Listen to “One Day More.”
Itaguyod ang Katotohanan.
It is time to be COUNTED!
Join us at the Friday Inter-Faith Prayer Rally
Ayala cor. Paseo de Roxas — 4:00 to 8:00 PM
Where former President Cory Aquino and Jun Lozada will join us as we make the call for Truth and Accountability.
Black and White Movement, together with Hyatt 10/La Salle 60, MBC, MAP, Manindigan,
and other professional and church groups will assemble at the
AIM (Paseo de Roxas) Parking lot at 3:00 PM.
Please join us.
Sa Totoo Tayo. Now Na!
Today there will be people from all walks of life and different generations and varying political and non-political persuasions, coming together to make a stand.
It’s unfortunate that the focus on Makati will obscure the efforts being made elsewhere in the country. Whether a rally in Cebu City, or elsewhere, the only divide I see is between urban and rural Filipinos: though the majority, for some time now, of Filipinos are urban dwellers. I strongly believe the sentiments among urban Filipinos are converging while rural opinion won’t be far behind.
Returning to today’s rally, the authorities are pulling out all the stops: PNP renews warning about communists, terrorists at rally. They’re spooked.Yesterday, something remarkable happened at PUP, see: PUP bomb threat fails to stop Lozada. And something else happened, see: Dirty Tricks in Uniffors.
But two bloggers say it best.
Market Manila declares he will be there:
Because we live in a democracy by choice. Because not speaking up when you know something is wrong makes you an accomplice to the wrong. Because I think everyone must be held accountable for their actions, particularly where their actions impact the welfare of millions. Because of the increasingly brazen disregard for the laws and even basic ethics that should apply to educated individuals. Because in many ways, I am embarrassed to be in the same gene pool as those who are perpetrating and then possibly getting away with such outrageous actions. Because of dozens of other reasons I will keep to myself as I know you get the point.
A reply he gives to a commenter is zeroes in on the issues even more:
mapster, I agree that we have to do everything we can everyday. I pay my taxes and a LOT of them. I have never ever slipped a policeman lunch money. I have voted with a conscience and watched at the polls. I have volunteered services for politicians or candidates which I thought rose above the rest, and I have never accepted any gifts, compensation or positions for the effort. So yes, I think we have to do our daily bit. But I also used to believe that we had a high corruption rate because we were poor… and that somehow the petty corruption of the streets and licenses, etc. were a function of poverty. But that is simply not true. The folks who are implicated in multi-billion scandals are well to do, and as someone above says, how much money do they need to live a decent and comfortable life? And the Hello garci scandal was offensive precisely because it suggests that the elections themselves are rigged, hence the votes of the people are ignored. At the very least, we have to indicate a great deal of displeasure and let everyone know they can’t get away with these kinds of behaviors.
As for being in the company of crooks and wannabees as some intimate above, I think in all democracies people from all walks of life will band together for similar causes, though they all may not look, sound, or be the same. While some of the folks who will be there at the rally this afternoon are opportunists and perhaps not folks I would normally look up to, many others could or should be every day folks who simply want to say, TAMA NA! And while I am not the biggest of Cory fans, I think she IS someone to look up to and her presence is only one of the minor reasons I would show up this afternoon.
I agree with other sentiments about changing the system et al. But I would agree more that we need to change the people on a massive scale with folks that really want to do the BEST for their country, a noble and difficult scenario, I concur.
As for others, you are definitely entitled to your opinion and free to choose what you will, can or want to do. With Marcos it took 20 years to reach the “boiling point.” In subsequent administrations the flare ups occurred with less time required. But at some point, when we all are personally so incensed or affected directly, you too will feel the need to do something.
If you re-read the post above, I would like to point out that I only said that I WOULD BE GOING. Not that I thought all of you should as well, that is obviously your choice.
Touched By An Angel says,
Though not a popular choice by our Catholic Bishops, I believe, GMA has to go. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has to go.
I truly believe that The President and her people have engaged in so much lying that they can no longer recognize the truth even if it stared them in the face. (PDI) As to the next step to take, I will take one step, one day at a time. I do not have the answers yet but in time, I will discern it. Our Filipinos will discern it. I will be there at the The Interfaith rally…
Among young people, there will be those, like on a red day who will be there, as will Tristan’s Mental Assylum ristan’s Mental Assylum and Jamel Ignes who is attending a rally for the first time! (for the religious, see melo touch). Other young people share their views, and efforts at discernment: a slice of wine.. and a shot of cake.. points out the dividing line and respects those who have decided to speak up against the President. There are others who are still uncertain, yet watchful, like Prudence and Mandess, and such as student Timmyland or who remain ambivalent, who will not go but who will be keeping those gathered in their thoughts, see OFW jihAn.zillA. Sh, and Yeweifang’s blog .
Among more senior bloggers, Red’s Herring puts everything in perspective:
If the events that have led to People Power I (EDSA Revolution of 1986 or EDSA I) are any guide, revolutionary uprisings go through certain levels (of consciousness): First, the underlying belief by a sizeable segment of society that the rulers and certain institutional arrangements have lost legitimacy; second, certain intense participants or change agents have gotten around their sense of powerlessness and come to realize they have the power or capacity to effect the needed changes; third, the disaffected members of society have more or less formed a consensus as to the nature and or scope of the changes they desire to occur in lieu of the illegitimated rulers or arrangements, whether be it about a total systemic overhaul, a “regime change,” an extra-constitutional overthrowing of a corrupt or immoral government, etc.
My sense is that People Power III has already reached the first and second levels of consciousness described above. However, before the Great Beast “could take care of itself” today it has yet to hurdle the third level of consciousness.
For one, I have noted even the reformists in the military and the progressives in the civil society are still tentative about the scope and the nature of the changes to be sought (note should also be taken for instance that the mere suggestion during the Manila Peninsula “uprising” that a military junta was being contemplated has not sit well with potential supporters), while other veteran people power practitioners are apprehensive the next exercise “could again end up repeating a vicious cycle of simply ‘moving on’ in circle, and not leaping onward or to a higher ground” or a “new qualitative state.”…
…Now, the question once again: Why is People Power III taking its time?
My own take is: There is yet no general consensus among potential people power participants and activists, as has been in EDSA I or EDSA II, as to what change to aspire for and institute.
Arguably, proposals for reforms or transformations, at odds with each other for the most part, still abound. To cite a few: some who believe the two EDSAs were both a failure aim this time to act against a failed system and plan to overhaul it either according to some rigid ideologies or based merely on the “best practices” of ongoing successful experiments; other groups are just angry and frustrated because of “relative deprivation” (middle class weighed upon with a looming downgrade to the next class complain how come only their counterparts in other regions are having all the fun); still others are focused only on struggling for control of the state apparatuses and effecting “regime change” while keeping both the political and economic structure intact; and specifically, accused coup leader and now detained senator Sonny Trillanes is eager to transform the nation “without reinventing the wheel” or whereas Bishop Francisco Claver can only entertain the belief that “our problem comes down to this: how to correct the aberration that is the present administration without destroying the stabilizing structure that is our democratic system of government.”
…As a result, reactionary moves from old and once reliable alliances, the CBCP in particular, are silently taking place in the form of tokenism (a plea to President Arroyo to take lead in the fight against corruption) and diversion (a call for a new brand of People Power through “communal action”).
Mon Casiple on the part of the political pundits, observes,
The nature and circumstances of this political crisis is such that it can only have one resolution: the end of the Arroyo regime within the context of the existing electoral democracy. From there, it may result in the affirmation of this electoral democracy and thus the integrity of the 2010 elections. Or, more remote, it may lead to the ending of the electoral democracy itself. At any rate, these are the days of reckoning.
The people’s consciousness and readiness to action are developing by leaps and bounds. The usual tactics by the GMA administration are not working anymore and proved to be ironically pushing faster the momentum for change. From the JDV triumphal ouster to its present travails, the Arroyo administration has rapidly traversed a half-circle towards a downward spiral.
What’s Casiple referring to? I can only guess, but think of this. Did you notice the article, 52 governors troop to Palace to show support for Arroyo ? A friend encountered one of these governors on a plane bound for Manila, and the governor prattled on about how he was going to Manila on business -only for my friend to see the governor on TV lurking near the edge of the gathered governors. Said my friend: you see, they’ve begun to get embarrassed over their support for the President (the governor knew my friend’s an oppositionist; but a mere month ago, the governor would needle my friend and crow about the President every chance he got). And the news leaves an even bigger question hanging: what of the other 29 governors?
Recall that one of the officials proclaimed a convenor of the Loyalist rally in Manila on Feb. 25 pointedly told the media, “oh, I’m in Manila doing shopping.”
While Amando Doronila notices that:
Speaking to a joint meeting of the Makati Business Club, Management Association of the Philippines and PinoyME Foundation last Feb. 26, Aquino did not make a pitch for another People Power uprising, to the disappointment of many people. She merely called on President Arroyo to step down, saying it was the least disruptive way out of the “severe moral crisis” facing the country. She said, “She must give way to a credible government that could lead by example. Given our concern to protect the moral pillars of democracy, the extra-constitutional removal of the President is not an ideal we would want to aspire for.”
Aquino’s call for restraint was echoed by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, which in a pastoral statement on Feb. 26, called on the President to allow her officials to tell the truth about the slew of allegations of corruption related to several government transactions, but fell short of demanding her resignation. Instead, the bishops urged the President to be “part of the effort” to seek the truth.
The coyness of Aquino and the disappointing position of the bishops restraining people power highlighted the departure from the dynamics of 1986, when Aquino rode the crest of a forceful people power movement driven by the activist archbishop of Manila, Jaime Cardinal Sin, and the mass civilian participation in street protests in support of the military mutiny led by Marcos’ Defense Minister Juan Ponce Enrile and Constabulary chief, Lt. Gen. Fidel Ramos.
Today’s configuration has lost the fervor for mass action of 1986. It tells us that today’s movement is not based on mass action to bring pressure on the key support institutions of government to defect, such as the military and the bureaucracy. Today’s movement has changed emphasis. It has shifted its cutting edge from confrontation in the streets to bringing moral pressure on government. The shift is not exerting a powerful pressure on government officials to step down. It emboldens them to stonewall.
Though as the Inquirer editorial today points out,
We realize that, in itself, the language of the recommendation (“Urge the President and all the branches of government to take the lead in combating corruption wherever it is found”) seems to be neutral. But in the present context, it actually disregards a fundamental reality. In the scandal over the National Broadband Network, the President and her men have been less than forthright in telling the truth. That, in fact, is one of the reasons we have a crisis in the first place.
Apropos of the bishops, read An Open Letter to the CBCP at Brown SEO.
(courtesy of pedestrianobserver)
ramrod, all the same, we need the consensus of those who participate. that is what escapes me. during the 1986 edsa, we didnt have classes. we were glued to the radio for days. during erap’s impeachment, we skipped office to watch ANC. today most people i know think it’s either a political show or a waste of time. only one is ‘gma-resign’. what’s really the country’s pulse?
the critical few, like the people in manila?
coldking, over ka na, ha. sa mga bisaya at chinese comments.
mindanaoan,
Critical few = people who give a damn and willing to do something about it. The “most people you know” are those who don’t give a damn or care enough to do anything at all – so useless, they’ll just follow the flow…at times complaining and complaining…my point is – do something, don’t be a fence sitter, take a stand, any stand…
john limjap, i can sympathize.
Forget how many thousands, it struck fear on GMA. Just a moment ago, there was a loud procession of sirens along Sam Miguel Avenue. Firetrucks and other cars. It was a longish parade, but I had no way of telling who was it for, probably pro-GMA.
Manolo, I am one with you and the Opposition in looking for the truth, but how can we find the truth if we only listen to the side of the accuser and not also to the side of the accused? We are no longer looking for the truth but for allies or enemies. The temptation for many of us Filipinos is to uncritically accept or reject all accusations against a President or Administration without discernment.
The accused is obstructing justice. Listen to what? To platitudes and BS-speak, yes even now, sadly, we listen. We listen because she is still president. We just feel discombobulated every time.
One of the very significant issues we have here, also pointed out by foreigners is our apparent disregard for ACCOUNTABILITY. GMA et al, seem to believe that they own the country, they can take, give away money, without accounting for it. They can take away lives without accounting for it. If its as simple as “you can’t prove anything, good luck finding evidence” you just get rid of it.
Its even a joke here, that the President and company get 10% of the National budget (personally in their pockets), which is really embarassing. I make it a point not to put down the president in front of foreigners as Gloria and I are both Filipinos, but among us, its open season…
john canda: that’s a good point. and the point of those still appealing to the president to be reasonable.
there are two forums: the court of public opinion and the court of law. the president isn’t lacking in resources to promote her defense in both.
so far, we’ve seen the court of public opinion: and exhibits a to z are the government officials trying to push the government line, but unable to agree on what that line is, and who keep contradicting or changing their stories. when asked for evidence, theres eo 464, sc decision or not, and mc 108, and so forth. as for the other forums where public opinion could be marshaled to defend the president, say impeachment hearings, etc., well, those have been closed off by the self-innoculation strategy.
but let’s assume, as i do, that the public also knows legal forums matter, too, not to settle the president’s fitness for office, which is a political question, but in terms of charges. they are being filed all the time. but they aren’t moving. but no one has dismissed them or closed them off as a means to settle the question of evidence. in the court of law, the president won’t lack the finest defense money can buy, as is her right. but simply look at the glacial pace of the doj and ombudsman and see that they buy the president time to make hay while the sun shines.
nowhere: in media, in public, in the senate, has the president lacked for defenders and a chance to air her side.
John Christian Canda,
Ang haba. She’s already tried to say her peace in th “I’m sorry” but its was clear that she was not sincere, she is definitely not going to tell the truth, she’s going to fight it out, thick-faced, and stubbornly. Opting to hire image consultants instead…
ramrod, it’s not for you to say who cares or who doesnt. my position is like voltaire’s. i may not agree with what you say but i will die to defend your right to say it. because it’s the ‘freedom’ system. we need to defend the system from those who try to subvert it. it’s fine that people denounce gma for corruption, it shows they care. but it’s not ok to see people try to remove her outside the process of impeachment. it will weaken the system.
Why don’t we make a bet.
I’ll bet this won’t even warrant a story page on Time Magazine (ASia edition).
– 😀
john canda,
There are two government-owned TV channels airing Gloria’s side non-stop. Her supposed achievements, etc., and they are repeatedly showed, over and over again – just like a mantra…
benigs got a point. That would be embarrassing, wouldn’t it? I imagine TIME Asia will pick it up as the revolution escalates. I believe next month it will be front page. TIME practices good journalism.
mindanaoan,
She cannot be impeached, her minions will close ranks to protect her. Please update yourself on the latest preemptive strike. She has congress in her hands, how can you get the numbers? Look closely, its highly organized and highly financed. She has the governors, mayors, etc. eating at the palm of her hands via overpriced infrastructure projects nationwide. Haven’t you heard of the very expensive lampposts in Cebu, actually Mactan, well I actually went there last year and even touched one, obviously it was locally fabricated judging by the workmanship. And you know what happened to the guy who exposed it? Yes. In jail. There is only a facade of democracy here, really, and rallies are the only venues we have left for democratic expressions…
mindanaoan,
I’ll be honest with you, I was a Gloria supporter two years ago, because I just based my opinions on newspapers, cable tv, and banco sentral economic statistics. Its when you actually get involved with the local business sector, military, and NGOs that you see the dark side of the force. Take time to find the real score…
and ousting her will fix all that? read monsod’s piece today, and evaluate things.
while ousting her opens a lot of dangerous possibilities, including lacson as president, or the return of estrada, there is only one benefit that we might get, satisfied egos.
People who attended the Ayala rally should be congratulated indeed. They stand to their conviction expressed their sentiments about et etc.
The same congratulations should be extended to the people who choose not to attend rally. They too expressed their choice or preferred way on how to go about this problem about corruption and public accountability.
Lets just respect each other choice. And continue examining our conviction as we go on.
I have this very good freind for abot 5 years now. He is a rabid anti Gloria and while I m not. Today He came froma rally in Manhatan while I came froma project not very far from teh rally site. It was not really a big rally. Even my freind is amenable to that. And we both understand that its really very difficult to gather peopel here for that kind of event. But I believe its good for him to be able expressed his conviction that way. I also feel good that I was able to make a stand by really declining his invitation for me to join him all the anti GMA rallies in the past. At the end of the day , we are just happy with to celbrate our choices witha coupl eof beers in Baryo whiel istening to our favorite bands.
Sna ganyan din lang kayo dyan sa Pinas. Togilan na yang bangayan. Pare pareho lang naman ang gusto natin na mappaayos ang Pinas eh. Nag kakatalo lang sa sa pamamaraan.
But of course I agree with Ca T, there are really people in this debate who have moree stake that just conviction. May kanya kanya kasing manok para pumalit kay Gloria eh. People power man or though election. Even my freind here admitted to me that their organization is receiving funds from a senator. And they expect to be rewarded pag naging presidente na si senator.
Pero yung mga wala naman stake other than just pure conviction. Mas makakabuti yata na kalma lang tayo.
People, you have to remember: this is a game of “Matira ang matibay”. We know which direction the momentum is moving in. Pero kailangan matibay ang loob natin.
“One of the very significant issues we have here, also pointed out by foreigners is our apparent disregard for ACCOUNTABILITY”.
I dont think that foreignesr really undertstand the situation (understadable naman kasi foreigners nga sila) istnot really disregard for accountability. I believ its more on deciding how to go about the public accountability. Peoepl power ba or bring Gloria to courst or wait na lang na matapos ang term nya…
Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras is 30 years today. Expected crowd attendance 300,000 people both from Sydney and International visitors! It contributes more than 46 million dollars to the Sydney Economy! Now that’s what I call a protest March!
The military will be represented!
http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,23299396-662,00.html
There will be reverends and religious people too! yehey!
http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/clergy-sorry-for-rejection-over-sexuality/2008/02/23/1203467453418.html
And lots of Gorgeous boys and girls! So there! Why would I fly all the way to Phils to join your pathetic People Power rally?
mlq3 – your piece on constituency politics is quite good. you forgot one big consituency though – the one that’s armed. don’t you think they will coerce some concessions from VP?
mlq3,
I am one with you that one’s of people power’s strengths is that it serves as a threat to the authorities should they use institutions for their selfish ends. And I am proud that our country, no matter what the rest of the world says what it is, has developed it as our our own means towards socio-political change.
But re: your views on constituencies, you got my goat there again especially that which concerns the issue of the VIce President stepping up in case GMA is out of the picture. Isn’t the fact that de Castro who was elected without much question on his legitimacy, has already a constituency to speak of in the first place?
So what’s the talk of constituency now? As I said it is implicit that a Vice PResident is always ready to assume the top position because that is the Constitutional mandate.
If you are arguing about the realpolitik scenario where Noli de Castro now stands, then I think that’s where there are points of contention. And the concerns that I pointed out was that there would be groups who would be unduly influential again to the detriment of our political system, which is based on representative democracy.
You say there is nothing wrong with letting him commit to a reform agenda. My issue is who are the people or groups who would spell out this “reform” agenda. Reform is always an attractive word, but sadly, we have yet to see one that has seeped through, enough to shake up for the better our dysfunctional socio-political system.
Secondly, it is jumping the gun too soon on the VP, and openly at that — even if realpolitick states that a political event is much as a product of deliberate and systematic planning in secret awaiting for the right time to implement it.
If and Noli de Castro step up to the Presidency then let us keep in line with the fact that since he was elected to the post, then he would have the gumption to do what it takes to lead (including assembling his own people). This is not only out of respect to the VP but largely out of respect to the people who successfully elected him into the office (sigh, we keep forgetting that we are in a democracy).
And to think, I am one of those who cringed at the likes of Noli de Castro becoming a Senator, then a VP. But my personal likes or dislikes are of not of consequence if we really stick to what is right.
Re: “voluntary” and “forced” — it depends who’s doing what. What we are sure of was that Erap did not “voluntarily” resign. He was forcibly ousted. Now, do we want the same thing? Sure, we who want GMA to step down, are both using persuasive and forcible tactics — but again, we have to make sure that we are not alienating those who are anti-GMA but who are not necessarily loud in their views and are still making up their minds. When we see certain political groups too eager to make their case, apart from the unaffiliated students, common workers and professionals it raises the suspicion that what we have is intra-elite power struggle and not the issue which is all about battling corruption and its roots.
Personally, I would have been glad if during the Friday rally, a student or an ordinary worker was allowed to speak and address the crowd instead of Cory or Erap (and even if I am a Cory fan). Of course Lozada as always, was right on target with his message.
“one’s of” — > one of
Solita Monsod’s argument of keeping GMA until 2010: the MOB might be replaced by the MAD (mean, armed, and dangerous).
just go? no way. that’s why the resign calls never sat well with me. if there was a crime, then it should be brought to court and if we have to wait till 2010 to do that, then so be it. this business of letting a president just go riding off into a Hawaiian sunset is BS. with marcos, we never had closure. at least with erap there was a conviction. there’s already a precedent. if we tell ourselves it cannot be done, it will not get done.
as for the numbers…who cares about the numbers. it was a sizeable crowd, kinda sent mixed messages (reform, resign, oust, fight for truth) but that’s what it was…
maginoo, the political maneuverings will take that into consideration, of course, although their demands may not be so big. anti-insurgency is government policy, and i don’t think the hard-liners who want to extend that policy to include liquidations reflect the majority of officers’ opinions, anyway. nor would they be too interested in civilian jobs though current retired generals in lakas might want to stay on in their jobs… the real question is can the political pros head of a situation where administration inflexibility leaves both noli and the military no choice, but to go where the public goes? because i don’t think the afp is prepared to undertake a tiananmen scenario.
maginoo, that’s true. the next step for us if we don’t get our act together is for an armed revolt. it might take time because those who attempted in the past didn’t get very far…medyo bumbling din yung efforts kasi mahina sa strategy.
“Solita Monsod’s argument of keeping GMA until 2010: the MOB might be replaced by the MAD (mean, armed, and dangerous).”
AFP is incapable of taking over. No support from the populace and insurgency may bubble. US may stop giving support. Ridiculous, even for a non-insider.
@benign-zero
“Why don’t we make a bet.
I’ll bet this won’t even warrant a story page on Time Magazine (ASia edition).”
Haha! This proves that you are just a cosmetic artist pre-occupied with keeping up appearances. Why don’t you organise a rally for yourself involving ten people who read your blog. good luck.
mlq,
what’s your take on Solita Monsod’s column today (March 1) in the inquirer?
mita, who cares about the numbers? the numbers tell us in fact that between the rallyists and the police, the truth is somewhere in between
madonna, i don’t think there are major differences in our views. but there’s a difference between a theoretical base of support and those actually front and center. the president for one doesn’t leave it to chance. she counts heads all the time and knows how to trump public opinion every time.
the vice-president has high ratings, so public good will. he has an office his by virtue of an election declared legitimate. he occupies an office that the president herself decided ought to be his, in case she drops dead as three of her predecessors did. there are those who don’t want him to succeed because they don’t believe in the constitution, in the system, etc, etc.
so there are constituencies who’d rather we go back to a more predictable constitutonal order just as there are those who are not exactly pleased by the president but are displeased by her critics and who don’t think any uncertainty arising from her leaving office is worth it.
i view it from the view that the president will inevitably drive even the moderates and her reluctant supporters to the other side, if not between now and 2010, then after 2010. i think it’s healthier for our country if she goes, sooner rather than later because many of the problems we face aren’t with the system but what she has done to it.
in the end, if you distrust whatever reform agendas are being proposed and those who propose them, the alternative is to demand to see those agendas, and determine if they are selfish or not; and also, to do your part to reassure the vice-president that his mandate should he assume office isn’t a theoretical one.
again: he has no party, he has no cadre of bureaucrats, his allies in the senate have ambitions of their own, etc. etc. i think he is something the president is not, which is, a good communicator and politics is communication. in that sense he will be very strong in restoring the sense of common purpose we look for from our leaders.
but actually, the real issue at hand now is that since many things are out of our hands (will the president start being conciliatory, or will she continue to stonewall?), the best thing to do is encourage the constitutionally-oriented consensus.
Manolo, I’m cnvinced. I want Noli, at least until 2010.
mlq3: the best thing to do is encourage the constitutionally-oriented consensus. amen, brother.
jason: my view is that it was honest and she finally stated where she stands: beside the president. all other considerations in her judgment pale in comparison to things heading in a more radical direction. my criticism is that she refuses to see how the president whom she asked for a truth commission has kept things going in a more radical direction, despite the disunity, bumbling, incompetence, etc. etc. of many of her critics, including the military rebels. despite all that, the president keeps adding gasoline to the fire. each time she does so, more people get fed up.
and to this, monsod’s argument is more of the same: let the president lead, she could still change but even if she doesn’t is still better than the people monsod hates, and notice monsod’s demand is what? gosh, maybe the president ought to consider sending her husband away.
we’ve been down that road before.
and meanwhile, neda drafts new regulations to further restrict information.
but again, it’s a piece that helps clarify where people stand and that’s a good thing.
Brian,
I agree with you. Noli is perhaps, less corrupt than GMA.
My family has never made money illegally, much less made money from government. My father has always steered clear of any action that might even cast doubt on my mother’s integrity.Luli Arroyo
Salients Points of The President’s Resignation Speech:
“I shall resign the Presidency effective at noon tomorrow. The Vice President will be sworn in as President at that hour in this office.”
“I shall continue to work for the great causes to which I have been dedicated throughout my years as a Senator, a Vice President, and President, the cause of peace not just for our country but among all nations, prosperity, justice, and opportunity for all of our people.”
“In all the decisions I have made in my public life, I have always tried to do what was best for the Nation. Throughout the long and difficult period of my political crisis, I have felt it was my duty to persevere, to make every possible effort to complete the term of office to which you elected me.”
“I would have preferred to carry through to the finish whatever the personal agony it would have involved, and my family unanimously urged me to do so. But the interest of the Nation must always come before any personal considerations.”
“I have never been a quitter. To leave office before my term is completed is abhorrent to every instinct in my body. But as President, I must put the interest of the Nation first. The country needs a full-time President and a full-time Congress, particularly at this time with problems we face at home and abroad.”
“I shall leave this office with regret at not completing my term, but with gratitude for the privilege of serving as your President for the past years. These years have been a momentous time in the history of our Nation and the world. They have been a time of achievement in which we can all be proud, achievements that represent the shared efforts of the Administration, the Congress, and the people.”Richard Nixon
As i was writing here before your comment, erap must be a Gloria’s “pakawala” :p.
He is scaring the people.
He is in the same league with those red flag bearers. People are turned off by their presence. But of course they always bring with them their own PALA.(taga palakpak, may echo pa. hehehe). A handful of these paid mini-people power” cheering for them would convince them that they’re still hot.
mlq3 – it is hoped that the advisers of the presumptive constitutional successor are triangulating/cross-checking their assumptions in their “realpolitik” strategy (as mentioned by Ms. Madonna) of being “always ready to become President.” Sometimes, it is not only a matter of an electoral mandate that has cleared legal scrutiny, especially if the populace know that votes are bought and sold in RP like a commodity. The VP’s popularity goes back to his DZMM days.
mabuti ng si noli maging president kaysa kay mar roxas who will unleash Korina as first lady…yikes!
I’ve been hearing this bet for years. IF I had taken the bets for several thousand dollars I could have been rich.
hohoho.
You bet on this, Lozada will join the club of the whistleblowers who tried politics and never won even a local election. mwehehe
Cat, one person says she needs to go home because she’s a mom and you generalize that “people” can’t stay in rallies? One person said that he didn’t go because people were applauding Erap and you say Erap scares people?
How can you even estimate home many people has that kind of sentiment?
Anyways, I agree with MLQ3 that Erap has been pardoned and legally speaking, he’s a free man and it’s not his fault that people are still rooting for him whatever their reason is for doing that.
In my eyes, the courts convicted him and he should therefore have stayed in jail for the remainder of his jail term. It’s Gloria’s fault that she pardoned Erap. She and the rest of us who has no love for Erap have to live with her decision and Erap’s actions.
i think it’s healthier for our country if she goes, sooner rather than later because many of the problems we face aren’t with the system but what she has done to it.
— mlq3
I agree that it healthier if she goes sooner, that’s why I don’t buy the view that we should wait for 2010 because I for one see that tolerating her wrongdoing since 2005 has put the country on a brink of flight and fight response, very much like those who has suffered abuse and trauma but who can’t muster the will and power to do what is right.
But I so very disagree wholeheartedly when you say that many problems that we face today are not with the system. I SO VERY DISAGREE. I am from the middle class manolo and you are part of the upper class and unlike you, I don’t just have a theoretical view of what ails our social system.
When an ordinary taxi driver or a salesgirl says that “pareho-pareho” lang naman sila kahit sinong iluklok mo sa Malacanang, I respect and wholeheartedly believe it because I know for a fact that it rings with the gospel truth when applied to the majority of our countrymen for over a hundred years. I talk to my friends who are in the States and Canada, and the motivating reason why they left the Philippines — it is the absence of EQUALITY in our country, and they are far from leftists or commies.
So I say that I agree with Neri when he said that GMA is evil, not because she consorts with Satan, but because she has not only the condoned our rotten socio-political system that has benefited elists and oligarchs but she profited mightily from it. She is also the epitome of evil because she uses the rotten system as partly her excuse (refer to Luli’s treatise on corruption).
From the time of Marcos, FVR, Cory the talk has been to destroy the evil of oligarchy and elitism, but no administration has ever has the balls (ok Marcos at the start did) and the will or peristence to confront them.
I just hope that those we who are seeking that GMA be accountable do not EVER forget that what we are seeking is justice and accountability for the long term, and that just doesn’t include her and her administration but the very system that bred her.
i’m convinced too, it was an honest piece. but i could not agree to her argument that economic gains should be given preference over the malignant corruption of this administration. Economic mana, which has not trickled down to the masses, over the stoppage of this unabated and in-your-face stealing done by the President’s croonies and probably with her blessings, I think, we should prefer the latter. yes, we could not eradicate corruption quickly; the very least, we could slow it down with the President’s removal while we repair the damage to our gov’t institutions.
Should we heed to Monsod’s advice, it could had been an error for us to ovethrow Marcos because anyway, there was no assurance Cory would not become corrupt.
The level of corruption of this administration, if left alone, might even surpass what Marcos had pillaged from us. Tnx MLQ.
“There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and statistics.”
Mark Twain
madonna, you have to trust the people to work out how to fix the system. there was a growing trend in that direction. but all efforts to move towards that direction have been blocked.
i was being fuzzy though: by system i meant our constitutional system. theoretically it’s pretty good. given a chance, it could work and by this i mean foster a better constitutional system without the defects of the present one.
with the president out of the way the moves will accelerate though perhaps not move as fast as you want. the alternative though is along the lines your misgiving about pressure groups having reforms in mind you mistrust. it’s too risky to embark on a complete free-for-all.
the trend is there, the pressure is there, but also, those resisting have set up enclaves, like the chopping up of provinces which builds more easily defensible territories for the warlords. but the national pressure is towards change. recall i’ve pointed out the “old obediences” are vanishing and we’re accelerating towards a more egalitarian direction.
i’ve said, too, that we lack equality. the only question is how you pursue it. the easiest way is a year zero -but that’s theoretically speaking. the only way that succeeds is build a community of those who come from diverse backgrounds but trust each other more than they mistrust the various components of our society.
but corina is prettier and sexier than Noli’s wife. he he he. Yam yam yam!
You know what? You are right.
I totally diminished the seriousness of your pursuit. My bad. Totally insensitive of me not to realize how close this issue is to your heart.
The fact that I don’t care about this whole issue is really my own thing and I should have left it at that. It was totally improper of me to impose my point of view upon you and other readers of the blog.
My apologies. I’m serious. I’ll stop now.
Peace bro.
Dear Belinda:
Sen. Panfilo Lacson revealed last Thursday that your husband is a Malacañang appointee. What’s your response to this possible conflict of interest between your Jurassic, I mean, journalistic work (?) and your husband’s appointment?
What is your response to this possible scenario: Belinda criticizes the “Evil Bitchâ€Â. The “Evil Bitchâ€Â, who is the patron of Belinda’s husband, gets mad and sacks Belinda’s husband. Belinda’s husband loses his salary, bonuses, and perks. Ergo, Belinda keeps licking the shoes of the “Evil Bitchâ€Â. I hope you will shed light on this matter and won’t stonewall like your husband’s patron.
Sincerely yours,
Jason Born
P.S. If you have time, can you please write an article about your husband’s positions in government.