Earlier today, at around 10:51 am, radio station DZMM said that the Palace was set to issue a statement favoring Charter Change today. During the lunchtime news program of Tony Velasquez and Bernadette Sembrano, word is that the President, in a workshop this morning, directed government agencies, particularly the Department of the Interior and Local Governments and the Department of Budget and Management, to pursue Charter Change by 2009.
What will make this version of Charter Change different is that it will be focused on Federalism, an original component of the administration’s first Charter Change efforts, but eventually dropped in favor of a focus on a shift to the parliamentary system.
Whether this focus on Federalism is meant to muster local government support, and salve the wounded feelings of original Civil Society allies of the Palace, remains to be seen -just as whether this is an effort to put the President’s imprint on this version in contrast to the parliamentary focus of the Speaker who pushed for the previous effort: after all, having solved the President’s impeachment-related problem for 2007-2008, the Speaker is now dispensable (despite warnings from the Speaker that if he falls, she falls, which he said he told her in a one-on-one meeting Sec. Puno denies every happened; see also Datumanong drafted by Palace to replace JDV? But Newbsreak says, detente is the name of the game).
Anyway, here’s the news: Arroyo renews call for Charter change: Panel formed to draft federalism ‘roadmap’ by 2012. See also Arroyo revives Cha-Cha bid, forms federalism panel (the political opening, of course, would be, such a shift would require some sort of transitional government).
I’m inclined, for now, to treat this as a clumsy effort to deflect attention from the Palace’s dilemma over what to do with Pampanga Gov. Ed Panlilio. But it would be prudent to place the whole thing within the context of a problem identified in Chinese Money Meets Filipino Politics in Asia Sentinel:
With the president out by 2010, however, her hold may be waning as junior leaders look toward their political futures. There are allegations of other irregularities in Chinese deals and critics may find lots of material to throw at newspaper reporters in an effort to chip away at Arroyo’s credibility, despite the country’s solid economic performance in recent years.
Mon Casple in his blog, says the ruling coalition is also increasingly paranoid:
The real rift between the GMA and the JDV camp threatens the solidity of the ruling coalition–a coalition that weathered the political storm of the past three years.
This is compounded by a lot of factors: among them are the continued political challenges coming from the opposition, the inexorable deadline of the 2010 end-of-GMA-term, the wily play of the presidentiables, the US and Western concern over growing Chinese influence, health problems of key administration players, and the flexing of the military’s political clout.
These factors are leading to a growing perception of a lameduck GMA presidency. This may not yet be the case but it cannot anymore be denied that, if no decisive GMA policy decision on the political crisis is forthcoming, the perception will take hold and influence the decisions of the various key players.
Atty. Pulido’s impeachment complaint–however haphazard it may seem to many–acquires significance beyond its original assessment in the light of this current political reality. Considering the political nature of an impeachment process, a significant coalition of legislators in the lower House can seize and railroad the process (only 80 votes needed for impeachment). They can shortcut the process and give it to the Senate.
Such a possibility spooked Malacañang and hence its attempt to hold the line with the ruling coalition majority. It may entail more concessions to the JDV camp. On the other hand, it may also precipitate an ouster move on him. What is clear is the signs of nervousness (and suspicion) that everyone exhibits when looking at his or her neighbor in the coalition.
Shifting loyalties–such is the stuff of transitions and wind of political change.
As the political class’s attention increasingly focuses on 2010, the Palace has to find ways to keep itself relevant to the political class. An effective way is to keep everyone guessing what the President’s real intentions are concerning 2010 and one way is to keep local government officials and legislators coming back to the trough for regular fattening.
A news item like this one, seems innocent at first, Palace looks to add judiciary in Ledac, but becomes interesting in light of what the President is poised to do next year: enjoy the opportunity to appoint a new Civil Service Commissioner, new Commission on Audit Chairman, several Supreme Court justices, etc. An institutional means to circle the wagons over the next couple of years has just been floated.
Gov. Panlilio’s revelation last week was that after a Palace meeting, he was given half a million pesos in cash. Bulacan Gov. Jonjon Mendoza confirms the account of the Gov. of Pampanga. Their accounts go in the face of denials or conflicting testimony from everyone else who was at the same meeting. An earlier meeting involving congressmen, has led to conflicting accounts, too: Cash gift ‘standard’–House leader: This is when we’ve done something good, he says and Two more congressmen admit receiving Palace ‘cash gifts’. Now the congressional dole outs may have had impeachment immunization in mind (see GMA gets ‘immunized’) but the local government dole outs make sense not only with the baranggay elections but also Charter Change in mind, too.
Gov. Panlilio’s initial response was pastoral, not legal: to take the money and place it in the provincial treasury and use it for good works. But then he seems to have realized that what is pastoral (therefore, moral) is not necessarily legal. Also, considering he’s a reformist governor, it’s a political opening for his critics: Kampi mayor to Gov Ed: Why did you take the money?. So the Governor has said he intends to ask why he was given money without the required voucher, and if Palace can’t explain why he’ll return the money: Panlilio to Palace: Where did P500,000 come from?.
Meanwhile, Neda firm on keeping NBN papers. Konfrontasi with the Senate continues.
Even as Opposition plans to take impeach referral to SC, this is a sensible move: Opposition to boycott impeachment hearings. And this is a long-overdue reform: Noynoy eyes 3-strike rule vs Cabinet appointments.
Economic news: No stopping the peso, closes even higher while Hot money back, Sept. net inflow $38.2M.
Senator Joker Arroyo vigorously justified himself in a piece he demanded be published, and his opinions are shared by Philippine Commentary while criticized by last Sunday’s Inquirer editorial and in a commentary by Amando Doronila today.
In his column, Fr. Joaquin Bernas, SJ discusses what an impeachment is and isn’t:
The whole point of the impeachment process is to save the nation from one who does not deserve to be in office. It is not meant to be an instrument of punishment. Punishment can follow in a criminal proceeding if impeachment succeeds or when the official concerned leaves office.
The constitutional rules for impeachment, however, can be manipulated to make the process achieve the precise opposite of its purpose. It can be manipulated to shield an official from a serious impeachment complaint for one year. And this is easily done. All that is needed is one member of the House who is willing to file or endorse a flimsy complaint. This is what all the current brouhaha is about.
(See Philippine Politics 04 for related materials on impeachment and the Supreme Court’s definition of when a complaint gets initiated.)
Justice Isagani Cruz tackles executive privilege.
Randy David says the legal system hasn’t caught up with public opinion:
Thank heavens not everyone hangs by the thread of unresolved legal issues. In the meantime, there are political closures. The fact that GMA or her husband has not been charged or found guilty of any crime does not negate the certainty that the majority of Filipinos have closed the political book on her. Her consistently negative approval ratings in recent surveys attest to this. The rejection of most of her candidates in the last senatorial election shows this in no uncertain terms. The stunning election to the Senate of the detained young military officer Antonio Trillanes IV, accused of leading a mutiny against her government, confirms this closure. Ms Arroyo governs on the sufferance of a nation still recovering from past upheavals. Everyone awaits her last days in the presidency.
There are moral closures too. No one today, not even its most rabid supporters, thinks of this administration as an emblem of good government or of ethical leadership. Those who still see politics as a contest between the forces of good and evil are in no doubt at all as to which side Ms Arroyo is aligned with. No other administration has been as brazen as this one in giving cash to legislators, election inspectors and bishops.
And there are social closures. After Marcos, no other head of government has earned the resolute distrust of the citizenry as much as GMA. Again, survey after survey expresses this. More than at any other time, distrust permeates the whole political system today because of the way she has run the government. She ought to listen to how ordinary folk talk about her on AM radio. She may not sense this now, but it will be difficult for her not to notice it when she finally leaves public office. She will receive none of the lingering affection and awe that Cory and Erap continue to bask in when they are among ordinary people. No one with any hope of winning will want to be associated with her in any future election. That is social closure.
A truly outstanding entry in Ricelander’s blog, on the relationship between politics, politicians, and issues: read the whole thing.
Technorati Tags: Blogging, Charter Change, constitution, federalism, House of Representatives, impeachment, journalism, philippines, politics, president, Senate, society
Bencard,
The way I see it, we’re all just spectators in this game, we’ll not accomplish anything all riled up anyway. The only sensible thing to do now is make a bet, will this impeachment attempt consisting of 3 pages be as potent as it is concentrated or will it get deflected as easily as Wonderwoman does with her bracelets? I would bet you a dinner in EDSA Shangrila but you’re too far away.
“i see the same pattern: highly questionable accusation, media hysteria, senate investigation, impeachment, impeachment, impeachment!bencard ”
Underhanded politics, of the lowest order, i’m afraid.You are talking about America,aren’t you?
ram,
I did not watch the show of Boy Abunda but maybe you’re referring to Egay San Luis of the 4th district of Laguna (if I’m not mistaken).This might help, a quote from the Constitution: “The President, the Vice-President, the Members of the Supreme Court, the Members of the Constitutional Commissions, and the Ombudsman may be removed from office on impeachment for, and conviction of, culpable violation of the Constitution, treason, bribery, graft and corruption, other high crimes, or betrayal of public trust.”
benigno,
‘If you dispute any ideas or views that I have on the matter, you are free to ARTICULATE your counter-arguments.’
What are your ‘ideas or views’ on federalism? I don’t see them anywhere here. Are they in your blog? Please ARTICULATE them again here.
“But wasn’t the Philippines a bunch of disparate little kingdoms, tribes and sultanates before the Spanish arbitrarily named the islands the “Philippinesâ€Â? BenignO..
The Philippines was once a tribal groups of islands, before it was colonized by the Spaniard and Unionized under the swords and guns and the threat of meeting Jesus before your time..But that was before the advent of Ferry Boats and Flying ships that now assimilated the people of all different tribes.
Whereas Yugoslavia, was also forced into a Union, but they didn’t assimilate their different cultures as Kosovo remains predominantly Kosovians and Muslims. While the Philippines as it now, other than the Ethnic, its citizen only call themselves by the province or regions where they usually learn their first Language or Dialect, there by a Child of Pampaquenos, born and grew up in Cebu will call himself Cebuano, not really a distinction of tribe but just some of Residency id. Maybe we have different delicacies and preparation of foods, but that just about it as you might have observed when Filipinos of “different tribes†immigrated to Australia and other countries, they are as Tribeless as Americans in California and New York..
But like I said it could revert back to those pre-colonial days, now that there are so many whose desire other than frivolous wealth, to be revered as Sultans, Kings and Queens and can even their own titles, like “Your Most Wealthy and Wise”,(like this one)or “President for Life” ala Mugabe..
“or betrayal of public trust.” – qwert
So there is such a thing as betrayal of public trust, what could be the instances?
“But like I said it could revert back to those pre-colonial days, now that there are so many whose desire other than frivolous wealth, to be revered as Sultans, Kings and Queens and can even their own titles, like “Your Most Wealthy and Wiseâ€Â,(like this one)or “President for Life†ala Mugabe..” – justice in waiting,
But certainly not “Your Highness”.
“But wasn’t the Philippines a bunch of disparate little kingdoms, tribes and sultanates before the Spanish arbitrarily named the islands the “Philippinesâ€Â?
There is no such thing as “the Philippines†beyond anything more than it really is  a sad legacy of Spanish colonial expansion of 400 years past. As a matter of fact, nobody can even say for sure what being “Filipino†REALLY means.”
benigno:
That’s full of crap as always
you keep sending this crap because you need you daily fix of hate about Filipinos
we don’t need anyone to tell us what to think,
we learned to think for ourselves at an early age, you may want to give it a try sometime!
you would be better off trying to save this country from
dictatorship
but then you would have to go out and buy new shirts
“But like I said it could revert back to those pre-colonial days, now that there are so many whose desire other than frivolous wealth, to be revered as Sultans, Kings and Queens and can even their own titles, like “Your Most Wealthy and Wiseâ€Â,(like this one)or “President for Life†ala Mugabe..” Benigno
Benigno, how you can digest volumes upon volumes of history books is beyond me, I am awed by this unusual albeit scary talent of yours. But still, I can’t help but see some sense in what you’re writing (could it all be this simple?)
As for Bencard question of why not issue a check instead of Cash, we’ll as Al Capone didn’t even have a checking account..easy to trace, you know..cash is the hardest
medium to trace especially if it was laundered in Tide…
Bencard: “third, what’s so special about panlilio among hundreds of governors? he is not even a known ally of the president and cannot have anything to do about the attempt to impeach the president, the favorite motivation, kuno, used by the opposition to implicate the president”.
Nothing special about Panlilio compares to other Governor, only he may have a little bit of conscience about starting to be a part of the “dirty Politicians”and may have decided not to get addicted. Like any addiction, it starts as innocent try, then in matter of two or three tries, boom addiction, and it is unstopable, like the most of then already….
“But certainly not “Your Highnessâ€Â.”
LOL.Too sarcastic a title for somebody in the HIGH corridors of power who wears ELEVATOR shoes .
“So there is such a thing as betrayal of public trust, what could be the instances?” – ramrod
It has a very broad meaning, it depends on the numbers (congressmen/senators), after all they keep on telling us “it’s a numbers game”.
ram,
in fairness it was “justice in waiting” not Benigno.
gwert, that was already patented by Gloria Arroyo. Now, they just have to look for a fitting title for Mike
Suggesttion, “your excellency, King Pidal”.. how does it sound??
“It has a very broad meaning, it depends on the numbers (congressmen/senators), after all they keep on telling us “it’s a numbers gameâ€Â.” – qwert
Yes, I remember the congressman saying he needs at least 79. Is this “numbers game” related in anyway to the sudden surge of ciculation of currency among the congressmen?
nah ah, mav, old man. i’m not talking about america, but assuming i do, aren’t we the best “second-rate, trying-hard
copy cat” in the world?
“in fairness it was “justice in waiting†not Benigno.” – qwert
Oops sorry, I left my glasses in the car. I’m at a Starbucks, to be honest I’d rather contend with this GMA issue and problems with government – they’re nothing compared to my “dictatorship” scenario in the house.
justice,
we have to think deeper, King Pidal does not fit, he looks like a Tour de France champion, I cannot stretch my imagination that far, King Pidal riding a bicycle on his way to Alpe d’Huez.
justice in waiting:
“Robber Baron?”
“benign0 :
Hmmm… the lack of the kindly requested counter-arguments rings loudly…”
Are you still researching Mr. Expert?
Try Czar.
Czar Mike
Czarina Gloria
Czardines Mikee, Luli, etc.
Just kidding…
“nah ah, mav, old man. i’m not talking about america, but assuming i do, aren’t we the best “second-rate, trying-hard
copy cat†in the world?bencard”
Democrats are clueless, gutless, and worthless.
Republicans are hypocrites, have a bloated sense of entitlement, and have lost their way.
Bushie is War Prize Winer!
No wonder,the Philippines with all its warts is like HEAVEN .Don’t you agree ,big boy?
try “Prince of Whales?”
…this is just satire nothing personal, of course were just kidding…
“The two Asean countries perceived with worst corruption were Indonesia( no.143) and Myanmar (no.179). Philippines (131)”
All this time I thought Indonesia was worse.
Mav kinda scared me with her internet brigade thing
Now, with your indulgence, lets go back to the more serious business of political blogging.
“…this is just satire nothing personal, of course we’re NOT kidding…”
King Alfred E. Neuman
Royal Motto:”Buck off!”
Royal Saying: “Blood is thicker than water… but it makes lousy lemonade!”
ramrod:
1)Indonesia had a worst rating than the Philippines.The Index ranks countries from best to worst,in that order.
2)Luli Internet brigade is an idiotic thing.I have this strange feeling that “Multiple choice/s” is
Luli(put)herself.
I hope the opposition in the lower house would push through with their plan to boycott the proceedings to be conducted by the Committee on Justice headed by the father of Mike Defensor (Mat Defensor)to determine the form and substance of the Pulido impeachment complaint. They intend to be present but they will not participate nor raise any questions, they will just be observing the proceedings. Abangan natin ang comedyang ito.
Good night to all my friends!
As always,I leave you with my favorite saying .I find it apt in the context of the current political environment:
“There is one safeguard known generally to the wise, which is an advantage and security to all, but especially to democracies as against despots. What is it? Distrust.” Demosthenes
Whiteman’s Boy benign0
whiteman’s boy, benign0, is looking down from down under
katribu is looking up from deep in the jungle
katribu speaks: benign0 you katribu no more
you think- speak not from the land no more
MASTER-LIKE MIND-SLAVE you think you know more
than all katribu now and before
getreal, getdown from down under
the masters’ spell no more
good night mav…
ram,
be careful with your coffee intake…
good night mav, qwert, cvj
…and goodnight too tililing
Before we lower the curtains:
“Abalos to get P3.1M retirement pay, Garcillano to get P2.9M”- ABS-CBNNEWS
good night ram,cvj, justice and the rest…
“Abalos to get P3.1M retirement pay, Garcillano to get P2.9Mâ€Â- ABS-CBNNEWS
…and they said CRIME DOES NOT PAY…
🙂
hey mav, old geezer, you are barking up the wrong tree. aren’t you in the wrong turf? i know centenarians usually think incoherently but at least aim before you shoot, inkong.
MLQ3,ramrod, cvj,
Federalism: A Formula for Disaster
Copy of my comment, June 16,2006:
Federalism + regionalism + parochialism + political dynasty-ism + neo-feudalism + 100% foreign ownership of land + foreign-controlled economic zones/regions + scattered-islands geography + poor nationalism = dismemberment + balkanization + multi-national colonization = homeless, landless, homeland-less Filipinos
= Enchanted Kingdom?
Last May 23, 2006 President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo urged employers to rally behind the government so that, together, they could reach the “Enchanted Kingdom†of First World Success. “Let’s dream together…in the Enchanted Kingdom, we can operationalize that? Let’s be among the countries of the First World in 20 yearsâ€Â.
And on June 6, 2006, GMA declared, with more confidence than before, “I will finish my term until 2010.â€Â
2006 + Enchanted Kingdoom in 20 yrs = 2010+
Will GMA last until 2010? But the more serious question is: will the people/country survive with Gloria in power until 2010? In what condition will the country be by 2010?
( I asked a similar question on May 2003 May: “With one yr to go, will GMA survive until the 2004 elections? The bigger question is will the country survive and in what condition will the country be by then? what is the post-GMA scenario? A GMA scenario?†I broadcast emailed to analysts with p.s.-‘save for future reference’ )
——————————
I was anxious, worried then about the future that lies ahead if GMA stays in power. It’s been four years since.
If GMA is able to stay until 2010 and, possibly, beyond, it is not because she is politically stronger but because the people have grown weaker and weaker each year — sicker and more tired of GMA.
WILL GMA SURVIVE UNTIL 2010? IN WHAT CONDITION WILL THE COUTRY BE BY 2010? WILL THE COUNTRY SURVIVE GMA STILL WITH HOPE FOR A BETTER FUTURE AND A BETTER PHILIPPINES?
btw, mav, old geezer. will you refrain from using “we” every time you post a comment. other bloggers here, albeit with same mindset as yours, are probably adults who can speak for themselves, and have not appointed you as their spokesman. don’t be so presumptuous.
I do not know but I can not comprehend the grandstanding issues as discussed in the first portions of the article of ricelander. Don’t bother to explain, it is my low IQ.
🙂
I’ve always admired the patience of many people here who continue to seriously engage senile and deluded Bencard in a debate (although some here are obviously just humoring him), knowing full well that he won’t listen to other arguments except his own.
Juan Makabayan, it’s good to hear from you after all this time. She’s playing the regional card now, she’ll probably play the terrorist/communist card next. However, regardless of what she tries, GMA and her admin is like the walking dead. She’s just collecting karma along the way.
“benignO – I consider myself an authority on the matter.”
Since you are taking a long time to ARTICULATE your ‘views and ideas’, I will just ask you some questions about federalism.
1) Which is better the individual as a citizen of the state/province or a citizen of the nation? In other words, are Cebuanos better off as citizens of Cebu or as citizens of the Philippines (no more Filipinos)?
2) What type of legislature is the most effective in a federal setup?
3) Can you enlighten us on the distribution of power and responsibility between the federal government and the states/provinces in a federal setup?
4) How long would it take to setup a federation?
More questions later Mr. Expert….
jumak, may i suggest, you read or watch the business news of your favorite media outlet. aren’t we better-off now, at least economically, than we were seven years ago? your have an alarmist world view, if not downright paranoid. if we can continue the current trend, in spite of all the usual rabble rousing (such as yours) we may yet achieve pgma’s vision. she doesn’t have to remain in power beyond 2010 to make it happen. her predecessors can reap the fruits of her stewardship.
just consider these: right now you and people like you can insult, malign, ridicule, condemn, berate, accuse, prejudge, humiliate, disrespect, and degrade her person and her family, and you are still alive with your family apparently in relative comfort probably in your own home, car in the garage, and for sure, a laptop connected to the world-wide internet, eating nourishing tapsilog in the morning, sinigang at pritong bangus & rice at lunch, and chicken (or steak) for dinner. try counting your blessing, unless, of course, you are member of npa or abu sayyaf in which case all you can be happy about is that the law hasn’t caught up with you yet.
CVJ,
“Benign0, in your proposition that the breakup of the Filipino nation will come naturally, you have to contend with those of us who self-identify as Filipinos.”
Filipinos lack confidence to even contemplate cutting this country apart.
Only hacenderos like federalism and corrupt governors. Few Filipinos even understand it. Wy bother. Government should be simpler for the people. Intellectuals should seek to explain government to the masses. Why even complicate it further? There is absolutely no reason why there needs to be a dramatic “technical” change to government. We already know what’s wrong with this country.
Bencard, what ever happened to your strict rule of being “factual”, of not being speculative? Why all of a sudden are you speculating that the money could have come from plunder, jueteng, or drug trafficking, etc. etc.? You’ve berated people in the past of making conclusions, and here you are making your own conclusions yourself. Making conclusions against Gloria is bad. Making conclusions in favor of Gloria is good. Ganun ba yun?
Gov. Panlilio, in a press conference yesterday morning, related exactly what happened, that Gov. Mendoza of Bulacan handed the money to Among Ed’s chief of staff, and Gov. Mendoza confirmed it and admitted that he also received P500,000. Aside from Rep. Cuenco, Reps. Arenas, Uy, and Domogan also admitted receiving money. Did all this money come from plunder, jueteng, and drug trafficking and was sneaked into Malacanang by anti-Gloria forces to embarrass your totally discredited President? Are you accusing the Presidential Security Guards of being nincompoops, or are you implying that the oppositionists are intrepid operatives?
We have in Among Ed somebody who has the moral courage to tell the truth. The only people I know who look at truth-tellers with suspicion are liars.
You just can’t stomach the truth, can you?
Rego, I totally agree with you that Cha-cha must be done without Gloria. I agree with you more that Gloria must be impeached before she leaves office. But failing that, she must be haled to court to answer for all her sins against the people. She must not go scot-free, without rendering an accounting to the people of her misrule.