensuring her victory in the '04 presidential elections to propping up her bogus presidency, she wouldn't dare lift a finger against them.

At the rate she had been appointing retired military and police generals, one would think that there are no other competent civilian career officers in the different posts in government. While the upper echelon basks in the "graces" of GMA, the sad reality is that the lowly foot soldier is used and abused by its very own officers. The poor soldier who continues to serve his country by putting his life on the line continues to be exploited by its leaders. So much for the chain of command doctrine.

GMA and her dogs in uniform know that this will not continue for long. Soon, just like their predecessors, the lowly soldier will emerge from its hibernation and confront the people behind their exploitation. Until that time, the lame bully in the palace will have to play by the military's rules. She will continue to block any form of credible investigation against her "loyal" guards. The Canadian contingent's experience sends a strong message to those who intend to send their teams to investigate the killings here. The Philippines is her playground, her turf. She is the "bully" here and no amount of pressure can dislodge her. Her gang will force upon their will on the Filipino with impunity.

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Preferential Treatment

Atong Ang who has been implicated in a plunder case with former president Erap Estrada was today transferred to Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig from the Quezon City jail. His motion to remain in the custody of the National Bureau of Investigation was denied by the Sandigangbayan. He was not able to prove that he has been getting threats to his life.

The Quezon City Jail whose inmate population more than 3,500 can only accommodate 900 at a time. It is so congested that inmates are forced to sleep in stairwells and the corridors. The warden denied that Ang will be given preferential treatment. He proved this by showing just how congested the jail is.

Okay fine, its congested, but without even waiting for any court order for the transfer, he was brought to his new cell in Taguig. The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology justified the transfer by stating that it can do so without any order from the court.

Ang is perceived by many to be a pawn of this administration to demolish the opposition. He is definitely a VIP for the administration and could be given a little leeway in the name of comfort. He is now holed in an 18 square meter cell all by his lonesome. This is a welcome treat for him considering that the QCJ is a rat hole by human standards. But plunder is a heinous crime and the courts has specifically stated where he is supposed to be detained. If the BJMP can move inmates at will, then they should be fair about it and stick to the process.

Detained in the same compound is a Muslim couple charged with selling illegal drugs. The husband just recently tried to commit suicide by taking a kind of disinfectant. He did this out of grief and depression. A few months ago, their four kids died in a fire which engulfed their home. Its Muslim custom to bury their dead within 24 hours. The unfortunate couple waited for the courts to allow them to see their kids even in death. They waited for the order that never came and the prison personnel could only lament and grieve with the couple.

The BJMP said it can move any inmate at any time they so choose. Then why did they not just give this Muslim couple the chance to spend even just a few minutes with their departed kids? Why make it an excuse to wait for the court order when they can do so on their own? Peddling drugs is a crime but this couple are human beings too. They are not proven guilty yet just like Ang. A little compassion goes a long way. If the courts want credibility, then they must place the BJMP where they should be.

One thing is obvious and glaring in this situation, a poor Muslim couple has nothing to offer this administration, Ang on the other hand has the world to give to the bogus presidency of GMA. His continuing comfort will make him a very good "PARROT".

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A Jittery Palace

With Gringo Honasan's capture, the palace is jittery as ever. They are now monitoring the military camps knowing too well how influential Honasan is with the military. The AFP's hierarchy is well aware of how unstable the situation is. No amount of loyalty check would conclude that the men in uniform are loyal to the commander-in-cheat.

Esperon and his lot have caused the restiveness in the military. Allegations that the military was used in cheating in the 2004 elections continue to hound Esperon. Officer's who have decried the military's participation are now languishing in military stockades. Critics and legitimate opposition branded as destabilizers are harassed and intimidated, and most often than not, liquidated. Journalists are threatened with libel suits and death.

The administration has painted itself into a corner with its hare-brained moves. They continue to bide time and delay the inevitable. They employ tactics often used by authoritarian regimes to stay in power. But the administration has nobody to blame but themselves. They dug the hole they now find themselves in. The tide is turning and soon it will swallow this abusive regime.

This had made them more jittery. With the international community now taking notice of the happenings in our tiny country, the world this administration moves in is getting smaller by the day. Faced with this dilemma, GMA can only issue statements which she knows cannot hide the truth. She had created the ghosts that haunt her and these will lead to her demise.

The people too are biding their time. They continue to watch the events unfolding before their eyes. The simmering cauldron of disgust is about to burst. This is what the administration is closely watching. They know how unpredictable the Filipino is. Time and again, we have shown abusive leaders that our patience has its limits and GMA is no exception. No amount of smokescreen can hide the issues GMA faces. The people just don't buy their lies anymore. We cannot be cowed by their harassment and intimidation anymore.

Want to know how jittery the palace is? I can almost see them wetting their pants.

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Gringo Honasan: Captured!

I just finished preparing my kids clothes when I overheard the news that Gringo has been caught. He was cornered at The Enclave Townhomes located in the Green Meadows Subdivision in Quezon City. Honasan suffered wounds to his right foot and a sprained left foot during the capture. His lawyer Atty. Gutierrez clarified that he did not jump from the second floor of a unit. He further added that Honasan tried to elude his captors by jumping several fences. He apparently felt being tailed by another vehicle which prompted him to jump from the vehicle he was in. This caused his injuries. Due to his injuries, he finally gave up and did not resist his captors. He was captured at around 2:45 am.

He was brought to the PNP-CIDG office in Camp Crame for processing.

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The Fight For Press Freedom

Its going to be a very busy week for media. Ellen Tordesillas of Malaya has officially reported the threat she received the other day. She today asked the NBI to look into the matter. The authorities had asked for the cooperation of media and the public to aid them in solving the 42 cases of media killings. Now that Ellen has stepped up, I hope the authorities will make good on their promise to support the media practitioners. The International Federation of Journalists also challenged GMA to live up to her promise and prevent another death in the media community.

News also of the issuance of an arrest warrant for Business Mirror's and Newsbreak's contributor Romina "Mia" Gonzalez broke out. The warrant stemmed from a libel case filed against her by Mike Arroyo. The arresting team trooped to Malacañang but failed to locate her. Her colleagues at the Malacañang Press Corps denounced the PNP while The NUJP was also dismayed by the the botched arrest. The PNP and the NPC has a Memorandum of Agreement regarding arrests of journalists.

Libel has been used by Mike Arroyo to get back at the journalists who have written items against him. Tordesillas and Gonzalez are just 2 of 43 journalists who face libel cases in court filed by Arroyo. Intimidation, harassment, only Mike Arroyo knows for sure the reason behind the libel cases. Obviously he cannot claim that he is a private entity, being the husband of GMA makes him a public figure. Libel cases rarely prosper and are usually used to cow critics to silence them. No matter how he and his lawyers justify these cases, one thing is obvious, he is a very powerful man.

The manner by which warrants are issued belies his claim that he does not enjoy preferential treatment from the courts. The DoJ too continues to make statements against defendants to the brink of giving guilty verdicts even before the cases are heard. The assault on press freedom continues and Mike continues to flex his muscles. Often, he portrays himself as the oppressed and abused party. But we all know the real personality behind the theatrical man.

If these were not meant to intimidate or harass the press, I will let you decide by leaving you with the statement of his "good" lawyer. “If anybody is to be blamed for whatever inconvenience she may have had, it’s Miss Gonzalez herself. She wrote the libelous (article) and maligned the reputation of the First Gentleman. So she should be brave enough to face the consequences.” So let this be a warning to our journalists, write only good things and not criticisms lest you want to face a death threat or a libel suit. The reality: They won't be cowed into silence hence be embolden.

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Threats To A Friend

Ellen Tordesillas, one of the more fearless critics of the administration has received a veiled threat from a certain Daniel Perez who emailed the threat through danie11aperez80@yahoo.com. The email address and name obviously is an alias to cover the identity of the sender. The threat said,

"What kind of death do you prefer? To die of cancer? To die of accident? To die of ambush? To die of heart attack due to your libel suit? Masyado kang matapang ha? Puro banat mo sa Pangulo dahil hindi ka napartehan ng gracia kahit kaunti. Your days are numbered."

Ellen's integrity and credibility is without question. She had stuck to facts and was never known to fabricate her stories. Ellen is only one of 42 other jounalists who have been charged criminally with libel. All of these were filed by Mike Arroyo. The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP), has condemned the said threat and has asked the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to track down the sender.

The killings of journalists and members of progressive groups had been steadily increasing. The international community has called on the administration to look into the matter. So far, Task Force USIG and the Melo Commission, both created by GMA has come up empty or present credible findings.

Another case of intimidation, perhaps. This is just one of the risks our journalists must face everyday in their service to the people. This is a facet of a journalist's life here in the Philippines, where one is condemned for telling the truth and lying rewards you with praises.

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Best Of The Best ?

I almost swallowed my tongue after hearing Prospero Pichay state that the congress is best people to change the constitution because they are the best. Being elected into office does not mean you're the best. The best in making promises maybe but not the best public servants. And the best in what? So far, the lower house can only claim bragging rights to naming and renaming thousands of streets, buildings and bridges. The important laws they have passed are either to the detriment of the people or in support of the queen. And yes, they are indeed the best, the best lawyers of the illegitimate incumbent.

The claim that Con-Ass is the most efficient way to amend or revise the constitution is highly questionable. With the manner the house spends even for simple meetings is enough to feed a hungry mob. Simplicity is not in the congress's dictionary. Their continuing hunger for "pork" alone shows how greedy these people are. How on earth can they assure us that their proposals are not self-serving? Just like Singaw ng Bayad and Alapaap sa ULAP, what they espouse reeks of fraud and deceit. Its better to spend more and get the right results than spend less and get shit in return.

And how will the country reconcile the fact that there are so many political dynasties in congress. Can they assure the people that their wives, sons and daughters and even their "dummies" are the brightest in the land? Pichay must be dreaming when he uttered those words. The arrogance of the incumbents leaves a bad taste in the mouth and a terrible bum stomach. I'm not discounting the fact that there are some brilliant men and women in congress, sad to say, they are not with the administration. Let's take Lito Lapid as an example, he may, as his fans may say, a good actor but as a senator, my goodness! Boxers and other athletes can use interpreters but never a senator. I wonder how he'll do if interviewed by CNN or BBC?
How then will he contribute anything sensible to serious undertaking?

Do you think that these people entered politics to serve? Hell no, one can easily see through these people that personal interest is what drove them to run. Why is there massive poverty if these people's districts if they spend their pork properly? I can understand why opposition bailiwicks suffer, their pork is being withheld by the palace. These people in the administration is only good at lip service and during campaigns. Humility and magnanimity are virtues these people lack. Morals and values are thrown out the window once they are elected.

Are they the best? To their minds and to those who benefit from them maybe, but to the common Filipino who has to deal with desperation everyday, I don't think so. Changing the constitution is best left to people in the know, people whose integrity is without doubt, whose love for country and people can never be challenged. To leave the constitutional amendments in the hands of these people is like putting a gun to one's head. The best of the the best? Dream on, dreams are free anyway. But please, don't drag, us the hapless Filipinos in the nightmare you intend to create!

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Pointing Fingers

Is Ermita out to take everybody out? With his latest statements in the senate, how deep is the loyalty in the palace? For a former soldier, I'm glad he was never captured by the enemy. He could have easily squealed on anybody to save his own skin.

So the saga continues on the imploding administration. Bert Gonzales might be shitting in his pants and I could almost see his blood pressure rising from what Ermita divulged in the budget hearings. This latest fiasco will have serious repercussions in the cabinet. Not only did Ermita implicate a colleague, he also exposed the ineptness of the bogus queen. This only shows how massive corruption is in the palace.

How can we as a people support a government such as this? We toil and pay astronomical taxes all to be stolen by some "crook" in public servant's clothing. Imagine how many more offices in this government are stealing from the nation's coffers. It has been reported time and again that billions are lost to corruption. Its no wonder why this continues, the palace itself has its own share of looting.

How easy it is for the Malacañang to suspend some local official who's guilt is yet to be proven when crimes are being committed in its own backyard. I wonder what other secrets the palace holds? The Ombudsman has a lot of answering to do. Cases against people close to the palace have yet to move. The Philippines has continued to ascend the ladder of infamy for corruption. Since GMA took over the helm of government, we have steadily fallen in the fight against corruption. The administration continues to lavishly spend while forcing the people to bear the brunt of its actions.

They continue to blame the opposition for the lackluster performance of our of our economy. They continue to point to political instability for our economy's takeoff when in fact it is the prevalence of corruption that dissuades investors. Now that the palace is forced to kneel to the senate for its budget, I expect more anomalies to surface.

There will be more finger pointing on the part of the cabinet and more scams will be exposed. Now the truth of looting is being proven and more officials will save their necks and rat on each other. Now it will be everyman for himself and loyalties discarded. These people has a lot of explaining to do to the taxpaying Filipino. There is really no honor among thieves. What a way to go.

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The Hungry Filipino

After the latest SWS survey regarding hunger came out, I'm not surprised by the numbers posted. 16.9 percent is a huge number. It might not be big in some sub-Saharan country where the climates are extreme, but in an Asian country rich in resources, its a catastrophe. The National Anti-Poverty Commission however refutes this numbers, saying that the data collected came from highly impoverished areas.

How stupid can this people be! Where else will you get the data, from some affluent subdivision? Of course the survey was conducted in the many depressed areas all over the country. The countryside where there are vasts areas to plant have remained idle. Tracts of land are left uncultivated due to the lack of agricultural knowhow and honest government support has pushed the people deeper in the quagmire of poverty. Only big "haciendas" controlled by landlords continue to churn out produce. The lowly farmer is left to his own devices.

How ironic it is that Mindanao who's produce feeds most of the country is the poorest region in the country. How can this be? We can sum it all up in the way the agriculture sector is handled. In this modern age, land ownership has been the lowly Filipino's elusive dream. Feudalism which has been dead in most parts of the world still thrives in this country. Although cooperatives are encouraged by the government, support and infrastructure is almost non-existent. Farmers are deprived of much needed aid, aid that is often times lost to corruption. The Dept. of Agrarian Reform tasked to distribute land is also highly inefficient as landlords are politicians as well. Landlords have continued to circumvent the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform law.

The rate of malnutrition has been steadily going up due to the high cost of, believe it or not, food. Families are forced to feed their children "junk food" to somehow lessen their hunger. This is evident in my barangay were families content themselves with fried corn kernels and instant noodles. Even government-sponsored feeding programs are using "junk" to feed the kids in school. But even this program suffers from mismanagement and corruption. Government agencies tasked to manage these programs end up siphoning the funds. The Fertilizer Fund Scam and the NFA Rice Importation Scam are just some of the many unresolved cases facing the administration today.

Many would ask why put the blame on government for this, its up to the individual to fend for himself. This may be true if government for its part is implementing programs and policies which will afford the people some sort of opportunity to earn. This is where the real problem lies. Government priorities do not point to this direction. Investment in agriculture is few and far between. The government's focus is more on exploiting the natural resources through mining and speculating.

Micro-financing has also been mishandled as small farmers are forced to borrow at high interest rates. Productivity is very limited and cost far outweighs the output. Fund diversion has also hurt efforts to alleviate poverty. The government forces the people to subsist on P36 a day. With the high utility rates alone, the ordinary family is forced to cut down on food.

While the economy as the government claims is growing, it relies mainly on OFW remittances, stock market and currency speculation. Although heavy taxation has somehow improved the national deficit, this is countered by heavy government borrowing. Despite increasing international aid, this is not enough. The continuing lack of opportunity continues to prevail further increasing the rate of poverty. The government clearly does not have a firm grasp of what is really happening in the countryside. Far-flung areas are never reached by the government.

The trickle-down effects which the administration had been promising for years are still not felt by the lowly Filipino. While the administration busies itself with changing the constitution, the poor Filipino becomes poorer and hungrier. While government heads earn millions, the lowly Filipino has to tighten his belt some more.
Unless government address this pestering problem in earnest, the Filipino will sink deeper in desperation.

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The Santiago Option: 8-7 In The SC

The lower house continues to wag their tails in preparation for the upcoming caucus called by JDV this coming Monday. They still dream of convening congress as a constituent assembly. The administration has also denied the "rift" in its ranks. The "Whip" Pichay has also denied rumors about the split in the lower house. But the question is why is the rumor persisting.

Where there's smoke there is fire and the sudden gag order on the contending parties in the cabinet is surely damage control. It has been the administration's practice to blame everything on the opposition. We are all aware of JDV's ambition to be a prime minister, and this definitely strikes fear in the Arroyos hearts. We know JDV is gifted with the political talent of reinventing himself. He will not bat an eyelash to kick GMA out just to gain political points. This also goes with GMA as she has mastered the art of double talk. Both contenders are wary of each other and therefore is watching its every move.

Now they intend to force their plan B. Hoping against hope, the lower house intends to once again circumvent the law. This is the reason why they are biding their time and wait for a "friendly" chief justice. This is strengthened by the recent inclusion of Miriam Santiago in the list of candidates for CJ. Santiago being a senator and a stakeholder is against the abolition of the senate. Her being appointed to the Supreme Court would be like hitting two birds with one stone. With her out of the way and given a more secure position, she will definitely be more friendly with the lower house.

For sure, opponents of the Cha-Cha will bring this matter to the high court. Santiago's appointment will insure the lower house's plan B will not face any opposition in the SC thus paving the way for their version of Cha-Cha. The caucus on Monday will just be a mending of ties in the administration. They have a month to iron things out as CJ Panganiban is set to retire on the 6th of December. A political blitzkrieg is in the offing.

So Cha-Cha is not finished after all, its just in hibernation. Now this scenario will definitely be something to watch out for. This is going to be a tough battle for democracy. The tyrants are covering all bases. Now arrogance has taken a backseat and real strategy is being set in motion. The people must now brace themselves for the coming assault on democracy and the constitution. The administration's stormtroopers will soon descend upon us armed with a twisted interpretation of the constitution. I hope the opposition is prepared for the onslaught.

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Justice Is Somewhere Else

What do you do when justice cannot be attained in your very own country, you seek it elsewhere. In apparent exasperation, Bayan Muna Party-list Rep. Teddy Casino filed before the Permanent People's Tribunal in the Hague, charges of human rights violations and economic plunder against Gloria Arroyo.

This is the very same court which found former President Marcos guilty of human rights violations and other crimes against the Filipino people. For the second time in its existence, the PPT has reconvened to hear the case against a Philippine president(?). The pretender recently made a round of the EU countries and so far, we have not heard anything good regarding the trip. The news we got were all about the increasing concern of the EU regarding the extra-judicial killings which had proliferated under GMA's regime.

Even groups associated with the United Nations Human Rights Council have not been entertained by the palace. This is despite her promise to the EU leadership that she is willing to accommodate any investigation from the EU or the UN. Before she left for her European trip, she created the Melo Commission to "investigate" the alleged political killings. Public perception for the said commission was that it is created to whitewash the role of the military in the spate of political killings and to show the EU that she is doing something to address the murders. The central figure which was Gen. Jovito Palparan has since retired and was absolved by the AFP investigation panel of any wrongdoing.

Reports say that before the EU would discuss any trade treaty with the Philippine government, the current leadership must first sign the Rome Statute which would place the country under the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court.

The opposition and the people have twice tried to make GMA answer the allegations twice but the efforts were crushed by the pretender's allies in the Lower House. Even the agencies tasked to handle these cases had sat on it. Instead, the Dept. of Justice and the JAGO had been filing cases left and right against members of the legitimate opposition, progressive groups and officers perceived to be sympathetic to the opposition.

The bogus president continues to wield power and control over the institutions which should handle these cases. Time and again, GMA had issued unconstitutional executive orders to prevent any congressional inquiry into the allegations and scandals she is linked to. She continues to undermine every constitutional and judicial process to shield her and her cohorts from the inquiring eyes of the public. She had even tried to tinker with the current system of government to give her perpetual protection.

When all avenues had been exhausted, where would the Filipinos go to? It is good that the international community particularly the EU had taken notice of the plight of the Filipino people. The US in response to Pres. Bush's Anti-Kleptocracy policy had arrested a known henchman of the president and has been detained for several months now.

It seems justice and accountability will forever be "selective" in this country as long as the current dispensation is in power. How ironic it is that justice can be found in a distant land than our very own soil. Now the Filipinos have someone to bring their grievances to than just bite the bullet and yield to an unlawful regime.

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